27. Jack Renauld’s Story

           “Congratulations,M.Jack,”saidPoirot,wringingtheladwarmlybythehand.

           YoungRenauldhadcometousassoonashewasliberated—beforestartingforMerlinvilletorejoinMartheandhismother.Stonoraccompaniedhim.Hisheartinesswasinstrongcontrasttothelad’swanlooks.Itwasplainthattheboywasonthevergeofanervousbreakdown.Althoughdeliveredfromtheimmediateperilthatwashangingoverhim,thecircumstancesofhisreleaseweretoopainfultolethimfeelfullrelief.HesmiledmournfullyatPoirot,andsaidinalowvoice:

           “Iwentthroughittoprotecther,andnowit’sallnouse!”

           “Youcouldhardlyexpectthegirltoacceptthepriceofyourlife,”remarkedStonordryly.“Shewasboundtocomeforwardwhenshesawyouheadingstraightfortheguillotine.”

           “Ehmafoi!andyouwereheadingforittoo!”addedPoirot,withaslighttwinkle.“YouwouldhavehadMaîtreGrosíer’sdeathfromrageonyourconscienceifyouhadgoneon.”

           “Hewasawellmeaningass,Isuppose,”saidJack.“Butheworriedmehorribly.Yousee,Icouldn’tverywelltakehimintomyconfidence.But,myGod!what’sgoingtohappenaboutBella?”

           “IfIwereyou,”saidPoirotfrankly,“Ishouldnotdistressmyselfunduly.TheFrenchCourtsareverylenienttoyouthandbeauty,andthecrimepassionnel.Acleverlawyerwillmakeoutagreatcaseofextenuatingcircumstances.Itwillnotbepleasantforyou—”

           “Idon’tcareaboutthat.Yousee,M.Poirot,inawayIdofeelguiltyofmyfather’smurder.