Finding the Tome

Finding the Tome, written by Russ Booyak. Illustrated by Thomas Boatwright.

《寻找宝典》，拉斯·布雅克 著 托马斯·博特赖特 绘

It's Saturday afternoon," Sarah whines. Why are we spending it at the library? I figured this would be the best place to piece together an explanation of why all these weird things have been happening lately, I reply. Learning on a Saturday should be illegal, she retorts. In fact, Quinn, I'm making it illegal as of this moment, And if you pass through those doors, you'll be breaking the law. Stop being so dramatic, I say, as I walk up the steps with Jake, my little brother, bounding behind me. His backpack is crammed with books to return.

"今天是周六下午，"萨拉抱怨道。 我们为什么要在这里耗着呀？ 我回答说，最近怪事连连，我觉得这里最适合弄清楚这些事的来龙去脉。 她反驳道：周六学习根本就是违法的。 奎因，其实从现在起我就宣布它违法了，你要是敢走进那扇门，就是触犯法律。 我说别这么小题大做，说完便走上台阶，我的小弟弟杰克蹦蹦跳跳跟在我身后。 他的背包塞得满满当当，全是要还的书。

Inside, the comforting scent of books fills my nostrils as Jake unloads his backpack onto the counter before meandering to the children's section. Sarah and I step up to the counter and I say to the librarian, Excuse me, but we need some help exploring local history. Oh, are you researching a report for school? she asks as she scans Jake's books. Something like that, I reply, except we were wondering if you have any historical records of strange events happening around town. You certainly live in the perfect town for that. Since the founding of Porter's Mill, people have experienced many odd occurrences.

走进馆里，怡人的书香味钻进我的鼻子，杰克把背包里的书放到前台，慢悠悠逛去儿童区了。 萨拉和我走到前台 我对图书管理员说：您好，我们想了解本地历史，能请您帮帮我们吗？ 哦，你们是在做学校的研究报告吗？ 她一边给杰克的书办理归还，一边问道。 差不多哦，我回答，不过我们想问问，您这里有没有咱们镇上发生过的怪事的历史记录呀？ 那你们可来对地方了。 从波特米尔建镇以来，人们就碰到过好多稀奇古怪的事。

You know about this stuff?" Sarah asks. Only a tidbit or two, but we have some excellent reference material that might help. The librarian gestures for us to follow her to a table on the opposite side of the building. Large, old leather -bound books line the shelves surrounding us. I don't think I could even lift some of these massive books, Sarah whispers. The librarian saunters over and starts running her finger down one shelf. She pauses at an empty space and makes an annoyed face.

"你居然知道这些事？" 萨拉问道。 我只知道一点点，不过我们有很棒的参考资料，说不定能帮到你们。 图书管理员示意我们跟着她，走到了图书馆另一边的一张桌子旁。 我们四周的书架上，摆满了老旧的大开本皮面书。 萨拉小声说：这些书太大了，我觉得我都搬不动其中几本。 图书管理员慢慢走过去，指尖沿着一个书架从上往下扫。 她在一个空位前停下，露出了恼怒的表情。

It appears that the tome I'm searching for is missing. These books aren't allowed off the premises, so I can't imagine who would have taken it. It seems as though she is talking to herself now. Perhaps Mr. Himmel moved it to the attic as part of the reorganization. It certainly wouldn't be a very popular read. The librarian returns to us and says, sorry, dears, But I believe Mr. Himmel, the head librarian, has placed the book somewhere. Unfortunately, he's on vacation for the next two weeks. If you'd like to return then, I'm sure he could assist you. With that, she strolls back to the desk to assist someone else. Looks like our visit to the library was pointless, Sarah says as she stands up to leave.

看来我要找的那本大书不见了。 这些书不能带出馆，我实在想不出谁会把它拿走。 这话听起来更像是她在自言自语。 说不定是希梅尔先生整理图书的时候，把它搬到阁楼去了。 这本书本来也没什么人读。 图书管理员走回我们身边说：抱歉呀亲爱的，我觉得馆长希梅尔先生把这本书放到别的地方去了。 不巧的是，他接下来两周都在度假。 如果你们那时候再来，我肯定他能帮到你们。 说完，她就走回前台去招待别的客人了。 萨拉站起来准备离开，说道：看来我们这趟图书馆白跑了。

You heard her about the book possibly being in the attic, I say. We should investigate up there. Sarah assesses the doorway behind the librarian's desk. Narrow stairs lead upward, but suspended on a rope in front of them is a sign that says, Authorized personnel only. Sarah shoots me her. This is a bad idea, Gleer. Things are getting weirder around here, and I see no sign of them letting up. It's time to be proactive and start figuring things out for ourselves, I snap.

我说：你听见了呀，她说那本书说不定就在阁楼上。 我们应该上去找找看。 萨拉打量着管理员桌子后面的门口。 窄窄的楼梯通向楼上，门口的绳子上挂着一块牌子，写着“仅限工作人员进入”。 萨拉对我摆出她那副表情。 格里尔，这可不是个好主意。 这附近的怪事越来越多，完全没有停下来的迹象。 我大声说：我们得主动点，自己把事情弄清楚。