Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
8. The Evidence of Colonel Arbuthnot
Mostpeoplehaveretiredforthenight.Doesanyonepassthedoor—think?”
Arbuthnotfrownedintheeffortofremembrance.
“Difficulttosay,”hesaid.“Yousee,Iwasn’tpayinganyattention.”
“Butyouhavethesoldier’sobservationfordetail.Younoticewithoutnoticing,sotospeak.”
TheColonelthoughtagain,butshookhishead.
“Icouldn’tsay.Idon’trememberanyonepassingexcepttheconductor.Waitaminute—andtherewasawoman,Ithink.”
“Yousawher?Wassheold—young?”
“Didn’tseeher.Wasn’tlookingthatway.Justarustleandasortofsmellofscent.”
“Scent?Agoodscent?”
“Well,ratherfruity,ifyouknowwhatImean.Imeanyou’dsmellitahundredyardsaway.Butmindyou,”theColonelwentonhastily,“thismayhavebeenearlierintheevening.Yousee,asyousaidjustnow,itwasjustoneofthosethingsyounoticewithoutnoticing,sotospeak.SometimethateveningIsaidtomyself,‘Woman—scent—gotitonprettythick.’ButwhenitwasIcan’tbesure,exceptthat—why,yes,itmusthavebeenafterVincovci.”
“Why?”
“BecauseIremember—sniffing,youknow—justwhenIwastalkingabouttheutterwashoutStalin’sFiveYearPlanwasturningout.Iknowtheidea—woman—broughttheideaofthepositionofwomeninRussiaintomymind.AndIknowwehadn’tgotontoRussiauntilprettyneartheendofourtalk.”
“Youcan’tpinitdownmoredefinitelythanthat?”
“N-no.Itmusthavebeenroughlywithinthelasthalfhour.”
“Itwasafterthetrainhadstopped?”
Theothernodded.
