巴斯克威尔的猎犬 巴斯克维尔的诅咒（2）

"You will observe, Watson, the alternative use of the long s and the short. It is one of several

indications which enabled me to fix the date."

“华生， 你注意看， 长Ｓ 和短Ｓ 的换用， 这就是使我能确定年代的几个特点之一。”

I looked over his shoulder at the yellow paper and the faded script. At the head was written:

"Baskerville Hall," and below in large, scrawling¹ figures: "1742."

我凑在他的肩后看着那张黄纸和退了色的字迹。 顶上写着“巴斯克维尔庄园”， 再下面

就是潦草的数字“１ ７ ４ ２ ”。

"It appears to be a statement of some sort."

“看来好象是一篇什么记载似的。”

"Yes, it is a statement of a certain legend which runs in the Baskerville family."

“对了， 是关于一件在巴斯克维尔家流传的传说。”

"But I understand that it is something more modern and practical upon which you wish to

consult me?"

“不过我想您来找我恐怕是为了当前的和更有实际意义的事情吧？ ”

"Most modern. A most practical, pressing matter, which must be decided² within twenty-four

hours. But the manuscript is short and is intimately connected with the affair. With your

permission I will read it to you."

“是近在眼前的事， 这是一件最为现实和急迫的事了， 必须在二十四小时之内做出决定。

不过这份手稿很短， 而且与这件事有着密切联系。 如果您允许的话， 我就把它读给您听。 ”

Holmes leaned back in his chair, placed his finger-tips together, and closed his eyes, with an

air of resignation. Dr. Mortimer turned the manuscript to the light and read in a high, cracking

voice the following curious, old-world narrative³:

福尔摩斯靠在椅背上， 两手的指尖对顶在一起， 闭上了 眼睛， 显出一副听其自然的神情。

摩梯末将手稿拿向亮处， 以高亢而嘶哑的声音朗读着下面的奇特而古老的故事：

1 scrawling   

乱涂，潦草地写( scrawl的现在分词 )

参考例句：

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 narrative   

n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的

参考例句：

• He was a writer of great narrative power.他是一位颇有记述能力的作家。
• Neither author was very strong on narrative.两个作者都不是很善于讲故事。