绿玉皇冠案 02几近疯癫的委托人(2)

He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing¹, with a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure.

这个人大约有五十岁模样，长得身材魁梧，脸庞厚实，堂堂仪表，真是相貌非凡。

He was dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat,

他的衣着虽然色泽暗淡，但是却很奢华时髦，他身穿一件黑色大礼服，

shining hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-gray trousers.

头戴一顶有光泽的帽子，脚蹬一双式样雅致的有绑腿的棕色高统靴，裤子剪裁考究，是珠灰色的。

Yet his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and features,

然而，他的行动与他端庄尊严的衣著和仪表相比，却显得十分荒唐可笑，

for he was running hard, with occasional little springs,

因为他正在一股劲地奔跑，偶尔还夹杂着小小的蹦跳，

such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to set any tax upon his legs.

好像一个疲惫困乏的人不习惯使自己的双腿加重负担而蹦跳的那样。

As he ran he jerked his hands up and down, waggled his head,

当他跑的时候，双手痉挛地上下挥动，脑袋晃来晃去，

and writhed² his face into the most extraordinary contortions³.

因而使他的脸部抽搐得非常难看。

"What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked.

"他究竟出了什么事啊？"我不禁问道。

"He is looking up at the numbers of the houses."

"他在查看这些房子的门牌号码。"

"I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his hands.

"我相信他是到我们这里来的。"福尔摩斯搓着手说。

"Here?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally.

"到这里来？" "是的，我想他是来请教与我专业有关的事。

I think that I recognize the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?"

我是看得出这种迹象的。哈！我不是刚对你说过吗？"

As he spoke⁴, the man, puffing⁵ and blowing, rushed at our door

说话间，那个人已经气急败坏地冲到我们的门口，

and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded⁶ with the clanging.

把门铃拉得响彻整所房屋。

1 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。

2 writhed   

（因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He writhed at the memory, revolted with himself for that temporary weakness. 他一想起来就痛悔不已，只恨自己当一时糊涂。
• The insect, writhed, and lay prostrate again. 昆虫折腾了几下，重又直挺挺地倒了下去。

3 contortions   

n.扭歪，弯曲；扭曲，弄歪，歪曲( contortion的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Trimeris' compound, called T-20, blocks the final structural contortions from taking place. T-20是特里米瑞斯公司生产的化合物。它能阻止分子最终结构折叠的发生。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 癌症与艾滋病
• The guard was laughing at his contortions. 那个警卫看到他那难受劲儿感到好笑。 来自英汉文学

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 puffing   

v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧

参考例句：

• He was puffing hard when he jumped on to the bus. 他跳上公共汽车时喘息不已。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• My father sat puffing contentedly on his pipe. 父亲坐着心满意足地抽着烟斗。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 resounded   

v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音

参考例句：

• Laughter resounded through the house. 笑声在屋里回荡。
• The echo resounded back to us. 回声传回到我们的耳中。 来自《简明英汉词典》