“‘MY DEAREST UNCLE: — I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in death, I am ever your loving MARY.’

“What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes (что она хотела сказать этой запиской, мистер Холмс)? Do you think it points to suicide (думаете, она /записка/ указывает на самоубийство)?”

“No, no, nothing of the kind (нет, ничего подобного). It is perhaps the best possible solution (возможно, это лучшее решение /проблем/). I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of your troubles (я уверен, что ваши неприятности близятся к концу).”

“Ha! You say so (вы так думаете)! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes (вы узнали что-то /новое/, мистер Холмс); you have learned something (что-то узнали)! Where are the gems (где камни)?”

“You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for them (вы не сочтете чрезмерной платой тысячу фунтов за штуку)?”

“I would pay ten (я заплатил бы десять /тысяч/).”

“That would be unnecessary (в этом нет необходимости). Three thousand will cover the matter (трех тысяч хватит: «три тысячи покроют дело»). And there is a little reward, I fancy (и небольшое вознаграждение). Have you your check-book (у вас с собой чековая книжка)? Here is a pen (вот перо). Better make it out for 4000 pounds (лучше выпишите /чек/ на четыре тысячи фунтов).”

suicide ['s(j)u:sad], excessive [k'sesv], reward [r'w:d]

“What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it points to suicide?”

“No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of your troubles.”

“Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have learned something! Where are the gems?”

“You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for them?”

“I would pay ten.”

“That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds.”

With a dazed face the banker made out the required check (в изумлении: «с изумленным лицом» банкир выписал требуемый чек). Holmes walked over to his desk (Холмс подошел к своему столу), took out a little triangular piece of gold with three gems in it (достал маленький треугольный кусочек золота с тремя бериллами), and threw it down upon the table (и бросил на стол).

With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up (с радостным криком наш клиент схватил зубец).

“You have it (вы нашли его)!” he gasped (воскликнул он, задыхаясь). “I am saved! I am saved (я спасен)!”

The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been (реакция радости = радость его была такой же бурной, как и горе), and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom (он прижал вновь обретенные камни к груди; to recover — вновь обретать; возвращать, получать обратно).

“There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder (вы должны еще кое-что, мистер Холдер),” said Sherlock Holmes rather sternly (сказал Холмс очень строго).

“Owe!” He caught up a pen (он схватил перо). “Name the sum, and I will pay it (назовите сумму, и я выплачу ее).”