《福尔摩斯探案集·红发会》第1节
I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door behind me. “You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Watson,” he said cordially. “I was afraid that you were engaged.” “So I am. Very much so.” “Then I can wait in the next room.” “Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also.” The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small fat-encircled eyes. “Try the settee,” said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in judicial moods. “I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own little adventures.”
注释摘要
这是一段看似平常的起居室闲谈，但它的开始与结束都已经处在一种精心布置的叙事圈套里。华生在这一天并不知情，他踏进房门时只是个被好奇心牵引的旁观者，而直到这段对话结束，读者和他都还被悬置在一种既被欢迎又被考察的奇特位置上。 故事的开端是一幅典型的伦敦秋日室内图景。华生前来拜访，撞见福尔摩斯正与一位体型肥胖、面色红润、头发火红的老绅士深谈。这里的形容词值得留意：…