四签名 68凶手的末日（1）

Chapter 10 The End Of The Islander

第十章 凶手的末日

Our meal was a merry one. Holmes could talk exceedingly well when he chose, and that night he did choose.

我们这顿饭吃得很快乐。福尔摩斯在高兴的时候，谈锋向来是畅利的。

He appeared to be in a state of nervous exaltation. I have never known him so brilliant.

今晚他的精神似乎异常愉快，所以天南地北谈个不休。我还从不知道他这样健谈，

He spoke¹ on a quick succession of subjects–on miracle plays, on mediaeval pottery², on Stradivarius violins, on the Buddhism³ of Ceylon,

他从神怪剧谈到中世纪的陶器，斯特莱迪瓦利厄斯提琴，锡兰的佛学，

and on the warships⁴ of the future, handling each as though he had made a special study of it.

以及未来的战舰，他对哪一方面，似乎全都特别研究过的，

His bright humour marked the reaction from his black depression of the preceding days.

所以说起来滔滔不绝，把这几天的郁闷也一扫而光了。

Athelney Jones proved to be a sociable⁵ soul in his hours of relaxation⁶ and faced his dinner with the air of a bon vivant.

埃瑟尔尼·琼斯在休息的时候也是一个爱说爱笑性情随和的人，他尽量欣赏着这顿考究的晚餐。

For myself, I felt elated at the thought that we were nearing the end of our task, and I caught something of Holmes's gaiety.

在我个人则觉得全案的结束似乎就在今晚，也和福尔摩斯同样地愉快得开怀畅饮起来，

None of us alluded⁷ during dinner to the cause which had brought us together.

宾主三人异常欢洽，没有人提到我们饭后的冒险任务。

When the cloth was cleared Holmes glanced at his watch and filled up three glasses with port.

饭后，福尔摩斯看了看表，斟满了三杯红葡萄酒道：

"One bumper," said he, "to the success of our little expedition.

"再干一杯，预祝今晚成功。

And now it is high time we were off. Have you a pistol, Watson?"

时候到了，应该动身了。华生，你有手枪吗？"

"I have my old service-revolver in my desk."

"抽屉里有一支，是从前在军队里使用的。"

"You had best take it, then. It is well to be prepared.

"你最好是带上它，有备而无患。

I see that the cab is at the door. I ordered it for half-past six."

车子已等在门外，我和他预订了六点半钟到这里来接咱们的。"

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 pottery   

n.陶器，陶器场

参考例句：

• My sister likes to learn art pottery in her spare time.我妹妹喜欢在空余时间学习陶艺。
• The pottery was left to bake in the hot sun.陶器放在外面让炎热的太阳烘晒焙干。

3 Buddhism   

n.佛教（教义）

参考例句：

• Buddhism was introduced into China about 67 AD.佛教是在公元67年左右传入中国的。
• Many people willingly converted to Buddhism.很多人情愿皈依佛教。

4 warships   

军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只

参考例句：

• The enemy warships were disengaged from the battle after suffering heavy casualties. 在遭受惨重伤亡后，敌舰退出了海战。
• The government fitted out warships and sailors for them. 政府给他们配备了战舰和水手。

5 sociable   

adj.好交际的，友好的，合群的

参考例句：

• Roger is a very sociable person.罗杰是个非常好交际的人。
• Some children have more sociable personalities than others.有些孩子比其他孩子更善于交际。

6 relaxation   

n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐

参考例句：

• The minister has consistently opposed any relaxation in the law.部长一向反对法律上的任何放宽。
• She listens to classical music for relaxation.她听古典音乐放松。

7 alluded   

提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• In your remarks you alluded to a certain sinister design. 在你的谈话中，你提到了某个阴谋。
• She also alluded to her rival's past marital troubles. 她还影射了对手过去的婚姻问题。