"Английский язык с Конан Дойлем. Этюд в багровых тонах" - читать интересную книгу автора (A A A, I I I, C C C, Сарапов Михаил, Франк Илья...)

Chapter VI. A Continuation Of The Reminiscences Of John Watson, M.D.

(Продолжение записок Джона Ватсона, доктора медицины; reminiscence — припоминание; воспоминание; мемуары)

OUR prisoner's furious resistance did not apparently indicate any ferocity in his disposition towards ourselves (яростное сопротивление нашего пленника, по–видимому, не означало, что он пылает ненавистью к нам; to indicate — служить признаком; означать; ferocity — дикость; жестокость, свирепость; disposition — расположение; предрасположенность, склонность; нрав, характер, манера; поведение), for on finding himself powerless, he smiled in an affable manner (так как обнаружив, что он бессилен что–либо сделать: «что он бессилен», он вежливо улыбнулся: «улыбнулся в вежливой манере»; affable — приветливый; вежливый, любезный), and expressed his hopes that he had not hurt any of us in the scuffle (и выразил надежду, что он в борьбе никого из нас не ушиб; scuffle — драка, стычка, потасовка). "I guess you're going to take me to the police–station," he remarked to Sherlock Holmes (полагаю, вы собираетесь отвести меня в участок, — заметил он Шерлоку Холмсу). "My cab's at the door (мой кеб у дверей). If you'll loose my legs I'll walk down to it (если вы соблаговолите развязать мне ноги, я сам спущусь к нему; to loose — освобождать; развязывать). I'm not so light to lift as I used to be (меня не так легко таскать, как когда–то; to lift — поднимать)."

Gregson and Lestrade exchanged glances as if they thought this proposition rather a bold one (Грегсон и Лестрейд обменялись взглядами, словно полагая, что это предложение слишком рискованное; bold — отважный, смелый; бесстыдный, наглый); but Holmes at once took the prisoner at his word (но Холмс тотчас же поймал пленника на слове), and loosened the towel which we had bound round his ankles (и развязал полотенце, которым мы скрутили его щиколотки: «которое мы обвязали вокруг его щиколоток»; to bind — вязать; связывать). He rose and stretched his legs (он поднялся и размял ноги; to stretch — тянуть, растягивать, вытягивать), as though to assure himself that they were free once more (словно уверяясь, что они снова свободны). I remember that I thought to myself, as I eyed him (помню, как я подумал, глядя на него), that I had seldom seen a more powerfully built man (что нечасто я видел человека такого крепкого сложения); and his dark sunburned face bore an expression of determination and energy (а выражение решимости и энергии на его смуглом, загорелом лице: «а его … лицо несло выражение…») which was as formidable as his personal strength (было столь же примечательно, как и его физическая сила).

"If there's a vacant place for a chief of the police (если пустует место начальника полиции), I reckon you are the man for it," he said (думаю, вы самый подходящий человек для этого, — сказал он), gazing with undisguised admiration at my fellow–lodger (с неприкрытым восхищением глядя на моего сожителя). "The way you kept on my trail was a caution (как вы меня выследили: «тот метод, что вы держались у меня на хвосте» — настоящее чудо; caution — внимательность, осторожность; нечто удивительное)."

indicate [ˈɪndɪkeɪt], affable [ˈæfǝbl], vacant [ˈveɪk(ǝ)nt]

Our prisoner's furious resistance did not apparently indicate any ferocity in his disposition towards ourselves, for on finding himself powerless, he smiled in an affable manner, and expressed his hopes that he had not hurt any of us in the scuffle. "I guess you're going to take me to the police–station," he remarked to Sherlock Holmes. "My cab's at the door. If you'll loose my legs I'll walk down to it. I'm not so light to lift as I used to be."

Gregson and Lestrade exchanged glances as if they thought this proposition rather a bold one; but Holmes at once took the prisoner at his word, and loosened the towel which we had bound round his ankles. He rose and stretched his legs, as though to assure himself that they were free once more. I remember that I thought to myself, as I eyed him, that I had seldom seen a more powerfully built man; and his dark sunburned face bore an expression of determination and energy which was as formidable as his personal strength.

"If there's a vacant place for a chief of the police, I reckon you are the man for it," he said, gazing with undisguised admiration at my fellow–lodger. "The way you kept on my trail was a caution."

"You had better come with me," said Holmes to the two detectives (вам лучше пойти со мной, — сказал Холмс двум детективам).

"I can drive you," said Lestrade (я могу быть за кучера, — сказал Лестрейд; to drive — везти, подвозить).

"Good! and Gregson can come inside with me (хорошо! а Грегсон может сесть с нами: «пройти внутрь со мной»). You too, Doctor, you have taken an interest in the case and may as well stick to us (вы тоже, доктор, вы заинтересовались этим случаем и можете также отправиться с нами; to stick to — прилипать, приклеиваться к чему–либо; держаться кого–либо)."

I assented gladly (я с радостью согласился), and we all descended together (и мы спустились все вместе). Our prisoner made no attempt at escape (наш пленник не попытался: «не сделал попытки» бежать), but stepped calmly into the cab which had been his, and we followed him (но спокойно сел в кеб, который был его, а мы последовали за ним). Lestrade mounted the box (Лестрейд взобрался на козлы; box — ящик; кóзлы), whipped up the horse (хлестнул лошадь), and brought us in a very short time to our destination (и вскоре доставил нас к нашей цели: «доставил нас за очень короткое время к нашему месту назначения»). We were ushered into a small chamber (нас провели в небольшую комнату) where a police Inspector noted down our prisoner's name (где полицейский инспектор записал имя нашего пленника) and the names of the men with whose murder he had been charged (и имена людей, в чьем убийстве его обвиняли). The official was a white–faced unemotional man (инспектор был бледным: «белолицым» невозмутимым человеком), who went through his duties in a dull mechanical way (который рутинно, механически исполнял свои обязанности; dull — скучный, занудный). "The prisoner will be put before the magistrates in the course of the week," he said (арестованный предстанет перед судьями в течение недели, — сказал он; magistrate —судья, мировой судья; магистрат[20]); "in the mean time, Mr. Jefferson Hope, have you anything that you wish to say (а пока, мистер Джефферсон Хоуп, имеете ли вы что–нибудь сказать)? I must warn you that your words will be taken down (я должен предупредить вас, что ваши слова будут записаны), and may be used against you (и могут быть использованы против вас)."

assent [ǝˈsent], usher [ˈʌʃǝ], chamber [ˈʧeɪmbǝ]

"You had better come with me," said Holmes to the two detectives.

"I can drive you," said Lestrade.

"Good! and Gregson can come inside with me. You too, Doctor, you have taken an interest in the case and may as well stick to us."

I assented gladly, and we all descended together. Our prisoner made no attempt at escape, but stepped calmly into the cab which had been his, and we followed him. Lestrade mounted the box, whipped up the horse, and brought us in a very short time to our destination. We were ushered into a small chamber where a police Inspector noted down our prisoner's name and the names of the men with whose murder he had been charged. The official was a white–faced unemotional man, who went through his duties in a dull mechanical way. "The prisoner will be put before the magistrates in the course of the week," he said; "in the mean time, Mr. Jefferson Hope, have you anything that you wish to say? I must warn you that your words will be taken down, and may be used against you."

"I've got a good deal to say," our prisoner said slowly (мне много чего есть сказать, — медленно произнес наш пленник). "I want to tell you gentlemen all about it (я хочу вам, джентльмены, все об этом рассказать)."

"Hadn't you better reserve that for your trial?" asked the Inspector (а не лучше ли вам приберечь это до суда, — спросил инспектор).

"I may never be tried," he answered (возможно, никакого суда и не будет, — ответил он; to try — представить дело на рассмотрение суда). "You needn't look startled (не стоит так пугаться: «нет необходимости выглядеть испуганным»). It isn't suicide I am thinking of (я думаю не о самоубийстве). Are you a Doctor (вы доктор)?" He turned his fierce dark eyes upon me as he asked this last question (он обратил на меня свои темные пылающие глаза, когда он задал этот свой последний вопрос; fierce — горячий, пылкий).

"Yes; I am," I answered (да, — ответил я).

"Then put your hand here (тогда приложите сюда руку)," he said, with a smile, motioning with his manacled wrists towards his chest (с улыбкой сказал он, указав себе на грудь своими скованными руками; to motion — приглашать жестом, показывать жестом).

I did so (я так и сделал); and became at once conscious of an extraordinary throbbing and commotion which was going on inside (и сразу же ощутил необычные сильные, неровные толчки, идущие изнутри; conscious — ощущающий; to throb — сильно биться, пульсировать; commotion — суматоха, шум). The walls of his chest seemed to thrill and quiver (казалось, его грудная клетка вибрировала и дрожала: «стены его грудной клетки вибрировали и дрожали ») as a frail building would do inside when some powerful engine was at work (подобно хрупкому зданию, внутри которого работал мощный двигатель). In the silence of the room I could hear a dull humming and buzzing noise which proceeded from the same source (в тишине комнаты я мог расслышать глухой гул и хрип, исходивший из того же источника; to hum — жужжать; гудеть, звенеть; to buzz — гудеть, жужжать; noise — шум).

suicide [ˈsju:ɪsaɪd], extraordinary [ɪkˈstrɔ:d(ǝ)n(ǝ)rɪ], [ˌekstrǝˈɔ:d(ǝ)n(ǝ)rɪ], source [sɔ:s]

"I've got a good deal to say," our prisoner said slowly. "I want to tell you gentlemen all about it."

"Hadn't you better reserve that for your trial?" asked the Inspector.

"I may never be tried," he answered. "You needn't look startled. It isn't suicide I am thinking of. Are you a Doctor?" He turned his fierce dark eyes upon me as he asked this last question.

"Yes; I am," I answered.

"Then put your hand here," he said, with a smile, motioning with his manacled wrists towards his chest.

I did so; and became at once conscious of an extraordinary throbbing and commotion which was going on inside. The walls of his chest seemed to thrill and quiver as a frail building would do inside when some powerful engine was at work. In the silence of the room I could hear a dull humming and buzzing noise which proceeded from the same source.

"Why," I cried, "you have an aortic aneurism (да ведь у вас аневризма аорты, — вскричал я)!"

"That's what they call it," he said, placidly (так они это и называют, — спокойно сказал он). "I went to a Doctor last week about it (на прошлой неделе я пошел к доктору с этим), and he told me that it is bound to burst before many days passed (и он сказал, что она должна лопнуть через несколько дней: «прежде чем пройдет много дней»). It has been getting worse for years (годами это становилось все хуже). I got it from over–exposure and under–feeding among the Salt Lake Mountains (это у меня появилось после того, как в горах Соленого озера я впроголодь пожил под открытым небом; exposure — отсутствие укрытия от природных воздействий; over–exposure — слишком долгое отсутствие укрытия; under–feeding — недостаточное питание; to feed — питать). I've done my work now (теперь моя работа сделана), and I don't care how soon I go (и мне все равно, как скоро я умру), but I should like to leave some account of the business behind me (но мне бы хотелось сначала рассказать о том, что случилось со мной: «хотелось оставить какой–то рассказ о деле, случившемся со мной»). I don't want to be remembered as a common cut–throat (я не хочу, чтобы я остался в памяти как обычный головорез; to cut — резать; throat — горло)."

The Inspector and the two detectives had a hurried discussion as to the advisability of allowing him to tell his story (инспектор и два детектива торопливо посовещались по поводу того, насколько уместно будет позволить ему рассказать свою историю; advisability — целесообразность; advisable — достойный быть рекомендованным, предложенным; целесообразный, разумный; to advise — советовать).

"Do you consider, Doctor, that there is immediate danger?" the former asked (считаете ли вы, доктор, что существует прямая угроза его жизни? — спросил первый).

"Most certainly there is," I answered (несомненно, существует, — ответил я).

"In that case it is clearly our duty, in the interests of justice, to take his statement," said the Inspector (в таком случае это, очевидно, наш долг — в интересах правосудия — выслушать его заявление, — сказал инспектор). "You are at liberty, sir, to give your account (вы вольны, сэр, изложить свою историю; to give account — давать отчет, отчитываться; излагать), which I again warn you will be taken down (которая, я вновь вас предупреждаю, будет записана)."

aneurism [ˈænjuǝrɪzm], advisability [ǝdˌvaɪzǝˈbɪlɪtɪ], warn [wɔ:n]

"Why," I cried, "you have an aortic aneurism!"

"That's what they call it," he said, placidly. "I went to a Doctor last week about it, and he told me that it is bound to burst before many days passed. It has been getting worse for years. I got it from over–exposure and under–feeding among the Salt Lake Mountains. I've done my work now, and I don't care how soon I go, but I should like to leave some account of the business behind me. I don't want to be remembered as a common cut–throat."

The Inspector and the two detectives had a hurried discussion as to the advisability of allowing him to tell his story.

"Do you consider, Doctor, that there is immediate danger?" the former asked.

"Most certainly there is," I answered.

"In that case it is clearly our duty, in the interests of justice, to take his statement," said the Inspector. "You are at liberty, sir, to give your account, which I again warn you will be taken down."

"I'll sit down, with your leave (с вашего позволения, я сяду)," the prisoner said, suiting the action to the word (сказал пленник, и так и сделал; to suit the action to the word — подкреплять слово делом; to suit — приспосабливать, приводить в соответствие). "This aneurism of mine makes me easily tired (с этим моим аневризмом я быстро устаю: «этот мой аневризм заставляет меня легко уставать»), and the tussle we had half an hour ago has not mended matters (и потасовка, что случилась у нас полчаса назад, дело не улучшила; to mend — чинить, ремонтировать). I'm on the brink of the grave (я на краю могилы), and I am not likely to lie to you (и мне незачем вам лгать; likely — вероятный, возможный). Every word I say is the absolute truth (каждое мое слово — абсолютная правда), and how you use it is a matter of no consequence to me (а как вы это используете, для меня значения не имеет: «дело никакого значения = неважно для меня»)."

With these words, Jefferson Hope leaned back in his chair and began the following remarkable statement (с этими словами Джефферсон Хоуп откинулся в кресле и начал свой изложенный ниже удивительный рассказ; to follow — следовать). He spoke in a calm and methodical manner (он говорил спокойно и последовательно), as though the events which he narrated were commonplace enough (словно события, о которых он рассказывал, были делом вполне обыденным). I can vouch for the accuracy of the subjoined account (я могу поручиться за точность приведенного рассказа; to subjoin — присовокуплять; приобщать к делу), for I have had access to Lestrade's note–book (так как я имел возможность сверить его по: «так как у меня был доступ к» записной книжке Лестрейда), in which the prisoner's words were taken down exactly as they were uttered (в которой слова пленника были записаны в точности так, как он их произносил).

"It don't much matter to you why I hated these men," he said (вам не так уж важно, почему я ненавидел этих двоих: «этих людей», — сказал он); "it's enough that they were guilty of the death of two human beings — a father and a daughter (достаточно того, что они виновны в смерти двух человеческих существ — отца и дочери)— and that they had, therefore, forfeited their own lives (и что они по этой причине поплатились за это своими жизнями; to forfeit — лишиться в результате конфискации, потерять право на что–л.; поплатиться). After the lapse of time that has passed since their crime (так как слишком много времени: «после промежутка времени, которое» прошло с момента их преступления), it was impossible for me to secure a conviction against them in any court (для меня было невозможно добиться обвинительного приговора для них в каком бы то ни было суде; to secure — гарантировать, обеспечивать; conviction — осуждение, признание виновным). I knew of their guilt though (но я знал об их вине), and I determined that I should be judge, jury, and executioner all rolled into one (и я решил, что я буду судьей, жюри присяжных и палачом в одном лице; to roll — катить; завертывать; rolled into one — совмещенный, комбинированный). You'd have done the same (вы бы сделали то же самое), if you have any manhood in you (если в вас есть хоть капля мужества; manhood — мужественность; качества, присущие мужчинам), if you had been in my place (если бы вы оказались на моем месте).

guilty [ˈɡɪltɪ], forfeit [ˈfɔ:fɪt], secure [sɪˈkjuǝ]

"I'll sit down, with your leave," the prisoner said, suiting the action to the word. "This aneurism of mine makes me easily tired, and the tussle we had half an hour ago has not mended matters. I'm on the brink of the grave, and I am not likely to lie to you. Every word I say is the absolute truth, and how you use it is a matter of no consequence to me."

With these words, Jefferson Hope leaned back in his chair and began the following remarkable statement. He spoke in a calm and methodical manner, as though the events which he narrated were commonplace enough. I can vouch for the accuracy of the subjoined account, for I have had access to Lestrade's note–book, in which the prisoner's words were taken down exactly as they were uttered.

"It don't much matter to you why I hated these men," he said; "it's enough that they were guilty of the death of two human beings — a father and a daughter — and that they had, therefore, forfeited their own lives. After the lapse of time that has passed since their crime, it was impossible for me to secure a conviction against them in any court. I knew of their guilt though, and I determined that I should be judge, jury, and executioner all rolled into one. You'd have done the same, if you have any manhood in you, if you had been in my place.

"That girl that I spoke of was to have married me twenty years ago (девушка, о которой я говорил, должна была стать моей женой двадцать лет назад; to marry — вступать в брак). She was forced into marrying that same Drebber (ее принудили выйти замуж за этого Дреббера), and broke her heart over it (и ее сердце разбилось из–за этого). I took the marriage ring from her dead finger (я снял обручальное кольцо с пальца покойницы: «с ее мертвого пальца»), and I vowed that his dying eyes should rest upon that very ring (и я поклялся, что его глаза перед смертью: «его умирающие глаза» будут смотреть на это кольцо; to rest —быть прикованным), and that his last thoughts should be of the crime for which he was punished (и что его последние мысли будут о преступлении, за которое он несет кару; to punish — наказывать; карать). I have carried it about with me (я всюду носил его с собой), and have followed him and his accomplice over two continents until I caught them (и преследовал его и его сообщника через два континента, пока я не поймал их). They thought to tire me out, but they could not do it (они думали вымотать меня, но не смогли этого сделать). If I die to–morrow, as is likely enough (если я умру завтра, что достаточно вероятно), I die knowing that my work in this world is done, and well done (я умру, знаю, что мое дело в этом мире выполнено, и выполнено хорошо). They have perished, and by my hand (они понесли наказание, и от моей руки; to perish — погибать, умирать). There is nothing left for me to hope for, or to desire (других надежд или желаний у меня больше нет: «ничего не осталось для меня, на что надеяться или чего желать»).

"They were rich and I was poor (они были богаты, а я беден), so that it was no easy matter for me to follow them (поэтому мне было нелегко преследовать их). When I got to London my pocket was about empty (когда я добрался до Лондона, мои карманы были практически пусты), and I found that I must turn my hand to something for my living (и я обнаружил, что мне необходимо заняться чем–то, чтобы добывать средства к существованию; to turn one's hand to something — взяться, приняться за что–либо). Driving and riding are as natural to me as walking (править лошадьми и ездить верхом было для меня столь же естественно, как ходить пешком), so I applied at a cabowner's office, and soon got employment (поэтому я обратился в контору по прокату кебов: «в офис владельца кебов» и вскоре получил работу). I was to bring a certain sum a week to the owner (я должен был еженедельно приносить определенную сумму владельцу), and whatever was over that I might keep for myself (а все сверх этого мог оставлять себе). There was seldom much over, but I managed to scrape along somehow (редко много оставалось, но мне все же как–то удавалось сводить концы с концами; to scrape — скоблить, скрести; копить, накапливать; to scrape along — еле–еле сводить концы с концами). The hardest job was to learn my way about (труднее всего было научиться ориентироваться; way — путь; дорога), for I reckon that of all the mazes that ever were contrived (так как, по–моему, из всех когда–либо придуманных лабиринтов; to reckon — полагать, считать; to contrive — придумывать, изобретать), this city is the most confusing (этот город — самый запутанный; to confuse — запутывать, сбивать с толку). I had a map beside me though (но у меня под боком была карта), and when once I had spotted the principal hotels and stations, I got on pretty well (и стоило мне запомнить главные гостиницы и вокзалы, как дело пошло на лад; to spot — узнать; определить; обнаружить, установить; to get on — делать успехи).

marriage [ˈmærɪʤ], vow [vau], punish [ˈpʌnɪʃ]

"That girl that I spoke of was to have married me twenty years ago. She was forced into marrying that same Drebber, and broke her heart over it. I took the marriage ring from her dead finger, and I vowed that his dying eyes should rest upon that very ring, and that his last thoughts should be of the crime for which he was punished. I have carried it about with me, and have followed him and his accomplice over two continents until I caught them. They thought to tire me out, but they could not do it. If I die to–morrow, as is likely enough, I die knowing that my work in this world is done, and well done. They have perished, and by my hand. There is nothing left for me to hope for, or to desire.

"They were rich and I was poor, so that it was no easy matter for me to follow them. When I got to London my pocket was about empty, and I found that I must turn my hand to something for my living. Driving and riding are as natural to me as walking, so I applied at a cabowner's office, and soon got employment. I was to bring a certain sum a week to the owner, and whatever was over that I might keep for myself. There was seldom much over, but I managed to scrape along somehow. The hardest job was to learn my way about, for I reckon that of all the mazes that ever were contrived, this city is the most confusing. I had a map beside me though, and when once I had spotted the principal hotels and stations, I got on pretty well.

"It was some time before I found out where my two gentlemen were living (прошло немало времени, прежде чем я разузнал, где жили два моих джентльмена); but I inquired and inquired until at last I dropped across them (но я разузнавал и выведывал, пока, наконец, я на них не напал; to inquire — осведомляться, справляться, спрашивать, искать; to drop across — столкнуться; to drop — капать; падать). They were at a boarding–house at Camberwell (они остановились: «были» в пансионате в Кембервелле), over on the other side of the river (на другой стороне реки). When once I found them out I knew that I had them at my mercy (стоило мне найти их, и я знал, что они у меня в руках; mercy — милосердие; жалость; at somebody’s mercy — в чьей–либо милости). I had grown my beard (я отпустил бороду; to grow), and there was no chance of their recognizing me (и они не смогли бы меня узнать: «и не было шанса, что они меня узнают»). I would dog them and follow them until I saw my opportunity (я собирался везде следовать за ними, пока не увижу свой шанс; to dog — выслеживать; преследовать; opportunity — удобный случай, благоприятная возможность). I was determined that they should not escape me again (я был полон решимости, что они больше от меня не сбегут).

"They were very near doing it for all that (и все же они чуть этого не сделали). Go where they would about London (куда бы они ни отправились в Лондоне), I was always at their heels (я всегда следовал за ними по пятам). Sometimes I followed them on my cab, and sometimes on foot (иногда я следовал за ними в кебе, иногда пешком), but the former was the best, for then they could not get away from me (но первое было лучше всего, так как они не могли от меня скрыться). It was only early in the morning or late at night that I could earn anything (я мог что–то зарабатывать только рано утром или поздно вечером), so that I began to get behind hand with my employer (так что я начал отставать с выплатами своему работодателю; to get behind — задерживать оплату, задолжать; hand — доля, участие в выполнении чего–либо). I did not mind that, however (однако мне это было все равно), as long as I could lay my hand upon the men I wanted (покуда я мог добраться до: «наложить свою руку на» тех, за кем я гонялся: «кого я хотел»).

inquire [ɪnˈkwaɪǝ], beard [bɪǝd], earn [ǝ:n]

"It was some time before I found out where my two gentlemen were living; but I inquired and inquired until at last I dropped across them. They were at a boarding–house at Camberwell, over on the other side of the river. When once I found them out I knew that I had them at my mercy. I had grown my beard, and there was no chance of their recognizing me. I would dog them and follow them until I saw my opportunity. I was determined that they should not escape me again.

"They were very near doing it for all that. Go where they would about London, I was always at their heels. Sometimes I followed them on my cab, and sometimes on foot, but the former was the best, for then they could not get away from me. It was only early in the morning or late at night that I could earn anything, so that I began to get behind hand with my employer. I did not mind that, however, as long as I could lay my hand upon the men I wanted.

"They were very cunning, though (но они были очень хитры). They must have thought that there was some chance of their being followed (они, должно быть, подумали, что существует вероятность того, что за ними следят), for they would never go out alone, and never after nightfall (так как они никогда не выходили из дому поодиночке или после захода солнца). During two weeks I drove behind them every day (на протяжении двух недель я ездил за ними каждый день), and never once saw them separate (и ни разу не видел, чтобы они разделились). Drebber himself was drunk half the time (сам Дреббер половину времени был пьян), but Stangerson was not to be caught napping (но Стенджерсон бдительности не терял: «Стенджерсона было не застать дремлющим»; to nap — дремать). I watched them late and early, but never saw the ghost of a chance (я следил за ними с утра и до темна, но ни разу не увидел и тени шанса; late — поздно; early — рано); but I was not discouraged, for something told me that the hour had almost come (но я не терял надежды, так как что–то говорило мне, что мой час почти пробил; to discourage — лишать мужества, уверенности в себе). My only fear was that this thing in my chest might burst a little too soon (единственным моим страхом было, что эта штука у меня в груди может лопнуть немного слишком рано) and leave my work undone (и оставит мою работу незавершенной).

separate [ˈsepǝreɪt], early [ǝ:lɪ], discourage [dɪsˈkʌrɪʤ]

"They were very cunning, though. They must have thought that there was some chance of their being followed, for they would never go out alone, and never after nightfall. During two weeks I drove behind them every day, and never once saw them separate. Drebber himself was drunk half the time, but Stangerson was not to be caught napping. I watched them late and early, but never saw the ghost of a chance; but I was not discouraged, for something told me that the hour had almost come. My only fear was that this thing in my chest might burst a little too soon and leave my work undone.

"At last, one evening I was driving up and down Torquay Terrace (наконец, однажды вечером я ездил взад–вперед по Торки–Террес; terrace — терраса), as the street was called in which they boarded (как называлась улица, на которой они остановились), when I saw a cab drive up to their door (когда я увидел, как к их двери подъехал кеб). Presently some luggage was brought out (вскоре вынесли багаж), and after a time Drebber and Stangerson followed it, and drove off (а некоторое время спустя за ним вышли: «последовали» Дреббер и Стенджерсон и уехали). I whipped up my horse and kept within sight of them (я подстегнул свою лошадь и держался так, чтобы не выпускать их из виду: «в пределах поля зрения»), feeling very ill at ease (чувствуя себя очень неуютно), for I feared that they were going to shift their quarters (так как я опасался, что они собираются переехать; to shift — перемещать, передвигать; изменять, менять; quarters — жилище, жилье, квартира). At Euston Station they got out (у Юстонского вокзала они вышли), and I left a boy to hold my horse, and followed them on to the platform (я оставил мальчишку присматривать за лошадью: «держать мою лошадь» и пошел за ними на платформу). I heard them ask for the Liverpool train (я слышал, как они осведомились о поезде на Ливерпуль), and the guard answer that one had just gone and there would not be another for some hours (и как дежурный ответил, что один только что ушел и несколько часов другого не будет). Stangerson seemed to be put out at that (Стенджерсон казался обескураженным при этом известии; to put out — расстраивать), but Drebber was rather pleased than otherwise (но Дреббер был, скорее, доволен; otherwise — иначе; иным образом; наоборот). I got so close to them in the bustle that I could hear every word that passed between them (я настолько близко к ним подошел в толчее, что мог слышать каждое их слово: «каждое слово, что проходило между ними»). Drebber said that he had a little business of his own to do (Дреббер сказал, что ему надо сделать одно свое небольшое дельце), and that if the other would wait for him he would soon rejoin him (и что если второй его подождет, он скоро к нему присоединится). His companion remonstrated with him (его компаньон упрекнул его), and reminded him that they had resolved to stick together (и напомнил ему, что они решили держаться вместе). Drebber answered that the matter was a delicate one (Дреббер ответил, что вопрос был деликатный), and that he must go alone (и что он должен пойти один). I could not catch what Stangerson said to that (я не смог разобрать: «уловить», что Стенджерсон на это ответил), but the other burst out swearing (но другой разразился проклятиями), and reminded him that he was nothing more than his paid servant (и напомнил ему, что он был всего лишь: «не более чем» его платным слугой), and that he must not presume to dictate to him (и что тому не следует считать, что он может ему указывать; to presume — предполагать, полагать; допускать; отважиться, осмелиться; to dictate — навязывать; отдавать безапелляционные распоряжения). On that the Secretary gave it up as a bad job (на этом секретарь сдался, потеряв надежду его убедить; bad job — безнадежное дело), and simply bargained with him that if he missed the last train (и просто договорился с ним, что если тот опоздает на последний поезд) he should rejoin him at Halliday's Private Hotel (ему следует зайти за ним в частную гостиницу «Холидей»; to rejoin — присоединиться); to which Drebber answered that he would be back on the platform before eleven (на что Дреббер ответил, что он вернется на платформу до одиннадцати), and made his way out of the station (и пошел прочь с вокзала).

hour [auǝ], swear [sweǝ], bargain [ˈbɑ:ɡɪn]

"At last, one evening I was driving up and down Torquay Terrace, as the street was called in which they boarded, when I saw a cab drive up to their door. Presently some luggage was brought out, and after a time Drebber and Stangerson followed it, and drove off. I whipped up my horse and kept within sight of them, feeling very ill at ease, for I feared that they were going to shift their quarters. At Euston Station they got out, and I left a boy to hold my horse, and followed them on to the platform. I heard them ask for the Liverpool train, and the guard answer that one had just gone and there would not be another for some hours. Stangerson seemed to be put out at that, but Drebber was rather pleased than otherwise. I got so close to them in the bustle that I could hear every word that passed between them. Drebber said that he had a little business of his own to do, and that if the other would wait for him he would soon rejoin him. His companion remonstrated with him, and reminded him that they had resolved to stick together. Drebber answered that the matter was a delicate one, and that he must go alone. I could not catch what Stangerson said to that, but the other burst out swearing, and reminded him that he was nothing more than his paid servant, and that he must not presume to dictate to him. On that the Secretary gave it up as a bad job, and simply bargained with him that if he missed the last train he should rejoin him at Halliday's Private Hotel; to which Drebber answered that he would be back on the platform before eleven, and made his way out of the station.

"The moment for which I had waited so long had at last come (тот момент, которого я так долго ждал, наконец наступил). I had my enemies within my power (мои враги были в моей власти). Together they could protect each other (вместе они могли защитить друг друга), but singly they were at my mercy (но по отдельности они были в моей милости). I did not act, however, with undue precipitation (но я не стал действовать с неуместной поспешностью). My plans were already formed (мой план уже созрел: «мои планы были уже сформированы»). There is no satisfaction in vengeance (в мести не найти удовлетворения) unless the offender has time to realize who it is that strikes him (если у обидчика нет времени осознать, кто наносит ему удар), and why retribution has come upon him (и почему возмездие настигло его). I had my plans arranged by which I should have the opportunity (по моему плану у меня должна была быть возможность; to arrange — организовывать, подготавливать) of making the man who had wronged me (заставить человека, который причинил мне зло) understand that his old sin had found him out (понять, что он расплачивается за старые грехи: «что его прошлый грех нашел его»). It chanced that some days before (случилось так, что несколько дней назад) a gentleman who had been engaged in looking over some houses in the Brixton Road (джентльмен, который осматривал несколько домов по Брикстон–роуд) had dropped the key of one of them in my carriage (обронил ключ от одного из них у меня в кебе). It was claimed that same evening, and returned (он пришел за ним в тот же вечер и получил его обратно; to claim — требовать; заявлять о своих правах на что–либо; to return — возвращать); but in the interval I had taken a moulding of it (но за это время я успел снять с него слепок; interval — интервал, промежуток), and had a duplicate constructed (и мне с него изготовили дубликат). By means of this I had access to at least one spot in this great city (теперь: «посредством этого» у меня был доступ к хотя бы одному месту в этом огромном городе) where I could rely upon being free from interruption (где я мог быть уверен в том, что нам не помешают: «где я мог положиться на то, что буду свободен от помех»). How to get Drebber to that house was the difficult problem which I had now to solve (как доставить Дреббера в этот дом, было трудной проблемой, которую мне теперь надо было решить).

vengeance [ˈvenʤ(ǝ)ns], carriage [ˈkærɪʤ], access [ˈæksǝs]

"The moment for which I had waited so long had at last come. I had my enemies within my power. Together they could protect each other, but singly they were at my mercy. I did not act, however, with undue precipitation. My plans were already formed. There is no satisfaction in vengeance unless the offender has time to realize who it is that strikes him, and why retribution has come upon him. I had my plans arranged by which I should have the opportunity of making the man who had wronged me understand that his old sin had found him out. It chanced that some days before a gentleman who had been engaged in looking over some houses in the Brixton Road had dropped the key of one of them in my carriage. It was claimed that same evening, and returned; but in the interval I had taken a moulding of it, and had a duplicate constructed. By means of this I had access to at least one spot in this great city where I could rely upon being free from interruption. How to get Drebber to that house was the difficult problem which I had now to solve.

"He walked down the road and went into one or two liquor shops (он пошел вниз по улице и зашел в один или парочку винных магазинчиков; liquor — спиртной напиток; liquor shop — винный магазин), staying for nearly half–an–hour in the last of them (задержавшись почти на полчаса в последнем из них). When he came out he staggered in his walk (вышел он оттуда, покачиваясь: «когда он вышел, он покачивался при ходьбе»), and was evidently pretty well on (очевидно, изрядно навеселе). There was a hansom just in front of me, and he hailed it (как раз передо мной стоял экипаж, и он его подозвал; to hail — приветствовать; звать, окликать). I followed it so close that the nose of my horse was within a yard of his driver the whole way (я поехал за ним, держась так близко, что всю дорогу нос моей лошади был всего в ярде от кучера его кеба[21]). We rattled across Waterloo Bridge and through miles of streets (мы прогрохотали по мосту Ватерлоо и проехали несколько миль по улицам), until, to my astonishment, we found ourselves back in the Terrace in which he had boarded (когда, к моему удивлению, мы оказались опять на Террес, где он жил; to board — жить и питаться у кого–либо за плату). I could not imagine what his intention was in returning there (я и вообразить не мог, с какой целью он туда вернулся; intention — намерение, цель); but I went on and pulled up my cab a hundred yards or so from the house (я проехал немного дальше и остановил свой кеб примерно в ста ярдах от его дома). He entered it, and his hansom drove away (он вошел внутрь, а экипаж уехал). Give me a glass of water, if you please (дайте мне стакан воды, пожалуйста). My mouth gets dry with the talking (у меня пересыхает во рту, когда я говорю)."

I handed him the glass, and he drank it down (я протянул ему стакан, и он его осушил; to drink down — выпивать до дна).

liquor [ˈlɪkǝ], pretty [ˈprɪtɪ], mouth [mauƟ]

"He walked down the road and went into one or two liquor shops, staying for nearly half–an–hour in the last of them. When he came out he staggered in his walk, and was evidently pretty well on. There was a hansom just in front of me, and he hailed it. I followed it so close that the nose of my horse was within a yard of his driver the whole way. We rattled across Waterloo Bridge and through miles of streets, until, to my astonishment, we found ourselves back in the Terrace in which he had boarded. I could not imagine what his intention was in returning there; but I went on and pulled up my cab a hundred yards or so from the house. He entered it, and his hansom drove away. Give me a glass of water, if you please. My mouth gets dry with the talking."

I handed him the glass, and he drank it down.

"That's better (так лучше)," he said. "Well, I waited for a quarter of an hour, or more (ну, я прождал с четверть часа или больше), when suddenly there came a noise like people struggling inside the house (как вдруг послышался шум, словно в доме кто–то дрался). Next moment the door was flung open and two men appeared (в следующее мгновение дверь распахнулась, и появились двое), one of whom was Drebber (один из которых был Дреббер), and the other was a young chap whom I had never seen before (а второй — молодой парень, которого я никогда раньше не видел). This fellow had Drebber by the collar (парень держал Дреббера за воротник), and when they came to the head of the steps (и когда он подтащил его к ступенькам: «когда они вышли на верхнюю площадку лестницы») he gave him a shove and a kick which sent him half across the road (он толкнул его и дал ему пинка, от которого тот пролетел до середины дороги: «который послал его наполовину через дорогу»). ‘You hound,’ he cried, shaking his stick at him (ты, собака, — вскричал он, угрожая ему тростью; to shake — трясти); ‘I'll teach you to insult an honest girl (я научу тебя, как оскорблять честную девушку)!’ He was so hot that I think he would have thrashed Drebber with his cudgel (он был так разозлен, что, я думаю, он бы отмочалил Дреббера своей дубинкой; hot — возбужденный, разгоряченный, раздраженный; to thrash — бить, стегать, хлестать), only that the cur staggered away down the road as fast as his legs would carry him (если бы мерзавец не умчался, пошатываясь, вниз по улице так быстро, как его могли унести ноги; cur — трус, малодушный человек; грубиян, хам; to stagger — шататься; идти шатаясь). He ran as far as the corner (он добежал до угла), and then, seeing my cab, he hailed me and jumped in (а там, увидев мой кеб, он подозвал меня и заскочил внутрь). ‘Drive me to Halliday's Private Hotel (отвезите меня к частной гостинице «Холидей»),’ said he.

"When I had him fairly inside my cab (когда я заполучил его к себе в кеб; fairly — должным образом; явно), my heart jumped so with joy (мое сердце так запрыгало от радости) that I feared lest at this last moment my aneurism might go wrong (что я испугался, как бы мой аневризм в этот решающий момент не сыграл бы со мной плохой шутки; last — последний; завершающий; to go wrong — выйти из строя; обернуться не так, как планировалось). I drove along slowly (я медленно ехал по улице), weighing in my own mind what it was best to do (взвешивая у себя в уме, как мне было лучше поступить). I might take him right out into the country (я мог бы вывезти его из города), and there in some deserted lane have my last interview with him (а там, в каком–нибудь пустынном переулке побеседовать с ним в последний раз; lane — узкая улочка, переулок). I had almost decided upon this (я почти склонился к этому; to decide — решать), when he solved the problem for me (когда он решил за меня мою проблему). The craze for drink had seized him again (жажда выпить снова охватила его), and he ordered me to pull up outside a gin palace (и он приказал мне остановиться возле сверкающей яркими огнями пивной; gin palace — уст., броское питейное заведение). He went in, leaving word that I should wait for him (он вошел внутрь, сказав мне: «оставив слово» подождать его). There he remained until closing time (там он оставался, пока они не закрылись: «до времени закрытия»), and when he came out he was so far gone that I knew the game was in my own hands (и когда он вышел, он настолько нагрузился, что я знал, что дичь сама идет мне в руки: «дичь была в моих собственных руках»; far gone — далеко зашедший, дошедший до крайней точки).

quarter [ˈkwɔ:tǝ], shove [ʃʌv], deserted [dɪˈzǝ:tɪd]

"That's better," he said. "Well, I waited for a quarter of an hour, or more, when suddenly there came a noise like people struggling inside the house. Next moment the door was flung open and two men appeared, one of whom was Drebber, and the other was a young chap whom I had never seen before. This fellow had Drebber by the collar, and when they came to the head of the steps he gave him a shove and a kick which sent him half across the road. ‘You hound,’ he cried, shaking his stick at him; ‘I'll teach you to insult an honest girl!’ He was so hot that I think he would have thrashed Drebber with his cudgel, only that the cur staggered away down the road as fast as his legs would carry him. He ran as far as the corner, and then, seeing my cab, he hailed me and jumped in. ‘Drive me to Halliday's Private Hotel,’ said he.

"When I had him fairly inside my cab, my heart jumped so with joy that I feared lest at this last moment my aneurism might go wrong. I drove along slowly, weighing in my own mind what it was best to do. I might take him right out into the country, and there in some deserted lane have my last interview with him. I had almost decided upon this, when he solved the problem for me. The craze for drink had seized him again, and he ordered me to pull up outside a gin palace. He went in, leaving word that I should wait for him. There he remained until closing time, and when he came out he was so far gone that I knew the game was in my own hands.

"Don't imagine that I intended to kill him in cold blood (не подумайте, что я собирался хладнокровно его убить). It would only have been rigid justice if I had done so (если бы я так поступил, это было бы всего лишь чистое правосудие; rigid — строгий; непреклонный), but I could not bring myself to do it (но я не мог себя заставить так поступить). I had long determined that he should have a show for his life (я давно решил, что у него будет шанс выжить; show — возможность проявить себя; шанс) if he chose to take advantage of it (если он пожелает воспользоваться им; to choose — выбирать, избирать; to take advantage — воспользоваться, использовать в своих интересах). Among the many billets which I have filled in America during my wandering life (среди многих занятий, что я перепробовал в Америке за время своей бродячей жизни; billet — должность, место; to fill — занимать), I was once janitor and sweeper out of the laboratory at York College (мне случилось однажды быть уборщиком при лаборатории в колледже в Йорке). One day the professor was lecturing on poisons (однажды профессор давал лекцию по ядам), and he showed his students some alkaloid, as he called it (и он показал своим студентам один алкалоид, как он его назвал), which he had extracted from some South American arrow poison (который он добыл из яда, которым в Южной Америке смазывают наконечники стрел: «из южноамериканского яда для стрел»; to extract — извлекать, экстрагировать), and which was so powerful that the least grain meant instant death (и который был таким сильным, что мельчайшая его крупица означала мгновенную смерть). I spotted the bottle in which this preparation was kept (я запомнил склянку, в которой хранился этот препарат; preparation — препарат), and when they were all gone, I helped myself to a little of it (и когда они все ушли, я немного себе оттуда отлил; to help oneself — брать без разрешения). I was a fairly good dispenser (я неплохо знал аптекарское дело; to dispense — готовить лекарства; dispenser — фармацевт), so I worked this alkaloid into small, soluble pills (так что я изготовил маленькие растворимые пилюли с этим алкалоидом; to work — производить, изготовлять), and each pill I put in a box with a similar pill made without the poison (и каждую пилюлю я положил в коробочку с подобной пилюлей, но не содержащей яда: «сделанной без яда»). I determined at the time that when I had my chance (я тогда решил, что когда мне выпадет мой шанс), my gentlemen should each have a draw out of one of these boxes (мои господам придется каждому вытянуть по пилюле: «вытянуть свой жребий» из одной из этих коробочек; draw — жребий), while I ate the pill that remained (а я проглочу: «съем» ту, что останется). It would be quite as deadly, and a good deal less noisy than firing across a handkerchief (это будет столь же смертоносно, как стрелять через носовой платок, но куда менее шумно). From that day I had always my pill boxes about with me (с того дня я всегда носил с собой эти коробочки с пилюлями), and the time had now come when I was to use them (и теперь пришло время использовать их).

blood [blʌd], janitor [ˈʤænɪtǝ], handkerchief [ˈhæŋkǝʧɪf]

"Don't imagine that I intended to kill him in cold blood. It would only have been rigid justice if I had done so, but I could not bring myself to do it. I had long determined that he should have a show for his life if he chose to take advantage of it. Among the many billets which I have filled in America during my wandering life, I was once janitor and sweeper out of the laboratory at York College. One day the professor was lecturing on poisons, and he showed his students some alkaloid, as he called it, which he had extracted from some South American arrow poison, and which was so powerful that the least grain meant instant death. I spotted the bottle in which this preparation was kept, and when they were all gone, I helped myself to a little of it. I was a fairly good dispenser, so I worked this alkaloid into small, soluble pills, and each pill I put in a box with a similar pill made without the poison. I determined at the time that when I had my chance, my gentlemen should each have a draw out of one of these boxes, while I ate the pill that remained. It would be quite as deadly, and a good deal less noisy than firing across a handkerchief. From that day I had always my pill boxes about with me, and the time had now come when I was to use them.

"It was nearer one than twelve (было ближе к часу, чем к полуночи: «к двенадцати»), and a wild, bleak night (ночь была ветреная, промозглая; wild — бурный, штормовой; bleak — холодный, промозглый), blowing hard and raining in torrents (дул сильный ветер, и шел проливной дождь; torrent — ливень). Dismal as it was outside (несмотря на мерзкую погоду: «хотя снаружи было мрачно»; dismal — мрачный; унылый; гнетущий), I was glad within (на душе: «внутри» у меня было радостно)— so glad that I could have shouted out from pure exultation (настолько радостно, что я мог бы закричать от восторга: «от чистого ликования»). If any of you gentlemen have ever pined for a thing (если когда–либо кто–нибудь из вас, джентльмены, безумно желал чего–нибудь; to pine — чахнуть, томиться; изнемогать, изнывать, иссыхать; /for, after smth./ жаждать чего–либо, тосковать по чему–либо), and longed for it during twenty long years (и жаждал этого двадцать долгих лет), and then suddenly found it within your reach (а затем внезапно обнаружил это на расстоянии вытянутой руки; to reach — протягивать; reach — досягаемость, предел досягаемости), you would understand my feelings (вы поймете мои чувства). I lit a cigar, and puffed at it to steady my nerves (я зажег сигару и закурил, чтобы успокоить нервы; to puff — дымить; покуривать), but my hands were trembling (но мои руки дрожали), and my temples throbbing with excitement (а в висках стучало от возбуждения). As I drove, I could see old John Ferrier and sweet Lucy looking at me out of the darkness and smiling at me (когда я ехал, я видел, как старик Джон Феррьер и милая Люси смотрели на меня из темноты и улыбались мне), just as plain as I see you all in this room (так же ясно, как я вижу всех вас здесь в комнате). All the way they were ahead of me (всю дорогу они были передо мной), one on each side of the horse (справа и слева от лошади: «один на каждой стороне лошади») until I pulled up at the house in the Brixton Road (пока я не натянул поводья у дома на Брикстон–роуд).

"There was not a soul to be seen, nor a sound to be heard (не было видно ни души, не слышно ни звука), except the dripping of the rain (кроме шума дождя; to drip — капать, падать каплями; стекать). When I looked in at the window (когда я заглянул внутрь через окошко), I found Drebber all huddled together in a drunken sleep (я обнаружил, что Дреббер спит пьяным сном, весь съежившись). I shook him by the arm (я потряс его за руку), ‘It's time to get out (время выходить),’ I said.

" ‘All right, cabby (хорошо, кебмен),’ said he.

exultation [ˌeɡzʌlˈteɪʃ(ǝ)n], year [jɪǝ], [jǝ:], cigar [sɪˈɡɑ:]

"It was nearer one than twelve, and a wild, bleak night, blowing hard and raining in torrents. Dismal as it was outside, I was glad within — so glad that I could have shouted out from pure exultation. If any of you gentlemen have ever pined for a thing, and longed for it during twenty long years, and then suddenly found it within your reach, you would understand my feelings. I lit a cigar, and puffed at it to steady my nerves, but my hands were trembling, and my temples throbbing with excitement. As I drove, I could see old John Ferrier and sweet Lucy looking at me out of the darkness and smiling at me, just as plain as I see you all in this room. All the way they were ahead of me, one on each side of the horse until I pulled up at the house in the Brixton Road.

"There was not a soul to be seen, nor a sound to be heard, except the dripping of the rain. When I looked in at the window, I found Drebber all huddled together in a drunken sleep. I shook him by the arm, `It's time to get out,' I said.

"`All right, cabby,' said he.

"I suppose he thought we had come to the hotel that he had mentioned (я полагаю, что он подумал, что мы приехали к гостинице, которую он назвал; to mention — упоминать), for he got out without another word (так как он вышел, ничего больше не сказав), and followed me down the garden (и пошел за мной по садовой дорожке). I had to walk beside him to keep him steady (мне пришлось идти рядом, чтобы поддерживать его; steady — устойчивый), for he was still a little top–heavy (так как он по–прежнему был немного навеселе; top–heavy — перевешивающий в верхней части; неустойчивый; пьяный). When we came to the door, I opened it (когда мы подошли к двери, я открыл ее), and led him into the front room (и провел его в переднюю). I give you my word that all the way, the father and the daughter were walking in front of us (даю вам слово, что все это время: «всю дорогу» отец и дочь шли перед нами).

" ‘It's infernally dark (темнота адская),’ said he, stamping about (сказал он, топчась на месте).

" ‘We'll soon have a light,’ I said (скоро у нас будет свет, — сказал я), striking a match and putting it to a wax candle which I had brought with me (зажигая спичку и поднося ее к восковой свечи, что я принес с собой). ‘Now, Enoch Drebber,’ I continued, turning to him (а теперь, Инок Дреббер, — продолжал я, поворачиваясь к нему), and holding the light to my own face (и поднеся свет к своему лицу), ‘who am I (кто я)?’

"He gazed at me with bleared, drunken eyes for a moment (мгновение он смотрел на меня мутными, пьяными глазами; to blear — затуманивать, делать неясным), and then I saw a horror spring up in them (а затем я увидел, как в них вспыхнул ужас; to spring up — возникать), and convulse his whole features (и судорогой пробежал по чертам его лица; to convulse — вызывать судороги, конвульсии; трясти, сотрясать), which showed me that he knew me (из чего я понял: «что показало мне», что он меня узнал). He staggered back with a livid face (он отшатнулся, побледнев; livid — мертвенно–бледный), and I saw the perspiration break out upon his brow (и я увидел, что у него на лбу выступил пот), while his teeth chattered in his head (зубы его стучали). At the sight, I leaned my back against the door and laughed loud and long (увидев это, я прислонился спиной к двери и громко захохотал: «и захохотал громко и долго»). I had always known that vengeance would be sweet (я всегда знал, что месть будет сладка), but I had never hoped for the contentment of soul which now possessed me (но я и не надеялся на то блаженство: «душевное довольство», что теперь на меня спустилось; to possess — овладевать, захватывать).

hotel [hǝuˈtel], [ǝuˈtel], convulse [kǝnˈvʌls], brow [brau]

"I suppose he thought we had come to the hotel that he had mentioned, for he got out without another word, and followed me down the garden. I had to walk beside him to keep him steady, for he was still a little top–heavy. When we came to the door, I opened it, and led him into the front room. I give you my word that all the way, the father and the daughter were walking in front of us.

" ‘It's infernally dark,’ said he, stamping about.

" ‘We'll soon have a light,’ I said, striking a match and putting it to a wax candle which I had brought with me. ‘Now, Enoch Drebber,’ I continued, turning to him, and holding the light to my own face, ‘who am I?’

"He gazed at me with bleared, drunken eyes for a moment, and then I saw a horror spring up in them, and convulse his whole features, which showed me that he knew me. He staggered back with a livid face, and I saw the perspiration break out upon his brow, while his teeth chattered in his head. At the sight, I leaned my back against the door and laughed loud and long. I had always known that vengeance would be sweet, but I had never hoped for the contentment of soul which now possessed me.

" ‘You dog (ты, собака)!’ I said; ‘I have hunted you from Salt Lake City to St. Petersburg (я гонялся за тобой от Солт–Лейк–Сити до Санкт–Петербурга; to hunt — охотиться /на кого–либо; особ. с гончими/; гнать; преследовать), and you have always escaped me (и ты всегда от меня ускользал). Now, at last your wanderings have come to an end (теперь, наконец, твои странствия подошли к концу), for either you or I shall never see to–morrow's sun rise (так как один из нас не увидит восход солнца: «так как или ты, или я никогда не увидит восход завтрашнего солнца»).’ He shrunk still further away as I spoke (он еще дальше отступил от меня, пока я говорил; to shrink — уменьшаться, сокращаться; сморщиваться; садиться /о материи/, давать усадку; отскочить; отпрянуть, отшатнуться), and I could see on his face that he thought I was mad (и я мог видеть на его лице, что он думал, что я сошел с ума; mad — сумасшедший, ненормальный; бешеный, безумный). So I was for the time (на время это так и было). The pulses in my temples beat like sledge–hammers (пульс у меня в висках бил, как кузнечный молот), and I believe I would have had a fit of some sort (и я думаю, что со мной случился бы какой–нибудь припадок) if the blood had not gushed from my nose and relieved me (если бы у меня из носа не хлынула кровь и мне от этого не полегчало бы; to relieve — облегчить).

" ‘What do you think of Lucy Ferrier now (что ты теперь думаешь о Люси Феррьер)?’ I cried, locking the door, and shaking the key in his face (воскликнул я, запирая дверь и тряся ключом у него перед носом). ‘Punishment has been slow in coming, but it has overtaken you at last (кара надвигалась медленно, но она настигла тебя наконец).’ I saw his coward lips tremble as I spoke (я увидел, как его губы труса задрожали при моих словах). He would have begged for his life (он бы стал умолять сохранить ему жизнь), but he knew well that it was useless (но он хорошо знал, что это было бесполезно).

" ‘Would you murder me?’ he stammered (ты меня убьешь? — заикаясь, спросил он; to stammer — заикаться, говорить заикаясь; запинаться).

" ‘There is no murder,’ I answered (это не убийство, — ответил я). ‘Who talks of murdering a mad dog (разве прикончить бешеную собаку — убийство: «кто говорит об убийстве бешеной собаки»)? What mercy had you upon my poor darling (как ты пожалел мою бедняжку; mercy — милосердие; жалость, сострадание), when you dragged her from her slaughtered father (когда ты оттащил ее от убитого отца; to slaughter — убивать, совершать зверское убийство), and bore her away to your accursed and shameless harem (и увез ее в свой проклятый бесстыдный гарем; to bear — носить, нести; переносить)?’

either [ˈaɪðǝ], [ˈi:ðǝ], relieve [rɪˈli:v], slaughter [ˈslɔ:tǝ]

" ‘You dog!’ I said; ‘I have hunted you from Salt Lake City to St. Petersburg, and you have always escaped me. Now, at last your wanderings have come to an end, for either you or I shall never see to–morrow's sun rise.’ He shrunk still further away as I spoke, and I could see on his face that he thought I was mad. So I was for the time. The pulses in my temples beat like sledge–hammers, and I believe I would have had a fit of some sort if the blood had not gushed from my nose and relieved me.

" ‘What do you think of Lucy Ferrier now?’ I cried, locking the door, and shaking the key in his face. ‘Punishment has been slow in coming, but it has overtaken you at last.’ I saw his coward lips tremble as I spoke. He would have begged for his life, but he knew well that it was useless.

" ‘Would you murder me?’ he stammered.

" ‘There is no murder,’ I answered. ‘Who talks of murdering a mad dog? What mercy had you upon my poor darling, when you dragged her from her slaughtered father, and bore her away to your accursed and shameless harem?’

" ‘It was not I who killed her father,’ he cried (это не я убил ее отца, — вскричал он).

" ‘But it was you who broke her innocent heart (но это ты разбил ее невинное сердце),’ I shrieked, thrusting the box before him (крикнул я и сунул ему коробочку; to thrust — пихать, толкать). ‘Let the high God judge between us (пусть Всевышний рассудит нас). Choose and eat (выбирай и глотай: «ешь»). There is death in one and life in the other (в одной — смерть, в другой — жизнь). I shall take what you leave (я проглочу ту, что останется после тебя: «я приму ту, что ты оставишь»). Let us see if there is justice upon the earth (давай посмотрим, есть ли справедливость на земле), or if we are ruled by chance (или нами правит случай).’

"He cowered away with wild cries and prayers for mercy (он отпрянул, дико завопив и взывая к милосердию; to cower — сжиматься, съеживаться), but I drew my knife and held it to his throat until he had obeyed me (но я достал нож и приставил ему к горлу, пока он не сделал так, как я хотел; to draw — тащить; to hold — держать; to obey — подчиняться, слушаться, повиноваться). Then I swallowed the other (потом я проглотил другую пилюлю), and we stood facing one another in silence for a minute or more (а затем минуту или больше мы стояли и молча смотрели друг на друга), waiting to see which was to live and which was to die (ожидая, кто останется в живых, а кто умрет). Shall I ever forget the look which came over his face (забуду ли я когда–нибудь то выражение на его лице: «которое прошло по его лицу») when the first warning pangs told him that the poison was in his system (когда первые предупреждающие спазмы сказали ему, что в его организме был яд)? I laughed as I saw it (я захохотал, когда увидел это), and held Lucy's marriage ring in front of his eyes (и поднес к его глазам обручальное кольцо Люси). It was but for a moment (это длилось лишь мгновение), for the action of the alkaloid is rapid (так как алкалоид действует быстро). A spasm of pain contorted his features (спазм боли исказил его черты); he threw his hands out in front of him (он выбросил вперед руки), staggered (зашатался), and then, with a hoarse cry (а затем, с хриплым криком), fell heavily upon the floor (тяжело рухнул на пол). I turned him over with my foot (я перевернул его ногой), and placed my hand upon his heart (и положил руку ему на сердце). There was no movement (оно не билось: «движения не было»). He was dead (он был мертв)!

knife [naɪf], spasm [spæzm], heart [hɑ:t]

" ‘It was not I who killed her father,’ he cried.

" ‘But it was you who broke her innocent heart,’ I shrieked, thrusting the box before him. ‘Let the high God judge between us. Choose and eat. There is death in one and life in the other. I shall take what you leave. Let us see if there is justice upon the earth, or if we are ruled by chance.’

"He cowered away with wild cries and prayers for mercy, but I drew my knife and held it to his throat until he had obeyed me. Then I swallowed the other, and we stood facing one another in silence for a minute or more, waiting to see which was to live and which was to die. Shall I ever forget the look which came over his face when the first warning pangs told him that the poison was in his system? I laughed as I saw it, and held Lucy's marriage ring in front of his eyes. It was but for a moment, for the action of the alkaloid is rapid. A spasm of pain contorted his features; he threw his hands out in front of him, staggered, and then, with a hoarse cry, fell heavily upon the floor. I turned him over with my foot, and placed my hand upon his heart. There was no movement. He was dead!

"The blood had been streaming from my nose (кровь ручьем лилась у меня из носа), but I had taken no notice of it (но я не обращал на нее внимания). I don't know what it was that put it into my head to write upon the wall with it (я не знаю, откуда мне в голову пришла мысль написать кровью на стене: «я не знаю, что это было, что поместило мне в голову /мысль/ написать на стене ею»). Perhaps it was some mischievous idea of setting the police upon a wrong track (возможно, это была озорная мысль пустить полицию по ложному следу; mischievous — озорной), for I felt light–hearted and cheerful (так как у меня было легко на сердце: «я чувствовал себя с легким сердцем», и я был в приподнятом настроении; cheerful — радостный, веселый). I remembered a German being found in New York with RACHE written up above him (я вспомнил, как немца нашли в Нью–Йорке со словом «RACHE», написанным над ним), and it was argued at the time in the newspapers (и в то время в газетах приводились доводы; to argue — аргументировать, приводить доводы) that the secret societies must have done it (что это, должно быть, дело рук какого–нибудь секретного общества). I guessed that what puzzled the New Yorkers would puzzle the Londoners (я подумал, что то, что поставило в тупик жителей Нью–Йорка, озадачит и жителей Лондона), so I dipped my finger in my own blood (поэтому я окунул палец в свою кровь) and printed it on a convenient place on the wall (и написал это слово на подходящем месте на стене; to print — писать печатными буквами). Then I walked down to my cab (затем я пошел к своему кебу) and found that there was nobody about (и обнаружил, что вокруг по–прежнему никого не было), and that the night was still very wild (а ночь по–прежнему была столь же ненастной; wild — дикий; бурный, необузданный; бешеный, неистовый). I had driven some distance (я уже отъехал на определенное расстояние) when I put my hand into the pocket in which I usually kept Lucy's ring (когда я засунул руку в карман, в котором я обычно держал кольцо Люси), and found that it was not there (и обнаружил, что его там нет). I was thunderstruck at this (меня этим как громом поразило), for it was the only memento that I had of her (так как это было единственная памятка о ней). Thinking that I might have dropped it when I stooped over Drebber's body (подумав, что я обронил его, когда склонился над телом Дреббера), I drove back, and leaving my cab in a side street (я поехал назад, и, оставив кеб в переулке), I went boldly up to the house (пошел прямо к дому; boldly — храбро, бесстрашно; дерзко)— for I was ready to dare anything rather than lose the ring (так как я был готов рискнуть всем, лишь бы найти кольцо: «скорее чем потерять кольцо»; to dare — осмеливаться; пренебрегать опасностью, рисковать). When I arrived there (когда я подошел к нему; to arrive — достигать, приходить), I walked right into the arms of a police–officer who was coming out (я налетел прямо на: «попал прямо в руки» полицейского, который выходил из дома; to walk into — натолкнуться, попасть), and only managed to disarm his suspicions by pretending to be hopelessly drunk (и мне удалось усыпить его подозрения, лишь притворившись пьяным в стельку: «безнадежно пьяным»; to disarm — обезвреживать; усмирять).

mischievous [ˈmɪsʧɪvǝs], society [sǝˈsaɪǝtɪ], disarm [dɪsˈɑ:m]

"The blood had been streaming from my nose, but I had taken no notice of it. I don't know what it was that put it into my head to write upon the wall with it. Perhaps it was some mischievous idea of setting the police upon a wrong track, for I felt light–hearted and cheerful. I remembered a German being found in New York with RACHE written up above him, and it was argued at the time in the newspapers that the secret societies must have done it. I guessed that what puzzled the New Yorkers would puzzle the Londoners, so I dipped my finger in my own blood and printed it on a convenient place on the wall. Then I walked down to my cab and found that there was nobody about, and that the night was still very wild. I had driven some distance when I put my hand into the pocket in which I usually kept Lucy's ring, and found that it was not there. I was thunderstruck at this, for it was the only memento that I had of her. Thinking that I might have dropped it when I stooped over Drebber's body, I drove back, and leaving my cab in a side street, I went boldly up to the house — for I was ready to dare anything rather than lose the ring. When I arrived there, I walked right into the arms of a police–officer who was coming out, and only managed to disarm his suspicions by pretending to be hopelessly drunk.

"That was how Enoch Drebber came to his end (вот как Инок Дреббер нашел свою смерть: «пришел к своему концу»). All I had to do then was to do as much for Stangerson (все, что мне оставалось сделать тогда — проделать то же самое со Стенджерсоном), and so pay off John Ferrier's debt (и таким образом расквитаться за Джона Феррьера: «отплатить долги Джона Феррьера»). I knew that he was staying at Halliday's Private Hotel (я знал, что он остановился в частной гостинице «Холидей»), and I hung about all day, but he never came out (и я болтался поблизости весь день, но он так и не вышел). I fancy that he suspected something (наверное, он заподозрил что–то) when Drebber failed to put in an appearance (когда Дреббер так и не появился; to fail — не исполнить, не сделать; to put in an appearance — показываться, появляться: «вставить появление»). He was cunning, was Stangerson (он был хитер, этот Стенджерсон), and always on his guard (и всегда начеку). If he thought he could keep me off by staying indoors (но если он думал, что сможет спрятаться от меня, оставаясь взаперти; to keep off — держать в отдалении; не подпускать; indoors — внутри дома, в помещении) he was very much mistaken (он очень сильно ошибался). I soon found out which was the window of his bedroom (я вскоре вычислил: «обнаружил» окно его спальни), and early next morning I took advantage of some ladders which were lying in the lane behind the hotel (и рано следующим утром я воспользовался лестницей, которая лежала в переулке за гостиницей), and so made my way into his room in the grey of the dawn (и с ее помощью забрался в комнату, едва лишь забрезжил свет: «в серости рассвета»). I woke him up and told him that the hour had come (я разбудил его и сказал ему, что наступил час) when he was to answer for the life he had taken so long before (когда ему придется отвечать за жизнь, которую он отнял так давно). I described Drebber's death to him (я описал ему, как умер Дреббер: «смерть Дреббера»), and I gave him the same choice of the poisoned pills (и предоставил ему тот же выбор отравленной пилюли). Instead of grasping at the chance of safety which that offered him (вместо того, чтобы ухватиться за шанс выжить: «безопасности», предложенный ему), he sprang from his bed and flew at my throat (он соскочил с постели и вцепился мне в горло; to fly at — нападать). In self–defence I stabbed him to the heart (защищаясь: «в самообороне», я ударил его ножом в сердце; to stab — колоть, ранить кинжалом, ножом). It would have been the same in any case (в любом случае произошло бы то же самое), for Providence would never have allowed his guilty hand to pick out anything but the poison (так как провидение никогда не позволило бы его виноватой руке выбрать что–то, кроме яда; guilt — вина).

debt [det], indoors [ˌɪnˈdɔ:z], dawn [dɔ:n]

"That was how Enoch Drebber came to his end. All I had to do then was to do as much for Stangerson, and so pay off John Ferrier's debt. I knew that he was staying at Halliday's Private Hotel, and I hung about all day, but he never came out. I fancy that he suspected something when Drebber failed to put in an appearance. He was cunning, was Stangerson, and always on his guard. If he thought he could keep me off by staying indoors he was very much mistaken. I soon found out which was the window of his bedroom, and early next morning I took advantage of some ladders which were lying in the lane behind the hotel, and so made my way into his room in the grey of the dawn. I woke him up and told him that the hour had come when he was to answer for the life he had taken so long before. I described Drebber's death to him, and I gave him the same choice of the poisoned pills. Instead of grasping at the chance of safety which that offered him, he sprang from his bed and flew at my throat. In self–defence I stabbed him to the heart. It would have been the same in any case, for Providence would never have allowed his guilty hand to pick out anything but the poison.

"I have little more to say (мне немногое осталось рассказать), and it's as well, for I am about done up (и хорошо, так как силы мои на исходе; done up — физически истощен). I went on cabbing it for a day or so (я продолжал заниматься извозом день–другой), intending to keep at it until I could save enough to take me back to America (намереваясь заниматься этим, пока я не накоплю достаточно денег, чтобы вернуться в Америку). I was standing in the yard when a ragged youngster asked (я стоял на хозяйском дворе, когда какой–то оборванец спросил; ragged — оборванный, одетый в лохмотья; youngster — юноша; ребенок) if there was a cabby there called Jefferson Hope (нет ли здесь кебмена по имени Джефферсон Хоуп), and said that his cab was wanted by a gentleman at 221B, Baker Street (и сказал, что его кеб нужен джентльмену по адресу Бейкер–стрит, 221Б). I went round, suspecting no harm (я отправился по вызову, ничего не подозревая), and the next thing I knew, this young man here had the bracelets on my wrists (и тут вдруг этот молодой человек надевает мне браслеты на запястья; next thing I knew — не успел я опомниться), and as neatly shackled as ever I saw in my life (да так ловко, что ловчее я и не видал в своей жизни; to shackle — заковывать в кандалы). That's the whole of my story, gentlemen (вот и вся моя история, джентльмены). You may consider me to be a murderer (вы можете считать меня убийцей); but I hold that I am just as much an officer of justice as you are (но я считаю, что я такой же служитель закона, как и вы; justice — справедливость; правосудие, юстиция)."

So thrilling had the man's narrative been (его повествование было столь захватывающим), and his manner was so impressive (а рассказывал он так выразительно: «а его манера /рассказывать/ столь впечатляющей») that we had sat silent and absorbed (что мы сидели молча, захваченные рассказом; absorbed — поглощенный, увлеченный; to absorb — всасывать, впитывать; абсорбировать; поглощать). Even the professional detectives (даже профессиональные сыщики), blasé as they were in every detail of crime (какими бы пресыщенными они ни были преступлениями во всех их видах; blasé — /фр./ пресыщенный; опытный, искушенный), appeared to be keenly interested in the man's story (казались глубоко заинтересованными рассказом). When he finished we sat for some minutes in a stillness (когда он закончил, мы некоторое время сидели в тишине) which was only broken by the scratching of Lestrade's pencil (которую нарушал лишь скрип карандаша Лестрейда) as he gave the finishing touches to his shorthand account (заканчивавшего свою стенографическую запись: «придававшего окончательную отделку своей стенографической записи»).

narrative [ˈnærǝtɪv], absorb [ǝbˈzɔ:b], detail [ˈdi:teɪl]

"I have little more to say, and it's as well, for I am about done up. I went on cabbing it for a day or so, intending to keep at it until I could save enough to take me back to America. I was standing in the yard when a ragged youngster asked if there was a cabby there called Jefferson Hope, and said that his cab was wanted by a gentleman at 221B, Baker Street. I went round, suspecting no harm, and the next thing I knew, this young man here had the bracelets on my wrists, and as neatly shackled as ever I saw in my life. That's the whole of my story, gentlemen. You may consider me to be a murderer; but I hold that I am just as much an officer of justice as you are."

So thrilling had the man's narrative been, and his manner was so impressive that we had sat silent and absorbed. Even the professional detectives, blasé as they were in every detail of crime, appeared to be keenly interested in the man's story. When he finished we sat for some minutes in a stillness which was only broken by the scratching of Lestrade's pencil as he gave the finishing touches to his shorthand account.

"There is only one point on which I should like a little more information (только по поводу одного момента мне бы хотелось /получить/ немного больше информации)," Sherlock Holmes said at last (сказал, наконец, Шерлок Холмс). "Who was your accomplice who came for the ring which I advertised (кто был ваш сообщник, который пришел за кольцом по объявлению; to advertise — помещать объявление)?"

The prisoner winked at my friend jocosely (пленник шутливо подмигнул моему другу). "I can tell my own secrets (я могу раскрыть: «рассказать» свои собственные секреты)," he said, "but I don't get other people into trouble (но я не вовлекаю в неприятности других). I saw your advertisement (я увидел ваше объявление), and I thought it might be a plant (и я подумал, что это может быть ловушкой), or it might be the ring which I wanted (или это может быть то кольцо, которое мне нужно). My friend volunteered to go and see (мой друг вызвался сходить и посмотреть). I think you'll own he did it smartly (я полагаю, вы признаете, что он ловко это сделал)."

"Not a doubt of that," said Holmes heartily (в этом нет ни малейшего сомнения, — искренне сказал Шерлок Холмс).

"Now, gentlemen," the Inspector remarked gravely (а теперь, джентльмены, — рассудительно заметил инспектор; gravely — серьезно, здраво, рассудительно; grave — серьезный), "the forms of the law must be complied with (надо соблюсти формальности закона). On Thursday the prisoner will be brought before the magistrates (в четверг пленник предстанет перед судьями), and your attendance will be required (и потребуется ваше присутствие; to attend — уделять внимание; посещать; присутствовать /на лекциях, собраниях и т. п./). Until then I will be responsible for him (до этого момента я отвечаю за него)." He rang the bell as he spoke (он позвонил в колокольчик при этих словах), and Jefferson Hope was led off by a couple of warders (и Джефферсона Хоупа вывели два тюремных надзирателя), while my friend and I made our way out of the Station and took a cab back to Baker Street (а мой друг и я покинули участок и взяли кеб, чтобы попасть обратно на Бейкер–стрит).

volunteer [ˌvɔlǝnˈtɪǝ], comply [kǝmˈplaɪ], warder [ˈwɔ:dǝ]

"There is only one point on which I should like a little more information," Sherlock Holmes said at last. "Who was your accomplice who came for the ring which I advertised?"

The prisoner winked at my friend jocosely. "I can tell my own secrets," he said, "but I don't get other people into trouble. I saw your advertisement, and I thought it might be a plant, or it might be the ring which I wanted. My friend volunteered to go and see. I think you'll own he did it smartly."

"Not a doubt of that," said Holmes heartily.

"Now, gentlemen," the Inspector remarked gravely, "the forms of the law must be complied with. On Thursday the prisoner will be brought before the magistrates, and your attendance will be required. Until then I will be responsible for him." He rang the bell as he spoke, and Jefferson Hope was led off by a couple of warders, while my friend and I made our way out of the Station and took a cab back to Baker Street.