Пуаро ведёт следствие
IV. The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge
Yes,it’samongstMr.Pace’sAmericanassociatesthatwe’llhavetolookforthemurderer.Iquestionedthehousekeeperfirst,andthenhermistress,andtheirstoriesagreeallright,butI’msorryMrs.Haveringdidn’tgetalookatthefellow.She’sasmartwoman,andshemighthavenoticedsomethingthatwouldsetusonthetrack.”
IsatdownandwroteaminuteandlengthyaccounttoPoirot.IwasabletoaddvariousfurtheritemsofinformationbeforeIpostedtheletter.
Thebullethadbeenextractedandwasprovedtohavebeenfiredfromarevolveridenticalwiththeoneheldbythepolice.Furthermore,Mr.Havering’smovementsonthenightinquestionhadbeencheckedandverified,anditwasprovedbeyonddoubtthathehadactuallyarrivedinLondonbythetraininquestion.And,thirdly,asensationaldevelopmenthadoccurred.Acitygentleman,livingatEaling,oncrossingHavenGreentogettotheDistrictRailwayStationthatmorning,hadobservedabrown-paperparcelstuckbetweentherailings.Openingit,hefoundthatitcontainedarevolver.Hehandedtheparcelovertothelocalpolicestation,andbeforenightitwasprovedtobetheonewewereinsearchof,thefellowtothatgivenusbyMrs.Havering.Onebullethadbeenfiredfromit.
AllthisIaddedtomyreport.AwirefromPoirotarrivedwhilstIwasatbreakfastthefollowingmorning:
“OfcourseblackbeardedmanwasnotHaveringonlyyouorJappwouldhavesuchanideawiremedescriptionofhousekeeperandwhatclothessheworethismorningsameofMrs.