Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
2. The Tokatlian Hotel
”
“Précisément!Thebody—thecage—iseverythingofthemostrespectable—butthroughthebars,thewildanimallooksout.”
“Youarefanciful,monvieux,”saidM.Bouc.
“Itmaybeso.ButIcouldnotridmyselfoftheimpressionthatevilhadpassedmebyveryclose.”
“ThatrespectableAmericangentleman?”
“ThatrespectableAmericangentleman.”
“Well,”saidM.Bouccheerfully.“Itmaybeso.Thereismuchevilintheworld.”
Atthatmomentthedooropenedandtheconciergecametowardsthem.Helookedconcernedandapologetic.
“Itisextraordinary,Monsieur,”hesaidtoPoirot.“Thereisnotonefirst-classsleepingberthtobehadonthetrain.”
“Comment?”criedM.Bouc.“Atthistimeofyear?Ah,withoutdoubtthereissomepartyofjournalists—ofpoliticians—?”
“Idon’tknow,sir,”saidtheconcierge,turningtohimrespectfully.“Butthat’showitis.”
“Well,well,”M.BoucturnedtoPoirot.“Havenofear,myfriend.Wewillarrangesomething.Thereisalwaysonecompartment—theNo.16,whichisnotengaged.Theconductorseestothat!”Hesmiled,thenglancedupattheclock.“Come,”hesaid,“itistimewestarted.”
AtthestationM.Boucwasgreetedwithrespectfulempressementbythebrown-uniformedWagonLitconductor.
“Goodevening,Monsieur.YourcompartmentistheNo.1.”
Hecalledtotheportersandtheywheeledtheirloadhalf-wayalongthecarriageonwhichthetinplatesproclaimeditsdestination:
ISTANBULTRIESTECALAIS
“Youarefulluptonight,Ihear?”
“Itisincredible,Monsieur.
