Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
7. The Body
”
“Whatastrokeofluckforus!”exclaimedthedoctor.
“Isitnot?”saidPoirot.
Somethinginhistonesurprisedthedoctor.
Butbeforehecouldaskforelucidation,Poirothadmadeanotherdiveontothefloor.
Thistimeheheldoutonthepalmofhishand—apipecleaner.
“ItisperhapsthepropertyofM.Ratchett?”suggestedthedoctor.
“Therewasnopipeinanyofhispockets,andnotobaccoortobaccopouch.”
“Thenitisaclue.”
“Oh!decidedly.Andagaindroppedmostconveniently.Amasculinecluethistime,younote!Onecannotcomplainofhavingnocluesinthiscase.Thereareclueshereinabundance.Bytheway,whathaveyoudonewiththeweapon?”
“Therewasnosignofanyweapon.Themurderermusthavetakenitawaywithhim.”
“Iwonderwhy,”musedPoirot.
“Ah!”Thedoctorhadbeendelicatelyexploringthepyjamapocketsofthedeadman.
“Ioverlookedthis,”hesaid.“Iunbuttonedthejacketandthrewitstraightback.”
Fromthebreastpockethebroughtoutagoldwatch.Thecasewasdentedsavagely,andthehandspointedtoaquarterpastone.
“Yousee?”criedConstantineeagerly.“Thisgivesusthehourofthecrime.Itagreeswithmycalculations.BetweenmidnightandtwointhemorningiswhatIsaid,andprobablyaboutoneo’clock,thoughitisdifficulttobeexactinthesematters.Ehbien,hereisconfirmation.Aquarterpastone.Thatwasthehourofthecrime.”
“Itispossible,yes.Itiscertainlypossible.”
Thedoctorlookedathimcuriously.
“Youwillpardonme,M.Poirot,butIdonotquiteunderstandyou.
