There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and peering through the gloom I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and unkempt, staring out at me.

 

"My God (о, Боже)! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of reaction (он был в жалком состоянии реакции = спада), with every nerve in a twitter (с каждым нервом в возбуждении = весь трепетал). "I say, Watson, what o'clock is it (послушайте, Ватсон, который час)?"

"Nearly eleven (почти одиннадцать)."

"Of what day (какого дня)?"

"Of Friday, June 19th."

"Good heavens (Боже мой)! I thought it was Wednesday (я думал, среда). It is Wednesday. What d'you want to frighten the chap for (зачем вы хотите напугать парня; d'you = do you)?" He sank his face onto his arms and began to sob in a high treble key (он закрыл лицо ладонями, руками и начал рыдать /в высоком ключе/; treble — тройной; дискантовый).

 

"My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what o'clock is it?"

"Nearly eleven."

"Of what day?"

"Of Friday, June 19th."

"Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What d'you want to frighten the chap for?" He sank his face onto his arms and began to sob in a high treble key.

 

"I tell you that it is Friday, man (я говорю вам, что сегодня пятница; man — обращение к знакомому). Your wife has been waiting these two days for you (ваша жена ждет вас /уже/ эти два дня). You should be ashamed of yourself (вам должно быть стыдно /за себя/)!"

"So I am (я и стыжусь). But you've got mixed, Watson (но вы что-то путаете: вы смешаны = сбиты с толку», Ватсон), for I have only been here a few hours (так как я здесь только несколько часов), three pipes (три трубки), four (четыре) pipes — I forget how many (я забыл, сколько). But I'll go home with you (но я отправлюсь домой с вами). I wouldn't frighten Kate (я не хочу пугать Кейт) — poor little Kate (бедная маленькая Кейт). Give me your hand (дайте мне вашу руку)! Have you a cab?"

 

"I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting these two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!"

"So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here a few hours, three pipes, four pipes — I forget how many. But I'll go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate — poor little Kate. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?"

 

"Yes, I have one waiting (да, у меня есть один = кэб, ждущий /у дверей)."

"Then I shall go in it (тогда мне следует отправиться в нем). But I must owe something (но я, видимо, что-то должен /им/; to owe — задолжать). Find what I owe, Watson (выясните, что = сколько я должен, Ватсон). I am all off color (я себя плохо чувствую; off color — дефектный, нездорового вида). I can do nothing for myself (я не могу сам ничего сделать)."

owe [qu] color [`kAlq]

 

"Yes, I have one waiting."

"Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I owe, Watson. I am all off color. I can do nothing for myself."

 

I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of sleepers (я пошел по узкому проходу между двойным рядом спящих), holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying fumes of the drug (задерживая дыхание, чтобы не вдыхать отвратительные, одуряющие пары наркотика), and looking about for the manager (и разыскивая хозяина). As I passed the tall man who sat by the brazier (когда я проходил мимо высокого человека, сидевшего у жаровни) I felt a sudden pluck at my skirt (я почувствовал, как меня внезапно дернули: «внезапный дерг» за полу /пиджака/), and a low voice whispered (и тихий голос прошептал), "Walk past me, and then look back at me (пройдите мимо меня, а затем обернитесь)." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear (эти слова достигли моего уха вполне отчетливо). I glanced down (я глянул вниз). They could only have come from the old man at my side (они могли исходить лишь от старика рядом со мной), and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever (и тем не менее, он сидел по-прежнему погруженным в себя), very thin, very wrinkled, bent with age (очень худой, очень морщинистый, согнутый возрастом = под тяжестью лет), an opium pipe dangling down from between his knees (опиумная трубка свисала у него между колен), as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his fingers (словно вывалившись в полной апатии из его пальцев). I took two steps forward and looked back (я сделал два шага вперед и оглянулся). It took all my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of astonishment (потребовалось все мое самообладание, чтобы сдержать меня от того, чтобы я разразился криком удивления). He had turned his back so that none could see him but I (он повернул свою спину так, чтобы никто не мог видеть его /лицо/, кроме меня). His form had filled out (его фигура пополнела), his wrinkles were gone (его морщины ушли), the dull eyes had regained their fire (тусклые глаза вновь обрели свой /привычный/ блеск), and there, sitting by the fire and grinning at my surprise (сидящим у огня и ухмыляющимся над моим удивлением), was none other than Sherlock Holmes (был не кто иной, как Шерлок Холмс). He made a slight motion to me to approach him (он сделал легкое движение = знак мне, чтобы я приблизился к нему), and instantly, as he turned his face half round to the company once more (и тотчас, повернувшись снова лицом вполоборота к присутствующим), subsided into a doddering, loose-lipped senility (превратился в дрожащего с отвисшей губой старика; to subside — погрузиться, упасть; senility — старость, дряхлость).

narrow [`nxrqu] breath [breT] wrinkled [rINkld] lassitude [`lxsItjHd] senility [sI`nIlItI]

 

I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided into a doddering, loose-lipped senility.

 

"Holmes!" I whispered (прошептал я), "what on earth are you doing in this den (что, черт возьми, вы делаете в этом притоне)?"

"As low as you can (/говорите/ так тихо, как только можете)," he answered; "I have excellent ears (у меня превосходный слух: «уши»). If you would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of yours (если вы сделаете большое одолжение избавиться от вашего одурманенного друга) I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you (я буду чрезвычайно рад немного поболтать с вами: «иметь маленький разговор»)."

kindness [`kaIndnIs] exceedingly [Ik`sJdINlI]

 

"Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?"

"As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you."

 

"I have a cab outside (меня ждет кэб снаружи)."

"Then pray send him home in it (тогда, пожалуйста, отправьте его домой в нем). You may safely trust him (вы можете без риска довериться ему), for he appears to be too limp to get into any mischief (так как он, кажется слишком слабым, чтобы попасть в какую-нибудь беду; limp — мягкий, нежесткий; слабый). I should recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife (я бы рекомендовал вам также послать с кучером записку вашей жене) to say that you have thrown in your lot with me (чтобы сказать, что вы остались со мной; to throw in one`s lot with somebody — разделить чью-либо участь; lot — участь, судьба, компания). If you will wait outside, I shall be with you in five minutes (если вы подождете снаружи, я буду с вами через пять минут)."

mischief [`mIstSIf] recommend [rekq`mend] note [nqut]

 

"I have a cab outside."

"Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait outside, I shall be with you in five minutes."

 

It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes's requests (было трудно отказаться от любой из просьб Шерлока Холмса), for they were always so exceedingly definite (так как они всегда были /так/ исключительно точны), and put forward with such a quiet air of mastery (и выражены с таким властным видом; mastery — мастерство; власть, влияние). I felt, however, that when Whitney was once confined in the cab (я чувствовал, как бы то ни было, что когда Уитни будет усажен в кэб) my mission was practically accomplished (моя миссия будет практически выполнена); and for the rest (что касается остального), I could not wish anything better than to be associated with my friend (я не мог желать чего-либо лучшего, чем принять участие: «быть связанным» вместе с моим другом) in one of those singular adventures which were the normal condition of his existence (в одном из тех необычайных приключений, которые были нормальным состоянием его существования). In a few minutes I had written my note (вскоре я написал записку жене), paid Whitney's bill (заплатил по счету Уитни), led him out to the cab (усадил его в кэб: «вывел его наружу к кэбу»), and seen him driven through the darkness (и видел его = как он проехал в темноте: «был увезен через тьму»). In a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den (очень скоро дряхлая фигура вышла из опиумного притона), and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes (и я зашагал по улице с Шерлоком Холмсом). For two streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot (две улицы он проковылял с согнутой спиной и неуверенной походкой). Then, glancing quickly round (затем, быстро оглянувшись кругом), he straightened himself out and burst into a hearty fit of laughter (он выпрямил выпрямился и взорвался искренним смехом).

refuse [`refjHs] request [rI`kwest] decrepit [dI`krepIt] shuffled [SAfld]

 

It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes's requests, for they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was once confined in the cab my mission was practically accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and burst into a hearty fit of laughter.

 

"I suppose, Watson (полагаю, Ватсон)," said he, "that you imagine that I have added opium-smoking to cocaine injections (что вы вообразили, будто я добавил курение опия к инъекциям кокаина), and all the other little weaknesses on which you have favored me with your medical views (и ко всем остальным маленьким слабостям, по поводу которых вы были столь любезны высказать мне свои медицинские воззрения)."

injections [In`GekSNz] weaknesses [`wJknIsIz] favored [`feIvqd]

"I was certainly surprised to find you there (я был, конечно, удивлен найти вас там)."

"But not more so than I to find you (но не более, чем я — найти вас)."

"I came to find a friend (я пришел найти друга)."

"And I to find an enemy (а я — найти врага)."

"An enemy?"

 

"I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little weaknesses on which you have favored me with your medical views."

"I was certainly surprised to find you there."

"But not more so than I to find you."

"I came to find a friend."

"And I to find an enemy."

"An enemy?"

 

"Yes; one of my natural enemies (да, одного из моих кровных: «природных» врагов), or, shall I say, my natural prey (или, можно сказать, мою добычу). Briefly (короче говоря), Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable inquiry (я занят чрезвычайно любопытным расследованием; in the midst of — посреди), and I have hoped to find a clew in the incoherent ramblings of these sots (и я надеялся найти нить, факты = кое-что узнать из бессвязных разговорах этих курильщиков опия: «пьянчуг»), as I have done before now (как я делал это прежде). Had I been recognized in that den (будь я узнан в том притоне = если бы меня узнали) my life would not have been worth an hour's purchase (моя жизнь не стоила бы медяка; purchase — ценность, доход); for I have used it before now for my own purposes (так как я уже бывал там: «использовал это для своих собственных целей раньше»), and the rascally Lascar who runs it (и подлый Ласкар, хозяин притона; to run — владеть) has sworn to have vengeance upon me (поклялся отомстить мне). There is a trap-door at the back of that building (позади того здания есть лазейка), near the corner of Paul's Wharf (рядом с углом Верфи Св. Павла), which could tell some strange tales (которая могла бы рассказать несколько странных историй) of what has passed through it upon the moonless nights (о том, что проходило = что выбрасывали через нее в безлунные ночи)."

natural [`nxtSrql] incoherent [Inkqu`hIrqnt] purchase [`pE:tSIs]

 

"Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clew in the incoherent ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been recognized in that den my life would not have been worth an hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless nights."

 

"What! You do not mean bodies (вы имеете в виду тела = трупы)?"

"Aye (да), bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds for every poor devil (мы были бы богачами, если бы получали по 1000 фунтов за каждого несчастного: «бедного дьявола») who has been done to death in that den (который был доведен до смерти в этом притоне). It is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside (это самая коварная ловушка на всем берегу реки), and I fear that Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more (и я опасаюсь, что Невилл Сент-Клер вошел = попал в нее, чтобы никогда больше не вернуться). But our trap should be here (но наша ловушка будет здесь)." He put his two forefingers between his teeth (он сунул два указательных пальца между зубов = в рот) and whistled shrilly (и свистнул пронзительно), a signal which was answered by a similar whistle from the distance (сигнал, на который ответили похожим свистом издалека), followed shortly by the rattle of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs (с последовавшим = за которым последовал вскоре грохот колес и звон лошадиных копыт).

riverside [`rIvqsaId] whistled [wIsld] similar [`sImqlq]

 

"What! You do not mean bodies?"

"Aye, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his teeth and whistled shrilly, a signal which was answered by a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs.

 

"Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dogcart dashed up through the gloom (когда высокая двуколка /на большой/ скорости вынырнула из мрака), throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from its side lanterns (бросая два золотых туннеля = полосы желтого света из своих боковых фонарей). "You'll come with me, won't you (вы пойдете со мной, не так ли)?

"If I can be of use (если я могу быть полезен)."

"Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use (надежный товарищ всегда полезен); and a chronicler still more so (а летописец = документалист особенно). My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one (моя комната в «Кедрах» — двухкроватная)."

"The Cedars?"

 

"Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dogcart dashed up through the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?

"If I can be of use."

"Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one."

"The Cedars?"

 

"Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house (да, это дом мистера Сент-Клера). I am staying there while I conduct the inquiry (я живу там, пока веду расследование)."

"Where is it, then (где же это)?"

"Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us (впереди у нас семимильная поездка = нам нужно проехать семь миль)."

"But I am all in the dark (но я совершенно в темноте = ничего не понимаю)."

"Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently (вы узнаете все о этом вскоре). Jump up here (садитесь здесь). All right, John; we shall not need you (хорошо, Джон, вы нам /больше/ не нужны). Here's half a crown (вот полкроны). Look out for me tomorrow, about eleven (найдите меня завтра около одиннадцати). Give her her head (дайте ей ее уздечку = отпустите вожжи). So long, then (ну, до скорого)!"

 

" Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I conduct the inquiry."

"Where is it, then?"

"Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us."

"But I am all in the dark."

"Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a crown. Look out for me tomorrow, about eleven. Give her her head. So long, then!"

 

He flicked the horse with his whip (он стегнул лошадь кнутом), and we dashed away through the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets (и мы понеслись /вперед/ через = по бесконечному, непрерывному ряду темных пустынных улиц), which widened gradually (которые постепенно расширялись), until we were flying across a broad balustraded bridge (пока мы /не/ понеслись по широкому мосту с перилами), with the murky river flowing sluggishly beneath us (с мрачной рекой, вяло текущей под нами). Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and mortar (дальше /за мостом/ лежали еще такие же тусклые кирпичные дома; wilderness — пустыня, дикое место; brick — кирпич, mortar — цементный раствор), its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the policeman (чья тишина нарушалась лишь тяжелыми, размеренными шагами полицейских; to break — ломать, прерывать), or the songs and shouts of some belated party of revellers (или песнями и криками запоздалых /компаний/ гуляк). A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky (темные тучи медленно плыли по небу; wrack — остатки кораблекрушения), and a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the clouds (звезда или две мерцали тускло то тут, то там в разрывах между облаками). Holmes drove in silence (правил в молчании), with his head sunk upon his breast (опустив голову на грудь), and the air of a man who is lost in thought (и с видом человека, погруженного в размышления: «потерянного в мысли»), while I sat beside him (пока я сидел возле него), curious to learn what this new quest might be (любопытный узнать = стараясь отгадать, чем может быть этот поиск = это новое расследование) which seemed to tax his powers so sorely (которое, казалось, напрягло его силы так сильно), and yet afraid to break in upon the current of his thoughts (и все же /я/ боялся вломиться в направление его мыслей = не смея прервать его раздумья). We had driven several miles (мы проехали несколько миль), and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban villas (и уже начинали приближаться к краю пояса пригородных вилл), when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders (когда он очнулся: «встряхнул себя», передернул плечами), and lit up his pipe with the air of a man (и зажег трубку с видом человека) who has satisfied himself that he is acting for the best (который удовлетворил себя = убедился, что он действует самым лучшим образом»).

succession [sqk`seSn] deserted [dI`zE:tId] beneath [bI`nJT] sorely [`sLlI]

 

He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he is acting for the best.

 

"You have a grand gift of silence (великий дар молчания), Watson," said he. "It makes you quite invaluable as a companion (это делает вас совершенно бесценным в качестве товарища). 'Pon my word (честное слово: «на мое слово»), it is a great thing for me to have someone to talk to (это замечательная вещь для меня — иметь кого-то, чтобы поговорить с /ним/), for my own thoughts are not over-pleasant (так как мои собственные мысли не слишком радостные). I was wondering what I should say to this dear little woman tonight (я интересовался = не имею представления, что я скажу этой милой маленькой женщине сегодня вечером) when she meets me at the door (когда она встретит меня на пороге)."

silence [`saIlqns] invaluable [In`vxljubl] wondering [`wAndqrIN]

"You forget that I know nothing about it (вы забываете, что я ничего не знаю об этом /деле/)."

 

"You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear little woman tonight when she meets me at the door."

"You forget that I know nothing about it."

 

"I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before we get to Lee (у меня как раз будет время рассказать вам факты по этому делу, пока мы доберемся до Ли). It seems absurdly simple (это кажется до смешного простым), and yet, somehow I can get nothing to go upon (и, тем не менее, я могу достать ничего, чтобы продолжать = не знаю, как за него взяться). There's plenty of thread, no doubt (там = в деле полно нитей, без сомнения), but I can't get the end of it into my hand (но я не могу ухватиться за ее конец). Now, I'll state the case clearly and concisely to you (я изложу вам дело ясно и в сжатой форме), Watson, and maybe you can see a spark where all is dark to me (и, может быть, вы увидите искру /там/, где все темнота для меня = вам удастся понять что-то, чего не понял я)."

absurdly [qb`sE:dlI] thread [Tred] concisely [kqn`saIslI]

 

"I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a spark where all is dark to me."

 

"Proceed, then (продолжайте)."

"Some years ago (несколько лет назад) — to be definite, in May (точнее, в мае), 1884 — there came to Lee a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name (в Ли прибыл джентльмен, Невилл Сент-Клер по имени), who appeared to have plenty of money (у которого, казалось, было много денег). He took a large villa (снял виллу), laid out the grounds very nicely (разбил /вокруг нее/ прекрасные сады), and lived generally in good style (и жил, в общем, на широкую ногу: «в хорошем стиле»). By degrees he made friends in the neighborhood (постепенно он сделал друзей в соседстве = подружился с соседями), and in 1887 he married the daughter of a local brewer (женился на дочери местного пивовара), by whom he now has two children (от которой теперь имеет двух детей). He had no occupation (у него не было занятия, профессии), but was interested in several companies (но интересовался = принимал участие в нескольких предприятиях) and went into town as a rule in the morning (и отправлялся в город, как правило, утром), returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Street every night (возвращаясь с поездом на 5:14 с Кэннон-стрит каждый вечер). Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of age (мистеру Сент-Клеру теперь тридцать семь лет), is a man of temperate habits (человек умеренных привычек), a good husband (хороший муж), a very affectionate father (очень любящий отец), and a man who is popular with all who know him (и популярный = все, кто его знает, отзываются о нем хорошо). I may add that his whole debts at the present moment (могу добавить, что все его долги в настоящий момент), as far as we have been able to ascertain amount to 88 pounds l0s. (насколько мы смогли установить, доходят до 88 фунтов 10 шиллингов), while he has 220 pounds standing to his credit (тогда как у него 220 фунтов на /текущем/ счету) in the Capital and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore (нет основания, таким образом), to think that money troubles have been weighing upon his mind (думать, что финансовые проблемы тяготели над ним: «его разумом»).

neighborhood [`neIbqhud] brewer [`brHq] temperate [`temprIt] weighing [`weIIN]

 

"Proceed, then."

"Some years ago — to be definite, in May, 1884 — there came to Lee a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made friends in the neighborhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far as we have been able to ascertain amount to 88 pounds l0s., while he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money troubles have been weighing upon his mind.

 

"Last Monday (в прошлый понедельник) Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier than usual (довольно раньше обычного), remarking before he started that he had two important commissions to perform (заметив, прежде чем уйти, что у него два важных дела = наряда, /чтобы выполнить/), and that he would bring his little boy home a box of bricks (и что он принесет своему маленькому мальчику = сыну коробку с кубиками). Now, by the merest chance (по простому случаю = совершенно случайно), his wife received a telegram upon this same Monday (его жена получила телеграмму в то же понедельник), very shortly after his departure (очень скоро после его отъезда), to the effect that a small parcel of considerable value (с таким содержанием, что маленькая посылка большой ценности) which she had been expecting (которую она ждала) was waiting for her at the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company (дожидалась ее в Эбердинской пароходной компании). Now, if you are well up in your London (если вы хорошо знаете Лондон), you will know that the office of the company is in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane (котороя упирается в Аппер-Суондем-лейн; to branch out — отходить, распространяться), where you found me tonight (где вы нашли меня сегодня вечером). Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch (миссис Сент-Клер позавтракала), started for the City (отправилась в Сити), did some shopping (сделала кое-какие покупки), proceeded to the company's office (заехала в контору компании), got her packet (получила посылку), and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Swandam Lane on her way back to the station (и нашла себя идущей = обнаружила, что идет ровно в 4:35 по Суондем-лейн, на пути к вокзалу). Have you followed me so far (вы проследовали за мной так далеко = до сих пор вам все понятно)?"

perform [pq`fLm] merest [mIqst] parcel [pRsl] value [`vxljH]

 

"Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up in your London, you will know that the office of the company is in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where you found me tonight. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me so far?"

 

"It is very clear (это очень ясно)."

"If you remember (если помните), Monday was an exceedingly hot day (был чрезвычайно жарким днем), and Mrs. St. Clair walked slowly (шла медленно), glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab (поглядывая по сторонам в надежде увидеть кэб), as she did not like the neighborhood (так как ей не понравился район) in which she found herself (в котором она оказалась). While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane (пока она шла таким образом по Суондем-лейн), she suddenly heard an ejaculation or cry (внезапно услышала восклицание или крик), and was struck cold to see her husband looking down at her (и похолодела, увидев своего мужа, смотрящего на нее) and, as it seemed to her, beckoning to her from a second-floor window (и, как ей показалось, жестами манящего ее из окна второго этажа). The window was open (окно было открыто), and she distinctly saw his face (и она отчетливо видела его лицо), which she describes as being terribly agitated (которое она описывает как ужасно взволнованное). He waved his hands frantically to her (он неистово махал ей руками), and then vanished from the window so suddenly (и затем исчез из окна так внезапно) that it seemed to her that he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind (что ей показалось, будто он был отдернут назад какой-то непреодолимой силой). One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye (одна особая точка = деталь бросилась ее быстрому женскому глазу = привлекла ее взгляд) was that, although he wore some dark coat (что, хотя он носил темное пальто), such as he had started to town in (такое, в котором он отправился в город), he had on neither collar nor necktie (на нем нет ни воротничка, ни галстука).

ejaculation [IGxkju`leISn] agitated [`xGIteItId] frantically [`frxntIklI] necktie [`nektaI]

 

"It is very clear."

"If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, as she did not like the neighborhood in which she found herself. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town in, he had on neither collar nor necktie.

 

"Convinced that something was amiss with him (уверенная, что что-то неладное было с ним), she rushed down the steps (она сбежала вниз по ступенькам) — for the house was none other than the opium den (так как дом был не чем иным, как опиумным притоном) in which you found me tonight (в котором вы нашли меня сегодня вечером) — and running through the front room (пробежав через переднюю комнату) she attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor (она попыталась подняться по ступеням, которые вели на второй этаж). At the foot of the stairs (у лестницы: «основания лестницы), however (однако), she met this Lascar scoundrel (она встретила этого негодяя Ласкара) of whom I have spoken (о котором я говорил), who thrust her back (который толкнул ее обратно = оттолкнул ее) and, aided by a Dane (с помощью датчанина), who acts as assistant there (который действовал в качестве помощника), pushed her out into the street (вытолкал ее на улицу). Filled with the most maddening doubts and fears (наполненная сводящими с ума сомнениями и страхами = обезумев от страха), she rushed down the lane (побежала по улочке) and, by rare good-fortune (по необыкновенной удаче = к счастью), met (встретила) in Fresno Street a number of constables with an inspector (несколько констеблей с инспектором), all on their way to their beat (все на их пути обхода = во время обхода). The inspector and two men accompanied her back (сопроводили ее назад), and in spite of the continued resistance of the proprietor (несмотря на долгое сопротивление владельца), they made their way to the room (они прошли в помещение) in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen (мистер Сент-Клер был увиден в последний раз). There was no sign of him there (там не было никакого его признака = и следа не было). In fact (более того), in the whole of that floor there was no one to be found (во всем этаже не нашли никого; the whole of — все) save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect (кроме покалеченного бедняги = калеки отвратительной внешности), who, it seems, made his home there (сделал свой дом там = поселился там). Both he and the Lascar stoutly swore (оба: и он, и Ласкар — упорно клялись) that no one else (более никто) had been in the front room during the afternoon (не был в помещении в течение второй половины дня). So determined was their denial (так решительно было их отрицание) that the inspector was staggered (стал сомневаться), and had almost come to believe (и почти начал верить) that Mrs. St. Clair had been deluded (была введена в заблуждение = ошиблась) when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box (она бросилась к маленькому деревянному ящичку; deal — древесина, доска /обычно хвойная/) which lay upon the table (которая лежала на столе) and tore the lid from it (и сорвала крышку с него; to tear — рвать, срывать). Out there fell a cascade of children's bricks (оттуда выпал каскад = множество детских кубиков). It was the toy which he had promised to bring home (это была игрушка, которую он обещал привезти домой).

convinced [kqn`vInst] ascend [q`send] scoundrel [`skaundrql] constables [`kAnstqblz]

 

"Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the steps — for the house was none other than the opium den in which you found me tonight — and running through the front room she attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly swore that no one else had been in the front room during the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had promised to bring home.

 

"This discovery (находка), and the evident confusion which the cripple showed (и явное смущение, которое показал калека), made the inspector realize (убедили инспектора: «заставили осознать») that the matter was serious. The rooms were carefully examined (тщательно обысканы), and results all pointed to an abominable crime (и все результаты указывали на гнусное преступление). The front room was plainly furnished as a sitting-room (комната, выходящая окнами на улицу: «передняя комната» была обставлена просто, вроде гостиной) and led into a small bedroom (и вела в = рядом была небольшая спальня), which looked out upon the back of one of the wharves (окно которой выходит на задворки одной из верфей). Between the wharf and the bedroom window is a narrow strip (узкий канал), which is dry at low tide (который высыхает во время отлива: «сухой при отливе») but is covered at high tide (но покрыт = наполняется водой во время прилива) with at least four and a half feet of water (по крайней мере, на четыре с половиной фута). The bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below (было широким и открывалось снизу). On examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill (при осмотре были обнаружены следы крови на подоконнике), and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the bedroom (и несколько разбросанных = разбрызганных капель /крови/ были видимы = найдены на деревянном полу спальни). Thrust away behind a curtain (за шторой; to thrust away — отодвигать) in the front room were all the clothes (была вся одежда) of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of his coat (за исключением его пальто). His boots (ботинки), his socks (носки), his hat (шляпа), and his watch (часы) — all were there (все было там). There were no signs of violence (не было следов насилия) upon any of these garments (на всех этих предметах одежды), and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Clair (и не было других следов). Out of the window he must apparently have gone (через окно он, должно быть, ушел) for no other exit could be discovered (так как никакого другого выхода не было найдено), and the ominous bloodstains upon the sill (зловещие кровавые пятна на подоконнике) gave little promise that he could save himself by swimming (давали мало обещания, что он мог спасти себя с помощью плавания = плаванием), for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the tragedy (потому что прилив достиг наивысшего уровня в момент трагедии).

evident [`evIdqnt] abominable [q`bPmInqbl] wharf [wLf] ominous [`PmInqs]

 

"This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple showed, made the inspector realize that the matter was serious. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch — all were there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the tragedy.

 

"And now as to the villains (теперь обратимся к негодяям: «что касается негодяев») who seemed to be immediately implicated in the matter (которые, видимо: «казались», были непосредственно впутаны в это дело = имели к этому непосредственное отношение). The Lascar was known to be a man of the vilest antecedents (был известен как человек подлейшего прошлого; vile — низкий, гнусный), but as by Mrs. St. Clair's story (как следует из рассказа миссис Сент-Клер), he was known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few seconds of her husband's appearance at the window (был у подножия = внизу лестницы в течение нескольких секунд появления в окне ее мужа), he could hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime (он мог едва ли быть больше, чем соучастник = его можно считать лишь соучастником преступления). His defense was one of absolute ignorance (его защита была защитой абсолютного незнания = он все отрицал), and he protested that he had no knowledge (протестовал, что не знает: «не имеет знания») as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger (относительно занятий Хью Буна, его жильца), and that he could not account in any way for the presence of the missing gentleman's clothes (и что он не мог объяснить, в любом случае, присутствие = наличие одежды пропавшего джентльмена).

villains [`vIlqnz] antecedents [xntI`sJdnts] accessory [qk`sesqrI] lodger [`lPGq]

 

"And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the vilest antecedents, but as by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defense was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he could not account in any way for the presence of the missing gentleman's clothes.

 

"So much for the Lascar manager (это все, что касается хозяина-Ласкара). Now for the sinister cripple (теперь обратимся к зловещему калеке) who lives upon the second floor (который живет на третьем этаже) of the opium den, and who was certainly the last human being (и, безусловно, является последним человеком: «человеческим существом») whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Clair (который видел: «чья глаза останавливались на» Невилла Сент-Клера). His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which is familiar to every man who goes much to the City (его отвратительное лицо знакомо каждому, кто много ходит = часто бывает в Сити). He is a professional beggar (он профессиональный нищий), though in order to avoid the police regulations (впрочем, чтобы избежать = обойти полицейские правила) he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas (он притворяется, что продает восковые спички; trade — занятие; лавка). Some little distance down Threadneedle Street (недалеко по Трэднидл-стрит), upon the left-hand side (на левой стороне), there is, as you may have remarked (как вы могли заметить), a small angle in the wall (небольшой угол = ниша в стене). Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat (здесь это существо сидит днем: «занимает свое каждодневное место»), cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap (поджав ноги «по-турецки» с несколькими коробками спичек на коленях; stock — ассортимент), and as he is a piteous spectacle (так как он жалкое зрелище) a small rain of charity descends into the greasy leather cap (маленький дождь благотворительности = милостыни льется в его засаленную кожаную кепку) which lies upon the pavement beside him (что лежит на мостовой рядом с ним). I have watched the fellow more than once (я наблюдал за этим парнем не раз: «больше, чем однажды»), before ever I thought of making his professional acquaintance (не предполагая, что мне придется познакомиться с ним профессионально = встретиться как с преступником), and I have been surprised at the harvest (был удивлен жатве) which he has reaped in a short time (который он пожинал в короткое время). His appearance (внешность), you see, is so remarkable (столь примечательна) that no one can pass him without observing him (что никто не может пройти мимо без наблюдения его = не обратив на него внимания). A shock of orange hair (копна оранжевых = рыжих волос), a pale face disfigured by a horrible scar (бледное лицо, обезображенное ужасным шрамом), which, by its contraction (своим сужением = сужаясь), has turned up the outer edge of his upper lip (завернул внешний край верхней губы), a bulldog chin (бульдожий подбородок), and a pair of very penetrating dark eyes (и пара очень проницательных темных глаз), which present a singular contrast to the color of his hair (которые представляют необычный контраст с цветом его волос), all mark him out from amid the common crowd of mendicants (все это выделяет его из простой толпы попрошаек) and so, too, does his wit (и это же делает его остроумие), for he is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff (всегда готов с ответом на всякий кусок насмешки = на любое подшучивание) which may be thrown at him by the passers-by (которое может быть брошено = сказано ему прохожими). This is the man whom we now learn to have been the lodger at the opium den (о котором мы сейчас узнали, что он жилец в опиумном притоне), and to have been the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest (которого мы ищем)."

sinister [`sInIstq] beggar [`begq] creature [`krJtSq] charity [`tSxrItI] scar [skR] chaff [tSRf]

"But a cripple (но /ведь он/ калека)!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed against a man in the prime of life (что он мог сделать один: «однорукий» против человека в расцвете сил)?"

 

"So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I have watched the fellow more than once, before ever I thought of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular contrast to the color of his hair, all mark him out from amid the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest."

"But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed against a man in the prime of life?"<