Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
2. The Tokatlian Hotel
Doubtlessthemanhadbeenpromisedagoodtipifhecouldkeepthecompartmentforthesoleuseoftheothertraveller.However,eventhemostmunificentoftipslosetheireffectwhenadirectorofthecompanyisonboardandissueshisorders.
Theconductoremergedfromthecompartment,havingswungthesuitcasesupontotheracks.
“VoilàMonsieur,”hesaid.“Allisarranged.Yoursistheupperberth,thenumber7.Westartinoneminute.”
Hehurriedoffdownthecorridor.Poirotreenteredthecompartment.
“AphenomenonIhaveseldomseen,”hesaidcheerfully.“AWagonLitconductorhimselfputsuptheluggage!Itisunheardof!”
Hisfellowtravellersmiled.Hehadevidentlygotoverhisannoyance—hadprobablydecidedthatitwasnogoodtotakethematterotherthanphilosophically.
“Thetrain’sremarkablyfull,”hesaid.
Awhistleblew,therewasalong,melancholycryfromtheengine.Bothmensteppedoutintothecorridor.
Outsideavoiceshouted.
“Envoiture.”
“We’reoff,”saidMacQueen.
Buttheywerenotquiteoff.Thewhistleblewagain.
“Isay,sir,”saidtheyoungmansuddenly,“ifyou’dratherhavethelowerberth—easier,andallthat—well,that’sallrightbyme.”
“No,no,”protestedPoirot.“Iwouldnotdepriveyou—”
“That’sallright—”
“Youaretooamiable—”
Politeprotestsonbothsides.
“Itisforonenightonly,”explainedPoirot.“AtBelgrade—”
“Oh,Isee.You’regettingoutatBelgrade—”
“Notexactly.Yousee—”
Therewasasuddenjerk
