Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter VI. The Inquest
ThereisnodogatStyles,exceptanoutdoorsheepdog,whichisinperfecthealth.”
“YoudenyabsolutelyhavingpurchasedstrychninefromAlbertMaceonMondaylast?”
“Ido.”
“Doyoualsodenythis?”
TheCoronerhandedhimtheregisterinwhichhissignaturewasinscribed.
“CertainlyIdo.Thehand-writingisquitedifferentfrommine.Iwillshowyou.”
Hetookanoldenvelopeoutofhispocket,andwrotehisnameonit,handingittothejury.Itwascertainlyutterlydissimilar.
“ThenwhatisyourexplanationofMr.Mace’sstatement?”
AlfredInglethorprepliedimperturbably:
“Mr.Macemusthavebeenmistaken.”
TheCoronerhesitatedforamoment,andthensaid:
“Mr.Inglethorp,asamerematterofform,wouldyoumindtellinguswhereyouwereontheeveningofMonday,July16th?”
“Really—Icannotremember.”
“Thatisabsurd,Mr.Inglethorp,”saidtheCoronersharply.“Thinkagain.”
Inglethorpshookhishead.
“Icannottellyou.IhaveanideathatIwasoutwalking.”
“Inwhatdirection?”
“Ireallycan’tremember.”
TheCoroner’sfacegrewgraver.
“Wereyouincompanywithanyone?”
“No.”
“Didyoumeetanyoneonyourwalk?”
“No.”
“Thatisapity,”saidtheCoronerdryly.“IamtotakeitthenthatyoudeclinetosaywhereyouwereatthetimethatMr.Macepositivelyrecognizedyouasenteringtheshoptopurchasestrychnine?”
“Ifyouliketotakeitthatway,yes.”
“Becareful,Mr.Inglethorp.”
Poirotwasfidgetingnervously.
