Убийство Роджера Экройда
And Nothing But The Truth
"Youhaveaplausibleexplanationofthatalso,Isuppose?""IwillconfesstoyouthatitwasmygreateststumblingblockwhenIfoundthatacallhadactuallybeenputthroughtoyoufromKing’sAbbotstation.Iatfirstbelievedthatyouhadsimplyinventedthestory.Itwasaveryclevertouch,that.YoumusthavesomeexcuseforarrivingatFernly,findingthebody,andsogettingthechancetoremovethedictaphoneonwhichyouralibidepended.IhadaveryvaguenotionofhowitwasworkedwhenIcametoseeyoursisterthatfirstdayandinquiredastowhatpatientsyouhadseenonFridaymorning.IhadnothoughtofMissRussellinmymindatthattime.Hervisitwasaluckycoincidence,sinceitdistractedyourmindfromtherealobjectofmyquestions.IfoundwhatIwaslookingfor.AmongyourpatientsthatmorningwasthestewardofanAmericanliner.WhomoresuitablethanhetobeleavingforLiverpoolbythetrainthatevening?Andafterwardshewouldbeonthehighseas,welloutoftheway.InotedthattheOrionsailedonSaturday,andhavingobtainedthenameofthestewardIsenthimawirelessmessageaskingacertainquestion.Thisishisreplyyousawmereceivejustnow."Heheldoutthemessagetome.Itranasfollows:"Quitecorrect.DrSheppardaskedmetoleaveanoteatapatient’shouse.Iwastoringhimupfromthestationwiththereply.Replywas"Noanswer."""Itwasacleveridea,"saidPoirot."Thecallwasgenuine.Yoursistersawyoutakeit
