Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
4. The Evidence of the American Lady
”
“Well,Mrs.Hubbard,youhavehelpedusverymuch—verymuchindeed.Perhapsyouwillgivemeyourfullname?”
“Why,certainly.CarolineMarthaHubbard.”
“Willyouwriteyouraddressdownhere?”
Mrs.Hubbarddidso,withoutceasingtospeak.
“Ijustcan’tgetoverit.Cassetti—onthistrain.Ihadahunchaboutthatman,didn’tI,Mr.Poirot?”
“Yes,indeed,Madame.Bytheway,haveyouascarletsilkdressinggown?”
“Mercy,whatanoddquestion!Why,no.I’vegottwodressinggownswithme—apinkflannelonethat’skindofcosyforonboardship,andonemydaughtergavemeasapresent—akindoflocalaffairinpurplesilk.Butwhatincreationdoyouwanttoknowaboutmydressinggownsfor?”
“Well,yousee,Madame,someoneinascarletkimonoenteredeitheryourorMr.Ratchett’scompartmentlastnight.Itis,asyousaidjustnow,verydifficultwhenallthedoorsareshuttoknowwhichcompartmentiswhich.”
“Well,nooneinascarletdressinggowncameintomycompartment.”
“ThenshemusthavegoneintoM.Ratchett’s.”
Mrs.Hubbardpursedherlipstogetherandsaidgrimly:
“Thatwouldn’tsurprisemeany.”
Poirotleanedforward.
“Soyouheardawoman’svoicenextdoor?”
“Idon’tknowhowyouguessedthat,Mr.Poirot.Idon’treally.But—well—asamatteroffact,Idid.”
“ButwhenIaskedyoujustnowifyouheardanythingnextdoor,youonlysaidyouheardMr.Ratchettsnoring.”
“Wellthatwastrueenough.Hedidsnorepartofthetime.Asfortheother—”Mrs.Hubbardgotratherpink
