《福尔摩斯探案集·波希米亚丑闻》第29节
Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of “Fire!” The word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of spectators, well dressed and ill—gentlemen, ostlers, and servant maids—joined in a general shriek of “Fire!” Thick clouds of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my friend’s arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Edgeware Road. “You did it very nicely, Doctor,” he remarked. “Nothing could have been better. It is all right.”
注释摘要
这一节是福尔摩斯计谋的实施与收网时刻，也是整场街头戏剧的最高潮。华生站在窗外，忠实执行着被分配的角色。他看见福尔摩斯在沙发上撑起身子，做出一个渴望新鲜空气的病人的姿态。这个动作本身就是信号的一部分——它既推动了情节，又为女仆开窗提供了自然的理由。女仆冲过去推开窗户，华生便看见了那只举起的手，于是他把烟火箭扔进去，同时发出那声“着火了！”的呼喊。 接下来发生…