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III. The Adventure of the Cheap Flat
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“Blueeyesandaverynicecomplexionand—well,that’sall,Ithink,”Iconcludedlamely.
“Andherhusband?”
“Oh,he’squiteanicefellow—nothingstartling.”
“Darkorfair?”
“Idon’tknow—betwixtandbetween,andjustanordinarysortofface.”
Poirotnodded.
“Yes,therearehundredsoftheseaveragemen—and,anyway,youbringmoresympathyandappreciationtoyourdescriptionofwomen.Doyouknowanythingaboutthesepeople?DoesParkerknowthemwell.”
“Theyarejustrecentacquaintances,Ibelieve.Butsurely,Poirot,youdon’tthinkforaninstant——”
Poirotraisedhishand.
“Toutdoucement,monami.HaveIsaidthatIthinkanything?AllIsayis—itisacuriousstory.Andthereisnothingtothrowlightuponit;exceptperhapsthelady’sname,eh,Hastings?”
“HernameisStella,”Isaidstiffly,“butIdon’tsee——”
Poirotinterruptedmewithatremendouschuckle.Somethingseemedtobeamusinghimvastly.
“AndStellameansastar,doesitnot?Famous!”
“Whatonearth——”
“Andstarsgivelight!Voilà!Calmyourself,Hastings.Donotputonthatairofinjureddignity.Come,wewillgotoMontaguMansionsandmakeafewinquiries.”
Iaccompaniedhim,nothingloath.TheMansionswereahandsomeblockofbuildingsinexcellentrepair.Auniformedporterwassunninghimselfonthethreshold,anditwastohimthatPoirotaddressedhimself:
“Pardon,butcouldyoutellmeifaMr.andMrs.Robinsonresidehere?”
Theporterwasamanoffewwordsandapparentlyofasourorsuspiciousdisposition.