"They were very cunning, though (но они были очень хитры). They must have thought that there was some chance of their being followed (они, должно быть, подумали, что существует вероятность того, что за ними следят), for they would never go out alone, and never after nightfall (так как они никогда не выходили из дому поодиночке или после захода солнца). During two weeks I drove behind them every day (на протяжении двух недель я ездил за ними каждый день), and never once saw them separate (и ни разу не видел, чтобы они разделились). Drebber himself was drunk half the time (сам Дреббер половину времени был пьян), but Stangerson was not to be caught napping (но Стенджерсон бдительности не терял: «Стенджерсона было не застать дремлющим»; to nap — дремать). I watched them late and early, but never saw the ghost of a chance (я следил за ними с утра и до темна, но ни разу не увидел и тени шанса; late — поздно; early — рано); but I was not discouraged, for something told me that the hour had almost come (но я не терял надежды, так как что-то говорило мне, что мой час почти пробил; to discourage — лишать мужества, уверенности в себе). My only fear was that this thing in my chest might burst a little too soon (единственным моим страхом было, что эта штука у меня в груди может лопнуть немного слишком рано) and leave my work undone (и оставит мою работу незавершенной).

separate ['sepret], early [:l], discourage [ds'kr]

"They were very cunning, though. They must have thought that there was some chance of their being followed, for they would never go out alone, and never after nightfall. During two weeks I drove behind them every day, and never once saw them separate. Drebber himself was drunk half the time, but Stangerson was not to be caught napping. I watched them late and early, but never saw the ghost of a chance; but I was not discouraged, for something told me that the hour had almost come. My only fear was that this thing in my chest might burst a little too soon and leave my work undone.