THE TOKATLIAN HOTEL 旅馆 （中）

I meant what did you think of their personalities?” “The young man seemed quite agreeable.” “And the other?” “To tell you the truth, my friend, I did not care for him.

我的意思是你觉得他们的性格怎么样?” “那个年轻人似乎很随和。” “另一只呢?” “说实话，我的朋友，我并不喜欢他。

He produced on me an unpleasant impression.

他给我留下了不愉快的印象。

And you?” Hercule Poirot was a moment in replying.

你呢?” 赫尔克里·波洛迟疑了一会儿才回答。

“When he passed me in the restaurant,” he said at last, “I had a curious impression.

“当他在餐馆里从我身边走过时，”他终于说，“我有一种奇怪的印象。

It was as though a wild animal—an animal savage, but savage! you understand—had passed me by.” “And yet he looked altogether of the most respectable.”

“Précisément! The body—the cage—is everything of the most respectable—but through the bars, the wild animal looks out.”

“You are fanciful, mon vieux,” said M.Bouc.

它就像一头野兽——一头野蛮的野兽，不过是野蛮的!你要明白——他从我身边走过了。” “可是他看上去完全是个可敬的人。” “尸体——笼子——是最值得尊敬的东西——但是野兽透过栅栏向外张望。” “你真爱幻想，”

“It may be so.

“也许是这样。

But I could not rid myself of the impression that evil had passed me by very close.”

“That respectable American gentleman?”“That respectable American gentleman.”

“Well,” said M.Bouc.

但我无法摆脱这样一种印象:邪恶从我身边擦身而过。” “那位可敬的美国绅士?” “那位可敬的美国绅士。” “嗯，”鲍克.说。

Bouc cheerfully, “it may be so.

她高兴地说:“也许是这样。

There is much evil in the world.” At that moment the door opened and the concierge came towards them.

世界上有很多邪恶。” 正在这时，门开了，门房朝他们走来。

He looked concerned and apologetic.

他看上去很担心，很抱歉。

“It is extraordinary, Monsieur,” he said to Poirot.

“这太不寻常了，先生。”他对波洛说。

“There is not one first-class sleeping berth to be had on the train.” “Comment?” cried M.Bouc.

火车上没有头等卧铺了。” “评论?鲍克叫道。

“At this time of year?

“在每年的这个时候?”

Ah, without doubt there is some party of journalists—of politicians—?”

“I don’t know, sir,” said the concierge, turning to him respectfully.

啊，毫无疑问，有一些记者——或者政客——?” “我不知道，先生，”看门人恭敬地转向他说。

“But that’s how it is.”

“Well, well.” M.Bouc turned to Poirot.

“但事情就是这样。” “嗯,好。鲍克转向波洛。

“Have no fear, my friend.

“别害怕，我的朋友。

We will arrange something.

我们会安排的。

There is always one compartment, the No. 16, which is not engaged.

总是有一节车厢，即16号车厢，没有人坐。

The conductor sees to that!” He smiled, then glanced up at the clock.

列车长负责这件事”他笑了笑，然后抬头看了一眼钟。

“Come,” he said, “it is time we started.”

At the station M.Bouc was greeted with respectful empressement by the brown-uniformed Wagon Lit conductor.

“来吧，”他说，“我们该出发了。” 在车站; 身穿棕色制服的马车售票员恭恭敬敬地迎接了他。

“Good evening, Monsieur.

“晚上好，先生。

Your compartment is the No. 1.”He called to the porters and they wheeled their load halfway along the carriage on which the tin plates proclaimed its destination: ISTANBUL TRIESTE CALAIS “You are full up to-night, I hear?” “It is incredible, Monsieur.

您的包厢是1号。” 他向搬运工喊了一声，他们把货物推到马车的一半，马车上的锡板上写着目的地: 伊斯坦布尔的里雅斯特加来 “我听说你今晚很忙吧?” “难以置信，先生。

All the world elects to travel to-night!” “All the same you must find room for this gentleman here.

全世界的人都选择今晚去旅行!” “尽管如此，你还是得在这儿给这位先生留个地方。

He is a friend of mine.

他是我的一个朋友。

He can have the No. 16.”“It is taken, Monsieur.”“What?

他可以坐16号。” “有人住了，先生。” “什么?

The No. 16?” A glance of understanding passed between them, and the conductor smiled.

16号车?”

他们相互交换了理解的目光，列车长笑了。

He was a tall sallow man of middle age.

他是一个身材高大，脸色蜡黄的中年人。

“But yes, Monsieur.

“是的，先生。

As I told you, we are full—full—everywhere.”

“But what passes itself?” demanded M.Bouc angrily.

正如我告诉过你的，我们到处都塞满了。” “可是发生了什么事呢?鲍克问道。鲍克愤怒。

“There is a conference somewhere?

“什么地方有个会议?”

It is a party?” “No, Monsieur.

这是聚会吗?” “不,先生。

It is only chance.

这只是偶然。

It just happens that many people have elected to travel to-night.”

碰巧有许多人选择今晚去旅行。”

M.Bouc made a clicking sound of annoyance

Bouc鲍克发出一种不耐烦的咔哒声。

“At Belgrade,” he said, “there will be the slip coach from Athens.

“在贝尔格莱德，”他说，“会有从雅典来的滑梯。

There will also be the Bucharest-Paris coach.

也会有布加勒斯特到巴黎的班车。

But we do not reach Belgrade until to-morrow evening.

但是我们要到明天晚上才能到达贝尔格莱德。

The problem is for to-night.

问题是今晚的。

There is no second-class berth free?” “There is a second-class berth, Monsieur—”

“Well, then—”“But it is a lady’s berth.

二等舱位没有空的了吗?” “有二等卧铺，先生——” “那么——” “但这是女士卧铺。

there is already a German woman in the compartment—a lady’s maid.”

“Là- là, that is awkward,” said M.Bouc.

车厢里已经有一个德国女人了——一个侍女。” “这太尴尬了。”

“Do not distress yourself, my friend,” said Poirot.

“别为难自己了，我的朋友，”波洛说。

“I must travel in an ordinary carriage.” “Not at all.

“我必须坐一辆普通的马车。” “一点也不。

Not at all.” He turned once more to the conductor.

一点也不。”他再次转向列车长。

“Everyone has arrived?” “It is true,” said the man, “that there is one passenger who has not yet arrived.” He spoke slowly, with hesitation

“大家都到了吗?” “是真的，”那人说，“有一位旅客还没有到。”他说得很慢，有些犹豫。

“But speak then!” “No. 7 berth—a second-class.

“那就说吧!” “没有。二等铺位。

The gentleman has not yet come, and it is four minutes to nine.” “Who is it?”

“An Englishman,” the conductor consulted his list.

那位先生还没有来，现在是差四分九点。” “是谁?” “一个英国人，”售票员看了看他的名单。

“Harris.” “A name of good omen,” said M.Poirot.

哈里斯。” “一个好兆头的名字，”波洛说。

“I read my Dickens.

“我读狄更斯的书。

M.Harris he will not arrive.”

“Put Monsieur’s luggage in No. 7,” said M.Bouc.

哈里斯，他不会来的。” “把先生的行李放在七号。”

“If this M.Bouc

“如果鲍克。

Harris arrives we will tell him that he is too late—that berths cannot be retained so long—we will arrange the matter one way or another.

一到，我们就告诉他，他来得太晚了，铺位订不了那么久，我们无论如何都要安排这件事。

What do I care for a M.Harris

我和哈里斯有什么关系。