蓝色特快上的秘密-蓝色列车之谜-蓝色列车(英文版)-第23部分

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〃You　will　be　arrested　and　held　as　acplices　concerned　in　the　murder　of　Mrs　Kettering；　the　English　lady　who　was　killed。〃　

〃Murder！〃　

The　man's　face　had　gone　chalk　white；　his　knees　knocked　together。　Marie　dropped　the　rolling…pin　and　began　to　weep。　

〃But　it　is　impossible　…　impossible。　I　thought　…〃　

〃Since　you　stick　to　your　story；　there　is　nothing　to　be　said。　I　think　you　are　both　foolish。〃　

He　was　turning　towards　the　door　when　an　agitated　voice　arrested　him。　

〃Monsieur；　Monsieur；　just　a　little　moment。　I　…　I　had　no　idea　that　it　was　anything　of　this　kind。　I　…　I　thought　it　was　just　a　matter　concerning　a　lady。　There　have　been　little　awkwardnesses　with　the　police　over　ladies　before。　But　murder　…　that　is　very　different。〃　

〃I　have　no　patience　with　you；〃　cried　Poirot。　He　turned　round　on　them　and　angrily　shook　his　fist　in　Hippolyte's　face。　〃Am　I　to　stop　here　all　day；　arguing　with　a　couple　of　imbeciles　thus？　It　is　the　truth　I　want。　If　you　will　not　give　it　to　me；　that　is　your　look　out。　For　the　last　time；　when　did　Monsieur　le　te　arrive　at　the　Villa　Marina　…　Tuesday　morning　or　Wednesday　morning？〃　

〃Wednesday；〃　gasped　the　man；　and　behind　him　Marie　nodded　confirmation。　

Poirot　regarded　them　for　a　minute　or　two；　then　inclined　his　head　gravely。　

〃You　are　wise；　my　children；〃　he　said　quietly。　〃Very　nearly　you　were　in　serious　trouble。〃　

He　left　the　Villa　Marina；　smiling　to　himself。　

〃One　guess　confirmed；〃　he　murmured　to　himself。　〃Shall　I　take　a　chance　on　the　other？〃　

It　was　six　o'clock　when　the　card　of　Monsieur　Hercule　Poirot　was　brought　up　to　Mirelle。　

She　stared　at　it　for　a　moment　or　two；　and　then　nodded。　When　Poirot　entered；　he　found　her　walking　up　and　down　the　room　feverishly。　She　turned　on　him　furiously。　

〃Well？〃　she　cried。　〃Well？　What　is　it　now？　Have　you　not　tortured　me　enough；　all　of　you？　Have　you　not　made　me　betray　my　poor　Dereek？　What　more　do　you　want？〃　

〃Just　one　little　question；　Mademoiselle。　After　the　train　left　Lyons；　when　you　entered　Mrs　Kettering's　partment　…〃　

〃What　is　that？〃　

Poirot　looked　at　her　with　an　air　of　mild　reproach　and　began　again。　

〃I　say　when　you　entered　Mrs　Kettering's　partment　…〃　

〃I　never　did。〃　

〃And　found　her　…〃　

〃I　never　did。〃　

〃Ah；　sacré！〃　

He　turned　on　her　in　a　rage　and　shouted　at　her；　so　that　she　cowered　back　before　him。　

〃Will　you　lie　to　me？　I　tell　you　I　know　what　happened　as　well　as　though　I　had　been　there。　You　went　into　her　partment　and　you　found　her　dead。　I　tell　you　I　know　it。　To　lie　to　me　is　dangerous。　Be　careful；　Mademoiselle　Mirelle。〃　

Her　eyes　wavered　beneath　his　gaze　and　fell。　

〃I　…　I　didn't　…〃　she　began　uncertainly　and　stopped。　

〃There　is　only　one　thing　about　which　I　wonder；〃　said　Poirot。　〃I　wonder；　Mademoiselle；　if　you　found　what　you　were　looking　for　or　whether　…〃　

〃Whether　what？〃　

〃Or　whether　someone　else　had　been　before　you。〃　

〃I　ed　the　dancer。　She　tore　herself　away　from　Poirot's　restraining　hand；　and　flinging　herself　down　on　the　floor　in　a　frenzy；　she　screamed　and　sobbed。　A　frightened　maid　came　rushing　in。　

Hercule　Poirot　shrugged　his　shoulders；　raised　his　eyebro。　

But　he　seemed　satisfied。

Chapter　30　

MISS　VINER　GIVES　JUDGMENT

Katherine　looked　out　of　Miss　Viner's　bedroom　window。　It　was　raining；　not　violently；　but　with　a　quiet；　well…bred　persistence。　The　window　looked　out　on　a　strip　of　front　garden　with　a　path　down　to　the　gate　and　neat　little　flower…beds　on　either　side；　where　later　roses　and　pinks　and　blue　hyacinths　would　bloom。　Miss　Viner　was　lying　in　a　large　Victorian　bedstead。　A　tray　with　the　remains　of　breakfast　had　been　pushed　to　one　side　and　she　was　busy　opening　her　correspondence　and　making　various　caustic　ments　upon　it。　

Katherine　had　an　open　letter　in　her　hand　and　was　reading　it　through　for　the　second　time。　It　was　dated　from　the　Ritz　Hotel；　Paris。
〃Chère　Mademoiselle　Katherine　（it　began）；
〃I　trust　that　you　are　in　good　health　and　that　the　return　to　the　English　winter　has　not　proved　too　depressing。　Me；　I　prosecute　my　inquiries　with　the　utmost　diligence。　Do　not　think　that　it　is　the　holiday　that　I　take　here。　Very　shortly　I　shall　be　in　England；　and　I　hope　then　to　have　the　pleasure　of　meeting　you　once　more。　It　shall　be　so；　shall　it　not？　On　arrival　in　London　I　shall　write　to　you。　You　remember　that　we　are　the　colleagues　in　this　affair？　But　indeed　I　think　you　know　that　very　well。　

〃Be　assured；　Mademoiselle；　of　my　most　respectful　and　devoted　sentiments。
〃Hercule　Poirot。〃
Katherine　frowned　slightly。　It　was　as　though　something　in　the　letter　puzzled　and　intrigued　her。　

〃A　choir　boys'　picnic　indeed；〃　came　from　Miss　Viner。　〃Tommy　Saunders　and　Albert　Dykes　ought　to　be　left　behind；　and　I　shan't　subscribe　to　it　unless　they　are。　What　those　two　boys　think　they　are　doing　in　church　on　Sundays　I　don't　know。　Tommy　sang；　'O　God；　make　speed　to　save　us；'　and　never　opened　his　lips　again；　and　if　Albert　Dykes　wasn't　sucking　a　mint　humbug；　my　nose　is　not　what　it　is　and　always　has　been。〃　

〃I　know；　they　are　awful；〃　agreed　Katherine。　

She　opened　her　second　letter；　and　a　sudden　flush　came　to　her　cheeks。　Miss　Viner's　voice　in　the　room　seemed　to　recede　into　the　far　distance。　

When　she　came　back　to　a　sense　of　her　surroundings　Miss　Viner　was　bringing　a　long　speech　to　a　triumphant　termination。　

〃And　I　said　to　her；　'Not　at　all。　As　it　happens；　Miss　Grey　is　Lady　Tamplin's　own　cousin。'　What　do　you　think　of　that？〃　

〃Were　you　fighting　my　battles　for　me？　That　was　very　sweet　of　you。〃　

〃You　can　put　it　that　way　if　you　like。　There　is　nothing　to　me　in　a　title。　Vicar's　wife　or　no　vicar's　wife；　that　woman　is　a　cat。　Hinting　you　had　bought　your　way　into　Society。〃　

〃Perhaps　she　was　not　so　very　far　wrong。〃　

〃And　look　at　you；〃　continued　Miss　Viner。　〃Have　you　e　back　a　stuck…up　fine　lady；　as　well　you　might　have　done？　No；　there　you　are；　as　sensible　as　ever　you　were；　with　a　pair　of　good　Balbriggan　stockings　on　and　sensible　shoes。　I　spoke　to　Ellen　about　it　only　yesterday。　'Ellen；'　I　said；　'you　look　at　Miss　Grey。　She　has　been　hobnobbing　with　some　of　the　greatest　in　the　land；　and　does　she　go　about　as　you　do　with　skirts　up　to　her　knees　and　silk　stockings　that　ladder　when　you　look　at　them；　and　the　most　ridiculous　shoes　that　ever　I　set　eyes　on'。〃　

Katherine　smiled　a　little　to　herself；　it　had　apparently　been　worth　while　to　conform　to　Miss　Viner's　prejudices。　The　old　lady　went　on　with　increasing　gusto。　

〃It　has　been　a　great　relief　to　me　that　you　have　not　had　your　head　turned。　Only　the　other　day　I　was　looking　for　my　cuttings。　I　have　several　about　Lady　Tamplin　and　her　War　Hospital　and　what　not；　but　I　cannot　lay　my　hand　upon　them。　I　wish　you　would　look；　my　dear；　your　eyesight　is　better　than　mine。　They　are　all　in　a　box　in　the　bureau　drawer。〃　

Katherine　glanced　down　at　the　letter　in　her　hand　and　was　about　to　speak；　but　checked　herself；　and　going　over　to　the　bureau　found　the　box　of　cuttings　and　began　to　look　over　them。　Since　her　return　to　St　Mary　Mead　her　heart　had　gone　out　to　Miss　Viner　in　admiration　of　the　old　woman's　stoicism　and　pluck。　She　felt　that　there　was　little　she　could　do　for　her　old　friend；　but　she　knew　from　experience　how　much　those　seemingly　small　trifles　meant　to　old　people。　

〃Here　is　one；〃　she　said　presently。　〃'Viscountess　Tamplin；　who　is　running　her　villa　at　Nice　as　an　Officers'　Hospital；　has　just　been　the　victim　of　a　sensational　robbery；　her　jewels　having　been　stolen。　Amongst　them　were　some　very　famous　emeralds；　heirlooms　of　the　Tamplin　family。'〃　

〃Probably　paste；〃　said　Miss　Viner；　〃a　lot　of　these　Society　women's　jewels　are。〃　

〃Here　is　another；〃　said　Katherine。　〃A　picture　of　her；　'A　charming　camera　study　of　Viscountess　Tamplin　with　her　little　daughter　Lenox。'〃　

〃Let　me　look；〃　said　Miss　Viner。　〃You　can't　see　much　of　the　child's　face；　can　you？　But　I　dare　say　that　is　just　as　well。　Things　go　by　contraries　in　this　world　and　beautiful　mothers　have　hideous　children。　I　dare　say　the　photographer　realized　that　to　take　the　back　of　the　child's　head　was　the　best　thing　he　could　do　for　her。〃　

Katherine　laughed。　

〃'One　of　the　smartest　hostesses　on　the　Riviera　this　season　is　Viscountess　Tamplin；　who　has　a　villa　at　Cap　Martin。　Her　cousin；　Miss　Grey；　who　recently　inherited　a　vast　fortune　in　a　most　romantic　manner；　is　staying　with　her　there。'〃　

〃That　is　the　one　I　wanted；〃　said　Miss　Viner。　〃I　expect　there　has　been　a　picture　of　you　in　one　of　the　papers　that　I　have　missed；　you　know　the　kind　of　thing。　Mrs　Somebody　or　other　Jones…Williams；　at　the　something　or　other　point…to…point；　usually　carrying　a　shooting…stick　and　having　one　foot　lifted　up　in　the　air。　It　must　be　a　trial　to　some　of　them　to　see　what　they　look　like。〃　

Katherine　did　not　answer。　She　was　smoothing　out　the　cutting　with　her　finger；　and　her　face　had　a　puzzled；　worried　look。　Then　she　drew　the　second　letter　out　of　its　envelope　and　mastered　its　contents　once　more。　She　turned　to　her　friend。　

〃Miss　Viner？　I　wonder　…　there　is　a　friend　of　mine；　someone　I　met　on　the　Riviera；　who　wants　very　much　to　e　down　and　see　me　here？〃　

〃A　man；〃　said　Miss　Viner。　

〃Yes。〃　

〃Who　is　he？〃　

〃He　is　secretary　to　Mr　Van　Aldin；　the　American　millionaire。〃　

〃What　is　his　name？〃　

〃Knighton；　Major　Knighton。〃　

〃Hm　…　secretary　to　a　millionaire。　And　wants　to　e　down　here。　Now；　Katherine；　I　am　going　to　say　something　to　you　for　your　own　good。　You　are　a　nice　girl　and　a　sensible　girl；　and　though　you　have　your　head　screwed　on　the　right　way　about　most　things；　every　woman　makes　a　fool　of　herself　once　in　her　life。　Ten　to　one　what　this　man　is　after　is　your　money。〃　

With　a　gesture　she　arrested　Katherine's　reply。　〃I　have　been　waiting　for　something　of　this　kind。　What　is　a　secretary　to　a　millionaire？　Nine　times　out　of　ten　it　is　a　young　man　who　likes　living　soft。　A　young　man　with　nice　manners　and　a　taste　for　luxury　and　no　brains　and　no　enterprise；　and　if　there　is　anything　that　is　a　softer　job　than　being　a　secretary　to　a　millionaire　it　is　marrying　a　rich　woman　for　her　money。　I　am　not　saying　that　you　might　not　be　some　man's　fancy。　But　you　are　not　young；　and　though　you　have　a　very　good　plexion　you　are　not　a　beauty；　and　what　I　say　to　you　is；　don't　make　a　fool　of　yourself；　but　if　you　are　determined　to　do　so；　do　see　that　your　money　is　properly　tied　up　on　yourself。　There；　now　I　have　finished。　What　have　you　got　to　say？〃　

〃Nothing；〃　said　Katherine；　〃but　would　you　mind　if　he　did　e　down　to　see　me？〃　

〃I　wash　my　hands　of　it；〃　said　Miss　Viner。　〃I　have　done　my　duty；　and　whatever　happens　now　is　on　your　own　head。　Would　you　like　him　to　lunch　or　to　dinner？　I　dare　say　Ellen　could　manage　dinner　…　that　is；　if　she　didn't　lose　her　head。〃　

〃Lunch　would　be　very　nice；〃　said　Katherine。　〃It　is　awfully　kind　of　you；　Miss　Viner。　He　asked　me　to　ring　him　up；　so　I　will　do　so　and　say　that　we　shall　be　pleased　if　he　will　lunch　with　us。　He　will　motor　down　from　town。〃　

〃Ellen　does　a　steak　with　grilled　tomatoes　pretty　fairly；〃　said　Miss　Viner。　〃She　doesn't　do　it　well；　but　she　does　it　better　than　anything　else。　It　is　no　good　having　a　tart　because　she　is　heavy　handed　with　pastry；　but　her　little　castle　puddings　are　not　bad；　and　I　dare　say　you　could　find　a　nice　piece　of　Stilton　at　Abbot's。　I　have　always　heard　that　gentlemen　like　a　nice　piece　of　Stilton；　and　there　is　a　good　deal　of　father's　wine　left；　a　bottle　of　sparkling　Moselle；　perhaps。〃　

〃Oh　no；　Miss　Viner；　that　is　really　not　necessary。〃　

〃Nonsense；　my　child。　No　gentleman　is　happy　unless　he　drinks　something　with　his　meal。　There　is　some　good　pre…war　whisky　if　you　think　he　would　prefer　that。　Now　do　as　I　say　and　don't　argue。　The　key　of　the　wine…cellar　is　in　the　third　drawer　down　in　the　dressing…table；　in　the　second　pair　of　stockings　on　the　left…hand　side。〃　

Katherine　went　obediently　to　the　spot　indicated。　

〃The　second　pair；　now　mind；〃　said　Miss　Viner。　〃The　first　pair　has　my　diamond　earrings　and　my　filigree　brooch　in　it。〃　

〃Oh；〃　said　Katherine；　rather　taken　aback；　〃wouldn't　you　like　them　put　in　your　jewel…case？〃　

Miss　Viner　gave　vent　to　a　terrific　and　prolonged　snort。　

〃No；　indeed！　I　have　much　too　much　sense　for　that　sort　of　thing；　thank　you。　Dear；　dear；　I　well　remember　how　my　poor　father　had　a　safe　built　in　downstairs。　Pleased　as　Punch　he　was　with　it；　and　he　said　to　my　mother；　'Now；　Mary；　you　bring　me　your　jewels　in　their　case　every　night　and　I　will　lock　them　away　for　you。'　My　mother　was　a　very　tactful　woman；　and　she　knew　that　gentlemen　like　having　their　own　way；　and　she　brought　him　the　jewel…case　locked　up　just　as　he　said。　

〃And　one　night　burglars　broke　in；　and　of　course　…　naturally　…　the　first　thing　they　went　for　was　the　safe！　It　would　be；　with　my　father　talking　up　and　down　the　village　and　bragging　about　it　until　you　might　have　thought　he　kept　all　King　Solomon's　diamonds　there。　They　made　a　clean　sweep；　got　the　tankards；　the　silver　cups；　and　the　presentation　gold　plate　that　my　father　had　had　presented　to　him；　and　the　jewel…case。〃　

She　sighed　reminiscently。　〃My　father　was　in　a　great　state　over　my　mother's　jewels。　There　was　the　Veian　set　and　some　very　fine　cameos；　and　some　pale　pink　corals；　and　two　diamond　rings　with　quite　large　stones　in　them。　And　then；　of　course；　she　had　to　tell　him　that；　being　a　sensible　woman；　she　had　kept　her　jewellery　rolled　up　in　a　pair　of　corsets；　and　there　it　was　still　as　safe　as　anything。〃　

〃And　the　jepty？〃　

〃Oh　no；　dear；〃　said　Miss　Viner；　〃it　would　have　been　too　light　a　weight　then。　My　mother　was　a　very　intelligent　woman；　she　saw　to　that。　She　kept　her　buttons　in　the　jewel…case；　and　a　very　handy　place　it　was。　Boot　buttons　in　the　top　tray；　trouser　buttons　in　the　second　tray；　and　assorted　buttons　below。　Curiously　enough；　my　father　was　quite　annoyed　with　her。　He　said　he　didn't　like　deceit。　But　I　mustn't　go　chattering　on；　you　want　to　go　and　ring　up　your　friend；　and　mind　you　choose　a　nice　piece　of　steak；　and　tell　Ellen　she　is　not　to　have　holes　in　her　stockings　when　she　waits　at　lunch。〃　

〃Is　her　name　Ellen　or　Helen；　Miss　Viner？　I　thought　…〃　

Miss　Viner　closed　her　eyes。　

〃I　can　sound　my　h's；　dear；　as　well　as　anyone；　but　Helen　is　not　a　suitable　name　for　a　servant。　I　don't　know　what　the　mothers　in　the　lower　classes　are　ing　to　nowadays。〃　

The　rain　had　cleared　away　when　Knighton　arrived　at　the　cottage。　The　pale　fitful　sunshine　shone　down　on　it　and　burnished　Katherine's　head　as　she　stood　in　the　doorway　to　wele　him。　He　came　up　to　her　quickly；　almost　boyishly。　

〃I　say；　I　hope　you　don't　mind。　I　simply　had　to　see　you　again　soon。　I　hope　the　friend　you　are　staying　with　does　not　mind。〃　

〃e　in　and　make　friends　with　her；〃　said　Katherine。　〃She　can　be　most　alarming；　but　you　will　soon　find　that　she　has　the　softest　heart　in　the　world。〃　

Miss　Viner　was　enthroned　majestically　in　the　drawing…room；　wearing　a　plete　set　of　the　cameos　which　had　been　so　providentially　preserved　in　the　family。　She　greeted　Knighton　with　dignity　and　an　austere　politeness　which　would　have　damped　many　men。　Knighton；　however；　had　a　charm　of　manner　which　was　not　easily　set　aside；　and　after　about　ten　minutes　Miss　Viner　thawed　perceptibly。　Luncheon　was　a　merry　meal；　and　Ellen；　or　Helen；　in　a　new　pair　of　silk　stockings　devoid　of　ladders　performed　prodigies　of　waiting。　Afterwards；　Katherine　and　Knighton　went　for　a　walk　and　they　came　back　to　have　tea　tête…а…tête；　since　Miss　Viner　had　gone　to　lie　down。　

When　the　car　had　finally　driven　off　Katherine　went　slo