《福尔摩斯探案集·斑点带子案》第35节
“My God!” I whispered; “did you see it?” Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low laugh and put his lips to my ear. “It is a nice household,” he murmured. “That is the baboon.” I had forgotten the strange pets which the Doctor affected. There was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, after following Holmes’ example and slipping off my shoes, I found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to distinguish the words: “The least sound would be fatal to our plans.” I nodded to show that I had heard. “We must sit without light. He would see it through the ventilator.” I nodded again. “Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the bed, and you in that chair.”
注释摘要
华生被吓得不轻，福尔摩斯也同样吃了一惊。这个细节值得留意——这是整桩案件里极少数福尔摩斯也「陡然一惊」的时刻，他的手像老虎钳一样攥住了华生的手腕，随后才化紧张为一声低笑，贴在华生耳边解释：那是狒狒。道尔在此处用了先惊后释的结构，用一团从月桂树丛里蹿出来的扭曲身影，把读者的心提到嗓子眼，然后借着福尔摩斯的低语将它卸下来。这个节奏控制得很老练：在真正进入那间卧…