博斯科姆比溪谷秘案 32阐述看法(3)

"It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down considerably¹.

"那是很明显的。好啦，你看，我已经把研究的范围大大地缩小了。

The possession of a gray garment was a third point which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a certainty.

现在姑且承认那儿子的话是正确的，那么这个人有一件灰色大衣这件事就是完全可以肯定的第三点。

We have come now out of mere² vagueness to the definite conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a gray cloak."

对于一个有一件灰色大衣的来自巴勒拉特的澳大利亚人，我们原先只有一种模糊的概念，现在就明确了。"

"Certainly." "And one who was at home in the district,

"那是当然。""他是一个熟悉这个地区的人，

for the pool can only be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could hardly wander."

因为要到这个池塘来必须经过这个农场或经过这个庄园，这个地方，陌生人几乎是进不来的。"

"Quite so." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the ground

"确实是这样。""所以我们今天长途跋涉到这里来。我检查了场地，

I gained the trifling³ details which I gave to that imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal."

了解到了案情的细节，我已经把这个罪犯是个什么样的人告诉了低能的雷斯垂德。"

"But how did you gain them?"

"你是怎样了解到这些细节的？"

"You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of trifles."

"我的方法你是知道的。那就是靠从观察细小的事情当中了解到的。"

"His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length of his stride.

"我知道你可以从他走路步子的大小约略地判明他的高度。

His boots, too, might be told from their traces."

他的靴子也是可以从他的脚印来判明。"

"Yes, they were peculiar⁴ boots." "But his lameness⁶?"

"是的，那是一双很特别的靴子。""但是他是个瘸子是怎么看出的呢？"

"The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than his left.

"他的右脚印总是不象左脚印那么清楚。可见右脚使的劲比较小。

He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped–he was lame⁵."

为什么？因为他一瘸一拐地走路，他是个瘸子。"

1 considerably   

adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上

参考例句：

• The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
• The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。

2 mere   

adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过

参考例句：

• That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
• It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。

3 trifling   

adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的

参考例句：

• They quarreled over a trifling matter.他们为这种微不足道的事情争吵。
• So far Europe has no doubt, gained a real conveniency,though surely a very trifling one.直到现在为止,欧洲无疑地已经获得了实在的便利，不过那确是一种微不足道的便利。

4 peculiar   

adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的

参考例句：

• He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
• He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。

5 lame   

adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的

参考例句：

• The lame man needs a stick when he walks.那跛脚男子走路时需借助拐棍。
• I don't believe his story.It'sounds a bit lame.我不信他讲的那一套。他的话听起来有些靠不住。

6 lameness   

n. 跛, 瘸, 残废

参考例句：

• Having been laughed at for his lameness,the boy became shy and inhibited. 那男孩因跛脚被人讥笑，变得羞怯而压抑。
• By reason of his lameness the boy could not play games. 这男孩因脚跛不能做游戏。