Poirot investigates - Agatha Christie [5]
Poirot eyed him keenly. ‘You have, then, another string to your bow? Permit that I make a guess? It is to sell The Star of the East?’
Lord Yardly nodded. ‘That’s it. It’s been in the family for some generations, but it’s not essential. Still, it’s not the easiest thing in the world to find a purchaser. Hoffberg, the Hatton Garden man, is on the lookout for a likely customer, but he’ll have to find one soon, or it’s a washout.’
‘One more question, permettez–Lady Yardly, which plan does she approve?’
‘Oh, she’s bitterly opposed to my selling the jewel. You know what women are. She’s all for this film stunt.’
‘I comprehend,’ said Poirot. He remained a moment or so in thought, then rose briskly to his feet. ‘You return to Yardly Chase at once? Bien! Say no word to anyone–to anyone, mind–but expect us there this evening. We will arrive shortly after five.
‘All right, but I don’t see–’
‘Ça n’a pas d’importance,’ said Poirot kindly. ‘You will that I preserve for you your diamond, n’est-ce pas?’
‘Yes, but–’
‘Then do as I say.’
A sadly bewildered nobleman left the room.
III
It was half-past five when we arrived at Yardly Chase, and followed the dignified butler to the old panelled hall with its fire of blazing logs. A pretty picture met our eyes: Lady Yardly and her two children, the mother’s proud dark head bent down over the two fair ones. Lord Yardly stood near, smiling down on them.
‘Monsieur Poirot and Captain Hastings,’ announced the butler.
Lady Yardly looked up with a start, for her husband came forward uncertainly, his eyes seeking instruction from Poirot. The little man was equal to the occasion.
‘All my excuses! It is that I investigate still this affair of Miss Marvell’s. She comes to you on Friday, does she not? I make a little tour first to make sure that all is secure. Also I wanted to ask Lady Yardly if she recollected at all the postmarks on the letters she received?’
Lady Yardly shook her head regretfully. ‘I’m afraid I don’t. It’s stupid of me. But, you see, I never dreamt of taking them seriously.’
‘You’ll stay the night?’ said Lord Yardly.
‘Oh, milord, I fear to incommode you. We have left our bags at the inn.’
‘That’s all right.’ Lord Yardly had his cue. ‘We’ll send down for them. No, no–no trouble, I assure you.’
Poirot permitted himself to be persuaded, and sitting down by Lady Yardly, began to make friends with the children. In a short time they were all romping together, and had dragged me into the game.
‘Vous êtes bonne mère,’ said Poirot, with a gallant little bow, as the children were removed reluctantly by a stern nurse.
Lady Yardly smoothed her ruffled hair.
‘I adore them,’ she said with a little catch in her voice.
‘And they you–with reason!’ Poirot bowed again.
A dressing-gong sounded, and we rose to go up to our rooms. At that moment the butler emerged with a telegram on a salver which he handed to Lord Yardly. The latter tore it open with a brief word of apology. As he read it he stiffened visibly.
With an ejaculation he handed it to his wife. Then he glanced at my friend.
‘Just a minute, Monsieur Poirot, I feel you ought to know about this. It’s from Hoffberg. He thinks he’s found a customer for the diamond–an American, sailing for the States tomorrow. They’re sending down a chap tonight to vet the stone. By Jove, though, if this goes through–’ Words failed him.
Lady Yardly had turned away. She still held the telegram in her hand.
‘I wish you wouldn’t sell it, George,’ she said, in a low voice. ‘It’s been in the family so long.’ She waited, as though for a reply, but when none came her face hardened. She shrugged her shoulders. ‘I must go and dress. I suppose I had better