“I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached it (я расскажу и покажу, каким образом я достиг /истины/: «покажу шаги, с помощью которых я дошел до истины»). And let me say to you, first (но сначала разрешите сообщить вам /одну весть/), that which it is hardest for me to say and for you to hear (которую мне очень тяжело говорить, а вам — слышать): there has been an understanding between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary (между сэром Джорджем Бэрнвеллом и вашей племянницей Мэри существовал сговор; understanding — понимание; договоренность, соглашение). They have now fled together (теперь они оба сбежали; to flee).”
“My Mary* Impossible (невозможно)!”
“It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain (к сожалению, более, чем возможно; это несомненный факт: «это определенно /так/»). Neither you nor your son knew the true character of this man (ни вы, ни ваш сын не знали истинного облика этого человека) when you admitted him into your family circle (когда впустили его в свою семью; to admit — допускать; принимать; family circle — семейный, домашний круг). He is one of the most dangerous men in England (это один из опаснейших субъектов Англии) — a ruined gambler (закоренелый игрок; ruined — разрушенный; опустошенный, разоренный), an absolutely desperate villain (совершенно отъявленный негодяй), a man without heart or conscience (человек без сердца и совести). Your niece knew nothing of such men (ваша племянница ничего не знала о подобных людях). When he breathed his vows to her (когда он шептал ей клятвы /в своей любви/; to breathe — дышать; негромко говорить; шептать, «ворковать»), as he had done to a hundred before her (как он делал сотне до нее = как и многим другим до нее), she flattered herself that she alone had touched his heart (Мэри тешила себя мыслью, что лишь она одна сумела завоевать: «тронуть» его сердце; to flatter oneself — тешить себя надеждой, мыслью; to flatter — льстить). The devil knows best what he said (одному дьяволу известно, что он говорил), but at least she became his tool (но так или иначе она стала орудием в его руках; at /the/ least — по крайней мере, по меньшей мере) and was in the habit of seeing him nearly every evening (и имела обыкновение видеться с ним почти каждый вечер).”
certain [s*:tn], desperate [*desp(*)r*t], conscience [*k*n*(*)ns]
“I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now fled together.”
“My Mary* Impossible!”
“It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most dangerous men in England — a ruined gambler, an absolutely desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing him nearly every evening.”
“I cannot, and I will not, believe it (я не могу и не стану этому верить)!” cried the banker with an ashen face (вскричал банкир, лицо его при этом было мертвенно-бледным; ash — пепел; ashen — пепельный, из пепла; мертвенно-бледный).
“I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night (тогда я расскажу вам, что произошло в вашем доме вчера ночью). Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room (ваша племянница, когда вы, как она подумала, ушли к себе в комнату), slipped down and talked to her lover through the window (спустилась вниз и стала говорить со своим возлюбленным через окно) which leads into the stable lane (выходящее на дорожку к конюшне). His footmarks had pressed right through the snow (его следы ясно и глубоко отпечатались на снегу), so long had he stood there (настолько долго он там стоял). She told him of the coronet (она сообщила ему о диадеме). His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news (его мерзкая страсть к золоту вспыхнула при этом известии), and he bent her to his will (и он подчинил Мэри своей воле: «склонил к своей воле»). I have no doubt that she loved you (я не сомневаюсь, что она любила вас), but there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all other loves (но есть такие женщины, для которых любовь возлюбленного затмевает все другие виды любви; to extinguish — гасить, тушить; убивать, гасить /надежду, любовь/; превосходить), and I think that she must have been one (и, думаю, Мэри из их числа). She had hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming downstairs (едва она /успела/ получить его указания, как увидела, что вы спускаетесь по лестнице), on which she closed the window rapidly (тогда: «на что» она быстро закрыла окно) and told you about one of the servants’ escapade with her wooden-legged lover (и сказала вам о том, что к одной из служанок приходил возлюбленный с деревянной ногой; escapade — веселая и смелая проделка; шальная выходка; побег /из заключения/), which was all perfectly true (что было совершенной правдой).
doubt [daut], extinguish [*k*st***w**], escapade [*esk*pe*d]
“I cannot, and I will not, believe it!” cried the banker with an ashen face.
“I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you about one of the servants’ escapade with her wooden-legged lover, which was all perfectly true.
“Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you (Артур после разговора с вами отправился спать) but he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts (но он спал плохо — его тревожили клубные долги; on account of — из-за, вследствие, по причине; uneasiness — неудобство; беспокойство, тревога). In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door (среди ночи он услышал тихие шаги мимо своей двери = как кто-то тихо прошел мимо его комнаты), so he rose and, looking out (тогда он встал, выглянул за дверь), was surprised to see his cousin walking very stealthily along the passage (и с изумлением увидел свою двоюродную сестру, которая крадущейся походкой шла по коридору; stealthily — втихомолку, тайно, украдкой) until she disappeared into your dressing-room (пока она /не/ исчезла в вашей гардеробной). Petrified with astonishment (оцепенев от изумления; petrified — окаменелый; застывший; оцепеневший, парализованный), the lad slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see (юноша наскоро оделся: «накинул кое-какую одежду» и принялся ждать в темноте; to slip on — накинуть, надеть) what would come of this strange affair (как дальше станет развиваться это странное дело). Presently she emerged from the room again (вскоре она снова вышла из комнаты), and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw (и в свете коридорной лампы ваш сын увидел) that she carried the precious coronet in her hands (что в руках у нее драгоценная диадема; to carry — нести). She passed down the stairs (Мэри спустилась вниз), and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and slipped behind the curtain near your door (а он, дрожа от ужаса, метнулся вперед и незаметно проскользнул за портьеру около вашей двери), whence he could see what passed in the hall beneath (откуда мог видеть, что происходит в гостиной внизу). He saw her stealthily open the window (он видел, как Мэри тихонько открыла окно), hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom (передала диадему кому-то в темноте), and then closing it once more hurry back to her room (и затем, снова закрыв окно, поспешила обратно в свою комнату), passing quite close to where he stood hid behind the curtain (пройдя совсем близко от Артура, спрятавшегося за портьерой; to hide).
debt [det], petrified [*petr*fa*d], emerged [**m*:*d], curtain [k*:tn]
“Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close to where he stood hid behind the curtain.
“As long as she was on the scene (поскольку Мэри была на месте преступления = замешана в этом преступлении; scene — место действия /в пьесе, романе и т. п./; место происшествия, события; the scene of the crime — место преступления) he could not take any action without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved (Артур не мог ничего предпринять без ужасного разоблачения женщины = не разоблачив при этом женщину, которую любил; exposure — подвергание какому-л. воздействию; выставление, оставление /на солнце, под дождем и т. п./; разоблачение, выведение на чистую воду). But the instant that she was gone he realized (но в тот миг, как она ушла, он понял) how crushing a misfortune this would be for you (каким сокрушительным несчастьем будет для вас /пропажа диадемы/), and how all-important it was to set it right (и как важно исправить дело; all-important — имеющий первостепенное значение, крайне важный). He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet (он бросился вниз, в том виде, в каком был, босиком), opened the window (открыл окно), sprang out into the snow (выскочил на снег), and ran down the lane (и побежал по дорожке), where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight (где в лунном свете различил темную фигуру). Sir George Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him (сэр Джордж Бэрнвелл попытался бежать, но Артур догнал его), and there was a struggle between them (и между ними завязалась борьба), your lad tugging at one side of the coronet (ваш мальчик тянул диадему за один конец), and his opponent at the other (а его противник — за другой).
“In the scuffle, your son struck Sir George (в драке ваш сын ударил сэра Джорджа) and cut him over the eye (и рассек ему бровь). Then something suddenly snapped (затем что-то неожиданно хрустнуло), and your son, finding that he had the coronet in his hands (и ваш сын, почувствовав, что диадема у него в руках), rushed back (бросился назад), closed the window (закрыл окно), ascended to your room (поднялся в вашу комнату), and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the struggle (и только тут заметил, что диадема погнута во время борьбы) and was endeavoring to straighten it (и пытался распрямить ее) when you appeared upon the scene (когда появились вы).”
scene [si:n], exposure [*k*sp*u**], opponent [**p*un*nt], ascended [**send**]
“As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the instant that she was gone he realized how crushing a misfortune this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the coronet, and his opponent at the other.
“In the scuffle, your son struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the struggle and was endeavoring to straighten it when you appeared upon the scene.”
“Is it possible (возможно ли это)*” gasped the banker (задыхаясь, воскликнул банкир).
“You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment (затем вы разозлили его: «вызвали его гнев» своими оскорблениями в тот момент) when he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks (когда он заслуживал ваших самых искренних/теплых благодарностей). He could not explain the true state of affairs without betraying one (он не мог объяснить истинное положение вещей, чтобы не выдать ту) who certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands (которая, безусловно, не заслуживала снисхождения и защиты от него; consideration — внимание, предупредительность; уважение; благодарность). He took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her secret (Артур повел себя как рыцарь и сохранил ее тайну; chivalrous — рыцарский, благородный).”
“And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the coronet (вот почему она вскрикнула и упала в обморок, когда увидела диадему),” cried Mr. Holder. “Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have been (Боже мой! каким же я был слепым глупцом)! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes (а ведь он просил позволить ему выйти на пять минут)! The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the scene of the struggle (мой дорогой мальчик хотел посмотреть, не осталось ли пропавшего куска на месте борьбы). How cruelly I have misjudged him (как жестоко я в нем ошибался; to misjudge — составить себе неправильное, ошибочное мнение)!’
roused [rauzd], chivalrous [***v(*)lr*s], misjudged [m*s****d]
“Is it possible*” gasped the banker.
“You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her secret.”
“And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the coronet,” cried Mr. Holder. “Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!’
“When I arrived at the house (когда я прибыл в этот дом),” continued Holmes (продолжал Холмс), “I at once went very carefully round it to observe (я сразу же очень тщательно его обошел = осмотрел его, чтобы проверить) if there were any traces in the snow which might help me (нет ли на снегу каких-либо следов, которые могут мне помочь). I knew that none had fallen since the evening before (я знал, что со вчерашнего вечера снега не выпадало; to fall-fell-fallen), and also that there had been a strong frost to preserve impressions (и что сильный мороз, должно быть, сохранил следы). I passed along the tradesmen’s path (я прошел по дорожке, по которой подвозят продукты), but found it all trampled down and indistinguishable (но она вся была утоптана, и /следы на ней/ были неразличимы; to distinguish — различать). Just beyond it, however, at the far side of the kitchen door (однако сразу за ней, на противоположной стороне от кухонной двери; far side — дальняя сторона: at the far side of the garden — в дальнем углу сада), a woman had stood and talked with a man (стояла женщина и разговаривала с мужчиной), whose round impressions on one side showed that he had a wooden leg (чьи круглые отпечатки с одной стороны показывали, что у него деревянная нога).
“I could even tell that they had been disturbed (я даже смог определить, что их побеспокоили), for the woman had run back swiftly to the door (поскольку женщина быстро побежала обратно к двери), as was shown by the deep toe and light heel marks (что видно по глубоким отпечаткам носков и слабым отпечаткам пяток), while Wooden-leg had waited a little, and then had gone away (в то время как «Деревянная нога» подождал немного, а затем ушел). I thought at the time that this might be the maid and her sweetheart (тогда я подумал, что это, должно быть, горничная и ее возлюбленный), of whom you had already spoken to me (о которых вы уже говорили мне), and inquiry showed it was so (и расследование показало, что так оно и есть). I passed round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks (я обошел сад, но больше ничего не нашел, кроме беспорядочных следов; random — случайный; произвольный; беспорядочный), which I took to be the police (которые я посчитал следами полиции); but when I got into the stable lane (но когда я вышел на дорожку, ведущую к конюшне) a very long and complex story was written in the snow in front of me (очень длинная и запутанная история была написана на снегу передо мной).
preserve [pr**z*:v], path [p*:O], random [*r*nd*m]
“When I arrived at the house,” continued Holmes, “I at once went very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen’s path, but found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed that he had a wooden leg.
“I could even tell that they had been disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in front of me.
“There was a double line of tracks of a booted man (одна двойная линия следов, /принадлежавших/ обутому человеку), and a second double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked feet (а вторая, как я с удовлетворением заметил, принадлежала человеку с босыми ногами). I was at once convinced from what you had told me (я сразу же понял, /вспомнив/, что вы мне говорили) that the latter was your son (что вторым человеком был ваш сын). The first had walked both ways (первый человек прошел туда и обратно), but the other had run swiftly (а второй быстро пробежал), and as his tread was marked in places over the depression of the boot (и, так как его следы кое-где остались поверх отпечатков ботинок), it was obvious that he had passed after the other (было ясно, что он преследовал другого = что второй преследовал первого). I followed them up and found they led to the hall window (я пошел по следам и обнаружил, что они ведут к окну гостиной), where Boots had worn all the snow away while waiting (где этот «Ботинки» истоптал весь снег, ожидая /кого-то/; to wear away — стирать, изнашивать).
“Then I walked to the other end (затем я пошел к другому концу /следов/), which was a hundred yards or more down the lane (они тянулись по дорожке на сотню ярдов или больше). I saw where Boots had faced round (я увидел, где «Ботинки» развернулся), where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle (в том месте снег был сильно истоптан, словно там произошла борьба; to cut up — разрезать, разрубать на куски; разбивать, уничтожать), and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen (и наконец /я нашел место/, где упало несколько капель крови), to show me that I was not mistaken (и это свидетельствовало о том, что я не ошибся). Boots had then run down the lane (человек в ботинках затем побежал по дорожке), and another little smudge of blood showed (а еще одно небольшое пятно крови говорило о том) that it was he who had been hurt (что ранен был именно он). When he came to the highroad at the other end (когда он вышел на главную дорогу; highroad — большая/столбовая дорога; главный путь), I found that the pavement had been cleared (я обнаружил, что /снег/ с тротуара был счищен), so there was an end to that clew (и там следы обрывались; clew = clue — путеводная нить; улика).
naked [*ne*k*d], blood [bl*d], pavement [*pe*vm*nt]
“There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while waiting.
“Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clew.
“On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember (войдя в дом, я осмотрел, как вы помните), the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens (подоконник и раму окна гостиной с помощью лупы), and I could at once see that someone had passed out (и сразу обнаружил, что кто-то вылезал из окна; to pass — идти, проходить, переходить). I could distinguish the outline of an instep (я смог разглядеть очертания следа /там/; outline — очертание, контур, абрис; instep — подъем /ноги, ботинка/) where the wet foot had been placed in coming in (где /кто-то/ поставил мокрую ногу, залезая внутрь). I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what had occurred (тогда я был в состоянии составить мнение относительно того, что произошло). A man had waited outside the window (какой-то человек ждал на улице у окна); someone had brought the gems (кто-то принес /и передал ему/ камни); the deed had been overseen by your son (это действие случайно увидел ваш сын); he had pursued the thief (он погнался за вором); had struggled with him (вступил с ним в борьбу); they had each tugged at the coronet (каждый из них тянул диадему /к себе/), their united strength causing injuries which neither alone could have effected (их общее усилие вызвало такие повреждения, которые ни один из них не смог бы причинить /диадеме/ в одиночку). He had returned with the prize (Артур вернулся с диадемой: «наградой»), but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent (но оставил кусок в руках у противника; grasp — схватывание; крепкое сжатие; хватка). So far I was clear (пока все было понятно). The question now was (но возникал вопрос), who was the man and who was it brought him the coronet (кто же тот человек, и кто принес ему диадему)*
opinion [**p*nj*n], brought [br*:t], pursued [p**sju:d], grasp [*r*:sp]
“On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who was it brought him the coronet*
“It is an old maxim of mine that (мой старый принцип /расследования состоит в том, что/; maxim — афоризм, изречение; правило поведения, принцип) when you have excluded the impossible (когда исключаешь невозможное), whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth (то, что остается, каким бы неправдоподобным оно ни казалось, является истиной). Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down (итак, я знал, что это не вы отдали диадему), so there only remained your niece and the maids (значит, оставались только ваша племянница и горничные). But if it were the maids (если это горничные), why should your son allow himself to be accused in their place (то ради чего вашему сыну позволять себя обвинить вместо них: «на их месте» = зачем тогда ваш сын согласился взять вину на себя)* There could be no possible reason (для этого не было возможных оснований). As he loved his cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation (однако поскольку он любит свою кузину, то появлялось великолепное объяснение) why he should retain her secret (почему он сохранил ее тайну) — the more so as the secret was a disgraceful one (тем более, что это была позорная тайна; disgrace — позор, бесчестье; унижение). When I remembered that you had seen her at that window (когда я вспомнил, что вы видели ее у окна), and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again (и что она упала в обморок, увидев диадему снова), my conjecture became a certainty (мое предположение превратилось в уверенность).
excluded [*k*sklu:d*d], truth [tru:O], conjecture [k*n**ek**]
“It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in their place* There could be no possible reason. As he loved his cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should retain her secret — the more so as the secret was a disgraceful one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture became a certainty.
“And who could it be who was her confederate (но кто же мог быть ее сообщником)* A lover evidently, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude (очевидно, возлюбленный, потому что кто еще мог пересилить любовь и благодарность) which she must feel to you (которые она должна была питать к вам = должно быть, питала к вам)* I knew that you went out little (я знал, что вы мало бываете в обществе), and that your circle of friends was a very limited one (и что круг ваших друзей очень ограничен). But among them was Sir George Burnwell (но среди них был сэр Джордж Бэрнвелл). I had heard of him before as being a man of evil reputation among women (я и раньше слышал о нем как о человеке дурной репутации среди женщин = что он нехорошо поступает по отношению к женщинам). It must have been he who wore those boots and retained the missing gems (должно быть, это он носил те ботинки и держал у себя пропавшие бериллы = это он человек в ботинках, и у него находятся пропавшие бериллы; to wear — носить /обувь, одежду/; to retain — держать /у себя/; удерживать). Even though he knew that Arthur had discovered him (даже если он и понимал, что Артур узнал его), he might still flatter himself that he was safe (он все равно мог тешить себя мыслью, что находится в безопасности; safe — защищенный от опасности; в безопасности), for the lad could not say a word without compromising his own family (так как ваш сын не мог бы сказать ни слова, не скомпрометировав /при этом/ свою собственную семью).
“Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took next (ваш здравый смысл предположит = логика подскажет вам, какие меры я предпринял затем). I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George’s house (переодевшись бродягой: «в виде бродяги» я отправился к дому сэра Джорджа), managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet (сумел познакомиться с его лакеем), learned that his master had cut his head the night before (узнать он него, что его хозяин расшиб голову накануне вечером), and, finally, at the expense of six shillings (и наконец за шесть шиллингов: «ценой шести шиллингов»), made all sure by buying a pair of his cast-off shoes (удостовериться во всем, купив пару старых ботинок сэра Джорджа; cast-off — выброшенная, ненужная вещь). With these I journeyed down to Streatham (с ними я отправился в Стритем) and saw that they exactly fitted the tracks (и убедился, что они в точности соответствуют следам /на снегу/).”
outweigh [aut*we*], among [**m**], compromising [*k*mpr*ma*z**], measure [*me**]
“And who could it be who was her confederate* A lover evidently, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must feel to you* I knew that you went out little, and that your circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his own family.
“Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George’s house, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and saw that they exactly fitted the tracks.”
“I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening (я видел какого-то скверно одетого бродягу на тропинке вчера вечером),” said Mr. Holder.
“Precisely (совершенно верно). It was I (это был я). I found that I had my man (я понял, что сэр Джордж у меня в руках: «что я получил моего человека»), so I came home and changed my clothes (поэтому я пошел домой и переоделся: «переменил одежду»). It was a delicate part which I had to play then (мне нужно было играть деликатную роль = действовать очень осторожно), for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert scandal (так как я осознавал, что необходимо было избежать /судебного/ преследования, чтобы предотвратить скандал; prosecution — ведение /войны, судебного дела и т.д./; судебное преследование; обвинение; to avoid — избегать, остерегаться, сторониться, уклоняться), and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our hands were tied in the matter (и знал, что такой хитрый/проницательный негодяй понимает, что у нас связаны руки). I went and saw him (я пошел и навестил его). At first, of course, he denied everything (сначала он, разумеется, все отрицал). But when I gave him every particular that had occurred (но когда я рассказал во всех подробностях, что произошло /ночью/; particular — частность, подробность; particulars — подробный отчет: to give particulars of — давать /представлять/ подробный отчет), he tried to bluster and took down a life-preserver from the wall (он попытался угрожать и снял со стены тяжелую трость; life-preserver: «спаситель жизни» — спасательный пояс, спасательный жилет; тяжелая дубинка или трость, налитая свинцом /применяемая для самообороны/). I knew my man, however (однако я знал его = с кем имею дело), and I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike (я приставил револьвер к его голове, прежде чем тот успел ударить; to clap — хлопать; сделать быстрое, энергичное движение). Then he became a little more reasonable (тогда он стал немного благоразумнее). I told him that we would give him a price for the stones he held 1000 pounds apiece (я сказал, что мы дадим ему за камни, которые он держит у себя, по тысяче фунтов за каждый). That brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown (тут он обнаружил первые признаки огорчения; to bring out — выявлять, обнаруживать).
‘Why, dash it all (черт побери)!’ said he, ‘I’ve let them go at six hundred for the three (я уже отдал три камня за шестьсот /фунтов/)!’
vagabond [*v***b*nd], astute [**stju:t], denied [d**na*d], life-preserver [*la*fpr**z*:v*]
“I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening,” said Mr. Holder.
“Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give him a price for the stones he held 1000 pounds apiece. That brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown.
‘Why, dash it all!’ said he, ‘I’ve let them go at six hundred for the three!’
“I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had them (вскоре мне удалось узнать адрес скупщика, у которого были камни; receiver — получатель; укрыватель или скупщик краденого), on promising him that there would be no prosecution (пообещав сэру Джорджу, что /против него/ не будет возбуждено расследование). Off I set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 pounds apiece (я поехал туда и после долгого торга выкупил камни по тысяче фунтов каждый; to chaffer — спорить о цене, торговаться). Then I looked in upon your son (затем я навестил вашего сына), told him that all was right (сказал ему, что все в порядке), and eventually got to my bed about two o’clock (и в конце концов около двух /ночи/ лег спать: «добрался до кровати»), after what I may call a really hard day’s work (после действительно тяжелого трудового дня).”
“A day which has saved England from a great public scandal (дня, который спас Англию от огромного государственного скандала),” said the banker, rising (сказал банкир, поднимаясь). “Sir, I cannot find words to thank you (сэр, у меня не хватает слов, чтобы выразить благодарность), but you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done (но вы не найдете меня неблагодарным за то, что вы сделали = вы убедитесь, что я не забуду того, что вы сделали). Your skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it (ваше искусство действительно превзошло все, что я слышал о нем). And now I must fly to my dear boy (а сейчас я должен поспешить к моему дорогому мальчику) to apologize to him for the wrong which I have done him (и извиниться перед ним за то, что так несправедливо обошелся с ним; wrong — зло, несправедливость). As to what you tell me of poor Mary (что касается вашего рассказа о бедной Мэри), it goes to my very heart (то он проник в самое мое сердце = ее поступок глубоко поразил меня). Not even your skill can inform me where she is now (но даже вы со всем вашим искусством не сможете сообщить мне, где она).”
“I think that we may safely say (думаю, можно с уверенностью сказать; safely —безопасно; надежно: it may safely be said — можно с уверенностью сказать),” returned Holmes (возразил Холмс), “that she is wherever Sir George Burnwell is (что она там же, где и сэр Джордж Бэрнвелл). It is equally certain, too, that whatever her sins are (и несомненно также, что, каковы бы ни были ее грехи; equally — в равной степени; равным образом), they will soon receive a more than sufficient punishment (они в скором времени получат = скоро она понесет за них более чем достаточное наказание).”
receiver [r**si:v*], wrong [r**], sufficient [s**f**(*)nt]
“I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o’clock, after what I may call a really hard day’s work.”
“A day which has saved England from a great public scandal,” said the banker, rising. “Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I must fly to my dear boy to apologize to him for the wrong which I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now.”
“I think that we may safely say,” returned Holmes, “that she is wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than sufficient punishment.”
The Resident Patient
(постоянный пациент)
Glancing over the somewhat incoherent series of Memoirs (просматривая несколько несвязанные воспоминания; incoherent — бессвязный, непоследовательный, несвязный; series — ряд, последовательность; серия, выпуск) with which I have endeavored to illustrate a few of the mental peculiarities of my friend Mr. Sherlock Holmes (в которых я попытался проиллюстрировать некоторые интеллектуальные особенности моего друга Шерлока Холмса peculiarity — специфичность, особенность; характерная черта; отличительное качество), I have been struck by the difficulty (я столкнулся с трудностью) which I have experienced in picking out examples (которые я испытал, выбирая примеры) which shall in every way answer my purpose (которые во всех отношениях отвечали бы /поставленной/ задаче). For in those cases in which Holmes has performed some tour de force of analytical reasoning (так как в тех случаях, где Холмс проявил силу своего аналитического мышления; to perform — исполнять; совершать; tour de force — проявление силы, ловкости или изобретательности /франц./), and has demonstrated the value of his peculiar methods of investigation (и продемонстрировал ценность своих необычных методов расследования), the facts themselves have often been so slight or so commonplace (сами обстоятельства часто были столь незначительны и обыденны; slight — легкий, небольшой, незначительный: a slight headache — небольшая головная боль) that I could not feel justified in laying them before the public (что я не чувствую себя вправе предложить их /на суд/ публики; justified — обоснованный; оправданный; правомерный). On the other hand (с другой стороны), it has frequently happened that he has been concerned in some research (зачастую случалось, что Холмс занимался расследование /таких дел/) where the facts have been of the most remarkable and dramatic character (где события были крайне удивительными и волнующими), but where the share which he has himself taken in determining their causes (но участие, которое он принимал в определении их причин) has been less pronounced than I, as his biographer, could wish (было меньше выраженным, чем я, как его биограф, мог бы желать).
incoherent [**nk*u*h*(*)r*nt], endeavored [*n*dev*d], pronounced [pr**naunst]
Glancing over the somewhat incoherent series of Memoirs with which I have endeavored to illustrate a few of the mental peculiarities of my friend Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I have been struck by the difficulty which I have experienced in picking out examples which shall in every way answer my purpose. For in those cases in which Holmes has performed some tour de force of analytical reasoning, and has demonstrated the value of his peculiar methods of investigation, the facts themselves have often been so slight or so commonplace that I could not feel justified in laying them before the public. On the other hand, it has frequently happened that he has been concerned in some research where the facts have been of the most remarkable and dramatic character, but where the share which he has himself taken in determining their causes has been less pronounced than I, as his biographer, could wish.
The small matter which I have chronicled under the heading of “A Study in Scarlet (одно небольшое дело, которое я записал под заглавием «Этюд в багровых тонах»; to chronicle — записывать, заносить /в хронику, летопись/; описывать),” and that other later one connected with the loss of the Gloria Scott (и другое, более позднее, связанное с исчезновением «Глории Скотт»), may serve as examples of this Scylla and Charybdis (могут служить примерами этаких Сциллы и Харибды) which are forever threatening the historian (которые всегда угрожают историку). It may be that in the business of which I am now about to write (может быть, в истории, о которой я собираюсь написать) the part which my friend played is not sufficiently accentuated (роль, сыгранная моим другом, не была особенно заметной; sufficiently — достаточно, в достаточной мере; to accentuate — делать ударение; выделять, подчеркивать); and yet the whole train of circumstances is so remarkable (однако вся цепь обстоятельств настолько поразительна; train — поезд; ряд, цепь, вереница; ход, развитие /событий/) that I cannot bring myself to omit it entirely from this series (что я не могу заставить себя совсем исключить ее из этого цикла).
It had been a close, rainy day in October (был душный дождливый октябрьский день; close — закрытый; спертый, душный). Our blinds were half-drawn (наши шторы были наполовину опущены), and Holmes lay curled upon the sofa (Холмс лежал, свернувшись, на диване), reading and re-reading a letter which he had received by the morning post (читая и перечитывая письмо, полученное с утренней почтой). For myself (что касается меня), my term of service in India had trained me to stand heat better than cold (то служба в Индии научила меня переносить жару лучше, чем холод; term of service — стаж, срок службы), and a thermometer of 90 was no hardship (и температура в 90 градусов /по Фаренгейту; примерно 32 градуса по Цельсию/ не представляла для меня трудности = я легко выдерживал 32-х градусную жару). But the paper was uninteresting (но газета была неинтересной). Parliament had risen (парламент завершил сессию; to rise — подниматься; закрываться, прекращать работу /о съезде, сессии и т. п./). Everybody was out of town (все уехали из города), and I yearned for the glades of the New Forest or the shingle of Southsea (а я тосковал по просекам Нью-Фореста и по покрытому галькой берегу Саутси).
chronicled [*kr*n*kld], accentuated [*k*sen*ue*t*d], Parliament [*p*:l*m*nt]
The small matter which I have chronicled under the heading of “A Study in Scarlet,” and that other later one connected with the loss of the Gloria Scott, may serve as examples of this Scylla and Charybdis which are forever threatening the historian. It may be that in the business of which I am now about to write the part which my friend played is not sufficiently accentuated; and yet the whole train of circumstances is so remarkable that I cannot bring myself to omit it entirely from this series.
It had been a close, rainy day in October. Our blinds were half-drawn, and Holmes lay curled upon the sofa, reading and re-reading a letter which he had received by the morning post. For myself, my term of service in India had trained me to stand heat better than cold, and a thermometer of 90 was no hardship. But the paper was uninteresting. Parliament had risen. Everybody was out of town, and I yearned for the glades of the New Forest or the shingle of Southsea.
A depleted bank account had caused me to postpone my holiday (опустевший банковский счет заставил меня отложить отпуск; depleted — истощенный, исчерпанный; to deplete — уменьшать /количество, размер/; исчерпывать /запасы, финансовые ресурсы/), and as to my companion (а что касается моего товарища), neither the country nor the sea presented the slightest attraction to him (ни сельская местность, ни море его совершенно не привлекали: «не представляли для него ни малейшей привлекательности»). He loved to lie in the very centre of five millions of people (он любил находиться в самом центре /города/ в пять миллионов человек), with his filaments stretching out and running through them (опутав его сетью своих осведомителей; filament — нить; to stretch out — протягивать/ся/, растягивать/ся/; to run through — прокалывать; пронизывать), responsive to every little rumor or suspicion of unsolved crime (сразу же реагирующий на любые слухи или подозрения на нераскрытое преступление; responsive — чуткий; отзывчивый; быстро реагирующий /на что-либо/; to respond — отвечать; реагировать, отзываться на /что-либо/). Appreciation of Nature found no place among his many gifts (понимание природы не находило себе места среди его многочисленных дарований), and his only change was when he turned his mind from the evil-doer of the town (и единственная перемена происходила в нем, когда он переключался с /выслеживания/ городского преступника; evil-doer — злодей; преступник; злоумышленник) to track down his brother of the country (на его сельского собрата; to track — следить, прослеживать; выслеживать /часто: track out, track up, track down/; track — след /след колеса, дорожка от корабля на воде и т. д./, отпечаток).
Finding that Holmes was too absorbed for conversation (обнаружив, что Холмс был слишком занят для разговора; to absorb — всасывать, впитывать; абсорбировать; поглощать; поглощать /внимание/), I had tossed aside the barren paper (я отбросил в сторону бессодержательную газету; barren — бесплодный; скучный, пустой, бессодержательный), and leaning back in my chair (и, откинувшись в кресле), I fell into a brown study (я погрузился в мрачное раздумье/в меланхолию; brown study — глубокое раздумье; мрачное настроение). Suddenly my companion’s voice broke in upon my thoughts (вдруг голос моего товарища прервал мои мысли; to break in — врываться, вламываться; вмешиваться, прерывать).
depleted [d**pli:t*d], nature [*ne***], country [*k*ntr*]
A depleted bank account had caused me to postpone my holiday, and as to my companion, neither the country nor the sea presented the slightest attraction to him. He loved to lie in the very centre of five millions of people, with his filaments stretching out and running through them, responsive to every little rumor or suspicion of unsolved crime. Appreciation of Nature found no place among his many gifts, and his only change was when he turned his mind from the evil*doer of the town to track down his brother of the country.
Finding that Holmes was too absorbed for conversation, I had tossed aside the barren paper, and leaning back in my chair, I fell into a brown study. Suddenly my companion’s voice broke in upon my thoughts.
“You are right, Watson (вы правы, Ватсон),” said he. “It does seem a very preposterous way of settling a dispute (это действительно очень нелепый способ разрешения спора).”
“Most preposterous (крайне нелепый)!” I exclaimed, and then, suddenly realizing (воскликнул я, а затем, вдруг осознав) how he had echoed the inmost thought of my soul (что он повторил мою самую глубокую/скрытую в глубине сознания мысль; echo — эхо), I sat up in my chair and stared at him in blank amazement (я выпрямился в кресле и уставился на него в полном изумлении).
“What is this, Holmes (как это так, Холмс)*” I cried. “This is beyond anything which I could have imagined (это превосходит все, что я мог бы представить).”
He laughed heartily at my perplexity (он рассмеялся, видя мое недоумение).
“You remember (помните),” said he, “that some little time ago (как недавно), when I read you the passage in one of Poe’s sketches (когда я прочитал вам отрывок из очерков По), in which a close reasoner follows the unspoken thought of his companion (в котором внимательный мыслитель следует за невысказанной мыслью своего товарища), you were inclined to treat the matter as a mere tour de force of the author (вы были склонны считать это всего лишь проявлением изобретательности автора). On my remarking that I was constantly in the habit of doing the same thing you expressed incredulity (когда я заметил, что постоянно делаю то же самое, вы выразили недоверие).”
“Oh, no (да нет же/что вы)!”
preposterous [pr**p*st(*)r*s], echoed [*ek*ud], incredulity [**nkr**dju:l*t*]
“You are right, Watson,” said he. “It does seem a very preposterous way of settling a dispute.”
“Most preposterous!” I exclaimed, and then, suddenly realizing how he had echoed the inmost thought of my soul, I sat up in my chair and stared at him in blank amazement.
“What is this, Holmes*” I cried. “This is beyond anything which I could have imagined.”
He laughed heartily at my perplexity.
“You remember,” said he, “that some little time ago, when I read you the passage in one of Poe’s sketches, in which a close reasoner follows the unspoken thought of his companion, you were inclined to treat the matter as a mere tour de force of the author. On my remarking that I was constantly in the habit of doing the same thing you expressed incredulity.”
“Oh, no!”
“Perhaps not with your tongue, my dear Watson (быть может, не словами: «не языком», дорогой Ватсон), but certainly with your eyebrows (но, несомненно, бровями). So when I saw you throw down your paper (так что когда я увидел, что вы отбросили газету) and enter upon a train of thought (и вступили в ход мыслей = погрузились в размышления), I was very happy to have the opportunity of reading it off (я был очень рад получить возможность прочитать их), and eventually of breaking into it (а в конце и вмешаться в них), as a proof that I had been in rapport with you (чтобы доказать, что я полностью понимаю /ход ваших мыслей/; rapport — взаимопонимание; гармония, согласие; as a proof — в качестве доказательства).”
But I was still far from satisfied (однако я все еще был далеко не удовлетворен /объяснением/).
“In the example which you read to me (в примере, который вы мне зачитали),” said I, “the reasoner drew his conclusions from the actions of the man whom he observed (мыслитель сделал выводы, исходя из действий человека, за которым наблюдал). If I remember right (если я правильно помню), he stumbled over a heap of stones (тот запнулся за груду камней), looked up at the stars, and so on (посмотрел на звезды и так далее). But I have been seated quietly in my chair (но я тихо сидел в кресле), and what clues can I have given you (какие же зацепки я мог вам дать)*”
“You do yourself an injustice (вы несправедливы к себе). The features are given to man as the means (лицо дано человеку как средство; features — черты лица) by which he shall express his emotions (с помощью которого он выражает свои эмоции), and yours are faithful servants (и ваше /лицо/ исправно выполняет эти функции: «преданный слуга»).”
tongue [t**], rapport [r**p*:], injustice [*n***st*s]
“Perhaps not with your tongue, my dear Watson, but certainly with your eyebrows. So when I saw you throw down your paper and enter upon a train of thought, I was very happy to have the opportunity of reading it off, and eventually of breaking into it, as a proof that I had been in rapport with you.”
But I was still far from satisfied.
“In the example which you read to me,” said I, “the reasoner drew his conclusions from the actions of the man whom he observed. If I remember right, he stumbled over a heap of stones, looked up at the stars, and so on. But I have been seated quietly in my chair, and what clues can I have given you*”
“You do yourself an injustice. The features are given to man as the means by which he shall express his emotions, and yours are faithful servants.”
“Do you mean to say (вы хотите сказать) that you read my train of thoughts from my features (что читаете ход моих мыслей по лицу)*”
“Your features, and especially your eyes (по вашему лицу, особенно по глазам). Perhaps you cannot yourself recall how your reverie commenced (может быть, вы вспомните сами, как началась ваша задумчивость)*”
“No, I cannot (нет, не могу).”
“Then I will tell you (тогда я вам расскажу). After throwing down your paper (после того, как вы отбросили газету), which was the action which drew my attention to you (что явилось действием, привлекшим к вам мое внимание), you sat for half a minute with a vacant expression (вы с полминуты сидели с отсутствующим выражением; vacant — незанятый, свободный; рассеянный, отрешенный). Then your eyes fixed themselves upon your newly-framed picture of General Gordon (затем ваш взгляд остановился на недавно вставленном в раму портрете генерала Гордона), and I saw by the alteration in your face (я увидел по изменению на вашем лице) that a train of thought had been started (что начался ход мыслей). But it did not lead very far (но это продолжалось недолго: «не завело очень далеко»). Your eyes turned across to the unframed portrait of Henry Ward Beecher (вы перевели взгляд на не вставленный в раму портрет Генри Уорда Бичера; Beecher, Henry Ward /1813-1887/ — Бичер, Генри Уорд, прогрессивный протестантский проповедник; выступал против распространения рабства) which stands upon the top of your books (стоящий на ваших книгах). You then glanced up at the wall (затем вы скользнули взглядом вверх по стене), and of course your meaning was obvious (и, конечно, ваш смысл был ясен = было ясно, что вы имеете в виду). You were thinking that if the portrait were framed (вы думали, что если бы портрет был вставлен в раму) it would just cover that bare space (он как раз прикрывал бы пустое пространство) and correspond with Gordon’s picture over there (и гармонировал бы с портретом Гордона, /висящим/ вон там).”
reverie [*rev*r*], vacant [*ve*k*nt], correspond [*k*r**sp*nd]
“Do you mean to say that you read my train of thoughts from my features*”
“Your features, and especially your eyes. Perhaps you cannot yourself recall how your reverie commenced*”
“No, I cannot.”
“Then I will tell you. After throwing down your paper, which was the action which drew my attention to you, you sat for half a minute with a vacant expression. Then your eyes fixed themselves upon your newly-framed picture of General Gordon, and I saw by the alteration in your face that a train of thought had been started. But it did not lead very far. Your eyes turned across to the unframed portrait of Henry Ward Beecher which stands upon the top of your books. You then glanced up at the wall, and of course your meaning was obvious. You were thinking that if the portrait were framed it would just cover that bare space and correspond with Gordon’s picture over there.”
“You have followed me wonderfully (вы поразительно /точно/ проследили за ходом моих мыслей)!” I exclaimed (воскликнул я).
“So far I could hardly have gone astray (до тех пор я едва ли мог сбиться с пути). But now your thoughts went back to Beecher (но затем ваши мысли вернулись к Бичеру), and you looked hard across (и вы стали пристально на него смотреть) as if you were studying the character in his features (будто изучая его характер по чертам лица). Then your eyes ceased to pucker (затем вы перестали щуриться; to pucker — морщить/ся/, собирать/ся/ в складки), but you continued to look across (но продолжали смотреть), and your face was thoughtful (и ваше лицо было задумчивым). You were recalling the incidents of Beecher’s career (вы вспоминали случаи из карьеры Бичера). I was well aware that you could not do this without thinking of the mission (я вполне понимал, что вы не можете делать этого, не думая о той миссии) which he undertook on behalf of the North (которую он взял на себя от имени Севера; to undertake — предпринимать, совершать; брать на себя ответственность) at the time of the Civil War (во времена Гражданской войны /1861-1865/), for I remember you expressing your passionate indignation at the way (поскольку я помню, что вы выразили свое горячее возмущение тем) in which he was received by the more turbulent of our people (как он был принят наиболее буйными из наших сограждан; turbulent — бурный, бушующий; буйный; беспокойный; непокорный). You felt so strongly about it that I knew you could not think of Beecher without thinking of that also (вы столь близко приняли это к сердцу, столь живо показывали свое отношение к этому событию, что я понял, что вы не можете думать о Бичере, не думая /также/ об этом инциденте).
behalf [b**h*:f], recalling [r**k*:l**], Civil War [*s*v(*)l*w*:], turbulent [*t*:bjul*nt]
“You have followed me wonderfully!” I exclaimed.
“So far I could hardly have gone astray. But now your thoughts went back to Beecher, and you looked hard across as if you were studying the character in his features. Then your eyes ceased to pucker, but you continued to look across, and your face was thoughtful. You were recalling the incidents of Beecher’s career. I was well aware that you could not do this without thinking of the mission which he undertook on behalf of the North at the time of the Civil War, for I remember you expressing your passionate indignation at the way in which he was received by the more turbulent of our people. You felt so strongly about it that I knew you could not think of Beecher without thinking of that also.
“When a moment later I saw your eyes wander away from the picture (когда через минуту я увидел, что вы отводите взгляд от этого портрета; to wander — бродить; блуждать /о мыслях, взгляде и т. п./), I suspected that your mind had now turned to the Civil War (я предположил, что теперь ваши мысли направлены на Гражданскую войну), and when I observed that your lips set (а когда заметил, что ваши губы стиснуты), your eyes sparkled (глаза сверкают), and your hands clinched (а руки сжаты в кулаки), I was positive that you were indeed thinking of the gallantry (я утвердился в мысли, что вы действительно думаете о том мужестве/отваге; positive — положительный; несомненный; совершенно ясный: positive proof — несомненное доказательство) which was shown by both sides in that desperate struggle (которое проявили обе стороны в этой отчаянной борьбе). But then, again, your face grew sadder (но потом ваше лицо снова сделалось печальнее); you shook your head (вы покачали головой). You were dwelling upon the sadness and horror and useless waste of life (вы размышляли о печали, страхе и бесполезной потере жизни = о напрасно загубленных жизнях; to dwell /up/on — подробно останавливаться, задерживаться /на каком-либо вопросе и т. д./; waste — растрата; расточительство; излишняя, ненужная трата; потеря, убыль; убыток, ущерб). Your hand stole towards your own old wound (вы медленно, непроизвольно прикоснулись к своей собственной старой ране; to steal — воровать; красться, прокрадываться; скользнуть /куда-либо/), and a smile quivered on your lips (и на ваших губах дрогнула улыбка; to quiver — дрожать мелкой дрожью; трястись; трепетать), which showed me that the ridiculous side of this method of settling international questions had forced itself upon your mind (и это показало мне, что нелепая сторона данного способа решения международных проблем занимает ваши мысли: «проникла в ваш разум»; to force something upon somebody — навязывать что-либо кому-либо). At this point I agreed with you that it was preposterous (здесь я согласился с вами, что это нелепо), and was glad to find that all my deductions had been correct (и с радостью обнаружил, что все мои умозаключения были правильными).”
gallantry [***l*ntr*], quivered [*kw*v*d], ridiculous [r**d*kjul*s]
“When a moment later I saw your eyes wander away from the picture, I suspected that your mind had now turned to the Civil War, and when I observed that your lips set, your eyes sparkled, and your hands clinched, I was positive that you were indeed thinking of the gallantry which was shown by both sides in that desperate struggle. But then, again, your face grew sadder; you shook your head. You were dwelling upon the sadness and horror and useless waste of life. Your hand stole towards your own old wound, and a smile quivered on your lips, which showed me that the ridiculous side of this method of settling international questions had forced itself upon your mind. At this point I agreed with you that it was preposterous, and was glad to find that all my deductions had been correct.”
“Absolutely (совершенно)!” said I. “And now that you have explained it (/даже/ теперь, когда вы объяснили это), I confess that I am as amazed as before (признаюсь, я так же изумлен, как и прежде).”
“It was very superficial, my dear Watson, I assure you (мой дорогой Ватсон, это все было очень просто, уверяю вас; superficial — внешний, неглубокий, поверхностный). I should not have intruded it upon your attention (я не стал бы вмешиваться в ваши мысли: «внимание») had you not shown some incredulity the other day (если бы недавно вы не выказали некоторую недоверчивость). But the evening has brought a breeze with it (однако вечер принес с собой легкий ветерок). What do you say to a ramble through London (что вы скажете насчет прогулки по Лондону; to ramble — гулять, бродить /без определенной цели/)*”
I was weary of our little sitting-room and gladly acquiesced (я устал от нашей маленькой гостиной и с радостью согласился; weary — усталый, изнуренный, утомленный; изнывающий от скуки). For three hours we strolled about together (три часа мы прогуливались вдвоем), watching the ever-changing kaleidoscope of life (наблюдая за непрерывно меняющимся калейдоскопом жизни) as it ebbs and flows through Fleet Street and the Strand (стремительно текущей по Флит-стрит и Странду; ebb and flow — быстрая смена /настроения и т. п./; ebb — отлив; the Strand — Странд /одна из главных улиц в центральной части Лондона/). His characteristic talk (характерная для Холмса речь), with its keen observance of detail and subtle power of inference (с присущей ей проницательной внимательностью к деталям и c искусной способностью делать выводы; keen — острый, глубокий; проницательный; subtle — неуловимый, тонкий; ловкий, искусный, проницательный) held me amused and enthralled (была очень интересной и поглотила мое внимание; to hold — держать; сохранять, удерживать /в каком-либо состоянии/; овладевать /вниманием/; to amuse — развлекать, занимать внимание /кого-либо/; to enthrall — очаровывать, увлекать, захватывать). It was ten o’clock before we reached Baker Street again (было десять часов, когда мы дошли до Бейкер-стрит). A brougham was waiting at our door (у наших дверей ждал экипаж; brougham — одноконная двухместная или четырехместная карета).
acquiesced [**kw**est], kaleidoscope [k**la*d*sk*up], subtle [s*tl], enthralled [*n*Or*:ld], brougham [*bru:*m]
“Absolutely!” said I. “And now that you have explained it, I confess that I am as amazed as before.”
“It was very superficial, my dear Watson, I assure you. I should not have intruded it upon your attention had you not shown some incredulity the other day. But the evening has brought a breeze with it. What do you say to a ramble through London*”
I was weary of our little sitting-room and gladly acquiesced. For three hours we strolled about together, watching the ever-changing kaleidoscope of life as it ebbs and flows through Fleet Street and the Strand. His characteristic talk, with its keen observance of detail and subtle power of inference held me amused and enthralled. It was ten o’clock before we reached Baker Street again. A brougham was waiting at our door.
“Hum! A doctor’s — general practitioner, I perceive (экипаж врача — общей практики, как вижу; general practitioner — общепрактикующий врач; врач общего профиля),” said Holmes. “Not been long in practice (занимается практикой недолго), but has had a good deal to do (но работы у него много). Come to consult us, I fancy (полагаю, приехал за консультацией)! Lucky we came back (как хорошо, что мы вернулись)!”
I was sufficiently conversant with Holmes’s methods to be able to follow his reasoning (я был достаточно хорошо знаком с методами Холмса, чтобы суметь проследить за ходом его мыслей), and to see that the nature and state of the various medical instruments in the wicker basket (и увидел, что тип и состояние различных медицинских инструментов в плетеной корзине) which hung in the lamplight inside the brougham (которая висела, освещаемая фонарем, в экипаже; to hang; lamplight — свет лампы, искусственное освещение) had given him the data for his swift deduction (дали ему сведения для этого быстрого вывода). The light in our window above showed (свет в нашем окне наверху показывал) that this late visit was indeed intended for us (что этот поздний визит в самом деле предназначен для нас). With some curiosity as to what could have sent a brother medico to us at such an hour (с некоторым любопытством относительно того, что же могло привести собрата-медика к нам в такой час), I followed Holmes into our sanctum (я проследовал за Холмсом в наш рабочий кабинет; sanctum — святая святых; рабочий кабинет; уединенное убежище).
practitioner [pr*k*t**(*)n*], instrument [**nstr*m*nt], curiosity [*kju(*)r***s*t*]
“Hum! A doctor’s — general practitioner, I perceive,” said Holmes. “Not been long in practice, but has had a good deal to do. Come to consult us, I fancy! Lucky we came back!”
I was sufficiently conversant with Holmes’s methods to be able to follow his reasoning, and to see that the nature and state of the various medical instruments in the wicker basket which hung in the lamplight inside the brougham had given him the data for his swift deduction. The light in our window above showed that this late visit was indeed intended for us. With some curiosity as to what could have sent a brother medico to us at such an hour, I followed Holmes into our sanctum.
A pale, taper-faced man with sandy whiskers (бледный человек с узким лицом и рыжеватыми бакенбардами; taper — конусообразный; сужающийся; sandy — песчаный; песочный; рыжеватый /о цвете волос/) rose up from a chair by the fire as we entered (встал со стула возле камина, когда мы вошли). His age may not have been more than three or four and thirty (его возраст не мог быть больше, чем года тридцать три или тридцать четыре), but his haggard expression and unhealthy hue told of a life (но его усталое выражение и нездоровый цвет лица говорили о жизни; haggard — изможденный, измученный, изнуренный) which has sapped his strength (которая подорвала его силы; to sap — истощать, ослаблять, подрывать, изматывать; sap — живительные, жизненные силы) and robbed him of his youth (и лишила его молодости; to rob — грабить; to rob of — лишать, отнимать). His manner was nervous and shy (его движения были нервными и робкими), like that of a sensitive gentleman (как у чувствительного человека), and the thin white hand which he laid on the mantelpiece as he rose (а его тонкая белая рука, которую он положил на каминную полк = которой оперся о каминную полку, вставая) was that of an artist rather than of a surgeon (была скорее рукой художника, чем врача; surgeon — хирург; военный врач). His dress was quiet and sombre (его одежда была неброской, темной; quiet — тихий, бесшумный, неслышный; спокойный; скромный, неброский, приглушенный /о цвете/) — a black frock-coat (черный сюртук), dark trousers (темные брюки), and a touch of color about his necktie (и лишь немного ярче — галстук; touch — примесь; оттенок, налет; necktie — галстук; шейный платок; neck — шея; tie — шнур; узел; галстук).
“Good-evening, doctor (добрый вечер, доктор),” said Holmes, cheerily (весело сказал Холмс). “I am glad to see that you have only been waiting a very few minutes (рад видеть, что вы ждете всего несколько минут).”
“You spoke to my coachman, then (вы говорили с кучером)*”
unhealthy [*n*helO*], surgeon [*s*:*(*)n], necktie [*nekta*]
A pale, taper*faced man with sandy whiskers rose up from a chair by the fire as we entered. His age may not have been more than three or four and thirty, but his haggard expression and unhealthy hue told of a life which has sapped his strength and robbed him of his youth. His manner was nervous and shy, like that of a sensitive gentleman, and the thin white hand which he laid on the mantelpiece as he rose was that of an artist rather than of a surgeon. His dress was quiet and sombre — a black frock-coat, dark trousers, and a touch of color about his necktie.
“Good-evening, doctor,” said Holmes, cheerily. “I am glad to see that you have only been waiting a very few minutes.”
“You spoke to my coachman, then*”
“No, it was the candle on the side-table that told me (нет, мне сказала об этом свеча на столике; side-table — приставной, пристенный стол). Pray resume your seat and let me know how I can serve you (прошу вас, присаживайтесь, и позвольте узнать, чем я могу вам служить; to resume — возобновлять, продолжать; обретать снова).”
“My name is Doctor Percy Trevelyan (меня зовут доктор Перси Тревельян),” said our visitor, “and I live at 403 Brook Street (я живу на Брук-стрит, 403).”
“Are you not the author of a monograph upon obscure nervous lesions (не вы ли, случайно, автор монографии о скрытых патологических нервных изменениях; lesion — повреждение, поражение, патологическое изменение)*” I asked.
His pale cheeks flushed with pleasure at hearing that his work was known to me (его бледные щеки покраснели от удовольствия, когда он услышал, что его работа известна мне; to flush — забить струей, обильно потечь, хлынуть, хлестать /о потоке жидкости/; приливать к какой-л. части тела /особенно лицу, о крови/).
“I so seldom hear of the work that I thought it was quite dead (я так редко слышу об этой работе, что думал, она никому не нужна; dead — мертвый; изживший себя, бесполезный),” said he. “My publishers gave me a most discouraging account of its sale (издатели дали мне самый обескураживающий отчет о ее продаже). You are yourself, I presume, a medical man (вы сами, полагаю, врач)*”
“A retired army surgeon (военный врач в отставке).”
author [**:O*], obscure [*b*skju*], lesion [*li:*(*)n]
“No, it was the candle on the side*table that told me. Pray resume your seat and let me know how I can serve you.”
“My name is Doctor Percy Trevelyan,” said our visitor, “and I live at 403 Brook Street.”
“Are you not the author of a monograph upon obscure nervous lesions*” I asked.
His pale cheeks flushed with pleasure at hearing that his work was known to me.
“I so seldom hear of the work that I thought it was quite dead,” said he. “My publishers gave me a most discouraging account of its sale. You are yourself, I presume, a medical man*”
“A retired army surgeon.”
“My own hobby has always been nervous disease (моим увлечением всегда были нервные болезни). I should wish to make it an absolute specialty (я хотел бы специализироваться только в этой области; specialty = speciality — специализация, специальность: to make a speciality of something — специализироваться в какой-либо области; сделать что-либо своей специальностью), but, of course, a man must take what he can get at first (но, конечно, прежде всего нужно заниматься той работой, которую получаешь: «приходится сначала брать то, что можешь получить»). This, however, is beside the question, Mr. Sherlock Holmes (впрочем, это не относится к делу: «вне вопроса», мистер Шерлок Холмс), and I quite appreciate how valuable your time is (я прекрасно понимаю, как дорого ваше время; to appreciate — ценить; понимать, принимать во внимание). The fact is that a very singular train of events (дело в том, что череда очень странных событий) has occurred recently at my house in Brook Street (произошла недавно в моем доме на Брук-стрит), and to-night they came to such a head (и сегодня вечером они настолько обострились; to come to a head — дойти до критической точки; достичь апогея, резко обостриться) that I felt it was quite impossible for me to wait another hour before asking for your advice and assistance (что я понял, что невозможно ждать еще час, прежде чем обратиться к вам за советом и помощью).”
Sherlock Holmes sat down and lit his pipe (Холмс сел и закурил трубку).
“You are very welcome to both (можете рассчитывать и на то, и на другое),” said he. “Pray let me have a detailed account of what the circumstances are (прошу вас, расскажите мне во всех подробностях: «дайте подробный отчет» об обстоятельствах) which have disturbed you (взволновавших вас).”
“One or two of them are so trivial (одно или два из них столь обыденны),” said Dr. Trevelyan, “that really I am almost ashamed to mention them (что, право, мне почти неловко упоминать о них). But the matter is so inexplicable (но дело настолько необъяснимо), and the recent turn which it has taken is so elaborate (и недавно приняло столь сложный оборот; to take a turn), that I shall lay it all before you (что я вам изложу все; to lay before — представлять, передавать на рассмотрение: «положить перед»), and you shall judge what is essential and what is not (а вы сами судите, что существенно, а что нет).
disease [d**zi:z], appreciate [**pri:**e*t], recently [*ri:s(*)ntl*]
“My own hobby has always been nervous disease. I should wish to make it an absolute specialty, but, of course, a man must take what he can get at first. This, however, is beside the question, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and I quite appreciate how valuable your time is. The fact is that a very singular train of events has occurred recently at my house in Brook Street, and to-night they came to such a head that I felt it was quite impossible for me to wait another hour before asking for your advice and assistance.”
Sherlock Holmes sat down and lit his pipe.
“You are very welcome to both,” said he. “Pray let me have a detailed account of what the circumstances are which have disturbed you.”
“One or two of them are so trivial,” said Dr. Trevelyan, “that really I am almost ashamed to mention them. But the matter is so inexplicable, and the recent turn which it has taken is so elaborate, that I shall lay it all before you, and you shall judge what is essential and what is not.
“I am compelled, to begin with, to say something of my own college career (для начала я должен кое-что сказать о своей учебе в колледже; to compel — заставлять, вынуждать; career — карьера; успех; занятие). I am a London University man, you know (я, видите ли, выпускник Лондонского университета), and I am sure that your will not think (и, несомненно, вы не подумаете) that I am unduly singing my own praises (что я чрезмерно себя хвалю; unduly — чрезмерно; несправедливо; to sing one's own praises — петь себе дифирамбы, заниматься самовосхвалением) if I say that my student career was considered by my professors to be a very promising one (если скажу, что профессора считали мою студенческую деятельность многообещающей; to promise — обещать). After I had graduated I continued to devote myself to research (после того, как я окончил университет, я продолжил заниматься исследовательской работой: «посвящать себя исследовательской работе»), occupying a minor position in King’s College Hospital (занимая небольшую должность в клинике при Королевском колледже; minor — незначительный; второстепенный), and I was fortunate enough to excite considerable interest by my research into the pathology of catalepsy (и мне повезло: я вызвал значительный интерес своими исследованиями в /области/ патологии каталепсии: «и я был достаточно удачлив, чтобы вызвать…»; catalepsy — каталепсия; оцепенение /застывание всего тела или конечностей в каком-либо положении/), and finally to win the Bruce Pinkerton prize and medal (а затем я получил награду Брюса Пинкертона и медаль) by the monograph on nervous lesions (за монографию по нервным патологическим изменениям) to which your friend has just alluded (которую только что упомянул ваш друг). I should not go too far if I were to say (я не погрешу против истины: «не зайду слишком далеко», если скажу) that there was a general impression at that time (что в то время общим мнением являлось = все считали) that a distinguished career lay before me (что меня ожидает блистательная карьера).
graduated [**r**ue*t*d; **r*djue*t*d], catalepsy [*k*t*l*ps*], career [k**r**]
“I am compelled, to begin with, to say something of my own college career. I am a London University man, you know, and I am sure that your will not think that I am unduly singing my own praises if I say that my student career was considered by my professors to be a very promising one. After I had graduated I continued to devote myself to research, occupying a minor position in King’s College Hospital, and I was fortunate enough to excite considerable interest by my research into the pathology of catalepsy, and finally to win the Bruce Pinkerton prize and medal by the monograph on nervous lesions to which your friend has just alluded. I should not go too far if I were to say that there was a general impression at that time that a distinguished career lay before me.
“But the one great stumbling-block lay in my want of capital (но огромный камень преткновения лежал в недостатке капитала; to stumble — спотыкаться, оступаться). As you will readily understand (как нетрудно понять: «как вы легко поймете»), a specialist who aims high (специалист, имеющий честолюбивые планы: «который метит высоко») is compelled to start in one of a dozen streets in the Cavendish Square quarter (вынужден начинать /практику/ на одной из дюжин улиц в районе Кавендиш-сквер), all of which entail enormous rents and furnishing expenses (и все /снимаемые там помещения/ влекут за собой огромные расходы на аренду и обстановку; to entail — влечь за собой; вызывать). Besides this preliminary outlay (помимо этих предварительных затрат), he must be prepared to keep himself for some years (он должен быть готов несколько лет содержать себя сам/на собственные средства), and to hire a presentable carriage and horse (и нанимать приличные экипаж и лошадь). To do this was quite beyond my power (это было мне вовсе не по силам), and I could only hope that by economy I might in ten years’ time (я мог только надеяться, что, экономя, смогу через десять лет) save enough to enable me to put up my plate (скопить достаточно /денег/, чтобы заняться практикой на дому; to put up one's plate — начать практиковать на дому /о враче/: «выставить свою /собственную/ посуду»). Suddenly, however, an unexpected incident opened up quite a new prospect to me (но вдруг неожиданный случай открыл для меня новые перспективы).
“This was a visit from a gentleman of the name of Blessington (это был визит одного джентльмена по имени Блессингтон), who was a complete stranger to me (совершенно мне незнакомого; stranger — незнакомец; посторонний, чужой человек). He came up to my room one morning (он пришел ко мне однажды утром), and plunged into business in an instant (и сразу же перешел к делу).
“‘You are the same Percy Trevelyan who has had so distinguished a career and own a great prize lately (вы тот самый Перси Тревельян, сделавший блистательную карьеру и недавно получивший высокую награду; distinguished — выдающийся, знаменитый, известный, прославленный)*’ said he.
capital [*k*p*t(*)l], preliminary [pr**l*m*n(*)r*], economy [**k*n*m*]
“But the one great stumbling-block lay in my want of capital. As you will readily understand, a specialist who aims high is compelled to start in one of a dozen streets in the Cavendish Square quarter, all of which entail enormous rents and furnishing expenses. Besides this preliminary outlay, he must be prepared to keep himself for some years, and to hire a presentable carriage and horse. To do this was quite beyond my power, and I could only hope that by economy I might in ten years’ time save enough to enable me to put up my plate. Suddenly, however, an unexpected incident opened up quite a new prospect to me.
“This was a visit from a gentleman of the name of Blessington, who was a complete stranger to me. He came up to my room one morning, and plunged into business in an instant.
“‘You are the same Percy Trevelyan who has had so distinguished a career and own a great prize lately*’ said he.
“I bowed (я поклонился).
“‘Answer me frankly (ответьте мне честно),’ he continued (продолжал он), ‘for you will find it to your interest to do so (поскольку вы поймете, что это в ваших интересах). You have all the cleverness which makes a successful man (у вас есть ум и одаренность, достаточные, чтобы быть успешным). Have you the tact (а есть ли у вас /чувство/ такта)*’
“I could not help smiling at the abruptness of the question (я не мог не улыбнуться резкости = прямоте вопроса; abruptness — внезапность; неожиданность; крутизна, обрывистость; резкость /движений/; резкость, грубость /ответа/).
“‘I trust that I have my share (думаю, есть: «имею мою долю»),’ I said.
“‘Any bad habits (у вас есть какие-нибудь дурные привычки)* Not drawn towards drink, eh (пить вас не тянет; to be drawn towards — тяготеть: «быть притягиваемым» /к чему-либо/)*’
“‘Really, sir (это уже слишком, сэр)!’ I cried (воскликнул я).
“‘Quite right! That’s all right (все в порядке)! But I was bound to ask (но я был обязан спросить это). With all these qualities, why are you not in practice (/обладая/ всеми этими качествами, почему же вы не практикуете)*’
“I shrugged my shoulders (я пожал плечами).
bowed [baud], abruptness [**br*ptn*s], bound [baund]
“I bowed.
“‘Answer me frankly,’ he continued, ‘for you will find it to your interest to do so. You have all the cleverness which makes a successful man. Have you the tact*’
“I could not help smiling at the abruptness of the question.
“‘I trust that I have my share,’ I said.
“‘Any bad habits* Not drawn towards drink, eh*’
“‘Really, sir!’ I cried.
“‘Quite right! That’s all right! But I was bound to ask. With all these qualities, why are you not in practice*’
“I shrugged my shoulders.
“‘Come, come (ну, ну, все ясно)!’ said he, in his bustling way (сказал он со свойственной ему торопливостью; bustling — суетливый, шумный, беспокойный; to bustle — торопить/ся/, спешить; суетиться). ‘It’s the old story (старая история). More in your brains than in your pocket, eh (у вас больше в уме: «в мозгах», чем в карманах, да)* What would you say if I were to start you in Brook Street (а что бы вы сказали, если бы я помог вам открыть кабинет на Брук-стрит; to start — начинать/ся/; учреждать, основывать /дело, предприятие/; to start somebody in something — помогать кому-либо начать что- либо)*’
“I stared at him in astonishment (я уставился на него в изумлении).
“‘Oh, it’s for my sake, not for yours (о, /я это делаю/ ради себя, а не вас; for one's sake — ради кого-либо),’ he cried. ‘I’ll be perfectly frank with you (буду с вами совершенно откровенным), and if it suits you it will suit me very well (и если предложение устроит вас, то меня — тем более: «отлично»). I have a few thousands to invest, d’ye see (видите ли, у меня есть несколько тысяч /для/ вложения /куда-либо/; d'ye = do you), and I think I’ll sink them in you (и я думаю вложить их в вас).’
“‘But why (но почему)*’ I gasped (с удивлением спросил я; to gasp — дышать с трудом, задыхаться; ловить: воздух to gasp for breath/air — тяжело дышать; открывать рот /от удивления/).
“‘Well, it’s just like any other speculation, and safer than most (ну, это такая же сделка, как и любая другая, к тому же намного безопаснее: «безопаснее, чем большая часть /из них/»; speculation — размышление; спекуляция; игра на бирже, сделка).’
“‘What am I to do, then (что же мне нужно делать)*’
bustling [*b*sl**], suit [s(j)u:t], speculation [*spekju*le**(*)n]
“‘Come, come!’ said he, in his bustling way. ‘It’s the old story. More in your brains than in your pocket, eh* What would you say if I were to start you in Brook Street*’
“I stared at him in astonishment.
“‘Oh, it’s for my sake, not for yours,’ he cried. ‘I’ll be perfectly frank with you, and if it suits you it will suit me very well. I have a few thousands to invest, d’ye see, and I think I’ll sink them in you.’
“‘But why*’ I gasped.
“‘Well, it’s just like any other speculation, and safer than most.’
“‘What am I to do, then*’
“‘I’ll tell you (я скажу вам). I’ll take the house (я сниму дом), furnish it (обставлю его), pay the maids (найму прислугу), and run the whole place (и полностью возьму на себя его содержание; to run a business — вести дело, управлять предприятием; to run household — вести хозяйство). All you have to do is just to wear out your chair in the consulting-room (а все, что должны делать вы — сидеть во врачебном кабинете: «просиживать кресло» /и принимать посетителей/). I’ll let you have pocket-money and everything (я дам вам деньги на мелкие расходы и все остальное; pocket-money — карманные деньги, деньги на мелкие расходы). Then you hand over to me three quarters of what you earn (вы будете отдавать мне три четверти заработанного), and you keep the other quarter for yourself (а себе оставлять одну четверть).’
“This was the strange proposal, Mr. Holmes (с таким странным предложением, мистер Холмс), with which the man Blessington approached me (обратился ко мне Блессингтон; to approach — подходить, приближаться; обращаться /с просьбой, предложением и т. д./). I won’t weary you with the account of how we bargained and negotiated (я не стану утомлять вас рассказом о том, как мы торговались и обсуждали условия). It ended in my moving into the house next Lady-day (дело кончилось тем, что я переехал на Благовещение в /снятый для меня/ дом; Lady-day — День Богоматери, Благовещение /25 марта/), and starting in practice on very much the same conditions as he had suggested (и приступил к практике почти на тех самых условиях, которые он предложил; much the same — почти то же самое, почти такой же). He came himself to live with me in the character of a resident patient (сам он стал жить со мной /в этом доме/ как постоянный пациент). His heart was weak, it appears (по-видимому, у него было слабое сердце), and he needed constant medical supervision (и он нуждался в постоянном врачебном наблюдении).
weary [*w**r*], negotiated [n****u**e*t*d], supervision [*s(j)u:p**v**(*)n]
“‘I’ll tell you. I’ll take the house, furnish it, pay the maids, and run the whole place. All you have to do is just to wear out your chair in the consulting-room. I’ll let you have pocket-money and everything. Then you hand over to me three quarters of what you earn, and you keep the other quarter for yourself.’
“This was the strange proposal, Mr. Holmes, with which the man Blessington approached me. I won’t weary you with the account of how we bargained and negotiated. It ended in my moving into the house next Lady-day, and starting in practice on very much the same conditions as he had suggested. He came himself to live with me in the character of a resident patient. His heart was weak, it appears, and he needed constant medical supervision.
“He turned the two best rooms of the first floor into a sitting-room and bedroom for himself (он переделал две лучших комнаты второго этажа в гостиную и спальню для себя). He was a man of singular habits (это был человек странных привычек), shunning company and very seldom going out (он сторонился компании = ни с кем не общался и очень редко выходил). His life was irregular (он не соблюдал никакого режима: «его жизнь была нерегулярной»), but in one respect he was regularity itself (но в одном /отношении/ он проявлял удивительное постоянство: «был сама регулярность»). Every evening, at the same hour (каждый вечер в один и тот же час), he walked into the consulting-room, examined the books (он входил в кабинет, проверял журнал посещений), put down five and three-pence for every guinea that I had earned (откладывал /мне/ пять шиллингов три пенса с каждой гинеи, которую я заработал), and carried the rest off to the strong-box in his own room (уносил остальное и /складывал/ в сейф в своей комнате).
“I may say with confidence that he never had occasion to regret his speculation (я могу с уверенностью сказать, что он ни разу не пожалел о нашей сделке). From the first it was a success (с самого сначала /нас ждал/ успех). A few good cases and the reputation which I had won in the hospital (несколько добрых пациентов и репутация, которую я заработал в больнице; case — случай; случай заболевания; больной, пациент; to win — выиграть; добиться, получить) brought me rapidly to the front (быстро принесли мне известность; to bring to the front — способствовать развитию, продвижению: «привести на переднюю линию»), and during the last few years I have made him a rich man (и в течение последних нескольких лет я сделал Блессингтона богатым человеком).
“So much, Mr. Holmes, for my past history and my relations with Mr. Blessington (вот, мистер Холмс, такова моя предыстория и отношения с мистером Блессингтоном: «что касается прошедшей/минувшей истории…»). It only remains for me now to tell you (теперь остается только рассказать вам) what has occurred to bring me here to-night (что произошло такого, что привело меня сюда сегодня вечером).
company [*k*mp*n*], guinea [***n*], confidence [*k*nf*d(*)ns]
“He turned the two best rooms of the first floor into a sitting-room and bedroom for himself. He was a man of singular habits, shunning company and very seldom going out. His life was irregular, but in one respect he was regularity itself. Every evening, at the same hour, he walked into the consulting*room, examined the books, put down five and three-pence for every guinea that I had earned, and carried the rest off to the strong-box in his own room.
“I may say with confidence that he never had occasion to regret his speculation. From the first it was a success. A few good cases and the reputation which I had won in the hospital brought me rapidly to the front, and during the last few years I have made him a rich man.
“So much, Mr. Holmes, for my past history and my relations with Mr. Blessington. It only remains for me now to tell you what has occurred to bring me here to-night.
“Some weeks ago Mr. Blessington came down to me in (несколько недель назад мистер Блессингтон пришел ко мне), as it seemed to me, a state of considerable agitation (как мне показалось, в состоянии сильного беспокойства; considerable — значительный; важный, заслуживающий внимания, существенный; большой, немалый; to consider — рассматривать; принимать во внимание, учитывать). He spoke of some burglary which, he said, had been committed in the West End (он говорил о какой-то краже со взломом, совершенной, по его словам, в Уэст-Энде), and he appeared, I remember, to be quite unnecessarily excited about it (и, как я помню, он был совершенно излишне: «ненужно» взволнован этим случаем), declaring that a day should not pass before we should add stronger bolts to our windows and doors (и заявил, что не должно пройти ни дня, прежде чем мы должны будем установить более крепкие засовы на окна и двери). For a week he continued to be in a peculiar state of restlessness (неделю он продолжал оставаться в состоянии странного беспокойства), peering continually out of the windows (постоянно выглядывая в окна), and ceasing to take the short walk (и прекратив совершать короткие прогулки) which had usually been the prelude to his dinner (/которые обычно совершались/ перед ужином; prelude — вступление, начало; прелюдия). From his manner it struck me (из его поведения мне стало ясно) that he was in mortal dread of something or somebody (что он смертельно боится чего-то или кого-то), but when I questioned him upon the point (но когда я спросил его об этом) he became so offensive that I was compelled to drop the subject (он так разгорячился: «стал агрессивен», что я вынужден был оставить эту тему; offensive — обидный, оскорбительный; агрессивный, неприятный). Gradually, as time passed (постепенно, с течением времени), his fears appeared to die away (его страхи вроде бы утихли; to appear — появляться, показываться; казаться), and he had renewed his former habits (и он возобновил свои прежние привычки), when a fresh event reduced him to the pitiable state of prostration (как вдруг новое происшествие повергло его в то жалкое состояние; to reduce to — приводить к; доводить до; prostration — распростертое положение; изнеможение; упадок сил; pity — жалость) in which he now lies (в котором он находится сейчас).
excited [*k*sa*t*d], prelude [*prelju:d], pitiable [*p*t**bl]
“Some weeks ago Mr. Blessington came down to me in, as it seemed to me, a state of considerable agitation. He spoke of some burglary which, he said, had been committed in the West End, and he appeared, I remember, to be quite unnecessarily excited about it, declaring that a day should not pass before we should add stronger bolts to our windows and doors. For a week he continued to be in a peculiar state of restlessness, peering continually out of the windows, and ceasing to take the short walk which had usually been the prelude to his dinner. From his manner it struck me that he was in mortal dread of something or somebody, but when I questioned him upon the point he became so offensive that I was compelled to drop the subject. Gradually, as time passed, his fears appeared to die away, and he had renewed his former habits, when a fresh event reduced him to the pitiable state of prostration in which he now lies.
“What happened was this (вот что произошло). Two days ago I received the letter which I now read to you (два дня назад я получил письмо, которое сейчас зачитаю вам). Neither address nor date is attached to it (на нем не указано ни адреса, ни даты).
“‘A Russian nobleman who is now resident in England (русский дворянин, в настоящее время проживающий в Англии),’ it runs (говорилось в письме: «оно бежит/идет»), ‘would be glad to avail himself of the professional assistance of Dr. Percy Trevelyan (был бы рад воспользоваться профессиональной помощью доктора Перси Тревельяна). He has been for some years a victim to cataleptic attacks (он несколько лет страдает: «является жертвой» от приступов каталепсии), on which, as is well known, Dr. Trevelyan is an authority (/в лечении которой/, как хорошо известно, доктор Тревельян является крупным специалистом: «авторитетом»). He proposes to call at about quarter past six to-morrow evening (он собирается прийти около четверти седьмого завтра вечером), if Dr. Trevelyan will make it convenient to be at home (если доктор Тревельян сочтет это удобным и будет дома: «сочтет удобным находиться /в это время/ дома»).’
“This letter interested me deeply (это письмо крайне заинтересовало меня), because the chief difficulty in the study of catalepsy (поскольку главной трудностью в изучении каталепсии) is the rareness of the disease (является редкость этого заболевания). You may believe, then, that I was in my consulting-room (как вы понимаете, я был в своем кабинете) when, at the appointed hour, the page showed in the patient (когда в назначенный час слуга ввел пациента).
neither [*na***], authority [*:*O*r*t*], convenient [k*n*vi:n**nt], patient [*pe**(*)nt]
“What happened was this. Two days ago I received the letter which I now read to you. Neither address nor date is attached to it.
“‘A Russian nobleman who is now resident in England,’ it runs, ‘would be glad to avail himself of the professional assistance of Dr. Percy Trevelyan. He has been for some years a victim to cataleptic attacks, on which, as is well known, Dr. Trevelyan is an authority. He proposes to call at about quarter past six to*morrow evening, if Dr. Trevelyan will make it convenient to be at home.’
“This letter interested me deeply, because the chief difficulty in the study of catalepsy is the rareness of the disease. You may believe, then, that I was in my consulting-room when, at the appointed hour, the page showed in the patient.
“He was an elderly man (это был пожилой человек), thin (худой), demure (скромный; demure — скромный, спокойный, сдержанный; трезвый, рассудительный, серьезный), and common-place (и ничем не примечательный) — by no means the conception one forms of a Russian nobleman (далеко не /соответствовал/ представлению, которое сложилось о /типичном/ русском дворянине; conception — понимание; представление). I was much more struck by the appearance of his companion (но гораздо больше меня поразила внешность его сопровождающего). This was a tall young man (это был высокий молодой человек), surprisingly handsome (удивительно красивый), with a dark, fierce face (с темным жестоким лицом), and the limbs and chest of a Hercules (сложен как Геракл: «конечности и грудь Геракла»). He had his hand under the other’s arm as they entered (когда они вошли, он поддерживал пациента под руку), and helped him to a chair with a tenderness (и помог ему сесть в кресло с такой нежностью) which one would hardly have expected from his appearance (которую едва ли можно было ожидать от /человека/ такой внешности).
“‘You will excuse my coming in, doctor (простите, что я вошел, доктор),’ said he to me, speaking English with a slight lisp (сказал он мне, говоря по-английски с легкой шепелявостью). ‘This is my father, and his health is a matter of the most overwhelming importance to me (это мой отец, и его здоровье является для меня делом огромной важности).’
“I was touched by this filial anxiety (я был тронут этой сыновней заботой).
‘You would, perhaps, care to remain during the consultation (может, вы хотите остаться = присутствовать во время консультации)*’ said I.
demure [d**mju*], handsome [*h*ns(*)m], Hercules [*h*:kjuli:z], filial [*f*l**l]
“He was an elderly man, thin, demure, and common-place — by no means the conception one forms of a Russian nobleman. I was much more struck by the appearance of his companion. This was a tall young man, surprisingly handsome, with a dark, fierce face, and the limbs and chest of a Hercules. He had his hand under the other’s arm as they entered, and helped him to a chair with a tenderness which one would hardly have expected from his appearance.
“‘You will excuse my coming in, doctor,’ said he to me, speaking English with a slight lisp. ‘This is my father, and his health is a matter of the most overwhelming importance to me.’
“I was touched by this filial anxiety.
‘You would, perhaps, care to remain during the consultation*’ said I.
“‘Not for the world (ни за что на свете),’ he cried with a gesture of horror (вскричал он с жестом ужаса = и замахал руками в ужасе). ‘It is more painful to me than I can express (для меня это невыразимая мука: «мучительнее, чем я могу выразить»). If I were to see my father in one of these dreadful seizures (если я увижу отца во время одного из этих ужасных приступов) I am convinced that I should never survive it (я уверен, я этого не переживу). My own nervous system is an exceptionally sensitive one (моя собственная нервная система крайне чувствительная). With your permission (с вашего позволения), I will remain in the waiting-room while you go into my father’s case (я подожду в приемной: «комнате ожидания», пока вы будете изучать болезнь моего отца; to go into — расследовать, тщательно рассматривать, изучать).’
“To this, of course, I assented (разумеется, я согласился: «на это, конечно, я согласился»; to assent — дать согласие, соглашаться), and the young man withdrew (и молодой человек удалился). The patient and I then plunged into a discussion of his case (а мы с пациентом приступили к обсуждению его болезни; to plunge — нырять; погружаться), of which I took exhaustive notes (и я сделал исчерпывающие записи /о ней/; to exhaust — исчерпывать). He was not remarkable for intelligence (он не был выдающимся интеллектом = это был заурядный человек), and his answers were frequently obscure (его ответы часто были нечеткими), which I attributed to his limited acquaintance with our language (что я приписал плохому знанию нашего языка: «ограниченному знакомству с нашим языком»). Suddenly, however, as I sat writing (вдруг, когда я сидел и записывал), he ceased to give any answer at all to my inquiries (он перестал отвечать на мои расспросы), and on my turning towards him I was shocked to see (и, повернувшись к нему, я с ужасом увидел) that he was sitting bolt upright in his chair (что он сидит на стуле очень прямо), staring at me with a perfectly blank and rigid face (и смотрит на меня, а лицо его совершенно бледное и неподвижное; rigid — жесткий, негнущийся, негибкий). He was again in the grip of his mysterious malady (его снова одолел /приступ/ загадочной болезни; to grip — схватить; сжать; овладеть; mystery — тайна, загадка).
seizure [*si:**], exhaustive [***z*:st*v], acquaintance [**kwe*nt*ns], rigid [*r***d]
“‘Not for the world,’ he cried with a gesture of horror. ‘It is more painful to me than I can express. If I were to see my father in one of these dreadful seizures I am convinced that I should never survive it. My own nervous system is an exceptionally sensitive one. With your permission, I will remain in the waiting*room while you go into my father’s case.’
“To this, of course, I assented, and the young man withdrew. The patient and I then plunged into a discussion of his case, of which I took exhaustive notes. He was not remarkable for intelligence, and his answers were frequently obscure, which I attributed to his limited acquaintance with our language. Suddenly, however, as I sat writing, he ceased to give any answer at all to my inquiries, and on my turning towards him I was shocked to see that he was sitting bolt upright in his chair, staring at me with a perfectly blank and rigid face. He was again in the grip of his mysterious malady.
“My first feeling, as I have just said, was one of pity and horror (моим первым чувством, как я только что сказал, было чувство жалости и страха). My second, I fear, was rather one of professional satisfaction (вторым, боюсь, была профессиональная радость; satisfaction — удовлетворение; удовлетворенность). I made notes of my patient’s pulse and temperature (я записал /частоту/ пульса и температуру пациента), tested the rigidity of his muscles (проверил твердость/застылость мышц), and examined his reflexes (и рефлексы). There was nothing markedly abnormal in any of these conditions (во всех этих состояниях не было ничего заметно отклоняющегося от нормы = все эти показатели были в пределах нормы), which harmonized with my former experiences (что соответствовало моим прежним случаям: «опытам»). I had obtained good results in such cases (я добивался хороших результатов в таких ситуациях) by the inhalation of nitrite of amyl (/применением/ ингаляции нитрита амила; to inhale — вдыхать), and the present seemed an admirable opportunity of testing its virtues (и теперешний /случай/ представлялся замечательной возможностью /лишний раз/ проверить эффективность этого средства; virtue — добродетель, достоинство; сила; эффективность: there is no virtue in such drugs — эти лекарства бесполезны/неэффективны). The bottle was downstairs in my laboratory (бутылка /с лекарством/ находилась в лаборатории внизу), so leaving my patient seated in his chair (поэтому, оставив пациента сидящим на стуле), I ran down to get it (я побежал за ней). There was some little delay in finding it (произошла небольшая задержка в нахождении ее = я не сразу нашел ее) — five minutes, let us say (минут пять; let us say — скажем; примерно) — and then I returned (и затем вернулся). Imagine my amazement to find the room empty and the patient gone (представьте мое изумление, когда я обнаружил, что комната пуста, а пациент исчез).
muscles [*m*s(*)lz], abnormal [*b*n*:m(*)l], laboratory [l**b*r*tr*]
“My first feeling, as I have just said, was one of pity and horror. My second, I fear, was rather one of professional satisfaction. I made notes of my patient’s pulse and temperature, tested the rigidity of his muscles, and examined his reflexes. There was nothing markedly abnormal in any of these conditions, which harmonized with my former experiences. I had obtained good results in such cases by the inhalation of nitrite of amyl, and the present seemed an admirable opportunity of testing its virtues. The bottle was downstairs in my laboratory, so leaving my patient seated in his chair, I ran down to get it. There was some little delay in finding it — five minutes, let us say — and then I returned. Imagine my amazement to find the room empty and the patient gone.
“Of course, my first act was to run into the waiting-room (конечно, моим первым действием было броситься в приемную = первым делом я бросился в приемную). The son had gone also (сын /пациента/ тоже пропал). The hall door had been closed, but not shut (входная дверь была закрыта, но не заперта). My page who admits patients (мой слуга, впускающий пациентов) is a new boy and by no means quick (новый мальчишка = служит недавно, и он далеко не проворен). He waits downstairs, and runs up to show patients out (он ждет внизу и поднимается наверх, чтобы проводить пациентов) when I ring the consulting-room bell (когда я звоню в колокольчик в кабинете). He had heard nothing (/на этот раз/ он ничего не слышал), and the affair remained a complete mystery (и происшествие осталось /для меня/ полной загадкой). Mr. Blessington came in from his walk shortly afterwards (мистер Блессингтон вернулся с прогулки вскоре после этого), but I did not say anything to him upon the subject (но я ничего не ему сказал об этом деле), for, to tell the truth (так как, по правде говоря), I have got in the way of late of holding as little communication with him as possible (в последнее время я старался общаться с ним как можно меньше).
“Well, I never thought that I should see anything more of the Russian and his son (я не думал, что еще увижу того русского и его сына), so you can imagine my amazement (поэтому вы можете представить мое удивление) when, at the very same hour this evening (когда сегодня вечером в тот же самый час), they both came marching into my consulting-room (они вдвоем зашли: «прошагали» ко мне в кабинет), just as they had done before (в точности, как и прежде).
admit [*d*m*t], complete [k*m*pli:t], marching [*m*:***]
“Of course, my first act was to run into the waiting-room. The son had gone also. The hall door had been closed, but not shut. My page who admits patients is a new boy and by no means quick. He waits downstairs, and runs up to show patients out when I ring the consulting-room bell. He had heard nothing, and the affair remained a complete mystery. Mr. Blessington came in from his walk shortly afterwards, but I did not say anything to him upon the subject, for, to tell the truth, I have got in the way of late of holding as little communication with him as possible.
“Well, I never thought that I should see anything more of the Russian and his son, so you can imagine my amazement when, at the very same hour this evening, they both came marching into my consulting-room, just as they had done before.
“‘I feel that I owe you a great many apologies for my abrupt departure yesterday, doctor (думаю, что должен извиниться: «должен вам огромное множество извинений», доктор, за мой внезапный/резкий уход вчера),’ said my patient.
“‘I confess that I was very much surprised at it (признаюсь, я был очень удивлен им),’ said I.
“‘Well, the fact is (дело в том),’ he remarked (заметил он), ‘that when I recover from these attacks (что когда я прихожу в себя после этих приступов) my mind is always very clouded as to all that has gone before (мой разум всегда очень затуманен относительно всего того, что случилось раньше). I woke up in a strange room, as it seemed to me (я очнулся в незнакомой комнате, как мне показалось), and made my way out into the street in a sort of dazed way when you were absent (и, плохо осознавая свои действия, вышел на улицу, когда вас не было; to make one's way — пробираться, продвигаться; dazed — изумленный, потрясенный, ошеломленный; полубессознательный; absent — отсутствующий).’
“‘And I (а я),’ said the son, ‘seeing my father pass the door of the waiting-room (видя, как отец проходит мимо двери приемной), naturally thought that the consultation had come to an end (естественно, подумал, что консультация закончилась). It was not until we had reached home (и лишь когда мы пришли домой) that I began to realize the true state of affairs (я начал понимать истинное положение вещей).’
“‘Well,’ said I, laughing, ‘there is no harm done except that you puzzled me terribly (ничего плохого не случилось, разве только вы ужасно меня озадачили); so if you, sir, would kindly step into the waiting-room (если вы, сэр, пройдете в приемную; kindly — любезно) I shall be happy to continue our consultation (я буду рад продолжить консультацию) which was brought to so abrupt an ending (которая была так неожиданно прервана).’
departure [d**p*:**], clouded [*klaud*d], laughing [*l*:f**]
“‘I feel that I owe you a great many apologies for my abrupt departure yesterday, doctor,’ said my patient.
“‘I confess that I was very much surprised at it,’ said I.
“‘Well, the fact is,’ he remarked, ‘that when I recover from these attacks my mind is always very clouded as to all that has gone before. I woke up in a strange room, as it seemed to me, and made my way out into the street in a sort of dazed way when you were absent.’
“‘And I,’ said the son, ‘seeing my father pass the door of the waiting*room, naturally thought that the consultation had come to an end. It was not until we had reached home that I began to realize the true state of affairs.’
“‘Well,’ said I, laughing, ‘there is no harm done except that you puzzled me terribly; so if you, sir, would kindly step into the waiting-room I shall be happy to continue our consultation which was brought to so abrupt an ending.’
“For half an hour or so I discussed that old gentleman’s symptoms with him (полчаса или около того я обсуждал с пожилым джентльменом его симптомы), and then, having prescribed for him (а затем, прописав ему /лекарства/), I saw him go off upon the arm of his son (я видел, как он ушел, опираясь на руку сына).
“I have told you that Mr. Blessington generally chose this hour of the day for his exercise (я уже говорил вам, что мистер Блессингтон обычно выбирал этот час дня для своих прогулок; to choose). He came in shortly afterwards and passed upstairs (он вошел вскоре после /ухода пациента/ и поднялся наверх). An instant later I heard him running down (миг спустя я услышал, как он сбежал вниз), and he burst into my consulting-room like a man who is mad with panic (и ворвался в мой кабинет как человек, обезумевший от паники).
“‘Who has been in my room (кто был в моей комнате)*’ he cried.
“‘No one (никто),’ said I.
“‘It’s a lie (это ложь)! he yelled (крикнул он). ‘Come up and look (поднимитесь и посмотрите)!’
“I passed over the grossness of his language (я оставил без внимания грубость его слов; to pass over — проходить; переправляться; пролетать; пропускать, оставлять без внимания; обходить молчанием), as he seemed half out of his mind with fear (так как, казалось, он обезумел от страха: «наполовину вышел из ума от страха»). When I went upstairs with him (когда мы поднялись с ним) he pointed to several footprints upon the light carpet (он показал на несколько следов на светлом ковре).
“‘D’you mean to say those are mine (вы хотите сказать, это мои /следы/; d’you = do you)*’ he cried.
symptom [*s*mpt*m], language [*l***w**], carpet [*k*:p*t]
“For half an hour or so I discussed that old gentleman’s symptoms with him, and then, having prescribed for him, I saw him go off upon the arm of his son.
“I have told you that Mr. Blessington generally chose this hour of the day for his exercise. He came in shortly afterwards and passed upstairs. An instant later I heard him running down, and he burst into my consulting*room like a man who is mad with panic.
“‘Who has been in my room*’ he cried.
“‘No one,’ said I.
“‘It’s a lie! he yelled. ‘Come up and look!’
“I passed over the grossness of his language, as he seemed half out of his mind with fear. When I went upstairs with him he pointed to several footprints upon the light carpet.
“‘D’you mean to say those are mine*’ he cried.
“They were certainly very much larger (они явно были намного больше) than any which he could have made (чем те, которые мог оставить Блессингтон), and were evidently quite fresh (и были, очевидно, совсем свежие). It rained hard this afternoon, as you know (как вы знаете, сегодня вечером шел сильный дождь), and my patients were the only people who called (а мои пациенты были единственными людьми, заходившими /в дом/). It must have been the case, then (значит, дело было так), that the man in the waiting-room had, for some unknown reason (что человек в приемной по какой-то неизвестной причине), while I was busy with the other (пока я был занят с другим), ascended to the room of my resident patient (поднялся в комнату моего постоянного пациента). Nothing has been touched or taken (/в комнате/ ничего не трогали и не взяли), but there were the footprints to prove (но следы свидетельствовали) that the intrusion was an undoubted fact (что вторжение было несомненным фактом).
“Mr. Blessington seemed more excited over the matter (казалось, мистер Блессингтон был больше взволнован этим делом) than I should have thought possible (чем я счел бы возможным = чем можно было бы ожидать), though of course it was enough to disturb anybody’s peace of mind (хотя, конечно, этого было достаточно, чтобы нарушить душевный покой кого угодно). He actually sat crying in an arm-chair (он просто сел в кресло, плача), and I could hardly get him to speak coherently (и я едва смог заставить его говорить связно = у меня не получалось добиться от него связной речи; coherent — сцепленный, связанный; связный). It was his suggestion that I should come round to you (это было его предложение = это он предложил обратиться к вам), and of course I at once saw the propriety of it (и, конечно, я сразу же согласился: «увидел уместность этого»), for certainly the incident is a very singular one (потому что это происшествие действительно странное), though he appears to completely overtake its importance (хотя, как мне кажется, мистер Блессингтон сильно преувеличивает его значение; to overtake — обгонять). If you would only come back with me in my brougham (если только вы вернетесь со мной в экипаже), you would at least be able to soothe him (вы, по крайней мере, сможете успокоить его), though I can hardly hope that you will be able to explain this remarkable occurrence (хотя вряд ли можно надеяться, что вы сумеете объяснить это удивительное происшествие).”
ascended [**send*d], propriety [pr**pra**t*], though [**u], soothe [su:*]
“They were certainly very much larger than any which he could have made, and were evidently quite fresh. It rained hard this afternoon, as you know, and my patients were the only people who called. It must have been the case, then, that the man in the waiting*room had, for some unknown reason, while I was busy with the other, ascended to the room of my resident patient. Nothing has been touched or taken, but there were the footprints to prove that the intrusion was an undoubted fact.
“Mr. Blessington seemed more excited over the matter than I should have thought possible, though of course it was enough to disturb anybody’s peace of mind. He actually sat crying in an arm-chair, and I could hardly get him to speak coherently. It was his suggestion that I should come round to you, and of course I at once saw the propriety of it, for certainly the incident is a very singular one, though he appears to completely overtake its importance. If you would only come back with me in my brougham, you would at least be able to soothe him, though I can hardly hope that you will be able to explain this remarkable occurrence.”
Sherlock Holmes had listened to this long narrative with an intentness (Холмс слушал этот долгий рассказ с напряженным вниманием) which showed me that his interest was keenly aroused (показывавшим мне, что дело кажется ему чрезвычайно интересным: «его интерес был сильно пробужден»). His face was as impassive as ever (его лицо было бесстрастным, как всегда), but his lids had drooped more heavily over his eyes (но веки смыкались сильнее: «спускались/свисали более тяжело на его глаза»), and his smoke had curled up more thickly from his pipe (а дым из трубки клубился гуще) to emphasize each curious episode in the doctor’s tale (отмечая любопытные моменты в рассказе доктора; to emphasize — придавать особое значение; подчеркивать; акцентировать). As our visitor concluded (когда наш гость закончил), Holmes sprang up without a word (Холмс вскочил, ни слова не говоря), handed me my hat (подал мне мою шляпу), picked his own from the table (взял со стола свою), and followed Dr. Trevelyan to the door (и последовал за доктором Тревельяном к двери). Within a quarter of an hour we had been dropped at the door of the physician’s residence in Brook Street (через четверть часа мы вышли у дверей дома врача на Брук-стрит), one of those sombre, flat-faced houses (одного из тех мрачных зданий с невыразительным фасадом) which one associates with a West-End practice (которые ассоциируются с практикующими врачами Уэст-Энда). A small page admitted us (маленький слуга впустил нас), and we began at once to ascend the broad, well-carpeted stair (и мы сразу стали подниматься по широкой, покрытой хорошим ковром лестнице).
But a singular interruption brought us to a standstill (но странное препятствие заставило нас остановиться; standstill — остановка, пауза: to bring to a standstill — останавливать). The light at the top was suddenly whisked out (свет наверху внезапно погас; to whisk out — быстро исчезнуть; юркнуть), and from the darkness came a reedy, quivering voice (и из темноты раздался пронзительный дрожащий голос).
“I have a pistol (у меня пистолет),” it cried. “I give you my word that I’ll fire if you come any nearer (даю вам слово, я выстрелю, если подойдете ближе).”
“This really grows outrageous, Mr. Blessington (это уже слишком, мистер Блессингтон; outrageous — возмутительный; оскорбительный; чрезмерный; outrage — грубое нарушение /закона, чужих прав, приличий и т. п./; произвол; возмутительный случай, поступок),” cried Dr. Trevelyan.
emphasize [*emf*sa*z], physician [f**z**(*)n], outrageous [aut*re***s]
Sherlock Holmes had listened to this long narrative with an intentness which showed me that his interest was keenly aroused. His face was as impassive as ever, but his lids had drooped more heavily over his eyes, and his smoke had curled up more thickly from his pipe to emphasize each curious episode in the doctor’s tale. As our visitor concluded, Holmes sprang up without a word, handed me my hat, picked his own from the table, and followed Dr. Trevelyan to the door. Within a quarter of an hour we had been dropped at the door of the physician’s residence in Brook Street, one of those sombre, flat-faced houses which one associates with a West-End practice. A small page admitted us, and we began at once to ascend the broad, well-carpeted stair.
But a singular interruption brought us to a standstill. The light at the top was suddenly whisked out, and from the darkness came a reedy, quivering voice.
“I have a pistol,” it cried. “I give you my word that I’ll fire if you come any nearer.”
“This really grows outrageous, Mr. Blessington,” cried Dr. Trevelyan.
“Oh, then it is you, doctor (а, так это вы, доктор),” said the voice, with a great heave of relief (сказал голос с глубоким вздохом облегчения; heave — вздымание, колыхание, приподнимание и опускание /моря; груди — при дыхании/; глубокий вздох). “But those other gentlemen, are they what they pretend to be (но те джентльмены, они те, за кого себя выдают; to pretend — притворяться, делать вид; выдавать себя за)*”
We were conscious of a long scrutiny out of the darkness (мы чувствовали, как нас долго и внимательно рассматривали из темноты; conscious — сознающий; ощущающий; scrutiny — внимательный осмотр; исследование; внимательный, испытующий взгляд).
“Yes, yes, it’s all right (да, да, все в порядке),” said the voice at last (произнес наконец голос). “You can come up (можете подняться), and I am sorry if my precautions have annoyed you (и простите, если мои меры предосторожности побескоили вас; to annoy — досаждать, докучать; раздражать; беспокоить).”
He relit the stair gas as he spoke (при этих словах он снова зажег газовую лампу на лестнице), and we saw before us a singular-looking man (и мы увидели перед собой человека странного вида), whose appearance, as well as his voice (чья внешность, как и голос), testified to his jangled nerves (свидетельствовали о расстроенных нервах; to jangle — издавать резкие, нестройные звуки; раздражать, расстраивать). He was very fat (он был очень толст), but had apparently at some time been much fatter (но, во-видимому, когда-то был еще полнее), so that the skin hung about his face in loose pouches (так как кожа на его лице висела большими складками; loose — свободный, болтающийся; широкий; pouch — сумка, мешочек; что-либо похожее на мешочек: pouches under the eyes — мешки под глазами), like the cheeks of a blood-hound (как щеки у бладхаунда; bloodhound — бладхаунд, ищейка /порода собак/; blood — кровь; hound — охотничья собака; гончая). He was of a sickly color (/лицо/ у него было болезненного цвета), and his thin, sandy hair seemed to bristle up with the intensity of his emotion (а его тонкие рыжеватые волосы, казалось, стали дыбом от сильного волнения; to bristle up — ощетиниться; подняться дыбом /о шерсти/; bristle — щетина /вид волосяного покрова животных, особ. свиней/; intensity — интенсивность; напряженность; сила). In his hand he held a pistol (в руке он держал пистолет), but he thrust it into his pocket as we advanced (но он сунул его в карман при нашем приближении).
heave [*hi:v], precaution [pr**k*:*(*)n], blood-hound [*bl*dhaund]
“Oh, then it is you, doctor,” said the voice, with a great heave of relief. “But those other gentlemen, are they what they pretend to be*”
We were conscious of a long scrutiny out of the darkness.
“Yes, yes, it’s all right,” said the voice at last. “You can come up, and I am sorry if my precautions have annoyed you.”
He relit the stair gas as he spoke, and we saw before us a singular*looking man, whose appearance, as well as his voice, testified to his jangled nerves. He was very fat, but had apparently at some time been much fatter, so that the skin hung about his face in loose pouches, like the cheeks of a blood-hound. He was of a sickly color, and his thin, sandy hair seemed to bristle up with the intensity of his emotion. In his hand he held a pistol, but he thrust it into his pocket as we advanced.
“Good-evening, Mr. Holmes (добрый вечер, мистер Холмс),” said he. “I am sure I am very much obliged to you for coming round (я очень признателен вам за то, что вы пришли; to come round — заходить, заезжать, приходить). No one ever needed your advice more than I do (никто никогда не нуждался в вашем совете больше, чем я = мне нужен ваш совет больше, чем кому бы то ни было). I suppose that Dr. Trevelyan has told you of this most unwarrantable intrusion into my rooms (полагаю, доктор Тревельян рассказал вам об этом совершенно непростительном вторжении в мою квартиру; unwarrantable — неоправданный, непростительный; warrant — ордер /на арест, обыск и т. п./; to warrant — служить оправданием, основанием; давать право, полномочия).”
“Quite so (совершенно верно),” said Holmes. “Who are these two men Mr. Blessington (кто эти двое, мистер Блессингтон), and why do they wish to molest you (и почему они досаждают вам: «хотят досадить вам»; to molest — приставать, досаждать)*”
“Well, well (ну),” said the resident patient, in a nervous fashion (нервно/взволнованно сказал постоянный пациент), “of course it is hard to say that (разумеется, я не знаю: «трудно сказать»). You can hardly expect me to answer that, Mr. Holmes (едва ли вы можете ожидать, что я отвечу = ожидать от меня ответа на этот вопрос, мистер Холмс).”
“Do you mean that you don’t know (вы хотите сказать, что не знаете)*”
“Come in here, if you please (сюда, пожалуйста; if you please — если хотите; пожалуйста, будьте любезны, /очень/ прошу вас). Just have the kindness to step in here (будьте добры, входите; kindness — доброта; любезность, одолжение; услуга).”
He led the way into his bedroom (он повел нас в свою спальню), which was large and comfortably furnished (которая была большой и уютно обставленной).
intrusion [*n*tru:*(*)n], molest [m**lest], answer [**:ns*]
“Good-evening, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “I am sure I am very much obliged to you for coming round. No one ever needed your advice more than I do. I suppose that Dr. Trevelyan has told you of this most unwarrantable intrusion into my rooms.”
“Quite so,” said Holmes. “Who are these two men Mr. Blessington, and why do they wish to molest you*”
“Well, well,” said the resident patient, in a nervous fashion, “of course it is hard to say that. You can hardly expect me to answer that, Mr. Holmes.”
“Do you mean that you don’t know*”
“Come in here, if you please. Just have the kindness to step in here.”
He led the way into his bedroom, which was large and comfortably furnished.
“You see that (видите),” said he, pointing to a big black box at the end of his bed (сказал он, указывая на большую черную коробку на краю кровати: «в ногах кровати»). “I have never been a very rich man, Mr. Holmes (я никогда не был особенно богатым, мистер Холмс) — never made but one investment in my life (и лишь один раз в жизни вложил деньги), as Dr. Trevelyan would tell you (как доктор Тревельян вам подтвердит). But I don’t believe in bankers (но я не доверяю банкирам). I would never trust a banker, Mr. Holmes (я бы никогда не доверился банкиру, мистер Холмс). Between ourselves, what little I have is in that box (между нами /говоря/, то немногое, что у меня есть, находится в этой коробке), so you can understand what it means to me (поэтому вы можете себе представить, что для меня значит = каково мне) when unknown people force themselves into my rooms (когда неизвестные люди проникают в мое жилище; rooms — жилище, жилье; помещение; квартира).”
Holmes looked at Blessington in his questioning way and shook his head (Холмс вопросительно посмотрел на Блессингтона и покачал головой).
“I cannot possibly advise you if you try to deceive me (я не смогу вам ничего посоветовать, если вы будете пытаться меня обмануть),” said he.
“But I have told you everything (но я все вам рассказал).”
Holmes turned on his heel with a gesture of disgust (Холмс круто повернулся /на каблуках/ и раздраженно махнул рукой; disgust — отвращение, омерзение; раздражение, недовольство).
“Good-night, Dr. Trevelyan (спокойной ночи, доктор Тревельян),” said he.
investment [*n*vestm*nt], deceive [d**si:v], disgust [d*s***st]
“You see that,” said he, pointing to a big black box at the end of his bed. “I have never been a very rich man, Mr. Holmes — never made but one investment in my life, as Dr. Trevelyan would tell you. But I don’t believe in bankers. I would never trust a banker, Mr. Holmes. Between ourselves, what little I have is in that box, so you can understand what it means to me when unknown people force themselves into my rooms.”
Holmes looked at Blessington in his questioning way and shook his head.
“I cannot possibly advise you if you try to deceive me,” said he.
“But I have told you everything.”
Holmes turned on his heel with a gesture of disgust.
“Good-night, Dr. Trevelyan,” said he.
“And no advice for me (и вы не дадите мне совета)*” cried Blessington, in a breaking voice (вскричал Блессингтон срывающимся голосом).
“My advice to your, sir, is to speak the truth (мой вам совет, сэр, — сказать правду).”
A minute later we were in the street and walking for home (минуту спустя мы были на улице и шли к дому). We had crossed Oxford Street and were half way down Harley Street (мы пересекли Оксфорд-стрит и были на середине Харли-стрит) before I could get a word from my companion (когда я смог /наконец/ услышать слово от моего товарища = когда наконец мой друг заговорил).
“Sorry to bring you out on such a fool’s errand, Watson (простите, что вытащил вас /из дома/ из-за такой ерунды, Ватсон; errand — поручение, задание; fool's errand: «дурацкое задание» — бесполезное дело, бесплодная затея),” he said at last (сказал он наконец). “It is an interesting case, too, at the bottom of it (однако, по сути: «у основания», это интересное дело).”
“I can make little of it (мне оно представляется неясным/я в нем мало что понимаю; to make of — понимать: Can you make anything of this strange letter* — Ты можешь понять что-нибудь их этого странного письма*),” I confessed (признался я).
“Well, it is quite evident that there are two men (итак, совершенно ясно, что есть два человека) — more, perhaps, but at least two (возможно, больше, но как минимум два) — who are determined for some reason to get at this fellow Blessington (которые по какой-то причине хотят добраться до этого Блессингтона). I have no doubt in my mind that both on the first and on the second occasion (я не сомневаюсь, что и в первом, и во втором случае) that young man penetrated to Blessington’s room (молодой человек проникал в комнату Блессингтона), while his confederate, by an ingenious device (пока его сообщник с помощью хитроумной уловки; ingenious — изобретательный, искусный; оригинальный; device — устройство; метод, способ; уловка, прием), kept the doctor from interfering (не давал доктору помешать тому: «удерживал доктора от вмешательства»; to interfere — вмешиваться во /что-либо — with/, уст. пересекаться, скрещиваться /в пространстве/).”
“And the catalepsy (а как же каталепсия)*”
walking [*w*:k**], errand [*er*nd], ingenious [*n**i:n**s]
“And no advice for me*” cried Blessington, in a breaking voice.
“My advice to your, sir, is to speak the truth.”
A minute later we were in the street and walking for home. We had crossed Oxford Street and were half way down Harley Street before I could get a word from my companion.
“Sorry to bring you out on such a fool’s errand, Watson,” he said at last. “It is an interesting case, too, at the bottom of it.”
“I can make little of it,” I confessed.
“Well, it is quite evident that there are two men — more, perhaps, but at least two — who are determined for some reason to get at this fellow Blessington. I have no doubt in my mind that both on the first and on the second occasion that young man penetrated to Blessington’s room, while his confederate, by an ingenious device, kept the doctor from interfering.”
“And the catalepsy*”
“A fraudulent imitation, Watson (чистая имитация, Ватсон; fraudulent — обманный, мошеннический; fraud — обман; мошенничество; подделка), though I should hardly dare to hint as much to our specialist (хотя я вряд ли осмелюсь намекнуть на это нашему специалисту). It is a very easy complaint to imitate (это очень легкая для имитации болезнь; complaint — жалоба, недовольство; болезнь, недуг). I have done it myself (я и сам это делал).”
“And then (ну а дальше)*”
“By the purest chance Blessington was out on each occasion (по чистой случайности Блессингтон оба раза отсутствовал). Their reason for choosing so unusual an hour for a consultation (причина, по которой они выбрали столь необычный час для консультации) was obviously to insure (очевидно была обеспечить/гарантировать; to insure — страховать/ся/; обеспечивать, гарантировать; уберечь) that there should be no other patient in the waiting-room (чтобы в приемной не было других пациентов). It just happened, however, that this hour coincided with Blessington’s constitutional (однако случилось так, что этот час совпал со /временем/ прогулки Блессингтона; constitutional — конституционный; прогулка, моцион: to take a constitutional — совершить моцион, прогуляться), which seems to show that they were not very well acquainted with his daily routine (что показывает, что они были не очень хорошо знакомы с его распорядком дня; routine — заведенный порядок; определенный режим). Of course, if they had been merely after plunder (разумеется, если бы им было нужно всего лишь его добро; to be after — преследовать кого-либо; стараться получить что-либо; plunder — грабеж, ограбление; добыча, награбленное) they would at least have made some attempt to search for it (они по крайней мере предприняли бы попытки его найти).
fraudulent [*fr*:djul*nt], coincided [*k*u*n*sa*d*d], routine [ru:*ti:n]
“A fraudulent imitation, Watson, though I should hardly dare to hint as much to our specialist. It is a very easy complaint to imitate. I have done it myself.”
“And then*”
“By the purest chance Blessington was out on each occasion. Their reason for choosing so unusual an hour for a consultation was obviously to insure that there should be no other patient in the waiting-room. It just happened, however, that this hour coincided with Blessington’s constitutional, which seems to show that they were not very well acquainted with his daily routine. Of course, if they had been merely after plunder they would at least have made some attempt to search for it.
“Besides, I can read in a man’s eye (кроме того, я могу прочитать по глазам) when it is his own skin that he is frightened for (когда человек боится за собственную шкуру). It is inconceivable that this fellow could have made two such vindictive enemies as these appear to be without knowing of it (/просто/ невозможно, чтобы этот субъект нажил себе таких мстительных врагов, не зная об этом). I hold it, therefore, to be certain that he does know who these men are (поэтому я считаю, что он наверняка знает, кто эти люди), and that for reasons of his own he suppresses it (и по каким-то своим причинам это скрывает; to suppress — подавлять, сдерживать; скрывать, замалчивать /правду и т. п./). It is just possible that to-morrow may find him in a more communicative mood (вполне возможно, что завтра мы найдем его в более общительном настроении).”
“Is there not one alternative (а нет ли другого варианта = версии),” I suggested (предположил я), “grotesquely improbably, no doubt, but still just conceivable (несомненно, неправдоподобной до абсурда, но все-таки возможной)* Might the whole story of the cataleptic Russian and his son be a concoction of Dr. Trevelyan’s (что, если вся эта история о каталептическом русском и его сыне — выдумка доктора Тревельяна), who has, for his own purposes, been in Blessington’s rooms (который — по каким-то своим причинам — побывал в комнате Блессингтона)*”
inconceivable [**nk*n*si:v*bl], vindictive [v*n*d*kt*v], concoction [k*n*k*k*(*)n]
“Besides, I can read in a man’s eye when it is his own skin that he is frightened for. It is inconceivable that this fellow could have made two such vindictive enemies as these appear to be without knowing of it. I hold it, therefore, to be certain that he does know who these men are, and that for reasons of his own he suppresses it. It is just possible that to-morrow may find him in a more communicative mood.”
“Is there not one alternative,” I suggested, “grotesquely improbably, no doubt, but still just conceivable* Might the whole story of the cataleptic Russian and his son be a concoction of Dr. Trevelyan’s, who has, for his own purposes, been in Blessington’s rooms*”
“I saw in the gaslight that Holmes wore an amused smile at this brilliant departure of mine (в свете газового фонаря я увидел, что Холмс весело улыбается моему блестящему умозаключению; to wear — носить /одежду/; иметь вид: to wear a troubled look — иметь встревоженный вид; to wear a sad smile — печально улыбаться; departure — отъезд, уход; отправная точка).
“My dear fellow (дорогой мой),” said he, “it was one of the first solutions which occurred to me (это было одним из первых объяснений, пришедших мне в голову), but I was soon able to corroborate the doctor’s tale (но вскоре мне удалось подтвердить рассказ доктора). This young man has left prints upon the stair-carpet (этот молодой человек /сын русского дворянина/ оставил следы на лестничном ковре) which made it quite superfluous for me to ask to see those (что сделало совершенно излишним просить показать те /следы/) which he had made in the room (которые он оставил в комнате). When I tell you that his shoes were square-toed instead of being pointed like Blessington’s (если я скажу вам, что его ботинки были с квадратными носками, а не с заостренным мыском, как у Блессингтона; square-toed — тупоносый; с тупыми широкими квадратными носками /об обуви/), and were quite an inch and a third longer than the doctor’s (и на дюйм с третью длиннее, чем ботинки доктора), you will acknowledge that there can be no doubt as to his individuality (вы признаете, что в отношении его личности/индивидуальности = в том, что это был другой человек сомнений нет). But we may sleep on it now, for I shall be surprised (однако можем отложить решение этого вопроса до завтра: «можем спать сейчас на этом», так как я буду удивлен) if we do not hear something further from Brook Street in the morning (если утром мы не получим новых известий с Брук-стрит: «не услышим нечто дальше»; further — дальнейший, продолжающийся; добавочный; сверх того, более того).”
corroborate [k**r*b*re*t], superfluous [s(j)u:*p*:flu*s], acknowledge [*k*n*l**]
“I saw in the gaslight that Holmes wore an amused smile at this brilliant departure of mine.
“My dear fellow,” said he, “it was one of the first solutions which occurred to me, but I was soon able to corroborate the doctor’s tale. This young man has left prints upon the stair-carpet which made it quite superfluous for me to ask to see those which he had made in the room. When I tell you that his shoes were square-toed instead of being pointed like Blessington’s, and were quite an inch and a third longer than the doctor’s, you will acknowledge that there can be no doubt as to his individuality. But we may sleep on it now, for I shall be surprised if we do not hear something further from Brook Street in the morning.”
Sherlock Holmes’s prophecy was soon fulfilled (предсказание Холмса сбылось; to fulfil — выполнять; делать, исполнять, осуществлять, совершать), and in a dramatic fashion (и /весьма/ драматичным образом). At half-past seven next morning (на следующее утро, в половине восьмого), in the first glimmer of daylight (в первых тусклых солнечных лучах), I found him standing by my bedside in his dressing-gown (я увидел, что Холмс в халате стоит у моей кровати).
“There’s a brougham waiting for us, Watson (нас ждет экипаж, Ватсон),” said he.
“What’s the matter, then (а что случилось)*”
“The Brook Street business (дело, /связанное/ с Брук-стрит).”
“Any fresh news (есть свежие новости)*”
“Tragic, but ambiguous (печальные, но неоднозначные),” said he, pulling up the blind (сказал он, поднимая штору). “Look at this — a sheet from a note-book (взгляните на это — листок из записной книжки), with ‘For God’s sake come at once — P. T. («Ради Бога, приезжайте немедленно. П. Т.»),’ scrawled upon it in pencil (наспех написано на нем карандашом; to scrawl — писать наспех; писать неразборчиво). Our friend, the doctor, was hard put to it when he wrote this (наш друг, доктор, находился в трудном положении, когда писал это; to be hard put to it — быть в весьма затруднительном положении). Come along, my dear fellow, for it’s an urgent call (идемте, мой дорогой, так как это срочный вызов).”
prophecy [*pr*f*s*], gown [*aun], ambiguous [*m*b**ju*s], urgent [**:*(*)nt]
Sherlock Holmes’s prophecy was soon fulfilled, and in a dramatic fashion. At half-past seven next morning, in the first glimmer of daylight, I found him standing by my bedside in his dressing-gown.
“There’s a brougham waiting for us, Watson,” said he.
“What’s the matter, then*”
“The Brook Street business.”
“Any fresh news*”
“Tragic, but ambiguous,” said he, pulling up the blind. “Look at this — a sheet from a note*book, with ‘For God’s sake come at once — P. T.,’ scrawled upon it in pencil. Our friend, the doctor, was hard put to it when he wrote this. Come along, my dear fellow, for it’s an urgent call.”
In a quarter of an hour or so we were back at the physician’s house (примерно через четверть часа мы снова были в доме доктора). He came running out to meet us with a face of horror (он выбежал нам навстречу с лицом, /полным/ ужаса).
“Oh, such a business (о, тут такое дело)!” he cried, with his hands to his temples (воскликнул он, сжимая пальцами виски).
“What then (что такое)*”
“Blessington has committed suicide (Блессингтон совершил самоубийство)!”
Holmes whistled (Холмс присвистнул).
“Yes, he hanged himself during the night (да-да, повесился ночью).”
We had entered, and the doctor had preceded us into what was evidently his waiting-room (вы вошли, и доктор провел нас в /комнату/, очевидно, бывшую его приемной; to precede — предшествовать; идти впереди).
“I really hardly know what I am doing (я с трудом понимаю, что делаю),” he cried. “The police are already upstairs (полиция уже наверху). It has shaken me most dreadfully (это потрясло меня совершенно ужасно; to shake — трясти/сь/; сотрясать/ся/; потрясать; to shake-shook-shaken).”
physician [f**z**(*)n], preceded [pr**si:d*d], police [p**li:s]
In a quarter of an hour or so we were back at the physician’s house. He came running out to meet us with a face of horror.
“Oh, such a business!” he cried, with his hands to his temples.
“What then*”
“Blessington has committed suicide!”
Holmes whistled.
“Yes, he hanged himself during the night.”
We had entered, and the doctor had preceded us into what was evidently his waiting-room.
“I really hardly know what I am doing,” he cried. “The police are already upstairs. It has shaken me most dreadfully.”
“When did you find it out (когда вы это обнаружили)*”
“He has a cup of tea taken in to him early every morning (рано утром ему подают чай). When the maid entered, about seven (когда горничная вошла /к нему/, около семи), there the unfortunate fellow was hanging in the middle of the room (бедняга болтался /в петле/ посреди комнаты). He had tied his cord to the hook (он привязал веревку к крюку) on which the heavy lamp used to hang (на котором раньше висела тяжелая лампа), and he had jumped off from the top of the very box (и спрыгнул с той самой коробки) that he showed us yesterday (которую показывал нам вчера).”
Holmes stood for a moment in deep thought (с минуту Холмс стоял в глубокой задумчивости).
“With your permission (с вашего позволения),” said he at last (сказал он наконец), “I should like to go upstairs and look into the matter (я хотел бы подняться наверх и изучить это дело = осмотреть место происшествия).”
We both ascended, followed by the doctor (мы оба поднялись, за нами шел доктор; to follow smb. — следовать за кем-либо, сопровождать кого-либо).
cord [k*:d], yesterday [*jest*d*], permission [p**m**(*)n]
“When did you find it out*”
“He has a cup of tea taken in to him early every morning. When the maid entered, about seven, there the unfortunate fellow was hanging in the middle of the room. He had tied his cord to the hook on which the heavy lamp used to hang, and he had jumped off from the top of the very box that he showed us yesterday.”
Holmes stood for a moment in deep thought.
“With your permission,” said he at last, “I should like to go upstairs and look into the matter.”
We both ascended, followed by the doctor.
It was a dreadful sight which met us as we entered the bedroom door (ужасное зрелище предстало перед нами, когда мы вошли в спальню). I have spoken of the impression of flabbiness (я уже говорил о дряблости; to speak-spoke-spoken; flabbiness — вялость, дряблость; flabby — /о мускулах, коже/ вялый, дряблый, отвислый: flabby skin — дряблая кожа) which this man Blessington conveyed (впечатление которой исходило от Блессингтона; to convey — сообщать, передавать; выражать). As he dangled from the hook it was exaggerated and intensified (/но сейчас/, когда он болтался на крюке, она настолько усилилась; exaggerated — чрезмерный; преувеличенный; to intensify — усиливать/ся/, углублять/ся/) until he was scarce human in his appearance (что он с трудом был человеком во внешности = почти утратил всякое сходство с человеческим существом). The neck was drawn out like a plucked chicken’s (шея была вытянута, как у ощипанного цыпленка), making the rest of him seem the more obese and unnatural by the contrast (отчего тело его казалось еще более тучным и неестественным /по контрасту с шеей/; obese — тучный, страдающий ожирением). He was clad only in his long night-dress (на нем была только ночная сорочка; clad — одетый), and his swollen ankles and ungainly feet (и его распухшие лодыжки и неуклюжие ступни; to swell-swelled-swollen) protruded starkly from beneath it (окоченевшие, торчали из-под нее; starkly — застыв, окоченев; stark — застывший, окоченевший; окостенелый, окостеневший; затвердевший, твердый). Beside him stood a smart-looking police-inspector (возле него стоял молодцеватый/подтянутый инспектор полиции; smart — умный; опрятный, молодцеватый, подтянутый, бравый), who was taking notes in a pocket-book (делавший записи в своей записной книжке; pocket — карман).
“Ah, Mr. Holmes (а-а, мистер Холмс),” said he, heartily, as my friend entered (он сердечно поприветствовал моего друга, когда тот вошел), “I am delighted to see you (рад вас видеть).”
“Good-morning, Lanner (доброе утро, Лэннер),” answered Holmes; “you won’t think me an intruder, I am sure (уверен, вы не считаете меня незваным гостем = не станете возражать против моего присутствия). Have you heard of the events which led up to this affair (вы слышали о событиях, которые привели к этой трагедии)*”
conveyed [k*n*ve*d], exaggerated [***z***re*t*d], intruder [*n*tru:d*]
It was a dreadful sight which met us as we entered the bedroom door. I have spoken of the impression of flabbiness which this man Blessington conveyed. As he dangled from the hook it was exaggerated and intensified until he was scarce human in his appearance. The neck was drawn out like a plucked chicken’s, making the rest of him seem the more obese and unnatural by the contrast. He was clad only in his long night-dress, and his swollen ankles and ungainly feet protruded starkly from beneath it. Beside him stood a smart-looking police-inspector, who was taking notes in a pocket-book.
“Ah, Mr. Holmes,” said he, heartily, as my friend entered, “I am delighted to see you.”
“Good-morning, Lanner,” answered Holmes; “you won’t think me an intruder, I am sure. Have you heard of the events which led up to this affair*”
“Yes, I heard something of them (да, кое-что слышал).”
“Have you formed any opinion (вы составили какое-нибудь мнение)*”
“As far as I can see (насколько я понимаю), the man has been driven out of his senses by fright (страх свел его с ума; to drive out of senses — доводить до безумия, сводить с ума: «выгонять из чувств /восприятия/ = лишать чувств восприятия»). The bed has been well slept in, you see (видите — в постели спали /и привели ее в беспорядок/). There’s his impression deep enough (вот довольно глубокий отпечаток /его тела/). It’s about five in the morning, you know, that suicides are most common (около пяти утра, как вы знаете, самоубийства совершаются чаще всего: «наиболее обычны»). That would be about his time for hanging himself (он повесился примерно в это время). It seems to have been a very deliberate affair (похоже, это был умышленный/тщательно спланированный поступок; deliberate — хорошо обдуманный; намеренный, предумышленный).”
“I should say that he has been dead about three hours (должен сказать, он умер около трех часов назад), judging by the rigidity of the muscles (судя по окоченевшему состоянию мышц),” said I.
“Noticed anything peculiar about the room (вы заметили что-нибудь необычное в этой комнате)*” asked Holmes.
“Found a screw-driver (я нашел отвертку) and some screws on the wash-hand stand (и несколько шурупов на умывальнике). Seems to have smoked heavily during the night, too (также, похоже, он много курил в эту ночь). Here are four cigar-ends that I picked out of the fireplace (вот четыре сигарных окурка, которые я извлек из камина).”
suicide [*s(j)u:*sa*d], deliberate [d**l*b(*)r*t], screw [skru:]
“Yes, I heard something of them.”
“Have you formed any opinion*”
“As far as I can see, the man has been driven out of his senses by fright. The bed has been well slept in, you see. There’s his impression deep enough. It’s about five in the morning, you know, that suicides are most common. That would be about his time for hanging himself. It seems to have been a very deliberate affair.”
“I should say that he has been dead about three hours, judging by the rigidity of the muscles,” said I.
“Noticed anything peculiar about the room*” asked Holmes.
“Found a screw-driver and some screws on the wash-hand stand. Seems to have smoked heavily during the night, too. Here are four cigar-ends that I picked out of the fireplace.”
“Hum!” said Holmes, “have you got his cigar-holder (у вас есть его мундштук: «держатель сигар»)*”
“No, I have seen none (нет, я его не нашел).”
“His cigar-case, then (а его портсигар)*”
“Yes, it was in his coat-pocket (да, он был в кармане пальто).”
Holmes opened it and smelled the single cigar which it contained (Холмс открыл портсигар и понюхал единственную сигару, лежавшую в нем).
“Oh, this is an Havana (о, это гаванская), and these others are cigars of the peculiar sort (а те другие — сигары особого сорта) which are imported by the Dutch from their East Indian colonies (голландцы ввозят их из своих ост-индских колоний). They are usually wrapped in straw, you know (обычно их заворачивают в солому), and are thinner for their length than any other brand (и они тоньше, чем другие сорта; length — длина).”
He picked up the four ends (Холмс взял четыре окурка) and examined them with his pocket-lens (и осмотрел их с помощью карманной лупы).
colony [*k*l*n*], wrapped [r*pt], straw [str*:]
“Hum!” said Holmes, “have you got his cigar-holder*”
“No, I have seen none.”
“His cigar-case, then*”
“Yes, it was in his coat-pocket.”
Holmes opened it and smelled the single cigar which it contained.
“Oh, this is an Havana, and these others are cigars of the peculiar sort which are imported by the Dutch from their East Indian colonies. They are usually wrapped in straw, you know, and are thinner for their length than any other brand.”
He picked up the four ends and examined them with his pocket-lens.
“Two of these have been smoked from a holder (две из них выкурили через мундштук) and two without (а две — без него),” said he. “Two have been cut by a not very sharp knife (/концы/ двух сигар обрезали не очень острым ножом), and two have had the ends bitten off by a set of excellent teeth (а у двух других откусили отменными = острыми зубами; to bite-bit-bitten; set — комплект, набор; a set of false teeth — вставная челюсть, вставные зубы). This is no suicide, Mr. Lanner (это не самоубийство, мистер Лэннер). It is a very deeply planned and cold-blooded murder (это очень хорошо спланированное и хладнокровное убийство).”
“Impossible (невозможно)!” cried the inspector (вскричал инспектор).
“And why (почему же)*”
“Why should any one murder a man in so clumsy a fashion as by hanging him (зачем кому-то убивать человека через повешение — таким неудобным способом; clumsy —неуклюжий, неповоротливый; неизящный)*”
“That is what we have to find out (это нам и нужно выяснить).”
“How could they get in (как они вошли)*”
“Through the front door (через парадную дверь).”
excellent [*eks(*)l*nt], cold-blooded [*k*uld*bl*d*d], clumsy [*kl*mz*]
“Two of these have been smoked from a holder and two without,” said he. “Two have been cut by a not very sharp knife, and two have had the ends bitten off by a set of excellent teeth. This is no suicide, Mr. Lanner. It is a very deeply planned and cold-blooded murder.”
“Impossible!” cried the inspector.
“And why*”
“Why should any one murder a man in so clumsy a fashion as by hanging him*”
“That is what we have to find out.”
“How could they get in*”
“Through the front door.”
“It was barred in the morning (утром она была заперта на засов).”
“Then it was barred after them (значит, ее заперли за ними).”
“How do you know (откуда вы знаете)*”
“I saw their traces (я видел их следы). Excuse me a moment (прошу меня извинить, я отойду ненадолго = дайте мне немного времени), and I may be able to give you some further information about it (и я смогу рассказать вам об этом более подробно: «смогу предоставить дополнительные сведения об этом»).”
He went over to the door (он подошел к двери), and turning the lock he examined it in his methodical way (и, заперев и отперев замок, методично осмотрел его: «своим методическим способом»). Then he took out the key, which was on the inside (потом он вытащил ключ, торчавший /из замка/ с внутренней стороны /в комнате/), and inspected that also (и тоже осмотрел его). The bed (кровать), the carpet (ковер), the chairs (стулья), the mantelpiece (каминная полка), the dead body (тело убитого), and the rope (и веревка) were each in turn examined (все это, одно за другим, было подвергнуто осмотру; in turn — по очереди, поочередно), until at last he professed himself satisfied (пока наконец Холмс не заявил, что он удовлетворен; to profess — признавать; изображать, выказывать; professed — открытый, явный), and with my aid and that of the inspector cut down the wretched object (и с нашей с инспектором помощью не снял несчастное тело, обрезав веревку; wretched — бедный, несчастный) and laid it reverently under a sheet (и почтительно накрыл простыней: «почтительно положил его под простыню»).
“How about this rope (а что /вы скажете/ насчет веревки)*” he asked.
key [ki:], satisfied [*s*t*sfa*d], wretched [*re**d], reverently [*rev(*)r*ntl*]
“It was barred in the morning.”
“Then it was barred after them.”
“How do you know*”
“I saw their traces. Excuse me a moment, and I may be able to give you some further information about it.”
He went over to the door, and turning the lock he examined it in his methodical way. Then he took out the key, which was on the inside, and inspected that also. The bed, the carpet, the chairs, the mantelpiece, the dead body, and the rope were each in turn examined, until at last he professed himself satisfied, and with my aid and that of the inspector cut down the wretched object and laid it reverently under a sheet.
“How about this rope*” he asked.
“It is cut off this (она отрезана от этого),” said Dr. Trevelyan, drawing a large coil from under the bed (сказал доктор Тревельян, вытаскивая из-под кровати большой моток). “He was morbidly nervous of fire (он патологически боялся пожара; morbid — болезненный; нездоровый /о виде/; перен. болезненный, ненормальный; психически нездоровый; с отклонениями), and always kept this beside him (и всегда держал веревку неподалеку: «возле себя»), so that he might escape by the window (чтобы спастись через окно) in case the stairs were burning (в случае, если бы загорелась лестница).”
“That must have saved them trouble (это избавило убийц от /лишних/ хлопот),” said Holmes, thoughtfully (задумчиво проговорил Холмс). “Yes, the actual facts are very plain (итак, настоящие обстоятельства совершенно ясны), and I shall be surprised if by the afternoon (и я буду очень удивлен, если к полудню) I cannot give you the reasons for them as well (не сумею сообщить вам их причин). I will take this photograph of Blessington (я возьму с собой фотографию Блессингтона), which I see upon the mantelpiece (которая стоит на каминной полке), as it may help me in my inquiries (так как она может помочь мне в расспросах).”
“But you have told us nothing (но вы ничего нам не рассказали)!” cried the doctor.
morbidly [*m*:b*dl*], thoughtful [*O*:tful], photograph [*f*ut**r*:f]
“It is cut off this,” said Dr. Trevelyan, drawing a large coil from under the bed. “He was morbidly nervous of fire, and always kept this beside him, so that he might escape by the window in case the stairs were burning.”
“That must have saved them trouble,” said Holmes, thoughtfully. “Yes, the actual facts are very plain, and I shall be surprised if by the afternoon I cannot give you the reasons for them as well. I will take this photograph of Blessington, which I see upon the mantelpiece, as it may help me in my inquiries.”
“But you have told us nothing!” cried the doctor.
“Oh, there can be no doubt as to the sequence of events (о, касательно последовательности событий сомнений быть не может),” said Holmes. “There were three of them in it (преступников было трое): the young man, the old man, and a third (молодой человек, старик и третий), to whose identity I have no clue (чью личность я не установил). The first two, I need hardly remark, are the same (первые двое — едва ли мне нужно /о них/ говорить — это те самые /лица/) who masqueraded as the Russian count and his son (выдававшие себя за русского графа и его сына; to masquerade — принимать участие в маскараде; притворяться, выдавать себя /за кого-либо/), so we can give a very full description of them (так что мы можем их очень подробно описать: «дать полное описание их»). They were admitted by a confederate inside the house (их впустил сообщник, находившийся в доме). If I might offer you a word of advice, Inspector (позвольте дать вам совет, инспектор), it would be to arrest the page (арестуйте мальчишку-слугу), who, as I understand, has only recently come into your service, Doctor (который, как я понимаю, лишь недавно поступил на службу, доктор).”
“The young imp cannot be found (этого постреленка нигде не найти; imp — чертенок, бесенок; постреленок),” said Dr. Trevelyan; “the maid and the cook have just been searching for him (горничная и кухарка уже искали его).”
Holmes shrugged his shoulders (Холмс пожал плечами).
sequence [*si:kw*ns], masqueraded [*m*sk**re*d*d], count [kaunt]
“Oh, there can be no doubt as to the sequence of events,” said Holmes. “There were three of them in it: the young man, the old man, and a third, to whose identity I have no clue. The first two, I need hardly remark, are the same who masqueraded as the Russian count and his son, so we can give a very full description of them. They were admitted by a confederate inside the house. If I might offer you a word of advice, Inspector, it would be to arrest the page, who, as I understand, has only recently come into your service, Doctor.”
“The young imp cannot be found,” said Dr. Trevelyan; “the maid and the cook have just been searching for him.”
Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
“He has played a not unimportant part in this drama (он сыграл не такую уж маловажную роль в этой драме),” said he. “The three men having ascended the stairs (эти трое поднялись по лестнице), which they did on tiptoe (идя на цыпочках), the elder man first (пожилой шел первым), the younger man second (молодой человек — вторым), and the unknown man in the rear — (а неизвестный шел последним; rear — тыл, задняя сторона)”
“My dear Holmes (мой дорогой Холмс)!” I ejaculated (воскликнул я).
“Oh, there could be no question as to the superimposing of the footmarks (о, порядок: «наложение» следов не вызывает вопросов; to impose — налагать, накладывать). I had the advantage of learning which was which last night (вчера вечером мне повезло установить, которые есть которые = кому какие следы принадлежат; advantage — преимущество; польза, выгода). They ascended, then, to Mr. Blessington’s room (затем они поднялись в комнату мистера Блессингтона), the door of which they found to be locked (и обнаружили, что дверь заперта). With the help of a wire, however (однако с помощью проволоки), they forced round the key (они вытолкнули ключ /из замка/). Even without the lens you will perceive (даже без лупы вы заметите), by the scratches on this ward (по царапинам на замке; ward — выступ или выемка /в бородке ключа и в замке/), where the pressure was applied (где было приложено давление; to apply — использовать, применять; прилагать).
“On entering the room their first proceeding must have been to gag Mr. Blessington (войдя в комнату, они первым делом, должно быть, вставили мистеру Блессингтону кляп в рот; proceeding — акт, действие, поступок). He may have been asleep (возможно, он спал), or he may have been so paralyzed with terror (или, быть может, был настолько поражен страхом) as to have been unable to cry out (что не смог закричать). These walls are thick (стены здесь толстые), and it is conceivable that his shriek (и, вероятно, его крик), if he had time to utter one, was unheard (если он успел крикнуть, никто не услышал; to utter — издавать /звук/; произносить).
drama [*dr*:m*], ejaculated [****kjule*t*d], advantage [*d*v*:nt**], terror [*ter*]
“He has played a not unimportant part in this drama,” said he. “The three men having ascended the stairs, which they did on tiptoe, the elder man first, the younger man second, and the unknown man in the rear —”
“My dear Holmes!” I ejaculated.
“Oh, there could be no question as to the superimposing of the footmarks. I had the advantage of learning which was which last night. They ascended, then, to Mr. Blessington’s room, the door of which they found to be locked. With the help of a wire, however, they forced round the key. Even without the lens you will perceive, by the scratches on this ward, where the pressure was applied.
“On entering the room their first proceeding must have been to gag Mr. Blessington. He may have been asleep, or he may have been so paralyzed with terror as to have been unable to cry out. These walls are thick, and it is conceivable that his shriek, if he had time to utter one, was unheard.
“Having secured him (связав его; to secure — обеспечить безопасность; закреплять, прикреплять; перевязывать), it is evident to me that a consultation of some sort was held (мне представляется очевидным, что они устроили нечто вроде совета; consultation — консультация; совещание: to hold a consultation — совещаться: «держать совещание»). Probably it was something in the nature of a judicial proceeding (возможно, что-то похожее на судебный процесс). It must have lasted for some time (должно быть, он продолжался довольно долго), for it was then that these cigars were smoke (поскольку именно тогда были выкурены эти /четыре/ сигары). The older man sat in that wicker chair (старший сидел на том плетеном стуле); it was he who used the cigar-holder (это он использовал мундштук). The younger man sat over yonder (молодой человек сидел вон там; yonder — вон там; в ту сторону); he knocked his ash off against the chest of drawers (он стряхивал пепел о комод; to knock — ударять, бить, колотить; стучать; drawer — /выдвижной/ ящик /стола, комода/; chest of drawers — комод; chest — ящик; коробка, сундук; вместилище). The third fellow paced up and down (третий ходил взад-вперед). Blessington, I think, sat upright in the bed (Блессингтон, полагаю, сидел прямо на кровати), but of that I cannot be absolutely certain (но в этом я не могу быть совершенно уверен).
“Well, it ended by their taking Blessington and hanging him (дело кончилось тем, что они схватили Блессингтона и повесили его). The matter was so prearranged that it is my belief (преступление было настолько хорошо спланировано заранее, что я полагаю: «это мое убеждение/мнение»; to arrange — приводить в порядок, расставлять; устраивать, организовывать, подготавливать; to prearrange — подготавливать заранее) that they brought with them some sort of block or pulley (что они принесли с собой какой-то блок или шкив) which might serve as a gallows (который можно было использовать в качестве виселицы). That screw-driver and those screws (эти отвертка и шурупы) were, as I conceive, for fixing it up (предназначались, как я полагаю, для крепления его /блока/ к потолку). Seeing the hook, however they naturally saved themselves the trouble (однако, увидев крюк, они, естественно, избавили себя от /лишних/ хлопот). Having finished their work they made off (покончив с делом, они убежали), and the door was barred behind them by their confederate (а дверь была закрыта за ними на засов их сообщником; bar — брусок, блок, кусок; полено; to bar — запирать на засов).”
judicial [*u:*d**(*)l], drawer [*dr*:*], conceive [k*n*si:v]
“Having secured him, it is evident to me that a consultation of some sort was held. Probably it was something in the nature of a judicial proceeding. It must have lasted for some time, for it was then that these cigars were smoke. The older man sat in that wicker chair; it was he who used the cigar-holder. The younger man sat over yonder; he knocked his ash off against the chest of drawers. The third fellow paced up and down. Blessington, I think, sat upright in the bed, but of that I cannot be absolutely certain.
“Well, it ended by their taking Blessington and hanging him. The matter was so prearranged that it is my belief that they brought with them some sort of block or pulley which might serve as a gallows. That screw-driver and those screws were, as I conceive, for fixing it up. Seeing the hook, however they naturally saved themselves the trouble. Having finished their work they made off, and the door was barred behind them by their confederate.”
We had all listened with the deepest interest to this sketch of the night’s doings (мы все с огромным интересом слушали это описание ночных событий), which Holmes had deduced from signs so subtle and minute (которое Холмс сумел сделать на основании столь мелких и незначительных фактов; subtle — неуловимый, тонкий; едва различимый; minute — мелкий, мельчайший) that, even when he had pointed them out to us (что, даже когда он указал нам на них), we could scarcely follow him in his reasoning (мы с большим трудом могли следить за ходом его мысли). The inspector hurried away on the instant to make inquiries about the page (инспектор тотчас же ушел наводить справки о мальчишке-слуге), while Holmes and I returned to Baker Street for breakfast (а мы с Холмсом вернулись на Бейкер-стрит, чтобы позавтракать).
“I’ll be back by three (я вернусь к трем),” said he, when we had finished our meal (сказал он, когда мы закончили есть). “Both the inspector and the doctor will meet me here at that hour (инспектор и доктор встретятся здесь со мной в этот час), and I hope by that time to have cleared up any little obscurity (и я надеюсь к тому времени выяснить все мельчайшие неясные моменты; obscurity — мрак; темнота, тьма; непонятность, неясность; obscure — темный, слабо освещенный, тусклый) which the case may still present (которые все еще могут оставаться в этом деле: «которые это дело может еще представлять»; to present — представлять, являть собой; преподносить).”
Our visitors arrived at the appointed time (наши гости прибыли в назначенное время), but it was a quarter to four before my friend put in an appearance (но мой друг появился лишь без четверти четыре; to put in an appearance — появиться, показаться /особенно ненадолго/). From his expression as he entered, however (когда он вошел, по выражению его лица), I could see that all had gone well with him (я понял, что у него все прошло удачно = что его поиски увенчались успехом).
subtle [s*tl], obscurity [*b*skju:*r*t*], appearance [**p*(*)r*ns]
We had all listened with the deepest interest to this sketch of the night’s doings, which Holmes had deduced from signs so subtle and minute that, even when he had pointed them out to us, we could scarcely follow him in his reasoning. The inspector hurried away on the instant to make inquiries about the page, while Holmes and I returned to Baker Street for breakfast.
“I’ll be back by three,” said he, when we had finished our meal. “Both the inspector and the doctor will meet me here at that hour, and I hope by that time to have cleared up any little obscurity which the case may still present.”
Our visitors arrived at the appointed time, but it was a quarter to four before my friend put in an appearance. From his expression as he entered, however, I could see that all had gone well with him.
“Any news, Inspector (есть новости, инспектор)*”
“We have got the boy, sir (мы поймали мальчишку, сэр).”
“Excellent, and I have got the men (отлично, а я поймал остальных).”
“You have got them (вы поймали их)!” we cried, all three (вскричали мы хором).
“Well, at least I have got their identity (ну, по крайней мере, установил их личности). This so-called Blessington is, as I expected (этот так называемый Блессингтон, как я и ожидал), well known at headquarters (хорошо известен в /полицейском/ управлении), and so are his assailants (как и те, кто на него напал; assailant — противник, нападающая сторона). Their names are Biddle, Hayward, and Moffat (их имена: Биддл, Хэйуорд и Моффат).”
“The Worthingdon bank gang (банда, /ограбившая/ банк в Уордингдоне),” cried the inspector (воскликнул инспектор).
“Precisely (совершенно верно),” said Holmes.
“Then Blessington must have been Sutton (значит, Блессингтон — это Саттон).”
identity [a**dent*t*], headquarters [*hed*kw*:t*z], assailant [**se*l*nt]
“Any news, Inspector*”
“We have got the boy, sir.”
“Excellent, and I have got the men.”
“You have got them!” we cried, all three.
“Well, at least I have got their identity. This so-called Blessington is, as I expected, well known at headquarters, and so are his assailants. Their names are Biddle, Hayward, and Moffat.”
“The Worthingdon bank gang,” cried the inspector.
“Precisely,” said Holmes.
“Then Blessington must have been Sutton.”
“Exactly (совершенно верно; exact — точный),” said Holmes.
“Why, that makes it as clear as crystal (тогда все становится абсолютно ясно; as clear as crystal — прозрачный, как кристалл; кристально чистый; четкий, ясный, понятный),” said the inspector.
But Trevelyan and I looked at each other in bewilderment (но мы с Тревельяном переглянулись: «посмотрели друг на друга» в недоумении; to bewilder — смущать, ставить в тупик; сбивать с толку, приводить в замешательство).
“You must surely remember the great Worthingdon bank business (вы, несомненно, должны помнить дело об ограблении Уортингдонского банка),” said Holmes. “Five men were in it (в нем участвовали пять человек) — these four and a fifth called Cartwright (эти четверо и пятый, по имени Картрайт). Tobin, the care-taker (Тобин, сторож), was murdered (был убит), and the thieves got away with seven thousand pounds (а воры бежали с семью тысячами фунтов). This was in 1875 (это было в 1875 году). They were all five arrested (всех пятерых арестовали), but the evidence against them was by no means conclusive (но неопровержимых доказательств /их вины/ не было; by no means — никоим образом; отнюдь не; conclusive evidence — неопровержимое доказательство). This Blessington or Sutton, who was the worst of the gang, turned informer (этот Блессингтон, или, вернее, Саттон, самый отпетый из банды, стал доносчиком). On his evidence Cartwright was hanged (благодаря его показаниям Картрайта повесили) and the other three got fifteen years apiece (а остальные трое получили по пятнадцать лет /тюрьмы/ каждый; apiece — за штуку; на каждого, каждый). When they got out the other day (когда они недавно вышли на свободу), which was some years before their full term (что было за несколько лет до их полного срока = их освободили на несколько лет досрочно), they set themselves, as you perceive (они решили, как вы понимаете; to set oneself a task — задаваться целью, ставить перед собой задачу), to hunt down the traitor (выследить предателя; to hunt — охотиться; травить, гнать; преследовать; to hunt down — выследить; поймать) and to avenge the death of their comrade upon him (и отомстить ему за смерть товарища). Twice they tried to get at him and failed (дважды они пытались подобраться к нему, но неудачно; to fail — не удаваться; потерпеть неудачу); a third time, you see, it came off (на третий раз, как видите, им это удалось; to come off — удаваться; проходить с успехом). Is there anything further which I can explain, Dr. Trevelyan (нужно ли еще что-нибудь объяснить, доктор Тревельян)*”
crystal [kr*stl], perceive [p**si:v], comrade [*k*mr(e)*d]
“Exactly,” said Holmes.
“Why, that makes it as clear as crystal,” said the inspector.
But Trevelyan and I looked at each other in bewilderment.
“You must surely remember the great Worthingdon bank business,” said Holmes. “Five men were in it — these four and a fifth called Cartwright. Tobin, the care-taker, was murdered, and the thieves got away with seven thousand pounds. This was in 1875. They were all five arrested, but the evidence against them was by no means conclusive. This Blessington or Sutton, who was the worst of the gang, turned informer. On his evidence Cartwright was hanged and the other three got fifteen years apiece. When they got out the other day, which was some years before their full term, they set themselves, as you perceive, to hunt down the traitor and to avenge the death of their comrade upon him. Twice they tried to get at him and failed; a third time, you see, it came off. Is there anything further which I can explain, Dr. Trevelyan*”
“I think you have made it all remarkable clear (думаю, вы объяснили все предельно ясно),” said the doctor. “No doubt the day on which he was perturbed was the day (несомненно, в тот день, когда он разволновался, /был тем днем/) when he had seen of their release in the newspapers (когда он прочитал в газетах об их освобождении; to release — отпускать; освобождать /из заключения/; выпускать на волю).”
“Quite so (совершенно верно). His talk about a burglary was the merest blind (его разговор о краже со взломом был всего лишь для отвода глаз; blind — штора, жалюзи; предлог, отговорка; blind — слепой).”
“But why could he not tell you this (но почему он не рассказал вам об этом)*”
“Well, my dear sir, knowing the vindictive character of his old associates (видите ли, дорогой сэр, зная мстительный характер своих бывших сообщников), he was trying to hide his own identity from everybody as long as he could (он старался скрывать свою личность = имя от кого бы то ни было так долго, как только возможно). His secret was a shameful one (его тайна была постыдной), and he could not bring himself to divulge it (и он мог заставить себя раскрыть ее; to divulge — разглашать, раскрывать, обнародовать). However, wretch as he was, he was still living under the shield of British law (и все же, каким бы негодяем он ни был, он, тем не менее, находился под щитом английского закона; shield — щит; защита), and I have no doubt, Inspector, that you will see (и я не сомневаюсь, инспектор, что вы увидите) that, though that shield may fail to guard (что, хотя этот щит может и не уберечь = не уберег /гражданина/; to guard — оберегать, защищать, ограждать), the sword of justice is still there to avenge (меч правосудия покарает /преступников/; to avenge — отомстить).”
remarkable [r**m*:k*b(*)l], divulge [d(a)**v*l*], guard [**:d], sword [s*:d]
“I think you have made it all remarkable clear,” said the doctor. “No doubt the day on which he was perturbed was the day when he had seen of their release in the newspapers.”
“Quite so. His talk about a burglary was the merest blind.”
“But why could he not tell you this*”
“Well, my dear sir, knowing the vindictive character of his old associates, he was trying to hide his own identity from everybody as long as he could. His secret was a shameful one, and he could not bring himself to divulge it. However, wretch as he was, he was still living under the shield of British law, and I have no doubt, Inspector, that you will see that, though that shield may fail to guard, the sword of justice is still there to avenge.”
Such were the singular circumstances in connection with the Resident Patient and the Brook Street Doctor (таковы были странные обстоятельства /дела/ постоянного пациента и доктора с Брук-стрит; in connection with — в связи с; касательно). From that night nothing has been seen of the three murderers by the police (с той ночи полиции /так/ ничего и не удалось узнать о трех убийцах), and it is surmised at Scotland Yard that they were among the passengers of the ill-fated steamer Norah Creina (однако в Скотланд-Ярде предполагают, что они находились среди пассажиров того злополучного парохода «Нора Крейн»), which was lost some years ago with all hands upon the Portuguese coast (который несколько лет назад затонул вместе со всей командой у португальского побережья; lost — потерянный, пропавший, погибший: lost ship — погибший корабль; hand — наемный работник; матрос), some leagues to the north of Oporto (в нескольких лигах к северу от Опорто /другое название г. Порту в Португалии/; league — лье, лига /мера длины, приблизительно равна 3 милям/). The proceedings against the page broke down for want of evidence (дело против мальчишки-слуги было закрыто за недостатком доказательств; proceedings — рассмотрение дела в суде, судебное разбирательство), and the Brook Street Mystery, as it was called (и «Загадка Брук-стрит», как ее назвали), has never until now been fully dealt with in any public print (никогда до сегодняшнего дня не освещалось полностью в открытой печати; to deal with smth. — рассматривать, заниматься /проблемой и т. д./; обсуждать что-либо; иметь дело с чем-либо).
circumstances [*s*:k*mst*ns*z], Portuguese [*p*:*u**i:z; *p*:tju**i:z]
Such were the singular circumstances in connection with the Resident Patient and the Brook Street Doctor. From that night nothing has been seen of the three murderers by the police, and it is surmised at Scotland Yard that they were among the passengers of the ill-fated steamer Norah Creina, which was lost some years ago with all hands upon the Portuguese coast, some leagues to the north of Oporto. The proceedings against the page broke down for want of evidence, and the Brook Street Mystery, as it was called, has never until now been fully dealt with in any public print.