福尔摩斯探案集·血字的研究 第16期:劳瑞斯顿花园街的惨案(4)

A short passage, bare-planked and dusty, led to the kitchen and offices.

有一条短短的过道通向厨房，过道地上没有平地毯，灰尘满地。

Two doors opened out of it to the left and to the right.

过道左右各有一门。

One of these had obviously been closed for many weeks.

其中一个分明已经有很多星期没有开过了。

The other belonged to the dining- room, which was the apartment in which the mysterious affair had occurred.

另一个是餐厅的门，惨案就发生在这个餐厅里面。

Holmes walked in, and I followed him with that subdued feeling at my heart which the presence of death inspires.

福尔摩斯走了进去，我跟在他的后面，心情感到异常沉重。这是由于死尸所引起来的。

It was a large square room, looking all the larger from the absence of all furniture.

这是一间方形大屋子，由于没有家具陈设，因此格外显得宽大。

A vulgar flaring paper adorned the walls, but it was blotched in places with mildew,

墙壁上糊着廉价的花纸，有些地方已经斑斑点点地有了霉迹，

and here and there great strips had become detached and hung down, exposing the yellow plaster beneath.

有的地方还大片大平地剥落下来，露出里面黄色的粉墙。

Opposite the door was a showy fireplace, surmounted by a mantelpiece of imitation white marble.

门对面有一个漂亮的壁炉。壁炉框是用白色的假大理石作的，

On one corner of this was stuck the stump of a red wax candle.

炉台的一端放着一段红色蜡烛头。

The solitary window was so dirty that the light was hazy and uncertain, giving a dull gray tinge to everything,

屋里只有一个窗子，异常污浊，因此室内光线非常昏暗，到处都蒙上了一层黯淡的色彩。

which was intensified by the thick layer of dust which coated the whole apartment.

屋内积土尘封，更加深了这种情调。

All these details I observed afterwards.

这些景象是我后来才看到的。

At present my attention was centred upon the single, grim, motionless figure which lay stretched upon the boards,

当我进去的时候，我的注意力就全部集中在那个万分可怕的尸体上；

with vacant, sightless eyes staring up at the discoloured ceiling.

他僵卧在地板上，一双茫然无光的眼睛凝视着褪了色的天花板。

It was that of a man about forty-three or forty-four years of age,

死者大约有四十三、四岁，

middle-sized, broad-shouldered, with crisp curling black hair, and a short, stubbly beard.

中等身材，宽宽的肩膀，一头黑黑的鬈发，并且留着短硬的胡子，

He was dressed in a heavy broadcloth frock coat and waistcoat, with light-coloured trousers, and immaculate collar and cuffs.

身上穿着厚厚的黑呢礼服上衣和背心，浅色裤子，装着洁白的硬领和袖口。

A top hat, well brushed and trim, was placed upon the floor beside him.

身旁地板上有一顶整洁的礼帽。

His hands were clenched and his arms thrown abroad, while his lower limbs were interlocked,

死者紧握双拳、两臂伸张、双腿交迭着，

as though his death struggle had been a grievous one.

看来在他临死的时候，曾经有过一番痛苦的挣扎。

On his rigid face there stood an expression of horror,

他那僵硬的脸上露出恐怖的神情，

and, as it seemed to me, of hatred, such as I have never seen upon human features.

据我看来，这是一种忿恨的表情，是我生平所没有见过的。

This malignant and terrible contortion, combined with the low forehead, blunt nose,

凶恶的面貌，加上龇牙咧嘴的怪状，非常可怖，再配上那副低削的前额，扁平的鼻子

and prognathous jaw, gave the dead man a singularly simious and ape-like appearance,

和突出的下巴，看来很象一个怪模怪样的扁鼻猿猴。

which was increased by his writhing, unnatural posture.

此外，那种极不自然的痛苦翻腾的姿态，使它的面貌变得益发可怕。

I have seen death in many forms,

我曾经见过各式各样的死人，

but never has it appeared to me in a more fearsome aspect than in that dark, grimy apartment,

但是还没有见过比这个伦敦市郊大道旁的黑暗、

which looked out upon one of the main arteries of suburban London.

污浊的屋中更为可怖的景象。

Lestrade, lean and ferret-like as ever, was standing by the doorway,

一向瘦削而具有侦探家风度的雷斯垂德，这时正站在门口，

and greeted my companion and myself.

他向我的朋友和我打着招呼。

"This case will make a stir, sir," he remarked.

他说："这件案子一定要哄动全城了，先生。

"It beats anything I have seen, and I am no chicken."

我也不是一个没有经历的新手了，可是我还没有见过这样离奇的事。"

"There is no clue?" said Gregson.

葛莱森问道："没有什么线索？"

"None at all," chimed in Lestrade.

雷斯垂德随声附和地说："一点也没有。"