Lord Edgware Dies Page 0,49

on it!" she said.

'Apparently Miss Adams sat there some time after paying her bill. Then, finally, she looked at her watch once more, seemed to give it up and went out.'

Poirot was frowning.

'It was a rendez-vous,' he murmured. 'A rendez-vous with someone who did not turn up. Did Carlotta Adams meet that person afterwards? Or did she fail to meet him and go home and try to ring him up? I wish I knew - oh! how I wish I knew.'

'That's your theory, M. Poirot. Mysterious Man-in-the-Background. That Man-in-the-Background's a myth. I don't say she mayn't have been waiting for someone - that's possible. She may have made an appointment to meet someone there after her business with his lordship was settled satisfactorily. Well, we know what happened. She lost her head and stabbed him. But she's not one to lose her head for long. She changes her appearance at the station, gets out the case, goes to the rendezvous, and then what they call the "reaction" gets her. Horror of what she'd done. And when her friend doesn't turn up, that finished her. He may be someone who knew she was going to Regent Gate that evening. She feels the game's up. So she takes out her little box of dope. An overdose of that and it'll be all over. At any rate she won't be hanged. Why, it's as plain as the nose on your face.'

Poirot's hand strayed doubtfully to his nose, then his fingers dropped to his moustaches. He caressed them tenderly with a proud expression.

'There was no evidence at all of a mysterious Man-in-the-Background,' said Japp, pursuing his advantage doggedly. 'I haven't got evidence yet of a connection between her and his lordship, but I shall do - it's only a question of time. I must say I'm disappointed about Paris, but nine months ago is a long time. I've still got someone making inquiries over there. Something may come to light yet. I know you don't think so. You're a pig-headed old boy, you know.'

'You insult first my nose and then my head!'

'Figure of speech, that's all,' said Japp soothingly. 'No offence meant.'

'The answer to that,' I said, 'is "nor taken."'

Poirot looked from one to the other of us completely puzzled.

'Any orders?' inquired Japp facetiously from the door. Poirot smiled forgivingly at him.

'An order, no. A suggestion - yes.'

'Well, what is it? Out with it.'

'A suggestion that you circularize the taxi-cabs. Find one that took a fare - or more probably two fares - yes, two fares - from the neighbourhood of Covent Garden to Regent Gate on the night of the murder. As to time it would probably be about twenty minutes to eleven.'

Japp cocked an eye alertly. He had the look of a smart terrier dog.

'So, that's the idea, is it?' he said. 'Well, I'll do it. Can't do any harm - and you sometimes know what you're talking about.'

No sooner had he left than Poirot arose and with great energy began to brush his hat.

'Ask me no questions, my friend. Instead bring me the benzine. A morsel of omelette this morning descended on my waistcoat.'

I brought it to him.

'For once,' I said. 'I do not think I need to ask questions. It seems fairly obvious. But do you think it really is so?'

'Mon ami, at the moment I concern myself solely with the toilet. If you will pardon me saying so, your tie does not please me.'

'It's a jolly good tie,' I said.

'Possibly - once. It feels the old age as you have been kind enough to say I do. Change it, I beseech you, and also brush the right sleeve.'

'Are we proposing to call on King George?' I inquired sarcastically.

'No. But I saw in the newspaper this morning that the Duke of Merton had returned to Merton House. I understand he is a premier member of the English aristocracy. I wish to do him all honour.'

There is nothing of the Socialist about Poirot.

'Why are we going to call on the Duke of Merton?'

'I wish to see him.'

That was all I could get out of him. When my attire was at last handsome enough to please Poirot's critical eye, we started out.

At Merton House, Poirot was asked by a footman if he had an appointment. Poirot replied in the negative. The footman bore away the card and returned shortly to say that His Grace was very sorry but he was extremely busy this morning. Poirot immediately sat down in a chair.

'Tres bien,'