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Show 'tH i 'ft v''i v - ., ' XW--i Iv sft rf I lw ferv deftly Poirot stretched bowed to her request to be allowed to wear it just for one evening! The sequel was short and sad. The lady had retired from their supper table in a crowded night club to powder her nose. Time passed. She did not return. She had left the establishment by another door and vanished into space. The ruby she took with her was a historical possession of great significance, and the circumstances of its disappearance were such that any undue publicity, Mr. Benton implied, might result in the most serious political consequences. Who exactly Mr. Benton was, Hercule Poirot did not know. Whether he was connected with the Home Office, the Foreign Office or some more discreet branch of public service was not specified. He was acting in the interests of the Commonwealth. The ruby must be recovered. M. Poirot, Mr. Benton delicately insisted, was the man to recover it. "Perhaps yes, Hercule Poirot admitted, "but tell can me so little of why I should go to Kings you Lacey to find this ruby. Suggestion suspicion all that is not very much to go upon. "Come now, M. Poirot, surely the case is not Q I960 by Agotho ChritHc Ltd beyond your powers. You will go to Kings Lacey? "And how do I explain myself there? asked Hercule Poirot. Mr. Benton smiled with confidence. "I have already discussed the arrangement with Lady he said. "Edwina Morecombe is a close friend of your hostess, Mrs. Lacey a most charmthe Morecombe ing person, by only way. Lady waits for my call to ring through to Mrs. Lacey. I can assure you that it w ill all seem quite natural. "And you do not deceive me about the central heating? "No, indeed. Mr. Benton sounded quite pained. " Eh bien , Poirot murmured. "I accept. More-comb- oil-fire- e, d in the long drawing room at The temperature Lacey was a comfortable 68 as Hercule Poirot sat talking to Mrs. Lacey by one of the big mullioned windows. Mrs. Lacey, his agreeable hostess who answered to her husbands roars as "Em, was engaged in needlework. As she sewed she talked in a soft, reflective voice Poirot found very charming. "I hope you will enjoy our Christmas party here, M. Poirot. Its only the family, you know. My granddaughter Sarah and a young man; also my grandson with a friend of his; and Bridget whos my Just a family party. Poirot laughed and said, "It is most kind of you and your husband to include me, Madame, in this way in your family party. "Oh, were both delighted. Im sure, said Mrs. Lacey. "And if you find Horace a little gruff, she continued, "pay no attention. Its just his manner, you know. What her husband, Colonel Lacey, had actually said was, "Cant think why you want one of these damned foreigners cluttering my Christmas. Not up to something, are you, Em? Revolving these things in her mind, Mrs. Lacey went on, "Edwina Morecombe said she thought perhaps you might help us. Im sure I dont know quite how, but slie said tfyat friends of hers had once found you very helpful in in a case something like ours. I well, perhaps you dont know what Im talking about? Poirot looked at her encouragingly. Mrs. Lacey e was close to 70, as upright as a ramrod, with hair, pink cheeks, blue eyes, a ridiculous nose Continued on page 30 and a determined great-niec- e. snow-whit- Vi |
