ABC谋杀案 2

One,THE LETTER,It was in June of 1935 that I came home from my ranch ¹ in South America for a stay of about sixmonths. It had been a difficult time for us out there. Like everyone else, we had suffered fromworld depression. I had various affairs to see to in England that I felt could only be successful if apersonal touch was introduced. My wife remained to manage the ranch.,I need hardly say that one of my first actions on reaching England was to look up my old friend,Hercule Poirot.,I found him installed in one of the newest type of service flats in London. I accused him (and headmitted the fact) of having chosen this particular building entirely ² on account of its strictlygeometrical appearance and proportions.,“But yes, my friend, it is of a most pleasing symmetry, do you not find it so?”,Poirot laughed heartily ⁵.,“Ah, you remember that? Alas ⁶! no—science has not yet induced the hens to conform to moderntastes, they still lay eggs of different sizes and colours! ”,I examined my old friend with an affectionate eye. He was looking wonderfully well—hardly aday older than when I had last seen him.,“You’re looking in fine fettle, Poirot,
” I said. “You’ve hardly aged ⁴ at all. In fact, if it werepossible, I should say that you had fewer grey hairs than when I saw you last.”,Poirot beamed on me.,The ranch is in the middle of a large plateau.该牧场位于一个辽阔高原的中部。,The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的 。