Текст книги "Английский язык с Шерлоком Холмсом. Второй сборник рассказов (ASCII-IPA)"

Автор книги: Артур Конан Дойл

Соавторы: Илья Франк,Андрей Еремин
сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 17 (всего у книги 38 страниц)

bosom ['buz@m], London ['lVnd@n], pardon [pA:dn]

From out of her bosom Lady Hilda had drawn a small key. The box flew open. It was stuffed with papers. Holmes thrust the blue envelope deep down into the heart of them, between the leaves of some other document. The box was shut, locked, and returned to the bedroom.

“Now we are ready for him,” said Holmes. “We have still ten minutes. I am going far to screen you, Lady Hilda. In return you will spend the time in telling me frankly the real meaning of this extraordinary affair.”

“Mr. Holmes, I will tell you everything,” cried the lady. “Oh, Mr. Holmes, I would cut off my right hand before I gave him a moment of sorrow! There is no woman in all London who loves her husband as I do, and yet if he knew how I have acted – how I have been compelled to act – he would never forgive me. For his own honour stands so high that he could not forget or pardon a lapse in another. Help me, Mr. Holmes! My happiness, his happiness, our very lives are at stake!”

“Quick, madam, the time grows short (быстрее, мадам, время истекает; short – короткий, краткий; быстрый, стремительный; недостаточный)!”

“It was a letter of mine, Mr. Holmes (мое письмо, мистер Холмс), an indiscreet letter written before my marriage (неосторожное письмо, написанное до замужества) – a foolish letter (глупое письмо), a letter of an impulsive, loving girl (письмо импульсивной любящей девушки). I meant no harm (у меня и в мыслях ничего плохого не было), and yet he would have thought it criminal (однако он /мой муж/ счел бы это преступным). Had he read that letter (если бы он прочитал это письмо) his confidence would have been forever destroyed (его доверие было бы навсегда уничтожено = он перестал бы мне верить). It is years since I wrote it (прошли годы с тех пор, как я написала его). I had thought that the whole matter was forgotten (я думала, что все забыто; to forget-forgot-forgotten). Then at last I heard from this man, Lucas (но в конце концов я узнала от этого человека, Лукаса), that it had passed into his hands (что письмо попало к нему в руки), and that he would lay it before my husband (и что он покажет его моему мужу: «положит его перед мужем»). I implored his mercy (я умоляла его пощадить /меня/; mercy – милосердие; жалость, сострадание). He said that he would return my letter (он сказал, что вернет мое письмо) if I would bring him a certain document (если я принесу ему один документ; certain – точный, определенный; некоторый) which he described in my husband’s despatch-box (который, по его словам, /хранился/ в чемоданчике для важных бумаг моего мужа; to describe – описывать, рассказывать, изображать). He had some spy in the office (у него был шпион в министерстве) who had told him of its existence (который сообщил ему о существовании этого документа). He assured me that no harm could come to my husband (он уверял меня, что /это/ не причинит никакого вреда моему мужу). Put yourself in my position, Mr. Holmes (поставьте себя на мое место, мистер Холмс)! What was I to do (что я должна была делать)?”

impulsive [Im'pVlsIv], mercy ['m@:sI], existence [Ig'zIst(@)ns]

“Quick, madam, the time grows short!”

“It was a letter of mine, Mr. Holmes, an indiscreet letter written before my marriage – a foolish letter, a letter of an impulsive, loving girl. I meant no harm, and yet he would have thought it criminal. Had he read that letter his confidence would have been forever destroyed. It is years since I wrote it. I had thought that the whole matter was forgotten. Then at last I heard from this man, Lucas, that it had passed into his hands, and that he would lay it before my husband. I implored his mercy. He said that he would return my letter if I would bring him a certain document which he described in my husband’s despatch-box. He had some spy in the office who had told him of its existence. He assured me that no harm could come to my husband. Put yourself in my position, Mr. Holmes! What was I to do?”

“Take your husband into your confidence (рассказать /об этом/ мужу: «взять вашего мужа в доверенность»).”

“I could not, Mr. Holmes, I could not (я не могла, мистер Холмс, не могла)! On the one side seemed certain ruin (с одной стороны, /мне грозила/ неминуемая гибель), on the other, terrible as it seemed to take my husband’s paper (с другой – как ужасно ни казалось взять бумагу мужа), still in a matter of politics I could not understand the consequences (все же в политическом деле я не понимала последствий), while in a matter of love and trust they were only too clear to me (тогда как в том, что касается любви и доверия, мне все было совершенно ясно; only too – чрезвычайно, крайне). I did it, Mr. Holmes (и я сделала это, мистер Холмс)! I took an impression of his key (я сняла слепок с его ключа). This man, Lucas, furnished a duplicate (этот человек, Лукас, сделал дубликат; to furnish – снабжать; предоставлять). I opened his despatch-box (я открыла чемоданчик), took the paper (взяла бумагу), and conveyed it to Godolphin Street (и отнесла ее на Годолфин-стрит; to convey – перевозить, переправлять).”

“What happened there, madam (что там произошло, мадам)?”

“I tapped at the door as agreed (я постучала в дверь, как договаривались; as agreed – согласно договоренности; to agree – соглашаться; уславливаться). Lucas opened it (Лукас открыл ее). I followed him into his room (я прошла за ним в его комнату), leaving the hall door ajar behind me (оставив за собой входную дверь приоткрытой), for I feared to be alone with the man (поскольку боялась оставаться одна с этим человеком). I remember that there was a woman outside as I entered (помню, что какая-то женщина стояла на улице, когда я входила). Our business was soon done (наши переговоры скоро закончились; business – дело, занятие, работа; сделка; to do business – вести дела, заключать сделки).

terrible ['ter@bl], consequence ['kOnsIkw@ns], key [ki:], business ['bIznIs]

“Take your husband into your confidence.”

“I could not, Mr. Holmes, I could not! On the one side seemed certain ruin, on the other, terrible as it seemed to take my husband’s paper, still in a matter of politics I could not understand the consequences, while in a matter of love and trust they were only too clear to me. I did it, Mr. Holmes! I took an impression of his key. This man, Lucas, furnished a duplicate. I opened his despatch-box, took the paper, and conveyed it to Godolphin Street.”

“What happened there, madam?”

“I tapped at the door as agreed. Lucas opened it. I followed him into his room, leaving the hall door ajar behind me, for I feared to be alone with the man. I remember that there was a woman outside as I entered. Our business was soon done.

“He had my letter on his desk (мое письмо лежало у него на столе), I handed him the document (я передала ему документ). He gave me the letter (он отдал мне письмо). At this instant there was a sound at the door (в это мгновение послышался шум у двери). There were steps in the passage (раздались шаги в коридоре). Lucas quickly turned back the drugget (Лукас быстро откинул ковер), thrust the document into some hiding-place there (сунул документ в какой-то тайник /там/), and covered it over (и /снова/ прикрыл ковром).

“What happened after that is like some fearful dream (то, что произошло после этого, похоже на какой-то страшный сон). I have a vision of a dark, frantic face (я видела темное безумное лицо; vision – зрение; вид, зрелище; взгляд), of a woman’s voice (слышала голос женщины), which screamed in French (которая кричала по-французски), ‘My waiting is not in vain (мое ожидание не напрасно). At last, at last I have found you with her (наконец-то я застала тебя с ней)!’ There was a savage struggle (произошла дикая борьба). I saw him with a chair in his hand (я видела его со стулом в руке), a knife gleamed in hers (в ее руке блеснул нож). I rushed from the horrible scene (я бросилась прочь из этого ужасного места; scene – место происшествия, события; вид; картина, зрелище), ran from the house (выбежала из дома), and only next morning in the paper did I learn the dreadful result (и только на следующее утро из газеты я узнала о страшном результате /той драмы/). That night I was happy, for I had my letter (в тот вечер я была счастлива, потому что у меня было письмо), and I had not seen yet what the future would bring (и я еще не сознавала, что принесет будущее).

savage ['s&vIdZ], scene [si:n], result [rI'zVlt]

“He had my letter on his desk, I handed him the document. He gave me the letter. At this instant there was a sound at the door. There were steps in the passage. Lucas quickly turned back the drugget, thrust the document into some hiding-place there, and covered it over.

“What happened after that is like some fearful dream. I have a vision of a dark, frantic face, of a woman’s voice, which screamed in French, ‘My waiting is not in vain. At last, at last I have found you with her!’ There was a savage struggle. I saw him with a chair in his hand, a knife gleamed in hers. I rushed from the horrible scene, ran from the house, and only next morning in the paper did I learn the dreadful result. That night I was happy, for I had my letter, and I had not seen yet what the future would bring.

“It was the next morning that I realized (на следующее утро я поняла) that I had only exchanged one trouble for another (что всего лишь поменяла одну беду на другую = избавилась от одной беды и попала в другую). My husband’s anguish at the loss of his paper went to my heart (страдания моего мужа, вызванные пропажей бумаги, потрясли меня: «вошли в мое сердце»). I could hardly prevent myself from there and then kneeling down at his feet (я едва удержалась от того, чтобы не упасть тут же на колени к его ногам; to prevent – предотвращать; мешать, препятствовать; there and then – тотчас же, на месте) and telling him what I had done (и не рассказать ему, что я наделала). But that again would mean a confession of the past (но опять же – это означало бы признаться в том, что было раньше: «признание прошлого»). I came to you that morning in order to understand the full enormity of my offence (я пришла к вам в то утро, чтобы осознать = и тогда я осознала всю чудовищность моего преступления). From the instant that I grasped it (с той минуты, когда я поняла это) my whole mind was turned to the one thought (весь мой ум обратился к одной мысли) of getting back my husband’s paper (/как/ вернуть документ мужа). It must still be where Lucas had placed it (он должен был находиться /там/, куда его положил Лукас), for it was concealed before this dreadful woman entered the room (поскольку он был спрятан до того, как эта ужасная женщина вошла в комнату). If it had not been for her coming (если бы не ее приход), I should not have known where his hiding-place was (я бы не узнала, где его тайник). How was I to get into the room (как проникнуть в его комнату)? For two days I watched the place (два дня я следила за этим местом = за домом), but the door was never left open (но дверь ни разу не оставили открытой). Last night I made a last attempt (вчера вечером я сделала последнюю попытку). What I did and how I succeeded (что я сделала и как мне /это/ удалось), you have already learned (вы уже узнали). I brought the paper back with me (я принесла бумагу обратно с собой), and thought of destroying it (и думала уничтожить ее), since I could see no way of returning it (так как не знала, каким образом вернуть ее) without confessing my guilt to my husband (не признав своей вины перед мужем). Heavens, I hear his step upon the stair (Боже мой: «небеса», я слышу его шаги на лестнице)!”

anguish ['&NgwIS], heart [hA:t], kneeling ['ni:lIN], enormity [I'nO:mItI]

“It was the next morning that I realized that I had only exchanged one trouble for another. My husband’s anguish at the loss of his paper went to my heart. I could hardly prevent myself from there and then kneeling down at his feet and telling him what I had done. But that again would mean a confession of the past. I came to you that morning in order to understand the full enormity of my offence. From the instant that I grasped it my whole mind was turned to the one thought of getting back my husband’s paper. It must still be where Lucas had placed it, for it was concealed before this dreadful woman entered the room. If it had not been for her coming, I should not have known where his hiding-place was. How was I to get into the room? For two days I watched the place, but the door was never left open. Last night I made a last attempt. What I did and how I succeeded, you have already learned. I brought the paper back with me, and thought of destroying it, since I could see no way of returning it without confessing my guilt to my husband. Heavens, I hear his step upon the stair!”

The European Secretary burst excitedly into the room (министр по европейским делам взволнованно влетел в комнату; to burst – взрывать/ся/; врываться).

“Any news, Mr. Holmes, any news (есть какие-нибудь новости, мистер Холмс)?” he cried (крикнул он).

“I have some hopes (у меня есть некоторые надежды).”

“Ah, thank heaven (о, слава Богу)!” His face became radiant (его лицо просияло; radiant – светящийся; лучистый, сияющий). “The Prime Minister is lunching with me (премьер-министр завтракает со мной). May he share your hopes (он может разделить ваши надежды = можно его порадовать)? He has nerves of steel (у него стальные нервы), and yet I know that he has hardly slept since this terrible event (однако я знаю, что он почти не спит: «едва ли спал» с тех пор, как /произошло/ это ужасное событие; hardly – едва ли, вряд ли; почти не). Jacobs, will you ask the Prime Minister to come up (Джекобc, попросите премьер-министра подняться)? As to you, dear, I fear that this is a matter of politics (что касается вас, дорогая, боюсь, это дело политическое). We will join you in a few minutes in the dining-room (мы присоединимся к вам через несколько минут в столовой).”

The Prime Minister’s manner was subdued (поведение премьер-министра было сдержанным; to subdue – подчинять; подавлять, смирять /чувства, эмоции/), but I could see by the gleam of his eyes (но я видел по блеску его глаз; gleam – слабый свет; проблеск) and the twitchings of his bony hands (и судорожным движениям костлявых рук; twitching – судорожное сокращение, подергивание; bone – кость) that he shared the excitement of his young colleague (что он разделяет волнение своего молодого коллеги).

“I understand that you have something to report, Mr. Holmes (/насколько/ я понимаю, вам есть что сообщить, мистер Холмс)?”

burst [b@:st], radiant ['reIdI@nt], subdued [s@b'dju:d], colleague ['kOli:g]

The European Secretary burst excitedly into the room.

“Any news, Mr. Holmes, any news?” he cried.

“I have some hopes.”

“Ah, thank heaven!” His face became radiant. “The Prime Minister is lunching with me. May he share your hopes? He has nerves of steel, and yet I know that he has hardly slept since this terrible event. Jacobs, will you ask the Prime Minister to come up? As to you, dear, I fear that this is a matter of politics. We will join you in a few minutes in the dining-room.”

The Prime Minister’s manner was subdued, but I could see by the gleam of his eyes and the twitchings of his bony hands that he shared the excitement of his young colleague.

“I understand that you have something to report, Mr. Holmes?”

“Purely negative as yet (пока только: «чисто» отрицательное; as yet – все еще, пока, до сих пор, на данный момент; pure – чистый; полный),” my friend answered (ответил мой друг). “I have inquired at every point where it might be (я искал везде, где /только/ письмо могло быть; to inquire – осведомляться, спрашивать, искать; наводить справки, выяснять, расследовать), and I am sure that there is no danger to be apprehended (и я уверен, что опасности никакой не грозит; to apprehend – понимать; предчувствовать /что-либо дурное/, ожидать /несчастья/, опасаться).”

“But that is not enough, Mr. Holmes (но этого недостаточно, мистер Холмс). We cannot live forever on such a volcano (мы не можем вечно жизнь на вулкане). We must have something definite (нам нужно что-то определенное).”

“I am in hopes of getting it (я надеюсь получить это). That is why I am here (вот почему я здесь). The more I think of the matter the more convinced I am (чем больше я думаю об этом деле, тем больше убеждаюсь) that the letter has never left this house (что письмо никогда не покидало этого дома).”

“Mr. Holmes!”

“If it had it would certainly have been public by now (если бы оно оказалось за пределами дома, его бы, конечно, уже опубликовали/сделали бы общеизвестным; by now – к этому времени, уже; to make public – делать общеизвестным).”

“But why should anyone take it in order to keep it in his house (но зачем кому-то похищать его, чтобы хранить в своем доме)?”

answered ['A:ns@d], apprehended [,&prI'hendId], convinced [k@n'vInst]

“Purely negative as yet,” my friend answered. “I have inquired at every point where it might be, and I am sure that there is no danger to be apprehended.”

“But that is not enough, Mr. Holmes. We cannot live forever on such a volcano. We must have something definite.”

“I am in hopes of getting it. That is why I am here. The more I think of the matter the more convinced I am that the letter has never left this house.”

“Mr. Holmes!”

“If it had it would certainly have been public by now.”

“But why should anyone take it in order to keep it in his house?”

“I am not convinced that anyone did take it (я не уверен, что кто-то вообще похищал его).”

“Then how could it leave the despatch-box (тогда как оно могло исчезнуть из чемоданчика)?”

“I am not convinced that it ever did leave the despatch-box (я не уверен, что оно вообще исчезало из чемоданчика).”

“Mr. Holmes, this joking is very ill-timed (мистер Холмс, эта шутка неуместна; to joke – шутить; ill-timed – несвоевременный, плохо рассчитанный по времени, неуместный). You have my assurance that it left the box (уверяю вас, что оно исчезло из чемоданчика; assurance – гарантия, заверение; уверенность; to assure – уверять; заверять кого-либо; убеждать).”

“Have you examined the box since Tuesday morning (а вы осматривали его с утра вторника)?”

“No. It was not necessary (нет, в этом не было необходимости).”

“You may conceivably have overlooked it (возможно, вы не заметили его).”

“Impossible, I say (послушайте, /это/ невозможно).”

assurance [@'Su@r@ns], necessary ['nesIs(@)rI], conceivably [k@n'si:v@blI]

“I am not convinced that anyone did take it.”

“Then how could it leave the despatch-box?”

“I am not convinced that it ever did leave the despatch-box.”

“Mr. Holmes, this joking is very ill‑timed. You have my assurance that it left the box.”

“Have you examined the box since Tuesday morning?”

“No. It was not necessary.”

“You may conceivably have overlooked it.”

“Impossible, I say.”

“But I am not convinced of it (но я не уверен в этом). I have known such things to happen (/как мне известно/, такие вещи случались). I presume there are other papers there (полагаю, там есть и другие бумаги). Well, it may have got mixed with them (письмо могло смешаться с ними = затеряться среди них).”

“It was on the top (оно было сверху).”

“Someone may have shaken the box and displaced it (кто-нибудь мог тряхнуть чемоданчик и переместить письмо; to shake-shook-shaken).”

“No, no, I had everything out (нет, нет, я все проверил; to have out – выяснять; вынимать).”

“Surely it is easily decided, Hope (но ведь это легко проверить: «разрешить», Хоуп; to decide – решать/ся/, принимать решение, делать выбор),” said the Premier. “Let us have the despatch-box brought in (пусть принесут чемоданчик сюда).”

The Secretary rang the bell (министр позвонил).

“Jacobs, bring down my despatch-box (Джекобс, принесите мой чемоданчик для бумаг). This is a farcical waste of time (это просто смешно, пустая трата времени; farcical – фарсовый, шуточный; нелепый, смехотворный), but still, if nothing else will satisfy you, it shall be done (но все-таки, если ничто другое вас не удовлетворит, это будет исполнено). Thank you, Jacobs, put it here (спасибо, Джекобс, поставьте его сюда). I have always had the key on my watch-chain (я всегда ношу ключ на цепочке для часов). Here are the papers, you see (вот бумаги, как видите). Letter from Lord Merrow (письмо от лорда Мерроу), report from Sir Charles Hardy (доклад сэра Чарльза Харди), memorandum from Belgrade (меморандум из Белграда), note on the Russo-German grain taxes (записи о русско-германских хлебных пошлинах; grain – зерно; хлебные злаки), letter from Madrid (письмо из Мадрида), note from Lord Flowers (донесение от лорда Флауэрса) – Good heavens! what is this (Боже мой! что это?)? Lord Bellinger (лорд Беллинджер)! Lord Bellinger!”

presume [prI'zju:m], farcical ['fA:sIk(@)l], Belgrade [bel'greId]

“But I am not convinced of it. I have known such things to happen. I presume there are other papers there. Well, it may have got mixed with them.”

“It was on the top.”

“Someone may have shaken the box and displaced it.”

“No, no, I had everything out.”

“Surely it is easily decided, Hope,” said the Premier. “Let us have the despatch‑box brought in.”

The Secretary rang the bell.

“Jacobs, bring down my despatch-box. This is a farcical waste of time, but still, if nothing else will satisfy you, it shall be done. Thank you, Jacobs, put it here. I have always had the key on my watch-chain. Here are the papers, you see. Letter from Lord Merrow, report from Sir Charles Hardy, memorandum from Belgrade, note on the Russo-German grain taxes, letter from Madrid, note from Lord Flowers – Good heavens! what is this? Lord Bellinger! Lord Bellinger!”

The Premier snatched the blue envelope from his hand (премьер выхватил голубой конверт из его рук).

“Yes, it is it – and the letter is intact (да, это оно – и письмо цело; intact – нетронутый; неповрежденный, целый). Hope, I congratulate you (Хоуп, поздравляю вас).”

“Thank you (благодарю вас)! Thank you! What a weight from my heart (какая тяжесть /свалилась/ с моих плеч: «с моего сердца»). But this is inconceivable – impossible (но это непостижимо – невозможно). Mr. Holmes, you are a wizard, a sorcerer (мистер Холмс, вы волшебник, вы чародей)! How did you know it was there (откуда вы узнали, что оно здесь)?”

“Because I knew it was nowhere else (потому что я знал, что больше ему быть негде).”

“I cannot believe my eyes (не могу поверить своим глазам)!” He ran wildly to the door (он стремительно: «дико» побежал к двери). “Where is my wife (где моя жена)? I must tell her that all is well (я должен сказать ей, что все в порядке). Hilda! Hilda!” we heard his voice on the stairs (Хильда! Хильда! – услышали мы его голос на лестнице).

The Premier looked at Holmes with twinkling eyes (премьер посмотрел на Холмса с огоньком в глазах; twinkle – мигание; мерцание; огонек, блеск в глазах).

“Come, sir (послушайте, сэр),” said he. “There is more in this than meets the eye (за этим что-то скрывается; more than meets the eye – «больше, чем кажется на первый взгляд», не так просто, как кажется; что-то за этим скрывается). How came the letter back in the box (как письмо попало обратно в чемоданчик)?”

Holmes turned away smiling from the keen scrutiny of those wonderful eyes (Холмс отвернулся, улыбаясь, от проницательного, испытующего взгляда этих удивительных глаз; scrutiny – внимательный осмотр; внимательный, испытующий взгляд).

“We also have our diplomatic secrets (у нас тоже есть свои дипломатические тайны),” said he and, picking up his hat, he turned to the door (сказал он и, взяв шляпу, направился к двери).

congratulate [k@n'gr&tjuleIt], sorcerer ['sO:s(@)r@], scrutiny ['skru:tInI]

The Premier snatched the blue envelope from his hand.

“Yes, it is it – and the letter is intact. Hope, I congratulate you.”

“Thank you! Thank you! What a weight from my heart. But this is inconceivable – impossible. Mr. Holmes, you are a wizard, a sorcerer! How did you know it was there?”

“Because I knew it was nowhere else.”

“I cannot believe my eyes!” He ran wildly to the door. “Where is my wife? I must tell her that all is well. Hilda! Hilda!” we heard his voice on the stairs.

The Premier looked at Holmes with twinkling eyes.

“Come, sir,” said he. “There is more in this than meets the eye. How came the letter back in the box?”

Holmes turned away smiling from the keen scrutiny of those wonderful eyes.

“We also have our diplomatic secrets,” said he and, picking up his hat, he turned to the door.