Пуаро ведёт следствие
I. The Adventure of “The Western Star”
“Betterlucknexttime.”
AttheMagnificent,wewereusheredatonceintothemanager’soffice.GregoryRolfwastherewithtwomenfromScotlandYard.Apale-facedclerksatoppositethem.
Rolfnoddedtousasweentered.
“We’regettingtothebottomofit,”hesaid.“Butit’salmostunbelievable.HowtheguyhadthenerveIcan’tthink.”
Averyfewminutessufficedtogiveusthefacts.Mr.Rolfhadgoneoutofthehotelat11.15.At11.30,agentleman,solikehiminappearanceastopassmuster,enteredthehotelanddemandedthejewel-casefromthesafedeposit.Hedulysignedthereceipt,remarkingcarelesslyashedidso:“Looksabitdifferentfrommyordinaryone,butIhurtmyhandgettingoutofthetaxi.”Theclerkmerelysmiledandremarkedthathesawverylittledifference.Rolflaughedandsaid:“Well,don’trunmeinasacrookthistime,anyway.I’vebeengettingthreateninglettersfromaChinaman,andtheworstofitisIlookratherlikeaChinkmyself—it’ssomethingabouttheeyes.”
“Ilookedathim,”saidtheclerkwhowastellingusthis,“andIsawatoncewhathemeant.TheeyesslantedupatthecornerslikeanOriental’s.I’dnevernoticeditbefore.”
“Darnitall,man,”roaredGregoryRolf,leaningforward,“doyounoticeitnow?”
Themanlookedupathimandstarted.
“No,sir,”hesaid.“Ican’tsayIdo.”AndindeedtherewasnothingevenremotelyOrientalaboutthefrankbrowneyesthatlookedintoours.
TheScotlandYardmangrunted.“Boldcustomer.
