解説　場面 199「話をたどる」

"The whole course of events," said Holmes, "from the point of view of the man who called himself Stapleton was simple and direct, although to us, who had no means in the beginning of knowing the motives of his actions and could only learn part of the facts, it all appeared exceedingly complex. I have had the advantage of two conversations with Mrs. Stapleton, and the case has now been so entirely cleared up that I am not aware that there is anything which has remained a secret to us. You will find a few notes upon the matter under the heading B in my indexed list of cases."

「一連の出来事は」とホームズは言った。「ステイプルトンと名乗った男の立場から見れば、単純で筋の通ったものだった。だが当初、彼の行動の動機を知る手段がなく、事実の一部しか知り得なかった私たちには、すべてがきわめて複雑に見えた。私はステイプルトン夫人と二度話す機会を得て、今では事件がすっかり明らかになったので、私たちにとって秘密のまま残っていることは何もないと思う。索引を付けた事件一覧のBの見出しに、この件についての短い記録があるよ」

"Perhaps you would kindly give me a sketch of the course of events from memory."

「できれば、記憶を頼りに出来事の流れを概説してくれないか」

"Certainly, though I cannot guarantee that I carry all the facts in my mind. Intense mental concentration has a curious way of blotting out what has passed. The barrister who has his case at his fingers' ends and is able to argue with an expert upon his own subject finds that a week or two of the courts will drive it all out of his head once more. So each of my cases displaces the last, and Mlle. Carére has blurred my recollection of Baskerville Hall. Tomorrow some other little problem may be submitted to my notice which will in turn dispossess the fair French lady and the infamous Upwood. So far as the case of the hound goes, however, I will give you the course of events as nearly as I can, and you will suggest anything which I may have forgotten.

「もちろんだ。ただし、すべての事実を覚えているとは保証できない。精神を激しく集中させると、過ぎたことが奇妙なほど消えてしまうものだ。事件を完全に把握し、専門家とその専門分野について議論できる法廷弁護士でも、一、二週間も裁判所にいれば、またすべてが頭から追い出されてしまう。だから私の事件は一つが前のものを押しのけ、カレール嬢の事件がバスカヴィル館についての記憶をぼやけさせてしまった。明日には別の小さな問題が持ち込まれ、今度は美しいフランス人女性と悪名高いアップウッドを頭から追い出すかもしれない。とはいえ猟犬の事件については、できる限り出来事の流れを話そう。私が忘れたことがあれば、君が指摘してくれたまえ。