Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
3. The Evidence of the Valet
Hesaidhecouldn’tsleepotherwise.”
“Doyouknowwhatdrughewasinthehabitoftaking?”
“Icouldn’tsay,I’msure,sir.Therewasnonameonthebottle.Just‘TheSleepingDraughttobetakenatbedtime.’”
“Didhetakeitlastnight?”
“Yes,sir.Ipoureditintoaglassandputitontopofthetoilettablereadyforhim.”
“Youdidn’tactuallyseehimdrinkit?”
“No,sir.”
“Whathappenednext?”
“Iaskediftherewasanythingfurther,andaskedwhattimeM.Ratchettwouldliketobecalledinthemorning.Hesaidhedidn’twanttobedisturbedtillherang.”
“Wasthatusual?”
“Quiteusual,sir.Heusedtoringthebellfortheconductorandthensendhimformewhenhewasreadytogetup.”
“Washeusuallyanearlyoralateriser?”
“Itdepended,sir,onhismood.Sometimeshe’dgetupforbreakfast,sometimeshewouldn’tgetuptilljustonlunchtime.”
“Sothatyouweren’talarmedwhenthemorningworeonandnosummonscame?”
“No,sir.”
“Didyouknowthatyourmasterhadenemies?”
“Yes,sir.”
Themanspokequiteunemotionally.
“Howdidyouknow?”
“Ihadheardhimdiscussingsomeletters,sir,withMr.MacQueen.”
“Hadyouanaffectionforyouremployer,Masterman?”
Masterman’sfacebecame,ifpossible,evenmoreinexpressivethanitwasnormally.
“Ishouldhardlyliketosaythat,sir.Hewasagenerousemployer.”
“Butyoudidn’tlikehim?”
“ShallweputitthatIdon’tcareverymuchforAmericans,sir.”
“HaveyoueverbeeninAmerica?”
“No,sir.
