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McMurdo bore the inspection cheerfully, one hand in his coat pocket, the other twisting his brown moustache.
麦克默多笑眯眯地承受着麦金蒂的审视，一只手插在大衣口袋里，另一只手捻着他的褐色小胡子。
Suddenly McGinty stooped and produced a wicked-looking revolver.
麦金蒂突然弯下腰来，抽出一支样式吓人的手枪。
"See here, my joker," said he, "if I thought you were playing any game on us, it would be short work for you."
"喂，我的伙计，"麦金蒂说道，"假如我觉出你跟我们耍什么花招，这就是你的末日了。"
"This is a strange welcome," McMurdo answered with some dignity, "for the Bodymaster of a lodge of Freemen to give to a stranger brother."
麦克默多庄重地回答道："一位自由人分会的身主这样对待一个外来弟兄，这种欢迎可真少见。"
"Ay, but it's just that same that you have to prove," said McGinty, "and God help you if you fail! Where were you made?"
"喂，我正是要你拿出身份证明来呢，"麦金蒂说道，"要是你办不到，那就别见怪了。你在哪里入会的。"
"Lodge 29, Chicago."
"芝加哥第二十九分会。"
"When?"
"什么时间？"
"June 24, 1872."
"一八七二年六月二十四日。"
"What Bodymaster?"
"身主是谁？"
"James H. Scott."
"詹姆斯·H·斯特科。"
"Who is your district ruler?"
"你们地区的议长是谁？"
"Bartholomew Wilson."
"巴塞洛谬·威尔逊。"
"Hum! You seem glib enough in your tests. What are you doing here?"
"嗬！在这场考查中，你倒很能说善辩呀。你在那儿干什么？"
"Working, the same as you -- but a poorer job."
"像你一样，做工，不过是件穷差事罢了。"
"You have your back answer quick enough."
"你回答得倒挺快啊。"
"Yes, I was always quick of speech."
"是的，我总是对答如流的。"
"Are you quick of action?"
"你办事也快吗？"
"I have had that name among those that knew me best."
"认识我的人都晓得我有这个名片。"
"Well, we may try you sooner than you think. Have you heard anything of the lodge in these parts?"
"好，我们不久就要试试你，对于此地分会的情况，你听到了什么吗？"
"I've heard that it takes a man to be a brother."
"我听说它收好汉做弟兄。"
"True for you, Mr. McMurdo. Why did you leave Chicago?"
"你说的不错，麦克默多先生。你为什么离开芝加哥呢？"
"I'm damned if I tell you that!"
"这事我不能告诉你。"
McGinty opened his eyes. He was not used to being answered in such fashion, and it amused him. "Why won't you tell me?"
麦金蒂睁大眼睛，他从未听到过这样无礼的回答，不由感到有趣，问道："为什么你不愿告诉我呢？"
"Because no brother may tell another a lie."
"因为弟兄们对自己人不说谎。"
"Then the truth is too bad to tell?"
"那么这事一定是不可告人的了。"
"You can put it that way if you like."
"如果你愿意，也可以这么说。"
"See here, mister, you can't expect me, as Bodymaster, to pass into the lodge a man for whose past he can't answer."
"喂，先生，你不能指望我，作为一个身主，接受一个不能说出自己的履历的人入会啊。"
McMurdo looked puzzled. Then he took a worn newspaper cutting from an inner pocket. "You wouldn't squeal on a fellow?" said he.
麦克默多现出为难的样子，然后从内衣口袋里掏出一片剪下来的旧报纸，说道："你不会向人泄漏吗？"
"I'll wipe my hand across your face if you say such words to me!" cried McGinty hotly.
"你要是再对我说这种话，我就给你几记耳光。"麦金蒂发火地说。
"You are right, Councillor," said McMurdo meekly.
"你是对的，参议员先生，"麦克默多温顺地说着。
"I should apologize. I spoke without thought. Well, I know that I am safe in your hands. Look at that clipping."
"我应当向你道歉。我是无意说出来的。好，我知道在你手下很安全。请看这剪报吧。"
