Taking his suitcase from me firmly (твердо взяв у меня чемодан), he took the packing into his own hands (он взял упаковку в свои руки = сам принялся паковать).
He explained (он объяснил) that we were to take the letter and envelope to Paddington with us (что мы должны взять письмо и конверт с собой в Пэддингтон). Someone from Scotland Yard would meet us there (кто-нибудь из Скотланд-Ярда встретит нас там).
proportion [pr@'pO:S(@)n], ruin ['rUIn], suitcase ['sju:tkeIs]
"Good heavens, Poirot," I cried, "this is a matter of life and death. What does it matter what happens to our clothes?"
"You have no sense of proportion, Hastings. We cannot catch a train earlier than the time that it leaves, and to ruin one's clothes will not be the least helpful in preventing a murder."
Taking his suitcase from me firmly, he took the packing into his own hands.
He explained that we were to take the letter and envelope to Paddington with us. Someone from Scotland Yard would meet us there.
When we arrived on the platform (когда мы прибыли на платформу) the first person we saw was Inspector Crome (первый человек, которого мы увидели, был инспектор Кроум).
He answered Poirot's look of inquiry (он ответил на вопросительный взгляд Пуаро; inquiry — вопрос; запрос; расспрашивание; наведение справок). "No news as yet (пока еще никаких новостей). All men available are on the lookout (все доступные люди на дежурстве). All persons whose name begins with C (все люди, чьи имена начинаются с /буквы/ «си») are being warned by phone (предупреждаются по телефону) when possible (если только /это/ возможно). There's just a chance (есть только шанс = все дело случая). Where's the letter (где письмо)?"
Poirot gave it to him (Пуаро дал его ему).
He examined it (он изучил его), swearing softly under his breath (ругаясь приглушенным шепотом: «ругаясь мягко под своим дыханием»). "Of all the damned luck (черт возьми: «из всей чертовой судьбы»). The stars in their courses fight for the fellow (звезды на их пути борются за /этого/ парня). ''
platform ['pl&tfO:m], lookout ['lUkaUt], swear [swE@]
When we arrived on the platform the first person we saw was Inspector Crome.
He answered Poirot's look of inquiry. "No news as yet. All men available are on the lookout. All persons whose name begins with C are being warned by phone when possible. There's just a chance. Where's the letter?"
|
|
Poirot gave it to him.
He examined it, swearing softly under his breath. "Of all the damned luck. The stars in their courses fight for the fellow.''
"You don't think," I suggested (вы не думаете, — я предположил), "that it was done on purpose (что это было сделано специально)?"
Crome shook his head (Кроум покачал головой).
"No. He's got his rules (у него свои правила) — crazy rules (сумасшедшие правила) — and abides by them (и /он/ придерживается их; to abide by — придерживаться, оставаться верным). Fair warning (честное предупреждение). He makes a point of that (для него это важно: «он делает это пунктом»). That's where his boastfulness comes in (тут как раз вступает в действие его хвастовство; to come in — входить; участвовать /каким-либо способом/, играть определенную роль; вступать в действие). I wonder now (мне интересно сейчас) — I'd almost bet the chap drinks White Horse[23] whisky (я почти готов побиться об заклад, что парень пьет виски «Уайтхорс»). "
"Ah, c'est ingenieux ca.'' said Poirot (фр. ах, это гениально), driven to admiration in spite of himself (с восхищением, сам не замечая этого: «не смотря на себя введенный в восхищение»; to drive — вести). "He prints the letter and the bottle is in front of him (он печатает письмо, а бутылка /стоит/ перед ним). "
crazy ['kreIzI], abide [@'baId], chap [tS&p]
"You don't think," I suggested, "that it was done on purpose?"
Crome shook his head.
"No. He's got his rules — crazy rules — and abides by them. Fair warning. He makes a point of that. That's where his boastfulness comes in. I wonder now — I'd almost bet the chap drinks White Horse whisky."
"Ah, c'est ingenieux ca.'' said Poirot, driven to admiration in spite of himself. "He prints the letter and the bottle is in front of him."
"That's the way of it (это возможно: «это есть способ этого»)," said Crome. "We've all of us done much the same thing one time or another (мы все однажды так делали: «все мы делали почти подобную вещь в одно или другое время»): unconsciously copied something (неосознанно копировали что-то) that's just under the eye (что прямо перед глазами). He started off White (он начал с Уайт) and went on horse instead of haven (и продолжил /словом/ «хорс» вместо «хэйвен») …"
|
|
The inspector (инспектор), we found (/как/ мы обнаружили), was also travelling by the train (также путешествовал поездом).
"Even if by some unbelievable luck (даже если, по какой-то невероятной удаче; to believe) nothing happened (ничего /не/ случилось), Churston is the place to be (Черстон — это место /где все/ должно будет /случиться/). Our murderer is there (наш убийца там), or has been there today (или был там сегодня). One of my men is on the phone here up to the last minute (один из моих людей /сидит/ на телефоне здесь до последней минуты), in case anything comes through (в случае /если/ что-нибудь прояснится; to come through — проходить; просачиваться; проясняться). "
unbelievable [VnbI'li:v@bl], luck [lVk], phone [f@Un]
"That's the way of it," said Crome. "We've all of us done much the same thing one time or another: unconsciously copied something that's just under the eye. He started off White and went on horse instead of haven …"
The inspector, we found, was also travelling by the train.
"Even if by some unbelievable luck nothing happened, Churston is the place to be. Our murderer is there, or has been there today. One of my men is on the phone here up to the last minute in case anything comes through."
Just as the train was leaving the station (как раз когда поезд отъезжал от станции) we saw a man running down the platform (мы увидели мужчину, бегущего по платформе). He reached the inspector's window and called up something (он достиг окна инспектора и выкрикнул что-то).
As the train drew out of the station (когда поезд отошел от станции) Poirot and I hurried along the corridor (Пуаро и я торопливо прошли по коридору) and tapped on the door of the inspector's sleeper (и постучали в дверь спального /вагона/ инспектора).
"You have news — yes?" demanded Poirot (у вас есть новости, да? —спросил Пуаро).
|
|
Crome said quietly (Кроум тихо сказал): "It's about as bad as it can be (все очень плохо: «это почти так плохо, как может быть»). Sir Carmichael Clarke has been found with his head bashed in (сэр Кармайкл Кларк был обнаружен с проломленной головой; to bash — сильно ударять). "
corridor ['kOrId@], sleeper ['sli:p@], bash [b&S]
Just as the train was leaving the station we saw a man running down the platform. He reached the inspector's window and called up something.
As the train drew out of the station Poirot and I hurried along the corridor and tapped on the door of the inspector's sleeper.
"You have news — yes?" demanded Poirot.
Crome said quietly: "It's about as bad as it can be. Sir Carmichael Clarke has been found with his head bashed in."
Sir Carmichael Clarke (сэр Кармайкл Кларк), although his name was not very well known to the general public (хотя его имя не было хорошо известно широкой публике), was a man of some eminence (был человеком, занимающим довольно высокое положение; eminence — высота; высокое положение; высокий чин). He had been in his time a very well-known throat specialist (он был в свое время хорошо известным специалистом-отоларингологом: «специалистом по горлу»). Retiring from his profession (выйдя в отставку), very comfortably off (весьма обеспеченный; well-off — богатый, зажиточный, обеспеченный, состоятельный; comfortably — уютно), he had been able to indulge (он смог погрузиться; to indulge — потворствовать, потакать; удовлетворять свои желания) what had been one of the chief passions of his life (/в то/, что было одной из главных страстей его жизни) — a collection of Chinese pottery and porcelain (собирание китайской керамики и фарфора).
A few years later (несколько лет спустя), inheriting a considerable fortune from an elderly uncle (унаследовав значительное состояние от своего пожилого дяди), he had been able to indulge his passion to the full (он смог полностью отдаться своей страсти), and he was now the possessor of one of the best-known collections of Chinese art (и теперь он был владельцем одной из наиболее известных коллекций китайского искусства). He was married but had no children (он был женат, но не имел детей), and lived in a house he had built for himself near the Devon coast (и жил в доме, который он себе построил на девонском побережье), only coming to London on rare occasions (приезжая в Лондон только по редким случаям) such as when some important sale was on (таким, как серьезные сделки: «когда важная продажа была в разгаре»).
eminence ['emIn@ns], porcelain ['pO:s(@)lIn], inherit [In'herIt]
Sir Carmichael Clarke, although his name was not very well known to the general public, was a man of some eminence. He had been in his time a very well-known throat specialist. Retiring from his profession, very comfortably off, he had been able to indulge what had been one of I the chief passions of his life — a collection of Chinese pottery and porcelain.
A few years later, inheriting a considerable fortune from an elderly uncle, he had been able to indulge his passion to the full, and he was now the possessor of one of the best-known collections of Chinese art. He was married but had no children, and lived in a house he had built for himself near the Devon coast, only coming to London on rare occasions such as when some important sale was on.
It did not require much reflection to realize (это не требовало больших раздумий, чтобы понять) that his death (что его смерть), following that of the young and pretty Betty Barnard (последовавшая за /смертью/ молодой и красивой Бетти Барнард), would provide the best newspaper sensation in years (обеспечит самую большую газетную сенсацию за /многие/ годы). The fact that it was August (факт, что был август) and that the papers were hard up for subject matter (и что газеты нуждались в предмете /обсуждения/; to be hard up for — не хватать, нуждаться) would make matters worse (сделает дело /только/ хуже).
"Eh bien," said Poirot (фр. ну ладно). "It is possible (возможно) that publicity may do (что публичность может сделать /то/) what private efforts have failed to do (с чем частные усилия не справились). The whole country now will be looking for A.B.C. (вся страна теперь будет искать Эй-би-си). "
provide [pr@'vaId], private ['praIvIt], effort ['ef@t]
It did not require much reflection to realize that his death, following that of the young and pretty Betty Barnard, would provide the best newspaper sensation in years. The fact that it was August and that the papers were hard up for subject matter would make matters worse.
"Eh bien," said Poirot. "It is possible that publicity may do what private efforts have failed to do. The whole country now will be looking for A.B.C.."
"Unfortunately," I said (к сожалению: «несчастливо = к несчастью»), "that's what he wants (это то, что он хочет). "
"True (верно). But it may (но это может), all the same (все-таки), be his undoing (быть его уничтожением). Gratified by success (довольный успехом; to gratify — уст. вознаграждать; удовлетворять; доставлять удовольствие; радовать), he may become careless (он, возможно, станет беспечным: «он может стать беспечным») … That is what I hope (это /то, на/ что я надеюсь) — that he may be drunk with his own cleverness (что он, возможно, будет в упоении от собственной хитрости/ловкости; to drink — пить; drunk — пьяный, опьяненный; cleverness — ум, даровитость, талантливость; мастерство, умение, сноровка). "
"How odd all this is, Poirot," I exclaimed (как странно все это, Пуаро, — я воскликнул), struck suddenly by an idea (пораженный неожиданной идеей). "Do you know (вы знаете), this is the first crime of this kind (это есть первое преступление этого вида) that you and I have worked on together (над которым вы и я работаем вместе)? All our murders have been (все наши убийства были) — well, private murders (ну, частными преступлениями), so to speak (так сказать). "
undoing [Vn'du:IN], gratify ['gr&tIfaI], suddenly ['sVd(@)nlI]
"Unfortunately," I said, "that's what he wants."
"True. But it may, all the same, be his undoing. Gratified by success, he may become careless … That is what I hope — that he may be drunk with his own cleverness."
"How odd all this is, Poirot," I exclaimed, struck suddenly by an idea. "Do you know, this is the first crime of this kind that you and I have worked on together? All our murders have been — well, private murders, so to speak."
"You are quite right, my friend (вы совершенно правы, мой друг). Always (всегда), up to now (до сих пор), it has fallen out lot to work from the inside (выпадало много работать изнутри). It has been the history of the victim that was important (была важна именно история жертвы). The important points have been (важными вопросами были): 'Who benefited by the death (кому была выгодна смерть: «кто извлек выгоду от этой смерти»)? What opportunities had those round him (какие возможности имели те, /кто/ вокруг жертвы), to commit the crime (чтобы совершить преступление)?' It has always been the 'crime intime'(это всегда было фр. «интимное преступление»). Here (здесь), for the first time in our association (в первые за время нашего сотрудничества), it is cold-blooded (это хладнокровное), impersonal murder (безличное убийство). Murder from the outside (убийство извне). "
I shivered (я вздрогнул). "It's rather horrible (это совершенно ужасно; rather — очень, весьма; в значительной степени) …"
benefit ['ben@fIt], association [@,s@UsI'eIS(@)n], cold-blooded [,k@Uld'blVdId]
"You are quite right, my friend. Always, up to now, it has fallen our lot to work from the inside. It has been the history of the victim that was important. The important points have been: 'Who benefited by the death? What opportunities had those round him to commit the crime?' It has always been the 'crime intime.' Here, for the first time in our association, it is cold-blooded, impersonal murder. Murder from the outside."
I shivered. "It's rather horrible …"
"Yes. I felt from the first (я чувствовал с первой /минуты/), when I had the original letter (когда я получил первоначальное письмо), that there was something wrong (что там было что-то неправильное) — misshapen (уродливое; shape — форма) —"
He made an impatient gesture (он сделал нетерпеливый жест). "One must not give way to the nerves (нельзя давать волю нервам: «нельзя давать дорогу нервам») … This is no worse (это не хуже) than any ordinary crime (чем любое обычное преступление) …"
"It is (это /хуже/) … It is … "
"Is it worse to take the life or lives of strangers (/разве/ хуже лишать жизни: «забирать жизнь» или жизней незнакомцев) than to take the life of someone near and dear to you (чем лишать жизни того, /кто/ рядом и дорог вам) — someone who trusts and believes in you, perhaps (того, кто доверяет и верит вам, возможно)?"
"It's worse because it's mad (это хуже потому, что это безумно) …"
misshapen [mIs'SeIpn], stranger ['streIndZ@], dear [dI@]
"Yes. I felt from the first, when I had the original letter, that there was something wrong — misshapen — "
He made an impatient gesture. "One must not give way to the nerves … This is no worse than any ordinary crime …"
"It is … It is … "
"Is it worse to take the life or lives of strangers than to take the life of someone near and dear to you — someone who trusts and believes in you, perhaps?"
"It's worse because it's mad …"
"No, Hastings (нет, Гастингс). It is not worse (это не хуже). It is only more difficult (это только сложнее). "
"No, no, I do not agree with you (я не согласен с вами). It's infinitely more frightening (это бесконечно более пугающе; finite — конечный). "
Hercule Poirot said thoughtfully (Эркюль Пуаро задумчиво сказал): "It should be easier to discover (его, должно быть, легче раскрыть) because it is mad (потому что оно безумное). A crime committed by someone shrewd and sane (убийство, совершенное кем-то проницательным и разумным; shrewd — сильный; жестокий; проницательный, разумный) would be far more complicated (было бы гораздо сложнее). Here (здесь), if one could but hit on the idea (если можно было натолкнуться на идею) … This alphabetical business (это алфавитное дело), it has discrepancies (оно имеет несоответствия). If I could once see the idea (если бы я мог сразу понять идею) — then everything would be clear and simple (тогда все было бы ясно и просто) …"
He sighed and shook his head (он вздохнул и покачал головой). "These crimes must not go on (этим преступлениям нельзя продолжаться). Soon (скоро), soon, I must see the truth (я должен понять правду) … Go, Hastings (идите, Гастингс). Get some sleep (поспите немного: «получите немного сна»). There will be much to do tomorrow (завтра будет много дел: «там будет много чего сделать завтра»). "
frightening ['fraIt@nIN], shrewd [Sru:d], discrepancy [dIs'krep(@)nsI]
"No, Hastings. It is not worse. It is only more difficult."
"No, no, I do not agree with you. It's infinitely more frightening."
Hercule Poirot said thoughtfully: "It should be easier to discover because it is mad. A crime committed by someone shrewd and sane would be far more complicated. Here, if one could but hit on the idea … This alphabetical business, it has discrepancies. If I could once see the idea — then everything would be clear and simple …"
He sighed and shook his head. "These crimes must not go on. Soon, soon, I must see the truth … Go, Hastings. Get some sleep. There will be much to do tomorrow."