血字的研究 67逃命(6)（在线收听）

While Ferrier was absent, preparing his daughter for the approaching journey,

费瑞厄进去叫他的女儿准备上路的时候，

Jefferson Hope packed all the eatables that he could find into a small parcel,

杰弗逊·侯波就把他能够找到的所有可以吃的东西，打成一个小包，

and filled a stoneware jar with water, for he knew by experience that the mountain wells were few and far between.

又把一个磁起灌满了水；因为根据他的经验，他知道山中水井很少，而且也相距甚远。

He had hardly completed his arrangements before the farmer returned with his daughter all dressed and ready for a start.

他刚刚收拾完毕，这位农民和他的女儿就一起走了出来，全都穿好了衣服，准备出发了。

The greeting between the lovers was warm, but brief, for minutes were precious, and there was much to be done.

这一对恋人非常亲热地问候了一番，但是非常短暂，因为现在一分一秒的时间都是非常宝贵，而且眼前还有许多事情要做。

"We must make our start at once," said Jefferson Hope, speaking in a low but resolute voice, like one who realizes the greatness of the peril, but has steeled his heart to meet it.

"咱们必须马上就走，"杰弗逊·侯波说，他的声音低沉而又坚决，就象一个人明知前面危险很大，但是已经破釜沉舟、下定决心要闯过去，

"The front and back entrances are watched, but with caution we may get away through the side window and across the fields.

"前面和后面进出的地方，都已有人把守。可是，小心一点的话，咱们还是可以从旁边窗子出去，穿过田野逃走。

Once on the road we are only two miles from the Ravine where the horses are waiting.

只要一上大路，咱们再走两里路，就可以到达鹰谷了，马匹就在那里等着。

By daybreak we should be halfway through the mountains."

天明以前，咱们必须赶过半山去。"

"What if we are stopped?" asked Ferrier.

费瑞厄问道："如果有人阻挡，那又怎么办呢？"

Hope slapped the revolver butt which protruded from the front of his tunic.

侯波拍了一下衣襟下面露出的左轮手枪的枪柄，

"If they are too many for us, we shall take two or three of them with us," he said with a sinister smile.

狞笑着说："即使咱们寡不敌众，咱们至少也要干掉它两三个。"

The lights inside the house had all been extinguished, and from the darkened window Ferrier peered over the fields which had been his own, and which he was now about to abandon forever.

屋中的灯火早已全部熄灭。费瑞厄从黑黝黝的窗口望出去，瞧着曾经一度属于他的这篇土地，现在就要永远放弃了。

He had long nerved himself to the sacrifice, however, and the thought of the honour and happiness of his daughter outweighed any regret at his ruined fortunes.

对于这种牺牲，他一直耿耿于怀。但是，当他想到他女儿的荣誉和幸福时，即使倾家荡产他也在所不惜了。

All looked so peaceful and happy, the rustling trees and the broad silent stretch of grainland, that it was difficult to realize that the spirit of murder lurked through it all.

沙沙作响的树林和那一望无际的平静的田野，看来都是那样宁静，使人感到幸福。但是谁也料不到，这里却是那些杀人不眨眼的魔王们出没之地。

Yet the white face and set expression of the young hunter showed that in his approach to the house he had seen enough to satisfy him upon that head.

这个年轻猎人的苍白的脸色和那紧张的表情都说明：在他爬近这个屋子的时候，早已把这里的险恶情况，看得一清二楚了。

Ferrier carried the bag of gold and notes, Jefferson Hope had the scanty provisions and water, while Lucy had a small bundle containing a few of her more valued possessions.

费瑞厄提着钱袋；杰弗逊·侯波带着不多的口粮和饮水；露茜提着一个小包，里边有她的一些珍贵物品。

Opening the window very slowly and carefully, they waited until a dark cloud had somewhat obscured the night, and then one by one passed through into the little garden.

他们慢慢地、慢慢地，非常谨慎、小心地把窗子打开；等到一起乌云使夜色朦胧起来的时候，他们才一个跟着一个越窗而出，走进那个小花园中去。

With bated breath and crouching figures they stumbled across it, and gained the shelter of the hedge, which they skirted until they came to the gap which opened into the cornfield.

他们起声静起，弯下腰来，深一脚浅一脚地穿过花园，来到花园篱垣的暗处。他们沿着篱垣走到一个通向麦田的缺口。

They had just reached this point when the young man seized his two companions and dragged them down into the shadow, where they lay silent and trembling.

他们刚刚走到这个缺口的地方，侯波突然一把抓住父女二人，把他们拖到阴暗的地方。他们静静地伏在那儿，直吓得浑身颤抖。