阿婆的推理名作,在开创“童谣杀人”和“孤岛模式”的同时,阿婆还将社会派的动机,悄无声息地融入了整部的小说篇章之中。
人性的考验,人性的洞察,出呼意料的结局,但又因果报应。
“无魔鬼战斗的人,应当小心自己不要成为魔鬼。
当你远远凝视深渊时,深渊也在凝视你。“
——尼采《善恶的彼岸》
Ten little Indian boys went out to dine; ·
十个印地安小男孩,为了吃饭去奔走;
One choked his little self and then there were nine.
噎死一个没法救,十个只剩九。
Nine little Indian boys sat up very late;
九个印地安小男孩,深夜不寐真困乏;
One overslept himself and then there were eight.
倒头一睡睡死啦,九个只剩八。
Eight little Indian boys travelling in Devon;
八个印地安小男孩,德文郡里去猎奇;
One said he'd stay there and then there were seven.
丢下一个在那里,八个只剩七。
Seven little Indian boys chopping up sticks;
七个印地安小男孩,伐树砍枝不顺手;
One chopped himself in halves and then there were six.
斧劈两半一命休,七个只剩六。
Six little Indian boys playing with a hive;
六个印地安小男孩,玩弄蜂房惹蜂怒;
A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.
飞来一蛰命呜呼,六个只剩五。
Five little Indian boys going in for law;
五个印地安小男孩,惹是生非打官司;
One got in Chancery and then there were four.
官司缠身直到死,五个只剩四。
Four little Indian boys going out to sea;
四个印地安小男孩,结伙出海遭大难;
A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.
鱼吞一个血斑斑,四个只剩三。
Three little Indian boys walking in the Zoo;
三个印地安小男孩,动物园里遭祸殃;
A big bear hugged one and then there were two.
狗熊突然从天降,三个只剩两。
Two little Indian boys sitting in the sun;
两个印地安小男孩,太阳底下长叹息;
One got frizzled up and then there was one.
晒死烤死悲戚戚,两个只剩一。
One little Indian boy left all alone;
一个印地安小男孩,归去来兮只一人;
He went and hanged himself and then there were none.
悬梁自尽了此生,一个也不剩。