Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
9. The Evidence of Mr. Hardman
DearSir,—YouhavebeenpointedouttomeasanoperativeoftheMcNeilDetectiveAgency.Kindlyreporttomysuiteatfouro’clockthisafternoon.
Itwassigned“S.E.Ratchett.”
“Ehbien?”
“IreportedatthetimestatedandMr.Ratchettputmewisetothesituation.Heshowedmeacoupleoflettershe’dgot.”
“Hewasalarmed?”
“Pretendednottobe,buthewasrattledallright.Heputupapropositiontome.IwastotravelbythesametrainashedidtoParrusandseethatnobodygothim.Well,gentlemen,Ididtravelbythesametrainand,inspiteofme,somebodydidgethim.Icertainlyfeelsoreaboutit.Itdoesn’tlookanytoogoodforme.”
“Didhegiveyouanyindicationofthelineyouweretotake?”
“Sure.Hehaditalltapedout.ItwashisideathatIshouldtravelinthecompartmentalongsidehis—well,thatwasblownuponstraightaway.TheonlyplaceIcouldgetwasberthNo.16,andIhadabitofajobgettingthat.Iguesstheconductorlikestokeepthatcompartmentuphissleeve.Butthat’sneitherherenorthere.WhenIlookedallroundthesituation,itseemedtomethatNo.16wasaprettygoodstrategicposition.TherewasonlythediningcarinfrontoftheStamboulsleepingcar,thedoorontotheplatformatthefrontendwasbarredatnight.Theonlywayathugcouldcomewasthroughtherearenddoortotheplatformoralongthetrainfromtherear—ineithercasehe’dhavetopassrightbymycompartment.”
“Youhadnoidea,Isuppose,oftheidentityofthepossibleassailant.”
“Well,Iknewwhathelookedlike.Mr.
