Crooked House / Скрюченный домишко. Книга для чтения на английском языке

’

�He was on Swinly Dean platform this evening when I got into the train.’

�You mean he’s followed you here?’

�Yes. I think we’re all—how does one put it[17 - how does one put it? – как это называют?]?—under observation. They more or less hinted that we’d all better not leave the house. But I was determined to see you.’ Her small square chin shot out pugnaciously. �I got out of the bathroom window and shinned down the water-pipe.’ �Darling!’

�But the police are very efficient.

And of course there was the telegram I sent you. Well—never mind—we’re here—together… But from now on, we’ve both got to play a lone hand[18 - to play a lone hand (зд.)– действовать в одиночку].’

She paused and then added:

�Unfortunately—there’s no doubt—about our loving each other.’

�No doubt at all,’ I said. �And don’t say unfortunately. You and I have survived a world war, we’ve had plenty of near escapes from sudden death—and I don’t see why the sudden death of just one old man—how old was he, by the way?’

�Eighty-seven.

’

�Of course. It was in the Times. If you ask me, he just died of old age, and any self-respecting GP[19 - GP – семейный врач] would accept the fact.’

�If you’d known my grandfather,’ said Sophia, �you’d have been surprised at his dying of anything!’

Chapter 3

I’d always taken a certain amount of interest in my father’s police work, but nothing had prepared me for the moment when I should come to take a direct and personal interest in it.

I had not yet seen the Old Man. He had been out when I arrived, and after a bath, a shave, and a change I had gone out to meet Sophia. When I returned to the house, however, Glover told me that he was in his study.

He was at his desk, frowning over a lot of papers. He jumped up when I came in.

�Charles! Well, well, it’s been a long time.

’

Our meeting, after five years of war, would have disappointed a Frenchman. Actually all the emotion of reunion was there all right. The Old Man and I are very fond of[20 - to be fond of – быть привязанным к к.-л.] each other, and we understand each other pretty well.

�I’ve got some whisky,’ he said. �Say when[21 - Say when – скажи, когда хватит]. Sorry I was out when you got here. I’m up to the ears in work.