《福尔摩斯探案全集之恐怖谷》为英文单语版,是英国作家阿瑟?柯南?道尔创作的福尔摩斯系列小说中的一本。故事以一封密码信开始,牵涉出背后隐藏着的一件骇人听闻的案件。尸体旁边留下一张卡片,上面“V. V. 341”的奇怪字样使得案子更为扑朔迷离。这张卡片是凶手留下来的吗?它代表的又是什么意思?福尔摩斯抽丝剥茧,华生形影相随,两人一同调查这起时间横跨二十多年、源头远及美国的离奇命案。
Part I The Tragedy of Birlstone
Chapter I The Warning
Chapter II Sherlock Holmes Discourses
Chapter III The Tragedy of Birlstone
Chapter IV Darkness
Chapter V The People of the Drama
Chapter VI A Dawning Light
Chapter VII The Solution
Part II The Scowrers
Chapter I The Man
Chapter II The Bodymaster
Chapter III Lodge 341, Vermissa
Chapter IV The Valley of Fear
Chapter V The Darkest Hour
Chapter VI Danger
Chapter VII The Trapping of Birdy Edwards
Epilogue
內容試閱:
The Warning
“I am inclined to think——” said I.
“I should do so,” Sherlock Holmes remarked impatiently.
I believe that I am one of the most long-suffering of mortals; but I’ll admit that I was annoyed at the sardonic interruption. “Really, Holmes,” said I severely, “you are a little trying at times.”
He was too much absorbed with his own thoughts to give any immediate answer to my remonstrance. He leaned upon his hand, with his untasted breakfast before him, and he stared at the slip of paper which he had just drawn from its envelope. Then he took the envelope itself, held it up to the light, and very carefully studied both the exterior and the flap.
“It is Porlock’s writing,” said he thoughtfully. “I can hardly doubt that it is Porlock’s writing, though I have seen it only twice before. The Greek e with the peculiar top flourish is distinctive. But if it is Porlock, then it must be something of the very first importance.”
He was speaking to himself rather than to me; but my vexation disappeared in the interest which the words awakened.
“Who then is Porlock?” I asked.