Scene 39 · Notes

Notes　Scene 39: Resolve by the Fire

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Notes on this scene

Holmes is deeply distressed that John died after asking him for help. The failure wounds his pride and makes the case personal. Refusing to leave the matter to the police, he resolves to identify the gang and immediately begins his own investigation.

Japanese in this scene

に違ちがいない: に違いない expresses a strong conclusion: “must be; there is no doubt that.” It is stronger than かもしれない.
ている: The 〜ている form can show an action in progress, a continuing state, or the result of a completed action. The surrounding sentence decides which meaning applies.
のだ: のだ adds explanation or emphasis. In conversation it often appears as んだ.
さえ: さえ highlights an extreme example: “even.” It can also appear in conditional patterns meaning “if only.”

Full text: original English and Japanese translation

We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and shaken than I had ever seen him.

私たちは数分間黙って座っていた。ホームズがこれほど落ち込み、動揺しているのは初めてだった。

"That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that I should send him away to his death—!" He sprang from his chair and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and unclasping of his long thin hands.

「私の誇りが傷つくよ、ワトソン」と、やがて彼は言った。「つまらない感情なのは確かだが、それでも誇りが傷つく。今や私自身の問題だ。神が健康を授けてくださるなら、必ずこの一味を捕らえてみせる。助けを求めて来た彼を、私が死へ送り出してしまうとは」彼は椅子から跳ね起き、抑えられない激しい動揺のまま部屋を歩き回った。黄ばんだ頬を赤らめ、長く細い両手を神経質に握ったり開いたりしていた。

"They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!"

「実に狡猾な悪党どもに違いない」と、ついに彼は叫んだ。「どうやって、あそこへ誘い出したんだろう。河岸通りは、駅への最短の道筋ではない。あんな夜でさえ、橋の上はやつらの目的には人が多すぎたのだろう。さて、ワトソン、最後にどちらが勝つか見届けよう。私は今から出かける」

"To the police?"

「警察へかい」

"No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may take the flies, but not before."

「いや、私自身が警察になる。私が網を織り終えたら、警察がハエを捕らえてもよいが、それまではだめだ」

Japanese words in this scene (with English meanings; ☆ saves a word)

落ち込む（おちこむ） — to feel down; to feel sad; to be depressed; to be in low spiritshard
今や（いまや） — now (esp. in contrast to the past); now at last; at present; right nowhard
とは — indicates word or phrase being defined; used for quoting (thoughts, speech, etc.); with; (not) as much ashard
抑え（おさえ） — weight (e.g. paperweight); pressing down; keeping control; exercising authorityhard
たり — -ing and -ing (e.g. "coming and going"); doing such things as ...; expresses a command; to behard
でさえ — even (e.g. even a child); as long as (it is, you are, etc.); (if) only; justhard
ら — pluralizing suffix; or so; rough indicator of direction, location, amount, etc.; nominalizing suffixhard
見届ける（みとどける） — to make sure of; to ascertain; to see with one's own eyes; to watch to the endhard

Next scene: A Late Return

Watson finishes his work and returns to Baker Street in the evening, but Holmes has not yet come home. Where has he spent the day, and what has he been investigating? When his friend finally appears at a late hour, he looks exhausted. Watson first asks after his health and whether he has eaten.

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