Пуаро ведёт следствие
IV. The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge
Ican’tbelievethattherewasanythingwrongwithher.Shewassuchanicequietwoman.”
Thethingwascertainlyamystery.Whilstitwasclearthatthewomanherselfcouldnothavecommittedthecrime,sinceatthemomenttheshotwasfiredMrs.Haveringwaswithherinthehall,neverthelessshemusthavesomeconnectionwiththemurder,orwhyshouldshesuddenlytaketoherheelsandbolt?IwiredthelatestdevelopmenttoPoirotandsuggestedreturningtoLondonandmakinginquiriesatSelbourne’sAgency.
Poirot’sreplywasprompt:
“Uselesstoinquireatagencytheywillneverhaveheardofherfindoutwhatvehicletookheruptohunterslodgewhenshefirstarrivedthere.”
Thoughmystified,Iwasobedient.ThemeansoftransportinElmer’sDalewerelimited.ThelocalgaragehadtwobatteredFordcars,andthereweretwostationflies.Noneofthesehadbeenrequisitionedonthedateinquestion.Questioned,Mrs.HaveringexplainedthatshehadgiventhewomanthemoneyforherfaredowntoDerbyshireandsufficienttohireacarorflytotakeheruptoHunter’sLodge.TherewasusuallyoneoftheFordsatthestationonthechanceofitsbeingrequired.Takingintoconsiderationthefurtherfactthatnobodyatthestationhadnoticedthearrivalofastranger,black-beardedorotherwise,onthefatalevening,everythingseemedtopointtotheconclusionthatthemurdererhadcometothespotinacar,whichhadbeenwaitingnearathandtoaidhisescape,andthatthesamecarhadbroughtthemysterioushousekeepertohernewpost.
