Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
7. The Body
Havewehereacoincidenceorwhat?Arethereanyotherinconsistencies,suchaswouldpointtotwopeoplebeingconcerned?”
“IthinkIcansayyes.Someoftheseblows,asIhavealreadysaid,pointtoaweakness—alackofstrengthoralackofdetermination.Theyarefeebleglancingblows.Butthisonehere—andthisone—”Againhepointed.“Greatstrengthwasneededforthoseblows.Theyhavepenetratedthemuscle.”
“Theywere,inyouropinion,deliveredbyaman?”
“Mostcertainly.”
“Theycouldnothavebeendeliveredbyawoman?”
“Ayoung,vigorous,athleticwomanmighthavestruckthem,especiallyifshewereinthegripofastrongemotion,butitisinmyopinionhighlyunlikely.”
Poirotwassilentamomentortwo.
Theothersaidanxiously.
“Youunderstandmypoint?”
“Perfectly,”saidPoirot.“Thematterbeginstoclearitselfupwonderfully!Themurdererwasamanofgreatstrength,hewasfeeble,itwasawoman,itwasaright-handedperson,itwasaleft-handedperson—Ah!c’estrigolo,toutça!”
Hespokewithsuddenanger.
“Andthevictim—whatdoeshedoinallthis?Doeshecryout?Doeshestruggle?Doeshedefendhimself?”
HeslippedhishandunderthepillowanddrewouttheautomaticpistolwhichRatchetthadshownhimthedaybefore.
“Fullyloaded,yousee,”hesaid.
Theylookedroundthem.Ratchett’sdayclothingwashangingfromthehooksonthewall.
