Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
12. The Evidence of the German Lady’s Maid
”
“Well,howlonghadyoubeenwithMadamelaPrincesse?”
“Abouthalfanhour,Monsieur.”
“Good,continue.”
“First,IfetchedherExcellencyanextrarugfrommycompartment.Itwasverycoldinspiteoftheheating.Iarrangedtherugoverherandshewishedmegoodnight.Ipouredheroutsomemineralwater.ThenIturnedoutthelightandlefther.”
“Andthen?”
“Thereisnothingmore,Monsieur.Ireturnedtomycarriageandwenttosleep.”
“Andyoumetnooneinthecorridor?”
“No,Monsieur.”
“Youdidnot,forinstance,seealadyinascarletkimonowithdragonsonit?”
Hermildeyesbulgedathim.
“No,indeed,Monsieur.Therewasnobodyaboutexcepttheattendant.Everyonewasasleep.”
“Butyoudidseetheconductor?”
“Yes,Monsieur.”
“Whatwashedoing?”
“Hecameoutofoneofthecompartments,Monsieur.”
“What?”M.Boucleanedforward.“Whichone?”
HildegardeSchmidtlookedfrightenedagainandPoirotcastareproachfulglanceathisfriend.
“Naturally,”hesaid.“Theconductoroftenhastoanswerbellsatnight.Doyourememberwhichcompartmentitwas?”
“Itwasaboutthemiddleofthecoach,Monsieur.TwoorthreedoorsfromMadamelaPrincesse.”
“Ah!tellus,ifyouplease,exactlywherethiswasandwhathappened.”
“Henearlyranintome,Monsieur.ItwaswhenIwasreturningfrommycompartmenttothatofthePrincesswiththerug.”
“Andhecameoutofacompartmentandalmostcollidedwithyou?Inwhichdirectionwashegoing?”
“Towardsme,Monsieur.Heapologizedandpassedondownthecorridortowardsthediningcar.
