Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе / The Mysterious Affair at Styles. Книга для чтения на английском языке.

’ He suddenly produced a small cardboard box, such as chemists use for powders[80 - a small cardboard box, such as chemists use for powders – маленькая картонная коробочка, какие аптекари используют для хранения порошков].

‘Where did you find it?’

‘In the wash-stand drawer in Mrs Inglethorp’s bedroom. It was Number Six of my catalogue.’

‘But I suppose, as the last powder was taken two days ago, it is not of much importance?’

‘Probably not, but do you notice anything that strikes you as peculiar about this box?’

I examined it closely.

‘No, I can’t say that I do.’

‘Look at the label.’

I read the label carefully: ‘“One powder to be taken at bedtime, if required. Mrs Inglethorp.” No, I see nothing unusual.’

‘Not the fact that there is no chemist’s name?’

‘Ah!’ I exclaimed. ‘To be sure, that is odd!’

‘Have you ever known a chemist to send out a box like that, without his printed name?’

‘No, I can’t say that I have.’

I was becoming quite excited, but Poirot damped my ardour by remarking[81 - Poirot damped my ardour by remarking… – Пуаро охладил мой пыл своим замечанием…]:

‘Yet the explanation is quite simple.

An audible creaking proclaimed the approach of Annie, so I had no time to reply.

Annie was a fine, strapping girl, and was evidently labouring under intense excitement, mingled with a certain ghoulish enjoyment of the tragedy.

Poirot came to the point at once, with a business-like briskness.

‘I sent for you, Annie, because I thought you might be able to tell me something about the letters Mrs Inglethorp wrote last night. How many were there? And can you tell me any of the names and addresses?’

Annie considered.

‘There were four letters, sir. One was to Miss Howard, and one was to Mr Wells, the lawyer, and the other two I don’t think I remember, sir—oh, yes, one was to Ross’s, the caterers in Tadminster.

‘Think,’ urged Poirot.

Annie racked her brains in vain[82 - Annie racked her brains in vain. – Энни напрасно ломала голову.].

‘I’m sorry, sir, but it’s clean gone. I don’t think I can have noticed it.’

‘It does not matter,’ said Poirot, not betraying any sign of disappointment. ‘Now I want to ask you about something else. There is a saucepan in Mrs Inglethorp’s room with some cocoa in it.