Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
3. Certain Suggestive Points
YouarriveataconclusionmuchsoonerthanIwouldpermitmyselftodo.”
“Isthereanyotheralternative?”
“Certainlythereis.Suppose,forinstance,thatyouhavecommittedacrimeandwishtocastsuspicionforitonsomeoneelse.Well,thereisonthetrainacertainpersonconnectedintimatelywiththeArmstrongfamily—awoman.Suppose,then,thatyouleavethereahandkerchiefbelongingtothatwoman.Shewillbequestioned,herconnectionwiththeArmstrongfamilywillbebroughtout—etvoilà.Motive—andanincriminatingarticleofevidence.”
“Butinsuchacase,”objectedthedoctor,“thepersonindicatedbeinginnocent,wouldnottakestepstoconcealheridentity.”
“Ah,really?Thatiswhatyouthink?Thatistrulytheopinionofthepolicecourt.ButIknowhumannature,myfriend,andItellyouthat,suddenlyconfrontedwiththepossibilityofbeingtriedformurder,themostinnocentpersonwilllosetheirheadanddothemostabsurdthings.No,no,thegreasespotandthechangedlabeldonotproveguilt—theyonlyprovethattheCountessAndrenyiisanxiousforsomereasontoconcealheridentity.”
“WhatdoyouthinkherconnectionwiththeArmstrongfamilycanbe?ShehasneverbeeninAmerica,shesays.”
“Exactly,andshespeaksbrokenEnglish,andshehasaveryforeignappearancewhichsheexaggerates.Butitshouldnotbedifficulttoguesswhosheis.ImentionedjustnowthenameofMrs.Armstrong’smother.ItwasLindaArden,andshewasaverycelebratedactress—amongotherthingsaShakespeareanactress.
