解説　場面 33「寝ずの見張り」

I have said "by one night's work," but, in truth, it was by two nights' work, for on the first we drew entirely blank. I sat up with Sir Henry in his rooms until nearly three o'clock in the morning, but no sound of any sort did we hear except the chiming clock upon the stairs. It was a most melancholy vigil and ended by each of us falling asleep in our chairs. Fortunately we were not discouraged, and we determined to try again. The next night we lowered the lamp and sat smoking cigarettes without making the least sound. It was incredible how slowly the hours crawled by, and yet we were helped through it by the same sort of patient interest which the hunter must feel as he watches the trap into which he hopes the game may wander. One struck, and two, and we had almost for the second time given it up in despair when in an instant we both sat bolt upright in our chairs with all our weary senses keenly on the alert once more. We had heard the creak of a step in the passage.

一晩の働きで、と言ったが、本当は二晩だった。最初の晩は、まったく空振りだったのだ。私はヘンリー卿の部屋で午前三時近くまで寝ずに待ったが、階段の時計が時を告げる音以外、どんな物音も聞こえなかった。実にもの寂しい見張りで、しまいには二人とも椅子で眠り込んでしまった。幸い気を落とさず、もう一度試すことにした。次の晩にはランプの明かりを落とし、少しの物音も立てず、座って煙草を吸っていた。時間が驚くほどのろのろと過ぎたが、それでも待ち続けられたのは、獲物が迷い込むのを願ってわなを見張る狩人が感じるような、辛抱強い関心があったからだ。一時が鳴り、二時が鳴った。二度目も、もう絶望して諦めかけていたとき、突然二人は椅子に背筋を伸ばし、疲れ切った感覚を、再び鋭く目覚めさせた。廊下で、足を踏み出して床がきしむ音を聞いたのだ。