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VI. The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb
Hewasnotnearlysosunburntastheothers,andthatfact,coupledwithacertainhaggardnessroundtheeyes,madehimlookolderthanhistwenty-twoyears.Hewasclearlyendeavouringtobearupunderaseverementalstrain.
Heintroducedhistwocompanions,Dr.Ames,acapablelookingmanofthirtyodd,withatouchofgreyinghairatthetemples,andMr.Harper,thesecretary,apleasantleanyoungmanwearingthenationalinsigniaofhorn-rimmedspectacles.
Afterafewminutes’desultoryconversationthelatterwentout,andDr.Tosswillfollowedhim.WewereleftalonewithSirGuyandDr.Ames.
“Pleaseaskanyquestionsyouwanttoask,MonsieurPoirot,”saidWillard.“Weareutterlydumbfoundedatthisstrangeseriesofdisasters,butitisn’t—itcan’tbe,anythingbutcoincidence.”
Therewasanervousnessabouthismannerwhichratherbeliedthewords.IsawthatPoirotwasstudyinghimkeenly.
“Yourheartisreallyinthiswork,SirGuy?”
“Rather.Nomatterwhathappens,orwhatcomesofit,theworkisgoingon.Makeupyourmindtothat.”
Poirotwheeledroundontheother.
“Whathaveyoutosaytothat,monsieurledocteur?”
“Well,”drawledthedoctor,“I’mnotforquittingmyself.”
Poirotmadeoneofthoseexpressivegrimacesofhis.
“Then,évidemment,wemustfindoutjusthowwestand.WhendidMr.Schneider’sdeathtakeplace?”
“Threedaysago.”
“Youaresureitwastetanus?”
“Deadsure.”
“Itcouldn’thavebeenacaseofstrychninepoisoning,forinstance?”
“No,MonsieurPoirot.Iseewhatyou’regettingat.
