‘Gold mining is nearer the mark,’ laughed the secretary.
Poirot came away from the interview thoughtful. Late that evening, to my utter surprise, I found him earnestly studying a Russian grammar.
‘Good heavens, Poirotl’ I cried. ‘Are you learning Russian in order to converse with the Countess in her own language?’ ‘She certainly would not listen to my English, my friendl’ ‘But surely, Poirot, well-born Russians invariably speak French?’ ‘You are a mine of information, Hastingst I will cease puzzling over the intricacies of the Russian alphabet.’ He threw the book from him with a dramatic gesture. I was not entirely satisfied. There was a twinkle in his eye which I knew of old. It was an invariable sign that Hercule Poirot was pleased with himself.
‘Perhaps,’ I said sapiently, ‘you doubt her being really a Russian. You are going to test her?’ ‘Ah, no, no, she is Russian all right.’ ‘Well, then ‘ ‘If you really want to distinguish yourself over this case, Hastings, I recommend First Steps in Russian as an invaluable aid.’ Then he laughed and would say no more. I picked up the book from the floor and dipped into it curiously, but could make neither head nor tail of Poirot’s remarks.
The following morning brought us no news of any kind, but that did not seem to worry my little friend. At breakfast, he announced his intention of calling upon Mr Hardman early in the day. We found the elderly society butterfly at home, and seemingly a little calmer than on the previous day.
‘Well, Monsieur Poirot, any news?’ he demanded eagerly.
Poirot handed him a slip of paper.
‘That is the person who took the jewels, monsieur. Shall I put matters in the hands of the police? Or would you prefer me to recover the jewels without bringing the police into the matter?’
Mr Hardman was staring at the paper. At last he found his voice.
‘Most astonishing. I should infinitely prefer to have no scandal in the matter. I give you carte blanche, Monsieur Poirot. I am sure you will be discreet.’
Our next procedure was to hail a taxi, which Poirot ordered to drive to the Carlton. There he inquired for Countess Rossakoff.
In a few minutes we were ushered up into the lady’s suite. She came to meet us with outstretched hands, arrayed in a marvellous neglig6e of barbaric design.
‘Monsieur Poirot? she cried. ‘You have succeeded? You have cleared that poor infant?’
‘Madame la Comtesse, your friend Mr Parker is perfectly safe from arrest.’
‘Ah, but you are the clever little manl Superbl And so quickly too.’
‘On the other hand, I have promised Mr Hardman that the jewels shall be returned to him today.’
‘So?’
‘Therefore, madame, I should be extremely obliged if you would place them in my hands without delay. I am sorry to hurry you, but I am keeping a taxi – in case it should be necessary for me to go on to Scotland Yard; and we Belgians, madame, we practise the thrift.’
The Countess had lighted a cigarette. For some seconds she sat perfectly still, blowing smoke rings, and gazing steadily at Poirot.
Then she burst into a laugh, and rose. She went across to the bureau, opened a drawer, and took out a black silk handbag. She toesed it lightly to Poirot. Her tone, when she spoke, was perfectly light and unmoved.
‘We Russians, on the contrary, practise prodigality,’ she said.
‘And to do that, unfortunately, one must have money. You need not look inside. They are all there.’ Poirot arose.
‘I congratulate you, madame, on your quick intelligence and your promptitude.’ ‘Ah! But since you were keeping your taxi waiting, what else could I do?’ ‘You are too amiable, madame. You are remaining long in London?’ ‘I am afraid not – owing to you.’ ‘Accept my apologies.’ ‘We shall meet again elsewhere, perhaps.’ ‘I hope so.’ ‘And I – do not? exclaimed the Countess with a laugh. ‘It is a great compliment that I pay you there – there are very few men in the world whom I fear. Goodbye, Monsieur Poirot.’ ‘Goodbye, Madame la Comtesse. Ah – pardon me, I forgotl Allow me to return you your cigarette case.’ And with a bow he handed to her the little black moir case we had found in the safe. She accepted it without any change of expression – just a lifted eyebrow and a murmured: ‘I seel’