Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
5. The Crime
Amancalled—called—”heconsultedsomenotesinfrontofhim.“Ratchett—thatisright—Ratchett?”
“Yes,Monsieur,”theWagonLitmangulped.
Poirotlookedathim.Hewasaswhiteaschalk.
“Youhadbetterletthatmansitdown,”hesaid.“Hemayfaintotherwise.”
ThechefdetrainmovedslightlyandtheWagonLitmansankdowninthecornerandburiedhisfaceinhishands.
“Brr!”saidPoirot.“Thisisserious!”
“Certainlyitisserious.Tobeginwith,amurder—thatbyitselfisacalamityofthefirstwater.Butnotonlythat,thecircumstancesareunusual.Hereweare,broughttoastandstill.Wemaybehereforhours—andnotonlyhours—days!Anothercircumstance.Passingthroughmostcountrieswehavethepoliceofthatcountryonthetrain.ButinYugoslavia—no.Youcomprehend?”
“Itisapositionofgreatdifficulty,”saidPoirot.
“Thereisworsetocome.Dr.Constantine—Iforgot,Ihavenotintroducedyou—Dr.Constantine,M.Poirot.”
ThelittledarkmanbowedandPoirotreturnedit.
“Dr.Constantineisoftheopinionthatdeathoccurredatabout1a.m.”
“Itisdifficulttosayexactlyinthesematters,”saidthedoctor,“butIthinkIcansaydefinitelythatdeathoccurredbetweenmidnightandtwointhemorning.”
“WhenwasthisM.Ratchettlastseenalive?”askedPoirot.
“Heisknowntohavebeenaliveatabouttwentyminutestoone,whenhespoketotheconductor,”saidM.Bouc.
“Thatisquitecorrect,”saidPoirot.“Imyselfheardwhatpassed.Thatisthelastthingknown?”
“Yes.
