Пуаро ведёт следствие
I. The Adventure of “The Western Star”
Thoughttheeyesmightbenoticed,andtookthebullbythehornstodisarmsuspicion.Hemusthavewatchedyououtofthehotel,sir,andnippedinassoonasyouwerewellaway.”
“Whataboutthejewel-case?”Iasked.
“Itwasfoundinacorridorofthehotel.Onlyonethinghadbeentaken—‘theWesternStar.’”
Westaredateachother—thewholethingwassobizarre,sounreal.
Poirothoppedbrisklytohisfeet.“Ihavenotbeenofmuchuse,Ifear,”hesaidregretfully.“IsitpermittedtoseeMadame?”
“Iguessshe’sprostratedwiththeshock,”explainedRolf.
“ThenperhapsImighthaveafewwordsalonewithyou,monsieur?”
“Certainly.”
InaboutfiveminutesPoirotreappeared.
“Now,myfriend,”hesaidgaily.“Toapostoffice.Ihavetosendatelegram.”
“Whoto?”
“LordYardly.”Hediscountedfurtherinquiriesbyslippinghisarmthroughmine.“Come,come,monami.Iknowallthatyoufeelaboutthismiserablebusiness.Ihavenotdistinguishedmyself!You,inmyplace,mighthavedistinguishedyourself!Bien!Allisadmitted.Letusforgetitandhavelunch.”
Itwasaboutfouro’clockwhenweenteredPoirot’srooms.Afigurerosefromachairbythewindow.ItwasLordYardly.Helookedhaggardanddistraught.
“Igotyourwireandcameupatonce.Lookhere,I’vebeenroundtoHoffberg,andtheyknownothingaboutthatmanoftheirslastnight,orthewireeither.Doyouthinkthat——”
Poirothelduphishand.
“Myexcuses!Isentthatwire,andhiredthegentlemaninquestion.”
“You—butwhy?What?”Thenoblemansplutteredimpotently.
