Обряд дома Месгрейвов (3).

Артур Конан Дойль. (3 стр.книги)

"On the contrary," said Holmes, "out of my last fifty-three cases my name has only appeared in four, and the police have had all the credit in forty-nine. I don't blame you for not knowing this, for you are young and inexperienced, but if you wish to get on in your new duties you will work with me and not against me."

"I'd be very glad of a hint or two," said the detective, changing his manner. "I've certainly had no credit from the case so far."

"What steps have you taken?"

"Tangey, the commissionnaire, has been shadowed (За Танджи, швейцаром, следили; to shadow — следовать по пятам, тайно следить, шпионить). He left the Guards with a good character (Он ушел из гвардии с хорошей характеристикой) and we can find nothing against him (и мы ничего не нашли против него). His wife is a bad lot, though (Хотя его жена — никудышный человек; bad lot — непутевый, никудышный человек). I fancy she knows more about this than appears (Я думаю, она знает об этом больше, чем кажется)."

"Have you shadowed her (Вы следили за ней)?"

"We have set one of our women on to her (Мы подсадили к ней одну из наших женщин). Mrs. Tangey drinks, and our woman (Миссис Танджи пьет, и наша женщина) has been with her twice when she was well on (была с ней дважды, когда та была пьяна), but she could get nothing out of her (но она не смогла ничего из нее вытянуть)."

"I understand that they have had brokers in the house (Насколько я понимаю, у них в доме были оценщики)?"

"Yes, but they were paid off (Да, но они расплатились; to pay off — расплачиваться сполна)."

"Where did the money come from (Откуда поступили деньги)?"

"That was all right (Там все в порядке). His pension was due (Его пенсии было достаточно; due — должное, подлежащее выплате). They have not shown any sign of being in funds (Нет признаков, чтобы у них водились деньги; funds — финансовые средства)."

"What explanation did she give of having answered the bell (Как она объяснила то, что ответила на звонок) when Mr. Phelps rang for the coffee (когда мистер Фелпс попросил кофе; to ring for — требовать/вызывать звонком)?"

"She said that he husband was very tired (Она сказала, что ее муж очень устал) and she wished to relieve him (и она хотела помочь ему; to relieve — помогать, облегчать)."

"Tangey, the commissionnaire, has been shadowed. He left the Guards with a good character and we can find nothing against him. His wife is a bad lot, though. I fancy she knows more about this than appears."

"Have you shadowed her?"

"We have set one of our women on to her. Mrs. Tangey drinks, and our woman has been with her twice when she was well on, but she could get nothing out of her."

"I understand that they have had brokers in the house?"

"Yes, but they were paid off."

"Where did the money come from?"

"That was all right. His pension was due. They have not shown any sign of being in funds."

"What explanation did she give of having answered the bell when Mr. Phelps rang for the coffee?"

"She said that he husband was very tired and she wished to relieve him."

"Well, certainly that would agree with his being found (Ну, конечно, это согласуется с тем, что его нашли) a little later asleep in his chair (немного позднее спящим на стуле). There is nothing against them then but the woman's character (Тогда против них ничего нет, за исключением репутации женщины; character — характер, репутация). Did you ask her why she hurried away that night (Вы спросили у нее, почему она спешила той ночью)? Her haste attracted the attention of the police constable (Ее спешка привлекла внимание полицейского констебля)."

"She was later than usual and wanted to get home (Она задержалась дольше, чем обычно, и хотела попасть домой)."

"Did you point out to her that you and Mr. Phelps (Вы указали ей на то, что вы и мистер Фелпс; to point out — указывать, показывать), who started at least twenty minutes after her (выехавшие по крайней мере на двадцать минут после нее), got home before her (добрались до дома раньше нее)?"

"She explains that by the difference between a 'bus and a hansom (Она объяснила это разницей между омнибусом и экипажем)."

"Did she make it clear why, on reaching her house (Она объяснила, почему, добравшись домой), she ran into the back kitchen (она побежала на кухню)?"

"Because she had the money there (Потому что у нее были там деньги) with which to pay off the brokers (чтобы расплатиться с оценщиками; broker — лицо, производящее продажу описанного имущества)."

"She has at least an answer for everything (По крайней мере, у нее на все есть ответ). Did you ask her whether in leaving she met any one (Вы спрашивали у нее, не встречала ли она кого-нибудь уходя) or saw any one loitering about Charles Street (или видела кого-нибудь, слоняющегося по Чарльз стрит; to loiter — слоняться без дела, околачиваться)?"

"She saw no one but the constable (Она не видела никого, кроме констебля)."

"Well, you seem to have cross-examined her pretty thoroughly (Ну, вы, кажется, допросили ее очень тщательно; thoroughly — полностью, основательно, тщательно). What else have you done (Что еще вы сделали)?"

"Well, certainly that would agree with his being found a little later asleep in his chair. There is nothing against them then but the woman's character. Did you ask her why she hurried away that night? Her haste attracted the attention of the police constable."

"She was later than usual and wanted to get home."

"Did you point out to her that you and Mr. Phelps, who started at least twenty minutes after her, got home before her?"

"She explains that by the difference between a 'bus and a hansom."

"Did she make it clear why, on reaching her house, she ran into the back kitchen?"

"Because she had the money there with which to pay off the brokers."

"She has at least an answer for everything. Did you ask her whether in leaving she met any one or saw any one loitering about Charles Street?"

"She saw no one but the constable."

"Well, you seem to have cross-examined her pretty thoroughly. What else have you done?"

"The clerk Gorot has been shadowed all these nine weeks (За клерком Горо следили все эти девять недель), but without result (но безрезультатно). We can show nothing against him (У нас ничего нет против него)."

"Anything else (Что-нибудь еще)?"

"Well, we have nothing else to go upon — no evidence of any kind (Ну, у нас больше ничего нет — никаких следов; evidence — улика, свидетельство, данные, факты)."

"Have you formed a theory about how that bell rang (Вы уже создали теорию, почему звонил звонок)?"

"Well, I must confess that it beats me (Ну, должен признать, что это выше моего понимания; to confess — признавать(ся), сознаваться; it beats me — не могу этого постичь, это выше моего понимания). It was a cool hand, whoever it was (У него железные нервы: «это холодная рука», кто бы это ни был), to go and give the alarm like that (пойти и поднять тревогу)."

"Yes, it was queer thing to do (Да, это был странный поступок; queer — странный, необычный, чудной). Many thanks to you for what you have told me (Большое спасибо за то, что вы нам рассказали). If I can put the man into your hands (Если я найду преступника: «сумею передать человека в ваши руки») you shall hear from me (то дам вам знать). Come along, Watson (Пойдемте, Уотсон)."

"Where are we going to now (Куда мы идем теперь)?" I asked, as we left the office (спросил я, когда мы вышли из кабинета).

"We are now going to interview Lord Holdhurst (Теперь мы собираемся побеседовать с лордом Холдхэрстом), the cabinet minister and future premier of England (членом совета министров и будущим премьером Англии)."

"The clerk Gorot has been shadowed all these nine weeks, but without result. We can show nothing against him."

"Anything else?"

"Well, we have nothing else to go upon — no evidence of any kind."

"Have you formed a theory about how that bell rang?"

"Well, I must confess that it beats me. It was a cool hand, whoever it was, to go and give the alarm like that."

"Yes, it was queer thing to do. Many thanks to you for what you have told me. If I can put the man into your hands you shall hear from me. Come along, Watson."

"Where are we going to now?" I asked, as we left the office.

"We are now going to interview Lord Holdhurst, the cabinet minister and future premier of England."

We were fortunate in finding that Lord Holdhurst (Нам повезло найти лорда Холдхэрста) was still in his chambers in Downing Street (все еще в своем кабинете на Даунинг стрит; chamber — комната, кабинет), and on Holmes sending in his card (и как только Холмс послал свою визитную карточку) we were instantly shown up (нас немедленно провели наверх; to show up — проводить (кого-л.) наверх). The statesman received us (Государственный деятель принял нас) with that old-fashioned courtesy for which he is remarkable (с той старомодной вежливостью, которой он был знаменит; courtesy — учтивость, вежливость, любезность), and seated us on the two luxuriant lounges (и посадил нас на два роскошных больших кресла; luxuriant — роскошный, богатый; lounge — длинная кушетка) on either side of the fireplace (по обе стороны камина). Standing on the rug between us, with his slight, tall figure (Стоя на ковре между нами, своей худой, высокой фигурой; rug — ковер; slight — стройный, тонкий, худой), his sharp features, thoughtful face (острыми чертами, задумчивым лицом), and curling hair prematurely tinged with gray (и вьющимися волосами, преждевременно тронутыми сединой; prematurely — преждевременно; to tinge — слегка окрашивать, придавать оттенок), he seemed to represent that not too common type (он, казалось, олицетворял тот не слишком обычный тип), a nobleman who is in truth noble (дворянина, который действительно благороден).

"Your name is very familiar to me, Mr. Holmes (Ваше имя очень знакомо мне, мистер Холмс)," said he, smiling (сказал он, улыбаясь). "And, of course, I cannot pretend (И, конечно, я не могу притворяться; to pretend — притворяться) to be ignorant of the object of your visit (что не знаю о цели вашего визита; ignorant — несведущий, не знающий). There has only been one occurrence in these offices (Было только одно происшествие в этом учреждении; occurrence — происшествие, инцидент, случай) which could call for your attention (которое могло привлечь ваше внимание). In whose interest are you acting, may I ask (В чьих интересах вы действуете, могу я спросить)?"

We were fortunate in finding that Lord Holdhurst was still in his chambers in Downing Street, and on Holmes sending in his card we were instantly shown up. The statesman received us with that old-fashioned courtesy for which he is remarkable, and seated us on the two luxuriant lounges on either side of the fireplace. Standing on the rug between us, with his slight, tall figure, his sharp features, thoughtful face, and curling hair prematurely tinged with gray, he seemed to represent that not too common type, a nobleman who is in truth noble.

"Your name is very familiar to me, Mr. Holmes," said he, smiling. "And, of course, I cannot pretend to be ignorant of the object of your visit. There has only been one occurrence in these offices which could call for your attention. In whose interest are you acting, may I ask?"

"In that of Mr. Percy Phelps," answered Holmes (“Мистера Перси Фелпса”, — ответил Холмс).

"Ah, my unfortunate nephew (А, мой несчастный племянник; nephew — племянник)! You can understand that our kinship makes it the more impossible (Вы понимаете, что наше родство делает более трудным; kinship — родство) for me to screen him in any way (для меня защищать его каким-либо образом; to screen — защищать, прикрывать, укрывать). I fear that the incident (Боюсь, что этот инцидент) must have a very prejudicial effect upon his career (очень губительно скажется на его карьере; prejudicial — вредный, пагубный)."

"But if the document is found (Но если документ будет найден)?"

"Ah, that, of course, would be different (А, тогда, конечно, все будет иначе)."

"I had one or two questions (У меня есть несколько вопросов; one or two — немного, несколько) which I wished to ask you, Lord Holdhurst (которые я хотел бы задать вам, лорд Холдхэрст)."

"I shall be happy to give you any information in my power (Я буду рад предоставить вам любую информацию, которой я располагаю)."

"In that of Mr. Percy Phelps," answered Holmes.

"Ah, my unfortunate nephew! You can understand that our kinship makes it the more impossible for me to screen him in any way. I fear that the incident must have a very prejudicial effect upon his career."

"But if the document is found?"

"Ah, that, of course, would be different."

"I had one or two questions which I wished to ask you, Lord Holdhurst."

"I shall be happy to give you any information in my power."

"Was it in this room that you gave your instructions as to the copying of the document (Вы давали инструкции по копированию документа в этой комнате)?"

"It was (Да)."

"Then you could hardly have been overheard (Тогда вас вряд ли могли послушать; to overhear — подслушивать)?"

"It is out of the question (Это исключено; out of question — вне всякого сомнения)."

"Did you ever mention to any one (Вы когда-либо говорили кому-нибудь; to mention — упоминать, ссылаться на) that it was your intention to give any one the treaty to be copied (о вашем намерении дать кому-либо договор для копирования; intention — намерение, замысел)?"

"Never (Никогда)."

"You are certain of that (Вы уверены в этом)?"

"Absolutely (Абсолютно)."

"Well, since you never said so (Ну, поскольку вы никогда не говорили об этом), and Mr. Phelps never said so (и мистер Фелпс никогда не говорил об этом), and nobody else knew anything of the matter (и никто другой ничего не знал о деле), then the thief's presence in the room was purely accidental (тогда присутствие вора в комнате было чисто случайным; pure — чистый, беспримесный). He saw his chance and he took it (Он увидел свой шанс, и использовал: «взял» его)."

"Was it in this room that you gave your instructions as to the copying of the document?"

"It was."

"Then you could hardly have been overheard?"

"It is out of the question."

"Did you ever mention to any one that it was your intention to give any one the treaty to be copied?"

"Never."

"You are certain of that?"

"Absolutely."

"Well, since you never said so, and Mr. Phelps never said so, and nobody else knew anything of the matter, then the thief's presence in the room was purely accidental. He saw his chance and he took it."

The statesman smiled (Политик улыбнулся). "You take me out of my province there (Это вне моей компетенции: «Вы уводите меня из сферы моей компетенции»; province — сфера деятельности, компетенция)," said he (сказал он).

Holmes considered for a moment (Холм задумался на мгновение; to consider — взвешивать, обдумывать). "There is another very important point (Есть другой очень важный вопрос; point — пункт, момент, вопрос, дело) which I wish to discuss with you (который я бы хотел обсудить с вами)," said he (сказал он). "You feared, as I understand (Вы боялись, как я понимаю), that very grave results might follow (что очень тяжелые последствия могут возникнуть; grave — серьезный, тяжелый, угрожающий) from the details of this treaty becoming known (если детали этого договора станут известны)."

A shadow passed over the expressive face of the statesman (Тень пробежала по выразительному лицу политика; statesman — государственный деятель, политик). "Very grave results indeed (Действительно, очень тяжелые последствия)."

"Any have they occurred (Что-нибудь случилось)?"

"Not yet (Нет еще)."

"If the treaty had reached, let us say (Если бы договор попал, скажем), the French or Russian Foreign Office (во французское или русское министерство иностранных дел), you would expect to hear of it (вы бы узнали об этом)?"

"I should," said Lord Holdhurst, with a wry face (“Я должен буду”, — сказал лорд Холдхэрст с искаженным лицом; wry — кривой, перекошенный, искаженный).

The statesman smiled. "You take me out of my province there," said he.

Holmes considered for a moment. "There is another very important point which I wish to discuss with you," said he. "You feared, as I understand, that very grave results might follow from the details of this treaty becoming known."

A shadow passed over the expressive face of the statesman. "Very grave results indeed."

"Any have they occurred?"

"Not yet."

"If the treaty had reached, let us say, the French or Russian Foreign Office, you would expect to hear of it?"

"I should," said Lord Holdhurst, with a wry face.

"Since nearly ten weeks have elapsed (Так как прошло примерно десять недель; to elapse — проходить, истекать (о времени)), then, and nothing has been heard (с тех пор, и ничего не было слышно), it is not unfair to suppose that for some reason the treaty has not reached them (разумно предположить, что по какой-то причине договор не попал к ним)."

Lord Holdhurst shrugged his shoulders (Лорд Холдхэрст пожал плечами).

"We can hardly suppose, Mr. Holmes (Вряд ли можно полагать, мистер Холмс), that the thief took the treaty (что вор взял договор) in order to frame it and hang it up (чтобы вставить в рамку и повесить на стену; to frame — вставлять в рамку, обрамлять; to hang up — повесить что-л)."

"Perhaps he is waiting for a better price (Возможно, он ожидает лучшую цену)."

"If he waits a little longer he will get no price at all (Если он прождет еще немного, то вообще не получит денег: «плату»). The treaty will cease to be secret in a few months (Договор перестанет быть секретным через несколько месяцев; to cease — переставать, прекращать)."

"That is most important," said Holmes (“Это очень важно”, — сказал Холмс). "Of course, it is a possible supposition (Разумеется, можно предположить; supposition — гипотеза, предположение) that the thief has had a sudden illness (что вор внезапно заболел) —"

"An attack of brain-fever, for example (Приступ воспаления мозга, например; brain fever — воспаление мозга; болезнь, сопровождающая воспалением мозга (напр., сыпной тиф))?" asked the statesman, flashing a swift glance at him (спросил политик, бросив на него быстрый взгляд; to flash — быстро промелькнуть, пронестись; swift — быстрый, скорый, стремительный).

"I did not say so," said Holmes, imperturbably (“Я этого не говорил”, — сказал Холмс невозмутимо; imperturbably — невозмутимо). "And now, Lord Holdhurst (А теперь, лорд Холдхэрст), we have already taken up too much of your valuable time (мы уже забрали слишком много вашего ценного времени), and we shall wish you good-day (и хотели бы пожелать вам удачного дня)."

"Since nearly ten weeks have elapsed, then, and nothing has been heard, it is not unfair to suppose that for some reason the treaty has not reached them."

Lord Holdhurst shrugged his shoulders.

"We can hardly suppose, Mr. Holmes, that the thief took the treaty in order to frame it and hang it up."

"Perhaps he is waiting for a better price."

"If he waits a little longer he will get no price at all. The treaty will cease to be secret in a few months."

"That is most important," said Holmes. "Of course, it is a possible supposition that the thief has had a sudden illness — "

"An attack of brain-fever, for example?" asked the statesman, flashing a swift glance at him.

"I did not say so," said Holmes, imperturbably. "And now, Lord Holdhurst, we have already taken up too much of your valuable time, and we shall wish you good-day."

"Every success to your investigation (Всяческих успехов вашему расследованию), be the criminal who it may (кем бы не оказался преступник)," answered the nobleman, as he bowed us out the door (ответил аристократ, кивая нам на дверь; nobleman — дворянин, аристократ; to bow out — кланяться, уходя, или кланяться тому, кто уходит).

"He's a fine fellow," said Holmes (“Он прекрасный человек”, — сказал Холмс), as we came out into Whitehall (когда мы вышли на Уайтхолл). "But he has a struggle to keep up his position (Но ему приходится бороться, чтобы сохранить свое положение; struggle — борьба, битва). He is far from rich and has many calls (Он далеко не богат и имеет много расходов; call — требование, спрос). You noticed, of course, that his boots (Вы, конечно, заметили, что на его ботинки) had been resoled (были поставлены новые подметки; sole — подошва). Now, Watson, I won't detain you from your legitimate work any longer (Теперь, Уотсон, я не буду больше отвлекать вас от вашей законной работы; to detain — задерживать, удерживать; legitimate — законный, легальный). I shall do nothing more to-day (Я больше ничего не буду делать сегодня), unless I have an answer to my cab advertisement (пока не получу ответ на мое объявление по кебу). But I should be extremely obliged to you (Но я буду вам очень благодарен; to oblige — благодарить) if you would come down with me to Woking to-morrow (если вы завтра поедете со мной в Уокинг), by the same train which we took yesterday (тем же поездом, которым мы ехали вчера)."

"Every success to your investigation, be the criminal who it may," answered the nobleman, as he bowed us out the door.

"He's a fine fellow," said Holmes, as we came out into Whitehall. "But he has a struggle to keep up his position. He is far from rich and has many calls. You noticed, of course, that his boots had been resoled. Now, Watson, I won't detain you from your legitimate work any longer. I shall do nothing more to-day, unless I have an answer to my cab advertisement. But I should be extremely obliged to you if you would come down with me to Woking to-morrow, by the same train which we took yesterday."

I met him accordingly next morning (Итак, встретившись с ним на следующее утро; accordingly — соответственно, так, таким образом) and we traveled down to Woking together (мы вместе поехали в Уокинг). He had had no answer to his advertisement (Он не получил ответа на свое объявление), he said, and no fresh light had been thrown upon the case (сказал он, и ничего нового по делу нет). He had, when he so willed it (Он имел, когда хотел этого; to will — желать, хотеть), the utter immobility of countenance of a red Indian (абсолютную непроницаемость краснокожего индейца; immobility — неподвижность; countenance — выражение лица), and I could not gather from his appearance (и я не мог определить по его внешнему виду; appearance — внешний вид, наружность) whether he was satisfied or not with the position of the case (был ли он удовлетворен состоянием дела или нет; to satisfy — удовлетворять). His conversation, I remember (Помню, его рассказ), was about the Bertillon system of measurements (был о системе измерений Бертильона; measurement — измерение), and he expressed his enthusiastic admiration of the French savant (и он выразил восторженное восхищение французким ученым; admiration — восторг, восхищение; savant — ученый (из франц.)).

I met him accordingly next morning and we traveled down to Woking together. He had had no answer to his advertisement, he said, and no fresh light had been thrown upon the case. He had, when he so willed it, the utter immobility of countenance of a red Indian, and I could not gather from his appearance whether he was satisfied or not with the position of the case. His conversation, I remember, was about the Bertillon system of measurements, and he expressed his enthusiastic admiration of the French savant.

We found our client still under the charge of his devoted nurse (Мы нашли нашего клиента все еще под надзором его преданной сиделки; charge — забота, попечение, надзор (когда речь идет о человеке или животном)), but looking considerably better than before (но выглядевшим значительно лучше, чем раньше). He rose from the sofa and greeted us (Он поднялся с дивана и поприветствовал нас) without difficulty when we entered (без труда, когда мы вошли).

"Any news?" he asked, eagerly (“Какие новости?” — спросил он нетерпеливо; eagerly — интенсивно, напряженно, энергично, активно).

"My report, as I expected, is a negative one," said Holmes (“Мой отчет, как я и предполагал, отрицательный”, — сказал Холмс). "I have seen Forbes, and I have seen your uncle (Я видел Форбса и видел вашего дядю), and I have set one or two trains of inquiry upon foot (и повел расследование по нескольким каналам; one or two — немного, несколько; on foot — в движении, в стадии приготовления) which may lead to something (которые могут к чему-нибудь привести)."

"You have not lost heart, then (Тогда, вы не потеряли надежды)?"

"By no means (Ни в коем случае)."

"God bless you for saying that (Благослови вас бог за эти слова; to bless — благословлять)!" cried Miss Harrison (воскликнула мисс Харрисон). "If we keep our courage and our patience (Если мы сохраним смелость и терпение) the truth must come out (правда обязательно откроется)."

We found our client still under the charge of his devoted nurse, but looking considerably better than before. He rose from the sofa and greeted us without difficulty when we entered.

"Any news?" he asked, eagerly.

"My report, as I expected, is a negative one," said Holmes. "I have seen Forbes, and I have seen your uncle, and I have set one or two trains of inquiry upon foot which may lead to something."

"You have not lost heart, then?"

"By no means."

"God bless you for saying that!" cried Miss Harrison. "If we keep our courage and our patience the truth must come out."

"We have more to tell you than you have for us (Мы можем рассказать вам больше, чем вы нам," said Phelps, reseating himself upon the couch (сказал Фелпс, снова усаживаясь на диван; couch — диван, софа, кушетка).

"I hoped you might have something (Я надеялся, что у вас может быть что-то)."

"Yes, we have had an adventure during the night (Да, у нас было происшествие ночью), and one which might have proved to be a serious one (и, кажется, весьма серьезное)." His expression grew very grave as he spoke (Его выражение стало очень мрачным, когда он говорил; grave — мрачный, печальный), and a look of something akin to fear sprang up in his eyes (и в его глазах возникло выражение, похожее на страх; akin — близкий, похожий, такой; to spring up — возникать, появляться). "Do you know," said he (“Вы знаете”, — сказал он), "that I begin to believe that I am (я начинаю верить, что являюсь) the unconscious centre of some monstrous conspiracy (невольным центром какого-то ужасного заговора; unconscious — не осознающий, бессознательный), and that my life is aimed (и что моя жизнь находится под угрозой) at as well as my honor (так же, как и моя честь)?"

"Ah!" cried Holmes (“Ого!”, — воскликнул Холмс).

"It sounds incredible (Это звучит невероятно), for I have not, as far as I know, an enemy in the world (потому что, насколько я знаю, у меня нет ни одного врага во всем мире). Yet from last night's experience (И, все же, после событий прошлой ночью) I can come to no other conclusion (я не могу прийти к другому выводу)."

"We have more to tell you than you have for us," said Phelps, reseating himself upon the couch.

"I hoped you might have something."

"Yes, we have had an adventure during the night, and one which might have proved to be a serious one." His expression grew very grave as he spoke, and a look of something akin to fear sprang up in his eyes. "Do you know," said he, "that I begin to believe that I am the unconscious centre of some monstrous conspiracy, and that my life is aimed at as well as my honor?"

"Ah!" cried Holmes.

"It sounds incredible, for I have not, as far as I know, an enemy in the world. Yet from last night's experience I can come to no other conclusion."

"Pray let me hear it (Умоляю, расскажите мне все)."

"You must know that last night was the very first night (Вам следует знать, что прошлая ночь была первой ночью) that I have ever slept without a nurse in the room (когда я спал без сиделки в комнате). I was so much better that I thought (Мне было настолько лучше, что я подумал) I could dispense with one (что смогу обойтись без нее; to dispense with — обходиться без чего-л.). I had a night-light burning, however (Все же, у меня горел ночник). Well, about two in the morning (Ну, примерно в два часа утра) I had sunk into a light sleep (я погрузился в слабый сон) when I was suddenly aroused by a slight noise (когда меня неожиданно разбудил слабый шум). It was like the sound which a mouse makes (Он был похож на звук, который издает мышь) when it is gnawing a plank (когда грызет доску; to gnaw — грызть, глодать; plank — доска, планка), and I lay listening to it for some time (и я лежал, слушая его некоторое время) under the impression that it must come from that cause (полагая, что это и есть его причина; impression — впечатление). Then it grew louder (Затем он стал громче), and suddenly there came from the window a sharp metallic snick (затем от окна раздался резкий металлический щелчок; snick — слабый, часто металлический, звук). I sat up in amazement (Я поднялся в изумлении). There could be no doubt what the sounds were now (Теперь не могло быть сомнения в том, что это за звуки). The first ones had been caused by some one (Первый был вызван кем-то) forcing an instrument through the slit between the sashes (засовывающим инструмент через щель в рамах; slit — щель, прорезь; sash — английское подъемное окно, подвижный оконный переплет), and the second by the catch being pressed back (а второй — отодвигаемой назад щеколдой; catch — защелка, запор, щеколда, шпингалет).

"There was a pause then for about ten minutes (Затем наступила пауза примерно на десять минут), as if the person were waiting to see (как будто человек ждал, чтобы увидеть) whether the noise had awakened me (разбудил ли меня шум; to awaken — будить). Then I heard a gentle creaking (Потом я услышал слабый скрип; creak — скрип) as the window was very slowly opened (как будто окно очень медленно открывали). I could stand it no longer (Я не мог больше терпеть; to stand — выдерживать, выносить, терпеть), for my nerves are not what they used to be (потому что мои нервы уже не такие, как раньше). I sprang out of bed and flung open the shutters (Я вскочил с постели и распахнул ставни; to fling open — распахнуть; shutter — ставень). A man was crouching at the window (На корточках у окна стоял человек; to crouch — припадать к земле, сжиматься). I could see little of him (Я смог немного разглядеть его), for he was gone like a flash (потому что он мгновенно бежал). He was wrapped in some sort of cloak (Он был закутан в какой-то плащ; to wrap — окутывать, обертывать; cloak — плащ, мантия) which came across the lower part of his face (который закрывал нижнюю часть его лица). One thing only I am sure of (Я уверен только в одном), and that is that he had some weapon in his hand (и это то, что у него в руке было какое-то оружие). It looked to me like a long knife (Оно было похоже на длинный нож; to look like — быть похожим). I distinctly saw the gleam of it as he turned to run (Я отчетливо видел его блеск, когда он повернулся бежать; gleam — слабый свет, проблеск, луч, вспышка)."

"Pray let me hear it."

"You must know that last night was the very first night that I have ever slept without a nurse in the room. I was so much better that I thought I could dispense with one. I had a night-light burning, however. Well, about two in the morning I had sunk into a light sleep when I was suddenly aroused by a slight noise. It was like the sound which a mouse makes when it is gnawing a plank, and I lay listening to it for some time under the impression that it must come from that cause. Then it grew louder, and suddenly there came from the window a sharp metallic snick. I sat up in amazement. There could be no doubt what the sounds were now. The first ones had been caused by some one forcing an instrument through the slit between the sashes, and the second by the catch being pressed back.

"There was a pause then for about ten minutes, as if the person were waiting to see whether the noise had awakened me. Then I heard a gentle creaking as the window was very slowly opened. I could stand it no longer, for my nerves are not what they used to be. I sprang out of bed and flung open the shutters. A man was crouching at the window. I could see little of him, for he was gone like a flash. He was wrapped in some sort of cloak which came across the lower part of his face. One thing only I am sure of, and that is that he had some weapon in his hand. It looked to me like a long knife. I distinctly saw the gleam of it as he turned to run."

"This is most interesting," said Holmes (“Это очень интересно”, — сказал Холмс). "Pray what did you do then (Ну, что вы сделали потом)?"

"I should have followed him through the open window (Я бы последовал за ним через открытое окно) if I had been stronger (если бы был сильнее). As it was, I rang the bell and roused the house (Как бы там ни было, я позвонил в звонок и понял дом). It took me some little time, for the bell (Это заняло некоторое время, потому что звонок) rings in the kitchen and the servants all sleep upstairs (звонит на кухне, а все слуги спят наверху). I shouted, however, and that brought Joseph down (Я закричал, и Джозеф прибежал вниз) and he roused the others (и он поднял остальных). Joseph and the groom found marks on the bed outside the window (Джозеф и конюх нашли следы на клумбе под окном), but the weather has been so dry lately (но в последнее время была такая сухая погода) that they found it hopeless to follow the trail across the grass (что они посчитали безнадежным идти по следу на траве). There's a place, however, on the wooden fence which skirts the road (На деревянном заборе, который идет вдоль дороги, есть место; to skirt — быть расположенным по краю, идти вдоль края) which shows signs, they tell me (где, как они сказали мне, есть отметина), as if some one had got over (как будто кто-то перелезал через него), and had snapped the top of the rail in doing so (и сломал при этом верхушку доски; to snap — порвать, сломать). I have said nothing to the local police yet (Я пока ничего не говорил местной полиции), for I thought I had best have your opinion first (так как подумал, что лучше сначала узнать ваше мнение)."

This tale of our client's appeared (Рассказ нашего клиента по-видимому) to have an extraordinary effect upon Sherlock Holmes (оказал сильное воздействие на Шерлока Холмса). He rose from his chair (Он поднялся со стула) and paced about the room in uncontrollable excitement (и прошелся по комнате в неконтролируемом возбуждении; to pace — шагать, прохаживаться).

"Misfortunes never come single (Беда никогда не приходит одна)," said Phelps, smiling, though it was evident (сказал Фелпс, улыбаясь хотя было очевидно; evident — явный, очевидный) that his adventure had somewhat shaken him (что приключение слегка потрясло его; somewhat — отчасти, до некоторой степени, слегка).

"You have certainly had your share (К вам во всяком случае: «вы, конечно, имели свою долю»)," said Holmes (сказал Холмс). "Do you think you could walk round the house with me (Как вы думаете, вы сможете пройти со мной вокруг дома)?"

"Oh, yes, I should like a little sunshine (О да, мне бы хотелось немного солнечного света). Joseph will come, too (Джозеф тоже пойдет)."

"This is most interesting," said Holmes. "Pray what did you do then?"

"I should have followed him through the open window if I had been stronger. As it was, I rang the bell and roused the house. It took me some little time, for the bell rings in the kitchen and the servants all sleep upstairs. I shouted, however, and that brought Joseph down, and he roused the others. Joseph and the groom found marks on the bed outside the window, but the weather has been so dry lately that they found it hopeless to follow the trail across the grass. There's a place, however, on the wooden fence which skirts the road which shows signs, they tell me, as if some one had got over, and had snapped the top of the rail in doing so. I have said nothing to the local police yet, for I thought I had best have your opinion first."

This tale of our client's appeared to have an extraordinary effect upon Sherlock Holmes. He rose from his chair and paced about the room in uncontrollable excitement.

"Misfortunes never come single," said Phelps, smiling, though it was evident that his adventure had somewhat shaken him.

"You have certainly had your share," said Holmes. "Do you think you could walk round the house with me?"

"Oh, yes, I should like a little sunshine. Joseph will come, too."

"And I also," said Miss Harrison (“И я тоже”, — сказала мисс Харрисон).

"I am afraid not," said Holmes, shaking his head (“Боюсь, что нет”, — сказал Холмс, качая головой; to shake — трясти, качать). "I think I must ask you to remain sitting exactly where you are (Я думаю, что мне следует попросить вас остаться сидеть там, где вы находитесь)."

The young lady resumed her seat (Молодая леди осталась на своем месте; to resume — возобновлять, продолжать) with an air of displeasure (с недовольным видом; displeasure — неудовольствие, недовольство; air — выражение лица). Her brother, however, had joined us and we set off all four together (Ее брат все же присоединился к нам и мы вышли вчетвером). We passed round the lawn (Мы прошли вокруг лужайки; lawn — газон, лужайка) to the outside of the young diplomatist's window (к наружной стороне окна молодого дипломата). There were, as he had said, marks upon the bed (Как он говорил, на клумбе были следы), but they were hopelessly blurred and vague (но они были нечеткие и безнадежно затертые; to blur — размывать, смазать; vague — неясный, смутный, нечеткий). Holmes stopped over them for an instant (Холмс остановился над ними на мгновение), and then rose shrugging his shoulders (и затем встал, пожимая плечами).

"I don't think any one could make much of this (Я не думаю, что мы не сможем много извлечь из этого)," said he (сказал он). "Let us go round the house and see (Давайте обойдем вокруг дома и посмотрим) why this particular room was chosen by the burglar (почему эта конкретная комната была выбрана взломщиком; burglar — вор-взломщик). I should have thought those larger windows of the drawing-room and dining-room (Я думаю, что большие окна гостиной и столовой) would have had more attractions for him (были бы более привлекательны для него)."

"I am afraid not," said Holmes, shaking his head. "I think I must ask you to remain sitting exactly where you are."

The young lady resumed her seat with an air of displeasure. Her brother, however, had joined us and we set off all four together. We passed round the lawn to the outside of the young diplomatist's window. There were, as he had said, marks upon the bed, but they were hopelessly blurred and vague. Holmes stopped over them for an instant, and then rose shrugging his shoulders.

"I don't think any one could make much of this," said he. "Let us go round the house and see why this particular room was chosen by the burglar. I should have thought those larger windows of the drawing-room and dining-room would have had more attractions for him."

"They are more visible from the road (Они лучше видны с дороги)," suggested Mr. Joseph Harrison (предложил мистер Джозеф Харрисон).

"Ah, yes, of course (Ах да, конечно). There is a door here which he might have attempted (Здесь есть дверь, которую он мог бы попытаться /взломать/). What is it for (Зачем она нужна)?"

"It is the side entrance for trades-people (Это боковой вход для торговцев). Of course it is locked at night (Конечно, она закрыта ночью)."

"Have you ever had an alarm like this before (У вас когда-нибудь случались подобные происшествия)?"

"Never," said our client (“Никогда”, — сказал наш клиент).

"Do you keep plate in the house (Вы храните столовое серебро в доме; plate — столовое серебро), or anything to attract burglars (или что-нибудь, что может привлечь взломщиков)?"

"Nothing of value (Ничего ценного)."

Holmes strolled round the house with his hands in his pockets (Холмс прошелся вокруг дома, засунув руки в карманы; to stroll — прогуливаться, бродить, гулять) and a negligent air which was unusual with him (и беспечным выражением лица, которое было необычно для него; negligent — халатный, беспечный; air — выражение лица).

"They are more visible from the road," suggested Mr. Joseph Harrison.

"Ah, yes, of course. There is a door here which he might have attempted. What is it for?"

"It is the side entrance for trades-people. Of course it is locked at night."

"Have you ever had an alarm like this before?"

"Never," said our client.

"Do you keep plate in the house, or anything to attract burglars?"

"Nothing of value."

Holmes strolled round the house with his hands in his pockets and a negligent air which was unusual with him.

"By the way," said he to Joseph Harrison (“Кстати”, — сказал он Джозефу Харрисону), "you found some place, I understand (вы нашли какое-то место, как я понимаю), where the fellow scaled the fence (где человек перелезал через забор; to scale — подниматься, взбираться). Let us have a look at that (Давайте посмотрим на него)!"

The plump young man led us to a spot (Пухлый молодой человек провел нас к месту; plump — полный, пухлый) where the top of one of the wooden rails had been cracked (где верхушка одной из деревянных досок была надломлена; rail — перила, поручни, ограда, ограждение). A small fragment of the wood was hanging down (Небольшой кусок дерева свисал вниз; to hang down — свисать). Holmes pulled it off and examined it critically (Холмс отодрал его и критически осмотрел; to pull — тянуть, тащить, дергать).

"Do you think that was done last night (Вы думаете, что это было сделано прошлой ночью)? It looks rather old, does it not (Она выглядит достаточно старой, не так ли)?"

"Well, possibly so (Ну, возможно)."

"There are no marks of any one jumping down upon the other side (Нет следов кого-либо, спрыгнувшего на другой стороне). No, I fancy we shall get no help here (Нет, я думаю, мы ничего здесь не найдем: «не получим здесь помощи»). Let us go back to the bedroom and talk the matter over (Давайте пройдем с спальню и обговорим происшествие)."

Percy Phelps was walking very slowly (Перси Фелпс шел очень медленно), leaning upon the arm of his future brother-in-law (опираясь на руку своего будущего шурина; to lean — прислоняться, опираться; brother-in-law — зять (муж сестры), шурин (брат жены), свояк (муж свояченицы), деверь (брат мужа)). Holmes walked swiftly across the lawn (Холмс быстро прошел по лужайке), and we were at the open window of the bedroom (и мы были у открытого окна спальни) long before the others came up (задолго до того, как пришли остальные).

"By the way," said he to Joseph Harrison, "you found some place, I understand, where the fellow scaled the fence. Let us have a look at that!"

The plump young man led us to a spot where the top of one of the wooden rails had been cracked. A small fragment of the wood was hanging down. Holmes pulled it off and examined it critically.

"Do you think that was done last night? It looks rather old, does it not?"

"Well, possibly so."

"There are no marks of any one jumping down upon the other side. No, I fancy we shall get no help here. Let us go back to the bedroom and talk the matter over."

Percy Phelps was walking very slowly, leaning upon the arm of his future brother-in-law. Holmes walked swiftly across the lawn, and we were at the open window of the bedroom long before the others came up.

"Miss Harrison," said Holmes (“Мисс Харрисон”, — сказал Холмс), speaking with the utmost intensity of manner (говоря самым энергичным тоном; utmost — крайний, предельный, величайший), "you must stay where you are all day (вы должны оставаться там, где вы находитесь, весь день). Let nothing prevent you from staying where you are all day (Не позволяйте ничему мешать вам оставаться здесь весь день; to prevent — предотвращать, мешать). It is of the utmost importance (Это очень важно)."

"Certainly, if you wish it, Mr. Holmes, (Конечно, если вы этого хотите, мистер Холмс)" said the girl in astonishment (сказала девушка с изумлением; astonishment — изумление, удивление).

"When you go to bed lock the door of this room on the outside (Когда пойдете спать, заприте дверь этой комнаты снаружи) and keep the key (и сохраните ключ). Promise to do this (Обещайте сделать это)."

"But Percy (Но Перси)?"

"He will come to London with us (Он поедет в Лондон с нами)."

"And am I to remain here (И я должна остаться здесь)?"

"It is for his sake (Это ради него). You can serve him (Вы можете помочь ему; to serve — служить, помогать). Quick! Promise! (Быстрее! Обещайте!)"

She gave a quick nod of assent (Она быстро кивнула в знак согласия; assent — согласие, одобрение) just as the other two came up (когда другие двое вошли).

"Miss Harrison," said Holmes, speaking with the utmost intensity of manner, "you must stay where you are all day. Let nothing prevent you from staying where you are all day. It is of the utmost importance."

"Certainly, if you wish it, Mr. Holmes," said the girl in astonishment.

"When you go to bed lock the door of this room on the outside and keep the key. Promise to do this."

"But Percy?"

"He will come to London with us."

"And am I to remain here?"

"It is for his sake. You can serve him. Quick! Promise!"

She gave a quick nod of assent just as the other two came up.

"Why do you sit moping there, Annie (Что ты сидишь здесь грустная, Энни; mop — швабра, мыть, протирать шваброй, вытирать (слезы, пот и т. п.))?" cried her brother (воскликнул ее брат). "Come out into the sunshine (Выйди на солнышко)!"

"No, thank you, Joseph (Нет, спасибо, Джозеф). I have a slight headache and this room (У меня небольшая головная боль и эта комната) is deliciously cool and soothing (такая приятно прохладная и успокаивающая; delicious — приятный, прелестный, очаровательный; soothing — успокоительный, успокаивающий)."

"What do you propose now, Mr. Holmes (Что вы предлагаете сейчас, мистер Холмс; to propose — предлагать)?" asked our client (спросил наш клиент).

"Well, in investigating this minor affair (Расследуя это мелкое происшествие; to investigate — расследовать, изучать) we must not lose sight of our main inquiry (мы не должны упускать из вида главное расследование). It would be a very great help to me (Для меня было бы большим подспорьем) if you would come up to London with us (если бы вы поехали с нами в Лондон)."

"At once (Немедленно)?"

"Well, as soon as you conveniently can (Ну, как только вам будет удобно). Say in an hour (Скажем, через час)."

"I feel quite strong enough (Я чувствую себя достаточно сильным), if I can really be of any help (если я действительно смогу чем-нибудь помочь)."

"The greatest possible (Вполне вероятно)."

"Why do you sit moping there, Annie?" cried her brother. "Come out into the sunshine!"

"No, thank you, Joseph. I have a slight headache and this room is deliciously cool and soothing."

"What do you propose now, Mr. Holmes?" asked our client.

"Well, in investigating this minor affair we must not lose sight of our main inquiry. It would be a very great help to me if you would come up to London with us."

"At once?"

"Well, as soon as you conveniently can. Say in an hour."

"I feel quite strong enough, if I can really be of any help."

"The greatest possible."

"Perhaps you would like me to stay there to-night (Возможно, вы хотите, чтобы я остался там на ночь)?"

"I was just going to propose it (Я как раз собирался это предложить)."

"Then, if my friend of the night comes to revisit me (Тогда, если мой ночной друг снова посетит меня), he will find the bird flown (он обнаружит, что птичка улетела). We are all in your hands, Mr. Holmes (Мы все в ваших руках, мистер Холмс), and you must tell us exactly what you would like done (и вы должны точно сказать нам, что нужно сделать). Perhaps you would prefer that Joseph came with us (Возможно, вы захотите, чтобы Джозеф поехал с нами; to prefer — предпочитать) so as to look after me (чтобы присматривать за мной)?"

"Oh, no; my friend Watson is a medical man (О, нет, мой друг Уотсон — медик), you know, and he'll look after you (вы знаете, и он присмотрит за вами). We'll have our lunch here, if you will permit us (Мы позавтракаем здесь, если вы разрешите нам; to permit — позволять, разрешать), and then we shall all three set off for town together (и затем мы все вместе отправимся в город)."

"Perhaps you would like me to stay there to-night?"

"I was just going to propose it."

"Then, if my friend of the night comes to revisit me, he will find the bird flown. We are all in your hands, Mr. Holmes, and you must tell us exactly what you would like done. Perhaps you would prefer that Joseph came with us so as to look after me?"

"Oh, no; my friend Watson is a medical man, you know, and he'll look after you. We'll have our lunch here, if you will permit us, and then we shall all three set off for town together."

It was arranged as he suggested (Все прошло так, как он предложил), though Miss Harrison excused herself from leaving the bedroom (хотя мисс Харрисон, извинившись, осталась в спальне), in accordance with Holmes's suggestion (в соответствии с указанием Холмса; in accordance with — в соответствии с (чем-л.)). What the object of my friend's manoeuvres was I could not conceive (Я не мог понять причину маневров моего друга; to conceive — постигать), unless it were to keep the lady away from Phelps (разве, чтобы держать леди вдали от Фелпса), who, rejoiced by his returning health and by the prospect of action (который, обрадовавшись вернувшемуся здоровью и перспективе действовать; to rejoice — ликовать, торжествовать, радоваться), lunched with us in the dining-room (обедал с нами в столовой). Holmes had a still more startling surprise for us (У Холмса был еще более поразительный сюрприз для нас; startling — изумительный, поразительный, удивительный), however, for, after accompanying us down to the station and seeing us into our carriage (так как, проводив нас до станции и посадив в вагон), he calmly announced that he had no intention of leaving Woking (он спокойно заявил, что не намеревается уезжать из Уокинга; calm — спокойный, невозмутимый; to announce — объявлять, заявлять; intention — намерение, цель).

"There are one or two small points (Есть несколько мелких вопросов; one or two — немного, несколько) which I should desire to clear up before I go (которые мне бы хотелось прояснить перед поездкой; to desire — желать, хотеть)," said he (сказал он). "Your absence, Mr. Phelps, will in some ways rather assist me (Ваше отсутствие, мистер Фелпс, будет для меня своеобразной подмогой; absence — отсутствие). Watson, when you reach London you would oblige me (Уотсон, когда вы приедете в Лондон, вы очень обяжите меня; to oblige — обязывать) by driving at once to Baker Street with our friend here (если немедленно поедете на Бейкер стрит с нашим другом), and remaining with him until I see you again (и останетесь там, пока я с вами не увижусь). It is fortunate that you are old school-fellows (Хорошо, что вы старые школьные товарищи; fortunate — счастливый, удачный, благоприятный), as you must have much to talk over (у вас есть много о чем поговорить). Mr. Phelps can have the spare bedroom to-night (Мистер Фелпс может занять пустую спальню на ночь; spare — свободный, запасной, резервный), and I will be with you in time for breakfast (и я приеду к вам к завтраку), for there is a train which will take me into Waterloo at eight (есть поезд, приходящий на Ватерлоо в восемь)."

It was arranged as he suggested, though Miss Harrison excused herself from leaving the bedroom, in accordance with Holmes's suggestion. What the object of my friend's manoeuvres was I could not conceive, unless it were to keep the lady away from Phelps, who, rejoiced by his returning health and by the prospect of action, lunched with us in the dining-room. Holmes had a still more startling surprise for us, however, for, after accompanying us down to the station and seeing us into our carriage, he calmly announced that he had no intention of leaving Woking.

"There are one or two small points which I should desire to clear up before I go," said he. "Your absence, Mr. Phelps, will in some ways rather assist me. Watson, when you reach London you would oblige me by driving at once to Baker Street with our friend here, and remaining with him until I see you again. It is fortunate that you are old school-fellows, as you must have much to talk over. Mr. Phelps can have the spare bedroom to-night, and I will be with you in time for breakfast, for there is a train which will take me into Waterloo at eight."

"But how about our investigation in London (Но как насчет нашего расследования в Лондоне)?" asked Phelps, ruefully (спросил Фелпс печально).

"We can do that to-morrow (Мы можем провести его завтра). I think that just at present (Я думаю, что сейчас) I can be of more immediate use here (я могу быть нужнее именно здесь)."

"You might tell them at Briarbrae (Вы можете сказать им в Брайабре) that I hope to be back to-morrow night (что я надеюсь вернуться завтра ночью)," cried Phelps, as we began to move from the platform (закричал Фелпс, когда мы начали двигаться от платформы).

"I hardly expect to go back to Briarbrae (Я вряд ли вернусь в Брайабре)," answered Holmes, and waved his hand to us cheerily (ответил Холмс и весело помахал нам рукой; cheery — веселый, живой, радостный) as we shot out from the station (когда мы отъезжали от станции).

Phelps and I talked it over on our journey (Фелпс и я проговорили об этом во время поездки), but neither of us could devise a satisfactory reason (но никто из нас не мог придумать удовлетворительную причину; to devise — разрабатывать, продумывать) for this new development (для этого нового происшествия; development — обстоятельство, событие).

"I suppose he wants to find out some clue (Я думаю, он хочет найти какую-нибудь улику) as to the burglary last night, if a burglar it was (относительно взлома прошлой ночью, если это был взлом; burglary — ночная кража со взломом). For myself, I don't believe it was an ordinary thief (Лично я не верю, что это был обычный вор)."

"What is your own idea, then (Каково тогда ваше мнение)?"

"Upon my word (Честное слово), you may put it down to my weak nerves or not (вы можете приписать это моим слабым нервам или нет), but I believe there is some deep political intrigue going on around me (но я думаю, что вокруг меня разворачивается тайная политическая интрига), and that for some reason that passes my understanding (и по какой-то причине, которая выше моего понимания) my life is aimed at by the conspirators (моя жизнь ставится под угрозу конспираторами). It sounds high-flown and absurd (Это звучит высокомерно и абсурдно), but consider the facts (но посмотрите на факты; to consider — рассматривать, обдумывать)! Why should a thief try to break in at a bedroom window (Зачем вору пытаться влезть в окно спальни), where there could be no hope of any plunder (где нет надежды на наживу; plunder — трофеи, добыча), and why should he come with a long knife in his hand (и зачем ему нужно было приходить с длинным ножом в руке)?"

But how about our investigation in London?" asked Phelps, ruefully.

"We can do that to-morrow. I think that just at present I can be of more immediate use here."

"You might tell them at Briarbrae that I hope to be back to-morrow night," cried Phelps, as we began to move from the platform.

"I hardly expect to go back to Briarbrae," answered Holmes, and waved his hand to us cheerily as we shot out from the station.

Phelps and I talked it over on our journey, but neither of us could devise a satisfactory reason for this new development.

"I suppose he wants to find out some clue as to the burglary last night, if a burglar it was. For myself, I don't believe it was an ordinary thief."

"What is your own idea, then?"

"Upon my word, you may put it down to my weak nerves or not, but I believe there is some deep political intrigue going on around me, and that for some reason that passes my understanding my life is aimed at by the conspirators. It sounds high-flown and absurd, but consider the facts! Why should a thief try to break in at a bedroom window, where there could be no hope of any plunder, and why should he come with a long knife in his hand?"

"You are sure it was not a house-breaker's jimmy (Вы уверены, что это не фомка домашнего взломщика; jimmy — воровской лом "фомка")?"

"Oh, no, it was a knife (О, нет, это был нож). I saw the flash of the blade quite distinctly (Я видел блеск клинка совершенно отчетливо; blade — лезвие, клинок)."

"But why on earth should you be pursued with such animosity (Но зачем же вас преследуют с такой злобой; on earth — же, просто, только, все-таки употр. после вопросит. местоимений how, why, where и пр.; to pursue — преследовать, гнаться; animosity — враждебность, злоба)?"

"Ah, that is the question (А в этом и вопрос)."

"Well, if Holmes takes the same view (Ну, если Холмс придерживается такого же мнения), that would account for his action, would it not (то это и есть причина его действий, не так ли; account — основание, причина)? Presuming that your theory is correct (Полагая, что ваша теория верна; to presume — предполагать, полагать, допускать), if he can lay his hands upon the man (если он сможет схватить человека) who threatened you last night (который угрожал вам прошлой ночью; to threaten — грозить, угрожать) he will have gone a long way (то проделает большой путь) towards finding who took the naval treaty (к нахождению того, кто взял морской договор). It is absurd to suppose that you have two enemies (Абсурдно полагать, что у тебя есть два врага), one of whom robs you, while the other threatens your life (один из которых грабит тебя, а второй — угрожает твоей жизни; to rob — грабить, воровать, красть)."

"You are sure it was not a house-breaker's jimmy?"

"Oh, no, it was a knife. I saw the flash of the blade quite distinctly."

"But why on earth should you be pursued with such animosity?"

"Ah, that is the question."

"Well, if Holmes takes the same view, that would account for his action, would it not? Presuming that your theory is correct, if he can lay his hands upon the man who threatened you last night he will have gone a long way towards finding who took the naval treaty. It is absurd to suppose that you have two enemies, one of whom robs you, while the other threatens your life."

"But Holmes said that he was not going to Briarbrae (Но Холмс сказал, что он не собирается в Брайабре)."

"I have known him for some time," said I (“Я знаю его определенное время”, — сказал я), "but I never knew (но я никогда не видел: «знал») him do anything yet without a very good reason (чтобы он делал что-нибудь без сильного основания)," and with that our conversation drifted off on to other topics (и после этого наш разговор перешел на другие темы; to drift — дрейфовать, смещаться).

But it was a weary day for me (Но это был утомительный день для меня; weary — утомительный, скучный). Phelps was still weak after his long illness (Фелпс был все еще слаб после долгой болезни), and his misfortune made him querulous and nervous (и его неудача сделала его раздражительным и нервным; querulous — жалующийся, ворчливый, недовольный, раздражительный). In vain I endeavored to interest him in Afghanistan (Напрасно я пытался заинтересовать его Афганистаном), in India, in social questions (Индией, социальными вопросами), in anything which might take his mind out of the groove (всем, что могло отвлечь его от привычных мыслей; groove — желобок, паз, рутина, привычка, что-л. обычное, привычное). He would always come back to his lost treaty (Он всегда возвращался к своему потерянному договору), wondering, guessing, speculating, as to what Holmes was doing (интересуясь, гадая, предполагая, что делает Холмс; to speculate — обдумывать, размышлять, предполагать), what steps Lord Holdhurst was taking (какие шаги предпримет лорд Холдхэрст), what news we should have in the morning (какие новости мы получим утром). As the evening wore on his excitement became quite painful (К вечеру его возбуждение стало достаточно тягостным).

"But Holmes said that he was not going to Briarbrae."

"I have known him for some time," said I, "but I never knew him do anything yet without a very good reason," and with that our conversation drifted off on to other topics.

But it was a weary day for me. Phelps was still weak after his long illness, and his misfortune made him querulous and nervous. In vain I endeavored to interest him in Afghanistan, in India, in social questions, in anything which might take his mind out of the groove. He would always come back to his lost treaty, wondering, guessing, speculating, as to what Holmes was doing, what steps Lord Holdhurst was taking, what news we should have in the morning. As the evening wore on his excitement became quite painful.

"You have implicit faith in Holmes?" he asked (“Вы безоговорочно верите в Холмса?” — спросил он; implicit — безоговорочный, безусловный).

"I have seen him do some remarkable things (Я видел, как он делает замечательные вещи)."

"But he never brought light into anything quite so dark as this (Но он никогда не распутывал таких темных дел, как это)?"

"Oh, yes; I have known him solve questions (О, да, я видел, как он решал задачи) which presented fewer clues than yours (в которых было меньше улик, чем в вашей)."

"But not where such large interests are at stake (Но не такие, в которых на карту ставились такие крупные интересы)?"

"I don't know that (Я не знаю). To my certain knowledge he has acted (Мне достоверно известно, что он действовал) on behalf of three of the reigning houses of Europe in very vital matters (по поручению трех правящих домов Европы в очень важных делах; on behalf — по чьему-л. поручению, от чьего-л. имени; vital — жизненно важный, насущный, существенный)."

"But you know him well, Watson (Но вы хорошо его знаете, Уотсон). He is such an inscrutable fellow (Он такой загадочный человек; inscrutable — загадочный, необъяснимый, непонятный, непостижимый) that I never quite know what to make of him (что я никогда не знаю, чего от него ждать). Do you think he is hopeful (Вы думаете, на него можно надеяться)? Do you think he expects to make a success of it (Вы думаете, он надеется на успешное завершение дела)?"

"He has said nothing (Он ничего не сказал)."

"That is a bad sign (Это плохой знак)."

"On the contrary, I have noticed that when (Наоборот, я заметил, что когда) he is off the trail he generally says so (он сбивается со следа, он обычно говорит об этом). It is when he is on a scent (А когда он идет по следу) and is not quite absolutely sure yet that it is the right one (и еще не совсем уверен, что он ведет его правильно) that he is most taciturn (тогда он особенно молчалив; taciturn — молчаливый, неразговорчивый). Now, my dear fellow (Теперь, мой дорогой друг), we can't help matters by making ourselves nervous about them (мы не поможем делу, переживая о нем), so let me implore you to go to bed and so be fresh (так что прошу вас лечь в постель, чтобы быть свежим; to implore — умолять, заклинать, просить, упрашивать) for whatever may await us to-morrow (что бы ни ожидало нас завтра)."

"You have implicit faith in Holmes?" he asked.

"I have seen him do some remarkable things."

"But he never brought light into anything quite so dark as this?"

"Oh, yes; I have known him solve questions which presented fewer clues than yours."

"But not where such large interests are at stake?"

"I don't know that. To my certain knowledge he has acted on behalf of three of the reigning houses of Europe in very vital matters."

"But you know him well, Watson. He is such an inscrutable fellow that I never quite know what to make of him. Do you think he is hopeful? Do you think he expects to make a success of it?"

"He has said nothing."

"That is a bad sign."

"On the contrary, I have noticed that when he is off the trail he generally says so. It is when he is on a scent and is not quite absolutely sure yet that it is the right one that he is most taciturn. Now, my dear fellow, we can't help matters by making ourselves nervous about them, so let me implore you to go to bed and so be fresh for whatever may await us to-morrow."

I was able at last to persuade my companion (Наконец мне удалось убедить моего товарища; to persuade — убеждать) to take my advice (последовать моему совету), though I knew from his excited manner (хотя я понимал по его возбужденному поведению) that there was not much hope of sleep for him (что не было большой надежды, что он заснет). Indeed, his mood was infectious (На самом деле, его настроение оказалось заразительным; mood — настроение; infectious — заразный, инфекционный, заразительный), for I lay tossing half the night myself (потому что я сам лежал, ворочаясь полночи; to toss — бросать, кидать, метать, швырять), brooding over this strange problem, and inventing a hundred theories (обдумывая этот странный случай и сочиняя сотню теорий; to brood — размышлять), each of which was more impossible than the last (каждая из которые была более неправдоподобной, чем предыдущая). Why had Holmes remained at Woking (Зачем Холмс остался в Уокинге)? Why had he asked Miss Harrison to remain in the sick-room all day (Зачем он попросил мисс Харрисон оставаться в палате весь день)? Why had he been so careful not to inform the people at Briarbrae (Почему он так старался не рассказать людям в Брайабре) that he intended to remain near them (что он собирается остаться рядом с ними; to intend — намереваться)? I cudgelled my brains until I fell asleep (Я ломал себе голову, пока не заснул; cudgel — дубина, толстая деревянная палка; to cudgel one's brains — усердно над чем-то думать) in the endeavor to find some explanation which would cover all these facts (пытаясь найти какое-нибудь объяснение всем этим фактам; endeavor — попытка).

It was seven o'clock when I awoke (Было семь часов, когда я проснулся), and I set off at once for Phelps's room (и я сразу прошел в комнату Фелпса), to find him haggard and spent after a sleepless night (где нашел его измученного и истощенного после бессонной ночи; haggard — изможденный, измученный, изнуренный; to spend — истощать, ослаблять). His first question was whether Holmes had arrived yet (Его первый вопрос был о том, прибыл ли Холмс).

I was able at last to persuade my companion to take my advice, though I knew from his excited manner that there was not much hope of sleep for him. Indeed, his mood was infectious, for I lay tossing half the night myself, brooding over this strange problem, and inventing a hundred theories, each of which was more impossible than the last. Why had Holmes remained at Woking? Why had he asked Miss Harrison to remain in the sick-room all day? Why had he been so careful not to inform the people at Briarbrae that he intended to remain near them? I cudgelled my brains until I fell asleep in the endeavor to find some explanation which would cover all these facts.

It was seven o'clock when I awoke, and I set off at once for Phelps's room, to find him haggard and spent after a sleepless night. His first question was whether Holmes had arrived yet.

"He'll be here when he promised," said I (“Он будет здесь, когда обещал”, — сказал я), "and not an instant sooner or later (ни минутой раньше или позже)."

And my words were true (И мои слова оказались правдой), for shortly after eight (так как вскоре после восьми) a hansom dashed up to the door (к двери подъехал экипаж; hansom — двухколесный экипаж с местом для кучера сзади; to dash — мчаться, нестись) and our friend got out of it (и из него вылез наш друг). Standing in the window we saw that his left hand (Стоя у окна, мы увидели, что его левая рука) was swathed in a bandage (была завязана бинтом; to swathe — бинтовать; bandage — бинт, перевязочный материал) and that his face was very grim and pale (и его лицо было очень мрачным и бледным; grim — грозный, зловещий, мрачный, страшный). He entered the house (Он вошел в дом), but it was some little time before he came upstairs (но прошло некоторое время, перед тем, как он поднялся наверх).

"He looks like a beaten man (Он выглядит, как человек, потерпевший поражение)," cried Phelps (воскликнул Фелпс).

I was forced to confess that he was right (Мне пришлось признать, что он был прав; to confess — признавать). "After all," said I (“Все же” — сказал я), "the clue of the matter lies probably here in town (ключ к делу, возможно, находится здесь, в городе)."

Phelps gave a groan (Фелпс простонал; groan — стон).

"I don't know how it is," said he (“Я не знаю, как обстоят дела”, — сказал он), "but I had hoped for so much from his return (но я так надеялся на его возвращение). But surely his hand was not tied up like that yesterday (Но его рука точно не была так завязана вчера). What can be the matter (Что могло случиться)?"

"He'll be here when he promised," said I, "and not an instant sooner or later."

And my words were true, for shortly after eight a hansom dashed up to the door and our friend got out of it. Standing in the window we saw that his left hand was swathed in a bandage and that his face was very grim and pale. He entered the house, but it was some little time before he came upstairs.

"He looks like a beaten man," cried Phelps.

I was forced to confess that he was right. "After all," said I, "the clue of the matter lies probably here in town."

Phelps gave a groan.

"I don't know how it is," said he, "but I had hoped for so much from his return. But surely his hand was not tied up like that yesterday. What can be the matter?"

"You are not wounded, Holmes?" I asked (“Вы не ранены, Холмс”, — спросил я; wound — рана), as my friend entered the room (когда мой друг вошел в комнату).

"Tut, it is only a scratch through my own clumsiness (А, это просто царапина из-за моей собственной неосторожности; scratch — царапина; clumsy — неловкий, неуклюжий)," he answered, nodding his good-mornings to us (ответил он, приветствуя нас кивком; to nod — кивать). "This case of yours, Mr. Phelps (Ваше дело, мистер Фелпс), is certainly one of the darkest which I have ever investigated (несомненно, одно из самых темных, которые я расследовал; to investigate — расследовать)."

"I feared that you would find it beyond you (Я боялся, что вы посчитаете его слишком сложным: «выше» для себя; beyond — вне, выше, сверх)."

"It has been a most remarkable experience (Это был очень хороший опыт; experience — опыт, случай, событие)."

"That bandage tells of adventures," said I (“Этот бинт говорит о переделке”, — сказал я; bandage — бинт, перевязочный материал). "Won't you tell us what has happened (Вы не расскажете нам, что произошло)?"

"After breakfast, my dear Watson (После завтрака, мой дорогой Уотсон). Remember that I have breathed thirty miles of Surrey air this morning (Помните, что я тридцать миль вдыхал воздух Суррея этим утром). I suppose that there has been no answer from my cabman advertisement (Я полагаю, что не было ответа на мое объявление о кебмене)? Well, well, we cannot expect to score every time (Ну, не можем же мы все время рассчитывать на удачу; to score — выигрывать, одерживать победу)."

The table was all laid, and just as I was about to ring (Стол был накрыт и я уже собирался позвонить) Mrs. Hudson entered with the tea and coffee (как миссис Хадсон вошла с чаем и кофе). A few minutes later she brought in three covers (Через несколько минут она принесла три прибора под крышками), and we all drew up to the table (и мы все подвинулись к столу; to draw up — пододвигать, придвигать), Holmes ravenous, I curious (Холмс — изголодавшийся, я — любопытный; ravenous — очень голодный, изголодавшийся), and Phelps in the gloomiest state of depression (и Фелпс в самой тяжелой депрессии; gloom — мрачный).

"You are not wounded, Holmes?" I asked, as my friend entered the room.

"Tut, it is only a scratch through my own clumsiness," he answered, nodding his good-mornings to us. "This case of yours, Mr. Phelps, is certainly one of the darkest which I have ever investigated."

"I feared that you would find it beyond you."

"It has been a most remarkable experience."

"That bandage tells of adventures," said I. "Won't you tell us what has happened?"

"After breakfast, my dear Watson. Remember that I have breathed thirty miles of Surrey air this morning. I suppose that there has been no answer from my cabman advertisement? Well, well, we cannot expect to score every time."

The table was all laid, and just as I was about to ring Mrs. Hudson entered with the tea and coffee. A few minutes later she brought in three covers, and we all drew up to the table, Holmes ravenous, I curious, and Phelps in the gloomiest state of depression.

"Mrs. Hudson has risen to the occasion," said Holmes (“Миссис Хадсон на высоте по этому случаю”, — сказал Холмс; occasion — происшествие, случай, событие), uncovering a dish of curried chicken (снимая крышку с цыпленка, приправленного кэрри; curry — карри/кэрри (острая приправа)). "Her cuisine is a little limited (Ее кухня немного ограничена = однообразна; cuisine — кухня, поваренное искусство (из франц.)), but she has as good an idea of breakfast as a Scotch-woman (но для шотландки завтрак задуман неплохо). What have you here, Watson (Что у вас здесь, Уотсон)?"

"Ham and eggs," I answered (“Ветчина и яйца”, — ответил я).

"Good (Хорошо)! What are you going to take, Mr. Phelps (Что вы хотите взять, мистер Фелпс) — curried fowl or eggs, or will you help yourself (курицу с кэрри или яйца, или вы сами выберете; fowl — домашняя птица (обыкн. курица или петух; в США также домашняя утка или индейка ))?"

"Thank you. I can eat nothing," said Phelps (“Спасибо. Я не могу ничего есть”, — сказал Фелпс).

"Oh, come (Ну, давайте)! Try the dish before you (Попробуйте блюдо перед вами)."

"Thank you, I would really rather not (Спасибо, мне не хочется)."

"Well, then (Ну, тогда)," said Holmes, with a mischievous twinkle (сказал Холмс, озорно подмигнув; mischievous — озорной, непослушный; twinkle — мигание), "I suppose that you have no objection to helping me (я полагаю, вы не откажетесь помочь мне; objection — возражение, протест)?"

Phelps raised the cover (Фелпс поднял крышку), and as he did so he uttered a scream (и после этого он вскрикнул; to utter — издавать звук; scream — крик, вопль), and sat there staring with a face as white as the plate upon which he looked (и сидел с лицом, белым, как тарелка, на которую он уставился; to stare — пристально глядеть, уставиться). Across the centre of it was lying a little cylinder of blue-gray paper (В центре нее лежал маленький цилиндр серо-голубой бумаги). He caught it up, devoured it with his eyes (Он схватил его, жадно пробежал глазами; to devour — жадно есть, поглощать), and then danced madly about the room (и затем бешено протанцевал по комнате; mad — сумасшедший, бешеный, безумный), pressing it to his bosom and shrieking out in his delight (прижимая его к груди и крича от восторга; bosom — грудь; to shriek — пронзительно кричать, орать, визжать). Then he fell back into an arm-chair so limp (Затем он упал в кресло, настолько слабый; limp — слабый, нежесткий) and exhausted with his own emotions (и обессилевший от своих собственных эмоций; exhausted — истощенный, изнуренный, измученный, обессиленный) that we had to pour brandy down his throat (так что нам пришлось дать ему бренди: «налить бренди ему в горло»; to pour — лить, наливать) to keep him from fainting (чтобы спасти его от обморока; to faint — падать в обморок).

"Mrs. Hudson has risen to the occasion," said Holmes, uncovering a dish of curried chicken. "Her cuisine is a little limited, but she has as good an idea of breakfast as a Scotch-woman. What have you here, Watson?"

"Ham and eggs," I answered.

"Good! What are you going to take, Mr. Phelps — curried fowl or eggs, or will you help yourself?"

"Thank you. I can eat nothing," said Phelps.

"Oh, come! Try the dish before you."

"Thank you, I would really rather not."

"Well, then," said Holmes, with a mischievous twinkle, "I suppose that you have no objection to helping me?"

Phelps raised the cover, and as he did so he uttered a scream, and sat there staring with a face as white as the plate upon which he looked. Across the centre of it was lying a little cylinder of blue-gray paper. He caught it up, devoured it with his eyes, and then danced madly about the room, pressing it to his bosom and shrieking out in his delight. Then he fell back into an arm-chair so limp and exhausted with his own emotions that we had to pour brandy down his throat to keep him from fainting.

"There! there!" said Holmes (“Ну! Ну!” — сказал Холмс), soothing, patting him upon the shoulder (успокаивая его и хлопая по плечу; to soothe — успокаивать; to pat — похлопывать, шлепать). "It was too bad to spring it on you like this (Не слишком хорошо было так обрушивать это на вас; to spring — неожиданно сообщить (известие и т. п.)), but Watson here will tell you that I (но Уотсон здесь скажет вам, что я) never can resist a touch of the dramatic (никогда не могу удержаться от некоторой драматизации; to resist — сопротивляться, противодействовать, противиться)."

Phelps seized his hand and kissed it (Фелпс схватил его руку и поцеловал ее; to seize — схватить, хватать). "God bless you!" he cried (“Благослови вас бог!” — воскликнул он). "You have saved my honor (Вы спасли мою честь)."

"Well, my own was at stake, you know (Ну, моя собственная была поставлена на карту, вы знаете)," said Holmes (сказал Холмс). "I assure you it is just as hateful to me to fail in a case (Уверяю вас, что мне так же неприятно не справиться с делом; to assure — уверять) as it can be to you to blunder over a commission (как и вам грубо ошибиться при выполнении поручения; to blunder — грубо ошибаться)."

Phelps thrust away the precious document (Фелпс засунул драгоценный документ; to thrust — засовывать, совать, пихать) into the innermost pocket of his coat (в самый глубокий карман пальто; innermost — находящийся в самой глубине).

"I have not the heart to interrupt your breakfast any further (Я не смею больше прерывать ваш завтрак), and yet I am dying to know (и, все же, я умираю от любопытства) how you got it and where it was (как вы достали его, и где он был)."

"There! there!" said Holmes, soothing, patting him upon the shoulder. "It was too bad to spring it on you like this, but Watson here will tell you that I never can resist a touch of the dramatic."

Phelps seized his hand and kissed it. "God bless you!" he cried. "You have saved my honor."

"Well, my own was at stake, you know," said Holmes. "I assure you it is just as hateful to me to fail in a case as it can be to you to blunder over a commission."

Phelps thrust away the precious document into the innermost pocket of his coat.

"I have not the heart to interrupt your breakfast any further, and yet I am dying to know how you got it and where it was."

Sherlock Holmes swallowed a cup of coffee (Шерлок Холмс выпил чашку кофе; to swallow — глотать, поглощать), and turned his attention to the ham and eggs (и обратил свое внимание на ветчину и яйца). Then he rose, lit his pipe (Затем он встал, зажег свою трубку), and settled himself down into his chair (и уселся на стул).

"I'll tell you what I did first (Я расскажу вам, что я сделал сначала), and how I came to do it afterwards," said he (и что я делал дальше”, — сказал он). "After leaving you at the station (Покинув вас на станции) I went for a charming walk (я совершил прелестную прогулку) through some admirable Surrey scenery (по одному из прекрасных уголков Суррея; admirable — восхитительный, замечательный) to a pretty little village called Ripley (к красивой маленькой деревне под названием Рипли; pretty — приятный, хороший, симпатичный, привлекательный), where I had my tea at an inn (где я выпил чаю в гостинице; inn — гостиница), and took the precaution of filling my flask (и предусмотрительно наполнил фляжку; precaution — предосторожность; flask — фляга) and of putting a paper of sandwiches in my pocket (и положил сверток бутербродов в карман). There I remained until evening (Там я оставался до вечера), when I set off for Woking again (когда снова отправился в Уокинг), and found myself in the high-road outside Briarbrae just after sunset (и оказался на дороге снаружи Брайабре сразу после заката).

"Well, I waited until the road was clear (Я подождал, пока дорога не опустела) — it is never a very frequented one at any time, I fancy (она вообще не очень оживленная, я полагаю) — and then I clambered over the fence into the grounds (и затем я перелез через забор в усадьбу; to clamber — карабкаться, взбираться)."

"Surely the gate was open!" ejaculated Phelps (“Конечно, ворота были открыты!” — воскликнул Фелспс; to ejaculate — восклицать, вскрикивать).

"Yes, but I have a peculiar taste in these matters (Да, но у меня особый подход в таких делах; taste — вкус, понимание, манера, стиль). I chose the place where the three fir-trees stand (Я выбрал место, где растут три елки; fir — ель), and behind their screen I got over (и под ее прикрытием я перелез) without the least chance of any one in the house being able to see me (без малейшего шанса, что кто-нибудь в доме меня увидит). I crouched down among the bushes on the other side (Я спрятался: «согнулся» среди кустов на другой стороне; to crouch — припадать к земле, согнуться, склониться), and crawled from one to the other (и прополз от одного к другому; to crawl — ползать) — witness the disreputable state of my trouser knees (свидетельство тому плачевное состояние коленей моих брюк; witness — доказательство, свидетельство; disreputable — недостойный уважения, бесчестящий, позорный, постыдный) — until I had reached the clump of rhododendrons (пока не добрался до клумбы рододендронов) just opposite to your bedroom window (прямо напротив вашей спальни). There I squatted down and awaited developments (Там я сел на корточки и ждал событий; to squat — сидеть на корточках).

Sherlock Holmes swallowed a cup of coffee, and turned his attention to the ham and eggs. Then he rose, lit his pipe, and settled himself down into his chair.

"I'll tell you what I did first, and how I came to do it afterwards," said he. "After leaving you at the station I went for a charming walk through some admirable Surrey scenery to a pretty little village called Ripley, where I had my tea at an inn, and took the precaution of filling my flask and of putting a paper of sandwiches in my pocket. There I remained until evening, when I set off for Woking again, and found myself in the high-road outside Briarbrae just after sunset.

"Well, I waited until the road was clear — it is never a very frequented one at any time, I fancy — and then I clambered over the fence into the grounds."

"Surely the gate was open!" ejaculated Phelps.

"Yes, but I have a peculiar taste in these matters. I chose the place where the three fir-trees stand, and behind their screen I got over without the least chance of any one in the house being able to see me. I crouched down among the bushes on the other side, and crawled from one to the other — witness the disreputable state of my trouser knees — until I had reached the clump of rhododendrons just opposite to your bedroom window. There I squatted down and awaited developments.

"The blind was not down in your room (Штора в вашей комнате не была опущена; blind — штора, занавеска), and I could see Miss Harrison sitting there reading by the table (и я мог видеть мисс Харрисон, сидящую там и читающую за столом). It was quarter-past ten when she closed her book (Было пятнадцать минут одиннадцатого: «четверть после десяти», когда она закрыла книгу), fastened the shutters, and retired (заперла ставни и ушла; to fasten — запирать (дверь, окна на защелку, засов)).

"I heard her shut the door (Я услышал, как она закрыла дверь), and felt quite sure that she had turned the key in the lock (и был полностью уверен, что она повернула ключ в замке)."

"The key!" ejaculated Phelps (“Ключ!” — воскликнул Фелпс).

"Yes; I had given Miss Harrison instructions to lock the door on the outside (Да; я дал мисс Харрисон указание запереть дверь снаружи) and take the key with her when she went to bed (и забрать ключ с собой, когда она отправится спать). She carried out every one of my injunctions to the letter (Она точно выполнила все мои инструкции; to carry out — выполнять, совершать, осуществлять; injunction — предписание, приказ, указание; to the letter — буквально, точно), and certainly without her cooperation (и, безусловно, без ее сотрудничества) you would not have that paper in you coat-pocket (эта бумага не лежала бы у вас в кармане пальто). She departed then and the lights went out (Потом она ушла и огни погасли), and I was left squatting in the rhododendron-bush (а я остался сидеть на корточках под кустом рододендрона).

"The night was fine, but still it was a very weary vigil (Ночь была прекрасна, но, все же, это была очень утомительная засада; weary — утомительный, скучный; vigil — бодрствование, дежурство). Of course it has the sort of excitement about it (Конечно, в этом есть определенное возбуждение) that the sportsman feels when he lies beside the water-course (которое чувствует охотник, когда лежит у источника; sportsman — охотник-любитель, рыболов-любитель) and waits for the big game (и поджидает крупную дичь; big game — крупная дичь). It was very long, though (Впрочем, ждать пришлось долго) — almost as long, Watson (почти так же долго, Уотсон), as when you and I waited in that deadly room (как когда мы с вами ждали в той смертельной комнате) when we looked into the little problem of the Speckled Band (когда занимались маленькой проблемой пестрой ленты; speckled — пятнистый, крапчатый). There was a church-clock down at Woking which struck the quarters (Церковные часы в Уокинге отбивали четверти /часа/), and I thought more than once that it had stopped (и я не раз думал, что они остановились). At last however about two in the morning (Наконец, примерно в два часа утра), I suddenly heard the gentle sound of a bolt being pushed back (я неожиданно услышал тихий звук отодвигаемого засова; bolt — засов, задвижка) and the creaking of a key (и скрип ключа; creak — скрип). A moment later the servants' door was opened (Секунду спустя открылась дверь для прислуги), and Mr. Joseph Harrison stepped out into the moonlight (и мистер Джозеф Харрисон вышел на свет луны)."

"The blind was not down in your room, and I could see Miss Harrison sitting there reading by the table. It was quarter-past ten when she closed her book, fastened the shutters, and retired.

"I heard her shut the door, and felt quite sure that she had turned the key in the lock."

"The key!" ejaculated Phelps.

"Yes; I had given Miss Harrison instructions to lock the door on the outside and take the key with her when she went to bed. She carried out every one of my injunctions to the letter, and certainly without her cooperation you would not have that paper in you coat-pocket. She departed then and the lights went out, and I was left squatting in the rhododendron-bush.

"The night was fine, but still it was a very weary vigil. Of course it has the sort of excitement about it that the sportsman feels when he lies beside the water-course and waits for the big game. It was very long, though — almost as long, Watson, as when you and I waited in that deadly room when we looked into the little problem of the Speckled Band. There was a church-clock down at Woking which struck the quarters, and I thought more than once that it had stopped. At last however about two in the morning, I suddenly heard the gentle sound of a bolt being pushed back and the creaking of a key. A moment later the servants' door was opened, and Mr. Joseph Harrison stepped out into the moonlight."

"Joseph!" ejaculated Phelps (“Джозеф!” — воскликнул Фелпс; to ejaculate — восклицать, вскрикивать).

"He was bare-headed (Он был с непокрытой головой), but he had a black coat thrown over his shoulder (но через плечо у него был перекинут черный плащ) so that he could conceal his face in an instant (так что он мог мгновенно спрятать лицо; to conceal — прятать, скрывать, утаивать) if there were any alarm (в случае тревоги). He walked on tiptoe under the shadow of the wall (Он прокрался на цыпочках вдоль тени от стены; on tiptoe — на цыпочках), and when he reached the window he worked a long-bladed knife (и, добравшись до окна, он просунул нож с длинным лезвием; blade — лезвие, клинок) through the sash and pushed back the catch (через оконную раму и поднял шпингалет; sash — английское подъемное окно, подвижный оконный переплет). Then he flung open the window (Затем он распахнул окно; to fling open — распахнуть, раскрыть настежь), and putting his knife through the crack in the shutters (и, просунув нож сквозь щель в ставнях), he thrust the bar up and swung them open (он сбросил засов и открыл их; to swing — вертеть(ся), поворачивать(ся)).

"From where I lay I had a perfect view (Из места, где я лежал, я прекрасно видел) of the inside of the room and of every one of his movements (обстановку комнаты и все его передвижения). He lit the two candles which stood upon the mantelpiece (Он зажег две свечи, которые стояли на каминной полке; mantelpiece — каминная полка), and then he proceeded to turn back the corner of the carpet in the neighborhood of the door (и затем он отогнул угол ковра рядом с дверью). Presently he stopped (Потом он остановился; presently — некоторое время спустя) and picked out a square piece of board (и вытащил квадратный кусок доски; board — доска, планка, паркетина), such as is usually left to enable plumbers (такой, какие обычно оставляют, чтобы дать слесарям; plumber — водопроводчик, паяльщик) to get at the joints of the gas-pipes (доступ к стыкам газовых труб; joint — стык, соединение). This one covered, as a matter of fact, the T joint (В действительности она закрывала T образный стык; as a matter of fact — на самом деле, в действительности) which gives off the pipe which supplies the kitchen underneath (от которого ответвляется труба, снабжающая газом кухню внизу; pipe — труба, трубопровод). Out of this hiding-place he drew that little cylinder of paper (Из этого тайника он вытащил этот маленький бумажный цилиндр), pushed down the board, rearranged the carpet (поставил доску назад, отвернул ковер) blew out the candles, and walked straight into my arms (задул свечи, и попал прямо ко мне в руки) as I stood waiting for him outside the window (так как я стоял, ожидая его снаружи окна).

"Joseph!" ejaculated Phelps.

"He was bare-headed, but he had a black coat thrown over his shoulder so that he could conceal his face in an instant if there were any alarm. He walked on tiptoe under the shadow of the wall, and when he reached the window he worked a long-bladed knife through the sash and pushed back the catch. Then he flung open the window, and putting his knife through the crack in the shutters, he thrust the bar up and swung them open.

"From where I lay I had a perfect view of the inside of the room and of every one of his movements. He lit the two candles which stood upon the mantelpiece, and then he proceeded to turn back the corner of the carpet in the neighborhood of the door. Presently he stopped and picked out a square piece of board, such as is usually left to enable plumbers to get at the joints of the gas-pipes. This one covered, as a matter of fact, the T joint which gives off the pipe which supplies the kitchen underneath. Out of this hiding-place he drew that little cylinder of paper, pushed down the board, rearranged the carpet, blew out the candles, and walked straight into my arms as I stood waiting for him outside the window.

"Well, he has rather more viciousness (Ну, он оказался несколько более злобным; viciousness — злой) than I gave him credit for, has Master Joseph (чем я ожидал, господин Джозеф). He flew at me with his knife (Он бросился на меня с ножом; fly – flew – flown at — нападать, набрасываться), and I had to grasp him twice (и мне пришлось дважды захватить его; to grasp — хватать, захватывать), and got a cut over the knuckles (и порезать суставы пальцев; knuckle — сустав пальца), before I had the upper hand of him (прежде, чем я взял над ним вверх). He looked murder out of the only eye (Он смотрел “убийственным” взглядом единственного глаза) he could see with when we had finished (которым он мог видеть, когда мы закончили), but he listened to reason and gave up the papers (но он послушался разума и отдал бумаги; reason — разум, рассудок, интеллект). Having got them I let my man go (Получив их, я дал моему человеку уйти), but I wired full particulars to Forbes this morning (но я телеграфировал полный отчет Форбсу этим утром; particulars — подробный отчет). If he is quick enough to catch his bird (Если он достаточно быстр, чтобы поймать свою птицу), well and good (прекрасно). But if, as I shrewdly suspect (Но если, как я сильно подозреваю; shrewdly — сильно; мучительно), he finds the nest empty before he gets there (он найдет гнездо пустым перед тем, как попадет туда), why, all the better for the government (тем лучше для правительства; all the better — тем лучше). I fancy that Lord Holdhurst for one (Я думаю, что лорд Холдхэрст, с одной стороны), and Mr. Percy Phelps for another (и мистер Перси Фелпс с другой), would very much rather that the affair never got as far as a police-court (предпочтут, чтобы дело никогда не попало в полицейский суд).

"My God!" gasped our client (“Боже мой!” — с трудом сказал наш клиент; to gasp — дышать с трудом, задыхаться). "Do you tell me that during these long ten weeks of agony (Вы хотите сказать мне, что в течение этих долгих десяти недель агонии) the stolen papers were within the very room with me all the time (украденные бумаги были в той же комнате, что и я, все это время)?"

"Well, he has rather more viciousness than I gave him credit for, has Master Joseph. He flew at me with his knife, and I had to grasp him twice, and got a cut over the knuckles, before I had the upper hand of him. He looked murder out of the only eye he could see with when we had finished, but he listened to reason and gave up the papers. Having got them I let my man go, but I wired full particulars to Forbes this morning. If he is quick enough to catch his bird, well and good. But if, as I shrewdly suspect, he finds the nest empty before he gets there, why, all the better for the government. I fancy that Lord Holdhurst for one, and Mr. Percy Phelps for another, would very much rather that the affair never got as far as a police-court.

"My God!" gasped our client. "Do you tell me that during these long ten weeks of agony the stolen papers were within the very room with me all the time?"

"So it was (Так и было)."

"And Joseph! Joseph a villain and a thief!" (И Джозеф! Джозеф — негодяй и вор!; villain — злодей, негодяй)

"Hum! I am afraid Joseph's character is a rather deeper (Боюсь, что характер Джозефа несколько сложнее) and more dangerous one than one might judge from his appearance (и опаснее, чем можно судить по его внешности; appearance — внешность). From what I have heard from him this morning (Из того, что я услышал от него сегодня утром), I gather that he has lost heavily in dabbling with stocks (я понял, что он сильно запутался в игре на бирже; to dabble — заниматься чем-либо как хобби, непрофессионально интересоваться чем-л.), and that he is ready to do anything on earth to better his fortunes (и что он готов сделать все на свете, чтобы поправить дела). Being an absolutely selfish man (Будучи совершенно эгоистичным человеком; selfish — эгоистичный), when a chance presented itself (когда представился случай) he did not allow either his sister's happiness or your reputation to hold his hand (ни счастье его сестры, ни ваша репутация не остановили его: «не задержали его руку»)."

Percy Phelps sank back in his chair (Перси Фелпс откинулся на спинку стула). "My head whirls," said he (“У меня кружится голова”, — сказал он; to whirl — кружиться, вертеться). "Your words have dazed me (Ваши слова ошеломили меня; to daze — изумить, ошеломить, удивить, поразить)."

"So it was."

"And Joseph! Joseph a villain and a thief!"

"Hum! I am afraid Joseph's character is a rather deeper and more dangerous one than one might judge from his appearance. From what I have heard from him this morning, I gather that he has lost heavily in dabbling with stocks, and that he is ready to do anything on earth to better his fortunes. Being an absolutely selfish man, when a chance presented itself he did not allow either his sister's happiness or your reputation to hold his hand."

Percy Phelps sank back in his chair. "My head whirls," said he. "Your words have dazed me."

"The principal difficulty in your case (Основная сложность в вашем деле)," remarked Holmes, in his didactic fashion (заметил Холмс в своей нравоучительной манере; didactic — наставнический, нравоучительный), "lay in the fact of there being too much evidence (заключается в наличии слишком большого количества улик). What was vital was overlaid and hidden by what was irrelevant (То, что было важным, было скрыто под второстепенным; vital — важный, существенный, необходимый; irrelevant — неуместный, неподходящий, не относящийся к делу). Of all the facts which were presented to us (Из всех фактов, представленных нам) we had to pick just those (нужно было выбрать только те) which we deemed to be essential (которые мы считали важными; to deem — думать, мыслить, полагать, считать), and then piece them together in their order (и затем сложить их вместе в таком порядке), so as to reconstruct this very remarkable chain of events (чтобы восстановить эту замечательную цепочку событий). I had already begun to suspect Joseph (Я уже начал подозревать Джозефа), from the fact that you had intended (из того факта, что вы намеревались; to intend — намереваться) to travel home with him that night (ехать с ним домой той ночью), and that therefore it was a likely enough thing (и, следовательно, было вполне вероятно) that he should call for you (что он мог зайти за вами; to call — заходить, навещать), knowing the Foreign Office well, upon his way (хорошо зная Министерство иностранных дел, по пути). When I heard that some one had been so anxious to get into the bedroom (Когда я услышал, что кто-то очень хотел попасть в спальню; anxious — тревожный, беспокойный, сильно желающий), in which no one but Joseph could have concealed anything (в которой никто, кроме Джозефа не мог скрывать что-либо; to conceal — прятать, скрывать, утаивать) — you told us in your narrative how you had turned Joseph out (вы рассказывали нам в своем повествовании, как вы выдворили Джозефа; narrative — рассказ, повесть) when you arrived with the doctor (когда приехали с доктором) — my suspicions all changed to certainties (мои подозрения превратились в уверенность; certainty — уверенность), especially as the attempt was made (особенно то, что попытка была сделана) on the first night upon which the nurse was absent (первой ночью, когда отсутствовала сиделка; absent — отсутствующий), showing that the intruder was well acquainted with the ways of the house (показывая, что злоумышленник был хорошо знаком с расположением дома; intruder — вторгающийся, нарушитель, злоумышленник)."

"How blind I have been (Как я был слеп; blind — слепой)!"

"The principal difficulty in your case," remarked Holmes, in his didactic fashion, "lay in the fact of there being too much evidence. What was vital was overlaid and hidden by what was irrelevant. Of all the facts which were presented to us we had to pick just those which we deemed to be essential, and then piece them together in their order, so as to reconstruct this very remarkable chain of events. I had already begun to suspect Joseph, from the fact that you had intended to travel home with him that night, and that therefore it was a likely enough thing that he should call for you, knowing the Foreign Office well, upon his way. When I heard that some one had been so anxious to get into the bedroom, in which no one but Joseph could have concealed anything — you told us in your narrative how you had turned Joseph out when you arrived with the doctor — my suspicions all changed to certainties, especially as the attempt was made on the first night upon which the nurse was absent, showing that the intruder was well acquainted with the ways of the house."

"How blind I have been!"

"The facts of the case, as far as I have worked them out, are these (Факты дела, насколько я проработал их, таковы): this Joseph Harrison entered the office (этот Джозеф Харрисон вошел в офис) through the Charles Street door (через дверь со стороны Чарльз Стрит), and knowing his way he walked straight into your room (и, зная дорогу, он прошел прямо в вашу комнату) the instant after you left it (через мгновение после того, как вы вышли оттуда; instant — мгновение, миг, момент (очень короткий промежуток времени)). Finding no one there he promptly rang the bell (Не найдя там никого, он сразу позвонил в звонок; promptly — быстро, сразу, прямо), and at the instant that he did so (и в то мгновение, когда он это сделал) his eyes caught the paper upon the table (его взгляд упал на бумагу на столе). A glance showed him (Быстрый просмотр показал ему; glance — (быстрый, короткий) взгляд) that chance had put in his way (что случай положил у него на пути) a State document of immense value (государственный документ огромной ценности; immense — безмерный, огромный), and in an instant he had thrust it into his pocket and was gone (он немедленно засунул его в карман и ушел; to thrust — засовывать, совать, пихать). A few minutes elapsed, as you remember (Прошло несколько минут, как вы помните; to elapse — проходить, истекать (о времени)), before the sleepy commissionnaire drew your attention to the bell (перед тем, как сонный швейцар привлек ваше внимание к звонку), and those were just enough to give the thief time to make his escape (и этого было достаточно, чтобы дать вору время бежать).

"He made his way to Woking by the first train (Он поехал в Уокинг первым поездом), and having examined his booty (изучив свою добычу; booty — добыча, трофеи) and assured himself that it really was of immense value (он убедился, что она действительно имеет огромную ценность; immense — безмерный, огромный), he had concealed it in what he thought was a very safe place (он спрятал ее, как он думал, в очень надежном месте; to conceal — прятать, скрывать, утаивать), with the intention of taking it out again in a day or two (намереваясь забрать ее через день или два), and carrying it to the French embassy (и отнести во французское посольство; embassy — посольство), or wherever he thought that a long price was to be had (или туда, где по его мнению, дадут лучшую цену). Then came your sudden return (Затем последовало ваше внезапное возвращение). He, without a moment's warning (Он без малейшего предупреждения), was bundled out of his room (был выставлен из своей комнаты; to bundle out — выгонять), and from that time onward there were always at least two of you there (и с того времени там всегда находились по крайней мере двое из вас) to prevent him from regaining his treasure (что мешало ему забрать назад свое сокровище; to prevent — предотвращать, мешать). The situation to him must have been a maddening one (Это положение должно было бесить его; to mad — раздражать, бесить). But at last he thought he saw his chance (Но, наконец, он подумал, что ему представился шанс). He tried to steal in (Он попытался забраться внутрь; to steal in — войти крадучись), but was baffled by your wakefulness (но ваше бодрствование расстроило его планы; to baffle — расстраивать, опрокидывать (расчеты, планы)). You remember that you did not take your usual draught that night (Вы помните, что вы не приняли обычное лекарство той ночью; draught — доза жидкого лекарства)."

"I remember (Я помню)."

"The facts of the case, as far as I have worked them out, are these: this Joseph Harrison entered the office through the Charles Street door, and knowing his way he walked straight into your room the instant after you left it. Finding no one there he promptly rang the bell, and at the instant that he did so his eyes caught the paper upon the table. A glance showed him that chance had put in his way a State document of immense value, and in an instant he had thrust it into his pocket and was gone. A few minutes elapsed, as you remember, before the sleepy commissionnaire drew your attention to the bell, and those were just enough to give the thief time to make his escape.

"He made his way to Woking by the first train, and having examined his booty and assured himself that it really was of immense value, he had concealed it in what he thought was a very safe place, with the intention of taking it out again in a day or two, and carrying it to the French embassy, or wherever he thought that a long price was to be had. Then came your sudden return. He, without a moment's warning, was bundled out of his room, and from that time onward there were always at least two of you there to prevent him from regaining his treasure. The situation to him must have been a maddening one. But at last he thought he saw his chance. He tried to steal in, but was baffled by your wakefulness. You remember that you did not take your usual draught that night."

"I remember."

"I fancy that he had taken steps (Я полагаю, что он предпринял шаги) to make that draught efficacious (чтобы сделать то лекарство эффективным; efficacious — действенный, эффективный), and that he quite relied upon your being unconscious (и совершенно полагался на ваше бессознательное состояние; unconscious — бессознательный). Of course, I understood that he would repeat the attempt (Разумеется, я понимал, что он повторит попытку) whenever it could be done with safety (когда ее можно будет провести безопасно). Your leaving the room (То, что вы покинули комнату) gave him the chance he wanted (дало ему шанс, которого он желал). I kept Miss Harrison in it all day (Я продержал в ней весь день мисс Харрисон) so that he might not anticipate us (так, чтобы он не смог опередить нас; to anticipate — опережать, упреждать). Then, having given him the idea that the coast was clear (Затем, подав ему мысль, что путь свободен: «берег чист»), I kept guard as I have described (я встал на стражу, как описал). I already knew that the papers were probably in the room (Я уже знал, что бумаги, возможно, были в комнате), but I had no desire to rip up all the planking (но у меня не было намерения отдирать всю обшивку; to rip up — отдирать с помощью острого инструмента; planking — обшивка досками) and skirting in search of them (и плинтусы в их поисках; skirting — плинтус). I let him take them (Я позволил ему забрать их), therefore, from the hiding-place (таким образом, из тайника), and so saved myself an infinity of trouble (и избавил себя от неимоверных хлопот; infinity — бесконечность). Is there any other point which I can make clear (Есть еще что-нибудь, что я могу прояснить)?"

"I fancy that he had taken steps to make that draught efficacious, and that he quite relied upon your being unconscious. Of course, I understood that he would repeat the attempt whenever it could be done with safety. Your leaving the room gave him the chance he wanted. I kept Miss Harrison in it all day so that he might not anticipate us. Then, having given him the idea that the coast was clear, I kept guard as I have described. I already knew that the papers were probably in the room, but I had no desire to rip up all the planking and skirting in search of them. I let him take them, therefore, from the hiding-place, and so saved myself an infinity of trouble. Is there any other point which I can make clear?"

"Why did he try the window on the first occasion," I asked (“Почему он полез в окно в первый раз”, — спросил я), "when he might have entered by the door (когда мог войти через дверь)?"

"In reaching the door he would have to pass seven bedrooms (Чтобы добраться до двери ему нужно было пройти семь спален). On the other hand, he could get out on to the lawn with ease (С другой стороны, он мог легко выбраться на лужайку). Anything else (Что-нибудь еще)?"

"You do not think," asked Phelps (“Вы не думаете”, — спросил Фелпс), "that he had any murderous intention (что он намеревался убить меня: «имел какое-нибудь убийственное намерение»; intention — намерение, цель, замысел)? The knife was only meant as a tool (Нож был только инструментом)."

"It may be so," answered Holmes, shrugging his shoulders (“Может быть”, — ответил Холмс, пожимая плечами; to shrug — пожимать (плечами)). "I can only say for certain that Mr. Joseph Harrison (Определенно я могу сказать только то, что мистер Джозеф Харрисон; for certain — определенно, подлинно, достоверно) is a gentleman to whose mercy I should be extremely unwilling to trust (это джентльмен, чьему милосердию я бы категорически не хотел доверяться; extremely — чрезвычайно, крайне, очень)."

"Why did he try the window on the first occasion," I asked, "when he might have entered by the door?"

"In reaching the door he would have to pass seven bedrooms. On the other hand, he could get out on to the lawn with ease. Anything else?"

"You do not think," asked Phelps, "that he had any murderous intention? The knife was only meant as a tool."

"It may be so," answered Holmes, shrugging his shoulders. "I can only say for certain that Mr. Joseph Harrison is a gentleman to whose mercy I should be extremely unwilling to trust."