よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 21: The Letters
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Notes on this scene
Holmes establishes that there was no secret marriage or legal documentation. He questions how Adler could prove the letters genuine if she used them for blackmail or another purpose. The King points to his handwriting, but Holmes dismisses that argument by suggesting that the letters could be called forgeries.
Japanese in this scene
- なさった
- なさる is the honorific equivalent of する. なさった is its past form, used when asking about the King’s actions.
- 分かりかねます
- Verb stem + かねる politely expresses inability. 分かりかねます means “I cannot understand,” with a formal, restrained tone.
- としても
- としても introduces a hypothetical concession: “even if.” Holmes considers what would happen even if Adler produced the letters.
Background
- Secret marriage
- Royal marriages were also matters between states, and marriages to people of lower rank were difficult to recognize publicly. Holmes asks about a secret marriage and certificates to find out whether legally binding evidence exists against the King.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"Precisely so. But how—"
「まさにそのとおりだ。だが、どうして――」
"Was there a secret marriage?"
「秘密の結婚をなさったのですか」
"None."
「していない」
"No legal papers or certificates?"
「法的な書類や証明書の類いは？」
"None."
「ない」
"Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is she to prove their authenticity?"
「それでしたら、陛下のおっしゃることが分かりかねます。この若い女性が、ゆすりやその他の目的で手紙を持ち出したとしても、それが本物だとどうやって証明するのでしょう」
"There is the writing."
「筆跡がある」
"Pooh, pooh! Forgery."
「ご冗談を。偽造ですよ」