《福尔摩斯探案集·蓝宝石案》第16节
“Mr. Henry Baker, I believe,” said he, rising from his armchair and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he could so readily assume. “Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?” “Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat.” He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes’ surmise as to his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had ill-usage at the hands of fortune. “We have retained these things for some days,” said Holmes, “because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise.”
注释摘要
福尔摩斯从扶手椅中起身迎接来客，这一句里华生特别指出他那种“随时可以自如拿出的亲切神气”。这不是一个无心的形容，而是华生对他朋友社交面具的又一次辨认：福尔摩斯能在需要的时候，瞬间从沙发上那个倦怠沉思的怪人，变成一位殷勤周到的主人。他让贝克坐到壁炉边的椅子，接着随口说了一句看似寒暄的观察——你的血液循环更适合夏天而不是冬天。这当然不是一句空洞的客套，而是他在…