Вбивство на поле для гольфу
27. Jack Renauld’s Story
WewillhopethatMademoiselleBellawillbedealtwithleniently,andafterallJackRenauldcannotmarryboththegirls.Ispokefromaprofessionalstandpoint.Thisisnotacrimewellorderedandregular,suchasadetectivedelightsin.ThemiseenscènedesignedbyGeorgesConneau,thatindeedisperfect,butthedénouement—ah,no!Amankilledbyaccidentinagirl’sfitofanger—ah,indeed,whatorderormethodisthereinthat?”
AndinthemidstofafitoflaughteronmypartatPoirot’speculiarities,thedoorwasopenedbyFrançoise.
PoirotexplainedthathemustseeMrs.Renauldatonce,andtheoldwomanconductedhimupstairs.Iremainedinthesalon.ItwassometimebeforePoirotreappeared.Hewaslookingunusuallygrave.
“Vousvoilà,Hastings!Sacrétonnerre,buttherearesquallsahead!”
“Whatdoyoumean?”Icried.
“Iwouldhardlyhavecreditedit,”saidPoirotthoughtfully,“butwomenareveryunexpected.”
“HereareJackandMartheDaubreuil,”Iexclaimed,lookingoutofthewindow.
Poirotboundedoutoftheroom,andmettheyoungcoupleonthestepsoutside.
“Donotenter.Itisbetternot.Yourmotherisveryupset.”
“Iknow,Iknow,”saidJackRenauld.“Imustgouptoheratonce.”
“Butno,Itellyou.Itisbetternot.”
“ButMartheandI—”
“Inanycase,donottakeMademoisellewithyou.Mount,ifyoumust,butyouwouldbewisetobeguidedbyme.”
Avoiceonthestairsbehindmadeusallstart.
“Ithankyouforyourgoodoffices,M.Poirot,butIwillmakemyownwishesclear.”
Westaredinastonishment.
