Hercule Poirot: The Complete Short Stories. Агата Кристи

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СКАЧАТЬ of the mysterious man bears a sufficient resemblance to him. Yet you are not keen on his track! Why? Surely because your suspicions lie in another direction. Therefore you were keeping something back.’

      ‘You’re right, Monsieur Poirot. I was sure of Rupert’s guilt until I found this letter. It unsettled me horribly.’

      ‘Yes. The Count says “Before very long, and perhaps sooner than you think.” Obviously he would not want to wait until you should get wind of his reappearance. Was it he who travelled down from London by the twelve-fourteen, and came along the corridor to your daughter’s compartment? The Count de la Rochefour is also, if I remember rightly, tall and dark!’

      The millionaire nodded.

      ‘Well, monsieur, I will wish you good day. Scotland Yard has, I presume, a list of the jewels?’

      ‘Yes, I believe Inspector Japp is here now if you would like to see him.’

      Japp was an old friend of ours, and greeted Poirot with a sort of affectionate contempt.

      ‘And how are you, monsieur? No bad feeling between us, though we have got our different ways of looking at things. How are the “little grey cells”, eh? Going strong?’

      Poirot beamed upon him. ‘They function, my good Japp; assuredly they do!’

      ‘Then that’s all right. Think it was the Honourable Rupert, or a crook? We’re keeping an eye on all the regular places, of course. We shall know if the shiners are disposed of, and of course whoever did it isn’t going to keep them to admire their sparkle. Not likely! I’m trying to find out where Rupert Carrington was yesterday. Seems a bit of a mystery about it. I’ve got a man watching him.’

      ‘A great precaution, but perhaps a day late,’ suggested Poirot gently.

      ‘You always will have your joke, Monsieur Poirot. Well, I’m off to Paddington. Bristol, Weston, Taunton, that’s my beat. So long.’

      ‘You will come round and see me this evening, and tell me the result?’

      ‘Sure thing, if I’m back.’

      ‘The good inspector believes in matter in motion,’ murmured Poirot as our friend departed. ‘He travels; he measures footprints; he collects mud and cigarette-ash! He is extremely busy! He is zealous beyond words! And if I mentioned psychology to him, do you know what he would do, my friend? He would smile! He would say to himself: “Poor old Poirot! He ages! He grows senile!” Japp is the “younger generation knocking on the door.” And ma foi! They are so busy knocking that they do not notice that the door is open!’

      ‘And what are you going to do?’

      ‘As we have carte blanche, I shall expend threepence in ringing up the Ritz – where you may have noticed our Count is staying. After that, as my feet are a little damp, and I have sneezed twice, I shall return to my rooms and make myself a tisane over the spirit lamp!’

      I did not see Poirot again until the following morning. I found him placidly finishing his breakfast.

      ‘Well?’ I inquired eagerly. ‘What has happened?’

      ‘Nothing.’

      ‘But Japp?’

      ‘I have not seen him.’

      ‘The Count?’

      ‘He left the Ritz the day before yesterday.’

      ‘The day of the murder?’

      ‘Yes.’

      ‘Then that settles it! Rupert Carrington is cleared.’

      ‘Because the Count de la Rochefour has left the Ritz? You go too fast, my friend.’

      ‘Anyway, he must be followed, arrested! But what could be his motive?’

      ‘One hundred thousand dollars’ worth of jewellery is a very good motive for anyone. No, the question to my mind is: why kill her? Why not simply steal the jewels? She would not prosecute.’

      ‘Why not?’

      ‘Because she is a woman, mon ami. She once loved this man. Therefore she would suffer her loss in silence. And the Count, who is an extremely good psychologist where women are concerned – hence his successes – would know that perfectly well! On the other hand, if Rupert Carrington killed her, why take the jewels which would incriminate him fatally?’

      ‘As a blind.’

      ‘Perhaps you are right, my friend. Ah, here is Japp! I recognize his knock.’

      The inspector was beaming good-humouredly.

      ‘Morning, Poirot. Only just got back. I’ve done some good work! And you?’

      ‘Me, I have arranged my ideas,’ replied Poirot placidly.

      Japp laughed heartily.

      ‘Old chap’s getting on in years,’ he observed beneath his breath to me. ‘That won’t do for us young folk,’ he said aloud.

      ‘Quel dommage?’ Poirot inquired.

      ‘Well, do you want to hear what I’ve done?’

      ‘You permit me to make a guess? You have found the knife with which the crime was committed, by the side of the line between Weston and Taunton, and you have interviewed the paper-boy who spoke to Mrs Carrington at Weston!’

      Japp’s jaw fell. ‘How on earth did you know? Don’t tell me it was those almighty “little grey cells” of yours!’

      ‘I am glad you admit for once that they are all mighty! Tell me, did she give the paper-boy a shilling for himself?’

      ‘No, it was half a crown!’ Japp had recovered his temper, and grinned. ‘Pretty extravagant, these rich Americans!’

      ‘And in consequence the boy did not forget her?’

      ‘Not he. Half-crowns don’t come his way every day. She hailed him and bought two magazines. One had a picture of a girl in blue on the cover. “That’ll match me,” she said. Oh, he remembered her perfectly. Well, that was enough for me. By the doctor’s evidence, the crime must have been committed before Taunton. I guessed they’d throw the knife away at once, and I walked down the line looking for it; and sure enough, there it was. I made inquiries at Taunton about our man, but of course it’s a big station, and it wasn’t likely they’d notice him. He probably got back to London by a later train.’

      Poirot nodded. ‘Very likely.’

      ‘But I found another bit of news when I got back. They’re passing the jewels, all right! That large emerald was pawned last night – by one of the regular lot. Who do you think it was?’

      ‘I don’t know – except that he was a short man.’

      Japp stared. ‘Well, you’re right there. He’s short enough. It was Red Narky.’

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