amateur ['&m@t@:], rumour ['ru:m@], skull [skVl]

He is curiously employed at present, for, being an amateur astronomer, he has an excellent telescope, with which he lies upon the roof of his own house and sweeps the moor all day in the hope of catching a glimpse of the escaped convict. If he would confine his energies to this all would be well, but there are rumours that he intends to prosecute Dr. Mortimer for opening a grave without the consent of the next-of-kin, because he dug up the neolithic skull in the barrow on Long Down. He helps to keep our lives from being monotonous and gives a little comic relief where it is badly needed.

And now, having brought you up to date (а теперь, ознакомив вас /со всем, что касается/; to bring up to date — ставить в известность) in the escaped convict, the Stapletons, Dr. Mortimer, and Frankland, of Lafter Hall (беглого каторжника, Стэплтонов, доктора Мортимера и Фрэнклэнда из Лэфтер-холла), let me end on that which is most important (позвольте мне закончить тем, что является наиболее важным) and tell you more about the Barrymores (и рассказать вам больше о Бэрриморах), and especially about the surprising development of last night (и, в особенности, об удивительном событии, /произошедшем/ прошлой ночью).

First of all about the test telegram (прежде всего о /той/ проверочной телеграмме), which you sent from London (которую вы послали из Лондона) in order to make sure that Barrymore was really here (чтобы убедиться в том, что Бэрримор действительно находился здесь). I have already explained (как я уже упоминал: «объяснял») that the testimony of the postmaster shows (разговор с почтмейстером показал; testimony — свидетельство) that the test was worthless (что проверка /оказалась/ бесполезной) and that we have no proof one way or the other (и что у нас нет подтверждения ни одной /версии/, ни другой). I told Sir Henry how the matter stood (я рассказал сэру Генри, как обстоят дела; to stand), and he at once, in his downright fashion (и он сразу же, в своей открытой манере), had Barrymore up and asked him (вызвал Бэрримора и спросил его; to have up — приглашать, вызывать) whether he had received the telegram himself (получил ли он телеграмму лично). Barrymore said that he had (Бэрримор сказал, что получил).

especially [Is'peS(@)lI], testimony ['testIm@nI], fashion ['f&S(@)n]

And now, having brought you up to date in the escaped convict, the Stapletons, Dr. Mortimer, and Frankland, of Lafter Hall, let me end on that which is most important and tell you more about the Barrymores, and especially about the surprising development of last night.

First of all about the test telegram, which you sent from London in order to make sure that Barrymore was really here. I have already explained that the testimony of the postmaster shows that the test was worthless and that we have no proof one way or the other. I told Sir Henry how the matter stood, and he at once, in his downright fashion, had Barrymore up and asked him whether he had received the telegram himself. Barrymore said that he had.

"Did the boy deliver it into your own hands (мальчик доставил ее вам в собственные руки)?" asked Sir Henry.

Barrymore looked surprised (Бэрримор выглядел удивленно), and considered for a little time (и немного подумал).

"No," said he, "I was in the box-room at the time (нет, в это время я был в чулане), and my wife brought it up to me (и жена принесла ее мне наверх)."

"Did you answer it yourself (вы отвечали на нее сами)?"

"No; I told my wife what to answer (нет, я сказал жене, что /нужно/ написать: «ответить») and she went down to write it (и она спустилась вниз написать /ответ/)."

In the evening he recurred to the subject of his own accord (вечером он вернулся к этой теме по собственному почину: «согласию»).

"I could not quite understand the object of your questions this morning (я не совсем понимаю цель ваших вопросов сегодня утром), Sir Henry," said he. "I trust that they do not mean (я надеюсь, вы не думаете; to trust — верить, доверять; надеяться) that I have done anything to forfeit your confidence (что я сделал что-то такое, /из-за чего мог бы/ лишиться вашего доверия)?"

Sir Henry had to assure him that it was not so (сэр Генри заверил его, что это не так) and pacify him by giving him a considerable part of his old wardrobe (и успокоил его /совершенно/, подарив значительную часть из своего старого гардероба), the London outfit having now all arrived (/так как/ одежда, /купленная/ в Лондоне теперь уже прибыла = доставлена; outfit — снаряжение; полный комплект одежды).

accord [@'kO:d], pacify ['p&sIfaI], wardrobe ['wO:dr@ub]

"Did the boy deliver it into your own hands?" asked Sir Henry.

Barrymore looked surprised, and considered for a little time.

"No," said he, "I was in the box-room at the time, and my wife brought it up to me."

"Did you answer it yourself?"

"No; I told my wife what to answer and she went down to write it."

In the evening he recurred to the subject of his own accord.

"I could not quite understand the object of your questions this morning, Sir Henry," said he. "I trust that they do not mean that I have done anything to forfeit your confidence?"