福尔摩斯探案集·铜山毛榉案 第15期:预言应验(4)
"But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish.
"但这道理是显而易见的。在城市里，公众舆论的压力可以做出法律所不能做到的事。
There is no lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child,
没有一条小巷会坏到连一个被虐待挨打的孩童的哀叫声、
or the thud of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the neighbours,
或一个醉汉的殴打的噼啪声都不会引起邻居们的同情和愤怒的，
and then the whole machinery of justice is ever so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is but a step between the crime and the dock.
而且，整个司法机构近在咫尺，一提出控诉就可以使它采取行动，犯罪和被告席只有一步之遥。
But look at these lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law.
但是看看这些孤零零的房子，每幢都造在自己的田地里，里面居住的大多是愚昧无知的乡民，他们对于法律懂得很少。
Think of the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser.
想想看，凶恶残暴的行为，暗藏的罪恶，可能年复一年在这些地方连续不断发生而不被人发觉。
Had this lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I should never have had a fear for her.
向我们求援的这位小姐要是住在温切斯特，我就绝不会为她担扰。
It is the five miles of country which makes the danger.
但是危险在于她住在五英里之外的农村。
Still, it is clear that she is not personally threatened."
不过，很清楚，她个人安全并没有受到威胁。"
"No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away."
"没有，如果她能够到温切斯特来和我们见面，说明她是脱得开身的。"
"Quite so. She has her freedom."
"一点不错，她是有自己的自由的。"
"What can be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?"
"那么，究竟是什么事情呢？你能做出解释吗？"
"I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would cover the facts as far as we know them.
"我曾设想过七种不同的解释，每一种都适用于到目前为止我们所知道的事实。
But which of these is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we shall no doubt find waiting for us.
但它们当中哪一种是正确的，只能在得到无疑正在等着我们的新消息后才能做出决定。
Well, there is the tower of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has to tell."
好了，那边就是教堂的塔，我们不久就会听到亨特小姐要告诉我们的一切了。"
