四签名 61线索的中断（5）

At three o'clock on the afternoon there was a loud peal¹ at the bell,

下午三点钟时，铃声大作，

an authoritative² voice in the hall,

楼下有命令式的高声谈话，

and, to my surprise, no less a person than Mr. Athelney Jones was shown up to me.

没有想到上来的不是别人，竟是埃瑟尔尼·琼斯先生。

Very different was he, however,

可是他的态度和以前绝不相同了，

from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood.

他已经不象在上诺伍德那样粗暴、架子十足和以常识专家自居了，

His expression was downcast, and his bearing meek³ and even apologetic.

他在谦虚之外还有些自惭。

"Good-day, sir; good-day," said he. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes is out, I understand."

他道："您好，先生，您好！听说福尔摩斯先生出去了。"

"Yes, and I cannot be sure when he will be back. But perhaps you would care to wait.

"是的，我不知道他几时可以回来。请等一等好不好？

Take that chair and try one of these cigars."

请坐，吸一支我们的雪茄烟好吗？"

"Thank you; I don't mind if I do," said he, mopping his face with a red bandanna⁴ handkerchief.

"谢谢，请赏我一支吸。"他说时用红绸巾轻轻地揩拭他的上额。

"And a whisky and soda⁵?"

"敬您一杯加苏打的威士忌酒好吗？"

"Well, half a glass. It is very hot for the time of year, and I have had a good deal to worry and try me.

"好吧，半杯就够了。到这时候天气还是这般的热，我心绪又是这样的烦，

You know my theory about this Norwood case?"

您还记得我对这诺伍德案的理解吗？"

"I remember that you expressed one."

"我记得您说过一次。"

"Well, I have been obliged to reconsider it.

"咳，我现在对于这个案子又不得不加以重新考虑了。

I had my net drawn⁶ tightly round Mr. Sholto, sir, when pop he went through a hole in the middle of it.

我本已紧紧地把舒尔托先生兜在网里了，可是，咳，先生，半道里他又从网眼里溜了出去。

He was able to prove an alibi⁷ which could not be shaken.

他证明了一个无法推翻的事实

From the time that he left his brother's room he was never out of sight of someone or other.

他自从离开他哥哥以后始终有人和他在一起，

So it could not be he who climbed over roofs and through trapdoors.

所以这个从暗门进入屋内的人就不会是他了。

It's a very dark case, and my professional credit is at stake.

这个案子实在难破，我在警署的威望亦发生了动摇，

I should be very glad of a little assistance."

我很希望得到些帮助。"

1 peal   

n.钟声；v.鸣响

参考例句：

• The bells of the cathedral rang out their loud peal.大教堂响起了响亮的钟声。
• A sudden peal of thunder leaves no time to cover the ears.迅雷不及掩耳。

2 authoritative   

adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的

参考例句：

• David speaks in an authoritative tone.大卫以命令的口吻说话。
• Her smile was warm but authoritative.她的笑容很和蔼，同时又透着威严。

3 meek   

adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的

参考例句：

• He expects his wife to be meek and submissive.他期望妻子温顺而且听他摆布。
• The little girl is as meek as a lamb.那个小姑娘像羔羊一般温顺。

4 bandanna   

n.大手帕

参考例句：

• He knotted the bandanna around his neck.他在脖子上系了一条印花大围巾。
• He wiped his forehead with a blue bandanna and smiled again.他用一条蓝色的大手帕擦擦前额，又笑了笑。

5 soda   

n.苏打水；汽水

参考例句：

• She doesn't enjoy drinking chocolate soda.她不喜欢喝巧克力汽水。
• I will freshen your drink with more soda and ice cubes.我给你的饮料重加一些苏打水和冰块。

6 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

7 alibi   

n.某人当时不在犯罪现场的申辩或证明；借口

参考例句：

• Do you have any proof to substantiate your alibi? 你有证据表明你当时不在犯罪现场吗？
• The police are suspicious of his alibi because he already has a record.警方对他不在场的辩解表示怀疑，因为他已有前科。