Пуаро ведёт следствие
I. The Adventure of “The Western Star”
Somegossip—whatwasitnow?AfewyearsagoLordandLadyYardlyhadpaidavisittotheStates,rumourhaditthathislordshiphadrathergonethepaceouttherewiththeassistanceofsomeladyfriends—butsurelytherewassomethingmore,somegossipwhichcoupledLadyYardly’snamewiththatofa“movie”starinCalifornia—why!itcametomeinaflash—ofcourseitwasnoneotherthanGregoryB.Rolf.
“I’llletyouintoalittlesecret,MonsieurPoirot,”MissMarvellwascontinuing.“We’vegotadealonwithLordYardly.There’ssomechanceofourarrangingtofilmaplaydownthereinhisancestralpile.”
“AtYardlyChase?”Icried,interested.“Why,it’soneoftheshowplacesofEngland.”
MissMarvellnodded.
“Iguessit’stherealoldfeudalstuffallright.Buthewantsaprettystiffprice,andofcourseIdon’tknowyetwhetherthedealwillgothrough,butGregandIalwaysliketocombinebusinesswithpleasure.”
“But—IdemandpardonifIamdense,madame—surelyitispossibletovisitYardlyChasewithouttakingthediamondwithyou?”
Ashrewd,hardlookcameintoMissMarvell’seyeswhichbeliedtheirchildlikeappearance.Shelookedsuddenlyagooddealolder.
“Iwanttowearitdownthere.”
“Surely”Isaidsuddenly,“therearesomeveryfamousjewelsintheYardlycollection,alargediamondamongstthem?”
“That’sso,”saidMissMarvellbriefly.
