Английский с Р. Л. Стивенсоном. Странная история доктора Джекила и мистера Хайда

Upon the reading of this letter, I made sure my colleague was insane; but till that was proved beyond the possibility of doubt, I felt bound to do as he requested. The less I understood of this farrago, the less I was in a position to judge of its importance, and an appeal so worded could not be set aside without a grave responsibility. I rose accordingly from table, got into a hansom, and drove straight to Jekyll’s house. The butler was awaiting my arrival; he had received by the same post as mine a registered letter of instruction, and had sent at once for a locksmith and a carpenter.

The tradesmen came while we were yet speaking (мастера пришли, пока мы разговаривали; tradesman – торговец; ремесленник); and we moved in a body to old Dr. Denman’s surgical theatre (и мы в полном составе двинулись в /хирургическую/ операционную старого доктора Денмена), from which (as you are doubtless aware) Jekyll’s private cabinet is most conveniently entered (через которую (как вам без сомнения известно) наиболее удобно войти = попасть в /личный/ кабинет Джекила). The door was very strong (дверь оказалась очень крепкой), the lock excellent (и замок был отличный = хитрый); the carpenter avowed he would have great trouble (плотник заявил, что /взломать дверь/ будет очень трудно; trouble – беспокойство; затруднение, трудность; to avow – открыто признавать; признаваться), and have to do much damage (и придется сильно повредить /дверь/), if force were to be used (если использовать силу); and the locksmith was near despair (да и слесарь был почти что в отчаянии). But this last was a handy fellow (но этот последний оказался умелым парнем), and after two hours’ work the door stood open (и после двух часов работы дверь уже была открыта). The press marked E was unlocked (шкаф, помеченный литерой «Е», был не заперт); and I took out the drawer (и я вытащил ящик), had it filled up with straw and tied in a sheet (приказал наложить в него соломы и обернуть его простыней; to tie – связывать; перевязывать), and returned with it to Cavendish Square (и вернулся с ним на Кавендиш-Сквер).

The tradesmen came while we were yet speaking; and we moved in a body to old Dr. Denman’s surgical theatre, from which (as you are doubtless aware) Jekyll’s private cabinet is most conveniently entered. The door was very strong, the lock excellent; the carpenter avowed he would have great trouble, and have to do much damage, if force were to be used; and the locksmith was near despair. But this last was a handy fellow, and after two hours’ work the door stood open. The press marked E was unlocked; and I took out the drawer, had it filled up with straw and tied in a sheet, and returned with it to Cavendish Square.