Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter IV. Poirot Investigates
Wewentoutthroughthatdoor,lockingbothitandthatofMrs.Inglethorp’sroomasbefore.
Itookhimdowntotheboudoirwhichhehadexpressedawishtosee,andwentmyselfinsearchofDorcas.
WhenIreturnedwithher,however,theboudoirwasempty.
“Poirot,”Icried,“whereareyou?”
“Iamhere,myfriend.”
HehadsteppedoutsidetheFrenchwindow,andwasstanding,apparentlylostinadmiration,beforethevariousshapedflowerbeds.
“Admirable!”hemurmured.“Admirable!Whatsymmetry!Observethatcrescent;andthosediamonds—theirneatnessrejoicestheeye.Thespacingoftheplants,also,isperfect.Ithasbeenrecentlydone;isitnotso?”
“Yes,Ibelievetheywereatityesterdayafternoon.Butcomein—Dorcasishere.”
“Ehbien,ehbien!Donotgrudgemeamoment’ssatisfactionoftheeye.”
“Yes,butthisaffairismoreimportant.”
“Andhowdoyouknowthatthesefinebegoniasarenotofequalimportance?”
Ishruggedmyshoulders.Therewasreallynoarguingwithhimifhechosetotakethatline.
“Youdonotagree?Butsuchthingshavebeen.Well,wewillcomeinandinterviewthebraveDorcas.”
Dorcaswasstandingintheboudoir,herhandsfoldedinfrontofher,andhergreyhairroseinstiffwavesunderherwhitecap.Shewastheverymodelandpictureofagoodold-fashionedservant.
InherattitudetowardsPoirot,shewasinclinedtobesuspicious,buthesoonbrokedownherdefences.Hedrewforwardachair.
“Praybeseated,mademoiselle.”
“Thankyou,sir.
