《福尔摩斯探案集·蓝宝石案》第27节
“Yes, sir.” “Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in which you were interested—white, with a black bar across the tail.” Ryder quivered with emotion. “Oh, sir,” he cried, “can you tell me where it went to?” “It came here.” “Here?” “Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don’t wonder that you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was dead—the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. I have it here in my museum.” Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. “The game’s up, Ryder,” said Holmes quietly. “Hold up, man, or you’ll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Watson. He’s not got blood enough to go in for felony with impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!”
注释摘要
这一段是整场谈话的转折点，也是福尔摩斯将谜底摊开在当事人面前的时刻。字面上，詹姆斯·赖德吞吞吐吐地承认，他确实在找一只特定的鹅——白羽黑尾的那只。福尔摩斯接过话头，以一种近乎戏谑的口吻告诉他，这只鹅到过贝克街，而且死后还“下了一个蛋”——一颗最漂亮的蓝色小蛋。他说这话时，赖德浑身一颤，站了起来，死死抓住壁炉台。福尔摩斯打开保险箱，取出那颗蓝宝石。宝石在他掌…