SPIS TREŚCI WSTĘP THE CHINESE PUZZLE CHAPTER 1......................................................................................................................................................................................................................8 CHAPTER 2....................................................................................................................................................................................................................10 CHAPTER 3....................................................................................................................................................................................................................11 CHAPTER 4....................................................................................................................................................................................................................16 CHAPTER 5....................................................................................................................................................................................................................18 CHAPTER 6....................................................................................................................................................................................................................19 CHAPTER 7....................................................................................................................................................................................................................23 CHAPTER 8....................................................................................................................................................................................................................25 CHAPTER 9....................................................................................................................................................................................................................27 CHAPTER 10 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................34 CHAPTER 11 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................37 CHAPTER 12 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................39 CHAPTER 13 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 CHAPTER 14 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................43 CHAPTER 15 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................46 CHAPTER 16 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................51 CHAPTER 17 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................53 CHAPTER 18 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................55 CHAPTER 19 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................59 CHAPTER 20 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................61 CHAPTER 21 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................64 CHAPTER 22 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................71 CHAPTER 23 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................73 CHAPTER 24 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................75 CHAPTER 25 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................79 CHAPTER 26 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................82 CHAPTER 27 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................88 CHAPTER 28 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................91 CHAPTER 29 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................94 CHAPTER 30 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................97
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CHAPTER 31 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 102 CHAPTER 32 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 103 CHAPTER 33 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 104 CHAPTER 34 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 109 CHAPTER 35 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 111 CHAPTER 36 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 113 CHAPTER 37 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 118 CHAPTER 38 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 120 CHAPTER 39 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 121 CHAPTER 40 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 126 CHAPTER 41 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 129 CHAPTER 42 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 134 CHAPTER 43 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 137 CHAPTER 44 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 139 CHAPTER 45 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 146 CHAPTER 46 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 149 CHAPTER 47 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 154 CHAPTER 48 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 156 CHAPTER 49 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 158 CHAPTER 48 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 156
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kevin hadley THE CHINESE PUZZLE
CHAPTER 1
1 garishly – jaskrawie to bob – kiwać się, drgać throng – tłum, rój to cool one’s heels – wyczekwiwać heel – pięta Register Office – Urząd Stanu Cywilnego to swing open – otworzyć się na oścież to shower – zasypywać, obrzucać reception – przyjęcie best man – drużba peck – całus chauffeur – kierowca, szofer to edge (through) – przeciskać się, poruszać się powoli to gasp – westchnąć
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IT WAS A HOT, early summer, afternoon and there was a carnival atmosphere in Castle Square. A balloon seller, with garishly coloured Disney characters bobbing on the breeze above his head, was surrounded by a throng of excited children. By Zygmunt’s Column, a crowd had gathered to cheer on a troupe of break-dancers. Under the tree by the castle, the horses stood with their noses in their feedbags, while the carriage drivers cooled their heels in the shade. The doors of the Register Office in the far corner of the square swung open. As the newly-married bride and groom came out, their waiting guests showered them with coins. After ritually picking them up, Inspector Robert Nowak and his wife, Marta Nowak-Jones, waved to their guests and walked over to the car that would take them to their wedding reception. The best man, Sergeant Pawluk, opened the door for the bride and helped her in, while the groom swung himself into the driver’s seat. “It’s the first time I’ve been in your Saab as your wife,” Marta said, giving her husband a peck on the cheek. “Perhaps you’ll let me drive it now.” Nowak looked at her with a serious face, “I’m quite happy to share everything else with you, dear, but the Saab is mine.” “Okay, I accept. I can see I have no choice. But I expect you to be my chauffeur whenever I require your services. Now, Sir, drive me to my reception.” “Yes, Madam!” Nowak grinned, saluting his wife. As the engine came to life, the guests all began to wave energetically. The car picked its way carefully through the crowds, in the direction of the Victoria Hotel. As it was edging past Zygmunt’s Column, the break-dancer crowd turned suddenly and several people shouted out. Nowak drove slowly on. “Are they cheering us?” he asked. “I don’t think so,” said Marta, turning round to see what had drawn the people’s attention. “What’s going on?” Nowak asked. Marta gasped. “What is it?” Nowak asked her. www.jezykiobce.pl
kevin hadley THE CHINESE PUZZLE
“It looks like one of the horses has keeled over,” said Marta. “I hope it’s not an omen.” “Of course not, Marta. Anyway, let’s not allow it to spoil our perfect day,” said Nowak, as the car reached the street and sped up. Their wedding guests were already making their way over to see what had happened. By the time they had crossed the short distance to where the carriages were, the horse was already dead, and the weather-beaten old carriage driver was slumped beside it crying, his hand gently stroking its lifeless neck.
CHAPTER 1
to keel over – przewracać się to spoil – zepsuć to make one’s way – zmierzać do, dojeżdżać weather-beaten – ogorzały, zniszczony to slump – osuwać się to stroke – głaskać
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EXERCISES
CHAPTER 13
1. Choose the best answer a, b or c. 1. Who was not in Castle Square? a. street performers b. random kids c. cab drivers 2. Upon getting into the car Marta was… a. apologetic b. sarcastic c. hurt 3. The man in the park looked like… a. a thug b. a benign beggar c. a desperate homeless person 4. The husband in the park seemed rather… a. sensible b. narrow-minded c. opportunistic 5. The man from the other room, upon seeing Nowak, was… a. shocked b. overwhelmed c. surprised
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CHAPTER 46
EXERCISES
3. Use the words in capitals to paraphrase the sentences. 1. You ought to release my client. BETTER You ................................... my client. 2. You were so mournful that the party turned into a disaster. HAD If you ................................................................................................................. 3. I am almost certain that he did not bid farewell to his mother after what she had said. CAN He ...................................................................................................................... 4. He was off duty, but he had a pair of handcuffs on him. EVEN THOUGH ............................................................................................................................. 5. Somebody finally dealt with the problem. WAS The .................................................................................................................... 6. If the car does not come to a complete halt, the police will call for backup. UNLESS ..................................................................................................... , the police will call for backup. 7. The judge called the police station and asked the sergeant to release the suspect. HAD The judge .......................................................................................................... 8. Susan seems so preoccupied. PERSON Susan seems .................................................................................................... 9. Jim and John are not genuinely sorry. NEITHER .............................................................................................................................
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kevin hadley THE CHINESE PUZZLE
7
CHAPTER 7
WHEN NOWAK ARRIVED at the police station
on Monday morning, the desk sergeant gave him a big smile as he came in. “Congratulations, Inspector! How does it feel to be back in the married man club again?” “I can’t say I’m disappointed,” said Nowak, flashing the ring on his finger. “Listen someone’s left something for you,” the sergeant said, reaching under the desk for an A4 envelope. “Who brought it?” “A taxi driver. Anything interesting?” “I’ll see,” said Nowak, walking towards the stairs. “I wasn’t expecting anything.” Nowak went up to his office, made himself a cup of coffee and sat down to open the envelope. There was a single piece of paper inside and on it was written:
to flash – pokazywać coś na chwilę
!"#$%$&'()*&+)$!&,-)&$.!/"0& #)),&.+&$.!/"0&1$!&/$!2&3)1,"!&45& 6789&/7#7&:"+%$;&)<)+.+= >$?.%&@*.2 to make
“Well, that’s a surprise,” thought Nowak to himself. “I wonder if this is his reply to that offer of help all those years ago.” He reread the note, making his mind up to go along. It was straightforward enough. Nowak knew the hotel, and had been there several times before. But, why did Klik want to meet at the airport first? There must be a reason. Nowak spent the next hour at his desk. Every five minutes, someone would pop their head round the door and congratulate him. Finally, Pawluk appeared. “How’s it going? Recovered after the weekend’s excitement yet?” “We had a lazy day yesterday, so I’m feeling quite fresh. Not that
one’s mind up – decydować (się) straightforward – prosty, bezpośredni
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kevin hadley THE CHINESE PUZZLE
CHAPTER 9
9
KLIK LEFT THE CAR park first, followed two minutes later by Nowak. When he entered the hotel, the lobby was a hive of activity, but he quickly spotted Klik loitering in a corner. Nowak walked over to him, and shook hands as if they had just met for the first time that evening. Before long, the MC4 appeared, clapping his hands to get everyone’s attention and announcing that the darts would begin in ten minutes. In an orderly fashion, people began to file into the main auditorium. When there was hardly anyone left, Nowak and Klik slipped inside and found seats at the back of the room, from where they had a good view of everything that was going on. Nowak was unprepared for the sight that greeted him. The event looked a lot more professionally organised than the one in the Victoria Hotel. Again, there was a stage lit by spotlights, but this time with two chairs and a small table for the players. To the right of the stage, there was a VIP area, in which women in red silk evening dresses adorned with yellow dragons walked around serving drinks. After a few minutes, the lights dimmed and the MC called for quiet. The silence that soon fell was shattered by pumping music, and the two darts players were led on stage. “Remember, Robert,” said Klik in a whisper, “keep your eyes open and watch what’s going on.” A waitress, who had been talking to a man in the VIP area, walked over. “Would you like anything to drink?” she asked Klik. “Two beers, please,” he said. While she returned with the drinks, Nowak was looking around. The Poles and Chinese sat at their own tables. But in the centre of the room, close to the stage there was a table where there was more of a mixture of nationalities. Nowak looked at the faces. He didn’t expect to know any of the Chinese, but he thought he recognised two of the Poles, although he didn’t know their names. “Who are the Chinese?” he asked. “On that table?” asked Klik, noticing that Nowak was looking at the mixed group. “No, generally.”
hive – ul to spot – zauważyć to loiter – kręcić się, włóczyć się to file into – wchodzić rzędem
to dim – ściemniać, przyćmić to shatter – niweczyć, rujnować, niszczyć
4
Master of ceremonies
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EXERCISES
CHAPTER 79
1. Decide if the statement is true (T), false (F), or the text does not say anything about it (D). 1. Klik’s message was perplexing. 2. Pawluk was rude enough to disturb Nowak’s conversation with his wife. 3. Pawluk and Nowak had a very busy day at work. 4. Klik was told off by his superior. 5. Pawluk suspected Nowak was up to something. 6. Nowak got caught up in traffic on his way to the meeting point. 7. Nowak felt he owed something to Klik. 8. Klik suggested public tenders are completely transparent. 9. The hotel lobby was crowded when Nowak entered it. 10. The Chinese contractors flew in the previous day. 11. The music stopped as soon as the game was about to start. 12. All the Chinese present in the hotel were workers. 13. Both darts players were stressed out about the final game. 14. Klik had a seizure in the cubicle. 15. The paramedics knew what had happened to Klik.
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DICTIONARY
SŁOWNICZEK
SŁOWNICZEK A aback, to be taken ~ – być zaskoczonym accession – akces, przyłączenie accord, of one’s own ~ – z własnej woli albeit – aczkolwiek, choć accountant – księgowy amble – iść powoli, spacerować amongst – pośród an air of – wrażenie, aura annoying – irytujący anticipate – oczekiwać, spodziewać się any luck with...? – udało się (z)...? appreciate – doceniać as such – jako taki, sensu stricto assume – zakładać, przypuszczać at a loss for words – oniemiały, niezdolny znaleźć właściwe słowa at fever pitch – w stanie wielkiego podekscytowania, szaleństwo at the rear – z tyłu attract – przyciągać award contracts – przyznawać kontrakty avoid (+ gerund) – unikać avuncular – dobroduszny, ojcowski
B
backing – wsparcie, poparcie back sth up – potwierdzać backtrack on – wycofać się (w zeznaniach, opowieści) ban – zabraniać; zakaz bare – obnażać; goły bars – kraty be about to do sth – mieć coś za chwilę zrobić be all square – remisować be all work and no play – poświęcać się wyłącznie pracy, być nudziarzem be at a loose end – nie wiedzieć, co ze sobą począć be aware of sth – być świadomym czegoś be charged (with) – zostać oskarżonym (o) be closing in on sb – zbliżać się do ujęcia (przestępcy) be dead on one’s feet – padać z nóg be fond of – bardzo lubić, przepadać za behave oneself – dobrze się sprawować be having sb on – nabierać kogoś be in a bad way – być w kiepskim stanie be in on sth – być wtajemniczonym be in store for sb – czekać kogoś
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