Убийство на поле для гольфа
5. Mrs. Renauld’s Story
”
Theexaminingmagistratestrokedhisbearddisconsolately.
“Andyoucanfixthetimeofthisoutrage?”
“Yes,Idistinctlyrememberhearingtheclockonthemantelpiecestriketwo.”Shenoddedtowardsaneight-daytravellingclockinaleathercasewhichstoodinthecentreofthechimney-piece.
Poirotrosefromhisseat,scrutinizedtheclockcarefully,andnodded,satisfied.
“Andheretoo,”exclaimedM.Bex,“isawristwatch,knockedoffthedressing-tablebytheassassins,withoutdoubt,andsmashedtoatoms.Littledidtheyknowitwouldtestifyagainstthem.”
Gentlyhepickedawaythefragmentsofbrokenglass.Suddenlyhisfacechangedtooneofutterstupefaction.
“MonDieu!”heejaculated.
“Whatisit?”
“Thehandsofthewatchpointtoseveno’clock!”
“What?”criedtheexaminingmagistrate,astonished.
ButPoirot,deftasever,tookthebrokentrinketfromthestartledcommissary,andheldittohisear.Thenhesmiled.
“Theglassisbroken,yes,butthewatchitselfisstillgoing.”
Theexplanationofthemysterywasgreetedwitharelievedsmile.Butthemagistratebethoughthimofanotherpoint.
“Butsurelyitisnotseveno’clocknow?”
“No,”saidPoirotgently,“itisafewminutesafterfive.Possiblythewatchgains,isthatso,madame?”
Mrs.Renauldwasfrowningperplexedly.
“Itdoesgain,”sheadmitted,“butI’veneverknownittogainquitesomuchasthat.”
Withagestureofimpatience,themagistrateleftthematterofthewatchandproceededwithhisinterrogatory.
“Madame,thefrontdoorwasfoundajar.
