解説　場面 15「窓辺のろうそく」

Barrymore was crouching at the window with the candle held against the glass. His profile was half turned towards me, and his face seemed to be rigid with expectation as he stared out into the blackness of the moor. For some minutes he stood watching intently. Then he gave a deep groan and with an impatient gesture he put out the light. Instantly I made my way back to my room, and very shortly came the stealthy steps passing once more upon their return journey. Long afterwards when I had fallen into a light sleep I heard a key turn somewhere in a lock, but I could not tell whence the sound came. What it all means I cannot guess, but there is some secret business going on in this house of gloom which sooner or later we shall get to the bottom of. I do not trouble you with my theories, for you asked me to furnish you only with facts. I have had a long talk with Sir Henry this morning, and we have made a plan of campaign founded upon my observations of last night. I will not speak about it just now, but it should make my next report interesting reading.

バリモアは窓のそばに身をかがめ、ろうそくをガラスに寄せていた。横顔が半ばこちらを向き、荒れ地の暗闇を見つめる顔は、何かを待ち構えてこわばっているようだった。彼は何分間か、じっと外を見ていた。それから深いうめき声を上げ、いら立った身振りで明かりを消した。私はすぐ自分の部屋へ戻り、ほどなく、帰っていく忍び足の音が、もう一度その前を通った。ずっとあと、浅く眠りかけたころ、どこかで鍵が錠前の中を回る音がしたが、どこから聞こえたのかは分からなかった。何を意味するのか見当はつかないが、この陰気な家では何か秘密のことが進んでおり、遅かれ早かれ、われわれはその真相へたどり着くだろう。きみは事実だけを知らせるよう求めたのだから、私の推測を並べて煩わせることはしない。今朝、私はヘンリー卿と長く話し、昨夜の私の観察に基づいて、行動の計画を立てた。いまはまだ話さないが、これで次の報告は、興味深く読めるものになるはずだ。