Death in the Clouds - Agatha Christie [62]
She stared at him.
‘A wasp?’
‘Exactly. That does not make sense to you, I see. Now, then, let us attend to the matter in hand. I will deal with this Mr Robinson. I pledge you my word that you shall never see or hear of him again. I will settle his—his—I have forgotten the word—his bacon? No, his goat. Now in return for my services I will ask you two little questions. Was Mr Barraclough in Paris the day before the murder?’
‘Yes, we dined together. But he thought it better I should go and see the woman alone.’
‘Ah, he did, did he? Now, Madame, one further question: Your stage name before you were married was Cicely Bland. Was that your real name?’
‘No, my real name is Martha Jebb. But the other—’
‘Made a better professional name. And you were born—where?’
‘Doncaster. But why—’
‘Mere curiosity. Forgive me. And now, Lady Horbury, will you permit me to give you some advice? Why not arrange with your husband a discreet divorce?’
‘And let him marry that woman?’
‘And let him marry that woman. You have a generous heart, Madame; and besides, you will be safe—oh, so safe—and your husband he will pay you an income.’
‘Not a very large one.’
‘Eh bien, once you are free you will marry a millionaire.’
‘There aren’t any nowadays.’
‘Ah, do not believe that, Madame. The man who had three millions perhaps now he has two millions—eh bien, it is still enough.’
Cicely laughed.
‘You’re very persuasive, M. Poirot. And are you really sure that dreadful man will never bother me again?’
‘On the word of Hercule Poirot,’ said that gentleman solemnly.
Chapter 20
In Harley Street
Detective-Inspector Japp walked briskly up Harley Street and stopped at a certain door.
He asked for Dr Bryant.
‘Have you an appointment, sir?’
‘No, I’ll just write a few words.’
On an official card he wrote:
‘Should be much obliged if you could spare me a few moments. I won’t keep you long.’
He sealed up the card in an envelope and gave it to the butler.
He was shown into a waiting-room. There were two women there and a man. Japp settled down with an elderly copy of Punch.
The butler reappeared and, crossing the floor, said in a discreet voice:
‘If you wouldn’t mind waiting a short time, sir, the doctor will see you, but he’s very busy this morning.’
Japp nodded. He did not in the least mind waiting—in fact he rather welcomed it. The two women had begun to talk. They had obviously a very high opinion of Dr Bryant’s abilities. More patients came in. Evidently Dr Bryant was doing well in his profession.
‘Fairly coining money,’ thought Japp to himself. ‘That doesn’t look like needing to borrow; but of course the loan may have taken place a long time ago. Anyway, he’s got a fine practice; a breath of scandal would burst it to bits. That’s the worst of being a doctor.’
Quarter of an hour later the butler reappeared and said:
‘The doctor will see you now, sir.’
Japp was shown into Dr Bryant’s consulting-room—a room at the back of the house with a big window. The doctor was sitting at his desk. He rose and shook hands with the detective.
His fine-lined face showed fatigue, but he seemed in no way disturbed by the inspector’s visit.
‘What can I do for you, Inspector?’ he said as he resumed his seat and motioned Japp to a chair opposite.
‘I must apologize first for calling in your consulting hours, but I shan’t keep you long, sir.’
‘That is all right, I suppose it is about the aeroplane death?’
‘Quite right, sir. We’re still working on it.’
‘With any result?’
‘We’re not as far on as we’d like to be. I really came to ask you some questions about the method employed. It’s this snake venom business that I can’t get the hang of.’
‘I’m not a toxicologist, you know,’ said Dr Bryant, smiling. ‘Such things aren’t in my line. Winterspoon’s your man.’
‘Ah, but you see, it’s like this, Doctor. Winterspoon’s an expert—and you know what experts are. They talk so that the ordinary man can’t understand them. But as far as I can make out there’s a medical side of this business. Is it true that snake venom is sometimes injected