Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
4. The Evidence of the American Lady
Whatdoyoucallthat,Ishouldliketoknow?”
“That,Madame,Icallevidence,”saidPoirot.
Theanswerseemedtoappeasethelady.
“Itmakesmemadderthanahornettobedisbelieved,”sheexplained.
“Youhavegivenusmostinterestingandvaluableevidence,”saidPoirotsoothingly.“Now,mayIaskyouafewquestions?”
“Why,willingly.”
“Howwasit,sinceyouwerenervousofthismanRatchett,thatyouhadn’talreadyboltedthedoorbetweenthecompartments?”
“Ihad,”returnedMrs.Hubbardpromptly.
“Oh,youhad?”
“Well,asamatteroffact,IaskedthatSwedishcreature—apleasantsoul—ifitwasbolted,andshesaiditwas.”
“Howwasityoucouldn’tseeforyourself?”
“BecauseIwasinbedandmyspongebagwashangingonthedoorhandle.”
“Whattimewasitwhenyouaskedhertodothisforyou?”
“Nowletmethink.Itmusthavebeenroundabouthalf-pasttenoraquartertoeleven.She’dcomealongtoseeifI’dgotanaspirin.Itoldherwheretofindit,andshegotitoutofmygrip.”
“Youyourselfwereinbed?”
“Yes.”
Suddenlyshelaughed.
“Poorsoul—shewasinquiteataking.Yousee,she’dopenedthedoorofthenextcompartmentbymistake.”
“M.Ratchett’s?”
“Yes.Youknowhowdifficultitisasyoucomealongthetrainandallthedoorsareshut.Sheopenedhisbymistake.Shewasverydistressedaboutit.He’dlaughed,itseemed,andIfancyhemayhavesaidsomethingnotquitenice.Poorthing,shewasallinaflutter.‘Oh!Imakemistake,’shesaid.‘Iashamedmakemistake.Notniceman,’shesaid.
