Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter X. The Arrest
“Hydro-chlorideofstrychnine,”hesaid,overhisshoulder,continuingtohum.
“Goodheavens!”Isaiditquitequietly.Iwasnotsurprised.Ihadexpectedthatanswer.
“Theyusethepurehydro-chlorideofstrychnineverylittle—onlyoccasionallyforpills.Itistheofficialsolution,Liq.StrychnineHydro-clor.thatisusedinmostmedicines.Thatiswhythefinger-markshaveremainedundisturbedsincethen.”
“Howdidyoumanagetotakethisphotograph?”
“Idroppedmyhatfromthebalcony,”explainedPoirotsimply.“Visitorswerenotpermittedbelowatthathour,so,inspiteofmymanyapologies,MademoiselleCynthia’scolleaguehadtogodownandfetchitforme.”
“Thenyouknewwhatyouweregoingtofind?”
“No,notatall.Imerelyrealizedthatitwaspossible,fromyourstory,forMonsieurLawrencetogotothepoisoncupboard.Thepossibilityhadtobeconfirmed,oreliminated.”
“Poirot,”Isaid,“yourgaietydoesnotdeceiveme.Thisisaveryimportantdiscovery.”
“Idonotknow,”saidPoirot.“Butonethingdoesstrikeme.Nodoubtithasstruckyoutoo.”
“Whatisthat?”
“Why,thatthereisaltogethertoomuchstrychnineaboutthiscase.Thisisthethirdtimewerunupagainstit.TherewasstrychnineinMrs.Inglethorp’stonic.ThereisthestrychninesoldacrossthecounteratStylesSt.MarybyMace.Nowwehavemorestrychnine,handledbyoneofthehousehold.Itisconfusing;and,asyouknow,Idonotlikeconfusion.
