纸盒奇案：第一部分

我是休·博内威利，欢迎收听《福尔摩斯探案》短篇故事系列，我们将深入探究这位小说中最杰出侦探的档案，跟随他敏锐的思维和精准的直觉，从最初微妙的线索直至最终戏剧性的真相揭晓。本期为您呈现《纸盒奇案》，故事始于一位孤独的老处女收到令她毛骨悚然的诡异包裹——一个装着两枚新鲜人耳的普通纸盒。起初看似残忍恶作剧的事件，很快显露出更为险恶的阴谋，将我们的英雄从克罗伊登宁静的街道引向利物浦的航运航线。随着福尔摩斯抽丝剥茧，骇人证据将被检视，家族秘密终将曝光，串联起一个关于嫉妒、背叛，尤其是复仇的故事。由Neuser播客网络制作，现在请收听《纸盒奇案》第一集。

I'm Hugh Bonneville, and welcome to Sherlock Holmes short stories, the series where we delve into the files of fiction's most brilliant detective, following his keen mind and unerring instincts from the first subtle clue to the final dramatic revelation. This time, we present the adventure of the cardboard box, a case that begins when a lonely spinster receives a mysterious package that chills her to the bone, a simple cardboard box containing two freshly severed human ears. What appears at first to be a cruel prank soon reveals something far more sinister, leading our heroes from the quiet streets of Croydon to the shipping routes of Liverpool. Grizzly evidence will be examined and family secrets exposed as Holmes pieces together a tale of jealousy, betrayal, and above all, vengeance. From the Neuser Podcast Network, this is the adventure of the cardboard box part one.

在挑选这些能体现我朋友福尔摩斯非凡心智的典型案例时，我尽可能选择那些轰动性最小却最能展现他才华的案件。然而可悲的是，我们完全无法将耸人听闻与犯罪行为割裂开来，记录者不得不面临两难抉择：要么舍弃对陈述至关重要的细节从而扭曲案情，要么接受命运而非选择提供的素材。在这简短序言之后，我将转述那串离奇却格外骇人的事件链。那是八月酷暑天，贝克街热得像烤炉，马路对面房屋黄砖墙反射的阳光刺得人眼睛生疼。

In choosing a few typical cases which illustrate the remarkable mental qualities of my friend, Sherlock Holmes, I have endeavored as far as possible to select those which presented the minimum of sensationalism while offering a fair field for his talents. It is, however, unfortunately impossible entirely to separate the sensational from the criminal, and a chronicler is left in the dilemma that he must either sacrifice details which are essential to his statement, and so give a false impression of the problem, or he must use matter which chance and not choice has provided him with. With this short preface, I shall turn to my notes of what proved to be a strange, though a peculiarly terrible chain of events. It was a blazing hot day in August. Baker Street was like an oven, and the glare of the sunlight upon the yellow brickwork of the house across the road was painful to the eye.

很难相信这些就是冬日雾霭中阴森森矗立的同一堵墙。百叶窗半垂着，福尔摩斯蜷在沙发上反复阅读早班邮差送来的信件。我在印度服役的经历使我耐热胜过耐寒，华氏90度对我算不得煎熬。但晨报实在乏味——议会已休会，伦敦人都去乡间避暑了，我向往着新森林的林间空地或是南海的鹅卵石滩。

It was hard to believe that these were the same walls which loomed so gloomily through the fogs of winter. Our blinds were half drawn, and Holmes lay curled upon the sofa, reading and rereading a letter which he had received by the morning post. For myself, my term of service in India had trained me to stand heat better than cold, and a thermometer at 90 was no hardship. But the morning paper was uninteresting. Parliament had risen, everybody was out of town, and I yearned for the glades of the New Forest or the shingle of South Sea.

见底的银行存款迫使我推迟假期，而我的同伴对乡村或海滨都毫无兴趣。他宁愿躺在五百万人口的城市中心，让感知神经如蛛网般延伸，捕捉每则关于未破案件的流言疑窦。在他诸多天赋中唯独缺少对自然的欣赏，唯一的消遣就是把注意力从城市罪犯转向乡间恶徒。发现福尔摩斯全神贯注无暇交谈后，我丢开空洞的报纸，靠进椅背陷入沉思。突然，同伴的声音打断了我的思绪。

A depleted bank account had caused me to postpone my holiday, And as to my companion, neither the country nor the sea presented the slightest attraction to him. He loved to lie in the very center of five millions of people, with his filaments stretching out and running through them, responsive to every little rumor or suspicion of unsolved crime. Appreciation of nature found no place among his many gifts, and his only change was when he turned his mind from the evildoer of the town to track down his brother of the country. Finding that Holmes was too absorbed for conversation, I had tossed aside the barren paper, and leaning back in my chair, I fell into a brown study. Suddenly, my companion's voice broke in upon my thoughts.

'你说得对，华生，'他说道，'这确实像是最荒谬的解决争端方式。''荒谬至极！'我失声喊道。随即突然意识到他竟道出了我内心最深处的想法，我猛地从椅子上直起身，目瞪口呆地瞪着他：'这是怎么回事，福尔摩斯？'

You are right, Watson, said he. It does seem a most preposterous way of settling a dispute. Most preposterous, I exclaimed. And then suddenly realizing how he had echoed the inmost thought of my soul, I sat up in my chair and stared at him in blank amazement. What is this, Holmes?

我喊道：'这完全超乎我的想象！'我的困惑让他开怀大笑。'记得吗，'他说，'不久前我给你念过爱伦·坡小说里那段——当推理者能追踪同伴未说出口的思绪时，你认为这只是作者的文学技巧。当我表示自己经常做同样的事时，你还表示怀疑。'

I cried. This is beyond anything which I could have imagined. He laughed heartily at my perplexity. You remember, said he, that some little time ago when I read you the passage in one of Poe's sketches in which a close reasoner follows the unspoken thoughts of his companion, you were inclined to treat the matter as a mere tour de force of the author. On my remarking that I was constantly in the habit of doing the same thing, you expressed incredulity.

'噢不，也许不是用你的舌头，亲爱的华生，但肯定是用你的眉毛。所以当我看见你扔下报纸陷入沉思时，很高兴有机会解读你的想法并最终打断它，以此证明我们之间的精神共鸣。'但我仍不满意：'在你读给我的例子里，'我说，'那位推理者是根据观察对象的行动得出结论的。'

Oh, no. Perhaps not with your tongue, my dear Watson, but certainly with your eyebrows. So when I saw you throw down your paper and enter upon a train of thought, I was very happy to have the opportunity of reading it off and eventually of breaking into it as a proof that I had been in rapport with you. But I was still far from satisfied. In the example which you read to me, said I, the reasoner drew his conclusions from the actions of the man whom he observed.

如果我没记错，他曾被一堆石头绊倒，抬头仰望星空，诸如此类。但我一直安静地坐在椅子上，能给你什么线索呢？你这是在低估自己。面容是表达情感的工具，而你的面容忠实地履行着这一职责。你是说你能通过我的面容、你的面容，尤其是你的眼睛，读懂我的思绪吗？

If I remember right, he stumbled over a heap of stones, looked up at the stars, and so on. But I have been seated quietly in my chair, and what clues can I have given you? You do yourself an injustice. The features are given to man as the means by which he shall express his emotions, and yours are faithful servants. Do you mean to say that you read my train of thoughts from my features, your features, and especially your eyes.

或许你自己也想不起是如何开始出神的。不，我想不起。那么我来告诉你。你扔下报纸的动作引起了我的注意，之后你呆坐了半分钟，神情恍惚。

Perhaps you cannot yourself recall how your reverie commenced. No. I cannot. Then I will tell you. After throwing down your paper, which was the action which drew my attention to you, you sat for half a minute with a vacant expression.

接着你的目光停留在新装裱的戈登将军画像上，我从你表情的变化看出你开始了某种思考。但这思绪并未持续太久。你的目光又扫向书堆顶上未装裱的亨利·沃德·比彻肖像。然后你抬眼望向墙壁，意图很明显——你在想如果把这幅肖像也装裱起来，就能填补那块空白，与戈登的画像相呼应。

Then your eyes fixed themselves upon your newly framed picture of general Gordon, and I saw by the alteration in your face that a train of thought had been started. But it did not lead very far. Your eyes flashed across to the unframed portrait of Henry Ward Beecher, which stands upon the top of your books. Then you glanced up at the wall, and, of course, your meaning was obvious. You were thinking that if the portrait were framed, it would just cover that bare space and correspond with Gordon's picture there.

你简直把我的心思摸透了，我惊叹道。到目前为止，我确实不可能偏离。但现在你的思绪又回到比彻身上，你紧紧盯着画像，仿佛在研究他的性格特征。随后你不再眯眼，但仍凝视着画像，神情若有所思——你正在回忆比彻生平的事迹。

You have followed me wonderfully, I exclaimed. So far, I could hardly have gone astray. But now your thoughts went back to Beecher, and you looked hard across as if you were studying the character in his features. Then your eyes ceased to pucker, but you continued to look across, and your face was thoughtful. You were recalling the incidents of Beach's career.

我很清楚你想到这些时，不可能不联想到南北战争期间他代表北方承担的使命。因为我记得你曾对那些暴民对待他的方式表达过强烈愤慨。你对此事感触如此之深，我知道你想到比彻就必定会联想到那件事。片刻后当我发现你的目光从画像移开时，就猜到你的思绪已转到南北战争上了。而当我看到你双唇紧闭、眼睛发亮、拳头紧握时，便确信你正在回想那场惨烈斗争中双方展现的英勇精神。

I was well aware that you could not do this without thinking of the mission which he undertook on behalf of the North at the time of the civil war. For I remember your expressing your passionate indignation at the way in which he was received by the more turbulent of our people. You felt so strongly about it that I knew you could not think of Beecher without thinking of that also. When a moment later I saw your eyes wander away from the picture, I suspected that your mind had now turned to the civil war. And when I observed that your lips set, your eyes sparkled, your hands clenched, I was positive that you were indeed thinking of the gallantry which was shown by both sides in that desperate struggle.

但随后你的脸色又阴沉下来。你摇着头，沉浸在悲伤、恐惧与无谓的生命损耗中。你的手无意识地抚向自己的旧伤，嘴角掠过一丝苦笑——这让我明白你已经意识到用这种方式解决国际争端的荒谬性。至此我完全赞同你的看法，并欣慰地发现所有推理都准确无误。

But then again, your face grew sadder. You shook your head. You were dwelling upon the sadness and horror and useless waste of life. Your hand stole towards your own old wound, and a smile quivered on your lips, which showed me that the ridiculous side of this method of settling international questions had forced itself upon your mind. At this point, I agreed with you that it was preposterous and was glad to find that all my deductions had been correct.

完全正确，我说。经你这么一解释，我承认自己仍像先前一样震惊。亲爱的华生，这其实很肤浅，我向你保证。若不是你前几天表现出怀疑态度，我本不想拿这些来打扰你。不过现在我手头有个小问题，可能比我刚才这种读心术的小把戏更难解决。

Absolutely, said I. And now that you've explained it, I confess that I am as amazed as before. It was very superficial, my dear Watson, I assure you. I should not have intruded it upon your attention had you not shown some incredulity the other day. But I have in my hands here a little problem which may prove to be more difficult of solution than my small essay in thought reading.

你注意到报纸上那则关于寄给克罗伊登十字街库欣小姐的包裹里装着惊人内容的短讯了吗？没有，我什么都没看到。啊，那你一定是漏看了。把报纸扔给我吧。

Have you observed in the paper a short paragraph referring to the remarkable contents of a packet sent through the post to miss Cushing of Cross Street Croydon? No. I saw nothing. Ah, then you must have overlooked it. Just toss it over to me.

就在财经专栏下面。或许你能好心读出来。我捡起他扔回来的报纸，读出了指定的段落。标题是'骇人听闻的包裹'。居住在克罗伊登十字街的苏珊·库欣小姐，成为了一个特别令人作呕的恶作剧的受害者，除非这件事背后还有更险恶的意图。

Here it is under the financial column. Perhaps you would be good enough to read it aloud. I picked up the paper which he had thrown back to me and read the paragraph indicated. It was headed a gruesome packet. Miss Susan Cushing, living at Cross Street, Croydon, has been made the victim of what must be regarded as a peculiarly revolting practical joke, unless some more sinister meaning should prove to be attached to the incident.

昨天下午两点，邮差递送了一个用棕色纸包裹的小包裹。里面是一个纸板盒，装满了粗盐。清空后，库欣小姐惊恐地发现了两只人耳，显然是刚被割下不久。这个盒子是前一天早上从贝尔法斯特通过包裹邮寄的。没有关于寄件人的线索，而这件事更加扑朔迷离，因为50岁的未婚女士库欣小姐过着几乎与世隔绝的生活，几乎从不与人往来或通信，收到邮件对她来说实属罕见。

At 02:00 yesterday afternoon, a small packet wrapped in brown paper was handed in by the postman. A cardboard box was inside, which was filled with coarse salt. On emptying this, miss Cushing was horrified to find two human ears, apparently quite freshly severed. The box had been sent by parcel post from Belfast upon the morning before. There is no indication as to the sender, and the matter is the more mysterious as miss Cushing, who is a maiden lady of 50, has led a most retired life and has so few acquaintances or correspondents that it is a rare event for her to receive anything through the post.

不过几年前，当她住在彭奇时，曾把房子里的公寓租给三位年轻的医学生，后来因为他们的吵闹和不规律生活习惯不得不将他们赶走。警方认为，这起暴行可能是这些对她怀恨在心的年轻人所为，他们想通过寄送解剖室的这些残骸来吓唬她。这一推测有一定可能性，因为其中一名学生来自北爱尔兰，据库欣小姐所知，很可能来自贝尔法斯特。与此同时，此案正在积极调查中，由我们最精明的侦探警官莱斯特雷德负责。'这就是每日纪事的报道，'我读完时福尔摩斯说道。

Some years ago, however, when she resided at Penge, she let apartments in her house to three young medical students whom she was obliged to get rid of on account of their noisy and irregular habits. The police are of opinion that this outrage may have been perpetrated upon miss Cushing by these youths who owed her a grudge and who hoped to frighten her by sending her these relics of the dissecting rooms. Some probability is lent to the theory by the fact that one of these students came from the North Of Ireland and to the best of miss Cushing's belief from Belfast. In the meantime, the matter is being actively investigated, mister Lestrade, one of the very smartest of our detective officers, being in charge of the case. So much for the daily chronicle, said Holmes as I finished reading.

现在说说我们的朋友莱斯特雷德。今早我收到他的便条，上面写着：'我认为此案非常符合你的专长。我们有望查清此事，但苦于缺乏线索。当然，我们已经致电贝尔法斯特邮局，但当天寄出的包裹数量庞大，他们无法辨认这个特定的包裹或记住寄件人。盒子是半磅装的蜜露烟草盒，对我们毫无帮助。'

Now for our friend Lestrade. I had a note from him this morning in which he says, I think that this case is very much in your line. We have every hope of clearing the matter up, but we find a little difficulty in getting anything to work upon. We have, of course, wired to the Belfast post office, but a large number of parcels were handed in upon that day, and they have no means of identifying this particular one or of remembering the sender. The box is a half pound box of honeydew tobacco and does not help us in any way.

医学生理论在我看来仍然是最可行的。但如果你能抽出几小时，我很高兴在这里见到你。我会整天要么在房子里，要么在警察局。你觉得呢，华生？你能不顾酷暑，和我一起去克罗伊登碰碰运气，为你的年鉴增添一个案例吗？

The medical student theory still appears to me to be the most feasible. But if you should have a few hours to spare, I should be very happy to see you out here. I shall be either at the house or in the police station all day. What say you, Watson? Can you rise superior to the heat and run down to Croydon with me on the off chance of a case for your annals?

我正渴望找点事做。那就这么定了。按铃叫他们拿靴子来，再吩咐叫辆马车。我换下睡袍、装好雪茄盒就回来。

I was longing for something to do. You shall have it then. Ring for our boots and tell them to order a cab. I'll be back in a moment when I have changed my dressing gown and filled my cigar case.

大家好，我是噪音网络的约翰·霍普金斯。我要插播一条激动人心的消息：热门播客《简史》系列推出了一本全新书籍——《古罗马简史》。

Hi, listeners. John Hopkins here from The Noiser Network. I'm interrupting this episode with some exciting news. From the hit podcast, Short History Of, comes a brand new book. It's called a short history of ancient Rome.

这本书将千年历史浓缩成一部惊心动魄的史诗，带您见证汉尼拔率象群翻越雪顶阿尔卑斯，跟随恺撒在卢比孔河畔徘徊抉择，聆听西塞罗在元老院的激昂演说，结识反抗罗马统治的芝诺比娅女王。无论您是播客老听众，还是想为身边历史爱好者挑选完美礼物（没错圣诞节快到了），都请抢先入手这本精彩新书。《古罗马简史》现已登陆各地书店，或访问www.neuser.com/books。

The book transforms one thousand years of history into a riveting and action packed account of the birth, rise, and ultimate fall of Rome. You'll follow Hannibal as he crosses the snow capped Alps with elephants in tow, shadow Julius Caesar as he ponders whether to cross the Rubicon River, watch on as Cicero delivers an impassioned speech to the senate, and meets queen Zenobia, who decided she was no longer going to obey Roman rule. Whether you're a longtime fan of the podcast or looking for the perfect gift for the history lover in your life, and yes, Christmas is just around the corner, be one of the first to get your hands on this exciting new book. A Short History of Ancient Rome available now in bookstores near you or head to www.neuser.com/books.

我们在火车上时下了一场雨，克罗伊登的暑气比城里缓和得多。福尔摩斯提前发了电报，所以瘦削精干的雷斯垂德一如既往像只雪貂般在车站等候。步行五分钟到达克罗斯街时，库欣小姐居住的这条长街两旁尽是整洁的双层砖房，白石台阶上系着围裙的妇人们三五成群地闲谈。走到半途，雷斯垂德停步轻叩一扇由小女仆应声开启的屋门。

A shower of rain fell while we were in the train, and the heat was far less oppressive in Croydon than in town. Holmes had sent on a wire so that Lestrade, as wiry, as dapper, and as ferret like as ever, was waiting for us at the station. A walk of five minutes took us to Cross Street, where Miss Cushing resided. It was a very long street of two story brick houses, neat and prim, with whitened stone steps and little groups of aproned women gossiping at the doors. Halfway down, Lestrade stopped and tapped at a door, which was opened by a small servant girl.

我们被引入前厅时，库欣小姐正端坐着。这位面容安详的女士有双温润的大眼睛，斑白鬓发卷曲垂落，膝上铺着绣花扶手巾，旁边矮凳搁着彩丝篮。'那些可怕的东西都在外屋，'雷斯垂德进门时她说，'希望你们能全部带走。''正有此意，库欣小姐。'

Miss Cushing was sitting in the front room, into which we were ushered. She was a placid faced woman with large gentle eyes and grizzled hair curving down over her temples on each side. A worked antimacassar lay upon her lap, and a basket of colored silks stood upon a stool beside her. They are in the outhouse, those dreadful things,' said she, as Lestrade entered. 'I wish that you would take them away altogether.' 'So I shall, miss Cushing.

我只是暂时保管，好让我的朋友福尔摩斯先生能在您面前查看这些东西。'为何要当着我的面？''以便他随时提问。''我都说了毫不知情，问我又有什么用？''确实如此，夫人。'福尔摩斯用安抚的语气说道。

I only kept them here until my friend, mister Holmes, should have seen them in your presence. Why in my presence, sir? In case he wished to ask any questions. What is the use of asking me questions when I tell you I know nothing whatever about it? Quite so, madam, said Holmes in his soothing way.

想必这件事已经给您带来太多困扰。'确实如此，先生。我是个深居简出的安静人，如今竟见报章登我姓名，警察登门入室。雷斯垂德先生，我绝不容许那些东西放在屋里。'

I have no doubt that you have been annoyed more than enough already over this business. Indeed, I have, sir. I am a quiet woman and live a retired life. It is something new for me to see my name in the papers and to find the police in my house. I won't have those things in here, mister Lestrade.

要看就去外屋看吧。'这座小屋位于狭长的后花园尽头。雷斯垂德取来个黄纸板盒，上面缠着棕纸和细绳。我们在小径尽头的长椅坐下，看福尔摩斯逐一检视证物。'这绳子极有意思。'他举起绳段对着光嗅了嗅说道。

If you wish to see them, you must go to the outhouse. It was a small shed in the narrow garden which ran behind the house. Lestrade went in and brought out a yellow cardboard box with a piece of brown paper and some string. There was a bench at the end of the path, and we all sat down while Holmes examined one by one the articles which Lestrade had handed to him. The string is exceedingly interesting, he remarked, holding it up to the light and sniffing at it.

雷斯垂德，你怎么看这根绳子？它被焦油浸过。没错。这是一根焦油浸过的细绳。你肯定也注意到了，卡欣小姐用剪刀剪断了这根绳子，从两侧的磨损处就能看出来。

What do you make of this string, Lestrade? It has been tarred. Precisely. It is a piece of tarred twine. You have also, no doubt, remarked that miss Cushing has cut the cord with a scissors, as can be seen by the double fray on each side.

这很重要。我看不出有什么重要的，雷斯垂德说。重要性在于这个结完好无损，而且这个结打得很特别。系得非常整齐。我已经注意到这个细节了，雷斯垂德自满地说。

This is of importance. I cannot see the importance, said Lestrade. The importance lies in the fact that the knot is left intact, and that this knot is of a peculiar character. It is very neatly tied. I had already made a note of that effect, said Lestrade complacently.

那么绳子的事就说到这里，福尔摩斯微笑着说。现在来看看包装盒。棕色纸张上有明显的咖啡味。什么？你没注意到吗？

So much for the string then, said Holmes, smiling. Now for the box wrapper. Brown paper with a distinct smell of coffee. What? Did you not observe it?

我认为这一点毋庸置疑。地址是用潦草字体写的：克罗伊登十字街的卡欣小姐，用的是粗头笔，可能是蘸水笔，墨水质量很差。克罗伊登这个词最初是用字母I拼写的，后来被改成了Y。包裹是由一个男人寄出的，字迹明显是男性的，受教育程度有限，且不熟悉克罗伊登这个镇子。到目前为止，一切顺利。

I think there can be no doubt of it. A dress printed in rather straggling characters, miss s Cushing, Cross Street, Croydon, done with a broad pointed pen, probably a j, and with very inferior ink. The word Croydon has been originally spelled with an I, which has been changed to y. The parcel was directed then by a man, the printing is distinctly masculine, of limited education and unacquainted with the town of Croydon. So far, so good.

盒子是一个黄色的半磅蜜露盒，除了左下角有两个拇指印外别无特征。里面装满了用于保存兽皮等粗糙商业用途的粗盐。盐里埋着这些非常奇怪的物件。他边说边取出那两只耳朵，将一块木板横放在膝盖上仔细检查，而我和雷斯垂德分别从他两侧俯身，交替注视着这些可怕的遗骸和我们同伴那沉思而热切的面容。最后，他把耳朵重新放回盒中，陷入了片刻的沉思。

The box is a yellow half pound honeydew box with nothing distinctive save two thumb marks at the left bottom corner. It is filled with rough salt of the quality used for preserving hides and other of the coarser commercial purposes. And embedded in it are these very singular enclosures. He took out the two ears as he spoke, and laying a board across his knee, he examined them minutely, while Lestrade and I, bending forward on each side of him, glanced alternately at these dreadful relics and at the thoughtful, eager face of our companion. Finally, he returned them to the box once more and sat for a while in deep meditation.

你当然注意到了，他最后说道，这两只耳朵不是一对。是的，我注意到了。但如果这是解剖室学生们的恶作剧，他们寄两只不配对的耳朵和寄一对耳朵一样容易。正是如此。但这并非恶作剧。

You have observed, of course, said he at last, that the ears are not a pair. Yes, I have noticed that. But if this were the practical joke of some students from the dissecting rooms, it would be as easy for them to send two odd ears as a pear. Precisely. But this is not a practical joke.

你确定吗？证据充分表明不是。解剖室的尸体会注入防腐液。这些耳朵上没有这种痕迹。而且它们很新鲜。

You are sure of it? The presumption is strongly against it. Bodies in the dissecting rooms are injected with preservative fluid. These ears bear no signs of this. They are fresh too.

它们是被钝器割下的，若是学生所为，几乎不可能如此。再者，从医学角度考虑，防腐措施本该选用石碳酸或精馏酒精，绝非粗盐。我重申这绝非恶作剧，我们正在调查一起严重罪行。听着同伴的话语，看着他面容凝固的严峻神色，一阵莫名的战栗传遍我全身。这残忍的序幕似乎预示着背后某种诡异难解的恐怖。

They have been cut off with a blunt instrument, which would hardly happen if a student had done it. Again, carbolic or rectified spirits would be the preservatives which would suggest themselves to the medical mind, certainly not rough salt. I repeat that there is no practical joke here, but that we are investigating a serious crime. A vague thrill ran through me as I listened to my companion's words, and saw the stern gravity which had hardened his features. This brutal preliminary seemed to shadow forth some strange and inexplicable horror in the background.

然而雷斯垂德却像个半信半疑之人般摇着头。'恶作剧的说法确有疑点，'他说，'但反对意见更站不住脚。我们知道这位女士二十年来在彭奇和此地过着极其安分守己的生活，期间几乎从未离家。究竟为何会有罪犯将自己的罪证寄给她？除非她是演技精湛的演员，否则她对此事的了解应该和我们一样少。'

Lestrade, however, shook his head like a man who is only half convinced. There are objections to the joke theory, no doubt, said he, but there are much stronger reasons against the other. We know that this woman has led a most quiet and respectable life at Penge and here for the last twenty years. She has hardly been away from her home for a day during that time. Why on earth then should any criminal send her the proofs of his guilt, especially as, unless she is a most consummate actress, she understands quite as little of the matter as we do?

‘这正是我们要破解的谜题，’福尔摩斯答道，‘而我打算从推定自己的推理正确开始——这里发生了双重谋杀。其中一只耳朵属于女性，小巧精致，有耳洞；另一只属于男性，晒得黝黑，颜色异常，同样有耳洞。这两人很可能已经死亡，否则我们早该听闻他们的遭遇了。’

That is the problem which we have to solve, Holmes answered. And for my part, I shall set about it by presuming that my reasoning is correct and that a double murder has been committed. One of these ears is a woman's small, finely formed, and pierced for an earring. The other is a man's, sunburned, discolored, and also pierced for an earring. These two people are presumably dead, or we should have heard their story before now.

‘今天是周五。包裹是周四上午寄出的。那么惨案发生在周三、周二或更早。如果两人遇害，除了凶手还有谁会将自己作案的信物寄给库欣小姐？我们可以认定包裹寄送者正是我们要找的人。’

Today is Friday. The packet was posted on Thursday morning. The tragedy then occurred on Wednesday or Tuesday or earlier. If the two people were murdered, who but their murderer would have sent this sign of his work to miss Cushing? We may take it that the sender of the packet is the man whom we want.

‘但他寄送包裹必有深意。究竟为何？或许是要告知她罪行已毕，或是令她痛苦。若是如此，她应当知道寄件人身份。她当真知道吗？’

But he must have some strong reason for sending miss Cushing this packet. What reason then? It must have been to tell her that the deed was done or to pain her, perhaps. But in that case, she knows who it is. Does she know?

‘我深表怀疑。若她知道，何必报警？本可将耳朵埋掉，神不知鬼不觉。若她想包庇罪犯，定会这么做。但若不想包庇，就该供出姓名。’

I doubt it. If she knew, why should she call the police in? She might have buried the ears, and no one would have been the wiser. That is what she would have done if she had wished to shield the criminal. But if she does not wish to shield him, she would give his name.

‘此中纠葛需得厘清。’他语速急促地说着，目光茫然地越过花园围栏。突然他敏捷地跳起身朝屋子走去。‘我有几个问题要问库欣小姐，’他说。‘既然如此，我先告辞，’雷斯垂德道，‘手头另有琐事要办。’

There is a tangle here which needs straightening out. He had been talking in a high, quick voice, staring blankly up over the garden fence. But now he sprang briskly to his feet and walked towards the house. I have a few questions to ask miss Cushing, said he. In that case, I may leave you here, said Lestrade, for I have another small business on hand.

我认为从库欣小姐那里已无更多可获知的信息。你可以在警察局找到我。我们会在去火车站的路上顺道看看，福尔摩斯回答道。片刻之后，他和我回到了前厅，那位面无表情的女士仍在安静地忙着她的马卡萨姨妈的事。我们进去时，她将东西放在膝上，用她那双坦率而探寻的蓝眼睛看着我们。

I think that I have nothing further to learn from miss Cushing. You will find me at the police station. We shall look in on our way to the train, answered Holmes. A moment later, he and I were back in the front room, where the impassive lady was still quietly working away at her auntie Macassa. She put it down on her lap as we entered and looked at us with her frank searching blue eyes.

我确信，先生，她说，这件事是个误会，那个包裹根本不是给我的。我已经向苏格兰场的先生说过好几次了，但他只是嘲笑我。据我所知，我在世上一个敌人也没有。那为什么会有人对我开这种玩笑呢？我也开始持相同看法了，库欣小姐，福尔摩斯说着在她旁边坐下。

I am convinced, sir, said she, that this matter is a mistake and that the parcel was never meant for me at all. I have said this several times to the gentleman from Scotland Yard, but he simply laughs at me. I have not an enemy in the world as far as I know. So why should anyone play me such a trick? I am coming to be of the same opinion, miss Cushing, said Holmes, taking a seat beside her.

我认为这极有可能。他停顿了一下，我环顾四周时惊讶地发现，他正异常专注地盯着女士的侧影。在他热切的脸上，一瞬间可以读出惊讶和满意。尽管当她转过头来想弄清他沉默的原因时，他又恢复了往常的镇定。我自己也仔细打量了她平直的灰白头发、整洁的帽子、小巧的金耳环和平静的面容，但看不出任何能解释我同伴明显兴奋的原因。

I think that it is more than probable. He paused, and I was surprised on glancing round to see that he was staring with singular intentness at the lady's profile. Surprise and satisfaction were both for an instant to be read upon his eager face. Though when she glanced round to find out the cause of his silence, he had become as demure as ever. I stared hard myself at her flat grizzled hair, her trim cap, her little gilt earrings, her placid features, but I could see nothing which could account for my companion's evident excitement.

还有一两个问题。哦，我厌倦了这些问题，库欣小姐不耐烦地喊道。你有两个姐妹，我相信。你怎么知道的？我一进房间就注意到壁炉架上有一张三位女士的合影，其中一位无疑是你本人，而其他两位与你如此相像，毫无疑问是亲属关系。

There were one or two questions. Oh, I am weary of questions, cried miss Cushing impatiently. You have two sisters, I believe. How could you know that? I observed the very instant that I entered the room that you have a portrait group of three ladies upon the mantelpiece, one of whom is undoubtedly yourself, while the others are so exceedingly like you that there could be no doubt of the relationship.

是的。你说得很对。那是我的姐妹，莎拉和玛丽。而在我手肘边还有一张在利物浦拍的照片，是你妹妹和一个穿着制服看起来像乘务员的男人的合影。我注意到她当时还未婚。

Yes. You are quite right. Those are my sisters, Sarah and Mary. And here at my elbow is another portrait taken at Liverpool of your younger sister in the company of a man who appears to be a steward by his uniform. I observed that she was unmarried at the time.

你观察得非常快。这是我的职业。嗯，你说得完全正确，但几天后她就嫁给了布朗纳先生。拍这张照片时他在南美航线工作，但他太爱她了，无法忍受长时间分离，于是转到了利物浦和伦敦的船上工作。啊，是征服者号吗？

You are very quick at observing. That is my trade. Well, you are quite right, but she was married to mister Browner a few days afterwards. He was on the South American line when that was taken, but he was so fond of her that he couldn't abide to leave her for so long, and he got into the Liverpool and London boats. Ah, the Conqueror, perhaps?

不，是五一节号。我最后一次听说时，吉姆曾来看过我一次。那是在他违背誓言之前。但后来，只要一上岸他就会喝酒，而一点点酒就会让他完全疯掉。

No. The May Day. When last I heard, Jim came down here to see me once. That was before he broke the pledge. But afterwards, he would always take drink when he was ashore, and a little drink would send him stark, staring mad.

唉，自从他又端起酒杯那天起就没好事。先是冷落我，接着又和莎拉吵架。现在玛丽也不来信了，我们完全不知道他们的情况。显然库欣小姐触及了一个让她深感痛苦的话题。和大多数孤独生活的人一样，她起初很腼腆，后来却变得极其健谈。

Oh, it was a bad day that ever he took a glass in his hand again. First, he dropped me, then he quarrelled with Sarah. And now that Mary has stopped writing, we don't know how things are going with them. It was evident that miss Cushing had come upon a subject on which she felt very deeply. Like most people who led a lonely life, she was shy at first, but ended by becoming extremely communicative.

她详细讲述了关于她妹夫——那位管家的种种，接着话题又转到以前的房客——那些医学院学生身上，花了很长时间列举他们的劣迹，连名字和所属医院都一一报出。福尔摩斯全程专注聆听，不时插问几句。'说到你二妹莎拉，'他问道，'既然你们都是未婚女士，为何不一起住呢？''唉，您是不了解莎拉的脾气，否则就不会这么问了。'

She told us many details about her brother-in-law, the steward, and then wandering off on the subject of her former lodgers, the medical students, she gave us a long account of their delinquencies with their names and those of their hospitals. Holmes listened attentively to everything, throwing in a question from time to time. About your second sister, Sarah, said he. I wonder, since you are both maiden ladies, that you do not keep house together. Oh, you don't know Sarah's temper, or you would wonder no more.

我刚到克罗伊登时试过同住，两个月前才不得不分开。我不想说亲妹妹的不是，但莎拉确实总爱多管闲事又难伺候。您说她跟利物浦的亲戚吵过架？是啊，他们曾经好得跟一个人似的。

I tried it when I came to Croydon, and we kept on until about two months ago when we had to part. I don't want to say a word against my own sister, but she was always meddlesome and hard to please, was Sarah? You say that she quarrelled with your Liverpool relations? Yes. And they were the best of friends at one time.

她当初搬去利物浦就是为了离亲戚近些，现在却把吉姆·布朗纳骂得狗血淋头。最后半年住这儿时，开口闭口都是他酗酒堕落的事。我猜准是他发现她多管闲事，狠狠训了她一顿，这才结下梁子。'谢谢您，库欣小姐，'福尔摩斯起身致意，'您刚才说莎拉妹妹住在沃灵顿新城街？'

Why, she went up there to live in order to be near them, and now she has no word hard enough for Jim Browner. The last six months that she was here, she would speak of nothing but his drinking and his ways. He had caught her meddling, I suspect, and given her a bit of his mind, and that was the start of it. Thank you, miss Cushing, said Holmes, rising and bowing. Your sister Sarah lives, I think you said, at New Street, Wallington.

再见。很抱歉让您为这桩——照您所说——与您毫不相干的案子烦心。我们出门时正巧有辆马车经过，福尔摩斯招手拦下：'去沃灵顿有多远？'

Goodbye. And I am very sorry that you should have been troubled over a case with which, as you say, you have nothing whatever to do. There was a cab passing as we came out, and Holmes hailed it. How far to Wallington? He asked.

大概一英里吧，先生。很好。快上车，华生！必须趁热打铁。案子虽简单，却有一两个发人深省的细节。

Only about a mile, sir. Very good. Jump in, Watson. We must strike while the iron is hot. Simple as the case is, there have been one or two very instructive details in connection with it.

路过电报局时停一下，车夫。福尔摩斯发了封简短电报，余下的路程都仰靠在车厢里，帽子压到鼻梁挡阳光。马车停在一栋与我们刚离开处颇为相似的住宅前。我的同伴让车夫等候，正要叩门时，一位身着黑衣、头戴锃亮礼帽的严肃青年打开了门。'库欣小姐在家吗？'

Just pull up at a telegraph office as you pass, Cabbie. Holmes sent off a short wire, and for the rest of the drive, lay back in the cab with his hat tilted over his nose to keep the sun from his face. Our drive pulled up at a house which was not unlike the one which we had just quitted. My companion ordered him to wait, and had his hand upon the knocker when the door opened, and a grave young gentleman in black, with a very shiny hat appeared on the step. Is miss Cushing at home?

福尔摩斯问道。萨拉·库欣小姐病得很重，他说。从昨天起她就出现了非常严重的脑部症状。作为她的医生，我绝不能冒险让任何人见她。我建议你十天后再来。

Asked Holmes. Miss Sarah Cushing is extremely ill, said he. She has been suffering since yesterday from brain symptoms of great severity. As her medical adviser, I cannot possibly take the responsibility of allowing anyone to see her. I should recommend you to call again in ten days.

他戴上手套，关上门，大步走上街道。'好吧，如果不行就算了，'福尔摩斯愉快地说。'也许她不能或不愿告诉你太多。我并不指望她向我透露什么，只是想看看她。'

He drew on his gloves, closed the door, and marched off down the street. Well, if we can't, we can't, said Holmes cheerfully. Perhaps she could not or would not have told you much. I did not wish her to tell me anything. I only wanted to look at her.

不过我想我已经得到了想要的一切。'车夫，带我们去家像样的旅馆，'他说，'我们吃个午饭，之后再去警局找莱斯特雷德朋友。'我们愉快地共进午餐，期间福尔摩斯只谈论小提琴，兴奋地讲述他如何在托特纳姆法院路一家旧货店以55先令买到了价值至少500几尼的斯特拉迪瓦里琴。这话题又引出了帕格尼尼，我们边喝红葡萄酒边坐了一个小时，他滔滔不绝地讲述那位传奇人物的轶事。等我们到达警局时，炽热的阳光已化作柔和的暮色。

However, I think that I have got all that I want. Drive us to some decent hotel cabbie, where we may have some lunch, and afterwards, we shall drop down upon friend Lestrade at the police station. We had a pleasant little meal together during which Holmes would talk about nothing but violins, narrating with great exaltation how he had purchased his own Stradivarius, which was worth at least 500 guineas, at a broker's in Tottenham Court Road for 55 shillings. This led him to Paganini, and we sat for an hour over a bottle of Claret while he told me anecdote after anecdote of that extraordinary man. The afternoon was far advanced, and the hot glare had softened into a mellow glow before we found ourselves at the police station.

莱斯特雷德在门口等候我们。'有您的电报，福尔摩斯先生，'他说。'啊，是回电。'他撕开电报扫了一眼，揉成一团塞进口袋。'没问题了，'他说道。

Lestrade was waiting for us at the door. A telegram for you, mister Holmes, said he. Ah, it is the answer. He tore it open, glanced his eyes over it, and crumpled it into his pocket. That's all right, said he.

'你查到什么了吗？''我全都查清楚了。''什么？'莱斯特雷德惊愕地盯着他，'你在开玩笑吧。'

Have you found out anything? I have found out everything. What? Lestrade stared at him in amazement. You are joking.

'我这辈子从没这么认真过。一桩骇人罪行已经发生，而我认为自己现已揭露了其中所有细节。''那罪犯呢？'福尔摩斯在名片背面草草写了几个字，扔给莱斯特雷德。'就是这个名字，'他说。

I was never more serious in my life. A shocking crime has been committed, and I think I have now laid bare every detail of it. And the criminal? Holmes scribbled a few words upon the back of one of his visiting cards and threw it over to Lestrade. That is the name, he said.

'最早也要明晚才能实施逮捕。我希望你完全不要提及我与本案的关联，因为我只参与那些侦破过程存在难度的案件。走吧，华生。'我们大步走向车站，留下莱斯特雷德仍满脸欣喜地盯着福尔摩斯扔给他的名片。'下期福尔摩斯短篇故事中，一个奇特绳结将引出一桩惊人真相。'

You cannot effect an arrest until tomorrow night at the earliest. I should prefer that you do not mention my name at all in connection with the case as I choose to be only associated with those crimes which present some difficulty in their solution. Come on, Watson. We strode off together to the station, leaving Lestrade still staring with a delighted face at the card which Holmes had thrown him. Next time on Sherlock Holmes short stories, a curiously tied knot leads to a revelation.

一名水手做出了黑暗的忏悔，利物浦码头区迷雾中浮现出断耳背后的真相。这将是纸板箱冒险故事惊心动魄的最终回，敬请期待下周精彩内容。等不及下周播出？立即订阅Neuser Plus即可抢先收听。更多详情请访问www.neuser.com/subscriptions，或点击节目描述中的链接。

A sailor gives a dark confession, and the truth behind the severed ears emerges from the fog of Liverpool's Docklands. That's next time on the thrilling conclusion of the adventure of the cardboard box. Can't wait a week until the next episode? Well, listen to it right away by subscribing to Neuser Plus. Head to www.neuser.com/subscriptions for more information, or click the link in the episode description.