よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 66: Why He Tapped the Pavement
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Notes on this scene
By tapping the pavement, Holmes confirmed that the cellar extended behind rather than in front of the shop. The assistant’s worn knees proved that digging was underway. Around the corner, Holmes found the bank directly behind the pawnbroker’s. After the concert, he contacted Scotland Yard and the bank chairman.
Japanese in this scene
- てみる
- Verb + てみる means “try doing” in order to see the result. It describes an experimental action, not simply looking at something.
- 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.
- はず
- はず expresses an expectation based on evidence or circumstances: “should; be expected to.” It is stronger than a simple guess but not a guarantee.
Background
- The City and Suburban Bank
- The City is London’s historic financial district, where banks and trading companies gathered. The City and Suburban Bank means a bank serving the City and its suburbs; it is a fictional institution in this story.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank directors, with the result that you have seen."
「現場を見に行ったときには、そこまで考えが進んでいた。私がステッキで歩道を叩いて、きみを驚かせただろう。あれは、地下室が店の前に延びているのか、裏に延びているのかを確かめていたのだ。前ではなかった。それから呼び鈴を鳴らすと、思ったとおり、あの助手が出てきた。あの男とはこれまでに何度か小競り合いをしてきたが、顔を合わせたのはそれが初めてだった。顔はほとんど見なかった。私が見たかったのは、彼のひざだ。あのひざがどれほどすり切れ、しわが寄り、汚れていたか、きみも気づいたはずだ。あれは、何時間も穴を掘り進めてきたことを物語っていた。残る問題は、何のために掘っているのか、それだけだった。角を曲がってみると、シティ・アンド・サバーバン銀行が依頼人の店と背中合わせになっているのが分かり、これで問題は解けたと感じた。音楽会のあと、きみが馬車で帰ってから、私はスコットランド・ヤードと、銀行の重役会の会長のもとを訪ねた。その結果は、きみが見たとおりだ」