Убийство в Восточном экспрессе
6. The Evidence of the Russian Princess
“Imustaskyouthereasonofthesequestions.Whathavetheytodowiththematterinhand—themurderonthistrain?”
“Theyareconnectedinthisway,Madame,themanwhowasmurderedwasthemanresponsibleforthekidnappingandmurderofMrs.Armstrong’schild.”
“Ah!”
Thestraightbrowsdrewtogether.PrincessDragomiroffdrewherselfalittlemoreerect.
“Inmyview,then,thismurderisanentirelyadmirablehappening!Youwillpardonmyslightlybiasedpointofview.”
“Itismostnatural,Madame.Andnowtoreturntothequestionyoudidnotanswer.WhereistheyoungerdaughterofLindaArden,thesisterofMrs.Armstrong?”
“Ihonestlycannottellyou,Monsieur.Ihavelosttouchwiththeyoungergeneration.IbelieveshemarriedanEnglishmansomeyearsagoandwenttoEngland,butatthemomentIcannotrecollectthename.”
Shepausedaminuteandthensaid:
“Isthereanythingfurtheryouwanttoaskme,gentlemen?”
“Onlyonething,Madame,asomewhatpersonalquestion.Thecolourofyourdressinggown.”
Sheraisedhereyebrowsslightly.
“Imustsupposeyouhaveareasonforsuchaquestion.Mydressinggownisofbluesatin.”
“Thereisnothingmore,Madame.Iammuchobligedtoyouforansweringmyquestionssopromptly.”
Shemadeaslightgesturewithherheavily-beringedhand.
Then,assherose,andtheothersrosewithher,shestopped.
“Youwillexcuseme,Monsieur,”shesaid,“butmayIaskyourname?Yourfaceissomehowfamiliartome.”
“Myname,Madame,isHerculePoirot—atyourservice
