Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter VIII. Fresh Suspicions
“Yourealizethathechosetheoneplaceinthehousetohideitwhereitspresencewouldnotberemarked?Yes,heisintelligent.Butwemustbemoreintelligent.Wemustbesointelligentthathedoesnotsuspectusofbeingintelligentatall.”
Iacquiesced.
“There,monami,youwillbeofgreatassistancetome.”
Iwaspleasedwiththecompliment.TherehadbeentimeswhenIhardlythoughtthatPoirotappreciatedmeatmytrueworth.
“Yes,”hecontinued,staringatmethoughtfully,“youwillbeinvaluable.”
Thiswasnaturallygratifying,butPoirot’snextwordswerenotsowelcome.
“Imusthaveanallyinthehouse,”heobservedreflectively.
“Youhaveme,”Iprotested.
“True,butyouarenotsufficient.”
Iwashurt,andshowedit.Poirothurriedtoexplainhimself.
“Youdonotquitetakemymeaning.Youareknowntobeworkingwithme.Iwantsomebodywhoisnotassociatedwithusinanyway.”
“Oh,Isee.HowaboutJohn?”
“No,Ithinknot.”
“Thedearfellowisn’tperhapsverybright,”Isaidthoughtfully.
“HerecomesMissHoward,”saidPoirotsuddenly.“Sheistheveryperson.ButIaminherblackbooks,sinceIclearedMr.Inglethorp.Still,wecanbuttry.”
Withanodthatwasbarelycivil,MissHowardassentedtoPoirot’srequestforafewminutes’conversation.
Wewentintothelittlemorning-room,andPoirotclosedthedoor.
“Well,MonsieurPoirot,”saidMissHowardimpatiently,“whatisit?Outwithit.I’mbusy.
