五粒橘核 The Five Orange Pips（三）

时间：2020-04-21 06:39:33

（单词翻译:单击）

Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk
forward and his eyes bent1 upon the red glow of the fire. Then he
lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue
smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling.
 
"I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we
have had none more fantastic than this."
 
"Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four."
 
"Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems
to me to be walking amid even greater perils2 than did the
Sholtos."
 
"But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to
what these perils are?"
 
"There can be no question as to their nature," he answered.
 
"Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue
this unhappy family?"
 
Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the
arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal
reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a
single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the
chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which
would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole
animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who
has thoroughly3 understood one link in a series of incidents
should be able to accurately4 state all the other ones, both
before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the
reason alone can attain5 to. Problems may be solved in the study
which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the
aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest
pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to
utilize6 all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this
in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all
knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and
encyclopaedias8, is a somewhat rare accomplishment9. It is not so
impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge
which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have
endeavored in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one
occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits
in a very precise fashion."
 
"Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document.
Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I
remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the
mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry
eccentric, anatomy10 unsystematic, sensational12 literature and crime
records unique, violin-player, boxer13, swordsman, lawyer, and
self-poisoner by cocaine14 and tobacco. Those, I think, were the
main points of my analysis."
 
Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as
I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic
stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the
rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he
can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which
has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster15
all our resources. Kindly16 hand me down the letter K of the
American Encyclopaedia7 which stands upon the shelf beside you.
Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be
deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong
presumption17 that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for
leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their
habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for
the lonely life of an English provincial18 town. His extreme love
of solitude19 in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of
someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis
that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from
America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by
considering the formidable letters which were received by himself
and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those
letters?"
 
"The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the
third from London."
 
"From East London. What do you deduce from that?"
 
"They are all seaports20. That the writer was on board of a ship."
 
"Excellent. We have already a clew. There can be no doubt that
the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was
on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the
case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and
its fulfillment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days.
Does that suggest anything?"
 
"A greater distance to travel."
 
"But the letter had also a greater distance to come."
 
"Then I do not see the point."
 
"There is at least a presumption that the vessel21 in which the man
or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send
their singular warning or token before them when starting upon
their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign
when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a
steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter.
But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those
seven weeks represented the difference between the mailboat which
brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the
writer."
 
"It is possible."
 
"More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly
urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to
caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which
it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one
comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay."
 
"Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless22
persecution23?"
 
"The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital
importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think
that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them.
A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way
as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in
it, and they must have been men of resource and determination.
Their papers they mean to have, be the holder24 of them who it may.
In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an
individual and becomes the badge of a society."
 
"But of what society?"
 
"Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and
sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?"
 
"I never have."
 
Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it
is," said he presently:
 
"Ku Klux Klan. A name derived25 from the fanciful resemblance to
the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret
society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the
Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local
branches in different parts of the country, notably26 in Tennessee,
Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was
used for political purposes, principally for the terrorizing of
the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country
of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages27 were usually
preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic
but generally recognized shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some
parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this
the victim might either openly abjure28 his former ways, or might
fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would
unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and
unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organization of the
society, and so systematic11 its methods, that there is hardly a
case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with
impunity29, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the
perpetrators. For some years the organization flourished in spite
of the efforts of the United States government and of the better
classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year
1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed30, although there have
been sporadic31 outbreaks of the same sort since that date.
 
"You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that
the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the
disappearance32 of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may
well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his
family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track.
You can understand that this register and diary may implicate33
some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many
who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered."
 
"Then the page we have seen--"
 
"Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent
the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to
them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or
left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a
sinister34 result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let
some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only
chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have
told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done
to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for
half an hour the miserable35 weather and the still more miserable
ways of our fellow-men."

分享到：


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 bent QQ8yD     
n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的
参考例句：
  • He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。
  • We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。
2 perils 3c233786f6fe7aad593bf1198cc33cbe     
极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境）
参考例句：
  • The commander bade his men be undaunted in the face of perils. 指挥员命令他的战士要临危不惧。
  • With how many more perils and disasters would he load himself? 他还要再冒多少风险和遭受多少灾难？
3 thoroughly sgmz0J     
adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地
参考例句：
  • The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
  • The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。
4 accurately oJHyf     
adv.准确地，精确地
参考例句：
  • It is hard to hit the ball accurately.准确地击中球很难。
  • Now scientists can forecast the weather accurately.现在科学家们能准确地预报天气。
5 attain HvYzX     
vt.达到，获得，完成
参考例句：
  • I used the scientific method to attain this end. 我用科学的方法来达到这一目的。
  • His painstaking to attain his goal in life is praiseworthy. 他为实现人生目标所下的苦功是值得称赞的。
6 utilize OiPwz     
vt.使用，利用
参考例句：
  • The cook will utilize the leftover ham bone to make soup.厨师要用吃剩的猪腿骨做汤。
  • You must utilize all available resources.你必须利用一切可以得到的资源。
7 encyclopaedia Jp3xC     
n.百科全书
参考例句：
  • An encyclopaedia contains a lot of knowledge.百科全书包含很多知识。
  • This is an encyclopaedia of philosophy.这是本哲学百科全书。
8 encyclopaedias 0383fe1bd930c867f25c5b4e991465d6     
n.百科全书，大全( encyclopaedia的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • IT IS normally hard to get excited about encyclopaedias. 一般情况下，人们很难对一本百科全书而感到兴奋。 来自互联网
  • He went from door door, selling encyclopaedias. 他逐门逐户去推销百科全书。 来自互联网
9 accomplishment 2Jkyo     
n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能
参考例句：
  • The series of paintings is quite an accomplishment.这一系列的绘画真是了不起的成就。
  • Money will be crucial to the accomplishment of our objectives.要实现我们的目标，钱是至关重要的。
10 anatomy Cwgzh     
n.解剖学，解剖；功能，结构，组织
参考例句：
  • He found out a great deal about the anatomy of animals.在动物解剖学方面，他有过许多发现。
  • The hurricane's anatomy was powerful and complex.对飓风的剖析是一项庞大而复杂的工作。
11 systematic SqMwo     
adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的
参考例句：
  • The way he works isn't very systematic.他的工作不是很有条理。
  • The teacher made a systematic work of teaching.这个教师进行系统的教学工作。
12 sensational Szrwi     
adj.使人感动的，非常好的，轰动的，耸人听闻的
参考例句：
  • Papers of this kind are full of sensational news reports.这类报纸满是耸人听闻的新闻报道。
  • Their performance was sensational.他们的演出妙极了。
13 boxer sxKzdR     
n.制箱者，拳击手
参考例句：
  • The boxer gave his opponent a punch on the nose.这个拳击手朝他对手的鼻子上猛击一拳。
  • He moved lightly on his toes like a boxer.他像拳击手一样踮着脚轻盈移动。
14 cocaine VbYy4     
n.可卡因，古柯碱（用作局部麻醉剂）
参考例句：
  • That young man is a cocaine addict.那个年轻人吸食可卡因成瘾。
  • Don't have cocaine abusively.不可滥服古柯碱。
15 muster i6czT     
v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册
参考例句：
  • Go and muster all the men you can find.去集合所有你能找到的人。
  • I had to muster my courage up to ask him that question.我必须鼓起勇气向他问那个问题。
16 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地
参考例句：
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
17 presumption XQcxl     
n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定
参考例句：
  • Please pardon my presumption in writing to you.请原谅我很冒昧地写信给你。
  • I don't think that's a false presumption.我认为那并不是错误的推测。
18 provincial Nt8ye     
adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人
参考例句：
  • City dwellers think country folk have provincial attitudes.城里人以为乡下人思想迂腐。
  • Two leading cadres came down from the provincial capital yesterday.昨天从省里下来了两位领导干部。
19 solitude xF9yw     
n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方
参考例句：
  • People need a chance to reflect on spiritual matters in solitude. 人们需要独处的机会来反思精神上的事情。
  • They searched for a place where they could live in solitude. 他们寻找一个可以过隐居生活的地方。
20 seaports 22265e136112321fc4d0c90878592e02     
n.海港( seaport的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • Airports have joined seaports as ports of entry for the visiting foreigner. 机场和海港一样成为来访的外国人的入境关口。 来自互联网
  • Sanya has 16 seaports, 10 islands and 180km of coastline. 三亚有16个港口、10个海岛和180公里的海岸线。 来自互联网
21 vessel 4L1zi     
n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管
参考例句：
  • The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
  • You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。
22 relentless VBjzv     
adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的
参考例句：
  • The traffic noise is relentless.交通车辆的噪音一刻也不停止。
  • Their training has to be relentless.他们的训练必须是无情的。
23 persecution PAnyA     
n. 迫害,烦扰
参考例句：
  • He had fled from France at the time of the persecution. 他在大迫害时期逃离了法国。
  • Their persecution only serves to arouse the opposition of the people. 他们的迫害只激起人民对他们的反抗。
24 holder wc4xq     
n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物
参考例句：
  • The holder of the office of chairman is reponsible for arranging meetings.担任主席职位的人负责安排会议。
  • That runner is the holder of the world record for the hundred-yard dash.那位运动员是一百码赛跑世界纪录的保持者。
25 derived 6cddb7353e699051a384686b6b3ff1e2     
vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取
参考例句：
  • Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英语很多词源出于拉丁文和希腊文。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他对文学的爱好是受他父亲的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》
26 notably 1HEx9     
adv.值得注意地，显著地，尤其地，特别地
参考例句：
  • Many students were absent,notably the monitor.许多学生缺席，特别是连班长也没来。
  • A notably short,silver-haired man,he plays basketball with his staff several times a week.他个子明显较为矮小，一头银发，每周都会和他的员工一起打几次篮球。
27 outrages 9ece4cd231eb3211ff6e9e04f826b1a5     
引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的第三人称单数 )
参考例句：
  • People are seeking retribution for the latest terrorist outrages. 人们在设法对恐怖分子最近的暴行进行严惩。
  • He [She] is not allowed to commit any outrages. 不能任其胡作非为。
28 abjure Novyh     
v.发誓放弃
参考例句：
  • The conqueror tried to make the natives abjure their religion.征服者试著让当地人宣誓放弃他们的宗教。
  • Some of the Roman Emperors tried to make Christians abjure their religion.有些罗马皇帝试著使基督教徒宣誓放弃他们的宗教。
29 impunity g9Qxb     
n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除
参考例句：
  • You will not escape with impunity.你不可能逃脱惩罚。
  • The impunity what compulsory insurance sets does not include escapement.交强险规定的免责范围不包括逃逸。
30 collapsed cwWzSG     
adj.倒塌的
参考例句：
  • Jack collapsed in agony on the floor. 杰克十分痛苦地瘫倒在地板上。
  • The roof collapsed under the weight of snow. 房顶在雪的重压下突然坍塌下来。
31 sporadic PT0zT     
adj.偶尔发生的 [反]regular；分散的
参考例句：
  • The sound of sporadic shooting could still be heard.仍能听见零星的枪声。
  • You know this better than I.I received only sporadic news about it.你们比我更清楚，而我听到的只是零星消息。
32 disappearance ouEx5     
n.消失，消散，失踪
参考例句：
  • He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
  • Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。
33 implicate JkPyo     
vt.使牵连其中，涉嫌
参考例句：
  • He didn't find anything in the notebooks to implicate Stu.他在笔记本中没发现任何涉及斯图的东西。
  • I do not want to implicate you in my problem of the job.我工作上的问题不想把你也牵扯进来。
34 sinister 6ETz6     
adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的
参考例句：
  • There is something sinister at the back of that series of crimes.在这一系列罪行背后有险恶的阴谋。
  • Their proposals are all worthless and designed out of sinister motives.他们的建议不仅一钱不值，而且包藏祸心。
35 miserable g18yk     
adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的
参考例句：
  • It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他，这是可耻的。
  • Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。

©2005-2010英文阅读网