THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE

(ПРИКЛЮЧЕНИЕ ГОЛУБОГО КАРБУНКУЛА)


I had called upon (я посетил) my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas (моего друга на второе утро после Рождества), with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season (с намерением = чтобы поздравить его с праздником; compliments of the season — поздравительные приветствия /соответственно какому-либо празднику/). He was lounging upon the sofa (он сидел, откинувшись на диване) in a purple dressing-gown (в багряном халате), a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right (подставка с трубками под рукой справа от него; reach — зона досягаемости, сфера), and a pile of crumpled morning papers (стопка скомканных утренних газет), evidently newly studied (очевидно, недавно изученных), near at hand (под рукой). Beside the couch (рядом с кушеткой) was a wooden chair (деревянный стул), and on the angle of the back (косо на спинке; on the angle — под углом) hung a very seedy and disreputable hard felt hat (висела сильно поношенная и недостойная /дискредитирующая/ фетровая шляпа; to hang — вешать, висеть), much the worse for wear (намного хуже, чтобы носить = висеть-то висела, а носить ее вообще было невозможно), and cracked in several places (продырявленная в нескольких местах). A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair (лупа и пинцет, лежавшие на сиденье стула) suggested (намекали) that the hat had been suspended (что шляпа отложена) in this manner for the purpose of examination (таким образом с целью изучения).


Christmas ['krIsm@s], lounging ['laundZIN], disreputable [dIs'repjut@bl], forceps ['fO:s@ps]


I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.


"You are engaged (вы заняты)," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you (наверное, я мешаю вам: «прерываю вас»)."

"Not at all (вовсе нет). I am glad (рад) to have a friend with whom I can discuss my results (что пришел друг, с которым могу обсудить свои результаты /исследований/). The matter is a perfectly trivial one (вещь — совершенно заурядная)" (he jerked his thumb (дернул = ткнул большим пальцем) in the direction (в направлении) of the old hat), "but there are points (пункты = события) in connection with it (в связи с ней) which are not entirely devoid of interest and even of instruction (которые не лишены интереса и даже поучительности)."


trivial ['trIvI@l], thumb [TVm], entirely [In'taI@lI]


"You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you."

"Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one" (he jerked his thumb in the direction of the old hat), "but there are points in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and even of instruction."


I seated myself (я усадил себя = сел) in his armchair (в кресло) and warmed my hands before his crackling fire (и погрел руки перед потрескивающим огнем), for a sharp frost had set in (так как сильный: «острый» мороз установился), and the windows were thick with the ice crystals (окна были густо покрыты кристаллами льда). "I suppose (полагаю)," I remarked (заметил), "that, homely as it looks (обыденная, как она выглядит = хотя она столь невзрачна), this thing has some deadly story linked on to it (эта вещь связана с какой-нибудь кровавой историей: «имеет какую-то смертельную историю, связанную с этим») — that it is the clew (ключ, зацепка) which will guide you in the solution of some mystery (приведет вас к решению какой-то тайны) and the punishment of some crime (и наказанию какого-то преступления = преступника)."


crystals [krIstlz], guide [gaId], punishment ['pVnISm@nt]


I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to it — that it is the clew which will guide you in the solution of some mystery and the punishment of some crime."


"No, no. No crime (/здесь/ нет преступления)," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing (смеясь). "Only one of those whimsical little incidents (один из тех причудливых маленьких происшествий) which will happen (которые случаются) when you have four million human beings (когда четыре миллиона человеческих существ) all jostling each other within the space of a few square miles (толкают друг друга на пространстве в несколько квадратных миль). Amid the action and reaction (посреди действия и противодействия) of so dense a swarm of humanity (такого концентрированного роя человечества = в человеческом улье), every possible combination of events may be expected to take place (каждая возможная комбинация событий может произойти: «быть ожидаема, что случится»), and many a little problem will be presented (проявится множество мелких проблем) which may be striking and bizarre without being criminal (которые могут быть поразительными и странными, не являясь криминальными). We have already had experience of such (мы уже имели опыт подобного = сталкивались с такими вещами)."

"So much so (в общем-то, это так)," l remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have added to my notes (что из последних шести дел, которые я добавил к своим записям), three have been entirely free of any legal crime (три были совершенно свободны от каких-либо преступлений /по закону/)."


whimsical ['wImzIkl], square [skwe@], swarm [swO:m], bizarre [bI'zA:]


"No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have four million human beings all jostling each other within the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be presented which may be striking and bizarre without being criminal. We have already had experience of such."

"So much so," l remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any legal crime."


"Precisely (именно: «точно»). You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler papers (вы имеете в виду = намекаете на мои попытки вернуть /обратно/ бумаги Ирэн Адлер), to the singular case (на необычайное дело) of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the adventure of the man with the twisted lip (на приключение человека с рассеченной губой). Well, I have no doubt (не сомневаюсь) that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category (попадет в ту же безобидную категорию). You know Peterson, the commissionaire (вы знаете Петерсона, посыльного)?"

"Yes."

"It is to him that this trophy belongs (это ему принадлежит этот трофей)."

"It is his hat (это его шляпа)."


precisely [prI'saIslI], doubt [daut], innocent ['In@s@nt], commissionaire [k@,mIS@'ne@]


"Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?"

"Yes."

"It is to him that this trophy belongs."

"It is his hat."


"No, no, he found it (он нашел ее; to find). Its owner is unknown (владелец неизвестен). I beg (прошу) that you will look upon it not as a battered billycock (чтобы вы посмотрели на нее не как на помятый котелок) but as an intellectual problem (а как на умственную задачу). And, first (во-первых), as to how it came here (как она попала сюда). It arrived (появилась; to arrive — прибывать, приезжать) upon Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose (в рождественское утро в компании с хорошим жирным гусем), which is, I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fire (жарится в этот момент перед огнем = на огне Петерсона). The facts are these (факты таковы): about four o'clock (около четырех часов утра) on Christmas morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow (очень честный = добропорядочный парень), was returning from some small jollification (возвращался с небольшого празднества = вечеринки) and was making his way homeward (делал свой путь = шел к дому) down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw (впереди себя он увидел), in the gaslight (в газовом свете = свете газового фонаря), a tallish man (довольно высокого человека), walking with a slight stagger (идущего, слегка шатаясь), and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder (несущего белого гуся, висящего через плечо; to sling — подвесить). As he reached the corner of Goodge Street (когда он достиг угла Гудж-стрит), a row broke out between this stranger and a little knot of roughs (завязалась драка между этим незнакомцем и небольшой группой хулиганов). One of the latter (один из последних) knocked off the man's hat (сбил шляпу с господина), on which he raised his stick to defend himself (на что он поднял палку, чтобы защитить себя) and, swinging it over his head (размахивая ею над головой), smashed the shop window (разбил магазинное окно = витрину) behind him. Peterson had rushed forward to protect (бросился вперед /чтобы/ защитить) the stranger from his assailants (неизвестного от его противников); but the man, shocked at having broken the window (но человек, шокированный тем, что разбил окно), and seeing an official-looking person in uniform (видя официально выглядящее лицо в форме) rushing towards him (устремившееся к нему), dropped his goose (бросил гуся), took to his heels (помчался со всех ног = наутек; heels — пятки), and vanished amid the labyrinth of small streets (исчез в лабиринте маленьких улиц) which lie at the back (позади) of Tottenham Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Peterson (хулиганы также убежали при появлении Петерсона), so that he was left in possession of the field of battle (был оставлен во владении полем битвы), and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose (и также добычи /победы/ в виде этой помятой шляпы и самого безупречного = превосходного рождественского гуся; to impeach — выдвигать обвинения)."


goose [gu:s], honest ['OnIst], roughs [rVfs], assailant [@'seIl@nt], labyrinth ['l&b(@)rInT]


"No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was returning from some small jollification and was making his way homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose."


"Which surely he restored to their owner (которых, конечно, он вернул их владельцу)?"

"My dear fellow (мой дорогой; fellow — товарищ), there lies the problem (там лежит проблема = в этом-то и загвоздка). It is true (это правда) that 'For Mrs. Henry Baker (для миссис Генри Бейкер)' was printed upon a small card (было написано на маленькой карточке) which was tied to the bird's left leg (которая была привязана к левой лапке птицы), and it is also true that the initials (инициалы) 'H. B.' are legible (разборчивы: «читаемы») upon the lining of this hat (на подкладке этой шляпы), but as there are some thousands of Bakers (тысячи Бейкеров), and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this city of ours (сотни Генри Бейкеров в нашем городе), it is not easy to restore lost property (это не просто — вернуть потерянную собственность) to any one of them (одному из них)."


initials [I'nIS@lz], legible ['ledZ@bl], property ['prOp@tI]


"Which surely he restored to their owner?"

"My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any one of them."


"What, then, did Peterson do?"

"He brought round (доставил; to bring — приносить) both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me (зная, что даже мельчайшие проблемы = загадки интересны мне). The goose we retained until this morning (гуся сохраняли: «удержали» до утра), when there were signs that (были знаки того = стало ясно, что), in spite of the slight frost (несмотря на легкий мороз), it would be well (следовало бы: «было бы хорошо») that it should be eaten (съеден) without unnecessary delay (без ненужной задержки). Its finder has carried it off (нашедший унес его), therefore (поэтому), to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose (чтобы исполнить последнее/окончательное предназначение гуся), while I continue to retain (в то время как я продолжаю удерживать /у себя/) the hat of the unknown gentleman (шляпу неизвестного господина) who lost his Christmas dinner (который потерял свой рождественский обед)."


slight [slaIt], unnecessary [Vn'nes@s@rI], destiny ['destInI], continue [kan'tInju:]


"Did he not advertise (он не давал объявления в газету)?"


"What, then, did Peterson do?"

"He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who lost his Christmas dinner."

"Did he not advertise?"


"No."

"Then, what clew could you have as to his identity (какая зацепка есть у вас касательно его личности = как вы узнаете, кто он)?"

"Only as much as we can deduce (лишь столько, сколько мы сможем умозаключить = путем дедуктивного метода)."

"From his hat («/исходя/ из этой шляпы»)?"

"Precisely (вот именно)."


"No."

"Then, what clew could you have as to his identity?"

"Only as much as we can deduce."

"From his hat?"

"Precisely."


"But you are joking (вы шутите). What can you gather from this old battered felt (что можно заключить из старой потрепанной шляпы)?"

"Here is my lens (лупа). You know my methods. What can you gather yourself as to the individuality of the man (относительно индивидуальности человека) who has worn this article (который носил эту вещь; to wear — носить, надевать)?"

I took the tattered object (я взял рваную вещь) in my hands and turned it over rather ruefully (перевернул = повертел в руках довольно уныло). It was a very ordinary black hat (самая обыкновенная черная шляпа) of the usual round shape (обычной круглой формы), hard and much the worse for wear (жесткая и сильно поношенная: «ставшая намного хуже из-за ношения»). The lining had been of red silk (подкладка была красного шелка), but was a good deal discolored (значительно выцветшая). There was no maker's name (не было имени изготовителя); but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were scrawled upon one side (были небрежно написаны на одной стороне). It was pierced in the brim for a hat-securer (была проколота на полях для придерживавшей шляпу резинки; to secure — страховать; прикреплять), but the elastic was missing (но резинка отсутствовала). For the rest (что до остального), it was cracked (рваная; crack — трещина, щель), exceedingly dusty (чрезвычайно пыльная; to exceed — превышать; переступать пределы), and spotted (покрытая пятнами; spot — пятно) in several places (в нескольких местах), although (хотя) there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the discolored patches (казалось, были попытки скрыть обесцвеченные пятна) by smearing them with ink (замазав их чернилами).


ruefully ['ru:fulI], discolored [dIs'kVl@d], although [O:l'D@u], smearing ['smI@rIN]


"But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered felt?"

"Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this article?"

I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of red silk, but was a good deal discolored. There was no maker's name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the discolored patches by smearing them with ink.


"I can see nothing (не могу видеть ничего = ничего не вижу)," said I, handing it back to my friend (возвращая обратно моему другу).

"On the contrary (напротив), Watson, you can see everything (вы можете видеть все). You fail (не можете; to fail — потерпеть неудачу), however (однако), to reason from what you see (поразмыслить, исходя из того, что видите). You are too timid in drawing your inferences (слишком робки в выведении ваших умозаключений = в своих логических выводах)."

"Then, pray tell me (прошу вас, расскажите мне) what it is that you can infer from this hat (что вы можете заключить из этой шляпы = глядя на эту шляпу)?"


"I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend.

"On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in drawing your inferences."

"Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?"


He picked it up (он поднял ее) and gazed at it (и пристально поглядел на нее) in the peculiar introspective fashion which was characteristic of him (в особой проницательной манере, которая была свойственна ему). "It is perhaps less suggestive than it might have been (менее информативна, чем могла бы быть)," he remarked, "and yet (и все же) there are a few inferences (несколько выводов) which are very distinct (ясных/четких), and a few others (несколько других) which represent at least a strong balance of probability (которые представляют, по крайней мере, сильный вес = долю вероятности). That the man was highly intellectual (что человек был большого ума: «весьма интеллигентным») is of course obvious (очевидно) upon the face of it (по ее внешнему виду), and also that he was fairly well-to-do (был довольно зажиточным) within the last three years (в последние три года), although he has now fallen upon evil days («упал на злые дни» = хотя теперь переживает не лучшие времена). He had foresight (был предусмотрительным), but has less now than formerly (но теперь меньше, чем прежде), pointing to a moral retrogression (что указывает на моральный упадок), which, when taken with the decline of his fortunes (когда берется = совпадает с ухудшением достатка), seems to indicate some evil influence (похоже, показывает на какое-то пагубное влияние = он пристрастился к какому-то пороку), probably drink (возможно, пьянство), at work upon him (за работой над ним = властвует над ним). This may account also for the obvious fact (может являться причиной того очевидного факта) that his wife has ceased to love him (что жена перестала любить его)."


introspective [Intr@'spektIv], suggestive [s@'dZestIv], probability [prOb@'bIlItI], ceased [si:st]


He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that his wife has ceased to love him."


"My dear Holmes!"

"He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect (он, однако, сохранил некоторую степень самоуважения)," he continued (продолжил), disregarding my remonstrance (не обращая внимания на мое возражение/выражение протеста). "He is a man who leads a sedentary life (ведет сидячий образ жизни), goes out little (выходит /из дома/ мало), is out of training entirely (вне тренировки совершенно не занимается спортом), is middle-aged (средних лет), has grizzled hair (седые волосы) which he has had cut within the last few days (постриг в течение последних нескольких дней), and which he anoints with lime-cream (мажет помадой; lime-cream — известковое молоко). These are the more patent facts (вот наиболее очевидные факты) which are to be deduced from his hat (которые можно вывести = установить). Also (также), by the way (кстати), that it is extremely improbable (крайне маловероятно) that he has gas laid on in his house (что у него есть газ, подведенный к его дому)."


remonstrance [rI'mOnstr@ns], patent ['peIt(@)nt], improbable [Im'prOb@bl]


"My dear Holmes!"

"He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid on in his house."


"You are certainly joking (вы, конечно, шутите), Holmes."

"Not in the least (нисколько). Is it possible that even now (возможно ли = неужели даже теперь), when I give you these results (когда я даю вам результаты), you are unable to see (не в силах: «неспособны» увидеть) how they are attained (как они достигнуты)?"

"I have no doubt that I am very stupid (у меня нет сомнений, что я очень туп), but I must confess (должен признаться) that I am unable to follow you (не способен следовать за вами = уследить за ходом ваших мыслей). For example (например), how did you deduce that this man was intellectual (как вы заключили/вывели, что этот человек умен)?"

For answer (для ответа = вместо ответа) Holmes clapped the hat upon his head (нахлобучил шляпу на свою голову). It came right over the forehead (закрыла полностью лоб; over — поверх) and settled upon the bridge of his nose (разместилась на его переносице: «мосте его носа»). "It is a question of cubic capacity (вопрос объема)," said he; "a man with so large a brain (с таким большим мозгом) must have something in it (должен иметь что-то в нем)."


forehead ['fOrId], bridge [brIdZ], capacity [k@'p&sItI], brain [breIn]


"You are certainly joking, Holmes."

"Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?"

"I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that this man was intellectual?"

For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a brain must have something in it."


"The decline of his fortunes (ухудшение его состояния), then?"

"This hat is three years old (этой шляпе три года). These flat brims curled at the edge (эти плоские поля, загнутые по краям) came in then (вошли в моду тогда). It is a hat of the very best quality (самого лучшего качества). Look at the band of ribbed silk (взгляните на полоску рифленого шелка) and the excellent lining (и превосходную подкладку). If this man could afford to buy (если этот человек мог позволить себе купить) so expensive a hat three years ago (такую дорогую шляпу три года назад), and has had no hat since (не имел шляпы с тех пор), then he has assuredly gone down in the world (значит, он несомненно утратил прежнее положение /в обществе/; to assure — уверять; гарантировать)."


edge [edZ], quality ['kwOlItI], afford [@'fO:d], assuredly [@'Su@rIdlI]


"Well, that is clear enough (достаточно ясно), certainly. But how about the foresight and the moral retrogression (как насчет предвидения и моральной деградации)?"


"The decline of his fortunes, then?"

"This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world."

"Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the foresight and the moral retrogression?"


Sherlock Holmes laughed (засмеялся). "Here is the foresight," said he putting his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer (ставя свой палец на маленький диск и петлю шляподержателя = резинки для шляпы). "They are never sold upon hats (они никогда не продаются вместе со шляпами; to sell). If this man ordered one (если он заказал), it is a sign of a certain amount of foresight (знак несомненной дозы = степени предвидения), since he went out of his way (раз он побеспокоился) to take this precaution against the wind (принять эту предосторожность против ветра). But since we see that he has broken the elastic (но поскольку мы видим, что он разорвал резинку; to break — ломать) and has not troubled to replace it (и не побеспокоился заменить ее), it is obvious (это очевидно) that he has less foresight now than formerly (что у него меньше предвидения сейчас, чем раньше), which is a distinct proof (четкое доказательство) of a weakening nature (слабеющего характера; weak — слабый; to weaken — слабеть). On the other hand (с другой стороны), he has endeavored to conceal (попытался скрыть) some of these stains upon the felt (пятна на фетре) by daubing them with ink (замазыванием их чернилами), which is a sign (что является знаком) that he has not entirely lost his self-respect (что он не полностью потерял самоуважение)."

"Your reasoning is certainly plausible (ваше рассуждение, несомненно, правдоподобно)."


precaution [prI'kO:Sn], weakening ['wi:k@nIN], daubing ['dO:bIN], plausible ['plO:z@bl]


Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other hand, he has endeavored to conceal some of these stains upon the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not entirely lost his self-respect."

"Your reasoning is certainly plausible."


"The further points (дальнейшие моменты), that he is middle-aged, that his hair is grizzled, that it has been recently (недавно) cut, and that he uses lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination (собраны из тщательного осмотра) of the lower part of the lining (нижней части подкладки). The lens discloses (лупа обнаруживает) a large number of hair-ends (большое количество волосяных остатков = волос), clean cut by the scissors of the barber (чисто срезанных ножницами цирюльника). They all appear to be adhesive (они все кажутся липкими/клейкими), and there is a distinct odour of lime-cream (четкий запах помады). This dust (пыль), you will observe (заметьте), is not the gritty, gray dust of the street (не песочная, серая пыль улицы; grit — песок, гравий) but the fluffy brown dust of the house (но пушистая бурая пыль дома), showing (показывающая) that it has been hung up indoors most of the time (что шляпа висела внутри /дома/ большую часть времени), while the marks of moisture upon the inside (в то время как следы влаги на внутренней стороне) are proof positive (неопровержимо подтверждают) that the wearer perspired very freely (владелец потел очень обильно), and could therefore (поэтому мог), hardly be in the best of training (едва ли быть в лучшей форме = отвык от движения)."


disclose [dIs'kl@uz], scissors ['sIz@z], adhesive [@d'hi:sIv], moisture ['mOIstS@]


"The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, gray dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the best of training."


"But his wife (жена) — you said that she had ceased to love him (прекратила любить его)."

"This hat has not been brushed for weeks (шляпа не чистилась недели). When I see you (когда я увижу вас), my dear Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat (с недельным накоплением пыли на вашей шляпе), and when your wife allows you (позволяет вам) to go out in such a state (выходить в таком виде), I shall fear (я испугался = стал бы опасаться) that you also have been unfortunate enough (были достаточно неудачливы) to lose your wife's affection (/чтобы/ потерять расположение вашей жены)."


accumulation [@kju:mju'leISn], affection [@'fekSn]


"But he might be a bachelor (но он может быть холостяком)."


"But his wife — you said that she had ceased to love him."

"This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's affection."

"But he might be a bachelor."


"Nay (нет), he was bringing home (нес домой) the goose as a peace-offering to his wife (как искупительную жертву своей жене; peace — мир; to offer — предлагать; приносить /жертву/). Remember the card (вспомните карточку) upon the bird's leg (на ножке птицы)."

"You have an answer to everything (у вас есть ответ на все = на все готов ответ). But how on earth (как, скажите на милость; on earth — используется для усиления: «на земле») do you deduce that the gas is not laid on in his house (газ не проведен к его дому = в доме нет газа)?"


"Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg."

"You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that the gas is not laid on in his house?"


"One tallow stain (сальное пятно), or even two (или даже два), might come by chance (могли появиться случайно); but when I see no less than five (не меньше, чем пять), I think that there can be little doubt (мало сомнения = могу не сомневаться) that the individual (личность) must be brought into frequent contact (должна часто контактировать = часто приходилось иметь дело; to bring — приносить, приводить) with burning tallow (с горящей сальной свечой) — walks upstairs at night (идет вверх по лестнице ночью) probably (возможно) with his hat in one hand (со шляпой в одной руке) and a guttering candle in the other (и с оплывающей свечой — в другой). Anyhow (во всяком случае), he never got (никогда не получил бы) tallow stains from a gas jet (жирный пятна от газовой горелки; tallow — жир, сало /для свечей, мыла/). Are you satisfied (вы удовлетворены = убеждены)?"


tallow ['t&l@u], frequent ['fri:kw@nt], satisfied ['s&tIsfaId]


"One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with burning tallow — walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never got tallow stains from a gas jet. Are you satisfied?"


"Well, it is very ingenious (очень остроумно: «изобретательно»)," said I, laughing (смеясь); "but since (с тех пор), as you said just now (каквы сказали прямо сейчас), there has been no crime committed (не было совершено преступления), and no harm done (и не было причинено вреда) save the loss of a goose (кроме потери гуся), all this seems to be rather a waste of energy (все это кажется скорее тратой энергии = пустой тратой сил)."


ingenious [In'dZi:nI@s], waste [weIst], energy ['en@dZI]


Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply (открыл рот, чтобы ответить), when the door flew open (когда дверь распахнулась), and Peterson, the commissionaire (посыльный), rushed into the apartment (влетел в комнату) with flushed cheeks (с пылающими щеками) and the face of a man who is dazed with astonishment (и с потрясенным видом; astonishment — изумление; to daze — изумить; ошеломить).


reply [rI'plaI], apartment [@'pA:tm@nt], dazed [deIzd]


"The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped (он /сказал/, задыхаясь).


"Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a waste of energy."

Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with astonishment.

"The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped.


"Eh? What of it (что с ним), then? Has it returned to life (вернулся к жизни) and flapped off through the kitchen window (и вылетел через кухонное окно; to flap — хлопать, шлепать; махать крыльями)?" Holmes twisted himself round (повернул себя кругом = повернулся) upon the sofa to get a fairer view (чтобы получить более благоприятный вид = удобнее рассмотреть) of the man's excited face (возбужденное лицо человека).


fairer ['fe@r@], view [vju:], excited [Ik'saItId]


"See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop (что моя жена нашла в его зобу)!" He held out (протянул) his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm (показал в центре ладони) a brilliantly scintillating blue stone (ярко сверкающий голубой камень), rather smaller than a bean in size (немного меньше, чем боб /в размере/), but of such purity and radiance (но такой чистоты и сияния) that it twinkled like an electric point (что мерцал, словно электрическая точка = искра) in the dark hollow of his hand (в темной впадине его руки).


palm [pA:m], scintillating ['sIntIleItIN], purity ['pjurItI], radiance ['reIdI@ns]


Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle (сел со свистом = присвистнув). "By Jove (ей-Богу: «клянусь Юпитером»), Peterson!" said he, "this is treasure-trove (сокровище; trove — найденный клад) indeed (действительно). I suppose you know what you have got (полагаю, вы знаете, что у вас /есть/ = что это такое)?"


whistle [wIsl], treasure-trove ['treZ@'tr@uv]


"Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face.

"See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric point in the dark hollow of his hand.

Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said he, "this is treasure-trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have got?"


"A diamond (бриллиант), sir? A precious stone (драгоценный камень). It cuts into glass as though it were putty (он врезается в стекло, как если бы это была /оконная/ замазка, шпаклевка)."

"It's more than a precious stone (это больше, чем драгоценный камень). It is the precious stone (это тот самый драгоценный камень)."

"Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle (неужели голубой карбункул графини Моркар)!" I ejaculated (воскликнул).


diamond ['daI@m@nd], precious ['preS@s], carbuncle ['kA:bVNkl]


"Precisely so (совершенно верно). I ought to know its size and shape (мне следовало бы знать = я знаю его размер и форму), seeing that I have read the advertisement (поскольку я читал объявление) about it in The Times every day lately (каждый день в последнее время). It is absolutely unique (он абсолютно уникален = единственный в своем роде), and its value can only be conjectured (ценность может быть только предположена), but the reward offered (предложенная награда) of 1000 pounds is certainly not within a twentieth part of the market price (определенно не составляет /и/ двадцатой части его рыночной стоимости)."


unique [ju:'ni:k], conjectured [k@n'dZektS@d], reward [rI'wO:d]


"A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it were putty."

"It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone."

"Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated.

"Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly not within a twentieth part of the market price."


"A thousand pounds (тысяча фунтов)! Great Lord of mercy (Боже милосердный; mercy — милость)!" The commissionaire plumped down into a chair (посыльный бухнулся в кресло) and stared from one to the other of us (и таращил глаза то на одного из нас, то на другого).

"That is the reward, and I have reason to know (есть причина полагать) that there are sentimental considerations in the background (сентиментальные соображения на заднем плане = есть кое-какой подтекст) which would induce the Countess (которые заставляют графиню) to part with half her fortune (расстаться с половиной своего богатства) if she could but recover the gem (если бы она могла только вернуть драгоценный камень)."

"It was lost (он пропал), if I remember aright (если я помню правильно), at the Hotel Cosmopolitan (в гостинице «Космополитен»)," I remarked.


background ['b&kgraund], induce [In'dju:s], Countess ['kauntIs], gem [dZem]


"A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us.

"That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but recover the gem."

"It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I remarked.


"Precisely so (именно так), on the 22nd of December (22 декабря), just five days ago (ровно пять дней назад). John Horner, a plumber (паяльщик), was accused (был обвинен) of having abstracted it (в краже его; to abstract — отнимать, извлекать) from the lady's jewel-case (из шкатулки для ювелирных изделий). The evidence against him was so strong (улики против него так сильны = серьезны) that the case has been referred to the Assizes (дело передано в суд ассизов /выездной сессии суда присяжных; созывались в каждом графстве не меньше трех раз в год; дела слушались судьями Высокого суда правосудия/). I have some account (у меня есть отчет) of the matter here, I believe (думаю)." He rummaged amid his newspapers (порылся среди газет), glancing over the dates (просматривая даты), until at last he smoothed one out (пока наконец он не вытащил одну), doubled it over (сложил ее вдвое), and read the following paragraph (прочитал следующую заметку):


abstracted [@b'str&ktId], jewel ['dZu:@l], evidence ['evId@ns], account [@'kaunt]


"Precisely so, on the 22nd of December, just five days ago. John Horner, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph:


"Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery (кража драгоценностей). John Horner, 26, plumber (паяльщик), was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst. (был привлечен к суду по обвинению в /том, что/ 22 /числа/ сего месяца; inst. = instant — текущий), abstracted from the jewel-case (украл: «извлек» из шкатулки для драгоценностей) of the Countess of Morcar the valuable gem (драгоценный камень) known as (известный как) the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, upper-attendant (старший: «верхний» слуга) at the hotel, gave his evidence (дал показание = показал) to the effect that (/в том смысле/, что) he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room (провел Хорнера в туалетную комнату /гардеробную/) of the Countess of Morcar upon the day of the robbery (в день кражи) in order that he might solder the second bar of the grate (для того, чтобы он = где тот мог припаивать второй прут /каминной/ решетки), which was loose (расшатан). He had remained (он оставался) with Horner some little time (некоторое время), but had finally been called away (был, в конце концов, отозван). On returning (по возвращении), he found that Horner had disappeared (исчез), that the bureau had been forced open (бюро было взломано), and that the small morocco casket (сафьяновая шкатулка) in which, as it afterwards transpired (как впоследствии обнаружилось; to transpire — испаряться; просачиваться; обнаруживаться), the Countess was accustomed to keep her jewel (имела обыкновение хранить свои драгоценности), was lying empty (лежала пустой) upon the dressing-table (на туалетном столике). Ryder instantly gave the alarm (сразу же забил: «дал» тревогу), and Horner was arrested the same evening (в тот же вечер Хорнер был арестован); but the stone (но камень) could not be found either upon his person or in his rooms (не мог быть найден ни при его персоне = при нем, ни в его комнатах). Catherine Cusack, maid to the Countess (горничная графини), deposed (показала /под присягой/) to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay (крик ужаса) on discovering the robbery (обнаружившего кражу), and to having rushed into the room (вбежала в комнату), where she found matters as described by the last witness (где она обнаружила то положение вещей, что описал последний очевидец). Inspector Bradstreet, B Division (из отдела «Б»), gave evidence (дал показания) as to the arrest of Horner (относительно ареста Хорнера), who struggled frantically (который сопротивлялся неистово), and protested his innocence in the strongest terms (заявлял /о/ своей невиновности в сильнейших терминах = горячо). Evidence of a previous conviction for robbery having been given against the prisoner (поскольку свидетельство о прежней судимости за ограбление был дано против заключенного = так как он и раньше судился за кражу; evidence — ясность, очевидность; доказательство, подтверждение; улика; свидетельское показание), the magistrate (судья) refused to deal summarily with the offence (отказался вести в упрощенном порядке дело об этом преступлении; summarily — суммарно, кратко; в порядке суммарного, упрощенного производства), but referred it to the Assizes (передал его на рассмотрение суда присяжных). Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion (выказал признаки сильного волнения) during the proceedings (во время заседания), fainted away at the conclusion (потерял сознание при решении /присяжных/) and was carried out of court (был вынесен из /зала/ суда).


evidence ['evId@ns], loose [lu:s], bureau ['bjur@u], dismay [dIs'meI], magistrate ['m&dZIstrIt]


"Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, where she found matters as described by the last witness. Inspector Bradstreet, B Division, gave evidence as to the arrest of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was carried out of court.


"Hum! So much for the police-court (вот все, что касается полицейского суда)," said Holmes thoughtfully (задумчиво), tossing aside the paper (отбрасывая газету). "The question for us now to solve (вопрос для нас теперь чтобы решить = наша задача) is the sequence of events (ход: «последовательность» событий) leading from a rifled jewel-case (ведущих от опустошенной шкатулки для драгоценностей; to rifle — обыскивать с целью грабежа) at one end (с одного конца = стороны) to the crop of a goose (до зоба гуся) in Tottenham Court Road at the other (на другой). You see, Watson, our little deductions (размышления) have suddenly assumed (оказались: «приняли») a much more important (намного более важный) and less innocent aspect (и менее невинный вид). Here is the stone; the stone came from the goose (камень появился из гуся), and the goose came from Mr. Henry Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other characteristics (джентльмена в дурной шляпе и со всеми другими характеристиками) with which I have bored you (которыми я надоедал вам). So now we must set ourselves very seriously to finding (должны серьезно заняться розысками; to set — начать, приступить) this gentleman and ascertaining (установить) what part he has played in this little mystery (какую роль он сыграл в этой маленькой загадке). To do this (чтобы проделать это), we must try the simplest means first (мы должны испробовать простейшие средства сначала), and these lie undoubtedly in an advertisement (они лежат, несомненно, в /подаче/ объявления) in all the evening papers (во все вечерние газеты). If this fail (если это не сработает), I shall have recourse (придется обратиться за помощью) to other methods."


thoughtfully ['TO:tf@lI], sequence ['si:kw@ns], rifled [raIfld], undoubtedly [Vn'dautIdlI]


"Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods."


"What will you say (что вы скажете = напишете)?"

"Give me a pencil (дайте мне карандаш) and that slip of paper (листок бумаги). Now, then: 'Found (найден) at the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Henry Baker can have the same (может иметь такие же = получить их) by applying (обратившись) at 6:30 this evening at 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise (ясно и коротко/сжато)."

"Very (весьма). But will he see it?"


pencil [pensl], apply [@'plaI], concise [k@n'saIs]


"What will you say?"

"Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise."

"Very. But will he see it?"


"Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers (он наверняка следит за газетами), since, to a poor man (так как для бедного человека), the loss was a heavy one (потеря была тяжелой). He was clearly so scared (напуган) by his mischance in breaking the window (невезением в разбивании витрины = неосторожно разбив витрину) and by the approach of Peterson (приближением Петерсона) that he thought of nothing but flight (не думал ни о чем, кроме бегства), but since then (с тех пор) he must have bitterly regretted the impulse (он, должно быть, горько сожалел об импульсе) which caused him to drop his bird (который заставил его бросить птицу). Then, again, the introduction of his name (вставка его имени) will cause him to see it (заставит его увидеть его /имя/; to cause — послужить причиной), for everyone who knows him (так как каждый, кто знает его) will direct his attention to it (привлечет его внимание). Here you are (вот вам), Peterson, run down to the advertising agency (бегите в бюро объявлений) and have this put in the evening papers (и поместите эти строки в вечерних газетах)."

"In which (в каких), sir?"


scared [ske@d], mischance [mIs'tSA:ns], impulse ['ImpVls], cause [kO:z]


"Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and have this put in the evening papers."

"In which, sir?"


"Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's Gazette, Evening, News Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you (в любых, какие придут вам в голову; to occur — происходить, случаться; прийти на ум)."

"Very well, sir. And this stone?"

"Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone (оставлю /у себя/ камень). Thank you. And, I say, Peterson, just buy (просто купите) a goose on your way back (на обратном пути) and leave (оставьте) it here with me, for we must have one to give (мы должны иметь одного = нам нужен гусь, чтобы отдать) to this gentleman in place of the one (вместо того) which your family is now devouring (которого ваша семья сейчас поглощает = уплетает)."


"Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's Gazette, Evening News, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you."

"Very well, sir. And this stone?"

"Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place of the one which your family is now devouring."


When the commissionaire had gone (когда посыльный ушел), Holmes took up the stone and held it against the light (и держал = поднял камень /чтобы рассмотреть/ против света). "It's a bonny thing (хорошенькая вещица)," said he. "Just see how it glints and sparkles (как он сверкает и блестит). Of course it is a nucleus and focus of crime (центр и очаг преступления = притягивает к себе злодеев). Every good stone is (каждый хороший камень таков). They are the devil's pet baits (любимые приманки дьявола). In the larger and older jewels (в более крупных и старых драгоценных камнях) every facet may stand for a bloody deed (каждая грань может означать кровавое дело/символизировать одно злодеяние). This stone is not yet twenty years old (этому камню еще нет двадцати лет). It was found in the banks of the Amoy River (был найден на берегах реки Амой) in Southern China (в Южном Китае) and is remarkable in having every characteristic of the carbuncle (и примечателен тем, что имеет все характеристики карбункула), save (кроме того) that it is blue in shade (голубой в оттенке = голубого цвета) instead of ruby red (вместо рубиново-красного). In spite of its youth (несмотря на свою молодость), it has already a sinister history (имеет зловещую историю). There have been two murders (два убийства), a vitriol-throwing (обливание = кого-то облили серной кислотой), a suicide (самоубийство), and several robberies (несколько ограблений) brought about (осуществлены) for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallized charcoal (ради этого весом в сорок гран кристаллического угля). Who would think (кто бы подумал) that so pretty a toy (такая милая игрушка = безделушка) would be a purveyor to the gallows and the prison (будет поставщиком для виселиц и тюрьмы = ведет людей к виселицам и тюрьмам)? I'll lock it up in my strong box now (запру в сейфе: «сильной коробке» сейчас) and drop a line to the Countess (и черкну несколько строк: «брошу строку» графине) to say that we have it."


nucleus ['nju:klI@s], facet ['f&sIt], murder ['m@:d@], suicide ['s(j)u:isaId], purveyor [p@:veI@]


When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found in the banks of the Amoy River in Southern China and is remarkable in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallized charcoal. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it."


"Do you think that this man Horner is innocent (думаете, Хорнер невиновен)?"

"I cannot tell (не могу сказать)."

"Well, then, do you imagine that this other one (другой), Henry Baker, had anything to do with the matter (имеет какое-либо отношение к этому делу = замешан в это дело)?"

"It is, I think, much more likely (более вероятно) that Henry Baker is an absolutely innocent man (совершенно невиновный человек), who had no idea that the bird which he was carrying (не знавший, что птица, которую он нес) was of considerably more value (значительно большей цены) than if it were made of solid gold (чем если бы была сделана из чистого золота). That, however, I shall determine (установлю) by a very simple test if we have an answer to our advertisement (если у нас будет ответ = если он откликнется на наше объявление)."

"And you can do nothing until then (вы ничего не можете предпринять до того)?"

"Nothing."


value ['v&lju:], determine [dI't@:mIn], answer ['A:ns@]


"Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?"

"I cannot tell."

"Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had anything to do with the matter?"

"It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple test if we have an answer to our advertisement."

"And you can do nothing until then?"

"Nothing."


"In that case (в таком случае) I shall continue my professional round (продолжу мой профессиональный обход = поеду к пациентам). But I shall come back (вернусь) in the evening at the hour you have mentioned (в час, /который/ вы упомянули), for I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business (хотел бы увидеть окончание столь запутанного дела)."

"Very glad to see you (/буду/ очень рад вас видеть). I dine at seven (я обедаю в семь). There is a woodcock (вальдшнеп /к обеду/), I believe (я полагаю). By the way (кстати), in view of recent occurrences (в виду недавних происшествий), perhaps I ought to ask (мне следует попросить) Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop (исследовать зоб /вальдшнепа/)."


recent ['ri:s@nt], occurrence [@'kVr@ns], ought [O:t]


"In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business."

"Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop."


I had been delayed at a case (задержался из-за одного дела), and it was a little after half-past six (немного после половины седьмого) when I found myself in Baker Street once more (снова). As I approached (когда я приблизился) the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet (увидел высокого человека в шотландской шапочке) with a coat (в пальто) which was buttoned up to his chin (которое было застегнуто до подбородка) waiting outside in the bright semicircle (ждущего снаружи в ярком полукруге) which was thrown from the fanlight (который был брошен = падал от окна над дверью). Just as I arrived (подошел: «прибыл») the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Holmes's room (нас обоих: «вместе» провели наверх в комнату Холмса).


delayed [dI'leId], semicircle ['semIs@:kl], together [t@'geD@]


I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as l arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Holmes's room.


"Mr. Henry Baker, I believe (полагаю)," said he, rising from his armchair (поднимаясь с кресла) and greeting (приветствуя) his visitor with the easy air of geniality (с непринужденным видом добродушия) which he could so readily assume (который так быстро/легко принять; to assume — принимать, брать на себя). "Pray take this chair by the fire (прошу вас, садитесь: «берите этот стул» у огня), Mr. Baker. It is a cold night (холодный вечер), and I observe that your circulation is more adapted for summer than for winter (а я вижу: «наблюдаю», что ваше кровообращение более приспособлено для лета, чем для зимы). Ah, Watson, you have just come at the right time (вы только что пришли в правильное время). Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?"

"Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat (несомненно; doubt — сомнение; to doubt — сомневаться)."


"Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?"

"Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat."


He was a large man (это был крупный мужчина) with rounded shoulders (с округленными плечами = сутулый), a massive head (массивной головой), and a broad, intelligent face (с широким, умным лицом), sloping down to a pointed beard of grizzled brown (переходящим: «спускающимся» в остроконечную бородку каштанового с сединой /цвета/). A touch of red in nose and cheeks (оттенок красного = красные пятна на носу и щеках), with a slight tremor of his extended hand (с легким дрожанием его протянутой руки), recalled Holmes's surmise as to his habits (напомнили о догадке/предположении Холмса относительно его привычек). His rusty black frock-coat (его порыжевший черный сюртук) was buttoned right up in front (был застегнут /прямо/ впереди /на все пуговицы/), with the collar turned up (с воротником, поднятым вверх), and his lank wrists protruded from his sleeves (и с худощавыми запястьями, торчащими из рукавов) without a sign of cuff or shirt (без /малейшего/ вида манжеты или сорочки). He spoke in a slow staccato fashion (говорил он в медленной отрывистой манере), choosing his words with care (выбирая слова с осторожностью), and gave the impression (производил впечатление) generally of a man of learning and letters (в целом человека интеллигентного: «учености и письма») who had had ill-usage at the hands of fortune (который был сильно помят жизнью: «имел дурное обращение от руки судьбы»).


beard [bI@d], rusty ['rVstI], fashion [f&Sn], ill-usage ['Il'ju:zIdZ], fortune ['fO:tS@n]


He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes's surmise as to his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had ill-usage at the hands of fortune.


"We have retained (задержали /сохранили/) these things for some days (на несколько дней)," said Holmes, "because we expected (ожидали) to see an advertisement from you giving your address (дающее ваш адрес). I am at a loss to know (я в недоумении узнать = не понимаю) now why you did not advertise (почему вы не дали объявление)."

Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh (издал довольно застенчивый/стыдливый смех; shame — стыд). "Shillings have not been so plentiful with me (шиллинги не были столь обильными со мной = у меня было не так много денег) as they once were (как когда-то)," he remarked. "I had no doubt that the gang of roughs (банда хулиганов) who assaulted me (которая напала на меня) had carried off both my hat and the bird (унесла и мою шляпу, и птицу; both… and — как… так и). I did not care to spend more money (не хотел тратить больше денег) in a hopeless attempt at recovering them (в безнадежной попытке возвращения их; to recover — вновь обретать)."


shamefaced [SeIm'feIst], assaulted [@'sO:ltId], hopeless ['h@uplIs]


"We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise."

Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a hopeless attempt at recovering them."


"Very naturally (очень = вполне естественно). By the way, about the bird (/говоря/ о птице), we were compelled to eat it (мы были вынуждены съесть ее; to compel — заставлять, вынуждать)."

"To eat it!" Our visitor half rose (полувстал = приподнялся; to rise) from his chair in his excitement (со своего стула в волнении).

"Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone (она была бы бесполезной любому) had we not done so (не сделай мы так). But I presume (предполагаю) that this other goose upon the sideboard (что этот другой гусь на буфете), which is about the same weight (который примерно того же веса) and perfectly fresh (и совершенно свежий), will answer your purpose equally well (ответит вашему требованию = подойдет с таким же успехом)?"


presume [prI'zju:m], weight [weIt], purpose ['p@:p@s]


"Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to eat it."

"To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his excitement.

"Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your purpose equally well?"


"Oh, certainly, certainly (конечно, конечно)," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of relief (со вздохом облегчения).

"Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop (все еще имеем перья, лапы, зоб), and so on (и так далее) of your own bird, so if you wish (если желаете) — "

The man burst into a hearty laugh (от души расхохотался). "They might be useful (могли быть полезными) to me as relics of my adventure (как реликвии моего приключения)," said he, "but beyond that (кроме этого) I can hardly see what use the disjecta membra (не вижу, чем бренные останки: «разрозненные члены» /лат./) of my late acquaintance (моего покойного знакомого) are going to be to me (собираются = могут быть для меня). No, sir, I think that, with your permission (с вашего позволения), I will confine my attentions (сосредоточу мое внимание; to confine — ограничивать) to the excellent bird (на превосходной птице) which I perceive upon the sideboard (которую я вижу на буфете; to perceive — усматривать, подмечать)."


hearty ['hA:tI], useful ['ju:sful], acquaintance [@'kweInt@ns], perceive [p@'si:v]


"Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of relief.

"Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of your own bird, so if you wish — "

The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive upon the sideboard."


Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply (взглянул резко = быстро) across at me with a slight shrug of his shoulders (с легким пожиманием плечами).

"There is your hat, then (вот ваша шляпа тогда), and there your bird," said he. "By the way (кстати), would it bore you to tell me (утомило ли бы это вас сказать мне = не скажите ли мне) where you got the other one from (откуда вы взяли другую /птицу/)? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier (я отчасти знаток/любитель домашней птицы = кое-что смыслю в этом деле; to fancy — воображать; питать склонность), and I have seldom seen a better grown goose (редко видел более выращенного = откормленного гуся)."


fowl [faul], fancier ['f&nsI@]


Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug of his shoulders.

"There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a better grown goose."


"Certainly (непременно), sir," said Baker, who had risen (поднялся) and tucked his newly gained property under his arm (сунул свою вновь обретенную собственность под руку = под мышку). "There are a few of us (там есть несколько из нас = наша небольшая компания) who frequent the Alpha Inn (которая /посещает/ трактир «Альфа»), near the Museum (рядом с музеем) — we are to be found (нас можно найти) in the Museum itself (в самом музее) during the day (в течение дня), you understand (понимаете). This year our good host (в этом году наш хороший хозяин), Windigate by name (по имени Уиндигейт), instituted a goose club (учредил гусиный клуб), by which (с помощью которого), on consideration (при выплате) of some few pence every week (нескольких пенсов каждую неделю), we were each to receive (мы были /должны/ каждый получить) a bird at Christmas (птицу к Рождеству). My pence were duly paid (мои взносы были своевременно/надлежащим образом уплачены; due — должное; то, что причитается), and the rest is familiar to you (остальное знакомо = известно вам). I am much indebted to you (весьма обязан вам; debt — долг), sir, for a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity (так как шотландская шапочка не подходит ни для моих годов, ни для моей степенности = солидному человеку моего возраста неудобно носить шотландскую шапочку)." With a comical pomposity of manner (с комичной напыщенностью /стиля/) he bowed solemnly (поклонился торжественно) to both of us (нам обоим) and strode off upon his way (зашагал прочь своей дорогой; to stride — шагать /большими шагами/).


frequent ['fri:kw@nt], indebted [In'detId], pomposity [pOm'pOsItI], solemnly ['sOl@mlI]


"Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum — we are to be found in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and strode off upon his way.


"So much for Mr. Henry Baker (довольно о мистере Генри Бейкере)," said Holmes when he had closed the door behind him (позади него). "It is quite certain (вполне определенно) that he knows nothing whatever about the matter (что он совсем ничего не знает об этом деле). Are you hungry (вы голодны), Watson?"

"Not particularly (не особенно)."

"Then I suggest (предлагаю) that we turn our dinner into a supper (превратим наш обед в ужин) and follow up this clew while it is still hot (последуем по этой нити, пока она все еще горячая = отправимся по горячим следам; clew — клубок /ниток/)."

"By all means (непременно: «всеми средствами»)."


"So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?"

"Not particularly."

"Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow up this clew while it is still hot."

"By all means."


It was a bitter night (стоял морозный вечер; bitter — горький; сильный, резкий), so we drew on our ulsters (надели пальто; to draw on) and wrapped cravats about our throats (обмотали шарфы вокруг горла). Outside (снаружи), the stars were shining coldly (звезды сияли холодно) in a cloudless sky (в безоблачном небе), and the breath of the passers-by (/пар от/ дыхания прохожих) blew out into smoke (выдувался в дым; to blow out) like so many pistol shots (как от множества пистолетных выстрелов). Our footfalls rang out crisply and loudly (звуки наших шагов звенели = раздавались твердо и громко) as we swung through the doctors' quarter (когда мы мерно шли через докторский квартал; to swing — качаться, колебаться; идти мерным шагом), Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour (через четверть часа) we were in Bloomsbury at the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house (мы были у питейного заведения) at the corner of one of the streets (на углу одной из улиц) which runs down into (которая спускается к: «бежит вниз») Holborn. Holmes pushed open the door (толкнул дверь) of the private bar (частного бара /дополнительный бар в некоторых пабах/) and ordered two glasses of beer (заказал два стакана пива) from the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord (у краснолицего, в белом переднике, хозяина).


cravats [kr@'v&ts], cloudless ['klaudlIs], breath [breT], private ['praIvIt]


"Your beer should be excellent (пиво должно быть превосходным) if it is as good as your geese (если оно так же хорошо, как ваши гуси)," said he.


It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord.

"Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," said he.


"My geese!" The man seemed surprised (выглядел удивленным).

"Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago (говорил лишь полчаса назад) to Mr. Henry Baker, who was a member of your goose club (который был членом вашего гусиного клуба)."

"Ah! yes, I see (понимаю). But you see, sir, them's not our geese (они не наши гуси; them's = them is — неправильная форма от they are)."

"Indeed! Whose, then (чьи тогда)?"

"Well, I got the two dozen (получил две дюжины) from a salesman (от одного торговца) in Covent Garden."


"My geese!" The man seemed surprised.

"Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, who was a member of your goose club."

"Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese."

"Indeed! Whose, then?"

"Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden."


"Indeed (правда)? I know some of them (знаю кое-что о них /торговцах/). Which was it (какой из них был это = у кого вы купили)?"

"Breckinridge is his name."

"Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health (вот ваше хорошее здоровье = ну, за ваше здоровье) landlord, and prosperity to your house (и за процветание вашего дома = заведения). Good-night (доброй ночи)."


health [helT], prosperity [prO'sperItI], night [naIt]


"Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?"

"Breckinridge is his name."

"Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, and prosperity to your house. Good-night."


"Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued (продолжил он), buttoning up his coat (застегивая пальто) as we came out into the frosty air (когда мы вышли на морозный воздух). "Remember (запомните), Watson that though (хотя) we have so homely a thing as a goose (имеем такую простую/обыденную вещь, как гусь) at one end of this chain (на одном конце нашей цепи), we have at the other (на другом) a man who will certainly get seven years' penal servitude (который, несомненно, получит семилетние каторжные работы) unless we can establish his innocence (если мы не сможем установить его невиновность). It is possible (возможно) that our inquiry (наше исследование) may but confirm his guilt (может лишь подтвердить его вину); but, in any case (в любом случае), we have a line of investigation (линию = нить расследования) which has been missed by the police (которая была пропущена полицией), and which a singular chance has placed in our hands (и которую странный случай поместил в наши руки). Let us follow it out to the bitter end (давайте осуществим его до горького конца = доведем до самого конца, каким бы печальным он ни был). Faces to the south (лица на юг = поворот на юг), then, and quick march (быстрый марш = шагом марш)!"


servitude ['s@:vItju:d], guilt [gIlt], south [sauT], march [mA:tS]


"Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and quick march!"


We passed across (пересекли) Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a zigzag of slums (и так через зигзаг трущоб) to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest stalls (одна из самых больших лавок) bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor (владелец), a horsy-looking man (похожий на жокея человек; horsy — относящийся к лошадям; подражающий жокею), with a sharp face (с хитрым лицом) and trim side-whiskers (и холеными бакенбардами; trim — подрезка, стрижка) was helping a boy to put up the shutters (помогал мальчику запереть ставни).


stalls [stO:lz], proprietor [pr@'praI@t@], horsy ['hO:sI], whiskers ['wIsk@z]


"Good-evening (добрый вечер). It's a cold night," said Holmes.

The salesman nodded (кивнул) and shot a questioning glance at my companion (бросил вопросительный взгляд на моего товарища).


We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor, a horsy-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was helping a boy to put up the shutters.

"Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes.

The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my companion.


"Sold out of geese (распродажа гусей), I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the bare slabs of marble (указывая на пустые: «голые» плиты = прилавки из мрамора).

"Let you have five hundred tomorrow morning (позвольте вам иметь = можете получить /хоть/ пять сотен завтра утром)."

"That's no good (не годится)."

"Well, there are some on the stall with the gas flare (несколько /осталось/ в лавке со свечой для сжигания газа = там, где горит свет)."


"Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the bare slabs of marble.

"Let you have five hundred tomorrow morning."

"That's no good."

"Well, there are some on the stall with the gas flare."


"Ah, but I was recommended to you (я был рекомендован = направлен к вам)."

"Who by (кем)?"

"The landlord of the Alpha (хозяином «Альфы»)."

"Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen (я послал ему пару дюжин; to send — отправлять, посылать)."

"Fine (прекрасные) birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from (откуда вы их достали)?"

To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the salesman (вопрос вызвал: «спровоцировал» взрыв гнева у продавца).


"Ah, but I was recommended to you."

"Who by?"

"The landlord of the Alpha."

"Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen."

"Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?"

To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the salesman.


"Now, then, mister (а ну-ка, мистер)," said he, with his head cocked (задрав голову) and his arms akimbo (упершись руками в бока), "what are you driving at (к чему вы клоните)? Let's have it straight (говорите прямо: «давайте иметь это прямо»), now."

"It is straight enough (достаточно прямо). I should like to know (хотел бы знать) who sold (продал; to sell) you the geese which you supplied (поставили; to supply — снабжать, доставлять) to the Alpha."

"Well, then, I shan't tell you (ну так вот, я вам не скажу). So now (вот так)!"

"Oh, it is a matter of no importance (дело никакой важности = ну и не надо); but I don't know why you should be so warm over such a trifle (почему вам следует быть таким рассерженным: «теплым» = чего вы кипятитесь из-за пустяка)."


importance [Im'pO:t@ns], warm [wO:m], trifle [traIfl]


"Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now."

"It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the geese which you supplied to the Alpha."

"Well, then, I shan't tell you. So now!"

"Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you should be so warm over such a trifle."


"Warm (теплый = кипячусь)! You'd be as warm (так же кипятились бы), maybe (возможно), if you were as pestered as I am (если бы вас так донимали, как меня). When I pay good money for a good article (за хороший товар) there should be an end of the business (должен быть конец сделки); but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you sell the geese to (кому вы продали гусей)?' and 'What will you take for the geese (что вы возьмете за гусей = сколько стоят гуси)?' One would think (можно подумать) they were the only geese in the world (что на них свет клином сошелся: «что они были единственными гусями в мире»), to hear the fuss that is made over them (если послушать суету, которая сделана вокруг них = какой из-за них подняли шум)."


pestered ['pest@d], world [w@:ld], fuss [fVs]


"Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the fuss that is made over them."


"Well, I have no connection (не имею связи = никакого отношения) with any other people who have been making inquiries (которые наводили справки)," said Holmes carelessly (небрежно). "If you won't tell us (если не скажете нам; won't = will not) the bet is off (спор окончен; bet — пари), that is all (это все). But I'm always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls (всегда готов подтвердить: «подкрепить» мое мнение по вопросу о домашней птице), and I have a fiver on it (имею пятерку фунтов на этом = держал пари на пять фунтов) that the bird I ate is country bred (что птица, которую я съел, выкормлена в деревне; to breed — разводить, выкармливать)."


opinion [@'pInj@n], fiver ['faIv@], country ['kVntrI]


"Well, then, you've lost your fiver (потеряли), for it's town bred (выкормлена в городе)," snapped the salesman (выпалил торговец).

"It's nothing of the kind (ничего подобного)."


"Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred."

"Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the salesman.

"It's nothing of the kind."


"I say it is (/а/ я говорю, это так)."

"I don't believe it (не верю этому)."

"D'you think you know more about fowls than I (вы думаете, /что/ знаете больше о домашней птице, чем я; d'you = do you), who have handled them (держал их в руках) ever since I was a nipper (с тех пор, как я был мальчишкой)? I tell you, all those birds that went to the Alpha were town bred."

"You'll never persuade me to believe that (никогда не убедите меня поверить в это)."


"I say it is."

"I don't believe it."

"D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that went to the Alpha were town bred."

"You'll never persuade me to believe that."


"Will you bet, then (вы поспорите тогда = хотите пари)?"

"It's merely taking your money (это просто /значило бы/ взятие ваших денег), for I know that I am right (ибо я знаю, что я прав). But I'll have a sovereign on with you (согласен поставить соверен), just to teach you not to be obstinate (просто чтобы научить вас не быть упрямым)."


merely ['mI@lI], sovereign ['sOvrIn], obstinate ['ObstInIt]


The salesman chuckled grimly (торговец хмыкнул мрачно). "Bring me the books (принеси мне книги), Bill," said he.


"Will you bet, then?"

"It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be obstinate."

The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said he.


The small boy brought round (мальчик принес) a small thin volume (маленький тонкий том) and a great greasy-backed one (большую, с засаленным переплетом книгу), laying them out together beneath the hanging lamp (выложив их рядом под висячую лампу).

"Now then, Mr. Cocksure (ну, мистер Самоуверенный)," said the salesman, "I thought that I was out of geese (считал, что распродал /всех/ гусей), but before I finish (прежде чем закончу) you'll find that there is still one left in my shop (вы обнаружите, что еще один остался в моей лавке; goose — гусь; дурак, болван). You see this little book?"


volume ['vOlju:m], greasy ['gri:zI], beneath [bI'ni:T], cocksure [kOk'Su@]


"Well (ну и)?"


The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging lamp.

"Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is still one left in my shop. You see this little book?"

"Well?"


"That's the list of the folk (список людей) from whom I buy (у кого я покупаю). D'you see? Well, then, here on this page (на этой странице) are the country folk (сельские жители = деревенские поставщики), and the numbers after their names (цифры после их имен) are where their accounts are in the big ledger (/обозначают/ где их счета /ведутся/ в большом журнале). Now, then! You see this other page in red ink (видите страницу, исписанную красными чернилами: «в красных чернилах»)? Well, that is a list of my town suppliers (это список моих городских поставщиков). Now, look at that third name (на третье имя). Just read it out to me (просто прочитайте вслух мне)."


folk [f@uk], ledger ['ledZ@], page [peIdZ]


"That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just read it out to me."


"Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road-249," read Holmes.

"Quite so (именно так). Now turn that up in the ledger (посмотрите в журнале; to turn up — загибать вверх)."

Holmes turned to the page indicated (открыл указанную страницу; to turn — обращаться). "Here you are, 'Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier (поставщик яиц и домашней птицы)."

"Now, then, what's the last entry (какая последняя запись)?"


"Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road-249," read Holmes.

"Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger."

Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier."

"Now, then, what's the last entry?"


"'December 2 — Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d (двадцать четыре гуся по семь шиллингов шесть пенсов).'"

"Quite so. There you are (вот вам = получите). And underneath (а внизу)?"

"'Sold (продано) to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s (по двенадцать шиллингов).'"

"What have you to say now (что вы имеете сказать теперь = ну и что вы теперь скажете)?"

Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined (выглядел глубоко огорченным = казалось, был глубоко огорчен). He drew a sovereign from his pocket (вынул соверен из своего кармана) and threw it down upon the slab (швырнул на прилавок), turning away with the air of a man (отворачиваясь с видом человека) whose disgust is too deep for words (чье отвращение слишком глубоко для слов). A few yards off (через несколько ярдов) he stopped under a lamp-post (остановился под столбом фонаря) and laughed (рассмеялся) in the hearty, noiseless fashion (в веселой и беззвучной манере; noise — шум) which was peculiar to him (которая была характерна для него).


chagrined ['S&grInd], hearty ['hA:tI], noiseless ['nOIzlIs]


"'December 2 — Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'"

"Quite so. There you are. And underneath?"

"'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'"

"What have you to say now?"

Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless fashion which was peculiar to him.


"When you see a man with whiskers of that cut (когда видите мужчину с такими: «такого фасона» бакенбардами) and the 'Pink 'un' protruding out of his pocket (и розовым платком, торчащим из его кармана), you can always draw him by a bet (можете всегда узнать у него все что угодно с помощью пари; to draw — вытащить, почерпнуть)," said he. "I dare say (осмелюсь сказать) that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of him (если бы я положил сто фунтов перед ним), that man would not have given me such complete information (не дал бы мне такой полной информации) as was drawn from him (какая была вытянута из него) by the idea that he was doing me on a wager (идеей, что он обыграет меня, побившись со мной об заклад; wager — пари, ставка). Well, Watson, we are, I fancy (воображаю), nearing the end of our quest (приближаясь к концу наших поисков), and the only point which remains to be determined (единственный вопрос: «момент», который остается быть решенным = который нужно решить) is whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott tonight (следует ли нам отправиться к этой миссис Окшот сегодня вечером), or whether we should reserve it for tomorrow (или отложить это на завтра). It is clear (ясно) from what that surly fellow said (из /того/, что тот грубый парень сказал) that there are others besides ourselves (что есть другие, кроме нас самих) who are anxious about the matter (озабоченные этим делом), and I should — "


complete [k@m'pli:t], wager ['weIdZ@], surly ['s@:lI], anxious ['&NkS@s]


"When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," said he. "I dare say that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of him, that man would not have given me such complete information as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott tonight, or whether we should reserve it for tomorrow. It is clear from what that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves who are anxious about the matter, and I should — "


His remarks (замечания) were suddenly cut short (внезапно оборваны: «срезаны коротко») by a loud hubbub (громким шумом) which broke out (разразился) from the stall which we had just left (за прилавком, который мы только что оставили). Turning round (обернувшись) we saw a little rat-faced fellow (увидели хитролицего: «крысолицего» парня) standing in the centre of the circle of yellow light (стоявшего в центре круга желтого света) which was thrown (отбрасываемого = который шел от) by the swinging lamp (от качающейся лампы), while Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall (стоя в дверях), was shaking his fists fiercely (тряс кулаки яростно = потрясал кулаками) at the cringing figure (перед съеживающейся фигурой).


framed ['freImd], fiercely ['fI@slI], cringing ['krIndZIN]


His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure.


"I've had enough (имел довольно = хватит с меня) of you and your geese," he shouted (крикнул). "I wish you were all at the devil together (желаю, чтобы вы были все у дьявола вместе = провалитесь вы все к черту). If you come pestering me any more (если снова будете надоедать мне) with your silly talk (со своим глупым разговором) I'll set the dog at you (спущу на вас собаку). You bring (приведите) Mrs. Oakshott here and I'll answer her (отвечу ей), but what have you to do with it (что имеете вы сделать с этим = вы тут при чем)? Did I buy the geese off you (разве я у вас купил гусей)?"


enough [I'nVf], answer ['A:ns@]


"No; but one of them was mine all the same (но один из них был моим все равно)," whined the little man (хныкал человек).

"Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it (спросите об этом миссис Окшот)."


"I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with it? Did I buy the geese off you?"

"No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little man.

"Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it."


"She told me to ask you."

"Well, you can ask the King of Proosia (можете спросить /хоть/ короля Пруссии), for all I care (мне все равно). I've had enough of it (с меня хватит). Get out of this (убирайтесь отсюда)!" He rushed fiercely forward (он бросился яростно вперед), and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness (и спрашивающий исчез в темноте; to flit — юркнуть).

"Ha! this may save us a visit (это может сэкономить нам посещение = избавить от необходимости поездки) to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes (прошептал). "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fellow (что может быть сделано из этого парня = не пригодится ли нам этот субъект)." Striding through the scattered knots of people (мимо разрозненных кучек людей) who lounged round the flaring stalls (которые лениво бродили вокруг освещенных ларьков; flaring — ослепительный, горящий), my companion speedily overtook (поспешно догнал) the little man and touched him upon the shoulder (тронул его за плечо). He sprang round (порывисто обернулся; to spring — прыгать), and I could see in the gaslight (я увидел в газовом свете) that every vestige of color (всякий признак цвета) had been driven from his face (исчез: «был согнан» с его лица).


whispered ['wIsp@d], lounged [laundZd], flaring ['fle@rIN], touched [tVtSt], vestige ['vestIdZ]


"She told me to ask you."

"Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness.

"Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang round, and I could see in the gaslight that every vestige of color had been driven from his face.


"Who are you (кто вы), then? What do you want (чего хотите)?" he asked in a quavering voice (спросил он дрожащим голосом).

"You will excuse me (/вы/ извините меня)," said Holmes blandly (вежливо/мягко), "but I could not help overhearing (не мог не услышать случайно) the questions which you put (ставили = задавали) to the salesman just now. I think that I could be of assistance to you (могу быть вам полезен; assistance — помощь)."

"You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter (как вы могли знать = как вы узнали что-то об этом)?"

"My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people don't know (моя профессия — знать /то/ чего другие люди не знают)."

"But you can know nothing of this (но вы ничего не можете знать об этом)?"


"Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering voice.

"You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. I think that I could be of assistance to you."

"You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?"

"My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people don't know."

"But you can know nothing of this?"


"Excuse me, I know everything of it (я знаю все об этом). You are endeavoring to trace (пытаетесь отследить) some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn (а им, в свою очередь) to Mr. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Henry Baker is a member (членом которого является Генри Бейкер)."

"Oh, sir, you are the very man (тот самый человек) whom I have longed to meet (кого я страстно желал встретить)," cried the little fellow with outstretched hands (с распростертыми руками) and quivering fingers (и дрожащими пальцами). "I can hardly explain (едва могу объяснить) to you how interested I am in this matter (насколько я заинтересован в этом деле)."


outstretched ['autstr@tSt], quivering ['kwIv@rIN]


"Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavoring to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Henry Baker is a member."

"Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter."


Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler (остановил извозчичью карету; wheel — колесо) which was passing (проезжала /мимо/). "In that case we had better discuss it (нам лучше /бы/ обсудить это) in a cosy room (в уютной комнате) rather than in this wind-swept market-place (чем на этой незащищенной от ветра рыночной площади; to sweep — мести)," said he. "But pray tell me (но, пожалуйста: «прошу», скажите мне), before we go farther (прежде чем мы пойдем дальше), who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting (/кто это/, кому я имею удовольствие помогать)."


cosy ['k@uzI], wind [wInd], farther ['fA:D@], pleasure ['pleZ@]


The man hesitated for an instant (заколебался на мгновение). "My name is John Robinson," he answered with a sidelong glance (с косым взглядом = бросив косой взгляд).


Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting."

The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he answered with a sidelong glance.


"No, no; the real name (настоящее имя)," said Holmes sweetly (мягко). "It is always awkward doing business with an alias (неудобно вести дела с псевдонимами)."

A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger (румянец вспыхнул на бледных: «белых» щеках незнакомца; to spring — броситься, приливать). "Well then (итак)," said he, "my real name is James Ryder."

"Precisely so (вот именно). Head attendant (главный слуга) at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray step into the cab (пожалуйста, садитесь в кеб), and I shall soon be able to tell (смогу рассказать) you everything which you would wish to know (что вы пожелали бы знать)."


"No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always awkward doing business with an alias."

A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," said he, "my real name is James Ryder."

"Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you everything which you would wish to know."


The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us (стоял, поглядывая = переводя глаза с одного на другого из нас) with half-frightened (/с/ полунапуганным), half-hopeful eyes (полунадеющимся взором: «глазами»), as one (как человек: «один») who is not sure (не уверен) whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe (на грани ли он неожиданного счастья или катастрофы, беды; windfall — падалица; плод, сбитый ветром; неожиданная удача, неожиданный доход). Then he stepped into the cab (сел: «шагнул» в кеб), and in half an hour (через полчаса) we were back in the sitting-room at Baker Street (вернулись в гостиную). Nothing had been said (ничего не было сказано) during our drive (во время нашей поездки), but the high, thin breathing (но шумное, сбивчивое дыхание) of our new companion, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands (сжимания и разжимания его рук), spoke of the nervous tension within him (говорили о нервном напряжении внутри него).


frightened ['fraItnd], verge [vV":dZ], breathing ['bri:DIN], nervous ['nV":v@s]


The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous tension within him.


"Here we are (вот мы и дома)!" said Holmes cheerily (весело) as we filed into the room (вошли шеренгой в комнату). "The fire looks very seasonable (огонь /в камине/ выглядит очень по сезону) in this weather (в эту погоду). You look cold (выглядите озябшим), Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair (садитесь в плетеное кресло; basket — корзина). I will just put on my slippers (я только надену мои комнатные туфли) before we settle (прежде чем мы уладим) this little matter of yours. Now, then! You want to know what became of those geese (что стало с этими гусями)?"


cheerily ['tSI@lI], seasonable ['si:z@n@bl], weather ['weD@]


"Yes, sir."

"Or rather (вернее), I fancy, of that goose (с тем гусем). It was one bird, I imagine (мне кажется), in which you were interested — white, with a black bar across the tail (белый, с черной полоской на хвосте)."


"Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! You want to know what became of those geese?"

"Yes, sir."

"Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine, in which you were interested — white, with a black bar across the tail."


Ryder quivered with emotion (задрожал от волнения: «с чувством»). "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell me where it went to (куда он был продан)?"

"It came here (он попал сюда)."

"Here?"

"Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved (и совершенно необыкновенной птицей он оказался; to prove — доказывать; демонстрировать). I don't wonder (не удивляюсь) that you should take an interest in it (что вы проявляте интерес к нему). It laid an egg (снес яйцо) after it was dead (после /того, как/ он был мертв = после смерти) — the bonniest, brightest little blue egg (самое красивое, ярчайшее маленькое голубое яйцо) that ever was seen (которое когда-либо было видено). I have it here in my museum (музее)."


wonder ['wVnd@], bright ['braIt], museum [mju'zI@m]


Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell me where it went to?"

"It came here."

"Here?"

"Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was dead — the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. I have it here in my museum."


Our visitor staggered to his feet (встал, шатаясь) and clutched the mantelpiece (схватился за каминную доску) with his right hand (правой рукой). Holmes unlocked his strong-box (открыл сейф) and held up (показал = достал) the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star (который сверкнул, как звезда; to shine out), with a cold brilliant, many-pointed radiance (холодным, ярким, переливчатым сиянием). Ryder stood glaring with a drawn face (стоял, пристально глядя, с искаженным лицом), uncertain whether to claim or to disown it (неуверенный, требовать ли /камень/, или отказаться от него /не признать его своим/; to own — иметь; to disown — не признавать своим, отрекаться).


radiance ['reIdI@ns], glaring ['gle@rIN], disown [dIs'@un]


Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it.


"The game's up (игра окончена), Ryder," said Holmes quietly (спокойно). "Hold up (держитесь), man, or you'll be into the fire (или вы попадете в огонь)! Give him an arm back into his chair (помогите ему сесть обратно в кресло; to give an arm to somebody — предложить взять кого-то под руку), Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with impunity (он не получил крови достаточно = не так силен, чтобы идти на тяжкие преступления безнаказанно = хладнокровно; to go in for — выбирать, разрешать себе). Give him a dash of brandy (дайте ему немного бренди). So! Now he looks a little more human (выглядит немного более человеком = похож на человека). What a shrimp (что за ничтожный человек: «креветка») it is, to be sure (конечно)!"


blood [blVd], felony ['fel@nI], impunity [Im'pju:nItI], human ['hju:m@n]


For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen (зашатался и почти упал), but the brandy brought a tinge of color into his cheeks (вызвал слабый румянец: «оттенок цвета» на его щеках), and he sat staring with frightened eyes at his accuser (сел, глядя испуганно: «с испуганными глазами» на своего обличителя).


tinge [tIndZ], accuser [@'kju:z@]


"The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!"

For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy brought a tinge of color into his cheeks, and he sat staring with frightened eyes at his accuser.


"I have almost every link in my hands (я имею почти каждое звено в моих руках = знаю почти все), and all the proofs (доказательства) which I could possibly need (в которых я мог бы, возможно, нуждаться), so there is little (немного) which you need tell me (что вам нужно мне рассказать). Still (однако), that little may as well be cleared up to make the case complete (может также быть прояснено, чтобы сделать дело завершенным). You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Countess of Morcar's?"

"It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it (мне о нем сказала Кэтрин Кьюсэк)," said he in a crackling voice (дрожащим: «хрустящим» голосом).


"I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Countess of Morcar's?"

"It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a crackling voice.


"I see (понимаю). Her ladyship's waiting-maid (горничная леди). Well, the temptation of sudden wealth (искушение внезапного богатства) so easily acquired (так быстро достигнутого) was too much for you (было слишком /сильным/ для вас), as it has been for better men before you (как это было с более хорошими = достойными людьми до вас); but you were not very scrupulous in the means (вы были не слишком разборчивы в средствах) you used (которые вы использовали). It seems to me (мне кажется), Ryder, that there is the making of a very pretty villain in you (что в вас есть задатки очень неплохого негодяя). You knew that this man Horner, the plumber (паяльщик), had been concerned (был затронут = уличен) in some such matter before (в подобном деле ранее), and that suspicion (подозрение) would rest the more readily upon him (остановилось = пало бы более легко/ быстро на него). What did you do, then? You made some small job (небольшую работу) in my lady's room — you and your confederate Cusack (вы и ваша сообщница Кьюсэк) — and you managed (сделали так) that he should be the man sent for (что послали именно за ним). Then, when he had left (когда он ушел), you rifled the jewel-case (ограбили шкатулку = украли камень; to rifle — обыскивать с целью грабежа), raised the alarm (подняли тревогу), and had this unfortunate man arrested (и сделали так, чтобы его арестовали). You then (затем) — "


temptation [temp'teISn], scrupulous ['skru:pjul@s], villain ['vIl@n], confederate [k@n'fed@rIt]


"I see. Her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's room — you and your confederate Cusack — and you managed that he should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man arrested. You then — "


Ryder threw himself down (бросил себя вниз = сполз) suddenly upon the rug (на ковер) and clutched at my companion's knees (стиснул колени моего товарища). "For God's sake (ради Бога), have mercy (помилуйте: «имейте милосердие»)!" he shrieked (завопил). "Think of my father (подумайте о моем отце)! of my mother (матери)! It would break their hearts (это разбило бы их сердца). I never went wrong before (я никогда не вставал на ложный путь раньше)! I never will again (никогда не буду снова). I swear it (клянусь в этом). I'll swear it on a Bible (поклянусь в этом на Библии). Oh, don't bring it into court (не представляйте это в суд = не доводите до суда)! For Christ's sake (ради Христа), don't!"


mercy ['m@:sI], shrieked [Sri:kt], Christ [kraIst]


"Get back into your chair (возвращайтесь в ваше кресло)!" said Holmes sternly (сурово). "It is very well to cringe and crawl now (хорошо вам сейчас пресмыкаться и ползать), but you thought little enough of this poor Horner (но вы довольно мало думали о бедном Хорнере) in the dock for a crime (на скамье подсудимых за преступление) of which he knew nothing (о котором он ничего не знал)."

"I will fly (я исчезну: «убегу»), Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country (покину страну), sir. Then the charge against him will break down (тогда обвинение против него разрушится = отпадет)."


Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Think of my father! of my mother! It would break their hearts. I never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's sake, don't!"

"Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing."

"I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the charge against him will break down."


"Hum! We will talk about that (/еще/ потолкуем об этом). And now let us hear a true account of the next act (позвольте нам услышать = давайте послушаем правдивый отчет о следующем действии). How came the stone into the goose (как попал камень в гуся), and how came the goose into the open market (на свободный рынок)? Tell us the truth (говорите нам правду), for there lies your only hope of safety (так как там = в ней лежит ваша единственная надежда безопасности = путь к спасению)."


true [tru:], truth [tru:T], safety ['seIftI]


"Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies your only hope of safety."


Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips (провел языком по пересохшим губам). "I will tell you it just as it happened (прямо как это произошло), sir," said he. "When Horner had been arrested, it seemed to me (мне показалось) that it would be best for me to get away with the stone at once (удрать с камнем сразу же), for I did not know at what moment (в какой момент) the police might not take it into their heads (полиция может вбить себе в голову = когда полиции придет в голову) to search me and my room (обыскать меня и мою комнату). There was no place about the hotel (не было места рядом в гостинице) where it would be safe (где камень был бы в безопасности). I went out (вышел), as if on some commission (как если на комиссии = по служебному делу), and I made for my sister's house (устремился к дому моей сестры). She had married a man (вышла замуж за человека) named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Road, where she fattened fowls for the market (где откармливала домашнюю птицу для рынка). All the way there (всю дорогу туда) every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective (казался мне полицейским или сыщиком); and, for all that it was a cold night (хотя это был холодный вечер), the sweat was pouring down my face (пот лился по моему лицу) before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me what was the matter (что было /за/ дело = что случилось), and why I was so pale (бледный); but I told her that I had been upset (был расстроен) by the jewel robbery at the hotel (кражей драгоценностей в гостинице). Then I went into the back yard (затем я вышел на задний дворик) and smoked a pipe (и закурил трубку) and wondered (и раздумывал; to wonder — желать знать, интересоваться) what it would be best to do (что было бы лучше сделать).


tongue [tVN], parched [pA:tSt], pouring ['pO:rIN], yard [jA:d]


Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would be best to do.


"I had a friend once (у меня был друг однажды) called Maudsley, who went to the bad (он сбился с пути истинного), and has just been serving his time (отбывал свое время = срок) in Pentonville. One day (как-то раз: «в один день») he had met me, and fell into talk (заговорил) about the ways of thieves (об обычаях воров), and how they could get rid of what they stole (как они могут избавиться от /того/ что они украли). I knew that he would be true to me (знал, что он был бы верен мне = не выдаст меня), for I knew one or two things about him (так как я знал одну или две вещи о нем = знал за ним кое-какие грехи); so I made up my mind to go right on to Kilburn (потому решил отправиться прямо в Килбурн), where he lived (где он жил), and take him into my confidence (доверить ему мою тайну). He would show (показал бы) me how to turn the stone into money (как превратить камень в деньги). But how to get to him in safety (как добраться до него в безопасности)? I thought of the agonies (о муках) I had gone through (через которые прошел = которые пережил) in coming from the hotel (выходя из гостиницы). I might at any moment be seized and searched (я мог быть в любое мгновение схвачен и обыскан), and there would be the stone in my waistcoat pocket (найдут в кармане жилетки). I was leaning against the wall at the time (я опирался о стену и одновременно) and looking at the geese which were waddling about round my feet (смотрел на гусей, которые ходили вперевалку вокруг моих ног), and suddenly an idea came into my head (внезапно идея пришла в мою голову) which showed me how I could beat the best detective that ever lived (как я могу побить = провести лучшего детектива, который когда-либо жил).


thieves [Ti:vz], seized [si:zd], waddling ['wOdlIN]


"I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the best detective that ever lived.


"My sister had told me some weeks before (сказала мне несколькими неделями ранее) that I might have the pick of her geese (могу получить отборнейшего из ее гусей; to pick — снимать плоды; выискивать, отбирать) for a Christmas present (в качестве рождественского подарка), and I knew that she was always as good as her word (что она всегда держит слово: «так же хороша, как ее слово»). I would take my goose now, and in it I would carry (перенести) my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed (небольшой сарай) in the yard, and behind this (за него) I drove one of the birds (загнал одну из птиц) — a fine big one, white, with a barred tail (с полосатым хвостом). I caught it (поймал его), and prying its bill open (открыл клюв), I thrust the stone down its throat (засунул камень в глотку) as far as my finger could reach (так далеко, как мог достичь мой палец). The bird gave a gulp (птица сделала большой глоток), and I felt the stone pass along its gullet (почувствовал /как/ камень проходит вдоль пищевода) and down into its crop (в зоб). But the creature flapped and struggled (создание хлопало крыльями и отбивалась), and out came my sister (вышла сестра) to know what was the matter (узнать, в чем дело). As I turned to speak to her (начал говорить с ней) the brute broke loose (животное вырвалось) and fluttered off among the others (и смешалось среди = с остальными; to flutter — перепархивать, махать).


gulp [gVlp], gullet ['gVlIt], creature ['kri:tS@], brute [bru:t]


"My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds — a fine big one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and fluttered off among the others.


"'Whatever were you doing with that bird (что ты делал с той птицей; whatever = все что, что бы ни), Jem?' says she.

"'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I was feeling (ощупывал) which was the fattest (самый жирный).'

"'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you (мы выбрали твоего /гуся/ отдельно для тебя). Jem's bird, we call it (птица Джема, /как/ мы ее называем). It's the big white one over yonder (вон там). There's twenty-six of them (всего двадцать шесть их = гусей), which makes (что предполагает) one for you, and one for us, and two dozen (две дюжины) for the market.'


yonder ['jOnd@], dozen [dVzn]


"'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she.

"'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I was feeling which was the fattest.'

"'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you — Jem's bird, we call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen for the market.'


"'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you (если это все равно для тебя), I'd rather have (я бы взял) that one I was handling (того, которого держал в руках) just now (как раз сейчас).'

"'The other is a good three pound heavier (другой /на/ хороших три фунта тяжелее),' said she, 'and we fattened it expressly for you (мы откормили его специально для тебя).'

"'Never mind (пустяки: «не обращай внимания»). I'll have the other, and I'll take it now (возьму его сейчас),' said I.

"'Oh, just as you like (твое дело: «просто как ты хочешь»),' said she, a little huffed (слегка обиженно). 'Which is it you want, then?'

"'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the flock (прямо в середине стаи).'


"'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.'

"'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we fattened it expressly for you.'

"'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I.

"'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it you want, then?'

"'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the flock.'


"'Oh, very well (очень хорошо). Kill it and take it with you (убей его и бери с собой).'

"Well, I did what she said (сделал, что она сказала), Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird all the way (нес птицу всю дорогу) to Kilburn. I told my pal (сказал моему приятелю) what I had done (что я сделал), for he was a man that it was easy (котому было легко) to tell a thing like that to (рассказать вещь вроде этой). He laughed until he choked (смеялся, пока не подавился = до упаду), and we got a knife (взяли нож) and opened the goose (открыли = разрезали гуся). My heart turned to water (мое сердце превратилось в воду), for there was no sign of the stone (не было признака камня), and I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred (какая-то ужасная ошибка произошла). I left the bird (оставил птицу), rushed back (бросился обратно) to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard (поспешил на задний двор). There was not a bird to be seen there (там не было ни единой птицы).


pal [p&l], choked [tS@ukt], knife [naIf], mistake [mI'steIk]


"'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.'

"Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There was not a bird to be seen there.


"'Where are they all (где они все), Maggie?' I cried.

"'Gone to the dealer's (отправлены торговцу), Jem.'

"'Which dealer's (какому именно: «которому»)?'

"'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.'

"'But was there another with a barred tail (но был ли там другой /гусь/ с полосатым хвостом)?' I asked, 'the same as the one I chose (такой же, как тот, /которого/ я выбрал)?'

"'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never tell them apart (я никогда не могла различить их; apart — в стороне; врозь).'


"'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried.

"'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.'

"'Which dealer's?'

"'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.'

"'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same as the one I chose?'

"'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never tell them apart.'


"Well, then, of course, I saw it all (понял все), and I ran off (помчался) as hard as my feet would carry me (так сильно, как мои ноги несли бы меня = со всех ног) to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the lot at once (продал все сразу), and not one word would he tell me (ни одного слова не сказал /бы/ мне) as to where they had gone (о том, куда они ушли = кому). You heard him yourselves tonight (вы слышали его сами сегодня вечером). Well, he has always answered me like that (но он всегда отвечал мне таким образом). My sister thinks that I am going mad (я схожу с ума). Sometimes (иногда) I think that I am myself (я и сам думаю, что я сумасшедший). And now — and now I am myself a branded thief (презренный: «клейменный» вор), without ever having touched the wealth (и даже никогда не касался богатства) for which I sold my character (ради которого продал свою репутацию). God help me (да поможет мне Господь)! God help me!" He burst into convulsive sobbing (разразился судорожным рыданием), with his face buried in his hands (с лицом, зарытым/скрытым в руки = закрытым руками).


branded ['br&ndId], wealth [welT], convulsive [k@n'vVlsIv]


There was a long silence (стояла долгая тишина), broken only by his heavy breathing (нарушаемая лишь его тяжелым дыханием) and by the measured tapping (мерным постукиванием) of Sherlock Holmes's fingertips (кончиков пальцев) upon the edge of the table (по краю стола). Then my friend rose and threw open the door (поднялся и распахнул дверь).


silence ['saIl@ns], measured ['meZ@d], edge [edZ]


"Well, then, of course, I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they had gone. You heard him yourselves tonight. Well, he has always answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now — and now I am myself a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands.

There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes's fingertips upon the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door.


"Get out (убирайтесь)!" said he.

"What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you (о, да благословит вас небо)!"

"No more words (ни слова /больше/). Get out!"

And no more words were needed (слов и не потребовалoсь). There was a rush (спешка), a clatter upon the stairs (грохот на лестнице), the bang of a door (хлопанье двери), and the crisp rattle of running footfalls from the street (четкий топот бегущих шагов /послышался/ с улицы).


clatter ['kl&t@], bang [b&N], footfalls ['futfO:lz]


"Get out!" said he.

"What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!"

"No more words. Get out!"

And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running footfalls from the street.


"After all (в конце концов: «после всего»), Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his clay pipe (протягивая руку за глиняной трубкой), "I am not retained by the police (не нанят полицией) to supply their deficiencies (чтобы восполнять их недостатки, промахи). If Horner were in danger (если бы Хорнер был в опасности) it would be another thing (это была бы другая вещь = дело); but this fellow will not appear against him (не будет свидетельствовать против него), and the case must collapse (дело должно провалиться = заглохнуть). I suppose that I am commuting a felony (смягчаю преступление = делаюсь укрывателем; felony — уголовное преступление), but it is just possible that I am saving a soul (но вполне может быть, что я спасаю душу). This fellow will not go wrong again (не пойдет неправильным путем снова); he is too terribly frightened (он слишком ужасно напуган). Send him to jail now (пошлите его в тюрьму сейчас), and you make him a jailbird for life (сделаете его арестантом/закоренелым преступником на всю жизнь). Besides (кроме того), it is the season of forgiveness (сейчас время прощения). Chance (случай, жизнь) has put in our way a most singular and whimsical problem (поставила на наш путь весьма странную и причудливую загадку = столкнула нас со странной и причудливой загадкой), and its solution is its own reward (ее решение — /и есть/ само по себе награда). If you will have the goodness to touch the bell (если вы будете так любезны дернуть звонок), Doctor, we will begin another investigation (начнем другое расследование), in which also a bird will be the chief feature (в котором снова птица будет главной чертой = играть основную роль)."


deficiencies [dI'fIS@nsIz], danger ['deIndZ@], jailbird ['dZeIlb@:d], chief [tSi:f]


"After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to jail now, and you make him a jailbird for life. Besides, it is the season of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin another investigation, in which also a bird will be the chief feature."

ТЕЛЕГРАМ

Канал с обзорами, анонсами новинок и книжными подборками

Книжный Вестник

Бот для удобного поиска книг (если не нашлось на сайте)

Поиск книг

Свежие любовные романы в удобных форматах

Любовные романы

О психологии, саморазвитии и личностном росте

Саморазвитие

Детективы и триллеры, все новинки

Детективы

Фантастика и фэнтези, все новинки

Фантастика

Отборные классические книги

Классика
ВКОНТАКТЕ

Цитаты, афоризмы, стихи, книжные подборки, обсуждения и многое другое

Книжный Вестник
БИБЛИОТЕКИ

Библиотека с любовными романами, которая наверняка придётся по вкусу женской части аудитории

Любовные романы

Библиотека с фантастикой и фэнтези, а также смежных жанров

Фантастика

Самые популярные книги в формате фб2

Топ фб2 книги