It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the beautiful Stroud Valley,
当我们经过风景秀丽的斯特劳德溪谷时已经差不多4点钟了，
and over the broad gleaming Severn, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross.
在越过了河面很宽、闪闪发光的塞文河之后，终于到达罗斯这个风景宜人的小乡镇。
A lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for us upon the platform.
一个细长个子、貌似侦探、诡秘狡诈的男人正在站台上等候我们。
In spite of the light brown dustcoat and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic surroundings,
尽管他遵照周围农村的习惯穿了浅棕色的风衣和打了皮裹腿，
I had no difficulty in recognizing Lestrade, of Scotland Yard.
我还是一眼就认出他是苏格兰场的雷斯垂德。
With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a room had already been engaged for us.
我们和他一道乘车到赫里福德阿姆斯旅馆，在那里已经为我们预约了房间。
"I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of tea.
当我们坐下来喝茶的时候，雷斯垂德说："我已经雇了一辆马车。
"I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be happy until you had been on the scene of the crime."
我知道你的刚毅的个性，你是恨不得马上就到作案的现场去的。"
"It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It is entirely a question of barometric pressure."
福尔摩斯回答说："你实在太客气了。去不去全取决于晴雨表多少度。"
Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said.
雷斯垂德听了这话为之愕然。他说："我没有听懂你这话是什么意思。"
"How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud in the sky.
"水银柱上是多少度？我看是二十九度。没有风，天上无云。
I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country hotel abomination.
我这里有整整一盒等着要抽的香烟，而这里的沙发又比一般农村旅馆讨厌的陈设要好得多。
I do not think that it is probable that I shall use the carriage to-night."
我想今晚我大概不用马车了吧。"
Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed your conclusions from the newspapers," he said.
雷斯垂德放声大笑起来。他说："你无疑已经根据报纸上的报道下了结论。
"The case is as plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer it becomes.
这个案子的案情是一清二楚的，你愈是深入了解就愈是清楚。
Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a very positive one, too.
当然，我们也确实是不好拒绝这样一位名副其实的女士的要求。
She had heard of you, and would have your opinion,
她听说过你的大名，她要征询你的意见，
though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing which you could do which I had not already done.
虽然我一再对她说，凡是我都办不到的事，你也是办不到的。
Why, bless my soul! here is her carriage at the door."
啊，我的天呀！她的马车已经到了门前。"
