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ations　seriously。〃　

〃You　do　not　understand。〃　Mirelle　bent　forward；　her　dark　eyes　flashing。　〃It　is　not　the　idle　talk　of　those　in　the　streets。　It　is　the　police。〃　

〃The　police　…　ah？〃　

The　te　sat　up；　alert　once　more。　

Mirelle　nodded　her　head　vigorously　several　times。　

〃Yes；　yes。　You　prehend　me　…　I　have　friends　everywhere。　The　Prefect　himself　…〃　

She　left　the　sentence　unfinished；　with　an　eloquent　shrug　of　the　shoulders。　

〃Who　is　not　indiscreet　where　a　beautiful　woman　is　concerned？〃　murmured　the　Count　politely。　

〃The　police　believe　that　you　killed　Mrs　Kettering。　But　they　are　wrong。〃　

〃Certainly　they　are　wrong；〃　agreed　the　te　easily。　

〃You　say　that；　but　you　do　not　know　the　truth。　I　do。〃　

The　te　looked　at　her　curiously。　

〃You　know　who　killed　Madame　Kettering？　Is　that　what　you　would　say；　Mademoiselle？〃　

Mirelle　nodded　vehemently。　

〃Yes。〃　

〃Who　was　it？〃　asked　the　te　sharply。　

〃Her　husband。〃　She　bent　nearer　to　the　te；　speaking　in　a　low　voice　that　vibrated　with　anger　and　excitement。　〃It　was　her　husband　who　killed　her。〃　

The　te　leant　back　in　his　chair。　His　face　was　a　mask。　

〃Let　me　ask　you；　Mademoiselle　…　how　do　you　know　this？〃　

〃How　do　I　know　it？〃　Mirelle　sprang　to　her　feet；　with　a　laugh。　〃He　boasted　of　it　beforehand。　He　was　ruined；　bankrupt；　dishonoured。　Only　the　death　of　his　wife　could　save　him。　He　told　me　so。　He　travelled　on　the　same　train　…　but　she　was　not　to　know　it。　Why　was　that；　I　ask　you？　So　that　he　might　creep　upon　her　in　the　night　…　Ah！　…〃　she　shut　her　eyes　…　〃I　can　see　it　happening。。。〃　

The　Count　coughed。　

〃Perhaps　…　perhaps；〃　he　murmured。　〃But　surely；　Mademoiselle；　in　that　case　he　would　not　steal　the　jewels？〃　

〃The　jewels！〃　breathed　Mirelle。　〃The　jewels。　Ah！　Those　rubies。。。〃　

Her　eyes　grew　misty；　a　far…away　light　in　them。　The　te　looked　at　her　curiously；　wondering　for　the　hundredth　time　at　the　magical　influence　of　precious　stones　on　the　female　sex。　He　recalled　her　to　practical　matters。　

〃What　do　you　want　me　to　do；　Mademoiselle？〃　

Mirelle　became　alert　and　businesslike　once　more。　

〃Surely　it　is　simple。　You　will　go　to　the　police。　You　will　say　to　them　that　M。　Kettering　mitted　this　crime。〃　

〃And　if　they　do　not　believe　me？　If　they　ask　for　proof？〃　He　was　eyeing　her　closely。　

Mirelle　laughed　softly；　and　drew　her　orange…and…black　wrap　closer　round　her。　

〃Send　them　to　me；　Monsieur　le　te；〃　she　said　softly；　〃I　will　give　them　the　proof　they　want。〃　

Upon　that　she　was　gone；　an　impetuous　whirlwind；　her　errand　acplished。　

The　te　looked　after　her；　his　eyebrows　delicately　raised。　

〃She　is　in　a　fury；〃　he　murmured。　〃What　has　happened　now　to　upset　her？　But　she　shows　her　hand　too　plainly。　Does　she　really　believe　that　Mr　Kettering　killed　his　wife？　She　would　like　me　to　believe　it。　She　would　even　like　the　police　to　believe　it。〃　

He　smiled　to　himself。　He　had　no　intention　whatsoever　of　going　to　the　police。　He　saw　various　other　possibilities；　to　judge　by　his　smile；　an　agreeable　vista　of　them。　

Presently；　however；　his　brow　clouded。　According　to　Mirelle；　he　was　suspected　by　the　police。　That　might　be　true　or　it　might　not。　

An　angry　woman　of　the　type　of　the　dancer　was　not　likely　to　bother　about　the　strict　veracity　of　her　statements。　On　the　other　hand；　she　might　easily　have　obtained　inside　information。　

In　that　case　…　his　mouth　set　grimly　…　in　that　case　he　must　take　certain　precautions。　

He　went　into　the　house　and　questioned　Hippolyte　closely　once　more　as　to　whether　any　strangers　had　been　to　the　house。　The　valet　was　positive　in　his　assurances　that　this　was　not　the　case。　The　te　went　up　to　his　bedroom　and　crossed　over　to　an　old　bureau　that　stood　against　the　wall。　He　let　down　the　lid　of　this；　and　his　delicate　fingers　sought　a　spring　at　the　back　of　one　of　the　pigeonholes。　

A　secret　drawer　flew　out；　in　it　was　a　small　brown　paper　package。　The　te　took　this　out　and　weighed　it　in　his　hand　carefully　for　a　minute　or　two。　Raising　his　hand　to　his　head；　with　a　slight　grimace　he　pulled　out　a　single　hair。　This　he　placed　on　the　lip　of　the　drawer　and　shut　it　carefully。　Still　carrying　the　small　parcel　in　his　hand；　he　went　downstairs　and　out　of　the　house　to　the　garage；　where　stood　a　scarlet　two…seater　car。　Ten　minutes　later　he　had　taken　the　road　for　Monte　Carlo。　

He　spent　a　few　hours　at　the　Casino；　then　sauntered　out　into　the　town。　Presently　he　reentered　the　car　and　drove　off　in　the　direction　of　Mentone。　Earlier　in　the　afternoon　he　had　noticed　an　inconspicuous　grey　car　some　little　distance　behind　him。　He　noticed　it　again　now。　He　smiled　to　himself。　The　road　was　climbing　steadily　upwards。　The　te's　foot　pressed　hard　on　the　accelerator。　The　little　red　car　had　been　specially　built　to　the　te's　design；　and　had　a　far　more　powerful　engine　than　would　have　been　suspected　from　its　appearance。　It　shot　ahead。　

Presently　he　looked　back　and　smiled；　the　grey　car　was　following　behind。　Smothered　in　dust；　the　little　red　car　leaped　along　the　road。　It　was　travelling　now　at　a　dangerous　pace；　but　the　te　was　a　first…class　driver。　

Now　they　were　going　downhill；　twisting　and　curving　unceasingly。　Presently　the　car　slackened　speed；　and　finally　came　to　a　standstill　before　a　Bureau　de　Poste。　The　te　jumped　out；　lifted　the　lid　of　the　tool　chest；　extracted　the　small　brown　paper　parcel　and　hurried　into　the　post　office。　Two　minutes　later　he　was　driving　once　more　in　the　direction　of　Mentone。　When　the　grey　car　arrived　there；　the　te　was　drinking　English　five　o'clock　tea　on　the　terrace　of　one　of　the　hotels。　

Later；　he　drove　back　to　Monte　Carlo；　dined　there；　and　reached　home　once　more　at　eleven　o'clock。　Hippolyte　came　out　to　meet　him　with　a　disturbed　face。　

〃Ah！　Monsieur　le　te　has　arrived。　Monsieur　le　te　did　not　telephone　me；　by　any　chance？〃　

The　te　shook　his　head。　

〃And　yet　at　three　o'clock　I　received　a　summons　from　Monsieur　le　te；　to　present　myself　to　him　at　Nice；　at　the　Negresco。〃　

〃Really；〃　said　the　te；　〃and　you　went？〃　

〃Certainly；　Monsieur；　but　at　the　Negresco　they　knew　nothing　of　Monsieur　le　te　…　he　had　not　been　there。〃　

〃Ah〃　said　the　te；　〃doubtless　at　that　hour　Marie　was　out　doing　her　afternoon　marketing？〃　

〃That　is　so；　Monsieur　le　te。〃　

〃Ah；　well；〃　said　the　te；　〃it　is　of　no　importance。　A　mistake。〃　

He　went　upstairs；　smiling　to　himself。　

Once　within　his　own　room；　he　bolted　his　door　and　looked　sharply　round。　Everything　seemed　as　usual。　He　opened　various　drawers　and　cupboards。　Then　he　nodded　to　himself。　

Things　had　been　replaced　almost　exactly　as　he　had　left　them；　but　not　quite。　It　was　evident　that　a　very　thorough　search　had　been　made。　

He　went　over　to　the　bureau　and　pressed　the　hidden　spring。　The　drawer　flew　open；　but　the　hair　was　no　longer　where　he　had　placed　it。　He　nodded　his　head　several　times。　

〃They　are　excellent；　our　French　police；〃　he　murmured　to　himself　…　〃excellent。　Nothing　escapes　them。〃

Chapter　20　

KATHERINE　MAKES　A　FRIEND

On　the　following　morning　Katherine　and　Lenox　were　sitting　on　the　terrace　of　the　Villa　Marguerite。　Something　in　the　nature　of　a　friendship　was　springing　up　between　them；　despite　the　difference　in　age。　But　for　Lenox；　Katherine　would　have　found　life　at　the　Villa　Marguerite　quite　intolerable。　The　Kettering　case　was　the　topic　of　the　moment。　Lady　Tamplin　frankly　exploited　her　guest's　connection　with　the　affair　for　all　it　was　worth。　

The　most　persistent　rebuffs　that　Katherine　could　administer　quite　failed　to　pierce　Lady　Tamplin's　self…esteem。　Lenox　adopted　a　detached　attitude；　seemingly　amused　at　her　mother's　manoeuvres；　and　yet　with　a　sympathetic　understanding　of　Katherine's　feelings。　

The　situation　was　not　helped　by　Chubby；　whose　naive　delight　was　unquenchable；　and　who　introduced　Katherine　to　all　and　sundry　as：　

〃This　is　Miss　Grey。　You　know　that　Blue　Train　business？　She　was　in　it　up　to　the　ears！　Had　a　long　talk　with　Ruth　Kettering　a　few　hours　before　the　murder！　Bit　of　luck　for　her；　eh？〃　

A　few　remarks　of　this　kind　had　provoked　Katherine　that　morning　to　an　unusually　tart　rejoinder；　and　when　they　were　alone　together　Lenox　observed　in　her　slow　drawl：　

〃Not　used　to　exploitation；　are　you？　You　have　a　lot　to　learn；　Katherine。〃　

〃I　am　sorry　I　lost　my　temper。　I　don't；　as　a　rule。〃　

〃It　is　about　time　you　learnt　to　blow　off　steam。　Chubby　is　only　an　ass；　there　is　no　harm　in　him。　Mother；　of　course；　is　trying；　but　you　can　lose　your　temper　with　her　until　Kingdom　e；　and　it　won't　make　any　impression。　She　will　open　large；　sad　blue　eyes　at　you　and　not　care　a　bit。〃　

Katherine　made　no　reply　to　this　filial　observation；　and　Lenox　presently　went　on：　

〃I　am　rather　like　Chubby。　I　delight　in　a　good　murder；　and　besides　…　well；　knowing　Derek　makes　a　difference。〃　

Katherine　nodded。　

〃So　you　lunched　with　him　yesterday；〃　pursued　Lenox　reflectively。　〃Do　you　like　him；　Katherine？〃　

Katherine　considered　for　a　minute　or　two。　

〃I　don't　know；〃　she　said　very　slowly。　

〃He　is　very　attractive。〃　

〃Yes；　he　is　attractive。〃　

〃What　don't　you　like　about　him？〃　

Katherine　did　not　reply　to　the　question　or　at　any　rate　not　directly。　〃He　spoke　of　his　wife's　death；〃　she　said。　〃He　said　he　would　not　pretend　that　it　had　been　anything　but　a　bit　of　most　marvellous　luck　for　him。〃　

〃And　that　shocked　you；　I　suppose；〃　said　Lenox。　She　paused；　and　then　added　in　rather　a　queer　tone　of　voice：　〃He　likes　you；　Katherine。〃　

〃He　gave　me　a　very　good　lunch；〃　said　Katherine；　smiling。　

Lenox　refused　to　be　sidetracked。　

〃I　saw　it　the　night　he　came　here；〃　she　said　thoughtfully。　〃The　way　he　looked　at　you；　and　you　are　not　his　usual　type　…　just　the　opposite。　Well；　I　suppose　it　is　like　religion　…　you　get　it　at　a　certain　age。〃　

〃Mademoiselle　is　wanted　at　the　telephone；〃　said　Marie；　appearing　at　the　window　of　the　salon。　〃M。　Hercule　Poirot　desires　to　speak　with　her。〃　

〃More　blood　and　thunder。　Go　on；　Katherine；　go　and　dally　with　your　detective。〃　

M。　Hercule　Poirot's　voice　came　neat　and　precise　in　its　intonation　to　Katherine's　ear。　

〃That　is　Mademoiselle　Grey　who　speaks？　Mademoiselle；　I　have　a　word　for　you　from　M。　Van　Aldin；　the　father　of　Madame　Kettering。　He　wishes　very　much　to　speak　with　you；　either　at　the　Villa　Marguerite　or　at　his　hotel；　whichever　you　prefer。〃　

Katherine　reflected　for　a　moment；　but　she　decided　that　for　Van　Aldin　to　e　to　the　Villa　Marguerite　would　be　both　painful　and　unnecessary。　Lady　Tamplin　would　have　hailed　his　advent　with　far　too　much　delight。　She　never　lost　a　chance　of　cultivating　millionaires。　She　told　Poirot　that　she　would　much　rather　e　to　Nice。　

〃Excellent；　Mademoiselle。　I　will　call　for　you　myself　in　an　auto。　Shall　we　say　in　about　three…quarters　of　an　hour？〃　

Punctually　to　the　moment　Poirot　appeared。　Katherine　was　waiting　for　him；　and　they　drove　off　at　once。　

〃Well；　Mademoiselle；　how　goes　it？〃　

She　looked　at　his　twinkling　eyes；　and　was　confirmed　in　her　first　impression　that　there　was　something　very　attractive　about　M。　Hercule　Poirot。　

〃This　is　our　own　Roman　Policier；　is　it　not？〃　said　Poirot。　〃I　made　you　the　promise　that　we　should　study　it　together。　And　me　…　I　always　keep　my　promises。〃　

〃You　are　too　kind；〃　murmured　Katherine。　

〃Ah；　you　mock　yourself　at　me；　but　do　you　want　to　hear　the　developments　of　the　case　or　do　you　not？〃　

Katherine　admitted　that　she　did；　and　Poirot　proceeded　to　sketch　for　her　a　thumbnail　portrait　of　the　te　de　la　Roche。　

〃You　think　he　killed　her；〃　said　Katherine　thoughtfully。　

〃That　is　the　theory；〃　said　Poirot　guardedly。　

〃Do　you　yourself　believe　that？〃　

〃I　did　not　say　so。　And　you；　Mademoiselle；　what　do　you　think？〃　

Katherine　shook　her　head。　

〃How　should　I　know？　I　don't　know　anything　about　those　things；　but　I　should　say　that　…〃　

〃Yes；〃　said　Poirot　encouragingly。　

〃Well　…　from　what　you　say　the　Count　does　not　sound　the　kind　of　man　who　would　actually　kill　anybody。〃　

〃Ah！　Very　good；〃　cried　Poirot；　〃you　agree　with　me；　that　is　just　what　I　have　said。〃　

He　looked　at　her　sharply。　〃But　tell　me；　you　have　met　Mr　Derek　Kettering？〃　

〃I　met　him　at　Lady　Tamplin's；　and　I　lunched　with　him　yesterday。〃　

〃A　mauvais　sujet；〃　said　Poirot；　shaking　his　head；　〃but　les　femmes　…　they　like　that；　eh？〃　

He　twinkled　at　Katherine　and　she　laughed。　

〃He　is　the　kind　of　man　one　would　notice　anywhere；〃　continued　Poirot。　〃Doubtless　you　observed　him　on　the　Blue　Train？〃　

〃Yes；　I　noti