Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
6. A Woman?
”
Hepaused,thensaid:
“DidyouknowthatM.Ratchetthadappliedforhelptome?”
“Toyou?”
MacQueen’sastonishedtonetoldPoirotquitecertainlythattheyoungmanhadnotknownofit.Henodded.
“Yes.Hewasalarmed.Tellme,howdidheactwhenhereceivedthefirstletter?”
MacQueenhesitated.
“It’sdifficulttosay.He—he—passeditoffwithalaughinthatquietwayofhis.Butsomehow”—hegaveaslightshiver—“Ifeltthattherewasagooddealgoingonunderneaththequietness.”
Poirotnodded.Thenheaskedanunexpectedquestion.
“Mr.MacQueen,willyoutellme,quitehonestly,exactlyhowyouregardedyouremployer?Didyoulikehim?”
HectorMacQueentookamomentortwobeforereplying.
“No,”hesaidatlast.“Ididnot.”
“Why?”
“Ican’texactlysay.Hewasalwaysquitepleasantinhismanner.”Hepaused,thensaid,“I’lltellyouthetruth,Mr.Poirot.Idislikedanddistrustedhim.Hewas,Iamsure,acruelandadangerousman.Imustadmit,though,thatIhavenoreasonstoadvanceformyopinion.”
“Thankyou,M.MacQueen.Onefurtherquestion—whendidyoulastseeM.Ratchettalive?”
“Lasteveningabout”—hethoughtforaminute—“teno’clock,Ishouldsay.Iwentintohiscompartmenttotakedownsomememorandafromhim.”
“Onwhatsubject?”
“SometilesandantiquepotterythatheboughtinPersia.Whatwasdeliveredwasnotwhathehadpurchased.Therehasbeenalong,vexatiouscorrespondenceonthesubject.”
“AndthatwasthelasttimeM.Ratchettwasseenalive?”
“Yes,Isupposeso.”
“DoyouknowwhenM.
