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但是，我忽然发觉他那敏锐的感官已经察觉到了不同。我听到一阵轻微的蹑手蹑脚的声响，这声音并非来自贝克街的方向，而是从我们藏身的这所屋子后面传来的。一扇门打开又关上了。不一会儿，走廊里响起脚步声。走路的人本想竭力不发出声音，但脚步声却在空屋中引起了刺耳的回响。福尔摩斯靠墙蹲下来，我也照样蹲下来，手里紧握着我的左轮枪柄。朦胧中，我看见一个模糊的人影，人影的颜色比门外的黑暗更深一些。他站了片刻，然后弓着身子不怀好意地悄悄走进屋里。这个凶险的人影离我们不到3码，我已经准备好了等他扑过来，才意识到他并不知道我们在这儿。他从我们身边很近的地方走过去，悄悄地靠近了窗子，轻轻地不出声响地把窗户推上去了半英尺。他跪下来靠在窗边，没有了积满灰尘的玻璃遮挡，街上的路灯把他的脸照得清清楚楚。这个人似乎兴奋得有些忘乎所以。他两眼像星星一样放光，面部持续抽搐着。他是个上了岁数的人，鼻子细长突出，前额又秃又高，留着一大撮灰白胡子。他把一顶可以折叠的大礼帽推到了后脑勺上，敞开的外套露出了晚礼服的前襟。他的脸又瘦又黑，布满了深深的皱纹，显得很凶悍。他的手里拿着一根像是手杖的东西，但当他放在地板上的时候，却发出了金属的铿锵声。然后他从外套口袋中掏出一大块东西，摆弄了一阵，最后发出一种响亮、尖利的声音，好像把一根弹簧或者插销挂上了。他仍旧跪在地板上，向前躬身将全身的力量压在一个杠杆一样的东西上，因此发出一阵很长的、旋转摩擦声，最后又是那种响亮、尖利的声音。然后他直起腰来，我这才看清楚他手里拿的是一种枪，枪托的形状非常特别。他拉开枪膛，把什么东西放了进去，又啪地一下推上了枪栓。随后，他俯下身去，把枪筒末端架在窗台上。我看见他的长胡子坠在枪托上面，眼睛对着瞄准器，闪现出兴奋的光芒。当他把枪托紧贴右肩的时候，我听见一小声满意的叹息，并且看见那个令人惊愕的目标——黄色窗帘上的黑色人影毫无遮挡地暴露在枪口前方。有一瞬间他定格在了那里，然后手指扣动了扳机。只听见一阵奇怪的飕飕声，接着是一串清脆的玻璃破碎声。就在这一瞬间，福尔摩斯像老虎似地向射手的背上扑过去，把他脸朝下摔倒在地。他立刻爬了起来，使尽力气掐住福尔摩斯的脖子。我用手枪柄照着头猛击过去，他又倒在了地板上。当我扑过去，把他按住时，我的朋友吹了一声刺耳的警笛。人行道上响起一阵跑步声：两个穿制服的警察和一个便衣侦探从前门冲进屋里来。
"That you, Lestrade? " said Holmes.
“是您吗，莱斯特雷德？” 福尔摩斯说。
"Yes, Mr. Holmes. I took the job myself. It's good to see you back in London, sir. "
“是我，福尔摩斯先生。我自己把任务接过来了。您回到伦敦来真是件好事啊，先生。”
"I think you want a little unofficial help. Three undetected murders in one year won't do, Lestrade. But you handled the Molesey Mystery with less than your usual—that's to say, you handled it fairly well. "
“我觉得您需要点儿民间的帮助。一年当中有三件谋杀案侦破不了是不行的，莱斯特雷德。不过您在处理莫尔齐的案子时不像您平时那样——就是说，您干得还不错。”
We had all risen to our feet, our prisoner breathing hard, with a stalwart constable on each side of him. Already a few loiterers had begun to collect in the street. Holmes stepped up to the window, closed it, and dropped the blinds. Lestrade had produced two candles and the policemen had uncovered their lanterns. I was able at last to have a good look at our prisoner.
大家都已经站起来了。我们的俘虏喘着粗气，两边各站着一个高大魁梧的警察。这时已经有些闲人开始聚集在街上。福尔摩斯走到窗前关上窗，又放下了窗帘。莱斯特雷德点着了两支蜡烛，警察也打开了他们的提灯。我终于能仔细瞧瞧这个犯人了。
It was a tremendously virile and yet sinister face which was turned towards us. With the brow of a philosopher above and the jaw of a sensualist below, the man must have started with great capacities for good or for evil. But one could not look upon his cruel blue eyes, with their drooping, cynical lids, or upon the fierce, aggressive nose and the threatening, deep—lined brow, without reading Nature's plainest danger—signals. He took no heed of any of us, but his eyes were fixed upon Holmes's face with an expression in which hatred and amazement were equally blended. "You fiend! " he kept on muttering. "You clever, clever fiend! "
对着我们的是一张很阳刚却又奸诈险恶的面孔。这人长着哲学家的前额和酒色之徒的下颌，似乎是个天赋之才，但这 “才” 是好是坏姑且不论。可是，只要一看他那冷酷凶狠的蓝眼睛，下垂讥诮的眼皮，凶恶挑衅的鼻子和那咄咄逼人的浓眉，谁都能认出这是造物主最明显的危险信号。他完全忽略了其他人的存在，死死盯着福尔摩斯的脸，眼神中仇恨和惊讶交织着。 “你这个魔鬼！” 他不停地嘟哝， “你这个狡猾、狡猾至极的魔鬼！”
"Ah, Colonel! " said Holmes, arranging his rumpled collar; " 'journeys end in lovers' meetings, ' as the old play says. I don't think I have had the pleasure of seeing you since you favoured me with those attentions as I lay on the ledge above the Reichenbach Fall. "
“啊，上校！” 福尔摩斯边说边整理弄皱了的衣领， “就像老戏里常说的： ‘不是冤家不碰头’ 。自从在赖兴巴赫瀑布的悬崖边承蒙您关照以后，我一直没能有幸再见到你。”
The Colonel still stared at my friend like a man in a trance. "You cunning, cunning fiend! " was all that he could say.
上校就像个精神恍惚的人那样，仍旧死死地地盯着我的朋友。他能说出的只有这一句： “你这狡猾的、狡猾至极的魔鬼！”
"I have not introduced you yet, " said Holmes. "This, gentlemen, is Colonel Sebastian Moran, once of Her Majesty's Indian Army, and the best heavy game shot that our Eastern Empire has ever produced. I believe I am correct, Colonel, in saying that your bag of tigers still remains unrivalled? "
“我还没有介绍您呢。” 福尔摩斯说， “先生们，这位是塞巴斯蒂安·莫兰上校，曾在女王陛下的印度陆军中效力，他是咱们东方帝国所培养的最优秀的射手。上校，我想这样说是对的，您在猎虎方面的成就仍然是无人能及吧？”
The fierce old man said nothing, but still glared at my companion; with his savage eyes and bristling moustache he was wonderfully like a tiger himself.
这个凶恶的老人沉默不语，仍旧瞪大眼睛看着我的伙伴。他那充满野性的眼睛和倒竖的胡子使自己活像一只虎。
"I wonder that my very simple stratagem could deceive so old a shikari, " said Holmes. "It must be very familiar to you. Have you not tethered a young kid under a tree, lain above it with your rifle, and waited for the bait to bring up your tiger? This empty house is my tree and you are my tiger. You have possibly had other guns in reserve in case there should be several tigers, or in the unlikely supposition of your own aim failing you. These, " he——pointed around—— "are my other guns. The parallel is exact. "
“奇怪，我这个很简单的计策能让这么一个老练的猎手上当，” 福尔摩斯说， “您应该很熟悉这样的办法。您不是也在一棵树下拴只小山羊，自己带着来福枪藏在树上，等着这只作为诱饵把老虎引来吗？这座空房子成了我的树，您就是我想猎取的虎。您大概还带着其他几支备用的枪，以防出现好几只老虎，或是万一您没射中，当然这是不太可能的。这些，” 他指了指周围的人， “都是我的备用枪支。” “这是个确切的比喻。”
Colonel Moran sprang forward, with a snarl of rage, but the constables dragged him back. The fury upon his face was terrible to look at.
莫兰上校怒吼一声向前冲来，但被两个警察拽了回去。他脸上露出的愤怒表情看起来非常可怕。
"I confess that you had one small surprise for me, " said Holmes. "I did not anticipate that you would yourself make use of this empty house and this convenient front window. I had imagined you as operating from the street, where my friend Lestrade and his merry men were awaiting you. With that exception all has gone as I expected. "
“我承认您有一招有点儿出乎我的意料，” 福尔摩斯说， “我没想到您也会利用这间空屋和这扇方便的前窗。我原以为您会在街上行动，我的朋友雷斯垂德和他的随从正在那里等着你。除此之外，一切都如我所料。”
Colonel Moran turned to the official detective.
莫兰上校转过脸对着警局的侦探。
"You may or may not have just cause for arresting me, " said he, "but at least there can be no reason why I should submit to the gibes of this person. If I am in the hands of the law let things be done in a legal way. "
“你可能有、也可能没有逮捕我的正当理由，” 他说， “但起码没有理由叫我忍受这个人的嘲弄。如果我现在是在法律的掌控中，那就一切依法办事吧！”
"Well, that's reasonable enough, " said Lestrade. "Nothing further you have to say, Mr. Holmes, before we go? "
“你说得倒是很合理。” 莱斯特雷德说， “福尔摩斯先生，我们走以前，您没什么别的要讲吗？”
Holmes had picked up the powerful air—gun from the floor and was examining its mechanism.
福尔摩斯已经把那支威力无比的气枪从地板上捡了起来，正在研究它的构造。
"An admirable and unique weapon, " said he, "noiseless and of tremendous power. I knew Von Herder, the blind German mechanic, who constructed it to the order of the late Professor Moriarty. For years I have been aware of its existence, though I have never before had the opportunity of handling it. I commend it very specially to your attention, Lestrade, and also the bullets which fit it. "
“真是一件了不起的独特武器，” 他说， “无声并且威力无比。我认识这个双目失明的德国技工冯·赫德，这支枪是按已故的莫里亚蒂教授的要求特制的。我知道有这么一支枪已经好几年了，虽然以前没有机会摆弄它。莱斯特雷德，我特别把这支枪，还有这些配套的子弹，都交给你们保管。”
"You can trust us to look after that, Mr. Holmes, " said Lestrade, as the whole party moved towards the door. "Anything further to say? "
“放心交给我们吧，福尔摩斯先生。” 莱斯特雷德说。大家都向门口走去。 “您还有什么要说的吗？”
"Only to ask what charge you intend to prefer? "
“就问一下你准备以什么罪名提出控告？”
"What charge, sir? Why, of course, the attempted murder of Mr. Sherlock Holmes. "
“什么罪名？当然是企图谋杀福尔摩斯先生了。”
"Not so, Lestrade. I do not propose to appear in the matter at all. To you, and to you only, belongs the credit of the remarkable arrest which you have effected. Yes, Lestrade, I congratulate you! With your usual happy mixture of cunning and audacity you have got him. "
“这不行，莱斯特雷德。我根本没打算在这件事情上出面。这次逮捕干得漂亮，功劳属于你，而且只属于你。莱斯特雷德，恭喜你！你以平常就表现出的智勇双全抓住了他。”
"Got him! Got whom, Mr. Holmes? "
“抓住了他！抓住了谁，福尔摩斯先生？”
"The man that the whole force has been seeking in vain—Colonel Sebastian Moran, who shot the Honourable Ronald Adair with an expanding bullet from an air—gun through the open window of the second—floor front of No. 427, Park Lane, upon the 30th of last month. That's the charge, Lestrade. And now, Watson, if you can endure the draught from a broken window, I think that half an hour in my study over a cigar may afford you some profitable amusement. "
“就是出动全部警力都一直没有找到的凶手，塞巴斯蒂安·莫兰上校。上个月30号，他把一颗开花子弹装在汽枪里，向公园路427号二楼正面的窗口开了一枪，打死了罗纳德·阿代尔。就是这个罪名，莱斯特雷德。现在，沃森，要是你能忍受从破窗口吹进的冷风，不妨到我书房里去抽一支雪茄，呆上半个小时，消遣一下。”
Our old chambers had been left unchanged through the supervision of Mycroft Holmes and the immediate care of Mrs. Hudson. As I entered I saw, it is true, an unwonted tidiness, but the old landmarks were all in their place. There were the chemical corner and the acidstained, deal—topped table. There upon a shelf was the row of formidable scrap—books and books of reference which many of our fellow—citizens would have been so glad to burn. The diagrams, the violin—case, and the piperack—even the Persian slipper which contained the tobacco—all met my eyes as I glanced round me. There were two occupants of the room—one Mrs. Hudson, who beamed upon us both as we entered—the other the strange dummy which had played so important a part in the evening's adventures. It was a wax—coloured model of my friend, so admirably done that it was a perfect facsimile. It stood on a small pedestal table with an old dressing—gown of Holmes's so draped round it that the illusion from the street was absolutely perfect.
我们的老房间一直保持着原样，这多亏米克罗夫特·福尔摩斯的监督，还有赫德森太太的直接照管。我一进来就注意到屋里确实是异常整洁，但是一切都保持着原来的样子。这个角落是做化学试验的地方，放着那张被酸液弄脏了桌面的松木桌。那边的架子上摆着一排大本的剪贴簿和参考书，都是很多伦敦人想要烧掉的东西。我环视四周，挂图、提琴盒、烟斗架，连装烟丝的波斯拖鞋都历历在目。屋里有两个人，一个是我们进来时微笑着迎接我们的赫德森太太，另一个是在今晚的冒险中起了重要作用的表情冷淡的假人。这个蜡像上过了颜色，做得惟妙惟肖，完全就是我朋友的摹本。它立在一个小小的底座上，披了一件福尔摩斯的旧睡衣，从大街上望过去，样子非常逼真。
"I hope you preserved all precautions, Mrs. Hudson? " said Holmes.
“所有的预防措施都实施了吧，赫德森太太？”
"I went to it on my knees, sir, just as you told me. "
“照您的吩咐，我是跪着干的，先生。”
"Excellent. You carried the thing out very well. Did you observe where the bullet went? "
“好极了。你完成得非常好。看见子弹打在什么地方了吗？”
"Yes, sir. I 'm afraid it has spoilt your beautiful bust, for it passed right through the head and flattened itself on the wall. I picked it up from the carpet. Here it is! "
“看见了，先生。恐怕子弹已经打坏了您那座漂亮的半身像。它恰好穿过头部，然后打在墙上挤扁了。这是我在地毯上捡到的。给！”
Holmes held it out to me. "A soft revolver bullet, as you perceive, Watson. There's genius in that, for who would expect to find such a thing fired from an air—gun. All right, Mrs. Hudson, I am much obliged for your assistance. And now, Watson, let me see you in your old seat once more, for there are several points which I should like to discuss with you. "
福尔摩斯伸手把子弹递给我。 “一颗铅头左轮子弹。跟你想的一样，沃森。真巧妙，谁会想到这样的东西是从汽枪中打出来的？好的，赫德森太太，非常感谢你的帮助。现在，沃森，请你在老位子上再坐下来，有几点我想和你讨论一下。”
He had thrown off the seedy frock—coat, and now he was the Holmes of old in the mouse—coloured dressing—gown which he took from his effigy.
他已经脱下那件破旧的礼服，换上了从蜡像上取下来的鼠灰色睡衣。他又变成了往日的福尔摩斯。
"The old shikari's nerves have not lost their steadiness nor his eyes their keenness, " said he, with a laugh, as he inspected the shattered forehead of his bust.
“这个老猎手居然手不抖，眼不花，” 他一边检查蜡像的破碎前额一边笑着说。
"Plumb in the middle of the back of the head and smack through the brain. He was the best shot in India, and I expect that there are few better in London. Have you heard the name? "
“从后脑勺的正中射入，正好击穿大脑。以前他是印度最好的射手，我想现在伦敦也没几个比他厉害的。你听过他的名字吗？”
"No, I have not. "
“没听过。”
"Well, well, such is fame! But, then, if I remember aright, you had not heard the name of Professor James Moriarty, who had one of the great brains of the century. Just give me down my index of biographies from the shelf. "
“瞧，这就叫出名！不过，我要是没记错，你过去应该也没有听说过詹姆斯·莫里亚蒂教授这个名字。他是本世纪最有智慧的人之一。请帮我把那本传记索引从架子上拿下来。”
He turned over the pages lazily, leaning back in his chair and blowing great clouds from his cigar.
他靠在椅背上，懒洋洋地翻着他的记录，大口大口地吐着雪茄的烟团。
"My collection of M's is a fine one, " said he. "Moriarty himself is enough to make any letter illustrious, and here is Morgan the poisoner, and Merridew of abominable memory, and Mathews, who knocked out my left canine in the waiting—room at Charing Cross, and, finally, here is our friend of to—night. "
“我收集在 ‘M部’ 的这些材料很不错。” 他说道。 “莫里亚蒂这个人不论摆在哪里都是出众的。这是放毒犯莫根，这是遗臭万年的梅里丢，还有马修斯，那个在查林十字广场候诊室把我左边犬齿打掉的家伙。最后这个就是咱们今晚见到的朋友。”
He handed over the book, and I read: Moran, Sebastian, Colonel. Unemployed. Formerly 1st Bangalore Pioneers. Born London, 1840. Son of Sir Augustus Moran, C. B., once British Minister to Persia. Educated Eton and Oxford. Served in Jowaki Campaign, Afghan Campaign, Charasiab (despatches), Sherpur, and Cabul. Author of Heavy Game of the Western Himalayas (1881); Three Months in the Jungle (1884). Address: Conduit Street. Clubs: The Anglo—Indian, the Tankerville, the Bagatelle Card Club.
他把本子递给我，上面写着：塞巴斯蒂安·莫兰上校，无职业，原属邦加罗尔工兵一团。1840年生于伦敦，系原任英国驻波斯公使奥古斯塔斯·莫兰爵士之子。曾就读于伊顿公学和牛津大学。参加过乔瓦基战役、阿富汗战役，曾在查拉西阿布（派遣）、舍普尔、喀布尔服兵役。作品：《喜马拉雅山西部的大猎物》（1881年），《丛林中三月》（1884年）。住址：管道街。俱乐部：英印俱乐部，坦克维尔俱乐部，巴格特尔纸牌俱乐部。
On the margin was written, in Holmes's precise hand: The second most dangerous man in London.
在这页的空白处，有福尔摩斯清晰的笔迹：伦敦二号危险人物。
"This is astonishing, " said I, as I handed back the volume. "The man's career is that of an honourable soldier. "
“真不可思议，” 我把本子递回给他时说， “这人的职业还是个体面的军人呢。”
"It is true, " Holmes answered. "Up to a certain point he did well. He was always a man of iron nerve, and the story is still told in India how he crawled down a drain after a wounded man—eating tiger. There are some trees, Watson, which grow to a certain height and then suddenly develop some unsightly eccentricity. You will see it often in humans. I have a theory that the individual represents in his development the whole procession of his ancestors, and that such a sudden turn to good or evil stands for some strong influence which came into the line of his pedigree. The person becomes, as it were, the epitome of the history of his own family. "
“确实，” 福尔摩斯回答说， “从一定程度上说，他干得不错。他一向很有胆量，直到现在，印度还流传着他爬进水沟去追一只受伤的吃人猛虎的故事。沃森，有些树木在长到一定高度的时候，会突然长成难看的古怪形状。这一点常常会在人身上看到。我有个理论，那就是个人的发展体现了他历代祖先发展的整个过程。像这样突然地变好或者变坏代表着某种强烈影响力影响着他的家族。” 可以这么说，这个人成了家族历史的缩影。”
"It is surely rather fanciful. "
“这个想法真有点儿奇怪。”
"Well, I don't insist upon it. Whatever the cause, Colonel Moran began to go wrong. Without any open scandal he still made India too hot to hold him. He retired, came to London, and again acquired an evil name. It was at this time that he was sought out by Professor Moriarty, to whom for a time he was chief of the staff. Moriarty supplied him liberally with money and used him only in one or two very high—class jobs which no ordinary criminal could have undertaken. You may have some recollection of the death of Mrs. Stewart, of Lauder, in 1887. Not? Well, I am sure Moran was at the bottom of it; but nothing could be proved. So cleverly was the Colonel concealed that even when the Moriarty gang was broken up we could not incriminate him. You remember at that date, when I called upon you in your rooms, how I put up the shutters for fear of air—guns? No doubt you thought me fanciful. I knew exactly what I was doing, for I knew of the existence of this remarkable gun, and I knew also that one of the best shots in the world would be behind it. When we were in Switzerland he followed us with Moriarty, and it was undoubtedly he who gave me that evil five minutes on the Reichenbach ledge.
“好吧，我也不是坚持要这样想。不管是什么原因，莫兰上校开始堕落了。他在印度虽没有什么公开的丑事，但仍旧没办法呆下去。他退伍来到了伦敦，又弄得声名狼藉。就在这时他被莫里亚蒂教授挑中了，而且有一段时间他是莫里亚蒂的参谋长。莫里亚蒂很大方地给他钱用，而且只让他办过一两件普通匪徒承担不了的高级案子。你可能对1887年那件劳德的斯图尔特太太被害的案子有点儿印象。记不起来了？好吧，我可以肯定莫兰就是主谋，但是没找到任何证据。上校隐蔽得非常巧妙，以至于在莫里亚蒂匪帮被破获的时候，我们也没法使他入罪。你还记得吧，那天我到寓所去看你，为了防范气枪，我不是把百叶窗关上了吗？当时你一定认为我想太多了。可我很清楚自己在干什么，因为我知道有这样一支威力巨大的枪，而且知道拿支枪后的人一定是一位世界一流的射手。咱们在瑞士的时候，他和莫里亚蒂一起跟踪咱们。毫无疑问，赖兴辛巴赫悬崖上那可怕的五分钟也是拜他所赐。”
"You may think that I read the papers with some attention during my sojourn in France, on the look—out for any chance of laying him by the heels. So long as he was free in London my life would really not have been worth living. Night and day the shadow would have been over me, and sooner or later his chance must have come. What could I do? I could not shoot him at sight, or I should myself be in the dock. There was no use appealing to a magistrate. They cannot interfere on the strength of what would appear to them to be a wild suspicion. So I could do nothing. But I watched the criminal news, knowing that sooner or later I should get him. Then came the death of this Ronald Adair. My chance had come at last! Knowing what I did, was it not certain that Colonel Moran had done it? He had played cards with the lad; he had followed him home from the club; he had shot him through the open window. There was not a doubt of it. The bullets alone are enough to put his head in a noose. I came over at once. I was seen by the sentinel, who would, I knew, direct the Colonel's attention to my presence. He could not fail to connect my sudden return with his crime and to be terribly alarmed. I was sure that he would make an attempt to get me out of the way at once, and would bring round his murderous weapon for that purpose. I left him an excellent mark in the window, and, having warned the police that they might be needed—by the way, Watson, you spotted their presence in that doorway with unerring accuracy—I took up what seemed to me to be a judicious post for observation, never dreaming that he would choose the same spot for his attack. Now, my dear Watson, does anything remain for me to explain? "
“你可以想到，我住在法国的时候注意看报，就是为了寻找机会制服他。他在伦敦逍遥法外一天，我在这世上就白活一天。他的影子日夜缠着我，他迟早会找到对我下手的时机。我能拿他怎么办呢？总不能一看见他就开枪，那样我自己就得上被告席。向市长求救也无济于事。他们不能进行干预，因为在他们看来，这仅仅是轻率的怀疑。所以我什么也做不了。不过我看了很多犯罪新闻，知道早晚我会逮住他。后来我看到了罗纳德·阿代尔惨死的消息，我的机会终于来了！就我所了解的那些情况来看，这不明摆着是莫兰上校干的？他先同这个年轻人一起打牌，然后从俱乐部一直跟到他家，对准敞着的窗子开枪打死了阿德尔。这毫无疑问。光凭这种子弹就足以送他上绞架。我立马回到伦敦，但被那个放哨的发现了，他当然会告诉上校留意我的出现。上校自然会想到我的突然归来和他犯的案子有关，并且一定会感到万分惊恐。我猜准了他会马上想办法把我除掉，并且为了达到这个目的，他会再拿出这件凶器来。我在窗口给他摆了一个明显的靶子，还预先通知警方可能需要他们的帮助——对了，沃森，你准确无误地发现他们呆在那个门道里。然后我来到那个在我看来非常审慎的监视点，但万万没想到他也会选那个地方来袭击我。亲爱的沃森，还有什么需要解释的吗？”
"Yes, " said I. "You have not made it clear what was Colonel Moran's motive in murdering the Honourable Ronald Adair. "
“有，” 我说， “你还没说清楚莫兰上校谋杀罗纳德·阿代尔的动机是什么。”
"Ah! my dear Watson, there we come into those realms of conjecture where the most logical mind may be at fault. Each may form his own hypothesis upon the present evidence, and yours is as likely to be correct as mine. "
“喔，亲爱的沃森，这一点咱们只能推测了。在这类问题上就是逻辑推理能力最强的人也可能出错。每个人都可以根据现有的证据作出自己的假设，你我的假设都可能对。”
"You have formed one, then? "
“那么，你已经作出了假设？”
"I think that it is not difficult to explain the facts. It came out in evidence that Colonel Moran and young Adair had between them won a considerable amount of money. Now, Moran undoubtedly played foul—of that I have long been aware. I believe that on the day of the murder Adair had discovered that Moran was cheating. Very likely he had spoken to him privately, and had threatened to expose him unless he voluntarily resigned his membership of the club and promised not to play cards again. It is unlikely that a youngster like Adair would at once make a hideous scandal by exposing a well—known man so much older than himself. Probably he acted as I suggest. The exclusion from his clubs would mean ruin to Moran, who lived by his ill—gotten card gains. He therefore murdered Adair, who at the time was endeavouring to work out how much money he should himself return, since he could not profit by his partner's foul play. He locked the door lest the ladies should surprise him and insist upon knowing what he was doing with these names and coins. Will it pass? "
“我觉得要说明案件的事实并不难。有证据显示，莫兰上校和年轻的阿代尔曾合伙赢了一大笔钱。毫无疑问，莫兰作弊了，我早就知道他打牌作弊。我相信，就在阿代尔遇害的那天，他发现了莫兰在作弊。很可能他私下跟莫兰谈过，还恐吓莫兰，说要揭发他，除非他自动退出俱乐部并答应从此不再打牌。阿代尔这样的年轻人不太可能立刻去揭发既有点儿名气又比他年长很多的莫兰，他也不愿闹出这种骇人听闻的丑事。大概他像我所估计的那样做了。对靠打牌骗钱为生的莫兰来说，退出俱乐部是具有毁灭性的。所以他把阿代尔杀了，那时候阿代尔正在计算自己该退还多少钱，因为他不愿意从搭档的作弊中捞油水。他锁上门是为了防止母亲和妹妹突然进来打扰自己，或者担心她们硬要知道自己摆弄那些人名和硬币究竟要干什么。这样说得通吗？”
"I have no doubt that you have hit upon the truth. "
“我完全相信你说的就是真相。”
"It will be verified or disproved at the trial. Meanwhile, come what may, Colonel Moran will trouble us no more, the famous air—gun of Von Herder will embellish the Scotland Yard Museum, and once again Mr. Sherlock Holmes is free to devote his life to examining those interesting little problems which the complex life of London so plentifully presents. "
“这些会在审讯时得到证实，或者遭到反驳。同时，不论发生什么，莫兰上校再也不会打搅咱们了。冯·赫德这支出了名的汽枪将使苏格兰场博物馆增色不少，而福尔摩斯先生又可以自由地投身到案件调查中去了，伦敦错综复杂的生活中还有许许多多有趣的小问题在等着他去解决呢。”