Сборник второй sherlock holmes stories-2 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Адаптировал Андрей Еремин
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formula [`fLmjulq], measurement [`meZqmqnt], embalm [Im`bRm] “I was already firmly convinced, Watson, that there were not three separate mysteries here, but one only, and that if I could read the Musgrave Ritual aright I should hold in my hand the clue which would lead me to the truth concerning both the butler Brunton and the maid Howells. To that then I turned all my energies. Why should this servant be so anxious to master this old formula? Evidently because he saw something in it which had escaped all those generations of country squires, and from which he expected some personal advantage. What was it then, and how had it affected his fate? “It was perfectly obvious to me, on reading the ritual, that the measurements must refer to some spot to which the rest of the document alluded, and that if we could find that spot, we should be in a fair way towards finding what the secret was which the old Musgraves had thought it necessary to embalm in so curious a fashion. “There were two guides given us to start with (для начала нам были даны два ориентира), an oak and an elm (дуб и вяз). As to the oak there could be no question at all (что касается дуба, то тут вообще не было никаких затруднений; question — вопрос; сомнение, возражение; to make no question of something — не сомневаться в чем-либо). Right in front of the house (прямо перед домом), upon the left-hand side of the drive (слева от дороги; drive — езда; дорога для экипажей; подъездная аллея /к дому/), there stood a patriarch among oaks (стоял дуб-патриарх: «патриарх среди дубов»), one of the most magnificent trees that I have ever seen (одно из великолепнейших = внушительнейших деревьев, что я когда-либо видел). “‘That was there when you ritual was drawn up (он был здесь, когда ваш обряд был записан; to draw up — составлять /документ/),’ said I, as we drove past it (спросил я, когда мы проезжали мимо него). “‘It was there at the Norman Conquest in all probability (по всей вероятности, он стоял здесь /еще/ во время Нормандского завоевания; Norman Conquest — Нормандское завоевание /завоевание Англии норманнами в 1066 году/),’ he answered (ответил он). ‘It has a girth of twenty-three feet (он имеет двадцать три фута в обхвате; girth — обхват /дерева, талии/).’ “‘Have you any old elms (у вас есть старые вязы)?’ I asked. “‘There used to be a very old one over yonder (был один очень старый вон там) but it was struck by lightning ten years ago (но в него ударила молния десять лет назад; to strike), and we cut down the stump (и мы срубили то, что осталось; stump — пень, обрубок; дерево с обрезанной верхушкой).’
“‘That was there when you ritual was drawn up,’ said I, as we drove past it. “‘It was there at the Norman Conquest in all probability,’ he answered. ‘It has a girth of twenty-three feet.’ “‘Have you any old elms?’ I asked. “‘There used to be a very old one over yonder but it was struck by lightning ten years ago, and we cut down the stump.’
“‘Oh, yes (ну да, /конечно/).’ “‘There are no other elms (а других вязов здесь нет)?’ “‘No old ones, but plenty of beeches (старых нет, но много буков).’ “‘I should like to see where it grew (мне хотелось бы взглянуть, где он рос).’ “We had driven up in a dogcart (мы приехали в двуколке; dogcart — двухколесный двухместный экипаж; /под задним сиденьем находится место для охотничьих собак/; cart — телега; повозка; двуколка; dog — собака), and my client led me away at once (и мой клиент повел меня сразу), without our entering the house (не заходя в дом), to the scar on the lawn where the elm had stood (к тому месту на газоне, где прежде рос вяз; scar — рубец, шрам). It was nearly midway between the oak and the house (оно находилось примерно посередине между дубом и домом). My investigation seemed to be progressing (мое расследование шло успешно: «казалось продвигающимся»). “‘I suppose it is impossible to find out how high the elm was (полагаю, /теперь/ невозможно определить высоту вяза: «насколько высоким был вяз»; to find out — узнать, выяснить)?’ I asked (спросил я).
“‘Oh, yes.’ “‘There are no other elms?’ “‘No old ones, but plenty of beeches.’ “‘I should like to see where it grew.’ “We had driven up in a dogcart, and my client led me away at once, without our entering the house, to the scar on the lawn where the elm had stood. It was nearly midway between the oak and the house. My investigation seemed to be progressing. “‘I suppose it is impossible to find out how high the elm was?’ I asked.
“‘How do you come to know it (как вам удалось это узнать)?’ I asked, in surprise (спросил я с удивлением). “‘When my old tutor used to give me an exercise in trigonometry (когда мой старый домашний учитель задавал мне задачи по тригонометрии), it always took the shape of measuring heights (они всегда принимали форму измерения высот = были построены на измерении высоты). When I was a lad (когда я был мальчиком) I worked out every tree and building in the estate (я высчитал высоту каждого дерева и строения в поместье; to work out — высчитать, вычислить; решить /задачу/).’ “This was an unexpected piece of luck (это была неожиданная удача). My data were coming more quickly (сведения приходили ко мне быстрее) than I could have reasonably hoped (чем я мог рассчитывать; reasonably — разумно; рассудительно). “‘Tell me (скажите),’ I asked, ‘did your butler ever ask you such a question (а ваш дворецкий когда-нибудь задавал вам тот же вопрос)?’ “Reginald Musgrave looked at me in astonishment (Реджинальд Месгрейв посмотрел на меня удивленно). ‘Now that you call it to my mind (теперь, когда вы напомнили мне = теперь припоминаю),’ he answered, ‘Brunton did ask me about the height of the tree some months ago (Брантон действительно спрашивал меня о высоте этого дерева несколько месяцев назад), in connection with some little argument with the groom (в связи с каким-то незначительным спором с конюхом; to groom — ходить за лошадью, чистить лошадь; ухаживать, холить),’
“‘How do you come to know it?’ I asked, in surprise. “‘When my old tutor used to give me an exercise in trigonometry, it always took the shape of measuring heights. When I was a lad I worked out every tree and building in the estate.’ “This was an unexpected piece of luck. My data were coming more quickly than I could have reasonably hoped. “‘Tell me,’ I asked, ‘did your butler ever ask you such a question?’ “Reginald Musgrave looked at me in astonishment. ‘Now that you call it to my mind,’ he answered, ‘Brunton did ask me about the height of the tree some months ago, in connection with some little argument with the groom,’
“That must have been difficult, Holmes (должно быть, это было трудно, Холмс), when the elm was no longer there (ведь вяза больше там не было).” “Well, at least I knew that if Brunton could do it, I could also (по крайней мере я знал, что если Брантон мог это сделать, то и я смогу). Besides, there was no real difficulty (кроме того, на самом деле это было нетрудно). I went with Musgrave to his study and whittled myself this peg (я пошел вместе с Месгрейвом в его кабинет и сам вырезал этот колышек; to whittle — строгать или оттачивать ножом /дерево/; вырезать), to which I tied this long string with a knot at each yard (к которому привязал эту длинную веревку с узелком на каждом ярде = отметив каждый ярд узелком).
“That must have been difficult, Holmes, when the elm was no longer there.” “Well, at least I knew that if Brunton could do it, I could also. Besides, there was no real difficulty. I went with Musgrave to his study and whittled myself this peg, to which I tied this long string with a knot at each yard.
“Of course the calculation now was a simple one (естественно, теперь вычисления были простыми). If a rod of six feet threw a shadow of nine (если палка длиной шесть футов отбрасывает тень в девять /футов/), a tree of sixty-four feet would throw one of ninety-six (то дерево /высотой/ шестьдесят четыре фута отбросит тень в девяносто шесть футов), and the line of the one would of course the line of the other (и направление одной, разумеется, совпадет с направлением другой). I measured out the distance (я отмерил это расстояние), which brought me almost to the wall of the house (которое привело меня почти к стене дома), and I thrust a peg into the spot (и я воткнул колышек в том месте). You can imagine my exultation, Watson (можете представить мое торжество, Ватсон), when within two inches of my peg (когда в двух дюймах от своего колышка) I saw a conical depression in the ground (я увидел конусообразное углубление в земле). I knew that it was the mark made by Brunton in his measurements (я понял, что это была отметина, сделанная Брантоном при его измерениях), and that I was still upon his trail (и что я по-прежнему шел по его следу). fastened [`fRs(q)nd], brought [brLt], exultation ["egzAl`teIS(q)n] “Then I took two lengths of a fishing-rod, which came to just six feet, and I went back with my client to where the elm had been. The sun was just grazing the top of the oak. I fastened the rod on end, marked out the direction of the shadow, and measured it. It was nine feet in length. “Of course the calculation now was a simple one. If a rod of six feet threw a shadow of nine, a tree of sixty-four feet would throw one of ninety-six, and the line of the one would of course the line of the other. I measured out the distance, which brought me almost to the wall of the house, and I thrust a peg into the spot. You can imagine my exultation, Watson, when within two inches of my peg I saw a conical depression in the ground. I knew that it was the mark made by Brunton in his measurements, and that I was still upon his trail. “From this starting-point I proceeded to step (от этой исходной точки я начал /отсчитывать/ шаги; to proceed to — приступать к; приниматься за), having first taken the cardinal points by my pocket-compass (сначала определив страны света с помощью карманного компаса; cardinal — основной, главный). Ten steps with each foot took me along parallel with the wall of the house (десять шагов каждой ногой повели меня параллельно стене дома), and again I marked my spot with a peg (и снова я отметил место колышком). Then I carefully paced off five to the east (затем я тщательно отсчитал пять /шагов/ на восток) and two to the south (и два на юг). It brought me to the very threshold of the old door (они привели меня к самому порогу старой двери). Two steps to the west meant now (два шага на запад означали теперь) that I was to go two paces down the stone-flagged passage (что мне придется сделать два шага по выложенному каменными плитами коридору; to flag — мостить плитами; flag — каменная плита; плитняк), and this was the place indicated by the Ritual (это и было место, указанное в «Обряде»). “Never have I felt such a cold chill of disappointment, Watson (никогда я не испытывал такого горького разочарования, Ватсон; chill — холод; озноб, дрожь). For a moment is seemed to me (на минуту мне показалось) that there must be some radical mistake in my calculations (что в моих вычислениях /допущена/ какая-то грубая, существенная ошибка). The setting sun shone full upon the passage floor (заходящее солнце ярко освещало пол коридора; to shine), and I could see that the old, foot-worn gray stones (и я видел, что старые, истертые ногами серые каменные плиты; foot-worn — исхоженный, утоптанный, истертый ногами) with which it was paved were firmly cemented together (которыми он был выложен, крепко связаны замазкой), and had certainly not been moved for many a long year (и, естественно, их не сдвигали с места в течение многих лет). parallel [`pxrqlel], threshold [`TreS(h)quld], cemented [sI`mentId] “From this starting-point I proceeded to step, having first taken the cardinal points by my pocket-compass. Ten steps with each foot took me along parallel with the wall of the house, and again I marked my spot with a peg. Then I carefully paced off five to the east and two to the south. It brought me to the very threshold of the old door. Two steps to the west meant now that I was to go two paces down the stone-flagged passage, and this was the place indicated by the Ritual. “Never have I felt such a cold chill of disappointment, Watson. For a moment is seemed to me that there must be some radical mistake in my calculations. The setting sun shone full upon the passage floor, and I could see that the old, foot worn gray stones with which it was paved were firmly cemented together, and had certainly not been moved for many a long year. “Brunton had not been at work here (Брантон здесь ничего не делал: «не поработал»). I tapped upon the floor (я постучал по полу /в нескольких местах/), but it sounded the same all over (но он всюду звучал одинаково), and there was no sign of any crack or crevice (не было никаких признаков трещины или щели). But, fortunately, Musgrave, who had begun to appreciate the meaning of my proceedings (но к счастью, Месгрейв, который начал понимать смысл моих действий; to begin-began-begun), and who was now as excited as myself (и который был теперь так же взволнован, как и я), took out his manuscript to check my calculation (достал манускрипт, чтобы проверить мои расчеты). “‘And under (и вниз),’ he cried (вскричал он). ‘You have omitted the “and under (вы упустили /слова/: «и вниз»).”’ “I had thought that it meant that we were to dig (я думал, это означало, что нам нужно копать; to mean), but now, of course, I saw at once that I was wrong (но теперь, разумеется, я тотчас понял, что ошибался). ‘There is a cellar under this then (значит, там внизу есть подвал)?’ I cried. “‘Yes, and as old as the house (да, такой же старый, как и дом). Down here, through this door (вниз, через эту дверь).’
“‘And under,’ he cried. ‘You have omitted the “and under.”’ “I had thought that it meant that we were to dig, but now, of course, I saw at once that I was wrong. ‘There is a cellar under this then?’ I cried. “‘Yes, and as old as the house. Down here, through this door.’
“It had been used for the storage of wood (подвал использовался для хранения дров), but the billets, which had evidently been littered over the floor (но поленья, которые, по-видимому, /раньше/ были разбросаны по полу; to litter — сорить, разбрасывать вещи, делать беспорядок), were now piled at the sides (теперь были отодвинуты в стороны; to pile — складывать, сваливать в кучу), so as to leave a clear space in the middle (так, чтобы оставить свободное пространство посередине). In this space lay a large and heavy flagstone (здесь лежала огромная и тяжелая каменная плита) with a rusted iron ring in the centre (с заржавленным железным кольцом в центре) to which a thick shepherd’s-check muffler was attached (к которому был привязан толстый клетчатый шарф; shepherd’s-check — мелкий шашечный рисунок; черно-белая клетка; шерстяная ткань в черно-белую клетку; shepherd — пастух). “‘By Jove (черт возьми: «клянусь Юпитером!»)!’ cried my client (вскричал мой клиент). ‘That’s Brunton’s muffler (это шарф Брантона). I have seen it on him, and could swear to it (я видел этот шарф на нем, могу поклясться в этом). What has the villain been doing here (что этот негодяй здесь делал)?’
“It had been used for the storage of wood, but the billets, which had evidently been littered over the floor, were now piled at the sides, so as to leave a clear space in the middle. In this space lay a large and heavy flagstone with a rusted iron ring in the centre to which a thick shepherd’s-check muffler was attached. “‘By Jove!’ cried my client. ‘That’s Brunton’s muffler. I have seen it on him, and could swear to it. What has the villain been doing here?’
“A small chamber about seven feet deep (маленькая комнатка примерно семь футов глубиной) and four feet square lay open to us (с квадратным основанием, шириной и длиной около четырех /футов/, открылась перед нами; square — квадрат; квадратный, с квадратным основанием). At one side of this was a squat (в одной стороне стоял низкий и широкий), brass-bound wooden box (отделанный медью деревянный сундук; brassbound — отделанный медью: brassbound box — коробка с медными накладками), the lid of which was hinged upwards (крышка которого была откинута), with this curious old-fashioned key projecting from the lock (этот необычный старомодный ключ торчал из замка). It was furred outside by a thick layer of dust (снаружи он был покрыт толстым слоем пыли; fur — мех; накипь /в чайнике, котле/; осадок /в винной бочке/), and damp and worms had eaten through the wood (сырость и черви так изъели дерево), so that a crop of livid fungi was growing on the inside of it (что плесень росла внутри сундука; crop —урожай; обилие, масса; livid — синевато-серый, серовато-синий; мертвенно бледный). Several discs of metal (несколько металлических кружков), old coins apparently (очевидно, старинных монет), such as I hold here (таких, как эти; to hold — держать; хранить), were scattered over the bottom of the box (валялись: «были разбросаны» на дне сундука), but it contained nothing else (но больше в нем ничего не было). cravat [krq`vxt], yawned [jLnd], kneeling [`nJlIN], metal [metl] “At my suggestion a couple of the county police were summoned to be present, and I then endeavored to raise the stone by pulling on the cravat. I could only move it slightly, and it was with the aid of one of the constables that I succeeded at last in carrying it to one side. A black hole yawned beneath into which we all peered, while Musgrave, kneeling at the side, pushed down the lantern. “A small chamber about seven feet deep and four feet square lay open to us. At one side of this was a squat, brass-bound wooden box, the lid of which was hinged upwards, with this curious old-fashioned key projecting from the lock. It was furred outside by a thick layer of dust, and damp and worms had eaten through the wood, so that a crop of livid fungi was growing on the inside of it. Several discs of metal, old coins apparently, such as I hold here, were scattered over the bottom of the box, but it contained nothing else. “At the moment, however (однако в ту минуту), we had no thought for the old chest (мы не думали о старом сундуке), for our eyes were riveted upon that which crouched beside it (наши взгляды были прикованы к тому, что находилось рядом с ним; to rivet — клепать, склепывать; сосредоточивать /внимание/; устремлять /взгляд/; rivet — заклепка; to crouch — припадать к земле; согнуться, склониться). It was the figure of a man (это был человек), clad in a suit of black (одетый в черный костюм), who squatted down upon his hams (который сидел на корточках; ham — бедро, ляжка; to squat on one's hams — сидеть на корточках) with his forehead sunk upon the edge of the box (упершись лбом в край сундука) and his two arms thrown out on each side of it (и обхватив его руками: «обхватив каждую сторону»; to throw out — выставить, выпрямить, протянуть /ногу, руку/). The attitude had drawn all the stagnant blood to the face (такое положение вогнало всю застоявшуюся кровь в лицо = от такого положения лицо налилось кровью), and no man could have recognized that distorted liver-colored countenance (и никто бы не узнал это искаженное/перекошенное лицо темно-каштанового цвета; countenance — выражение лица, лицо; liver — печень); but his height (но его роста), his dress (одежды), and his hair were all sufficient to show my client (и волос было достаточно, чтобы мой клиент смог определить: «указать моему клиенту»), when we had drawn the body up (когда мы приподняли тело; to draw up — выпрямлять/ся/, вытягивать/ся/), that it was indeed his missing butler (что это действительно его пропавший дворецкий). He had been dead some days (он был мертв /уже/ несколько дней), but there was no wound or bruise upon his person to show (но на теле не было ни ран, ни кровоподтеков, указывавших на то) how he had met his dreadful end (каким образом он встретил свою страшную смерть). When his body had been carried from the cellar (когда его тело вытащили из подвала) we found ourselves still confronted with a problem (перед нами по-прежнему стояла загадка; to confront — встретиться лицом к лицу; столкнуться /с трудностями, проблемами и т. д./) which was almost as formidable as that with which we had started (почти такая же трудноразрешимая, как и та, с которой мы начинали; formidable — страшный; труднопреодолимый; очень трудный: formidable task — невероятно трудная задача). crouched [krauCt], blood [blAd], distorted [dIs`tLtId], countenance [`kauntInqns], sufficient [sq`fIS(q)nt], bruise [brHz] “At the moment, however, we had no thought for the old chest, for our eyes were riveted upon that which crouched beside it. It was the figure of a man, clad in a suit of black, who squatted down upon his hams with his forehead sunk upon the edge of the box and his two arms thrown out on each side of it. The attitude had drawn all the stagnant blood to the face, and no man could have recognized that distorted liver colored countenance; but his height, his dress, and his hair were all sufficient to show my client, when we had drawn the body up, that it was indeed his missing butler. He had been dead some days, but there was no wound or bruise upon his person to show how he had met his dreadful end. When his body had been carried from the cellar we found ourselves still confronted with a problem which was almost as formidable as that with which we had started. “I confess that so far, Watson (признаюсь, Ватсон, что пока), I had been disappointed in my investigation (я был разочарован /результатами/ расследования). I had reckoned upon solving the matter (я рассчитывал решить эту задачу; to reckon on — рассчитывать на; полагаться на; to reckon — считать, полагать) when once I had found the place referred to in the Ritual (обнаружив место, указанное в «Обряде»); but now I was there, and was apparently as far as ever from knowing (но теперь я стоял там /на том месте/, и, по-видимому, был так же далек от разгадки) what it was which the family had concealed with such elaborate precautions (что же было спрятано семейством с такими тщательными предосторожностями; precaution — предусмотрительность; мера предосторожности). It is true that I had thrown a light upon the fate of Brunton (правда, я пролил свет на участь Брантона), but now I had to ascertain how that fate had come upon him (но теперь мне нужно было выяснить, каким образом эта участь его постигла), and what part had been played in the matter by the woman who had disappeared (и какую роль сыграла в этом женщина, которая исчезла). I sat down upon a keg in the corner (я сел на бочонок в углу) and thought the whole matter carefully over (и тщательно обдумал все это дело). “You know my methods in such cases, Watson (вы знаете мои методы в подобных случаях, Ватсон). I put myself in the man’s place (я ставлю себя на место действующего лица) and, having first gauged his intelligence (и, прежде оценив его умственные способности; to gauge — измерять; оценивать /человека, характер и т. д./), I try to imagine how I should myself have proceeded under the same circumstances (я пытаюсь представить, как бы я сам поступил при тех же обстоятельствах). concealed [kqn`sJld], precaution [prI`kLS(q)n], gauged [geIGd] “I confess that so far, Watson, I had been disappointed in my investigation. I had reckoned upon solving the matter when once I had found the place referred to in the Ritual; but now I was there, and was apparently as far as ever from knowing what it was which the family had concealed with such elaborate precautions. It is true that I had thrown a light upon the fate of Brunton, but now I had to ascertain how that fate had come upon him, and what part had been played in the matter by the woman who had disappeared. I sat down upon a keg in the corner and thought the whole matter carefully over. “You know my methods in such cases, Watson. I put myself in the man’s place and, having first gauged his intelligence, I try to imagine how I should myself have proceeded under the same circumstances. “In this case the matter was simplified by Brunton’s intelligence being quite first-rate (в этом случае дело упрощалось, так как Брантон обладал весьма незаурядным умом; first-rate — первоклассный, отличный, превосходный), so that it was unnecessary to make any allowance for the personal equation (так что не было необходимости делать поправку на разницу нашего с ним мышления; to make allowance for — принимать что-либо во внимание, в расчет; делать поправку на что-либо; personal equation — поправка на личные особенности; equation — выравнивание, уравнивание), as the astronomers have dubbed it (как это назвали астрономы; to dub — ровнять; дать прозвище, окрестить). He knew that something valuable was concealed (он знал, что нечто ценное было спрятано). He had spotted the place (он определил это место). He found that the stone which covered it (обнаружил, что плита, закрывающая /вход туда/) was just too heavy for a man to move unaided (слишком тяжелая, чтобы поднять ее без посторонней помощи; aid — помощь). What would he do next (что бы он сделал затем)? He could not get help from outside (он не мог прибегнуть к помощи /людей/ со стороны), even if he had some one whom he could trust (даже если бы у него был кто-то, кому он мог доверять), without the unbarring of doors and considerable risk of detection (не отпирая двери и не подвергаясь значительному риску быть обнаруженным: «риску обнаружения»; bar — брусок; засов). It was better, if he could, to have his helpmate inside the house (было бы лучше, если бы он сумел найти помощника внутри дома). But whom could he ask (но к кому он мог обратиться)? “This girl had been devoted to him (та девушка была предана ему; to devote — посвящать, отдавать). A man always finds it hard to realize (мужчине всегда трудно поверить) that he may have finally lost a woman’s love (что он окончательно потерял любовь женщины), however badly he may have treated her (как бы плохо он с ней ни обходился). allowance [q`lauqns], equation [I`kweIZ(q)n], astronomer [q`strOnqmq], unaided ["An`eIdId] “In this case the matter was simplified by Brunton’s intelligence being quite first-rate, so that it was unnecessary to make any allowance for the personal equation, as the astronomers have dubbed it. He knew that something valuable was concealed. He had spotted the place. He found that the stone which covered it was just too heavy for a man to move unaided. What would he do next? He could not get help from outside, even if he had some one whom he could trust, without the unbarring of doors and considerable risk of detection. It was better, if he could, to have his helpmate inside the house. But whom could he ask? “This girl had been devoted to him. A man always finds it hard to realize that he may have finally lost a woman’s love, however badly he may have treated her. “He would try by a few attentions to make his peace with the girl Howells (возможно, оказывая знаки внимания, он попытался помириться с горничной Хауэллс; attention — внимание; ухаживание), and then would engage her as his accomplice (а потом сделал ее сообщницей; to engage — нанимать; привлекать, заинтересовывать). Together they would come at night to the cellar (ночью они вместе спустились в погреб), and their united force would suffice to raise the stone (и их совместных/объединенных усилий хватило, чтобы поднять камень). So far I could follow their actions as if I had actually seen them (до этого момента я мог проследить за их действиями, будто видел их на самом деле). “But for two of them, and one a woman (но для двух /человек/, /особенно если/ один из них женщина), it must have been heavy work the raising of that stone (поднять камень, должно быть, явилось нелегкой работой). A burly Sussex policeman and I had found it no light job (мне и дюжему суссекскому полисмену это не показалось легкой работой). What would they do to assist them (что же они сделали, чтобы помочь себе)? Probably what I should have done myself (вероятно, /то же/, что сделал бы я сам). I rose and examined carefully the different billets of wood (я встал и внимательно осмотрел поленья; to rise; different — различный) which were scattered round the floor (валявшиеся на полу). Almost at once I came upon what I expected (почти сразу же я нашел то, что ожидал /найти/). One piece, about three feet in length (одно полено, примерно три фута длиной), had a very marked indentation at one end (имело очень отчетливое углубление на конце; indentation — вдавленность; впадина; отпечаток), while several were flattened at the sides (а несколько /других/ были сплющены на концах; flat — плоский) as if they had been compressed by some considerable weight (как будто они сдавливались значительной тяжестью). accomplice [q`kOmplIs], burly [`bq:lI], several [`sev(q)rql], weight [weIt] “He would try by a few attentions to make his peace with the girl Howells, and then would engage her as his accomplice. Together they would come at night to the cellar, and their united force would suffice to raise the stone. So far I could follow their actions as if I had actually seen them. “But for two of them, and one a woman, it must have been heavy work the raising of that stone. A burly Sussex policeman and I had found it no light job. What would they do to assist them? Probably what I should have done myself. I rose and examined carefully the different billets of wood which were scattered round the floor. Almost at once I came upon what I expected. One piece, about three feet in length, had a very marked indentation at one end, while several were flattened at the sides as if they had been compressed by some considerable weight. “Evidently, as they had dragged the stone up (по-видимому, приподняв плиту) they had thrust the chunks of wood into the chink (они просовывали эти поленья в щель; chunk — колода, чурбан), until at last, when the opening was large enough to crawl through (пока наконец отверстие не стало достаточно большим, чтобы протиснуться: «проползти» через него), they would hold it open by a billet placed lengthwise (они держали его открытым = подперли плиту поленом, поставленным вертикально; lengthwise — продольный, направленный в длину), which might very well become indented at the lower end (которое вполне могло получить вмятину на нижнем конце; indented — вдавленный, вогнутый), since the whole weight of the stone (так как весь вес плиты) would press it down on to the edge of this other slab (прижимал его к краю другой плиты; slab — плита; лист, пластина). So far I was still on safe ground (пока у меня по-прежнему были обоснованные предположения: «я был на надежной почве»). “And now how was I to proceed to reconstruct this midnight drama (как же я должен был теперь восстанавливать /картину/ той полуночной драмы; to proceed — продолжать движение; действовать, поступать)? Clearly, only one could fit into the hole, and that one was Brunton (ясно, что только один /из них/ мог пролезть в отверстие, и это был Брантон; to fit — подходить, быть впору; умещаться). The girl must have waited above (девушка, должно быть, ждала наверху). Brunton then unlocked the box (затем Брантон отпер сундук), handed up the contents presumably (и, вероятно, передал наверх его содержимое) — since they were not to be found (поскольку его /содержимое/ не нашли) — and then — and then what happened (а потом… что же произошло потом)? crawl [krLl], reconstruct ["rJkqn`strAkt], presumably [prI`zjHmqblI] Evidently, as they had dragged the stone up they had thrust the chunks of wood into the chink, until at last, when the opening was large enough to crawl through, they would hold it open by a billet placed lengthwise, which might very well become indented at the lower end, since the whole weight of the stone would press it down on to the edge of this other slab. So far I was still on safe ground. “And now how was I to proceed to reconstruct this midnight drama? Clearly, only one could fit into the hole, and that one was Brunton. The girl must have waited above. Brunton then unlocked the box, handed up the contents presumably — since they were not to be found — and then — and then what happened? “What smouldering fire of vengeance (какой тлеющий огонь мести) had suddenly sprung into flame (внезапно вспыхнул; flame — пламя) in this passionate Celtic woman’s soul (в пылкой душе этой кельтской женщины) when she saw the man who had wronged her (когда она увидела, что мужчина, который обидел ее; to wrong — причинять зло, обижать; поступать несправедливо, подло; wrong — вред, зло; обида) — wronged her, perhaps, far more than we suspected (обидел, возможно, намного сильнее, чем мы подозревали) — in her power (находится в ее власти)? Was it a chance that the wood had slipped (случайно ли полено соскользнуло), and that the stone had shut Brunton into what had become his sepulcher (и плита замуровала Брантона в /комнатке/, которая стала его могилой; sepulcher — склеп, могила, гробница)? Had she only been guilty of silence as to his fate (виновна ли она только в молчании относительно его судьбы = только в том, что умолчала о его судьбе)? Or had some sudden blow from her hand dashed the support away (или внезапный удар ее руки выбил подпорку) and sent the slab crashing down into its place (и плита упала с грохотом на свое /прежнее/ место: «и послал плиту грохнуться…»)? Be that as it might (как бы то ни было: «пусть будет так, как это могло бы»), I seemed to see that woman’s figure still clutching at her treasure trove (я словно видел, как эта женщина прижимает к себе сокровище; treasure trove — найденный клад /не имеющий владельца/; trove — находка) and flying wildly up the winding stair (и летит = стремительно бежит вверх по винтовой лестнице), with her ears ringing perhaps with the muffled screams from behind her (а в ее ушах звучат приглушенные крики, /раздающиеся/ ей вслед; from behind — из-за, позади) and with the drumming of frenzied hands against the slab of stone (отчаянный стук рук по каменной плите; drum — барабан; to drum — барабанить, стучать, колотить; frenzied — бешеный, яростный; лихорадочный) which was choking her faithless lover’s life out (под которой задыхался ее неверный возлюбленный; to choke — душить; задыхаться; заглушать; faithless — вероломный, неверный). vengeance [`venG(q)ns], sepulchre [`sep(q)lkq], guilty [`gIltI], treasure [`treZq] “What smouldering fire of vengeance had suddenly sprung into flame in this passionate Celtic woman’s soul when she saw the man who had wronged her — wronged her, perhaps, far more than we suspected — in her power? Was it a chance that the wood had slipped, and that the stone had shut Brunton into what had become his sepulchre? Had she only been guilty of silence as to his fate? Or had some sudden blow from her hand dashed the support away and sent the slab crashing down into its place? Be that as it might, I seemed to see that woman’s figure still clutching at her treasure trove and flying wildly up the winding stair, with her ears ringing perhaps with the muffled screams from behind her and with the drumming of frenzied hands against the slab of stone which was choking her faithless lover’s life out. “Here was the secret of her blanched face (вот в чем была загадка ее бледного лица), her shaken nerves (расшатанных нервов), her peals of hysterical laughter on the next morning (приступов истерического смеха на следующее утро; peal — звон; раскат /грома/; взрыв /смеха/). But what had been in the box (но что же было в сундуке)? What had she done with that (что она с этим сделала)? Of course, it must have been the old metal and pebbles (несомненно, это были те /обломки/ старого металла и галька) which my client had dragged from the mere (которые мой клиент вытащил из пруда). She had thrown them in there at the first opportunity (горничная бросила их туда при первой возможности) to remove the last trace of her crime (чтобы скрыть последний след = все следы своего преступления). “For twenty minutes I had sat motionless (двадцать минут я сидел неподвижно), thinking the matter out (раздумывая над этим делом). Musgrave still stood with a very pale face (Месгрейв все еще стоял с очень бледным лицом), swinging his lantern and peering down into the hole (раскачивая фонарь и заглядывая в яму). “‘These are coins of Charles the First (это монеты /эпохи/ Карла Первого; Карл Первый Стюарт /1600-1649/ — английский король; казнен во время Английской буржуазной революции),’ said he, holding out the few which had been in the box (сказал он, протягивая несколько /кружков/, находившихся в сундуке); ‘you see we were right in fixing our date for the Ritual (видите, мы правильно определили время /записи/ «Обряда»).’
“For twenty minutes I had sat motionless, thinking the matter out. Musgrave still stood with a very pale face, swinging his lantern and peering down into the hole. “‘These are coins of Charles the First,’ said he, holding out the few which had been in the box; ‘you see we were right in fixing our date for the Ritual.’
“We ascended to his study (мы поднялись в его кабинет), and he laid the debris before me (и он разложил передо мной обломки; debris — осколки; обломки). I could understand his regarding it as of small importance when I looked at it (я понял, почему он не придает им большого значения, когда взглянул на них), for the metal was almost black (так как металл был почти черен) and the stones lustreless and dull (а камешки тусклы; lusterless — тусклый; без блеска; dull — тусклый, неяркий). I rubbed one of them on my sleeve, however (однако я потер один из них о рукав), and it glowed afterwards like a spark in the dark hollow of my hand (и он засверкал, будто искра, на моей темной ладони; hollow — впадина, ямка, углубление). The metal work was in the form of a double ring (металлические части имели вид двойного обруча; ring — кольцо, обруч, ободок), but it had been bent and twisted out of its original shape (но были погнуты и перекручены, /потеряв/ первоначальную форму; to bend). ascended [q`sendId], debris [`de(I)brJ], dark [dRk] “‘We may find something else of Charles the First,’ I cried, as the probable meaning of the first two questions of the Ritual broke suddenly upon me. ‘Let me see the contents of the bag which you fished from the mere.’ “We ascended to his study, and he laid the debris before me. I could understand his regarding it as of small importance when I looked at it, for the metal was almost black and the stones lustreless and dull. I rubbed one of them on my sleeve, however, and it glowed afterwards like a spark in the dark hollow of my hand. The metal work was in the form of a double ring, but it had been bent and twisted out of its original shape. “‘You must bear in mind (вы должны помнить),’ said I, ‘that the royal party made head in England (что королевская партия главенствовала в Англии; party — партия; группа, свита; to make head — продвигаться вперед) even after the death of the king (даже после смерти короля), and that when they at last fled (и когда ее члены наконец бежали; to flee — убегать, спасаться бегством) they probably left many of their most precious possessions buried behind them (они, вероятно, спрятали многие свои самые ценные вещи; possessions —собственность; имущество; пожитки; to bury — зарывать), with the intention of returning for them in more peaceful times (с намерением вернуться за ними в более мирные/спокойные времена).’ “‘My ancestor, Sir Ralph Musgrave, was a prominent Cavalier (мой предок, сэр Ральф Месгрейв, был видным роялистом; cavalier — всадник, кавалерист; Cavalier — «кавалер», роялист /сторонник Карла Первого во время Английской буржуазной революции/) and the right-hand man of Charles the Second in his wanderings (и правой рукой Карла Второго во время его скитаний; Карл Второй Стюарт /1630-1685/ — английский король, сын Карла Первого),’ said my friend. “‘Ah, indeed (ах, вот оно что)!’ I answered (ответил я). ‘Well, now, I think that really should give us the last link that we wanted (ну, теперь, думаю, это даст нам последнее звено, которого нам не хватало). I must congratulate you on coming into the possession (должен поздравить вас со вступлением во владение), though in rather a tragic manner (хотя и весьма трагическим образом = при трагических обстоятельствах) of a relic which is of great intrinsic value (одной реликвией, которая представляет огромную ценность сама по себе; intrinsic value — действительная, реальная стоимость), but of even greater importance as an historical curiosity (но имеет даже большее значение как историческая редкость; curiosity — любознательность; любопытство; диковина, редкость: curiosity shop — антикварный магазин; лавка древностей).’ “‘What is it, then (что же это такое)?’ he gasped in astonishment (изумленно спросил он; to gasp — дышать с трудом, задыхаться). “‘It is nothing less than the ancient crown of the kings of England (не что иное: «ничто не меньше» как древняя корона английских королей).’ “‘The crown (корона)!’ England [`Inglqnd], precious [`preSqs], congratulate [kqn`grxtjuleIt] “‘You must bear in mind,’ said I, ‘that the royal party made head in England even after the death of the king, and that when they at last fled they probably left many of their most precious possessions buried behind them, with the intention of returning for them in more peaceful times.’ “‘My ancestor, Sir Ralph Musgrave, was a prominent Cavalier and the right hand man of Charles the Second in his wanderings,’ said my friend. “‘Ah, indeed!’ I answered. ‘Well, now, I think that really should give us the last link that we wanted. I must congratulate you on coming into the possession, though in rather a tragic manner of a relic which is of great intrinsic value, but of even greater importance as an historical curiosity.’ “‘What is it, then?’ he gasped in astonishment. “‘It is nothing less than the ancient crown of the kings of England.’ “‘The crown!’ “‘Precisely (совершенно верно). Consider what the Ritual says (вспомните, что говорится в «Обряде»): How does it run (как там написано; to run — бежать; гласить /о документе, тексте и т. п./)? “Whose was it (кому это принадлежит)?” “His who is gone (тому, кто ушел).” That was after the execution of Charles (это было /написано/ после казни Карла). Then, “Who shall have it (далее: «Кому это будет принадлежать»)?” “He who will come (тому, кто придет).” That was Charles the Second, whose advent was already foreseen (это был Карл Второй, вступление на престол которого уже предвиделось; advent — наступление /эпохи, события/, прибытие, приход; to foresee). There can, I think, be no doubt that this battered and shapeless diadem (полагаю, не может быть сомнений в том, что эта измятая и бесформенная корона) once encircled the brows of the royal Stuarts (некогда венчала головы: королей /династии/ Стюартов; to encircle — опоясывать; окружать; brow — бровь; лоб, чело).’ “‘And how came it in the pond (а как она попала в пруд)?’ “‘Ah, that is a question that will take some time to answer (это вопрос, на которой сразу не ответишь: «который потребует некоторого времени для ответа»).’ And with that I sketched out to him the whole long chain of surmise and of proof (и я кратко изложил всю длинную цепь моих предположений и доказательств; sketch — эскиз, набросок; описание в общих чертах) which I had constructed (которую я выстроил). The twilight had closed in (сумерки наступили) and the moon was shining brightly in the sky (и луна ярко засияла в небе) before my narrative was finished (прежде чем мой рассказ был закончен). “‘And how was it then that Charles did not get his crown when he returned (но почему же Карл не получил обратно свою корону, когда вернулся)?’ asked Musgrave, pushing back the relic into its linen bag (спросил Месгрейв, засовывая реликвию обратно в полотняный мешочек).
“‘And how came it in the pond?’ “‘Ah, that is a question that will take some time to answer.’ And with that I sketched out to him the whole long chain of surmise and of proof which I had constructed. The twilight had closed in and the moon was shining brightly in the sky before my narrative was finished. “‘And how was it then that Charles did not get his crown when he returned?’ asked Musgrave, pushing back the relic into its linen bag.
“And that’s the story of the Musgrave Ritual, Watson (такова история «Обряда /дома/ Месгрейвов», Ватсон). They have the crown down at Hurlstone (корона хранится в Херлстоне) — though they had some legal bother and a considerable sum to pay (хотя им /владельцам/ пришлось перенести некоторые юридические хлопоты и заплатить значительную сумму; to bother — надоедать, беспокоить) before they were allowed to retain it (прежде чем им позволили оставить ее /у себя/; to retain — удерживать; сохранять). I am sure that if you mentioned my name (уверен, что если вы упомянете мое имя) they would be happy to show it to you (они с радостью покажут ее вам). Of the woman nothing was ever heard (о той женщине больше ничего не слышали), and the probability is that she got away out of England (вероятно, она покинула Англию; probability — вероятность, возможность; to get away — удирать; уезжать) and carried herself and the memory of her crime to some land beyond the seas (и увезла память о своем преступлении в заморские края: «в страну за морями»).” descendant [dI`sendqnt], son [sAn], crown [kraun], legal [`lJg(q)l] “‘Ah, there you lay your finger upon the one point which we shall probably never be able to clear up. It is likely that the Musgrave who held the secret died in the interval, and by some oversight left this guide to his descendant without explaining the meaning of it. From that day to this it has been handed down from father to son, until at last it came within reach of a man who tore its secret out of it and lost his life in the venture.’ “And that’s the story of the Musgrave Ritual, Watson. They have the crown down at Hurlstone — though they had some legal bother and a considerable sum to pay before they were allowed to retain it. I am sure that if you mentioned my name they would be happy to show it to you. Of the woman nothing was ever heard, and the probability is that she got away out of England and carried herself and the memory of her crime to some land beyond the seas.” жүктеу/скачать 3.67 Mb. Достарыңызбен бөлісу:
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