Пуаро ведёт следствие
IV. The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge
“Now,astotheweapon?”
“Well,Icanmakeaguessatit,CaptainHastings.Apairofrevolversofmyhusband’sweremounteduponthewall.Oneofthemismissing.Ipointedthisouttothepolice,andtheytooktheotheroneawaywiththem.Whentheyhaveextractedthebullet,Isupposetheywillknowforcertain.”
“MayIgotothegun-room?”
“Certainly.Thepolicehavefinishedwithit.Butthebodyhasbeenremoved.”
Sheaccompaniedmetothesceneofthecrime.AtthatmomentHaveringenteredthehall,andwithaquickapologyhiswiferantohim.Iwaslefttoundertakemyinvestigationsalone.
Imayaswellconfessatoncethattheywereratherdisappointing.Indetectivenovelscluesabound,buthereIcouldfindnothingthatstruckmeasoutoftheordinaryexceptalargebloodstainonthecarpetwhereIjudgedthedeadmanhadfallen.IexaminedeverythingwithpainstakingcareandtookacoupleofpicturesoftheroomwithmylittlecamerawhichIhadbroughtwithme.Ialsoexaminedthegroundoutsidethewindow,butitappearedtohavebeensoheavilytrampledunderfootthatIjudgeditwasuselesstowastetimeoverit.No,IhadseenallthatHunter’sLodgehadtoshowme.ImustgobacktoElmer’sDaleandgetintotouchwithJapp.AccordinglyItookleaveoftheHaverings,andwasdrivenoffinthecarthathadbroughtusupfromthestation.
IfoundJappattheMatlockArmsandhetookmeforthwithtoseethebody.HarringtonPacewasasmall,spareclean-shavenman,typicallyAmericaninappearance.
