Ah, what a comfort that would be !
A comfort? I stared. The word seemed to be a very extraordinary one to use.
A robbery may be a thrill but it can hardly be a comfort! I protested.
Poirot shook his head energetically.
You are in error, my friend. You do not understand my meaning. A robbery would be a relief since it would dispossess my mind of the fear of something else.
Of what?
Murder, said Hercule Poirot.
Chapter 2
(Not from Captain Hastings Personal Narrative)
Mr Alexander Bonaparte Cust rose from his seat and peered near-sightedly round the shabby bedroom. His back was stiff from sitting in a cramped position and as he stretched himself to his full height an onlooker would have realized that he was, in reality, quite a tall man. His stoop and his near-sighted peering gave a delusive impression.
Going to a well-worn overcoat hanging on the back of the door, he took from the pocket a packet of cheap cigarettes and some matches. He lit a cigarette and then returned to the table at which he had been sitting. He picked up a railway guide and consulted it, then he returned to the consideration of a typewritten list of names. With a pen, he made a tick against one of the first names on the list.
It was Thursday, June 20th.
Chapter 3
Andover
I had been impressed at the time by Poirots forebodings about the anonymous letter he had received, but I must admit that the matter had passed from my mind when the 21st actually arrived and the first reminder of it came with a visit paid to my friend by Chief Inspector Japp of Scotland Yard[26]. The CID[27] inspector had been known to us for many years and he gave me a hearty welcome.
Well, I never[28], he exclaimed. If it isnt Captain Hastings back from the wilds of the what do you call it! Quite like old days seeing you here with Monsieur Poirot. Youre looking well, too. Just a little bit thin on top, eh? Well, thats what were all coming to. Im the same.
I winced slightly. I was under the impression that owing to the careful way I brushed my hair across the top of my head the thinness referred to by Japp was quite unnoticeable. However, Japp had never been remarkable for tact where I was concerned, so I put a good face upon it and agreed that we were none of us getting any younger.
Except Monsieur Poirot here, said Japp. Quite a good advertisement for a hair tonic, hed be. Face fungus sprouting finer than ever. Coming out into the limelight[29], too, in his old age. Mixed up in all the celebrated cases of the day. Train mysteries, air mysteries, high society deathsoh, hes here, there and everywhere. Never been so celebrated as since he retired.
Except Monsieur Poirot here, said Japp. Quite a good advertisement for a hair tonic, hed be. Face fungus sprouting finer than ever. Coming out into the limelight[29], too, in his old age. Mixed up in all the celebrated cases of the day. Train mysteries, air mysteries, high society deathsoh, hes here, there and everywhere. Never been so celebrated as since he retired.
I have already told Hastings that I am like the prima donna who makes always one more appearance, said Poirot, smiling.
I shouldnt wonder if you ended by detecting your own death, said Japp, laughing heartily. Thats an idea, that is. Ought to be put in a book.
It will be Hastings who will have to do that, said Poirot, twinkling at me.
Ha ha! That would be a joke, that would, laughed Japp.
I failed to see why the idea was so extremely amusing, and in any case I thought the joke was in poor taste. Poirot, poor old chap, is getting on. Jokes about his approaching demise can hardly be agreeable to him.
Perhaps my manner showed my feelings, for Japp changed the subject.
Have you heard about Monsieur Poirots anonymous letter?
I showed it to Hastings the other day, said my friend.
Of course, I exclaimed. It had quite slipped my memory. Let me see, what was the date mentioned?
The 21st, said Japp. Thats what I dropped in about. Yesterday was the 21st and just out of curiosity I rang up Andover last night. It was a hoax all right. Nothing doing. One broken shop windowkid throwing stonesand a couple of drunk and disorderlies. So just for once our Belgian friend was barking up the wrong tree[30].
I am relieved, I must confess, acknowledged Poirot.
Youd quite got the wind up[31] about it, hadnt you? said Japp affectionately. Bless you, we get dozens of letters like that coming in every day! People with nothing better to do and a bit weak in the top storey[32] sit down and write em[33]. They dont mean any harm! Just a kind of excitement.
I have indeed been foolish to take the matter so seriously, said Poirot. It is the nest of the horse that I put my nose into there.
Youre mixing up mares and wasps[34], said Japp.
Pardon?
Just a couple of proverbs. Well, I must be off. Got a little business in the next street to see toreceiving stolen jewellery. I thought Id just drop in on my way and put your mind at rest. Pity to let those grey cells function unnecessarily.
With which words and a hearty laugh, Japp departed.
He does not change much, the good Japp, eh? asked Poirot.