よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 52: The Explanation Goes On
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Notes on this scene
Holmes used red paint hidden in his palm to simulate a bloody injury. Adler could hardly leave him outside, so he gained entry to the sitting room, one of the two likely hiding places. His gesture for air made an open window necessary, creating the opportunity for Watson’s part.
Japanese in this scene
- 目をつけていた
- 目をつける means identifying something for particular attention. Holmes had already selected the sitting room as significant.
- しかなかった
- Dictionary form + しかなかった means “had no choice but to.” Adler had to bring the apparently injured man inside.
- ざるを得なく
- ざるを得ない means being unable to avoid an action. Here opening the window became necessary; なく connects to なり.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick."
「それから、騒ぎが始まったとき、私は手のひらに湿った赤い絵の具を少し仕込んでおいた。前へ飛び出し、倒れ、手で顔を押さえて、見るも哀れな姿になったわけだ。古い手だよ」
"That also I could fathom."
「そこまでは私にも察しがついたよ」
"Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your chance."
「それから私は運び込まれた。彼女は私を中に入れるしかなかった。ほかにどうしようがあるかね。しかも運ばれた先は彼女の居間で、まさに私が目をつけていた部屋だった。ありかは居間か寝室のどちらかで、私はそれを確かめるつもりだった。皆は私をソファに寝かせ、私は空気が欲しいという仕草をし、皆は窓を開けざるを得なくなり、そこできみの出番が来たというわけさ」
"How did that help you?"
「それがどう役に立ったんだい」