Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
9. The Evidence of Mr. Hardman
”
“Sure.That’sagoodpoint,that.Shewasaforeignerofsomekind.Maybeshehadsomewoprelations.Butyou’vegottorememberthattherewereothercasesbesidestheArmstrongcase.Cassettihadbeenrunningthiskidnappingstuntsometime.Youcan’tconcentrateonthatonly.”
“Ah,butwehavereasontobelievethatthiscrimeisconnectedwiththeArmstrongcase.”
Mr.Hardmancockedaninquiringeye.Poirotdidnotrespond.TheAmericanshookhishead.
“Ican’tcalltomindanybodyansweringthatdescriptionintheArmstrongcase,”hesaidslowly.“ButofcourseIwasn’tinitanddidn’tknowmuchaboutit.”
“Well,continueyournarrative,M.Hardman.”
“There’sverylittletotell.Igotmysleepinthedaytimeandstayedawakeonthewatchatnight.Nothingsuspicioushappenedthefirstnight.Lastnightwasthesame,asfarasIwasconcerned.Ihadmydooralittleajarandwatched.Nostrangerpassed.”
“Youaresureofthat,M.Hardman?”
“I’mplumbcertain.Nobodygotonthattrainfromoutsideandnobodycamealongthetrainfromtherearcarriages.I’lltakemyoathonthat.”
“Couldyouseetheconductorfromyourposition?”
“Sure.Hesitsonthatlittleseatalmostflushwithmydoor.”
“DidheleavethatseatatallafterthetrainstoppedatVincovci?”
“Thatwasthelaststation?Why,yes,heansweredacoupleofbells—thatwouldbejustafterthetraincametoahaltforgood.Then,afterthat,hewentpastmeintotherearcoach—wasthereaboutaquarterofanhour.Therewasabellringinglikemadandhecamebackrunning.
