There was a rush, a clatter upon the stairs, the bang of a door,
只聽見樓梯上一陣"噔噔"的腳步聲,"嘭"的一聲關(guān)門聲,
and the crisp rattle of running footfalls from the street.
接著是從街上傳來的一陣清脆的跑步聲。
"After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his clay pipe,
"畢竟,華生,"福爾摩斯一邊說著,一邊伸出手去拿那只陶土制的煙斗,
"I am not retained by the police to supply their deficiencies.
"我現(xiàn)在還沒有被警察局請去向他們提供他們所不知道的案情。
If Horner were in danger it would be another thing;
如果霍納現(xiàn)在處于危險境地,那就是另外一回事了;
but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must collapse.
但是這個家伙是不可能再出頭露面控告他了,這個案件也就會不了了之。
I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just possible that I am saving a soul.
我想我在使一個重罪得以減輕,但也可能我是挽救了一個人。
This fellow will not go wrong again; he is too terribly frightened.
這個人將不會再做壞事了,他已經(jīng)嚇得喪魂落魄了。
Send him to jail now, and you make him a jail-bird for life.
要是把他送進監(jiān)獄的話,你就會使他變成一個終身的罪犯。
Besides, it is the season of forgiveness.
再說,現(xiàn)在正是大赦時節(jié),我們何樂而不為呢。
Chance has put in our way a most singular and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward.
偶然的機會使我們碰上這個十分奇特的古怪問題,而這個問題的解決也就算是對它的報酬了。
If you will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin another investigation,
如果你愿意按一按鈴,醫(yī)生,我們還可以開始另一案件的調(diào)查,
in which, also a bird will be the chief feature."
其中主要的特點仍然是一只家禽。"