《福尔摩斯探案集·斑点带子案》第1节
On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which presented more singular features than that which was associated with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. The events in question occurred in the early days of my association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even more terrible than the truth.
注释摘要
这一段是华生为整个故事搭建的前厅。它的作用远不止例行开场白，而是用一种极有层次的方式完成了三件事：确立了福尔摩斯探案的美学原则，设置了这个具体案件的独特位置，并在故事尚未真正开始时，就悄悄将死者的结局、舆论的阴影以及叙事的伦理困境一并交给了读者。 华生首先把自己的笔记定位为某种样本目录。他说这七十多个案子有悲剧、有喜剧、有大量仅仅只是古怪的，但没有一件是平…