“There (вот, извольте),” said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the top of the pile (сказал он, кладя новое обручальное кольцо на эту кучу). “There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Holmes (раскусите-ка этот орешек, господин Холмс: «вот орешек для вас, чтобы раскусить»).”
shoe [SH], wreath [rJT], discolored [dIs`kAlqd]
“Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up.”
“Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the matter?”
“I think it very unlikely.”
“Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found this in it?”
He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin shoes and a bride’s wreath and veil, all discolored and soaked in water.
“There,” said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the top of the pile. “There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Holmes.”
“Oh, indeed (вот как)!” said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air (сказал мой друг, выпуская /в воздух/ голубые кольца /дыма/). “You dragged them from the Serpentine (вы вытащили эти вещи из Серпантина)?”
“No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper (они плавали у берега, их нашел сторож при парке). They have been identified as her clothes (они были опознаны как ее одежда), and it seemed to me that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off (и я думаю, раз там была одежда, то тело найдется недалеко).”
“By the same brilliant reasoning (исходя из этого блестящего рассуждения), every man’s body is to be found in the neighborhood of his wardrobe (тело каждого человека должно быть найдено рядом с его одеждой; in the neighbourhood of — по соседству с, поблизости от; wardrobe — гардероб, одежда). And pray what did you hope to arrive at through this (и к чему же вы хотите прийти через это = чего надеетесь добиться с помощью этих вещей)?”
“At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance (какой-нибудь улики, доказывающей /причастность/ Флоры Миллар к исчезновению /леди Сент-Саймон/; to implicate — заключать в себе, подразумевать; иметь следствием).”
“I am afraid that you will find it difficult (боюсь, вам это будет нелегко: «вы обнаружите, что это трудно»).”
margin [`mRGIn], wardrobe [`wLdrqub], neighborhood [`neIbqhud]
“Oh, indeed!” said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. “You dragged them from the Serpentine?”
“No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off.”
“By the same brilliant reasoning, every man’s body is to be found in the neighborhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to arrive at through this?”
“At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance.”
“I am afraid that you will find it difficult.”
“Are you, indeed, now (боитесь)?” cried Lestrade with some bitterness (с горечью вскричал Лестрейд; bitter — горький). “I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your deductions and your inferences (боюсь, Холмс, что вы не очень практичны = отстали от жизни с вашими выводами и умозаключениями). You have made two blunders in as many minutes (вы сделали две грубые ошибки за две минуты: «за столько же минут»). This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar (это платье действительно уличает мисс Флору Миллар).”
“And how (и каким образом)?”
“In the dress is a pocket (в платье есть карман). In the pocket is a card-case (в кармане коробочка для визитных карточек). In the card-case is a note (в коробочке — записка). And here is the very note (вот эта самая записка).” He slapped it down upon the table in front of him (он швырнул ее на стол перед собой; to slap down — с силой бросать, энергично швырять). “Listen to this (послушайте): ‘You will see me when all is ready (увидите меня, когда все будет готово). Come at once. F.H.M (приходите немедленно. Ф. Х. М.).’ Now my theory all along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Millar (итак, я с самого начала предполагал, что Флора Миллар выманила леди Сент-Саймон; all along — все время, с самого начала; всегда), and that she, with confederates, no doubt (и, несомненно, с сообщниками), was responsible for her disappearance (ответственна за ее исчезновение). Here, signed with her initials (вот, подписанная ее инициалами), is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped into her hand at the door (та самая записка, которую, без сомнения, она незаметно передала леди Сент-Саймон у двери; to slip — cкользить; давать /что-либо/ скрытно, незаметно) and which lured her within their reach (и которая заманила ее в их сети; to lure — привлекать; завлекать, соблазнять; reach — протягивание /руки/; размах, предел досягаемости).”
inference [`Inf(q)rqns], confederate [kqn`fed(q)rIt], initial [I`nIS(q)l]
“Are you, indeed, now?” cried Lestrade with some bitterness. “I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar.”
“And how?”
“In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the card-case is a note. And here is the very note.” He slapped it down upon the table in front of him. “Listen to this: ‘You will see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.’ Now my theory all along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped into her hand at the door and which lured her within their reach.”
“Very good, Lestrade (отлично, Лестрейд),” said Holmes, laughing (сказал Холмс, смеясь). “You really are very fine indeed (в самом деле, вы это славно /придумали/). Let me see it (позвольте взглянуть на записку).”
He took up the paper in a listless way (он безразлично взял бумажку), but his attention instantly became riveted (но он тотчас сосредоточился /на ней/; to rivet — клепать; сосредоточивать /внимание/; устремлять, приковывать /взгляд/), and he gave a little cry of satisfaction (и радостно вскрикнул: «издал короткий крик удовлетворения/радости»).
“This is indeed important (это действительно важно),” said he.
“Ha! you find it so (ага! и вы так считаете)?”
“Extremely so (чрезвычайно важно). I congratulate you warmly (сердечно поздравляю вас).”
Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look (Лестрейд торжествующе поднялся и наклонился /над запиской/: «наклонил голову, чтобы посмотреть»; to bend).
“Why,” he shrieked (но ведь, — воскликнул он), “you’re looking at the wrong side (вы смотрите не на ту сторону/на оборотную сторону)!”
“On the contrary, this is the right side (напротив, это лицевая: «правильная» сторона).”
“The right side (лицевая)? You’re mad (вы с ума сошли)! Here is the note written in pencil over here (записка написана карандашом вот здесь).”
important [Im`pLt(q)nt], triumph [`traIqmf], written [`rIt(q)n]
“Very good, Lestrade,” said Holmes, laughing. “You really are very fine indeed. Let me see it.”
He took up the paper in a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he gave a little cry of satisfaction.
“This is indeed important,” said he.
“Ha! you find it so?”
“Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly.”
Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look.
“Why,” he shrieked, “you’re looking at the wrong side!”
“On the contrary, this is the right side.”
“The right side? You’re mad! Here is the note written in pencil over here.”
“And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel bill (а здесь, похоже, обрывок гостиничного счета), which interests me deeply (который меня чрезвычайно интересует).”
“There’s nothing in it (в нем нет ничего особенного). I looked at it before (я видел его раньше),” said Lestrade. “‘Oct. 4th, rooms 8s. (4-е октября, комнаты — 8 шил.), breakfast 2s. 6d. (завтрак — 2 шил., 6 пенсов), cocktail 1s. (коктейль — 1 шил.), lunch 2s. 6d. (ленч — 2 шил., 6 пенсов), glass sherry, 8d (стакан хереса — 8 пенсов).’ I see nothing in that (не вижу ничего /интересного/).”
“Very likely not (вполне вероятно, что не видите). It is most important, all the same (и все же счет очень важен). As to the note, it is important also (что касается записки, она тоже важна), or at least the initials are, so I congratulate you again (или, по крайней мере, инициалы; так что снова поздравляю вас).”
“I’ve wasted time enough (я потерял достаточно времени),” said Lestrade, rising. “I believe in hard work (я считаю, что надо много работать: «верю в интенсивную работу»; hard work — тяжелая работа) and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories (а не сидеть у камина, выдумывая всякие прекрасные теории; to spin — прясть; плести /паутину/; разрабатывать, придумывать: to spin stories — плести небылицы). Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see (до свидания, мистер Холмс, /еще/ увидим) which gets to the bottom of the matter first (кто первым доберется до сути этого дела).”
He gathered up the garments (он собрал одежду), thrust them into the bag (сунул ее в мешок), and made for the door (и направился к двери).
cocktail [`kOkteIl], garments [`gRmqnts], door [dL]
“And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel bill, which interests me deeply.”
“There’s nothing in it. I looked at it before,” said Lestrade. “‘Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.’ I see nothing in that.”
“Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I congratulate you again.”
“I’ve wasted time enough,” said Lestrade, rising. “I believe in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of the matter first.”
He gathered up the garments, thrust them into the bag, and made for the door.
“Just one hint to you, Lestrade (/дам/ вам только одну подсказку, Лестрейд),” drawled Holmes before his rival vanished (медленно произнес Холмс прежде, чем его соперник исчез; to drawl — растягивать слова, произносить с подчеркнутой медлительностью); “I will tell you the true solution of the matter (я назову вам истинное решение это дела). Lady St. Simon is a myth (леди Сент-Саймон — миф). There is not, and there never has been, any such person (нет и никогда не было такого человека).”
Lestrade looked sadly at my companion (Лестрейд грустно посмотрел на моего друга). Then he turned to me (потом повернулся ко мне), tapped his forehead three times (трижды постучал /пальцем/ по лбу), shook his head solemnly (серьезно покачал головой), and hurried away (и поспешно вышел).
He had hardly shut the door behind him (едва он закрыл за собой дверь) when Holmes rose to put on his overcoat (как Холмс встал и надел пальто).
“There is something in what the fellow says about outdoor work (в том, что говорит наш коллега о работе на открытом воздухе, есть доля истины),” he remarked (заметил он), “so I think, Watson, that I must leave you to your papers for a little (поэтому, Ватсон, думаю, что должен оставить вас ненадолго с вашими газетами).”
drawled [drLld], solemnly [`sOlqmlI], remarked [rI`mRkt]
“Just one hint to you, Lestrade,” drawled Holmes before his rival vanished; “I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any such person.”
Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and hurried away.
He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on his overcoat.
“There is something in what the fellow says about outdoor work,” he remarked, “so I think, Watson, that I must leave you to your papers for a little.”
It was after five o’clock when Sherlock Holmes left me (когда Шерлок Холмс покинул меня, было начало шестого), but I had no time to be lonely (но я недолго оставался в одиночестве: «у меня не было времени оставаться в одиночестве»), for within an hour there arrived a confectioner’s man with a very large flat box (так как менее чем через час явился посыльный из гастрономической лавки с очень большой плоской коробкой; confectioner — кондитер). This he unpacked with the help of a youth (он распаковал ее с помощью юноши) whom he had brought with him (которого привел с собой), and presently, to my very great astonishment (и вскоре, к моему большому удивлению), a quite epicurean little cold supper (довольно роскошный холодный ужин; epicurean — эпикурейский, чувственный; роскошный, пышный) began to be laid out upon our humble lodging-house mahogany (начал появляться на скромном обеденном столе нашей меблированной квартиры; to lay out — вынимать, выкладывать; расставлять; lodging-house — меблированные комнаты; mahogany — красное дерево, сделанный из красного дерева; обеденный стол). There were a couple of brace of cold woodcock (здесь была пара холодных вальдшнепов), a pheasant (фазан), a pâté de foie gras pie (пирог с паштетом из гусиной печени) with a group of ancient and cobwebby bottles (и несколько старых, покрытых паутиной бутылок; cobweb — паутина; нить паутины). Having laid out all these luxuries (расставив все эти лакомства; luxuries — предметы роскоши), my two visitors vanished away (оба посетителя исчезли), like the genii of the Arabian Nights (словно джинны из «Тысячи и одной ночи»: «арабских ночей»), with no explanation save that the things had been paid for (без каких-либо объяснений, сказав только, что за все заплачено) and were ordered to this address (и велено доставить по этому адресу; to order — заказывать; направлять, посылать).
confectioner [kqn`fekS(q)nq], epicurean ["epIkju(q)`rJqn], mahogany [mq`hOgqnI]
It was after five o’clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a confectioner’s man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid for and were ordered to this address.
Just before nine o’clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the room (около девяти часов Шерлок Холмс бодро вошел в комнату; just before — непосредственно перед). His features were gravely set (его лицо было серьезным), but there was a light in his eye which made me think (но в глазах блестел огонек, по которому я понял) that he had not been disappointed in his conclusions (что он не разочаровался в своих выводах).
“They have laid the supper, then (итак, ужин уже на столе: «они накрыли ужин»),” he said, rubbing his hands (сказал он, потирая руки).
“You seem to expect company (кажется, вы ждете гостей). They have laid for five (накрыли на пять персон).”
“Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in (да, думаю, к нам зайдут кое-какие гости; to drop in — заходить, заглядывать, забегать),” said he. “I am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived (я удивлен, что лорд Сент-Саймон еще не пришел). Ha! I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs (ага! кажется, я слышу на лестнице его шаги).”
It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in (это действительно оказался наш дневной посетитель; он торопливо вошел), dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever (еще сильнее чем прежде раскачивая пенсне; vigorously — сильно, энергично), and with a very perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features (и его аристократические черты лица отражали сильное смятение; to perturb — смущать, тревожить; беспокоить, волновать).
conclusion [kqn`klHZ(q)n], company [`kAmpqnI], bustling [`bAslIN]
Just before nine o’clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his conclusions.
“They have laid the supper, then,” he said, rubbing his hands.
“You seem to expect company. They have laid for five.”
“Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in,” said he. “I am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs.”
It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features.
“My messenger reached you, then (значит, мой посыльный застал вас /дома/)?” asked Holmes.
“Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure (да, и признаюсь, содержание /письма/ сильно поразило меня: «сверх всякой меры»). Have you good authority for what you say (у вас есть доказательства того, что вы говорите; authority — власть; авторитетный источник; основание; on good authority — из достоверных источников, по достоверным сведениям)?”
“The best possible (самые веские: «лучшие из возможных»).”
Lord St. Simon sank into a chair (лорд опустился в кресло) and passed his hand over his forehead (и провел рукой по лбу).
“What will the Duke say (что скажет герцог),” he murmured (прошептал он; to murmur — говорить тихо; шептать; бормотать), “when he hears that one of the family has been subjected to such humiliation (когда узнает, что один из /членов/ семьи подвергся такому унижению; to humiliate — унижать, оскорблять)?”
“It is the purest accident (это чистейшая случайность). I cannot allow that there is any humiliation (не могу согласиться, что здесь есть что-то унизительное; to allow — позволять; признавать /справедливым, правильным/; принимать; соглашаться).“
measure [`meZq], authority [L`TOrItI], murmured [`mq:mqd]
“My messenger reached you, then?” asked Holmes.
“Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Have you good authority for what you say?”
“The best possible.”
Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his forehead.
“What will the Duke say,” he murmured, “when he hears that one of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?”
“It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any humiliation.“
“Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint (ах, вы смотрите на эти вещи с другой точки зрения).”
“I fail to see that anyone is to blame (я совершенно не вижу здесь виновных; to fail — потерпеть неудачу; to blame — винить, порицать). I can hardly see how the lady could have acted otherwise (я едва понимаю, как леди могла поступить иначе = думаю, леди не могла поступить иначе), though her abrupt method of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted (хотя, конечно, жаль, что она действовала столь резко; to regret — сожалеть). Having no mother, she had no one to advise her at such a crisis (так как у нее нет матери, ей не с кем было посоветоваться в такой критический момент).”
“It was a slight, sir, a public slight (это было оскорблением, сэр, публичным оскорблением; slight — пренебрежение, неуважение),” said Lord St. Simon, tapping his fingers upon the table (сказал лорд Сент-Саймон, стуча пальцами по столу).
“You must make allowance for this poor girl (вы должны сделать скидку для этой бедной девушки; allowance — денежное пособие; денежное содержание; скидка; допущение; принятие в расчет, во внимание), placed in so unprecedented a position (оказавшейся в таком исключительном положении; unprecedented — беспрецедентный, небывалый; to place — помещать).”
“I will make no allowance (не стану делать никакой скидки). I am very angry indeed, and I have been shamefully used (я очень зол, меня бесчестно использовали; shame — стыд, позор).”
crisis [`kraIsIs], unprecedented [An`presIdqntId], allowance [q`lauqns]
“Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint.”
“I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she had no one to advise her at such a crisis.”
“It was a slight, sir, a public slight,” said Lord St. Simon, tapping his fingers upon the table.
“You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so unprecedented a position.”
“I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have been shamefully used.”
“I think that I heard a ring (кажется, я слышал звонок),” said Holmes. “Yes, there are steps on the landing (да, на лестничной площадке шаги). If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view of the matter, Lord St. Simon (если я не могу убедить вас отнестись к этому делу снисходительно, лорд Сент-Саймон), I have brought an advocate here who may be more successful (то, быть может, человек, которого я пригласил, окажется более успешным; advocate — адвокат; защитник, заступник; to advocate — защищать, поддерживать, пропагандировать /взгляды, позицию/).”
He opened the door and ushered in a lady and gentleman (он открыл дверь и впустил даму и джентльмена; to usher — сопровождать; вводить; усаживать).
“Lord St. Simon,” said he “allow me to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton (позвольте представить вам мистера и миссис Фрэнсис Хей Моултон). The lady, I think, you have already met (с госпожой /Моултон/, полагаю, вы уже знакомы).”
At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his seat (при виде этих гостей наш клиент вскочил с места; newcomer — новоприбывший, приезжий; to spring) and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down (и встал очень прямо = стоял выпрямившись, опустив глаза) and his hand thrust into the breast of his frock-coat (и заложив руку за борт сюртука), a picture of offended dignity (воплощение оскорбленного достоинства). The lady had taken a quick step forward (дама быстро шагнула вперед) and had held out her hand to him (и протянула к нему руку), but he still refused to raise his eyes (но он по-прежнему отказывался поднимать глаза). It was as well for his resolution, perhaps (возможно, это было сделано также для /сохранения/ решимости/твердости), for her pleading face was one which it was hard to resist (поскольку перед ее умоляющим лицом было трудно устоять; to resist — сопротивляться, противиться; не поддаваться).
lenient [`lJnIqnt], picture [`pIkCq], resist [rI`zIst]
“I think that I heard a ring,” said Holmes. “Yes, there are steps on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here who may be more successful.”
He opened the door and ushered in a lady and gentleman.
“Lord St. Simon,” said he “allow me to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I think, you have already met.”
At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand thrust into the breast of his frock coat, a picture of offended dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was one which it was hard to resist.
“You’re angry, Robert (вы сердитесь, Роберт),” said she. “Well, I guess you have every cause to be (что ж, думаю, у вас есть все основания для этого).”
“Pray make no apology to me (прошу вас, не извиняйтесь),” said Lord St. Simon bitterly (с горечью произнес лорд Сент-Саймон).
“Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad (да, я знаю, я действительно обошлась с вами плохо) and that I should have spoken to you before I went (и мне следовало поговорить с вами перед тем, как уйти); but I was kind of rattled (но я словно обезумела; to rattle — греметь, трещать; волновать; смущать, приводить в замешательство), and from the time when I saw Frank here again (а с той минуты, как снова увидела Фрэнка здесь) I just didn’t know what I was doing or saying (я просто не сознавала, что делаю и что говорю). I only wonder I didn’t fall down and do a faint right there before the altar (удивляюсь, как это я не упала в обморок прямо там, перед алтарем).”
“Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the room (быть может, миссис Моултон, вы хотите, чтобы мы с моим другом вышли из комнаты) while you explain this matter (пока вы объясняетесь)?”
apology [q`pOlqGI], wonder [`wAndq], altar [`Lltq]
“You’re angry, Robert,” said she. “Well, I guess you have every cause to be.”
“Pray make no apology to me,” said Lord St. Simon bitterly.
“Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just didn’t know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn’t fall down and do a faint right there before the altar.”
“Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the room while you explain this matter?”
“If I may give an opinion (если я могу выразить свое мнение),” remarked the strange gentleman (заметил незнакомец), “we’ve had just a little too much secrecy over this business already (/я скажу, что/ мы и так уже сделали слишком много тайны из этого дела). For my part, I should like all Europe and America to hear the rights of it (что касается меня, я бы хотел, чтобы вся Европа и вся Америка услышали правду; rights — права; верность, соответствие фактам; истинное положение вещей: I have never heard the rights of that story — я никогда не слышал правды об этой истории).”
He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man (это был низкий, жилистый, загорелый человек), clean-shaven (чисто выбритый), with a sharp face and alert manner (с резкими чертами лица и быстрыми движениями; alert — бдительный, настороже; живой, проворный; резвый).
“Then I’ll tell our story right away (тогда я тотчас расскажу нашу историю),” said the lady. “Frank here and I met in ’84 (мы с Фрэнком встретились в 1884 году; to meet — встречаться, знакомиться), in McQuire’s camp, near the Rockies (на прииске Макквайра, близ Скалистых гор; Rockies = Rocky Mountains), where pa was working a claim (где папа разрабатывал участок; pa = papa). We were engaged to each other, Frank and I (мы с Фрэнком обручились); but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile (но затем однажды папа напал на богатую /золотоносную/ жилу и разбогател; pocket — карман; залежь; вкрапление /богатой руды/; pile — свая; столб; груда, кипа; состояние, куча денег), while poor Frank here had a claim (в то время как у бедного Фрэнка участок) that petered out and came to nothing (истощался и /затем/ совсем опустел: «сошел на нет»). The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank (чем богаче становился папа, тем беднее становился Фрэнк); so at last pa wouldn’t hear of our engagement lasting any longer (в конце концов папа и слышать /не хотел/ о нашей помолвке: «о том, чтобы наша помолвка продолжалась»), and he took me away to ‘Frisco (и увез меня в Сан-Франциско; Фриско — разг. Сан-Франциско).
Europe [`juqrqp], alert [q`lq:t], engagement [In`geIGmqnt]
“If I may give an opinion,” remarked the strange gentleman, “we’ve had just a little too much secrecy over this business already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to hear the rights of it.”
He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, clean shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner.
“Then I’ll tell our story right away,” said the lady. “Frank here and I met in ‘84, in McQuire’s camp, near the Rockies, where pa was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa wouldn’t hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took me away to ‘Frisco.
“Frank wouldn’t throw up his hand, though (однако Фрэнк не сдавался; to throw up one's arms — вскидывать руки, признавать свое поражение); so he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything about it (он поехал за мной, и мы продолжали видеться без ведома папы). It would only have made him mad to know (если бы он узнал об этом, он бы рассердился), so we just fixed it all up for ourselves (поэтому мы все решили сами; to fix up — устроить, обеспечить; привести в порядок, уладить). Frank said that he would go and make his pile, too (Фрэнк сказал, что тоже разбогатеет), and never come back to claim me until he had as much as pa (и не вернется и не попросит моей руки: «заявлять права на меня» до тех пор, пока не будет так же богат, как папа). So then I promised to wait for him to the end of time (я пообещала ждать его вечно: «до конца времени») and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived (и дала обет не выходить замуж за другого, пока он жив). ‘Why shouldn’t we be married right away, then (в таком случае, почему бы нам не обвенчаться прямо сейчас),’ said he, ‘and then I will feel sure of you (тогда я буду уверен в тебе); and I won’t claim to be your husband until I come back (и не стану твоим мужем, пока не вернусь)?’ Well, we talked it over (мы обговорили этот вопрос), and he had fixed it all up so nicely (и Фрэнк так прекрасно все устроил), with a clergyman all ready in waiting (священник был полностью готов; all ready — полностью, совершенно готовый; in waiting — в ожидании), that we just did it right there (и тут же обвенчал нас); and then Frank went off to seek his fortune, and I went back to pa (и Фрэнк уехал искать счастье, а я вернулась к папе).
husband [`hAzbqnd], clergyman [`klq:GImqn], fortune [`fLC(q)n]
“Frank wouldn’t throw up his hand, though; so he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. ‘Why shouldn’t we be married right away, then,’ said he, ‘and then I will feel sure of you; and I won’t claim to be your husband until I come back?’ Well, we talked it over, and he had fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek his fortune, and I went back to pa.
“The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana (следующее, что я узнала о Фрэнке, было то, что он в Монтане), and then he went prospecting in Arizona (потом он уехал искать золото в Аризону; to prospect — проводить разведку, искать /полезные ископаемые/), and then I heard of him from New Mexico (а затем я услышала о нем из Нью-Мексико = узнала, что он в Нью-Мексико). After that came a long newspaper story about how a miners’ camp had been attacked by Apache Indians (потом появилась длинная газетная статья о том, как на лагерь золотодобытчиков напали индейцы-апачи), and there was my Frank’s name among the killed (и в списке убитых: «среди убитых» было имя Фрэнка). I fainted dead away (я упала без чувств), and I was very sick for months after (и очень тяжело болела несколько месяцев). Pa thought I had a decline (папа думал, что у меня чахотка; decline — падение; упадок /сил/; ухудшение /здоровья/; изнурительная болезнь, особенно чахотка) and took me to half the doctors in ‘Frisco (и показал меня половине докторов во Фриско = водил по докторам Фриско). Not a word of news came for a year and more (больше года не было ни слова вестей /от Фрэнка/), so that I never doubted that Frank was really dead (и я не сомневалась, что он на самом деле умер). Then Lord St. Simon came to ‘Frisco (затем лорд Сент-Саймон приехал в Фриско), and we came to London (мы отправились в Лондон), and a marriage was arranged (договорились о свадьбе), and pa was very pleased (и папа был очень доволен), but I felt all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place in my heart (но я все время чувствовала, что ни один мужчина в мире: «на этой земле» никогда не займет в моем сердце место) that had been given to my poor Frank (отданное моему бедному Фрэнку).
half [hRf], doubted [`dautId], earth [q:T], heart [hRt]
“The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a miners’ camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was my Frank’s name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took me to half the doctors in ‘Frisco. Not a word of news came for a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to ‘Frisco, and we came to London, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank.
“Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon (однако если бы я вышла замуж за лорда Сент-Саймона), of course I’d have done my duty by him (я, конечно, исполнила бы свой долг по отношению к нему). We can’t command our love (мы не можем управлять своей любовью), but we can our actions (но своими поступками — можем). I went to the altar with him (я шла с ним к алтарю) with the intention to make him just as good a wife as it was in me to be (с намерением стать ему хорошей женой, насколько это было в моих силах). But you may imagine what I felt (но вы можете себе представить, что я почувствовала) when, just as I came to the altar rails (когда, подходя к алтарной ограде), I glanced back and saw Frank (я оглянулась и увидела Фрэнка) standing and looking at me out of the first pew (который стоял за первой скамьей и смотрел на меня). I thought it was his ghost at first (сначала я подумала, что это /его/ призрак); but when I looked again there he was still (но когда я оглянулась снова, он по-прежнему стоял там), with a kind of question in his eyes (в его глазах словно был вопрос = он будто спрашивал взглядом), as if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him (рада я его видеть или нет). I wonder I didn’t drop (удивляюсь, как я не упала в обморок). I know that everything was turning round (все кружилось /перед глазами/; to turn round — поворачиваться), and the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my ear (слова священника звучали в моих ушах, точно жужжание пчелы). I didn’t know what to do (я не знала, что делать).
duty [`djHtI], ghost [gqust], clergyman [`klq:Gimqn]
“Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I’d have done my duty by him. We can’t command our love, but we can our actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I didn’t drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my ear. I didn’t know what to do.
“Should I stop the service and make a scene in the church (следовало ли мне остановить венчание и устроить сцену в церкви; service — служба; богослужение; marriage service — венчание)? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to know what I was thinking (я снова взглянула на него, и, должно быть, он понял, о чем я думаю), for he raised his finger to his lips to tell me to be still (потому что поднес палец к губам, /как бы/ говоря мне молчать). Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper (потом я увидела, как он быстро пишет что-то на клочке бумаги), and I knew that he was writing me a note (и поняла, что он пишет мне записку). As I passed his pew on the way out (когда я проходила мимо его скамьи, направляясь к выходу) I dropped my bouquet over to him (я уронила букет возле него), and he slipped the note into my hand (и он незаметно передал мне записку: «незаметно сунул в мою руку»; to slip — скользить; давать /что-либо/ скрытно, незаметно) when he returned me the flowers (возвращая цветы). It was only a line asking me to join him (в записке была лишь одна строчка, /в которой он/ просил, чтобы я вышла к нему; to join — /при/соединяться) when he made the sign to me to do so (когда он подаст мне знак). Of course I never doubted for a moment (конечно, я ни на миг не усомнилась) that my first duty was now to him (что теперь мой главный долг относился к нему), and I determined to do just whatever he might direct (и я решила делать все, что он скажет; whatever — какой бы ни; что бы ни; to direct — направлять, давать указание).
scene [sJn], bouquet [bu`keI], flower [`flauq], doubted [`dautId]
“Should I stop the service and make a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct.
“When I got back I told my maid (вернувшись /домой/, я все рассказала моей горничной), who had known him in California (которая знала Фрэнка /еще/ в Калифорнии), and had always been his friend (и всегда была его другом). I ordered her to say nothing (я велела ей не говорить ничего), but to get a few things packed and my ulster ready (а сложить кое-какие вещи и приготовить мне пальто). I know I ought to have spoken to Lord St. Simon (я знаю, мне следовало бы поговорить с лордом Сент-Саймоном), but it was dreadful hard before his mother and all those great people (но это было ужасно трудно в присутствии его матери и всех тех важных людей). I just made up my mind to run away and explain afterwards (я решила убежать, а объясниться позднее).
“I hadn’t been at the table ten minutes (я не просидела за столом и десяти минут) before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the road (как увидела из окна Фрэнка, /стоявшего/ на противоположном тротуаре). He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park (он кивнул мне и пошел в Парк; to beckon — подзывать кивком головы; манить, делать знак). I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him (я вышла из столовой, надела пальто и шляпку: «вещи» и пошла за ним; to slip out — выйти, выбежать /на улицу/; уйти украдкой). Some woman came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to me (какая-то женщина подошла ко мне и стала что-то рассказывать о лорде Сент-Саймоне) — seemed to me from the little I heard (мне показалось из того немногого, что услышала) as if he had a little secret of his own before marriage also (что у него тоже до свадьбы была какая-то маленькая тайна) — but I managed to get away from her (мне удалось отделаться от нее; to get away — удрать; ускользнуть; освободиться) and soon overtook Frank (и вскоре я нагнала Фрэнка).
ought [Lt], beckoned [`bekqnd], marriage [`mxrIG]
“When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to run away and explain afterwards.
“I hadn’t been at the table ten minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to me — seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little secret of his own before marriage also — but I managed to get away from her and soon overtook Frank.
“We got into a cab together (мы вместе сели в кеб), and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square (и поехали в квартиру, снятую им на Гордон-сквер; lodgings — сдаваемая комната; квартира), and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting (и это была моя настоящая свадьба после всех тех лет ожидания). Frank had been a prisoner among the Apaches (Фрэнк был пленником среди апачей = побывал в плену у апачей), had escaped, came on to ‘Frisco (бежал, приехал во Фриско), found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to England (узнал, что я посчитала его умершим и уехала в Англию; to give up — оставить, отказаться; сдаться, уступить; порвать /с кем-либо/; перестать ждать), followed me there (последовал за мной), and had come upon me at last on the very morning of my second wedding (и наконец разыскал меня как раз в утро моей второй свадьбы).”
“I saw it in a paper (я прочитал об этом в газете),” explained the American (пояснил американец). “It gave the name and the church but not where the lady lived (там было указано имя /невесты/ и церковь, но не сообщалось, где она живет).”
prisoner [`prIz(q)nq], England [`INglqnd], American [q`merIkqn]
“We got into a cab together, and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to ‘Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the very morning of my second wedding.”
“I saw it in a paper,” explained the American. “It gave the name and the church but not where the lady lived.”
“Then we had a talk as to what we should do (потом мы стали думать, как нам поступить; to have a talk — говорить, беседовать), and Frank was all for openness (Фрэнк стоял за откровенность), but I was so ashamed of it all (но мне было так стыдно за все) that I felt as if I should like to vanish away (что захотелось исчезнуть) and never see any of them again (и никогда больше не встречать никого из них) — just sending a line to pa, perhaps (разве что написать несколько строк папе: «отправить строчку папе»), to show him that I was alive (чтобы дать ему знать, что я жива). It was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies (я в ужасом думала обо всех этих лордах и леди) sitting round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back (сидящих за свадебным столом и ожидающих моего возвращения). So Frank took my wedding-clothes and things (Фрэнк взял мое свадебное платье и /другие/ вещи) and made a bundle of them (связал их в узел), so that I should not be traced (чтобы меня нельзя было выследить), and dropped them away somewhere where no one could find them (и бросил его в такое место, где их никто не смог бы найти). It is likely that we should have gone on to Paris to-morrow (вероятно, мы бы завтра уехали в Париж), only that this good gentleman, Mr. Holmes (вот только этот милый джентльмен, мистер Холмс), came round to us this evening (зашел к нам сегодня вечером), though how he found us is more than I can think (хотя как он нас нашел, выше моего понимания), and he showed us very clearly and kindly (и доказал нам очень понятно и мягко) that I was wrong and that Frank was right (что я ошибаюсь, а Фрэнк прав), and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so secret (и что мы сами себе навредим, если будем скрываться; to put somebody in the wrong — сделать кого-либо ответственным за что-либо; свалить вину на кого-либо).
awful [`Lf(q)l], evening [`JvnIN], wrong [rON]
“Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again — just sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so secret.
“Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord St. Simon alone (потом он предложил дать нам возможность поговорить с лордом Сент-Саймоном наедине), and so we came right away round to his rooms at once (и вот мы сразу же пришли сюда: «к нему на квартиру»). Now, Robert, you have heard it all (теперь, Роберт, вы услышали все), and I am very sorry if I have given you pain (я очень сожалею, если причинила вам боль), and I hope that you do not think very meanly of me (и надеюсь, вы не подумаете обо мне очень плохо).”
Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude (лорд Сент-Саймон вовсе не расслабил свою жесткую позу = по-прежнему сидел с напряженным, холодным видом; by no means — никоим образом; далеко не; совсем не), but had listened with a frowning brow (но выслушал с нахмуренными бровями) and a compressed lip to this long narrative (и сжатыми губами этот длинный рассказ).
“Excuse me (прошу меня извинить),” he said, “but it is not my custom to discuss my most intimate personal affairs in this public manner (но не в моих правилах обсуждать свои самые интимные личные дела при посторонних).”
“Then you won’t forgive me (значит, вы не простите меня)? You won’t shake hands before I go (не пожмете руку на прощание: «прежде, чем я уйду»)?”
“Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure (о, конечно, если это доставит вам удовольствие).”
He put out his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him (он вытянул руку и холодно пожал протянутую ему /руку/; to grasp — схватывать, сжимать).
talking [`tLkIN], rigid [`rIGId], frowning [`fraunIN], brow [brau], pleasure [`pleZq]
“Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very meanly of me.”
Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this long narrative.
“Excuse me,” he said, “but it is not my custom to discuss my most intimate personal affairs in this public manner.”
“Then you won’t forgive me? You won’t shake hands before I go?”
“Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure.”
He put out his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him.
“I had hoped (я надеялся),” suggested Holmes, “that you would have joined us in a friendly supper (что вы разделите с нами дружеский ужин; to join — присоединяться).”
“I think that there you ask a little too much (думаю, вы просите слишком много),” responded his Lordship (ответила его светлость). “I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent developments (меня можно вынудить примириться с этими недавними событиями; to acquiesce — уступать; молча или неохотно соглашаться), but I can hardly be expected to make merry over them (но едва ли можно ожидать, что я стану радоваться им; merry — веселый, радостный). I think that with your permission (с вашего позволения) I will now wish you all a very good-night (я пожелаю вам всем прекрасного вечера).”
He included us all in a sweeping bow (он сделал общий поклон; to include — включать, охватывать; sweeping — широкий; с большим охватом; стремительный, быстрый) and stalked out of the room (и гордо вышел из комнаты).
“Then I trust that you at least will honor me with your company (надеюсь, хоть вы почтите меня своей компанией),” said Sherlock Holmes. “It is always a joy to meet an American, Mr. Moulton (всегда приятно встретить американца, мистер Моултон; joy — радость; веселье; удовольствие), for I am one of those who believe (так как я один из тех, кто считает) that the folly of a monarch (что недальновидность монарха) and the blundering of a minister in far-gone years (и грубые ошибки министра, /имевшие место/ много лет назад; to blunder — грубо ошибаться; допустить промах; испортить) will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of the same world-wide country under a flag (не помешают нашим детям когда-нибудь стать гражданами одной огромной страны под флагом; world-wide — мировой, всемирный; распространенный во всем мире) which shall be a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes (объединяющим флаги Великобритании и США; quartering — деление на четыре части; разделение щита на четыре половины; Union Jack — «Юнион Джек» /государственный флаг Великобритании/; Stars and Stripes — «звезды и полосы», государственный флаг США).”
acquiesce ["xkwI`es], stalked [stLkt], prevent [prI`vent]
“I had hoped,” suggested Holmes, “that you would have joined us in a friendly supper.”
“I think that there you ask a little too much,” responded his Lordship. “I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a very good-night.”
He included us all in a sweeping bow and stalked out of the room.
“Then I trust that you at least will honor me with your company,” said Sherlock Holmes. “It is always a joy to meet an American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes.”
“The case has been an interesting one (интересный был случай),” remarked Holmes when our visitors had left us (заметил Холмс, когда наши гости ушли), “because it serves to show very clearly (потому что он очень ясно показывает) how simple the explanation may be of an affair (каким простым может быть объяснение дела) which at first sight seems to be almost inexplicable (которое на первый взгляд кажется почти необъяснимым). Nothing could be more natural than the sequence of events (что может быть естественнее, чем последовательность событий) as narrated by this lady (изложенных этой леди), and nothing stranger than the result (и что может быть более странным и удивительным, чем вывод, /который можно сделать/; result — результат, итог, следствие) when viewed, for instance by Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard (/глядя на вещи/ с точки зрения, например, мистера Лестрейда из Скотланд-Ярда).”
“You were not yourself at fault at all, then (так значит, сами вы вообще не ошибались; to be at fault — ошибаться; быть озадаченным, в замешательстве)?”
“From the first, two facts were very obvious to me (с самого начала для меня были очевидны два факта), the one that the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony (первый — леди совершенно добровольно шла к венцу: «была вполне согласна подвергнуться свадебной церемонии»; to undergo — испытывать, переносить; подвергаться), the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of returning home (второй — она раскаялась в этом через несколько минут, возвращаясь домой). Obviously something had occurred during the morning, then (очевидно, что-то произошло утром /в церкви/), to cause her to change her mind (что заставило ее изменить свои намерения). What could that something be (что же это могло быть)?
inexplicable ["InIk`splIkqbl], sequence [`sJkwqns], narrated [nq`reItId], repented [rI`pentId]
“The case has been an interesting one,” remarked Holmes when our visitors had left us, “because it serves to show very clearly how simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing stranger than the result when viewed, for instance by Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard.”
“You were not yourself at fault at all, then?”
“From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that something be?
“She could not have spoken to anyone when she was out (она не могла разговаривать с кем-либо, /когда была/ вне дома), for she had been in the company of the bridegroom (так как с ней рядом находился жених). Had she seen someone, then (может, она встретила кого-то)? If she had, it must be someone from America (если так, это должен был быть кто-то из Америки) because she had spent so short a time in this country (потому что она столь мало времени провела в этой стране) that she could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence over her (что едва ли она могла позволить кому-либо приобрести такое огромное влияние на нее) that the mere sight of him would induce her to change her plans so completely (что один только вид его заставил бы ее полностью изменить свои планы; to induce — побуждать, склонять, убеждать). You see we have already arrived, by a process of exclusion (видите, мы уже пришли методом исключения), at the idea that she might have seen an American (к мысли, что она, должно быть, встретила американца). Then who could this American be (кто бы это мог быть), and why should he possess so much influence over her (и почему он обладал таким большим влиянием на нее)? It might be a lover (это мог быть возлюбленный); it might be a husband (это мог быть муж).
country [`kAntrI], acquire [q`kwaIq], influence [`Influqns], induce [In`djHs]
“She could not have spoken to anyone when she was out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America because she had spent so short a time in this country that she could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an American. Then who could this American be, and why should he possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might be a husband.
“Her young womanhood had, I knew (я знал, что ее юность; womanhood — женственность; женская зрелость), been spent in rough scenes and under strange conditions (прошла в грубом окружении и при странных обстоятельствах). So far I had got before I ever heard Lord St. Simon’s narrative (все это я понял до того: «настолько далеко я продвинулся до того», как услышал рассказ лорда Сент-Саймона). When he told us of a man in a pew (когда он рассказал нам о человеке на скамье /в церкви/), of the change in the bride’s manner (о перемене в поведении невесты), of so transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a bouquet (о таком явном способе получения записки, как упавший букет; transparent — прозрачный, просвечивающий; явный, очевидный), of her resort to her confidential maid (о ее разговоре со своей горничной, пользующейся доверием; resort — обращение /за помощью и т. д./), and of her very significant allusion to claim-jumping (и о ее очень многозначительном упоминании «захвата чужого участка») — which in miners’ parlance means taking possession of that (что на языке золотопромышленников означает захват того; parlance — манера говорить или выражаться; язык; to take possession — стать владельцем, приобрести; овладеть /чем-либо/, захватить /что-либо/) which another person has a prior claim to (на что другой претендовал еще раньше; prior claim — преимущественное требование; заявка, имеющая более ранний приоритет) — the whole situation became absolutely clear (вся ситуация стала совершенно ясной). She had gone off with a man (она сбежала с мужчиной), and the man was either a lover or was a previous husband (и этот мужчина был либо возлюбленным, либо прежним мужем; previous — предыдущий) — the chances being in favor of the latter (/при том что/ шансы были в пользу последнего).”
“And how in the world did you find them (но как же вы нашли их; in the world — «в мире», здесь как усилительный оборот)?”
rough [rAf], transparent [trxn`spxrqnt], allusion [q`lHZ(q)n], previous [`prJvIqs]
“Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got before I ever heard Lord St. Simon’s narrative. When he told us of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride’s manner, of so transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very significant allusion to claim jumping — which in miners’ parlance means taking possession of that which another person has a prior claim to — the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a previous husband — the chances being in favor of the latter.”
“And how in the world did you find them?”
“It might have been difficult (это было бы трудно), but friend Lestrade held information in his hands (но у друга Лестрейда в руках была информация) the value of which he did not himself know (ценность которой он и сам не знал). The initials were, of course, of the highest importance (инициалы, конечно, имели огромнейшее значение), but more valuable still was it to know (но еще важнее было узнать) that within a week he had settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels (что на этой неделе владелец таких инициалов оплатил счет в одной из лучших лондонских гостиниц; to select — выбирать, подбирать; select — избранный; отборный).”
“How did you deduce the select (как вы определили, что это первоклассная гостиница)?”
“By the select prices (по первоклассным ценам). Eight shillings for a bed (восемь шиллингов за кровать = за номер) and eight-pence for a glass of sherry (и восемь пенсов за стакан хереса) pointed to one of the most expensive hotels (указывает на одну из самых дорогих гостиниц). There are not many in London which charge at that rate (в Лондоне немного /гостиниц/ с такими ценами; to charge — назначать, запрашивать цену, плату; взимать; rate — норма, ставка, расценка, тариф). In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue (во второй гостинице, которую я посетил на Нортумберленд-авеню), I learned by an inspection of the book (я узнал, изучив книгу регистрации постояльцев) that Francis H. Moulton, an American gentleman (что Фрэнсис Х. Моултон, американский джентльмен), had left only the day before (выехал как раз накануне), and on looking over the entries against him (а просмотрев записи напротив его имени = его счета), I came upon the very items which I had seen in the duplicate bill (я обнаружил те самые статьи расходов, которые видел в копии счета).
value [`vxljH], eight [eIt], deduce [dI`djHs], item [`aItqm]
“It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held information in his hands the value of which he did not himself know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels.”
“How did you deduce the select?”
“By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eight pence for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I had seen in the duplicate bill.
“His letters were to be forwarded to 226 Gordon Square (его письма должны были пересылаться /по адресу/: Гордон-сквер, 226); so thither I travelled (туда я и направился), and being fortunate enough to find the loving couple at home (и поскольку мне посчастливилось застать влюбленную пару дома), I ventured to give them some paternal advice (я отважился дать им отеческий совет) and to point out to them that it would be better in every way (и обратил их внимание на то, что будет лучше во всех отношениях) that they should make their position a little clearer (если они немного разъяснят свое положение) both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in particular (широкой публике и особенно лорду Сент-Саймону). I invited them to meet him here (я пригласил их, чтобы они встретились с ним здесь), and, as you see, I made him keep the appointment (и, как видите, я убедил лорда явиться на это свидание; appointment — встреча, свидание).”
“But with no very good result (но результат не очень хороший),” I remarked (заметил я). “His conduct was certainly not very gracious (его поведение определенно было не слишком любезно).”
“Ah, Watson,” said Holmes, smiling (сказал Холмс, улыбаясь), “perhaps you would not be very gracious either (быть может, вы тоже были бы не слишком любезны), if, after all the trouble of wooing and wedding (если бы после всех хлопот, связанных с ухаживанием и со свадьбой; to woo — ухаживать; свататься; добиваться руки /девушки/), you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of fortune (обнаружилось, что вы вмиг лишились и жены, и состояния). I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully (я думаю, мы можем судить лорда Сент-Саймона очень мягко = должны быть к лорду снисходительны) and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the same position (и благодарить судьбу: «наши звезды» за то, что, вероятно, никогда не окажемся в том же положении). Draw your chair up (подвиньте кресло поближе) and hand me my violin (и передайте мне скрипку), for the only problem we have still to solve (так как у нас осталась нерешенной только одна проблема) is how to while away these bleak autumnal evenings (как нам коротать эти унылые осенние вечера; bleak — холодный, промозглый; унылый, мрачный).”
paternal [pq`tq:n(q)l], gracious [`greISqs], autumnal [L`tAmn(q)l]
“His letters were to be forwarded to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be better in every way that they should make their position a little clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I made him keep the appointment.”
“But with no very good result,” I remarked. “His conduct was certainly not very gracious.”
“Ah, Watson,” said Holmes, smiling, “perhaps you would not be very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away these bleak autumnal evenings.”
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