Пуаро ведёт следствие
X. The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman
WhyshouldanyonepretendCountFoscatinihaddrunkcoffeewhenhehadnotdoneso?”
Ishookmyhead,utterlybewildered.
“Come,Iwillhelpyou.WhatevidencehavewethatAscanioandhisfriend,ortwomenposingasthem,evercametotheflatthatnight?Nobodysawthemgoin;nobodysawthemgoout.Wehavetheevidenceofonemanandofahostofinanimateobjects.”
“Youmean?”
“Imeanknivesandforksandplatesandemptydishes.Ah,butitwasacleveridea!Gravesisathiefandascoundrel,butwhatamanofmethod!Heoverhearsaportionoftheconversationinthemorning,enoughtorealizethatAscaniowillbeinawkwardpositiontodefendhimself.Thefollowingevening,abouteighto’clock,hetellshismasterheiswantedatthetelephone.Foscatinisitsdown,stretchesouthishandtothetelephone,andfrombehindGravesstrikeshimdownwiththemarblefigure.Thenquicklytotheservicetelephone—dinnerforthree!Itcomes,helaysthetable,dirtiestheplates,knives,andforks,etc.Buthehastogetridofthefoodtoo.Notonlyisheamanofbrain;hehasaresoluteandcapaciousstomach!Butaftereatingthreetournedos,thericesouffléistoomuchforhim!Heevensmokesacigarandtwocigarettestocarryouttheillusion.Ah,butitwasmagnificentlythorough!Then,havingmovedonthehandsoftheclockto8.47,hesmashesitandstopsit.Theonethinghedoesnotdoistodrawthecurtains.Butiftherehadbeenarealdinnerpartythecurtainswouldhavebeendrawnassoonasthelightbegantofail.Thenhehurriesout,mentioningthegueststotheliftmaninpassing
