Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
4. The Evidence of the American Lady
Shetookoutinturntwolargecleanhandkerchiefs,apairofhorn-rimmedglasses,abottleofaspirin,apacketofGlauber’ssalts,acelluloidtubeofbrightgreenpeppermints,abunchofkeys,apairofscissors,abookofAmericanExpresscheques,asnapshotofanextraordinarilyplain-lookingchild,someletters,fivestringsofpseudoOrientalbeadsandasmallmetalobject—abutton.
“Youseethisbutton?Well,it’snotoneofmybuttons.It’snotoffanythingI’vegot.IfounditthismorningwhenIgotup.”
Assheplaceditonthetable,M.Boucleanedforwardandgaveanexclamation.
“ButthisisabuttonfromthetunicofaWagonLitattendant!”
“Theremaybeanaturalexplanationforthat,”saidPoirot.
Heturnedgentlytothelady.
“Thisbutton,Madame,mayhavedroppedfromtheconductor’suniform,eitherwhenhesearchedyourcabin,orwhenhewasmakingthebeduplastnight.”
“Ijustdon’tknowwhat’sthematterwithallyoupeople.Seemsasthoughyoudon’tdoanythingbutmakeobjections.Nowlistenhere.IwasreadingamagazinelastnightbeforeIwenttosleep.BeforeIturnedthelightoutIplacedthatmagazineonalittlecasethatwasstandingonthefloornearthewindow.Haveyougotthat?”
Theyassuredherthattheyhad.
“Verywell,then.Theconductorlookedundertheseatfromnearthedoorandthenhecameinandboltedthedoorbetweenmeandthenextcompartment,butheneverwentupnearthewindow.Well,thismorningthatbuttonwaslyingrightontopofthemagazine.
