XXVIII. 3 страница

"You see, sir (вы понимаете, сэр), look at it how you will (смотрите на это, как хотите), it's funny like (это странно как-то). Lily (Лили), that's my young lady, sir (это моя невеста, сэр) — she was quite positive (она была совершенно уверена) that it was Cheltenham he said (что это был Челтнем, /как/ он сказал), and her mother says the same (и ее мать говорит тоже) — says she remembers distinctly (говорит, что она точно помнит) talking about it the morning he went off (/как/ говорили об этом в утро, /когда/ он уехал). Of course (конечно), I didn't pay much attention to it at the time (я не обратил внимания на это в то время). Lily — my young lady said (моя невеста сказала) as how she hoped (так как она надеялась) he wouldn't cop it for this A.B.C. fellow (что он не попадет в неприятности из-за этого парня Эй-би-си; to cop — поймать; попасть в неприятную историю) going to Doncaster (едущего в Донкастер) — and then she says (а затем она говорит) it's rather a coincidence (это, скорее, совпадение) because he was down Churston way at the time of the last crime (потому что он был в Черстоне во время последнего преступления).

Laughing like (смеха ради), I asks her whether he was at Bexhill the time before (я спрашиваю ее, был ли он в Бэксхилле до этого), and she says (и она говорит) she don't know where he was (она не знает, где он был), but he was away at the seaside (но он уезжал на побережье) — that she does know (это она действительно знает). And then I said to her (а затем я сказал ей) it would be odd (это было бы странно) if he was the A.B.C. himself (если он был сам Эй-би-си) and she said (и она сказала) poor Mr. Cust wouldn't hurt a fly (бедный мистер Каст не обидит и мухи) — and that was all at the time (и это было все на то время). We didn't think no more about it (мы больше об этом не думали). At least (в конце), in a sort of way I did, sir (каким-то образом я это делал, сэр), underneath like (как-то подсознательно; underneath — вниз; внизу). I began wondering about this Cust fellow (я начал интересоваться этим парнем, Кастом) and thinking that (и думая что), after all (в конце концов), harmless as he seemed (безвредным, как он казался), he might be a bit batty (он, возможно, был слегка того)."

distinctly [dIs`tInktlI], cop [kOp], underneath ["Andq`nJT]

"You see, sir, look at it how you will, it's funny like. Lily, that's my young lady, sir — she was quite positive that it was Cheltenham he said, and her mother says the same — says she remembers distinctly talking about it the morning he went off. Of course, I didn't pay much attention to it at the time. Lily — my young lady said as how she hoped he wouldn't cop it for this A.B.C. fellow going to Doncaster — and then she says it's rather a coincidence because he was down Churston way at the time of the last crime.

Laughing like, I asks her whether he was at Bexhill the time before, and she says she don't know where he was, but he was away at the seaside — that she does know. And then I said to her it would be odd if he was the A.B.C. himself and she said poor Mr. Cust wouldn't hurt a fly — and that was all at the time. We didn't think no more about it. At least, in a sort of way I did, sir, underneath like. I began wondering about this Cust fellow and thinking that, after all, harmless as he seemed, he might be a bit batty."

Tom took a breath (Том вдохнул) and then went on (а затем продолжил). Inspector Crome was listening intently now (теперь инспектор Кроум слушал внимательно; intent — внимательный, пристальный).

"And then after the Doncaster murder, sir (а затем, после донкастерского убийства, сэр), it was in all the papers (это было во всех газетах) that information was wanted (что информация требовалась) as to the whereabouts of a certain A.B. Case or Cash (о местонахождении некоего Эй. Би. Кейса или Кэша; whereabouts — местонахождение), and it gave a description (и давалось описание) that fitted well enough (которое достаточно хорошо подходило). First evening off I had (в первый выходной вечер, который у меня был), I went round to Lily's (я поехал к Лили) and asked her what her Mr. Cust's initials were (и спросил ее, какие у ее мистера Каста были инициалы). She couldn't remember at first (сначала она не могла вспомнить), but her mother did (но ее мать /вспомнила/)."

intently [`IntqntlI], whereabouts [`wFqrqbaVts], initial [I`nISIql]

Tom took a breath and then went on. Inspector Crome was listening intently now.

"And then after the Doncaster murder, sir, it was in all the papers that information was wanted as to the whereabouts of a certain A.B. Case or Cash, and it gave a description that fitted well enough. First evening off I had, I went round to Lily's and asked her what her Mr. Cust's initials were. She couldn't remember at first, but her mother did."

"Said they were A. B. right enough (сказала, что они как раз были Эй. Би.). Then we got down to it (затем мы засели за это) and tried to figure out (и попытались выяснить) if Cust had been away at the time of the first murder at Andover (был ли мистер Каст в отсутствии во время первого убийства в Эндовере). Well, as you know, sir (как вы знаете, сэр), it isn't too easy to remember things three months back (непросто вспомнить вещи, которые случились три месяца назад). We had a job of it (мы потрудились: «мы имели работу из этого»), but we got it fixed down in the end (но у нас все сошлось в конце), because Mrs. Marbury had a brother come from Canada to see her on June 21^st (потому что у миссис Марбери был брат, который приехал навестить ее из Канады двадцать первого июня).

He arrived unexpected like (он приехал как-то неожиданно) and she wanted to give him a bed (и она хотела предложить ему переночевать: «кровать»), and Lily suggested (и Лили предложила) that as Mr. Cust was away (что, так как мистер Каст отсутствовал) Bert Marbury might have his bed (Берт Марбери мог бы получить /в распоряжение/ его кровать). But Mrs. Marbury wouldn't agree (но миссис Марбери не согласилась), because she said (потому что она сказала) it wasn't acting right by her lodger (это было неправильное поведение /по отношению/ к ее жильцу), and she always liked to act fair and square (а ей всегда нравилось вести себя правильно и честно). But we fixed the date all right (но мы определили точную дату) because of Bert Marbury's ship docking at Southampton that day (потому что корабль Берта Марбери стоял в доке в Саусгэмптоне в тот день)."

Canada [`kxnqdq], lodger [`lOGq], dock [dOk]

"Said they were A.B. right enough. Then we got down to it and tried to figure out if Cust had been away at the time of the first murder at Andover. Well, as you know, sir, it isn't too easy to remember things three months back. We had a job of it, but we got it fixed down in the end, because Mrs. Marbury had a brother come from Canada to see her on June 21^st.

He arrived unexpected like and she wanted to give him a bed, and Lily suggested that as Mr. Cust was away Bert Marbury might have his bed. But Mrs. Marbury wouldn't agree, because she said it wasn't acting right by her lodger, and she always liked to act fair and square. But we fixed the date all right because of Bert Marbury's ship docking at Southampton that day."

Inspector Crome had listened very attentively (инспектор Кроум выслушал очень внимательно), jotting down an occasional note (временами делая краткие записи; to jot down — кратко записать; бегло набросать; записать).

"That's all?" he asked (это все?).

"That's all, sir (это все, сэр). I hope (я надеюсь) you don't think I'm making a lot of nothing (вы не думаете, что я делаю много /шума/ из ничего)." Tom flushed slightly (Том слегка покраснел).

"Not at all (вовсе нет). You were quite right to come here (вы были совершенно правы, что пришли сюда). Of course, it's very slight evidence (конечно, это очень незначительные свидетельства; slight — легкий, небольшой, незначительный) — these dates may be mere coincidence (эти даты могут быть просто совпадениями) and the likeness of the name, too (и похожесть имени тоже). But it certainly warrants my having an interview with your Mr. Cust (но это, конечно, дает мне основания побеседовать с вашим мистером Кастом; warrant — ордер; основание; to warrant — служить оправданием, основанием; давать право, полномочия). Is he at home now (он дома сейчас)?"

"Yes, sir."

"When did he return (когда он вернулся)?"

"The evening of the Doncaster murder, sir (в вечер донкастерского убийства, сэр)."

"What's he been doing since (что он делал с тех пор)?"

jot [GOt], occasional [q`keIZqnql], warrant [`wOrqnt]

Inspector Crome had listened very attentively, jotting down an occasional note.

"That's all?" he asked.

"That's all, sir. I hope you don't think I'm making a lot of nothing." Tom flushed slightly.

"Not at all. You were quite right to come here. Of course, it's very slight evidence — these dates may be mere coincidence and the likeness of the name, too. But it certainly warrants my having an interview with your Mr. Cust. Is he at home now?"

"Yes, sir."

"When did he return?"

"The evening of the Doncaster murder, sir."

"What's he been doing since?"

"He's stayed in mostly, sir (большей частью он сидит дома: «он большей частью остается внутри»). And he's been looking very queer (и он выглядит очень странным), Mrs. Marbury says (/как/ миссис Марбери говорит). He buys a lot of newspapers (он покупает много газет) — goes out early (выходит рано) and gets the morning ones (и покупает утренние /газеты/), and then after dark he goes out (а затем вечером он выходит: «после темноты он выходит») and gets the evening ones (и покупает вечерние). Mrs. Marbury says he talks a lot to himself, too (миссис Марбери говорит, что он также много разговаривает сам с собой). She thinks (она думает) he's getting queerer (что он становится более странным)."

"What is this Mrs. Marbury's address (какой адрес у миссис Марбери)?"

Tom gave it to him (Том дал его ему).

"I thank you (я благодарю вас). I shall probably be calling round in the course of the day (я, возможно, буду звонить в течение дня). I need hardly tell you to be careful of your manner (мне едва ли нужно говорить вам, чтобы вы были осторожным в вашем поведении) if you come across this Cust (если вы столкнетесь с мистером Кастом)."

mostly [`mqVstlI], careful [`kFqfVl], across [q`krOs]

"He's stayed in mostly, sir. And he's been looking very queer, Mrs. Marbury says. He buys a lot of newspapers — goes out early and gets the morning ones, and then after dark he goes out and gets the evening ones. Mrs. Marbury says he talks a lot to himself, too. She thinks he's getting queerer."

"What is this Mrs. Marbury's address?"

Tom gave it to him.

"I thank you. I shall probably be calling round in the course of the day. I need hardly tell you to be careful of your manner if you come across this Cust."

He rose and shook hands (он встал и попрощался: «пожал руку»).

"You may be quite satisfied (вы можете быть совершенно удовлетворенным = уверенным) you did the right thing in coming to us (что вы сделали правильную вещь, что зашли к нам). Good morning, Mr. Hartigan (доброго утра, мистер Хартиган)."

"Well, sir?" asked Jacobs (ну, сэр?), re-entering the room a few minutes later (снова входя в комнату несколькими минутами спустя). "Think it's the goods (думаете это то, что нужно; goods — товар; необходимое)?"

"It's promising," said Inspector Crome (это /много/обещающе). "That is (то есть), if the facts are (если факты /такие/) as the boy stated them (как парень изложил их). We've had no luck with the stocking manufacturers yet (пока нам не повезло с производителями чулок). It was time we got hold of something (пора нам зацепиться за что-то). By the way (кстати), give me that file of the Churston case (дайте мне ту папку с черстонским делом)."

goods [gVdz], manufacturer ["mxnju`fxktSqrq], file [faIl]

He rose and shook hands.

"You may be quite satisfied you did the right thing in coming to us. Good morning, Mr. Hartigan."

"Well, sir?" asked Jacobs, re-entering the room a few minutes later. "Think it's the goods?"

"It's promising," said Inspector Crome. "That is, if the facts are as the boy stated them. We've had no luck with the stocking manufacturers yet. It was time we got hold of something. By the way, give me that file of the Churston case."

He spent some minutes (он провел несколько минут; to spend — тратить; проводить /время/) looking for what he wanted (высматривая то, что он хотел). "Ah, here it is (а, вот оно есть). It's amongst the statements made to the Torquay police (это среди показаний сделанных в полиции в Торки). Young man of the name of Hill (молодой человек по имени Хилл). Deposes (дает показания под присягой) he was leaving Torquay Pavilion after the film Not a Sparrow (что он выходил из Торки Павилион после фильма «ни воробушек») and noticed a man behaving queerly (и заметил человека, ведущего себя странно). He was talking to himself (он разговаривал сам с собой). Hill heard him say (Хилл слышал, как он сказал), 'That's an idea (это идея).' Not a Sparrow («Ни воробушек») — that's the film (это тот фильм) that was on at the Regal in Doncaster (который показывали в Регале в Донкастере)?"

"Yes, sir."

depose [dI`pqVz], pavilion [pq`vIljqn], behaving [bI`heIvIN]

He spent some minutes looking for what he wanted. "Ah, here it is. It's amongst the statements made to the Torquay police. Young man of the name of Hill. Deposes he was leaving Torquay Pavilion after the film Not a Sparrow and noticed a man behaving queerly. He was talking to himself. Hill heard him say, 'That's an idea.' Not a Sparrow — that's the film that was on at the Regal in Doncaster?"

"Yes, sir."

"There may be something in that (в этом что-то может быть). Nothing to it at the time (не стоит об этом пока: «ничего об этом в это время») — but it's possible (но это возможно) that the idea of the modus operandi for his next crime occurred to our man then (что идея плана для его следующего преступления пришла к нашему человеку тогда; modus operandi — способ действия; план /лат./). We've got Hill's name and address (у нас есть имя и адрес Хилла), I see (/как/ я вижу). His description of the man is vague (его описание этого человека рысплывчато) but it links up well enough with the descriptions of Mary Stroud (но оно достаточно связано с описаниями Мэри Страуд) and this Tom Hartigan (и этого Тома Хартигана) "

He nodded thoughtfully (он задумчиво кивнул).

modus [`mqVdqs], operandi [`OpqrxndI], link [lINk]

"There may be something in that. Nothing to it at the time — but it's possible that the idea of the modus operandi for his next crime occurred to our man then. We've got Hill's name and address, I see. His description of the man is vague but it links up well enough with the descriptions of Mary Stroud and this Tom Hartigan..."

He nodded thoughtfully.

"We're getting warm," said Inspector Crome (мы нападаем на след: «мы согреваемся») — rather inaccurately (несколько неточно), for he himself was always slightly chilly (так как ему самому всегда было холодно).

"Any instructions, sir (какие-нибудь инструкции, сэр)?"

"Put on a couple of men to watch this Camden Town address (поставьте пару людей наблюдать за этим адресом в Кэмден Тауне), but I don't want our bird frightened (я не хочу напугать нашу птичку). I must have a word with the A.C. (я должен поговорить с этим Эй. Си.). Then I think it would be as well (тогда, я думаю, это было бы лучше) if Cust was brought along here (если бы Каста привели сюда) and asked (и спросили) if he'd like to make a statement (не хотел бы он сделать заявление). It sounds (это звучит) as though he's quite ready to get rattled (как будто он вполне готов потерять самообладание; to rattle — грохотать; вывести из себя)."

chilly [`tSIlI], bird [bWd], rattle [rxtl]

"We're getting warm," said Inspector Crome — rather inaccurately, for he himself was always slightly chilly.

"Any instructions, sir?"

"Put on a couple of men to watch this Camden Town address, but I don't want our bird frightened. I must have a word with the A.C.. Then I think it would be as well if Cust was brought along here and asked if he'd like to make a statement. It sounds as though he's quite ready to get rattled."

Outside Tom Hartigan had rejoined Lily Marbury (снаружи Том Хартиган снова присоединился к Лили Марбери) who was waiting for him on the Embankment[43] (которая ждала его на Эмбанкмент).

"All right, Tom (все в порядке, Том)?" Tom nodded (Том кивнул).

"I saw Inspector Crome himself (я видел самого инспектора Кроума). The one who's in charge of the case (того, кто ведет это дело; charge — нагрузка; заведование; руководство; ответственность)."

"What's he like (какой он: «на кого он похож»)?"

"A bit quiet (немного тихий) and la-di-da (и жеманный; la-di-da — вызывающий; la-di-da — франт, щеголь) — not my idea of a detective (не мое представление о детективе = не такой, каким, по-моему, должен быть детектив)."

rejoin [rI`GOIn], Embankmen [Im`bxNkmqnt], la-di-da [`lRdI`dR] ["lRdI`dA]

Outside Tom Hartigan had rejoined Lily Marbury who was waiting for him on the Embankment.

"All right, Tom?" Tom nodded.

"I saw Inspector Crome himself. The one who's in charge of the case."

"What's he like?"

"A bit quiet and la-di-da — not my idea of a detective."

"That's Lord Trenchard's new kind," said Lily with respect (это новый человек лорда Тренчарда, — сказала уважительно Лили: «с уважением»; kind — сорт;, человек). "Some of them are ever so grand (некоторые из них всегда такие исполненные самомнения). Well (так), what did he say (что он сказал)?" Tom gave her a brief resume of the interview (Том кратко изложил ей беседу: «Том дал ей краткое резюме беседы»).

"So they think as it really was him (так они думают, что это действительно был он)?"

"They think it might be (они думают, так могло бы быть). Anyway (в любом случае), they'll come along (они придут) and ask him a question or two (и зададут ему пару вопросов: «один вопрос или два»)."

"Poor Mr. Cust (бедный мистер Каст)."

"It's no good saying poor Mr. Cust, my girl (не стоит говорить «бедный мистер Каст», девочка моя). If he's A.B.C. (если он — Эй-би-си), he committed four terrible murders (он совершил четыре ужасных убийства)."

Lily sighed and shook her head (Лили вздохнула и покачала головой). "It does seem awful," she observed (это действительно кажется ужасным, — заметила она).

grand [grxnd], respect [rIs`pekt], anyway [`enIweI]

"That's Lord Trenchard's new kind," said Lily with respect. "Some of them are ever so grand. Well, what did he say?" Tom gave her a brief resume of the interview.

"So they think as it really was him?"

"They think it might be. Anyway, they'll come along and ask him a question or two."

"Poor Mr. Cust."

"It's no good saying poor Mr. Cust, my girl. If he's A.B.C., he committed four terrible murders."

Lily sighed and shook her head. "It does seem awful," she observed.

"Well, now you're going to come and have a bite of lunch, my girl (теперь давай-ка пойдем и съедим ленч, девочка моя). Just you think (ты только подумай) that if we're right (что если мы правы) I expect my name will be in the papers (я ожидаю, что мое имя будет в газетах)!''

"Oh, Tom, will it (в самом деле: «будет ли оно»)?"

"Rather (пожалуй). And yours, too (и твое тоже). And your mother's (и твоей матери). And I dare say you'll have your picture in, too (и я полагаю, ты получишь свою фотографию в /газете/ тоже; to daresay — полагать, думать, считать: «осмелиться сказать»)."

"Oh, Tom." Lily squeezed his arm in an ecstasy (Лили от восторга сжала его руку).

“And in the meantime (а между тем) what do you say to a bite at the Corner House (что ты скажешь насчет перекусить в «Корнер-хаус»: «дом на углу»).”

Lily squeezed tighter (Лили сжала /руку/ сильнее).

lunch [lAntS], paper [`peIpq], ecstasy [`ekstqsI]

"Well, now you're going to come and have a bite of lunch, my girl. Just you think that if we're right I expect my name will be in the papers!''

"Oh, Tom, will it?"

"Rather. And yours, too. And your mother's. And I dare say you'll have your picture in, too."

"Oh, Tom." Lily squeezed his arm in an ecstasy.

"And in the meantime, what do you say to a bite at the Corner House?"

Lily squeezed tighter.

"Come on then (идем тогда)!"

"All right (хорошо) — half a minute (полминуты). I must just telephone from the station (я только должна позвонить со станции)."

"Who to (кому)?"

"A girl I was going to meet (девушке, /с которой/ я собиралась встретиться)." She slipped across the road (она скользнула через дорогу), and rejoined him three minutes later (и снова присоединилась к нему три минуты спустя), looking rather flushed (выглядя несколько покрасневшей).

"Now then, Tom (ну-ка, Том)." She slipped her arm in his (она взяла его под руку: «она скользнула своей рукой в его»). "Tell me more about Scotland Yard (расскажи мне еще о Скотланд-Ярде). You didn't see the other one there (ты там другого не видел)?"

"What other one (какого другого)?"

telephone [`telqfqVn], station [steISn], other [`ADq]

"Come on then!"

"All right — half a minute. I must just telephone from the station."

"Who to?"

"A girl I was going to meet." She slipped across the road, and rejoined him three minutes later, looking rather flushed.

"Now then, Tom." She slipped her arm in his. "Tell me more about Scotland Yard. You didn't see the other one there?"

"What other one?"

"The Belgian gentleman (бельгийского джентельмена). The one that A.B.C. writes to always (того, кому Эй-би-си пишет всегда)."

"No. He wasn't there (его там не было)."

"Well, tell me all about it (расскажи мне все об этом). What happened when you got inside (что случилось, когда ты попал внутрь)? Who did you speak to (с кем ты говорил) and what did you say (и что ты сказал)?"

Mr. Cust put the receiver back very gently on the hook (мистер Каст мягко повесил трубку назад на крючок).

He turned to where Mrs. Marbury was standing in the doorway of a room (он повернулся туда, где стояла миссис Марбери в дверях в комнату), clearly devoured with curiosity (явно пожираемая любопыством).

"Not often you have a telephone call, Mr. Cust (нечасто вам звонят: «не часто вы имеете телефонный звонок», мистер Каст)."

"No — er — no, Mrs. Marbury (нет, миссис Марбери). It isn't (не часто)."

"Not bad news (нет плохих новостей), I trust (я верю/полагаю = надеюсь)?"

hook [hVk], devour [dI`vaVq], trust [trAst]

"The Belgian gentleman. The one that A.B.C. writes to always."

"No. He wasn't there."

"Well, tell me all about it. What happened when you got inside? Who did you speak to and what did you say?"

Mr. Cust put the receiver back very gently on the hook.

He turned to where Mrs. Marbury was standing in the doorway of a room, clearly devoured with curiosity.

"Not often you have a telephone call, Mr. Cust."

"No — no." How persistent the woman was (как настойчива эта женщина). His eye caught the legend on the newspaper (его взгляд упал на надпись в газете) he was carrying (которую он нес).

Births (рождения) — Marriages (бракосочетания) — Deaths (смерти).

"My sister's just had a little boy," he blurted out (моя сестра только что родила маленького мальчика, — он выпалил).

He — who had never had a sister (он — у которого никогда не было сестры)!

persistent [pq`sIstqnt], legend [`leGqnd], marriage [`mxrIG]

"No — er — no, Mrs. Marbury. It isn't."

"Not bad news, I trust?"

"No — no." How persistent the woman was. His eye caught the legend on the newspaper he was carrying.

Births — Marriages — Deaths.

"My sister's just had a little boy," he blurted out.

He — who had never had a sister!

"Oh, dear (о, Боже)! Now (ну) — well, that is nice (это мило), I am sure (право: «я уверена»). ('And never once mentioned a sister all these years (и никогда /ни/ разу /не/ упомянул сестру за эти годы),' was her inward thought (сказал ее внутренний голос: «была ее внутренная мысль»). 'If that isn't just like a man (разве это не похоже на мужчину)!') I was surprised (я была удивлена), I'll tell you (я скажу вам), when the lady asked to speak to Mr. Cust (когда женщина попросила поговорить с мистером Кастом). Just at first (просто сначала) I fancied it was my Lily's voice (я вообразила, это был голос моей Лили) — something like hers, it was (как-то похож на ее он был) — but haughtier (но выше/надменнее; haughty — высокомерный, надменный) if you know what I mean (если вы понимаете, что я имею в виду) — sort of high up in the air (как-то повыше на слух: «как-то высоко в воздухе»). Well, Mr. Cust (так, мистер Каст), my congratulations (мои поздравления), I'm sure (право). Is it the first one (это первый), or have you other little nephews and nieces (или у вас есть другие маленькие племянники и племянницы)?"

inward [`Inwqd], haughty [`hLtI], nephew [`nevjH]

"Oh, dear! Now — well, that is nice, I am sure. ('And never once mentioned a sister all these years,' was her inward thought. 'If that isn't just like a man!') I was surprised, I'll tell you, when the lady asked to speak to Mr. Cust. Just at first I fancied it was my Lily's voice — something like hers, it was — but haughtier if you know what I mean — sort of high up in the air. Well, Mr. Cust, my congratulations, I'm sure. Is it the first one, or have you other little nephews and nieces?"

"It's the only one," said Mr. Cust (это единственный). "The only one I've ever had (единственный, /который/ у меня когда-либо был) or likely to have (или вероятно будет), and — er — I think (я думаю) I must go off at once (я должен уехать сейчас же). They — they want me to come (они хотят, чтобы я приехал). I — I think (я думаю) I can just catch a train (я могу как раз успеть на поезд) if I hurry (если я потороплюсь)."

"Will you be away long, Mr. Cust?" called Mrs. Marbury (вы долго будете отсутствовать, мистер Каст? — окликнула /его/ миссис Марбери) as he ran up the stairs (пока он бежал вверх по лестнице).

"Oh, no — two or three days (два или три дня) — that's all (это все)."

catch [kxtS], call [kLl], three [TrJ]

"It's the only one," said Mr. Cust. "The only one I've ever had or likely to have, and — er — I think I must go off at once. They — they want me to come. I — I think I can just catch a train if I hurry."

"Will you be away long, Mr. Cust?" called Mrs. Marbury as he ran up the stairs.

"Oh, no — two or three days — that's all."

He disappeared into his bedroom (он исчез в своей спальне). Mrs. Marbury retired into the kitchen (миссис Марбери ретировалась в кухню), thinking sentimentally of "the dear little mite (сентиментально думая о «дорогой маленькой крошке»; mite — ист. грош, полушка; крошечное существо)."

Her conscience gave her a sudden twinge (у нее неожиданно начались угрызения совести: «ее совесть неожиданно причинила ей боль»; twinge — приступ боли; моральная мука).

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