Убийство на поле для гольфа
11. Jack Renauld
”
Theboymadeashiveringgestureofnegation,andthemagistrate,alwaysdisposedtocrossGiraudwheneverpossible,replied.
“Butno—notatpresent.M.Bexwillbesokindastobringittoushere.”
Thecommissarylefttheroom.StonorcrossedtoJack,andwrunghimbythehand.Poirothadrisenandwasadjustingapairofcandlesticksthatstruckhistrainedeyeasbeingashadeaskew.Themagistratewasreadingthemysteriouslove-letterthroughalasttime,clingingdesperatelytohisfirsttheoryofjealousyandastabintheback.
Suddenlythedoorburstopenandthecommissaryrushedin.
“M.lejuge!M.lejuge!”
“Butyes.Whatisit?”
“Thedagger!Itisgone!”
“Comment—gone?”
“Vanished.Disappeared.Theglassjarthatcontaineditisempty!”
“What?”Icried.“Impossible.Why,onlythismorningIsaw—”Thewordsdiedonmytongue.
Buttheattentionoftheentireroomwasdivertedtome.
“Whatisthatyousay?”criedthecommissary.“Thismorning?”
“Isawittherethismorning,”Isaidslowly.“Aboutanhourandahalfago,tobeaccurate.”
“Youwenttotheshed,then?Howdidyougetthekey?”
“Iaskedthesergentdevilleforit.”
“Andyouwentthere?Why?”
Ihesitated,butintheendIdecidedthattheonlythingtodowastomakeacleanbreastofit.
“M.lejuge,”Isaid.“Ihavecommittedagravefault,forwhichImustcraveyourindulgence.”
“Ehbien!Proceed,monsieur.”
“Thefactofthematteris,”Isaid,wishingmyselfanywhereelsethanwhereIwas,“thatImetayounglady,anacquaintanceofmine.
