Пуаро ведёт следствие
VII. Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan
“AndthatFrenchhussyoughttobeashamedofherselftakingawayanhonestgirl’scharacter!”
“There,there,mygirl;that’sallright,”saidtheinspector,openingthedoor.“Nobodysuspectsyou.Yougoalongandgetonwithyourwork.”
Thechambermaidwentunwillingly.
“Goingtosearchher?”shedemanded,pointingatCélestine.
“Yes,yes!”Heshutthedooronherandturnedthekey.
Célestineaccompaniedthesearcherintothesmallroominherturn.Afewminuteslatershealsoreturned.Nothinghadbeenfoundonher.
Theinspector’sfacegrewgraver.
“I’mafraidI’llhavetoaskyoutocomealongwithmeallthesame,miss.”HeturnedtoMrs.Opalsen.“I’msorry,madam,butalltheevidencepointsthatway.Ifshe’snotgotthemonher,they’rehiddensomewhereabouttheroom.”
Célestineutteredapiercingshriek,andclungtoPoirot’sarm.Thelatterbentandwhisperedsomethinginthegirl’sear.Shelookedupathimdoubtfully.
“Si,si,monenfant—Iassureyouitisbetternottoresist.”Thenheturnedtotheinspector.“Youpermit,monsieur?Alittleexperiment—purelyformyownsatisfaction.”
“Dependsonwhatitis,”repliedthepoliceofficernon-committally.
PoirotaddressedCélestineoncemore.
“Youhavetoldusthatyouwentintoyourroomtofetchareelofcotton.Whereaboutswasit?”
“Onthetopofthechestofdrawers,monsieur.”
“Andthescissors?”
“Theyalso.
