Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
5. The Crime
Hepressedhisownfingeronthebell.
Theconductorarrivedpromptly.Helookedhotandworried.
“Del’eauminerale,s’ilvousplait.”
“Bien,Monsieur.”PerhapsatwinkleinPoirot’seyeledhimtounburdenhimself.
“LaDameAmericaine—”
“Yes?”
Hewipedhisforehead.
“ImaginetoyourselfthetimeIhavehadwithher!Sheinsists—butinsists—thatthereisamaninhercompartment!Figuretoyourself,Monsieur.Inaspaceofthissize.”Hesweptahandround.“Wherewouldheconcealhimself?Iarguewithher.Ipointoutthatitisimpossible.Sheinsists.Shewokeupandtherewasamanthere.Andhow,Iask,didhegetoutandleavethedoorboltedbehindhim?Butshewillnotlistentoreason.Asthough,therewerenotenoughtoworryusalready.Thissnow—”
“Snow?”
“Butyes,Monsieur.Monsieurhasnotnoticed?Thetrainhasstopped.Wehaverunintoasnowdrift.Heavenknowshowlongweshallbehere.Irememberoncebeingsnowedupforsevendays.”
“Wherearewe?”
“BetweenVincoviandBrod.”
“Làlà,”saidPoirotvexedly.
Themanwithdrewandreturnedwiththewater.
“Bonsoir,Monsieur.”
Poirotdrankaglassofwaterandcomposedhimselftosleep.
Hewasjustdroppingoffwhensomethingagainwokehim.Thistimeitwasasthoughsomethingheavyhadfallenwithathudagainstthedoor.
Hesprangup,openeditandlookedout.Nothing.Buttohisrightsomewaydownthecorridorawomanwrappedinascarletkimonowasretreatingfromhim.Attheotherend,sittingonhislittleseat,theconductorwasenteringupfiguresonlargesheetsofpaper.
