  We present a high signal-to-noise high resolution spectrum of the radio-quiet
QSO HS1700+6416 (z = 2.72). Analysis of the absorption line systems with metals
yields the following results. (1) The dense cluster of C IV doublets at 2.432 <
z(abs) < 2.441 shows the weak line of one C IV absorber apparently aligned with
the strong line of a different C IV doublet, i.e., line locked, for two pairs
of C IV absorbers. This is surprising since these absorption lines are
displaced by more than 24000 km/s from the QSO redshift, but it is possible
that these alignments are coincidental. (2) Physical conditions in the Lyman
limit absorber at z(abs) = 2.3150 differ significantly from the Galactic
gaseous halo, and photoionization models require [Si/H] > -0.95 and [Al/H] >
-0.96 for the strongest component of this absorber. Abundances of three other
Lyman limit absorbers are also derived from photoionization models. (3)
Unsaturated C IV and rather strong N V are detected in the associated absorber
at z(abs) = 2.7125. The apparent column density profiles indicate that N V is
affected by unresolved saturation or that the N V absorbing gas does not
completely cover the QSO flux source. From photoionization models we derive
[N/H] > -0.65 and [C/H] > -0.82. (4) We tentatively conclude that the number of
Mg II systems detected per unit redshift is dominated by weak Mg II lines with
rest equivalent width less than 0.3 A.
