Пуаро ведёт следствие
V. The Million Dollar Bond Robbery
Hethankedthesteward,anotechangedhands,andwetookourdeparture.
“It’sallverywell,”Iremarkedheatedly,“butthatlastanswermusthavedampedyourprecioustheory,grinasyouplease!”
“Asusual,youseenothing,Hastings.Thatlastansweris,onthecontrary,thecoping-stoneofmytheory.”
Iflungupmyhandsindespair.
“Igiveitup.”
•••••••
Whenwewereinthetrain,speedingtowardsLondon,Poirotwrotebusilyforafewminutes,sealinguptheresultinanenvelope.
“ThisisforthegoodInspectorMcNeil.WewillleaveitatScotlandYardinpassing,andthentotheRendezvousRestaurant,whereIhaveaskedMissEsméeFarquhartodousthehonourofdiningwithus.”
“WhataboutRidgeway?”
“Whatabouthim?”askedPoirotwithatwinkle.
“Why,yousurelydon’tthink—youcan’t——”
“Thehabitofincoherenceisgrowinguponyou,Hastings.AsamatteroffactIdidthink.IfRidgewayhadbeenthethief—whichwasperfectlypossible—thecasewouldhavebeencharming;apieceofneatmethodicalwork.”
“ButnotsocharmingforMissFarquhar.”
“Possiblyyouareright.Thereforeallisforthebest.Now,Hastings,letusreviewthecase.Icanseethatyouaredyingtodoso.Thesealedpackageisremovedfromthetrunkandvanishes,asMissFarquharputsit,intothinair.Wewilldismissthethinairtheory,whichisnotpracticableatthepresentstageofscience,andconsiderwhatislikelytohavebecomeofit.
