蓝色特快上的秘密-蓝色列车之谜-蓝色列车(英文版)-第16部分

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〃Madame　is　surprised　to　see　him；　but　she　deals　with　the　situation　promptly。　Mason　is　got　out　of　the　way；　a　dinner　basket　is　ordered。　

We　know　from　the　conductor　that　he　made　up　the　berth　for　the　first　partment；　that　he　did　not　go　into　the　second　partment；　and　that　a　man　could　quite　well　have　been　concealed　from　him。　So　far　the　te　would　have　been　hidden　to　a　marvel。　No　one　knows　of　his　presence　on　the　train　except　Madame；　he　has　been　careful　that　the　maid　did　not　see　his　face。　All　that　she　could　say　is　that　he　was　tall　and　dark。　It　is　all　most　conveniently　vague。　They　are　alone　…　and　the　train　rushes　through　the　night。　There　would　be　no　outcry；　no　struggle；　for　the　man　is；　so　she　thinks；　her　lover。〃　

He　turned　gently　to　Van　Aldin。　

〃Death；　Monsieur；　must　have　been　almost　instantaneous。　We　te　takes　the　jewel…case　which　lies　ready　to　his　hand。　Shortly　afterwards　the　train　draws　into　Lyons。〃　

M。　Carrege　nodded　his　approval。　

〃Precisely。　The　conductor　descends。　It　would　be　easy　for　our　man　to　leave　the　train　unseen；　it　would　be　easy　to　catch　a　train　back　to　Paris　or　anywhere　he　pleases。　And　the　crime　would　be　put　down　as　an　ordinary　train　robbery。　But　for　the　letter　found　in　Madame's　bag；　the　te　would　not　have　been　mentioned。〃　

〃It　was　an　oversight　on　his　part　not　to　search　that　bag；〃　declared　the　missary。　

〃Without　doubt　he　thought　she　had　destroyed　that　letter。　It　was　…　pardon　me；　Monsieur　…　it　was　an　indiscretion　of　the　first　water　to　keep　it。〃　

〃And　yet；〃　murmured　Poirot；　〃it　was　an　indiscretion　the　te　might　have　foreseen。〃　

〃You　mean？〃　

〃I　mean　we　are　all　agreed　on　one　point；　and　that　is　that　the　te　de　la　Roche　knows　one　subject　à　fond：　Women。　How　was　it　that；　knowing　women　as　he　does；　he　did　not　foresee　that　Madame　would　have　kept　that　letter？〃　

〃Yes　…　yes；〃　said　the　Examining　Magistrate　doubtfully；　〃there　is　something　in　what　you　say。　But　at　such　times；　you　understand；　a　man　is　not　master　of　himself。　He　does　not　reason　calmly。　Mon　Dieu！〃　he　added；　with　feeling；　〃if　our　criminals　kept　their　heads　and　acted　with　intelligence；　how　should　we　capture　them？〃　

Poirot　smiled　to　himself。　

〃It　seems　to　me　a　clear　case；〃　said　the　other；　〃but　a　difficult　one　to　prove。　He　is　a　slippery　customer；　and　unless　the　maid　can　identify　him　…〃　

〃Which　is　most　unlikely；〃　said　Poirot。　

〃True；　true。〃　The　Examining　Magistrate　rubbed　his　chin。　〃It　is　going　to　be　difficult。〃　

〃If　he　did　indeed　mit　the　crime　…〃　began　Poirot。　M。　Caux　interrupted。　

〃If　…　you　say　if？〃　

〃Yes；　Monsieur　le　Juge；　I　say　if。〃　

The　other　looked　at　him　sharply。　〃You　are　right；〃　he　said　at　last；　〃we　go　too　fast。　It　is　possible　that　the　te　may　have　an　alibi。　Then　we　should　look　foolish。〃　

〃Ah；　？a　par　exemple；〃　replied　Poirot；　〃that　is　of　no　importance　whatever。　Naturally；　if　he　mitted　the　crime　he　will　have　an　alibi。　A　man　with　the　te's　experience　does　not　neglect　to　take　precautions。　No；　I　said　if　for　a　very　different　reason。〃　

〃And　what　was　that？〃　

Poirot　wagged　an　emphatic　forefinger。　

〃The　psychology。〃　

〃Eh？〃　said　the　missary。　

〃The　psychology　is　at　fault。　The　te　is　a　scoundrel　…　yes。　The　te　is　a　swindler　…　yes。　The　te　preys　upon　women　…　yes。　He　proposes　to　steal　Madame's　jewels　…　again　yes。　Is　he　the　kind　of　man　to　mit　murder？　I　say　no！　A　man　of　the　type　of　the　te　is　always　a　coward；　he　takes　no　risks。　He　plays　the　safe；　the　mean；　what　the　English　call　the　lowdown　game；　but　murder；　a　hundred　times　no！〃　He　shook　his　head　in　a　dissatisfied　manner。　

The　Examining　Magistrate；　however；　did　not　seem　disposed　to　agree　with　him。　

〃The　day　always　es　when　such　gentry　lose　their　heads　and　go　too　far；〃　he　observed　sagely。　〃Doubtless　that　is　the　case　here。　Without　wishing　to　disagree　with　you；　M。　Poirot　…〃　

〃It　was　only　an　opinion；〃　Poirot　hastened　to　explain。　〃The　case　is；　of　course；　in　your　hands；　and　you　will　do　what　seems　fit　to　you。〃　

〃I　am　satisfied　in　my　own　mind　that　the　te　de　la　Roche　is　the　man　we　need　to　get　hold　of；〃　said　M。　Carrege。　〃You　agree　with　me；　Monsieur　le　missaire？〃　

〃Perfectly。〃　

〃And　you；　M。　Van　Aldin？〃　

〃Yes；〃　said　the　millionaire。　〃Yes；　the　man　is　a　thorough…paced　villain；　no　doubt　about　it。〃　

〃It　will　be　difficult　to　lay　hands　on　him；　I　am　afraid；〃　said　the　Magistrate；　〃but　we　shall　do　our　best。　Telegraphed　instructions　shall　go　out　at　once。〃　

〃Permit　me　to　assist　you；〃　said　Poirot。　〃There　need　be　no　difficulty。〃　

〃Eh？〃　

The　others　stared　at　him。　The　little　man　smiled　beamingly　back　at　them。　

〃It　is　my　business　to　know　things。〃　he　explained。　〃The　te　is　a　man　of　intelligence。　He　is　at　present　at　a　villa　he　has　leased；　the　Villa　Marina　at　Antibes。〃　

Chapter　16　

POIROT　DISCUSSES　THE　CASE

Everybody　looked　respectfully　at　Poirot。　

Undoubtedly　the　little　man　had　scored　heavily。　The　missary　laughed　…　on　a　rather　hollow　note。　

〃You　teach　us　all　our　business；〃　he　cried。　〃M。　Poirot　knows　more　than　the　police。〃　

Poirot　gazed　placently　at　the　ceiling；　adopting　a　mock…modest　air。　

〃What　will　you；　it　is　my　little　hobby；〃　he　murmured；　〃to　know　things。　Naturally　I　have　the　time　to　indulge　it。　I　am　not　overburdened　with　affairs。〃　

〃Ah！〃　said　the　missary　shaking　his　head　portentously。　〃As　for　me　…〃　

He　made　an　exaggerated　gesture　to　represent　the　cares　that　lay　on　his　shoulders。　

Poirot　turned　suddenly　to　Van　Aldin。　

〃You　agree；　Monsieur；　with　this　view？　You　feel　certain　that　the　te　de　la　Roche　is　the　murderer？〃　

〃Why；　it　would　seem　so　…　yes；　certain。〃　

Something　guarded　in　the　answer　made　the　Examining　Magistrate　look　at　the　American　curiously。　Van　Aldin　seemed　aware　of　his　scrutiny　and　made　an　effort　as　though　to　shake　off　some　preoccupation。　

〃What　about　my　son…in…law？〃　he　asked。　〃You　have　acquainted　him　with　the　news？　He　is　in　Nice；　I　understand。〃　

〃Certainly；　Monsieur。〃　The　missary　hesitated；　and　then　murmured　very　discreetly：　

〃You　are　doubtless　aware；　M。　Van　Aldin；　that　M。　Kettering　was　also　one　of　the　passengers　on　the　Blue　Train　that　night？〃　

The　millionaire　nodded。　

〃Heard　it　just　before　I　left　London；〃　he　vouchsafed　laconically。　

〃He　tells　us；〃　continued　the　missary；　〃that　he　had　no　idea　his　wife　was　travelling　on　the　train。〃　

〃I　bet　he　hadn't；〃　said　Van　Aldin　grimly。　〃It　would　have　been　rather　a　nasty　shock　to　him　if　he'd　e　across　her　on　it。〃　

The　three　men　looked　at　him　questioningly。　

〃I'm　not　going　to　mince　matters；〃　said　Van　Aldin　savagely。　〃No　one　knows　what　my　poor　girl　has　had　to　put　up　with。　Derek　Kettering　wasn't　alone。　He　had　a　lady　with　him。〃　

〃Ah？〃　

〃Mirelle　…　the　dancer。〃　

M。　Carrege　and　the　missary　looked　at　each　other　and　nodded　as　though　confirming　some　previous　conversation。　M。　Carrege　leaned　back　in　his　chair；　joined　his　hands；　and　fixed　his　eyes　on　the　ceiling。　

〃Ah！〃　he　murmured　again。　〃One　wondered。〃　

He　coughed。　〃One　has　heard　rumours。〃　

〃The　lady；〃　said　M。　Caux；　〃is　very　notorious。〃　

〃And　also；〃　murmured　Poirot　softly；　〃very　expensive。〃　

Van　Aldin　had　gone　very　red　in　the　face。　

He　leant　forward　and　hit　the　table　a　bang　with　his　fist。　

〃See　here；〃　he　cried；　〃my　son…in…law　is　a　damned　scoundrel！〃　

He　glared　at　them；　looking　from　one　face　to　another。　

〃Oh；　I　know；〃　he　went　on。　〃Good　looks　and　a　charming；　easy　manner。　It　took　me　in　once　upon　a　time。　I　suppose　he　pretended　to　be　broken…hearted　when　you　broke　the　news　to　him　…　that　is；　if　he　didn't　know　it　already。〃　

〃Oh；　it　came　as　a　plete　surprise　to　him。　He　was　overwhelmed。〃　

〃Darned　young　hypocrite；〃　said　Van　Aldin。　〃Simulated　great　grief；　I　suppose？〃　

〃N…no；〃　said　the　missary　cautiously。　〃I　。　Carrege？〃　

The　Magistrate　brought　the　tips　of　his　fingers　together；　and　half　closed　his　eyes。　

〃Shock；　bewilderment；　horror　…　these　things；　yes；〃　he　declared　judicially。　〃Great　sorrow　…　no　…　I　should　not　say　that。〃　

Hercule　Poirot　spoke　once　more。　

〃Permit　me　to　ask；　M。　Van　Aldin；　does　M。　Kettering　benefit　by　the　death　of　his　wife？〃　

〃He　benefits　to　the　tune　of　a　couple　of　millions；〃　said　Van　Aldin。　

〃Dollars？〃　

〃Pounds。　I　settled　that　sum　on　Ruth　absolutely　on　her　marriage。　She　made　no　will　and　leaves　no　children；　so　the　money　will　go　to　her　husband。〃　

〃Whom　she　was　on　the　point　of　divorcing；〃　murmured　Poirot。　〃Ah；　yes　…　précisément。〃　

The　missary　turned　and　looked　sharply　at　him。　

〃Do　you　mean　…〃　he　began。　

〃I　mean　nothing；〃　said　Poirot。　〃I　arrange　the　facts；　that　is　all。〃　

Van　Aldin　stared　at　him　with　awakening　interest。　

The　little　man　rose　to　his　feet。　

〃I　do　not　think　I　can　be　of　any　further　service　to　you；　M。　le　Juge；〃　he　said　politely；　bowing　to　M。　Carrege。　〃You　will　keep　me　informed　of　the　course　of　events？　It　will　be　a　kindness。〃　

〃But　certainly　…　most　certainly。〃　

Van　Aldin　rose　also。　

〃You　don't　want　me　any　more　at　present？〃　

〃No；　Monsieur；　we　have　all　the　information　we　need　for　the　moment。〃　

〃Then　I　will　walk　a　little　way　with　M。　Poirot。　That　is；　if　he　does　not　object？〃　

〃Enchanted；　Monsieur；〃　said　the　little　man；　with　a　bow。　

Van　Aldin　lighted　a　large　cigar；　having　offered　one　to　Poirot；　who　declined　it；　and　lit　one　of　his　own　tiny　cigarettes。　A　man　of　great　strength　of　character；　Van　Aldin　already　appeared　to　be　his　everyday；　normal　self　once　more。　After　strolling　along　for　a　minute　or　two　in　silence；　the　millionaire　spoke：　

〃I　take　it；　M。　Poirot；　that　you　no　longer　exercise　your　profession？〃　

〃That　is　so；　Monsieur。　I　enjoy　the　world。〃　

〃Yet　you　are　assisting　the　police　in　this　affair？〃　

〃Monsieur；　if　a　doctor　walks　along　the　street　and　an　accident　happens；　does　he　say；　'I　have　retired　from　my　profession；　I　will　continue　my　walk；'　when　there　is　someone　bleeding　to　death　at　his　feet？　If　I　had　been　already　in　Nice；　and　the　police　had　sent　to　me　and　asked　me　to　assist　them；　I　should　have　refused。　But　this　affair；　the　good　God　thrust　it　upon　me。〃　

〃You　were　on　the　spot；〃　said　Van　Aldin　thoughtfully。　〃You　examined　the　partment；　did　you　not？〃　

Poirot　nodded。　

〃Doubtless　you　found　things　that　were；　shall　we　say；　suggestive　to　you？〃　

〃Perhaps；〃　said　Poirot。　

〃I　hope　you　see　what　I　am　leading　up　to？〃　said　Van　Aldin。　〃It　seems　to　me　that　the　case　against　this　te　de　la　Roche　is　perfectly　clear；　but　I　am　not　a　fool。　I　have　been　watching　you　for　this　last　hour　or　so；　and　I　realise　that　for　some　reason　of　your　own　you　don't　agree　with　that　theory？〃　

Poirot　shrugged　his　shoulders。　

〃I　may　be　wrong。〃　

〃So　we　e　to　the　favour　I　want　to　ask　you。　Will　you　act　in　this　matter　for　me？〃　

〃For　you　personally？〃　

〃That　was　my　meaning。〃　

Poirot　was　silent　for　a　moment　or　two。　

Then　he　said：　

〃You　realize　what　you　are　asking？〃　

〃I　guess　so；〃　said　Van　Aldin。　

〃Very　well；〃　said　Poirot。　〃I　accept。　But　in　that　case；　I　must　have　frank　answers　to　my　questions。〃　

〃Why；　certainly。　That　is　understood。〃　

Poirot's　manner　changed。　He　became　suddenly　brusque　and　businesslike。　

〃This　question　of　a　divorce；〃　he　said。　〃It　was　you　who　advised　your　daughter　to　bring　the　suit？〃　

〃Yes。〃　

〃When？〃　

〃About　ten　days　ago。　I　had　had　a　letter　from　her　plaining　of　her　husband's　behaviour；　and　I　put　it　to　her　very　strongly　that　divorce　was　the　only　remedy。〃　

〃In　what　way　did　she　plain　of　his　behaviour？〃　

〃