《福尔摩斯探案集·铜山毛榉案》第24节
“You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. “‘Jephro,’ said she, ‘there is an impertinent fellow upon the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.’
注释摘要
这一节的核心是亨特小姐第一次主动获取了部分真相。字面上，她在向福尔摩斯叙述自己如何被反复要求穿上那件电蓝色裙子、背对窗户坐在客厅正中央，听鲁卡斯尔先生讲无穷无尽的滑稽故事。她被要求大笑，而且椅子总被挪动以确保她的脸不朝向窗户。这种刻意的安排反而激发了她的警觉，她用一块碎镜片藏进手帕，假装擦笑出来的眼泪，实际上通过镜面反射观察到背后窗外的情况。她第一次扫视时…