Пуаро веде слідство
IV. The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge
Pace,allshotandbleeding.”
“Whatbecameoftheman?”
“Hemusthavegotawaythroughthewindow,sir,beforewegottoit.”
“Andthen?”
“Mrs.Haveringsentmetofetchthepolice.Fivemilestowalkitwas.Theycamebackwithme,andtheconstablehestayedallnight,andthismorningthepolicegentlemanfromLondonarrived.”
“WhatwasthismanlikewhocalledtoseeMr.Pace?”
Thehousekeeperreflected.
“Hehadablackbeard,sir,andwasaboutmiddle-aged,andhadonalightovercoat.BeyondthefactthathespokelikeanAmericanIdidn’tnoticemuchabouthim.”
“Isee.NowIwonderifIcanseeMrs.Havering?”
“She’supstairs,sir.ShallItellher?”
“Ifyouplease.TellherthatMr.HaveringisoutsidewithInspectorJapp,andthatthegentlemanhehasbroughtbackwithhimfromLondonisanxioustospeaktoherassoonaspossible.”
“Verygood,sir.”
Iwasinafeverofimpatiencetogetatallthefacts.Japphadtwoorthreehours’startofme,andhisanxietytobegonemademekeentobecloseathisheels.
Mrs.Haveringdidnotkeepmewaitinglong.InafewminutesIheardalightstepdescendingthestairs,andlookeduptoseeaveryhandsomeyoungwomancomingtowardsme.Sheworeaflame-colouredjumper,thatsetofftheslenderboyishnessofherfigure.Onherdarkheadwasalittlehatofflame-colouredleather.Eventhepresenttragedycouldnotdimthevitalityofherpersonality.
Iintroducedmyself,andshenoddedinquickcomprehension.
“OfcourseIhaveoftenheardofyouandyourcolleague,MonsieurPoirot.
