Убийство на поле для гольфа
2. An Appeal for Help
Itwasnotstrongenough!”
Hepaused,andthenaddedsoftly,hiseyesshiningwiththatgreenlightthatalwaysbetokenedinwardexcitement:“Andso,monami,sincethatpostscriptwasadded,notonimpulse,butsoberly,incoldblood,theurgencyisverygreat,andwemustreachhimassoonaspossible.”
“Merlinville,”Imurmuredthoughtfully.“I’veheardofit,Ithink.”
Poirotnodded.
“Itisaquietlittleplace—butchic!ItliesaboutmidwaybetweenBolougneandCalais.Itisrapidlybecomingthefashion.RichEnglishpeoplewhowishtobequietaretakingitup.M.RenauldhasahouseinEngland,Isuppose?”
“Yes,inRutlandGate,asfarasIremember.Alsoabigplaceinthecountry,somewhereinHertfordshire.ButIreallyknowverylittleabouthim,hedoesn’tdomuchinasocialway.IbelievehehaslargeSouthAmericaninterestsintheCity,andhasspentmostofhislifeoutinChileandtheArgentino.”
“Well,weshallhearalldetailsfromthemanhimself.Come,letuspack.Asmallsuit-caseeach,andthenataxitoVictoria.”
“AndtheCountess?”Iinquiredwithasmile.
“Ah!jem’enfiche!Hercasewascertainlynotinteresting.”
“Whysosureofthat?”
“Becauseinthatcaseshewouldhavecome,notwritten.Awomancannotwait—alwaysrememberthat,Hastings.”
Eleveno’clocksawourdeparturefromVictoriaonourwaytoDover.BeforestartingPoirothaddespatchedatelegramtoMr.RenauldgivingthetimeofourarrivalatCalais.
