福爾摩斯探案集·四簽名 第54期:貝克街的偵探小隊(7)

As he spoke, there came a swift pattering of naked feet upon the stairs, a clatter of high voices,

說話間，樓梯上已有赤足而行和高聲說話的聲音。

and in rushed a dozen dirty and ragged little street Arabs.

走進來十幾個穿破衣服的街頭小流浪者。

There was some show of discipline among them, despite their tumultuous entry,

他們雖然吵嚷著進來，可是他們中間卻有些紀(jì)律。

for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces.

他們立刻站成一排，臉對著我們等待我們發(fā)言。

One of their number, taller and older than the others,

其中有一個年紀(jì)較大、好象是隊長的站在前面，

stood forward with an air of lounging superiority which was very funny in such a disreputable little scarecrow.

神奇十足，可是從他衣衫襤褸的情況看來卻很滑稽可笑。

"Got your message, sir," said he, "and brought 'em on sharp. Three bob and a tanner for tickets."

"先生，接到您的命令以后，我立刻就帶他們來了。車費三先令六便士。"

"Here you are," said Holmes, producing some silver.

福爾摩斯把錢給了他說道：“給你錢。

"In future they can report to you, Wiggins, and you to me.

我曾經(jīng)告訴過你，維金斯，今后有事，你自己來。

I cannot have the house invaded in this way.

我的屋子容不下這么些人。

However, it is just as well that you should all hear the instructions.

可是，這一次全都來了也好，可以都聽到我的命令。

I want to find the whereabouts of a steam launch called the Aurora, owner Mordecai Smith,

我現(xiàn)在要尋找一只名叫'曙光'的汽船，船主叫茂迪凱·斯密司。

black with two red streaks, funnel black with a white band. She is down the river somewhere.

船身黑色有兩條紅線，黑煙囪上有一道白線，這只船在河的下游。

I want one boy to be at Mordecai Smith's landing-stage opposite Millbank to say if the boat comes back.

我要一個孩子在密爾班克監(jiān)獄對岸茂迪凱·斯密司的碼頭上守著。船一回來立即報告。

You must divide it out among yourselves and do both banks thoroughly.

你們必須分散在下游兩岸，縝密地尋找，

Let me know the moment you have news. Is that all clear?"

一有消息，立刻來報。你們?nèi)悸犆靼琢藛幔?quot;

"Yes, guv'nor," said Wiggins.

維金斯道：“是，司令，都聽清楚了。"

"The old scale of pay, and a guinea to the boy who finds the boat.

"報酬還照以前的老例。找到船的另外多給一個畿尼，

Here's a day in advance. Now off you go!"

這是預(yù)付你們一天的工資，現(xiàn)在去吧！"

He handed them a shilling each, and away they buzzed down the stairs,

他給了每人一個先令。孩子們歡天喜地地下了樓，

and I saw them a moment later streaming down the street.

不一會，我就看見他們消失在馬路中間了。

"If the launch is above water they will find her," said Holmes as he rose from the table and lit his pipe.

福爾摩斯離開桌子站了起來，點上了他的煙斗說道：“只要這只船還浮在水上，咱們就能找到它。

"They can go everywhere, see everything, overhear everyone.

他們可以到處跑，可以看到各色各樣的事情，可以偷聽任何人的談話。

I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her.

我預(yù)計他們在黃昏前就可以有尋到汽船的消息來報告，

In the meanwhile, we can do nothing but await results.

這時咱們只好等待著無事可做了。

We cannot pick up the broken trail until we find either the Aurora or Mr. Mordecai Smith."

在找到'曙光'號或茂迪凱·斯密司以前，咱們無法進行偵查。"

"Toby could eat these scraps, I dare say. Are you going to bed, Holmes?"

"透比吃咱們的剩飯就行了。福爾摩斯，你要睡一會兒嗎？"

"No: I am not tired. I have a curious constitution.

"不，我不覺得疲倦。我的體質(zhì)非常特別。

I never remember feeling tired by work, though idleness exhausts me completely.

工作的時候一點兒也不覺得累，如果閑著無事反而會使我委頓不堪了。

I am going to smoke and to think over this queer business to which my fair client has introduced us.

我現(xiàn)在要吸煙了，細(xì)細(xì)地想一想我那女主顧委托咱們辦的這件破事。

If ever man had an easy task, this of ours ought to be.

咱們這個問題，想來不難解決，

Wooden-legged men are not so common, but the other man must, I should think, be absolutely unique."

因為裝木腿的人并不多見，另外那個人，更是絕無僅有的了。"

"That other man again!"

"你又提到那另外的一個人了。"

"I have no wish to make a mystery of him to you, anyway.

"至少我沒有想向你保守秘密，

But you must have formed your own opinion. Now, do consider the data.

可是你也許有你的高見?，F(xiàn)在考慮一下所有的情況：

Diminutive footmarks, toes never fettered by boots, naked feet,

小腳印、沒有穿過鞋子的赤足、

stone-headed wooden mace, great agility, small poisoned darts. What do you make of all this?"

一端裝著石頭的木棒、靈敏的行動和有毒的木刺。你從這里得到什么結(jié)論呢？"