Scene 42 · Notes

Notes　Scene 42: Follow My Instructions

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Notes on this scene

Holmes and Watson finish their inspection and stand with Helen on the lawn. After thinking in silence with a grave expression, Holmes begins giving her instructions for the coming night. Before explaining the details, he insists that she must follow every direction exactly, and his manner is intensely serious. The scene begins from this carefully established point.

Japanese in this scene

あらゆる点てんで必かならず守まもる
あらゆる distributes the instruction across every detail: Helen must follow Holmes's advice in all respects.
ためらっている
ためらっている余裕はありません means there is no time or room for hesitation. Holmes stresses that the danger makes immediate action necessary.
説明せつめいしましょう
説明しましょう is a polite volitional: Holmes offers to explain his plan now that Helen has agreed to follow his advice.
あなたの命いのちは、従したがっていただけるかどうかにかかっている
〜にかかっている means ‘depends on.’ Holmes warns that Helen's life may depend on whether she follows his instructions.

Full text: original English and Japanese translation

"It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should absolutely follow my advice in every respect."

「ストーナーさん、何よりも大事なのは」と彼は言った。「私の助言を、あらゆる点で必ず守ることです」

"I shall most certainly do so."

「必ずそういたします」

"The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may depend upon your compliance."

「事は重大で、ためらっている余裕はありません。あなたの命は、従っていただけるかどうかにかかっているかもしれないのです」

"I assure you that I am in your hands."

「お約束します、私はあなたにすべてお任せします」

"In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in your room."

「まず第一に、私も友人も、今夜はあなたの部屋で過ごさねばなりません」

Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment.

ストーナーさんも私も、驚いて彼の顔を見つめた。

"Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the village inn over there?"

「そうです、そうしなければならないのです。説明しましょう。向こうに見えるのは、村の宿屋ですね？」

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

  • 彼（かれ） — he; him
  • 私（わたし） — I; me
  • 助言（じょげん） — advice; suggestion; counsel
  • あらゆる — every; all kinds of
  • 必ず（かならず） — always; without fail
  • いたす — to do (humble)
  • 重大（じゅうだい） — grave; very important
  • ためらう — to hesitate; to waver

Next scene: The Crown Inn

Holmes gives Helen a series of specific instructions. He first asks whether the village inn visible across the grounds can be seen from her bedroom window. He then explains how she must act that evening. The arrangement will allow Holmes and Watson to spend the night inside her room. The scene begins from this carefully established point.

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