《福尔摩斯探案集·红发会》第18节
“‘Well,’ said I, ‘the gentleman at No. 4.’ “‘What, the red-headed man?’ “‘Yes.’ “‘Oh,’ said he, ‘his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.’ “‘Where could I find him?’ “‘Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 King Edward Street, near St. Paul’s.’ “I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross.” “And what did you do then?” asked Holmes. “I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right away to you.” “And you did very wisely,” said Holmes. “Your case is an exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear.”
注释摘要
威尔逊先生这段追查，将红发会事件推向了一个更具实质性的拐点。他并没有在发现门上那张解散通告后就罢休，而是顺着仅有的一点线索——那个自称邓肯·罗斯的人所租用的房间——找到了大楼的房东。房东提供了一个名字：威廉·莫里斯，身份是律师，临时租用这个房间，已经搬去了新地址。这个信息看似给了一个明确的追查方向，但紧接着就被彻底证伪。威尔逊找到的地址并非律师事务所，而是…