5. The Christian Name of Princess Dragomiroff

           WhentheCountandCountesshaddeparted,Poirotlookedacrossattheothertwo.

           “Yousee,”hesaid,“wemakeprogress.”

           “Excellentwork,”saidM.Bouccordially.“Formypart,IshouldneverhavedreamedofsuspectingCountandCountessAndrenyi.IwilladmitIthoughtthemquitehorsdecombat.Isupposethereisnodoubtthatshecommittedthecrime?Itisrathersad.Still,theywillnotguillotineher.Thereareextenuatingcircumstances.Afewyears’imprisonment—thatwillbeall.”

           “Infactyouarequitecertainofherguilt.”

           “Mydearfriend,surelythereisnodoubtofit?Ithoughtyourreassuringmannerwasonlytosmooththingsovertillwearedugoutofthesnowandthepolicetakecharge.”

           “YoudonotbelievetheCount’spositiveassertion—onhiswordofhonour—thathiswifeisinnocent?”

           “Moncher—naturally—whatelsecouldhesay?Headoreshiswife.Hewantstosaveher!Hetellshislieverywell—quiteinthegrandSeigneurmanner,butwhatelsethanaliecoulditbe?”

           “Well,youknow,Ihadthepreposterousideathatitmightbethetruth.”

           “No,no.Thehandkerchief,remember.Thehandkerchiefclinchesthematter.”

           “Oh,Iamnotsosureaboutthehandkerchief.Youremember,Ialwaystoldyouthatthereweretwopossibilitiesastotheownershipofthehandkerchief.”

           “Allthesame—”

           M.Boucbrokeoff.Thedoorattheendhadopened,andPrincessDragomiroffenteredthediningcar.Shecamestraighttothemandallthreemenrosetotheirfeet.

           ShespoketoPoirot,ignoringtheothers.