博斯科姆比溪谷秘案 01前往博斯科姆比溪谷(1)

The Boscombe Valley Mystery

博斯科姆比溪谷秘案

We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the maid brought in a telegram.

一天早上，正当我和我的妻子在一起进早餐的时候，我们的女仆送来了一封电报。

It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran in this way: Have you a couple of days to spare?

那是歇洛克·福尔摩斯打来的，电报内容是这样的：能否抽暇数日？

Have just been wired for from the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy.

顷获英国西部为博斯科姆比溪谷惨案事来电。

Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Leave Paddington by the 11:15.

如能驾临，不胜欣幸。该地空气及景致极佳。望十一时十五分从帕丁顿起程。

"What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Will you go?"

"亲爱的，你看怎么样？"我的妻子隔着餐桌看着我说，"你想去吗？"

"I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at present."

"我真不知道怎么说才好。我现在要做的事情多得很。"

"Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking a little pale lately.

"噢，安斯特鲁瑟会替你把工作做了的。你最近脸色有点苍白。

I think that the change would do you good, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes's cases."

我想，换换环境对你是有好处的，何况你又总是对歇洛克·福尔摩斯侦查的案件那么感兴趣。"

"I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained through one of them," I answered.

"想想我从他办案中得到的教益，我要不去，那就太对不起他了。"我回答道，

"But if I am to go, I must pack at once, for I have only half an hour."

"但是，如果我要去的话，就得立即收拾行装，因为现在离出发的时间只有半个小时了。"

My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the effect of making me a prompt¹ and ready traveller.

我在阿富汗度过的戎马生涯，至少使我养成了行动敏捷、几乎可以随时动身的习惯。

My wants were few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a cab² with my valise, rattling³ away to Paddington Station.

我随身携带的生活必需岂不多，所以在半小时内我就带着我的旅行皮包上了出租马车，车声辚辚地驶向帕丁顿车站。

Sherlock Holmes was pacing up and down the platform,

歇洛克·福尔摩斯在站台上踱来踱去，

his tall, gaunt figure made even gaunter and taller by his long gray travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap.

他穿着一件长长的灰色旅行斗篷，戴着一顶紧紧箍着头的便帽；他那枯瘦细长的身躯就显得更加突出了。

"It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he.

"华生，你能来真是太好了，"他说道，

"It makes a considerable⁴ difference to me, having someone with me on whom I can thoroughly⁵ rely.

"有个完全靠得住的人和我在一起，情况就大不相同了。

Local aid is always either worthless⁶ or else biassed⁷. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall get the tickets."

地方上的协助往往不是毫无价值，就是带有偏见。你去占着那角落里的两个座位，我买票去。"

1 prompt   

adj.迅速的，敏捷的，立刻的；vt.激起，促进，推动；提示； vi.提示；n.提示；提示的内容；n.[商]付款期限

参考例句：

• His prompt action prevented the fire from spreading.他的果断行动制止了火势的蔓延。
• Will you prompt for us at the performance?演出时你给我们提示台词好吗？

2 cab   

n.计程车，出租车，出租单马车；vi.乘出租马车

参考例句：

• The cab drove over his legs.马车从他腿上碾过。
• Shall we walk or take a cab?我们步行还是坐出租车？

3 rattling   

adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词

参考例句：

• This book is a rattling good read. 这是一本非常好的读物。
• At that same instant,a deafening explosion set the windows rattling. 正在这时，一声震耳欲聋的爆炸突然袭来，把窗玻璃震得当当地响。

4 considerable   

a.相当多的，相当大的，相当重要的

参考例句：

• He saved the child at considerable risk to himself. 他冒着极大的生命危险救了那个孩子。
• The flood resulted in a considerable reduction in production. 这次水灾造成相当大的减产。

5 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

6 worthless   

adj.无价值的，无用的，可鄙的

参考例句：

• Don't read worthless books.不要读没有用的书。
• He was worthless as a painter.他作为画家一事无成。

7 biassed   

（统计试验中）结果偏倚的，有偏的

参考例句：