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I. The Adventure of “The Western Star”
Idon’twanttodoit—Ihatethethoughtofallthatcrowdplay-actingroundtheChase—butImayhaveto,unless——”Hebrokeoff.
Poiroteyedhimkeenly.“Youhave,then,anotherstringtoyourbow?PermitthatImakeaguess?ItistoselltheStaroftheEast?”
LordYardlynodded.“That’sit.It’sbeeninthefamilyforsomegenerations,butit’snotentailed.Still,it’snottheeasiestthingintheworldtofindapurchaser.Hoffberg,theHattonGardenman,isonthelook-outforalikelycustomer,buthe’llhavetofindonesoon,orit’sawashout.”
“Onemorequestion,permettez—LadyYardly,whichplandoessheapprove?”
“Oh,she’sbitterlyopposedtomysellingthejewel.Youknowwhatwomenare.She’sallforthisfilmstunt.”
“Icomprehend,”saidPoirot.Heremainedamomentorsointhought,thenrosebrisklytohisfeet.“YoureturntoYardlyChaseatonce?Bien!Saynowordtoanyone—toanyonemind—butexpectustherethisevening.Wewillarriveshortlyafterfive.”
“Allright,butIdon’tsee——”
“Çan’apasd’importance,”saidPoirotkindly.“YouwillthatIpreserveforyouyourdiamond,n’est-cepas?”
“Yes,but——”
“ThendoasIsay.”
Asadlybewilderednoblemanlefttheroom.
•••••••
Itwashalf-pastfivewhenwearrivedatYardlyChase,andfollowedthedignifiedbutlertotheoldpanelledhallwithitsfireofblazinglogs.Aprettypicturemetoureyes:LadyYardlyandhertwochildren,themother’sprouddarkheadbentdownoverthetwofairones.
