Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
5. The Christian Name of Princess Dragomiroff
“Thoseblows—theonesdeliveredwithgreatforcepenetratingthemuscle—never,nevercouldanyonewithsofrailaphysiqueinflictthem.”
“Butthefeeblerones?”
“Thefeeblerones,yes.”
“Iamthinking,”saidPoirot,“oftheincidentthismorningwhenIsaidtoherthatthestrengthwasinherwillratherthaninherarm.Itwasinthenatureofatrap,thatremark.Iwantedtoseeifshewouldlookdownatherrightorherleftarm.Shedidneither.Shelookedatthemboth.Butshemadeastrangereply.Shesaid,‘No,Ihavenostrengthinthese.Idonotknowwhethertobesorryorglad.’Acuriousremarkthat.Itconfirmsmeinmybeliefaboutthecrime.”
“Itdidnotsettlethepointabouttheleft-handedness.”
“No.Bytheway,didyounoticethatCountAndrenyikeepshishandkerchiefinhisright-handbreastpocket?”
M.Boucshookhishead.Hismindrevertedtotheastonishingrevelationsofthelasthalfhour.Hemurmured:
“Lies—andagainlies—itamazesme,theamountoflieswehadtoldtousthismorning.”
“Therearemorestilltodiscover,”saidPoirotcheerfully.
“Youthinkso?”
“Ishallbeverydisappointedifitisnotso.”
“Suchduplicityisterrible,”saidM.Bouc.“Butitseemstopleaseyou,”headdedreproachfully.
“Ithasthisadvantage,”saidPoirot.“Ifyouconfrontanyonewhohasliedwiththetruth,theyusuallyadmitit—oftenoutofsheersurprise.Itisonlynecessarytoguessrighttoproduceyoureffect.
“Thatistheonlywaytoconductthiscase
