Isolated [aIsq`leItId]

Francis looked about him; the neighbourhood was very lonely, the house isolated in its garden. It seemed as if his observation must here come to an abrupt end. A second glance, however, showed him a tall house next door presenting a gable to the garden, and in this gable a single window. He passed to the front and saw a ticket offering unfurnished lodgings by the month; and, on inquiry, the room which commanded the Dictator's garden proved to be one of those to let. Francis did not hesitate a moment; he took the room, paid an advance upon the rent, and returned to his hotel to seek his baggage.

The old man with the sabre-cut might or might not be his father (старый человек с сабельным шрамом мог быть или не быть его отцом); he might or he might not be upon the true scent (он /сам/ мог идти по верному или неверному следу: «запаху»); but he was certainly on the edge of an exciting mystery (но он точно был на грани = в преддверии какой-то волнующей тайны), and he promised himself that he would not relax his observation (и он обещал себе, что не ослабит наблюдение) until he had got to the bottom of the secret (пока не доберется до самого дна = сущности этой тайны).

From the window of his new apartment (из окна своей новой квартиры) Francis Scrymgeour commanded a complete view into the garden of the house with the green blinds (Фрэнсис Скримджер имел полный вид в сад дома с зелеными жалюзи).

true [trH], scent [sent]

The old man with the sabre-cut might or might not be his father; he might or he might not be upon the true scent; but he was certainly on the edge of an exciting mystery, and he promised himself that he would not relax his observation until he had got to the bottom of the secret.

From the window of his new apartment Francis Scrymgeour commanded a complete view into the garden of the house with the green blinds.

Immediately below him a very comely chestnut with wide boughs (прямо под ним очень красивый каштан с толстыми ветвями; immediately — непосредственно) sheltered a pair of rustic tables (укрывал пару простых столов) where people might dine in the height of summer (где люди могли обедать в разгар лета; height — высота; верхушка, вершина; высшая точка /чего-либо/). On all sides save one a dense vegetation concealed the soil (со всех сторон, кроме одной, густая зелень скрывала землю; soil — грунт, земля, почва); but there, between the tables and the house (но там, между столами и домом), he saw a patch of gravel walk leading from the verandah to the garden-gate (он видел отрезок гравиевой дорожки, ведущей от веранды к садовой калитке).

comely [`kAmlI], chestnut [`CesnAt], verandah [vq`rxndq]

Immediately below him a very comely chestnut with wide boughs sheltered a pair of rustic tables where people might dine in the height of summer. On all sides save one a dense vegetation concealed the soil; but there, between the tables and the house, he saw a patch of gravel walk leading from the verandah to the garden-gate.

Studying the place from between the boards of the Venetian shutters (рассматривая это место = сад через планки венецианских ставней), which he durst not open for fear of attracting attention (которые он не смел открывать из страха привлечь внимание; to dare — осмелиться), Francis observed but little to indicate the manners of the inhabitants (Фрэнсис наблюдал лишь немногое, /что бы могло/ указать на привычки жильцов), and that little argued no more than a close reserve (и то немногое свидетельствовало ни о чем большем, чем о замкнутой сдержанности) and a taste for solitude (и о вкусе к уединению). The garden was conventual (сад был /словно/ монастырский), the house had the air of a prison (у дома был вид тюрьмы). The green blinds were all drawn down upon the outside (зеленые жалюзи были все опущены: «натянуты вниз снаружи»); the door into the verandah was closed (дверь на веранду была закрыта); the garden, as far as he could see it (сад, насколько он мог его видеть), was left entirely to itself in the evening sunshine (был совершенно предоставлен сам себе в вечернем солнце; to leave — оставлять). A modest curl of smoke from a single chimney (скромный завиток дыма из единственной трубы) alone testified to the presence of living people (один говорил о присутствии живых людей).