Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
6. The Evidence of the Russian Princess
Sheappearedinthediningcar,inclinedherheadslightlyandsatdownoppositePoirot.
Hersmalltoad-likefacelookedevenyellowerthanthedaybefore.Shewascertainlyugly,andyet,likethetoad,shehadeyeslikejewels,darkandimperious,revealinglatentenergyandanintellectualforcethatcouldbefeltatonce.
Hervoicewasdeep,verydistinct,withaslightgratingqualityinit.
ShecutshortafloweryphraseofapologyfromM.Bouc.
“Youneednotofferapologies,Messieurs.Iunderstandamurderhastakenplace.Naturally,youmustinterviewallthepassengers.Ishallbegladtogivealltheassistanceinmypower.”
“Youaremostamiable,Madame,”saidPoirot.
“Notatall.Itisaduty.Whatdoyouwishtoknow?”
“YourfullChristiannamesandaddress,Madame.Perhapsyouwouldprefertowritethemyourself?”
Poirotprofferedasheetofpaperandpencil,butthePrincesswavedthemaside.
“Youcanwriteit,”shesaid.“Thereisnothingdifficult—NataliaDragomiroff,17AvenueKleber,Paris.”
“YouaretravellinghomefromConstantinople,Madame?”
“Yes,IhavebeenstayingattheAustrianEmbassy.Mymaidiswithme.”
“Wouldyoubesogoodastogivemeabriefaccountofyourmovementslastnightfromdinneronwards?”
“Willingly.IdirectedtheconductortomakeupmybedwhilstIwasinthediningcar.Iretiredtobedimmediatelyafterdinner.Ireaduntilthehourofeleven,whenIturnedoutmylight.IwasunabletosleepowingtocertainrheumaticpainsfromwhichIsuffer.AtaboutaquartertooneIrangformymaid.
