《福尔摩斯探案集·歪唇男人》第24节
“None. Neville wrote those words.” “And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the danger is over.” “But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes.” “Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from him.” “No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!” “Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only posted to-day.” “That is possible.” “If so, much may have happened between.” “Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?” “I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away from you?”
注释摘要
这一段的戏剧张力全在于一个冲突：圣克莱尔太太以全副身心相信丈夫活着，而福尔摩斯的理性却在一条一条拆解这种可能性。两人像是在两条平行的轨道上各自行驶，恰恰在这一刻擦出了火花。 福尔摩斯刚检查完那封信，他的观察全部集中在物质层面：信封的纸质粗糙、格拉夫森德的邮戳、地址墨水颜色的差异、信封口盖上的烟草渍。他把信当作一件物证来分析，得出的都是些技术性的小发现——写…