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VII. Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan
Whatamagnificentopportunityforsomethiefofdistinction!Regard,Hastings,thatstoutwomanbythepillar.Sheis,asyouwouldsay,plasteredwithgems.”
Ifollowedhiseyes.
“Why,”Iexclaimed,“it’sMrs.Opalsen.”
“Youknowher?”
“Slightly.HerhusbandisarichstockbrokerwhomadeafortuneintherecentOilboom.”
AfterdinnerweranacrosstheOpalsensinthelounge,andIintroducedPoirottothem.Wechattedforafewminutes,andendedbyhavingourcoffeetogether.
Poirotsaidafewwordsinpraiseofsomeofthecostliergemsdisplayedonthelady’samplebosom,andshebrightenedupatonce.
“It’saperfecthobbyofmine,Mr.Poirot.Ijustlovejewellery.Edknowsmyweakness,andeverytimethingsgowellhebringsmesomethingnew.Youareinterestedinpreciousstones?”
“Ihavehadagooddealtodowiththemonetimeandanother,madame.Myprofessionhasbroughtmeintocontactwithsomeofthemostfamousjewelsintheworld.”
Hewentontonarrate,withdiscreetpseudonyms,thestoryofthehistoricjewelsofareigninghouse,andMrs.Opalsenlistenedwithbatedbreath.
“Therenow!”sheexclaimed,asheended.“Ifitisn’tjustlikeaplay!Youknow,I’vegotsomepearlsofmyownthathaveahistoryattachedtothem.Ibelieveit’ssupposedtobeoneofthefinestnecklacesintheworld—thepearlsaresobeautifullymatchedandsoperfectincolour.IdeclareIreallymustrunupandgetit!”
“Oh,madame,”protestedPoirot,“youaretooamiable.Praydonotderangeyourself!”
“Oh,butI’dliketoshowittoyou.
