"Whose orders (чей приказ)? Let me see them (позвольте мне увидеть его: «их»)." I noted the signature (я приметил подпись)—it was useful information (это была полезная информация). I said, "This tells you to pick up a certain Hungarian national and war criminal (это = этот приказ говорит вам взять некую венгерскую гражданку и военную преступницу) who is living with faulty papers in the British zone (которая живет с поддельными документами в британской зоне). Let me see the papers (позвольте мне увидеть = покажите мне эти документы)."

He started on a long explanation (он пустился в долгое объяснение). I said, "These papers look to me quite in order (эти документы выглядят для меня совершенно в порядке), but I'll investigate them (но я исследую их) and send a report of the result to your colonel (и пошлю отзыв о результате вашему полковнику). He can, of course, ask for the extradition of this lady at any time (он может, конечно, просить о выдаче этой дамы в любое время). All we want (все, чего мы хотим) is proof of her criminal activities (это доказательство ее преступной деятельности)."

I said to Anna: "Get out of the car (выходите из машины)." I put a packet of cigarettes in the Russian's hand (я сунул пачку сигарет в руку русского), said, "Have a good smoke (желаю вам хорошо покурить)," waved my hand to the others (помахал моей рукой остальным), gave a sigh of relief (издал вздох облегчения) and that incident was closed (и этот инцидент был исчерпан: «закрыт»).

dispute [dIs'pju:t], rage ['reIG], produce [prq'dju:s], Hungarian [hAN'gearIqn], naturally ['nxtS(q)r(q)lI], tongue [tAN], national ['nxS(q)n(q)l], faulty ['fO:ltI], extradition ["ekstrq'dIS(q)n], activity [xk'tIvItI]

When the M.P. went back to Anna's room a dispute was raging. Anna had told the American that she had Austrian papers (which was true) and that they were quite in order (which was rather stretching the truth). The American told the Russian in bad German that they had no right to arrest an Austrian citizen. He asked Anna for her papers and when she produced them, the Russian took them.

"Hungarian," he said, pointing at Anna. "Hungarian," and then flourishing the papers, "bad bad."

The American, whose name was O'Brien, said, "Give the goil back her papers," which the Russian naturally didn't understand. The American put his hand on his gun, and Corporal Starling said gently, "Let it go, Pat."

"If those papers ain't in order we got a right to look."

"Just let it go. Well see the papers at H.Q."

"The trouble about you British is you never know when to make a stand."

"Oh, well," Starling said—he had been at Dunkirk, but he knew when to be quiet.

The driver put on his brakes suddenly: there was a road block. You see I knew they would have to pass this military post. I put my head in at the window and said to the Russian, haltingly, in his own tongue: "What are you doing in the British zone?"

He grumbled that it was "Orders."

"Whose orders? Let me see them." I noted the signature—it was useful information. I said, "This tells you to pick up a certain Hungarian national and war criminal who is living with faulty papers in the British zone. Let me see the papers."

He started on a long explanation. I said, "These papers look to me quite in order, but I'll investigate them and send a report of the result to your colonel. He can, of course, ask for the extradition of this lady at any time. All we want is proof of her criminal activities."

I said to Anna: "Get out of the car." I put a packet of cigarettes in the Russian's hand, said, "Have a good smoke," waved my hand to the others, gave a sigh of relief and that incident was closed.