蓝色特快上的秘密-蓝色列车之谜-蓝色列车(英文版)-第22部分

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There　was　another　silence；　then　the　girl　said；　〃My　father　gave　you　a　hint　the　other　day。〃　

〃It　was　very　kind　of　him。〃　

〃I　do　not　think；〃　said　Zia　slowly；　〃that　there　is　anything　that　I　can　add　to　that。〃　

If　Poirot　was　disappointed　he　did　not　show　it。　Not　a　muscle　of　his　face　changed。　

〃Eh　bien！〃　he　said　cheerfully；　〃then　we　must　talk　of　other　things。〃　

And　he　proceeded　to　chat　gaily。　The　girl　was　distrait；　however；　and　her　answers　were　mechanical　and　not　always　to　the　point。　It　was　when　they　were　approaching　the　Casino　once　more　that　she　seemed　to　e　to　a　decision。　

〃M。　Poirot？〃　

〃Yes；　Mademoiselle？〃　

〃I　…　I　should　like　to　help　you　if　I　could。〃　

〃You　are　very　amiable；　Mademoiselle　…　very　amiable。〃　

Again　there　was　a　pause。　Poirot　did　not　press　her。　He　was　quite　content　to　wait　and　let　her　take　her　own　time。　

〃Ah　bah；〃　said　Zia；　〃after　all；　why　should　I　not　tell　you？　My　father　is　cautious　…　very　cautious　in　everything　he　says。　But　I　know　that　with　you　it　is　not　necessary。　You　have　told　us　it　is　only　the　murderer　you　seek；　and　that　you　are　not　concerned　over　the　jewels。　I　believe　you。　You　were　quite　right　when　you　guessed　that　we　were　in　Nice　because　of　the　rubies。　They　have　been　handed　over　here　according　to　plan。　My　father　has　them　now。　He　gave　you　a　hint　the　other　day　as　to　who　our　mysterious　client　was。〃　

〃The　Marquis？〃　murmured　Poirot　softly。　

〃Yes；　the　Marquis。〃　

〃Have　you　ever　seen　the　Marquis；　Mademoiselle　Zia？〃　

〃Once；〃　said　the　girl。　〃But　not　very　well；〃　she　added。　〃It　was　through　a　keyhole。〃　

〃That　always　presents　difficulties；〃　said　Poirot　sympathetically；　〃but　all　the　same　you　saw　him。　You　would　know　him　again？〃　

Zia　shook　her　head。　

〃He　wore　a　mask；〃　she　explained。　

〃Young　or　old？〃　

〃He　had　white　hair。　It　may　have　been　a　wig；　it　may　not。　It　fitted　very　well。　But　I　do　not　think　he　was　old。　His　walk　was　young；　and　so　was　his　voice。〃　

〃His　voice？〃　said　Poirot　thoughtfully。　〃Ah；　his　voice！　Would　you　know　it　again；　Mademoiselle　Zia？〃　

〃I　might；〃　said　the　girl。　

〃You　were　interested　in　him；　eh？　It　was　that　that　took　you　to　the　keyhole。〃　

Zia　nodded。　

〃Yes；　yes。　I　was　curious。　One　had　heard　so　much　…　he　is　not　the　ordinary　thief　…　he　is　more　like　a　figure　of　history　or　romance。〃　

〃Yes；〃　said　Poirot　thoughtfully；　〃yes；　perhaps　so。〃　

〃But　it　is　not　this　that　I　meant　to　tell　you；〃　said　Zia。　〃It　was　just　one　other　little　fact　that　I　thought　might　be　…　well　…　useful　to　you。〃　

〃Yes？〃　said　Poirot　encouragingly。　

〃The　rubies；　as　I　say；　were　handed　over　to　my　father　here　at　Nice。　I　did　not　see　the　person　who　handed　them　over；　but　…〃　

〃Yes？〃　

〃I　know　one　thing。　It　was　a　woman。〃

Chapter　29　

A　LETTER　FROM　HOME

〃Dear　Katherine；
〃Living　among　grand　friends　as　you　are　doing　now；　I　don't　suppose　you　will　care　to　hear　any　of　our　news；　but　as　I　always　thought　you　were　a　sensible　girl；　perhaps　you　are　a　trifle　less　swollen…headed　than　I　suppose。　Everything　goes　on　much　the　same　here。　There　was　great　trouble　about　the　new　curate；　who　is　scandalously　high。　In　my　view；　he　is　neither　more　nor　less　than　a　Roman。　Everybody　has　spoken　to　the　Vicar　about　it；　but　you　know　what　the　Vicar　is　…　all　Christian　charity　and　no　proper　spirit。　I　have　had　a　lot　of　trouble　with　maids　lately。　That　girl　Annie　was　no　good　…　skirts　up　to　her　knees　and　wouldn't　wear　sensible　woollen　stockings。　Not　one　of　them　can　bear　being　spoken　to。　I　have　had　a　lot　of　pain　with　my　rheumatism　one　way　and　another；　and　Dr　Harris　persuaded　me　to　go　and　see　a　London　specialist　…　a　waste　of　three　guineas　and　a　railway　fare；　as　I　told　him；　but　by　waiting　until　Wednesday　I　managed　to　get　a　cheap　return。　The　London　doctor　pulled　a　long　face　and　talked　all　round　about　and　never　straight　out；　until　I　said　to　him；　'I'm　a　plain　woman；　Doctor；　and　I　like　things　to　be　plainly　stated。　Is　it　cancer；　or　is　it　not？'　And　then；　of　course；　he　had　to　say　it　was。　They　say　a　year　with　care；　and　not　too　much　pain；　though　I　am　sure　I　can　bear　pain　as　well　as　any　other　Christian　woman。　Life　seems　rather　lonely　at　times；　with　most　of　my　friends　dead　or　gone　before。　I　wish　you　were　in　St　Mary　Mead；　my　dear；　and　that　is　a　fact。　If　you　hadn't　e　into　this　money　and　gone　off　into　grand　society；　I　would　have　offered　you　double　the　salary　poor　Jane　gave　you　to　e　and　look　after　me；　but　there　…　there's　no　good　wanting　what　we　can't　get。　However；　if　things　should　go　ill　with　you　…　and　that　is　always　possible。　I　have　heard　no　end　of　tales　of　bogus　noblemen　marrying　girls　and　getting　hold　of　their　money　and　then　leaving　them　at　the　church　door。　I　dare　say　you　are　too　sensible　for　anything　of　the　kind　to　happen　to　you；　but　one　never　knows；　and　never　having　had　much　attention　of　any　kind　it　might　easily　go　to　your　head　now。　So　just　in　case；　my　dear；　remember　there　is　always　a　home　for　you　here；　and　though　a　plain…spoken　woman　I　am　a　warm…hearted　one　too。

〃Your　affectionate　old　friend；　
〃Amelia　Viner。
〃P。S。　…　I　saw　a　mention　of　you　in　the　paper　with　your　cousin；　Viscountess　Tamplin；　and　I　cut　it　out　and　put　it　with　my　cuttings。　I　prayed　for　you　on　Sunday　that　you　might　be　kept　from　pride　and　vain　glory。〃

Katherine　read　this　characteristic　epistle　through　twice；　then　she　laid　it　down　and　stared　out　of　her　bedroom　window　across　the　blue　waters　of　the　Mediterranean。　She　felt　a　curious　lump　in　her　throat。　A　sudden　wave　of　longing　for　St　Mary　Mead　swept　over　her。　So　full　of　familiar；　everyday；　stupid　little　things　…　and　yet　…　home。　She　felt　very　inclined　to　lay　her　head　down　on　her　arms　and　indulge　in　a　real　good　cry。　

Lenox；　ing　in　at　the　moment；　saved　her。　

〃Hello；　Katherine；〃　said　Lenox。　〃I　say　…　what　is　the　matter？〃　

〃Nothing；〃　said　Katherine；　grabbing　up　Miss　Viner's　letter　and　thrusting　it　into　her　handbag。　

〃You　looked　rather　queer；〃　said　Lenox。　〃I　say　…　I　hope　you　don't　mind　…　I　rang　up　your　detective　friend；　M。　Poirot；　and　asked　him　to　lunch　with　us　in　Nice。　I　said　you　wanted　to　see　him；　as　I　thought　he　might　not　e　for　me。〃　

〃Did　you　want　to　see　him　then？〃　asked　Katherine。　

〃Yes；〃　said　Lenox。　〃I　have　rather　lost　my　heart　to　him。　I　never　met　a　man　before　whose　eyes　were　really　green　like　a　cat's。〃　

〃All　right；〃　said　Katherine。　She　spoke　listlessly。　The　last　few　days　had　been　trying。　Derek　Kettering's　arrest　had　been　the　topic　of　the　hour；　and　the　Blue　Train　Mystery　had　been　thrashed　out　from　every　conceivable　standpoint。　

〃I　have　ordered　the　car；〃　said　Lenox；　〃and　I　have　told　Mother　some　lie　or　other　…　unfortunately　I　can't　remember　exactly　what；　but　it　won't　matter；　as　she　never　remembers。　If　she　knew　where　we　were　going；　she　would　want　to　e　too；　to　pump　M。　Poirot。〃　

The　two　girls　arrived　at　the　Negresco　to　find　Poirot　waiting。　

He　was　full　of　Gallic　politeness；　and　showered　so　many　pliments　upon　the　two　girls　that　they　were　soon　helpless　with　laughter；　yet　for　all　that　the　meal　was　not　a　gay　one。　Katherine　was　dreamy　and　distracted；　and　Lenox　made　bursts　of　conversation；　interspersed　by　silences。　As　they　were　sitting　on　the　terrace　sipping　their　coffee　she　suddenly　attacked　Poirot　bluntly。　

〃How　are　things　going？　You　know　what　I　mean？〃　

Poirot　shrugged　his　shoulders。　〃They　take　their　course；〃　he　said。　

〃And　you　are　just　letting　them　take　their　course？〃　

He　looked　at　Lenox　a　little　sadly。　

〃You　are　young；　Mademoiselle；　but　there　are　three　things　that　cannot　be　hurried　…　le　bon　Dieu；　Nature；　and　old　people。〃　

〃Nonsense！〃　said　Lenox。　〃You　are　not　old。〃　

〃Ah；　it　is　pretty　what　you　say　there。〃　

〃Here　is　Major　Knighton；〃　said　Lenox。　Katherine　looked　round　quickly　and　then　turned　back　again。　

〃He　is　with　Mr　Van　Aldin；〃　continued　Lenox。　〃There　is　something　I　want　to　ask　Major　Knighton　about。　I　won't　be　a　minute。〃　

Left　alone　together；　Poirot　bent　forward　and　murmured　to　Katherine：　

〃You　are　distraite；　Mademoiselle；　your　thoughts；　they　are　far　away；　are　they　not？〃　

〃Just　as　far　as　England；　no　farther。〃　

Guided　by　a　sudden　impulse；　she　took　the　letter　she　had　received　that　morning　and　handed　it　across　to　him　to　read。　

〃That　is　the　first　word　that　has　e　to　me　from　my　old　life；　somehow　or　other　…　it　hurts。〃　

He　read　it　through　and　then　handed　it　back　to　her。　〃So　you　are　going　back　to　St　Mary　Mead？〃　he　said　slowly。　

〃No；　I　am　not；〃　said　Katherine；　〃why　should　I？〃　

〃Ah；〃　said　Poirot；　〃it　is　my　mistake。　You　will　excuse　me　one　little　minute。〃　

He　strolled　across　to　where　Lenox　Tamplin　was　talking　to　Van　Aldin　and　Knighton。　

The　American　looked　old　and　haggard。　He　greeted　Poirot　with　a　curt　nod　but　without　any　other　sign　of　animation。　

As　he　turned　to　reply　to　some　observation　made　by　Lenox；　Poirot　drew　Knighton　aside。　

〃M。　Van　Aldin　looks　ill；〃　he　said。　

〃Do　you　wonder？〃　asked　Knighton。　〃The　scandal　of　Derek　Kettering's　arrest　has　about　put　the　lid　on　things；　as　far　as　he　is　concerned。　He　is　even　regretting　that　he　asked　you　to　find　out　the　truth。〃　

〃He　should　go　back　to　England；〃　said　Poirot。　

〃We　are　going　the　day　after　tomorrow。〃　

〃That　is　good　news；〃　said　Poirot。　

He　hesitated；　and　looked　across　the　terrace　to　where　Katherine　was　sitting。　

〃I　wish；〃　he　murmured；　〃that　you　could　tell　Miss　Grey　that。〃　

〃Tell　her　what？〃　

〃That　you　…　I　mean　that　M。　Van　Aldin　is　I　returning　to　England。〃　

Knighton　looked　a　little　puzzled；　but　he　readily　crossed　the　terrace　and　joined　Katherine。　

Poirot　saw　him　go　with　a　satisfied　nod　of　the　head；　and　then　joined　Lenox　and　the　American。　After　a　minute　or　two　they　joined　the　others。　Conversation　was　general　for　a　few　minutes；　then　the　millionaire　and　his　secretary　departed。　Poirot　also　prepared　to　take　his　departure。　

〃A　thousand　thanks　for　your　hospitality；　Mesdemoiselles；〃　he　cried；　〃it　has　been　a　most　charming　luncheon。　Ma　foi；　I　needed　it！〃　He　swelled　out　his　chest　and　thumped　it。　〃I　am　now　a　lion　…　a　giant。　Ah；　Mademoiselle　Katherine；　you　have　not　seen　me　as　I　can　be。　You　have　seen　the　gentle；　the　calm　Hercule　Poirot；　but　there　is　another　Hercule　Poirot。　I　go　now　to　bully；　to　threaten；　to　strike　terror　into　the　hearts　of　those　who　listen　to　me。〃　

He　looked　at　them　in　a　self…satisfied　way；　and　they　both　appeared　to　be　duly　impressed；　though　Lenox　was　biting　her　under　lip；　and　the　corners　of　Katherine's　mouth　had　a　suspicious　twitch。　

〃And　I　shall　do　it；〃　he　said　gravely。　〃Oh　yes；　I　shall　succeed。〃　

He　had　gone　but　a　few　steps　when　Katherine's　voice　made　him　turn。　

〃M。　Poirot；　I　…　I　want　to　tell　you。　I　think　you　were　right　in　what　you　said。　I　am　going　back　to　England　almost　immediately。〃　

Poirot　stared　at　her　very　hard；　and　under　the　directness　of　his　scrutiny　she　blushed。　

〃I　see；〃　he　said　gravely。　

〃I　don't　believe　you　do；〃　said　Katherine。　

〃I　know　more　than　you　think；　Mademoiselle；〃　he　said　quietly。　

He　left　her；　with　an　odd　little　smile　upon　his　lips。　Entering　a　waiting　car；　he　drove　to　Antibes。　

Hippolyte；　the　te　de　la　Roche's　wooden…faced　man…servant；　was　busy　at　the　Villa　Marina　polishing　his　master's　beautiful　cut…glass　table。　The　te　de　la　Roche　himself　had　gone　to　Monte　Carlo　for　the　day。　

Chancing　to　look　out　of　the　window；　Hippolyte　espied　a　visitor　walking　briskly　up　to　the　hall　door；　a　visitor　of　so　unmon　a　type　that　Hippolyte；　experienced　as　he　was；　had　some　difficulty　in　placing　him。　Calling　to　his　wife；　Marie；　who　was　busy　in　the　kitchen；　he　drew　her　attention　to　what　he　called　ce　type　là。　

〃It　is　not　the　police　again？〃　said　Marie　anxiously。　

〃Look　for　yourself；〃　said　Hippolyte。　

Marie　looked。　

〃Certainly　not　the　police；〃　she　declared。　〃I　am　glad。〃　

〃They　have　not　really　worried　us　much；〃　said　Hippolyte。　〃In　fact；　but　for　Monsieur　le　te's　warning；　I　should　never　have　guessed　that　stranger　at　the　wine…shop　to　be　what　he　was。〃　

The　hall　bell　pealed　and　Hippolyte；　in　a　grave　and　decorous　manner；　went　to　open　the　door。　

〃M。　le　te；　I　regret　to　say；　is　not　at　home。〃　

The　little　man　with　the　large　moustaches　beamed　placidly。　

〃I　know　that；〃　he　replied。　〃You　are　Hippolyte　Flavelle；　are　you　not？〃　

〃Yes；　Monsieur；　that　is　my　name。〃　

〃And　you　have　a　wife；　Marie　Flavelle？〃　

〃Yes；　Monsieur；　but　…〃　

〃I　desire　to　see　you　both；〃　said　the　stranger；　and　he　stepped　nimbly　past　Hippolyte　into　the　hall。　

〃Your　wife　is　doubtless　in　the　kitchen；〃　he　said。　〃I　will　go　there。〃　

Before　Hippolyte　could　recover　his　breath；　the　other　had　selected　the　right　door　at　the　back　of　the　hall　and　passed　along　the　passage　and　into　the　kitchen；　where　Marie　paused　open…mouthed　to　stare　at　him。　

〃Voilà；〃　said　the　stranger；　and　sank　into　a　wooden　armchair；　〃I　am　Hercule　Poirot。〃　

〃Yes；　Monsieur？〃　

〃You　do　not　know　the　name？〃　

〃I　have　never　heard　it；〃　said　Hippolyte。　

〃Permit　me　to　say　that　you　have　been　badly　educated。　It　is　the　name　of　one　of　the　great　ones　of　this　world。〃　

He　sighed　and　folded　his　hands　across　his　chest。　

Hippolyte　and　Marie　were　staring　at　him　uneasily。　They　were　at　a　loss　what　to　make　of　this　unexpected　and　extremely　strange　visitor。　

〃Monsieur　desires　…〃　murmured　Hippolyte　mechanically。　

〃I　desire　to　know　why　you　have　lied　to　the　police。〃　

〃Monsieur！〃　cried　Hippolyte；　〃I　…　lied　to　the　police？　Never　have　I　done　such　a　thing。〃　

M。　Poirot　shook　his　head。　

〃You　are　wrong；〃　he　said；　〃you　have　done　on　several　occasions。　Let　me　see。〃　He　took　small　notebook　from　his　pocket　and　consulted　it。　〃Ah；　yes；　on　seven　occasions　at　least。　I　will　recite　them　to　you。〃　

In　a　gentle　unemotional　voice　he　proceeded　to　outline　the　seven　occasions。　

Hippolyte　was　taken　aback。　

〃But　it　is　not　of　these　past　lapses　that　I　wish　to　speak；〃　continued　Poirot；　〃only；　my　dear　friend；　do　not　get　into　the　habit　of　thinking　yourself　too　clever。　I　e　now　to　the　particular　lie　in　which　I　am　concerned　…　your　statement　that　the　te　de　la　Roche　arrived　at　this　villa　on　the　morning　of　14th　January。〃　

〃But　that　was　no　lie；　Monsieur；　that　was　the　truth。　Monsieur　le　te　arrived　here　on　the　morning　of　Tuesday；　the　14th。　That　is　so；　Marie；　is　it　not？〃　

Marie　assented　eagerly。　

〃Ah；　yes；　that　is　quite　right。　I　remember　it　perfectly。〃　

〃Ah；〃　said　Poirot；　〃and　what　did　you　give　your　good　master　for　déjeuner　that　day？〃　

〃I　…〃　Marie　paused；　trying　to　collect　herself。　

〃Odd；〃　said　Poirot；　〃how　one　remembers　some　things　…　and　forgets　others。〃　

He　leant　forward　and　struck　the　table　a　blow　with　his　fist；　his　eyes　flashed　with　anger。　

〃Yes；　yes；　it　is　as　I　say。　You　tell　your　lies　and　you　think　nobody　knows。　But　there　are　two　people　who　know。　Yes　…　two　people。　One　is　le　bon　Dieu　…〃　

He　raised　a　hand　to　heaven；　and　then　settling　himself　back　in　his　chair　and　shutting　his　eyelids；　he　murmured　fortably：　

〃And　the　other　is　Hercule　Poirot。〃　

〃I　assure　you；　Monsieur；　you　are　pletely　mistaken。　Monsieur　le　te　left　Paris　on　Monday　night　…〃　

〃True；〃　said　Poirot；　〃by　the　Rapide。　I　do　not　know　where　he　broke　his　journey。　Perhaps　you　do　not　know　that。　What　I　do　know　is　that　he　arrived　here　on　Wednesday　morning；　and　not　on　Tuesday　morning。〃　

〃Monsieur　is　mistaken；〃　said　Marie　stolidly。　

Poirot　rose　to　his　feet。　

〃Then　the　law　must　take　its　course；〃　he　murmured。　〃A　pity。〃　

〃What　do　you　mean；　Monsieur？〃　asked　Marie；　with　a　shade　of　uneasiness。　

〃You　will　be　arrested　and　held　as　acplices　concerned　in　the　murder