《福尔摩斯探案集·蓝宝石案》第21节
“Good-evening. It’s a cold night,” said Holmes. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my companion. “Sold out of geese, I see,” continued Holmes, pointing at the bare slabs of marble. “Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning.” “That’s no good.” “Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare.” “Ah, but I was recommended to you.” “Who by?” “The landlord of the Alpha.” “Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen.” “Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?” To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the salesman. “Now, then, mister,” said he, with his head cocked and his arms akimbo, “what are you driving at? Let’s have it straight, now.” “It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the geese which you supplied to the Alpha.” “Well then, I shan’t tell you. So now!” “Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don’t know why you should be so warm over such a trifle.” “Warm! You’d be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end of the business; but it’s ‘Where are the geese?’ and ‘Who did you sell the geese to?’ and ‘What will you take for the geese?’ One would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the fuss that is made over them.”
注释摘要
福尔摩斯在这段对话里展现出一种冷静而精密的试探技巧，每一步都在为同一个目的服务——从这位满腹牢骚的鹅贩子嘴里套出鹅的源头，而不引起对方的警觉。他先是以寒暄开场，用天气拉近距离；继而看似随意地指着空荡荡的石板，假装自己只是来买鹅的顾客。对方开出五百只的承诺，他轻描淡写地拒绝，接着顺水推舟指向摊位上还在煤气灯下挂着的几只鹅，营造出一种挑挑拣拣的买家姿态。等到说…