Убийство на поле для гольфа
4. The Letter Signed “Bella”
“Ishallcablewithoutdelaytothepoliceinthatcity,requestingfulldetailsofthemurderedman’slifeoutthere,hisloveaffairs,hisbusinesstransactions,hisfriendships,andanyenmitieshemayhaveincurred.Itwillbestrangeif,afterthat,wedonotholdacluetohismysteriousmurder.”
Thecommissarylookedroundforapproval.
“Excellent,”saidPoirotappreciatively.
“Hiswife,too,maybeabletogiveusapointer,”addedthemagistrate.
“YouhavefoundnootherlettersfromthisBellaamongstM.Renauld’seffects?”askedPoirot.
“No.Ofcourseoneofourfirstproceedingswastosearchthroughhisprivatepapersinthestudy.Wefoundnothingofinterest,however.Allseemedsquareandabove-board.Theonlythingatalloutoftheordinarywashiswill.Hereitis.”
Poirotranthroughthedocument.
“So.AlegacyofathousandpoundstoMr.Stonor—whoishe,bytheway?”
“M.Renauld’ssecretary.HeremainedinEngland,butwasoverhereonceortwiceforaweek-end.”
“Andeverythingelseleftunconditionallytohisbelovedwife,Eloise.Simplydrawnup,butperfectlylegal.Witnessedbythetwoservants,DeniseandFrançoise.Nothingsoveryunusualaboutthat.”Hehandeditback.
“Perhaps,”beganBex,“youdidnotnotice—”
“Thedate?”twinkledPoirot.“Butyes,Inoticedit.Afortnightago.Possiblyitmarkshisfirstintimationofdanger.Manyrichmendieintestatethroughneverconsideringthelikelihoodoftheirdemise.Butitisdangeroustodrawconclusionsprematurely.
