The A B C Murders / Убийство по алфавиту. Книга для чтения на английском языке

And that’s another point in his favour. I’ve just told the Chief Constable that I think this is a job for Scotland Yard. I don’t believe it’s a local crime.’

Poirot said gravely:

�I agree with you.’

The inspector said:

�You know, Monsieur Poirot, it’s a nasty business—a nasty business… I don’t like it…’

We had two more interviews before returning to London.

The first was with Mr James Partridge. Mr Partridge was the last person known to have seen Mrs Ascher alive.

Mr Partridge was a small man, a bank clerk by profession. He wore pince-nez, was very dry and spare-looking and extremely precise in all his utterances. He lived in a small house as neat and trim as himself.

�Mr—er—Poirot,’ he said, glancing at the card my friend had handed to him. �From Inspector Glen? What can I do for you, Mr Poirot?’

�I understand, Mr Partridge, that you were the last person to see Mrs Ascher alive.

Mr Partridge placed his finger-tips together and looked at Poirot as though he were a doubtful cheque.

�That is a very debatable point, Mr Poirot,’ he said. �Many people may have made purchases from Mrs Ascher after I did so.’

�If so, they have not come forward to say so.’

Mr Partridge coughed.

�Some people, Mr Poirot, have no sense of public duty.’

He looked at us owlishly through his spectacles.

�Exceedingly true,’ murmured Poirot. �You, I understand, went to the police of your own accord[103 - of own accord – добровольно]?’

�Certainly I did. As soon as I heard of the shocking occurrence I perceived that my statement might be helpful and came forward accordingly.’

�A very proper spirit,’ said Poirot solemnly. �Perhaps you will be so kind as to repeat your story to me.’

�By all means[104 - By all means – непременно].

�Pardon, how was it that you knew the time so accurately?’

Mr Partridge looked a little annoyed at being interrupted.

�The church clock chimed. I looked at my watch and found I was a minute slow. That was just before I entered Mrs Ascher’s shop.’

�Were you in the habit of making purchases there?’

�Fairly frequently. It was on my way home.