(донкастерское убийство)
Coming in hard on Poirot's heels (заходя сразу же за: «по пятам» Пуаро), I just caught the fag end of Inspector Crome's remark (я только поймал самый кончик замечания инспектора Кроума; fag — сигарета; fag end — окурок; некий малозначительный остаток).
Both he and the Chief Constable were looking worried and pressed (оба, он и начальник полиции, выглядели обеспокоенными и подавленными; to press — жать, нажимать; беспокоить).
Colonel Anderson greeted us with a nod of the head (полковник Андерсон поприветствовал нас кивком головы). "Glad you've come, Mr. Poirot," he said politely (рад, что вы пришли, мистер Пуаро, — сказал он вежливо). I think he guessed (я думаю, он догадался) that Crome's remark might have reached our ears (что замечание Кроума, вероятно, достигло наших ушей). "We've got it in the neck again (мы снова получили по шее; to get it in the neck — разг. нарваться на выговор; получить по шее), you see (вы видите). "
"Another A.B.C. murder (еще убийство Эй-би-си)?"
"Yes. Damned audacious bit of work (дерзкая работа, черт возьми: «проклятый дерзкий кусок работы»). Man leaned over (мужчина наклонился) and stabbed the fellow in the back (и заколол человека в спину). "
fag [f&g], heel [hi:l], audacious [O:'deIS@s]
Coming in hard on Poirot's heels, I just caught he fag end of Inspector Crome's remark.
Both he and the Chief Constable were looking worried and pressed.
Colonel Anderson greeted us with a nod of the head. "Glad you've come, Mr. Poirot," he said politely. I think he guessed that Crome's remark might have reached our ears. "We've got it in the neck again, you see."
"Another A.B.C. murder?"
"Yes. Damned audacious bit of work. Man leaned over and stabbed the fellow in the back."
"Stabbed this time (заколот в этот раз)?"
"Yes, varies his methods a bit (немного варьирует свои методы), doesn't he (не так ли)? Biff on the head (/сильный/ удар по голове), strangling (удушение), now a knife (теперь нож). Versatile devil (переменчивый дьявол; versatile — многосторонний; изменчивый) — what (что = не так ли)? Here are the medical details (здесь есть медицинские подробности) if you care to see 'em (если вы хотите посмотреть их). "
He shoved a paper towards Poirot (он резко толкнул бумаги в сторону Пуаро).
"A.B.C. down on the floor between the dead man's feet," he added («Эй-би-си» — на полу между ступнями убитого, — добавил он).
"Has the dead man been identified?" asked Poirot (убитый /уже/ опознан?).
"Yes. A.B.C.'s slipped up for once (на этот раз Эй-би-си сделал ошибку; to slip up — спотыкнуться; разг. совершить ошибку) — if that's any satisfaction to us (если это сколько-нибудь /доставит/ нам удовольствие). Deceased's a man called Earlsfield (покойный — мужчина по имени: «называемый» Эрлсфилд) — George Earlsfield (Джордж Эрсфилд). Barber by profession (цирюльник по профессии). "
versatile ['v@:s@taIl], shove [SVv], barber ['bA:b@]
"Stabbed this time?"
"Yes, varies his methods a bit, doesn't he? Biff on the head, strangling, now a knife. Versatile devil — what? Here are the medical details if you care to see 'em."
He shoved a paper towards Poirot.
"A.B.C. down on the floor between the dead man's feet," he added.
"Has the dead man been identified?" asked Poirot.
"Yes. A.B.C.'s slipped up for once — if that's any satisfaction to us. Deceased's a man called Earlsfield — George Earlsfield. Barber by profession."
"Curious," commented Poirot (любопытно, — прокомментировал Пуаро).
"May have skipped a letter," suggested the Colonel (возможно, пропустил букву, — предположил полковник).
My friend shook his head doubtfully (мой друг с сомнением покачал головой).
"Shall we have in the next witness?" asked Crome (нам вызвать следующего свидетеля?; to have in — вызывать; приглашать). "He's anxious to get home (он беспокоится попасть домой; anxious — озабоченный, беспокоящийся; сильно желающий). "
"Yes, yes — let's get on (да, давайте продолжим). "
A middle-aged gentleman (джентльмен средних лет) strongly resembling the frog footman in Alice in Wonderland (сильно напоминающий лягушку-лакея в «Алисе в стране чудес») was led in (был введен /внутрь/; to lead). He was highly excited (он был сильно взволнован) and his voice was shrill with emotion (и его голос был резок/пронзителен от эмоции/взволнованности).
skip [skIp], resemble [rI'sembl], shrill [SrIl]
"Curious," commented Poirot.
"May have skipped a letter," suggested the Colonel.
My friend shook his head doubtfully.
"Shall we have in the next witness?" asked Crome. "He's anxious to get home."
"Yes, yes — let's get on."
A middle-aged gentleman strongly resembling the frog footman in Alice in Wonderland was led in. He was highly excited and his voice was shrill with emotion.
"Most shocking experience I have ever known," he squeaked (самый шокирующий опыт, /который/ я когда-либо знал, — взвизгнул он). "I have a weak heart, sir (у меня слабое сердце, сэр) — a very weak heart (очень слабое сердце); it might have been the death of me (это могла бы быть моя смерть). "
"Your name, please," said the inspector (/назовите/ ваше имя, пожалуйста).
"Downes (Даунс). Roger Emmanuel Downes (Роджер Эммануэль Даунс). "
"Profession (Профессия)?"
"I am a master at Highfield School for boys (я учитель в школе для мальчиков в Хайфильде). "
"Now, Mr. Downes (так, мистер Даунс), will you tell us in your own words what happened (вы /не/ расскажете нам своими словами, что произошло)?"
weak [wi:k], Emmanuel [I'm&njU@l], Highfield ['haIfi:ld]
"Most shocking experience I have ever known," he squeaked. "I have a weak heart, sir — a very weak heart; it might have been the death of me."
"Your name, please," said the inspector.
"Downes. Roger Emmanuel Downes."
"Profession?"
"I am a master at Highfield School for boys."
"Now, Mr. Downes, will you tell us in your own words what happened?"
"I can tell you that very shortly, gentlemen (я могу рассказать вам это очень кратко, джентельмены). At the close of the performance I rose from my seat (в конце сеанса я поднялся с своего места). The seat on my left was empty (сидение слева от меня было пусто) but in the one beyond a man was sitting (но в кресле за ним сидел мужчина), apparently asleep (предположительно спящий). I was unable to pass him to get out (я был не в состоянии пройти мимо него, чтобы выйти наружу) as his legs were stuck out in front of him (так как его ноги были вытянуты впереди него; to stick out — высовывать/ся/, торчать). I asked him to allow me to pass (я попросил его позволить мне пройти). As he did not move (так как он не двинулся) I repeated my request in (я повторил мою просьбу в) — a (а) — er (э) — slightly louder tone (слегка более громком тоне). He still made no response (он все еще не дал ответа). I then took him by the shoulder to waken him (тогда я взял его за плечо, чтобы разбудить его). His body slumped down further (его тело дальше сползло вниз) and I came aware (и я понял: «я стал осознающим») that he was either unconscious (что либо он без сознания) or seriously ill (либо серьезно болен).
beyond [bI'jOnd], response [rIs'pOns], stuck [stVk]
"I can tell you that very shortly, gentlemen. At the close of the performance I rose from my seat. The seat on my left was empty but in the one beyond a man was sitting, apparently asleep. I was unable to pass him to get out as his legs were stuck out in front of him. I asked him to allow me to pass. As he did not move I repeated my request in — a — er — slightly louder tone. He still made no response. I then took him by the shoulder to waken him. His body slumped down further and I came aware that he was either unconscious or seriously ill.
I called out (я выкрикнул): 'This gentleman is taken ill (этому джентльмену стало плохо). Fetch the commissionaire (приведите конролера). ' The commissionaire came (контролер пришел). As I took my hand from the man's shoulder (когда я убрал руку с плеча мужчины) I found it was wet and red (я обнаружил, что она была влажной и мокрой) … I realized (я понял) that the man had been stabbed (что мужчина был заколот). At the same moment (в этот самый момент) the commissionaire noticed the A.B.C. railway guide (контролер заметил железнодорожный справочник «Эй-би-си») … I can assure you, gentlemen (я могу заверить вас, джентельмены), the shock was terrific (потрясение было ужасено)! Anything might have happened (что угодно могло произойти)! For years I have suffered from cardiac weakness (многие годы я страдаю от сердечной недостаточности: «годами я страдаю от сердечной слабости») — "
fetch [fetS], terrific [t@'rIfIk], cardiac ['kA:dI&k]
I called out: 'This gentleman is taken ill. Fetch the commissionaire.' The commissionaire came. As I took my hand from the man's shoulder I found it was wet and red … I realized that the man had been stabbed. At the same moment the commissionaire noticed the A.B.C. railway guide … I can assure you, gentlemen, the shock was terrific! Anything might have happened! For years I have suffered from cardiac weakness — "
Colonel Anderson was looking at Mr. Downes with a very curious expression (полковник Андерсон смотрел на мистера Даунса с очень странным выражением /лица/; curious — любопытный; любознательный, пытливый; возбуждающий любопытство; чудной, необычный).
"You can consider that you're a lucky man, Mr. Downes (вы можете считать, что вы счастливый человек, мистер Даунс). "
"I do, sir (я считаю /так/, сэр). Not even a palpitation (не /было/ даже сильного сердцебиения; to palpitate — сильно биться, пульсировать)!"
"You don't quite take my meaning, Mr. Downes (вы не совсем улавливаете, что я имею в виду, мистер Даунс). You were sitting two seats away (вы сидели через два места: «вы сидели на отдалении двух сидений»), you say (вы говорите)?"
"Actually I was sitting at first in the next seat to the murdered man (в действительности, я сначала сидел на следующем сидении от убитого мужчины) — then I moved along (затем я передвинулся) so as to be behind an empty seat (так, чтобы быть позади пустого сидения). "
palpitation [,p&lpI'teIS(@)n], meaning ['mi:nIN], so [s@U]
Colonel Anderson was looking at Mr. Downes with a very curious expression.
"You can consider that you're a lucky man, Mr. Downes."
"I do, sir. Not even a palpitation!"
"You don't quite take my meaning, Mr. Downes. You were sitting two seats away, you say?"
"Actually I was sitting at first in the next seat to the murdered man — then I moved along so as to be behind an empty seat."
"You're about the same height and build as the dead man, are you, and you were wearing a woollen scarf round your neck just as he was?"
"You're about the same height and build as the dead man (вы примерно того же роста и телосложения, как убитый; build — внешний вид; телосложение), are you (не так ли), and you were wearing a woollen scarf round your neck just as he was (и на вас был надет шерстяной шарф вокруг шеи, как на нем)?"
"I fail to see — " began Mr. Downes stiffly (мне /не/ удается понять, — начал мистер Даунс сухо/чопорно; stiff — тугой, негибкий, неэластичный, жесткий).
"I'm telling you, man," said Colonel Anderson (я расскажу вам, молодой человек), "just where your luck came in (где именно ваша удача пригодилась; to come in — входить; пригодиться). Somehow or other (так или иначе), when the murderer followed you in (кода убийца зашел за вами внутрь), he got confused (он запутался). He picked on the wrong back (он выбрал неправильную спину). I'll eat my hat, Mr. Downes (я съем свою шляпу, мистер Даунс), if that knife wasn't meant for you (если тот нож не предназначался вам)!"
However well Mr. Downes' heart had stood former tests (как бы хорошо сердце мистера Даунса ни перенесло предыдущие испытания; test — проверка, испытание), it was unable to stand up to this one (оно было не в состоянии вынести это). Mr. Downes sank on a chair (мистер Даунс опустился на стул), gasped (/начал/ задыхаться), and turned purple in the face (и его лицо стало багровым: «и стал багровым в лице»).
"Water," he gasped (воды, — он, задыхаясь, /сказал/). "Water (воды) …"
build [bIld], confuse [k@n'fju:z], purple [p@:pl]
"I fail to see — " began Mr. Downes stiffly.
"I'm telling you, man," said Colonel Anderson, "just where your luck came in. Somehow or other, when the murderer followed you in, he got confused. He picked on the wrong back. I'll eat my hat, Mr. Downes, if that knife wasn't meant for you!"
However well Mr. Downes' heart had stood former tests, it was unable to stand up to this one. Mr. Downes sank on a chair, gasped, and turned purple in the face.
"Water," he gasped. "Water …"
A glass was brought him (ему принесли стакан воды). He sipped it (он пил его маленькими глотками) whilst his complexion gradually returned to normal (пока его кожа постепенно становилась нормального /цвета/; complexion — цвет лица).
"Me?" he said. "Why me (почему мне /предназначался нож/)?"
"It looks like it," said Crome (похоже на это: «это выглядит так»). "In fact (фактически), it's the only explanation (это единственное объяснение). "
"You mean that this man (вы имеете в виду, что этот человек) — this — this fiend incarnate (этот воплощенный злодей) — this bloodthirsty madman has been following me about (этот кровожадный сумасшедший преследовал меня) waiting for an opportunity (ожидая возможности)?''
"I should say that was the way of it (должен сказать, что так оно /и/ было). "
"But in heaven's name (но, ради небес), why me (почему я)?" demanded the outraged schoolmaster (спросил разгневанный учитель; to outrage — приводить в гнев, в ярость; возмущать; rage — ярость, гнев, бешенство).
complexion [k@m'plekS(@)n], incarnate [In'kA:neIt], outrage ['aUtreIdZ]
A glass was brought him. He sipped it whilst his complexion gradually returned to normal.
"Me?" he said. "Why me?"
"It looks like it," said Crome. "In fact, it's the only explanation."
"You mean that this man — this — this fiend incarnate — this bloodthirsty madman has been following me about waiting for an opportunity?''
"I should say that was the way of it."
"But in heaven's name, why me?" demanded the outraged schoolmaster.
Inspector Crome struggled with the temptation to reply (инспектор Кроум боролся с искушением ответить): "Why not (почему нет)?" and said instead (но сказал вместо): "I'm afraid (я боюсь) it's no good expecting a lunatic to have reasons for what he does (не стоит ожидать, что у сумасшедшего есть причины для того, что он делает). "
"God bless my soul (Господи, благослови /мою душу/)," said Mr. Downes, sobered into whispering (сказал мистер Даунс сдержанным шепотом: «успокоившийся до шепота»; to sober — отрезвлять; успокаивать; сдерживаться). He got up (он встал). He looked suddenly old and shaken (он выглядел неожиданно старым и потрясенным).
"If you don't want me anymore, gentlemen (если я вам больше не нужен, джентельмены), I think I'll go home (я думаю, я пойду домой). I — I don't feel very well (я не очень хорошо себя чувствую). "
"That's quite all right, Mr. Downes (все в порядке, мистер Даунс). I'll send a constable with you (я пошлю констебля с вами) — just to see you're all right (просто убедиться, что с вами все в порядке). "
"Oh, no — no, thank you (благодарю вас). That's not necessary (это необязательно). "
struggle [strVgl], sober ['s@Ub@], shaken [SeIkn]
Inspector Crome struggled with the temptation to reply: "Why not?" and said instead: "I'm afraid it's no good expecting a lunatic to have reasons for what he does."
"God bless my soul," said Mr. Downes, sobered into whispering. He got up. He looked suddenly old and shaken.
"If you don't want me anymore, gentlemen, I think I'll go home. I — I don't feel very well."
"That's quite all right, Mr. Downes. I'll send a constable with you — just to see you're all right."
"Oh, no — no, thank you. That's not necessary."
"Might as well," said Colonel Anderson gruffly (вполне может быть, — сказал полковник Андерсон мрачно; might as well be true — вполне может быть правдой: «может так же хорошо = с тем же успехом быть истинным»). His eyes slid sideways (его глаза скользнули в сторону; to slide — скользить), asking an imperceptible question of the inspector (задавая инспектору немой: «незаметный» вопрос; to percept — воспринимать).
The latter gave an equally imperceptible nod (последний сделал равно незаметный кивок).
Mr. Downes went out shakily (мистер Даунс вышел /весь/дрожа).
"Just as well he didn't tumble to it," said Colonel Anderson (только к лучшему, что он не понял этого, — сказал полковник Андерсон; just as well — с тем же успехом, только к лучшему; to tumble — падать; понимать).
"There'll be a couple of them (там их будет двое) — eh (а)?"
"Yes, sir (да, сэр). Your Inspector Rice has made arrangements (ваш инспектор Райс сделал все распоряжения). The house will be watched (за домом будут наблюдать). "
"You think," said Poirot (вы думаете), "that when A.B.C. finds out his mistake (что, когда Эй-би-си обнаружит свою ошибку) he might try again (он может попробовать снова)?"
imperceptible [,Imp@'sept@bl], tumble [tVmbl], try [traI]
"Might as well," said Colonel Anderson gruffly. His eyes slid sideways, asking an imperceptible question of the inspector.
The latter gave an equally imperceptible nod.
Mr. Downes went out shakily.
"Just as well he didn't tumble to it," said Colonel Anderson.
"There'll be a couple of them — eh?"
"Yes, sir. Your Inspector Rice has made arrangements. The house will be watched."
"You think," said Poirot, "that when A.B.C. finds out his mistake he might try again?"
Anderson nodded (Андерсон кивнул). "It's a possibility," he said (это возможно: «есть возможность /этого/»). "Seems a methodical sort of chap, A.B.C. (кажется методичным типом, Эй-би-си). It will upset him (это его расстроит) if things don't go according to programme (если все пойдет не в соотвествии с планом). "
Poirot nodded thoughtfully (Пуаро задумчиво кивнул).
"Wish we could get a description of the fellow," said Colonel Anderson irritably (хотелось, /чтобы/ мы смогли получить описание этого парня, — раздраженно сказал полковник Андерсон; to irritate — раздражать). "We're as much in the dark as ever (мы в таком же неведении, как всегда; dark — темнота). "
"It may come," said Poirot (это может выясниться).
"Think so (думаете так)? Well, it's possible (это возможно). Damn it all (/будь/ проклято это все), hasn't anyone got eyes in his head (/разве/ ни у кого нет глаз на голове)?"
"Have patience," said Poirot (имейте терпение).
methodical [mI'TOdIk(@)l], anyone ['enIwVn], eye [aI]
Anderson nodded. "It's a possibility," he said. "Seems a methodical sort of chap, A.B.C.. It will upset him if things don't go according to programme."
Poirot nodded thoughtfully.
"Wish we could get a description of the fellow," said Colonel Anderson irritably. "We're as much in the dark as ever."
"It may come," said Poirot.
"Think so? Well, it's possible. Damn it all, hasn't anyone got eyes in his head?"
"Have patience," said Poirot.
"You seem very confident, M. Poirot (вы кажетесь очень уверенным, мсье Пуаро). Got any reason for this optimism (имеете какую-нибудь причину для такого оптимизма)?''
"Yes, Colonel Anderson (да, полковник Андерсон). Up to now (до сих пор), the murderer has not made a mistake (убийца не делал ошибок). He is bound to make one soon (он непременно сделает одну скоро; bound — связанный; обязанный, вынужденный). "
"If that's all you've got to go on," began the Chief Constable with a snort (если это все, чем у вас есть продолжить, — начал начальник полиции, фыркнув: «с фырканьем»), but he was interrupted (но его прервали).
"Mr. Ball of the Black Swan is here with a young woman, sir (мистер Болл из «Черного лебедя» здесь с молодой женщиной, сэр). He reckons (он считает; to reckon — считать; полагать) he's got summat to say might help you (что у него есть кое-что сказать, что может помочь вам; summat — somewhat). "
"Bring them along (приведите их). Bring them along. We can do with anything helpful (нам бы не помешало что-нибудь полезное; can do with — не отказаться; не помешало бы). "
confident ['kOnfId@nt], optimism ['OptImIzm], reckon ['rek@n]
"You seem very confident, M. Poirot. Got any reason for this optimism?''
"Yes, Colonel Anderson. Up to now, the murderer has not made a mistake. He is bound to make one soon."
If that's all you've got to go on," began the Chief Constable with a snort, but he was interrupted.
"Mr. Ball of the Black Swan is here with a young woman, sir. He reckons he's got summat to say might help you."
"Bring them along. Bring them along. We can do with anything helpful."
Mr. Ball of the Black Swan was a large (мистер Болл из «Черного лебедя» был большой), slow-thinking (туго соображающий: «медленно думающий»), heavily-moving man (тяжело передвигающийся мужчина). He exhaled a strong odour of beer (он источал сильный запах пива; to exhale — выдыхать; производить выдох). With him was a plump young woman with round eyes clearly in a state of high excitement (с ним была пухленькая молодая женщина с круглыми глазами, явно в состоянии сильного волнения).
"Hope (надеюсь) I'm not intruding or wasting valuable time," said Mr. Ball (я не вторгаюсь = не помешаю и не трачу /вашего/ ценного времени) in a slow (медленным), thick voice (густым голосом; thick — толстый; густой). "But this wench (эта девушка), Mary here (вот, Мэри), reckons (считает) she's got something to tell (что ей есть что-то рассказать) as you ought to know (что вы должны знать). "
Mary giggled in a half-hearted way (Мэри неуверенно хихикнула).
exhale [eks'heIl], wench [wentS], giggle [gIgl]
Mr. Ball of the Black Swan was a large, slow-thinking, heavily-moving man. He exhaled a strong odour of beer. With him was a plump young woman with round eyes clearly in a state of high excitement.
"Hope I'm not intruding or wasting valuable time," said Mr. Ball in a slow, thick voice. "But this wench, Mary here, reckons she's got something to tell as you ought to know."
Mary giggled in a half-hearted way.
"Well, my girl, what is it?" said Anderson (так, девочка моя, что это?). "What's your name (как ваше имя)?"
"Mary, sir — Mary Stroud (Мэри Страуд). "
"Well, Mary, out with it (так, Мэри рассказывайте; out with it — давай/те/ же, говори/те/: «наружу с этим»). "
Mary turned her round eyes on her master (Мэри перевела свои круглые глаза на своего хозяина).
"It's her business to take up hot water to the gents' bedrooms," said Mr. Ball (это ее обязанность приносить горячую воду в спальни господ; gents' — gentlemen's), coming to the rescue (приходя на помощь). "About half a dozen gentlemen we've got staying (у нас остановилось около шести джентльменов; half a dozen — полдюжины). Some for the races (некоторые /приехали/ на скачки) and some just commercials (некоторые просто коммивояжеры). "
gent [dZent], rescue ['reskju:], commercial [k@'m@:S(@)l]
"Well, my girl, what is it?" said Anderson. "What's your name?"
"Mary, sir — Mary Stroud."
"Well, Mary, out with it."
Mary turned her round eyes on her master.
"It's her business to take up hot water to the gents' bedrooms," said Mr. Ball, coming to the rescue. "About half a dozen gentlemen we've got staying. Some for the races and some just commercials."
"Yes, yes," said Anderson impatiently (нетерпеливо сказал Андерсон).
"Get on, lass," said Mr. Ball (продолжай, девушка). "Tell your tale (расскажи свою историю). Nothing to be afraid of (нечего бояться). "
Mary gasped (Мэри вздохнула; to gasp — дышать с трудом, задыхаться; ловить воздух), groaned (охнула) and plunged in a breathless voice into her narrative (и задыхающимся голосом начала свое повествование; to plunge — нырять, погружаться).
"I knocked on door (я постучала в дверь) and there wasn't no answer (но не было никакого ответа), otherwise I wouldn't have gone in (иначе бы я не вошла) leastways not unless gentleman had said (по крайней мере, пока джентльмен не скажет) 'Come in' (войдите), and as he didn't say nothing (а так как он ничего не сказал) I went in (я вошла) and he was there (он был там) washing his hands (мыл руки). "
breathless ['breTl@s], narrative ['n&r@tIv], leastways ['li:stweIz]
"Yes, yes," said Anderson impatiently.
"Get on, lass," said Mr. Ball. "Tell your tale. Nothing to be afraid of."
Mary gasped, groaned and plunged in a breathless voice into her narrative.
"I knocked on door and there wasn't no answer, otherwise I wouldn't have gone in leastways not unless gentleman had said 'Come in,' and as he didn't say nothing I went in and he was there washing his hands."
She paused and breathed deeply (она прервалась и глубоко перевела дыхание).
"Go on, my girl," said Anderson (продолжайте, девочка моя).
Mary looked sideways at her master (Мэри посмотрела вбок = скосила глаза на своего хозяина) and as though receiving inspiration from his slow nod (и, как будто получив вдохновение от его медленного кивка; to inspire — вдохновлять), plunged on again (снова начала).
"'It's your hot water, sir,' I said (это ваша горячая вода, сэр, — я сказала), 'and I did knock (и я на самом деле постучала),' but 'Oh,' he says (но «о», — он сказал), 'I've washed in cold,' he said (я /уже/ умылся холодной, — он сказал), and so (и так), naturally (естественно), I looks in basin (я смотрю в рукомойник), and oh! God help me, sir (и, Господи помоги мне, сэр), it were all red (это было все красное)!"
"Red?" said Anderson sharply (красное? — резко спросил Андерсон).
master ['mA:st@], inspiration [,Insp@'reIS(@)n], slow [sl@U]
She paused and breathed deeply.
"Go on, my girl," said Anderson.
Mary looked sideways at her master and as though receiving inspiration from his slow nod, plunged on again.
"'It's your hot water, sir,' I said, 'and I did knock,' but 'Oh,' he says, 'I've washed in cold,' he said, and so, naturally, I looks in basin, and oh! God help me, sir, it were all red!"
"Red?" said Anderson sharply.
Ball struck in (Болл вмешался; to strike — ударять/ся/). "The lass told me (девушка сказала мне) that he had his coat off (что он снял пальто: «имел пальто снятым») and that he was holding the sleeve of it (и что он держал его рукав), and it was all wet (и он был весь влажный) — that's right, eh, lass (это правильно, а, девушка)?"
"Yes, sir, that's right, sir (это правильно, сэр). "
She plunged on (она продолжала): "And his face, sir (и его лицо, сэр), it looked queer (оно выглядело странным), mortal queer it looked (смертельно странным оно выглядело). Gave me quite a turn (/это/ меня совершенно потрясло). "
"When was this?" asked Anderson sharply (когда это было? — резко спросил Андерсон).
"About a quarter after five (около четверти шестого), so near as I can reckon (насколько я могу определить: «так близко, как я могу подсчитать»). "
"Over three hours ago," snapped Anderson (более трех часов назад, — резко сказал Андерсон; to snap — щелкать, лязгать, хлопать; разговаривать отрывисто, раздраженно). "Why didn't you come at once (почему вы сразу не пришли)?"
lass [l&s], mortal ['mO:t@l], snap [sn&p]
Ball struck in. "The lass told me that he had his coat off and that he was holding the sleeve of it, and it was all wet — that's right, eh, lass?"
"Yes, sir, that's right, sir."
She plunged on: "And his face, sir, it looked queer, mortal queer it looked. Gave me quite a turn."
"When was this?" asked Anderson sharply.
"About a quarter after five, so near as I can reckon."
"Over three hours ago," snapped Anderson. "Why didn't you come at once?"
"Didn't hear about it at once," said Ball (не сразу услышал об этом). "Not till news came along (пока новости не пришли) as there'd been another murder done (что произошло еще одно убийство). And then the lass (а затем девушка) she screams out (она закричала) as it might have been blood in the basin (что это могла быть кровь в тазу), and I asked her (и я спросил ее) what she means (что она имеет в виду), and she tells me (и она рассказывает мне). Well, it doesn't sound right to me (мне не показалось это правильным: «это не прозвучало для меня правильно») and I went upstairs myself (и я пошел наверх сам). Nobody in the room (никого в комнате). I asks a few questions (я задаю несколько вопросов) and one of the lads in courtyard says (и один из парней во дворе говорит) he saw a fellow sneaking out that way (он видел, как человек крался наружу туда: «в том направлении»; to sneak — красться) and by his description it was the right one (и по описанию, это был тот, кто нужно; right — именно тот, который нужен). So I says to the missus (так я сказал хозяйке; missus — Mrs — mistress — хозяйка /дома/) as Mary here had best go to police (что Мэри лучше пойти в полицию). She doesn't like the idea (ей не нравится эта идея), Mary doesn't (Мэри не /нравится/), and I says (и я говорю) I'll come along with her (я пойду с ней). "
Inspector Crome drew a sheet of paper towards him (инспектор Кроум протянул ему лист бумаги).
sneak [sni:k], missus ['mIs@z], sheet [Si:t]
"Didn't hear about it at once," said Ball. "Not till news came along as there'd been another murder done. And then the lass she screams out as it might have been blood in the basin, and I asked her what she means, and she tells me. Well, it doesn't sound right to me and I went upstairs myself. Nobody in the room. I asks a few questions and one of the lads in courtyard says he saw a fellow sneaking out that way and by his description it was the right one. So I says to the missus as Mary here had best go to police. She doesn't like the idea, Mary doesn't, and I says I'll come along with her."
Inspector Crome drew a sheet of paper towards him.
"Describe this man," he said (опишите этого человека). "As quick as you can (как можно быстрее: «так быстро, как вы можете»). There's no time to be lost (нельзя терять время: «там нет времени, чтобы его терять»). "
"Medium-sized, he were," said Mary (среднего роста: «среднего размера» он был). "And stooped (и сутулый; to stoop — наклоняться; сутулиться) and wore glasses (и носил очки = на нем были очки; to wear). ''
"His clothes (его одежда)?"
"A dark suit (темный костюм) and a Homburg[42] hat (и хомбургская шляпа). Rather shabby-looking (довольно потрепанный; shabby — поношенный; потрепанный, протертый). "
She could add little to this description (она могла мало добавить к этому описанию).
Inspector Crome did not insist unduly (инспектор Кроум не настаивал чрезмерно; duly — должным образом; достаточно). The telephone wires were soon busy (телефонные провода были скоро заняты), but neither the inspector (но ни инспектор) nor the Chief Constable were overoptimistic (ни начальник полиции не были слишком оптимистичны).
Crome elicited the fact (Кроум выяснил тот факт; to elicit — извлекать; вытягивать, допытываться; вызывать, выявлять) that the man (что мужчина), when seen sneaking across the yard (когда его видели крадущимся по двору), had had no bag or suitcase (не имел /с собой/ ни сумки, ни чемодана). "There's a chance there (в этом есть шанс)," he said.
wore [wO:], unduly ['Vn'dju:lI], insist [In'sIst]
"Describe this man," he said. "As quick as you can. There's no time to be lost."
"Medium-sized, he were," said Mary. "And stooped and wore glasses.''
"His clothes?"
"A dark suit and a Homburg hat. Rather shabby-looking."
She could add little to this description.
Inspector Crome did not insist unduly. The telephone wires were soon busy, but neither the inspector nor the Chief Constable were overoptimistic.
Crome elicited the fact that the man, when seen sneaking across the yard, had had no bag or suitcase. "There's a chance there," he said.
Two men were dispatched to the Black Swan (двое мужчин были отправлены в «Черный лебедь»).
Mr. Ball (мистер Болл), swelling with pride and importance (раздуваясь от гордости и важности; to swell — надуваться, раздуваться), and Mary, somewhat tearful (и Мэри, слегка в слезах), accompanied them (сопровождали их).
The sergeant returned about ten minutes later (сержант пришел примерно десять минут спустя).
"I've brought the register, sir," he said (я принес регистрационную книгу, сэр). "Here's the signature (вот подпись). "
We crowded round (мы столпились вокруг). The writing was small and cramped (почерк был мелкий и тесный) — not easy to read (нелегко прочитать).
dispatch [dIs'p&tS], register ['redZIst@], signature ['sIgnItS@]
Two men were dispatched to the Black Swan.
Mr. Ball, swelling with pride and importance, and Mary, somewhat tearful, accompanied them.
The sergeant returned about ten minutes later.
"I've brought the register, sir," he said. "Here's the signature."
We crowded round. The writing was small and cramped — not easy to read.
"A.B.Case (Эй. Би. Кейс) — or is it Cash (или это Кэш)?" said the Chief Constable (сказал начальник полиции).
"A.B.C.," said Crome significantly (Эй-Би-Си, — сказал Кроум значительно).
"What about luggage?" asked Anderson (как насчет багажа).
"One good-sized suitcase, sir (один большой: «хорошего размера» чемодан, сэр), full of small cardboard boxes (полный маленьких картонных коробок). "
"Boxes (коробок)? What was in 'em (что было в них)?"
"Stockings, sir (чулки, сэр). Silk stockings (шелковые чулки). "
Crome turned to Poirot (Кроум повернулся к Пуаро). "Congratulations," he said (поздравляю: «поздравления»; to congratulate — поздравлять). "Your hunch was right (ваша интуиция была права; hunch — толчок, нажим; напор; натиск; предчувствие; интуиция). "
luggage ['lVgIdZ], congratulations [k@n,gr&tjU'leIs(@)nz], hunch [hVntS]
"A.B.Case — or is it Cash?" said the Chief Constable.
"A.B.C.," said Crome significantly.
"What about luggage?" asked Anderson.
"One good-sized suitcase, sir, full of small cardboard boxes."
"Boxes? What was in 'em?"
"Stockings, sir. Silk stockings."
Crome turned to Poirot. "Congratulations," he said. "Your hunch was right."