I. The Adventure of “The Western Star”

           IwasstandingatthewindowofPoirot’sroomslookingoutidlyonthestreetbelow.

           “That’squeer,”Iejaculatedsuddenlybeneathmybreath.

           “Whatis,monami?”askedPoirotplacidly,fromthedepthsofhiscomfortablechair.

           “Deduce,Poirot,fromthefollowingfacts!Hereisayounglady,richlydressed—fashionablehat,magnificentfurs.Sheiscomingalongslowly,lookingupatthehousesasshegoes.Unknowntoher,sheisbeingshadowedbythreemenandamiddle-agedwoman.Theyhavejustbeenjoinedbyanerrandboywhopointsafterthegirl,gesticulatingashedoesso.Whatdramaisthisbeingplayed?Isthegirlacrook,andaretheshadowersdetectivespreparingtoarresther?Oraretheythescoundrels,andaretheyplottingtoattackaninnocentvictim?Whatdoesthegreatdetectivesay?”

           “Thegreatdetective,monami,chooses,asever,thesimplestcourse.Herisestoseeforhimself.”Andmyfriendjoinedmeatthewindow.

           Inaminutehegaveventtoanamusedchuckle.

           “Asusual,yourfactsaretingedwithyourincurableromanticism.ThatisMissMaryMarvell,thefilmstar.Sheisbeingfollowedbyabevyofadmirerswhohaverecognizedher.And,enpassant,mydearHastings,sheisquiteawareofthefact!”

           Ilaughed.

           “Soallisexplained!Butyougetnomarksforthat,Poirot.Itwasamerematterofrecognition.”

           “Envérité!AndhowmanytimeshaveyouseenMaryMarvellonthescreen,moncher?”

           Ithought.

           “Aboutadozentimesperhaps.”

           “AndI—once!YetIrecognizeher,andyoudonot.”

           “Shelookssodifferent,”Irepliedratherfeebly.