I laughed.
In truth, it has been very like that. Each time I say: this is the end. But no, something else arises! And I will admit it, my friend, the retirement I care for it not at all. If the little grey cells are not exercised, they grow the rust.
I see, I said. You exercise them in moderation. Precisely. I pick and choose. For Hercule Poirot nowadays only the cream of crime.
Has there been much cream about?
Pas mal[14]. Not long ago I had a narrow escape[15].
Of failure?
No, no. Poirot looked shocked. But II, Hercule Poirot, was nearly exterminated.
I whistled.
An enterprising murderer!
Not so much enterprising as careless, said Poirot. Precisely thatcareless. But let us not talk of it. You know, Hastings, in many ways I regard you as my mascot.
Indeed? I said. In what ways?
Poirot did not answer my question directly. He went on:
As soon as I heard you were coming over I said to myself: something will arise. As in former days we will hunt together, we two. But if so it must be no common affair. It must be somethinghe waved his hands excitedlysomething recherchédelicatefine He gave the last untranslatable word its full flavour.
Upon my word[16], Poirot, I said. Anyone would think you were ordering a dinner at the Ritz[17].
Whereas one cannot command a crime to order? Very true. He sighed. But I believe in luckin destiny, if you will. It is your destiny to stand beside me and prevent me from committing the unforgivable error.
What do you call the unforgivable error?
Overlooking the obvious.
I turned this over in my mind without quite seeing the point.
Well, I said presently, smiling, has this super crime turned up yet?
Pas encore[18]. At leastthat is
He paused. A frown of perplexity creased his forehead. His hands automatically straightened an object or two that I had inadvertently pushed awry[19].
I am not sure, he said slowly.
There was something so odd about his tone that I looked at him in surprise.
The frown still lingered.
Suddenly with a brief decisive nod of the head he crossed the room to a desk near the window. Its contents, I need hardly say, were all neatly docketed and pigeon-holed[20] so that he was able at once to lay his hand upon the paper he wanted.
He came slowly across to me, an open letter in his hand. He read it through himself, then passed it to me.
Tell me, mon ami, he said. What do you make of this?
I took it from him with some interest.
It was written on thickish white notepaper in printed characters:
Mr Hercule Poirot,You fancy yourself, dont you, at solving mysteries that are too difficult for our poor thickheaded British police? Let us see, Mr Clever Poirot, just how clever you can be. Perhaps youll find this nut too hard to crack. Look out for Andover[21], on the 21st of the month.
Yours, etc.,A B С.I glanced at the envelope. That also was printed.
Postmarked WC1[22], said Poirot as I turned my attention to the postmark. Well, what is your opinion?
I shrugged my shoulders as I handed it back to him.
Some madman or other, I suppose.
That is all you have to say?
Welldoesnt it sound like a madman to you?
Yes, my friend, it does.
His tone was grave. I looked at him curiously.
You take this very seriously, Poirot.
A madman, mon ami, is to be taken seriously. A madman is a very dangerous thing.
Yes, of course, that is true I hadnt considered that point But what I meant was, it sounds more like a rather idiotic kind of hoax. Perhaps some convivial idiot who had had one over the eight[23].
Comment? Nine? Nine what?
Nothingjust an expression. I meant a fellow who was tight[24]. No, damn it, a fellow who had had a spot too much to drink.
Merci, Hastingsthe expression tight I am acquainted with it. As you say, there may be nothing more to it than that
But you think there is? I asked, struck by the dissatisfaction of his tone.
Poirot shook his head doubtfully, but he did not speak.
What have you done about it? I inquired.
What can one do? I showed it to Japp. He was of the same opinion as youa stupid hoaxthat was the expression he used. They get these things every day at Scotland Yard. I, too, have had my share
But you take this one seriously?
Poirot replied slowly.
There is something about that letter, Hastings, that I do not like
In spite of myself, his tone impressed me.
You thinkwhat?
He shook his head, and picking up the letter, put it away again in the desk.
If you really take it seriously, cant you do something? I asked.
As always, the man of action! But what is there to do? The county police have seen the letter but they, too, do not take it seriously. There are no fingerprints on it. There are no local clues as to the possible writer.
In fact there is only your own instinct?
Not instinct, Hastings. Instinct is a bad word. It is my knowledgemy experiencethat tells me that something about that letter is wrong
He gesticulated as words failed him, then shook his head again.
I may be making the mountain out of the anthill[25]. In any case there is nothing to be done but wait.
Well, the 21st is Friday. If a whacking great robbery takes place near Andover then