博斯科姆比溪谷秘案 28现场调查(6)

He ran up and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track

他来回巡视，有时脚印找不到了，有时脚印又出现了，

until we were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a great beech¹, the largest tree in the neighbourhood.

一直跟到树林的边缘；跟踪到一棵大山毛榉树--附近最大的一棵树--的树荫下。

Holmes traced his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon his face with a little cry of satisfaction.

福尔摩斯继续往前跟踪，一直跟到那一边，然后再一次脸朝下趴在地上，并且发出了轻轻的得意的喊声。

For a long time he remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks,

他在那里一直趴了好久，翻动树叶和枯枝，

gathering² up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope

把在我看来象是泥土的东西放进一个信封里。

and examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the tree as far as he could reach.

他用放大镜不但检查地面，而且还检查他能检查到的树皮。

A jagged stone was lying among the moss³, and this also he carefully examined and retained.

在苔藓中间有一块锯齿状的石头，他也仔细检查了，还把它收藏了起来。

Then he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the highroad, where all traces were lost.

然后他顺着一条小道穿过树林，一直走到公路那里，在那里任何踪迹都没有了。

"It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, returning to his natural manner.

他说："这是一个十分有趣的案件。"这时，他才恢复了常态。

"I fancy that this gray house on the right must be the lodge⁴.

"我想右边这所灰色的房子一定是门房，

I think that I will go in and have a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note.

我应当到那里去找莫兰说句话，也许写个便条给他。

Having done that, we may drive back to our luncheon⁵. You may walk to the cab, and I shall be with you presently."

完了我们就可以坐马车回去吃中饭了。你们可以先步行到马车那里，我跟着马上就来。"

1 beech   

n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的

参考例句：

• Autumn is the time to see the beech woods in all their glory.秋天是观赏山毛榉林的最佳时期。
• Exasperated,he leaped the stream,and strode towards beech clump.他满腔恼怒，跳过小河，大踏步向毛榉林子走去。

2 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

3 moss   

n.苔，藓，地衣

参考例句：

• Moss grows on a rock.苔藓生在石头上。
• He was found asleep on a pillow of leaves and moss.有人看见他枕着树叶和苔藓睡着了。

4 lodge   

v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆

参考例句：

• Is there anywhere that I can lodge in the village tonight?村里有我今晚过夜的地方吗？
• I shall lodge at the inn for two nights.我要在这家小店住两个晚上。

5 luncheon   

n.午宴，午餐，便宴

参考例句：

• We have luncheon at twelve o'clock.我们十二点钟用午餐。
• I have a luncheon engagement.我午饭有约。