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Evening was drawing in when we reassembled. Holmes was very serious in his manner, myself curious, and the detectives obviously critical and annoyed.
将近黄昏时分，我们又重新聚集在一起。福尔摩斯态度非常严肃，我怀着好奇的心理，而两个侦探显然极为不满，异常气恼。
"Well, gentlemen," said my friend gravely, "I am asking you now to put everything to the test with me,
"好吧，先生们，"我的朋友严肃地说道，"我请你们现在和我一同去把一切情况都考察一下，
and you will judge for yourselves whether the observations I have made justify the conclusions to which I have come.
然后你们自己就会作出判断，我所作的观察究竟是否能说明我得出的结论有道理。
It is a chill evening, and I do not know how long our expedition may last; so I beg that you will wear your warmest coats.
夜间天气很冷，我也不知道要去多长时间，所以请你们多穿一些衣服。
It is of the first importance that we should be in our places before it grows dark; so with your permission we shall get started at once."
最重要的是，我们要在天黑以前赶到现场，如果你们同意的话，我们现在立即出发。"
We passed along the outer bounds of the Manor House park until we came to a place where there was a gap in the rails which fenced it.
庄园花园四周有栏杆围着，我们顺着花园向前走，直到一个地方，那里的栏杆有一个豁口。
Through this we slipped, and then in the gathering gloom we followed Holmes until we had reached a shrubbery which lies nearly opposite to the main door and the drawbridge.
我们穿过豁口溜进花园，在越来越暗的暮色中，我们随着福尔摩斯走到一片灌木丛附近，几乎就在正门和吊桥的对过。
The latter had not been raised. Holmes crouched down behind the screen of laurels, and we all three followed his example.
吊桥还没有拉起来。福尔摩斯蹲下来藏在月桂树丛后面，我们三个人照他的样子蹲下来。
"Well, what are we to do now?" asked MacDonald with some gruffness.
"好，现在我们要干什么呢？"麦克唐纳唐突地问道。
"Possess our souls in patience and make as little noise as possible," Holmes answered.
"我们要耐心等待，尽量不要出声，"福尔摩斯答道。
"What are we here for at all? I really think that you might treat us with more frankness."
"我们到底要在这儿干什么？我认为你应该对我们开诚布公一些！"
Holmes laughed. "Watson insists that I am the dramatist in real life," said he.
福尔摩斯笑了，他说道："华生一再说我是现实生活中的剧作家。
"Some touch of the artist wells up within me, and calls insistently for a well staged performance.
我怀有艺术家的情调，执拗地要作一次成功的演出。
Surely our profession, Mr. Mac, would be a drab and sordid one if we did not sometimes set the scene so as to glorify our results.
麦克唐纳先生，如果我们不能常使我们的演出效果辉煌，那我们这个营生就真的是单调而令人生厌的了。
The blunt accusation, the brutal tap upon the shoulder -- what can one make of such a dénouement?
试问，直截了当的告发，一刀见血的严峻处决--这种结案法能演出什么好剧呢？
But the quick inference, the subtle trap, the clever forecast of coming events, the triumphant vindication of bold theories
但敏锐的推断，锦囊妙计，对转眼到来的事件作机智的预测，而又胜利地证实自己的推断，
are these not the pride and thejustification of our life's work?
难道这些不说明我们的营生值得自豪、干得有理吗？
At the present moment you thrill with the glamour of the situation and the anticipation of the hunt.
在当前这一时刻，你们会感到猎人预期得手前的激动。
Where would be that thrill if I had been as definite as a timetable? I only ask a little patience, Mr. Mac, and all will be clear to you."
假如像一份既定的时间表那样，还有什么可激动呢？麦克先生，我只请你们耐心一点，一切就会清楚了。"
"Well, I hope the pride and justification and the rest of it will come before we all get our death of cold," said the London detective with comic resignation.
"好哇，我倒希望在我们大家冻死以前，这种自豪、有理等等可以实现。"这个伦敦侦探无可奈何、幽默地说道。
We all had good reason to join in the aspiration; for our vigil was a long and bitter one.
我们几个人都颇有理由赞同这种迫切的愿望，因为我们守候得实在太久、太难忍了。
Slowly the shadows darkened over the long, sombre face of the old house.
暮色逐渐笼罩了这座狭长而阴森的古堡。
A cold, damp reek from the moat chilled us to the bones and set our teeth chattering.
从护城河里升起一股阴冷、潮湿的寒气，使我们感到锥心刺骨，牙齿不住打颤。
There was a single lamp over the gateway and a steady globe of light in the fatal study. Everything else was dark and still.
大门口只有一盏灯，那间晦气的书房里有一盏固定的球形灯。四处是一片漆黑，寂静无声。
"How long is this to last?" asked the inspector finally. "And what is it we are watching for?"
"这要呆多长时间啊？"麦克唐纳突然问道，"我们在守候什么呢？"
"I have no more notion than you how long it is to last," Holmes answered with some asperity.
"我不打算像你那样计较等了多长时间，"福尔摩斯非常严厉地答道。
"If criminals would always schedule their movements like railway trains, it would certainly be more convenient for all of us.
"要是罪犯把他们的犯罪活动安排得象列车时刻表那样准时，那对我们大家当然是方便多了。
As to what it is we... Well, that's what we are watching for!"
至于我们在守候什...瞧，那就是我们守候的东西啊！"
As he spoke the bright, yellow light in the study was obscured by somebody passing to and fro before it.
他说话的时候，书房中明亮的黄色灯光，被一个来回走动的人挡得看不清了。
