よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 6: Danger Draws Near
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Notes on this scene
Holmes unlocks his desk and checks his records for the Farintosh case. He tells the visitor that payment can wait and asks her to explain everything. She admits that her fears are so vague that even the person she normally relies upon dismisses them as the nervous imaginings of an anxious woman.
Japanese in this scene
- あなたのいちばん都合のよい時に
- いちばん forms the superlative ‘most convenient.’ Holmes lets Helen reimburse his expenses whenever it suits her best.
- 負担していただいて
- 負担していただいて frames Helen's payment of Holmes's expenses as a favour received by him. He says she may reimburse those costs whenever convenient.
- ささいな点にすっかり頼っている
- すっかり means that Helen's suspicions depend entirely on details that may look trivial to other people.
- ちゃんと
- ちゃんと assures Helen that Holmes is listening properly and attentively, even though his posture may have made her doubt his attention.
Background
- consulting detective
- Holmes describes himself as a consulting detective who advises private clients, police officers, and other investigators. The intellectual problem interests him more than a fee.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small case-book, which he consulted.
ホームズは机に向かい、鍵を開けて小さな事件簿を取り出し、それに目を通した。
"Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the matter."
「ファリントッシュ」と彼は言った。「ああ、そうだ、あの事件は覚えている。オパールのティアラにかかわるものだった。きみが加わる前のことだと思うよ、ワトソン。ひとつ言えるのは、あなたのご依頼にも、お友だちの件と同じだけの注意を喜んで注ぐということだけです。報酬については、この仕事自体が報酬のようなものです。ただ、私がかけざるを得なかった費用は、あなたのいちばん都合のよい時に負担していただいてかまいません。では、この件について私たちが判断を下す助けになることを、すべて話してください」
"Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the dangers which encompass me."
「ああ！」と私たちの訪問者は答えた。「私の置かれた状況のまさに恐ろしいところは、不安がひどく漠然としていて、疑いも、他の人にはつまらなく見えかねないささいな点にすっかり頼っていることです。そのため、誰よりも助けと助言を求める権利のある人でさえ、私の話すことを、神経質な女の気のせいだと思っているのです。彼はそうは言いませんが、なだめるような返事や、そらした目から、私にはそれが読み取れます。けれど、ホームズさん、あなたは人の心の幾重にも重なる邪悪さを深く見通せると聞いております。私を取り巻く危険のただなかを、どう進めばよいか、教えていただけるはずです」
"I am all attention, madam."
「ちゃんと聞いていますよ、お嬢さん」