Пуаро веде слідство
X. The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman
Thedoctorrangagainandagain;wecouldhearthebelltrillingwithin,butnosignofliferewardedus.
“Thisisgettingserious,”mutteredthedoctor.Heturnedtotheliftattendant.
“Isthereanypass-keytothisdoor?”
“Thereisoneintheporter’sofficedownstairs.”
“Getit,then,and,lookhere,Ithinkyou’dbettersendforthepolice.”
Poirotapprovedwithanodofthehead.
Themanreturnedshortly;withhimcamethemanager.
“Willyoutellme,gentlemen,whatisthemeaningofallthis?”
“Certainly.IreceivedatelephonemessagefromCountFoscatinistatingthathehadbeenattackedandwasdying.Youcanunderstandthatwemustlosenotime—ifwearenotalreadytoolate.”
Themanagerproducedthekeywithoutmoreado,andweallenteredtheflat.
Wepassedfirstintoasmallsquareloungehall.Adoorontherightofitwashalfopen.Themanagerindicateditwithanod.
“Thedining-room.”
Dr.Hawkerledtheway.Wefollowedcloseonhisheels.AsweenteredtheroomIgaveagasp.Theroundtableinthecentreboretheremainsofameal;threechairswerepushedback,asthoughtheiroccupantshadjustrisen.Inthecorner,totherightofthefire-place,wasabigwriting-table,andsittingatitwasaman—orwhathadbeenaman.Hisrighthandstillgraspedthebaseofthetelephone,buthehadfallenforward,struckdownbyaterrificblowontheheadfrombehind.Theweaponwasnotfartoseek.Amarblestatuettestoodwhereithadbeenhurriedlyputdown,thebaseofitstainedwithblood.
Thedoctor’sexaminationdidnottakeaminute.“Stonedead.
