希腊翻译（10）

“He began by drawing a most formidable-looking bludgeon loaded with lead from his pocket, and switching it backward and forward several times, as if to test its weight and strength. Then he placed it without a word upon the seat beside him. Having done this, he drew up the windows on each side, and I found to my astonishment¹ that they were covered with paper so as to prevent my seeing through them.

“‘I am sorry to cut off your view, Mr. Melas,’ said he. ‘The fact is that I have no intention that you should see what the place is to which we are driving. It might possibly be inconvenient² to me if you could find your way there again.’

“As you can imagine, I was utterly³ taken aback by such an address. My companion was a powerful, broad-shouldered young fellow, and, apart from the weapon, I should not have had the slightest chance in a struggle with him.

“‘This is very extraordinary conduct, Mr. Latimer,’ I stammered⁴. ‘You must be aware that what you are doing is quite illegal.’

“‘It is somewhat⁵ of a liberty⁶, no doubt,’ said he, ‘but we'll make it up to you. I must warn you, however, Mr. Melas, that if at any time to-night you attempt to raise an alarm or do anything which is against my interests, you will find it a very serious thing. I beg you to remember that no one knows where you are, and that, whether you are in this carriage or in my house, you are equally in my power.’

他从怀里取出一样子吓人、灌了铅的大头短棒，前后挥舞了几次，似乎是在试试它的份量和威力，然后一言不发地把它放在身旁座位上，接着他把两边的窗玻璃关好。使我异常吃惊的是，我发现，窗上都蒙着纸，似乎存心不让我看到外面。

“‘很抱歉，挡住你的视线了，梅拉斯先生，’他说道，‘我是不打算让你看到我们要去的地方。如果你能再找到原路回来，那对我可能是不方便的。’

“你们可想而知，他这话使我大吃一惊。我这个同车人是个膀大腰圆、力气过人的青年，即使他没有武器，我也决不是他的对手。

“‘这实在是一种越轨的行为，拉蒂默先生，’我结结巴巴地说道，‘要知道，你这样做是完全非法的。’

“‘毫无疑问，这有点失礼，’他说道，‘不过我们会给你补偿的。但是，我必须警告你，梅拉斯先生，今晚不论如何，只要你妄图告警或做出什么对我不利的事，那对你是危险的。我提请你注意，现在没有一个知道你在何处，同时，不论在这辆四轮马车里或是在我家中，你都跑不出我的手心。’

1 astonishment   

n.惊奇，惊异

参考例句：

• They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
• I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。

2 inconvenient   

adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的

参考例句：

• You have come at a very inconvenient time.你来得最不适时。
• Will it be inconvenient for him to attend that meeting?他参加那次会议会不方便吗？

3 utterly   

adv.完全地，绝对地

参考例句：

• Utterly devoted to the people,he gave his life in saving his patients.他忠于人民，把毕生精力用于挽救患者的生命。
• I was utterly ravished by the way she smiled.她的微笑使我完全陶醉了。

4 stammered   

v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He stammered most when he was nervous. 他一紧张往往口吃。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Barsad leaned back in his chair, and stammered, \"What do you mean?\" 巴萨往椅背上一靠，结结巴巴地说，“你是什么意思？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

5 somewhat   

pron.一些，某物；adv.多少，几分

参考例句：

• The cake we made was somewhat of a failure.我们做的蛋糕不大成功。
• The two office buildings are somewhat alike in appearance.这两座办公楼在外形上有点相似。

6 liberty   

n.自由，自由权；冒昧行为

参考例句：

• He stood for the cause of liberty and justice.他为自由和正义的事业而奋斗。
• You are at liberty to do as you please.你可以随意行事。