Убийство на поле для гольфа
14. The Second Body
”Heledheracross,andthen,standingsuddenlyaside.“Hereistheman.Doyouknowhim?”
Andashespoke,hiseyes,gimlet-like,boredintoherface,seekingtoreadhermind,notingeveryindicationofhermanner.
ButMrs.Renauldremainedperfectlycalm—toocalm,Ifelt.Shelookeddownatthecorpsealmostwithoutinterest,certainlywithoutanysignofagitationorrecognition.
“No,”shesaid.“Ihaveneverseenhiminmylife.Heisquiteastrangertome.”
“Youaresure?”
“Quitesure.”
“Youdonotrecognizeinhimoneofyourassailants,forinstance?”
“No,”sheseemedtohesitate,asthoughstruckbytheidea.“No,Idonotthinkso.Ofcoursetheyworebeards—falseonestheexaminingmagistratethought,butstill—no.”Nowsheseemedtomakehermindupdefinitely.“Iamsureneitherofthetwowasthisman.”
“Verywell,madame.Thatisall,then.”
Shesteppedoutwithheaderect,thesunflashingonthesilverthreadsinherhair.JackRenauldsucceededher.He,too,failedtoidentifytheman,inacompletelynaturalmanner.
Giraudmerelygrunted.WhetherhewaspleasedorchagrinedIcouldnottell.HemerelycalledtoMarchaud:
“Youhavegottheotherthere?”
“Yes,monsieur.”
“Bringherinthen.”
“Theother”wasMadameDaubreuil.Shecameindignantly,protestingwithvehemence.
“Iobject,monsieur!Thisisanoutrage!WhathaveItodowithallthis?”
“Madame,”saidGiraudbrutally,“Iaminvestigatingnotonemurder,buttwomurders!ForallIknowyoumayhavecommittedthemboth.”
“Howdareyou?”shecried.
