Читаем полностью

"In my opinion (по моему мнению) the strength of his obsession is such (сила его одержимости такая) that he must attempt to carry out his promise (что он должен попытаться выполнить свое обещание; to carry out — производить; выполнять)! Not to do so would he to admit failure (не сделав этого, он признает свое поражение; to fail — потерпеть неудачу; не иметь успеха; не исполнить, не сделать; подвести), and that his insane egoism would never allow (а этого его безумный эгоизм никогда не позволит /сделать/). That, I may say, is also Dr. Thompson's opinion (это, я могу сказать, также мнение доктора Томпсона). Our hope is that (наша надежда в том) he may be caught in the attempt (что он может быть пойман при попытке)."

Donald shook his head again (Дональд снова покачал головой). "He'll be very cunning (он будет очень хитер)."

obsession [b'sen], egoism ['i:zm], promise ['prms]

"Unfortunately," said Clarke dryly, "he is mad! What do you think, M. Poirot? Will he give it up or will he try to carry it through?"

"In my opinion the strength of his obsession is such that he must attempt to carry out his promise! Not to do so would he to admit failure, and that his insane egoism would never allow. That, I may say, is also Dr. Thompson's opinion. Our hope is that he may be caught in the attempt."

Donald shook his head again. "He'll be very cunning."

Poirot glanced at his watch (Пуаро посмотрел на часы). We took the hint (мы поняли намек). It had been agreed (было согласовано = решено) that we were to make an all-day session of it (что мы должны быть заняты целый день: «что мы должны сделать занятие на целый день из этого»; session — заседание; время, отведенное какой-л. деятельности или занятию), patrolling as many streets as possible in the morning (патрулируя утром так много улиц, как это возможно), and later (и позднее), stationing ourselves at various likely points on the racecourse (размещаясь на различных подходящих точках ипподрома).

I say "we (я говорю «мы»)." Of course (конечно), in my own case such a patrol was of little avail (в моем собственном случае такое патрулирование было мало полезным; avail — выгода, польза) since I was never likely to have set eyes on A.B.C. (поскольку я, вероятно, никогда /не/ останавливал взгляд на Эй-би-си). However (однако), as the idea was to separate so (так как идея была разделиться так) as to cover as wide an area as possible (/чтобы/ охватить столь широкую зону, насколько возможно) I had suggested (я предложил) that I should act as escort to one of the ladies (что я буду выступать как сопровождение для одной из дам).

Poirot had agreed (Пуаро согласился) — I am afraid with somewhat of a twinkle in his eye (я боюсь, что с неким огоньком в глазах; twinkle — мигание; огонек, блеск в глазах).

avail ['vel], area ['r], escort ['esk:t]

Poirot glanced at his watch. We took the hint. It had been agreed that we were to make an all-day session of it, patrolling as many streets as possible in the morning, and later, stationing ourselves at various likely points on the racecourse.

I say "we." Of course, in my own case such a patrol was of little avail since I was never likely to have set eyes on A.B.C… However, as the idea was to separate so as to cover as wide an area as possible I ha suggested that I should act as escort to one of the ladies.

Poirot had agreed — I am afraid with somewhat of a twinkle in his eye.