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VII. Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan
Dustlayaboutrathernoticeably,andmysensitivefriendgaveacharacteristicgrimaceasheranhisfingerroundarectangularmarkonatablenearthewindow.
“Theserviceleavestobedesired,”heobserveddryly.
Hewasstaringthoughtfullyoutofthewindow,andseemedtohavefallenintoabrownstudy.
“Well?”Idemandedimpatiently.“Whatdidwecomeinherefor?”
Hestarted.
“Jevousdemandepardon,monami.Iwishedtoseeifthedoorwasreallyboltedonthissidealso.”
“Well,”Isaid,glancingatthedoorwhichcommunicatedwiththeroomwehadjustleft,“itisbolted.”
Poirotnodded.Hestillseemedtobethinking.
“And,anyway,”Icontinued,“whatdoesitmatter?Thecaseisover.Iwishyou’dhadmorechanceofdistinguishingyourself.Butitwasthekindofcasethatevenastiff-backedidiotlikethatinspectorcouldn’tgowrongover.”
Poirotshookhishead.
“Thecaseisnotover,myfriend.Itwillnotbeoveruntilwefindoutwhostolethepearls.”
“Butthemaiddid!”
“Whydoyousaythat?”
“Why,”Istammered,“theywerefound—actuallyinhermattress.”
“Ta,ta,ta!”saidPoirotimpatiently.“Thosewerenotthepearls.”
“What?”
“Imitation,monami.”
Thestatementtookmybreathaway.Poirotwassmilingplacidly.
“Thegoodinspectorobviouslyknowsnothingofjewels.Butpresentlytherewillbeafinehullabaloo!”
“Come!”Icried,draggingathisarm.
“Where?”
“WemusttelltheOpalsensatonce.”
“Ithinknot.
