Убийство на поле для гольфа
2. An Appeal for Help
”
“It’scutfromacottageloaf,”Iexplainedsoothingly.
Poirotthrewmeawitheringglance.
“WhatanintelligencehasmyfriendHastings!”heexclaimedsarcastically.“ComprehendyounotthatIhaveforbiddensuchaloaf—aloafhaphazardandshapeless,thatnobakershouldpermithimselftobake!”
Iendeavouredtodistracthismind.
“Anythinginterestingcomebythepost?”
Poirotshookhisheadwithadissatisfiedair.
“Ihavenotyetexaminedmyletters,butnothingofinterestarrivesnowadays.Thegreatcriminals,thecriminalsofmethod,theydonotexist.ThecasesIhavebeenemployeduponlatelywerebanaltothelastdegree.InverityIamreducedtorecoveringlostlap-dogsforfashionableladies!ThelastproblemthatpresentedanyinterestwasthatintricatelittleaffairoftheYardlydiamond,andthatwas—howmanymonthsago,myfriend?”
Heshookhisheaddespondently,andIroaredwithlaughter.
“Cheerup,Poirot,theluckwillchange.Openyourletters.Forallyouknow,theremaybeagreatCaseloomingonthehorizon.”
Poirotsmiled,andtakinguptheneatlittleletteropenerwithwhichheopenedhiscorrespondenceheslitthetopsoftheseveralenvelopesthatlaybyhisplate.
“Abill.Anotherbill.ItisthatIgrowextravagantinmyoldage.Aha!anotefromJapp.”
“Yes?”prickedupmyears.TheScotlandYardInspectorhadmorethanonceintroducedustoaninterestingcase.
“Hemerelythanksme(inhisfashion)foralittlepointintheAberystwythCaseonwhichIwasabletosethimright.Iamdelightedtohavebeenofservicetohim.
