“And,” I suggested, “while the King is here in Strelsau, on his throne (и, – высказался: «предположил» я, – пока король здесь, в Стрелсо, на своем троне), what grievance has he against his dear brother Michael (что он имеет против своего дорого брата Михаэля; grievance – обида, повод для недовольства)?”

“Are we to do nothing, then (выходит, мы ничего не должны делать)?”

“We’re to do nothing stupid,” growled Sapt (мы не должны делать никаких глупостей: «ничего глупого»).

Then, at last, I was left alone. I called my new servant (we had chosen, to succeed poor Josef, a young man who had never known the King), had a brandy-and-soda brought to me, and observed to Sapt that I trusted that I might now have a rest. Fritz von Tarlenheim was standing by.

“By heaven!” he cried, “we waste time. Aren’t we going to throw Black Michael by the heels?”

“Gently, my son, gently,” said Sapt, knitting his brows. “It would be a pleasure, but it might cost us dear. Would Michael fall and leave the King alive?”

“And,” I suggested, “while the King is here in Strelsau, on his throne, what grievance has he against his dear brother Michael?”

“Are we to do nothing, then?”

“We’re to do nothing stupid,” growled Sapt.

“In fact, Fritz,” said I, “I am reminded of a situation in one of our English plays – The Critic (к тому же, Фриц, мне это напоминает ситуацию из одной нашей английской пьесы – «Критик») – have you heard of it (вы не слышали о ней)? Or, if you like, of two men, each covering the other with a revolver (или, если хотите, двух людей, целящихся друг в друга из револьвера). For I can’t expose Michael without exposing myself (потому что я не могу разоблачить Михаэля, не раскрыв себя) – ”

“And the King,” put in Sapt (и короля, – вставил Сэпт).

“And, hang me if Michael won’t expose himself (и, будь я проклят, если Михаэль не раскроет себя сам), if he tries to expose me (если попытается разоблачить меня)!”

“It’s very pretty (очень мило),” said old Sapt.

“If I’m found out,” I pursued (если меня раскроют, – продолжал я), “I will make a clean breast of it, and fight it out with the duke (я чистосердечно во всем признаюсь и этого герцогу так не оставлю; to make a clean breast of smth. – чистосердечно признаваться в чем-л.; to fight smth. out – довести борьбу/спор до конца; to fight – драться, сражаться, бороться); but at present I’m waiting for a move from him (но в данный момент я жду шага с его стороны).”

“He’ll kill the King (он убьет короля),” said Fritz.

“Not he,” said Sapt (нет, – сказал Сэпт).

“Half of the Six are in Strelsau (половина = трое из Шестерых в Стрелсо),” said Fritz.

“Only half? You’re sure?” asked Sapt eagerly (только трое, вы уверены? – нетерпеливо спросил Сэпт).

“Yes – only half (да, только трое).”

“Then the King’s alive, for the other three are guarding him (значит король жив, потому что оставшиеся трое стерегут его)!” cried Sapt.

“In fact, Fritz,” said I, “I am reminded of a situation in one of our English plays – The Critic – have you heard of it? Or, if you like, of two men, each covering the other with a revolver. For I can’t expose Michael without exposing myself – ”

“And the King,” put in Sapt.

“And, hang me if Michael won’t expose himself, if he tries to expose me!”

“It’s very pretty,” said old Sapt.

“If I’m found out,” I pursued, “I will make a clean breast of it, and fight it out with the duke; but at present I’m waiting for a move from him.”

“He’ll kill the King,” said Fritz.

“Not he,” said Sapt.

“Half of the Six are in Strelsau,” said Fritz.

“Only half? You’re sure?” asked Sapt eagerly.

“Yes – only half.”

“Then the King’s alive, for the other three are guarding him!” cried Sapt.

“Yes – you’re right!” exclaimed Fritz, his face brightening (да, вы правы! – воскликнул Фриц, и его лицо просветлело). “If the King were dead and buried (если бы король был мертв и похоронен), they’d all be here with Michael (они все были бы здесь с Михаэлем). You know Michael’s back, colonel (вы знаете, что Михаэль вернулся, полковник)?”

“I know, curse him (знаю, будь он проклят)!”

“Gentlemen, gentlemen,” said I, “who are the Six (джентльмены, – сказал я, – кто эти Шестеро)?”

“I think you’ll make their acquaintance soon (думаю, вы скоро познакомитесь),” said Sapt. “They are six gentlemen whom Michael maintains in his household (это шесть джентльменов, которых Михаэль содержит у себя при дворе): they belong to him body and soul (они преданы ему душой и телом; to belong – принадлежать). There are three Ruritanians; then there’s a Frenchman, a Belgian, and one of your countrymen (трое руританцев, потом – француз, бельгиец и один из ваших соотечественников).”