評論
打印
"But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish.
"但這道理是顯而易見的。在城市里，公眾輿論的壓力可以做出法律所不能做到的事。
There is no lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child,
沒有一條小巷會壞到連一個被虐待挨打的孩童的哀叫聲、
or the thud of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the neighbours,
或一個醉漢的毆打的噼啪聲都不會引起鄰居們的同情和憤怒的，
and then the whole machinery of justice is ever so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is but a step between the crime and the dock.
而且，整個司法機構近在咫尺，一提出控訴就可以使它采取行動，犯罪和被告席只有一步之遙。
But look at these lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law.
但是看看這些孤零零的房子，每幢都造在自己的田地里，里面居住的大多是愚昧無知的鄉民，他們對于法律懂得很少。
Think of the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser.
想想看，兇惡殘暴的行為，暗藏的罪惡，可能年復一年在這些地方連續不斷發生而不被人發覺。
Had this lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I should never have had a fear for her.
向我們求援的這位小姐要是住在溫切斯特，我就絕不會為她擔擾。
It is the five miles of country which makes the danger.
但是危險在于她住在五英里之外的農村。
Still, it is clear that she is not personally threatened."
不過，很清楚，她個人安全并沒有受到威脅。"
"No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away."
"沒有，如果她能夠到溫切斯特來和我們見面，說明她是脫得開身的。"
"Quite so. She has her freedom."
"一點不錯，她是有自己的自由的。"
"What can be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?"
"那么，究竟是什么事情呢？你能做出解釋嗎？"
"I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would cover the facts as far as we know them.
"我曾設想過七種不同的解釋，每一種都適用于到目前為止我們所知道的事實。
But which of these is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we shall no doubt find waiting for us.
但它們當中哪一種是正確的，只能在得到無疑正在等著我們的新消息后才能做出決定。
Well, there is the tower of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has to tell."
好了，那邊就是教堂的塔，我們不久就會聽到亨特小姐要告訴我們的一切了。"
