Убийство на поле для гольфа
23. Difficulties Ahead
TheDulcibellaSistershavecancelledtheircontract,andhaveleftCoventryforanunknowndestination.”
“Isthatreallyso,Poirot?”
“Youcantakeitfromme,Hastings.Imadeinquiriesthefirstthingthismorning.Afterall,whatelsedidyouexpect?”
Trueenough,nothingelsecouldbeexpectedunderthecircumstances.CinderellahadprofitedbytheslightstartIhadbeenabletoassureher,andwouldcertainlynotloseamomentinremovingherselffromthereachofthepursuer.ItwaswhatIhadintendedandplanned.Nevertheless,Iwasawareofbeingplungedintoanetworkoffreshdifficulties.
Ihadabsolutelynomeansofcommunicatingwiththegirl,anditwasvitalthatsheshouldknowthelineofdefencethathadoccurredtome,andwhichIwaspreparedtocarryout.Ofcourseitwaspossiblethatshemighttrytosendwordtomeinsomewayoranother,butIhardlythoughtitlikely.ShewouldknowtherisksheranofamessagebeinginterceptedbyPoirot,thussettinghimonhertrackoncemore.Clearlyheronlycoursewastodisappearutterlyforthetimebeing.
But,inthemeantime,whatwasPoirotdoing?Istudiedhimattentively.Hewaswearinghismostinnocentair,andstaringmeditativelyintothefardistance.Helookedaltogethertooplacidandsupinetogivemereassurance.Ihadlearned,withPoirot,thatthelessdangeroushelooked,themoredangeroushewas.Hisquiescencealarmedme.Observingatroubledqualityinmyglance,hesmiledbenignantly.
“Youarepuzzled,Hastings?YouaskyourselfwhyIdonotlaunchmyselfinpursuit?”
“Well—somethingofthekind.
