There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes's fingertips upon the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door.

 

"Get out (убирайтесь)!" said he.

"What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you (о, да благословит вас небо)!"

"No more words (ни слова /больше/). Get out!"

And no more words were needed (и не потребовалoсь). There was a rush (спешка), a clatter upon the stairs (грохот на лестнице), the bang of a door (хлопанье двери), and the crisp rattle of running footfalls from the street (четкий топот бегущего звука шагов = быстрый топот /послышался/ с улицы).

clatter [`klxtq] bang [bxN] footfalls [`futfLlz]

 

"Get out!" said he.

"What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!"

"No more words. Get out!"

And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running footfalls from the street.

 

"After all (в конце концов: «после всего»), Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his clay pipe (протягивая руку за глиняной трубкой), "I am not retained by the police (не нанят полицией) to supply their deficiencies (чтобы восполнять их недостатки, промахи). If Horner were in danger (если бы Хорнер был в опасности) it would be another thing (это была бы другая вещь = дело); but this fellow will not appear against him (не будет свидетельствовать против него), and the case must collapse (должно провалиться = заглохнуть). I suppose that I am commuting a felony (смягчаю преступление = делаюсь укрывателем; felony — уголовное преступление), but it is just possible that I am saving a soul (но вполне может быть, что я спасаю душу). This fellow will not go wrong again (не пойдет неправильным путем снова); he is too terribly frightened (он слишком ужасно напуган). Send him to jail now (пошлите его в тюрьму сейчас), and you make him a jailbird for life (сделаете его арестантом/закоренелым преступником на всю жизнь). Besides (кроме того), it is the season of forgiveness (сейчас время прощения). Chance (случай, жизнь) has put in our way a most singular and whimsical problem (поставила на наш путь = столкнула нас со странной и причудливой загадкой), and its solution is its own reward (ее решение — /и есть/ само по себе награда). If you will have the goodness to touch the bell (если вы будете так любезны дернуть звонок), Doctor, we will begin another investigation (начнем другое расследование), in which also a bird will be the chief feature (в котором снова птица будет главной чертой = играть основную роль)."

deficiencies [dI`fISqnsIz] danger [`deInGq] jailbird [`GeIlbE:d] chief [tSJf]

 

"After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to jail now, and you make him a jailbird for life. Besides, it is the season of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin another investigation, in which also a bird will be the chief feature."

 

THE SPECKLED BAND (ПЕСТРАЯ ЛЕНТА)

 

On glancing over my notes (просматривая мои записи) of the seventy odd cases (/о/ семидесяти странных делах) in which I have during the last eight years (в течение последних восьми лет) studied the methods of my friend Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic (нахожу много трагического), some comic (кое-что комическое), a large number merely strange (большое количество попросту странного), but none commonplace (но ничего банального; common — обычное; place — место); for, working as he did rather for the love of his art (работая /как он делал/ скорее ради: «для любви» своего искусства) than for the acquirement of wealth (чем для приобретения богатства), he refused to associate himself with any investigation (отказывался ассоциировать себя с = не брался за какое-либо расследование) which did not tend towards the unusual (которое не имело тенденции/направленности к необыкновенному), and even the fantastic (даже к фантастическиму). Of all these varied cases (из всех этих разнообразных дел), however (однако), I cannot recall (я не могу воскресить /в памяти/, вспомнить) any which presented more singular features (которое представляло /бы/ более необычайные признаки, черты) than that (чем то) which was associated with (было связано с) the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts (с известным семейством Ройлоттов из графства Суррей) of Stoke Moran (из Сток-Морена). The events in question (события, о которых идет речь: «в вопросе») occurred in the early days (произошли в ранние дни = в начале) of my association with Holmes (моей дружбы с Холмсом), when we were sharing rooms as bachelors (делили комнаты как холостяки) in Baker Street. It is possible (вероятно) that I might have placed them upon record before (я мог бы записать их раньше), but a promise of secrecy was made at the time (обещание тайны было сделано = дано в то время), from which I have only been freed (от которого я был только освобожден) during the last month (в течение последнего месяца) by the untimely death (безвременной кончиной) of the lady to whom the pledge was given (которой было дано /это/ обещание). It is perhaps as well (пожалуй, также) that the facts should now come to light (фактам следует сейчас выйти на свет = можно представить это дело в истинном свете), for I have reasons (так как у меня есть основания) to know that there are widespread rumours (широко распространенные слухи) as to the death (относительно смерти) of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make (стремятся сделать) the matter even more terrible than the truth (дело даже еще более ужасным, чем правда).

eight [eIt] tragic [`trxGIk] acquirement [q`kwaIqmqnt] pledge [pleG] rumours [`rHmqz]

On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which presented more singular features than that which was associated with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. The events in question occurred in the early days of my association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even more terrible than the truth.

 

It was early in April (рано в апреле = в начале апреля) in the year '83, that I woke (проснулся) one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing (чтобы найти Шерлока Холмса стоящим), fully dressed (полностью одетого), by the side of my bed (рядом с моей кроватью). He was a late riser (поздно встающий = любитель долго поспать), as a rule (как правило), and as the clock on the mantelpiece (когда часы на каминной полке) showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven (показали мне, что было лишь четверть после семи = четверть восьмого), I blinked up at him in some surprise (посмотрел на него с некоторым удивлением; to blink — мигать, щуриться), and perhaps just a little resentment (и, возможно, даже с небольшим возмущением), for I was myself regular in my habits (так как я был сам постоянен в своих привычках).

riser [`raizq] mantelpiece [`mxntlpJs] regular [`regjulq]

"Very sorry to knock you up (очень сожалею будить = что разбудил вас), Watson," said he, "but it's the common lot this morning (но это общий удел этим утром). Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up (была разбужена), she retorted upon me (разбудила меня; to retort — отвечать тем же), and I on you."

 

It was early in April in the year '83, that I woke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits.

"Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you."

 

"What is it, then? А fire (пожар)?"

"No; a client. It seems (похоже) that a young lady has arrived (прибыла) in a considerable state of excitement (в значительном состоянии возбуждения = ужасно взволнованной), who insists upon seeing me (настаивает на /том, чтобы/ видеть меня). She is waiting now in the sitting-room (она ждет сейчас в гостиной). Now, when young ladies wander about the metropolis (бродят по столице) at this hour of the morning, and knock sleepy people up out of their beds (и поднимают сонных людей с их кроватей), I presume (полагаю) that it is something very pressing (неотложное, срочное) which they have to communicate (что они имеют сообщить). Should it prove to be an interesting case (если это окажется интересным делом), you would, I am sure (уверен), wish to follow it from the outset (проследить за ним с самого начала). I thought (подумал), at any rate (во всяком случае), that I should call you and give you the chance (дать вам шанс)."

excitement [Ik`saItmqnt] wander [`wPndq] outset [`autsqt] chance [tSRns]

"My dear fellow (мой дорогой товарищ), I would not miss it for anything (я не пропустил бы этого ни за что)."

 

"What is it, then? А fire?"

"No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should call you and give you the chance."

"My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything."

 

I had no keener pleasure (не имел большего удовольствия; keen — острый, резкий) than in following Holmes in his professional investigations (чем следовать за Холмсом в его профессиональных расследованиях), and in admiring the rapid deductions (и восхищаться быстрыми выводами), as swift as intuitions (такими стремительными, как интуиция), and yet always founded on a logical basis (и в то же время построенных: «основанных» на логическом основании) with which he unravelled (распутывал) the problems which were submitted to him (были представляемы на рассмотрение ему = с которыми он сталкивался). I rapidly (быстро) threw on my clothes (набросил мою одежду) and was ready (готов) in a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room (через несколько минут сопровождать моего друга вниз в гостиную). A lady dressed in black and heavily veiled (с густой вуалью: «тяжело завуалированная»), who had been sitting in the window (которая сидела у окна), rose as we entered (поднялась, когда мы вошли).

pleasure [`pleZq] admiring [qd`maIqrIN] accompany [q`kAmpqnI] veiled [veIld]

 

I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the window, rose as we entered.

 

"Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily (приветливо). "My name is Sherlock Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate (близкий друг и помощник), Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself (так же свободно, как и предо мной). Ha! I am glad to see (рад видеть) that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the fire (догадалась: «имела здравый смысл» зажечь огонь). Pray draw up to it (пожалуйста, пододвиньтесь ближе к нему), and I shall order you a cup of hot coffee (прикажу принести вам чашку горячего кофе), for I observe that you are shivering (дрожите)."

intimate [`IntImeIt] associate [q`squSIqIt] shivering [`SivqrIN]

"lt is not cold which makes me shiver (это не холод /который/ заставляет меня дрожать = я дрожу не от холода)," said the woman in a low voice (низким голосом = вполголоса), changing her seat as requested (меняя свое место согласно просьбе; to request — просить, обращаться с просьбой).

"What, then (что /же/ тогда)?"

 

"Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot coffee, for I observe that you are shivering."

"lt is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low voice, changing her seat as requested.

"What, then?"

 

"It is fear (страх), Mr. Holmes. It is terror (ужас)." She raised her veil (подняла вуаль) as she spoke (говоря, пока говорила), and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation (в жалком состоянии волнения), her face all drawn and gray (лицо все искаженное и серое = бледное), with restless frightened eyes (с тревожным испуганным взглядом), like those of some hunted animal (как у затравленного зверя; to hunt — охотиться). Her features and figure (черты /лица/ и фигура) were those of a woman of thirty (женщины тридцати /лет/), but her hair was shot with premature gray (волосы были затронуты преждевременной сединой), and her expression was weary and haggard (выражение /лица/ было уставшим и изможденным). Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, all-comprehensive glances (пробежал = окинул ее одним из своих быстрых, все понимающих взглядов).

fear [fIq] pitiable [`pItIqbl] premature [`premqtSq] haggard [`hxgqd]

 

"It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation, her face all drawn and gray, with restless frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot with premature gray, and her expression was weary and haggard. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, all-comprehensive glances.

 

"You must not fear (вы не должны бояться)," said he soothingly (успокаивающе), bending forward (наклоняясь вперед) and patting her forearm (и похлопывая ее предплечье = руку). "We shall soon set matters right (вскоре приведем дела в порядок), I have no doubt (не сомневаюсь). You have come in by train (прибыли поездом) this morning, I see."

soothingly [`sHDINlI] forearm [,fL`Rm] train [treIn]

"You know me, then?"

"No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket (вижу вторую половину обратного билета) in the palm of your left glove (в ладони вашей левой перчатки). You must have started early (вы, должно быть, выехали рано), and yet you had a good drive in a dog-cart (имели хорошую поездку в = тряслись в двуколке), along heavy roads (вдоль тяжелых дорог = по скверным дорогам), before you reached the station (прежде чем вы доехали до станции)."

 

"You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see."

"You know me, then?"

"No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the station."

 

The lady gave a violent start (дала сильное вздрагивание = сильно вздрогнула) and stared in bewilderment at my companion (уставилась в смущении/удивлении).

glove [glAv] violent [`vaIqlqnt] bewilderment [bI`wIldqmqnt]

"There is no mystery (здесь нет тайны), my dear madam," said he, smiling (улыбаясь). "The left arm of your jacket (левая рука = рукав вашего жакета) is spattered with mud (забрызган грязью) in no less than seven places (в не менее чем семи местах). The marks are perfectly fresh (пятна совершенно свежие). There is no vehicle (нет /такого/ средства передвижения) save a dog-cart (кроме двуколки) which throws up mud in that way (которая вскидывает грязь таким образом), and then only when you sit on the left-hand side of the driver (и притом только если вы сидите на левой стороне от водителя)."

jacket [`GxkIt] mud [mAd] vehicle [`vJIkl]