Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
9. The Evidence of Mr. Hardman
Ratchettdescribedhimtome.”
“What?”
Allthreemenleanedforwardeagerly.
Hardmanwenton:
“Asmallman,dark,withawomanishkindofvoice—that’swhattheoldmansaid.Said,too,thathedidn’tthinkitwouldbethefirstnightout.Morelikelythesecondorthird.”
“Heknewsomething,”saidM.Bouc.
“Hecertainlyknewmorethanhetoldhissecretary,”saidPoirotthoughtfully.“Didhetellyouanythingaboutthisenemyofhis?Didhe,forinstance,saywhyhislifewasthreatened?”
“No,hewaskinderreticentaboutthatpartofit.Justsaidthefellowwasoutforhisbloodandmeanttogetit.”
“Asmallman—dark—withawomanishvoice,”saidPoirotthoughtfully.
Then,fixingasharpglanceonHardman,hesaid:
“Youknewwhohereallywas,ofcourse?”
“Which,mister?”
“Ratchett.Yourecognizedhim?”
“Idon’tgetyou.”
“RatchettwasCassetti,theArmstrongmurderer.”
Mr.Hardmangavewaytoaprolongedwhistle.
“Thatcertainlyissomesurprise!”hesaid.“Yes,sir!No,Ididn’trecognizehim.IwasawayoutWestwhenthatcasecameon.IsupposeIsawphotosofhiminthepapers,butIwouldn’trecognizemyownmotherwhenapressphotographerhaddonewithher.Well,Idon’tdoubtthatafewpeoplehaditinforCassettiallright.”
“DoyouknowofanyoneconnectedwiththeArmstrongcasewhoanswerstothatdescription—small,dark,womanishvoice?”
Hardmanreflectedaminuteortwo.
“It’shardtosay.Prettynearlyeveryonetodowiththatcaseisdead.”
“Therewasthegirlwhothrewherselfoutofthewindow,remember.
