Find and read aloud the sentences which

THE BERYL CORONET

The story is told by Dr. Watson

Chapter 1

"Holmes," I said as I stood one morning at the window of our room, "look, there is a madman in the street."

My friend rose lazily from his arm-chair and stood with his hands in his pockets, looking over my shoulder.

It was a cold February morning and there were fewer people in the street than usual. Indeed only one gentleman was coming from the underground station and his strange conduct had drawn my atten­tion. He was a man of about fifty, tall, with a strong face and a commanding figure. He was dressed, but his actions were in contrast with his dignity. He was running, throwing up his hands and waggling his head:

"What is the matter with him?" I asked, "he is looking up at the numbers of the houses!"

"I think that he is coming here," Holmes said, rubbing his hands.

"Here?"

"Yes, I think that he is coming to consult me. We shall see that very soon."

As he spoke the man rushed to our door and pulled on the bell.

A few moments later he was in our room.

Our strange visitor tried to speak, but he could not utter a word, for he was quite out of breath¹. There was despair in his eyes. It was clear that something terrible had happened. Then suddenly the man rushed to the wall and beat his head against it ² with such force that Sherlock Holmes had to push him into a chair. He sat down besides the stranger, patted his hand and spoke to him in soothing tones ³.

"You have come to tell me your story?" he said. "Please calm yourself, wait until you feel better and then I shall be happy to listen to you."

The man was silent for a moment. Then he turned his face to us.

"You must think that I am mad", he said.

"I see that you have some serious trouble," Holm­es answered.

"Yes, very sudden and very terrible. Public dis­grace and private affliction is too much for one man."

"Tell me first who you are and what has happened to you," my friend said quietly.

"I am Alexander Holder of the banking firm of Holder and Stevenson⁴," our visitor answered. "I hurried here because I knew that time was of val­ue⁵ and the police inspector advised me to con­sult you. I came to Baker street by the under­ground and hurried from there on foot, because cabs move too slowly through this snow. I feel bet­ter now to make my story as short and as clear as I can.

"Yesterday: morning I was sitting at my table in my office at the bank, when one of the clerks brought me a card. I cannot tell you the name which I saw on that card, but it was one of the noblest names in England⁶. A moment later my visitor came in. He began to speak about his business at once and I could see that the task was not pleasant to him.

" 'Mr. Holder,' he said, 'I know that you advance money.'

" 'Our firm does so when the security is good⁷, ' I answered.

" 'It is very important for me to have fifty thou­sand pounds at once,' my visitor said in a low voice.

" 'For how long⁸ do you need this sum?' I asked.

" 'Till next Monday. I shall be able to return ev­ery penny. But I must have that money at once.'

"'The sum is great, sir, 'I said.

" 'Yes, yes, I know,' he answered, and put a square box on the table before me. 'You have no doubt heard of the Beryl Coronet.'

" 'Certainly,' I cried.

" He opened the box and there, in soft velvet, lay the famous coronet.

" 'There are thirty-nine large beryl’s in it,' he said, 'and the gold chasing⁹ is very precious. I want to leave it here as my security. In four days I shall return the money and you will give me back the coronet. Is it sufficient?'

"'Certainly.'

" 'I ask you, Mr. Holder, not only to keep the whole matter secret, but also to preserve this coronet with every precaution ¹⁰. I shall come for it myself on Monday morning.'

"I called the cashier and told him to pay the mon­ey to my visitor. A few minutes later he left me and I remained alone in my office, feeling very nervous.

"I have taken a great responsibility,' I thought as I locked the box up in my safe.

"When evening came I was afraid to leave the precious coronet in the office and decided to take the box home with me. My house is a few miles from London. I carried the box to my study upstairs at once and locked it up in my bureau ¹¹.

"And now I want to tell you about my household, Mr. Holmes, as it is necessary that you should un­derstand the situation¹².

"I have three maid-servants; two of them have been with me many years, and I know them very well. The third, Lucy Parr ¹³, has only been in my service a few months. She is very pretty and has many admirers, but we believe that she is a good girl in every way¹⁴.

"My family is very small. I am a widower and had an only son, Arthur¹⁵. He has been a dissapointment to me¹⁶, Mr. Holmes, yes, a disappointment. People tell me that I have spoiled him. I think so myself, but when my wife died he was all that I had in the world. He did not want to help me in my business; he did not like it. He became a member of an aristocratic club, where he learned to play cards and soon made debts. He also made friends¹⁷ at this club with a certain Sir George Burnwell¹⁸. He is older than my son, he has been everywhere, seen everything, he is a brilliant talker and very handsome. Yet I feel I cannot trust him, and my little Mary feels the same. She is my niece; my brother died five years ago and I adopted her. She is my right hand. I don't know what I could do without her. By the way, my boy asked her twice to marry him, but each time she refused him. I think that only this marriage might have changed his life¹⁹, but it is too late!"

Our visitor was silent for a moment. Then he went on.

"Now,Mr. Holmes, you know about the people wholive under my roof and I shall continue my sad story. That night after dinner I told Arthur and Maryabout the treasure which we had in our house.Lucy Parr, who had brought in coffee, left theroom just before that, but I am not sure that sheclosed the door. Mary and Arthur were very much interested and wanted to see the coronet, but I refused to open the bureau."

Notes

¹ he was quite out of breath — он совершенно задыхался

² beathis head against it — стал биться о нее головой
³ in soothing tones — успокаивающим тоном

⁴ Alexander Holder of the banking firm of Holder and Stevenson — Александр Холдер из банкирской конторы Холдера и Стивен­сона

⁵ time was of value — время дорого

⁶ one of the noblest names in England — одно из самых благородных (т.е. аристократических) имен Англии. Здесь подразумевается высокопостав­ленное лицо

⁷ when the security is good — под надежный залог

⁸ for how long — на какой срок

⁹ gold chasing — резная золотая оправа

¹⁰ with every precaution — со всеми возможными предосторожностями

¹¹ bureau [bju'rou] — бюро, письменный стол

¹² as it is necessary that you should understand the situation — так как необходимо, чтобы вы поня­ли всю обстановку

¹³ Lucy Parr ['lu:si 'pa:]

¹⁴ in every way — во всех отношениях

¹⁵ Arthur

¹⁶ he has been a disappointment to me — он не оправдал моих надежд

¹⁷ made friends — подружился

¹⁸ with a certain Sir George Burnwell — с неким сэром Джорджем Беривеллом

¹⁹ only this marriage might have changed his life — только этот брак смог бы изменить его жизнь

EXERCISES

1. Find in the text English equivalents of the follo­wing words and expressions:

сумасшедший; холодное февральское утро; странное поведение; человек пятидесяти лет; хо­рошо одетый; достоинство; отчаяние; банковская контора; спешить; посетитель; рассказывать о своем деле; 50 тысяч фунтов; сохранить; вдовец; испортить кого-л.; задолжать; доверять кому-л.; сильно заинтересоваться

2. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and expressions in the text. Use some of them in the sentences of your own:

to draw one's attention; to waggle one's head; to consult smb.; to pull on the bell; to utter a word; a stranger; to have some serious troubles; public dis­grace; to tell the facts; one of the noblest names; to advance money; security; precious; to return the money; to keep the whole matter secret; to take a great responsibility

Find and read aloud the sentences which

1) describe the appearance of a strange visitor who came to Sherlock Holmes;

2) tell about his household; I) explain why Mr. Holder decided to take the box with the coronet to his home.

4. Answer the questions:

l) Whom did Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson see one morning in the street?

2) Why did the conduct of a strange man draw their attention?

3) How did the strange visitor behave himself when he entered the room?

4) Who was this strange visitor?

5) What did the police inspector advise him to do?

6) What story did Mr. Holder tell Holmes and Dr. Watson?

7) Why did Mr. Holder decide to take the box with the Beryl Coronet to his home?

8) Is his family big?

9) Why did Mr. Holder want to tell Holmes about his household?

10) Did Mr. Holder tell his son Arthur and his niece Mary about the treasure which they had in their house?

5. Agree or disagree with the following statements:

1) A strange man in the street was coming to con­sult Holmes.

2) He tried to speak but could not utter a word.

3) It was clear that this man had some serious trouble.

4) The visitor who came to Mr. Holder to the bank wanted to have thirty thousand pounds at once.

5) He left as his security a very precious ring.

6) Mr. Holder was a widower and had a son and a daughter.

6. Discuss the following:

1. Mr. Holder took the Beryl Coronet home. Why did he decide to do that?

2. Mr. Holder told his family what treasure they had at home. Was it right to tell Arthur and Mary about the Beryl Coronet?

7. Act a dialogue between Mr. Holder and his visitor in the office at the bank.

8. Tell about Mr. Holder’s household.

Chapter 2

" 'It is locked, ' I said.

" 'Oh, it is not very difficult to open your bureau. I opened it myself when I was a boy,' Arthur said laughing. 'It can be done with any old key.'

" 'The boy often spoke thoughtlessly, so I did not pay attention to his words. However, when he fol­lowed me to my room that night he was very serious.

" 'Dad¹' he said, 'can you give me two hundred pounds?'

" 'No, I cannot!' I answered angrily. "I have giv­en you too much money already.'

" 'I know that you have been very kind,' he said, 'but I must have this money, or I can never enter my club again.'

" 'And that is very well!' I cried.

" 'But I tell you that it is a matter of honour. If you refuse to help me, I must try other means to get the money².

"I was very angry, for it was the third demand during the month.

" 'You shall get nothing from me,' I cried, and my son left the room without another word. When he had gone I went round the house to see that all was secure³. Usually my niece does it but that night I wanted to do it myself. I saw Mary at the window of the hall; she closed it as I approached.

" 'Uncle Alec⁴' she said, 'did you give Lucy leave⁵ to go out tonight?'

" 'Certainly not.'

" 'She came in by the back door⁶, a few minutes ago. I think that she has to see someone⁷. I do not like this.'

" 'You must speak to her about it in the morning, my dear. Is everything closed?'

" 'Yes, Uncle Alec.'

" 'Then good-night, dear.'

"I kissed her and went to my bedroom, which is next to my study. Feeling troubled after my talk with Arthur, I lay in bed for some time, unable to close my eyes. At last I fell asleep.

"About two o'clock in the morning, I was awa­kened by a sound in the house, as though⁸ some­one had closed a window. I sat up in bed and lis­tened, but all was quiet again. Suddenly I heard footsteps quite near. I jumped up and rushed into the next room. Arthur was standing beside the lamp, with the coronet in his hands. He was bend­ing it all with all his strength.

" 'Arthur!' I cried, 'how dare you touch that co­ronet?'

"At my cry⁹ he dropped it and turned pale. I picked it up and saw to my terror that one of the gold cor­ners with three beryls in it was missing ¹⁰.

" 'Thief! You have stolen the beryls. You have dishonoured me for ever!' I cried.

" 'Stolen!' he repeated.

" 'Yes, you thief! Three beryls are missing and you were trying to tear off another piece!'

" 'You have insulted me,' he said very quietly. I shall not say another word about this business and I shall leave this house in the morning.'

" 'I shall call the police first,' I cried.

" 'You can do so,' he answered firmly, 'but I will not tell them anything. Let them find what they

can¹¹.

"At this moment Mary rushed into the room; see­ing the coronet in my hands and the look in Arthur's eyes, she understood everything and fell down sen­seless.

"I sent for the police, and while we were waiting Arthur said:

" 'Dad, do not let them arrest me at once. I must leave the house for some minutes. It is very impor­tant for me and for you.'

" 'Oh, you want to get away or hide what you have stolen!' I cried.

"Imagine my own position! I begged my son to think not only of my honour, but of the person who had given me the coronet. But I saw that my words did not touch him. The police inspector came, and Arthur was arrested.

"We looked for the stones all over the house ¹², but couldn't find them anywhere, and Arthur re­fused to speak. He still refuses to explain anything, so I hurried to you. I beg you to help me, Mr. Holm­es. The police, as I understand, can do nothing at present."

Sherlock Holmes was silent for some minutes. His eyes were fixed upon the fire and his brows knit­ted ¹³.1 saw that he was thinking hard.

"Do you receive much company ¹⁴?" he asked at last.

"No. Sir George Burnwell has been to see us se­veral times. And that is all, I think."

"This matter, it seems, has been a shock to¹⁵ your niece also?"

" Oh, yes.".

"Are you both sure that your son has taken the stones?"

"Certainly, I myself saw the coronet in his hands, and it was twisted."

"Maybe he was trying to straighten it?"

"To straighten it?"

The banker thought a little.

"No, no, it cannot be so. If he is innocent, why is he silent?"

"And why did he not tell you some lie, if it was he who¹⁶ took those stones? I think, Mr. Holder, that your theory is very weak. A man who steals does not behave that way¹⁷. But tell me more about the police. Have they searched outside the house?"

"Yes, they have examined the garden very care­fully, but they could find no trace of the stones."

"It seems that this matter is not so simple as you or the police think," said Holmes. "You suppose that your son went to your study, took out the co­ronet, broke off a part of it, hid the three stones, and came back with the coronet. I think that you are quite wrong ⁸."

"But why is he silent, if he is innocent?" the bank­er cried again.

"It is our task to find that out," Holmes answered. "So now, Mr. Holder, we shall go to your house to­gether and look into the details of this matter. I shall be thankful to you, Watson," he said turning to me, "if you come with us."

Notes

¹ Dad — nana

² I must try other means to get the тoпеу — мне придется попытаться достать деньги другим путем

³ I went round the house to see that all was secure — я обошел дом, чтобы убедиться в том, что все на­дежно заперто

⁴ Alec — уменьшит, от Alexander

⁵ did you give... leave...? — разве вы... разрешили...?

⁶ by the back door — через чёрный ход

⁷ she has been out to see someone — она выходила, чтобы с кем-то повидаться

⁸ as though — как будто

⁹ at my cry — услыхав мой крик

¹⁰ one of the gold corners... was missing — одного золотого зубца... не хватает

¹¹ Let them find what they can. — Пусть разбирают­ся, как сумеют.

¹² all over the house — по всему дому

¹³ his brows knitted —брови нахмурены (связка were, как и по-русски, не повторяется)

¹⁴ Do you receive much company? — У вас в доме бывает много людей?

¹⁵ has been a shock to — потрясло

¹⁶ it was he who — именно он (усилительная конструкция)

¹⁷ does not behave that way — ведет себя не так

¹⁸ you are quite wrong — вы совершенно неправы, вы сильно ошибаетесь

EXERCISES

1. Find in the text English equivalents of the follo­wing words and expressions:

не обратить внимания; отказаться помочь ко­му-л.; обойти вокруг дома; приблизиться; как будто; услышать шаги совсем близко; отважиться; уронить что-л.; поднять что-л.; украсть что-л.; вор; уйти из дома; умолять кого-л.; погнутый; вып рямлять; быть невиновным; подробности дела; быть благодарным кому-л.

2. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and expressions in the text. Use some of them in the sentences of your own:

to speak thoughtlessly; angrily; a matter of ho­nour; feeling troubled; fall asleep; be awakened by a sound; to rush into the next room; to turn pale; to one's terror; three beryls are missing; to dishonour smb.; to insult smb.; to fall down senseless; to imag­ine one's position; be silent for some minutes; to be a shock to smb.; to search outside the house; to ex­amine the garden very carefully; to break a part of coronet

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