Убийство в Восточном экспрессе

           ”

           “Whydidyouleavehim?”

           “HewasgoingtoEastAfrica,sir,anddidnotrequiremyservicesanylonger.ButIamsurehewillspeakforme,sir.Iwaswithhimsomeyears.”

           “AndyouhavebeenwithM.Ratchett—howlong?”

           “Justoverninemonths,sir.”

           “Thankyou,Masterman.Bytheway,areyouapipesmoker?”

           “No,sir.Ionlysmokecigarettes—gaspers,sir.”

           “Thankyou.Thatwilldo.”

           Thevalethesitatedamoment.

           “You’llexcuseme,sir,buttheelderlyAmericanladyisinwhatImightdescribeasastate,sir.She’ssayingsheknowsallaboutthemurderer.She’sinaveryexcitablecondition,sir.”

           “Inthatcase,”saidPoirot,smiling,“wehadbetterseehernext.”

           “ShallItellher,sir?She’sbeendemandingtoseesomeoneinauthorityforalongtime.Theconductor’sbeentryingtopacifyher.”

           “Sendhertous,myfriend,”saidPoirot.“Wewilllistentoherstorynow.”