《福尔摩斯探案集·蓝宝石案》第15节
“It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple test if we have an answer to our advertisement.” “And you can do nothing until then?” “Nothing.” “In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business.” “Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop.” I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Holmes’ room.
注释摘要
福尔摩斯这段话，其实是在给华生——也给读者——划出一条推理的分界线。在此之前，他在帽子上做的那些观察，关于智力、经济状况、生活习惯、夫妻感情，都属于「这个人是谁」的范围。此刻宝石已经出现，事态陡然升级，他必须立刻判断眼前这条线索的性质：亨利·贝克到底是罪犯的同谋，还是一个完全不知情的路人。他说「极有可能绝对无辜」，理由是贝克根本不知道那只鹅的价值超过了纯金…