For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy brought a tinge of color into his cheeks, and he sat staring with frightened eyes at his accuser.

 

"I have almost every link in my hands (я имею почти каждое звено в моих руках = знаю почти все), and all the proofs (доказательства) which I could possibly need (в которых я мог бы, возможно, нуждаться), so there is little (немного) which you need tell me (что вам нужно мне рассказать). Still (однако), that little may as well be cleared up to make the case complete (может также быть прояснено, чтобы сделать дело завершенным). You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Countess of Morcar's?"

"It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a crackling voice (дрожащим: «хрустящим» голосом).

 

"I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Countess of Morcar's?"

"It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a crackling voice.

 

"I see (понимаю). Her ladyship's waiting-maid (горничная леди). Well, the temptation of sudden wealth (искушение внезапного богатства) so easily acquired (так быстро достигнутого) was too much for you (было слишком /сильным/ для вас), as it has been for better men before you (как это было с более хорошими = достойными людьми до вас); but you were not very scrupulous in the means (не слишком разборчивыми в средствах) you used (которые вы использовали). It seems to me (мне кажется), Ryder, that there is the making of a very pretty villain in you (что в вас есть задатки очень неплохого негодяя). You knew that this man Horner, the plumber (паяльщик), had been concerned (был затронут = уличен) in some such matter before (в подобном деле ранее), and that suspicion (подозрение) would rest the more readily upon him (остановилось = пало бы более легко/ быстро на него). What did you do, then? You made some small job (небольшую работу) in my lady's room — you and your confederate Cusack (вы и ваша сообщница Кьюсэк) — and you managed (сделали так) that he should be the man sent for (что послали именно за ним). Then, when he had left (когда ушел), you rifled the jewel-case (ограбили шкатулку = украли камень; to rifle — обыскивать с целью грабежа), raised the alarm (подняли тревогу), and had this unfortunate man arrested (и имели этого несчастного человека арестованным = сделали так, чтобы его арестовали). You then (затем) —"

temptation [temp`teISn] scrupulous [`skrHpjulqs] villain [`vIlqn] confederate [kqn`fedqrIt]

 

"I see. Her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's room — you and your confederate Cusack — and you managed that he should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man arrested. You then — "

 

Ryder threw himself down (бросил себя вниз = сполз) suddenly upon the rug (на ковер) and clutched at my companion's knees (стиснул колени моего товарища). "For God's sake (ради Бога), have mercy (помилуйте: «имеете милосердие»)!" he shrieked (завопил). "Think of my father (подумайте о моем отце)! of my mother (матери)! It would break their hearts (это разбило бы их сердца). I never went wrong before (я никогда не вставал на ложный путь раньше)! I never will again (никогда не буду снова). I swear it (клянусь в этом). I'll swear it on a Bible (поклянусь в этом на Библии). Oh, don't bring it into court (не представляйте это = не доводите до суда)! For Christ's sake (ради Христа), don't!"

mercy [`mE:sI] shrieked [SrJkt] Christ [kraIst]

"Get back into your chair (возвращайтесь в ваше кресло)!" said Holmes sternly (сурово). "It is very well to cringe and crawl now (хорошо вам сейчас пресмыкаться и ползать), but you thought little enough of this poor Horner (но вы довольно мало думали о бедном Хорнере) in the dock for a crime (на скамье подсудимых за преступление) of which he knew nothing (о котором он ничего не знал)."

"I will fly (я исчезну: «убегу»), Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country (покину страну), sir. Then the charge against him will break down (тогда обвинение против него разрушится = отпадет)."

 

Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Think of my father! of my mother! It would break their hearts. I never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's sake, don't!"

"Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing."

"I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the charge against him will break down."

 

"Hum! We will talk about that (/еще/ потолкуем об этом). And now let us hear a true account of the next act (позвольте нам услышать = давайте послушаем правдивый отчет о следующем действии). How came the stone into the goose (как попал камень в гуся), and how came the goose into the open market (на свободный рынок)? Tell us the truth (говорите нам правду), for there lies your only hope of safety (так как там = в ней лежит ваша единственная надежда безопасности = путь к спасению)."

true [trH] truth [trHT] safety [`seIftI]

 

"Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies your only hope of safety."

 

Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips (провел своим языком по пересохшим губам). "I will tell you it just as it happened (прямо как это произошло), sir," said he. "When Horner had been arrested, it seemed to me (мне показалось) that it would be best for me to get away with the stone at once (удрать с камнем сразу же), for I did not know at what moment (в какой момент) the police might not take it into their heads (может не вбить в свои головы = когда полиции придет в голову) to search (обыскать) me and my room. There was no place about the hotel (не было места рядом в гостинице) where it would be safe (в безопасности). I went out (вышел), as if on some commission (как если на комиссии = по служебному делу), and I made for my sister's house (устремился к дому моей сестры). She had married a man (вышла замуж за человека) named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Road, where she fattened fowls for the market (где откармливала домашнюю птицу для рынка). All the way there (всю дорогу туда) every man I met seemed to me (казался мне) to be a policeman or a detective; and, for all that it was a cold night (хотя это был холодный вечер), the sweat was pouring down my face (пот лился, стекал вниз по моему лицу) before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me what was the matter (что было /за/ дело = что случилось), and why I was so pale (бледный); but I told her that I had been upset (был расстроен) by the jewel robbery (кражей драгоценностей) at the hotel. Then I went into the back yard (на задний дворик) and smoked a pipe (закурил трубку) and wondered (раздумывал; to wonder — желать знать, интересоваться) what it would be best to do (что было бы лучше сделать).

tongue [tAN] parched [pRtSt] pouring [`pLrIN] yard [jRd]

 

Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would be best to do.

 

"I had a friend once (у меня был друг однажды) called Maudsley, who went to the bad (сбился с пути истинного), and has just been serving his time (отбывал свое время = срок) in Pentonville. One day (как-то раз: «в один день») he had met me, and fell into talk (заговорил) about the ways of thieves (о путях воров), and how they could get rid of what they stole (как они могут избавиться от /того/ что они украли). I knew that he would be true to me (знал, что он был бы верен мне = не выдаст меня), for I knew one or two things about him (так как я знал одну или две вещи о нем = знал за ним кое-какие грехи); so I made up my mind to go right on to Kilburn (потому решил отправиться прямо к Килбурну), where he lived (где он жил), and take him into my confidence (доверить ему мою тайну). He would show (показал бы) me how to turn the stone into money (как превратить камень в деньги). But how to get to him in safety (как добраться до него в безопасности)? I thought of the agonies (об муках, терзаниях) I had gone through (через которые прошел = которые пережил) in coming from the hotel (выходя из гостиницы). I might at any moment be seized and searched (я мог быть в любое мгновение схвачен и обыскан), and there would be the stone in my waistcoat pocket (в кармане жилетки). I was leaning against the wall (опирался о стену) at the time and looking at the geese which were waddling about round my feet (ходили вперевалку вокруг моих ног), and suddenly an idea came into my head (внезапно идея пришла в мою голову) which showed me how I could beat the best detective that ever lived (как я могу побить = провести лучшего детектива, который когда-либо жил).

thieves [TJvz] seized [sJzd] waddling [`wPdlIN]

 

"I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the best detective that ever lived.

 

"My sister had told me some weeks before (сказала мне несколькими неделями ранее) that I might have the pick of her geese (могу иметь, получить отборнейшего из ее гусей; to pick — снимать плоды; выискивать, отбирать) for a Christmas present (в качестве рождественского подарка), and I knew that she was always as good as her word (что она всегда держит слово: «так же хороша, как ее слово»). I would take my goose now, and in it I would carry (перенести) my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed (небольшой сарай) in the yard, and behind this (за него) I drove one of the birds (загнал одну из птиц) — a fine big one, white, with a barred tail (с полосатым хвостом). I caught it (поймал его), and prying its bill open (вскрывая ее клюв), I thrust the stone down its throat (засунул камень в ее глотку) as far as my finger could reach (так далеко, как мой палец мог достичь). The bird gave a gulp (сделала большой глоток), and I felt the stone pass along its gullet (почувствовал /как/ камень проходит вдоль его пищевода) and down into its crop (в зоб). But the creature flapped and struggled (создание хлопало крыльями и отбивалась), and out came (вышла) my sister to know what was the matter (узнать, в чем дело). As I turned to speak to her (начал говорить с ней) the brute broke loose (животное вырвалось) and fluttered off among the others (и смешалось среди = с остальными; to flutter — перепархивать, махать).

gulp [gAlp] gullet [`gAlIt] creature [`krJtSq] brute [brHt]

 

"My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds — a fine big one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and fluttered off among the others.

 

"'Whatever were you doing with that bird (что ты делал с той птицей; whatever = все что, что бы ни), Jem?' says she.

"'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I was feeling (ощупывал) which was the fattest (самый жирный).'

"'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you (мы выбрали, отобрали твоего /гуся/ отдельно для тебя). Jem's bird, we call it (птица Джема, /как/ мы ее называем). It's the big white one over yonder (вон там). There's twenty-six of them (там = всего двадцать шесть их = гусей), which makes (что предполагает) one for you, and one for us, and two dozen (две дюжины) for the market.'

yonder [`jPndq] dozen [dAzn]

 

"'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she.

"'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I was feeling which was the fattest.'

"'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you-Jem's bird, we call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen for the market.'

 

"'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you (если это все равно для тебя, тебе), I'd rather have (я бы взял) that one I was handling (держал в руках) just now (как раз сейчас).'

"'The other is a good three pound heavier (другой /на/ хороших три фунта тяжелее),' said she, 'and we fattened it expressly for you (мы откормили его специально для тебя).'

"'Never mind (пустяки). I'll have the other, and I'll take it now (возьму его сейчас),' said I.

"'Oh, just as you like (твое дело: «просто как ты хочешь»),' said she, a little huffed (слегка обиженно). 'Which is it you want, then?'

"'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the flock (прямо в середине стаи).'

 

"'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.'

"'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we fattened it expressly for you.'

"'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I.

"'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it you want, then?'

"'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the flock.'

 

"'Oh, very well (очень хорошо). Kill it and take it with you (убей его и бери с собой).'

"Well, I did what she said (сделал что она сказала), Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird all the way (нес птицу всю дорогу) to Kilburn. I told my pal (сказал моему приятелю) what I had done (что я сделал), for he was a man that it was easy (легко) to tell a thing like that to (рассказать вещь вроде этой /ему/). He laughed until he choked (смеялся пока не подавился = до упаду), and we got a knife (взяли нож) and opened the goose (открыли = разрезали гуся). My heart turned to water (мое сердце превратилось в воду), for there was no sign of the stone (не было признака камня), and I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred (какая-то ужасная ошибка произошла). I left the bird (оставил птицу), rushed back (бросился обратно) to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard (поспешил на задний двор). There was not a bird to be seen there (там не было ни единой птицы).

pal [pxl] choked [tSqukt] knife [naIf] mistake [mI`steIk]

 

"'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.'

"Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There was not a bird to be seen there.

 

"'Where are they all (где они все), Maggie?' I cried.

"'Gone to the dealer's (отправлены торговцу), Jem.'

"'Which (какому) dealer's?'

"'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.'

"'But was there another with a barred tail (но был ли там другой /гусь/ с полосатым хвостом)?' I asked, 'the same as the one I chose (такой же, как тот, /которого/ я выбрал)?'

"'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never tell them apart (я никогда не могла различить их; apart — в стороне; врозь).'

 

"'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried.

"'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.'

"'Which dealer's?'

"'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.'

"'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same as the one I chose?'

"'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never tell them apart.'

 

"Well, then, of course, I saw it all (понял все), and I ran off (помчался) as hard as my feet would carry me (так сильно, как мои ступни несли бы меня = со всех ног) to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the lot at once (продал все сразу), and not one word would he tell me (ни одного слова не сказал /бы/ мне) as to where they had gone (о том, куда они ушли = кому). You heard him yourselves tonight (вы слышали его сами сегодня вечером). Well, he has always answered me like that (таким образом). My sister thinks that I am going mad (я схожу с ума). Sometimes (иногда) I think that I am myself (я и сам думаю, что я сумасшедший). And now — and now I am myself a branded thief (презренный: «клейменный» вор), without ever having touched the wealth (и даже никогда не касался богатства) for which I sold my character (ради которого продал свою репутацию). God help me (да поможет мне Господь)! God help me!" He burst into convulsive sobbing (разразился судорожным рыданием), with his face buried in his hands (с лицом, зарытым в руки = закрытым руками).

branded [`brxndId] wealth [welT] convulsive [kqn`vAlsIv]

There was a long silence (долгая тишина), broken only by his heavy breathing (нарушаемая лишь его тяжелым дыханием) and by the measured tapping (мерным постукиванием) of Sherlock Holmes's fingertips (кончиков пальцев) upon the edge of the table (по краю стола). Then my friend rose and threw open the door (поднялся и распахнул дверь).

silence [`saIlqns] measured [`meZqd] edge [eG]

 

"Well, then, of course, I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they had gone. You heard him yourselves tonight. Well, he has always answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now — and now I am myself a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands.