He turned quickly.
“Yes, you remember? I just ran down in the afternoon. I told you about it.” Both Poirot and I were looking at her.
Nervously she pushed her hat a little further back on her head.
“Surely you remember, Bella,” her husband continued. “What a terrible memory you’ve got.” “Of course!” she apologized, a thin smile on her face. “It’s quite true; I have a shocking memory. And it’s nearly two months ago now.” “Miss Theresa Arundell and Mr. Charles Arundell were there then, I believe?” said Poirot.
“They may have been,” said Tanios easily.
“I didn’t see them.” “You were not there very long then?” “Oh, no–just half an hour or so.” Poirot’s inquiring gaze seemed to make him a little uneasy.
“Might as well confess,” he said with a twinkle. “I hoped to get a loan–but I didn’t get it. I’m afraid my wife’s aunt didn’t take to me as much as she might. Pity, because I liked her. She was a sporting old lady.” “May I ask you a frank question. Dr. Tanios?” Was there or was there not a momentary apprehension in Tamos5 s eye?
“Certainly, M. Poirot.” “What is your opinion of Charles and Theresa Arundell?” The doctor looked slightly relieved.
“Charles and Theresa?” He looked at his wife with an affectionate smile. “Bella, my dear, I don’t suppose you mind my being frank about your family?” She shook her head, smiling faintly.
“Then it’s my opinion they’re rotten to the core, both of them! Funnily enough I like Charles the best. He’s a rogue, but he’s a likable rogue. He’s no moral sense, but he can’t help that. People are born that way.” “And Theresa?” He hesitated.
“I don’t know. She’s an amazingly attractive young woman. But she’s quite ruthless, I should say. She’d murder any one in cold blood if it suited her book. At least that’s my fancy. You may have heard, perhaps, that her mother was tried for murder.” “And acquitted,” said Poirot.
“As you say ‘and acquitted,’ ” said Tanios quickly. “But all the same, it makes one- wonder. sometimes.” “You met the young man to whom she is engaged?” “Donaldson? Yes, he came to supper one night.” “What do you think of him?” “A very clever fellow. I fancy he’ll go far–if he gets the chance. It takes money to specialize.” “You mean that he is clever in his profession?”
“That is what I mean, yes. A first-class brain.” He smiled. “Not quite a shining light in society yet. A little precise and prim in manner. He and Theresa make a comic pair. The attraction of opposites. She’s a social butterfly and he’s a recluse.” The two children were bombarding their mother.
“Mother, can’t we go in to lunch? I’m so hungry. We’ll be late.” Poirot looked at his watch and gave an exclamation.
“A thousand pardons! I delay your lunch hour.” Glancing at her husband, Mrs. Tanios said uncertainly: “Perhaps we can offer you–” Poirot said quickly: “You are most amiable, madame, but I have a luncheon engagement for which I am already late.” He shook hands with both the Tanioses and with the children. I did the same.
We delayed for a minute or two in the hall. Poirot wanted to put through a telephone call. I waited for him by the hall porter’s desk. I was standing there when I saw Mrs. Tanios come out into the hall and look searchingly around. She had a hunted, harried look. She saw me and came swiftly across to me.
“Your friend–M. Poirot–I suppose he has gone?” “No, he is in the telephone box.” “Oh.” “You wanted to speak to him?” She nodded. Her air of nervousness increased.
Poirot came out of the box at that moment and saw us standing together. He came quickly across to us.
“M. Poirot,” she began quickly in a low, hurried voice. “There is something that I would like to say–that I must tell you–” “Yes, madame.” “It is important–very important. You see–” She stopped. Dr. Tanios and the two children had just emerged from the writingroom.
He came across and joined us.
“Having a few last words with M. Poirot, Bella?” His tone was good-humoured, the smile on his face pleasantness itself.