Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
12. The Evidence of the German Lady’s Maid
MissDebenham’salibiisprovidedbyaSwedishwomanwhomshehasneverseenbefore,andColonelArbuthnot’salibiisvouchedforbyMacQueen,thedeadman’ssecretary.No,thatsolutionofthepuzzleistooeasy.”
“Yousaidtherewasanotherreasonforyoursuspicionsofher,”M.Boucremindedhim.
Poirotsmiled.
“Ah!butthatisonlypsychological.Iaskmyself,isitpossibleforMissDebenhamtohaveplannedthiscrime?Behindthisbusiness,Iamconvinced,thereisacool,intelligent,resourcefulbrain.MissDebenhamanswerstothatdescription.”
M.Boucshookhishead.
“Ithinkyouarewrong,myfriend.IdonotseethatyoungEnglishgirlasacriminal.”
“Ah,well,”saidPoirot,pickingupthelastpassport,“tothefinalnameonourlist.HildegardeSchmidt,lady’smaid.”
Summonedbytheattendant,HildegardeSchmidtcameintotherestaurantcarandstoodwaitingrespectfully.
Poirotmotionedhertositdown.
Shedidso,foldingherhandsandwaitingplacidlytillhequestionedher.Sheseemedaplacidcreaturealtogether—eminentlyrespectable—perhapsnotoverintelligent.
Poirot’smethodswithHildegardeSchmidtwereacompletecontrasttohishandlingofMaryDebenham.
Hewasathiskindestandmostgenial,settingthewomanatherease.Then,havinggothertowritedownhernameandaddress,heslidgentlyintohisquestions.
TheinterviewtookplaceinGerman.
“Wewanttoknowasmuchaspossibleaboutwhathappenedlastnight,”hesaid.
