看守來(lái)到基米·范林丁正在干活的監(jiān)獄制鞋間,將他帶到監(jiān)獄辦公室。到了那里,監(jiān)獄長(zhǎng)將一張赦免書遞給基米,這是今天早上州長(zhǎng)簽署的;啄亟舆^(guò)去,對(duì)此他沒有流露出任何的激動(dòng)。他早已膩煩,他在獄中呆了將近10個(gè)月,而判他的是4年徒刑。說(shuō)真的,他本來(lái)打算最多呆3個(gè)月的。他有好多朋友,他相信他們一定會(huì)為他想辦法的。
“Now, Valentine,” said the warden, “You’ll go out in the morning. Make a man of yourself. You’re not a bad fellow really. Stop breaking open safes and be honest.”
“范林丁,”監(jiān)獄長(zhǎng)說(shuō),“明天早上你就可以出獄了,要活出個(gè)人樣來(lái)。其實(shí)你這人并不壞。再不要撬保險(xiǎn)柜了。做一個(gè)誠(chéng)實(shí)的人。”
“Me?” said Jimmy, in surprise. “Why, I’ve never broken open a safe in my life.”
“我?”基米吃驚地說(shuō),“你說(shuō)什么?我可從來(lái)沒有撬過(guò)保險(xiǎn)柜呀!
“Oh, no,” laughed the warden. “Of course not. And what about that Springfield job? Do you mean to say you didn’t take part in it?”
“啊,沒有,”監(jiān)獄長(zhǎng)笑道,“當(dāng)然沒有?墒,春田事件該怎么說(shuō)呢?你是說(shuō)你沒有參與那件事嗎?”
“Me?” said Jimmy still more surprised. “Why, warden, I’ve never been to Springfield in my life!”
“我?”基米更吃驚了。“怎么,監(jiān)獄長(zhǎng),我可從來(lái)沒有去過(guò)春田呀!”
“Take him back,” the warden said to the guard smiling, “and give him some clothes. Unlock him at seven in the morning and let him come to me. Better think over my advice, Valentine.”
“把他帶回去,”監(jiān)獄長(zhǎng)對(duì)看守笑道,“給他一些衣服,明天早上7點(diǎn)給他開鎖后讓他到我這里來(lái)。最好還是把我的勸告想一下,范林丁。”
At a quarter past seven the next morning Jimmy stood in the warden’s office. He wore a badly-fitting ready-made suit and the cheap shoes that the state gives to prisoners, when they are set free. The clerk handed him a railroad ticket and the five-dollar bill with which he was supposed to start a new, honest life. The warden gave him a cigar, and they shook hands. Valentine, 9762, was registered on the books “Pardoned by Governor,” and Mr. James Valentine walked out into the sunshine.
第二天早上7點(diǎn)15分,基米站在了監(jiān)獄長(zhǎng)的辦公室。他穿著一套很不合身的現(xiàn)成衣服和一雙廉價(jià)的鞋子。這些是在釋放犯人時(shí)發(fā)給他們的。一名職員遞給他一張火車票和5美元。拿著這些錢,從此就可以開始誠(chéng)實(shí)的新的人生了。監(jiān)獄長(zhǎng)遞給他一支雪茄。他們握了握手。范林丁,9762號(hào),已經(jīng)登記在“州長(zhǎng)赦免冊(cè)”中。于是,詹姆斯·范林了便走到了陽(yáng)光下。