Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter X. The Arrest
Havingdeduceditsexistence,IsetMissHowardtosearchforit,and,asyousee,shehasbeensuccessful.”
“Whatdidshemeanby‘Onthetopofthewardrobe’?”
“Shemeant,”repliedPoirotpromptly,“thatshefounditontopofawardrobe.”
“Afunnyplaceforapieceofbrownpaper,”Imused.
“Notatall.Thetopofawardrobeisanexcellentplaceforbrownpaperandcardboardboxes.Ihavekeptthemtheremyself.Neatlyarranged,thereisnothingtooffendtheeye.”
“Poirot,”Iaskedearnestly,“haveyoumadeupyourmindaboutthiscrime?”
“Yes—thatistosay,IbelieveIknowhowitwascommitted.”
“Ah!”
“Unfortunately,Ihavenoproofbeyondmysurmise,unless——”Withsuddenenergy,hecaughtmebythearm,andwhirledmedownthehall,callingoutinFrenchinhisexcitement:“MademoiselleDorcas,MademoiselleDorcas,unmoment,s’ilvousplaît!”
Dorcas,quiteflurriedbythenoise,camehurryingoutofthepantry.
“MygoodDorcas,Ihaveanidea—alittleidea—ifitshouldprovejustified,whatmagnificentchance!Tellme,onMonday,notTuesday,Dorcas,butMonday,thedaybeforethetragedy,didanythinggowrongwithMrs.Inglethorp’sbell?”
Dorcaslookedverysurprised.
“Yes,sir,nowyoumentionit,itdid;thoughIdon’tknowhowyoucametohearofit.Amouse,orsomesuch,musthavenibbledthewirethrough.ThemancameandputitrightonTuesdaymorning.”
Withalongdrawnexclamationofecstasy,Poirotledthewaybacktothemorning-room.
