Союз рыжих

ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE	Артур Конан-Дойл
I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair.	Союз рыжих
With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door behind me.	Это было осенью прошлого года.
"You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Watson," he said cordially.	У Шерлока Холмса сидел какой-то пожилой джентльмен, очень полный, огненно-рыжий.
"I was afraid that you were engaged."	Я хотел было войти, но увидел, что оба они увлечены разговором, и поспешил удалиться.
"So I am.	Однако Холмс втащил меня в комнату и закрыл за мной дверь.
Very much so."	- Вы пришли как нельзя более кстати, мой дорогой Уотсон, - приветливо проговорил он.
"Then I can wait in the next room."	- Я боялся вам помешать.
"Not at all.	Мне показалось, что вы заняты.
This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also."	- Да, я занят.
The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small fat-encircled eyes.	И даже очень.
"Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in judicial moods.	- Не лучше ли мне подождать в другой комнате?
"I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life.	- Нет, нет... Мистер Уилсон, - сказал он, обращаясь к толстяку, - этот джентльмен не раз оказывал мне дружескую помощь во многих моих наиболее удачных исследованиях.
You have shown your relish for it by the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own little adventures."	Не сомневаюсь, что и в вашем деле он будет мне очень полезен.
"Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I observed.	Толстяк привстал со стула и кивнул мне головой; его маленькие, заплывшие жиром глазки пытливо оглядели меня.
"You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more daring than any effort of the imagination."	- Садитесь сюда, на диван, - сказал Холмс.