"It is our French gold
(это наше французское золото)
," whispered the director
(прошептал директор)
. "We have had several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it
(мы имели несколько предупреждений, что может быть совершена попытка /похитить золото/)
."
whispered [ˈwɪspǝd], warning [ˈwɔ:nɪŋ]
"We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at present, Doctor — as no doubt you have divined — in the cellar of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at present."
"It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it."
"Your French gold
(ваше французское золото)
?"
"Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources
(у нас была необходимость несколько месяцев назад усилить наши активы)
and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of France
(и заняли по этой причине тридцать тысяч наполеондоров у Банка Франции)
. It has become known that we have never had occasion to unpack the money
(стало известно, что нам так и не представилось возможности распаковать деньги)
, and that it is still lying in our cellar
(и они до сих пор лежат в нашем подвале)
. The crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between layers of lead foil
(ящик, на котором я сижу, содержит две тысячи наполеондоров между листами свинцовой фольги)
. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at present
(наш запас золотых слитков намного больше в настоящее время)
than is usually kept in a single branch office
(чем обычно хранится в одном отделении банка)
, and the directors have had misgivings upon the subject
(и у директоров появились дурные предчувствия = опасения по этому вопросу)
."
occasion [ǝˈkeɪʒn], strengthen [ˈstreŋƟ(ǝ)n], layers [ˈleɪǝz], foil [fɔɪl]
"Your French gold?"
"Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the directors have had misgivings upon the subject."
"Which were very well justified
(что было очень хорошо оправдано = есть все основания для опасения)
," observed Holmes
(подметил Холмс)
. "And now it is time that we arranged our little plans
(и теперь /пришло/ время привести в порядок наши маленькие планы)
. I expect that within an hour matters will come to a head
(я ожидаю, что в течение часа вопросы будут решены = достигнут решающей стадии: «придут к голове»)
. In the meantime
(тем временем)
, Mr. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern
(мы должны поместить ширму на этот потайной: «темный» фонарь = закрыть чем-нибудь фонарь)
."
"And sit in the dark
(и сидеть в темноте)
?"
justified [ˈʤʌstɪfaɪd], meantime [ˈmi:ntaɪm], screen [skri:n]
"Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime, Mr. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern."
"And sit in the dark?"
"I am afraid so
(боюсь, что так)
. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket
(я принес колоду карт /в моем кармане/)
, and I thought that, as we were a partie carree
(и я думал, что раз нас здесь четверо; partie carree — прогулка вчетвером (фр.))
, you might have your rubber after all
(вы могли бы сыграть партию в роббер, в конце концов)
. But I see that the enemy's preparations have gone so far
(но я вижу, что вражеские приготовления зашли так далеко)
that we cannot risk the presence of a light
(что мы не можем рисковать присутствием света = оставить свет)
. And, first of all, we must choose our positions
(и, прежде всего, мы должны выбрать наши положения = подобрать /подходящее/ место)
. These are daring men
(они дерзкие = смелые люди)
, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage
(и хотя мы застанем их врасплох)
, they may do us some harm unless we are careful
(они могут причинить нам вред, если мы не будем осторожны)
. I shall stand behind this crate
(я встану за этим ящиком)
, and do you conceal yourselves behind those
(а вы спрячьтесь: «скройте себя» за теми /ящиками)
. Then, when I flash a light upon them
(затем, когда я направлю на них свет)
, close in swiftly
(окружайте /их/ быстро)
. If they fire, Watson, have no compunction about shooting them down
(если они начнут стрелять, Ватсон, без колебания стреляйте в них, пристрелите их; compunction — сожаление)
."
preparation [prepǝˈreɪʃn], careful [keǝful], fire [ˈfaɪǝ], compunction [kǝmˈpʌŋkʃn]
"I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and I thought that, as we were a partie carree, you might have your rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no compunction about shooting them down."
I placed my revolver, cocked
(я положил мой взведенный револьвер)
, upon the top of the wooden case behind which I crouched
(на крышку деревянного ящика, за которым я притаился)
. Holmes shot the slide across the front of his lantern
(Холмс закрыл заслонку перед фонарем)
and left us in pitch darkness
(и оставил нас в кромешной тьме)
— such an absolute darkness as I have never before experienced
(такой полной темноте, какой мне не приходилось никогда раньше видеть: «испытывать»)
. The smell of hot metal remained to assure us
(запах горячего металла продолжал убеждать нас = напоминал нам)
that the light was still there
(что свет был все еще там = не погашен)
, ready to flash out at a moment's notice
(готовый вспыхнуть по первому требованию = в любое мгновение)
. To me, with my nerves worked up to a pitch of expectancy
(для меня, с нервами, напряженными /до предела/ ожиданием)
, there was something depressing and subduing in the sudden gloom
(было что-то подавляющее и подчиняющее во внезапной темноте)
, and in the cold dank air of the vault
(и в холодном сыром воздухе подземелья)
.
crouched [krautʃt], nerves [nǝ:vz], expectancy [ɪkˈspektǝnsɪ], gloom [ɡlu:m]
"They have but one retreat
(у них есть только одно отступление = для бегства у них лишь один путь)
," whispered Holmes
(прошептал Холмс)
. "That is back through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square
(/это/ обратно через дом на Сакс-Кобург-сквер)
. I hope that you have done what I asked you, Jones
(я надеюсь, что вы сделали /то/ что я вас просил, Джонс)
?"
I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness — such an absolute darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the vault.
"They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have done what I asked you, Jones?"
"I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door
(инспектор и два офицера ждут у парадного входа)
."
"Then we have stopped all the holes
(тогда мы заткнули все дыры)
. And now we must be silent and wait
(а теперь мы должны быть тихими = молчать и ждать)
."
holes [hǝulz], silent [ˈsaɪlǝnt]
What a time it seemed
(что за время это казалось = как медленно тянулось время)
! From comparing notes afterwards
(из обмена мнениями позже)
it was but an hour and a quarter
(/было ясно/ что прошел только час с четвертью)
, yet it appeared to me that the night must have almost gone
(тем не менее, мне казалось, что ночь, должно быть, уже почти прошла)
, and the dawn be breaking above us
(и наверху: «над нами» рассветает)
. My limbs were weary and stiff
(мои конечности были усталыми и затекшими = устали и затекли)
, for I feared to change my position
(так как я боялся шевельнуться: «сменить положение»)
; yet my nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension
(однако нервы мои были натянуты до предела; pitch — высота /тона, звука/)
, and my hearing was so acute
(и мое слышание было таким острым = слух обострился настолько)
that I could not only hear the gentle breathing of my companions
(что я не только мог слышать тихое дыхание моих товарищей)
, but I could distinguish the deeper, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones
(но я мог отличить более глубокий, низкий вдох грузного Джонса)
from the thin, sighing note of the bank director
(от тонкого, вздыхающего тона директора банка)
. From my position I could look over the case in the direction of the floor
(со своего места я мог смотреть через ящик в направлении пола)
. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint of a light
(внезапно мои глаза поймали отблеск света)
.
dawn [dɔ:n], limbs [lɪmz], acute [ǝˈkju:t], distinguish [dɪsˈtɪŋɡwɪʃ], bulky [ˈbʌlkɪ]
"I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door."
"Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and wait."
What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must have almost gone, and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint of a light.
At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement
(сначала это была только слабая искра на = между /плитами/ каменного пола)
. Then it lengthened out until it became a yellow line
(затем она вытянулась, пока не стала желтой линией = превратилась в желтую полоску)
, and then, without any warning or sound
(и затем, без какого-либо признака или звука = абсолютно бесшумно)
, a gash seemed to open and a hand appeared
(показалось, что открылся паз = в полу возникло отверстие и /из него/ появилась рука)
; a white, almost womanly hand
(белая, почти женственная рука)
, which felt about in the centre of the little area of light
(которая шарила = двигалась ощупью в центре маленькой зоны света = освещенного пространства)
. For a minute or more the hand
(в течение минуты или больше эта рука)
, with its writhing fingers
(со своими извивающимися пальцами; to writhe — корчиться)
, protruded out of the floor
(торчала из пола; to protrude out — высунуться наружу)
. Then it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared
(затем она была отдернута /назад/ так же внезапно, как и появилась)
, and all was dark again save the single lurid spark
(и все было темно опять = все погрузилось во тьму, за исключением слабого огонька)
which marked a chink between the stones
(который отмечал щель между камнями)
.
lurid [ˈljurɪd], lengthened [ˈleŋƟǝnd], gash [ɡæʃ], area [ˈeǝrɪǝ], withdrawn [wɪðˈdrɔ:n]
At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand appeared; a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the stones.
Its disappearance, however, was but momentary
(ее исчезновение, однако, было лишь кратковременным)
. With a rending, tearing sound
(с раскалывающим, царапающим звуком)
, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon its side
(одна из широких белых плит перевернулась на боковую сторону)
and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the light of a lantern
(и оставила квадратную глубокую яму, через которую = из которой заструился свет фонаря)
. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, boyish face
(над краем /ямы/ выглянуло чисто выбритое мальчишеское лицо)
, which looked keenly about it
(которое внимательно осмотрелось)
, and then, with a hand on either side of the aperture
(и затем, с рукой на каждой стороне проема = упершись в края ямы)
, drew itself shoulder-high and waist-high
(вытянуло себя до уровня плеч и по пояс = из ямы показались плечи, затем поднялось все туловище)
, until one knee rested upon the edge
(пока одно колено уперлось в пол: «остановилось на краю»)
. In another instant he stood at the side of the hole
(в следующий момент он встал /во весь рост/ возле ямы)
and was hauling after him a companion
(и тянул за собой товарища = помогал влезть своему товарищу)
, lithe and small like himself
(гибкому и маленькому, как и он сам)
, with a pale face and a shock of very red hair
(с бледным лицом и с копной очень рыжих волос)
.
"It's all clear
(все чисто = в порядке)
," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the bags
(у тебя стамеска и мешки)
? Great Scott
(черт возьми)
! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it
(прыгай, Арчи, прыгай, а я за себя постою)
!"
tearing [ˈteǝrɪŋ], broad [brɔ:d], aperture [ˈæpǝtʃjuǝ], hauling [ˈhɔ:lɪŋ]
Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face and a shock of very red hair.
"It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!"
Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the collar
(выскочил /из своего укрытия/ и схватил незваного гостя за воротник)
. The other dived down the hole
(другой нырнул в дыру)
, and I heard the sound of rending cloth
(я услышал звук рвущейся ткани)
as Jones clutched at his skirts
(когда Джонс схватил его края /одежды/)
. The light flashed upon the barrel of a revolver
(свет блеснул на стволе револьвера)
, but Holmes's hunting crop came down on the man's wrist
(но охотничий хлыст Холмса обрушился на запястье человека)
, and the pistol clinked upon the stone floor
(и пистолет звякнул о каменный пол)
.
intruder [ɪnˈtru:dǝ], cloth [klɒƟ], barrel [ˈbærǝl], wrist [rɪst]
"It's no use, John Clay
(бесполезно, Джон Клэй)
," said Holmes blandly
(сказал Холмс мягко)
. "You have no chance at all
(у вас нет шансов вообще = вы попались)
."
"So I see
(вижу)
," the other answered with the utmost coolness
(ответил тот с величайшим спокойствием)
. "I fancy that my pal is all right
(я полагаю, что мой приятель в порядке)
, though I see you have got his coat-tails
(хотя я вижу, вы поймали фалду его пиджака)
."
Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes's hunting crop came down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone floor.
"It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no chance at all."
"So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his coat-tails."
"There are three men waiting for him at the door
(там три человека, ожидающие его у двери)
," said Holmes.
"Oh, indeed
(ах вот как)
! You seem to have done the thing very completely
(кажется, вы сделали эту вещь очень полно = чисто сработано)
. I must compliment you
(я должен похвалить вас = поздравляю вас)
."
"And I you
(а я вас)
," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and effective
(ваша рыжая идея = выдумка насчет рыжих — нова и результативна)
."
"You'll see your pal again presently
(вы увидите своего приятеля вскоре)
," said Jones. "He's quicker at climbing down holes than I am
(он более проворный в слезании в ямы = он лучше ныряет в норы, чем я; quick — быстрый, резвый; to climb — карабкаться, лазить)
. Just hold out while I fix the derbies
(просто протяните /руки/, пока я надеваю наручники; to hold out — протягивать)
."
pal [ˈpæl], climbing [ˈklaɪmɪŋ], derbies [ˈdǝ:bɪz]
"There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes.
"Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I must compliment you."
"And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and effective."
"You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the derbies."
"I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands
(я попрошу вас не трогать меня своими грязными руками)
," remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists
(заметил наш узник, когда наручники: «ручные браслеты» загремели на его запястьях)
. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins
(вы можете не быть осведомленными = вам, наверное, не известно, что в моих венах = жилах течет королевская кровь)
. Have the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and 'please
(будьте добры, также, когда обращаетесь ко мне говорить «сэр» и «пожалуйста»)
.'"
touch [tʌtʃ], filthy [ˈfɪlƟɪ], handcuffs [ˈhændkʌfs], blood [blʌd], veins [veɪnz]
"All right
(хорошо)
," said Jones with a stare and a snigger
(сказал Джонс с изумленным взглядом и хихиканьем)
. "Well, would you please, sir, march upstairs
(не соблаговолите ли вы, сэр, подняться: «прошагать» наверх)
, where we can get a cab to carry your Highness to the police-station
(где вы можете сесть в кеб, который отвезет ваше высочество в полицейский участок)
?"
stare [steǝ], march [mɑ:tʃ], Highness [ˈhaɪnɪs]
"I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and 'please.'"
"All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry your Highness to the police-station?"
"That is better
(так-то лучше)
," said John Clay serenely
(сказал Клэй спокойно/безмятежно)
. He made a sweeping bow to the three of us
(он сделал широкий поклон = величаво поклонился нам троим)
and walked quietly off in the custody of the detective
(и медленно удалился под опекой сыщика)
.
bow [bau], custody [ˈkʌstǝdɪ]
"Really, Mr. Holmes
(действительно, мистер Холмс)
," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them from the cellar
(когда мы проследовали за ними из подвала)
, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or repay you
(я не знаю, как банк может отблагодарить или вознаградить вас)
. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated in the most complete manner
(без сомнения, вы распознали и провалили самым лучшим образом)
one of the most determined attempts at bank robbery
(одну из самых решительных = крупных попыток ограбления банка)
that have ever come within my experience
(которую я когда-либо встречал; experience — опыт)
."
defeated [dɪˈfi:tɪd], complete [kǝmˈpli:t], robbery [ˈrɔbǝrɪ]
"That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the detective.
"Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience."
"I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. John Clay
(у меня были один или два маленьких счета, чтобы расплатиться с мистером Джоном Клэем = у меня с ним были свои старые счеты; to settle — урегулировать, привести в порядок)
," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over this matter
(я понес небольшие расходы на этом деле)
, which I shall expect the bank to refund
(которые я ожидаю от банка возместить = которые банк легко возместит мне)
, but beyond that I am amply repaid
(но помимо этого я уже вполне вознагражден)
by having had an experience which is in many ways unique
(испытав опыт = приключение, которое во многих путях уникально = единственное в своем роде)
, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the Red-headed League
(и услышав очень занимательный рассказ о Союзе рыжих)
."
scores [skɔ:z], expense [ɪkˈspens], refund [ri:ˈfʌnd], amply [ˈæmplɪ], unique [ju:ˈni:k]
"I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the Red-headed League."
"You see, Watson
(видите ли, Ватсон)
," he explained in the early hours of the morning
(объяснил он в ранние утренние часы)
as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street
(когда мы сидели за стаканчиком виски с содовой на Бэйкер-стрит)
, "it was perfectly obvious from the first
(было совершенно очевидно с самого начала)
that the only possible object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the League
(что единственной возможной целью это довольного фантастичного дела с объявлением о Союзе)
, and the copying of the Encyclopaedia
(и переписыванием энциклопедии)
, must be to get this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of hours every day
(должно было быть /только/ удаление этого не слишком умного: «сверхсмышленого» владельца ссудной кассы в сторону = из дома на несколько часов ежедневно)
. It was a curious way of managing it
(это был курьезный способ исполнения этого /плана/)
, but, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better
(но, действительно, было бы трудно предложить /что-то/ лучше)
. The method was no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind
(способ, без сомнения, был предложен = подсказан изобретательному уму Клэя)
by the color of his accomplice's hair
(цветом волос его сообщника)
. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw him
(четыре фунта в неделю были приманкой, которая должна вытащить его /из дома/)
, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands
(а что это значит для них, которые играли на тысячи = рассчитывали получить тысячи)
? They put in the advertisement
(они дали объявление)
, one rogue has the temporary office
(один жулик снял временную контору)
, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it
(другой жулик подстрекает человека = своего хозяина обратиться туда)
, and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the week
(а вместе они смогли обеспечить его отсутствие каждое утро в течение недели)
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