《福尔摩斯探案集·歪唇男人》第25节
“I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable.” “And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?” “No.” “And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?” “Very much so.” “Was the window open?” “Yes.” “Then he might have called to you?” “He might.” “He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?” “Yes.” “A call for help, you thought?” “Yes. He waved his hands.” “But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?” “It is possible.” “And you thought he was pulled back?” “He disappeared so suddenly.” “He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the room?” “No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs.” “Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his ordinary clothes on?” “But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare throat.” “Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?” “Never.” “Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?” “Never.” “Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day to-morrow.”
注释摘要
这段对话发生在圣克莱尔太太刚刚出示那封令福尔摩斯大吃一惊的信件之后。她坚信丈夫尚在人世，而福尔摩斯虽然被迫承认信件是一份有力的反证，却并未停止追问。他真正的目的，是想从妻子口中获取案发当天她亲眼所见的一切细节。 他问得极快，一个问题紧接着另一个，像一把手术刀逐层切开回忆。他首先确认丈夫离家前的言行毫无异样，接着追问她出现在斯旺丹巷是否出于偶然，以及她当时是…