《福尔摩斯探案集·铜山毛榉案》第38节
“There has been some villainy here,” said Holmes; “this beauty has guessed Miss Hunter’s intentions and has carried his victim off.” “But how?” “Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it.” He swung himself up onto the roof. “Ah, yes,” he cried, “here’s the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did it.” “But it is impossible,” said Miss Hunter; “the ladder was not there when the Rucastles went away.” “He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it would be as well for you to have your pistol ready.” The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and confronted him. “You villain!” said he, “where’s your daughter?” The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open skylight.
注释摘要
他们破门而入的那间屋是空的。这点必须首先钉牢——三个人刚从一道铁床栏杆与挂锁封住的门前拆掉障碍，冲进去，却发现里面除了一张简陋的小床、一张小桌和一篮衣物，再无别的东西。天窗敞着，人不见了。这是一间囚禁室的遗址，而不是犯罪的现场。福尔摩斯的第一个判断没有犹豫：“这里发生过某种卑劣的勾当”——他用的词是villainy，语气比单纯的“罪行”更重，含着阴险与下作…