福尔摩斯：巴斯克维尔猎犬-第7课

前情提要  

摩梯末医生告诉福尔摩斯，自己发现的爪印巨大无比，不同于寻常牧羊犬的大小，但这些爪印不在尸体的附近。而且查尔斯爵士死前似乎还在通向沼地的栅门出站了5-10分钟……

故事原文  

The Hound of the Baskervilles L7

巴斯克维尔猎犬 L7

'Mr Holmes, the best detective in the world can't help with some things,' said Mortimer.

“福尔摩斯先生，连世上最好的侦探对有些事情也是无能为力的。”摩梯末说道。

'You mean things that are outside the laws of nature—supernatural things?' asked Holmes.

“您是指那些超乎自然规律——超自然的事情？”福尔摩斯问道。

'I didn't say so exactly,' replied Mortimer. 'But since Sir Charles died, I have heard about a number of things that seem to be supernatural.(1) Several people have seen an animal on the moor that looks like an enormous hound. They all agree that it was a huge creature, which shone with a strange light like a ghost. I have questioned these people carefully.(2) They are all sensible people. They all tell the same story. Although they have only seen the creature far away, it is exactly like the hell-hound of the Baskerville story. The people are very frightened, and only the bravest man will cross the moor at night.'

“我并不完全是这个意思，”摩梯末回答道。“可是，自从查尔斯爵士死后，我就听到了一些似乎超自然的事情。有人曾在沼地上看到一个类似一条硕大猎犬的动物。他们都认为那是一只大家伙，它像幽灵似地发着一种奇怪的光。我曾仔细地询问过那些人。他们都很理智。他们都讲了同一个故事。虽然他们都只是从远处见过那个畜生，但它的样子的确像巴斯克维尔故事中的那只地狱之犬。人们现在都非常害怕，只有最大胆的人才敢在夜间走过沼地。”

'And you, a man of science, believe that the creature is supernatural—something from another world?' asked Holmes.

“那么您，一位从事科学工作的人，相信这个东西是超乎自然的——是从另一个世界而来的家伙吗？”福尔摩斯问道。

'I don't know what to believe,' said Dr Mortimer.

“我也不知道应该相信什么，”摩梯末医生道。

'But you must agree that the footprints were made by a living creature, not a ghost?'

“但是您总得承认那些爪印是活生生的东西而不是鬼怪留下的吧？”

'When the hound first appeared two hundred and fifty years ago, it was real enough to tear out Sir Hugo's throat… but it was a supernatural hell-hound,' said Dr Mortimer.

“那条猎犬在250年前最初出现时也是活生生的，它撕断了雨果爵士的喉咙……但是它是一条超乎自然的恶犬，”摩梯末医生说道。

'If you think that Sir Charles' death was caused by something supernatural, my detective work can't help you,' said Holmes, rather coldly.

“要是您认为查尔斯爵士的死是某种超自然因素造成的话，那我的侦探工作可帮不了您什么忙，”福尔摩斯相当冷淡地说道。

'Perhaps,' said Mortimer. 'But you can help me by advising me what to do for Sir Henry Baskerville. He arrives in London by train in exactly,' Dr Mortimer looked at his watch, 'one hour and a quarter.'

“也许吧，”摩梯末道。“可是您能帮助我，建议我该为亨利·巴斯克维尔爵士做些什么。他将正好在，”摩梯末看了看他的表，“1小时15分钟之后乘火车抵达伦敦。”

'Sir Henry is now head of the Baskerville family?' asked Holmes.

“亨利爵士现在是巴斯克维尔家族的主人吗？”福尔摩斯问道。

'Yes,' said Dr Mortimer. 'He is the last of the Baskervilles. The family lawyers contacted him in the USA. He has come to England immediately by ship. He landed this morning.(3) Now, Mr Holmes, what do you advise me to do with him?'(4)

“对，”摩梯末道。“他是巴斯克维尔家族的最后一位成员。家族的律师们与他在美国联系上了。他已立即乘船前来英格兰。他是今早靠岸的。现在，福尔摩斯先生，您建议我对他做些什么呢？”

'Why should he not go to the family home?' asked Holmes.

“为什么他不该到他祖祖辈辈居住的家里去呢？”福尔摩斯问道。

'Because so many Baskervilles who go there die horrible deaths. But Sir Charles' good work must go on. If it doesn't, all the people on the Baskerville lands will be much poorer. If the Baskerville family leaves the Hall, that is what will happen. I don't know what to do. That is why I came to you for advice.'

“因为巴斯克维尔家族里去了那儿的这么多人都恐怖地死去了。可是查尔斯爵士的慈善工作必须继续下去。否则的话，巴斯克维尔家族土地上的人们将要穷困得多。要是巴斯克维尔家族离开园的话，那将是即将发生的事实。我不知道该怎么办。这便是我前来向您讨教的原因。”

Holmes thought for a little while. Then he said: 'You think it is too dangerous for any Baskerville to live at the Hall because of this supernatural hell-hound. Well, I think you should go and meet Sir Henry Baskerville. Say nothing to him about this. I shall give you my advice in twenty-four hours. At ten o'clock tomorrow morning, Dr Mortimer, I would like you to bring Sir Henry Baskerville here.'

福尔摩斯考虑了一小会儿。然后他说：“您认为由于那条神秘的恶犬因而巴斯克维尔家的人住在那个庄园里都不安全。唔，我认为您该去接亨利·巴斯克维尔爵士。对他只字不提这些。24小时之后我将给您提供我的建议。明天早上10点钟时，摩梯末医生，我希望您能偕亨利·巴斯克维尔爵士同来此处。”

（原文中出现高光标示内容请见核心语言点）

核心语言点  

1. supernatural 超自然的 词缀

    super- 表示“超……，超级……”

    super 极好的

拓展： 

a supermodel 超级模特

the super-rich 超级富翁

supernatural powers 超自然能力

例句：

I don't believe in the supernatural. 我不相信有超自然的东西。

- Did you enjoy the film?

- 你喜欢这部电影吗？

- Yes, I thought it was super/very good.

- 喜欢，我觉得棒极了。 

2. question n. 问题，试题 v. 质问

    question about sth. 质问某事

例句：

That's/It’s a good question. 这是个好问题。

The big question is, will he be number one in the basketball draft?

最大的问题是，他会是篮球选秀的状元吗？ 

3. land n. 土地 v. （飞机）落地；获得（工作）

拓展：

fertile land 肥沃的土地 

例句：

The plane landed a couple of hours ago.

飞机在几小时前落地了。

He landed/got the job after college.

他大学毕业后就获得了那份工作。 

4. advise vt. 劝告；忠告 

    advice n. 忠告；劝告

拓展：

advise sb. to do sth. 劝告某人做某事

a piece of advice 一条建议

take one’s advice 采纳某人的建议

例句：

I always advise my students to behave.

我总是劝告我的学生要表现好。

They're advising that children be kept at home.

他们建议让孩子们呆在家里。

I need some advice on which computer to buy.

我需要听听别人的意见来决定买哪种电脑。