Пуаро ведёт следствие
XI. The Case of the Missing Will
“Butwhy?”
“Hasyourmasterletthehouse?—havetherebeenanystrangersinitduringthelastthreeyears?”
“No,sir.”
“Novisitors?”
“OnlyMissViolet.”
“Nostrangersofanykindbeeninsidethisroom?”
“No,sir.”
“Youforgettheworkmen,Jim,”hiswiferemindedhim.
“Workmen?”Poirotwheeledroundonher.“Whatworkmen?”
Thewomanexplainedthatabouttwoyearsandahalfagoworkmenhadbeeninthehousetodocertainrepairs.Shewasquitevagueastowhattherepairswere.Herviewseemedtobethatthewholethingwasafadofhermaster’sandquiteunnecessary.Partofthetimetheworkmenhadbeeninthestudy;butwhattheyhaddonethereshecouldnotsay,ashermasterhadnotleteitherofthemintotheroomwhilsttheworkwasinprogress.Unfortunately,theycouldnotrememberthenameofthefirmemployed,beyondthefactthatitwasaPlymouthone.
“Weprogress,Hastings,”saidPoirot,rubbinghishandsastheBakerslefttheroom.“ClearlyhemadeasecondwillandthenhadworkmenfromPlymouthintomakeasuitablehiding-place.Insteadofwastingtimetakingupthefloorandtappingthewalls,wewillgotoPlymouth.”
Withalittletrouble,wewereabletogettheinformationwewanted.Afteroneortwoessays,wefoundthefirmemployedbyMr.Marsh.
Theiremployeeshadallbeenwiththemmanyyears,anditwaseasytofindthetwomenwhohadworkedunderMr.Marsh’sorders.Theyrememberedthejobperfectly.
