“格洛里亚斯科特”号三桅帆船08

“All this occurred during the first month of the long vacation. I went up to my London rooms, where I spent seven weeks working out a few experiments in organic chemistry. One day, however, when the autumn was far advanced and the vacation drawing to a close, I received a telegram from my friend imploring¹ me to return to Donnithorpe, and saying that he was in great need of my advice and assistance. Of course I dropped everything and set out for the North once more.

“He met me with the dog-cart at the station, and I saw at a glance that the last two months had been very trying ones for him. He had grown thin and careworn², and had lost the loud, cheery manner for which he had been remarkable³.

“‘The governor is dying,’ were the first words he said.

“‘Impossible!’ I cried. ‘What is the matter?’

“‘Apoplexy. Nervous shock, He's been on the verge⁴ all day. I doubt if we shall find him alive.’

“I was, as you may think, Watson, horrified⁵ at this unexpected news.

“‘What has caused it?’ I asked.

“‘Ah, that is the point. Jump in and we can talk it over while we drive. You remember that fellow who came upon the evening before you left us?’

“‘Perfectly.’

“‘Do you know who it was that we let into the house that day?’

“‘I have no idea.’

“‘It was the devil, Holmes,’ he cried.

“I stared at him in astonishment⁶.

“‘Yes, it was the devil himself. We have not had a peaceful hour since—not one. The governor has never held up his head from that evening, and now the life has been crushed out of him and his heart broken, all through this accursed Hudson.’

“‘What power had he, then?’

“‘Ah, that is what I would give so much to know. The kindly⁷, charitable, good old governor—how could he have fallen into the clutches of such a ruffian! But I am so glad that you have come, Holmes. I trust very much to your judgment⁸ and discretion⁹, and I know that you will advise me for the best.’

“所有这一切发生在漫长的假期中的第一个月。我又回到了伦敦住所，用七个星期时间做了一些有机化学实验。然而，深秋中某一天，假期即将结束，我收到我朋友的一封电报，请我回到敦尼索普村去，并说他非常需要我的指教和协助。我当然又把别的事丢开，立即赶回北方去了。

“他坐在一辆双轮单马车上在车站等我，我一眼就能看出，这两个月来，他备受磨难，变得消瘦异常，失去了平时特有的高声谈笑兴高采烈的一性一格。

“‘爸爸危在旦夕，’他第一句话便说道。

“‘不可能！’我叫喊道，‘怎么回事？’

“‘他中了风，是神经受了严重刺激。今天一直处在危险中，我看他现在未必还活着。’

“华生，你可以想见，我听到这意外的消息，是多么惊骇。

“‘是什么引起的呢？’我问道。

“‘啊，这就是要害之处。请你上车，我们路上详细谈一谈。你还记得你走的前一天晚上来的那个家伙吗？’

“‘当然记得了。’

“‘你知道那天我们请进屋里的是什么人吗？’

“‘不知道。’

“‘福尔摩斯，那是一个魔鬼，’他大声喊道。

“我吃惊地呆望着他。

“‘正是，他确实是一个魔鬼，自从他来了以后，我们没有一时一刻安宁过，一点也没有。从那天夜晚起爸爸就没有抬头之时，现在他的生命危在旦夕，他的心也碎了。这都是因为那个该死的赫德森。’

“‘那么，他有什么势力呢？’

“‘啊，这正是我要设法知道的。象爸爸这样慈祥、宽厚的善良长者，怎么会落到那样一种恶棍的魔爪中去呢！不过，福尔摩斯，我很高兴你能前来。我非常相信你的判断和处事能力，我知道你能给我想出一个最好的办法。’

1 imploring   

恳求的，哀求的

参考例句：

• Those calm, strange eyes could see her imploring face. 那平静的，没有表情的眼睛还能看得到她的乞怜求情的面容。
• She gave him an imploring look. 她以哀求的眼神看着他。

2 careworn   

adj.疲倦的，饱经忧患的

参考例句：

• It's sad to see the careworn face of the mother of a large poor family.看到那贫穷的一大家子的母亲忧劳憔悴的脸庞心里真是难受。
• The old woman had a careworn look on her face.老妇脸上露出忧心忡忡的神色。

3 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

4 verge   

n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• She was on the verge of bursting into tears.她快要哭出来了。

5 horrified   

a.(表现出)恐惧的

参考例句：

• The whole country was horrified by the killings. 全国都对这些凶杀案感到大为震惊。
• We were horrified at the conditions prevailing in local prisons. 地方监狱的普遍状况让我们震惊。

6 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。

7 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

8 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

9 discretion   

n.谨慎；随意处理

参考例句：

• You must show discretion in choosing your friend.你择友时必须慎重。
• Please use your best discretion to handle the matter.请慎重处理此事。