Убийства по алфавиту Кристи Агата

Poirot returned the letter. "I can assure you," he said, smiling, "that I never permit myself to get false impressions from anything anyone tells me. I form my own judgments."

"Well," said Clarke, stowing away the letter (убирая письмо прочь; to stow — складывать, укладывать), "I'm glad I showed it to you anyway (я рад, что я показал вам его в любом случае). Here come the girls (вот идут девушки). We'd better be off (нам лучше выходить)."

As we left the room (когда мы вышли из комнаты), Poirot called me back (Пуаро позвал меня назад). "You are determined to accompany the expedition, Hastings (вы намерены сопровождать экспедицию, Гастингс)?"

"Oh, yes. I shouldn't be happy staying here inactive (я не буду счастлив, оставаясь здесь бездействующим)."

"There is activity of mind as well as body, Hastings (существует активность ума, равно как и тела, Гастингс)."

"Well, you're better at it than I am," I said (ну, у вас это лучше получается, чем у меня).

"You are incontestably right, Hastings (вы бесспорно правы, Гастингс; contest — дискуссия, спор; to contest — опровергать, оспаривать; ожесточенно спорить). Am I correct in supposing (прав ли я в предположении) that you intend to be a cavalier to one of the ladies (что вы намереваетесь стать кавалером одной из дам)?"

stow [st@U], incontestably [,Ink@n'tenstIblI], cavalier [,k&v@'lI@]

"Well," said Clarke, stowing away the letter, "I'm glad I showed it to you anyway. Here come the girls. We'd better be off."

As we left the room, Poirot called me back. "You are determined to accompany the expedition, Hastings?"

"Oh, yes. I shouldn't be happy staying here inactive."

"There is activity of mind as well as body, Hastings."

"Well, you're better at it than I am," I said.

"You are incontestably right, Hastings. Am I correct in supposing that you intend to be a cavalier to one of the ladies?"

"That was the idea (так я и планировал)."

"And which lady did you propose to honour with your company (и которой из дам вы предложите честь вашей компании)?"

"Well — I — er — hadn't considered yet (еще не решил)."

"What about Miss Barnard (как насчет мисс Барнард)?"

"She's rather the independent type," I demurred (она достаточно независимый тип, — возразил я).

"Miss Grey (мисс Грей)?"

"Yes. She's better (она лучше)."

honour ['O:n@], independent [,Ind@'pend@nt], propose [pr@'p@Uz]

"That was the idea."

"And which lady did you propose to honour with your company?"

"Well — I — er — hadn't considered yet."

"What about Miss Barnard?"

"She's rather the independent type," I demurred.

"Miss Grey?"

"Yes. She's better."

"I find you, Hastings (я нахожу, что вы, Гастингс), singularly though transparently honest (необычайно, хотя и прозрачно честны; singularly — особенно, необычно; transparent — прозрачный, просвечивающий)! All along you had made up your mind to spend the day with your blonde angel (с самого начала вы решили провести день с вашим белокурым ангелом; to make up one's mind — принять решение, решить)!"

"Oh, really, Poirot (о, действительно, Пуаро)!"

"I am sorry to upset your plans (мне жаль расстраивать ваши планы), but I must request you to give your escort elsewhere (но я должен попросить вас предложить сопровождение кому-то еще)."

"Oh, all right (о, хорошо). I think you've got a weakness for that Dutch doll of a girl (я думаю, у вас есть слабость к этой девушке, /похожей на/ голландскую куклу)."

"The person you are to escort is Mary Drower (человек, которого вы должны сопровождать, это Мэри Дроуер) — and I must request you not to leave her (и я должен просить вас не покидать ее)."

"But, Poirot, why (но, Пуаро, почему)?"

"Because, my dear friend (потому, мой дорогой друг), her name begins with a D (что ее имя начинается с /буквы/ «ди»). We must take no chances (мы не должны рисковать)."

singularly ['sINgjUl@lI], transparently [tr&ns'pE@r@nt], request [rI'kwest]

"I find you, Hastings, singularly though transparently honest! All along you had made up your mind to spend the day with your blonde angel!"

"Oh, really, Poirot!"

"I am sorry to upset your plans, but I must request you to give your escort elsewhere."

"Oh, all right. I think you've got a weakness for that Dutch doll of a girl."

"The person you are to escort is Mary Drower — and I must request you not to leave her."

"But, Poirot, why?"

"Because, my dear friend, her name begins with a D. We must take no chances."

I saw the justice of his remark (я понял справедливость его замечания). At first it seemed far-fetched (сначала оно показалось надуманным; far-fetched — привезенный издалека; натянутый, неестественный). But then I realized (но затем я понял) that if A.B.C. had a fanatical hatred of Poirot (что если у Эй-би-си была фанатическая ненависть к Пуаро), he might very well be keeping himself informed of Poirot's movements (он, вполне вероятно, держит себя в курсе передвижений Пуаро). And in that case (и в этом случае) the elimination of Mary Drower might strike him (уничтожение Мэри Дроуер может поразить его) as a very neat fourth stroke (как очень ловкий четвертый удар; neat — аккуратный; ловкий).

I promised to be faithful to my trust (я пообещал быть верным моей опеке = пристально следить за тем, что мне доверили).

I went out (я вышел) leaving Poirot sitting in a chair near the window (оставив Пуаро сидеть в кресле у окна). In front of him was a little roulette wheel (перед ним было маленькое колесо рулетки). He spun it (он повернул его; to spin — прясть, сучить /шерсть/; плести /о пауке/; крутить/ся/, вертеть/ся/) as I went out of the door (когда я выходил из двери) and called after me (и крикнул мне вслед): "Rouge (красное) — that is a good omen, Hastings (это хороший знак, Гастингс). The luck (удача/фортуна), it turns (она изменяется; omen — знак, знамение, предзнаменование, примета)!"

far-fetched [,fA:'fetSt], fanatical [f@'n&tIk@l], omen ['@Um@n]

I saw the justice of his remark. At first it seemed far-fetched. But then I realized that if A.B.C. had a fanatical hatred of Poirot, he might very well be keeping himself informed of Poirot's movements. And in that case the elimination of Mary Drower might strike him as a very neat fourth stroke.

I promised to be faithful to my trust.

I went out leaving Poirot sitting in a chair near the window. In front of him was a little roulette wheel. He spun it as I went out of the door and called after me: "Rouge — that is a good omen, Hastings. The luck, it turns!"

XXIV. (Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

(Не из личного повествования капитана Гастингса)

Below his breath (шепотом) Mr. Leadbetter uttered a grunt of impatience (мистер Ледбеттер издал нетерпеливое ворчание; to grunt — ворчать; хрюкать; издать неопределенный звук) as his next-door neighbour got up (когда его ближайший сосед встал) and stumbled clumsily past him (и неловко спотыкнулся рядом с ним: «/проходя/ мимо него»; to stumble — спотыкаться; идти спотыкаясь), dropping his hat over the seat in front (роняя свою шляпу через сидение впереди), and leaning over to retrieve it (и наклоняясь, чтобы достать ее; to retrieve — доставать, вынимать).

All this at the culminating moment of Not a Sparrow (все это в кульминационный момент /фильма/ «Ни воробушек»), that all-star (той с /участием/ звезд: «той всезвездной»), thrilling drama of pathos and beauty (захватывающей драмы пафоса и красоты) that Mr. Leadbetter had been looking forward to seeing for a whole week (просмотра которой мистер Ледбеттер ждал с нетерпением целую неделю; to look forward to — ждать с нетерпением).

The golden-haired heroine (золотоволосая героиня), played by Katherine Royal^[40] (/которую/ играла Катрин Ройал) (in Mr. Leadbetter's opinion (по мнению мистера Ледбеттера) the leading film actress in the world (ведущая киноактриса в мире)), was just giving vent to a hoarse cry of indignation (давала выход хриплому крику негодования; vent — отдушина):

next-door ['neks(t)'dO:], retrieve [rI'tri:v], heroine ['her@UIn]

Below his breath Mr. Leadbetter uttered a grunt of impatience as his next-door neighbour got up and stumbled clumsily past him, dropping his hat over the seat in front, and leaning over to retrieve it.

All this at the culminating moment of Not a Sparrow, that all-star, thrilling drama of pathos and beauty that Mr. Leadbetter had been looking forward to seeing for a whole week.

The golden-haired heroine, played by Katherine Royal (in Mr. Leadbetter's opinion the leading film actress in the world), was just giving vent to a hoarse cry of indignation:

"Never (никогда). I would sooner starve (я скорее умру от голода; to starve — умирать от голода, голодать). But I shan't starve (но я не умру /от голода/). Remember those words (запомните эти слова): not a sparrow falls (ни воробушек /не/ падет) — "

Mr. Leadbetter moved his head irritably from right to left (мистер Ледбеттер раздраженно покачал головой: «повернул головой справа налево»). People (люди)! Why on earth (с какой стати/какого дьявола: «почему на земле») people couldn't wait till the end of a film (люди не могут подождать до конца фильма) … And to leave at this soul-stirring moment (а уходить в этот душераздирающий момент: «волнующий душу момент»).

Ah, that was better (а, это было лучше). The annoying gentleman had passed on and out (досаждающий джентльмен прошел мимо и наружу). Mr. Leadbetter had a full view of the screen (у мистера Ледбеттера был полный обзор экрана) and of Katherine Royal standing by the window in the Van Schreiner Mansion in New York (и Катрин Ройал, стоящей у окна в Ван-Шрайнер Мэншэн в Нью-Йорке).

starve [stA:v], soul-stirring ['s@Ul'st@:rIN], screen [skri:n]

"Never. I would sooner starve. But I shan't starve. Remember those words: not a sparrow falls — "

Mr. Leadbetter moved his head irritably from right to left. People! Why on earth people couldn't wait till the end of a film … And to leave at this soul-stirring moment.

Ah, that was better. The annoying gentleman had passed on and out. Mr. Leadbetter had a full view of the screen and of Katherine Royal standing by the window in the Van Schreiner Mansion in New York.

And now she was boarding the train (а теперь она садилась на поезд; to board — садиться в поезд, трамвай /и любой другой вид транспорта/) — the child in her arms (/с/ ребенком на руках) … What curious trains they had in America (какие необычные: «любопытные» у них поезда в Америке) — not at all like English trains (совсем непохожие на английские поезда).

Ah, there was Steve again in his shack in the mountains (а, там снова был Стив в своей хижине в горах; shack — лачуга, хижина) …

The film pursued its course to its emotional and semi-religious end (фильм следовал своим курсом до своего эмоционального и полурелигиозного конца). Mr. Leadbetter breathed a sigh of satisfaction (мистер Ледбеттер с удовлетворением вздохнул: «дохнул вздох удовлетворения») as the lights went up (когда зажглись огни; to go up — всходить; зажигаться).

He rose slowly to his feet (он медленно поднялся на ноги), blinking a little (слегка моргая).

board [bO:d], shack [S&k], semi-religious ['semIrI'lIdZ@s]

And now she was boarding the train — the child in her arms … What curious trains they had in America — not at all like English trains.

Ah, there was Steve again in his shack in the mountains …

The film pursued its course to its emotional and semi-religious end. Mr. Leadbetter breathed a sigh of satisfaction as the lights went up.

He rose slowly to his feet, blinking a little.

He never left the cinema very quickly (он никогда не выходил из кинотеатра очень быстро). It always took him a moment or two (всегда занимало у него мгновение или два) to return to the prosaic reality of everyday life (чтобы вернуться к прозаической реальности ежедневной жизни). He glanced round (он посмотрел вокруг). Not many people this afternoon (не много людей этим днем) — naturally (естественно). They were all at the races (они были все на скачках). Mr. Leadbetter did not approve of racing (мистер Ледбеттер не одобрял скачки) or of playing cards (или игру в карты) or of drinking (или выпивку) or of smoking (или курение). This left him more energy to enjoy going to the pictures (это оставляло ему больше энергии, /чтобы/ наслаждаться походом в кино).

Everyone was hurrying towards the exit (все торопились по направлению к выходу) Mr. Leadbetter prepared to follow suit (мистер Ледбеттер приготовился последовать за всеми; suit — свита, эскорт, кортеж). The man in the seat in front of him was asleep (человек на сидении перед ним спал: «был уснувшим») — slumped down in his chair (сползши вниз по креслу; to slump — резко падать; сползать). Mr. Leadbetter felt indignant to think (мистер Ледбеттер чувствовал негодование, думая) that anyone could sleep with such a drama as Not a Sparrow going on (что кто-то мог спать, /пока/ идет такая драма как «Ни воробушек»).

prosaic [pr@U'zeIIk], slump [slVmp], sparrow ['sp&r@U]

He never left the cinema very quickly. It always took him a moment or two to return to the prosaic reality of everyday life. He glanced round. Not many people this afternoon — naturally. They were all at the races. Mr. Leadbetter did not approve of racing or of playing cards or of drinking or of smoking. This left him more energy to enjoy going to the pictures.

Everyone was hurrying towards the exit. Mr. Leadbetter prepared to follow suit. The man in the seat in front of him was asleep — slumped down in his chair. Mr. Leadbetter felt indignant to think that anyone could sleep with such a drama as Not a Sparrow going on.

An irate gentleman was saying to the sleeping man (разгневанный джентльмен говорил спящему человеку) whose legs were stretched out blocking the way (чьи ноги были вытянуты, перегородив дорогу): "Excuse me, sir (извините меня, сэр)."

Mr. Leadbetter reached the exit (мистер Ледбеттер достиг выхода). He looked back (он посмотрел назад). There seemed to be some sort of commotion (там, казалось, была какая-то суета; commotion — беспорядки; суета). A commissionaire (контролер; commissionaire — швейцар; контролер, билетер /в театре, кинотеатре/) … a little knot of people (небольшая группа людей; knot — узел; группа) Perhaps that man in front of him was dead drunk (возможно, что человек впереди него был смертельно пьян) and not asleep (а не спал) … He hesitated (он поколебался) and then passed out (а затем вышел наружу) — and in so doing (и делая так) missed the sensation of the day (пропустил сенсацию дня) — a greater sensation even (даже большую сенсацию) than Not Half winning the St. Leger at 85 to 1 (чем /лошадь/ Нот Хаф, победившая в Сент-Леджере при восьмидесяти пяти к одному; not half — не половина; вовсе не; еще как!).

commotion [k@'m@US(@)n], commissionaire [k@,mIS@'nE@], sensation [s@n'seIS(@)n]

An irate gentleman was saying to the sleeping man whose legs were stretched out blocking the way: "Excuse me, sir."

Mr. Leadbetter reached the exit. He looked back. There seemed to be some sort of commotion. A commissionaire … a little knot of people. Perhaps that man in front of him was dead drunk and not asleep … He hesitated and then passed out — and in so doing missed the sensation of the day — a greater sensation even than Not Half winning the St. Leger at 85 to 1.

The commissionaire was saying (контролер говорил): "Believe you're right, sir (полагаю, вы правы, сэр) … He's ill (он болен). Why (так) — what's the matter, sir (в чем дело, сэр)?"

The other had drawn away his hand with an exclamation (другой с восклицанием отдернул свою руку; to draw away — уводить; отвлекать) and was examining a red sticky smear (и изучал красное липкое пятно; smear — (грязное) пятно).

"Blood (кровь) …"

The commissionaire gave a stifled exclamation (контролер издал приглушенное восклицание). He had caught sight of the corner of something yellow (он заметил уголок чего-то желтого) projecting from under the seat (выглядывающего из-под сидения; to project — проектировать; вырисовываться на фоне /чего-л./).

"Gor blimey!" he said (Бог ты мой, — сказал он; blimey — чтоб мне провалиться!, иди ты!; Gor blimey = God blind /or blame/ me! — да ослепит /или осудит/ меня Бог). "It is ab — A.B.C. (это /железнодорожный справочник/ «Эй-би-си»)."

exclamation [,@kskl@'meIS(@)n], smear [smI@], project v. [pr@'dZekt]

The commissionaire was saying: "Believe you're right, sir … He's ill. Why — what's the matter, sir?"

The other had drawn away his hand with an exclamation and was examining a red sticky smear.

"Blood …"

The commissionaire gave a stifled exclamation. He had caught sight of the corner of something yellow projecting from under the seat.

"Gor blimey!" he said. " It is ab — A.B.C."

XXV. (Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

(не из личного повествования капитана Гастингса)

Mr. Cust came out of the Regal Cinema (мистер Каст вышел из кинотеатра «Регал»; regal — королевский) and looked up at the sky (и посмотрел вверх на небо).

A beautiful evening (прекрасный вечер) … A really beautiful evening (действительно прекрасный вечер) …

A quotation from Browning^[41] came into his head (цитата из Браунинга пришла ему в голову).

"God's in His heaven (Бог на небесах Своих; heaven — небеса, небо). All's right with the world (все хорошо в мире)."

He had always been fond of that quotation (ему всегда нравилась эта цитата).

Only there were times (только/однако были времена), very often (очень часто), when he had felt it wasn't true (когда он чувствовал, что это не было правдой).

regal ['ri:g(@)l], quotation [kw@U'teIS(@)n], heaven [hevn]

Mr. Cust came out of the Regal Cinema and looked up at the sky.

A beautiful evening … A really beautiful evening …

A quotation from Browning came into his head.

"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world."

He had always been fond of that quotation. Only there were times, very often, when he had felt it wasn't true.

He trotted along the street (он поспешил вниз по улице; to trot — идти рысью; спешить) smiling to himself (улыбаясь самому себе) until he came to the Black Swan (пока он не дошел до /гостиницы/ «Черный лебедь») where he was staying (где он остановился). He climbed the stairs to his bedroom (он взобрался по ступенькам в спальню), a stuffy little room on the second floor (душную маленькую комнату на третьем этаже; second floor — третий этаж; амер. второй этаж), giving over a paved inner court and garage (выходящую на мощеный внутренний двор и гараж).

As he entered the room (когда он вошел в комнату), his smile faded suddenly (его улыбка неожиданно увяла). There was a stain on his sleeve near the cuff (было пятно на его рукаве возле манжеты). He touched it tentatively (он осторожно прикоснулся к нему; tentatively — предварительно; неуверенно, осторожно) — wet and red (влажное и красное) — blood (кровь) …

swan [swOn], stuffy ['stVfI], garage ['g&rA:Z]

He trotted along the street smiling to himself until he came to the Black Swan where he was staying. He climbed the stairs to his bedroom, a stuffy little room on the second floor, giving over a paved inner court and garage.

As he entered the room, his smile faded suddenly. There was a stain on his sleeve near the cuff. He touched it tentatively — wet and red — blood …

His hand dipped into his pocket (его рука опустилась в карман; to dip — макать; опускаться) and brought out something (и вынула что-то) — a long (длинный), slender knife (узкий нож; slender — стройный; тонкий, узкий (о предметах)). The blade of that, too, was sticky and red (лезвие его тоже было липким и красным) …

Mr. Cust sat there a long time (мистер Каст сидел там долгое время).

Once his eyes shot round the room (один раз его глаза оглядели комнату; to shoot) like those of a hunted animal (как /глаза/ затравленного зверя; to hunt — охотиться; травить /зверя/). His tongue passed feverishly over his lips (его язык лихорадочно провел по губам; fever — лихорадка) …

"It isn't my fault," said Mr. Cust (это не моя вина).

He sounded as though he were arguing with somebody (он звучал /так/, как будто спорил с кем-то) — a schoolboy pleading to his schoolmaster (школьник, умоляющий своего учителя; to plead — просить, умолять).

He passed his tongue over his lips again (он снова провел языком по губам) …

knife [naIf], fault [fO:lt], plead [pli:d]

His hand dipped into his pocket and brought out something — a long, slender knife. The blade of that, too, was sticky and red …

Mr. Cust sat there a long time.

Once his eyes shot round the room like those of a hunted animal. His tongue passed feverishly over his lips …

"It isn't my fault," said Mr. Cust.

He sounded as though he were arguing with somebody — a schoolboy pleading to his schoolmaster.

He passed his tongue over his lips again …

Again (снова), tentatively (осторожно; tentatively — неуверенно, осторожно, с сомнением), he felt his coat sleeve (он пощупал рукав пальто).

His eyes crossed the room to the washbasin (его взгляд пересек комнату, /остановившись/ на рукомойнике: «его глаза пересекли комнату до рукомойника»; washbasin — /умывальный/ таз, раковина).

A minute later (минуту спустя) he was pouring out water from the old-fashioned jug into the basin (он наливал воду в таз из старомодного кувшина). Removing his coat (сняв пальто), he rinsed the sleeve (он прополоскал рукав), carefully squeezing it out (тщательно выжимая его; to squeeze — сжимать).

Ugh (ух)! The water was red now (вода теперь была красная).

A tap on the door (/раздался/ стук в дверь).

He stood there frozen into immobility (он замер: «он стоял там, замерший до неподвижности»; mobile — подвижной, мобильный) — staring (уставившись /на дверь/).

washbasin ['wOSbeIsIn], jug [dZVg], squeeze [skwi:z]

Again, tentatively, he felt his coat sleeve.

His eyes crossed the room to the washbasin.

A minute later he was pouring out water from the old-fashioned jug into the basin. Removing his coat, he rinsed the sleeve, carefully squeezing it out …

Ugh! The water was red now …

A tap on the door.

He stood there frozen into immobility — staring.

The door opened (дверь открылась). A plump young woman (пухленькая молодая женщина /вошла/) — jug in hand (/с/ кувшином в руке).

"Oh, excuse me, sir (о, извините меня, сэр). Your hot water, sir (ваша горячая вода, сэр)."

He managed to speak then (тогда ему удалось заговорить).

"Thank you (благодарю вас). I've washed in cold (я /уже/ умылся в холодной)."

Why had he said that (зачем он сказал это)? Immediately her eyes went to the basin (немедленно ее взгляд перешел к тазу).

He said frenziedly (он взбешенно сказал; frenzy — безумие, бешенство; неистовство): "I (я) — I've cut my hand (я порезал руку) …"

There was a pause (была пауза) — yes, surely a very long pause (да, несомненно очень долгая пауза) — before she said (прежде чем она сказала): "Yes, sir (да, сэр)."

plump [plVmp], immediately [I'mi:dj@tlI], frenziedly ['frenzIdlI]

The door opened. A plump young woman — jug in hand.

"Oh, excuse me, sir. Your hot water, sir."

He managed to speak then.

Thank you. I've washed in cold."

Why had he said that? Immediately her eyes went to the basin.

He said frenziedly: "I — I've cut my hand …"

There was a pause — yes, surely a very long pause — before she said: "Yes, sir."

She went out (она вышла), shutting the door (закрывая /за собой/ дверь).

Mr. Cust stood (мистер Каст стоял) as though turned to stone (как будто превратившись в камень).

It had come (оно настало) — at last (наконец) …

He listened (он прислушался).

Were there voices (были /ли/ там голоса) — exclamations (восклицания) — feet mounting the stairs (шаги, поднимающиеся по ступенькам)?

He could hear nothing (он /не/ смог услышать ничего) but the beating of his own heart (кроме биения своего собственного сердца) …

Then (затем), suddenly (неожиданно), from frozen immobility he leaped into activity (от застывшей неподвижности он резко перешел к активности; to leap — прыгать; бросаться делать).

stood [stUd], beating ['bi:tIN], immobility [,Im@U'bIlItI]

She went out, shutting the door.

Mr. Cust stood as though turned to stone.

It had come — at last …

He listened.

Were there voices — exclamations — feet mounting the stairs?

He could hear nothing but the beating of his own heart …

Then, suddenly, from frozen immobility he leaped into activity.

He slipped on his coat (он скользнул в пальто), tiptoed to the door (прошел на цыпочках к двери) and opened it (и открыл ее). No noise as yet (никакого шума пока) except the familiar murmur (кроме знакомого бормотания) arising from the bar (поднимающегося из бара). He crept down the stairs (он сполз вниз по ступеням; to creep — ползти; пробираться) …

Still no one (все еще никого). That was luck (это была удача). He paused at the foot of the stairs (он остановился у подножья ступенек). Which way now (каким путем сейчас)?

He made up his mind (он решился), darted quickly along a passage (припустив быстро вдоль коридора; to dart — кинуться, рвануть; dart — стрела /арбалетная/; дротик) and out by the door (и наружу через дверь) that gave into the yard (которая открывалась во двор). A couple of chauffeurs were there tinkering with cars (там была пара шоферов, чинивших машины; to tinker — лудить; чинить кое-как, на скорую руку) and discussing winners and losers (и обсуждающих победителей и проигравших).

dart [dA:t], chauffeur ['S@Uf@], tinker ['tINk@]

He slipped on his coat, tiptoed to the door and opened it. No noise as yet except the familiar murmur arising from the bar. He crept down the stairs …

Still no one. That was luck. He paused at the foot of the stairs. Which way now?

He made up his mind, darted quickly along a passage and out by the door that gave into the yard. A couple of chauffeurs were there tinkering with cars and discussing winners and losers.

Mr. Cust hurried across the yard and out into the street (мистер Каст заторопился через двор и наружу на улицу).

Round the first corner to the right (за первый поворот направо; round — вокруг, кругом, за) — then to the left (затем налево) — right again (снова направо) …

Dare he risk the station (смел ли он рискнуть /пойти/ на станцию)?

Yes — there would be crowds there (да — там будут толпы /людей/) — special trains (дополнительные поезда: «специальные поезда») — if luck were on his side (если бы удача была на его стороне) he would do it all right (он бы все сделал правильно) …

If only luck were with him (если бы только удача была с ним) …

dare [dE@], round [raUnd], crowd [kraUd]

Mr. Cust hurried across the yard and out into the street.

Round the first corner to the right — then to the left — right again …

Dare he risk the station?

Yes — there would be crowds there — special trains — if luck were on his side he would do it all right …

If only luck were with him …

XXVI. (Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

(не из личного повествования капитана Гастингса)

Inspector Crome was listening to the excited utterances of Mr. Leadbetter (инспектор Кроум слушал взволнованные высказывания мистера Ледбеттера).

"I assure you, inspector (я уверяю вас, инспектор), my heart misses a beat (мое сердце замирает: «мое сердце пропускает один стук») when I think of it (когда я думаю об этом). He must actually have been sitting beside me all through the programme (он, вероятно, действительно сидел рядом со мной на протяжении всего сеанса; programme — программа; спектакль)!"

Inspector Crome (инспектор Кроум), completely indifferent to the behaviour of Mr. Leadbetter's heart (совершенно равнодушный к поведению сердца мистера Ледбеттера; to behave — вести себя, поступать, держаться), said: "Just let me have it quite clear (просто дайте: «позвольте» мне понять это четко). This man went out towards the close of the big picture (этот человек вышел ближе к концу фильма: «широкоэкранной картины»; big — большой, широкий; как часть составных слов с этим значением) — "

"Not a Sparrow («Ни воробушек») — Katherine Royal (/с/ Катрин Ройал)," murmured Mr. Leadbetter automatically (пробормотал мистер Ледбеттер автоматически).

"He passed you (он прошел мимо вас) and in doing so stumbled (и делая это, спотыкнулся) — "

programme ['prOgr@m], completely [k@m'pli:tlI], picture ['pIktS@]

Inspector Crome was listening to the excited utterances of Mr. Leadbetter.

"I assure you, inspector, my heart misses a beat when I think of it. He must actually have been sitting beside me all through the programme!"

Inspector Crome, completely indifferent to the behaviour of Mr. Leadbetter's heart, said: "Just let me have it quite clear. This man went out towards the close of the big picture — "

"Not a Sparrow — Katherine Royal," murmured Mr. Leadbetter automatically.

"He passed you and in doing so stumbled — "