19. I Use My Grey Cells

           Iwasdumbfounded.Uptothelast,IhadnotbeenablebringmyselftobelieveJackRenauldguilty.IhadexpectedaringingproclamationofhisinnocencewhenPoirotchallengedhim.Butnow,watchinghimashestood,whiteandlimpagainstthewall,andhearingthedamningadmissionfallfromhislips,Idoubtednolonger.

           ButPoirothadturnedtoGiraud.

           “Whatareyourgroundsforarrestinghim?”

           “Doyouexpectmetogivethemtoyou?”

           “Asamatterofcourtesy,yes.”

           Giraudlookedathimdoubtfully.Hewastornbetweenadesiretorefuserudelyandthepleasureoftriumphingoverhisadversary.

           “YouthinkIhavemadeamistake,Isuppose?”hesneered.

           “Itwouldnotsurpriseme,”repliedPoirot,withasoupçonofmalice.

           Giraud’sfacetookonadeepertingeofred.

           “Ehbien,comeinhere.Youshalljudgeforyourself.”Heflungopenthedoorofthesalon,andwepassedin,leavingJackRenauldinthecareofthetwoothermen.

           “Now,M.Poirot,”saidGiraudlayinghishatonthetable,andspeakingwiththeutmostsarcasm,“Iwilltreatyoutoalittlelectureondetectivework.Iwillshowyouhowwemodernswork.”

           “Bien!”saidPoirot,composinghimselftolisten.“IwillshowyouhowadmirablytheOldGuardcanlisten,”andheleanedbackandclosedhiseyes,openingthemforamomenttoremark.“DonotfearthatIshallsleep.Iwillattendmostcarefully.”

           “Ofcourse,”beganGiraud,“IsoonsawthroughallthatChiliantomfoolery.Twomenwereinit—buttheywerenotmysteriousforeigners!Allthatwasablind.