《福尔摩斯探案集·蓝宝石案》第22节
“Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly. “If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all. But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.” “Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the salesman. “It’s nothing of the kind.” “I say it is.” “I don’t believe it.” “D’you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that went to the Alpha were town bred.” “You’ll never persuade me to believe that.” “Will you bet, then?” “It’s merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I’ll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be obstinate.” The salesman chuckled grimly. “Bring me the books, Bill,” said he. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging lamp. “Now then, Mr. Cocksure,” said the salesman, “I thought that I was out of geese, but before I finish you’ll find that there is still one left in my shop. You see this little book?”
注释摘要
福尔摩斯与鹅贩子在考文特花园市场的这段交锋，是《蓝宝石案》里一次漂亮的即兴表演，也是整节节奏突然加快的关键转折。字面上发生的事很简单：福尔摩斯和华生夜里赶到市场，找到了向阿尔法酒店供应鹅的布雷肯里奇。福尔摩斯单刀直入地问这批鹅是从哪里进的货，没想到这个看起来很普通的商业问题却激起了贩子的暴怒——他显然被同一类问题搅扰过不止一次，几乎要当场翻脸。于是福尔摩斯…