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"But we've been able to get it down a bit nearer than that," explained the inspector. "We've found a man who went in and bought some tobacco at 5:30. And a second man went in and found the shop empty, as he thought, at five minutes past six.

That puts the time at between 5:30 and 6:05 (это определяет время между половиной шестого и пятью минутами седьмого). So far (пока) I haven't been able to find anyone (я еще не смог найти никого) who saw this man Ascher in the neighbourhood (кто видел этого человека Эшера поблизости; neigbour — сосед), but, of course, it's early yet (но, конечно, еще рано). He was in the Three Crowns at nine o'clock (он был в «Трех коронах» в девять часов) pretty far gone in drink (сильно пьяный: «очень далеко ушедшим в выпивку»; to be in drink — в пьяном виде). When we get hold of him (когда мы доберемся до него; to get hold of — суметь схватить) he'll be detained on suspicion (он будет задержан по подозрению; to suspect)."

"Not a very desirable character, inspector?" asked Poirot (не очень желанная личность, инспектор? — спросил Пуаро; to desire — желать; character — буква; знак; характер; личность).

"Unpleasant bit of goods (неприятный тип; bit of goods — разг. штучка, тип)."

"He didn't live with his wife (он не жил со своей женой)?"

neighbourhood ['nebhd], desirable [d'zarbl], suspicion [ss'pn]

That puts the time at between 5:30 and 6:05. So far I haven't been able to find anyone who saw this man Ascher in the neighbourhood, but, of course, it's early yet. He was in the Three Crowns at nine o'clock pretty far gone in drink. When we get hold of him he'll be detained on suspicion."

"Not a very desirable character, inspector?" asked Poirot.

"Unpleasant bit of goods."

"He didn't live with his wife?"

"No, they separated some years ago (нет, они расстались несколько лет назад). Ascher's a German (Эшер — немец). He was waiter at one time (он был официантом одно время), but he took to drink (но он пристрастился к выпивке; to take — брать; to take to — пристраститься, увлечься /чем-л./) and gradually became unemployable (и постепенно стал нетрудоспособным; to employ — употреблять, применять, использовать). His wife went into service for a bit (его жена работала прислугой недолго; to go into service — пойти в услужение). Her last place was as cook-housekeeper to an old lady (в последний раз она работала поваром-экономкой у пожилой леди: «ее последнее место было поваром-экономкой у старой леди»), Miss Rose (мисс Роуз). She allowed her husband so much out of her wages to keep himself (она давала своему мужу столько из своего заработка, чтобы он мог содержать себя; to allow — позволять; предоставлять; давать), but he was always getting drunk (но он всегда напивался) and coming round (являлся; to come round —объезжать; заезжать, приходить) and making scenes at the places (и устраивал сцены в тех местах) where she was employed (где она работала: «где ее нанимали /на работу/»).

gradually ['raedjl], unemployable ['nm'plbl], allow ['la]

"No, they separated some years ago. Ascher's a German. He was waiter at one time, but he took to drink and gradually became unemployable. His wife went into service for a bit. Her last place was as cook-housekeeper to an old lady, Miss Rose. She allowed her husband so much out of her wages to keep himself, but he was always getting drunk and coming round and making scenes at the places where she was employed.