A few years later (несколько лет спустя), inheriting a considerable fortune from an elderly uncle (унаследовав значительное состояние от своего пожилого дяди), he had been able to indulge his passion to the full (он смог полностью отдаться своей страсти), and he was now the possessor of one of the best-known collections of Chinese art (и теперь он был владельцем одной из наиболее известных коллекций китайского искусства). He was married but had no children (он был женат, но не имел детей), and lived in a house he had built for himself near the Devon coast (и жил в доме, который он себе построил на девонском побережье), only coming to London on rare occasions (приезжая в Лондон только по редким случаям) such as when some important sale was on (таким, как серьезные сделки: «когда важная продажа была в разгаре»).

eminence ['emnns], porcelain ['p:sln], inherit [n'hert]

Sir Carmichael Clarke, although his name was not very well known to the general public, was a man of some eminence. He had been in his time a very well-known throat specialist. Retiring from his profession, very comfortably off, he had been able to indulge what had been one of I the chief passions of his life — a collection of Chinese pottery and porcelain.

A few years later, inheriting a considerable fortune from an elderly uncle, he had been able to indulge his passion to the full, and he was now the possessor of one of the best-known collections of Chinese art. He was married but had no children, and lived in a house he had built for himself near the Devon coast, only coming to London on rare occasions such as when some important sale was on.

It did not require much reflection to realize (это не требовало больших раздумий, чтобы понять) that his death (что его смерть), following that of the young and pretty Betty Barnard (последовавшая за /смертью/ молодой и красивой Бетти Барнард), would provide the best newspaper sensation in years (обеспечит самую большую газетную сенсацию за /многие/ годы). The fact that it was August (факт, что был август) and that the papers were hard up for subject matter (и что газеты нуждались в предмете /обсуждения/; to be hard up for — не хватать, нуждаться) would make matters worse (сделает дело /только/ хуже).

"Eh bien," said Poirot (фр. ну ладно). "It is possible (возможно) that publicity may do (что публичность может сделать /то/) what private efforts have failed to do (с чем частные усилия не справились). The whole country now will be looking for A.B.C. (вся страна теперь будет искать Эй-би-си)."

provide [pr'vad], private ['pravt], effort ['eft]

It did not require much reflection to realize that his death, following that of the young and pretty Betty Barnard, would provide the best newspaper sensation in years. The fact that it was August and that the papers were hard up for subject matter would make matters worse.

"Eh bien," said Poirot. "It is possible that publicity may do what private efforts have failed to do. The whole country now will be looking for A.B.C.."

"Unfortunately," I said (к сожалению: «несчастливо = к несчастью»), "that's what he wants (это то, что он хочет)."