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From next door the piano sounded. Mr David was playing. But why, Tressilian asked himself, did Mr David play the Dead March? For that’s what it was. Oh, indeed things were very wrong[123].
He went slowly along the hall and back into his pantry. It was then he first heard the noise from overhead: a crashing of china, the overthrowing of furniture, a series of cracks and bumps.
‘Good gracious!’ thought Tressilian. ‘Whatever is the master doing? What’s happening up there?’
And then, clear and high, came a scream – a horrible high wailing scream that died away in a choke or gurgle.
Tressilian stood there a moment paralysed, then he ran out into the hall and up the broad staircase. Others were with him. That scream had been heard all over the house.
They raced up the stairs and round the bend, past a recess with statues gleaming white and eerie, and along the straight passage to Simeon Lee’s door. Mr Farr was there already and Mrs David. She was leaning back against the wall and he was twisting at the door handle.
‘The door’s locked,’ he was saying. ‘The door’s locked!’
Harry Lee pushed past and wrested it from him. He, too, turned and twisted at the handle. ‘Father,’ he shouted. ‘Father, let us in.’
He held up his hand and in the silence they all listened. There was no answer. No sound from inside the room.
The front door bell rang, but no one paid any attention to it.
Stephen Farr said: ‘We’ve got to break the door down. It’s the only way.’
Harry said: ‘That’s going to be a tough job. These doors are good solid stuff. Come on, Alfred.’
They heaved and strained. Finally they went and got an oak bench and used it as a battering-ram. The door gave at last. Its hinges splintered and the door sank shuddering from its frame.
For a minute they stood there huddled together looking in. What they saw was a sight that no one of them ever forgot…
There had clearly been a terrific struggle. Heavy furniture was overturned. China vases lay splintered on the floor. In the middle of the hearthrug in front of the blazing fire lay Simeon Lee in a great pool of blood… Blood was splashed all round. The place was like a shambles.
There was a long shuddering sigh, and then two voices spoke in turn. Strangely enough, the words they uttered were both quotations.
David Lee said: ‘The mills of God grind slowly[124]…’
Lydia’s voice came like a fluttering whisper: ‘Who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?[125]…’
IV
Superintendent Sugden had rung the bell three times. Finally, in desperation, he pounded on the knocker.
A scared Walter at length opened the door. ‘Oo-er,’ he said. A look of relief came over his face. ‘I was just ringing up the police.’
‘What for?’ said Superintendent Sugden sharply. ‘What’s going on here?’
Walter whispered: ‘It’s old Mr Lee. He’s been done in[126]… ’
The superintendent pushed past him and ran up the stairs. He came into the room without anyone being aware of his entrance[127]. As he entered he saw Pilar bend forward and pick up something from the floor. He saw David Lee standing with his hands over his eyes.
He saw the others huddled into a little group. Alfred Lee alone had stepped near his father’s body. He stood now quite close, looking down. His face was blank[128].
George Lee was saying importantly:
‘Nothing must be touched – remember that – nothing – till the police arrive. That is most important!’
‘Excuse me,’ said Sugden. He pushed his way forward, gently thrusting the ladies aside. Alfred Lee recognized him.
‘Ah,’ he said. ‘It’s you, Superintendent Sugden. You’ve got here very quickly.’
‘Yes, Mr Lee.’ Superintendent Sugden did not waste time on explanations. ‘What’s all this?’
Примечания
1
I wish I hadn’t come… – (разг.) Лучше бы я не возвращался
2
Is it worth it? – (разг.) А стоит ли?
3
the smell of the bull-ring – (зд.) запах корриды
4
was prepared for every eventuality – (уст.) была готова к любой неожиданности
5
they were not at all gay – (разг.) они были вовсе не веселыми
6
as a matter of course – (разг.) как и следовало ожидать
7
Wild West films – (уст.) вестерны
8
in a body – (разг.) одновременно; все вместе
9
she had no rigid taboos – (разг.) у нее не было строгих запретов на что бы то ни было
10
might have felt ill at ease – (разг.) мог почувствовать себя неловко
11
General Franco – генерал Франко Баамонде (1892–1975), глава испанского государства, вождь Испанской фаланги, в 1936 г. возглавил военно-фашистский мятеж против Испанской республики
12
It was a nuisance – (разг.) Это было досадно
13
I wonder – (разг.) Вот и мне интересно; мне и самому хотелось бы знать
14
in the midst of some sober British family – (разг.) среди рассудительного и спокойного британского семейства
15
give in to him – (разг.) уступать ему; подчиняться
16
to have his own way – (разг.) всегда добиваться своего; стоять на своем
17
some time or other – (разг.) хотя бы изредка
18
it is always liable to be upset – (разг.) всегда есть вероятность, что планы будут нарушены
19
never grudges us money – (разг.) не ограничивает нас в тратах
20
As far as money goes – (разг.) В том, что касается денег
21
ought to have stood up to him – (разг.) должен был восстать против его тирании
22
That will do – (разг.) Хватит; достаточно
23
works quite hard politically for him – (разг.) помогает ему делать политическую карьеру
24
she raised a quick admonitory hand – (разг.) жестом она остановила его
25
it was a mere ghost of a movement – (разг.) он почти не сдвинулся с места
26
knows his job – (разг.) знает свое дело
27
tied by the leg – (разг.) связан по рукам и ногам; прикован к креслу
28
are poles apart – (разг.) диаметрально противоположны по характеру
29
Your tongue runs away with you – (разг.) Ты сначала говоришь, потом думаешь
30
was a poor creature – (разг.) была очень несчастной
31
It’s rather arid – (зд.) Какое-то оно скучное (безжизненное)
32
What a standby he is! – (разг.) Он такой надежный!
33
he’d lie himself blue in the face – (разг.) будет врать до изнеможения (до посинения)
34
what shall we do about it – (разг.) как нам поступить
35
Burne-Jones – Эдуард Берн-Джонс (1833–1898), английский живописец и иллюстратор, близкий по духу к прерафаэлитам. Широко известен своими витражами.
36
never troubling to conceal it – (разг.) даже не пытался это скрывать
37
should not have put up with it – (разг.) не должна была с этим мириться
38
had us to consider – (разг.) ей приходилось заботиться о нас, детях
39
might have gone to the wall – (разг.) могли вылететь в трубу
40
to go into the works – (зд.) продолжить его дело
41
was always frightfully wild – (разг.) всегда был неуправляемым; поступал по-своему
42
made him chuck up the army – (разг.) заставил его бросить службу в армии
43
if I went off on a fool’s errand – (разг.) если буду заниматься глупостями
44
that was that – (разг.) на этом дело и кончилось
45
That does happen – (разг.) Такое иногда случается
46
keep memory green – (разг.) ничего не забываем
47
Is that anything to be proud of? – (разг.) Нашел чем гордиться!
48
once and for all – (разг.) раз и навсегда
49
M.P. – сокр. от Member of Parliament, член парламента
50
it will enable us to save considerably – (разг.) мы сможем хорошо сэкономить
51
put the servants on board wages – (разг.) платить слугам только за проживание и стол
52
to pinch and scrape – (разг.) ограничивать себя и экономить на всем
53
gives me a very handsome allowance – (разг.) платит мне приличное содержание
54
doubled or trebled itself – (разг.) удвоилось или даже утроилось
55
would cut him out of his will – (разг.) вычеркнет его из завещания
56
wasn’t a great – er – credit – to us – (разг.) не делал чести нашей семье
57
One must make allowances. – (разг.) Надо быть снисходительнее.
58
Won’t do to offend – (разг.) Нехорошо обижать
59
In a big grandfather armchair – (разг.) В большом старинном кресле с подлокотниками
60
What a nice colour you’ve got. – (разг.) Сегодня у вас чудный цвет лица.