よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 55: Into the Dark
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Notes on this scene
The bank borrowed thirty thousand Napoleon gold coins from the Bank of France, and word spread that the untouched shipment remained in the cellar. Holmes believes the attack will come within the hour. He tells Merryweather to cover the lantern so that no light will betray the waiting party.
Japanese in this scene
- ておく
- Verb + ておく means doing something in advance or leaving a result in place for later. In speech, it often contracts to 〜とく.
- ている
- The 〜ている form can show an action in progress, a continuing condition, or the present result of a completed action. The surrounding context selects the meaning.
- ていた
- The 〜ていた form is the past of 〜ている. It describes an action that was in progress or a state that continued at the time being discussed.
- という
- という connects quoted words, a name, or an idea to the noun that follows. Depending on context, it can mean “called,” “that,” or “the idea that.”
Background
- Napoleon gold coin
- A napoleon was a French twenty-franc gold coin, originally bearing Napoleon I. Thirty thousand such coins would be worth roughly twenty-four thousand pounds, apart from other bank reserves.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the directors have had misgivings upon the subject."
「さよう。数か月前、当行は資金を手厚くする必要がありまして、そのためにフランス銀行からナポレオン金貨を三万枚借り入れたのです。その金をまだ一度も荷ほどきする必要がなく、いまも当行の地下室に置いたままだということが、世間に知れてしまいましてな。私が腰かけているこの木箱にも、鉛の薄板を重ねたあいだに、ナポレオン金貨が二千枚詰めてあります。いまの金の蓄えは、ふつう一つの支店に置いておく額よりずっと多く、重役一同、そのことを案じておったのです」
"Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern."
「その心配は、まったく当たっていたわけだ」とホームズは言った。「さて、そろそろこちらのささやかな作戦を決めておくとしよう。一時間もしないうちに、事は山場を迎えるはずだ。それまでに、メリーウェザーさん、そのランタンには覆いをかけていただかなくてはなりません」
"And sit in the dark?"
「暗闇の中で座っておれと？」