Убийство Роджера Экройда
The Goldfish Pond
And–andhedoesn’tbelieveme.HethinksI’msayingitso–toshieldRalph.""Andaren’tyou?"Iaskedgravely.
Florastampedherfoot.
"You,too,DrSheppard!Oh!it’stoobad."Poirottactfullymadeadiversion.
"ItistruewhatIheardyousay,MajorBlunt.Thereissomethingthatglittersinthispond.LetusseeifIcanreachit."Hekneltdownbythepond,baringhisarmtotheelbow,andlowereditinveryslowly,soasnottodisturbthebottomofthepond.Butinspiteofallhisprecautionsthemudeddiedandswirled,andhewasforcedtodrawhisarmoutagainempty-handed.
Hegazedruefullyatthemuduponhisarm.Iofferedhimmyhandkerchief,whichheacceptedwithferventprotestationsofthanks.Bluntlookedathiswatch.
"Nearlylunchtime,"hesaid."We’dbetterbegettingbacktothehouse.""Youwilllunchwithus,M.Poirot?"askedFlora."Ishouldlikeyoutomeetmymother.Sheis–veryfondofRalph."Thelittlemanbowed.
"Ishallbedelighted,mademoiselle.""Andyouwillstay,too,won’tyou,DrSheppard?"Ihesitated.
"Oh,do!"Iwantedto,soIacceptedtheinvitationwithoutfurtherceremony.
Wesetouttowardsthehouse.FloraandBluntwalkingahead.
"Whathair,"saidPoirottomeinalowtone,noddingtowardsFlora."Therealgold!Theywillmakeaprettycouple.Sheandthedark,handsomeCaptainPaton
