快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


Poirot　sat　up　suddenly　in　his　chair。　A　very　faint　green　light　glowed　in　his　eyes。　He　looked　extraordinarily　like　a　sleek；　well…fed　cat。　

〃One　more　question；　M。　Kettering；〃　he　said。　〃Will　you　give　me　the　date　when　you　last　saw　your　wife？〃　

〃Let　me　see；〃　Kettering　reflected。　〃It　must　have　been　–　yes；　over　three　weeks　ago。　I　am　afraid　I　can't　give　you　the　date　exactly。〃　

〃No　matter；〃　said　Poirot　drily；　〃that　is　all　I　wanted　to　know。〃　

〃Well；〃　said　Derek　Kettering　impatiently；　〃anything　further？〃　

He　looked　towards　M。　Carrege。　The　latter　sought　inspiration　from　Poirot；　and　received　it　in　a　very　faint　shake　of　the　head。　

〃No；　M。　Kettering；〃　he　said　politely；　〃no；　I　do　not　think　we　need　trouble　you　any　further。　I　wish　you　good　morning。〃　

〃Good　morning；〃　said　Kettering。　He　went　out；　banging　the　door　behind　him。　

Poirot　leaned　forward　and　spoke　sharply；　as　soon　as　the　young　man　was　out　of　the　room。　〃Tell　me；〃　he　said　peremptorily；　〃when　did　you　speak　of　these　rubies　to　M。　Kettering？〃　

〃I　have　not　spoken　of　them；〃　said　M。　Carrege。　〃It　was　only　yesterday　afternoon　that　we　learnt　about　them　from　M。　Van　Aldin。〃　

〃Yes；　but　there　was　a　mention　of　them　in　the　te's　letter。〃　

M。　Carrege　looked　pained。　

〃Naturally　I　did　not　speak　of　that　letter　to　M。　Kettering；〃　he　said　in　a　shocked　voice。　〃It　would　have　been　most　indiscreet　at　the　present　juncture　of　affairs。〃　

Poirot　leaned　forward　and　tapped　the　table。　

〃Then　how　did　he　know　about　them？〃　he　demanded　softly。　〃Madame　could　not　have　told　him；　for　he　has　not　seen　her　for　three　weeks。　It　seems　unlikely　that　either　M。　Van　Aldin　or　his　secretary　would　have　mentioned　them；　their　interviews　with　him　have　been　on　entirely　different　lines；　and　there　has　not　been　any　hint　or　reference　to　them　in　the　newspapers。〃　

He　got　up　and　took　his　hat　and　stick。　

〃And　yet；〃　he　murmured　to　himself；　〃our　gentleman　knows　all　about　them。　I　wonder　now；　yes；　I　wonder！〃

Chapter　18　

DEREK　LUNCHES

Derek　Kettering　went　straight　to　the　Negresco；　where　he　ordered　a　couple　of　cocktails　and　disposed　of　them　rapidly；　then　he　stared　moodily　out　over　the　dazzling　blue　sea。　He　noted　the　passers…by　mechanically　…　a　damned　dull　crowd；　badly　dressed；　and　painfully　uninteresting；　one　hardly　ever　saw　anything　worth　while　nowadays。　Then　he　corrected　this　last　impression　rapidly；　as　a　woman　placed　herself　at　a　table　a　little　distance　away　from　him。　She　was　wearing　a　marvellous　confection　of　orange　and　black；　with　a　little　hat　that　shaded　her　face。　He　ordered　a　third　cocktail；　again　he　stared　out　to　sea；　and　then　suddenly　he　started。　A　well…known　perfume　assailed　his　nostrils；　and　he　looked　up　to　see　the　orange…and…black　lady　standing　beside　him。　He　saw　her　face　now；　and　recognized　her　…　it　was　Mirelle。　She　was　smiling　that　insolent；　seductive　smile　he　knew　so　well。　

〃Dereek！〃　she　murmured。　〃You　are　pleased　to　see　me；　no？〃　

She　dropped　into　a　seat　the　other　side　of　the　table。　

〃But　wele　me；　then；　stupid　one；〃　she　mocked。　

〃This　is　an　unexpected　pleasure；〃　said　Derek。　〃When　did　you　leave　London？〃　

She　shrugged　her　shoulders。　

〃A　day　or　two　ago。〃　

〃And　the　Parthenon？〃　

〃I　have；　how　do　you　say　it？　…　given　them　the　chuck！〃　

〃Really？〃　

〃You　are　not　very　amiable；　Dereek。〃　

〃Do　you　expect　me　to　be？〃　

Mirelle　lit　a　cigarette　and　puffed　at　it　for　a　few　minutes　before　saying：　

〃You　think；　perhaps；　that　it　is　not　prudent　so　soon？〃　

Derek　stared　at　her；　then　he　shrugged　his　shoulders；　and　remarked　formally：　

〃You　are　lunching　here？〃　

〃Mais　oui。　I　am　lunching　with　you。〃　

〃I　am　extremely　sorry；〃　said　Derek。　〃I　have　a　very　important　engagement。〃　

〃Mon　Dieu！　But　you　men　are　like　children；〃　exclaimed　the　dancer。　〃But　yes；　it's　the　spoilt　child　that　you　act　to　me；　ever　since　that　day　in　London　when　you　flung　yourself　out　of　my　flat；　you　sulk。　Ah！　mais　c'est　inou？！〃　

〃My　dear　girl；〃　said　Derek；　〃I　really　don't　know　what　you　are　talking　about。　We　agreed　in　London　that　rats　desert　a　sinking　ship；　that　is　all　that　there　is　to　be　said。〃　

In　spite　of　his　careless　words；　his　face　looked　haggard　and　strained。　Mirelle　leaned　forward　suddenly。　

〃You　cannot　deceive　me；〃　she　murmured。　〃I　know　…　I　know　what　you　have　done　for　me。〃　

He　looked　up　at　her　sharply。　Some　undercurrent　in　her　voice　arrested　his　attention。　

She　nodded　her　head　at　him。　

〃Ah！　have　no　fear；　I　am　discreet。　You　are　magnificent！　You　have　a　superb　courage；　but；　all　the　same；　it　was　I　who　gave　you　the　idea　that　day；　when　I　said　to　you　in　London　that　accidents　sometimes　happened。　And　you　are　not　in　danger？　The　police　do　not　suspect　you？〃　

〃What　the　devil　…〃　

〃Hush！〃　

She　held　up　a　slim　olive　hand　with　one　big　emerald　on　the　little　finger。　

〃You　are　right；　I　should　not　have　spoken　in　so　a　public　place。　We　will　not　speak　of　the　matter　again；　but　our　troubles　are　ended；　our　life　together　will　be　wonderful　…　wonderful！〃　

Derek　laughed　suddenly　…　a　harsh；　disagreeable　laugh。　

〃So　the　rats　e　back；　do　they？　Two　million　makes　a　difference　…　of　course　it　does。　I　ought　to　have　known　that。〃　He　laughed　again。　〃You　will　help　me　to　spend　that　two　million；　won't　you；　Mirelle？　You　know　how；　no　woman　better。〃　He　laughed　again。　

〃Hush！〃　cried　the　dancer。　〃What　is　the　matter　with　you；　Dereek？　See　…　people　are　turning　to　stare　at　you。〃　

〃Me？　I　will　tell　you　what　is　the　matter。　I　have　finished　with　you；　Mirelle。　Do　you　hear？　Finished！〃　

Mirelle　did　not　take　it　as　he　expected　her　to　do。　She　looked　at　him　for　a　minute　or　two；　and　then　she　smiled　softly。　

〃But　what　a　child！　You　are　angry　…　you　are　sore；　and　all　because　I　am　practical。　Did　I　not　always　tell　you　that　I　adored　you？〃　

She　leaned　forward。　

〃But　I　know　you；　Dereek。　Look　at　me？　…　see；　it　is　Mirelle　who　speaks　to　you。　You　cannot　live　without　her；　you　know　it。　I　loved　you　before；　I　will　love　you　a　hundred　times　more　now。　I　will　make　life　wonderful　for　you　…　but　wonderful。　There　is　no　one　like　Mirelle。〃　Her　eyes　burned　into　his。　She　saw　him　grow　pale　and　draw　in　his　breath；　and　she　smiled　to　herself　contentedly。　She　knew　her　own　magic　and　power　over　men。　

〃That　is　settled；〃　she　said　softly；　and　gave　a　little　laugh。　〃And　now；　Dereek；　will　you　give　me　lunch？〃　

〃No。〃　

He　drew　in　his　breath　sharply　and　rose　to　his　feet。　

〃I　am　sorry；　but　I　told　you　…　I　have　got　an　engagement。〃　

〃You　are　lunching　with　someone　else？　Bah！　I　don't　believe　it。〃　

〃I　am　lunching　with　that　lady　over　there。〃　

He　crossed　abruptly　to　where　a　lady　in　white　had　just　e　up　the　steps。　He　addressed　her　a　little　breathlessly。　

〃Miss　Grey；　will　you　…　will　you　have　lunch　with　me？　You　met　me　at　Lady　Tamplin's；　if　you　remember。〃　

Katherine　looked　at　him　for　a　minute　or　so　with　those　thoughtful　grey　eyes　that　said　so　much。　

〃Thank　you；〃　she　said；　after　a　moment's　pause；　〃I　should　like　to　very　much。〃

Chapter　19　

AN　UNEXPECTED　VISITOR

The　te　de　la　Roche　had　just　finished　déjeuner；　consisting　of　an　omelette　fines　herbes；　an　entrec？te　Bearnaise；　and　a　Savarin　au　Rhum。　Wiping　his　fine　black　moustache　delicately　with　his　table　napkin；　the　te　rose　from　the　table。　He　passed　through　the　salon　of　the　villa；　noting　with　appreciation　the　few　objets　d'art　which　were　carelessly　scattered　about。　The　Louis　XV　snuff…box；　the　satin　shoe　worn　by　Marie　Antoite；　and　the　other　historic　trifles　were　part　of　the　te's　mise　en　scene。　They　were；　he　would　explain　to　his　fair　visitors；　heirlooms　in　his　family。　Passing　through　on　to　the　terrace；　the　te　looked　out　on　the　Mediterranean　with　an　unseeing　eye。　He　was　in　no　mood　for　appreciating　the　beauties　of　scenery。　A　fully　matured　scheme　had　been　rudely　brought　to　naught；　and　his　plans　had　to　be　cast　afresh。　Stretching　himself　out　in　a　basket　chair；　a　cigarette　held　between　his　white　fingers；　the　te　pondered　deeply。　

Presently　Hippolyte；　his　manservant；　brought　out　coffee　and　a　choice　of　liqueurs。　The　te　selected　some　very　fine　old　brandy。　

As　the　man…servant　was　preparing　to　depart；　the　te　arrested　him　with　a　slight　gesture。　Hippolyte　stood　respectfully　to　attention。　

His　countenance　was　hardly　a　prepossessing　one；　but　the　correctitude　of　his　demeanour　went　far　to　obliterate　the　fact。　

He　was　now　the　picture　of　respectful　attention。　

〃It　is　possible；〃　said　the　te；　〃that　in　the　course　of　the　next　few　days　various　strangers　may　e　to　the　house。　They　will　endeavour　to　scrape　acquaintance　with　you　and　with　Marie。　They　will　probably　ask　you　various　questions　concerning　me。〃　

〃Yes；　Monsieur　le　te。〃　

〃Perhaps　this　has　already　happened？〃　

〃No；　Monsieur　le　te。〃　

〃There　have　been　no　strangers　about　the　place？　You　are　certain？〃　

〃There　has　been　no　one；　Monsieur　le　te。〃　

〃That　is　well；〃　said　the　te　drily；　〃nevertheless　they　will　e　…　I　am　sure　of　it。　They　will　ask　questions。〃　

Hippolyte　looked　at　his　master　in　intelligent　anticipation。　

The　te　spoke　slowly；　without　looking　at　Hippolyte。　

〃As　you　know；　I　arrived　here　last　Tuesday　morning。　If　the　police　or　any　other　inquirer　should　question　you；　do　not　forget　that　fact。　I　arrived　on　Tuesday；　the　14th　…　not　Wednesday；　the　15th。　You　understand？〃　

〃Perfectly；　Monsieur　le　te。〃　

〃In　an　affair　where　a　lady　is　concerned；　it　is　always　necessary　to　be　discreet。　I　feel　certain；　Hippolyte；　that　you　can　be　discreet。〃　

〃I　can　be　discreet；　Monsieur。〃　

〃And　Marie？〃　

〃Marie　also。　I　will　answer　for　her。〃　

〃That　is　well　then；〃　murmured　the　te。　

When　Hippolyte　had　withdrawn；　the　te　sipped　his　black　coffee　with　a　reflective　air。　Occasionally　he　frowned；　once　he　shook　his　head　slightly；　twice　he　nodded　it　…　into　the　midst　of　these　cogitations　came　Hippolyte　once　more。　

〃A　lady；　Monsieur。〃　

〃A　lady？〃　

The　te　was　surprised。　Not　that　a　visit　from　a　lady　was　an　unusual　thing　at　the　Villa　Marina；　but　at　this　particular　moment　the　te　could　not　think　who　the　lady　was　likely　to　be。　

〃She　is；　I　think；　a　lady　not　known　to　Monsieur；〃　murmured　the　valet　helpfully。　

The　te　was　more　and　more　intrigued。　

〃Show　her　out　here；　Hippolyte；〃　he　manded。　

A　moment　later　a　marvellous　vision　in　orange　and　black　stepped　out　on　the　terrace；　acpanied　by　a　strong　perfume　of　exotic　blossoms。　

〃Monsieur　le　te　de　la　Roche？〃　

〃At　your　service；　Mademoiselle；〃　said　the　te；　bowing。　

〃My　name　is　Mirelle。　You　may　have　heard　of　me。〃　

〃Ah；　indeed；　Mademoiselle；　but　who　has　not　been　enchanted　by　the　dancing　of　Mademoiselle　Mirelle？　Exquisite！〃　

The　dancer　acknowledged　this　pliment　with　a　brief　mechanical　smile。　

〃My　descent　upon　you　is　unceremonious；〃　she　began。　

〃But　seat　yourself；　I　beg　of　you；　Mademoiselle；〃　cried　the　te；　bringing　forward　a　chair。　

Behind　the　gallantry　of　his　manner　he　was　observing　her　narrowly。　There　were　very　few　things　that　the　te　did　not　know　about　women。　True；　his　experience　had　not　lain　much　in　ladies　of　Mirelle's　class；　who　were　themselves　predatory。　He　and　the　dancer　were；　in　a　sense；　birds　of　a　feather。　His　arts；　the　te　knew；　would　be　thrown　away　on　Mirelle。　She　was　a　Parisienne；　and　a　shrewd　one。　Nevertheless；　there　was　one　thing　that　the　te　could　recognize　infallibly　when　he　saw　it。　He　knew　at　once　that　he　was　in　the　presence　of　a　very　angry　woman；　and　an　angry　woman；　as　the　te　was　well　aware；　always　says　more　than　is　prudent；　and　is　occasionally　a　source　of　profit　to　a　level…headed　gentleman　who　keeps　cool。　

〃It　is　most　amiable　of　you；　Mademoiselle；　to　honour　my　poor　abode　thus。〃　

〃We　have　mutual　friends　in　Paris；〃　said　Mirelle。　〃I　have　heard　of　you　from　them；　but　I　e　to　see　you　today　for　another　reason。　I　have　heard　of　you　since　I　came　to　Nice　…　in　a　different　way；　you　understand。〃　

〃Ah？〃　said　the　te　softly。　

〃I　will　be　brutal；〃　continued　the　dancer；　〃nevertheless；　believe　that　I　have　your　welfare　at　heart。　They　are　saying　in　Nice；　Monsieur　le　te；　that　you　are　the　murderer　of　the　English　lady；　Madame　Kettering。〃　

〃I　…　the　murderer　of　Madame　Kettering？　Pah！　But　how　absurd！〃　

He　spoke　more　languidly　than　indignantly；　knowing　that　he　would　thus　provoke　her　further。　

〃But　yes；〃　she　insisted；　〃it　is　as　I　tell　you。〃　

〃It　amuses　people　to　talk；〃　murmured　the　te　indifferently。　〃It　would　be　beneath　me　to　take　such　wild　accusations　seriously。〃　

〃You　do　not　understand。〃　Mirelle　bent　for