Убийство Роджера Экройда
Poirot Pays A Call
Shewaspositivelypurring.
"Hetalkedalotaboutthelittlegreycellsofthebrain,andoftheirfunctions.Hisown,hesays,areofthefirstquality.""Hewouldsayso,"Iremarkedbitterly."Modestyiscertainlynothismiddlename.""Iwishyouwouldn’tbesohorriblyAmerican,James.HethoughtitveryimportantthatRalphshouldbefoundassoonaspossible,andinducedtocomeforwardandgiveanaccountofhimself.Hesaysthathisdisappearancewillproduceaveryunfortunateimpressionattheinquest.""Andwhatdidyousaytothat?""Iagreedwithhim,"saidCarolineimportantly."AndIwasabletotellhimthewaypeopleweretalkingalreadyaboutit.""Caroline,"Isaidsharply,"didyoutellM.Poirotwhatyouoverheardinthewoodthatday?""Idid,"saidCarolinecomplacently.
Igotupandbegantowalkabout.
"Yourealizewhatyou’redoing,Ihope,"Ijerkedout.
"You’reputtingahalterroundRalphPaton’sneckassurelyasyou’resittinginthatchair.""Notatall,"saidCaroline,quiteunruffled."Iwassurprisedyouhadn’ttoldhim.""Itookverygoodcarenotto,"Isaid."I’mfondofthatboy.""SoamI.That’swhyIsayyou’retalkingnonsense.Idon’tbelieveRalphdidit,andsothetruthcan’thurthim,andweoughttogiveM.Poirotallthehelpwecan.Why,think,verylikelyRalphwasoutwiththatidenticalgirlonthenightofthemurder,andifso,he’sgotaperfectalibi.
