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: 25 (всего у книги 28 страниц)

"See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace, he strode out of the room.

"He seems a very amiable person (он кажется очень дружелюбной персоной = какой любезный господин)," said Holmes, laughing (сказал Холмс, смеясь). "I am not quite so bulky (я не такой крупный; bulky – огромный, грузный), but if he had remained (но если бы он остался) I might have shown him that my grip was not much more feeble than his own (я мог бы показать ему, что моя хватка не намного слабее, чем его)." As he spoke he picked up the steel poker (пока он говорил = с этими словами он поднял стальную кочергу) and, with a sudden effort, straightened it out again (и, /одним/ неожиданным усилием = движением распрямил ее вновь).

amiable ['eImI@bl], laughing ['lA:fIN], straightened [streItnd]

«He seems a very amiable person,» said Holmes, laughing. «I am not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him that my grip was not much more feeble than his own.» As he spoke he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, straightened it out again.

"Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official detective force (какая наглость смешивать меня с официальной сыскной полицией)! This incident gives zest to our investigation, however (этот случай придал вкус /пикантность/ нашему расследованию, как бы то ни было; zest – приправа; живость, энергия), and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer from her imprudence (и я лишь надеюсь, что наш маленький друг = наша приятельница не пострадает от своей неосторожности) in allowing this brute to trace her (позволив этой скотине выследить себя). And now, Watson, we shall order breakfast (а теперь, Ватсон, мы закажем завтрак), and afterwards I shall walk down to Doctors' Commons (и затем я отправлюсь в ассоциацию юристов), where I hope to get some data which may help us in this matter (где надеюсь получить некоторые сведения, которые могут помочь нам в этом деле)."

It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his excursion (было около часа, когда Шерлок Холмс вернулся из поездки). He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper (он держал в руке лист голубой бумаги), scrawled over with notes and figures (исписанный заметками и цифрами).

insolence ['Ins@l@ns], suffer ['sVf@], imprudence [im'pru:d@ns], brute [bru:t]

«Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may help us in this matter.»

It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled over with notes and figures.

"I have seen the will of the deceased wife (я видел завещание покойной жены /доктора/)," said he. "To determine its exact meaning (чтобы определить его точное значение) I have been obliged to work out the present prices of the investments (мне пришлось вычислить, узнать нынешние цены капиталов) with which it is concerned (с которыми это /завещание/ связано). The total income (общий доход), which at the time of the wife's death was little short of 1100 pounds (который ко времени смерти жены был немного меньше 1100 фунтов), is now, through the fall in agricultural prices (теперь, вследствие падения цен на сельхозпродукцию; through – через, вследствие, сквозь), not more than 750 pounds (не более, чем 750 фунтов). Each daughter can claim an income of 250 pounds (каждая дочь может требовать = имеет право на доход в 250 фунтов), in case of marriage (в случае замужества). It is evident, therefore, that if both girls had married (очевидно поэтому, что если бы обе девушки вышли замуж), this beauty would have had a mere pittance (этот красавец имел бы сущие гроши), while even one of them would cripple him to a very serious extent (между тем, как даже одна из них /выйдя замуж/ покалечила бы его в очень серьезном размере = принесла бы ему большие убытки). My morning's work has not been wasted (моя утренняя работа не прошла впустую), since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives (так как она доказала, что у него есть самые сильные мотивы /основания/) for standing in the way of anything of the sort (для преграждения пути всяких /действий/ подобного рода = чтобы препятствовать замужеству). And now, Watson, this is too serious for dawdling (это /дело/ слишком серьезно для возни = чтобы медлить; to dawdle – зря тратить время, бездельничать), especially as the old man is aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs (особенно когда старик осведомлен, что мы интересуемся его делами); so if you are ready (так что если вы готовы), we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo (мы вызовем кеб и поедем на /вокзал/ Ватерлоо). I should be very much obliged (я буду вам очень признателен) if you would slip your revolver into your pocket (если вы сунете ваш револьвер в карман). An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen (/револьвер/ системы Элея №2 – превосходный аргумент для джентльменов) who can twist steel pokers into knots (которые могут скручивать стальные кочерги в узлы). That and a tooth-brush are, I think, all that we need (это и зубная щетка, думаю, все, что нам нужно)."

deceased [dI'si:st], obliged [@'blaIdZd], dawdling ['dO:dlIN], argument ['A:gjum@nt]

«I have seen the will of the deceased wife,» said he. «To determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush are, I think, all that we need.»

At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Leatherhead (на /вокзале/ Ватерлоо нам посчастливилось попасть на поезд: «мы были удачливы в схватывании поезда» на Лэтерхэд), where we hired a trap at the station inn (где мы наняли /рессорную/ двуколку в станционной гостинице), and drove for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes (и проехали четыре или пять миль прекрасными дорогами /графства/ Суррей; through – через, сквозь). It was a perfect day (был прекрасный день), with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the heavens (с ярким солнцем и несколькими кудрявыми облаками в небесах). The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out their first green shoots (деревья и придорожные изгороди только выпускали свои первые зеленые побеги), and the air was full of the pleasant smell of the moist earth (и воздух был наполнен приятным запахом влажной земли). To me at least (для меня, по крайней мере) there was a strange contrast between the sweet promise of the spring (был странный контраст между сладким видом весны; promise – обещание, вид, ракурс) and this sinister quest upon which we were engaged (зловещим делом = расследованием, которым мы занимались; quest – поиски, дознание). My companion sat in the front of the trap (мой товарищ сидел в передней части экипажа; trap – рессорная двуколка), his arms folded (его руки /были/ скрещены /на груди/ = скрестив руки; to fold – сгибать, складывать), his hat pulled down over his eyes (надвинув шляпу на глаза), and his chin sunk upon his breast (опустив подбородок на грудь), buried in the deepest thought (погруженный в глубокие думы: «в глубочайшую мысль»). Suddenly, however, he started (внезапно, однако, он вздрогнул), tapped me on the shoulder (хлопнул меня по плечу), and pointed over the meadows (и указал через луга = вдаль).

"Look there (взгляните-ка туда)!" said he.

fortunate ['fO:tSnIt], hired ['haI@d], heavens ['hev@nz], meadows ['med@uz]

At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn, and drove for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows.

"Look there!" said he.

A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope (сильно лесистый = заросший парк растянулся = раскинулся на пологом склоне), thickening into a grove at the highest point (уплотняясь = переходя в рощу в высшей точке). From amid the branches (посреди = через ветки) there jutted out the gray gables and high roof-tree of a very old mansion (выступали серые фронтоны и высокий коньковый прогон очень старого помещичьего дома).

"Stoke Moran?" said he.

"Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott (да, сэр, это дом доктора Гримсби Ройлотта)," remarked the driver (заметил кучер).

heavily ['hevIlI], gentle [dZentl], branches ['brA:ntSIz], mansion [m&nSn]

A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the branches there jutted out the gray gables and high roof-tree of a very old mansion.

"Stoke Moran?" said he.

"Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the driver.

"There is some building going on there (там происходит какое-то строительство; to go on – случаться, происходить; продолжаться)," said Holmes; "that is where we are going (это /то место/, куда мы собираемся /поехать/ = куда нам нужно)."

"There's the village (там деревня)," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of roofs some distance to the left (сказал кучер, указывая на группу крыш /находящихся/ на некотором расстоянии слева); "but if you want to get to the house (но если хотите добраться к дому), you'll find it shorter to get over this stile (вы найдете это короче = вам будет ближе перейти через этот приступок /у изгороди/), and so by the foot-path over the fields (и затем /пройти/ тропинкой через поля). There it is, where the lady is walking (вон там, где идет леди)."

village ['vIlIdZ], stile [staIl], path [pA:T], field [fi:ld]

«There is some building going on there,» said Holmes; «that is where we are going.»

"There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is walking."

"And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner (а эта леди, полагаю, мисс Стонер)," observed Holmes, shading his eyes (заметил Холмс, заслоняя от света глаза). "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest (да, думаю, нам лучше сделать, как вы предлагаете)."

We got off (мы вышли /из экипажа/), paid our fare (заплатили нашу проездную плату = расплатились), and the trap rattled back on its way to Leatherhead (экипаж загрохотал обратно в Лэтерхэд).

"I thought it as well (я подумал, между прочим; as well – также, кстати, вдобавок)," said Holmes as we climbed the stile (сказал Холмс, когда мы карабкались через приступок), "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects (что этому парню следует думать, что мы прибыли сюда как архитекторы), or on some definite business (по какому-то определенному делу). It may stop his gossip (это может остановить его сплетни). Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner (добрый день, мисс Стонер). You see that we have been as good as our word (вы видите, что мы точно сдержали слово: «были столь же хороши, как наше слово»)."

suggest [s@'dZest], fare [fe@], architects ['A:kItekts]

«And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner,» observed Holmes, shading his eyes. «Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest.»

We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way to Leatherhead.

"I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as our word."

Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us (наша утренняя клиентка поспешила вперед, чтобы встретить нас) with a face which spoke her joy (с лицом, которое говорило /о/ ее радости = радостно). "I have been waiting so eagerly for you (я ждала вас так нетерпеливо)," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly (воскликнула она, горячо пожимая нам руки). "All has turned out splendidly (все получилось превосходно; to turn out – оказаться, выясниться, сделаться). Dr. Roylott has gone to town (уехал в город), and it is unlikely that he will be back before evening (и маловероятно, что он вернется раньше вечера)."

"We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance (мы имели удовольствие познакомиться с доктором)," said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had occurred (сказал Холмс, и в нескольких словах зарисовал = описал /все/, что произошло). Miss Stoner turned white to the lips (мисс Стонер вся побледнела: «стала белой до губ», выслушав /его/) as she listened.

"Good heavens (Боже мой)!" she cried, "he has followed me, then (значит, он следовал за мной)."

forward ['fO:w@d], eagerly ['i:g@lI], warmly ['wO:mlI]

Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a face which spoke her joy. «I have been waiting so eagerly for you,» she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. «All has turned out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely that he will be back before evening.»

"We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened.

"Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then."

"So it appears (так кажется = похоже на то)."

"He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him (он так хитер, что я никогда не знаю, когда я защищена от него = никогда не чувствую себя в безопасности). What will he say when he returns (что он скажет, когда вернется)?"

"He must guard himself (он должен защищать себя = быть осторожным; to guard – защищать, беречься), for he may find that there is someone more cunning than himself upon his track (так как может обнаружить, что на его /жизненном/ пути есть кое-кто более хитрый, чем он). You must lock yourself up from him tonight (вы должны запереться от него сегодня ночью). If he is violent (если он будет неистовым = буйствовать), we shall take you away to your aunt's at Harrow (мы заберем вас к вашей тетке в Хэрроу). Now, we must make the best use of our time (а теперь мы должны сделать лучшее использование нашего времени = не должны терять ни минуты), so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to examine (поэтому, будьте любезны, проведите нас незамедлительно в комнаты, которые мы должны обследовать)."

guard [gA:d], cunning ['kVnIN], violent ['vaI@l@nt]

«So it appears.»

"He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What will he say when he returns?"

"He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself up from him tonight. If he is violent, we shall take you away to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to examine."

The building was of gray, lichen-blotched stone (здание было /построено/ из покрытого /пятнами/ лишайника камня), with a high central portion and two curving wings (с высокой центральной частью и двумя изгибающимися крыльями), like the claws of a crab (словно клешни краба), thrown out on each side (распростертыми с каждой стороны). In one of these wings the windows were broken and blocked with wooden boards (в одном из этих крыльев окна были разбиты и заколочены деревянными досками), while the roof was partly caved in (тогда как крыша была частично провалена), a picture of ruin (картина разорения). The central portion was in little better repair (центральная часть была в чуть более хорошей исправности = почти такая же), but the right-hand block was comparatively modern (но правый блок был = правое крыло было сравнительно новым), and the blinds in the windows (и занавески в окнах), with the blue smoke curling up from the chimneys (с голубым дымком, вьющимся из труб), showed that this was where the family resided (указывали, что это было /то место/, где обитала семья). Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall (леса /подмости/ были воздвигнуты напротив = у торцевой стены), and the stone-work had been broken into (и каменные работы начались; to break into – разразиться, внезапно начинать), but there were no signs of any workmen at the moment of our visit (но не было признаков кого-нибудь = не было видно никого из работников на момент нашего посещения). Holmes walked slowly up and down the ill-trimmed lawn (ходил взад-вперед по плохо подстриженной лужайке) and examined with deep attention the outsides of the windows (и исследовал с глубоким вниманием наружные части = стороны окон).

portion [pO:Sn], picture ['pIktS@], comparatively [k@m'p&r@tIvlI], lawn [lO:n]

The building was of gray, lichen-blotched stone, with a high central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the outsides of the windows.

"This, I take it (это, как полагаю), belongs to the room in which you used to sleep (принадлежит = относится к комнате, в которой вы спали /раньше/; used to – обозначает регулярные действия в прошлом), the centre one to your sister's (центральное /окно относится/ к /комнате/ вашей сестры), and the one next to the main building to Dr. Roylott's chamber (а следующее = поближе к главному зданию – к комнате доктора Ройлотта; chamber – комната /в основном – спальня/)?"

"Exactly so (именно так). But I am now sleeping in the middle one (но сейчас я сплю в средней комнате)."

"Pending the alterations, as I understand (в течение переделок = из-за ремонта, как я понимаю; pending – незаконченный, ожидающий решения; в продолжение; в течение; alteration – изменение; перемена; переделка, перестройка). By the way, there does not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end wall (кстати, не кажется, чтобы была какая-либо острая необходимость для ремонта этой торцевой стены)."

centre ['sent@], next [nekst], chamber ['tSeImb@]

«This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?»

"Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one."

"Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end wall."

"There were none (там не были никакие = их и не было). I believe that it was an excuse to move me from my room (думаю, это был предлог, чтобы убрать меня из моей комнаты)."

"Ah! that is suggestive (наводит на размышления = весьма вероятно). Now, on the other side of this narrow wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open (с другой стороны этого узкого крыла бежит = тянется коридор, из которого = куда эти три комнаты выходят). There are windows in it, of course (в нем, конечно, есть окна)?"

"Yes, but very small ones (да, но очень маленькие). Too narrow for anyone to pass through (слишком узкие, чтобы в них кто-то мог пролезть)."

"As you both locked your doors at night (так как вы обе запирали двери на ночь), your rooms were unapproachable from that side (ваши комнаты были неприступны с той стороны; to approach – приближаться, подходить). Now, would you have the kindness to go into your room and bar your shutters (не будете ли вы так любезны пройти в свою комнату и закрыть /на засов/ ставни)?"

alterations [,O:lt@'reISnz], excuse [Ik'skju:s], narrow ['n&r@u], kindness ['kaIndnIs]

«There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from my room.»

"Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There are windows in it, of course?"

"Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass through."

"As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to go into your room and bar your shutters?"

Miss Stoner did so (сделала так), and Holmes, after a careful examination through the open window (и Холмс после тщательной проверки открытого окна), endeavored in every way to force the shutter open (прилагал усилия всячески = постарался заставить ставни открыться), but without success (но без успеха). There was no slit through which a knife could be passed to raise the bar (в них не было щели, через которую нож мог бы = лезвие могло бы пройти, чтобы поднять засов). Then with his lens he tested the hinges (затем лупой он проверил петли), but they were of solid iron (но они были из прочного железа), built firmly into the massive masonry (вмурованы крепко в массивную кладку = стену). «Hum!» said he, scratching his chin in some perplexity (сказал он, почесывая подбородок в некотором недоумении), "my theory certainly presents some difficulties (моя теория, несомненно, представляет некоторые трудности). No one (ни один = никто) could pass these shutters if they were bolted (не мог бы пройти эти ставни = влезть в окна, когда они заперты). Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the matter (ну, посмотрим, бросает ли внутренняя сторона какой-нибудь свет на это дело = можно ли что-нибудь выяснить, осмотрев интерьер)."

endeavored [In'dev@d], success [s@k'ses], knife [naIf], hinge [hIndZ], masonry ['meIs@nrI]

Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination through the open window, endeavored in every way to force the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built firmly into the massive masonry. «Hum!» said he, scratching his chin in some perplexity, «my theory certainly presents some difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the matter.»

A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor (маленькая боковая дверь вела в выбеленный коридор; whitewash – известковый раствор; побелка) from which the three bedrooms opened (из которого = куда три спальни открывались). Holmes refused to examine the third chamber (отказался осмотреть третью комнату), so we passed at once to the second (поэтому мы прошли сразу во вторую), that in which Miss Stoner was now sleeping (в которой мисс Стонер теперь спала), and in which her sister had met with her fate (и в которой ее сестра встретилась со своей судьбой = нашла свою смерть). It was a homely little room (это была простая маленькая комната), with a low ceiling and a gaping fireplace (с низким потолком и зияющим = широким камином), after the fashion of old country-houses (наподобие старых сельских домов; fashion – образ, манера, мода). A brown chest of drawers stood in one corner (коричневый комод стоял в одном углу), a narrow white-counterpaned bed in another (узкая, покрытая белым одеялом кровать – в другом; counterpane – стеганое покрывало), and a dressing-table on the left-hand side of the window (туалетный столик /стоял/ слева от окна). These articles, with two small wickerwork chairs (эти вещи, вместе с двумя маленькими плетеными стульями), made up all the furniture in the room (завершали все убранство в комнате; furniture – мебель, обстановка, содержимое), save for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre (кроме = да еще квадрат пушистого ковра /лежал/ в центре = посередине). The boards round and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak (доски повсюду и панели на стенах были из коричневого, источенного червями дуба), so old and discolored (такие старые и выцветшие) that it may have dated from the original building of the house (возможно, их не меняли с первоначальной постройки дома; to date from – исчислять с, относить /к какому-то времени/). Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat silent (Холмс подвинул один из стульев в угол и сел молча), while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down (а его глаза двигались кругом, вверх и вниз; while – между тем как, в то время как, пока; to travel – путешествовать, перемещаться), taking in every detail of the apartment (тщательно осматривая каждую деталь комнаты; to take in – впитывать, понимать, уяснять).

whitewashed ['waItwOSt], refused [rI'fju:zd], ceiling ['si:lIN], carpet ['kA:pIt], oak [@uk]

A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small wickerwork chairs, made up all the furniture in the room, save for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and discolored that it may have dated from the original building of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, taking in every detail of the apartment.

"Where does that bell communicate with (куда проведен этот звонок; to communicate with – поддерживать связь, общаться)?" he asked at last, pointing to a thick belt-rope (спросил он наконец указывая на толстую ременную веревку = шнурок) which hung down beside the bed (который свешивался рядом с кроватью), the tassel actually lying upon the pillow (кисточка /которого/ фактически лежала на подушке).

"It goes to the housekeeper's room (он идет в комнату экономки)."

«Where does that bell communicate with?» he asked at last, pointing to a thick belt-rope which hung down beside the bed, the tassel actually lying upon the pillow.

"It goes to the housekeeper's room."

"It looks newer than the other things (он выглядит новее, чем другие вещи)?"

"Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago (да, он был повешен там всего пару лет назад)."

"Your sister asked for it, I suppose (ваша сестра просила об этом, полагаю)?"

"No, I never heard of her using it (нет, никогда не слышала = не замечала, чтобы она использовала его). We used always to get what we wanted for ourselves (мы привыкли брать /доставать/, что нам нужно, сами)."

tassel [t&sl], couple [kVpl], wanted ['wOntId]

«It looks newer than the other things?»

"Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago."

"Your sister asked for it, I suppose?"

"No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we wanted for ourselves."

"Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there (действительно, кажется излишним вешать тут такой хороший шнурок для звонка). You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to this floor (извините меня, /я задержу вас/ на несколько минут, пока рассею сомнения относительно этого пола = хорошенько осмотрю пол; to satisfy – удовлетворять, исполнять)." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in his hand (он бросил себя вниз = опустился на колени с лупой в руке), and crawled swiftly backward and forward (и прополз быстро взад и вперед), examining minutely the cracks between the boards (исследуя тщательно трещины между половицами). Then he did the same with the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled (затем он проделал то же самое с деревянными частями = панелями, которыми была обшита комната). Finally he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it (наконец он подошел: «перешагнул» к кровати и провел некоторое время, пристально смотря на нее) and in running his eye up and down the wall (и бегая глазами вверх и вниз по стене). Finally he took the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug (в конце концов он взял шнур /от звонка/ в руку и дал ему бодрый рывок = сильно дернул).

"Why, it's a dummy (как, это фальшивка)," said he.