蓝色列车之谜15

Chapter 15  THE COMTE DE LA ROCHE ,Van Aldin read the letter through in silence. His face turned a dull angry crimson. The men watching him saw the veins start out on his forehead, and his big hands clench themselves unconsciously. He handed back the letter without a word. M. Carrege was looking with close attention at his desk, M. Caux's eyes were fixed upon the ceiling, and M. Hercule Poirot was tenderly brushing a speck of dust from his coat sleeve. With the greatest tact they none of them looked at Van Aldin. ,It was M. Carrege, mindful of his status and his duties, who tackled the unpleasant subject. ,"Perhaps, Monsieur," he murmured, "you are aware by whom - er - this letter was written?" ,"Yes, I know," said Van Aldin heavily. ,"Ah?" said the Magistrate inquiringly. ,There was a pause; then M. Poirot leaned forward, straightened a ruler on the judge's desk, and addressed the millionaire directly. ,"M. Van Aldin, we are all sensible, deeply sensible, of the pain it must give you to speak of these matters, but believe me, Monsieur, it is not the time for concealments. If justice is to be done, we must know everything. If you will reflect a little minute you will realize the truth of that clearly for yourself." ,Van Aldin was silent for a moment or two, then almost reluctantly he nodded his head in agreement. ,"You are quite right, M. Poirot," he said. "Painful as it is, I have no right to keep anything back." ,The Commissary gave a sigh of relief, and the Examining Magistrate leaned back in his chair and adjusted a pince-nez on his long thin nose. ,