Убийство на поле для гольфа
23. Difficulties Ahead
BellaorJackRenauld?ThepromptingsofmyheartweretosavethegirlIlovedatanycosttomyself.But,ifthecostweretoanother,theproblemwasaltered.
Whatwouldthegirlherselfsay?IrememberedthatnowordofJackRenauld’sarresthadpassedmylips.Asyetshewasintotalignoranceofthefactthatherformerloverwasinprisonchargedwithahideouscrimewhichhehadnotcommitted.Whensheknew,howwouldsheact?Wouldshepermitherlifetobesavedattheexpenseofhis?Certainlyshemustdonothingrash.JackRenauldmight,andprobablywould,beacquittedwithoutanyinterventiononherpart.Ifso,good.Butifhewasnot. …Thatwastheterrible,theunanswerableproblem.Ifanciedthatsherannoriskoftheextremepenalty.Thecircumstancesofthecrimewerequitedifferentinhercase.Shecouldpleadjealousyandextremeprovocation,andheryouthandbeautywouldgoformuch.ThefactthatbyatragicmistakeitwasoldMr.Renauld,andnothisson,whopaidthepenaltywouldnotalterthemotiveofthecrime.Butinanycase,howeverlenientthesentenceoftheCourt,itmustmeanalongtermofimprisonment.
No,Bellamustbeprotected.And,atthesametime,JackRenauldmustbesaved.HowthiswastobeaccomplishedIdidnotseeclearly.ButIpinnedmyfaithtoPoirot.Heknew.Comewhatmight,hewouldmanagetosaveaninnocentman.Hemustfindsomepretextotherthantherealone.Itmightbedifficult,buthewouldmanageitsomehow.AndwithBellaunsuspected,andJackRenauldacquitted,allwouldendsatisfactorily
