四签名 116琼诺赞·斯茂的奇异故事（26）

'You think, then, sir, that I should give the information to the governor-general?' said I quietly.

我慢慢地问道：'先生，您认为我应当把这情况报告总督吗？'

'Well, well, you must not do anything rash¹, or that you might repent².

'你先不要忙，否则你就会后悔。

Let me hear all about it, Small. Give me the facts.'

斯茂，你先把全部事实告诉我吧。'

I told him the whole story, with small changes, so that he could not identify the places.

我把全部经过都告诉了他，只是变换了一些事实，以免泄露藏宝的地点。

When I had finished he stood stock still and full of thought.

我说完了以后，他呆呆地站着沉思了许久，

I could see by the twitch³ of his lip that there was a struggle going on within him.

由他嘴唇的颤动，我就看得出来他的心里正在进行着一场思想斗争。

'This is a very important matter, Small,' he said at last.

最后他说道：'斯茂，这事关系重要，

'You must not say a word to anyone about it, and I shall see you again soon.'

你先不要对任何人说一个字，让我想一想，再告诉你怎么办。'

Two nights later he and his friend, Captain Morstan, came to my hut in the dead of the night with a lantern.

过了两夜，他和他的朋友摩斯坦上尉在深夜里提着灯来到我的茅屋。

'I want you just to let Captain Morstan hear that story from your own lips, Small,' said he.

他道：'斯茂，我请摩斯坦上尉来了，再听一听你亲口说说那故事。'

I repeated it as I had told it before.

我照以前的话又说了一遍。

'It rings true, eh?' said he. 'It's good enough to act upon?' Captain Morstan nodded.

舒尔托道：'听着倒象是实话，啊？还值得一干吧？'摩斯坦上尉点了点头。

'Look here, Small,' said the major. 'We have been talking it over, my friend here and I,

舒尔托道：'斯茂，咱们这么办。我和我的朋友把你的事情研究以后，

and we have come to the conclusion that this secret of yours is hardly a government matter, after all,

我们认为这个秘密是属于你个人的，不是政府的事。

but is a private concern of your own, which of course you have the power of disposing of as you think best.

这是你个人的私事，你有权作任何处理。

Now the question is, What price would you ask for it?

现在的问题是你要多少代价呢？

We might be inclined⁴ to take it up, and at least look into it, if we could agree as to terms.'

假若我们能够达成协议，我们也许同意代你办理，至少也要代你调查一下。'

He tried to speak in a cool, careless way, but his eyes were shining with excitement and greed⁵.

他说话时极力表示冷静和不在乎的样子，可是他的眼色里显出了兴奋和贪婪。

1 rash   

adj.轻率的；n.（皮）疹，爆发的一连串

参考例句：

• My skin has broken out in an itchy rash.我的皮肤上突然长出一片让人发痒的皮疹。
• Don't be rash in making your decision.别轻率做出决定。

2 repent   

v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔

参考例句：

• He has nothing to repent of.他没有什么要懊悔的。
• Remission of sins is promised to those who repent.悔罪者可得到赦免。

3 twitch   

v.急拉，抽动，痉挛，抽搐；n.扯，阵痛，痉挛

参考例句：

• The smell made my dog's nose twitch.那股气味使我的狗的鼻子抽动着。
• I felt a twitch at my sleeve.我觉得有人扯了一下我的袖子。

4 inclined   

a.有…倾向的

参考例句：

• She was inclined to trust him. 她愿意相信他。
• He inclined towards the speaker to hear more clearly. 他把身体倾向发言人，以便听得更清楚些。

5 greed   

n.贪食，贪心，贪婪

参考例句：

• His greed knows no limits.他的贪心永无止境。
• Greed was his only motive for stealing.贪婪是他盗窃的唯一动机。