Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
5. The Christian Name of Princess Dragomiroff
”
“Youdonotbelieveindoingyourutmosttofurthertheendsofjustice?”
“InthiscaseIconsiderthatjustice—strictjustice—hasbeendone.”
Poirotleanedforward.
“Youseemydifficulty,Madame.Inthismatterofthehandkerchief,even,amItobelieveyou?Orareyoushieldingyourfriend’sdaughter?”
“Oh!Iseewhatyoumean.”Herfacebrokeintoagrimsmile.“Well,Messieurs,thisstatementofminecanbeeasilyproved.IwillgiveyoutheaddressofthepeopleinPariswhomakemyhandkerchiefs.Youhaveonlytoshowthemtheoneinquestionandtheywillinformyouthatitwasmadetomyorderoverayearago.Thehandkerchiefismine,Messieurs.”
Sherose.
“Haveyouanythingfurtheryouwishtoaskme?”
“Yourmaid,Madame,didsherecognizethishandkerchiefwhenweshowedittoherthismorning?”
“Shemusthavedoneso.Shesawitandsaidnothing?Ah,well,thatshowsthatshetoocanbeloyal.”
Withaslightinclinationofherheadshepassedoutofthediningcar.
“Sothatwasit,”murmuredPoirotsoftly.“InoticedjustatriflinghesitationwhenIaskedthemaidifsheknewtowhomthehandkerchiefbelonged.Shewasuncertainwhetherornottoadmitthatitwashermistress’s.Buthowdoesthatfitinwiththatstrangecentralideaofmine?Yes,itmightwellbe.”
“Ah!”saidM.Boucwithacharacteristicgesture—“sheisaterribleoldlady,that!”
“CouldshehavemurderedRatchett?”askedPoirotofthedoctor.
Heshookhishead.
