Убийство на поле для гольфа
24. “Save Him!”
Iadmitthattherehavebeenoneortwothingsinthisbusinessthathavestaggeredmecompletely,butnonetheless,inspiteofhisfoolwayoftakingit,I’llneverbelievethatJackRenauldisamurderer.”
Myheartwarmedtothesecretary.Hiswordsseemedtoliftasecretweightfrommyheart.
“Ihavenodoubtthatmanypeoplefeelasyoudo,”Iexclaimed.“Thereisreallyabsurdlylittleevidenceagainsthim.Ishouldsaythattherewasnodoubtofhisacquittal—nodoubtwhatever.”
ButStonorhardlyrespondedasIcouldhavewished.
“I’dgivealottothinkasyoudo,”hesaidgravely.HeturnedtoPoirot.“What’syouropinion,monsieur?”
“Ithinkthatthingslookveryblackagainsthim,”saidPoirotquietly.
“Youbelievehimguilty?”saidStonorsharply.
“No.ButIthinkhewillfindithardtoprovehisinnocence.”
“He’sbehavingsodamnedqueerly,”mutteredStonor.“OfcourseIrealizethatthere’salotmoreinthisaffairthanmeetstheeye.Giraud’snotwisetothatbecausehe’sanoutsider,butthewholethinghasbeendamnedodd.Astothat,leastsaidsoonestmended.IfMrs.Renauldwantstohushanythingup,I’lltakemycuefromher.It’shershow,andI’vetoomuchrespectforherjudgmenttoshovemyoarin,butIcan’tgetbehindthisattitudeofJack’s.Anyonewouldthinkhewantedtobethoughtguilty.”
“Butit’sabsurd,”Icried,burstingin.“Foronething,thedagger—”Ipaused,uncertainastohowmuchPoirotwouldwishmetoreveal.
