'Ser' or 'Estar,' That Is the Question

Two Verbs Are Used for 'To Be'

There are few things more confusing for beginning Spanish students, at least those who have English as their first language, than learning the
differences between ser and estar. After all, they both mean "to be" in English.
And since both verbs are frequently used, they are as irregular as can be. Who would think that fue would be the third-person preterite of ser? (On the
other hand, you've got to have sympathy with those learning English. Who would think "am," "is," "was," and "are" are all forms of "to be"?)
In this lesson, we'll concern ourselves only with the present tense. After all, by the time you're learning other tenses you'll have the two verbs mastered.
They really aren't that difficult. Just remember when learning a foreign language that we don't translate words from one language to another, we
translate meanings. And many of our English verbs, "to be" among them, have a multitude of meanings.
When I think of the differences between ser andestar, I like to think of ser as the passive verb andestar as the active one. (I'm not using the terms in a
grammatical sense here.) Ser tells you what something is, the nature of its being, while estarrefers more to what something does. I might use soy(the
first-person present of ser) to tell you what I am, but I'd use estoy (the first-person present ofestar) to tell you what I am being.
Now that's probably as clear as a politician's equivocation, but let me give you a few examples. I might say, "Estoy enfermo." That would tell you that I
am being sick, that I am sick at the moment. But it doesn't tell you what I am. Now if I were to say, "Soy enfermo," that would have a different meaning
entirely. That would refer to who I am, to the nature of my being. We might translate that as "I am a sick person" or "I am sickly."
Note similar differences in these examples:

Estoy cansado, I am tired. Soy cansado, I am a tired person.

Estoy feliz, I'm happy now. Soy feliz, I am happy by nature.

Est callada, she's being quiet. Es callada, she's introverted.
No soy listo, I'm not a quick thinker. No estoy listo, I'm not ready.
One way of thinking about it is to think of ser as being roughly equivalent to "equals." Another way of thinking about it is that estar often refers to a
temporary condition, while ser frequently refers to a permanent condition. But there are some exceptions.
Among the major exceptions to the above way of thinking is that ser is used in expressions of time, such as "Son las dos de la tarde" for "It's 2 p.m."
Also, we use estar to indicate someone has died quite a permanent condition: Est muerto, he is dead.
Along that line, estar is used to indicate location. Estoy en casa, I am at home. But, soy de Mxico, I am from Mexico.
There are also a few idiomatic expressions that simply need to be learned, although that comes naturally with time: La manzana es verde, the apple is
green. La manzana est verde, the apple is unripe. Est muy bien la comida, the meal tastes very good.
Note that sometimes estar is modified by an adverb such as bien rather than being followed by an adjective. Estoy bien, I'm fine.
As I mentioned earlier, both ser and estar are irregularly conjugated. Here's a chart of the present tense:
Pronombre
Yo
T
l, ella, usted
Nosotros
Vosotros
Ellos, ellas, ustedes

Ser
soy
eres
es
somos
sois
son

Estar
estoy
ests
est
estamos
estis
estn

Ser or Estar?by Cari Luna

There are two different forms of the verb to be in Spanish: ser and estar. If you do accidentally choose the wrong one, chances are you'll still be
understood. There are a few instances, however, where making the wrong choice can change the meaning of your statement sometimes in a rather
embarrassing way. It can mean the difference between saying someone is good Carmen es buena and saying someone has a good body
Carmen est buena. Ladies, if you're walking down the street and hear someone yelling,Ay, mami, qu buena ests! he doesn't mean you look like a
nice person. He's using apiropo, which translates as compliment but may feel more like a catcall.
QUESTION?
Not sure when to use ser and when to use estar?
Keep this in mind: If it's something more or less permanent, like birthplace, nationality, or a physical characteristic, use ser. If it's something that changes,
like being tired or hungry or lost, useestar.

SER: to be
yo soy (soy)
t eres (EH-rehs)
l, ella, usted es (ehs)
nosotros somos (SOH-mohs)
vosotros sois (soys)
ellos, ellas, ustedes son (sohn)

ESTAR: to be (located)
yo estoy (ehs-TOY)

t ests (ehs-TAHS)
l, ella, usted est (ehs-TAH)
nosotros estamos (ehs-TAH-mohs)
vosotros estis (ehs-TAHYS)
ellos, ellas, ustedes estn (ehs-TAHN)
Choosing between ser and estar trips up a lot of people, but it doesn't have to be complicated if you know the basics. The verb ser is used to express the
following:
Nationality, origin, or a permanent characteristic:
Soy americana. I'm American.
Jennifer es de Inglaterra. Jennifer is from England.
Juan es bajo. Juan is short.
A characteristic or condition that will probably be the same for a long period of time:
Ellos son abogados. They are lawyers.
Date and time:
Mi cumpleaos es el veinte de agosto. My birthday is August 20th.
Son las dos. It's two o'clock.
The verb estar is used to express the following:

 Location:
Estoy aqu. I'm here.
El coche est en el garaje. The car is in the garage.
A temporary condition:
Linda est cansada. Linda is tired.

The Top 10 Spanish Phrases to Knowby Cari Luna

1. Do you speak English? Habla usted ingls? AH-blah OO-stehd een-GLEHS
2. I don't understand. No comprendo. noh kohm-PREHN-doh
3. I'm allergic to Soy alrgico/a a sohy ah-LEHR-hee-koh/kah ah
4. I need a doctor. Necesito un doctor. neh-seh-SEE-toh oon dohk-TOHR
5. Where is the emergency exit? Dnde est la salida de emergencia? DOHN-deh eh-STAH lah sah-LEE-dah deh eh-mehr-HEN-see-ah
6. Hello! Hola! OH-lah
7. Good-bye! Adis! ah-dee-OHS

8. My name is Me llamo me YAH-moh

9. Where is ? Dnde est ? DOHN-deh eh-STAH
10. I'm lost. Estoy perdido/a. eh-STOHY pehr-DEE-doh/dah

Greetings and words for basic conversations in Spanish

adis
bien, gracias / muy bien
bienvenidos
buenas noches
buenas tardes
buenos das
chao
cmo est Ud.?
cmo ests?
cmo se llama Ud.?
cmo te llamas?
con permiso
conversacin (la)
de dnde eres?
de dnde es Ud.?
de nada
el gusto es mo
encantado
gracias / muchas gracias
hasta la vista

goodbye
well, thanks / very well
welcome
good evening, good night
good afternoon
good morning
goodbye
how are you? (formal)
how are you? (familiar)
whats your name? (formal)
whats your name? (familiar)
pardon me, excuse me
conversation
where are you from? (familiar)
where are you from? (formal)
youre welcome
the pleasure is mine
pleased to meet you
thank you / thank you very much
see you later, until we see one another again

hasta luego
hasta maana
hasta pronto
hola
igualmente
le presento a
lo siento
me llamo
mucho gusto
no hay de qu
no muy bien
nos vemos
perdn
qu hay de nuevo?
qu hora es?
qu pasa?
qu tal?
saludos
seor, Sr. (el)
seora, Sra. (la)
seorita, Srta. (la)
soy de
te presento a
y t?
y Ud.?

see you later

see you tomorrow
see you soon
hello, hi
likewise
I would like to introduce you to (formal)
Im sorry
my name is
pleased to meet you
no worries, nothing to worry about
not very well
see you
pardon me, excuse me
whats new?
what time is it?
whats happening?
whats going on? hows it going?
greetings
gentleman, sir, Mr.
lady, adult woman, Mrs.
young lady, Miss
Im from
I would like to introduce to you to (familiar)
and you? (familiar)
and you? (formal)
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Numbers in Spanish - Part 1

Numbers

los nmeros

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

cero
uno
dos
tres
cuatro
cinco
seis
siete
ocho
nueve
diez

How many do you want? (polite)

I want one.
How many bread rolls do you
want? (polite)
I want one bread roll.
How many tickets do you want?
(polite)
I want three tickets.
How many siblings do you have?
(polite)
I have two siblings.

Cuntos quiere?
Quiero uno.

1 + 1 = 2 (One plus one equals

Uno ms uno es dos.

Cuntos panes quiere?

Quiero un pan.
Cuntos boletos quiere?
Quiero tres boletos.
Cuntos hermanos tiene?
Tengo dos hermanos.

two. )
1.5 (one point five)

uno punto cinco

Numbers in Spanish - Part 2

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100

diez
veinte
treinta
cuarenta
cincuenta
sesenta
setenta
ochenta
noventa
cien

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

once
doce
trece
catorce
quince
diecisis
diecisiete
dieciocho
diecinueve

How old are you? (polite)

Cuntos aos tienes?

Im 21 years old.
How much does it cost?
It costs twenty dollars.
dollars
cents
It costs $19.95.

Tengo veintin aos de edad.

Cunto cuesta?
Cuesta veinte dlares.
dlares
centavos
Cuesta diecinueve dlares y noventa y cinco centavos.

100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
1,000,000

cien
doscientos
trescientos
cuatrocientos
quinientos
seiscientos
setecientos
ochocientos
novecientos
mil
dos mil
tres mil
cuatro mil
cinco mil
seis mil
siete mil
ocho mil
nueve mil
un milln
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Words for telling the time in Spanish

a qu hora?
antes (de)
de la maana
de la noche
de la tarde
despus
despus de
durante
en punto
entonces
es la una
hora (la)
jams
luego
ms tarde
medianoche (la)
medioda (el)
menos cuarto / menos quince
nunca
por ltimo
qu hora es?
siempre
son las
tarde
tiempo (el)
y cuarto / y quince
y media / y treinta

at what time?
before
in the morning
in the evening, at night
in the afternoon
afterwards, then
after
during
on the dot, exactly, sharp
then
its one oclock
hour
never, not ever
afterwards, then
later
midnight
noon (literally, midday)
quarter to
never, not ever
finally
what time is it?
always
its oclock
afternoon, late
time
quarter after
thirty (minutes past the hour)

Back to Basic Spanish Word Lists

Spanish words for seasons, days of the week and periods of time
anoche
anteayer
ao pasado (el)
ayer
da (el)
poca (la)
estacin (la)
fin de semana (el)
futuro (el)
hoy
hoy es
maana (la)
mes (el)
pasado (el)
presente (el)
semana (la)
semana pasada (la)

last night
day before yesterday
last year
yesterday
day
period, time, season
season
weekend
future
today
today is
tomorrow, morning
month
past
present
week
last week

lunes
martes
mircoles
jueves
viernes
sbado
domingo

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

primavera (la)
otoo (el)
verano (el)
invierno (el)

spring
autumn, fall
summer
winter
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Nationalities and countries in Spanish

alemn, alemana
canadiense
chino
ecuatoriano
espaol (el)
estadounidense (el, la)
francs, francesa
ingls, inglesa
italiano
japons, japonesa
mexicano
nacionalidad (la)
norteamericano
puertorriqueo
ruso
Alemania
Amrica del Norte
Amrica del Sur
Canad
Escocia

German
Canadian
Chinese
Ecuadorian
Spanish
American (from the U.S.)
French
English
Italian
Japanese
Mexican
nationality
North American (from the U.S.)
Puerto Rican
Russian
Germany
North America
South America
Canada
Scotland

Espaa
Estados Unidos (Los), also EE.UU.
Europa
Francia
Gran Bretaa
Inglaterra
Irlanda
Italia
Mxico
Nueva Zelanda
pas (el)
Rusia

Spain
United States
Europe
France
Great Britain
England
Ireland
Italy
Mexico
New Zealand
country
Russia
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How to describe people in Spanish

alto
amable
antiptico
bajo
bonito
brillante
casado
chistoso
contento
delgado
enfermo
feo
fuerte

tall
friendly
unpleasant
short
pretty
bright
married
funny
happy
thin, slender
sick
ugly
strong

gordo
guapo
hermoso
inteligente
joven
loco
pobre
rico
rubio
saludable
simptico
soltero
tonto
viejo

fat
handsome, good-looking
beautiful
intelligent
young
crazy
poor
rich
blond
healthy
nice, likeable
single
silly, foolish
old
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Directions in Spanish
a la derecha
a la izquierda
al lado
atrs
cerca
debajo
delante de
desde a
detrs
dnde est?
en

to the right
to the left
beside
behind, ago
near
below, under
in front of
from to
behind
where is?
in, on

encima
entre
lejos
sobre

on top
between, among
far away, distant
on, over
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Spanish words for the weather

clima (el)
cmo est el tiempo/el clima?
contaminacin
est despejado
est fresco
est lloviendo
est nevando
est nublado
hace buen/mal tiempo
hace calor
hace fro
hace sol
hace viento
helado
hielo
lluvia
neblina
nieve
qu tiempo hace?

climate, weather
hows the weather?
smoggy
its clear
its fresh/cool
its raining
its snowing
its cloudy
its nice/bad weather
its hot
its cold
its sunny
its windy
icy, frozen
ice
rain
fog
snow
whats the weather like?
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Spanish Words for Places

la agencia de viajes
el almacn
el banco
los baos pblicos
la cafetera
el cambio de monedas
la carnicera
el centro comercial
el centro histrico
el centro turstico
la comisara
el correo
la embajada
la estacin de tren
la farmacia
el hospital
la iglesia
la lavandera
la librera
el mercado
el museo
el palacio real
la panadera
la parada de buses
la parada de taxis
el parque
la piscina

travel agency
department store
bank
public bathrooms
caf
currency exchange
butcher
mall, shopping center
historic district
tourist center
police station
post office
embassy
train station
pharmacy
hospital
church
laundromat
bookstore
market
museum
royal palace
bakery
bus stop
taxi stop
park
swimming pool

el restaurante
los servicios higinicos
el supermercado
la tienda

restaurant
restrooms
supermarket
store, shop
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Some basic Spanish words to know on vacation

acampar
agencia de viajes (la)
agente de viajes (el, la)
ascensor (el)
autobs (el)
cabaa (la)
cama (la)
cancelar
carpa (la)
confirmar
descansar
empleado (el)
equipaje (el)
estacin (la)
estacin de autobuses, del metro, de tren (la)
estada (la)
estar de vacaciones
habitacin individual, doble (la)
hacer las maletas
hacer turismo
hacer un viaje

to camp
travel agency
travel agent
elevator
bus
cabin
bed
to cancel
tent
to confirm
to rest
employee
luggage
station, season
bus, subway, train station
stay
to be on vacation
single, double room
to pack ones suitcases
to go sightseeing
to take a trip

hacer una excursin

husped (el, la)
inspector de aduanas (el)
ir de compras
ir de pesca
ir de vacaciones
ir en autobs, auto(mvil), avin, barco, motocicleta, taxi
jugar a las cartas
llave (la)
llegada (la)
maleta (la)
montar a caballo
pasaje (de ida y vuelta)
pasaporte (el)
pasar por la aduana
pescar
piso (el)
planta baja (la)
recorrer
reservacin
sacar/tomar fotos
salida (la)
turstico
viajar
viajero (el)

to go on a hike, to go on a tour
guest
customs inspector
to go shopping
to go fishing
to go on vacation
to go by bus, car, plane, boat, motorcycle, taxi
to play cards
key
arrival
suitcase
to ride a horse
(round-trip) ticket
passport
to go through customs
to fish
floor (of a building)
ground floor
to tour an area
reservation
to take photos
departure, exit
touristy
to travel
traveler
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Spanish words for colors

amarillo
anaranjado, color tomate/naranja
arco iris (el)
azul
blanco
claro
color (el)
gris
marrn, color caf
morado
negro
oscuro
rojo
rosado
verde

yellow
orange
rainbow
blue
white
light
color
gray
brown
purple
black
dark
red
pink
green
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Basic Spanish words to know when shopping

abrigo (el)
almacn (el)
barato
blusa (la)
bolsa (la)
bota (la)
bueno
caja (la)
camisa (la)

coat
department store
cheap
blouse
purse; bag
boot
good
box, cash register
shirt, blouse

caro
cartera (la)
centro comercial (el)
chaqueta (la)
cinturn (el)
cliente (el)
comprar
compras (las)
corbata (la)
corto
costar
de segunda mano
dinero (el)
elegante
falda (la)
gafas (las)
gastar
guantes (l0s)
impermeable (el)
juego (el)
largo
lentes (los)
lentes de contacto (los)
llevar
medias (las)
mercado (el)
nuevo
pagar
pantalones (los)

expensive
wallet, handbag
shopping mall, commercial center
jacket
belt
customer, client
to buy
shopping (the things you buy)
tie
short (in length)
to cost
secondhand
money
elegant
skirt
glasses (such as sunglasses)
to spend (money)
gloves
raincoat
set (as in a set of sheets), game
long (in length)
glasses (such as corrective lenses)
contact lenses
to wear, to carry
socks, pantyhose
market
new
to pay
pants, trousers

pantalones cortos (los)

par (el)
precio (fijo) (el)
prestar
rebaja (la)
regalo (el)
regatear
ropa (la)
ropa interior (la)
sandalias (las)
sombrero (el)
suter (el)
tarjeta de crdito (la)
tienda (la)
tintorera (la)
traje (de bao) (el)
traje (el)
vendedor (el)
vender
vestido (el)
zapatos de tenis (los)

shorts
pair
(fixed or set) price
to lend, to loan
sale
gift
to bargain
clothing, clothes
underwear
sandals
hat
sweater
credit card
shop, store
dry cleaners
(bathing) suit
suit
salesperson
to sell
dress
(tennis) shoes
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Spanish words for food

aceite de olivo (el)
agua (mineral) (el)
ajo (el)
almorzar

olive oil
(mineral) water
garlic
to have lunch

almuerzo (el)
arroz (el)
arvejas (las)
atn (el)
azcar (el)
beber
bebida (la)
bistec (el)
caf (el)
camarero (el), mesero (el)
camarones (los)
caracol del mar (el)
carne (la)
carne de res (la)
cebolla (la)
cena (la)
cenar
cereales (los)
cerveza (la)
champin (el)
chuleta (de cerdo) (la)
comer
comida (la)
delicioso
desayunar
desayuno (el)
ensalada (la)
esprragos (los)
frijoles (los)

lunch
rice
peas
tuna
sugar
to drink
drink
steak
coffee
waiter
shrimp
sea snail
meat
beef
onion
meal, dinner
to have dinner, to have a meal
cereal, grains
beer
mushroom
(pork) chop
to eat
food, meal
delicious
to have breakfast
breakfast
salad
asparagus
beans

frutas (las)
hamburguesa (la)
huevo (el)
jamn (el)
jugo (el)
langosta (la)
leche (la)
lechuga (la)
limn (el)
maz (el)
mantequilla (la)
manzana (la)
margarina (la)
mariscos (los)
mariscos (los)
mayonesa (la)
me gustara
melocotn (el)
men (el)
naranja (la)
pan (tostado) (el)
papas/patatas (fritas) (las)
pavo (el)
pedir
pera (la)
pescado (el)
pimienta (la)
pltano (el)
plato (principal) (el)

fruits
hamburger
egg
ham
juice
lobster
milk
lettuce
lemon
corn
butter
apple
margarine
seafood
shellfish
mayonnaise
I would like
peach
menu
orange
(toasted) bread
(fried) potatoes; French fries
turkey
to order (food)
pear
fish
black pepper
banana
(main) dish

pollo (asado) (el)

probar
queso (el)
recomendar
refresco (el)
rico
sabroso
sal (la)
salchicha (la)
sndwich (el)
seccin de fumar (la)
servir
sopa (la)
t (helado) (el)
tomate (el)
uva (la)
verduras (las)
vinagre (el)
vino (blanco/tinto) (el)
yogur (el)
zanahoria (la)

(roast) chicken
to taste, to try
cheese
to recommend
soft drink
delicious, yummy
tasty, delicious
salt
sausage
sandwich
smoking section
to serve
soup
(iced) tea
tomato
grape
vegetables
vinegar
(white/red) wine
yogurt
carrot

THE SEARCH FOR LORNA LA BSQUEDA DE LORNA!

LA BSQUEDA DE LORNA

THE SEARCH FOR LORNA

Daisy Hamilton was a private detective.

Daisy Hamilton era detective privado.

Tena treinta aos y haba sido detective

durante los dos ltimos.

She was thirty years old and had been a

detective for the past two years.

Todas las maanas se diriga a su oficina a

Every morning she went to her office to wait for
esperar llamadas de telfono o a abrir la puerta phone calls or open the door to clients needing
a clientes que necesitasen sus servicios.
her services.

Daisy no era an muy conocida pero de vez en

cuando reciba llamadas de personas que
haban ledo su anuncio en un peridico local.

Daisy wasn't very well known yet but

occasionally people telephoned her from the
advertisement she had put in the local
newspaper.

Una maana, cerca de las once, alguien llam

a la puerta de su oficina.

One morning at about eleven o'clock someone

knocked on her office door.

Era una mujer obesa con un mutn de piel al

cuello.

It was a fat lady who wore a fur around her

neck.

"Hola, puedo hacer algo por ustd?" Pregunt "Hello, can I help you?" Daisy asked the lady.
Daisy a la seora.
"Please come and sit down."
"Entre, por favor, y tome asiento."

"Oh, por supuesto! Necesito su ayuda

desesperadamente.

"Oh yes indeed! I need your help desperately.

Lorna, mi pequea ha desaparecido y no s

Lorna, my little one has disappeared. I don't

qu hacer. "

know what to do."

Daisy ofreci a la seora gorda una taza de

caf instantneo y esper los detalles.

Daisy offered the fat lady a cup of instant coffee

and awaited the details.

La seora gorda se sent pesadamente y puso The fat lady sat down heavily and put her large
su gran bolso de cuero rojo sobre la mesa de
red leather handbag on Daisy's desk.
Daisy.

"Cuntemelo todo por favor, Sra....?"

"Please tell me everything - Mrs. ...?"

"Mi nombre es Sra. Edwina Humphries. Me

temo que pedirn rescate - Me temo que han
secuestrado a Lorna!"

"Mrs. Edwina Humphries is my name. I am

afraid they will ask me for money - I'm afraid
Lorna has been kidnapped!"

"Es terrible Sra. Humphries. Piensa tambin el "That's terrible, Mrs. Humphries. Does Mr.
Sr. Humphries que Lorna ha sido
Humphries, too, think Lorna has been
secuestrada?"
kidnapped?"

"A mi marido no le importa si han secuestrado

a Lorna o no!"

"My husband is not interested if Lorna has been

kidnapped or not!"

"De verdad, Sr. Humphries? Pero es su

marido el verdadero padre de Lorna?"

"Really, Mrs. Humphries? But is your husband

Lorna's real father?"

"No entiendo lo que quiere decir. Nosotros

compramos a Lorna juntos" contest la Sra.
Humphries.

"I don't know what you mean. We bought Lorna

together," replied Mrs. Humphries.

"La compraron ........Sr. Humphries, sabe que

eso es ilegal".

"You bought ............Mrs. Humphries, that's

illegal, you know."

"No, no lo es en la India!"

"No it isn't, not in India!"

"Compraron a Lorna en la India?"

"You bought Lorna in India?"

"Por supuesto! Y siempre me ha hecho mucha Yes indeed! And she always keeps me great

compaa, sabe?".

company, you know."

"La Sra. Humphries abri su enorme bolso de

cuero para sacar un pauelo.

"Mrs. Humphries opened her huge leather bag

to pull out a handkerchief.

Daisy vi con horror como una criatura

serpenteante sala del bolso.

With horror Daisy saw a wiggling creature come

out of that bag.

"Sra. Humphries - aparte eso

inmediatamente!" grit Daisy.

"Mrs. Humphries - move that away

immediately!" screamed Daisy.

"Qu? Ah Lorna - Al fin te encuentro!" dijo la

Sra. Humphries. "Te habas escondido en mi
bolso - nia mala!"

"What? Oh Lorna - I've found you at last!" said

Mrs. Humphries."You hid in my bag - you
naughty girl!"

"Sra. Lorna. Esta es Lorna?"

"Mrs. Humphries. This is Lorna?"

"S, nuestra serpiente de los pantanos de

Bengala. Gracias querida! No creo que
necesite ms de sus servicios!"

Yes, our Bengali swamp snake. Oh thank you

my dear. No, I don't think I need your services
any longer!"

Tan pronto como Daisy cerr la puerta detrs

de la Sra. Humphries, pens que debera
aadir una nota al anuncio: Abstngase
animales y serpientes.

As Daisy shut the door after Mrs. Humphries,

she made a mental note to write in the
advertisement: no animals, no snakes.

THE SURPRISE LA SORPRESA

THE DAISY STORIES by Crystal Jones 1995-2010
Translation by: Rosario de Zayas Rueda Email: rosario@tatutrad.net
WITH A VERY BIG THANK YOU FROM THE LONWEB TEAM!

LA SORPRESA

THE SURPRISE

Daisy cogi el telfono e intent ponerse en

contacto de nuevo con su cliente.

Daisy picked up the telephone and tried to get

through to her client again.

Su cliente, un tal Frank Baccini, que tena un

almacn de electrodomsticos, no le haba
pagado por sus dos das de trabajo.

Her client, a certain Frank Baccini, who had a

warehouse of electrical goods, had not paid for
her two days' work.

Daisy haba descubierto dnde estaba viviendo Daisy had managed to discover where Mr.
el socio deshonesto del Sr. Baccini y estaba
Baccini's dishonest partner was now living and
esperando ansiosamente el cheque.
was anxiously expecting her cheque.

Daisy estaba empezando a pensar que su

cliente era tambin deshonesto.

Daisy was beginning to think that her client was

dishonest too.

Un aburrido "Hola, puedo hacer algo por

usted?" fue la respuesta desde el otro lado de
la lnea.

A very bored "Hello, can I help you?" was the

reply at the other end.

Era la voz de una mujer joven, la secretaria de

Frank Baccini.

It was a young woman's voice, Frank Baccini's

secretary.

"Me gustara hablar con el Sr. Baccini, por

favor."

"I'd like to speak to Mr. Baccini, please."

"Lo siento, el Sr. Baccini est fuera de la

ciudad."

"Sorry, Mr. Baccini is out of town."

"Cundo volver?" insisti Daisy.

"But when is he coming back?" insisted Daisy.

"Me temo que no lo s."

"I'm afraid I don't know."

"Podra decirle que ha llamado Daisy Hamilton "Will you tell him Daisy Hamilton telephoned
y que me gustara hablar con l
and would like to talk to him urgently."
urgentemente?."

"Bueno - s, me imagino que s", fue la

desconcertante respuesta.

"Well - yes, I suppose so," was the completely

unconcerned reply.

Era la dcima vez que Daisy hablaba con esta

joven en dos semanas, pero Frank Baccini no
se haba puesto en contacto con ella todava.

This was the tenth telephone conversation

Daisy had had in two weeks with this young
woman, but Frank Baccini hadn't got in touch
with her yet.

Daisy estaba furiosa y decidi ir al almacn del

Sr. Baccini para ver si estaba all.

Daisy was furious and decided to go to Mr.

Baccini's warehouse to see if he was there.

Cuando lleg, llam a la puerta de la oficina.

When she arrived, she knocked on the office

door.

La secretaria del Sr. Baccini contest con su

montona voz: "Pase".

Mr. Baccini's secretary said in her monotonous

voice: "Come in."

"He llamado muchas veces - mi nombre es

Daisy Hamilton".

"I've telephoned many times - my name is Daisy

Hamilton."

"De verdad? Con quin desea hablar?"

"Really? Who did you want to speak to?" asked

Contest la joven sin ni siquiera mirar a Daisy.

the young woman without even glancing at

Daisy.

"Quiero hablar con el Sr. Baccini," contest

Daisy.

"I want to speak to Mr. Baccini," replied Daisy.

Estaba ponindose ms y ms agresiva por

momentos.

She was becoming even more aggressive.

"Me temo que no se encuentra aqu", contest

la secretaria con su acostumbrado tono
montono, y sigui leyendo la revista.

"I'm afraid he's not here," said the secretary in

her usual monotonous way and went on reading
her magazine.

Daisy grit "Ya est bien!" y dio un portazo al

salir.

Daisy shouted "Enough is enough!" and banged

the door closed.

Daisy estaba bastante deprimida.

Daisy felt rather depressed.

"Ya s lo que voy a hacer," pens, "me parar

en Luigis para tomarme un sabroso banana
split."

"I know what I'll do," she thought, "I'll stop off at
Luigi's for a nice banana split."

A Daisy le gustaba sentarse en la heladera de Daisy liked sitting in Luigi's ice-cream parlour
Luigi y charlar un poco con el dueo, un italiano and having a little chat with the owner, a
optimista.
positive-thinking Italian.

Cuando Daisy subi las escaleras de su oficina As Daisy walked up the stairs to her office she
se senta un poco menos decepcionada por la felt a little less sore about human beings.
humanidad.

Cuando Daisy estaba cambindose los zapatos Just as Daisy was changing her shoes to a
por un par ms cmodo, alguien llam a la
more comfortable pair, someone knocked on
puerta y entr.
the door and walked in.

Era un trabajador en mono.

It was a workman in overalls.

"Disclpeme seorita - Es Vd. la Srta. Daisy

"Excuse me miss - are you Miss Daisy
Hamilton? Dnde ponemos esto?" dijo,
Hamilton? Where shall we put these?" pointing
sealando dos grandes cajas que estaban en el to two large boxes on the landing.
rellano.

"S, yo soy Daisy Hamilton pero qu tienen

ah? - Qu hay en esas cajas?"

"Yes, I am Daisy Hamilton but what have you

got there - what's in those boxes?"

"La grande es un frigorfico y la pequea una

"The big one is a fridge and the smaller one is a
cafetera de capuchino. Ha elegido bien, sabe? cappuccino-making machine. You've chosen
son de las mejores marcas".
well, you know, these are the best makes
around."

"Yo no he pedido nada de eso," exclam Daisy. "I haven't ordered either of these," exclaimed
Daisy.

"Pero su nombre est en la nota de entrega!"

insisti el trabajador.

"But it's your name on the delivery note!"

insisted the workman.

"Est todo pagado - slo dgame donde

ponerlos".

"It's all paid for - just tell me where to put them."

Daisy estaba a punto de rechazar la entrega

cuando vio a Frank Baccini entrando tambin
por la puerta.

Daisy was just about to refuse the goods when

she saw Frank Baccini coming in the door, too.

"Srta. Hamilton. Siento mucho no haber estado

en contacto.

"Miss Hamilton. I'm very sorry I haven't been in

touch.

Espero que no le importe pero me he enterado I do hope you don't mind but I had noticed you
de que no tena frigorfico en su oficina y... esta didn't have a fridge in your office and... this
cafetera de capuchino es una pequea
cappuccino-making machine is a little speciality.
especialidad de la casa.

Ah, por cierto, aqu tiene el cheque por el

estupendo trabajo que desarroll, con un
pequeo extra por sus gastos."

Oh, by the way here is your cheque for the

excellent work you did, with a little extra for your
expenses."

Frank Baccini vio que Daisy estaba atnita y

aadi:

Frank Baccini saw Daisy was astonished and

added:

"Espero que le llamase mi secretaria. He estado "My secretary did phone you, I hope? I've been
un par de semanas fuera por mi luna de miel." away for a couple of weeks on honeymoon."

Daisy se recuper, "Bueno, no, ella no me dijo

nada - pero no se preocupe Sr. Baccini!.

Daisy recovered herself, "Well, no, she didn't but that's quite all right Mr. Baccini!"

THE BOOKWORM EL RATN DE BIBLIOTECA

THE DAISY STORIES by Crystal Jones 1995-2010
Translation by: Rosario de Zayas Rueda Email: rosario@tatutrad.net
WITH A VERY BIG THANK YOU FROM THE LONWEB TEAM!

EL RATN DE BIBLIOTECA
por Crystal Jones

1999

Se pas toda la tarde lloviendo a ratos y como

no tena mucho que hacer Daisy se dio una

THE BOOKWORM
by Crystal Jones

1999

It was raining on and off all that afternoon and

as she had nothing much to do Daisy

vuelta por la librera barata del centro

comercial.

wandered into the lowprice bookshop in the

arcade.

Le encantaba mirar libros y de vez en cuando

encontraba aqu algunas gangas.

She loved looking at books and often found

some wonderful bargains there.

Daisy prefera los libros realistas, de viajes y

las obras de teatro, pero tambin le gustaba
descubrir a un autor de historias de detectives
del que no haba odo hablar antes.

Daisy preferred non-fiction books, travel, plays

but also liked to discover an author of detective
stories she had never heard of before.

En un momento tena una enorme pila de

libros que quera comprar e intent calcular
cunto le costaran todos.

Soon Daisy had a huge pile of books she

wanted to buy and tried to calculate how much
they would all cost.

-Son casi cuatro libras por libro de medicina,

ms tres del libro americano de sociologa, dos
libros de cocina a 99p cada uno, dos libras
noventa del libro de viajes sobre Sudamrica y
siete de una enciclopedia de criminales del
mundo con sus fotos.-

Thats nearly four pounds for the medical

book, plus three for the American book on
Sociology, two cookery books at 99p each, two
pounds ninety for the travel book on South
America and seven for an encyclopedia of
world criminals with photos of them.

-Si compro adems este libro de medicina

natural, me gastar algo menos de veintitrs
libras.-

If I buy this book on natural cures as well, Ill

be spending just under twenty-three pounds.

Daisy cont lo que llevaba en el monedero.

Daisy counted what she had in her purse.

No sola utilizar la tarjeta de crdito para

comprar ropa o libros porque tema no tener
despus bastante para emergencias.

She never used her credit card to buy clothes

or books as she was afraid she wouldnt have
enough for emergencies.

Afortunadamente Daisy vio que llevaba ms de Luckily Daisy found that she had more than
cuarenta libras.
forty pounds with her.

Pero ahora no poda llevar todos esos pesados

libros por la librera y decidi preguntarle al
indiferente joven de la caja, que estaba
estudiando su quiniela, si poda dejar los libros
all hasta que terminara de echar un vistazo
por la librera.

By now she couldnt carry all these heavy

books around the shop and decided to ask the
indifferent young man at the pay desk, who
was studying his football coupon, if she could
leave the books there because she hadnt
finished looking around yet.

-Como quiera-, contest el indiferente joven sin If you like, replied the indifferent young man
ni siquiera mirar a Daisy.
without even looking up at Daisy.

Daisy baj la escalera de caracol para ir a la

seccin de nios y libros de segunda mano,
pero no encontr nada interesante all.

Daisy climbed down the spiral staircase to the

childrens section and second-hand books but
she couldnt find anything interesting there.

Subi de nuevo las escaleras y se dirigi al

fondo de la tienda donde se encontraba la
seccin de temas cientficos, astrologa y
algunos libros sobre el esoterismo y la guerra.

She climbed up the stairs again and proceeded

to the back of the shop where the section on
scientific matters, astrology, esoteric reading
and war could be found.

Daisy tuvo que agacharse para ver los ttulos

del estante inferior.

Daisy had to crouch down to see the titles on

the bottom shelf.

-Mmm, no veo nada que me interese por aqu,pens mientras se mova hacia la izquierda
cada vez que terminaba de leer los ttulos de
esa seccin determinada de la estantera.

Mm, cant see much here to interest me, she

thought, moving to the left each time she
finished reading the titles of that particular
section of the bookcase.

La moqueta era muy vieja y estaba cubierta de

polvo.

The inlaid carpeting was pretty old and very

dusty.

Probablemente nadie haba limpiado la tienda

nunca. Daisy odiaba ver libreras que no se
preocupaban de eso. Eso mismo ocurra en
otras muchas libreras que haban cerrado
para no volver a abrir nunca.

Probably no one ever cleaned the shop. Daisy

hated to see bookshops which were not cared
for. So many bookshops had gone this way
and shut down never to be reopened again.

Al final de la estantera se encontraban los

grandes libros ilustrados de guerra que
mostraban caras famosas.

At the end of the bookcase were the big

illustrated war books with famous faces on
them.

-Oh, esto puede ser interesante-, dijo Daisy

para s misma cuando vio un libro escrito por
un exsoldado del SAS.

Oh, that might be interesting, Daisy said to

herself seeing a book written by an ex-SAS
soldier.

Daisy vio una escalera plegable en la esquina,

la abri y se sent para echar un ojo al libro.

Daisy spied a fold-up chair in the corner,

opened it up and sat down on it to look at the
book.

Estaba leyendo las descripciones de viajes

As she read through descriptions of desperate

desesperados bajo condiciones lamentables,

cuando de repente escuch unas voces
apagadas.

journeys in pitiful conditions, Daisy suddenly

became aware of muffled voices.

Mir a su alrededor pero no haba nadie cerca

de ella en la tienda de forma que regres a la
lectura.

She looked around but there was nobody near

her in the shop so she went back to her
reading.

Ahora escuchaba a una mujer gritando y a un

hombre contestndole en tono agresivo.

Now she heard a woman shouting and a man

replying in an aggressive tone.

-Alguien tiene la televisin muy alta en la

puerta de al lado-, pens.

Somebodys got their television turned up

rather high next door, she thought.

Entonces se hizo el silencio.

Then there was silence.

Y otra vez la voz del hombre bramaba sonidos

horribles, pero Daisy segua sin poder
distinguir lo que deca.

And then again the mans voice bellowed out

ugly sounds, but still Daisy wasnt able to
distinguish the words.

La intuicin de Daisy aflor de nuevo.

Daisys intuition popped up again.

-Eso no es una televisin. Eso es algo que

est ocurriendo realmente. Si pudiera
escuchar lo que dicen!

That isnt the television at all. Thats

something thats really happening. If only I
could hear what theyre saying!

Puede ser que haya un respiradero en la

pared oculto por el papel?-

Could it be theres a grille here in the wall

hidden by the wallpaper?

Daisy se dio cuenta de que los sonidos

provenan de detrs de sus piernas y se puso
de rodillas.

Daisy realised that the sounds were coming

from behind her legs and climbed down onto
her knees.

"Intentar quitar el papel de la pared", se dijo.

Ill try to pull that wallpaper away from the

wall, she said to herself.

Tir del borde donde el papel se una con el

suelo y la espantosa moqueta.

She pulled at the edge of the wallpaper where

it met the floor and the horrible inlaid carpeting.

El papel se despeg con facilidad y all estaba,

un respiradero de ventilacin.

It came unstuck easily and there it was - an air

passage grille.

Ahora, Daisy poda escuchar exactamente lo

que estaban diciendo.

Now Daisy could hear exactly what they were

saying.

-Deje que me vaya, deje que me vaya!- grit

una voz de mujer.

Let me go, let me go! a womans voice

shrieked.

-Dame todo el dinero y los anillos y ni un grito

ms o te rajo el cuello-, amenaz la voz ronca.

Give me all the money and your rings and no

more shouting, otherwise Ill slit your throat,
threatened the rough voice.

-Debe ser en la tienda de antigedades de

aqu al lado-, pens Daisy -algn matn est
atacando y robando a una mujer.-

It must be that antique shop next door,

thought Daisy a woman is being attacked and
robbed by some thug.

Daisy se dio cuenta de que no tena tiempo

que perder y aunque tena miedo saba que no
poda abandonar a la mujer a su destino.

Daisy realised she had no time to lose and

although she felt frightened she knew she
couldnt leave the woman to her fate.

Corri hacia el joven que estaba todava

concentrado en sus X, 1 y 2 y grit, -Llame a la
polica inmediatamente, estn robando en la
puerta de al lado.-

She rushed towards the youth still working out

his X, 1 or 2s and shouted, Call the police
immediately because they are robbing next
door.

El joven se qued simplemente mirando a

Daisy, por lo que ella lo apart de un empujn
para coger el telfono y llamar ella misma.

The young man simply stared at Daisy, so she

pushed him to get at the phone and called
them herself.

"Les habla Daisy Hamilton, me encuentro en

laLibrera Find All en el centro comercial de
High Street.

This is Daisy Hamilton speaking. Im at

the Find All Bookshop in the arcade in the High
Street.

Est teniendo lugar un atraco en la tienda de

antigedades de al lado.

There is a robbery taking place in the antiques

shop next door.

Voy para all en este momento. Por favor

dense prisa.-

Im going in there now. Please hurry.

Despus Daisy se volvi hacia el joven: Tiene algo sobre antigedades?.-

Then Daisy turned to the young man, Have

you got anything on antiques?

An sin articular palabra, el joven seal hacia

la derecha.

Still speechless the youth pointed over to the

right.

Daisy agarr un libro ilustrado sobre

antigedades del siglo XIX y sali corriendo de
la tienda.

Daisy seized an illustrated book on nineteenth

century antiques and rushed out of the shop.

Daisy entr andando en la tienda de al lado tan Daisy walked into the shop next door as calmly
calmada como pudo, aparentemente con la
as possible, apparently with her head in her
mente en el libro de antigedades.
antiques book.

No haba nadie all, pero oy movimientos

apagados provenientes de una habitacin
interior y llam, -Perdone, hay alguien ah?-

Nobody was there but she heard muffled

movements which came from an inner room
and called out, Excuse me, anyone there?

Una anciana plida apareci por la puerta con

un joven con apariencia de matn pegado
detrs de ella.

A pale elderly women came through the door

with a thuggish-looking young man close
behind her.

La voz de la mujer tembl y dijo -Buenas

tardes, puedo ayudarle?-

The ladys voice trembled and said,Good

afternoon, can I help you?

Daisy hizo como si no hubiese visto al hombre

e improvis.

Daisy pretended not to have even seen the

man and improvised,

-He estado leyendo este libro y he visto justo

los escritorios que he estado buscando.

Ive been reading this book and I saw just the

right sort of writing desk Ive been looking for.

Tiene algo como esto? Creo que es

georgiano.-

Have you got something like this? I think its

Georgian.

Daisy le mostr a la mujer una imagen que no

era de una escritorio sino de una silla y la
sostuvo de forma que no pudiera verla el
hombre.

Daisy showed the lady a picture not of a writing

desk but of a chair, and held it in a way so that
the man couldnt see it.

La mujer se qued desconcertada al ver la foto

de una silla en lugar de un escritorio.

The lady was bewildered to see the photo of a

chair instead of a writing desk.

El hombre tena la mano en el bolsillo como

sujetando un arma pero hizo un esfuerzo por
parecer normal y se sent.

The man had his hand in his pocket as though

holding a weapon but made an effort to appear
casual and sat down.

En cuanto hizo esto, le hizo un guio a la

propietaria de la tienda que respondi, -No, lo
siento, no tengo nada de este estilo.-

As he did this, Daisy winked at the shop-owner

who replied, No, Im sorry, I havent got
anything in this style.

Daisy insisti, -Me avisar si le llega algo?

Daisy insisted, If something comes your way

could you let me know?

Le anotar mi direccin y mi nmero de

telfono.-

Ill write down my address and telephone

number.

Daisy escribi: Por favor no se asuste. La

polica est en camino. No la dejar sola".

Daisy wrote: Please dont be frightened. The

police are on their way. I wont leave you
alone.

La mujer ley el mensaje y levant la vista

hacia Daisy con aire de complicidad.

The lady read the message and looked up at

Daisy in a knowing way.

-Pero tengo algo que puede ajustarse a lo que

est buscando.

But Ive got something else which might suit

your purpose.

Le gustara verlo? Est ah en el escaparate.-

Would you like to see it? Its there, in the shop

window.

De esa forma las dos mujeres se acercaron a

la entrada de la tienda.

In this way the two women got nearer to the

shop entrance.

El matn estaba an sentado en la silla con la

mano en el bolsillo, pero mirando fijamente a
las dos mujeres.

The thug was still sitting in the chair with his

hand in his pocket, but studying both of them
intensely.

Los dedos de su mano derecha se movan

nerviosamente.

The fingers on his right hand were twitching

nervously.

Daisy se dio cuenta entonces de que haba un

enorme armario en mitad de la tienda y esper
el momento adecuado.

Daisy then noticed there was a massive

wardrobe parked in the middle of the shop and
awaited the right moment.

La comerciante continu con la conversacin

acerca de mobiliario antiguo y Daisy pretendi
que lo que deca le interesaba.

The shop-keeper continued the conversation

about antique furniture and Daisy pretended to
be interested in what she said.

De repente dos policas entraron de golpe en

Suddenly two policemen burst into the shop

la tienda y Daisy empuj a la propietaria de la

tienda y a ella misma detrs del armario.

and Daisy pulled the shop-owner with her

behind the wardrobe.

Se asom furtivamente por la izquierda del

armario para ver qu ocurra.

She peeped round the left side of it to see what

was happening.

El matn peg un salto y amenaz a la polica

con un cuchillo asqueroso.

The thug jumped up and threatened the police

with a nasty-looking knife.

Todo el mundo se qued parado durante unos

segundos, entonces Daisy arroj el libro de
antigedades hacia un taburete, a unos seis
pies del ladrn.

Everybody stood completely still for a few

seconds, then Daisy threw the antiques book
towards a stool, six feet to the right of the thief.

Este se distrajo un instante y mir hacia donde

vena el ruido, lo que le dio a la polica la
oportunidad de saltar sobre l.

He was momentarily distracted and looked to

where the noise had come from, which gave
the two policemen the opportunity to leap on
him.

Un polica le quit de un golpe el cuchillo y el

otro lo espos inmediatamente.

One policeman knocked the knife from the

mans hand and the other handcuffed him

immediately.

Todo termin en unos minutos.

It was all over in a couple of minutes.

Daisy recogi el libro de antigedades y sugiri Daisy picked up the antiques book and
tomar una taza de t caliente en la tahona que suggested having a hot cup of tea in the
haba unas puertas ms abajo del centro
bakers a few doors down the arcade.
comercial.

Las dos mujeres se sentaron temblando an

por la experiencia vivida.

The two women sat down still shaking a little

from their experiences.

La anciana mujer estrech clidamente la

mano de Daisy.

The elderly lady shook Daisys hand warmly.

-Gracias, gracias mi querida joven, Dios mo,

Thank you, thank you my dear young lady. Oh
estaba aterrada. Pero, cmo supo que estaba my goodness, I was really terrified. But how did
en un lo?you realise I was in trouble?

Daisy le explic cmo haba odo su voz desde

la librera de al lado.

Daisy explained how she had heard her voice

next door in the bookshop.

-Deje que me presente, querida. Mi nombre es

Lena Fields. Llmeme Lena y podra saber
su nombre por favor?.-

Let me introduce myself, my dear. My name is

Lena Fields. Just call me Lena - and may I
know your name please?

Daisy encontr a Lena una mujer encantadora.

Daisy found Lena a very charming woman.

Tena el estilo de un mundo que ya no exista y

un marcado acento que revelaba el hecho de
que haba nacido muy lejos.

She had the style of a world which didnt exist

any more, and a distinct accent which showed
she had been born far away.

Cuando Daisy le cont a la Sra. Fields que era

detective privado empezaron a rer
nerviosamente, no saban por qu pero result
bueno para aflojar la tensin.

When Daisy told Mrs. Fields she was a private

eye they both started giggling, they didnt know
why, but it was good to relieve the tension.

Cuando las dos se recuperaron Daisy se puso

ms seria.

When they had both recovered Daisy grew

more serious,

-Lina, me gustara decirle algo. Usted no tiene

alarma en la tienda.

Lina, Id like to give you some advice. You

have no alarm in your shop.

No cree que debera preocuparse de instalar

una?-

Dont you think you should look into the matter

and have one fitted?

-S, lo har, esto no puede volver a ocurrir. No

me haba pasado nunca en este pas y me
senta segura.

Yes I will, it mustnt happen again. Nothing

had ever happened to me in this country and I
felt safe.

Por cierto, Daisy, realmente est

interesada en un escritorio o se lo invent
sobre la marcha?-

By the way, Daisy, are you really interested in a

writing desk or did you make that up on the
spur of the moment?

-S, me lo invent-, sonri Daisy.

Yes, I did, Daisy smiled.

-En ese caso, si me lo permites, me gustara

ver tus manos,-

If that is the case I would like to see your

hands, if I may.

La Sra. Fields se quit un anillo de rub de su

dedo y lo desliz en el meique de Daisy.

Mrs. Fields pulled a ruby ring off her finger and

slipped it on Daisys little finger.

-Te gusta?-

Do you like it?

Daisy estaba atnita, -por supuesto que me

gusta, pero...-

Daisy was astonished. Of course I do but...

-No, no protestes. No tengo hijos y hoy me has

salvado de una experiencia horrible.

No, dont protest. I have no children and you

saved me today from a horrible experience.

Adems, queda muy bien en tu mano. No se

hable ms.-

Besides, it looks nice on your hand. Thats the

end of the matter.

Daisy se sinti embargada por la generosidad

de esta mujer.

Daisy felt quite overcome with the generosity of

this lady.

-Bueno, Lena, no s que decir. Muchas

gracias.

Well Lena, I dont know what to say. Thank

you very much.

De todos modos me pasar de vez en cuando

a ver cmo le va y podemos tomar una taza de
t juntas.-

Anyway Ill be popping in to see how you are

and we can have a pot of tea together.

Entonces Daisy record que no haba devuelto

el libro de antigedades a la librera.

Then Daisy remembered she hadnt returned

the antiques book to the bookshop.

El mismo joven estaba arreglando los libros de

la seccin de informtica de la tienda.

The same young man was rearranging books

in the computer section of the shop.

l apenas la mir.

He hardly looked up.

-Perdone, le traigo su libro de antigedades...

Y los libros que le dej aqu?.-

Excuse me, Ive brought your antiques book

back... and what about my books I left here
with you?

-Ah, pens que ya no le interesaban y los he

vuelto a colocar en su sitio!-

Ah, I thought you werent interested in them

any more and I put them back!

Daisy se dio cuenta de que cualquier palabra

por su parte iba a ser intil con una persona

Daisy realised that any words on her part were

useless with such a person and proceeded to

como esa y comenz a buscar sus libros una

vez ms.

hunt for her books once again.

De repente sus ojos vieron el magnifico anillo

en su dedo y record lo afortunada que era.

Suddenly her eye caught sight of the

magnificent ring on her finger and she
remembered how lucky she was.

THE MYSTERY OF GREEN LODGE

EL MISTERIO DE GREEN LODGE
EL MISTERIO DE GREEN LODGE

THE MYSTERY OF GREEN LODGE

El Sr.Winter asom la cabeza por la puerta de

la oficina de Daisy.

Mr. Winter popped his head round Daisys

office door.

Ests ocupada, Daisy? Puedo utilizar tu

ordenador? Es que tengo un CD-ROM que me
gustara consultar.

Are you busy, Daisy? Can I use your computer

cos Ive got a CD-ROM Id like to consult?

Claro que s, entre. Le gustara tomar una

taza de caf primero?

Certainly, come in. Would you like a cup of

coffee first?

S, por favor, Daisy.

Yes please, Daisy.

El Sr. Winter era anticuario y no estaba

acostumbrado a utilizar un ordenador en
absoluto.

Mr. Winter was an antiques dealer and wasnt

used to using a computer at all.

Daisy puso agua a hervir y ech unas

cucharadas de caf instantneo en las tazas.
Una cucharada de azcar, no? dijo Daisy
dejando las tazas de caf hirviendo sobre la
mesa de su oficina.

Daisy put her electric kettle on and scooped

the instant coffee into the mugs. One
teaspoon of sugar, isnt it? said Daisy placing
the mugs of boiling coffee onto her office table.

Puso el CD en la ranura de su ordenador y lo

gir para que lo pudiera ver el Sr. Winter.

Now she put the CD in the slot of her computer

and swivelled it round to show Mr. Winter.

Aqu lo tiene. Oh, es sobre cuadros robados.

Qu interesante!

Here you are. Oh, its all about stolen

paintings. How interesting!

Ya sabes, nos estn mandando una copia

gratuita del CD-ROM a todos los anticuarios.
Es para una campaa contra las bandas de
robos de arte internacionales.

You know, they are sending all of us antique

dealers a free copy of the CD-ROM. Its for a
campaign against international art theft gangs.

Y cuntos cuadros robados tiene usted?

brome Daisy.

And how many stolen paintings have you

got? joked Daisy.

El Sr. Winter carraspe, pareca un poco

avergonzado. Es gracioso que lo menciones!
ErDaisy, hay algo que me gustara
contarte!

Mr. Winter cleared his throat and looked a little

embarassed. Funny you should mention that!
Er... Daisy, theres something I want to tell you
about!

Por favor, contine, Sr. Winter contest

Daisy.

Please go ahead, Mr. Winter, replied Daisy.

La cuestin es que la semana pasada fui a la

finca de Sir Edwin Rushdown. Ya sabes
- Green Lodge, comenz el Sr. Winter.

The fact is that I went down to Sir Edwin

Rushdowns property last week. You know Green Lodge, Mr. Winter began.

S, cuando mis primos eran pequeos solan

adentrase sigilosamente en sus tierras para
pescar all, contest Daisy.

Yes, when my cousins were children they

used to creep into the grounds to go fishing
there, answered Daisy.

El Sr. Winter continu, Sir Edwin falleci hace

poco, dejando a su hija Elodira, una seorita
muy agradable, la mansin desmoronada y las
tierras.

Mr. Winter continued, Sir Edwin died recently

leaving his daughter Elodira, a very nice lady,
the crumbling mansion and its lands.

Parece que Sir Edwin apenas dej dinero pero

Elodira tendr que pagar bastantes impuestos
de sucesin cuando herede Green Lodge.

It seems Sir Edwin left practically no money but

Elodira will have to pay some heavy death
duties as she inherits Green Lodge.

Daisy le interrumpi: Vive ella all?

Daisy interrupted: Does she live there?

No, trabaja y vive en Londres pero ahora est

aqu intentando liquidar algunos muebles
antiguos y otras cosas para poder recaudar un
poco de dinero y quiz tenga incluso que
vender la mansin.

No, she works and lives in London but is here

now to try to sell off some old furniture and
things so as to raise some cash and maybe
shell even sell the mansion itself.

Daisy no pudo evitar hacer un comentario: Ah,

eso es lo que les est sucediendo a muchas

Daisy couldnt help observing: "Ah, that's the

way lots of these ramshackled aristocratic

de esas destartaladas mansiones

aristocrticas.

mansions are going.

Tienen que venderlas al primer comprador que

encuentran y ese es el final de una larga
tradicin. Por cierto, vio algn mueble
apropiado para mi nueva casa? pregunt
Daisy.

They have to sell them off to the first buyer

they can find and that's the end of a long
tradition. By the way, did you see any suitable
furniture formy new house?" Daisy asked.

Nada en absoluto, Daisy. Lo siento El Sr.

Winter estaba siempre a la caza de muebles
para Daisy, algo que pudiera comprar barato,
arreglar y barnizar a cambio de un gran favor
que Daisy le hizo tres aos atrs.

"Absolutely nothing Daisy. Sorry." Mr. Winter

was always on the look-out for furniture for
Daisy - something he could pick up cheap,
mend and varnish in return for a great favour
Daisy had done him three years ago.

El Sr. Winter continu: Pagu una cierta

cantidad de dinero por algunas cosas: unos
muebles viejos de muy poco valor, un montn
de libros en rstica y unos pocos cuadros
antiguos.

Mr. Winter continued: "I paid a lump sum for

some stuff - some old furniture of very little
value, a load of paperbacks and a few old
paintings.

El nico mueble realmente interesante que me

gust fue la enorme mesa de poca con las
sillas y un precioso escritorio de caoba, pero

The only really interesting furniture I liked was

the enormous antique table and chairs and a
beautiful mahogany escritoire but they are

los van a subastar.

going to be put up for auction.

Daisy pregunt, Y los cuadros, son

buenos?
No, los
tpicos cuadros de principiante, paisajes
ingleses y tempestades del mar; pero cuando
termin de descargarlo todo en la parte trasera
de mi tienda, me llev una enorme sorpresa.

Daisy asked, What about the paintings? Are

they any good?
No, the usual amateur stuff - English
landscapes and sea tempests - but when I had
finished unloading into the back of my shop I
had an enormous surprise.

Un trozo de uno de los marcos se desprendi y A piece of a picture frame came away in my
Descubr que haba otro cuadro debajo!
hands and I discovered that there was a
second picture underneath!
Daisy se sent.

Daisy sat up.

Como sabes Daisy, estoy muy interesado en

el arte italiano y lo he estudiado bastante. El
cuadro era una escena de barcos y gondoleros
de Venecia, pintados de una manera muy
hermosa. E inmediatamente pens en
Canaletto.

"As you know Daisy, Im very interested in

Italian art, and Ive made quite a study of it.
The picture was a scene of boats and
gondolieri in Venice and beautifully painted. I
immediately thought of Canaletto.

Cuando volv a mi tienda, consult mis libros y

When I got back to my shop I consulted my

en uno de ellos estaba la fotografa del mismo

cuadro!

books and in one of them there was a photo of

the very same picture!

Eso es muy emocionante, dijo Daisy.Pero

sabe que podra ser slo una copia.

Thats very exciting, said Daisy but you

know it could be just a copy.

S, ese fue mi primer pensamiento, pero lo

estudi toda la noche bajo luces potentes y en
mi opinin, fue realmente pintado en ese
periodo y es un Canaletto autntico.

Yes, that was my first thought, but I studied it

all night under powerful lights and according to
me it really was painted in that period and is an
authentic Canaletto.

Sabes Daisy, todos los anticuarios suean con

encontrar un cuadro de gran valor por pocas
libras.

You know Daisy, every antique dealer dreams

of finding a precious painting for a few
pounds."

Daisy haba estado escuchando atentamente.

Perole preocupa que pueda ser robado,
verdad? Segn hablaba empez a mover
otra vez el ratn del ordenador, mirando el
contenido del CD-ROM.

Daisy had been listening intently. "But you're

afraid it's stolen property, arent you?" As she
spoke, she began clicking away again at her
computer looking through the CD-ROM.

Mmpinturas italianas. Aqu est!

Canaletto.

Mm... Italian paintings. Here we are!

Canaletto."

El Sr. Winter se levant y fue a mirar por

encima del hombro de Daisy.

Mr. Winter got up and came over to look over

Daisys shoulder.

Djame ver Daisy. Mm. De repente golpe la

mesa de Daisy con la mano. Oh, no. Es ese,
es el mismo cuadro! Entonces es robado!

"Let me see, Daisy. Mm." Suddenly he banged

his hand down on Daisy's table. "Oh no.That's
it its the same painting! It is stolen property
then!"

Se dej caer encima de una silla,

completamente descorazonado.

He fell down into a chair completely

disheartened.

Oh, querido, lo siento. Tendr que llevarlo a la

polica. Daisy continu leyendo en la pantalla
de su ordenador. Parece que fue robado hace
quince aos, de una coleccin privada en
Italia.

Oh dear, Im sorry. Youll have to take it to the

police. Daisy continued reading her computer
screen, It seems it was stolen fifteen years
ago from a private collection in Italy.

Es la primera vez en mi vida que encuentro

una obra de arte que vale una fortuna y tengo
que drsela a las autoridades y con eso voy a

Its the first time in my life Ive really found a

work of art thats worth a fortune and Ill have
to give it up to the authorities and in doing

arruinar la reputacin de una seorita!

so Im going to ruin a ladys reputation!

Oh, Daisy, me siento fatal!

Oh Daisy, I feel terrible about it!

Daisy reflexion por un momento, Pero

espere un minuto, dijo que se lo compr
abiertamente a la hija de Sir Edwin Rushdown!
Cunto pag por l?

Daisy reflected for a moment, But just a

minute, you say you bought it openly from Sir
Edwin Rushdowns daughter! How much did
you pay for it?"

Pagu cuatrocientas libras por todo, los

muebles, los cuadros y los libros!!!

"I paid four hundred pounds for everything

the furniture, the pictures and the books!!!

As que Elodira probablemente no est

implicada en el robo del cuadro. No lo habra
vendido por esa miseria!

"So Elodira probably isn't implicated in the

stealing of it. She'd hardly sell it to you for such
a pittance!"

El Sr. Winter pareca un poco aliviado. S, es

verdad. Mira, Daisy, se lo podra llevar a otra
persona para que confirmase su autenticidad
pero si lo hago, todo el mundo lo sabr.

Mr. Winter looked a little bit relieved, Yes,

thats true. Look, Daisy, I could take it to
someone else to confirm its authenticity but
then the whole world would know about it.

Incluso me lo podran robar! De todas formas

They could even steal it from me! Anyway, Im

estoy bastante seguro de que es un Canaletto,

pero no quiero que la hija de Sir Edwin se
meta en un problema, es tan agradable.

pretty sure it is a Canaletto, but I dont want Sir

Edwins daughter to get into trouble - shes
such a nice lady.

Daisy estaba pensando. Pero si su padre, Sir

Edwin, actu como perista de una propiedad
robada, no hay mucho que pueda hacer para
salvar su reputacin!

Daisy was thinking. "But if her father,Sir Edwin,

were the receiver of stolen property theres not
much you can do to save his reputation!

Aunque si hubiera sido un perista, por qu

no vendi el cuadro? Le hubiera dado
muchsimo dinero!

Although if he were a fence, why didnt he sell

the picture? It would have brought in a pile of
money!

S, es verdad. Es un autntico misterio. Oh,

Daisy, qu voy a hacer?

Yes, thats true. It's a real mystery. Oh Daisy

what am I going to do?"

Mire, me dijo que Sir Edwin no dej nada de

dinero y que su hija Elodira est teniendo
dificultades para pagar los impuestos de
sucesin.

"Look, you told me Sir Edwin left nothing and

his daughter Elodira is struggling with death
duties.

Antes de que lleves el cuadro de vuelta a la

polica, por qu no vamos los dos a visitarla e

Before you take the picture round to the police

why don't we both go and visit her and try and

intentamos averiguar algo ms.

find out something more."

Es una Buena idea, Daisy.

"That's a good idea, Daisy."

El Sr. Winter telefone a Elodira y le dijo que

una amiga suya estaba interesada en comprar
muebles antiguos y concert una cita para
llevar a Daisy Hamilton all esa misma tarde.

Mr. Winter telephoned Elodira telling her that a

friend of his was interested in buying old
furniture and made an appointment to take
Daisy Hamilton there that very afternoon.

Segn Daisy y el Sr. Winter conducan a lo

largo del camino que llevaba a la mansin, las
ardillas rojas corran a subirse deprisa a los
rboles, ya que no estaban acostumbradas a
ser molestadas en sus juegos de la tarde.

As Daisy and Mr. Winter drove along the path

leading to the mansion, red squirrels dashed
up trees, not used to being disturbed in their
afternoon games.

Era evidente que las tierras que

rodeabanGreen Lodge no haban sido
cuidadas durante aos.

The grounds surrounding Green Lodge had

clearly not been looked after for some years.

Por todas partes crecan plantas sin cultivar y

arbustos, a lo largo de los caminos que
llevaban a la mansin y alrededor de ella, casi
escondindola del mundo exterior.

Uncultivated plants and bushes grew just about

everywhere along the paths leading up to the
mansion and all around it, almost hiding it from
the outside world.

La mansin pareca deshabitada y sucia, quiz

debido a sus contraventanas ennegrecidas por
aos de polvo y la hiedra que trepaba por las
paredes, aqu y all.

The mansion looked uninhabited and dirty,

perhaps due to its shutters blackened by years
of dust and the ivy creeping up its walls here
and there.

An as, la slida puerta de roble de la entrada

estaba todava intacta.

However, the solid oak door at the entrance

was still intact.

El Sr. Winter llam al viejo timbre y

escucharon a una mujer gritar, Ya voy!,
desde una ventana de la planta superior de la
casa.

Mr. Winter rang the ancient doorbell and they

heard a woman shout, "Coming!" from an
upper window.

Una seorita bastante guapa abri la puerta.

Era delgada, con pelo caoba largo, retirado de
la cara mediante dos pasadores.

A rather beautiful lady answered the door. She

was slender with long auburn hair pulled back
from her face with two hair-slides.

Tena las mejillas altas y posea ciertamente un She had high cheek bones and certainly

aspecto aristocrtico. Tena alrededor de

treinta aos y llevaba unos pantalones muy
viejos y una blusa verde que haca juego
perfectamente con sus ojos color esmeralda.

looked very aristocratic. She was about thirty

and wore very old trousers and a green blouse
which matched the colour of her emerald eyes
perfectly.

Oh, hola, Sr. Winter. La expresin de su cara

era ms bien triste hasta que comenz a
hablar. En ese momento sus ojos brillaron y
sonri generosamente.

"Oh hello, Mr. Winter." The expression on her

face was rather sad until she started speaking.
Then her eyes twinkled and she smiled
generously.

Estoy encantada de que haya trado a una

amiga. Y entonces, mirando a Daisy,
Encantada de conocerla, por favor, llmeme
Elodira, todo el mundo lo hace

I'm so glad you've brought a friend along.

Then, looking at Daisy, Very happy to meet
you - please call me Elodira, everybody does.

Pareca muy amistosa y agradable.

She seemed very friendly and pleasant.

Esta es la Srta. Daisy Hamilton, dijo el Sr.

Winter un poco vacilante.

"This is Miss Daisy Hamilton," said Mr. Winter

a little uncertainly.

Entren, por favor, contest Elodira, dejando

paso a sus invitados.

"Please come in," replied Elodira showing her

guests in.

S que est usted vendiendo algunos

"I know you're selling some furniture and I'm
muebles y estoy buscando unas cuantas cosas looking for a few things for my new home."
para mi nueva casa. Explic Daisy.
Daisy explained.
Lamento que tenga que ir y venir todo el
tiempo, contestando el telfono y arreglando
viejos papeles, pero si hay algo que le guste,
dgamelo y

Im afraid Im coming and going all the time,

answering the telephone and sorting out old
papers, but if theres anything you fancy just let
me know and...

De repente, son el telfono por toda antigua

casa, interrumpiendo a Elodira.

Suddenly the phone rang through the ancient

house interrupting Elodira.

Oh, querida, dej mi mvil arriba. Por favor,

sintanse libres para echar un vistazo por la
casa. Si me perdonan.

Oh dear, I left my mobile phone upstairs!

Please feel free to have a look around. Excuse
me.

Mientras Elodira contestaba al telfono, Daisy

y el Sr. Winter inspeccionaron las habitaciones
de la planta baja por posibles pistas.

While Elodira was answering the phone, Daisy

and Mr. Winter surveyed the lower rooms
looking for possible clues.

Se dieron cuenta de que por todas partes

haba araas, polvo y muebles muy
estropeados, pero en el saln, Daisy vio la

They noticed that practically everywhere was

full of spiders and dust and very broken-down
furniture, but in the dining room Daisy saw the

bonita mesa de poca con las sillas que el Sr.

Winter haba mencionado y tambin un
aparador grande y negro bellamente decorado
con unos armarios de cristal verde.

beautiful old table and chairs Mr. Winter had

mentioned and also a huge black sideboard
with beautifully decorated green glass
cabinets.

Entonces, Daisy y el Sr. Winter fueron al

estudio donde pudieron admirar un escritorio
de caoba lleno de polvo pero maravilloso.
Daisy pens que quedara muy bonito en su
estudio!

Then Daisy and Mr. Winter went into the study

where they could admire a very dusty but
wonderful mahogany escritoire. Daisy thought
that it would look very nice in her own study!

Entones Elodira apareci otra vez. Nuestros

abogados quieren que les lleve todos los
papeles y documentos de la familia, pero todo
est tan desordenado.

Then Elodira appeared again. Our solicitors

want me to take all the family papers and
documents along to them - but everythings in
such a mess.

Mi padre no era muy bueno con los negocios,

por eso, despus de la muerte de mi madre
dej que todo se viniera abajo. Eso ocurri
cuando yo tena dieciocho aos.

Father wasnt any good at business so after my

mothers death he just let everything go. That
was when I was eighteen.

Elodira mir alrededor, obviamente recordando

el pasado. Es increble como un solo
momento puede cambiarlo todo en tu vida.

Elodira looked around the room obviously

remembering the past. Its incredible how a
moment can change just everything in your

life.
Un momento? pregunt Daisy, detestando
la idea de traer a la memoria ms recuerdos
tristes.

A moment? Daisy asked, hating to bring back

more sad memories.

S, un coche atropell a mi madre y nunca se

recuper del accidente. Los ojos de Elodira se
nublaron, Mi padre la amaba muchsimo y
siempre deca que ella era la nica que haca
que todo marchase bien.

Yes, a car knocked my mother down and she

never recovered from the accident. Elodiras
eyes became misty, Dad loved her very much
and always said that she was the one who kept
all the threads together.

Era verdad, llevaba todas las cuentas y

pagaba las facturas, se encargaba de todo.

It was true: she kept all the accounts and paid

all the bills she managed everything.

Y se traslad a Londres despus de

aquello? quiso saber Daisy.

And did you move away to London after this?

Daisy wanted to know.

S, afortunadamente gan una beca para

estudiar idiomas y tan pronto como pude
pagarme un pequeo piso me llev a mi padre
a vivir conmigo. Ahora trabajo para una
compaa que organiza conferencias

Yes I did. Fortunately I won a scholarship to

study languages and as soon as I was able to
afford a little flat I had Father come to live with
me. Now I work for a company which organises
international conferences and supplies

internacionales y proporciona traductores en

Londres.

translators in London.

Debe de ser un trabajo muy interesante,

observ Daisy.

It must be a very interesting job, Daisy

observed.

Lo es, pero he tenido que volver aqu,

principalmente para vender Green Lodge.
Vern, tengo que pagar algunas viejas deudas.

It is but Ive had to come back here principally to sell Green Lodge. You see, I have
to pay off some old debts.

Como les dije antes, todo se vino abajo

despus de que mi madre tuviese el accidente,
la finca se ech a perder y no haba ningn
ingreso de dinero. Es por eso por lo que todo
ha estado tan abandonado durante aos.

As I told you before, everything fell apart after

Mother had her accident the manor went to
rack and ruin and there was no money coming
in at all. Thats why everything has been
abandoned here for years.

El mvil de Elodira son otra vez. Hola,

Stephen, que bueno tener noticias tuyas! Mira,
te puedo llamar de vuelta esta noche y
hablamos? De acuerdo, hasta luego. Volvi a
sonrer.

Elodiras mobile rang again. Hello, Stephen,

how lovely to hear from you! Look, can I phone
you back later this evening and we can have a
little chat? Ok, till later. She smiled again.

Podemos echar un vistazo tambin a los

May we have a look at the furniture upstairs

muebles de arriba, Elodira? pregunt Daisy.

too, Elodira? asked Daisy.

S, por favor, sintanse como en su casa. Oh,

disclpenme. El telfono son otra vez.
Probablemente son los abogados de la
familia! Elodira hizo una mueca y se sent en
un silln antiguo.

Yes, do. Please make yourselves at home. Oh

excuse me. The phone rang again. Its
probably the family solicitors! Elodira made a
grimace and sat down in an ancient armchair.

La escalera estaba vieja y desvencijada y

conforme Daisy y el Sr. Winter suban por ella,
una hilera de retratos enmarcados
vistosamente les miraban fijamente en la
oscuridad.

The staircase was old and rickety and as Daisy

and Mr. Winter went up it, a row of ornately
framed pictures stared at you in the semi-dark.

Daisy pudo distinguir el nombre del primero,

Sir Edwin Rushdown, un hombre apuesto, alto,
con un bigote atractivo, en un uniforme militar,
con los ojos ms azules que uno poda
imaginar.

Daisy could just about make out the name of

the first one, Sir Edwin Rushdown, a tall goodlooking man with a handsome moustache in
military uniform with the bluest eyes
imaginable.

Daisy susurr al Sr. Winter, No creo que Sir

Edwin se pareciera a un perista en lo ms
mnimo!

Daisy whispered to Mr. Winter, "Don't think Sir

Edwin looked in the least like a fence!"

Y unos escalones ms arriba haba otro

hombre, tambin en uniforme militar, un
caballero formidable que obviamente haba
servido en India, a juzgar por el extico paisaje
y la escena en la que una mangosta estaba
matando a una cobra, en el fondo.

Then a few steps up there was another man in

military uniform called Sir Edwin too, a rather
formidable gentleman who had obviously
served in India, judging by the exotic
landscape and a mongoose killing a cobra in
the background.

Al final de las escaleras fueron recibidos por

un hombre de aspecto elegante, Sir James
Rushdown, vestido con ropas propias del
periodo de Carlos II.

At the top of the stairs they were greeted by a

rather rakish-looking man, Sir James
Rushdown, dressed in clothes of the period of
Charles II.

Sabe Sr. Winter, hay algo sobre Elodira, no

sabra decirlo con seguridad. Algo bastante
especial! susurr Daisy.

You know, Mr. Winter, there's something

about Elodira - I can't quite put my finger on it.
Something rather particular!" Daisy whispered.

Y me gustara saber por qu su padre muri

tan pobre si aparentemente antes eran tan
ricos.

"And I want to know why her father died so

poor if they were apparently decently off
before.

Daisy y el Sr. Winter pasearon por las

habitaciones en las que haca tiempo haba
dormido la aristocracia. Elodira subi las
escaleras y se uni a ellos otra vez. Les

Daisy and Mr. Winter strolled in and out of

rooms where the aristocracy had once slept.
Elodira came up the stairs and joined them
once again. Would you like something to

gustara beber algo? Me parece que no puedo

ofrecerles nada ms que un vaso de clarete o
una taza de t.

drink? Im afraid theres nothing much I can

offer you other than a glass of claret or a cup of
tea.

Me encantara una taza de t, contest Daisy

y mir al Sr. Winter de una manera que quera
decir haga lo que digo.

Id love a cup of tea, replied Daisy and looked

at Mr. Winter in such a way as to say do as I
suggest.

Lo mismo para m, obedeci el Sr. Winter.

Same for me please. obeyed Mr. Winter.

Elodira llev a sus invitados un tramo de

escaleras ms abajo. Espero que no les
importe si vamos abajo, a la cocina. Est
relativamente limpia!

Elodira led her guests down another flight of

stairs. I hope you dont mind if we all go down
to the kitchen. Its relatively clean there!

Una vez que Daisy y el Sr. Winter estaban

sentados en la tpica mesa de cocina, pesada
y enorme, bebiendo t con Elodira, los ojos de
Daisy se posaron sobre un objeto en el
aparador.

Once Daisy and Mr. Winter were seated at a

typically enormous, heavy kitchen table
supping tea with Elodira, Daisys eye fell on a
beautiful object on the dresser.

Sabes lo que es eso? El Sr. Winter pregunt Do you know what that is? Mr. Winter asked
a Daisy.
No, no lo s. Tiene Daisy.

forma de manzana pero no me puedo imaginar

para qu sirve, contest Daisy.

No, I dont. Its shaped like an apple but I cant

make out what it would be used for, Daisy
replied.

Es una Apple Tea Caddy! Una caja con forma Its an Apple Tea Caddy!
de manzana, que serva para guardar el t.
S, es de cuando el t era muy caro, explic
Elodira, dndosela a Daisy para que la mirara.

Yes, it dates back to the time when tea

wasvery expensive, explained Elodira handing
it to Daisy to have a look at.

Lo ves Daisy, tiene un cerradura y la seora

de la casa sola ser la nica con la llave para
evitar que los sirvientes robaran el t!

Can you see Daisy, theres a lock on it and the

mistress of the house used to be the only one
with the key to it to prevent the servants from
stealing the tea!

La verdad es que es muy bonita!

Its very beautiful indeed!

Daisy sinti que no poda retrasar ms el

asunto.

Daisy felt she could delay things no longer.

Elodira, puedo hacerle una pregunta? Era

"Elodira, may I ask you a question? Was your

su madre italiana, por casualidad?

mother Italian, by any chance?"

El Sr. Winter se sorprendi por la pregunta.

Los ojos esmeralda de Elodira se nublaron con
nostalgia. S, lo era.

Mr. Winter was rather surprised at Daisy's

question. Elodiras emerald eyes misted over
nostalgically."Yes, she was."

Era de Venecia, verdad?

"She was Venetian, wasn't she?"

S, naci en la que ella llamaba la ciudad ms

bonita del mundo. Cmo lo ha sabido?

"Yes, she was born in what she called the most

beautiful city in the world. How did you know?"

El Sr. Winter simplemente se qued mirando

fijamente a Daisy, sin decir una palabra.

Mr. Winter just stared at Daisy without saying a

word.

Usted se parece a una mujer veneciana que vi "You look like a Venetian woman I saw in a
en un retrato, dijo Daisy.
portrait. revealed Daisy.
Oh, de verdad? Todo el mundo deca que mi
madre y yo nos parecamos mucho.

Oh really! Everybody said my mother and I

were very similar.

Tena una expresin veneciana bastante triste

She had a rather sad Venetian expression

que parece que he heredado, explic Elodira,

pero desde luego ella no era una persona
triste y mis padres estaban enamorados y se
hacan muy felices el uno al otro!

which I seem to have inherited, Elodira

explained, but she certainly wasnt a sad
person my parents were in love and they
made each other very happy!

Y su padre era militar. Me di cuenta de los

retratos de las escaleras.

And your father was a military man I noticed

the portraits on the stairs.

Imagino que su madre se encargaba de las

cosas aqu en la finca mientras su padre
estaba fuera, en el ejrcito observ Daisy.

I imagine that your mother managed things

here in the manor while your father was away
in the army? Daisy remarked.

No, en realidad se conocieron cuando mi

padre ya haba dejado el ejrcito, pero mi
padre dependa de mi madre completamente.
Naci en un tiempo en el que el hijo de un lord
no tena que trabajar.

No, actually they met when Father had

already left the army, but Dad relied on Mother
completely. He was born when the son of a
lord didn't have to work.

Poda haber servido en el ejrcito pero no

poda ensuciar sus manos con trabajos
administrativos o cosas parecidas.

He could serve in the army - but couldnt soil

his hands with administrative work or anything
like that.

Elodira sonri con afecto. Mi madre le

Elodira smiled affectionately. Mother

adoraba y se encarg del negocio familiar.

worshipped him and took over the family

business.

Cul era el negocio familiar, Elodira?,

continu Daisy.

What was the family business, Elodira? Daisy

continued.

Bueno, ya sabe, creo que reciba rentas y ese

tipo de cosas.

Well, you know, I believe we received rents

and that sort of thing.

Comprendo. Ha debido de haber gente

viviendo en sus tierras, cuidando de la finca

I see. There must have been people living on

your land looking after the manor...

Elodira record, Estaba el guarda, el

Sr.Clayton, pero muri hace aos.

Elodira remembered, There was the gamekeeper, Mr. Clayton, but he died years ago.

Despus estaba la familia Simmonds, que

sola cortar el csped y arreglar el jardn,
vivan en una casa de campo, cerca de Green
Lodge. Pero, por supuesto, ya no estn aqu.

Then there was the Simmonds family who

used to cut the grass and do gardening they
lived in a cottage, too, near Green Lodge. But
of course theyre no longer here.

Y su padre conoci a su madre en Italia?

And did your father meet your mother in Italy?

No, se conocieron en Londres. Mi madre fue a

la escuela de arte en Florencia y quera ser
directora de un museo.

No, they met in London. Mother went to art

school in Florence and wanted to become a
curator of a museum.

Vino a Londres cuando tena slo veinte aos

para visitar las galeras de arte.

She came to London when she was just twenty

to visit our picture galleries.

Entonces, su padre estaba tambin

interesado en el arte?

So your father was interested in art too?

La verdad es que no. Se conocieron en un

pub por casualidad. Mi padre pidi un toad-inthe-hole y mi madre estaba de pie a su lado.

No, not really. They met in a pub by accident.

My father had ordered a toad-in-the-hole and
my mother was standing right by him.

Ella pregunt al tabernero qu era un tod-inthe-hole, ya que su conocimiento del ingls no

era tan bueno en esos momentos, pero no
pudo entender su explicacin.

She asked the publican what toad-in-the-hole

was, as her knowledge of English wasnt so
good in those days, but she couldnt
understand his explanation.

Mi padre interrumpi diciendo que era uno de

los platos ms sabrosos del men y los dos
terminaron comiendo toad-in-the-hole juntos.
Se enamoraron y se casaron esa misma

My father broke in saying it was one of the

tastiest dishes on the menu and they both
ended up eating toad-in-the-hole for lunch
together. They fell in love and got married that

primavera.

very spring.

Elodira sonri con la romntica historia que se

saba de memoria.

Elodira smiled at the romantic story she knew

by heart.

Una chica afortunada, imagino que usted

pasara vacaciones maravillosas en Italia.
Pregunt Daisy.

Lucky girl I imagine you had wonderful

holidays in Italy? Daisy asked.

Bueno, no. Fui a Roma en viajes de estudios

pero mi madre nunca quiso volver a Italia, ya
que haba perdido a sus padres y no tena
ningn familiar vivo all. Elodira suspir, Pero
no quiero aburrirles con esas cosas. Ha visto
algo que le haya gustado?

Well no, I went to Rome on sort of learning

trips but my mother never wanted to go back to
Italy as she had lost both her parents and had
no living relations there. Elodira sighed, But I
dont want to bore you with these things. Did
you see anything you liked?

Daisy hizo una pausa y se produjo un silencio

extrao. Mir al Sr. Winter, como
preguntndole sin necesidad de palabras. l
asinti con la cabeza en seal de acuerdo.

Daisy paused a moment and there was a

strange silence. She looked at Mr. Winter
asking an unspoken question. He nodded in
agreement.

Elodira que not esto, miro extraada.

Ocurre algo?

Noticing this, Elodira looked puzzled, Is

anything the matter?

Daisy decidi que haba llegado el momento

de hablar con franqueza.

Daisy decided the moment had arrived when

she must be blunt.

Elodira, Soy detective privado!

Elodira, Im a private detective!

Oh, de verdad? Bueno, supongo que un

detective privado compra muebles de segunda
mano como cualquier otra persona, brome
Daisy.

Oh really! Well, I suppose that private eyes

buy second-hand furniture like anybody else!
Elodira joked.

No, lo siento, Elodira pero en realidad no vine

aqu para ver muebles. La cuestin es que
ayer usted vendi al Sr. Winter una serie de
cosas.

No, sorry, Elodira, I didnt really come here to

see furniture the fact is that you sold Mr.
Winter a number of things yesterday."

Si, claro que lo hice, pero no entiendo

Yes, or course I did but I dont understand...

Daisy le cont a Elodira lo del cuadro dentro

de otro cuadro sin mencionar que era un

Daisy told Elodira about the painting within a

Canaletto.

painting without mentioning it was a Canaletto.

Elodira escuch con atencin. Bueno, no creo

que pueda ser de gran valor, creo que mi
madre sola comprar algunos cuadros de
artistas locales de vez en cuando, ninguno de
ellos famoso.

Elodira listened attentively. Well, I dont think it

could be of any great value I believe Mother
used to buy a few pictures from local artists
occasionally, none of them famous.

El Sr. Winter intervino, Srta. Elodira, Es una

Canaletto!

Mr. Winter intervened, Miss Elodira, its a

Canaletto!

Un Canaletto! El famoso pintor veneciano?

No, debe de tratarse de una copia por
supuesto, nunca tuvimos suficiente dinero para
comprar algo as! Eloira se ri de la idea.

A Canaletto! The famous Venetian painter?

No, it must be a copy of course we never had
enough money to buy anything like that!
Elodira laughed at the idea.

Bueno, continuo Daisy, El Sr. Winter dice

que no es una copia y que parece estar en la
lista de las propiedades robadas de la polica.

Well, continued Daisy, Mr. Winter says it isnt

a copy, and it seems to be on the polices list of
stolen property!"

Propiedad robada? Elodira se puso plida.

Qu significa todo esto? Yo solamente le
vend algunos viejos paisajes yno lo

Stolen property? Elodira became pale. What

does this all mean? I just sold him some old

comprendo.

landscapes and... I dont understand.

Daisy trat de ser todo lo suave que le fue

posible, No queremos causarle ningn
problema a usted o a su familia.

Daisy tried to be as gentle as possible, We

dont want to harm you or your family.

El problema es que el Sr. Winter debe llevar el

cuadro a la polica o podra verse envuelto en
un problema serio!

The problem is that Mr. Winter must take the

picture to the police otherwise he could get into
very serious trouble!

No s que decir tartamude Elodira. Mi

padre era la persona ms honesta que se
puedan imaginar! l nunca habra trado
propiedad robada a su casa.

I dont know what to say... Elodira

stammered. My father was the most honest
person you could imagine! He couldnt possibly
have had stolen property in his home.

Mire, dijo Daisy, usted mencion que est

revisando los papeles de la familia. Si me deja
ayudarla, puede que encontremos las
respuestas a todo esto.

"Look, said Daisy, you mentioned you are

going through the family papers. If you let me
help you, we may find an answer to all this.

Despus de dudar por un momento y de

estudiar el rostro de Daisy para ver si
realmente poda confiar en ella, Elodira asinti.

After hesitating for a moment and studying

Daisys face to see if she could really trust her,
Elodira nodded, Yes, all right. Theyre in my

Est bien. Estn en el escritorio de mi madre,

en el viejo estudio, si me acompaan

mothers escritoire in the old study if youd

like to come with me...

Elodira, que pareca muy preocupada,

acompa al Sr. Winter y a Daisy al estudio y
abri la tapa abatible del escritorio. Por favor,
tome asiento, Daisy, as podr ver los
documentos usted misma.

Elodira, looking very worried, accompanied Mr.

Winter and Daisy into the study and opened
the escritoires drop-front, Please sit down
Daisy - so you can see the documents for
yourself.

Daisy sac docenas de papeles de los

casilleros en los que haban sido metidos
haca aos. Haba viejas facturas de la
electricidad y el gas y cosas por el estilo.

Daisy pulled out dozens of papers from the

pigeon holes where they had been thrust years
ago. There were old electric and gas bills and
suchlike.

Entonces Daisy tir para que se abrieran uno

por uno, los cajones de abajo, que revelaron
carpetas llenas de pagos catalogados.

Then Daisy pulled the drawers open

underneath, one by one, which revealed
folders full of catalogued payments.

Una carpeta roja vieja tena la

etiqueta Clayton. Era el guarda, no?
pregunt Daisy mientras miraba los papeles
con los ttulos Herramientas y Equipo, Pagos
mensuales.

One old red file was labelled Clayton. He was

the gamekeeper, wasnt he? asked Daisy
looking through papers headed Tools and
Equipment, and Weekly Wages.

S, contest Elodira, y esto sacando una

enorme carpeta gris, era la carpeta de la
familia Simmonds, que mantenan los campos
y ayudaban en la casa.

Yes, replied Elodira, and this, pulling out a

huge grey file, was the Simmonds file the
family who kept the grounds in order and
helped in the house.

Durante media hora, Daisy persisti en la

bsqueda de algo que explicara el Canaletto.
No hay mucho por aqu, suspir Daisy y se
volvi hacia el Sr. Winter, que estaba sentado
en un enorme silln de cuero, con aspecto
bastante pensativo.

Daisy persisted for half an hour trying to find

something which would explain the Canaletto.
Nothing much here, Daisy sighed and turned
to Mr. Winter, who was sitting in a huge leather
armchair looking rather thoughtful.

No creo que vayamos por buen camino en

absoluto!

I dont think were on the right track at all!

De repente, el Sr. Winter se levant de un

salto. Un minuto, seoritas!, comenz a
pasar los dedos por la ltima fila de casilleros
del escritorio. Quiz ustedes no sepan que
este maravilloso mueble tiene una
caracterstica sorprendente o al menos la
debera tener tratndose de un escritorio como
este.

Mr. Winter suddenly jumped up, Just a minute,

ladies! He began running his fingers along the
bottom row of pigeon holes in the escritoire,
Maybe you dont know that this wonderful
piece of furniture has a surprising feature at
least there should be in an escritoire like this.

Daisy y Elodira miraban intrigadas mientras el

Sr. Winter introduca la mano en uno de los
casilleros.

Daisy and Elodira looked mystified as Mr.

Winter put his hand in one of the pigeon holes.

Hay que encontrar un pequeo botn de

terciopelo yS, aqu est! Proclam
triunfante el Sr. Winter. Un panel secreto se
desliz hacia fuera.

One has to find a small velvet button

and yes, here it is! Mr. Winter proclaimed
triumphantly. A secret panel came sliding out.

Encima haba un pequeo libro de cuero y una

fotografa de familia en blanco y negro muy
desgastada. Daisy le dio la foto a Elodira,
quin la estudi con mucha atencin.

On top of it was a small leather book and a

very faded black and white family
photograph. Daisy handed the photograph to
Elodira, who studied it attentively.

Creo que era mi madre cuando era una nia

la voz de Elodira tembl. Supongo que las
otras personas son miembros de su familia,
realmente no lo s. Nunca conoc a ninguno de
sus familiares.

I think thats my mother when she was a girl!

Elodiras voice trembled. I suppose that the
other people are members of her family I
dont really know. I never met any of her
relatives.

El Sr. Winter y Daisy miraron fijamente la foto.

La chica se parece mucho a usted. Parece
tener su pelo y sus ojos!, declar Daisy.

Mr. Winter and Daisy gazed at the photo. The

girl looks very like you. She seems to have
your hair and eyes! declared Daisy.

Cogi el libro de cuero y empez a pasar las

pginas rpidamente. Mira, Elodira, est
escrito en italiano, entiende el idioma?

She picked up the leather book and began

flicking over its pages. Look, Elodira, its
written in Italian do you understand the
language?

S, por supuesto. Mi padre nunca lo aprendi

Yes, of course. Dad never picked it up but
pero mi madre siempre me hablaba en italiano, Mother always spoke to me in Italian so I can
as que puedo leerlo y hablarlo.
read it as well as speak it.
Elodira empez a mirar el pequeo libro. Es
la letra de mi madre, seguro! Segn Elodira
pasaba las pginas, remarc: Es el diario de
mi madre, el ao en el que muri.

Elodira began looking at the small book. Its in

my mothers handwriting for sure! As Elodira
turned the pages, she remarked, Its my
mothers diary the year she died.

Incluso escribi su nombre en la cubierta

interior.

She has even written her name on the inside

cover.

Y despus aadi, Mmparece que es un

tipo de informe sobre cosas que compr y
facturas que pag y

Then she added, Mm... it seems to be a sort

of account of things she bought and bills she
paid and ...

Elodira par de leer y de repente pareci

extraada. Escribi L por 100 libras en Enero,

Elodira stopped reading and suddenly looked

puzzled. She has written L for 100 in

L y R por 200 libras en Abril, R por 100 libras

en Mayo y C por 1.000 libras en Julio. Y
despusnada ms. Mi madre muri en
Julio! Daisy, qu significa todo esto?

January, L and R for 200 in April, R for 100

in May and C for 1,000 in July. Then
nothing more. My mother died in July! Daisy,
what does all this mean?

Por un momento el Sr. Winter, Daisy y Elodira

se quedaron en silencio.

Mr. Winter, Elodira and Daisy remained silent

for a moment.

Daisy fue la primera en hablar. Es un cdigo,

verdad? La C, por supuesto, podra significar
Canaletto, pero no saquemos conclusiones
precipitadas.

Daisy was the one to speak first, Its a code,

isnt it? The C, of course, could stand for
Canaletto but lets not jump to conclusions.

Daisy cogi el diario y comenz a pasar las

pginas rpidamente, despus mir otra vez a
la cubierta interior y frunci el ceo.

Daisy picked the diary up and began flicking

over the pages, then went back to the inside
cover and frowned.

Elodira, dijo que la letra del diario era de tu

madre, no? Pero en la cubierta interior no
parece que haya escrito Rushdown.

Elodira, you said the diary was in your

mothers handwriting, didnt you? But on the
inside cover she doesnt seem to have written
Rushdown.

No, claro que no, explic Elodira. Escribi

No, of course not. replied Elodira, Shes

su nombre de soltera, Barbarelli.

written her maiden name, Barbarelli.

Cielo santo! Exclam Daisy. Ahora lo

entiendo todo!

Good heavens! exclaimed Daisy. Now I

understand everything!

El Sr. Winter mir fijamente a Daisy. Dinos

que ocurre, Daisy, qu has descubierto?

Mr. Winter stared at Daisy. Tell us whats going

on, Daisy, what have you discovered?

Daisy pareca reacia a dar una explicacin.

Me document antes de venir. Parece ser que
hubo una familia Barbarelli en Venecia, dos
hermanos conocidos internacionalmente como
peristas.

Daisy looked reluctant to explain. Before

coming here I documented myself. It appears
there was a Barbarelli family in Venice two
brothers who were internationally known as
fences.

Elodira frunci el ceo y pareca muy

preocupada.

Elodira frowned and looked very worried.

Daisy continu, Ellos trataban con cuadros

robados. Interpol los cogi cuando un
coleccionista de arte japons fue arrestado en
la frontera de Alemania con dos cuadros de
Caravaggio.

Daisy continued, They dealt in stolen pictures.

Interpol got on to them when a Japanese art
collector was arrested on the German border
with two stolen Caravaggios.

Aparentemente, los compr a travs de los

hermanos Barbarelli.

Apparently hed bought them through the

Barbarelli brothers.

S! Lo recuerdo. Estaba todo en los

peridicos.Interrumpi el Sr. Winter. Entonces
fue el famoso robo de San Marcos! Pero los
cogieron, no?

Yes! I remember. It was all over the

newspapers, broke in Mr. Winter. Then there
was the famous St. Marks theft! But they
caught them, didnt they?

No, replic Daisy, Los

No, replied Daisy, The
hermanosdesaparecieron de la noche a la
brothers disappearedovernight some thirty
maana hace unos treinta aos y nunca se los years ago and were never seen again!
volvi a ver de nuevo!
A estas Alturas Elodira estaba plida y susurr,
Un minuto, he recordado algo, haba dos
hombres que parecan italianos en el funeral
de mi madre. En aquel momento pens que
seran parientes.

Elodira was looking pale by now and

whispered, Just a minute Ive remembered
something there were two Italian-looking men
at Mothers funeral. I thought at the time they
might be related to each other.

Y cuntos aos tenan aproximadamente?,

pregunt Daisy.

And how old were they approximately? asked

Daisy.

Tendran unos cincuenta aosdijeron que

They were both about fifty years old They

venan del consulado italianopero parecan

muy tristes y nunca nos enteramos de sus
nombres.

said they had come from the Italian consulate...

But they seemed really very upset and we
never learned their names.

Elodira cogi la fotografa otra vez y grit con

asombro. Miren! Los dos hombres jvenes y
ense la foto a Daisy. Se parecen un poco a
los hombres del funeral!

Elodira picked up the photograph again and

gasped, Look! The two young men, she
showed Daisy the photo, they look a bit like
the two men at the funeral!

Elodira estaba abrumada, Ahora entiendo!

Eran los hermanos de mi madre! Ahora
entiendo por qu mi madre nunca quiso volver
a Venecia.

Elodira was overwhelmed. Now I understand!

They were Mothers brothers! Now I
understand why my mother never wanted to go
back to Venice.

Sus ojos esmeralda brillaron con dolor. Todas

las piezas casan como en un puzzle, susurr,
qu me pasar ahora?

Her emerald eyes shone with pain,Everything

is falling into place like a jigsaw puzzle, she
whispered, what will happen to me now?

Para entonces, Elodira estaba llorando y el Sr.

Winter trataba de consolarla. Ya est, ya est
querida, resolveremos esto, se lo prometo!

By now Elodira was in tears and Mr. Winter

tried to comfort her. There, there my dear,
well work this out, I promise you!

Daisy intentaba encontrar una solucin, Mira,

Daisy searched her mind for a solution, Look,

Elodira, en lo que a m se refiere, nunca he

visto el cuadro!

Elodira, as far as Im concerned, Ive never

even seen the painting!

El Sr. Winter podra haber tenido ya el

Canaletto en la parte trasera de su tienda, que
compr en una venta benfica o algo
parecido. Daisy mir al Sr. Winter para ver su
reaccin.

Mr. Winter could have already had the

Canaletto in the back of his shop which he had
bought in a jumble sale or something. Daisy
looked at Mr. Winter to see his reaction.

El Sr. Winter se levant. Srta. Elodira, no se

preocupe. Voy a llevar el cuadro a la polica
ahora, pero como ha dicho Daisy, el Canaletto
podra haber estado ya en el parte trasera de
mi tienda y cuando le compr los cuadros a
usted se mezclaron.

Mr. Winter stood up. Miss Elodira, dont worry.

Im going to take the painting to the police now
but, as Daisy said, the Canaletto could have
been in the back of my shop already and when
I bought the paintings from you they got mixed
up.

Compro muchas cosas en ventas ambulantes

y fiestas de iglesias. As que dejmoslo as!

I buy a lot of stuff in car boot sales and church

fetes. So lets leave it at that!

S, no digamos nada ms, Daisy estaba de

acuerdo. Y cambi de tema deliberadamente,
Elodira, estara encantada si se quedara en
mi casa por un par de noches.

Yes, lets say no more, agreed Daisy. Then,

changing the subject deliberately, Elodira, Id
be glad if you stayed at my place for a couple
of nights.

Ya sabe, me acabo de mudar a una casa

nueva y me siento un poco extraa all sola.

You know, Ive just moved into a new house

and I feel a bit strange staying there alone.

Elodira se sec las lgrimas, Muchas gracias,

pero preferira quedarme sola un rato para
aclarar mi mente.

Elodira wiped her tears away, Thanks very

much, but Id sooner stay by myself a bit and
sort a few things out in my mind.

Tres semanas ms tarde, el Sr. Winter entr en Three weeks later Mr. Winter called in at
la oficina de Daisy.
Daisys office.
Oh, Sr. Winter! Que agradable verle.
Tomemos unos cafs y unos bollos.

Oh Mr. Winter! Nice to see you. Lets have

some coffee and buns.

Daisy puso sobre su escritorio unos bollos

calientes en un plato y prepar un poco de
caf instantneo.

Daisy put some Hot Cross Buns onto a plate

on her desk and prepared some instant coffee.

Bueno, qu pas con el Canaletto?

So, what happened to the Canaletto after all?

Tuve que llevarlo a la comisara y se

sorprendieron mucho cuando lo vieron en su
CD-ROM!

I had to take it round to the police station and

they were pretty surprised when they looked it
up on their CD-ROM!

Pero, qu les dijo?

But what did you tell them?

El Sr. Winter termin de comer su trozo de

Mr. Winter finished eating his piece of bun,
bollo. Que compr el cuadro dentro del cuadro That I had bought the picture-in-a-picture on a
en un puesto de rarezas, por supuesto!
white elephant stall, of course!.
Entonces, despus de coger su cartera del
bolsillo interior de la chaqueta, le entreg un
sobre a Daisy.

Then after reaching for his wallet in his inside

jacket pocket Mr. Winter handed Daisy an
envelope.

Es para t, Daisy!

This is for you, Daisy!

Oh, qu es? Daisy pareca extraada, hasta

que lo abri. Haba un cheque a su nombre y
un recorte de peridico. Famoso cuadro
robado encontrado por un anticuario local en la
fiesta de una iglesia. La polica dice que
recibir una recompensa sustancial.

Oh, what is it?Daisy was puzzled until she

opened it. There was a cheque made out to
her and a newspaper cutting. Famous stolen
painting found by local antique dealer in a
church fete. The police say he will receive a
substantial reward.

Ahbueno, gracias Sr. Winter! Muchas

gracias.
Daisy, qu crees
que pas realmente con el Canaletto?

Ah well, thank you Mr. Winter! Thanks very

much.
Daisy, what do you think really happened
about the Canaletto?

Bueno, probablemente fue la madre de

Elodira la que haba escondido el cuadro!

Well it probably was Elodiras mother who had

hidden the painting!

El Sr. Winter asinti. S, estoy de acuerdo.

Mr. Winter nodded, Yes, I agree.

Daisy continuo. No podia haber sido Sir

Edward, claramente no era ese tipo de
persona! Quiz los dos hermanos haban
forzado a su hermana a guardar el Canaletto y
otros cuadros de su parte, bueno, a actuar
como una perista!

Daisy continued, It couldnt have been Sir

Edwin he clearly wasnt the type! Perhaps
the two brothers had forced their sister to keep
the Canaletto and other pictures on their behalf
and, well, act as a fence!

El Sr. Winter termin su caf y se recost en

su silla.

Mr. Winter finished off his coffee and leaned

back in his chair.

Daisy concluy, Por otra parte, probablemente Daisy concluded, On the other hand, she was
ella estara encantada con el dinero, ya que
probably glad of the money as her husband
parece que su marido no tena muchos fondos. didnt seem to have many funds.
Cada vez que reciba un cuadro, llevaba la
cuenta de las transacciones que se llevaban a
cabo, en su diario secreto.

Every time she received a picture she kept

track of the transaction involved in her secret
diary.

Y no se necesita mucha imaginacin para

darse cuenta de que la C significa Canaletto y
que las cien libras fue la suma de dinero que
recibi por guardar el cuadro robado en Green
Lodge.

And it doesnt take much to figure out that the

letter C stood for Canaletto and that the
thousand pounds was the sum she received for
keeping the stolen painting at Green Lodge.

El Sr. Winter suspir. Bueno, probablemente

nunca lo sabremos. De todas formas ocurri
hace mucho tiempo y Elodira no debera sufrir
por cosas de las que nada sabe!

Mr. Winter sighed, Well probably never know.

Anyway it was a long time ago and Elodira
mustnt suffer for things she knew nothing
about!

No, claro que no. Por cierto, Sr. Winter, me

gustara mostrarle algo. Daisy fue a la
habitacin de dentro y trajo algo consigo.

No, of course not. By the way, Mr. Winter, Id

like to show you something. Daisy went into
the inner room and brought something out with
her.

Me lleg el otro da, digamosde manera

annima!

It was delivered here the other day, lets say

anonymously!

Qu Apple Tea Caddy ms bonita!, exclam

el Sr. Winter. Tiene amigos en las altas
esferas, Daisy!

That wonderful apple tea caddy! exclaimed

Mr. Winter. Youve got friends in high places,
Daisy!