Читаем полностью

"Of course (конечно), if you treat him like a psychological study," I began (если вы рассматриваете его, как психологическое исследование, — начал я).

"What else has this case been since the beginning (что еще представляло собой это дело с самого начала)? All along (все время) I have been groping my way (я искал дорогу на ощупь) — trying to get to know the murderer (пытаясь узнать убийцу). And now I realize, Hastings (и теперь я понимаю, Гастингс), that I do not know him at all (что я не знаю его вообще)! I am at sea (я в недоумении: «я в море»)."

ruthlessly ['ru:lsl], unmolested [nm'lestd], reconcile [rkn'sal]

"We know that he killed without pity and quite ruthlessly. We know, too, that he was kindly enough not to let blame rest on any other person for the crimes he committed. If he wanted to kill unmolested — how to let other persons suffer for his crimes. Do you not see, Hastings, the man is a mass of contradictions? Stupid and cunning, ruthless and magnanimous — and that there must be some dominating factor that reconciles his two natures."

"Of course, if you treat him like a psychological study," I began.

"What else has this case been since the beginning? All along I have been groping my way — trying to get to know the murderer. And now I realize, Hastings, that I do not know him at all! I am at sea."

"The lust for power — " I began (но жажда власти, — начал я).

"Yes — that might explain a good deal (это могло бы многое объяснить) … But it does not satisfy me (но это не удовлетворяет меня). There are things I want to know (там есть вещи, /которые/ я хочу знать). Why did he commit these murders (почему он совершил эти убийства)? Why did he choose those particular people (почему он выбрал тех определенных людей) — ?"

"Alphabetically — " I began (по алфавиту, — начал я).

"Was Betty Barnard the only person in Bexhill (была ли Бетти Барнард единственным человеком в Бексхилле) whose name began with a B (чье имя начиналось на /букву/ «би»)? Betty Barnard (Бетти Барнард) — I had an idea there (у меня тут есть идея). It ought to be true (этому следует быть правдой = это, должно быть, правда) — it must be true (это должно быть правдой). But if so (но если так) — "

lust [lst], deal [di:l], true [tru:]

"The lust for power — " I began.

"Yes — that might explain a good deal … But it does not satisfy me. There are things I want to know. Why did he commit these murders? Why did he choose those particular people — ?"

"Alphabetically — " I began.

"Was Betty Barnard the only person in Bexhill whose name began with a B? Betty Barnard — I had an idea there. It ought to be true — it must be true. But if so — "

He was silent for some time (он молчал: «он был молчалив» некоторое время). I did not like to interrupt him (я не хотел его прерывать; to like — любить; хотеть). As a matter of fact (фактически), I believe I fell asleep (я думаю, я заснул).

I woke to find Poirot's hand on my shoulder (когда я проснулся, я обнаружил руку Пуаро на моем плече: «я проснулся, чтобы обнаружить руку Пуаро на моем плече»). "Mon cher Hastings," he said affectionately (фр. мой дорогой Гастингс, — сказал он мягко: «нежно»). "My good genius (мой добрый гений)."

I was quite confused by this sudden mark of esteem (я был совершенно смущен этим неожиданным знаком почтения).

"It is true," Poirot insisted (это правда, — настаивал Пуаро). "Always (всегда) — always (всегда) — you help me (вы помогаете мне) — you bring me luck (вы приносите мне удачу). You inspire me (вы вдохновляете меня)."

"How have I inspired you this time?" I asked (как я вдохновил вас в этот раз).

interrupt [nt'rpt], genius ['i:ns], esteem [s'ti:m]

He was silent for some time. I did not like to interrupt him. As a matter of fact, I believe I fell asleep.