Английский с А. Конан Дойлем. Пиратские истории

 The Governor was keenly interested, for there was a grim and practical air about the man’s freckled face which showed that he was in earnest. After all, he was a seaman and a fighter, and, if it were true that he was eager to atone for his past, no better man could be chosen for the business.

“This will be a dangerous task, Master Craddock,” said he.

“If I meet my death at it, it may be that it will cleanse the memory of an ill-spent life. I have much to atone for.”

The Governor did not see his way to contradict him.

“What was your plan?” he asked.

“You have heard that Sharkey’s barque, the Happy Delivery, came from this very port of Kingston (вы, /наверное/, слышали, что барк Шарки «Счастливое избавление» портом приписки имел именно Кингстон; to come from – происходить, быть родом из)?”

“It belonged to Mr. Codrington, and it was taken by Sharkey (он принадлежал мистеру Кодрингтону и был захвачен Шарки), who scuttled his own sloop and moved into her because she was faster,” said Sir Edward (который потопил собственный шлюп и перебрался на барк, потому что тот был быстрее; to scuttle – делать отверстия в борту или днище корабля; затапливать судно, открыв кингстоны).

“Yes; but it may be that you have never heard (да, но, вероятно, вы никогда не слышали) that Mr. Codrington has a sister ship, the White Rose (что у мистера Кодрингтона есть «Белая роза» – точно такой же корабль; sister – сестринский, связанный родственными узами; однотипный), which lies even now in the harbor (который сейчас стоит в гавани), and which is so like the pirate (и который так похож на пиратский), that, if it were not for a white paint line, none could tell them apart (что, если бы не полоса, /нанесенная/ белой краской, никто не смог бы их отличить; to tell apart – отличать, различать).”

 “You have heard that Sharkey’s barque, the Happy Delivery, came from this very port of Kingston?”

“It belonged to Mr. Codrington, and it was taken by Sharkey, who scuttled his own sloop and moved into her because she was faster,” said Sir Edward.

“Yes; but it may be that you have never heard that Mr. Codrington has a sister ship, the White Rose, which lies even now in the harbor, and which is so like the pirate, that, if it were not for a white paint line, none could tell them apart.”

“Ah! and what of that?” asked the Governor keenly (ага! и что из того? – оживившись спросил губернатор), with the air of one who is just on the edge of an idea (с видом человека, находящегося на грани озарения; edge – кромка, край; idea – мысль; понимание).

“By the help of it this man shall be delivered into our hands (при помощи этого этот человек будет доставлен в наши руки = благодаря этому сходству пират Шарки попадет нам в руки).”

“And how (а как)?”