Приключения Шерлока Холмса / The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (сборник)
Шрифт:
whimsical a причудливый
whine v ныть, хныкать
whistle n свист
windfall n опавшие плоды; неожиданная удача
wind-swept продуваемый ветром
woodcock n вальдшнеп
worse for wear видавший виды
Пляшущие человечки
The Adventure of the Dancing Men
Адаптация текста, упражнения, комментарии и словарь Д. В. Положенцевой
I
Holmes had been sitting for some hours in silence over a chemical vessel in which he was brewing something very unpleasant. His head was sunk upon his breast [79] , and he looked from my point of view like a strange, skinny bird.
“So, Watson,” he said, suddenly, “you are not going to [80] invest money in South African securities [81] ?”
79
His head was sunk upon his breast –
80
to be going to do something – собираться что-либо сделать
81
securities – ценные бумаги
I was very much surprised. Although I was accustomed to Holmes’s curious abilities, this sudden intrusion into my thoughts was rather incomprehensible.
“How on earth [82] do you know that?” I asked in amazement.
He turned his chair, holding a steaming test-tube [83] in his hand. I saw a gleam of amusement in his deep-set eyes.
“Now, Watson, confess, you are confused,” he said.
82
How on earth – каким же образом
83
a steaming test-tube – дымящаяся пробирка
“I am.”
“I should make you write this on the piece of paper and leave your signature.” [84]
“Why?”
“Because in five minutes you will say that it is all very simple and obvious.”
“I am sure that I shall say nothing of the kind.”
“You see, my dear Watson”– he put aside his test-tube and began to lecture like a professor addressing his class —“it is not really difficult to construct a series of conclusions, each dependent on the previous one. And if you simply take away all the central elements and show your audience only the first and the last ones, it will produce an amazing effect. Now, when I noticed the groove between your left forefinger and thumb [85] , it was not really difficult to understand that you do not want to invest your small capital in the goldfields.”
84
I should make you write this on the piece of paper and leave your signature. – Мне следовало бы заставить вас написать об этом на листочке бумаги и подписаться.
85
the groove between your left forefinger and thumb – впадинка между большим и указательным пальцами вашей левой руки
“I see no connection.”
“Well, I believe you, but I can quickly show you a close connection. Here are the missing links of the very simple chain: 1. You had chalk between your left finger and thumb when you returned from the club last night. 2. You put chalk there for the cue [86] when you play billiards. 3. You play billiards only with Thurston. 4. You told me four weeks ago [87] that Thurston wanted to buy some South African securities and share them with you. 5. Your cheque-book is locked in my table, and you have not asked for the key. 6. You are not going to invest your money in anything.”
86
cue – кий
87
four weeks ago – четыре недели назад
“So simple!” I cried.
“Yes, it is!” he said. “Every problem becomes very simple when it is explained to you. But here you are [88] , this one is not explained yet. Let’s see what you can say, my friend Watson.” He gave me a sheet of paper and turned to his chemical analysis.
I looked with amazement at the strange symbols on the paper.
“Well, Holmes, it is a child’s drawing,” I said.
“Oh, that’s your idea!”
‘What else should it be?”
88
here you are – вот, держите
“That is what Mr. Hilton Cubitt from Norfolk wants to know. He sent us this little puzzle and every minute we expect him. Oh, there’s a ring at the bell, Watson. I am not very much surprised if it is our guest.”
We heard heavy steps on the stairs, and a second later a tall gentleman entered. He had clear eyes and florid cheeks which told us that he led his life far from the fogs of Baker Street. He seemed to bring [89] strong, fresh air with him as he entered. He shook hands with [90] each of us and was going to sit down when he noticed the paper with the curious symbols, which I had just examined and left on the table.
89
He seemed to bring… – казалось, он принес…
90
to shake hands with – пожать руку кому-либо
“Well, Mr. Holmes, what do you think about it?” he cried. “I heard that you liked strange mysteries, and this one is the strangest, I think! I sent the paper ahead so that you have time to study it before I came.”
“Yes, it is very curious,” said Holmes. “At first sight [91] one can think that it’s a child’s drawing. It consists of funny little dancing figures. Why do you pay so much attention on [92] such an object?”
91
At first sight – на первый взгляд
92
pay attention on – уделять внимание чему-либо
“I don’t, Mr. Holmes. But my wife does. It is frightening her to death [93] . She says nothing, but I can see fear in her eyes. That’s why I want to find everything out.”
Holmes took the paper and turned to the sunlight. It was a page from a note-book. The symbols were done in pencil, and were in this order —
Holmes examined it for some time, and then folded it carefully and put it in his pocket-book.
93
It is frightening her to death – это пугает ее до смерти
“This promises to be a very interesting and unusual case,” he said. “You gave me a few details in your letter, Mr. Hilton Cubitt, but I would be very grateful if you tell the story again, for my friend, Dr. Watson.”
“I’m not good at telling stories,” said our visitor. He was rather nervous. “You’ll just ask questions if something is unclear. I’ll begin from my marriage last year; but I want to say first of all, that although I’m not a rich man, my family has been at Ridling Thorpe for five centuries and it is well-known in the County of Norfolk. Last year I came to London and stopped at a boarding-house [94] in Russell Square. There was an American young lady there… Elsie Patrick. Somehow we became friends, until I fell in love with [95] her as a man could be. We got quietly married and returned to Norfolk as a couple. You’ll think it is very mad, Mr. Holmes, that a man of a good old family could marry a woman like this, knowing nothing of her past or of her family. But if you saw her and knew her it would help you to understand.”
94
boarding-house – пансион
95
to fall in love with somebody – влюбиться в кого-либо