Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
7. The Evidence of Count and Countess Andrenyi
“Thespellingofmycountryestateisalittledifficultforthoseunacquaintedwiththelanguage.”
HepassedthepaperacrosstoPoirotandrose.
“Itwillbequiteunnecessaryformywifetocomehere,”hesaid.“ShecantellyounothingmorethanIhave.”
AlittlegleamcameintoPoirot’seye.
“Doubtless,doubtless,”hesaid.“ButallthesameIthinkIshouldliketohavejustonelittlewordwithMadamelaComtesse.”
“Iassureyouitisquiteunnecessary.”
Hisvoicerangoutauthoritatively.
Poirotblinkedgentlyathim.
“Itwillbeamereformality,”hesaid.“Butyouunderstand,itisnecessaryformyreport.”
“Asyouplease.”
TheCountgavewaygrudgingly.Hemadeashort,foreignbowandleftthediningcar.
Poirotreachedoutahandtoapassport.ItsetouttheCount’snameandtitles.Hepassedontothefurtherinformation—accompaniedbywife.ChristiannameElenaMaria;maidennameGoldenberg;agetwenty.Aspotofgreasehadbeendroppedsometimebyacarelessofficialonit.
“Adiplomaticpassport,”saidM.Bouc.“Wemustbecareful,myfriend,togivenooffence.Thesepeoplecanhavenothingtodowiththemurder.”
“Beeasy,monvieux,Iwillbemosttactful.Amereformality.”
HisvoicedroppedastheCountessAndrenyienteredthediningcar.Shelookedtimidandextremelycharming.
“Youwishtoseeme,Messieurs?”
“Amereformality,MadamelaComtesse.”Poirotrosegallantly,bowedherintotheseatoppositehim.“Itisonlytoaskyouifyousaworheardanythinglastnightthatmaythrowlightuponthismatter.
