四签名 67线索的中断（11）

"Rather an irregular proceeding," said Jones, shaking his head.

琼斯摇头道："这个办法未免于规章有所不合

"However, the whole thing is irregular, and I suppose we must wink¹ at it.

不过咱们可以通融办理。

The treasure must afterwards be handed over to the authorities until after the official investigation²."

但是看完之后，宝物必须送还政府以便检验。

"Certainly. That is easily managed.

"那是当然的，这个好办。

One other point. I should much like to have a few details about this matter from the lips of Jonathan Small himself.

还有一点，我倒很希望先听到琼诺赞·斯茂亲口说出有关这一案件的始末详情。

You know I like to work the details of my cases out.

你知道，我素来就需要把一个案子的详情，充分地了解。

There is no objection to my having an unofficial interview with him,

你大概对于我准备先在这儿或其他地方，在警察看守之下，

either here in my rooms or elsewhere, as long as he is efficiently³ guarded?"

先对他作一次非正式的讯问一节没有什么不同意吧？"

"Well, you are master of the situation. I have had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan Small.

"你是掌握着全案情况的人。虽然我还没有能够证明确有这么一个叫琼诺赞·斯茂的人，

However, if you can catch him, I don't see how I can refuse you an interview with him."

可是如果你能捉到他，我没有理由阻止你先向他讯问。"

"That is understood, then?"

"那么，这也同意了？"

"Perfectly⁴. Is there anything else?"

"完全同意，还有什么要求吗？"

"Only that I insist upon your dining with us. It will be ready in half an hour.

"只有我要留你同我们一起吃晚饭，半点钟内即可备好。

I have oysters⁵ and a brace⁶ of grouse⁷, with something a little choice in white wines.

我准备了生蚝和一对野鸡，还有些特选的白酒。

Watson, you have never yet recognized my merits as a housekeeper⁸."

华生，你不知道，我还是个治家的能手呢。"

1 wink   

n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁

参考例句：

• He tipped me the wink not to buy at that price.他眨眼暗示我按那个价格就不要买。
• The satellite disappeared in a wink.瞬息之间，那颗卫星就消失了。

2 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

3 efficiently   

adv.高效率地，有能力地

参考例句：

• The worker oils the machine to operate it more efficiently.工人给机器上油以使机器运转更有效。
• Local authorities have to learn to allocate resources efficiently.地方政府必须学会有效地分配资源。

4 perfectly   

adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
• Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。

5 oysters   

牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• We don't have oysters tonight, but the crayfish are very good. 我们今晚没有牡蛎供应。但小龙虾是非常好。
• She carried a piping hot grill of oysters and bacon. 她端出一盘滚烫的烤牡蛎和咸肉。

6 brace   

n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备

参考例句：

• My daughter has to wear a brace on her teeth. 我的女儿得戴牙套以矫正牙齿。
• You had better brace yourself for some bad news. 有些坏消息,你最好做好准备。

7 grouse   

n.松鸡；v.牢骚，诉苦

参考例句：

• They're shooting grouse up on the moors.他们在荒野射猎松鸡。
• If you don't agree with me,please forget my grouse.如果你的看法不同，请不必介意我的牢骚之言。

8 housekeeper   

n.管理家务的主妇，女管家

参考例句：

• A spotless stove told us that his mother is a diligent housekeeper.炉子清洁无瑕就表明他母亲是个勤劳的主妇。
• She is an economical housekeeper and feeds her family cheaply.她节约持家，一家人吃得很省。