Английский язык с Шерлоком Холмсом. Собака Баскервилей (ASCII-IPA)

"None, sir, none. I am proud to say that I had no interest in the matter. I act entirely from a sense of public duty. I have no doubt, for example, that the Fernworthy people will burn me in effigy to-night. I told the police last time they did it that they should stop these disgraceful exhibitions. The county constabulary is in a scandalous state, sir, and it has not afforded me the protection to which I am entitled. The case of Frankland v. Regina will bring the matter before the attention of the public. I told them that they would have occasion to regret their treatment of me, and already my words have come true."

"How so?" I asked.

The old man put on a very knowing expression.

"Because I could tell them what they are dying to know; but nothing would induce me to help the rascals in any way."

I had been casting round for some excuse (я искал какой-нибудь повод; to cast around for — искать; excuse — извинение; повод, предлог) by which I could get away from his gossip (из-за которого я мог бы уйти /и избавиться/ от его болтовни), but now I began to wish to hear more of it (но теперь во мне проснулось желание: «я начал желать» услышать об этом побольше). I had seen enough (я /уже/ достаточно увидел = познакомился) of the contrary nature of the old sinner to understand (с упрямым характером старого нечестивца, чтобы понять) that any strong sign of interest (что любой признак сильного интереса) would be the surest way (будет самым безошибочным путем; sure — верный; безошибочный) to stop his confidences (прекратить его излияния; confidence — доверие; секретная информация).

"Some poaching case, no doubt (несомненно, какое-то дело о браконьерстве)?" said I, with an indifferent manner (сказал я с безразличным видом).

"Ha, ha, my boy, a very much more important matter than that (ха, мой, мальчик, намного более важное дело, чем это)! What about the convict on the moor (как насчет каторжника на болотах)?"

I started (я вскочил). "You don't mean (не имеете ли вы в виду = не хотите же вы сказать) that you know where he is (что знаете, где он /скрывается/)?" said I.

"I may not know exactly where he is (я могу и не знать точно где), but I am quite sure (но я совершенно уверен) that I could help the police to lay their hands on him (что смог бы помочь полиции поймать его). Has it never struck you (вам никогда не приходило в голову; to strike — ударять) that the way to catch that man (что способ поймать этого человека) was to find out where he got his food (это выяснить, где он берет пищу), and so trace it to him (и таким образом выследить его)?"

He certainly seemed to be getting uncomfortably near the truth (он, конечно, оказался в опасной близости к истине; uncomfortably — неудобно; тревожно). "No doubt," said I; "but how do you know (несомненно, но откуда вам известно) that he is anywhere upon the moor (что он где-то на болотах)?"

"I know it because I have seen with my own eyes (я знаю это, потому что видел своими собственными глазами) the messenger who takes him his food (посыльного, который носит ему пищу)."

excuse [Iks'kju:s], important [Im'pO:t(@)nt], messenger ['mesIndZ@]

I had been casting round for some excuse by which I could get away from his gossip, but now I began to wish to hear more of it. I had seen enough of the contrary nature of the old sinner to understand that any strong sign of interest would be the surest way to stop his confidences.

"Some poaching case, no doubt?" said I, with an indifferent manner.

"Ha, ha, my boy, a very much more important matter than that! What about the convict on the moor?"

I started. "You don't mean that you know where he is?" said I.