四签名 40木桶的插曲（2）

She was clearly no mere¹ paid dependant² but an honoured friend.

可见摩斯坦小姐在这里的身分显然不是一个被雇用的人，而是一位受尊重的朋友。

I was introduced, and Mrs. Forrester earnestly begged me to step in and tell her our adventures.

经介绍后，弗里斯特夫人诚恳地请我进去稍坐，并要求我告诉她今晚的奇遇，

I explained, however, the importance of my errand

我只好向她解释，我还有重要的使命，

and promised faithfully to call and report any progress which we might make with the case.

并且答应她今后一定要把案情的进展随时前来报告。

As we drove away I stole a glance back,

当我告辞登车以后，

and I still seem to see that little group on the step the two graceful³, clinging figures,

我存心回过头去看了一眼，我仿佛看见她们两个手拉手的端庄的身影立在台阶上，

the half-opened door, the hall-light shining through stained glass, the barometer⁴, and the bright stair-rods.

还隐约看见半开着的房门、从有色玻璃透出来的灯光、挂着的风雨表和光亮的楼梯扶手。

It was soothing⁵ to catch even that passing glimpse of a tranquil⁶ English home in the midst of the wild, dark business which had absorbed us.

在这种烦闷的时候，看见这么一个宁静的英国家庭的景象，心神也就畅快得多了。

And the more I thought of what had happened, the wilder and darker it grew.

对于今晚所遭遇的事，我愈想愈觉得前途离奇黑暗。

I reviewed the whole extraordinary sequence of events as I rattled⁷ on through the silent, gas-lit streets.

当马车行驶在被煤气路灯照着的寂静的马路上的时候，我重新回忆起这一连串的情节。

There was the original problem: that at least was pretty clear now.

已经搞清楚了的基本问题是：

The death of Captain Morstan, the sending of the pearls, the advertisement, the letter

摩斯坦上尉的死，寄来的珠宝，报上的广告和摩斯坦小姐所接的信。

we had had light upon all those events.

所有这些事件，我们都已大体明确了。

They had only led us, however, to a deeper and far more tragic⁸ mystery.

但是这些事件竟将我们引向更深、更凄惨的、奥秘的境界里去：

The Indian treasure, the curious plan found among Morstan's baggage,

印度的宝物，摩斯坦上尉行李中的怪图，

the strange scene at Major Sholto's death,

舒尔托少校临死时的怪状，

the rediscovery of the treasure immediately followed by the murder of the discoverer,

宝物的发现和紧跟着就发生了的宝物发现者的被害，

the very singular accompaniments to the crime, the footsteps, the remarkable⁹ weapons,

被害时的各种怪象，那些脚印，奇异的凶器，

the words upon the card, corresponding with those upon Captain Morstan's chart

在一张纸上所发现和摩斯坦上尉的图样上相同的字。

here was indeed a labyrinth¹⁰ in which a man less singularly endowed than my fellow

这可真是一串错综复杂的情节，除非有和福尔摩斯一样的天赋天才，

lodger¹¹ might well despair of ever finding the clue.

平常的人简直是束手无策，无法来找线索的。

1 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。

2 dependant   

n.依靠的，依赖的，依赖他人生活者

参考例句：

• The dependent dependant cannot live independently.依靠别人的被赡养者不能独立生活。
• The fact that the woman is still regarded as the man's dependant.再加上女人仍被看作是男人的附属品这一事实。

3 graceful   

adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的

参考例句：

• His movements on the parallel bars were very graceful.他的双杠动作可帅了!
• The ballet dancer is so graceful.芭蕾舞演员的姿态是如此的优美。

4 barometer   

n.气压表，睛雨表，反应指标

参考例句：

• The barometer marked a continuing fall in atmospheric pressure.气压表表明气压在继续下降。
• The arrow on the barometer was pointing to"stormy".气压计上的箭头指向“有暴风雨”。

5 soothing   

adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的

参考例句：

• Put on some nice soothing music.播放一些柔和舒缓的音乐。
• His casual, relaxed manner was very soothing.他随意而放松的举动让人很快便平静下来。

6 tranquil   

adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的

参考例句：

• The boy disturbed the tranquil surface of the pond with a stick. 那男孩用棍子打破了平静的池面。
• The tranquil beauty of the village scenery is unique. 这乡村景色的宁静是绝无仅有的。

7 rattled   

慌乱的，恼火的

参考例句：

• The truck jolted and rattled over the rough ground. 卡车嘎吱嘎吱地在凹凸不平的地面上颠簸而行。
• Every time a bus went past, the windows rattled. 每逢公共汽车经过这里，窗户都格格作响。

8 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

9 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

10 labyrinth   

n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路

参考例句：

• He wandered through the labyrinth of the alleyways.他在迷宫似的小巷中闲逛。
• The human mind is a labyrinth.人的心灵是一座迷宫。

11 lodger   

n.寄宿人，房客

参考例句：

• My friend is a lodger in my uncle's house.我朋友是我叔叔家的房客。
• Jill and Sue are at variance over their lodger.吉尔和休在对待房客的问题上意见不和。