Убийства по алфавиту Кристи Агата

"Yes, all of it."

"I suppose he never received a letter or letters signed A.B.C.?"

"A.B.C.?" She shook her head. "No, I'm sure he didn't."

"He didn't mention having seen anyone hanging about during his evening walks lately?"

"No. He never mentioned anything of the kind."

"And you yourself have noticed no strangers?"

"Not exactly hanging about (не то что бы слоняющихся вокруг; exactly — точно). Of course (конечно), there are a lot of people (есть много людей) what you might call wandering about at this time of year (которых вы можете назвать «бродящими» в это время года; to wander — бродить, странствовать, скитаться). One often meets people (/можно/ часто встретить людей) strolling with an aimless look across the golf links (идущих с бесцельным видом через поля для гольфа; aim — цель) or down the lanes to the sea (или вниз по дорожкам к морю). In the same way (в этом смысле), practically everyone (практически каждый) one sees this time of year (кого можно увидеть в это время года) is a stranger (это незнакомец)."

Poirot nodded thoughtfully (Пуаро задумчиво кивнул).

Inspector Crome asked (инспектор Кроум попросил) to be taken over the ground of Sir Carmichael's nightly walk (чтобы его провели по пути еженощных прогулок сэра Кармайкла; ground — земля; участок земли; местность). Franklin Clarke led the way through the French window^[25] (Франклин Кларк повел /нас/ через французское окно), and Miss Grey accompanied us (и мисс Грей сопровождала нас).

She and I were a little behind the others (она и я были немного позади других). "All this must have been a terrible shock to you all," I said (все это, должно быть, было для вас всех ужасным потрясением).

aimless ['eImlIs], ground [graUnd], nightly ['naItlI]

"Not exactly hanging about. Of course, there are a lot of people what you might call wandering about at this time of year. One often meets people strolling with an aimless look across the golf links or down the lanes to the sea. In the same way, practically everyone one sees this time of year is a stranger."

Poirot nodded thoughtfully.

Inspector Crome asked to be taken over the ground of Sir Carmichael's nightly walk. Franklin Clarke led the way through the French window, and Miss Grey accompanied us.

She and I were a little behind the others. "All this must have been a terrible shock to you all," I said.

"It seems quite unbelievable (это кажется совершенно невероятным; to believe — верить). I had gone to bed last night (я /уже/ легла спать вчера ночью) when the police rang up (когда позвонила полиция). I heard voices downstairs (я услышала голоса внизу) and at last (и в конце концов) I came out (я вышла) and asked what was the matter (и спросила, в чем было дело). Deveril and Mr. Clarke were just setting out with lanterns (Деверил и мистер Кларк как раз отправлялись /на поиски/ с фонарями)."

"What time did Sir Carmichael usually come back from his walk (в какое время сэр Кармайкл обычно возвращался со своей прогулки)?"

"About a quarter to ten (примерно без четверти десять). He used to let himself in by the side door (он, бывало, заходил: «впускал себя» через боковую дверь) and then sometimes he went straight to bed (и затем иногда сразу шел спать), sometimes to the gallery (иногда /шел/ в галерею) where his collections were (где были его коллекции). That is why (вот почему), unless the police had rung up (если бы полиция не позвонила), he would probably not have been missed (его бы не хватились) till they went to call him this morning (до тех пор, пока бы его не пошли будить этим утром; to call — звать; заходить; будить)."

"It must have been a terrible shock to his wife (это, должно быть, было ужасное потрясение для его жены)?"

lantern ['l&nt@n], downstairs ['daUnstE@z], quarter ['kwO:t@]

"It seems quite unbelievable. I had gone to bed last night when the police rang up. I heard voices downstairs and at last I came out and asked what was the matter. Deveril and Mr. Clarke were just setting out with lanterns."

"What time did Sir Carmichael usually come back from his walk?"

"About a quarter to ten. He used to let himself in by the side door and then sometimes he went straight to bed, sometimes to the gallery where his collections were. That is why, unless the police had rung up, he would probably not have been missed till they went to call him this morning."

"It must have been a terrible shock to his wife?"

"Lady Clarke is kept under morphine a good deal (леди Кларк держат под хорошей дозой морфия). I think (я думаю) she is in too dazed a condition (что она в слишком оцепенелом состоянии; dazed — неподвижный, онемелый, оцепенелый; to daze — ошеломить) to appreciate what goes on round her (чтобы оценить /то/, что происходит вокруг нее)."

We had come out through a garden gate onto the golf links (мы вышли через садовые ворота на поля для гольфа). Crossing a corner of them (перейдя угол /поля/), we passed over a stile into a steep, winding lane (мы вышли по ступенькам /через изгородь/ на крутую, извивающуюся дорожку; stile — переход со ступеньками /через забор, трубопровод/, перелаз).

"This leads down to Elbury Cove," explained Franklin Clarke (она ведет вниз к Элбери Коув, — объяснил Франклин Кларк). "But two years ago (но два года назад) they made a new road (сделали новую дорогу) leading from the main road to Broadsands and on to Elbury (ведущую от главной дороги на Бродсэндс и далее до Элбери), so that now this lane is practically deserted (так что эта тропинка практически не используется: «покинута»; to desert — покидать, оставлять).''

morphine ['mO:fi:n], winding ['waIndIN], [dI'z@:t]

"Lady Clarke is kept under morphine a good deal. I think she is in too dazed a condition to appreciate what goes on round her."

We had come out through a garden gate onto the golf links. Crossing a corner of them, we passed over a stile into a steep, winding lane.

"This leads down to Elbury Cove," explained Franklin Clarke. "But two years ago they made a new road leading from the main road to Broadsands and on to Elbury, so that now this lane is practically deserted.''

We went on down the lane (мы пошли дальше вниз по дорожке). At the foot of it (у подножья ее) a path led between brambles (тропинка вела между /зарослями/ ежевики) and bracken down to the sea (и папоротника вниз к морю). Suddenly we came out on a grassy ridge (неожиданно мы вышли на поросший травой кряж; grass) overlooking the sea (нависающий над морем; to overlook — возвышаться; обозревать; выходить на, в) and a beach of glistening white stones (и пляжем искрящихся /на солнце/ белых камней; to glisten — искриться; блестеть). All round dark green trees ran down to the sea (повсюду вокруг темные зеленые деревья спускались к морю). It was an enchanting spot (это было чарующее место; to enchant — очаровывать, приводить в восторг) — white, (белое) deep green (темно-зеленое) and sapphire blue (и сапфирово-голубое).

"How beautiful!" I exclaimed (как красиво! — воскликнул я).

Clarke turned to me eagerly (Кларк пылко/энергично обернулся ко мне). "Isn't it (не так ли)? Why people want to go abroad to the Riviera^[26] (почему люди едут заграницу на Ривьеру) when they've got this (когда у них есть это)! I've wandered all over the world in my time and (я в свое время побродил по миру и), honest to God (честно перед Богом), I've never seen anything as beautiful (я никогда /не/ видел ничего столь же прекрасного)."

enchanting [In'tSA:ntIN], sapphire [s&'faI@], Riviera [,rIvI'e@r@]

We went on down the lane. At the foot of it a path led between brambles and bracken down to the sea. Suddenly we came out on a grassy ridge overlooking the sea and a beach of glistening white stones. All round dark green trees ran down to the sea. It was an enchanting spot — white, deep green and sapphire blue.

"How beautiful!" I exclaimed.

Clarke turned to me eagerly. "Isn't it? Why people want to go abroad to the Riviera when they've got this! I've wandered all over the world in my time and, honest to God, I've never seen anything as beautiful."

Then, as though ashamed of his eagerness (затем, словно устыдившись своей пылкости), he said in a more matter-of-fact tone (он сказал более сухим тоном): "This was my brother's evening walk (это была вечерняя прогулка моего брата). He came as far as here (он доходил до этого места: «так далеко, как здесь»), then back up the path (затем назад вверх по тропинке), and turning to the right instead of the left (и поворачивал направо вместо налево), went past the farm (шел вдоль фермы) and across the fields back to the house (и через поля назад к дому)."

We proceeded on our way (мы продолжали наш путь; to proceed — продолжать; идти) till we came to a spot near the hedge (пока мы /не/ вышли к месту рядом с живой изгородью), halfway across the field (на посередине пути через поле) where the body had been found (где было обнаружено тело).

Crome nodded (Кроум кивнул). "Easy enough (достаточно просто). The man stood here in the shadow (человек стоял здесь в тени). Your brother would have noticed nothing (ваш брат ничего не замечал) till the blow fell (пока /не/ последовал удар: «пока упал удар»)." The girl at my side gave a quick shiver (девушка рядом со мной слегка вздрогнула: «девушка с моей стороны издала быстрое вздрагивание»).

Franklin Clarke said (Франклин Кларк сказал): "Hold up, Thora (держитесь, Тора). It's pretty beastly (это весьма ужасно; pretty — миловидный; значительный, изрядный), but it's no use shirking facts (но бесполезно уклоняться от фактов; to shirk — красться, подкрадываться; увиливать, уклоняться, избегать)."

proceed [pr@'si:d], hedge [hedZ], shirking ['S@:kIN]

Then, as though ashamed of his eagerness, he said in a more matter-of-fact tone: "This was my brother's evening walk. He came as far as here, then back up the path, and turning to the right instead of the left, went past the farm and across the fields back to the house."

We proceeded on our way till we came to a spot near the hedge, halfway across the field where the body had been found.

Crome nodded. "Easy enough. The man stood here in the shadow. Your brother would have noticed nothing till the blow fell." The girl at my side gave a quick shiver.

Franklin Clarke said: "Hold up, Thora. It's pretty beastly, but it's no use shirking facts."

Thora^[27] Grey (Тора Грей) — the name suited her (имя подходило ей).

We went back to the house (мы пошли назад в дом) where the body had been taken (куда доставили тело) after being photographed (после того как сфотографировали).

As we mounted the wide staircase (пока мы поднимались по широкой лестнице) the doctor came out of a room (доктор вышел из одной комнаты), black bag in hand (/с/ черной сумкой в руке).

"Anything to tell us, doctor?" inquired Clarke (что-нибудь скажете нам, доктор? — осведомился Кларк).

The doctor shook his head (доктор покачал головой). "Perfectly simple case (совершенно простой случай). I'll keep the technicalities for the inquest (я оставлю специальную терминологию для следствия). Anyway (в любом случае), he didn't suffer (он не страдал). Death must have been instantaneous (смерть, должно быть, была мгновенной)."

He moved away (он двинулся прочь). "I'll just go in and see Lady Clarke (я просто войду и проведаю леди Кларк)."

Thora ['TO:r@], mount [maUnt], staircase ['stE@keIs]

Thora Grey — the name suited her.

We went back to the house where the body had been taken after being photographed.

As we mounted the wide staircase the doctor came out of a room, black bag in hand.

"Anything to tell us, doctor?" inquired Clarke.

The doctor shook his head. "Perfectly simple case. I'll keep the technicalities for the inquest. Anyway, he didn't suffer. Death must have been instantaneous."

He moved away. "I'll just go in and see Lady Clarke."

A hospital nurse came out of a room further along the corridor (больничная сиделка вышла из комнаты /расположенной/ дальше по коридору; nurse — няня; сиделка; медицинская сестра) and the doctor joined her (и доктор присоединился к ней).

We went into the room (мы вошли в комнату) out of which the doctor had come (из которой вышел доктор).

I came out again rather quickly (я снова вышел достаточно быстро). Thora Grey was still standing at the head of the stairs (Тора Грей все еще стояла на верхней ступеньке: «на вершине лестницы»).

There was a queer scared expression on her face (было странное испуганное выражение на ее лице). "Miss Grey —" I stopped (я прервался). "Is anything the matter (в чем дело)?"

She looked at me (она посмотрела на меня). "I was thinking," she said (я думала) — "about D (о /букве/ «ди»)."

"About D?" I stared at her stupidly (о /букве/ «ди»? — я тупо уставился на нее).

"Yes (да). The next murder (следующее убийство). Something must be done (что-то должно быть сделано). It's got to be stopped (это нужно остановить: «это должно быть остановлено»)."

hospital ['hOspIt(@)l], nurse [n@:s], scare [skE@]

A hospital nurse came out of a room further along the corridor and the doctor joined her.

We went into the room out of which the doctor had come.

I came out again rather quickly. Thora Grey was still standing at the head of the stairs.

There was a queer scared expression on her face. "Miss Grey — " I stopped. "Is anything the matter?"

She looked at me. "I was thinking," she said — "about D."

"About D?" I stared at her stupidly.

"Yes. The next murder. Something must be done. It's got to be stopped."

Clarke came out of the room behind me (Кларк вышел из комнаты позади меня).

He said: "What's got to be stopped, Thora (что нужно остановить, Тора)?"

"These awful murders (эти ужасные убийства)."

"Yes." His jaw thrust itself out aggressively (его челюсть угрожающе выдвинулась вперед; to thrust — колоть; простираться). "I want to talk to M. Poirot sometime (я хочу как-нибудь поговорить с мсье Пуаро). Is Crome any good (от Кроума есть польза)?" He shot the words out unexpectedly (он неожиданно бросил эти слова).

I replied (я ответил) that he was supposed to be a very clever officer (что он считается очень умным/искусным/даровитым офицером; to suppose — предполагать). My voice was perhaps not as enthusiastic as it might have been (голос мой, возможно, не так /звучал/ энтузиазмом, как мог бы).

thrust [TrVst], aggressively [@g'resIvlI], officer ['OfIs@]

Clarke came out of the room behind me.

He said: "What's got to be stopped, Thora?"

"These awful murders."

"Yes." His jaw thrust itself out aggressively. "I want to talk to M. Poirot sometime. Is Crome any good?" He shot the words out unexpectedly.

I replied that he was supposed to be a very clever officer. My voice was perhaps not as enthusiastic as it might have been.

"He's got a damned offensive manner," said Clarke (у него чертовски неприятное: «оскорбительное» поведение; to offend — обижать, оскорблять). "Looks as though he knows everything (выглядит, как-будто он знает все) — and what does he know (а что он знает)? Nothing at all (совершенно ничего) as far as I can make out (насколько я могу понять; to make out — разобрать; различить, понять)."

He was silent for a minute or two (он молчал с минуту или две: «он был молчалив с минуту или две»). Then he said (затем он сказал): "M. Poirot's the man for my money (мсье Пуаро — это человек для моих денег). I've got a plan (у меня есть план). But we'll talk of that later (но мы поговорим об этом позже)."

He went along the passage (он прошел вдоль коридора) and tapped at the same door (и постучал в ту же дверь) as the doctor had entered (/в которую/ вошел доктор).

I hesitated a moment (я колебался с минуту). The girl was staring in front of her (девушка уставилась перед собой). "What are you thinking of, Miss Grey (о чем вы думаете, мисс Грей)?" She turned her eyes towards me (она перевела на меня взгляд: «она повернула ко мне глаза»).

money ['mVnI], tap [t&p], hesitate ['hezIteIt]

"He's got a damned offensive manner," said Clarke. "Looks as though he knows everything — and what does he know? Nothing at all as far as I can make out."

He was silent for a minute or two. Then he said: "M. Poirot's the man for my money. I've got a plan. But we'll talk of that later."

He went along the passage and tapped at the same door as the doctor had entered.

I hesitated a moment. The girl was staring in front of her. "What are you thinking of, Miss Grey?" She turned her eyes towards me.

"I'm wondering (мне интересно) where he is now (где он сейчас), the murderer (убийца), I mean (я имею в виду). It's not twelve hours yet (еще и двенадцати часов не прошло: «это еще не двенадцать часов») since it happened (с тех пор, как это произошло). Oh! aren't there any real clairvoyants (разве нет там каких-нибудь настоящих ясновидящих) who could see where he is now (которые могли бы увидеть, где он сейчас) and what he is doing (и что он делает) …?"

"The police are searching —" I began (полиция ищет, — начал я).

My commonplace words broke the spell (мои простые слова разбили чары). Thora Grey pulled herself together (Тора Грей собралась).

"Yes," she said. "Of course (конечно)."

In her turn she descended the staircase (в свою очередь она спустилась по лестнице). I stood there a moment longer (я стоял там минутой дольше) turning her words over in my mind (обдумывая ее слова: «переворачивая ее слова в моем уме»). A.B.C. Where was he now (где был он сейчас)?

clairvoyant [,klE@'vOI@nt], commonplace ['kOm@npleIs], descend [dI'send]

"I'm wondering where he is now, the murderer, I mean. It's not twelve hours yet since it happened … Oh! aren't there any real clairvoyants who could see where he is now and what he is doing?"

"The police are searching — " I began.

My commonplace words broke the spell. Thora Grey pulled herself together.

"Yes," she said. "Of course."

In her turn she descended the staircase. I stood there a moment longer turning her words over in my mind. A.B.C.. Where was he now?

XVI. (Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

(не из личного повествования капитана Гастингса)

Mr. Alexander Bonaparte Cust came out with the rest of the audience of the Torquay Pavilion (мистер Александр Бонапарт Каст вышел с остальной публикой из Торки Павильон), where he had been seeing and hearing that highly emotional film (где он смотрел и слушал этот очень эмоциональный фильм), Not a Sparrow^[28] (ни воробушек)…

He blinked a little (он поморгал немного) as he came out into the afternoon sunshine (когда вышел на полуденное солнце) and peered round him (и огляделся вокруг) in that lost-dog fashion (в той манере потерянной собаки) that was characteristic of him (которая была ему характерна).

He murmured to himself (он пробормотал про себя): "It's an idea (это мысль)."

Newsboys passed along crying out (мальчишки-газетчики проходили мимо, выкрикивая): "Latest (последние /известия/) … Homicidal Maniac at Churston (маньяк-убийца в Черстоне)…"

They carried placards (они несли плакаты) on which was written (на которых было написано): CHURSTON MURDER (черстонское убийство). LATEST (последние /известия/).

Mr. Cust fumbled in his pocket (мистер Каст пошарил в кармане), found a coin (нашел монетку), and bought a paper (и купил газету). He did not open it at once (он не открыл ее сразу).

Entering the Princess Gardens (войдя в Принцесс Гарденс), he slowly made his way to a shelter (он медленно проделал свой путь к беседке: «укрытию») facing Torquay harbour (обращенному к гавани Торки). He sat down and opened the paper (он сел и раскрыл газету).

audience ['O:dI@ns], placard ['pl&kA:d], fumble [fVmbl]

Mr. Alexander Bonaparte Cust came out with the rest of the audience of the Torquay Pavilion, where he had been seeing and hearing that highly emotional film, Not a Sparrow …

He blinked a little as he came out into the afternoon sunshine and peered round him in that lost-dog fashion that was characteristic of him.

He murmured to himself: "It's an idea."

Newsboys passed along crying out: "Latest … Homicidal Maniac at Churston."

They carried placards on which was written: CHURSTON MURDER. LATEST.

Mr. Cust fumbled in his pocket, found a coin, and bought a paper. He did not open it at once.

Entering the Princess Gardens, he slowly made his way to a shelter facing Torquay harbour. He sat down and opened the paper.

There were big headlines (там были большие заголовки):

SIR CARMICHAEL CLARKE MURDERED (сэр Кармайкл Кларк убит)

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AT CHURSTON (ужасная трагедия в Черстоне)

WORK OF A HOMICIDAL MANIAC (работа маньяка-убийцы)

And below them (а под ними):

Only a month ago England was shocked and startled by the murder of a young girl (только месяц назад Англия была потрясена и поражена убийством молодой девушки), Elizabeth Barnard (Элизабет Барнард), at Bexhill (в Бексхилле). It may be remembered (вы, возможно, помните: «это, возможно, помнят») that an A.B.C. railway guide figured in the case (что железнодорожный справочник «Эй-би-си» фигурировал в этом случае). An A.B.C. was also found by the dead body of Sir Carmichael Clarke («Эй-би-си» был также найден у мертвого тела сэра Кармайкла Кларка), and the police incline to the belief (и полиция склонна верить) that both crimes were committed by the same person (что оба преступления были совершены тем же человеком). Can it be possible (может ли это быть возможным) that a homicidal murderer is going the round of our seaside resorts (что маньяк-убийца разгуливает по нашим морским курортам)?

headline ['hedlaIn], startle [stA:tl], figure ['fIg@]

There were big headlines:

SIR CARMICHAEL CLARKE MURDERED

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AT CHURSTON

WORK OF A HOMICIDAL MANIAC

And below them:

Only a month ago England was shocked and startled by the murder of a young girl, Elizabeth Barnard, at Bexhill. It may be remembered that an A.B.C. railway guide figured in the case. An A.B.C. was also found by the dead body of Sir Carmichael Clarke, and the police incline to the belief that both crimes were committed by the same person. Can it be possible that a homicidal murderer is going the round of our seaside resorts?

A young man in flannel trousers (молодой человек во фланелевых брюках) and a bright blue aertex^[29] shirt (и ярко-голубой трикотажной рубашке) who was sitting beside Mr. Cust (который сидел рядом с мистером Кастом) remarked (заметил): "Nasty business — eh (отвратительное дело, да)?"

Mr. Cust jumped (мистер Каст подпрыгнул). "Oh, very (о, весьма) — very — "

His hands (его руки), the young man noticed (/как/ заметил молодой человек), were trembling so (дрожали так) that he could hardly hold the paper (что он едва мог держать газету).

"You never know with lunatics," said the young man chattily (вы никогда не знаете с лунатиками, — сказал молодой человек словоохотно). "They don't always look balmy (они не всегда выглядят придурковатыми; balmy — нежный, ароматный, благоуханный; глупый, придурковатый; balm — бальзам; благоухание), you know (знаете ли). Often they seem just the same as you or me (часто они кажутся такими же, как вы или как я) …"

trousers ['traUz@z], aertex ['E@t@ks], balmy ['bA:mI]

A young man in flannel trousers and a bright blue aertex shirt who was sitting beside Mr. Cust remarked: "Nasty business — eh?"

Mr. Cust jumped. "Oh, very — very — "

His hands, the young man noticed, were trembling so that he could hardly hold the paper.

"You never know with lunatics," said the young man chattily. "They don't always look balmy, you know. Often they seem just the same as you or me …"

"I suppose they do," said Mr. Cust (я полагаю, это так: «они /выглядят/»).

"It's a fact (это факт). Sometimes it's the war (иногда это война) what unhinged them (что лишает их душевного равновесия; to unhinge — отпирать; выбивать из колеи, лишать душевного равновесия) — never been right since (с тех пор никогда /не бывают/ в порядке)."

"I — I expect you're right (я полагаю, вы правы)."

"I don't hold with wars," said the young man (я не одобряю войн, — сказал молодой человек; to hold with — соглашаться, одобрять).

His companion turned on him (его собеседник повернулся к нему; companion — товарищ; случайный сосед; собеседник). "I don't hold with plague (я не одобряю чуму) and sleeping sickness^[30] (и сонную болезнь) and famine (и голод) and cancer (и рак) … but they happen all the same (но они все равно происходят)!"

unhinge [Vn'hIndZ], plague [pleIg], famine ['f&mIn]

"I suppose they do," said Mr. Cust.

"It's a fact. Sometimes it's the war what unhinged them — never been right since."

"I — I expect you're right."

"I don't hold with wars," said the young man.

His companion turned on him. "I don't hold with plague and sleeping sickness and famine and cancer … but they happen all the same!"

"War's preventable," said the young man with assurance (война предотвратима, — сказал молодой человек с уверенностью; to prevent).

Mr. Cust laughed (мистер Каст засмеялся). He laughed for some time (он смеялся некоторое время). The young man was slightly alarmed (молодой человек был слегка обеспокоен).

"He's a bit batty himself," he thought (он сам слегка тронутый, — подумал он).

Aloud he said (вслух он сказал): "Sorry, sir (простите, сэр), I expect (я полагаю) you were in the war (вы были на войне)."

"I was," said Mr. Cust (я был). "It (это) — it — unsettled me (выбило меня из колеи; to settle — поселиться; усаживаться; приводить в порядок). My head's never been right since (моя голова никогда не была в порядке с тех пор). It aches (она болит), you know (вы знаете). Aches terribly (ужасно болит)."

"Oh! I'm sorry about that," said the young man awkwardly (мне так жаль, что это /так/, — неловко = с чувством неловкости сказал молодой человек; awkward — неуклюжий, неловкий /о людях, движениях и т. п./; неудобный; затруднительный, неловкий).

preventable [prI'vent(@)bl], unsettle [Vn'setl], awkwardly ['O:kw@dlI]

"War's preventable," said the young man with assurance.

Mr. Cust laughed. He laughed for some time. The young man was slightly alarmed.

"He's a bit batty himself," he thought.

Aloud he said: "Sorry, sir, I expect you were in the war."

"I was," said Mr. Cust. "It — it — unsettled me. My head's never been right since. It aches, you know. Aches terribly."

"Oh! I'm sorry about that," said the young man awkwardly.

"Sometimes I hardly know (иногда я едва знаю) what I'm doing (что я делаю)."

"Really (действительно)? Well, I must be getting along," said the young man (ну, я должен уходить) and removed himself hurriedly (и быстро удалился). He knew (он знал) what people were (какими /становились/ люди) once they began to talk about their health (как только они начинали говорить о своем здоровье).

Mr. Cust remained with his paper (мистер Каст остался со своей газетой).

He read and reread. (он читал и перечитывал).

People passed to and fro in front of him (люди ходили туда и обратно перед ним). Most of them were talking of the murder (большинство из них говорили об убийстве) …

"Awful (ужасно) … do you think (вы думаете) it was anything to do with the Chinese (это имело какое-то отношение к китайцам)? Wasn't the waitress in a Chinese caf (не была /ли/ официантка в китайском ресторане)?"

hurriedly ['hVrI@dlI], fro [fr@U], Chinese ['tSaI'ni:z]

"Sometimes I hardly know what I'm doing …"

"Really? Well, I must be getting along," said the young man and removed himself hurriedly. He knew what people were once they began to talk about their health.

Mr. Cust remained with his paper.

He read and reread …

People passed to and fro in front of him. Most of them were talking of the murder.

"Awful … do you think it was anything to do with the Chinese? Wasn't the waitress in a Chinese caf?"

"Actually on the golf links (действительно на поле для гольфа) …"

"I heard (я слышал) it was on the beach (это было на пляже)."

" — but, darling (но, дорогая), we took out tea to Elbury only yesterday (мы выезжали /пить/ чай в Элбери только вчера; to take out — выносить; выезжать) …"

" — police are sure to get him (полиция, наверняка, поймает его) …"

" — say he may be arrested any minute now (говорят, что его могут арестовать в любую минуту) …"

" — quite likely he's in Torquay (вполне вероятно, что он в Торки) … that other woman was who murdered (другая женщина, которая была убита) the what do you call 'ems (как вы называете их)…"

darling ['dA:lIN], actually ['&ktSU@lI], sure [SU@]

"Actually on the golf links …"

"I heard it was on the beach …"

" — but, darling, we took out tea to Elbury only yesterday …"

" — police are sure to get him …"

" — say he may be arrested any minute now …"

" — quite likely he's in Torquay … that other woman was who murdered the what do you call 'ems …"

Mr. Cust folded up the paper very neatly (мистер Каст очень аккуратно свернул газету) and laid it on the seat (и положил ее на сиденье). Then he rose and walked sedately along towards the town (затем он поднялся и спокойно пошел по направлению в город; sedately — степенно, спокойно, уравновешенно).

Girls passed him (девушки шли мимо него), girls in white (девушки в белом) and pink (в розовом) and blue (и голубом), in summery frocks (в летних платьях) and pyjamas (и пижамах) and shorts (и шортах). They laughed and giggled (они смеялись и хихикали). Their eyes appraised the men (их глаза оценивали мужчин) they passed (мимо /которых/ они проходили).

Not once did their eyes linger for a second on Mr. Cust (ни разу их глаза не задержались на мистере Касте; to linger — засиживаться; задерживаться).

He sat down at a little table (он сел за маленький столик) and ordered tea (и заказал чай) and Devonshire cream^[31] (и девонширские сливки) …

sedately [sI'deItlI], gggle ['gIgl], linger ['lINg@]

Mr. Cust folded up the paper very neatly and laid it on the seat. Then he rose and walked sedately along towards the town.