Chapter 8
　　After noting on his pad—N.B. 4.40—Poirot opened the door and called to the orderly whom ColonelCarbury had left at his disposal, an intelligent man with a good knowledge of English. He asked himto fetch Miss Carol Boynton.
　　He looked with some interest at the girl as she entered, at the chestnut¹ hair, the poise² of the headon the long neck, the nervous energy of the beautifully shaped hands.
　　He said: ‘Sit down, mademoiselle.’
　　She sat down obediently. Her face was colourless and expressionless. Poirot began with amechanical expression of sympathy to which the girl acquiesced³ without any change of expression.
　　‘And now, mademoiselle, will you recount to me how you spent the afternoon of the day inquestion?’
　　Her answer came promptly⁴, raising the suspicion that it had already been well rehearsed.
　　‘After luncheon⁵ we all went for a stroll. I returned to the camp—’
　　Poirot interrupted. ‘A little minute. Were you all together until then?’
　　‘No, I was with my brother Raymond and Miss King for most of the time. Then I strolled off onmy own.’
　　‘Thank you. And you were saying you returned to the camp. Do you know the approximatetime?’
　　‘I believe it was just about ten minutes past five.’
　　Poirot put down C.B. 5.10.
　　‘And what then?’
　　‘My mother was still sitting where she had been when we set out. I went up and spoke⁶ to her,and then went on to my tent.’
　　‘Can you remember exactly what passed between you?’
　　‘I just said it was very hot and that I was going to lie down. My mother said she would remainwhere she was. That was all.’
　　‘Did anything in her appearance strike you as out of the ordinary?’
　　‘No. At least that is—’
　　She paused doubtfully, staring at Poirot.
　　‘It is not from me that you can get the answer, mademoiselle,’ said Poirot quietly.

分享到：