福爾摩斯探案集·血字的研究 第62期:逃命

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Chapter 4 A FLIGHT FOR LIFE

第四章 逃命

ON THE morning which followed his interview with the Mormon Prophet, John Ferrier went in to Salt Lake City,

約翰·費(fèi)瑞厄在和摩門教先知會(huì)談后的第二天早晨，就到鹽湖城去了。

and having found his acquaintance, who was bound for the Nevada Mountains, he entrusted him with his message to Jefferson Hope.

他在那里找到了那個(gè)前往內(nèi)華達(dá)山區(qū)去的朋友以后，就把一封寫給杰弗遜·侯波的信托他帶去了。

In it he told the young man of the imminent danger which threatened them, and how necessary it was that he should return.

他在信中把這個(gè)威脅著他們的迫在眉睫的危險(xiǎn)情況告訴了他，并且要他回來。

Having done thus he felt easier in his mind, and returned home with a lighter heart.

這件事辦妥以后，他的心中覺得輕松了一些，于是帶著比較愉快的心情回家來了。

As he approached his farm, he was surprised to see a horse hitched to each of the posts of the gate.

當(dāng)他走近他的田莊時(shí)，他很驚奇地看到大門兩旁的門柱上，一邊拴著一騎馬。

Still more surprised was he on the entering to find two young men in possession of his sitting-room.

更使他驚異的是，當(dāng)他走進(jìn)屋子時(shí)，他發(fā)現(xiàn)客廳里有兩個(gè)年輕人。

One, with a long pale face, was leaning back in the rocking-chair, with his feet cocked up upon the stove.

一個(gè)是長長的臉，面色蒼白；他躺在搖椅上，兩只腳蹺得高高的，伸到火爐上去。

The other, a bull-necked youth with coarse, bloated features, was standing in front of the window with his hands in his pockets whistling a popular hymn.

另一個(gè)粗大丑陋，傲氣凌人；他站在窗前，兩手插在褲袋里，嘴里吹著流行的贊美詩。

Both of them nodded to Ferrier as he entered, and the one in the rocking-chair commenced the conversation.

費(fèi)瑞厄進(jìn)來的時(shí)候，他們向他點(diǎn)了點(diǎn)頭。躺在椅子上的那一個(gè)首先開了口。

"Maybe you don't know us," he said.

他說："也許你還不認(rèn)識(shí)我們，

"This here is the son of Elder Drebber, and I'm Joseph Stangerson, who travelled with you in the desert when the Lord stretched out His hand and gathered you into the true fold."

這一位是錐伯長老的兒子，我是約瑟夫·斯坦節(jié)遜。當(dāng)上帝伸出它的圣手，把你們引進(jìn)善良的羊群里的時(shí)候，我們就和你們一塊兒在沙漠上旅行過。"

"As He will all the nations in His own good time," said the other in a nasal voice; "He grindeth slowly but exceeding small."

另一個(gè)鼻音很重地說："上帝終究是要把溥天之下的人們都引進(jìn)來的。上帝雖然研磨得緩慢，但卻非常精細(xì)，毫無疏漏。"

John Ferrier bowed coldly. He had guessed who his visitors were.

約翰·費(fèi)瑞厄冷冷地鞠了一躬。他已經(jīng)料到這兩位來客是何許人了。

"We have come," continued Stangerson, "at the advice of our fathers to solicit the hand of your daughter for whichever of us may seem good to you and to her.

斯坦節(jié)遜繼續(xù)說道："我們是奉了父親的指示，前來向你的女兒求婚的，請(qǐng)你和你的女兒看看，我們兩個(gè)人之中，你們究竟看中誰，誰最合意。

As I have but four wives and Brother Drebber here has seven, it appears to me that my claim is the stronger one."

我呢，只有四個(gè)老婆，可是錐伯兄弟已經(jīng)有了七個(gè)。因此，我看，我的需要比他大。"

"Nay, nay, Brother Stangerson," cried the other; "the question is not how many wives we have, but how many we can keep.

另一個(gè)大聲叫道："不對(duì)，不對(duì)，斯坦節(jié)遜兄弟。問題不在于咱們有了多少老婆，而是在于你我究竟能夠養(yǎng)活多少。

My father has now given over his mills to me, and I am the richer man."

我的父親現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)把他的磨坊給我了，所以，我比你有錢。"

"But my prospects are better," said the other, warmly.

斯坦節(jié)遜激烈地說："但是，我的希望卻比你更大。

"When the Lord removes my father, I shall have his tanning yard and his leather factory. Then I am your elder, and am higher in the Church."

等到上帝把我的老頭子請(qǐng)去的時(shí)候，我就可以拿到他的硝石場和制革廠了。到那時(shí)，我就是你的長老了，我在教會(huì)中的地位也就要比你高了。"

"It will be for the maiden to decide," rejoined young Drebber, smirking at his own reflection in the glass. "We will leave it all to her decision."

小錐伯一面照著鏡子，端詳著自己，一面裝作滿臉笑容地說："那么只有讓這位姑娘來決定嘍。咱們還是完全聽起她的選擇好了。"