Английский язык с Шерлоком Холмсом. Собака Баскервилей
Шрифт:
"Dr. Watson has gone to Coombe Tracey (доктор Ватсон поехал в Кум-Трэйси)."
slumber ['slmb], accustom ['kstm], tongue [t]
But there were ample signs that I had not come upon a false scent. This was certainly where the man lived. Some blankets rolled in a waterproof lay upon that very stone slab upon which neolithic man had once slumbered. The ashes of a fire were heaped in a rude grate. Beside it lay some cooking utensils and a bucket half-full of water. A litter of empty tins showed that the place had been occupied for some time, and I saw, as my eyes became accustomed to the chequered light, a pannikin and a half-full bottle of spirits standing in the corner. In the middle of the hut a flat stone served the purpose of a table, and upon this stood a small cloth bundle — the same, no doubt, which I had seen through the telescope upon the shoulder of the boy. It contained a loaf of bread, a tinned tongue, and two tins of preserved peaches. As I set it down again, after having examined it, my heart leaped to see that beneath it there lay a sheet of paper with writing upon it. I raised it, and this was what I read, roughly scrawled in pencil:—
"Dr. Watson has gone to Coombe Tracey."
For a minute I stood there with the paper in my hands (с
curt [k:t], observe [b'z:v], entangle [n'tael]
For a minute I stood there with the paper in my hands thinking out the meaning of this curt message. It was I, then, and not Sir Henry, who was being dogged by this secret man. He had not followed me himself, but he had set an agent — the boy, perhaps — upon my track, and this was his report. Possibly I had taken no step since I had been upon the moor which had not been observed and repeated. Always there was this feeling of an unseen force, a fine net drawn round us with infinite skill and delicacy, holding us so lightly that it was only at some supreme moment that one realized that one was indeed entangled in its meshes.
If there was one report there might be others (если был один отчет, там могли быть и другие), so I looked round the hut in search of them (поэтому я осмотрел хижину в поисках их). There was no trace, however, of anything of the kind (однако там не было и следа чего-то похожего), nor could I discover any sign (не смог я /также/ обнаружить никаких признаков) which might indicate the character or intentions of the man (которые могли указать на характер или намерения человека) who lived in this singular place (который жил в этом необычном месте), save that he must be of Spartan habits (кроме того, что он имел привычки спартанца), and cared little for the comforts of life (и мало заботился о жизненных благах: «удобствах»). When I thought of the heavy rains (когда я подумал о проливных дождях) and looked at the gaping roof (и взглянул на зияющие дыры в крыше; to gape — зевать; зиять) I understood how strong and immutable must be the purpose (я понял, какой значительной и непреложной должна быть его цель) which had kept him in that inhospitable abode (удерживавшая его в таком негостеприимном жилище; abode — жилище; дом, жилье, обиталище). Was he our malignant enemy (был он нашим злейшим врагом), or was he by chance our guardian angel (или, по /счастливой/ случайности, нашим ангелом-хранителем)? I swore that I would not leave the hut (я поклялся, что не покину хижину) until I knew (пока не узнаю).
other ['d], sign [san], immutable ['mju:tbl]
If there was one report there might be others, so I looked round the hut in search of them. There was no trace, however, of anything of the kind, nor could I discover any sign which might indicate the character or intentions of the man who lived in this singular place, save that he must be of Spartan habits, and cared little for the comforts of life. When I thought of the heavy rains and looked at the gaping roof I understood how strong and immutable must be the purpose which had kept him in that inhospitable abode. Was he our malignant enemy, or was he by chance our guardian angel? I swore that I would not leave the hut until I knew.
Outside the sun was sinking low (снаружи солнце уже садилось; to sink low — глубоко погрузиться) and the west was blazing with scarlet and gold (и запад = небо на западе ярко горело пурпуром и золотом). Its reflection was shot back in ruddy patches by the distant pools (его
scarlet ['sk:lt], blur [bl:], quiver ['kwv]
Outside the sun was sinking low and the west was blazing with scarlet and gold. Its reflection was shot back in ruddy patches by the distant pools which lay amid the Great Grimpen Mire. There were the two towers of Baskerville Hall, and there a distant blur of smoke which marked the village of Grimpen. Between the two, behind the hill, was the house of the Stapletons. All was sweet and mellow and peaceful in the golden evening light, and yet as I looked at them my soul shared none of the peace of Nature, but quivered at the vagueness and the terror of that interview which every instant was bringing nearer. With tingling nerves, but a fixed purpose, I sat in the dark recess of the hut and waited with sombre patience for the coming of its tenant.
And then at last I heard him (и вот, наконец, я услышал его). Far away came the sharp clink (издалека донесся отчетливый резкий звук) of a boot striking upon a stone (удар ботинка по камню). Then another and yet another (потом еще и еще), coming nearer and nearer (все ближе и ближе). I shrank back into the darkest corner (я отступил в самый темный угол; to shrink — уменьшать; отпрянуть, отступить), and cocked the pistol in my pocket (и в кармане взвел /курок/ пистолета), determined not to discover myself (решив не открывать себя) until I had an opportunity (до тех пор, пока не представится возможность) of seeing something of the stranger (увидеть незнакомца; something — кое-что, что-нибудь). There was a long pause (была долгая пауза = некоторое время не доносилось ни звука) which showed that he had stopped (что указывало на то, что он остановился; to show — показывать; указывать). Then once more the footsteps approached (затем шаги снова /стали/ приближаться) and a shadow fell across the opening of the hut (и тень упала на проход в хижину).
"It is a lovely evening, my dear Watson (прекрасный вечер, дорогой Ватсон)," said a well-known voice (сказал хорошо знакомый голос). "I really think that you will be more comfortable outside than in (я, право, думаю, что нам будет удобнее снаружи, чем внутри)."
determine [d't:mn], pause [p:z], comfortable ['kmftbl]
And then at last I heard him. Far away came the sharp clink of a boot striking upon a stone. Then another and yet another, coming nearer and nearer. I shrank back into the darkest corner, and cocked the pistol in my pocket, determined not to discover myself until I had an opportunity of seeing something of the stranger. There was a long pause which showed that he had stopped. Then once more the footsteps approached and a shadow fell across the opening of the hut.
"It is a lovely evening, my dear Watson," said a well-known voice. "I really think that you will be more comfortable outside than in."
CHAPTER XII. DEATH ON THE MOOR
(Смерть на болотах)
FOR a moment or two I sat breathless (каких-то несколько мгновений я сидел не дыша), hardly able to believe my ears (едва способный поверить своим ушам). Then my senses and my voice came back to me (потом чувства и голос вернулись ко мне), while a crushing weight of responsibility (тогда как давящее бремя ответственности; weight — вес, масса; бремя) seemed in an instant to be lifted from my soul (казалось, мгновенно была снята с моей души). That cold, incisive, ironical voice (этот холодный, резковатый, ироничный голос; incisive — режущий; острый, резкий, колкий, язвительный) could belong to but one man in all the world (мог принадлежать только одному человеку во всем мире).