四签名 110琼诺赞·斯茂的奇异故事（20）

Besides this, there were nearly three hundred very fine pearls, twelve of which were set in a gold coronet.

除此之外，还有三百多颗精圆的珍珠，其中有十二颗珍珠是镶在一个金项圈上的。

By the way, these last had been taken out of the chest, and were not there when I recovered it.

从樱沼别墅拿回宝箱以后，经过点验，别的还全在，只缺少了这个项圈。

After we had counted our treasures we put them back into the chest and carried them to the gateway¹ to show them to Mahomet Singh.

我们点过以后，把宝物放回箱里，又拿出堡外给莫郝米特·辛格看了一遍。

Then we solemnly renewed our oath to stand by each other and be true to our secret.

我们又重新隆重地宣誓：要团结一致谨守秘密。

We agreed to conceal² our loot in a safe place until the country should be at peace again,

我们决定把宝箱藏匿起来，静候大局平定以后

and then to divide it equally among ourselves.

再来平均伙分。

There was no use dividing it at present, for if gems³ of such value were found upon us it would cause suspicion,

当时就把赃物分了是不妥的，因为珠宝价值太高，假若在我们身上被发现了，会引起别人的疑心，

and there was no privacy in the fort nor any place where we could keep them.

再说我们的住处也没有隐蔽的地方可以收藏。

We carried the box, therefore, into the same hall where we had buried the body,

因此我们把箱子搬到埋尸的那间屋子去，

and there, under certain bricks in the best-preserved wall, we made a hollow and put our treasure.

从最完整的一面墙上拆下几块砖来，把箱子放进去，再把砖放回，掩盖严密。

We made careful note of the place, and next day I drew four plans, one for each of us,

我们小心地记清了藏宝的地方，第二天我画了四张图，每人各执一张，

and put the sign of the four of us at the bottom,

下面都写好了四个人的签名作为我们起誓的标记

for we had sworn that we should each always act for all, so that none might take advantage.

从此以后我们一举一动全要代表四个人的利益，不得独自吞没。

That is an oath that I can put my hand to my heart and swear that I have never broken.

我可以对天起誓，从来没有违反过这个誓言。

1 gateway   

n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法

参考例句：

• Hard work is the gateway to success.努力工作是通往成功之路。
• A man collected tolls at the gateway.一个人在大门口收通行费。

2 conceal   

v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽

参考例句：

• He had to conceal his identity to escape the police.为了躲避警方，他只好隐瞒身份。
• He could hardly conceal his joy at his departure.他几乎掩饰不住临行时的喜悦。

3 gems   

growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长

参考例句：

• a crown studded with gems 镶有宝石的皇冠
• The apt citations and poetic gems have adorned his speeches. 贴切的引语和珠玑般的诗句为他的演说词增添文采。