解説　場面 172「夕方の出発」

One of Sherlock Holmes's defects—if, indeed, one may call it a defect—was that he was exceedingly loath to communicate his full plans to any other person until the instant of their fulfilment. Partly it came no doubt from his own masterful nature, which loved to dominate and surprise those who were around him. Partly also from his professional caution, which urged him never to take any chances. The result, however, was very trying for those who were acting as his agents and assistants. I had often suffered under it, but never more so than during that long drive in the darkness. The great ordeal was in front of us; at last we were about to make our final effort, and yet Holmes had said nothing, and I could only surmise what his course of action would be. My nerves thrilled with anticipation when at last the cold wind upon our faces and the dark, void spaces on either side of the narrow road told me that we were back upon the moor once again. Every stride of the horses and every turn of the wheels was taking us nearer to our supreme adventure.

シャーロック・ホームズの欠点の一つは、それを本当に欠点と呼べるならだが、計画が実行に移される瞬間まで、全貌を他の誰にも明かそうとしないことだった。それはある程度、周囲の人間を支配し、驚かせることを好む、彼持ち前の威圧的な気質に由来していたに違いない。そしてまたある程度、決して偶然に賭けないよう自分を促す、職業上の慎重さに由来していた。しかし結果として、彼の手先や助手として働く人々は、非常につらい思いをした。私は何度もそのために苦しんできたが、あの闇の中を馬車で長く走っていたときほど甚だしかったことはない。大きな試練は目の前にあった。いよいよ最後の試みに出ようとしているのに、ホームズは何も言わず、私は彼がどう行動するのか推測するしかなかった。ようやく顔に当たる冷たい風と、細い道の両側に広がる暗く空虚な空間が、また荒れ地へ戻ってきたことを教えると、私の神経は期待に打ち震えた。馬の一歩一歩、車輪の一回転ごとに、私たちは究極の冒険へ近づいていた。