马龙探案卷四 之 正确的凶案 十九
海伦往她拿着的杯子里倒了一点石榴汁，让杯子里温暖的琥珀色液体微微泛起玫瑰色的光泽。她轻轻地搅拌着混合物，尝了尝。
Helene poured a little grenadine into the glass she was holding, giving its warm amber a faintly rosy glow. She stirred the mixture gently and tasted it.
“任何人都应该喜欢这个。尝尝看，罗斯。”
“Anybody ought to like this. Try it, Ross.”
罗斯?麦克劳林顺从地接过杯子，小小地抿了一口。然后他把杯子还回去。
Ross McLaurin took the glass obediently and managed a tiny sip. Then he handed it back.
“对不起。”
“I’m sorry.”
“没关系。” 海伦耐心地说，“我再试试别的。” 她拿起一个空杯子，开始往里面倒各种液体。
“That’s all right,” Helene said patiently. “I’ll try another one.” She picked up an empty glass and began measuring liquids into it.
“不是调味剂的问题。” 年轻人不开心地说，“是酒精，我好像受不了。”
“It isn’t the flavorings,” the young man said unhappily. “It’s the alcohol I can’t seem to stand.”
“没关系。” 杰克安慰道，“我很多时候也有这种感觉。你会克服的。”
“Never mind,” Jake said consolingly. “I’ve felt the same way a lot of times. You’ll get over it.”
马龙呻吟着。“我们一点进展都没有。这是个多么疯狂的主意……”
Malone groaned. “We aren’t getting anywhere at all. Of all the insane ideas—”
“你有更好的主意吗？” 海伦严厉地问。
“Have you a better one?” Helene asked severely.
“没有。” 他承认。
“No,” he admitted.
“那我就继续尝试。”
“Then I’ll go right on trying.”
马龙擦了擦脸。现在是七点钟，从五点半开始，海伦就一直在调制新的鸡尾酒。在这段时间里，床上的年轻人只喝了不到一盎司的酒。
Malone mopped his face. It was now seven o’clock, and Helene had been inventing new cocktails since half-past five. In that time the young man on the bed had managed to down less than an ounce of liquor.
梳妆台上的那堆瓶子足以让一家高档酒吧引以为傲。马龙想到这件事结束后这些瓶子都得由他来处理。他还没决定是自己喝掉它们还是开个酒吧。
The collection of bottles on the bureau would have done credit to a high-class bar. Malone reflected that he’d have them on his hands when this affair was over. He hadn't decided yet whether to drink them himself or just open a saloon.
在他沉思的时候，电话响了。是冯?弗拉纳根打来的。
In the midst of his reflections, the telephone rang. It was von Flanagan.
小主，
“马龙，我要把莫娜?麦克莱恩家的那群人都带到这儿来。” 警察报告说。
“Malone, I'm bringing that whole bunch from Mona McClane's down here,” the police officer reported.
马龙说：“你在干什么？”
Malone said, “You're doing what?”
“我想让那些人都看看除夕夜被杀的那个人。也许他们当中有人会认出他。”
“I want all those people to take a gander at the guy who was killed New Year's Eve. Maybe one of them will recognize him.”
“好主意。” 马龙不置可否地说，“你什么时候这么做？”
“Good idea,” Malone said nonmittally. “When are you doing this?”
“他们现在就来了。我希望你也一起来。还有，你知道那个金发美女在哪里吗？”
“They're on the way right now. I want you to e along. And do you know where the hell that blonde dame might be?”
马龙说：“嗯？谁？哦，对。当然。我知道。”
“Malone said, “Huh? Who? Oh yeah. Sure. I know.”
“别结巴了。” 冯?弗拉纳根吼道，“你能把她一起带来吗？”
“Stop stuttering,” von Flanagan growled, “can you bring her down here with you?”
“这是世界上最容易的事。”
“Easiest thing in the world.”
“那就去做，快点。”
“Then do it, and make it snappy.”
马龙放下电话。海伦正从年轻人那里拿走一个高高的杯子，里面装着一些看起来有毒的绿色混合物。
Malone put down the telephone. Helene was just taking a tallish glass, containing some poisonous-looking green mixture, away from the young man.
“这也是一种很特别的。可惜浪费了。好吧，如果你不想要。我要……”
“This was a very special one, too. Shame to waste it. Well, if you don't want it. I do—”
“放下那个杯子。” 马龙严厉地说，“你现在和冯?弗拉纳根有个约会。”
“Put that glass down.” Malone said sharply. “You've got a date with von Flanagan, right now.”
“为什么？我做了什么？”
“Why, what have I done?”
“在路上我再告诉你。穿上你的帽子和外套。”
“I'll tell you on the way. Put on your hat and coat.”
“海伦去哪儿我就去哪儿。” 杰克坚定地说。
“I'm going anywhere Helene goes,” Jake said firmly.
“好吧，你也可以来。”
“All right, you can e, too.”
“如果我要去和冯?弗拉纳根会面，” 她若有所思地说，“我得喝上那一杯。” 她迅速喝光了杯子里的酒，穿上外套，调整了一下那顶小巧的棕色皮帽。
“If I’m going to have a session with von Flanagan,” she said thoughtfully, “I’m going to need that drink.” She emptied the glass quickly, put on her coat, and adjusted the pert little brown fur hat.
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“你能保证在我们回来之前一直待在这儿吗？”
“Will you promise to stay right here until we get back?”
罗斯?麦克劳林点点头。“我保证。我知道你们在努力帮我。我会照你们说的做。”
Ross McLaurin nodded. “I promise. I know you’re trying to help me. I’ll do anything you say.”