死亡约会 Part II Chapter 3（3）

（单词翻译）

 Can you tell us

something, Doctor, of the mental condition of the other members of the family?’

Gerard replied promptly¹:

‘Carol Boynton was, I should say, in very much the same state as Raymond — a state ofrebellion accompanied by a severe nervous excitement, but uncomplicated in her case by theintroduction of a sex factor. Lennox Boynton had passed the stage of revolt. He was sunk inapathy. He was finding it, I think, difficult to concentrate. His method of reaction to hissurroundings was to retire further and further within himself. He was definitely an introvert².’

‘And his wife?’

‘His wife, though tired and unhappy, showed no signs of mental conflict. She was, I believe,hesitating on the brink³ of a decision.’

‘Such a decision being?’

‘Whether or not to leave her husband.’

He repeated the conversation he had held with Jefferson Cope. Poirot nodded in comprehension.

‘And what of the younger girl—Ginevra her name is, is it not?’

The Frenchman’s face was grave. He said:

‘I should say that mentally she is in an extremely dangerous condition. She has already begun todisplay symptoms of schizophrenia. Unable to bear the suppression of her life, she is escaping intoa realm of fantasy. She has advanced delusions⁴ of persecution—that is to say, she claims to be aroyal personage—in danger—enemies surrounding her—all the usual things!’

‘And that—is dangerous?’

‘Very dangerous. It is the beginning of what is often homicidal mania⁵. The sufferer kills—notfor the lust⁶ of killing—but in self-defence. He or she kills in order not to be killed themselves.

From their point of view it is eminently⁷ rational.’

‘So you think that Ginevra Boynton might have killed her mother?’

‘Yes. But I doubt if she would have had the knowledge or the constructiveness⁸ to do it the wayit was done. The cunning of that class of mania is usually very simple and obvious. And I amalmost certain she would have chosen a more spectacular method.’

‘But she is a possibility?’ Poirot insisted.

‘Yes,’ admitted Gerard.

‘And afterwards—when the deed was done? Do you think the rest of the family knew who haddone it?’

‘They know!’ said Colonel Carbury unexpectedly. ‘If ever I came across a bunch of people whohad something to hide—these are they! They’re putting something over all right.’

‘We will make them tell us what it is,’ said Poirot.

‘Third degree?’ said Colonel Carbury.

‘No.’ Poirot shook his head. ‘Just ordinary conversation. On the whole, you know, people tellyou the truth. Because it is easier! Because it is less strain on the inventive faculties⁹! You can tellone lie—or two lies—or three lies—or even four lies—but you cannot lie all the time. And so—the truth becomes plain.’

‘Something in that,’ agreed Carbury.

Then he said bluntly: ‘You’ll talk to them, you say? That means you’re willing to take this on.’

Poirot bowed his head.

‘Let us be very clear about this,’ he said. ‘What you demand, and what I undertake to supply, isthe truth. But mark this, even when we have got the truth, there may be no proof. That is to say, noproof that would be accepted in a court of law. You comprehend?’

‘Quite,’ said Carbury. ‘You satisfy me of what really happened. Then it’s up to me to decidewhether action is possible or not—having regard to the international aspects. Anyway, it will becleared up—no mess. Don’t like mess.’

Poirot smiled.

‘One thing more,’ said Carbury. ‘I can’t give you much time. Can’t detain these people hereindefinitely.’

Poirot said quietly:

‘You can detain them twenty-four hours. You shall have the truth by tomorrow night.’

Colonel Carbury stared hard at him.

‘Pretty confident, aren’t you?’ he asked.

‘I know my own ability,’ murmured Poirot.

Rendered uncomfortable by this un-British attitude, Colonel Carbury looked away and fingeredhis untidy moustaches.

‘Well,’ he mumbled¹⁰, ‘it’s up to you.’

‘And if you succeed, my friend,’ said Dr Gerard, ‘you are indeed a marvel¹¹!’