教育教學(xué) 【8A版】Blackmail敲詐信 課文翻譯

[8A版】Blackmail課文翻譯Blackmail敲詐ArthurHailey阿瑟-黑利Thechiefhouseofficer,Ogilvie,whohaddeclaredhewouldappearattheCroydonssuiteanhourafterhiscryptictelephonecallactuallytooktwicethattime.負(fù)責(zé)飯店保安工作的歐吉維探長(zhǎng)打了那個(gè)神秘的電話，本來說好一個(gè)小時(shí)后光臨克羅伊敦夫婦所住的套房的，可實(shí)際上卻過了兩個(gè)小時(shí)才到。AsaresultthenervesofboththeDukeandDuchesswereexcessivelyfrayedwhenthemutedbuzzeroftheouterdooreventuallysounded.結(jié)果，當(dāng)外間門上的電鈴終于發(fā)出沉悶的嗡嗡聲時(shí)，公爵夫婦的神經(jīng)都緊張到了極點(diǎn)。TheDuchesswenttothedoorherself.公爵夫人親自去開門。Earliershehaddispatchedhermaidonaninventederrandand,cruelly,instructedthemoon-facedmalesecretary-whowasterrifiedofdogs-toexercisetheBedlingtonterriersn.ButitwastheDukeofCroydonwhointerjected,〃It'snogo,oldgirl.I'mafraid.Itwasagoodtry.〃It'snouse.Whatyoudidjustnowwasagoodattemptattryingtosavethesituation.但在這時(shí)克羅伊敦公爵插話了：“這恐怕也不是個(gè)辦法，老婆子。不過這樣試試也好?！盕acingOgilvie,hesaid,〃Whatyouaccuseusofistrue.Iamtoblame.Iwasdrivingthecarandkilledthelittlegirl.〃他面向歐吉維說道：“你對(duì)我們的指控屬實(shí)，肇事者是我，是我開車撞死那小姑娘的?！?That'smorelikeit,〃Ogilviesaid.Helitthefreshcigar.Z/Nowwe'regettingsomewhere.z/“That'smoreacceptable,z/Ogilviesaid.Helitanothercigar,〃Nowwe'remakingsomeprogress.〃“這還有點(diǎn)像話，”歐吉維說著點(diǎn)燃了那支新掏出的雪茄?！艾F(xiàn)在我們總算是談到點(diǎn)子上了?！盬earily,inagestureofsurrender,theDuchessofCroydonsankbackintoherchair.克羅伊敦公爵夫人疲乏地做了一個(gè)認(rèn)輸?shù)氖謩?shì)后，頹然坐回到椅子上。Claspingherhandstoconcealtheirtrembling,sheasked.〃Whatisityouknow?”她雙手對(duì)握著，以掩飾自己的手在顫抖，嘴里發(fā)話問道：“你都知道些什么？”“Wellnow,r11spellitout.〃“好吧，我就全說出來?！盩hehousedetectivetookhistime,leisurelyputtingacloudofbluecigarsmoke,hiseyessardonicallyontheDuchessasifchallengingherobjection....helookedattheDuchesssardonicallyasifhewantedtoseeifshedaredtoobjecttohissmoking.探長(zhǎng)要緊不慢，悠然自得地噴吐出一團(tuán)青色的雪茄煙霧，同時(shí)還把那一雙眼睛帶著嘲弄意味地瞟向公爵夫人，仿佛有意要逗她表示反感似的。Butbeyondwrinklinghernoseindistaste,shemadenocomment.但公爵夫人一言未發(fā)，只是厭惡地皺了皺鼻子。OgilviepointedtotheDuke."Lastnight,earlyon,youwenttoLindy'sPlaceinIrishBayou.YoudrovethereinyourfancyJaguar,andyoutookaladyfriend.Leastways,Iguessyou'dcallherthatifyou'renottoofussy.〃歐吉維手指著公爵說：“昨晚，入夜不久，你去了愛爾蘭牛轉(zhuǎn)湖的林迪娛樂城。你是開著你們那輛豪華的美洲虎去的，并且還帶著一個(gè)女朋友。至少，你若不過份挑字眼的話，我想你是會(huì)這么稱呼她的。”AsOgilvieglanced,grinning,attheDuchess,theDukesaidsharply,〃Getonwithit!〃說到這兒，歐吉維目光瞥向公爵夫人，一邊還咧著嘴笑。見此情形，公爵厲聲吼道：“接著說下去！”〃Well〃-thesmugfatfaceswungback-〃thewayIhearit,youwonahundredatthetables,thenlostitatthebar.Youwereintoasecondhundred-witharealswingingparty-whenyourwifeheregotthereinataxi.〃“好哇”一一那張得意洋洋的胖臉又轉(zhuǎn)了回來一一“據(jù)我所知，你先在賭桌上贏了一百，跟著又在酒吧里全花掉了。正當(dāng)你準(zhǔn)備一一同一些有頭有臉的人物一一賭上第二個(gè)一百時(shí)，你的夫人乘坐出租車趕到了那兒。”〃Howdoyouknowallthis?”“你是怎么得知這一切的？”/zr11tellyou,Duke-I'vebeeninthistownandthishotelalongtime.“告訴你吧，公爵一一我在這個(gè)城市和這個(gè)旅館呆的時(shí)間都很久了。Igotfriendsallover.到處都有我的朋友。Iobligethem;theydothesameforme,likelettingmeknowwhatgives,an,where.Thereain'tmuch,outoftheway,whichpeoplewhostayinthishoteldo,Idon'tgettohearabout.我時(shí)常為他們幫忙，他們也同樣幫我的忙，比如說告訴我哪兒發(fā)生了些什么事兒，住在這個(gè)旅館的人們做了些什么事情，凡是有點(diǎn)兒出格的，那就很少能瞞得過我。Mostof'emneverknowIknow,orknowme.他們多半都不知道我會(huì)知道，而且也不認(rèn)識(shí)我。Theythinktheygottheirlittlesecrettuckedaway,andsotheyhave-exceptlikenow.〃他們以為自己的那些小秘密被隱瞞住了一一也的確有瞞住的時(shí)候一一可是這一回卻瞞不住了?！盩heDukesaidcoldly,〃Isee.〃公爵冷冷地說，“原來如此?！薄?nethingI'dliketoknow.Igotacuriousnature,ma'am.How'dyoufigurewherehewas?〃“有一件事我想弄明白。我生性好奇，夫人。你是如何猜到他的去處的呢？”TheDuchesssaid,〃Youknowsomuch...Isupposeitdoesn'tmatter.Myhusbandhasahabitofmakingnoteswhileheistelephoning.Afterwardheoftenforgetstodestroythem.”公爵夫人說道，“你知道得這么多……說給你聽也無所謂了。我丈夫打電話時(shí)有做記錄的習(xí)慣，而打完電話后又總是忘了毀掉這些記錄?！盩hehousedetectivecluckedhistonguereprovingly.Thehousedetectivemadenoiseswithhistonguetoshowhisdisapproval.探長(zhǎng)連嘖舌頭，表示責(zé)備?！ˋlittlecarelesshabitlikethat,Duke-lookatthemessitgetsyouin.Well,here'swhatIfigureabouttherest.Youan'yourwifetookoffhome,youdrivin’,thoughthewaythingsturnedoutitmighthavebeenbetterifshedhavedrove.〃“就這么一個(gè)小小的粗心大意的習(xí)憤，公爵一一你看它為你帶來多大的麻煩。對(duì)啦，接下來的情況我猜是這樣的。你和你的夫人一起回家了。是你開的車，盡管后來的結(jié)果表明，若是換了她來開車，那情形也許會(huì)好些?！薄∕ywifedoesn，tdrive.〃“我夫人不會(huì)開車?！監(jiān)gilvienoddedunderstanding!y.歐吉維點(diǎn)了點(diǎn)頭，表示理解?！癊xplainsthatone.Anyway,Ireckonyouwerelickered(=liquored)up,butgood.?.〃“這個(gè)是清楚了。反正，我估計(jì)你當(dāng)時(shí)是已經(jīng)醉酒了，但是好一V???TheDuchessinterrupted.Z/Thenyoudon'tknow!Youdontknowanythingforsure!Youcantpossiblyprove...z/公爵夫人打斷了他的話：“這么說你并不知道!你并沒有掌握什么真實(shí)情況，你拿不出任何真憑實(shí)據(jù)…”“Lady,IcanproveallIneedto.〃“夫人，凡是需要證實(shí)的，我都能證實(shí)?！盩heDukecautioned,“Betterlethimfinish,oldgirl.〃公爵規(guī)勸她說，“老婆子，還是讓他把話說完吧?！薄癟hat'sright,〃Ogilviesaid.zzJustsitanlisten.LastnightIseenyoucomein-throughthebasement,so'snottousethelobby.Lookedrightshaken,too,thepairofyou.

“這就對(duì)了，”歐吉維說道?！昂煤米犖抑v。昨天夜里，我看見你們進(jìn)來的一一為了不穿過門廳，你們走的是地下室，而且看起來還是一副驚魂未定的樣子，你們兩人都是。Justcomeinmyself,anIgottowonderingwhy.LikeIsaid,Igotacuriousnature.〃我本人也恰在那時(shí)進(jìn)屋，一看那情形就覺得奇怪，想探個(gè)究竟。我剛才說過，我這人生性好奇?！盩heDuchessbreathed,〃Goon.〃公爵夫人輕聲道，“說下去。”/zLatelastnightthewordwasoutaboutthehit-'n-run.OnahunchIwentoverthegarageandtookaquietlook-seeatyourcar.Youmaybedon'tknow-it'sawayinacorner,behindapillarwherethejockeysdon'tseeitwhenthey're?，i〃cominby.“昨晚深夜，汽車撞人的消息傳開了。我覺得有點(diǎn)兒不對(duì)勁，就去車庫里悄悄地查看了一下你們的汽車。你們大概沒注意到吧一它剛好停在一個(gè)角落里，又隱在一個(gè)柱子背后，使得那些開車經(jīng)過的人都無法看見?！眓ow.TheDukelickedhislips.〃Isupposethatdoesn'tmatter〃公爵舔了舔嘴唇?！拔蚁氍F(xiàn)在那已經(jīng)沒什么要緊了。now.“Youmighthavesomethingthere,“Ogilvieconceded."Anyway,whatIfoundmademedosomescouting--acrossatpoliceheadquarterswheretheyknowmetoo.〃“不過，你也有可能會(huì)在那兒留下一點(diǎn)什么蛛絲馬跡，”歐吉維欲擒故縱地說?！安还茉趺凑f，我的發(fā)現(xiàn)促使我去偵察了一番一一去警察局打聽了一下，那兒的人也都和我相熟?！盚epausedtopuffagainatthecigarashislistenerswaitedsilently.他停下來吸了口雪茄，他的聽眾則靜靜地等候著。Whenthecigartipwasglowingheinspectedit,thencontinued.雪茄煙頭發(fā)出紅光時(shí)，他對(duì)它細(xì)看了一眼，又接著說下去。“Overtheretheygotthreethingstogoon.Theygotaheadlighttrimringwhichmustacomeoffwhenthekidan'thewomanwashit.Theygotsomeheadlightglass,andlookin'atthekid'sclothin’,theyreckonthere'llbeabrushtrace.〃“他們那兒掌握了三件可供追查的東西。他們找到了一個(gè)車前燈框圈，那一定是撞倒那孩子和女人時(shí)從車上掉下來的；他們找到了一些車前燈玻璃的碎片；查驗(yàn)?zāi)切『⒌囊路r(shí)，他們判斷一定有一種摩擦印痕?！?Awhat?"“一種什么？”“Yourubclothesagainstsomethinghard,Duchess,speciallyifit'sshinylikeacarfender,say,anitleavesamarkthesamewayasfingerprints.Thepolicelabkinpickitupliketheydoprints-dustit,an'itshows./z“公爵夫人，假如你把衣服擦在硬物上，尤其是像汽車防護(hù)板這種光滑的硬物上時(shí)，那上面會(huì)留下類似指紋的印痕。警察局的化驗(yàn)室有辦法像提取指紋一樣處理這種印痕一一涂上藥粉、印痕便顯現(xiàn)出來了。”"That'sinteresting,z/theDukesaid,asifspeakingofsomethingunconnectedwithhimself.〃Ididn'tknowthat.〃“這倒挺新鮮的，”公爵說起話來就好像是在談?wù)撌裁磁c己無關(guān)的事情似的?！拔乙郧翱蓮膩頉]有聽說過?！薄癗otmanythiscase,though,Ireckonitdon'tmakealoto'difference.Onyourcaryougotabustedheadlight,andthetrimringsgone.“聽說過的人本就不多。不過，在這件案子上，我想那也沒多大差別。你們車上有一只前燈破了，框圈也掉了。Ain'tanydoubtthey'dmatchup,evenwithoutthebrushtracean'theblood.毫無疑問，他們會(huì)核查無誤的，即使沒有發(fā)現(xiàn)擦痕和血跡也能查出來的。Ohyeah,Ishouldatoldyou.There'splentyofblood,thoughitdon'tshowtoomuchontheblackpaint.〃哦，我還忘了告訴你們，車上有許多血跡，不過在黑漆面上不大顯眼。”〃0h,myGod!〃Ahandtoherface,theDuchessturnedaway.“哦，天哪！”公爵夫人一手捂著臉，轉(zhuǎn)過面去。Herhusbandasked,〃Whatdoyouproposetodo?〃她的丈夫問道，“依你看該怎么辦？”Thefatmanrubbedhishandstogether,lookingdownathisthick,fleshyfingers.Z/LikeIsaid,Icometohearyou,sideofit.〃大胖子搓著雙手，低下頭看著自己那粗大多肉的手指?！拔曳讲乓呀?jīng)說過，我是來先聽你們的說法的?！盩heDukesaiddespairingly,〃whatcanIpossiblysay?Youknowwhathappened./z公爵絕望地說，“我還能說什么呢?發(fā)生的一切你都知道了?！盚emadeanattempttosquarehisshoulderswhichdidnotsucceed.此前她早已借故把女仆支開，并且狠心地給那位臉兒圓圓的、見到狗就怕得要死的男秘書派了一個(gè)要命的差事，讓他牽著貝德林頓狼犬出去散步。Herowntensionwasnotlessenedbytheknowledgethatbothmightreturnatanymoment.想到這兩個(gè)人隨時(shí)都會(huì)回來，她自己的緊張情緒怎么也松弛不下來。AwaveofcigarsmokeaccompaniedOgilviein.隨著歐吉維進(jìn)屋的是一團(tuán)雪茄煙霧。Whenhehadfollowedhertothelivingroom,theDuchesslookedpointedlyatthehalf-burnedcigarinthefatman'smouth.當(dāng)他隨著她走進(jìn)起居室時(shí)，公爵夫人目光直射著這個(gè)大肥佬嘴里叼著的那燒了半截的雪茄。“MyhusbandandIfindstrongsmokeoffensive.Wouldyoukindlyputthatout.〃“我丈夫和我都討厭濃烈的煙味，您行行好把它滅了吧！”Thehousedetective'spiggyeyessurveyedhersardonicallyfromhisgrossjowledface.他作勢(shì)想挺起胸來，可就是挺不來。〃You'dbettercallthepoliceandgetitover.“你還是通知警方來處理此事吧?！薄癢ellnow,there'snocallforbeinghasty."Theincongruousfalsettovoicetookonamusingnote.“依我說呢，這事也不用著急?！彼谴潭募馍ひ舸藭r(shí)帶著一種沉思的聲調(diào)。〃What'sdone'sbeendone.Rushinganyplaceaintgonnabringbackthekidnoritsmotherneither.Besides,whatthey'ddotoyouacrossattheheadquarters,Duke,youwouldn'tlike.Nosir,youwouldn'tlikeitatall.〃“事已至此，急也無益，再急也不能讓那小孩和她的母親復(fù)1.OVUJ=L9HUJ/HJ?IIQHJ/NIAJ'1-IU9公民V，喜歡的。真的，閣下，你絕不會(huì)喜歡的?！盩heothertwoslowlyraisedtheireyes.那兩位聽完這話后慢慢拾起了眼睛?！↖washoping,〃Ogilviesaid,“thatyoufolkscouldsuggestsomething.z/TheDukesaiduncertainly,〃Idontunderstand.〃“我倒是希望，”歐吉維說，“你們倆能想出點(diǎn)兒什么辦法來。”公爵狐疑地說：“我聽不明白?！薄↖understand,〃theDuchessofCroydonsaid."Youwantmoney,don'tyou?Youcameheretoblackmailus.〃“我聽明白了，”克羅伊敦公爵夫人說?！澳阆胍X，是不是?你是來這兒敲詐我們的?！盜fsheexpectedherwordstoshock,theydidnotsucceed.假如她是想以這話來產(chǎn)生震懾效果的話，那她的期望就落空了。Thehousedetectiveshrugged."Whatevernamesyoucallthings,maam,don'tmattertome.AllIcomeforwastohelpyoupeopleoutoftrouble.ButIgottolivetoo.”探長(zhǎng)只聳了聳肩。“你說得再難聽，夫人，我也不會(huì)在乎的。我來這兒的目的只是為了幫助你們擺脫困境，但我也要吃飯呀?！薄╕ou'dacceptmoneytokeepsilentaboutwhatyouknow?”“你得了錢便對(duì)你所知道的事守口如瓶嗎？”〃IreckonImight.〃“我想可能是這樣。”“Butfromwhatyousay,〃theDuchesspointedout,herpoiseforthemomentrecovered,〃itwoulddonogood.Thecarwouldbediscoveredinanycase.〃“但照你所講的情況看來，”此刻已恢復(fù)了往日鎮(zhèn)定自若的神態(tài)的公爵夫人指出，“那根本沒用，反正車子遲早會(huì)被人發(fā)現(xiàn)的。”〃Iguessyou'dhavetotakethatchance.Butthere'ssomereasonsitmightnotbe.SomethingIain，ttoldyouyet.〃“我看你們也只能去碰碰運(yùn)氣了。不過車子也不一定會(huì)被發(fā)現(xiàn)，有些情況我還沒對(duì)你們講呢。”“Tellusnow,please.〃“那就請(qǐng)快講吧?！監(jiān)gilviesaid,〃Iain'tfiguredthisoutmyselfcompletely.Butwhenyouhitthatkidyouwasgoingawayfromtown,nottoit.〃歐吉維說，“有些事情我自己也還沒有完全弄清楚。撞死那小孩時(shí)，你們的車子是往城外開，而不是往城里開。”〃We'dmadeamistakeintheroute,〃theDuchesssaid."Somehowwe'dbecometurnedaround.It'seasilydoneinNewOrleans,withthestreetwindingastheydo.Afterward,usingsidestreets,wewentback.”“我們走錯(cuò)了方向，”公爵夫人說道?！耙膊恢趺锤愕模覀冏叻戳朔较?。新奧爾良的街道彎彎曲曲.是很容易走錯(cuò)方向的。后來我們是通過走小路才找了回來的?！薄↖thoughtitmightbethat,“Ogilvienoddedunderstandingly."Butthepoliceain'tfigureditthatway.They'relookingforsomebodywhowasheadedout.That'swhy,rightnow,they'reworkin'onthesuburbsandtheoutsidetowns.Theymaygetaroundtosearchin'downtown,butitwon'tbeyet.〃“我想恐怕是這樣的，”歐吉維點(diǎn)了點(diǎn)頭表示理解?！暗絽s沒想到這種情況，他們正在搜查往城外跑的人。所以，他們這會(huì)兒只在郊區(qū)和城外小鎮(zhèn)里進(jìn)行搜索。他們也可能會(huì)回頭搜索市區(qū)，但眼下還不會(huì)來。”〃Howlongbeforetheydo?〃“那能有多久才會(huì)來呢？”“Maybethree,fourdays.Theygotalotofotherplacestolookfirst.〃“大約要等三四天吧。他們有很多地方要先去搜索。”〃Howcouldthathelpusthedelay’?〃“那對(duì)我們又有什么幫助呢一一幾天的拖延？”〃Itmight,〃Ogilviesaid."Providin'nobodytwigsthecar-anseein，whereitis,youmightbeluckythere.An'ifyoucangetitaway.“也許會(huì)有幫助，”歐吉維說?！爸灰獩]人注意到你們的車子——沒有發(fā)現(xiàn)它所停的地方，你們就可能會(huì)有這樣的好運(yùn)氣。只要你能把它弄走。”“Youmeanoutofthestate?”"“你是說弄出這個(gè)州去？”〃Imeanouto'theSouth.”“我的意思是離開南方?！薄癟hatwouldn，tbeeasy?”“那恐怕不容易吧？”〃No,maam.Everystatearound-Texas,Arkansas,Mississippi,Alabama,alltherest，11bewatchingforacardamagedthewayyoursis.〃“是不容易，夫人。鄰近各州一一得克薩斯、阿肯色、密西西比、亞拉巴馬以及其余各州都會(huì)密切注意搜尋一輛損壞得像你們那輛一樣的汽車?！盩heDuchessconsidered."Isthereanypossibilityofhavingrepairsmadefirst?Iftheworkweredonediscreetlywecouldpaywell.”公爵夫人沉思起來?！坝袥]有可能先修理一下呢?如果能把車子悄悄修理一下，我們會(huì)出大價(jià)錢?！盩hehousedetectiveshookhisheademphatically.Z/Youtrythat,youmightaswellwalkovertoheadquartersrightnowangiveup.EveryrepairshopinLouisiana'sbeentoldtoholler'cops'theminuteacarneedingfixin'likeyourscomesin.They'ddoit,too.Youpeoplearehot?〃探長(zhǎng)使勁搖著頭?！澳菢拥脑挘€不如現(xiàn)在就去警察局投案自首。路易斯安那州境內(nèi)的每一家修車鋪都已接到通知，一旦發(fā)現(xiàn)像你們那樣需要修理的汽車送來修理，立即向警方報(bào)告。他們也都會(huì)照辦的，你們的事誰都知道。”TheDuchessofCroydonkeptfirm,tightreinonherracingmind.Itwasessential,sheknew,thatherthinkingremaincalmandreasoned.克羅伊敦公爵夫人極力控制自己那如脫韁野馬般的思緒。她知道保持自己頭腦的冷靜和理智是至關(guān)重要的。Inthelastfewminutestheconversationhadbecomeasseeminglycasualasifthediscussionwereofsomeminordomesticmatterandnotsurvivalitself.方才那最后幾分鐘的談話似乎變得非常隨便，仿佛他們所討論的只是一些無關(guān)緊要的家?，嵤?，而不是人命關(guān)天的大事。Sheintendedtokeepitthatway.Oncemore,shewasaware,theroleofleadershiphadfallentoher,herhusbandnowatensebutpassivespectatoroftheexchangebetweentheeviltatmanandherself.她有意要使談話照這樣進(jìn)行。她意識(shí)到，唱主角的責(zé)任又一次地落到了自己的肩上。此時(shí)此刻，在她與這個(gè)存心惡毒的肥佬之間的激烈交鋒中，她的丈夫只當(dāng)了一名緊張而被動(dòng)的旁觀者。Nomatter.Whatwasinevitablemustbeaccepted.Theimportantthingwastoconsideralleventualities.Athoughtoccurredtoher.沒關(guān)系，既然躲不過，就只好去面對(duì)它了。要緊的是對(duì)各種可能發(fā)生的意外變故預(yù)作考慮。她突然想出了一個(gè)主意?！癟hepiecefromourcarwhichyousaythepolicehave.Whatisitcalled?”“你說警方拿到了我們車上掉下來的一件東西，它叫什么來著？”〃Atrimring.〃“框圈。”〃Isittraceable?”“它會(huì)成為追查的線索嗎？”O(jiān)gilvienoddedaffirmatively."Theycanfigurewhatkindo'carit'sfrommake,model,anmaybetheyear,orclosetoit.Samethingwiththeglass.Butwithyourcarbeingforeign,it'11likelytakeafewdays.〃歐吉維肯定地點(diǎn)了點(diǎn)頭?！八麄兡懿槌鏊菑氖裁礃拥钠嚿系粝聛淼囊灰簧a(chǎn)廠家，車型，也許還能查出出廠年份，或者是大致的出廠時(shí)間。那車燈玻璃碎片也可以起到同樣作用。但由于你們的車子是外國的，查起來可能得花幾天的工夫?！薄癇utafterthat,〃shepersisted,〃thepolicewillknowthey'relookingforaJaguar?”“幾天過后，”她追問道，“警方就會(huì)知道他們要找的是一輛美洲虎嗎？”〃Ireckonthat'sso.〃“我想是這樣?！盩odaywasTuesday.Fromallthatthismansaid,theyhaduntilFridayorSaturdayatbest.今天是星期二。從這家伙所講的情況看來，他們最多只能拖到星期五或星期六。WithcalculatedcoolnesstheDuchessreasoned:thesituationcamedowntooneessential.公爵夫人冷靜地盤算了一番：現(xiàn)在需要解決的是一個(gè)關(guān)鍵的問題。Assumingthehotelmanwasboughtoff,theironlychance--aslimone--layinremovingthecarquickly,Ifitcouldbegotnorth,tooneofthebigcitieswheretheNewOrleanstragedyandsearchwouldbeunknown,repairscouldbemadequietly,theincriminatingevidenceremoved.假使買通了這個(gè)旅館偵探，他們唯一的一個(gè)機(jī)會(huì)一一一個(gè)渺茫的機(jī)會(huì)一一就在于迅速將汽車弄走。若能弄到北方某個(gè)大城市里去，那兒人們不知道新奧爾良發(fā)生的這起車禍和警方的搜查行動(dòng)，車子可以在那里悄悄修好，這樣罪證也就消滅了。Then,evenifsuspicionsettledontheCroydonslater,nothingcouldbeproved.Buthowtogetthecaraway?那么，即使以后再懷疑到克羅伊敦夫婦頭上，也找不到什么真憑實(shí)據(jù)。但車子如何才能弄走呢？Undoubtedlywhatthisoafishdetectivesaidwastrue:AswellasLouisiana,theotherstatesthroughwhichthecarwouldhavetopasswouldbealertandwatchful.Everyhighwaypatrolwou1dbeonthelookoutforadamagedheadlightwithamissingtrimring.Therewouldprobablyberoad-blocks.Itwouldbehardnottofallvictimtosomesharpeyedpoliceman.毫無疑問，這個(gè)粗俗愚笨的偵探說的是真話：要想把車子開到北方，沿途所要經(jīng)過的各州都會(huì)像路易斯安那州一樣警惕和注意的，所有的公路巡警都會(huì)留心注意一輛前燈撞破、框圈掉落的車子，也許還會(huì)設(shè)有路障。要想不被某個(gè)目光銳利的警察抓到，談何容易。Butitmightbedone.Ifthecarcouldbedrivenatnightandconcealedbyday.Therewereplentyofplacestopulloffthehighwayandbeunobserved.Itwouldbehazardous,butnomorethanwaitinghereforcertaindetection.但這還是有可能做得到的，只要能夠趁著黑夜行車，而白天里將汽車隱藏起來。有許多偏僻地方遠(yuǎn)離公路，不會(huì)受人注意。這樣做可能要冒風(fēng)險(xiǎn)，但總比在這里坐等受擒要強(qiáng)些。Therewouldbebackroads.Theycouldchooseanunlikelyroutetoavoidattention.也許有些鄉(xiāng)間小路可走，為掩人耳目，他們可以選擇一條不大會(huì)有人走的路線。Buttherewouldbeothercomplications...andnowwasthetimetoconsiderthem.Travelingbysecondaryroadswouldbedifficultunlessknowingtheterrain.TheCroydonsdidnot.Norwaseitherofthemadeptatusingmaps.但還存在其他的一些復(fù)雜問題……現(xiàn)在該對(duì)那些問題加以考慮了。走偏僻小路必須要熟悉地形才行，克羅伊敦夫婦可不熟悉地形，而且他們倆對(duì)地圖都不怎么在行。Andwhentheystoppedforpetrol,astheywouldhaveto,theirspeechandmannerwouldbetraythem,makingthemconspicuous.Andyet...thesewereriskswhichhadtobetaken.Thehousedetective'ssmallnarroweyeslookedherupanddownscornfullyfromhisfatfacewithaheavyjowl.探長(zhǎng)那雙夾在面部隆起的肉堆中的豬眼睛輕蔑地將她上下打量了一番。Hisgazemovedontosweepthespacious,well-appointedroom,encompassingtheDukewhofacedthemuncertainly,hisbacktoawindow.接著，他便移動(dòng)目光，對(duì)這個(gè)寬敞豪華、設(shè)備齊全的房間掃視了一周，看到了那位正背朝窗戶、神色茫然地望著他們的公爵?！癙rettyneatset-upyoufolksgot.”Thisisaprettyniceroomthatyouhavegot.“你們這套房間布置得倒挺講究的呢?！盩akinghistime,Ogilvieremovedtheoffendingcigar,knockedofftheashandflippedthebutttowardanornamentalfireplaceonhisright.Hemissed,andthebuttfelluponthecarpetwhereheignoredit.歐吉維慢條斯理地從口中拿下雪茄，敲掉煙灰，然后將煙蒂扔向靠右邊的一個(gè)裝飾性壁爐，但他失了準(zhǔn)頭，煙蒂掉到地毯上，他也不去管它。TheDuchess'slipstightened.公爵夫人的嘴唇繃得緊緊的。另外，行車途中不能不停車加油，停車加油時(shí)他們的言談舉止都有可能暴露自己的身分而引起別人注意。不過……這些險(xiǎn)是非冒不可的。Orhadthey?真的非冒不可嗎？TheDuchessfacedOgilvie./zHowmuchdoyouwant?”公爵夫人面對(duì)著歐吉維?！澳阋嗌馘X？”Theabruptnesstookhimbysurprise.Z/Well...Ifigureyoupeopleareprettywellfixed.〃這突如其來的問話把他嚇了一跳。“唔……我想你們家是非常有錢的?！盨hesaidcoldly,〃Iaskedhowmuch.〃她冷冷地說：“我只問你要多少?！盩hepiggyeyesblinked.Tenthousanddollars./z那對(duì)豬眼睛眨巴了一下?！耙蝗f美元?！盩houghitwastwicewhatshehadexpected,herexpressiondidnotchange."Assumingwepaidthisgrotesqueamount,whatwouldwereceiveinreturn?7"盡管這數(shù)目比她所預(yù)料的多了一倍，她卻不動(dòng)聲色?！疤热粑覀冋娓读诉@樣一筆巨款，我們能得到什么樣的回報(bào)呢？”Thefatmanseemedpuzzled."LikeIsaid,IkeepquietaboutwhatIknow.大胖子似乎被這話問糊涂了?！拔乙呀?jīng)說過，我可以對(duì)自己知道的一切守口如瓶?！薄ˋndthealternative?〃“我們?nèi)羰遣桓跺X呢？”Heshrugged./ZIgodownthelobby.Ipickupaphone.〃他聳了聳肩?！拔揖拖聵堑介T廳里去，拿起電話?！薄癗o,〃Thestatementwasunequivocal.〃Wewillnotpay,〃you.“不，”話說得斬釘截鐵?！拔覀儾粫?huì)付錢給你?！盇stheDukeofCroydonshifteduneasily,thehousedetective'sbulbouscountenancereddened,“Nowlisten,lady.??”克羅伊敦公爵不安地移動(dòng)著身子，探長(zhǎng)那圓滾滾的肉臉漲得通紅?！澳懵犞?，夫人……”Peremptorilyshecuthimoff.〃Iwillnotlisten.Instead,youwilllistentome./zHereyeswererivetedonhisface,herhandsome,highcheekbonedfeaturessetintheirmostimperiousmold.〃Wewouldachievenothingbypayingyou,exceptpossiblyafewdays'respite.Youhavemadethatabundantlyclear.〃她蠻橫地打斷他的話。“我不要聽你的，你給我聽著?！彼抗饩o緊盯住他的臉，同時(shí)她那漂亮、高額骨的俏臉上展出一副霸道的神態(tài)?！拔覀兗词垢跺X給你也得不到什么好處，頂多也只是拖延幾天時(shí)間罷了。你把這一點(diǎn)已經(jīng)講得很清楚了。”“That'sachanceyougotta.../z“這對(duì)你們可是一個(gè)難得的機(jī)會(huì)……”“Silence!”Hervoicewasawhiplash.Eyesboredintohim.Swallowing,sullenly,hecomplied.“住口！”她眼睛死死地盯住他，厲聲呵斥道。他忍氣吞聲，滿臉不高興地住口了。Whatcamenext,theDuchessofCroydonknew,couldbethemostsignificantthingshehadeverdone.克羅伊敦公爵夫人知道，接下來的行動(dòng)也許會(huì)是她一生中所作出的最重大的決定。Theremustbenomistake,novacillationordallyingbecauseofherownsmallnessofmind.決不能因自己的見識(shí)有限而出半點(diǎn)差錯(cuò)，決不能優(yōu)柔寡斷或舉棋不定。Whenyouwereplayingforthehigheststakes,youmadethehighestbid.Sheintendedtogambleonthefatmansgreed.Shemustdosoinsuchawayastoplacetheoutcomebeyondanydoubt.要想贏大錢，就得下大注。她想利用這大肥佬的貪心大賭一場(chǎng)，而且恰到好處，使結(jié)果能保證萬元一失。Shedeclareddecisively,〃Wewillnotpayyoutenthousanddollars.Butwewillpayyoutwenty-fivethousanddollars.〃Thehousedetective'seyesbulged.她果斷地宣布，“我們不會(huì)付給你一萬美元，但我們會(huì)付給你二萬五千美元。”探長(zhǎng)的眼珠子都鼓起來了?！↖nreturnforthat,“shecontinuedevenly,“Youwilldriveourcarnorth.”“作為回報(bào)，"她不動(dòng)聲色地繼續(xù)說道，“你得將我們的汽車開到北方?！監(jiān)gilviecontinuedtostare.歐吉維依然是一副目瞪口呆的樣子?！癟wenty-fivethousanddollars,/zsherepeated."Tenthousandnow.FifteenthousandmorewhenyoumeetusinChicago.zz“二萬五千美元，”她重復(fù)道。“現(xiàn)在先付一萬，等你到芝加哥與我們碰面時(shí)再付一萬五?！盨tillwithoutspeaking,thefatmanlickedhislips.Hisbeadyeyes,asifunbelieving,werefocuseduponherown.Thesilencehung.大胖子舔了舔自己的嘴唇，依然一言未發(fā)，那雙圓圓的小眼睛似乎不相信似的直盯住她的雙眼。一陣沉默。Then,asshewatchedintently,hegavetheslightestofnods.后來，在她目不轉(zhuǎn)睛的逼視下，他微微點(diǎn)了一下頭。Thesilenceremained.AtlengthOgilviespoke."Thiscigarbotherin'you,Duchess?”Asshenodded,heputitout.場(chǎng)面還是一片寂靜。最后還是歐吉維開了腔：“這支雪茄讓您討厭了吧，公爵夫人？”她點(diǎn)了點(diǎn)頭，他隨即將它掐滅了。(fromHotel,1965)(摘自《旅館》，1965)Shesaidsharply,imagineyoudidnotcomeheretodiscussdecor〃.她沒好氣地說道，“我想你該不是為談?wù)摲块g布置到這兒來的吧?！盩heobesebodyshookinanappreciativechuckle.ThefatbodyshookinachucklebecausethemanwasenjoyingthefactthathecouldaffordtodowhateverhelikedandalsohewasappreciatingthefactthattheDuchessknewwhyhehadcome.他樂得咯咯直笑，肥胖的身子也跟著抖動(dòng)起來?！∟o,maam,cantsayIdid.Ilikenicethings,though.z/“不是的，夫人，怎么會(huì)呢!不過，我確實(shí)喜愛高雅的東西?！盚eloweredthelevelofhisincongruousfalsetto?〃voice.Hehadanunnaturallyhigh-pitchedvoice.Whenhespokenow,heloweredthepitch.他壓低了他那極端刺耳的尖嗓音接著說，Likethatcarofyours.Theoneyoukeephereinthehotel.Jaguar,ain'tit?〃“比如像你們那輛小轎車，就是停在飯店的那輛，美洲虎牌,是的吧？”〃Aah!〃Itwasnotaspokenword,butanemissionofbreathfromtheDukeofCroydon.這聲音不像是從口中說出來的，倒像是從克羅伊敦公爵鼻子中呼出來的。Hiswifeshothimaswift,warningglance.他的夫人馬上瞪了他一眼，以示警告。〃Inwhatconceivablewaydoesourcarconcernyou?”“我們的車子與你有什么相干呢？”AsifthequestionfromtheDuchesshadbeenasignal,thehousedetective'smannerchanged.Heinquiredabruptly,“Whoelseisinthisplace?”公爵夫人的這句問話似乎是個(gè)信號(hào)，一聽到這個(gè)信號(hào)，探長(zhǎng)的態(tài)度馬上就變了。他猝然問道，“這兒還有別的人么？”ItwastheDukewhoanswered,〃Noone.Wesentthemout.〃公爵回答道，“沒有。我們?cè)绨阉麄兌即虬l(fā)出去了。”“There'sthingsitpaystocheck.〃“還是檢查一下的好。”Movingwithsurprisingspeed,thefatmanwalkedaroundthesuite,openingdoorsandinspectingthespacebehindthem.這個(gè)大胖子以敏捷得出奇的動(dòng)作對(duì)整個(gè)套房前前后后地巡查了一遍，凡是有門的地方就打開往里看看。Obviouslyheknewtheroomarrangementwell.顯然，他對(duì)整套房間布局是極為熟悉的。Afterreopeningandclosingtheouterdoor,hereturned,apparentlysatisfied,tothelivingroom.他再次打開外間的房門并重新關(guān)上之后，面帶滿意的神色回到了起居室。TheDuchesshadseatedherselfinastraight-backedOgilvieremainedstanding.公爵夫人已端坐在一張直背靠椅上，歐吉維還是站立著?！癗owthen,“hesaid.