FOREWORDThe flat of Hercule Poirot

FOREWORD
The flat of Hercule Poirot was furnished in a modern style. Its armchairs were square and gleamed with chromium. On one of these chairs sat Hercule Poirot—in the middle of the chair. Opposite him, in another chair, sat Dr. Burton. Dr. Burton was asking a question.
"Tell me," he said. "Why Hercule?"
"You mean, my Christian name? You mean to say that in physical appearance I do not геsemble a Hercules?"
Dr. Burton glanced at Hercule Poirot, at his small neat figure in striped trousers, а black jacket and a bow tie.
"Frankly, Poirot," said Dr, Burton, "you don't! I think," he added, "that you've never had much time to study the Classics?"
"That is so."
"It's a pity. You've missed a lot. If I could I'd make everyone study the Classics. Where else can we find such richness of the spirit?"
"Alas, mon ami, it's too late for me now. I'm thinking of retiring."
"You won't."
"But I assure you..."
"You won't be able to do it. You're too interested in your work."
"No, indeed - I make all the arrangements. A few more cases - specially selected ones - not, you understand, everything that presents itself—just problems that have a personal appeal."
Dr. Burton grinned.
"It always will be like this. Just a case or two, just one case more - and so on. Your Labours aren't the Labours of Hercules. Yours are labours of love. You'll see that I am right. I bet that in twelve months' time you'll still be here. The Prima Donna's farewell performance is not for you, Poirot."
When Dr. Burton left, Hercule Poirot sat down again slowly like a man in a dream and murmured:
"The Labours of Hercules... But yes, that's an idea... What had Dr. Burton said as he left: "Yours are not the Labours of Hercules..." Ah, but there he was wrong. There should be, once again, the Labours of Hercules—a modern Hercules. In the period before his final retirement he would accept twelve cases, no more, no less. And those 12 cases should be selected with special reference to the 12 labours of ancient Hercules. Yes, that would not only be amusing, it would be artistic, it would be unique."
He would not be in a hurry. He would wait for the case that should be the first of his self-imposed Labours.
LABOUR I. THE NEMEAN LION
I
"Anything of interest this morning, Miss Lemon?" he asked as he entered the room the following morning.
He trusted Miss Lemon. She was a woman without imagination, but she had an instinct. She was a born secretary.
"Nothing much, Mr. Poirot. There is just one letter that I thought might interest you. It's from a man who wants you to investigate the disappearance of his wife's Pekinese dog."
Poirot was shocked. A Pekinese dog! And after the great idea he had last night. Reluctantly he picked up the letter from the pile on his desk. ''Yes, it was exactly as Miss Lemon had said. The subject—the kidnapping of a Pekinese dog. One of those pets of rich women. Nothing unusual about this. But yes, yes, in one small detail Miss Lemon was right. In one small detail there was something unusual.
“Ring up this Sir Joseph Hoggin," he ordered, "and make an appointment for me to see him at his office as he suggests."
As usual, Miss Lemon had been right.
I
"I'm a rich man, M. Poirot," said Sir Joseph Hoggin, Hercule Poirot's eyes rested critically on the fat body, the small pig eyes, the bulbous nose and the close-lipped mouth. The whole general effect reminded him of someone or something—but he could not recollect exactly who or what it was... A long time ago... in Belgium... something, surely, to do with soap... Sir Joseph was continuing. "Yes, I'm a rich man, M. Poirot, but that does not mean I am in the habit of throwing my money about. What I want I pay for, but I pay the market price. No more.
Hercule Poirot said: "You realize that my fees are high?"
"Yes, yes. But this is a very small matter. I made inquiries and I was told that you were the best man at this sort of thing. That's why I decided to apply to you. I want you to get to the bottom of this business and I won't grudge the expense”.
"You were fortunate," said Hercule Poirot. "Your case, Sir Joseph, is the first of the twelve cases I have decided to accept before retiring. A self-imposed 'Labours of Hercules', if I may so describe it. I was attracted to your case," he sighed, "by its striking unimportance."
"Importance?" said Sir Joseph.
"Unimportance was what I said. I have been called in for various causes – to investigate murders, unexplained deaths, robberies, thefts of jewellery. This is the first time that I have been asked to turn my talents to the kidnapping of a Pekinese dog."
"You surprise me! I was sure you'd had no end of women applying to you about their pet dogs."
"Yes, certainly. But it is the first time that I am applied to by the husband. Now, please, tell me the facts. The dog disappeared, when?"
"Exactly a week ago. But it has been returned."
"Returned? Then, permit me to ask, why have you sent for me?"
Sir Joseph's face got red.
"Because I'm sure that I was cheated. Now, Mr. Poirot, I'm going to tell you the whole thing. The dog was stolen a weak ago - in Kensington Gardens where he was out with my wife's companion. The next day my wife got a demand for two hundred pounds." Poirot murmured:
"You did not approve of paying such a sum, naturally?"
"Of course, I didn’t. And I wouldn't have paid it. But Milly (my wife) didn't say anything to me. Just sent off the money - to the address given."
"And the dog was returned?"
"Yes. That evening the bell rang and there was the little devil sitting on the doorstep. And not a soul to be seen."
"I see. Continue."
"Then, of course, Milly confessed what she'd done and I got angry at first. But I calmed down after a while—after all, the thing was done and you can't expect a woman to behave with any sense. I should have forgotten the whole thing if I hadn't met old Samuelson at the Club."
"Yes?"
"Damn it all! Exactly the same thing had happened to him. Three hundred pounds they'd taken from his wife. Well, that was too much. I decided the thing had to be stopped. I sent for you."
"But why, Sir Joseph, haven't you sent for the police?"
"My wife wouldn't hear of the idea. She'd got into her head that something would happen to her precious-Shan Tung if I went to them. She doesn't like the idea of your being called in, either. But I stood firm on it." Hercule Poirot said:
"I must interview your wife."
Sir Joseph nodded and rose to his feet. "I'll take you along in the car immediately."
II
In a large, hot, richly-furnished drawing-room two women were sitting. As Sir Joseph and Hercule Poirot entered, a small Pekinese dog rushed forward, barking furiously.
"Shan—Shan, come here to mother. Pick him up, MissCarnaby."
The second woman hurried forward and Hercule Poirot murmured:
"A veritable lion, indeed."
Lady Hoggin was a stout woman with dyed henna red hair. Poirot said:
"Now tell me. Lady Hoggin, the full circumstances of this abominable crime."
Lady Hoggin flushed. "I'm very glad to hear you say that, Mr. Poirot. For it was a crime. Pekinese are terribly sensitive—just as sensitive as children. Poor Shan Tung might have died of fright if of nothing else."
"Please tell me the facts."
"Well, it was like this. Shan Tung was out for his walk in the Park with Miss Carnaby—"
"Oh dear me, yes, it was all my fault," cried the companion. "How could I have been so careless-" Poirot looked at her.
"What happened?" "Well, it was the most extraordinary thing. We were walking along a path - Shah Tung was on the lead, of course, and I was just about to go home when my attention was caught by a baby in a pram—such a lovely baby it was—lovely rosy cheeks and such curls. I couldn't help speaking to the nurse and asking how old it was—and I'm sure I was only speaking to her for about a minute or two, and then suddenly I looked down and Shan Tung wasn't there any more. The lead had been cut through—"
"And what happened next?"
"Well, of course, I looked everywhere. And called! And I asked the Park attendant if he'd seen a man carrying a Pekinese dog but he hadn't noticed anything of the kind—and I went on searching, but at last, of course, I had to come home—"
"And then you received a letter?" Lady Hoggin continued the story.
"By the first post the following morning. It said that if I wanted to see Shan Tung alive I was to send 200 pounds in one pound notes to Captain Curtis, 38 Bloomsbury Road Square. It said that if I sent the money at once, Shan Tung would be returned the same evening alive and well, but that if—if afterwards I went to the police, it would be Shan Tung who would suffer for it”.
Miss Carnaby murmured tearfully:
"Oh dear, I'm so afraid that even now—of course, M Poirot isn't exactly the police—" Lady Hoggin said anxiously.
"So you see, Mr. Poirot, you will have to be very careful."
"But I am not of the police, Lady Hoggin. You can be sure that Shan Tung wilt be perfectly safe. That I will guarantee."
Both ladies seemed relieved by the magic word. Poirot went on.
"You have here the letter?"
Lady Hoggin shook her head. "No, I was instructed to enclose it with the money."
"H'm, that is a pity."
Miss Carnabyr said brightly. "But I have the dog lead still. Shall I get it?" She left the room. Hercule Poirot profited by her absence to ask a few questions.
"Amy Carnaby? Oh! She's quite all right. A good soul, though foolish, of course. I'm quite sure she had nothing to do with it."
"She has been with you long?"
. "Nearly a year. I had 'excellent references with her. She was, with old Lady Hartingfield until she died. After that she looked after an invalid sister for a while. She is really an excellent creature—but a complete fool, as I said."
III
It was the habit of Hercule Poirot to leave nothing untested.
Though it seemed unlikely that Miss Carnaby was anything but the foolish woman that she appeared to be, Poirot nevertheless decided to interview the niece of the late Lady Hartingfield.
"Amy Carnaby?" said sh

Результаты (русский) 1:

ПРЕДИСЛОВИЕКвартира Пуаро была оборудована в современном стиле. Его кресла были квадратные и блестела с хромом. На одном из этих стулов сидел Эркюль Пуаро — в середине стула. Напротив него в другой стул, сб д-р Бертон. Д-р Бертон задаю вопрос.«Скажи мне»,-сказал он. «Почему Эркюль?»«Вы имеете в виду, мое имя? Вы хотите сказать, что в внешности я не геsemble Геркулес?»Д-р Бертон взглянул на Пуаро, на его небольшой аккуратный фигура в полосатые брюки, а черный пиджак и галстук-бабочку.«Откровенно говоря, Пуаро,» сказал д-р, Бертон, «нет! Я думаю,» он добавил: «что вы никогда не было много времени для изучения классики?»«Это так».«Это жаль. Вы пропустили много. Если бы я сделал бы все учиться классике. Где еще можно найти такое богатство духа?»«Увы, Мон Ами, это слишком поздно для меня сейчас. Я имею в виду выбывать.»«Вы не будете.»«Но уверяю вас...»«Вы не сможете это сделать. Вы слишком заинтересованы в вашей работе.»«Нет, действительно - я сделать все приготовления. Несколько чаще - специально отобранные из них - не, вы понимаете, все, что представляет собой — как раз проблемы, которые имеют личное обращение.»Д-р Бертон усмехнулся.«Он всегда будет так. Просто случай или два, только один случай более - и так далее. Ваши труды не труды "Геркулес". Ваш являются труды любви. Вы увидите, что я прав. Бьюсь об заклад, что через 12 месяцев вы все еще будете здесь. Прима Донна прощание производительность не является для вас, Пуаро.»When Dr. Burton left, Hercule Poirot sat down again slowly like a man in a dream and murmured:"The Labours of Hercules... But yes, that's an idea... What had Dr. Burton said as he left: "Yours are not the Labours of Hercules..." Ah, but there he was wrong. There should be, once again, the Labours of Hercules—a modern Hercules. In the period before his final retirement he would accept twelve cases, no more, no less. And those 12 cases should be selected with special reference to the 12 labours of ancient Hercules. Yes, that would not only be amusing, it would be artistic, it would be unique."He would not be in a hurry. He would wait for the case that should be the first of his self-imposed Labours.LABOUR I. THE NEMEAN LIONI"Anything of interest this morning, Miss Lemon?" he asked as he entered the room the following morning.He trusted Miss Lemon. She was a woman without imagination, but she had an instinct. She was a born secretary."Nothing much, Mr. Poirot. There is just one letter that I thought might interest you. It's from a man who wants you to investigate the disappearance of his wife's Pekinese dog."Poirot was shocked. A Pekinese dog! And after the great idea he had last night. Reluctantly he picked up the letter from the pile on his desk. ''Yes, it was exactly as Miss Lemon had said. The subject—the kidnapping of a Pekinese dog. One of those pets of rich women. Nothing unusual about this. But yes, yes, in one small detail Miss Lemon was right. In one small detail there was something unusual.“Ring up this Sir Joseph Hoggin," he ordered, "and make an appointment for me to see him at his office as he suggests."As usual, Miss Lemon had been right.I"I'm a rich man, M. Poirot," said Sir Joseph Hoggin, Hercule Poirot's eyes rested critically on the fat body, the small pig eyes, the bulbous nose and the close-lipped mouth. The whole general effect reminded him of someone or something—but he could not recollect exactly who or what it was... A long time ago... in Belgium... something, surely, to do with soap... Sir Joseph was continuing. "Yes, I'm a rich man, M. Poirot, but that does not mean I am in the habit of throwing my money about. What I want I pay for, but I pay the market price. No more.Hercule Poirot said: "You realize that my fees are high?""Yes, yes. But this is a very small matter. I made inquiries and I was told that you were the best man at this sort of thing. That's why I decided to apply to you. I want you to get to the bottom of this business and I won't grudge the expense”."You were fortunate," said Hercule Poirot. "Your case, Sir Joseph, is the first of the twelve cases I have decided to accept before retiring. A self-imposed 'Labours of Hercules', if I may so describe it. I was attracted to your case," he sighed, "by its striking unimportance.""Importance?" said Sir Joseph."Unimportance was what I said. I have been called in for various causes – to investigate murders, unexplained deaths, robberies, thefts of jewellery. This is the first time that I have been asked to turn my talents to the kidnapping of a Pekinese dog.""You surprise me! I was sure you'd had no end of women applying to you about their pet dogs.""Yes, certainly. But it is the first time that I am applied to by the husband. Now, please, tell me the facts. The dog disappeared, when?""Exactly a week ago. But it has been returned.""Returned? Then, permit me to ask, why have you sent for me?"Sir Joseph's face got red."Because I'm sure that I was cheated. Now, Mr. Poirot, I'm going to tell you the whole thing. The dog was stolen a weak ago - in Kensington Gardens where he was out with my wife's companion. The next day my wife got a demand for two hundred pounds." Poirot murmured:"You did not approve of paying such a sum, naturally?""Of course, I didn’t. And I wouldn't have paid it. But Milly (my wife) didn't say anything to me. Just sent off the money - to the address given.""And the dog was returned?""Yes. That evening the bell rang and there was the little devil sitting on the doorstep. And not a soul to be seen.""I see. Continue.""Then, of course, Milly confessed what she'd done and I got angry at first. But I calmed down after a while—after all, the thing was done and you can't expect a woman to behave with any sense. I should have forgotten the whole thing if I hadn't met old Samuelson at the Club.""Yes?""Damn it all! Exactly the same thing had happened to him. Three hundred pounds they'd taken from his wife. Well, that was too much. I decided the thing had to be stopped. I sent for you.""But why, Sir Joseph, haven't you sent for the police?""My wife wouldn't hear of the idea. She'd got into her head that something would happen to her precious-Shan Tung if I went to them. She doesn't like the idea of your being called in, either. But I stood firm on it." Hercule Poirot said:"I must interview your wife."Sir Joseph nodded and rose to his feet. "I'll take you along in the car immediately."IIIn a large, hot, richly-furnished drawing-room two women were sitting. As Sir Joseph and Hercule Poirot entered, a small Pekinese dog rushed forward, barking furiously."Shan—Shan, come here to mother. Pick him up, MissCarnaby."The second woman hurried forward and Hercule Poirot murmured:"A veritable lion, indeed."Lady Hoggin was a stout woman with dyed henna red hair. Poirot said:"Now tell me. Lady Hoggin, the full circumstances of this abominable crime."Lady Hoggin flushed. "I'm very glad to hear you say that, Mr. Poirot. For it was a crime. Pekinese are terribly sensitive—just as sensitive as children. Poor Shan Tung might have died of fright if of nothing else.""Please tell me the facts.""Well, it was like this. Shan Tung was out for his walk in the Park with Miss Carnaby—""Oh dear me, yes, it was all my fault," cried the companion. "How could I have been so careless-" Poirot looked at her."What happened?" "Well, it was the most extraordinary thing. We were walking along a path - Shah Tung was on the lead, of course, and I was just about to go home when my attention was caught by a baby in a pram—such a lovely baby it was—lovely rosy cheeks and such curls. I couldn't help speaking to the nurse and asking how old it was—and I'm sure I was only speaking to her for about a minute or two, and then suddenly I looked down and Shan Tung wasn't there any more. The lead had been cut through—"
"And what happened next?"
"Well, of course, I looked everywhere. And called! And I asked the Park attendant if he'd seen a man carrying a Pekinese dog but he hadn't noticed anything of the kind—and I went on searching, but at last, of course, I had to come home—"
"And then you received a letter?" Lady Hoggin continued the story.
"By the first post the following morning. It said that if I wanted to see Shan Tung alive I was to send 200 pounds in one pound notes to Captain Curtis, 38 Bloomsbury Road Square. It said that if I sent the money at once, Shan Tung would be returned the same evening alive and well, but that if—if afterwards I went to the police, it would be Shan Tung who would suffer for it”.
Miss Carnaby murmured tearfully:
"Oh dear, I'm so afraid that even now—of course, M Poirot isn't exactly the police—" Lady Hoggin said anxiously.
"So you see, Mr. Poirot, you will have to be very careful."
"But I am not of the police, Lady Hoggin. You can be sure that Shan Tung wilt be perfectly safe. That I will guarantee."
Both ladies seemed relieved by the magic word. Poirot went on.
"You have here the letter?"
Lady Hoggin shook her head. "No, I was instructed to enclose it with the money."
"H'm, that is a pity."
Miss Carnabyr said brightly. "But I have the dog lead still. Shall I get it?" She left the room. Hercule Poirot profited by her absence to ask a few questions.
"Amy Carnaby? Oh! She's quite all right. A good soul, though foolish, of course. I'm quite sure she had nothing to do with it."
"She has been with you long?"
. "Nearly a year. I had 'excellent references with her. She was, with old Lady Hartingfield until she died. After that she looked after an invalid sister for a while. She is really an excellent creature—but a complete fool, as I said."
III
It was the habit of Hercule Poirot to leave nothing untested.
Though it seemed unlikely that Miss Carnaby was anything but the foolish woman that she appeared to be, Poirot nevertheless decided to interview the niece of the late Lady Hartingfield.
"Amy Carnaby?" said sh

Результаты (русский) 3:

а.квартира эркюль пуаро был оформлены в современном стиле.своих кресел были площади и засияет хром.по одной из них стулья сел эркюль пуаро в середине председателя.напротив него, в стул, сидел доктор бертон.доктор бертон ответил вопросом на вопрос."скажи мне", - сказал он.почему эркюль? ""ты имеешь в виду мое имя?вы хотите сказать, что во внешности, которое я не ге геракл? "доктор бертон взглянул на эркюль пуаро, в его небольшой чистый показатель в полосатых брюках, а черный пиджак и галстук - бабочку."честно говоря, пуаро, - говорит доктор бертон," ты не!я думаю ", - добавил он, - что вы никогда не было много времени, чтобы изучить классику?""именно так"."мне жалко.ты многое пропустила.если бы я мог, я бы все исследования классику.где еще можно найти такое богатство духа? ""увы, мон ами, слишком поздно для меня сейчас.я думаю уйти в отставку "."нет.""но я уверяю вас...""вы не сможете это сделать.ты слишком заинтересован в вашей работе "."да, конечно - я обо всем позабочусь.несколько случаев - специально отобранные, - нет, понимаешь, все, что представляет собой только проблем, которые должны лично обратиться ".доктор бертон усмехнулся."это всегда будет так.только один или два случая, только в одном случае - и так далее.ваши труды не подвиги геракла.твои труды любви.вы увидите, что я прав.я уверена, что в двенадцать месяцев, вы все еще здесь.prima донны прощальным выступлением не для вас, пуаро.когда доктор бертон влево, эркюль пуаро снова села медленно, как мужчина во сне и шептали:"подвиги геракла.но да, это идея.то, что доктор бартон сказал, что он ушел: "тебе не подвиги геракла..." ах, но он ошибся.должно быть, в очередной раз подвиги hercules-a современных геркулес.в период до его окончательного выхода на пенсию он примет 12 дел, ни больше, ни меньше.и эти 12 случаев следует отбирать с особым упором на 12 трудов древних геркулес.да, это не только весело было бы художественного, это будет уникальный ".он не торопится.он будет ждать случая, которые должны быть первым его самостоятельно трудов.труда немейский лев I.я"что - нибудь интересное сегодня утром, мисс лемон?"он спрашивает, как он вошел в комнату, на следующее утро.он уверен, мисс лемон.она была женщиной без воображения, но она сработала интуиция.она родилась генерального."ничего, мсье пуаро.есть только одно письмо, что я думал, что может тебя заинтересовать.это от человека, который хочет, чтобы расследовать исчезновение его жена pekinese собаку ".пуаро был в шоке.а pekinese собаку!и после того, как идея, он был прошлой ночью.нехотя, он взял письмо сваи, на его столе ".да, это было именно так, как мисс лемон сказал.тема похищения одного pekinese собаку.один из этих животных богатых женщин.ничего необычного в этом.но, да, да, одна маленькая деталь, мисс лемон, была права.в одной маленькой детали было что - то необычное."кольцо, это сэр джозеф hoggin", он приказал "и назначить меня встретиться с ним в его офисе, как он предлагает".как обычно, мисс лемон, были правы.я"я богатый человек, мсье пуаро, - сказал сэр джозеф hoggin, эркюль пуаро глаза лежит исключительно на жирное тело, небольшой свинья, глаза, нос и рот рядом с выпуклой.в целом общее воздействие напомнил ему кто - то или что - то, но он не может вспомнить, кто или что он был...давным - давно.в бельгии.что - то, конечно, делать с мылом.сэр джозеф продолжается. "да, я богатый человек, мсье пуаро, но это не значит, что я в привычку бросаться деньгами.то, что я хочу, я плачу за, но я платить рыночную цену.больше нет.эркюль пуаро, сказал: "вы понимаете, что моя плата высокая?""да, да, да.но это очень мало.я сделала запрос, и мне сказали, что вы были шафером на такого рода вещи.вот почему я решил обратиться к вам.я хочу, чтобы разобраться в этом бизнесе и я не на счет "."вам повезло, - говорит эркюль пуаро.ваше дело, сэр джозеф, является первым из 12 дел, я решил принять перед уходом на пенсию.а самостоятельно "трудов геракла", если можно так его описать.я привлекал ваше дело, "сказал он," ударная unimportance "."значение?"говорит, что сэр джозеф."unimportance было то, что я сказал.я уже позвонил в различных причин - для расследования убийств, необъяснимых смертей, ограбления, кражи драгоценностей.это был первый раз, когда меня попросили сделать мои таланты для похищения одного pekinese собаку "."вы меня удивляете!я был уверен, что ты не конец женщин, обращающихся к вам о своих собак "."да, конечно.но это первый раз, что я обратился к к мужу.теперь, пожалуйста, скажи мне, факты.собака пропала, когда? ""ровно неделю назад.но она была возвращена "."вернулся?тогда позвольте мне спросить, почему вы послали за мной? "сэр джозеф лицо вся красная."потому что я уверена