Убийство на поле для гольфа
12. Poirot Elucidates Certain Points
Shehadhadoneparoxysmonlearningofherhusband’sdeath,andtherewouldbenoneedforhertosimulateanothersuchaviolentoneonbeholdinghisbody.No,Mrs.Renauldwasnotherhusband’smurderess.Butwhyhasshelied?Sheliedaboutthewristwatch,sheliedaboutthemaskedmen—sheliedaboutathirdthing.Tellme,Hastings,whatisyourexplanationoftheopendoor?”
“Well,”Isaid,ratherembarrassed,“Isupposeitwasanoversight.Theyforgottoshutit.”
Poirotshookhishead,andsighed.
“ThatistheexplanationofGiraud.Itdoesnotsatisfyme.ThereisameaningbehindthatopendoorwhichforamomentIcannotfathom.”
“Ihaveanidea,”Icriedsuddenly.
“Alabonneheure!Letushearit.”
“Listen.WeareagreedthatMrs.Renauld’sstoryisafabrication.Isitnotpossible,then,thatMr.Renauldleftthehousetokeepanappointment—possiblywiththemurderer—leavingthefrontdooropenforhisreturn.Buthedidnotreturn,andthenextmorningheisfound,stabbedintheback.”
“Anadmirabletheory,Hastings,butfortwofactswhichyouhavecharacteristicallyoverlooked.Inthefirstplace,whogaggedandboundMadameRenauld?Andwhyonearthshouldtheyreturntothehousetodoso?Inthesecondplace,nomanonearthwouldgoouttokeepanappointmentwearinghisunderclothesandanovercoat.Therearecircumstancesinwhichamanmightwearpajamasandanovercoat—buttheother,never!”
“True,”Isaid,rathercrest-fallen.
“No,”continuedPoirot,“wemustlookelsewhereforasolutionoftheopendoormystery.
