Пуаро веде слідство
VIII. The Kidnapped Prime Minister
Wedeviatedfromthemainroadmorethanonce,andoccasionallystoppedatasmallbuilding,whichIhadnodifficultyinrecognizingasacottagehospital.Poirotonlyspentafewminutesateach,butateveryhalthisradiantassurancewasmoreandmorerestored.
HewhisperedsomethingtoNorman,towhichthelatterreplied:
“Yes,ifyouturnofftotheleft,youwillfindthemwaitingbythebridge.”
Weturnedupasideroad,andinthefailinglightIdiscernedasecondcar,waitingbythesideoftheroad.Itcontainedtwomeninplainclothes.Poirotgotdownandspoketothem,andthenwestartedoffinanortherlydirection,theothercarfollowingclosebehind.
Wedroveforsometime,ourobjectivebeingobviouslyoneofthenorthernsuburbsofLondon.Finally,wedroveuptothefrontdoorofatallhouse,standingalittlebackfromtheroadinitsowngrounds.
NormanandIwereleftwiththecar.Poirotandoneofthedetectiveswentuptothedoorandrang.Aneatparlourmaidopenedit.Thedetectivespoke.
“Iamapoliceofficer,andIhaveawarranttosearchthishouse.”
Thegirlgavealittlescream,andatall,handsomewomanofmiddle-ageappearedbehindherinthehall.
“Shutthedoor,Edith.Theyareburglars,Iexpect.”
ButPoirotswiftlyinsertedhisfootinthedoor,andatthesamemomentblewawhistle.Instantlytheotherdetectivesranup,andpouredintothehouse,shuttingthedoorbehindthem.
NormanandIspentaboutfiveminutescursingourforcedinactivity.Finallythedoorreopened,andthemenemerged,escortingthreeprisoners—awomanandtwomen.
