《福尔摩斯探案集·歪唇男人》第27节
“Awake, Watson?” he asked. “Yes.” “Game for a morning drive?” “Certainly.” “Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out.” He chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was putting in the horse. “I want to test a little theory of mine,” said he, pulling on his boots. “I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the key of the affair now.” “And where is it?” I asked, smiling. “In the bathroom,” he answered. “Oh, yes, I am not joking,” he continued, seeing my look of incredulity. “I have just been there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will not fit the lock.”
注释摘要
这一节写的是凌晨的惊醒与出发。场景从圣克莱尔乡间宅邸的客房开始，时间在清晨四点二十五分，天色将亮未亮。福尔摩斯通宵未眠，抽完一盎司的粗烟丝，从沉思者变成了行动者——他眼睛发亮，独自低笑，迫不及待要把华生从床上拽起来。两人轻手轻脚下楼，马厩小厮光着半身套车，乡间大路上只有几辆运菜车在蠕动，沿途的别墅像梦境里的死城。福尔摩斯说了两句关键的话：其一，他自称“全欧…