Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter X. The Arrest
,whichIused.Itisawell-knownprocesstothepolice,andbymeansofityoucanobtainaphotographofthefinger-printsofanyobjectinaveryshortspaceoftime.Well,myfriend,youhaveseenthefinger-marks—itremainstotellyoutheparticularobjectonwhichtheyhadbeenleft.”
“Goon—Iamreallyexcited.”
“Ehbien!PhotoNo.3representsthehighlymagnifiedsurfaceofatinybottleinthetoppoisoncupboardofthedispensaryintheRedCrossHospitalatTadminster—whichsoundslikethehousethatJackbuilt!”
“Goodheavens!”Iexclaimed.“ButwhatwereLawrenceCavendish’sfinger-marksdoingonit?Heneverwentnearthepoisoncupboardthedaywewerethere!”
“Oh,yes,hedid!”
“Impossible!Wewerealltogetherthewholetime.”
Poirotshookhishead.
“No,myfriend,therewasamomentwhenyouwerenotalltogether.Therewasamomentwhenyoucouldnothavebeenalltogether,oritwouldnothavebeennecessarytocalltoMonsieurLawrencetocomeandjoinyouonthebalcony.”
“I’dforgottenthat,”Iadmitted.“Butitwasonlyforamoment.”
“Longenough.”
“Longenoughforwhat?”
Poirot’ssmilebecameratherenigmatical.
“Longenoughforagentlemanwhohadoncestudiedmedicinetogratifyaverynaturalinterestandcuriosity.”
Oureyesmet.Poirot’swerepleasantlyvague.Hegotupandhummedalittletune.Iwatchedhimsuspiciously.
“Poirot,”Isaid,“whatwasinthisparticularlittlebottle?”
Poirotlookedoutofthewindow.
