Curtain - Agatha Christie [59]
I knew what he meant. Poirot’s scathing remarks on the subject of ‘playing the game’ were only too familiar to me. I only wondered that Poirot had never thought of taking to bird-glasses himself ! He would have done if he had thought of it.
‘He’d respect your confidence,’ I urged. ‘And you needn’t act upon his advice if you don’t like it.’
‘That’s true,’ said Norton, his brow clearing. ‘You know, Hastings, I think that’s just what I will do.’
IV
I was astonished at Poirot’s instant reaction to my piece of information.
‘What is that you say, Hastings?’
He dropped the piece of thin toast he had been raising to his lips. He poked his head forward.
‘Tell me. Tell me quickly.’
I repeated the story.
‘He saw something through the glasses that day,’ repeated Poirot thoughtfully. ‘Something that he will not tell you.’ His hand shot out and gripped my arm. ‘He has not told anyone else of this?’
‘I don’t think so. No, I’m sure he hasn’t.’
‘Be very careful, Hastings. It is urgent that he should not tell anyone – he must not even hint. To do so might be dangerous.’
‘Dangerous?’
‘Very dangerous.’
Poirot’s face was grave. ‘Arrange with him, mon ami, to come up and see me this evening. Just an ordinary friendly little visit, you understand. Do not let anyone else suspect that there is any special reason for his coming. And be careful, Hastings, be very, very careful. Who else did you say was with you at the time?’
‘Elizabeth Cole.’
‘Did she notice anything odd about his manner?’
I tried to recollect. ‘I don’t know. She may have. Shall I ask her if –?’
‘You will say nothing, Hastings – absolutely nothing.’
Chapter 16
I
I gave Norton Poirot’s message.
‘I’ll go up and see him, certainly. I’d like to. But you know, Hastings, I’m rather sorry I mentioned the matter even to you.’
‘By the way,’ I said, ‘you haven’t said anything to anyone else about it, have you?’
‘No – at least – no, of course not.’
‘You’re quite sure?’
‘No, no, I haven’t said anything.’
‘Well, don’t. Not until after you’ve seen Poirot.’
I had noticed the slight hesitation in his tone when he first answered, but his second assurance was quite firm. I was to remember that slight hesitation afterwards, though.
II
I went up again to the grassy knoll where we had been on that day. Someone else was there already. Elizabeth Cole. She turned her head as I came up the slope.
She said: ‘You look very excited, Captain Hastings. Is anything the matter?’
I tried to calm myself.
‘No, no, nothing at all. I’m just out of breath with walking fast.’ I added in an everyday, commonplace voice: ‘It’s going to rain.’
She looked up at the sky. ‘Yes, I think it is.’
We stood there silent for a minute or two. There was something about this woman that I found very sympathetic. Ever since she had told me who she really was, and the tragedy that had ruined her life, I had taken an interest in her. Two people who have suffered unhappiness have a great bond in common. Yet for her there was, or so I suspected, a second spring. I said now impulsively: ‘Far from being excited, I’m depressed today. I’ve had bad news about my dear old friend.’
‘About M. Poirot?’
Her sympathetic interest led me to unburden myself. When I had finished she said softly: ‘I see. So – the end might come at any time?’
I nodded, unable to speak.
After a minute or two I said: ‘When he’s gone I shall indeed be alone in the world.’
‘Oh, no, you’ve got Judith – and your other children.’
‘They’re scattered over the world, and Judith – well, she’s got her work, she doesn’t need me.’
‘I suspect that children don’t ever need their parents until they are in trouble of some kind. I should make up your mind to that as to some fundamental law. I’m far more lonely than you are. My two sisters are far away, one in America and one in Italy.’
‘My dear girl,’ I said. ‘You’re life’s beginning.’
‘At thirty-five?’
‘What’s thirty-five? I wish I were thirty-five.’ I added maliciously: ‘I’m not quite blind, you know.’
She turned an enquiring glance on me, then blushed. ‘You don’t think