Английский язык с Шерлоком Холмсом. Первый сборник рассказов

SHERLOCK HOLMES STORIES-1

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA (СКАНДАЛ В БОГЕМИИ)

THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE (СОЮЗ РЫЖИХ)

THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP (ЧЕЛОВЕК С РАССЕЧЕННОЙ ГУБОЙ)

THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE (ПРИКЛЮЧЕНИЕ ГОЛУБОГО КАРБУНКУЛА)

THE SPECKLED BAND (ПЕСТРАЯ ЛЕНТА)

Метод чтения Ильи Франка

Каждый текст разбит на небольшие отрывки. Сначала идет адаптированный отрывок — текст с вкрапленным в него дословным русским переводом и небольшим лексическим комментарием. Затем следует тот же текст, но уже неадаптированный, без подсказок.

Те, кто только начал осваивать какой-либо язык, сначала может читать текст с подсказками, затем — тот же текст без подсказок. Если при этом он забыл значение какого-либо слова, но в целом все понятно, то необязательно искать это слово в отрывке с подсказками. Оно еще встретится — и не раз. Смысл неадаптированного текста как раз в том, что какое-то время — пусть короткое — читающий на чужом языке «плывет без доски». После того, как он прочитает неадаптированный текст, нужно читать следующий адаптированный. И так далее. Возвращаться назад — с целью повторения — не нужно. Следует просто продолжать читать дальше.

Конечно, сначала на вас хлынет поток неизвестных слов и форм. Этого не нужно бояться: никто никого по ним не экзаменует. По мере чтения (пусть это произойдет хоть в середине или даже в конце книги) все «утрясется», и вы будете, пожалуй, удивляться: «Ну зачем опять дается перевод, зачем опять приводится исходная форма слова, все ведь и так понятно!» Когда наступает такой момент, «когда и так понятно», стоит уже читать наоборот: сначала неадаптированную часть, а потом заглядывать в адаптированную. (Этот же способ чтения можно рекомендовать и тем, кто осваивает язык не с нуля.)

Язык по своей природе — средство, а не цель, поэтому он лучше всего усваивается не тогда, когда его специально учат, а когда им естественно пользуются — либо в живом общении, либо погрузившись в занимательное чтение. Тогда он учится сам собой, подспудно.

Наша память тесно связана с тем, что мы чувствуем в какой-либо конкретный момент, зависит от нашего внутреннего состояния, от того, насколько мы «разбужены» сейчас (а не от того, например, сколько раз мы повторим какую-нибудь фразу или сколько выполним упражнений).

Для запоминания нужна не сонная, механическая зубрежка или вырабатывание каких-то навыков, а новизна впечатлений. Чем несколько раз повторить слово, лучше повстречать его в разных сочетаниях и в разных смысловых контекстах. Основная масса общеупотребительной лексики при том чтении, которое вам предлагается, запоминается без зубрежки, естественно — за счет повторяемости слов. Поэтому, прочитав текст, не нужно стараться заучить слова из него. «Пока не усвою, не пойду дальше» — этот принцип здесь не подходит. Чем интенсивнее человек будет читать, чем быстрее бежать вперед — тем лучше. В данном случае, как ни странно, чем поверхностнее, чем расслабленнее, тем лучше. И тогда объем материала делает свое дело, количество переходит в качество. Таким образом, все, что требуется от читателя, — это просто почитывать, думая не об иностранном языке, который по каким-либо причинам приходится учить, а о содержании книги.

Если вы действительно будете читать интенсивно, то метод сработает. Главная беда всех изучающих долгие годы один какой-либо язык в том, что они занимаются им понемножку, а не погружаются с головой. Язык — не математика, его надо не учить, к нему надо привыкать. Здесь дело не в логике и не в памяти, а в навыке. Он скорее похож в этом смысле на спорт, которым нужно заниматься в определенном режиме, так как в противном случае не будет результата. Если сразу и много читать, то свободное чтение на новом языке — вопрос трех-четырех месяцев (начиная «с нуля»). А если учить помаленьку, то это только себя мучить и буксовать на месте. Язык в этом смысле похож на ледяную горку — на нее надо быстро взбежать. Пока не взбежите — будете скатываться. Если достигается такой момент, что человек свободно читает, то он уже не потеряет этот навык и не забудет лексику, даже если возобновит чтение на этом языке лишь через несколько лет. А если не доучил — тогда все выветрится.

А что делать с грамматикой? Собственно для понимания текста, снабженного такими подсказками, знание грамматики уже не нужно — и так все будет понятно. А затем происходит привыкание к определенным формам — и грамматика усваивается тоже подспудно. Это похоже на то, как осваивают же язык люди, которые никогда не учили его грамматики, а просто попали в соответствующую языковую среду. Я говорю это не к тому, чтобы вы держались подальше от грамматики (грамматика — очень интересная и полезная вещь), а к тому, что приступать к чтению подобной книги можно и без особых грамматических познаний, достаточно самых элементарных. Данное чтение можно рекомендовать уже на самом начальном этапе.

Такие книги помогут вам преодолеть важный барьер: вы наберете лексику и привыкнете к логике языка, сэкономив много времени и сил.

Илья Франк, frank@franklang.ru

A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA

(СКАНДАЛ В БОГЕМИИ)

I

To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman (для Шерлока Холмса она всегда та самая: «эта» женщина). I have seldom heard (я редко слышал; to hear — слышать) him mention her (/чтобы/ он называл ее; to mention — называть, упоминать) under any other name (/под/ каким-либо другим именем). In his eyes she eclipses and predominates (в его глазах она затмевает и превосходит; to eclipse — затмевать, заслонять; to predominate — преобладать) the whole of her sex (всех /представительниц/ ее пола). It was not that he felt (не то чтобы он испытывал: «это не было тем, что/бы/ он чувствовал»; to feel — чувствовать, ощущать) any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler (какое-либо чувство, похожее на любовь к Ирэн Адлер). All emotions (все чувства), and that one particularly (и это /чувство/ особенно), were abhorrent to his cold (были ненавистны его холодному), precise but admirably balanced mind (точному, но превосходно сбалансированному уму). He was (он был; to be — быть, являться), I take it (по-моему: «я соглашаюсь с этим»; to take — принимать, соглашаться), the most perfect (самой совершенной) reasoning and observing machine (мыслящей и наблюдательной машиной) that the world has seen (какую /когда-либо/ видел мир; to see — видеть), but as a lover (но как влюбленный: «в качестве влюбленного») he would have placed himself in a false position (он оказался бы не на своем месте: «он поместил бы себя в неправильное положение»). He never spoke of the softer passions (он никогда не говорил о нежных чувствах; to speak — говорить), save with a gibe and a sneer (кроме как с насмешкой и издевкой). They were admirable things for the observer (они были отличными вещами для наблюдения: «наблюдателя») — excellent for drawing the veil (прекрасным /способом/ чтобы сорвать завесу = обнажить) from men's motives and actions (с мужских побуждений и действий). But for the trained reasoner (но для великолепного мыслителя) to admit such intrusions (допустить подобные вторжения; to admit — допускать, принимать) into his own delicate (в свой /собственный/ утонченный) and finely adjusted temperament (и четко налаженный характер) was to introduce a distracting factor (означало бы: «было бы» внести /туда/ отвлекающий фактор = смятение; to introduce — вносить, вводить) which might throw a doubt upon all his mental results (что могло бы внести неуверенность: «бросить сомнение» во все завоевания его разума: «умственные результаты»; to throw — кидать, бросать). Grit in a sensitive instrument (песчинка в чувствительном инструменте), or a crack in one of his own high-power lenses (или трещина в одной из его мощных линз), would not be more disturbing (не были бы более беспокоящими) than a strong emotion in a nature such as his (чем сильное чувство для такого человека = типа, как он). And yet (и все-таки) there was but one woman to him (для него существовала одна женщина: «/там/ была, однако, одна женщина»), and that woman was the late (и этой женщиной была покойная) Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable memory (/особа/ неясной и сомнительной репутации: «памяти»).

heard [hV":d], predominate [pri'dA.mineit], passion ['p&Sn], dubious ['dju:bi@s]

To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They were admirable things for the observer — excellent for drawing the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable memory.

I had seen little of Holmes lately (я редко виделся с Холмсом в последнее время; to see little of somebody — редко бывать в чьем-либо обществе). My marriage (женитьба) had drifted us away (отдалила нас; to drift away — относить /ветром/) from each other (друг от друга). My own complete happiness (моего личного безоблачного = полного счастья; happy — счастливый), and the home-centred interests (и исключительно семейных = домашних интересов; to center — концентрироваться) which rise up around the man (которые возникают у: «вокруг» человека; to rise up — подниматься) who first finds himself master of his own establishment (который впервые находит себя господином своего собственного хозяйства = когда он впервые становится господином собственного домашнего очага; to find — находить), were sufficient (/их/ было достаточно) to absorb all my attention (чтобы поглотить все мое внимание; to absorb — впитывать, всасывать); while Holmes (в то время как Холмс), who loathed every form of society (который ненавидел все виды: «каждую форму» светской жизни; society — общество, свет) with his whole Bohemian soul (всей: «с всей» своей цыганской душой), remained in our lodgings in Baker Street (оставался /жить/ в нашей квартире на Бейкер-стрит; to remain — остаться, пребывать на прежнем месте; lodgings — /снимаемые/ комнаты), buried among his old books (окруженный: «зарытый среди» своими старыми книгами; to bury — хоронить, зарывать), and alternating from week to week between cocaine and ambition (и чередуя недели: «от недели к неделе» кокаина и честолюбия = увлечения кокаином с /приступами/ честолюбия; between — между), the drowsiness of the drug (дремотное состояние наркомана: «сонливость наркотика»; drowse — дремота), and the fierce energy of his own keen nature (с яростной энергией его /собственной/ проницательной натуры; fierce — дикий, неудержимый). He was still (тихий, спокойный), as ever (как всегда), deeply attracted by the study of crime (глубоко увлеченный расследованием преступлений; deep — глубокий; to study — изучать), and occupied his immense faculties (и отдавал свои грандиозные способности; to occupy — занимать; immense — огромный: «безмерный») and extraordinary powers of observation (и необычайный дар: «удивительные силы» наблюдательности; to observe — наблюдать) in following out those clews (следуя /до конца/ тем нитям = поискам нитей; clew — нить, зацепка), and clearing up those mysteries (и выяснению тех загадок; to clear up — прояснять; mystery — тайна), which had been abandoned as hopeless (которые были признаны: «брошены» как безнадежные; to hope — надеяться) by the official police (официальной полицией). From time to time (время от времени) I heard some vague account of his doings (я слышал /кое-какие/ смутные сообщения о его делах; account — счет, доклад): of his summons to Odessa (о том, что его вызывают в Одессу; summons — судебная повестка) in the case of the Trepoff murder (в связи с убийством Трепова; in case of — в случае чего-либо), of his clearing up of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers (о его прояснении странной трагедии = о том, что ему удалось пролить свет на трагедию братьев Аткинсон) at Trincomalee, and finally (и наконец) of the mission which he had accomplished (о поручении, которое он выполнил; to accomplish — завершать, достигать) so delicately and successfully (так = исключительно тонко и удачно) for the reigning family of Holland (для королевского дома: «царствующей семьи» Нидерландов; to reign — править). Beyond these signs of his activity (кроме = вне этих сведений о его деятельности; sign — знак, след), however (как бы там ни было), which I merely shared with all the readers (которые я только /лишь/ разделил со всеми читателями; to share — делить, распределять) of the daily press (ежедневной прессы), I knew little of my former friend and companion (я знал мало о моем прежнем друге и товарище; to know; former — бывший, давний).

marriage ['m&rIdZ], drowsiness ['drauzinis], vague [veig], clew [klu:]

I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in following out those clews, and clearing up those mysteries, which had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of my former friend and companion.

One night (однажды ночью) — it was on the twentieth of March, 1888 (это было двадцатого: «на двадцатое» марта 1888 года) — I was returning from a journey to a patient (я возвращался: «был возвращающимся» из поездки к пациенту = от пациента; journey — прогулка, путешествие) (for I had now returned to civil practice (так как я теперь вновь занялся частной практикой; to return — возвращаться; civil — частный, гражданский), when my way led me through Baker Street (когда мой путь привел меня на: «через» Бейкер-стрит; to lead — управлять, вести). As I passed the well-remembered door (когда я проходил мимо хорошо знакомой двери; to remember — вспоминать), which must always be associated in my mind (которая должна всегда быть связанной = навсегда связана в моем уме; mind — разум, память) with my wooing (с моим сватовством; to woo — ухаживать), and with the dark incidents of the Study in Scarlet (и с мрачными событиями «Этюда в багровых тонах»; dark — темный; study — монография, этюд), I was seized with a keen desire (я был охвачен острым желанием; to seize — захватить, обуять) to see Holmes again (снова увидеть Холмса), and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers (и узнать, как он использует = над какими проблемами работают его выдающиеся силы = необычайный ум; to employ — нанимать, употреблять). His rooms were brilliantly lit (его комнаты были ярко освещены; to light — освещать), and, even as I looked up (/как раз когда/ я посмотрел вверх; to look up — поднимать глаза), I saw his tall (увидел его высокую; to see), spare figure (худощавую фигуру; spare — худощавый, скудный) pass twice in a dark silhouette against the blind (/которая/ прошла дважды в виде темного силуэта = темным силуэтом на шторах; against — напротив, рядом с). He was pacing the room swiftly (он ходил: «был ходящим» по комнате стремительно; to pace — расхаживать), eagerly (нетерпеливо; eager — жаждущий), with his head sunk upon his chest (с головой, опущенной на грудь = опустив низко голову; to sink — падать, оседать) and his hands clasped behind him (и /его/ руками, сцепленными за ним = заложив руки за спину; to clasp — сжимать, обнимать). To me (мне = для меня), who knew his every mood and habit (который знал все его: «каждое» настроения и привычки; to know — знать), his attitude and manner told their own story (его осанка и поведение рассказывали /их/ собственную историю = его движения и /внешний/ облик говорили о многом; to tell — рассказывать). He was at work again (он принялся за работу снова; at work — в действии). He had risen out of his drug-created dreams (он вышел из своих навеянных наркотиками грез; to rise out — подниматься над, выходить; drug — наркотик; to create — творить, вызывать; dream — сон, мечта) and was hot upon the scent of some new problem (и распутывал нити какой-то новой проблемы; scent — след, аромат). I rang the bell (позвонил /в звонок/; to ring — звонить) and was shown up to the chamber (и был проведен = меня проводили в комнату; to show up — выявляться, проявиться) which had formerly been in part my own (которая когда-то была частично моей; former — бывший; in part — отчасти).

journey ['dZ@:nI], eagerly ['i:g@lI], silhouette [sIlu:'et]

One night — it was on the twentieth of March, 1888 — I was returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which had formerly been in part my own.

His manner was not effusive (его манера /действий/ не была несдержанной = он встретил меня спокойно). It seldom was (это редко было); but he was glad (но он был рад; to be glad — радоваться), I think (думаю), to see me (видеть меня). With hardly a word spoken (с едва произнесенным словом = почти без слов; hard — твердый, трудный; to speak — говорить, высказать), but with a kindly eye (но с благожелательным взглядом = приветливо), he waved me to an armchair (он подал мне знак рукой к креслу — предложил сесть; to wave — махать), threw across his case of cigars (пододвинул коробку сигар; to throw — кидать, толкать; across — через; case — ящик, коробка), and indicated a spirit case (указал /на/ винный погребец; to indicate — показывать; spirit — алкоголь) and a gasogene (установку для получения газа) in the corner (в углу). Then he stood before the fire (затем он встал перед огнем = камином; to stand — стоять) and looked me over (оглядел меня; to look over — осматривать) in his singular introspective fashion (своим необычным проницательным взглядом; singular — странный; to introspect — анализировать; fashion — вид, манера).

effusive [I'fju:sIv], kindly ['kaIndlI], singular ['sINjul@]

His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular introspective fashion.

"Wedlock suits you (брак подходит вам = /идет/ на пользу; to suit — подходить, устраивать)," he remarked (заметил он). "I think, Watson, that you have put on seven and a half pounds (что вы пополнели на семь с половиной фунтов; to put on — надевать, прибавлять) since I saw you (с тех пор как я вас видел /в последний раз/)."

"Seven! (семь)" I answered (ответил).

remark [ri'mA:k], pound ['paund], answered ['A:ns@d]

"Indeed (в самом деле), I should have thought a little more (следует думать, немного больше). Just a trifle more (чуточку больше; just — только; trifle — мелочь, пустяк), I fancy (предполагаю; to fancy — представлять), Watson. And in practice again (практикуете снова = в практике), I observe (/как/ я вижу; to observe — наблюдать). You did not tell me (вы не говорили мне; to tell — говорить) that you intended to go into harness (что собираетесь впрячься в работу; to intend — намереваться; to go into — впадать; harness — упряжь)."

"Then, how do you know?" (/так/ откуда /же/ вы знаете = как вы знаете)

trifle [traIfl], harness ['hA:nIs]

"Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you."

"Seven!" I answered.

"Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not tell me that you intended to go into harness."

"Then, how do you know?"

"I see it, I deduce it (вывел это = сделал вывод; to deduce — заключить). How do I know that you have been getting yourself very wet lately (откуда я узнал, что вы сильно промокли недавно; to get wet — промокать), and that you have a most clumsy and careless servant girl (и что у вас самая неловкая и небрежная горничная; clumsy — неуклюжий; to care — заботиться; servant — слуга)?"

deduce [dI'dju:s], clumsy ['klVmzI]

"My dear Holmes (дорогой Холмс)," said I (сказал я), "this is too much (это слишком). You would certainly have been burned (вы были бы наверняка сожжены = вас сожгли бы; to burn — сжигать, сгорать), had you lived a few centuries ago (если бы вы жили несколько веков назад; to live — жить; a few — несколько; century — столетие; ago — тому назад). It is true (/это/ правда) that I had a country walk on Thursday (я был за городом в четверг; country — сельская местность; to walk — ходить) and came home in a dreadful mess (пришел домой в ужасном беспорядке; to come — приходить; dreadful — страшный), but as I have changed my clothes (так как я переменил одежду; to change — менять) I can't imagine (не могу представить; to imagine — воображать) how you deduce it (как вы догадались /об этом/). As to Mary Jane (что касается Мэри Джейн), she is incorrigible (безнадежна), and my wife has given her notice (моя жена дала ей предупреждение = предупредила; to give — давать; notice — извещение, заметка), but there (и все же), again (опять), I fail to see (не понимаю; to fail — потерпеть неудачу) how you work it out (как вы догадались; to work out — определять)."

He chuckled (хихикнул) to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands together (потер свои длинные нервные руки).

certainly ['s@:tnlI], centuries ['sentS@rI], incorrigible [In'kOrIdZ@bl]

"I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and careless servant girl?"

"My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it out."

He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands together.

"It is simplicity itself (проще простого; simplicity — простота)," said he; "my eyes tell me (мои глаза говорят мне) that on the inside of your left shoe (что с внутренней стороны вашего левого ботинка; inside — внутренняя сторона), just where the firelight strikes it (как раз /там/ куда падает свет от огня; to strike — бить; достигать), the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts (кожа поцарапана = на коже видны шесть почти параллельных царапин; to score — оставлять след; cut — разрез). Obviously (очевидно) they have been caused by someone (были сделаны кем-то; to cause — вызывать, причинять) who has very carelessly scraped round the edges of the sole (кто очень небрежно обтирал края подошвы; to scrape — чистить, скрести; round — вокруг) in order to remove crusted mud from it (чтобы удалить засохшую грязь /с нее/; to remove — снимать; crusted — в виде корки). Hence (отсюда), you see, my double deduction (двойной вывод) that you had been out in vile weather (что вы были снаружи = выходили в мерзкую погоду), and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting specimen of the London slavey (и что у вас чрезвычайно зловредный режущий ботинки экземпляр лондонской прислуги; to slit — разрезать вдоль; specimen — образец). As to your practice, if a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform (если в мой дом входит джентльмен, пахнущий йодоформом; to smell — пахнуть), with a black mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger (с черной отметкой от азотнокислого серебра на его правом указательном пальце; to mark — ставить знак), and a bulge on the right side of his top-hat (и выпуклостью на правой стороне его цилиндра; top — вершина, hat — шляпа) to show where he has secreted his stethoscope (которая указывает, где он спрятал свой стетоскоп; to show — показывать; to secrete — прятать), I must be dull (я должен быть глупцом; dull — тупой), indeed (в самом деле), if I do not pronounce him to be an active member of the medical profession (если я не признаю в нем деятельного члена медицинской профессии = представителя врачебного мира; to pronounce — объявить)."

simplicity [sIm'plIsItI], leather ['leD@], specimen ['spesIm@n]

"It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce him to be an active member of the medical profession."

I could not help laughing at the ease (я не мог удержаться от смеха над простотой; can not help /doing something/ — не мочь не /делать что-то/; ease — легкость) with which he explained (с которой он объяснил; to explain — объяснять) his process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons (когда я слышу /как/ вы приводите свои соображения; to give — давать)," I remarked (заметил я; to remark — замечать), "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously simple (вещь всегда представляется мне cтоль смехотворно простой = все кажется до смешного простым; to appear — появляться) that I could easily do it myself (что мог бы легко сделать это = сообразить сам), though at each successive instance of your reasoning (хотя в каждом новом случае ваших рассуждений; successive — последующий; instance — пример) I am baffled (я ошеломлен; to baffle — ставить в тупик) until (пока) you explain (не объясните) your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good as yours (между тем я думаю, что мои глаза так же хороши, как и ваши = зрение у меня не хуже вашего; to believe — верить, полагать)."

laughing ['lA:fIN], ridiculously [rI'dIkjul@slI], instance ['Inst@ns]

I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good as yours."

"Quite so (совершенно так)," he answered (ответил он; to answer — отвечать), lighting a cigarette (закуривая папиросу; to light — зажигать), and throwing himself down into an armchair (садясь в кресло: «бросая себя в кресло»; to throw down — бросать). "You see, but you do not observe (вы видите, но не наблюдаете). The distinction is clear (разница ясно видна; clear — чистый, прозрачный). For example (например), you have frequently seen (часто видели) the steps which lead up from the hall to this room (ступени, которые ведут из прихожей в эту комнату; to lead up — вести куда-либо)."

throwing ['Tr@uIN], frequently ['fri:kw@ntlI], distinction [dIs'tINkSn]

"Frequently (часто)."

"How often? (как часто)"

"Well, some hundreds of times (ну, несколько сотен раз)."

"Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the steps which lead up from the hall to this room."

"Frequently."

"How often?"

"Well, some hundreds of times."

"Then how many are there (/ну и/ как много = сколько их /там/)?"

"How many? I don't know (не знаю)."

"Quite so (вот-вот = именно так)! You have not observed (вы не наблюдали; to observe — наблюдать). And yet (между тем) you have seen. That is just my point (в этом вся суть, именно это я и хочу сказать). Now, I know that there are seventeen steps (а я знаю, что там семнадцать ступеней), because I have both seen and observed (потому что я и видел, и наблюдал; both — и то, и другое). By the way (кстати), since (поскольку) you are interested in these little problems (интересуетесь этими небольшими проблемами; to be interested in — интересоваться /чем-либо/), and since you are good enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences (достаточно хороши чтобы = были добры описать один-два моих маленьких опыта; to chronicle — заносить в дневник) you may be interested in this (вас может заинтересовать это)." He threw over a sheet of thick, pink-tinted note-paper (бросил лист толстой розовой почтовой бумаги; tinted — окрашенный; note — запись) which had been lying open upon the table (которая лежала: «была лежащей» на столе; to lie — лежать). "It came by the last post (получена с последней почтой = только что)," said he. "Read it aloud (прочитайте /ее/ вслух; to read — читать)."

since [sins], enough [I'nVf], aloud [@'laud]

"Then how many are there?"

"How many? I don't know."

"Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, because I have both seen and observed. By the way, since you are interested in these little problems, and since you are good enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud."

The note was undated (записка была без даты; to date — датировать), and without either signature or address (без подписи и без адреса; either … or — либо … либо).

"There will call upon you tonight (сегодня вечером Вас посетит; to call — посещать), at a quarter to eight o'clock (без четверти восемь: «четверть к восьми часам»)," it said (говорилось /в записке/), "a gentleman who desires to consult you (который хочет проконсультироваться у Вас) upon a matter of the very deepest moment (по очень важному делу; deep — глубокий; moment — важность). Your recent services (Ваши недавние услуги) to one of the royal houses of Europe (одному из королевских семейств Европы) have shown (показали) that you are one (что Вы тот) who may safely be trusted (кому можно спокойно доверить; safe — безопасный; to trust — верить, доверять) with matters which are of an importance which can hardly be exaggerated (дела, которые /такой/ важности, которая едва ли может быть преувеличена = дела чрезвычайной важности). This account of you (такой отзыв о Вас) we have from all quarters received (мы со всех сторон получали; from all quarters). Be in your chamber then at that hour (будьте у себя в этот час; chamber — комната, кабинет /для одного человека/), and do not take it amiss (и не обижайтесь; to take amiss — превратно толковать) if your visitor wear a mask (если Ваш посетитель будет в маске; to wear — носить).

quarter ['kwO:t@], royal ['rOI@l], exaggerated [Ig'z&dZ@reItId]

The note was undated, and without either signature or address.

"There will call upon you tonight, at a quarter to eight o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask.

"This is indeed a mystery (это в самом деле тайна)," I remarked (заметил я). "What do you imagine that it means (как вы думаете, что это значит; to imagine — полагать)?"

imagine [I'm&dZIn]

"I have no data yet (у меня нет пока данных). It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data (большая ошибка теоретизировать, не имея данных; before — до, пока). Insensibly (незаметно /для себя/: «нечувствительно») one begins to twist facts to suit theories (человек начинает подтасовывать факты, чтобы подогнать /их/ к теориям; to twist facts — извращать факты), instead of theories to suit facts (вместо того, чтобы выводить теории на основе фактов; to suit — подходить, соответствовать, удовлетворять требованиям). But the note itself (но сама записка). What do you deduce (какие выводы вы делаете; to deduce) from it?"

theorize ['TI@raIz], insensibly [In'sensIblI], instead [In'sted]

I carefully examined the writing (я тщательно исследовал письмо), and the paper upon which it was written (и бумагу, на которой оно было написано; to write — писать).

"This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that it means?"

"I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. What do you deduce from it?"

I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was written.

"The man who wrote it (человек, который написал это) was presumably well-to-do (по-видимому, располагает средствами; well-to-do — зажиточный)," I remarked, endeavoring to imitate my companion's processes (стараясь подражать приемам моего товарища). "Such paper could not be bought under half a crown a packet (такая бумага не могла быть куплена = стоит не менее полкроны пачка; to buy — покупать). It is peculiarly strong and stiff (она очень прочная и плотная; peculiarly — особенно)."

"Peculiar — that is the very word (особая — самое подходящее: «то самое» слово)," said Holmes. "It is not an English paper at all (это не английская бумага вообще). Hold it up to the light (посмотрите ее на свет; to hold — держать)."

I did so (сделал так), and saw a large (и увидел большую) "E" with a small (вместе с маленьким) "g," a "P," and a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper (вплетенные в структуру бумаги; to weave — вплетать, включать).

presumably [prI'zju:m@blI], endeavoring [In'dev@rIN], peculiarly [pI'kju:lI@lI]

"The man who wrote it was presumably well-to-do," I remarked, endeavoring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly strong and stiff."

"Peculiar — that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an English paper at all. Hold it up to the light."

I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper.

"What do you make of that (какой вывод вы можете сделать из этого)?" asked Holmes.

"The name of the maker (имя производителя), no doubt (без сомнения); or his monogram, rather (или, скорее, его монограмма)."

"Not at all (вовсе нет). The 'G' with the small 't' stands for (обозначают) 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company' (что по-немецки означает «Компания»). It is a customary contraction like our 'Co.' (это обычное сокращение, как наше Ко.). 'P,' of course, stands for 'Papier' (означает «бумага»). Now for (теперь что касается) the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Gazetteer (заглянем в наш иностранный географический справочник; to glance — взглянуть)." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves (он достал с полок тяжелый коричневый том; to take down — снимать). "Eglow, Eglonitz — here we are (вот мы и нашли), Egria. It is in a German-speaking country — in Bohemia (это в местности, где говорят по-немецки — в Богемии; to speak — говорить), not far from (недалеко от) Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the scene of the death of Wallenstein (знаменита тем, что там умер Валенштейн; scene — место /происшествия/; death — смерть), and for its numerous glass-factories and paper-mills (и своими многочисленными стекольными заводами и бумажными фабриками; glass — стекло; mill — завод, фабрика).' Ha, ha, my boy (ха-ха, мой мальчик), what do you make of that (что вы делаете из этого = какой вывод из этого вы делаете)?" His eyes sparkled (его глаза сверкнули), and he sent up a great blue triumphant cloud from his cigarette (и он выпустил из своей папиросы большое синее торжествующее облако; to send up — направить вверх).

customary ['kVst@m@rI], death [deT], sparkled [spA:kl]

"What do you make of that?" asked Holmes.

"The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather."

"Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Eglow, Eglonitz — here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking country — in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue triumphant cloud from his cigarette.

"The paper was made in Bohemia (бумага была изготовлена в Богемии)," I said.

"Precisely (именно). And the man who wrote the note is a German (и человек, написавший письмо, немец). Do you note the peculiar construction of the sentence (вы замечаете странное построение предложения; to note — замечать) — 'This account of you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian could not have written that (француз или русский не мог бы так написать). It is the German (это немец) who is so uncourteous to his verbs (кто так неучтив к своим глаголам). It only remains (остается только), therefore (следовательно), to discover what is wanted by this German (что нужно этому немцу; to want — хотеть) who writes upon Bohemian paper and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face (который пишет на богемской бумаге и предпочитает носить маску, лишь бы не показывать своего лица; to show — показывать). And here he comes (а вот и он /сам/; to come — идти), if I am not mistaken (если я не ошибаюсь; mistake — ошибка), to resolve all our doubts (чтобы разрешить все наши сомнения)."

precisely [prI'saIslI], uncourteous [un'kV":tI@s], doubts [dauts]

"The paper was made in Bohemia," I said.

"Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you note the peculiar construction of the sentence — 'This account of you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian could not have written that. It is the German who is so uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts."

As he spoke (когда он сказал /это/) there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs (послышался: «там был» резкий стук лошадиных копыт; sharp — острый, резкий) and grating wheels against the curb (и визг колес об обочину; to grate — скрипеть; curb — тротуар, обочина), followed by a sharp pull at the bell (затем кто-то резко дернул звонок; to follow — следовать). Holmes whistled (свистнул).

sound [saund], curb [kV":b]

"A pair, by the sound (пара /лошадей/, судя по звуку)," said he. "Yes," he continued (продолжал он), glancing out of the window (выглянув из окна). "A nice little brougham and a pair of beauties (милая маленькая карета и пара красавиц). A hundred and fifty guineas apiece (по сто пятьдесят гиней за каждую). There's money in this case (/там/ деньги в этом деле = дело пахнет деньгами), Watson, if there is nothing else (если ничего другого нет = так или иначе)."

"I think that I had better go (я думаю, что мне лучше уйти), Holmes."

brougham ['bru:@m], beauty ['bju:tI], guineas ['gInIz]

As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bell. Holmes whistled.

"A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in this case, Watson, if there is nothing else."

"I think that I had better go, Holmes."

"Not a bit (вовсе нет = ничуть), Doctor. Stay where you are (оставайтесь /где вы есть/). I am lost without my Boswell (я потерян = что бы я делал без моего Босуэлла /James Boswell (1740 — 1795) — шотландский биограф/). And this promises to be interesting (и это /дело/ обещает быть интересным; to promise — обещать). It would be a pity to miss it (будет жаль пропустить его; to miss — упускать)."

"But your client (но ваш клиент) — "

"Never mind him (не обращайте на него внимания). I may want your help (мне может понадобиться ваша помощь), and so may he (и ему также). Here he comes (вот он идет). Sit down in that armchair (садитесь в это кресло), Doctor, and give us your best attention (и дайте нам ваше лучшее внимание = будьте очень внимательны)."

"Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to miss it."

"But your client — "

"Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best attention."

A slow and heavy step (медленные тяжелые шаги; step — шаг, походка), which had been heard upon the stairs and in the passage (которые были слышны на лестнице и в коридоре), paused immediately outside the door (затихли немедленно перед дверью; to pause — делать паузу; outside — снаружи). Then there was a loud and authoritative tap (затем раздался: «там был» громкий и властный стук).

heavy ['hevI], authoritative [O:'TA.rIt@tIv]

"Come in (войдите)!" said Holmes.

A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there was a loud and authoritative tap.

"Come in!" said Holmes.

A man entered (вошел человек) who could hardly have been less than six feet six inches in height (который мог едва ли быть меньше, чем шесть футов шесть дюймов ростом; foot — фут), with the chest and limbs of a Hercules (с грудью и конечностями Геркулеса = геркулесовского сложения). His dress was rich (он был одет богато; dress — одежда; rich — богатый) with a richness which would, in England, be looked upon as akin to bad taste (с богатством, которое в Англии сочли бы безвкусицей; to look upon — считать за; akin to — похожий на). Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat (рукава и отвороты его двубортного пальто были оторочены тяжелыми полосами из каракуля; to slash — полосовать; across — вдоль; double — двойной; breast — грудь), while the deep blue cloak (тогда как темно-синий плащ; deep — глубокий) which was thrown over his shoulders (который был накинут на его плечи) was lined with flame-colored silk (был подбит огненно-красным шелком; to line — обивать изнутри; flame — пламя; color — цвет) and secured at the neck with a brooch (и застегнут на шее брошью) which consisted of a single flaming beryl (которая состояла из одного пылающего берилла; to consist of — состоять из; single — одиночный). Boots which extended halfway up his calves (сапоги, которые доходили до половины его икр; to extend — простираться), and which were trimmed at the tops with rich brown fur (и которые были обшиты сверху дорогим коричневым мехом), completed the impression of barbaric opulence (дополняли /то/ впечатление варварского богатства) which was suggested by his whole appearance (которое производила вся его внешность; to suggest — предлагать). He carried a broad-brimmed hat in his hand (в руке он нес широкополую шляпу), while he wore across the upper part of his face (в то время как он носил на: «поперек» верхней части своего лица), extending down past the cheekbones (опускавшуюся ниже скул), a black vizard mask (черную маску; vizard — козырек /фражки/; забрало; маска), which he had apparently adjusted that very moment (которую он, видимо, надел только что; to adjust — приспособить, установить), for his hand was still raised to it as he entered (так как его рука все еще была поднята к ней, когда он вошел). From the lower part of the face (судя по нижней части лица) he appeared to be a man of strong character (он был человеком сильного характера; to appear to be — оказываться, казаться), with a thick, hanging lip (с толстой выпяченной губой), and a long, straight chin (и длинным прямым подбородком) suggestive of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy (говорящими о решительности, переходящей в упрямство; to push — толкать, наталкивать; length — длина, продолжительность).

opulence ['Opjul@ns], appearance [@'pI@r@ns], obstinacy ['ObstIn@sI]

A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined with flame-colored silk and secured at the neck with a brooch which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy.

"You had my note (вы получили мою записку)?" he asked with a deep harsh voice (спросил он низким грубым голосом) and a strongly marked German accent (с сильным немецким акцентом; to mark — отмечать). "I told you that I would call (я сообщил, что приду к вам)." He looked from one to the other of us (он смотрел то на одного из нас, то на другого), as if uncertain which to address (как будто неуверенный, к кому обратиться).

harsh [hA:S], uncertain [Vn's@:tn]

"Pray take a seat (пожалуйста, садитесь; seat — место, сиденье)," said Holmes. "This is my friend and colleague (коллега), Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in my cases (который время от времени любезно помогает мне в моих делах). Whom have I the honor to address (с кем имею честь говорить)?"

"You may address me as the Count Von Kramm (вы можете обращаться ко мне как к графу фон Крамму), a Bohemian nobleman (богемскому дворянину; noble — благородный). I understand that this gentleman (я полагаю, что этот джентльмен), your friend, is a man of honor and discretion (человек чести и благоразумия/осторожности), whom I may trust with a matter of the most extreme importance (кому я могу доверить дело самой чрезвычайной важности; to trust — верить). If not (если это не так), I should much prefer to communicate with you alone (я предпочел бы беседовать с вами наедине)."

"You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to address.

"Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in my cases. Whom have I the honor to address?"

"You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honor and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate with you alone."

I rose to go (я встал, чтобы уйти; to rise — подниматься), but Holmes caught me by the wrist (но Холмс схватил меня за руку; to catch — хватать; wrist — запястье) and pushed me back into my chair (и толкнул меня обратно в кресло). "It is both, or none (оба или никакой = говорите либо с нами обоими, либо не говорите)," said he. "You may say before this gentleman anything which you may say to me (вы можете сказать в присутствии этого джентльмена все, что сказали бы мне)."

The Count shrugged his broad shoulders (граф пожал своими широкими плечами). "Then I must begin (тогда я должен начать)," said he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years (связывая вас обоих абсолютной тайной = обязуя вас обоих сохранять абсолютную тайну два года); at the end of that time (по прошествии этого времени) the matter will be of no importance (дело будет никакой важности = не будет иметь значения). At present it is not too much to say (в настоящее время это не слишком много сказать = я могу без преувеличения сказать) that it is of such weight (что это /дело/ такого веса = настолько серьезно) it may have an influence upon European history (что может иметь влияние = повлиять на историю Европы)."

"I promise (я обещаю)," said Holmes.

"And I."

caught [kO:t], wrist [rIst], shoulders ['S@uld@z], secrecy ['si:krIsI], influence ['Influ@ns]

I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say before this gentleman anything which you may say to me."

The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it may have an influence upon European history."

"I promise," said Holmes.

"And I."

"You will excuse this mask (извините эту маску)," continued our strange visitor (продолжал наш странный посетитель). "The august person who employs me (августейшее лицо, у которого я на службе; to employ — нанимать) wishes his agent to be unknown to you (желает, чтобы его представитель был неизвестен для вас), and I may confess at once (и я могу признаться вместе с тем; to confess — исповедаться) that the title by which I have just called myself is not exactly my own (что титул, которым я себя только что назвал, не совсем точно мой собственный)."

excuse [Ik'skju:s], agent [eIdZnt], title [taItl]

"I was aware of it (я знал об этом; to be aware of — осознавать)," said Holmes drily (сказал Холмс сухо).

"The circumstances are of great delicacy (обстоятельства очень щекотливые; great — великий), and every precaution has to be taken (и каждая предосторожность должна быть принята = необходимо принять все меры) to quench what might grow to be an immense scandal (чтобы подавить /то/ что может разрастись до огромного скандала; to grow — расти) and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Europe (и серьезно скомпрометировать одну из царствующих династий Европы; family — семья). To speak plainly (говоря проще; plain — явный, прямой), the matter implicates the great House of Ormstein (это дело касается царствующего дома Ормштейнов; to implicate — вовлекать), hereditary kings of Bohemia (наследственных королей Богемии)."

circumstance ['s@:k@mst&ns], delicacy ['delIk@sI], reigning ['reInIN]

"You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have just called myself is not exactly my own."

"I was aware of it," said Holmes drily.

"The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia."

"I was also aware of that (об этом я тоже знал)," murmured Holmes (пробормотал Холмс), settling himself down in his armchair and closing his eyes (устраиваясь /поудобнее/ в кресле и закрывая глаза).

aware [@'wE@], murmured ['mV":m@d]

Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise (наш посетитель взглянул с видимым удивлением; apparent — явный) at the languid, lounging figure of the man (на вялую, развалившуюся фигуру человека; to lounge — сидеть развалясь) who had been no doubt depicted to him (который был, без сомнения, описан ему; to depict — изображать) as the most incisive reasoner (как самый проницательный мыслитель; incisive — острый, точный) and most energetic agent in Europe (и самый энергичный сыщик в Европе). Holmes slowly reopened his eyes (Холмс медленно снова открыл глаза; slow — медленный) and looked impatiently at his gigantic client (и посмотрел нетерпеливо на своего огромного клиента; patient — терпеливый).

apparent [@'p&r@nt], languid ['l&NgwId], lounging ['laundZIN], doubt [daut]

"If your Majesty would condescend to state your case (если ваше величество соизволит изложить свое дело)," he remarked (заметил он), "I should be better able to advise you (мне легче будет дать вам совет; to be able /to do something/ — быть способным /сделать что-либо/)."

condescend [kOndI'send], able [eIbl]

"I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself down in his armchair and closing his eyes.

Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his gigantic client.

"If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he remarked, "I should be better able to advise you."

The man sprang from his chair (человек вскочил со стула; to spring — прыгать, вскакивать) and paced up and down the room (и зашагал по комнате; to pace — расхаживать) in uncontrollable agitation (в неконтролируемом возбуждении; to control — управлять). Then, with a gesture of desperation (затем, с жестом отчаяния), he tore the mask from his face (он сорвал маску со своего лица; to tear — рвать, срывать) and hurled it upon the ground (и швырнул ее на пол; ground — поверхность, основание). "You are right (вы правы)," he cried (вскричал он; to cry — плакать, кричать); "I am the King (я король). Why should I attempt to conceal it (почему я должен пытаться скрывать это; to attempt — делать попытку)?"

agitation [&dZI'teISn], gesture ['dZestS@], conceal [k@n'si:l]

"Why, indeed (зачем, действительно)?" murmured Holmes (пробормотал Холмс). "Your Majesty had not spoken (ваше величество не заговорило) before I was aware that I was addressing (как я уже знал, что обращаюсь к; before — прежде чем) Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein (великому князю Кассель-Фельштейнскому), and hereditary King of Bohemia (и наследственному королю Богемии)."

majesty ['m&dZIstI], hereditary [hI'redIt@rI]

The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to conceal it?"

"Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and hereditary King of Bohemia."

"But you can understand (но вы можете понять = понимаете)," said our strange visitor (сказал наш странный посетитель), sitting down once more (снова садясь; to sit down — садиться) and passing his hand over his high white forehead (и проводя рукой по своему высокому белому лбу; forehead: fore- — пред-, head — голова), "you can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my own person (что я не привык заниматься такими делами лично: «в моей личной персоне»; accustomed — привычный). Yet the matter was so delicate (однако дело было настолько щекотливым) that I could not confide it to an agent (что я не мог доверить его агенту) without putting myself in his power (без помещения самого себя в его власть = не рискуя оказаться в его власти). I have come incognito from Prague (я прибыл инкогнито из Праги) for the purpose of consulting you (чтобы посоветоваться с вами; for the purpose of — с целью)."

forehead ['fA.rId], confide [k@n'faId], Prague [prA:g]

"Then, pray consult (тогда, пожалуйста, советуйтесь)," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more (закрывая глаза снова).

"The facts are briefly these (факты вкратце таковы; brief — короткий): Some five years ago (примерно пять лет назад), during a lengthy visit to Warsaw (во время продолжительного посещения Варшавы; length — длительность), I made the acquaintance of the well-known adventuress, Irene Adler (я сделал знакомство = познакомился с хорошо известной авантюристкой Ирэн Адлер; adventure — приключение, похождение). The name is no doubt familiar to you (имя, без сомнения, знакомо вам)."

briefly ['bri:flI], acquaintance [@'kweInt@ns], adventuress [@d'ventS@rIs]

"But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting you."

"Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more.

"The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you."

"Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor (будьте любезны, посмотрите ее в моем каталоге, доктор; kind — добрый)," murmured Holmes without opening his eyes (пробормотал Холмс, не открывая глаз: «без открывания своих глаз»). For many years he had adopted a system of docketing all paragraphs (много лет назад он завел систему написания всех заметок; to adopt — усыновлять, принимать; to docket — делать надпись на документе) concerning men and things (касающихся людей и вещей), so that it was difficult to name a subject or a person (поэтому было трудно назвать объект или лицо) on which he could not at once furnish information (о которых он не мог сразу же предоставить информацию). In this case I found her biography (в данном случае я нашел ее биографию) sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a staff-commander (помещенную между той = биографией еврейского раввина и той = биографией начальника штаба; staff-commander: staff — штаб, commander — командир, начальник) who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea fishes (который написал монографию о глубоководных рыбах; deep — глубокий; sea — море).

concerning [k@n's@:nIN], furnish ['f@:nIS], biography [baI'Ogr@fI]

"Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea fishes.

"Let me see (позвольте мне посмотреть = покажите)!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year 1858 (родилась в Нью-Джерси в 1858 году; to bear — рождать; to be born — родиться). Contralto — hum (контральто, гм)! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera of Warsaw — yes! Retired from operatic stage — ha (ушла с оперной сцены; to retire — уходить в отставку)! Living in London — quite so (живет в Лондоне — совершенно верно)! Your Majesty (ваше величество), as I understand (как я понимаю), became entangled with this young person (стали спутанными = попали в сети к этой молодой особе), wrote her some compromising letters (писали ей компрометирующие письма), and is now desirous of getting those letters back (и сейчас желающие получения этих писем назад = желали бы вернуть эти письма; to be desirous of — жаждать чего-либо)."

stage [steIdZ], quite [kwaIt], desirous [dI'zaIr@s]

"Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year 1858. Contralto — hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera of Warsaw — yes! Retired from operatic stage — ha! Living in London — quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and is now desirous of getting those letters back."

"Precisely so (именно так). But how (но как) — "

"Was there a secret marriage (была ли тайный брак = вы тайно женились на ней)?"

"None (нет)."

"No legal papers or certificates (никаких юридических документов или свидетельств)?"

"None."

marriage ['m&rIdZ]

"Precisely so. But how — "

"Was there a secret marriage?"

"None."

"No legal papers or certificates?"

"None."

"Then I fail to follow your Majesty (в таком случае, я не в состоянии следовать за вашим величеством = я вас не понимаю; to fail — потерпеть неудачу). If this young person should produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes (если эта молодая особа захочет использовать ее письма для шантажа или других целей; to produce — издавать, выпускать; blackmailing: black — черный, mail — письмо), how is she to prove their authenticity (как она /собирается/ доказать их подлинность)?"

"There is the writing (/есть/ /мой/ почерк)."

"Pooh, pooh! Forgery (тьфу, подлог)."

"My private note-paper (моя личная почтовая бумага)."

"Stolen (украдена; to steal — красть)."

blackmailing ['bl&kmeIl], purpose ['p@:p@s], authenticity [O:ten'tIsItI], prove [pru:v], forgery ['fO:dZrI]

"Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is she to prove their authenticity?"

"There is the writing."

"Pooh, pooh! Forgery."

"My private note-paper."

"Stolen."

"My own seal (моя личная печать)."

"Imitated (подделана)."

"My photograph (моя фотография)."

"Bought (куплена; to buy — покупать)."

"We were both in the photograph (мы были вдвоем на фотографии)."

"My own seal."

"Imitated."

"My photograph."

"Bought."

"We were both in the photograph."

"Oh, dear (о Боже)! That is very bad (это очень плохо)! Your Majesty has indeed committed an indiscretion (ваше величество действительно совершили неосторожность)."

"I was mad — insane (я был без ума — безрассуден; mad — сумасшедший; insane — психически ненормальный)."

insane [In'seIn]

"You have compromised yourself seriously (вы серьезно скомпрометировали /сами/ себя)."

"I was only Crown Prince then (я был всего лишь наследным принцем тогда). I was young (я был молод). I am but thirty now (мне только тридцать сейчас)."

"Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an indiscretion."

"I was mad — insane."

"You have compromised yourself seriously."

"I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now."

"It must be recovered (это должно быть возвращено)."

"We have tried and failed (мы пытались и потерпели неудачу)."

failed [field]

"Your Majesty must pay (ваше величество должны заплатить). It must be bought (/фотография/ должна быть куплена)."

"She will not sell (она не продаст)."

"Stolen, then (украдена, в таком случае)."

"It must be recovered."

"We have tried and failed."

"Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought."

"She will not sell."

"Stolen, then."

"Five attempts have been made пять попыток было сделано). Twice burglars in my pay ransacked her house (дважды взломщики, нанятые мной: «в моей плате» обшарили ее дом). Once we diverted her luggage when she traveled (однажды мы обыскали ее багаж, когда она путешествовала; to divert — отвлечь, увести в сторону). Twice she has been waylaid (дважды она была перехвачена по пути). There has been no result (там был никакой результат = никаких результатов)."

"No sign of it (нет признаков этого = никаких)?"

"Absolutely none (абсолютно никаких)."

burglars ['b@:gl@z], ransacked ['r&ns&kt], luggage ['lVgIdZ]

"Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice she has been waylaid. There has been no result."

"No sign of it?"

"Absolutely none."

Holmes laughed (засмеялся). "It is quite a pretty little problem (это довольно милая маленькая проблема = вот так задача)," said he.

"But a very serious one to me (но для меня очень серьезная /задача/)," returned the King reproachfully (ответил король укоризненно).

"Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the photograph (и что она предполагает сделать с фотографией)?"

"To ruin me (погубить меня)."

"But how?"

"I am about to be married (я собираюсь жениться: «я рядом с тем, чтобы быть женатым»)."

"So I have heard (об этом я слышал)."

propose [pr@'p@uz]

Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he.

"But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully.

"Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the photograph?"

"To ruin me."

"But how?"

"I am about to be married."

"So I have heard."

"To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen (на Клотильде Лотман фон Саксе-Менинген), second daughter of the King of Scandinavia (второй дочери короля Скандинавии). You may know the strict principles of her family (вы, может быть, знаете строгие принципы ее семьи). She is herself the very soul of delicacy (она сама — душа изысканности = воплощенная изысканность). A shadow of a doubt as to my conduct (тень сомнения относительно моего прошлого; conduct — поведение, поступок) would bring the matter to an end (привело бы дело к концу = к разрыву)."

"And Irene Adler?"

"Threatens to send them the photograph (угрожает послать им фотографию). And she will do it (и она это сделает). I know that she will do it. You do not know her (вы не знаете ее), but she has a soul of steel (но у нее душа из стали = железный характер). She has the face of the most beautiful of women (у нее лицо самой прекрасной из женщин), and the mind of the most resolute of men (и разум самого твердого из мужчин). Rather than I should marry another woman (только бы не дать мне жениться на другой; rather than — скорее чем), there are no lengths to which she would not go — none (она ни перед чем не остановится: «нет таких расстояний, которые бы она не прошла»)."

daughter ['dO:t@], family ['f&m@lI], threaten [Tretn], beautiful ['bju:tIf@l], marry ['m&rI]

"To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end."

"And Irene Adler?"

"Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not go — none."

"You are sure that she has not sent it yet (вы уверены, что она не послала ее еще)?"

"I am sure (уверен)."

"And why?"

"Because she has said that she would send it on the day (потому что она сказала, что пошлет ее в тот день) when the betrothal was publicly proclaimed (когда помолвка будет публично объявлена; to proclaim — провозглашать). That will be next Monday (это будет /в/ следующий понедельник)."

betrothal [bI'tr@uD@l], publicly ['pVblIklI], proclaimed [pr@'kleImd]

"Oh, then we have three days yet (у нас есть только три дня)," said Holmes with a yawn (сказал Холмс, зевая: «с зевком»). "That is very fortunate (это очень удачно), as I have one or two matters of importance to look into just at present (так как у меня есть одно или два важных дела, чтобы заняться /ими/ сейчас; to look into — рассматривать). Your Majesty will, of course, stay in London for the present (ваше величество, конечно, остаетесь в Лондоне пока)?"

yawn [jO:n], fortunate ['fO:tS@n@t], importance [Im'pO:tns]

"You are sure that she has not sent it yet?"

"I am sure."

"And why?"

"Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday."

"Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in London for the present?"

"Certainly (конечно). You will find me at the Langham (вы найдете меня в «Лэнгхэме»), under the name of the Count Von Kramm (под именем графа фон Крамма)."

"Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress (тогда я черкну вам пару строк, чтобы дать вам знать, как мы продвигаемся = каковы наши успехи)."

"Pray do so (пожалуйста, сделайте так = очень вас прошу). I shall be all anxiety (я так волнуюсь: «я буду весь беспокойство»)."

"Then, as to money (ну, а как насчет денег)?"

"You have carte blanche (у вас полная свобода действий: «карт бланш» — франц.)."

"Absolutely?"

anxiety [&N'zaI@tI]

"Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Count Von Kramm."

"Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress."

"Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety."

"Then, as to money?"

"You have carte blanche."

"Absolutely?"

"I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to have that photograph (я отдал бы одну из провинций моего королевства, чтобы иметь эту фотографию = за эту фотографию)."

"And for present expenses (а для текущих расходов)?"

The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak (король достал тяжелый замшевый кожаный мешочек из-под плаща; bag — сумка, куль) and laid it on the table (и положил его на стол).

"There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in notes (там = в нем три сотни фунтов золотом: «в золоте» и семь сотен ассигнациями: «в ассигнациях»)," he said.

province ['prOvIns], chamois ['S&mwa:], leather ['leD@]

"I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to have that photograph."

"And for present expenses?"

The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and laid it on the table.

"There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in notes," he said.

Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book (Холмс небрежно написал расписку на странице своей записной книжки) and handed it to him (и вручил ее королю).

scribbled [skrIbld], receipt [rI'si:t]

"And Mademoiselle's address (адрес мадемуазель)?" he asked.

"It’s Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood."

Holmes took a note of it (Холмс записал это: «взял записку этого»). "One other question (еще один вопрос)," said he. "Was the photograph a cabinet (фотография была кабинетного формата)?"

"It was (да)."

"Then, good-night, your Majesty (итак, спокойной ночи, ваше величество), and I trust that we shall soon have some good news for you (и я полагаю, что скоро у нас будут хорошие новости для вас). And good-night, Watson," he added (добавил он), as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street (когда колеса королевской кареты застучали по улице = мостовой; to roll — катиться, греметь). "If you will be good enough to call tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock (если вы будете любезны = будьте любезны зайти завтра в три часа) I should like to chat this little matter over with you (я хотел бы побеседовать с вами об этом маленьком деле; to chat — болтать)."

brougham ['bru:@m], chat [tS&t]

Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and handed it to him.

"And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked.

"It’s Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood."

Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the photograph a cabinet?"

"It was."

"Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If you will be good enough to call tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you."

II

At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street (в три часа ровно я был на Бейкер-стрит), but Holmes had not yet returned (но Холмс еще не вернулся). The landlady informed me (хозяйка квартиры = домовладелица сообщила мне; landlady: land — земля, недвижимость, lady — дама, госпожа) that he had left the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning (что он вышел из дома вскоре после восьми часов утром = в начале девятого; to leave — покидать, оставлять; short — короткий). I sat down beside the fire (я сел у камина = огня), however (тем не менее), with the intention of awaiting him (с намерением дождаться его; to wait — ждать), however long he might be (несмотря на то, каким медлительным он может быть = сколько бы ни пришлось ждать). I was already deeply interested in his inquiry (я был уже глубоко заинтересован в его расследовании = интересовался его расследованием), for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and strange features (хотя оно не было окружено никакими мрачными и странными чертами = было лишено мрачных и странных черт) which were associated with the two crimes (которые ассоциировались с теми двумя преступлениями) which I have already recorded (о которых я уже писал; to record — записывать), still (все же), the nature of the case and the exalted station of his client (сущность этого дела и высокое положение его клиента; exalted — высокопоставленный) gave it a character of its own (давали ему характер его собственный = придавали делу необычный характер). Indeed (действительно), apart from the nature of the investigation (не говоря уже о сущности расследования; apart from — помимо, не считая) which my friend had on hand (которое производил: «имел на руке» мой друг), there was something in his masterly grasp of a situation (было что-то в его мастерском схватывании ситуации = с каким мастерством он овладел ситуацией), and his keen, incisive reasoning (и в его тонкой проницательной логике; reasoning — логическое мышление), which made it a pleasure to me to study his system of work (которые доставляли мне удовольствие изучать его систему работы: «которые сделали это удовольствием для меня»), and to follow the quick, subtle methods (и следовать за быстрыми, неуловимыми приемами; subtle — утонченный, тонкий; неуловимый) by which he disentangled the most inextricable mysteries (с помощью которых он распутывал самые неразрешимые тайны). So accustomed was I to his invariable success (так привычен был я к его неизменному успеху) that the very possibility of his failing (что сама возможность его неудачи) had ceased to enter into my head (не укладывалась у меня в голове; to cease — перестать, стихать; to enter — входить).

landlady [l&ndleIdI], inquiry [In'kwaI@rI], exalted [Ig'zO:ltId], pleasure ['pleZ@]

At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to enter into my head.

It was close upon four before the door opened (было около четырех, когда дверь открылась; close upon — почти, примерно), and a drunken-looking groom (и подвыпивший: «пьяновыглядящий» конюх; to drink — пить), ill-kempt and side-whiskered (нечесаный и с растрепанными бакенбардами; side-whiskered: side — сторона, бок, whiskered — носящий бакенбарды), with an inflamed face and disreputable clothes (с воспаленным лицом и вульгарно одетый; disreputable — позорный, постыдный; clothes — одежда), walked into the room (вошел в комнату). Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of disguises (как ни привык я к удивительным способностям моего друга изменять свой внешний вид; disguise — переодевание), I had to look three times (я должен был = мне пришлось посмотреть три раза) before I was certain that it was indeed he (прежде чем я был уверен, что это был действительно он). With a nod he vanished into the bedroom (с кивком = кивнув, он исчез в спальне), whence he emerged in five minutes (откуда он появился через пять минут) tweed-suited and respectable (одетый в клетчатый костюм и солидный; tweed-suited: tweed — ткань в мелкую клетку, suit — костюм), as of old (как всегда; old — старый). Putting his hands into his pockets (сунув руки в карманы), he stretched out his legs in front of the fire (он вытянул ноги перед камином) and laughed heartily for some minutes (и очень смеялся несколько минут; heartily — сердечно).

whiskered ['wIsk@d], disreputable [dIs'repjut@bl], amazing [@'meIzIN], laughed [lA:ft]

"Well, really (ну, право)!" he cried (воскликнул он), and then he choked and laughed again (и затем он поперхнулся и засмеялся вновь) until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the chair (до тех пор пока он был вынужден откинуться, слабый и беспомощный, в кресле).

It was close upon four before the door opened, and a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes.

"Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the chair.

"What is it (что это = в чем дело)?"

"It's quite too funny (/это/ очень смешно). I am sure you could never guess (я уверен, вы никогда не угадаете) how I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing (как я провел: «употребил» мое утро или что я в конце концов сделал)."

"I can't imagine (не могу представить). I suppose that you have been watching the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler (я полагаю, что вы наблюдали: «были наблюдающие» за привычками и, возможно, домом мисс Ирэн Адлер)."

guess [ges],imagine [I'm&dZIn], habits ['h&bIts]

"What is it?"

"It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing."

"I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler."

"Quite so (совершенно верно); but the sequel was rather unusual (но продолжение было довольно необычным). I will tell you, however (я расскажу вам, однако). I left the house a little after eight o'clock this morning (я вышел из дома в начале девятого этим утром) in the character of a groom out of work (под видом: «в образе» безработного конюха; out of work — безработный). There is a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsy men (удивительная симпатия и взаимопонимание существуют среди людей, имеющих дело с лошадьми). Be one of them (будьте одним из них), and you will know all that there is to know (и вы узнаете все, что вам надо знать). I soon found Briony Lodge (я вскоре нашел Брайони-лодж). It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back (это маленькая изящная вилла, с садом сзади; bijou — маленький, драгоценный; /«драгоценность» по франц./), but built out in front right up to the road (но пристроенная впереди = выходящая вплотную к дороге), two stories (два этажа). Chubb lock to the door (замóк «Чабб» /фирменное название/ на двери). Large sitting-room on the right side, well furnished (большая гостиная на правой стороне, хорошо обставленная; to furnish — меблировать), with long windows almost to the floor (с высокими окнами почти до пола), and those preposterous English window fasteners (и с теми нелепыми английскими оконными задвижками; to fasten — скреплять) which a child could open (которые мог бы открыть ребенок). Behind there was nothing remarkable (позади /дома/ не было ничего замечательного), save that the passage window could be reached from the top of the coach-house (за исключением того, что окно галереи может быть достигнуто = можно добраться с крыши каретного сарая; coach — экипаж, карета). I walked round it and examined it closely from every point of view (я обошел его кругом и рассмотрел его внимательно с каждой точки зрения = со всех сторон), but without noting anything else of interest (но не заметил ничего интересного: «без замечания чего бы то ни было еще интересного»).

sequel ['si:kw@l], wonderful ['wVnd@ful], remarkable [rI'mA:kbl], view [vju:]

"Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsy men. Be one of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without noting anything else of interest.

"I then lounged down the street and found (затем я побрел вдоль улицы и нашел = увидел; to lounge — слоняться), as I expected (как я ожидал), that there was a mews in a lane (что там были конюшни в переулке) which runs down by one wall of the garden (который спускается = примыкает к одной из стен сада). I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses (я помог конюхам: «одолжил конюхам руку» с чисткой лошадей; ostler — конюх на постоялом дворе), and received in exchange twopence (и получил взамен два пенса), a glass of half and half (стакан водки; half — половина), two fills of shag tobacco (две щепотки крепкого табаку), and as much information as I could desire about Miss Adler (и так много информации об Ирэн Адлер, как я мог желать), to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the neighborhood (не говоря уже: «сказать ничего» о полудюжине других людей /живущих/ по соседству) in whom I was not in the least interested (в которых я был нисколько не заинтересован; not in the least — вовсе не, ничуть), but whose biographies I was compelled to listen to (но чьи биографии я был вынужден слушать)."

lounged [laundZd], mews [mju:z], horse [hO:s], dozen [dVzn]

"And what of Irene Adler (а что об Ирэн Адлер)?" I asked.

"I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the neighborhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but whose biographies I was compelled to listen to."

"And what of Irene Adler?" I asked.

"Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part (она вскружила головы всем мужчинам в этой части /города/; to turn — вращать). She is the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet (она самое изящное существо, носящее дамскую шляпку: «под дамской шляпкой» на этой планете). So say the Serpentine Mews (так говорят серпентайнские конюхи), to a man (все как один /человек/). She lives quietly (она живет тихо), sings at concerts (поет на концертах), drives out at five every day (выезжает кататься в пять /часов/ каждый день; to drive out — прокатиться /в автомобиле/), and returns at seven sharp for dinner (и возвращается в семь ровно к ужину). Seldom goes out at other times (редко выходит в другое время), except when she sings (кроме /тех случаев/ когда она поет). Has only one male visitor (у нее только один посетитель-мужчина), but a good deal of him (но зато часто; a good deal of — много). He is dark, handsome, and dashing (он брюнет, красив и энергичен), never calls less than once a day, and often twice (никогда не посещает /ее/ меньше одного раза в день, и часто дважды /в день/). He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple (он = его имя мистер Годфри Нортон из Внутреннего Темпла). See the advantages of a cabman as a confidant (видите преимущества кебмана = кучера как доверенного лица = видите, как выгодно войти в доверие к кучерам). They had driven him home a dozen times from Serpentine Mews (они возили его домой много раз: «дюжину раз» от серпентайнских конюшен), and knew all about him (и знают все о нем). When I had listened to all they had to tell (когда я выслушал все, что у них было сказать), I began to walk up and down near Briony Lodge once more (я начал ходить снова взад и вперед около Брайони-лодж), and to think over my plan of campaign (и обдумывать мой план операции = дальнейшие действия).

bonnet ['bA.nIt], advantage [@d'vA:ntIdZ], handsome ['h&ns@m], campaign [k&m'peIn]

"Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him home a dozen times from Serpentine Mews, and knew all about him. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan of campaign.

"This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the matter (этот Годфри Нортон был, очевидно, важным фактором = играл существенную роль в деле). He was a lawyer (он был адвокатом; law — закон). That sounded ominous (это звучало зловеще). What was the relation between them (что была за связь между ними = что их связывало), and what the object of his repeated visits (и какова причина его частых посещений; to repeat — повторяться)? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress (была ли она его клиентка, его друг, или его возлюбленная)? If the former (если первая), she had probably transferred the photograph to his keeping (она, возможно, передала ему фотографию для хранения). If the latter (если последняя), it was less likely (это /было/ менее вероятно). On the issue of this question depended (от решения этого вопроса зависело; issue — исход, результат) whether I should continue my work at Briony Lodge (/следует ли мне/ продолжать работу в Брайони-лодж), or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Temple (или обратить внимание на квартиру этого джентльмена в Темпле). It was a delicate point (это был щекотливый вопрос), and it widened the field of my inquiry (и он расширил поле моего расследования; wide — широкий). I fear that I bore you with these details (я боюсь, что надоедаю вам этими: «с этими» деталями), but I have to let you see my little difficulties (но я должен показать вам: «позволить увидеть» мои маленькие трудности), if you are to understand the situation (чтобы вы поняли ситуацию: «если вы должны понять ситуацию»)."

important [Im'pO:t@nt], lawyer ['lO:je], field [fi:ld]

"I am following you closely (я следую за вами близко = внимательно слежу за вашим рассказом)," I answered (ответил).

"This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the situation."

"I am following you closely," I answered.

"I was still balancing the matter in my mind (я все еще взвешивал: «был взвешивающим» это дело в уме; to balance — обдумывать) when a hansom cab drove up to Briony Lodge (когда двухколесный экипаж подъехал к Брайони-лодж; to drive up — подкатывать), and a gentleman sprang out (и какой-то джентльмен выскочил /из него/). He was a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached (он был необычайно красивый, смуглый, с орлиным носом и усатый; aquiline — орлиный) — evidently the man of whom I had heard (/совершенно/ очевидно тот человек, о котором я слышал). He appeared to be in a great hurry (он, казалось, очень спешил: «был в великой спешке»), shouted to the cabman to wait (крикнул кучеру ждать), and brushed past the maid (и прошмыгнул мимо горничной; to brush past — пробежать мимо) who opened the door (которая открыла дверь) with the air of a man who was thoroughly at home (с видом человека, который был совершенно дома = чувствовал себя хозяином).

moustached [m@s'tA:St], hurry ['hVrI], thoroughly ['TVr@lI]

"I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached— evidently the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly at home.

"He was in the house about half an hour (он был в доме примерно полчаса), and I could catch glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room (и я мог видеть: «я мог поймать» его мелькания через окна гостиной), pacing up and down (расхаживающего взад и вперед), talking excitedly (разговаривающего возбужденно), and waving his arms (и размахивающего руками). Of her I could see nothing (ее я не видел: «мог видеть ничего»). Presently he emerged (вскоре он вышел), looking even more flurried than before (выглядя еще более взволнованно, чем раньше). As he stepped up to the cab (подойдя к экипажу), he pulled a gold watch from his pocket (он достал золотые часы из кармана) and looked at it earnestly (и озабоченно посмотрел на них; earnest — серьезный), 'Drive like the devil (гоните как дьявол),' he shouted (крикнул он), 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street (сначала к «Гросс энд Хэнкиз» на Риджент-стрит), and then to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road (а потом к церкви Святой Моники на Эджвер-роуд). Half a guinea if you do it in twenty minutes (полгинеи, если сделаете это за двадцать минут)!'

excitedly [Ik'saItIdlI], flurried ['flVrid], church [tSV":tS], guinea ['gInI]

"He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if you do it in twenty minutes!'

"Away they went (они умчались), and I was just wondering whether I should not do well to follow them (и я еще задавал себе вопрос, не последовать ли мне за ними; to wonder — интересоваться; whether — ли) when up the lane came a neat little landau (когда вверх по переулку подкатило изящное маленькое ландо), the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned (кучер со своим пальто лишь наполовину застегнутым = пальто на кучере было полузастегнуто; button — пуговица), and his tie under his ear (и узел галстука под ухом), while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the buckles (в то время как все ремни упряжи выскочили из пряжек; tag — свободный конец, петля). It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall door and into it (не успело оно останиться, как она выскочила из входной двери и влетела в ландо). I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment (я видел ее лишь одно мгновение), but she was a lovely woman (но она была милая женщина), with a face that a man might die for (с лицом, за которое мужчина мог бы умереть = в которое мужчины влюбляются до смерти).

wonder ['wVnd@], whether ['weD@], buckles [bVklz]

'The Church of St. Monica, John (церковь Святой Моники, Джон),' she cried, 'and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes (и полсоверена, если вы достигнете ее = доедете за двадцать минут).'

"Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for.

'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.'

"This was quite too good to lose, Watson (это было слишком хорошо, чтобы потерять = это был случай, которого нельзя было упустить). I was just balancing whether I should run for it (должен ли я побежать за ним; to run — бегать), or whether I should perch behind her landau (или должен ли я прицепиться к задку ландо; to perch — сесть, взгромоздиться) when a cab came through the street (когда = как вдруг по улице поехал кеб = показался наемный экипаж). The driver looked twice at such a shabby fare (водитель дважды посмотрел на такого убогого седока; shabby — потрепанный), but I jumped in before he could object (но я вскочил = впрыгнул прежде, чем он мог возразить). 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to twelve (было без двадцати пяти минут двенадцать: «двадцать пять минут до двенадцати»), and of course it was clear enough (и, конечно, было достаточно ясно) what was in the wind (в чем дело: «что было в воздухе»; to be in the wind — носиться в воздухе).

lose [lu:z], perch [p@:tS], fare [fe@]

"This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind.

"My cabby drove fast (мой извозчик ехал быстро = мчался). I don't think I ever drove faster (я не думаю, /что/ я когда-либо ехал быстрее), but the others were there before us (но другие /экипажи/ были там раньше нас). The cab and the landau with their steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived (экипаж и ландо с их взмыленными лошадьми были = стояли перед дверью, когда я прибыл). I paid the man and hurried into the church (я заплатил человеку = кучеру и поспешил в церковь). There was not a soul there (там не было ни души) save the two (кроме /тех/ двух) whom I had followed (за которыми я следовал) and a surpliced clergyman (и священника; surplice — стихарь), who seemed to be expostulating with them (который, казалось, спорил с ними; to expostulate — убеждать, увещевать). They were all three standing in a knot in front of the altar (они все трое стояли: «были стоящими» перед алтарем; knot — группа людей). I lounged up the side aisle (я побрел по боковому придел храма) like any other idler (как любой другой бездельник) who has dropped into a church (который зашел в церковь; to drop into — заглянуть). Suddenly, to my surprise (внезапно, к моему удивлению), the three at the altar faced round to me (трое у алтаря повернулись ко мне), and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards me (и Годфри Нортон бросился так быстро, как только мог, ко мне).

clergyman ['kl@:dZIm@n], altar ['O:lt@], towards [t@'wO:dz]

"Thank God (слава Богу: «спасибо Богу»)," he cried. "You'll do (вы подойдете: «вы сделаете»). Come (идемте)! Come!"

"What then (в чем дело)?" I asked.

"Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal (пойдемте, человек = добрый человек, пойдемте, только три минуты, иначе это не будет законно; won't = will not)."

"My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards me.

"Thank God," he cried. "You'll do. Come! Come!"

"What then?" I asked.

"Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal."

"I was half-dragged up to the altar (я был полуподтащен = чуть ли не силой потащен к алтарю; to drag — таскать, волочить), and before I knew where I was (и прежде чем я знал, где нахожусь = не успев опомниться) I found myself mumbling responses (я бормотал ответы: «нашел себя бормочущим ответы»; to mumble — бормотать, мямлить) which were whispered in my ear (которые шептались: «были прошептаны» в мое ухо), and vouching for things of which I knew nothing (и поручался за вещи, о которых я не знал ничего = совершенно не знал; to vouch — подтверждать, поклясться), and generally assisting in the secure tying up (и вообще помогал тайному бракосочетанию: «связыванию») of Irene Adler, spinster, to Godfrey Norton, bachelor (Ирэн Адлер, девицы, с Годфри Нортоном, холостяком). It was all done in an instant (это все было сделано вмиг), and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side (и там был джентльмен, благодарящий меня с одной стороны) and the lady on the other (и леди — с другой), while the clergyman beamed on me in front (в то время как священник лучезарно улыбался мне, /стоя/ впереди; to beam — сиять). It was the most preposterous position (это было самое нелепое положение) in which I ever found myself in my life (в каком я когда-либо оказывался: «находил себя» в своей жизни), and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just now (и это была мысль о том, что заставила меня смеяться прямо сейчас). It seems that there had been some informality about their license (по-видимому, там было какое-то несоблюдение формальностей в их бракосочетании; license — право, свидетельство), that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them without a witness of some sort (и /поэтому/ священник наотрез отказался поженить их без какого-либо свидетеля), and that my lucky appearance saved the bridegroom (и мое удачное появление избавило жениха) from having to sally out into the streets in search of a best man (от необходимости отправляться на улицу в поисках шафера: «лучшего человека»). The bride gave me a sovereign (невеста дала мне соверен), and I mean to wear it on my watch-chain (и я собираюсь носить ее на часовой цепочке) in memory of the occasion (в память об этом событии)."

mumbling ['mVmblIN], vouching ['vautSIN], bachelor ['b&tS@l@], bridegroom ['braIdgru:m]

"I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just now. It seems that there had been some informality about their license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion."

"This is a very unexpected turn of affairs (это очень неожиданный оборот дел)," said I; "and what then (и что /случилось/ затем)?"

"Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced (ну, я понял, что мои планы: «нашел мои планы» под серьезной угрозой; to menace — грозить). It looked as if the pair might take an immediate departure (это выглядело = казалось, что пара может предпринять немедленное отправление = может немедленно уехать), and so necessitate very prompt and energetic measures on my part (и, таким образом, вызвать необходимость очень быстрых и энергичных мер с моей стороны). At the church door, however, they separated (у церковной двери, однако, они разделились), he driving back to the Temple (он вернулся в Темпл), and she to her own house (а она к себе домой). 'I shall drive out in the park at five as usual (я буду кататься в парке в пять, как всегда),' she said as she left him (сказала она, прощаясь с ним). I heard no more (больше я ничего не слышал). They drove away in different directions (они уехали в разных направлениях), and I went off to make my own arrangements (а я ушел = вернулся, чтобы сделать мои собственные приготовления = взяться за свои приготовления)."

"Which are (какие: «которые суть»)?"

menaced ['menIst], departure [dI'pA:tS@], necessitate [nI'sesIteIt], measures ['meZ@z]

"This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what then?"

"Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove away in different directions, and I went off to make my own arrangements."

"Which are?"

"Some cold beef and a glass of beer (немного холодной говядины и стакан пива)," he answered, ringing the bell (ответил он, звоня в колокольчик). "I have been too busy to think of food (я был слишком занят, чтобы думать о еде), and I am likely to be busier still this evening (и я, вероятно, буду еще более занят этим вечером). By the way, Doctor (кстати, доктор), I shall want your cooperation (я захочу ваше сотрудничество = мне понадобится ваше содействие)."

"I shall be delighted (я буду рад)."

"You don't mind breaking the law (вы не имеете ничего против, чтобы = не боитесь нарушить закон: «сломать закон»)?"

"Not in the least (нисколько)."

busy ['bIzI], beer [bI@], cooperation [k@u,Op@'reISn], delighted [dI'laItId]

"Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want your cooperation."

"I shall be delighted."

"You don't mind breaking the law?"

"Not in the least."

"Nor running a chance of arrest (и шанс ареста = и возможность ареста /вас не пугает/)?"

"Not in a good cause (ради хорошего дела готов /и/ на это: in a good cause — чтобы сделать добро)."

"Oh, the cause is excellent (о, дело /повод/ превосходное)!"

"Then I am your man (тогда я к вашим услугам: «ваш человек»)."

"I was sure that I might rely on you (я был уверен = знал, что могу на вас положиться)."

"But what is it you wish (но что это, /то/ что вы желаете = что вы задумали)?"

sure [Su@], rely [rI'laI]

"Nor running a chance of arrest?"

"Not in a good cause."

"Oh, the cause is excellent!"

"Then I am your man."

"I was sure that I might rely on you."

"But what is it you wish?"

"When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray (когда миссис Тернер принесет поднос = ужин; to bring in — вносить) I will make it clear to you (я вам все объясню: «сделаю это ясно вам»). Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare (сказал он, накидываясь жадно: «как голодный» на простую пищу; to turn on — включиться, пробуждать интерес) that our landlady had provided (которую предоставила наша домохозяйка), "I must discuss it while I eat (я должен обсудить это /с вами/ во время еды = пока я ем), for I have not much time (так как у меня мало времени). It is nearly five now (сейчас почти пять). In two hours we must be on the scene of action (через два часа мы должны быть на месте действия). Miss Irene, or Madame, rather (мисс Ирэн или, скорее, мадам = миссис) returns from her drive at seven (возвращается со своей прогулки в семь). We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her (мы должны быть в Брайони-лодж, чтобы встретить ее)."

tray [treI], hungrily ['hVNgrIlI], scene [si:n]

"And what then (и что затем)?"

"You must leave that to me (вы должны оставить это мне = предоставьте это мне). I have already arranged what is to occur (я уже подготовил то, что должно произойти). There is only one point on which I must insist (есть только один момент, на котором я должен настаивать). You must not interfere (вы не должны вмешиваться), come what may (что бы ни произошло). You understand (вы понимаете)?"

leave [li:v], occur [@'k@:], interfere [Int@'fI@]

"When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her."

"And what then?"

"You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must not interfere, come what may. You understand?"

"I am to be neutral (я должен быть нейтральным)?"

"To do nothing whatever (вот именно: «делать абсолютно ничего»). There will probably be some small unpleasantness (возможно, там будет = произойдет небольшая неприятность; pleasant — приятный). Do not join in it (не присоединяйтесь к этому = не вмешивайтесь). It will end in my being conveyed into the house (это кончится тем, что меня отнесут в дом; to convey — переправлять). Four or five minutes afterwards the sitting-room window will open (четыре или пять минут спустя откроют окно гостиной). You are to station yourself close to that open window (вы должны встать: «поставить себя» близко к этому открытому окну)."

"Yes (хорошо)."

"You are to watch me (вы должны наблюдать за мной), for I will be visible to you (так как я буду видимым для вас = у вас на виду)."

"Yes."

unpleasantness [Vn'plezntnIs], conveyed [k@n'veId], afterwards ['A:ft@w@dz]

"I am to be neutral?"

"To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to that open window."

"Yes."

"You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you."

"Yes."

"And when I raise my hand — so — (и когда я подниму руку — вот так) you will throw into the room what I give you to throw (вы бросите в комнату /то/ что я вам дам бросить), and will, at the same time, raise the cry of fire (и, в то же время, поднимите крик об огне = закричите: «Пожар!»). You quite follow me (вы меня понимаете)?"

"Entirely (вполне)."

"It is nothing very formidable (тут нет ничего страшного; formidable — гигантский; грозный)," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped roll from his pocket (доставая из кармана длинный сигарообразный сверток; to shape — придать форму). "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke rocket (это обыкновенная дымовая ракета; plumber — водопроводчик), fitted with a cap at either end (снабженная капсюлем с каждого конца = с обоих концов) to make it self-lighting (чтобы сделать ее самовоспламеняющейся). Your task is confined to that (ваша задача сводится к этому: «приурочена к этому»). When you raise your cry of fire, it will be taken up by quite a number of people (ваш крик будет подхвачен довольно многими людьми = множеством людей). You may then walk to the end of the street (вы можете затем дойти до конца улицы), and I will rejoin you in ten minutes (и я присоединюсь к вам через десять минут). I hope that I have made myself clear (я надеюсь, что вы поняли: «что я сделал себя ясным»)?"

formidable ['fO:mId@bl], either ['aID@], rejoin [rI'dZOInt]

"And when I raise my hand — so — you will throw into the room what I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of fire. You quite follow me?"

"Entirely."

"It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke rocket, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?"

"I am to remain neutral (должен оставаться нейтральным), to get near the window (стать рядом с окном), to watch you (наблюдать за вами), and at the signal (по сигналу) to throw in this object (забросить эту вещь), then to raise the cry of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street (ждать вас на углу улицы)."

"Precisely (совершенно верно)."

"Then you may entirely rely on me (тогда вы можете полностью положиться на меня)."

"That is excellent (/это/ отлично). I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I prepare for the new role (я думаю, пожалуй, это почти то время, когда я должен подготовиться = пора подготовиться к новой роли) I have to play (которую я вынужден играть)."

excellent ['eks@l@nt], prepare [pri'pe@]

"I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street."

"Precisely."

"Then you may entirely rely on me."

"That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I prepare for the new role I have to play."

He disappeared into his bedroom (он исчез в своей спальне) and returned in a few minutes (и вернулся через несколько минут) in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman (в виде любезного и простодушного нонкомформистского священника; simple-minded: simple — простой, mind — ум). His broad black hat (его широкая черная шляпа), his baggy trousers (мешковатые брюки; bag — мешок), his white tie (белый галстук), his sympathetic smile (привлекательная улыбка), and general look of peering and benevolent curiosity (и общее выражение благожелательного любопытства; to peer — всматриваться) were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have equalled (были бесподобны: «были сравнимы лишь с мистером Джоном Хэром»). It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume (/дело/ было не только лишь в том, что Холмс сменил костюм). His expression, his manner, his very soul (выражение его /лица/, его манеры, самая душа его) seemed to vary with every fresh part that he assumed (казалось, изменялись с каждой новой: «свежей» ролью, которую он играл: «напускал на себя»). The stage lost a fine actor (сцена потеряла прекрасного актера), even as science lost an acute reasoner (равно как наука потеряла тонкого мыслителя), when he became a specialist in crime (когда он стал специалистом по /расследованию/ преступлений).

disappeared [dIs@'pI@d], amiable ['eImI@bl], trousers ['trauz@z], science ['saI@ns]

He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in crime.

It was a quarter past six (было четверть седьмого: «четверть после шести») when we left Baker Street (когда мы покинули Бэйкер-стрит = вышли из дома), and it still wanted ten minutes to the hour (и это требовало еще десять минут до того часа = до назначенного часа оставалось еще десять минут) when we found ourselves in Serpentine Avenue (когда мы оказались: «нашли себя» на Серпентайн-авеню). It was already dusk (уже смеркалось; dusk — сумерки), and the lamps were just being lighted (и фонари только что зажглись: «были зажжены») as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge (когда мы расхаживали мимо Брайони-лодж), waiting for the coming of its occupant (ожидая прибытия его жильца). The house was just such as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes's succinct description (дом был точно такой, как я себе представлял по краткому/сжатому описанию Шерлока Холмса), but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected (но окрестность оказалась не такой безлюдной: «менее закрытой для публики», чем я ожидал). On the contrary (напротив), for a small street in a quiet neighborhood (для маленькой улицы в тихом районе), it was remarkably animated (она была необыкновенно оживленной). There was a group of shabbily dressed men (там была группа убого одетых людей = оборванцев) smoking and laughing in a corner (курящих и смеющихся на углу), a scissors-grinder with his wheel (точильщик /ножниц/ со своим колесом; scissors — ножницы), two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl (два гвардейца, которые флиртовали с нянькой), and several well-dressed young men (и несколько хорошо одетых молодых людей) who were lounging up and down with cigars in their mouths (которые слонялись туда-сюда с сигарами во рту: «в их ртах»).

quarter ['kwO:t@], occupant ['Okjup@nt], succinct [s@k'sINkt], scissors ['sIz@z]

It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes's succinct description, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighborhood, it was remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with cigars in their mouths.

"You see (видите ли)," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the house (заметил Холмс, когда мы бродили туда-сюда перед домом), "this marriage rather simplifies matters (эта свадьба значительно упрощает дело). The photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now (фотография стала теперь обоюдоострым оружием; edge — кромка, край). The chances are that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Norton (шансы таковы = возможно, что она так же не хочет, чтобы фотографию увидел Годфри Нортон; averse — неохотный, нерасположенный), as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his princess (как не хочется нашему клиенту, чтобы она попалась на глаза его принцессе). Now the question is (теперь вопрос такой = в том) — Where are we to find the photograph (где мы найдем фотографию)?"

"Where, indeed (действительно, где)?"

weapon ['wep@n], averse [@v@:s], client ['klaI@nt]

"You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his princess. Now the question is — Where are we to find the photograph?"

"Where, indeed?"

"It is most unlikely (наиболее = совершенно невероятно) that she carries it about with her (что она носит ее с собой). It is cabinet size (/фотография/ кабинетного размера). Too large for easy concealment about a woman's dress (слишком большая для легкого утаивания под женским платьем). She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and searched (она знает, что король способен ее куда-нибудь заманить и обыскать). Two attempts of the sort have already been made (две попытки такого рода уже были сделаны). We may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her (мы можем принять это = заключить, что она не носит это с собой)."

"Where, then (где тогда)?"

size [saIz], concealment [k@n'sIlm@nt], capable ['keIp@bl]

"It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her."

"Where, then?"

"Her banker or her lawyer (ее банкир или ее адвокат = у банкира или адвоката). There is that double possibility (возможно, и то, и другое = двойная возможность). But I am inclined to think neither (но я склонен думать, /что/ ни то, ни другое). Women are naturally secretive (женщины по природе своей скрытны), and they like to do their own secreting (и они любят окружать себя секретами). Why should she hand it over to anyone else (почему она должна передавать это кому-то еще = делиться тайной с кем-то еще)? She could trust her own guardianship (она могла положиться на собственное умение хранить вещи: «довериться своему собственному попечительству»; guardian — опекун), but she could not tell (но она не могла сказать = не была уверена) what indirect or political influence (какое непрямое или политическое влияние) might be brought to bear upon a businessman (может быть оказано: «принесено» в отношении делового человека; to bear upon — касаться, относиться к). Besides (кроме того), remember that she had resolved to use it within a few days (вспомните, что она решила использовать фотографию в ближайшие дни). It must be where she can lay her hands upon it (это должно быть /там/, где она может положить руки на нее = снимок должен быть под рукой). It must be in her own house (он должен быть в ее собственном доме)."

"But it has twice been burgled (но он был дважды подвергнут работе взломщиков)."

"Pshaw (подумаешь!)! They did not know how to look (они не знали, как надо искать)."

possibility [,pOs@'bIlItI], secretive [sI'krItIv], guardianship ['gA:dI@nSIp]

"Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be brought to bear upon a businessman. Besides, remember that she had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house."

"But it has twice been burgled."

"Pshaw! They did not know how to look."

"But how will you look (а как вы будете искать)?"

"I will not look."

"What then?"

"I will get her to show me (я сделаю так, что она сама покажет мне: «заставлю ее показать мне»)."

"But she will refuse (но она откажется)."

"She will not be able to (ей это не удастся). But I hear the rumble of wheels (но я слышу грохот колес). It is her carriage (это ее карета). Now carry out my orders to the letter (теперь в точности: «буква в букву» выполняйте мои указания)."

rumble ['rVmbl], carriage ['k&rIdZ]

"But how will you look?"

"I will not look."

"What then?"

"I will get her to show me."

"But she will refuse."

"She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter."

As he spoke, the gleam of the sidelights of a carriage (когда он говорил, отблеск боковых фонарей кареты) came round the curve of the avenue (показался на повороте авеню). It was a smart little landau (это было модное маленькое ландо) which rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge (которое подкатило к двери Брайони-лодж; to rattle — трещать, грохотать, греметь). As it pulled up (когда оно остановилось), one of the loafing men at the corner (один из бездельников, /стоявших/ на углу; to loaf — бездельничать) dashed forward to open the door (бросился вперед открывать дверь) in the hope of earning a copper (в надежде заработать медяк), but was elbowed away by another loafer (но его оттолкнул локтем другой лентяй), who had rushed up with the same intention (который бросился с тем же намерением). A fierce quarrel broke out (вспыхнула яростная перебранка), which was increased by the two guardsmen (которая была усилена = распалена двумя гвардейцами), who took sides with one of the loungers (принявшими сторону одного из бездельников), and by the scissors-grinder (и точильщиком), who was equally hot upon the other side (который так же горячо встал на другую сторону). A blow was struck (удар был нанесен = завязалась драка), and in an instant the lady (и в одно мгновение леди), who had stepped from her carriage (вышедшая из экипажа), was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men (была = стала центром небольшой кучки возбужденных и дерущихся людей), who struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks (которые свирепо били друг друга кулаками и палками). Holmes dashed into the crowd to protect the lady (Холмс бросился в толпу, чтобы защитить леди); but just as he reached her (но как только он достиг ее) he gave a cry and dropped to the ground (он издал крик = вскрикнул и упал на землю), with the blood running freely down his face (с кровью, бегущей свободно вниз по его лицу = с залитым кровью лицом). At his fall the guardsmen took to their heels in one direction (после его падения гвардейцы бросились бежать: «взяли свои пятки» в одну сторону) and the loungers in the other (а бездельники — в другую), while a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle without taking part in it (в то время как несколько лучше одетых = более приличного вида людей, которые наблюдали потасовку без принятия участия в ней) crowded in to help the lady and to attend to the injured man (скучились = подбежали, чтобы помочь леди и позаботиться о раненом). Irene Adler, as I will still call her (Ирэн Адлер, как я буду по-прежнему называть ее), had hurried up the steps (взбежала быстро по ступеням); but she stood at the top (но она остановилась наверху) with her superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall (и ее: «с ее» великолепная фигура выделялась на фоне огней гостиной), looking back into the street (оглядываясь на улицу).

curve [k@:v], quarrel ['kwOr@l], crowd [kraud], injured ['IndZ@d]

As he spoke, the gleam of the sidelights of a carriage came round the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking back into the street.

"Is the poor gentleman much hurt (бедный джентльмен сильно ранен)?" she asked.

"He is dead (он мертв)," cried several voices (прокричало несколько голосов).

"No, no, there's life in him (нет, нет, он еще жив: «есть жизнь в нем»)!" shouted another (крикнул кто-то: «еще один»). "But he'll be gone before you can get him to hospital (но он умрет: «уйдет» раньше, чем вы сможете доставить его в больницу)."

"He's a brave fellow (он смелый парень)," said a woman. "They would have had the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him (они отобрали бы у леди кошелек и часы, если бы не он). They were a gang, and a rough one, too (это была банда = шайка, и притом очень опасная; rough — грубый, жесткий). Ah, he's breathing now (а, он дышит теперь = начал дышать)."

brave [breIv], purse [p@:s], breathing ['bri:DIN]

"He can't lie in the street (он не может лежать на улице). May we bring him in, marm (можно нам внести его внутрь /дома/, мадам)?"

"Surely (конечно). Bring him into the sitting-room (перенесите его в гостиную). There is a comfortable sofa (там удобный диван). This way, please (сюда: «этот путь», пожалуйста!"

"Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked.

"He is dead," cried several voices.

"No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be gone before you can get him to hospital."

"He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now."

"He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?"

"Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable sofa. This way, please!"

Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge (медленно и торжественно он был внесен в Брайони-лодж) and laid out in the principal room (уложен в гостиной: «основной комнате»), while I still observed the proceedings from my post by the window (в то время, как я все еще наблюдал за происходившим со своего поста у окна; proceeding — акт, действие). The lamps had been lit (лампы были зажжены), but the blinds had not been drawn (но шторы не были опущены), so that I could see Holmes as he lay upon the couch (так что я мог видеть Холмса, лежащего на кушетке). I do not know whether he was seized with compunction at that moment for the part he was playing (я не знаю, был ли он захвачен угрызениями совести = упрекала ли его совесть в тот момент за то, что он играл такую роль), but I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life (но я знаю, что никогда не испытывал более глубокого стыда в моей жизни) than when I saw the beautiful creature (чем когда я увидел прекрасное существо) against whom I was conspiring (против которого я участвовал в заговоре), or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon the injured man (или любезность и доброту, с которыми она ухаживала за раненым /человеком/; to wait upon — прислуживать). And yet it would be the blackest treachery to Holmes (но, тем не менее, это было бы чернейшей изменой = предательством по отношению к Холмсу) to draw back now from the part which he had entrusted to me (выйти сейчас из роли, которую он мне доверил = не выполнить его поручения). I hardened my heart (я сделал твердым свое сердце = с тяжелым сердцем), and took the smoke-rocket from under my ulster (и достал дымовую ракету из-под пальто). After all, I thought (в конечном итоге, подумал я), we are not injuring her (мы не причиняем ей вреда). We are but preventing her from injuring another (мы /только/ мешаем ей: «предохраняем ее от того, чтобы» повредить другому /человеку/).

solemnly ['sOl@mlI], seized [si:zd], ulster ['Vlst@]

Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had entrusted to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are but preventing her from injuring another.

Holmes had sat up upon the couch (Холмс сел прямо = приподнялся на кушетке), and I saw him motion like a man who is in need of air (и я увидел, как он делает движение, как задыхающийся человек: «нуждающийся в воздухе»). A maid rushed across and threw open the window (служанка бросилась вперед и распахнула окно). At the same instant I saw him raise his hand (в тот же миг я увидел, как он поднял руку) and at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" (и по этому сигналу я бросил свою ракету в комнату с криком: «Пожар!») The word was no sooner out of my mouth (едва это слово слетело с моих губ: «из моего рта») than the whole crowd of spectators (как вся толпа наблюдателей), well dressed and ill (хорошо и плохо одетые) — gentlemen, ostlers, and servant-maids (джентльмены, конюхи и горничные) — joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" (подхватили общий крик: «Пожар!») Thick clouds of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window (густые: «толстые» облака дыма клубились в комнате и вырывались наружу из открытого окна). I caught a glimpse of rushing figures (я видел мелькание мечущихся людей), and a moment later the voice of Holmes from within (и мгновение позже /я услышал/ голос Холмса изнутри) assuring them that it was a false alarm (уверяющего их, что это ложная тревога). Slipping through the shouting crowd (проскальзывая через кричащую толпу) I made my way to the corner of the street (я направился: «сделал свой путь» к углу улицы), and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my friend's arm in mine (и через десять минут был обрадован найти руку моего друга в моей), and to get away from the scene of uproar (и уйти с места беспорядков). He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes (он шел быстро и молча: «в тишине» несколько минут) until we had turned down one of the quiet streets (пока мы не свернули на одну из тихих улиц) which lead towards the Edgeware Road (которые ведут на Эджвер-роуд).

couch [kautS], spectator [spek'teIt@], silence ['saIl@ns]

Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of spectators, well dressed and ill — gentlemen, ostlers, and servant-maids — joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Edgeware Road.

"You did it very nicely, Doctor (вы сделали это очень хорошо, доктор)," he remarked (заметил он). "Nothing could have been better (ничего не могло бы быть лучше = как нельзя лучше). It is all right (все в порядке)."

"You have the photograph (у вас есть фотография)?"

"I know where it is (я знаю, где она)."

"And how did you find out (и как /же/ вы выяснили /это/)?"

"She showed me, as I told you she would (она показала мне /фотографию/, как я вам говорил, что она это сделает)."

"I am still in the dark (я все еще ничего не понимаю: «все еще в неведении»; dark — тьма, незнание)."

"You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could have been better. It is all right."

"You have the photograph?"

"I know where it is."

"And how did you find out?"

"She showed me, as I told you she would."

"I am still in the dark."

"I do not wish to make a mystery (я не хочу делать тайну /из этого/)," said he, laughing (сказал он, смеясь). "The matter was perfectly simple (дело было совершенно простым). You, of course, saw that everyone in the street was an accomplice (вы, конечно, видели = догадались, что каждый на улице был /моим/ сообщником). They were all engaged for the evening (они все были наняты на тот вечер)."

"I guessed as much (я догадался об этом; as much — именно это, так)."

"Then, when the row broke out (ну, когда ссора вспыхнула), I had a little moist red paint in the palm of my hand (у меня было немного влажной красной краски в ладони /руки/). I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to my face (я ринулся вперед, упал, хлопнул рукой по своему лицу), and became a piteous spectacle (и стал жалким зрелищем). It is an old trick (это старый фокус)."

accomplice [@'kVmplIs], engaged [In'geIdZd], palm [pA:m], piteous [pItI@s], spectacle ['spekt@kl]

"I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening."

"I guessed as much."

"Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick."

"That also I could fathom (это я тоже мог постигнуть = об этом я тоже догадался)."

"Then they carried me in (затем они внесли меня внутрь). She was bound to have me in (она была вынуждена принять меня; to be bound /to do something/ — быть обязанным /сделать что-то/). What else could she do (что еще могла она сделать = что ей оставалось)? And into her sitting-room which was the very room which I suspected (и в ее гостиной, которая была именно той комнатой, которую я подозревал). It lay between that and her bedroom (это /фотография/ лежит либо там, либо в ее спальне), and I was determined to see which (и я решил выяснить = увидеть, где). They laid me on a couch (они уложили меня на кушетку), I motioned for air (я двинулся за воздухом = притворился, что задыхаюсь), they were compelled to open the window (они вынуждены были открыть окно) and you had your chance (и вы получили возможность /сделать свое дело/)."

"How did that help you (как это вам помогло)?"

bound [baund], determined [dI't@:mind], chance [tSA:ns]

"That also I could fathom."

"Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else could she do? And into her sitting-room which was the very room which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for air, they were compelled to open the window and you had your chance."

"How did that help you?"

"It was all-important (это было крайне важным). When a woman thinks that her house is on fire (когда женщина думает, что ее дом горит: «в огне»), her instinct is at once to rush to the thing (ее инстинкт — моментально броситься к вещи) which she values most (которую она ценит больше всего). It is a perfectly overpowering impulse (это чрезвычайно непреодолимый = очень властный импульс), and I have more than once taken advantage of it (и я не раз: «больше, чем однажды» извлекал пользу из него). In the case of the Darlington substitution scandal (в случае дарлингтонского скандала; substitution — замена) it was of use to me (это было полезно для меня), and also in the Arnsworth Castle business (и так же в деле с арнсворским замком). A married woman grabs at her baby (замужняя женщина хватает своего ребенка); an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box (незамужняя — свою шкатулку с драгоценностями; jewel-box: jewel — драгоценность, box — коробка). Now it was clear to me (теперь мне было ясно) that our lady of today (что наша современная леди: «леди сегодняшнего дня») had nothing in the house more precious to her (не имеет в доме ничего более ценного для себя) than what we are in quest of (чем то, что мы ищем; in quest of — в поисках). She would rush to secure it (она бросилась бы спасать это). The alarm of fire was admirably done (пожарная тревога была отлично сделана = разыграна). The smoke and shouting were enough to shake nerves of steel (дыма и крика было достаточно, чтобы потрясти стальные нервы). She responded beautifully (она среагировала превосходно). The photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel (фотография находится в тайнике позади выдвижной дощечки) just above the right bell-pull (как раз над правым шнурком звонка). She was there in an instant (она была там в одно мгновение), and I caught a glimpse of it (и я поймал мелькание фотографии = увидел краешек) as she half-drew it out (когда она наполовину вытащила ее). When I cried out that it was a false alarm (когда я выкрикнул, что что это ложная тревога), she replaced it (она вернула ее на место), glanced at the rocket (взглянула мельком на ракету), rushed from the room, and I have not seen her since (стремительно выбежала из комнаты, и я не видел ее с тех пор). I rose, and, making my excuses (я встал и, извиняясь: «делая извинения»), escaped from the house (сбежал из дома). I hesitated whether to attempt to secure the photograph at once (я колебался, попытаться ли достать фотографию сразу); but the coachman had come in (но вошел кучер), and as he was watching me narrowly (и так как он пристально следил за мной; narrow — узкий) it seemed safer to wait (/мне/ безопаснее показалось подождать). A little over-precipitance may ruin all (небольшая излишняя поспешность может погубить все; over- — избыточный, чрезмерный) ."

value ['v&lju:], advantage [@d'vA:ntIdZ], hesitated ['hezIteItId]

"And now (а теперь = дальше)?" I asked.

"It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to me that our lady of today had nothing in the house more precious to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all."

"And now?" I asked.

"Our quest is practically finished (наши поиски практически закончены). I shall call with the King tomorrow (я навещу /Ирэн Адлер/ с королем завтра), and with you, if you care to come with us (и с вами, если вы захотите пойти с нами). We will be shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady (нас попросят подождать леди в гостиной: «мы будем проведены в гостиную, чтобы подождать леди»); but it is probable that when she comes (но, вероятно, что когда она придет) she may find neither us nor the photograph (она может не найти ни нас, ни фотографии; neither… nor — ни тот, ни другой). It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty (это может быть удовлетворением для его величества = его величеству, возможно, будет приятно) to regain it with his own hands (достать ее своими собственными руками; to regain — получить обратно)."

"And when will you call (а когда вы отправитесь /туда/)?"

quest [kwest], practically ['pr&ktIklI], satisfaction [s&tIs'f&kSn]

"Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King tomorrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady; but it is probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain it with his own hands."

"And when will you call?"

"At eight in the morning (в восемь, утром). She will not be up (она еще будет в постели; to be up — проснуться; быть на ногах; бодрствовать), so that we shall have a clear field (так что нам обеспечена полная свобода действий: «у нас будет чистое поле»). Besides, we must be prompt (кроме того, мы должны быть быстрыми), for this marriage may mean a complete change in her life and habits (потому что эта свадьба может означать полное изменение = могла полностью изменить ее жизнь и привычки). I must wire to the King without delay (я должен телеграфировать королю немедленно: «без задержки»)."

field [fi:ld], habits ['h&bIts], delay [dI'leI]

We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door (мы достигли = добрались до Бэйкер-стрит и остановились у двери). He was searching his pockets for the key (он искал: «был ищущим» в карманах свой ключ), when someone passing said (когда кто-то проходящий = какой-то прохожий сказал):

"Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes (доброй ночи, мистер Шерлок Холмс)."

There were several people on the pavement at the time (на мостовой в это время было несколько человек), but the greeting appeared to come (но приветствие, видимо, исходило) from a slim youth in an ulster who had hurried by (от стройного юноши в длинном пальто, который быстро прошел мимо).

several ['sev@r@l], pavement ['peIvm@nt], youth [ju:T]

"I've heard that voice before (я слышал этот голос раньше)," said Holmes, staring down the dimly lit street (сказал Холмс, оглядывая тускло освещенную улицу). "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have been (и вот я не понимаю, кто, черт возьми, это мог бы быть)."

voice [vOIs], deuce [dju:s]

"At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the King without delay."

We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was searching his pockets for the key, when someone passing said:

"Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes."

There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had hurried by.

"I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have been."

III

I slept at Baker Street that night (я спал на Бэйкер-стрит ту ночь), and we were engaged upon our toast and coffee in the morning (и мы сидели: «были заняты» за кофе с гренками утром) when the King of Bohemia rushed into the room (когда король Богемии ворвался = стремительно вошел в комнату).

"You have really got it (вы действительно достали ее)!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by either shoulder (хватая Холмса за каждое плечо = обнимая за плечи) and looking eagerly into his face (и нетерпеливо глядя ему в лицо).

"Not yet (нет еще)."

"But you have hopes (но вы надеетесь: «у вас есть надежды»)?"

"I have hopes."

grasping ['grA:spIN], shoulder ['S@uld@], eagerly ['i:g@lI]

I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed into the room.

"You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face.

"Not yet."

"But you have hopes?"

"I have hopes."

"Then, come (тогда идемте). I am all impatience to be gone (я сгораю от нетерпения: «весь нетерпение» /пойти/)."

"We must have a cab (мы должны иметь = нам нужна карета)."

"No, my brougham is waiting (нет, мой экипаж ждет /у дверей/)."

"Then that will simplify matters (в таком случае, это упростит делo)." We descended and started off once more for Briony Lodge (мы сошли вниз и отправились снова к Брайони-лодж; to start off — трогаться).

simplify ['sImplIfaI], descended [dI'sendId]

"Irene Adler is married (Ирэн Адлер вышла замуж)," remarked Holmes (заметил Холмс).

"Married! When?"

"Yesterday (вчера)."

"Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone."

"We must have a cab."

"No, my brougham is waiting."

"Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off once more for Briony Lodge.

"Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes.

"Married! When?"

"Yesterday."

"But to whom (но за кого)?"

"To an English lawyer named Norton (за английского адвоката по имени Нортон)."

"But she could not love him (но она не может любить его = не любит же его)."

"I am in hopes that she does (я надеюсь: «в надеждах», что она любит)."

"And why in hopes (и почему /вы/ надеетесь)?"

"But to whom?"

"To an English lawyer named Norton."

"But she could not love him."

"I am in hopes that she does."

"And why in hopes?"

"Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future annoyance (потому что это избавило бы ваше величество от всякого страха будущей неприятности). If the lady loves her husband (если леди любит своего мужа), she does not love your Majesty (она не любит ваше величество). If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan (нет причин, по которым она должна помешать плану вашего величества)."

spare [spE@], annoyance [@'nOI@ns], reason ['ri:zn]

"It is true (это правда = верно). And yet — (и все-таки)! Well (ну)! I wish she had been of my own station (я желаю, чтобы она была моего собственного положения = жаль, что она не одного ранга со мной)! What a queen she would have made (какая это бы была королева: «какую королеву она бы сделала»)!" He relapsed into a moody silence (он погрузился в угрюмое молчание), which was not broken (которое не было нарушено = которого он не прерывал) until we drew up in Serpentine Avenue (пока мы не остановились на Серпентайн-авеню).

yet [jet], station [steISn], queen [kwi:n], moody ['mu:dI]

"Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan."

"It is true. And yet — ! Well! I wish she had been of my own station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Serpentine Avenue.

The door of Briony Lodge was open (дверь была открыта), and an elderly woman stood upon the steps (и пожилая женщина стояла на ступенях = лестнице). She watched us with a sardonic eye (она посмотрела на нас с какой-то иронией: «с сардоническим глазом») as we stepped from the brougham (когда мы вышли из экипажа).

elderly ['eld@lI], sardonic [sA:'dOnIk], eye [aI]

"Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe (мистер Шерлок Холмс, я полагаю)?" said she.

"I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion (ответил мой товарищ), looking at her with a questioning and rather startled gaze (смотря на нее вопрошающим и довольно удивленным взглядом).

questioning ['kwestS@nIN], startled ['stA:tlId], gaze [geIz]

"Indeed (действительно)! My mistress told me that you were likely to call (моя госпожа сказала мне, что вы, вероятно, зайдете). She left this morning with her husband (она уехала этим утром вместе со своим мужем) by the 5:15 train from Charing Cross for the Continent (поездом в 5:15 с вокзала Чаринг-Кросс на континент)."

The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped from the brougham.

"Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she.

"I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a questioning and rather startled gaze.

"Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Cross for the Continent."

"What (что)!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back (Шерлок Холмс отпрянул назад), white with chagrin and surprise (бледный: «белый» от досады и неожиданности). "Do you mean that she has left England (вы имеете в виду, что она покинула Англию)?"

staggered ['st&g@d], chagrin ['S&grIn]

"Never to return (навсегда: «никогда чтобы вернуться»)."

"And the papers (а бумаги)?" asked the King hoarsely (спросил король хрипло). "All is lost (все потеряно)."

"We shall see (посмотрим)." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the drawing-room (он протолкнулся мимо служанки и бросился в гостиную), followed by the King and myself (сопровождаемый королем и мной = мы последовали за ним). The furniture was scattered about in every direction (мебель была сдвинута беспорядочно: «в каждом направлении»), with dismantled shelves and open drawers (с разобранными полками и открытыми ящиками), as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before her flight (как если бы леди наспех рылась в них перед своим бегством; to ransack — искать, обыскивать, обшаривать; flight — полет, побег). Holmes rushed at the bell-pull (Холмс кинулся к шнурку звонка), tore back a small sliding shutter (отодвинул маленькую выдвижную дощечку; to tear back — сдвигать), and, plunging in his hand (и, засунув внутрь /тайника/ руку), pulled out a photograph and a letter (вытащил фотографию и письмо). The photograph was of Irene Adler herself in evening dress (это была фотография самой Ирэн Адлер в вечернем платье), the letter was superscribed to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." (письмо было подписано: «Мистеру Шерлоку Холмсу. Отдать /ему/, когда он придет.»; Esq. = esquire — господин; to call for — запрашивать, требовать). My friend tore it open and we all three read it together (мой друг разорвал это /конверт/, и мы все трое прочитали письмо /вместе). It was dated at midnight of the preceding night (оно было датировано полуночью прошедшей ночи) and ran in this way (и бежало по такому пути = в нем было написано):

servant ['s@:v@nt], furniture ['f@:nItS@], shelves [Selvz], hurriedly ['harIdlI]

"What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?"

"Never to return."

"And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost."

"We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way:

MY DEAR (мой дорогой) MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES — You really did it very well (вы действительно проделали это очень хорошо). You took me in completely (вы обманули меня полностью). Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a suspicion (до пожарной тревоги у меня не было подозрений). But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself (но затем, когда я поняла: «нашла», как выдала себя), I began to think (я начала думать = не могла не задуматься). I had been warned against you months ago (я была предупреждена о вас несколько месяцев назад). I had been told that if the King employed an agent (мне сказали, что если король нанял бы агента) it would certainly be you (это непременно были бы вы). And your address had been given me (и ваш адрес был дан мне). Yet, with all this (тем не менее, несмотря на все это: «с этим всем»), you made me reveal what you wanted to know (вы заставили меня открыть /то/, что вы хотели знать). Even after I became suspicious (даже после того, как я стала подозрительной), I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind old clergyman (я нашла это трудным = не хотела думать плохо о таком милом, добром старом священнике). But, you know, I have been trained as an actress myself (но, /как/ вы знаете, я была выучена = училась на актрису сама). Male costume is nothing new to me (мужской костюм — ничего нового = не новость для меня). I often take advantage of the freedom which it gives (я часто пользуюсь той свободой: «беру преимущество свободы», которую он дает). I sent John, the coachman, to watch you (я послала Джона, кучера, наблюдать за вами; to watch somebody — следить за кем-нибудь), ran upstairs (побежала наверх), got into my walking-clothes, as I call them (надела мой прогулочный костюм: «гуляющие одежды», как я называю его: «их»), and came down just as you departed (и спустилась вниз, как раз когда вы уходили).

suspicion [s@s'pISn], reveal [rI'vi:l], departed [di:'pA:tId]

MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES — You really did it very well. You took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to watch you, ran upstairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call them, and came down just as you departed.

Well, I followed you to your door (ну, я следовала за вами до вашей двери: «к двери»), and so made sure that I was really an object of interest (и, таким образом, убедилась: «сделала /это/ безусловным», что я действительно объект интереса = мной интересуется) to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes (знаменитый Шерлок Холмс). Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night (затем я, довольно опрометчиво/неосторожно, пожелала вам доброй ночи), and started for the Temple to see my husband (и направилась в Темпл увидеть моего мужа = к моему мужу).

celebrated ['selIbreItId], imprudently [Im'pru:dntlI]

We both thought the best resource was flight (мы оба подумали = решили, что лучшим средством /спасения/ является побег), when pursued by so formidable an antagonist (когда = поскольку /мы/ преследуемся таким грозным противником); so you will find the nest empty (так что вы найдете гнездо пустым) when you call tomorrow (когда вы явитесь завтра). As to the photograph (что касается фотографии), your client may rest in peace (ваш клиент может быть спокоен; to rest — покоиться; отдыхать; peace — мир, спокойствие). I love and am loved by a better man than he (я люблю и любима мужчиной, который лучше, чем он). The King may do what he will (король может делать все, что захочет: «что он будет») without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly wronged (без препятствий = не опасаясь помех от той, которой он сделал столько зла: «которую он так жестоко обидел»). I keep it only to safeguard myself (я оставляю ее /себе/ только для того, чтобы защитить себя; safe — безопасный), and to preserve a weapon which will always secure me (и /чтобы/ сохранить оружие, которое всегда защитит меня) from any steps which he might take in the future (от любых /враждебных/ шагов, которые он может предпринять в будущем). I leave a photograph which he might care to possess (я оставляю другую фотографию, которую ему, возможно, будет приятно оставить: «он может захотеть владеть»); and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes (и я остаюсь, дорогой мистер Шерлок Холмс), very truly yours (преданная вам: «очень истинно ваша»; truly yours — с уважением),

IRENE NORTON, née ADLER (урожденная Адлер).

resource [rI'zO:s], empty ['emptI], peace [pi:s], hindrance ['hIndr@ns], possess [p@'zes]

Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and started for the Temple to see my husband.

We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when you call tomorrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, very truly yours,

IRENE NORTON, née ADLER.

"What a woman — oh, what a woman (что за женщина — о, что за женщина)!" cried the King of Bohemia, when we had all three read this epistle (когда мы все трое прочитали это послание). "Did I not tell you how quick and resolute she was (разве я не говорил вам, как она находчива и решительна)? Would she not have made an admirable queen (разве она не была бы: «не сделала бы» восхитительной королевой)? Is it not a pity that she was not on my level (разве не жаль, что она не одного ранга со мной: «не на моем уровне»)?"

epistle [I'pIsl], resolute ['rez@lu:t], level [levl]

"From what I have seen of the lady (из того, что я увидел о леди = насколько я узнал эту леди) she seems indeed to be on a very different level to your Majesty (она, кажется, действительно находится на очень отличном уровне от вашего величества = совсем другого уровня)," said Holmes coldly (сказал Холмс холодно). "I am sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business to a more successful conclusion (я сожалею, что не сумел довести: «привести» дело вашего величества до более удачного завершения)."

coldly ['k@uldlI], successful [s@k'sesf@l], conclusion [k@n'klu:Zn]

"What a woman — oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?"

"From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business to a more successful conclusion."

"On the contrary, my dear sir (напротив, мой дорогой сэр)," cried the King; "nothing could be more successful (ничто не могло быть более удачным). I know that her word is inviolate (я знаю, что ее слово нерушимо; to violate — нарушать). The photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire (фотография теперь так же безопасна, как если бы она сгорела: «была в огне»)."

"I am glad to hear your Majesty say so (я рад слышать /что/ ваше величество говорит так)."

"I am immensely indebted to you (я чрезвычайно обязан вам; debt — долг). Pray tell me in what way I can reward you (пожалуйста, скажите мне, как: «каким путем» я могу вознаградить вас). This ring — (это кольцо)" He slipped an emerald snake ring from his finger (он снял изумрудное кольцо в виде змеи со своего пальца; snake — змея) and held it out upon the palm of his hand (и протянул его на раскрытой ладони).

immensely [I'menslI], indebted [In'detId], reward [rI'wO:d], emerald ['em@r@ld]

"On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire."

"I am glad to hear your Majesty say so."

"I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reward you. This ring —" He slipped an emerald snake ring from his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand.

"Your Majesty has something which I should value even more highly (у вашего величества есть кое-что, еще более ценное для меня: «что мне следует ценить еще более высоко»)," said Holmes.

"You have but to name it (вам нужно только назвать это)."

"This photograph!"

The King stared at him in amazement (король уставился на него в изумлении).

"Irene's photograph (фотография Ирэн)!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it (конечно, если вы желаете ее = если она вам нужна)."

"Your Majesty has something which I should value even more highly," said Holmes.

"You have but to name it."

"This photograph!"

The King stared at him in amazement.

"Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it."

"I thank your Majesty (я благодарю ваше величество). Then there is no more to be done in the matter (таким образом, с этим делом покончено: «более нет ничего, что должно быть сделано в этом деле»). I have the honor to wish you a very good-morning (я имею честь пожелать вам очень доброго утра = всего наилучшего)." He bowed (он поклонился), and, turning away without observing the hand (и, отворачиваясь без замечания руки = не замечая руки) which the King had stretched out to him (которую король протянул ему), he set off in my company for his chambers (он отбыл в моей компании в свою квартиру = вместе со мной отправился домой).

honor ['On@], bowed [baud], chambers ['tSeImb@z]

And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Bohemia (и это было, как = вот рассказ о том, как огромный скандал угрожал затронуть королевство Богемии), and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a woman's wit (и как лучшие планы = хитроумные планы мистера Шерлока Холмса были разрушены: «побиты» мудростью женщины). He used to make merry over the cleverness of women (он всегда подшучивал над умом женщин; used to — привыкший к; to make merry — веселиться), but I have not heard him do it of late (но я не слышал, чтобы он делал это в последнее время). And when he speaks of Irene Adler (и когда он говорит об Ирэн Адлер), or when he refers to her photograph (или когда он вспоминает ее фотографию; to refer to — ссылаться на), it is always under the honorable title of the woman (это всегда под почетным титулом = он всегда произносит, как почетный титул: «Эта Женщина»).

threatened [Tretnd], merry ['merI], cleverness ['klew@nIs]

"I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the matter. I have the honor to wish you a very good-morning." He bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his chambers.

And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her photograph, it is always under the honorable title of the woman.

THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE

(СОЮЗ РЫЖИХ)

I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes (я посетил моего друга, мистера Шерлока Холмса), one day in the autumn of last year (в один день осенью прошлого года) and found him in deep conversation (и нашел его в глубоком разговоре: «увидел, что он был увлечен разговором») with a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman (с очень полным, багроволицым = раскрасневшимся пожилым джентльменом; stout — плотный, тучный; florid-faced: florid — напыщенный красный, face — лицо) with fiery red hair (с огненно-красными волосами). With an apology for my intrusion (с извинением за свое вторжение), I was about to withdraw (я собрался /было/ удалиться; to be about to — намереваться), when Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room (когда Холмс внезапно втащил меня в комнату) and closed the door behind me (и закрыл дверь за мной).

"You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Watson (вы пришли как нельзя более кстати: «вы не могли, возможно, прийти в лучшее время», мой дорогой Ватсон»)," he said cordially (сказал он радушно).

"I was afraid that you were engaged (я боялся, что вы были заняты = вам помешать)."

autumn ['O:t@m], stout [staut], withdraw [wID'drO:], abruptly [@'brVptlI]

I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw, when Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door behind me.

"You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Watson," he said cordially.

"I was afraid that you were engaged."

"So I am (да, я занят). Very much so (/и/ очень даже)."

"Then I can wait in the next room (в таком случае = тогда я могу подождать в другой комнате; next — следующий, другой)."

"Not at all (вовсе нет). This gentleman, Mr. Wilson (этот джентльмен, мистер Уилсон), has been my partner and helper in many of my most successful cases (был моим товарищем и помощником во многих моих наиболее удачных делах = расследованиях), and I have no doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also (и я не сомневаюсь: «не имею сомнения», что он будет мне очень полезен: «величайшей пользы для меня» в вашем /деле/ также)."

successful [s@k'sesful], doubt [daut], utmost ['Vtm@ust]

"So I am. Very much so."

"Then I can wait in the next room."

"Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also."

The stout gentleman half rose from his chair (полный джентльмен наполовину встал = привстал со стула; to rise — подниматься) and gave a bob of greeting (и приветственно кивнул: «дал кивок приветствия»), with a quick little questioning glance from his small fat-encircled eyes (с быстрым коротким вопрошающим взглядом /от/ его маленьких, заплывших жиром глаз; little — маленький, короткий; fat-encircled: fat — жир, encircled — окруженный).

glance [glA:ns], encircled [In's@:kld]

"Try the settee (садитесь на диван; to try — пробовать)," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and putting his fingertips together (снова опускаясь в свое кресло и соединяя кончики пальцев /обеих рук/ вместе; tip — кончик), as was his custom when in judicial moods (как была его привычка, когда /он находился/ в задумчивости: «в рассудительных настроениях»; judicial — судебный; рассудительный). "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all (что вы разделяете мою любовь всего /того/ = ко всему) that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life (что необычно и снаружи = выходит за рамки условностей и скучной рутины будней: «каждодневной жизни»). You have shown your relish for it by the enthusiasm (вы показали вашу склонность к этому = таким вещам тем энтузиазмом) which has prompted you to chronicle (который побудил вас записывать), and, if you will excuse my saying so (и, если вы извините мое говорение так = с вашего позволения сказать), somewhat to embellish so many of my own little adventures (отчасти приукрасить некоторые из моих /собственных/ маленьких приключений; so many — столько-то)."

settee [se'ti:], judicial [dZu:'dIS(@)l], bizarre [bI'zA:], enthusiasm [In'Tju:zI&zm]

The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small fat-encircled eyes.

"Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own little adventures."

"Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me (ваши дела = расследования действительно были огромнейшего интереса для меня = очень интересны мне)," I observed (заметил я).

"You will remember that I remarked the other day (вы вспомните, что я отметил = я, помнится, сказал на днях; the other day — намедни, недавно), just before we went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Sutherland (непосредственно перед тем, как мы приступили к решению той простой проблемы, представленной = сообщенной мисс Мэри Сатерлэнд; to go into — начинать заниматься), that for strange effects and extraordinary combinations we must go to life itself (что за странными вещами и необычайными сочетаниями мы должны обратиться к самой жизни), which is always far more daring (которая всегда намного более дерзкая) than any effort of the imagination (чем любое усилие: «попытка» воображения)."

presented [prI'sentId], daring ['de@rIN], effort ['ef@t], imagination [I,m&dZI'neISn]

"Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I observed.

"You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more daring than any effort of the imagination."

"A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting (я ответил, что позволяю себе усомниться /в этом/: «заявление, которым я позволил себе усомниться»; to take the liberty of — позволять себе)."

proposition [prA.p@'zISn], liberty ['lIb@tI], doubting ['dautIN]

"You did, Doctor (вы сделали, доктор = так и сказали), but none the less (но, тем не менее) you must come round to my view (вы должны согласиться с моим мнением; to come round — идти на уступки, менять свое мнение), for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you (ибо иначе = в противном случае я продолжу обрушивать множество фактов: «складывание в кучу факта за фактом» на вас; to pile — складывать в кучу, в кипу) until your reason breaks down under them (до тех пор, пока ваш разум не обрушится под ними = найдет их убедительными) and acknowledges me to be right (и признает меня правым = что я прав). Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call upon me this morning (ну = вот, например, мистер Джабез Уилсон /здесь/ был достаточно любезен = так любезен, чтобы обратиться ко мне этим утром), and to begin a narrative (и начать рассказ) which promises to be one of the most singular (который обещает быть одной из самых необычайных /историй/) which I have listened to for some time (которые я слышал за последнее время: «в течение некоторого времени»). You have heard me remark (вы слышали, как я заметил) that the strangest and most unique things are very often connected (что самые странные и наиболее своеобразные вещи очень часто связаны) not with the larger but with the smaller crimes (не с крупными, а с мелкими преступлениями; larger — больший, больше; smaller — меньший, меньше), and occasionally, indeed (и порою, действительно), are those where there is room for doubt whether any positive crime has been committed (это те /вещи/, где есть место для сомнения, было ли совершено явное преступление; whether = if — если). As far as I have heard (насколько я слышал: «как далеко») it is impossible for me to say (для меня невозможно сказать = не могу сказать) whether the present case is an instance of crime or not (является ли настоящий = данный случай примером преступления или нет; instance — пример, вариант), but the course of events is certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to (но ход событий определенно из числа наиболее необычайных = своеобразных, которые я когда-либо слышал). Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to recommence your narrative (возможно, мистер Уилсон, вы соблаговолите = я попрошу начать вновь ваш рассказ; great kindness — большое одолжение). I ask you not merely because my friend Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part (я прошу вас /сделать это/ не только потому, что мой друг доктор Ватсон не слышал вступительную часть) but also because the peculiar nature of the story (но также потому, что специфическая природа этой истории) makes me anxious to have every possible detail from your lips (делает меня беспокойным = мне самому не терпится услышать каждую возможную = малейшую деталь из ваших уст; lips — губы, уста). As a rule (как правило), when I have heard some slight indication of the course of events (когда я услышу незначительный признак хода событий = едва мне начинают рассказывать какое-либо дело), I am able to guide myself by the thousands of other similar cases (я могу руководствоваться: «направлять себя» тысячами других подобных дел) which occur to my memory (которые приходят мне на память). In the present instance I am forced to admit (в настоящем примере я вынужден признать) that the facts are to the best of my belief, unique (что факты, насколько я могу оценить, уникальны)."

piling ['paIlIN], acknowledges [@k'nA.lIdZIz], unique [ju:'ni:k], occasionally [@'keIZn@lI]

"A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting."

"You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique things are very often connected not with the larger but with the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, are those where there is room for doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique."

The portly client puffed out his chest (полный/тучный клиент выпятил свою грудь) with an appearance of some little pride (с видом некоторой гордости) and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the inside pocket of his greatcoat (и вытащил грязную и скомканную газету из внутреннего кармана пальто; newspaper: news — новости, paper — бумага). As he glanced down the advertisement column (пока он пробегал глазами рекламную колонку; advertisement — реклама), with his head thrust forward and the paper flattened out upon his knee (с вытянутой вперед головой = шеей и газетой, выровненной на коленях), I took a good look at the man and endeavored (я внимательно разглядывал его: «взял хороший взгляд» и попытался), after the fashion of my companion (подражая моему товарищу; after the fashion of — наподобие, по методу), to read the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance (прочитать знаки, которые могли быть представлены его одеждой и внешностью).

portly ['pO:tlI], advertisement [@d'vV":tIsm@nt], column ['kOl@m], appearance [@'pI@r@ns]

The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and endeavored, after the fashion of my companion, to read the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance.

I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection (я не многого добился, однако, с помощью изучения, рассмотрения = мои наблюдения почти не дали результатов). Our visitor bore every mark of being an average commonplace British tradesman (наш посетитель нес все знаки = сразу было видно, что он средний заурядный английский лавочник), obese, pompous, and slow (тучный, напыщенный и медлительный). He wore rather baggy gray shepherd's check trousers (он носил весьма мешковатые серые, с шашечным рисунком брюки; shepherd's check: shepherd — пастух, check — клетка), a not over-clean black frock-coat (не сверхчистый = не слишком опрятный черный сюртук), unbuttoned in the front (не застегнутый спереди), and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Albert chain (и темный жилет с тяжелой медной цепочкой для часов «альберт»; drab — тускло-коричневая ткань), and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as an ornament (и квадратный просверленный насквозь кусочек металла, свисающего = болтающегося как украшение = как брелок). A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a wrinkled velvet collar (поношенный цилиндр и выцветшее коричневое пальто с измятым бархатным воротником) lay upon a chair beside him (лежали на стуле возле него). Altogether (в целом = одним словом), look as I would (сколько бы я его ни рассматривал), there was nothing remarkable about the man (не было ничего примечательного в этом: «насчет» человеке) save his blazing red head (кроме пылающей красной головы = огненно-рыжих волос), and the expression of extreme chagrin and discontent upon his features (и выражения чрезвычайного разочарования и недовольства в его чертах).

average ['&v@rIdZ], obese [@u'bi:s], wrinkled [rINkld], chagrin ['S&grIn]

I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor bore every mark of being an average commonplace British tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy gray shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and discontent upon his features.

Sherlock Holmes's quick eye took in my occupation (от проницательного взора Шерлока Холмса не ускользнуло мое занятие; quick eye — хорошее зрение; to take in — понимать, уяснить), and he shook his head with a smile (и он качнул головой с улыбкой) as he noticed my questioning glances (когда заметил мои вопрошающие взгляды). "Beyond the obvious facts (помимо /таких/ очевидных фактов) that he has at some time done manual labour (что он одно время занимался физическим трудом), that he takes snuff (что он нюхает табак), that he is a Freemason (что он масон = вольный каменщик), that he has been in China (что он был в Китае), and that he has done a considerable amount of writing lately (и что он сделал значительное количество написания = ему приходилось много писать в последнее время) I can deduce nothing else (я не могу заключить = сделать вывод более ни о чем)."

Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair (подскочил в кресле), with his forefinger upon the paper (с указательным пальцем на газете = не отрывая указательного пальца от газеты), but his eyes upon my companion (но со своими глазами на моем приятеле = глядя на моего приятеля).

occupation [,Okju'peISn], manual ['m&nju@l], labour ['leIb@], amount [@'maunt]

Sherlock Holmes's quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else."

Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion.

"How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Holmes (как, во имя хорошей судьбы = о Боже, откуда вы все это узнали, мистер Холмс)?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did manual labour (откуда вы узнали, например, что я занимался физическим трудом)? It's as true as gospel (это истинно так: «так же верно, как Евангелие»), for I began as a ship's carpenter (/так как/ я начинал как корабельный плотник)."

"Your hands, my dear sir (ваши руки, мой дорогой сэр). Your right hand is quite a size larger than your left (ваша правая рука примерно на размер больше, чем ваша левая). You have worked with it (вы работали ей), and the muscles are more developed (и мускулы /на ней/ сильнее развиты)."

"Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry (ну, /а/ нюханье табака тогда, и масонство)?"

fortune ['fO:tS@n], gospel ['gOsp(@)l], carpenter ['kA:pInt@], size [saIz], muscles [mVslz], developed [dI'vel@pt]

"How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did manual labour? It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's carpenter."

"Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more developed."

"Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?"

"I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that (я не оскорблю ваш интеллект, говоря вам, как я прочел = узнал об этом = об этом было нетрудно догадаться), especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order (особенно так как, вопреки строгим правилам вашего ордена), you use an arc-and-compass breastpin (вы используете = носите булавку, запонку с дугой и окружностью /масонский знак/; breast — грудь, pin — заколка, булавка)."

"Ah, of course, I forgot that (ах, ну конечно, я забыл /про/ это). But the writing (но писание = как вы узнали, что мне пришлось много писать)?"

"What else can be indicated (что еще может быть показано = на что еще может указывать) by that right cuff so very shiny for five inches (правый рукав, манжета, /такой/ лоснящийся на пять дюймов), and the left one with the smooth patch near the elbow (и левый рукав с гладким пятном = с лоснящейся тканью возле локтя) where you rest it upon the desk (/в том месте/, где вы клали его на письменный стол)?"

"Well, but China (ну, а Китай)?"

intelligence [In'telIdZ@ns], arc [A:k], breastpin ['brestpIn], cuff [kVf], smooth [smu:D], elbow ['elb@u]

"I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you use an arc-and-compass breastpin."

"Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?"

"What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?"

"Well, but China?"

"The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right wrist (рыба, которую вы вытатуировали непосредственно над правым запястьем) could only have been done in China (могла быть сделана только в Китае). I have made a small study of tattoo marks (я провел небольшое исследование /разных типов/ татуировок) and have even contributed to the literature of the subject (и даже внес вклад в литературу по этому предмету; to contribute to — содействовать, помогать). That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China (/такой/ обычай окрашивать рыбью чешую в нежно-розовый цвет совершенно специфичен для Китая = свойствен только Китаю). When, in addition, I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain (когда, помимо всего прочего, я вижу китайскую монету, свисающую с = висящую на вашей цепочке для часов), the matter becomes even more simple (задача становится еще более простой)."

tattooed ['t&tu:d], wrist [rIst], literature ['lItr@tS@], scales [skeIlz]

"The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter becomes even more simple."

Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily (громко: «тяжело» рассмеялся). "Well, I never (не может быть, ну и ну)!" said he. "I thought at first that you had done something clever (я подумал сначала, что вы сделали что-то умное = что вы применяете какие-то изощренные средства), but I see that there was nothing in it, after all (но я вижу, что это так просто: «было ничего в этом», в конечном итоге)."

laughed [lA:ft], heavily ['hevIlI]

"I begin to think (я начинаю думать), Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake in explaining (что я делаю ошибку, объясняя /свои выводы/). 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico (все неведомое кажется нам великолепным (лат.)),' you know, and my poor little reputation, such as it is (и моя скромная маленькая репутация, как бы то ни было), will suffer shipwreck if I am so candid (потерпит кораблекрушение, если я /буду/ так откровенен). Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson (вы не можете найти объявление = вы нашли объявление, мистер Уилсон)?"

reputation [repju'teISn], shipwreck ['SIprek], candid ['k&ndId]

"Yes, I have got it now (да, теперь нашел)," he answered with his thick red finger planted halfway down the column (он ответил со своим толстым красным пальцем, размещенным на полпути колонки = держа толстый красный палец в центре столбца; to plant — сажать, приставить). "Here it is (вот оно). This is what began it all (с этого все и началось). You just read it for yourself, sir (вы просто прочитайте это для самого себя = прочтите его сами, сэр)."

thick [TIk], halfway ['hA:fweI]

Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see that there was nothing in it, after all."

"I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?"

"Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began it all. You just read it for yourself, sir."

I took the paper from him and read as follows (я взял газету у него и прочитал следующее: «как следует»):

TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE (союзу рыжих: «лиге красноголовых»): On account of the bequest of the late Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A. (на основании завещания покойного Изекии Хопкинса из Либанона, Пенсильвания, США), there is now another vacancy open (открыта новая вакансия) which entitles a member of the League (которая дает право члену Союза) to a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services (на получение зарплаты /в размере/ четырех фунтов в неделю за чисто символические услуги = работу). All red-headed men who are sound in body and mind (все рыжеволосые мужчины, которые здоровы физически и умственно = в здравом уме и твердой памяти) and above the age of twenty-one years, are eligible (и в возрасте старше: «над» двадцати одного года, могут получить это место). Apply in person on Monday, at eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Pope's Court, Fleet Street (обращаться лично в понедельник, в одиннадцать часов, к Дункану Россу, в контору Союза /по адресу/ Флит-стрит, Попс-корт, 7).

league [li:g], bequest [bI'kwest], entitles [In'taItlz], eligible ['elIdZ@bl]

I took the paper from him and read as follows:

TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Pope's Court, Fleet Street.

"What on earth does this mean (что, черт побери: «на земле» это значит)?" I ejaculated after I had twice read over the extraordinary announcement (воскликнул я, после того как дважды прочитал необычайное объявление; to read over — перечитывать).

earth [V":T], ejaculated [I'dZ&kjuleItId], twice [twaIs]

Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair (Холмс усмехнулся и дернулся на стуле; to wriggle — извиваться, изгибаться), as was his habit when in high spirits (так как это была его привычка, когда /он находился/ в приподнятом настроении). "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it (это немного в стороне от проторенных дорог = своеобразное, незаурядное /объявление/, не так ли)?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch (а теперь, мистер Уилсон, начните сначала /ваш рассказ/: «отправляйтесь с линии старта») and tell us all about yourself, your household (и расскажите нам все о себе, о вашем доме = домашнем обиходе), and the effect which this advertisement had upon your fortunes (и об эффекте = роли, которую это объявление сыграло в вашей жизни: «на ваших судьбах»). You will first make a note, Doctor, of the paper and the date (сначала запишите, доктор, /название/ газеты и дату)."

"It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890 (это «Утренняя хроника» от 27 апреля 1890 года). Just two months ago (ровно два месяца назад)."

chuckled [tSVkld], wriggled ['rIgld], household ['haush@uld], effect [I'fekt]

"What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice read over the extraordinary announcement.

Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Doctor, of the paper and the date."

"It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months ago."

"Very good (очень хорошо). Now, Mr. Wilson (а теперь = продолжайте, мистер Уилсон)?"

"Well, it is just as I have been telling you (как я вам уже говорил: «был рассказывающим»), Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead (вытирая лоб); "I have a small pawnbroker's business at Saxe-Coburg Square, near the City (у меня есть маленькая ссудная касса на Сакс-Кобург-сквер, рядом с Сити; pawnbroker — ростовщик). It's not a very large affair (это не очень большое дело), and of late years it has not done more than just give me a living (и за последние годы оно не делало больше, чем только давать мне пропитание = доходов хватало лишь на кусок хлеба). I used to be able to keep two assistants (я привык иметь возможность держать двух помощников), but now I only keep one (но теперь у меня только один); and I would have a job to pay him (мне трудно было бы платить и ему: «я должен был бы иметь работу, чтобы платить ему»; to have a job — иметь хорошую работу), but that he is willing to come for half wages, so as to learn the business (но он желает работать за половину зарплаты, чтобы иметь возможность изучить мое дело; so as to — с тем чтобы)."

pawnbroker ['pO:nbr@uk@], affair [@'fe@], assistant [@'sIst@nt], wages ['weIdZIz]

"Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?"

"Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small pawnbroker's business at Saxe-Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him, but that he is willing to come for half wages, so as to learn the business."

"What is the name of this obliging youth (как зовут этого услужливого юношу)?" asked Sherlock Holmes.

obliging [@'blaIdZIN], youth [juT]

"His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, either (его имя Винсент Сполдинг, и он не такой уж и юноша; either — также). It's hard to say his age (трудно сказать его возраст = сколько ему лет). I should not wish a smarter assistant (мне не следует желать более расторопного помощника = более проворного помощника мне не сыскать), Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better himself and earn twice what I am able to give him (и я знаю очень хорошо, что он мог бы улучшить свое положение и зарабатывать в два раза больше, чем я в состоянии предложить ему). But, after all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head (но, в конце концов, если он доволен, зачем мне закладывать идеи в его голову = внушать мысли, которые повредят мне)?"

earn [@:n], twice [twaIs], satisfied ['s&tIsfaId]

"What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes.

"His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?"

"Why, indeed (зачем, в самом деле)? You seem most fortunate in having an employee (вам, кажется, повезло иметь работника: «вы кажетесь очень удачливыми в имении работника») who comes under the full market price (который работает ниже полной рыночной стоимости = которому вы платите меньше, чем другие). It is not a common experience among employers in this age (это необычный опыт среди нанимателей в наше время). I don't know that your assistant is not as remarkable as your advertisement (я не знаю, что более необыкновенно — ваш помощник или ваше объявление; remarkable — примечательный)."

employee [emplOI'I], market ['mA:kIt], price [praIs]

"Oh, he has his faults, too (о, у него есть свои недостатки также)," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a fellow for photography (никогда не было такого парня для фотографии = никогда не встречал человека, так страстно увлеченного фотографией). Snapping away with a camera when he ought to be improving his mind (щелкает фотоаппаратом, когда ему следует улучшать свой разум), and then diving down into the cellar like a rabbit into its hole (а затем ныряет в погреб, как кролик в свою нору) to develop his pictures (чтобы проявить снимки). That is his main fault (это его главный недостаток), but on the whole he's a good worker (но в целом он хороший работник). There's no vice in him (в нем нет пороков)."

faults [fO:lts], fellow ['fel@u], ought [O:t], cellar ['sel@]

"He is still with you, I presume (он все еще с вами = служит у вас, я предполагаю)?"

"Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employee who comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is not as remarkable as your advertisement."

"Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice in him."

"He is still with you, I presume?"

"Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple cooking and keeps the place clean (он и девчонка четырнадцати /лет/, которая делает немного простой готовки = немного готовит и держит место /лавки/ чистым = делает уборку) — that's all I have in the house (это все, кто есть у меня = живет в доме), for I am a widower and never had any family (так как я вдовец и никогда не имел семьи). We live very quietly, sir, the three of us (мы живем очень тихо, сэр, втроем: «все трое из нас»); and we keep a roof over our heads (и мы держим крышу над нашими головами = поддерживаем огонь в очаге) and pay our debts, if we do nothing more (и оплачиваем долги, если мы не делаем ничего более = вот и все наши дела).

widower ['wId@u@], quietly ['kwaI@tlI], roof [ru:f], debts [dets]

"The first thing that put us out was that advertisement (первой вещью, которая выбила нас из колеи, было то объявление; to put out — смущать). Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight weeks (Сполдинг, он пришел в контору как раз в этот день восемь недель /назад/), with this very paper in his hand, and he says (с этой самой газетой в руке, и говорит):

"'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man (я хотел бы, мистер Уилсон, чтобы Господь создал меня рыжим /человеком/).'

"'Why’s that (почему это)?' I asks.

"Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple cooking and keeps the place clean — that's all I have in the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and pay our debts, if we do nothing more.

"The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says:

"'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.'

"'Why’s that?' I asks.

"'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Red-headed Men (ну вот, появилась новая вакансия в Союзе рыжих). It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who gets it (она стоит = даст вполне небольшой достаток тому, кто ее займет: «получит»), and I understand that there are more vacancies than there are men (и /как/ я понимаю, там больше вакансий, чем кандидатов), so that the trustees are at their wits' end what to do with the money (и что доверенные лица = душеприказчики ломают себе голову: «на краю их разума», что сделать с деньгами). If my hair would only change color (если бы мои волосы только могли изменить цвет), here's a nice little crib all ready for me to step into (я бы воспользовался этим выгодным местом: «здесь хорошая маленькая кормушка, полностью готовая, чтобы я пришел к ней»; to step into — входить, войти).'

vacancy ['veIk@nsI], worth [w@:T], trustees [trV'sti:z], ready ['redI]

"'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a very stay-at-home man (я большой домосед; to stay — оставаться), and as my business came to me instead of my having to go to it (так как мое дело приходило ко мне, вместо того, чтобы мне приходилось идти к нему = клиенты сами приходили ко мне), I was often weeks on end (часто по целым неделям; on end — подряд, кряду) without putting my foot over the doormat (не переступал порога: «без переступания ногой через половик»). In that way (таким образом) I didn't know much of what was going on outside (я почти не знал о том, что происходило снаружи), and I was always glad of a bit of news (был всегда рад /получить/ немного новостей).

"'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what to do with the money. If my hair would only change color, here's a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.'

"'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting my foot over the doormat. In that way I didn't know much of what was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news.

"'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men (/разве/ вы никогда не слышали о Союзе рыжих)?' he asked with his eyes open (спросил он со своими открытыми глазами = широко открыв глаза).

"'Never (никогда).'

"'Why, I wonder at that (ну, я удивлен на это = это меня удивляет), for you are eligible yourself for one of the vacancies (так как вы сами подходите, чтобы занять одну из вакансий).'

"'And what are they worth (и чего они стоят = а много ли можно заработать)?' I asked.

"'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year (о, всего лишь пару сотен /фунтов/ в год), but the work is slight (но работа незначительная = пустяковая), and it need not interfere very much with one's other occupations (и не отвлекает очень сильно от других занятий).'

merely ['mI@lI], couple [kVpl], interfere [Int@'fI@]

"'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he asked with his eyes open.

"'Never.'

"'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one of the vacancies.'

"'And what are they worth?' I asked.

"'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and it need not interfere very much with one's other occupations.'

"Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears (итак, вы можете легко подумать, что это /объявление/ заставило меня навострить уши), for the business has not been over-good for some years (так как мой бизнес не был слишком прибыльным /уже/ несколько лет), and an extra couple of hundred would have been very handy (и дополнительная пара сотен была бы очень кстати; handy — полезный, доступный).

ears [I@z], business ['bIznIs], handy ['h&ndI]

"'Tell me all about it (расскажите мне все об этом),' said I.

"Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an extra couple of hundred would have been very handy.

"'Tell me all about it,' said I.

"'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement (сказал он, показывая мне объявление), 'you can see for yourself that the League has a vacancy (вы можете видеть для себя самих = как вы сами можете видеть, Союз имеет вакансию = имеется вакансия), and there is the address where you should apply for particulars (и здесь есть адрес, куда вам следует обращаться за справками/подробностями). As far as I can make out (насколько я понимаю; to make out — разбирать, понимать), the League was founded by an American millionaire (Союз был основан американским миллионером), Ezekiah Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways (который был очень странным в своих привычках = был большим чудаком). He was himself red-headed (он сам был рыжим: «красноголовым»), and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men (и он имел огромное сочувствие к = сочувствовал всем рыжим); so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous fortune in the hands of trustees (поэтому, когда он умер, оказалось: «было обнаружено», что он оставил свое громадное состояние в руках попечителей = душеприказчиков), with instructions to apply the interest to the providing of easy berths (с указаниями употребить проценты /с этого состояния/ для предоставления легких мест; berth — койка; должность) to men whose hair is of that color (людям, чьи волосы того цвета). From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to do (от всех я слышу = все говорят, что это роскошное жалованье, а работать почти не требуется: «и очень мало /нужно/ делать»).'

particulars [p@'tIkjul@z], sympathy ['sImp@TI], enormous [I'nO:m@s], berth [b@:T]

"'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of that color. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to do.'

"'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who would apply (найдутся миллионы рыжих, которые подадут заявление).'

"'Not so many as you might think (не так /уж и/ много, как вы можете подумать),' he answered. 'You see (видите ли), it is really confined to Londoners (это относится = обращено только к лондонцам; to confine — ограничивать), and to grown men (и /только/ к взрослым). This American had started from London when he was young (этот американец начинал /карьеру/ в Лондоне, когда он был молодым = в молодости; to start from — исходить), and he wanted to do the old town a good turn (и он хотел оказать старому городу хорошую услугу = облагодетельствовать родной город). Then, again, I have heard it is no use your applying if your hair is light red (также еще я слышал, /что это/ бесполезно обращаться, если ваши волосы светло-рыжие), or dark red, or anything but real bright, blazing, fiery red (или темно-рыжие, или какие-либо другие, кроме настоящего яркого, пылающего, огненно-рыжего цвета). Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Wilson (теперь, если вы желаете обратиться, мистер Уилсон), you would just walk in (вы бы легко получили то место; to walk in — войти; легко получить работу); but perhaps it would hardly be worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a few hundred pounds (но, возможно, вам не стоит отвлекаться /от основной работы/ из-за нескольких сотен фунтов; hardly — едва; to be worth — стоить; while — промежуток времени; out of the way — лежащий в стороне, не по пути; for the sake of — ради).'

confined [k@n'faInd], blazing ['bleIzIN], fiery ['faI@rI], pound [paund]

"'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who would apply.'

"'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see, it is really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a few hundred pounds.'

"Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves (итак, это факт, джентльмены, как вы сами можете видеть), that my hair is of a very full and rich tint (что мои волосы очень насыщенного и богатого оттенка), so that it seemed to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter (и потому мне казалось, что если бы /там/ случилось состязание в этом деле) I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met (у меня был бы такой же хороший шанс, как и у любого человека, которого я когдf-либо встречал = как и у других /участников/). Vincent Spaulding seemed to know so much about it (Винсент Сполдинг, казалось, так много знает об этом) that I thought he might prove useful (что я подумал, /что/ он может оказаться полезным), so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the day (поэтому я приказал ему закрыть ставни на тот день) and to come right away with me (и пойти прямо туда вместе со мной). He was very willing to have a holiday (он был очень желающим иметь выходной = очень обрадовался выходному), so we shut the business up (и вот, мы закрыли контору) and started off for the address that was given us in the advertisement (и отправились по адресу, который был дан нам в объявлении).

competition [kA.mpI'tISn], thought [TO:t], holiday ['hA.lIdI]

"Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the address that was given us in the advertisement.

"I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes (я не надеюсь более никогда увидеть вновь такое зрелище, как то = такого мне никогда не придется больше повидать). From north, south, east, and west (с севера, юга, востока и запада) every man who had a shade of red in his hair (каждый /человек/, кто имел хоть малейший оттенок рыжего в своих волосах; shade — тень; намек, оттенок) had tramped into the Сity to answer the advertisement (притопали в Сити откликнуться на объявление; to tramp — тяжело ступать, тащиться). Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk (Флит-стрит была забита рыжими людьми; to choke with — подавиться; folk — люди, племя), and Pope's Court looked like a coster's orange barrow (а Попс-корт был похож на тачку уличного торговца апельсинами). I should not have thought there were so many in the whole country (я не мог подумать = никогда бы не подумал, что во всей стране так много /рыжих/) as were brought together by that single advertisement (как /те/, которые собрались вместе по одному объявлению). Every shade of colour they were (они были всех оттенков цвета = рыжего) — straw (соломенного), lemon (лимонного), orange (апельсинового), brick (кирпичного), Irish-setter (/цвета/ ирландского сеттера), liver (темно-каштанового), clay (глиняного); but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real vivid flame-colored tint (там было немного /людей/, кто имел бы настоящий живой огненный тон). When I saw how many were waiting (когда я увидел, как много было ожидающих), I would have given it up in despair (я бы бросил это в отчаянии = чуть не пришел в отчаяние); but Spaulding would not hear of it (не захотел об этом слышать = настаивал на своем). How he did it I could not imagine (как он это сделал, я не мог представить), but he pushed and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd (он толкался, и втискивался, и бодался, пока не провел меня через толпу), and right up to the steps which led to the office (и прямо к лестнице, которая вела к конторе). There was a double stream upon the stair (по лестнице двигался двойной поток), some going up in hope (некоторые поднимались в надежде = полные надежд), and some coming back dejected (а другие спускались угнетенные); but we wedged in as well as we could (но мы вклинились как могли) and soon found ourselves in the office (и вскоре очутились в конторе)."

sight [saIt], north [nO:T], folk [f@uk], straw [strO:], despair [dIs'pe@], wedged [wedZd]

"I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in his hair had tramped into the Сity to answer the advertisement. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought there were so many in the whole country as were brought together by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they were — straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real vivid flame-colored tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found ourselves in the office."

"Your experience has been a most entertaining one (ваше приключение было наиболее занимательным /приключением/ = с вами произошла очень интересная история)," remarked Holmes as his client paused (заметил Холмс, когда его клиент сделал паузу) and refreshed his memory with a huge pinch of snuff (и освежил свою память огромной понюшкой табаку). "Pray continue your very interesting statement (прошу вас = пожалуйста, продолжайте ваше очень интересное изложение = рассказ)."

experience [Ik'spIrI@ns], huge [hju:dZ], continue [k@n'tInju:]

"There was nothing in the office (в конторе не было ничего) but a couple of wooden chairs and a deal table (кроме пары деревянных стульев и стола из сосновых досок), behind which sat a small man (за которым сидел маленький человек) with a head that was even redder than mine (с головой, которая была даже более рыжей, чем моя). He said a few words to each candidate as he came up (он говорил несколько слов каждому кандидату, когда тот подходил /к столу/), and then he always managed to find some fault in them (и затем он всегда ухитрялся найти какой-нибудь недостаток в них) which would disqualify them (что делало их неспособными занять вакансию; to disqualify — признать негодным, дисквалифицировать). Getting a vacancy did not seem to be such a very easy matter (получение вакансии не казалось таким уж простым делом), after all (в конечном счете). However (как бы то ни было), when our turn came (когда пришла наша очередь) the little man was much more favorable to me (маленький человек был намного более благосклонен ко мне) than to any of the others (чем к любому из других), and he closed the door as we entered (и он запер дверь, как только мы вошли), so that he might have a private word with us (так, чтобы он мог иметь частное слово с нами = чтобы побеседовать с нами без посторонних).

deal [di:l], candidate ['k&ndId@t], favorable ['feIv@r@bl], private ['praIvIt]

"Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement."

"There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn came the little man was much more favorable to me than to any of the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he might have a private word with us.

"'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant (сказал мой помощник), 'and he is willing to fill a vacancy in the League (и он желает занять вакансию в Союзе; to fill — заполнять, занимать).'

"'And he is admirably suited for it (и он замечательно годится для этого),' the other answered (ответил тот). 'He has every requirement (у него есть каждое условие = он полностью подходит). I cannot recall when I have seen anything so fine (я не могу вспомнит, когда /еще/ я видел что-либо столь прекрасное).' He took a step backward (он шагнул назад), cocked his head on one side (склонил голову на одну сторону = набок), and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful (и глядел на мои волосы до тех пор, пока я почувствовал /себя/ довольно сконфуженно = мне стало неловко). Then suddenly he plunged forward (затем внезапно он бросился вперед), wrung my hand (сжал мою руку; to wring — скручивать, жать), and congratulated me warmly on my success (и поздравил меня горячо с моим успехом).

requirement [rI'kwaI@m@nt], plunged [plVndZd], congratulated [k@n'gr&tjuleItId]

"'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is willing to fill a vacancy in the League.'

"'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my success.

"'It would be injustice to hesitate (было бы несправедливостью колебаться),' said he. 'You will, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution (вы, однако, я уверен, простите меня за принятие безусловных мер предосторожности).' With that he seized my hair in both his hands (с этим = с этими словами он схватил мои волосы обеими своими руками), and tugged until I yelled with the pain (и подергал /со всей силой/, пока я не вскрикнул от боли). 'There is water in your eyes (в ваших глазах слезы),' said he as he released me (сказал он, отпуская меня). 'I perceive that all is as it should be (я вижу, что все /есть/ так, как это и должно быть = все в порядке; to perceive — воспринимать, ощущать). But we have to be careful (но нам приходится быть осторожными), for we have twice been deceived by wigs and once by paint (так как мы дважды были обмануты с помощью париков и один раз — с помощью краски). I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax (я мог бы рассказать вам истории о воске для вощения ниток; cobbler — сапожник) which would disgust you with human nature (которые внушили бы вам отвращение к человеческой натуре).' He stepped over to the window and shouted through it (он подошел к окну и крикнул в: «сквозь» него; to step over — переступать, перейти) at the top of his voice that the vacancy was filled (во весь голос, что вакансия была заполнена = уже занята). A groan of disappointment came up from below (стон разочарования донесся снизу), and the folk all trooped away in different directions (и вся толпа удалилась в разных направлениях) until there was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the manager (пока там не было ни одной рыжей головы /чтобы увидеть/, кроме моей собственной и /головы/ распорядителя).

injustice [In'dZVstIs], hesitate ['hezIteIt], seized [si:zd], perceive [p@'si:v]

"'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the manager.

"'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross (мое имя, сказал он, мистер Дункан Росс), and I am myself one of the pensioners upon the fund (и я сам один из пенсионеров этого фонда) left by our noble benefactor (оставленного нашим великодушным благодетелем). Are you a married man, Mr. Wilson (вы женатый человек = женаты, мистер Уилсон)? Have you a family (у вас есть семья)?'

"I answered that I had not (я ответил, что нет).

"His face fell immediately (его лицо вытянулось: «упало» немедленно).

pensioners ['penS@n@z], noble [n@ubl], benefactor [benI'f&kt@]

"'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?'

"I answered that I had not.

"His face fell immediately.

"'Dear me (Боже мой)!' he said gravely (сказал он серьезно = мрачно), 'that is very serious indeed (это действительно очень серьезно)! I am sorry to hear you say that (мне жаль слышать, что вы говорите это). The fund was, of course, for the propagation and spread of the red-heads (фонд был /создан/, конечно, для умножения и распространения рыжих) as well as for their maintenance (так же как и для их поддержки). It is exceedingly unfortunate (это чрезвычайно неудачно = какое несчастье) that you should be a bachelor (что вы оказались холостяком).'

gravely ['greIvlI], maintenance ['meInt@n@ns], bachelor ['b&tS@l@]

"My face lengthened at this (мое лицо вытянулось на это = при таких словах), Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was not to have the vacancy after all (так как я подумал, что мне не удастся получить вакансию в конечном итоге); but after thinking it over for a few minutes (но после думания над этим = подумав несколько минут) he said that it would be all right (он сказал, что все будет в порядке = все обойдется).

lengthened ['leNT@nd], vacancy ['veIk@nsI]

"'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a bachelor.'

"My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for a few minutes he said that it would be all right.

"'In the case of another (в случае другого = для кого-либо другого),' said he, 'the objection might be fatal (это препятствие могло быть фатальным), but we must stretch a point in favor of a man with such a head of hair as yours (но мы должны сделать уступки = пойти навстречу в интересах человека с головой таких волос как ваши = с такими волосами). When shall you be able to enter upon your new duties (когда вы будете готовы приступить к выполнению ваших новых обязанностей)?'

objection [@b'dZekSn], fatal [feItl], favor ['feIv@], duties ['dju:tIz]

"'Well, it is a little awkward (ну, это немного неловко = несколько затруднительно) for I have a business already (так как у меня уже есть дело),' said I.

awkward ['O:kw@d]

"'Oh, never mind about that (о, не беспокойтесь об этом), Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. 'I should be able to look after that for you (я смогу присматривать за конторой для вас).'

"'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be fatal, but we must stretch a point in favor of a man with such a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your new duties?'

"'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' said I.

"'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. 'I should be able to look after that for you.'

"'What would be the hours (какие будут часы = в какое время я буду занят)?' I asked.

"'Ten to two (с десяти до двух).'

"Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening (теперь ссудный бизнес в основном делается вечером = главная работа происходит по вечерам), Mr. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening (особенно по четвергам и пятницам /вечером/), which is just before pay-day (что как раз до = накануне /дня выдачи/ зарплаты); so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the mornings (поэтому это подходило мне очень хорошо = было бы неплохо заработать немного утром). Besides (кроме того), I knew that my assistant was a good man (я знал, что мой помощник хороший человек), and that he would see to anything that turned up (и что он может заменить меня в случае чего; to turn up — случаться, появляться).

pawnbroker ['pO:nbr@uk@], Thursday ['T@:zdI], besides [bI'saIdz]

"'What would be the hours?' I asked.

"'Ten to two.'

"Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and that he would see to anything that turned up.

"'That would suit me very well (это мне вполне подходит),' said I. 'And the pay (а жалованье)?'

"'Is 4 pounds a week (четыре фунта в неделю).'

"'And the work (а работа = в чем заключается работа)?'

"'Is purely nominal (чисто символическая).'

"'What do you call purely nominal (что вы называете чисто символической)?'

"'Well, you have to be in the office (ну, вам придется находиться в конторе), or at least in the building, the whole time (или, по крайней мере, в здании /где находится контора/ все время /работы/). If you leave (если вы уйдете /в рабочее время/; to leave — покидать, оставлять), you forfeit your whole position forever (вы потеряете службу: «всю должность» навсегда). The will is very clear upon that point (завещание очень ясно на этом пункте = настаивает на четком выполнении этого условия). You don't comply with the conditions (вы не соблюдаете условий) if you budge from the office during that time (если вы уходите из конторы в эти часы; to budge — шевелиться, перемещаться).'

least [li:st], building ['bIldIN], forfeit ['fO:fIt], budge [bVdZ]

"'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?'

"'Is 4 pounds a week.'

"'And the work?'

"'Is purely nominal.'

"'What do you call purely nominal?'

"'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office during that time.'

"'It's only four hours a day (это всего лишь четыре часа в день), and I should not think of leaving (и мне в голову не придет уйти),' said I.

"'No excuse will avail (никакие извинения не помогут; to avail — быть полезным, помогать),' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness nor business nor anything else (ни болезнь, ни работа, ни что-либо еще; neither… nor… — ни тот, ни другой). There you must stay, or you lose your billet (там вы должны оставаться — или вы теряете место).'

excuse [Ik'skju:s], avail [@'veil], lose [lu:z]

"'And the work (а /в чем состоит/ работа)?'

"'Is to copy out the Encyclopaedia Britannica (переписывать Британскую энциклопедию; to copy out — выписывать). There is the first volume of it in that press (первый ее том — в шкафу). You must find your own ink, pens, and blotting-paper (вы должны найти свои собственные = достать сами чернила, ручки и промокательную бумагу; to blot — промокать), but we provide this table and chair (а мы предоставляем этот стол и стул). Will you be ready tomorrow (вы будете готовы /начать/ завтра)?'

encyclopaedia [InsaIkl@'pi:dI@], volume ['vA.lju:m], provide [pr@'vaId]

"'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' said I.

"'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose your billet.'

"'And the work?'

"'Is to copy out the Encyclopaedia Britannica. There is the first volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be ready tomorrow?'

"'Certainly (конечно),' I answered.

"'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson (в таком случае, до свидания, мистер Джабез Уилсон), and let me congratulate you once more on the important position (и позвольте поздравить вас еще раз с важным = хорошим местом) which you have been fortunate enough to gain (которое вы были достаточно удачливы, чтобы получить).' He bowed me out of the room (он поклонился мне /в знак прощания, когда я выходил из комнаты/) and I went home with my assistant (и я пошел домой вместе с моим помощником), hardly knowing what to say or do (едва зная, что сказать или сделать), I was so pleased at my own good fortune (я был так доволен своим собственным успехом; good fortune — счастье, удача).

enough [I'nVf], bowed [baud], fortune ['fO:tS@n]

"'Certainly,' I answered.

"'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you once more on the important position which you have been fortunate enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased at my own good fortune.

"Well, I thought over the matter all day (я размышлял об этом деле весь день; to think over — обдумывать), and by evening I was in low spirits again (и к вечеру я снова несколько упал духом: «был в плохом настроении»); for I had quite persuaded myself (так как я вполне убедил самого себя) that the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud (что все это дело, должно быть, какой-то великий розыгрыш или мошенничество), though what its object might be I could not imagine (хотя что за цель могла этим преследоваться, я не мог вообразить). It seemed altogether past belief (/это/ казалось в целом совершенно невероятным; past belief — немыслимо: «за пределами веры») that anyone could make such a will (что кто-то мог оставить такое завещание), or that they would pay such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Encyclopaedia Britannica (или что они заплатят такую сумму за что-то столь простое, как переписка Британской энциклопедии). Vincent Spaulding did what he could to cheer me up (Винсент Сполдинг делал /все/ что /он/ мог, чтобы подбодрить меня), but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the whole thing (но, ложась спать, я решил отказаться от этой всей вещи; to reason out — разубеждать). However (тем не менее), in the morning I determined to have a look at it anyhow (утром я решился ознакомиться: «иметь взгляд на = глянуть на» с этим так или иначе), so I bought a penny bottle of ink (поэтому я купил дешевых: «однопенсовый флакон» чернил), and with a quill-pen (и с гусиным пером), and seven sheets of foolscap paper (и с семью листами писчей бумаги; foolscap paper — лист бумаги 13*16 дюймов), I started off for Pope's Court (я отправился в Попс-корт).

hoax [h@uks], fraud [frO:d], belief [bI'li:f], quill [kwIl], court [kO:t]

"Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Vincent Spaulding did what he could to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Pope's Court.

"Well, to my surprise and delight (и вот, к моему удивлению и радости), everything was as right as possible (/там/ все было в порядке: «так правильно, как только возможно»). The table was set out ready for me (стол уже был подготовлен для меня; to set out — снабжать всем необходимым), and Mr. Duncan Ross was there to see that I got fairly to work (и мистер Дункан Росс был там, чтобы убедиться, что я принялся честно за работу). He started me off upon the letter A (он велел мне начать с буквы А; to start off — засадить за работу), and then he left me (и затем он покинул меня = ушел); but he would drop in from time to time (но он заглядывал время от времени) to see that all was right with me (чтобы посмотреть, что все хорошо со мной = работаю ли я). At two o'clock he bade me good-day (в два часа он попрощался со мной: «пожелал мне хорошего дня»), complimented me upon the amount that I had written (похвалил меня за количество /статей/, которые я написал = переписал), and locked the door of the office after me (и запер дверь конторы после меня = за мной).

delight [dI'laIt], fairly ['fe@lI], bade [beId], amount [@'maunt]

"Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had written, and locked the door of the office after me.

"This went on day after day (так шло изо дня в день), Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my week's work (и в субботу мой хозяин вошел и выложил /на стол/ четыре золотых соверена за мою недельную работу). It was the same next week (так же было /и/ на следующую неделю), and the same the week after (и неделю спустя). Every morning I was there at ten (каждое утро я был там в десять), and every afternoon I left at two (и каждый день я уходил в два). By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only once of a morning (постепенно мистер Дункан Росс стал приходить только один раз утром; to take to — увлечься, привыкнуть), and then, after a time, he did not come in at all (а затем, через некоторое время, он не заходил /в контору/ вообще). Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an instant (тем не менее, конечно, я никогда не смел выйти из комнаты /даже/ на мгновение), for I was not sure when he might come (так как не был уверен, когда он может прийти), and the billet was such a good one (и должность была такой хорошей), and suited me so well (и подходила мне так отлично), that I would not risk the loss of it (что я не стал бы рисковать потерей ее).

planked [pl&Nkt], sovereign ['sOvrIn], dared [de@d], sure [Su@]

"This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the loss of it.

"Eight weeks passed away like this (восемь недель прошли таким образом), and I had written about Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica (и я написал = переписал статьи об аббатах, стрельбе из луков, доспехах, архитектуре и Аттике), and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very long (и надеялся с прилежанием = что благодаря старательности я могу перейти к букве Б в скором времени; before long — в ближайшее время, скоро). It cost me something in foolscap (это стоило мне кое-чего в том, что касается бумаги), and I had pretty nearly filled a shelf with my writings (и я почти заполнил полку моими писаниями = написанное мной едва умещалось на полке). And then suddenly the whole business came to an end (и затем внезапно все /занятие/ закончилось: «пришло к концу»)."

eight [eIt], archery ['A:tS@rI], armour ['A:m@], diligence ['dIlIdZ@ns]

"To an end (кончилось)?"

"Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole business came to an end."

"To an end?"

"Yes, sir. And no later than this morning (и не позднее, чем этим утром = сегодня утром). I went to my work as usual at ten o'clock (я пошел на работу, как обычно, к десяти часам), but the door was shut and locked (но дверь была закрыта и заперта /на замок/), with a little square of cardboard (с маленьким прямоугольником = клочком картона) hammered on to the middle of the panel with a tack (прибитого к середине панели гвоздиком). Here it is, and you can read for yourself (вот он, и вы можете прочитать для себя = читайте сами)."

square [skwe@], cardboard ['kA:dbO:d], hammered ['h&m@d], tack [t&k]

He held up a piece of white cardboard (он протянул кусок белого картона) about the size of a sheet of notepaper (размером примерно с листок блокнота). It read in this fashion (там было написано следующее; in this fashion — таким образом):

piece [pi:s], white [wait], size [saIz], notepaper [n@ut'peIp@], fashion [f&Sn]

"Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself."

He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet of notepaper. It read in this fashion:

THE RED-HEADED

LEAGUE IS DISSOLVED (Союз рыжих распущен; to dissolve — распускать, расторгать).

October 9, 1890.

Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement (Шерлок Холмс и я долго разглядывали это краткое сообщение; to survey — обозревать, изучать) and the rueful face behind it (и унылое лицо за ним), until the comical side of the affair so completely overtopped every other consideration (до тех пор, пока комическая сторона дела заслонила: «так полностью превысила» все другие факторы = стороны) that we both burst out into a roar of laughter (так, что мы оба разразились смехом = громко захохотали).

surveyed [s@:'veId], curt [k@:t], rueful ['ru:ful], roar [rO:], laughter ['lA:ft@]

THE RED-HEADED

LEAGUE IS DISSOLVED.

October 9, 1890.

Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so completely overtopped every other consideration that we both burst out into a roar of laughter.

"I cannot see that there is anything very funny (я не могу видеть, что там есть что-то очень забавное = не вижу здесь ничего смешного)," cried our client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head (вскричал наш клиент, краснея до корней своей пылающей головы = своих огненных волос; to flush up — покраснеть). "If you can do nothing better than laugh at me (если вы не можете сделать ничего лучшего, чем = вместо того, чтобы помочь, думаете смеяться надо мной), I can go elsewhere (я могу пойти куда-нибудь еще = обращусь к кому-нибудь другому)."

funny ['fVnI], flushing ['flVSIN], elsewhere ['elswe@]

"I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere."

"No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from which he had half risen (усаживая его обратно на стул, с которого тот наполовину встал; to shove — толкать, пихать). "I really wouldn't miss your case for the world (я действительно не расстался бы с вашим делом ни за что на свете: «за /весь/ мир»). It is most refreshingly unusual (оно наиболее освежающе необычно = освежает своей новизной). But there is, if you will excuse my saying so (но в нем есть, если вы извините мои слова = простите, что я так говорю), something just a little funny about it (что-то немного забавное). Pray what steps did you take (пожалуйста /расскажите/, какие шаги вы приняли = что вы сделали) when you found the card upon the door (когда нашли карточку = записку на двери)?"

shoving ['SVvIN], unusual [Vn'ju:Zu@l]

"No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the door?"

"I was staggered, sir (я был ошеломлен, сэр). I did not know what to do (я не знал, что делать). Then I called at the offices round (затем я обошел /соседние/ конторы; to call round — заходить, посещать), but none of them seemed to know anything about it (но никто из них, казалось, не знал ничего об этом). Finally, I went to the landlord (наконец, я пошел к хозяину дома), who is an accountant living on the ground-floor (бухгалтеру, живущему на нижнем этаже; ground — земля), and I asked him if he could tell me what had become of the Red-headed League (и я спросил его, может ли он рассказать мне, что случилось с Союзом рыжих). He said that he had never heard of any such body (он сказал, что никогда не слышал о такой организации). Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Ross was (затем я спросил его, кто такой мистер Дункан Росс). He answered that the name was new to him (он ответил, что это имя ново для него = что это имя слышит впервые).

"'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4 (джентльмен из номера четыре).'

"'What, the red-headed man (что, рыжий)?'

"'Yes.'

staggered ['st&g@d], landlord ['l&ndlO:d], accountant [@'kaunt@nt], heard [h@:d]

"I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him.

"'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.'

"'What, the red-headed man?'

"'Yes.'

"'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris (его звали Уильям Моррис). He was a solicitor and was using my room as a temporary convenience (он был адвокатом и использовал мое помещение как = в качестве временного удобства; solicitor — адвокат /дающий советы клиенту, подготавливающий дела для барристера и выступающий только в судах низшей инстанции/) until his new premises were ready (до тех пор, пока его новые помещения не были готовы). He moved out yesterday (он съехал /с квартиры/ вчера).'

solicitor [s@'lIsIt@], temporary ['tempr@rI], convenience [k@n'vi:nI@ns], premise ['premIs]

"'Where could I find him (где я мог бы его найти)?'

"'Oh, at his new offices (о, в его новой конторе). He did tell me the address (он действительно сказал мне адрес; to do перед глаголом используется для усиления). Yes, 17 King Edward Street, near St. Paul's (да, Кинг-Эдуард-стрит, 17, рядом с собором Св. Павла).'

"'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.'

"'Where could I find him?'

"'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.'

"I started off, Mr. Holmes (я отправился /по этому адресу/, мистер Холмс), but when I got to that address (но когда я добрался до этого адреса) it was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps (там была мастерская /по производству/ искусственных коленных чашечек), and no one in it had ever heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross (и никто там никогда не слыхал ни о мистере Уильяме Моррисе, ни о мистере Дункане Россе)."

manufactory [m&nju'f&ktOrI], artificial [A:tI'fISl], knee [ni:]

"And what did you do then?" asked Holmes.

"I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross."

"And what did you do then?" asked Holmes.

"I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square (я поехал домой на Сакс-Кобург-сквер), and I took the advice of my assistant (и я принял совет моего помощника = посоветовался со своим помощником). But he could not help me in any way (но он не мог мне помочь никак). He could only say that if I waited I should hear by post (он мог лишь сказать, что если я подожду, то услышу по почте = мне что-нибудь сообщат по почте). But that was not quite good enough (но это не было достаточно хорошо = меня это не устраивало), Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place without a struggle (я не желал терять такое /отличное/ место без борьбы), so, as I had heard that you were good enough to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it (поэтому, так как я слышал, что вы любезно даете советы бедным людям, которые в надобности этого = нуждаются в них), I came right away to you (я пришел немедленно к вам)."

advice [@d'vaIs], struggle [strVgl], poor [pu@], folk [f@uk]

"I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right away to you."

"And you did very wisely (и вы поступили очень мудро)," said Holmes. "Your case is an exceedingly remarkable one (ваше дело исключительно примечательное), and I shall be happy to look into it (и я буду счастлив заняться им; to look into — исследовать, изучать). From what you have told me (из /того/ что вы мне рассказали) I think that it is possible that graver issues hang from it (я думаю, что более серьезные проблемы вытекают отсюда) than might at first sight appear (чем может показаться на первый взгляд)."

wisely ['waIzlI], exceedingly [Ik'si:dIlI], issues ['ISu:z], sight [saIt], appear [@'pI@]

"Grave enough (серьезно достаточно = куда уж серьезнее)!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four pound a week (я же потерял четыре фунта в неделю)."

"And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear."

"Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four pound a week."

"As far as you are personally concerned (насколько: «как далеко» вас лично касается)," remarked Holmes (заметил Холмс), "I do not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary league (я не вижу, чтобы у вас был повод для недовольства этим необычайным Союзом; against — против). On the contrary (наоборот), you are, as I understand (вы, как я понимаю), richer by some 30 pounds (богаче примерно на 30 фунтов), to say nothing of the minute knowledge (не говоря уже о: «сказать ничего о» детальных знаниях; minute — мелкий, подробный) which you have gained on every subject (которые вы получили по каждому предмету) which comes under the letter A (который идет под буквой А = начинается с А). You have lost nothing by them (вы ничего не потеряли /из-за них/)."

concerned [k@n's@:nd], grievance ['gri:v@ns], knowledge ['nOlIdZ]

"As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have lost nothing by them."

"No, sir (не спорю, сэр). But I want to find out about them (но я хочу узнать о них), and who they are (и кто они такие), and what their object was in playing this prank (и какая их цель была в этой шутке: «в игрании этой шутки») — if it was a prank (если это была шутка) — upon me (со мной). It was a pretty expensive joke for them (это была довольно дорогая шутка для них), for it cost them two and thirty pounds (так как она стоила им тридцать два фунта)."

object ['ObdZIkt], prank [pr&Nk], expensive [Ik'spensIv], joke [dZ@uk]

"We shall endeavor to clear up these points for you (мы постараемся выяснить эти положения для вас). And, first, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson (а прежде один или два вопроса, мистер Уилсон). This assistant of yours who first called your attention to the advertisement (этот ваш помощник, который первым показал вам: «призвал ваше внимание» объявление) — how long had he been with you (как долго он с вами = давно ли служит у вас)?"

"About a month then (около месяца)."

endeavor [In'dev@], questions ['kwestS@nz], attention [@'tenSn]

"No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and what their object was in playing this prank — if it was a prank — upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it cost them two and thirty pounds."

"We shall endeavor to clear up these points for you. And, first, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who first called your attention to the advertisement — how long had he been with you?"

"About a month then."

"How did he come (как он пришел = где вы его нашли)?"

"In answer to an advertisement (в ответ на объявление = явился по объявлению)."

"Was he the only applicant (был ли он единственным кандидатом)?"

"No, I had a dozen (нет, у меня была дюжина /претендентов/)."

"Why did you pick him (почему вы выбрали его)?"

"Because he was handy and would come cheap (потому что он был ловким, проворным и обошелся бы дешево)."

applicant ['&plIk@nt], dozen [dVzn], handy ['h&ndI], cheap [tSi:p]

"How did he come?"

"In answer to an advertisement."

"Was he the only applicant?"

"No, I had a dozen."

"Why did you pick him?"

"Because he was handy and would come cheap."

"At half-wages, in fact (за ползарплаты, фактически)."

"Yes."

"What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding (каков он из себя, этот Винсент Сполдинг)?"

"Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways (маленький, коренастый, очень живой: «быстрый в своих путях»), no hair on his face (на лице нет волос), though he's not short of thirty (хотя ему уже около тридцати). Has a white splash of acid upon his forehead (имеет белое пятно от /ожога/ кислотой на лбу)."

stout-built [staut'bIlt], quick [kwIk], acid ['&sId], forehead ['fOrId]

"At half-wages, in fact."

"Yes."

"What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?"

"Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon his forehead."

Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement (Холмс выпрямился в кресле в значительном волнении). "I thought as much (я думал именно так = я так и думал)," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are pierced for earrings (вы когда-нибудь замечали, что его уши проколоты; ear — ухо; ring — кольцо; earring — серьга)?"

considerable [k@n'sId@r@bl], excitement [Ik'saItm@nt], pierced [pI@st], earring ['I@rIN]

"Yes, sir. He told me that a gypsy had done it for him when he was a lad (он сказал мне, что какой-то цыган сделал это /для него/, когда он был мальчиком = маленьким)."

gypsy ['dZIpsI], lad [l&d]

"Hum (хм)!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought (откидываясь в глубокой мысли = раздумье). "He is still with you (он все еще с вами)?"

sinking ['sINkIN], thought [TO:t]

Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are pierced for earrings?"

"Yes, sir. He told me that a gypsy had done it for him when he was a lad."

"Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still with you?"

"Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him (я только что оставил его = видел его)."

"And has your business been attended to in your absence (а хорошо ли он справлялся с вашими делами в ваше отсутствие; to attend to — заботиться, следить)?"

"Nothing to complain of, sir (ничего чтобы пожаловаться = не могу жаловаться, сэр). There's never very much to do of a morning (утром никогда не бывает много работы)."

absence ['&bs@ns], complain [k@m'pleIn], sir [s@:]

"That will do, Mr. Wilson (достаточно, мистер Уилсон). I shall be happy to give you an opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two (я буду счастлив = буду иметь удовольствие высказать вам мое мнение по этой теме через день или два; in the course of — в течение). Today is Saturday (сегодня суббота), and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion (и я надеюсь, что к понедельнику мы сможем прийти к заключению = все выясним)."

opinion [@'pInj@n], course [kO:s], Saturday ['s&t@dI], conclusion [k@n'klu:Zn]

"Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him."

"And has your business been attended to in your absence?"

"Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a morning."

"That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. Today is Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion."

"Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us (когда наш посетитель покинул нас = ушел), "what do you make of it all (что вы обо всем этом думаете: «что вы делаете из этого всего»)?"

"I make nothing of it (я ничего не думаю)," I answered frankly (ответил я откровенно). "It is a most mysterious business (это совершенно таинственное дело)."

frankly ['fr&NklI], mysterious [mI'stIrI@s]

"As a rule (как правило)," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less mysterious it proves to be (чем более странная вещь = случай, тем менее таинственным он оказывается). It is your commonplace, featureless crimes (это заурядные, бесцветные преступления) which are really puzzling (которые действительно озадачивают), just as a commonplace face is the most difficult to identify (так же как и заурядное лицо наиболее трудно опознать). But I must be prompt over this matter (но я должен = мне нужно быть быстрым с этим делом)."

"What are you going to do, then (что вы собираетесь делать в таком случае)?" I asked.

rule [ru:l], bizarre [bI'zA:], featureless ['fi:tS@lIs], identify [aI'dentIfaI]

"Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what do you make of it all?"

"I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most mysterious business."

"As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this matter."

"What are you going to do, then?" I asked.

"To smoke (курить)," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem (это как раз трехтрубочная проблема = задача на три трубки табаку), and I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes (и я попрошу, чтобы вы не говорили со мной пятьдесят минут)." He curled himself up in his chair (он свернулся в своем кресле), with his thin knees drawn up to his hawk-like nose (подтянув худые колени к ястребиному носу; hawk — ястреб), and there he sat with his eyes closed and his black clay pipe (и вот = в такой позе он сидел с закрытыми глазами и своей черной глиняной трубкой) thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird (торчащей, как клюв какой-то странной птицы; to thrust out — высунуть). I had come to the conclusion (я пришел к заключению) that he had dropped asleep (что он уснул), and indeed was nodding myself (и сам уже начал дремать, клевать носом), when he suddenly sprang out of his chair with the gesture of a man (когда он внезапно вскочил со своего кресла с жестом = видом человека) who has made up his mind (который «собрал свой разум» = принял решение) and put his pipe down upon the mantelpiece (и положил свою трубку на каминную полку).

pipe [paIp], hawk [hO:k], gesture ['dZestS@], mantelpiece ['m&ntlpi:s]

"To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put his pipe down upon the mantelpiece.

"Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon (Сарасате играет в Сент-Джеймс-холле сегодня днем)," he remarked. "What do you think, Watson (что вы думаете /об этом/, Ватсон)? Could your patients spare you for a few hours (могут ли ваши пациенты обойтись без вас в течение нескольких часов; to spare — экономить, беречь)?"

patients ['peISnts], spare [spe@], few [fju:], hours ['au@z]

"I have nothing to do today (мне нечего делать сегодня = я свободен сегодня). My practice is never very absorbing (моя практика никогда не поглощает = отнимает много времени)."

practice ['pr&ktIs], absorbing [@b'zO:bIN]

"Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare you for a few hours?"

"I have nothing to do today. My practice is never very absorbing."

"Then put on your hat and come (тогда надевайте вашу шляпу и идемте). I am going through the City first (я собираюсь /проехать/ через Сити сначала), and we can have some lunch on the way (и мы можем иметь ланч = перекусить по пути). I observe that there is a good deal of German music on the programme (я вижу: «наблюдаю», что в программе много немецкой музыки), which is rather more to my taste than Italian or French (что значительно больше мне по вкусу, чем итальянская или французская). It is introspective (она интроспективна = способствует самоуглублению), and I want to introspect (и я хочу заняться углубиться в себя). Come along (пойдемте; to come along — сопровождать; поторапливаться)!"

through [Tru:], deal [di:l], programme ['pr@ugr&m], introspective [Intr@'spektIv]

"Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!"

We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate (мы доехали: «пропутешествовали» с помощью метро до Олдерсгейта); and a short walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square (и короткая прогулка привела нас до Сакс-Кобург-сквер), the scene of the singular story which we had listened to in the morning (места действия странной истории, которую мы слышали этим утром). It was a poky, little, shabby-genteel place (это было убогое, маленькое, пытающееся скрыть свою нищету место; shabby — поношенный; потрепанный; genteel — благородный; изящный), where four lines of dingy two-storied brick houses (где четыре ряда грязных двухэтажных кирпичных домов) looked out into a small railed-in enclosure (смотрели /окнами/ на маленькое отгороженное пространство; enclosure — огороженное место, загон), where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded laurel-bushes (где газон сорной травы и несколько /групп/ блеклых лавровых кустов) made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and uncongenial atmosphere (делали тяжелый бой = вели тяжелую борьбу с: «против» насыщенной дымом и неблагоприятной атмосферой; laden — нагруженный; сочащийся). Three gilt balls and a brown board with "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters (три позолоченных шара и бурая доска с /надписью/ «Джабез Уилсон», выведенной белыми буквами), upon a corner house (на угловом доме), announced the place where our red-headed client carried on his business (объявляли о месте, где = указывали, что здесь наш рыжий клиент вел свое дело). Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it (Шерлок Холмс остановился перед этим = перед дверью) with his head on one side (с головой на одной стороне = склоненной набок головой) and looked it all over (и тщательно осмотрел ее), with his eyes shining brightly between puckered lids (/с/ глазами, сверкающими ярко из-под: «между» полуприкрытых век). Then he walked slowly up the street (затем он прошелся медленно /вверх/ по улице), and then down again to the corner (и затем /вниз/ обратно к углу), still looking keenly at the houses (все еще вглядываясь внимательно в дома). Finally he returned to the pawnbroker's (наконец, он вернулся к ссудной кассе), and, having thumped vigorously upon the pavement with his stick two or three times (и, постучав энергично по мостовой своей тростью два или три раза), he went up to the door and knocked (он подошел к двери и постучал /в дверь/). It was instantly opened by a bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step in (она была тотчас же открыта расторопным, чисто выбритым молодым человеком, который попросил его войти; bright — живой, расторопный; to shave — бриться).

poky ['p@ukI], dingy ['dIndZI], lawn [lO:n], uncongenial [Vnk@n'dZjnI@l], brightly ['braItlI], pawnbroker ['pO:n,br@uk@], vigorously ['vIg@r@slI], pavement ['peIvm@nt]

We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step in.

"Thank you (спасибо)," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would go from here to the Strand (я только хотел спросить вас, как пройти: «как бы вы прошли» отсюда на Стрэнд)."

"Third right, fourth left (третий поворот направо, четвертый налево)," answered the assistant promptly, closing the door (ответил помощник быстро, закрывая дверь).

"Smart fellow, that (ловкий парень; that — этот, так, очень)," observed Holmes as we walked away (заметил Холмс, когда мы ушли). "He is, in my judgment (он, по моему мнению: «приговору»), the fourth smartest man in London (четвертый по ловкости человек в Лондоне), and for daring I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third (а по смелости, я не уверен, что у него нет притязания /на то, чтобы/ быть третьим = пожалуй, занимает третье место). I have known something of him before (я знал кое-что о нем раньше)."

fellow ['fel@u], judgment ['dZVdZm@nt], daring ['de@rIN]

"Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would go from here to the Strand."

"Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, closing the door.

"Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, in my judgment. the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known something of him before."

"Evidently (очевидно)," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League (помощник мистера Уилсона играет немалую роль: «стоит значительного количества» в этой тайне Союза рыжих). I am sure that you inquired your way merely in order that you might see him (я уверен, что вы спросили дорогу лишь для того, чтобы /вы могли/ увидеть его)."

"Not him (не его)."

"What then (что /же/ тогда)?"

"The knees of his trousers (колени его брюк)."

"And what did you see (и что вы увидели)?"

evidently ['evId@ntlI], inquired [In'kwaI@d], merely ['mI@lI]

"Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you inquired your way merely in order that you might see him."

"Not him."

"What then?"

"The knees of his trousers."

"And what did you see?"

"What I expected to see (/то/ что я ожидал увидеть)."

"Why did you beat the pavement (зачем вы ударяли мостовую = стучали по камням мостовой)?"

"My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk (мой дорогой доктор, это время = сейчас время для наблюдений, не для разговора). We are spies in an enemy's country (мы шпионы на вражеской территории). We know something of Saxe-Coburg Square (мы знаем кое-что о Сакс-Кобург-сквер). Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it (теперь давайте исследуем: «позвольте нам теперь исследовать» части = улицы, которые лежат позади нее)."

trousers ['trauz@s], beat [bi:t], spies [spaIz], explore [Ik'splO:]

"What I expected to see."

"Why did you beat the pavement?"

"My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it."

The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square (дорога, в которой мы нашли себя = где мы очутились, когда свернули за угол с уединенной Сакс-Кобург-сквер) presented as great a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back (представляла такой же большой контраст = так же сильно отличалась от Сакс-Кобург-сквер, как передняя часть картины от ее оборотной стороны). It was one of the main arteries (это была одна из главных артерий) which conveyed the traffic of the City to the north and west (которая переправляла уличное движение Сити на север и запад = соединяющая Сити с севером и западом). The roadway was blocked with the immense stream of commerce (дорога была перегорожена = забита нескончаемым потоком экипажей; commerce — транспорт, перевозки) flowing in a double tide inward and outward (движущихся двумя потоками внутрь и наружу; to flow — течь, струиться), while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of pedestrians (в то время как тротуары: «ножные тропинки» были черными от спешащего роя пешеходов). It was difficult to realize (трудно было представить себе) as we looked at the line of fine shops and stately business premises (глядя на: «когда мы смотрели» ряд прекрасных магазинов и представительных торговых помещений) that they really abutted on the other side (что они действительно граничили с другой стороны) upon the faded and stagnant square which we had just quitted (с блеклой и безлюдной площадью, которую мы только что покинули; stagnant — застойный, неразвивающийся).

retired [rI'taI@d], conveyed [k@n'veId], immense [I'mens], double [dVbl], swarm [swO:m], pedestrians [pI'destrI@n], stately ['steItlI], stagnant ['st&gn@nt]

The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of pedestrians. It was difficult to realize as we looked at the line of fine shops and stately business premises that they really abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square which we had just quitted.

"Let me see (позвольте мне взглянуть)," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing along the line (сказал Холмс, вставая на углу и глядя вдоль ряда домов), "I should like just to remember the order of the houses here (я хотел бы только запомнить порядок домов здесь). It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of London (это мое хобби — точное знание Лондона). There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist (там магазин Мортимера, владельца табачной фабрики), the little newspaper shop (маленький газетный магазин = лавчонка), the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank (кобургское отделение Городского и Пригородного Банка; branch — ветвь, филиал), the Vegetarian Restaurant (вегетарианский ресторан), and McFarlane's carriage-building depot (и экипажестроительное = каретное депо Макфарлена). That carries us right on to the other block (это приводит нас прямо к следующему кварталу). And now, Doctor, we've done our work (а теперь, доктор, мы сделали нашу работу = наша работа окончена), so it's time we had some play (так что теперь мы можем немного поразвлечься: «время у нас была бы забава, игра»). A sandwich and a cup of coffee (сэндвич с чашкой кофе), and then off to violin-land (а затем — в страну скрипок: «скрипичную страну»), where all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony (где все сладость и изысканность и гармония), and there are no red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums (и там нет рыжих клиентов, чтобы досаждать нам своими головоломками)."

order ['O:d@], exact [Ig'z&kt], knowledge ['nOlIdZ], branch [brA:ntS], violin [,vaI@'lIn], delicacy ['delIk@sI], harmony ['hA:m@nI], conundrums [k@'nVndr@mz]

"Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums."

My friend was an enthusiastic musician (мой друг был увлеченным музыкантом), being himself not only a very capable performer (будучи сам не только очень способным исполнителем), but a composer of no ordinary merit (но и композитором необычного достоинства = незаурядным композитором). All the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect happiness (весь вечер он сидел в кресле /в партере/, окутанный наиболее совершенным счастьем = очень счастливый), gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the music (слегка качая своими длинными, тонкими пальцами в такт музыке), while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes (в то время как его слегка улыбающееся лицо и томные, задумчивые глаза) were as unlike those of Holmes, the sleuth-hound (были так непохожи на = ничем не напоминали глаза Холмса-ищейки), Holmes the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent (Холмса безжалостного, сообразительного, всегда готового действовать преследователя преступников; keen — острый, проницательный; wit /чаще wits/ — рассудок, разум), as it was possible to conceive (как это возможно было постичь = каков был только мыслим). In his singular character the dual nature alternately asserted itself (в его удивительном характере двойственная природа поочередно заявляла о себе = характер слагался из двух начал), and his extreme exactness and astuteness represented (и его потрясающая точность и проницательность представляли собой), as I have often thought (как я часто думал), the reaction against the poetic and contemplative mood (реакцию против поэтического и созерцательного настроения = рождались в борьбе с поэтической задумчивостью) which occasionally predominated in him (которая временами преобладала в нем). The swing of his nature took him from extreme languor to devouring energy (колебание его природы переносило его = он постоянно переходил от чрезвычайной апатичности к необыкновенной: «пожирающей» энергии); and, as I knew well (и, как я хорошо знал), he was never so truly formidable as when (он никогда не был столь воистину грозен, как когда; formidable — страшный, жуткий; огромный), for days on end (дни напролет = несколько дней подряд), he had been lounging in his armchair (он бездельничал /развалясь/ в своем кресле) amid his improvisations and his black-letter editions (посреди своих импровизаций и напечатанных готическим шрифтом книг). Then it was that the lust of the chase would suddenly come upon him (затем бывало, что жажда преследования внезапно нисходила на него = охватывала его), and that his brilliant reasoning power would rise to the level of intuition (и /что/ его блистательный разум возрастал до уровня интуиции), until those who were unacquainted with his methods (что те, кто был не знаком с его методами /работы/) would look askance at him as on a man (начинали коситься на него, как на человека; askance — косо; неодобрительно) whose knowledge was not that of other mortals (чье знание не было /знанием/ других смертных). When I saw him that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall (когда я видел его тем вечером столь окутанным музыкой: «завернутым в музыку» в Сент-Джеймс-холле) I felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set himself to hunt down (я почувствовал, что злое время может прийти к тем, на кого он решил охотиться = тем, за кем он охотится, будет плохо; to set to — ставить задачу).

"You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor (вы хотите, без сомнения, пойти домой, доктор)," he remarked as we emerged (заметил он, когда мы вышли; to emerge — появляться, всплывать).

enthusiastic [In,Tju:zI'&stik], musician [mju:'zISn], capable ['keIp@bl], wrapped [r&pt], sleuth [slu:T], hound [haund], alternately [O:l't@:n@tlI], astuteness [@'stju:tnIs], languor ['l&Ng@], askance [@'sk&ns]

My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a very capable performer, but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes were as unlike those of Holmes, the sleuth-hound, Holmes the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set himself to hunt down.

"You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we emerged.

"Yes, it would be as well (да, это было бы желательно)."

"And I have some business to do which will take some hours (а у меня есть кое-какое дело, которое займет несколько часов). This business at Coburg Square is serious (это дело = происшествие на Кобург-сквер — /дело/ серьезное)."

"Why serious (почему серьезное)?"

"A considerable crime is in contemplation (значительное преступление в намерении = там готовится крупное преступление). I have every reason to believe (у меня есть все основания полагать) that we shall be in time to stop it (что мы должны быть вовремя, чтобы остановить их). But today being Saturday rather complicates matters (но то, что сегодня суббота, довольно усложняет дело). I shall want your help tonight (мне может потребоваться ваша помощь сегодня вечером)."

"At what time (в какое время)?"

сontemplation [,kOnt@m'pleIS(@)n], believe [bI'li:v], rather ['rA:D@]

"Yes, it would be as well."

"And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This business at Coburg Square is serious."

"Why serious?"

"A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But today being Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help tonight."

"At what time?"

"Ten will be early enough (десять будет рано достаточно = не раньше десяти)."

"I shall be at Baker Street at ten (я буду на Бейкер-стрит /ровно/ в десять)."

"Very well (отлично). And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger (и, послушайте: «я говорю», доктор, там может быть небольшая опасность), so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket (поэтому, будьте добры, положите в карман ваш армейский револьвер)." He waved his hand, turned on his heel (он помахал рукой, круто повернулся /на каблуке/), and disappeared in an instant among the crowd (и мгновенно исчез в толпе: «среди толпы»).

аrmy ['A:mI], revolver [rI'vOlv@], among [@'mVN], crowd [kraud]

"Ten will be early enough."

"I shall be at Baker Street at ten."

"Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the crowd.

I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours (я верю, что я не более глупый, чем мои соседи = я не считаю себя глупее других; dense — плотный, густой; тупой), but I was always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity (но я всегда подавлен чувством моей собственной глупости = меня угнетает осознание собственной тупости) in my dealings with Sherlock Holmes (во время моих контактов = когда я имею дело с Шерлоком Холмсом). Here I had heard what he had heard (здесь = в этом деле я слышал /то же/, что он слышал), I had seen what he had seen (видел то же самое, что и он), and yet from his words it was evident (и, тем не менее, из его слов было очевидно) that he saw clearly not only what had happened (что он видел не только то, что произошло) but what was about to happen (но /также то/, что случится), while to me the whole business was still confused and grotesque (тогда как для меня все это дело было по-прежнему запутанным и нелепым). As I drove home to my house in Kensington (когда я поехал домой в Кенсингтон) I thought over it all (я обдумал это /хорошенько/), from the extraordinary story of the red-headed copier of the Encyclopaedia (от = начиная с необычайной истории рыжего переписчика энциклопедии) down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Square (до посещения = заканчивая посещением Сакс-Кобург-сквер), and the ominous words with which he had parted from me (и зловещие слова, с которыми он расстался со мной; to part from — распрощаться с кем-то). What was this nocturnal expedition (что это была за ночная экспедиция), and why should I go armed (и почему мне следует прийти вооруженным)? Where were we going, and what were we to do (куда мы собирались идти и что нам предстояло делать)? I had the hint from Holmes (у меня был намек от Холмса = Холмс намекнул мне) that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant (что этот безбородый = гладковыбритый помощник владельца ссудной кассы) was a formidable man — a man who might play a deep game (был опасным человеком — человеком, который мог сыграть глубокую игру = вести сложную игру). I tried to puzzle it out (я попытался разобраться в этом), but gave it up in despair (но бросил это /дело/ в отчаянии) and set the matter aside until night should bring an explanation (и оставил эту задачу в стороне, до тех пор, пока ночь принесет объяснение).

dense [dens], neighbours ['neIb@z], sense [sens], stupidity [stju:'pIdItI], grotesque [gr@u'tesk]

I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed copier of the Encyclopaedia down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a formidable man — a man who might play a deep game. I tried to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside until night should bring an explanation.

It was a quarter past nine (была четверть после девяти = четверть десятого) when I started from home and made my way across the Park (когда я вышел из дома и пошел: «сделал свой путь» через парк), and so through Oxford Street to Baker Street (и затем через Оксфорд-стрит /добрался/ до Бейкер-стрит). Two hansoms were standing at the door (два экипажа стояли у двери), and as I entered the passage I heard the sound of voices from above (и когда я зашел в коридор, то услышал звук голосов сверху). On entering his room (войдя: «по вхождении» в комнату) I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men (я нашел = застал Холмса в оживленном разговоре с двумя людьми), one of whom I recognized as Peter Jones (одного из которых я узнал как Питера Джонса), the official police agent (официального полицейского агента), while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man (тогда как другой был высоким, тощим, мрачным: «печальнолицым» мужчиной), with a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat (с очень сверкающим цилиндром и в угнетающе приличном фраке).

quarter ['kwO:t@], passage ['p&sIdZ], recognized ['rek@gnaIzd], respectable [rI'spekt@bl]

It was a quarter past nine when I started from home and made my way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, one of whom I recognized as Peter Jones, the official police agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat.

"Ha! Our party is complete (ага, наша компания завершена = вот мы и в сборе)," said Holmes, buttoning up his peajacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack (сказал Холмс, застегивая бушлат и беря с полки тяжелый охотничий хлыст). "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard (я думаю, вы знаете мистера Джонса из Скотланд-Ярда)? Let me introduce you to Mr. Merryweather (позвольте представить вас мистеру Мерриуэзеру), who is to be our companion in tonight's adventure (который будет нашим товарищем в ночном приключении)."

party ['pA:tI], heavy ['hevI], Yard [jA:d]

"We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see (мы снова охотимся вместе: «парами», доктор, как вы видите)," said Jones in his consequential way (сказал Джонс в своей важной/весомой манере). "Our friend here is a wonderful man for starting a chase (ваш друг /здесь/ — прекрасный человек для начинания преследования). All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the running down (все, чего он хочет, /так это/ чтобы старый /гончий/ пес помог ему в погоне)."

couples [kVplz], consequential [kA.nsI'kwenSn], wonderful ['wVnd@fl], chase [tSeIs]

"Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his peajacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in tonight's adventure."

"We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the running down."

"I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase (я надеюсь, дикий гусь не окажется концом нашей погони = боюсь, мы подстрелим не зверя, а гуся)," observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily (заметил мистер Мерриуэзер мрачно).

goose [gu:s], gloomily ['glu:mIlI]

"You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir (вы можете вполне довериться: «поместить достаточно уверенности» мистеру Холмсу, сэр)," said the police agent loftily (сказал полицейский агент высокомерно). "He has his own little methods (у него есть свои маленькие методы), which are, if he won't mind my saying so (которые, позволю себе заметить: «если вы не будете возражать против моего говорения так»), just a little too theoretical and fantastic (совсем немного умозрительные и фантастические), but he has the makings of a detective in him (но в нем есть задатки детектива). It is not too much to say that once or twice (это не слишком много сказать = нужно признать, что раз или два), as in that business of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure (как, например, в делах об убийстве Шолто и сокровищах Агры), he has been more nearly correct than the official force (он был более верный, чем официальные силы = он оказался прав, а официальная полиция ошиблась)."

confidence ['kOnfId@ns], theoretical [TI@'retIkl], murder ['m@:d@], treasure ['treZ@]

"I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily.

"You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly correct than the official force."

"Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right (ну, если вы так говорите, мистер Джонс, тогда все в порядке)," said the stranger with deference (сказал незнакомец с почтением). "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber (и все-таки мне, признаться, жаль, что я пропускаю /партию в/ роббер). It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I have not had my rubber (это первый субботний вечер за двадцать семь лет, в который я не играл мою партию в роббер)."

stranger ['streIndZ@], deference ['def(@)r(@)ns], confess [k@n'fes], rubber ['rVb@]

"I think you will find (я думаю, что вы найдете = поймете)," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will play for a higher stake tonight (что вы будете играть на более высокую ставку сегодня вечером) than you have ever done yet (чем вы когда-либо делали), and that the play will be more exciting (и что игра будет более волнующей). For you, Mr. Merryweather, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds (для вас, мистер Мерриуэзер, ставка составит где-то тридцать тысяч фунтов); and for you, Jones, it will be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands (а для вас, Джонс, это будет человек, на которого вы хотите наложить руки = которого давно хотите поймать)."

stake [steIk], exciting [Ik'saItIN], lay [leI]

"Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I have not had my rubber."

"I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will play for a higher stake tonight than you have ever done yet, and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands."

"John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger (Джон Клэй, убийца, вор, фальшивомонетчик и мошенник). He's a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his profession (он молод, но он во главе своей профессии = искуснейший вор в стране), and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on any criminal in London (и я бы охотнее имел мои браслеты на нем, чем на любом другом преступнике в Лондоне = ни на кого другого я не надел бы наручники охотнее, чем на него). He's a remarkable man, is young John Clay (он удивительный человек, этот юный Джон Клэй). His grandfather was a royal duke (его дед был королевским герцогом), and he himself has been to Eton and Oxford (а сам он был = учился в Итоне и Оксфорде). His brain is as cunning as his fingers (его мозг так же изощрен, как и его пальцы), and though we meet signs of him at every turn (и хотя мы встречаем его следы на каждом шагу), we never know where to find the man himself (мы никогда не знаем, где найти самого человека). He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week (он совершит кражу со взломом в Шотландии на одной неделе), and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next (и будет собирать: «собирающим» деньги на постройку сиротского приюта в Корнуолле на следующей). I've been on his track for years (я на его следу /уже/ годы = гоняюсь за ним уже несколько лет) and have never set eyes on him yet (и еще никогда = ни разу не видел его)."

thief [Ti:f], forger ['fO:dZ@], royal ['rOI@l], duke [dju:k]

"John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him yet."

"I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you tonight (я надеюсь, что могу иметь удовольствие представления = представить его вам). I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay (мне тоже приходилось раз или два сталкиваться с мистером Джоном Клэем), and I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession (и я согласен с вами, что он самый искусный вор в стране). It is past ten, however, and quite time that we started (после десяти = уже одиннадцатый час, однако, и вполне время, чтобы мы отправились = и нам пора двигаться в путь). If you two will take the first hansom (если вы двое возьмете первый экипаж), Watson and I will follow in the second (Ватсон и я последуем во втором)."

introducing [Intr@'dju:sIN], hansom [h&nsm], second ['sek@nd]

"I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you tonight. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the second."

Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive (Шерлок Холмс не был слишком общительным во время долгой поездки), and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the afternoon (и наклонился = откинулся назад в кебе, мурлыкая мелодии, которые он слышал днем). We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit streets (мы мчались через бесконечный лабиринт освещенных газом улиц) until we emerged into Farrington Street (пока не добрались до Фаррингтон-стрит; to emerge — появляться, всплывать).

humming ['hVmIN], labyrinth ['l&b@rInT], emerged [I'm@:dZd]

"We are close there now (мы теперь /совсем/ близко)," my friend remarked. "This fellow Merryweather is a bank director (этот парень Мерриуэзер — директор банка), and personally interested in the matter (и лично заинтересован в этом деле). I thought it as well to have Jones with us also (я подумал также взять Джонса). He is not a bad fellow (он неплохой парень), though an absolute imbecile in his profession (хотя и абсолютный глупец = ничего не смыслит в своей профессии). He has one positive virtue (у него есть одно несомненное достоинство). He is as brave as a bulldog and as tenacious as a lobster (он храбр, как бульдог, и цепок, как рак) if he gets his claws upon anyone (если он хватает кого-то своими клешнями). Here we are, and they are waiting for us (мы приехали, и они нас ожидают)."

imbecile ['Imb@si:l], virtue ['v@:tS@], tenacious [tI'neIS(@)s], claws [klO:z]

Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and, lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit streets until we emerged into Farrington Street.

"We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we are, and they are waiting for us."

We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare (мы достигли снова той же оживленной главной улицы) in which we had found ourselves in the morning (где были утром: «в которой мы нашли себя утром»). Our cabs were dismissed (наши кебы были отпущены), and, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather (и, следуя за = под руководством мистера Мерриуэзера), we passed down a narrow passage and through a side door (мы вошли в узкий коридор и /прошли/ в боковую дверь), which he opened for us (которую он открыл для нас). Within there was a small corridor (внутри там был короткий коридор), which ended in a very massive iron gate (который кончался очень массивными железными воротами). This also was opened (они также были открыты), and led down a flight of winding stone steps (и вели вниз = за ними был пролет винтовой каменной лестницы), which terminated at another formidable gate (которая кончалась у других внушительных ворот). Mr. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern (остановился зажечь фонарь), and then conducted us down a dark, earth-smelling passage (и затем провел нас по темному, пахнущему землей коридору), and so, after opening a third door (и затем, после открытия третьей двери), into a huge vault or cellar (в огромный подвал или погреб; vault — хранилище, подвал), which was piled all round with crates and massive boxes (который был заставлен повсюду ящиками и тяжелыми коробками).

thoroughfare ['TVr@fe@], guidance [gaIdns], narrow ['n&r@u], gate [geIt], vault [vO:lt]

We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all round with crates and massive boxes.

"You are not very vulnerable from above (вы не слишком уязвимы сверху = проникнуть сюда сверху нелегко)," Holmes remarked as he held up the lantern and gazed about him (подняв фонарь и оглядевшись вокруг себя).

"Nor from below (снизу тоже)," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the flags which lined the floor (ударяя своей тростью по плиткам, которые облицовывали пол). "Why, dear me, it sounds quite hollow (почему, черт возьми, это звучит = звук такой, словно там пустота)!" he remarked, looking up in surprise (поднимая глаза в изумлении).

vulnerable ['vVlnr@bl], lantern ['l&nt@n], hollow ['hOl@u]

"I must really ask you to be a little more quiet (я должен действительно = вынужден попросить вас вести себя потише)!" said Holmes severely (сказал Холмс строго). "You have already imperilled the whole success of our expedition (вы уже подвергнули опасности весь успех нашей экспедиции; peril — опасность; риск, угроза). Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit down upon one of those boxes (могу ли я попросить, чтобы вы соблаговолили = будьте любезны, сядьте на одну из тех коробок; goodness — любезность), and not to interfere (и не мешайте; to interfere — вмешиваться)?"

severely [sI'vI@lI], imperilled [Im'perIld], success [s@k'ses], interfere [Int@'fI@]

"You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he held up the lantern and gazed about him.

"Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise.

"I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?"

The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate (важный мистер Мерриуэзер уселся на ящик), with a very injured expression upon his face (с очень обиженным выражением на лице), while Holmes fell upon his knees upon the floor (в то время как Холмс упал = опустился на колени /на пол/) and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens (и с фонарем и увеличительным стеклом), began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones (начал исследовать скрупулезно трещины между камнями). A few seconds sufficed to satisfy him (нескольких секунд было достаточно, чтобы удовлетворить его), for he sprang to his feet again and put his glass in his pocket (так как он снова вскочил на ноги и положил стекло = лупу в карман).

solemn ['sOl@m], injured ['IndZ@d], magnifying ['m&gnIfaIN], sufficed [s@'faIst]

The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and put his glass in his pocket.

"We have at least an hour before us (у нас есть впереди по крайней мере час)," he remarked, "for they can hardly take any steps (так как они едва ли могут предпринять какие-либо шаги) until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed (прежде, чем почтенный владелец ссудной кассы /благополучно/ заснет). Then they will not lose a minute (затем они не будут терять ни минуты), for the sooner they do their work the longer time they will have for their escape (так как чем раньше они сделают свою работу, тем больше времени у них будет для побега). We are at present, Doctor (мы /находимся/ в настоящее время, доктор) — as no doubt you have divined (как вы, без сомнения, догадались) — in the cellar of the City branch of one of the principal London banks (в подвале отделения Сити одного из ведущих банков Лондона). Mr. Merryweather is the chairman of directors (мистер Мерриуэзер — председатель правления банка), and he will explain to you that there are reasons (и он объяснит вам, что есть причины) why the more daring criminals of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at present (почему наиболее дерзким преступникам Лондона следует проявлять особый интерес к этому подвалу в настоящий момент)."

hardly ['hA:dlI], escape [I'skeIp], doubt [daut], principal ['prInsIpl], chairman ['tSe@m@n]

"It is our French gold (это наше французское золото)," whispered the director (прошептал директор). "We have had several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it (мы имели несколько предупреждений, что может быть совершена попытка /похитить золото/)."

whispered ['wIsp@d], warning ['wO:nIN]

"We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at present, Doctor — as no doubt you have divined — in the cellar of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at present."

"It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it."

"Your French gold (ваше французское золото)?"

"Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources (у нас была необходимость несколько месяцев назад усилить наши активы) and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of France (и заняли по этой причине тридцать тысяч наполеондоров у Банка Франции). It has become known that we have never had occasion to unpack the money (стало известно, что нам так и не представилось возможности распаковать деньги), and that it is still lying in our cellar (и они до сих пор лежат в нашем подвале). The crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between layers of lead foil (ящик, на котором я сижу, содержит две тысячи наполеондоров между листами свинцовой фольги). Our reserve of bullion is much larger at present (наш запас золотых слитков намного больше в настоящее время) than is usually kept in a single branch office (чем обычно хранится в одном отделении банка), and the directors have had misgivings upon the subject (и у директоров появились дурные предчувствия = опасения по этому вопросу)."

occasion [@'keIZn], strengthen ['streNT(@)n], layers ['leI@z], foil [fOIl]

"Your French gold?"

"Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the directors have had misgivings upon the subject."

"Which were very well justified (что было очень хорошо оправдано = есть все основания для опасения)," observed Holmes (подметил Холмс). "And now it is time that we arranged our little plans (и теперь /пришло/ время привести в порядок наши маленькие планы). I expect that within an hour matters will come to a head (я ожидаю, что в течение часа вопросы будут решены = достигнут решающей стадии: «придут к голове»). In the meantime (тем временем), Mr. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern (мы должны поместить ширму на этот потайной: «темный» фонарь = закрыть чем-нибудь фонарь)."

"And sit in the dark (и сидеть в темноте)?"

justified ['dZVstIfaId], meantime ['mi:ntaIm], screen [skri:n]

"Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime, Mr. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern."

"And sit in the dark?"

"I am afraid so (боюсь, что так). I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket (я принес колоду карт /в моем кармане/), and I thought that, as we were a partie carree (и я думал, что раз нас здесь четверо; partie carree — прогулка вчетвером (фр.)), you might have your rubber after all (вы могли бы сыграть партию в роббер, в конце концов). But I see that the enemy's preparations have gone so far (но я вижу, что вражеские приготовления зашли так далеко) that we cannot risk the presence of a light (что мы не можем рисковать присутствием света = оставить свет). And, first of all, we must choose our positions (и, прежде всего, мы должны выбрать наши положения = подобрать /подходящее/ место). These are daring men (они дерзкие = смелые люди), and though we shall take them at a disadvantage (и хотя мы застанем их врасплох), they may do us some harm unless we are careful (они могут причинить нам вред, если мы не будем осторожны). I shall stand behind this crate (я встану за этим ящиком), and do you conceal yourselves behind those (а вы спрячьтесь: «скройте себя» за теми /ящиками). Then, when I flash a light upon them (затем, когда я направлю на них свет), close in swiftly (окружайте /их/ быстро). If they fire, Watson, have no compunction about shooting them down (если они начнут стрелять, Ватсон, без колебания стреляйте в них, пристрелите их; compunction — сожаление)."

preparation [prep@'reISn], careful [ke@ful], fire ['faI@], compunction [k@m'pVNkSn]

"I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and I thought that, as we were a partie carree, you might have your rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no compunction about shooting them down."

I placed my revolver, cocked (я положил мой взведенный револьвер), upon the top of the wooden case behind which I crouched (на крышку деревянного ящика, за которым я притаился). Holmes shot the slide across the front of his lantern (Холмс закрыл заслонку перед фонарем) and left us in pitch darkness (и оставил нас в кромешной тьме) — such an absolute darkness as I have never before experienced (такой полной темноте, какой мне не приходилось никогда раньше видеть: «испытывать»). The smell of hot metal remained to assure us (запах горячего металла продолжал убеждать нас = напоминал нам) that the light was still there (что свет был все еще там = не погашен), ready to flash out at a moment's notice (готовый вспыхнуть по первому требованию = в любое мгновение). To me, with my nerves worked up to a pitch of expectancy (для меня, с нервами, напряженными /до предела/ ожиданием), there was something depressing and subduing in the sudden gloom (было что-то подавляющее и подчиняющее во внезапной темноте), and in the cold dank air of the vault (и в холодном сыром воздухе подземелья).

crouched [krautSt], nerves [n@:vz], expectancy [Ik'spekt@nsI], gloom [glu:m]

"They have but one retreat (у них есть только одно отступление = для бегства у них лишь один путь)," whispered Holmes (прошептал Холмс). "That is back through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square (/это/ обратно через дом на Сакс-Кобург-сквер). I hope that you have done what I asked you, Jones (я надеюсь, что вы сделали /то/ что я вас просил, Джонс)?"

I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness — such an absolute darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the vault.

"They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have done what I asked you, Jones?"

"I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door (инспектор и два офицера ждут у парадного входа)."

"Then we have stopped all the holes (тогда мы заткнули все дыры). And now we must be silent and wait (а теперь мы должны быть тихими = молчать и ждать)."

holes [h@ulz], silent ['saIl@nt]

What a time it seemed (что за время это казалось = как медленно тянулось время)! From comparing notes afterwards (из обмена мнениями позже) it was but an hour and a quarter (/было ясно/ что прошел только час с четвертью), yet it appeared to me that the night must have almost gone (тем не менее, мне казалось, что ночь, должно быть, уже почти прошла), and the dawn be breaking above us (и наверху: «над нами» рассветает). My limbs were weary and stiff (мои конечности были усталыми и затекшими = устали и затекли), for I feared to change my position (так как я боялся шевельнуться: «сменить положение»); yet my nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension (однако нервы мои были натянуты до предела; pitch — высота /тона, звука/), and my hearing was so acute (и мое слышание было таким острым = слух обострился настолько) that I could not only hear the gentle breathing of my companions (что я не только мог слышать тихое дыхание моих товарищей), but I could distinguish the deeper, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones (но я мог отличить более глубокий, низкий вдох грузного Джонса) from the thin, sighing note of the bank director (от тонкого, вздыхающего тона директора банка). From my position I could look over the case in the direction of the floor (со своего места я мог смотреть через ящик в направлении пола). Suddenly my eyes caught the glint of a light (внезапно мои глаза поймали отблеск света).

dawn [dO:n], limbs [lImz], acute [@'kju:t], distinguish [dIs'tINgwIS], bulky ['bVlkI]

"I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door."

"Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and wait."

What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must have almost gone, and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint of a light.

At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement (сначала это была только слабая искра на = между /плитами/ каменного пола). Then it lengthened out until it became a yellow line (затем она вытянулась, пока не стала желтой линией = превратилась в желтую полоску), and then, without any warning or sound (и затем, без какого-либо признака или звука = абсолютно бесшумно), a gash seemed to open and a hand appeared (показалось, что открылся паз = в полу возникло отверстие и /из него/ появилась рука); a white, almost womanly hand (белая, почти женственная рука), which felt about in the centre of the little area of light (которая шарила = двигалась ощупью в центре маленькой зоны света = освещенного пространства). For a minute or more the hand (в течение минуты или больше эта рука), with its writhing fingers (со своими извивающимися пальцами; to writhe — корчиться), protruded out of the floor (торчала из пола; to protrude out — высунуться наружу). Then it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared (затем она была отдернута /назад/ так же внезапно, как и появилась), and all was dark again save the single lurid spark (и все было темно опять = все погрузилось во тьму, за исключением слабого огонька) which marked a chink between the stones (который отмечал щель между камнями).

lurid ['ljurId], lengthened ['leNT@nd], gash [g&S], area ['e@rI@], withdrawn [wID'drO:n]

At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand appeared; a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the stones.

Its disappearance, however, was but momentary (ее исчезновение, однако, было лишь кратковременным). With a rending, tearing sound (с раскалывающим, царапающим звуком), one of the broad, white stones turned over upon its side (одна из широких белых плит перевернулась на боковую сторону) and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the light of a lantern (и оставила квадратную глубокую яму, через которую = из которой заструился свет фонаря). Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, boyish face (над краем /ямы/ выглянуло чисто выбритое мальчишеское лицо), which looked keenly about it (которое внимательно осмотрелось), and then, with a hand on either side of the aperture (и затем, с рукой на каждой стороне проема = упершись в края ямы), drew itself shoulder-high and waist-high (вытянуло себя до уровня плеч и по пояс = из ямы показались плечи, затем поднялось все туловище), until one knee rested upon the edge (пока одно колено уперлось в пол: «остановилось на краю»). In another instant he stood at the side of the hole (в следующий момент он встал /во весь рост/ возле ямы) and was hauling after him a companion (и тянул за собой товарища = помогал влезть своему товарищу), lithe and small like himself (гибкому и маленькому, как и он сам), with a pale face and a shock of very red hair (с бледным лицом и с копной очень рыжих волос).

"It's all clear (все чисто = в порядке)," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the bags (у тебя стамеска и мешки)? Great Scott (черт возьми)! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it (прыгай, Арчи, прыгай, а я за себя постою)!"

tearing ['te@rIN], broad [brO:d], aperture ['&p@tSju@], hauling ['hO:lIN]

Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face and a shock of very red hair.

"It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!"

Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the collar (выскочил /из своего укрытия/ и схватил незваного гостя за воротник). The other dived down the hole (другой нырнул в дыру), and I heard the sound of rending cloth (я услышал звук рвущейся ткани) as Jones clutched at his skirts (когда Джонс схватил его края /одежды/). The light flashed upon the barrel of a revolver (свет блеснул на стволе револьвера), but Holmes's hunting crop came down on the man's wrist (но охотничий хлыст Холмса обрушился на запястье человека), and the pistol clinked upon the stone floor (и пистолет звякнул о каменный пол).

intruder [In'tru:d@], cloth [klA.T], barrel ['b&r@l], wrist [rIst]

"It's no use, John Clay (бесполезно, Джон Клэй)," said Holmes blandly (сказал Холмс мягко). "You have no chance at all (у вас нет шансов вообще = вы попались)."

"So I see (вижу)," the other answered with the utmost coolness (ответил тот с величайшим спокойствием). "I fancy that my pal is all right (я полагаю, что мой приятель в порядке), though I see you have got his coat-tails (хотя я вижу, вы поймали фалду его пиджака)."

Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes's hunting crop came down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone floor.

"It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no chance at all."

"So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his coat-tails."

"There are three men waiting for him at the door (там три человека, ожидающие его у двери)," said Holmes.

"Oh, indeed (ах вот как)! You seem to have done the thing very completely (кажется, вы сделали эту вещь очень полно = чисто сработано). I must compliment you (я должен похвалить вас = поздравляю вас)."

"And I you (а я вас)," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and effective (ваша рыжая идея = выдумка насчет рыжих — нова и результативна)."

"You'll see your pal again presently (вы увидите своего приятеля вскоре)," said Jones. "He's quicker at climbing down holes than I am (он более проворный в слезании в ямы = он лучше ныряет в норы, чем я; quick — быстрый, резвый; to climb — карабкаться, лазить). Just hold out while I fix the derbies (просто протяните /руки/, пока я надеваю наручники; to hold out — протягивать)."

pal ['p&l], climbing ['klaImIN], derbies ['d@:bIz]

"There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes.

"Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I must compliment you."

"And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and effective."

"You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the derbies."

"I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands (я попрошу вас не трогать меня своими грязными руками)," remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists (заметил наш узник, когда наручники: «ручные браслеты» загремели на его запястьях). "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins (вы можете не быть осведомленными = вам, наверное, не известно, что в моих венах = жилах течет королевская кровь). Have the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and 'please (будьте добры, также, когда обращаетесь ко мне говорить «сэр» и «пожалуйста»).'"

touch [tVtS], filthy ['fIlTI], handcuffs ['h&ndkVfs], blood [blVd], veins [veInz]

"All right (хорошо)," said Jones with a stare and a snigger (сказал Джонс с изумленным взглядом и хихиканьем). "Well, would you please, sir, march upstairs (не соблаговолите ли вы, сэр, подняться: «прошагать» наверх), where we can get a cab to carry your Highness to the police-station (где вы можете сесть в кеб, который отвезет ваше высочество в полицейский участок)?"

stare [ste@], march [mA:tS], Highness ['haInIs]

"I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and 'please.'"

"All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry your Highness to the police-station?"

"That is better (так-то лучше)," said John Clay serenely (сказал Клэй спокойно/безмятежно). He made a sweeping bow to the three of us (он сделал широкий поклон = величаво поклонился нам троим) and walked quietly off in the custody of the detective (и медленно удалился под опекой сыщика).

bow [bau], custody ['kVst@dI]

"Really, Mr. Holmes (действительно, мистер Холмс)," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them from the cellar (когда мы проследовали за ними из подвала), "I do not know how the bank can thank you or repay you (я не знаю, как банк может отблагодарить или вознаградить вас). There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated in the most complete manner (без сомнения, вы распознали и провалили самым лучшим образом) one of the most determined attempts at bank robbery (одну из самых решительных = крупных попыток ограбления банка) that have ever come within my experience (которую я когда-либо встречал; experience — опыт)."

defeated [dI'fi:tId], complete [k@m'pli:t], robbery ['rOb@rI]

"That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the detective.

"Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience."

"I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. John Clay (у меня были один или два маленьких счета, чтобы расплатиться с мистером Джоном Клэем = у меня с ним были свои старые счеты; to settle — урегулировать, привести в порядок)," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over this matter (я понес небольшие расходы на этом деле), which I shall expect the bank to refund (которые я ожидаю от банка возместить = которые банк легко возместит мне), but beyond that I am amply repaid (но помимо этого я уже вполне вознагражден) by having had an experience which is in many ways unique (испытав опыт = приключение, которое во многих путях уникально = единственное в своем роде), and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the Red-headed League (и услышав очень занимательный рассказ о Союзе рыжих)."

scores [skO:z], expense [Ik'spens], refund [ri:'fVnd], amply ['&mplI], unique [ju:'ni:k]

"I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the Red-headed League."

"You see, Watson (видите ли, Ватсон)," he explained in the early hours of the morning (объяснил он в ранние утренние часы) as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street (когда мы сидели за стаканчиком виски с содовой на Бэйкер-стрит), "it was perfectly obvious from the first (было совершенно очевидно с самого начала) that the only possible object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the League (что единственной возможной целью это довольного фантастичного дела с объявлением о Союзе), and the copying of the Encyclopaedia (и переписыванием энциклопедии), must be to get this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of hours every day (должно было быть /только/ удаление этого не слишком умного: «сверхсмышленого» владельца ссудной кассы в сторону = из дома на несколько часов ежедневно). It was a curious way of managing it (это был курьезный способ исполнения этого /плана/), but, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better (но, действительно, было бы трудно предложить /что-то/ лучше). The method was no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind (способ, без сомнения, был предложен = подсказан изобретательному уму Клэя) by the color of his accomplice's hair (цветом волос его сообщника). The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw him (четыре фунта в неделю были приманкой, которая должна вытащить его /из дома/), and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands (а что это значит для них, которые играли на тысячи = рассчитывали получить тысячи)? They put in the advertisement (они дали объявление), one rogue has the temporary office (один жулик снял временную контору), the other rogue incites the man to apply for it (другой жулик подстрекает человека = своего хозяина обратиться туда), and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the week (а вместе они смогли обеспечить его отсутствие каждое утро в течение недели). From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for half wages (с того момента, когда я услышал о помощнике, работающем за половинное жалованье), it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive for securing the situation (для меня стало очевидным, что у него есть сильный мотив = веская причина для этого: «для обеспечения такой ситуации»)."

obvious ['ObvI@s], curious ['kjuerI@s], suggest [s@'dZest], ingenious [In'dZInI@s], lure [lju@], rogue [r@ug], incites [In'saIts], secure [sI'kju@], wage [weIdZ]

"You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the League, and the copying of the Encyclopaedia, must be to get this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the color of his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive for securing the situation."

"But how could you guess what the motive was (но как вы могли догадаться, что это была за причина)?"

"Had there been women in the house (будь /там/ женщина в доме), I should have suspected a mere vulgar intrigue (я подозревал бы лишь о пошлой интриге). That, however, was out of the question (это, однако, было вне вопроса). The man's business was a small one (бизнес = предприятие человека = нашего клиента было небольшим), and there was nothing in his house which could account for such elaborate preparations (и в доме не было ничего, что могло бы явиться причиной таким детальным приготовлениям = ради чего стоило затевать такую сложную игру), and such an expenditure as they were at (и такие расходы, какие понесли они). It must, then, be something out of the house (должно было, следовательно, быть что-то вне дома). What could it be (что это могло быть)? I thought of the assistant's fondness for photography (я подумал об увлечении помощника фотографией), and his trick of vanishing into the cellar (и этой штуке с исчезновением в погребе). The cellar (погреб)! There was the end of this tangled clew (там был конец этого запутанного клубка = вот другой конец запутанной нити). Then I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant (затем я навел справки = расспросил о таинственном помощнике) and found that I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in London (и обнаружил, что имею дело с одним из самых хладнокровных и дерзких преступников Лондона). He was doing something in the cellar (он делал: «был делающим» что-то в погребе) — something which took many hours a day for months on end (что-то, что занимает много часов в день месяцы напролет). What could it be, once more (еще раз = и снова — что это может быть)? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel to some other building (я не мог подумать ни о чем /другом/, кроме /того/ что он рыл: «был роющим» туннель к какому-то другому зданию).

intrigue [In'tri:g], elaborate [I'l&b@r@t], expenditure [Ik'spendItS@], building ['bIldIN]

"But how could you guess what the motive was?"

"Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clew. Then I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in London. He was doing something in the cellar — something which took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel to some other building.

"So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action (к такому выводу: «так далеко» я пришел = успел прийти, /к тому моменту/ когда мы отправились посмотреть место действия; so far — до сих пор, пока). I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick (я удивил вас битьем по мостовой моей тростью). I was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind (я устанавливал, протягивался ли погреб = прокладывался ли подкоп вперед или назад). It was not in front (перед фасадом его не было). Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the assistant answered it (затем я позвонил, и, как и ожидал, открыл помощник). We have had some skirmishes (у нас бывали /прежде/ кое-какие стычки), but we had never set eyes upon each other before (но мы никогда раньше не видели друг друга в лицо). I hardly looked at his face (я едва взглянул в его лицо). His knees were what I wished to see (его колени были /тем/ что я хотел увидеть). You must yourself have remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were (вы сами должны были заметить, как потерты, помяты и запачканы они были). They spoke of those hours of burrowing (они говорили о тех часах рытья). The only remaining point was what they were burrowing for (единственным оставшимся пунктом было /выяснить/ куда они рыли подкоп). I walked round the corner (я свернул за угол), saw the City and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises (увидел Городской и Пригородный Банк, примыкающий к дому наших друзей), and felt that I had solved my problem (и понял, что я решил проблему). When you drove home after the concert (когда вы поехали домой после концерта) I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank directors (я обратился в Скотланд-Ярд и к председателю правления банка), with the result that you have seen (с результатом, который вы видели = что было дальше — вам известно)."

scene [si:n], skirmish ['sk@:mIS], wrinkled [rINkld], burrow ['b@:r@u], abutted [@'bVtId]

"So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank directors, with the result that you have seen."

"And how could you tell that they would make their attempt tonight (как вы могли сказать мне = откуда вы знали, что они совершат попытку /ограбления/ этой ночью)?" I asked.

"Well, when they closed their League offices (ну, когда они закрыли свою контору Союза) that was a sign that they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence (это был знак, что их не волновало больше присутствие = что они не нуждались больше в отсутствии мистера Джабеза Уилсона) — in other words (иными словами), that they had completed their tunnel (что они закончили свой туннель). But it was essential that they should use it soon (но было существенно, что они должны использовать его в ближайшее время), as it might be discovered (так как он мог быть обнаружен), or the bullion might be removed (или слитки золота могли быть перевезены /в другое место/). Saturday would suit them better than any other day (суббота подошла бы им лучше, чем любой другой день), as it would give them two days for their escape (так как она дала бы им два дня для побега). For all these reasons I expected them to come tonight (на основании всех этих соображений я ожидал их = что они придут этой ночью)."

presence [prezns], essential [I'senSl], discovered [dIs'kVv@d], bullion ['bulj@n], suit [sju:t]

"And how could you tell that they would make their attempt tonight?" I asked.

"Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence — in other words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. For all these reasons I expected them to come tonight."

"You reasoned it out beautifully (вы продумали это прекрасно = ваши рассуждения изумительны)," I exclaimed in unfeigned admiration (воскликнул я в неподдельном восхищении; to feign — притворяться; подделывать). "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings true (это такая длинная цепь = вы создали такую длинную цепь, и каждое звено ее правильно = безупречно)."

beautiful ['bju:tIful], unfeigned [Vn'feInd], admiration [,&dm@'reISn], chain [tSeIn], true [tru:]

"It saved me from ennui (это спасло меня от апатии)," he answered, yawning (ответил он, зевая). "Alas (увы)! I already feel it closing in upon me (я уже чувствую ее, приближающуюся ко мне = чувствую, что скука снова одолевает меня). My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplaces of existence (моя жизнь проведена в одном долгом усилии убежать от = избежать банальностей существования). These little problems help me to do so (эти маленькие проблемы помогают мне сделать это)."

ennui [A:n'wi:], yawning ['jO:nIN], alas [@'lA:s], commonplaces ['kOm@npleIsIz], existence [Ig'zIst@ns]

"You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings true."

"It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little problems help me to do so."

"And you are a benefactor of the race (вы благодетель расы = человечества)," said I.

He shrugged his shoulders (он пожал плечами). "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of some little use (ну, пожалуй, в конце концов, это имеет небольшую пользу = я действительно приношу кое-какую пользу)," he remarked. 'L'homme c'est rien — l'œuvre c'est tout,' (человек — ничто, дело/создание — все (фр.)) as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand (как Густав Флобер написал /в письме/ к Жорж Санд)."

shrugged [SrVgd], shoulders ['S@uld@z], use [ju:s]

"And you are a benefactor of the race," said I.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of some little use," he remarked. 'L'homme c'est rien — l'œuvre c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand."

THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP

(ЧЕЛОВЕК С РАССЕЧЕННОЙ ГУБОЙ)

Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney (Айза Уитни, брат покойного Элиаса Уитни), D.D. (D.D. = Doctor of Divinity — доктора богословия), Principal of the Theological College of St. George's (директора теологического колледжа Св. Георга), was much addicted to opium (сильно пристрастился к опию; addicted to drugs — принимающий наркотики, наркоман; addicted — cклонный /к чему-либо дурному/, предающийся чему-либо). The habit grew upon him (/эта/ привычка поработила его; to grow on — овладеть), as I understand (как я понимаю), from some foolish freak when he was at college (из-за одной глупой затеи, когда он учился в колледже; freak — причуда, чудачество); for having read De Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations (прочитав описание снов и ощущений де Куинси), he had drenched his tobacco with laudanum (он пропитывал = начал пропитывать свой тобак настойкой опия) in an attempt to produce the same effects (в попытке вызвать те же самые воздействия). He found, as so many more have done (он обнаружил, как и многие другие сделали = обнаружили), that the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of (что эту привычку легче приобрести, чем избавиться от нее), and for many years he continued to be a slave to the drug (и в течение многих лет он продолжал быть рабом наркотика), an object of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives (объектом смешанных отвращения и жалости для своих друзей и родственников). I can see him now (сейчас я могу видеть его = я так и вижу его), with yellow, pasty face (с желтым, одутловатым лицом), drooping lids (набрякшими веками; to droop — свисать), and pin-point pupils (и сузившимися: «точечными» зрачками), all huddled in a chair (все /тело/, съежившееся в кресле; to huddle — складывать в кучу, свернуться), the wreck and ruin of a noble man (обломки и развалины благородного = прекрасного человека).

principal ['prInsIpl], addicted [@'dIktId], opium ['@upI@m], laudanum ['lO:dn@m], wreck [rek]

Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble man.

One night (однажды вечером) — it was in June '89 — there came a ring to my bell (пришел = раздался звонок в мой колокольчик), about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the clock (около того часа = примерно в то время, когда человек дает свой первый зевок = когда начинаешь уже зевать и посматриваешь на часы). I sat up in my chair (я выпрямился в кресле), and my wife laid her needlework down in her lap (и моя жена положила свое шитье на колени; needlework: needle — игла, work — работа) and made a little face of disappointment (и сделала небольшое выражение разочарованного лица = недовольно поморщилась).

yawn [jO:n], needlework ['ni:dlw@:k], disappointment [,dIs@'pOIntm@nt]

"A patient (пациент)!" said she. "You'll have to go out (тебе придется выйти /к нему/)."

I groaned (я вздохнул), for I was newly come back from a weary day (так как я недавно вернулся после целого дня утомительной работы: «из утомительного дня»).

groan [gr@un], newly ['nju:lI], weary ['wI@rI]

One night — it was in June '89 — there came a ring to my bell, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needlework down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment.

"A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out."

I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day.

We heard the door open (мы услышали, как открылась дверь), a few hurried words (несколько торопливых слов), and then quick steps upon the linoleum (и затем быстрые шаги по линолеуму). Our own door flew open (наша /собственная/ дверь распахнулась; to fly open — распахнуться), and a lady, clad in some dark-colored stuff (и дама, одетая в темное платье; to clothe — одевать; stuff — материал, ткань), with a black veil (с черной вуалью /на лице/), entered the room (вошла в комнату).

linoleum [lI'n@ulj@m], stuff [stVf], veil [veIl]

"You will excuse my calling so late (вы извините мое посещение так поздно = что я так поздно пришла)," she began (начала она), and then, suddenly losing her self-control (и затем, внезапно теряя = потеряв самообладание), she ran forward, threw her arms about my wife's neck (она кинулась вперед, обняла мою жену: «бросила свои руки вокруг шеи моей жены»), and sobbed upon her shoulder (и зарыдала на ее плече). "Oh, I'm in such trouble (о, я в такой беде)!" she cried (воскликнула она); "I do so want a little help (мне так нужна помощь; to do перед основным глаголом используется для усиления)."

excuse [Ik'skju:s], forward ['fO:w@d], trouble [trVbl]

We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in some dark-colored stuff, with a black veil, entered the room.

"You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help."

"Why (как)," said my wife, pulling up her veil (поднимая ее вуаль), "it is Kate Whitney (это /же/ Кейт Уитни). How you startled me, Kate (как ты напугала меня, Кейт)! I had not an idea who you were when you came in (я не имела понятия, кто это, когда ты вошла = мне в голову не пришло, что это ты)."

"I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you (я не знала, что делать, поэтому я пошла прямо к тебе)." That was always the way (это был всегда путь = это было обычным явлением). Folk who were in grief (люди, которые были в печали = в беде) came to my wife like birds to a lighthouse (устремлялись к моей жене, как птицы к маяку).

straight [streIt], grief [gri:f], wife [waIf], lighthouse ['laIthaus]

"It was very sweet of you to come (это было очень мило с твоей стороны зайти = ты правильно сделала, что пришла). Now, you must have some wine and water (теперь ты должна выпить немного вина и воды), and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it (садись здесь поудобнее и расскажи нам все об этом). Or should you rather that I sent James off to bed (или ты, может быть, хочешь, чтобы я отправила Джеймса спать)?"

wine [waIn], water ['wO:t@], comfortably ['kVmf@t@blI]

"Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you came in."

"I didn't know what to do, so l came straight to you." That was always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to a lighthouse.

"It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or should you rather that I sent James off to bed?"

"Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too (я хочу совета и помощи /от/ доктора также). It's about Isa (это об Айзе = дело касается Айзы). He has not been home for two days (его не было дома два дня). I am so frightened about him (я так боюсь за него)!"

advice [@d'vaIs], frightened [fraItnd]

It was not the first time (это не было первым временем = не в первый раз) that she had spoken to us of her husband's trouble (/когда/ она говорила с нами о горе своего мужа; to speak — говорить, высказываться), to me as a doctor (со мной как с доктором), to my wife as an old friend and school companion (с моей женой — как со старой подругой и школьной приятельницей). We soothed and comforted her by such words as we could find (мы утешали и успокаивали ее как могли: «такими словами, какие мы могли найти; to soothe — успокаивать, смягчать; to comfort — утешать). Did she know where her husband was (знала ли она, где находится ее муж)? Was it possible that we could bring him back to her (было ли это возможно, что мы можем привести его обратно к ней = нельзя ли привести его обратно домой)?

husband ['hVzb@nd], companion [k@m'p&nI@n], soothed [su:Dd], comforted ['kVmf@tId]

"Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about him!"

It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it possible that we could bring him back to her?

It seems that it was (кажется, что возможно). She had the surest information (она имела самую точную информацию = ей было точно известно; sure — верный, несомненный) that of late he had, when the fit was on him (что в последнее время он, когда настроение было на нем = в определенном состоянии), made use of an opium den in the farthest east of the City (пользовался опиумным притоном /расположенным/ на самом востоке Сити; to make use of — применять, употреблять). Hitherto his orgies had always been confined to one day (до настоящего времени его оргии всегда ограничивались одним днем), and he had come back (и он возвращался /домой/), twitching and shattered (подергиваясь и разбитый; to shatter — разбить, разрушить), in the evening (вечером). But now the spell had been upon him eight-and-forty hours (но теперь чары действовали на него в течение сорока восьми часов), and he lay there, doubtless among the dregs of the docks (и он лежал там, несомненно, среди отбросов доков), breathing in the poison or sleeping off the effects (вдыхая яд или отсыпаясь после курения: «от последствий»). There he was to be found (там он мог быть найден), she was sure of it (она была уверена в этом), at the Bar of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane (в «Золотом слитке», на Аппер-Суондем-лейн). But what was she to do (но что она могла сделать)? How could she, a young and timid woman (как могла она, молодая и застенчивая женщина), make her way into such a place (войти: «сделать свой путь» в такое место) and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him (и вырвать своего мужа из числа = толпы тех негодяев, которые его окружали)?

sure ['Su@], hitherto [hID@'tu:], doubtless ['dautlIs], breathing ['bri:DIN], ruffians ['rVfI@nz]

It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him?

There was the case (была /определенная/ ситуация), and of course there was but one way out of it (и, конечно, был лишь один выход из нее). Might I not escort her to this place (мог бы я сопроводить ее к тому месту)? And then, as a second thought (и затем, как вторая мысль = подумал я), why should she come at all (зачем ее идти вообще)? I was Isa Whitney's medical adviser (я был консультирующим врачом Айзы Уитни), and as such I had influence over him (и в этом качестве /будучи врачом/ я оказывал на него влияние). I could manage it better if I were alone (я мог бы справиться с этим /делом/ лучше, если бы был один). I promised her on my word (я дал ей честное слово) that I would send him home in a cab within two hours (что пришлю его домой в кебе в течение двух часов) if he were indeed at the address which she had given me (если он действительно находится по адресу, который она мне дала). And so in ten minutes I had left my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me (и вот, через десять минут я оставил свое кресло и уютную: «веселую» гостиную /позади меня/), and was speeding eastward in a hansom on a strange errand (и мчался: «был мчащимся» в восточном направлении в экипаже по странному поручению = делу), as it seemed to me at the time (как мне казалось в то время), though the future only could show how strange it was to be (хотя только будущее могло показать, насколько странным оно оказалось).

escort ['eskO:t], thought [TO:t], cheery ['tSI@rI], eastward ['i:stw@d], errand ['er@nd]

There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to be.

But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my adventure (но там не было большой сложности на первом этапе моего приключения). Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley (Аппер-Суондем-лейн — мерзкий переулок) lurking behind the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east of London Bridge (скрывающаяся позади высоких верфей, которые тянутся вдоль северной стороны реки к востоку от Лондонского моста). Between a slop shop and a gin shop (между грязной лавкой и кабаком; slop — жидкая грязь, слякоть), approached by a steep flight of steps (к которым примыкал крутой лестничный пролет; to approach — подходить, приближаться) leading down to a black gap like the mouth of a cave (спускающийся вниз в черную бездну словно = похожую на рот пещеры), I found the den of which I was in search (я нашел притон, в поисках которого находился). Ordering my cab to wait (приказав моему кебу подождать), I passed down the steps (я спустился по ступеням), worn hollow in the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet (/с/ ложбинками в центре /ступеней/, протертыми бесконечной поступью пьяных ног); and by the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door (и в свете дрожащей керосиновой лампы /висящей/ над дверью) I found the latch and made my way (я нашел щеколду и прошел: «сделал путь») into a long, low room (в длинную, низкую комнату), thick and heavy with the brown opium smoke (плотную и густую от коричневого опиумного дыма = полную густого коричневого дыма), and terraced with wooden berths (уставленную деревянными койками; to terrace — устраивать в виде террасы), like the forecastle of an emigrant ship (как на баке эмигрантского корабля).

stage [steIdZ], lurking ['lV":kIN], ceaseless ['si:slIs], forecastle ['f@uksl]

But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east of London Bridge. Between a slop shop and a gin shop, approached by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the forecastle of an emigrant ship.

Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying in strange fantastic poses (сквозь мрак кто-то мог = можно было смутно различить: «поймать» силуэты тел, лежащих в странных фантастических позах), bowed shoulders (/с/ сгорбленными плечами), bent knees (согнутыми коленями), heads thrown back (запрокинутыми головами), and chins pointing upward (и с торчащими вверх подбородками), with here and there a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer (местами с темным тусклым глазом = кое-где я видел потухший взгляд, обращенный на пришельца). Out of the black shadows there glimmered little red circles of light (от темных теней = среди тьмы мерцали маленькие красные кружки света = огоньки), now bright, now faint (то яркие, то тусклые), as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the metal pipes (в зависимости от того, прибавлялся или кончался сжигаемый яд в цилиндрах металлических трубок). The most lay silent (большинство лежали молча), but some muttered to themselves (но некоторые бормотали /что-то/ себе /под нос/), and others talked together in a strange, low, monotonous voice (а другие разговаривали друг с другом странным, низким, монотонным голосом), their conversation coming in gushes (их разговор вырывался стремительными потоками /слов/), and then suddenly tailing off into silence (и затем внезапно замирал в тишине; to tail off — истощаться, умолкнуть), each mumbling out his own thoughts (каждый бормотал свои собственные мысли) and paying little heed to the words of his neighbor (и обращал мало внимания на слова своего соседа). At the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal (в самом дальнем конце была маленькая жаровня с пылающим /древесным/ углем), beside which on a three-legged wooden stool (возле которой на трехногом деревянном стуле) there sat a tall, thin old man (сидел высокий худой старик: «старый человек»), with his jaw resting upon his two fists (со своей челюстью, покоящейся на его кулаках = опустив подбородок на кулаки), and his elbows upon his knees, staring into the fire (/положив/ локти на колени, уставившись в огонь).

waned [weInd], muttered ['mVt@d], farther ['fA:D@], brazier ['breIzj@]

Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbor. At the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon his knees, staring into the fire.

As I entered (как /только/ я вошел), a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe for me and a supply of the drug (смуглый малаец-слуга поспешил ко мне с трубкой и порцией наркотика), beckoning me to an empty berth (кивая мне на свободную койку).

"Thank you. I have not come to stay (я не пришел, чтобы остаться = не могу остаться)," said I. "There is a friend of mine here (здесь находится мой друг), Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him (и я желаю = хотел бы поговорить с ним)."

There was a movement and an exclamation from my right (было движение и восклицание справа от меня), and peering through the gloom I saw Whitney (и, вглядываясь через = во тьму, я увидел Уитни), pale, haggard, and unkempt, staring out at me (бледного, изможденного и растрепанного, глядящего пристально на меня).

movement ['mu:vm@nt], haggard ['h&g@d], staring ['ste@rIN]

As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth.

"Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him."

There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and peering through the gloom I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and unkempt, staring out at me.

"My God (о, Боже)! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of reaction (он был в жалком состоянии реакции = спада), with every nerve in a twitter (с каждым нервом в возбуждении = весь трепетал). "I say, Watson, what o'clock is it (послушайте, Ватсон, который час)?"

"Nearly eleven (почти одиннадцать)."

"Of what day (какого дня)?"

"Of Friday, June 19th."

"Good heavens (Боже мой)! I thought it was Wednesday (я думал, среда). It is Wednesday. What d'you want to frighten the chap for (зачем вы хотите напугать парня; d'you = do you)?" He sank his face onto his arms and began to sob in a high treble key (он закрыл лицо ладонями, руками и начал рыдать /в высоком ключе/; treble — тройной; дискантовый).

"My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what o'clock is it?"

"Nearly eleven."

"Of what day?"

"Of Friday, June 19th."

"Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What d'you want to frighten the chap for?" He sank his face onto his arms and began to sob in a high treble key.

"I tell you that it is Friday, man (я говорю вам, что сегодня пятница; man — обращение к знакомому). Your wife has been waiting these two days for you (ваша жена ждет вас /уже/ эти два дня). You should be ashamed of yourself (вам должно быть стыдно /за себя/)!"

"So I am (я и стыжусь). But you've got mixed, Watson (но вы что-то путаете: вы смешаны = сбиты с толку», Ватсон), for I have only been here a few hours (так как я здесь только несколько часов), three pipes (три трубки), four (четыре) pipes — I forget how many (я забыл, сколько). But I'll go home with you (но я отправлюсь домой с вами). I wouldn't frighten Kate (я не хочу пугать Кейт) — poor little Kate (бедная маленькая Кейт). Give me your hand (дайте мне вашу руку)! Have you a cab?"

"I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting these two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!"

"So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here a few hours, three pipes, four pipes — I forget how many. But I'll go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate — poor little Kate. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?"

"Yes, I have one waiting (да, у меня есть один = кеб, ждущий /у дверей)."

"Then I shall go in it (тогда мне следует отправиться в нем). But I must owe something (но я, видимо, что-то должен /им/; to owe — задолжать). Find what I owe, Watson (выясните, что = сколько я должен, Ватсон). I am all off color (я себя плохо чувствую; off color — дефектный, нездорового вида). I can do nothing for myself (я не могу сам ничего сделать)."

owe [@u], color ['kVl@]

"Yes, I have one waiting."

"Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I owe, Watson. I am all off color. I can do nothing for myself."

I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of sleepers (я пошел по узкому проходу между двойным рядом спящих), holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying fumes of the drug (задерживая дыхание, чтобы не вдыхать отвратительные, одуряющие пары наркотика), and looking about for the manager (и разыскивая хозяина). As I passed the tall man who sat by the brazier (когда я проходил мимо высокого человека, сидевшего у жаровни) I felt a sudden pluck at my skirt (я почувствовал, как меня внезапно дернули: «внезапный дерг» за полу /пиджака/), and a low voice whispered (и тихий голос прошептал), "Walk past me, and then look back at me (пройдите мимо меня, а затем обернитесь)." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear (эти слова достигли моего уха вполне отчетливо). I glanced down (я глянул вниз). They could only have come from the old man at my side (они могли исходить лишь от старика рядом со мной), and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever (и тем не менее, он сидел по-прежнему погруженным в себя), very thin, very wrinkled, bent with age (очень худой, очень морщинистый, согнутый возрастом = под тяжестью лет), an opium pipe dangling down from between his knees (опиумная трубка свисала у него между колен), as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his fingers (словно вывалившись в полной апатии из его пальцев). I took two steps forward and looked back (я сделал два шага вперед и оглянулся). It took all my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of astonishment (потребовалось все мое самообладание, чтобы сдержать крик удивления; to break out into — разразиться /например криком/). He had turned his back so that none could see him but I (он повернул свою спину так, чтобы никто не мог видеть его /лицо/, кроме меня). His form had filled out (его фигура пополнела), his wrinkles were gone (его морщины ушли), the dull eyes had regained their fire (тусклые глаза вновь обрели свой /привычный/ блеск), and there, sitting by the fire and grinning at my surprise (сидящим у огня и ухмыляющимся над моим удивлением), was none other than Sherlock Holmes (был не кто иной, как Шерлок Холмс). He made a slight motion to me to approach him (он сделал легкое движение = знак мне, чтобы я приблизился к нему), and instantly, as he turned his face half round to the company once more (и тотчас, повернувшись снова лицом вполоборота к присутствующим), subsided into a doddering, loose-lipped senility (превратился в дрожащего с отвисшей губой старика; to subside — погрузиться, упасть; senility — старость, дряхлость).

narrow ['n&r@u], breath [breT], wrinkled [rINkld], lassitude ['l&sItju:d], senility [sI'nIlItI]

I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided into a doddering, loose-lipped senility.

"Holmes!" I whispered (прошептал я), "what on earth are you doing in this den (что, черт возьми, вы делаете в этом притоне)?"

"As low as you can (/говорите/ так тихо, как только можете)," he answered; "I have excellent ears (у меня превосходный слух: «уши»). If you would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of yours (если вы сделаете большое одолжение избавиться от вашего одурманенного друга) I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you (я буду чрезвычайно рад немного поболтать с вами: «иметь маленький разговор»)."

kindness ['kaIndnIs], exceedingly [Ik'si:dINlI]

"Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?"

"As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you."

"I have a cab outside (меня ждет кеб снаружи)."

"Then pray send him home in it (тогда, пожалуйста, отправьте его домой в нем). You may safely trust him (вы можете без риска довериться ему), for he appears to be too limp to get into any mischief (так как он кажется слишком слабым, чтобы попасть в какую-нибудь беду; limp — мягкий, нежесткий; слабый). I should recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife (я бы рекомендовал вам также послать с кучером записку вашей жене) to say that you have thrown in your lot with me (чтобы сказать, что вы остались со мной; to throw in one`s lot with somebody — разделить чью-либо участь; lot — участь, судьба, компания). If you will wait outside, I shall be with you in five minutes (если вы подождете снаружи, я буду с вами через пять минут)."

mischief ['mIstSIf], recommend [rek@'mend], note [n@ut]

"I have a cab outside."

"Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait outside, I shall be with you in five minutes."

It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes's requests (было трудно отказаться от любой из просьб Шерлока Холмса), for they were always so exceedingly definite (так как они всегда были /так/ исключительно точны), and put forward with such a quiet air of mastery (и выражены с таким властным видом; mastery — мастерство; власть, влияние). I felt, however, that when Whitney was once confined in the cab (я чувствовал, как бы то ни было, что когда Уитни будет усажен в кеб) my mission was practically accomplished (моя миссия будет практически выполнена); and for the rest (что касается остального), I could not wish anything better than to be associated with my friend (я не мог желать чего-либо лучшего, чем принять участие: «быть связанным» вместе с моим другом) in one of those singular adventures which were the normal condition of his existence (в одном из тех необычайных приключений, которые были нормальным состоянием его существования). In a few minutes I had written my note (вскоре я написал записку жене), paid Whitney's bill (заплатил по счету Уитни), led him out to the cab (усадил его в кеб: «вывел его наружу к кебу»), and seen him driven through the darkness (и видел, как он проехал в темноте: «был увезен через тьму»). In a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den (очень скоро дряхлая фигура вышла из опиумного притона), and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes (и я зашагал по улице с Шерлоком Холмсом). For two streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot (две улицы он проковылял с согнутой спиной и неуверенной походкой). Then, glancing quickly round (затем, быстро оглянувшись кругом), he straightened himself out and burst into a hearty fit of laughter (он выпрямил выпрямился и разразился искренним смехом).

refuse [rI'fju:z], request [rI'kwest], decrepit [dI'krepIt], shuffled [SVfld]

It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes's requests, for they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was once confined in the cab my mission was practically accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and burst into a hearty fit of laughter.

"I suppose, Watson (полагаю, Ватсон)," said he, "that you imagine that I have added opium-smoking to cocaine injections (что вы вообразили, будто я добавил курение опия к инъекциям кокаина), and all the other little weaknesses on which you have favored me with your medical views (и ко всем остальным маленьким слабостям, по поводу которых вы были столь любезны высказать мне свои медицинские воззрения)."

injections [In'dZekSNz], weaknesses ['wi:knIsIz], favored ['feIv@d]

"I was certainly surprised to find you there (я был, конечно, удивлен найти вас там)."

"But not more so than I to find you (но не более, чем я — найти вас)."

"I came to find a friend (я пришел найти друга)."

"And I to find an enemy (а я — найти врага)."

"An enemy?"

"I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little weaknesses on which you have favored me with your medical views."

"I was certainly surprised to find you there."

"But not more so than I to find you."

"I came to find a friend."

"And I to find an enemy."

"An enemy?"

"Yes; one of my natural enemies (да, одного из моих кровных: «природных» врагов), or, shall I say, my natural prey (или, можно сказать, мою добычу). Briefly (короче говоря), Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable inquiry (я занят чрезвычайно любопытным расследованием; in the midst of — посреди), and I have hoped to find a clew in the incoherent ramblings of these sots (и я надеялся найти нить, факты = кое-что узнать из бессвязных разговорах этих курильщиков опия: «пьянчуг»), as I have done before now (как я делал это прежде). Had I been recognized in that den (будь я узнан в том притоне = если бы меня узнали) my life would not have been worth an hour's purchase (моя жизнь не стоила бы медяка; purchase — ценность, доход); for I have used it before now for my own purposes (так как я уже бывал там: «использовал это для своих собственных целей раньше»), and the rascally Lascar who runs it (и подлый Ласкар, хозяин притона; to run — владеть) has sworn to have vengeance upon me (поклялся отомстить мне). There is a trap-door at the back of that building (позади того здания есть лазейка), near the corner of Paul's Wharf (рядом с углом Верфи Св. Павла), which could tell some strange tales (которая могла бы рассказать несколько странных историй) of what has passed through it upon the moonless nights (о том, что проходило = что выбрасывали через нее в безлунные ночи)."

natural ['n&tSr@l], incoherent [Ink@u'hIr@nt], purchase ['p@:tSIs]

"Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clew in the incoherent ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been recognized in that den my life would not have been worth an hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless nights."

"What! You do not mean bodies (вы имеете в виду тела = трупы)?"

"Aye (да), bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds for every poor devil (мы были бы богачами, если бы получали по 1000 фунтов за каждого несчастного: «бедного дьявола») who has been done to death in that den (который был доведен до смерти в этом притоне). It is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside (это самая коварная ловушка на всем берегу реки), and I fear that Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more (и я опасаюсь, что Невилл Сент-Клер вошел = попал в нее, чтобы никогда больше не вернуться). But our trap should be here (но наша ловушка будет здесь)." He put his two forefingers between his teeth (он сунул два указательных пальца между зубов = в рот) and whistled shrilly (и свистнул пронзительно), a signal which was answered by a similar whistle from the distance (сигнал, на который ответили похожим свистом издалека), followed shortly by the rattle of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs (за которым последовал вскоре грохот колес и стук лошадиных копыт).

riverside ['rIv@saId], whistled [wIsld], similar ['sIm@l@]

"What! You do not mean bodies?"

"Aye, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his teeth and whistled shrilly, a signal which was answered by a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs.

"Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dogcart dashed up through the gloom (когда высокая двуколка /на большой/ скорости вынырнула из мрака), throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from its side lanterns (бросая два золотых туннеля = полосы желтого света из своих боковых фонарей). "You'll come with me, won't you (вы пойдете со мной, не так ли)?

"If I can be of use (если я могу быть полезен)."

"Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use (надежный товарищ всегда полезен); and a chronicler still more so (а летописец = документалист особенно). My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one (моя комната в «Кедрах» — двухкроватная)."

"The Cedars?"

"Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dogcart dashed up through the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?

"If I can be of use."

"Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one."

"The Cedars?"

"Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house (да, это дом мистера Сент-Клера). I am staying there while I conduct the inquiry (я живу там, пока веду расследование)."

"Where is it, then (где же это)?"

"Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us (впереди у нас семимильная поездка = нам нужно проехать семь миль)."

"But I am all in the dark (но я совершенно в темноте = ничего не понимаю)."

"Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently (вы узнаете все о этом вскоре). Jump up here (садитесь здесь). All right, John; we shall not need you (хорошо, Джон, вы нам /больше/ не нужны). Here's half a crown (вот полкроны). Look out for me tomorrow, about eleven (найдите меня завтра около одиннадцати). Give her her head (дайте ей ее уздечку = отпустите вожжи). So long, then (ну, до скорого)!"

"Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I conduct the inquiry."

"Where is it, then?"

"Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us."

"But I am all in the dark."

"Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a crown. Look out for me tomorrow, about eleven. Give her her head. So long, then!"

He flicked the horse with his whip (он стегнул лошадь кнутом), and we dashed away through the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets (и мы понеслись /вперед/ по непрерывному ряду темных пустынных улиц), which widened gradually (которые постепенно расширялись), until we were flying across a broad balustraded bridge (пока мы /не/ понеслись по широкому мосту с перилами), with the murky river flowing sluggishly beneath us (с мрачной рекой, вяло текущей под нами). Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and mortar (дальше /за мостом/ лежали еще такие же тусклые кирпичные дома; wilderness — пустыня, дикое место; brick — кирпич, mortar — цементный раствор), its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the policeman (чья тишина нарушалась лишь тяжелыми, размеренными шагами полицейских; to break — ломать, прерывать), or the songs and shouts of some belated party of revellers (или песнями и криками запоздалых /компаний/ гуляк). A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky (темные тучи медленно плыли по небу; wrack — остатки кораблекрушения), and a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the clouds (звезда или две мерцали тускло то тут, то там в разрывах между облаками). Holmes drove in silence (правил в молчании), with his head sunk upon his breast (опустив голову на грудь), and the air of a man who is lost in thought (и с видом человека, погруженного в размышления: «потерянного в мысли»), while I sat beside him (пока я сидел возле него), curious to learn what this new quest might be (любопытный узнать = стараясь отгадать, чем может быть этот поиск = это новое расследование) which seemed to tax his powers so sorely (которое, казалось, напрягло его силы так сильно), and yet afraid to break in upon the current of his thoughts (и все же /я/ боялся вломиться в направление его мыслей = не смея прервать его раздумья). We had driven several miles (мы проехали несколько миль), and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban villas (и уже начинали приближаться к краю пояса пригородных вилл), when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders (когда он очнулся: «встряхнул себя», передернул плечами), and lit up his pipe with the air of a man (и зажег трубку с видом человека) who has satisfied himself that he is acting for the best (который удовлетворил себя = убедился, что он действует самым лучшим образом»).

succession [s@k'seSn], deserted [dI'z@:tId], beneath [bI'ni:T], sorely ['sO:lI]

He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he is acting for the best.

"You have a grand gift of silence (у вас великий дар молчания), Watson," said he. "It makes you quite invaluable as a companion (это делает вас совершенно бесценным в качестве товарища). 'Pon my word (честное слово: «на мое слово»), it is a great thing for me to have someone to talk to (это замечательная вещь для меня — иметь кого-то, чтобы поговорить с /ним/), for my own thoughts are not over-pleasant (так как мои собственные мысли не слишком радостные). I was wondering what I should say to this dear little woman tonight (я интересовался = не имею представления, что я скажу этой милой маленькой женщине сегодня вечером) when she meets me at the door (когда она встретит меня на пороге)."

"You forget that I know nothing about it (вы забываете, что я ничего не знаю об этом /деле/)."

silence ['saIl@ns], invaluable [In'v&ljubl], wondering ['wVnd@rIN]

"You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear little woman tonight when she meets me at the door."

"You forget that I know nothing about it."

"I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before we get to Lee (у меня как раз будет время рассказать вам факты по этому делу, пока мы доберемся до Ли). It seems absurdly simple (оно кажется до смешного простым), and yet, somehow I can get nothing to go upon (и, тем не менее, я не могу узнать ничего, чтобы продолжать = не знаю, как за него взяться). There's plenty of thread, no doubt (там = в деле полно нитей, без сомнения), but I can't get the end of it into my hand (но я не могу ухватиться за ее конец). Now, I'll state the case clearly and concisely to you (я изложу вам дело ясно и в сжатой форме), Watson, and maybe you can see a spark where all is dark to me (и, может быть, вы увидите искру /там/, где все темнота для меня = вам удастся понять что-то, чего не понял я)."

absurdly [@b's@:dlI], thread [Tred], concisely [k@n'saIslI]

"I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a spark where all is dark to me."

"Proceed, then (продолжайте)."

"Some years ago (несколько лет назад) — to be definite, in May (точнее, в мае), 1884 — there came to Lee a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name (в Ли прибыл джентльмен, Невилл Сент-Клер по имени), who appeared to have plenty of money (у которого, казалось, было много денег). He took a large villa (снял виллу), laid out the grounds very nicely (разбил /вокруг нее/ прекрасные сады), and lived generally in good style (и жил, в общем, на широкую ногу: «в хорошем стиле»). By degrees he made friends in the neighborhood (постепенно он завел друзей в соседстве = подружился с соседями), and in 1887 he married the daughter of a local brewer (женился на дочери местного пивовара), by whom he now has two children (от которой теперь имеет двух детей). He had no occupation (у него не было профессии), but was interested in several companies (но интересовался = принимал участие в нескольких предприятиях) and went into town as a rule in the morning (и отправлялся в город, как правило, утром), returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Street every night (возвращаясь с поездом в 5:14 с Кэннон-стрит каждый вечер). Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of age (мистеру Сент-Клеру теперь тридцать семь лет), is a man of temperate habits (человек умеренных привычек), a good husband (хороший муж), a very affectionate father (очень любящий отец), and a man who is popular with all who know him (и популярный = все, кто его знает, отзываются о нем хорошо). I may add that his whole debts at the present moment (могу добавить, что все его долги в настоящий момент), as far as we have been able to ascertain amount to 88 pounds l0s. (насколько мы смогли установить, доходят до 88 фунтов 10 шиллингов), while he has 220 pounds standing to his credit (тогда как у него 220 фунтов на /текущем/ счету) in the Capital and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore (нет основания, таким образом), to think that money troubles have been weighing upon his mind (думать, что финансовые проблемы тяготели над ним: «его разумом»).

neighborhood ['neIb@hud], brewer ['bru:@], temperate ['temprIt], weighing ['weIIN]

"Proceed, then."

"Some years ago — to be definite, in May, 1884 — there came to Lee a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made friends in the neighborhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far as we have been able to ascertain amount to 88 pounds l0s., while he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money troubles have been weighing upon his mind.

"Last Monday (в прошлый понедельник) Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier than usual (уехал в город довольно раньше обычного), remarking before he started that he had two important commissions to perform (заметив, прежде чем уйти, что у него два важных дела = наряда, /чтобы выполнить/), and that he would bring his little boy home a box of bricks (и что он принесет своему маленькому мальчику = сыну коробку с кубиками). Now, by the merest chance (по простому случаю = совершенно случайно), his wife received a telegram upon this same Monday (его жена получила телеграмму в тот же понедельник), very shortly after his departure (очень скоро после его отъезда), to the effect that a small parcel of considerable value (с таким содержанием, что маленькая посылка большой ценности) which she had been expecting (которую она ждала) was waiting for her at the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company (дожидалась ее в Абердинской пароходной компании). Now, if you are well up in your London (если вы хорошо знаете Лондон), you will know that the office of the company is in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane (котороя упирается в Аппер-Суондем-лейн; to branch out — отходить, распространяться), where you found me tonight (где вы нашли меня сегодня вечером). Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch (миссис Сент-Клер позавтракала), started for the City (отправилась в Сити), did some shopping (сделала кое-какие покупки), proceeded to the company's office (заехала в контору компании), got her packet (получила посылку), and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Swandam Lane on her way back to the station (и нашла себя идущей = обнаружила, что идет ровно в 4:35 по Суондем-лейн, на пути к вокзалу). Have you followed me so far (вы проследовали за мной так далеко = до сих пор вам все понятно)?"

perform [p@'fO:m], merest [mI@st], parcel [pA:sl], value ['v&lju:]

"Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up in your London, you will know that the office of the company is in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where you found me tonight. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me so far?"

"It is very clear (это очень ясно)."

"If you remember (если помните), Monday was an exceedingly hot day (понедельник был чрезвычайно жарким днем), and Mrs. St. Clair walked slowly (шла медленно), glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab (поглядывая по сторонам в надежде увидеть кеб), as she did not like the neighborhood (так как ей не понравился район) in which she found herself (в котором она оказалась). While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane (пока она шла таким образом по Суондем-лейн), she suddenly heard an ejaculation or cry (внезапно она услышала восклицание или крик), and was struck cold to see her husband looking down at her (и похолодела, увидев своего мужа, смотрящего на нее) and, as it seemed to her, beckoning to her from a second-floor window (и, как ей показалось, жестами манящего ее из окна второго этажа). The window was open (окно было открыто), and she distinctly saw his face (и она отчетливо видела его лицо), which she describes as being terribly agitated (которое она описывает как ужасно взволнованное). He waved his hands frantically to her (он неистово махал ей руками), and then vanished from the window so suddenly (и затем исчез из окна так внезапно) that it seemed to her that he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind (что ей показалось, будто он был отдернут назад какой-то непреодолимой силой). One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye (одна особая точка = деталь бросилась ее быстрому женскому глазу = привлекла ее взгляд) was that, although he wore some dark coat (что, хотя он носил темное пальто), such as he had started to town in (такое, в котором он отправился в город), he had on neither collar nor necktie (на нем нет ни воротничка, ни галстука).

ejaculation [IdZ&kju'leISn], agitated ['&dZIteItId], frantically ['fr&ntIklI], necktie ['nektaI]

"It is very clear."

"If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, as she did not like the neighborhood in which she found herself. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town in, he had on neither collar nor necktie.

"Convinced that something was amiss with him (уверенная, что с ним что-то неладно), she rushed down the steps (она сбежала вниз по ступенькам) — for the house was none other than the opium den (так как дом был не чем иным, как опиумным притоном) in which you found me tonight (в котором вы нашли меня сегодня вечером) — and running through the front room (пробежав через переднюю комнату) she attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor (она попыталась подняться по ступеням, которые вели на второй этаж). At the foot of the stairs (у лестницы: «основания лестницы), however (однако), she met this Lascar scoundrel (она встретила этого негодяя Ласкара) of whom I have spoken (о котором я говорил), who thrust her back (который толкнул ее обратно = оттолкнул ее) and, aided by a Dane (с помощью датчанина), who acts as assistant there (который действовал в качестве помощника), pushed her out into the street (вытолкал ее на улицу). Filled with the most maddening doubts and fears (наполненная сводящими с ума сомнениями и страхами = обезумев от страха), she rushed down the lane (побежала по улочке) and, by rare good-fortune (по необыкновенной удаче = к счастью), met (встретила) in Fresno Street a number of constables with an inspector (несколько констеблей с инспектором), all on their way to their beat (все на их пути обхода = во время обхода). The inspector and two men accompanied her back (сопроводили ее назад), and in spite of the continued resistance of the proprietor (несмотря на долгое сопротивление владельца), they made their way to the room (они прошли в помещение) in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen (мистер Сент-Клер был увиден в последний раз). There was no sign of him there (там не было никакого его признака = и следа не было). In fact (более того), in the whole of that floor there was no one to be found (на всем этаже не нашли никого; the whole of — все) save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect (кроме покалеченного бедняги = калеки отвратительной внешности), who, it seems, made his home there (сделал свой дом там = поселился там). Both he and the Lascar stoutly swore (оба: и он, и Ласкар — упорно клялись) that no one else (более никто) had been in the front room during the afternoon (не был в помещении в течение второй половины дня). So determined was their denial (так решительно было их отрицание) that the inspector was staggered (стал сомневаться), and had almost come to believe (и почти начал верить) that Mrs. St. Clair had been deluded (была введена в заблуждение = ошиблась) when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box (когда с криком она бросилась к маленькому деревянному ящичку; deal — древесина, доска /обычно хвойная/) which lay upon the table (которая лежала на столе) and tore the lid from it (и сорвала крышку с него; to tear — рвать, срывать). Out there fell a cascade of children's bricks (оттуда выпал каскад = множество детских кубиков). It was the toy which he had promised to bring home (это была игрушка, которую он обещал привезти домой).

convinced [k@n'vInst], ascend [@'send], scoundrel ['skaundr@l], constables ['kVnst@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 ['evId@nt], abominable [@'bOmIn@bl], wharf [wO:f], ominous ['OmIn@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 ['vIl@nz], antecedents [&ntI'si:dnts], accessory [@k'ses@rI], lodger ['lOdZ@]

"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 ['sInIst@], beggar ['beg@], creature ['kri:tS@], charity ['tS&rItI], scar [skA:], chaff [tSA: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@:tS@d], surely ['Su@lI], weakness ['wi:knIs], limb [lIm], strength [streNT]

"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 [saIt], remedied ['remIdId], seized [si:zd], strenuously ['strenju@slI], afford [@'fO: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 [D@u], feared [fI@d], receded [rI'si:dId]

"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 [stVft], wonder ['wVnd@], weighted ['weItId]

"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:S@slI], occur [@'k@:], confederate [k@n'fedrIt], hoard [hO: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 [haI'pOTIsIs], innocent ['In@s@nt], glance [glA: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@:lIN], outskirts ['autsk@:ts], hedge [hedZ]

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 ['kauntIz], anxious ['&NkS@s], horse [hO: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 ['kaIndlI], disposal [dIs'p@uzl], colleague ['kA.li:g]

"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 ['waIndIN], touch [tVtS], flood [flVd], eagerness ['i:g@nIs], parted ['pA:tId]

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 [vaItl], chance [tSA:ns], associate [@'s@uSIeIt]

"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 [dI'laItId], arrangements [@'reIndZm@nts], consider [k@n'sId@]

"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'peIn@], apology [@'pA.l@dZI], assistance [@'sIst@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 ['sVp@], plain [pleIn], answer ['A: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 [Im'b&r@st], frankly ['fr&NklI], basket ['bA:skIt]

"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:DIN], envelope ['@nv@l@up], coarse [kO:s], considerably [k@n'sIdr@blI]

"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 ['greIS], pause [pO:z], familiar [f@'mIlI@], trifle [traIfl], enclosure [In'kl@uZ@]

"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 [fraItnd], huge [hju:dZ], error ['er@], patience [peISns], thumb [TVm]

"'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 ['fO:dZ@rI], 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 [dIs'kVrIdZ], utmost ['Vtm@ust], death [deT]

"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:Zn], evidence ['evId@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 [@'stA.nISm@nt], unexpected [VnIks'p@ktId], cause [kO: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 ['prInsIpl], clear [klI@], retire [rI'taI@], busy ['bIzI]

"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:@'reIndZIN], fathomed ['f&D@md], cushions [kuSnz], aquiline ['&kwIlaIn]

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@:rIN], chuckled [tSVkld], sombre ['sOmb@], previous ['pri:vI@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 [fO:], 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 [dI'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 ['bA:Trum], joking ['dZ@ukIN], incredulity [InkrI'dju:lItI]

"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 ['sVnSaIn], vegetables ['vedZIt@blz], metropolis [mI'trOp@lIs]

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 ['sINgjul@], blind [blaInd], wisdom ['wIzd@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 ['raIz@], river ['rIv@], 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 [@'fISl], passage ['p&sIdZ], ledger ['ledZ@]

"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 ['tINk@], regular ['regjul@], prison [prIzn]

"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 [bA:d], winding ['waIndIN], whitewashed ['waItwA.St]

"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 ['greItIN], breathing ['bri:DIN], coarsely ['kO:slI], grime [graIm], repulsive [rI'pVlsIv]

"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 ['lIb@tI], sponge [spVndZ]

"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 ['kredIt], key [ki:], slumber ['slVmb@], sponge [spVndZ], vigorously ['vIg@r@slI]

"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 [snI@], tangled [t&Ngld], bewilderment [bI'wIld@m@nt], exposure [Ik'sp@uZ@]

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 ['destInI], charged [tSA:dZd]

"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:IsaId], cake [keIk]

"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 ['ObvI@s], therefore ['De@fO:], detained [dI'teInd]

"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 [kO:t], publicity [pV'blIsItI], authorities [O:'TOrItIz], proper ['prOp@]

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&S@nItlI], endured [In'dju@d], execution [eksI'kju:Sn]

"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:lmA:st@], article ['A:tIkl], volunteered [vA.l@n'tI@d], amateur ['&m@t(S)@]

"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 [aI'dI@], fortnight ['fO:tnaIt], employers [Im'plOI@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 ['A:dju@s], inspiring [In'spaI@rIN], possession [p@'zeSn]

"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@rIdZ], exceptional [Ik'sepS(@)n(@)l], facility [f@'sIlItI], poured [pO: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'bIS@s], eventually [I'ventS@lI], suspicion [s@'spIS(@)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 ['kOnfId&nt], leather ['leD@], violence ['vaI@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 [prI'z@:v], preference ['pref@r@ns], anxious ['&NkS@s], scrawl [skrO:l], cause [kO: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 [Vn@b'z@:vd], sailor ['seIl@], customer ['kVst@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)."