Английский язык с Шерлоком Холмсом. Знак четырех

"It was all very bad, no doubt," said he (конечно, все это было ужасно, — сказал он; doubt — сомнение). "I should like to know how many fellows in my shoes (хотелось бы мне знать, сколько парней в моем положении: «в моих туфлях») would have refused a share of this loot (отказались бы от доли в добыче)

when they knew that they would have their throats cut for their pains (если бы знали, что им за мужество перережут горло; pain — боль; pains — старания, труды; усилия). Besides, it was my life or his when once he was in the fort (кроме того, когда он оказался бы в крепости, выбор был бы между моей жизнью или его). If he had got out, the whole business would come to light (если бы он убежал, все это дело получило бы огласку: «вышло на свет»; to get out — уходить, сбегать)

, and I should have been court-martialled and shot as likely as not (и меня бы судили полевым судом и, скорее всего, расстреляли бы; to court-martial — судить военно-полевым судом; to shoot — стрелять); for people were not very lenient at a time like that (так как люди не очень-то снисходительны в такие времена; lenient — снисходительный; мягкий; терпимый)."

"Go on with your story," said Holmes, shortly (продолжайте свой рассказ, — кратко сказал Холмс)

.

interested [ˈɪnt(ǝ)rǝstɪd], court-martial [ˌkɔ:tˈmɑ:ʃ(ǝ)l], lenient [ˈli:nɪǝnt]

He stopped, and held out his manacled hands for the whisky-and-water which Holmes had brewed for him. For myself, I confess that I had now conceived the utmost horror of the man, not only for this cold-blooded business in which he had been concerned, but even more for the somewhat flippant and careless way in which he narrated it. Whatever punishment was in store for him, I felt that he might expect no sympathy from me. Sherlock Holmes and Jones sat with their hands upon their knees, deeply interested in the story, but with the same disgust written upon their faces. He may have observed it, for there was a touch of defiance in his voice and manner as he proceeded.

"It was all very bad, no doubt," said he. "I should like to know how many fellows in my shoes would have refused a share of this loot when they knew that they would have their throats cut for their pains. Besides, it was my life or his when once he was in the fort. If he had got out, the whole business would come to light, and I should have been court-martialled and shot as likely as not; for people were not very lenient at a time like that."

"Go on with your story," said Holmes, shortly.