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The King in Yellow | Progressive Translation Books for Czech B1 Students

The King in Yellow | Progressive Translation Books for Czech B1 Students

This progressive translation technique brings multiple benefits to language learners. It lets you choose the difficulty level that matches your abilities, making sure the material is challenging but not too difficult. By focusing on understanding words in context, this method boosts your comprehension skills. While direct translations are slightly hidden to promote guessing from context, you can always check unfamiliar words. This approach makes learning a new language both engaging and accessible, offering the right mix of difficulty and encouragement. Embark on a journey through translated classics and enjoy the process of learning through reading.

THEREPAIREROFREPUTATIONS
I
Neraillonspaslesfous;
leurfoliedurepluslongtempsquelanôtre....
Voilatouteladifférence."
Towardtheendoftheyear1920theGovernmentoftheUnitedStateshadpracticallycompletedtheprogramme,adoptedduringthelastmonthsofPresidentWinthrop'sadministration.
Thecountrywas
zřejmě
apparentlytranquil.
EverybodyknowshowtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.
ThewarwithGermany,incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftnovisiblescarsupontherepublic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvadingarmyhadbeenforgotteninthejoyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequentridiculousplightofGeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesintheStateofNewJersey.
TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidonehundredpercentandtheterritoryofSamoawaswellworthitscostasacoalingstation.
Thecountrywasinasuperbstateofdefence.
Everycoastcityhadbeenwellsuppliedwithlandfortifications;
thearmyundertheparentaleyeoftheGeneral
Štábu
Staff,organizedaccordingtothePrussiansystem,hadbeenincreasedto300,000men,withaterritorialreserveofamillion;
andsixmagnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-shipspatrolledthesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingasteamreserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.
ThegentlemenfromtheWesthadatlastbeenconstrainedtoacknowledgethatacollegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasasnecessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;
consequentlywewerenolongerrepresentedabroadbyincompetentpatriots.
The
národ
nationwasprosperous;
Chicago,foramomentparalyzedafterasecondgreatfire,hadrisenfromitsruins,whiteandimperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhitecitywhichhadbeenbuiltforitsplaythingin1893.
Everywheregoodarchitecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,asuddencravingfordecencyhadsweptawayagreatportionoftheexistinghorrors.
Streetshadbeenwidened,
řádně
properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructuresdemolishedandundergroundroadsbuilttoreplacethem.
Thenewgovernmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsofarchitecture,andthelongsystemofstonequayswhichcompletelysurroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparkswhichprovedagod-sendtothepopulation.
Thesubsidizingofthestatetheatreandstateoperabroughtitsownreward.
TheUnitedStates
Národní
NationalAcademyofDesignwasmuchlikeEuropeaninstitutionsofthesamekind.
NobodyenviedtheSecretaryofFineArts,eitherhiscabinetpositionorhisportfolio.
TheSecretaryofForestryandGamePreservationhadamuch
jednodušší
easiertime,thankstothenewsystemof
Národní
NationalMountedPolice.
WehadprofitedwellbythelatesttreatieswithFranceandEngland;
theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsasameasureofself-preservation,thesettlementofthenewindependentnegrostateofSuanee,thecheckingofimmigration,thenewlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofpowerintheexecutiveallcontributedtonationalcalmandprosperity.
WhentheGovernmentsolvedtheIndianproblemandsquadronsofIndiancavalryscoutsinnativecostumeweresubstitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontothetailofskeletonizedregimentsbya
bývalý
formerSecretaryofWar,the
národ
nationdrewalongsighofrelief.
When,afterthecolossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewerelaidintheirgravesandkindnessandcharitybegantodrawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthemillenniumhadarrived,atleastinthenewworldwhichafterallisaworldbyitself.
Butself-preservationisthefirstlaw,andthe
Spojené
UnitedStateshadtolookoninhelplesssorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesofAnarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,stoopedandboundthemonebyone.
InthecityofNewYorkthesummerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.
Thesummerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;
theDodgeStatuewasremovedinthatyear.
Inthefollowing
zimě
winterbeganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibiting
sebevraždu
suicidewhichboreitsfinal
ovoce
fruitinthemonthof
Dubnu
April,1920,whenthefirstGovernmentLethalChamberwasopenedonWashington
Náměstí
Square.
IhadwalkeddownthatdayfromDr.Archer'shouseonMadisonAvenue,whereIhadbeenasamereformality.
Eversincethatfallfrommyhorse,fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsinthebackofmyheadandneck,butnowformonthstheyhadbeenabsent,andthedoctorsentmeawaythatdaysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.
Itwas
sotva
hardlyworthhisfeetobetoldthat;
Iknewitmyself.
StillIdidnotgrudgehimthemoney.
WhatImindedwasthemistakewhichhemadeatfirst.
WhentheypickedmeupfromthepavementwhereIlayunconscious,andsomebodyhadmercifullysentabulletthroughmyhorse'shead,IwascarriedtoDr.Archer,andhe,pronouncingmybrainaffected,placedmeinhisprivateasylumwhereIwasobligedtoenduretreatmentforinsanity.
AtlasthedecidedthatIwaswell,andI,knowingthatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.
Itoldhim,smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhismistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinawhile.
Ididso,hopingforachancetoevenupaccounts,buthegavemenone,andItoldhimIwouldwait.
Thefallfrommyhorsehadfortunatelyleftnoevilresults;
onthecontraryithadchangedmywholecharacterforthebetter.
Fromalazyyoungmanabouttown,Ihadbecomeactive,energetic,temperate,andaboveall—oh,aboveallelse—ambitious.
Therewasonlyonethingwhichtroubledme,Ilaughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.
DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,TheKinginYellow.
IrememberafterfinishingthefirstactthatitoccurredtomethatIhadbetterstop.
Istartedupandflungthebookintothefireplace;
thevolumestruckthebarredgrateandfellopenonthehearthinthefirelight.
IfIhadnotcaughtaglimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecondactIshouldneverhavefinishedit,butasIstoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopenpage,andwithacryofterror,orperhapsitwasof
radost
joysopoignantthatIsufferedineverynerve,Isnatchedthethingoutofthecoalsandcreptshakingtomy
ložnice
bedroom,whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlaughedandtrembledwithahorrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.
Thisisthethingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosawhereblackstarshangintheheavens;
wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengthenintheafternoon,whenthetwinsunssinkintothelakeofHali;
andmymindwillbearforeverthememoryofthePallid
Masku
Mask.
IprayGodwillcursethe
spisovatel
writer,asthewriterhascursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendouscreation,terribleinitssimplicity,irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichnowtremblesbeforetheKinginYellow.
WhentheFrenchGovernmentseizedthetranslatedcopieswhichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofcourse,becameeagertoreadit.
Itiswellknownhowthebookspreadlikeaninfectiousdisease,fromcitytocity,fromcontinenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscatedthere,denouncedbyPressandpulpit,censuredevenbythemostadvancedofliteraryanarchists.
Nodefiniteprincipleshadbeenviolatedinthosewickedpages,nodoctrinepromulgated,noconvictionsoutraged.
Itcouldnotbejudgedbyanyknownstandard,yet,
ačkoli
althoughitwasacknowledgedthatthesupremenoteofarthadbeenstruckinTheKinginYellow,allfeltthathumannaturecouldnotbearthestrain,northriveonwordsinwhichtheessenceofpurest
jedu
poisonlurked.
Theverybanalityandinnocenceofthefirstactonlyallowedtheblowtofallafterwardwithmoreawfuleffect.
Itwas,Iremember,the13thdayof
Dubna
April,1920,thatthefirstGovernmentLethalChamberwasestablishedonthesouthsideofWashingtonSquare,betweenWoosterStreetandSouthFifthAvenue.
The
blok
blockwhichhadformerlyconsistedofalotofshabbyoldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeenacquiredbytheGovernmentinthe
zimě
winterof1898.
TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;
thewhole
blok
blockwasenclosedbyagildedironrailing,andconvertedintoalovelygardenwithlawns,flowersandfountains.
Inthecentreofthegardenstoodasmall,whitebuilding,severelyclassicalinarchitecture,andsurroundedbythicketsofflowers.
SixIoniccolumnssupportedthe
střechu
roof,andthesingledoorwasofbronze.
Asplendidmarblegroupofthe"Fates"stoodbeforethedoor,theworkofayoungAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinPariswhenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.
TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasIcrossed
University
UniversityPlaceandenteredthe
náměstí
square.
Ithreadedmywaythroughthe
tichý
silentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedat
Čtvrté
FourthStreetbyacordonofpolice.
AregimentofUnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinahollowsquareroundtheLethalChamber.
OnaraisedtribunefacingWashingtonParkstoodthe
Guvernér
GovernorofNewYork,andbehindhimweregroupedthe
Starosta
MayorofNewYorkandBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthestatetroops,ColonelLivingston,militaryaidtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates,GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor'sIsland,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingthegarrisonofNewYorkandBrooklyn,AdmiralBuffbyofthefleetintheNorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,the
zaměstnanci
staffoftheNationalFreeHospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,andtheCommissionerofPublicWorks.
Thetribunewassurroundedbyasquadronofhussarsofthe
Národní
NationalGuard.
TheGovernorwasfinishinghisreplytotheshort
proslov
speechoftheSurgeon-General.
Iheardhimsay:
"Thelawsprohibiting
sebevraždu
suicideandprovidingpunishmentforany
pokus o
attemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.
TheGovernmenthasseenfittoacknowledgetherightofmantoendanexistencewhichmayhavebecomeintolerabletohim,throughphysicalsufferingormentaldespair.
Itisbelievedthatthecommunitywillbebenefitedbytheremovalofsuchpeoplefromtheirmidst.
Sincethepassageofthislaw,thenumberofsuicidesintheUnitedStateshasnotincreased.
NowtheGovernmenthasdeterminedtoestablishaLethalChamberineverycity,townandvillageinthecountry,itremainstobeseenwhetherornotthatclassofhumancreaturesfromwhosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfall
denně
dailywillacceptthereliefthusprovided."
Hepaused,andturnedtothewhiteLethalChamber.
Thesilenceinthestreetwasabsolute.
"Thereapainlessdeathawaitshimwhocannolongerbearthesorrowsofthislife.
Ifdeathiswelcomelethimseekitthere."
ThenquicklyturningtothemilitaryaidofthePresident'shousehold,hesaid,"IdeclaretheLethalChamberopen,"andagainfacingthevast
davu
crowdhecriedinaclearvoice:
"CitizensofNewYorkandoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,throughmetheGovernmentdeclarestheLethalChambertobeopen."
Thesolemnhushwasbrokenbyasharpcryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor'scarriage,thelancerswheeledandformedalongFifthAvenuetowaitforthecommandantofthegarrison,andthemountedpolicefollowedthem.
Ileftthe
dav
crowdtogapeandstareatthewhitemarbleDeathChamber,and,crossingSouthFifthAvenue,walkedalongthewesternsideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.
ThenIturnedtotherightandstoppedbeforeadingyshopwhichborethesign:.
HAWBERK,ARMOURER.
IglancedinatthedoorwayandsawHawberkbusyinhislittleshopattheendofthehall.
Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhisdeep,heartyvoice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"
Constance,hisdaughter,rosetomeetmeasIcrossedthethreshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawtheblushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasanotherCastaigneshehadexpected,mycousinLouis.
Ismiledatherconfusionandcomplimentedheronthebannershewasembroideringfromacolouredplate.
OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofsomeancientsuitofarmour,andtheting!
ting!
ting!
ofhislittlehammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaintshop.
Presentlyhedroppedhishammer,andfussedaboutforamomentwithatinywrench.
Thesoftclashofthe
pošty
mailsentathrillofpleasurethroughme.
Ilovedtohearthemusicof
oceli
steelbrushingagainststeel,themellowshockofthemalletonthighpieces,andthejingleofchainarmour.
ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.
Hehadneverinterestedme
osobně
personally,nordidConstance,exceptforthefactofherbeinginlovewithLouis.
Thisdidoccupymyattention,andsometimesevenkeptme
vzhůru
awakeatnight.
ButIknewinmyheartthatallwouldcomeright,andthatIshould
uspořádat
arrangetheirfutureasIexpectedto
uspořádat
arrangethatofmykinddoctor,JohnArcher.
However,Ishouldneverhavetroubledmyselfaboutvisitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIsay,thatthemusicofthetinklinghammerhadformethisstrongfascination.
Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhenastraysunbeamstrucktheinlaid
oceli
steel,thesensationitgavemewasalmosttookeentoendure.
Myeyeswouldbecomefixed,dilatingwithapleasurethatstretchedeverynervealmosttobreaking,untilsome
pohyb
movementoftheoldarmourercutofftherayofsunlight,then,stillthrillingsecretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintothesoundofthepolishingrag,swish!
swish!
rubbingrustfromtherivets.
Constanceworkedwiththeembroideryoverherknees,nowandthenpausingtoexaminemorecloselythepatterninthecolouredplatefromtheMetropolitan
Muzea
Museum.
Whoisthisfor?"
Iasked.
Hawberkexplained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresofarmourintheMetropolitanMuseumofwhichhehadbeenappointedarmourer,healsohadchargeofseveralcollectionsbelongingtorichamateurs.
ThiswasthemissinggreaveofafamoussuitwhichaclientofhishadtracedtoalittleshopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.
He,Hawberk,hadnegotiatedforandsecuredthegreave,andnowthesuitwascomplete.
Helaiddownhishammerandreadmethehistoryofthesuit,tracedsince1450fromownertoowneruntilitwasacquiredbyThomasStainbridge.
Whenhissuperbcollectionwassold,thisclientofHawberk'sboughtthesuit,andsincethenthesearchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpusheduntilitwas,almostbyaccident,locatedinParis.
Didyoucontinuethesearchsopersistentlywithoutanycertaintyofthegreavebeingstillinexistence?"
Idemanded.
Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.
ThenforthefirsttimeItookapersonalinterestinHawberk.
Itwasworthsomethingtoyou,"Iventured.
No,"hereplied,laughing,"mypleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."
Haveyounoambitiontoberich?"
Iasked,smiling.
Myoneambitionistobethebestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.
ConstanceaskedmeifIhadseentheceremoniesattheLethalChamber.
SheherselfhadnoticedcavalrypassingupBroadwaythatmorning,andhadwishedtoseetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthebannerfinished,andshehadstayedathis
žádost
request.
Didyouseeyourcousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"
sheasked,withtheslightesttremorofhersofteyelashes.
No,"Irepliedcarelessly.
"Louis'regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."
Iroseandpickedupmy
klobouk
hatandcane.
Areyougoingupstairstoseethelunaticagain?"
laughedoldHawberk.
IfHawberkknewhowIloathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmypresence.
ItrousescertainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcaretoexplain.
However,Iansweredhim
tiše
quietly:
"IthinkIshalldropinandseeMr.Wildeforamomentortwo."
Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthehead,"itmustbehardtolivealoneyearafteryearpoor,crippledandalmostdemented.
Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,tovisithimasoftenasyoudo."
Ithinkheisvicious,"observedHawberk,beginningagainwithhishammer.
Ilistenedtothegoldentinkleonthegreaveplates;
whenhehadfinishedIreplied:.
No,heisnotvicious,norisheintheleastdemented.
Hismindisawonderchamber,fromwhichhecanextracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.
Hawberklaughed.
Icontinuedalittleimpatiently:
"Heknowshistoryasnooneelsecouldknowit.
Nothing,howevertrivial,escapeshissearch,andhismemoryissoabsolute,sopreciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchamanexisted,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."
Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,searchingonthefloorforafallenrivet.
Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingtosuppresswhatIfelt,"isit
nesmysl
nonsensewhenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelledsuitofarmourcommonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'canbefound
mezi
amongamassofrustytheatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"
Hawberk'shammerfelltotheground,buthepickeditupandasked,withagreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."
IdidnotknowuntilMr.Wildementionedittometheotherday.
Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."
Nonsense,"hecried,butInoticedhishandtremblingunderhisleathernapron.
Isthisnonsensetoo?"
Iaskedpleasantly,"isit
nesmysl
nonsensewhenMr.WildecontinuallyspeaksofyouastheMarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".
Ididnotfinish,forConstancehadstartedtoherfeetwithterrorwrittenoneveryfeature.
Hawberklookedatmeand
pomalu
slowlysmoothedhisleathernapron.
Thatisimpossible,"heobserved,"Mr.
Wildemayknowagreatmanythings—".
Aboutarmour,forinstance,andthe'Prince'sEmblazoned,'"Iinterposed,smiling.
Yes,"hecontinued,
pomalu
slowly,"aboutarmouralso—maybe—butheiswronginregardtotheMarquisofAvonshire,who,asyouknow,killedhiswife'straduceryearsago,andwenttoAustraliawherehedidnotlong
nepřežil
survivehiswife."
Mr.
Wildeiswrong,"murmuredConstance.
Herlipswereblanched,buthervoicewassweetandcalm.
Letusagree,ifyouplease,thatinthisonecircumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.
II
Iclimbedthethreedilapidatedflightsof
schody
stairs,whichIhadsooftenclimbedbefore,andknockedatasmalldoorattheendofthecorridor.
Mr.WildeopenedthedoorandIwalkedin.
Whenhehaddouble-lockedthedoorandpushedaheavychestagainstit,hecameandsatdown
vedle
besideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.
Halfadozennewscratchescoveredhisnoseandcheeks,andthesilverwireswhichsupportedhisartificialearshadbecomedisplaced.
IthoughtIhadneverseenhimsohideouslyfascinating.
Hehadnoears.
Theartificialones,whichnowstoodoutatananglefromthefine
drátu
wire,werehisoneweakness.
Theyweremadeofwaxandpaintedashellpink,buttherestofhisfacewasyellow.
Hemightbetterhaverevelledintheluxuryofsomeartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwasabsolutelyfingerless,butitseemedtocausehimnoinconvenience,andhewassatisfiedwithhiswaxears.
Hewasverysmall,scarcely
vyšší
higherthanachildoften,buthisarmsweremagnificentlydeveloped,andhisthighsasthickasanyathlete's.
Still,themostremarkablethingaboutMr.Wildewasthatamanofhismarvellous
inteligence
intelligenceandknowledgeshouldhavesuchahead.
Itwasflatandpointed,liketheheadsofmanyofthoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.
Manycalledhim
šílený
insane,butIknewhimtobeassaneasIwas.
Idonotdenythathewaseccentric;
themaniahehadforkeepingthatcatandteasingheruntilsheflewathisfacelikea
démon
demon,wascertainlyeccentric.
Inevercouldunderstandwhyhekeptthe
stvoření
creature,norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomwiththissurly,viciousbeast.
Irememberonce,glancingupfromthemanuscriptIwasstudyingbythelightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildesquattingmotionlessonhishighchair,hiseyesfairlyblazingwithexcitement,whilethecat,whichhadrisenfromherplacebeforethestove,camecreepingacrossthefloorrightathim.
BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytotheground,crouched,trembled,andsprangintohisface.
Howlingandfoamingtheyrolledoverandoveronthefloor,scratchingandclawing,untilthecatscreamedandfledunderthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandcurlinguplikethelegsofadyingspider.
Hewaseccentric.
Mr.
Wildehadclimbedintohishighchair,and,afterstudyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.
HenryB.
Matthews,"heread,"book-keeperwithWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersinchurchornaments.
Called
Dubna
April3rd.
Reputationdamagedontherace-track.
Knownasawelcher.
Reputace
Reputationtoberepairedby
Srpna
August1st.
RetainerFiveDollars."