Before they reach Lee, Holmes begins arranging the facts in order. The case appears simple, yet he has found no useful thread he can confidently follow. Watson knows neither the missing man's life nor the details of his disappearance, so the account starts with St. Clair's arrival in the district.
"Some years ago—to be definite, in May, 1884—there came to Lee a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have plenty of money.「数年前、正確には一八八四年五月、ネヴィル・セントクレアという、金に不自由していない様子の紳士がリーへ移ってきた。
He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very nicely, and lived generally in good style.大きな屋敷を構え、庭を実にきれいに整え、全般に裕福な暮らしをしていた。
By degrees he made friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children.次第に近所に友人ができ、一八八七年には地元の醸造業者の娘と結婚し、その妻との間に今は二人の子供がいる。
He had no occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Street every night.職業はないがいくつかの会社に利害関係があり、普段は朝に都心へ出て、毎晩キャノン街発の五時十四分の列車で戻っていた。
Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know him.セントクレア氏は現在三十七歳、節度ある習慣を持つ人物で、よい夫、とても愛情深い父親であり、知る人すべてから好かれている。
I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far as we have been able to ascertain, amount to £ 88 10s., while he has £ 220 standing to his credit in the Capital and Counties Bank.付け加えれば、調べられた限りでは現在の借金は全部で八十八ポンド十シリング、対してキャピタル・アンド・カウンティーズ銀行には二百二十ポンドの預金がある。
There is no reason, therefore, to think that money troubles have been weighing upon his mind.だから金の問題が心に重くのしかかっていたと考える理由はない。