“You are getting nearer, my friend. You ^member, I hint to her that she could not I
really see the face of any one on the stairs, and immediately–what does she do?” “Remembers Theresa’s brooch and lugs that in–forgetting that the mere fact of having seen it in the glass gave her own story the lie.” The telephone bell rang sharply. Poirot crossed to it.
He only spoke a few noncommittal words.
“Yes? Yes… certainly. Yes, quite convenient.
The afternoon, I think. Yes, two o’clock will do admirably.” He replaced the receiver and turned to me with a smile.
“Dr. Donaldson is anxious to have a talk with me. He is coming here to-morrow afternoon at two o’clock. We progress, mon ami, we progress.”
XXVI Mrs. Tanios Refuses to Speak
when I came round after breakfast the following morning I found Poirot busy at the writing-table.
He raised a hand in salutation, then proceeded with his task. Presently he gathered up the sheets, enclosed them in an envelope and sealed them up carefully.
“Well, old boy, what are you doing?” I asked facetiously. “Writing an account of the case to be placed in safe-keeping in case some one bumps you off during the course of the day?” “You know, Hastings, you are not so far wrong as you think.” His manner was serious.
“Is our murderer really about to get dangerous?”
“A murderer is always dangerous,” said Poirot gravely. “Astonishing how often that fact is overlooked.” “Any news?” “Dr. Tanios rang up.” “Still no trace of his wife?” “No.” “Then that’s all right.” “I wonder.” “Dash it all, Poirot, you don’t think she’s been bumped off, do you?” Poirot shook his head doubtfully.
“I confess,” he murmured, “that I should like to know where she is.” “Oh, well,” I said. “She’ll turn up.” “Your cheerful optimism never fails to delight me, Hastings!” “My goodness, Poirot, you don’t think she’ll turn up in parcels or dismembered in a trunk?” Poirot said slowly: “I find the anxiety of Dr. Tanios somewhat excessive–but no more of that. The first thing to do is to interview Miss Law« «
son.” “Are you going to point out that little error over the brooch?” “Certainly not. That little fact remains up my sleeve until the right moment comes.” “Then what are you going to say to her?” “That, mon ami, you will hear in due course.” I “More lies, I suppose?” “You are really very offensive sometimes, Hastings. Anybody would think I enjoyed telling lies.” “I rather think you do. In fact, I’m sure of it.” “It is true that I sometimes compliment myself upon my ingenuity,” Poirot confessed naively.
(I could not help giving a shout of laughter.
oirot looked at me reproachfully and we set if for Clanroyden Mansions.
We were shown into the same crowded 1 sitting-room and Miss Lawson came bustling in, her manner even more incoherent than usual.
“Oh, dear, M. Poirot, good-morning.
Such a to-do–rather untidy, I’m afraid. But then, everything is at sixes and sevens this morning. Ever since Bella arrived–” “What is that you say? Bella?” “Yes, Bella Tanios. She turned up half an hour ago–and the children–completely exhausted, poor soul! Really, I don’t know what to do about it. You see, she’s left her husband.” “Left him?” “So she says. Of course, I’ve no doubt she’s fully justified, poor thing.” “She has confided in you?” “Well–not exactly that. In fact, she won’t say anything at all. Just repeats that she’s left him and that nothing will induce her to go back to him!” “That is a very serious step to take.” “Of course it is! In fact, if he’d been an Englishman, I would have advised her–but there, he isn’t an Englishman…. And she looks so peculiar, poor thing, so–well, so scared. What can he have been doing to her?
I believe Turks are frightfully cruel sometimes.”
“Dr. Tanios is a Greek.” “Yes, of course, that’s the other way about–I mean, they’re usually the ones who get massacred by the Turks–or am I thinking of Armenians? But all the same, I don’t like to think of it. I don’t think she ought to go back to him, do you, M. Poirot? Anyway, I mean, she says she won’t…. She doesn’t even want him to know where she is.” “As bad as that?” “Yes, you see it’s the children. She’s so afraid he could take them back to Smyrna.