《福尔摩斯探案集·波希米亚丑闻》第13节
“Precisely so. But how—” “Was there a secret marriage?” “None.” “No legal papers or certificates?” “None.” “Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is she to prove their authenticity?” “There is the writing.” “Pooh, pooh! Forgery.” “My private note-paper.” “Stolen.” “My own seal.” “Imitated.” “My photograph.” “Bought.” “We were both in the photograph.” “Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an indiscretion.” “I was mad—insane.” “You have compromised yourself seriously.” “I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now.” “It must be recovered.” “We have tried and failed.” “Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought.” “She will not sell.” “Stolen, then.” “Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice she has been waylaid. There has been no result.” “No sign of it?” “Absolutely none.” Holmes laughed. “It is quite a pretty little problem,” said he. “But a very serious one to me,” returned the King reproachfully. “Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the photograph?” “To ruin me.” “But how?”
注释摘要
这一段发生在福尔摩斯轻易点破访客就是波希米亚国王本人之后。国王不再遮掩，承认了自己的身份，并开始讲述五年前他在华沙结识了有名的冒险家艾琳·艾德勒。福尔摩斯闭着眼睛，从索引簿里调出关于她的记录——1858年生于新泽西，女低音，曾在斯卡拉歌剧院和华沙帝国歌剧院登台，现已退出舞台，住在伦敦。他随即以推断的口吻说出国王与这位年轻女子有了纠葛，写了一些可能被用来要挟…