Читать книгу Ten Little Niggers / Десять негритят - Агата Кристи, Agatha Christie, Detection Club The - Страница 10

A little group of people stood outside Oakbridge station. Porters with suitcases stood behind them. One of them called, “Jim!”

The driver of one of the taxis asked: “You’re for Nigger Island, maybe?” Four people said “Yes” – and then glanced quickly at each other.

The driver addressed Mr. Justice Wargrave as the senior member of the party:

“One of the two taxis here, sir, must wait till the slow train from Exeter arrives – there’s one gentleman coming by that.

Perhaps one of you wouldn’t mind waiting? You’d be more comfortable that way.”

Vera Claythorne agreed to wait at once.

Miss Brent and Mr. Justice Wargrave entered one of the taxis.

Captain Lombard said:

“I’ll wait with Miss —”

“Claythorne,” said Vera.

“My name is Lombard, Philip Lombard.”

The porters were piling luggage on the taxi. Inside, Mr. Justice Wargrave asked:

“Do you know this part of the world well?”

Miss Brent said:

“This is my first visit to this part of Devon.”

The judge said:

“I haven’t also been to this part of the world.”

The taxi drove off.

The driver of the second taxi asked:

“Like to sit inside while you’re waiting?”

Vera Claythorn and Philip Lombard decided to stay in the open air.

Vera said:

“I hope the weather lasts. Our English summers are so changeable.”

With a slight lack of originality Lombard asked:

“Do you know this part of the world well?”

“No, I’ve never been here before.” She added quickly, deciding to make her position clear at once, “I haven’t even seen my employer yet.”

“Your employer?”

“Yes, I’m Mrs. Owen’s secretary.”

Lombard said:

“Isn’t that rather unusual?”

Vera laughed.

“Oh, no, I don’t think so. Her own secretary was suddenly taken ill. She wanted a substitute, and the agency sent me.”

“And if you don’t like the post, when you’ve got there?”

Vera laughed again.

“Oh, it’s only a holiday post. I’ve got a job at a girls’ school. And I want to see Nigger Island very much. There’s been such a lot about it in the papers. Is it really very enchanting?”

Lombard said:

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen it.”

“Oh, really? The Owens are very fond of it, I suppose. What are they like? Please, tell me.”

Lombard thought: “Is it supposed that I know them or not?” He said quickly:

“There’s a wasp crawling up your arm. No – stay quite still.”

He made a convincing brushing off. “There. It’s gone!”

“Oh, thank you. There are a lot of wasps about this summer.”

“Yes, I suppose it’s the heat. Who are we waiting for, do you know?”

“I have no idea.”

At that moment they heard the sound of an approaching train.