Убийства по алфавиту Кристи Агата

"After all, he's not a reasonable human being," remarked the inspector. "Anyway, it occurred to me that he might just possibly have brought it back to the house and then realized the danger of hiding it (as M. Poirot points out) in his room, and have looked about elsewhere. What place in the house would he be likely to select? I got it straightaway. The hall stand — no one ever moves a hall stand. With a lot of trouble I got it moved out from the wall — and there it was!"

"The knife (/тот/ нож)?"

''The knife. Not a doubt of it (никакого сомнения в этом). The dried blood's still on it (засохшая кровь все еще на нем)."

"Good work, Crome," said the A.C. approvingly (хорошая работа, Кроум, — одобрительно сказал заместитель комиссара). "We only need one thing more now (нам теперь нужна только еще одна вещь)."

"What's that (что это)?"

"The man himself (сам /этот/ человек)."

"We'll get him, sir (мы возьмем его, сэр). Never fear (не волнуйтесь: «вовсе не опасайтесь»)."

The inspector's tone was confident (тон инспектора был уверенным).

"What do you say, M. Poirot (что вы скажете, мсье Пуаро)?"

approvingly [@'pru:vINlI], confident ['kOnfId@nt], fear [fI@]

"The knife?"

''The knife. Not a doubt of it. The dried blood's still on it."

"Good work, Crome," said the A.C. approvingly. "We only need one thing more now."

"What's that?"

"The man himself."

"We'll get him, sir. Never fear."

The inspector's tone was confident.

"What do you say, M. Poirot?"

Poirot started out of a reverie (Пуаро вышел из задумчивости; reverie — задумчивость, мечтательность).

"I beg your pardon (я прошу прощения)?"

"We were saying (мы говорили) that it was only a matter of time (что это только дело времени) before we get our man (прежде чем мы возьмем нашего человека). Do you agree (вы согласны)?"

"Oh, that (о, это) — yes. Without a doubt (без сомнения)." His tone was so abstracted (его тон был таким рассеянным) that the others looked at him curiously (что остальные посмотрели на него с любопытством).

"Is there anything worrying you, M. Poirot (что-то беспокоит вас, мсье Пуаро)?"

"There is something that worries me very much (есть нечто, что беспокоит меня очень сильно). It is the why (это «почему»)? The motive (мотив)?"

"But, my dear fellow (но, дорогой мой друг), the man's crazy," said the Assistant Commissioner impatiently (этот человек — сумасшедший, — нетерпеливо сказал заместитель комиссара).

reverie ['rev@rI], pardon ['pA:d@n], abstracted [&b'str&ktId]

Poirot started out of a reverie.

"I beg your pardon?"

"We were saying that it was only a matter of time before we get our man. Do you agree?"

"Oh, that — yes. Without a doubt." His tone was so abstracted that the others looked at him curiously.

"Is there anything worrying you, M. Poirot?"

"There is something that worries me very much. It is the why? The motive?"

"But, my dear fellow, the man's crazy," said the Assistant Commissioner impatiently.

"I understand (я понимаю) what M. Poirot means," said Crome (что имеет в виду мсье Пуаро), coming graciously to the rescue (любезно приходя на помощь). "He's quite right (он совершенно прав). There's got to be some definite obsession (там должна быть некая определенная одержимость). I think (я думаю) we'll find the root of the matter in an intensified inferiority complex (мы найдем корни этого дела в усиленном комплексе неполноценности). There may be persecution mania, too (тут также может быть и мания преследования), and if so he may possibly associate M. Poirot with it (и если так, то он мог ассоциировать с этим мсье Пуаро). He may have the delusion (у него может быть ложное представление) that M. Poirot is a detective (что мсье Пуаро — это детектив) employed on purpose to hunt him down (нанятый специально, чтобы выследить его)."

graciously ['greIS@slI], root [ru:t], delusion [dI'lu:Z(@)n]

"I understand what M. Poirot means," said Crome, coming graciously to the rescue. "He's quite right. There's got to be some definite obsession. I think we'll find the root of the matter in an intensified inferiority complex. There may be persecution mania, too, and if so he may possibly associate M. Poirot with it. He may have the delusion that M. Poirot is a detective employed on purpose to hunt him down."

"Hm," said the A.C. (хм, — сказал заместитель комиссара). "That's the jargon that's talked nowadays (это жаргон, на котором говорят в наши дни). In my day (в мое время: «в мои дни») if a man was mad (если человек был сумасшедшим) he was mad (он был сумасшедшим) and we didn't look about for scientific terms to soften it down (и мы не искали научных теминов, чтобы смягчить это). I suppose (я полагаю) a thoroughly up-to-date doctor would suggest (тщательный современный доктор предложил бы) putting a man like A.B.C. in a nursing home (поместить такого человека, как Эй-би-си, в частную лечебницу), telling him what a fine fellow he was for forty-five days on end (говоря ему, какой он хороший парень, в течение сорока пяти дней подряд) and then letting him out as a responsible member of society (а затем выпустить его достойным доверия членом общества: «как ответственного члена общества»)."

jargon ['dZA:g@n], scientific [,saI@n'tIfIk], society [s@'saI@tI]

"Hm," said the A.C.. "That's the jargon that's talked nowadays. In my day if a man was mad he was mad and we didn't look about for scientific terms to soften it down. I suppose a thoroughly up-to-date doctor would suggest putting a man like A.B.C. in a nursing home, telling him what a fine fellow he was for forty-five days on end and then letting him out as a responsible member of society."

Poirot smiled (Пуаро улыбнулся) but did not answer (но не ответил).

The conference broke up (совещание прервалось).

"Well," said the Assistant Commissioner (так, — сказал заместитель комиссара). "As you say, Crome (как вы говорите, Кроум), pulling him in is only a matter of time (арестовать его — это только дело времени; to pull in — разг. арестовывать)."

"We'd have had him before now," said the inspector (мы бы схватили его до настоящего момента), "if he wasn't so ordinary-looking (если бы он не был таким внешне обычным). We've worried enough perfectly inoffensive citizens as it is (мы достаточно побеспокоили совершенно безобидных граждан из-за этого: «как это есть»)."

"I wonder (мне интересно) where he is at this minute," said the Assistant Commissioner (где он в данную минуту).

inoffensive [,In@'fensIv], citizen ['sItIz@n], perfectly ['p@:f@ktlI]

Poirot smiled but did not answer.

The conference broke up.

"Well," said the Assistant Commissioner. "As you say, Crome, pulling him in is only a matter of time."

"We'd have had him before now," said the inspector, "if he wasn't so ordinary-looking. We've worried enough perfectly inoffensive citizens as it is."

"I wonder where he is at this minute," said the Assistant Commissioner.

XXX. (Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

(не из личного повествования капитана Гастингса)

Mr. Cust stood by a greengrocer's shop (мистер Каст стоял у магазина зеленщика).

He stared across the road (он пристально смотрел через дорогу).

Yes, that was it (да, вот оно).

Mrs. Ascher (миссис Эшер). Newsagent (владелица газетного киоска) and Tobacconist (и продавщица табачных изделий) … In the empty window was a sign (в пустом окне был знак).

To Let (сдается).

Empty (пусто) …

Lifeless (безжизненно) …

across [@k'rOs], tobacconist [t@'b&k@nIst], lifeless ['laIfl@s]

Mr. Cust stood by a greengrocer's shop.

He stared across the road.

Yes, that was it.

Mrs. Ascher. Newsagent and Tobacconist … In the empty window was a sign.

To Let.

Empty …

Lifeless …

"Excuse me, sir (извините меня, сэр)."

The greengrocer's wife (жена зеленщика), trying to get at some lemons (пытающаяся дотянуться до каких-то лемонов).

He apologized (он извинился), moved to one side (сдвинулся в одну сторону).

Slowly he shuffled away (медленно волоча ноги, он двинулся прочь) — back towards the main street of the town (назад к главной улице города) …

It was difficult (это было трудно) — very difficult (очень трудно) — now that he hadn't any money left (теперь, когда у него не осталось денег) …

Not having had anything to eat all day (если не поешь целый день) made one feel very queer (это заставит тебя чувствовать очень странно) and light-headed (и /заставит испытывать/ головокружение) …

He looked at a poster outside a newsagent's shop (он посмотрел на плакат на газетном киоске: «снаружи газетного киоска»).

lemon ['lem@n], shuffle [SVfl], poster ['p@Ust@]

"Excuse me, sir."

The greengrocer's wife, trying to get at some lemons.

He apologized, moved to one side.

Slowly he shuffled away — back towards the main street of the town …

It was difficult — very difficult — now that he hadn't any money left …

Not having had anything to eat all day made one feel very queer and light-headed …

He looked at a poster outside a newsagent's shop.

The A.B.C. Case(дело Эй-би-си). Murderer Still at Large(убийца все еще на свободе; to be at large — быть на свободе; на просторе). Interview with M. Hercule Poirot(интервью с мсье Эркюлем Пуаро).

Mr. Cust said to himself (мистер Каст сказал самому себе): "Hercule Poirot (Эркюль Пуаро). I wonder if he knows (мне интересно, знает ли он) —"

He walked on again (он снова подолжил идти).

It wouldn't do to stand staring at that poster (не годилось стоять, уставившись на этот плакат) …

He thought (он подумал): "I can't go on much longer (я больше не могу: «я не могу дольше продолжать»)."

Foot in front of foot (шаг за шагом: «ступня впереди ступни»; foot — ступня; шаг) … what an odd thing walking was (какая странная вещь ходьба) …

Foot in front of foot (шаг за шагом) — ridiculous (нелепо).

large [lA:dZ], again [@'geIn], walking ['wO:kIN]

The A.B.C. Case. Murderer Still at Large. Interview with M. Hercule Poirot.

Mr. Cust said to himself: "Hercule Poirot. I wonder if he knows — "

He walked on again.

It wouldn't do to stand staring at that poster …

He thought: "I can't go on much longer …"

Foot in front of foot … what an odd thing walking was …

Foot in front of foot — ridiculous.

Highly ridiculous (совершенно нелепо) …

But man was a ridiculous animal anyway (но человек — нелепое существо все равно) …

And he (а он), Alexander Bonaparte Cust (Александр Бонапарт Каст), was particularly ridiculous (был особенно нелеп) …

He always had been (он всегда был) …

People had always laughed at him (люди всегда смеялись над ним) …

He couldn't blame them (он не мог винить их) …

Where was he going (куда он шел)? He didn't know (он не знал). He'd come to the end (он дошел до предела). He no longer looked anywhere (он больше никуда не смотрел) but at his feet (кроме как под ноги).

Alexander [,&lIk'zA:nd@], Bonaparte ['b@Un@pA:t], anywhere ['enIwE@]

Highly ridiculous …

But man was a ridiculous animal anyway …

And he, Alexander Bonaparte Cust, was particularly ridiculous …

He always had been …

People had always laughed at him …

He couldn't blame them …

Where was he going? He didn't know. He'd come to the end. He no longer looked anywhere but at his feet.

Foot in front of foot (шаг за шагом).

He looked up (он посмотрел вверх). Lights in front of him (огни перед ним). And letters (и буквы) …

Police Station (полицейский участок).

"That's funny," said Mr. Cust (это забавно). He gave a little giggle (и слегка хихикнул: «он издал небольшое хихиканье»).

Then he stepped inside (затем он ступил внутрь). Suddenly (неожиданно), as he did so (когда он так сделал), he swayed and fell forward (он покачнулся и упал вперед).

letter ['let@], inside [In'saId], sway [sweI]

Foot in front of foot.

He looked up. Lights in front of him. And letters …

Police Station.

"That's funny," said Mr. Cust. He gave a little giggle.

Then he stepped inside. Suddenly, as he did so, he swayed and fell forward.

XXXI. Hercule Poirot Asks Questions

(Эркюль Пуаро задает вопросы)

It was a clear November day (был ясный ноябрьский день). Dr. Thompson and Chief Inspector Japp had come round (зашли доктор Томпсон и главный инспектор Джепп) to acquaint Poirot with the result of the police court proceedings in the case of Rex v. Alexander Bonaparte Cust (чтобы ознакомить Пуаро с результатом разбирательств полицейского суда по делу «Король против Александра Бонапарта Каста»; v. = vs. = versus — против).

Poirot himself had had a slight bronchial chill (у самого Пуаро была легкая простуда: «легкая бронхиальная простуда»; chill — простуда; озноб) which had prevented his attending (которая помешала ему присутствовать). Fortunately (к счастью) he had not insisted on having my company (он не настаивал на том, чтобы я составил ему компанию: «он не настаивал на /том, чтобы/ иметь мою компанию»).

proceeding [pr@'si:dIN], versus ['v@:s@s], bronchial ['brONkj@l]

It was a clear November day. Dr. Thompson and Chief Inspector Japp had come round to acquaint Poirot with the result of the police court proceedings in the case of Rex v. Alexander Bonaparte Cust.

Poirot himself had had a slight bronchial chill which had prevented his attending. Fortunately he had not insisted on having my company.

"Committed for trial," said Japp (передано в суд; to commit — совершать; передавать). "So that's that (так, такие-то дела)."

"Isn't it unusual," I asked (не правда ли, это необычно: «разве это не необычно»), "for a defence to be offered at this stage (чтобы защита была предложена на этой ступени; stage — сцена; период, ступень)? I thought prisoners always reserved their defence (я думал, заключенные всегда приберегают защиту)."

"It's the usual course," said Japp (это обычный ход /вещей/). "I suppose (я полагаю) young Lucas thought (молодой Лукас думал) he might rush it through (что он, вероятно, сможет быстро провести это /дело/; to rush — мчаться; выполнять слишком поспешно). He's a trier (он из тех, кто всегда старается взять нахрапом; trier — человек, делающий все, что в его силах; to try — пробовать, стараться, пытаться), I will say (я скажу). Insanity's the only defence possible (невменяемость является единственной возможной защитой)."

Poirot shrugged his shoulders (Пуаро пожал плечами). "With insanity there can be no acquittal (с невменяемостью там не может быть никакого оправдания). Imprisonment during His Majesty's pleasure^[44] is hardly preferable to death (бессрочное заключение: «заключение пока угодно Его Величеству» является едва ли предпочтительнее смерти)."

trial ['traI@l], trier ['traI@], acquittal [@k'wItl]

"Committed for trial," said Japp. "So that's that."

"Isn't it unusual," I asked, "for a defence to be offered at this stage? I thought prisoners always reserved their defence."

"It's the usual course," said Japp. "I suppose young Lucas thought he might rush it through. He's a trier, I will say. Insanity's the only defence possible."

Poirot shrugged his shoulders. "With insanity there can be no acquittal. Imprisonment during His Majesty's pleasure is hardly preferable to death."

"I suppose (я полагаю) Lucas thought there was a chance," said Japp (Лукас думал, что тут есть шанс). "With a first-class alibi for the Bexhill murder (с первоклассным алиби для бексхиллского убийства), the whole case might be weakened (все дело могло быть ослаблено). I don't think (я не думаю) he realized how strong our case is (что он понимает, как сильно наше дело). Anyway Lucas goes in for originality (в любом случае Лукас любит оригинальничать: «Лукас увлекается оригинальностью»; to go in for — заниматься, увлекаться). He's a young man (он молодой человек), and he wanted to hit the public eye (и он хотел поразить публику)."

Poirot turned to Thompson (Пуаро повернулся к Томпсону). "What's your opinion, doctor (ваше мнение, доктор)?"

"Of Cust (о Касте)? Upon my soul (честное слово: «/клянусь/ моей душой»), I don't know what to say (я не знаю, что сказать). He's playing the sane man remarkably well (он играет нормального человека удивительно хорошо). He's an epileptic (он эпилептик), of course (конечно)."

"What an amazing denouement that was," I said (какая это была поразительная развязка).

strong [strON], epileptic [,epI'leptIk], denouement [deI'nu:mA:N]

"I suppose Lucas thought there was a chance," said Japp. "With a first-class alibi for the Bexhill murder, the whole case might be weakened. I don't think he realized how strong our case is. Anyway Lucas goes in for originality. He's a young man, and he wanted to hit the public eye."

Poirot turned to Thompson. "What's your opinion, doctor?"

"Of Cust? Upon my soul, I don't know what to say. He's playing the sane man remarkably well. He's an epileptic, of course."

"What an amazing denouement that was," I said.

"His falling into the Andover police station in a fit (/то, что/ он ввалился в полицейский участок в Эндовере в припадке)? Yes — it was a fitting dramatic curtain to the drama (это был подходящий драматический занавес для этой драмы). A.B.C. had always timed his effects well (Эй-би-си всегда хорошо расчитывал свои эффекты)."

"Is it possible to commit a crime and be unaware of it?" I asked (возможно ли совершить преступление и не осознавать этого?).

"His denials seem to have a ring of truth in them (его отрицания, кажется, звучат правдиво: «его отрицания, кажется, имеют отзвуки правды в них»; to deny — отрицать; ring — звон; отголосок; to ring — звенеть; звучать)."

Dr. Thompson smiled a little (доктор Томпсон слегка улыбнулся). "You mustn't be taken in by that theatrical 'I swear by God' pose (вы не должны поддаваться этой театральной «я клянусь Богом» позе). It's my opinion (по-моему: «это мое мнение») that Cust knows perfectly well (что Каст отлично знает: «Каст знает совершенно хорошо») he committed the murders (что он совершил эти убийства).''

"When they're as fervent as that (когда они именно такие пылкие; fervent — горячий; пылкий) they usually do," said Japp (они обычно /так и звучат/).

curtain ['k@:t@n], denial [dI'naI@l], fervent ['f@:v@nt]

"His falling into the Andover police station in a fit? Yes — it was a fitting dramatic curtain to the drama. A.B.C. had always timed his effects well."

"Is it possible to commit a crime and be unaware of it?" I asked.

"His denials seem to have a ring of truth in them."

Dr. Thompson smiled a little. "You mustn't be taken in by that theatrical 'I swear by God' pose. It's my opinion that Cust knows perfectly well he committed the murders.''

"When they're as fervent as that they usually do," said Japp.

"As to your question," went on Thompson (что касается вашего вопроса, — продолжил Томпсон), "it's perfectly possible (это совершенно возможно) for an epileptic subject in a state of somnambulism to commit an action (чтобы эпилептический больной в состоянии сомнабулизма совершил действие; «для эпилептического субъекта в состоянии сомнабулизма совершать действие») and be entirely unaware of having done so (и совершенно не осознавать содеянное: «и быть совершенно неосознающим, что сделал так»). But it is the general opinion (но есть общее мнение) that such an action must 'not be contrary to the will of the person in the waking state' (что такое действие не должно быть противоположно воле человека в активном состоянии: «в бодрствующем состоянии»)."

He went on discussing the matter (он продолжил обсуждать это дело), speaking of grand mal and petit mal^[45] (рассказывая о большом эпилептическом припадке и малом эпилептическом припадке) and, to tell the truth (и, по правде говоря), confusing me hopelessly (безнадежно сбивая меня с толку) as is often the case (как это часто случается; case — случай) when a learned person holds forth on his own subject (когда эрудированный человек разглагольствует о собственном предмете; to hold forth — рассуждать, разглагольствовать).

somnambulism [sOm'n&bjUlIzm], contrary ['kOntr@rI], forth [fO:T]

"As to your question," went on Thompson, "it's perfectly possible for an epileptic subject in a state of somnambulism to commit an action and be entirely unaware of having done so. But it is the general opinion that such an action must 'not be contrary to the will of the person in the waking state.'"

He went on discussing the matter, speaking of grand mal and petit mal and, to tell the truth, confusing me hopelessly as is often the case when a learned person holds forth on his own subject.

"However (однако), I'm against the theory (я против теории) that Cust committed these crimes (что Каст совершил эти преступления) without knowing he'd done them (не зная, что он совершил их). You might put that theory forward (можно было бы развить эту теорию: «вы могли бы продвинуть эту теорию») if it weren't for the letters (если бы не письма). The letters knock the theory on the head (письма разбивают эту теорию на голову: «стукают эту теорию по голове»). They show premeditation (они показывают преднамеренность) and a careful planning of the crime (и тщательное планирование преступления)."

"And of the letters we have still no explanation," said Poirot (и письмам мы все еще не имеем объяснения).

"That interests you (это интересует вас)?"

"Naturally (естественно) — since they were written to me (так как они были написаны мне). And on the subject of the letters Cust is persistently dumb (а по /поводу/ содержания писем Каст упорно молчит: «настойчиво молчалив»). Until I get at the reason for those letters being written to me (пока я не найду причину, по которой эти письма были написаны мне), I shall not feel that the case is solved (я не буду чувствовать, что этот случай разрешен; case — случай; юр. дело)."

explanation [,eksp@'neIS(@)n], persistently [p@'sIst@ntlI], dumb [dVm]

"However, I'm against the theory that Cust committed these crimes without knowing he'd done them. You might put that theory forward if it weren't for the letters. The letters knock the theory on the head. They show premeditation and a careful planning of the crime."

"And of the letters we have still no explanation," said Poirot.

"That interests you?"

"Naturally — since they were written to me. And on the subject of the letters Cust is persistently dumb. Until I get at the reason for those letters being written to me, I shall not feel that the case is solved."

"Yes — I can understand that from your point of view (я могу понять это с вашей точки зрения). There doesn't seem to be any reason to believe (кажется, нет причины верить) that the man ever came up against you in any way (что этот человек когда-либо сталкивался с вами каким-либо образом; to come up against — сталкиваться, встречаться)?"

"None whatever (никаким совершенно; whatever — какой бы ни; любой; /в отриц. предложениях/ никакой, совсем не, вообще не)."

"I might make a suggestion (я мог бы сделать преположение). Your name (ваше имя)!"

"My name (мое имя)?"

"Yes. Cust is saddled apparently by the whim of his mother (Каст, по-видимому, обременен по капризу его матери) — (Oedipus complex^[46] there), I shouldn't wonder (неудивительно: «я не стал бы удивляться»)!) — with two extremely bombastic Christian names (двумя совершенно помпезными именами; christian name — имя, данное при крещении): Alexander and Bonaparte (Александр и Бонапарт). You see the implications (вы видете следствие)? Alexander — the popularly supposed undefeatable (всеобще признан непобедимым; to defeat) who sighed for more worlds to conquer (который мечтал завоевать весь мир: «который тосковал, чтобы завоевать больше миров»). Bonaparte (Бонапарт) — the great Emperor of the French (великий французский император). He wants an adversary (он желает противника) — an adversary (противника), one might say in his class (можно сказать, своего класса). Well — there you are (и вот тут есть вы) — Hercules the strong (Геркулес сильный)."

christian ['krIstj@n], Oedipus ['i:dIp@s], adversary [@d'v@:s@rI]

"Yes — I can understand that from your point of view. There doesn't seem to be any reason to believe that the man ever came up against you in any way?"

"None whatever."

"I might make a suggestion. Your name!"

"My name?"

"Yes. Cust is saddled apparently by the whim of his mother — (Oedipus complex there, I shouldn't wonder!) — with two extremely bombastic Christian names: Alexander and Bonaparte. You see the implications? Alexander — the popularly supposed undefeatable who sighed for more worlds to conquer. Bonaparte — the great Emperor of the French. He wants an adversary — an adversary, one might say in his class. Well — there you are — Hercules the strong."

"Your words are very suggestive, doctor (ваши слова очень наводят на мысли, доктор). They foster ideas (они питают представления) — "

"Oh, it's only a suggestion (это только предположение). Well, I must be off (мне нужно идти; to be off — уходить)."

Dr. Thompson went out (доктор Томпсон вышел). Japp remained (Джепп остался).

"Does this alibi worry you?" Poirot asked (это алиби беспокоит вас?).

"It does a little," admitted the inspector (/беспокоит/ немного, — признался инспектор). "Mind you (имейте в виду), I don't believe in it (я не верю в него), because I know it isn't true (потому что я знаю, что это не правда). But it is going to be the deuce to break it (но только дьявол разобьет его: «но это собирается дьявол разбить его»). This man Strange is a tough character (этот человек Стрейндж — крепкий орешек: «тип с крутым /нравом/»)."

"Describe him to me (опишите его мне)."

foster ['fO:st@], deuce [dju:s], tough [tVf]

"Your words are very suggestive, doctor. They foster ideas —"

"Oh, it's only a suggestion. Well, I must be off."

Dr. Thompson went out. Japp remained.

"Does this alibi worry you?" Poirot asked.

"It does a little," admitted the inspector. "Mind you, I don't believe in it, because I know it isn't true. But it is going to be the deuce to break it. This man Strange is a tough character."

"Describe him to me."

"He's a man of forty (он мужчина лет сорока). A tough (твердый), confident (уверенный), self-opinionated (имеющий собственное мнение) mining engineer (горный инженер). It's my opinion (по-моему: «это мое мнение») that it was he (что это был он) who insisted on his evidence being taken now (кто настоял, чтобы его свидетельство было принято сейчас). He wants to get off to Chile (он хочет уехать в Чили). He hoped (он надеялся) the thing might be settled out of hand (что все может уладиться немедленно; of hand — немедленно)."

"He's one of the most positive people I've ever seen," I said (он один из самых самоуверенных людей, которых я когда-либо видел; positive — позитивный; самоуверенный).

"The type of man (тип человека) who would not like to admit (который не захочет признать) he was mistaken (что он ошибался)," said Poirot thoughtfully (сказал Пуаро задумчиво; to mistake — делать ошибку).

Chile [tSaIl], engineer [,endZI'nI@], positive ['pOzItIv]

"He's a man of forty. A tough, confident, self-opinionated mining engineer. It's my opinion that it was he who insisted on his evidence being taken now. He wants to get off to Chile. He hoped the thing might be settled out of hand."