Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter V. “It Isn’t Strychnine, Is It?”
”
“Whatdoyoumean—therewasone?Whereisitnow?”
“Burnt!”
“Burnt?”
“Yes.Seehere.”HetookoutthecharredfragmentwehadfoundinthegrateinMrs.Inglethorp’sroom,andhandedittothelawyerwithabriefexplanationofwhenandwherehehadfoundit.
“Butpossiblythisisanoldwill?”
“Idonotthinkso.InfactIamalmostcertainthatitwasmadenoearlierthanyesterdayafternoon.”
“What?”“Impossible!”brokesimultaneouslyfrombothmen.
PoirotturnedtoJohn.
“Ifyouwillallowmetosendforyourgardener,Iwillproveittoyou.”
“Oh,ofcourse—butIdon’tsee——”
Poirotraisedhishand.
“DoasIaskyou.Afterwardsyoushallquestionasmuchasyouplease.”
“Verywell.”Herangthebell.
Dorcasanswereditinduecourse.
“Dorcas,willyoutellManningtocomeroundandspeaktomehere.”
“Yes,sir.”
Dorcaswithdrew.
Wewaitedinatensesilence.Poirotaloneseemedperfectlyathisease,anddustedaforgottencornerofthebookcase.
TheclumpingofhobnailedbootsonthegraveloutsideproclaimedtheapproachofManning.JohnlookedquestioninglyatPoirot.Thelatternodded.
“Comeinside,Manning,”saidJohn,“Iwanttospeaktoyou.”
ManningcameslowlyandhesitatinglythroughtheFrenchwindow,andstoodasnearitashecould.Heheldhiscapinhishands,twistingitverycarefullyroundandround.
