Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
7. The Body
”
“Cassetti.”Constantineknittedhisbrows.“Itbringsbacktomesomething.Someyearsago.Icannotremember…ItwasacaseinAmerica,wasitnot?”
“Yes,”saidPoirot.“AcaseinAmerica.”
FurtherthanthatPoirotwasnotdisposedtobecommunicative.Helookedroundhimashewenton:
“Wewillgointoallthatpresently.Letusfirstmakesurethatwehaveseenallthereistobeseenhere.”
Quicklyanddeftlyhewentoncemorethroughthepocketsofthedeadman’sclothesbutfoundnothingthereofinterest.Hetriedthecommunicatingdoorwhichledthroughtothenextcompartment,butitwasboltedontheotherside.
“ThereisonethingthatIdonotunderstand,”saidDr.Constantine.“Ifthemurdererdidnotescapethroughthewindow,andifthiscommunicatingdoorwasboltedontheotherside,andifthedoorintothecorridorwasnotonlylockedontheinsidebutchained,howthendidthemurdererleavethecompartment?”
“Thatiswhattheaudiencesayswhenapersonboundhandandfootisshutintoacabinet—anddisappears.”
“Youmean—”
“Imean,”explainedPoirot,“thatifthemurdererintendedustobelievethathehadescapedbywayofthewindowhewouldnaturallymakeitappearthattheothertwoexitswereimpossible.Likethe‘disappearingperson’inthecabinet—itisatrick.Itisourbusinesstofindouthowthetrickisdone.”
Helockedthecommunicatingdoorontheirside.
“Incase,”hesaid,“theexcellentMrs.Hubbardshouldtakeitintoherheadtoacquirefirst-handdetailsofthecrimetowritetoherdaughter
