Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
15. The Evidence of the Passengers’ Luggage
Shelookedathimwithasuddenimpetuosity.
“Youdonotsayanything,M.Poirot.Whatisitthatyouarethinking,Iwonder?”
Helookedatherwithaverydirectglance.
“Ithink,Madame,thatyourstrengthisinyourwill—notinyourarm.”
Sheglanceddownatherthin,black-cladarmsendinginthoseclaw-likeyellowhandswiththeringsonthefingers.
“Itistrue,”shesaid.“Ihavenostrengthinthese—none.IdonotknowifIamsorryorglad.”
Thensheturnedabruptlybacktowardshercarriage,wherethemaidwasbusilypackingupthecases.
ThePrincesscutshortM.Bouc’sapologies.
“Thereisnotneedforyoutoapologize,Monsieur,”shesaid.“Amurderhasbeencommitted.Certainactionshavetobeperformed.Thatisallthereistoit.”
“Vousêtesbienamiable,Madame.”
Sheinclinedherheadslightlyastheydeparted.
Thedoorsofthenexttwocarriageswereshut.M.Boucpausedandscratchedhishead.
“Diable!”hesaid.“Thismaybeawkward.Thesearediplomaticpassports.Theirbaggageisexempt.”
“FromCustomsexamination,yes.Butamurderisdifferent.”
“Iknow.Allthesame—wedonotwanttohavecomplications—”
“Donotdistressyourself,myfriend.TheCountandCountesswillbereasonable.SeehowamiablePrincessDragomiroffwasaboutit.”
“Sheistrulygrandedame.Thesetwoarealsoofthesameposition,buttheCountimpressedmeasamanofsomewhattruculentdisposition.Hewasnotpleasedwhenyouinsistedonquestioninghiswife.Andthiswillannoyhimstillfurther.Suppose—eh—weomitthem.
