Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter V. “It Isn’t Strychnine, Is It?”
Forthemoment,hesoughtrefugeinretreat,andlefttheroomprecipitately.
Dorcasbroughtinfreshtea.Asshelefttheroom,Poirotcameoverfromthewindowwherehehadbeenstanding,andsatdownfacingMissHoward.
“Mademoiselle,”hesaidgravely,“Iwanttoaskyousomething.”
“Askaway,”saidthelady,eyeinghimwithsomedisfavour.
“Iwanttobeabletocountuponyourhelp.”
“I’llhelpyoutohangAlfredwithpleasure,”sherepliedgruffly.“Hanging’stoogoodforhim.Oughttobedrawnandquartered,likeingoodoldtimes.”
“Weareatonethen,”saidPoirot,“forI,too,wanttohangthecriminal.”
“AlfredInglethorp?”
“Him,oranother.”
“Noquestionofanother.PoorEmilywasnevermurdereduntilhecamealong.Idon’tsayshewasn’tsurroundedbysharks—shewas.Butitwasonlyherpursetheywereafter.Herlifewassafeenough.ButalongcomesMr.AlfredInglethorp—andwithintwomonths—heypresto!”
“Believeme,MissHoward,”saidPoirotveryearnestly,“ifMr.Inglethorpistheman,heshallnotescapeme.Onmyhonour,IwillhanghimashighasHaman!”
“That’sbetter,”saidMissHowardmoreenthusiastically.
“ButImustaskyoutotrustme.Nowyourhelpmaybeveryvaluabletome.Iwilltellyouwhy.Because,inallthishouseofmourning,yoursaretheonlyeyesthathavewept.”
MissHowardblinked,andanewnotecreptintothegruffnessofhervoice.
“IfyoumeanthatIwasfondofher—yes,Iwas.Youknow,Emilywasaselfisholdwomaninherway.
