Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter V. “It Isn’t Strychnine, Is It?”
Inglethorpwouldatoncehavereplaceditonherbunch;butonherbunchIfoundwhatwasobviouslytheduplicatekey,verynewandbright,whichledmetothehypothesisthatsomebodyelsehadinsertedtheoriginalkeyinthelockofthedespatch-case.”
“Yes,”Isaid,“AlfredInglethorp,withoutdoubt.”
Poirotlookedatmecuriously.
“Youareverysureofhisguilt?”
“Well,naturally.Everyfreshcircumstanceseemstoestablishitmoreclearly.”
“Onthecontrary,”saidPoirotquietly,“thereareseveralpointsinhisfavour.”
“Oh,comenow!”
“Yes.”
“Iseeonlyone.”
“Andthat?”
“Thathewasnotinthehouselastnight.”
“‘Badshot!’asyouEnglishsay!Youhavechosentheonepointthattomymindtellsagainsthim.”
“Howisthat?”
“BecauseifMr.Inglethorpknewthathiswifewouldbepoisonedlastnight,hewouldcertainlyhavearrangedtobeawayfromthehouse.Hisexcusewasanobviouslytrumpedupone.Thatleavesustwopossibilities:eitherheknewwhatwasgoingtohappenorhehadareasonofhisownforhisabsence.”
“Andthatreason?”Iaskedsceptically.
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.
“HowshouldIknow?Discreditable,withoutdoubt.ThisMr.Inglethorp,Ishouldsay,issomewhatofascoundrel—butthatdoesnotofnecessitymakehimamurderer.”
Ishookmyhead,unconvinced.
“Wedonotagree,eh?”saidPoirot.“Well,letusleaveit.Timewillshowwhichofusisright.Nowletusturntootheraspectsofthecase.
