I handed him the letter, which he read with the most concentrated attention.

"It does not tell us very much, does it?" he remarked, as he handed it back to me.

"Hardly anything."

"And yet the writing is of interest."

"But the writing is not his own."

"Precisely. It is a woman's."

"A man's surely," I cried.

 

 

"No, a woman's, and a woman of rare character (Нет, женский, и женщины редкого характера). You see, at the commencement of an investigation it is something to know (Видите ли, полезно в начале расследования знать; commencement — начало; investigation — расследование, следствие) that your client is in close contact with some one who (что ваш клиент находится в близком контакте с кем-то, кто), for good or evil, has an exceptional nature (к счастью или на беду, имеет исключительный характер). My interest is already awakened in the case (Мой интерес уже разбужен этим делом; to awaken — будить). If you are ready we will start at once for Woking (Если вы готовы, то мы немедленно отправимся в Уокинг), and see this diplomatist who is in such evil case (и увидим дипломата, который находится в таком бедственном положении; evil — несчастье, беда, бедствие), and the lady to whom he dictates his letters (и леди, которой он диктует свои письма)."

 

 

"No, a woman's, and a woman of rare character. You see, at the commencement of an investigation it is something to know that your client is in close contact with some one who, for good or evil, has an exceptional nature. My interest is already awakened in the case. If you are ready we will start at once for Woking, and see this diplomatist who is in such evil case, and the lady to whom he dictates his letters."

 

 

We were fortunate enough to catch an early train at Waterloo (Мы удачно сели в ранний поезд на Ватерлоо; to catch a train — успеть на поезд), and in a little under an hour we found ourselves (и меньше, чем через час мы очутились) among the fir-woods and the heather of Woking (среди еловых лесов и вереска Уокинга; fir — ель, пихта; heather — вереск). Briarbrae proved to be a large detached house standing in extensive grounds (Брайабре оказался большим удаленным домом, стоящим среди огромных угодий; detached — отдельный, обособленный, изолированный; extensive — громадный, большой) within a few minutes' walk of the station (в нескольких минутах ходьбы от станции). On sending in our cards (После того, как мы послали свои визитные карточки) we were shown into an elegantly appointed drawing-room (нас провели в элегантно обставленную гостиную; to show — проводить, ввести (into - куда-л.), вывести (out of - откуда-л.)), where we were joined in a few minutes by a rather stout man (где через несколько минут к нам присоединился довольно полный человек; stout — дородный, полный, тучный) who received us with much hospitality (который встретил нас с большим гостеприимством; hospitality — гостеприимство). His age may have been nearer forty than thirty (Его возраст мог быть ближе к сорока, чем к тридцати), but his cheeks were so ruddy and his eyes so merry (но его щеки были такими румяными и глаза — такими веселыми; ruddy — румяный, красный) that he still conveyed the impression of a plump and mischievous boy (что он все еще производил впечатление пухленького и озорного мальчика; to convey — перевозить, транспортировать, передавать (чувства и т. п.); plump — полный, пухлый).

 

 

We were fortunate enough to catch an early train at Waterloo, and in a little under an hour we found ourselves among the fir-woods and the heather of Woking. Briarbrae proved to be a large detached house standing in extensive grounds within a few minutes' walk of the station. On sending in our cards we were shown into an elegantly appointed drawing-room, where we were joined in a few minutes by a rather stout man who received us with much hospitality. His age may have been nearer forty than thirty, but his cheeks were so ruddy and his eyes so merry that he still conveyed the impression of a plump and mischievous boy.

 

 

"I am so glad that you have come (Я так рад, что вы пришли)," said he, shaking our hands with effusion (сказал он, экспансивно пожимая нам руки; effusion — излияние, изливание, извержение). "Percy has been inquiring for you all morning (Перси спрашивал о вас все утро; to inquire — осведомляться, спрашивать). Ah, poor old chap, he clings to any straw (Ах, бедняга, он цепляется за любую соломинку; chap — парень; to cling — цепляться)! His father and his mother asked me to see you (Его отец и мать просили меня увидеть вас), for the mere mention of the subject is very painful to them (поскольку малейшее упоминание о предмете очень болезненно для них; mere — простой, всего лишь)."

 

"We have had no details yet (У нас пока нет деталей)," observed Holmes (заметил Холмс). "I perceive that you are not yourself a member of the family (Я вижу, что вы сами не член семьи; to perceive — воспринимать, осознавать, постигать)."

 

Our acquaintance looked surprised (Наш знакомый выглядел удивленным), and then, glancing down, he began to laugh (и затем, взглянув вниз, он начал смеяться).

 

 

"I am so glad that you have come," said he, shaking our hands with effusion. "Percy has been inquiring for you all morning. Ah, poor old chap, he clings to any straw! His father and his mother asked me to see you, for the mere mention of the subject is very painful to them."

"We have had no details yet," observed Holmes. "I perceive that you are not yourself a member of the family."

Our acquaintance looked surprised, and then, glancing down, he began to laugh.

 

 

"Of course you saw the J H monogram on my locket (Конечно, вы увидели монограмму “J H” на моем брелоке = медальоне; locket — медальон)," said he (сказал он). "For a moment I thought you had done something clever (На мгновение я подумал, что вы сделали что-то умное). Joseph Harrison is my name, and as Percy (Джозеф Харрисон мое имя, и поскольку Перси) is to marry my sister Annie (собирается жениться на моей сестре Энни) I shall at least be a relation by marriage (я буду, по крайней мере, родственником в результате свадьбы; relation — родственник). You will find my sister in his room (Вы найдете мою сестру в его комнате), for she has nursed him hand-and-foot this two months back (она старательно ухаживала за ним эти два месяца; hand-and-foot — усердно, старательно). Perhaps we'd better go in at once (Наверное, нам лучше сразу пойти), for I know how impatient he is (потому что я знаю, как он нетерпелив)."

 

 

"Of course you saw the J H monogram on my locket," said he. "For a moment I thought you had done something clever. Joseph Harrison is my name, and as Percy is to marry my sister Annie I shall at least be a relation by marriage. You will find my sister in his room, for she has nursed him hand-and-foot this two months back. Perhaps we'd better go in at once, for I know how impatient he is."

 

The chamber in which we were shown (Комната, в которую нас провели) was on the same floor as the drawing-room (была на том же этаже, что и гостиная; drawing-room — гостиная). It was furnished partly (Она была обставлена мебелью частично; to furnish — обставлять мебелью) as a sitting and partly as a bedroom (как гостиная, и частично как спальня; sitting room — гостиная), with flowers arranged daintily in every nook and corner (в каждом углу были элегантно расставлены цветы; daintily — элегантно, изысканно; nook — угол, бухточка). A young man, very pale and worn (Молодой человек, очень бледный и истощенный; worn — потертый, изношенный, изнуренный), was lying upon a sofa near the open window (лежал на диване рядом с открытым окном), through which came the rich scent of the garden (сквозь которое проходил сильный запах сада; scent — (приятный) запах, аромат) and the balmy summer air (и ароматного летнего воздуха; balmy — нежный, ароматный, благоуханный). A woman was sitting beside him (Женщина сидела рядом с ним), who rose as we entered (которая встала, когда мы вошли).

 

 

The chamber in which we were shown was on the same floor as the drawing-room. It was furnished partly as a sitting and partly as a bedroom, with flowers arranged daintily in every nook and corner. A young man, very pale and worn, was lying upon a sofa near the open window, through which came the rich scent of the garden and the balmy summer air. A woman was sitting beside him, who rose as we entered.

 

 

"Shall I leave, Percy?" she asked (“Мне уйти, Перси?” — спросила она).

 

He clutched her hand to detain her (Он схватил ее руку, чтобы задержать ее; to clutch — схватить; to detain — задерживать, медлить, откладывать, отсрочить). "How are you, Watson (Как поживаете, Уотсон)?" said he, cordially (сказал он радушно; cordially — сердечно, радушно, дружески). "I should never have known you under that moustache (Я бы никогда не узнал вас с этими усами; moustache — усы), and I dare say you would not be prepared to swear to me (и я осмелюсь заявить, что и вы меня не узнали: «не готовы поклясться мне»; to dare — осмеливаться, сметь). This I presume is your celebrated friend (Это, я полагаю, ваш знаменитый друг; to presume — предполагать, полагать, допускать), Mr. Sherlock Holmes (мистер Шерлок Холмс)?"

 

I introduced him in a few words (Я представил его в нескольких словах), and we both sat down (и мы оба сели). The stout young man had left us (Полный молодой человек покинул нас), but his sister still remained with her hand in that of the invalid (но его сестра осталась, держа свою руку в руке больного). She was a striking-looking woman (Она была поразительно выглядящяя женщина; striking — поразительный, выдающийся, замечательный), a little short and thick for symmetry (немного низкая и толстая для симметрии), but with a beautiful olive complexion (но с прекрасным оливковым цветом лица; complexion — цвет лица), large, dark, Italian eyes (большие темные итальянские глаза), and a wealth of deep black hair (и богатство густых черных волос; wealth — богатство). Her rich tints made the white face (Ее богатые краски делали белое лицо; tint — краска, оттенок) of her companion the more worn and haggard by the contrast (ее жениха более изнуренным и измученным по контрасту; worn — потертый, изношенный, изнуренный; haggard — изможденный, измученный, изнуренный).

 

 

"Shall I leave, Percy?" she asked.

He clutched her hand to detain her. "How are you, Watson?" said he, cordially. "I should never have known you under that moustache, and I dare say you would not be prepared to swear to me. This I presume is your celebrated friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes?"

I introduced him in a few words, and we both sat down. The stout young man had left us, but his sister still remained with her hand in that of the invalid. She was a striking-looking woman, a little short and thick for symmetry, but with a beautiful olive complexion, large, dark, Italian eyes, and a wealth of deep black hair. Her rich tints made the white face of her companion the more worn and haggard by the contrast.

 

 

"I won't waste your time (я не буду тратить ваше время; to waste — терять даром, тратить впустую)," said he, raising himself upon the sofa (сказал он, поднимаясь на диване). "I'll plunge into the matter without further preamble (Я приступлю к делу без дальнейших вступлений; to plunge — нырять, погружать(ся), окунать(ся)). I was a happy and successful man (Я был счастливым и успешным человеком), Mr. Holmes, and on the eve of being married (мистер Холмс, и собирался жениться; eve — канун, преддверие), when a sudden and dreadful misfortune (когда неожиданное и страшное несчастье; dreadful — страшный, ужасный) wrecked all my prospects in life (разрушило все перспективы в моей жизни; to wreck — разрушать, потерпеть крушение).

 

"I was, as Watson may have told you (Я работал: «был», как Уотсон, возможно, вам рассказал), in the Foreign Office (в министерстве иностранных дел; Foreign Office — министерство иностранных дел (в Великобритании)), and through the influences of my uncle, Lord Holdhurst (и с помощью влияния моего дяди, лорда Холдхэрста), I rose rapidly to a responsible position (я быстро поднялся до значительного положения; responsible — ответственный, важный). When my uncle became foreign minister in this administration (Когда мой дядя стал министром иностранных дел в этом правительстве) he gave me several missions of trust (он дал мне несколько доверительных поручений), and as I always brought them to a successful conclusion (и поскольку я всегда доводил их до удачного завершения; conclusion — закрытие, конец, финал, завершение), he came at last to have the utmost confidence in my ability and tact (он, наконец, совершенно уверился в моих способностях и такте; utmost — крайний, предельный; величайший; confidence — вера, убежденность).

 

 

"I won't waste your time," said he, raising himself upon the sofa. "I'll plunge into the matter without further preamble. I was a happy and successful man, Mr. Holmes, and on the eve of being married, when a sudden and dreadful misfortune wrecked all my prospects in life.

"I was, as Watson may have told you, in the Foreign Office, and through the influences of my uncle, Lord Holdhurst, I rose rapidly to a responsible position. When my uncle became foreign minister in this administration he gave me several missions of trust, and as I always brought them to a successful conclusion, he came at last to have the utmost confidence in my ability and tact.

 

 

"Nearly ten weeks ago (около десяти недель назад) — to be more accurate, on the 23d of May (чтобы быть более точным, 23 мая) — he called me into his private room (он вызвал меня в свой личный кабинет; private — частный, личный, персональный), and, after complimenting me on the good work which I had done (и, похвалив за хорошую работу, которую я сделал; to compliment — поздравлять, хвалить), he informed me that he had a new commission of trust for me to execute (и сообщил мне, что у него есть для меня новое ответственное поручение).

 

"'This,' said he, taking a gray roll of paper from his bureau (“Это”, — сказал он, вынимая серый свиток бумаги из своего письменного стола; bureau — письменный стол), 'is the original of that secret treaty between England and Italy (оригинал секретного договора между Англией и Италией) of which, I regret to say, some rumors have already got into the public press (о котором, к сожалению, некоторые слухи уже попали в печать; to regret — сожалеть, раскаиваться; rumor — слух, молва). It is of enormous importance that nothing further should leak out (Очень важно, чтобы ничего больше не просочилось; to leak out — стать известным (о секрете, новости)). The French or the Russian embassy would pay an immense sum (Французское или русское посольства заплатят огромную сумму; immense — безмерный, очень большой, огромный) to learn the contents of these papers (узнать содержание этих документов; contents — содержимое). They should not leave my bureau (Они бы не покидали моего письменного стола) were it not that it is absolutely necessary to have them copied (если бы не настоятельная необходимость их скопировать). You have a desk in your office (У вас есть стол в вашем офисе)?"

 

"'Yes, sir (да, сэр).'

 

 

"Nearly ten weeks ago — to be more accurate, on the 23d of May — he called me into his private room, and, after complimenting me on the good work which I had done, he informed me that he had a new commission of trust for me to execute.

"'This,' said he, taking a gray roll of paper from his bureau, 'is the original of that secret treaty between England and Italy of which, I regret to say, some rumors have already got into the public press. It is of enormous importance that nothing further should leak out. The French or the Russian embassy would pay an immense sum to learn the contents of these papers. They should not leave my bureau were it not that it is absolutely necessary to have them copied. You have a desk in your office?"

"'Yes, sir.'

 

 

"'Then take the treaty and lock it up there (Тогда возьмите договор и заприте его там). I shall give directions that you may remain behind when the others go (Я дам указания, что вы можете остаться, когда другие уйдут; direction — указание, распоряжение), so that you may copy it at your leisure (так что вы можете копировать его в свободное время; leisure — досуг, свободное время) without fear of being overlooked (без страха, что за вами будут подглядывать; to overlook — наблюдать, надзирать, присматривать). When you have finished, relock both the original and the draft in the desk (Когда закончите, заприте оригинал и черновик в стол; draft — черновик, набросок), and hand them over to me personally to-morrow morning (и отдайте их лично мне завтра утром).'

 

 

"'Then take the treaty and lock it up there. I shall give directions that you may remain behind when the others go, so that you may copy it at your leisure without fear of being overlooked. When you have finished, relock both the original and the draft in the desk, and hand them over to me personally to-morrow morning.'

 

 

"I took the papers and (Я взял бумаги и) —"

 

"Excuse me an instant," said Holmes (“Простите на минуту”, — сказал Холмс; instant — мгновение, миг, момент). "Were you alone during this conversation (вы были одни во время разговора)?"

 

"Absolutely (абсолютно)."

 

"In a large room (в большой комнате)?"

 

"Thirty feet each way (Тридцать футов в каждую сторону; фут = 30,48 см, 30 футов = 9,144 м)."

 

"In the centre (в центре)?"

 

"Yes, about it (да, примерно)."

 

"And speaking low (И говорили тихо)?"

 

"My uncle's voice is always remarkably low (Голос моего дяди всегда очень тихий; remarkably — удивительно, необыкновенно). I hardly spoke at all (Я вообще едва говорил)."

 

"Thank you," said Holmes, shutting his eyes (“Спасибо” — сказал Холмс, закрывая глаза); "pray go on (пожалуйста, продолжайте)."

 

"I took the papers and — "

"Excuse me an instant," said Holmes. "Were you alone during this conversation?"

"Absolutely."

"In a large room?"

"Thirty feet each way."

"In the centre?"

"Yes, about it."

"And speaking low?"

"My uncle's voice is always remarkably low. I hardly spoke at all."

"Thank you," said Holmes, shutting his eyes; "pray go on."

 

 

"I did exactly what he indicated (Я сделал точно то, что он сказал; to indicate — указывать, показывать), and waited until the other clerks had departed (и подождал, пока другие клерки ушли; to depart — уходить, уезжать, покидать). One of them in my room (Одному из них в моей комнате), Charles Gorot, had some arrears of work to make up (Чарльзу Горо, нужно было доделать какую-то просроченную работу; arrear — просрочка платежа, задолженность), so I left him there and went out to dine (так что я оставил его там и пошел поужинать). When I returned he was gone (Когда я вернулся он ушел). I was anxious to hurry my work (Мне не терпелось побыстрее закончить работу; anxious — сильно желающий, встревоженный), for I knew that Joseph (так как я знал, что Джозеф) — the Mr. Harrison whom you saw just now (мистер Харрисон, которого вы только что видели) — was in town (был в городе), and that he would travel down to Woking by the eleven-o'clock train (и что он поедет в Уокинг одиннадцатичасовым поездом), and I wanted if possible to catch it (и я хотел, если возможно, успеть на его).

 

"When I came to examine the treaty (Когда я начал изучать договор) I saw at once that it was of such importance (я сразу увидел, что он был настолько важен) that my uncle had been guilty of no exaggeration in what he had said (что мой дядя не преувеличивал: «был виновен в непреувеличении», говоря об этом; exaggeration — преувеличение). Without going into details (Не входя в подробности), I may say that it defined (я могу сказать, что он определял; to define — определять) the position of Great Britain towards the Triple Alliance (отношение Великобритании к Тройственному союзу; alliance — союз, альянс), and fore-shadowed the policy which this country would pursue (и определял политику, которой будет следовать наша: «эта» страна; to foreshadow — предвещать, предрекать, предсказывать; to pursue — преследовать, выполнять, совершать) in the event of the French fleet gaining a complete ascendancy (в случае, если французский флот будет полностью доминировать; ascendancy — доминирующее влияние) over that of Italy in the Mediterranean (над итальянским в Средиземном море). The questions treated in it were purely naval (Вопросы, рассматриваемые там, были исключительно военно-морскими). At the end were the signatures of the high dignitaries who had signed it (В конце стояли подписи высоких сановников, которые подписали его; dignitary — сановник). I glanced my eyes over it (Я пробежался по нему глазами; to glance — взглянуть мельком), and then settled down to my task of copying (и затем приступил к моей задаче по копированию).

 

 

"I did exactly what he indicated, and waited until the other clerks had departed. One of them in my room, Charles Gorot, had some arrears of work to make up, so I left him there and went out to dine. When I returned he was gone. I was anxious to hurry my work, for I knew that Joseph — the Mr. Harrison whom you saw just now — was in town, and that he would travel down to Woking by the eleven-o'clock train, and I wanted if possible to catch it.

"When I came to examine the treaty I saw at once that it was of such importance that my uncle had been guilty of no exaggeration in what he had said. Without going into details, I may say that it defined the position of Great Britain towards the Triple Alliance, and fore-shadowed the policy which this country would pursue in the event of the French fleet gaining a complete ascendancy over that of Italy in the Mediterranean. The questions treated in it were purely naval. At the end were the signatures of the high dignitaries who had signed it. I glanced my eyes over it, and then settled down to my task of copying.

 

 

"It was a long document, written in the French language (Это был большой документ, написанный на французском языке), and containing twenty-six separate articles (и содержащий двадцать шесть отдельных статей). I copied as quickly as I could (Я копировал так быстро, как мог), but at nine o'clock I had only done nine articles (но к девяти часам я сделал только девять статей), and it seemed hopeless for me (и мне казалось безнадежным) to attempt to catch my train (пытаться успеть на мой поезд; to catch a train — успеть на поезд). I was feeling drowsy and stupid (Я чувствовал себя сонным и бестолковым; drowsy — сонный, вялый; stupid — глупый, тупой, бестолковый), partly from my dinner and also from the effects of a long day's work (частично от ужина и также от долгой дневной работы). A cup of coffee would clear my brain (Чашка кофе взбодрила бы меня: «очистила бы мой разум»). A commissionnaire remains all night in a little lodge (Швейцар остается всю ночь в маленькой комнате; commissionnaire — швейцар, привратник, посыльный, курьер (франц. вариант, английский — commissionaire); lodge — домик, сторожка у ворот, маленькое помещение, часто для служебных целей) at the foot of the stairs, and is in the habit of making coffee at his spirit-lamp (у подножия лестницы, и обычно варит кофе на спиртовке; stairs — лестница; spirit-lamp — спиртовка) for any of the officials who may be working over time (для всех служащих, которые остаются работать сверхурочно). I rang the bell, therefore, to summon him (Поэтому я позвонил в звонок, чтобы вызвать его; therefore — поэтому, следовательно).

 

 

"It was a long document, written in the French language, and containing twenty-six separate articles. I copied as quickly as I could, but at nine o'clock I had only done nine articles, and it seemed hopeless for me to attempt to catch my train. I was feeling drowsy and stupid, partly from my dinner and also from the effects of a long day's work. A cup of coffee would clear my brain. A commissionnaire remains all night in a little lodge at the foot of the stairs, and is in the habit of making coffee at his spirit-lamp for any of the officials who may be working over time. I rang the bell, therefore, to summon him.

 

 

"To my surprise, it was a woman who answered the summons (К моему удивлению на вызовы ответила женщина; summon — вызов), a large, coarse-faced, elderly woman, in an apron (крупная, пожилая женщина с грубым лицом в переднике; coarse — грубый, крупный; apron — передник, фартук). She explained that she was the commissionnaire's wife (Она объяснила, что она жена швейцара), who did the charing (занималась уборкой; to char — делать уборку, чистить, мыть), and I gave her the order for the coffee (и я заказал ей кофе; order — заказ (в ресторане)).

 

"I wrote two more articles and then (Я написал еще две статьи и затем), feeling more drowsy than ever (чувствуя себя еще более сонным, чем обычно), I rose and walked up and down the room to stretch my legs (я встал и прошелся по комнате, чтобы размять ноги). My coffee had not yet come (Мой кофе все еще не принесли: «еще не пришел»), and I wondered what was the cause of the delay could be (и мне было интересно, в чем причина задержки; cause — причина). Opening the door, I started down the corridor to find out (Открыв дверь, я отправился вниз по коридору, чтобы выяснить это). There was a straight passage, dimly lighted (Прямой коридор, слабо освещенный; dimly — тускло, темно, мрачно), which led from the room in which I had been working (ведет из комнаты, в которой я работал), and was the only exit from it (и является единственным выходом из нее). It ended in a curving staircase (Он заканчивается винтовой лестницей; to curve — гнуть, изгибать(ся)), with the commissionnaire's lodge in the passage at the bottom (с комнатой швейцара внизу в вестибюле). Half way down this staircase is a small landing (На полпути вниз по лестнице есть маленькая площадка; landing — лестничная площадка), with another passage running into it at right angles (от которой под прямым углом отходит еще один коридор; right angle — прямой угол). This second one leads by means of a second small stair to a side door (Он ведет через вторую маленькую лестницу к боковой двери), used by servants (которой пользуются слуги), and also as a short cut by clerks (и еще по нему срезают путь клерки) when coming from Charles Street (когда идут со стороны Чарльз стрит). Here is a rough chart of the place (Вот грубый план помещения)."

 

 

 

"To my surprise, it was a woman who answered the summons, a large, coarse-faced, elderly woman, in an apron. She explained that she was the commissionnaire's wife, who did the charing, and I gave her the order for the coffee.

"I wrote two more articles and then, feeling more drowsy than ever, I rose and walked up and down the room to stretch my legs. My coffee had not yet come, and I wondered what was the cause of the delay could be. Opening the door, I started down the corridor to find out. There was a straight passage, dimly lighted, which led from the room in which I had been working, and was the only exit from it. It ended in a curving staircase, with the commissionnaire's lodge in the passage at the bottom. Half way down this staircase is a small landing, with another passage running into it at right angles. This second one leads by means of a second small stair to a side door, used by servants, and also as a short cut by clerks when coming from Charles Street. Here is a rough chart of the place."

 

 

"Thank you. I think that I quite follow you," said Sherlock Holmes (“Спасибо. Я думаю, что полностью понимаю вас”, — сказал Шерлок Холмс).

 

"It is of the utmost importance that you should notice this point (Предельно важно, чтобы вы отметили этот момент; utmost — крайний, предельный, величайший). I went down the stairs and into the hall (Я сошел вниз по лестнице в холл), where I found the commissionnaire fast asleep in his box (где обнаружил швейцара крепко спящим в его каморке; fast — крепко, прочно, сильно), with the kettle boiling furiously upon the spirit-lamp (чайник яростно кипел на спиртовке; kettle — металлический чайник). I took off the kettle and blew out the lamp (Я снял чайник и задул лампу = спиртовку), for the water was spurting over the floor (так как вода брызгала на пол; to spurt — бить струёй). Then I put out my hand (Затем я протянул руку) and was about to shake the man (и уже собирался встряхнуть человека; to shake — трясти), who was still sleeping soundly (который все еще крепко спал; soundly — беспробудно, крепко), when a bell over his head rang loudly (когда у него над головой громко зазвонил звонок), and he woke with a start (и он сразу проснулся).

 

 

"Thank you. I think that I quite follow you," said Sherlock Holmes.

"It is of the utmost importance that you should notice this point. I went down the stairs and into the hall, where I found the commissionnaire fast asleep in his box, with the kettle boiling furiously upon the spirit-lamp. I took off the kettle and blew out the lamp, for the water was spurting over the floor. Then I put out my hand and was about to shake the man, who was still sleeping soundly, when a bell over his head rang loudly, and he woke with a start.

 

 

"'Mr. Phelps, sir!' said he, looking at me in bewilderment (“Мистер Фелпс, сэр!” — сказал он, смотря на меня с недоумением; bewilderment — смущение, замешательство, недоумение).

 

"'I came down to see if my coffee was ready (Я сошел вниз, чтобы посмотреть, готов ли мой кофе).'

 

"'I was boiling the kettle when I fell asleep, sir (Я кипятил чайник, когда заснул, сэр).' He looked at me and then up (Он взглянул на меня, и потом вверх) at the still quivering bell (на все еще дрожащий звонок; to quiver — дрожать, трястись, колыхаться, трепетать) with an ever-growing astonishment upon his face (с возрастающим удивлением на лице; ever — всегда, вечно, постоянно, неизменно, употр. для усиления в разных значениях; astonishment — изумление, удивление).

 

"'If you was here, sir, then who rang the bell?' he asked (“Если вы здесь, сэр, тогда кто звонил в звонок?” — спросил он).

 

"'The bell!' I cried. 'What bell is it?' (“Звонок!” — вскричал я. “Что это за звонок?”)

 

"'It's the bell of the room you were working in (Это звонок из комнаты, в которой вы работаете).'

 

 

"'Mr. Phelps, sir!' said he, looking at me in bewilderment.

"'I came down to see if my coffee was ready.'

"'I was boiling the kettle when I fell asleep, sir.' He looked at me and then up at the till quivering bell with an ever-growing astonishment upon his face.

"'If you was here, sir, then who rang the bell?' he asked.

"'The bell!' I cried. 'What bell is it?'

"'It's the bell of the room you were working in.'

 

 

"A cold hand seemed to close round my heart (Словно холодная рука сжала мое сердце). Some one, then, was in that room (Тогда, кто-то был в той комнате) where my precious treaty lay upon the table (где на столе лежал мой драгоценный договор; treaty — договор, соглашение). I ran frantically up the stair and along the passage (Я бешено побежал вверх по лестнице и по коридору; frantically — безумно, неистово). There was no one in the corridors, Mr. Holmes (Никого не было в коридорах, мистер Холмс). There was no one in the room (Никого не было в комнате). All was exactly as I left it (Все было точно так, как я оставил), save only that the papers which had been committed to my care (за исключением того, что бумаги, которые были мне поручены) had been taken from the desk on which they lay (были взяты со стола, на котором они лежали). The copy was there, and the original was gone (Копия была там, но оригинал пропал)."

 

Holmes sat up in his chair and rubbed his hands (Холмс приподнялся на стуле и потер руки; to rub — тереть). I could see that the problem was entirely to his heart (Я видел, что эта загадка пришлась ему по душе; entirely — полностью, совершенно, совсем). "Pray, what did you do then (Что вы сделали потом)?" he murmured (он прошептал; to murmur — шептать).

 

"A cold hand seemed to close round my heart. Some one, then, was in that room where my precious treaty lay upon the table. I ran frantically up the stair and along the passage. There was no one in the corridors, Mr. Holmes. There was no one in the room. All was exactly as I left it, save only that the papers which had been committed to my care had been taken from the desk on which they lay. The copy was there, and the original was gone."

Holmes sat up in his chair and rubbed his hands. I could see that the problem was entirely to his heart. "Pray, what did you do then?" he murmured.

 

"I recognized in an instant that the thief (Я немедленно понял, что вор) must have come up the stairs from the side door (должен был придти по лестнице из боковой двери). Of course I must have met him (Конечно, я должен был бы встретить его) if he had come the other way (если бы он пришел другим путем)."

 

"You were satisfied that he could not have been concealed (Вы уверены что он не мог прятаться; to conceal — прятать, скрывать, утаивать) in the room all the time (в комнате все это время), or in the corridor which you have just described as dimly lighted (или в коридоре, который, как вы только что описали, плохо освещен; dimly — тускло, темно, мрачно, смутно)?"

 

"It is absolutely impossible (Это совершенно невозможно). A rat could not conceal himself either in the room or the corridor (Крыса не смогла бы спрятаться в комнате или в коридоре). There is no cover at all (Там вообще нет укрытия; cover — убежище, укрытие)."

 

"Thank you. Pray proceed (Спасибо. Пожалуйста, продолжайте)."

 

"The commissionnaire, seeing by my pale face (Швейцар, увидев по моему бледному лицу) that something was to be feared (что что-то стряслось: «чего-то следовало бояться»), had followed me upstairs (последовал за мной наверх). Now we both rushed along the corridor (Теперь мы оба помчались по коридору; to rush — бросаться, мчаться, нестись) and down the steep steps which led to Charles Street (и вниз по крутым ступенькам, которые вели на Чарльз стрит; steep — крутой). The door at the bottom was closed, but unlocked (Дверь внизу была закрыта, но не заперта). We flung it open and rushed out (Мы распахнули ее и выбежали наружу; to fling open— распахнуть, раскрыть настежь; to rush — бросаться, мчаться, нестись). I can distinctly remember that as we did so (Я точно помню, что когда мы выбежали: «сделали это»; distinctly — отчетливо, ясно) there came three chimes from a neighboring clock (раздались три удара колоколов с соседних часов; chime — колокольный звон, звон курантов). It was quarter to ten (Было без четверти десять)."

 

"I recognized in an instant that the thief must have come up the stairs from the side door. Of course I must have met him if he had come the other way."

"You were satisfied that he could not have been concealed in the room all the time, or in the corridor which you have just described as dimly lighted?"

"It is absolutely impossible. A rat could not conceal himself either in the room or the corridor. There is no cover at all."

"Thank you. Pray proceed."

"The commissionnaire, seeing by my pale face that something was to be feared, had followed me upstairs. Now we both rushed along the corridor and down the steep steps which led to Charles Street. The door at the bottom was closed, but unlocked. We flung it open and rushed out. I can distinctly remember that as we did so there came three chimes from a neighboring clock. It was quarter to ten."

 

 

"That is of enormous importance (Это имеет огромную важность; enormous — громадный, гигантский, огромный)," said Holmes, making a note upon his shirt-cuff (сказал Холмс, делая заметку на манжете; shirt-cuff — манжета, обшлаг).

 

"The night was very dark, and a thin, warm rain was falling (Ночь была очень темной, и падал мелкий теплый дождь; thin — мелкий (о дожде)). There was no one in Charles Street (Никого не было на Чарльз стрит), but a great traffic was going on, as usual, in Whitehall, at the extremity (но по Уайтхоллу, как обычно, шло интенсивное движение; traffic — движение, транспорт). We rushed along the pavement, bare-headed as we were (Мы побежали по тротуару, с непокрытой головой, как были; to rush — бросаться, мчаться, нестись; pavement — тротуар, мостовая), and at the far corner we found a policeman standing (и на дальнем углу обнаружили стоящего полицейского).

 

"'A robbery has been committed,' I gasped (“Было совершено ограбление”, —сказал я, задыхаясь; robbery — кража, грабеж; to gasp — дышать с трудом, задыхаться).’A document of immense value has been stolen from the Foreign Office (Документ огромной ценности был похищен из Министерства иностранных дел; immense — безмерный, огромный). Has any one passed this way (Здесь кто-нибудь проходил)?'

 

 

"That is of enormous importance," said Holmes, making a note upon his shirt-cuff.

"The night was very dark, and a thin, warm rain was falling. There was no one in Charles Street, but a great traffic was going on, as usual, in Whitehall, at the extremity. We rushed along the pavement, bare-headed as we were, and at the far corner we found a policeman standing.

"'A robbery has been committed,' I gasped. 'A document of immense value has been stolen from the Foreign Office. Has any one passed this way?'

 

 

"'I have been standing here for a quarter of an hour, sir (Я стою здесь четверть часа, сэр),' said he (сказал он); 'only one person has passed during that time (за это время прошел только один человек) — a woman, tall and elderly, with a Paisley shawl (высокая и пожилая женщина с шалью цвета пейсли; paisley — пейсли (особая расцветка ткани; по названию города в Ренфрушире в Шотландии)).'

 

"'Ah, that is only my wife (А, это только моя жена),' cried the commissionnaire (воскликнул швейцар; commissionnaire — швейцар, привратник, посыльный, курьер); 'has no one else passed (больше никто не проходил)?'

 

"'No one (Никого).'

 

"'Then it must be the other way that the thief took (Тогда вор должен был пойти другим путем),' cried the fellow, tugging at my sleeve (воскликнул парень, дергая меня за рукав; to tug — тащить, дергать, тянуть).

 

"'But I was not satisfied (Но я не был удовлетворен), and the attempts which he made (и попытки, которые он делал; attempt — попытка) to draw me away increased my suspicions (чтобы увести меня, увеличили мои подозрения; to draw — тащить, тянуть).

 

"'Which way did the woman go?' I cried (“Каким путем пошла женщина?” — вскричал я).

 

"'I don't know, sir (Я не знаю, сэр). I noticed her pass (Я заметил, как она прошла), but I had no special reason for watching her (но у меня не было особой причины следить за ней). She seemed to be in a hurry (Она, казалось, торопилась).'

 

"'How long ago was it (Как давно это было)?'

 

"'Oh, not very many minutes (Несколько минут назад).'

 

"'Within the last five (В течение ближайших пяти)?'

 

"'Well, it could not be more than five (Ну, не больше пяти).'

 

 

"'I have been standing here for a quarter of an hour, sir,' said he; 'only one person has passed during that time — a woman, tall and elderly, with a Paisley shawl.'

"'Ah, that is only my wife,' cried the commissionnaire; 'has no one else passed?'

"'No one.'

"'Then it must be the other way that the thief took,' cried the fellow, tugging at my sleeve.

"'But I was not satisfied, and the attempts which he made to draw me away increased my suspicions.

"'Which way did the woman go?' I cried.

"'I don't know, sir. I noticed her pass, but I had no special reason for watching her. She seemed to be in a hurry.'

"'How long ago was it?'

"'Oh, not very many minutes.'

"'Within the last five?'

"'Well, it could not be more than five.'

 

 

"'You're only wasting your time, sir (Вы только теряете время, сэр; to waste — терять даром, тратить впустую), and every minute now is of importance (а сейчас важна каждая минута),' cried the commissionnaire (воскликнул швейцар); 'take my word for it that my old woman has nothing to do with it (поверьте мне, что моя старуха не имеет к этому отношения), and come down to the other end of the street (и пойдемте на другой конец улицы). Well, if you won't, I will (Ну, если вы не пойдете, пойду я).' And with that he rushed off in the other direction (С этими /словами/ он бросился в другом направлении).

 

"But I was after him in an instant (Но я сразу бросился за ним) and caught him by the sleeve (и схватил его за рукав).

 

"'Where do you live?' said I (“Где вы живете?” — сказал я).

 

 

"'You're only wasting your time, sir, and every minute now is of importance,' cried the commissionnaire; 'take my word for it that my old woman has nothing to do with it, and come down to the other end of the street. Well, if you won't, I will.' And with that he rushed off in the other direction.

"But I was after him in an instant and caught him by the sleeve.

"'Where do you live?' said I.

 

 

"'16 Ivy Lane, Brixton,' he answered (“Плющевый переулок 16, Брикстон”, — ответил он; ivy — плющ; lane — переулок).’But don't let yourself be drawn away upon a false scent Mr. Phelps (Но не позволяйте увести себя по ложному следу, мистер Фелпс; scent — след). Come to the other end of the street (Пойдемте на другой конец улицы) and let us see if we can hear of anything (и посмотрим, сможем ли мы что-нибудь узнать).'

 

"Nothing was to be lost by following his advice (Мы ничего не теряли: «ничего не было потеряно», последовав его совету). With the policeman we both hurried down (Вместе с полицейским мы поспешили), but only to find the street full of traffic (но обнаружили только улицу полную транспорта), many people coming and going (множество проходящих людей), but all only too eager to get (но все они только хотели добраться; eager — страстно желающий, жаждущий) to a place of safety upon so wet a night (до безопасного места в такую сырую ночь). There was no lounger who could tell us who had passed (Там не было зеваки, который мог бы сказать нам, кто проходил; lounger — бездельник, тунеядец, лентяй).

 

"Then we returned to the office (Тогда мы вернулись в офис), and searched the stairs and the passage without result (и обыскали лестницу и проход, но безрезультатно). The corridor which led to the room (Коридор, который ведет в комнату) was laid down with a kind of creamy linoleum (покрыт кремовым линолеумом) which shows an impression very easily (на котором хорошо заметны следы: «который показывает следы очень легко»; impression — отпечаток, оттиск, след (результат физического контакта)). We examined it very carefully (Мы изучили его очень внимательно), but found no outline of any footmark (но не нашли никаких следов; outline — контур, очертание)."

 

 

"'16 Ivy Lane, Brixton,' he answered. 'But don't let yourself be drawn away upon a false scent, Mr. Phelps. Come to the other end of the street and let us see if we can hear of anything.'

"Nothing was to be lost by following his advice. With the policeman we both hurried down, but only to find the street full of traffic, many people coming and going, but all only too eager to get to a place of safety upon so wet a night. There was no lounger who could tell us who had passed.

"Then we returned to the office, and searched the stairs and the passage without result. The corridor which led to the room was laid down with a kind of creamy linoleum which shows an impression very easily. We examined it very carefully, but found no outline of any footmark."

 

 

"Had it been raining all evening (Весь вечер шел дождь)?"

 

"Since about seven (Примерно с семи)."

 

"How is it, then, that the woman who came into the room (Как же получилось, что женщина, которая вошла в комнату) about nine left no traces with her muddy boots (около девяти, не оставила следов своими грязными ботинками; muddy — грязный, перепачканный; boot — ботинок)?"

 

"I am glad you raised the point (Я рад, что вы задали этот вопрос). It occurred to me at the time (Мне это тоже пришло в голову в тот момент; to occur — приходить на ум (о мыслях, словах, идеях)). The charwomen are in the habit of taking off their boots at the commissionnaire's office (Уборщицы обычно снимают ботинки в комнате швейцара; charwoman — уборщица), and putting on list slippers (и надевают комнатные туфли; list slippers — комнатные туфли из обрезков (кожи, материи))."

 

"That is very clear (Все ясно). There were no marks (Там не было следов), then, though the night was a wet one (хотя ночь была сырая)? The chain of events is certainly one of extraordinary interest (Цепочка событий, безусловно, представляет огромный интерес; chain — цепь). What did you do next (Что вы сделали потом)?

 

 

"Had it been raining all evening?"

"Since about seven."

"How is it, then, that the woman who came into the room about nine left no traces with her muddy boots?"

"I am glad you raised the point. It occurred to me at the time. The charwomen are in the habit of taking off their boots at the commissionnaire's office, and putting on list slippers."

"That is very clear. There were no marks, then, though the night was a wet one? The chain of events is certainly one of extraordinary interest. What did you do next?

 

 

"We examined the room also (Мы также изучили комнату). There is no possibility of a secret door (Там не могло быть потайной двери), and the windows are quite thirty feet from the ground (и окна находятся в тридцати футах от земли; foot = 30,48 см, 30 футов ≈ 9,14 м). Both of them were fastened on the inside (Оба были заперты изнутри; to fasten