Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
14. The Evidence of the Weapon
Hubbardrathercavalierly.Butshehadnoreproachesforhim.Herenergieswereconcentratedonanothermatter.
“I’mjustgoingtosayonethingrightout,”shesaidbreathlesslyasshearrivedinthedoorway.“I’mnotgoingonanylongerinthiscompartment!Why,Iwouldn’tsleepinittonightifyoupaidmeamilliondollars.”
“But,Madame—”
“Iknowwhatyouaregoingtosay,andI’mtellingyourightnowthatIwon’tdoanysuchthing!Why,I’drathersitupallnightinthecorridor.”
Shebegantocry.
“Oh!ifmydaughtercouldonlyknow—ifshecouldseemenow,why—”
Poirotinterruptedfirmly.
“Youmisunderstand,Madame.Yourdemandismostreasonable.Yourbaggageshallbechangedatoncetoanothercompartment.”
Mrs.Hubbardloweredherhandkerchief.
“Isthatso?Oh,Ifeelbetterrightaway.Butsurelyit’sallfullup,unlessoneofthegentlemen—”
M.Boucspoke.
“Yourbaggage,Madame,shallbemovedoutofthiscoachaltogether.YoushallhaveacompartmentinthenextcoachwhichwasputonatBelgrade.”
“Why,that’ssplendid.I’mnotanoutofthewaynervouswoman,buttosleepinthatcompartmentnextdoortoadeadman—”Sheshivered.“Itwoulddrivemeplumbcrazy.”
“Michel,”calledM.Bouc.“MovethisbaggageintoavacantcompartmentintheAthens-Pariscoach.”
“Yes,Monsieur—thesameoneasthis—theNo.3?”
“No,”saidPoirotbeforehisfriendcouldreply.“IthinkitwouldbebetterforMadametohaveadifferentnumberaltogether.TheNo.12,forinstance.”
“Bien,Monsieur.”
Theconductorseizedtheluggage.
