《福尔摩斯探案集·波希米亚丑闻》第26节
“You see,” remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the house, “this marriage rather simplifies matters. The photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the photograph?” “Where, indeed?” “It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman’s dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her.” “Where, then?” “Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house.”
注释摘要
这一节发生在福尔摩斯与华生在圣约翰森林区那所住宅门前来回踱步的时刻，是整场行动之前一段关键的分析与布置。 福尔摩斯首先抓住了当天上午那个完全出乎意料的转折：艾琳·艾德勒匆忙与律师戈弗雷·诺顿结了婚。在他看来，婚姻非但没有增加困难，反而“让事情简单了”。他推理的逻辑是这样：婚前那张照片只需要威胁国王，但婚后这张照片一旦现身，同样会向她的新婚丈夫暴露她与旧情人…