书虫二级《法兰克福的耳环》：温迪的故事

3.Wendy's story
3．温迪的故事

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.

凯利并不是个正派的人，我压根儿就不喜欢他。我为他做事已经有一年了。这份工作是我父亲帮我找的——他嘱咐我要勤勤恳恳地工作，不要问东问西。凯利经常发脾气，每当这时，他就会面红耳赤，对所有人大吼大叫。我很怕他，但又不想失去这份工作。我需要钱，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.

理查德大约是在一个月前开始为凯利做事的。我们是很好的朋友，但却很少谈论工作上的事。为凯利做事的人都不会去谈论工作。我们并不知道他究竟做的是什么样的生意。他在城里拥有两家汽车修理厂，从事旧车买卖。不过他也买卖其他各色商品，如家具、古画、珠宝等。我想其中一些东西应该是偷来的，但我从不过问。

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，凯利把我叫进他的办公室。我站在屋里，等着他发话。他开始跟我说了些事，却又止住了，他低头看了看文件，然后拿出他的日记本打开来。

Wendy, what are you doing next weekend?'

“温迪，下个周末你打算干些什么？”

I'm not sure, Mr Kelly.'

“我还不太清楚呢，凯利先生。”

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

“出个小差你觉得如何？当然，我会给你酬劳的。”

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

他的话让我很是意外，我没有立即回答，问道：“凯利先生，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，去德国……当天去当天回。这份差事并不难，但极为重要。你觉得如何？”

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.

对于凯利先生所从事的买卖我知之甚少，但我却觉得这些去其他国家的出差有些蹊跷。类似的情况每两三个月就会发生一次，而且之后总会在办公室秘密召开一次会议，时间通常都在深夜。我决定不去德国出差。

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

“可是……可是我从来都没去过德国。所以，您不觉得……哦，您或许可以让其他人去。”

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?'

“温迪，我是要你去。我说过这个任务很重要，我希望由你来完成。”我本想说些什么，但他却一直不停地说了下去：“我在法兰克福的朋友想送我些东西，他们会给你三个小盒，像鸡蛋盒一样，你把它们带回来就行了。这没什么难的，对吗？”

I didn't say anything.

我什么也没说。

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

“温迪，你在听我说话吗？”他问，“我需要你替我完成这件事。”他的声音开始大起来。

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.'

我看着他的脸。“我……我很抱歉，凯利先生。我刚想起来，下个周末我很忙，恐怕我没法出差。”

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?'

他猛地跳起来，椅子倒在了后面。“现在，请你给我听着，年轻人。你要记住，你是在给我工作。是我给你支付薪水。”他一把抓住我的胳膊，把我晃来晃去。“这次我是在命令你，不是在请求你。你必须去法兰克福，否则就会有麻烦。你坐星期六早上的头班飞机离开，当天晚上带着那三盒东西回来。不要跟任何人说，明白吗？”

Then he walked out.

说完他便走了出去。

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，也许是之后的那个晚上，我辗转难眠。我想告诉理查德，但他却出城处理凯利交代的另一件事情去了。我该怎么办呢？我惴惴不安，凯利也看出来了。他没再对此说些什么，直到星期五那天他把我叫进了办公室，把机票和一些钱给了我。这回真的逃不掉了。

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，我去了机场。当我正在候机时，听见有人叫我的名字。我立刻听出了那个声音。我转过身，“理查德！”我喊道。“噢，理查德，见到你太高兴了。可你在这儿做什么？”“我是来陪你的，去法兰克福。凯利让我来的。看，这是我的机票。”

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

“你是说……等等。凯利都跟你说了些什么？”

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。“他让我陪你一起去，仅此而已。就是说，在飞机上陪着你……在法兰克福也是。”

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

我开始明白了。“你是说，他让你看着我。”

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.'

坐上飞机以后，理查德问起我在凯利公司的工作情况。对于凯利的生意他几乎一无所知，对于我们这次法兰克福之行他也知之甚少。我告诉了他那几个“鸡蛋”盒子的事以及我害怕的原因。“凯利说那些盒子很小，所以我认为那些应该是珠宝。”我告诉理查德，“而且我认为……我认为那些是偷来的珠宝。”

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

听到这儿，理查德愤愤不平地说道：“像这样的事凯利就不该叫你去做。为什么他不自己去？”

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.'

“但这就是问题所在，理查德。这件事由一个女孩儿来办会更轻而易举，凯利对此也心知肚明。要知道，他很精明。但是他认为我很害怕，所以派你来监视我。”

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阵子。过了一会儿他转过身来对我说：“你不要去办这事了——你不要为他运送偷来的珠宝了。把这件事留给我处理。我会好好考虑，想出一个主意的。”说完他又沉默不语了。

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.

到达法兰克福以后，我们走进了一家饭店吃早餐。吃完饭理查德出门买了份报纸，之后我们便无所事事地坐着待了半个小时。

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.

我们要在饭店外面和凯利的朋友见面。当我们走出饭店大门时，两个男人正坐在一辆白色的奔驰车上等着我们。我们驱车驶过市区一条条川流不息的街道，开进了郊区，不久后在一栋绿树环抱的老房子前停了下来。我们都走了进去，那两个人把我们带进了后面一间昏暗的屋子，并把我们留在了那儿。屋里冷飕飕的，理查德便把他的外衣给了我。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.

我们静静地等在那里。此时另一个房间里有人正在交谈，说话声不绝于耳。接着奔驰车的司机走进来，把我们领到了楼上。一个身穿墨绿色衬衫的矮个子男人正坐在一张桌子旁，他面前的桌子上放着三个盒子。他一边手里玩着钢笔，一边仔细地打量着我们。理查德用德语与他交谈。我听不懂，但我听到了凯利的名字，之后这位穿绿衬衫的男子也开口说了些什么。

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?'

突然间屋外一阵嘈杂，有汽车声、说话声以及人们奔跑的脚步声。这名男子猛地从桌子边跳了起来，从口袋里掏出了一把枪。他试图走到窗前，但就在此刻门开了，三四名警察冲进来，扑到了他身上。经过一番搏斗，警察夺走了他的手枪，并把他按在了地上。一位年长的男子赶到了这里并开始对警察们下达指令，那是位头发花白的警察分局局长。他在屋子的另一边用流利的英语朝理查德和我喊道：“你们都还好吧？他们没有伤到你们吧？”

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.'

他又做了进一步的指示，然后走到理查德身边，伸出手来。“干得好，年轻人。我要对你的帮助表示感谢。”他又转向我说：“也谢谢你。你表现得很出色，你们两个都是。今天的任务我们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.

我看着理查德，他冲我微微一笑。“他说的是什么意思？”我问道，但理查德并没有回答。

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.'

接着，局长向我解释道：“你的朋友今早从饭店给我打来电话。而后的事情就很简单了。我们只是在饭店附近等那辆白色的奔驰车，然后尾随而来。”

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.

局长用他的汽车把我们送回了法兰克福，等我们抵达那里后便立即前往了他的办公室。他为我们点了咖啡。等咖啡的时候，他说：“你们已经帮了我们很大的忙，但还有一件事需要你们的协助。凯利先生……以及他的一些同伙还没有落网。我们已经为他们设下了一个圈套。”噢，是的，他知道所有关于凯利的事。

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.'

他拿出那三个盒子，摆到我们面前的桌子上，然后说：“我们希望你们能把这些东西带回英国。”

Richard and I looked at him in surprise.

理查德和我诧异地看着他。

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?'

局长停顿了一下，然后接着说道：“不必担心。你们可能会担心英国警方那边，对吗？一切都会安然无恙的。我会告诉伦敦的总警司爱德华，你们不会遇上麻烦的。现在请仔细听好。”他继续说道，“把珠宝交给凯利就可以了。对于他这些德国朋友的“意外”他是不会知道的，你们绝对不可以向任何人提及此事以及我们今天的谈话。这一点至关重要。英国警方会监视凯利并等待时机。你们明白了吗？”

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.

对我来说这个计划听起来危险重重，但理查德回答说：“是的，我们当然会这么做。对吗，温迪？”显然，理查德根本不怕凯利。

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.'

于是我们坐星期六晚上的航班从法兰克福将那几个盒子带了回来。直到将近午夜我们才回来，但我们立即赶往了凯利的住所。他让我们等一会儿，然后就进了另一个房间。他回来的时候满心欢喜，将手伸进口袋里，并掏出了一对金耳环。“这是给你的，温迪，是为你下周四的生日准备的。”

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

“不，凯利先生，不，您不必送我东西。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:

“你当然可以收下它们，”凯利笑着说，“你为此干得很卖力。我们一定要给你开个生日聚会。星期四晚上咱们找些人聚聚。你想去哪里？去里兹大饭店？或者可以去迪斯科舞厅？不，我知道了……，”他唱了起来：

Let's all meet at Maxim's,

齐聚马克西姆，

We'll have a wonderful time.

共享欢乐时光。

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.

我再三跟他说我不想开生日聚会，但他根本听不进去，只顾着自我陶醉了。“哦，是的，温迪。我们一定要开个生日聚会，而且你必须戴上这金耳环。那么我会觉得你是个听话的小姑娘。”他的嘴在笑，然而眼神却是冰冷的。

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.'

理查德在我耳边悄声说道：“就答应他吧，温迪。收下他的耳环，你可以以后再交还。我们现在一点儿差错也不能有。”

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.

之后的几天漫长难熬。星期一和星期二办公室里一切都是那么平静。凯利没再跟我说起这次法兰克福之行。他大部分时间都待在自己的办公室里，不停地打电话。没有警察来，什么事也没发生。我开始感到不安。

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来找我。“他在里面吗？”他问道，眼睛瞅着凯利的房门。

Not yet. Why?'

“他还没到呢。问这个干什么？”

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

“把他办公室的钥匙给我。就一会儿。”

But Richard...'

“但是理查德……”

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

“快点儿，温迪。他不会知道的。”

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

“你不能进去，理查德。他马上就会到的。这太危险了。”

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

“求你了，温迪。用不了太长时间。我很快就会出来。”

But why... what do you want?'

“但是为什么……你想要什么？”

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

“别问这么多。把钥匙给我，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!'

当然，最后我还是把钥匙交给了他。他打开凯利的房门，走了进去。几分钟过去了，只听他大叫一声。“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.'

我走进去，只见理查德站在凯利的桌子前，手里拿着一封信。他朝我举起信。“这个，”他说，“会帮得上我们。”

What do you mean?' I did not understand.

“什么意思？”我没明白。

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.

“听着。”他开始读手中的信……鸡蛋上周末已经拿到手了，现在就在我家里。4月18号上午11点见。

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

“18号，”我说。“是下个星期六。”

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.'

就在这时我听到了屋外的汽车声。“是他，”我惊呼道，“快，把信放回去。你必须立刻出去。”

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.

我赶紧跑回办公室，理查德跟在我身后。“从那儿出去，快。”我把他推进了厨房，就在那一刻门开了，凯利走了进来。

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

“早上好，温迪。”他没有停下脚步，而是直接走进办公室并关上了门。

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.

然后理查德便赶忙离开了，那天我没再看见他。第二天下午，也就是星期四，他给我打了电话。我一下就听出他有些不开心。

What's happened, Richard?' I asked.

“出什么事了，理查德？”我问。

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.'

“我不再为凯利做事了，”他告诉我说，“今天早晨他又让我为他干点小活儿，我一口回绝了他。于是他便对我大喊大叫，并叫我走人。事情就是这样。我要再找份工作。”他轻轻笑了一声。“比这更糟的是，他没有付给我工资，所以我现在没钱给你买生日礼物。”

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，”我说，“但是你会参加今晚凯利为我在马克西姆餐厅举办的生日聚会吗？没有你我是不会去的。你一定要来。”

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

“我来不了，温迪。我很想去，你是知道的。但是得到星期六之后我们才可以见面。”

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?'

“为什么不能见面？星期六会发生什么？还有那些……那些鸡蛋盒子又会怎样？警察正在干什么呢？凯利说我必须在生日聚会上戴上这对崭新的金耳环，可我不想戴。它们是从法兰克福带回的那几个鸡蛋盒子中的东西，它们是被盗的赃物！噢，理查德，我害怕极了！我该怎么办？”

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.'

“一切都会迎刃而解的，温迪。真的。我想到了一个计划。尽管去参加你的生日聚会吧，用不着担心。不久后我就会见到你的。”

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

理查德挂断了电话。自此之后我没再见到他，也没收到过他的信。