よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 22: Any Proof?
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Notes on this scene
The King lists his personal stationery, seal, and photograph. Holmes suggests theft, copying, and purchase as explanations that would undermine their value as evidence. Then the King reveals that he and Adler appear together in the photograph. Holmes recognizes the difficulty and reproaches him for acting so rashly.
Japanese in this scene
- 盗まれた
- 盗まれた is the passive past of 盗む, “to steal.” Holmes suggests the notepaper could have been stolen.
- 写っている
- 写る means appearing in a photograph. ている describes the resulting state: both people are shown in the picture.
- なさいました
- なさいました is the polite past of honorific なさる. Holmes remains courteous while criticizing the King’s behavior.
Background
- Seal
- A seal stamped a coat of arms or other design into melted wax placed on a letter’s closure. It identified the owner and helped guarantee that the letter had not been opened in transit.
- Photographs
- Photographs were usually formal pictures taken in a studio. A man and woman pictured together provided strong evidence of an intimate connection, harder to dismiss as false than handwriting or stationery.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"My private note-paper."
「私専用の便箋だ」
"Stolen."
「盗まれたものです」
"My own seal."
「私自身の印章だ」
"Imitated."
「まねられたのです」
"My photograph."
「私の写真だ」
"Bought."
「買ったのでしょう」
"We were both in the photograph."
「二人で一緒に写っているのだ」
"Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an indiscretion."
「おや、それは！それはまずいですね。陛下はまことに軽率なことをなさいました」