書蟲二級《法蘭克福的耳環(huán)》：溫迪的故事

3.Wendy's story
3．溫迪的故事

Kelly is not a nice man, and I've never liked him. I've worked for him for a year now. My father got the job for me—he told me to work hard and not to ask questions. Kelly often gets angry, and when he's angry, he shouts at everyone and his face goes very red. I'm afraid of him, but I don't want to lose my job. I need the money and it's not easy to find another job.

凱利并不是個正派的人，我壓根兒就不喜歡他。我為他做事已經(jīng)有一年了。這份工作是我父親幫我找的——他囑咐我要勤勤懇懇地工作，不要問東問西。凱利經(jīng)常發(fā)脾氣，每當(dāng)這時，他就會面紅耳赤，對所有人大吼大叫。我很怕他，但又不想失去這份工作。我需要錢，而要找到其他工作又不那么容易。

Richard started work at Kelly's about a month ago. We're good friends, but we don't talk much about our jobs. Nobody at Kelly's talks about the work. We don't really know what his business is. He has two garages in the town and he buys and sells old cars. But he also buys and sells a lot of other things, too—furniture, old pictures, jewellery. I think that some of these things are stolen, but I don't ask questions.

理查德大約是在一個月前開始為凱利做事的。我們是很好的朋友，但卻很少談?wù)摴ぷ魃系氖?。為凱利做事的人都不會去談?wù)摴ぷ?。我們并不知道他究竟做的是什么樣的生意。他在城里擁有兩家汽車修理廠，從事舊車買賣。不過他也買賣其他各色商品，如家具、古畫、珠寶等。我想其中一些東西應(yīng)該是偷來的，但我從不過問。

Ten days ago Kelly called me into his office. I stood there and waited. He began to say something to me, but he stopped and looked down at his papers. Then he took out his diary and opened it.

十天前，凱利把我叫進(jìn)他的辦公室。我站在屋里，等著他發(fā)話。他開始跟我說了些事，卻又止住了，他低頭看了看文件，然后拿出他的日記本打開來。

Wendy, what are you doing next weekend?'

“溫迪，下個周末你打算干些什么？”

I'm not sure, Mr Kelly.'

“我還不太清楚呢，凱利先生。”

How would you like to go on a little business trip? I'll pay you for it, of course.'

“出個小差你覺得如何？當(dāng)然，我會給你酬勞的。”

This surprised me, and I did not reply immediately. Then I said, 'A business trip, Mr Kelly?'

他的話讓我很是意外，我沒有立即回答，問道：“凱利先生，您要我出趟差？”

Yes, to Germany... just for the day. It isn't a difficult job but it's important. What do you say?'

“是的，去德國……當(dāng)天去當(dāng)天回。這份差事并不難，但極為重要。你覺得如何？”

I did not know much about Mr Kelly's business, but I did know that there was something strange about these journeys to other countries. They happened every two or three months, and after them there were secret meetings in the office, often late in the evening. I decided that I did not want to go.

對于凱利先生所從事的買賣我知之甚少，但我卻覺得這些去其他國家的出差有些蹊蹺。類似的情況每兩三個月就會發(fā)生一次，而且之后總會在辦公室秘密召開一次會議，時間通常都在深夜。我決定不去德國出差。

But... but I've never been to Germany. Don't you think... well, perhaps you can ask one of the others.'

“可是……可是我從來都沒去過德國。所以，您不覺得……哦，您或許可以讓其他人去。”

I'm asking you, Wendy. I said that it was important and I want you to do it.' I began to say something but he was still speaking. 'I have friends in Frankfurt and they want to send me some things. They'll give you three small boxes, like egg boxes, and you'll bring them back here. There's nothing difficult about that, is there?'

“溫迪，我是要你去。我說過這個任務(wù)很重要，我希望由你來完成。”我本想說些什么，但他卻一直不停地說了下去：“我在法蘭克福的朋友想送我些東西，他們會給你三個小盒，像雞蛋盒一樣，你把它們帶回來就行了。這沒什么難的，對嗎？”

I didn't say anything.

我什么也沒說。

Are you listening to me, Wendy?' he asked. 'I need you to do this job for me.' His voice was getting louder now.

“溫迪，你在聽我說話嗎？”他問，“我需要你替我完成這件事。”他的聲音開始大起來。

I looked him in the face. 'I'm... I'm sorry, Mr Kelly. I've just remembered. I'm busy next weekend. I can't do it.'

我看著他的臉。“我……我很抱歉，凱利先生。我剛想起來，下個周末我很忙，恐怕我沒法出差。”

He jumped up and his chair fell back. 'Now, just you listen to me, young woman. You work for me, remember that. I'm the person who pays you.' He caught my arm and shook me. 'This time I'm telling you, not asking you. You'll go to Frankfurt or there'll be trouble. You will leave on the first plane on Saturday morning and come back the same evening. With the three boxes. And don't say a word to anyone, do you understand?'

他猛地跳起來，椅子倒在了后面。“現(xiàn)在，請你給我聽著，年輕人。你要記住，你是在給我工作。是我給你支付薪水。”他一把抓住我的胳膊，把我晃來晃去。“這次我是在命令你，不是在請求你。你必須去法蘭克福，否則就會有麻煩。你坐星期六早上的頭班飛機(jī)離開，當(dāng)天晚上帶著那三盒東西回來。不要跟任何人說，明白嗎？”

Then he walked out.

說完他便走了出去。

I didn't sleep much that night. Or the next. I wanted to tell Richard but he was out of town on another of Kelly's jobs. What could I do? I was afraid, and Kelly knew that I was afraid. He did not speak about it again but on Friday he called me into his office and gave me my plane ticket and some money. There was no escape.

那天晚上，也許是之后的那個晚上，我輾轉(zhuǎn)難眠。我想告訴理查德，但他卻出城處理凱利交代的另一件事情去了。我該怎么辦呢？我惴惴不安，凱利也看出來了。他沒再對此說些什么，直到星期五那天他把我叫進(jìn)了辦公室，把機(jī)票和一些錢給了我。這回真的逃不掉了。

Saturday morning came, and I went to the airport. While I was waiting there, I heard my name. I knew that voice immediately. I turned round. 'Richard!' I cried. 'Oh Richard, I'm so pleased to see you. But what are you doing here?' 'I'm coming with you. To Frankfurt. Kelly told me to. Look, here's my ticket.'

到了星期六早上，我去了機(jī)場。當(dāng)我正在候機(jī)時，聽見有人叫我的名字。我立刻聽出了那個聲音。我轉(zhuǎn)過身，“理查德！”我喊道。“噢，理查德，見到你太高興了。可你在這兒做什么？”“我是來陪你的，去法蘭克福。凱利讓我來的?？?，這是我的機(jī)票。”

You mean... Wait a minute. What did Kelly tell you?'

“你是說……等等。凱利都跟你說了些什么？”

Richard was smiling. 'He told me to come with you, that's all. To stay with you... you know, on the plane... and in Frankfurt.'

理查德笑了。“他讓我陪你一起去，僅此而已。就是說，在飛機(jī)上陪著你……在法蘭克福也是。”

I began to understand. 'He told you to watch me, you mean.'

我開始明白了。“你是說，他讓你看著我。”

When we were on the plane, Richard asked me about my work at Kelly's. He knew very little about Kelly's business and he knew very little about our trip to Frankfurt. I told him about the 'egg' boxes and why I was afraid. 'The boxes are small, Kelly said, so I think it's jewellery,' I told Richard. 'And I think...I think it's stolen jewellery.'

坐上飛機(jī)以后，理查德問起我在凱利公司的工作情況。對于凱利的生意他幾乎一無所知，對于我們這次法蘭克福之行他也知之甚少。我告訴了他那幾個“雞蛋”盒子的事以及我害怕的原因。“凱利說那些盒子很小，所以我認(rèn)為那些應(yīng)該是珠寶。”我告訴理查德，“而且我認(rèn)為……我認(rèn)為那些是偷來的珠寶。”

Then Richard got very angry, and said, 'Kelly can't send you on a job like this. Why doesn't he go himself?'

聽到這兒，理查德憤憤不平地說道：“像這樣的事凱利就不該叫你去做。為什么他不自己去？”

But that's it, Richard. It's easier for a girl—Kelly knows that. He's clever, you know. But he thinks I'm afraid. So he's sent you to watch me.'

“但這就是問題所在，理查德。這件事由一個女孩兒來辦會更輕而易舉，凱利對此也心知肚明。要知道，他很精明。但是他認(rèn)為我很害怕，所以派你來監(jiān)視我。”

For a time Richard just sat there, and thought. After a while he turned to me. 'You're not going to do it—you're not going to carry stolen jewellery for that man. Leave it to me. I'll think of something, of some plan.' Then he was silent again.

理查德坐在那里冥思苦想了一陣子。過了一會兒他轉(zhuǎn)過身來對我說：“你不要去辦這事了——你不要為他運(yùn)送偷來的珠寶了。把這件事留給我處理。我會好好考慮，想出一個主意的。”說完他又沉默不語了。

When we arrived in Frankfurt, we went to a hotel for breakfast. Then Richard went off to buy a newspaper, and after that we sat around for about half an hour.

到達(dá)法蘭克福以后，我們走進(jìn)了一家飯店吃早餐。吃完飯理查德出門買了份報紙，之后我們便無所事事地坐著待了半個小時。

We had to meet Kelly's friends outside the hotel. When we walked out of the door, two men were waiting for us in a white Mercedes. We drove through the busy streets of the city and then into the country. Some time later we stopped at an old house with trees all around it. We all went inside and the men took us into a dark room at the back and left us there. It was cold and Richard gave me his coat. He was smiling quietly to himself.

我們要在飯店外面和凱利的朋友見面。當(dāng)我們走出飯店大門時，兩個男人正坐在一輛白色的奔馳車上等著我們。我們驅(qū)車駛過市區(qū)一條條川流不息的街道，開進(jìn)了郊區(qū)，不久后在一棟綠樹環(huán)抱的老房子前停了下來。我們都走了進(jìn)去，那兩個人把我們帶進(jìn)了后面一間昏暗的屋子，并把我們留在了那兒。屋里冷颼颼的，理查德便把他的外衣給了我。他暗自笑了笑。

We waited there in silence. In another room people were talking. We could hear their voices. Then the driver of the Mercedes came and took us upstairs. A short man in a dark green shirt was sitting at a desk. In front of him on the desk were three boxes. He was playing with a pen and watching us carefully. Richard spoke to him in German. I did not understand, but I heard Kelly's name and the man in the green shirt began to say something.

我們靜靜地等在那里。此時另一個房間里有人正在交談，說話聲不絕于耳。接著奔馳車的司機(jī)走進(jìn)來，把我們領(lǐng)到了樓上。一個身穿墨綠色襯衫的矮個子男人正坐在一張桌子旁，他面前的桌子上放著三個盒子。他一邊手里玩著鋼筆，一邊仔細(xì)地打量著我們。理查德用德語與他交談。我聽不懂，但我聽到了凱利的名字，之后這位穿綠襯衫的男子也開口說了些什么。

All at once there were noises outside, the sound of cars and voices and people running. The man jumped up from his desk and pulled a gun out of his pocket. He tried to get to the window but at that minute the door opened and three or four policemen ran in and jumped on him. There was a fight, but the police got his gun from him and held him on the floor. An older man arrived, a police inspector with grey hair, and began to give orders to the policemen. He called across the room to Richard and me in very good English, 'Are you all right? They didn't hurt you, did they?'

突然間屋外一陣嘈雜，有汽車聲、說話聲以及人們奔跑的腳步聲。這名男子猛地從桌子邊跳了起來，從口袋里掏出了一把槍。他試圖走到窗前，但就在此刻門開了，三四名警察沖進(jìn)來，撲到了他身上。經(jīng)過一番搏斗，警察奪走了他的手槍，并把他按在了地上。一位年長的男子趕到了這里并開始對警察們下達(dá)指令，那是位頭發(fā)花白的警察分局局長。他在屋子的另一邊用流利的英語朝理查德和我喊道：“你們都還好吧？他們沒有傷到你們吧？”

He gave some more orders and then he came across to Richard and held out his hand. 'Well done, young man. I must thank you for your help.' He turned to me. 'And thank you too. You've done very well, both of you. It's been a good day's work for all of us.'

他又做了進(jìn)一步的指示，然后走到理查德身邊，伸出手來。“干得好，年輕人。我要對你的幫助表示感謝。”他又轉(zhuǎn)向我說：“也謝謝你。你表現(xiàn)得很出色，你們兩個都是。今天的任務(wù)我們所有人都完成得很好。”

I looked at Richard and he gave me a little smile. 'What does he mean?' I asked, but Richard did not answer.

我看著理查德，他沖我微微一笑。“他說的是什么意思？”我問道，但理查德并沒有回答。

The inspector then explained to me. 'Your friend phoned us this morning from your hotel. After that it was easy. We just waited near the hotel for the white Mercedes and then followed it here.'

接著，局長向我解釋道：“你的朋友今早從飯店給我打來電話。而后的事情就很簡單了。我們只是在飯店附近等那輛白色的奔馳車，然后尾隨而來。”

The inspector took us back into Frankfurt in his car and when we arrived there, we went at once to his office. He ordered coffee for us and while we were waiting for it, he said, 'You've helped us a lot already but we need your help with one more thing. There's still Mr Kelly...and his friends. We have a plan for them.' Oh yes, he knew all about Joe Kelly.

局長用他的汽車把我們送回了法蘭克福，等我們抵達(dá)那里后便立即前往了他的辦公室。他為我們點(diǎn)了咖啡。等咖啡的時候，他說：“你們已經(jīng)幫了我們很大的忙，但還有一件事需要你們的協(xié)助。凱利先生……以及他的一些同伙還沒有落網(wǎng)。我們已經(jīng)為他們設(shè)下了一個圈套。”噢，是的，他知道所有關(guān)于凱利的事。

He brought out the three boxes and put them on the table in front of us. Then he said, 'We would like you to take these back to England with you.'

他拿出那三個盒子，擺到我們面前的桌子上，然后說：“我們希望你們能把這些東西帶回英國。”

Richard and I looked at him in surprise.

理查德和我詫異地看著他。

The inspector waited for a minute and then went on, 'You don't need to be afraid. Perhaps you're thinking about the British police, is that it? Everything will be all right. I will speak to Chief Superintendent Edwards in London, and there'll be no trouble for you. Now listen carefully.' He went on. 'Just give the jewellery to Kelly. He won't know about the "accident" to his German friends, and you must not tell anybody about it, or about our conversation today. That's very important. The British police will watch Kelly and wait. Do you understand?'

局長停頓了一下，然后接著說道：“不必?fù)?dān)心。你們可能會擔(dān)心英國警方那邊，對嗎？一切都會安然無恙的。我會告訴倫敦的總警司愛德華，你們不會遇上麻煩的。現(xiàn)在請仔細(xì)聽好。”他繼續(xù)說道，“把珠寶交給凱利就可以了。對于他這些德國朋友的“意外”他是不會知道的，你們絕對不可以向任何人提及此事以及我們今天的談話。這一點(diǎn)至關(guān)重要。英國警方會監(jiān)視凱利并等待時機(jī)。你們明白了嗎？”

This plan sounded dangerous to me but Richard said, 'Yes, of course we'll do it, won't we, Wendy?' Richard is not afraid of Kelly, you see.

對我來說這個計劃聽起來危險重重，但理查德回答說：“是的，我們當(dāng)然會這么做。對嗎，溫迪？”顯然，理查德根本不怕凱利。

So we brought the boxes back with us on the Saturday evening plane from Frankfurt. We did not get back until nearly midnight but we took the boxes at once to Kelly's house. He told us to wait and then went into another room. When he came back, he was very happy. He put his hand in his pocket and took out some gold ear-rings. 'These are for you, Wendy—for your birthday next Thursday.'

于是我們坐星期六晚上的航班從法蘭克福將那幾個盒子帶了回來。直到將近午夜我們才回來，但我們立即趕往了凱利的住所。他讓我們等一會兒，然后就進(jìn)了另一個房間。他回來的時候滿心歡喜，將手伸進(jìn)口袋里，并掏出了一對金耳環(huán)。“這是給你的，溫迪，是為你下周四的生日準(zhǔn)備的。”

No, Mr Kelly, no, you mustn't. I can't take them, really I can't.'

“不，凱利先生，不，您不必送我東西。我不能收，我真的不能收。”

Of course you can,' Kelly laughed. 'You've worked hard for them. And we must have a party for you. Let's get some people together on Thursday night. Where would you like to go? To the Ritz? Or perhaps a disco? No, I know...', and he began to sing:

“你當(dāng)然可以收下它們，”凱利笑著說，“你為此干得很賣力。我們一定要給你開個生日聚會。星期四晚上咱們找些人聚聚。你想去哪里？去里茲大飯店？或者可以去迪斯科舞廳？不，我知道了……，”他唱了起來：

Let's all meet at Maxim's,

齊聚馬克西姆，

We'll have a wonderful time.

共享歡樂時光。

I told him three times that I didn't want a party but he didn't want to listen. He was too pleased with himself. 'Oh, yes, Wendy. We must have a party. And you must wear the ear-rings. Then I'll know you're my good little girl.' His mouth was smiling but his eyes were cold.

我再三跟他說我不想開生日聚會，但他根本聽不進(jìn)去，只顧著自我陶醉了。“哦，是的，溫迪。我們一定要開個生日聚會，而且你必須戴上這金耳環(huán)。那么我會覺得你是個聽話的小姑娘。”他的嘴在笑，然而眼神卻是冰冷的。

Richard said quietly in my ear, 'Just agree with him, Wendy. And take his ear-rings—you can give them back later. We don't want anything to go wrong now.'

理查德在我耳邊悄聲說道：“就答應(yīng)他吧，溫迪。收下他的耳環(huán)，你可以以后再交還。我們現(xiàn)在一點(diǎn)兒差錯也不能有。”

The next few days passed very slowly. On Monday and Tuesday everything was quiet in the office. Kelly did not speak to me again about the visit to Frankfurt. He stayed in his office most of the time and was always on the telephone. No police came to the office, and nothing happened. I began to feel afraid.

之后的幾天漫長難熬。星期一和星期二辦公室里一切都是那么平靜。凱利沒再跟我說起這次法蘭克福之行。他大部分時間都待在自己的辦公室里，不停地打電話。沒有警察來，什么事也沒發(fā)生。我開始感到不安。

Early on Wednesday morning Richard called in to see me. 'Is he in yet?' he asked. He looked at Kelly's door.

星期三一大早理查德跑來找我。“他在里面嗎？”他問道，眼睛瞅著凱利的房門。

Not yet. Why?'

“他還沒到呢。問這個干什么？”

I want the keys to his office. just for a minute.'

“把他辦公室的鑰匙給我。就一會兒。”

But Richard...'

“但是理查德……”

Come on, Wendy, he'll never know.'

“快點(diǎn)兒，溫迪。他不會知道的。”

You can't go in there, Richard. He'll be here in a minute—it's too dangerous.'

“你不能進(jìn)去，理查德。他馬上就會到的。這太危險了。”

Please, Wendy. It won't take long. I'll be out again immediately.'

“求你了，溫迪。用不了太長時間。我很快就會出來。”

But why... what do you want?'

“但是為什么……你想要什么？”

Don't ask questions. Just give me the keys—quickly.'

“別問這么多。把鑰匙給我，快。”

Of course in the end I gave him the keys. He opened Kelly's door and went inside. Some minutes passed and then he gave a shout. 'I think I've got something!'

當(dāng)然，最后我還是把鑰匙交給了他。他打開凱利的房門，走了進(jìn)去。幾分鐘過去了，只聽他大叫一聲。“我想我找到了。”

I went in and saw that Richard was standing in front of Kelly's desk with a letter in his hand. He held it up for me. 'This', he said, 'is going to help us.'

我走進(jìn)去，只見理查德站在凱利的桌子前，手里拿著一封信。他朝我舉起信。“這個，”他說，“會幫得上我們。”

What do you mean?' I did not understand.

“什么意思？”我沒明白。

Listen.' He read from the letter... the eggs arrived last weekend and they are now in my house, Be there on 18th April, 11 a.m.

“聽著。”他開始讀手中的信……雞蛋上周末已經(jīng)拿到手了，現(xiàn)在就在我家里。4月18號上午11點(diǎn)見。

The 18th,' said. 'That's next Saturday.'

“18號，”我說。“是下個星期六。”

Just then I heard a car outside. 'That's him,' I cried. 'Quick, put that letter back. You must get out of here at once.'

就在這時我聽到了屋外的汽車聲。“是他，”我驚呼道，“快，把信放回去。你必須立刻出去。”

I ran through to my office with Richard behind me. 'Out there—quick.' I pushed him into the kitchen and at the same time the door opened and Kelly walked in.

我趕緊跑回辦公室，理查德跟在我身后。“從那兒出去，快。”我把他推進(jìn)了廚房，就在那一刻門開了，凱利走了進(jìn)來。

Good morning, Wendy.' He did not stop but went into his office and closed the door behind him.

“早上好，溫迪。”他沒有停下腳步，而是直接走進(jìn)辦公室并關(guān)上了門。

Richard then quickly left the office and I did not see him again that day. He phoned me the next afternoon, which was Thursday. I knew at once that he was unhappy about something.

然后理查德便趕忙離開了，那天我沒再看見他。第二天下午，也就是星期四，他給我打了電話。我一下就聽出他有些不開心。

What's happened, Richard?' I asked.

“出什么事了，理查德？”我問。

I'm not working for Kelly any more,' he told me. 'This morning Kelly told me to do another of his little jobs for him, and I said no. So he started shouting at me, and then he told me to go. So that's it—I'm looking for another job.' He gave a little laugh. 'And worse than that, he hasn't paid me, and now I can't buy you a birthday present.'

“我不再為凱利做事了，”他告訴我說，“今天早晨他又讓我為他干點(diǎn)小活兒，我一口回絕了他。于是他便對我大喊大叫，并叫我走人。事情就是這樣。我要再找份工作。”他輕輕笑了一聲。“比這更糟的是，他沒有付給我工資，所以我現(xiàn)在沒錢給你買生日禮物。”

Oh Richard, that's not important,' I said. 'But are you coming to Kelly's party for me at Maxim's tonight? I won't go without you. You must come.'

“噢，理查德，那不重要，”我說，“但是你會參加今晚凱利為我在馬克西姆餐廳舉辦的生日聚會嗎？沒有你我是不會去的。你一定要來。”

I can't, Wendy. I'd like to be there, you know that. But we mustn't meet until after Saturday.'

“我來不了，溫迪。我很想去，你是知道的。但是得到星期六之后我們才可以見面。”

Why not? What's happening on Saturday? And what's happening about the...the egg boxes? What are the police doing? Kelly says I must wear my new gold ear-rings at the party, but I don't want to. They came from Frankfurt in one of those egg boxes, and they're stolen! Oh Richard, I'm afraid! What am I going to do?'

“為什么不能見面？星期六會發(fā)生什么？還有那些……那些雞蛋盒子又會怎樣？警察正在干什么呢？凱利說我必須在生日聚會上戴上這對嶄新的金耳環(huán)，可我不想戴。它們是從法蘭克福帶回的那幾個雞蛋盒子中的東西，它們是被盜的贓物！噢，理查德，我害怕極了！我該怎么辦？”

Everything's going to be all right, Wendy. Really. I've got a plan. Just go to the party, and don't worry. I'll see you soon.'

“一切都會迎刃而解的，溫迪。真的。我想到了一個計劃。盡管去參加你的生日聚會吧，用不著擔(dān)心。不久后我就會見到你的。”

Richard put the phone down, and I have not seen or heard from him since then.

理查德掛斷了電話。自此之后我沒再見到他，也沒收到過他的信。