Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
1. The Evidence of the Wagon Lit Conductor
Ratchettretiredtobed—when?”
“Almostimmediatelyafterdinner,Monsieur.ActuallybeforeweleftBelgrade.Sohedidonthepreviousnight.Hehaddirectedmetomakeupthebedwhilehewasatdinner,andIdidso.”
“Didanybodygointohiscompartmentafterwards?”
“Hisvalet,Monsieur,andtheyoungAmericangentlemanhissecretary.”
“Anyoneelse?”
“No,Monsieur,notthatIknowof.”
“Good.Andthatisthelastyousaworheardofhim?”
“No,Monsieur.Youforget,heranghisbellabouttwentytoone—soonafterwehadstopped.”
“Whathappenedexactly?”
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“Iknockedatthedoor,buthecalledoutandsaidhehadmadeamistake.”
“InEnglishorinFrench?”
“InFrench.”
“Whatwerehiswordsexactly?”
“Cen’estrien.Jemesuistrompé.”
“Quiteright,”saidPoirot.“ThatiswhatIheard.Andthenyouwentaway?”
“Yes,Monsieur.”
“Didyougobacktoyourseat?”
“No,Monsieur,Iwentfirsttoansweranotherbellthathadjustrung.”
“Now,Michel,Iamgoingtoaskyouanimportantquestion.Wherewereyouataquarterpastone?”
“I,Monsieur?Iwasatmylittleseatattheend—facingupthecorridor.”
“Youaresure?”
“Maisoui—atleast—”
“Yes?”
“Iwentintothenextcoach,theAthenscoach,tospeaktomycolleaguethere.Wespokeaboutthesnow.Thatwasatsometimesoonafteroneo’clock.Icannotsayexactly.”
“Andyoureturned—when?”
“Oneofmybellsrang,Monsieur—Iremember—Itoldyou.ItwastheAmericanlady.Shehadrungseveraltimes.”
“Irecollect,”saidPoirot.
