Вбивство на поле для гольфу
8. An Unexpected Meeting
Triedthefrontwayin,butthatoldstick-in-the-mudofaFrenchgendarmewasn’ttakingany.IguessHelenofTroy,andCleopatra,andMary,QueenofScots,rolledinonewouldn’tcuticewithhim!It’sarealpieceofluckhappeningonyouthisway.Comeon,showmeallthesights.”
“Butlookhere—waitaminute—Ican’t.Nobody’sallowedin.They’reawfullystrict.”
“Aren’tyouandyourfriendthebigbugs?”
Iwasloathtorelinquishmypositionofimportance.
“Whyareyousokeen?”Iaskedweakly.“Andwhatisityouwanttosee.”
“Oh,everything!Theplacewhereithappened,andtheweapon,andthebody,andanyfinger-printsorinterestingthingslikethat.I’veneverhadachanceofbeingrightinonamurderlikethisbefore.It’lllastmeallmylife?”
Iturnedaway,sickened.Whatwerewomencomingtonowadays?Thegirl’sghoulishexcitementnauseatedme.Ihadreadofthemobsofwomenwhobesiegedthelawcourtswhensomewretchedmanwasbeingtriedforhislifeonthecapitalcharge.Ihadsometimeswonderedwhothesewomenwere.NowIknew.TheywereofthelikenessofCinderella,young,yetobsessedwithayearningformorbidexcitement,forsensationatanyprice,withoutregardtoanydecencyorgoodfeeling.Thevividnessofthegirl’sbeautyhadattractedmeinspiteofmyself,yetatheartIretainedmyfirstimpressionofdisapprovalanddislike.Ithoughtofmymother,longsincedead.
