He paused for a moment, as if collecting his thoughts[61], and then went on:They didnt understandthe meaning of those few last words poor Maltravers was heard to say[62]. He wasnt 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, Youd be an ugly little Hamlet; thats 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?
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 clergymans 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 priests 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 wouldnt cast any reflection on the previous doctor in Potters 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 isnt 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 priests son in the darkest colours явно должен был послужить тому, чтобы выставить сына священника в негативном свете