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McMurdo had obtained a temporary job as bookkeeper; for he was a well educated man.
因为麦克默多是一个受过良好教育的人，所以他找到了一个记帐员的临时工作。
This kept him out most of the day, and he had not found occasion yet to report himself to the head of the lodge of the Eminent Order of Freemen.
这就占去了他大部分的白昼时间，也就无暇去向自由人分会的头目报到。
He was reminded of his omission, however, by a visit one evening from Mike Scanlan, the fellow member whom he had met in the train.
一天晚上，他在火车上认识的旅伴迈克·斯坎伦来拜访他，才提醒了麦克默多。
Scanlan, the small, sharp-faced, nervous, black-eyed man, seemed glad to see him once more.
斯坎伦个子矮小，面容瘦削，眼睛黑黑的，是一个胆小怕事的人，他很高兴又看到了麦克默多。
After a glass or two of whisky he broached the object of his visit.
喝了一两杯威士忌酒以后，斯坎伦说明了来意。
"Say, McMurdo," said he, "I remembered your address, so I made bold to call.
"喂，麦克默多，"斯坎伦说道，"我记得你的地址，所以我冒昧地来找你。
I'm surprised that you've not reported to the Bodymaster. Why haven't you seen Boss McGinty yet?"
我真奇怪，你怎么没有去向身主报到，为什么还不去拜谒首领麦金蒂呢？"
"Well, I had to find a job. I have been busy."
"啊，我正在找事，太忙了。"
"You must find time for him if you have none for anything else.
"如果你没有别的事，你一定要找时间去看看他。
Good Lord, man! you're a fool not to have been down to the Union House and registered your name the first morning after you came here!
天啊，伙计，你到这里以后，第一天早晨竟没有到工会去登记姓名，简直是疯了！
If you run against him -- well, you mustn't, that's all!
要是你得罪了他，唉，你决不要...就说到这吧！"
McMurdo showed mild surprise. "I've been a member of the lodge for over two years, Scanlan, but I never heard that duties were so pressing as all that."
麦克默多有点惊奇，说道："斯坎伦，我入会已经两年多了，可是我从来没听到过像这样紧急的义务呢。"
"Maybe not in Chicago."
"在芝加哥或许不是这样！"
"Well, it's the same society here."
"嗯，那里也是同样的社团啊。"
"Is it?" Scanlan looked at him long and fixedly. There was something sinister in his eyes.
"是吗？"斯坎伦久久地凝视着他，眼里闪出凶光。
"Isn't it?"
"不是吗？"
"You'll tell me that in a month's time. I hear you had a talk with the patrolmen after I left the train."
"这些事你以后可以在一个月的时间内给我讲清楚。我听说我下车后你和警察争吵过。"
"How did you know that?"
"你怎么知道这些事的呢？"
"Oh, it got about–things do get about for good and for bad in this district."
"啊，在这地方，好事坏事都传得很快。"
"Well, yes. I told the hounds what I thought of them."
"嗯，不错。我把我对这帮家伙的看法告诉了他们。"
"By the Lord, you'll be a man after McGinty's heart!"
"天哪，你一定会变成为麦金蒂的心腹人的！"
"What, does he hate the police too?"
"什么？他也恨这些警察吗？"
Scanlan burst out laughing. "You go and see him, my lad," said he as he took his leave.
斯坎伦迸发出一阵笑声。"你去看他吧，我的伙计，"斯坎伦在告辞起身时对麦克默多说道。
"It's not the police but you that he'll hate if you don't! Now, take a friend's advice and go at once!"
"如果你不去看他，那他就不是恨警察，而要恨你了。现在，请你接受一个朋友的规劝，马上去看他吧！"
