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"I had never heard of alchemists before," the boy said.
“我以前从来没听人谈起过炼金术士。”男孩说，
"Maybe no one here has, either."
“或许这里也没人听说过。”
The Englishman's eyes lit up. "That's it! Maybe no one here knows what an alchemist is! Find out who it is who cures the people's illnesses!"
英国人的眼睛一亮。“这就对了！也许这里没有人知道炼金术士！你去打听一下此处有没有一个能治百病的人。”
Several women dressed in black came to the well for water, but the boy would speak to none of them, despite the Englishman's insistence. Then a man approached.
又有几个身着黑衣的女人来到井边打水，不管英国人怎么催促，男孩就是不同她们搭话，直到有个男人来到跟前。
"Do you know someone here who cures people's illnesses?" the boy asked.
“您认识能治百病的人吗？”
"Allah cures our illnesses," said the man, clearly frightened of the strangers.
“安拉能治百病。”男人回答。看得出来，在外国人面前他有些惊慌。
"You're looking for witch doctors." He spoke some verses from the Koran, and moved on.
“你们在寻找巫师？”他念了几句《古兰经》经文，之后便离开了。
Another man appeared. He was older, and was carrying a small bucket.
不一会儿，一个老人走了过来，手里拎着一只小水桶。
The boy repeated his question.
男孩问他是否认识能治百病的人。
"Why do you want to find that sort of person?" the Arab asked.
“你们为什么要找这种人呢？”阿拉伯人用提问代替了回答。
"Because my friend here has traveled for many months in order to meet with him," the boy said.
“因为我的朋友为了找他已经奔波了好几个月。”男孩回答。
"If such a man is here at the oasis, he must be the very powerful one," said the old man after thinking for a few moments.
“如果绿洲里有这么个人，那么他一定有权势。”老人思忖了片刻之后说道，
"Not even the tribal chieftains are able to see him when they want to. Only when he consents."
“就连部落的首领们想见到他都很难，除非他自己决定出面。”
"Wait for the end of the war. Then leave with the caravan. Don't try to enter into the life of the oasis," he said, and walked away.
“等战争结束后你们就随商队走吧，不要企图深入绿洲的生活。”说完，他扬长而去。
But the Englishman was exultant. They were on the right track.
英国人欣喜若狂。他们找到线索了。
Finally, a young woman approached who was not dressed in black.
之后，走来一位没穿黑衣的少女，
She had a vessel on her shoulder, and her head was covered by a veil, but her face was uncovered.
肩扛一只陶罐，头戴一方纱巾，脸露在外面。
The boy approached her to ask about the alchemist.
男孩走上前去，向她打听炼金术士的事。
