15 Undercover

第15章 地下组织

DAVAN:……In the unsettled times marking the final centuries of the First Galactic Empire, the typical sources of unrest arose from the fact that political and military leaders jockeyed for "supreme" power (a supremacy that grew more worthless with each decade). Only rarely was there anything that could be called a popular movement prior to the advent of psychohistory. In this connection, one intriguing example involves Davan, of whom little is actually known, but who may have met with Hari Seldon at one time when ...

达凡：……在第一银河帝国最后数世纪的不安岁月中，典型的动荡根源来自政治与军事领袖谋取“至高无上”权力这项事实（平均每隔十年，这种至上的权力就会贬值一次）。在心理史学出现之前，能够称为群众运动的事例少之又少。就此而论，其中一个耐人寻味的例子便与达凡有关。此人的真实背景鲜为人知，但他可能曾遇到过哈里·谢顿……

ENCYCLOPEDIA GALACTICA

……《银河百科全书》

Both Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili had taken rather lingering baths, making use of the somewhat primitive facilities available to them in the Tisalver household. They had changed their clothing and were in Seldons room when Jirad Tisalver returned in the evening. His signal at the door was (or seemed) rather timid. The buzz did not last long.

利用堤沙佛家现成的、有几分原始的沐浴设备，哈里·谢顿与铎丝·凡纳比里陆续洗了一个不算短的澡。等到吉拉德·堤沙佛傍晚回到家，他们两人已经换好衣服，一起待在谢顿的房间。堤沙佛发出的叫门讯号（似乎）有些胆怯，蜂鸣声并未持续多久。

Seldon opened the door and said pleasantly, "Good evening, Master Tisalver. And Mistress."

谢顿打开门，愉快地说道：“晚安，堤沙佛老爷，还有夫人。”

She was standing right behind her husband, forehead puckered into a puzzled frown.

她站在丈夫的正后方，前额皱成一团，显得十分困惑。

Tisalver said tentatively, as though he was unsure of the situation, "Are you and Mistress Venabili both well?" He nodded his head as though trying to elicit an affirmative by body language.

堤沙佛仿佛不确定情况如何，他以试探性的口吻说：“你和凡纳比里夫人都好吗？”他猛点着头，似乎试图借着身体语言引出肯定的答案。

"Quite well. In and out of Billibotton without trouble and were all washed and changed. Theres no smell left." Seldon lifted his chin as he said it, smiling, tossing the sentence over Tisalvers shoulder to his wife.

“相当好。进出脐眼都毫无困难，现在我们已经洗过澡，换过衣服，没有留下任何气味。”谢顿一面说，一面抬起下巴，露出微笑，让这些话越过堤沙佛的肩头抵达他的妻子面前。

She sniffed loudly, as though testing the matter.

她猛吸几口气，像是在检验这件事。

still tentatively, Tisalver said, "I understand there was a knife fight."

堤沙佛仍旧以试探性的口吻说：“据我了解，曾经发生一场刀战。”

Seldon raised his eyebrows. "Is that the story?"

谢顿扬起眉毛。“传闻是这样的吗？”

"You and the Mistress against a hundred thugs, we were cold, and you killed them all. Is that so?" There was the reluctant sound of deep respect in his voice.

“我们听说，你和夫人联手对抗一百名凶徒，把他们全杀了。是不是这样？”他的声音中透出一种控制不住的深度敬意。

"Absolutely not," Dors put in with sudden annoyance. "Thats ridiculous. What do you think we are? Mass murderers? And do you think a hundred thugs would remain in place, waiting the considerable time it would take me……us……to kill them all? I mean, think about it."

“绝无此事。”铎丝突然觉得很不耐烦，“那实在荒唐。你以为我们是什么？大屠杀的刽子手？你以为一百名凶徒会待在原地，等上好长一段时间，好让我……我们……把他们通通杀光？我的意思是，用脑筋想想。”

"Thats what theyre saying," said Casilia Tisalver with shrill firmness. "We cant have that sort of thing in this house."

“大家都是这么说的。”凯西莉娅·堤沙佛以尖锐而坚定的口吻说，“这栋房子里不能发生这种事。”

"In the first place," said Seldon, "it wasn't in this house. In the second, it wasn't a hundred men, it was ten. In the third, no one was killed. There was some altercation back and forth, after which they left and made way for us."

“第一，”谢顿说，“不是发生在这栋房子里。第二，没有一百个人，而是只有十个。第三，没有任何人被杀。的确有些你来我往的口角，然后他们就让路了。”

"They just made way. Do you expect me to believe that, Outworlders?" demanded Mistress Tisalver belligerently.

“他们就这么让路。两位外星人士，你们指望我相信这种事吗？”堤沙佛夫人咄咄逼人地追问。

Seldon sighed. At the slightest stress, human beings seemed to divide themselves into antagonistic groups. He said, "Well, I grant you one of them was cut a little. Not seriously."

谢顿叹了一口气。即使在最轻微的压力下，人类似乎也会分裂成敌对的集团。他说：“好吧，我承认其中一人被割伤了一点，但并不严重。”

"And you werent hurt at all?" said Tisalver. The admiration in his voice was more marked.

“而你们完全没有受伤？”堤沙佛说，声音中的敬佩之意更加显着。

"Not a scratch," said Seldon. "Mistress Venabili handles two knives excellently well."

“毫发无损。”谢顿说，“凡纳比里夫人舞弄双刀的本领好极了。”

"I dare say," said Mistress Tisalver, her eyes dropping to Dorss belt, "and thats not what I want to have going on here."

“我就说嘛，”堤沙佛夫人的目光垂到铎丝的皮带上，“我可不希望这里会发生那种事。”

Dors said sternly, "As long as no one attacks us here, thats what you wont have here."

铎丝断然道：“只要没有人在这里攻击我们，你这里就不会发生那种事。”

"But on account of you," said Mistress Tisalver, "we have trash from the street standing at the doorway."

“可是由于你们的缘故，”堤沙佛夫人又说，“街上的一个废物正站在我们家门口。”

"My love," said Tisalver soothingly, "let us not anger……"

“吾爱，”堤沙佛以安抚的口吻说，“我们可别生气……”

"Why?" spat his wife with contempt. "Are you afraid of her knives? I would like to see her use them here."

“为什么？”他的妻子轻蔑地啐了一口，“你怕她的双刀吗？我倒想看看她在这里怎么耍。”

"I have no intention of using them here," said Dors with a sniff as loud as any that Mistress Tisalver had produced. "What is this trash from the street youre talking about?"

“我根本不打算在这里动刀。”铎丝一面说，一面哼了一声，与堤沙佛夫人刚才的哼声同样嘹亮。“你所谓街上的废物，究竟是怎么回事？”

Tisalver said, "What my wife means is that an urchin from Billibotton……at least, judging by his appearance……wishes to see you and we are not accustomed to that sort of thing in this neighborhood. It undermines our standing." He sounded apologetic.

堤沙佛说：“我太太指的是一个来自脐眼的小鬼……至少，他的外表表明了他来自脐眼。他希望见你们，而我们这个社区对这种事并不习惯，这样有损我们的声誉。”他的口气听来有些心虚。

Seldon said, "Well, Master Tisalver, well go outside, find out what its all about, and send him on his business as quickly……"

谢顿说：“好吧，堤沙佛老爷，我们这就到外面去，弄明白到底是怎么回事，然后尽快打发他走……”

"No. Wait," said Dors, annoyed. "These are our rooms. We pay for them. We decide who visits us and who does not. If there is a young man outside from Billibotton, he is nonetheless a Dahlite. More important, hes a Trantorian. still more important, hes a citizen of the Empire and a human being. Most important, by asking to see us, he becomes our guest. Therefore, we invite him in to see us."

“不，慢着。”铎丝显然被惹恼了，“这里是我们的房间，是我们付钱租下来的。应该由我们决定谁能或谁不能拜访我们。如果外面有个来自脐眼的年轻人，他无论如何也是达尔人。更重要的是，他是川陀人。还要更加重要的是，他是帝国公民，是人类的一分子。而最重要的一点是，他既然求见我们，就成了我们的客人。因此之故，我们要请他进来和我们见面。”

Mistress Tisalver didn't move. Tisalver himself seemed uncertain.

堤沙佛夫人没有任何动作，堤沙佛本人似乎不知如何是好。

Dors said, "Since you say I killed a hundred bullies in Billibotton, you surely do not think I am afraid of a boy or, for that matter, of you two." Her right hand dropped casually to her belt.

铎丝又说：“既然你说我在脐眼杀了一百个恶霸，你当然不会认为我会怕一个男孩，或者怕你们两位。”她的右手似乎不经意地落在皮带上。

Tisalver said with sudden energy, "Mistress Venabili, we do not intend to offend you. Of course these rooms are yours and you can entertain whomever you wish here." He stepped back, pulling his indignant wife with him, undergoing a burst of resolution for which he might conceivably have to pay afterward.

堤沙佛突然中气十足地说：“凡纳比里夫人，我们不打算冒犯你。这两间房当然是属于你们的，你们可以招待任何希望招待的人。”在一股突如其来的决心驱策之下，他开始向后退去，拉着气呼呼的妻子一同离开，虽然不难想见他可能为此付出代价。

Dors looked after them sternly.

铎丝以严厉的眼神目送他们。

Seldon smiled dryly. "How unlike you, Dors. I thought I was the one who quixotically got into trouble and that you were the calm and practical one whose only aI'm was to prevent trouble."

谢顿无奈地笑了笑。“铎丝，这多么不像你。我一直以为，我才是那个满脑子狂想、专门惹事生非的人；而你则总是冷静且务实，唯一的目标就是预防麻烦。”

Dors shook her head. "I cant bear to hear a human being spoken of with contempt just because of his group identification……even by other human beings. Its these respectable people here who create those hooligans out there."

铎丝摇了摇头。“一个人只因为出身背景，就受到他人……其他的人类如此轻视，我听到这种话便无法忍受。正是这里这些有头有脸的人，制造出那里那些不良少年。”

"And other respectable people," said Seldon, "who create these respectable people. These mutual animosities are as much a part of humanity……"

“而另一批有头有脸的人，”谢顿说，“则制造出这里这批有头有脸的人。这些相互间的憎恨，同样是人性的一部分……”

"Then youll have to deal with it in your psychohistory, wont you?"

“你得在你的心理史学中处理这个问题，对不对？”

"Most certainly……if there is ever a psychohistory with which to deal with anything at all……Ah, here comes the urchin under discussion. And its Raych, which somehow doesnt surprise me."

“千真万确。只要真有一种心理史学，真能处理任何问题……啊，我们谈论的那个小鬼来啦，他就是芮奇，这点我倒不惊讶。”

Raych entered, looking about, clearly intimidated. The forefinger of his right hand reached for his upper lip as though wondering when he would begin to feel the first downy hairs there.

芮奇一面走进来，一面东张西望，显然事先受到过威吓。他的右手食指摸着上唇，仿佛在想不知何时会摸到第一撮细毛。

He turned to the clearly outraged Mistress Tisalver and bowed clumsily. "Thank ya, Missus. Ya got a lovely place."

他转身面向显然气急败坏的堤沙佛夫人，以笨拙的动作鞠了一躬。“谢谢你，姑奶奶，你的房子真可爱。”

Then, as the door slammed behind him, he turned to Seldon and Dors with an air of easy connoisseurship. "Nice place, guys."

等到房门在他身后“砰”地一声关上之后，他转过来面对着谢顿与铎丝，以鉴赏家般的轻松口吻说：“哥儿们，好地方。”

"I'm glad you like it," said Seldon solemnly. "How did you know we were here?"

“我很高兴你这么讲，”谢顿严肃地说，“你怎么知道我们在这里？”

"Followed ya. Howd ya think? Hey, lady"……he turned to Dors……"you don't fight like no dame."

“跟踪你们，不然你以为呢？嘿，大姐，”他转向铎丝，“你的刀法不像娘儿们。”

"Have you watched many dames fight?" asked Dors, amused.

“你看过许多娘儿们使刀吗？”铎丝打趣道。

Raych rubbed his nose, "No, never seen none whatever. They don't carry knives, except little ones to scare kids with. Never scared me."

芮奇摸了摸鼻子。“不，一向没见。她们不带刀子，只带专门吓小孩的匕首。从来吓不倒我。”

"I'm sure they didnt. What do you do to make dames draw their knives?"

“我确信她们办不到。你做了什么事，会让那些娘儿们拔刀相向？”

"Nothin. You just kid around a little. You holler, Hey, lady, lemme…… " He thought about it for a moment and said, "Nothin."

“啥也没。只是开个小玩笑，只是喊喊：嘿，大姐，让我……”他想了一下子，又说：“啥也没做。”

Dors said, "Well, don't try that on me."

铎丝说：“好，可别对我来那一套。”

"Ya kiddin? After what ya did to Marron? Hey, lady, whered you learn to fight that way?"

“你开玩笑？在你教训玛隆一顿之后？嘿，大姐，你在哪里学的那种刀法？”

"On my own world."

“在我自己的世界。”

"Could ya teach me?"

“你能教我吗？”

"Is that what you came here to see me about?"

“你来这里找我，就是为了这件事？”

"Akchaly, no. I came to bring ya a kind of message."

“老实说，不是。我是来给你们捎个信。”

"From someone who wants to fight me?"

“又有哪个人想和我斗刀？”

"No one wants to fight ya, lady. Listen, lady, ya got a reputation now. Everybody knows ya. You just walk down anywhere in old Billibotton and all the guys Will step aside and let ya pass and grin and make sure they don't look cross-eyed at ya. Oh, lady, ya got it made. Thats why he wants to see ya."

“大姐，没人想和你斗刀。听我说，大姐，你现在大有名气，人人都知道你。你在脐眼随便走到哪儿，哥儿们都会闪到一旁让路，顶多咧嘴笑一笑，绝不敢用斜眼瞧你。喔，大姐，你做到了，这就是他要见你们的原因。”

Seldon said, "Raych, just exactly who wants to see us?"

谢顿说：“芮奇，到底是谁要见我们？”

"Guy called Davan."

“一个叫达凡的哥儿们。”

"And who is he?"

“他是什么人？”

"Just a guy. He lives in Billibotton and don't carry no knife."

“就是个哥儿们。他住在脐眼，却不带刀子。”

"And he stays alive, Raych?"

“而他能活到现在，芮奇？”

"He reads a lot and he helps the guys there when they get in trouble with the govment. They kinda leave him alone. He don't need no knife."

“他读过许多书，哥儿们遇到政府找麻烦他都会帮忙。所以他们不惹他，他就不需要刀子。”

"Why didn't he come himself, then?" said Dors. "Why did he send you?"

“那么，他为何自己不来？”铎丝问道，“他为什么派你来？”

"He don't like this place. He says it makes him sick. He says all the people here, they lick the govments……" He paused, looked dubiously at the two Outworlders, and said, "Anyway, he wont come here. He said theyd let me in cause I was only a kid." He grinned. "They almost didnt, did they? I mean that lady there who looked like she was smellin somethin?"

“他不喜欢这地方，他说这里让他恶心。他说这里所有的人，都在舔政府的……”他顿了一下，狐疑地望着面前两位外星人士。“反正，他不会来这里。他说他们会让我进来，因为我只是个孩子。”他咧嘴一笑，“他们差点赶我走了，对不对？我是说刚才那个大姐，她看来好像闻到什么？”

He stopped suddenly, abashed, and looked down at himself. "Ya don't get much chance to wash where I come from."

他突然打住，脸红了起来，又低头看了看自己。“在我们那个地方，没多少机会清洗。”

"Its all right," said Dors, smiling. "Where are we supposed to meet, then, if he wont come here? After all……if you don't mind……we don't feel like going to Billibotton."

“没关系。”铎丝带着微笑说，“既然他不来这里，那么，我们要在哪里见面？毕竟，希望你别介意，我们不太喜欢再去脐眼。”

"I told ya," said Raych indignantly. "Ya get free run of Billibotton, I swear. Besides, where he lives no one Will bother ya."

“我告诉过你，”芮奇气愤地说，“你在脐眼可以自由来去，我发誓。此外，他住的那里，没人会打扰你。”

"Where is it?" asked Seldon.

“那里是哪里？”谢顿问道。

"I can take ya there. It aint far."

“我可带你们去，不太远。”

"And why does he want to see us?" asked Dors.

“他为什么要见我们呢？”铎丝问道。

"Dunno. But he says like this……" Raych half-closed his eyes in an effort to remember. " Tell them I wanna see the man who talked to a Dahlite heatsinker like he was a human being and the woman who beat Marron with knives and didn't kill him when she mighta done so. I think I got it right."

“不知，但他像这么说……”芮奇眯起眼睛努力回想，“‘告诉他们，我要见见那位和一名达尔热闾工谈过话，把他当人看待的男士，以及那位用双刀打败玛隆，可以杀他却没杀他的女士。’我想我背得没错。”

Seldon smiled. "I think you did. Is he ready for us now?"

谢顿微微一笑。“我也这么想。他准备见我们了吗？”

"Hes waiting."

“他正在等。”

"Then well come with you." He looked at Dors with a trace of doubt in his eyes.

“那我们这就跟你去。”他望向铎丝，眼中带着一丝犹疑。

She said, "All right. I'm willing. Perhaps it wont be a trap of some sort. Hope springs eternal……"

她说：“好吧，我愿意去。或许这并不是什么陷阱。希望源源不绝……”

Chapter 74

74

There was a pleasant glow to the evening light when they emerged, a faint violet touch and a pinkish edge to the simulated sunset clouds that were scudding along. Dahl might have complaints of their treatment by the Imperial rulers of Trantor, but surely there was nothing wrong with the weather the computers spun out for them.

他们出来的时候，室外照明射出傍晚时分的悦人光辉。模拟的黄昏云朵轻快地飞掠天际，带着淡淡的紫色，边缘则略呈粉红。对于帝国统治阶级所给予的待遇，达尔人也许颇有怨言，但电脑为他们选择的天气，却显然没有任何瑕疵。

Dors said in a low voice, "We seem to be celebrities. No mistake about that."

铎丝压低声音说：“我们似乎成了名人，绝对错不了。”

Seldon brought his eyes down from the supposed sky and was immediately aware of a fair-sized crowd around the apartment house in which the Tisalvers lived.

谢顿将视线沿着所谓的天空往下移，立刻发觉堤沙佛家的公寓被一大批群众团团围住。

Everyone in the crowd stared at them intently. When it was clear that the two Outworlders had become aware of the attention, a low murmur ran through the crowd, which seemed to be on the point of breaking out into applause.

每一个人都专注地盯着他们。等到两位外星人士显然察觉人群的关注时，一阵低沉的窃窃私语立刻传遍人潮，似乎马上要转变成鼓掌与喝彩。

Dors said, "Now I can see where Mistress Tisalver would find this annoying. I should have been a little more sympathetic."

铎丝说：“现在我能了解堤沙佛夫人为何恼火，我应该更有些同理心才对。”

The crowd was, for the most part, poorly dressed and it was not hard to guess that many of the people were from Billibotton.

大多数人都穿得不怎么体面，不难猜到其中有许多人是来自脐眼。

On impulse, Seldon smiled and raised one hand in a mild greeting that was met with applause. One voice, lost in the safe anonymity of the crowd called out, "Can the lady show us some knife tricks?"

由于一时兴起，谢顿露出微笑，并举起一只手稍微挥了挥，结果换来一阵喝彩。有人躲在人群中叫道：“这位大姐能否表演几招刀法？”

When Dors called back, "No, I only draw in anger," there was instant laughter.

铎丝高声回答：“不行，我只有生气时才拔刀。”引来一阵笑声。

One man stepped forward. He was clearly not from Billibotton and bore no obvious mark of being a Dahlite. He had only a small mustache, for one thing, and it was brown, not black. He said, "Marlo Tanto of the Trantorian HV News. Can we have you in focus for a bit for our nightly holocast?"

一名男子向前走来，他显然并非来自脐眼，也没有达尔人的明显特征。原因之一是他只有两撇小胡子，况且是棕色而不是黑色。他说：“我是川陀全视新闻的马洛·唐图。我们能否请您对准镜头，接受我们晚间全息新闻的访问？”

"No," said Dors shortly. "No interviews."

“不行，”铎丝断然答道，“不接受访问。”

The newsman did not budge. "I understand you were in a fight with a great many men in Billibotton……and won." He smiled. "Thats news, that is."

那位记者毫不退让。“据我了解，您曾在脐眼和众多男子有过一场恶战……并且赢得胜利。”他微微一笑，“那是新闻，绝对没错。”

"No," said Dors. "We met some men in Billibotton, talked to them, and then moved on. Thats all there is to it and thats all youre going to get."

“不对。”铎丝说，“我们在脐眼遇到一些男的，跟他们谈了几句，然后便继续赶路。这就是事情的经过，也就是你的采访结果。”

"Whats your name? You don't sound like a Trantorian."

“您尊姓大名？听口音您不像川陀人。”

"I have no name."

“我没有名字。”

"And your friends name?"

“您的朋友尊姓大名？”

"He has no name."

“他也没有名字。”

The newsman looked annoyed, "Look, lady. Youre news and I'm just trying to do my job."

新闻记者看来恼了。“听好，小姐。你是个新闻，我只是尽力做好我的工作。”

Raych pulled at Dorss sleeve. She leaned down and listened to his earnest whisper.

芮奇拉了拉铎丝的衣袖。于是她低下头来，倾听他一本正经的一番耳语。

She nodded and straightened up again. "I don't think youre a newsman, Mr. Tanto. What I think you are is an Imperial agent trying to make trouble for Dahl. There was no fight and youre trying to manufacture news concerning one as a way of justifying an Imperial expedition into Billibotton. I wouldnt stay here if I were you. I don't think youre very popular with these people."

她点了点头，重新直起身子。“唐图先生，我认为你并不是记者。我倒认为你是一名帝国特务，正在试图给达尔找麻烦。根本没有什么恶战，你却试图制造这样的新闻，以便为帝国征讨脐眼找到合理的借口。如果我是你，就不会待在这里。我不认为你在这些人之间多么受欢迎。”

The crowd had begun to mutter at Dorss first words. They grew louder now and began to drift, slowly and in a menacing way, in the direction of Tanto. He looked nervously around and began to move away.

铎丝在说第一句话的时候，众人就开始交头接耳。现在他们变得更大声，而且开始以带有威胁的方式，慢慢朝唐图的方向移动。他则紧张兮兮地四下望了望，然后拔腿就走。

Dors raised her voice. "Let him go. don't anyone touch him. don't give him any excuse to report violence."

铎丝提高音量说：“让他走，任何人都别碰他。别让他有告发暴力行为的任何借口。”

And they parted before him.

于是众人为他让出一条路来。

Raych said, "Aw, lady, you shoulda let them rough him up."

芮奇说：“喔，大姐，你该让他们教训他一顿。”

"Bloodthirsty boy," said Dors, "take us to this friend of yours."

“嗜血的小子。”铎丝说，“带我们去见你的朋友吧。”

They met the man who called himself Davan in a room behind a dilapidated diner. Far behind.

在一间废弃的速食店后面……很后面……一个房间里，他们见到那位自称达凡的男子。

Raych led the way, once more showing himself as much at home in the burrows of Billibotton as a mole would be in tunnels underground in Helicon. It was Dors Venabili whose caution first manifested itself.

芮奇一路带领他们来到此地，再度显示他对脐眼的巷道熟悉无比，就好像赫利肯的鼹鼠进了洞穴一样。

She stopped and said, "Come back, Raych. Exactly where are we going?"

半路上，铎丝·凡纳比里的警觉最先显现出来。她突然停下脚步，说道：“回来，芮奇。我们究竟要到哪儿去？”

"To Davan," said Raych, looking exasperated. "I told ya."

“去找达凡。”芮奇看来火冒三丈，“我告诉过你。”

"But this is a deserted area. Theres no one living here." Dors looked about with obvious distaste. The surroundings were lifeless and what light panels there were did not glower [but] did so only dimly.

“但这是个荒废的地区，没有任何人住在这里。”铎丝带着明显的嫌恶环顾四周。周遭环境毫无生气，一块块照明板若不是黯淡无光，就是只能发出晦暗的光芒。

"Its the way Davan likes it," said Raych. "Hes always changing around, staying here, staying there. Ya know……changing around."

“达凡就喜欢这样。”芮奇说，“他总是搬来搬去，这里住住，那里住住。你知道吧……搬来搬去。”

"Why?" demanded Dors.

“为什么？”铎丝追问。

"Its safer, lady."

“大姐，这样比较安全。”

"From whom?"

“躲什么人？”

"From the govment."

“躲政府。”

"Why would the government want Davan?"

“政府为什么要抓达凡？”

"I dunno, lady. Tell ya what. I'll tell ya where he is and tell ya how to go and ya go on alone……if ya don't want me to take ya."

“大姐，我不知。如果你们不要我带路，不如这么办：我告诉你他在哪里，再告诉你怎么走，你们就自己去吧。”

Seldon said, "No, Raych, I'm pretty sure well get lost without you. In fact, you had better wait till were through so you can lead us back."

谢顿说：“不，芮奇，我十分确定没有你我们会迷路。事实上，你最好等在外面，等我们谈完后，你好带我们回来。”

Raych said at once, "Whats in it fme? Ya expect me to hang around when I get hungry?"

芮奇立刻说：“我有什么好处？你指望我肚子饿了，还在附近晃来晃去？”

"You hang around and get hungry, Raych, and I'll buy you a big dinner. Anything you like."

“芮奇，你在附近晃来晃去，晃到肚子饿了，我会请你吃一顿丰盛的晚餐，随便你吃什么。”

"Ya say that now. Mister. How do I know?"

“你说得好听，大哥，我又怎么确定呢？”

Dorss hand flashed and it was holding a knife, blade exposed, "Youre not calling us liars, are you, Raych?"

铎丝的手快如闪电，瞬间便拔刀出鞘。“你不是在指控我们骗人吧，芮奇？”

Raychs eyes opened wide. He did not seem frightened by the threat. He said, "Hey, I didn't see that. Do it again."

芮奇的双眼睁得老大，但他似乎并没有被吓到。他说：“嘿，我没看清楚，再来一次。”

"I'll do it afterward……if youre still here. Otherwise"……Dors glared at him……"well track you down."

“事后我会再表演一次……只要你还留在这里。否则的话，”铎丝以凶狠的目光瞪着他，“我们会找你算账。”

"Aw, lady, come on," said Raych. "Ya aint gonna track me down. Ya aint that kind. But I'll be here." He struck a pose. "Ya got my word."

“喔，大姐，得了吧。”芮奇说，“你们不会找我算账，你们不是那种人。但我会待在这里，”他摆出一个姿势，“我向你们保证。”

And he led them onward in silence, though the sound of their shoes was hollow in the empty corridors.

然后他就领着两人默默前进，在空旷的回廊中，他们的脚步声显得分外空洞。

Davan looked up when they entered, a wild look that softened when he saw Raych. He gestured quickly toward the two others……questioningly.

他们刚走进那个房间，达凡立刻抬起头来。等到他看到芮奇，凶狂的表情随即转趋柔和，并朝另外两人很快做了一个表示疑问的手势。

Raych said, "These are the guys." And, grinning, he left.

芮奇说：“两位哥儿们来啦。”说完他咧嘴一笑，径自离去。

Seldon said, "I am Hari Seldon. The young lady is Dors Venabili."

谢顿说：“我是哈里·谢顿，这位小姐是铎丝·凡纳比里。”

He regarded Davan curiously. Davan was swarthy and had the thick black mustache of the Dahlite male, but in addition he had a stubble of beard. He was the first Dahlite whom Seldon had seen who had not been meticulously shaven. Even the bullies of Billibotton had been smooth of cheek and chin.

他以好奇的眼光打量达凡。达凡皮肤黝黑，有着达尔男性独特的粗黑八字胡，但除此之外，他还蓄着短短的络腮胡。在谢顿见过的达尔男子中，他是第一个未曾仔细刮脸的人。就连脐眼的那些恶霸，他们的脸颊与下巴也是光溜溜的。

Seldon said, "What is your name, sir?"

谢顿说：“请教阁下贵姓大名？”

"Davan. Raych must have told you."

“达凡，芮奇一定告诉过你。”

"Your second name."

“贵姓呢？”

"I am only Davan. Were you followed here, Master Seldon?"

“我就叫达凡。谢顿老爷，你们一路上曾被跟踪吗？”

"No, I'm sure we werent. If we had, then by sound or sight, I expect Raych would have known. And if he had not, Mistress Venabili would have."

“没有，我确定没有。假使我们遭到跟踪，我相信逃不过芮奇的耳朵和眼睛。即使他没察觉，凡纳比里夫人也会发现。”

Dors smiled slightly. "You have faith in me, Hari."

铎丝淡淡一笑。“哈里，你对我真有信心。”

"More all the time," he said thoughtfully.

“越来越有。”他意味深长地说。

Davan stirred uneasily. "Yet youve already been found."

达凡不安地挪动了一下。“但你们已经被发现了。”

"Found?"

“被发现了？”

"Yes, I have heard of this supposed newsman."

“是的，我听说了那个所谓的新闻记者。”

"Already?" Seldon looked faintly surprised. "But I suspect he really was a newsman……and harmless. We tatted him an Imperial agent at Raychs suggestion, which was a good idea. The surrounding crowd grew threatening and we got rid of him."

“那么快？”谢顿看来有点惊讶，“但我以为他真是一名记者……而且并无恶意。我们叫他帝国特务是芮奇建议的，这是个好主意。周围的群众立刻变得凶恶，我们就这样摆脱了他。”

"No," said Davan, "he was what you called him. My people know the man and he does work for the Empire……But then you do not do as I do. You do not use a false name and change your place of abode. You go under your own names, making no effort to remain undercover. You are Hari Seldon, the mathematician."

“不，”达凡说，“你们没有冤枉他。我的手下认识这个人，他的确为帝国工作。可是你们的行事方式和我不同，你们不用假名，也不经常更换住处。你们用自己的真名行动，并未试图藏匿地下。你是哈里·谢顿，那位数学家。”

"Yes, I am," said Seldon. "Why should I invent a false name?"

“没错，我就是。”谢顿说，“我为什么需要假名字？”

"The Empire wants you, does it not?"

“帝国正在缉捕你，对不对？”

Seldon shrugged. "I stay in places where the Empire cannot reach out to take me."

谢顿耸了耸肩。“我待的那些地方，都是帝国势力不及之处。”

"Not openly, but the Empire doesnt have to work openly. I would urge you to disappear……really disappear."

“只是无法公开行动，但帝国不一定非公开行动不可。我力主你们销声匿迹……真正消失。”

"Like you……as you say," said Seldon looking about with an edge of distaste. The room was as dead as the corridors he had walked through. It was musty through and through and it was overwhelmingly depressing.

“就像你……如你所说。”谢顿一面说，一面带着些许嫌恶四下张望。这个房间与他刚才经过的那些回廊一样死气，从头到尾都发霉了，而且有一种无比阴郁的气氛。

"Yes," said Davan. "You could be useful to us."

“是的。”达凡说，“你可能对我们有用。”

"In what way?"

“如何有用？”

"You talked to a young man named Yugo Amaryl."

“你和一位名叫雨果·阿马瑞尔的年轻人谈过话。”

"Yes, I did."

“是的，没错。”

"Amaryl tells me that you can predict the future."

“阿马瑞尔告诉我，你能预测未来。”

Seldon sighed heavily. He was tired of standing in this empty room. Davan was sitting on a cushion and there were other cushions available, but they did not look clean. Nor did he wish to lean against the mildew-streaked wall.

谢顿重重叹了一口气。他厌倦了站在这个空洞的房间里。达凡自己坐在一个坐垫上，虽然室内还有其他坐垫，但看来并不干净，而他也不希望靠在满是霉斑的墙壁上。

He said, "Either you misunderstood Amaryl or Amaryl misunderstood me. What I have done is to prove that it is possible to choose starting conditions from which historical forecasting does not descend into chaotic conditions, but can become predictable within limits. However, what those starting conditions might be I do not know, nor am I sure that those conditions can be found by any one person……or by any number of people……in a finite length of time. Do you understand me?"

他说：“要不是你误会了阿马瑞尔，就是阿马瑞尔误会了我。我所做到的，只是证明有可能选择一组起始条件，从这组条件出发，历史预测就不会陷入混沌状况，而能在某个限度内具有可预测性。然而，那组起始条件应该是什么，我却根本不知道。我也不确定那些条件能否在有限时间内，由任何一个人……或是任何数目的一群人找出来。你了解我的意思吗？”

"No."

“不了解。”

Seldon sighed again. "Then let me try once more. It is possible to predict the future, but it may be impossible to find out how to take advantage of that possibility. Do you understand?"

谢顿又叹了一声。“那么我再试一次。预测未来是有可能的，但或许不可能找出利用这个可能性的方法。你了解了吗？”

Davan looked at Seldon darkly, then at Dors. "Then you cant predict the future."

达凡以阴郁的眼神望向谢顿，然后又望向铎丝。“所以说，你无法预测未来。”

"Now you have the point, Master Davan."

“达凡老爷，现在你总算掌握重点了。”

"Just call me Davan. But you may be able to learn to predict the future someday."

“叫我达凡就行。可是也许有一天，你能研究出如何预测未来。”

"That is conceivable."

“那倒是不无可能。”

"Then thats why the Empire wants you."

“所以说，那就是帝国要你的原因。”

"No," Seldon raised his finger didactically. "Its my idea that that is why the Empire is not making an overwhelming effort to get me. They might like to have me if I can be picked up without trouble, but they know that right now I know nothing and that it is therefore not worth upsetting the delicate peace of Trantor by interfering with the local rights of this sector or that. Thats the reason I can move about under my own name with reasonable security."

“不。”谢顿举起一根手指做说教状，“在我想来，这反而是帝国未倾全力捉拿我的原因。若能毫不费力就抓到我，他们或许会想带我走。但是他们明白，此时此刻我什么也不知道，因此不值得为了我而干预地方政权，以致搅乱川陀上微妙而脆弱的和平。因此之故，我能行不改名坐不改姓，安全却还不至于有重大威胁。”

For a moment, Davan buried his head in his hands and muttered, "This is madness." Then he looked up wearily and said to Dors, "Are you Master Seldons wife?"

突然间，达凡将头埋在双掌中，喃喃自语道：“真是愚蠢。”然后他满面倦容地抬起头来，对铎丝说，“你是谢顿老爷的妻子吗？”

Dors said calmly, "I am his friend and protector."

铎丝平静地答道：“我是他的朋友兼保镖。”

"How well do you know him?"

“你对他的认识有多深？”

"We have been together for some months."

“我们在一起几个月了。”

"No more?"

“如此而已？”

"No more."

“如此而已。”

"Would it be your opinion he is speaking the truth?"

“依你的见解，他说的都是实话吗？”

"I know he is, but what reason would you have to trust me if you do not trust him? If Hari is, for some reason, lying to you, might I not be lying to you equally in order to support him?"

“我知道他说的是实话，但你若是不信任他，又有什么理由该信任我？假如基于某种原因，哈里对你说了谎话，难道我不会为了支持他，而同样对你说谎吗？”

Davan looked from one to the other helplessly. Then he said, "Would you, in any case, help us?"

达凡以无助的目光扫过对面两人，又说：“无论如何，你愿意帮助我们吗？”

"Who are us and in what way do you need help?"

“‘我们’是指谁？你们又需要怎样的帮助？”

Davan said, "You see the situation here in Dahl. We are oppressed. You must know that and, from your treatment of Yugo Amaryl, I cannot believe you lack sympathy for us."

达凡说：“你看到了达尔这里的情形，我们受到压迫，这点你一定明白。根据你对待雨果·阿马瑞尔的方式，我绝不相信你对我们毫无同情。”

"We are fully sympathetic."

“我们万分同情。”

"And you must know the source of the oppression."

“你也一定知道压迫的来源。”

"You are going to tell me that its the Imperial government, I suppose, and I dare say it plays its part. On the other hand, I notice that there is a middle class in Dahl that despises the heatsinkers and a criminal class that terrorizes the rest of the sector."

“我想，你要告诉我说来源是帝国政府，而我敢说它确是要角之一。另一方面，我注意到达尔有个鄙视热闾工的中产阶级，还有个在本区制造恐怖的罪犯阶级。”

Davans lips tightened, but he remained unmoved. "Quite true. Quite true. But the Empire encourages it as a matter of principle. Dahl has the potential for making serious trouble. If the heatsinkers should go on strike, Trantor would experience a severe energy shortage almost at once……with all that that implies. However, Dahls own upper classes Will spend money to hire the hoodlums of Billibotton……and of other places……to fight the heatsinkers and break the strike. It has happened before. The Empire allows some Dahlites to prosper……comparatively……in order to convert them into Imperialist lackeys, while it refuses to enforce the arms-control laws effectively enough to weaken the criminal element.

达凡的嘴唇收紧，但他依旧保持镇定。“相当正确，相当正确。可是原则上，帝国在鼓励这种趋势。达尔具有制造重大危机的潜力，倘若热闾工进行罢工，川陀几乎立刻会面临严重的能源短缺……以及因此而来的一切灾难。然而，达尔的上层阶级会花钱雇用脐眼或其他地方的流氓，去教训那些热闾工，让罢工半途夭折。这种事以前发生过。帝国允许某些达尔人飞黄腾达……我是指相对而言……好将他们收买为帝国的走狗，却拒绝切实执行削弱犯罪分子的武器管制法令。

"The Imperial government does this everywhere……and not in Dahl alone. They cant exert force to impose their will, as in the old days when they ruled with brutal directness. Nowadays, Trantor has grown so complex and so easily disturbed that the Imperial forces must keep their hands off……"

“帝国政府在每个地方都这样做，并非只有达尔如此。他们不能像当初以凶残手段直接统治那样，利用武力遂行他们的意志。如今，川陀已经变得如此复杂，如此容易动摇，帝国武力必须保持一定距离……”

"A form of degeneration," said Seldon, remembering Hummins complaints.

“衰微的具体表现。”谢顿想起夫铭的牢骚，便随口说了出来。

"What?" said Davan.

“什么？”达凡问道。

"Nothing," said Seldon. "Go on."

“没什么，”谢顿说，“继续。”

"The Imperial forces must keep their hands off, but they find that they can do much even so. Each sector is encouraged to be suspicious of its neighbors. Within each sector, economic and social classes are encouraged to wage a kind of war with each other. The result is that all over Trantor it is impossible for the people to take united action. Everywhere, the people would rather fight each other than make a common stand against the central tyranny and the Empire rules without having to exert force."

“帝国武力必须保持一定距离，不过他们发现即便如此，却仍旧能做许多事情。例如鼓励每个行政区猜疑近邻，而在每一区中，又鼓励各种经济阶级和社会阶级彼此开战。结果使得川陀每个角落的人民，都不可能采取团结一致的行动。不论任何地方，人们都宁愿互相斗争，也不想对中央极权的专制采取共同立场。这样一来，帝国不费一兵一卒即可统治川陀。”

"And what," said Dors, "do you think can be done about it?"

“在你看来，”铎丝说，“我们又能做些什么？”

"Ive been trying for years to build a feeling of solidarity among the peoples of Trantor."

“我努力了许多年，试图在川陀人民之间建立一种团结感。”

"I can only suppose," said Seldon dryly, "that you are finding this an impossibly difficult and largely thankless task."

“我只能这么猜想，”谢顿冷淡地说，“你发现这个工作困难到近乎不可能，而且大多时候吃力不讨好。”

"You suppose correctly," said Davan, "but the party is growing stronger. Many of our knifers are coming to the realization that knives are best when they are not used on each other. Those who attacked you in the corridors of Billibotton are examples of the unconverted. However, those who support you now, who are ready to defend you against the agent you thought was a newsman, are my people. I live here among them. It is not an attractive way of life, but I am safe here. We have adherents in neighboring sectors and we spread daily."

“你的猜想完全正确，”达凡说，“但是这个党正在茁壮。我们的许多刀客已经渐渐了解，刀子的最佳用途不是用来彼此砍杀。至于在脐眼的回廊中攻击你们的人，则是那些不知悔改的例子。然而，那些支持你的人，那些愿意保护你、为你对付那个特务记者的人，他们都是我的人马。我和他们一起住在这里。这并非一种迷人的生活方式，但我在此安全无虞。邻区也有我们的拥护者，我们的势力正在一天天扩展。”

"But where do we come in?" asked Dors.

“可是我们又扮演什么角色呢？”铎丝问道。

"For one thing," said Davan, "both of you are Outworlders, scholars. We need people like you among our leaders. Our greatest strength is drawn from the poor and the uneducated because they suffer the most, but they can lead the least. A person like one of you two is worth a hundred of them."

“首先，”达凡说，“你们两位都是外星人士，都是学者。在我们的领导群中，需要你们这样的人。我们最大的力量源自穷人和文盲，因为他们受的苦难最深，但他们的领导能力也最差。像你们两位这样的人，一个抵得上他们一百个。”

"Thats an odd estimate from someone who wishes to rescue the oppressed," said Seldon.

“以解救被压迫者为职志的你，居然也会打这种比方。”谢顿说。

"I don't mean as people," said Davan hastily. "I mean as far as leadership is concerned. The party must have among its leaders men and women of intellectual power."

“我的意思不是指人，”达凡连忙说，“而是仅就领导才能而论。在这个党的领导者中，一定要包括拥有知识力量的男女。”

"People like us, you mean, are needed to give your party a veneer of respectability."

“你的意思是，需要像我们这样的人，帮你的党建立值得尊敬的外表。”

Davan said, "You can always put something noble in a sneering fashion if you try. But you, Master Seldon, are more than respectable, more than intellectual. Even if you wont admit to being able to penetrate the mists of the future……"

达凡说：“只要你有意，总是能把某件高贵的举动说成一文不值。可是你，谢顿老爷，则不只是值得尊敬，不只是拥有知识而已。即使你不承认有能力看穿未来的迷雾……”

"Please, Davan," said Seldon, "dont be poetic and don't use the conditional. Its not a matter of admitting. I cant foresee the future. Those are not mists that block the view but chrome steel barriers."

“拜托，达凡，”谢顿说，“别用诗意的语言，也别用条件句。这并非承认与否的问题，我确实无法预见未来。遮挡视线的可不是烟雾，而是铬钢制成的壁垒。”

"Let me finish. Even if you cant actually predict with……what do you call it?……psychohistorical accuracy, youve studied history and you may have a certain intuitive feeling for consequences. Now, isn't that so?"

“让我说完。即使你不能以……你管它叫什么来着……喔，‘心理史学的准确度’真正预测未来，但是你研究过历史，对于事件的结果或许有某种直觉。啊，是不是这样？”

Seldon shook his head. "I may have a certain intuitive understanding for mathematical likelihood, but how far I can translate that into anything of historical significance is quite uncertain. Actually, I have not studied history. I wish I had. I feel the loss keenly."

谢顿摇了摇头。“对于数学上的可能性，我或许有些直觉式的了解，至于我能否把它转换成具有史学重要性的东西，目前还很难说。事实上，我并未研究过历史。为此我极为遗憾，真希望重头来过。”

Dors said evenly, "I am the historian, Davan, and I can say a few things if you wish."

铎丝以平稳的口吻说：“我是个历史学家，达凡，你要是想听，我可以说几句话。”

"Please do," said Davan, making it half a courtesy, half a challenge.

“请讲。”达凡的口气一半是客气，另一半则是挑战。

"For one thing, there have been many revolutions in Galactic history that have overthrown tyrannies, sometimes on individual planets, sometimes in groups of them, occasionally in the Empire itself or in the pre-Imperial regional governments. Often, this has only meant a change in tyranny. In other words, one ruling class is replaced by another……sometimes by one that is more efficient and therefore still more capable of maintaining itself……while the poor and downtrodden remain poor and downtrodden or become even worse off."

“首先，在银河历史上，曾发生过许多次推翻专制的革命，有时是在个别的行星，有时则是一群行星，偶尔也发生于帝国本身，或是前帝国时代的地方政府。往往，这只意味着以暴易暴。换句话说，原有的统治阶级被另一个取代……有时后者更有效率，因此更有能力维系自身的统治。而原本贫苦的、受压迫的百姓，依然是贫苦而受压迫的一群，甚至处境变得更糟。”

Davan, listening intently, said, "I'm aware of that. We all are. Perhaps we can learn from the past and know better what to avoid. Besides, the tyranny that now exists is actual. That which may exist in the future is merely potential. If we are always to draw back from change with the thought that the change may be for the worse, then there is no hope at all of ever escaping injustice."

一直专心聆听的达凡，此时说道：“我晓得这种事，我们全都晓得。说不定我们能从过去学到教训，从而比较了解该如何避免。此外，如今的专制是真实的，未来或许会出现的专制却只是潜在的可能。倘若我们总是不敢接受改变，认为也许会愈变愈糟，那就根本没希望免除任何的不公不义。”

Dors said, "A second point you must remember is that even if you have right on your side, even if justice thunders condemnation, it is usually the tyranny in existence that has the balance of force on its side. There is nothing your knife handlers can do in the way of rioting and demonstrating that Will have any permanent effect as long as, in the extremity, there is an army equipped with kinetic, chemical, and neurological weapons that is willing to use them against your people. You can get all the downtrodden and even all the respectables on your side, but you must somehow win over the security forces and the Imperial army or at least seriously weaken their loyalty to the rulers."

铎丝说：“第二点你必须记住的，就是即使公理在你这边，即使正义之神发出怒吼与谴责，通常却都是那个专制政权拥有绝对的武力优势。在情况危急之际，只要有一支配备着动能、化学能和神经武器的军队愿意对付你的人马，那么你的刀客在各种暴动和示威中，就根本无法造成任何永久性的影响。你能使所有受压迫者站在你这边，甚至能吸引每一位有头有脸的人，可是你还得设法笼络维安部队和帝国军队，或至少得严重削弱他们对统治者的忠诚。”

Davan said, "Trantor is a multigovernmental world. Each sector has its own rulers and some of them are themselves anti-Imperial. If we can have a strong sector on our side, that would change the situation, would it not? We would then not be merely ragamuffins fighting with knives and stones."

达凡说：“川陀是个多政府的世界，每个行政区都有本身的统治者，他们有些也是反帝人士。如果我们能让一个强区加入我们这边，就会改变这种情况，对不对？那个时候，我们就不只是一群手持刀子和石头的褴褛杂牌军。”

"Does that mean you do have a strong sector on your side or merely that it is your ambition to have one?"

“这是否代表真有一个强区站在你那边，或者只是你有这个企图？”

Davan was silent.

达凡沉默不语。

Dors said, "I shall assume that you are thinking of the Mayor of Wye. If the Mayor is in the mood to make use of popular discontent as a way of improving the chance of toppling the Emperor, doesnt it strike you that the end the Mayor would have in view would be that of succeeding to the Imperial throne? Why should the Mayor risk his present not-inconsiderable position for anything less? Merely for the blessings of justice and the decent treatment of people, concerning whom he can have little interest?"

铎丝又说：“我会假设你心中的对象是卫荷区长。如果那位区长有心利用普遍的不满，来增加推翻皇帝的成功机会，难道你不曾想到，那位区长所期待的结局是由他自己继任皇位？区长现在的地位并非毫无价值，除了皇位，还有什么值得他冒险的？仅仅为了帮没看在他眼里的人民争取正义，或是良好的待遇吗？”

"You mean," said Davan, "that any powerful leader who is willing to help us may then betray us."

“你的意思是，”达凡说，“任何愿意帮助我们的强权领袖，到时都可能背叛我们？”

"It is a situation that is all too common in Galactic history."

“在银河历史上，这种情形太普遍了。”

"If we are ready for that, might we not betray him?"

“只要有所准备，难道我们就不能背叛他吗？”

"You mean, make use of him and then, at some crucial moment, subvert the leader of his forces……or a leader, at any rate……and have him assassinated?"

“你的意思是先利用他，然后在某个关键时刻策反他的将领……或者，至少是其中之一……把他暗杀掉？”

"Not perhaps exactly like that, but some way of getting rid of him might exist if that should prove necessary."

“也许并非真正这样做，但若事实证明确有必要，总该有什么办法将他除去。”

"Then we have a revolutionary movement in which the principal players must be ready to betray each other, with each simply waiting for the opportunity. It sounds like a recipe for chaos."

“那我们就有了这样一场革命行动，主要的角色得随时准备彼此背叛，只是时机未到而已。这听来很像是制造动乱的配方。”

"You Will not help us, then?" said Davan.

“这么说，你们不会帮助我们？”达凡说。

Seldon, who had been listening to the exchange between Davan and Dors with a puzzled frown on his face, said, "We cant put it that simply. We would like to help you. We are on your side. It seems to me that no sane man wants to uphold an Imperial system that maintains itself by fostering mutual hatred and suspicions. Even when it seems to work, it can only be described as meta-stable; that is, as too apt to fall into instability in one direction or another. But the question is: How can we help? If I had psychohistory, if I could tell what is most likely to happen, or if I could tell what action of a number of alternative possibilities is most likely to bring on an apparently happy consequence, then I would put my abilities at your disposal……But I don't have it. I can help you best by trying to develop psychohistory."

谢顿一直皱着眉头，露出一副茫然的表情，倾听达凡与铎丝的对话。这时他说：“不能把话说得那么简单。我们愿意帮助你们，我们站在你们这边。在我看来，没有任何心智健全的人，会想支持一个借着培养互恨和互疑来维持自身的帝制系统。即使现在似乎行得通，也只能称之为‘暂稳态’。也就是说，它太容易向某个方向倾倒，跌入不稳定的状态。不过问题是，我们怎样才能帮忙？假使我掌握了心理史学，假使我能判断什么是最可能发生的，或者，假使我能判断在数个可供选择的行动中，哪个最有可能带来显然圆满的结局，那么我愿意让你支配我的能力……可是我并未掌握。我能帮助你的最佳方式，就是试着建立起心理史学。”

"And how long Will that take?"

“那要花多久时间？”

Seldon shrugged. "I cannot say."

谢顿耸了耸肩。“我不敢说。”

"How can you ask us to wait indefinitely?"

“你怎能让我们无限期等下去？”

"What alternative do I have, since I am useless to you as I am? But I Will say this: I have until very recently been quite convinced that the development of psychohistory was absolutely impossible. Now I am not so certain of that."

“既然我现在对你毫无用处，我还能提供什么其他选择？不过我要这样说，直到最近为止，我一直深信建立心理史学是绝不可能的，如今我却不再这么想了。”

"You mean you have a solution in mind?"

“你的意思是，你心中已有解决之道？”

"No, merely an intuitive feeling that a solution might be possible. I have not been able to pin down what has occurred to make me have that feeling. It may be an illusion, but I am trying. Let me continue to try……Perhaps [then well] meet again."

“不，只是有个直觉，感到某个解决之道或许是可能的。至于令我有那种感觉的究竟是什么事，目前我还无法确定。它也许是一种幻觉，但我正在尝试寻找真相。让我继续尝试……说不定我们会再见面。”

"Or perhaps," said Davan, "if you return to where you are now staying, you Will eventually find yourself in an Imperial trap. You may think that the Empire Will leave you alone while you struggle with psychohistory, but I am certain the Emperor and his toady Demerzel are in no mood to wait forever, any more than I am."

“或者说不定，”达凡道，“假如你回到目前的栖身之地，你终将发现置身于帝国的陷阱中。你也许认为当你和心理史学奋斗时，帝国会暂且放你一马。但我确定那皇帝和他的马屁精丹莫刺尔必定和我一样，绝不会想永远等下去。”

"It Will do them no good to hasten," said Seldon calmly, "since I am not on their side, as I am on yours……Come, Dors."

“轻举妄动对他们没好处，”谢顿冷静地说，“因为我并非站在他们那边，而是站在你们这边。走吧，铎丝。”

They turned and left Davan, sitting alone in his squalid room, and found Raych waiting for them outside.

他们转身离去，留下达凡一人独自坐在那间肮脏的斗室。出了门，他们随即发现芮奇还等在外面。

Raych was eating, licking his fingers, and crumpling the bag in which the food……whatever it was……had been. A strong smell of onions pervaded the air……different somehow, yeast-based perhaps.

芮奇正在吃东西，他一面舔着手指，一面将原本盛装不知是什么食物的袋子捏皱。一种强烈的洋葱气味弥漫在空气中……不过多少有些不同，也许是源自酵母制成的食物。

Dors, retreating a little from the odor, said, "Where did you get the food from, Raych?"

铎丝被熏得退了一步，问道：“芮奇，这食物是从哪里来的？”

"Davans guys. They brought it to me. Davans okay."

“达凡的哥儿们，他们拿给我的，达凡不坏。”

"Then we don't have to buy you dinner, do we?" said Seldon, conscious of his own empty stomach.

“那我们不必请你吃晚饭了吧？”谢顿说完后，察觉自己的肚子倒是空了。

"Ya owe me somethin," said Raych, looking greedily in Dorss direction. "How about the ladys knife? One of em."

“你们欠我点东西，”芮奇一面说，一面贪婪地望向铎丝，“这位大姐的刀子怎么样？分我一把。”

"No knife," said Dors. "You get us back safely and I'll give you five credits."

“刀子不行。”铎丝说，“你带我们平安回去，我给你五个信用点。”

"Cant get no knife for five credits," grumbled Raych.

“五个信用点买不到刀子。”芮奇抱怨道。

"Youre not getting anything but five credits," said Dors.

“除了五个信用点，你什么也休想得到。”铎丝说。

"Youre a lousy dame, lady," said Raych.

“大姐，你是个差劲的娘儿们。”芮奇说。

"I'm a lousy dame with a quick knife, Raych, so get moving."

“这个差劲的娘儿们出刀如电，芮奇，最好赶紧走吧。”

"All right. don't get all perspired." Raych waved his hand. "This way."

“好吧，别太激动。”芮奇挥了挥手，“这边走。”

It was back through the empty corridors, but this time Dors, looking this way and that, stopped. "Hold on, Raych. Were being followed."

他们又来到空旷的回廊，不过这次，铎丝在东张西望一番后停下了脚步。“等等，芮奇，有人跟踪我们。”

Raych looked exasperated. "Ya aint supposed to hear em."

芮奇勃然大怒。“你不该听到的。”

Seldon said, bending his head to one side, "I don't hear anything."

谢顿将头转向一侧，说道：“我什么也听不到。”

"I do," said Dors. "Now, Raych, I don't want any fooling around. You tell me right now whats going on or I'll rap your head so that you wont see straight for a week. I mean it."

“我听到了。”铎丝说，“好啦，芮奇，我不希望你耍什么花样。立刻告诉我是怎么回事，否则我可要敲你的头，让你整整一个星期分不清东南西北。我是说真的。”

Raych held up one arm defensively. "You try it, you lousy dame. You try it. Its Davans guys. Theyre just taking care of us, in case any knifers come along."

芮奇举起一只手臂做抵御状。“你试试看，你这个差劲的娘儿们，你试试看。那是达凡的哥儿们，他们只是在照应我们，以防路上遇到任何刀客。”

"Davans guys?"

“达凡的哥儿们？”

"Yeah. Theyre goin along the service corridors."

“是啊，他们沿着工用回廊前进。”

Dorss right hand shot out and seized Raych by the scruff of his upper garment. She lifted and he dangled, shouting, "Hey, lady. Hey!"

铎丝猛然伸出右手，抓住芮奇颈背处的衣领。她一举手，他就悬吊在半空中，慌忙喊道：“嘿，大姐，嘿！”

Seldon said, "Dors! don't be hard on him."

谢顿说：“铎丝！别对他动粗。”

"I'll be harder still if I think hes lying. Youre my charge, Hari, not he."

“如果我认为他在说谎，我还会更加粗暴。我保护的是你，哈里，不是他。”

"I'm not lyin," said Raych, struggling. "I'm not."

“我没说谎，”芮奇拼命挣扎，“我没。”

"I'm sure he isn't ," said Seldon.

“我确信他没有。”谢顿说。

"Well, well see. Raych, tell them to come out where we can see them." She let him drop and dusted her hands.

“好吧，我们等着瞧。芮奇，叫他们出来，到我们看得见的地方。”她松手让他落下，又拍了拍手上的灰尘。

"Youre some kind of nut, lady," said Raych aggrievedly. Then he raised his voice. "Yay, Davan! Come out here, some of ya guys!"

“大姐，你简直是个傻瓜。”芮奇忿忿不平地说，然后提高音量喊道，“耶，达凡！你们这些哥儿们，出来几个！”

There was a wait and then, from an unlit opening along the corridor, two dark-mustached men came out, one with a scar running the length of his cheek. Each held the sheath of a knife in his hand, blade withdrawn.

等了一会儿之后，从回廊一个阴暗的开口处，走出两名留着黑色八字胡的男子，其中一个有一道横贯脸颊的刀疤。两人手中各握着一支刀鞘，刀刃都缩了回去。

"How many more of you are there?" asked Dors harshly.

“你们还有多少人在那里？”铎丝厉声问道。

"A few," said one of the newcomers. "Orders. Were guarding you. Davan wants you safe."

“一些。”其中一人答道，“这是命令。我们正在护卫你们，达凡要你们安然无事。”

"Thank you. Try to be even quieter. Raych, keep on moving."

“谢谢你们，你们得更安静点。芮奇，继续走。”

Raych said sulkily, "Ya roughed me up when I was telling the truth."

芮奇悻悻地说：“我说实话，你却教训我一顿。”

"Youre right," said Dors. "At least, I think youre right……and I apologize."

“你说得对。”铎丝道，“至少，我认为你说得对……我郑重道歉。”

"I'm not sure I should accept," said Raych, trying to stand tall. "But awright, just this once." He moved on.

“我不确定该不该接受，”芮奇试图抬头挺胸，“不过算了吧，下不为例。”说完他就继续前进。

When they reached the walkway, the unseen corps of guards vanished. At least, even Dorss keen ears could hear them no more. By now, though, they were moving into the respectable part of the sector.

等到他们来到人行道，隐匿的护卫队便消失了。至少，像铎丝那样敏锐的耳朵都再也听不见他们的动静。不过，反正他们即将进入本区的高尚地带。

Dors said thoughtfully, "I don't think we have clothes that would fit you, Raych."

铎丝若有所指地说：“芮奇，我想我们没有适合你的衣服。”

Raych said, "Why do ya want clothes to fit me, Missus?" (Respectability seemed to invade Raych once they were out of the corridors.) "I got clothes."

芮奇说：“姑奶奶，你为什么要找适合我的衣服？”一旦他们走出回廊，芮奇似乎也懂得尊重了。“我有衣服。”

"I thought youd like to come into our place and take a bath."

“我原本在想，你会喜欢到我们住的地方洗个澡。”

Raych said, "What for? I'll wash one o these days. And I'll put on my other shirt." He looked up at Dors shrewdly. "Youre sorry ya roughed me up. Right? Ya tryin to make up?"

芮奇说：“为什么？过几天我会洗，然后我会换上另一件短衫。”他机灵地抬头望向铎丝，“你为教训了我一顿感到抱歉，对吗？你试图补偿我。”

Dors smiled. "Yes. Sort of."

铎丝微微一笑。“是的，可以这么说。”

Raych waved a hand in lordly fashion. "Thats all right. Ya didn't hurt. Listen. Youre strong for a lady. Ya lifted me up like I was nothin."

芮奇以气派的动作挥了挥手。“没关系，你没弄痛我。听我说，你是个强壮的大姐，你举起我就像我是空气一样。”

"I was annoyed, Raych. I have to be concerned about Master Seldon."

“我刚刚心烦意乱，芮奇，我必须顾虑谢顿老爷。”

"Ya sort of his bodyguard?" Raych looked at Seldon inquiringly. "Ya got a lady for a bodyguard?"

“你就像是他的保镖？”芮奇带着询问的神情望向谢顿，“你用个大姐当保镖？”

"I cant help it," said Seldon smiling wryly. "She insists. And she certainly knows her job."

“我也没办法。”谢顿露出一抹苦笑，“她坚持如此，而且她确实很称职。”

Dors said, "Think again, Raych. Are you sure you wont have a bath? A nice warm bath."

铎丝说：“芮奇，再次谢谢你。你确定不要洗个澡吗？一个温暖舒适的澡？”

Raych said, "I got no chance. Ya think that lady is gonna let me in the house again?"

芮奇说：“我可没机会。你以为那个大姐会让我再进她家去吗？”

Dors looked up and saw Casilia Tisalver outside the front door of the apartment complex, staring first at the Outworld woman and then at the slum-bred boy. It would have been impossible to tell in which case her expression was angrier.

铎丝抬起头，看到凯西莉娅·堤沙佛正站在公寓群的前门外……她先盯着这个外星女子，然后望向那个贫民窟长大的男孩。光从她的表情看来，无法判断她对何者更愤怒些。

Raych said, "Well, so long, Mister and Missus. I don't know if shell let either of ya in the house." He placed his hands in his pocket and swaggered off in a fine affectation of carefree indifference.

芮奇说：“好啦，告辞了，老爷和姑奶奶。不晓得她会不会让你们两个进屋去。”他将双手放进口袋，装出一副轻松自在的淡然模样，大摇大摆走了开。

Seldon said, "Good evening, Mistress Tisalver. Its rather late, isn't it?"

谢顿说：“晚安，堤沙佛夫人。相当晚了吧？”

"Its very late," she replied. "There was a near riot today outside this very complex because of that newsman you pushed the street vermin at."

“非常晚了。”她答道，“今天在这个公寓群外，由于你驱使街头无赖对付那名记者，几乎引发一场暴动。”

"We didn't push anyone on anyone," said Dors.

“我们并未驱使任何人对付任何人。”铎丝说。

"I was there," said Mistress Tisalver intransigently. "I saw it." She stepped aside to let them enter, but delayed long enough to make her reluctance quite plain.

“我当时在场。”堤沙佛夫人毫不妥协地说，“我都看见了。”她终于站到一旁让他们进去，但拖延的时间够长了，足以将她的不情愿表现得很清楚。

"She acts as though that was the last straw," said Dors as she and Seldon made their way up to their rooms.

“看她的行动，仿佛超过了她容忍的极限。”两人走向各自的房间时，铎丝这么说。

"So? What can she do about it?" asked Seldon.

“怎么样？她又能做什么？”谢顿问道。

"I wonder," said Dors.

“很难讲。”铎丝说。