评论
打印
A buzz of pleasure and welcome greeted him as he entered.
麦克默多一走进来，便受到热烈的欢迎。
The long room was crowded, and through the haze of tobacco smoke he saw the tangled black mane of the Bodymaster,
长长的房屋挤满了人，他从烟雾之中看到了身主麦金蒂那乱成一团的又长又密的黑发，
the cruel, unfriendly features of Baldwin, the vulture face of Harraway, the secretary, and a dozen more who were among the leaders of the lodge.
鲍德温凶残而不友好的表情，书记哈拉威那鹫鹰一样的脸孔，以及十几个分会中的领导人物。
He rejoiced that they should all be there to take counsel over his news.
他很高兴，他们都在这里，可以商议一下他得来的消息。
"Indeed, it's glad we are to see you, Brother!" cried the chairman. "There's business here that wants a Solomon in judgment to set it right."
"真的，我们看到你很高兴，兄弟！"身主麦金蒂高声喊道。"这里正有一件事需要有一个所罗门作出公正的裁决呢。"
"It's Lander and Egan," explained his neighbour as he took his seat.
"是兰德和伊根，"麦克默多坐下来，邻座的人向他解释说。
"They both claim the head money given by the lodge for the shooting of old man Crabbe over at Stylestown, and who's to say which fired the bullet?"
"他们两个人去枪杀斯蒂列斯镇的克雷布老人，两个人都抢着要分会的赏金，你来说说究竟是谁开枪击中的？"
McMurdo rose in his place and raised his hand.
麦克默多从座位上站起来，把手举起。
The expression of his face froze the attention of the audience. There was a dead hush of expectation.
他面上的表情，使大家都吃惊地注意着他。出现一阵死一样的寂静，等待他讲话。
"Eminent Bodymaster," he said, in a solemn voice, "I claim urgency!"
"可敬的身主，"麦克默多严肃地说道，"我有紧急的事报告！"
"Brother McMurdo claims urgency," said McGinty. "It's a claim that by the rules of this lodge takes precedence. Now, Brother, we attend you."
"既然麦克默多兄弟有紧急事报告，"麦金蒂说道，"按照会中规定，自然应该优先讨论。现在，兄弟，请你说吧。"
McMurdo took the letter from his pocket.
麦克默多从衣袋里拿出信来。
"Eminent Bodymaster and Brethren," he said, "I am the bearer of ill news this day;
"可敬的身主和诸位弟兄，"麦克默多说道，"今天，我带来一个不幸的消息。
but it is better that it should be known and discussed, than that a blow should fall upon us without warning which would destroy us all.
不过我们事先知道并加以讨论，总比毫无戒备就被一网打尽要好得多。
I have information that the most powerful and richest organizations in this state have bound themselves together for our destruction,
我得到通知说，国内那些最有钱有势的组织联合起来准备消灭我们，
and that at this very moment there is a Pinkerton detective, one Birdy Edwards, at work in the valley collecting the evidence
有一个平克顿的侦探，一个名叫伯尔弟·爱德华的人已来到这个山谷搜集证据，
which may put a rope round the necks of many of us, and send every man in this room into a felon's cell.
以便把绞索套到我们许多人的脖子上，并把在座的各位送进重罪犯牢房。
That is the situation for the discussion of which I have made a claim of urgency."
所以我说有紧急事要报告，请大家讨论。"
There was a dead silence in the room. It was broken by the chairman.
室中顿时鸦雀无声，最后还是身主麦金蒂打破了沉寂。
"What is your evidence for this, Brother McMurdo?" he asked.
"麦克默多兄弟，你有什么证据吗？"麦金蒂问道。
"It is in this letter which has come into my hands," said McMurdo. He read the passage aloud.
"我收到一封信，这些情况就在这封信里写着，"麦克默多说道。他高声把这一段话读了一遍，
"It is a matter of honour with me that I can give no further particulars about the letter, nor put it into your hands;
又说，"我要守信用，不能再把这封信的详细内容都读出来，也不能把信交到你们手里，
but I assure you that there is nothing else in it which can affect the interests of the lodge. I put the case before you as it has reached me."
但我敢向你们保证，信上再也没有与本会利益攸关的事了。我一接到信，立即前来向诸位报告这件事。"
"Let me say, Mr. Chairman," said one of the older brethren, "that I have heard of Birdy Edwards, and that he has the name of being the best man in the Pinkerton service."
"请允许我讲一讲，"一个年纪较大的弟兄说道，"我听说过伯尔弟·爱德华这个人，他是平克顿私家侦探公司里一个最有名片的侦探。"
"Does anyone know him by sight?" asked McGinty.
"有人见过他吗？"麦金蒂问道。
"Yes," said McMurdo, "I do."
"是的，"麦克默多说道，"我见过他。"
There was a murmur of astonishment through the hall.
室内顿时出现一阵惊诧的低语声。
