The Lord of the Rings-指环王(英文版)-第33部分

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'What　will　Ferny　sell；　and　what　has　my　accident　got　to　do　with　him？'　said　Frodo；　still　determined　not　to　understand　Strider's　hints。

'News　of　you；　of　course；'　answered　Strider。　'An　account　of　your　performance　would　be　very　interesting　to　certain　people。　After　that　they　would　hardly　need　to　be　told　your　real　name。　It　seems　to　me　only　too　likely　that　they　will　hear　of　it　before　this　night　is　over。　Is　that　enough？　You　can　do　as　you　like　about　my　reward：　take　me　as　a　guide　or　not。　But　I　may　say　that　I　know　all　the　lands　between　the　Shire　and　the　Misty　Mountains；　for　I　have　wandered　over　them　for　many　years。　I　am　older　than　I　look。　I　might　prove　useful。　You　will　have　to　leave　the　open　road　after　tonight；　for　the　horsemen　will　watch　it　night　and　day。　You　may　escape　from　Bree；　and　be　allowed　to　go　forward　while　the　Sun　is　up；　but　you　won't　go　far。　They　will　e　on　you　in　the　wild；　in　some　dark　place　where　there　is　no　help。　Do　you　wish　them　to　find　you？　They　are　terrible！'

The　hobbits　looked　at　him；　and　saw　with　surprise　that　his　face　was　drawn　as　if　with　pain；　and　his　hands　clenched　the　arms　of　his　chair。　The　room　was　very　quiet　and　still；　and　the　light　seemed　to　have　grown　dim。　For　a　while　he　sat　with　unseeing　eyes　as　if　walking　in　distant　memory　or　listening　to　sounds　in　the　Night　far　away。

'There！'　he　cried　after　a　moment；　drawing　his　hand　across　his　brow。　'Perhaps　I　know　more　about　these　pursuers　than　you　do。　You　fear　them；　but　you　do　not　fear　them　enough；　yet。　Tomorrow　you　will　have　to　escape；　if　you　can。　Strider　can　take　you　by　paths　that　are　seldom　trodden。　Will　you　have　him？'

There　was　a　heavy　silence。　Frodo　made　no　answer；　his　mind　was　confused　with　doubt　and　fear。　Sam　frowned；　and　looked　at　his　master；　and　at　last　he　broke　out：

'With　your　leave；　Mr。　Frodo；　I'd　say　no！　This　Strider　here；　he　warns　and　he　says　take　care；　and　I　say　yes　to　that；　and　let's　begin　with　him。　He　es　out　of　the　Wild；　and　I　never　heard　no　good　of　such　folk。　He　knows　something；　that's　plain；　and　more　than　I　like；　but　it's　no　reason　why　we　should　let　him　go　leading　us　out　into　some　dark　place　far　from　help；　as　he　puts　it。'

Pippin　fidgeted　and　looked　unfortable。　Strider　did　not　reply　to　Sam；　but　turned　his　keen　eyes　on　Frodo。　Frodo　caught　his　glance　and　looked　away。　'No；'　he　said　slowly。　'I　don't　agree。　I　think；　I　think　you　are　not　really　as　you　choose　to　look。　You　began　to　talk　to　me　like　the　Breefolk；　but　your　voice　has　changed。　Still　Sam　seems　right　in　this：　I　don't　see　why　you　should　warn　us　to　take　care；　and　yet　ask　us　to　take　you　on　trust。　Why　the　disguise？　Who　are　you？　What　do　you　really　know　about　。　about　my　business；　and　how　do　you　know　it？'

'The　lesson　in　caution　has　been　well　learned；'　said　Strider　with　a　grim　smile。　'But　caution　is　one　thing　and　wavering　is　another。　You　will　never　get　to　Rivendell　now　on　your　own；　and　to　trust　me　is　your　only　chance。　You　must　make　up　your　mind。　I　will　answer　some　of　your　questions；　if　that　will　help　you　to　do　so。　But　why　should　you　believe　my　story；　if　you　do　not　trust　me　already？　Still　here　it　is—？

At　that　moment　there　came　a　knock　at　the　door。　Mr。　Butterbur　had　arrived　with　candles；　and　behind　him　was　Nob　with　cans　of　hot　water。　Strider　withdrew　into　a　dark　corner。

'I've　e　to　bid　you　good　night；'　said　the　landlord；　putting　the　candles　on　the　table。　'Nob！　Take　the　water　to　the　rooms！'　He　came　in　and　shut　the　door。

'It's　like　this；'　he　began；　hesitating　and　looking　troubled。　'If　I've　done　any　harm；　I'm　sorry　indeed。　But　one　thing　drives　out　another；　as　you'll　admit；　and　I'm　a　busy　man。　But　first　one　thing　and　then　another　this　week　have　jogged　my　memory；　as　the　saying　goes；　and　not　too　late　I　hope。　You　see；　I　was　asked　to　look　out　for　hobbits　of　the　Shire；　and　for　one　by　the　name　of　Baggins　in　particular。'

'And　what　has　that　got　to　do　with　me？'　asked　Frodo。

'Ah！　you　know　best；'　said　the　landlord；　knowingly。　'I　won't　give　you　away；　but　I　was　told　that　this　Baggins　would　be　going　by　the　name　of　Underhill；　and　I　was　given　a　description　that　fits　you　well　enough；　if　I　may　say　so。'

'Indeed！　Let's　have　it　then！'　said　Frodo；　unwisely　interrupting。

'A　stout　little　fellow　with　red　cheeks；'　said　Mr。　Butterbur　solemnly。　Pippin　chuckled；　but　Sam　looked　indignant。　'That　won't　help　you　much；　it　goes　for　most　hobbits。　Barley；　he　says　to　me；'　continued　Mr。　Butterbur　with　a　glance　at　Pippin。　'But　this　one　is　taller　than　some　and　fairer　than　most；　and　he　has　a　cleft　in　his　chin：　perky　chap　with　a　bright　eye。　Begging　your　pardon；　but　he　said　it；　not　me。'

'He　said　it？　And　who　was　he？'　asked　Frodo　eagerly。

'Ah！　That　was　Gandalf；　if　you　know　who　I　mean。　A　wizard　they　say　he　is；　but　he's　a　good　friend　of　mine；　whether　or　no。　But　now　I　don't　know　what　he'll　have　to　say　to　me；　if　I　see　him　again：　turn　all　my　ale　sour　or　me　into　a　block　of　wood；　I　shouldn't　wonder。　He's　a　bit　hasty。　Still　what's　done　can't　be　undone。　'

'Well；　what　have　you　done？'　said　Frodo；　getting　impatient　with　the　slow　unravelling　of　Butterbur's　thoughts。

'Where　was　I？'　said　the　landlord；　pausing　and　snapping　his　fingers。　'Ah；　yes！　Old　Gandalf。　Three　months　back　he　walked　right　into　my　room　without　a　knock。　Barley；　he　says；　I'm　off　in　the　morning。　Will　you　do　something　for　me？　You've　only　to　name　it；　I　said。　I'm　in　a　hurry；　said　he；　and　I've　no　time　myself；　but　I　want　a　message　took　to　the　Shire。　Have　you　anyone　you　can　send；　and　trust　to　go？　I　can　find　someone；　I　said；　tomorrow；　maybe；　or　the　day　after。　Make　it　tomorrow；　he　says；　and　then　he　gave　me　a　letter。

'It's　addressed　plain　enough；'　said　Mr。　Butterbur；　producing　a　letter　from　his　pocket；　and　reading　out　the　address　slowly　and　proudly　（he　valued　his　reputation　as　a　lettered　man）：

Mr。　FRODO　BAGGINS；　BAG　END；　HOBBITON　in　the　SHIRE。

'A　letter　for　me　from　Gandalf！'　cried　Frodo。

'Ah！'　said　Mr。　Butterbur。　'Then　your　right　name　is　Baggins？'

'It　is；'　said　Frodo；　'and　you　had　better　give　me　that　letter　at　once；　and　explain　why　you　never　sent　it。　That's　what　you　came　to　tell　me；　I　suppose；　though　you've　taken　a　long　time　to　e　to　the　point。'

Poor　Mr。　Butterbur　looked　troubled。　'You're　right；　master；'　he　said；　'and　I　beg　your　pardon。　And　I'm　mortal　afraid　of　what　Gandalf　will　say；　if　harm　es　of　it。　But　I　didn't　keep　it　back　apurpose。　I　put　it　by　safe。　Then　I　couldn't　find　nobody　willing　to　go　to　the　Shire　next　day；　nor　the　day　after；　and　none　of　my　own　folk　were　to　spare；　and　then　one　thing　after　another　drove　it　out　of　my　mind。　I'm　a　busy　man。　I'll　do　what　I　can　to　set　matters　right；　and　if　there's　any　help　I　can　give；　you've　only　to　name　it。

'Leaving　the　letter　aside；　I　promised　Gandalf　no　less。　Barley；　he　says　to　me；　this　friend　of　mine　from　the　Shire；　he　may　be　ing　out　this　way　before　long；　him　and　another。　He'll　be　calling　himself　Underhill。　Mind　that！　But　you　need　ask　no　questions。　And　if　I'm　not　with　him；　he　may　be　in　trouble；　and　he　may　need　help。　Do　whatever　you　can　for　him；　and　I'll　be　grateful；　he　says。　And　here　you　are；　and　trouble　is　not　far　off；　seemingly。'

'What　do　you　mean？'　asked　Frodo。

'These　black　men；'　said　the　landlord　lowering　his　voice。　'They're　looking　for　Baggins；　and　if　they　mean　well；　then　I'm　a　hobbit。　It　was　on　Monday；　and　all　the　dogs　were　yammering　and　the　geese　screaming。　Uncanny；　I　called　it。　Nob；　he　came　and　told　me　that　two　black　men　were　at　the　door　asking　for　a　hobbit　called　Baggins。　Nob's　hair　was　all　stood　on　end。　I　bid　the　black　fellows　be　off；　and　slammed　the　door　on　them；　but　they've　been　asking　the　same　question　all　the　way　to　Archet；　I　hear。　And　that　Ranger；　Strider；　he's　been　asking　questions；　too。　Tried　to　get　in　here　to　see　you；　before　you'd　had　bite　or　sup；　he　did。'

'He　did！'　said　Strider　suddenly；　ing　forward　into　the　light。　'And　much　trouble　would　have　been　saved；　if　you　had　let　him　in；　Barliman。'

The　landlord　jumped　with　surprise。　'You！'　he　cried。　'You're　always　popping　up。　What　do　you　want　now？'

'He's　here　with　my　leave；'　said　Frodo。　'He　came　to　offer　me　his　help。'

'Well；　you　know　your　own　business；　maybe；'　said　Mr。　Butterbur；　looking　suspiciously　at　Strider。　'But　if　I　was　in　your　plight；　I　wouldn't　take　up　with　a　Ranger。'

'Then　who　would　you　take　up　with？'　asked　Strider。　'A　fat　innkeeper　who　only　remembers　his　own　name　because　people　shout　it　at　him　all　day？　They　cannot　stay　in　The　Pony　for　ever；　and　they　cannot　go　home。　They　have　a　long　road　before　them。　Will　you　go　with　them　and　keep　the　black　men　off？'

'Me？　Leave　Bree！　I　wouldn't　do　that　for　any　money；'　said　Mr。　Butterbur；　looking　really　scared。　'But　why　can't　you　stay　here　quiet　for　a　bit；　Mr。　Underhill？　What　are　all　these　queer　goings　on？　What　are　these　black　men　after；　and　where　do　they　e　from；　I'd　like　to　know？'

'I'm　sorry　I　can't　explain　it　all；'　answered　Frodo。　'I　am　tired　and　very　worried；　and　it's　a　long　tale。　But　if　you　mean　to　help　me；　I　ought　to　warn　you　that　you　will　be　in　danger　as　long　as　I　am　in　your　house。　These　Black　Riders：　I　am　not　sure；　but　I　think；　I　fear　they　e　from—？

'They　e　from　Mordor；'　said　Strider　in　a　low　voice。　'From　Mordor；　Barliman；　if　that　means　anything　to　you。'

'Save　us！'　cried　Mr。　Butterbur　turning　pale；　the　name　evidently　was　known　to　him。　'That　is　the　worst　news　that　has　e　to　Bree　in　my　time。'　'It　is；'　said　Frodo。　'Are　you　still　willing　to　help　me？'　'I　am；'　said　Mr。　Butterbur。　'More　than　ever。　Though　I　don't　know　what　the　likes　of　me　can　do　against；　against—？　he　faltered。

'Against　the　Shadow　in　the　East；'　said　Strider　quietly。　'Not　much；　Barliman；　but　every　little　helps。　You　can　let　Mr。　Underhill　stay　here　tonight；　as　Mr。　Underhill；　and　you　can　fet　the　name　of　Baggins；　till　he　is　far　away。'

'I'll　do　that；'　said　Butterbur。　'But　they'll　find　out　he's　here　without　help　from　me；　I'm　afraid。　It's　a　pity　Mr。　Baggins　drew　attention　to　himself　this　evening；　to　say　no　more。　The　story　of　that　Mr。　Bilbo's　going　off　has　been　heard　before　tonight　in　Bree。　Even　our　Nob　has　been　doing　some　guessing　in　his　slow　pate：　and　there　are　others　in　Bree　quicker　in　the　uptake　than　he　is。'

'Well；　we　can　only　hope　the　Riders　won't　e　back　yet；'　said　Frodo。

'I　hope　not；　indeed；'　said　Butterbur。　'But　spooks　or　no　spooks；　they　won't　get　in　The　Pony　so　easy。　Don't　you　worry　till　the　morning。　Nob'll　say　no　word。　No　black　man　shall　pass　my　doors；　while　I　can　stand　on　my　legs。　Me　and　my　folk'll　keep　watch　tonight；　but　you　had　best　get　some　sleep；　if　you　can。'

'In　any　case　we　must　be　called　at　dawn；'　said　Frodo。　'We　must　get　off　as　early　as　possible。　Breakfast　at　sixthirty；　please。'

'Right！　I'll　see　to　the　orders；'　said　the　landlord。　'Good　night；　Mr。　Baggins　。　Underhill；　I　should　say！　Good　night　。　now；　bless　me！　Where's　your　Mr。　Brandybuck？'

'I　don't　know；'　said　Frodo　with　sudden　anxiety。　They　had　fotten　all　about　Merry；　and　it　was　getting　late。　'I　am　afraid　he　is　out。　He　said　something　about　going　for　a　breath　of　air。'

'Well；　you　do　want　looking　after　and　no　mistake：　your　party　might　be　on　a　holiday！'　said　Butterbur。　'I　must　go　and　bar　the　doors　quick；　but　I'll　see　your　friend　is　let　in　when　he　es。　I'd　better　send　Nob　to　look　for　him。　Good　night　to　you　all！'　At　last　Mr。　Butterbur　went　out；　with　another　doubtful　look　at　Strider　and　a　shake　of　his　head。　His　footsteps　retreated　down　the　passage。

'Well