Пуаро ведёт следствие
II. The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor
Well,ImustgetonthetelephonetoLondon.”
Poirothadalengthyconversationoverthewire,andcamebackthoughtful.Hewentoffbyhimselfintheafternoon,anditwasnottillseveno’clockthatheannouncedthathecouldputitoffnolonger,butmustbreakthenewstotheyoungwidow.Mysympathyhadalreadygoneouttoherunreservedly.Tobeleftpenniless,andwiththeknowledgethatherhusbandhadkilledhimselftoassureherfuturewasahardburdenforanywomantobear.Icherishedasecrethope,however,thatyoungBlackmightprovecapableofconsolingherafterherfirstgriefhadpassed.Heevidentlyadmiredherenormously.
Ourinterviewwiththeladywaspainful.SherefusedvehementlytobelievethefactsthatPoirotadvanced,andwhenshewasatlastconvincedbrokedownintobitterweeping.Anexaminationofthebodyturnedoursuspicionsintocertainty.Poirotwasverysorryforthepoorlady,but,afterall,hewasemployedbytheInsuranceCompany,andwhatcouldhedo?AshewaspreparingtoleavehesaidgentlytoMrs.Maltravers:
“Madame,youofallpeopleshouldknowthattherearenodead!”
“Whatdoyoumean?”shefaltered,hereyesgrowingwide.
“Haveyounevertakenpartinanyspiritualisticséances?Youaremediumistic,youknow.”
“Ihavebeentoldso.ButyoudonotbelieveinSpiritualism,surely?”
“Madame,Ihaveseensomestrangethings.Youknowthattheysayinthevillagethatthishouseishaunted?”
Shenodded,andatthatmomenttheparlourmaidannouncedthatdinnerwasready.
