《福尔摩斯探案集·斑点带子案》第30节
I had never seen my friend’s face so grim or his brow so dark as it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he roused himself from his reverie. “It is very essential, Miss Stoner,” said he, “that you should absolutely follow my advice in every respect.” “I shall most certainly do so.” “The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may depend upon your compliance.” “I assure you that I am in your hands.” “In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in your room.” Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. “Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the village inn over there?” “Yes, that is the Crown.” “Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?” “Certainly.” “You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night.”
注释摘要
这一段发生在福尔摩斯检查完海伦·斯通纳现在居住的卧室——也就是她姐姐朱莉娅两年前死去的那个房间——以及隔壁罗伊洛特医生的卧室之后。三人退出老宅，走到草坪上。华生首先注意到的不是福尔摩斯说了什么，而是他的表情：他从未见过朋友的脸如此严峻、眉头如此阴沉。这是一种极不寻常的沉默，以至于海伦·斯通纳和华生都不敢打扰他的沉思，只能陪着他在草坪上来回踱步，直到福尔摩斯…