Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter II. The 16th and 17th of July
Buttheywerebothgayenoughthisafternoon,andchattedtogetherlikeacoupleofchildren.
Aswedrovethroughthevillage,IrememberedthatIwantedsomestamps,soaccordinglywepulledupatthepostoffice.
AsIcameoutagain,Icannonedintoalittlemanwhowasjustentering.Idrewasideandapologised,whensuddenly,withaloudexclamation,heclaspedmeinhisarmsandkissedmewarmly.
“MonamiHastings!”hecried.“ItisindeedmonamiHastings!”
“Poirot!”Iexclaimed.
Iturnedtothepony-trap.
“Thisisaverypleasantmeetingforme,MissCynthia.Thisismyoldfriend,MonsieurPoirot,whomIhavenotseenforyears.”
“Oh,weknowMonsieurPoirot,”saidCynthiagaily.“ButIhadnoideahewasafriendofyours.”
“Yes,indeed,”saidPoirotseriously.“IknowMademoiselleCynthia.ItisbythecharityofthatgoodMrs.InglethorpthatIamhere.”Then,asIlookedathiminquiringly:“Yes,myfriend,shehadkindlyextendedhospitalitytosevenofmycountrypeoplewho,alas,arerefugeesfromtheirnativeland.WeBelgianswillalwaysrememberherwithgratitude.”
Poirotwasanextraordinarylookinglittleman.Hewashardlymorethanfivefeet,fourinches,butcarriedhimselfwithgreatdignity.Hisheadwasexactlytheshapeofanegg,andhealwayspercheditalittleononeside.Hismoustachewasverystiffandmilitary.Theneatnessofhisattirewasalmostincredible.Ibelieveaspeckofdustwouldhavecausedhimmorepainthanabulletwound.
