Английский язык с Шерлоком Холмсом. Первый сборник рассказов

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 [ˈprɪnsɪpl], addicted [ǝˈdɪktɪd], opium [ˈǝupɪǝm], laudanum [ˈlɔ:dnǝm], 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 [jɔ:n], needlework [ˈni:dlwǝ:k], disappointment [ˌdɪsǝˈpɔɪntmǝnt]

"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 [ɡrǝun], newly [ˈnju:lɪ], weary [ˈwɪǝrɪ]

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 [lɪˈnǝuljǝm], stuff [stʌf], veil [veɪl]

"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 [ɪkˈskju:s], forward [ˈfɔ:wǝd], trouble [trʌbl]

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 [streɪt], grief [ɡri:f], wife [waɪf], lighthouse [ˈlaɪthaus]

"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 [waɪn], water [ˈwɔ:tǝ], comfortably [ˈkʌmfǝtǝblɪ]

"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 [ǝdˈvaɪs], frightened [fraɪtnd]

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 [ˈhʌzbǝnd], companion [kǝmˈpænɪǝn], soothed [su:ðd], comforted [ˈkʌmfǝtɪd]

"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 [ˈʃuǝ], hitherto [hɪðǝˈtu:], doubtless [ˈdautlɪs], breathing [ˈbri:ðɪŋ], ruffians [ˈrʌfɪǝnz]

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 [ˈeskɔ:t], thought [Ɵɔ:t], cheery [ˈtʃɪǝrɪ], eastward [ˈi:stwǝd], errand [ˈerǝnd]

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 [steɪʤ], lurking [ˈlɜ:kɪŋ], ceaseless [ˈsi:slɪs], forecastle [ˈfǝuksl]

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 [weɪnd], muttered [ˈmʌtǝd], farther [ˈfɑ:ðǝ], brazier [ˈbreɪzjǝ]

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 [ˈmu:vmǝnt], haggard [ˈhæɡǝd], staring [ˈsteǝrɪŋ]

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 [ǝu], color [ˈkʌlǝ]

"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 [ˈnærǝu], breath [breƟ], wrinkled [rɪŋkld], lassitude [ˈlæsɪtju:d], senility [sɪˈnɪlɪtɪ]

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 [ˈkaɪndnɪs], exceedingly [ɪkˈsi:dɪŋlɪ]

"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 [ˈmɪstʃɪf], recommend [rekǝˈmend], note [nǝut]

"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 [rɪˈfju:z], request [rɪˈkwest], decrepit [dɪˈkrepɪt], shuffled [ʃʌfld]

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 [ɪnˈʤekʃŋz], weaknesses [ˈwi:knɪsɪz], favored [ˈfeɪvǝd]

"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 [ˈnætʃrǝl], incoherent [ɪnkǝuˈhɪrǝnt], purchase [ˈpǝ:tʃɪs]

"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 [ˈrɪvǝsaɪd], whistled [wɪsld], similar [ˈsɪmǝlǝ]

"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 [sǝkˈseʃn], deserted [dɪˈzǝ:tɪd], beneath [bɪˈni:Ɵ], sorely [ˈsɔ:lɪ]

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 [ˈsaɪlǝns], invaluable [ɪnˈvæljubl], wondering [ˈwʌndǝrɪŋ]

"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 [ǝbˈsǝ:dlɪ], thread [Ɵred], concisely [kǝnˈsaɪslɪ]

"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 [ˈneɪbǝhud], brewer [ˈbru:ǝ], temperate [ˈtemprɪt], weighing [ˈweɪɪŋ]

"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 [pǝˈfɔ:m], merest [mɪǝst], parcel [pɑ:sl], value [ˈvælju:]

"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 [ɪʤækjuˈleɪʃn], agitated [ˈæʤɪteɪtɪd], frantically [ˈfræntɪklɪ], necktie [ˈnektaɪ]

"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 [kǝnˈvɪnst], ascend [ǝˈsend], scoundrel [ˈskaundrǝl], constables [ˈkʌnstǝblz]

"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 [ˈevɪdǝnt], abominable [ǝˈbɔmɪnǝbl], wharf [wɔ:f], ominous [ˈɔmɪnǝs]

"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 [ˈvɪlǝnz], antecedents [æntɪˈsi:dnts], accessory [ǝkˈsesǝrɪ], lodger [ˈlɔʤǝ]

"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 [ˈsɪnɪstǝ], beggar [ˈbeɡǝ], creature [ˈkri:tʃǝ], charity [ˈtʃærɪtɪ], scar [skɑ:], chaff [tʃɑ: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 [ˈnǝ:tʃǝd], surely [ˈʃuǝlɪ], weakness [ˈwi:knɪs], limb [lɪm], strength [streŋƟ]

"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 [saɪt], remedied [ˈremɪdɪd], seized [si:zd], strenuously [ˈstrenjuǝslɪ], afford [ǝˈfɔ: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 [ðǝu], feared [fɪǝd], receded [rɪˈsi:dɪd]

"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 [stʌft], wonder [ˈwʌndǝ], weighted [ˈweɪtɪd]

"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 [ˈspi:ʃǝslɪ], occur [ǝˈkǝ:], confederate [kǝnˈfedrɪt], hoard [hɔ: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 [haɪˈpɔƟɪsɪs], innocent [ˈɪnǝsǝnt], glance [ɡlɑ: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 [ˈwǝ:lɪŋ], outskirts [ˈautskǝ:ts], hedge [heʤ]

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 [ˈkauntɪz], anxious [ˈæŋkʃǝs], horse [hɔ: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 [ˈkaɪndlɪ], disposal [dɪsˈpǝuzl], colleague [ˈkɒli:ɡ]

"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 [ˈwaɪndɪŋ], touch [tʌtʃ], flood [flʌd], eagerness [ˈi:ɡǝnɪs], parted [ˈpɑ:tɪd]

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 [vaɪtl], chance [tʃɑ:ns], associate [ǝˈsǝuʃɪeɪt]

"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 [dɪˈlaɪtɪd], arrangements [ǝˈreɪnʤmǝnts], consider [kǝnˈsɪdǝ]

"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 [kæmˈpeɪnǝ], apology [ǝˈpɒlǝʤɪ], assistance [ǝˈsɪstǝns]

"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 [ˈsʌpǝ], plain [pleɪn], answer [ˈɑ:nsǝ]

"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 [ɪmˈbærǝst], frankly [ˈfræŋklɪ], basket [ˈbɑ:skɪt]

"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 [ˈsmu:ðɪŋ], envelope [ˈǝnvǝlǝup], coarse [kɔ:s], considerably [kǝnˈsɪdrǝblɪ]

"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 [ˈɡreɪʃ], pause [pɔ:z], familiar [fǝˈmɪlɪǝ], trifle [traɪfl], enclosure [ɪnˈklǝuʒǝ]

"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 [fraɪtnd], huge [hju:ʤ], error [ˈerǝ], patience [peɪʃns], thumb [Ɵʌm]

"'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 [ˈfɔ:ʤǝrɪ], 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 [dɪsˈkʌrɪʤ], utmost [ˈʌtmǝust], death [deƟ]

"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 [ˈvæljuǝbl], conclusion [kǝnˈklu:ʒn], evidence [ˈevɪdǝns]

"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 [ǝˈstɒnɪʃmǝnt], unexpected [ʌnɪksˈpǝktɪd], cause [kɔ: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 [ˈprɪnsɪpl], clear [klɪǝ], retire [rɪˈtaɪǝ], busy [ˈbɪzɪ]

"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:ǝˈreɪnʤɪŋ], fathomed [ˈfæðǝmd], cushions [kuʃnz], aquiline [ˈækwɪlaɪn]

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 [ˈstǝ:rɪŋ], chuckled [tʃʌkld], sombre [ˈsɔmbǝ], previous [ˈpri:vɪǝs]

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 [fɔ:], 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 [ˈæbsǝlu:t], Europe [ˈjuǝrǝp], deserve [dɪˈzǝ: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 [ˈbɑ:Ɵrum], joking [ˈʤǝukɪŋ], incredulity [ɪnkrɪˈdju:lɪtɪ]

"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 [ˈsʌnʃaɪn], vegetables [ˈveʤɪtǝblz], metropolis [mɪˈtrɔpǝlɪs]

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 [ˈsɪŋɡjulǝ], blind [blaɪnd], wisdom [ˈwɪzdǝm]

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 [ˈraɪzǝ], river [ˈrɪvǝ], 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 [ǝˈfɪʃl], passage [ˈpæsɪʤ], ledger [ˈleʤǝ]

"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 [ˈtɪŋkǝ], regular [ˈreɡjulǝ], prison [prɪzn]

"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 [bɑ:d], winding [ˈwaɪndɪŋ], whitewashed [ˈwaɪtwɒʃt]

"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 [ˈɡreɪtɪŋ], breathing [ˈbri:ðɪŋ], coarsely [ˈkɔ:slɪ], grime [ɡraɪm], repulsive [rɪˈpʌlsɪv]

"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 [ˈlɪbǝtɪ], sponge [spʌnʤ]

"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 [ˈkredɪt], key [ki:], slumber [ˈslʌmbǝ], sponge [spʌnʤ], vigorously [ˈvɪɡǝrǝslɪ]

"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 [snɪǝ], tangled [tæŋɡld], bewilderment [bɪˈwɪldǝmǝnt], exposure [ɪkˈspǝuʒǝ]

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 [ǝˈbændǝn], destiny [ˈdestɪnɪ], charged [tʃɑ:ʤd]

"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 [ˈsu:ɪsaɪd], cake [keɪk]

"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 [ˈɔbvɪǝs], therefore [ˈðeǝfɔ:], detained [dɪˈteɪnd]

"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 [kɔ:t], publicity [pʌˈblɪsɪtɪ], authorities [ɔ:ˈƟɔrɪtɪz], proper [ˈprɔpǝ]

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 [ˈpæʃǝnɪtlɪ], endured [ɪnˈdjuǝd], execution [eksɪˈkju:ʃn]

"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 [ˈsku:lmɑ:stǝ], article [ˈɑ:tɪkl], volunteered [vɒlǝnˈtɪǝd], amateur [ˈæmǝt(ʃ)ǝ]

"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 [aɪˈdɪǝ], fortnight [ˈfɔ:tnaɪt], employers [ɪmˈplɔɪǝz], 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 [ˈɑ:djuǝs], inspiring [ɪnˈspaɪǝrɪŋ], possession [pǝˈzeʃn]

"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 [ǝ:n], average [ˈævǝrɪʤ], exceptional [ɪkˈsepʃ(ǝ)n(ǝ)l], facility [fǝˈsɪlɪtɪ], poured [pɔ: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 [æmˈbɪʃǝs], eventually [ɪˈventʃǝlɪ], suspicion [sǝˈspɪʃ(ǝ)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 [ˈkɔnfɪdænt], leather [ˈleðǝ], violence [ˈvaɪǝlǝns], murderer [ˈmǝ:dǝrǝ]

"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 [prɪˈzǝ:v], preference [ˈprefǝrǝns], anxious [ˈæŋkʃǝs], scrawl [skrɔ:l], cause [kɔ: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 [ʌnǝbˈzǝ:vd], sailor [ˈseɪlǝ], customer [ˈkʌstǝmǝ]

"That was it (так и было)," said Holmes, nodding approvingly (кивая одобрительно; to approve — одобрять); "I have no doubt of it (я не имею сомнения насчет этого). But have you never been prosecuted for begging (но разве вас никогда не привлекали к суду за попрошайничество)?"

"The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days."

"That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?"

"Many times (много раз); but what was a fine to me (но что был штраф = но что значил штраф для меня)?"

"It must stop here, however (это должно кончиться здесь, как бы то ни было)," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to hush this thing up (если полиция должна замять эту вещь = историю), there must be no more of Hugh Boone (не должно быть больше Хью Буна)."

"I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take (я /уже/ поклялся /себе/ самыми торжественными клятвами, какие /только/ человек может дать; to swear — клясться)."

"Many times; but what was a fine to me?"

"It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone."

"I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take."

"In that case (в таком случае) I think that it is probable (я полагаю вероятным) that no further steps may be taken (что никакие дальнейшие шаги могут быть приняты = не будут приняты). But if you are found again (но если вы будете найдены = замечены снова), then all must come out (тогда все выйдет наружу). I am sure (я уверен), Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you (очень в долгу перед вами = признательны вам) for having cleared the matter up (за раскрытие дела). I wish I knew how you reach your results (хотел бы я знать, как вы достигаете ваших результатов)."

probable [ˈprɔbǝbl], indebted [ɪnˈdetɪd]

"I reached this one (достиг этого)," said my friend, "by sitting upon five pillows (сидением на пяти подушках) and consuming an ounce of shag (и потреблением = выкуриванием унции табаку). I think, Watson, that if we drive to Baker Street (если мы поедем на Бейкер-стрит) we shall just be in time for breakfast (мы будем как раз /вовремя/ к завтраку)."

"In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your results."

"I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast."