Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter IV. Poirot Investigates
Hepickedupthebunchofkeysfromthefloor,andtwirlingthemroundinhisfingersfinallyselectedone,verybrightandshining,whichhetriedinthelockofthepurpledespatch-case.Itfitted,andheopenedthebox,butafteramoment’shesitation,closedandrelockedit,andslippedthebunchofkeys,aswellasthekeythathadoriginallystoodinthelock,intohisownpocket.
“Ihavenoauthoritytogothroughthesepapers.Butitshouldbedone—atonce!”
Hethenmadeaverycarefulexaminationofthedrawersofthewash-stand.Crossingtheroomtotheleft-handwindow,aroundstain,hardlyvisibleonthedarkbrowncarpet,seemedtointeresthimparticularly.Hewentdownonhisknees,examiningitminutely—evengoingsofarastosmellit.
Finally,hepouredafewdropsofthecocoaintoatesttube,sealingitupcarefully.Hisnextproceedingwastotakeoutalittlenotebook.
“Wehavefoundinthisroom,”hesaid,writingbusily,“sixpointsofinterest.ShallIenumeratethem,orwillyou?”
“Oh,you,”Irepliedhastily.
“Verywell,then.One,acoffee-cupthathasbeengroundintopowder;two,adespatch-casewithakeyinthelock;three,astainonthefloor.”
“Thatmayhavebeendonesometimeago,”Iinterrupted.
“No,foritisstillperceptiblydampandsmellsofcoffee.Four,afragmentofsomedarkgreenfabric—onlyathreadortwo,butrecognizable.”
“Ah!”Icried.“Thatwaswhatyousealedupintheenvelope.”
“Yes.ItmayturnouttobeapieceofoneofMrs.Inglethorp’sowndresses,andquiteunimportant.
