福尔摩斯探案集·博斯科姆比溪谷秘案 第1期:前往博斯科姆比溪谷(1)
The Boscombe Valley Mystery
博斯科姆比溪谷秘案
We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the maid brought in a telegram.
一天早上，正当我和我的妻子在一起进早餐的时候，我们的女仆送来了一封电报。
It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran in this way: Have you a couple of days to spare?
那是歇洛克·福尔摩斯打来的，电报内容是这样的：能否抽暇数日？
Have just been wired for from the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy.
顷获英国西部为博斯科姆比溪谷惨案事来电。
Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Leave Paddington by the 11:15.
如能驾临，不胜欣幸。该地空气及景致极佳。望十一时十五分从帕丁顿起程。
"What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Will you go?"
"亲爱的，你看怎么样？"我的妻子隔着餐桌看着我说，"你想去吗？"
"I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at present."
"我真不知道怎么说才好。我现在要做的事情多得很。"
"Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking a little pale lately.
"噢，安斯特鲁瑟会替你把工作做了的。你最近脸色有点苍白。
I think that the change would do you good, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes's cases."
我想，换换环境对你是有好处的，何况你又总是对歇洛克·福尔摩斯侦查的案件那么感兴趣。"
"I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained through one of them," I answered.
"想想我从他办案中得到的教益，我要不去，那就太对不起他了。"我回答道，
"But if I am to go, I must pack at once, for I have only half an hour."
"但是，如果我要去的话，就得立即收拾行装，因为现在离出发的时间只有半个小时了。"
My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller.
我在阿富汗度过的戎马生涯，至少使我养成了行动敏捷、几乎可以随时动身的习惯。
My wants were few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station.
我随身携带的生活必需岂不多，所以在半小时内我就带着我的旅行皮包上了出租马车，车声辚辚地驶向帕丁顿车站。
Sherlock Holmes was pacing up and down the platform,
歇洛克·福尔摩斯在站台上踱来踱去，
his tall, gaunt figure made even gaunter and taller by his long gray travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap.
他穿着一件长长的灰色旅行斗篷，戴着一顶紧紧箍着头的便帽；他那枯瘦细长的身躯就显得更加突出了。
"It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he.
"华生，你能来真是太好了，"他说道，
"It makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on whom I can thoroughly rely.
"有个完全靠得住的人和我在一起，情况就大不相同了。
Local aid is always either worthless or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall get the tickets."
地方上的协助往往不是毫无价值，就是带有偏见。你去占着那角落里的两个座位，我买票去。"
