Scene 22 · Notes

Notes　Scene 22: The Client Departs

Next scene: 23 Dark and Sinister ›Read this scene again (from the start)

Notes on this scene

Helen says that after completing her business in town, she will return to Stoke Moran on the noon train. Holmes promises to visit early that afternoon and offers her breakfast, but she declines. Relieved after sharing her fears, Helen lowers her veil, says goodbye to the two men, and leaves Baker Street.

Japanese in this scene

ちょっとした
ちょっとした deliberately minimizes Holmes's own errand as a small matter, contrasting it with the serious investigation awaiting them afterward.
ご一緒いっしょしていきません
ご一緒していきませんか is a polite invitation to join them for breakfast before Helen leaves, with ご一緒する giving ‘accompany’ a courteous form.
けれど
けれど contrasts Helen's departure with her promised return: although she must leave now, she will be back in time for their visit.
片かたづけておきたい
片づけておきたい means Holmes wants to get his small errand dealt with in advance, before he and Watson travel to Stoke Moran.

Background

black veil
Black clothing could indicate mourning, and a thick veil concealed the wearer's face. Helen lowers hers again when leaving so that her identity remains private.

Full text: original English and Japanese translation

"I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to be there in time for your coming."

「町に出ている今のうちに、いくつか済ませたい用事があります。けれど十二時の列車で帰り、あなた方がいらっしゃるのに間に合うようにしておきます」

"And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and breakfast?"

「では、午後の早いうちにこちらから伺うと思ってください。私自身も、片づけておきたいちょっとした用事がある。朝食をご一緒していきませんか？」

"No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her face and glided from the room.

「いいえ、行かなければなりません。悩みをあなたにお話ししたら、もう心が軽くなりました。今日の午後、またお会いできるのを楽しみにしています」彼女は厚い黒のヴェールを顔の上におろし、すべるように部屋から出ていった。

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

  • 済ませる（すませる） — to finish; to make an end of; to get through with; to let endhard
  • 間に合う（まにあう） — to be in time (for); to serve (suit, meet) the purpose; to be good enough; to be enoughhard
  • 軽い（かるい） — light (i.e. not heavy); feeling light (i.e. offering little resistance, moving easily); light (i.e. of foot); effortlesshard
  • 今（いま） — now; the present
  • うち — during a state; before a change
  • いくつ — some with か; how many; how old
  • 用事（ようじ） — business; errand; something to do
  • けれど — though; but

Next scene: Dark and Sinister

After Helen departs, Holmes leans back in his chair and asks Watson what he thinks. Watson calls the affair dark and sinister. Holmes agrees and begins arranging the clues in order, reviewing the details of the account they have just heard and identifying the points that seem most important. The scene begins from this carefully established point.

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