convinced [k*n*v*nst], ascend [**send], scoundrel [*skaundr*l], constables [*k*nst*blz]
"Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the steps — for the house was none other than the opium den in which you found me tonight — and running through the front room she attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly swore that no one else had been in the front room during the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had promised to bring home.
"This discovery (находка), and the evident confusion which the cripple showed (и явное смущение, которое показал калека), made the inspector realize (убедили инспектора: «заставили осознать») that the matter was serious (что дело серьезно). The rooms were carefully examined (комнаты были тщательно обысканы), and results all pointed to an abominable crime (и все результаты указывали на гнусное преступление). The front room was plainly furnished as a sitting-room (комната, выходящая окнами на улицу: «передняя комната» была обставлена просто, вроде гостиной) and led into a small bedroom (и вела в небольшую спальню = рядом была небольшая спальня), which looked out upon the back of one of the wharves (окно которой выходит на задворки одной из верфей). Between the wharf and the bedroom window is a narrow strip (между верфью и окном находится узкий канал), which is dry at low tide (который высыхает во время отлива: «сухой при отливе») but is covered at high tide (но покрыт = наполняется водой во время прилива) with at least four and a half feet of water (по крайней мере, на четыре с половиной фута). The bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below (было широким и открывалось снизу). On examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill (при осмотре были обнаружены следы крови на подоконнике), and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the bedroom (и несколько разбросанных = разбрызганных капель /крови/ были видимы = найдены на деревянном полу спальни). Thrust away behind a curtain (за шторой; to thrust away — отодвигать) in the front room were all the clothes (была вся одежда) of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of his coat (за исключением его пальто). His boots (ботинки), his socks (носки), his hat (шляпа), and his watch (часы) — all were there (все было там). There were no signs of violence (не было следов насилия) upon any of these garments (на всех этих предметах одежды), and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Clair (и не было других следов). Out of the window he must apparently have gone (через окно он, должно быть, ушел) for no other exit could be discovered (так как никакого другого выхода не было найдено), and the ominous bloodstains upon the sill (зловещие кровавые пятна на подоконнике) gave little promise that he could save himself by swimming (почти не оставляли надежды: «давали мало обещания», что он мог спастись с помощью плавания = плаванием), for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the tragedy (потому что прилив достиг наивысшего уровня в момент трагедии).
evident [*ev*d*nt], abominable [**b*m*n*bl], wharf [w*:f], ominous [**m*n*s]
"This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple showed, made the inspector realize that the matter was serious. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch — all were there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the tragedy.
"And now as to the villains (теперь обратимся к негодяям: «что касается негодяев») who seemed to be immediately implicated in the matter (которые, видимо: «казались», были непосредственно впутаны в это дело = имели к этому непосредственное отношение). The Lascar was known to be a man of the vilest antecedents (был известен как человек подлейшего прошлого; vile — низкий, гнусный), but as by Mrs. St. Clair's story (как следует из рассказа миссис Сент-Клер), he was known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few seconds of her husband's appearance at the window (был у подножия = внизу лестницы в течение нескольких секунд появления в окне ее мужа), he could hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime (он мог едва ли быть больше, чем соучастник = его можно считать лишь соучастником преступления). His defense was one of absolute ignorance (его защита была защитой абсолютного незнания = он все отрицал), and he protested that he had no knowledge (протестовал, что не знает: «не имеет знания») as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger (относительно занятий Хью Буна, его жильца), and that he could not account in any way for the presence of the missing gentleman's clothes (и что он не мог объяснить, в любом случае, присутствие = наличие одежды пропавшего джентльмена).
villains [*v*l*nz], antecedents [*nt**si:dnts], accessory [*k*ses*r*], lodger [*l***]
"And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the vilest antecedents, but as by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defense was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he could not account in any way for the presence of the missing gentleman's clothes.
"So much for the Lascar manager (это все, что касается хозяина-Ласкара). Now for the sinister cripple (теперь обратимся к зловещему калеке) who lives upon the second floor of the opium den (который живет на третьем этаже пртиона), and who was certainly the last human being (и, безусловно, является последним человеком: «человеческим существом») whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Clair (который видел: «чьи глаза останавливались на» Невилла Сент-Клера). His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which is familiar to every man who goes much to the City (его отвратительное лицо знакомо каждому, кто много ходит = часто бывает в Сити). He is a professional beggar (он профессиональный нищий), though in order to avoid the police regulations (впрочем, чтобы избежать = обойти полицейские правила) he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas (он притворяется, что продает восковые спички; trade — занятие; лавка). Some little distance down Threadneedle Street (недалеко по Трэднидл-стрит), upon the left-hand side (на левой стороне), there is, as you may have remarked (как вы могли заметить), a small angle in the wall (небольшой угол = ниша в стене). Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat (здесь это существо сидит днем: «занимает свое каждодневное место»), cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap (поджав ноги «по-турецки» с несколькими коробками спичек на коленях; stock — ассортимент), and as he is a piteous spectacle (так как он жалкое зрелище) a small rain of charity descends into the greasy leather cap (маленький дождь благотворительности = милостыни льется в его засаленную кожаную кепку) which lies upon the pavement beside him (что лежит на мостовой рядом с ним). I have watched the fellow more than once (я наблюдал за этим парнем не раз: «больше, чем однажды»), before ever I thought of making his professional acquaintance (не предполагая, что мне придется познакомиться с ним профессионально = встретиться как с преступником), and I have been surprised at the harvest (был удивлен жатве) which he has reaped in a short time (которую он пожинал в короткое время). His appearance (внешность), you see, is so remarkable (столь примечательна) that no one can pass him without observing him (что никто не может пройти мимо без наблюдения его = не обратив на него внимания). A shock of orange hair (копна оранжевых = рыжих волос), a pale face disfigured by a horrible scar (бледное лицо, обезображенное ужасным шрамом), which, by its contraction (который своим сужением = сужаясь), has turned up the outer edge of his upper lip (завернул внешний край верхней губы), a bulldog chin (бульдожий подбородок), and a pair of very penetrating dark eyes (и пара очень проницательных темных глаз), which present a singular contrast to the color of his hair (которые представляют необычный контраст с цветом его волос), all mark him out from amid the common crowd of mendicants (все это выделяет его из простой толпы попрошаек) and so, too, does his wit (и это же делает его остроумие), for he is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff (всегда готов с ответом на всякий кусок насмешки = на любое подшучивание) which may be thrown at him by the passers-by (которое может быть брошено = сказано ему прохожими). This is the man whom we now learn to have been the lodger at the opium den (мы сейчас узнали, что он жилец в опиумном притоне), and to have been the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest (и последним видел человека, которого мы ищем)."
sinister [*s*n*st*], beggar [*be**], creature [*kri:t**], charity [*t**r*t*], scar [sk*:], chaff [t**:f]
"But a cripple (но /ведь он/ калека)!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed against a man in the prime of life (что он мог сделать один: «однорукий» против человека в расцвете сил)*"
"So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I have watched the fellow more than once, before ever I thought of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular contrast to the color of his hair, all mark him out from amid the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest."
"But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed against a man in the prime of life*"
"He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp (он калека в том смысле, что ходит с трудом = прихрамывает); but in other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man (во всех других отношениях он кажется/является мощным и здоровым человеком = он, видимо…; nurtured — выращенный, обученный; to nurture — кормить, питать). Surely your medical experience would tell you (конечно, ваш медицинский опыт сказал бы вам), Watson, that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional strength in the others (что слабость /в/ одной конечности часто компенсируется необычайной силой /в/ других)."
nurtured [*n*:t**d], surely [**u*l*], weakness [*wi:kn*s], limb [l*m], strength [stre*O]
"Pray continue your narrative (пожалуйста, продолжайте ваш рассказ)."
"He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional strength in the others."
"Pray continue your narrative."
"Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the window (упала в обморок при виде крови на окне), and she was escorted home in a cab by the police (была сопровождена полицией в кебе домой), as her presence could be of no help (так как ее присутствие не было необходимо) to them in their investigations (им в их расследованиях). Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case (принявший ведение этого дела: «который имел ответственность дела»), made a very careful examination of the premises (очень тщательно обыскал помещения), but without finding anything which threw any light upon the matter (но без нахождения = не найдя ничего, что могло бы пролить: «бросить» свет на это дело). One mistake had been made in not arresting Boone instantly (одна ошибка была сделана в том, что не арестовали немедленно Хью Буна), as he was allowed some few minutes (ему позволили = он получил возможность несколько минут) during which he might have communicated (переговорить) with his friend the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied (эта ошибка была вскоре исправлена; remedy — средство, лекарство), and he was seized and searched (был схвачен и обыскан), without anything being found which could incriminate him (без того, чтобы было найдено что-то, что могло бы уличить его). There were, it is true (правда), some blood-stains upon his right shirt-sleeve (были следы крови на правом рукаве рубашки), but he pointed to his ring-finger (указал на свой безымянный палец), which had been cut near the nail (был порезан возле ногтя), and explained that the bleeding came from there (и объяснил, что кровотечение происходило оттуда), adding that he had been to the window not long before (добавив, что он был у окна незадолго до того), and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the same source (пятна /крови/, обнаруженные там, несомненно, того же происхождения: «источника»). He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Neville St. Clair (энергично отрицал, что когда-либо видел мистера Сент-Клера) and swore that the presence of the clothes in his room (и клялся, что присутствие в комнате его одежды; to swear — клясться) was as much a mystery to him as to the police (было для него такой же тайной, как и для полиции). As to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband at the window (что до утверждения = на утверждение миссис Сент-Клер, что она действительно видела мужа у окна), he declared that she must have been either mad or dreaming (он заявил, что она либо сумасшедшая, либо /ей это/ приснилось). He was removed, loudly protesting, to the police station (он был уведен, громко протестующий, в полицейский участок), while the inspector remained upon the premises (в то время как инспектор остался в помещениях) in the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clew (в надежде, что убывающий прилив может предоставить какие-нибудь свежие зацепки = улики).
sight [sa*t], remedied [*rem*d*d], seized [si:zd], strenuously [*strenju*sl*], afford [**f*:d]
"Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful examination of the premises, but without finding anything which threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes during which he might have communicated with his friend the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the police station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clew.
"And it did (и действительно), though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they had feared to find (хотя они едва нашли на грязевой отмели /то/, что они боялись найти = хотя и нашли кое-что, но совсем не то, чего они так боялись найти). It was Neville St. Clair's coat (пиджак), and not Neville St. Clair (а не Невилл Сент-Клер), which lay uncovered as the tide receded (который лежал открыто, когда прилив снизился = отхлынула вода; to uncover — обнаруживать, открывать, обнажать). And what do you think they found in the pockets (и что вы думаете, они нашли в карманах)*"
though [**u], feared [f**d], receded [r**si:d*d]
"I cannot imagine (не могу /себе/ представить)."
"No, I don't think you would guess (не думаю, что вы догадаетесь). Every pocket stuffed with pennies and halfpennies (каждый карман /был/ набит /монетами в/ пенни и полпенни) — 421 pennies and 270 halfpennies. It was no wonder (не удивительно) that it had not been swept away (что он не был смыт; to sweep away — смывать, сносить) by the tide. But a human body is a different matter (но человеческое тело — другое дело). There is a fierce eddy (сильный водоворот = течение) between the wharf and the house (между верфью и домом). It seemed likely enough (вполне допустимо) that the weighted coat had remained (что отягощенное пальто осталось) when the stripped body had been sucked away into the river (тогда как раздетое тело было унесено в реку; to suck — поглощать, всасывать)."
stuffed [st*ft], wonder [*w*nd*], weighted [*we*t*d]
"And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And what do you think they found in the pockets*"
"I cannot imagine."
"No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with pennies and halfpennies — 421 pennies and 270 halfpennies. It was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked away into the river."
"But I understand that all the other clothes (но /как/ я понимаю, вся остальная одежда) were found in the room (была найдена в комнате). Would the body be dressed in a coat alone (неужели тело было одето только в пиджак = на трупе был только пиджак)*"
"No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough (но факты могли быть встречены достаточно правдоподобно = этому можно найти объяснение). Suppose (предположим) that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the window (выбросил Невилла Сент-Клера в: «через» окно; to thrust — толкать, выбрасывать), there is no human eye (там нет человеческого глаза = свидетеля) which could have seen the deed (который мог бы видеть /это/ действие). What would he do then (что бы он сделал затем)* It would of course instantly strike him (ему сразу пришло бы в голову, конечно) that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments (что он должен избавиться от выдающей его одежды; tell-tale — указатель, доносчик). He would seize the coat (схватил бы = хватает пиджак), then, and be in the act of throwing it out (во время выкидывания его), when it would occur to him (ему пришло бы в голову) that it would swim and not sink (что он поплывет, а не потонет). He has little time (у него мало времени: «маленькое время»), for he has heard the scuffle downstairs (услышал потасовку внизу) when the wife tried to force her way up (когда жена пыталась прорваться наверх), and perhaps (возможно) he has already heard from his Lascar confederate (слышал от своего сообщника-Ласкара) that the police are hurrying up the street (что полиция спешит /сюда/ по улице). There is not an instant to be lost (тут нет ни одного мига, чтобы был потерян = нельзя терять ни минуты). He rushes to some secret hoard (он кидается к тайному складу = углу), where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary (где он накопил плоды своего нищенства), and he stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands (набивает все монеты, на которые может положить свои руки = которые первыми попались под руку) into the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking (в карманы, чтобы быть уверенным в погружении пиджака = что пиджак потонет). He throws it out (выбрасывает), and would have done the same with the other garments (и сделал бы то же самое с другими предметами одежды) had not he heard the rush of steps below (не услышь он шум шагов внизу), and only just had time (и имел только время) to close the window when the police appeared (закрыть окно, когда появилась полиция)."
speciously [*spi:**sl*], occur [**k*:], confederate [k*n*fedr*t], hoard [h*:d]
"But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone*"
"No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. What would he do then* It would of course instantly strike him that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the window when the police appeared."
"It certainly sounds feasible (это звучит вполне правдоподобно)."
"Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a better (мы возьмем это = примем как рабочую гипотезу из-за отсутствия более хорошей). Boone, as I have told you (как я вам сказал), was arrested (арестован) and taken to the station (доставлен в участок), but it could not be shown that there had ever before been anything against him (но это не могло быть показано/доказано, что когда-либо раньше было что-то против него = его прошлая жизнь — безупречна). He had for years been known as a professional beggar (он в течение многих лет известен как профессиональный нищий), but his life appeared to have been a very quiet and innocent one (но его жизнь, кажется, была очень тихой и безобидной). There the matter stands at present (там дело стоит сейчас = вот в каком положении находится дело в настоящий момент), and the questions which have to be solved (вопросы, которые должны быть решены) — what Neville St. Clair was doing (что делал: «был делающим») in the opium den, what happened to him when there (что случилось с ним, когда /он был/ там), where is he now (где он сейчас), and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance (какое отношение имел к его исчезновению Хью Бун) — are all as far from a solution as ever (все /эти вопросы/ так далеки от решения, как всегда = по-прежнему не решены). I confess that I cannot recall any case within my experience (признаюсь, что не могу вспомнить какое-либо дело в: «внутри, в пределах» моей практике) which looked at the first glance so simple (которое выглядело бы на первый взгляд таким простым) and yet which presented such difficulties (и, тем не менее, представляло бы такие трудности)."
hypothesis [ha**p*O*s*s], innocent [**n*s*nt], glance [*l*:ns]
"It certainly sounds feasible."
"Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before been anything against him. He had for years been known as a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the questions which have to be solved — what Neville St. Clair was doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance — are all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot recall any case within my experience which looked at the first glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties."
While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of events (подробно рассказывал эти необычные последовательности событий), we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great town (мы мчались по предместьям большого города) until the last straggling houses had been left behind (пока последние разбросанные = одиночные дома были оставлены позади), and we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us (и мы мчались с грохотом мимо деревенской изгороди по обе стороны от нас). Just as he finished (когда он закончил), however, we drove through two scattered villages (мы проехали через две отдельные деревушки; to scatter — разбрасывать, раскидывать), where a few lights still glimmered in the windows (где несколько огней еще мерцали в окнах).
whirling [*w*:l**], outskirts [*autsk*:ts], hedge [he*]
While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows.
"We are on the outskirts of Lee (мы в предместье Ли)," said my companion. "We have touched on three English counties in our short drive (мы побывали в трех английских графствах в нашей = во время нашей маленькой поездки; to touch — тронуть, прикоснуться), starting in Middlesex (начав в Мидлсексе), passing over an angle of Surrey (переехав угол Суррей), and ending in Kent (и закончив в Кенте). See that light among the trees (видите тот огонь посреди деревьев)* That is The Cedars (это «Кедры»), and beside that lamp sits a woman (возле той лампы сидит женщина) whose anxious ears (чьи тревожные уши = настороженный слух) have already, I have little doubt (имею мало сомнений = почти не сомневаюсь), caught the clink of our horse's feet (уловил звон ног = стук копыт нашей лошади; to catch — ловить)."
"But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street (но почему вы не ведете это дело с Бейкер-стрит)*" I asked.
counties [*kaunt*z], anxious [***k**s], horse [h*:s]
"We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. See that light among the trees* That is The Cedars, and beside that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet."
"But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street*" I asked.
"Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here (много расследований, которые должны быть проведены здесь). Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal (наиболее любезно предоставила две комнаты в мое распоряжение), and you may rest assured (вы можете быть уверены) that she will have nothing but a welcome for my friend and colleague (что у нее нет ничего, кроме гостеприимства для моего друга и коллеги). I hate to meet her (очень не хочу встретить ее; to hate — ненавидеть), Watson, when I have no news of her husband (когда у меня нет новостей о ее муже). Here we are (вот мы и на месте). Whoa (тпру), there, whoa!"
kindly [*ka*ndl*], disposal [d*s*p*uzl], colleague [*k*li:*]
"Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!"
We had pulled up in front of a large villa (мы остановились перед большой виллой) which stood within its own grounds (которая стояла внутри своего собственного сада = была окружена садом; grounds — сад, парк при доме; участок вокруг дома). A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head (конюх подбежал к голове лошади), and springing down (спрыгивая вниз), I followed Holmes up the small, winding gravel drive (я последовал за Холмсом по маленькой, извилистой, посыпанной гравием: «гравийной» дорожке) which led to the house (которая вела к дому). As we approached (когда мы приблизились), the door flew open (распахнулась), and a little blonde woman stood in the opening (и маленькая белокурая женщина встала на пороге), clad in some sort of light mousseline-de-soie (одетая в светлое шелковое платье), with a touch of fluffy pink chiffon at her neck and wrists (с пышным розовым шифоном на шее = у горла и запястьях = рукавах; touch — примесь, штрих, оттенок). She stood with her figure outlined against the flood of light (с фигурой очерченной = высвеченной потоком света), one hand upon the door (одна рука на двери), one half-raised in her eagerness (другая — полуподнята в /ее/ нетерпении), her body slightly bent (ее тело слегка наклонено), her head and face protruded (ее голова и лицо выдавались вперед = вытянув вперед голову), with eager eyes and parted lips (с нетерпеливыми глазами и полураскрытыми губами), a standing question («стоящий вопрос» = с вопросительным видом).
winding [*wa*nd**], touch [t*t*], flood [fl*d], eagerness [*i:**n*s], parted [*p*:t*d]
We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding gravel drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad in some sort of light mousseline-de-soie, with a touch of fluffy pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing question.
"Well (ну)*" she cried, "well*" And then, seeing that there were two of us (видя, что нас двое), she gave a cry of hope (издала крик надежды) which sank into a groan (который превратился в стон; to sink — опускаться) as she saw that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders (когда она увидела, что мой товарищ покачал головой и пожал плечами).
"No good news (нет хороших новостей)*"
"None (нет)."
"No bad (а плохих)*"
"No."
"Well*" she cried, "well*" And then, seeing that there were two of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
"No good news*"
"None."
"No bad*"
"No."
"Thank God for that (слава Богу за это). But come in (но входите). You must be weary (вы, должно быть, устали), for you have had a long day (так как у вас был долгий день)."
"This is my friend (друг), Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to me in several of my cases (он был самой жизненно важной пользы = чрезвычайно полезен в нескольких моих делах = расследованиях), and a lucky chance has made it possible for me (и счастливый случай сделал это возможным для меня = по счастливой случайности мне удалось) to bring him out and associate him with this investigation (привести его сюда и подключить к этому расследованию; to associate — присоединить, действовать совместно)."
vital [va*tl], chance [t**:ns], associate [**s*u**e*t]
"I am delighted to see you (я рада видеть вас)," said she, pressing my hand warmly (пожимая мою руку тепло = приветливо). "You will, I am sure (уверена), forgive anything that may be wanting in our arrangements (вы простите все, чего может не хватать в наших расположениях = вам у нас будет неуютно), when you consider the blow which has come so suddenly upon us (когда вы учтете несчастье: «удар», которое так внезапно обрушилось на нас)."
delighted [d**la*t*d], arrangements [**re*n*m*nts], consider [k*n*s*d*]
"Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have had a long day."
"This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this investigation."
"I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so suddenly upon us."
"My dear madam (дорогая сударыня)," said I, "I am an old campaigner (я старый участник похода = служака), and if I were not (и /даже/ если бы я не был /им/) I can very well see that no apology is needed (я могу хорошо видеть, что никаких извинений не требуется). If I can be of any assistance (если я могу принести хоть какую-нибудь пользу), either to you or to my friend here (вам или моему другу здесь = вот этому моему другу), I shall be indeed happy (я буду действительно счастлив)."
campaigner [k*m*pe*n*], apology [**p*l***], assistance [**s*st*ns]
"Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a well-lit dining-room (когда мы вошли в ярко освещенную столовую), upon the table of which (на столе /в/ которой) a cold supper had been laid out (холодный ужин был накрыт), "I should very much like to ask you one or two plain questions (я очень хочу задать вам один или два простых = откровенных вопроса), to which I beg that you will give a plain answer (на которые я прошу, чтобы вы дали откровенный ответ)."
supper [*s*p*], plain [ple*n], answer [**:ns*]
"My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be indeed happy."
"Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain answer."
"Certainly, madam (конечно, мадам)."
"Do not trouble about my feelings (не щадите моих чувств). I am not hysterical, nor given to fainting (я ни истерична, ни склонна к обморокам). I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion (я просто желаю услышать ваше настоящее, подлинное мнение)."
"Upon what point (по какому пункту = о чем)*"
"In your heart of hearts (в глубине души), do you think that Neville is alive (жив)*"
"Certainly, madam."
"Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion."
"Upon what point*"
"In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive*"
Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question (казалось, был смущен этим вопросом). "Frankly (откровенно), now!" she repeated (повторила), standing upon the rug and looking keenly down at him (стоя на ковре и глядя пристально на него) as he leaned back in a basket-chair (он откинулся в плетеном кресле: «корзинке-кресле»).
embarrassed [*m*b*r*st], frankly [*fr**kl*], basket [*b*:sk*t]
"Frankly, then, madam, I do not (откровенно /говоря/, мадам, я не думаю /что он жив/)."
"You think that he is dead (думаете, что он мертв)*"
"I do (да)."
"Murdered (убит)*"
Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair.
"Frankly, then, madam, I do not."
"You think that he is dead*"
"I do."
"Murdered*"
"I don't say that (я этого не говорю = не утверждаю). Perhaps (возможно)."
"And on what day did he meet his death (и в какой день встретил он свою смерть)*"
"On Monday (в понедельник)."
"Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain (будьте любезны объяснить) how it is that I have received a letter from him today (как это /произошло/, что я получила письмо от него вчера)."
Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair (вскочил с кресла) as if he had been galvanized (словно его ударило током).
"I don't say that. Perhaps."
"And on what day did he meet his death*"
"On Monday."
"Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how it is that I have received a letter from him today."
Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been galvanized.
"What!" he roared (взревел он).
"Yes, today." She stood smiling (стояла, улыбаясь), holding up a little slip of paper in the air (держа маленький листок бумаги в воздухе).
"May I see it (можно взглянуть)*"
"Certainly (конечно)."
He snatched it from her in his eagerness (выхватил его у нее в своем рвении = нетерпеливо), and smoothing it out upon the table (разглаживая на столе) he drew over the lamp (придвинул лампу; to draw over) and examined it intently (внимательно рассмотрел письмо; intently — пристально, внимательно, сосредоточенно). I had left my chair (я оставил мое кресло = поднялся из кресла) and was gazing at it over his shoulder (и /пристально/ смотрел на письмо через его плечо). The envelope was a very coarse one (конверт был очень грубым) and was stamped with the Gravesend postmark (был проштампован штемпелем Гревзенда) and with the date of that very day (и с датой того самого дня), or rather of the day before (или, вернее, вчерашнего), for it was considerably after midnight (так как было значительно после полуночи).
smoothing [*smu:***], envelope [**nv*l*up], coarse [k*:s], considerably [k*n*s*dr*bl*]
"What!" he roared.
"Yes, today." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of paper in the air.
"May I see it*"
"Certainly."
He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day before, for it was considerably after midnight.
"Coarse writing (грубый почерк)," murmured Holmes (пробормотал Холмс). "Surely this is not your husband's writing (конечно, это не почерк вашего мужа), madam."
"No, but the enclosure is (но вложенное /в конверт/, содержимое — его почерк)."
"I perceive also (я думаю также; to perceive — чувствовать, понимать) that whoever addressed the envelope (что кто бы ни отправил = надписал конверт) had to go and inquire as to the address (должен был пойти и узнать /ваш/ адрес)."
"How can you tell that (как вы это определили)*"
"Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your husband's writing, madam."
"No, but the enclosure is."
"I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go and inquire as to the address."
"How can you tell that*"
"The name (имя), you see, is in perfectly black ink (/написано/ совершенно черными чернилами), which has dried itself (которые высохли сами: «высушили сами себя»). The rest is of the grayish color (остальное — сероватого цвета), which shows that blotting-paper has been used (что показывает, что промокательная бумага была использована). If it had been written straight off (если бы это было написано сразу), and then blotted (и затем промокнуто), none would be of a deep black shade (никакие /слова/ были бы глубокого черного оттенка = все слова были бы одного цвета). This man has written the name (написал имя), and there has then been a pause (потом пауза) before he wrote the address, which can only mean (что может значить только) that he was not familiar with it (что он не был знаком с ним). It is, of course, a trifle (пустяк), but there is nothing so important as trifles (но нет ничего, что было бы столь важно, как пустяки). Let us now see the letter (давайте теперь посмотрим на письмо). Ha! there has been an enclosure here (здесь было вложение, приложение)!"
grayish [**re**], pause [p*:z], familiar [f**m*l**], trifle [tra*fl], enclosure [*n*kl*u**]
"The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried itself. The rest is of the grayish color, which shows that blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! there has been an enclosure here!"
"Yes, there was a ring (кольцо). His signet-ring (его кольцо с печаткой)."
"And you are sure (уверены) that this is your husband's hand (рука = почерк вашего мужа)*"
"One of his hands (один из его почерков)."
"One*"
"His hand when he wrote hurriedly (почерк, когда он пишет торопливо). It is very unlike his usual writing (очень непохоже на его обычный почерк), and yet I know it well (знаю хорошо)."
"Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring."
"And you are sure that this is your husband's hand*"
"One of his hands."
"One*"
"His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual writing, and yet I know it well."
"'Dearest do not be frightened (дорогая, не волнуйся: «не будь напугана»). All will come well (все кончится хорошо). There is a huge error (произошла огромная ошибка) which it may take some little time to rectify (которая может потребовать некоторое время для исправления). Wait in patience (жди в терпении = терпеливо). Neville.' Written in pencil (карандашом) upon the flyleaf of a book (на форзаце книги), octavo size (восьмая часть листа размером), no watermark (без водяных знаков). Hum (гм)! Posted today (отправлено сегодня) in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb (человеком с грязным большим пальцем). Ha! And the flap has been gummed (и клапан /конверта/ был покрыт клеем), if I am not very much in error (если я не слишком в ошибке = ошибаюсь), by a person who had been chewing tobacco (человеком, который жевал табак). And you have no doubt (вы убеждены = не имеете сомнения) that it is your husband's hand (что это почерк вашего мужа), madam*"
"None (никакого /сомнения/). Neville wrote those words (написал те слова)."
frightened [fra*tnd], huge [hju:*], error [*er*], patience [pe**ns], thumb [O*m]
"'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Wait in patience. Neville.' Written in pencil upon the flyleaf of a book, octavo size, no watermark. Hum! Posted today in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's hand, madam*"
"None. Neville wrote those words."
"And they were posted today at Gravesend (были отправлены сегодня из Гревзенда). Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the clouds lighten (тучи светлеют = рассеиваются), though I should not venture to say that the danger is over (хотя я не рискую сказать, что опасность закончилась)."
"But he must be alive (он должен быть жив = должно быть, он жив), Mr. Holmes."
"Unless this is a clever forgery (если только это не ловкая подделка) to put us on the wrong scent (чтобы послать нас по ложному следу). The ring, after all (кольцо, в конце концов), proves nothing (ничего не доказывает). It may have been taken from him (оно могло быть отобрано у него)."
forgery [*f*:**r*], scent [sent]
"No, no; it is, it is his very own writing (это его, его собственный почерк)!"
"Very well (отлично). It may, however, have been written on Monday (письмо могло быть, однако, написано в понедельник) and only posted today (а послано только сегодня)."
"And they were posted today at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the danger is over."
"But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes."
"Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from him. '
"No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!"
"Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only posted today."
"That is possible (это возможно)."
"If so, much may have happened between (многое могло случиться между /этими датами/)."
"Oh, you must not discourage me (вы не должны приводить меня в уныние), Mr. Holmes. I know that all is well with him (что все хорошо с ним). There is so keen a sympathy between us (между нами такое сильное «взаимочувствие») that I should know if evil came upon him (что я узнаю, если несчастье случится с ним). On the very day that I saw him last (в тот самый день, когда я видела его в последний /раз/) he cut himself in the bedroom (он порезался в спальне), and yet I in the dining-room (в столовой) rushed upstairs instantly (бросилась наверх сразу же) with the utmost certainty that something had happened (с величайшей уверенностью, что что-то случилось). Do you think that I would respond to such a trifle (ответила бы = отреагировала бы я на такой пустяк) and yet be ignorant of his death (и все же не знала бы о его смерти)*"
discourage [d*s*k*r**], utmost [**tm*ust], death [deO]
"That is possible."
"If so, much may have happened between."
"Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death*"
"I have seen too much (я видел слишком много) not to know that the impression of a woman may be more valuable (чтобы не знать, что ощущение = чутье женщины может быть более ценным) than the conclusion of an analytical reasoner (чем заключение аналитического мыслителя). And in this letter you certainly have a very strong piece of evidence (очень сильное доказательство) to corroborate your view (чтобы подтвердить ваш взгляд = мнение). But if your husband is alive (жив) and able to write letters (способен писать письма), why should he remain away from you (почему он остается вдали от вас = отчего он не с вами)*"
valuable [*v*lju*bl], conclusion [k*n*klu:*n], evidence [*ev*d*ns]
"I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away from you*"
"I cannot imagine (не могу представить). It is unthinkable (это немыслимо)."
"And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you (он не сделал никаких замечаний перед оставлением вас = отбытием)*"
"No."
"And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane (и вы были удивлены увидеть его на Суондем-лейн)*"
"Very much so (очень сильно так = именно)."
"Was the window open (окно было открыто)*"
"I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable."
"And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you*"
"No."
"And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane*"
"Very much so."
"Was the window open*"
"Yes."
"Then he might have called to you (он мог окликнуть вас)*"
"He might (он мог)."
"He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry (он только, как я понимаю, издал бессвязный крик)*"
"Yes."
"Yes."
"Then he might have called to you*"
"He might."
"He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry*"
"Yes."
"A call for help (зов о помощи), you thought*"
"Yes. He waved his hands (он махал руками)."
"But it might have been a cry of surprise (но это могло быть криком удивления). Astonishment at the unexpected sight of you (изумление от внезапного вида вас) might cause him to throw up his hands (могло заставить его вскинуть руки)*"
astonishment [**st*n**m*nt], unexpected [*n*ks*p*kt*d], cause [k*:z]
"It is possible (возможно)."
"A call for help, you thought*"
"Yes. He waved his hands."
"But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands*"
"It is possible."
"And you thought he was pulled back (что его оттащили)*"
"He disappeared so suddenly (он исчез так неожиданно)."
"He might have leaped back (он мог отпрыгнуть назад = возможно, отпрыгнул назад). You did not see anyone in the room else (вы не видели кого-нибудь еще в помещении)*"
"No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there (но этот ужасный человек признался, что был там), and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs (стоял внизу, у лестницы)."
"Quite so (совершенно верно). Your husband, as far as you could see (насколько вы могли видеть), had his ordinary clothes on (он был в обычной одежде: «имел свою обычную одежду надетой»)*"
"But without his collar or tie (но без воротничка и галстука). I distinctly saw his bare throat (я отчетливо видела его голое горло)."
"And you thought he was pulled back*"
"He disappeared so suddenly."
"He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the room*"
"No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs."
"Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his ordinary clothes on*"
"But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare throat."
"Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane (говорил ли он когда-либо о Суондем-лейн)*"
"Never (никогда)."
"Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium (показывал ли какие-либо признаки употребления опия)*"
"Never."
"Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points (это главные пункты) about which I wished to be absolutely clear (в отношении которых я хотел бы абсолютной ясности). We shall now have a little supper (теперь поужинаем) and then retire (отдохнем), for we may have a very busy day tomorrow (завтра может быть очень занятой день)."
principal [*pr*ns*pl], clear [kl**], retire [r**ta**], busy [*b*z*]
"Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane*"
"Never."
"Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium*"
"Never."
"Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day tomorrow."
A large and comfortable double-bedded room (большая и комфортабельная двухкроватная комната) had been placed at our disposal (помещена = передана в наше распоряжение), and I was quickly between the sheets (я был быстро между простынями = сразу улегся), for I was weary (был усталым) after my night of adventure (после ночи приключений). Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind (когда имел неразрешенную проблему на уме), would go for days, and even for a week, without rest (мог дни напролет и даже целую неделю обходиться без отдыха), turning it over (обдумывая ее), rearranging his facts (перестраивая факты), looking at it from every point of view (рассматривая ее с каждой точки зрения) until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself (либо «исследовал /до конца/» — разрешал ее, либо убеждался; to fathom — измерять глубину; исследовать, разузнавать; fathom — морская сажень) that his data were insufficient (что данные были недостаточными). It was soon evident to me (вскоре для меня стало очевидно) that he was now preparing for an all-night sitting (готовился просидеть всю ночь). He took off his coat and waistcoat (снял пиджак и жилет), put on a large blue dressing-gown (надел просторный синий халат), and then wandered about the room (бродил по комнате) collecting pillows from his bed (собирая подушки с кровати) and cushions from the sofa and armchairs (и диванные подушки с дивана и кресел). With these he constructed a sort of Eastern divan (соорудил что-то вроде восточного дивана), upon which he perched himself cross-legged (уселся/взгромоздился, поджав ноги; perch — жердочка, насест /для птиц/), with an ounce of shag tobacco (с унцией табаку) and a box of matches laid out in front of him (и коробкой спичек, положенными перед ним). In the dim light of the lamp (в тусклом свете лампы) I saw him sitting there, an old briar pipe between his lips (старая вересковая трубка между его губ), his eyes fixed vacantly upon the corner of the ceiling (его глаза уставились бессмысленно в угол потолка), the blue smoke curling up from him (голубой дым клубится: «скручивается» над ним), silent (тихим), motionless (неподвижным), with the light shining upon his strong-set aquiline features (со светом, падающим на резко очерченные орлиные черты /его лица/; strong — сильный, насыщенный; to set — определять, устанавливать). So he sat as I dropped off to sleep (так он сидел, когда я заснул), and so he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up (когда внезапное восклицание заставило меня проснуться), and I found the summer sun (и я увидел летнее солнце) shining into the apartment (светившее в комнату). The pipe was still between his lips (трубка по-прежнему во рту: «между губ»), the smoke still curled upward (дым по-прежнему вился кверху), and the room was full of a dense tobacco haze (и комната была полна густого табачного тумана), but nothing remained of the heap of shag (ничто не осталось от кучи табаку) which I had seen upon the previous night (которую я видел прошлой ночью).
rearranging [ri:**re*n***], fathomed [*f***md], cushions [ku*nz], aquiline [**kw*la*n]
A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of shag which I had seen upon the previous night.
"Awake (проснулись), Watson*" he asked.
"Yes."
"Game for a morning drive (готовы к утренней поездке)*"
"Certainly (конечно)."
"Then dress (одевайтесь). No one is stirring yet (никто не движется еще = все спят), but I know where the stable-boy sleeps (но я знаю, где спит конюх), and we shall soon have the trap out (и нам скоро подадут двуколку: «выведут наружу»)." He chuckled to himself as he spoke (он усмехнулся про себя, когда он сказал = при этих словах), his eyes twinkled (сверкнули), and he seemed a different man to the sombre thinker (казался другим человеком, непохожим на мрачного мыслителя) of the previous night (прошлой ночи).
stirring [*st*:r**], chuckled [t**kld], sombre [*s*mb*], previous [*pri:v**s]
As I dressed I glanced at my watch (одеваясь, я взглянул на часы). It was no wonder (не удивительно) that no one was stirring (что никто не шевелился). It was twenty-five minutes past four (двадцать пять минут после четырех = двадцать пять минут пятого). I had hardly finished (едва закончил /одеваться) when Holmes returned with the news (вернулся с новостью) that the boy was putting in the horse (конюх закладывал лошадь).
four [f*:], news [nju:z]
"Awake, Watson*" he asked.
"Yes."
"Game for a morning drive*"
"Certainly."
"Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night.
As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was putting in the horse.
"I want to test a little theory of mine (хочу проверить небольшую теорию)," said he, pulling on his boots (надевая ботинки). "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe (стоите в присутствии одного из самых полных дураков в Европе). I deserve to be kicked from here to Charing Cross (я заслуживаю того, чтобы мне дали /такого/ пинка, /чтобы я улетел/ отсюда до Черинг-Кросс). But I think I have the key of the affair now (но, кажется, у меня есть ключ к этому делу теперь)."
boots [bu:ts], absolute [**bs*lu:t], Europe [*ju*r*p], deserve [d**z*:v]
"And where is it (где он)*" I asked, smiling (улыбаясь).
"In the bathroom (в ванной)," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking (я не шучу)," he continued (он продолжил), seeing my look of incredulity (видя мой взгляд недоверия). "I have just been there, and I have taken it out (вынес = взял его), and I have got it in this Gladstone bag (в этом кожаном саквояже). Come on, my boy (поедем, мой мальчик = друг), and we shall see whether it will not fit the lock (увидим, подойдет ли он к замку)."
bathroom [*b*:Orum], joking [***uk**], incredulity [*nkr**dju:l*t*]
"I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the key of the affair now."
"And where is it*" I asked, smiling.
"In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will not fit the lock."
We made our way downstairs (мы спустились) as quietly as possible (так тихо, как /только/ возможно), and out into the bright morning sunshine (и вышли на яркий утренний солнечный свет = на залитую солнцем улицу). In the road stood our horse and trap (на дороге стояли наши лошадь и экипаж), with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head (с полуодетым конюхом, ждущим у головы = держащим под уздцы лошадь). We both sprang in (оба вскочили), and away we dashed (и помчались) down the London Road. A few country carts were stirring (несколько деревенских телег двигались), bearing in vegetables to the metropolis (везущие овощи в столицу), but the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless (границы = окрестности вилл по обе стороны были такими тихими и безжизненными) as some city in a dream (как какой-то город в сновидении).
sunshine [*s*n*a*n], vegetables [*ve**t*blz], metropolis [m**tr*p*l*s]
We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as some city in a dream.
"It has been in some points a singular case (в некоторых точках/моментах = отношениях необычайное дело)," said Holmes, flicking the horse on into a gallop (пуская лошадь галопом; to flick — слегка ударить, стегнуть). "I confess (признаюсь) that I have been as blind as a mole (был слепым, как крот), but it is better to learn wisdom late than never to learn it at all (но лучше поумнеть: «научиться мудрости» поздно, чем никогда /не поумнеть/ вообще)."
singular [*s***jul*], blind [bla*nd], wisdom [*w*zd*m]
In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily from their windows (в городе самые рано вставшие/встающие только начинали выглядывать сонно из окон; to rise — вставать, подниматься) as we drove through the streets of the Surrey side (пока мы ехали по улицам со стороны Суррея). Passing down (миновав) the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the river (пересекли реку), and dashing up (проехав на большой скорости) Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the right (свернули резко направо) and found ourselves (очутились) in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well known to the force (был хорошо известен полиции; force — сила; вооруженная группа людей), and the two constables at the door saluted him (два констебля у двери отдали ему честь). One of them held the horse's head (один взял лошадь под уздцы) while the other led us in (другой повел нас внутрь).
riser [*ra*z*], river [*r*v*], wheeled [wi:ld]
"It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than never to learn it at all."
In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in.
"Who is on duty (кто на дежурстве = дежурный)*" asked Holmes.
"Inspector Bradstreet, sir."
"Ah, Bradstreet, how are you (как поживаете)*" A tall, stout official (высокий, полный сотрудник) had come down the stone-flagged passage (шел по вымощенному камнем коридору), in a peaked cap and frogged jacket (в форменной фуражке и зеленом пиджаке). "I wish to have a quiet word with you (хочу поговорить c вами: «иметь спокойное слово»), Bradstreet." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here (зайдите в мою комнату)." It was a small, office-like room (это была маленькая, похожая на контору, комната), with a huge ledger upon the table (с огромной книгой для записей на столе), and a telephone projecting from the wall (и телефоном, висящим на стене; to project — выступать, нависать). The inspector sat down at his desk (сел за стол).
official [**f**l], passage [*p*s**], ledger [*le**]
"Who is on duty*" asked Holmes.
"Inspector Bradstreet, sir."
"Ah, Bradstreet, how are you*" A tall, stout official had come down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his desk.
"What can I do for you (что я могу сделать для вас), Mr. Holmes*"
"I called about that beggarman, Boone (я зашел по поводу того нищего, Буна) — the one who was charged with being concerned in the disappearance (который обвинен в том, что замешан в /деле/ исчезновения) of Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lee."
"Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries (он был арестован и привезен сюда для доследования = допроса; to remand — отсылать обратно на доследование)."
"So I heard (так я слышал = знаю). You have him here*"
"What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes*"
"I called about that beggarman, Boone — the one who was charged with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lee."
"Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries."
"So I heard. You have him here*"
"In the cells (в камере)."
"Is he quiet (он тихий = не буянит)*"
"Oh, he gives no trouble (не доставляет хлопот). But he is a dirty scoundrel (грязный негодяй)."
"Dirty*"
"Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands (все, что мы могли сделать — так это заставить его вымыть руки), and his face is as black as a tinker's (его лицо такое же черное, как у медника). Well, when once his case has been settled (когда его дело /будет/ завершено), he will have a regular prison bath (он примет обычную тюремную ванну); and I think, if you saw him (если бы вы видели его), you would agree with me that he needed it (вы согласились бы со мной, что он нуждается в ней)."
tinker [*t**k*], regular [*re*jul*], prison [pr*zn]
"I should like to see him very much (я очень хотел бы увидеть его)."
"In the cells."
"Is he quiet*"
"Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel."
"Dirty*"
"Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it."
"I should like to see him very much."
"Would you (хотите)* That is easily done (это легко сделано = нетрудно устроить). Come this way (идите сюда). You can leave your bag (можете оставить свою сумку)."
"No, I think that I'll take it (возьму)."
"Very good. Come this way, if you please (будьте добры)." He led us down a passage, opened a barred door (дощатую дверь), passed down a winding stair (спустился по винтовой лестнице), and brought us to a whitewashed corridor (привел нас в побеленный коридор) with a line of doors on each side (с рядом дверей на каждой стороне).
barred [b*:d], winding [*wa*nd**], whitewashed [*wa*tw**t]
"The third on the right is his (третья справа — его /камера/)," said the inspector. "Here it is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door (тихо отодвинул дощечку в верхней части двери) and glanced through (заглянул /в отверстие/).
"Would you* That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave your bag."
"No, I think that I'll take it."
"Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each side.
"The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and glanced through.
"He is asleep (спит)," said he. "You can see him very well."
We both put our eyes to the grating (мы оба приникли к решетке). The prisoner lay with his face towards us (заключенный лежал /с/ лицом к нам), in a very deep sleep (в очень глубоком сне), breathing slowly and heavily (дыша медленно и тяжело). He was a middle-sized man (среднего размера = роста мужчина), coarsely clad as became his calling (грубо одет, как подобает его профессии), with a colored shirt (в цветной рубашке) protruding through the rent in his tattered coat (торчащей через дыры его порванного пиджака). He was, as the inspector had said, extremely dirty (чрезвычайно грязный), but the grime which covered his face (но глубоко въевшаяся грязь, которая покрывала его лицо) could not conceal its repulsive ugliness (не могла скрыть отталкивающего безобразия). A broad wheal from an old scar (широкий старый шрам; wheal — волдырь) ran right across it from eye to chin (шел от глаза к подбородку), and by its contraction (это уплотнение) had turned up one side of the upper lip (поднимало вверх одну сторону верхней губы), so that three teeth were exposed in a perpetual snarl (так, что три зуба были выставлены в бесконечном рычании = торчали постоянным оскалом). A shock (клок) of very bright red hair grew low over his eyes and forehead (падал на глаза и лоб; to grow over — зарастать).
"He's a beauty, isn't he (он красавец, не правда ли)*" said the inspector.
grating [**re*t**], breathing [*bri:***], coarsely [*k*:sl*], grime [*ra*m], repulsive [r**p*ls*v]
"He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well."
We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his calling, with a colored shirt protruding through the rent in his tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over his eyes and forehead.
"He's a beauty, isn't he*" said the inspector.
"He certainly needs a wash (он определенно нуждается в мытье)," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that he might (он мог бы /помыться/), and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me (взял на себя смелость принести = принес инструменты /для этого/ с собой)." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out (он вытащил из сумки), to my astonishment (к моему удивлению), a very large bath-sponge (очень большую губку).
liberty [*l*b*t*], sponge [sp*n*]
"He! he! You are a funny one (вы шутник)," chuckled the inspector (хихикнул инспектор).
"Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door (если вы соблаговолите открыть дверь) very quietly (очень тихо), we will soon make him cut a much more respectable figure (быстро придадим ему намного более респектабельный вид)."
"He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my astonishment, a very large bath-sponge.
"He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector.
"Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable figure."
"Well, I don't know why not (не знаю, почему нет = согласен)," said the inspector. "He doesn't look a credit to the Bow Street cells (он не делает чести /своим видом/ тюрьме на Боу-стрит; credit — хорошая репутация, честь), does he*" He slipped his key into the lock (сунул ключ в замок), and we all very quietly entered the cell (вошли в камеру). The sleeper half turned (спящий повернулся наполовину = шевельнулся), and then settled down once more into a deep slumber (затем снова погрузился в глубокий сон; to settle down — осесть, поселиться). Holmes stooped to the water jug (наклонился к кувшину для воды), moistened his sponge (смочил губку), and then rubbed it twice vigorously (потер ей дважды энергично) across and down the prisoner's face.
credit [*kred*t], key [ki:], slumber [*sl*mb*], sponge [sp*n*], vigorously [*v***r*sl*]
"Let me introduce you (позвольте мне представить вас)," he shouted (крикнул), "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lee, in the county of Kent (мистеру Невиллу Сент-Клеру из Ли, в графстве Кент)."
"Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he*" He slipped his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep slumber. Holmes stooped to the water jug, moistened his sponge, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the prisoner's face.
"Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lee, in the county of Kent."
Never in my life have I seen such a sight (никогда в жизни не видел я такого зрелища). The man's face peeled off under the sponge like the bark from a tree (лицо снялось под /действием/ губки, как кора с дерева; peel — кожица, корка; to peel — снимать кожицу, кору). Gone was the coarse brown tint (исчез грубый коричневый оттенок = загар)! Gone, too, the horrid scar (исчез также ужасный шрам) which had seamed it across (который бороздил /все лицо/; seam — шов), and the twisted lip (разрезанная: «скрученная, изогнутая» губа) which had given the repulsive sneer to the face (которая придавала отталкивающую ухмылку лицу)! A twitch brought away the tangled red hair (резкое движение /Холмса/ убрало спутанные рыжие волосы), and there, sitting up in his bed (сидя в кровати), was a pale (бледный), sad-faced (печальный), refined-looking man (утонченно выглядящий человек), black-haired and smooth-skinned (черноволосый и с гладкой кожей), rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment (протирающий глаза и глядящий вокруг себя с сонным недоумением). Then suddenly realizing the exposure (внезапно осознав «выставление на вид» = что его раскрыли), he broke into a scream (вскрикнул) and threw himself down with his face to the pillow (и зарылся головой в подушку).
sneer [sn**], tangled [t***ld], bewilderment [b**w*ld*m*nt], exposure [*k*sp*u**]
Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, the horrid scar which had seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Then suddenly realizing the exposure, he broke into a scream and threw himself down with his face to the pillow.
"Great heavens (о Господи)!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing man (пропавший человек). I know him from the photograph (я узнаю его благодаря фотографии)."
The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man (заключенный повернулся с безнадежным видом человека; reckless — бездумный; безразличный) who abandons himself to his destiny (который предает себя своей судьбе = не противится судьбе). "Be it so (будь что будет)," said he. "And pray what am I charged with (пожалуйста /объясните/, в чем я обвиняюсь)*"
abandon [**b*nd*n], destiny [*dest*n*], charged [t**:*d]
"With making away with Mr. Neville St. (в убийстве мистера Невилла Сент—…). Oh, come (ну), you can't be charged with that (вы не можете быть обвинены в этом) unless they make a case of attempted suicide of it (если только они не заведут дело о попытке самоубийства)," said the inspector with a grin (с усмешкой). "Well, I have been twenty-seven years in the force (я двадцать семь лет /служу/ в полиции), but this really takes the cake (но действительно занимает первое место: «берет пирог» = ничего подобного не видел)."
suicide [*su:*sa*d], cake [ke*k]
"Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing man. I know him from the photograph."
The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I charged with*"
"With making away with Mr. Neville St.— Oh, come, you can't be charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake."
"If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious (очевидно) that no crime has been committed (что никакого преступления не было совершено), and that, therefore (следовательно), I am illegally detained (я незаконно задержан)."
obvious [**bv**s], therefore [**e*f*:], detained [d**te*nd]
"No crime, but a very great error (очень большая ошибка) has been committed," said Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted you wife (вы сделали бы лучше, если = зря вы не доверились вашей жене)."
"It was not the wife (это была не жена = дело не в жене); it was the children (а в детях)," groaned the prisoner (простонал заключенный). "God help me (да поможет мне Бог), I would not have them ashamed of their father (я не хотел /бы/, чтобы они стыдились своего отца). My God! What an exposure (какой позор)! What can I do*"
"If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally detained."
"No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted you wife."
"It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My God! What an exposure! What can I do*"
Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch (сел рядом с ним на койку) and patted him kindly on the shoulder (похлопал его ласково по плечу).
"If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up (если вы предоставите /это/ суду /общей юрисдикции/ разбираться в этом деле)," said he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity (едва ли избежите огласки). On the other hand (с другой стороны), if you convince the police authorities (если вы убедите полицейские органы) that there is no possible case against you (что нет возможного дела против вас = нет никакой вины), I do not know that there is any reason (я не знаю, какое есть основание) that the details should find their way into the papers (чтобы подробности нашли путь в газеты = то газеты ничего не узнают). Inspector Bradstreet would, I am sure (уверен), make notes upon anything which you might tell us (сделает записи всего того = запишет все, что вы можете рассказать нам) and submit it to the proper authorities (и предоставить это надлежащим властям). The case would then never go into court at all (дело тогда никогда не попадет в суд вообще)."
court [k*:t], publicity [p**bl*s*t*], authorities [*:*O*r*t*z], proper [*pr*p*]
Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him kindly on the shoulder.
"If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case would then never go into court at all."
"God bless you (благослови вас Бог)!" cried the prisoner passionately (воскликнул узник горячо). "I would have endured imprisonment (я бы вынес заключение), aye (да), even execution (даже казнь), rather than have left my miserable secret as a family blot to my children (вместо того, чтобы = только бы не оставить моей жалкой тайны как семейное бесчестье моим детям = лишь бы не опозорить детей; blot — пятно).
passionately [*p***n*tl*], endured [*n*dju*d], execution [eks**kju:*n]
"You are the first (вы первые) who have ever heard my story (кто когда-либо слышал = кто услышит мою историю). My father was a schoolmaster (мой отец был школьным учителем) in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent education (где я получил превосходное образование). I travelled in my youth (я путешествовал в молодости), took to the stage (поступил в театр), and finally became a reporter (наконец стал репортером) on an evening paper in London (в вечерней газете в Лондоне). One day my editor (редактор) wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the metropolis (заказал серию статей о нищенстве в столице), and I volunteered to supply them (вызвался добровольно написать: «поставить» их). There was the point from which all my adventures started (точка, с которой все мои приключения начались). It was only by trying begging as an amateur (только пробовав попрошайничать как любитель) that I could get the facts upon which to base my articles (я мог добыть факты, на которых /можно/ построить: «основать» мои статьи). When an actor (как актер) I had, of course, learned all the secrets of making up (изучил все секреты гримирования), and had been famous in the greenroom (славился в артистической среде /грим-уборной/) for my skill (за мое умение). I took advantage now of my attainments (извлек выгоду из моих знаний; attainment — достижение, приобретение; attainments — образованность, знание). I painted my face (раскрасил лицо), and to make myself as pitiable as possible (и чтобы сделать себя таким жалким, как только возможно = для большей жалости) I made a good scar (сделал = нарисовал изрядный шрам) and fixed one side of my lip in a twist (искривил одну сторону губы: «установил одну сторону губы в искривленном положении») by the aid of a small slip of flesh-colored plaster (с помощью маленькой полоски пластыря телесного цвета). Then with a red head of hair (с красной головой волос = рыжим париком), and an appropriate dress (соответствующей одеждой), I took my station in the business part of the city (занял положение в деловой части города), ostensibly as a match-seller (якобы: «по видимости» как продавец спичек) but really as a beggar (на самом деле — как нищий). For seven hours I plied my trade (семь часов я занимался моим ремеслом), and when I returned home (и когда возвратился домой) in the evening I found, to my surprise (обнаружил, к своему удивлению), that I had received no less than 26 shillings and fourpence (что получил не меньше 26 шиллингов и четырех пенсов).
schoolmaster [*sku:lm*:st*], article [**:t*kl], volunteered [v*l*n*t**d], amateur [**m*t(*)*]
"God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have endured imprisonment, aye, even execution, rather than have left my miserable secret as a family blot to my children.
"You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the greenroom for my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a small slip of flesh-colored plaster. Then with a red head of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned home in the evening I found, to my surprise, that I had received no less than 26 shillings and fourpence.
"I wrote my articles (написал статьи) and thought little more of the matter until (почти позабыл об этом, пока), some time later (некоторое время спустя), I backed a bill for a friend (поручился заплатить за приятеля: «поддержал счет»; bill — счет) and had a writ served upon me for 25 pounds (получил извещение, врученное мне на /уплату/ 25 фунтов). I was at my wit's end (понятия не имел: «был на краю ума») where to get the money (где достать деньги), but a sudden idea came to me (неожиданная идея пришла ко мне). I begged a fortnight's grace from the creditor (попросил двухнедельную отсрочку у кредитора), asked for a holiday from my employers (попросил об отпуске у работодателей), and spent the time (провел это время) in begging in the City (нищенствуя в Сити) under my disguise (под маскировкой = переодетым; to disguise — переодевать, маскировать). In ten days (за десять дней) I had the money and had paid the debt (уплатил долг).
idea [a**d**], fortnight [*f*:tna*t], employers [*m*pl***z], debt [det]
"I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In ten days I had the money and had paid the debt.
"Well, you can imagine (можете представить) how hard it was to settle down to arduous work at 2 pounds a week (как трудно было засесть за тяжелую работу за два фунта в неделю) when I knew that I could earn as much in a day (мог бы заработать столько же за день) by smearing my face with a little paint (вымазав лицо небольшим количеством краски), laying my cap on the ground (положив кепку на землю), and sitting still (и сидя тихо). It was a long fight (долгая борьба) between my pride and the money (между моей гордостью и деньгами), but the dollars won at last (деньги: «доллары» победили в конце концов; to win), and I threw up reporting (забросил репортерство) and sat day after day in the corner (сидел день за днем на углу) which I had first chosen (который я /с самого/ начала выбрал), inspiring pity by my ghastly face (внушая жалость жутким/наводящим ужас лицом) and filling my pockets with coppers (и наполняя карманы медяками). Only one man knew my secret (только один человек знал мою тайну). He was the keeper of a low den (владелец низкопробного: «низкого» притона) in which I used to lodge (в котором я снимал комнату) in Swandam Lane, where I could every morning emerge as a squalid beggar (где я мог каждое утро появляться как грязный нищий) and in the evenings transform myself (по вечерам превращаться) into a well-dressed man about town (в хорошо одетого городского человека: «около города»; about town — известный; светский). This fellow (этот парень), a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms (хорошо получал от меня за свои комнаты), so that I knew that my secret was safe in his possession (потому я знал, что моя тайна была в безопасности в его владении = он ничего никому не скажет).
arduous [**:dju*s], inspiring [*n*spa**r**], possession [p**ze*n]
"Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that my secret was safe in his possession.
"Well, very soon I found (очень скоро я обнаружил) that I was saving considerable sums of money (что я откладывал значительные суммы денег; to save — спасать, сохранять; экономить). I do not mean (не имею в виду = не думаю) that any beggar in the streets of London could earn (мог заработать) 700 pounds a year — which is less than my average takings (что меньше, чем мои средние сборы) — but I had exceptional advantages (исключительные преимущества) in my power of making up (в моем мастерстве гримирования), and also in a facility of repartee (в способности остроумия), which improved by practice (которое улучшилось практикой) and made me quite a recognized character in the City (сделало меня довольно узнаваемым персонажем в Сити). All day a stream of pennies (весь день поток пенсов), varied by silver (вперемешку с серебром), poured in upon me (лился на меня), and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds (и я считал неудачным тот день, в который я не мог собрать двух фунтов).
earn [*:n], average [**v*r**], exceptional [*k*sep*(*)n(*)l], facility [f**s*l*t*], poured [p*:d]
"As I grew richer I grew more ambitious (чем богаче я становился, тем более честолюбивым /становился/; to grow — расти), took a house in the country (снял дом в деревне = за городом), and eventually married (со временем женился), without anyone having a suspicion as to my real occupation (без кого-либо, имеющего подозрение о моем настоящем занятии). My dear wife knew that I had business in the City (жена знала, что у меня были дела в Сити). She little knew what (она мало знала какие /именно/).
ambitious [*m*b***s], eventually [**vent**l*], suspicion [s**sp**(*)n]
"Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London could earn 700 pounds a year — which is less than my average takings — but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by practice and made me quite a recognized character in the City. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds.
"As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had business in the City. She little knew what.
"Last Monday (в прошлый понедельник) I had finished for the day (закончил /работу/ на тот день) and was dressing in my room above the opium den (одевался в моей комнате над опиумным приютом) when I looked out of my window (выглянул в окно) and saw, to my horror and astonishment (к своему ужасу и удивлению), that my wife was standing in the street (что моя жена стояла на улице), with her eyes fixed full upon me (с глазами, устремленными прямо на меня). I gave a cry of surprise (издал крик = вскрикнул от удивления), threw up my arms to cover my face (/резко/ поднял руки, чтобы закрыть лицо; to throw — бросать), and, rushing to my confidant (бросившись к моему доверенному лицу), the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from coming up to me (умолял его не пускать никого наверх ко мне; to prevent — предотвратить). I heard her voice downstairs (слышал ее голос внизу), but I knew that she could not ascend (но знал, что не может подняться). Swiftly I threw off my clothes (я быстро сбросил одежду), pulled on those of a beggar (натянул одежду нищего), and put on my pigments and wig (нанес краску и /надел/ парик). Even a wife's eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise (даже глаза жены не могли узнать меня в такой глубокой маскировке; to pierce — протыкать, пронизывать). But then it occurred to me (мне пришло в голову) that there might be a search (что может быть обыск) in the room, and that the clothes might betray me (одежда может выдать меня). I threw open the window (распахнул окно), reopening by my violence a small cut (вновь открывшее = заставившее из-за моей стремительности /кровоточить/ маленький порез) which I had inflicted upon myself (который причинил себе) in the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat (схватил пиджак), which was weighted by the coppers (нагруженный медяками) which I had just transferred (переложенными) to it from the leather bag (из кожаной сумки) in which I carried my takings (в которой носил свои сборы). I hurled it out of the window (швырнул из окна), and it disappeared into the Thames (и он исчез в Темзе). The other clothes would have followed (остальная одежда последовала бы), but at that moment there was a rush of constables (спешка, суета констеблей) up the stair (вверх по лестнице), and a few minutes after I found (спустя несколько минут я обнаружил), rather, I confess, to my relief (скорее, должен сказать, к своему облегчению; to confess — исповедоваться; признаваться), that instead of being identified as Mr. Neville St. Clair (вместо того, чтобы быть опознанным как Невилл Сент-Клер), I was arrested as his murderer (я был арестован как его убийца).
confidant [*k*nf*d*nt], leather [*le**], violence [*va**l*ns], murderer [*m*:d*r*]
"Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer.
"I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain (я не знаю, чтобы здесь было что-то еще для меня, чтобы объяснить = больше мне нечего прибавить). I was determined to preserve (решил сохранить) my disguise as long as possible (мою маскировку так долго, как /только/ возможно), and hence my preference for a dirty face (и оттого мое предпочтение грязному лицу = поэтому не умывался). Knowing that my wife would be terribly anxious (зная, что моя жена будет ужасно обеспокоена), I slipped off my ring (снял кольцо; to slip — скользить) and confided it (доверил его) to the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me (в тот момент, когда никакой констебль не наблюдал за мной = тайком от полиции), together with a hurried scrawl (вместе с торопливой запиской), telling her that she had no cause to fear (говорящей ей, что у нее нет причины бояться)."
preserve [pr**z*:v], preference [*pref*r*ns], anxious [***k**s], scrawl [skr*:l], cause [k*:z]
"That note only reached her yesterday (эта записка только вчера достигла ее)," said Holmes.
"Good God (о Боже)! What a week she must have spent (что за неделю она, должно быть, провела; to spend)!"
"I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to fear."
"That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes.
"Good God! What a week she must have spent!"
"The police have watched this Lascar (полиция следила за этим Ласкаром)," said Inspector Bradstreet, "and I can quite understand (вполне понимаю) that he might find it difficult (что ему было трудно) to post a letter unobserved (отправить письмо незамеченным). Probably he handed it to some sailor customer of his (возможно, он передал его какому-нибудь матросу, посетителю /притона/), who forgot all about it for some days (который забыл все = совершенно об этом на несколько дней; to forget — забывать)."
unobserved [*n*b*z*:vd], sailor [*se*l*], customer [*k*st*m*]
"That was it (так и было)," said Holmes, nodding approvingly (кивая одобрительно; to approve — одобрять); "I have no doubt of it (я не имею сомнения насчет этого). But have you never been prosecuted for begging (но разве вас никогда не привлекали к суду за попрошайничество)*"
"The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days."
"That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging*"
"Many times (много раз); but what was a fine to me (но что был штраф = но что значил штраф для меня)*"
"It must stop here, however (это должно кончиться здесь, как бы то ни было)," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to hush this thing up (если полиция должна замять эту вещь = историю), there must be no more of Hugh Boone (не должно быть больше Хью Буна)."
"I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take (я /уже/ поклялся /себе/ самыми торжественными клятвами, какие /только/ человек может дать; to swear — клясться)."
"Many times; but what was a fine to me*"
"It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone."
"I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take."
"In that case (в таком случае) I think that it is probable (я полагаю вероятным) that no further steps may be taken (что никакие дальнейшие шаги могут быть приняты = не будут приняты). But if you are found again (но если вы будете найдены = замечены снова), then all must come out (тогда все выйдет наружу). I am sure (я уверен), Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you (очень в долгу перед вами = признательны вам) for having cleared the matter up (за раскрытие дела). I wish I knew how you reach your results (хотел бы я знать, как вы достигаете ваших результатов)."
probable [*pr*b*bl], indebted [*n*det*d]
"I reached this one (достиг этого)," said my friend, "by sitting upon five pillows (сидением на пяти подушках) and consuming an ounce of shag (и потреблением = выкуриванием унции табаку). I think, Watson, that if we drive to Baker Street (если мы поедем на Бейкер-стрит) we shall just be in time for breakfast (мы будем как раз /вовремя/ к завтраку)."
"In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your results."
"I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast."
THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE
(ПРИКЛЮЧЕНИЕ ГОЛУБОГО КАРБУНКУЛА)
I had called upon (я посетил) my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas (моего друга на второе утро после Рождества), with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season (с намерением = чтобы поздравить его с праздником; compliments of the season — поздравительные приветствия /соответственно какому-либо празднику/). He was lounging upon the sofa (он сидел, откинувшись на диване) in a purple dressing-gown (в багряном халате), a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right (подставка с трубками под рукой справа от него; reach — зона досягаемости, сфера), and a pile of crumpled morning papers (стопка скомканных утренних газет), evidently newly studied (очевидно, недавно изученных), near at hand (под рукой). Beside the couch (рядом с кушеткой) was a wooden chair (деревянный стул), and on the angle of the back (косо на спинке; on the angle — под углом) hung a very seedy and disreputable hard felt hat (висела сильно поношенная и недостойная /дискредитирующая/ фетровая шляпа; to hang — вешать, висеть), much the worse for wear (намного хуже, чтобы носить = висеть-то висела, а носить ее вообще было невозможно), and cracked in several places (продырявленная в нескольких местах). A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair (лупа и пинцет, лежавшие на сиденье стула) suggested (намекали) that the hat had been suspended (что шляпа отложена) in this manner for the purpose of examination (таким образом с целью изучения).
Christmas [*kr*sm*s], lounging [*laun***], disreputable [d*s*repjut*bl], forceps [*f*:s*ps]
I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.
"You are engaged (вы заняты)," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you (наверное, я мешаю вам: «прерываю вас»)."
"Not at all (вовсе нет). I am glad (рад) to have a friend with whom I can discuss my results (что пришел друг, с которым могу обсудить свои результаты /исследований/). The matter is a perfectly trivial one (вещь — совершенно заурядная)" (he jerked his thumb (дернул = ткнул большим пальцем) in the direction (в направлении) of the old hat), "but there are points (пункты = события) in connection with it (в связи с ней) which are not entirely devoid of interest and even of instruction (которые не лишены интереса и даже поучительности)."
trivial [*tr*v**l], thumb [O*m], entirely [*n*ta**l*]
"You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you."
"Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one" (he jerked his thumb in the direction of the old hat), "but there are points in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and even of instruction."
I seated myself (я усадил себя = сел) in his armchair (в кресло) and warmed my hands before his crackling fire (и погрел руки перед потрескивающим огнем), for a sharp frost had set in (так как сильный: «острый» мороз установился), and the windows were thick with the ice crystals (окна были густо покрыты кристаллами льда). "I suppose (полагаю)," I remarked (заметил), "that, homely as it looks (обыденная, как она выглядит = хотя она столь невзрачна), this thing has some deadly story linked on to it (эта вещь связана с какой-нибудь кровавой историей: «имеет какую-то смертельную историю, связанную с этим») — that it is the clew (ключ, зацепка) which will guide you in the solution of some mystery (приведет вас к решению какой-то тайны) and the punishment of some crime (и наказанию какого-то преступления = преступника)."
crystals [kr*stlz], guide [*a*d], punishment [*p*n**m*nt]
I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to it — that it is the clew which will guide you in the solution of some mystery and the punishment of some crime."
"No, no. No crime (/здесь/ нет преступления)," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing (смеясь). "Only one of those whimsical little incidents (один из тех причудливых маленьких происшествий) which will happen (которые случаются) when you have four million human beings (когда четыре миллиона человеческих существ) all jostling each other within the space of a few square miles (толкают друг друга на пространстве в несколько квадратных миль). Amid the action and reaction (посреди действия и противодействия) of so dense a swarm of humanity (такого концентрированного роя человечества = в человеческом улье), every possible combination of events may be expected to take place (каждая возможная комбинация событий может произойти: «быть ожидаема, что случится»), and many a little problem will be presented (проявится множество мелких проблем) which may be striking and bizarre without being criminal (которые могут быть поразительными и странными, не являясь криминальными). We have already had experience of such (мы уже имели опыт подобного = сталкивались с такими вещами)."
"So much so (в общем-то, это так)," l remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have added to my notes (что из последних шести дел, которые я добавил к своим записям), three have been entirely free of any legal crime (три были совершенно свободны от каких-либо преступлений /по закону/)."
whimsical [*w*mz*kl], square [skwe*], swarm [sw*:m], bizarre [b**z*:]
"No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have four million human beings all jostling each other within the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be presented which may be striking and bizarre without being criminal. We have already had experience of such."
"So much so," l remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any legal crime."
"Precisely (именно: «точно»). You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler papers (вы имеете в виду = намекаете на мои попытки вернуть /обратно/ бумаги Ирэн Адлер), to the singular case (на необычайное дело) of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the adventure of the man with the twisted lip (на приключение человека с рассеченной губой). Well, I have no doubt (не сомневаюсь) that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category (попадет в ту же безобидную категорию). You know Peterson, the commissionaire (вы знаете Петерсона, посыльного)*"
"Yes."
"It is to him that this trophy belongs (это ему принадлежит этот трофей)."
"It is his hat (это его шляпа)."
precisely [pr**sa*sl*], doubt [daut], innocent [**n*s*nt], commissionaire [k**m****ne*]
"Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. You know Peterson, the commissionaire*"
"Yes."
"It is to him that this trophy belongs."
"It is his hat."
"No, no, he found it (он нашел ее; to find). Its owner is unknown (владелец неизвестен). I beg (прошу) that you will look upon it not as a battered billycock (чтобы вы посмотрели на нее не как на помятый котелок) but as an intellectual problem (а как на умственную задачу). And, first (во-первых), as to how it came here (как она попала сюда). It arrived (появилась; to arrive — прибывать, приезжать) upon Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose (в рождественское утро в компании с хорошим жирным гусем), which is, I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fire (жарится в этот момент перед огнем = на огне Петерсона). The facts are these (факты таковы): about four o'clock (около четырех часов утра) on Christmas morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow (очень честный = добропорядочный парень), was returning from some small jollification (возвращался с небольшого празднества = вечеринки) and was making his way homeward (делал свой путь = шел к дому) down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw (впереди себя он увидел), in the gaslight (в газовом свете = свете газового фонаря), a tallish man (довольно высокого человека), walking with a slight stagger (идущего, слегка шатаясь), and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder (несущего белого гуся, висящего через плечо; to sling — подвесить). As he reached the corner of Goodge Street (когда он достиг угла Гудж-стрит), a row broke out between this stranger and a little knot of roughs (завязалась драка между этим незнакомцем и небольшой группой хулиганов). One of the latter (один из последних) knocked off the man's hat (сбил шляпу с господина), on which he raised his stick to defend himself (на что он поднял палку, чтобы защитить себя) and, swinging it over his head (размахивая ею над головой), smashed the shop window (разбил магазинное окно = витрину) behind him. Peterson had rushed forward to protect (бросился вперед /чтобы/ защитить) the stranger from his assailants (неизвестного от его противников); but the man, shocked at having broken the window (но человек, шокированный тем, что разбил окно), and seeing an official-looking person in uniform (видя официально выглядящее лицо в форме) rushing towards him (устремившееся к нему), dropped his goose (бросил гуся), took to his heels (помчался со всех ног = наутек; heels — пятки), and vanished amid the labyrinth of small streets (исчез в лабиринте маленьких улиц) which lie at the back (позади) of Tottenham Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Peterson (хулиганы также убежали при появлении Петерсона), so that he was left in possession of the field of battle (был оставлен во владении полем битвы), and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose (и также добычи /победы/ в виде этой помятой шляпы и самого безупречного = превосходного рождественского гуся; to impeach — выдвигать обвинения)."
goose [*u:s], honest [**n*st], roughs [r*fs], assailant [**se*l*nt], labyrinth [*l*b(*)r*nO]
"No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was returning from some small jollification and was making his way homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose."
"Which surely he restored to their owner (которых, конечно, он вернул их владельцу)*"
"My dear fellow (мой дорогой; fellow — товарищ), there lies the problem (там лежит проблема = в этом-то и загвоздка). It is true (это правда) that 'For Mrs. Henry Baker (для миссис Генри Бейкер)' was printed upon a small card (было написано на маленькой карточке) which was tied to the bird's left leg (которая была привязана к левой лапке птицы), and it is also true that the initials (инициалы) 'H. B.' are legible (разборчивы: «читаемы») upon the lining of this hat (на подкладке этой шляпы), but as there are some thousands of Bakers (тысячи Бейкеров), and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this city of ours (сотни Генри Бейкеров в нашем городе), it is not easy to restore lost property (это не просто — вернуть потерянную собственность) to any one of them (одному из них)."
initials [**n***lz], legible [*le**bl], property [*pr*p*t*]
"Which surely he restored to their owner*"
"My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any one of them."
"What, then, did Peterson do*"
"He brought round (доставил; to bring — приносить) both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me (зная, что даже мельчайшие проблемы = загадки интересны мне). The goose we retained until this morning (гуся сохраняли: «удержали» до утра), when there were signs that (были знаки того = стало ясно, что), in spite of the slight frost (несмотря на легкий мороз), it would be well (следовало бы: «было бы хорошо») that it should be eaten (съеден) without unnecessary delay (без ненужной задержки). Its finder has carried it off (нашедший унес его), therefore (поэтому), to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose (чтобы исполнить последнее/окончательное предназначение гуся), while I continue to retain (в то время как я продолжаю удерживать /у себя/) the hat of the unknown gentleman (шляпу неизвестного господина) who lost his Christmas dinner (который потерял свой рождественский обед)."
slight [sla*t], unnecessary [*n*nes*s*r*], destiny [*dest*n*], continue [kan*t*nju:]
"Did he not advertise (он не давал объявления в газету)*"
"What, then, did Peterson do*"
"He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who lost his Christmas dinner."
"Did he not advertise*"
"No."
"Then, what clew could you have as to his identity (какая зацепка есть у вас касательно его личности = как вы узнаете, кто он)*"
"Only as much as we can deduce (лишь столько, сколько мы сможем умозаключить = путем дедуктивного метода)."
"From his hat («/исходя/ из этой шляпы»)*"
"Precisely (вот именно)."
"No."
"Then, what clew could you have as to his identity*"
"Only as much as we can deduce."
"From his hat*"
"Precisely."
"But you are joking (вы шутите). What can you gather from this old battered felt (что можно заключить из старой потрепанной шляпы)*"
"Here is my lens (лупа). You know my methods. What can you gather yourself as to the individuality of the man (относительно индивидуальности человека) who has worn this article (который носил эту вещь; to wear — носить, надевать)*"
I took the tattered object (я взял рваную вещь) in my hands and turned it over rather ruefully (перевернул = повертел в руках довольно уныло). It was a very ordinary black hat (самая обыкновенная черная шляпа) of the usual round shape (обычной круглой формы), hard and much the worse for wear (жесткая и сильно поношенная: «ставшая намного хуже из-за ношения»). The lining had been of red silk (подкладка была красного шелка), but was a good deal discolored (значительно выцветшая). There was no maker's name (не было имени изготовителя); but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were scrawled upon one side (были небрежно написаны на одной стороне). It was pierced in the brim for a hat-securer (была проколота на полях для придерживавшей шляпу резинки; to secure — страховать; прикреплять), but the elastic was missing (но резинка отсутствовала). For the rest (что до остального), it was cracked (рваная; crack — трещина, щель), exceedingly dusty (чрезвычайно пыльная; to exceed — превышать; переступать пределы), and spotted (покрытая пятнами; spot — пятно) in several places (в нескольких местах), although (хотя) there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the discolored patches (казалось, были попытки скрыть обесцвеченные пятна) by smearing them with ink (замазав их чернилами).
ruefully [*ru:ful*], discolored [d*s*k*l*d], although [*:l***u], smearing [*sm**r**]
"But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered felt*"
"Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this article*"
I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of red silk, but was a good deal discolored. There was no maker's name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the discolored patches by smearing them with ink.
"I can see nothing (не могу видеть ничего = ничего не вижу)," said I, handing it back to my friend (возвращая обратно моему другу).
"On the contrary (напротив), Watson, you can see everything (вы можете видеть все). You fail (не можете; to fail — потерпеть неудачу), however (однако), to reason from what you see (поразмыслить, исходя из того, что видите). You are too timid in drawing your inferences (слишком робки в выведении ваших умозаключений = в своих логических выводах)."
"Then, pray tell me (прошу вас, расскажите мне) what it is that you can infer from this hat (что вы можете заключить из этой шляпы = глядя на эту шляпу)*"
"I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend.
"On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in drawing your inferences."
"Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat*"
He picked it up (он поднял ее) and gazed at it (и пристально поглядел на нее) in the peculiar introspective fashion which was characteristic of him (в особой проницательной манере, которая была свойственна ему). "It is perhaps less suggestive than it might have been (менее информативна, чем могла бы быть)," he remarked, "and yet (и все же) there are a few inferences (несколько выводов) which are very distinct (ясных/четких), and a few others (несколько других) which represent at least a strong balance of probability (которые представляют, по крайней мере, сильный вес = долю вероятности). That the man was highly intellectual (что человек был большого ума: «весьма интеллигентным») is of course obvious (очевидно) upon the face of it (по ее внешнему виду), and also that he was fairly well-to-do (был довольно зажиточным) within the last three years (в последние три года), although he has now fallen upon evil days («упал на злые дни» = хотя теперь переживает не лучшие времена). He had foresight (был предусмотрительным), but has less now than formerly (но теперь меньше, чем прежде), pointing to a moral retrogression (что указывает на моральный упадок), which, when taken with the decline of his fortunes (когда берется = совпадает с ухудшением достатка), seems to indicate some evil influence (похоже, показывает на какое-то пагубное влияние = он пристрастился к какому-то пороку), probably drink (возможно, пьянство), at work upon him (за работой над ним = властвует над ним). This may account also for the obvious fact (может являться причиной того очевидного факта) that his wife has ceased to love him (что жена перестала любить его)."
introspective [*ntr**spekt*v], suggestive [s***est*v], probability [pr*b**b*l*t*], ceased [si:st]
He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that his wife has ceased to love him."
"My dear Holmes!"
"He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect (он, однако, сохранил некоторую степень самоуважения)," he continued (продолжил), disregarding my remonstrance (не обращая внимания на мое возражение/выражение протеста). "He is a man who leads a sedentary life (ведет сидячий образ жизни), goes out little (выходит /из дома/ мало), is out of training entirely (вне тренировки совершенно не занимается спортом), is middle-aged (средних лет), has grizzled hair (седые волосы) which he has had cut within the last few days (постриг в течение последних нескольких дней), and which he anoints with lime-cream (мажет помадой; lime-cream — известковое молоко). These are the more patent facts (вот наиболее очевидные факты) which are to be deduced from his hat (которые можно вывести = установить). Also (также), by the way (кстати), that it is extremely improbable (крайне маловероятно) that he has gas laid on in his house (что у него есть газ, подведенный к его дому)."
remonstrance [r**m*nstr*ns], patent [*pe*t(*)nt], improbable [*m*pr*b*bl]
"My dear Holmes!"
"He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid on in his house."
"You are certainly joking (вы, конечно, шутите), Holmes."
"Not in the least (нисколько). Is it possible that even now (возможно ли = неужели даже теперь), when I give you these results (когда я даю вам результаты), you are unable to see (не в силах: «неспособны» увидеть) how they are attained (как они достигнуты)*"
"I have no doubt that I am very stupid (у меня нет сомнений, что я очень туп), but I must confess (должен признаться) that I am unable to follow you (не способен следовать за вами = уследить за ходом ваших мыслей). For example (например), how did you deduce that this man was intellectual (как вы заключили/вывели, что этот человек умен)*"
For answer (для ответа = вместо ответа) Holmes clapped the hat upon his head (нахлобучил шляпу на свою голову). It came right over the forehead (закрыла полностью лоб; over — поверх) and settled upon the bridge of his nose (разместилась на его переносице: «мосте его носа»). "It is a question of cubic capacity (вопрос объема)," said he; "a man with so large a brain (с таким большим мозгом) must have something in it (должен иметь что-то в нем)."
forehead [*f*r*d], bridge [br**], capacity [k**p*s*t*], brain [bre*n]
"You are certainly joking, Holmes."
"Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you these results, you are unable to see how they are attained*"
"I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that this man was intellectual*"
For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a brain must have something in it."
"The decline of his fortunes (ухудшение его состояния), then*"
"This hat is three years old (этой шляпе три года). These flat brims curled at the edge (эти плоские поля, загнутые по краям) came in then (вошли в моду тогда). It is a hat of the very best quality (самого лучшего качества). Look at the band of ribbed silk (взгляните на полоску рифленого шелка) and the excellent lining (и превосходную подкладку). If this man could afford to buy (если этот человек мог позволить себе купить) so expensive a hat three years ago (такую дорогую шляпу три года назад), and has had no hat since (не имел шляпы с тех пор), then he has assuredly gone down in the world (значит, он несомненно утратил прежнее положение /в обществе/; to assure — уверять; гарантировать)."
edge [e*], quality [*kw*l*t*], afford [**f*:d], assuredly [***u*r*dl*]
"Well, that is clear enough (достаточно ясно), certainly. But how about the foresight and the moral retrogression (как насчет предвидения и моральной деградации)*"
"The decline of his fortunes, then*"
"This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world."
"Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the foresight and the moral retrogression*"
Sherlock Holmes laughed (засмеялся). "Here is the foresight," said he putting his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer (ставя свой палец на маленький диск и петлю шляподержателя = резинки для шляпы). "They are never sold upon hats (они никогда не продаются вместе со шляпами; to sell). If this man ordered one (если он заказал), it is a sign of a certain amount of foresight (знак несомненной дозы = степени предвидения), since he went out of his way (раз он побеспокоился) to take this precaution against the wind (принять эту предосторожность против ветра). But since we see that he has broken the elastic (но поскольку мы видим, что он разорвал резинку; to break — ломать) and has not troubled to replace it (и не побеспокоился заменить ее), it is obvious (это очевидно) that he has less foresight now than formerly (что у него меньше предвидения сейчас, чем раньше), which is a distinct proof (четкое доказательство) of a weakening nature (слабеющего характера; weak — слабый; to weaken — слабеть). On the other hand (с другой стороны), he has endeavored to conceal (попытался скрыть) some of these stains upon the felt (пятна на фетре) by daubing them with ink (замазыванием их чернилами), which is a sign (что является знаком) that he has not entirely lost his self-respect (что он не полностью потерял самоуважение)."
"Your reasoning is certainly plausible (ваше рассуждение, несомненно, правдоподобно)."
precaution [pr**k*:*n], weakening [*wi:k*n**], daubing [*d*:b**], plausible [*pl*:z*bl]
Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other hand, he has endeavored to conceal some of these stains upon the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not entirely lost his self-respect."
"Your reasoning is certainly plausible."
"The further points (дальнейшие моменты), that he is middle-aged, that his hair is grizzled, that it has been recently (недавно) cut, and that he uses lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination (собраны из тщательного осмотра) of the lower part of the lining (нижней части подкладки). The lens discloses (лупа обнаруживает) a large number of hair-ends (большое количество волосяных остатков = волос), clean cut by the scissors of the barber (чисто срезанных ножницами цирюльника). They all appear to be adhesive (они все кажутся липкими/клейкими), and there is a distinct odour of lime-cream (четкий запах помады). This dust (пыль), you will observe (заметьте), is not the gritty, gray dust of the street (не песочная, серая пыль улицы; grit — песок, гравий) but the fluffy brown dust of the house (но пушистая бурая пыль дома), showing (показывающая) that it has been hung up indoors most of the time (что шляпа висела внутри /дома/ большую часть времени), while the marks of moisture upon the inside (в то время как следы влаги на внутренней стороне) are proof positive (неопровержимо подтверждают) that the wearer perspired very freely (владелец потел очень обильно), and could therefore (поэтому мог), hardly be in the best of training (едва ли быть в лучшей форме = отвык от движения)."
disclose [d*s*kl*uz], scissors [*s*z*z], adhesive [*d*hi:s*v], moisture [*m**st**]
"The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, gray dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the best of training."
"But his wife (жена) — you said that she had ceased to love him (прекратила любить его)."
"This hat has not been brushed for weeks (шляпа не чистилась недели). When I see you (когда я увижу вас), my dear Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat (с недельным накоплением пыли на вашей шляпе), and when your wife allows you (позволяет вам) to go out in such a state (выходить в таком виде), I shall fear (я испугался = стал бы опасаться) that you also have been unfortunate enough (были достаточно неудачливы) to lose your wife's affection (/чтобы/ потерять расположение вашей жены)."
accumulation [*kju:mju*le**n], affection [**fek*n]
"But he might be a bachelor (но он может быть холостяком)."
"But his wife — you said that she had ceased to love him."
"This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's affection."
"But he might be a bachelor."
"Nay (нет), he was bringing home (нес домой) the goose as a peace-offering to his wife (как искупительную жертву своей жене; peace — мир; to offer — предлагать; приносить /жертву/). Remember the card (вспомните карточку) upon the bird's leg (на ножке птицы)."
"You have an answer to everything (у вас есть ответ на все = на все готов ответ). But how on earth (как, скажите на милость; on earth — используется для усиления: «на земле») do you deduce that the gas is not laid on in his house (газ не проведен к его дому = в доме нет газа)*"
"Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg."
"You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that the gas is not laid on in his house*"
"One tallow stain (сальное пятно), or even two (или даже два), might come by chance (могли появиться случайно); but when I see no less than five (не меньше, чем пять), I think that there can be little doubt (мало сомнения = могу не сомневаться) that the individual (личность) must be brought into frequent contact (должна часто контактировать = часто приходилось иметь дело; to bring — приносить, приводить) with burning tallow (с горящей сальной свечой) — walks upstairs at night (идет вверх по лестнице ночью) probably (возможно) with his hat in one hand (со шляпой в одной руке) and a guttering candle in the other (и с оплывающей свечой — в другой). Anyhow (во всяком случае), he never got (никогда не получил бы) tallow stains from a gas jet (жирный пятна от газовой горелки; tallow — жир, сало /для свечей, мыла/). Are you satisfied (вы удовлетворены = убеждены)*"
tallow [*t*l*u], frequent [*fri:kw*nt], satisfied [*s*t*sfa*d]
"One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with burning tallow — walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never got tallow stains from a gas jet. Are you satisfied*"
"Well, it is very ingenious (очень остроумно: «изобретательно»)," said I, laughing (смеясь); "but since (с тех пор), as you said just now (каквы сказали прямо сейчас), there has been no crime committed (не было совершено преступления), and no harm done (и не было причинено вреда) save the loss of a goose (кроме потери гуся), all this seems to be rather a waste of energy (все это кажется скорее тратой энергии = пустой тратой сил)."
ingenious [*n**i:n**s], waste [we*st], energy [*en***]
Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply (открыл рот, чтобы ответить), when the door flew open (когда дверь распахнулась), and Peterson, the commissionaire (посыльный), rushed into the apartment (влетел в комнату) with flushed cheeks (с пылающими щеками) and the face of a man who is dazed with astonishment (и с потрясенным видом; astonishment — изумление; to daze — изумить; ошеломить).
reply [r**pla*], apartment [**p*:tm*nt], dazed [de*zd]
"The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped (он /сказал/, задыхаясь).
"Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a waste of energy."
Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with astonishment.
"The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped.
"Eh* What of it (что с ним), then* Has it returned to life (вернулся к жизни) and flapped off through the kitchen window (и вылетел через кухонное окно; to flap — хлопать, шлепать; махать крыльями)*" Holmes twisted himself round (повернул себя кругом = повернулся) upon the sofa to get a fairer view (чтобы получить более благоприятный вид = удобнее рассмотреть) of the man's excited face (возбужденное лицо человека).
fairer [*fe*r*], view [vju:], excited [*k*sa*t*d]
"See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop (что моя жена нашла в его зобу)!" He held out (протянул) his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm (показал в центре ладони) a brilliantly scintillating blue stone (ярко сверкающий голубой камень), rather smaller than a bean in size (немного меньше, чем боб /в размере/), but of such purity and radiance (но такой чистоты и сияния) that it twinkled like an electric point (что мерцал, словно электрическая точка = искра) in the dark hollow of his hand (в темной впадине его руки).
palm [p*:m], scintillating [*s*nt*le*t**], purity [*pjur*t*], radiance [*re*d**ns]
Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle (сел со свистом = присвистнув). "By Jove (ей-Богу: «клянусь Юпитером»), Peterson!" said he, "this is treasure-trove (сокровище; trove — найденный клад) indeed (действительно). I suppose you know what you have got (полагаю, вы знаете, что у вас /есть/ = что это такое)*"
whistle [w*sl], treasure-trove [*tre***tr*uv]
"Eh* What of it, then* Has it returned to life and flapped off through the kitchen window*" Holmes twisted himself round upon the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face.
"See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric point in the dark hollow of his hand.
Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said he, "this is treasure-trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have got*"
"A diamond (бриллиант), sir* A precious stone (драгоценный камень). It cuts into glass as though it were putty (он врезается в стекло, как если бы это была /оконная/ замазка, шпаклевка)."
"It's more than a precious stone (это больше, чем драгоценный камень). It is the precious stone (это тот самый драгоценный камень)."
"Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle (неужели голубой карбункул графини Моркар)!" I ejaculated (воскликнул).
diamond [*da**m*nd], precious [*pre**s], carbuncle [*k*:b**kl]
"Precisely so (совершенно верно). I ought to know its size and shape (мне следовало бы знать = я знаю его размер и форму), seeing that I have read the advertisement (поскольку я читал объявление) about it in The Times every day lately (каждый день в последнее время). It is absolutely unique (он абсолютно уникален = единственный в своем роде), and its value can only be conjectured (ценность может быть только предположена), but the reward offered (предложенная награда) of 1000 pounds is certainly not within a twentieth part of the market price (определенно не составляет /и/ двадцатой части его рыночной стоимости)."
unique [ju:*ni:k], conjectured [k*n**ekt**d], reward [r**w*:d]
"A diamond, sir* A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it were putty."
"It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone."
"Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated.
"Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly not within a twentieth part of the market price."
"A thousand pounds (тысяча фунтов)! Great Lord of mercy (Боже милосердный; mercy — милость)!" The commissionaire plumped down into a chair (посыльный бухнулся в кресло) and stared from one to the other of us (и таращил глаза то на одного из нас, то на другого).
"That is the reward, and I have reason to know (есть причина полагать) that there are sentimental considerations in the background (сентиментальные соображения на заднем плане = есть кое-какой подтекст) which would induce the Countess (которые заставляют графиню) to part with half her fortune (расстаться с половиной своего богатства) if she could but recover the gem (если бы она могла только вернуть драгоценный камень)."
"It was lost (он пропал), if I remember aright (если я помню правильно), at the Hotel Cosmopolitan (в гостинице «Космополитен»)," I remarked.
background [*b*k*raund], induce [*n*dju:s], Countess [*kaunt*s], gem [*em]
"A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us.
"That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but recover the gem."
"It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I remarked.
"Precisely so (именно так), on the 22nd of December (22 декабря), just five days ago (ровно пять дней назад). John Horner, a plumber (паяльщик), was accused (был обвинен) of having abstracted it (в краже его; to abstract — отнимать, извлекать) from the lady's jewel-case (из шкатулки для ювелирных изделий). The evidence against him was so strong (улики против него так сильны = серьезны) that the case has been referred to the Assizes (дело передано в суд ассизов /выездной сессии суда присяжных; созывались в каждом графстве не меньше трех раз в год; дела слушались судьями Высокого суда правосудия/). I have some account (у меня есть отчет) of the matter here, I believe (думаю)." He rummaged amid his newspapers (порылся среди газет), glancing over the dates (просматривая даты), until at last he smoothed one out (пока наконец он не вытащил одну), doubled it over (сложил ее вдвое), and read the following paragraph (прочитал следующую заметку):
abstracted [*b*str*kt*d], jewel [**u:*l], evidence [*ev*d*ns], account [**kaunt]
"Precisely so, on the 22nd of December, just five days ago. John Horner, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph:
"Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery (кража драгоценностей). John Horner, 26, plumber (паяльщик), was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst. (был привлечен к суду по обвинению в /том, что/ 22 /числа/ сего месяца; inst. = instant — текущий), abstracted from the jewel-case (украл: «извлек» из шкатулки для драгоценностей) of the Countess of Morcar the valuable gem (драгоценный камень) known as (известный как) the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, upper-attendant (старший: «верхний» слуга) at the hotel, gave his evidence (дал показание = показал) to the effect that (/в том смысле/, что) he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room (провел Хорнера в туалетную комнату /гардеробную/) of the Countess of Morcar upon the day of the robbery (в день кражи) in order that he might solder the second bar of the grate (для того, чтобы он = где тот мог припаивать второй прут /каминной/ решетки), which was loose (расшатан). He had remained (он оставался) with Horner some little time (некоторое время), but had finally been called away (был, в конце концов, отозван). On returning (по возвращении), he found that Horner had disappeared (исчез), that the bureau had been forced open (бюро было взломано), and that the small morocco casket (сафьяновая шкатулка) in which, as it afterwards transpired (как впоследствии обнаружилось; to transpire — испаряться; просачиваться; обнаруживаться), the Countess was accustomed to keep her jewel (имела обыкновение хранить свои драгоценности), was lying empty (лежала пустой) upon the dressing-table (на туалетном столике). Ryder instantly gave the alarm (сразу же забил: «дал» тревогу), and Horner was arrested the same evening (в тот же вечер Хорнер был арестован); but the stone (но камень) could not be found either upon his person or in his rooms (не мог быть найден ни при его персоне = при нем, ни в его комнатах). Catherine Cusack, maid to the Countess (горничная графини), deposed (показала /под присягой/) to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay (крик ужаса) on discovering the robbery (обнаружившего кражу), and to having rushed into the room (вбежала в комнату), where she found matters as described by the last witness (где она обнаружила то положение вещей, что описал последний очевидец). Inspector Bradstreet, B Division (из отдела «Б»), gave evidence (дал показания) as to the arrest of Horner (относительно ареста Хорнера), who struggled frantically (который сопротивлялся неистово), and protested his innocence in the strongest terms (заявлял /о/ своей невиновности в сильнейших терминах = горячо). Evidence of a previous conviction for robbery having been given against the prisoner (поскольку свидетельство о прежней судимости за ограбление был дано против заключенного = так как он и раньше судился за кражу; evidence — ясность, очевидность; доказательство, подтверждение; улика; свидетельское показание), the magistrate (судья) refused to deal summarily with the offence (отказался вести в упрощенном порядке дело об этом преступлении; summarily — суммарно, кратко; в порядке суммарного, упрощенного производства), but referred it to the Assizes (передал его на рассмотрение суда присяжных). Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion (выказал признаки сильного волнения) during the proceedings (во время заседания), fainted away at the conclusion (потерял сознание при решении /присяжных/) and was carried out of court (был вынесен из /зала/ суда).
evidence [*ev*d*ns], loose [lu:s], bureau [*bjur*u], dismay [d*s*me*], magistrate [*m***str*t]
"Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, where she found matters as described by the last witness. Inspector Bradstreet, B Division, gave evidence as to the arrest of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was carried out of court.
"Hum! So much for the police-court (вот все, что касается полицейского суда)," said Holmes thoughtfully (задумчиво), tossing aside the paper (отбрасывая газету). "The question for us now to solve (вопрос для нас теперь чтобы решить = наша задача) is the sequence of events (ход: «последовательность» событий) leading from a rifled jewel-case (ведущих от опустошенной шкатулки для драгоценностей; to rifle — обыскивать с целью грабежа) at one end (с одного конца = стороны) to the crop of a goose (до зоба гуся) in Tottenham Court Road at the other (на другой). You see, Watson, our little deductions (размышления) have suddenly assumed (оказались: «приняли») a much more important (намного более важный) and less innocent aspect (и менее невинный вид). Here is the stone; the stone came from the goose (камень появился из гуся), and the goose came from Mr. Henry Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other characteristics (джентльмена в дурной шляпе и со всеми другими характеристиками) with which I have bored you (которыми я надоедал вам). So now we must set ourselves very seriously to finding (должны серьезно заняться розысками; to set — начать, приступить) this gentleman and ascertaining (установить) what part he has played in this little mystery (какую роль он сыграл в этой маленькой загадке). To do this (чтобы проделать это), we must try the simplest means first (мы должны испробовать простейшие средства сначала), and these lie undoubtedly in an advertisement (они лежат, несомненно, в /подаче/ объявления) in all the evening papers (во все вечерние газеты). If this fail (если это не сработает), I shall have recourse (придется обратиться за помощью) to other methods."
thoughtfully [*O*:tf*l*], sequence [*si:kw*ns], rifled [ra*fld], undoubtedly [*n*daut*dl*]
"Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods."
"What will you say (что вы скажете = напишете)*"
"Give me a pencil (дайте мне карандаш) and that slip of paper (листок бумаги). Now, then: 'Found (найден) at the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Henry Baker can have the same (может иметь такие же = получить их) by applying (обратившись) at 6:30 this evening at 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise (ясно и коротко/сжато)."
"Very (весьма). But will he see it*"
pencil [pensl], apply [**pla*], concise [k*n*sa*s]
"What will you say*"
"Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise."
"Very. But will he see it*"
"Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers (он наверняка следит за газетами), since, to a poor man (так как для бедного человека), the loss was a heavy one (потеря была тяжелой). He was clearly so scared (напуган) by his mischance in breaking the window (невезением в разбивании витрины = неосторожно разбив витрину) and by the approach of Peterson (приближением Петерсона) that he thought of nothing but flight (не думал ни о чем, кроме бегства), but since then (с тех пор) he must have bitterly regretted the impulse (он, должно быть, горько сожалел об импульсе) which caused him to drop his bird (который заставил его бросить птицу). Then, again, the introduction of his name (вставка его имени) will cause him to see it (заставит его увидеть его /имя/; to cause — послужить причиной), for everyone who knows him (так как каждый, кто знает его) will direct his attention to it (привлечет его внимание). Here you are (вот вам), Peterson, run down to the advertising agency (бегите в бюро объявлений) and have this put in the evening papers (и поместите эти строки в вечерних газетах)."
"In which (в каких), sir*"
scared [ske*d], mischance [m*s*t**:ns], impulse [**mp*ls], cause [k*:z]
"Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and have this put in the evening papers."
"In which, sir*"
"Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's Gazette, Evening, News Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you (в любых, какие придут вам в голову; to occur — происходить, случаться; прийти на ум)."
"Very well, sir. And this stone*"
"Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone (оставлю /у себя/ камень). Thank you. And, I say, Peterson, just buy (просто купите) a goose on your way back (на обратном пути) and leave (оставьте) it here with me, for we must have one to give (мы должны иметь одного = нам нужен гусь, чтобы отдать) to this gentleman in place of the one (вместо того) which your family is now devouring (которого ваша семья сейчас поглощает = уплетает)."
"Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's Gazette, Evening News, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you."
"Very well, sir. And this stone*"
"Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place of the one which your family is now devouring."
When the commissionaire had gone (когда посыльный ушел), Holmes took up the stone and held it against the light (и держал = поднял камень /чтобы рассмотреть/ против света). "It's a bonny thing (хорошенькая вещица)," said he. "Just see how it glints and sparkles (как он сверкает и блестит). Of course it is a nucleus and focus of crime (центр и очаг преступления = притягивает к себе злодеев). Every good stone is (каждый хороший камень таков). They are the devil's pet baits (любимые приманки дьявола). In the larger and older jewels (в более крупных и старых драгоценных камнях) every facet may stand for a bloody deed (каждая грань может означать кровавое дело/символизировать одно злодеяние). This stone is not yet twenty years old (этому камню еще нет двадцати лет). It was found in the banks of the Amoy River (был найден на берегах реки Амой) in Southern China (в Южном Китае) and is remarkable in having every characteristic of the carbuncle (и примечателен тем, что имеет все характеристики карбункула), save (кроме того) that it is blue in shade (голубой в оттенке = голубого цвета) instead of ruby red (вместо рубиново-красного). In spite of its youth (несмотря на свою молодость), it has already a sinister history (имеет зловещую историю). There have been two murders (два убийства), a vitriol-throwing (обливание = кого-то облили серной кислотой), a suicide (самоубийство), and several robberies (несколько ограблений) brought about (осуществлены) for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallized charcoal (ради этого весом в сорок гран кристаллического угля). Who would think (кто бы подумал) that so pretty a toy (такая милая игрушка = безделушка) would be a purveyor to the gallows and the prison (будет поставщиком для виселиц и тюрьмы = ведет людей к виселицам и тюрьмам)* I'll lock it up in my strong box now (запру в сейфе: «сильной коробке» сейчас) and drop a line to the Countess (и черкну несколько строк: «брошу строку» графине) to say that we have it."
nucleus [*nju:kl**s], facet [*f*s*t], murder [*m*:d*], suicide [*s(j)u:isa*d], purveyor [p*:ve**]
When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found in the banks of the Amoy River in Southern China and is remarkable in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallized charcoal. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the gallows and the prison* I'll lock it up in my strong box now and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it."
"Do you think that this man Horner is innocent (думаете, Хорнер невиновен)*"
"I cannot tell (не могу сказать)."
"Well, then, do you imagine that this other one (другой), Henry Baker, had anything to do with the matter (имеет какое-либо отношение к этому делу = замешан в это дело)*"
"It is, I think, much more likely (более вероятно) that Henry Baker is an absolutely innocent man (совершенно невиновный человек), who had no idea that the bird which he was carrying (не знавший, что птица, которую он нес) was of considerably more value (значительно большей цены) than if it were made of solid gold (чем если бы была сделана из чистого золота). That, however, I shall determine (установлю) by a very simple test if we have an answer to our advertisement (если у нас будет ответ = если он откликнется на наше объявление)."
"And you can do nothing until then (вы ничего не можете предпринять до того)*"
"Nothing."
value [*v*lju:], determine [d**t*:m*n], answer [**:ns*]
"Do you think that this man Horner is innocent*"
"I cannot tell."
"Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had anything to do with the matter*"
"It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple test if we have an answer to our advertisement."
"And you can do nothing until then*"
"Nothing."
"In that case (в таком случае) I shall continue my professional round (продолжу мой профессиональный обход = поеду к пациентам). But I shall come back (вернусь) in the evening at the hour you have mentioned (в час, /который/ вы упомянули), for I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business (хотел бы увидеть окончание столь запутанного дела)."
"Very glad to see you (/буду/ очень рад вас видеть). I dine at seven (я обедаю в семь). There is a woodcock (вальдшнеп /к обеду/), I believe (я полагаю). By the way (кстати), in view of recent occurrences (в виду недавних происшествий), perhaps I ought to ask (мне следует попросить) Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop (исследовать зоб /вальдшнепа/)."
recent [*ri:s*nt], occurrence [**k*r*ns], ought [*:t]
"In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business."
"Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop."
I had been delayed at a case (задержался из-за одного дела), and it was a little after half-past six (немного после половины седьмого) when I found myself in Baker Street once more (снова). As I approached (когда я приблизился) the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet (увидел высокого человека в шотландской шапочке) with a coat (в пальто) which was buttoned up to his chin (которое было застегнуто до подбородка) waiting outside in the bright semicircle (ждущего снаружи в ярком полукруге) which was thrown from the fanlight (который был брошен = падал от окна над дверью). Just as I arrived (подошел: «прибыл») the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Holmes's room (нас обоих: «вместе» провели наверх в комнату Холмса).
delayed [d**le*d], semicircle [*sem*s*:kl], together [t***e**]
I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as l arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Holmes's room.
"Mr. Henry Baker, I believe (полагаю)," said he, rising from his armchair (поднимаясь с кресла) and greeting (приветствуя) his visitor with the easy air of geniality (с непринужденным видом добродушия) which he could so readily assume (который так быстро/легко принять; to assume — принимать, брать на себя). "Pray take this chair by the fire (прошу вас, садитесь: «берите этот стул» у огня), Mr. Baker. It is a cold night (холодный вечер), and I observe that your circulation is more adapted for summer than for winter (а я вижу: «наблюдаю», что ваше кровообращение более приспособлено для лета, чем для зимы). Ah, Watson, you have just come at the right time (вы только что пришли в правильное время). Is that your hat, Mr. Baker*"
"Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat (несомненно; doubt — сомнение; to doubt — сомневаться)."
"Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker*"
"Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat."
He was a large man (это был крупный мужчина) with rounded shoulders (с округленными плечами = сутулый), a massive head (массивной головой), and a broad, intelligent face (с широким, умным лицом), sloping down to a pointed beard of grizzled brown (переходящим: «спускающимся» в остроконечную бородку каштанового с сединой /цвета/). A touch of red in nose and cheeks (оттенок красного = красные пятна на носу и щеках), with a slight tremor of his extended hand (с легким дрожанием его протянутой руки), recalled Holmes's surmise as to his habits (напомнили о догадке/предположении Холмса относительно его привычек). His rusty black frock-coat (его порыжевший черный сюртук) was buttoned right up in front (был застегнут /прямо/ впереди /на все пуговицы/), with the collar turned up (с воротником, поднятым вверх), and his lank wrists protruded from his sleeves (и с худощавыми запястьями, торчащими из рукавов) without a sign of cuff or shirt (без /малейшего/ вида манжеты или сорочки). He spoke in a slow staccato fashion (говорил он в медленной отрывистой манере), choosing his words with care (выбирая слова с осторожностью), and gave the impression (производил впечатление) generally of a man of learning and letters (в целом человека интеллигентного: «учености и письма») who had had ill-usage at the hands of fortune (который был сильно помят жизнью: «имел дурное обращение от руки судьбы»).
beard [b**d], rusty [*r*st*], fashion [f**n], ill-usage [**l*ju:z**], fortune [*f*:t**n]
He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes's surmise as to his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had ill-usage at the hands of fortune.
"We have retained (задержали /сохранили/) these things for some days (на несколько дней)," said Holmes, "because we expected (ожидали) to see an advertisement from you giving your address (дающее ваш адрес). I am at a loss to know (я в недоумении узнать = не понимаю) now why you did not advertise (почему вы не дали объявление)."
Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh (издал довольно застенчивый/стыдливый смех; shame — стыд). "Shillings have not been so plentiful with me (шиллинги не были столь обильными со мной = у меня было не так много денег) as they once were (как когда-то)," he remarked. "I had no doubt that the gang of roughs (банда хулиганов) who assaulted me (которая напала на меня) had carried off both my hat and the bird (унесла и мою шляпу, и птицу; both… and — как… так и). I did not care to spend more money (не хотел тратить больше денег) in a hopeless attempt at recovering them (в безнадежной попытке возвращения их; to recover — вновь обретать)."
shamefaced [*e*m*fe*st], assaulted [**s*:lt*d], hopeless [*h*upl*s]
"We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise."
Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a hopeless attempt at recovering them."
"Very naturally (очень = вполне естественно). By the way, about the bird (/говоря/ о птице), we were compelled to eat it (мы были вынуждены съесть ее; to compel — заставлять, вынуждать)."
"To eat it!" Our visitor half rose (полувстал = приподнялся; to rise) from his chair in his excitement (со своего стула в волнении).
"Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone (она была бы бесполезной любому) had we not done so (не сделай мы так). But I presume (предполагаю) that this other goose upon the sideboard (что этот другой гусь на буфете), which is about the same weight (который примерно того же веса) and perfectly fresh (и совершенно свежий), will answer your purpose equally well (ответит вашему требованию = подойдет с таким же успехом)*"
presume [pr**zju:m], weight [we*t], purpose [*p*:p*s]
"Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to eat it."
"To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his excitement.
"Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your purpose equally well*"
"Oh, certainly, certainly (конечно, конечно)," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of relief (со вздохом облегчения).
"Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop (все еще имеем перья, лапы, зоб), and so on (и так далее) of your own bird, so if you wish (если желаете) — "
The man burst into a hearty laugh (от души расхохотался). "They might be useful (могли быть полезными) to me as relics of my adventure (как реликвии моего приключения)," said he, "but beyond that (кроме этого) I can hardly see what use the disjecta membra (не вижу, чем бренные останки: «разрозненные члены» /лат./) of my late acquaintance (моего покойного знакомого) are going to be to me (собираются = могут быть для меня). No, sir, I think that, with your permission (с вашего позволения), I will confine my attentions (сосредоточу мое внимание; to confine — ограничивать) to the excellent bird (на превосходной птице) which I perceive upon the sideboard (которую я вижу на буфете; to perceive — усматривать, подмечать)."
hearty [*h*:t*], useful [*ju:sful], acquaintance [**kwe*nt*ns], perceive [p**si:v]
"Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of relief.
"Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of your own bird, so if you wish — "
The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive upon the sideboard."
Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply (взглянул резко = быстро) across at me with a slight shrug of his shoulders (с легким пожиманием плечами).
"There is your hat, then (вот ваша шляпа тогда), and there your bird," said he. "By the way (кстати), would it bore you to tell me (утомило ли бы это вас сказать мне = не скажите ли мне) where you got the other one from (откуда вы взяли другую /птицу/)* I am somewhat of a fowl fancier (я отчасти знаток/любитель домашней птицы = кое-что смыслю в этом деле; to fancy — воображать; питать склонность), and I have seldom seen a better grown goose (редко видел более выращенного = откормленного гуся)."
fowl [faul], fancier [*f*ns**]
Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug of his shoulders.
"There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one from* I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a better grown goose."
"Certainly (непременно), sir," said Baker, who had risen (поднялся) and tucked his newly gained property under his arm (сунул свою вновь обретенную собственность под руку = под мышку). "There are a few of us (там есть несколько из нас = наша небольшая компания) who frequent the Alpha Inn (которая /посещает/ трактир «Альфа»), near the Museum (рядом с музеем) — we are to be found (нас можно найти) in the Museum itself (в самом музее) during the day (в течение дня), you understand (понимаете). This year our good host (в этом году наш хороший хозяин), Windigate by name (по имени Уиндигейт), instituted a goose club (учредил гусиный клуб), by which (с помощью которого), on consideration (при выплате) of some few pence every week (нескольких пенсов каждую неделю), we were each to receive (мы были /должны/ каждый получить) a bird at Christmas (птицу к Рождеству). My pence were duly paid (мои взносы были своевременно/надлежащим образом уплачены; due — должное; то, что причитается), and the rest is familiar to you (остальное знакомо = известно вам). I am much indebted to you (весьма обязан вам; debt — долг), sir, for a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity (так как шотландская шапочка не подходит ни для моих годов, ни для моей степенности = солидному человеку моего возраста неудобно носить шотландскую шапочку)." With a comical pomposity of manner (с комичной напыщенностью /стиля/) he bowed solemnly (поклонился торжественно) to both of us (нам обоим) and strode off upon his way (зашагал прочь своей дорогой; to stride — шагать /большими шагами/).
frequent [*fri:kw*nt], indebted [*n*det*d], pomposity [p*m*p*s*t*], solemnly [*s*l*ml*]
"Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum — we are to be found in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and strode off upon his way.
"So much for Mr. Henry Baker (довольно о мистере Генри Бейкере)," said Holmes when he had closed the door behind him (позади него). "It is quite certain (вполне определенно) that he knows nothing whatever about the matter (что он совсем ничего не знает об этом деле). Are you hungry (вы голодны), Watson*"
"Not particularly (не особенно)."
"Then I suggest (предлагаю) that we turn our dinner into a supper (превратим наш обед в ужин) and follow up this clew while it is still hot (последуем по этой нити, пока она все еще горячая = отправимся по горячим следам; clew — клубок /ниток/)."
"By all means (непременно: «всеми средствами»)."
"So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson*"
"Not particularly."
"Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow up this clew while it is still hot."
"By all means."
It was a bitter night (стоял морозный вечер; bitter — горький; сильный, резкий), so we drew on our ulsters (надели пальто; to draw on) and wrapped cravats about our throats (обмотали шарфы вокруг горла). Outside (снаружи), the stars were shining coldly (звезды сияли холодно) in a cloudless sky (в безоблачном небе), and the breath of the passers-by (/пар от/ дыхания прохожих) blew out into smoke (выдувался в дым; to blow out) like so many pistol shots (как от множества пистолетных выстрелов). Our footfalls rang out crisply and loudly (звуки наших шагов звенели = раздавались твердо и громко) as we swung through the doctors' quarter (когда мы мерно шли через докторский квартал; to swing — качаться, колебаться; идти мерным шагом), Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour (через четверть часа) we were in Bloomsbury at the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house (мы были у питейного заведения) at the corner of one of the streets (на углу одной из улиц) which runs down into (которая спускается к: «бежит вниз») Holborn. Holmes pushed open the door (толкнул дверь) of the private bar (частного бара /дополнительный бар в некоторых пабах/) and ordered two glasses of beer (заказал два стакана пива) from the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord (у краснолицего, в белом переднике, хозяина).
cravats [kr**v*ts], cloudless [*klaudl*s], breath [breO], private [*pra*v*t]
"Your beer should be excellent (пиво должно быть превосходным) if it is as good as your geese (если оно так же хорошо, как ваши гуси)," said he.
It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord.
"Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," said he.
"My geese!" The man seemed surprised (выглядел удивленным).
"Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago (говорил лишь полчаса назад) to Mr. Henry Baker, who was a member of your goose club (который был членом вашего гусиного клуба)."
"Ah! yes, I see (понимаю). But you see, sir, them's not our geese (они не наши гуси; them's = them is — неправильная форма от they are)."
"Indeed! Whose, then (чьи тогда)*"
"Well, I got the two dozen (получил две дюжины) from a salesman (от одного торговца) in Covent Garden."
"My geese!" The man seemed surprised.
"Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, who was a member of your goose club."
"Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese."
"Indeed! Whose, then*"
"Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden."
"Indeed (правда)* I know some of them (знаю кое-что о них /торговцах/). Which was it (какой из них был это = у кого вы купили)*"
"Breckinridge is his name."
"Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health (вот ваше хорошее здоровье = ну, за ваше здоровье) landlord, and prosperity to your house (и за процветание вашего дома = заведения). Good-night (доброй ночи)."
health [helO], prosperity [pr**sper*t*], night [na*t]
"Indeed* I know some of them. Which was it*"
"Breckinridge is his name."
"Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, and prosperity to your house. Good-night."
"Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued (продолжил он), buttoning up his coat (застегивая пальто) as we came out into the frosty air (когда мы вышли на морозный воздух). "Remember (запомните), Watson that though (хотя) we have so homely a thing as a goose (имеем такую простую/обыденную вещь, как гусь) at one end of this chain (на одном конце нашей цепи), we have at the other (на другом) a man who will certainly get seven years' penal servitude (который, несомненно, получит семилетние каторжные работы) unless we can establish his innocence (если мы не сможем установить его невиновность). It is possible (возможно) that our inquiry (наше исследование) may but confirm his guilt (может лишь подтвердить его вину); but, in any case (в любом случае), we have a line of investigation (линию = нить расследования) which has been missed by the police (которая была пропущена полицией), and which a singular chance has placed in our hands (и которую странный случай поместил в наши руки). Let us follow it out to the bitter end (давайте осуществим его до горького конца = доведем до самого конца, каким бы печальным он ни был). Faces to the south (лица на юг = поворот на юг), then, and quick march (быстрый марш = шагом марш)!"
servitude [*s*:v*tju:d], guilt [**lt], south [sauO], march [m*:t*]
"Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and quick march!"
We passed across (пересекли) Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a zigzag of slums (и так через зигзаг трущоб) to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest stalls (одна из самых больших лавок) bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor (владелец), a horsy-looking man (похожий на жокея человек; horsy — относящийся к лошадям; подражающий жокею), with a sharp face (с хитрым лицом) and trim side-whiskers (и холеными бакенбардами; trim — подрезка, стрижка) was helping a boy to put up the shutters (помогал мальчику запереть ставни).
stalls [st*:lz], proprietor [pr**pra**t*], horsy [*h*:s*], whiskers [*w*sk*z]
"Good-evening (добрый вечер). It's a cold night," said Holmes.
The salesman nodded (кивнул) and shot a questioning glance at my companion (бросил вопросительный взгляд на моего товарища).
We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor, a horsy-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was helping a boy to put up the shutters.
"Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes.
The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my companion.
"Sold out of geese (распродажа гусей), I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the bare slabs of marble (указывая на пустые: «голые» плиты = прилавки из мрамора).
"Let you have five hundred tomorrow morning (позвольте вам иметь = можете получить /хоть/ пять сотен завтра утром)."
"That's no good (не годится)."
"Well, there are some on the stall with the gas flare (несколько /осталось/ в лавке со свечой для сжигания газа = там, где горит свет)."
"Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the bare slabs of marble.
"Let you have five hundred tomorrow morning."
"That's no good."
"Well, there are some on the stall with the gas flare."
"Ah, but I was recommended to you (я был рекомендован = направлен к вам)."
"Who by (кем)*"
"The landlord of the Alpha (хозяином «Альфы»)."
"Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen (я послал ему пару дюжин; to send — отправлять, посылать)."
"Fine (прекрасные) birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from (откуда вы их достали)*"
To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the salesman (вопрос вызвал: «спровоцировал» взрыв гнева у продавца).
"Ah, but I was recommended to you."
"Who by*"
"The landlord of the Alpha."
"Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen."
"Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from*"
To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the salesman.
"Now, then, mister (а ну-ка, мистер)," said he, with his head cocked (задрав голову) and his arms akimbo (упершись руками в бока), "what are you driving at (к чему вы клоните)* Let's have it straight (говорите прямо: «давайте иметь это прямо»), now."
"It is straight enough (достаточно прямо). I should like to know (хотел бы знать) who sold (продал; to sell) you the geese which you supplied (поставили; to supply — снабжать, доставлять) to the Alpha."
"Well, then, I shan't tell you (ну так вот, я вам не скажу). So now (вот так)!"
"Oh, it is a matter of no importance (дело никакой важности = ну и не надо); but I don't know why you should be so warm over such a trifle (почему вам следует быть таким рассерженным: «теплым» = чего вы кипятитесь из-за пустяка)."
importance [*m*p*:t*ns], warm [w*:m], trifle [tra*fl]
"Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms akimbo, "what are you driving at* Let's have it straight, now."
"It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the geese which you supplied to the Alpha."
"Well, then, I shan't tell you. So now!"
"Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you should be so warm over such a trifle."
"Warm (теплый = кипячусь)! You'd be as warm (так же кипятились бы), maybe (возможно), if you were as pestered as I am (если бы вас так донимали, как меня). When I pay good money for a good article (за хороший товар) there should be an end of the business (должен быть конец сделки); but it's 'Where are the geese*' and 'Who did you sell the geese to (кому вы продали гусей)*' and 'What will you take for the geese (что вы возьмете за гусей = сколько стоят гуси)*' One would think (можно подумать) they were the only geese in the world (что на них свет клином сошелся: «что они были единственными гусями в мире»), to hear the fuss that is made over them (если послушать суету, которая сделана вокруг них = какой из-за них подняли шум)."
pestered [*pest*d], world [w*:ld], fuss [f*s]
"Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese*' and 'Who did you sell the geese to*' and 'What will you take for the geese*' One would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the fuss that is made over them."
"Well, I have no connection (не имею связи = никакого отношения) with any other people who have been making inquiries (которые наводили справки)," said Holmes carelessly (небрежно). "If you won't tell us (если не скажете нам; won't = will not) the bet is off (спор окончен; bet — пари), that is all (это все). But I'm always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls (всегда готов подтвердить: «подкрепить» мое мнение по вопросу о домашней птице), and I have a fiver on it (имею пятерку фунтов на этом = держал пари на пять фунтов) that the bird I ate is country bred (что птица, которую я съел, выкормлена в деревне; to breed — разводить, выкармливать)."
opinion [**p*nj*n], fiver [*fa*v*], country [*k*ntr*]
"Well, then, you've lost your fiver (потеряли), for it's town bred (выкормлена в городе)," snapped the salesman (выпалил торговец).
"It's nothing of the kind (ничего подобного)."
"Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred."
"Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the salesman.
"It's nothing of the kind."
"I say it is (/а/ я говорю, это так)."
"I don't believe it (не верю этому)."
"D'you think you know more about fowls than I (вы думаете, /что/ знаете больше о домашней птице, чем я; d'you = do you), who have handled them (держал их в руках) ever since I was a nipper (с тех пор, как я был мальчишкой)* I tell you, all those birds that went to the Alpha were town bred."
"You'll never persuade me to believe that (никогда не убедите меня поверить в это)."
"I say it is."
"I don't believe it."
"D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled them ever since I was a nipper* I tell you, all those birds that went to the Alpha were town bred."
"You'll never persuade me to believe that."
"Will you bet, then (вы поспорите тогда = хотите пари)*"
"It's merely taking your money (это просто /значило бы/ взятие ваших денег), for I know that I am right (ибо я знаю, что я прав). But I'll have a sovereign on with you (согласен поставить соверен), just to teach you not to be obstinate (просто чтобы научить вас не быть упрямым)."
merely [*m**l*], sovereign [*s*vr*n], obstinate [**bst*n*t]
The salesman chuckled grimly (торговец хмыкнул мрачно). "Bring me the books (принеси мне книги), Bill," said he.
"Will you bet, then*"
"It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be obstinate."
The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said he.
The small boy brought round (мальчик принес) a small thin volume (маленький тонкий том) and a great greasy-backed one (большую, с засаленным переплетом книгу), laying them out together beneath the hanging lamp (выложив их рядом под висячую лампу).
"Now then, Mr. Cocksure (ну, мистер Самоуверенный)," said the salesman, "I thought that I was out of geese (считал, что распродал /всех/ гусей), but before I finish (прежде чем закончу) you'll find that there is still one left in my shop (вы обнаружите, что еще один остался в моей лавке; goose — гусь; дурак, болван). You see this little book*"
volume [*v*lju:m], greasy [**ri:z*], beneath [b**ni:O], cocksure [k*k**u*]
"Well (ну и)*"
The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging lamp.
"Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is still one left in my shop. You see this little book*"
"Well*"
"That's the list of the folk (список людей) from whom I buy (у кого я покупаю). D'you see* Well, then, here on this page (на этой странице) are the country folk (сельские жители = деревенские поставщики), and the numbers after their names (цифры после их имен) are where their accounts are in the big ledger (/обозначают/ где их счета /ведутся/ в большом журнале). Now, then! You see this other page in red ink (видите страницу, исписанную красными чернилами: «в красных чернилах»)* Well, that is a list of my town suppliers (это список моих городских поставщиков). Now, look at that third name (на третье имя). Just read it out to me (просто прочитайте вслух мне)."
folk [f*uk], ledger [*le**], page [pe**]
"That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see* Well, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink* Well, that is a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just read it out to me."
"Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road-249," read Holmes.
"Quite so (именно так). Now turn that up in the ledger (посмотрите в журнале; to turn up — загибать вверх)."
Holmes turned to the page indicated (открыл указанную страницу; to turn — обращаться). "Here you are, 'Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier (поставщик яиц и домашней птицы)."
"Now, then, what's the last entry (какая последняя запись)*"
"Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road-249," read Holmes.
"Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger."
Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier."
"Now, then, what's the last entry*"
"'December 2 — Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d (двадцать четыре гуся по семь шиллингов шесть пенсов).'"
"Quite so. There you are (вот вам = получите). And underneath (а внизу)*"
"'Sold (продано) to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s (по двенадцать шиллингов).'"
"What have you to say now (что вы имеете сказать теперь = ну и что вы теперь скажете)*"
Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined (выглядел глубоко огорченным = казалось, был глубоко огорчен). He drew a sovereign from his pocket (вынул соверен из своего кармана) and threw it down upon the slab (швырнул на прилавок), turning away with the air of a man (отворачиваясь с видом человека) whose disgust is too deep for words (чье отвращение слишком глубоко для слов). A few yards off (через несколько ярдов) he stopped under a lamp-post (остановился под столбом фонаря) and laughed (рассмеялся) in the hearty, noiseless fashion (в веселой и беззвучной манере; noise — шум) which was peculiar to him (которая была характерна для него).
chagrined [****r*nd], hearty [*h*:t*], noiseless [*n**zl*s]
"'December 2 — Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'"
"Quite so. There you are. And underneath*"
"'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'"
"What have you to say now*"
Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless fashion which was peculiar to him.
"When you see a man with whiskers of that cut (когда видите мужчину с такими: «такого фасона» бакенбардами) and the 'Pink 'un' protruding out of his pocket (и розовым платком, торчащим из его кармана), you can always draw him by a bet (можете всегда узнать у него все что угодно с помощью пари; to draw — вытащить, почерпнуть)," said he. "I dare say (осмелюсь сказать) that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of him (если бы я положил сто фунтов перед ним), that man would not have given me such complete information (не дал бы мне такой полной информации) as was drawn from him (какая была вытянута из него) by the idea that he was doing me on a wager (идеей, что он обыграет меня, побившись со мной об заклад; wager — пари, ставка). Well, Watson, we are, I fancy (воображаю), nearing the end of our quest (приближаясь к концу наших поисков), and the only point which remains to be determined (единственный вопрос: «момент», который остается быть решенным = который нужно решить) is whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott tonight (следует ли нам отправиться к этой миссис Окшот сегодня вечером), or whether we should reserve it for tomorrow (или отложить это на завтра). It is clear (ясно) from what that surly fellow said (из /того/, что тот грубый парень сказал) that there are others besides ourselves (что есть другие, кроме нас самих) who are anxious about the matter (озабоченные этим делом), and I should — "
complete [k*m*pli:t], wager [*we***], surly [*s*:l*], anxious [***k**s]
"When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," said he. "I dare say that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of him, that man would not have given me such complete information as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott tonight, or whether we should reserve it for tomorrow. It is clear from what that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves who are anxious about the matter, and I should — "
His remarks (замечания) were suddenly cut short (внезапно оборваны: «срезаны коротко») by a loud hubbub (громким шумом) which broke out (разразился) from the stall which we had just left (за прилавком, который мы только что оставили). Turning round (обернувшись) we saw a little rat-faced fellow (увидели хитролицего: «крысолицего» парня) standing in the centre of the circle of yellow light (стоявшего в центре круга желтого света) which was thrown (отбрасываемого = который шел от) by the swinging lamp (от качающейся лампы), while Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall (стоя в дверях), was shaking his fists fiercely (тряс кулаки яростно = потрясал кулаками) at the cringing figure (перед съеживающейся фигурой).
framed [*fre*md], fiercely [*f**sl*], cringing [*kr*n***]
His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure.
"I've had enough (имел довольно = хватит с меня) of you and your geese," he shouted (крикнул). "I wish you were all at the devil together (желаю, чтобы вы были все у дьявола вместе = провалитесь вы все к черту). If you come pestering me any more (если снова будете надоедать мне) with your silly talk (со своим глупым разговором) I'll set the dog at you (спущу на вас собаку). You bring (приведите) Mrs. Oakshott here and I'll answer her (отвечу ей), but what have you to do with it (что имеете вы сделать с этим = вы тут при чем)* Did I buy the geese off you (разве я у вас купил гусей)*"
enough [**n*f], answer [**:ns*]
"No; but one of them was mine all the same (но один из них был моим все равно)," whined the little man (хныкал человек).
"Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it (спросите об этом миссис Окшот)."
"I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with it* Did I buy the geese off you*"
"No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little man.
"Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it."
"She told me to ask you."
"Well, you can ask the King of Proosia (можете спросить /хоть/ короля Пруссии), for all I care (мне все равно). I've had enough of it (с меня хватит). Get out of this (убирайтесь отсюда)!" He rushed fiercely forward (он бросился яростно вперед), and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness (и спрашивающий исчез в темноте; to flit — юркнуть).
"Ha! this may save us a visit (это может сэкономить нам посещение = избавить от необходимости поездки) to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes (прошептал). "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fellow (что может быть сделано из этого парня = не пригодится ли нам этот субъект)." Striding through the scattered knots of people (мимо разрозненных кучек людей) who lounged round the flaring stalls (которые лениво бродили вокруг освещенных ларьков; flaring — ослепительный, горящий), my companion speedily overtook (поспешно догнал) the little man and touched him upon the shoulder (тронул его за плечо). He sprang round (порывисто обернулся; to spring — прыгать), and I could see in the gaslight (я увидел в газовом свете) that every vestige of color (всякий признак цвета) had been driven from his face (исчез: «был согнан» с его лица).
whispered [*w*sp*d], lounged [laun*d], flaring [*fle*r**], touched [t*t*t], vestige [*vest**]
"She told me to ask you."
"Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness.
"Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang round, and I could see in the gaslight that every vestige of color had been driven from his face.
"Who are you (кто вы), then* What do you want (чего хотите)*" he asked in a quavering voice (спросил он дрожащим голосом).
"You will excuse me (/вы/ извините меня)," said Holmes blandly (вежливо/мягко), "but I could not help overhearing (не мог не услышать случайно) the questions which you put (ставили = задавали) to the salesman just now. I think that I could be of assistance to you (могу быть вам полезен; assistance — помощь)."
"You* Who are you* How could you know anything of the matter (как вы могли знать = как вы узнали что-то об этом)*"
"My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people don't know (моя профессия — знать /то/ чего другие люди не знают)."
"But you can know nothing of this (но вы ничего не можете знать об этом)*"
"Who are you, then* What do you want*" he asked in a quavering voice.
"You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. I think that I could be of assistance to you."
"You* Who are you* How could you know anything of the matter*"
"My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people don't know."
"But you can know nothing of this*"
"Excuse me, I know everything of it (я знаю все об этом). You are endeavoring to trace (пытаетесь отследить) some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn (а им, в свою очередь) to Mr. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Henry Baker is a member (членом которого является Генри Бейкер)."
"Oh, sir, you are the very man (тот самый человек) whom I have longed to meet (кого я страстно желал встретить)," cried the little fellow with outstretched hands (с распростертыми руками) and quivering fingers (и дрожащими пальцами). "I can hardly explain (едва могу объяснить) to you how interested I am in this matter (насколько я заинтересован в этом деле)."
outstretched [*autstr*t*t], quivering [*kw*v*r**]
"Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavoring to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Henry Baker is a member."
"Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter."
Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler (остановил извозчичью карету; wheel — колесо) which was passing (проезжала /мимо/). "In that case we had better discuss it (нам лучше /бы/ обсудить это) in a cosy room (в уютной комнате) rather than in this wind-swept market-place (чем на этой незащищенной от ветра рыночной площади; to sweep — мести)," said he. "But pray tell me (но, пожалуйста: «прошу», скажите мне), before we go farther (прежде чем мы пойдем дальше), who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting (/кто это/, кому я имею удовольствие помогать)."
cosy [*k*uz*], wind [w*nd], farther [*f*:**], pleasure [*ple**]
The man hesitated for an instant (заколебался на мгновение). "My name is John Robinson," he answered with a sidelong glance (с косым взглядом = бросив косой взгляд).
Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting."
The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he answered with a sidelong glance.
"No, no; the real name (настоящее имя)," said Holmes sweetly (мягко). "It is always awkward doing business with an alias (неудобно вести дела с псевдонимами)."
A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger (румянец вспыхнул на бледных: «белых» щеках незнакомца; to spring — броситься, приливать). "Well then (итак)," said he, "my real name is James Ryder."
"Precisely so (вот именно). Head attendant (главный слуга) at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray step into the cab (пожалуйста, садитесь в кеб), and I shall soon be able to tell (смогу рассказать) you everything which you would wish to know (что вы пожелали бы знать)."
"No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always awkward doing business with an alias."
A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," said he, "my real name is James Ryder."
"Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you everything which you would wish to know."
The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us (стоял, поглядывая = переводя глаза с одного на другого из нас) with half-frightened (/с/ полунапуганным), half-hopeful eyes (полунадеющимся взором: «глазами»), as one (как человек: «один») who is not sure (не уверен) whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe (на грани ли он неожиданного счастья или катастрофы, беды; windfall — падалица; плод, сбитый ветром; неожиданная удача, неожиданный доход). Then he stepped into the cab (сел: «шагнул» в кеб), and in half an hour (через полчаса) we were back in the sitting-room at Baker Street (вернулись в гостиную). Nothing had been said (ничего не было сказано) during our drive (во время нашей поездки), but the high, thin breathing (но шумное, сбивчивое дыхание) of our new companion, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands (сжимания и разжимания его рук), spoke of the nervous tension within him (говорили о нервном напряжении внутри него).
frightened [*fra*tnd], verge [v*:*], breathing [*bri:***], nervous [*n*:v*s]
The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous tension within him.
"Here we are (вот мы и дома)!" said Holmes cheerily (весело) as we filed into the room (вошли шеренгой в комнату). "The fire looks very seasonable (огонь /в камине/ выглядит очень по сезону) in this weather (в эту погоду). You look cold (выглядите озябшим), Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair (садитесь в плетеное кресло; basket — корзина). I will just put on my slippers (я только надену мои комнатные туфли) before we settle (прежде чем мы уладим) this little matter of yours. Now, then! You want to know what became of those geese (что стало с этими гусями)*"
cheerily [*t***l*], seasonable [*si:z*n*bl], weather [*we**]
"Yes, sir."
"Or rather (вернее), I fancy, of that goose (с тем гусем). It was one bird, I imagine (мне кажется), in which you were interested — white, with a black bar across the tail (белый, с черной полоской на хвосте)."
"Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! You want to know what became of those geese*"
"Yes, sir."
"Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine, in which you were interested — white, with a black bar across the tail."
Ryder quivered with emotion (задрожал от волнения: «с чувством»). "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell me where it went to (куда он был продан)*"
"It came here (он попал сюда)."
"Here*"
"Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved (и совершенно необыкновенной птицей он оказался; to prove — доказывать; демонстрировать). I don't wonder (не удивляюсь) that you should take an interest in it (что вы проявляте интерес к нему). It laid an egg (снес яйцо) after it was dead (после /того, как/ он был мертв = после смерти) — the bonniest, brightest little blue egg (самое красивое, ярчайшее маленькое голубое яйцо) that ever was seen (которое когда-либо было видено). I have it here in my museum (музее)."
wonder [*w*nd*], bright [*bra*t], museum [mju*z**m]
Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell me where it went to*"
"It came here."
"Here*"
"Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was dead — the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. I have it here in my museum."