I was trying to decide whether or not I would clear John Cavendish at once. I could have cleared him-though it might have meant a failure to convict the real criminals. They were entirely in the dark as to my real attitude up to the very last moment-which partly accounts for my success." "Do you mean that you could have saved John Cavendish from being brought to trial?" "Yes, my friend. But I eventually decided in favour of 'a woman's happiness'. Nothing but the great danger through which they have passed could have brought these two proud souls together again." | Но я решил, что только суд, то есть смертельная опасность, нависшая над Джоном, заставит их забыть о гордости, ревности и взаимных обидах. Так и произошло. |
I looked at Poirot in silent amazement. | Я взглянул на Пуаро. |
The colossal cheek of the little man! Who on earth but Poirot would have thought of a trial for murder as a restorer of conjugal happiness! | Воистину надо обладать самонадеянностью моего друга, чтобы позволить судить человека за убийство матери лишь для того, чтобы помирить его с женой! |
"I perceive your thoughts, mon ami," said Poirot, smiling at me. "No one but Hercule Poirot would have attempted such a thing! And you are wrong in condemning it. | Пуаро улыбнулся. - Наверное, вы меня осуждаете? |
The happiness of one man and one woman is the greatest thing in all the world." | Напрасно, я не сомневался, что все кончится хорошо. |
His words took me back to earlier events. | Друг мой, на свете нет ничего прекрасней семейного счастья, ради него стоит пойти на риск. |
I remembered Mary as she lay white and exhausted on the sofa, listening, listening. | Я вспомнил, как несколько дней назад сидел рядом с Мэри, пытаясь хоть немного ее подбодрить. |
There had come the sound of the bell below. She had started up. | На мисс Кавендиш не было лица, бледная, изможденная, она сидела, откинувшись в кресле и вздрагивала при каждом звуке. |
Poirot had opened the door, and meeting her agonized eyes had nodded gently. | Вдруг в комнату вошел Пуаро. Ее лицо просияло. |
"Yes, madame," he said. "I have brought him back to you." | - Не волнуйтесь, мадам, я спас вашего мужа. |
He had stood aside, and as I went out I had seen the look in Mary's eyes, as John Cavendish had caught his wife in his arms. | В дверях появился Джон. Выходя, я оглянулся. Они смотрели друг на друга, не в силах произнести ни звука, но их глаза были красноречивее любых слов. |
"Perhaps you are right, Poirot," I said gently. "Yes, it is the greatest thing in the world." | Я вздохнул. - Пуаро, наверное, вы правы - на свете нет ничего дороже счастья влюбленных. |
Suddenly, there was a tap at the door, and Cynthia peeped in. | В дверь постучали, и в комнату вошла Цинция. |
"I-I only--" | - Можно на минутку? |
"Come in," I said, springing up. | - Конечно, Цинция, заходите. |