Page 505 - 血字的研究·四签名(外研社双语读库) (福尔摩斯探案全集)

thunder, and he took to drinking a deal more than was good
for him."

“有一个情况不久就引起了我的注意：每次赌钱，总是军官们输，

司狱官员们赢。我可没说这里头有什么老千，不过确实不公平。司狱

官们自从来到安达曼群岛，每天无事可做，只能玩牌，日久熟练，技
术也就精了，而军官们玩牌只是为了扔扔牌卡，消磨消磨时光。过了

一晚又一晚，军官们输得越来越多，他们越输，就越急着要玩。其
中，肖尔托少校输得最多。起初他还用钞票和金币付账，可不久就开

始用支票来付，数额也大了。他有时会稍微赢几盘，给他一点儿信
心，接着就输得更多。于是，他整天愁眉苦脸地四处游荡，饮酒过

量，借酒浇愁。”

"One night he lost even more heavily than usual. I was
sitting in my hut when he and Captain Morstan came

stumbling along on the way to their quarters. They were
bosom friends, those two, and never far apart. The major
was raving about his losses."

“有一晚，他输得比往常更厉害。我正在坐在茅屋外边，这时，他

和摩斯坦上尉摇摇摆摆地走回营地。他们两人是极要好的朋友，每天

形影不离。这位少校正在抱怨他的损失。”

"'It's all up, Morstan,' he was saying as they passed my
hut. I shall have to send in my papers. I am a ruined man.'"

“‘摩斯坦，我完了，’经过我的茅屋时，他说道，‘我得辞职了。我

可毁了。’”

"'Nonsense, old chap!' said the other, slapping him upon

the shoulder. I've had a nasty facer myself, but——' That
was all I could hear, but it was enough to set me thinking."

“‘老兄，别胡说！’上尉拍着他的肩说，‘比这更糟糕的情况我也有

过呢，可是……’我只能听到这些，可这已经够让我动脑筋的了。”

"A couple of days later Major Sholto was strolling on the
beach: so I took the chance of speaking to him.