Сельский вампир и другие истории Отца Брауна / Vampire of the Village and other Father Brown Stories. Уровень 3
He paused for a moment, as if collecting his thoughts[61], and then went on:‘They didn’t understandthe meaning of those few last words poor Maltravers was heard to say[62]. He wasn’t telling the villagers that the village was only a hamlet. He was talking to an actor; they were going to put on a performance in which Fitzgerald was to be Fortinbras, the unknown Hankin to be Polonius, and Maltravers, no doubt, the Prince of Denmark. Perhaps somebody else wanted the part or had views on the part[63]; and Maltravers said angrily, “You’d be an ugly little Hamlet”; that’s all.’
Dr Mulborough was struck; he seemed to be thinking aboutthat idea slowly but without difficulty. At last he said, before the others could speak:‘And what do you suggest that we should do now?’
Father Brown stood up quickly; but he spoke calmly enough. ‘If these gentlemen will excuse us for a moment, I propose that you and I, doctor, should go round at once to the Horners. I know the priest and his son will both be there just now. And what I want to do, doctor, is this. Nobody in the village knows yet, I think, about your autopsy and its result. I want you to simply tell both the clergyman and his son, while they are there together, the exact fact of the case; that Maltravers died by poison and not by a hit on the head.’
Dr Mulborough had to rethink his disbelief when told that it was an unusual village[64]. The scene which followed, when he actually did what the priest asked him, was certainly of the sort in which a man, as the saying is, can hardly believe his eyes.
The Rev. Samuel Horner was standing in his black dress, which made the silver of his head more noticeable; his hand rested at the moment on the table at which he often sit to study the Bible, now possibly by accident only; but it gave him a greater look of authority. And opposite to him his rebel son was sitting relaxed in a chair, smoking a cheap cigarette with a grin on his face; a lively picture of youthful disrespect.
The old man offered Father Brown a seat, which he took and sat there silent, looking at the ceiling. But something made Mulborough feel that he could tell his important news more impressively standing up.
‘I feel,’ he said, ‘that you should know, as in some sense the spiritual father of this village[65], that one terrible tragedy has taken on a new significance; possibly even more terrible. You must remember the sad case of the death of Maltravers, who was supposed to have been killed with the hit of a club, probably by some enemy among the villagers.’
The clergyman moved hishand. ‘God forbid,’ he said, ‘that I should say anything good about that case. But when an actor brings his evil into this quiet village, he goes against the judgement of God.’
‘Perhaps,’ said the doctor seriously. ‘But anyhow it was not so that the judgement fell. I have just been asked to make an autopsy on the body; and I can tell you, first, that the hit on the head could not have caused the death; and, second, that the body was full of poison, which caused death without any doubt.’
Young Hurrel Horner threw his cigarette away and was on his feet as quick as a cat. He jumped towards the reading-desk.
‘Are you certain of this?’ he exclaimed. ‘Are you absolutely certain that that hit could not cause death?’
‘Absolutely certain,’ said the doctor.
‘Well,’ said Hurrel, ‘I almost wish this one could.’
In a moment, before anyone could move a finger, he had hit the priest on the mouth, throwinghim backwards like a black doll against the door.
‘What are you doing?’ shouted Mulborough, shaken from head to foot with the shock and mere sound of the hit. ‘Father Brown, what is this madman doing?’
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Примечания
1
was but one of the many riddles – загадка… была лишь одной из многих загадок
2
were eventually solved in solving the mystery – которые были разгаданы, когда тайна открылась
3
he had been overheard apparently arguing – слышали, как он якобы ругался
4
though probably only made with some sort of club – хотя и был нанесен всего лишь какой-то дубинкой
5
there was something rich and fruity about his body shape and rather red face – было что-то насыщенное и сочное в его телосложении и довольно красном лице
6
In spite of the somewhat heavy appearance of the doctor – Несмотря на несколько тяжеловесный внешний вид доктора
7
a man of very remarkable sense – человеком поразительного ума
8
whom he get familiar with over a poisoning case long ago – с которым он давно познакомился во время дела об отравлении
9
The spinsters are really spinsters – damn it, you could almost see them spin – Старые девы действительно пряхи – черт побери, можно практически видеть, как они прядут.
10
who is just like a Dickens illustration – который вылитая иллюстрация к Диккенсу
11
expressions as lively as anything in the Bible – выражения столь же хлесткие, как в Библии
12
Bright Young Things – золотая молодежь
13
Need I say – Нужно ли упоминать
14
It would be almost irregular, if the clergyman’s son were quite regular – Было бы необычно, будь сын священника обычным
15
is next door to – недалеко от
16
she keeps to herself – она сторонится людей
17
All the old ladies having been born this very minute – Эти старые дамы, надо полагать, сами только родились
18
I think she is said to have vamped the priest’s son – Небось говорят, что она кровь сосет из сына священника?
19
Why in thunder – Почему, черт возьми
20
Never mind why – Неважно, почему
21
in the style of the Sonnets – в духе сонетов [Имеются в виду, например, Шекспировские сонеты – прим. авт. – сост. ]
22
And I, who am the only person who ever had any sympathy with these people, am sent down to be the messenger of doom – И я, единственный, кто всегда сочувствовал этим людям, ниспослан, как глашатай рока.
23
in this very village – в этом самом селе
24
I wouldn’t cast any reflection on the previous doctor in Potter’s Pond, if I could avoid it – я бы не стал бросать тень на предыдущего доктора Поттерс Понда, если бы мог избежать этого
25
you are really safe for secrets – вам можно доверять секреты
26
speaking in confidence – говоря по секрету
27
And there simply isn’t any question about it – Здесь не в чем сомневаться
28
But whoever hit him on the head did not kill him – Кто бы ни ударил его по голове, он не убил его
29
there never seems to have been anyone else here – кажется, тут никогда не было кого-либо ещё
30
But he knew that he never knew a story until he knew the characters in the story – Но он знал, что никогда не понял бы всю историю, если бы не познакомился с ее персонажами
31
she happened to belong to his own church – оказалось, что она принадлежит к его (католической) церкви
32
whatever they might be – какими бы они ни были
33
Rev. – преподобный (reverend)
34
He even accused that legal character of having attempted to force himself – Он даже обвинил этого юриста в том, что тот и сам пытался
35
they are not views I understand very well myself – это не те взгляды, которые я сам хорошо понимаю
36
it was easy to understand his having been extremely glad by finding the brilliant lady – легко было понять его безмерную радость от того, что он нашел прекрасную даму
37
at their parting – при расставании
38
So long as he frowned, it might well have been only low spirit – Пока он хмурился, казалось, что причиной тому плохое настроение
39
was eaten from within by some grief – его изнутри пожирало какое-то горе
40
Nor did he drink or spend away his well-earned money – Он также не пропил и не растратил свои честно заработанные деньги
41
his brow darkened – он нахмурился
42
on whom he called next – которую он навестил затем
43
was made to paint the priest’s son in the darkest colours – явно должен был послужить тому, чтобы выставить сына священника в негативном свете
44
But because it was about him having all the vices which Father Brown was quite sure the young man did not have – Но поскольку разговор был о том, что он [сын священника] обладал всеми грехами, которые, как полагал отец Браун, не были ему свойственны
45
before he managed to avoid a speech about the general fall of morals and manners – прежде чем ему удалось прервать монолог о повсеместном упадке нравов и манер
46
His next place of visit was very much of a contrast – Место, которое он посетил затем, было полной противоположностью
47
And so with the greatest opportunity of my whole career – И так [поступают] с величайшей возможностью всей моей карьеры.
48
cuttings from newspapers – вырезки из газет
49
He was to act Polonius – Он должен был играть Полония ((персонаж из «Гамлета» У. Шекспира))
50
stopped dead – остановился как вкопанный
51
Follow him to the ends of the earth – Следуйте за ним до края земли!
52
Of course he’d left the village; trust him for that – Конечно, он бы покинул село; уж он-то точно
53
it’s a very unusual village indeed – это действительно очень необычное село.
54
he himself was put back into the early nineteenth century, rather than that the lawyer had survived into the early twentieth – он сам был помещен в начало девятнадцатого века, нежели адвокат дожил до начала двадцатого.
55
showed some surprise on finding that Father Brown was rather ready to defend the priest’s son – удивились, узнав, что отец Браун был готов защищать сына священника
56
he seems after all to have done more than his duty by him – кажется, он более чем достаточно исполнил свой долг перед ним.
57
which can’t have anything to do with the case – который не может иметь ничего общего с делом.
58
It’s strange what court investigators can get jurymen to believe – Удивительно, во что следователи могут заставить поверить присяжных
59
I was grown, with other turnips, in Essex – я вырос вместе с остальной репой в Эссексе
60
By St George and the Dragon – Клянусь святым Георгием и драконом
61
as if collecting his thoughts – как бы собираясь с мыслями
62
those few last words poor Maltravers was heard to say – тех немногих последних слов, которые слышали от бедняги Мальтраверса
63
had views on the part – имел виды на роль
64
Dr Mulborough had to rethink his disbelief when told that it was an unusual village – Доктору Мальборо пришлось пересмотреть свое недоверие к словам о том, что это необычное село
65
as in some sense the spiritual father of this village – поскольку вы в некоторм смысле духовный отец этого села
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