Agatha Christie - Английский язык с Агатой Кристи. Убийства по алфавиту

"I don't (я нет). I've never been able to afford to hunt (я никогда не был в состоянии позволить себе охотиться). And I don't think (и я не думаю) there's much hunting in this part of the world (здесь много возможностей для охоты: «там есть много /возможностей/ для охоты в этой части мира»)."

fox [fɔks], stern [stǝ:n], afford [ǝˈfɔ:d]

" — And catch a fox

And put him in a box

And never let him go."

"And catch a fox and put him in a box and never let him go!" repeated Poirot.

His face had gone suddenly grave and stern. "It is very terrible that, Hastings." He was silent a minute. "You hunt the fox here?"

"I don't. I've never been able to afford to hunt. And I don't think there's much hunting in this part of the world."

"I meant in England generally (я имел в виду в Англии в общем). A strange sport (странный спорт). The waiting at the covert side (ожидание в засаде: «скрытой стороне») — then they sound the tally-ho (затем они кричат /собакам/ «ату!»), do they not (не так ли)? — and the run begins (и погоня начинается) — across the country (по всей местности) — over the hedges and ditches (по горам по долам: «через преграды и ямки») — and the fox he runs (а лис, он бежит) — and sometimes he doubles back (и иногда он запутыват след; to double — удваивать; double back — запутывать след /о преследуемом звере/) — but the dogs (но собаки) — "

"Hounds (гончие)!"

" — hounds are on his trail (гончие идут по его следу: «гончие на его следе»), and at last they catch him (и наконец они ловят его) and he dies (и он умирает) — quickly and horribly (быстро и ужасно)."

"I suppose (я полагаю) it does sound cruel (это действительно звучит жестоко), but really (но на самом деле) — "

covert [ˈkǝʋvǝ:t], tally-ho [ˈtælɪˈhǝʋ], hound [haʋnd]

"I meant in England generally. A strange sport. The waiting at the covert side — then they sound the tally-ho, do they not? — and the run begins — across the country — over the hedges and ditches — and the fox he runs — and sometimes he doubles back — but the dogs — "

"Hounds!"

" — hounds are on his trail, and at last they catch him and he dies — quickly and horribly."

"I suppose it does sound cruel, but really — "

"The fox enjoys it (лис получает от этого удовольствие: «наслаждается этим»)? Do not say les bêtises, my friend (не говорите фр. глупостей, мой друг). Tout de même (фр. все равно) — it is better that (лучше эта) — the quick (быстрая), cruel death (жестокая смерть) than what those children were singing (чем то, что те дети пели) … To be shut away (быть закрытым) — in a box (в ящике) — for ever (навсегда) … No, it is not good (это нехорошо), that (это)."

He shook his head (он покачал головой). Then he said (затем он сказал), with a change of tone (с переменой в тоне): "Tomorrow (завтра), I am to visit the man Cust (я должен посетить этого человека, Каста)," and he added to the chauffeur (и он добавил шоферу): "Back to London (назад в Лондон)."

"Aren't you going to Eastbourne?" I cried (вы не едете в Истборн? — вскричал я).

"What need (какова нужда)? I know (я знаю) — quite enough for my purpose (вполне достаточно для моей цели)."

quick [kwɪk], box [bɔks], London [ˈlʌndǝn]

"The fox enjoys it? Do not say les bêtises, my friend. Tout de même it is better that — the quick, cruel death than what those children were singing … To be shut away — in a box — for ever … No, it is not good, that."

He shook his head. Then he said, with a change of tone: "Tomorrow, I am to visit the man Cust," and he added to the chauffeur: "Back to London."

"Aren't you going to Eastbourne?" I cried.

"What need? I know — quite enough for my purpose."

XXXIII. Alexander Bonaparte Cust

(Александр Бонапарт Каст)

I was not present at the interview (я не присутствовал на беседе) that took place between Poirot and that strange man (которая произошла между Пуаро и тем странным человеком) — Alexander Bonaparte Cust (Александром Бонапартом Кастом). Owing to his association with the police (благодаря его отношениям с полицией) and the peculiar circumstances of the case (и особыми обстоятельствами дела), Poirot had no difficulty in obtaining a Home Office[48] order (у Пуаро не было трудностей получить министерский ордер) — but that order did not extend to me (но тот ордер не распространялся на меня), and in any case (и в любом случае) it was essential (это было важно), from Poirot's point of view (с точки зрения Пуаро), that that interview should be absolutely private (что этой беседе следует быть совершенно частной) — the two men face to face (двое мужчин лицом к лицу).

difficulty [ˈdɪfɪkǝltɪ], Home Office [ˈhǝʋmˈɔfɪs], absolutely [ˈæbs(ǝ)lu:tlɪ]

I was not present at the interview that took place between Poirot and that strange man — Alexander Bonaparte Cust. Owing to his association with the police and the peculiar circumstances of the case, Poirot had no difficulty in obtaining a Home Office order — but that order did not extend to me, and in any case it was essential, from Poirot's point of view, that that interview should be absolutely private — the two men face to face.

He has given me, however (он дал мне, однако), such a detailed account of what passed between them (такой тщательный отчет того, что произошло между ними) that I set it down with as much confidence on paper (что я изложил его с такой уверенностью на бумаге; to set down — класть; записывать, письменно излагать) as though I had actually been present (как если бы я действительно /там/ присутствовал).

Mr. Cust seemed to have shrunk (мистер Каст, казалось, съежился; to shrink — уменьшаться; усыхать). His stoop was more apparent (его сутулость была более явной). His fingers plucked vaguely at his coat (его пальцы рассеянно теребили пальто; to pluck — собирать; щипать, перебирать).

For some time (некоторое время), I gather (я делаю вывод = как я понял), Poirot did not speak (Пуаро не говорил).

He sat (он сидел) and looked at the man opposite him (и смотрел на человека напротив него).

shrunk [ʃrʌŋk], pluck [plʌk], coat [kǝʋt]

He has given me, however, such a detailed account of what passed between them that I set it down with as much confidence on paper as though I had actually been present.

Mr. Cust seemed to have shrunk. His stoop was more apparent. His fingers plucked vaguely at his coat.

For some time, I gather, Poirot did not speak.

He sat and looked at the man opposite him.

The atmosphere became restful (обстановка стала мирной) — soothing (успокаивающей) — full of infinite leisure (полной бесконечного расслабления). It must have been a dramatic moment (это, должно быть, был драматический момент) — this meeting of the two adversaries in the long drama (эта встреча двух противников в долгой драме). In Poirot's place (на месте Пуаро) I should have felt the dramatic thrill (я бы почувствовал драматический трепет).

Poirot, however (Пуаро, однако), is nothing if not matter-of-fact (это сплошная прозаичность; matter-of-fact — основанный на фактах, сухой, прозаичный; лишенный фантазии). He was absorbed in producing a certain effect upon the man opposite him (он был поглощен тем, что производил определенное впечатление на человека напротив него).

At last he said gently (наконец он мягко сказал): "Do you know who I am (вы знаете, кто я)?"

infinite [ˈɪnfɪnɪt], leisure [ˈleʒǝ], matter-of-fact [ˌmætǝr(ǝ)vˈfækt]

The atmosphere became restful — soothing — full of infinite leisure. It must have been a dramatic moment — this meeting of the two adversaries in the long drama. In Poirot's place I should have felt the dramatic thrill.

Poirot, however, is nothing if not matter-of-fact. He was absorbed in producing a certain effect upon the man opposite him.

At last he said gently: "Do you know who I am?"

The other shook his head (другой покачал головой). "No — no — I can't say (я не могу сказать) I do (что я /знаю/). Unless you are Mr. Lucas's (только если вы не мистера Лукаса) — what do they call it (как они называют это)? — junior (помощник; junior — младший; подчиненный). Or perhaps you come from Mr. Maynard (или, может быть, вы пришли от мистера Мейнарда)?"

(Maynard & Cole were the defending solicitors («Мейнард-энд-Коул» были юристами защиты).)

His tone was polite (его тон был вежливый) but not very interested (но не очень заинтересованный). He seemed absorbed in some inner abstraction (он казался поглощенным внутренними мыслями; abstraction — абстракция; погруженность мысли, задумчивость).

"I am Hercule Poirot (я — Эркюль Пуаро)…"

Poirot said the words very gently (Пуаро сказал эти слова очень мягко) … and watched for the effect (и наблюдал за эффектом).

Mr. Cust raised his head a little (мистер Каст немного поднял голову). "Oh, yes (о, да)?"

He said it as naturally (он сказал это так естественно) as Inspector Crome might have said it (как инспектор Кроум мог бы сказать это) — but without the superciliousness (но без надменности; supercilious — высокомерный, надменный, презрительный).

solicitor [sǝˈlɪsɪtǝ], abstraction [æbˈstrækʃ(ǝ)n], superciliousness [ˌsju:pǝˈsɪlɪǝsnɪs]

The other shook his head. "No — no — I can't say I do. Unless you are Mr. Lucas's — what do they call it? — junior. Or perhaps you come from Mr. Maynard?"

(Maynard & Cole were the defending solicitors.)

His tone was polite but not very interested. He seemed absorbed in some inner abstraction.

"I am Hercule Poirot …"

Poirot said the words very gently … and watched for the effect.

Mr. Cust raised his head a little. "Oh, yes?"

He said it as naturally as Inspector Crome might have said it — but without the superciliousness.

Then (затем), a minute later (минутой спустя), he repeated his remark (он повторил свое замечание). "Oh, yes?" he said (о, да?), and this time his tone was different (и на этот раз его тон был другим) — it held an awakened interest (он содержал пробудившийся интерес). He raised his head and looked at Poirot (он поднял голову и посмотрел на Пуаро).