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E-Books (english-e-reader), What the Shepherd Saw (1)

What the Shepherd Saw (1)

First night

The Christmas moon was showing her cold face to the low hills called the Marlbury Downs, in the southwestern part of England known as Mid-Wessex. Here sheep were kept out on the hills all year round, and lambs were born as early as December. Shepherds needed to be on the hills day and night at this time of year, and often used small wheeled huts where they could rest and keep warm, while keeping a careful eye on the sheep.

On a high piece of land one of these huts stood inside a little circle of trees, which kept it out of the icy wind and also hidden from any passersby. The hut was made of wood, and had a door and two windows. The north one looked out on the eight hundred sheep which were in the shepherd's care, and the south window gave a view of three ancient stones, built in the shape of a doorway. These great stones, which village people called the Devil's Door, had been there for over two thousand years. They were worn and weather-beaten, but tonight looked almost new in the silver light of the moon.

Inside the hut a young shepherd boy was waiting for his master, who entered at that moment.

'Are ye sleepy?' asked the old man crossly.

'N - no, master,' replied the boy, who was a little frightened of the shepherd and his heavy stick.

'The sheep should be all right until the morning now,' said the shepherd, 'but one of us must stay here, so I'll leave ye, do ye hear? I'll go home and sleep for a few hours. Run down to my cottage and fetch me if anything happens. Ye can have a bit of a sleep in the chair by the stove but only for a few minutes, mind! Make sure ye stay awake the rest of the time, and don't let that fire go out!'

The old man closed the door, and disappeared. The boy went out to check on the sheep and newborn lambs, then came back into the hut and sat down by the warm stove. Soon his eyes closed, his head dropped, and he was asleep.

When he woke up, he could hear down in the valley the clock at Shakeforest Towers striking eleven. The sound carried well in the cold night air. He looked out of the north window and saw the sheep, lying on the grass as quietly as before. He next looked out of the opposite window, towards the stones of the Devil's Door, white and ghostly in the moonlight. And in front of them stood a man.

It was clear that he was not a farm worker, because he was wearing a dark suit, and carried himself like a gentleman. The boy was still wondering, in great surprise, why the man was visiting the Devil's Door at this hour, when suddenly another figure appeared. This second figure was a woman, and when the stranger saw her, he hurried towards her. He met her near the trees, and took her into his arms.

'You have come, Harriet! Thank you!' he cried warmly.

'But not for this,' replied the lady, pulling away from him. She added more kindly, 'I have come, Fred, because you begged me! Why did you ask to see me?'

'Harriet, I have seen many lands and faces since I last walked these hills, but I have only thought of you.'

'Was it only to tell me this that you begged me to meet you, out here on the hills, so late at night?'

'Harriet, be honest with me! I have heard that the Duke is unkind to you.'

'He sometimes gets angry, but he is a good husband.'

'Harriet, dearest, is that really true? Doesn't everybody know that your life with him is a sad one? I have come to find out what I can do. You are a Duchess, and I'm only Fred Ogbourne, but it's still possible that I can help you. By God! The sweetness of your voice should keep him pleasant, especially when the sweetness of your face is added to it!'

'Captain Ogbourne!' she cried, half afraid, half playful. 'You're an old friend - how can you speak to me in this way? Remember I'm a married woman! I was wrong to come, I see that now.'

'You call me Captain Ogbourne,' he replied unhappily, 'but I was always Fred to you before. I think you no longer have any feeling for me. My love for you, Harriet, has not changed at all, but you are a different woman now. I must accept it. I can never see you again.'

'You needn't talk like that, you stupid man. You can see me again - why not? But of course, not like this. It was a mistake of mine to come tonight, and I only did it because the Duke is away at the moment.'

'When does he return?'

'The day after tomorrow, or the day after that.'

'Then meet me again tomorrow night.'

'No, Fred, I cannot.'

'If you cannot tomorrow night, you can the night after. Please let me have one more meeting before he returns, to say goodbye! Now, promise me!' He took the Duchess's hand.

'No, Fred, let go of my hand! It's not kind of you to make me feel sorry for you, and then to keep me here like this!'

'But see me once more! I have come two thousand miles to see you.'

'Oh, I must not! People will talk. Don't ask it of me!'

'Then confess two things to me: that you did love me once, and that your husband is unkind to you often enough to make you think of the time when you loved me.'

'Yes, I confess them both,' she answered quietly. 'Come once more!' He still held her hand, and had his arm around her waist.

'Very well, then,' she said finally. 'I agree. I'll meet you tomorrow night or the night after. Now let me go.'

He set her free, and watched her hurry down the hill towards her home, Shakeforest Towers. Then he turned and walked away. In a few minutes all was silent and empty again.

But only for a moment. Suddenly, a third figure appeared, from behind the stones. He was a man of heavier build than the Captain, and was wearing riding boots. It was clear that he had watched the meeting between the Captain and the Duchess. He had been too far away to hear their conversation and the lady's reluctant words, so to him they had the appearance of lovers. But several more years passed before the boy was old enough to understand this.

This third figure stood still for a moment, thinking. Then he went back into the trees, and came out again with his horse. He rode off, and the sound of the horse's feet on the hard ground was heard for several minutes, until it died away.

The boy stayed in the hut, his eyes still on the stones, but nobody else appeared there. Suddenly he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder, which made him jump.

'Now look here, young Bill Mills, - ye've let the fire in the stove go out! Well, what's happened, ye bad boy?'

'Nothing, master.'

'Sheep and lambs all safe and well?'

'Yes, master.'

The old shepherd spoke angrily. 'Well, that's where ye're wrong. There are two new lambs out there, born just this minute, and one of the mothers is half dead! I told ye to stay awake, boy, and fetch me if I was needed! Well, what have you got to say for yourself?'

'You said that I could have a bit of a sleep! In the chair by the stove, you said!'

'Don't you speak to your elders and betters like that, young man, or you'll end up hanging from a rope at the prison! Well, ye can go home now, and come back again by breakfast time. I'm an old man, but there's no rest for me!'

The old shepherd then lay down inside the hut, and the boy went down the hill to his home in the village.

CHAPTER TWO

Second night

The next evening the old shepherd left the boy alone in the hut again, with repeated orders to keep a careful eye on the sheep. But young Bill was only interested in the view from the south window. He watched and waited, while the moonlight shone on the ancient stones, but neither Captain nor Duchess appeared.

When he heard the Shakeforest Towers clock strike eleven, he saw the third figure appear. As the man came towards the hut, the moonlight shone full on his face, and the boy realized in horror that it was the Duke. All the villagers lived in fear of the Duke. He owned every farm and every house for miles around, and anybody who made him angry could lose their home and their job in a moment. The boy closed the stove, and quickly hid himself in a corner of the hut.

The Duke came close to the place where his wife and the Captain had stood the night before. He looked around, perhaps for a hiding-place. When he discovered the hut among the trees, he entered, and stood at the south window, looking out at the Devil's Door.

Only a minute or two later the Captain arrived, to wait for the Duchess. But a terrible surprise was waiting for him tonight, as well as for the frightened boy hidden in the hut.

At the Captain's appearance, the Duke became very angry. He opened the door of the hut and stepped out.

'You have dishonoured her, and for that you shall die!' he cried. In the hut, the boy left his hiding-place and ran to the window. He could not see the two men, but he heard something falling on the grass, and then silence.

Three minutes later he saw the Duke going up the hill towards the stones, pulling the Captain's body along the ground. The boy knew that behind the Devil's Door there was a deep hole, covered by long grass and other plants. The Duke made his way slowly to the shadows behind the stones, and when he came out, he was pulling nothing behind him.

'Now for the second!' the boy heard him say. This time the Duke waited outside the hut. It was clear that he expected his wife, the Duchess, to arrive next at the meeting-place.

Inside the hut young Bill shook with fear. 'What will he do if she comes?' he thought. 'Will he kill her too? He looks angry enough! And he can do what he likes - he's the Duke. Nobody can stop him!'

The jealous watcher waited for some time, but she never came. Sometimes he looked at his watch in surprise. He seemed almost disappointed that she did not appear. At half-past eleven he turned away to find his horse, and rode slowly down the hill.

The young boy thought of what lay in the hole behind the stones, and was too frightened to stay alone in the hut. He preferred to be with someone who was alive, even the Duke, than with someone who was dead, so he ran after the horseman. He followed the Duke all the way down into the valley, feeling more comfortable when the lonely hills were left behind him. Soon he could see the high walls and roofs of the Duke's home, Shakeforest Towers.

When the Duke got close to the great house, a small door in a side wall opened, and a woman came out. She ran into the moonlight to meet the Duke.

'Ah, my dear, is it you?' she said. 'I heard your horse's step on the road, and knew it must be you.'

'Happy to see me, are you?'

'How can you ask that?'

What the Shepherd Saw (1) Was der Hirte gesehen hat (1) Lo que vio el pastor (1) Ce que le berger a vu (1) Cosa vide il pastore (1) 羊飼いが見たもの (1) 양치기가 본 것 (1) Что увидел пастух (1) Çobanın Gördükleri (1) Що побачив пастух (1)

First night

The Christmas moon was showing her cold face to the low hills called the Marlbury Downs, in the southwestern part of England known as Mid-Wessex. Рождественская луна смотрела своим холодным лицом на низкие холмы, называемые Мальбери-Даунс, в юго-западной части Англии, известной как Мид-Уэссекс. Here sheep were kept out on the hills all year round, and lambs were born as early as December. Здесь круглый год держали овец на холмах, а ягнята рождались уже в декабре. Shepherds needed to be on the hills day and night at this time of year, and often used small wheeled huts where they could rest and keep warm, while keeping a careful eye on the sheep. В это время года пастухам нужно было находиться на холмах днем и ночью, и они часто использовали небольшие хижины на колесах, где они могли отдохнуть и согреться, внимательно присматривая за овцами.

On a high piece of land one of these huts stood inside a little circle of trees, which kept it out of the icy wind and also hidden from any passersby. На высоком участке земли одна из этих хижин стояла в небольшом кругу деревьев, которые защищали ее от ледяного ветра, а также скрывали от прохожих. The hut was made of wood, and had a door and two windows. The north one looked out on the eight hundred sheep which were in the shepherd's care, and the south window gave a view of three ancient stones, built in the shape of a doorway. Северное окно выходило на восемьсот овец, находившихся на попечении пастуха, а южное окно давало вид на три древних камня, сложенных в виде дверного проема. These great stones, which village people called the Devil's Door, had been there for over two thousand years. Эти большие камни, которые деревенские жители называли Дверью Дьявола, стояли там более двух тысяч лет. They were worn and weather-beaten, but tonight looked almost new in the silver light of the moon. Они были изношены и обветрены, но сегодня в серебряном свете луны выглядели почти новыми.

Inside the hut a young shepherd boy was waiting for his master, who entered at that moment. Внутри хижины молодой пастух ждал своего хозяина, вошедшего в этот момент.

'Are ye sleepy?' — Ты хочешь спать? asked the old man crossly.

'N - no, master,' replied the boy, who was a little frightened of the shepherd and his heavy stick. — Н-нет, хозяин, — ответил мальчик, немного напуганный пастухом и его тяжелой палкой.

'The sheep should be all right until the morning now,' said the shepherd, 'but one of us must stay here, so I'll leave ye, do ye hear? «Овцы должны быть в порядке до утра, — сказал пастух, — но один из нас должен остаться здесь, так что я оставлю вас, слышите? I'll go home and sleep for a few hours. Run down to my cottage and fetch me if anything happens. Сбегай ко мне в коттедж и приведи меня, если что-нибудь случится. Ye can have a bit of a sleep in the chair by the stove but only for a few minutes, mind! В кресле у печки можно поспать, но только несколько минут, заметьте! Make sure ye stay awake the rest of the time, and don't let that fire go out!' Убедитесь, что вы бодрствуете все остальное время, и не дайте этому огню погаснуть!

The old man closed the door, and disappeared. The boy went out to check on the sheep and newborn lambs, then came back into the hut and sat down by the warm stove. Мальчик вышел проверить овец и новорожденных ягнят, потом вернулся в избушку и сел у теплой печки. Soon his eyes closed, his head dropped, and he was asleep. Вскоре его глаза закрылись, голова опустилась, и он уснул.

When he woke up, he could hear down in the valley the clock at Shakeforest Towers striking eleven. Когда он проснулся, то услышал, как внизу в долине часы в Шекфорест Тауэрс бьют одиннадцать. The sound carried well in the cold night air. Звук хорошо переносился в холодном ночном воздухе. He looked out of the north window and saw the sheep, lying on the grass as quietly as before. Он выглянул в северное окно и увидел овец, лежащих на траве так же спокойно, как и прежде. He next looked out of the opposite window, towards the stones of the Devil's Door, white and ghostly in the moonlight. Затем он посмотрел в противоположное окно на камни Дьявольской двери, белые и призрачные в лунном свете. And in front of them stood a man. А перед ними стоял мужчина.

It was clear that he was not a farm worker, because he was wearing a dark suit, and carried himself like a gentleman. Было ясно, что он не сельскохозяйственный рабочий, потому что он был одет в темный костюм и вел себя как джентльмен. The boy was still wondering, in great surprise, why the man was visiting the Devil's Door at this hour, when suddenly another figure appeared. Мальчик все еще недоумевал, с большим удивлением, почему этот человек посещал Дверь Дьявола в такой час, как вдруг появилась еще одна фигура. This second figure was a woman, and when the stranger saw her, he hurried towards her. Эта вторая фигура была женщиной, и когда незнакомец увидел ее, он поспешил к ней. He met her near the trees, and took her into his arms. Он встретил ее возле деревьев и взял на руки.

'You have come, Harriet! — Ты пришла, Гарриет! Thank you!' he cried warmly. — горячо воскликнул он.

'But not for this,' replied the lady, pulling away from him. — Но не за это, — ответила дама, отстраняясь от него. She added more kindly, 'I have come, Fred, because you begged me! Она добавила более любезно: «Я пришла, Фред, потому что ты умолял меня! Why did you ask to see me?' Почему ты попросил меня о встрече?

'Harriet, I have seen many lands and faces since I last walked these hills, but I have only thought of you.' Harriet, ich habe viele Länder und Gesichter gesehen, seit ich das letzte Mal über diese Hügel gegangen bin, aber ich habe nur an dich gedacht. «Гарриет, я видел много стран и лиц с тех пор, как в последний раз ходил по этим холмам, но я думал только о тебе».

'Was it only to tell me this that you begged me to meet you, out here on the hills, so late at night?' — Только для того, чтобы сказать мне это, ты умолял меня встретиться с тобой здесь, на холмах, так поздно ночью?

'Harriet, be honest with me! I have heard that the Duke is unkind to you.' Я слышал, что герцог недобр к вам.

'He sometimes gets angry, but he is a good husband.'

'Harriet, dearest, is that really true? Doesn't everybody know that your life with him is a sad one? Разве не все знают, что ваша жизнь с ним печальна? I have come to find out what I can do. Я пришел узнать, что я могу сделать. You are a Duchess, and I'm only Fred Ogbourne, but it's still possible that I can help you. Вы герцогиня, а я всего лишь Фред Огборн, но все же возможно, что я смогу вам помочь. By God! The sweetness of your voice should keep him pleasant, especially when the sweetness of your face is added to it!' Сладость твоего голоса должна сделать его приятным, особенно когда к этому добавляется сладость твоего лица!

'Captain Ogbourne!' — Капитан Огборн! she cried, half afraid, half playful. — воскликнула она, наполовину испугавшись, наполовину игриво. 'You're an old friend - how can you speak to me in this way? — Ты старый друг — как ты можешь так со мной разговаривать? Remember I'm a married woman! I was wrong to come, I see that now.' Я был неправ, что пришел, теперь я вижу это.

'You call me Captain Ogbourne,' he replied unhappily, 'but I was always Fred to you before. — Вы зовете меня капитаном Огборном, — недовольно ответил он, — но раньше я всегда был для вас Фредом. I think you no longer have any feeling for me. Я думаю, ты больше не испытываешь ко мне никаких чувств. My love for you, Harriet, has not changed at all, but you are a different woman now. Моя любовь к тебе, Харриет, совсем не изменилась, но ты теперь другая женщина. I must accept it. Я должен принять это. I can never see you again.'

'You needn't talk like that, you stupid man. — Не надо так говорить, глупец. You can see me again - why not? But of course, not like this. Но, конечно, не так. It was a mistake of mine to come tonight, and I only did it because the Duke is away at the moment.' С моей стороны было ошибкой прийти сегодня вечером, и я сделал это только потому, что герцог в данный момент отсутствует.

'When does he return?' — Когда он вернется?

'The day after tomorrow, or the day after that.' — Послезавтра или послезавтра.

'Then meet me again tomorrow night.' — Тогда встретимся снова завтра вечером.

'No, Fred, I cannot.'

'If you cannot tomorrow night, you can the night after. — Если не сможешь завтра вечером, сможешь послезавтра. Please let me have one more meeting before he returns, to say goodbye! Пожалуйста, позвольте мне провести еще одну встречу, прежде чем он вернется, чтобы попрощаться! Now, promise me!' Обещай мне! He took the Duchess's hand. Он взял герцогиню за руку.

'No, Fred, let go of my hand! — Нет, Фред, отпусти мою руку! It's not kind of you to make me feel sorry for you, and then to keep me here like this!' Es ist nicht nett von dir, dass du mich bemitleiden lässt und mich dann hier so festhältst!' Нехорошо с твоей стороны заставлять меня жалеть тебя, а потом держать меня здесь вот так!

'But see me once more! — Но увидимся еще раз! I have come two thousand miles to see you.'

'Oh, I must not! — О, я не должен! People will talk. Люди будут говорить. Don't ask it of me!'

'Then confess two things to me: that you did love me once, and that your husband is unkind to you often enough to make you think of the time when you loved me.' Dann gestehe mir zwei Dinge: dass du mich einst geliebt hast, und dass dein Mann so oft unfreundlich zu dir ist, dass du an die Zeit denkst, als du mich geliebt hast. «Тогда признайтесь мне в двух вещах: что вы любили меня однажды, и что ваш муж был недобр к вам достаточно часто, чтобы заставить вас думать о том времени, когда вы любили меня».

'Yes, I confess them both,' she answered quietly. 'Come once more!' — Приходи еще раз! He still held her hand, and had his arm around her waist. Он все еще держал ее за руку и обнимал ее за талию.

'Very well, then,' she said finally. — Тогда очень хорошо, — сказала она наконец. 'I agree. I'll meet you tomorrow night or the night after. Я встречусь с вами завтра вечером или послезавтра. Now let me go.' Теперь отпусти меня.

He set her free, and watched her hurry down the hill towards her home, Shakeforest Towers. Он освободил ее и смотрел, как она спешила вниз по холму к своему дому, Шекфорест Тауэрс. Then he turned and walked away. Затем он повернулся и ушел. In a few minutes all was silent and empty again. Через несколько минут все снова стало тихо и пусто.

But only for a moment. Suddenly, a third figure appeared, from behind the stones. Внезапно из-за камней появилась третья фигура. He was a man of heavier build than the Captain, and was wearing riding boots. Это был мужчина более крупного телосложения, чем капитан, и в сапогах для верховой езды. It was clear that he had watched the meeting between the Captain and the Duchess. Было ясно, что он наблюдал за встречей капитана и герцогини. He had been too far away to hear their conversation and the lady's reluctant words, so to him they had the appearance of lovers. Он был слишком далеко, чтобы слышать их разговор и неохотные слова дамы, так что они казались ему любовниками. But several more years passed before the boy was old enough to understand this. Но прошло еще несколько лет, прежде чем мальчик стал достаточно взрослым, чтобы понять это.

This third figure stood still for a moment, thinking. Эта третья фигура на мгновение замерла, задумавшись. Then he went back into the trees, and came out again with his horse. Затем он вернулся к деревьям и снова вышел со своей лошадью. He rode off, and the sound of the horse's feet on the hard ground was heard for several minutes, until it died away. Он ускакал, и звук шагов лошади по твердой земле был слышен несколько минут, пока не стих.

The boy stayed in the hut, his eyes still on the stones, but nobody else appeared there. Suddenly he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder, which made him jump.

'Now look here, young Bill Mills, - ye've let the fire in the stove go out! — А теперь послушайте, юный Билл Миллс, — вы дали погаснуть огню в печи! Well, what's happened, ye bad boy?'

'Nothing, master.'

'Sheep and lambs all safe and well?' — Овцы и ягнята в целости и сохранности?

'Yes, master.'

The old shepherd spoke angrily. — сердито сказал старый пастух. 'Well, that's where ye're wrong. Nun, da liegst du falsch. — Ну, вот тут ты ошибаешься. There are two new lambs out there, born just this minute, and one of the mothers is half dead! Es gibt zwei neue Lämmer, die gerade in dieser Minute geboren wurden, und eine der Mütter ist halb tot! Только что родились два новых ягненка, и одна из матерей полумертвая! I told ye to stay awake, boy, and fetch me if I was needed! Я сказал тебе бодрствовать, мальчик, и зови меня, если я понадоблюсь! Well, what have you got to say for yourself?' Nun, was haben Sie zu Ihrer Verteidigung zu sagen? Ну, что ты можешь сказать о себе?

'You said that I could have a bit of a sleep! Sie sagten, ich könnte ein bisschen schlafen! — Ты сказал, что я могу немного поспать! In the chair by the stove, you said!' В кресле у печки, вы сказали!

'Don't you speak to your elders and betters like that, young man, or you'll end up hanging from a rope at the prison! Sprich nicht so mit den Älteren und Älteren, junger Mann, oder du wirst im Gefängnis an einem Strick hängen! — Не говорите так со старшими и вышестоящими, молодой человек, а то в тюрьме повиснете на веревке! Well, ye can go home now, and come back again by breakfast time. I'm an old man, but there's no rest for me!' Ich bin ein alter Mann, aber es gibt keine Ruhe für mich!' Я стар, но мне нет покоя!

The old shepherd then lay down inside the hut, and the boy went down the hill to his home in the village. Затем старый пастух лег в хижине, а мальчик спустился с холма к себе домой в деревню.

CHAPTER TWO

Second night

The next evening the old shepherd left the boy alone in the hut again, with repeated orders to keep a careful eye on the sheep. But young Bill was only interested in the view from the south window. Но юного Билла интересовал только вид из южного окна. He watched and waited, while the moonlight shone on the ancient stones, but neither Captain nor Duchess appeared. Он смотрел и ждал, пока лунный свет освещал древние камни, но ни Капитан, ни Герцогиня не появились.

When he heard the Shakeforest Towers clock strike eleven, he saw the third figure appear. Когда он услышал, как часы в Башне Шейкфорест бьют одиннадцать, он увидел, как появилась третья цифра. As the man came towards the hut, the moonlight shone full on his face, and the boy realized in horror that it was the Duke. Когда мужчина подошел к хижине, лунный свет осветил его лицо, и мальчик с ужасом понял, что это герцог. All the villagers lived in fear of the Duke. Все жители деревни жили в страхе перед герцогом. He owned every farm and every house for miles around, and anybody who made him angry could lose their home and their job in a moment. Он владел каждой фермой и каждым домом на многие мили вокруг, и любой, кто разозлил его, мог в одно мгновение лишиться дома и работы. The boy closed the stove, and quickly hid himself in a corner of the hut. Мальчик закрыл печку и быстро спрятался в угол избы.

The Duke came close to the place where his wife and the Captain had stood the night before. Герцог приблизился к тому месту, где прошлой ночью стояли его жена и капитан. He looked around, perhaps for a hiding-place. Он огляделся, возможно, в поисках укрытия. When he discovered the hut among the trees, he entered, and stood at the south window, looking out at the Devil's Door. Когда он обнаружил хижину среди деревьев, он вошел и стал у южного окна, глядя на Дверь Дьявола.

Only a minute or two later the Captain arrived, to wait for the Duchess. Буквально через минуту или две прибыл капитан, чтобы дождаться герцогини. But a terrible surprise was waiting for him tonight, as well as for the frightened boy hidden in the hut. Doch heute Abend wartete eine schreckliche Überraschung auf ihn und auf den verängstigten Jungen in der Hütte. Но сегодня ночью его ждал страшный сюрприз, как и испуганного мальчика, спрятавшегося в хижине.

At the Captain's appearance, the Duke became very angry. Beim Erscheinen des Kapitäns wurde der Herzog sehr wütend. При появлении капитана герцог очень рассердился. He opened the door of the hut and stepped out. Er öffnete die Tür der Hütte und trat heraus. Он открыл дверь хижины и вышел.

'You have dishonoured her, and for that you shall die!' Du hast sie entehrt, und dafür sollst du sterben! — Ты обесчестил ее и за это умрешь! he cried. воскликнул он. In the hut, the boy left his hiding-place and ran to the window. In der Hütte verließ der Junge sein Versteck und lief zum Fenster. В хижине мальчик вышел из своего укрытия и подбежал к окну. He could not see the two men, but he heard something falling on the grass, and then silence. Он не мог видеть двух мужчин, но услышал, как что-то упало на траву, а затем тишина.

Three minutes later he saw the Duke going up the hill towards the stones, pulling the Captain's body along the ground. Drei Minuten später sah er, wie der Herzog den Hügel hinauf zu den Steinen ging und den Körper des Hauptmanns über den Boden zog. Через три минуты он увидел, как Герцог поднимается на холм к камням, волоча тело капитана по земле. The boy knew that behind the Devil's Door there was a deep hole, covered by long grass and other plants. Der Junge wusste, dass sich hinter dem Teufelstor ein tiefes Loch befand, das mit langem Gras und anderen Pflanzen bewachsen war. Мальчик знал, что за Дверью Дьявола есть глубокая яма, заросшая высокой травой и другими растениями. The Duke made his way slowly to the shadows behind the stones, and when he came out, he was pulling nothing behind him. Der Herzog ging langsam in den Schatten hinter den Steinen, und als er herauskam, zog er nichts hinter sich her. Герцог медленно пробирался к теням за камнями, и когда он вышел, он ничего не тащил за собой.

'Now for the second!' — Теперь второе! the boy heard him say. — услышал мальчик. This time the Duke waited outside the hut. На этот раз герцог ждал снаружи хижины. It was clear that he expected his wife, the Duchess, to arrive next at the meeting-place. Было ясно, что он ожидает, что следующей на место встречи прибудет его жена, герцогиня.

Inside the hut young Bill shook with fear. Im Inneren der Hütte zitterte der junge Bill vor Angst. Внутри хижины юный Билл трясся от страха. 'What will he do if she comes?' — Что он будет делать, если она придет? he thought. 'Will he kill her too? He looks angry enough! And he can do what he likes - he's the Duke. И он может делать что хочет - он герцог. Nobody can stop him!'

The jealous watcher waited for some time, but she never came. Der eifersüchtige Beobachter wartete einige Zeit, aber sie kam nicht. Ревнивая наблюдательница ждала некоторое время, но так и не пришла. Sometimes he looked at his watch in surprise. Manchmal schaute er erstaunt auf seine Uhr. Иногда он удивленно смотрел на часы. He seemed almost disappointed that she did not appear. Er schien fast enttäuscht zu sein, dass sie nicht erschienen war. Он казался почти разочарованным тем, что она не появилась. At half-past eleven he turned away to find his horse, and rode slowly down the hill. Um halb zwölf wandte er sich ab, um sein Pferd zu suchen, und ritt langsam den Hügel hinunter. В половине одиннадцатого он повернулся, чтобы найти свою лошадь, и медленно поскакал вниз с холма.

The young boy thought of what lay in the hole behind the stones, and was too frightened to stay alone in the hut. Мальчик подумал о том, что лежит в дыре за камнями, и был слишком напуган, чтобы оставаться один в хижине. He preferred to be with someone who was alive, even the Duke, than with someone who was dead, so he ran after the horseman. Er zog es vor, mit jemandem zusammen zu sein, der noch lebte, sogar mit dem Herzog, als mit jemandem, der tot war, und so rannte er dem Reiter hinterher. Он предпочитал быть с живым, даже с герцогом, чем с мертвым, поэтому побежал за всадником. He followed the Duke all the way down into the valley, feeling more comfortable when the lonely hills were left behind him. Er folgte dem Herzog den ganzen Weg hinunter ins Tal und fühlte sich wohler, als er die einsamen Hügel hinter sich gelassen hatte. Он следовал за герцогом до самой долины, чувствуя себя более комфортно, когда одинокие холмы остались позади. Soon he could see the high walls and roofs of the Duke's home, Shakeforest Towers. Вскоре он увидел высокие стены и крыши дома герцога, Башни Шейкфорест.

When the Duke got close to the great house, a small door in a side wall opened, and a woman came out. Когда герцог приблизился к большому дому, маленькая дверца в боковой стене открылась, и вышла женщина. She ran into the moonlight to meet the Duke.

'Ah, my dear, is it you?' she said. 'I heard your horse's step on the road, and knew it must be you.'

'Happy to see me, are you?' — Рад меня видеть, а ты?

'How can you ask that?' — Как ты можешь об этом спрашивать?