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John.

      I remembered the name as being that of the lawyer to whom Mrs Inglethorp had written the night before.

      John rose immediately.

      ‘Show him into my study.’ Then he turned to us. ‘My mother’s lawyer,’ he explained. And in a lower voice: ‘He is also Coroner—you understand. Perhaps you would like to come with me?’

      We acquiesced and followed him out of the room. John strode on ahead and I took the opportunity of whispering to Poirot:

      ‘There will be an inquest then?’

      Poirot nodded absently. He seemed absorbed in thought[96]; so much so that my curiosity was aroused.

      ‘What is it? You are not attending to what I say.’

      ‘It is true, my friend. I am much worried.’

      ‘Why?’

      ‘Because Mademoiselle Cynthia does not take sugar in her coffee.’

      ‘What? You cannot be serious?’

      ‘But I am most serious. Ah, there is something there that I do not understand. My instinct was right.’

      ‘What instinct?’

      ‘The instinct that led me to insist on examining those coffee cups. Chut![97] no more now!’

      We followed John into his study, and he closed the door behind us.

      Mr Wells was a pleasant man of middle-age, with keen eyes, and the typical lawyer’s mouth. John introduced us both, and explained the reason of our presence.

      ‘You will understand, Wells,’ he added, ‘that this is all strictly private. We are still hoping that there will turn out to be no need for investigation of any kind.’

      ‘Quite so, quite so,’ said Mr Wells soothingly. ‘I wish we could have spared you the pain and publicity of an inquest, but, of course, it’s quite unavoidable in the absence of a doctor’s certificate.’

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      Примечания

      1

      invalided home from the Front – демобилизован с фронта по случаю ранения

      2

      given a month’s sick leave – получил месяц отпуска для восстановления

      3

      Lady Bountiful – леди Баунтифул, т. е. щедрая благодетельница (по имени персонажа пьесы Дж. Фаркера «Уловка кавалеров»).

      4

      country-place – загородная усадьба

      5

      He had been completely under his wife’s ascendancy. – Он находился полностью под влиянием своей жены.

      6

      she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings – учитывая ее достаток, она могла рассчитывать на уважение

      7

      rotten little bounder – гнусный маленький пройдоха

      8

      Jack of all trades – мастерица на все руки

      9

      protégée – (фр.) протеже, подопечная

      10

      He came a cropper. – Он прогорел (потерпел крах).

      11

      Her conversation <…> was couched in the telegraphic style. – Ее манера изъясняться напоминала телеграфный стиль.

      12

      The labourer is worthy of his hire. – Трудящийся достоин награды за труды свои (цитата из Евангелия, Лк 10:7).

      13

      slumbering fire – заградительный огонь

      14

      fête – (фр.) вечеринка, праздник

      15

      He certainly struck a rather alien note. – Он явно выпадал из общей компании.

      16

      pince-nez – (фр.) пенсне

      17

      VAD = Voluntary Aid Detachment (добровольное подразделение гражданских лиц, предоставляющее уход за военнослужащими в Соединенном Королевстве и других странах Британской Империи).

      18

      for my sins – замаливаю грехи

      19

      deuce of a mess – изрядный беспорядок

      20

      At any rate <…> I’ve spoken my mind! – В любом случае, я сказала

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