巴斯克威尔的猎犬 疑案（5）

 

"None. The only other kinsman¹ whom we have been able to trace was Rodger Baskerville,the youngest of three brothers of whom poor Sir Charles was the elder. The second brother, whodied young, is the father of this lad Henry. The third, Rodger, was the black sheep of the family.

He came of the old masterful Baskerville strain and was the very image, they tell me, of the familypicture of old Hugo. He made England too hot to hold him, fled to Central America, and died therein 1876 of yellow fever. Henry is the last of the Baskervilles. In one hour and five minutes I meethim at Waterloo Station. I have had a wire that he arrived at Southampton this morning. Now, Mr.

Holmes, what would you advise me to do with him?"“没有了。 在他的亲属之中， 我们唯一能够追溯到的另一个人就是罗杰·巴斯克维尔了。

他是兄弟三个之中最年轻的一个， 查尔兹爵士是最年长的一个， 年轻时就死了 的二哥就是亨利这孩子的父亲。 三弟罗杰是家中的坏种， 他和那专横的老巴斯克维尔可真是一脉相传； 据他们说， 他长得和家中的老修果的画像维妙维肖。 他闹得在英格兰站不住脚了， 逃到了美洲中部， 一八七六年生黄热病死在那里。 亨利已是巴斯克维尔家最后仅存的子嗣。 在一小时零五分钟之后， 我就要在滑铁卢车站见到他了。 我接到了一份电报， 说他已于今晨抵达南安普敦。 福尔摩斯先生， 现在您打算让我对他怎么办呢？ ”

"Why should he not go to the home of his fathers?"“为什么不让他到他祖祖辈辈居住的家里去呢？ ”

"It seems natural, does it not? And yet, consider that every Baskerville who goes there meetswith an evil fate. I feel sure that if Sir Charles could have spoken with me before his death hewould have warned me against bringing this, the last of the old race, and the heir to great wealth,to that deadly place. And yet it cannot be denied that the prosperity of the whole poor, bleakcountryside depends upon his presence. All the good work which has been done by Sir Charleswill crash to the ground if there is no tenant² of the Hall. I fear lest I should be swayed too much bymy own obvious interest in the matter, and that is why I bring the case before you and ask for youradvice."“看来似乎很应该， 不是吗？ 可是考虑到每个巴斯克维尔家的人， 只要到那里去， 就会遭到可怕的命运。 我想， 如果查尔兹爵士在死前还来得及能和我说话的话， 他一定会警告我，不要把这古老家族的最后一人和巨富的继承者带到这个致命的地方来。 可是， 不可否认的，整个贫困、 荒凉的乡 区的繁荣幸福都系于他的来临了。 如果庄园里没有个主人， 查尔兹爵士做过的一切善行就会全部烟消云散。 由于我个人显然对这事很关心， 恐怕我个人的看法对此事影响过大， 所以才将这案件向您提出来， 并征求您的意见。”

Holmes considered for a little time.

福尔摩斯考虑了一会儿。

"Put into plain words, the matter is this," said he. "In your opinion there is a diabolicalagency which makes Dartmoor an unsafe abode³ for a Baskerville -- that is your opinion?"“简单说来， 事情是这样的， ” 他说，“您的意见是说， 有一种魔鬼般的力量， 使达特沼地变成了巴斯克维尔家人居处不安之所——这就是您的意见吗？ ”

"At least I might go the length of saying that there is some evidence that this may be so."“至少我可以说， 有些迹象说明可能是这样的。”

1 kinsman   

n.男亲属

参考例句：

• Tracing back our genealogies,I found he was a kinsman of mine.转弯抹角算起来他算是我的一个亲戚。
• A near friend is better than a far dwelling kinsman.近友胜过远亲。

2 tenant   

n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用

参考例句：

• The tenant was dispossessed for not paying his rent.那名房客因未付房租而被赶走。
• The tenant is responsible for all repairs to the building.租户负责对房屋的所有修理。

3 abode   

n.住处，住所

参考例句：

• It was ten months before my father discovered his abode.父亲花了十个月的功夫，才好不容易打听到他的住处。
• Welcome to our humble abode!欢迎光临寒舍！