Английский язык с Шерлоком Холмсом. Второй сборник рассказов
Шрифт:
gem [em], altered [':ltd], carte blanche [k:t'bl:n]
“But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?”
“I cannot tell.”
The banker wrung his hands.
“I shall never see them again!” he cried. “And my son? You give me hopes?”
“My opinion is in no way altered.”
“Then, for God’s sake, what was this dark business which was acted in my house last night?”
“If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you place no limit on the sum I may draw.”
“I would give my fortune to have them back (я отдал бы /все/ состояние, чтобы вернуть их).”
“Very good (прекрасно). I shall look into the matter between this and then (я
It was obvious to me that my companion’s mind was now made up about the case (мне было ясно, что мой товарищ уже что-то решил насчет этой истории; to make up one’s mind — принять решение, решиться /на что-либо/), although what his conclusions were was more than I could even dimly imagine (хотя какими были его выводы, я даже смутно представить не мог). Several times during our homeward journey I endeavored to sound him upon the point (несколько раз на обратном пути я пытался прозондировать его на эту тему; homeward — ведущий, идущий к дому; обратный /о пути/; to sound — осторожно выяснять, зондировать, выспрашивать; sound — зонд, щуп), but he always glided away to some other topic (но он каждый раз менял предмет разговора; to glide — скользить; двигаться плавно, бесшумно; незаметно, постепенно переходить /в какое-либо состояние/), until at last I gave it over in despair (пока наконец я не бросил попытки в отчаянии). It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our rooms once more (еще не было трех часов, когда мы снова были дома). He hurried to his chamber (Холмс поспешил в свою комнату) and was down again in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer (и через несколько минут появился вновь, одетый как обыкновенный бродяга; loafer — бездельник; попрошайка, бродяга; to loaf /about, around/ — проводить время в безделье; бездельничать; зря терять время). With his collar turned up (с поднятым воротником), his shiny, seedy coat (в потрепанном старом пальто; shiny — яркий, блестящий; залоснившийся, потертый; seedy — изношенный, старый, потрепанный), his red cravat (с красным шарфом; cravat — галстук; шарф), and his worn boots (в стоптанных ботинках), he was a perfect sample of the class (он являл собой превосходный образец бродяги/выглядел, как типичнейший бродяга).
fortune ['f:n], although [:l'du], collar ['kl]
“I would give my fortune to have them back.”
“Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here again before evening.”
It was obvious to me that my companion’s mind was now made up about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward journey I endeavored to sound him upon the point, but he always glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he was a perfect sample of the class.
“I think that this should do (думаю, так сойдет),” said he, glancing into the glass above the fireplace (сказал он, взглянув в зеркало над камином). “I only wish that you could come with me, Watson (я хотел бы взять вас с собой, Ватсон), but I fear that it won’t do (но, боюсь, ничего не выйдет). I may be on the trail in this matter (на верном ли я пути), or I may be following a will-o’-the-wisp (или преследую недостижимую цель; will-o'-the-wisp — блуждающий огонек /на болоте/; обманчивая надежда, нечто неуловимое), but I shall soon know which it is (скоро я это выясню). I hope that I may be back in a few hours (надеюсь, вернусь через несколько часов).” He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard (он
I had just finished my tea when he returned (я только закончил пить чай, когда Холмс вернулся), evidently in excellent spirits (очевидно в прекрасном расположении духа), swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his hand (размахивая каким-то старым ботинком; elastic-side boots — штиблеты с резинкой). He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a cup of tea (он отшвырнул его в угол и налил себе чашку чая).
“I only looked in as I passed (я только заглянул на минутку, проходя мимо),” said he. “I am going right on (сейчас же отправлюсь дальше).”
“Where to (куда)?”
hour [au], excellent ['ekslnt], corner ['k:n]
“I think that this should do,” said he, glancing into the glass above the fireplace. “I only wish that you could come with me, Watson, but I fear that it won’t do. I may be on the trail in this matter, or I may be following a will-o’-the-wisp, but I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few hours.” He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition.
I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a cup of tea.
“I only looked in as I passed,” said he. “I am going right on.”
“Where to?”
“Oh, to the other side of the West End (на другой конец Уэст-Энда; West End — Уэст-Энд /западная, аристократическая часть Лондона/). It may be some time before I get back (может пройти много времени, прежде чем я вернусь). Don’t wait up for me in case I should be late (не ждите меня, если опоздаю).”
“How are you getting on (как ваши успехи)?”
“Oh, so so (так себе). Nothing to complain of (не могу жаловаться). I have been out to Streatham since I saw you last (я был в Стритеме, /с тех пор как видел вас в последний раз/), but I did not call at the house (но не заходил в дом). It is a very sweet little problem (преинтересное дельце: «милая задачка»), and I would not have missed it for a good deal (я бы ни за что его не упустил = ни на что бы не променял). However, I must not sit gossiping here (однако я не должен сидеть тут и болтать), but must get these disreputable clothes off (мне надо сбросить это позорное тряпье; disreputable — недостойный уважения; дискредитирующий, компрометирующий, бесчестящий; позорный, постыдный) and return to my highly respectable self (и вернуться к глубоко уважаемому, приличному себе = стать снова приличным человеком).”
I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for satisfaction (по поведению Холмса я понял, что у него есть более веские основания для радости; satisfaction — удовлетворение) than his words alone would imply (чем одни лишь его слова могли выразить). His eyes twinkled (глаза его блестели), and there was even a touch of color upon his sallow cheeks (а на бледных щеках даже появился слабый румянец; touch — прикосновение; чуточка; примесь; оттенок; sallow — желтоватый, болезненный, землистый /о цвете лица/). He hastened upstairs (он поспешил наверх), and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the hall door (и через несколько минут я услышал, как хлопнула входная дверь), which told me that he was off once more upon his congenial hunt (что говорило о том, что Холмс снова отправился на свою «охоту»; congenial — сходный, близкий по духу; /благо/приятный; to hunt — охотиться).