《福尔摩斯探案集·斑点带子案》第4节
“You must not fear,” said he soothingly, bending forward and patting her forearm. “We shall soon set matters right, I have no doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see.” “You know me, then?” “No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the station.” The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my companion. “There is no mystery, my dear madam,” said he, smiling. “The left arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sit on the left-hand side of the driver.” “Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct,” said she. “I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. I have no one to turn to—none, save only one, who cares for me, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you shall not find me ungrateful.”
注释摘要
这一节是委托人首次与福尔摩斯正面交谈的开场。它由两部分构成：一段堪称完美的即兴推理，以及紧随其后的一段急促而近乎绝望的求助陈述。福尔摩斯先是俯身轻拍来访女士的前臂，用安抚的语气说事情会解决，随即话锋一转，说他看出她今早乘火车而来。女士大为吃惊，以为对方认识自己。福尔摩斯立刻澄清：他只是注意到她左手套的掌心里露出了半张往返车票，于是在此基础上推断她必定天不亮…