Английский язык с Шерлоком Холмсом. Второй сборник рассказов (ASCII-IPA)

“Because the document in question is of such immense importance (потому что документ, о котором идет речь, настолько важен: «такой огромной важности») that its publication might very easily (что его обнародование может очень легко) — I might almost say probably (я /почти/ могу, пожалуй, сказать) — lead to European complications of the utmost moment (приведет к европейским осложнениям в самое ближайшее время; utmost — самое большое; крайний, предельный). It is not too much to say (можно без преувеличения сказать: «не слишком много сказать») that peace or war may hang upon the issue (что /вопросы/ мира и войны могут зависеть от него; issue — вопрос, дело, проблема). Unless its recovery can be attended with the utmost secrecy (если возвращение документа не может сопровождаться полной секретностью = проходить в совершенной тайне), then it may as well not be recovered at all (то лучше его вообще не возвращать), for all that is aimed at by those who have taken it (поскольку те, кто его похитили, имеют своей целью; aim — намерение, цель) is that its contents should be generally known (сделать его содержание общеизвестным).”

“I understand (понимаю). Now, Mr. Trelawney Hope, I should be much obliged (а теперь, мистер Трелони Хоуп, я буду вам весьма признателен) if you would tell me exactly the circumstances (если вы расскажете мне подробно об обстоятельствах; exactly — в точности, полностью) under which this document disappeared (при которых этот документ исчез).”

almost ['O:lm@ust], recovery [rI'kVv(@)rI], secrecy ['si:krIsI]

“No, sir,” said the Prime Minister, with the quick, decisive manner for which he was famous. “We have not done so, nor is it possible that we should do so. To inform the police must, in the long run, mean to inform the public. This is what we particularly desire to avoid.”

“And why, sir?”

“Because the document in question is of such immense importance that its publication might very easily — I might almost say probably — lead to European complications of the utmost moment. It is not too much to say that peace or war may hang upon the issue. Unless its recovery can be attended with the utmost secrecy, then it may as well not be recovered at all, for all that is aimed at by those who have taken it is that its contents should be generally known.”

“I understand. Now, Mr. Trelawney Hope, I should be much obliged if you would tell me exactly the circumstances under which this document disappeared.”