第17章：ルパート青年の夜更けの憂さ晴らし
The night came fine and clear. I had prayed for dirty weather, such as had favoured my previous voyage in the moat, but Fortune was this time against me. Still I reckoned that by keeping close under the wall and in the shadow I could escape detection from the windows of the chateau that looked out on the scene of my efforts. If they searched the moat, indeed, my scheme must fail; but I did not think they would. They had made "Jacob's Ladder" secure against attack. Johann had himself helped to fix it closely to the masonry on the under side, so that it could not now be moved from below any more than from above. An assault with explosives or a long battering with picks alone could displace it, and the noise involved in either of these operations put them out of the question. What harm, then, could a man do in the moat? I trusted that Black Michael, putting this query to himself, would answer confidently, "None;" while, even if Johann meant treachery, he did not know my scheme, and would doubtless expect to see me, at the head of my friends, before the front entrance to the chateau. There, I said to Sapt, was the real danger. "And there," I added, "you shall be. Doesn't that content you?"
その晩は雲ひとつなかった。私としては、前回の冒険のときのような曇天を望んでいたのだが、今回、運命の女神はそっぽを向いたようだ。しかしそれでも、濠の擁壁に張り付き、その陰に身を潜めていれば、城の数々の窓からふと外を見ただれかが私の姿を目の当たりにする事態を避けうるだろう。もし敵方が濠の中にまで見張りをいれていたとしたら、たしかに、この計画は破綻する。だがしかし、それはないと私は踏んでいた。“ヤコブの梯子”は攻撃に備えて改修が施されていた。情報源であるヨハンみずからが土管の下部を城壁に固定するという作業をしたというのだから、もう“ヤコブの梯子”は人が押したり引いたりした程度ではびくともしないだろう。爆薬で一気に吹き飛ばすか、つるはしで少しずつ破壊するか、といったところだが、どちらにしても相当な物音をたてるだろうから検討するまでもない。きっと、ブラック・ミヒャエルも攻略方法を自問し、胸をはって自答しただろう。「打つ手なし」と。一方、仮にヨハンが私を裏切ったとしても、ヨハンは私の計画については何も知らないし、まず間違いなく、私が先頭に立って城の正門に寄せてくると思っているだろう。ヨハンが裏切った場合、もっとも危険なのは城の正門にいる部隊ということになる。それを私はザプトに告げた。「つまり、危険なのはそこに居合わせるだろう君さ。どうだ、これでも不満かい？」
But it did not. Dearly would he have liked to come with me, had I not utterly refused to take him. One man might escape notice, to double the party more than doubled the risk; and when he ventured to hint once again that my life was too valuable, I, knowing the secret thought he clung to, sternly bade him be silent, assuring him that unless the King lived through the night, I would not live through it either.
だが、ザプトはなお不満なのだった。ザプトとしてはなんとしても私と行動を共にしたかったのだが、私がそれを言下に拒んだのだ。ひとりきりならかわしうる見張りの目も、頭数が2倍になれば、露見するリスクは2倍以上になる。そしてザプトの口から、私の命には“何ものにも代えがたい”価値があるという言葉が飛び出すにいたり、私はザプトを難詰して沈黙させ、断固とした口調で宣言した。王が今夜生きて城を脱出することがかなわぬかぎり、この生命はないものと思う、と。
At twelve o'clock, Sapt's command left the chateau of Tarlenheim and struck off to the right, riding by unfrequented roads, and avoiding the town of Zenda. If all went well, they would be in front of the Castle by about a quarter to two. Leaving their horses half a mile off, they were to steal up to the entrance and hold themselves in readiness for the opening of the door. If the door were not opened by two, they were to send Fritz von Tarlenheim round to the other side of the Castle. I would meet him there if I were alive, and we would consult whether to storm the Castle or not. If I were not there, they were to return with all speed to Tarlenheim, rouse the Marshal, and march in force to Zenda. For if not there, I should be dead; and I knew that the King would not be alive five minutes after I ceased to breathe. I must now leave Sapt and his friends, and relate how I myself proceeded on this eventful night. I went out on the good horse which had carried me, on the night of the coronation, back from the hunting-lodge to Strelsau. I carried a revolver in the saddle and my sword. I was covered with a large cloak, and under this I wore a warm, tight-fitting woollen jersey, a pair of knickerbockers, thick stockings, and light canvas shoes. I had rubbed myself thoroughly with oil, and I carried a large flask of whisky. The night was warm, but I might probably be immersed a long while, and it was necessary to take every precaution against cold: for cold not only saps a man's courage if he has to die, but impairs his energy if others have to die, and, finally, gives him rheumatics, if it be God's will that he lives. Also I tied round my body a length of thin but stout cord, and I did not forget my ladder. I, starting after Sapt, took a shorter route, skirting the town to the left, and found myself in the outskirts of the forest at about half-past twelve. I tied my horse up in a thick clump of trees, leaving the revolver in its pocket in the saddle—it would be no use to me—and, ladder in hand, made my way to the edge of the moat. Here I unwound my rope from about my waist, bound it securely round the trunk of a tree on the bank, and let myself down. The Castle clock struck a quarter to one as I felt the water under me and began to swim round the keep, pushing the ladder before me, and hugging the Castle wall. Thus voyaging, I came to my old friend, "Jacob's Ladder," and felt the ledge of the masonry under me. I crouched down in the shadow of the great pipe—I tried to stir it, but it was quite immovable—and waited. I remember that my predominant feeling was neither anxiety for the King nor longing for Flavia, but an intense desire to smoke; and this craving, of course, I could not gratify.
12時になったらザプト率いる騎兵隊はターレンハイムの館を出立し、右手に折れ、人気の少ない道を選び、ゼンダの城下町を避けて進む。もし万事都合よくことが運べば、2時の30分前に城の正面に出るだろう。手前半マイルのところで馬を降り、城に忍び寄って、城門が開くまで待機。2時までに城門が開かない場合は、フリッツ・フォン・ターレンハイムを城の裏手に送り込む。もしその時まで私が生きていれば、そこで私と落ち合えるだろう。そして城を強襲する作戦への切り替えを検討する。もし私がそこにいなければ、総員全速力でターレンハイムに引き返し、元帥に出陣を請い、全軍を挙げてゼンダ城に進軍する。城の裏手に私がいないということはつまり私は死んだということであり、私が死んだとなれば王の命は5分と保つまい。 このときの私が何を念じていたかといえば、王の命を案ずるでもなく、姫への思いを募らせるでもなく、煙草が吸いたくて仕方なかったことを覚えている。もちろん、その思いを果たすわけにはいかなかったわけだが。
The drawbridge was still in its place. I saw its airy, slight framework above me, some ten yards to my right, as I crouched with my back against the wall of the King's cell. I made out a window two yards my side of it and nearly on the same level. That, if Johann spoke true, must belong to the duke's apartments; and on the other side, in about the same relative position, must be Madame de Mauban's window. Women are careless, forgetful creatures. I prayed that she might not forget that she was to be the victim of a brutal attempt at two o'clock precisely. I was rather amused at the part I had assigned to my young friend Rupert Hentzau; but I owed him a stroke—for, even as I sat, my shoulder ached where he had, with an audacity that seemed half to hide his treachery, struck at me, in the sight of all my friends, on the terrace at Tarlenheim.
跳ね橋はまだ降りたままである。その、簡素な造りの橋本体が私の右手およそ10ヤードほど先にあるのを見あげながら、私は王の独房の外壁に背中をぴったりとはりつけていた。
Suddenly the duke's window grew bright. The shutters were not closed, and the interior became partially visible to me as I cautiously raised myself till I stood on tiptoe. Thus placed, my range of sight embraced a yard or more inside the window, while the radius of light did not reach me. The window was flung open and someone looked out. I marked Antoinette de Mauban's graceful figure, and, though her face was in shadow, the fine outline of her head was revealed against the light behind. I longed to cry softly, "Remember!" but I dared not—and happily, for a moment later a man came up and stood by her. He tried to put his arm round her waist, but with a swift motion she sprang away and leant against the shutter, her profile towards me. I made out who the newcomer was: it was young Rupert. A low laugh from him made me sure, as he leant forward, stretching out his hand towards her.
突如、公爵の部屋の窓に明かりが見えた。鎧戸は閉まっておらず、私が慎重につま先立つと、室内の一部が見えるようになった。この位置からなら、室内が少し見える一方で、部屋の明かりが私を照らしだすことはない。窓が開いて、誰かが外の様子をうかがっている。その優美な姿は、アントワネット・ド・モーバンのものだった。逆光になっていて表情は読み取れないが、頭の輪郭ははっきりと見える。「どうか頼みを忘れるな！」と私は呼びかけそうになったが、思いとどまった――これは正解だった。というのも、そのあとすぐに一人の男が彼女の傍らに立ったからだ。男はアントワネットの腰に腕を回そうとしたが、アントワネットはすいと身を引いてそれをかわし、鎧戸にもたれかかった。その横顔が私の正面になる。私はあとから入ってきたのが誰かを知った。ルパートだ。低い笑い声は間違いなくルパートのものだった。ルパートは身をかがめ、アントワネットの手をとろうと腕を伸ばす。
"Gently, gently!" I murmured. "You're too soon, my boy!"
「あせってくれるなよ！」と私はつぶやいた。「まだ早すぎるようだぜ、坊や」
His head was close to hers. I suppose he whispered to her, for I saw her point to the moat, and I heard her say, in slow and distinct tones:
ルパートが頭をアントワネットの顔に寄せる。おそらくアントワネットに何事かをささやきかけたのだろう。アントワネットが濠を指さし、ゆっくりと、しかしはっきりした口調でこう言ったのが聞こえた。
"I had rather throw myself out of this window!"
「窓から身を投げるほうを選ばせてもらうわ！」
He came close up to the window and looked out.
ルパートは窓のそばに歩み寄ると、外を見下ろした。
"It looks cold," said he. "Come, Antoinette, are you serious?"
「水は冷たそうだぞ。なあアントワネット、本気で言っているのか？」
She made no answer so far as I heard; and he, smiting his hand petulantly on the window-sill, went on, in the voice of some spoilt child:
アントワネットは返事をしなかった。少なくとも私の耳に届くような声では。
"Hang Black Michael! Isn't the princess enough for him? Is he to have everything? What the devil do you see in Black Michael?"
「ブラック・ミヒャエルめ！ 姫だけじゃ足りないっていうのか？ なんでもあいつが独り占めしやがる！ いったい、ブラック・ミヒャエルのどこがいいっていうんだ？」
"If I told him what you say—" she began.
「その言い草、公爵に言いつけたとしたら――」
"Well, tell him," said Rupert, carelessly; and, catching her off her guard, he sprang forward and kissed her, laughing, and crying, "There's something to tell him!"
「かまうものか」とルパートが言い捨てる。そしてアントワネットが警戒を解いた隙をついて、一足飛びに近づいて唇を奪うと、からからと笑って叫んだ。「これも言いつけてみるといい！」
If I had kept my revolver with me, I should have been very sorely tempted. Being spared the temptation, I merely added this new score to his account.
もし拳銃を身に帯びていたとしたら、誘惑に耐え切れたかどうか。その誘惑と戦いそこねたことを、ひとつルパートに対する貸しにしておくことにする。
"Though, faith," said Rupert, "it's little he cares. He's mad about the princess, you know. He talks of nothing but cutting the play-actor's throat."
「もっとも」とルパートが言う。「あいつはほとんど気にもしてないだろう。姫さまに夢中だからな。口に出して言うことときたら、へぼ役者の首をとることばかりだ」
Didn't he, indeed?
それはどうだろうか？
"And if I do it for him, what do you think he's promised me?"
「私がやつの首をとったあかつきにという条件で、ミヒャエルは私に何を約束したと思う？」
The unhappy woman raised her hands above her head, in prayer or in despair.
この幸薄い女性は組んだ両手を頭上に見上げた。絶望からの救いを求めるように。
"But I detest waiting," said Rupert; and I saw that he was about to lay his hand on her again, when there was a noise of a door in the room opening, and a harsh voice cried:
「でも、オレは待つのは嫌いだ」とルパートが言う。アントワネットの体に手をのばそうとするのが見えた。ちょうどそのとき、大きな音がしてドアが開くと、怒鳴り声が響いた。
"What are you doing here, sir?"
「ここで何をしている！」
Rupert turned his back to the window, bowed low, and said, in his loud, merry tones: "Apologizing for your absence, sir. Could I leave the lady alone?"
ルパートは窓に背を向け、うやうやしくお辞儀をすると、陽気な調子で言った。「伯爵がここにお出でにならないことを代わりに詫びておりました。女性をひとりきりにしておくのは主義に反しますのでね」
The newcomer must be Black Michael. I saw him directly, as he advanced towards the window. He caught young Rupert by the arm.
部屋に入ってきたのはブラック・ミヒャエルだろう。すぐに目で確認ができた。ミヒャエルは窓側に進んできたのだ。そしてルパートの腕を掴んだ。
"The moat would hold more than the King!" said he, with a significant gesture.
「濠に放り込まれるのは王だけとは限らんぞ！」と、激しい身振りで言う。
"Does your Highness threaten me?" asked Rupert.
「閣下は私に脅しをかけようとなさるのか？」とルパート。
"A threat is more warning than most men get from me."
「脅しが最後の警告だと思え。それが私のやり方だからな」
"Yet," observed Rupert, "Rudolf Rassendyll has been much threatened, and yet lives!"
「それはそれは」とルパートは平然と言う。「ルドルフ・ラッセンディルはずいぶん脅されながら、しかしまだ生きておりますね！」
"Am I in fault because my servants bungle?" asked Michael scornfully.
「配下に能がないのをわしのせいだというのか？」とミヒャエルが逆襲する。
"Your Highness has run no risk of bungling!" sneered Rupert.
「閣下におかれましては、あやうげなくも、能をおしめしになる機会を持とうとなさいませんからな！」とルパートがあざけった。
It was telling the duke that he shirked danger as plain as ever I have heard a man told. Black Michael had self-control. I dare say he scowled—it was a great regret to me that I could not see their faces better—but his voice was even and calm, as he answered:
"Enough, enough! We mustn't quarrel, Rupert. Are Detchard and Bersonin at their posts?"
「もういい、十分だ！ 諍いはよそう、ルパート。デチャードとベルソニンは持ち場についているのか？」
"They are, sir."
「ついておりますとも」
"I need you no more."
「ではもうお前に用はない」
"Nay, I'm not oppressed with fatigue," said Rupert.
「しかしまだ疲れてはおりませんが」
"Pray, sir, leave us," said Michael, more impatiently. "In ten minutes the drawbridge will be drawn back, and I presume you have no wish to swim to your bed."
「さあ君、どうか外してくれないか」とミヒャエルがますます苛立って言う。「あと10分もしないうちに跳ね橋があがる。寝床に行くのに泳いでいくのもつまるまい？」
Rupert's figure disappeared. I heard the door open and shut again. Michael and Antoinette de Mauban were left together. To my chagrin, the duke laid his hand on the window and closed it. He stood talking to Antoinette for a moment or two. She shook her head, and he turned impatiently away. She left the window. The door sounded again, and Black Michael closed the shutters.
ルパートの姿が消えた。ドアの開閉する音が聞こえてきた。ミヒャエルとアントワネット・ド・モーバンが残った。残念ながら、公爵は窓に手をかけ、閉めてしまった。ミヒャエルは立ったまま、アントワネットに一分か二分か話をした。アントワネットはかぶりをふり、ミヒャエルは苛立たしげに彼女のそばを離れた。アントワネットも窓からはなれる。ふたたびドアが閉まる音がして、ブラック・ミヒャエルが窓の鎧戸を引いた。
"De Gautet, De Gautet, man!" sounded from the drawbridge. "Unless you want a bath before your bed, come along!"
「ド・ゴーテ、ド・ゴーテ、おぉい！」と跳ね橋の方から声がする。「ぼやぼやしてると寝る前に水浴びするはめになるぜ、さあ行こう！」
It was Rupert's voice, coming from the end of the drawbridge. A moment later he and De Gautet stepped out on the bridge. Rupert's arm was through De Gautet's, and in the middle of the bridge he detained his companion and leant over. I dropped behind the shelter of "Jacob's Ladder."
ルパートの声だった。跳ね橋のたもとから聞こえてくる。一瞬の後、ルパートとド・ゴーテが跳ね橋に足に踏み入れた。ルパートはド・ゴーテの腕に自分の腕を絡めている。橋の半ばでふと立ち止まると、身をかがめて濠の中を覗き込む。私は“ヤコブの梯子”の陰に身を小さくする。
Then Master Rupert had a little sport. He took from De Gautet a bottle which he carried, and put it to his lips.
それから、ルパートは軽い気晴らしに興じた。ド・ゴーテが携えていたボトルを奪い、口元に運ぶ。
"Hardly a drop!" he cried discontentedly, and flung it in the moat.
「ほとんど残ってやしない！」とルパートは不平を鳴らすと、濠に投げ捨てた。
It fell, as I judged from the sound and the circles on the water, within a yard of the pipe. And Rupert, taking out his revolver, began to shoot at it. The first two shots missed the bottle, but hit the pipe. The third shattered the bottle. I hoped that the young ruffian would be content; but he emptied the other barrels at the pipe, and one, skimming over the pipe, whistled through my hair as I crouched on the other side.
ボトルは、水音と波紋から判断するに、土管から1メートルほどのところに落ちたようだった。そしてルパートは、拳銃を抜き、ボトルを狙って撃ち始めた。最初の2発は当たらず、土管に命中した。3発めがボトルを粉々にした。私は、この若造がそれで満足してくれることを願っていたが、しかしルパートは弾倉が空になるまで土管を撃ち続け、そのうちの1発に至っては土管をかすり、とっさに身をかがめた私の髪をかすっていった。
"'Ware bridge!" a voice cried, to my relief.
「橋をあげるぞ！」と呼ばわる声がして、私は安堵した。
Rupert and De Gautet cried, "A moment!" and ran across. The bridge was drawn back, and all became still. The clock struck a quarter-past one. I rose and stretched myself and yawned.
ルパートとド・ゴーテが「待ってくれ！」と叫び、橋を渡っていった。跳ね橋があがり、あたりはまったくの静寂に包まれる。時計が1時15分を打つ。私は体を伸ばし、あくびをした。
I think some ten minutes had passed when I heard a slight noise to my right. I peered over the pipe, and saw a dark figure standing in the gateway that led to the bridge. It was a man. By the careless, graceful poise, I guessed it to be Rupert again. He held a sword in his hand, and he stood motionless for a minute or two. Wild thoughts ran through me. On what mischief was the young fiend bent now? Then he laughed low to himself; then he turned his face to the wall, took a step in my direction, and, to my surprise, began to climb down the wall. In an instant I saw that there must be steps in the wall; it was plain. They were cut into or affixed to the wall, at intervals of about eighteen inches. Rupert set his foot on the lower one. Then he placed his sword between his teeth, turned round, and noiselessly let himself into the water. Had it been a matter of my life only, I would have swum to meet him. Dearly would I have loved to fight it out with him then and there—with steel, on a fine night, and none to come between us. But there was the King! I restrained myself, but I could not bridle my swift breathing, and I watched him with the intensest eagerness.
十分ほど経ってのことだっただろうか、私の右手の方向からかすかな物音が聞こえてきた。土管の陰からそちらを伺うと、跳ね橋に続く門前道に何かが見えた。人だ。無造作でありながら優雅なそのみごなしから見るに、ルパートがふたたび出てきたのだ。ルパートは手に剣を提げ、1分か2分か微動だにせずに立ち尽くしていた。ふと嫌な予感がした。この若造はいったい何を企んでいるのか？ すると、ルパートはひとり低く笑った。城壁を見上げ、私のいる方向に向かって歩を進めると、濠の擁壁の下に足を伸ばした。その刹那、私は悟った。そこから濠に昇り降りできる構造になっている違いない。明白だ。それが擁壁自体に彫りつけられたタイプのものか、梯子のようなものを据え付けられているのかは不明だが、1段の高さが50センチメートルほどの足場があるらしい。ルパートがもう一段下の足場に足をかける。そして剣を口に咥えると、音もなく水に飛び込んだ。もし事が私一人の命の問題だったならば、私は土管の影から泳ぎ出、ルパートを迎えうっただろう。いまここでルパートと決着をつけてしまいたい――お互い剣と剣だし、月明かりは十分で、邪魔者もいない。だが、王様の命がかかっていた！ 私は自分を抑えたが、呼吸が荒くなるのはどうしようもない。ルパートの一挙一動をじっと見守っていた。
He swam leisurely and quietly across. There were more steps up on the other side, and he climbed them. When he set foot in the gateway, standing on the drawn-back bridge, he felt in his pocket and took something out. I heard him unlock the door. I could hear no noise of its closing behind him. He vanished from my sight.
ルパートはスポーツでも楽しんでいるかのように涼やかに泳ぎ渡った。対岸にも同様に足場があるらしく、それをよじ昇る。城門へと足を向け、上げられた跳ね橋の影に立ち止まると、ポケットを探って何かを取り出した。鍵を外す音。奥へと歩むルパートの背後で城門が閉じる。ルパートは私の視界から消えた。
Abandoning my ladder—I saw I did not need it now—I swam to the side of the bridge and climbed half way up the steps. There I hung with my sword in my hand, listening eagerly. The duke's room was shuttered and dark. There was a light in the window on the opposite side of the bridge. Not a sound broke the silence, till half-past one chimed from the great clock in the tower of the chateau.
私は梯子を捨て――もはや必要ない――跳ね橋のたもとに泳ぎ進み、足場を半ばまであがった。剣を握りしめ、聞き耳を立てる。公爵の部屋は鎧戸が降りていて、真っ暗だった。跳ね橋をはさんだ向かいの部屋には明かりが見える。物音一つしない静寂が続き、やがて、一時半を告げる城館の時計塔の鐘がそれを破った。
There were other plots than mine afoot in the Castle that night.
ゼンダ城では、私の計画とは別の計画もまた進行中だったのである。