4. The Evidence of the American Lady

           Mrs.Hubbardarrivedinthediningcarinsuchastateofbreathlessexcitementthatshewashardlyabletoarticulateherwords.

           “Nowjusttellmethis.Who’sinauthorityhere?I’vegotsomevurryimportantinformation,vurryimportant,indeed,andIjustwanttotellittosomeoneinauthorityassoonasmaybe.Ifyougentlemen—”

           Herwaveringglancefluctuatedbetweenthethreemen.Poirotleanedforward.

           “Tellittome,Madame,”hesaid.“But,first,praybeseated.”

           Mrs.Hubbardplumpedheavilydownontotheseatoppositetohim.

           “WhatI’vegottotellyouisjustthis.Therewasamurderonthetrainlastnight,andthemurdererwasrightthereinmycompartment!”

           Shepausedtogivedramaticemphasistoherwords.

           “Youaresureofthis,Madame?”

           “OfcourseI’msure!Theidea!IknowwhatI’mtalkingabout.I’lltellyoujusteverythingthereistotell.I’dgottenintobedandgonetosleep,andsuddenlyIwokeup—allinthedark,itwas—andIknewtherewasamaninmycompartment.IwasjustsoscaredIcouldn’tscream,ifyouknowwhatImean.Ijustlaythereandthought,‘Mercy,I’mgoingtobekilled.’Ijustcan’tdescribetoyouhowIfelt.Thesenastytrains,Ithought,andalltheoutragesI’dreadof.AndIthought,‘Well,anyway,hewon’tgetmyjewellery.’Because,yousee,I’dputthatinastockingandhiddenitundermypillow—whichisn’tsomightycomfortable,bytheway,kinderbumpy,ifyouknowwhatImean.Butthat’sneitherherenorthere.WherewasI?”

           “Yourealized,Madame,thattherewasamaninyourcompartment.