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We found Holmes pacing up and down in the field, his chin sunk upon his breast, and his hands thrust into his trousers pockets.
我们看到福尔摩斯低着头，双手插在裤兜里，正在田野上踱来踱去。
"The matter grows in interest," said he. "Watson, your country trip has been a distinct success. I have had a charming morning."
"这件事变得更有趣了，"福尔摩斯说道，"华生，你发起的乡间旅行已经获得了明显的成功。我度过了一个奇妙的早晨。"
"You have been up to the scene of the crime, I understand," said the colonel.
"我知道，你已经到犯罪现场去过了，"上校说道。
"Yes, the inspector and I have made quite a little reconnaissance together."
"是的，我和警官一起已经对现场检查了一下。"
"Any success?"
"有什么成绩吗？"
"Well, we have seen some very interesting things. I'll tell you what we did as we walk. First of all, we saw the body of this unfortunate man. He certainly died from a revolver wound as reported."
"啊，我们看到了一些非常有趣的东西。我们边走边谈吧，我把我们做的事都告诉你们。首先，我们看到了那具不幸的尸体。他确实像警官讲的那样，死于枪伤。"
"Had you doubted it, then?"
"那么，你对这有什么怀疑吗？"
"Oh, it is as well to test everything. Our inspection was not wasted.
"啊，还是对每件事都考察一下好。我们的侦察并不是徒劳的。
We then had an interview with Mr. Cunningham and his son, who were able to point out the exact spot where the murderer had broken through the garden-hedge in his flight. That was of great interest."
后来我们会见了坎宁安先生和他的儿子，因为他们能够指出凶手逃跑时越过花园篱笆的确切地点。这是极为重要的。"
"Naturally."
"那当然了。"
"Then we had a look at this poor fellow's mother. We could get no information from her, however, as she is very old and feeble."
"后来我们又看了看那个可怜人的母亲。但是她年老体弱，我们从她那里未能得到任何情况。"
"And what is the result of your investigations?"
"那么，你调查的结果到底是什么呢？"
"The conviction that the crime is a very peculiar one. Perhaps our visit now may do something to make it less obscure.
"结果就是我确信这一犯罪行为是很奇特的。或许我们眼下这次访问可以使它多少明朗一些。
I think that we are both agreed, Inspector, that the fragment of paper in the dead man's hand, bearing, as it does, the very hour of his death written upon it, is of extreme importance."
警官，我认为我们两个人都同意，死者手中的这张纸片上面写着的时间，正是他死去的时间，这一点是极为重要的。"
"It should give a clue, Mr. Holmes."
"这就给我们提供了一个线索，福尔摩斯先生。"
"It does give a clue. Whoever wrote that note was the man who brought William Kirwan out of his bed at that hour. But where is the rest of that sheet of paper?"
"这确实给我们提供了一个线索。写这张便条的人，就是要威廉·柯万在那个时间起床的人。可是这张纸的那一半在哪里呢？"
"I examined the ground carefully in the hope of finding it," said the inspector.
"我仔细地检查了地面，希望能找到它。"警官说道。
"It was torn out of the dead man's hand. Why was someone so anxious to get possession of it? Because it incriminated him.
"它是从死者手中撕去的。为什么有人那么急切地要得到它呢？因为它可以证明他的罪行。
And what would he do with it? Thrust it into his pocket, most likely, never noticing that a corner of it had been left in the grip of the corpse.
撕下以后他又怎么处理它呢？他把它塞进衣袋里，很可能没有注意到有一角纸片还抓在死者手里。
If we could get the rest of that sheet it is obvious that we should have gone a long way towards solving the mystery."
如果我们能够得到撕走的那片纸，显然，对我们解开这个谜大有帮助。"
"Yes, but how can we get at the criminal's pocket before we catch the criminal?"
"是的，可是我们没有捉到罪犯，怎能从罪犯的衣袋里得到它呢？"
"Well, well, it was worth thinking over. Then there is another obvious point. The note was sent to William.
"啊，啊，这是值得仔细考虑的。而且还有另外一点也很明显。这张便条是给威廉的。
The man who wrote it could not have taken it; otherwise, of course, he might have delivered his own message by word of mouth. Who brought the note, then? Or did it come through the post?"
写便条的人是不会亲自交给他的，不然的话，他当然可以把内容亲口向他说了。那么，是谁把便条带给死者的呢？或许是通过邮局寄来的？"
"I have made inquiries," said the inspector. "William received a letter by the afternoon post yesterday. The envelope was destroyed by him."
"我已经查问过了，"警官说道，"昨天下午，威廉从邮局接到一封信。信封已经被他毁掉了。"
"Excellent!" cried Holmes, clapping the inspector on the back. "You've seen the postman. It is a pleasure to work with you. Well, here is the lodge, and if you will come up, Colonel, I will show you the scene of the crime."
"好极了！"福尔摩斯拍了拍警官的背，大声说道，"你已经见过邮差了。和你一起工作，我非常高兴。好，这就是那间仆人住房，上校，如果你愿意进来，我把犯罪现场指给你看。"
