shade¡¡of¡¡a¡¡large¡¡sycamore¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡figure¡¡rose¡¡from¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡basket¡¡chairs£»¡¡and¡¡came¡¡a¡¡few¡¡steps¡¡to¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡5¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡6¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MYSTERIOUS¡¡AFFAIR¡¡AT¡¡STYLES¡¡
meet¡¡us¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨My¡¡wife£»¡¡Hastings£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡John¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡shall¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡forget¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡sight¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Mary¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Cavendish¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Her¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡tall£»¡¡
slender¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡form£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡outlined¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡against¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡bright¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡light£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡vivid¡¡¡¡¡¡sense¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
slumbering¡¡¡¡¡¡fire¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡seemed¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡find¡¡¡¡¡¡expression¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡wonderful¡¡
tawny¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡hers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡remarkable¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes£»¡¡¡¡¡¡different¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡woman's¡¡
that¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡ever¡¡¡¡¡¡known£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡intense¡¡¡¡¡¡power¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡stillness¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡possessed£»¡¡
which¡¡nevertheless¡¡conveyed¡¡the¡¡impression¡¡of¡¡a¡¡wild¡¡untamed¡¡spirit¡¡in¡¡an¡¡
exquisitely¡¡civilised¡¡bodyall¡¡these¡¡things¡¡are¡¡burnt¡¡into¡¡my¡¡memory¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡
shall¡¡never¡¡forget¡¡them¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡greeted¡¡me¡¡with¡¡a¡¡few¡¡words¡¡of¡¡pleasant¡¡welcome¡¡in¡¡a¡¡low¡¡clear¡¡
voice£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡sank¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡basket¡¡¡¡¡¡chair¡¡¡¡¡¡feeling¡¡¡¡¡¡distinctly¡¡¡¡¡¡glad¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡
accepted¡¡¡¡¡¡John's¡¡¡¡¡¡invitation¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Cavendish¡¡¡¡¡¡gave¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡tea£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡
few¡¡quiet¡¡remarks¡¡heightened¡¡my¡¡first¡¡impression¡¡of¡¡her¡¡as¡¡a¡¡thoroughly¡¡
fascinating¡¡woman¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡An¡¡appreciative¡¡listener¡¡is¡¡always¡¡stimulating£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡
described£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡humorous¡¡¡¡¡¡manner£»¡¡¡¡¡¡certain¡¡¡¡¡¡incidents¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡Convalescent¡¡
Home£»¡¡in¡¡a¡¡way¡¡which£»¡¡I¡¡flatter¡¡myself£»¡¡greatly¡¡amused¡¡my¡¡hostess¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡John£»¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡course£»¡¡¡¡¡¡good¡¡¡¡¡¡fellow¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡is£»¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡hardly¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡called¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡brilliant¡¡
conversationalist¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡moment¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡well¡¡¡¡¡¡remembered¡¡¡¡¡¡voice¡¡¡¡¡¡floated¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡open¡¡
French¡¡window¡¡near¡¡at¡¡hand£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then¡¡you'll¡¡write¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Princess¡¡after¡¡tea£»¡¡Alfred£¿¡¡I'll¡¡write¡¡to¡¡Lady¡¡
Tadminster¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡second¡¡¡¡¡¡day£»¡¡¡¡¡¡myself¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Or¡¡¡¡shall¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡wait¡¡¡¡¡¡until¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡hear¡¡
from¡¡the¡¡Princess£¿¡¡In¡¡case¡¡of¡¡a¡¡refusal£»¡¡Lady¡¡Tadminster¡¡might¡¡open¡¡it¡¡the¡¡
first¡¡day£»¡¡and¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Crosbie¡¡the¡¡second¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡there's¡¡the¡¡Duchessabout¡¡
the¡¡school¡¡fete¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡murmur¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡man's¡¡¡¡¡¡voice£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Inglethorp's¡¡
rose¡¡in¡¡reply£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡certainly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡tea¡¡will¡¡do¡¡quite¡¡well¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡are¡¡so¡¡thoughtful£»¡¡
Alfred¡¡dear¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡French¡¡window¡¡swung¡¡open¡¡a¡¡little¡¡wider£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡handsome¡¡white¡¡¡
haired¡¡old¡¡lady£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡somewhat¡¡masterful¡¡cast¡¡of¡¡features£»¡¡stepped¡¡out¡¡of¡¡
it¡¡on¡¡to¡¡the¡¡lawn¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡man¡¡followed¡¡her£»¡¡a¡¡suggestion¡¡of¡¡deference¡¡in¡¡his¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡6¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡7¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MYSTERIOUS¡¡AFFAIR¡¡AT¡¡STYLES¡¡
manner¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Inglethorp¡¡greeted¡¡me¡¡with¡¡effusion¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why£»¡¡if¡¡it¡¡isn't¡¡too¡¡delightful¡¡to¡¡see¡¡you¡¡again£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Hastings£»¡¡after¡¡all¡¡
these¡¡years¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Alfred£»¡¡darling£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Hastingsmy¡¡husband¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡looked¡¡with¡¡some¡¡curiosity¡¡at¡¡¡¨Alfred¡¡darling¡¨¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡certainly¡¡struck¡¡
a¡¡rather¡¡alien¡¡note¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡did¡¡not¡¡wonder¡¡at¡¡John¡¡objecting¡¡to¡¡his¡¡beard¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡
was¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡longest¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡blackest¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡ever¡¡¡¡¡¡seen¡£¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡wore¡¡¡¡¡¡gold¡¡¡
rimmed¡¡pince¡nez£»¡¡and¡¡had¡¡a¡¡curious¡¡impassivity¡¡of¡¡feature¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡struck¡¡me¡¡
that¡¡he¡¡might¡¡look¡¡natural¡¡on¡¡a¡¡stage£»¡¡but¡¡was¡¡strangely¡¡out¡¡of¡¡place¡¡in¡¡real¡¡
life¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡¡¡¡¡voice¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡rather¡¡¡¡¡¡deep¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡unctuous¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡placed¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡wooden¡¡
hand¡¡in¡¡mine¡¡and¡¡said£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨This¡¡is¡¡a¡¡pleasure£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Hastings¡£¡¨¡¡Then£»¡¡turning¡¡to¡¡his¡¡wife£º¡¡¡¨Emily¡¡
dearest£»¡¡I¡¡think¡¡that¡¡cushion¡¡is¡¡a¡¡little¡¡damp¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡beamed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡fondly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡substituted¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡another¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡every¡¡
demonstration¡¡of¡¡the¡¡tenderest¡¡care¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Strange¡¡infatuation¡¡of¡¡an¡¡otherwise¡¡
sensible¡¡woman£¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡With¡¡the¡¡presence¡¡of¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Inglethorp£»¡¡a¡¡sense¡¡of¡¡constraint¡¡and¡¡veiled¡¡
hostility¡¡¡¡¡¡seemed¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡settle¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡company¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Miss¡¡¡¡¡¡Howard£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡
particular£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡took¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡pains¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡conceal¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡feelings¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Inglethorp£»¡¡
however£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡seemed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡notice¡¡¡¡¡¡nothing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡unusual¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Her¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡volubility£»¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡
remembered¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡old£»¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡lost¡¡¡¡¡¡nothing¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡intervening¡¡¡¡¡¡years£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡
poured¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡steady¡¡¡¡¡¡flood¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡conversation£»¡¡¡¡¡¡mainly¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡subject¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
forthcoming¡¡bazaar¡¡which¡¡she¡¡was¡¡organizing¡¡and¡¡which¡¡was¡¡to¡¡take¡¡place¡¡
shortly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Occasionally¡¡she¡¡referred¡¡to¡¡her¡¡husband¡¡over¡¡a¡¡question¡¡of¡¡days¡¡
or¡¡¡¡¡¡dates¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡¡¡¡¡watchful¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡attentive¡¡¡¡¡¡manner¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡varied¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡From¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
very¡¡first¡¡I¡¡took¡¡a¡¡firm¡¡and¡¡rooted¡¡dislike¡¡to¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡flatter¡¡myself¡¡that¡¡
my¡¡first¡¡judgments¡¡are¡¡usually¡¡fairly¡¡shrewd¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Presently¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Inglethorp¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡give¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡instructions¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡
letters¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡Evelyn¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Howard£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡husband¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡addressed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡his¡¡
painstaking¡¡voice£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Is¡¡soldiering¡¡your¡¡regular¡¡profession£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Hastings£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¡before¡¡the¡¡war¡¡I¡¡was¡¡in¡¡Lloyd's¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡you¡¡will¡¡return¡¡there¡¡after¡¡it¡¡is¡¡over£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡7¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡8¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MYSTERIOUS¡¡AFFAIR¡¡AT¡¡STYLES¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Perhaps¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Either¡¡that¡¡or¡¡a¡¡fresh¡¡start¡¡altogether¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mary¡¡Cavendish¡¡leant¡¡forward¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡really¡¡¡¡¡¡choose¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡profession£»¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡
consult¡¡your¡¡inclination£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡that¡¡depends¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No¡¡secret¡¡hobby£¿¡¨¡¡she¡¡asked¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Tell¡¡meyou're¡¡drawn¡¡to¡¡something£¿¡¡
Every¡¡one¡¡isusually¡¡something¡¡absurd¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You'll¡¡laugh¡¡at¡¡me¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡smiled¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Perhaps¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡I've¡¡always¡¡had¡¡a¡¡secret¡¡hankering¡¡to¡¡be¡¡a¡¡detective£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡real¡¡thingScotland¡¡Yard£¿¡¡Or¡¡Sherlock¡¡Holmes£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sherlock¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Holmes¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡means¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡really£»¡¡¡¡seriously£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡am¡¡
awfully¡¡¡¡¡¡drawn¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡across¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡Belgium¡¡¡¡¡¡once£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡very¡¡
famous¡¡detective£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡quite¡¡inflamed¡¡me¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡a¡¡marvellous¡¡little¡¡
fellow¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡used¡¡to¡¡say¡¡that¡¡all¡¡good¡¡detective¡¡work¡¡was¡¡a¡¡mere¡¡matter¡¡of¡¡
method¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡My¡¡system¡¡is¡¡based¡¡on¡¡histhough¡¡of¡¡course¡¡I¡¡have¡¡progressed¡¡
rather¡¡further¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡a¡¡funny¡¡little¡¡man£»¡¡a¡¡great¡¡dandy£»¡¡but¡¡wonderfully¡¡
clever¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Like¡¡a¡¡good¡¡detective¡¡story¡¡myself£»¡¨¡¡remarked¡¡Miss¡¡Howard¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Lots¡¡
of¡¡nonsense¡¡written£»¡¡though¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Criminal¡¡discovered¡¡in¡¡last¡¡chapter¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Every¡¡
one¡¡dumbfounded¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Real¡¡crimeyou'd¡¡know¡¡at¡¡once¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨There¡¡have¡¡been¡¡a¡¡great¡¡number¡¡of¡¡undiscovered¡¡crimes£»¡¨¡¡I¡¡argued¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Don't¡¡mean¡¡the¡¡police£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡people¡¡that¡¡are¡¡right¡¡in¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡family¡£¡¡
You¡¡couldn't¡¡really¡¡hoodwink¡¡them¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They'd¡¡know¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then£»¡¨¡¡I¡¡said£»¡¡much¡¡amused£»¡¡¡¨you¡¡think¡¡that¡¡if¡¡you¡¡were¡¡mixed¡¡up¡¡in¡¡
a¡¡crime£»¡¡say¡¡a¡¡murder£»¡¡you'd¡¡be¡¡able¡¡to¡¡spot¡¡the¡¡murderer¡¡right¡¡off£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Of¡¡course¡¡I¡¡should¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mightn't¡¡be¡¡able¡¡to¡¡prove¡¡it¡¡to¡¡a¡¡pack¡¡of¡¡lawyers¡£¡¡
But¡¡I'm¡¡certain¡¡I'd¡¡know¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I'd¡¡feel¡¡it¡¡in¡¡my¡¡fingertips¡¡if¡¡he¡¡came¡¡near¡¡me¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡might¡¡be¡¡a¡¡'she£»'¡¡¡¨¡¡I¡¡suggested¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Might¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡murder's¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡violent¡¡¡¡¡¡crime¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Associate¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
man¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Not¡¡in¡¡a¡¡case¡¡of¡¡poisoning¡£¡¨¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Cavendish's¡¡clear¡¡voice¡¡startled¡¡me¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡8¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡9¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MYSTERIOUS¡¡AFFAIR¡¡AT¡¡STYLES¡¡
¡¨Dr¡£¡¡Bauerstein¡¡was¡¡saying¡¡yesterday¡¡that£»¡¡owing¡¡to¡¡the¡¡general¡¡ignorance¡¡
of¡¡the¡¡more¡¡uncommon¡¡poisons¡¡among¡¡the¡¡medical¡¡profession£»¡¡there¡¡were¡¡
probably¡¡countless¡¡cases¡¡of¡¡poisoning¡¡quite¡¡unsuspected¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Mary£»¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡gruesome¡¡¡¡¡¡conversation£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡cried¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Inglethorp¡£¡¡
¡¨It¡¡makes¡¡me¡¡feel¡¡as¡¡if¡¡a¡¡goose¡¡were¡¡walking¡¡over¡¡my¡¡grave¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Oh£»¡¡there's¡¡
Cynthia£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡young¡¡girl¡¡in¡¡V¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡D¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡uniform¡¡ran¡¡lightly¡¡across¡¡the¡¡lawn¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Cynthia£»¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡late¡¡¡¡to¡day¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡Hastings¡¡¡¡¡¡Miss¡¡
Murdoch¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Cynthia¡¡Murdoch¡¡was¡¡a¡¡fresh¡looking¡¡young¡¡creature£»¡¡full¡¡of¡¡life¡¡and¡¡
vigour¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡tossed¡¡¡¡¡¡off¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡V¡£¡¡A¡£¡¡¡¡D¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡cap£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡admired¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
great¡¡loose¡¡waves¡¡of¡¡her¡¡auburn¡¡hair£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡smallness¡¡and¡¡whiteness¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡hand¡¡she¡¡held¡¡out¡¡to¡¡claim¡¡her¡¡tea¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡With¡¡dark¡¡eyes¡¡and¡¡eyelashes¡¡she¡¡
would¡¡have¡¡been¡¡a¡¡beauty¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡flung¡¡herself¡¡down¡¡on¡¡the¡¡ground¡¡beside¡¡John£»¡¡and¡¡as¡¡I¡¡handed¡¡her¡¡
a¡¡plate¡¡of¡¡sandwiches¡¡she¡¡smiled¡¡up¡¡at¡¡me¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Sit¡¡down¡¡here¡¡on¡¡the¡¡grass£»¡¡do¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It's¡¡ever¡¡so¡¡much¡¡nicer¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡dropped¡¡down¡¡obediently¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡work¡¡at¡¡Tadminster£»¡¡don't¡¡you£»¡¡Miss¡¡Murdoch£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡nodded¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨For¡¡my¡¡sins¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Do¡¡they¡¡bully¡¡you£»¡¡then£¿¡¨¡¡I¡¡asked£»¡¡smiling¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡should¡¡like¡¡to¡¡see¡¡them£¡¡¨¡¡cried¡¡Cynthia¡¡with¡¡dignity¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡got¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡cousin¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡nursing£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡remarked¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡
terrified¡¡of¡¡'Sisters'¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡don't¡¡¡¡¡¡wonder¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sisters¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡*ARE£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡know£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Hastings¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡
simp¡ly¡¡*ARE£¡¡¡You've¡¡no¡¡idea£¡¡¡But¡¡I'm¡¡not¡¡a¡¡nurse£»¡¡thank¡¡heaven£»¡¡I¡¡work¡¡
in¡¡the¡¡dispensary¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨How¡¡many¡¡people¡¡do¡¡you¡¡poison£¿¡¨¡¡I¡¡asked£»¡¡smiling¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Cynthia¡¡smiled¡¡too¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡hundreds£¡¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Cynthia£»¡¨¡¡called¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Inglethorp£»¡¡¡¨do¡¡you¡¡think¡¡you¡¡could¡¡write¡¡a¡¡few¡¡
notes¡¡for¡¡me£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡9¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡10¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MYSTERIOUS¡¡AFFAIR¡¡AT¡¡STYLES¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Certainly£»¡¡Aunt¡¡Emily¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡jumped¡¡up¡¡promptly£»¡¡and¡¡something¡¡in¡¡her¡¡manner¡¡reminded¡¡me¡¡
that¡¡her¡¡position¡¡was¡¡a¡¡dependent¡¡one£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Inglethorp£»¡¡kind¡¡as¡¡
she¡¡might¡¡be¡¡in¡¡the¡¡main£»¡¡did¡¡not¡¡allow¡¡her¡¡to¡¡forget¡¡it¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡My¡¡hostess¡¡turned¡¡to¡¡me¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨John¡¡will¡¡show¡¡you¡¡your¡¡room¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Supper¡¡is¡¡at¡¡half¡past¡¡seven¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡
have¡¡¡¡¡¡given¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡late¡¡¡¡¡¡dinner¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Lady¡¡¡¡¡¡Tadminster£»¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡
Member's¡¡¡¡¡¡wifeshe¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡late¡¡¡¡¡¡Lor
СÌáʾ£º°´ »Ø³µ [Enter] ¼ü ·µ»ØÊéÄ¿£¬°´ ¡û ¼ü ·µ»ØÉÏÒ»Ò³£¬ °´ ¡ú ¼ü ½øÈëÏÂÒ»Ò³¡£
ÔÞÒ»ÏÂ
Ìí¼ÓÊéÇ©¼ÓÈëÊé¼Ü