Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
7. The Evidence of Count and Countess Andrenyi
Hemerelyopenedhiseyesalittle.
“Ah!”hesaid.“Thatcertainlyshouldthrowlightuponthematter.AnextraordinarycountryAmerica.”
“Youhavebeenthere,perhaps,MonsieurleComte?”
“IwasinWashingtonforayear.”
“Youknew,perhaps,theArmstrongfamily?”
“Armstrong—Armstrong—itisdifficulttorecall—onemetsomany.”
Hesmiled,shruggedhisshoulders.
“Buttocomebacktothematterinhand,gentlemen,”hesaid.“WhatmorecanIdotoassistyou?”
“Youretiredtorest—when,MonsieurleComte?”
HerculePoirot’seyesstoletohisplan.CountandCountessAndrenyioccupiedcompartmentsNo.12and13adjoining.
“Wehadonecompartmentmadeupforthenightwhilstwewereinthediningcar.Onreturningwesatintheotherforawhile—”
“Whatnumberwouldthatbe?”
“No.13.Weplayedpicquettogether.Abouteleveno’clockmywiferetiredforthenight.TheconductormadeupmycompartmentandIalsowenttobed.Isleptsoundlyuntilmorning.”
“Didyounoticethestoppingofthetrain?”
“Iwasnotawareofittillthismorning.”
“Andyourwife?”
TheCountsmiled.
“Mywifealwaystakesasleepingdraughtwhentravellingbytrain.Shetookherusualdoseoftrional.”
Hepaused.
“IamsorryIamnotabletoassistyouinanyway.”
Poirotpassedhimasheetofpaperandapen.
“Thankyou,MonsieurleComte.Itisaformality,butwillyoujustletmehaveyournameandaddress?”
TheCountwroteslowlyandcarefully.
“ItisjustaswellIshouldwritethisforyou,”hesaidpleasantly.
