A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the branches there jutted out the gray gables and high roof-tree of a very old mansion.

"Stoke Moran?" said he.

"Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the driver.

 

"There is some building going on there (там какое-то строительство происходит; to go on — случаться, происходить; продолжаться)," said Holmes; "that is where we are going (это /то место/, куда мы собираемся /поехать/ = куда нам нужно)."

"There's the village (там деревня)," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of roofs some distance to the left (сказал кучер, указывая на группу крыш /находящихся/ на некотором расстоянии слева); "but if you want to get to the house (но если хотите добраться к дому), you'll find it shorter to get over this stile (вы найдете это короче = вам будет ближе перейти через этот приступок /у изгороди/), and so by the foot-path over the fields (и затем /пройти/ тропинкой через поля). There it is, where the lady is walking (вон там, где идет леди)."

village [`vIlIG] stile [staIl] path [pRT] field [fJld]

 

"There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is where we are going."

"There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is walking."

 

"And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner (а эта леди, полагаю, мисс Стонер)," observed Holmes, shading his eyes (заметил Холмс, заслоняя от света глаза). "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest (да, думаю, нам лучше сделать, как вы предлагаете)."

We got off (мы вышли /из экипажа/), paid our fare (заплатили нашу проездную плату = расплатились), and the trap rattled back on its way to Leatherhead (экипаж загрохотал обратно в Лэтерхэд).

"I thought it as well (я подумал, между прочим; as well — также, кстати, вдобавок)," said Holmes as we climbed the stile (сказал Холмс, когда мы карабкались через приступок), "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects (что этому парню следует думать, что мы прибыли сюда как архитекторы), or on some definite business (по какому-то определенному делу). It may stop his gossip (это может остановить его сплетни). Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner (добрый день, мисс Стонер). You see that we have been as good as our word (вы видите, что мы точно сдержали слово: «были стольже хороши, как наше слово»)."

suggest [sq`Gest] fare [feq] architects [`RkItekts]

 

"And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest."

We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way to Leatherhead.

"I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as our word."

 

Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us (наша утренняя клиентка поспешила вперед, чтобы встретить нас) with a face which spoke her joy (с лицом, которое говорило /о/ ее радости = радостно). "I have been waiting so eagerly for you (я ждала вас так нетерпеливо)," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly (воскликнула она, тряся руки с нами = пожимая нам руки горячо). "All has turned out splendidly (все получилось превосходно; to turn out — оказаться, выясниться, сделаться). Dr. Roylott has gone to town (уехал в город), and it is unlikely that he will be back before evening (и маловероятно, что он вернется раньше вечера)."

forward [`fLwqd] eagerly [`JgqlI] warmly [`wLmlI]

"We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance (мы имели удовольствие познакомиться с доктором)," said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had occurred (сказал Холмс, и в нескольких словах зарисовал = описал /все/, что произошло). Miss Stoner turned white to the lips (мисс Стонер вся побледнела: «обернулась белой до губ», выслушав /его/) as she listened.

"Good heavens (Боже мой)!" she cried, "he has followed me, then (значит, следовал за мной)."

 

Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely that he will be back before evening."

"We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened.

"Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then."

 

"So it appears (так кажется = похоже на то)."

"He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him (он так хитер, что я никогда не знаю, когда я защищена от него = никогда не чувствую себя в безопасности). What will he say when he returns (что он скажет, когда вернется)?"

"He must guard himself (он должен защищать себя = быть осторожным; to guard — защищать, беречься), for he may find that there is someone more cunning than himself upon his track (так как может обнаружить, что на его /жизненном/ пути есть кое-кто более хитрый, чем он). You must lock yourself up from him tonight (вы должны запереться от него сегодня ночью). If he is violent (если он будет неистовым = буйствовать), we shall take you away to your aunt's at Harrow (мы заберем вас к вашей тетке в Хэрроу). Now, we must make the best use of our time (а теперь, мы должны сделать лучшее использование нашего времени = не должны терять ни минуты), so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to examine (поэтому, будьте любезны, проведите нас незамедлительно в комнаты, которые мы должны обследовать)."

guard [gRd] cunning [`kAnIN] violent [`vaIqlqnt]

 

"So it appears."

"He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What will he say when he returns?"

"He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself up from him tonight. If he is violent, we shall take you away to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to examine."

 

The building was of gray, lichen-blotched stone (здание было /построено/ из покрытого /пятнами/ лишайника камня), with a high central portion and two curving wings (с высокой центральной частью и двумя изгибающимися крыльями), like the claws of a crab (словно клешни краба), thrown out on each side (распростертыми с каждой стороны). In one of these wings the windows were broken and blocked with wooden boards (в одном из этих крыльев окна были разбиты и заколочены деревянными досками), while the roof was partly caved in (тогда как крыша была частично провалена), a picture of ruin (картина разорения). The central portion was in little better repair (центральная часть была в чуть более хорошей исправности = почти такая же), but the right-hand block was comparatively modern (но правый блок = крыло было сравнительно новым), and the blinds in the windows (и занавески в окнах), with the blue smoke curling up from the chimneys (с голубым дымком, вьющимся из труб), showed that this was where the family resided (указывали, что это было /то место/, где семья обитала). Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall (леса /подмости/ были воздвигнуты напротив = у торцевой стены), and the stone-work had been broken into (и каменные работы начались; to break into — разразиться, внезапно начинать), but there were no signs of any workmen at the moment of our visit (но не было признаков кого-нибудь = не было видно никого из работников на момент нашего посещения). Holmes walked slowly up and down the ill-trimmed lawn (ходил взад-вперед по плохо подстриженной лужайке) and examined with deep attention the outsides of the windows (и исследовал с глубоким вниманием наружные части = стороны окон).

portion [pLSn] picture [`pIktSq] comparatively [kqm`pxrqtIvlI] lawn [lLn]

 

The building was of gray, lichen-blotched stone, with a high central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the outsides of the windows.

 

"This, I take it (это, как полагаю), belongs to the room in which you used to sleep (принадлежит = относится к комнате, в которой вы спали /раньше/; used to — обозначает регулярные действия в прошлом), the centre one to your sister's (центральное /окно относится/ к /комнате/ вашей сестры), and the one next to the main building to Dr. Roylott's chamber (а следующее = поближе к главному зданию — к комнате доктора Ройлотта; chamber — комната /в основном — спальня/)?"

centre [`sentq] next [nekst] chamber [`tSeImbq]

"Exactly so (именно так). But I am now sleeping in the middle one (но сейчас я сплю в средней комнате)."

"Pending the alterations, as I understand (в течение переделок = из-за ремонта, как я понимаю; pending — незаконченный, ожидающий решения; в продолжение; в течение; alteration — изменение; перемена; переделка, перестройка). By the way, there does not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end wall (кстати, не кажется, чтобы была какая-либо острая необходимость для ремонта этой торцевой стены)."

 

"This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?"

"Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one."

"Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end wall."

 

"There were none (там были никакие = их и не было). I believe that it was an excuse to move me from my room (думаю, это был предлог, чтобы убрать меня из моей комнаты)."

"Ah! that is suggestive (наводит на размышления = весьма вероятно). Now, on the other side of this narrow wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open (с другой стороны этого узкого крыла бежит = тянется коридор, из которого = куда эти три комнаты выходят). There are windows in it, of course (в нем, конечно, есть окна)?"

"Yes, but very small ones (да, но очень маленькие). Too narrow for anyone to pass through (слишком узкие, чтобы в них кто-то мог пролезть)."

"As you both locked your doors at night (так как вы обе запирали двери на ночь), your rooms were unapproachable from that side (ваши комнаты были неприступны с той стороны; to approach — приближаться, подходить). Now, would you have the kindness to go into your room and bar your shutters (не будете ли вы так любезны пройти в свою комнату и закрыть /на засов/ ставни)?"

alterations [,Lltq`reISnz] excuse [Ik`skjHs] narrow [`nxrqu] kindness [`kaIndnIs]

 

"There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from my room."

"Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There are windows in it, of course?"

"Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass through."

"As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to go into your room and bar your shutters?"

 

Miss Stoner did so (сделала так), and Holmes, after a careful examination through the open window (и Холмс, после тщательной проверки открытого окна), endeavored in every way to force the shutter open (прилагал усилия всячески = постарался заставить ставни открыться), but without success (но без успеха). There was no slit through which a knife could be passed to raise the bar (в них не было щели, через которую нож = лезвие могло бы пройти, чтобы поднять засов). Then with his lens he tested the hinges (затем лупой он проверил петли), but they were of solid iron (но они были из прочного железа), built firmly into the massive masonry (вмурованы крепко в массивную кладку = стену). "Hum!" said he, scratching his chin in some perplexity (сказал он, почесывая подбородок в некотором недоумении), "my theory certainly presents some difficulties (моя теория, несомненно, представляет некоторые трудности). No one (ни один = никто) could pass these shutters if they were bolted (не мог бы пройти эти ставни = влезть в окна, когда они заперты). Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the matter (ну, посмотрим, бросает ли внутренняя сторона какой-нибудь свет на это дело = можно ли что-нибудь выяснить, осмотрев интерьер)."

endeavored [In`devqd] success [sqk`ses] knife [naIf] hinge [`hInG] masonry [`meIsqnrI]

 

Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination through the open window, endeavored in every way to force the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the matter."

 

A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor (маленькая боковая дверь вела в выбеленный коридор; whitewash — известковый раствор; побелка) from which the three bedrooms opened (из которого = куда три спальни открывались). Holmes refused to examine the third chamber (отказался осмотреть третью комнату), so we passed at once to the second (поэтому мы прошли сразу во вторую), that in which Miss Stoner was now sleeping (в которой мисс Стонер теперь спала), and in which her sister had met with her fate (и в которой ее сестра встретилась со своей судьбой = нашла свою смерть). It was a homely little room (это была простая маленькая комната), with a low ceiling and a gaping fireplace (с низким потолком и зияющим = широким камином), after the fashion of old country-houses (наподобие старых сельских домов; fashion — образ, манера, мода). A brown chest of drawers stood in one corner (коричневый комод стоял в одном углу), a narrow white-counterpaned bed in another (узкая, покрытая белым одеялом кровать — в другом; counterpane — стеганое покрывало), and a dressing-table on the left-hand side of the window (туалетный столик /стоял/ слева от окна). These articles, with two small wickerwork chairs (эти вещи, вместе с двумя маленькими плетеными стульями), made up all the furniture in the room (завершали все убранство в комнате; furniture — мебель, обстановка, содержимое), save for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre (кроме = да еще квадрат пушистого ковра /лежал/ в центре = посередине). The boards round and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak (доски повсюду и панели на стенах были из коричневого, источенного червями дуба), so old and discolored (такие старые и выцветшие) that it may have dated from the original building of the house (что могли относиться = возможно, их не меняли с первоначальной постройки дома; to date from — исчислять с, относить /к какому-то времени/). Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat silent (Холмс подвинул один из стульев в угол и сел молча), while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down (а его глаза двигались кругом, вверх и вниз; while — между тем как, в то время как, пока; to travel — путешествовать, перемещаться), taking in every detail of the apartment (тщательно осматривая каждую деталь комнаты; to take in — впитывать, понимать, уяснять).

whitewashed [`waItwPSt] refused [rI`fjHzd] ceiling [`sJlIN] carpet [`kRpIt] oak [quk]

 

A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small wickerwork chairs, made up all the furniture in the room, save for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and discolored that it may have dated from the original building of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, taking in every detail of the apartment.

 

"Where does that bell communicate with (куда проведен этот звонок; to communicate with — поддерживать связь, общаться)?" he asked at last, pointing to a thick belt-rope (он спросил, наконец, указывая на толстую ременную веревку = шнурок) which hung down beside the bed (который свешивался рядом с кроватью), the tassel actually lying upon the pillow (кисточка /которого/ фактически лежала на подушке).

"It goes to the housekeeper's room (он идет в комнату экономки)."

 

"Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last, pointing to a thick belt-rope which hung down beside the bed, the tassel actually lying upon the pillow.

"It goes to the housekeeper's room."

 

"It looks newer than the other things (он выглядит новее, чем другие вещи)?"

"Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago (да, он был повешен там всего пару лет назад)."

"Your sister asked for it, I suppose (ваша сестра просила об этом, полагаю)?"

"No, I never heard of her using it (нет, никогда не слышала = не замечала, чтобы она использовала его). We used always to get (брать, доставать) what we wanted for ourselves (мы привыкли брать /доставать/, что нам нужно, сами)."

tassel [txsl] couple [kApl] wanted [`wPntId]

 

"It looks newer than the other things?"

"Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago."

"Your sister asked for it, I suppose?"

"No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we wanted for ourselves."

 

"Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there (действительно, кажется излишним вешать тут такой хороший шнурок для звонка). You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to this floor (извините меня, /я задержу вас/ на несколько минут, пока рассею сомнения относительно этого пола = хорошенько осмотрю пол; to satisfy — удовлетворять, исполнять)." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in his hand (он бросил себя вниз = опустился на колени с лупой в руке), and crawled swiftly backward and forward (и прополз быстро взад и вперед), examining minutely the cracks between the boards (исследуя тщательно трещины между половицами). Then he did the same with the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled (затем он проделал то же самое с деревянными частями = панелями, которыми комната была обшита). Finally he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it (наконец, он подошел: «перешагнул» к кровати и провел некоторое время, пристально смотря на нее) and in running his eye up and down the wall (и бегая глазами вверх и вниз по стене). Finally he took the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug (в конце концов он взял шнур /от звонка/ в руку и дал ему бодрый рывок = сильно дернул).

unnecessary [An`nesqsqrI] crawled [krLld] minutely [`mInItlI]

"Why, it's a dummy (как, это фальшивка)," said he.

"Won't it ring (он не /за/звонит; won`t = will not)?"

 

"Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in his hand, and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug.

"Why, it's a dummy," said he.

"Won't it ring?"

 

"No, it is not even attached to a wire (нет, он даже не присоединен к проводу). This is very interesting (это очень интересно). You can see now that it is fastened to a hook (вы можете видеть, что он прикреплен к крючку) just above where the little opening for the ventilator is (прямо над /тем местом/, где находится маленькое отверстие для вентиляции)."

"How very absurd (как /очень/ глупо)! I never noticed that before (никогда не замечала этого раньше)."

"Very strange (очень странно)!" muttered Holmes (пробормотал Холмс), pulling at the rope (дергая /за/ веревку). "There are one or two very singular points about this room (есть один-два очень странных пункта: «особых точек» относительно этой комнаты). For example, what a fool a builder must be (например, каким глупым строителем нужно быть) to open a ventilator into another room (чтобы вывести вентиляцию в другую комнату), when, with the same trouble (когда, с той же заботой = легкостью), he might have communicated with the outside air (он мог бы сообщаться с наружным воздухом)!"

wire [`waIq] fastened [`fRsnd] above [q`bAv] ventilator [`ventIleItq] builder [`bIldq]

 

"No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the little opening for the ventilator is."

"How very absurd! I never noticed that before."

"Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are one or two very singular points about this room. For example, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated with the outside air!"

 

"That is also quite modern (это также довольно новое)," said the lady.

"Done about the same time as the bell-rope (сделано примерно в то же время, что и шнурок)?" remarked Holmes (заметил Холмс).

"Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that time (да, было несколько небольших изменений выполнено примерно в то время; to carry out — осуществить, выполнить)."

"They seem to have been of a most interesting character (они кажутся интереснейшего характера = интересные переделки) — dummy bell-ropes (фальшивые шнурки), and ventilators which do not ventilate (и вентиляции, которые не вентилируют). With your permission (с вашего позволения), Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the inner apartment (мы перенесем теперь наши изыскания во внутреннюю комнату)."

several [`sevqrql] permission [pq`mISn] research [rI`sE:tS]

 

"That is also quite modern," said the lady.

"Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes.

"Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that time."

"They seem to have been of a most interesting character — dummy bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the inner apartment."

 

Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his stepdaughter (комната доктора была больше, чем /комната/ его падчерицы), but was as plainly furnished (но была так же просто обставлена). A camp-bed (походная кровать), a small wooden shelf full of books (маленькая деревянная полка, полная книг), mostly of a technical character (в основном, технической направленности), an armchair beside the bed (кресло рядом с кроватью), a plain wooden chair against the wall (простой деревянный стул у стены), a round table (круглый стол), and a large iron safe were the principal things which met the eye (и большой железный сейф были главными вещами, которые встречали глаз = бросались в глаза). Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and all of them with the keenest interest (Холмс ходил медленно вокруг и исследовал каждую /вещь в отдельности/ с живейшим интересом).

technical [`teknIkl] round [raund] iron [`aIqn] principal [`prInsIpl]

 

Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his stepdaughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and all of them with the keenest interest.

 

"What's in here (что здесь)?" he asked, tapping the safe (он спросил, стуча по сейфу).

"My stepfather's business papers (деловые бумаги отчима)."

"Oh! you have seen inside, then (ого, /так/ вы заглядывали внутрь, значит)?"

"Only once, some years ago (только однажды, несколько лет назад). I remember that it was full of papers (помню, что он был полон бумаг)."

"There isn't a cat in it for example (там, к примеру, не кошка),?"

"No. What a strange idea (что за странная идея)!"

 

"What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe.

"My stepfather's business papers."

"Oh! you have seen inside, then?"

"Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of papers."

"There isn't a cat in it, for example?"

"No. What a strange idea!"

 

"Well, look at this (вот, взгляните на это)!" He took up a small saucer of milk (он поднял маленькое блюдце молока) which stood on the top of it (которое стояло на сейфе).

"No; we don't keep a cat (мы не держим кошку). But there is a cheetah and a baboon (но есть гепард и бабуин)."

"Ah, yes, of course (ах да, конечно)! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat (ну, гепард — всего лишь большая кошка), and yet a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants (и все-таки, блюдца молока не достаточно: «не идет далеко» для утоления его потребностей = жажды), I daresay (полагаю, /осмелюсь сказать/). There is one point which I should wish to determine (есть один пункт = момент, который я хотел бы определить)." He squatted down in front of the wooden chair (он сел на корточки перед деревянным стулом) and examined the seat of it with the greatest attention (и осмотрел его сиденье с величайшим вниманием).

saucer [`sLsq] cheetah [`tSJtq] daresay [dFq`saI] squatted [`skwPtId] attention [q`tenSn]

 

"Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which stood on the top of it.

"No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon."

"Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat of it with the greatest attention.

 

"Thank you (спасибо). That is quite settled (это вполне решено = все ясно)," said he, rising and putting his lens in his pocket (сказал он, поднимаясь и кладя лупу в карман). "Hello (ага /возглас удивления/)! Here is something interesting (вот кое-что интересное)!"

The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash (предметом, который поймал его глаз = привлек внимание, была маленькая собачья плеть) hung on one corner of the bed (висевшая на одном углу кровати). The lash, however, was curled upon itself (плеть, однако, была закручена вокруг себя), and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord (и завязана так, чтобы сделать петлю; whipcord — бечевка).

"What do you make of that (что вы думаете об этом; to make — делать, предполагать, заключать), Watson?"

"It's a common enough lash (это обычная вполне плеть). But I don't know why it should be tied (но я не знаю = не пойму, зачем понадобилось завязывать ее в петлю)."

 

"Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting his lens in his pocket. "Hello! Here is something interesting!"