Пуаро ведёт следствие
IX. The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim
Davenheimtookthe12.40trainfromVictoriatoChingside,wherehispalatialcountryplace,TheCedars,issituated.Afterlunch,hestrolledroundthegrounds,andgavevariousdirectionstothegardeners.Everybodyagreesthathismannerwasabsolutelynormalandasusual.Afterteaheputhisheadintohiswife’sboudoir,sayingthathewasgoingtostrolldowntothevillageandpostsomeletters.HeaddedthathewasexpectingaMr.Lowen,onbusiness.Ifheshouldcomebeforehehimselfreturned,hewastobeshownintothestudyandaskedtowait.Mr.Davenheimthenleftthehousebythefrontdoor,passedleisurelydownthedrive,andoutatthegate,and—wasneverseenagain.Fromthathour,hevanishedcompletely.”
“Pretty—verypretty—altogetheracharminglittleproblem,”murmuredPoirot.“Proceed,mygoodfriend.”
“Aboutaquarterofanhourlateratall,darkmanwithathickblackmoustacherangthefront-doorbell,andexplainedthathehadanappointmentwithMr.Davenheim.HegavethenameofLowen,andinaccordancewiththebanker’sinstructionswasshownintothestudy.Nearlyanhourpassed.Mr.Davenheimdidnotreturn.FinallyMr.Lowenrangthebell,andexplainedthathewasunabletowaitanylonger,ashemustcatchhistrainbacktotown.Mrs.Davenheimapologizedforherhusband’sabsence,whichseemedunaccountable,assheknewhimtohavebeenexpectingthevisitor.Mr.Lowenreiteratedhisregretsandtookhisdeparture.
“Well,aseveryoneknows,Mr.Davenheimdidnotreturn.
