Пуаро веде слідство
VII. Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan
Thirdly,eventhewaitersaredistrait;andtomakeawaiterdistrait——”Poirotshookhisheadwithanairoffinality.“Theaffairmustindeedbeofthefirstmagnitude.Ah,itisasIthought!Herecomethepolice.”
Twomenhadjustenteredthehotel—oneinuniform,theotherinplainclothes.Theyspoketoapage,andwereimmediatelyusheredupstairs.Afewminuteslater,thesameboydescendedandcameuptowhereweweresitting.
“Mr.Opalsen’scompliments,andwouldyoustepupstairs.”
Poirotsprangnimblytohisfeet.Onewouldhavesaidthatheawaitedthesummons.Ifollowedwithnolessalacrity.
TheOpalsens’apartmentsweresituatedonthefirstfloor.Afterknockingonthedoor,thepage-boyretired,andweansweredthesummons,“Comein!”Astrangescenemetoureyes.TheroomwasMrs.Opalsen’sbedroom,andinthecentreofit,lyingbackinanarm-chair,wastheladyherself,weepingviolently.Shepresentedanextraordinaryspectacle,withthetearsmakinggreatfurrowsinthepowderwithwhichhercomplexionwasliberallycoated.Mr.Opalsenwasstridingupanddownangrily.Thetwopoliceofficialsstoodinthemiddleoftheroom,onewithanotebookinhand.Anhotelchambermaid,lookingfrightenedtodeath,stoodbythefire-place;andontheothersideoftheroomaFrenchwoman,obviouslyMrs.Opalsen’smaid,wasweepingandwringingherhands,withanintensityofgriefthatrivalledthatofhermistress.
IntothispandemoniumsteppedPoirot,neatandsmiling.Immediately,withanenergysurprisinginoneofherbulk,Mrs.Opalsensprangfromherchairtowardshim.
