the darrow enigma(达罗之迷)-第15节
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words； when； without a word of warning； he sprang at him across the table；
using the carving…knife with all the fury of the most violent maniac； and
yet； under all other conditions； he was perfectly rational。〃
〃If； on the other hand；〃 said Maitland； continuing his remarks as if
unaware of our interruption； 〃Mr。 Darrow's suspicions had any foundation
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The Darrow Enigma
in fact； it is almost certain they must have been directed against some
specific person or persons。 If so； why did he not name them ？ … but；
stay … how do we know that he did not？ Let us proceed with our
examination of the papers；〃 and he began perusing the insurance policies。
Neither Gwen nor I spoke till he had finished and thrown them down；
when we both turned expectantly toward him。
〃All in Osborne's favour so far；〃 he said。 〃Principal to be held in trust
by Miss Darrow under the terms of a will which we have yet to find； the
income； until the discharge of the trust； to go to Miss Darrow。 Now for
this；〃 and he passed Gwen the sealed envelope addressed to her。
She broke the seal with much agitation。 〃Shall I read it aloud？〃 she
asked。
We signified our desire to hear it； and she read as follows：
MY DEAR GWEN：
My forebodings have seemed to you strange and uncalled for； but
when this comes to your hand you will know whether or not they were
groundless。 Of one episode in my career which shook the structure of
my being to its foundation stone； you have been carefully kept in
ignorance。 It is necessary that you should know it when I am gone； and I
have accordingly committed it to this paper； which will then fall into your
hands。 My early life； until two years after I married your mother； was
spent in India； the adult portion thereof being devoted to the service of the
East India Company。 I had charge of a department in their depot at
Bombay。 You have seen Naples。 Add to the beauties of that city the
interesting and motley population of Cairo and you can form some idea of
the attractions of Bombay。 I was very happy there until the occurrence of
the event I am about to narrate。
One morning； my duties calling me to one of the wharves； my
attention was attracted by a young girl dancing upon the flags by the
water's edge。 The ordinary bayadere is so common an object in India as
to attract but little notice from anyone of refined tastes； but this girl；
judging from the chaste beauty of her movements； was of a very different
type。 As my curiosity drew me nearer to her she turned her face toward
me； and in that instant I knew my hour had come。
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The Darrow Enigma
Though many years her senior she was still my first love； … the one
great passion of my life。
I do not attempt to describe her ineffable loveliness； for； like the
beauty of a flower； it was incapable of analysis。 Nothing that I could
write would give you any adequate idea of this girl's seraphic face； for she
was like unto no one you have ever seen in this cold Western world。 I
watched in a wild； nervous transport； I know not how long … time and
space had no part in this new ecstasy of mine！ I could think of nothing； do
nothing … only feel； … feel the hot blood deluge my brain only to fall back
in scalding torrents upon my heart with a pain that was exquisite pleasure。
Suddenly she changed her step and executed a quick backward
movement toward the water； stopping just as her heels touched the curb at
the edge of the wharf； then forward； and again a quick return to the
backward movement； but this time she mistook the distance； her heels
struck the curb forcibly； and she was precipitated backward into the water。
For a moment I stood as one petrified； unable to reason； much less to act；
then the excited voices of the crowd recalled me。 They had thrown a rope
into the water and were waiting for her to come to the surface and grasp it。
The wall from which she had fallen must have been at least fifteen feet
above the water； which was littered with broken spars； pieces of timber；
and other odd bits of wood。 It seemed as if she would never come to the
surface； and when at length she did； she did not attempt to seize the rope
thrown to her； but sank without a movement。 The truth flashed upon me
in an instant。 She had struck her head against some of the floating drift
and was unconscious！ Something must be done at once。 I seized the
rope and sprang in after her； taking good care to avoid obstructions； and
although； as you know； I never learned to swim； I succeeded in reaching
her； and we were drawn up together。 I bore her in my arms into one of
the storerooms close by； and； laying her upon a bale of cotton； used such
restoratives as could be quickly procured。
I was kneeling by her； my arm under her neck； in the act of raising her
head； when she opened her eyes； and fastened them； full of wonderment；
upon my face。 A moment more； her memory returning to her； she made a
little movement； as if to free herself。 I was too excited then to heed it；
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and continued to support her head。 She did not repeat the movement； but
half closed her eyes and leaned back resignedly against my arm。 If； I
thought； these few minutes could be expanded into an eternity； it would be
my idea of heaven。 She was recovering rapidly now and soon raised
herself into a sitting posture； saying； in very good English； 〃I think I can
stand now； Sahib。〃 I gave her my arm and assisted her to her feet。 Her
hand closed upon my sleeve as if to see how wet it was； and glancing at
my dripping garments； she said simply： 〃You have been in the water；
Sahib； and it is to you I owe my life。 I shall never forget your kindness。
She raised her eyes to my face and met my gaze for a moment； as she
spoke。 We are told that the eye is incapable of any expression save that
lent it by the lids and brow； … that the eyeball itself； apart from its direction；
and the changes of the pupil resulting from variations in the intensity of
light； can carry no message whatsoever。 This may be so； but； without
any noticeable movement of the eyes that met mine； I learned with
ineffable delight that this young girl's soul and mine were threaded upon
the same cord of destiny。 My emotion so overpowered me that I could
not speak； and when my self…possession returned the young girl had
vanished。
》From the height of bliss I now plunged into the abyss of despair。 I
had let her go without a word。 I did not even know her name。 I had
caught her to myself from the ocean only to suffer her to drown herself
among the half…million inhabitants of Bombay。 What must she think of
me？ I asked the wharfinger if he knew her； but he had never seen her
before。 All my other inquiries proved equally fruitless。 I wondered if she
knew that I loved her； but hardiy dared to hope she had been able to
correctly interpret my boorish conduct。 I could think of but one thing to
do。 If I did not know her name； neither did she know mine； and so if she
desired a further acquaintance； she； like myself； must rely upon a chance
meeting。 If she had detected my admiration for her she must know that I
too would strive to meet her again。 Where would she be most likely to
expect me to look for her？ Clearly at the same place we had met before；
and at the same time of day。 She might naturally think my duties called
me there daily at that hour。 I determined to be there at t
