1. Explain the following phrases:

1. I didn’t find our situation particularly encouraging.

2. There was only sporadic traffic on it.

3. I was hunting a prey myself, now. A taxi, detached from the herd.

4. ‘He is very particular what he walks on,’ I said.

5. We could do with more, to be sure of him.

2. Find in the text the English for the following Russian words and word combinations:

1. рассеяло мои последние сомнения

2. в пределах досягаемости

3. целился в лошадь

4. ломал голову

5. смутно представлял

6. мог быть замечен

7. мое местонахождение

8. недооценил

9. направляться к конюшням Пита

10. мог разобрать (понять), что он говорит

11. говорил четко

12. оттащил его

13. кличка

14. сумерки

15. подслушивать

3. Answer the following questions:

1. How did Alan try to escape from the Marconi-cars? Why was it difficult?

2. Why did he think that he underestimated them?

3. What were they aiming at? Why was Alan an easy target?

4. What did Alan do not to be spotted by the drivers? What was his aim?

5. How did Alan manage to capture a driver? What for did he need him?

6. How did Alan manage to get the necessary information from the driver? What did he do to him after that?

7. What did Alan learn from listening to the conversations on the Marconi-car radio? What were they planning to do with Alan?

8. What voices did Alan recognize? Whom did they belong to?

9. What was Alan’s destination?

4. Find in the text the following words and word combinations, translate them and use them while answering the questions:

a gun fitted with a silencer

to dismount

there was no one in sight

leaning casually against the taxi

the mumble of their voices

the milk lorry rattled out of sight

to walk purposefully in my direction

to my destination

outskirts of Brighton

Have you anything to report?

Class thirteen (Chapters 16 – 17)

Chapter sixteen

Notes:

1. to shoot on sight – стрелять на поражение

2. The sight of his car … gave me a chance to square things with my conscience. – Машина, которую я увидел, позволила мне успокоить свою совесть.

3. an inch of mahogany – дверь из красного дерева дюймовой толщины

4. His mind was very nearly unhinged. – Он абсолютно сумасшедший

1. Explain the following phrases:

1. The whispering voice had done my nerves no good.

2. He had to ring them up and give them a fairy lengthy account of what was going on.

3. For a sickening moment I thought that my bird had flown during the time it had taken me to ring Lodge and travel the half mile from the taxi.

2. Find in the text the English for the following Russian words and word combinations:

1. вызвать подозрение

2. переулок

3. любой ценой

4. справочная

5. соединить с дежурным сержантом

6. подстрекать водителей убить Алана

7. арестовать

8. открыть дверь одним прикосновением

9. панель управления

10. угроза

3. Answer the following questions:

1. Where did Alan go to in Brighton? Whom did he ask directions for the police station?

2. Where did he park his car? Why?

3. What were the orders of the whispering voice on the radio?

4. Whom did Alan phone? What did he explain to Inspector Lodge?

5. Why wouldn’t Alan wait for the arrival of the police in the taxi?

6. How much time did Alan give the police to get the necessary evidence against the criminals? What did Alan intend to do at that time?

7. What did he find in the Marconi-car office? Whom did he expect to apprehend there? Why? What car did he notice in front of the building?

8. Why didn’t Alan disclose his presence at once? What was he waiting for?