Убийство на поле для гольфа
10. Gabriel Stonor
“BellaDuveen?Isthatthefullname?It’scurious!I’msureIknowit.ButforthemomentIcan’trememberinwhatconnection.”
Themagistratecoughed.
“Youunderstand,M.Stonor—thecaseislikethis.Theremustbenoreservations.Youmight,perhaps,throughafeelingofconsiderationforMadameRenauld—forwhom,Igather,youhaveagreatesteemandaffection,youmight—enfin!”saidM.Hautetgettingrathertiedupinhissentence,“theremustabsolutelybenoreservations.”
Stonorstaredathim,adawninglightofcomprehensioninhiseyes.
“Idon’tquitegetyou,”hesaidgently.“WheredoesMrs.Renauldcomein?I’veanimmenserespectandaffectionforthatlady;she’saverywonderfulandunusualtype,butIdon’tquiteseehowmyreservations,orotherwise,couldaffecther?”
“NotifthisBellaDuveenshouldprovetohavebeensomethingmorethanafriendtoherhusband?”
“Ah!”saidStonor.“Igetyounow.ButI’llbetmybottomdollarthatyou’rewrong.Theoldmanneversomuchaslookedatapetticoat.Hejustadoredhisownwife.TheywerethemostdevotedcoupleIknow.”
M.Hautetshookhisheadgently.
“M.Stonor,weholdabsoluteproof—aloveletterwrittenbythisBellatoM.Renauld,accusinghimofhavingtiredofher.Moreover,wehavefurtherproofthat,atthetimeofhisdeath,hewascarryingonanintriguewithaFrenchwoman,aMadameDaubreuil,whorentstheadjoiningVilla.Andthisisthemanwho,accordingtoyou,neverlookedatapetticoat!”
Thesecretary’seyesnarrowed.
“Holdon,M.lejuge.
