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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, A Scandal in Bohemia 2

A Scandal in Bohemia 2

II.

At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to enter into my head.

It was close upon four before the door opened, and a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes.

“Well, really!” he cried, and then he choked and laughed again until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the chair.

“What is it?”

“It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing.”

“I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler.”

“Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without noting anything else of interest.

“I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half-and-half, two fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but whose biographies I was compelled to listen to.”

“And what of Irene Adler?” I asked.

“Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan of campaign.

“This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the situation.”

“I am following you closely,” I answered.

“I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached—evidently the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly at home.

“He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from his pocket and looked at it earnestly, ‘Drive like the devil,' he shouted, ‘first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if you do it in twenty minutes!'

“Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for.

“‘The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, ‘and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.'

“This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could object. ‘The Church of St. Monica,' said I, ‘and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind.

“My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards me.

“‘Thank God,' he cried. ‘You'll do. Come! Come!'

“‘What then?' I asked.

“‘Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.'

“I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just now. It seems that there had been some informality about their license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to wear it on my watch chain in memory of the occasion.”

“This is a very unexpected turn of affairs,” said I; “and what then?”

“Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and she to her own house. ‘I shall drive out in the park at five as usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove away in different directions, and I went off to make my own arrangements.”

“Which are?”

“Some cold beef and a glass of beer,” he answered, ringing the bell. “I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want your co-operation.”

“I shall be delighted.”

“You don't mind breaking the law?”

“Not in the least.”

“Nor running a chance of arrest?”

“Not in a good cause.”

“Oh, the cause is excellent!”

“Then I am your man.”

“I was sure that I might rely on you.”

“But what is it you wish?”

“When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to you. Now,” he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that our landlady had provided, “I must discuss it while I eat, for I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her.”

“And what then?”

“You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must not interfere, come what may. You understand?”

“I am to be neutral?”

“To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to that open window.”

“Yes.”

“You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you.”

“Yes.”

“And when I raise my hand—so—you will throw into the room what I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of fire. You quite follow me?”

“Entirely.”

“It is nothing very formidable,” he said, taking a long cigar-shaped roll from his pocket. “It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?”

“I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street.”

“Precisely.”

“Then you may entirely rely on me.”

“That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I prepare for the new role I have to play.”

He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in crime.

It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with cigars in their mouths.

“You see,” remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the house, “this marriage rather simplifies matters. The photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the photograph?”

“Where, indeed?”

“It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her.”

“Where, then?”

“Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house.”

“But it has twice been burgled.”

“Pshaw! They did not know how to look.”

“But how will you look?”

“I will not look.”

“What then?”

“I will get her to show me.”

“But she will refuse.”

“She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter.”

As he spoke the gleam of the sidelights of a carriage came round the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but, just as he reached her, he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while a number of better dressed people, who had watched the scuffle without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking back into the street.

“Is the poor gentleman much hurt?” she asked.

“He is dead,” cried several voices.

“No, no, there's life in him!” shouted another. “But he'll be gone before you can get him to hospital.”

“He's a brave fellow,” said a woman. “They would have had the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now.”

“He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?”

“Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable sofa. This way, please!”

Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are but preventing her from injuring another.

Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of “Fire!” The word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of spectators, well dressed and ill—gentlemen, ostlers, and servant maids—joined in a general shriek of “Fire!” Thick clouds of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Edgeware Road.

“You did it very nicely, Doctor,” he remarked. “Nothing could have been better. It is all right.”

“You have the photograph?”

“I know where it is.”

“And how did you find out?”

“She showed me, as I told you she would.”

“I am still in the dark.”

“I do not wish to make a mystery,” said he, laughing. “The matter was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening.”

“I guessed as much.”

“Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick.”

“That also I could fathom.”

“Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your chance.”

“How did that help you?”

“It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Darlington Substitution Scandal it was of use to me, and also in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a glimpse of it as she half drew it out. When I cried out that it was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly, it seemed safer to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all.”

“And now?” I asked.

“Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain it with his own hands.”

“And when will you call?”

“At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the King without delay.”

We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said:

“Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes.”

There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had hurried by.

“I've heard that voice before,” said Holmes, staring down the dimly lit street. “Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have been.” III. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed into the room. “You have really got it!” he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. “Not yet.” “But you have hopes?” “I have hopes.” “Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone.” “We must have a cab.” “No, my brougham is waiting.” “Then that will simplify matters.” We descended and started off once more for Briony Lodge. “Irene Adler is married,” remarked Holmes. “Married! When?” “Yesterday.” “But to whom?” “To an English lawyer named Norton.” “But she could not love him.” “I am in hopes that she does.” “And why in hopes?” “Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan.” “It is true. And yet—! Well! I wish she had been of my own station! What a queen she would have made!” He relapsed into a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Serpentine Avenue. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped from the brougham. “Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?” said she. “I am Mr. Holmes,” answered my companion, looking at her with a questioning and rather startled gaze. “Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Cross for the Continent.” “What!” Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and surprise. “Do you mean that she has left England?” “Never to return.” “And the papers?” asked the King hoarsely. “All is lost.” “We shall see.” He pushed past the servant and rushed into the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to “Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for.” My friend tore it open, and we all three read it together. It was dated at midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: “MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,—You really did it very well. You took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had been told that, if the King employed an agent, it would certainly be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to watch you, ran upstairs, got into my walking clothes, as I call them, and came down just as you departed. “Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and started for the Temple to see my husband. “We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, “Very truly yours, “IRENE NORTON, née ADLER.” “What a woman—oh, what a woman!” cried the King of Bohemia, when we had all three read this epistle. “Did I not tell you how quick and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?” “From what I have seen of the lady, she seems, indeed, to be on a very different level to your Majesty,” said Holmes coldly. “I am sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business to a more successful conclusion.” “On the contrary, my dear sir,” cried the King; “nothing could be more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire.” “I am glad to hear your Majesty say so.” “I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reward you. This ring—” He slipped an emerald snake ring from his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. “Your Majesty has something which I should value even more highly,” said Holmes. “You have but to name it.” “This photograph!” The King stared at him in amazement. “Irene's photograph!” he cried. “Certainly, if you wish it.” “I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good morning.” He bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his chambers. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman.

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A Scandal in Bohemia 2 Ein Skandal in Böhmen 2 A Scandal in Bohemia 2 Un escándalo en Bohemia 2 Un scandale en Bohème 2 ボヘミアのスキャンダル2 Skandal w Bohemii 2 Um escândalo na Boémia 2 波西米亞醜聞2

II.

At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had not yet returned. 三点整,我在贝克街,但福尔摩斯还没有回来。 The landlady informed me that he had left the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. 女房东告诉我,他早上八点过后不久就离开了房子。 I sat down beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, however long he might be. 然而,我在火边坐下,打算等他,不管他要等多久。 I was already deeply interested in his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. |||||||||||||||||düsteren|||Merkmale|||verbunden mit|||||||||aufgezeichnet|||||||||hohen Rang|hohe Stellung|||||||||| Я уже был глубоко заинтересован в его расследовании, ибо, хотя оно не было окружено никакими мрачными и странными чертами, которые были связаны с двумя преступлениями, которые я уже записал, тем не менее характер дела и высокое положение его клиента придал ей свой характер. Мене вже дуже зацікавило його розслідування, бо, хоч воно й не було оточене жодною з похмурих і дивних рис, які були пов’язані з двома злочинами, які я вже записав, характер справи та високе становище його клієнта все-таки. надав йому власного характеру. 我已经对他的询问产生了浓厚的兴趣,因为尽管它周围没有任何与我已经记录的两起罪行相关的可怕和奇怪的特征,但案件的性质和他的委托人的崇高地位仍然存在给了它自己的性格。 Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most inextricable mysteries. |||||||||||||||||||meisterhaft|Verständnis|||||||||||||||||||||||||||subtil|||||entwirrte|||unlösbar| В самом деле, помимо характера исследования, которым располагал мой друг, было что-то еще в его мастерском схватывании ситуации и в его остром, проницательном рассуждении, что доставляло мне удовольствие изучать его систему работы и следить за быстрыми, тонкими методами, которыми он распутывал самые запутанные тайны. 确实,除了我朋友手头的调查性质外,他对形势的精湛把握以及他敏锐、敏锐的推理也让我很高兴研究他的工作系统,并遵循他解开最难解之谜的快速、微妙的方法。 So accustomed was I to his invariable success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to enter into my head. ||||||unfehlbar||||||||||aufgehört||||| Я так привык к его неизменному успеху, что сама возможность его неудачи перестала приходить мне в голову. 我对他一成不变的成功习以为常,以致于他失败的可能性已不再进入我的脑海。

It was close upon four before the door opened, and a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. |||||||||||||Stallbursche|ungepflegt|ungepflegt|||mit Koteletten|||entzündetes|||unseriös||||| Было около четырех, когда дверь отворилась, и в комнату вошел конюх пьяного вида, неухоженный, с бакенбардами, с воспаленным лицом и в дурной одежде. 将近四点钟,门开了,一个醉醺醺的新郎走进了房间,他头发乱蓬蓬的,留着胡子,脸红肿的,穿着破烂不堪的衣服。 Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it was indeed he. Gewöhnt|||||||||||||Verkleidungen||||||||||||||| Привыкнув к удивительным способностям моего друга в использовании маскировки, мне пришлось трижды оглядеться, прежде чем я убедился, что это действительно он. 由于我已经习惯了我朋友在使用伪装方面的惊人能力,所以我不得不看三遍才能确定这确实是他。 With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. ||||||||aus dem er||auftauchte|||||mit Tweedanzug||respektabel||| Кивнув, он исчез в спальне, откуда вышел через пять минут в твидовом костюме и респектабельном, как и прежде. 他点点头,消失在卧室里,五分钟后他从那里出现,身着粗花呢西装,一如既往地体面。 Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Засунув руки в карманы, он вытянул ноги перед огнем и несколько минут от души смеялся. 他双手插进口袋,在炉火前伸开双腿,放声大笑了几分钟。

“Well, really!” he cried, and then he choked and laughed again until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the chair. |||||||sich verschlucken|||||||gezwungen||sich hinlegen||schlaff||||| «Ну, правда!» — воскликнул он, а затем снова закашлялся и снова захохотал, пока ему не пришлось откинуться на спинку стула, обмякший и беспомощный. «Ну справді!» — скрикнув він, а потім затнувся й знову засміявся, аж поки змушений був лягти на спинку крісла, млявий і безпорадний. “嗯,真的!”他哭了,然后又哽咽了,又笑了起来,直到他不得不无力而无助地仰躺在椅子上。

“What is it?” "Что это?"

“It's quite too funny. «Это слишком смешно. 太好笑了。 I am sure you could never guess how I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing.” ||||||raten|||beschäftigt|||||||| I am sure you could never guess how I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing.” Я уверен, что вы никогда не догадались, как я провел свое утро или чем закончил». 我相信你永远猜不到我早上是怎么度过的,或者我最后做了什么。”

“I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler.” |Ich nehme an|||||||Gewohnheiten|||||||| 我想你一直在观察艾琳·阿德勒小姐的生活习惯,也许还有房子。”

“Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. ||||Fortsetzung||| «Совершенно так; но продолжение было довольно необычным. “这么;但续集很不寻常。 I will tell you, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this morning in the character of a groom out of work. 今天早上八点刚过,我以一个失业的新郎的身份离开了房子。 There is a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. ||||Verständnis||Freimaurerei||pferdebegeisterte| Среди конников есть замечательная симпатия и масонство. 骑马的人之间有一种奇妙的同情和共济会。 Be one of them, and you will know all that there is to know. Стань одним из них, и ты узнаешь все, что нужно знать. 成为他们中的一员,你就会知道所有该知道的。 I soon found Briony Lodge. Вскоре я нашел Брайони Лодж. 我很快找到了 Briony Lodge。 It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but built out in front right up to the road, two stories. |||klein und elegant|kleine Villa||||||||gebaut||||||||Straße|| Это шикарная вилла с садом сзади, но пристроенная спереди прямо к дороге, в два этажа. 这是一座精美的别墅,后面有一个花园,但前面建在马路边,两层楼。 Chubb lock to the door. Chubb-Schloss|Chubbschloss an der Tür||| Чабб запирает дверь. Чуб замок до дверей. Chubb锁门。 Large sitting-room on the right side, well furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. ||||||||||||||||||lächerlich|||Fensterverschlüsse||||| Большая гостиная с правой стороны, хорошо обставленная, с длинными окнами почти до пола и этими нелепыми английскими оконными засовами, которые может открыть ребенок. 右边的客厅很大,布置得很好,长窗几乎到地板,还有那些孩子可以打开的荒谬的英国窗户紧固件。 Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window could be reached from the top of the coach-house. ||||||||||||||||||Kutschenhaus| Сзади не было ничего примечательного, за исключением того, что к окну прохода можно было попасть с крыши каретного сарая. 后面没有什么了不起的,除了可以从马车房的顶部到达通道窗口。 I walked round it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without noting anything else of interest. |||||untersuchte|||||||||||||| Я обошел его и внимательно рассмотрел со всех сторон, но не заметил ничего интересного. 我绕着它走一圈,从各个角度仔细检查它,但没有注意到任何其他有趣的东西。

“I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the garden. ||schlenderte|||||||||||||Pferdestallgasse|||||||||||| Затем я прошел по улице и обнаружил, как и ожидал, конюшню в переулке, который проходит вдоль одной из стен сада. “然后我在街上闲逛,发现正如我所料,一条小巷里有一条马厩,沿着花园的一面墙向下延伸。 I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half-and-half, two fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but whose biographies I was compelled to listen to.” |||Stallburschen|||||||||||im Austausch|zwei Pence||||||||Füllungen||Shag-Tabak||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||im Geringsten|||||||gezwungen||| Я помог конюхам растереть их лошадей и получил взамен два пенса, стакан пол-на-половину, две пачки махорки и столько информации, сколько мог пожелать о мисс Адлер, не говоря уже о половине. дюжина других людей по соседству, которыми я нисколько не интересовался, но чьи биографии я был вынужден выслушать». Я допоміг конюшам натерти їхніх коней і отримав натомість два пенси, склянку півтора, дві порції махорки та скільки завгодно інформації про міс Адлер, не кажучи вже про половину. десяток інших людей по сусідству, якими я анітрохи не цікавився, але чиї біографії я був змушений слухати».

“And what of Irene Adler?” I asked. “那艾琳阿德勒呢?”我问。

“Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. «О, она вскружила головы всем мужчинам в этой части. “哦,她在那部分让所有男人都低下了头。 She is the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. |||zarteste||||Hut||| Она самое изящное существо под шляпой на этой планете. 她是这个星球上帽子下最精致的东西。 So say the Serpentine-mews, to a man. ||||Gassen||| Так говорят змеиные мяуканья мужчине. 对一个人来说,蛇形马厩是这样说的。 She lives quietly, sings at concerts, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for dinner. Она живет тихо, поет на концертах, выезжает каждый день в пять и возвращается ровно в семь к обеду. 她平静地生活,在音乐会上唱歌,每天五点开车出门,七点准时回来吃晚饭。 Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Редко выходит в другое время, кроме как когда она поет. 其他时间很少出去,除了唱歌的时候。 Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. |||männlicher Besucher|||||eine Menge|| Есть только один посетитель-мужчина, но много его. 只有一个男性访客,但他很多。 He is dark, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and often twice. |||||schneidig|||||||||| Он смуглый, красивый и лихой, никогда не звонит реже, чем раз в день, а часто и два раза. 他皮肤黝黑、英俊、潇洒,每天至少来一次电话,而且经常是两次。 He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. |||Herr|||||Innerer Tempel| Это мистер Годфри Нортон из Внутреннего Храма. 他是内殿的戈弗雷·诺顿先生。 See the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. ||||||||Vertrauter Увидьте преимущества извозчика как доверенного лица. 看到出租车司机作为知己的优点。 They had driven him home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. ||||||||||Serpentine-Gasse||||| Они раз десять возили его домой из Змеиных конюшен и знали о нем все. 他们从蛇形马厩开车送他回家十几次,对他了如指掌。 When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan of campaign. |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||Plan der Kampagne Выслушав все, что они должны были рассказать, я снова начал ходить взад и вперед возле Брайони-Лоджа и обдумывать план своей кампании. 当我听完他们所说的一切后,我又开始在布里奥尼小屋附近来回走动,考虑我的竞选计划。

“This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the matter. ||||offensichtlich|||||| «Этот Годфри Нортон, очевидно, был важным фактором в этом деле. “这个戈弗雷诺顿显然是这件事的重要因素。 He was a lawyer. |||Er war Anwalt. 他是一名律师。 That sounded ominous. 这听起来很不祥。 What was the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated visits? ||||||||||||wiederholten| Каковы были отношения между ними и какова цель его неоднократных визитов? 他们之间是什么关系,他多次来访的目的是什么? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? ||||||||Geliebte 她是他的客户、他的朋友还是他的情妇? If the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his keeping. ||||||übergeben|||||Obhut Если первое, то она, вероятно, передала фотографию ему на хранение. 如果是前者,她可能已经将照片转交给他保管了。 If the latter, it was less likely. ||Letzteres||||wahrscheinlich Если второе, то это было менее вероятно. 如果是后者,则可能性较小。 On the issue of this question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Temple. ||Frage|||||||||||||||||||||||| От исхода этого вопроса зависело, должен ли я продолжать свою работу в Брайони-Лодж или обратить свое внимание на покои джентльмена в Темпле. 这个问题取决于我是继续在 Briony Lodge 工作,还是把注意力转向 Temple 绅士的房间。 It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my inquiry. |||||||erweiterte|||||Untersuchung Это был деликатный момент, и он расширил поле моего исследования. 这是一个微妙的问题,它拓宽了我的调查范围。 I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the situation.” Боюсь, я утомил вас этими подробностями, но я должен показать вам мои маленькие трудности, если вы хотите понять ситуацию. 我担心我讲这些细节会让你厌烦,但如果你想了解情况,我必须让你看到我的小困难。”

“I am following you closely,” I answered. — Я внимательно слежу за вами, — ответил я. “我正在密切关注你,”我回答道。

“I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. |||||||||||Droschke|Droschke|||||||||| Я все еще размышлял над этим вопросом, когда к Брайони-Лодж подъехал кеб, и из него выскочил какой-то джентльмен. “当一辆双轮出租车开到 Briony Lodge 时,我还在心里权衡这件事,一位绅士跳了出来。 He was a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached—evidently the man of whom I had heard. |||bemerkenswert||||adlerartig|||offensichtlich|||||||gehört hatte Это был необыкновенно красивый мужчина, смуглый, орлиный, усатый, — очевидно, человек, о котором я слышал. 他是一个非常英俊的男人,皮肤黝黑,鹰钩鼻,留着小胡子——显然就是我听说过的那个人。 He appeared to be in a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly at home. |schien||||||||||||||vorbeigegangen|||Dienstmädchen|||||||||||||vollkommen|| Он, казалось, очень торопился, крикнул извозчику, чтобы тот подождал, и пронесся мимо горничной, которая открыла дверь с видом человека, который чувствовал себя как дома. 他显得很着急,喊了一声让车夫稍等,然后一脸自在的男人从开门的女仆身边擦身而过。

“He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. |||||||||||||Einblicke|||||||||||||||aufgeregt||mit den Armen fuchteln|| «Он был в доме около получаса, и я мельком видел его в окнах гостиной, он ходил взад-вперед, возбужденно разговаривал и махал руками. “他在屋子里呆了大约半小时,我可以在起居室的窗户里瞥见他,他来回踱步,兴奋地说话,挥舞着手臂。 Of her I could see nothing. |||||nichts От нее я ничего не мог разглядеть. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than before. ||auftauchte||||aufgeregter|| Вскоре он появился, выглядя еще более взволнованным, чем раньше. 不久他出现了,看起来比之前更加慌乱。 As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from his pocket and looked at it earnestly, ‘Drive like the devil,' he shouted, ‘first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the Church of St. ||trat auf||||||zog heraus|||||||||||ernst|||||||||Groß & Hankey||||||||||| Подойдя к такси, он вытащил из кармана золотые часы и серьезно посмотрел на них. «Гоните как черти, — крикнул он, — сначала в «Гросс и Хэнки» на Риджент-стрит, а потом в церковь св. 当他走向出租车时,从口袋里掏出一块金表,认真地看着它,“像魔鬼一样开车,”他喊道,“先到摄政街的格罗斯汉基,然后到圣安德鲁斯教堂。 Monica in the Edgeware Road. Моника на Эджвар-роуд. Edgeware 路上的莫妮卡。 Half a guinea if you do it in twenty minutes!' ||halbe Guinea||||||| 如果你能在 20 分钟内完成,将获得半几尼!

“Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the buckles. ||||||||ob||||||||||||Gasse|||ordentlich||Landauer Kutsche||Kutscher||||||halb zugeknöpft|||Krawatte|||||||Riemenenden|||||herausragend||||Schnallen Они ушли, и я как раз думал, не лучше ли мне последовать за ними, когда по переулку проехало аккуратное маленькое ландо, кучер был в полузастегнутом пальто, с галстуком под ухом, в то время как все жетоны его сбруи торчали из пряжек. “他们走了,我正想着我是否应该好好跟在他们后面,这时车道上来了一辆整洁的小马车,车夫的外套只扣了一半扣子,领带在耳朵下面,而所有的标签他的安全带从带扣中伸出来。 It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall door and into it. ||||||hinausschoss|||||||| Он не остановился, прежде чем она выскочила из двери холла и врезалась в него. 在她冲出大厅门并进入其中之前,它还没有停下来。 I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. ||||flüchtigen Blick||||||||||reizend|||||||||| В тот момент я только мельком увидел ее, но она была прекрасной женщиной с лицом, за которое мужчина мог бы умереть. 此刻我只瞥了她一眼,但她是一个可爱的女人,有着一张男人可能会为之而死的脸。

“‘The Church of St. “'圣教堂 Monica, John,' she cried, ‘and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' |Johann||||||halbe Krone||||||| 莫妮卡,约翰,”她喊道,“如果你们能在二十分钟内到达,还有半个金币。

“This was quite too good to lose, Watson. «Это было слишком хорошо, чтобы проиграть, Ватсон. “这太好了,不能失去,华生。 I was just balancing whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her landau when a cab came through the street. ||||||||||||||verstecken||||||Droschke|||| Я как раз раздумывал, бежать ли мне за ней или сесть за ее ландо, когда по улице проехал кэб. 我只是在权衡我是应该跑过去,还是应该在一辆出租车从街上驶过时停在她的轿车后面。 The driver looked twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could object. ||||||||Fahrgast||||||||protestieren Водитель дважды взглянул на такую жалкую плату за проезд, но я вскочил прежде, чем он успел возразить. 司机看了这么便宜的车费两次,但在他反对之前我就跳了进去。 ‘The Church of St. Monica,' said I, ‘and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' 莫妮卡,”我说,“如果你能在二十分钟内到达,还有半金币。 It was twenty-five minutes to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Было без двадцати пять двенадцать, и, конечно, было достаточно ясно, что дует на ветру.

“My cabby drove fast. |Mein Taxifahrer fuhr schnell.||schnell «Мой таксист ехал быстро. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the others were there before us. Я не думаю, что когда-либо ехал быстрее, но другие были там раньше нас. The cab and the landau with their steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. |||||||dampfenden|||||||||| Когда я пришел, кэб и ландо с дымящимися лошадьми стояли перед дверью. I paid the man and hurried into the church. Я заплатил мужчине и поспешил в церковь. There was not a soul there save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who seemed to be expostulating with them. |||||||||||||||gekleideter Geistlicher|Geistlicher|||||sich beschweren|| Там не было ни души, кроме двоих, за которыми я следовал, и священника в стихах, который, казалось, увещевал их. They were all three standing in a knot in front of the altar. |||||||Knoten||||| Все трое стояли кучкой перед алтарем. I lounged up the side aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. |schlenderte||||||||Müßiggänger|||||| Я слонялся по боковому проходу, как любой другой бездельник, заглянувший в церковь. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards me. |||||||||sich umdrehten|||||Godfrey Norton|Godfrey Norton||||||||| Внезапно, к моему удивлению, все трое у алтаря повернулись ко мне, и Годфри Нортон изо всех сил бросился ко мне.

“‘Thank God,' he cried. «Слава богу, — воскликнул он. ‘You'll do. Du wirst es tun.| 'Вы будете делать. Come! Прийти! Come!'

“‘What then?' "'Что тогда?' I asked.

“‘Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' «Ну, парень, ну, только три минуты, или это будет не по закону».

“I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. |||halb geschleppt|||||||||||||||vor mich hin murmelnd|||||||||bürgend für Dinge||||||||||||||Verbindung|||||unverheiratete Frau|||| Меня наполовину подтащили к алтарю, и, прежде чем я понял, где нахожусь, я обнаружил, что бормочу ответы, которые шептали мне на ухо, и ручаюсь за вещи, о которых я ничего не знал, и вообще помогал надежно связать Ирэн. Адлер, старая дева, Годфри Нортону, холостяку. It was all done in an instant, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. |||||||||||||||||||||||||||strahlte|||| Все было сделано в одно мгновение, и джентльмен благодарил меня с одной стороны, и дама с другой, в то время как священник улыбался мне впереди. It was the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just now. Это было самое нелепое положение, в котором я когда-либо оказывался в своей жизни, и именно мысль об этом заставила меня только что рассмеяться. It seems that there had been some informality about their license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in search of a best man. |||||||Unregelmäßigkeit|||||||||||||||||||||||||Bräutigam||||hinausgehen|||||||||| Похоже, что в отношении их лицензии была некоторая неформальность, что священнослужитель наотрез отказался обвенчать их без какого-либо свидетеля, и что мое счастливое появление избавило жениха от необходимости вылазить на улицу в поисках шафера. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to wear it on my watch chain in memory of the occasion.” ||||||||||||||||||||Anlass Невеста подарила мне соверен, и я собираюсь носить его на цепочке от часов в память об этом событии.

“This is a very unexpected turn of affairs,” said I; “and what then?” |||||||Angelegenheiten||||| -- Это очень неожиданный поворот, -- сказал я. — И что тогда?

“Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. |||||||bedroht «Ну, я обнаружил, что моим планам угрожает серьезная опасность. It looked as if the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate very prompt and energetic measures on my part. |||||||||sofortige|Abreise|||erforderlich machen||schnelle Maßnahmen|||Maßnahmen||| Выглядело так, что пара могла немедленно отправиться в путь, а это требовало очень быстрых и энергичных мер с моей стороны. At the church door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and she to her own house. ||||||trennten sich|||||||||||| Однако у церковных дверей они расстались: он поехал обратно в Темпл, а она к себе домой. ‘I shall drive out in the park at five as usual,' she said as she left him. ||||||Park|||||||||| «Я поеду в парк, как обычно, в пять», — сказала она, уходя от него. I heard no more. Я больше ничего не слышал. They drove away in different directions, and I went off to make my own arrangements.” Они разъехались в разные стороны, а я пошел делать свои приготовления».

“Which are?”

“Some cold beef and a glass of beer,” he answered, ringing the bell. ||||||||||klingelte|| “I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to be busier still this evening. ||||||||||||wahrscheinlich|||||| «Я был слишком занят, чтобы думать о еде, и, вероятно, этим вечером я буду занят еще больше. By the way, Doctor, I shall want your co-operation.” |||||||||Zusammenarbeit Кстати, доктор, мне понадобится ваше сотрудничество.

“I shall be delighted.” |||"hocherfreut" «Я буду в восторге».

“You don't mind breaking the law?”

“Not in the least.” |||geringsten "Не в списке." «Аж ніяк».

“Nor running a chance of arrest?” |||||Verhaftung — И шансов на арест?

“Not in a good cause.” ||||gute Sache «Не по благому делу».

“Oh, the cause is excellent!” — О, дело отличное!

“Then I am your man.” — Тогда я твой человек.

“I was sure that I might rely on you.” ||||||verlassen auf dich|| — Я был уверен, что могу положиться на тебя.

“But what is it you wish?” — Но чего ты хочешь?

“When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to you. |Frau|Frau Turner||gebracht|||Tablett||||||| — Когда миссис Тернер принесет поднос, я объясню вам. Now,” he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that our landlady had provided, “I must discuss it while I eat, for I have not much time. ||||||gierig||||Speise|||||bereitgestellt hat|||besprechen|||||||||| А теперь, — сказал он, с жадностью отворачиваясь от простой еды, приготовленной нашей квартирной хозяйкой, — я должен обсудить это во время еды, потому что у меня мало времени. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns from her drive at seven. |||Madame|eher|||||| We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her.”

“And what then?”

“You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to occur. |||arrangiert||||stattfinden Я уже предусмотрел, что должно произойти. There is only one point on which I must insist. |||||||||bestehen auf Есть только один момент, на котором я должен настаивать. You must not interfere, come what may. |||sich einmischen||| Вы не должны вмешиваться, будь что будет. You understand?”

“I am to be neutral?” ||||neutral bleiben — Я должен быть нейтрален?

“To do nothing whatever. |||überhaupt nichts There will probably be some small unpleasantness. ||||||einige kleine Unannehmlichkeiten Вероятно, будут какие-то мелкие неприятности. Do not join in it. ||Nicht mitmachen.|| Не присоединяйтесь к этому. It will end in my being conveyed into the house. ||||||gebracht||| Это закончится тем, что меня перенесут в дом. Four or five minutes afterwards the sitting-room window will open. ||||nachher|||||| Через четыре-пять минут окно гостиной откроется. You are to station yourself close to that open window.” Вы должны стать поближе к этому открытому окну.

“Yes.”

“You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you.”

“Yes.”

“And when I raise my hand—so—you will throw into the room what I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of fire. |||erhebe||||||||||||||||||||||||Feuerruf ausstoßen|| «И когда я подниму руку — так, — вы бросите в комнату то, что я вам дам, и в то же время поднимете крик огня. You quite follow me?”

“Entirely.” „Vollständig.“

“It is nothing very formidable,” he said, taking a long cigar-shaped roll from his pocket. ||||furchteinflößend|||||||geformt|Rolle||| «Ничего страшного», — сказал он, доставая из кармана длинный сверток в форме сигары. “It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. |||gewöhnlich|Klempners|Rauch-Rakete|Rauchrakete des Klempners|ausgestattet mit|||Kappe|||||||selbstentzündend| «Это обычная сантехническая дымовая ракета, снабженная колпачками на обоих концах, чтобы она могла самовозгораться. Your task is confined to that. |Aufgabe||begrenzt|| Ваша задача ограничивается этим. When you raise your cry of fire, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. Когда вы поднимете свой крик огня, его подхватит довольно много людей. You may then walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten minutes. |||||||||||||wieder zu dir stoßen|||| Затем вы можете пройти до конца улицы, и я присоединюсь к вам через десять минут. I hope that I have made myself clear?” Надеюсь, я ясно выразился?

“I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street.” |||bleiben|||||||||||||Signal|||||||||||||||||||||| «Я должен сохранять нейтралитет, подойти к окну, наблюдать за вами и по сигналу бросить этот предмет, затем поднять крик огня и ждать вас на углу улицы».

“Precisely.”

“Then you may entirely rely on me.”

“That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I prepare for the new role I have to play.” |||||||||vorbereite||||Rolle|||| Я думаю, что, возможно, уже почти пора готовиться к новой роли, которую мне предстоит сыграть».

He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman. |verschwand|||||||||||||||liebenswürdig|||einfach gestrickt|Nonkonformistischer Geistlicher| Он исчез в своей спальне и вернулся через несколько минут в образе любезного и простодушного священника-нонконформиста. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have equalled. |||||weite||||||mitfühlend|||allgemeine|||neugierig blickend||wohlwollend|neugieriger Blick||||||John Hare||||gleichgekommen Его широкая черная шляпа, его мешковатые брюки, белый галстук, его сочувственная улыбка и общее выражение пристального и благожелательного любопытства были такими, с которыми мог бы сравниться только мистер Джон Хэйр. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. ||||dass||||Kostüm Дело было не только в том, что Холмс сменил костюм. His expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every fresh part that he assumed. |Ausdruck||||||||verändern|||neue||||annahm Выражение его лица, его манеры, сама его душа, казалось, менялись с каждой новой ролью, которую он принимал. The stage lost a fine actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in crime. ||||hervorragenden|||||||scharfsinniger|Denker|||||Spezialist für Verbrechen|| Сцена потеряла прекрасного актера, как наука потеряла остроумного мыслителя, когда он стал специалистом по преступлениям.

It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Serpentine Avenue. |||||||||||||||||||||||uns selbst fanden||| Было четверть седьмого, когда мы покинули Бейкер-стрит, и, когда мы очутились на Серпентайн-авеню, оставалось еще десять минут до часа. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, waiting for the coming of its occupant. |||Dämmerung|||Lampen||||angezündet|||auf und ab gingen|||||||||||||||Bewohner Уже смеркалось, и лампы только что зажглись, когда мы расхаживали взад и вперед перед Брайони-Лодж, ожидая прихода его обитательницы. The house was just such as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. ||||||||mir vorgestellt|||||prägnant|Beschreibung|||Gegend|erschien||||||| Дом был именно таким, каким я его себе представлял по краткому описанию Шерлока Холмса, но местность оказалась менее уединенной, чем я ожидал. On the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was remarkably animated. ||Im Gegenteil|||||||ruhigen|||||belebt Наоборот, для маленькой улочки в тихом районе она была удивительно оживлена. There was a group of shabbily dressed men smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with cigars in their mouths. |||Gruppe||schäbig gekleidet|||rauchten|||||||Schleifstein-Arbeiter|Schleifer|||||Gardisten|||flirteten mit|||Kindermädchen|||mehrere|||||||herumlungern||||||||Mündern В углу стояла группа неряшливо одетых мужчин, куривших и хохочащих, точильный станок со своим колесом, два гвардейца, кокетничавшие с няней, и несколько хорошо одетых молодых людей, расхаживавших взад-вперед с сигарами в их рты.

“You see,” remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the house, “this marriage rather simplifies matters. |||||||||hin und her||||||||eher|vereinfacht| -- Видите ли, -- заметил Холмс, пока мы ходили взад и вперед перед домом, -- этот брак несколько упрощает дело. The photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. ||wird zu|||doppelschneidige|Waffe| Фотография теперь становится обоюдоострым оружием. The chances are that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his princess. |Die Chancen|||||||abgeneigt|||||||||||||||||||||Prinzessin Скорее всего, она была бы так же против того, чтобы его увидел мистер Годфри Нортон, как наш клиент против того, чтобы он попал на глаза его принцессе. Цілком імовірно, що вона буде так само проти того, щоб його побачив містер Годфрі Нортон, як наш клієнт проти того, щоб він потрапив на очі його принцесі. Now the question is, Where are we to find the photograph?”

“Where, indeed?”

“It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. |||höchst unwahrscheinlich|||mit sich führt|||| — Маловероятно, что она носит его с собой. It is cabinet size. ||Schrankgröße|Größe Это размер шкафа. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's dress. ||||Verbergen|||einer Frau| Слишком большой, чтобы его можно было легко спрятать в женском платье. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and searched. |weiß|||||imstande||||überfallen||durchsucht Она знает, что король способен подстеречь и обыскать ее. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. |Versuche||||||| We may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her.” |||||||||bei sich tragen|||| Мы можем считать, что она не носит его с собой. Тоді ми можемо вважати, що вона не носить його з собою».

“Where, then?”

“Her banker or her lawyer. |Ihr Bankier||| — Ее банкир или ее адвокат. There is that double possibility. Есть такая двойная возможность. But I am inclined to think neither. |||geneigt||| Но я склонен думать ни то, ни другое. Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting. ||natürlicherweise|geheimniskrämerisch||||||||"verbergen" Женщины по своей природе скрытны, и им нравится делать свои собственные секреты. Why should she hand it over to anyone else? Почему она должна передавать его кому-то еще? She could trust her own guardianship, but she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be brought to bear upon a business man. |||||Vormundschaft|||||||indirekten Einfluss||politische||||||ausüben|||| Она могла доверять своей опеке, но не могла сказать, какое косвенное или политическое влияние может быть оказано на делового человека. Besides, remember that she had resolved to use it within a few days. Außerdem|||||beschlossen||||innerhalb von||| Кроме того, помните, что она решила использовать его в течение нескольких дней. It must be where she can lay her hands upon it. ||||||darauf zugreifen|||| Это должно быть то место, где она сможет прикоснуться к нему. It must be in her own house.”

“But it has twice been burgled.” |||||"eingebrochen worden"

“Pshaw! "Pah!" «Тьфу! They did not know how to look.”

“But how will you look?”

“I will not look.”

“What then?”

“I will get her to show me.” — Я попрошу ее показать мне.

“But she will refuse.” |||"Aber sie wird ablehnen."

“She will not be able to. «Она не сможет. But I hear the rumble of wheels. Но я слышу стук колес. It is her carriage. |||Es ist ihre Kutsche. Now carry out my orders to the letter.” |||||||Buchstaben genau befolgen Теперь выполняй мои приказы буквально.

As he spoke the gleam of the sidelights of a carriage came round the curve of the avenue. ||||Schein|||Seitenlichter|||||||Kurve||| Пока он говорил, мерцание боковых огней кареты осветило изгиб проспекта. It was a smart little landau which rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. |||elegant||kleine Kutsche||klapperte||||||| Это было изящное маленькое ландо, которое с грохотом подъехало к двери Брайони Лодж. As it pulled up, one of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. |||||||herumlungernden|||||stürzte vorwärts||||||||||verdienen|||||weggedrängt||||Müßiggänger|||herbeigeeilt||||| Когда он подъехал, один из бездельников на углу бросился открывать дверь в надежде заработать медяк, но его оттолкнул другой бездельник, подбежавший с тем же намерением. A fierce quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, who was equally hot upon the other side. |heftig|heftiger Streit|ausbrach||||verstärkt|||||||Partei ergreifen|||||Herumlungernden||||||||gleichermaßen||||| Началась ожесточенная ссора, которую усилили двое гвардейцев, вставших на сторону одного из лежачих, и точильщик ножниц, столь же горячий на другой стороне. A blow was struck, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. |Schlag||schlugen|||||||||||||||Mittelpunkt||||||errötete||kämpfende||||wild entschlossen||||||Fäuste||Stöcken Был нанесен удар, и в одно мгновение дама, вышедшая из кареты, оказалась в центре небольшой группы раскрасневшихся и дерущихся мужчин, которые свирепо били друг друга кулаками и палками. Holmes dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but, just as he reached her, he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood running freely down his face. |stürzte|||Menschenmenge||schützen||||||||||||||||||||Blut||||| Холмс бросился в толпу, чтобы защитить даму; но как только он достиг ее, он вскрикнул и упал на землю, и кровь свободно текла по его лицу. At his fall the guardsmen took to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while a number of better dressed people, who had watched the scuffle without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to attend to the injured man. ||||Wachmänner||||Fersengeld geben|||||||||||||||||||||Handgemenge||||||||||||||sich kümmern um|||verletzten Mann| При его падении гвардейцы бросились в одну сторону, а бездельники — в другую, а несколько лучше одетых людей, которые наблюдали за потасовкой, но не принимали в ней участия, столпились, чтобы помочь даме и оказать помощь раненым. человек. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking back into the street. |||||||||||||||||||||hervorragende||umrissen||||||||||| Ирэн Адлер, как я буду называть ее до сих пор, поспешила вверх по ступенькам; но она стояла наверху, и ее великолепная фигура выделялась на фоне огней холла, глядя на улицу.

“Is the poor gentleman much hurt?” she asked. ||arme|||„Ist der arme Herr sehr verletzt?“ fragte sie.||

“He is dead,” cried several voices. ||„Er ist tot“||mehrere|Stimmen

“No, no, there's life in him!” shouted another. “But he'll be gone before you can get him to hospital.” ||||||||||Krankenhaus

“He's a brave fellow,” said a woman. ||„Er ist mutig,“ sagte eine Frau.|„Er ist ein tapferer Kerl“, sagte eine Frau.||| “They would have had the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. |||||der Dame|Geldbörse|||||||| They were a gang, and a rough one, too. |||Bande|||rau|| Они были бандой, и к тому же грубой. Ah, he's breathing now.” Ah, er atmet.||„Ah, er atmet jetzt.”|

“He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?” |||||gnädige Frau Мы можем привести его сюда, марм?

“Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. Приведите его в гостиную. There is a comfortable sofa. ||||Es gibt ein bequemes Sofa. This way, please!”

Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings from my post by the window. |||||getragen|||||hingelegt||||Hauptzimmer|||||||Vorgänge|||||| The lamps had been lit, but the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay upon the couch. ||||angezündet|||Jalousien||||gezogen||||||||||||Sofa I do not know whether he was seized with compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon the injured man. ||||||war|ergriffen||Gewissensbisse|||||||||||||||||||beschämt||||||||||||schöne Kreatur|||||verschworen|||Anmut und Güte||Freundlichkeit||||bediente sich|||| Я не знаю, охватил ли он в эту минуту угрызения совести за ту роль, которую он играл, но я знаю, что никогда в жизни мне не было так стыдно за себя, как когда я увидел прекрасное создание, против которого я замышлял, или грацией и добротой, с которыми она прислуживала раненому. And yet it would be the blackest treachery to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted to me. ||||||schwärzester|Verrat|||||||||||||anvertraut|| И все же для Холмса было бы самым гнусным предательством отказаться теперь от роли, которую он доверил мне. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under my ulster. |verhärtete||Herz|||||||||meinem Mantel hervor Я ожесточил свое сердце и вынул дымовую ракету из-под своей ульстера. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. |||||||verletzen| We are but preventing her from injuring another. |||verhindern|||| Мы всего лишь не позволяем ей ранить другую.

Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man who is in need of air. |||||||||||sich bewegen||||||||| Холмс сел на кушетку, и я увидел, как он двигается, как человек, которому не хватает воздуха. A maid rushed across and threw open the window. Служанка подбежала и распахнула окно. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of “Fire!” The word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of spectators, well dressed and ill—gentlemen, ostlers, and servant maids—joined in a general shriek of “Fire!” Thick clouds of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. |||||||||||||||warf|||||||||||||||kaum war||||Mund||||||Zuschauer|||||Herren|Stallburschen|||Dienstmädchen|stimmten ein||||Schrei||||Rauchwolken|||kringelten sich||||||||| I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. |||||hastig bewegende|Gestalten||||später|||||||beruhigend|||||||falscher Alarm Я мельком увидел бегущие фигуры, а через мгновение голос Холмса изнутри заверил их, что это ложная тревога. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Durchschlängeln|||schreiende Menge|||||||||||||||||erfreut|||||||meinem Arm|||||||||Aufruhr Проскользнув сквозь кричащую толпу, я пробрался на угол улицы и через десять минут обрадовался, что нашел друга под руку и ушел с места гама. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Edgeware Road. ||schnell|||Schweigen|||||||||||||||||||Edgware Road| Несколько минут он шел быстро и молча, пока мы не свернули на одну из тихих улиц, ведущих к Эджвар-роуд.

“You did it very nicely, Doctor,” he remarked. ||||„Sie haben es sehr gut gemacht, Doktor“, bemerkte er.||| — Вы очень хорошо это сделали, доктор, — заметил он. “Nothing could have been better. «Ничего не могло быть лучше. It is all right.”

“You have the photograph?”

“I know where it is.” "Я знаю, где это."

“And how did you find out?” — А как ты узнал?

“She showed me, as I told you she would.” — Она показала мне, как я и говорил тебе.

“I am still in the dark.” «Я все еще в темноте».

“I do not wish to make a mystery,” said he, laughing. -- Я не хочу создавать тайны, -- сказал он, смеясь. “The matter was perfectly simple. |||vollkommen| «Дело было совершенно простым. You, of course, saw that everyone in the street was an accomplice. |||||||||||Komplize They were all engaged for the evening.” |||beschäftigt|||

“I guessed as much.” |„habe vermutet“|| — Я так и предполагал.

“Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the palm of my hand. ||||||||||feucht||rote Farbe|||Handfläche||| «Потом, когда разразился скандал, у меня на ладони было немного влажной красной краски. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. |||hinfiel||schlug|||||||||erbärmlich|erbärmlicher Anblick Я бросился вперед, упал, прижал руку к лицу и стал представлять жалкое зрелище. It is an old trick.” Это старый трюк».

“That also I could fathom.” ||||„begreifen“ — Это я тоже мог понять.

“Then they carried me in. «Потом меня принесли. She was bound to have me in. ||verpflichtet|||| Она должна была принять меня. What else could she do? Что еще она могла сделать? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room which I suspected. И в ее гостиную, а это была та самая комната, о которой я подозревал. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was determined to see which. ||||||||||entschlossen||| Он лежал между ней и ее спальней, и я был полон решимости увидеть, где именно. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your chance.” |legten||||||bewegte mich|||||gezwungen||||||||| Они положили меня на кушетку, я потребовал воздуха, они были вынуждены открыть окно, и у тебя был шанс».

“How did that help you?”

“It was all-important. «Это было крайне важно. When a woman thinks that her house is on fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she values most. |||||||||||Instinkt|||||eilen||||||wertschätzt am meisten| It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have more than once taken advantage of it. ||||überwältigend|Drang||||||||ausgenutzt|| Это совершенно непреодолимый порыв, и я не раз пользовался им. In the case of the Darlington Substitution Scandal it was of use to me, and also in the Arnsworth Castle business. ||||||Ersetzung|||||||||||||Arnsworth-Schloss| В случае со скандалом с подменой в Дарлингтоне он мне пригодился, а также в деле с замком Арнсворт. A married woman grabs at her baby; an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. |||greift nach|||||unverheiratete Frau||greift nach|||Schmuckkästchen|Schmuckkästchen Now it was clear to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious to her than what we are in quest of. ||||||||||||||||||kostbarer||||||||auf der Suche| Теперь мне стало ясно, что у нашей сегодняшней дамы в доме нет ничего более ценного для нее, чем то, что мы ищем. She would rush to secure it. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were enough to shake nerves of steel. |||||||erschüttern|Nerven aus Stahl|| Дыма и криков было достаточно, чтобы расшатать стальные нервы. She responded beautifully. |antwortete| Красиво ответила. The photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the right bell-pull. |||||Nische|||Schiebepaneel|Schiebetafel||oberhalb von|||| Фотография находится в нише за раздвижной панелью чуть выше правой ручки звонка. She was there in an instant, and I caught a glimpse of it as she half drew it out. Она была там в одно мгновение, и я мельком увидел ее, когда она наполовину вытащила ее. When I cried out that it was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed from the room, and I have not seen her since. |||||||||||ersetzte es wieder||blickte|||Rakete||||||||||| Когда я закричал, что это ложная тревога, она заменила ее, взглянула на ракету, выбежала из комнаты, и с тех пор я ее не видел. I rose, and, making my excuses, escaped from the house. |stand auf||||Entschuldigungen|||| Я встал и, извинившись, выбежал из дома. I hesitated whether to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly, it seemed safer to wait. |zögerte|||versuchen|||||||||Kutscher||||||||||genau|||sicherer|| Я колебался, стоит ли пытаться немедленно получить фотографию; но кучер вошел, и так как он пристально смотрел на меня, казалось, что безопаснее подождать. A little over-precipitance may ruin all.” |||Übereilung||| Небольшая неосторожность может все испортить».

“And now?” I asked.

“Our quest is practically finished. |||praktisch| I shall call with the King to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. |||||||||||||möchtest|||| Я зайду завтра с королем и с вами, если вы хотите пойти с нами. We will be shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the photograph. ||||||||||||||||wahrscheinlich|||||||||||| Нас проводят в гостиную ждать даму, но вполне вероятно, что когда она придет, то не найдет ни нас, ни фотографии. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain it with his own hands.” ||||Genugtuung|||||zurückgewinnen||||| Возможно, его величеству будет приятно вернуть его своими руками.

“And when will you call?”

“At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall have a clear field. Она не встанет, так что у нас будет чистое поле. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage may mean a complete change in her life and habits. Außerdem||||||||||||Veränderung|||||Gewohnheiten Кроме того, мы должны поторопиться, ибо этот брак может означать полную перемену в ее жизни и привычках. I must wire to the King without delay.” ||Ich muss dem König sofort telegrafieren.|||||ohne Verzögerung Я должен без промедления телеграфировать королю.

We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. |||||||angehalten||| He was searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: ||durchsuchte|||||Schlüssel|||| Он обшаривал карманы в поисках ключа, когда кто-то из прохожих сказал:

“Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes.” ||„Gute Nacht, Herr Sherlock Holmes.“|| — Спокойной ночи, мистер Шерлок Холмс.

There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had hurried by. ||mehrere||||Gehweg||||||Gruß|schien zu kommen|||||schlanker Jugendlicher|junger Mann|||Ulster-Mantel|||| В это время на тротуаре стояло несколько человек, но приветствие, по-видимому, исходило от прошедшего мимо худощавого юноши в льстере.

“I've heard that voice before,” said Holmes, staring down the dimly lit street. ||||||||||schwach beleuchtet|schwach beleuchtet| “Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have been.” III. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed into the room. “You have really got it!” he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. “Not yet.” “But you have hopes?” “I have hopes.” “Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone.” “We must have a cab.” “No, my brougham is waiting.” “Then that will simplify matters.” We descended and started off once more for Briony Lodge. “Irene Adler is married,” remarked Holmes. “Married! When?” “Yesterday.” “But to whom?” “To an English lawyer named Norton.” “But she could not love him.” “I am in hopes that she does.” “And why in hopes?” “Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan.” “It is true. And yet—! Well! I wish she had been of my own station! What a queen she would have made!” He relapsed into a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Serpentine Avenue. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped from the brougham. “Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?” said she. “I am Mr. Holmes,” answered my companion, looking at her with a questioning and rather startled gaze. “Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Cross for the Continent.” “What!” Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and surprise. “Do you mean that she has left England?” “Never to return.” “And the papers?” asked the King hoarsely. “All is lost.” “We shall see.” He pushed past the servant and rushed into the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to “Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for.” My friend tore it open, and we all three read it together. It was dated at midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: “MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,—You really did it very well. You took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had been told that, if the King employed an agent, it would certainly be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to watch you, ran upstairs, got into my walking clothes, as I call them, and came down just as you departed. “Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and started for the Temple to see my husband. “We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, “Very truly yours, “IRENE NORTON, née ADLER.” “What a woman—oh, what a woman!” cried the King of Bohemia, when we had all three read this epistle. “Did I not tell you how quick and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?” “From what I have seen of the lady, she seems, indeed, to be on a very different level to your Majesty,” said Holmes coldly. “I am sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business to a more successful conclusion.” “On the contrary, my dear sir,” cried the King; “nothing could be more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire.” “I am glad to hear your Majesty say so.” “I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reward you. This ring—” He slipped an emerald snake ring from his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. “Your Majesty has something which I should value even more highly,” said Holmes. “You have but to name it.” “This photograph!” The King stared at him in amazement. “Irene's photograph!” he cried. “Certainly, if you wish it.” “I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good morning.” He bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his chambers. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. |||||Teufel|||||||schlief|||||||||beschäftigt|||Toast und Kaffee||||||||||||||||||||||packend fassen||||||||eifrig||||||||||||||||||ganz ungeduldig||||||||Kutsche|||Kutsche||||||"Vereinfachen Angelegenheiten"|||stiegen hinab|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||verschonen|||||||Belästigung||||liebt||||||||||||||||||||||||||Majestät|||||||||||||||||||Königin||||||verfiel in Schweigen|||missmutig|||||nicht unterbrochen|||||||||||||||||ältere Frau|||||||||||spöttisch|||||||||||||||||||||||||||fragend und überrascht||eher|erstaunten Blick|fragender Blick|||||||||wahrscheinlich||||||||||||||Charing Cross|Charing Cross|||Kontinent||||taumelte zurück||||Bestürzung und Überraschung|||||||||||||zurückkehren|||||||heiser Stimme|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||abgebaut||||Schubladen||||||hastig|durchwühlt|||||||||||riss auf|||||Schiebefenster||eintauchen||||||||||"Der Brief"||||||||||||||"adressiert an"||||||||bis abgeholt|||||riss auf||||||||||||<datiert>||Mitternacht|||vorhergehenden Nacht|||lief ab|||||||||||||||||||vollständig|||||||||||Verdacht|||||||||mich verraten|||||||||gewarnt|||Monate||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||enthüllen||||||||||misstrauisch|||||||Böses|||||||Geistlicher||||||||||Schauspielerin||||||||||||||||||gibt|||||Kutscher|||||nach oben||||Spazierkleidung||||||||||||abgereist||||||||||||||||||||||berühmten||||||eher|unvorsichtigerweise|||||||||||||||||||die beste Lösung||||verfolgt|||furchterregend||Gegenspieler||||||leeres Nest||||||||||||||"Ruhe finden"||Frieden||||||||||||||||||||Behinderung||||||grausam|wronged = treated unjustly||||||to safeguard||||to preserve|||||||||||||||||||||||||||possess|||||||||wirklich||||born||||die Frau|||||||||||||||||Epistel|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||coldly = in a cold manner|||mi dispiace|||||||||||||||successful|Schluss|||||||||||||||||||||unantastbar|||||||||||||||||||||||||immensely = immensely|verschuldet|||||||||||reward|||||verloren||Smaragd|snake||||||held|||||palm|||||||||||value|||very|||||||||||||stared = looked fixedly||||astonishment|Irene's||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||bowed = he bowed||turning|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||