Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
4. The Evidence of the American Lady
“Itisn’taverynicethingtospeakabout.”
“Whattimewasitwhenyouheardawoman’svoice?”
“Ican’ttellyou.Ijustwokeupforaminuteandheardawomantalking,anditwasplainenoughwhereshewas.SoIjustthought,‘Wellthat’sthekindofmanheis.Well,I’mnotsurprised,’andthenIwenttosleepagain,andI’msureIshouldneverhavementionedanythingofthekindtothreestrangegentlemenifyouhadn’tdraggeditoutofme.”
“Wasitbeforethescareaboutthemaninyourcompartment,orafter?”
“Why,that’slikewhatyousaidjustnow!Hewouldn’thavehadawomantalkingtohimifheweredead,wouldhe?”
“Pardon.Youmustthinkmeverystupid,Madame.”
“Iguessevenyougetkindermuddlednowandthen.Ijustcan’tgetoveritbeingthatmonsterCassetti.Whatmydaughterwillsay—”
Poirotmanagedadroitlytohelpthegoodladytorestorethecontentsofherhandbagandhethenshepherdedhertowardsthedoor.
Atthelastmomenthesaid:
“Youhavedroppedyourhandkerchief,Madame.”
Mrs.Hubbardlookedatthelittlescrapofcambricheheldouttoher.
“That’snotmine,Mr.Poirot.I’vegotminerighthere.”
“Pardon.IthoughtasithadtheinitialHonit—”
“Well,now,that’scurious,butit’scertainlynotmine.MinearemarkedC.M.H.,andthey’resensiblethings—notexpensiveParisfallals.Whatgoodisahandkerchieflikethattoanybody’snose?”
Neitherofthethreemenseemedtohaveananswertothisquestion,andMrs.Hubbardsailedouttriumphantly.
