Пуаро веде слідство
X. The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman
”
“Pardon,howwasitpaid?”
“InItaliannotesofcomparativelysmalldenomination.Ipaidoverthemoneythenandthere.Hehandedmetheincriminatingpapers.Ineversawhimagain.”
“Whydidyounotsayallthiswhenyouwerearrested?”
“InmydelicatepositionIwasforcedtodenyanyassociationwiththeman.”
“Andhowdoyouaccountfortheeventsoftheevening,then?”
“Icanonlythinkthatsomeonemusthavedeliberatelyimpersonatedme.Iunderstandthatnomoneywasfoundintheflat.”
Poirotlookedathimandshookhishead.
“Strange,”hemurmured.“Weallhavethelittlegreycells.Andsofewofusknowhowtousethem.Goodmorning,SignorAscanio.Ibelieveyourstory.ItisverymuchasIhadimagined.ButIhadtomakesure.”
Afterbowinghisguestout,Poirotreturnedtohisarm-chairandsmiledatme.
“LetushearM.leCapitaineHastingsonthecase?”
“Well,IsupposeAscanioisright—somebodyimpersonatedhim.”
“Never,neverwillyouusethebrainsthegoodGodhasgivenyou.RecalltoyourselfsomewordsIutteredafterleavingtheflatthatnight.Ireferredtothewindow-curtainsnotbeingdrawn.WeareinthemonthofJune.Itisstilllightateighto’clock.Thelightisfailingbyhalf-past.Çavousditquelquechose?Iperceiveastrugglingimpressionthatyouwillarrivesomeday.Nowletuscontinue.Thecoffeewas,asIsaid,veryblack.CountFoscatini’steethweremagnificentlywhite.Coffeestainstheteeth.WereasonfromthatthatCountFoscatinididnotdrinkanycoffee.Yettherewascoffeeinallthreecups.
