《福尔摩斯探案集·斑点带子案》第32节
“Do you know, Watson,” said Holmes as we sat together in the gathering darkness, “I have really some scruples as to taking you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger.” “Can I be of assistance?” “Your presence might be invaluable.” “Then I shall certainly come.” “It is very kind of you.” “You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms than was visible to me.” “No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine that you saw all that I did.” “I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine.” “You saw the ventilator, too?” “Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a rat could hardly pass through.” “I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Stoke Moran.” “My dear Holmes!” “Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her sister could smell Dr. Roylott’s cigar. Now, of course that suggested at once that there must be a communication between the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been remarked upon at the coroner’s inquiry. I deduced a ventilator.”
注释摘要
这段对话发生在暮色渐浓的旅馆房间里，福尔摩斯与华生刚从斯托克莫兰庄园勘查回来不久。他们坐在逐渐变暗的光线里，等待深夜的行动。福尔摩斯忽然开口，说他对于带华生去这一趟有些顾虑，因为此行含有明确的危险。这句话本身就耐人寻味：他不是在取消计划，而是在向朋友坦白一种犹豫。这犹豫里藏着两个层面——他确实担心华生的安全，但同时也知道这位朋友绝不会退缩。华生的回答几乎是…