umbrella [m'brel], load [ld], noise [nz]

He paused by the hall stand with its load of umbrellas and coats.

Should he — ?

A slight noise from the kitchen decided him …

No, there wasn't time …

Mrs. Marbury might come out …

He opened the front door, passed through and closed it behind him …

Where … ?

XXIX. At Scotland Yard

(в Скотланд-Ярде)

Conference again (снова совещание).

The Assistant Commissioner (заместитель комиссара), Inspector Crome (инспектор Кроум), Poirot (Пуаро) and myself (и я сам).

The A.C. was saying (заместитель коммисара говорил): "A good tip that of yours, M. Poirot (это была хорошая подсказка от вас, мсье Пуаро), about checking a large sale of stockings (о проверке крупных продаж чулок)."

Poirot spread out his hands (Пуаро развел руками: «Пуаро разложил руки») "It was indicated (это было обозначено; to indicate — показывать; означать). This man could not be a regular agent (этот человек не мог быть постоянным агентом). He sold outright (он продавал напрямую; to sell) instead of touting for orders (вместо того, чтобы докучать заказами)."

"Got everything clear so far, inspector (пока все выяснили, инспектор)?"

"I think so, sir." Crome consulted a file (я так думаю, сэр, — Кроум заглянул в папку). "Shall I run over the position to date (следует мне сделать обзор ситуации на сегодняшний день)?"

"Yes, please (да, пожалуйста)."

A.C. ['e's], outright ['atrat], tout [tat]

Conference again.

The Assistant Commissioner, Inspector Crome, Poirot and myself.

The A.C. was saying: "A good tip that of yours, M. Poirot, about checking a large sale of stockings."

Poirot spread out his hands. "It was indicated. This man could not be a regular agent. He sold outright instead of touting for orders."

"Got everything clear so far, inspector?"

"I think so, sir." Crome consulted a file. "Shall I run over the position to date?"

"Yes, please."

"I've checked up with Churston (я проверил по Черстону), Paignton (Пейнтону) and Torquay (и Торки). Got a list of people (получил список людей) where he went (к которым: «куда» он ходил) and offered stockings (и предлагал чулки). I must say (я должен сказать) he did the thing thoroughly (он делал все тщательно). Stayed at the Pitt (остановился в «Питте»), small hotel near Torre Station (маленьком отеле рядом со станцией Торр). Returned to the hotel at 10:30 on the night of the murder (вернулся в отель в десять тридцать в ночь убийства). Could have taken a train from Churston at 10:05 (вероятно, сел на поезд из Черстона на десять ноль пять), getting to Paignton at 10:15 (прибывающий до Пейнтона в десять пятнадцать). No one answering to his description noticed on train (ни один, отвечающий его описанию, не был замечен в поезде) or at stations (или на станциях), but that Thursday was Dartmouth Regatta (но в тот четверг была регата в Дартмуте) and the trains back from Kingswear were pretty full (и поезда, возвращающиеся из Кингсвера, были сильно наполнены)."

answering [':nsr], Dartmouth ['d:tm], regatta [r'aet]

"I've checked up with Churston, Paignton and Torquay. Got a list of people where he went and offered stockings. I must say he did the thing thoroughly. Stayed at the Pitt, small hotel near Torre Station. Returned to the hotel at 10:30 on the night of the murder. Could have taken a train from Churston at 10:05, getting to Paignton at 10:15. No one answering to his description noticed on train or at stations, but that Thursday was Dartmouth Regatta and the trains back from Kingswear were pretty full."