福尔摩斯第三部 福尔摩斯探案经典:《恐怖谷》第2章Part1

福尔摩斯探案经典:《恐怖谷》第2章Part1  

It was one of those dramatic moments for which my friend existed. It would be an overstatement to say that he was shocked or even excited by the amazing announcement. Without having a tinge of cruelty in his singular position
he was undoubtedly callous from long overstimulation. Yet
if his emotions were dulled
his intellectual perceptions were exceedingly active. There was no trace then of the horror which I had myself felt at this curt declaration; but his face showed rather the quiet and interested posure of the chemist who sees the crystals falling into position from his oversaturated solution.
"Remarkable!" said he. "Remarkable!"
"You don't seem surprised."
"Interested
Mr. Mac
but hardly surprised. Why should I be surprised? I receive an anonymous munication from a quarter which I know to be important
warning me that danger threatens a certain person. Within an hour I learn that this danger has actually materialized and that the person is dead. I am interested; but
as you observe
I am not surprised."
In a few short sentences he explained to the inspector the facts about the letter and the cipher. MacDonald sat with his chin on his hands and his great sandy eyebrows bunched into a yellow tangle.
"I was going down to Birlstone this morning
" said he. "I had e to ask you if you cared to e with me--you and your friend here. But from what you say we might perhaps be doing better work in London."
"I rather think not
" said Holmes.
"Hang it all
Mr. Holmes!" cried the inspector. "The papers will be full of the Birlstone mystery in a day or o; but where's the mystery if there is a man in London who prophesied the crime before ever it occurred? We have only to lay our hands on that man
and the rest will follow."
"No doubt
Mr. Mac. But how do you propose to lay your hands on the so-called Porlock?"
MacDonald turned over the letter which Holmes had handed him. "Posted in Camberwell--that doesn't help us much. Name
you say
is assumed. Not much to go on
certainly. Didn't you say that you have sent him money?"
"Twice."
"And how?"
"In notes to Camberwell post office."
"Did you ever trouble to see who called for them?"
"No."
The inspector looked surprised and a little shocked. "Why not?"
"Because I always keep faith. I had promised when he first wrote that I would not try to trace him."
"You think there is someone behind him?"
"I know there is."