‘Why do you say that?’ ‘Because I myself am doomed. I went to a doctor last year. I am suffering from an incurable disease – the end cannot be much longer delayed; but before I die, Ronald will be taken. Gerald ill inherit.’ ‘And if’anything were to happen to your second son also?’ ‘Nothing will happen to him; he is not threatened.’ ‘But if it did?’ persisted Poirot.
‘My cousin Roger is the next heir.’ We were interrupted. A tall man with a good figure and crisply curling auburn hair entered with a sheaf of paper.
‘Never mind about those now, Gardiner,’ said Hugo Lemesuder; then he added: ‘My secretary, Mr Gardiner.’ The secretary bowed, uttered a few pleasant words and then went out. In spite of his good looks, there was something repellent about the man. I said so to Poirot shortly afterwards when we were walking round the beautiful old grounds together, and rather to my surprise, he agreed.
‘Yes, yes, Hastings, you are right. I do not like him. He is too good-looking. He would be one for the soft job always. Ah, here are the children.’ Mrs Lemesurier was advancing towards us, her two children beside her. They were fine-looking boys, the younger dark like his mother, the elder with auburn curls. They shook hands prettily enough, and were soon absolutely devoted to Poirot. We were next introduced to Miss Saunders, a nondescript female, who completed the party.
For some days we had a pleasant, easy existence – ever vigilant, but without result. The boys led a happy normal life and nothing seemed to be amiss. On the fourth day after our arrival Major Roger Lemesurier came down to stay. He was little changed, still care-free and debonair as of old, with the same habit of treating all things lightly. He was evidently a great favourite with the boys, who greeted his arrival with shrieks of delight and immediately dragged him off to play wild Indians in the garden. I noticed that Poirot followed them unobtrusively.
On the following day we were all invited to tea, boys included, with Lady Claygate, whose place adjoined that of the Lemesuriers.
Mrs Lemesurier suggested that we also should come, but seemed rather relieved when Poirot refused and declared he would much prefer to remain at home.
Once everyone had started, Poirot got to work. He reminded me of an intelligent terrier. I believe that there was no corner of the house that he left unsearched; yet it was all done so quietly and methodically that no attention was directed to his movements.
Clearly, at the end, he remained unsatisfied. We had tea on the terrace with Mis Sannders, who had not been included in the party.
‘The boys will enjoy it,’ she murmured in her faded way, ‘though I hope they will behave nicely, and not damage the flower-beds, or go near the bees -‘ Poirot paused in the very act of drinking. He looked like a man who has seen a ghost.
‘Bees?’ he demanded in a voice of thunder.
‘Yes, ]VI. Poirot, bees. Three hives. Lady Claygate is very proud of her bees ‘ ‘Bees?’ cried Poirot again. Then he sprang from the table and walked up and down the terrace with his hands to his head. I could not imagine why the little man should be so agitated at the mere mention of bees.
At that moment we heard the car returning. Poirot was on the doorstep a the party alighted.
‘Ronaid’s been stung,’ cried Gerald excitedly.
‘It’s nothing,’ said Mrs Lemesuricr. ‘!t hasn’t even swollen.
We put ammonia on it.’ ‘Let me see, my little man,’ said Poirot. ‘Where wa it?’ ‘Here, on the side of my neck,’ said Ronald importantly. ‘But it doesn’t hurt. Father said: “Keep still – there’s a bee on you.” And I kept still, and he took it off, but it stung me first, though it didn’t really hurt, only like a pin, and I didn’t cry, because I’m so big and going to school next year.’ Poirot examined the child’s neck, then drew away again. He took me by the arm and murmured: ‘Tonight, moa ami, tonight we have a little affair onl Say nothing – to anyone.’ He refused to be more communicative, and I went through the evening devoured by curiosity. He retired early and I followed his example. As we went upstairs, he caught me by the arm and delivered his instructions: ‘Do not undress. Wait a sufficient time, extinguish your light and join me here.’ I obeyed, and found him waiting for me when the time came.