Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
14. The Evidence of the Weapon
Youwerelyinginyourbunk—so—andyoucouldnotseeforyourself,yousay?”
“No,becauseofthespongebag.Oh,my,Ishallhavetogetanewspongebag.Itmakesmefeelsickinmystomachtolookatthisone.”
Poirotpickedupthespongebagandhungitonthehandleofthecommunicatingdoorintothenextcarriage.
“Précisément—Isee,”hesaid.“Theboltisjustunderneaththehandle—thespongebagmasksit.Youcouldnotseefromwhereyouwerelyingwhethertheboltwereturnedornot.”
“Why,that’sjustwhatI’vebeentellingyou!”
“AndtheSwedishlady,MissOhlsson,stoodso,betweenyouandthedoor.Shetrieditandtoldyouitwasbolted.”
“That’sso.”
“Allthesame,Madame,shemayhavemadeanerror.YouseewhatImean.”Poirotseemedanxioustoexplain.“Theboltisjustaprojectionofmetal—so.Turnedtotherightthedoorislocked,leftstraight,itisnot.Possiblyshemerelytriedthedoor,andasitwaslockedontheothersideshemayhaveassumedthatitwaslockedonyourside.”
“WellIguessthatwouldberatherstupidofher.”
“Madame,themostkind,themostamiablearenotalwaysthecleverest.”
“That’sso,ofcourse.”
“Bytheway,Madame,didyoutravelouttoSmyrnathisway?”
“No.IsailedrighttoStamboul,andafriendofmydaughter’s—Mr.Johnson(aperfectlylovelyman;I’dliketohaveyouknowhim)—metmeandshowedmeallroundStamboul,whichIfoundaverydisappointingcity—alltumblingdown.
