よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 44: Where Is the Photograph?
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Notes on this scene
Holmes argues that marriage makes the photograph a danger to Adler as well as the King. He doubts she carries it: its cabinet size makes concealment difficult, and she knows the King might have her searched, as he has already tried. Watson asks where it can therefore be hidden.
Japanese in this scene
- かえって
- かえって means “contrary to expectation.” Holmes says the unexpected marriage has actually simplified the case.
- 諸刃の剣
- 諸刃の剣, “a double-edged sword,” describes something capable of harming both sides, or bringing both benefit and danger.
- 大きすぎる
- Adjective stem + すぎる means “too.” 大きすぎる says the photograph exceeds the size suitable for concealment.
Background
- Cabinet size
- This photograph format appeared in the 1860s and spread in the 1870s. Mounted on stiff card, it measured roughly 11 by 17 centimeters. Its size, larger than a visiting-card photograph, supports Holmes’s argument that hiding it in clothing would be difficult.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the photograph?"
「いいかね」家の前を行きつ戻りつしながら、ホームズが言った。「この結婚で、事態はかえって単純になったのだよ。写真はいまや諸刃の剣になったわけだ。依頼人が写真を王女の目に触れさせたくないのと同じくらい、彼女のほうもゴドフリー・ノートン氏には見られたくないはずだからね。そこで問題は、写真がどこにあるか、だ」
"Where, indeed?"
「まったく、どこにあるんだい？」
"It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her."
「彼女が持ち歩いているとは、まず考えられない。キャビネ判だからね。女性の服にこっそり隠すには大きすぎる。国王なら人を使って自分を待ち伏せさせ、身体検査くらいしかねないことを、彼女は承知している。その手の試みは、すでに二度行われているのだ。だから、彼女は写真を持ち歩いていないと考えてよい」
"Where, then?"
「じゃあ、どこにあるんだい？」