第二块血迹-EC

最后缺几段 THE SECOND STAIN 第二块血迹 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 1904 I had intended "The Adventure of the Abbey Grange" to be the last of those exploits of my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, which I should ever communicate to the public. This resolution of mine was not due to any lack of material, since I have notes of many hundreds of cases to which I have never alluded, nor was it caused by any waning interest on the part of my readers in the singular personality and unique methods of this remarkable man. The real reason lay in the reluctance which Mr. Holmes has shown to the continued publication of his experiences. So long as he was in actual professional practice the records of his successes were of some practical value to him, but since he has definitely retired from London and betaken himself to study and bee-farming on the Sussex Downs, notoriety has become hateful to him, and he has peremptorily requested that his wishes in this matter should be strictly observed. It was only upon my representing to him that I had given a promise that "The Adventure of the Second Stain" should be published when the times were ripe, and pointing out to him that it is only appropriate that this long series of episodes should culminate in the most important international case which he has ever been called upon to handle, that I at last succeeded in obtaining his consent that a carefully guarded account of the incident should at last be laid before the public. If in telling the story I seem to be somewhat vague in certain details, the public will readily understand that there is an excellent reason for my reticence. 我原来打算发《格兰其庄园》之后，不再写我的朋友歇洛克·福尔摩斯先生的辉煌事迹了。这并不是因为缺少素材，还有几百个案例没有使用过；也不是因为读者对于这位卓越人物的优秀品格和独特方法失掉了兴趣。真正的原因是福尔摩斯先生不愿意再继续发表他的经历。其实，他的事迹对他的侦缉工作是有好处的，但是他一定要离开伦敦，到苏塞克斯丘陵地带去研究学问和养蜂，所以很不喜欢继续发表他的经历，而且再三叮咛要我尊重他的意愿。我对他说，我已经向读者表明，《第二块血迹》发表之后，即将结束我的故事，而且用这样一个重要的国际性案件做为全书的结尾，是最恰当不过了。所以，最后我得到他的同意，小心谨慎地给公众讲一讲这个事件。讲述这个故事的时候，有些细节可能显得不很清楚，请公众谅解我不能不有所保留的苦衷。 It was, then, in a year, and even in a decade, that shall be nameless, that upon one Tuesday morning in autumn we found two visitors of European fame within the walls of our humble room in Baker Street. The one, austere, high-nosed, eagle-eyed, and dominant, was none other than the illustrious Lord Bellinger, twice Premier of Britain. The other, dark, clear-cut, and elegant, hardly yet of middle age, and endowed with every beauty of body and of mind, was the Right Honourable Trelawney Hope, Secretary for European Affairs, and the most rising statesman in the country. They sat side by side upon our paper-littered settee, and it was easy to see from their worn and anxious faces that it was business of the most pressing importance which had brought them. The Premier's thin, blue-veined hands were clasped tightly over the ivory head of his umbrella, and his gaunt, ascetic face looked gloomily from Holmes to me. The European Secretary pulled nervously at his moustache and fidgeted with the seals of his watch-chain. 某一年秋天，年代不能讲明，请读者原谅，一个星期二的上午，有两位驰名欧洲的客人来到我们贝克街的简陋住所。一位是著名的倍棱格勋爵，他曾两度担任英国首相。他的鼻梁高高耸起，两目炯炯发光，相貌显得十分威严。另一位肤色黝黑，面目清秀，举止文雅，虽然不到中年，可是看样子阅历很广。他就是崔洛尼·候普——负责欧洲事务的大臣，英国最有前途的政治家。他们二人并肩坐在堆满文件的长沙发椅上，从他们忧虑而焦急的神色可以看出，他们到这里来，一定是有要事相求。首相那青筋凸起的双手紧紧握着一把雨伞的象牙柄，他看看我又看看福尔摩斯，憔悴、冷漠的脸上现出无限的忧愁。那位欧洲事务大臣也心神不安地时而捻捻胡须，时而又摸摸表链坠。 "When I discovered my loss, Mr. Holmes, which was at eight o'clock this morning, I at once informed the Prime Minister. It was at his suggestion that we have both come to you." “福尔摩斯先生，今天上午八点钟我发现有重要文件遗失，赶忙告诉了首相。遵从首相的意见，我们立即来找你。” "Have you informed the police?" “您通知警察了吗？” "No, sir," said the Prime Minister, with the quick, decisive manner for which he was famous. "We have not done so, nor is it possible that we should do so. To inform the police must, in the long run, mean to inform the public. This is what we particularly desire to avoid." 首相说起话来迅速而又果断——众所周知，他总是这样讲话的：“没有，我们不能这样做。通知警察就意味着把文件公之于众，这正是我们所不希望的。” "And why, sir?" “先生，这是为什么呢？” "Because the document in question is of such immense importance that its publication might very easily- I might almost say probably-lead to European complications of the utmost moment. It is not too much to say that peace or war may hang upon the issue. Unless its recovery can be attended with the utmost secrecy, then it may as well not be recovered at all, for all that is aimed at by those who have taken it is that its contents should be generally known." “因为这个文件非常重要，一旦公之于众很容易、或者说很可能会引起欧洲形势复杂化。甚至说战争与和平的问题完全取决于此都不过分。追回文件一事，必须绝对保密，否则也就毫无必要，因为盗窃文件的目的正是为了公布文件的内容。” "I understand. Now, Mr. Trelawney Hope, I should be much obliged if you would tell me exactly the circumstances under which this document disappeared." “我明白了。崔洛尼·候普先生，请您准确地叙述一下文件是在什么情况下丢失的。” "That can be done in a very few words, Mr. Holmes. The letter- for it was a letter from a foreign potentate- was received six days ago. It was of such importance that I have never left it in my safe, but have taken it across each evening to my house in Whitehall Terrace, and kept it in my bedroom in a locked despatch-box. It was there last night. Of that I am certain. I actually opened the box while I was dressing for dinner and saw the document inside. This morning it was gone. The despatch-box had stood beside the glass upon my dressing-table all night. I am a light sleeper, and so is my wife. We are both prepared to swear that no one could have entered the room during the night. And yet I repeat that the paper is gone." “好，福尔摩斯先生，几句话便可以说清楚。我们六天以前收到一封信，是一位外国君主寄来的。这封信事关重大，因此我不敢放在保险柜里，而是每天带到白厅住宅街我的家中，锁在卧室的文件箱里。昨天晚上还在那儿，这是千真万确的。我换衣服吃晚饭的时候，打开箱子，看见文件还在里面。今天上午就不见了。文件箱一整夜全放在我卧室梳妆台镜子旁边。我和我的妻子睡觉都很轻。我们二人都敢肯定夜里没有人进到屋里，可是文件却不见了。” "What time did you dine?" “您什么时候吃的晚饭？” "Half-past seven." “七点半。” "How long was it before you went to bed?" “您睡觉前做了哪些事？” "My wife had gone to the theatre. I waited up for her. It was half-past eleven before we went to our room." “我的妻子出去看戏了。我一直坐在外屋等她。到十一点半我们才进卧室睡觉。” "Then for four hours the despatch-box had lain unguarded?" “也就是说，文件箱放在那儿有四小时没人看守。” "No one is ever permitted to enter that room save the house-maid in the morning, and my valet, or my wife's maid, during the rest of the day. They are both trusty servants who have been with us for some time. Besides, neither of them could possibly have known that there was anything more valuable than the ordinary departmental papers in my despatch-box." “除了我自己的仆人和我妻子的女仆早晨可以进屋以外，其他任何时间绝不允许任何人 走进屋内。这两个仆人是可靠的，在我们这里工作已经相当久了。此外，他们二人谁也不可能知道在我的文件箱里放着比一般公文更重要的东西。” "Who did know of the existence of that letter?" “谁知道有这封信呢？” "No one in the house." “家里没有一个人知道。” "Surely your wife knew?' “您的妻子一定知道了？” "No, sir. I had said nothing to my wife until I missed the paper this morning." “不，先生。直到今天上午丢了这封信我才对她说。” The Premier nodded approvingly. 首相赞许地点了点头。 "I have long known, sir, how high is your sense of public duty," said he. "I am convinced that in the case of a secret of this importance it would rise superior to the most intimate domestic ties. 他说：“先生，我早就知道您的责任感是很强的。我深信这样一封重要信件的保密问题会重于家庭中的个人情感。” The European Secretary bowed. 这位欧洲事务大臣点了点头。 "You do me no more than justice, sir. Until this morning I have never breathed one word to my wife upon this matter." “蒙您过奖。今天早晨以前我和我的妻子一个字都没有提到过这封信。” "Could she have guessed?" “她会猜出来吗？” "No, Mr. Holmes, she could not have guessed- nor could anyone have guessed." “不，她不会，谁也不会猜出来的。” "Have you lost any documents before?" “您以前丢过文件吗？” "No, sir." “没有，先生。” "Who is there in England who did know of the existence of this letter?" “在英国还有谁知道有这样一封信呢？” "Each member of the Cabinet was informed of it yesterday, but the pledge of secrecy which attends every Cabinet meeting was increased by the solemn warning which was given by the Prime Minister. Good heavens, to think that within a few hours I should myself have lost it!" His handsome face was distorted with a spasm of despair, and his hands tore at his hair. For a moment we caught a glimpse of the natural man, impulsive, ardent, keenly sensitive. The next the aristocratic mask was replaced, and the gentle voice had returned. “昨天通知了各位内阁大臣有这样一封信，每天内阁会议都强调保密，特别在昨天的会上首相郑重地提醒了大家。天啊，过了几个小时我自己便丢失了这封信！"他用手揪住自己的头发，神情极为懊丧，就连他那英俊的面容也变得十分难看。我们猛然看出他是个为人热忱、感情容易冲动、而且非常敏感的人。随后他的脸上又恢复了那种高贵的神情，语气也温和起来了。 "Besides the members of the Cabinet there are two, or possibly three, departmental officials who know of the letter. No one else in England, Mr. Holmes, I assure you." “除了内阁大臣之外，还有两名、也可能是三名官员知道这封信。福尔摩斯先生，我可以保证在英国再没有别人知道此事了。” "But abroad?" “可是国外呢？” "I believe that no one abroad has seen it save the man who wrote it. I am well convinced that his Ministers- that the usual official channels have not been employed." “我相信除了写信人以外，国外不会有人看见过这封信。我深信写信人没有通过他的大臣们，这件事不是按照通常的官方渠道办的。” Holmes considered for some little time. 福尔摩斯考虑了一会儿。 "Now, sir, I must ask you more particularly what this document is, and why its disappearance should have such momentous consequences?" “先生，我不得不问一下，这封信的中心内容是什么，为什么丢失这封信会造成这样重大的后果？” The two statesmen exchanged a quick glance and the Premier's shaggy eyebrows gathered in a frown. 这两位政治家迅速地交换了一下眼色，首相浓眉紧皱。 "Mr. Holmes, the envelope is a long, thin one of pale blue colour. There is a seal of red wax stamped with a crouching lion. It is addressed in large, bold handwriting to-" 他说：“信封又薄又长，颜色是淡蓝的。信封上面有红色火漆，漆上盖有蹲伏的狮子的印记。收信人的姓名写得大而醒目……” "I fear, sir," said Holmes, "that, interesting and indeed essential as these details are, my inquiries must go more to the root of things. What was the letter?" 福尔摩斯说：“您说的这些情况很重要，值得重视，可是为了调查，我总要追本溯源。信的内容是什么？” "That is a State secret of the utmost importance, and I fear that I cannot tell you, nor do I see that it is necessary. If by the aid of the powers which you are said to possess you can find such an envelope as I describe with its enclosure, you will have deserved well of your country, and earned any reward which it lies in our power to bestow." “那是最重要的国家机密，我不好告诉你，并且我以为这也不必要。如果你能施展你的能力找到我所说的信封和信，你会受到国家的奖赏，我们将会给你我们权限所允许的最大报酬。” Sherlock Holmes rose with a smile. 歇洛克·福尔摩斯面带微笑，站了起来。 "You are two of the most busy men in the country," said he, "and in my own small way I have also a good many calls upon me. I regret exceedingly that I cannot help you in this matter, and any continuation of this interview would be a waste of time." 他说：“你们二位是英国最忙的人，可是我这个小小的侦探也很忙，有很多人来访。我非常遗憾在这件事情上，我不能帮助你们，继续谈下去是浪费时间的。” The Premier sprang to his feet with that quick, fierce gleam of his deep-set eyes before which a Cabinet has cowered. "I am not accustomed, sir," he began, but mastered his anger and resumed his seat. For a minute or more we all sat in silence. Then the old statesman shrugged his shoulders. 首相立即站了起来，两只深陷的眼睛里射出凶光，一种使全体内阁大臣都望而生畏的目光。他说：“对我这样说话……"可是，他忽然压制住自己的满腔怒火，又重新坐了下来。有一两分钟，我们都静坐着，没有人讲话。这位年迈的政治家耸了耸肩，说道： "We must accept your terms, Mr. Holmes. No doubt you are right, and it is unreasonable for us to expect you to act unless we give you our entire confidence." “福尔摩斯先生，我们可以接受你的条件。你是对的，只有完全信任你，你才能采取行动。” "I agree with you," said the younger statesman. 那位年轻的政治家说：“我同意您的意见。” "Then I will tell you, relying entirely upon your honour and that of your colleague, Dr. Watson. I may appeal to your patriotism also, for I could not imagine a greater misfortune for the country than that this affair should come out." “我相信你和你的同事华生大夫的声誉，所以我将要把全部事情告诉你们。我也相信你们有强烈的爱国心，因为这件事一旦暴露出来，便会给我们国家带来不可想象的灾难。” "You may safely trust us." “您可以放心地信任我。” "The letter, then, is from a certain foreign potentate who bas been ruffled by some recent Colonial developments of this country. It has been written hurriedly and upon his own responsibility entirely. Inquiries have shown that his Ministers know nothing of the matter. At the same time it is couched in so unfortunate a manner, and certain phrases in it are of so provocative a character, that its publication would undoubtedly lead to a most dangerous state of feeling in this country. There would be such a ferment, sir, that I do not hesitate to say that within a week of the publication of that letter this country would be involved in a great war." “一位外国君主，对于我国殖民地发展很快感到愤慨而写了这封信。信是匆匆忙忙写成的，并且完全出于他个人的意见。调查说明他的大臣们并不知道这件事。同时，这封信写得也很不合体统，其中有些词句，还带着挑衅性质，发表这封信将会激怒英国人。这会引起轩然大波，我敢说这封信如果发表，一星期之后将会引起战争。” Holmes wrote a name upon a slip of paper and handed it to the Premier. 福尔摩斯在一张纸条上写了一个名字，交给了首相。 "Exactly. It was he. And it is this letter- this letter which may well mean the expenditure of a thousand millions and the lives of a hundred thousand men- which has become lost in this unaccountable fashion." “是的，正是他，这封信不知怎么丢失了，它可能引起几亿英镑的损耗和几十万人的牺牲。” "Have you informed the sender?" “您通知写这封信的人没有？” "Yes, sir, a cipher telegram has been despatched." “通知了，先生，刚才发了密码电报。” "Perhaps he desires the publication of the letter." “或许写信的人希望发表这封信。” "No, sir, we have strong reason to believe that he already understands that he has acted in an indiscreet and hot-headed manner. It would be a greater blow to him and to his country than to us if this letter were to come out." “不，我们有理由认为写信的人已经感到这样做太不慎重，并且过于急躁了。如果这封信公之于众，对他自己国家的打击要比对英国的打击还沉重。” "If this is so, whose interest is it that, the letter should come out? Why should anyone desire to steal it or to publish it?" “如果是这样的话，公布这封信符合哪些人的利益呢？为什么有人要盗窃并且公布这封信呢？” "There, Mr. Holmes, you take me into regions of high international politics. But if you consider the European situation you will have no difficulty in perceiving the motive. The whole of Europe is an armed camp. There is a double league which makes a fair balance of military power. Great Britain holds the scales. If Britain were driven into war with one confederacy, it would assure the supremacy of the other confederacy, whether they joined in the war or not. Do you follow?" “福尔摩斯先生，这就牵涉到紧张的国际政治关系了。如果你考虑一下目前欧洲的政局，就不难看出这封信的动机。整个欧洲大陆是个武装起来的营垒，有两个势均力敌的军事联盟，大不列颠保持中立，维持着它们之间的平衡。如果英国被迫和某个联盟交战，必然会使另一联盟的各国占优势，不管它们参战与否。你明白了吗？” "Very clearly. It is then the interest of the enemies of this potentate to secure and publish this letter, so as to make a breach between his country and ours?" “您讲得很清楚。也就是说，是这位君主的敌人想要得到并且发表这封信，以便使发信人的国家和我们的国家关系破裂。” "Yes, sir." “是的。” "And to whom would this document be sent if it fell into the hands of an enemy?" “如果这封信落到某个敌人的手中，他要把这封信交给谁呢？” "To any of the great Chancelleries of Europe. It is probably speeding on its way thither at the present instant as fast as steam can take it." “交给欧洲任何一个国家的一位大臣。也许目前持信的人，正乘火车急速前往目的地。” Mr. Trelawney Hope dropped his head on his chest and groaned aloud. The Premier placed his hand kindly upon his shoulder. "It is your misfortune, my dear fellow. No one can blame you. There is no precaution which you have neglected. Now, Mr. Holmes, you are in full possession of the facts. What course do you recommend?" 崔洛尼·候普先生低下头去，并且大声呻吟了一下。首相把手放在他肩上安慰他说：“亲爱的朋友，你很不幸，谁也不能责怪你。你没有疏忽大意。福尔摩斯先生，事情你全了解了，你认为该怎么办呢？” Holmes shook his head mournfully. 福尔摩斯无可奈何地摇了摇头。 "You think, sir, that unless this document is recovered there will be war?" “先生们，你们认为找不到这封信，便会发生战争吗？” "I think it is very probable." “我认为这是有可能的。” "Then, sir, prepare for war." “那么，先生们，请准备打仗吧。” "That is a hard saying, Mr. Holmes." “福尔摩斯先生，可是，很难说信一定找不回来了。” "Consider the facts, sir. It is inconceivable that it was taken after eleven-thirty at night, since I understand that Mr. Hope and his wife were both in the room from that hour until the loss was found out. It was taken, then, yesterday evening between seven-thirty and eleven-thirty, probably near the earlier hour, since whoever took it evidently knew that it was there and would naturally secure it as early as possible. Now, sir, if a document of this importance were taken at that hour, where can it be now? No one has any reason to retain it. It has been passed rapidly on to those who need it. What chance have we now to overtake or even to trace it? It is beyond our reach." “请考虑一下这些情况，可以想象，夜里十一点半以前，文件已经拿走了，因为候普先生和他的妻子从那时期直到发现信件丢失为止，这段时间全在屋内。那么信件是在昨天晚上七点半到十一点半之间被盗走的，很可能是七点半过一点的时候，因为偷信的人知道信在文件箱内，一定想尽早拿到手。既然如此，那么现在信在哪儿呢？谁也没有理由扣压这封信。信很快便会传到需要这封信的人手中。我们还有什么机会找到信，或是弄清信在哪儿？所以信是无法弄到了。” "What you say is perfectly logical, Mr. Holmes. I feel that the matter is indeed out of our hands." “福尔摩斯先生，你说的完全合乎逻辑，我感到我们确实是无能为力了。” The Prime Minister rose from the settee. 首相从长沙发椅上站了起来。 "Let us presume, for argument's sake, that the document was taken by the maid or by the valet-" “为了研究这件事，我们假设信是女仆或是男仆拿走的……” "They are both old and tried servants." “他们都是老佣人，并且经受过考验。” "I understand you to say that your room is on the second floor, that there is no entrance from without, and that from within no one could go up unobserved. It must, then, be somebody in the house who has taken it. To whom would the thief take it? To one of several international spies and secret agents, whose names are tolerably familiar to me. There are three who may be said to be the heads of their profession. I will begin my research by going round and finding if each of them is at his post. If one is missing- especially if he has disappeared since last night- we will have some indication as to where the document has gone." “我记得您说过，您的卧室是在二楼，并且没有门直接通到楼外，有外人从楼外去那儿不会不被人看见。所以一定是您家里的人拿走的。那么这个小偷把信件交给谁了呢？交给了一个国际间谍，或是国际特务，这些人我是熟悉的。有三个人可以说是他们的领头人，我首先要一个一个地调查，看看他们是否还在。如果有一个人失踪了，尤其是从昨天晚上不见了，那么，我们便可以得到一点启发，知道文件到哪儿去了。” "Why should he be missing?" asked the European Secretary. "He would take the letter to an Embassy in London, as likely as not." 欧洲事务大臣问：“他为什么一定要出走呢？他完全可以把信送到各国驻伦敦的大使馆。” "I fancy not. These agents work independently, and their relations with the Embassies are often strained." “我想不会的。这些特务是独立地进行工作，他们和大使馆的关系常常是紧张的。” The Prime Minister nodded his acquiescence. 首相点点头表示同意。 "I believe you are right, Mr. Holmes. He would take so valuable a prize to headquarters with his own hands. I think that your course of action is an excellent one. Meanwhile, Hope, we cannot neglect all our other duties on account of this one misfortune. Should there be any fresh developments during the day we shall communicate with you, and you will no doubt let us know the results of your own inquiries." “福尔摩斯先生，我相信你说得有道理。他要把这样宝贵的东西亲手送交总部。你要采取的步骤是可行的。候普，我们不要因为这件不幸的事情而忽略了其他事务。今天如果有新的进展，我们将会告诉你，并且请你告诉我们关于你调查的结果。” The two statesmen bowed and walked gravely from the room. 两位政治家向我们告别后，庄严地离开了。 When our illustrious visitors had departed Holmes lit his pipe in silence and sat for some time lost in the deepest thought. I had opened the morning paper and was immersed in a sensational crime which had occurred in London the night before, when my friend gave an exclamation, sprang to his feet, and laid his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. 客人走了以后，福尔摩斯默默地点上烟斗，坐下来，沉思了好一会儿。我打开晨报，全神贯注读着一件昨天夜里发生的骇人听闻的凶杀案。正在这时，我的朋友长叹一声，站了起来，并把他的烟斗放在壁炉架上。 "Yes," said he, "there is no better way of approaching it. The situation is desperate, but not hopeless. Even now, if we could be sure which of them has taken it, it is just possible that it has not yet passed out of his hands. After all, it is a question of money with these fellows, and I have the British treasury behind me. If it's on the market I'll buy it- if it means another penny on the income-tax. It is conceivable that the fellow might hold it back to see what bids come from this side before he tries his luck on the other. There are only those three capable of playing so bold a game- there are Oberstein, La Rothiere, and Eduardo Lucas. I will see each of them." 他说：“只能这样着手解决，没有更好的办法了。情况十分严重，不过还不是完全绝望的。现在需要我们弄清谁拿走了这封信，可能信还在他手中没有交出去。对于这些人说来，无非是个钱的问题，我们有英国财政部支付，不怕花钱。只要他肯出卖，我就要买，不管花多少钱。可以想象到这个偷信的人把持着这封信，看看这一方能付多少钱，再试试另一方。只有三个人敢冒这样大的危险，奥勃尔斯坦，拉若泽和艾秋阿多·卢卡斯。我要分别去找他们。” I glanced at my morning paper. 我向我手中的晨报瞟了一眼。 "Is that Eduardo Lucas of Godolphin Street?" “是高道尔芬街的艾秋阿多·卢卡斯吗？” "Yes." “是的。” "You will not see him." “你见不到他了。” "Why not?" “为什么？” "He was murdered in his house last night." “昨天晚上他在家里被杀害了。” My friend has so often astonished me in the course of our adventures that it was with a sense of exultation that I realized how completely I had astonished him. He stared in amazement, and then snatched the paper from my ha