Audiobook Dictation: “Now, if these be Rokuro-Kubi, they…”

Now, if these be Rokuro-Kubi, they mean me no good;--so I shall be justified in following the instructions of the book."...

さて、もしこれが轆轤首ならば、わしに良からぬことを企んでおるに違いない。――ならば書物の教えに従っても咎められはすまい」……

Gently unbarring the door, he made his way to the garden, and proceeded with all possible caution to the grove beyond it.

そっと戸の閂を外すと、彼は庭へ出て、できる限り用心しながらその向こうの木立へと進んだ。

He heard voices talking in the grove; and he went in the direction of the voices,--stealing from shadow to shadow, until he reached a good hiding-place.

木立の中で話し声が聞こえた。彼はその声のする方へ、――影から影へと忍び足で進み、ついに格好の隠れ場所にたどり着いた。

Presently the head of the aruji stopped eating and said:--

やがて主の首は食べるのをやめて言った。――

I was foolish to talk to him as I did;--it only set him to reciting the sutras on behalf of my soul!

あんなふうにあの男に話したのは愚かであった。――おかげであやつはわしの魂のために経を唱え出しおった！

To go near him while he is reciting would be difficult; and we cannot touch him so long as he is praying.

経を唱えている間は近づくのが難しい。祈っている限り、わしらはあやつに手出しできぬ。

But as it is now nearly morning, perhaps he has gone to sleep...

だが、もう夜明けも近いゆえ、眠ってしまったかもしれぬ……

Some one of you go to the house and see what the fellow is doing."

誰か家へ行って、あやつが何をしておるか見てまいれ」

Another head--the head of a young woman--immediately rose up and flitted to the house, lightly as a bat.

別の首――若い女の首――がすぐに舞い上がり、蝙蝠のように軽やかに家へと飛んでいった。

After a few minutes it came back, and cried out huskily, in a tone of great alarm:--

数分後、首は戻ってきて、ひどくうろたえた調子でかすれ声を上げた。――