《福尔摩斯探案集·铜山毛榉案》第34节
Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon his face. “Is Toller still drunk?” he asked. “Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do nothing with him.” “That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?” “Yes.” “Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?” “Yes, the wine-cellar.” “You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not think you a quite exceptional woman.” “I will try. What is it?” “We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o’clock, my friend and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate matters immensely.” “I will do it.”
注释摘要
福尔摩斯和华生听完了维奥莱特·亨特小姐这段匪夷所思的叙述。华生用了"spellbound"这个词——入迷的、被咒语定住一般的——说明这段讲述本身的戏剧张力已经足够强烈，连这位见惯了奇案的前军医都被完全吸引住了。福尔摩斯听完后的第一反应不是发表议论，而是站起来在屋里踱步，双手插兜，脸上是"最深沉的凝重"。这个动作模式在华生笔下反复出现：踱步意味着福尔摩斯的大…