Пуаро ведёт следствие
II. The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor
“IhavebeentellingCaptainBlackofthemissionwhichbringsushere,”heexplained.“Youcanunderstand,monsieurlecapitaine,thatIamanxioustoarriveatMr.Maltravers’stateofmindimmediatelybeforehisdeath,andthatatthesametimeIdonotwishtodistressMrs.Maltraversundulybyaskingherpainfulquestions.Now,youwereherejustbeforetheoccurrence,andcangiveusequallyvaluableinformation.”
“I’lldoanythingIcantohelpyou,I’msure,”repliedtheyoungsoldier;“butI’mafraidIdidn’tnoticeanythingoutoftheordinary.Yousee,althoughMaltraverswasanoldfriendofmypeople’s,Ididn’tknowhimverywellmyself.”
“Youcamedown—when?”
“Tuesdayafternoon.IwentuptotownearlyWednesdaymorning,asmyboatsailedfromTilburyabouttwelveo’clock.ButsomenewsIgotmademealtermyplans,asIdaresayyouheardmeexplaintoMrs.Maltravers.”
“YouwerereturningtoEastAfrica,Iunderstand?”
“Yes.I’vebeenoutthereeversincetheWar—agreatcountry.”
“Exactly.NowwhatwasthetalkaboutatdinneronTuesdaynight?”
“Oh,Idon’tknow.Theusualoddtopics.Maltraversaskedaftermypeople,andthenwediscussedthequestionofGermanreparations,andthenMrs.MaltraversaskedalotofquestionsaboutEastAfrica,andItoldthemoneortwoyarns,that’saboutall,Ithink.”
“Thankyou.”
Poirotwassilentforamoment,thenhesaidgently:“Withyourpermission,Ishouldliketotryalittleexperiment.Youhavetoldusallthatyourconsciousselfknows,Iwantnowtoquestionyoursubconsciousself.
