Пуаро веде слідство
VII. Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan
”
“Ofcourse,ofcourse,”saidMr.Opalsenratheruncertainly.“Still——”
Hewasinterruptedbyashoutoftriumphfromtheinspector.Hecameindanglingsomethingfromhisfingers.
Withacry,Mrs.Opalsenheavedherselfupfromherchair.Shewasachangedwoman.
“Oh,oh,mynecklace!”
Sheclaspedittoherbreastwithbothhands.Wecrowdedround.
“Wherewasit?”demandedOpalsen.
“Maid’sbed.Inamongthespringsofthewiremattress.Shemusthavestolenitandhiddenittherebeforethechambermaidarrivedonthescene.”
“Youpermit,madame?”saidPoirotgently.Hetookthenecklacefromherandexamineditclosely;thenhandeditbackwithabow.
“I’mafraid,madam,you’llhavetohanditovertousforthetimebeing,”saidtheinspector.“Weshallwantitforthecharge.Butitshallbereturnedtoyouassoonaspossible.”
Mr.Opalsenfrowned.
“Isthatnecessary?”
“I’mafraidso,sir.Justaformality.”
“Oh,lethimtakeit,Ed!”criedhiswife.“I’dfeelsaferifhedid.Ishouldn’tsleepawinkthinkingsomeoneelsemighttryandgetholdofit.Thatwretchedgirl!AndIwouldneverhavebelieveditofher.”
“There,there,mydear,don’ttakeonso.”
Ifeltagentlepressureonmyarm.ItwasPoirot.
“Shallweslipaway,myfriend?Ithinkourservicesarenolongerneeded.”
Onceoutside,however,hehesitated,andthen,muchtomysurprise,heremarked:
“Ishouldratherliketoseetheroomnextdoor.”
Thedoorwasnotlocked,andweentered.Theroom,whichwasalargedoubleone,wasunoccupied.
