Пуаро ведёт следствие
VIII. The Kidnapped Prime Minister
But,naturally,thepolicemaketheirownarrangements.Infact,thePremier’schauffeur,O’Murphy,isaC.I.D.man.”
“O’Murphy?ThatisanameofIreland,isitnotso?”
“Yes,heisanIrishman.”
“FromwhatpartofIreland?”
“CountyClare,Ibelieve.”
“Tiens!Butproceed,milord.”
“ThePremierstartedforLondon.Thecarwasaclosedone.HeandCaptainDanielssatinside.Thesecondcarfollowedasusual.But,unluckily,forsomeunknownreason,thePrimeMinister’scardeviatedfromthemainroad——”
“Atapointwheretheroadcurves?”interruptedPoirot.
“Yes—buthowdidyouknow?”
“Oh,c’estévident!Continue!”
“Forsomeunknownreason,”continuedLordEstair,“thePremier’scarleftthemainroad.Thepolicecar,unawareofthedeviation,continuedtokeeptothehighroad.Atashortdistancedowntheunfrequentedlane,thePrimeMinister’scarwassuddenlyheldupbyabandofmaskedmen.Thechauffeur——”
“ThatbraveO’Murphy!”murmuredPoirotthoughtfully.
“Thechauffeur,momentarilytakenaback,jammedonthebrakes.ThePrimeMinisterputhisheadoutofthewindow.Instantlyashotrangout—thenanother.Thefirstonegrazedhischeek,thesecond,fortunately,wentwide.Thechauffeur,nowrealizingthedanger,instantlyforgedstraightahead,scatteringthebandofmen.”
“Anearescape,”Iejaculated,withashiver.
“Mr.MacAdamrefusedtomakeanyfussovertheslightwoundhehadreceived.Hedeclareditwasonlyascratch.
