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"The problem certainly seems insuperable," said Poirot thoughtfully. "Decidedly, it gives one to think."

"It's given Crome something to think about," said Japp.

"This man Strange is very positive?"

"Yes. He's an obstinate devil. And it's difficult to see just where the flaw is. Supposing Strange is making a mistake and the man wasn't Cust — why on earth should he say his name is Cust? And the writing in the hotel register is his all right. You can't say he's an accomplice — homicidal lunatics don't have accomplices! Did the girl die later? The doctor was quite firm in his evidence, and anyway it would take some time for Cust to get out of the hotel at Eastbourne without being seen and get over to Bexhill — fourteen miles away — "

"It is a problem (это проблема) — yes," said Poirot.

"Of course (конечно), strictly speaking (строго говоря), it oughtn't to matter (это не должно иметь значения). We've got Cust on the Doncaster murder (мы поймали Каста на донкастерском убийстве) — the bloodstained coat (запятнанное кровью пальто), the knife (нож) — not a loophole there (тут ни одной лазейки). You couldn't bounce any jury into acquitting him (вам не удасться склонить ни один суд присяжных оправдать его). But it spoils a pretty case (но это портит хорошее дело). He did the Doncaster murder (он совершил донкастерское убийство). He did the Churston murder (он совершил черстонское убийство). He did the Andover murder (он совершил эндоверское убийство). Then (тогда), by hell (черт возьми; hell — ад), he must have done the Bexhill murder (он должен бы совершить бексхиллское убийство). But I don't see how (но я не понимаю как)!"

He shook his head (он покачал головой) and got up (и встал). "Now's your chance, M. Poirot," he said (теперь ваш шанс, мсье Пуаро). "Crome's in a fog (Кроум в замешательстве: «/как/ в тумане»). Exert those cellular arrangements of yours (приведите в действие эти ваши клеточные механизмы) I used to hear so much about (о которых я так много, бывало, слышал). Show us the way he did it (покажите нам, как он это сделал)."

Japp departed (Джепп ушел).

bloodstained ['bldstend], exert ['z:t], cellular ['seljl]

"It is a problem — yes," said Poirot.

"Of course, strictly speaking, it oughtn't to matter. We've got Cust on the Doncaster murder — the bloodstained coat, the knife — not a loophole there. You couldn't bounce any jury into acquitting him. But it spoils a pretty case. He did the Doncaster murder. He did the Churston murder. He did the Andover murder. Then, by hell, he must have done the Bexhill murder. But I don't see how!"

He shook his head and got up. "Now's your chance, M. Poirot," he said. "Crome's in a fog. Exert those cellular arrangements of yours I used to hear so much about. Show us the way he did it."

Japp departed.

"What about it, Poirot?" I said (ну, что: «как насчет этого», Пуаро). "Are the little grey cells equal to the task (соответствуют ли маленькие серые клеточки заданию; equal — равный; соответствующий, подходящий)?"

Poirot answered my question by another (Пуаро ответил на мой вопрос другим /вопросом/). "Tell me, Hastings (скажите мне, Гастингс), do you consider the case ended (вы рассматриваете это дело как законченное)?"

"Well — yes, practically speaking (по сути говоря; practically — практически; и в сущности). We've got the man (мы взяли этого человека). And we've got most of the evidence (и у нас есть большая /часть/ доказательств). It's only the trimmings that are needed (требуется только гарнир; trimming — приведение в порядок; украшение, отделка /процесс и результат/; стрижка; подстригание; обновление прически; trimmings — гарнир; приправа /к блюдам/; аксессуары; to trim — подрезать, подстригать)."