Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
5. The Evidence of the Swedish Lady
about9:40ValetleavesRatchettwithsleepingdraughtbesidehim.
about10:00MacQueenleavesRatchett.
about10:40GretaOhlssonseesRatchett(lastseenalive).N.B.—Hewasawakereadingabook.
0:10TrainleavesVincovci(late).
0:30Trainrunsintoasnowdrift.
0:37Ratchett’sbellrings.Conductoranswersit.Ratchettsays,“Cen’estrien.Jemesuistrompé.”
about1:17Mrs.Hubbardthinksmanisinhercarriage.Ringsforconductor.
M.Boucnoddedapproval.
“Thatisveryclear,”hesaid.
“Thereisnothingtherethatstrikesyouasatallodd?”
“No,itseemsallquiteclearandaboveboard.Itseemsquiteplainthatthecrimewascommittedat1:15.Theevidenceofthewatchshowsusthat,andMrs.Hubbard’sstoryfitsin.Formymind,Iwillmakeaguessattheidentityofthemurderer.Isay,myfriend,thatitisthebigItalian.HecomesfromAmerica—fromChicago—andrememberanItalian’sweaponistheknife,andhestabsnotoncebutseveraltimes.”
“Thatistrue.”
“Withoutadoubt,thatisthesolutionofthemystery.DoubtlessheandthisRatchettwereinthiskidnappingbusinesstogether.CassettiisanItalianname.InsomewayRatchettdidonhimwhattheycallthedouble-cross.TheItaliantrackshimdown,sendshimwarninglettersfirst,andfinallyrevengeshimselfuponhiminabrutalway.Itisallquitesimple.”
Poirotshookhisheaddoubtfully.
“Itishardlyassimpleasthat,Ifear,”hemurmured.
“Me,Iamconvinceditisthetruth,”saidM.Bouc,becomingmoreandmoreenamouredofhistheory
