巴斯克维尔的猎犬 岩岗上的人（12）

 

　　"How on earth did you do that?"

　　“您究竟是怎样控告他的呢？ ”

　　"Look it up in the books, sir. It will repay reading -- Frankland v. Morland, Court of Queen'sBench. It cost me 200 pounds, but I got my verdict."“看看记录吧， 先生。 值得看一看的——弗兰克兰对摩兰。 高等法院。 这场官司破费了我二百镑， 可是我胜诉了。”

　　"Did it do you any good?"

　　“您得到什么好处了 呢？ ”

　　"None, sir, none. I am proud to say that I had no interest in the matter. I act entirely from asense of public duty. I have no doubt, for example, that the Fernworthy people will burn me ineffigy to-night. I told the police last time they did it that they should stop these disgracefulexhibitions. The County Constabulary is in a scandalous state, sir, and it has not afforded me theprotection to which I am entitled. The case of Frankland v. Regina will bring the matter before theattention of the public. I told them that they would have occasion to regret their treatment of me,and already my words have come true."

　　“什么也没有， 先生， 什么好处也没有得到。 我感到骄傲的就是在我做这些事的时候，丝毫也没有考虑到个人的利益。 我的行为完全是由对社会的责任感所推动的。 我确信， 譬如说吧， 弗恩沃西家的人今晚就可能把我扎成草人烧掉， 上回他们那样做的时候， 我就报告了警察， 告诉他们应该制止这些可耻的行为。 县里的警察局真丢人， 先生， 他们并没有给我应有的保护。 弗兰克兰对女王政府的诉讼案， 不久就会引起社会上的注意了。 我告诉过他们，他们那样对待我总有一天要后悔的， 我的话现在果然应验了 。”

　　"How so?" I asked.

　　“怎么就能这样呢？ ” 我问道。

　　The old man put on a very knowing expression.

　　老头摆出了一副很自 鸣得意的表情来。

　　"Because I could tell them what they are dying to know; but nothing would induce me to helpthe rascals in any way."

　　“因为我本来能告诉他们一件他们所迫切想要知道的事情， 可是， 无论如何， 我是不肯帮那些坏蛋的忙的。”

　　I had been casting round for some excuse by which I could get away from his gossip, butnow I began to wish to hear more of it. I had seen enough of the contrary nature of the old sinnerto understand that any strong sign of interest would be the surest way to stop his confidences.

　　我本来一直在想找个脱身的借口， 不再听他那些闲扯， 可是， 现在我又希望多听一些了。

　　我很清楚这个老荒唐鬼的异乎常情的怪脾气， 只要你一表现出强烈的兴趣来， 就一定会引起他的怀疑而停止不说了。