《福尔摩斯探案集·红发会》第35节
“All right,” said Jones with a stare and a snigger. “Well, would you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry your Highness to the police-station?” “That is better,” said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the detective. “Really, Mr. Holmes,” said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them from the cellar, “I do not know how the bank can thank you or repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience.” “I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. John Clay,” said Holmes. “I have been at some small expense over this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the Red-headed League.”
注释摘要
这一小段是收网之后的余韵，笔调从紧张突然转为一种略带反讽的日常感，很值得细品。 字面上，琼斯警长用夸张的敬语回应了约翰·克莱那套贵族做派——他盯着克莱，带着几分嗤笑，把“sir”和“please”塞进那句押送命令里，还故意称呼他为“殿下”（your Highness）。克莱对此毫不动摇，平静地接受这个讽刺，然后优雅地向三人行了一个大礼，安静地跟着警探走了。…