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VII. Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan
“Therenow;Edmaysaywhathelikes,butIbelieveinluck,Ido.ItwasfatedIshouldmeetyouthewayIdidthisevening,andI’veafeelingthatifyoucan’tgetmypearlsbackformenobodycan.”
“Calmyourself,Iprayofyou,madame.”Poirotpattedherhandsoothingly.“Reassureyourself.Allwillbewell.HerculePoirotwillaidyou!”
Mr.Opalsenturnedtothepoliceinspector.
“Therewillbenoobjectiontomy—er—callinginthisgentleman,Isuppose?”
“Noneatall,sir,”repliedthemancivilly,butwithcompleteindifference.“Perhapsnowyourlady’sfeelingbettershe’lljustletushavethefacts?”
Mrs.OpalsenlookedhelplesslyatPoirot.Heledherbacktoherchair.
“Seatyourself,madame,andrecounttousthewholehistorywithoutagitatingyourself.”
Thusabjured,Mrs.Opalsendriedhereyesgingerly,andbegan.
“IcameupstairsafterdinnertofetchmypearlsforMr.Poirotheretosee.ThechambermaidandCélestinewerebothintheroomasusual——”
“Excuseme,madame,butwhatdoyoumeanby‘asusual’?”
Mr.Opalsenexplained.
“ImakeitarulethatnooneistocomeintothisroomunlessCélestine,themaid,istherealso.ThechambermaiddoestheroominthemorningwhileCélestineispresent,andcomesinafterdinnertoturndownthebedsunderthesameconditions;otherwisesheneverenterstheroom.”
“Well,asIwassaying,”continuedMrs.Opalsen,“Icameup.Iwenttothedrawerhere,”—sheindicatedthebottomright-handdraweroftheknee-holedressing-table—“tookoutmyjewel-caseandunlockedit.
