Arthur Conan Doyle - Английский язык с Шерлоком Холмсом. Второй сборник рассказов (ASCII-IPA)

solemn ['sOl@m], warning ['wO:nIN], ardent ['A:d(@)nt], gentle [dZentl]

“No, Mr. Holmes, she could not have guessed — nor could anyone have guessed.”

“Have you lost any documents before?”

“No, sir.”

“Who is there in England who did know of the existence of this letter?”

“Each member of the Cabinet was informed of it yesterday, but the pledge of secrecy which attends every Cabinet meeting was increased by the solemn warning which was given by the Prime Minister. Good heavens, to think that within a few hours I should myself have lost it!”

His handsome face was distorted with a spasm of despair, and his hands tore at his hair. For a moment we caught a glimpse of the natural man, impulsive, ardent, keenly sensitive. The next the aristocratic mask was replaced, and the gentle voice had returned.

“Besides the members of the Cabinet there are two, or possibly three, departmental officials who know of the letter. No one else in England, Mr. Holmes, I assure you.”

“But abroad (а за границей) ?”

“I believe that no one abroad has seen it (полагаю, никто за границей не видел письма) save the man who wrote it (кроме человека, написавшего его) . I am well convinced that his Ministers (я твердо убежден, что его министры) — that the usual official channels have not been employed (что обычные официальные каналы не были использованы) .”

Holmes considered for some little time (Холмс задумался на короткое время) .

“Now, sir, I must ask you more particularly what this document is (а теперь, сэр, я должен расспросить вас более подробно, что это за документ) , and why its disappearance should have such momentous consequences (и почему его исчезновение будет иметь столь серьезные последствия; momentous — важный, имеющий большое значение) ?”

The two statesmen exchanged a quick glance (два государственных деятеля обменялись быстрым взглядом) and the Premier’s shaggy eyebrows gathered in a frown (и косматые брови премьера нахмурились; frown — сдвинутые брови; хмурый взгляд; насупленность) .

“Mr. Holmes, the envelope is a long (мистер Холмс, конверт /письма/ длинный) , thin one of pale blue colour (тонкий, бледно-голубого цвета) . There is a seal of red wax stamped with a crouching lion (на печати из красного сургуча изображен припавший к земле лев; wax — воск; сургуч; to stamp — штамповать, ставить печать; отпечатывать, оттискивать) . It is addressed in large, bold handwriting to — (адрес написан крупным, четким почерком…; bold — отважный, смелый; четкий /о почерке/; жирный /о шрифте/) ”

eyebrow ['aIbrau], frown [fraun], envelope ['env@l@up], crouching ['krautSIN]

“But abroad?”

“I believe that no one abroad has seen it save the man who wrote it. I am well convinced that his Ministers — that the usual official channels have not been employed.”

Holmes considered for some little time.

“Now, sir, I must ask you more particularly what this document is, and why its disappearance should have such momentous consequences?”

The two statesmen exchanged a quick glance and the Premier’s shaggy eyebrows gathered in a frown.

“Mr. Holmes, the envelope is a long, thin one of pale blue colour. There is a seal of red wax stamped with a crouching lion. It is addressed in large, bold handwriting to —”

“I fear, sir (боюсь, сэр) ,” said Holmes, “that, interesting and indeed essential as these details are (как бы ни были интересны и важны эти подробности) , my inquiries must go more to the root of things (мои расспросы должны добраться до самой сути дела = мне необходимо знать самое важное; to get at the root of something — добраться до сути чего-либо) . What was the letter (о чем было письмо) ?”

“That is a State secret of the utmost importance (это государственная тайна величайшей важности) , and I fear that I cannot tell you (боюсь, я не могу вам сказать) , nor do I see that it is necessary (да и не считаю это необходимым) . If by the aid of the powers which you are said to possess (если с помощью способностей, которыми, как говорят, вы обладаете) you can find such an envelope as I describe with its enclosure (вы сможете найти конверт, который я описал, вместе с его содержимым; enclosure — вложение, приложение) , you will have deserved well of your country (вы заслужите благодарность своей страны; to deserve well of one's country — иметь /большие/ заслуги перед родиной) , and earned any reward which it lies in our power to bestow (и получите любое вознаграждение, которое в наших возможностях; to bestow — давать, даровать, награждать; жаловать) .”

Sherlock Holmes rose with a smile (Шерлок Холмс встал, улыбаясь) .

“You are two of the most busy men in the country (вы двое — одни из самых занятых людей в этой стране) ,” said he, “and in my own small way I have also a good many calls upon me (но и я по-своему занят: «ко мне очень много обращаются») . I regret exceedingly that I cannot help you in this matter (очень сожалею, что не могу вам помочь в этом деле) , and any continuation of this interview would be a waste of time (и продолжение этой беседы будет пустой тратой времени) .”

essential [I'senS(@)l], country ['kVntrI], reward [rI'wO:d], bestow [bI'st@u]

“I fear, sir,” said Holmes, “that, interesting and indeed essential as these details are, my inquiries must go more to the root of things. What was the letter?”

“That is a State secret of the utmost importance, and I fear that I cannot tell you, nor do I see that it is necessary. If by the aid of the powers which you are said to possess you can find such an envelope as I describe with its enclosure, you will have deserved well of your country, and earned any reward which it lies in our power to bestow.”

Sherlock Holmes rose with a smile.

“You are two of the most busy men in the country,” said he, “and in my own small way I have also a good many calls upon me. I regret exceedingly that I cannot help you in this matter, and any continuation of this interview would be a waste of time.”

The Premier sprang to his feet (премьер вскочил на ноги) with that quick, fierce gleam of his deep-set eyes (с той быстрой свирепой вспышкой в глубоко посаженных глазах) before which a Cabinet has cowered (от которой министры кабинета съеживались /от страха/) .