解説　場面 3「包帯の青年」

I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his strength of mind to control.

診察室に入ると、卓のそばに一人の紳士が座っていた。地味な装いで、ヒース色のツイードの服を着ており、柔らかな布帽子を私の本の上に置いていた。片手にはハンカチが巻かれ、そこには一面に血の染みがついていた。若く、二十五歳を越えてはいないだろう。力強く男らしい顔つきだったが、ひどく青ざめ、激しい動揺を全力で抑えている人物という印象を私に与えた。

"I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the side-table."

「こんなに朝早く起こして申し訳ありません、先生」と彼は言った。「昨夜、ひどい事故に遭いまして。今朝、列車で着き、パディントンで医師の居場所を尋ねたところ、親切な方がここまで案内してくれました。女中さんに名刺を渡したのですが、脇の卓に置いたままのようですね」

I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself a monotonous occupation."

私はそれを取り上げて、ちらりと見た。「ヴィクター・ハザリー、水力技師、ヴィクトリア街十六A、三階」それが朝の来客の氏名、職業、住所だった。「お待たせして申し訳ありません」と私は書斎用の椅子に腰を下ろして言った。「夜通し旅をして来られたそうですね。それだけでも単調でつらいものです」