Start learning this lesson now

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE 1

THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE 1

I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. [00:00] With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door behind me. [00:00]

“You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Watson,” he said cordially. [00:00]

“I was afraid that you were engaged.”[00:00]

“So I am. [00:00] Very much so.”[00:00]

“Then I can wait in the next room.”[00:00]

The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small fat-encircled eyes. [00:00]

“Try the settee,” said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in judicial moods. [00:00] “I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life. [00:00] You have shown your relish for it by the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own little adventures.”[00:00]

“Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me,” I observed. [00:00]

“A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting.”[00:00]

“You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to be right. [00:00] Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some time. [00:00] You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique things are very often connected not with the larger but with the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. [00:00] As far as I have heard, it is impossible for me to say whether the present case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. [00:00] Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to recommence your narrative. [00:00] I ask you not merely because my friend Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every possible detail from your lips. [00:00] As a rule, when I have heard some slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my memory. [00:00] In the present instance I am forced to admit that the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique.”[00:00]

The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the inside pocket of his greatcoat. [00:00] As he glanced down the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. [00:00]

I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. [00:00] Our visitor bore every mark of being an average commonplace British tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. [00:00] He wore rather baggy grey shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as an ornament. [00:00] A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. [00:00] Altogether, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and discontent upon his features. [00:00]

Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. [00:00] “Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else.”[00:00]

Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. [00:00]

“How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Holmes?” he asked. [00:00] “How did you know, for example, that I did manual labour. [00:00] It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's carpenter.”[00:00] “Your hands, my dear sir. [00:00] Your right hand is quite a size larger than your left. [00:00] You have worked with it, and the muscles are more developed.”[00:00]

“Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?”[00:00]

“I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you use an arc-and-compass breastpin.”[00:00] “Ah, of course, I forgot that. [00:00] But the writing?”[00:00]

“What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?”[00:00]

“Well, but China?”[00:00]

“The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right wrist could only have been done in China. [00:00] I have made a small study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of the subject. [00:00] That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. [00:00] When, in addition, I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter becomes even more simple.”[00:00]

Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. [00:00] “Well, I never!” said he. [00:00] “I thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see that there was nothing in it after all.”[00:00]

“I begin to think, Watson,” said Holmes, “that I make a mistake in explaining. [00:00] ‘Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I am so candid. [00:00] Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?”[00:00]

“Yes, I have got it now,” he answered with his thick red finger planted halfway down the column. [00:00] “Here it is. [00:00] This is what began it all. [00:00] You just read it for yourself, sir.”[00:00]

I took the paper from him and read as follows:[00:00]

“TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., there is now another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a salary of £ 4 a week for purely nominal services. [00:00] All red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age of twenty-one years, are eligible. [00:00] Apply in person on Monday, at eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Pope's Court, Fleet Street.”[00:00] “What on earth does this mean?” I ejaculated after I had twice read over the extraordinary announcement. [00:00]

Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when in high spirits. [00:00] “It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?” said he. [00:00] “And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this advertisement had upon your fortunes. [00:00] You will first make a note, Doctor, of the paper and the date.”[00:00]

“It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. [00:00] Just two months ago.”[00:00]

“Very good. [00:00] Now, Mr. Wilson?”[00:00]

“Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; “I have a small pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. [00:00] It's not a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than just give me a living. [00:00] I used to be able to keep two assistants, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the business.”[00:00]

“What is the name of this obliging youth?” asked Sherlock Holmes. [00:00]

“His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, either. [00:00] It's hard to say his age. [00:00] I should not wish a smarter assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. [00:00] But, after all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?”[00:00]

“Why, indeed? [00:00] You seem most fortunate in having an employé who comes under the full market price. [00:00] It is not a common experience among employers in this age. [00:00] I don't know that your assistant is not as remarkable as your advertisement.”[00:00] “Oh, he has his faults, too,” said Mr. Wilson. [00:00] “Never was such a fellow for photography. [00:00] Snapping away with a camera when he ought to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. [00:00] That is his main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. [00:00] There's no vice in him.”[00:00] “He is still with you, I presume?”[00:00]

“Yes, sir. [00:00] He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple cooking and keeps the place clean—that's all I have in the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. [00:00] We live very quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. [00:00]

“The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. [00:00] Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says:[00:00]

“‘I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man. '[00:00] “‘Why that? '[00:00] I asks. [00:00]

“‘Why,' says he, ‘here's another vacancy on the League of the Red-headed Men. [00:00] It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what to do with the money. [00:00] If my hair would only change colour, here's a nice little crib all ready for me to step into. '[00:00] “‘Why, what is it, then? '[00:00] I asked. [00:00]

You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting my foot over the door-mat. [00:00] In that way I didn't know much of what was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. [00:00]

“‘Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men? '[00:00] he asked with his eyes open. [00:00]

“‘Never. '[00:00] “‘Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one of the vacancies. '[00:00] “‘And what are they worth? '[00:00] I asked. [00:00]

“‘Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and it need not interfere very much with one's other occupations. '[00:00] “Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, for the business has not been over good for some years, and an extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. [00:00]

“‘Tell me all about it,' said I. [00:00]

“‘Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, ‘you can see for yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address where you should apply for particulars. [00:00] As far as I can make out, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. [00:00] He was himself red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; so, when he died, it was found that he had left his enormous fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of that colour. [00:00] From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to do. '[00:00] “‘But,' said I, ‘there would be millions of red-headed men who would apply. '[00:00] “‘Not so many as you might think,' he answered. [00:00] ‘You see it is really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. [00:00] This American had started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the old town a good turn. [00:00] Then, again, I have heard it is no use your applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but real bright, blazing, fiery red. [00:00] Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a few hundred pounds. '[00:00] “Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. [00:00] Vincent Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the day and to come right away with me. [00:00] He was very willing to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the address that was given us in the advertisement. [00:00]

“I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. [00:00] From north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. [00:00] Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court looked like a coster's orange barrow. [00:00] I should not have thought there were so many in the whole country as were brought together by that single advertisement. [00:00] Every shade of colour they were—straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real vivid flame-coloured tint. [00:00] When I saw how many were waiting, I would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear of it. [00:00] How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up to the steps which led to the office. [00:00] There was a double stream upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found ourselves in the office.”[00:00]

“Your experience has been a most entertaining one,” remarked Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge pinch of snuff. [00:00] “Pray continue your very interesting statement.”[00:00]

“There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that was even redder than mine. [00:00] He said a few words to each candidate as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in them which would disqualify them. [00:00] Getting a vacancy did not seem to be such a very easy matter, after all. [00:00] However, when our turn came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he might have a private word with us. [00:00]

“‘This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, ‘and he is willing to fill a vacancy in the League. '[00:00] “‘And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. [00:00] ‘He has every requirement. [00:00] I cannot recall when I have seen anything so fine. '[00:00] He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. [00:00] Then suddenly he plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my success. [00:00]

“‘It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. [00:00] ‘You will, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution. '[00:00] With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I yelled with the pain. [00:00] ‘There is water in your eyes,' said he as he released me. [00:00] ‘I perceive that all is as it should be. [00:00] But we have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and once by paint. [00:00] I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which would disgust you with human nature. '[00:00] He stepped over to the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the vacancy was filled. [00:00] A groan of disappointment came up from below, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the manager. [00:00]

“‘My name,' said he, ‘is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. [00:00] Are you a married man, Mr. Wilson? [00:00] Have you a family? '[00:00] “I answered that I had not. [00:00]

“His face fell immediately. [00:00]

“‘Dear me! '[00:00] he said gravely, ‘that is very serious indeed! [00:00] I am sorry to hear you say that. [00:00] The fund was, of course, for the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their maintenance. [00:00] It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a bachelor. '[00:00] “My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for a few minutes he said that it would be all right. [00:00]

“‘In the case of another,' said he, ‘the objection might be fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a head of hair as yours. [00:00] When shall you be able to enter upon your new duties? '[00:00] “‘Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' said I. [00:00]

“‘Oh, never mind about that, Mr.[00:00] Wilson! '[00:00] said Vincent Spaulding. [00:00] ‘I should be able to look after that for you. '[00:00] “‘What would be the hours? '[00:00] I asked. [00:00]

“‘Ten to two. '[00:00] “Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the mornings. [00:00] Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and that he would see to anything that turned up. [00:00]

“‘That would suit me very well,' said I. [00:00] ‘And the pay? '[00:00] “‘Is £ 4 a week. '[00:00] “‘And the work? '[00:00] “‘Is purely nominal. '[00:00] “‘What do you call purely nominal? '[00:00] “‘Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the building, the whole time. [00:00] If you leave, you forfeit your whole position forever. [00:00] The will is very clear upon that point. [00:00] You don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office during that time. '[00:00] “‘It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' said I. [00:00]

“‘No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; ‘neither sickness nor business nor anything else. [00:00] There you must stay, or you lose your billet. '[00:00] “‘And the work? '[00:00] “‘Is to copy out the Encyclopædia Britannica. [00:00] There is the first volume of it in that press. [00:00] You must find your own ink, pens, and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. [00:00] Will you be ready to-morrow? '[00:00] “‘Certainly,' I answered. [00:00]

“‘Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you once more on the important position which you have been fortunate enough to gain. '[00:00] He bowed me out of the room and I went home with my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased at my own good fortune. [00:00]

“Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its object might be I could not imagine. [00:00] It seemed altogether past belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Encyclopædia Britannica. [00:00] Vincent Spaulding did what he could to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the whole thing. [00:00] However, in the morning I determined to have a look at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Pope's Court. [00:00]

“Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as possible. [00:00] The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross was there to see that I got fairly to work. [00:00] He started me off upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from time to time to see that all was right with me. [00:00] At two o'clock he bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had written, and locked the door of the office after me. [00:00]

“This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my week's work. [00:00] It was the same next week, and the same the week after. [00:00] Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I left at two. [00:00] By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at all. [00:00] Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the loss of it. [00:00]

“Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very long. [00:00] It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly filled a shelf with my writings. [00:00] And then suddenly the whole business came to an end.”[00:00]

“To an end?”[00:00]

“Yes, sir. [00:00] And no later than this morning. [00:00] I went to my work as usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the panel with a tack. [00:00] Here it is, and you can read for yourself.”[00:00]

He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet of note-paper. [00:00] It read in this fashion:[00:00]

“THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE IS DISSOLVED. [00:00] October 9, 1890.”[00:00]

“I cannot see that there is anything very funny,” cried our client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. [00:00] “If you can do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere.”[00:00]

“No, no,” cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from which he had half risen. [00:00] “I really wouldn't miss your case for the world. [00:00] It is most refreshingly unusual. [00:00] But there is, if you will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. [00:00] Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the door?”[00:00]

“I was staggered, sir. [00:00] I did not know what to do. [00:00] Then I called at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything about it. [00:00] Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant living on the ground floor, and I asked him if he could tell me what had become of the Red-headed League. [00:00] He said that he had never heard of any such body. [00:00] Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Ross was. [00:00] He answered that the name was new to him. [00:00]

“‘Well,' said I, ‘the gentleman at No. [00:00] 4. '[00:00] “‘What, the red-headed man? '[00:00] “‘Yes. '[00:00] “‘Oh,' said he, ‘his name was William Morris. [00:00] He was a solicitor and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new premises were ready. [00:00] He moved out yesterday. '[00:00] “‘Where could I find him? '[00:00] “‘Oh, at his new offices. [00:00] He did tell me the address. [00:00] Yes, 17 King Edward Street, near St. [00:00] Paul's. '[00:00] “I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross.”[00:00]

“And what did you do then?” asked Holmes. [00:00]

“I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my assistant. [00:00] But he could not help me in any way. [00:00] He could only say that if I waited I should hear by post. [00:00] But that was not quite good enough, Mr. Holmes. [00:00] I did not wish to lose such a place without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right away to you.”[00:00]

“And you did very wisely,” said Holmes. [00:00] “Your case is an exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. [00:00] From what you have told me I think that it is possible that graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear.”[00:00]

“Grave enough!” said Mr. Jabez Wilson. [00:00] “Why, I have lost four pound a week.”[00:00]

“As far as you are personally concerned,” remarked Holmes, “I do not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary league. [00:00] On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some £ 30, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have lost nothing by them.”[00:00]

“No, sir. [00:00] But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and what their object was in playing this prank—if it was a prank—upon me. [00:00] It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it cost them two and thirty pounds.”[00:00]

“We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. [00:00] And, first, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. [00:00] This assistant of yours who first called your attention to the advertisement—how long had he been with you?”[00:00]

“About a month then.”[00:00]

“How did he come?”[00:00]

“In answer to an advertisement.”[00:00]

“Was he the only applicant?”[00:00]

“No, I had a dozen.”[00:00]

“Why did you pick him?”[00:00]

“Because he was handy and would come cheap.”[00:00]

“At half wages, in fact.”[00:00]

“Yes.”[00:00]

“What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?”[00:00]

“Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, though he's not short of thirty. [00:00] Has a white splash of acid upon his forehead.”[00:00]

Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. [00:00] “I thought as much,” said he. [00:00] “Have you ever observed that his ears are pierced for earrings?”[00:00]

“Yes, sir. [00:00] He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he was a lad.”[00:00]

“Hum!” said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. [00:00] “He is still with you?”[00:00]

“Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him.”[00:00]

“And has your business been attended to in your absence?”[00:00]

“Nothing to complain of, sir. [00:00] There's never very much to do of a morning.”[00:00] “That will do, Mr. Wilson. [00:00] I shall be happy to give you an opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. [00:00] To-day is Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion.”[00:00]

“Well, Watson,” said Holmes when our visitor had left us, “what do you make of it all?”[00:00]

“I make nothing of it,” I answered frankly. [00:00] “It is a most mysterious business.”[00:00]

“As a rule,” said Holmes, “the more bizarre a thing is the less mysterious it proves to be. [00:00] It is your commonplace, featureless crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the most difficult to identify. [00:00] But I must be prompt over this matter.”[00:00]

“What are you going to do, then?” I asked. [00:00]

“Sarasate plays at the St. [00:00] James's Hall this afternoon,” he remarked. [00:00] “What do you think, Watson? [00:00] Could your patients spare you for a few hours?”[00:00]

“I have nothing to do to-day. [00:00] My practice is never very absorbing.”[00:00]

“Then put on your hat and come. [00:00] I am going through the City first, and we can have some lunch on the way. [00:00] I observe that there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is rather more to my taste than Italian or French. [00:00] It is introspective, and I want to introspect. [00:00] Come along!”

THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE 1 |||ЛИГА la||| DIE ROTHAARIGE LIGA 1 LA LIGA DE LOS PELIRROJOS 1 赤毛のリーグ 1 A LIGA RUIVA 1 РЫЖАЯ ЛИГА 1

I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. |||||||||||||осенью|||||||||||||пухлый|краснолицый||пожилым|||огненно|| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||gros|floride|||||rouge vif|| Однажды осенью прошлого года я зашел к своему другу, мистеру Шерлоку Холмсу, и застал его за оживленной беседой с очень толстым, краснолицым пожилым джентльменом с огненно-рыжими волосами. [00:00] With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door behind me. ||извинением|||вторжение|||||выйти|||||резко||||||||| ||||||||||se retirer|||||||||||||| [00:00]

“You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Watson,” he said cordially. ||||пришёл|||||||||||доброжелательно «Вы не могли бы прийти в лучшее время, мой дорогой Ватсон», сказал он сердечно. [00:00]

“I was afraid that you were engaged.”[00:00] ||боялся||||занят «Я боялся, что ты помолвлен». [00:00]

“So I am. [00:00] Very much so.”[00:00]

“Then I can wait in the next room.”[00:00]

“Not at all. [00:00] This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also.”[00:00] |||Уилсон||||||помощник|||||||||||||||||||максимальной|||||| [00:00] Этот джентльмен, мистер Уилсон, был моим партнером и помощником во многих из моих самых успешных дел, и я не сомневаюсь, что он будет мне чрезвычайно полезен и в вашем». [00:00] ]

The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small fat-encircled eyes. ||||встал|||||||кивок||||||||||||жирных|окруженными| |||||||||||||salutation||||||||||gros|encerclé| Толстый джентльмен приподнялся со стула и поздоровался, бросив быстрый вопросительный взгляд своими маленькими, обведенными жиром глазами. [00:00]

“Try the settee,” said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in judicial moods. ||диван|||возвращаясь|||||||пальцы|||||привычка|||судебных|настроениях ||canapé|||retombant||||||||||||||||états d'esprit — Попробуйте диван, — сказал Холмс, откидываясь в кресле и сложив кончики пальцев, как он обычно делал, когда был в судейском настроении. [00:00] “I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life. ||||||||||||||||||конвенций||скучной|рутины||обычной| ||||||||||||||||||||banal|||| [00:00] «Я знаю, мой дорогой Ватсон, что вы разделяете мою любовь ко всему странному, выходящему за рамки условностей и скучной рутины повседневной жизни. [00:00] You have shown your relish for it by the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own little adventures.”[00:00] ||||удовольствие||||||||подтолкнуло|||хроникать|||||||||||приукрасить||||||| [00:00] Вы продемонстрировали свое удовольствие от этого энтузиазмом, который побудил вас вести хронику и, если вы извините меня, немного приукрасить так много моих собственных маленьких приключений ».[00:00]

“Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me,” I observed. [00:00]

“You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more daring than any effort of the imagination.”[00:00] ||||||||||||||||||представленной||||Сазерленд|||||||сочетания||||||||||||смелых|||||| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||audacieux|||||| «Вы помните, что я заметил на днях, как раз перед тем, как мы приступили к очень простой задаче, представленной мисс Мэри Сазерленд, что для странных эффектов и экстраординарных комбинаций мы должны обратиться к самой жизни, которая всегда гораздо смелее, чем любое усилие воображение.»[00:00]

“A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting.”[00:00] |предложение|||||свободу||сомневаться «Предложение, в котором я позволил себе усомниться». [00:00]

“You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to be right. ||||||||||||||||||||накапливать|||||||||сломается|||||признает|||| — Да, доктор, но тем не менее вы должны согласиться с моей точкой зрения, иначе я буду нагромождать вас фактом за фактом, пока ваш рассудок не сломается под ними и не признает мою правоту. [00:00] Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some time. ||Джебез|||||||||ко мне||||||||рассказ|||||||||удивительных|||||||| [00:00] Итак, мистер Джабез Уилсон был достаточно любезен, чтобы зайти ко мне сегодня утром и начать рассказ, который обещает стать одним из самых необычных, которые я слышал за последнее время. [00:00] You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique things are very often connected not with the larger but with the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. ||||замечать|||самые странные||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||en effet||||||||||||| [00:00] Вы слышали мое замечание, что самые странные и уникальные вещи очень часто связаны не с более крупными, а с более мелкими преступлениями, а иногда, действительно, там, где есть место сомнению, было ли совершено какое-либо положительное преступление. [00:00] As far as I have heard, it is impossible for me to say whether the present case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. |||||||||||||||||||случай|||||||ход|||||||||||||| |||||||||||||si||||||instance||||||||||||||||||||| [00:00] Насколько я слышал, я не могу сказать, является ли данное дело примером преступления или нет, но ход событий, безусловно, один из самых необычных, о которых я когда-либо слышал. [00:00] Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to recommence your narrative. ||||||||доброту||начать заново|| [00:00] I ask you not merely because my friend Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every possible detail from your lips. ||||только||||||||||открывающей|часть||||||||||||волнует|||||||| ||||simplement seulement||||||||||||||||particulier||||||||||||||| [00:00] Я спрашиваю вас не только потому, что мой друг доктор Ватсон не слышал вступительной части, но и потому, что своеобразный характер истории заставляет меня стремиться услышать все возможные подробности из ваших уст. [00:00] As a rule, when I have heard some slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my memory. ||||||||незначительное|указание||||||||||руководить||||||||случаях||всплывают||| ||||||||légère|||||||||||||||||||||||| [00:00] Как правило, когда я слышу какое-то слабое указание на ход событий, я могу ориентироваться на тысячи других подобных случаев, которые приходят мне в память. [00:00] In the present instance I am forced to admit that the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique.”[00:00] ||||||вынужден||признать||||||||||убеждению| |||instance|||||||||||||||croyance| [00:00] В данном случае я вынужден признать, что факты, насколько я могу судить, уникальны». [00:00]

The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the inside pocket of his greatcoat. |пухлый||подувал||||||||||гордости||||||помятую|газету|||||||пальто |corpulent||gonflé||||||||||||||||froissé|||||||| Дородный клиент выпятил грудь с видом какой-то маленькой гордости и вытащил из внутреннего кармана шинели грязную и мятую газету. [00:00] As he glanced down the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. |||||объявление|||||вытянутой|||||разложенной||||||||||||||||||||||||указания|||||||платье|| ||jetait un œil||||||||poussé|||||aplati||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| [00:00] Пока он просматривал рекламную колонку, наклонив голову вперед и разложив газету на коленях, я внимательно посмотрел на этого человека и попытался, следуя примеру моего спутника, прочитать указания, которые может быть представлено его одеждой или внешним видом. [00:00]

I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. |||получил||||||инспекция Я не очень много выиграл, однако, от моего осмотра. [00:00] Our visitor bore every mark of being an average commonplace British tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. ||имел||||||средний|||ремесленник|толстый|помпезный|| [00:00] Наш посетитель имел все признаки обычного британского торговца, тучного, напыщенного и медлительного. [00:00] He wore rather baggy grey shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as an ornament. |||||шершака|клетка|штаны|||||||пиджак|распахнутый||||||серое|||||латунной|Альберт||||квадрат|пирсингом|уздечка||метал|висячий||||орнамент |portait||ample||écossais de berger|écossais||||||||||||||||gilet||||en laiton|||||carré|perforé||||pendant|||| [00:00] На нем были довольно мешковатые серые брюки в пастушью клетку, не слишком чистый черный сюртук, расстегнутый спереди, и тусклый жилет с тяжелой латунной цепью Альберта и квадратным проколотым куском металла, свисающим вниз, как украшение. [00:00] A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. |потертый|||||потертый||||||бархат|воротник|||||| |effiloché||haut-de-forme|||décoloré||||||||||||| [00:00] На стуле рядом с ним лежали потрепанный цилиндр и выцветшее коричневое пальто с мятым бархатным воротником. [00:00] Altogether, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and discontent upon his features. в целом||||||||||||||пылающей||||||||огорчения||недовольство||| dans l'ensemble|||||||||||||||||||||||||||traits [00:00] В общем, как бы я ни посмотрел, в этом человеке не было ничего примечательного, кроме его ярко-красной головы и выражения крайней досады и недовольства на его лице. [00:00]

Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. |||||||занятие|||покачал|||||||||||взгляды |||||||||||||||||||||regards interrogateurs Быстрый глаз Шерлока Холмса уловил мое занятие и с улыбкой покачал головой, заметив мои вопросительные взгляды. [00:00] “Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else.”[00:00] за пределами|||||||||||физический|труд||||снюс|||||масон|||||||||||||значительное|количество||писал|||||| Au-delà||||||||||||||||tabac à priser|||||franc-maçon|||||||||||||||||||||| [00:00] «Помимо очевидных фактов, что он когда-то занимался физическим трудом, что он нюхает табак, что он масон, что он был в Китае и что в последнее время он много писал, Я больше ничего не могу сделать». [00:00]

Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. |||сел|||||||||||||||| Мистер Джабез Уилсон вскочил на стуле, держа указательный палец на бумаге, но не сводя глаз с моего спутника. [00:00]

“How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Holmes?” he asked. — Откуда, во имя счастья, вы все это узнали, мистер Холмс? он спросил. [00:00] “How did you know, for example, that I did manual labour. [00:00] It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's carpenter.”[00:00] ||||евангелие|||||||плотник |||||||||||charpentier de navire [00:00] Это так же верно, как Евангелие, потому что я начинал корабельным плотником». [00:00] “Your hands, my dear sir. — Ваши руки, мой дорогой сэр. [00:00] Your right hand is quite a size larger than your left. [00:00] Твоя правая рука на размер больше левой. [00:00] You have worked with it, and the muscles are more developed.”[00:00] ||работали|||||||| ||||||||||développés

“Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?”[00:00] «Ну, тогда нюхательный табак и масонство?»[00:00]

“I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you use an arc-and-compass breastpin.”[00:00] ||оскорблять||уму|||||||||||||строгих||||||||архимедова||компас|брошь ||||||||||||||plutôt||||||||||||||épingle à cheveux «Я не буду оскорблять ваш интеллект, рассказывая вам, как я это прочитал, тем более, что, скорее, вопреки строгим правилам вашего ордена, вы используете нагрудную булавку с дугой и компасом». [00:00] “Ah, of course, I forgot that. — Ах, конечно, я забыл об этом. [00:00] But the writing?”[00:00]

“What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?”[00:00] ||||||||рукав|так||блестящий|||||||||||пятно|||локоть|||кладете|||стол|стол ||||||||poignet||très|||||||||||||||||||||| «На что еще может указывать эта правая манжета, такая блестящая на пять дюймов, и левая с гладким пятном возле локтя, где вы кладете ее на стол?» [00:00]

“Well, but China?”[00:00]

“The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right wrist could only have been done in China. |рыба|||||||||||||||| ||||||||||poignet||||||| «Рыба, которую вы набили прямо над правым запястьем, могла быть сделана только в Китае. [00:00] I have made a small study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of the subject. |||||||татуировки|||||внесён|||||| [00:00] Я провел небольшое исследование следов татуировок и даже внес свой вклад в литературу по этому вопросу. [00:00] That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. |||окрашивание|||чешуи|||||||особенный|| |||teindre||poissons|écaille||||||||| [00:00] Этот трюк с окрашиванием рыбьей чешуи в нежно-розовый цвет весьма характерен для Китая. [00:00] When, in addition, I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter becomes even more simple.”[00:00] ||||||китайская|монета||||||||||| [00:00] Когда, кроме того, я вижу китайскую монету, свисающую с вашей часовой цепочки, дело становится еще проще.» [00:00]

Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. Мистер Джабез Уилсон громко рассмеялся. [00:00] “Well, I never!” said he. [00:00] «Ну, я никогда!» сказал он. [00:00] “I thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see that there was nothing in it after all.”[00:00] [00:00] «Я сначала подумал, что ты сделал что-то умное, но вижу, что ничего в этом не было». [00:00]

“I begin to think, Watson,” said Holmes, “that I make a mistake in explaining. |||||||||||||объяснении [00:00] ‘Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I am so candid. всё|неизвестное|за (в значении "за что-то")|великолепным|||||||репутация||||||потерпит|кораблекрушение|||||откровенный Tout|inconnu||||||||||||||||naufrage||||| [00:00] «Omne ignotum pro magnifico», знаете ли, и моя бедная маленькая репутация, какая бы она ни была, потерпит кораблекрушение, если я буду так откровенна. [00:00] Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?”[00:00]

“Yes, I have got it now,” he answered with his thick red finger planted halfway down the column. |||||||||||||указав|половине||| ||||||||||épais||||||| «Да, теперь я понял», — ответил он, водрузив толстым красным пальцем посередине столбца. [00:00] “Here it is. [00:00] This is what began it all. [00:00] You just read it for yourself, sir.”[00:00] [00:00] Вы только что прочитали это для себя, сэр». [00:00]

I took the paper from him and read as follows:[00:00] |||||||||следующее

“TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., there is now another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a salary of £ 4 a week for purely nominal services. |||||||||наследство||||Езекия|Хопкинса||Ливан|Пенсильвания||||||||вакансия|||даёт право||||||||зарплату|||||чисто|номинальных|услуги |||||||||legs de la succession|||||||Liban|||||||||||||||||||||||||uniquement|purement symbolique|services «ЛИГЕ РЫЖИХОВ: По завещанию покойного Иезекии Хопкинса из Ливана, штат Пенсильвания, США, теперь открыта еще одна вакансия, которая дает члену Лиги право на зарплату в размере 4 фунтов стерлингов в неделю за чисто номинальную Сервисы. [00:00] All red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age of twenty-one years, are eligible. ||||||здоровы||||||||||||||имеют право ||aux cheveux roux||||sain||||||||||||||éligibles [00:00] Все рыжеволосые мужчины, здоровые телом и разумом и старше двадцати одного года, имеют право. [00:00] Apply in person on Monday, at eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Pope's Court, Fleet Street.”[00:00] |в|||||||||Росс|||офисах||||Папа|Корт|Флит| “What on earth does this mean?” I ejaculated after I had twice read over the extraordinary announcement. |||||||воскликнул я||||||||необычное|объявление ||||||||||||||||annonce «Что, черт возьми, это значит?» Я эякулировал после того, как дважды прочитал необычное объявление. [00:00]

Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when in high spirits. |покачал головой||встряхнулся|||||||||||настроении |rugit||se tortilla||||||||||| Холмс усмехнулся и заерзал на стуле, как всегда в приподнятом настроении. [00:00] “It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?” said he. |||||||тропе|||| ||||||battue|chemin peu fréquenté|||| [00:00] «Это немного не в глуши, не так ли?» сказал он. [00:00] “And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this advertisement had upon your fortunes. ||||||||начале||||||||домашнее хозяйство||||||||||состоянии ||||||||||||||||ménage|||||||||| [00:00] «А теперь, мистер Уилсон, приступайте к делу и расскажите нам все о себе, своем доме и влиянии, которое эта реклама оказала на ваше состояние. [00:00] You will first make a note, Doctor, of the paper and the date.”[00:00] ||||||||||||дата [00:00] Сначала вы запишите, Доктор, номер бумаги и дату.» [00:00]

“It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. ||||Хроника||апреля [00:00] Just two months ago.”[00:00]

“Very good. [00:00] Now, Mr. Wilson?”[00:00]

“Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; “I have a small pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. ||||||||||||||||вытирая||лоб|||||ломбард|||Кобурге|Кобургская площадь||| ||||||ai||||||||||essuyant|||||||||||||| [00:00] It's not a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than just give me a living. |||||дело||||||||||||давать||| [00:00] Это не очень большое дело, и в последние годы оно не приносило мне ничего, кроме того, что давало мне средства к существованию. [00:00] I used to be able to keep two assistants, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the business.”[00:00] ||||||||ассистентов|||||содержать|||||||работа||||||||готов|||||зарплата||||выучить|| [00:00] Раньше я мог держать двух помощников, но теперь я держу только одного; и у меня была бы работа, чтобы платить ему, но он готов прийти за половину заработной платы, чтобы изучить бизнес ».[00:00]

“What is the name of this obliging youth?” asked Sherlock Holmes. ||||||вежливый|||| [00:00]

“His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, either. |||Винсент|Сполдинг||||||| [00:00] It's hard to say his age. [00:00] I should not wish a smarter assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. ||||||||||||||||||||заработать|||||||| [00:00] Я не должен желать более умного помощника, мистер Холмс; и я очень хорошо знаю, что он мог бы улучшить себя и заработать вдвое больше, чем я могу дать ему. [00:00] But, after all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?”[00:00]

“Why, indeed? [00:00] You seem most fortunate in having an employé who comes under the full market price. |||счастливый||||служащий|||||полной|рыночной| [00:00] Кажется, вам больше всего повезло с наемным работником, который продается по полной рыночной цене. [00:00] It is not a common experience among employers in this age. |||||||работодателей||| [00:00] Это не обычное дело среди работодателей в этом возрасте. [00:00] I don't know that your assistant is not as remarkable as your advertisement.”[00:00] |||||||||замечательный||| [00:00] Я не знаю, ваш помощник не так замечателен, как ваша реклама.» [00:00] “Oh, he has his faults, too,” said Mr. ||||недостатки||| -- О, у него тоже есть свои недостатки, -- сказал мистер Wilson. [00:00] “Never was such a fellow for photography. ||||парень||фотография [00:00] «Никогда не было такого парня для фотографии. [00:00] Snapping away with a camera when he ought to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. снимает||||камерой|||должен|||улучшать|||||нырять||||подвал|||кролик|||норка||||фотографии Cliquer||||appareil photo||||||||||||||||||||||||| [00:00] Снимать на камеру, когда ему нужно совершенствовать свой ум, а затем нырять в подвал, как кролик в нору, чтобы проявлять свои снимки. [00:00] That is his main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. ||||||||||||работник [00:00] Это его главный недостаток, но в целом он хороший работник. [00:00] There's no vice in him.”[00:00] ||порока|| [00:00] В нем нет порока». [00:00] “He is still with you, I presume?”[00:00] ||||||предполагаю «Он все еще с вами, я полагаю?» [00:00]

“Yes, sir. [00:00] He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple cooking and keeps the place clean—that's all I have in the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. |||||четырнадцати|||||||кухня||держит|||||||||||||||вдовец||||| [00:00] Он и четырнадцатилетняя девочка, которая немного готовит и поддерживает чистоту — это все, что у меня есть в доме, потому что я вдовец и никогда не имел семьи. [00:00] We live very quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. |||||||||||||крыша|||||||долги||||| [00:00] Мы живем очень тихо, сэр, втроем; и мы сохраняем крышу над головой и платим по долгам, если больше ничего не делаем. [00:00]

“The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. [00:00] Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says:[00:00] Сполдинг||||||офис||||||||||||||| [00:00] Сполдинг, он спустился в офис как раз в этот день, восемь недель, с этой самой бумагой в руке, и он говорит: [00:00]

“‘I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man. ||||Господу||||||||| «Я желаю Господу, мистер Уилсон, чтобы я был рыжеволосым мужчиной. '[00:00] “‘Why that? |это '[00:00] I asks. |спрашиваю [00:00]

“‘Why,' says he, ‘here's another vacancy on the League of the Red-headed Men. «Почему, — говорит он, — вот еще одна вакансия в Союзе рыжеволосых мужчин. [00:00] It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what to do with the money. |||||||||||||||||||вакансий||||||||опекуны||||ума||||||| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||administrateurs||||||||||| [00:00] Это стоит небольшого состояния для любого человека, который их получает, и я понимаю, что вакансий больше, чем людей, так что попечители в недоумении, что делать с деньгами. [00:00] If my hair would only change colour, here's a nice little crib all ready for me to step into. |||||||||||колыбель||||||| [00:00] Если бы мои волосы только изменили цвет, вот миленькая кроватка готова для меня. '[00:00] “‘Why, what is it, then? «Что же тогда? '[00:00] I asked. [00:00]

You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting my foot over the door-mat. |||||||||||||||||||вместо||||||||||||||||||за пределами|||дверной коврик ||||||||||||||||est venue|à||||||||||||||||||||||| Видите ли, мистер Холмс, я очень домосед, и, поскольку мои дела приходили ко мне вместо того, чтобы идти к ним, я часто целыми неделями не ступал ногой на коврик у двери. [00:00] In that way I didn't know much of what was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. [00:00] Таким образом, я мало что знал о том, что происходит снаружи, и всегда был рад небольшим новостям. [00:00]

“‘Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men? ||||||Лиге||||| '[00:00] he asked with his eyes open. [00:00]

“‘Never. '[00:00] “‘Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one of the vacancies. ||||||||подходящий|||||| «Почему, я удивляюсь этому, потому что вы сами имеете право на одну из вакансий. '[00:00] “‘And what are they worth? ||||стоить «И чего они стоят? '[00:00] I asked. [00:00]

“‘Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and it need not interfere very much with one's other occupations. |||пара||сотня|||||||незначительная|||||||||||занятия «О, всего пара сотен в год, но работа незначительная, и она не должна сильно мешать другим занятиям. '[00:00] “Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, for the business has not been over good for some years, and an extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. ||||||||||||||||||||||||||лишние||||были||||удобно — Ну, вы легко можете подумать, что это заставило меня насторожиться, потому что дело не кончается уже несколько лет, и лишняя пара сотен была бы очень кстати. [00:00]

“‘Tell me all about it,' said I. [00:00]

“‘Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, ‘you can see for yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address where you should apply for particulars. ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||подробности |||||||vous||||||||||||||||||||| [00:00] As far as I can make out, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. ||||||||||основана||||миллионер||||||||| [00:00] He was himself red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; so, when he died, it was found that he had left his enormous fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of that colour. ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||огромное||||||доверительным управляющим||инструкциями|||||||предоставив|||места|||||||| [00:00] Он сам был рыжеволосым и очень симпатизировал всем рыжеволосым мужчинам; поэтому, когда он умер, было обнаружено, что он оставил свое огромное состояние в руках попечителей с указанием направить проценты на обеспечение удобных кроватей для мужчин с волосами такого цвета. [00:00] From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to do. ||я||||отличная|||||| '[00:00] “‘But,' said I, ‘there would be millions of red-headed men who would apply. ||||||миллионы||||||| «Но, — сказал я, — найдутся миллионы рыжеволосых мужчин, которые подадут заявки. '[00:00] “‘Not so many as you might think,' he answered. [00:00] ‘You see it is really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. |||||||лондонцам|||взрослым| [00:00] «Вы видите, что это действительно ограничено лондонцами и взрослыми мужчинами. [00:00] This American had started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the old town a good turn. ||||||||||||||||||||услугу [00:00] Этот американец приехал из Лондона, когда был молод, и хотел сделать добро старому городу. [00:00] Then, again, I have heard it is no use your applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but real bright, blazing, fiery red. ||||||||||||||||||||||||||огненно-красный| [00:00] Затем, опять же, я слышал, что бесполезно наносить средство, если ваши волосы светло-рыжие, или темно-рыжие, или что-то еще, кроме настоящего яркого, пылающего, огненно-рыжего. [00:00] Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a few hundred pounds. |||заботились|применить|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| [00:00] Теперь, если бы вы хотели подать заявление, мистер Уилсон, вы бы просто вошли; но, может быть, вряд ли стоило бы тратить время ради нескольких сотен фунтов. '[00:00] “Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. |||||||||||сами||||||||густой|||оттенок||||||||||||||конкуренция||||||||||||||||| -- Так вот, это факт, господа, как вы сами можете убедиться, что волосы у меня очень густые и насыщенного оттенка, так что мне казалось, что если бы в этом вопросе была какая-нибудь конкуренция, то я был бы не хуже шанс, как любой мужчина, которого я когда-либо встречал. [00:00] Vincent Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the day and to come right away with me. |Сполдинг||||||||||||||||||приказал||||||шторы|||||||||| [00:00] Винсент Сполдинг, казалось, знал об этом так много, что я подумал, что он может оказаться полезным, поэтому я просто приказал ему закрыть ставни на день и немедленно пойти со мной. [00:00] He was very willing to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the address that was given us in the advertisement. ||||||||||закрыли||дело|||||||||||||| [00:00] Он очень хотел отдохнуть, поэтому мы закрыли бизнес и отправились по адресу, который нам дали в рекламе. [00:00]

“I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. — Я никогда больше не надеюсь увидеть подобное зрелище, мистер Уайт. Holmes. [00:00] From north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. |||||||||||оттенок|||||||прошел||||||| [00:00] Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court looked like a coster's orange barrow. ||||||||||||||покупателя||тележка [00:00] Флит-стрит была забита рыжеволосыми людьми, а Поупс-Корт выглядел как оранжевая тачка торговца дешевыми товарами. [00:00] I should not have thought there were so many in the whole country as were brought together by that single advertisement. [00:00] Я и подумать не мог, что по всей стране их столько, сколько собралось одной этой рекламой. [00:00] Every shade of colour they were—straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real vivid flame-coloured tint. |оттенок|||||солома|лимонный||кирпичный|ирландский|ирландский сеттер|печь||||||||||||||яркий|||оттенок [00:00] Они были всех оттенков цвета — соломенного, лимонного, апельсинового, кирпичного, ирландского сеттера, печеночного, глиняного; но, как сказал Сполдинг, немногие имели по-настоящему яркий огненный оттенок. [00:00] When I saw how many were waiting, I would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear of it. ||||||||||||||отчаянии||||||| [00:00] How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up to the steps which led to the office. ||||||||||протолкнул||||толкался|||||||||||||||вели||| [00:00] Как он это сделал, я не мог представить, но он толкал, тянул и бодал, пока не протащил меня через толпу, прямо к ступенькам, которые вели в офис. [00:00] There was a double stream upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found ourselves in the office.”[00:00] ||||поток|||||||||||||подавленные|||втиснулись||||||||||||| [00:00] На лестнице был двойной поток, кто-то поднимался в надежде, а кто-то возвращался в унынии; но мы втиснулись как могли и вскоре оказались в офисе.”[00:00]

“Your experience has been a most entertaining one,” remarked Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge pinch of snuff. ||||||развлекательным|||||||||освежил||||||щепотка|| «Ваш опыт был очень интересным», — заметил Холмс, когда его клиент сделал паузу и освежил свою память огромной щепоткой табака. [00:00] “Pray continue your very interesting statement.”[00:00] |||||заявление [00:00] «Пожалуйста, продолжайте ваше очень интересное заявление». [00:00]

“There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that was even redder than mine. ||||||||||деревянных|стульев|||дуб||||||||||||||краснее|| «В конторе не было ничего, кроме пары деревянных стульев и деревянного стола, за которым сидел маленький человечек с головой еще краснее моей. [00:00] He said a few words to each candidate as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in them which would disqualify them. |||||||кандидату||||||||||||||||||дисквалифицировать| [00:00] Getting a vacancy did not seem to be such a very easy matter, after all. [00:00] В конце концов, получить вакансию оказалось не таким уж и легким делом. [00:00] However, when our turn came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he might have a private word with us. |||||||||||благожелателен|||||||||||||||||||||||||| [00:00]

“‘This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, ‘and he is willing to fill a vacancy in the League. |||||||||||||занять||||| '[00:00] “‘And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. ||||подходит||||| «И он превосходно подходит для этого», — ответил другой. [00:00] ‘He has every requirement. |||требование [00:00] «У него есть все требования. [00:00] I cannot recall when I have seen anything so fine. ||вспомнить||||||| [00:00] Я не могу вспомнить, когда я видел что-то настолько прекрасное. '[00:00] He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. ||||назад|наклонил|его|голову|на одной||||||||||||скромный «[00:00] Он сделал шаг назад, склонил голову набок и уставился на мои волосы, пока я не почувствовал себя довольно застенчивым. [00:00] Then suddenly he plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my success. |||прыгнул||сжал||||||тепло||| [00:00] Затем он внезапно бросился вперед, сжал мою руку и горячо поздравил меня с моим успехом. [00:00]

“‘It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. |||несправедливость||колебаться|| «Было бы несправедливо колебаться, — сказал он. [00:00] ‘You will, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution. |||||||||||очевидную|меру предосторожности '[00:00] With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I yelled with the pain. |||||||||||тянул|||закричал||| '[00:00] С этими словами он схватил меня за волосы обеими руками и дергал, пока я не закричала от боли. [00:00] ‘There is water in your eyes,' said he as he released me. ||||||||||отпустил| [00:00] «У тебя в глазах вода», — сказал он, отпуская меня. [00:00] ‘I perceive that all is as it should be. |осознаю||||||| [00:00] Я понимаю, что все так, как должно быть. [00:00] But we have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and once by paint. |||||||||||обмануты||парики|||| [00:00] Но мы должны быть осторожны, потому что нас дважды обманули парики и один раз краска. [00:00] I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which would disgust you with human nature. ||||сказки||плотника|воск|||раздражать|||| [00:00] Я мог бы рассказать вам истории о воске сапожника, которые вызвали бы у вас отвращение к человеческой природе. '[00:00] He stepped over to the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the vacancy was filled. |перешел|||||||||||||||||||занята '[00:00] Он подошел к окну и крикнул во весь голос, что вакансия занята. [00:00] A groan of disappointment came up from below, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the manager. |стон||разочарования|||||||||разошлись||||||||||||||||||||||менеджера [00:00] Снизу донесся стон разочарования, и все люди разошлись в разные стороны, пока не осталось ни одной рыжей головы, кроме моей и менеджера. [00:00]

“‘My name,' said he, ‘is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. |||||||||||||||пенсионеров|||фонде||||благородного|благодетель «Меня зовут, — сказал он, — мистер Дункан Росс, и я сам один из пенсионеров фонда, оставленного нашим благородным благотворителем. [00:00] Are you a married man, Mr. Wilson? [00:00] Have you a family? '[00:00] “I answered that I had not. [00:00]

“His face fell immediately. ||потупилось| «У него сразу поникло лицо. [00:00]

“‘Dear me! «Боже мой! '[00:00] he said gravely, ‘that is very serious indeed! ||серьезно||||| '[00:00] серьезно сказал он, 'это действительно очень серьезно! [00:00] I am sorry to hear you say that. [00:00] The fund was, of course, for the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their maintenance. |||||||распространение||распространение||||||||||содержанию [00:00] Фонд был, конечно, для размножения и распространения рыжих, а также для их содержания. [00:00] It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a bachelor. ||очень||||||| [00:00] Очень жаль, что ты холостяк. '[00:00] “My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for a few minutes he said that it would be all right. ||потянулось|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| — Мое лицо вытянулось при этих словах, мистер Холмс, потому что я думал, что в конце концов мне не суждено занять эту вакансию; но, подумав несколько минут, сказал, что все будет в порядке. [00:00]

“‘In the case of another,' said he, ‘the objection might be fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a head of hair as yours. ||||||||возражение|||смертельной||||||||||||||||||| «В случае с другим, — сказал он, — возражение могло бы оказаться роковым, но мы должны кое-что сделать в пользу человека с такой шевелюрой, как у вас. [00:00] When shall you be able to enter upon your new duties? [00:00] Когда ты сможешь приступить к своим новым обязанностям? '[00:00] “‘Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' said I. |||||неловко|||||||| «Ну, это немного неловко, потому что у меня уже есть дело, — сказал я. [00:00]

“‘Oh, never mind about that, Mr.[00:00] Wilson! '[00:00] said Vincent Spaulding. [00:00] ‘I should be able to look after that for you. [00:00] «Я должен позаботиться об этом для тебя. '[00:00] “‘What would be the hours? «Какие часы? '[00:00] I asked. '[00:00] Я спросил. [00:00] [00:00]

“‘Ten to two. "'1:50. '[00:00] “Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the mornings. |||||||||||||||пятницу|||||||||||||||||||||утрах — Теперь ростовщики в основном занимаются вечером, мистер Холмс, особенно вечером в четверг и пятницу, то есть как раз перед днем выплаты жалованья; так что мне было бы очень удобно немного зарабатывать по утрам. [00:00] Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and that he would see to anything that turned up. ||||||||||||||||||появится| [00:00] Кроме того, я знал, что мой помощник был хорошим человеком, и что он позаботится обо всем, что подвернется. [00:00]

“‘That would suit me very well,' said I. [00:00] ‘And the pay? '[00:00] “‘Is £ 4 a week. «4 фунта стерлингов в неделю. '[00:00] “‘And the work? '[00:00] “‘Is purely nominal. «Чисто номинально. '[00:00] “‘What do you call purely nominal? «Что вы называете чисто номинальным? '[00:00] “‘Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the building, the whole time. [00:00] If you leave, you forfeit your whole position forever. ||||утрачиваешь||||навсегда [00:00] The will is very clear upon that point. [00:00] На этот счет воля очень ясна. [00:00] You don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office during that time. ||соблюдаете||||||уходите|||||| [00:00] Вы не соблюдаете условия, если уходите из офиса в это время. '[00:00] “‘It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' said I. -- Всего четыре часа в день, и я не думаю об отъезде, -- сказал я. [00:00]

“‘No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; ‘neither sickness nor business nor anything else. |||поможет||||||болезнь||||| «Никакие оправдания не помогут, — сказал мистер Дункан Росс. «ни болезнь, ни бизнес, ни что-либо еще. [00:00] There you must stay, or you lose your billet. ||||||||место [00:00] Там ты должен оставаться, или ты потеряешь свою заготовку. '[00:00] “‘And the work? '[00:00] “‘Is to copy out the Encyclopædia Britannica. |||||Энциклопедия|Британика «Это переписать Британскую энциклопедию. [00:00] There is the first volume of it in that press. ||||том||||| [00:00] В этой прессе есть первый том. [00:00] You must find your own ink, pens, and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. ||||||ручки||папка для чернил||||предоставляем|||| [00:00] Вы должны найти свои собственные чернила, ручки и промокательную бумагу, но мы предоставим вам этот стол и стул. [00:00] Will you be ready to-morrow? [00:00] Ты будешь готов завтра? '[00:00] “‘Certainly,' I answered. [00:00]

“‘Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you once more on the important position which you have been fortunate enough to gain. |||||||||поздравить||||||||||||||| '[00:00] He bowed me out of the room and I went home with my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased at my own good fortune. «[00:00] Он выпроводил меня из комнаты, и я пошел домой со своим помощником, едва зная, что сказать или сделать, я был так доволен своей удачей. [00:00]

“Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its object might be I could not imagine. |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||обман|||||||||||| «Ну, я весь день думал над этим делом, а к вечеру опять был в унынии; ибо я вполне убедил себя, что все это дело должно быть какой-то большой мистификацией или мошенничеством, хотя, что могло быть его целью, я не мог себе представить. [00:00] It seemed altogether past belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Encyclopædia Britannica. [00:00] Казалось совершенно невероятным, что кто-то может составить такое завещание или что они заплатят такую сумму за такую простую вещь, как копирование Британской энциклопедии. [00:00] Vincent Spaulding did what he could to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the whole thing. [00:00] Винсент Сполдинг делал все, что мог, чтобы подбодрить меня, но ко времени сна я отстранился от всего этого. [00:00] However, in the morning I determined to have a look at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Pope's Court. ||||||||||||в любом случае||||||||||||||||||||||||| [00:00] Тем не менее, утром я решил все равно взглянуть на него, поэтому я купил пузырек чернил за пенни, и с гусиным пером, и семью листами бумаги, я отправился в Поупс Корт. [00:00]

“Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as possible. «Ну, к моему удивлению и радости, все было как нельзя лучше. [00:00] The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross was there to see that I got fairly to work. [00:00] Стол был накрыт для меня, и мистер Дункан Росс был там, чтобы проследить, чтобы я приступил к работе. [00:00] He started me off upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from time to time to see that all was right with me. [00:00] Он начал меня с буквы А, а потом бросил меня; но время от времени он заходил посмотреть, все ли со мной в порядке. [00:00] At two o'clock he bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had written, and locked the door of the office after me. ||||||||похвалил||||||||||||||||| [00:00] В два часа он пожелал мне доброго дня, похвалил сумму, которую я написал, и запер за мной дверь кабинета. [00:00]

“This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my week's work. — Это продолжалось день за днем, мистер Холмс, а в субботу пришел управляющий и выложил четыре золотых соверена за мою недельную работу. [00:00] It was the same next week, and the same the week after. ||||||и||||| [00:00] Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I left at two. [00:00] By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at all. [00:00] Постепенно мистер Дункан Росс стал заходить только один раз за утро, а затем, через некоторое время, он вообще не заходил. [00:00] Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the loss of it. |||||осмеливался|||||||||||||||||||билет||||||||||||||||||| [00:00] Тем не менее, конечно, я никогда не осмеливался выйти из комнаты ни на мгновение, потому что я не был уверен, когда он может прийти, а заготовка была такая хорошая, и так мне подходила, что я не стал бы рискуете его потерять. [00:00]

“Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very long. |||||||||||Аббатах||стрельба из лука||||||||||усердно||||||||||| «Вот так прошло восемь недель, и я написал об аббатах, стрельбе из лука, доспехах, архитектуре и Аттике и очень надеялся, что вскоре смогу перейти к четверке. [00:00] It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly filled a shelf with my writings. |||||фуллскэп||||||||||| [00:00] Это стоило мне кое-какой ерунды, и я почти заполнил полку своими сочинениями. [00:00] And then suddenly the whole business came to an end.”[00:00]

“To an end?”[00:00] «До конца?» [00:00]

“Yes, sir. [00:00] And no later than this morning. [00:00] И не позднее сегодняшнего утра. [00:00] I went to my work as usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the panel with a tack. ||||||||||||||||||||||картона|прибитый||||||||||гвоздик [00:00] Я пошел на работу, как обычно, в десять часов, но дверь была закрыта и заперта, а к середине панели гвоздем был прибит маленький квадратик картона. [00:00] Here it is, and you can read for yourself.”[00:00] [00:00] Вот оно, и вы можете прочитать сами». [00:00]

He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet of note-paper. ||||кусок|||||||||||| Он поднял кусок белого картона размером с лист бумаги для заметок. [00:00] It read in this fashion:[00:00] [00:00] Читается так: [00:00]

“THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE IS DISSOLVED. |||||распущена «ЛИГА РЫЖИХ РАСПИСАЛАСЬ. [00:00] October 9, 1890.”[00:00] октябрь

Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so completely overtopped every other consideration that we both burst out into a roar of laughter. ||||осмотрели||краткий||||сожалением||||||комическая|||||||превосходила|||соображение||||взорвались||||рёв|| Мы с Шерлоком Холмсом рассматривали это краткое объявление и скорбное лицо за ним, пока комическая сторона дела настолько не превзошла все остальные соображения, что мы оба разразились хохотом. [00:00]

“I cannot see that there is anything very funny,” cried our client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. ||||||||||||краснея||||корней|||огненно-красный| -- Я не вижу, чтобы тут было что-нибудь очень смешное, -- вскричал наш клиент, краснея до корней пылающей головы. [00:00] “If you can do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere.”[00:00] |||||||||||||в другое место [00:00] «Если ты не можешь сделать ничего лучше, чем смеяться надо мной, я могу пойти куда-нибудь еще». [00:00]

“No, no,” cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from which he had half risen. ||||толкая||||||||||| -- Нет, нет! -- воскликнул Холмс, толкая его обратно в кресло, с которого он только что привстал. [00:00] “I really wouldn't miss your case for the world. ||не|||||| [00:00] «Я бы ни за что на свете не пропустил бы твое дело. [00:00] It is most refreshingly unusual. |||освежающе| [00:00] Это очень необычно. [00:00] But there is, if you will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. [00:00] Но в этом есть, если вы извините меня, что-то немного смешное. [00:00] Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the door?”[00:00] [00:00] Скажите, пожалуйста, какие шаги вы предприняли, когда нашли карту на двери?» [00:00]

“I was staggered, sir. ||ошеломлён| «Я был ошеломлен, сэр. [00:00] I did not know what to do. [00:00] Then I called at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything about it. ||звонил|||||||||||||| [00:00] Затем я позвонил в офисы, но никто из них, похоже, ничего не знал об этом. [00:00] Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant living on the ground floor, and I asked him if he could tell me what had become of the Red-headed League. |||||арендодатель||||бухгалтер||||первом|||||||||||||||||| [00:00] Наконец, я пошел к домовладельцу, бухгалтеру, живущему на первом этаже, и спросил его, может ли он рассказать мне, что стало с Лигой рыжих. [00:00] He said that he had never heard of any such body. [00:00] Он сказал, что никогда не слышал о таком теле. [00:00] Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Ross was. [00:00] He answered that the name was new to him. [00:00]

“‘Well,' said I, ‘the gentleman at No. «Ну, — сказал я, — джентльмен из дома номер 1». [00:00] 4. '[00:00] “‘What, the red-headed man? «Что, рыжий мужчина? '[00:00] “‘Yes. '[00:00] “‘Oh,' said he, ‘his name was William Morris. ||||||Уильям|Моррис [00:00] He was a solicitor and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new premises were ready. |||адвокат||||||||временное|удобство||||помещения|| [00:00] Он был адвокатом и использовал мою комнату как временное удобство, пока его новое помещение не было готово. [00:00] He moved out yesterday. [00:00] Он вчера съехал. '[00:00] “‘Where could I find him? '[00:00] “‘Oh, at his new offices. [00:00] He did tell me the address. [00:00] Он сказал мне адрес. [00:00] Yes, 17 King Edward Street, near St. ||Эдвард||| [00:00] Paul's. Павла '[00:00] “I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross.”[00:00] |||||||||||||||фабрика||искусственных|коленок|коленок||||||||||||||||| «Я начал, мистер Холмс, но когда я добрался до этого адреса, это была мануфактура искусственных коленных чашечек, и никто в ней никогда не слышал ни о мистере Уильяме Моррисе, ни о мистере Дункане Россе». 00]

“And what did you do then?” asked Holmes. [00:00]

“I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my assistant. |||||||||||совет|||ассистента «Я пошел домой на площадь Саксен-Кобург и последовал совету своего помощника. [00:00] But he could not help me in any way. [00:00] Но он никак не мог мне помочь. [00:00] He could only say that if I waited I should hear by post. ||||||||||||почте [00:00] Он мог только сказать, что если я подожду, то получу ответ по почте. [00:00] But that was not quite good enough, Mr. Holmes. [00:00] I did not wish to lose such a place without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right away to you.”[00:00] |||||||||||||||||||||||||||людям||||||||||сразу|| [00:00] Я не хотел терять такое место без борьбы, поэтому, как я слышал, что вы были достаточно добры, чтобы давать советы бедным людям, которые в этом нуждались, я сразу же пришел к вам ». [00:00]

“And you did very wisely,” said Holmes. ||||мудро|| [00:00] “Your case is an exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. [00:00] From what you have told me I think that it is possible that graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear.”[00:00] |||||||||это||возможно|что|более серьезные|вопросы||||||||взгляда| [00:00] Судя по тому, что вы мне рассказали, я думаю, что от этого могут зависеть более серьезные проблемы, чем может показаться на первый взгляд». [00:00]

“Grave enough!” said Mr. Jabez Wilson. серьезно||||| «Достаточно серьезно!» — сказал мистер Джабез Уилсон. [00:00] “Why, I have lost four pound a week.”[00:00] |||||фунта|| [00:00] «Да ведь я терял четыре фунта в неделю». [00:00]

“As far as you are personally concerned,” remarked Holmes, “I do not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary league. |||||||||||||||||претензия|||| «Что касается вас лично, — заметил Холмс, — то я не вижу, чтобы у вас были какие-то претензии к этому экстраординарному союзу. [00:00] On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some £ 30, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have lost nothing by them.”[00:00] ||||||||богаче|||||||||||||приобрели||||||||||||потеряли||| [00:00] Напротив, вы, насколько я понимаю, богаче примерно на 30 фунтов стерлингов, не говоря уже о мелких знаниях, которые вы приобрели по каждому предмету, который подпадает под букву А. Вы ничего не потеряли от них. ”[00:00]

“No, sir. [00:00] But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and what their object was in playing this prank—if it was a prank—upon me. ||||узнать||о||||||||||||||шутка||||||| [00:00] Но я хочу узнать о них, и кто они такие, и какова была их цель разыграть эту шутку — если это была шутка — надо мной. [00:00] It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it cost them two and thirty pounds.”[00:00] |||||шутка|||||||||| [00:00] Это была довольно дорогая шутка для них, потому что она стоила им тридцати двух фунтов». [00:00]

“We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. ||постараемся||||||| «Мы постараемся прояснить для вас эти моменты. [00:00] And, first, one or two questions, Mr. [00:00] И, во-первых, один или два вопроса, г. Wilson. [00:00] This assistant of yours who first called your attention to the advertisement—how long had he been with you?”[00:00]

“About a month then.”[00:00]

“How did he come?”[00:00]

“In answer to an advertisement.”[00:00]

“Was he the only applicant?”[00:00] ||||кандидат

“No, I had a dozen.”[00:00]

“Why did you pick him?”[00:00]

“Because he was handy and would come cheap.”[00:00] |||||||дешево «Потому что он был удобен и обходился дешево». [00:00]

“At half wages, in fact.”[00:00]

“Yes.”[00:00]

“What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?”[00:00]

“Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, though he's not short of thirty. ||||||||||||||||меньше|| «Маленький, коренастый, очень проворный, на лице волос нет, хотя ему не меньше тридцати. [00:00] Has a white splash of acid upon his forehead.”[00:00] |||пятно||кислота||| [00:00] На лбу белые брызги кислоты.» [00:00]

Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. Холмс сел в своем кресле в значительном волнении. [00:00] “I thought as much,” said he. [00:00] «Я так и думал», — сказал он. [00:00] “Have you ever observed that his ears are pierced for earrings?”[00:00] ||||||||||серьги [00:00] «Вы когда-нибудь замечали, что его уши проколоты ради сережек?» [00:00]

“Yes, sir. [00:00] He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he was a lad.”[00:00] |||||цыган|||||||||| [00:00] Он сказал мне, что цыган сделал это для него, когда он был мальчишкой». [00:00]

“Hum!” said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. |||откидываясь|||| «Хм!» — сказал Холмс, погрузившись в глубокие размышления. [00:00] “He is still with you?”[00:00]

“Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him.”[00:00]

“And has your business been attended to in your absence?”[00:00] |||||уделено|||| «А вашими делами занимались в ваше отсутствие?» [00:00]

“Nothing to complain of, sir. ||жаловаться|| — Не на что жаловаться, сэр. [00:00] There's never very much to do of a morning.”[00:00] [00:00] Утром особо дел не бывает. [00:00] “That will do, Mr. — Этого достаточно, мистер. Wilson. [00:00] I shall be happy to give you an opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. [00:00] Я буду рад высказать вам свое мнение по этому вопросу в течение дня или двух. [00:00] To-day is Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion.”[00:00] [00:00] Сегодня суббота, и я надеюсь, что к понедельнику мы сможем прийти к выводу». [00:00]

“Well, Watson,” said Holmes when our visitor had left us, “what do you make of it all?”[00:00] «Ну, Ватсон, — сказал Холмс, когда наш посетитель ушел, — что вы обо всем этом думаете?» [00:00]

“I make nothing of it,” I answered frankly. |||||||откровенно -- Ничего не понимаю, -- откровенно ответил я. [00:00] “It is a most mysterious business.”[00:00]

“As a rule,” said Holmes, “the more bizarre a thing is the less mysterious it proves to be. |||||||странный||||||||оказывается|| «Как правило, — сказал Холмс, — чем страннее вещь, тем менее таинственной она оказывается. [00:00] It is your commonplace, featureless crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the most difficult to identify. ||||безликие|||||загадочные||||||||||| [00:00] Это ваши банальные, безликие преступления, которые действительно озадачивают, точно так же, как обычное лицо труднее всего идентифицировать. [00:00] But I must be prompt over this matter.”[00:00] ||||осторожен|по поводу||

“What are you going to do, then?” I asked. [00:00]

“To smoke,” he answered. [00:00] “It is quite a three pipe problem, and I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes.” He curled himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. ||довольно|||трубка|||||||||||||||свернулся||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||толкая||||билл||||птица [00:00] «Это проблема с тремя трубками, и я умоляю вас не разговаривать со мной в течение пятидесяти минут». Он свернулся в кресле, подтянув худые колени к своему ястребиному носу, и так сидел, закрыв глаза и высунув свою черную глиняную трубку, как клюв какой-то странной птицы. [00:00] I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. |||||||||уснул|||||кивнув|||||вскочил||||||||||||||||||||трубка||||каминная полка [00:00] Я пришел к выводу, что он заснул, и действительно кивал себе, когда он внезапно вскочил со стула жестом человека, который решился и положил трубку на стол. каминная полка. [00:00]

“Sarasate plays at the St. Сарасате|||| «Сарасате играет в St. [00:00] James's Hall this afternoon,” he remarked. Джеймса||||| [00:00] “What do you think, Watson? [00:00] Could your patients spare you for a few hours?”[00:00] |||потратить||||| [00:00] Не могли бы ваши пациенты уделить вам несколько часов?»[00:00]

“I have nothing to do to-day. [00:00] My practice is never very absorbing.”[00:00] |||||увлекательным [00:00] Моя практика никогда не бывает очень увлекательной». [00:00]

“Then put on your hat and come. — Тогда надень шляпу и приходи. [00:00] I am going through the City first, and we can have some lunch on the way. [00:00] Сначала я еду через Город, а по дороге мы можем пообедать. [00:00] I observe that there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is rather more to my taste than Italian or French. |||||||||||||программа|||||||||итальянская|| [00:00] Я замечаю, что в программе много немецкой музыки, которая мне больше по вкусу, чем итальянская или французская. [00:00] It is introspective, and I want to introspect. |||||||анализировать себя [00:00] Это самоанализ, и я хочу заняться самоанализом. [00:00] Come along!” иди|идти [00:00] Пошли!»