四签名 117琼诺赞·斯茂的奇异故事（27）

'Why, as to that, gentlemen,' I answered, trying also to be cool but feeling as excited as he did,

我也故作冷静，可是内心也是同样激动地答道：'论到代价，

'there is only one bargain which a man in my position can make.

在我这样的处境只有一个条件：

I shall want you to help me to my freedom, and to help my three companions to theirs.

我希望你们协助我和我的三个朋友恢复自由，

We shall then take you into partnership¹ and give you a fifth share to divide between you.'

然后同你们合作，以五分之一的宝物作为对你们两人的报酬。'

'Hum!' said he. 'A fifth share! That is not very tempting².'

他道：'哼！五分之一，这个不值得一办！'

'It would come to fifty thousand apiece,' said I.

我道：'算来每人也有五万镑呢。'

'But how can we gain your freedom? You know very well that you ask an impossibility.'

'可是我们怎么能够恢复你们的自由呢？你要知道，你的要求是绝对办不到的事情。'

'Nothing of the sort,' I answered. 'I have thought it all out to the last detail.

我答道：'这个并没有什么困难，我已考虑得十分成熟了。

The only bar to our escape is that we can get no boat fit for the voyage, and no provisions³ to last us for so long a time.

所困难的就是我们得不到一只适于航行的船和足够的干粮。

There are plenty of little yachts⁴ and yawls at Calcutta or Madras which would serve our turn well.

在加尔各答或马德拉斯，合用的小快艇和双桅快艇多得很，

Do you bring one over. We shall engage to get aboard her by night,

只要你们弄一只来，我们夜里一上船，

and if you will drop us on any part of the Indian coast you will have done your part of the bargain.'

把我们送到印度沿海任何一个地方，你们的义务就算是尽到了。'

'If there were only one,' he said.

他道：'只有你一个人还好办。'

'None or all,' I answered. 'We have sworn it. The four of us must always act together.'

我答道：'少一个也不行，我们已经立誓，四个人生死不离。'

'You see, Morstan,' said he, 'Small is a man of his word.

"他道：'摩斯坦，你看，斯茂是个守信的人，

He does not flinch⁵ from his friends. I think we may very well trust him.'

他不辜负朋友，咱们可以信任他。'

'It's a dirty business,' the other answered. 'Yet, as you say, the money will save our commissions⁶ handsomely.'

摩斯坦答道：'真是一件肮脏事啊。可是象你所说，这笔钱可真能解决咱们的问题呢。'

1 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

2 tempting   

a.诱人的, 吸引人的

参考例句：

• It is tempting to idealize the past. 人都爱把过去的日子说得那么美好。
• It was a tempting offer. 这是个诱人的提议。

3 provisions   

n.粮食，食品

参考例句：

• The campers got their provisions at the village shop. 野营者在乡村商店买食物。
• Both sides have to act according to the provisions of the agreement. 双方都应按照协议条款办事。

4 yachts   

n.快艇，帆船，游艇( yacht的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They have yachts available for charter. 他们有供包租的游艇。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We still sighted nine yachts. 我们还是看见了9艘游艇。 来自辞典例句

5 flinch   

v.畏缩，退缩

参考例句：

• She won't flinch from speaking her mind.她不会讳言自己的想法。
• We will never flinch from difficulties.我们面对困难决不退缩。

6 commissions   

n.委员会( commission的名词复数 )；佣金；任命；职权

参考例句：

• If you are going to Hong Kong, I have two or three small commissions for you. 你如去香港，我有两三件小事托你办。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• He baited the broker by promises of higher commissions. 他答应给更高的佣金来引诱那位经纪人。 来自辞典例句