Убийство на поле для гольфа
27. Jack Renauld’s Story
Descendingthestairs,leaninguponLéonie’sarm,wasMrs.Renauld,herheadstillbandaged.TheFrenchgirlwasweeping,andimploringhermistresstoreturntobed.
“Madamewillkillherself.Itiscontrarytoallthedoctor’sorders!”
ButMrs.Renauldcameon.
“Mother,”criedJack,startingforward.Butwithagestureshedrovehimback.
“Iamnomotherofyours!Youarenosonofmine!FromthisdayandhourIrenounceyou.”
“Mother,”criedthelad,stupefied.
Foramomentsheseemedtowaver,tofalterbeforetheanguishinhisvoice.Poirotmadeamediatinggesture,butinstantlysheregainedcommandofherself.
“Yourfather’sbloodisonyourhead.Youaremorallyguiltyofhisdeath.Youthwartedanddefiedhimoverthisgirl,andbyyourheartlesstreatmentofanothergirl,youbroughtabouthisdeath.Gooutfrommyhouse.TomorrowIintendtotakesuchstepsasshallmakeitcertainthatyoushallnevertouchapennyofhismoney.Makeyourwayintheworldasbestyoucanwiththehelpofthegirlwhoisthedaughterofyourfather’sbitterestenemy!”
Andslowly,painfully,sheretracedherwayupstairs.
Wewerealldumbfounded—totallyunpreparedforsuchademonstration.JackRenauld,wornoutwithallhehadalreadygonethrough,swayedandnearlyfell.PoirotandIwentquicklytohisassistance.
“Heisoverdone,”murmuredPoirottoMarthe.“Wherecanwetakehim?”
“Buthome!TotheVillaMarguerite.Wewillnursehim,mymotherandI.MypoorJack!”
WegottheladtotheVilla,wherehedroppedlimplyontoachairinasemi-dazedcondition.
