よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 59: Holmes's Last Word
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Notes on this scene
Holmes had already inferred the method before entering the room, and the chair, safe, milk, and looped whip confirmed it. During the vigil he heard the snake and struck it with his cane, driving it back through the ventilator. Enraged, it bit Roylott, its owner. Holmes accepts indirect responsibility for Roylott's death but says the outcome does not burden his conscience.
Japanese in this scene
- ほかならなかった
- 〜にほかならなかった identifies the sound exclusively: it was nothing other than Roylott hurriedly shutting the snake back inside the metal safe.
- こうした
- こうした points back to the chain of deductions Holmes has just described. He says he had reached those conclusions before entering Roylott's room.
- 残っていたかもしれない疑いは最終的にすっかり消えた
- すっかり shows that the remaining doubt disappeared completely once Holmes saw the safe, milk, and looped lash.
- シューッ
- シューッ imitates the snake's hiss. Hearing that sound tells Holmes the creature has entered, prompting him to light the lamp and strike.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the light and attacked it."
「あの部屋に入る前から、私はすでにこうした結論に達していたのだ。彼の椅子を調べると、博士がその上に立つ習慣があったことがわかった。通風口に手を届かせるには、むろんそれが必要だったのだ。金庫、ミルクの皿、輪にした鞭縄を見て、残っていたかもしれない疑いは最終的にすっかり消えた。ストーナーさんが聞いた金属の音は、義父が恐ろしい住人の入った金庫の扉をあわてて閉めた音にほかならなかった。心を決めてからのことは、きみも知るとおりだ。事を確かめるために私が取った手順だよ。蛇がシューッと鳴くのを私は聞いた。きみもきっと聞いただろう。私はすぐに明かりをつけて、それに打ちかかったのだ」
"With the result of driving it through the ventilator."
「その結果、蛇を通風口から追い返したわけだ」
"And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to weigh very heavily upon my conscience."
「しかも、向こう側にいる主人に襲いかからせる結果にもなった。私の杖の何発かが命中して、蛇の気性を怒らせ、蛇は最初に目に入った人物に飛びかかったのだ。こうして、私がグリムズビー・ロイロット博士の死に間接的な責任を負っているのは間違いないが、それが私の良心に重くのしかかるとは、とても言えないね」