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

Автор книги: Артур Конан Дойл

Соавторы: Илья Франк,Андрей Еремин
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Текущая страница: 18 (всего у книги 28 страниц)

THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE

(ПРИКЛЮЧЕНИЕ ГОЛУБОГО КАРБУНКУЛА)

I had called upon (я посетил) my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas (моего друга на второе утро после Рождества), with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season (с намерением = чтобы поздравить его с праздником; compliments of the season – поздравительные приветствия /соответственно какому-либо празднику/). He was lounging upon the sofa (он сидел, откинувшись на диване) in a purple dressing-gown (в багряном халате), a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right (подставка с трубками под рукой справа от него; reach – зона досягаемости, сфера), and a pile of crumpled morning papers (стопка скомканных утренних газет), evidently newly studied (очевидно, недавно изученных), near at hand (под рукой). Beside the couch (рядом с кушеткой) was a wooden chair (деревянный стул), and on the angle of the back (косо на спинке; on the angle – под углом) hung a very seedy and disreputable hard felt hat (висела сильно поношенная и недостойная /дискредитирующая/ фетровая шляпа; to hang – вешать, висеть), much the worse for wear (намного хуже, чтобы носить = висеть-то висела, а носить ее вообще было невозможно), and cracked in several places (продырявленная в нескольких местах). A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair (лупа и пинцет, лежавшие на сиденье стула) suggested (намекали) that the hat had been suspended (что шляпа отложена) in this manner for the purpose of examination (таким образом с целью изучения).

Christmas ['krIsm@s], lounging ['laundZIN], disreputable [dIs'repjut@bl], forceps ['fO:s@ps]

I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

"You are engaged (вы заняты)," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you (наверное, я мешаю вам: «прерываю вас»)."

"Not at all (вовсе нет). I am glad (рад) to have a friend with whom I can discuss my results (что пришел друг, с которым могу обсудить свои результаты /исследований/). The matter is a perfectly trivial one (вещь – совершенно заурядная)" (he jerked his thumb (дернул = ткнул большим пальцем) in the direction (в направлении) of the old hat), "but there are points (пункты = события) in connection with it (в связи с ней) which are not entirely devoid of interest and even of instruction (которые не лишены интереса и даже поучительности)."

trivial ['trIvI@l], thumb [TVm], entirely [In'taI@lI]

«You are engaged,» said I; «perhaps I interrupt you.»

"Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one" (he jerked his thumb in the direction of the old hat), "but there are points in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and even of instruction."

I seated myself (я усадил себя = сел) in his armchair (в кресло) and warmed my hands before his crackling fire (и погрел руки перед потрескивающим огнем), for a sharp frost had set in (так как сильный: «острый» мороз установился), and the windows were thick with the ice crystals (окна были густо покрыты кристаллами льда). "I suppose (полагаю)," I remarked (заметил), "that, homely as it looks (обыденная, как она выглядит = хотя она столь невзрачна), this thing has some deadly story linked on to it (эта вещь связана с какой-нибудь кровавой историей: «имеет какую-то смертельную историю, связанную с этим») – that it is the clew (ключ, зацепка) which will guide you in the solution of some mystery (приведет вас к решению какой-то тайны) and the punishment of some crime (и наказанию какого-то преступления = преступника)."

crystals [krIstlz], guide [gaId], punishment ['pVnISm@nt]

I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows were thick with the ice crystals. «I suppose,» I remarked, «that, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to it – that it is the clew which will guide you in the solution of some mystery and the punishment of some crime.»

"No, no. No crime (/здесь/ нет преступления)," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing (смеясь). "Only one of those whimsical little incidents (один из тех причудливых маленьких происшествий) which will happen (которые случаются) when you have four million human beings (когда четыре миллиона человеческих существ) all jostling each other within the space of a few square miles (толкают друг друга на пространстве в несколько квадратных миль). Amid the action and reaction (посреди действия и противодействия) of so dense a swarm of humanity (такого концентрированного роя человечества = в человеческом улье), every possible combination of events may be expected to take place (каждая возможная комбинация событий может произойти: «быть ожидаема, что случится»), and many a little problem will be presented (проявится множество мелких проблем) which may be striking and bizarre without being criminal (которые могут быть поразительными и странными, не являясь криминальными). We have already had experience of such (мы уже имели опыт подобного = сталкивались с такими вещами)."

"So much so (в общем-то, это так)," l remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have added to my notes (что из последних шести дел, которые я добавил к своим записям), three have been entirely free of any legal crime (три были совершенно свободны от каких-либо преступлений /по закону/)."

whimsical ['wImzIkl], square [skwe@], swarm [swO:m], bizarre [bI'zA:]

«No, no. No crime,» said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. «Only one of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have four million human beings all jostling each other within the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be presented which may be striking and bizarre without being criminal. We have already had experience of such.»

"So much so," l remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any legal crime."

"Precisely (именно: «точно»). You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler papers (вы имеете в виду = намекаете на мои попытки вернуть /обратно/ бумаги Ирэн Адлер), to the singular case (на необычайное дело) of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the adventure of the man with the twisted lip (на приключение человека с рассеченной губой). Well, I have no doubt (не сомневаюсь) that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category (попадет в ту же безобидную категорию). You know Peterson, the commissionaire (вы знаете Петерсона, посыльного)?"

"Yes."

"It is to him that this trophy belongs (это ему принадлежит этот трофей)."

"It is his hat (это его шляпа)."

precisely [prI'saIslI], doubt [daut], innocent ['In@s@nt], commissionaire [k@,mIS@'ne@]

«Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?»

"Yes."

"It is to him that this trophy belongs."

"It is his hat."

"No, no, he found it (он нашел ее; to find). Its owner is unknown (владелец неизвестен). I beg (прошу) that you will look upon it not as a battered billycock (чтобы вы посмотрели на нее не как на помятый котелок) but as an intellectual problem (а как на умственную задачу). And, first (во-первых), as to how it came here (как она попала сюда). It arrived (появилась; to arrive – прибывать, приезжать) upon Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose (в рождественское утро в компании с хорошим жирным гусем), which is, I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fire (жарится в этот момент перед огнем = на огне Петерсона). The facts are these (факты таковы): about four o'clock (около четырех часов утра) on Christmas morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow (очень честный = добропорядочный парень), was returning from some small jollification (возвращался с небольшого празднества = вечеринки) and was making his way homeward (делал свой путь = шел к дому) down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw (впереди себя он увидел), in the gaslight (в газовом свете = свете газового фонаря), a tallish man (довольно высокого человека), walking with a slight stagger (идущего, слегка шатаясь), and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder (несущего белого гуся, висящего через плечо; to sling – подвесить). As he reached the corner of Goodge Street (когда он достиг угла Гудж-стрит), a row broke out between this stranger and a little knot of roughs (завязалась драка между этим незнакомцем и небольшой группой хулиганов). One of the latter (один из последних) knocked off the man's hat (сбил шляпу с господина), on which he raised his stick to defend himself (на что он поднял палку, чтобы защитить себя) and, swinging it over his head (размахивая ею над головой), smashed the shop window (разбил магазинное окно = витрину) behind him. Peterson had rushed forward to protect (бросился вперед /чтобы/ защитить) the stranger from his assailants (неизвестного от его противников); but the man, shocked at having broken the window (но человек, шокированный тем, что разбил окно), and seeing an official-looking person in uniform (видя официально выглядящее лицо в форме) rushing towards him (устремившееся к нему), dropped his goose (бросил гуся), took to his heels (помчался со всех ног = наутек; heels – пятки), and vanished amid the labyrinth of small streets (исчез в лабиринте маленьких улиц) which lie at the back (позади) of Tottenham Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Peterson (хулиганы также убежали при появлении Петерсона), so that he was left in possession of the field of battle (был оставлен во владении полем битвы), and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose (и также добычи /победы/ в виде этой помятой шляпы и самого безупречного = превосходного рождественского гуся; to impeach – выдвигать обвинения)."

goose [gu:s], honest ['OnIst], roughs [rVfs], assailant [@'seIl@nt], labyrinth ['l&b(@)rInT]

«No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was returning from some small jollification and was making his way homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose.»

"Which surely he restored to their owner (которых, конечно, он вернул их владельцу)?"

"My dear fellow (мой дорогой; fellow – товарищ), there lies the problem (там лежит проблема = в этом-то и загвоздка). It is true (это правда) that 'For Mrs. Henry Baker (для миссис Генри Бейкер)' was printed upon a small card (было написано на маленькой карточке) which was tied to the bird's left leg (которая была привязана к левой лапке птицы), and it is also true that the initials (инициалы) 'H. B.' are legible (разборчивы: «читаемы») upon the lining of this hat (на подкладке этой шляпы), but as there are some thousands of Bakers (тысячи Бейкеров), and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this city of ours (сотни Генри Бейкеров в нашем городе), it is not easy to restore lost property (это не просто – вернуть потерянную собственность) to any one of them (одному из них)."

initials [I'nIS@lz], legible ['ledZ@bl], property ['prOp@tI]

«Which surely he restored to their owner?»

"My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any one of them."

«What, then, did Peterson do?»

"He brought round (доставил; to bring – приносить) both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me (зная, что даже мельчайшие проблемы = загадки интересны мне). The goose we retained until this morning (гуся сохраняли: «удержали» до утра), when there were signs that (были знаки того = стало ясно, что), in spite of the slight frost (несмотря на легкий мороз), it would be well (следовало бы: «было бы хорошо») that it should be eaten (съеден) without unnecessary delay (без ненужной задержки). Its finder has carried it off (нашедший унес его), therefore (поэтому), to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose (чтобы исполнить последнее/окончательное предназначение гуся), while I continue to retain (в то время как я продолжаю удерживать /у себя/) the hat of the unknown gentleman (шляпу неизвестного господина) who lost his Christmas dinner (который потерял свой рождественский обед)."

slight [slaIt], unnecessary [Vn'nes@s@rI], destiny ['destInI], continue [kan'tInju:]

"Did he not advertise (он не давал объявления в газету)?"

«What, then, did Peterson do?»

"He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who lost his Christmas dinner."

"Did he not advertise?"

«No.»

"Then, what clew could you have as to his identity (какая зацепка есть у вас касательно его личности = как вы узнаете, кто он)?"

"Only as much as we can deduce (лишь столько, сколько мы сможем умозаключить = путем дедуктивного метода)."

"From his hat («/исходя/ из этой шляпы»)?"

"Precisely (вот именно)."

«No.»

"Then, what clew could you have as to his identity?"

"Only as much as we can deduce."

"From his hat?"

"Precisely."

"But you are joking (вы шутите). What can you gather from this old battered felt (что можно заключить из старой потрепанной шляпы)?"

"Here is my lens (лупа). You know my methods. What can you gather yourself as to the individuality of the man (относительно индивидуальности человека) who has worn this article (который носил эту вещь; to wear – носить, надевать)?"

I took the tattered object (я взял рваную вещь) in my hands and turned it over rather ruefully (перевернул = повертел в руках довольно уныло). It was a very ordinary black hat (самая обыкновенная черная шляпа) of the usual round shape (обычной круглой формы), hard and much the worse for wear (жесткая и сильно поношенная: «ставшая намного хуже из-за ношения»). The lining had been of red silk (подкладка была красного шелка), but was a good deal discolored (значительно выцветшая). There was no maker's name (не было имени изготовителя); but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials «H. B.» were scrawled upon one side (были небрежно написаны на одной стороне). It was pierced in the brim for a hat-securer (была проколота на полях для придерживавшей шляпу резинки; to secure – страховать; прикреплять), but the elastic was missing (но резинка отсутствовала). For the rest (что до остального), it was cracked (рваная; crack – трещина, щель), exceedingly dusty (чрезвычайно пыльная; to exceed – превышать; переступать пределы), and spotted (покрытая пятнами; spot – пятно) in several places (в нескольких местах), although (хотя) there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the discolored patches (казалось, были попытки скрыть обесцвеченные пятна) by smearing them with ink (замазав их чернилами).

ruefully ['ru:fulI], discolored [dIs'kVl@d], although [O:l'D@u], smearing ['smI@rIN]

«But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered felt?»

"Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this article?"

I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of red silk, but was a good deal discolored. There was no maker's name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the discolored patches by smearing them with ink.

"I can see nothing (не могу видеть ничего = ничего не вижу)," said I, handing it back to my friend (возвращая обратно моему другу).

"On the contrary (напротив), Watson, you can see everything (вы можете видеть все). You fail (не можете; to fail – потерпеть неудачу), however (однако), to reason from what you see (поразмыслить, исходя из того, что видите). You are too timid in drawing your inferences (слишком робки в выведении ваших умозаключений = в своих логических выводах)."

"Then, pray tell me (прошу вас, расскажите мне) what it is that you can infer from this hat (что вы можете заключить из этой шляпы = глядя на эту шляпу)?"

«I can see nothing,» said I, handing it back to my friend.

"On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in drawing your inferences."

"Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?"

He picked it up (он поднял ее) and gazed at it (и пристально поглядел на нее) in the peculiar introspective fashion which was characteristic of him (в особой проницательной манере, которая была свойственна ему). "It is perhaps less suggestive than it might have been (менее информативна, чем могла бы быть)," he remarked, "and yet (и все же) there are a few inferences (несколько выводов) which are very distinct (ясных/четких), and a few others (несколько других) which represent at least a strong balance of probability (которые представляют, по крайней мере, сильный вес = долю вероятности). That the man was highly intellectual (что человек был большого ума: «весьма интеллигентным») is of course obvious (очевидно) upon the face of it (по ее внешнему виду), and also that he was fairly well-to-do (был довольно зажиточным) within the last three years (в последние три года), although he has now fallen upon evil days («упал на злые дни» = хотя теперь переживает не лучшие времена). He had foresight (был предусмотрительным), but has less now than formerly (но теперь меньше, чем прежде), pointing to a moral retrogression (что указывает на моральный упадок), which, when taken with the decline of his fortunes (когда берется = совпадает с ухудшением достатка), seems to indicate some evil influence (похоже, показывает на какое-то пагубное влияние = он пристрастился к какому-то пороку), probably drink (возможно, пьянство), at work upon him (за работой над ним = властвует над ним). This may account also for the obvious fact (может являться причиной того очевидного факта) that his wife has ceased to love him (что жена перестала любить его)."

introspective [Intr@'spektIv], suggestive [s@'dZestIv], probability [prOb@'bIlItI], ceased [si:st]

He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective fashion which was characteristic of him. «It is perhaps less suggestive than it might have been,» he remarked, «and yet there are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that his wife has ceased to love him.»

«My dear Holmes!»

"He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect (он, однако, сохранил некоторую степень самоуважения)," he continued (продолжил), disregarding my remonstrance (не обращая внимания на мое возражение/выражение протеста). "He is a man who leads a sedentary life (ведет сидячий образ жизни), goes out little (выходит /из дома/ мало), is out of training entirely (вне тренировки совершенно не занимается спортом), is middle-aged (средних лет), has grizzled hair (седые волосы) which he has had cut within the last few days (постриг в течение последних нескольких дней), and which he anoints with lime-cream (мажет помадой; lime-cream – известковое молоко). These are the more patent facts (вот наиболее очевидные факты) which are to be deduced from his hat (которые можно вывести = установить). Also (также), by the way (кстати), that it is extremely improbable (крайне маловероятно) that he has gas laid on in his house (что у него есть газ, подведенный к его дому)."

remonstrance [rI'mOnstr@ns], patent ['peIt(@)nt], improbable [Im'prOb@bl]

«My dear Holmes!»

"He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid on in his house."

"You are certainly joking (вы, конечно, шутите), Holmes."

"Not in the least (нисколько). Is it possible that even now (возможно ли = неужели даже теперь), when I give you these results (когда я даю вам результаты), you are unable to see (не в силах: «неспособны» увидеть) how they are attained (как они достигнуты)?"

"I have no doubt that I am very stupid (у меня нет сомнений, что я очень туп), but I must confess (должен признаться) that I am unable to follow you (не способен следовать за вами = уследить за ходом ваших мыслей). For example (например), how did you deduce that this man was intellectual (как вы заключили/вывели, что этот человек умен)?"

For answer (для ответа = вместо ответа) Holmes clapped the hat upon his head (нахлобучил шляпу на свою голову). It came right over the forehead (закрыла полностью лоб; over – поверх) and settled upon the bridge of his nose (разместилась на его переносице: «мосте его носа»). "It is a question of cubic capacity (вопрос объема)," said he; "a man with so large a brain (с таким большим мозгом) must have something in it (должен иметь что-то в нем)."

forehead ['fOrId], bridge [brIdZ], capacity [k@'p&sItI], brain [breIn]

«You are certainly joking, Holmes.»

"Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?"

"I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that this man was intellectual?"

For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a brain must have something in it."

"The decline of his fortunes (ухудшение его состояния), then?"

"This hat is three years old (этой шляпе три года). These flat brims curled at the edge (эти плоские поля, загнутые по краям) came in then (вошли в моду тогда). It is a hat of the very best quality (самого лучшего качества). Look at the band of ribbed silk (взгляните на полоску рифленого шелка) and the excellent lining (и превосходную подкладку). If this man could afford to buy (если этот человек мог позволить себе купить) so expensive a hat three years ago (такую дорогую шляпу три года назад), and has had no hat since (не имел шляпы с тех пор), then he has assuredly gone down in the world (значит, он несомненно утратил прежнее положение /в обществе/; to assure – уверять; гарантировать)."

edge [edZ], quality ['kwOlItI], afford [@'fO:d], assuredly [@'Su@rIdlI]

"Well, that is clear enough (достаточно ясно), certainly. But how about the foresight and the moral retrogression (как насчет предвидения и моральной деградации)?"

«The decline of his fortunes, then?»

"This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world."

"Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the foresight and the moral retrogression?"

Sherlock Holmes laughed (засмеялся). «Here is the foresight,» said he putting his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer (ставя свой палец на маленький диск и петлю шляподержателя = резинки для шляпы). "They are never sold upon hats (они никогда не продаются вместе со шляпами; to sell). If this man ordered one (если он заказал), it is a sign of a certain amount of foresight (знак несомненной дозы = степени предвидения), since he went out of his way (раз он побеспокоился) to take this precaution against the wind (принять эту предосторожность против ветра). But since we see that he has broken the elastic (но поскольку мы видим, что он разорвал резинку; to break – ломать) and has not troubled to replace it (и не побеспокоился заменить ее), it is obvious (это очевидно) that he has less foresight now than formerly (что у него меньше предвидения сейчас, чем раньше), which is a distinct proof (четкое доказательство) of a weakening nature (слабеющего характера; weak – слабый; to weaken – слабеть). On the other hand (с другой стороны), he has endeavored to conceal (попытался скрыть) some of these stains upon the felt (пятна на фетре) by daubing them with ink (замазыванием их чернилами), which is a sign (что является знаком) that he has not entirely lost his self-respect (что он не полностью потерял самоуважение)."

"Your reasoning is certainly plausible (ваше рассуждение, несомненно, правдоподобно)."

precaution [prI'kO:Sn], weakening ['wi:k@nIN], daubing ['dO:bIN], plausible ['plO:z@bl]

Sherlock Holmes laughed. «Here is the foresight,» said he putting his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. «They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other hand, he has endeavored to conceal some of these stains upon the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not entirely lost his self-respect.»

"Your reasoning is certainly plausible."

"The further points (дальнейшие моменты), that he is middle-aged, that his hair is grizzled, that it has been recently (недавно) cut, and that he uses lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination (собраны из тщательного осмотра) of the lower part of the lining (нижней части подкладки). The lens discloses (лупа обнаруживает) a large number of hair-ends (большое количество волосяных остатков = волос), clean cut by the scissors of the barber (чисто срезанных ножницами цирюльника). They all appear to be adhesive (они все кажутся липкими/клейкими), and there is a distinct odour of lime-cream (четкий запах помады). This dust (пыль), you will observe (заметьте), is not the gritty, gray dust of the street (не песочная, серая пыль улицы; grit – песок, гравий) but the fluffy brown dust of the house (но пушистая бурая пыль дома), showing (показывающая) that it has been hung up indoors most of the time (что шляпа висела внутри /дома/ большую часть времени), while the marks of moisture upon the inside (в то время как следы влаги на внутренней стороне) are proof positive (неопровержимо подтверждают) that the wearer perspired very freely (владелец потел очень обильно), and could therefore (поэтому мог), hardly be in the best of training (едва ли быть в лучшей форме = отвык от движения)."