Пуаро ведёт следствие
IX. The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim
Hewassmilinginhismostinscrutablefashion.Ifeltthat,forthemoment,itwouldbequiteuselesstoquestionhimfurther.
WeheardnothingofJappuntilthefollowingevening,whenhewalkedinaboutnineo’clock.Isawatoncebyhisexpressionthathewasburstingwithnewsofsomekind.
“Ehbien,myfriend,”remarkedPoirot.“Allgoeswell?ButdonottellmethatyouhavediscoveredthebodyofMr.Davenheiminyourlake,becauseIshallnotbelieveyou.”
“Wehaven’tfoundthebody,butwedidfindhisclothes—theidenticalclotheshewaswearingthatday.Whatdoyousaytothat?”
“Anyotherclothesmissingfromthehouse?”
“No,hisvaletisquitepositiveonthatpoint.Therestofhiswardrobeisintact.There’smore.We’vearrestedLowen.Oneofthemaids,whosebusinessitistofastenthebedroomwindows,declaresthatshesawLowencomingtowardsthestudythroughtherose-gardenaboutaquarterpastsix.Thatwouldbeabouttenminutesbeforeheleftthehouse.”
“Whatdoeshehimselfsaytothat?”
“Deniedfirstofallthathehadeverleftthestudy.Butthemaidwaspositive,andhepretendedafterwardsthathehadforgottenjuststeppingoutofthewindowtoexamineanunusualspeciesofrose.Ratheraweakstory!Andthere’sfreshevidenceagainsthimcometolight.Mr.Davenheimalwaysworeathickgoldringsetwithasolitairediamondonthelittlefingerofhisrighthand.
