YOU SAID:

but I could smell something

INTO JAPANESE

私は何かのにおいをすることができた

BACK INTO ENGLISH

I was able to smell something

INTO JAPANESE

私は何かを嗅ぐことができた

BACK INTO ENGLISH

I could sniff something

INTO JAPANESE

私は何かを嗅ぐことができた

BACK INTO ENGLISH

I could sniff something