As the fair Rosa, with foreboding doubt, had foretold, so ithappened. —
正如美丽的罗莎所预言的那样，事情发生了。 —

Whilst John de Witt was climbing the narrowwinding stairs which led to the prison of his brotherCornelius, the burghers did their best to have the troop ofTilly, which was in their way, removed.
当约翰·德维特爬上通往他弟弟科内利斯监狱的狭窄旋转楼梯时，市民们尽力让堵在他们面前的蒂利军队离开。

Seeing this disposition, King Mob, who fully appreciated thelaudable intentions of his own beloved militia, shouted mostlustily, –“Hurrah for the burghers!” —
看到这种局面，被称为人民之王的莫博王深知自己所喜爱的民兵的崇高意图，大声喊道：“为市民欢呼！” —

As to Count Tilly, who was as prudent as he was firm, hebegan to parley with the burghers, under the protection ofthe cocked pistols of his dragoons, explaining to thevaliant townsmen, that his order from the States commandedhim to guard the prison and its approaches with threecompanies.
至于蒂利伯爵，他既谨慎又坚定，他开始与市民们谈判，在他的龙骑兵的手枪保护下解释说，他从国家接到命令，要用三个连队来守护监狱及其周围。

　　”Wherefore such an order? Why guard the prison?” cried theOrangists.
“为什么要这样命令？为什么要守护监狱？”奥兰治派人士质问。

“Stop,” replied the Count, “there you at once ask me morethan I can tell you. —
“等一下，”伯爵回答，“这时候你们问我太多了。” —

I was told, ‘Guard the prison,’ and Iguard it. —
“给我守护监狱，我就守护。” —

You, gentlemen, who are almost military menyourselves, you are aware that an order must never begainsaid.” —
“几位先生，你们几乎都是军人，应该明白，绝不可以违抗命令。” —

“But this order has been given to you that the traitors maybe enabled to leave the town.” —
“但这个命令是为了让叛徒能够离开这个城市。” —

“Very possibly, as the traitors are condemned to exile,“replied Tilly.
“很可能，因为叛徒已经被判流放，”蒂利回答道。

“But who has given this order?”“The States, to be sure!”“The States are traitors.” —
“但是谁下发了这个命令？”“国家下发了，当然！”“国家是叛徒。” —

“I don’t know anything about that!”“And you are a traitor yourself!”“I?”“Yes, you.” —
“这个我可不清楚！”“你自己就是叛徒！”“我？” —

“Well, as to that, let us understand each other gentlemen.
“好吧，让我们理解清楚，先生们。我要背叛谁？国家吗？那可不行，因为我是在他们支付薪水的情况下忠实地服从他们的命令。”

Whom should I betray? The States? Why, I cannot betray them,whilst, being in their pay, I faithfully obey their orders.” —
由于伯爵显然是正确的，无法辩驳，人群只能回应着愈加喧嚣和可怕的威胁，而伯爵则保持着最完美的文明。 —

As the Count was so indisputably in the right that it wasimpossible to argue against him, the mob answered only byredoubled clamour and horrible threats, to which the Countopposed the most perfect urbanity.
此行为无误，地服从它者。

“Gentlemen,” he said, “uncock your muskets, one of them maygo off by accident; —
“先生们，”他说，“解开你们的火枪，以防其中一支不小心走火； —

and if the shot chanced to wound one ofmy men, we should knock over a couple of hundreds of yours,for which we should, indeed, be very sorry, but you evenmore so; —
“如果那一枪碰巧伤了我的人，我们可能会误伤你们几百人，这对我们来说确实很抱歉，但对你们而言更是如此； —

especially as such a thing is neither contemplatedby you nor by myself.” —
“尤其是这样的事情既不是你们计划中的，也不是我计划中的。” —

“If you did that,” cried the burghers, “we should have a popat you, too.”“Of course you would; —
“如果你们这样做，”市民们喊道，“我们也会向你们开枪。”“当然会； —

but suppose you killed every man Jackof us, those whom we should have killed would not, for allthat, be less dead.” —
但假设你们杀光了我们每一个人，我们也应该杀死的人，即使这样，也不会更少死亡。” —

“Then leave the place to us, and you will perform the partof a good citizen.” —
“那么把这个地方留给我们吧，这样你会表现得像一个好公民。” —

“First of all,” said the Count, “I am not a citizen, but anofficer, which is a very different thing; —
“首先，”伯爵说，“我不是一个公民，而是一名军官，这是完全不同的事情； —

and secondly, I amnot a Hollander, but a Frenchman, which is more differentstill. —
其次，我不是荷兰人，而是法国人，这更加不同。 —

I have to do with no one but the States, by whom I ampaid; —
我只和邦联有关，他们支付我的薪水； —

let me see an order from them to leave the place toyou, and I shall only be too glad to wheel off in aninstant, as I am confoundedly bored here.” —
给我看他们给你离开这地方的命令，我将立刻高兴地走开，因为我在这里非常无聊。 —

“Yes, yes!” cried a hundred voices; the din of which wasimmediately swelled by five hundred others; —
“是的，是的！”一百声音大喊着；接着五百个声音立刻加入其中； —

“let us march tothe Town-hall; let us go and see the deputies! Come along!
“让我们去市政厅；让我们去见代表！走吧！走吧！”

come along!”“That’s it,” Tilly muttered between his teeth, as he saw themost violent among the crowd turning away; —
“对！”蒂利嘟囔着，当他看到人群中最激动的人转身离开时； —

“go and ask for ameanness at the Town-hall, and you will see whether theywill grant it; —
“去市政厅索要卑劣行为，你们就会看到他们是否会批准；” —

go, my fine fellows, go!“The worthy officer relied on the honour of the magistrates,who, on their side, relied on his honour as a soldier.
去吧，我的好伙计们，去吧！这位可敬的军官依赖着治安官们的信誉，而治安官们又依赖着他作为一名士兵的信誉。

“I say, Captain,” the first lieutenant whispered into theear of the Count, “I hope the deputies will give thesemadmen a flat refusal; —
“我说，上尉，”第一副官在伯爵的耳边悄声说道，“我希望代表们会断然拒绝这些疯子； —

but, after all, it would do no harmif they would send us some reinforcement.” —
但是，说实话，如果他们能派些增援过来倒也无妨。” —

In the meanwhile, John de Witt, whom we left climbing thestairs, after the conversation with the jailer Gryphus andhis daughter Rosa, had reached the door of the cell, whereon a mattress his brother Cornelius was resting, afterhaving undergone the preparatory degrees of the torture. —
与此同时，我们离开正在攀登楼梯的约翰·德·维特，经过与狱卒格里弗斯和他的女儿罗莎的对话后，已经走到了监狱房间的门口，那里放着他弟弟康奈利斯躺在一个床垫上，经历了折磨的准备阶段之后休息着。 —

Thesentence of banishment having been pronounced, there was nooccasion for inflicting the torture extraordinary.
在流放的判决已经宣布之后，就没有必要施加额外的酷刑了。

Cornelius was stretched on his couch, with broken wrists andcrushed fingers. —
康奈利斯躺在沙发上，手腕骨折、手指受伤。 —

He had not confessed a crime of which hewas not guilty; —
他没有承认自己并不是罪犯的罪行； —

and now, after three days of agony, he oncemore breathed freely, on being informed that the judges,from whom he had expected death, were only condemning him toexile.
现在，在经历了三天的痛苦之后，得知那些他曾期待处决他的法官们只是将他流放时，他终于松了口气。

　　Endowed with an iron frame and a stout heart, how would hehave disappointed his enemies if they could only have seen,in the dark cell of the Buytenhof, his pale face lit up bythe smile of the martyr, who forgets the dross of this earthafter having obtained a glimpse of the bright glory ofheaven.
具备坚韧的身躯和坚强的心志，如果敌人们能看到他在Buytenhof监狱的黑暗牢房中，那张因为得见了天堂明亮荣光而洋溢着烈士笑容的苍白脸庞，他们会多么失望啊。

The warden, indeed, had already recovered his full strength,much more owing to the force of his own strong will than toactual aid; —
监狱长的确已经恢复了全部的体力，但更多是出于他自身坚强意志的力量，而不是实际的援助； —

and he was calculating how long the formalitiesof the law would still detain him in prison.
他正在计算着法律程序会将他还留在监狱多久。

This was just at the very moment when the mingled shouts ofthe burgher guard and of the mob were raging against the twobrothers, and threatening Captain Tilly, who served as arampart to them. —
正是在这个时候，当市民卫队和暴民的喧嚷声对着两兄弟怒吼，并威胁到服务为他们筑起屏障的蒂利上尉时。 —

This noise, which roared outside of thewalls of the prison, as the surf dashing against the rocks,now reached the ears of the prisoner.
这声音，在监狱墙外如波涛拍击岩石般汹涌澎湃的嘈杂声，现在传到了囚犯的耳中。

But, threatening as it sounded, Cornelius appeared not todream it worth his while to inquire after its cause; —
但是，虽然这声音听起来很恐怖，但康奈利斯似乎觉得没必要去打听它的原因； —

nor didhe get up to look out of the narrow grated window, whichgave access to the light and to the noise of the worldwithout.
他也没站起来往那扇只有窄窄的铁栅栏窗户可以透光透声的窗外看去，窗户让他可以看到外界的光明和喧嚣声。

He was so absorbed in his never-ceasing pain that it hadalmost become a habit with him. —
他沉浸在永无止境的痛苦中，以至于这几乎已经成为他的习惯。 —

He felt with such delightthe bonds which connected his immortal being with hisperishable frame gradually loosening, that it seemed to himas if his spirit, freed from the trammels of the body, werehovering above it, like the expiring flame which rises fromthe half-extinguished embers.
他感到无比喜悦，感受到连接他不朽灵魂与易逝躯体的束缚逐渐松动，仿佛他的精神已经摆脱了肉体的枷锁，像是从将熄灭的余烬中升腾起来的消逝的火焰。

　　He also thought of his brother; and whilst the latter wasthus vividly present to his mind the door opened, and Johnentered, hurrying to the bedside of the prisoner, whostretched out his broken limbs and his hands tied up inbandages towards that glorious brother, whom he nowexcelled, not in services rendered to the country, but inthe hatred which the Dutch bore him.
他也想到了他的兄弟；就在这时，门打开了，约翰走进来，匆匆走向囚犯的床前，他把受伤的断腿和用绷带裹着的手温柔地放回床垫上。

　　John tenderly kissed his brother on the forehead, and puthis sore hands gently back on the mattress.
约翰温柔地亲吻着他兄弟的额头，把他酸疼的手轻轻地放回床上。

“Cornelius, my poor brother, you are suffering great pain,are you not?” —
“康斯坦丁斯，我可怜的兄弟，你疼得很厉害，不是吗？” —

“I am suffering no longer, since I see you, my brother.”“Oh, my poor dear Cornelius! —
“自从看到你，我就不再疼了，我亲爱的兄弟。” —

I feel most wretched to see youin such a state.” —
“哦，我可怜的康斯坦丁斯！我看到你变成这样，心里真是难受。” —

“And, indeed, I have thought more of you than of myself; —
“其实，我更多地想着你而不是自己；他们折磨我时，除了曾说过一次‘可怜的兄弟’，我从来没有抱怨过。” —

andwhilst they were torturing me, I never thought of uttering acomplaint, except once, to say, ‘Poor brother!’ —
“但现在你来了，让我们忘掉这一切吧；你来接我走，对吗？” —

But now thatyou are here, let us forget all. You are coming to take meaway, are you not?”“I am.” —
“是的。” —

“I am quite healed; help me to get up, and you shall see howI can walk.” —
“我已经痊愈了；帮帮我起来，你就会看到我能走得多好。” —

“You will not have to walk far, as I have my coach near thepond, behind Tilly’s dragoons.” —
“你不会走远，因为我的马车就停在池塘旁，就在蒂利的龙骑兵后面。” —

“Tilly’s dragoons! What are they near the pond for?” —
“蒂利的龙骑兵！他们为什么在池塘附近？” —

“Well,” said the Grand Pensionary with a melancholy smilewhich was habitual to him, “the gentlemen at the Town-hallexpect that the people at the Hague would like to see youdepart, and there is some apprehension of a tumult.” —
“额，”总务大臣带着他的惯常伤感的微笑说，“市政厅的各位先生们预料海牙的人们会喜欢看到你离开，有些人担心会有骚乱。” —

“Of a tumult?” replied Cornelius, fixing his eyes on hisperplexed brother; “a tumult?” —
“骚乱？”康斯坦丁斯回答道，把目光投向他困惑的兄弟，“骚乱？” —

“Yes, Cornelius.”“Oh! that’s what I heard just now,” said the prisoner, as ifspeaking to himself. —
“是的，科尼利厄斯。” —

Then, turning to his brother, hecontinued, –“Are there many persons down before the prison.” —
“哦！这就是我刚才听到的内容，”犹豫的犯人自言自语道。 —

“Yes, my brother, there are.”“But then, to come here to me —- ““Well?” —
然后，他转向他的兄弟，继续说道，–“监狱外面有很多人吗。” —

“How is it that they have allowed you to pass?” —
“是的，我兄弟，有的。”“但是，他们竟然让你过去了？” —

“You know well that we are not very popular, Cornelius,“said the Grand Pensionary, with gloomy bitterness. —
“你知道我们并不受欢迎，科尼利厄斯，”大宪政官带着阴沉的苦涩说道。 —

“I havemade my way through all sorts of bystreets and alleys.”“You hid yourself, John?” —
“我穿过了各种胡同和小巷。”“你藏起来了，约翰？” —

“I wished to reach you without loss of time, and I did whatpeople will do in politics, or on the sea when the wind isagainst them, – I tacked.” —
“我想尽快找到你，因此就像人们在政治上或在风逆时所做的一样，我变换了方向。” —

At this moment the noise in the square below was heard toroar with increasing fury. —
此时，广场下的喧嚣声越来越大。 —

Tilly was parleying with theburghers.
蒂利正在与市民谈判。

“Well, well,” said Cornelius, “you are a very skilful pilot,John; —
“好吧，好吧，”科尼利厄斯说，”你是一个非常熟练的领航员，约翰； —

but I doubt whether you will as safely guide yourbrother out of the Buytenhof in the midst of this gale, andthrough the raging surf of popular hatred, as you did thefleet of Van Tromp past the shoals of the Scheldt toAntwerp.” —
但是我怀疑你是否能像你把范特朗的舰队安全引导穿过舍尔特的暗礁到安特卫普那样，安全地引导你的弟弟离开布伊滕霍夫，在这股民愤的风暴中，通过人民的狂潮。” —

“With the help of God, Cornelius, we’ll at least try,“answered John; —
“在上帝的帮助下，科尼利厄斯，至少我们会尝试一下，”约翰回答道； —

“but, first of all, a word with you.”“Speak!” —
“但是，首先，我想和你说一句话。”“说吧！” —

The shouts began anew.
呼喊声再度响起。

“Hark, hark!” continued Cornelius, “how angry those peopleare! —
“听，听！”科尼利厄斯继续说道，”那些人是多么愤怒啊！” —

Is it against you, or against me?““I should say it is against us both, Cornelius. —
“这是针对你，还是针对我？”“我想应该是针对我们两个，康奈利斯。” —

I told you,my dear brother, that the Orange party, while assailing uswith their absurd calumnies, have also made it a reproachagainst us that we have negotiated with France.” —
“我告诉过你，我亲爱的兄弟，橙党不仅在攻击我们荒谬的诽谤，还对我们进行谴责，说我们曾与法国进行谈判。” —

“What blockheads they are!”“But, indeed, they reproach us with it.” —
“他们真是蠢货！”“不过，确实他们对此责备我们。” —

“And yet, if these negotiations had been successful, theywould have prevented the defeats of Rees, Orsay, Wesel, andRheinberg; —
“然而，如果这些谈判成功了，就可以避免里斯、奥尔赛、韦塞尔和莱茵堡的失利； —

the Rhine would not have been crossed, andHolland might still consider herself invincible in the midstof her marshes and canals.” —
莱茵河就不会被跨越，荷兰在自己的沼泽和运河之中仍然可以视自己为无敌。” —

“All this is quite true, my dear Cornelius, but still morecertain it is, that if at this moment our correspondencewith the Marquis de Louvois were discovered, skilful pilotas I am, I should not be able to save the frail barque whichis to carry the brothers De Witt and their fortunes out ofHolland. —
“我亲爱的康奈利斯，这一切都是事实，但更为肯定的是，如果此刻我们与卢瓦公爵的通信被发现，作为一个熟练的舵手，也救不了这艘脆弱的小船，它将载着德维特兄弟及其命运远离荷兰。 —

That correspondence, which might prove to honestpeople how dearly I love my country, and what sacrifices Ihave offered to make for its liberty and glory, would beruin to us if it fell into the hands of the Orange party. —
如果我们与梅尔斯伯爵的通信被揭露，将证明我有多么深爱我的国家，为其自由和荣耀做出了何等牺牲，但如果落入橙党之手，这对我们将是毁灭。 —

Ihope you have burned the letters before you left Dort tojoin me at the Hague.”“My dear brother,” Cornelius answered, “your correspondencewith M. de Louvois affords ample proof of your having beenof late the greatest, most generous, and most able citizenof the Seven United Provinces. —
我希望你在离开多尔特前已经烧毁了那些信件。” —

I rejoice in the glory of mycountry; and particularly do I rejoice in your glory, John.
“亲爱的兄弟，康奈利斯回答道，“你与梅尔斯伯爵的通信充分证明了你是最伟大、最慷慨、最有能力的七省联合省的公民。

I have taken good care not to burn that correspondence.” —
我为我的国家的荣耀感到高兴，特别是为你的荣耀感到高兴，约翰。 —

“Then we are lost, as far as this life is concerned,“quietly said the Grand Pensionary, approaching the window.
我已经确保不会烧毁那些通信。”

“No, on the contrary, John, we shall at the same time saveour lives and regain our popularity.” —
“那么我们就失去了，就这方面而言，”总养老金局静静地说着，走近窗户。 —

“But what have you done with these letters?” —
“不，相反，约翰，我们同时将拯救我们的生命，重获我们的声望。” —

“I have intrusted them to the care of Cornelius van Baerle,my godson, whom you know, and who lives at Dort.”“Poor honest Van Baerle! —
“那你把这些信件放在哪里了？” —

who knows so much, and yet thinksof nothing but of flowers and of God who made them. —
“我把它们托付给了康奈利斯·范巴尔勒，我的教子，你认识他，他住在多尔特。” —

You haveintrusted him with this fatal secret; it will be his ruin,poor soul!”“His ruin?” —
你已经把这个致命的秘密托付给了他；这将是他的毁灭，可怜的灵魂！ —

“Yes, for he will either be strong or he will be weak. —
“他的毁灭？” —

If heis strong, he will, when he hears of what has happened tous, boast of our acquaintance; —
“是的，因为他要么强大，要么软弱。 —

if he is weak, he will beafraid on account of his connection with us: —
如果他强大，当他听到我们所遭遇的事情时，会吹嘘我们的相识； —

if he isstrong, he will betray the secret by his boldness; —
如果他软弱，会因为与我们的联系而感到恐惧； —

if he isweak, he will allow it to be forced from him. In either casehe is lost, and so are we. —
如果他强大，他会因为勇敢而泄露秘密； —

Let us, therefore, fly, fly, aslong as there is still time.” —
如果他软弱，他会让秘密被揭露出来。无论哪种情况，他都会毁灭，我们也是。 —

Cornelius de Witt, raising himself on his couch, andgrasping the hand of his brother, who shuddered at the touchof his linen bandages, replied, –“Do not I know my godson? —
康涅利斯·德·维特坐起身来，在他的躺椅上，抓住他兄弟的手，后者因为碰到他的绷带而感到颤栗，回答道，–“我难道不了解我的教子吗？ —

have not I been enabled to readevery thought in Van Baerle’s mind, and every sentiment inhis heart? —
我难道不可能读懂范·巴尔勒心中每一个念头，每一个情感？ —

You ask whether he is strong or weak. He isneither the one nor the other; —
你问他是强大还是软弱。他既不是强大也不是软弱； —

but that is not now thequestion. The principal point is, that he is sure not todivulge the secret, for the very good reason that he doesnot know it himself.” —
但现在这不是问题。重点是，他一定不会泄露秘密，原因很简单，那就是他自己并不知道。” —

John turned round in surprise.
约翰惊讶地转过身来。

“You must know, my dear brother, that I have been trained inthe school of that distinguished politician John de Witt; —
“亲爱的兄弟，你必须知道，我是在那位杰出的政治家约翰·德·维特的门下受过训练； —

and I repeat to you, that Van Baerle is not aware of thenature and importance of the deposit which I have intrustedto him.” —
我告诉你，范·巴尔勒并不知道我托付给他的那个物品的性质和重要性。” —

“Quick then,” cried John, “as there is still time, let usconvey to him directions to burn the parcel.”“Through whom?” —
“那么快点，”约翰喊道，“因为还有时间，让我们传达指示让他把那个包裹烧掉。” —

“Through my servant Craeke, who was to have accompanied uson horseback, and who has entered the prison with me, toassist you downstairs.” —
“通过我的仆人Craeke，他原本应该和我们一起骑马，现在已经和我一起进入监狱，来帮助您下楼。” —

“Consider well before having those precious documents burnt,John!” —
“在烧掉那些宝贵文件之前，约翰，请三思！” —

“I consider, above all things, that the brothers De Wittmust necessarily save their lives, to be able to save theircharacter. —
“我认为最重要的是，De Witt兄弟必须保住自己的生命，才能保住自己的声誉。” —

If we are dead, who will defend us? Who will havefully understood our intentions?” —
“如果我们死了，谁会为我们辩护？谁会完全理解我们的意图？” —

“You expect, then, that they would kill us if those paperswere found?” —
“你是希望他们找到那些文件后会杀了我们吗？” —

John, without answering, pointed with his hand to thesquare, whence, at that very moment, fierce shouts andsavage yells made themselves heard.
约翰没有回答，用手指向广场，那时刻正传来凶猛的喊叫声。

“Yes, yes,” said Cornelius, “I hear these shouts veryplainly, but what is their meaning?” —
“是的，是的，”囚犯说，抬起眼睛看向天空，耸了耸肩膀。 —

John opened the window.
约翰打开窗户。

　　”Death to the traitors!” howled the populace.
“对叛徒们的死亡！”民众们嚎叫着。

“Do you hear now, Cornelius?”“To the traitors! that means us!” —
“Cornelius，你现在听见了吗？”“对叛徒们！那意味着我们！” —

said the prisoner, raisinghis eyes to heaven and shrugging his shoulders.
囚犯抬头看着天空，耸了耸肩。

　　”Yes, it means us,” repeated John.
“是的，那意味着我们，”约翰重复道。

“Where is Craeke?”“At the door of your cell, I suppose.”“Let him enter then.” —
“Craeke在哪里？”“我想应该在您的牢房门口。”“那么让他进来吧。” —

John opened the door; the faithful servant was waiting onthe threshold.
约翰打开门，忠实的仆人站在门口等待。

“Come in, Craeke, and mind well what my brother will tellyou.”“No, John; —
“进来，Craeke，仔细听一听我哥哥要告诉你的事情。”“不，约翰。” —

it will not suffice to send a verbal message;unfortunately, I shall be obliged to write.” —
不仅仅发口头消息是不够的；不幸的是，我将被迫写一封信。 —

“And why that?”“Because Van Baerle will neither give up the parcel nor burnit without a special command to do so.” —
“为什么？”“因为范巴尔勒既不会放弃包裹，也不会在没有特别命令的情况下烧毁它。” —

“But will you be able to write, poor old fellow?” —
“但是你还能写信吗，可怜的老朋友？” —

Johnasked, with a look on the scorched and bruised hands of theunfortunate sufferer.
约翰看着那位不幸受害者烧伤和挫伤的双手，询问道。

　　”If I had pen and ink you would soon see,” said Cornelius.
“如果我有笔和墨水，你就会看到，”科尼利厄斯说。

“Here is a pencil, at any rate.”“Have you any paper? for they have left me nothing.” —
“这里有一支铅笔，至少。”“你有纸吗？因为他们什么都没留给我。” —

“Here, take this Bible, and tear out the fly-leaf.”“Very well, that will do.” —
“拿这本圣经，撕下封底吧。”“很好，就这个。” —

“But your writing will be illegible.”“Just leave me alone for that,” said Cornelius. —
“但你的字迹可能会很难读。”“就让我一个人，”科尼利厄斯说。 —

“Theexecutioners have indeed pinched me badly enough, but myhand will not tremble once in tracing the few lines whichare requisite.” —
“死刑执行人确实把我捏得够惨，但我握笔写几行所需的字时，我的手不会颤抖一下的。” —

And really Cornelius took the pencil and began to write,when through the white linen bandages drops of blood oozedout which the pressure of the fingers against the pencilsqueezed from the raw flesh.
实际上，科尼利厄斯拿起铅笔开始写字了，当时压在铅笔上的手指挤出了几滴血。

　　A cold sweat stood on the brow of the Grand Pensionary.
大养老金领袖的额头上沁出了冷汗。

Cornelius wrote: –“My dear Godson, –“Burn the parcel which I have intrusted to you. —
科尼利厄斯写道：“我亲爱的教子，–” —

Burn itwithout looking at it, and without opening it, so that itscontents may for ever remain unknown to yourself. —
“烧掉我托付给你的包裹。 —

Secrets ofthis description are death to those with whom they aredeposited. —
不要看，也不要打开，让里面的内容永远对你保密。 —

Burn it, and you will have saved John andCornelius de Witt.
这种机密对于存放它们的人来说是致命的。

　　”Farewell, and love me.
“告别了，爱我。

“Cornelius de Witt”August 20th, 1672.” —
“康尼利斯·德·维特”1672年8月20日。” —

John, with tears in his eyes, wiped off a drop of the nobleblood which had soiled the leaf, and, after having handedthe despatch to Craeke with a last direction, returned toCornelius, who seemed overcome by intense pain, and nearfainting.
约翰眼中含着泪水，擦去了弄脏这张纸的高贵血迹，然后将文件交给了克雷克，并告诉他最后的指示，最后回到了康尼利斯身边，他似乎被剧烈的疼痛所压倒，快要昏倒。

　　”Now,” said he, “when honest Craeke sounds his coxswain’swhistle, it will be a signal of his being clear of thecrowd, and of his having reached the other side of the pond.
“现在，”他说，“当老实的克雷克吹鸣他的舵手哨声时，这将是一个信号，表明他已经脱离人群，到达了池塘的另一边。”

And then it will be our turn to depart.” —
然后轮到我们离开了。” —

Five minutes had not elapsed, before a long and shrillwhistle was heard through the din and noise of the square ofthe Buytenhof.
还不到五分钟，乌伊特霍夫广场的喧嚣声中传来了一声长而尖锐的哨声。

　　John gratefully raised his eyes to heaven.
约翰感激地仰望着天堂。

　　”And now,” said he, “let us off, Cornelius.”
“现在，”他说，“让我们走吧，科内利厄斯。”