café ['k&feI], bow [baU], broadly ['brO:dlI]
"Not as far as we know. But it's early yet. Everyone who saw a girl in white walking with a man last night will be along to tell us about soon, and as I imagine there were about four or five hundred girls in white walking with young men last night, it ought to be a nice business.''
"Well, sir, I'd better get down to it," said Crome. "There's the café and there's the girl's home. I'd better go to both of them. Kelsey can come with me."
"And Mr. Poirot?" asked the superintendent.
"I will accompany you," said Poirot to Crome with a little bow.
Crome, I thought, looked slightly annoyed. Kelsey, who had not seen Poirot before, grinned broadly.
It was an unfortunate circumstance (это было несчастливым обстоятельством) that the first time people saw my friend (что, когда люди видели моего друга в первый раз) they were always disposed to consider him as a joke of the first water (они всегда были расположены рассматривать его как шутку чистой воды: «первой воды»).
"What about this belt she was strangled with (что с этим поясом, /которым/ она была задушена)?" asked Crome. "Poirot is inclined to think (Пуаро склонен думать) it's a valuable clue (что это ценная улика; value — ценность). I expect he'd like to see it (я полагаю, ему захочется увидеть его; to expect — ожидать; предполагать). "
" Du tout," said Poirot quickly (фр. отнюдь, — быстро сказал Пуаро). "You misunderstood me (вы неправильно меня поняли; to understand). "
"You'll get nothing from that," said Carter (ничего с /поясом/ не получится: «вы ничего не получите от этого»). "It wasn't a leather belt (это не был кожаный пояс) — might have got fingerprints (/на нем/ могли быть отпечатки пальцев) if it had been (если бы он был /кожаным/). Just a thick so of knitted silk (просто толстый /такой/ из плетеного шелка) — ideal for the purpose (идеальный для этой цели). "
I gave a shiver (я вздрогнул).
"Well," said Crome, "we'd better be getting along (нам бы лучше отправляться; to get along — жить; обходиться; разг. уходить). "
We set out forthwith (мы отправились незамедлительно).
valuable ['v&lju@bl], leather ['leD@], forthwith ['fO:TwID]
It was an unfortunate circumstance that the first time people saw my friend they were always disposed to consider him as a joke of the first water.
"What about this belt she was strangled with?" asked Crome. "Poirot is inclined to think it's a valuable clue. I expect he'd like to see it."
" Du tout," said Poirot quickly. "You misunderstood me."
"You'll get nothing from that," said Carter. "It wasn't a leather belt — might have got fingerprints if it had been. Just a thick so of knitted silk — ideal for the purpose."
I gave a shiver.
"Well," said Crome, "we'd better be getting along."
We set out forthwith.
Our first visit was to the Ginger Cat (наш первый визит был в /кафе/ «Рыжий кот»). Situated on the seafront (расположенное на набережной), this was the usual type of small tearoom (это была обычного типа маленькая чайная). It had little tables covered with orange-checked cloths (там были маленькие столики, покрытые оранжевыми клетчатыми скатертями) and basketwork chairs of exceeding discomfort (и плетеные стулья, крайне неудобные: «превышающего неудобства») with orange cushions on them (с оранжевыми подушками на них). It was the kind of place (это было место: «это был тип места») that specialized in morning coffee (которое специализиризовалось на утреннем кофе), five different kinds of teas (пяти разных сортах чая) (Devonshire («Девоншир»), farmhouse («Фармхауз»: «фермерский дом»), fruit (фруктовом), Carlton («Карлтон») and plain (и простом)), and a few sparing lunch dishes for females (несколько скудных блюд для ленча для дам) such as scrambled eggs and shrimps (таких как яичница-болтунья и креветки; to scramble — взбалтывать /обычно яйца для болтуньи/) and macaroni au gratin(и макароны фр. с сыром).
check ['tSek], cloth [klOT], cushion ['kUS(@)n]
Our first visit was to the Ginger Cat. Situated on the seafront, this was the usual type of small tearoom. It had little tables covered with orange-checked cloths and basketwork chairs of exceeding discomfort with orange cushions on them. It was the kind of place that specialized in morning coffee, five different kinds of teas (Devonshire, farmhouse, fruit, Carlton and plain), and a few sparing lunch dishes for females such as scrambled eggs and shrimps and macaroni au gratin.
The morning coffees were just getting under way (утренний кофе был как раз в самом разгаре; to get under way — быть на полном ходу). The manageress ushered us hastily into a very untidy back sanctum (заведующая живо провела нас в очень неопрятный рабочий кабинет позади /кафе/; sanctum /sanctorum/ — святая святых; шутл. рабочий кабинет).
"Miss (мисс) — er (э) — Merrion?" inquired Crome (Меррион? —осведомился Кроум).
Miss Merrion bleated out in a high (мисс Меррион проблеяла высоким), distressed gentlewoman voice (печальным голосом /истиной/ леди; gentlewoman — дама, леди /женщина, получившая хорошее воспитание и образование/; distress — горе, несчастье; бедственное положение): "That is my name (это мое имя). This is a most distressing business (это крайне печальная история: «дело»). Most distressing (крайне печальная). How it will affect our business (как это повлияет на наш бизнес) I really cannot think (я действительно не могу подумать)!"
usher ['VS@], sanctum ['s&N(k)t@m], gentlewoman ['dZentl,wu:m@n]
The morning coffees were just getting under way. The manageress ushered us hastily into a very untidy back sanctum.
"Miss — er — Merrion?" inquired Crome.
Miss Merrion bleated out in a high, distressed gentlewoman voice: "That is my name. This is a most distressing business. Most distressing. How it will affect our business I really cannot think!"
Miss Merrion was a very thin woman of forty (мисс Меррион была очень худой женщиной сорока /лет/) with wispy orange hair (с клочковатыми рыжими волосами; wisp — клок, пучок) (indeed she was astonishingly like a ginger cat herself (в самом деле, она сама была поразительно похожа на рыжего кота)). She played nervously with various fichus and frills (она нервно перебирала разнообразные кружева и оборки; fichu — фишю, кружевная косынка) that were part of her official costume (которые были частью ее служебного костюма).
"You'll have a boom," said Inspector Kelsey encouragingly (у вас будет наплыв /посетителей/, — подбадривающе сказал инспектор Келси; boom — бум, резкий подъем деловой активности; шумиха). "You'll see (увидите)! You won't be able to serve teas fast enough (вы не сможете подавать чай достаточно быстро)!"
"Disgusting (отвратительно)," said Miss Merrion. "Truly disgusting (действительно отвратительно). It makes one despair of human nature (это заставляет разочаровываться в человеческой натуре). "
wispy ['wIspI], boom [bu:m], despair [dI'spE@]
Miss Merrion was a very thin woman of forty with wispy orange hair (indeed she was astonishingly like a ginger cat herself). She played nervously with various fichus and frills that were part of her official costume.
"You'll have a boom," said Inspector Kelsey encouragingly. "You'll see! You won't be able to serve teas fast enough!"
"Disgusting," said Miss Merrion. "Truly disgusting. It makes one despair of human nature."
But her eye brightened nevertheless (но ее глаза тем не менее заблестели; bright — яркий, блестящий).
"What can you tell me about the dead girl, Miss Merrion (что вы можете мне рассказать об убитой: «мертвой девушке», мисс Меррион)?"
"Nothing," said Miss Merrion positively (ничего, — уверенно сказала мисс Меррион). "Absolutely nothing (абсолютно ничего)!"
"How long had she been working here (как долго она здесь работала)?"
"This was the second summer (это было второе лето). "
"You were satisfied with her (вы были довольны ею)?"
"She was a good waitress (она была хорошей официанткой) — quick and obliging (быстрой и любезной; to oblige — обязывать; делать одолжение, угождать). "
"She was pretty, yes?" inquired Poirot (она была хорошенькой, да? — поинтересовался Пуаро).
brighten ['braIt(@)n], waitress ['weItrIs], positively ['pOzItIvlI]
But her eye brightened nevertheless.
"What can you tell me about the dead girl, Miss Merrion?"
"Nothing," said Miss Merrion positively. "Absolutely nothing!"
"How long had she been working here?"
"This was the second summer."
"You were satisfied with her?"
"She was a good waitress — quick and obliging."
"She was pretty, yes?" inquired Poirot.
Miss Merrion, in her turn (в свою очередь), gave him an "Oh, these foreigners" look (обратила на него взгляд /говорящий/ «ох, эти иностранцы»). "She was a nice (она была милой), clean-looking girl," she said distantly (чистоплотной: «чисто выглядящей» девушкой, — сказала она сдержанно; distant — дальний; отдаленный; сдержанный).
"Eight o'clock (/в/ восемь часов). We close at eight (мы закрываемся в восемь). We do not serve dinners (мы не подаем обеды). There is no demand for them (на них нет спроса). Scrambled eggs and tea (яичница-болтунья и чай) (Poirot shuddered) (Пуаро содрогнулся). People come in for up to seven o'clock (люди заходят почти до семи часов) and sometimes after (и иногда позже), but our rush is over by 6:30 (но горячее время заканчивается около шести тридцати; rush — спешка, суета; натиск; to be over — заканчиваться). "
"Did she mention to you (она вам упоминала = говорила вам) how she proposed to spend her evening (как она намеревалась провести вечер; to propose — предлагать; намереваться)?"
"Certainly not," said Miss Merrion emphatically (конечно, нет, — выразительно сказала мисс Меррион). "We were not on those terms (мы не были в таких отношениях). "
"No one came in and called for her (никто не заходил и /не/ спрашивал ее)? Anything like that (что-нибудь подобное)?"
"No."
distantly ['dIst@ntlI], propose [pr@'p@Uz], emphatically [Im'f&tIk@lI]
Miss Merrion, in her turn, gave him an "Oh, these foreigners" look. "She was a nice, clean-looking girl," she said distantly.
"What time did she go off duty last night?" asked Crome.
"Eight o'clock. We close at eight. We do not serve dinners. There is no demand for them. Scrambled eggs and tea (Poirot shuddered). People come in for up to seven o'clock and sometimes after, but our rush is over by 6:30."
"Did she mention to you how she proposed to spend her evening?"
"Certainly not," said Miss Merrion emphatically. "We were not on those terms."
"No one came in and called for her? Anything like that?"
"No."
"What time did she go off duty last night?" asked Crome (в какое время она ушла с работы вчера вечером?; duty — служебные обязанности; дежурство).
"Did she seem quite her ordinary self (она казалась такой, какой обычно она была)? Not excited (не взволнованной) or depressed (или расстроенной)?"
"Really I could not say," said Miss Merrion aloofly (я действительно не знаю: «на самом деле я не могла бы» сказать, — безучастно сказала мисс Меррион; aloof — сторонящийся; отчужденный; равнодушный).
"How many waitresses do you employ (сколько официанток вы нанимаете = сколько официанток работает у вас)?"
"Two normally (обычно две), and an extra two after the 20th of July until the end of August (и две дополнительно после двадцатого июля до конца августа). "
"But Elizabeth Barnard was not one of the extras (но Элизабет Барнард не была одной из дополнительных)?"
"Miss Barnard was one of the regulars (мисс Барнард была одной из постоянных). "
"What about the other one (а как насчет еще одной)?"
"Miss Higley (мисс Хигли)? She is a very nice young lady (она очень милая молодая леди). "
aloofly [@'lu:flI], extra ['ekstr@], regular ['regju:l@]
"Did she seem quite her ordinary self? Not excited or depressed?"
"Really I could not say," said Miss Merrion aloofly.
"How many waitresses do you employ?"
"Two normally, and an extra two after the 20th of July until the end of August."
"But Elizabeth Barnard was not one of the extras?"
"Miss Barnard was one of the regulars."
"What about the other one?"
"Miss Higley? She is a very nice young lady."
"Were she and Miss Barnard friends (были /ли/ она и мисс Барнард друзьями)?"
"Really I could not say (я, право, не знаю). "
"Perhaps we'd better have a word with her (возможно, мы бы могли переговорить с ней). "
"Now (сейчас)?"
"If you please (если вы не против: «если вам угодно»). "
"I will send her to you," said Miss Merrion (я пришлю ее к вам), rising (вставая). "Please keep her as short a time as possible (пожалуйста, не задерживайте ее надолго: «задержите ее так мало времени, как это возможно»). This is the morning coffee rush hour (это горячее время утреннего кофе). "
The feline and gingery Miss Merrion left the room (напоминающая кошку, рыжая мисс Меррион покинула комнату; feline — животное из семейства кошачьих).
coffee ['kOfI], possible ['pOsIbl], feline ['fi:laIn]
"Were she and Miss Barnard friends?"
"Really I could not say."
"Perhaps we'd better have a word with her."
"Now?"
"If you please."
"I will send her to you," said Miss Merrion, rising. "Please keep her as short a time as possible. This is the morning coffee rush hour."
The feline and gingery Miss Merrion left the room.
"Very refined," remarked Inspector Kelsey (очень утонченная, — отметил инспектор Келси). He mimicked the lady's mincing tone (он изобразил жеманный тон женщины). "Really I could not say (я, право, не знаю). "
A plump girl (пухлая девушка), slightly out of breath (слегка запыхавшаяся: «/выбившаяся/ из дыхания»), with dark hair (с темными волосами), rosy cheeks (румяными щеками) and dark eyes goggling with excitement (и темными глазами, вытаращенными от волнения; to goggle — таращить глаза), bounced in (влетела в /комнату/; to bounce — подпрыгивать; отскакивать; вламываться).
"Miss Merrion sent me," she announced breathlessly (меня прислала мисс Меррион, — объявила она, запыхавшись; to send).
"Miss Higley (мисс Хигли)?"
"Yes, that's me (да, это я). "
"You knew Elizabeth Barnard (вы знали Элизабет Барнард)?"
mimic ['mImIk], mincing ['mInsIN], bounce [baUns]
"Very refined," remarked Inspector Kelsey. He mimicked the lady's mincing tone. "Really I could not say."
A plump girl, slightly out of breath, with dark hair, rosy cheeks and dark eyes goggling with excitement, bounced in.
"Miss Merrion sent me," she announced breathlessly.
"Miss Higley?"
"Yes, that's me."
"You knew Elizabeth Barnard?"
"Oh, yes (о, да), I knew Betty (я знала Бетти). Isn't it awful (/разве/ это не ужасно)? It's just too awful (это просто очень: «слишком» ужасно)! I can't believe it's true (я не могу поверить, что это правда). I've been saying to the girls all the morning (я все утро говорю девочкам) I just can't believe it (что я не могу поверить в это)! 'You know, girls (вы знаете, девочки),' I said, 'it just doesn't seem real (это кажется нереальным). ' Betty! I mean (я имею в виду), Betty Barnard, who's been here all along (которая была здесь все время), murdered (убита)! 'I just can't believe it,' I said. Five or six times I've pinched myself (пять или шесть раз я щипала себя) just to see (просто, чтобы понять) if I wouldn't wake up (не сплю ли я: «если я не проснулась»). Betty murdered (Бетти убита). It's (это) — well (ну), you know what I mean (вы знаете, что я имею в виду) — it doesn't seem real (это кажется нереальным). "
"You knew the dead girl well (вы хорошо знали убитую)?" asked Crome.
along [@'lON], pinch [pIntS], real [rI@l]
"Oh, yes, I knew Betty. Isn't it awful? It's just too awful! I can't believe it's true. I've been saying to the girls all the morning I just can't believe it! 'You know, girls,' I said, 'it just doesn't seem real.' Betty! I mean, Betty Barnard, who's been here all along, murdered! 'I just can't believe it,' I said. Five or six times I've pinched myself just to see if I wouldn't wake up. Betty murdered. It's — well, you know what I mean — it doesn't seem real."
"You knew the dead girl well?" asked Crome.
"Well, she's worked here longer than I have (ну, она работала здесь дольше, чем я). I only came this March (я пришла только в этом марте). She was here last year (она была здесь в прошлом году). She was rather quiet (она была достаточно тихой), if you know what I mean (если вы знаете, что я имею в виду). She wasn't one to joke or laugh a lot (она была не та, /кто/ шутит или смеется много). I don't mean that she was exactly quiet (я не имею в виду, что она была совсем тихой) — she'd plenty of fun in her and all that (в ней было много веселого и все такое) — but she didn't (но она не) — well, she was quiet (она была тихой) and she wasn't quiet (и она не была тихой), if you know what I mean."
I will say for Inspector Crome (я скажу /в пользу/ инспектора Кроума) that he was exceedingly patient (что он был исключительно терпелив; to exceed — превышать). As a witness (как свидетельница) the buxom Miss Higley was persistently maddening (полногрудая мисс Хигли /могла/ довести до бешенства: «была упорно сводящей с ума»; buxom — полная сил; пухлая, полногрудая /о женщине/; persistent — настойчивый, упорный). Every statement she made (каждое утверждение, которое она делала) was repeated and qualified half a dozen times (было повторено и уточнено полдюжины раз; to qualify — оценивать; уточнять). The net result was meagre in the extreme (конечный результат был скуден до крайности; net — чистый, нетто /о весе, доходе/; общий, конечный: the net result — общий результат; meagre — meager 1) а) худой, тощий, чахлый; недостаточный; небольшой, скудный).
persistently [p@'sIst@ntlI], buxom ['bVks@m], meagre ['mi:g@]
"Well, she's worked here longer than I have. I only came this March. She was here last year. She was rather quiet, if you know what I mean. She wasn't one to joke or laugh a lot. I don't mean that she was exactly quiet — she'd plenty of fun in her and all that — but she didn't — well, she was quiet and she wasn't quiet, if you know what I mean."
I will say for Inspector Crome that he was exceedingly patient. As a witness the buxom Miss Higley was persistently maddening. Every statement she made was repeated and qualified half a dozen times. The net result was meagre in the extreme.
She had not been on terms of intimacy with the dead girl (она не была в близких отношениях с убитой девушкой; intimate — внутренний; близкий). Elizabeth Barnard, it could be guessed (/об этом/ можно было догадаться), had considered herself a cut above Miss Higley (считала себя выше мисс Хигли: «рассматривала себя на отрезок выше мисс Хигли»). She had been friendly in working hours (она была приветлива во время работы: «рабочих часов»), but the girls had not seen much of her out of them (но девушки не видели ее часто вне нее /работы/). Elizabeth Barnard had had a "friend" (у Элизабет Барнард был «друг») — worked in the estate agents near the station (работавший рядом со станцией в агентстве /по продаже/ недвижимостью; agent — агент; agents — агентство). Court & Brunskill («Корт-энд-Бранскилл»). No, he wasn't Mr. Court nor Mr. Brunskill (нет, он не был ни мистером Кортом ни мистером Бранскиллом). He was a clerk there (он был там клерком). She didn't know his name (она не знала его имени). But she knew him by sight well (но она хорошо знала его внешне). Good-looking (хорошенький: «хорошо выглядящий») — oh, very good-looking (о, очень хорошенький), and always so nicely dressed (и всегда так хорошо одет). Clearly (/совершенно/ ясно), there was a tinge of jealousy in Miss Higley's bean (в голосе мисс Хигли прозвучала зависть: «был оттенок зависти в голове мисс Хигли»; jealousy — ревность; зависть; bean — боб; голова, башка).
clerk [klA:k], tinge [tIndZ], jealousy ['dZel@sI]
She had not been on terms of intimacy with the dead girl. Elizabeth Barnard, it could be guessed, had considered herself a cut above Miss Higley. She had been friendly in working hours, but the girls had not seen much of her out of them. Elizabeth Barnard had had a "friend" — worked in the estate agents near the station. Court & Brunskill. No, he wasn't Mr. Court nor Mr. Brunskill. He was a clerk there. She didn't know his name. But she knew him by sight well. Good-looking — oh, very good-looking, and always so nicely dressed. Clearly, there was a tinge of jealousy in Miss Higley's bean.
In the end it boiled down to this (это свелось к следующему: «в конце это выкипело к этому»). Elizabeth Barnard had not confided in anyone in the café as to her plans for the evening (Элизабет Барнард не доверилась никому в кафе в отношении своих планов на вечер; to confide — доверять; посвящать), but in Miss Higley's opinion (но, по мнению мисс Хигли) she had been going to meet her "friend" (она собиралась встретиться со своим «другом»). She had had on a new white dress (на ней было новое белое платье), "ever so sweet with one of the new necks (такое миленькое с одним из новых воротничков; sweet — сладкий; милый; neck — шея; ворот, воротник). "
We had a word with each of the other two girls (мы поговорили с остальными девушками: «с каждой из других девушек») but with no further results (но без дополнительных: «дальнейших» результатов). Betty Barnard had not said anything as to her plans (Бетти Барнард не сказала ничего относительно своих планов) and no one had noticed her in Bexhill during the course of the evening (и никто /не/ заметил ее в Бексхилле в течение вечера).
confide [k@n'faId], sweet [swi:t], course [kO:s]
In the end it boiled down to this. Elizabeth Barnard had not confided in anyone in the café as to her plans for the evening, but in Miss Higley's opinion she had been going to meet her "friend." She had had on a new white dress, "ever so sweet with one of the new necks."
We had a word with each of the other two girls but with no further results. Betty Barnard had not said anything as to her plans and no one had noticed her in Bexhill during the course of the evening.
X. The Barnards
(/семья/ Барнардов)
Elizabeth Barnard's parents lived in a minute bungalow (родители Элизабет Барнард жили в крохотном бунгало; minute — мелкий, мельчайший), one of fifty or so (одного из пятидесяти или около того) recently run up by a speculative builder on the confines of the town (недавно спешно возведенных строителем-спекулянтом на окраине города; to run up — быстро расти; спешно возводить; confine — граница, предел).
The name of it was Llandudno[19] (оно называлось Лландидно: «его имя было Лландидно»).
Mr. Barnard (мистер Барнард), a stout (плотный), bewildered-looking man of fifty-five or so (выглядящий сбитым с толку мужчина /лет/ пятидесяти пяти или около того; to bewilder — смущать, ставить в тупик), had noticed our approach (заметил наше приближение) and was standing waiting in the doorway (и стоял, ожидая в дверном проеме).
"Come in, gentlemen," he said (заходите, джентельмены).
Inspector Kelsey took the initiative (инспектор Келси взял инициативу /в свои руки/). "This is Inspector Crome of Scotland Yard, sir (это инспектор Кроум из Скотланд-Ярда, сэр)," he said. "He's come down to help us over this business (он прибыл помочь нам в этом деле). "
"Scotland Yard?" said Mr. Barnard hopefully (Скотланд-Ярд? — сказал с надеждой мистер Барнард). "That's good (это хорошо). This murdering villain's got to be laid by the heels (этот злодей-убийца должен быть закован в кандалы; to lay down/to lay by the heels — садить в тюрьму; арестовывать). My poor little girl (моя бедная маленькая девочка) —"
bewildered [bI'wIld@d], initiative [I'nISI@tIv], villain ['vIl@n]
Elizabeth Barnard's parents lived in a minute bungalow, one of fifty or so recently run up by a speculative builder on the confines of the town.
The name of it was Llandudno.
Mr. Barnard, a stout, bewildered-looking man of fifty-five or so, had noticed our approach and was standing waiting in the doorway.
"Come in, gentlemen," he said.
Inspector Kelsey took the initiative. "This is Inspector Crome of Scotland Yard, sir," he said. "He's come down to help us over this business."
"Scotland Yard?" said Mr. Barnard hopefully. "That's good. This murdering villain's got to be laid by the heels. My poor little girl — "
His face was distorted by a spasm of grief (его лицо было искажено гримасой горя).
"And this is Mr. Hercule Poirot (а это мистер Эркюль Пуаро), also from London (также из Лондона), and er — (и э …) "
"Captain Hastings," said Poirot (капитан Гастингс).
"Pleased to meet you, gentlemen," said Mr. Barnard mechanically (приятно познакомиться с вами, джентельмены, — машинально сказал мистер Барнард). "Come into the snuggery (пройдемте в комнату; snuggery — маленький кабинет; маленькая уютная комната; snug — уютный). I don't know that my poor wife's up to seeing you (не знаю, сможет ли моя бедная жена встретиться с вами; to be up to — быть способным сделать что-либо; to see — видеть; навещать; встречаться). All broken up, she is (она вся разбита /горем/; to break up). "
However (однако), by the time (к тому времени) that we were ensconced in the living room of the bungalow (как нас усадили в гостиной бунгало; to ensconce — прятать/ся/; устраиваться), Mrs. Barnard had made her appearance (появилась миссис Барнард; to appear — появляться; appearance — появление). She had evidently been crying bitterly (она явно горько плакала; bitter — горький), her eyes were reddened (ее глаза были покрасневшими; red — красный) and she walked with the uncertain gait of a person (она шла неуверенной походкой человека; gait — походка, поступь) who had had a great shock (который пережил большое потрясение).