斑点带子案 49多行不义必自毙(8)

I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his room.

我在走进他的房间之前就已得出了这个结论。

An inspection¹ of his chair showed me that he had been in the habit of standing² on it,

对他椅子的检查证明，他常常站在椅子上，

which of course would be necessary in order that he should reach the ventilator.

为了够得着通气孔这当然是必要的。

The sight of the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord

见到保险柜，那一碟牛奶和鞭绳的活结

were enough to finally dispel³ any doubts which may have remained.

就足以消除余下的任何怀疑了。

The metallic⁴ clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant.

斯托纳小姐听到了金属哐啷声很明显是由于他继父急急忙忙把他那条可怕的毒蛇关进保险柜时引起的。

Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in order to put the matter to the proof.

一旦作出了决定，你已知道我采取了些什么步骤来验证这件事。

I heard the creature hiss⁵ as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the light and attacked it."

我听到那东西嘶嘶作声的时候，我毫不怀疑你一定也听到了，我马上点着了灯并抽打它。"

"With the result of driving it through the ventilator."

"结果把它从通气孔赶了回去。"

"And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master at the other side.

"结果还引起它在另一头反过去扑向它的主人。

Some of the blows of my cane⁶ came home and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person it saw.

我那几下藤鞭子抽打得它够受的，激起了它的毒蛇本性，因而它就对第一个见到的人狠狠地咬了一口。

In this way I am no doubt indirectly⁷ responsible for Dr. Grimesby Roylott's death,

这样，我无疑得对格里姆斯比·罗伊洛特医生的死间接地负责。

and I cannot say that it is likely to weigh very heavily upon my conscience."

凭良心说，我是不大会为此而感到内疚的。"

1 inspection   

n.检查，审查，检阅

参考例句：

• On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。
• The soldiers lined up for their daily inspection by their officers.士兵们列队接受军官的日常检阅。

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 dispel   

vt.驱走，驱散，消除

参考例句：

• I tried in vain to dispel her misgivings.我试图消除她的疑虑，但没有成功。
• We hope the programme will dispel certain misconceptions about the disease.我们希望这个节目能消除对这种疾病的一些误解。

4 metallic   

adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的

参考例句：

• A sharp metallic note coming from the outside frightened me.外面传来尖锐铿锵的声音吓了我一跳。
• He picked up a metallic ring last night.昨夜他捡了一个金属戒指。

5 hiss   

v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满

参考例句：

• We can hear the hiss of air escaping from a tire.我们能听到一只轮胎的嘶嘶漏气声。
• Don't hiss at the speaker.不要嘘演讲人。

6 cane   

n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的

参考例句：

• This sugar cane is quite a sweet and juicy.这甘蔗既甜又多汁。
• English schoolmasters used to cane the boys as a punishment.英国小学老师过去常用教鞭打男学生作为惩罚。

7 indirectly   

adv.间接地，不直接了当地

参考例句：

• I heard the news indirectly.这消息我是间接听来的。
• They were approached indirectly through an intermediary.通过一位中间人，他们进行了间接接触。