" — hounds are on his trail (гончие идут по его следу: «гончие на его следе»), and at last they catch him (и наконец они ловят его) and he dies (и он умирает) — quickly and horribly (быстро и ужасно)."

"I suppose (я полагаю) it does sound cruel (это действительно звучит жестоко), but really (но на самом деле) — "

covert ['kv:t], tally-ho ['tael'h], hound [hand]

"I meant in England generally. A strange sport. The waiting at the covert side — then they sound the tally-ho, do they not? — and the run begins — across the country — over the hedges and ditches — and the fox he runs — and sometimes he doubles back — but the dogs — "

"Hounds!"

" — hounds are on his trail, and at last they catch him and he dies — quickly and horribly."

"I suppose it does sound cruel, but really — "

"The fox enjoys it (лис получает от этого удовольствие: «наслаждается этим»)? Do not say les b^etises, my friend (не говорите фр. глупостей, мой друг). Tout de m^eme (фр. все равно) — it is better that (лучше эта) — the quick (быстрая), cruel death (жестокая смерть) than what those children were singing (чем то, что те дети пели) … To be shut away (быть закрытым) — in a box (в ящике) — for ever (навсегда) … No, it is not good (это нехорошо), that (это)."

He shook his head (он покачал головой). Then he said (затем он сказал), with a change of tone (с переменой в тоне): "Tomorrow (завтра), I am to visit the man Cust (я должен посетить этого человека, Каста)," and he added to the chauffeur (и он добавил шоферу): "Back to London (назад в Лондон)."

"Aren't you going to Eastbourne?" I cried (вы не едете в Истборн? — вскричал я).

"What need (какова нужда)? I know (я знаю) — quite enough for my purpose (вполне достаточно для моей цели)."

quick [kwk], box [bks], London ['lndn]

"The fox enjoys it? Do not say les b^etises, my friend. Tout de m^eme it is better that — the quick, cruel death than what those children were singing … To be shut away — in a box — for ever … No, it is not good, that."

He shook his head. Then he said, with a change of tone: "Tomorrow, I am to visit the man Cust," and he added to the chauffeur: "Back to London."

"Aren't you going to Eastbourne?" I cried.

"What need? I know — quite enough for my purpose."

XXXIII. Alexander Bonaparte Cust

(Александр Бонапарт Каст)

I was not present at the interview (я не присутствовал на беседе) that took place between Poirot and that strange man (которая произошла между Пуаро и тем странным человеком) — Alexander Bonaparte Cust (Александром Бонапартом Кастом). Owing to his association with the police (благодаря его отношениям с полицией) and the peculiar circumstances of the case (и особыми обстоятельствами дела), Poirot had no difficulty in obtaining a Home Office[48] order (у Пуаро не было трудностей получить министерский ордер) — but that order did not extend to me (но тот ордер не распространялся на меня), and in any case (и в любом случае) it was essential (это было важно), from Poirot's point of view (с точки зрения Пуаро), that that interview should be absolutely private (что этой беседе следует быть совершенно частной) — the two men face to face (двое мужчин лицом к лицу).

difficulty ['dfklt], Home Office ['hm'fs], absolutely ['aebslu:tl]

I was not present at the interview that took place between Poirot and that strange man — Alexander Bonaparte Cust. Owing to his association with the police and the peculiar circumstances of the case, Poirot had no difficulty in obtaining a Home Office order — but that order did not extend to me, and in any case it was essential, from Poirot's point of view, that that interview should be absolutely private — the two men face to face.