"Rather an irregular proceeding," said Jones, shaking his head. "However, the whole thing is irregular, and I suppose we must wink at it. The treasure must afterwards be handed over to the authorities until after the official investigation."

"Certainly. That is easily managed. One other point. I should much like to have a few details about this matter from the lips of Jonathan Small himself. You know I like to work the detail of my cases out. There is no objection to my having an unofficial interview with him, either here in my rooms or elsewhere, as long as he is efficiently guarded?"

"Well, you are master of the situation (ну, вы хозяин ситуации). I have had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan Small (у меня еще нет никаких доказательств существования этого Джонатана Смолла). However, if you can catch him I don't see how I can refuse you an interview with him (как бы то ни было, если вы сможете его арестовать: «поймать», я не вижу, как я могу отказать вам поговорить с ним)."

"That is understood, then (значит, договорились; to understand — понимать; understood — согласовано, установлено соглашением)?"

"Perfectly (абсолютно). Is there anything else (что-нибудь еще)?"

"Only that I insist upon your dining with us (только то, что я настаиваю, чтобы вы пообедали с нами). It will be ready in half an hour (обед будет готов через полчаса). I have oysters and a brace of grouse, with something a little choice in white wines (будут устрицы, пара куропаток и скромный выбор белых вин; brace — связь; скоба, скрепа; пара; something — кое-что, нечто, что-то; нечто вроде). — Watson, you have never yet recognized my merits as a housekeeper (Ватсон, вы так еще ни разу и не признали мои достоинства в качестве хозяина дома; to recognize — узнавать; признавать; отдавать должное)."

existence ['zstns, e'zstns], insist [n'sst], recognize ['reknaz]

"Well, you are master of the situation. I have had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan Small. However, if you can catch him I don't see how I can refuse you an interview with him."

"That is understood, then?"

"Perfectly. Is there anything else?"

"Only that I insist upon your dining with us. It will be ready in half an hour. I have oysters and a brace of grouse, with something a little choice in white wines. — Watson, you have never yet recognized my merits as a housekeeper."

CHAPTER X. THE END OF THE ISLANDER

(глава X. Конец островитянина).