Of course their having mistaken him for a friend excused it (конечно, то, что они приняли его за приятеля, служит оправданием этому; to mistake for — принять за кого-либо, обознаться). I remember Harris telling me once of a bathing experience he had at Boulogne (помню, как Гаррис рассказывал мне когда-то об одном случае, который произошел с ним во время купания в Булони). He was swimming about there near the beach (он плавал там недалеко от берега), when he felt himself suddenly seized by the neck from behind (когда почувствовал внезапно, что кто-то схватил его за шею сзади), and forcibly plunged under water (и насильно потянул под воду; to plunge — нырять, окунать/ся/, погружать/ся/). He struggled violently, but whoever had got hold of him seemed to be a perfect Hercules in strength (он отбивался яростно, но кто бы ни схватил его, по силе он казался настоящим Геркулесом), and all his efforts to escape were unavailing (и все его /Гарриса/ попытки вырваться были тщетными). He had given up kicking, and was trying to turn his thoughts upon solemn things, when his captor released him (он перестал брыкаться и попытался сосредоточить мысли на торжественных вещах, когда его противник отпустил его; to give up; captor — захвативший в плен; похититель).

decency ['di:sns] Boulogne [bu'ln] Hercules ['h:kjuli:z] solemn ['slm]

I was glad to notice that they had sufficient decency left in them to look very foolish. They explained to him that they had thought he was some one they knew. They said they hoped he would not deem them capable of so insulting any one except a personal friend of their own.

Of course their having mistaken him for a friend excused it. I remember Harris telling me once of a bathing experience he had at Boulogne. He was swimming about there near the beach, when he felt himself suddenly seized by the neck from behind, and forcibly plunged under water. He struggled violently, but whoever had got hold of him seemed to be a perfect Hercules in strength, and all his efforts to escape were unavailing. He had given up kicking, and was trying to turn his thoughts upon solemn things, when his captor released him.

He regained his feet, and looked round for his would-be murderer (Гаррис снова встал на ноги и огляделся, /ища/ своего предполагаемого убийцу; to regain — обретать снова, восстанавливать). The assassin was standing close by him, laughing heartily (убийца стоял рядом с ним и очень/от всего сердца хохотал; assassin — убийца, террорист, наемный убийца /политического или общественного деятеля/), but the moment he caught sight of Harris's face, as it emerged from the water (но когда он увидел лицо Гарриса, появившееся из воды), he started back and seemed quite concerned (он отпрянул и выглядел весьма обеспокоенным).

"I really beg your pardon (прошу прощения)," he stammered confusedly (запинаясь, смущенно произнес он), "but I took you for a friend of mine (я принял вас за своего друга; to take for)!"

Harris thought it was lucky for him the man had not mistaken him for a relation (Гаррис подумал, ему повезло, что тот человек не принял его за родственника), or he would probably have been drowned outright (тогда, вероятно, его бы в полной мере утопили; outright — совершенно, полностью; прямо, тотчас).

assassin ['saesn] pardon [p:dn]

He regained his feet, and looked round for his would-be murderer. The assassin was standing close by him, laughing heartily, but the moment he caught sight of Harris's face, as it emerged from the water, he started back and seemed quite concerned.

"I really beg your pardon," he stammered confusedly, "but I took you for a friend of mine!"