10 水中人(7)

This was plain speaking.

这话说得十分干脆。

A flash of anger and scorn lit up the stranger's eyes, and I glimpsed a fearsome past in this man's life.

这人眼中闪出愤怒和轻蔑的光芒,我看得出这个人的生活中一定有过一段不平凡的经历。

Not only had he placed himself beyond human laws, he had rendered himself independent, out of all reach, free in the strictest sense of the word!

他不单把自己放在人类的法律之外,而且使自己绝对的独立、自由,不受任何约束!

For who would dare chase him to the depths of the sea when he thwarted all attacks on the surface?

既然人家在海面上和他交手都被他打败了,谁还敢到海底下去追赶他呢?

What ship could withstand a collision with his underwater Monitor?

什么船能吃得消他这艘潜水艇的冲击呢?

What armor plate, no matter how heavy, could bear the thrusts of his spur?

不管钢板多么厚的铁甲舰,哪一艘能吃得消它的冲角的一撞呢?

No man among men could call him to account for his actions.

没有一个人能质问他所做的事。

God, if he believed in Him, his conscience if he had one-these were the only judges to whom he was answerable.

如果他相信上帝,如果他还有良心,那么只有上帝。只有良心,是他可以依据的唯一公断人了。

These thoughts swiftly crossed my mind while this strange individual fell silent, like someone completely self-absorbed.

以上的这些感想在我心中很快地闪过去,这个奇怪的人当时默不作声,潜心思索,好像什么也不理会了。

I regarded him with a mixture of fear and fascination, in the same way, no doubt, that Oedipus regarded the Sphinx.

我既害怕又好奇地注视着他,像俄狄浦斯①注视人面狮身怪一样。