The adventure of the blue carbuncle

(ПРИКЛЮЧЕНИЕ ГОЛУБОГО КАРБУНКУЛА)

 

I had called upon (посетил) my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas (на второе утро после Рождества), with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season (с намерением пожелания ему поздравлений времени года = чтобы поздравить его с праздником; compliments of the season — поздравительные приветствия (соответственно какому-либо празднику)). He was lounging upon the sofa (он сидел откинувшись на диване) in a purple dressing-gown (в багряном халате), a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right (подставка с трубками под рукой справа от него; reach — зона досягаемости, сфера), and a pile of crumpled morning papers (стопка скомканных утренних газет), evidently newly studied (очевидно, недавно изученных), near at hand (под рукой, рядом). Beside the couch (рядом с кушеткой) was a wooden chair (деревянный стул), and on the angle of the back (косо на спинке; on the angle — под углом) hung a very seedy and disreputable hard felt hat (висела сильно поношенная и недостойная /дискредитирующая/ фетровая шляпа; to hang — вешать, висеть), much the worse for wear (намного хуже, чтобы носить = висеть-то висела, а носить ее вообще было невозможно), and cracked in several places (продырявленная в нескольких местах). A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair (лупа и пинцет, лежавшие на сиденье стула) suggested (намекали) that the hat had been suspended (отложена) in this manner for the purpose of examination (таким образом, с целью изучения).

christmas [`krIsmqs] lounging [`launGIN] disreputable [dIs`repjutqbl] forceps [`fLsqps]

 

I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

 

"You are engaged (вы заняты)," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you (наверное, я мешаю вам: «прерываю вас»)."

"Not at all (вовсе нет). I am glad (рад) to have a friend with whom I can discuss my results (с которым могу обсудить свои результаты /исследований/). The matter is a perfectly trivial one (вещь — совершенно заурядная)" (he jerked his thumb (дернул = ткнул большим пальцем) in the direction (в направлении) of the old hat), "but there are points (пункты = события) in connection with it (в связи с ней) which are not entirely devoid of interest and even of instruction (которые не полностью лишены интереса и даже поучительности)."

trivial [`trIvIql] thumb [TAm] entirely [In`taIqlI]

 

"You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you."

"Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one" (he jerked his thumb in the direction of the old hat), "but there are points in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and even of instruction."

 

I seated myself (усадил себя = сел) in his armchair (кресло) and warmed my hands before his crackling fire (и погрел свои руки перед потрескивающим огнем), for a sharp frost had set in (так как сильный: «острый» мороз установился), and the windows were thick with the ice crystals (были густо покрыты кристаллами льда). "I suppose (полагаю)," I remarked (заметил), "that, homely as it looks (обыденная, как она выглядит = хотя она столь невзрачна, будучи столь обыденной), this thing has some deadly story linked on to it (эта вещь связана с какой-нибудь кровавой историей: «имеет какую-то смертельную историю, связанную с этим») — that it is the clew (ключ, зацепка) which will guide you in the solution of some mystery (приведет вас к решению какой-то тайны) and the punishment of some crime (и наказанию какого-то преступления = преступника)."

crystals [`krIstlz] guide [gaId] punishment [`pAnISmqnt]

 

I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to it — that it is the clew which will guide you in the solution of some mystery and the punishment of some crime."

 

"No, no. No crime (/здесь/ нет преступления)," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing (смеясь). "Only one of those whimsical little incidents (один из тех причудливых маленьких происшествий) which will happen (которые случатся) when you have four million human beings (четыре миллиона человеческих существ) all jostling each other within the space of a few square miles (толкающих друг друга на пространстве в несколько квадратных миль). Amid the action and reaction (посреди действия и противодействия) of so dense a swarm of humanity (такого концентрированного роя человечества = в человеческом улье), every possible combination of events may be expected to take place (каждая возможная комбинация событий может произойти: «быть ожидаема, что случится»), and many a little problem will be presented (множество мелких проблем, ситуаций проявится) which may be striking and bizarre without being criminal (которые могут быть поразительными и странными, не являясь криминальными). We have already had experience of such (мы уже имели опыт подобного = сталкивались с такими вещами)."

whimsical [`wImzIkl] square [skweq] swarm [swLm] bizarre [bI`zR]

"So much so (в общем-то, это так)," l remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have added to my notes (что из последних шести дел, которые я добавил к своим записям), three have been entirely free of any legal crime (три были совершенно свободны от каких-либо преступлений /по закону/)."

 

"No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have four million human beings all jostling each other within the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be presented which may be striking and bizarre without being criminal. We have already had experience of such."

"So much so," l remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any legal crime."

 

"Precisely (именно: «точно»). You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler papers (вы имеете в виду = намекаете на мои попытки вернуть /обратно/ бумаги Ирэн Адлер), to the singular case (на необычайное дело) of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the adventure of the man with the twisted lip (на приключение человека с рассеченной губой). Well, I have no doubt (не сомневаюсь) that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category (попадет в ту же безобидную категорию). You know Peterson, the commissionaire (вы знаете Петерсона, посыльного)?"

precisely [prI`saIslI] doubt [daut] innocent [`Inqsqnt] commissionaire [kqmISq`neq]

"Yes."

"It is to him that this trophy belongs (это ему этот трофей принадлежит)."

"It is his hat (это его шляпа)."

 

"Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?"

"Yes."

"It is to him that this trophy belongs."

"It is his hat."

 

"No, no, he found it (он нашел ее; to find). Its owner is unknown (владелец неизвестен). I beg (прошу) that you will look upon it not as a battered billycock (чтобы вы посмотрели на нее не как на помятый котелок) but as an intellectual problem (а как на умственную задачу). And, first (во-первых), as to how it came here (как она попала сюда). It arrived (появилась; to arrive — прибывать, приезжать) upon Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose (в компании с хорошим жирным гусем), which is, I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fire (жарится в этот момент перед = на огне Петерсона). The facts are these (факты таковы): about four o'clock (около четырех часов утра) on Christmas morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow (очень честный = добропорядочный парень), was returning (возвращался) from some small jollification (празднества) and was making his way homeward (делал свой путь = шел к дому) down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw (впереди себя он увидел), in the gaslight (в газовом свете = свете газового фонаря), a tallish man (довольно высокого человека), walking with a slight stagger (идущего с легким шатанием), and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder (несущего белого гуся, висящего через плечо; to sling — подвесить). As he reached the corner of Goodge Street (когда он достиг угла Гудж-стрит), a row broke out between this stranger and a little knot of roughs (драка завязалась между этим незнакомцем и небольшой группой хулиганов). One of the latter (один из последних) knocked off the man's hat (сбил шляпу с господина), on which he raised his stick to defend himself (на что он поднял палку, чтобы защитить себя) and, swinging it over his head (размахивая ею над головой), smashed the shop window (разбил магазинное окно = витрину) behind him. Peterson had rushed forward to protect (бросился вперед /чтобы/ защитить) the stranger from his assailants (неизвестного от его противников); but the man, shocked at having broken the window (шокированный тем, что разбил окно), and seeing an official-looking person in uniform (видя официально выглядящее лицо в форме) rushing towards him (устремившись к нему), dropped his goose (бросил гуся), took to his heels (помчался со всех ног = наутек; heels — пятки), and vanished amid the labyrinth of small streets (исчез в лабиринте маленьких улиц) which lie at the back (позади) of Tottenham Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Peterson (хулиганы также убежали при появлении Петерсона), so that he was left in possession of the field of battle (был оставлен во владении полем битвы), and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose (и также добычи /победы/ в виде этой помятой шляпы и самого безупречного = превосходного рождественского гуся; to impeach — выдвигать обвинения)."

goose [gHs] honest [`PnIst] roughs [rAfs] assailant [q`seIlqnt] labyrinth [`lxbqrInT]

 

"No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was returning from some small jollification and was making his way homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose."

 

"Which surely he restored to their owner (которых, конечно, он вернул их владельцу)?"

"My dear fellow (мой дорогой; fellow — товарищ), there lies the problem (там лежит проблема = в этом-то и загвоздка). It is true (это правда) that 'For Mrs. Henry Baker (для миссис Генри Бейкер)' was printed upon a small card (было написано на маленькой карточке) which was tied to the bird's left leg (которая была привязана к левой лапке птицы), and it is also true that the initials (инициалы) 'H. B.' are legible (разборчивы: «читаемы») upon the lining of this hat (на подкладке этой шляпы), but as there are some thousands of Bakers (тысячи Бейкеров), and some hundreds (сотни) of Henry Bakers in this city of ours (в нашем городе), it is not easy to restore lost property (это не просто — вернуть потерянную собственность) to any one of them (одному из них)."

initials [I`nISqlz] legible [`leGqbl] property [`prPpqtI]

 

"Which surely he restored to their owner?"

"My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any one of them."

 

"What, then, did Peterson do?"

"He brought round (доставил; to bring — приносить) both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me (даже мельчайшие проблемы = загадки интересны мне). The goose we retained until this morning (сохраняли: «удержали» до утра), when there were signs that (были знаки того = стало ясно, что), in spite of the slight frost (несмотря на легкий мороз), it would be well (следовало бы: «было бы хорошо») that it should be eaten (съеден) without unnecessary delay (без ненужной задержки). Its finder has carried it off (нашедший его унес его), therefore (поэтому), to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose (чтобы исполнить последнее/окончательное предназначение гуся), while I continue to retain (в то время как я продолжаю удерживать /у себя/) the hat of the unknown gentleman (неизвестного господина) who lost his Christmas dinner (который потерял свой рождественский обед)."

slight [slaIt] unnecessary [An`nesqsqrI] destiny [`destInI] continue [kan`tInjH]

"Did he not advertise (он не давал объявления в газету)?"

 

"What, then, did Peterson do?"

"He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who lost his Christmas dinner."

"Did he not advertise?"

 

"No."

"Then, what clew could you have as to his identity (какая зацепка есть у вас касательно его личности = как вы узнаете, кто он)?"

"Only as much as we can deduce (только столько, сколько мы сможем умозаключить = путем дедуктивного метода)."

"From his hat («/исходя/ из этой шляпы»)?"

"Precisely (вот именно)."

 

"No."

"Then, what clew could you have as to his identity?"

"Only as much as we can deduce."

"From his hat?"

"Precisely."

 

"But you are joking (вы шутите). What can you gather (заключить, вывести) from this old battered felt?"

"Here is my lens (лупа). You know my methods. What can you gather yourself as to the individuality of the man (относительно индивидуальности человека) who has worn this article (который носил эту вещь; to wear — носить, надевать)?"

I took the tattered object (рваную вещь) in my hands and turned it over rather ruefully (перевернул = повертел в руках довольно уныло). It was a very ordinary black hat (самая обыкновенная черная шляпа) of the usual round shape (обычной круглой формы), hard and much the worse for wear (жесткая и сильно поношенная: «ставшая намного хуже из-за ношения, носки»). The lining had been of red silk (подкладка была красного шелка), but was a good deal discolored (значительно выцветшая). There was no maker's name (не было имени изготовителя); but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were scrawled upon one side (были небрежно написаны на одной стороне). It was pierced in the brim for a hat-securer (была проколота на полях для придерживавшей шляпу резинки; to secure — страховать; прикреплять), but the elastic was missing (но резинка отсутствовала). For the rest (что до остального), it was cracked (рваная; crack — трещина, щель), exceedingly dusty (чрезвычайно пыльная; to exceed — превышать; переступать пределы), and spotted (покрытая пятнами; spot — пятно) in several places (в нескольких местах), although (хотя) there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the discolored patches (казалось, были попытки скрыть, спрятать обесцвеченные пятна) by smearing them with ink (замазав их чернилами).

ruefully [`rHfulI] discolored [dIs`kAlqd] although [Ll`Dqu] smearing [`smIqrIN]

 

"But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered felt?"

"Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this article?"

I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of red silk, but was a good deal discolored. There was no maker's name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the discolored patches by smearing them with ink.

 

"I can see nothing (могу видеть ничего = ничего не вижу)," said I, handing it back (возвращая обратно) to my friend.

"On the contrary (напротив), Watson, you can see everything (вы можете видеть все). You fail (не можете; to fail — потерпеть неудачу), however (однако), to reason from what you see (поразмыслить, исходя из того, что видите). You are too timid in drawing your inferences (слишком робки в вычерчивании ваших умозаключений = в своих логических выводах)."

"Then, pray tell me (прошу вас, расскажите мне) what it is that you can infer (заключить) from this hat?"

 

"I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend.

"On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in drawing your inferences."

"Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?"

 

He picked it up (поднял) and gazed (пристально поглядел) at it in the peculiar introspective fashion which was characteristic of him (в особой проницательной манере, которая была свойственна ему). "It is perhaps less suggestive than it might have been (меньше информативна, чем могла бы быть)," he remarked, "and yet (и все же) there are a few inferences (несколько выводов) which are very distinct (ясные), and a few others (несколько других) which represent at least a strong balance of probability (которые представляют, по крайней мере, сильный вес = долю вероятности). That the man was highly intellectual (что человек был большого ума: «весьма интеллигентным») is of course obvious (очевидно) upon the face of it (по ее внешнему виду), and also that he was fairly well-to-do (был довольно зажиточным) within the last three years (в последние три года), although he has now fallen upon evil days («упал на злые дни» = переживает не лучшие времена). He had foresight (имел предусмотрительность), but has less now than formerly (но имеет меньше теперь, чем прежде), pointing to a moral retrogression (что указывает на моральный упадок), which, when taken with the decline of his fortunes (когда берется = совпадает с ухудшением достатка), seems to indicate some evil influence (похоже, показывает на какое-то пагубное влияние = он пристрастился к какому-то пороку), probably drink (возможно, к пьянству), at work upon him (за работой над ним = властвует над ним). This may account also for the obvious fact (может являться причиной того очевидного факта) that his wife has ceased to love him (его жена перестала любить его)."

introspective [Intrq`spektIv] suggestive [sq`GestIv] probability [prPbq`bIlItI] ceased [sJst]

 

He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that his wife has ceased to love him."

 

"My dear Holmes!"

"He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect (он, однако, сохранил некоторую степень самоуважения)," he continued (продолжил), disregarding my remonstrance (не обращая внимания на мое возражение/выражение протеста). "He is a man who leads a sedentary life (ведет сидячий образ жизни), goes out little (выходит /из дома/ мало), is out of training entirely (вне тренировки совершенно = совсем не занимается спортом), is middle-aged (средних лет), has grizzled hair (седые волосы) which he has had cut within the last few days (постриг в течение последних нескольких дней), and which he anoints with lime-cream (мажет помадой; lime-cream — известковое молоко). These are the more patent facts (вот наиболее очевидные факты) which are to be deduced from his hat (которые можно вывести = установить). Also (также), by the way (кстати), that it is extremely improbable (крайне маловероятно) that he has gas laid on in his house (подведенный в = к его дому)."

remonstrance [rI`mPnstrqns] patent [`peItnt] improbable [Im`prPbqbl]

 

" My dear Holmes!"

"He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid on in his house."

 

"You are certainly joking (вы, конечно, шутите), Holmes."

"Not in the least (нисколько). Is it possible that even now (возможно ли = неужели даже теперь), when I give you these results (результаты, данные), you are unable to see (не в силах: «неспособны» увидеть) how they are attained (достигнуты)?"

"I have no doubt that I am very stupid (у меня нет сомнений, что я очень туп), but I must confess (должен признаться) that I am unable to follow you (не способен следовать за вами = уследить за ходом ваших мыслей). For example (например), how did you deduce that this man was intellectual (умен)?"

For answer (для ответа = вместо ответа) Holmes clapped the hat upon his head (нахлобучил шляпу на свою голову). It came right over the forehead (закрыла прямо полностью лоб; over — поверх) and settled upon the bridge of his nose (разместилась на его переносице: «мосте его носа»). "It is a question of cubic capacity (вопрос объема, кубатуры)," said he; "a man with so large a brain (с таким большим мозгом, головой) must have something in it (должен иметь что-то в ней)."

forehead [`fPrId] bridge [briG] capacity [kq`pxsItI] brain [breIn]

 

"You are certainly joking, Holmes."

"Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?"

"I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that this man was intellectual?"

For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a brain must have something in it."

 

"The decline of his fortunes (ухудшение его состояния, достатка), then?"

"This hat is three years old (этой шляпе три года). These flat brims curled at the edge (эти плоские поля, загнутые по краям) came in then (вошли в моду тогда). It is a hat of the very best quality (самого лучшего качества). Look at the band of ribbed silk (на полоску рифленого шелка) and the excellent lining (и превосходную подкладку). If this man could afford to buy (если этот человек мог позволить себе купить) so expensive a hat three years ago (такую дорогую шляпу три года назад), and has had no hat since (не имел шляпы с тех пор), then he has assuredly gone down in the world (значит, он несомненно утратил прежнее положение /в обществе/; to assure — уверять; гарантировать)."

edge [eG] quality [`kwPlItI] afford [q`fLd] assuredly [q`SuqrIdlI]

"Well, that is clear enough (ясно достаточно), certainly. But how about the foresight and the moral retrogression (как насчет предвидения и моральной деградации)?"

 

"The decline of his fortunes, then?"

"This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world."

"Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the foresight and the moral retrogression?"

 

Sherlock Holmes laughed (засмеялся). "Here is the foresight," said he putting his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer (ставя свой палец на маленький диск и петлю шляподержателя = резинки для шляпы). "They are never sold upon hats (они никогда не продаются вместе со шляпами; to sell). If this man ordered one (заказал), it is a sign of a certain amount of foresight (знак несомненной дозы = степени предвидения), since (так как) he went out of his way (он побеспокоился) to take this precaution against the wind (принять эту предосторожность против ветра). But since we see that he has broken the elastic (но поскольку мы видим, что он разорвал резинку; to break — ломать) and has not troubled to replace it (и не побеспокоился заменить ее), it is obvious (это очевидно) that he has less foresight now than formerly (меньше предвидения сейчас, чем раньше), which is a distinct proof (четкое доказательство) of a weakening nature (слабеющего характера; weak — слабый; to weaken — слабеть). On the other hand (с другой стороны), he has endeavored to conceal (попытался скрыть) some of these stains upon the felt (пятен на фетре) by daubing them with ink (замазыванием их чернилами), which is a sign (что является знаком) that he has not entirely lost his self-respect (что он не полностью потерял самоуважение)."

"Your reasoning is certainly plausible (ваше рассуждение, несомненно, правдоподобно)."

precaution [prI`kLSn] weakening [`wJkqnIN] daubing [`dLbIN] plausible [`plLzqbl]

 

Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other hand, he has endeavored to conceal some of these stains upon the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not entirely lost his self-respect."

"Your reasoning is certainly plausible."

 

"The further points (дальнейшие моменты), that he is middle-aged, that his hair is grizzled, that it has been recently (недавно) cut, and that he uses lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination (собраны из тщательного осмотра) of the lower part of the lining (нижней части подкладки). The lens discloses (лупа обнаруживает) a large number of hair-ends (большое количество волосяных остатков = волос), clean cut by the scissors of the barber (чисто срезанных ножницами цирюльника). They all appear to be adhesive (они все кажутся липкими/клейкими), and there is a distinct odour of lime-cream (четкий запах помады). This dust (пыль), you will observe (заметьте), is not the gritty, gray dust of the street (не песочная, серая пуль улицы; grit — песок, гравий) but the fluffy brown dust of the house (но пушистая бурая пыль дома), showing (показывающая) that it has been hung up indoors most of the time (висела внутри /дома/ большую часть времени), while the marks of moisture upon the inside (в то время как следы влажности на внутренней стороне) are proof positive (неопровержимо подтверждают) that the wearer perspired very freely (владелец потел очень обильно), and could therefore (мог поэтому), hardly be in the best of training (едва ли быть в лучшей форме = отвык от движения)."

disclose [dIs`klquz] scissors [`sIzqz] adhesive [qd`hJsIv] moisture [`mOIstSq]

 

"The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, gray dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the best of training."

 

"But his wife (жена) — you said that she had ceased to love him (прекратила любить его)."

"This hat has not been brushed for weeks (не чистилась недели). When I see you, my dear Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat (с недельным накоплением пыли на вашей шляпе), and when your wife allows you (позволяет вам) to go out in such a state (выходить в таком виде), I shall fear (я испугался = стал бы опасаться) that you also have been unfortunate enough (были неудачливы достаточно) to lose your wife's affection (/чтобы/ потерять расположение вашей жены)."

accumulation [qkjHmju`leISn] affection [q`fekSn]

"But he might be a bachelor (но он может быть холостяком)."

 

"But his wife — you said that she had ceased to love him."

"This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's affection."

"But he might be a bachelor."

 

"Nay (нет), he was bringing home (нес домой) the goose as a peace-offering to his wife (как искупительную жертву своей жене; peace — мир; to offer — предлагать; приносить /жертву/). Remember the card (вспомните карточку) upon the bird's leg (на ножке птицы)."

"You have an answer to everything (у вас есть ответ на все = на все готов ответ). But how on earth (как, скажите на милость; on earth — используется для усиления: «на земле») do you deduce that the gas is not laid on in his house (не проведен к его дому = в доме нет газа)?"

 

"Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg."

"You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that the gas is not laid on in his house?"

 

"One tallow stain (сальное пятно), or even two (или даже два), might come by chance (могли появиться случайно); but when I see no less than five (не меньше, чем пять), I think that there can be little doubt (мало сомнения = могу не сомневаться) that the individual (личность) must be brought into frequent contact (должна быть введена в частый контакт = часто приходилось иметь дело; to bring — приносить, приводить) with burning tallow (с горящей сальной свечой) — walks upstairs at night (идет вверх по лестнице ночью) probably (возможно) with his hat in one hand (со шляпой в одной руке) and a guttering candle in the other (и с оплывающей свечой — в другой). Anyhow (во всяком случае), he never got (никогда не получил бы) tallow stains from a gas jet (от газовой горелки). Are you satisfied (вы удовлетворены = убеждены)?"

tallow [`txlqu] frequent [`frJkwqnt] satisfied [`sxtIsfaId]

 

"One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with burning tallow — walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never got tallow stains from a gas jet. Are you satisfied?"

 

"Well, it is very ingenious (очень остроумно: «изобретательно»)," said I, laughing (смеясь); "but since (с тех пор), as you said just now (прямо сейчас), there has been no crime committed (не было преступления совершено), and no harm done (и не было вреда причинено) save the loss of a goose (кроме потери гуся), all this seems to be rather a waste of energy (все это кажется скорее тратой энергии = пустой тратой сил)."

ingenious [In`GJnIqs] waste [weIst] energy [`enqGI]

Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply (открыл рот, чтобы ответить), when the door flew open (когда дверь распахнулась), and Peterson, the commissionaire (посыльный), rushed into the apartment (влетел в комнату) with flushed cheeks (с пылающими щеками) and the face of a man who is dazed with astonishment (который потрясен от изумления = ошеломлен).

reply [rI`plaI] apartment [q`pRtmqnt] dazed [deIzd]

"The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped (он /сказал/, задыхаясь).

 

"Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a waste of energy."

Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with astonishment.

"The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped.

 

"Eh? What of it (что с ним), then? Has it returned to life (вернулся к жизни) and flapped off through the kitchen window (и вылетел через кухонное окно; to flap — хлопать, шлепать; махать крыльями)?" Holmes twisted himself round (повернул себя кругом = повернулся) upon the sofa to get a fairer view (чтобы получить более благоприятный вид = удобнее рассмотреть) of the man's excited face (возбужденное лицо человека).

fairer [`feqrq] view [vjH] excited [Ik`saItId]

"See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop (что моя жена нашла в его зобу)!" He held out (протянул) his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm (показал в центре ладони) a brilliantly scintillating blue stone (ярко сверкающий голубой камень), rather smaller than a bean in size (немного меньше, чем боб /в размере/), but of such purity and radiance (но такой чистоты и сияния) that it twinkled like an electric point (что мерцал, словно электрическая точка = искра) in the dark hollow of his hand (в темной впадине его руки).

palm [pRm] scintillating [`sIntIleItIN] purity [`pjurItI] radiance [`reIdIqns]

Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle (сел со свистом = присвистнув). "By Jove (ей-Богу: «клянусь Юпитером»), Peterson!" said he, "this is treasure-trove (клад, сокровище; trove — найденный клад) indeed (действительно). I suppose you know what you have got (полагаю, вы знаете, что у вас /есть/ = что это такое)?"

whistle [wIsl] treasure-trove [`treZqtrquv]

 

"Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face.

"See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric point in the dark hollow of his hand.

Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said he, "this is treasure-trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have got?"

 

"A diamond (бриллиант), sir? A precious stone (драгоценный камень). It cuts into glass as though it were putty (он врезается в стекло, как если бы это была /оконная/ замазка, шпаклевка)."

"It's more than a precious stone (это больше, чем драгоценный камень). It is the precious stone (это тот самый драгоценный камень)."

"Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle (неужели голубой карбункул графини Моркар)!" I ejaculated (воскликнул).

diamond [`daIqmqnd] precious [`preSqs] carbuncle [`kRbANkl]

"Precisely so (совершенно верно). I ought to know its size and shape (мне следовало бы знать = я знаю его размер и форму), seeing that I have read the advertisement (объявление) about it in The Times every day lately (каждый день в последнее время). It is absolutely unique (он абсолютно уникален = единственный в своем роде), and its value can only be conjectured (ценность может быть только предположена), but the reward offered (награда предложена) of 1000 pounds is certainly not within a twentieth part of the market price (определенно не составляет /и/ двадцатой части его рыночной стоимости)."

unique [jH`nJk] conjectured [kqn`GektSqd] reward [rI`wLd]

 

"A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it were putty."

"It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone."

"Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated.

"Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly not within a twentieth part of the market price."

 

"A thousand pounds (тысяча фунтов)! Great Lord of mercy (Боже милосердный; mercy — милость)!" The commissionaire plumped down into a chair (посыльный бухнулся в кресло) and stared from one to the other of us (и таращил глаза то на одного из нас, то на другого).

"That is the reward, and I have reason to know (есть причина полагать) that there are sentimental considerations in the background (сентиментальные соображения на заднем плане = есть кое-какой подтекст) which would induce the Countess (которые заставляют графиню) to part with half her fortune (расстаться с половиной своего богатства) if she could but recover the gem (если бы она могла только вернуть драгоценный камень)."

background [`bxkgraund] induce [In`djHs] Countess [`kauntIs] gem [Gem]

"It was lost (он пропал), if I remember aright (если я помню правильно), at the Hotel Cosmopolitan (в гостинице «Космополитен»)," I remarked.

 

"A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us.

"That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but recover the gem."

"It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I remarked.

 

"Precisely so (именно так), on the 22nd of December (22 декабря), just five days ago (ровно пять дней назад). John Horner, a plumber (паяльщик), was accused (был обвинен) of having abstracted it (в краже его; to abstract — отнимать, извлекать) from the lady's jewel-case (из шкатулки для ювелирных изделий). The evidence against him was so strong (улики против него так сильны = серьезны) that the case has been referred to the Assizes (дело передано в суд ассизов /выездной сессии суда присяжных — созывались в каждом графстве не меньше трех раз в год; дела слушались судьями Высокого суда правосудия/). I have some account (отчет, статья) of the matter here, I believe (думаю)." He rummaged amid his newspapers (рылся среди газет), glancing over the dates (просматривая даты), until at last he smoothed one out (пока, наконец, он вытащил одну), doubled it over (сложил ее вдвое), and read the following paragraph (прочитал следующую заметку):

abstracted [qb`strxktId] jewel [`GHql] evidence [`evIdqns] account [q`kaunt]

 

"Precisely so, on the 22nd of December, just five days ago. John Horner, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph:

 

"Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery (кража драгоценностей). John Horner, 26, plumber (паяльщик), was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst. (был привлечен к суду по обвинению в /том, что/ 22 /числа/ сего месяца; inst. = instant — текущий), abstracted from the jewel-case (украл: «извлек» из шкатулки для драгоценностей) of the Countess of Morcar the valuable gem (драгоценный камень) known as (известный как) the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, upper-attendant (старший: «верхний» слуга) at the hotel, gave his evidence (дал показание = показал) to the effect that (/в том смысле/, что) he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room (провел Хорнера в туалетную комнату /гардеробную/) of the Countess of Morcar upon the day of the robbery (в день кражи) in order that he might solder the second bar of the grate (для того, чтобы он = где тот мог припаивать второй прут /каминной/ решетки), which was loose (расшатан). He had remained (оставался) with Horner some little time (некоторое время), but had finally been called away (был, в конце концов, отозван). On returning (по возвращении), he found that Horner had disappeared (исчез), that the bureau had been forced open (бюро было взломано), and that the small morocco casket (сафьяновая шкатулка) in which, as it afterwards transpired (как впоследствии обнаружилось; to transpire — испаряться; просачиваться; обнаруживаться), the Countess was accustomed to keep her jewel (имела обыкновение хранить свои драгоценности), was lying empty (лежал пустой) upon the dressing-table (на туалетном столике). Ryder instantly gave the alarm (сразу же забил: «дал» тревогу), and Horner was arrested the same evening (в тот же вечер); but the stone (камень) could not be found either upon his person or in his rooms (не мог быть найден ни при его персоне = при нем, ни в его комнатах). Catherine Cusack, maid to the Countess (горничная графини), deposed (показала /под присягой/) to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay (крик ужаса) on discovering the robbery (обнаружив кражу), and to having rushed into the room (вбежала в комнату), where she found matters as described by the last witness (где она обнаружила то положение вещей, что описал последний очевидец). Inspector Bradstreet, B Division (из отдела, округа «Б»), gave evidence (дал показания) as to the arrest of Horner (относительно ареста Хорнера), who struggled frantically (сопротивлялся неистово), and protested his innocence in the strongest terms (заявлял /о/ своей невиновности в сильнейших терминах = горячо). Evidence of a previous conviction for robbery having been given against the prisoner (поскольку свидетельство о прежней судимости за ограбление был дано против заключенного = так как он и раньше судился за кражу; evidence — ясность, очевидность; доказательство, подтверждение; улика; свидетельское показание), the magistrate (судья) refused to deal summarily with the offence (отказался вести в упрощенном порядке дело об этом преступлении; summarily — суммарно, кратко; в порядке суммарного, упрощенного производства), but referred it to the Assizes (передал его на рассмотрение суда присяжных). Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion (выказал признаки сильного волнения) during the proceedings (во время заседания), fainted away at the conclusion (потерял сознание при решении /присяжных/) and was carried out of court (был вынесен из /зала/ суда).

evidence [`evIdqns] loose [lHs] bureau [`bjurqu] dismay [dIs`meI] magistrate [`mxGIstrIt]

 

"Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, where she found matters as described by the last witness. Inspector Bradstreet, B Division, gave evidence as to the arrest of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was carried out of court.

 

"Hum! So much for the police-court (вот все, что касается полицейского суда)," said Holmes thoughtfully (задумчиво), tossing aside the paper (отбрасывая газету). "The question for us now to solve (вопрос для нас теперь чтобы решить = наша задача) is the sequence of events (ход: «последовательность» событий) leading from a rifled jewel-case (ведущих от резной шкатулки для драгоценностей) at one end (с одного конца = стороны) to the crop of a goose (до зоба гуся) in Tottenham Court Road at the other (на другой). You see, Watson, our little deductions (размышления) have suddenly assumed (оказались: «приняли») a much more important (намного более важный) and less innocent aspect (и менее невинный вид). Here is the stone; the stone came from the goose (камень появился из гуся), and the goose came from Mr. Henry Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other characteristics (и со всеми другими характеристиками) with which I have bored you (которыми я надоедал вам). So now we must set ourselves very seriously to finding (должны серьезно заняться розысками; to set — начать, приступить) this gentleman and ascertaining (установить) what part he has played in this little mystery (какую роль он сыграл в этой маленькой загадке). To do this (чтобы проделать это), we must try the simplest means first (мы должны испробовать простейшие средства сначала), and these lie undoubtedly in an advertisement (они лежат, несомненно, в /подаче/ объявления) in all the evening papers (во все вечерние газеты). If this fail (если это не сработает), I shall have recourse (обратится за помощью) to other methods."

thoughtfully [`TLtfqlI] sequence [`sJkwqns] rifled [`raIfld] undoubtedly [An`dautIdlI]