2 A Tense Meeting

Chapter 2 A Tense Meeting "This morning," continued Sherlock Holmes, "the last steps were taken to close the net. I was sitting in my room thinking it all over when the door opened. I looked up to see Professor Moriarty himself standing before me. "My nerves are pretty strong, Watson, but I admit I jumped when I saw the man I regarded as my mortal enemy standing there in my doorway. He's a striking fellow to look at—very tall and thin, with a large, domed forehead and deeply sunken eyes. Realizing the extreme danger I was in, I hurriedly slipped a revolver from a desk drawer into my pocket and pointed it at him through the cloth.

“今天早晨，”歇洛克·福尔摩斯继续说，“收网的最后步骤已经采取了。 我正坐在房间里考虑这一切，这时门开了。 我抬起头来，看见莫里亚蒂教授本人站在我面前。 “我的神经很紧张，华生，但我承认，当我看到这个我认为是死敌的人站在我的门口时，我吓了一跳。 他长得很引人注目——又高又瘦，前额大而圆，眼睛深陷。 意识到自己身处极度危险之中，我赶紧从抽屉里掏出一把左轮手枪放进口袋，隔着布指着他。

"'It is a dangerous habit,' he said, 'to hold a loaded firearm in the pocket of your dressing gown.' "I took out the gun and laid it on the table. He smiled, but there was something about his eyes that made me glad the gun was still within reach. "'Clearly you don't know me,' he said. "'On the contrary,' I replied. 'My reaching for a gun is proof that I do. Please, sit down. I can spare you five minutes if you have anything to say.'

“‘这是一个危险的习惯，’他说，‘把一支上了膛的枪放在晨衣的口袋里。’”我拿出枪，放在桌上。 他笑了，但他的眼睛里有某种东西让我庆幸枪还在伸手可及的范围内。 “‘显然你不认识我，’他说。 “‘正相反，’我回答说。 “我伸手去拿枪就是证明。 请坐。如果你有什么要说的，我可以给你五分钟时间。”

"'You know what I'm going to say,' said Moriarty. "'And I'm sure you know my answer,' I replied. "'You're really going to do this?' "'Absolutely.' "He reached into his pocket and I raised the pistol from the table—but all he took out was a notebook. Scanning the pages, he read: 'On January 23, you interfered with my plans at a bank; in the middle of February, a break-in at an art gallery was disrupted by you; at the end of March, you foiled an important assassination. Wherever I turn, there you are, Mr. Holmes. And now, in late April, I find myself so hemmed in by you that I am in serious danger of losing my liberty. The situation is becoming impossible.'

“‘你知道我要说什么，’莫里亚蒂说。 “‘我相信你知道我的答案，’我回答。 “‘你真的要这么做吗？”“绝对。’”他把手伸进口袋，我从桌上拿起手枪——但他只拿出了一本笔记本。 他浏览了几页，读到：“1月23日，你干扰了我在银行的计划；二月中旬，有人闯入一家画廊，被你阻止了；三月底，你挫败了一次重要的暗杀。 无论我走到哪里，你都在那里，福尔摩斯先生。 而现在，在四月底，我发现自己被你困住了，我有失去自由的危险。 情况变得不可能了。”

"'What do you suggest?' I asked. "'You must drop this, Mr. Holmes.' "'I plan to,' I said, 'once you're in the hands of the police.' "Moriarty shook his head. 'I'm sure a man of your intelligence will know that is never going to happen. If you insist on continuing with your foolish campaign, there can be only one outcome and it will not be pleasant for you. I don't know why you smile, sir. I assure you I am serious.' "'Danger is part of my trade,' I remarked. "'I'm not talking about danger,' he said. 'I'm talking about your death, Mr. Holmes. It's not

“‘你有什么建议？’我问。 "福尔摩斯先生，你必须放下这件事。“‘我打算，’我说，‘一旦你落到警察手里。莫里亚蒂摇了摇头。 “我相信像你这样聪明的人会知道那是不可能发生的。 如果你坚持继续你愚蠢的竞选，只有一个结果，而且对你来说是不愉快的。 我不知道你为什么笑，先生。 我向你保证我是认真的。“‘危险是我这一行的一部分，’我说。 “‘我说的不是危险，’他说。 “我说的是你的死，福尔摩斯先生。 这不是

just me you are threatening, but a mighty organization, far bigger and more powerful than even you realize. You must stand aside, or else get trodden underfoot.' "'This has been a real pleasure,' I said, rising to my feet. 'Now, if that is all, Professor, I have other business to attend to.' "He simply looked at me, shaking his head sadly. 'Well, I've done all I can,' he said at last. 'And believe me, I've enjoyed our little duel, Mr. Holmes, but remember: I know every move of your game. I know you can't do anything before Monday, and a lot can happen before then. If, in the end, you're clever enough to destroy me, I shall destroy you at the same time.'

只有我一个人你在威胁我，但这是一个强大的组织，比你想象的要强大得多。 你必须站到一边，否则就会被踩在脚下。“‘这真是我的荣幸，’我说着站了起来。 “好了，如果没有别的事，教授，我还有别的事要办。’”他只是看着我，悲伤地摇着头。 “好吧，我已经尽力了，”他最后说。 “相信我，我很喜欢我们的小决斗，福尔摩斯先生，但是请记住：我知道你的每一步棋。 我知道星期一之前你什么都做不了，而在那之前会发生很多事。 如果你最后聪明到要毁了我，我也要同时毁了你。”

"'If I could be sure of achieving your destruction, Professor Moriarty, I would gladly accept my own as a price worth paying.' "'I can promise you the second of those outcomes, but not the first,' he snarled before storming from the room."

“‘莫里亚蒂教授，如果我能确保你的毁灭，我也愿意接受我自己的毁灭，这是值得付出的代价。“我可以向你保证第二种结果，但不能保证第一种，”他咆哮着冲出房间。