Character: captain Arthur Hastings. Page 1

- You saw the photograph taken at his baptism?
- Oh, Yes!
- It looks like it is going to speak at the meeting.

- I think the husband is involved.
- In cook?
I actually think he's suspicious.
- That man has not offered you a drink, Hastings, does not mean that he is guilty of other crimes.

- Tell me what you think about this case?
- You want me here in the dark and thought to myself?

- Have you ever been to new York, Hastings?
- In New York? No.
Is a beautiful city, beautiful. Every street is at right angles on the Avenue. Each Avenue is numbered. And here? How can you accept the fact that nature in its own sloppy, messy, anarchic, inefficient...
- But that's what I like.

Four hundred and forty-four pounds, four shillings and four pence, with some complacency, said Poirot. - Gracefully, isn't it?
- Most likely it's to trick your cashier. He is clearly aware that you are partial to symmetry.

But what a strange place for a cache! - I was surprised. - Log could anyone burn.
In July, Hastings? Besides, it was lying under a pile of other logs. This is a very ingenious hiding place.

As we agreed, Mr. Lavington visited us after lunch. Lady Millicent was right: it was procurata personality. I even felt tingling in my leg - so strong was the desire to pull him down the stairs kick in the butt.

- Do not be discouraged, Poirot. You know in your field you unsurpassed, professional.
Yeah, but what's new in my area?
I took the paper.
- For example, the mysterious death of an Englishman in Holland, ' I said.
- Newspapers always write and then it turns out that he just ate spoiled fish and died of quite natural causes.

- Now all rush to find ABC.
- But what will they be looking for, Hastings?
Well... Madman.
- How does a madman look like?

- I thought you were implying that there are other forces at play!
- Again you misunderstand me, Hastings. I wanted to say that believe only in a dangerous and dark power of ancient superstition. See for yourself - each other suddenly suddenly more people die. The death of each of them individually is nothing mysterious. But because everybody is talking about rashawnna the spirit of the ancient Pharaoh, it is possible to quietly kill anyone in broad daylight, his death was also written off at the expense of the ancient spell - as a great power of the supernatural over ordinary human soul.

The magical allure of ancient Egypt soon took possession of me. But not Poirot. Dressed exactly-in-exactly the same as if he was in London, he constantly carried in his pocket a small clothes brush and waged an endless war with the dust that was accumulated on his suit.
- And my shoes! - he moaned. - No, look at you, Hastings! My brand new shoes from the finest leather, always look so tidy and shiny! Dear God, inside the sand that mercilessly rubs his feet, and outside, too - to look at them hurt! And this heat... this heat is unbearable! She made my mustache has turned into a real loofah... Yes, a washcloth!
- Better look at the Sphinx - advised me. Even I feel that from him emanates the charm of ancient mysteries.
Poirot angrily looked at me.
- Not really it has a happy face, ' he rumbled. - Yes, and what else to expect from the poor man, when he is almost to his ears immersed in this damn sand! Damn it!

- Public Fund. You have won second prize in a beauty contest. Get ten pounds.
- Thank You, Hastings. It seems that in this game skill is not in the first place?
The skill here is that when to buy, where to list your property.
- ... To put a hotel on Fencor street.
- You can't put her on the train station.
- Don't be silly, Hastings, railway stations many hotels.
But that is not the rules!
In this case, Hastings, these rules are wrong.

- It looks like a patchwork quilt, doesn't it?
- No!
- I think Yes! All think so!
- Not Poirot!
- I suppose You don't think that looks like a piece of cotton?
- No!
- I think You have no imagination!
- It's true, my friend! Fortunately, You do enough for both of us! I really appreciate it!

Her face is frozen stupid, the wooden smile which so often disfigures people, posing for the camera, and makes me prefer snapshots.