Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
close upon
(近くになって)
[副]
very near in time
electrify
(電撃する)
[動]
startle or shock (someone)
ghastly
(恐ろしい)
[形]
causing great horror or fear
正午近くになって、村全体が突然恐ろしいニュースに電撃された。
No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph;
no need of
(必要もない)
[名]
not necessary
as yet
(まだ)
[副]
up to this or that time; until now
un-dreamed-of
(夢にも見ていない)
[形]
not even imagined as possible
telegraph
(電信)
[名]
a system for transmitting messages from a distance along a wire, especially one creating signals by making and breaking an electrical connection
まだ夢にも見ていない電信の必要もなかった。
the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
telegraphic
(電信の)
[形]
of or relating to telegraphs or telegrams
その話は人から人へ、集団から集団へ、家から家へと、電信の速度に少し劣る程度で飛び回った。
Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon;
schoolmaster
(校長先生)
[名]
the head teacher of a school
give holiday
(休校にする)
[動]
close a school for a day or more
that afternoon
(その日の午後)
[名]
the afternoon of the day being discussed
もちろん、校長先生はその日の午後を休校にした。
the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
would have
(だろう)
[助]
used to express a possibility or probability
strangely
(変に)
[副]
in a way that is unusual or unexpected
もしそうしなかったなら、町の人々は彼を変に思っただろう。
A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
gory
(血まみれの)
[形]
covered in blood
close
(近く)
[副]
near
recognize
(認める)
[動]
know or identify someone or something from having seen or encountered them before
belong
(もの)
[動]
be owned by
story
(話)
[名]
a tale or account of a series of events, true or fictional
血まみれのナイフが殺された男の近くで見つかり、誰かがそれをマフ・ポッターのものだと認めたという話だった。
And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
belated
(夜更かしした)
[形]
coming or happening too late
citizen
(町の人)
[名]
an inhabitant of a city or town
come upon
(出くわす)
[動]
to find or meet by chance
wash
(洗う)
[動]
to clean with water
one or two
(1時か2時)
[名]
the first or second hour after midnight
in the morning
(午前)
[名]
the period of time from midnight to noon
sneak off
(逃げ出す)
[動]
to leave a place secretly
suspicious
(怪しい)
[形]
causing one to have doubts or suspicions
especially
(特に)
[副]
to a great extent; very much
habit
(習慣)
[名]
a settled or regular tendency or practice
そして、夜更かしした町の人が、午前1時か2時頃に「支流」でポッターが体を洗っているのに出くわし、ポッターはすぐに逃げ出したという話だった。怪しい状況で、特にポッターは体を洗う習慣がなかった。
It was also said that the town had been ransacked for this “murderer” (the public are not slow in the matter of sifting evidence and arriving at a verdict), but that he could not be found.
ransack
(くまなく捜索する)
[動]
search thoroughly
public
(市民)
[名]
the people of a country or area
slow
(遅い)
[形]
taking a long time
sift
(ふるいにかける)
[動]
examine or investigate thoroughly
verdict
(評決)
[名]
the finding of a jury on the issues of fact
また、この「殺人者」を探して町中をくまなく捜索した(証拠をふるいにかけて評決に至るまで、市民は遅くない)が、見つからなかったという話だった。
Horsemen had departed down all the roads in every direction, and the Sheriff “was confident” that he would be captured before night.
horseman
(騎馬隊)
[名]
a rider on horseback
depart
(出発する)
[動]
leave or go away from a place
road
(道)
[名]
a way on land between two places that has been paved to allow travel by transport
direction
(方向)
[名]
the course along which something moves, faces, or is aimed
sheriff
(保安官)
[名]
a law enforcement officer
be confident
(確信する)
[動]
to be certain of something
騎馬隊があらゆる方向の道を下って出発し、保安官は夜になる前に捕まるだろうと「確信していた」。
All the town was drifting toward the graveyard.
all
(すべて)
[形]
the whole of
町中が墓場に向かって流れていった。
Tom’s heartbreak vanished and he joined the procession, not because he would not a thousand times rather go anywhere else, but because an awful, unaccountable fascination drew him on.
heartbreak
(悲しみ)
[名]
a very strong feeling of sadness, usually caused by the loss of someone or something you love
join
(加わる)
[動]
become a member of
procession
(行列)
[名]
a group of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly fashion
rather
(むしろ)
[副]
more willingly; preferably
anywhere
(どこへ)
[副]
in, at, or to any place
unaccountable
(説明のつかない)
[形]
unable to be explained or accounted for
fascination
(魅力)
[名]
the power to attract and hold someone's interest
トムの悲しみは消え、彼は行列に加わった。他のどこへ行くよりも千倍も行きたくないからではなく、恐ろしく、説明のつかない魅力が彼を引き寄せたからだ。
Arrived at the dreadful place, he wormed his small body through the crowd and saw the dismal spectacle.
arrive
(着く)
[動]
reach a destination
worm
(くねらせる)
[動]
move in a crawling motion
dismal
(陰惨な)
[形]
causing gloom or dejection
その恐ろしい場所に着くと、彼は小さな体を群衆の中をくねらせて通り抜け、陰惨な光景を見た。
It seemed to him an age since he was there before.
age
(何年も)
[名]
a period of time
彼には、前回ここに来てから何年も経っているように思えた。
Somebody pinched his arm.
pinch
(つねる)
[動]
squeeze or compress sharply
誰かが彼の腕をつねった。
He turned, and his eyes met Huckleberry’s.
彼は振り返り、ハックルベリーと目が合った。
Then both looked elsewhere at once, and wondered if anybody had noticed anything in their mutual glance.
elsewhere
(別の場所)
[副]
in or to some other place
それから、二人はすぐに別の場所を見て、誰かが二人の視線に何か気づいたのではないかと心配した。
But everybody was talking, and intent upon the grisly spectacle before them.
intent
(夢中)
[形]
having one's mind or attention fixed on something
しかし、誰もが話し、目の前の恐ろしい光景に夢中だった。
“Poor fellow!”
poor
(かわいそうに)
[形]
deserving of pity or sympathy
「かわいそうに!」
“Poor young fellow!”
「かわいそうな若者!」
“This ought to be a lesson to grave robbers!”
ought to
(はずだ)
[助]
should
grave robber
(墓泥棒)
[名]
a person who steals from graves
「これは墓泥棒への教訓になるはずだ!」
“Muff Potter’ll hang for this if they catch him!”
hang
(絞首刑になる)
[動]
be executed by hanging
catch
(捕まる)
[動]
be caught or trapped
「マフ・ポッターは捕まったらこのことで絞首刑になるぞ!」
This was the drift of remark;
drift
(流れ)
[名]
the general meaning or trend of something
remark
(噂)
[名]
a comment or statement that is made
これが噂の流れだった。
and the minister said, “It was a judgment;
牧師は「これは天罰だ。
His hand is here.”
神の手がここに働いている」と言った。
Now Tom shivered from head to heel;
shiver
(震え上がる)
[動]
tremble or shudder, typically as a result of feeling cold, frightened, or excited
トムは頭から踵まで震え上がった。
for his eye fell upon the stolid face of Injun Joe.
fall upon
(映る)
[動]
be directed towards
インジャン・ジョーの無表情な顔が目に映ったからだ。
At this moment the crowd began to sway and struggle, and voices shouted, “It’s him! it’s him! he’s coming himself!”
at this moment
(その時)
[副]
at the present time
sway
(揺れ動く)
[動]
move or cause to move slowly and smoothly from side to side
it's him
(あいつだ)
[代]
that male person
he's coming
(来たぞ)
[動]
move or travel toward or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker
その時、群衆が揺れ動き、もみ合い、声が叫んだ。「あいつだ! あいつだ! あいつだ! あいつが来たぞ!」
The crowd fell apart, now, and the Sheriff came through, ostentatiously leading Potter by the arm.
fall apart
(散り散りになる)
[動]
break into pieces
come through
(連れて来る)
[動]
arrive or be received
ostentatiously
(わざとらしく)
[副]
in a way that is intended to attract attention
lead
(連れて来る)
[動]
cause to go with oneself by holding or guiding
群衆は散り散りになり、保安官がポッターの腕を取って、わざとらしく連れて来た。
The poor fellow’s face was haggard, and his eyes showed the fear that was upon him.
haggard
(やつれた)
[形]
looking exhausted and unwell
show
(浮かぶ)
[動]
be or make visible
哀れな男の顔はやつれ、目には恐怖が浮かんでいた。
When he stood before the murdered man, he shook as with a palsy, and he put his face in his hands and burst into tears.
stand before
(立つ)
[動]
be in a position in front of
palsy
(麻痺)
[名]
paralysis
put one's face in one's hands
(顔を両手で覆う)
[動]
cover one's face with one's hands
burst into tears
(泣き出す)
[動]
start crying suddenly
殺された男の前に立つと、彼は麻痺したように震え、顔を両手で覆って泣き出した。
This shot seemed to carry home.
carry home
(効果がある)
[動]
to be effective or successful
この一撃は効果があったようだった。
Potter lifted his face and looked around him with a pathetic hopelessness in his eyes.
look around
(見回す)
[動]
turn one's head or body in order to see in all directions
pathetic
(哀れな)
[形]
arousing pity, especially through vulnerability or sadness
hopelessness
(絶望)
[名]
the complete loss or absence of hope
ポッターは顔を上げ、哀れな絶望の眼差しで周りを見回した。
He saw Injun Joe, and exclaimed:
彼はインジャン・ジョーを見て叫んだ。
“Something told me ’t if I didn’t come back and get—”
「何かが私に、もし戻って来なければ、と告げたんだ」
then waved his nerveless hand with a vanquished gesture and said, “Tell ’em, Joe, tell ’em—it ain’t any use any more.”
wave
(振る)
[動]
move one's hand to and fro in greeting or as a signal
nerveless
(力のない)
[形]
lacking strength or courage
vanquished
(降参の)
[形]
defeated or overcome in a battle or other contest
gesture
(しぐさ)
[名]
a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning
any
(少しの)
[限]
one, some, or all indiscriminately of whatever quantity; a
use
(無駄)
[名]
the action of using something or the state of being used
それから、彼は力のない手を降参のしぐさで振り、「ジョー、みんなに伝えてくれ、もう無駄だ」と言った。
Then Huckleberry and Tom stood dumb and staring, and heard the stony-hearted liar reel off his serene statement, they expecting every moment that the clear sky would deliver God’s lightnings upon his head, and wondering to see how long the stroke was delayed.
stand dumb
(黙って立ち尽くす)
[動]
to stand still and silent
stony-hearted
(石のような心の)
[形]
unfeeling or unsympathetic
reel off
(まくしたてる)
[動]
to say or write something quickly and easily
serene
(落ち着いた)
[形]
calm and peaceful
statement
(声明)
[名]
a formal public announcement
every moment
(一刻も早く)
[副]
very soon
deliver
(届ける)
[動]
to take or send something to a person or place
God
(神)
[名]
the creator and ruler of the universe
それからハックルベリーとトムは黙って立ち尽くし、石のような心の嘘つきが落ち着いた声明をまくしたてるのを聞き、彼らは晴れた空が神の稲妻を彼の頭に届けるのを一刻も早く期待し、その一撃がどれだけ遅れるのかと不思議に思った。
And when he had finished and still stood alive and whole, their wavering impulse to break their oath and save the poor betrayed prisoner’s life faded and vanished away, for plainly this miscreant had sold himself to Satan and it would be fatal to meddle with the property of such a power as that.
alive
(生きている)
[形]
living; not dead
whole
(無傷)
[形]
not broken or damaged
save
(救う)
[動]
make or keep safe or rescue from harm, risk, or loss
betray
(裏切る)
[動]
be disloyal to
prisoner
(囚人)
[名]
a person kept in prison or captivity
fade
(消え去る)
[動]
gradually grow faint or dim
plainly
(明らかに)
[副]
in a clear and simple manner
miscreant
(悪党)
[名]
a person who behaves badly
Satan
(サタン)
[名]
the supreme spirit of evil
meddle
(干渉する)
[動]
interfere in something that is not one's concern
そして、彼が言い終えてもまだ生きていて無傷で立っていた時、彼らの誓いを破って裏切られた哀れな囚人の命を救おうとする揺らぐ衝動は消え去った、なぜなら明らかにこの悪党はサタンに身を売っており、そのような力の所有物に干渉するのは致命的だからだ。
Injun Joe repeated his statement, just as calmly, a few minutes afterward on the inquest, under oath;
statement
(証言)
[名]
a declaration or remark
a few minutes
(数分)
[名]
a small number of minutes
on the inquest
(検死官の前で)
[名]
a judicial inquiry into the cause of a death
under oath
(宣誓のもと)
[名]
a solemn promise to tell the truth
インジャン・ジョーは、数分後、検死官の前で宣誓のもと、同じように落ち着いて自分の証言を繰り返した。
and the boys, seeing that the lightnings were still withheld, were confirmed in their belief that Joe had sold himself to the devil.
withhold
(落ちない)
[動]
hold back or keep from doing something
少年たちは、雷がまだ落ちないのを見て、ジョーが悪魔に魂を売ったという信念を強めた。
He was now become, to them, the most balefully interesting object they had ever looked upon, and they could not take their fascinated eyes from his face.
balefully
(不吉に)
[副]
in a threatening manner
interesting
(興味深い)
[形]
holding or catching the attention
object
(対象)
[名]
a person or thing to which a specified action or feeling is directed
take
(離す)
[動]
move or cause to move away from a place
彼は今や、彼らにとって、今まで見た中で最も不吉に興味深い対象となり、彼らは彼の顔から魅了された目を離すことができなかった。
Injun Joe helped to raise the body of the murdered man and put it in a wagon for removal;
wagon
(荷車)
[名]
a vehicle with two or more wheels that is pulled by an animal
removal
(運び出し)
[名]
the action of taking away something
インジャン・ジョーは殺された男の体を持ち上げ、運び出すために荷車に乗せるのを手伝った。
and it was whispered through the shuddering crowd that the wound bled a little!
wound
(傷口)
[名]
a break in the skin or flesh
bleed
(血が出る)
[動]
lose blood
そして、震える群衆の間では、傷口から少し血が出たとささやかれた。
The boys thought that this happy circumstance would turn suspicion in the right direction;
少年たちは、この幸運な状況が疑いを正しい方向に向けてくれるだろうと思った。
but they were disappointed, for more than one villager remarked:
be disappointed
(がっかりする)
[動]
feel unhappy because someone or something has not done what you hoped or expected
more than one
(一人以上)
[名]
a number greater than one
villager
(村人)
[名]
a person who lives in a village
remark
(言う)
[動]
say something as a comment or criticism
しかし、彼らはがっかりした。村人の一人がこう言ったからだ。
Tom’s fearful secret and gnawing conscience disturbed his sleep for as much as a week after this;
fearful
(恐ろしい)
[形]
causing or likely to cause fear
secret
(秘密)
[名]
something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others
gnaw
(かじる)
[動]
bite or chew on something persistently
disturb
(妨げる)
[動]
interfere with the normal progress or functioning of
sleep
(睡眠)
[名]
the natural periodic state of rest for the mind and body
トムの恐ろしい秘密と良心の呵責は、この後一週間も彼の睡眠を妨げた。
and at breakfast one morning Sid said:
one morning
(ある朝)
[名]
a morning on an unspecified day
そして、ある朝の朝食の時にシドが言った。
“And you do talk such stuff,” Sid said.
stuff
(くだらないことを)
[名]
something that is not important or interesting
「そして、君はそんなくだらないことを言うんだ」とシドは言った。
“Last night you said, ‘It’s blood, it’s blood, that’s what it is!’
last night
(昨夜)
[名]
the night before the present day
that's what it is
(それがそれだ)
[名]
that is the thing that is being discussed
「昨夜君は『血だ、血だ、それがそれだ!』と言ったんだ。
You said that over and over.
over and over
(何度も)
[副]
repeatedly
君はそれを何度も言った。
And you said, ‘Don’t torment me so—I’ll tell!’
そして君は『そんなに私を苦しめないで、言うよ!』と言ったんだ。
Tell what? What is it you’ll tell?”
何を言うんだ? 君が言うことは何なんだ?」
Everything was swimming before Tom.
トムの前で全てが泳いでいた。
There is no telling what might have happened, now, but luckily the concern passed out of Aunt Polly’s face and she came to Tom’s relief without knowing it.
there is no telling
(わからない)
[動]
it is impossible to know
luckily
(幸運にも)
[副]
fortunately
concern
(心配)
[名]
worry
pass out
(消える)
[動]
disappear
come to
(安心させる)
[動]
make someone feel less worried or anxious
without knowing
(知らず知らずのうちに)
[副]
unknowingly
何が起こったかわからないが、幸運にもポリおばさんの顔から心配が消え、彼女は知らず知らずのうちにトムを安心させた。
Mary said she had been affected much the same way.
affect
(影響する)
[動]
have an effect on; make a difference to
メアリーも同じように影響を受けたと言った。
Sid seemed satisfied.
satisfied
(満足した)
[形]
having had enough of something
シドは満足したようだった。
Tom got out of the presence as quick as he plausibly could, and after that he complained of toothache for a week, and tied up his jaws every night.
get out of
(離れる)
[動]
leave or escape from
plausibly
(もっともらしく)
[副]
in a way that seems likely or reasonable
toothache
(歯痛)
[名]
a pain in or around a tooth
tie up
(縛る)
[動]
fasten or secure with a rope or cord
トムはもっともらしくできるだけ早くその場を離れ、その後一週間歯痛を訴え、毎晩顎を縛った。
He never knew that Sid lay nightly watching, and frequently slipped the bandage free and then leaned on his elbow listening a good while at a time, and afterward slipped the bandage back to its place again.
slip back
(戻す)
[動]
move or cause to move smoothly and quickly
トムはシドが毎晩寝ずに見張り、頻繁に包帯を外して肘をつき、一度に長い時間聞き耳を立て、その後包帯を元の場所に戻していることを知らなかった。
Tom’s distress of mind wore off gradually and the toothache grew irksome and was discarded.
wear off
(薄れる)
[動]
to gradually disappear or become less intense
gradually
(次第に)
[副]
slowly or by degrees
irksome
(煩わしい)
[形]
annoying or irritating
discard
(捨てる)
[動]
get rid of something
トムの心の苦しみは次第に薄れ、歯痛は煩わしくなって捨てられた。
If Sid really managed to make anything out of Tom’s disjointed mutterings, he kept it to himself.
make out
(理解する)
[動]
to understand the meaning of
keep to oneself
(自分だけのものにする)
[動]
to not share something with others
シドがトムの支離滅裂なつぶやきから何かを理解できたとしても、彼はそれを自分だけのものにしていた。
It seemed to Tom that his schoolmates never would get done holding inquests on dead cats, and thus keeping his trouble present to his mind.
schoolmate
(同級生)
[名]
a person who attends the same school as another
get done
(終わらせる)
[動]
finish doing something
hold
(続ける)
[動]
keep doing something
inquest
(検死)
[名]
an official inquiry into the cause of a death
present
(頭に)
[形]
existing or happening now
トムには、同級生たちが死んだ猫の検死をいつまでも終わらせず、自分の悩みを頭に浮かべ続けているように思えた。
Sid noticed that Tom never was coroner at one of these inquiries, though it had been his habit to take the lead in all new enterprises;
coroner
(検死官)
[名]
a public official who investigates by inquest the cause of any death which there is reason to suppose is not due to natural causes
inquiry
(調査)
[名]
an official examination of the facts about a situation, crime, etc.
take the lead
(先頭に立つ)
[動]
be in charge or in command
シドは、トムがどんな新しい企画でも先頭に立つのが常だったにもかかわらず、これらの調査では一度も検死官を務めていないことに気が付いた。
he noticed, too, that Tom never acted as a witness—and that was strange;
act
(行動する)
[動]
do something
witness
(証人)
[名]
a person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place
strange
(奇妙な)
[形]
unusual or surprising in a way that is unsettling or hard to understand
彼はまた、トムが証人として行動したことがないことにも気が付いた。それは奇妙なことだった。
and Sid did not overlook the fact that Tom even showed a marked aversion to these inquests, and always avoided them when he could.
overlook
(見逃す)
[動]
fail to notice or consider
fact
(事実)
[名]
something that is known or proved to be true
show
(示す)
[動]
demonstrate or exhibit
aversion
(嫌悪感)
[名]
a feeling of intense dislike
avoid
(避ける)
[動]
keep away from or stop oneself from doing
シドは、トムがこれらの検死に対して著しい嫌悪感を示し、できる限り避けているという事実を見逃さなかった。
Sid marvelled, but said nothing.
marvel
(驚く)
[動]
be filled with wonder or astonishment
シドは驚いたが、何も言わなかった。
However, even inquests went out of vogue at last, and ceased to torture Tom’s conscience.
go out of vogue
(流行らなくなる)
[動]
become unfashionable
torture
(苦しめる)
[動]
inflict severe pain on
しかし、検死でさえもついに流行らなくなり、トムの良心を苦しめることはなくなった。
Every day or two, during this time of sorrow, Tom watched his opportunity and went to the little grated jail-window and smuggled such small comforts through to the “murderer” as he could get hold of.
every day or two
(毎日か二日おきに)
[副]
once every day or two
during this time of sorrow
(この悲しみの時期に)
[名]
during this time of sorrow
watch one's opportunity
(機会をうかがう)
[動]
wait for a good chance to do something
little grated jail-window
(小さな格子窓の刑務所の窓)
[名]
a small window with bars in a jail
smuggle
(密かに差し入れる)
[動]
move or transport something illegally or secretly
such small comforts
(ささやかな慰め)
[名]
small things that make one feel better
as one can get hold of
(手に入れられる限りの)
[名]
as much as one can obtain
この悲しみの時期に、トムは毎日か二日おきに機会をうかがって、小さな格子窓の刑務所の窓に行き、手に入れられる限りのささやかな慰めを「殺人者」に密かに差し入れた。
The jail was a trifling little brick den that stood in a marsh at the edge of the village, and no guards were afforded for it;
jail
(刑務所)
[名]
a place for the confinement of persons held in lawful custody specifically for convicted criminals of serious crimes
trifling
(取るに足らない)
[形]
of little value or importance
den
(小屋)
[名]
a small room in a house used for private study, reading, or writing
marsh
(沼地)
[名]
a low-lying area of land that is flooded in wet seasons or at high tide
edge
(端)
[名]
the outside limit of an object
guard
(警備員)
[名]
a person who guards or watches over something
刑務所は村の端の沼地に立つ取るに足らない小さなレンガ造りの小屋で、警備員はいなかった。
indeed, it was seldom occupied.
occupy
(使われる)
[動]
take up or fill a space or time
実際、めったに使われることはなかった。
These offerings greatly helped to ease Tom’s conscience.
offering
(差し入れ)
[名]
something that is offered
greatly
(大いに)
[副]
very much; to a great extent
help
(助け)
[名]
the action of helping someone by sharing work
ease
(和らげる)
[動]
make or become less painful or difficult
これらの差し入れはトムの良心を大いに和らげる助けとなった。
The villagers had a strong desire to tar-and-feather Injun Joe and ride him on a rail, for body-snatching, but so formidable was his character that nobody could be found who was willing to take the lead in the matter, so it was dropped.
have a strong desire to
(強い願望がある)
[動]
want something very much
tar-and-feather
(コールタールを塗り、羽をつける)
[動]
to cover someone with tar and feathers as a punishment
ride on a rail
(レールに乗せる)
[動]
to put someone on a rail and carry them away
body-snatching
(死体泥棒)
[名]
the act of stealing a dead body
so formidable
(あまりにも恐ろしい)
[形]
causing fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable
character
(性格)
[名]
the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual
so
(それで)
[接]
therefore
be dropped
(取り下げられる)
[動]
to be abandoned or rejected
村人たちはインジャン・ジョーにコールタールを塗り、羽をつけて、死体泥棒の罪でレールに乗せて引き回したいという強い願望があったが、彼の性格があまりにも恐ろしく、この件で先頭に立とうという者が見つからなかったので、取り下げられた。
He had been careful to begin both of his inquest-statements with the fight, without confessing the grave-robbery that preceded it;
be careful
(注意する)
[動]
take care to avoid danger or mistakes
inquest-statement
(検死調書)
[名]
a statement made during an inquest
confess
(白状する)
[動]
admit or acknowledge something
grave-robbery
(墓荒らし)
[名]
the act of robbing a grave
precede
(先行する)
[動]
come before in time
彼は、その前の墓荒らしを白状せずに、両方の検死調書を喧嘩から始めるように注意していた。
therefore it was deemed wisest not to try the case in the courts at present.
at present
(現時点で)
[副]
now; at this time
そのため、現時点では裁判でこの事件を審理しないことが賢明だと考えられていた。