"It is (это /хуже/) … It is … "

"Is it worse to take the life or lives of strangers (/разве/ хуже лишать жизни: «забирать жизнь» или жизней незнакомцев) than to take the life of someone near and dear to you (чем лишать жизни того, /кто/ рядом и дорог вам) — someone who trusts and believes in you, perhaps (того, кто доверяет и верит вам, возможно)?"

"It's worse because it's mad (это хуже потому, что это безумно) …"

misshapen [ms'epn], stranger ['stren], dear [d]

"Yes. I felt from the first, when I had the original letter, that there was something wrong — misshapen — "

He made an impatient gesture. "One must not give way to the nerves … This is no worse than any ordinary crime …"

"It is … It is … "

"Is it worse to take the life or lives of strangers than to take the life of someone near and dear to you — someone who trusts and believes in you, perhaps?"

"It's worse because it's mad …"

"No, Hastings (нет, Гастингс). It is not worse (это не хуже). It is only more difficult (это только сложнее)."

"No, no, I do not agree with you (я не согласен с вами). It's infinitely more frightening (это бесконечно более пугающе; finite — конечный)."

Hercule Poirot said thoughtfully (Эркюль Пуаро задумчиво сказал): "It should be easier to discover (его, должно быть, легче раскрыть) because it is mad (потому что оно безумное). A crime committed by someone shrewd and sane (убийство, совершенное кем-то проницательным и разумным; shrewd — сильный; жестокий; проницательный, разумный) would be far more complicated (было бы гораздо сложнее). Here (здесь), if one could but hit on the idea (если можно было натолкнуться на идею) … This alphabetical business (это алфавитное дело), it has discrepancies (оно имеет несоответствия). If I could once see the idea (если бы я мог сразу понять идею) — then everything would be clear and simple (тогда все было бы ясно и просто)…"

He sighed and shook his head (он вздохнул и покачал головой). "These crimes must not go on (этим преступлениям нельзя продолжаться). Soon (скоро), soon, I must see the truth (я должен понять правду) … Go, Hastings (идите, Гастингс). Get some sleep (поспите немного: «получите немного сна»). There will be much to do tomorrow (завтра будет много дел: «там будет много чего сделать завтра»)."

frightening ['fratn], shrewd [ru:d], discrepancy [ds'krepns]

"No, Hastings. It is not worse. It is only more difficult."

"No, no, I do not agree with you. It's infinitely more frightening."

Hercule Poirot said thoughtfully: "It should be easier to discover because it is mad. A crime committed by someone shrewd and sane would be far more complicated. Here, if one could but hit on the idea … This alphabetical business, it has discrepancies. If I could once see the idea — then everything would be clear and simple …"

He sighed and shook his head. "These crimes must not go on. Soon, soon, I must see the truth … Go, Hastings. Get some sleep. There will be much to do tomorrow."

XV. Sir Carmichael Clark