Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been galvanized.

 

"What!" he roared (взревел).

"Yes, today." She stood smiling (стояла, улыбаясь), holding up a little slip of paper in the air (держа маленький листок бумаги в воздухе).

"May I see it (можно взглянуть)?"

"Certainly (конечно)."

He snatched it from her in his eagerness (выхватил его у нее в своем рвении = нетерпеливо), and smoothing it out upon the table (разглаживая на столе) he drew over the lamp (придвинул лампу; to draw over) and examined it intently (пристально). I had left my chair (оставил = поднялся из кресла) and was gazing at it over his shoulder (и /пристально/ смотрел на письмо через его плечо). The envelope was a very coarse one (конверт был очень грубым) and was stamped with the Gravesend postmark (был проштампован штемпелем Гревзенда) and with the date of that very day (и с датой того самого дня), or rather of the day before (или, вернее, вчерашнего), for it was considerably after midnight (так как это было значительно после полуночи).

smoothing [`smHDIN] envelope [`qnvqlqup] coarse [kLs] considerably [kqn`sIdrqblI]

 

"What!" he roared.

"Yes, today." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of paper in the air.

"May I see it?"

"Certainly."

He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day before, for it was considerably after midnight.

 

"Coarse writing (грубый почерк)," murmured Holmes (пробормотал Холмс). "Surely this is not your husband's writing (конечно, это не почерк вашего мужа), madam."

"No, but the enclosure is (но вложенное /в конверт/, содержимое — его почерк)."

"I perceive also (я думаю также; to perceive — чувствовать, понимать) that whoever addressed the envelope (что кто бы ни отправил = надписал конверт) had to go and inquire as to the address (должен был пойти и узнать /ваш/ адрес)."

"How can you tell that (как вы это определили)?"

 

"Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your husband's writing, madam."

"No, but the enclosure is."

"I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go and inquire as to the address."

"How can you tell that?"

 

"The name (имя), you see, is in perfectly black ink (/написано/ совершенно черными чернилами), which has dried itself (которые высохли сами: «высушили сами себя»). The rest is of the grayish color (остальное — сероватого цвета), which shows that blotting-paper has been used (что показывает, что промокательная бумага была использована). If it had been written straight off (если бы это было написано сразу), and then blotted (и затем промокнуто), none would be of a deep black shade (никакие /слова/ были бы глубокого черного оттенка = все слова были бы одного цвета). This man has written the name (написал имя), and there has then been a pause (пауза) before he wrote the address, which can only mean (что может значить только) that he was not familiar with it (что он не был знаком с ним). It is, of course, a trifle (пустяк), but there is nothing so important as trifles (но нет ничего, что было бы столь важно, как пустяки). Let us now see the letter (давайте теперь посмотрим на письмо). Ha! there has been an enclosure here (здесь было вложение, приложение)!"

grayish [`greIS] pause [pLz] familiar [fq`mIlIq] trifle [traIfl] enclosure [In`klquZq]

 

"The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried itself. The rest is of the grayish color, which shows that blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! there has been an enclosure here!"

 

"Yes, there was a ring (кольцо). His signet-ring (его кольцо с печаткой)."

"And you are sure (уверены) that this is your husband's hand (рука = почерк)?"

"One of his hands (один из его почерков)."

"One?"

"His hand when he wrote hurriedly (почерк, когда он пишет торопливо). It is very unlike his usual writing (очень непохоже на его обычный почерк), and yet I know it well (знаю хорошо)."

 

"Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring."

"And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?"

"One of his hands."

"One?"

"His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual writing, and yet I know it well."

 

"'Dearest do not be frightened (дорогая, не волнуйся: «не будь напугана»). All will come well (все кончится хорошо). There is a huge error (огромная ошибка) which it may take some little time to rectify (которая может потребовать некоторое время для исправления). Wait in patience (жди в терпении = терпеливо). Neville.' Written in pencil (карандашом) upon the flyleaf of a book (на форзаце книги), octavo size (восьмая часть листа размером), no watermark (без водяных знаков). Hum (гм)! Posted today (отправлено сегодня) in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb (человеком с грязным большим пальцем). Ha! And the flap has been gummed (и клапан /конверта/ был покрыт клеем), if I am not very much in error (если я не слишком в ошибке = ошибаюсь), by a person who had been chewing tobacco (человеком, который жевал табак). And you have no doubt (вы убеждены = не имеете сомнения) that it is your husband's hand (что это почерк вашего мужа), madam?"

frightened [fraItnd] huge [hjHG] error [`erq] patience [peISns] thumb [TAm]

"None (никакого /сомнения/). Neville wrote those words (написал те слова)."

 

"'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Wait in patience. Neville.' Written in pencil upon the flyleaf of a book, octavo size, no watermark. Hum! Posted today in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's hand, madam?"

"None. Neville wrote those words."

 

"And they were posted today at Gravesend (были отправлены сегодня из Гревзенда). Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the clouds lighten (тучи светлеют = рассеиваются), though I should not venture to say that the danger is over (хотя я не рискую сказать, что опасность закончилась)."

"But he must be alive (он должен быть жив = должно быть, он жив), Mr. Holmes."

"Unless this is a clever forgery (если только это не ловкая подделка) to put us on the wrong scent (чтобы послать нас по ложному следу). The ring, after all (кольцо, в конце концов), proves nothing (ничего не доказывает). It may have been taken from him (оно могло быть отобрано у него)."

forgery [`fLGqrI] scent [sent]

"No, no; it is, it is his very own writing (это его, его собственный почерк)!"

"Very well (отлично). It may, however, have been written on Monday (могло быть, однако, написано в понедельник) and only posted today (а послано только сегодня)."

 

"And they were posted today at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the danger is over."

"But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes."

"Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from him. '

"No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!"

"Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only posted today."

 

"That is possible (это возможно)."

"If so, much may have happened between (многое могло случиться между /этими датами/)."

"Oh, you must not discourage me (вы не должны приводить меня в уныние), Mr. Holmes. I know that all is well with him (что все хорошо с ним). There is so keen a sympathy between us (между нами такое сильное «взаимочувствие») that I should know if evil came upon him (что я узнаю, если несчастье случится с ним). On the very day that I saw him last (в тот самый день, когда я видела его в последний /раз/) he cut himself in the bedroom (он порезался в спальне), and yet I in the dining-room (в столовой) rushed upstairs instantly (бросилась наверх сразу же) with the utmost certainty that something had happened (с величайшей уверенностью, что что-то случилось). Do you think that I would respond to such a trifle (ответила бы = отреагировала бы на такой пустяк) and yet be ignorant of his death (и все же не знала бы о его смерти)?"

discourage [dIs`kArIG] utmost [`Atmqust] death [deT]

 

"That is possible."

"If so, much may have happened between."

"Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?"

 

"I have seen too much (я видел слишком много) not to know that the impression of a woman may be more valuable (чтобы не знать, что ощущение = чутье женщины может быть более ценным) than the conclusion of an analytical reasoner (чем заключение аналитического мыслителя). And in this letter you certainly have a very strong piece of evidence (очень сильное доказательство) to corroborate your view (чтобы подтвердить, подкрепить ваш взгляд = мнение). But if your husband is alive (жив) and able to write letters (способен писать письма), why should he remain away from you (почему он оставается вдали от вас = отчего он не с вами)?"

valuable [`vxljuqbl] conclusion [kqn`klHZn] evidence [`evIdqns]

 

"I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away from you?"

 

"I cannot imagine (не могу представить). It is unthinkable (это немыслимо)."

"And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you (он не сделал никаких замечаний перед оставлением вас = отбытием)?"

"No."

"And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane (и вы были удивлены увидеть его на Суондем-лейн)?"

"Very much so (очень сильно так = именно)."

"Was the window open (открыто)?"

 

"I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable."

"And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?"

"No."

"And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?"

"Very much so."

"Was the window open?"

 

"Yes."

"Then he might have called to you (он мог окликнуть вас)?"

"He might (он мог)."

"He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry (он только, как я понимаю, издал бессвязный крик)?"

"Yes."

 

"Yes."

"Then he might have called to you?"

"He might."

"He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?"

"Yes."

 

"A call for help (зов о помощи), you thought?"

"Yes. He waved his hands (он махал руками)."

"But it might have been a cry of surprise (но это могло быть криком удивления). Astonishment at the unexpected sight of you (изумление от внезапного вида вас) might cause him to throw up his hands (могло заставить его вскинуть руки)?"

astonishment [q`stPnISmqnt] unexpected [AnIks`pqktId] cause [kLz]

"It is possible (возможно)."

 

"A call for help, you thought?"

"Yes. He waved his hands."

"But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?"

"It is possible."

 

"And you thought he was pulled back (что его оттащили)?"

"He disappeared so suddenly (он исчез так неожиданно)."

"He might have leaped back (он мог отпрыгнуть назад = возможно, отпрыгнул назад). You did not see anyone in the room else (вы не видели кого-нибудь еще в помещении)?"

"No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there (но этот ужасный человек признался, что был там), and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs (стоял внизу, у лестницы)."

"Quite so (совершенно верно). Your husband, as far as you could see (насколько вы могли видеть), had his ordinary clothes on (имел свою обычную одежду надетой)?"

"But without his collar or tie (но без воротничка и галстука). I distinctly saw his bare throat (я отчетливо видела его голое горло)."

 

"And you thought he was pulled back?"

"He disappeared so suddenly."

"He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the room?"

"No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs."

"Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his ordinary clothes on?"

"But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare throat."

 

"Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane (говорил ли он когда-либо о Суондем-лейн)?"

"Never (никогда)."

"Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium (показывал ли какие-либо признаки употребления опия)?"

"Never."

"Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points (это главные пункты) about which I wished to be absolutely clear (в отношении которых я хотел бы абсолютной ясности). We shall now have a little supper (небольшой ужин) and then retire (отдохнуть), for we may have a very busy day tomorrow (можем иметь очень занятой день завтра)."

principal [`prInsIpl] clear [klIq] retire [rI`taIq] busy [`bIzI]

 

"Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?"

"Never."

"Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?"

"Never."

"Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day tomorrow."

 

A large and comfortable double-bedded room (большая и комфортабельная двухкроватная комната) had been placed at our disposal (помещена = передана в наше распоряжение), and I was quickly between the sheets (я был быстро между простынями = сразу улегся), for I was weary (был усталым) after my night of adventure (после ночи приключений). Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind (когда имел неразрешенную проблему на уме), would go for days, and even for a week, without rest (мог дни напролет, и даже целую неделю, обходиться без отдыха), turning it over (обдумывая ее), rearranging his facts (перестраивая факты), looking at it from every point of view (с каждой точки зрения) until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself (либо «исследовал /до конца/» — разрешал ее, либо убеждался; to fathom — измерять глубину; исследовать, разузнавать; fathom — морская сажень) that his data were insufficient (что данные были недостаточными). It was soon evident to me (вскоре для меня стало очевидно) that he was now preparing for an all-night sitting (готовился к просидеть всю ночь). He took off his coat and waistcoat (снял пиджак и жилет), put on a large blue dressing-gown (надел просторный синий халат), and then wandered about the room (бродил по комнате) collecting pillows from his bed (собирая подушки с кровати) and cushions from the sofa and armchairs (и диванные подушки с дивана и кресел). With these he constructed a sort of Eastern divan (соорудил что-то вроде восточного дивана), upon which he perched himself cross-legged (уселся/взгромоздился поджав ноги; perch — жердочка, насест /для птиц/), with an ounce of shag tobacco (с унцией табаку) and a box of matches laid out in front of him (и коробкой спичек, положенными перед ним). In the dim light of the lamp (в тусклом свете лампы) I saw him sitting there, an old briar pipe between his lips (старая вересковая трубка между его губ), his eyes fixed vacantly upon the corner of the ceiling (его глаза уставились бессмысленно в угол потолка), the blue smoke curling up from him (голубой дым клубится: «скручивается» над ним), silent (тихим), motionless (неподвижным), with the light shining upon his strong-set aquiline features (со светом, освещающим резкоочерченные орлиные черты /его лица/; strong — сильный, насыщенный; to set — определять, устанавливать). So he sat as I dropped off to sleep (так он сидел, когда я заснул), and so he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up (когда внезапное восклицание заставило меня проснуться), and I found the summer sun (летнее солнце) shining into the apartment (светившее в комнату). The pipe was still (по-прежнему) between his lips, the smoke still curled upward (вился кверху), and the room was full of a dense tobacco haze (была полна густого табачного тумана), but nothing remained of the heap of shag (ничто не осталось от кучи табаку, махорки) which I had seen upon the previous night (которую я видел прошлой ночью).

rearranging [rJq`reInGIN] fathomed [`fxDqmd] cushions [`kuSnz] aquiline [`xkwIlaIn]

 

A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of shag which I had seen upon the previous night.

 

"Awake (проснулись), Watson?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Game for a morning drive (готовы к утренней поездке)?"

"Certainly (конечно)."

"Then dress (одевайтесь). No one is stirring yet (никто не движется еще = все спят), but I know where the stable-boy sleeps (где конюх спит), and we shall soon have the trap out (двуколку /снаружи/)." He chuckled to himself as he spoke (усмехнулся себе, когда он сказал = при этих словах), his eyes twinkled (сверкнули), and he seemed a different man to the sombre thinker (казался другим человеком к = непохожим на мрачного мыслителя) of the previous night (прошлой ночи).

stirring [`stE:rIN] chuckled [tSAkld] sombre [`sPmbq] previous [`prJvIqs]

As I dressed I glanced at my watch (взглянул на часы). It was no wonder (не удивительно) that no one was stirring (что никто не шевелился). It was twenty-five minutes past four (двадцать пять минут после четырех = двадцать пять минут пятого). I had hardly finished (едва закончил /одеваться) when Holmes returned with the news (вернулся с новостью) that the boy was putting in the horse (закладывал лошадь).

four [fL] news [njHz]

 

"Awake, Watson?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Game for a morning drive?"

"Certainly."

"Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night.

As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was putting in the horse.

 

"I want to test a little theory of mine (проверить небольшую свою теорию)," said he, pulling on his boots (надевая ботинки). "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe (стоите в присутствии одного из самых полных дураков в Европе). I deserve to be kicked from here to Charing Cross (я заслуживаю того, чтобы мне дали /такого/ пинка, /чтобы я улетел/ отсюда до Черинг Кросса). But I think I have the key of the affair now (ключ к этому делу теперь)."

boots [bHts] absolute [`xbsqlHt] Europe [`juqrqp] deserve [dI`zE:v]

"And where is it (где он)?" I asked, smiling (улыбаясь).

"In the bathroom (в ванной)," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking (я не шучу)," he continued (он продолжил), seeing my look of incredulity (видя мой взгляд недоверия). "I have just been there, and I have taken it out (вынес = взял его), and I have got it in this Gladstone bag (в этом кожаном саквояже). Come on, my boy (поедем, мой мальчик = друг), and we shall see whether it will not fit the lock (увидим, подойдет ли он к замку)."

bathroom [`bRTrum] joking [`GqukIN] incredulity [InkrI`djHlItI]

 

"I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the key of the affair now."

"And where is it?" I asked, smiling.

"In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will not fit the lock."

 

We made our way downstairs (спустились) as quietly as possible (так тихо, как /только/ возможно), and out into the bright morning sunshine (и вышли на яркий утренний солнечный свет = на залитую солнцем улицу). In the road stood our horse and trap (на дороге стояли наши лошадь и экипаж), with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head (с полуодетым конюхом, ждущим в голове = держащим под уздцы лошадь). We both sprang in (оба вскочили), and away we dashed (и помчались) down the London Road. A few country carts were stirring (несколько деревенских телег двигались), bearing in vegetables to the metropolis (везущие овощи в столицу), but the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless (границы = окрестности вилл по обе стороны были такими тихими и безжизненными) as some city in a dream (как какой-то город в сновидении).

sunshine [`sAnSaIn] vegetables [`veGItqblz] metropolis [mI`trPpqlIs]

 

We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as some city in a dream.

 

"It has been in some points a singular case (в некоторых точках/моментах = отношениях необычайное дело)," said Holmes, flicking the horse on into a gallop (пуская лошадь галопом; to flick — слегка ударить, стегнуть). "I confess (признаюсь) that I have been as blind as a mole (был слепым, как крот), but it is better to learn wisdom late than never to learn it at all (но лучше поумнеть: «научиться мудрости» поздно, чем никогда /не поумнеть/ вообще)."

singular [`sINgjulq] blind [blaInd] wisdom [`wIzdqm]

In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily from their windows (в городе самые рано вставшие/встающие только начинали выглядывать сонно из окон; to rise — вставать, подниматься) as we drove through the streets of the Surrey side. Passing down (миновав) the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the river (пересекли реку), and dashing up (проехав на большой скорости) Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the right (свернули резко направо) and found ourselves (очутились) in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well known to the force (был хорошо известен полиции; force — сила; вооруженная группа людей), and the two constables at the door saluted him (два констебля у двери отдали ему честь). One of them held the horse's head (взял лошадь под уздцы) while the other led us in (другой повел нас внутрь).

riser [`raIzq] river [`rIvq] wheeled [wJld]

 

"It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than never to learn it at all."

In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in.

 

"Who is on duty (кто на дежурстве = дежурный)?" asked Holmes.

"Inspector Bradstreet, sir."

"Ah, Bradstreet, how are you (как поживаете)?" A tall, stout official (высокий, полный сотрудник) had come down the stone-flagged passage (пришел из вымощенного камнем коридора), in a peaked cap and frogged jacket (в форменной фуражке и зеленом пиджаке). "I wish to have a quiet word with you (хочу поговорить c вами: «иметь спокойное слово»), Bradstreet." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here (зайдите в мою комнату)." It was a small, office-like room (похожая на контору комната), with a huge ledger upon the table (с огромной книгой для записей на столе), and a telephone projecting from the wall (висящем на стене; to project — выступать, нависать). The inspector sat down at his desk (сел за стол).

official [q`fISl] passage [`pxsIG] ledger [`leGq]

 

"Who is on duty?" asked Holmes.

"Inspector Bradstreet, sir."

"Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his desk.

 

"What can I do for you (что я могу сделать для вас), Mr. Holmes?"

"I called about that beggarman, Boone (я спрашивал о том нищем, Буне) — the one who was charged with being concerned in the disappearance (который обвинен в том, что имел дело с = замешан в /деле/ исчезновения) of Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lee."

"Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries (он был арестован и привезен сюда для доследования = допроса; to remand — отсылать обратно на доследовани е)."

"So I heard (так я слышал = знаю). You have him here?"

 

"What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?"

"I called about that beggarman, Boone — the one who was charged with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lee."

"Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries."

"So I heard. You have him here?"

 

"In the cells (в камере)."

"Is he quiet (он тихий = не буянит)?"

"Oh, he gives no trouble (не доставляет хлопот). But he is a dirty scoundrel (грязный негодяй)."

"Dirty?"

"Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands (все, что мы могли сделать — так это заставить его вымыть руки), and his face is as black as a tinker's (его лицо такое же черное, как у медника). Well, when once his case has been settled (когда его дело /будет/ завершено), he will have a regular prison bath (он примет обычную тюремную ванну); and I think, if you saw him (если бы вы видели его), you would agree with me that he needed it (вы согласились бы со мной, что он нуждается в ней)."

tinker [`tINkq] regular [`regjulq] prison [prIzn]

"I should like to see him very much (я очень хотел бы увидеть его)."

 

"In the cells."

"Is he quiet?"

"Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel."

"Dirty?"

"Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it."

"I should like to see him very much."

 

"Would you (хотите)? That is easily done (это легко сделано = нетрудно устроить). Come this way (идите сюда). You can leave your bag (можете оставить свою сумку)."

"No, I think that I'll take it (возьму)."

"Very good. Come this way, if you please (будьте добры)." He led us down a passage, opened a barred door (дощатую дверь), passed down a winding stair (спустился по винтовой лестнице), and brought us to a whitewashed corridor (привел нас в побеленный коридор) with a line of doors on each side (с рядом дверей на каждой стороне).

barred [bRd] winding [`waIndIN] whitewashed [`waItwPSt]

"The third on the right is his (третья справа — его /камера/)," said the inspector. "Here it is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door (тихо отодвинул дощечку в верхней части двери) and glanced through (заглянул /в отверстие/).

 

"Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave your bag."

"No, I think that I'll take it."

"Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each side.

"The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and glanced through.

 

"He is asleep (спит)," said he. "You can see him very well."

We both put our eyes to the grating (мы оба приникли к решетке). The prisoner lay with his face towards us (заключенный лежал /с/ лицом к нам), in a very deep sleep (в очень глубоком сне), breathing slowly and heavily (дыша медленно и тяжело). He was a middle-sized man (среднего размера = роста мужчина), coarsely clad as became his calling (грубо одет, как подобает его профессии), with a colored shirt (с цветной рубашкой) protruding through the rent in his tattered coat (торчащей через дыры его порванного пиджака). He was, as the inspector had said, extremely dirty (чрезвычайно грязный), but the grime which covered his face (но глубоко въевшаяся грязь, которая покрывала его лицо) could not conceal its repulsive ugliness (не могла скрыть отталкивающего безобразия). A broad wheal from an old scar (широкий старый шрам; wheal — волдырь) ran right across it from eye to chin (шел от глаза к подбородку), and by its contraction (по этому уплотнению) had turned up one side of the upper lip (поднимал вверх одну сторону верхней губы), so that three teeth were exposed in a perpetual snarl (так, что три зуба были выставлены в бесконечном рычании = торчали постоянным оскалом). A shock (клок) of very bright red hair grew low over his eyes and forehead (падал на глаза и лоб; to grow over — зарастать).

grating [`greItIN] breathing [`brJDIN] coarsely [`kLslI] grime [graIm] repulsive [rI`pAlsIv]

"He's a beauty, isn't he (он красавец, не правда ли)?" said the inspector.

 

"He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well."

We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his calling, with a colored shirt protruding through the rent in his tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over his eyes and forehead.

"He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector.

 

"He certainly needs a wash (он определенно нуждается в мытье)," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that he might (он мог бы /помыться/), and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me (взял на себя волю принесения = принес инструменты /для этого/ с собой)." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out (вытащил), to my astonishment (к моему удивлению), a very large bath-sponge (очень большую губку).

liberty [`lIbqtI] sponge [spAnG]

"He! he! You are a funny one (вы шутник)," chuckled the inspector (хихикнул инспектор).

"Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door (если вы соблаговолите открыть дверь) very quietly (очень тихо), we will soon make him cut a much more respectable figure (быстро придадим ему намного более респектабельный вид)."

 

"He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my astonishment, a very large bath-sponge.

"He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector.

"Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable figure."

 

"Well, I don't know why not (не знаю, почему нет = согласен)," said the inspector. "He doesn't look a credit to the Bow Street cells (он не делает чести /своим видом/ тюрьме на Боу-стрит; credit — хорошая репутация, честь), does he?" He slipped his key into the lock (сунул ключ в замок), and we all very quietly entered the cell (вошли в камеру). The sleeper half turned (спящий повернулся наполовину = шевельнулся), and then settled down once more into a deep slumber (затем снова погрузился в глубокий сон; to settle down — осесть, поселиться). Holmes stooped to the water jug (наклонился к кувшину для воды), moistened his sponge (смочил губку), and then rubbed it twice vigorously (потер ей дважды энергично) across and down the prisoner's face.

credit [`kredIt] key [kJ] slumber [`slAmbq] sponge [spAnG] vigorously [`vIgqrqslI]

"Let me introduce you (позвольте мне представить вас)," he shouted (крикнул), "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lee, in the county of Kent (мистеру Невиллу Сент-Клеру из Ли, в графстве Кент)."

 

"Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep slumber. Holmes stooped to the water jug, moistened his sponge, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the prisoner's face.

"Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lee, in the county of Kent."

 

Never in my life have I seen such a sight (никогда в жизни не видел я такого зрелища). The man's face peeled off under the sponge like the bark from a tree (лицо снялось под /действием/ губки, как кора с дерева; peel — кожица, корка; to peel — снимать кожицу, кору). Gone was the coarse brown tint (исчез грубый коричневый оттенок = загар)! Gone, too, the horrid scar (исчез также ужасный шрам) which had seamed it across (бороздил /все лицо/; seam — шов), and the twisted lip (разрезанная: «скрученная, изогнутая» губа) which had given the repulsive sneer to the face (которая придавала отталкивающую ухмылку лицу)! A twitch brought away the tangled red hair (резкое движение /Холмса/ убрало спутанные рыжие волосы), and there, sitting up in his bed (сидя в кровати), was a pale (бледный), sad-faced (печальный), refined-looking man (утонченно выглядящий человек), black-haired and smooth-skinned (черноволосый и нежнокожий), rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment (потирающий глаза и глядящий вокруг себя с сонным недоумением). Then suddenly realizing the exposure (внезапно осознав «выставление на вид» = что его выставили на вид, раскрыли), he broke into a scream (вскрикнул) and threw himself down with his face to the pillow (и зарылся головой в подушку).

sneer [snIq] tangled [txNgld] bewilderment [bI`wIldqmqnt] exposure [Ik`spquZq]

 

Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, the horrid scar which had seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Then suddenly realizing the exposure, he broke into a scream and threw himself down with his face to the pillow.

 

"Great heavens (о Господи)!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing man (пропавший человек). I know him from the photograph (я узнаю его благодаря фотографии)."

The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man (повернулся с безнадежным видом человека; reckless — бездумный; безразличный) who abandons himself to his destiny (который предает себя своей судьбе = не противится судьбе). "Be it so (будь что будет)," said he. "And pray what am I charged with (пожалуйста /объясните/, в чем я обвиняюсь)?"

abandon [q`bendqn] destiny [`destInI] charged [tSRGd]

"With making away with Mr. Neville St. (в убийстве мистера Невилла Сент—…). Oh, come (ну), you can't be charged with that (вы не можете быть обвинены в этом) unless they make a case of attempted suicide of it (если только они заведут дело о попытке самоубийства)," said the inspector with a grin (с усмешкой). "Well, I have been twenty-seven years in the force (я двадцать семь лет /служу/ в полиции), but this really takes the cake (действительно занимает первое место: «берет пирог» = ничего подобного не видел)."

suicide [`sHIsaId] cake [keIk]

 

"Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing man. I know him from the photograph."

The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I charged with?"

"With making away with Mr. Neville St.— Oh, come, you can't be charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake."

 

"If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious (очевидно) that no crime has been committed (что никакого преступления не было совершено), and that, therefore (следовательно), I am illegally detained (незаконно задержан)."

obvious [`PbvIqs] therefore [`DeqfL] detained [dI`teInd]

"No crime, but a very great error (очень большая ошибка) has been committed," said Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted you wife (вы сделали бы лучше, если = зря вы не доверились вашей жене)."

"It was not the wife (это была не жена = дело не в жене); it was the children," groaned the prisoner (простонал заключенный). "God help me (да поможет мне Бог), I would not have them ashamed of their father (я не хотел /бы/, чтобы они стыдились своего отца). My God! What an exposure (какой позор)! What can I do?"

 

"If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally detained."

"No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted you wife."

"It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My God! What an exposure! What can I do?"

 

Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch (сел рядом с ним на койку) and patted him kindly on the shoulder (похлопал его ласково по плечу).

"If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up (если вы оставите /это/ суду /общей юрисдикции/ разбираться в этом деле)," said he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity (едва ли избежите огласки). On the other hand (с другой стороны), if you convince the police authorities (если вы убедите полицейские органы) that there is no possible case against you (что нет возможного дела против вас = нет никакой вины), I do not know that there is any reason (я не знаю, какое есть основание) that the details should find their way into the papers (чтобы подробности найшли путь в газеты = то газеты ничего не узнают). Inspector Bradstreet would, I am sure (уверен), make notes upon anything which you might tell us (сделает записи = запишет все, что вы можете рассказать нам) and submit it to the proper authorities (и предоставить это надлежащим властям). The case would then never go into court at all (дело тогда никогда не попадет в суд вообще)."

court [kLt] publicity [pA`blIsItI] authorities [L`TPrItIz] proper [`prPpq]