解説　場面 210「説明の途中で」

"One moment!" said I. "You have, no doubt, described the sequence of events correctly, but there is one point which you have left unexplained. What became of the hound when its master was in London?"

「ちょっと待ってくれ」と私は言った。「君の説明した出来事の順序は間違いないだろうが、説明されていない点が一つある。主人がロンドンにいる間、猟犬はどうしていたんだ？」

"I have given some attention to this matter and it is undoubtedly of importance. There can be no question that Stapleton had a confidant, though it is unlikely that he ever placed himself in his power by sharing all his plans with him. There was an old manservant at Merripit House, whose name was Anthony. His connection with the Stapletons can be traced for several years, as far back as the school-mastering days, so that he must have been aware that his master and mistress were really husband and wife. This man has disappeared and has escaped from the country. It is suggestive that Anthony is not a common name in England, while Antonio is so in all Spanish or Spanish-American countries. The man, like Mrs. Stapleton herself, spoke good English, but with a curious lisping accent. I have myself seen this old man cross the Grimpen Mire by the path which Stapleton had marked out. It is very probable, therefore, that in the absence of his master it was he who cared for the hound, though he may never have known the purpose for which the beast was used.

「その問題は私も検討した。疑いなく重要な点だ。ステイプルトンに腹心がいたことは間違いない。ただし全計画を打ち明け、自分の弱みを握らせるようなことをしたとは考えにくい。メリピット・ハウスにはアンソニーという老僕がいた。彼とステイプルトン夫妻との関係は、学校を経営していた頃まで数年さかのぼれる。だから主人と女主人が実は夫婦だと知っていたはずだ。この男は姿を消し、国外へ逃げた。アンソニーはイングランドでは珍しい名だが、アントニオならスペインやスペイン系アメリカの国々ではごく一般的なのが示唆的だ。その男はステイプルトン夫人と同じく上手な英語を話したが、妙に舌足らずな訛りがあった。私自身、ステイプルトンが印をつけた道を通って、この老人がグリンペン沼を渡るのを見た。したがって主人の留守中、猟犬の世話をしたのはおそらく彼だ。ただし獣が何のために使われるかは知らなかったかもしれない。