Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter IV. Poirot Investigates
Well,sir,asIsaid,Ihappenedtobepassingalong,whenIheardvoicesveryloudandangryinhere.Ididn’texactlymeantolisten,but—well,thereitis.Istopped.Thedoorwasshut,butthemistresswasspeakingverysharpandclear,andIheardwhatshesaidquiteplainly.‘Youhaveliedtome,anddeceivedme,’shesaid.Ididn’thearwhatMr.Inglethorpreplied.Hespokeagoodbitlowerthanshedid—butsheanswered:‘Howdareyou?Ihavekeptyouandclothedyouandfedyou!Youoweeverythingtome!Andthisishowyourepayme!Bybringingdisgraceuponourname!’AgainIdidn’thearwhathesaid,butshewenton:‘Nothingthatyoucansaywillmakeanydifference.Iseemydutyclearly.Mymindismadeup.Youneednotthinkthatanyfearofpublicity,orscandalbetweenhusbandandwifewilldeterme.’ThenIthoughtIheardthemcomingout,soIwentoffquickly.”
“YouaresureitwasMr.Inglethorp’svoiceyouheard?”
“Oh,yes,sir,whoseelse’scoulditbe?”
“Well,whathappenednext?”
“Later,Icamebacktothehall;butitwasallquiet.Atfiveo’clock,Mrs.Inglethorprangthebellandtoldmetobringheracupoftea—nothingtoeat—totheboudoir.Shewaslookingdreadful—sowhiteandupset.‘Dorcas,’shesays,‘I’vehadagreatshock.’‘I’msorryforthat,m’m,’Isays.‘You’llfeelbetterafteranicehotcupoftea,m’m.’Shehadsomethinginherhand.
