四签名 68凶手的末日（1）（在线收听）

Chapter 10 The End Of The Islander

第十章 凶手的末日

Our meal was a merry one. Holmes could talk exceedingly well when he chose, and that night he did choose.

我们这顿饭吃得很快乐。福尔摩斯在高兴的时候，谈锋向来是畅利的。

He appeared to be in a state of nervous exaltation. I have never known him so brilliant.

今晚他的精神似乎异常愉快，所以天南地北谈个不休。我还从不知道他这样健谈，

He spoke on a quick succession of subjects–on miracle plays, on mediaeval pottery, on Stradivarius violins, on the Buddhism of Ceylon,

他从神怪剧谈到中世纪的陶器，斯特莱迪瓦利厄斯提琴，锡兰的佛学，

and on the warships of the future, handling each as though he had made a special study of it.

以及未来的战舰，他对哪一方面，似乎全都特别研究过的，

His bright humour marked the reaction from his black depression of the preceding days.

所以说起来滔滔不绝，把这几天的郁闷也一扫而光了。

Athelney Jones proved to be a sociable soul in his hours of relaxation and faced his dinner with the air of a bon vivant.

埃瑟尔尼·琼斯在休息的时候也是一个爱说爱笑性情随和的人，他尽量欣赏着这顿考究的晚餐。

For myself, I felt elated at the thought that we were nearing the end of our task, and I caught something of Holmes's gaiety.

在我个人则觉得全案的结束似乎就在今晚，也和福尔摩斯同样地愉快得开怀畅饮起来，

None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together.

宾主三人异常欢洽，没有人提到我们饭后的冒险任务。

When the cloth was cleared Holmes glanced at his watch and filled up three glasses with port.

饭后，福尔摩斯看了看表，斟满了三杯红葡萄酒道：

"One bumper," said he, "to the success of our little expedition.

"再干一杯，预祝今晚成功。

And now it is high time we were off. Have you a pistol, Watson?"

时候到了，应该动身了。华生，你有手枪吗？"

"I have my old service-revolver in my desk."

"抽屉里有一支，是从前在军队里使用的。"

"You had best take it, then. It is well to be prepared.

"你最好是带上它，有备而无患。

I see that the cab is at the door. I ordered it for half-past six."

车子已等在门外，我和他预订了六点半钟到这里来接咱们的。"