XXVIII. 2 страница

"Oh, no — no, thank you (благодарю вас). That's not necessary (это необязательно)."

struggle [strAgl], sober [`sqVbq], shaken [SeIkn]

Inspector Crome struggled with the temptation to reply: "Why not?" and said instead: "I'm afraid it's no good expecting a lunatic to have reasons for what he does."

"God bless my soul," said Mr. Downes, sobered into whispering. He got up. He looked suddenly old and shaken.

"If you don't want me anymore, gentlemen, I think I'll go home. I — I don't feel very well."

"That's quite all right, Mr. Downes. I'll send a constable with you — just to see you're all right."

"Oh, no — no, thank you. That's not necessary."

"Might as well," said Colonel Anderson gruffly (вполне может быть, — сказал полковник Андерсон мрачно; might as well be true — вполне может быть правдой: «может так же хорошо = с тем же успехом быть истинным»). His eyes slid sideways (его глаза скользнули в сторону; to slide — скользить), asking an imperceptible question of the inspector (задавая инспектору немой: «незаметный» вопрос; to percept — воспринимать).

The latter gave an equally imperceptible nod (последний сделал равно незаметный кивок).

Mr. Downes went out shakily (мистер Даунс вышел /весь/дрожа).

"Just as well he didn't tumble to it," said Colonel Anderson (только к лучшему, что он не понял этого, — сказал полковник Андерсон; just as well — с тем же успехом, только к лучшему; to tumble — падать; понимать).

"There'll be a couple of them (там их будет двое) — eh (а)?"

"Yes, sir (да, сэр). Your Inspector Rice has made arrangements (ваш инспектор Райс сделал все распоряжения). The house will be watched (за домом будут наблюдать)."

"You think," said Poirot (вы думаете), "that when A.B.C. finds out his mistake (что, когда Эй-би-си обнаружит свою ошибку) he might try again (он может попробовать снова)?"

imperceptible ["Impq`septqbl], tumble [tAmbl], try [traI]

"Might as well," said Colonel Anderson gruffly. His eyes slid sideways, asking an imperceptible question of the inspector.

The latter gave an equally imperceptible nod.

Mr. Downes went out shakily.

"Just as well he didn't tumble to it," said Colonel Anderson.

"There'll be a couple of them — eh?"

"Yes, sir. Your Inspector Rice has made arrangements. The house will be watched."

"You think," said Poirot, "that when A.B.C. finds out his mistake he might try again?"

Anderson nodded (Андерсон кивнул). "It's a possibility," he said (это возможно: «есть возможность /этого/»). "Seems a methodical sort of chap, A.B.C. (кажется методичным типом, Эй-би-си). It will upset him (это его расстроит) if things don't go according to programme (если все пойдет не в соотвествии с планом)."

Poirot nodded thoughtfully (Пуаро задумчиво кивнул).

"Wish we could get a description of the fellow," said Colonel Anderson irritably (хотелось, /чтобы/ мы смогли получить описание этого парня, — раздраженно сказал полковник Андерсон; to irritate — раздражать). "We're as much in the dark as ever (мы в таком же неведении, как всегда; dark — темнота)."

"It may come," said Poirot (это может выясниться).

"Think so (думаете так)? Well, it's possible (это возможно). Damn it all (/будь/ проклято это все), hasn't anyone got eyes in his head (/разве/ ни у кого нет глаз на голове)?"

"Have patience," said Poirot (имейте терпение).

methodical [mI`TOdIk(q)l], anyone [`enIwAn], eye [aI]

Anderson nodded. "It's a possibility," he said. "Seems a methodical sort of chap, A.B.C.. It will upset him if things don't go according to programme."

Poirot nodded thoughtfully.

"Wish we could get a description of the fellow," said Colonel Anderson irritably. "We're as much in the dark as ever."

"It may come," said Poirot.

"Think so? Well, it's possible. Damn it all, hasn't anyone got eyes in his head?"

"Have patience," said Poirot.

"You seem very confident, M. Poirot (вы кажетесь очень уверенным, мсье Пуаро). Got any reason for this optimism (имеете какую-нибудь причину для такого оптимизма)?''

"Yes, Colonel Anderson (да, полковник Андерсон). Up to now (до сих пор), the murderer has not made a mistake (убийца не делал ошибок). He is bound to make one soon (он непременно сделает одну скоро; bound — связанный; обязанный, вынужденный)."

"If that's all you've got to go on," began the Chief Constable with a snort (если это все, чем у вас есть продолжить, — начал начальник полиции, фыркнув: «с фырканьем»), but he was interrupted (но его прервали).

"Mr. Ball of the Black Swan is here with a young woman, sir (мистер Болл из «Черного лебедя» здесь с молодой женщиной, сэр). He reckons (он считает; to reckon — считать; полагать) he's got summat to say might help you (что у него есть кое-что сказать, что может помочь вам; summat — somewhat)."

"Bring them along (приведите их). Bring them along. We can do with anything helpful (нам бы не помешало что-нибудь полезное; can do with — не отказаться; не помешало бы)."

confident [`kOnfIdqnt], optimism [`OptImIzm], reckon [`rekqn]

"You seem very confident, M. Poirot. Got any reason for this optimism?''

"Yes, Colonel Anderson. Up to now, the murderer has not made a mistake. He is bound to make one soon."

If that's all you've got to go on," began the Chief Constable with a snort, but he was interrupted.

"Mr. Ball of the Black Swan is here with a young woman, sir. He reckons he's got summat to say might help you."

"Bring them along. Bring them along. We can do with anything helpful."

Mr. Ball of the Black Swan was a large (мистер Болл из «Черного лебедя» был большой), slow-thinking (туго соображающий: «медленно думающий»), heavily-moving man (тяжело передвигающийся мужчина). He exhaled a strong odour of beer (он источал сильный запах пива; to exhale — выдыхать; производить выдох). With him was a plump young woman with round eyes clearly in a state of high excitement (с ним была пухленькая молодая женщина с круглыми глазами, явно в состоянии сильного волнения).

"Hope (надеюсь) I'm not intruding or wasting valuable time," said Mr. Ball (я не вторгаюсь = не помешаю и не трачу /вашего/ ценного времени) in a slow (медленным), thick voice (густым голосом; thick — толстый; густой). "But this wench (эта девушка), Mary here (вот, Мэри), reckons (считает) she's got something to tell (что ей есть что-то рассказать) as you ought to know (что вы должны знать)."

Mary giggled in a half-hearted way (Мэри неуверенно хихикнула).

exhale [eks`heIl], wench [wentS], giggle [gIgl]

Mr. Ball of the Black Swan was a large, slow-thinking, heavily-moving man. He exhaled a strong odour of beer. With him was a plump young woman with round eyes clearly in a state of high excitement.

"Hope I'm not intruding or wasting valuable time," said Mr. Ball in a slow, thick voice. "But this wench, Mary here, reckons she's got something to tell as you ought to know."

Mary giggled in a half-hearted way.

"Well, my girl, what is it?" said Anderson (так, девочка моя, что это?). "What's your name (как ваше имя)?"

"Mary, sir — Mary Stroud (Мэри Страуд)."

"Well, Mary, out with it (так, Мэри рассказывайте; out with it — давай/те/ же, говори/те/: «наружу с этим»)."

Mary turned her round eyes on her master (Мэри перевела свои круглые глаза на своего хозяина).

"It's her business to take up hot water to the gents' bedrooms," said Mr. Ball (это ее обязанность приносить горячую воду в спальни господ; gents' — gentlemen’s), coming to the rescue (приходя на помощь). "About half a dozen gentlemen we've got staying (у нас остановилось около шести джентльменов; half a dozen — полдюжины). Some for the races (некоторые /приехали/ на скачки) and some just commercials (некоторые просто коммивояжеры)."

gent [Gent], rescue [`reskjH], commercial [kq`mWS(q)l]

"Well, my girl, what is it?" said Anderson. "What's your name?"

"Mary, sir — Mary Stroud."

"Well, Mary, out with it."

Mary turned her round eyes on her master.

"It's her business to take up hot water to the gents' bedrooms," said Mr. Ball, coming to the rescue. "About half a dozen gentlemen we've got staying. Some for the races and some just commercials."

"Yes, yes," said Anderson impatiently (нетерпеливо сказал Андерсон).

"Get on, lass," said Mr. Ball (продолжай, девушка). "Tell your tale (расскажи свою историю). Nothing to be afraid of (нечего бояться)."

Mary gasped (Мэри вздохнула; to gasp — дышать с трудом, задыхаться; ловить воздух), groaned (охнула) and plunged in a breathless voice into her narrative (и задыхающимся голосом начала свое повествование; to plunge — нырять, погружаться).

"I knocked on door (я постучала в дверь) and there wasn't no answer (но не было никакого ответа), otherwise I wouldn't have gone in (иначе бы я не вошла) leastways not unless gentleman had said (по крайней мере, пока джентльмен не скажет) 'Come in' (войдите), and as he didn't say nothing (а так как он ничего не сказал) I went in (я вошла) and he was there (он был там) washing his hands (мыл руки)."

breathless [`breTlqs], narrative [`nxrqtIv], leastways [`lJstweIz]

"Yes, yes," said Anderson impatiently.

"Get on, lass," said Mr. Ball. "Tell your tale. Nothing to be afraid of."

Mary gasped, groaned and plunged in a breathless voice into her narrative.

"I knocked on door and there wasn't no answer, otherwise I wouldn't have gone in leastways not unless gentleman had said 'Come in,' and as he didn't say nothing I went in and he was there washing his hands."

She paused and breathed deeply (она прервалась и глубоко перевела дыхание).

"Go on, my girl," said Anderson (продолжайте, девочка моя).

Mary looked sideways at her master (Мэри посмотрела вбок = скосила глаза на своего хозяина) and as though receiving inspiration from his slow nod (и, как будто получив вдохновение от его медленного кивка; to inspire — вдохновлять), plunged on again (снова начала).

"'It's your hot water, sir,' I said (это ваша горячая вода, сэр, — я сказала), 'and I did knock (и я на самом деле постучала),' but 'Oh,' he says (но «о», — он сказал), 'I've washed in cold,' he said (я /уже/ умылся холодной, — он сказал), and so (и так), naturally (естественно), I looks in basin (я смотрю в рукомойник), and oh! God help me, sir (и, Господи помоги мне, сэр), it were all red (это было все красное)!"

"Red?" said Anderson sharply (красное? — резко спросил Андерсон).

master [`mRstq], inspiration ["Inspq`reIS(q)n], slow [slqV]

She paused and breathed deeply.

"Go on, my girl," said Anderson.

Mary looked sideways at her master and as though receiving inspiration from his slow nod, plunged on again.

"'It's your hot water, sir,' I said, 'and I did knock,' but 'Oh,' he says, 'I've washed in cold,' he said, and so, naturally, I looks in basin, and oh! God help me, sir, it were all red!"

"Red?" said Anderson sharply.

Ball struck in (Болл вмешался; to strike — ударять/ся/). "The lass told me (девушка сказала мне) that he had his coat off (что он снял пальто: «имел пальто снятым») and that he was holding the sleeve of it (и что он держал его рукав), and it was all wet (и он был весь влажный) — that's right, eh, lass (это правильно, а, девушка)?"

"Yes, sir, that's right, sir (это правильно, сэр)."

She plunged on (она продолжала): "And his face, sir (и его лицо, сэр), it looked queer (оно выглядело странным), mortal queer it looked (смертельно странным оно выглядело). Gave me quite a turn (/это/ меня совершенно потрясло)."

"When was this?" asked Anderson sharply (когда это было? — резко спросил Андерсон).

"About a quarter after five (около четверти шестого), so near as I can reckon (насколько я могу определить: «так близко, как я могу подсчитать»)."

"Over three hours ago," snapped Anderson (более трех часов назад, — резко сказал Андерсон; to snap — щелкать, лязгать, хлопать; разговаривать отрывисто, раздраженно). "Why didn't you come at once (почему вы сразу не пришли)?"

lass [lxs], mortal [`mLtql], snap [snxp]

Ball struck in. "The lass told me that he had his coat off and that he was holding the sleeve of it, and it was all wet — that's right, eh, lass?"

"Yes, sir, that's right, sir."

She plunged on: "And his face, sir, it looked queer, mortal queer it looked. Gave me quite a turn."

"When was this?" asked Anderson sharply.

"About a quarter after five, so near as I can reckon."

"Over three hours ago," snapped Anderson. "Why didn't you come at once?"

"Didn't hear about it at once," said Ball (не сразу услышал об этом). "Not till news came along (пока новости не пришли) as there'd been another murder done (что произошло еще одно убийство). And then the lass (а затем девушка) she screams out (она закричала) as it might have been blood in the basin (что это могла быть кровь в тазу), and I asked her (и я спросил ее) what she means (что она имеет в виду), and she tells me (и она рассказывает мне). Well, it doesn't sound right to me (мне не показалось это правильным: «это не прозвучало для меня правильно») and I went upstairs myself (и я пошел наверх сам). Nobody in the room (никого в комнате). I asks a few questions (я задаю несколько вопросов) and one of the lads in courtyard says (и один из парней во дворе говорит) he saw a fellow sneaking out that way (он видел, как человек крался наружу туда: «в том направлении»; to sneak — красться) and by his description it was the right one (и по описанию, это был тот, кто нужно; right — именно тот, который нужен). So I says to the missus (так я сказал хозяйке; missus — Mrs — mistress — хозяйка /дома/) as Mary here had best go to police (что Мэри лучше пойти в полицию). She doesn't like the idea (ей не нравится эта идея), Mary doesn't (Мэри не /нравится/), and I says (и я говорю) I'll come along with her (я пойду с ней)."

Inspector Crome drew a sheet of paper towards him (инспектор Кроум протянул ему лист бумаги).

sneak [snJk], missus [`mIsqz], sheet [SJt]

"Didn't hear about it at once," said Ball. "Not till news came along as there'd been another murder done. And then the lass she screams out as it might have been blood in the basin, and I asked her what she means, and she tells me. Well, it doesn't sound right to me and I went upstairs myself. Nobody in the room. I asks a few questions and one of the lads in courtyard says he saw a fellow sneaking out that way and by his description it was the right one. So I says to the missus as Mary here had best go to police. She doesn't like the idea, Mary doesn't, and I says I'll come along with her."

Inspector Crome drew a sheet of paper towards him.

"Describe this man," he said (опишите этого человека). "As quick as you can (как можно быстрее: «так быстро, как вы можете»). There's no time to be lost (нельзя терять время: «там нет времени, чтобы его терять»)."

"Medium-sized, he were," said Mary (среднего роста: «среднего размера» он был). "And stooped (и сутулый; to stoop — наклоняться; сутулиться) and wore glasses (и носил очки = на нем были очки; to wear).''

"His clothes (его одежда)?"

"A dark suit (темный костюм) and a Homburg[42] hat (и хомбургская шляпа). Rather shabby-looking (довольно потрепанный; shabby — поношенный; потрепанный, протертый)."

She could add little to this description (она могла мало добавить к этому описанию).

Inspector Crome did not insist unduly (инспектор Кроум не настаивал чрезмерно; duly — должным образом; достаточно). The telephone wires were soon busy (телефонные провода были скоро заняты), but neither the inspector (но ни инспектор) nor the Chief Constable were overoptimistic (ни начальник полиции не были слишком оптимистичны).

Crome elicited the fact (Кроум выяснил тот факт; to elicit — извлекать; вытягивать, допытываться; вызывать, выявлять) that the man (что мужчина), when seen sneaking across the yard (когда его видели крадущимся по двору), had had no bag or suitcase (не имел /с собой/ ни сумки, ни чемодана). "There's a chance there (в этом есть шанс)," he said.

wore [wL], unduly [`An`djHlI], insist [In`sIst]

"Describe this man," he said. "As quick as you can. There's no time to be lost."

"Medium-sized, he were," said Mary. "And stooped and wore glasses.''

"His clothes?"

"A dark suit and a Homburg hat. Rather shabby-looking."

She could add little to this description.

Inspector Crome did not insist unduly. The telephone wires were soon busy, but neither the inspector nor the Chief Constable were overoptimistic.

Crome elicited the fact that the man, when seen sneaking across the yard, had had no bag or suitcase. "There's a chance there," he said.

Two men were dispatched to the Black Swan (двое мужчин были отправлены в «Черный лебедь»).

Mr. Ball (мистер Болл), swelling with pride and importance (раздуваясь от гордости и важности; to swell — надуваться, раздуваться), and Mary, somewhat tearful (и Мэри, слегка в слезах), accompanied them (сопровождали их).

The sergeant returned about ten minutes later (сержант пришел примерно десять минут спустя).

"I've brought the register, sir," he said (я принес регистрационную книгу, сэр). "Here's the signature (вот подпись)."

We crowded round (мы столпились вокруг). The writing was small and cramped (почерк был мелкий и тесный) — not easy to read (нелегко прочитать).

dispatch [dIs`pxtS], register [`reGIstq], signature [`sIgnItSq]

Two men were dispatched to the Black Swan.

Mr. Ball, swelling with pride and importance, and Mary, somewhat tearful, accompanied them.

The sergeant returned about ten minutes later.

"I've brought the register, sir," he said. "Here's the signature."

We crowded round. The writing was small and cramped — not easy to read.

"A.B.Case (Эй. Би. Кейс) — or is it Cash (или это Кэш)?" said the Chief Constable (сказал начальник полиции).

"A.B.C.," said Crome significantly (Эй-Би-Си, — сказал Кроум значительно).

"What about luggage?" asked Anderson (как насчет багажа).

"One good-sized suitcase, sir (один большой: «хорошего размера» чемодан, сэр), full of small cardboard boxes (полный маленьких картонных коробок)."

"Boxes (коробок)? What was in 'em (что было в них)?"

"Stockings, sir (чулки, сэр). Silk stockings (шелковые чулки)."

Crome turned to Poirot (Кроум повернулся к Пуаро). "Congratulations," he said (поздравляю: «поздравления»; to congratulate — поздравлять). "Your hunch was right (ваша интуиция была права; hunch — толчок, нажим; напор; натиск; предчувствие; интуиция)."

luggage [`lAgIG], congratulations [kqn,grxtjV`leIs(q)nz], hunch [hAntS]

"A.B.Case — or is it Cash?" said the Chief Constable.

"A.B.C.," said Crome significantly.

"What about luggage?" asked Anderson.

"One good-sized suitcase, sir, full of small cardboard boxes."

"Boxes? What was in 'em?"

"Stockings, sir. Silk stockings."

Crome turned to Poirot. "Congratulations," he said. "Your hunch was right."

(Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

(не из личного повествования капитана Гастингса)

Inspector Crome was in his office at Scotland Yard (инспектор Кроум был в своем офисе в Скотланд-Ярде).

The telephone on his desk gave a discreet buzz (телефон на его столе коротко зазвонил: «издал сдержанный звонок») and he picked it up (и он поднял /трубку/).

"Jacobs speaking, sir (Джейкобс говорит, сэр). There's a young fellow come in with a story (молодой человек пришел с историей) that I think you ought to hear (которую, я думаю, вы должны услышать)."

Inspector Crome sighed (инспектор Кроум вздохнул). On an average twenty people a day turned up with so-called important information about the A.B.C. case (в среднем двадцать людей в день приходили с так называемой важной информацией о деле Эй-би-си; to turn up — находиться, внезапно появляться). Some of them were harmless lunatics (некоторые из них безвредные лунатики), some of them were well-meaning persons (некоторые из них были люди, действующие из лучших /побуждений/) who genuinely believed (которые искренне верили) that their information was of value (что их информация имела ценность). It was the duty of Sergeant Jacobs to act as a human sieve (это была обязанность сержанта Джейкоба действовать как человеческое сито) — retaining the grosser matter (задерживая более грубые/крупные частицы) and passing on the residue to his superior (и передавая остаток своему начальству).

"Very well, Jacobs," said Crome (очень хорошо, Джейкобс). "Send him along (пришлите его)."

A few minutes later (несколькими минутами спустя) there was a tap on the inspector's door (раздался стук в дверь) and Sergeant Jacobs appeared (и появился сержант Джейкобс), ushering in a tall (вводя высокого), moderately good-looking young man (сравнительно симпатичного молодого человека).

discreet [dIs`krJt], average [`xvqrIG], residue [`rezIdjH]

Inspector Crome was in his office at Scotland Yard.

The telephone on his desk gave a discreet buzz and he picked it up.

"Jacobs speaking, sir. There's a young fellow come in with a story that I think you ought to hear."

Inspector Crome sighed. On an average twenty people a day turned up with so-called important information about the A.B.C. case. Some of them were harmless lunatics, some of them were well-meaning persons who genuinely believed that their information was of value. It was the duty of Sergeant Jacobs to act as a human sieve — retaining the grosser matter and passing on the residue to his superior.

"Very well, Jacobs," said Crome. "Send him along."

A few minutes later there was a tap on the inspector's door and Sergeant Jacobs appeared, ushering in a tall, moderately good-looking young man.

"This is Mr. Tom Hartigan, sir (это мистер Том Хартиган, сэр). He's got something to tell us (у него есть что-то сказать нам) which may have a possible bearing on the A.B.C. case (что может иметь возможное отношение к делу Эй-би-си)."

The inspector rose pleasantly and shook hands (инспектор вежливо поднялся и поздоровался: «пожал руку»).

"Good morning, Mr. Hartigan (доброе утро, мистер Хартиган). Sit down, won't you (садитесь, пожалуйста: «садитесь, не хотите ли»)? Smoke (курите)? Have a cigarette (возьмете сигарету)?"

Tom Hanigan sat down awkwardly (Том Хартиган неловко сел) and looked with some awe at what he called in his own mind (и посмотрел с благоговением на то, что он называл в своем уме) "one of the bigwigs (одним из тузов; bigwig — важная персона: «большой колпак»)." The appearance of the inspector vaguely disappointed him (внешность инспектора слегка/как-то разочаровала его; vague — расплывчатый, неясный). He looked quite an ordinary person (он выглядел вполне обычным человеком).

awe [L], cigarette ["sIgq`ret], bigwig [`bIgwIg]

"This is Mr. Tom Hartigan, sir. He's got something to tell us which may have a possible bearing on the A.B.C. case."

The inspector rose pleasantly and shook hands.

"Good morning, Mr. Hartigan. Sit down, won't you? Smoke? Have a cigarette?"

Tom Hanigan sat down awkwardly and looked with some awe at what he called in his own mind "one of the bigwigs." The appearance of the inspector vaguely disappointed him. He looked quite an ordinary person.

"Now then," said Crome (ну, тогда = ну так давайте). "You've got something to tell us (у вас есть что-то сказать нам) that you think may have a bearing on the case (что, вы думаете, имеет отношение к делу). Fire ahead (начинайте: «стреляйте вперед»)."

Tom began nervously (Том нервно начал). "Of course it may be nothing at all (конечно, это может быть вовсе ничем = в этом, возможно, нет ничего важного). It's just an idea of mine (это просто моя идея). I may be wasting your time (я, вероятно, просто трачу ваше время = отнимаю у вас время)."

Again (снова), Inspector Crome sighed imperceptibly (инспектор Кроум незаметно вздохнул). The amount of time he had to waste in reassuring people (количество времени, /которое/ он вынужден тратить, подбадривая людей/вдыхая в людей уверенность)!

"We're the best judge of that (нам лучше судить: «мы лучший судья этому»). Let's have the facts, Mr. Hartigan (давайте /посмотрим на/ факты, мистер Хартиган)."

"Well, it's like this, sir (это вот как: «подобно этому», сэр). I've got a young lady (у меня есть невеста), you see (вы понимаете), and her mother lets rooms (а ее мать сдает комнаты). Up Camden Town way (в сторону Кэмден Таун). Their second floor back has been let for over a year to a man called Cust (их третий этаж сдается больше года человеку по имени Каст)."

waste [weIst], amount [q`maVnt], over [`qVvq]

"Now then," said Crome. "You've got something to tell us that you think may have a bearing on the case. Fire ahead."

Tom began nervously. "Of course it may be nothing at all. It's just an idea of mine. I may be wasting your time."

Again, Inspector Crome sighed imperceptibly. The amount of time he had to waste in reassuring people!

"We're the best judge of that. Let's have the facts, Mr. Hartigan."

"Well, it's like this, sir. I've got a young lady, you see, and her mother lets rooms. Up Camden Town way. Their second floor back has been let for over a year to a man called Cust."

"Cust — eh (Каст — э)?"

"That's right, sir (именно так, сэр). A sort of middle-aged bloke (как бы малый средних лет) what's rather vague and soft (который в некоторой степени неопределенный и мягкий) — and come down in the world a bit (и опустившийся немного по жизни), I should say (я должен сказать). Sort of creature who wouldn't hurt a fly (как бы существо, которое мухи не обидит), you'd say (вы бы сказали) — and I'd never of dreamed of anything being wrong (и я бы никогда не подумал, что что-то не так) if it hadn't been for something rather odd (если бы не что-то достаточно странное)."

In a somewhat confused manner (слегка сбивчиво: «в слегка сбивчивой манере; confused — смущенный; сбивчивый) and repeating himself once or twice (и повторясь раз или два), Tom described his encounter with Mr. Cust at Euston Station (Том описал его случайную встречу с мистером Кастом на станции Юстон) and the incident of the dropped ticket (и инцидент с оброненным билетом).

bloke [blqVk], creature [`krJtSq], encounter [In`kaVntq]

"Cust — eh?"

"That's fight, sir. A sort of middle-aged bloke what's rather vague and soft — and come down in the world a bit, I should say. Sort of creature who wouldn't hurt a fly, you'd say — and I'd never of dreamed of anything being wrong if it hadn't been for something rather odd."

In a somewhat confused manner and repeating himself once or twice, Tom described his encounter with Mr. Cust at Euston Station and the incident of the dropped ticket.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27