ÓÑÇéÌáʾ£ºÈç¹û±¾ÍøÒ³´ò¿ªÌ«Âý»òÏÔʾ²»ÍêÕû£¬Çë³¢ÊÔÊó±êÓÒ¼ü¡°Ë¢Ð¡±±¾ÍøÒ³£¡ÔĶÁ¹ý³Ì·¢ÏÖÈκδíÎóÇë¸æËßÎÒÃÇ£¬Ð»Ð»£¡£¡ ±¨¸æ´íÎó
ÒÀÒÀС˵ ·µ»Ø±¾ÊéĿ¼ ÎÒµÄÊé¼Ü ÎÒµÄÊéÇ© TXTÈ«±¾ÏÂÔØ ½øÈëÊé°É ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©

the mysterious affair at styles(˹´ú¶û˹µÄ¹ÖÊÂ)-µÚ4²¿·Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡






¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡who¡¡is¡¡Dr¡£¡¡Bauerstein£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨He's¡¡¡¡¡¡staying¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡village¡¡¡¡¡¡doing¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡rest¡¡¡¡¡¡cure£»¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡bad¡¡¡¡¡¡nervous¡¡

breakdown¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He's¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡London¡¡¡¡¡¡specialist£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡clever¡¡¡¡¡¡manone¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

greatest¡¡living¡¡experts¡¡on¡¡poisons£»¡¡I¡¡believe¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡he's¡¡a¡¡great¡¡friend¡¡of¡¡Mary's£»¡¨¡¡put¡¡in¡¡Cynthia£»¡¡the¡¡irrepressible¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡John¡¡Cavendish¡¡frowned¡¡and¡¡changed¡¡the¡¡subject¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Come¡¡for¡¡a¡¡stroll£»¡¡Hastings¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡has¡¡been¡¡a¡¡most¡¡rotten¡¡business¡£¡¡

She¡¡always¡¡had¡¡a¡¡rough¡¡tongue£»¡¡but¡¡there¡¡is¡¡no¡¡stauncher¡¡friend¡¡in¡¡England¡¡

than¡¡Evelyn¡¡Howard¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡took¡¡the¡¡path¡¡through¡¡the¡¡plantation£»¡¡and¡¡we¡¡walked¡¡down¡¡to¡¡the¡¡

village¡¡through¡¡the¡¡woods¡¡which¡¡bordered¡¡one¡¡side¡¡of¡¡the¡¡estate¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡gates¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡¡¡home¡¡¡¡¡¡again£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

pretty¡¡young¡¡woman¡¡of¡¡gipsy¡¡type¡¡coming¡¡in¡¡the¡¡opposite¡¡direction¡¡bowed¡¡

and¡¡smiled¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡a¡¡pretty¡¡girl£»¡¨¡¡I¡¡remarked¡¡appreciatively¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡John's¡¡face¡¡hardened¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That¡¡is¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Raikes¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡one¡¡that¡¡Miss¡¡Howard¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Exactly£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡John£»¡¡with¡¡rather¡¡unnecessary¡¡abruptness¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡thought¡¡of¡¡the¡¡white¡­haired¡¡old¡¡lady¡¡in¡¡the¡¡big¡¡house£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡vivid¡¡

wicked¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡face¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡smiled¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡ours£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡vague¡¡¡¡¡¡chill¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

foreboding¡¡crept¡¡over¡¡me¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡brushed¡¡it¡¡aside¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Styles¡¡is¡¡really¡¡a¡¡glorious¡¡old¡¡place£»¡¨¡¡I¡¡said¡¡to¡¡John¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡nodded¡¡rather¡¡gloomily¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡it's¡¡a¡¡fine¡¡property¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It'll¡¡be¡¡mine¡¡some¡¡dayshould¡¡be¡¡mine¡¡now¡¡

by¡¡rights£»¡¡if¡¡my¡¡father¡¡had¡¡only¡¡made¡¡a¡¡decent¡¡will¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡then¡¡I¡¡shouldn't¡¡

be¡¡so¡¡damned¡¡hard¡¡up¡¡as¡¡I¡¡am¡¡now¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Hard¡¡up£»¡¡are¡¡you£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨My¡¡dear¡¡Hastings£»¡¡I¡¡don't¡¡mind¡¡telling¡¡you¡¡that¡¡I'm¡¡at¡¡my¡¡wit's¡¡end¡¡for¡¡

money¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Couldn't¡¡your¡¡brother¡¡help¡¡you£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Lawrence£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡He's¡¡¡¡¡¡gone¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡every¡¡¡¡¡¡penny¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡ever¡¡¡¡¡¡had£»¡¡¡¡¡¡publishing¡¡

rotten¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡verses¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡fancy¡¡¡¡¡¡bindings¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡we're¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡impecunious¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lot¡£¡¡¡¡My¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡13¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡14¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MYSTERIOUS¡¡AFFAIR¡¡AT¡¡STYLES¡¡



mother's¡¡always¡¡been¡¡awfully¡¡good¡¡to¡¡us£»¡¡I¡¡must¡¡say¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡That¡¡is£»¡¡up¡¡to¡¡now¡£¡¡

Since¡¡her¡¡marriage£»¡¡of¡¡course¡¨¡¡he¡¡broke¡¡off£»¡¡frowning¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡that£»¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡Evelyn¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Howard£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡something¡¡

indefinable¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡gone¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡atmosphere¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Her¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡presence¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡spelt¡¡

security¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡security¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡removedand¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡air¡¡¡¡¡¡seemed¡¡¡¡¡¡rife¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡

suspicion¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sinister¡¡¡¡¡¡face¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Dr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Bauerstein¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡recurred¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡

unpleasantly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡vague¡¡suspicion¡¡of¡¡every¡¡one¡¡and¡¡everything¡¡filled¡¡my¡¡

mind¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Just¡¡for¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡I¡¡had¡¡a¡¡premonition¡¡of¡¡approaching¡¡evil¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡14¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡15¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MYSTERIOUS¡¡AFFAIR¡¡AT¡¡STYLES¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡II¡£¡¡THE¡¡16TH¡¡AND¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡17TH¡¡OF¡¡JULY¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡had¡¡arrived¡¡at¡¡Styles¡¡on¡¡the¡¡5th¡¡of¡¡July¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡come¡¡now¡¡to¡¡the¡¡events¡¡

of¡¡the¡¡16th¡¡and¡¡17th¡¡of¡¡that¡¡month¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡the¡¡convenience¡¡of¡¡the¡¡reader¡¡I¡¡

will¡¡¡¡¡¡recapitulate¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡incidents¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡days¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡exact¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡manner¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡

possible¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡elicited¡¡¡¡¡¡subsequently¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡trial¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡process¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

long¡¡and¡¡tedious¡¡cross¡­examinations¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡received¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡letter¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡Evelyn¡¡¡¡¡¡Howard¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡couple¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡days¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡

departure£»¡¡¡¡¡¡telling¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡working¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡nurse¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡big¡¡¡¡¡¡hospital¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡

Middlingham£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡manufacturing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡town¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡fifteen¡¡¡¡¡¡miles¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡away£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

begging¡¡me¡¡to¡¡let¡¡her¡¡know¡¡if¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Inglethorp¡¡should¡¡show¡¡any¡¡wish¡¡to¡¡be¡¡

reconciled¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡fly¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡ointment¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡peaceful¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡days¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡

Cavendish's¡¡extraordinary£»¡¡and£»¡¡for¡¡my¡¡part£»¡¡unaccountable¡¡preference¡¡for¡¡

the¡¡society¡¡of¡¡Dr¡£¡¡Bauerstein¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡she¡¡saw¡¡in¡¡the¡¡man¡¡I¡¡cannot¡¡imagine£»¡¡

but¡¡she¡¡was¡¡always¡¡asking¡¡him¡¡up¡¡to¡¡the¡¡house£»¡¡and¡¡often¡¡went¡¡off¡¡for¡¡long¡¡

expeditions¡¡with¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡must¡¡confess¡¡that¡¡I¡¡was¡¡quite¡¡unable¡¡to¡¡see¡¡his¡¡

attraction¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡16th¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡July¡¡¡¡fell¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡Monday¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡day¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡turmoil¡£¡¡The¡¡

famous¡¡¡¡¡¡bazaar¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡taken¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡Saturday£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡entertainment£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡

connection¡¡with¡¡the¡¡same¡¡charity£»¡¡at¡¡which¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Inglethorp¡¡was¡¡to¡¡recite¡¡a¡¡

War¡¡¡¡¡¡poem£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡held¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡night¡£¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡busy¡¡¡¡¡¡during¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

morning¡¡arranging¡¡and¡¡decorating¡¡the¡¡Hall¡¡in¡¡the¡¡village¡¡where¡¡it¡¡was¡¡to¡¡

take¡¡place¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡had¡¡a¡¡late¡¡luncheon¡¡and¡¡spent¡¡the¡¡afternoon¡¡resting¡¡in¡¡the¡¡

garden¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡noticed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡John's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡manner¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡somewhat¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡unusual¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡

seemed¡¡very¡¡excited¡¡and¡¡restless¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡tea£»¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Inglethorp¡¡went¡¡to¡¡lie¡¡down¡¡to¡¡rest¡¡before¡¡her¡¡efforts¡¡in¡¡

the¡¡evening¡¡and¡¡I¡¡challenged¡¡Mary¡¡Cavendish¡¡to¡¡a¡¡single¡¡at¡¡tennis¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡About¡¡a¡¡quarter¡¡to¡¡seven£»¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Inglethorp¡¡called¡¡us¡¡that¡¡we¡¡should¡¡be¡¡

late¡¡as¡¡supper¡¡was¡¡early¡¡that¡¡night¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡had¡¡rather¡¡a¡¡scramble¡¡to¡¡get¡¡ready¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡15¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡16¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MYSTERIOUS¡¡AFFAIR¡¡AT¡¡STYLES¡¡



in¡¡time£»¡¡and¡¡before¡¡the¡¡meal¡¡was¡¡over¡¡the¡¡motor¡¡was¡¡waiting¡¡at¡¡the¡¡door¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡entertainment¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡success£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Inglethorp's¡¡¡¡¡¡recitation¡¡

receiving¡¡tremendous¡¡applause¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡were¡¡also¡¡some¡¡tableaux¡¡in¡¡which¡¡

Cynthia¡¡¡¡¡¡took¡¡¡¡¡¡part¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡return¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡us£»¡¡¡¡¡¡having¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡asked¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

supper¡¡¡¡¡¡party£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡remain¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡friends¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡

acting¡¡with¡¡her¡¡in¡¡the¡¡tableaux¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡following¡¡morning£»¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Inglethorp¡¡stayed¡¡in¡¡bed¡¡to¡¡breakfast£»¡¡as¡¡

she¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡rather¡¡¡¡¡¡overtired£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡appeared¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡briskest¡¡¡¡¡¡mood¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡

12¡£30£»¡¡and¡¡swept¡¡Lawrence¡¡and¡¡myself¡¡off¡¡to¡¡a¡¡luncheon¡¡party¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Such¡¡a¡¡charming¡¡invitation¡¡from¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Rolleston¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Lady¡¡Tadminster's¡¡

sister£»¡¡you¡¡know¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Rollestons¡¡came¡¡over¡¡with¡¡the¡¡Conquerorone¡¡of¡¡

our¡¡oldest¡¡families¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mary¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡excused¡¡¡¡¡¡herself¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡plea¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡engagement¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡Dr¡£¡¡

Bauerstein¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡pleasant¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡luncheon£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡drove¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡away¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Lawrence¡¡

suggested¡¡that¡¡we¡¡should¡¡return¡¡by¡¡Tadminster£»¡¡which¡¡was¡¡barely¡¡a¡¡mile¡¡

out¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡way£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡pay¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡visit¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡Cynthia¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡dispensary¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡

Inglethorp¡¡replied¡¡that¡¡this¡¡was¡¡an¡¡excellent¡¡idea£»¡¡but¡¡as¡¡she¡¡had¡¡several¡¡

letters¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡write¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡drop¡¡¡¡¡¡us¡¡¡¡¡¡there£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡

Cynthia¡¡in¡¡the¡¡pony¡­trap¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡were¡¡detained¡¡under¡¡suspicion¡¡by¡¡the¡¡hospital¡¡porter£»¡¡until¡¡Cynthia¡¡

appeared¡¡to¡¡vouch¡¡for¡¡us£»¡¡looking¡¡very¡¡cool¡¡and¡¡sweet¡¡in¡¡her¡¡long¡¡white¡¡

overall¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡took¡¡us¡¡up¡¡to¡¡her¡¡sanctum£»¡¡and¡¡introduced¡¡us¡¡to¡¡her¡¡fellow¡¡

dispenser£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡rather¡¡¡¡¡¡awe¡­inspiring¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡individual£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡whom¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Cynthia¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡cheerily¡¡

addressed¡¡as¡¡¡¨Nibs¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡lot¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡bottles£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡exclaimed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡eye¡¡¡¡¡¡travelled¡¡¡¡¡¡round¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

small¡¡room¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Do¡¡you¡¡really¡¡know¡¡what's¡¡in¡¡them¡¡all£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Say¡¡¡¡¡¡something¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡original£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡groaned¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Cynthia¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Every¡¡¡¡¡¡single¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡person¡¡

who¡¡comes¡¡up¡¡here¡¡says¡¡that¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡are¡¡really¡¡thinking¡¡of¡¡bestowing¡¡a¡¡prize¡¡

on¡¡the¡¡first¡¡individual¡¡who¡¡does¡¡*NOT¡¡say£º¡¡'What¡¡a¡¡lot¡¡of¡¡bottles£¡'¡¡And¡¡I¡¡

know¡¡the¡¡next¡¡thing¡¡you're¡¡going¡¡to¡¡say¡¡is£º¡¡'How¡¡many¡¡people¡¡have¡¡you¡¡

poisoned£¿'¡¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡pleaded¡¡guilty¡¡with¡¡a¡¡laugh¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡16¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡17¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MYSTERIOUS¡¡AFFAIR¡¡AT¡¡STYLES¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡you¡¡people¡¡only¡¡knew¡¡how¡¡fatally¡¡easy¡¡it¡¡is¡¡to¡¡poison¡¡some¡¡one¡¡by¡¡

mistake£»¡¡you¡¡wouldn't¡¡joke¡¡about¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Come¡¡on£»¡¡let's¡¡have¡¡tea¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We've¡¡got¡¡

all¡¡¡¡¡¡sorts¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡secret¡¡¡¡stories¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡cupboard¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Lawrencethat's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

poison¡¡cupboard¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡big¡¡cupboardthat's¡¡right¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡had¡¡a¡¡very¡¡cheery¡¡tea£»¡¡and¡¡assisted¡¡Cynthia¡¡to¡¡wash¡¡up¡¡afterwards¡£¡¡

We¡¡had¡¡just¡¡put¡¡away¡¡the¡¡last¡¡tea¡­spoon¡¡when¡¡a¡¡knock¡¡came¡¡at¡¡the¡¡door¡£¡¡

The¡¡countenances¡¡of¡¡Cynthia¡¡and¡¡Nibs¡¡were¡¡suddenly¡¡petrified¡¡into¡¡a¡¡stern¡¡

and¡¡forbidding¡¡expression¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Come¡¡in£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Cynthia£»¡¡in¡¡a¡¡sharp¡¡professional¡¡tone¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡young¡¡and¡¡rather¡¡scared¡¡looking¡¡nurse¡¡appeared¡¡with¡¡a¡¡bottle¡¡which¡¡

she¡¡proffered¡¡to¡¡Nibs£»¡¡who¡¡waved¡¡her¡¡towards¡¡Cynthia¡¡with¡¡the¡¡somewhat¡¡

enigmatical¡¡remark£º¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨_I_'m¡¡not¡¡really¡¡here¡¡to¡­day¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Cynthia¡¡took¡¡the¡¡bottle¡¡and¡¡examined¡¡it¡¡with¡¡the¡¡severity¡¡of¡¡a¡¡judge¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨This¡¡should¡¡have¡¡been¡¡sent¡¡up¡¡this¡¡morning¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Sister¡¡is¡¡very¡¡sorry¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡forgot¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Sister¡¡should¡¡read¡¡the¡¡rules¡¡outside¡¡the¡¡door¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡gathered¡¡from¡¡the¡¡little¡¡nurse's¡¡expression¡¡that¡¡there¡¡was¡¡not¡¡the¡¡least¡¡

likelihood¡¡of¡¡her¡¡having¡¡the¡¡hardihood¡¡to¡¡retail¡¡this¡¡message¡¡to¡¡the¡¡dreaded¡¡

¡¨Sister¡¨¡£¡¡

·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨0£©
δÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
ÎÂÜ°Ìáʾ£º ο´Ð¡ËµµÄͬʱ·¢±íÆÀÂÛ£¬Ëµ³ö×Ô¼ºµÄ¿´·¨ºÍÆäËüС»ï°éÃÇ·ÖÏíÒ²²»´íŶ£¡·¢±íÊéÆÀ»¹¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±Àø£¬ÈÏÕæдԭ´´ÊéÆÀ ±»²ÉÄÉΪ¾«ÆÀ¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ´óÁ¿½ð±Ò¡¢»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±ÀøŶ£¡