“Brag and bounce!” (「自慢たらしいホラ吹きが！」) thought I to myself. (私は心の中で思った) “He knows that I cannot verify his guess.” (「私が彼の想像を証明できないと分かっているな」)

The thought had hardly passed through my mind (その考えが私の心をよぎったとき) when the man whom we were watching (我々が見ていた男は) caught sight of the number on our door, (我々の戸口の地番を見て) and ran rapidly across the roadway. (道路を急ぎ足で渡って来た) We heard a loud knock, (大きなノックの音が聞こえ) a deep voice below, (階下で低い声がした) and heavy steps ascending the stair. (そして重い足音が階段を上がってきた)

“For Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” (「シャーロックホームズさん宛てです」) he said, (彼は言った) stepping into the room and handing my friend the letter. (部屋に入ってきて私の友人に手紙を手渡して)

Here was an opportunity of taking the conceit out of him. (これは彼の自惚れを引っこ抜くまたとない機会だった) He little thought of this when he made that random shot. (彼はデタラメを言ったときこんな事が起きるとはまず思っていなかった) “May I ask, my lad,” (「ちょっと訊いていいかな」) I said, (私は言った) in the blandest voice, (非常に穏やかな声で) “what your trade may be?” (「君の仕事は何かな？」)

“Commissionaire, sir,” (「便利屋です」) he said, gruffly. (彼はぶっきらぼうに言った) “Uniform away for repairs.” (「補修で制服は着ていませんが」)

“And you were?” (「元は何をしていた？」) I asked, (私は尋ねた) with a slightly malicious glance at my companion. (私の同居人にちょっと意地悪な視線を向けて)

“A sergeant, sir, (「軍曹です) Royal Marine Light Infantry, sir. (英国海兵隊軽歩兵で) No answer? (手紙の返事はないですか？) Right, sir.” (分かりました」)

He clicked his heels together, (彼は踵をカチッと合わせ) raised his hand in salute, (手を挙げて敬礼し) and was gone. (出て行った)