《福尔摩斯探案集·铜山毛榉案》第4节
It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and ran thus: “DEAR MR. HOLMES,—I am very anxious to consult you as to whether I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, “VIOLET HUNTER.” “Do you know the young lady?” I asked. “Not I.” “It is half-past ten now.” “Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring.” “It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. It may be so in this case, also.” “Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question.” As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, freckled like a plover’s egg, and with the brisk manner of a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. “You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure,” said she, as my companion rose to greet her, “but I have had a very strange experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be kind enough to tell me what I should do.”
注释摘要
这短短一段文字，是委托人进入贝克街房间之前的一个前奏，篇幅不长，却像一幕精巧的舞台开场，人物、悬念和社会背景都已悄然就位。 我们先看字面上发生了什么。一张便条上，一位名叫维奥莱特·亨特的年轻女子写信来，说她被提供了一个家庭教师的职位，自己拿不定主意是否该接受，希望来请教福尔摩斯。便条上落着前一晚的日期，写信地址是蒙太谷广场。她礼貌而简洁，约定十点半到访。福…