Английский язык с Шерлоком Холмсом. Второй сборник рассказов

The Beryl Coronet

(берилловая диадема; coronet — корона /пэров/; диадема)

“Holmes,” said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking down the street (сказал я, стоя однажды утром у окна и глядя на улицу; bow-window — полукруглое окно; окно с выступом; bow — дуга), “here is a madman coming along (какой-то сумасшедший идет/появился; to come along — /неожиданно/ приходить). It seems rather sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone (очень печально, что родные позволяют ему ходить одному).”

My friend rose lazily from his armchair (мой друг лениво поднялся с кресла) and stood with his hands in the pockets of his dressing-gown (и встал /у меня за спиной/, засунув руки в карманы халата), looking over my shoulder (глядя через мое плечо). It was a bright, crisp February morning (было ясное морозное февральское утро; crisp — хрустящий; бодрящий, свежий), and the snow of the day before still lay deep upon the ground (и вчерашний снег лежал толстым слоем на земле), shimmering brightly in the wintry sun (ярко сверкая на зимнем солнце; to shimmer — мерцать; блестеть). Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed into a brown crumbly band by the traffic (на середине Бейкер-стрит колеса превратили его в бурую рыхлую полосу; to plough — пахать; бороздить, рассекать; plough — плуг; crumbly — крошащийся; рассыпчатый, рыхлый; to crumble up — раскрошить, растолочь, растереть /в порошок/; traffic — движение; транспорт), but at either side and on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths (но по краям /дороги/ и у пешеходных дорожек с сугробами по бокам; foot-path — пешеходная дорожка; тротуар; to heap up — сваливать в кучу, нагромождать; edge — кромка, край; грань, граница) it still lay as white as when it fell (он по-прежнему был таким же белым, как будто только выпал). The gray pavement had been cleaned and scraped (серый тротуар очистили; to clean — чистить; to scrape — скоблить, скрести, чистить), but was still dangerously slippery (но все же было опасно скользко; to slip — скользить), so that there were fewer passengers than usual (так что пешеходов: «пассажиров» было меньше, чем обычно). Indeed, from the direction of the Metropolitan Station no one was coming (/по направлению/ от станции подземки никто не приближался) save the single gentleman whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention (кроме одного джентльмена, чье эксцентричное поведение и привлекло мое внимание).

relatives [ˈrelǝtɪvz], plough [plau], eccentric [ɪkˈsentrɪk]

“Holmes,” said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking down the street, “here is a madman coming along. It seems rather sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone.”

My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as when it fell. The gray pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention.

He was a man of about fifty (это был мужчина лет пятидесяти), tall (высокий), portly (полный), and imposing (внушительный), with a massive, strongly marked face (с широким лицом, покрытым оспинами; to mark — отмечать, ставить знак, метку; оставлять шрам, рубец; иметь родимые пятна; marked — отмеченный, помеченный; пестрый /о масти/) and a commanding figure (и представительной фигурой). He was dressed in a sombre yet rich style (он был одет неброско, но богато; sombre, somber — мрачный; темный /о цвете/), in black frock-coat (черный сюртук), shining hat (блестящий цилиндр), neat brown gaiters (изящные коричневые гетры; neat — аккуратный, опрятный; изящный), and well-cut pearl-gray trousers (и хорошо скроенные жемчужно-серые брюки). Yet his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and features (однако его действия совсем не соответствовали достоинству его одежды и внешности: «были абсурдной противоположностью его…»), for he was running hard (он бежал со всех ног), with occasional little springs (то и дело подскакивая; spring — прыжок, скачок: to take a spring — прыгнуть; occasional — случающийся время от времени, иногда, редко), such as a weary man gives (как утомленный человек) who is little accustomed to set any tax upon his legs (мало привыкший давать ногам нагрузку; tax — налог, пошлина; бремя, испытание; чрезмерное требование). As he ran he jerked his hands up and down (на бегу он размахивал руками: «дергал руки вверх и вниз»; jerk — резкое движение, рывок, толчок; судорожное подергивание), waggled his head (мотал головой), and writhed his face into the most extraordinary contortions (и его лицо искажалось самыми удивительными гримасами: «и корчил лицо в самые необыкновенные искривления»; to writhe — корчиться, извиваться; исказить /лицо/; contortion — искривление; искажение).

“What on earth can be the matter with him (что же это с ним такое; on earth: «на земле» — же, просто, только, все-таки /для усиления/: how on earth — каким же образом)?” I asked. “He is looking up at the numbers of the houses (он смотрит на номера домов).”

“I believe that he is coming here (думаю, он направляется сюда),” said Holmes, rubbing his hands (сказал Холмс, потирая руки).

“Here?”

figure [ˈfɪɡǝ], sombre [ˈsɔmbǝ], writhed [raɪðd]

He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-gray trousers. Yet his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most extraordinary contortions.

“What on earth can be the matter with him?” I asked. “He is looking up at the numbers of the houses.”

“I believe that he is coming here,” said Holmes, rubbing his hands.

“Here?”

“Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally (да, думаю, он спешит, чтобы проконсультироваться со мной профессионально = получить совет специалиста). I think that I recognize the symptoms (узнаю симптомы). Ha! did I not tell you (прав я был или нет: «разве я вам не говорил»)?”

As he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing (при этих его словах незнакомец, тяжело и шумно дыша), rushed at our door and pulled at our bell (кинулся к нашей двери и /стал/ дергать колокольчик) until the whole house resounded with the clanging (пока весь дом не огласился звоном; clang — лязг, звон, бряцание, резкий металлический звук; to resound — громко звучать, раздаваться; оглашаться /with/).

A few moments later he was in our room (через минуту он уже был в нашей комнате), still puffing, still gesticulating (все еще тяжело дыша и жестикулируя), but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in his eyes (но в его глазах застыл такой горестный и отчаянный взгляд) that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and pity (что наши улыбки тотчас превратились в тревогу и жалость = уступили место тревоге и жалости). For a while he could not get his words out (некоторое время он не мог вымолвить ни слова), but swayed his body and plucked at his hair like one (только раскачивался: «раскачивал свое тело» и дергал себя за волосы, как человек) who has been driven to the extreme limits of his reason (доведенный до пределов разума = до грани сумасшествия). Then, suddenly springing to his feet (вдруг он бросился вперед; to spring to one's feet — вскочить на ноги), he beat his head against the wall with such force (и ударился головой о стену с такой силой) that we both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room (что мы оба кинулись к нему и оттащили его на середину комнаты). Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair (Холмс усадил его в мягкое кресло) and, sitting beside him, patted his hand (и, сев рядом, похлопал его по руке) and chatted with him in the easy, soothing tones (и заговорил с ним так мягко, успокаивающе: «в тех легких/непринужденных, успокаивающих тонах»; to chat — непринужденно болтать, беседовать, разговаривать) which he knew so well how to employ (как он очень хорошо умел: «как он очень хорошо умел использовать»; to employ — употреблять, применять, использовать).

symptom [ˈsɪmptǝm], gesticulating [ʤeˈstɪkjuleɪtɪŋ], extreme [ɪkˈstri:m]

“Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I think that I recognize the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?”

As he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the clanging.

A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy‑chair and, sitting beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ.

“You have come to me to tell your story, have you not (вы пришли ко мне, чтобы рассказать о своем деле, не так ли)?” said he. “You are fatigued with your haste (вы устали от спешки). Pray wait until you have recovered yourself (пожалуйста, придите в себя: «подождите, пока вы придете в себя»), and then I shall be most happy to look into any little problem (а потом я с радостью выслушаю вашу проблему; to look into — изучать, рассматривать) which you may submit to me (о которой вы, вероятно, хотите мне поведать; to submit — представлять на рассмотрение; предлагать /свою точку зрения и т. д./).”

The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest (незнакомец минуту или больше сидел, шумно, тяжело дыша: «со вздымающейся грудью»; to heave — поднимать; вздыматься, подниматься и опускаться /обычно в каком-либо ритме; о волнах, груди и т. п./; тяжело дышать), fighting against his emotion (борясь с волнением). Then he passed his handkerchief over his brow (затем он провел платком по лбу), set his lips tight (сжал губы; tight — сжатый, сжавшийся, тесный, плотный), and turned his face towards us (и повернулся к нам).

“No doubt you think me mad (вы, конечно, думаете, что я сумасшедший)?” said he.

“I see that you have had some great trouble (я вижу, что у вас случилась большая беда),” responded Holmes (ответил Холмс).

“God knows I have (так и есть, видит Бог)! — a trouble which is enough to unseat my reason (беда, которой достаточно, чтобы потерять рассудок; to unseat — ссаживать, сталкивать с места; сбрасывать /всадника/; выбивать из седла), so sudden and so terrible is it (настолько она неожиданная и страшная). Public disgrace I might have faced (публичный позор я мог бы вынести; to face — смело смотреть в лицо /например, опасности/; не избегать, не уклоняться /от чего-либо/), although I am a man whose character has never yet borne a stain (хотя я человек, чья репутация никогда не несла ни единого пятна /позора/ = хотя репутация моя безупречна). Private affliction also is the lot of every man (личное несчастье,в общем-то, случается с каждым: «также доля каждого»); but the two coming together (но и то, и другое), and in so frightful a form (да еще в такой страшной форме), have been enough to shake my very soul (это потрясло меня до /глубины/ души: «этого было достаточно, чтобы потрясти самую мою душу»). Besides, it is not I alone (кроме того, это касается не только одного меня). The very noblest in the land may suffer (одна из знатнейших /персон/ в стране может пострадать) unless some way be found out of this horrible affair (если не будет найден какой-нибудь выход из этого ужасного инцидента).”

fatigued [fǝˈti:ɡd], handkerchief [ˈhæŋkǝʧɪf], although [ɔ:lˈðǝu]

“You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?” said he. “You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into any little problem which you may submit to me.”

The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us.

“No doubt you think me mad?” said he.

“I see that you have had some great trouble,” responded Holmes.

“God knows I have! — a trouble which is enough to unseat my reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found out of this horrible affair.”

“Pray compose yourself, sir (прошу вас, успокойтесь, сэр; to compose — составлять; улаживать /ссору, разногласия/; успокаивать),” said Holmes, “and let me have a clear account of who you are (и ясно скажите мне = расскажите, кто вы) and what it is that has befallen you (и что с вами случилось; to befall — приключаться, происходить, случаться, совершаться).”

“My name (мое имя),” answered our visitor (ответил наш посетитель), “is probably familiar to your ears (возможно, знакомо вам: «вашему слуху»). I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Stevenson (я Александр Холдер из банка «Холдер и Стивенсон»), of Threadneedle Street (на Треднидл-стрит; Threadneedle Street — Треднидл-стрит /улица в лондонском Сити, на которой находится несколько крупных банков, в том числе Английский банк/).”

The name was indeed well known to us (имя действительно было нам хорошо известно) as belonging to the senior partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City of London (как принадлежащее старшему компаньону второго крупнейшего банковского концерна лондонского Сити; the City — Сити /исторический центр Лондона; один из крупнейших финансовых и коммерческих центров/). What could have happened, then (что же такое могло произойти), to bring one of the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass (что привело одного из виднейших граждан Лондона в такое жалкое состояние; foremost — передовой; выдающийся; pity — жалость; pass — ущелье; перевал; дорога сквозь трудно проходимые места; стечение обстоятельств, сложившаяся ситуация, /критическое/ положение)? We waited, all curiosity (мы ждали с нетерпением), until with another effort he braced himself to tell his story (пока Холдер еще одним усилием /воли/ взял себя в руки и /начал/ рассказывать свою историю; brace — связь; скоба; скрепа; to brace — связывать, скреплять; охватывать; to brace oneself — собираться с духом, концентрироваться).

account [ǝˈkaunt], concern [kǝnˈsǝ:n], curiosity [ˌkju(ǝ)rɪˈɔsɪtɪ]

“Pray compose yourself, sir,” said Holmes, “and let me have a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen you.”

“My name,” answered our visitor, “is probably familiar to your ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street.”

The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced himself to tell his story.

“I feel that time is of value (понимаю, что время очень ценно; value — ценность),” said he; “that is why I hastened here (вот почему я поспешил сюда) when the police inspector suggested that I should secure your cooperation (как только инспектор полиции предложил заручиться вашей поддержкой; to secure — обеспечивать безопасность; получать, приобретать). I came to Baker Street by the Underground (я добрался до Бейкер-стрит подземной железной дорогой; Underground — Подземная железная дорога /официальное название лондонского метро/) and hurried from there on foot (и оттуда бежал; on foot — пешком; to hurry — спешить), for the cabs go slowly through this snow (так как кебы движутся медленно по такому снегу). That is why I was so out of breath (вот почему я так запыхался), for I am a man who takes very little exercise (ведь я человек, который очень мало двигается; exercise — упражнение, тренировка; физическая зарядка, моцион, прогулки: to take exercise — делать моцион, гулять; делать гимнастику). I feel better now (теперь я чувствую себя лучше), and I will put the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can (я изложу вам факты так коротко и вместе с тем так ясно, как только смогу).

“It is, of course, well known to you (вам, конечно, хорошо известно) that in a successful banking business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative investments for our funds (что в успешном банковском деле многое зависит как от способности находить прибыльные капиталовложения для наших средств = выгодно вкладывать средства) as upon our increasing our connection and the number of our depositors (так и от расширения клиентуры, увеличения числа вкладчиков; connection — связь; клиентура, покупатели; deposit — вклад в банке; депозит). One of our most lucrative means of laying out money is in the shape of loans (один из наших наиболее прибыльных способов инвестировать средства: «тратить деньги» — выдача ссуд), where the security is unimpeachable (при самых надежных гарантиях; security — безопасность; обеспечение; гарантия, залог; unimpeachable — безупречный; безукоризненный). We have done a good deal in this direction during the last few years (мы многое сделали в этом направлении за последние несколько лет), and there are many noble families (существует множество знатных семейств) to whom we have advanced large sums (которым мы предоставили огромные ссуды; to advance money on securities — предоставить ссуду под ценные бумаги) upon the security of their pictures, libraries, or plate (под залог их картин, библиотек, сервизов; plate — тарелка, блюдо; столовое серебро; металлическая посуда /серебряная или золотая/: the family plate included… — среди фамильного серебра были…).

exercise [ˈeksǝsaɪz], remunerative [rɪˈmju:nǝrǝtɪv], unimpeachable [ˌʌnɪmˈpi:ʧǝb(ǝ)l]

“I feel that time is of value,” said he; “that is why I hastened here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure your cooperation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can.

“It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction during the last few years, and there are many noble families to whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their pictures, libraries, or plate.

“Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank (вчера утром я сидел в своем кабинете в банке) when a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks (когда один из клерков принес мне визитную карточку). I started when I saw the name (я вздрогнул, увидев имя), for it was that of none other than (так как это был не кто иной, как) — well, perhaps even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name (впрочем, пожалуй, даже вам я скажу лишь: «мне лучше сказать не больше, чем», что это имя) which is a household word all over the earth (известное всему миру; household word — повседневное, хорошо знакомое слово, выражение) — one of the highest, noblest, most exalted names in England (/имя/ одной из самых высокопоставленных и знатных особ Англии; exalted — высокий; благородный; высокопоставленный; высокий /о положении, сане/). I was overwhelmed by the honor (я был ошеломлен /оказанной мне/ честью) and attempted, when he entered, to say so (и попытался, когда он вошел, сказать об этом), but he plunged at once into business with the air of a man (но он сразу перешел к делу с видом человека; to plunge — погружать/ся/; окунать/ся/; пускаться /во что-либо/, начинать /что-либо/) who wishes to hurry quickly through a disagreeable task (который желает побыстрее разобраться с неприятной ситуацией; to hurry through — делать наспех, наскоро; task — задача, задание; урок).

“‘Mr. Holder,’ said he, ‘I have been informed that you are in the habit of advancing money (мне сообщили, что вы предоставляете ссуды; to be in the habit of doing something — иметь привычку делать что-либо).’

“‘The firm does so when the security is good (наша фирма дает ссуды под надежные гарантии).’ I answered (ответил я).

clerk [klɑ:k], exalted [ɪɡˈzɔ:ltɪd], overwhelmed [ˌǝuvǝˈwelmd]

“Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I saw the name, for it was that of none other than — well, perhaps even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name which is a household word all over the earth — one of the highest, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the honor and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry quickly through a disagreeable task.

“‘Mr. Holder,’ said he, ‘I have been informed that you are in the habit of advancing money.’

“‘The firm does so when the security is good.’ I answered.

“‘It is absolutely essential to me (мне совершенно необходимы),’ said he, ‘that I should have 50,000 pounds at once (пятьдесят тысяч фунтов, и немедленно). I could, of course, borrow so trifling a sum ten times over from my friends (конечно, я мог бы одолжить сумму в десять раз больше, чем этот пустяк, у своих друзей), but I much prefer to make it a matter of business (но предпочитаю сделать это в деловом порядке; matter of business — деловой вопрос) and to carry out that business myself (и самому заниматься этим делом; to carry out — выполнять, осуществлять). In my position you can readily understand (вы легко можете понять, что в моем положении) that it is unwise to place one’s self under obligations (неблагоразумно вмешивать сюда кого-то постороннего: «ставить себя под обязательства = в положение обязанного /кому-либо/»; under obligation — обязанный сделать что-либо, связанный /обязательствами, договором/).’

“‘For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum (могу я спросить, на какой срок вам нужна эта сумма)?’ I asked.

“‘Next Monday I have a large sum due to me (в следующий понедельник мне вернут крупную сумму; due to — из-за, обусловленный; принадлежащий, причитающийся), and I shall then most certainly repay what you advance (и тогда я непременно погашу вашу ссуду), with whatever interest you think it right to charge (с уплатой любого процента, который вы сочтете нужным запросить). But it is very essential to me that the money should be paid at once (но для меня очень важно получить деньги сразу).’

essential [ɪˈsenʃ(ǝ)l], prefer [prɪˈfǝ:], advance [ǝdˈvɑ:ns]

“‘It is absolutely essential to me,’ said he, ‘that I should have 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place one’s self under obligations.’

“‘For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?’ I asked.

“‘Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the money should be paid at once.’

“‘I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my own private purse (я был бы счастлив сразу же дать вам ссуду из своих личных средств; parley — переговоры; without further parley — без долгих разговоров; purse — кошелек; деньги, денежные средства; the public purse — казна),’ said I, ‘were it not that the strain would be rather more than it could bear (если бы эта нагрузка не была больше того, что я могу перенести = однако эта слишком крупная для меня сумма). If, on the other hand (с другой стороны, если), I am to do it in the name of the firm (я сделаю это от имени фирмы), then in justice to my partner I must insist that (тогда, отдавая должное своему компаньону, я вынужден настаивать на том), even in your case, every businesslike precaution should be taken (чтобы, даже в вашем случае, были приняты все меры деловой предосторожности).’

“‘I should much prefer to have it so (я бы охотно предпочел, чтобы это было так = ну разумеется, о чем речь),’ said he, raising up a square, black morocco case (сказал он и взял квадратный футляр из черного сафьяна) which he had laid beside his chair (который перед тем положил возле своего стула). ‘You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet (вы, несомненно, слышали о берилловой диадеме)?’

“‘One of the most precious public possessions of the empire (это одно из ценнейших сокровищ, достояние империи; possessions — собственность; имущество),’ said I.

purse [pǝ:s], precaution [prɪˈkɔ:ʃ(ǝ)n], beryl [ˈberɪl], precious [ˈpreʃǝs]

“‘I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my own private purse,’ said I, ‘were it not that the strain would be rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution should be taken.’

“‘I should much prefer to have it so,’ said he, raising up a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. ‘You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?’

“‘One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,’ said I.

“‘Precisely (совершенно верно).’ He opened the case (он открыл футляр), and there, imbedded in soft, flesh-colored velvet (и в нем на мягком бархате телесного цвета; to imbed — вставлять, врезать, вделывать), lay the magnificent piece of jewellery which he had named (лежало великолепное произведение ювелирного искусства, о котором он говорил). ‘There are thirty-nine enormous beryls (в диадеме тридцать девять огромных бериллов),’ said he, ‘and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable (а ценность золотой оправы неизмерима; chasing — чеканка; гравировка; резная работа; to calculate — вычислять, исчислять). The lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the sum which I have asked (по самой минимальной оценке диадема стоит вдвое больше суммы, запрошенной мной). I am prepared to leave it with you as my security (я готов оставить ее у вас в качестве залога).’

“I took the precious case into my hands (я взял драгоценный футляр в руки) and looked in some perplexity from it to my illustrious client (и в некотором недоумении/замешательстве перевел взгляд с него на моего именитого клиента).

“‘You doubt its value (вы сомневаетесь в ее ценности)?’ he asked.

“‘Not at all. I only doubt — (вовсе нет; я сомневаюсь лишь…)’

magnificent [mæɡˈnɪfɪs(ǝ)nt], incalculable [ɪnˈkælkjulǝbl], perplexity [pǝˈpleksɪtɪ]

“‘Precisely.’ He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, flesh‑colored velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery which he had named. ‘There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,’ said he, ‘and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my security.’

“I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some perplexity from it to my illustrious client.

“‘You doubt its value?’ he asked.

“‘Not at all. I only doubt —’

“‘The propriety of my leaving it (удобно ли мне оставить ее здесь; propriety —правильность, правомерность, уместность). You may set your mind at rest about that (можете не беспокоиться на этот счет; to set one's mind at rest — успокоиться). I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely certain (я даже не подумал бы сделать это, если бы не был абсолютно уверен) that I should be able in four days to reclaim it (что через четыре дня получу диадему обратно; to reclaim — требовать обратно; вернуть себе /утраченное/; получить или взять обратно). It is a pure matter of form (это чистая формальность). Is the security sufficient (достаточно ли такого обеспечения /ссуды/)?’

“‘Ample (вполне; ample — обильный; богатый; /вполне/ достаточный /для чего-либо/).’

“‘You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof of the confidence which I have in you (вы понимаете, мистер Холдер, что я представляю вам сильное доказательство уверенности в вас = мой поступок свидетельствует о глубоком к вам доверии), founded upon all that I have heard of you (основанном на всем том, что я о вас слышал). I rely upon you not only to be discreet (я рассчитываю на то, что вы не только будете благоразумны; discreet — здравомыслящий, благоразумный; осмотрительный, действующий с оглядкой; неболтливый, сдержанный) and to refrain from all gossip upon the matter (и воздержитесь от всяческих разговоров об этом деле; gossip — болтовня, разговоры; сплетня; слухи) but, above all, to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution (но, прежде всего, будете беречь эту диадему со всеми мерами предосторожности) because I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused (потому что, должен сказать, что случится громкий скандал) if any harm were to befall it (если с ней произойдет какой-либо вред = если с ней что-нибудь случится). Any injury to it would be almost as serious as its complete loss (любое повреждение было бы почти столь же серьезным /по своим последствиям/, как и /полная/ пропажа), for there are no beryls in the world to match these (поскольку в мире больше нет таких бериллов, как эти; to match — подходить под пару, под стать; соответствовать), and it would be impossible to replace them (и было бы нечем их заменить). I leave it with you, however, with every confidence (однако я оставляю диадему вам в полной уверенности), and I shall call for it in person on Monday morning (и я зайду за ней лично в понедельник утром).’

sufficient [sǝˈfɪʃ(ǝ)nt], confidence [ˈkɔnfɪd(ǝ)ns], injury [ˈɪnʤǝrɪ]

“‘The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?’

“‘Ample.’

“‘You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall call for it in person on Monday morning.’

“Seeing that my client was anxious to leave (видя, что мой клиент стремится уйти = спешит), I said no more but, calling for my cashier (я без дальнейших разговоров вызвал кассира: «не сказал больше ничего, но, вызвав кассира»), I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 pound notes (и распорядился выдать пятьдесят банковских билетов по тысяче фунтов). When I was alone once more, however (однако, когда я снова остался один), with the precious case lying upon the table in front of me (и передо мной на столе лежал драгоценный футляр), I could not but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility (я не мог не подумать с некоторыми опасениями об огромной ответственности) which it entailed upon me (которую я принял на себя, взяв диадему; to entail — влечь за собой; вызывать; навлекать; tail — хвост). There could be no doubt that, as it was a national possession (не было сомнения, что, поскольку это национальное достояние), a horrible scandal would ensue if any misfortune should occur to it (последовал бы ужасный скандал, если бы с диадемой что-нибудь случилось; to ensue — следовать; являться результатом, вытекать; misfortune — беда, несчастье; неудача). I already regretted having ever consented to take charge of it (я уже начал жалеть, что вообще согласился ее оставить; to take charge of — взять на себя заботу, ответственность; брать на хранение). However, it was too late to alter the matter now (тем не менее, теперь было слишком поздно, чтобы что-то менять), so I locked it up in my private safe (поэтому я запер диадему в свой личный сейф) and turned once more to my work (и снова принялся за работу).

“When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence (когда настал вечер, я подумал, что было бы опрометчиво: «опрометчивостью») to leave so precious a thing in the office behind me (оставлять такую драгоценность в кабинете). Bankers’ safes had been forced before now (банкирские сейфы взламывали и раньше), and why should not mine be (а вдруг взломают и мой: «и почему мой не должен быть /взломан/»)? If so, how terrible would be the position in which I should find myself (каким ужасным будет тогда мое положение, в котором я окажусь)!

immense [ɪˈmens], consented [kǝnˈsentɪd], imprudence [ɪmˈpru:d(ǝ)ns]

“Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned once more to my work.

“When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers’ safes had been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how terrible would be the position in which I should find myself!

“I determined, therefore, that for the next few days (тогда я решил, что следующие несколько дней) I would always carry the case backward and forward with me (буду постоянно всюду носить футляр с собой; backward and forward — взад и вперед), so that it might never be really out of my reach (чтобы он всегда был под рукой; «чтобы он никогда не был по-настоящему вне моей досягаемости»). With this intention, I called a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham (с этим намерением я вызвал кеб и поехал домой в Стритем), carrying the jewel with me (увозя с собой драгоценность). I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs (я не мог успокоиться: «не дышал свободно», пока не отнес ее наверх) and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room (и не запер в бюро в гардеробной; dressing-room — гардеробная, комната для одевания).

“And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes (а теперь, мистер Холмс, /пара/ слов о моих домашних), for I wish you to thoroughly understand the situation (так как я хочу, чтобы вы полностью понимали ситуацию; thoroughly — полностью, вполне, совершенно, совсем; основательно, тщательно). My groom and my page sleep out of the house (мой конюх и мальчик-слуга — приходящие работники: «спят вне дома»; to sleep out — жить не по месту работы /о прислуге/; быть приходящей /о няне и т. д./), and may be set aside altogether (и их можно вообще не учитывать/о них вовсе не стоит говорить). I have three maid-servants who have been with me a number of years (у меня три горничные, которые служат у меня много лет) and whose absolute reliability is quite above suspicion (и чья абсолютная надежность вне всяких подозрений; reliable — надежный; верный, испытанный).

breathe [bri:ð], bureau [ˈbju(ǝ)rǝu], thoroughly [ˈƟʌrǝlɪ]

“I determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room.

“And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose absolute reliability is quite above suspicion.

“Another, Lucy Parr, the second waiting-maid (еще одна, Люси Парр, младшая горничная; second — второй; подчиненный), has only been in my service a few months (на службе у меня только несколько месяцев). She came with an excellent character, however (однако она пришла с прекрасной рекомендацией), and has always given me satisfaction (и я всегда был удовлетворен ее работой: «всегда давала мне удовлетворение»). She is a very pretty girl and has attracted admirers (она очень хорошенькая девушка и привлекла поклонников = у нее есть поклонники; admirer — поклонник; кавалер, воздыхатель; to admire — восхищаться, восторгаться) who have occasionally hung about the place (которые околачиваются возле дома; occasionally —изредка; время от времени to hang about — бродить вокруг; околачиваться). That is the only drawback which we have found to her (это единственный недостаток, который мы в ней нашли), but we believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way (но мы считаем, что она вполне порядочная девушка во всех отношениях).

“So much for the servants (это все, что касается слуг). My family itself is so small that it will not take me long to describe it (моя собственная семья настолько мала, что ее описание не займет много времени). I am a widower and have an only son, Arthur (я вдовец, у меня есть единственный сын, Артур). He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Holmes (он обманул мои надежды, мистер Холмс; disappointment — разочарование, досада; обманутая надежда) — a grievous disappointment (горько обманул; grievous — печальный, скорбный; to grieve — огорчать, глубоко опечаливать; горевать). I have no doubt that I am myself to blame (несомненно, я сам виноват: «меня самого следует винить»; to blame — винить). People tell me that I have spoiled him (говорят, что я его избаловал). Very likely I have (очень может быть). When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I had to love (когда моя дорогая жена умерла, я понял, что мой сын — моя единственная привязанность: «все, что у меня есть, чтобы любить»). I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a moment from his face (я не мог вынести, чтобы улыбка исчезла с его лица даже на миг = не мог вынести даже минутного его неудовольствия; to fade — вянуть; исчезать). I have never denied him a wish (я ни в чем ему не отказывал: «никогда не отказывал ему ни в одном желании»; to deny — отрицать; отказывать). Perhaps it would have been better for both of us (быть может, для нас обоих было бы лучше) had I been sterner, but I meant it for the best (если бы я был строже, но я хотел как лучше).

always [ˈɔ:lwǝz], widower [ˈwɪdǝuǝ], son [sʌn], denied [dɪˈnaɪd]

“Another, Lucy Parr, the second waiting‑maid, has only been in my service a few months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way.

“So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Holmes — a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I meant it for the best.

“It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my business (моим намерением, естественно, было, чтобы Артур продолжил мое дело; to succeed — следовать за; сменять /кого-либо/; наследовать, быть преемником), but he was not of a business turn (но он оказался не делового склада). He was wild, wayward, and, to speak the truth (он был необузданным, своенравным, и, по правде говоря), I could not trust him in the handling of large sums of money (я не мог бы доверить ему крупные суммы денег; handling — обхождение, обращение /с кем-либо/; to handle smth. — обращаться с чем-либо). When he was young he became a member of an aristocratic club (когда он был юным = юношей, он стал членом аристократического клуба), and there, having charming manners (и, обладая обаятельными манерами), he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long purses and expensive habits (вскоре стал своим в кругу людей богатых и расточительных: «с длинным кошельком и дорогими привычками»; intimate — близкий, задушевный друг; лицо, пользующееся доверием кого-либо; приятельский, близкий). He learned to play heavily at cards and to squander money on the turf (он пристрастился много играть в карты и проматывать деньги на скачках; heavily — тяжело; сильно, много, интенсивно: to lose heavily — много проигрывать; to drink heavily — сильно пить; turf — дерн; торф; беговая дорожка /ипподрома/; скачки), until he had again and again to come to me (пока не был вынужден снова и снова приходить ко мне) and implore me to give him an advance upon his allowance (и умолять меня дать ему денег в счет /будущих/ карманных расходов; allowance — довольствие, содержание; карманные деньги), that he might settle his debts of honor (чтобы он мог расплатился с карточными долгами; a debt of honour — долг чести /обычно о карточном долге/; to settle — уладить). He tried more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he was keeping (он пытался неоднократно: «больше, чем один раз» порвать с этой опасной компанией; to keep someone company — составить кому-либо компанию), but each time the influence of his friend, Sir George Burnwell (но каждый раз влияния его друга, сэра Джорджа Бэрнвелла), was enough to draw him back again (было достаточно, чтобы вернуть его обратно; to draw back — брать назад, отодвигать назад).

intimate [ˈɪntɪmɪt], squander [ˈskwɔndǝ], implore [ɪmˈplɔ:], draw [drɔ:]

“It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his allowance, that he might settle his debts of honor. He tried more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again.

“And, indeed, I could not wonder (на самом деле меня не удивляло) that such a man as Sir George Burnwell should gain an influence over him (что такой человек, как сэр Джордж Бэрнвелл, приобрел на Артура влияние), for he has frequently brought him to my house (так как мой сын часто приводил его в мой дом), and I have found myself that I could hardly resist the fascination of his manner (и я сам убедился, что едва могу сопротивляться обаянию его манер). He is older than Arthur (он старше Артура), a man of the world to his finger-tips (светский человек до мозга костей: «до кончиков пальцев»), one who had been everywhere, seen everything (который везде побывал, видел все), a brilliant talker (блестящий собеседник), and a man of great personal beauty (и очень привлекательной наружности: «мужчина большой личной красоты»). Yet when I think of him in cold blood (но все же, думая о нем спокойно/хладнокровно), far away from the glamour of his presence (вдали от обаяния его общества: «присутствия»), I am convinced from his cynical speech (я убеждаюсь, судя по его циничным высказываниям) and the look which I have caught in his eyes (и взгляду, который я замечал в его глазах) that he is one who should be deeply distrusted (что этому человеку вообще нельзя доверять: «что это такой человек, которому нужно оказывать глубокое недоверие»; to distrust — доверять; сомневаться; подозревать). So I think, and so, too, thinks my little Mary (так думаю я и так же считает моя маленькая Мэри), who has a woman’s quick insight into character (обладающая живой женской интуицией, когда дело касается человеческого характера; insight — понимание; проницательность; способность проникновения в сущность: a man of insight — проницательный человек; insight into human character — способность понять /постигнуть/ человеческий характер; quick — быстрый, скорый; живой, чувствительный).

frequently [ˈfri:kwǝntlɪ], beauty [ˈbju:tɪ], cynical [ˈsɪnɪk(ǝ)l]

“And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman’s quick insight into character.

“And now there is only she to be described (теперь осталось описать лишь ее). She is my niece (это моя племянница); but when my brother died five years ago (когда мой брат умер пять лет назад) and left her alone in the world I adopted her (и она осталась одна на /всем/ свете, я удочерил ее), and have looked upon her ever since as my daughter (и с тех пор считал ее своей дочерью). She is a sunbeam in my house (она — солнечный луч в моем доме) — sweet (ласковая), loving (нежная), beautiful (прекрасная), a wonderful manager and housekeeper (замечательная хозяйка; housekeeper — домашняя хозяйка), yet as tender and quiet and gentle as a woman could be (и вместе с тем такая мягкая, чуткая и добрая, какой только может быть женщина). She is my right hand (она моя правая рука). I do not know what I could do without her (не знаю, что бы я без нее делал). In only one matter has she ever gone against my wishes (только в одном она пошла против моей воли). Twice my boy has asked her to marry him (дважды мой мальчик просил ее руки), for he loves her devotedly (так как он нежно, самозабвенно любит ее; to devote — посвящать /себя чему-то возвышенному/; уделять, жертвовать /время, деньги/), but each time she has refused him (но каждый раз она отказывала ему). I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it would have been she (я думаю, что если кто-то и мог бы направить Артура на путь истинный, так это она), and that his marriage might have changed his whole life (и что брак с ней мог бы изменить всю его жизнь); but now, alas! it is too late — forever too late (но теперь, увы, слишком поздно — навсегда = и никогда этому не бывать)!

niece [ni:s], daughter [ˈdɔ:tǝ], path [pɑ:Ɵ], alas [ǝˈlæs]

“And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house — sweet, loving, beautiful, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his whole life; but now, alas! it is too late — forever too late!

“Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof (теперь, мистер Холмс, вы знаете людей, которые живут под моей крышей), and I shall continue with my miserable story (и я продолжу свой печальный рассказ).

“When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after dinner (когда мы пили кофе в гостиной в тот вечер после обеда), I told Arthur and Mary my experience (я рассказал Артуру и Мэри о том, что произошло; experience — /жизненный/ опыт; случай, приключение; впечатление), and of the precious treasure which we had under our roof (и о драгоценном сокровище, которое хранится под нашей крышей), suppressing only the name of my client (не назвав лишь имени моего клиента; to suppress — сдерживать, подавлять; умалчивать, утаивать). Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee (Люси Парр, подавшая кофе), had, I am sure, left the room (я уверен, уже вышла из комнаты); but I cannot swear that the door was closed (но не берусь утверждать, что дверь была закрыта; to swear — клясться). Mary and Arthur were much interested (Мэри и Артур очень заинтересовались) and wished to see the famous coronet (и захотели увидеть знаменитую диадему), but I thought it better not to disturb it (но я решил, будет лучше не трогать ее; to disturb — нарушать /покой/; тревожить, беспокоить).

“‘Where have you put it (куда ты ее положил)?’ asked Arthur.

“‘In my own bureau (в мое бюро).’

“‘Well, I hope to goodness the house won’t be burgled during the night (что ж, надеюсь, что в дом не вломятся грабители ночью; goodness — доброта; любезность; высокое качество; здесь употреблено вместо слова God — Бог; I hope to goodness — как бы мне хотелось).’ said he.

“‘It is locked up (бюро заперто),’ I answered.

continue [kǝnˈtɪnju:], treasure [ˈtreʒǝ], burgled [bǝ:ɡld]

“Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and I shall continue with my miserable story.

“When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it.

“‘Where have you put it?’ asked Arthur.

“‘In my own bureau.’

“‘Well, I hope to goodness the house won’t be burgled during the night.’ said he.

“‘It is locked up,’ I answered.

“‘Oh, any old key will fit that bureau (о, любой старый ключ подойдет к нему). When I was a youngster I have opened it myself (мальчиком я сам его открывал) with the key of the box-room cupboard (ключом от шкафа в чулане; box-room — кладовка, чулан; box — коробка, ящик, сундук; cupboard — шкаф; буфет; чулан).’

“He often had a wild way of talking (он часто нес всякий вздор), so that I thought little of what he said (поэтому я придал мало значения его словам). He followed me to my room, however, that night with a very grave face (как бы то ни было, в тот вечер Артур последовал за мной в мою комнату с очень мрачным лицом).

“‘Look here, dad (послушай, папа),’ said he with his eyes cast down (сказал он, опустив глаза), ‘can you let me have 200 pounds (ты можешь мне одолжить двести фунтов)?’

“‘No, I cannot (нет, не могу)!’ I answered sharply (резко ответил я). ‘I have been far too generous with you in money matters (я и так был слишком щедр к тебе в денежных делах).’

“‘You have been very kind (ты был очень добр),’ said he, ‘but I must have this money (но мне необходимы эти деньги), or else I can never show my face inside the club again (иначе я больше никогда не смогу показаться в клубе; to show one's face — появиться, выйти; показаться /на глаза/).’

“‘And a very good thing, too (и очень хорошо)!’ I cried.

youngster [ˈjʌŋstǝ], key [ki:], generous [ˈʤen(ǝ)rǝs]

“‘Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.’

“He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with a very grave face.

“‘Look here, dad,’ said he with his eyes cast down, ‘can you let me have 200 pounds?’

“‘No, I cannot!’ I answered sharply. ‘I have been far too generous with you in money matters.’

“‘You have been very kind,’ said he, ‘but I must have this money, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.’

“‘And a very good thing, too!’ I cried.

“‘Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonored man (да, но ты же не позволишь мне стать опозоренным человеком),’ said he. ‘I could not bear the disgrace (я не вынесу такого бесчестья). I must raise the money in some way (так или иначе, я должен найти деньги), and if you will not let me have it (и если ты мне их не дашь), then I must try other means (я буду вынужден прибегнуть к другим средствам).’

“I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the month (я очень рассердился, так как это была третья просьба за месяц).

‘You shall not have a farthing from me (от меня ты не получишь ни гроша; farthing — фартинг /бронзовая монета, равная 1/4 пенни/; грош),’ I cried, on which he bowed and left the room without another word (вскричал я, на что он поклонился и вышел из комнаты, не сказав ни слова).

“When he was gone I unlocked my bureau (когда он ушел, я открыл бюро), made sure that my treasure was safe (убедился, что драгоценность в безопасности), and locked it again (и снова запер его). Then I started to go round the house to see that all was secure (затем я решил обойти дом и убедиться, что все в порядке) — a duty which I usually leave to Mary (эту обязанность я обычно оставляю Мэри) but which I thought it well to perform myself that night (но в тот вечер я решил, что лучше это сделать самому: «но которую в этот вечер…»). As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself at the side window of the hall (спускаясь по лестнице, я увидел Мэри у бокового окна в гостиной), which she closed and fastened as I approached (которое она закрыла и заперла, когда я подошел).

demand [dɪˈmɑ:nd], farthing [ˈfɑ:ðɪŋ], fastened [ˈfɑ:s(ǝ)nd]

“‘Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonored man,’ said he. ‘I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try other means.’

“I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the month.

‘You shall not have a farthing from me,’ I cried, on which he bowed and left the room without another word.

“When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go round the house to see that all was secure — a duty which I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as I approached.

“‘Tell me, dad (скажите, папа),’ said she, looking, I thought, a little disturbed (сказала она, как мне показалось, немного взволнованно), ‘did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out to-night (вы разрешили Люси, горничной, отлучиться; to give leave to do — дать разрешение, позволить сделать что-либо)?’

“‘Certainly not (конечно, нет).’

“‘She came in just now by the back door (она только что вошла с черного хода). I have no doubt that she has only been to the side gate to see someone (не сомневаюсь, она ходила к боковой калитке повидаться с кем-то), but I think that it is hardly safe and should be stopped (но я думаю, это небезопасно и должно быть прекращено).’

“‘You must speak to her in the morning (тебе нужно поговорить с ней завтра утром), or I will if you prefer it (или я поговорю, если хочешь). Are you sure that everything is fastened (ты уверена, что все заперто)?’

“‘Quite sure, dad (вполне уверена, папа).’

“‘Then, good-night (тогда спокойной ночи).’

I kissed her and went up to my bedroom again, where I was soon asleep (я поцеловал ее и снова поднялся к себе в спальню, где вскоре и уснул).

certainly [ˈsǝ:t(ǝ)nlɪ], thought [Ɵɔ:t], prefer [prɪˈfǝ:]

“‘Tell me, dad,’ said she, looking, I thought, a little disturbed, ‘did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out to-night?’

“‘Certainly not.’

“‘She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that it is hardly safe and should be stopped.’

“‘You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?’

“‘Quite sure, dad.’

“‘Then, good-night.’

I kissed her and went up to my bedroom again, where I was soon asleep.

“I am endeavoring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes (я стараюсь рассказывать вам все, мистер Холмс), which may have any bearing upon the case (что может иметь хоть какое-нибудь отношение к делу), but I beg that you will question me upon any point (но, прошу вас, уточняйте любые моменты) which I do not make clear (которые я излагаю неясно; to make clear — прояснять, выяснять).”

“On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid (напротив, ваш рассказ необыкновенно четкий/ясный; statement — заявление, утверждение; изложение, формулировка; отчет; дача показаний; to state — заявлять, утверждать; констатировать).”

“I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be particularly so (теперь я перехожу к той части моего рассказа, в которой я хотел бы быть особенно ясным). I am not a very heavy sleeper (я не очень крепко сплю), and the anxiety in my mind tended, no doubt (и беспокойство норовило, несомненно; to tend — иметь тенденцию /к чему-либо/; клониться, склоняться /к чему-л./), to make me even less so than usual (сделать меня даже менее крепко спящим, чем обычно). About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the house (около двух утра я был разбужен каким-то шумом в доме). It had ceased ere I was wide awake (он прекратился прежде, чем я окончательно проснулся; wide awake — бодрствующий; совсем проснувшись, вполне очнувшись от сна), but it had left an impression behind it (но у меня осталось впечатление) as though a window had gently closed somewhere (будто где-то осторожно закрыли окно). I lay listening with all my ears (я лежал и напряженно прислушивался). Suddenly, to my horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps (вдруг, к своему ужасу, я услышал отчетливый звук шагов) moving softly in the next room (/человека/, мягко ступавшего в соседней комнате). I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear (я выскользнул из постели, дрожа от страха), and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door (и заглянул за угол двери = выглянул из-за двери гардеробной).

“‘Arthur!’ I screamed (закричал я), ‘you villain! you thief (негодяй! вор)! How dare you touch that coronet (как ты смеешь трогать диадему)?’

lucid [ˈlu:sɪd], anxiety [æŋˈzaɪǝtɪ], listening [ˈlɪs(ǝ)nɪŋ], distinct [dɪsˈtɪŋ(k)t], touch [tʌʧ]

“I am endeavoring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question me upon any point which I do not make clear.”

“On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid.”

“I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an impression behind it as though a window had gently closed somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door.

“‘Arthur!’ I screamed, ‘you villain! you thief! How dare you touch that coronet?’

“The gas was half up, as I had left it (газ был включен наполовину, как я его и оставил), and my unhappy boy, dressed only in his shirt and trousers (и мой злополучный мальчик, одетый только в рубашку и брюки), was standing beside the light, holding the coronet in his hands (стоял около горелки, держа в руках диадему). He appeared to be wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength (мне показалось, он изо всех сил то ли дергал ее, то ли старался согнуть; to wrench — дергать; вывертывать, выкручивать). At my cry he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death (при моем крике он выронил ее и стал бледен как смерть; to turn — поворачивать, переворачивать; делаться, становиться, превращаться). I snatched it up and examined it (я схватил диадему и осмотрел). One of the gold corners, with three of the beryls in it, was missing (не хватало одного золотого зубца с тремя бериллами).

“‘You blackguard (ах ты мерзавец)!’ I shouted, beside myself with rage (крикнул я вне себя от ярости). ‘You have destroyed it (ты сломал ее)! You have dishonored me forever (ты опозорил меня навсегда)! Where are the jewels which you have stolen (где камни, которые ты украл; to steal-stole-stolen)?’

“‘Stolen (украл)!’ he cried.

“‘Yes, thief (да, вор)!’ I roared, shaking him by the shoulder (закричал я, тряся его за плечи).

“‘There are none missing (ничего не пропало/все на месте). There cannot be any missing (не может быть, чтобы чего-то недоставало),’ said he.

half [hɑ:f], wrenching [ˈrenʧɪŋ], shouted [ˈʃautɪd]

“The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with three of the beryls in it, was missing.

“‘You blackguard!’ I shouted, beside myself with rage. ‘You have destroyed it! You have dishonored me forever! Where are the jewels which you have stolen?’

“‘Stolen!’ he cried.

“‘Yes, thief!’ I roared, shaking him by the shoulder.

“‘There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,’ said he.

“‘There are three missing (не хватает трех /камней/). And you know where they are (и ты знаешь, где они). Must I call you a liar as well as a thief (ты, оказывается, не только вор, но и лжец)? Did I not see you trying to tear off another piece (я сам видел, как ты пытался оторвать еще один зубец)?’

“‘You have called me names enough (хватит оскорблений; to call names — оскорблять, обзывать /кого-либо/),’ said he, ‘I will not stand it any longer (я больше не буду их терпеть). I shall not say another word about this business (я больше ни слова не скажу об этом), since you have chosen to insult me (раз ты решил меня оскорблять; to choose-chose-chosen). I will leave your house in the morning (завтра я уйду из дома) and make my own way in the world (и сам буду устраиваться в жизни; to make one's way in the world — делать карьеру, завоевывать положение в обществе).’

“‘You shall leave it in the hands of the police (ты уйдешь отсюда только в сопровождении полиции: «в руках полиции»)!’ I cried half-mad with grief and rage (я кричал, обезумев от горя и гнева). ‘I shall have this matter probed to the bottom (я постараюсь /сделать так/, чтобы в этом разобрались до основания; to probe — зондировать; прощупывать; расследовать, исследовать).’

“‘You shall learn nothing from me (от меня ты ничего не узнаешь),’ said he with a passion such as I should not have thought was in his nature (сказал Артур с такой яростью, которой я не ожидал от его характера). ‘If you choose to call the police (если хочешь вызвать полицию), let the police find what they can (/пожалуйста/, пусть ищут).’

insult [ɪnˈsʌlt], police [pǝˈli:s], passion [ˈpæʃ(ǝ)n]

“‘There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to tear off another piece?’

“‘You have called me names enough,’ said he, ‘I will not stand it any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the morning and make my own way in the world.’

“‘You shall leave it in the hands of the police!’ I cried half-mad with grief and rage. ‘I shall have this matter probed to the bottom.’

“‘You shall learn nothing from me,’ said he with a passion such as I should not have thought was in his nature. ‘If you choose to call the police, let the police find what they can.’

“By this time the whole house was astir (к этому времени весь дом поднялся на ноги; astir — находящийся в движении; взволнованный, возбужденный; на ногах, вставший с постели; to stir — шевелить/ся/; двигать/ся/), for I had raised my voice in my anger (так как я кричал в гневе; to raise one's voice — повышать голос). Mary was the first to rush into my room (Мэри первой вбежала в мою комнату), and, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur’s face (и при виде диадемы и лица Артура), she read the whole story (она все поняла: «прочла всю историю») and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the ground (и, вскрикнув, упала на пол без чувств; scream — крик; senseless — бесчувственный, без чувств). I sent the house-maid for the police (я послал горничную за полицией) and put the investigation into their hands at once (и сразу же передал дело в руки полицейских). When the inspector and a constable entered the house (когда инспектор и констебль вошли в дом), Arthur, who had stood sullenly with his arms folded (Артур, мрачно стоявший со скрещенными руками), asked me whether it was my intention to charge him with theft (спросил меня, /действительно/ ли я намереваюсь предъявить ему обвинение в воровстве). I answered that it had ceased to be a private matter (я ответил, что это перестало быть личным делом), but had become a public one (и стало общественным), since the ruined coronet was national property (поскольку сломанная диадема является государственной собственностью). I was determined that the law should have its way in everything (я твердо решил, что /делу/ нужно дать законный оборот: «закон должен присутствовать во всем»).

“‘At least (по крайней мере),’ said he, ‘you will not have me arrested at once (ты не дашь арестовать меня сейчас же). It would be to your advantage as well as mine (это было бы для твоей пользы, а также для моей) if I might leave the house for five minutes (если бы я смог выйти из дома на пять минут).’

constable [ˈkʌnstǝb(ǝ)l], answered [ˈɑ:nsǝd], ruined [ˈru:ɪnd]

“By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur’s face, she read the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was national property. I was determined that the law should have its way in everything.

“‘At least,’ said he, ‘you will not have me arrested at once. It would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the house for five minutes.’

“‘That you may get away (чтобы ты убежал), or perhaps that you may conceal what you have stolen (или спрятал то, что украл),’ said I. And then, realizing the dreadful position in which I was placed (затем, осознавая ужасное положение, в котором я оказался), I implored him to remember that not only my honor (я /стал/ заклинать его вспомнить о том, что не только моя честь) but that of one who was far greater than I was at stake (но и честь гораздо более высокого лица поставлена на карту); and that he threatened to raise a scandal (что он грозил скандалом) which would convulse the nation (который потрясет /всю/ нацию). He might avert it all if he would but tell me (он может предотвратить все это, если только скажет мне) what he had done with the three missing stones (что он сделал с тремя пропавшими камнями).

“‘You may as well face the matter (посмотри на дело прямо = осознай свое положение),’ said I; ‘you have been caught in the act (ты пойман на месте преступления), and no confession could make your guilt more heinous (и признание не сделает твою вину более тяжелой; heinous — отвратительный, мерзкий, гнусный, ужасный). If you but make such reparation as is in your power (если ты только попытаешься сделать все, что в твоих силах, чтобы исправить ситуацию; reparation — компенсация, возмещение; исправление, заглаживание /вины/: to make reparation for a wrong — загладить вину), by telling us where the beryls are (рассказав нам, где находятся бериллы), all shall be forgiven and forgotten (все будет прощено и забыто; to forgive; to forget).’

threatened [Ɵretnd], guilt [ɡɪlt], heinous [ˈheɪnǝs]

“‘That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you have stolen,’ said I. And then, realizing the dreadful position in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only my honor but that of one who was far greater than I was at stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell me what he had done with the three missing stones.

“‘You may as well face the matter,’ said I; ‘you have been caught in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.’

“‘Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it (приберегите свое прощение для тех, кто в нем нуждается: «просит»),’ he answered, turning away from me with a sneer (ответил он, отвернувшись от меня с усмешкой).

“I saw that he was too hardened for any words of mine to influence him (я видел, что он слишком ожесточен, чтобы какие-либо мои слова могли повлиять на него; to harden — делать/ся/ твердым; бесчувственным, бессердечным; ожесточать). There was but one way for it (оставался лишь один выход). I called in the inspector and gave him into custody (я пригласил инспектора и передал Артура под стражу). A search was made at once not only of his person (немедленно был проведен обыск не только Артура) but of his room and of every portion of the house (но и его комнаты и каждого уголка в доме; portion — часть) where he could possibly have concealed the gems (где он мог бы спрятать драгоценные камни); but no trace of them could be found (но их не удалось обнаружить: «ни следа их не было найдено»), nor would the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our threats (а негодный мальчишка не раскрывал рта, несмотря на все наши убеждения и угрозы).

“This morning he was removed to a cell (сегодня утром его отправили в камеру; to remove — удалять), and I, after going through all the police formalities (а я, исполнив все полицейские формальности), have hurried round to you (поспешил к вам) to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter (чтобы умолять вас применить свое искусство для раскрытия этого дела; to unravel — распутывать /нитки/; распутываться; разгадывать /тайну и т. д./). The police have openly confessed that they can at present make nothing of it (в полиции открыто признались, что в настоящее время сделать ничего не могут; to make nothing of — не понять что-либо, не разобраться в чем-либо). You may go to any expense which you think necessary (можете делать любые расходы, которые посчитаете необходимыми). I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds (я уже предложил вознаграждение в тысячу фунтов). My God, what shall I do (Боже, что мне делать)! I have lost my honor, my gems, and my son in one night (я потерял честь, драгоценные камни и сына в одну ночь). Oh, what shall I do (о, что мне делать)!”

custody [ˈkʌstǝdɪ], wretched [ˈreʧɪd], persuasion [pǝˈsweɪʒ(ǝ)n]

“‘Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,’ he answered, turning away from me with a sneer.

“I saw that he was too hardened for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our threats.

This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My God, what shall I do! I have lost my honor, my gems, and my son in one night. Oh, what shall I do!”

He put a hand on either side of his head (он схватился за голову: «приложил руку к каждой стороне головы») and rocked himself to and fro (и стал раскачиваться из стороны в сторону; to and fro — туда и сюда, взад и вперед; из стороны в сторону, в разные стороны), droning to himself like a child (что-то бормоча, как ребенок; drone — трутень; to drone — гудеть, жужжать; бубнить, монотонно говорить) whose grief has got beyond words (который не может выразить свое горе: «чье горе зашло за пределы слов = чье горе вне слов»).

Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes (Холмс сидел молча несколько минут), with his brows knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire (нахмурив брови и устремив взгляд на огонь; to knit — вязать; соединять/ся/, скреплять/ся/; хмурить /брови/).

“Do you receive much company (вы принимаете много гостей = у вас часто бывают гости)?” he asked.

“None save my partner with his family (нет, никого не бывает, кроме моего компаньона с семьей) and an occasional friend of Arthur’s (и иногда друзей Артура). Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately (сэр Джордж Бэрнвелл был недавно несколько раз; lately — недавно; за последнее время, в последнее время, на днях). No one else, I think (больше никого, пожалуй).”

“Do you go out much in society (а вы часто бываете в обществе)?”

“Arthur does (Артур — да). Mary and I stay at home (мы с Мэри сидим дома). We neither of us care for it (ни мне, ни ей это /выход в свет/ не интересно).”

knitted [ˈnɪtɪd], company [ˈkʌmpǝnɪ], society [sǝˈsaɪǝtɪ], neither [ˈnaɪðǝ]

He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got beyond words.

Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire.

“Do you receive much company?” he asked.

“None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Arthur’s. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No one else, I think.”

“Do you go out much in society?”

“Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for it.”

“That is unusual in a young girl (это необычно для молодой девушки).”

“She is of a quiet nature (она тихого нрава). Besides, she is not so very young (кроме того, она не такая уж юная). She is four-and-twenty (ей двадцать четыре).”

“This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to her also (эта история, судя по вашим словам, кажется, стала для нее потрясением).”

“Terrible (ужасным)! She is even more affected than I (она потрясена даже больше, чем я).”

“You have neither of you any doubt as to your son’s guilt (ни у нее, ни у вас нет никаких сомнений относительно виновности Артура)?”

“How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in his hands (какие у нас могут быть сомнения, когда я своими глазами видел, как он держал диадему в руках).”

“I hardly consider that a conclusive proof (я не могу считать это окончательным = неопровержимым доказательством). Was the remainder of the coronet at all injured (была ли повреждена оставшаяся часть диадемы)?”

“Yes, it was twisted (да, она была погнута).”

“Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to straighten it (а вы не думаете, что, возможно, Артур пытался выпрямить ее; straight — прямой, неизогнутый)?”

unusual [ʌnˈju:ʒuǝl; ʌnˈju:ʒ(ǝ)l], affected [ǝˈfektɪd], straighten [streɪtn]

“That is unusual in a young girl.”

“She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She is four‑and‑twenty.”

“This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to her also.”

“Terrible! She is even more affected than I.”

“You have neither of you any doubt as to your son’s guilt?”

“How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in his hands.”

“I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the coronet at all injured?”

“Yes, it was twisted.”

“Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to straighten it?”

“God bless you (что вы: «благослови вас Бог»)! You are doing what you can for him and for me (вы делаете все, что можете, для него и для меня). But it is too heavy a task (но это невозможно: «слишком трудная задача»). What was he doing there at all (что он вообще там делал)? If his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so (если его намерения были чистыми, почему он не сказал этого; innocent — невиновный, невинный; чистый)?”

“Precisely (совершенно верно). And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie (но если он был виновен, почему же он не солгал /в свое оправдание/: «не выдумал ложь»)? His silence appears to me to cut both ways (его молчание, по-моему, указывает и на то, и на другое; to cut both ways — быть обоюдоострым; иметь как положительные, так и отрицательные стороны). There are several singular points about the case (в этом деле есть несколько неясных деталей; singular — единичный; необычный, своеобразный, странный). What did the police think of the noise (что полиция подумала о шуме) which awoke you from your sleep (который разбудил вас)?”

“They considered that it might be caused by Arthur’s closing his bedroom door (они посчитали, что его мог вызвать Артур, закрывая дверь своей спальни).”

“A likely story (очень правдоподобная версия)! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door so as to wake a household (человек, решившийся на преступление, хлопает дверью, чтобы разбудить весь дом; to bend — изгибать/ся/; направляться; to be bent on something — решиться на что-либо; твердо решить сделать что-либо). What did they say, then, of the disappearance of these gems (а что они сказали насчет исчезновения тех камней)?”

“They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture in the hope of finding them (они по-прежнему простукивают стены и обследуют мебель в надежде отыскать их; planking — обшивка досками; доски; настил).”

“Have they thought of looking outside the house (а они не думали искать вне дома)?”

innocent [ˈɪnǝs(ǝ)nt], invent [ɪnˈvent], furniture [ˈfǝ:nɪʧǝ]

“God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?”

“Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several singular points about the case. What did the police think of the noise which awoke you from your sleep?”

“They considered that it might be caused by Arthur’s closing his bedroom door.”

“A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the disappearance of these gems?”

“They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture in the hope of finding them.”

“Have they thought of looking outside the house?”

“Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy (да, они проявили исключительную энергию). The whole garden has already been minutely examined (весь сад уже тщательно прочесали: «был тщательно/детально обследован»).”

“Now, my dear sir (ну, мой дорогой сэр),” said Holmes. “is it not obvious to you now that this matter really strikes very much deeper (разве вам еще не очевидно, что эта история оказалась гораздо глубже и сложнее; to strike — ударять/ся/; проникать сквозь) than either you or the police were at first inclined to think (чем первоначально считали вы и полиция; to be inclined — быть склонным)? It appeared to you to be a simple case (вам казалось, что это простое дело); to me it seems exceedingly complex (а мне оно представляется чрезвычайно сложным). Consider what is involved by your theory (смотрите, что по вашей теории вовлечено /в эту историю/ = вот как, по-вашему, развивались события; to consider — рассматривать; принимать во внимание, учитывать). You suppose that your son came down from his bed (вы полагаете, что ваш сын поднялся с постели), went, at great risk, to your dressing‑room (пошел, сильно рискуя: «с большим риском», в вашу комнату), opened your bureau, took out your coronet (открыл бюро, достал диадему), broke off by main force a small portion of it (отломал с большим трудом небольшую часть), went off to some other place (вышел куда-то), concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine (спрятал три драгоценных камня из тридцати девяти), with such skill that nobody can find them (с такой cноровкой, что никто не может их найти), and then returned with the other thirty-six into the room (а затем вернулся с остальными тридцатью шестью в вашу комнату) in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger of being discovered (где подверг себя огромной опасности быть обнаруженным). I ask you now, is such a theory tenable (и теперь я спрашиваю вас: разве это разумная, правдоподобная теория; tenable — крепкий, прочный; здравый, разумный, логичный)?”

“But what other is there (но что тогда произошло: «какая другая /теория/»)?” cried the banker with a gesture of despair (воскликнул банкир, взмахнув в отчаянии руками: «с жестом отчаяния»). “If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain them (если его намерения были невинными, почему он молчит: «не объясняет их»)?”

minutely [ˈmɪnɪtlɪ], obvious [ˈɔbvɪǝs], tenable [ˈtenǝbl]

“Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has already been minutely examined.”

“Now, my dear sir,” said Holmes. “is it not obvious to you now that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing‑room, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, concealed three gems out of the thirty‑nine, with such skill that nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?”

“But what other is there?” cried the banker with a gesture of despair. “If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain them?”

“It is our task to find that out (нашей задачей и является выяснить это),” replied Holmes (ответил Холмс); “so now, if you please, Mr. Holder (а теперь, мистер Холдер, с вашего позволения), we will set off for Streatham together (мы отправимся вместе в Стритем), and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into details (и потратим: «посвятим» час, чтобы вникнуть в детали немного более внимательно; closely — близко; вплотную, тесно; густо, плотно; внимательно, тщательно).”

My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition (мой друг настоял, чтобы я сопровождал их в этой поездке), which I was eager enough to do (что я охотно и сделал), for my curiosity and sympathy were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened (так как история, которую мы услышали, пробудила во мне сильное любопытство и глубокое сочувствие). I confess that the guilt of the banker’s son appeared to me to be as obvious (признаюсь, виновность сына банкира казалась мне столь же очевидной) as it did to his unhappy father (как и несчастному отцу), but still I had such faith in Holmes’s judgment that I felt (и все же я настолько верил в чутье Холмса, что понимал; faith — вера, доверие) that there must be some grounds for hope (что должны быть какие-то основания для надежды) as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted explanation (раз он недоволен признанным объяснением). He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the southern suburb (он почти не проронил ни слова на всем пути к южной окраине; suburb — окраина, пригород), but sat with his chin upon his breast (но сидел, опустив голову на грудь; chin — подбородок) and his hat drawn over his eyes (и надвинув шляпу на глаза), sunk in the deepest thought (погруженный в глубочайшее раздумье).

accompanying [ǝˈkʌmpǝnɪɪŋ], sympathy [ˈsɪmpǝƟɪ], suburb [ˈsʌbǝ:b]

“It is our task to find that out,” replied Holmes; “so now, if you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into details.”

My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I confess that the guilt of the banker’s son appeared to me to be as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such faith in Holmes’s judgment that I felt that there must be some grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought.

Our client appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope (казалось, наш клиент воспрянул духом от слабого проблеска надежды; to take heart — воспрянуть духом, приободриться; glimpse — мелькание; проблеск, слабый свет, слабая вспышка) which had been presented to him (которою ему подали; to present — представлять; дарить, преподносить), and he even broke into a desultory chat with me over his business affairs (и он даже пустился/затеял со мной бесцельный разговор о своих коммерческих делах; desultory — несвязный, отрывочный; бессвязный, несистематический; бесцельный). A short railway journey (короткая поездка по железной дороге) and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank (и еще более короткая прогулка пешком привели нас в Фэрбенк), the modest residence of the great financier (скромную резиденцию крупного финансиста).

Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone (Фэрбенк представлял собой большой квадратный дом из белого камня), standing back a little from the road (расположенный недалеко: «немного отстоящий» от /главной/ дороги). A double carriage-sweep (/от которой к дому поворачивала/ дорога для двух экипажей; sweep — кривая; изгиб; поворот /дороги/: a wide sweep leads up to the house — дорога к дому широко изогнулась дугой), with a snow-clad lawn (/проходила через/ покрытую снегом лужайку), stretched down in front to two large iron gates (и упиралась в большие железные ворота) which closed the entrance (закрывавшие подъезд /к дому/). On the right side was a small wooden thicket (справа находился небольшой лесок; thicket — чаща, заросль; поросль; молодой лес), which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges (который переходил в узкую тропинку между двумя аккуратными изгородями) stretching from the road to the kitchen door (тянущуюся от дороги до двери кухни), and forming the tradesmen’s entrance (и образовавшую вход для торговцев = этой дорогой доставлялись продукты; tradesman — торговец, лавочник; tradesmen's entrance — служебный вход /в магазине/). On the left ran a lane which led to the stables (налево шла дорожка, которая вела к конюшням; lane — узкая дорога, тропинка /обычно между живыми изгородями/), and was not itself within the grounds at all (она, собственно, не относилась к владениям), being a public, though little used, thoroughfare (а являлась общественной, хотя и мало используемой, дорогой; thoroughfare — оживленная улица; главная артерия /города/, главная дорога; путь общего пользования). Holmes left us standing at the door and walked slowly all round the house (Холмс оставил нас у дверей и медленно обошел вокруг дома), across the front (прошел вдоль фасада), down the tradesmen’s path (по дорожке, ведущей к кухне), and so round by the garden behind into the stable lane (и дальше через сад позади вышел на дорожку к конюшням).

desultory [ˈdes(ǝ)lt(ǝ)rɪ], financier [f(a)ɪˈnænsɪǝ], thoroughfare [ˈƟʌrǝfeǝ]

Our client appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest residence of the great financier.

Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the tradesmen’s entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the front, down the tradesmen’s path, and so round by the garden behind into the stable lane.

So long was he that Mr. Holder and I went into the dining-room (его не было так долго, что мы с мистером Холдером вошли в столовую) and waited by the fire until he should return (и принялись ждать, /сев/ у камина, пока он вернется). We were sitting there in silence (мы сидели молча) when the door opened and a young lady came in (как вдруг дверь отворилась, и вошла молодая девушка). She was rather above the middle height (она была немного выше среднего роста), slim (стройная), with dark hair and eyes (с темными волосами и глазами), which seemed the darker against the absolute pallor of her skin (которые казались еще темнее на фоне совершенной бледности ее кожи). I do not think that I have ever seen such deadly paleness in a woman’s face (не думаю, что когда-либо видел такую мертвенную бледность женского лица). Her lips, too, were bloodless (ее губы также были совсем побелевшие; bloodless — бескровный, бледный), but her eyes were flushed with crying (а глаза, напротив, покраснели от слез). As she swept silently into the room (когда она тихо вошла в комнату) she impressed me with a greater sense of grief (то поразила меня еще бóльшим ощущением горести = она показалась мне более горюющей) than the banker had done in the morning (чем банкир утром), and it was the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong character (и это было особенно необыкновенно, так как она, по-видимому, была женщиной сильного характера), with immense capacity for self-restraint (и обладала огромным самообладанием: «с огромной способностью к самообладанию»; to restrain — сдерживать; обуздывать). Disregarding my presence (не обращая внимания на мое присутствие), she went straight to her uncle (она подошла сразу к дяде) and passed her hand over his head with a sweet womanly caress (и провела рукой по его волосам с женской нежностью и лаской = нежно, ласково провела рукой по его волосам; caress — ласка; проявление нежности).

height [haɪt], bloodless [ˈblʌdlɪs], grief [ɡri:f], capacity [kǝˈpæsɪtɪ]

So long was he that Mr. Holder and I went into the dining‑room and waited by the fire until he should return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever seen such deadly paleness in a woman’s face. Her lips, too, were bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand over his head with a sweet womanly caress.

“You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated (вы распорядились, чтобы Артура освободили; liberty — свобода), have you not, dad (не так ли, папа)?” she asked.

“No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom (нет, моя девочка, дело нужно расследовать до конца).”

“But I am so sure that he is innocent (но я уверена, он невиновен). You know what woman’s instincts are (вы знаете, что такое женское чутье). I know that he has done no harm (я знаю, что он не сделал ничего дурного; harm — вред; убыток, урон, ущерб) and that you will be sorry for having acted so harshly (и вы пожалеете, что поступили /с ним/ столь сурово).”

“Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent (почему же тогда он молчит, если невиновен)?”

“Who knows (кто знает)? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should suspect him (возможно, потому что очень рассердился, что вы подозреваете его).”

“How could I help suspecting him (как же мне его не подозревать), when I actually saw him with the coronet in his hand (если я действительно видел его с диадемой в руках)?”

“Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it (ну, он только взял ее, чтобы посмотреть). Oh, do, do take my word for it that he is innocent (о, поверьте мне, он невиновен; to take smb.'s word for it — верить на слово). Let the matter drop and say no more (прекратите это дело, хватит /прошу вас/; to drop — бросать, прекращать; снимать, отменять: to drop charges — снять обвинения). It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in prison (как ужасно думать о том, что наш дорогой Артур в тюрьме)!”

instinct [ˈɪnstɪŋkt], suspecting [sǝˈspektɪŋ], prison [ˈprɪz(ǝ)n]

“You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you not, dad?” she asked.

“No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom.”

“But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman’s instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will be sorry for having acted so harshly.”

“Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?”

“Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should suspect him.”

“How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the coronet in his hand?”

“Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in prison!”

“I shall never let it drop until the gems are found — never, Mary (я не прекращу дела, пока камни не будут найдены, Мэри)! Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences to me (твоя привязанность к Артуру ослепляет тебя настолько, что ты /забываешь/ об ужасных для меня последствиях). Far from hushing the thing up (я не собираюсь замалчивать это дело; far from — далек от; to hush up — замалчивать, скрывать; замять), I have brought a gentleman down from London to inquire more deeply into it (я пригласил одного джентльмена из Лондона для более тщательного расследования).”

“This gentleman (этого джентльмена)?” she asked, facing round to me (спросила она, поворачиваясь ко мне).

“No, his friend (нет, его друга). He wished us to leave him alone (он захотел, чтобы мы оставили его одного). He is round in the stable lane now (сейчас он идет по дорожке, ведущей к конюшне).”

“The stable lane?” She raised her dark eyebrows (она подняла темные брови). “What can he hope to find there (что он надеется там найти)? Ah! this, I suppose, is he (а вот, полагаю, он сам). I trust, sir, that you will succeed in proving (я надеюсь, сэр, вам удастся доказать), what I feel sure is the truth (в чем я убеждена), that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime (что мой кузен Артур невиновен в этом преступлении).”

awful [ˈɔ:f(ǝ)l], consequence [ˈkɔnsɪkwǝns], eyebrow [ˈaɪbrau]

“I shall never let it drop until the gems are found — never, Mary! Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman down from London to inquire more deeply into it.”

“This gentleman?” she asked, facing round to me.

“No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the stable lane now.”

“The stable lane?” She raised her dark eyebrows. “What can he hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime.”

“I fully share your opinion (полностью разделяю ваше мнение), and I trust, with you, that we may prove it (и надеюсь, с вашей помощью, мы сможем это доказать),” returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the snow from his shoes (ответил Холмс, возвращаясь к половику и стряхивая снег с ботинок). “I believe I have the honor of addressing Miss Mary Holder (полагаю, я имею честь говорить с мисс Мэри Холдер). Might I ask you a question or two (могу я задать вам пару вопросов)?”

“Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up (конечно, сэр, если это поможет распутать ужасное дело).”

“You heard nothing yourself last night (вы ничего не слышали прошлой ночью)?”

“Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly (ничего, пока мой дядя не начал громко говорить). I heard that, and I came down (я услышала его и спустилась).”

“You shut up the windows and doors the night before (вы закрывали окна и двери накануне вечером). Did you fasten all the windows (вы заперли все окна)?”

“Yes.”

“Were they all fastened this morning (они все были заперты сегодня утром)?”

“Yes.”

prove [pru:v], knock [nɔk], loudly [ˈlaudlɪ], fastened [ˈfɑ:s(ǝ)nd]

“I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may prove it,” returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the snow from his shoes. “I believe I have the honor of addressing Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?”

“Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up.”

“You heard nothing yourself last night?”

“Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard that, and I came down.”

“You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you fasten all the windows?”

“Yes.”

“Were they all fastened this morning?”

“Yes.”

“You have a maid who has a sweetheart (у вас работает горничная, у которой есть возлюбленный)? I think that you remarked to your uncle last night (вы говорили дяде вчера вечером) that she had been out to see him (что она вышла повидаться с ним)?”

“Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room (да, она была той девушкой, что подавала нам /кофе/ в гостиной; to wait — ждать; прислуживать, обслуживать /за столом и т. п./). And who may have heard uncle’s remarks about the coronet (и /была тем/ кто мог слышать замечания дяди о диадеме = как дядя рассказывал о диадеме).”

“I see (понятно). You infer that she may have gone out to tell her sweetheart (вы подразумеваете, что она могла выйти из дому и сообщить /об этом/ своему возлюбленному; to infer — заключать; делать /логический/ вывод; выводить /заключение, следствие; из чего-л./; делать предположение, высказывать догадку), and that the two may have planned the robbery (и они вместе могли спланировать ограбление).”

“But what is the good of all these vague theories (но какой толк от этих всех туманных предположений; vague — расплывчатый),” cried the banker impatiently (нетерпеливо воскликнул банкир; patient — терпеливый), “when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the coronet in his hands (ведь я уже сказал вам, что видел Артура с диадемой в руках)?”

“Wait a little, Mr. Holder (подождите немного, мистер Холдер). We must come back to that (мы к этому /еще/ вернемся). About this girl, Miss Holder (/теперь/ относительно этой девушки, мисс Холдер). You saw her return by the kitchen door, I presume (полагаю, вы видели, как она вернулась через дверь кухни)?”

“Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I met her slipping in (да, когда я пошла посмотреть, заперта ли на ночь дверь, я увидела, как она тихо входила; to slip in — прокрасться, незаметно войти; to slip — скользить). I saw the man, too, in the gloom (я также видела в темноте ее поклонника).”

“Do you know him (вы знаете его)?”

sweetheart [ˈswi:thɑ:t], vague [veɪɡ], impatiently [ɪmˈpeɪʃ(ǝ)ntlɪ], presume [prɪˈzju:m]

“You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?”

“Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing‑room. And who may have heard uncle’s remarks about the coronet.”

“I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery.”

“But what is the good of all these vague theories,” cried the banker impatiently, “when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the coronet in his hands?”

“Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I presume?”

“Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom.”

“Do you know him?”

“Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round (он зеленщик, который приносит нам овощи). His name is Francis Prosper (его зовут Фрэнсис Проспер).”

“He stood (он стоял),” said Holmes, “to the left of the door — that is to say (слева от двери, другими словами), farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door (дальше по дорожке, чем необходимо, чтобы достать до двери)?”

“Yes, he did.”

“And he is a man with a wooden leg (и это человек с деревянной ногой)?”

Something like fear sprang up in the young lady’s expressive black eyes (что-то похожее на страх промелькнуло в выразительных черных глазах юной леди).

“Why, you are like a magician (да вы словно волшебник),” said she. “How do you know that (откуда вы это знаете)?” She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Holmes’s thin, eager face (она улыбнулась, но на худощавом напряженном лице Холмса не появилось ответной улыбки).

“I should be very glad now to go upstairs (теперь мне бы очень хотелось подняться наверх),” said he. “I shall probably wish to go over the outside of the house again (возможно, мне снова захочется обойти дом; outside — наружная сторона). Perhaps I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up (быть может, лучше сначала взглянуть на нижние окна, прежде чем подниматься).”

vegetables [ˈveʤ(ǝ)tǝblz], necessary [ˈnesɪs(ǝ)rɪ], answering [ˈɑ:nsǝrɪŋ]

“Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. His name is Francis Prosper.”

“He stood,” said Holmes, “to the left of the door — that is to say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?”

“Yes, he did.”

“And he is a man with a wooden leg?”

Something like fear sprang up in the young lady’s expressive black eyes.

“Why, you are like a magician,” said she. “How do you know that?” She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Holmes’s thin, eager face.

“I should be very glad now to go upstairs,” said he. “I shall probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up.”

He walked swiftly round from one to the other (он быстро обошел /первый этаж/, переходя от одного /окна/ к другому), pausing only at the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane (остановившись лишь у большого окна гостиной, которое выходило на дорожку, ведущую к конюшне). This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill with his powerful magnifying lens (он открыл его и очень тщательно осмотрел подоконник с помощью мощной лупы; magnifying lens — лупа; увеличительное стекло; to magnify — увеличивать; усиливать).

“Now we shall go upstairs (теперь пойдемте наверх),” said he at last (сказал он наконец).

The banker’s dressing-room was a plainly furnished little chamber (гардеробная банкира представляла собой просто обставленную маленькую комнатку), with a gray carpet (с серым ковром), a large bureau (большим бюро), and a long mirror (и высоким зеркалом). Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock (Холмс сначала подошел к бюро и внимательно посмотрел на замок).

“Which key was used to open it (каким ключом его открыли: «какой ключ использовался, чтобы отпереть его»)?” he asked.

“That which my son himself indicated (тем самым, о котором говорил мой сын) — that of the cupboard of the lumber-room (ключом от шкафа в чулане; lumber — ненужные громоздкие вещи; хлам).”

“Have you it here (он у вас здесь)?”

“That is it on the dressing-table (он на туалетном столике).”

pausing [ˈpɔ:zɪŋ], magnifying [ˈmæɡnɪfaɪɪŋ], mirror [ˈmɪrǝ]

He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill with his powerful magnifying lens.

“Now we shall go upstairs,” said he at last.

The banker’s dressing-room was a plainly furnished little chamber, with a gray carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock.

“Which key was used to open it?” he asked.

“That which my son himself indicated — that of the cupboard of the lumber-room.”

“Have you it here?”

“That is it on the dressing‑table.”

Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau (Холмс взял его и открыл бюро).

“It is a noiseless lock (замок бесшумный),” said he. “It is no wonder that it did not wake you (не удивительно, что он вас не разбудил). This case, I presume, contains the coronet (в этом футляре, полагаю, находится диадема; to contain — содержать, вмещать). We must have a look at it (нужно взглянуть на нее).” He opened the case, and taking out the diadem he laid it upon the table (он открыл футляр, достал диадему и положил на стол).

It was a magnificent specimen of the jeweller’s art (это был великолепный образец ювелирного искусства), and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I have ever seen (и тридцать шесть камней были прекраснейшими /из камней/, которые я когда-либо видел). At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge (с одной стороны диадемы край был отколот), where a corner holding three gems had been torn away (там, где зубец: «уголок» с тремя бериллами был отломан).

“Now, Mr. Holder,” said Holmes, “here is the corner which corresponds to that (вот зубец, который соответствует тому) which has been so unfortunately lost (что был к несчастью утерян). Might I beg that you will break it off (могу я попросить вас отломить его).”

The banker recoiled in horror (банкир отшатнулся в ужасе; to recoil — отскочить, отпрыгнуть; отпрянуть).

“I should not dream of trying (и не подумаю),” said he.

wonder [ˈwʌndǝ], magnificent [mæɡˈnɪfɪs(ǝ)nt], specimen [ˈspesɪmǝn]

Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau.

“It is a noiseless lock,” said he. “It is no wonder that it did not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must have a look at it.” He opened the case, and taking out the diadem he laid it upon the table.

It was a magnificent specimen of the jeweller’s art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away.

“Now, Mr. Holder,” said Holmes, “here is the corner which corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I beg that you will break it off.”

The banker recoiled in horror.

“I should not dream of trying,” said he.

“Then I will (тогда я попробую).” Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but without result (Холмс внезапно напряг все силы, но безрезультатно; to bend — сгибать/ся/; приложить /усилия/; направить /энергию/). “I feel it give a little (чувствую, что немного поддается),” said he; “but, though I am exceptionally strong in the fingers (но, хотя у меня исключительно сильные пальцы), it would take me all my time to break it (потребовалось бы много времени, чтобы отломить зубец). An ordinary man could not do it (обычный человек не смог бы этого сделать). Now, what do you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder (как вы думаете, что бы произошло, если бы я действительно отломил его, мистер Холдер)? There would be a noise like a pistol shot (раздался бы треск, /похожий/ на пистолетный выстрел). Do you tell me that all this happened within a few yards of your bed (и вы говорите, что все это произошло в нескольких ярдах от вашей кровати) and that you heard nothing of it (а вы ничего не слышали)?”

“I do not know what to think (даже не знаю, что и думать). It is all dark to me (мне это совершенно непонятно: «темно»).”

“But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go (может быть, все немного прояснится: «станет светлее»). What do you think, Miss Holder (а что вы думаете, мисс Холдер)?”

“I confess that I still share my uncle’s perplexity (признаюсь, я по-прежнему разделяю недоумение моего дяди).”

“Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him (ваш сын не был /ли/ в ботинках или туфлях, когда вы его увидели)?”

result [rɪˈzʌlt], exceptionally [ɪkˈsepʃ(ǝ)n(ǝ)lɪ], pistol [pɪstl], perplexity [pǝˈpleksɪtɪ]

“Then I will.” Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but without result. “I feel it give a little,” said he; “but, though I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard nothing of it?”

“I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me.”

“But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Miss Holder?”

“I confess that I still share my uncle’s perplexity.”

“Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?”

“He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt (на нем были только брюки и рубашка).”

“Thank you (благодарю вас). We have certainly been favored with extraordinary luck during this inquiry (в этом расследовании нам сопутствует исключительная удача; to favor — благоволить, быть благосклонным; благоприятствовать; содействовать), and it will be entirely our own fault (и будет целиком наша вина) if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up (если мы не сумеем раскрыть это дело). With your permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations outside (с вашего позволения, мистер Холдер, я продолжу изыскания снаружи).”

He went alone, at his own request (он вышел один, по своей собственной просьбе), for he explained that any unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult (поскольку, как он объяснил, лишние следы могут затруднить его работу). For an hour or more he was at work (час или больше Холмс был занят), returning at last with his feet heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever (наконец он вернулся, ноги у него были все в снегу: «тяжелы от снега», а лицо непроницаемо, как обычно).

“I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Holder (думаю, теперь я увидел все, что нужно, мистер Холдер),” said he; “I can serve you best by returning to my rooms (и теперь буду вам наиболее полезным, вернувшись домой).”

entirely [ɪnˈtaɪǝlɪ], request [rɪˈkwest], inscrutable [ɪnˈskru:tǝbl]

“He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt.”

“Thank you. We have certainly been favored with extraordinary luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations outside.”

He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever.

“I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Holder,” said he; “I can serve you best by returning to my rooms.”

“But the gems, Mr. Holmes (но как же камни, мистер Холмс). Where are they (где они)?”

“I cannot tell (не могу сказать).”

The banker wrung his hands (банкир заломил руки /в отчаянии/; to wring —скручивать; заламывать).

“I shall never see them again (я их больше никогда не увижу)!” he cried. “And my son? You give me hopes (а мой сын? вы ведь дали мне надежду)?”

“My opinion is in no way altered (мое мнение никоим образом не изменилось).”

“Then, for God’s sake, what was this dark business (тогда, ради Бога, что это за темная история) which was acted in my house last night (произошедшая в моем доме прошлой ночью)?”

“If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow morning between nine and ten (если вы зайдете ко мне /в квартиру/ на Бейкер-стрит завтра утром между девятью и десятью) I shall be happy to do what I can to make it clearer (я буду рад сделать все, чтобы прояснить это дело). I understand that you give me carte blanche to act for you (как я понимаю, вы предоставляете мне полную свободу действий в ваших интересах; carte blanche — /франц./ карт-бланш /дословно — «белая карточка», т. е. подписанный незаполненный документ, в который его предъявитель может внести все, что угодно/; полная свобода действий), provided only that I get back the gems (только при условии, что я верну камни; provided that — при условии, если только; в том случае, если; to provide — предоставлять; предусматривать), and that you place no limit on the sum I may draw (и вы не постоите за расходами: «не будете ставить ограничения на сумму, которую я запрошу»; to draw — получать /зарплату, проценты и т. д./; извлекать /доход/; брать /деньги со счета и т. д./; to draw a salary — получать зарплату; draw a check — выписывать чек).”

gem [ʤem], altered [ˈɔ:ltǝd], carte blanche [ˌkɑ:tˈblɑ:nʃ]

“But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?”

“I cannot tell.”

The banker wrung his hands.

“I shall never see them again!” he cried. “And my son? You give me hopes?”

“My opinion is in no way altered.”

“Then, for God’s sake, what was this dark business which was acted in my house last night?”

“If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you place no limit on the sum I may draw.”

“I would give my fortune to have them back (я отдал бы /все/ состояние, чтобы вернуть их).”

“Very good (прекрасно). I shall look into the matter between this and then (я займусь этим делом на досуге; between this and then — на досуге; между делом). Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here again before evening (возможно, что мне придется снова вернуться сюда сегодня: «до вечера»).”

It was obvious to me that my companion’s mind was now made up about the case (мне было ясно, что мой товарищ уже что-то решил насчет этой истории; to make up one’s mind — принять решение, решиться /на что-либо/), although what his conclusions were was more than I could even dimly imagine (хотя какими были его выводы, я даже смутно представить не мог). Several times during our homeward journey I endeavored to sound him upon the point (несколько раз на обратном пути я пытался прозондировать его на эту тему; homeward — ведущий, идущий к дому; обратный /о пути/; to sound — осторожно выяснять, зондировать, выспрашивать; sound — зонд, щуп), but he always glided away to some other topic (но он каждый раз менял предмет разговора; to glide — скользить; двигаться плавно, бесшумно; незаметно, постепенно переходить /в какое-либо состояние/), until at last I gave it over in despair (пока наконец я не бросил попытки в отчаянии). It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our rooms once more (еще не было трех часов, когда мы снова были дома). He hurried to his chamber (Холмс поспешил в свою комнату) and was down again in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer (и через несколько минут появился вновь, одетый как обыкновенный бродяга; loafer — бездельник; попрошайка, бродяга; to loaf /about, around/ — проводить время в безделье; бездельничать; зря терять время). With his collar turned up (с поднятым воротником), his shiny, seedy coat (в потрепанном старом пальто; shiny — яркий, блестящий; залоснившийся, потертый; seedy — изношенный, старый, потрепанный), his red cravat (с красным шарфом; cravat — галстук; шарф), and his worn boots (в стоптанных ботинках), he was a perfect sample of the class (он являл собой превосходный образец бродяги/выглядел, как типичнейший бродяга).

fortune [ˈfɔ:ʧ(ǝ)n], although [ɔ:lˈðǝu], collar [ˈkɔlǝ]

“I would give my fortune to have them back.”

“Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Good‑bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here again before evening.”

It was obvious to me that my companion’s mind was now made up about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward journey I endeavored to sound him upon the point, but he always glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he was a perfect sample of the class.

“I think that this should do (думаю, так сойдет),” said he, glancing into the glass above the fireplace (сказал он, взглянув в зеркало над камином). “I only wish that you could come with me, Watson (я хотел бы взять вас с собой, Ватсон), but I fear that it won’t do (но, боюсь, ничего не выйдет). I may be on the trail in this matter (на верном ли я пути), or I may be following a will-o’-the-wisp (или преследую недостижимую цель; will-o'-the-wisp — блуждающий огонек /на болоте/; обманчивая надежда, нечто неуловимое), but I shall soon know which it is (скоро я это выясню). I hope that I may be back in a few hours (надеюсь, вернусь через несколько часов).” He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard (он отрезал немного говядины от куска, /лежавшего/ на буфете; slice — ломоть; ломтик; joint — сустав; мясной отруб; a joint of meat — кусок мяса), sandwiched it between two rounds of bread (положил ее между двумя ломтями хлеба), and thrusting this rude meal into his pocket (и, сунув эту незатейливую пищу в карман; rude — грубый; примитивный) he started off upon his expedition (отправился выполнять миссию: «в свою вылазку»).

I had just finished my tea when he returned (я только закончил пить чай, когда Холмс вернулся), evidently in excellent spirits (очевидно в прекрасном расположении духа), swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his hand (размахивая каким-то старым ботинком; elastic-side boots — штиблеты с резинкой). He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a cup of tea (он отшвырнул его в угол и налил себе чашку чая).

“I only looked in as I passed (я только заглянул на минутку, проходя мимо),” said he. “I am going right on (сейчас же отправлюсь дальше).”

“Where to (куда)?”

hour [auǝ], excellent [ˈeks(ǝ)lǝnt], corner [ˈkɔ:nǝ]

“I think that this should do,” said he, glancing into the glass above the fireplace. “I only wish that you could come with me, Watson, but I fear that it won’t do. I may be on the trail in this matter, or I may be following a will-o’-the-wisp, but I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few hours.” He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition.

I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic‑sided boot in his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a cup of tea.

“I only looked in as I passed,” said he. “I am going right on.”

“Where to?”

“Oh, to the other side of the West End (на другой конец Уэст-Энда; West End — Уэст-Энд /западная, аристократическая часть Лондона/). It may be some time before I get back (может пройти много времени, прежде чем я вернусь). Don’t wait up for me in case I should be late (не ждите меня, если опоздаю).”

“How are you getting on (как ваши успехи)?”

“Oh, so so (так себе). Nothing to complain of (не могу жаловаться). I have been out to Streatham since I saw you last (я был в Стритеме, /с тех пор как видел вас в последний раз/), but I did not call at the house (но не заходил в дом). It is a very sweet little problem (преинтересное дельце: «милая задачка»), and I would not have missed it for a good deal (я бы ни за что его не упустил = ни на что бы не променял). However, I must not sit gossiping here (однако я не должен сидеть тут и болтать), but must get these disreputable clothes off (мне надо сбросить это позорное тряпье; disreputable — недостойный уважения; дискредитирующий, компрометирующий, бесчестящий; позорный, постыдный) and return to my highly respectable self (и вернуться к глубоко уважаемому, приличному себе = стать снова приличным человеком).”

I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for satisfaction (по поведению Холмса я понял, что у него есть более веские основания для радости; satisfaction — удовлетворение) than his words alone would imply (чем одни лишь его слова могли выразить). His eyes twinkled (глаза его блестели), and there was even a touch of color upon his sallow cheeks (а на бледных щеках даже появился слабый румянец; touch — прикосновение; чуточка; примесь; оттенок; sallow — желтоватый, болезненный, землистый /о цвете лица/). He hastened upstairs (он поспешил наверх), and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the hall door (и через несколько минут я услышал, как хлопнула входная дверь), which told me that he was off once more upon his congenial hunt (что говорило о том, что Холмс снова отправился на свою «охоту»; congenial — сходный, близкий по духу; /благо/приятный; to hunt — охотиться).

disreputable [dɪsˈrepjutǝbl], respectable [rɪˈspektǝbl], congenial [kǝnˈʤi:nɪǝl]

“Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time before I get back. Don’t wait up for me in case I should be late.”

“How are you getting on?”

“Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly respectable self.”

I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, and there was even a touch of color upon his sallow cheeks. He hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his congenial hunt.

I waited until midnight (я ждал до полуночи), but there was no sign of his return (но его все не было: «не было ни признака его возвращения»), so I retired to my room (поэтому я отправился спать). It was no uncommon thing for him to be away for days and nights on end (это не было необычной вещью для него — уходить на долгие дни и ночи; on end — непрерывно, подряд) when he was hot upon a scent (когда он шел по горячему следу), so that his lateness caused me no surprise (так что его опоздание ничуть меня не удивило). I do not know at what hour he came in (не знаю, в котором часу он пришел), but when I came down to breakfast in the morning (но когда я утром спустился к завтраку) there he was with a cup of coffee in one hand (он сидел /за столом/ с чашкой кофе в одной руке) and the paper in the other (и с газетой в другой), as fresh and trim as possible (очень бодрый и подтянутый: «такой бодрый и подтянутый, как только возможно»; trim — аккуратный, опрятный; элегантный; подтянутый).

“You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson (извините, что начал без вас, Ватсон),” said he, “but you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this morning (но вспомните, что нашему клиенту назначена встреча на это утро, и довольно рано).”

“Why, it is after nine now (да, уже десятый час: «после девяти»),” I answered. “I should not be surprised if that were he (не удивлюсь, если это он). I thought I heard a ring (кажется, я слышал звонок).”

lateness [ˈleɪtnɪs], appointment [ǝˈpɔɪntmǝnt], surprised [sǝˈpraɪzd]

I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the other, as fresh and trim as possible.

“You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson,” said he, “but you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this morning.”

“Why, it is after nine now,” I answered. “I should not be surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring.”

It was, indeed, our friend the financier (это и в самом деле был наш друг финансист). I was shocked by the change which had come over him (меня поразила перемена, произошедшая в нем), for his face which was naturally of a broad and massive mould (его лицо, обычно широкое и крупное; mould — форма; лекало, шаблон), was now pinched and fallen in (теперь осунулось, /щеки/ ввалились; pinched — застроченный; худой, истощенный, измученный: pinched features — исхудалое лицо, лицо с заостренными чертами), while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter (а волосы, казалось, побелели еще немного больше; shade — тень; тон, оттенок). He entered with a weariness and lethargy (он вошел усталой и вялой /походкой/; weariness — усталость, истощение) which was even more painful than his violence of the morning before (что было еще более тягостным /зрелищем/, чем его /отчаянное/ неистовство вчерашним утром), and he dropped heavily into the armchair (и он тяжело опустился в кресло) which I pushed forward for him (которое я придвинул ему).

“I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried (не знаю, что я сделал, чтобы /заслужить/ такие тяжелые испытания),” said he. “Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man (лишь два дня назад я был счастливым и процветающим человеком), without a care in the world (живущим без забот: «без какой-либо заботы в мире»). Now I am left to a lonely and dishonored age (теперь я обречен на одинокую и опозоренную старость). One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another (одна печаль наступает на пятки другой = беда не приходит одна). My niece, Mary, has deserted me (моя племянница, Мэри, покинула меня).”

“Deserted you?”

lethargy [ˈleƟǝʤɪ], severely [sɪˈvɪǝlɪ], deserted [dɪˈzǝ:tɪd]

It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the armchair which I pushed forward for him.

“I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried,” said he. “Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonored age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Mary, has deserted me.”

“Deserted you?”

“Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in (ее постель не тронута этим утром: «в постели не спали»), her room was empty (ее комната пуста), and a note for me lay upon the hall table (и записка для меня лежала на столе в гостиной). I had said to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger (вчера вечером я сказал ей, /пребывая/ в печали, а не в гневе), that if she had married my boy all might have been well with him (что если бы она вышла замуж за моего мальчика, с ним все было бы хорошо). Perhaps it was thoughtless of me to say so (вероятно, с моей стороны было неосторожно говорить так; thoughtless — необдуманный, неразумный, неосторожный; thought — мысль). It is to that remark that she refers in this note (на это высказывание она намекает в записке):

“‘MY DEAREST UNCLE (дражайший дядя): — I feel that I have brought trouble upon you (я знаю, что я навела на вас беду = стала причиной беды), and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune might never have occurred (и что, поступи я иначе, этого ужасного несчастья никогда бы не случилось). I cannot, with this thought in my mind (я не смогу, думая об этом), ever again be happy under your roof (когда-либо снова быть счастливой под вашей крышей), and I feel that I must leave you forever (думаю: «чувствую», я должна покинуть вас навсегда). Do not worry about my future (не беспокойтесь о моем будущем), for that is provided for (так как оно обеспечено); and, above all, do not search for me (и, самое главное, не ищите меня), for it will be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me (потому что это будет тщетно и повредит мне: «будет бесплодным трудом и дурной услугой мне»). In life or in death (всю жизнь до самой смерти: «в жизни или в смерти»), I am ever your loving MARY (остаюсь любящей вас Мэри).’

thoughtless [ˈƟɔ:tlɪs], remark [rɪˈmɑ:k], fruitless [ˈfru:tlɪs]

“Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers in this note:

“‘MY DEAREST UNCLE: — I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in death, I am ever your loving MARY.’

“What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes (что она хотела сказать этой запиской, мистер Холмс)? Do you think it points to suicide (думаете, она /записка/ указывает на самоубийство)?”

“No, no, nothing of the kind (нет, ничего подобного). It is perhaps the best possible solution (возможно, это лучшее решение /проблем/). I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of your troubles (я уверен, что ваши неприятности близятся к концу).”

“Ha! You say so (вы так думаете)! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes (вы узнали что-то /новое/, мистер Холмс); you have learned something (что-то узнали)! Where are the gems (где камни)?”

“You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for them (вы не сочтете чрезмерной платой тысячу фунтов за штуку)?”

“I would pay ten (я заплатил бы десять /тысяч/).”

“That would be unnecessary (в этом нет необходимости). Three thousand will cover the matter (трех тысяч хватит: «три тысячи покроют дело»). And there is a little reward, I fancy (и небольшое вознаграждение). Have you your check-book (у вас с собой чековая книжка)? Here is a pen (вот перо). Better make it out for 4000 pounds (лучше выпишите /чек/ на четыре тысячи фунтов).”

suicide [ˈs(j)u:ɪsaɪd], excessive [ɪkˈsesɪv], reward [rɪˈwɔ:d]

“What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it points to suicide?”

“No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of your troubles.”

“Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have learned something! Where are the gems?”

“You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for them?”

“I would pay ten.”

“That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds.”

With a dazed face the banker made out the required check (в изумлении: «с изумленным лицом» банкир выписал требуемый чек). Holmes walked over to his desk (Холмс подошел к своему столу), took out a little triangular piece of gold with three gems in it (достал маленький треугольный кусочек золота с тремя бериллами), and threw it down upon the table (и бросил на стол).

With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up (с радостным криком наш клиент схватил зубец).

“You have it (вы нашли его)!” he gasped (воскликнул он, задыхаясь). “I am saved! I am saved (я спасен)!”

The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been (реакция радости = радость его была такой же бурной, как и горе), and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom (он прижал вновь обретенные камни к груди; to recover — вновь обретать; возвращать, получать обратно).

“There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder (вы должны еще кое-что, мистер Холдер),” said Sherlock Holmes rather sternly (сказал Холмс очень строго).

“Owe!” He caught up a pen (он схватил перо). “Name the sum, and I will pay it (назовите сумму, и я выплачу ее).”

“No, the debt is not to me (нет, вы должны не мне). You owe a very humble apology to that noble lad, your son (вы должны смиренно просить прощения у того благородного юноши, вашего сына; humble — скромный, смиренный; apology — извинение), who has carried himself in this matter (который держался в этом деле /так мужественно/) as I should be proud to see my own son do (что я гордился бы, если бы мой сын поступил так же), should I ever chance to have one (если бы он у меня был).”

triangular [traɪˈæŋɡjulǝ], bosom [ˈbuzǝm], apology [ǝˈpɔlǝʤɪ]

With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table.

With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up.

“You have it!” he gasped. “I am saved! I am saved!”

The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom.

“There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder,” said Sherlock Holmes rather sternly.

“Owe!” He caught up a pen. “Name the sum, and I will pay it.”

“No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to have one.”

“Then it was not Arthur who took them (значит, не Артур их взял)?”

“I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not (я говорил вам вчера и повторяю сегодня — не он).”

“You are sure of it (вы в этом уверены)! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him know that the truth is known (так поспешим же к нему и сообщим: «дадим ему знать», что правда /теперь/ известна = что все выяснилось).”

“He knows it already (он уже знает). When I had cleared it all up I had an interview with him (когда я распутал дело, я побеседовал с ним), and finding that he would not tell me the story (и, поняв, что он не хочет все мне рассказать об этой истории), I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was right (я сам рассказал ему, и ему пришлось признать, что я прав) and to add the very few details which were not yet quite clear to me (и добавить некоторые подробности, которые все еще были неясны мне). Your news of this morning, however, may open his lips (однако ваша утренняя новость может заставить его говорить: «разомкнуть уста»; lip — губа; not to open one's lips — не проронить ни слова).”

“For heaven’s sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary mystery (так расскажите мне, ради Бога, об этой невероятной тайне)!”

interview [ˈɪntǝvju:], confess [kǝnˈfes], extraordinary [ɪkˈstrɔ:d(ǝ)n(ǝ)rɪ; ˌekstrǝˈɔ:d(ǝ)n(ǝ)rɪ]

“Then it was not Arthur who took them?”

“I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not.”

“You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him know that the truth is known.”

“He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his lips.”

“For heaven’s sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary mystery!”

“I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached it (я расскажу и покажу, каким образом я достиг /истины/: «покажу шаги, с помощью которых я дошел до истины»). And let me say to you, first (но сначала разрешите сообщить вам /одну весть/), that which it is hardest for me to say and for you to hear (которую мне очень тяжело говорить, а вам — слышать): there has been an understanding between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary (между сэром Джорджем Бэрнвеллом и вашей племянницей Мэри существовал сговор; understanding — понимание; договоренность, соглашение). They have now fled together (теперь они оба сбежали; to flee).”

“My Mary? Impossible (невозможно)!”

“It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain (к сожалению, более, чем возможно; это несомненный факт: «это определенно /так/»). Neither you nor your son knew the true character of this man (ни вы, ни ваш сын не знали истинного облика этого человека) when you admitted him into your family circle (когда впустили его в свою семью; to admit — допускать; принимать; family circle — семейный, домашний круг). He is one of the most dangerous men in England (это один из опаснейших субъектов Англии) — a ruined gambler (закоренелый игрок; ruined — разрушенный; опустошенный, разоренный), an absolutely desperate villain (совершенно отъявленный негодяй), a man without heart or conscience (человек без сердца и совести). Your niece knew nothing of such men (ваша племянница ничего не знала о подобных людях). When he breathed his vows to her (когда он шептал ей клятвы /в своей любви/; to breathe — дышать; негромко говорить; шептать, «ворковать»), as he had done to a hundred before her (как он делал сотне до нее = как и многим другим до нее), she flattered herself that she alone had touched his heart (Мэри тешила себя мыслью, что лишь она одна сумела завоевать: «тронуть» его сердце; to flatter oneself — тешить себя надеждой, мыслью; to flatter — льстить). The devil knows best what he said (одному дьяволу известно, что он говорил), but at least she became his tool (но так или иначе она стала орудием в его руках; at /the/ least — по крайней мере, по меньшей мере) and was in the habit of seeing him nearly every evening (и имела обыкновение видеться с ним почти каждый вечер).”

certain [sǝ:tn], desperate [ˈdesp(ǝ)rɪt], conscience [ˈkɔnʃ(ǝ)ns]

“I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now fled together.”

“My Mary? Impossible!”

“It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most dangerous men in England — a ruined gambler, an absolutely desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing him nearly every evening.”

“I cannot, and I will not, believe it (я не могу и не стану этому верить)!” cried the banker with an ashen face (вскричал банкир, лицо его при этом было мертвенно-бледным; ash — пепел; ashen — пепельный, из пепла; мертвенно-бледный).

“I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night (тогда я расскажу вам, что произошло в вашем доме вчера ночью). Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room (ваша племянница, когда вы, как она подумала, ушли к себе в комнату), slipped down and talked to her lover through the window (спустилась вниз и стала говорить со своим возлюбленным через окно) which leads into the stable lane (выходящее на дорожку к конюшне). His footmarks had pressed right through the snow (его следы ясно и глубоко отпечатались на снегу), so long had he stood there (настолько долго он там стоял). She told him of the coronet (она сообщила ему о диадеме). His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news (его мерзкая страсть к золоту вспыхнула при этом известии), and he bent her to his will (и он подчинил Мэри своей воле: «склонил к своей воле»). I have no doubt that she loved you (я не сомневаюсь, что она любила вас), but there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all other loves (но есть такие женщины, для которых любовь возлюбленного затмевает все другие виды любви; to extinguish — гасить, тушить; убивать, гасить /надежду, любовь/; превосходить), and I think that she must have been one (и, думаю, Мэри из их числа). She had hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming downstairs (едва она /успела/ получить его указания, как увидела, что вы спускаетесь по лестнице), on which she closed the window rapidly (тогда: «на что» она быстро закрыла окно) and told you about one of the servants’ escapade with her wooden-legged lover (и сказала вам о том, что к одной из служанок приходил возлюбленный с деревянной ногой; escapade — веселая и смелая проделка; шальная выходка; побег /из заключения/), which was all perfectly true (что было совершенной правдой).

doubt [daut], extinguish [ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ], escapade [ˈeskǝpeɪd]

“I cannot, and I will not, believe it!” cried the banker with an ashen face.

“I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you about one of the servants’ escapade with her wooden-legged lover, which was all perfectly true.

“Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you (Артур после разговора с вами отправился спать) but he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts (но он спал плохо — его тревожили клубные долги; on account of — из-за, вследствие, по причине; uneasiness — неудобство; беспокойство, тревога). In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door (среди ночи он услышал тихие шаги мимо своей двери = как кто-то тихо прошел мимо его комнаты), so he rose and, looking out (тогда он встал, выглянул за дверь), was surprised to see his cousin walking very stealthily along the passage (и с изумлением увидел свою двоюродную сестру, которая крадущейся походкой шла по коридору; stealthily — втихомолку, тайно, украдкой) until she disappeared into your dressing-room (пока она /не/ исчезла в вашей гардеробной). Petrified with astonishment (оцепенев от изумления; petrified — окаменелый; застывший; оцепеневший, парализованный), the lad slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see (юноша наскоро оделся: «накинул кое-какую одежду» и принялся ждать в темноте; to slip on — накинуть, надеть) what would come of this strange affair (как дальше станет развиваться это странное дело). Presently she emerged from the room again (вскоре она снова вышла из комнаты), and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw (и в свете коридорной лампы ваш сын увидел) that she carried the precious coronet in her hands (что в руках у нее драгоценная диадема; to carry — нести). She passed down the stairs (Мэри спустилась вниз), and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and slipped behind the curtain near your door (а он, дрожа от ужаса, метнулся вперед и незаметно проскользнул за портьеру около вашей двери), whence he could see what passed in the hall beneath (откуда мог видеть, что происходит в гостиной внизу). He saw her stealthily open the window (он видел, как Мэри тихонько открыла окно), hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom (передала диадему кому-то в темноте), and then closing it once more hurry back to her room (и затем, снова закрыв окно, поспешила обратно в свою комнату), passing quite close to where he stood hid behind the curtain (пройдя совсем близко от Артура, спрятавшегося за портьерой; to hide).

debt [det], petrified [ˈpetrɪfaɪd], emerged [ɪˈmǝ:ʤd], curtain [kǝ:tn]

“Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close to where he stood hid behind the curtain.

“As long as she was on the scene (поскольку Мэри была на месте преступления = замешана в этом преступлении; scene — место действия /в пьесе, романе и т. п./; место происшествия, события; the scene of the crime — место преступления) he could not take any action without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved (Артур не мог ничего предпринять без ужасного разоблачения женщины = не разоблачив при этом женщину, которую любил; exposure — подвергание какому-л. воздействию; выставление, оставление /на солнце, под дождем и т. п./; разоблачение, выведение на чистую воду). But the instant that she was gone he realized (но в тот миг, как она ушла, он понял) how crushing a misfortune this would be for you (каким сокрушительным несчастьем будет для вас /пропажа диадемы/), and how all-important it was to set it right (и как важно исправить дело; all-important — имеющий первостепенное значение, крайне важный). He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet (он бросился вниз, в том виде, в каком был, босиком), opened the window (открыл окно), sprang out into the snow (выскочил на снег), and ran down the lane (и побежал по дорожке), where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight (где в лунном свете различил темную фигуру). Sir George Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him (сэр Джордж Бэрнвелл попытался бежать, но Артур догнал его), and there was a struggle between them (и между ними завязалась борьба), your lad tugging at one side of the coronet (ваш мальчик тянул диадему за один конец), and his opponent at the other (а его противник — за другой).

“In the scuffle, your son struck Sir George (в драке ваш сын ударил сэра Джорджа) and cut him over the eye (и рассек ему бровь). Then something suddenly snapped (затем что-то неожиданно хрустнуло), and your son, finding that he had the coronet in his hands (и ваш сын, почувствовав, что диадема у него в руках), rushed back (бросился назад), closed the window (закрыл окно), ascended to your room (поднялся в вашу комнату), and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the struggle (и только тут заметил, что диадема погнута во время борьбы) and was endeavoring to straighten it (и пытался распрямить ее) when you appeared upon the scene (когда появились вы).”

scene [si:n], exposure [ɪkˈspǝuʒǝ], opponent [ǝˈpǝunǝnt], ascended [ǝˈsendɪŋ]

“As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the instant that she was gone he realized how crushing a misfortune this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the coronet, and his opponent at the other.

“In the scuffle, your son struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the struggle and was endeavoring to straighten it when you appeared upon the scene.”

“Is it possible (возможно ли это)?” gasped the banker (задыхаясь, воскликнул банкир).

“You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment (затем вы разозлили его: «вызвали его гнев» своими оскорблениями в тот момент) when he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks (когда он заслуживал ваших самых искренних/теплых благодарностей). He could not explain the true state of affairs without betraying one (он не мог объяснить истинное положение вещей, чтобы не выдать ту) who certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands (которая, безусловно, не заслуживала снисхождения и защиты от него; consideration — внимание, предупредительность; уважение; благодарность). He took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her secret (Артур повел себя как рыцарь и сохранил ее тайну; chivalrous — рыцарский, благородный).”

“And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the coronet (вот почему она вскрикнула и упала в обморок, когда увидела диадему),” cried Mr. Holder. “Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have been (Боже мой! каким же я был слепым глупцом)! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes (а ведь он просил позволить ему выйти на пять минут)! The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the scene of the struggle (мой дорогой мальчик хотел посмотреть, не осталось ли пропавшего куска на месте борьбы). How cruelly I have misjudged him (как жестоко я в нем ошибался; to misjudge — составить себе неправильное, ошибочное мнение)!’

roused [rauzd], chivalrous [ˈʃɪv(ǝ)lrǝs], misjudged [mɪsˈʤʌʤd]

“Is it possible?” gasped the banker.

“You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her secret.”

“And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the coronet,” cried Mr. Holder. “Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!’

“When I arrived at the house (когда я прибыл в этот дом),” continued Holmes (продолжал Холмс), “I at once went very carefully round it to observe (я сразу же очень тщательно его обошел = осмотрел его, чтобы проверить) if there were any traces in the snow which might help me (нет ли на снегу каких-либо следов, которые могут мне помочь). I knew that none had fallen since the evening before (я знал, что со вчерашнего вечера снега не выпадало; to fall-fell-fallen), and also that there had been a strong frost to preserve impressions (и что сильный мороз, должно быть, сохранил следы). I passed along the tradesmen’s path (я прошел по дорожке, по которой подвозят продукты), but found it all trampled down and indistinguishable (но она вся была утоптана, и /следы на ней/ были неразличимы; to distinguish — различать). Just beyond it, however, at the far side of the kitchen door (однако сразу за ней, на противоположной стороне от кухонной двери; far side — дальняя сторона: at the far side of the garden — в дальнем углу сада), a woman had stood and talked with a man (стояла женщина и разговаривала с мужчиной), whose round impressions on one side showed that he had a wooden leg (чьи круглые отпечатки с одной стороны показывали, что у него деревянная нога).

“I could even tell that they had been disturbed (я даже смог определить, что их побеспокоили), for the woman had run back swiftly to the door (поскольку женщина быстро побежала обратно к двери), as was shown by the deep toe and light heel marks (что видно по глубоким отпечаткам носков и слабым отпечаткам пяток), while Wooden-leg had waited a little, and then had gone away (в то время как «Деревянная нога» подождал немного, а затем ушел). I thought at the time that this might be the maid and her sweetheart (тогда я подумал, что это, должно быть, горничная и ее возлюбленный), of whom you had already spoken to me (о которых вы уже говорили мне), and inquiry showed it was so (и расследование показало, что так оно и есть). I passed round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks (я обошел сад, но больше ничего не нашел, кроме беспорядочных следов; random — случайный; произвольный; беспорядочный), which I took to be the police (которые я посчитал следами полиции); but when I got into the stable lane (но когда я вышел на дорожку, ведущую к конюшне) a very long and complex story was written in the snow in front of me (очень длинная и запутанная история была написана на снегу передо мной).

preserve [prɪˈzǝ:v], path [pɑ:Ɵ], random [ˈrændǝm]

“When I arrived at the house,” continued Holmes, “I at once went very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen’s path, but found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed that he had a wooden leg.

“I could even tell that they had been disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in front of me.

“There was a double line of tracks of a booted man (одна двойная линия следов, /принадлежавших/ обутому человеку), and a second double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked feet (а вторая, как я с удовлетворением заметил, принадлежала человеку с босыми ногами). I was at once convinced from what you had told me (я сразу же понял, /вспомнив/, что вы мне говорили) that the latter was your son (что вторым человеком был ваш сын). The first had walked both ways (первый человек прошел туда и обратно), but the other had run swiftly (а второй быстро пробежал), and as his tread was marked in places over the depression of the boot (и, так как его следы кое-где остались поверх отпечатков ботинок), it was obvious that he had passed after the other (было ясно, что он преследовал другого = что второй преследовал первого). I followed them up and found they led to the hall window (я пошел по следам и обнаружил, что они ведут к окну гостиной), where Boots had worn all the snow away while waiting (где этот «Ботинки» истоптал весь снег, ожидая /кого-то/; to wear away — стирать, изнашивать).

“Then I walked to the other end (затем я пошел к другому концу /следов/), which was a hundred yards or more down the lane (они тянулись по дорожке на сотню ярдов или больше). I saw where Boots had faced round (я увидел, где «Ботинки» развернулся), where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle (в том месте снег был сильно истоптан, словно там произошла борьба; to cut up — разрезать, разрубать на куски; разбивать, уничтожать), and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen (и наконец /я нашел место/, где упало несколько капель крови), to show me that I was not mistaken (и это свидетельствовало о том, что я не ошибся). Boots had then run down the lane (человек в ботинках затем побежал по дорожке), and another little smudge of blood showed (а еще одно небольшое пятно крови говорило о том) that it was he who had been hurt (что ранен был именно он). When he came to the highroad at the other end (когда он вышел на главную дорогу; highroad — большая/столбовая дорога; главный путь), I found that the pavement had been cleared (я обнаружил, что /снег/ с тротуара был счищен), so there was an end to that clew (и там следы обрывались; clew = clue — путеводная нить; улика).

naked [ˈneɪkɪd], blood [blʌd], pavement [ˈpeɪvmǝnt]

“There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while waiting.

“Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clew.

“On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember (войдя в дом, я осмотрел, как вы помните), the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens (подоконник и раму окна гостиной с помощью лупы), and I could at once see that someone had passed out (и сразу обнаружил, что кто-то вылезал из окна; to pass — идти, проходить, переходить). I could distinguish the outline of an instep (я смог разглядеть очертания следа /там/; outline — очертание, контур, абрис; instep — подъем /ноги, ботинка/) where the wet foot had been placed in coming in (где /кто-то/ поставил мокрую ногу, залезая внутрь). I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what had occurred (тогда я был в состоянии составить мнение относительно того, что произошло). A man had waited outside the window (какой-то человек ждал на улице у окна); someone had brought the gems (кто-то принес /и передал ему/ камни); the deed had been overseen by your son (это действие случайно увидел ваш сын); he had pursued the thief (он погнался за вором); had struggled with him (вступил с ним в борьбу); they had each tugged at the coronet (каждый из них тянул диадему /к себе/), their united strength causing injuries which neither alone could have effected (их общее усилие вызвало такие повреждения, которые ни один из них не смог бы причинить /диадеме/ в одиночку). He had returned with the prize (Артур вернулся с диадемой: «наградой»), but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent (но оставил кусок в руках у противника; grasp — схватывание; крепкое сжатие; хватка). So far I was clear (пока все было понятно). The question now was (но возникал вопрос), who was the man and who was it brought him the coronet (кто же тот человек, и кто принес ему диадему)?

opinion [ǝˈpɪnjǝn], brought [brɔ:t], pursued [pǝˈsju:d], grasp [ɡrɑ:sp]

“On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who was it brought him the coronet?

“It is an old maxim of mine that (мой старый принцип /расследования состоит в том, что/; maxim — афоризм, изречение; правило поведения, принцип) when you have excluded the impossible (когда исключаешь невозможное), whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth (то, что остается, каким бы неправдоподобным оно ни казалось, является истиной). Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down (итак, я знал, что это не вы отдали диадему), so there only remained your niece and the maids (значит, оставались только ваша племянница и горничные). But if it were the maids (если это горничные), why should your son allow himself to be accused in their place (то ради чего вашему сыну позволять себя обвинить вместо них: «на их месте» = зачем тогда ваш сын согласился взять вину на себя)? There could be no possible reason (для этого не было возможных оснований). As he loved his cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation (однако поскольку он любит свою кузину, то появлялось великолепное объяснение) why he should retain her secret (почему он сохранил ее тайну) — the more so as the secret was a disgraceful one (тем более, что это была позорная тайна; disgrace — позор, бесчестье; унижение). When I remembered that you had seen her at that window (когда я вспомнил, что вы видели ее у окна), and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again (и что она упала в обморок, увидев диадему снова), my conjecture became a certainty (мое предположение превратилось в уверенность).

excluded [ɪkˈsklu:dɪd], truth [tru:Ɵ], conjecture [kǝnˈʤekʧǝ]

“It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should retain her secret — the more so as the secret was a disgraceful one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture became a certainty.

“And who could it be who was her confederate (но кто же мог быть ее сообщником)? A lover evidently, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude (очевидно, возлюбленный, потому что кто еще мог пересилить любовь и благодарность) which she must feel to you (которые она должна была питать к вам = должно быть, питала к вам)? I knew that you went out little (я знал, что вы мало бываете в обществе), and that your circle of friends was a very limited one (и что круг ваших друзей очень ограничен). But among them was Sir George Burnwell (но среди них был сэр Джордж Бэрнвелл). I had heard of him before as being a man of evil reputation among women (я и раньше слышал о нем как о человеке дурной репутации среди женщин = что он нехорошо поступает по отношению к женщинам). It must have been he who wore those boots and retained the missing gems (должно быть, это он носил те ботинки и держал у себя пропавшие бериллы = это он человек в ботинках, и у него находятся пропавшие бериллы; to wear — носить /обувь, одежду/; to retain — держать /у себя/; удерживать). Even though he knew that Arthur had discovered him (даже если он и понимал, что Артур узнал его), he might still flatter himself that he was safe (он все равно мог тешить себя мыслью, что находится в безопасности; safe — защищенный от опасности; в безопасности), for the lad could not say a word without compromising his own family (так как ваш сын не мог бы сказать ни слова, не скомпрометировав /при этом/ свою собственную семью).

“Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took next (ваш здравый смысл предположит = логика подскажет вам, какие меры я предпринял затем). I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George’s house (переодевшись бродягой: «в виде бродяги» я отправился к дому сэра Джорджа), managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet (сумел познакомиться с его лакеем), learned that his master had cut his head the night before (узнать он него, что его хозяин расшиб голову накануне вечером), and, finally, at the expense of six shillings (и наконец за шесть шиллингов: «ценой шести шиллингов»), made all sure by buying a pair of his cast-off shoes (удостовериться во всем, купив пару старых ботинок сэра Джорджа; cast-off — выброшенная, ненужная вещь). With these I journeyed down to Streatham (с ними я отправился в Стритем) and saw that they exactly fitted the tracks (и убедился, что они в точности соответствуют следам /на снегу/).”

outweigh [autˈweɪ], among [ǝˈmʌŋ], compromising [ˈkɔmprǝmaɪzɪŋ], measure [ˈmeʒǝ]

“And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his own family.

“Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George’s house, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and saw that they exactly fitted the tracks.”

“I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening (я видел какого-то скверно одетого бродягу на тропинке вчера вечером),” said Mr. Holder.

“Precisely (совершенно верно). It was I (это был я). I found that I had my man (я понял, что сэр Джордж у меня в руках: «что я получил моего человека»), so I came home and changed my clothes (поэтому я пошел домой и переоделся: «переменил одежду»). It was a delicate part which I had to play then (мне нужно было играть деликатную роль = действовать очень осторожно), for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert scandal (так как я осознавал, что необходимо было избежать /судебного/ преследования, чтобы предотвратить скандал; prosecution — ведение /войны, судебного дела и т.д./; судебное преследование; обвинение; to avoid — избегать, остерегаться, сторониться, уклоняться), and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our hands were tied in the matter (и знал, что такой хитрый/проницательный негодяй понимает, что у нас связаны руки). I went and saw him (я пошел и навестил его). At first, of course, he denied everything (сначала он, разумеется, все отрицал). But when I gave him every particular that had occurred (но когда я рассказал во всех подробностях, что произошло /ночью/; particular — частность, подробность; particulars — подробный отчет: to give particulars of — давать /представлять/ подробный отчет), he tried to bluster and took down a life-preserver from the wall (он попытался угрожать и снял со стены тяжелую трость; life-preserver: «спаситель жизни» — спасательный пояс, спасательный жилет; тяжелая дубинка или трость, налитая свинцом /применяемая для самообороны/). I knew my man, however (однако я знал его = с кем имею дело), and I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike (я приставил револьвер к его голове, прежде чем тот успел ударить; to clap — хлопать; сделать быстрое, энергичное движение). Then he became a little more reasonable (тогда он стал немного благоразумнее). I told him that we would give him a price for the stones he held 1000 pounds apiece (я сказал, что мы дадим ему за камни, которые он держит у себя, по тысяче фунтов за каждый). That brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown (тут он обнаружил первые признаки огорчения; to bring out — выявлять, обнаруживать).

‘Why, dash it all (черт побери)!’ said he, ‘I’ve let them go at six hundred for the three (я уже отдал три камня за шестьсот /фунтов/)!’

vagabond [ˈvæɡǝbɔnd], astute [ǝˈstju:t], denied [dɪˈnaɪd], life-preserver [ˈlaɪfprɪˌzǝ:vǝ]

“I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening,” said Mr. Holder.

“Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give him a price for the stones he held 1000 pounds apiece. That brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown.

‘Why, dash it all!’ said he, ‘I’ve let them go at six hundred for the three!’

“I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had them (вскоре мне удалось узнать адрес скупщика, у которого были камни; receiver — получатель; укрыватель или скупщик краденого), on promising him that there would be no prosecution (пообещав сэру Джорджу, что /против него/ не будет возбуждено расследование). Off I set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 pounds apiece (я поехал туда и после долгого торга выкупил камни по тысяче фунтов каждый; to chaffer — спорить о цене, торговаться). Then I looked in upon your son (затем я навестил вашего сына), told him that all was right (сказал ему, что все в порядке), and eventually got to my bed about two o’clock (и в конце концов около двух /ночи/ лег спать: «добрался до кровати»), after what I may call a really hard day’s work (после действительно тяжелого трудового дня).”

“A day which has saved England from a great public scandal (дня, который спас Англию от огромного государственного скандала),” said the banker, rising (сказал банкир, поднимаясь). “Sir, I cannot find words to thank you (сэр, у меня не хватает слов, чтобы выразить благодарность), but you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done (но вы не найдете меня неблагодарным за то, что вы сделали = вы убедитесь, что я не забуду того, что вы сделали). Your skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it (ваше искусство действительно превзошло все, что я слышал о нем). And now I must fly to my dear boy (а сейчас я должен поспешить к моему дорогому мальчику) to apologize to him for the wrong which I have done him (и извиниться перед ним за то, что так несправедливо обошелся с ним; wrong — зло, несправедливость). As to what you tell me of poor Mary (что касается вашего рассказа о бедной Мэри), it goes to my very heart (то он проник в самое мое сердце = ее поступок глубоко поразил меня). Not even your skill can inform me where she is now (но даже вы со всем вашим искусством не сможете сообщить мне, где она).”

“I think that we may safely say (думаю, можно с уверенностью сказать; safely —безопасно; надежно: it may safely be said — можно с уверенностью сказать),” returned Holmes (возразил Холмс), “that she is wherever Sir George Burnwell is (что она там же, где и сэр Джордж Бэрнвелл). It is equally certain, too, that whatever her sins are (и несомненно также, что, каковы бы ни были ее грехи; equally — в равной степени; равным образом), they will soon receive a more than sufficient punishment (они в скором времени получат = скоро она понесет за них более чем достаточное наказание).”

receiver [rɪˈsi:vǝ], wrong [rɔŋ], sufficient [sǝˈfɪʃ(ǝ)nt]

“I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o’clock, after what I may call a really hard day’s work.”

“A day which has saved England from a great public scandal,” said the banker, rising. “Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I must fly to my dear boy to apologize to him for the wrong which I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now.”

“I think that we may safely say,” returned Holmes, “that she is wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than sufficient punishment.”