ABC谋杀案 37

Thirty-three,ALEXANDER BONAPARTE CUST,I was not present at the interview that took place between Poirot and that strange man—AlexanderBonaparte Cust. Owing to his association with the police and the peculiar circumstances of thecase, Poirot had no difficulty in obtaining a Home Office order—but that order did not extend tome, and in any case it was essential, from Poirot’s point of view, that that interview should beabsolutely private—the two men face to face.,He has given me, however, such a detailed account of what passed between them that I set itdown with as much confidence on paper as though I had actually been present.,Mr. Cust seemed to have shrunk. His stoop was more apparent. His fingers plucked vaguely athis coat.,For some time, I gather, Poirot did not speak.,The atmosphere became restful—soothing—full of infinite leisure….,It must have been a dramatic moment—this meeting of the two adversaries in the long drama.,In Poirot’s place I should have felt the dramatic thrill.,Poirot, however, is nothing if not matter-of-fact. He was absorbed in producing a certain effectupon the man opposite him.,At last he said gently:,