Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
7. The Evidence of Count and Countess Andrenyi
”
“Nothingatall,Monsieur.Iwasasleep.”
“Youdidnothear,forinstance,acommotiongoingoninthecompartmentnexttoyours?TheAmericanladywhooccupiesithadquiteanattackofhystericsandrangfortheconductor.”
“Iheardnothing,Monsieur.Yousee,Ihadtakenasleepingdraught.”
“Ah!Icomprehend.Well,Ineednotdetainyoufurther.”Then,assheroseswiftly,“Justonelittleminute—theseparticulars,yourmaidenname,ageandsoon,theyarecorrect?”
“Quitecorrect,Monsieur.”
“Perhapsyouwillsignthismemorandumtothateffect,then.”
Shesignedquickly,agracefulslantinghandwriting.
ElenaAndrenyi.
“DidyouaccompanyyourhusbandtoAmerica,Madame?”
“No,Monsieur.”Shesmiled,flushedalittle.“Wewerenotmarriedthen;wehaveonlybeenmarriedayear.”
“Ahyes,thankyou,Madame.Bytheway,doesyourhusbandsmoke?”
Shestaredathimasshestoodpoisedfordeparture.
“Yes.”
“Apipe?”
“No.Cigarettesandcigars.”
“Ah!Thankyou.”
Shelingered;hereyeswatchedhimcuriously.Lovelyeyestheywere,darkandalmondshaped,withverylongblacklashesthatswepttheexquisitepallorofhercheeks.Herlips,veryscarlet,intheforeignfashion,werepartedjustalittle.Shelookedexoticandbeautiful.
“Whydidyouaskmethat?”
“Madame,”Poirotwavedanairyhand,“detectiveshavetoaskallsortsofquestions.Forinstance,perhapsyouwilltellmethecolourofyourdressinggown?”
Shestaredathim.Thenshelaughed.
“Itiscorn-colouredchiffon.Isthatreallyimportant?”
“Veryimportant,Madame
