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"And yet there should be no combination of events for which the wit of man cannot conceive an explanation.
"然而，就人类的智力而言，对于一系列相互关联的事件想不出解释来，这是不可能的事。
Simply as a mental exercise, without any assertion that it is true, let me indicate a possible line of thought.
我来指一条可能的思路吧，就当做是一次智力练习，且不管它对还是不对。
It is, I admit, mere imagination; but how often is imagination the mother of truth?
我承认，这仅仅是一种想象，不过，想象不始终是真实之母吗？
We will suppose that there was a guilty secret, a really shameful secret in the life of this man Douglas.
我们可以假定，道格拉斯这个人生活中确实有过犯罪的隐私，而且实在是可耻的隐私。
This leads to his murder by someone who is, we will suppose, an avenger, someone from outside.
这就使他遭到某人暗杀，我们设想凶手是个从外面来的仇人。
This avenger, for some reason which I confess I am still at a loss to explain, took the dead man's wedding ring.
出于某种我到目前还无法解释的原因，这个仇人取走了死者的结婚戒指。
The vendetta might conceivably date back to the man's first marriage, and the ring be taken for some such reason.
这种宿怨可以认为是他第一次结婚时造成的，而正因如此，才取走他的结婚戒指。
Before this avenger got away, Barker and the wife had reached the room.
在这个仇人逃跑以前，巴克和死者的妻子来到屋中。
The assassin convinced them that any attempt to arrest him would lead to the publication of some hideous scandal.
凶手使他们认识到，如果企图逮捕他，那么，一件耸人听闻的丑事就会被公诸于世。
They were converted to this idea, and preferred to let him go.
于是他们就改变了主意，情愿把他放走了。
For this purpose they probablylowered the bridge, which can be done quite noiselessly, and then raised it again.
为了这个目的，他们完全可能无声无息地放下吊桥，然后再拉上去。
He made his escape, and for some reason thought that he could do so more safely on foot than on the bicycle.
凶手逃跑时，出于某种原因，认为步行比起自行车要安全得多。
He therefore left his machine where it would not be discovered until he had got safely away. So far we are within the bounds of possibility, are we not?"
所以他把自行车丢到他安全逃走以后才可能被发现的地方。到此为止，我们只能认为这些推测是可能的，对不对？"
"Well, it is possible, no doubt," said I, with some reserve.
"对，毫无疑问，这是可能的，"我稍有保留地说。
"We have to remember, Watson, that whatever occurred is certainly something very extraordinary.
"华生，我们一定要想到我们遇到的事无疑是极为特殊的。
Well, now, to continue our supposititious case, the couple -- not necessarily a guilty couple
现在我们继续把我们想象的案情谈下去，这一对不一定是罪犯的人，
realize after the murderer is gone that they have placed themselves in a position in which it may be difficult for them to prove that they did not themselves either do the deed or connive at it.
在凶手逃离后，意识到自己处于一种嫌疑地位，他们既难说明自己没有动手行凶，又难证明不是纵容他人行凶。
They rapidly and rather clumsily met the situation.
于是他们急急忙忙、笨手笨脚地应付这种情况。
The mark was put by Barker's bloodstained slipper upon the windowsill to suggest how the fugitive got away.
巴克用他沾了血迹的拖鞋在窗台上做了脚印，伪作凶手逃走的痕迹。
They obviously were the two who must have heard the sound of the gun;
他们显然是两个肯定听到枪声的人，
so they gave the alarm exactly as they would have done, but a good half hour after the event."
所以在他们安排好了以后，才拉铃报警，不过这已经是案发后整整半个小时了。"
"And how do you propose to prove all this?"
"你打算怎样证明所有这一切呢？"
"Well, if there were an outsider, he may be traced and taken. That would be the most effective of all proofs.
"好，如果是一个外来人，那么他就有可能被追捕归案，这种证明当然是最有效不过了。
But if not -- well, the resources of science are far from being exhausted. I think that an evening alone in that study would help me much."
但如果不是这样的话……嗯，科学的手段是无穷无尽的。我想，要是我能单独在书房呆一晚上，那对我会有很大帮助的。"
"An evening alone!"
"独自一个人呆一晚上！"
"I propose to go up there presently. I have arranged it with the estimable Ames, who is by no means whole-hearted about Barker.
"我打算现在就去那里。我已经和那个令人尊敬的管家艾姆斯商量过了，他决不是巴克的心腹。
I shall sit in that room and see if its atmosphere brings me inspiration.
我要坐在那间屋里，看看室中的气氛是否能给我带来一些灵感。
I'm a believer in the genius loci. You smile, Friend Watson. Well, we shall see. By the way, you have that big unbrella of yours, have you not?"
华生，我的朋友，你笑吧。我是笃信守护神的。好，走着瞧吧。顺便问你一下，你有一把大雨伞吧？带来了没有？"
"It is here."
"在这儿。"
"Well, I'll borrow that if I may."
"好，如果可以的话，我要借用一下。"
"Certainly -- but what a wretched weapon! If there is danger..."
"当然可以了，不过，这是一件多么蹩脚的武器啊！如果有什么危险..."
"Nothing serious, my dear Watson, or I should certainly ask for your assistance. But I'll take the umbrella.
"没什么严重问题，我亲爱的华生，不然，我就一定会请你帮忙了。可是我一定要借这把伞用一用。
At present I am only awaiting the return of our colleagues from Tunbridge Wells, where they are at present engaged in trying for a likely owner to the bicycle."
目前，我只是等候我的同事们从滕布里奇韦尔斯市回来，他们现在正在那里查找自行车的主人呢。"
