Пуаро ведёт следствие
VII. Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan
But,anyway,thevalethasmosttodowiththegentlemen’srooms.”
“Isee.Thankyou.”
Poirottookbackthecard.Thewomandeparted.Poirotappearedtoreflectalittle.Thenhegaveashort,sharpnodofthehead.
“Ringthebell,Iprayofyou,Hastings.Threetimes,forthevalet.”
Iobeyed,devouredwithcuriosity.MeanwhilePoirothademptiedthewaste-paper-basketonthefloor,andwasswiftlygoingthroughitscontents.
Inafewmomentsthevaletansweredthebell.TohimPoirotputthesamequestion,andhandedhimthecardtoexamine.Buttheresponsewasthesame.ThevalethadneverseenacardofthatparticularqualityamongMr.Opalsen’sbelongings.Poirotthankedhim,andhewithdrew,somewhatunwillingly,withaninquisitiveglanceattheoverturnedwaste-paper-basketandthelitteronthefloor.HecouldhardlyhavehelpedoverhearingPoirot’sthoughtfulremarkashebundledthetornpapersbackagain:
“Andthenecklacewasheavilyinsured....”
“Poirot,”Icried,“Isee——”
“Youseenothing,myfriend,”herepliedquickly.“Asusual,nothingatall!Itisincredible—butthereitis.Letusreturntoourownapartments.”
Wedidsoinsilence.Oncethere,tomyintensesurprise,Poiroteffectedarapidchangeofclothing.
“IgotoLondonto-night,”heexplained.“Itisimperative.”
“What?”
“Absolutely.Therealwork,thatofthebrain(ah,thosebravelittlegreycells),itisdone.Igotoseektheconfirmation.
