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Chapter VIII. Fresh Suspicions
Youhavefoundone?”Myinterestwasaroused.
“No,notthat,sir.ButsincethenI’verememberedwhattheyounggentlemen”—JohnandLawrencewerestillthe“younggentlemen”toDorcas—“callthe‘dressing-upbox.’It’supinthefrontattic,sir.Agreatchest,fullofoldclothesandfancydresses,andwhatnot.Anditcametomesuddenlikethattheremightbeagreendressamongstthem.So,ifyou’dtelltheBelgiangentleman——”
“Iwilltellhim,Dorcas,”Ipromised.
“Thankyouverymuch,sir.Averynicegentlemanheis,sir.AndquiteadifferentclassfromthemtwodetectivesfromLondon,whatgoespryingabout,andaskingquestions.Idon’tholdwithforeignersasarule,butfromwhatthenewspaperssayImakeoutashowthesebraveBelgesisn’ttheordinaryrunofforeigners,andcertainlyhe’samostpolitespokengentleman.”
DearoldDorcas!Asshestoodthere,withherhonestfaceupturnedtomine,Ithoughtwhatafinespecimenshewasoftheold-fashionedservantthatissofastdyingout.
IthoughtImightaswellgodowntothevillageatonce,andlookupPoirot;butImethimhalf-way,cominguptothehouse,andatoncegavehimDorcas’smessage.
“Ah,thebraveDorcas!Wewilllookatthechest,although—butnomatter—wewillexamineitallthesame.”
Weenteredthehousebyoneofthewindows.Therewasnooneinthehall,andwewentstraightuptotheattic.
Sureenough,therewasthechest,afineoldpiece,allstuddedwithbrassnails,andfulltooverflowingwitheveryimaginabletypeofgarment.
