Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter II. The 16th and 17th of July
Yetthisquaintdandifiedlittlemanwho,Iwassorrytosee,nowlimpedbadly,hadbeeninhistimeoneofthemostcelebratedmembersoftheBelgianpolice.Asadetective,hisflairhadbeenextraordinary,andhehadachievedtriumphsbyunravellingsomeofthemostbafflingcasesoftheday.
HepointedouttomethelittlehouseinhabitedbyhimandhisfellowBelgians,andIpromisedtogoandseehimatanearlydate.ThenheraisedhishatwithaflourishtoCynthia,andwedroveaway.
“He’sadearlittleman,”saidCynthia.“I’dnoideayouknewhim.”
“You’vebeenentertainingacelebrityunawares,”Ireplied.
And,fortherestofthewayhome,IrecitedtothemthevariousexploitsandtriumphsofHerculePoirot.
Wearrivedbackinaverycheerfulmood.Asweenteredthehall,Mrs.Inglethorpcameoutofherboudoir.Shelookedflushedandupset.
“Oh,it’syou,”shesaid.
“Isthereanythingthematter,AuntEmily?”askedCynthia.
“Certainlynot,”saidMrs.Inglethorpsharply.“Whatshouldtherebe?”ThencatchingsightofDorcas,theparlourmaid,goingintothedining-room,shecalledtohertobringsomestampsintotheboudoir.
“Yes,m’m.”Theoldservanthesitated,thenaddeddiffidently:“Don’tyouthink,m’m,you’dbettergettobed?You’relookingverytired.”
“Perhapsyou’reright,Dorcas—yes—no—notnow.I’vesomelettersImustfinishbypost-time.HaveyoulightedthefireinmyroomasItoldyou?”
“Yes,m’m.”
“ThenI’llgotobeddirectlyaftersupper.
