Gn股英漏 子重重一放，力量太大，以致于杯子打破了。 “对不起，”他说， “今天晚上我有点儿紧张。您看，现在我已死了。” 我在扶手椅上坐下来，点着烟斗。 “死是什么感觉？”我问他。当时我差不多肯定这人是个疯子。 他笑了。“我没有疯一一还没有。请听我说，我一直在观察您，我猜您不那么容易被 吓住。我想给您讲讲我的事。我极需帮助，并且想知道我是否求对了人。” “那就说说吧，”我说，“然后我才能告诉您我是否能帮您的忙。” 他的故事非同一般，我并不全明白，不得不问好多问题，下面就是他的故事 他叫富兰克林P斯卡德尔，是个美国人，已经在东南欧呆了几年。他偶然发现一伙 人正在密谋把欧洲推向战争。这伙人狡猾而险恶。有的想通过战争改变世界，有的想发财 打仗总是能发财的。他们计划唆使俄国与德国互相打起来。 “我想制止他们，”斯卡德尔对我说，“如果我能多活一个月，我想我能做到。” 我说：“我原以为您己经死了。” m。,“过一会儿再谈这件事，”他说，“首先，您知道康斯坦丁：卡罗里德斯是谁 “是希腊的首相。我刚刚在今天的报纸上读到他的消息。” “对。他是唯一能制止这场战争的人。他精明诚实 ,了解现状 一所以他的敌人就打 算把他于掉。我已经发现他们用什么方法。对我来说这就很危险了，所以我必须躲起米， 在希腊他们杀不了卡罗里德斯，因为他有许多卫士。但是他准备在六月十五日来伦敦参 加一个大会，他的敌人要在这儿把他干掉。” 我说：“您可以事先告诉他。他就会呆在家里了。” “他的敌人就要他这样。假如他不来，他们就赢了，因为只有他才了解问题的全部， 才能制止战争爆发。 “那您为什么不去找英国警察？”我问。 “没有用。他们会带来五百名警察，但也不能阻止这次谋杀。动手杀人的会被抓住 他也会招供，但会把责任都推到维也纳和柏林政府的头上。那自然都是谎话，但是人们 会马上相信这套。然而，如果富兰克林P斯卡德尔六月十五日在伦敦，这种事就绝不会 发生。” 我逐渐开始喜欢这个小个子陌生人。我又给他倒了一杯威士忌，问为什么他认为自 己处于危险之中。 他喝了一大口威士忌。“我是通过一条人们不熟悉的路线一一穿过巴黎、汉堡、挪威 第6页共69页 htp:/小wnw.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
子重重一放，力量太大，以致于杯子打破了。 “对不起，”他说，“今天晚上我有点儿紧张。您看，现在我已死了。” 我在扶手椅上坐下来，点着烟斗。 “死是什么感觉？”我问他。当时我差不多肯定这人是个疯子。 他笑了。“我没有疯——还没有。请听我说，我一直在观察您，我猜您不那么容易被 吓住。我想给您讲讲我的事。我极需帮助，并且想知道我是否求对了人。” “那就说说吧，”我说，“然后我才能告诉您我是否能帮您的忙。” 他的故事非同一般，我并不全明白，不得不问好多问题，下面就是他的故事。 他叫富兰克林·P·斯卡德尔，是个美国人，已经在东南欧呆了几年。他偶然发现一伙 人正在密谋把欧洲推向战争。这伙人狡猾而险恶。有的想通过战争改变世界，有的想发财 打仗总是能发财的。他们计划唆使俄国与德国互相打起来。 “我想制止他们，”斯卡德尔对我说，“如果我能多活一个月，我想我能做到。” 我说：“我原以为您已经死了。” “过一会儿再谈这件事，”他说，“首先，您知道康斯坦丁·卡罗里德斯是谁 吗？” “是希腊的首相。我刚刚在今天的报纸上读到他的消息。” “对。他是唯一能制止这场战争的人。他精明诚实，了解现状——所以他的敌人就打 算把他干掉。我已经发现他们用什么方法。对我来说这就很危险了，所以我必须躲起来。 在希腊他们杀不了卡罗里德斯，因为他有许多卫士。但是他准备在六月十五日来伦敦参 加一个大会，他的敌人要在这儿把他干掉。” 我说：“您可以事先告诉他。他就会呆在家里了。” “他的敌人就要他这样。假如他不来，他们就赢了，因为只有他才了解问题的全部， 才能制止战争爆发。” “那您为什么不去找英国警察？”我问。 “没有用。他们会带来五百名警察，但也不能阻止这次谋杀。动手杀人的会被抓住， 他也会招供，但会把责任都推到维也纳和柏林政府的头上。那自然都是谎话，但是人们 会马上相信这套。然而，如果富兰克林·P·斯卡德尔六月十五日在伦敦，这种事就绝不会 发生。” 我逐渐开始喜欢这个小个子陌生人。我又给他倒了一杯威士忌，问为什么他认为自 己处于危险之中。 他喝了一大口威士忌。“我是通过一条人们不熟悉的路线——穿过巴黎、汉堡、挪威 第 6 页 共 69 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
G股漏 和苏格兰来伦敦的。每到一个国家我就更名改姓，到了伦敦，我觉得安全了。可是昨天我 发现他们仍然在跟踪我。有个人监视着这座大楼而且昨天晚上不知道是谁把一张名片塞 到门下面。名片上的名字是这个世界上我最惧怕的人。 “所以我下决心必须死掉。这样他们就会不再找我。我搞到一具死厂 一在伦敦只要 你知道门路，搞个死尸并不难一一然后我用一个大衣箱把死尸弄到房间。那个死人和我 年纪相符，只是面貌和我不同。我给他穿上我的衣裳，拿枪朝他脸上开了几枪。等早晨我 的仆人来了会发现我而且会报警。我在房间留下了许多空威士忌酒瓶。警察会以为我饮酒 过度自己送了命 他停了 一下 “我从窗户向外观察， 一直看到您回家，然后我才 下楼来见您。 这个故事真是奇中之奇。然而根据我的经历，最奇怪的故事往往是真事。而且，假定 这个人进到我房间想害我，为什么他不讲简单一点呢？ “好吧，”我说，“今晚我就相信您这一回好了。我把您锁在这间屋里，我拿着钥 匙。斯卡德尔先生，听我说一句话。我相信您是个诚实人，但是如果您不诚实，我可警告 您，我也知道枪怎么用。 “那是自然，”他回答着，激动得跳了起来。“先生，恐怕我还不知道您叫什么， 但我要感谢您。我能使用您的浴室吗？ 半个小时以后，我再见到他，乍一看都认不出来了。只有那双炯炯发光的眼睛依然 如旧。胡子不见了，头发也与刚才完全不同。走起路来像个军人，戴着一副眼镜。说话也 不再像美国人了。 “斯卡德尔先生一一”我叫了起来 不是斯卡德尔先生，”他回答说，“英国陆军上尉西奥费乐司迪格比。请记住这 个名字 我在书房给他铺了一张床，然后就自己回去睡觉，感到一个月来从没这么高兴过。 刺激的事有时到底碰得上，甚至在伦敦也一样。 第二天早晨我的仆人帕多克来了，我把迪格比上尉介绍给他。我说上尉在军队是个 重要人物，他工作得太辛苦了需要休息和安静。然后我就出门去，把他们俩留在房里。大 克高收时整保交东合东酒纸点西防的作结自茶不光产是产德黎等是 自杀的。斯卡德尔听了很高兴 他在我寓所住的前两天神态非常平静，一直在读书，吸烟，在一个黑色的小笔记本 上写东西。然而此后他变得坐卧不宁，惴惴不安。他愁的不是自己的危险，而是他制止谋 杀卡罗里德斯的计划能否成功。一天晚上他神色非常严肃， “听我说，哈内，”他对我说，“我觉得这件事我得多给您讲点。如果我来不及托 付给别人继续执行我的计划就被杀掉，会遗恨无穷的。 我不甚认真地听着：因为我对斯卡德尔的冒险故事感兴趣，而对政治无所谓。我记得 第7页共69页 htp:/ww.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
和苏格兰来伦敦的。每到一个国家我就更名改姓，到了伦敦，我觉得安全了。可是昨天我 发现他们仍然在跟踪我。有个人监视着这座大楼而且昨天晚上不知道是谁把一张名片塞 到门下面。名片上的名字是这个世界上我最惧怕的人。 “所以我下决心必须死掉。这样他们就会不再找我。我搞到一具死尸——在伦敦只要 你知道门路，搞个死尸并不难——然后我用一个大衣箱把死尸弄到房间。那个死人和我 年纪相符，只是面貌和我不同。我给他穿上我的衣裳，拿枪朝他脸上开了几枪。等早晨我 的仆人来了会发现我而且会报警。我在房间留下了许多空威士忌酒瓶。警察会以为我饮酒 过度，自己送了命。”他停了一下，“我从窗户向外观察，一直看到您回家，然后我才 下楼来见您。” 这个故事真是奇中之奇。然而根据我的经历，最奇怪的故事往往是真事。而且，假定 这个人进到我房间想害我，为什么他不讲简单一点呢？ “好吧，”我说，“今晚我就相信您这一回好了。我把您锁在这间屋里，我拿着钥 匙。斯卡德尔先生，听我说一句话。我相信您是个诚实人，但是如果您不诚实，我可警告 您，我也知道枪怎么用。” “那是自然，”他回答着，激动得跳了起来。“先生，恐怕我还不知道您叫什么， 但我要感谢您。我能使用您的浴室吗？” 半个小时以后，我再见到他，乍一看都认不出来了。只有那双炯炯发光的眼睛依然 如旧。胡子不见了，头发也与刚才完全不同。走起路来像个军人，戴着一副眼镜。说话也 不再像美国人了。 “斯卡德尔先生——”我叫了起来。 “不是斯卡德尔先生，”他回答说，“英国陆军上尉西奥费乐司·迪格比。请记住这 个名字。” 我在书房给他铺了一张床，然后就自己回去睡觉，感到一个月来从没这么高兴过。 刺激的事有时到底碰得上，甚至在伦敦也一样。 第二天早晨我的仆人帕多克来了，我把迪格比上尉介绍给他。我说上尉在军队是个 重要人物，他工作得太辛苦了需要休息和安静。然后我就出门去，把他们俩留在房里。大 约午饭时我回来，看门人告诉我住在十五号房的先生自杀了。我上了顶楼，和警察谈了 几句，就回来告诉斯卡德尔他的计划成功了。警察相信那个死尸就是斯卡德尔，而且是 自杀的。斯卡德尔听了很高兴。 他在我寓所住的前两天神态非常平静，一直在读书，吸烟，在一个黑色的小笔记本 上写东西。然而此后他变得坐卧不宁，惴惴不安。他愁的不是自己的危险，而是他制止谋 杀卡罗里德斯的计划能否成功。一天晚上他神色非常严肃。 “听我说，哈内，”他对我说，“我觉得这件事我得多给您讲点。如果我来不及托 付给别人继续执行我的计划就被杀掉，会遗恨无穷的。” 我不甚认真地听着。因为我对斯卡德尔的冒险故事感兴趣，而对政治无所谓。我记得 第 7 页 共 69 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
G股8漏 他说过卡罗里德斯只有在伦敦才有危险。我还记得他提过一个叫朱莉娅采奇尼的女人。 他谈过一个叫黑石的人和一个说话口齿不清的人。他还绘声绘色地说起另外一个人，这 个人可能最为险恶 一个说话声音像年轻人，像猫头鹰似地眯着眼睛的老人。 第二天晚上我得出去一下，去见一个在非洲的熟人，并一块吃顿饭。我回到寓所时 吃惊地看到书房的灯关掉了。我想斯卡德尔是不是早早睡觉了。打开灯，但一个人也没有 后来看到墙角处有个什么东西，吓得我浑身冰凉。 斯卡德尔仰面朝天躺着。一把长刀贯穿心脏，把他钉在地板上 2 The milkman starts his travels 2 The milkman starts his travels Isat downinan ace with its staring eyes wastoo much for me,so tableclothand covered it.Then I took the whisky bottle and drank several mouthfuls.Ihad seen men die violently before.I had killed a few myself in the Matabelewar:but this was different.After a fewmore minutes I managed to calm myself down a little.I looked at my was halfpast ten.I se rched the flat arefully,butthere was nobody Then locked s and windows By this time I was beginning to think more clearly.Itlooked bad for me-that was clear.It was now ertain that Scudder's story astrue enemies had found hir e of his he -the proof was ying been in my andther msr h ad told hs rm So thee to die.Itmight be that night,or the next day,orthe day after,but it was sure to happen. Then I thought of another problem.I could call the policenow,or go to bed and wait for Paddock todiscover the body and call them in the morning.But what would the 地 real f and to help me.Pe s that was pa art of theplan.An English safe plac e for me Even if the police did believe my story,Iwould still be helping Scudder's enemies chw what th story wast respo ible forcontinuing his work.I hate to see a good man beaten,andif I carried on in Scudder's place,themurderers might not win. I decided I must disappear,andrema Then I must co had told me more,andthat I had listened more carefully to what he had told me.There was a riskthat the government would not believe me,butit was my best chance.Perhaps 第8页共69页 htp:/小wnw.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
他说过卡罗里德斯只有在伦敦才有危险。我还记得他提过一个叫朱莉娅·采奇尼的女人。 他谈过一个叫黑石的人和一个说话口齿不清的人。他还绘声绘色地说起另外一个人，这 个人可能最为险恶——一个说话声音像年轻人，像猫头鹰似地眯着眼睛的老人。 第二天晚上我得出去一下，去见一个在非洲的熟人，并一块吃顿饭。我回到寓所时 吃惊地看到书房的灯关掉了。我想斯卡德尔是不是早早睡觉了。打开灯，但一个人也没有 后来看到墙角处有个什么东西，吓得我浑身冰凉。 斯卡德尔仰面朝天躺着。一把长刀贯穿心脏，把他钉在地板上。 2 The milkman starts his travels 2 The milkman starts his travels I sat down in an armchair and felt very sick. After aboutfive minutes I started shaking. The poor white face with its staring eyes wastoo much for me，so I got a tableclothand covered it. Then I took the whisky bottle and drank several mouthfuls. Ihad seen men die violently before. I had killed a few myself in the Matabelewar；but this was different. After a fewmore minutes I managed to calm myself down a little. I looked at my watch andsaw that it was halfpast ten. I searched the flat carefully，butthere was nobody there. Then I locked the doors and windows. By this time I was beginning to think more clearly. Itlooked bad for me-that was clear. It was now certain that Scudder's story wastrue-the proof was lying under the tablecloth. His enemies had found him andmade sure of his silence. But he had been in my flat for four days，andthey must think he had told his story to me. So I would be the next to die. Itmight be that night，or the next day，orthe day after，but it was sure to happen. Then I thought of another problem. I could call the policenow，or go to bed and wait for Paddock todiscover the body and call them in the morning. But what would the policethink？What story would I tell them aboutScudder？I had lied to Paddock about him，andmy story would be hard to believe. They would arrest me for murder，andI had no real friends in England to help me. Perhaps that was part of theplan. An English prison would be a safe place for me until the 15th of June. Even if the police did believe my story，Iwould still be helping Scudder's enemies. Karolides would stay at home，whichwas what they wanted. Scudder's death had made me certain that his story wastrue；now I felt responsible forcontinuing his work. I hate to see a good man beaten，andif I carried on in Scudder's place，themurderers might not win. I decided I must disappear，andremain hidden until just before the 15th of June. Then I must contact somegovernment people and tell them Scudder's story. I wished he had told me more，andthat I had listened more carefully to what he had told me. There was a riskthat the government would not believe me，butit was my best chance. Perhaps 第 8 页 共 69 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
G股漏 more evidence would appear which would help meto make my story believable. It was now the 24th of May police,whowould want me for Scudder's murder.There was going to be a chase,and,surprisingly,Iwas almost happy about this.I did not want to sit in one place and wait.If Icould move,the situation did not seem sobad. I wondered if Scudder had any papers which would give memore information about his business.I lifted off the table-cloth and searchedhim.There were only a few coins in his trouser pockets.There was no sign ofthe little black notebook.I supposed his murderer had taken that. When I turned from the body,Inoticed that all the cupboards were open.Scudder had been a very careful man,andalways kept the place tidy.Someone had been something,andperhaps for the notebook.I went round the nat that everything hadbee rched-the insides of books,cupboards,boxes, soScudder eventhe pockets of my clothes.There was no sign of the notebook 's enemies had probably found it in the end Then I got out a map of Britain.My plan was to find s ewild country.I was used t Afri and Iwould feel trapped in the city. I thought Scot would probably be best,becausemy family came from Scotland and I could pretend to be a Scotsman easily Theother possibility was to be a german tourist:myfather had worked with Germans and I had spoken German often as a boy.But itwould probably be better to be a Scotsman in Scotland.I decided to go toGalloway,which,fromthe map,seemed to be the neares wildpart of Scotland. In the railway timetable I found a train from London atseven-ten in the alh ate o The asl was in that Scudder's enemies watching the building.I had a good idea wentto bed, and slept for two hours I got up at four o'clock.The first light of a sun morning was in the sky and the birds weresta ng to s cod for ng g.I put on me oldclothes which Iu son pushed anot ther shirt and a toothb ush had taken a lot ofmoney out of the bank in case Scudder needed it,sol took that as well Then I cut my long moustache as short as possible young man with a veryshort moustache,and he wore a whitecoat.He was my only chance. I had a breakfast of biscuits and whisky and by the time Ihad finished it was about six 第9页共69页 htp:/ww.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读网
more evidence would appear which would help meto make my story believable. It was now the 24th of May，soI had twenty days of hiding. Two groups of people would be looking formeScudder's enemies，who would want tokill me，and the police，whowould want me for Scudder's murder. There was going to be a chase，and，surprisingly，Iwas almost happy about this. I did not want to sit in one place and wait. If Icould move，the situation did not seem sobad. I wondered if Scudder had any papers which would give memore information about his business. I lifted off the table-cloth and searchedhim. There were only a few coins in his trouser pockets. There was no sign ofthe little black notebook. I supposed his murderer had taken that. When I turned from the body，Inoticed that all the cupboards were open. Scudder had been a very careful man，andalways kept the place tidy. Someone had been searching for something，andperhaps for the notebook. I went round the flat and found that everything hadbeen searched-the insides of books，cupboards，boxes，eventhe pockets of my clothes. There was no sign of the notebook，soScudder's enemies had probably found it in the end. Then I got out a map of Britain. My plan was to find somewild country. I was used to Africa，and Iwould feel trapped in the city. I thought Scotland would probably be best，becausemy family came from Scotland and I could pretend to be a Scotsman easily. Theother possibility was to be a German tourist；myfather had worked with Germans and I had spoken German often as a boy. But itwould probably be better to be a Scotsman in Scotland. I decided to go toGalloway，which，fromthe map，seemed to be the nearest wildpart of Scotland. In the railway timetable I found a train from London atseven-ten in the morning，which would getme to Galloway in the late afternoon. The problem was getting to the station，asI was certain that Scudder's enemies were watching the building. I thoughtabout this problem，had a good idea，wentto bed，and slept for two hours. I got up at four o'clock. The first light of a summermorning was in the sky and the birds were starting to sing. I put on some oldclothes which I used for country walking and some strong walking boots. Ipushed another shirt and a toothbrush into my pockets. I had taken a lot ofmoney out of the bank in case Scudder needed it，soI took that as well. Then I cut my long moustache as short as possible. Paddock arrived every morning at seven-thirty. But at abouttwenty to seven I knew the milkman would come；thenoise of the milk bottles usually woke me up. He was a young man with a veryshort moustache，and he wore a whitecoat. He was my only chance. I had a breakfast of biscuits and whisky and by the time Ihad finished it was about six 第 9 页 共 69 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网
o'clock.I got my pipe and started to fill itfrom my tobacco jar.As I put my fingers into the tobacco Itouched something hard, and pulled outScudder's little black book. This seemed a good sign. I lifted the cloth and looked atScudder's peaceful face Goodbye,myfriend I said 'I'mgoing to do my best for you.Wish me good luck. Six-thi ed. the nsix-forty but still the an did me Wht oh why wasth h morning t e had to he At fourteen minutes to seven I heard him lonened the doorauickly and he jumped a bit when he saw Come in a moment,'Isaid,and we went back into the hall.'Ican see you're a mar who likes a bit of fun.Can you help me?Lendme your hat and coat for a minute and you can have this. He looked at the money in and and smiled. What do youwant my clothes for 'he asked. 'It's a ga exp ain now but towin I've got to be a milkman for ten minutes.You'll be a bit late,butyou'll get the money for your time. All right！he put on his blue hat and yhite coat up the empty milk bottles shut my doorand went downstairs whistling At ught th manwalking slowly towards m As h passed helooked up at a window in the hous opposite andl saw a face look back at him crossed the stree and the street.As dropped the hat coatand milk oottles behind a wal I heard achurch clock: It was seven o'clock could t was ust tenDast seven when I reached th olatform.I hac no tme to buy a ticket thetrain was already moving.I lumped into the last carriage 我坐在扶手椅上 感到很恶心。五分钟后开始颜栗。 我受不了那张可怜的、惨白的胎 和直瞪蹬的眼睛，因此 。食了 一块桌布把它盖起来。然后抄起威士忌酒瓶喝了几口。以前 我见过暴死的，在麦特比尔战 也 手杀过几个 但这同却右所不同 又过了几分 细地把寓所 没发现 直到此刻我才开始比较冷静地思考。情况对我不不 。斯卡德尔所言肯定 第10页共69页 http://wnww.en8848.com.cn/原版英语阅读
o'clock. I got my pipe and started to fill itfrom my tobacco jar. As I put my fingers into the tobacco，Itouched something hard，and pulled outScudder's little black book. This seemed a good sign. I lifted the cloth and looked atScudder's peaceful face. 'Goodbye，myfriend，'I said；'I'mgoing to do my best for you. Wish me good luck. ' Six-thirty passed，thensix-forty，but still the milkman did notcome. Why，oh why，wasthis the morning he had to be late？ At fourteen minutes to seven I heard him. I opened the doorquickly，and he jumped a bit when he sawme. 'Come in a moment，'Isaid，and we went back into the hall. 'Ican see you're a man who likes a bit of fun. Can you help me？Lendme your hat and coat for a minute and you can have this. ' He looked at the money in my hand and smiled. 'What do youwant my clothes for？'he asked. 'It's a game，'I said.'I haven't time to explain now，but towin I've got to be a milkman for ten minutes. You'll be a bit late，butyou'll get the money for your time. ' 'All right！'he said.'I like a game myself. Here you are. ' I put on his blue hat and white coat，pickedup the empty milk bottles，shut my doorand went downstairs，whistling. At first I thought the street was empty. Then I saw a manwalking slowly towards me. As he passed，helooked up at a window in the house opposite，andI saw a face look back at him. I crossed the street，stillwhistling，and then turned down a littleside street. As I dropped the hat，coatand milk bottles behind a wall，I heard achurch clock；it was seven o'clock. I ran to the station as fast as I could. It was just tenpast seven when I reached the platform. I had no time to buy a ticket；thetrain was already moving. I jumped into the last carriage. 2 送奶员开始旅行 我坐在扶手椅上，感到很恶心。五分钟后开始颤栗。我受不了那张可怜的、惨白的脸 和直瞪蹬的眼睛，因此，拿了一块桌布把它盖起来。然后抄起威士忌酒瓶喝了几口。以前 我见过暴死的，在麦特比尔战争中也亲手杀过几个人；但这回却有所不同。又过了几分 钟我才使自己稍微平静一点。看了看表，是十点半。我仔细地把寓所搜查了一遍，没发现 什么人。然后就把门窗都锁起来。 直到此刻我才开始比较冷静地思考。情况对我不利——这很显然。斯卡德尔所言肯定 第 10 页 共 69 页 http://www.en8848.com.cn/ 原版英语阅读网