Пуаро веде слідство
XI. The Case of the Missing Will
Grantedthatyourunclewasamanofability,hisgreycellscannothavebeenofthequalityofHerculePoirot’s!”
(Really,Poirot’svanityisblatant!)
“Fortunately,Ihavenothingofmomentonhandattheminute.HastingsandIwillgodowntoCrabtreeManorto-night.Themanandwifewhoattendedonyourunclearestillthere,Ipresume?”
“Yes,theirnameisBaker.”
•••••••
Thefollowingmorningsawusstartedonthehuntproper.Wehadarrivedlatethenightbefore.Mr.andMrs.Baker,havingreceivedatelegramfromMissMarsh,wereexpectingus.Theywereapleasantcouple,themangnarledandpink-cheeked,likeashrivelledpippin,andhiswifeawomanofvastproportionsandtrueDevonshirecalm.
Tiredwithourjourneyandtheeight-miledrivefromthestation,wehadretiredatoncetobedafterasupperofroastchicken,applepie,andDevonshirecream.Wehadnowdisposedofanexcellentbreakfast,andweresittinginasmallpanelledroomwhichhadbeenthelateMr.Marsh’sstudyandliving-room.Aroll-topdeskstuffedwithpapers,allneatlydocketed,stoodagainstthewall,andabigleatherarmchairshowedplainlythatithadbeenitsowner’sconstantresting-place.Abigchintz-coveredsetteeranalongtheoppositewall,andthedeeplowwindowseatswerecoveredwiththesamefadedchintzofanold-fashionedpattern.
“Ehbien,monami,”saidPoirot,lightingoneofhistinycigarettes,“wemustmapoutourplanofcampaign.AlreadyIhavemadearoughsurveyofthehouse,butIamofopinionthatanycluewillbefoundinthisroom.
