《福尔摩斯探案集·斑点带子案》第41节
“I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the light and attacked it.” “With the result of driving it through the ventilator.” “And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Grimesby Roylott’s death, and I cannot say that it is likely to weigh very heavily upon my conscience.”
注释摘要
这是全案尘埃落定之后，福尔摩斯在归途火车上对华生所做的复盘。整段话是典型的“事后解释”——所有迷雾已经散尽，他把自己在调查每个阶段心中所建立起来的推理链条，从头向华生交代一遍。语气里没有了行动前那种紧绷的沉默，取而代之的是一种冷静的、近乎学术性的自我审视，甚至还坦率承认自己最初被吉卜赛人和“带子”一词引上了完全错误的思路。这种坦率本身就是一种叙事策略：柯南…