I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his hand.

我刚喝完茶，只见他手里晃着一只边上有松紧带的旧靴子兴高采烈地回来了。

He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a cup of tea.

他把那只旧靴子扔在角落里，便去倒茶喝。

"I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on."

"我只是经过这里进来顺便看一下，"他说，"我马上就得走。"

"Where to?"

"到哪里去？"

"Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be late."

"噢，到西区那边去。可能得过相当长的时间我才能回来。如果我回来得太晚，就别等我了。"

"How are you getting on?"

"你事情进行得怎么样？"

"Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house.

"噢，还可以。没有什么可抱怨的。我离开你后又到斯特里特哈姆去了，只是没进屋里。

It is a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a good deal.

那个小疑点是怪有趣的，我怎么也不能轻易放过它。

However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly respectable self."

我不能尽坐在这里闲聊天，我必须把这套下等人的服装脱下来，重新穿上我自己那套上等人的服装。"

I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for satisfaction than his words alone would imply.

我从他的一举一动可以看出，他有比他谈话中所暗示的更值得满意的理由。

His eyes twinkled, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks.

他的眼睛里闪烁着光彩，他菜色的面颊上甚至泛出了红晕。

He hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his congenial hunt.

他匆匆地上了楼，几分钟后，我听见大厅的门砰地一响，我知道他又一次出发去搞他天生喜欢的追捕去了。