Английский с Г. К. Честертоном. Рассказы об отце Брауне / Gilbert Keith Chesterton. The Innocence of Father Brown

 “If not wholly untrue, it is at least very inadequate,” continued Brown; “for in point of fact, all that the public knows amounts precisely to this: The public knows that Arthur St. Clare was a great and successful English general. It knows that after splendid yet careful campaigns both in India and Africa he was in command against Brazil when the great Brazilian patriot Olivier issued his ultimatum. It knows that on that occasion St. Clare with a very small force attacked Olivier with a very large one, and was captured after heroic resistance. And it knows that after his capture, and to the abhorrence of the civilised world, St. Clare was hanged on the nearest tree. He was found swinging there after the Brazilians had retired, with his broken sword hung round his neck.”

“And that popular story is untrue (и эта распространенная версия: «история» неверна; untrue – ложный, неверный; недостоверный; ошибочный)?” suggested Flambeau (высказал предположение Фламбо; to suggest – предлагать; советовать; предполагать; предположить; высказывать предположение).

“No,” said his friend quietly (спокойно ответил его друг), “that story is quite true, so far as it goes (до сих пор история совершенно правдива; so far – до сих пор; пока; до настоящего времени).”

“Well, I think it goes far enough (мне кажется, это уже достаточно длинная история)!” said Flambeau; “but if the popular story is true, what is the mystery (но если эта распространенная версия верна, то в чем же тайна; story – повесть, рассказ; история)?”

 “And that popular story is untrue?” suggested Flambeau.

“No,” said his friend quietly, “that story is quite true, so far as it goes.”

“Well, I think it goes far enough!” said Flambeau; “but if the popular story is true, what is the mystery?”