Reflect on what I have said."
Mrs. Lorrimer was looking a little uncertain of herself.
She said, with an attempt at her old manner,
"If it suits me, Monsieur Poirot, I shall deny this whole conversation.
You have no witnesses, remember.
What I have just told you that I saw on that fatal evening is - well, private between ourselves."
Poirot said gravely, "Nothing shall be done without your consent madame. And be at peace, I have my own methods.
Now that I know what I am driving at -"
He took her hand and raised it to his lips.
"Permit me to tell you, madame, that you are a most remarkable woman.
All my homage and respects.
Yes, indeed a woman in a thousand.
Why, you have not even done what nine hundred and ninety-nine women out of a thousand could not have resisted doing."
"What is that?"
"Told me just why you killed your husband - and how entirely justified such a proceeding really was!"
Mrs. Lorrimer drew herself up.
"Really, Monsieur Poirot," she said stiffly, "my reasons were entirely my own business."
"Magnifique!" said Poirot and, once more raising her hand to his lips, he left the room.
It was cold outside the house and he looked up and down for a taxi but there was none in sight.
He began to walk in the direction of Kings Road.
As he walked he was thinking hard. Occasionally he nodded his head, once he shook it.
He looked back over his shoulder. Someone was going up the steps of Mrs. Lorrimer's house.
In figure it looked very like Anne Meredlth.
He hesitated for a minute, wondering whether to turn back or not, but in the end he went on.
On arrival at home he found that Battle had gone without leaving any message.
He proceeded to ring the superintendent up.
"Hullo." Battle's voice came through. "Got anything?"
"Je crois bien.
Mon ami, we must get after the Meredith girl - and quickly."
"I'm getting after her - but why quickly?"
"Because, my friend, she may be dangerous."
Battle was silent for a minute or two.
Then he said,
"I know what you mean.
But there's no one - Oh, well, we mustn't take chances.
As a matter of fact I've written her. Official note saying I'm calling to see her tomorrow.
I thought it might be a good thing to get her rattled."
"It is a possibility at least.
I may accompany you?"
"Naturally.
Honored to have your company, Monsieur Poirot."
Poirot hung up the receiver with a thoughtful face.
His mind was not quite at rest. He sat for a long time in front of his fire, frowning to himself. At last, putting his fears and doubts aside, he went to bed.
"We will see in the morning," he murmured.
But, of what the morning would bring, he had no idea.
Chapter 28 SUICIDE
The summons came by telephone at the moment when Poirot was sitting down to his morning coffee and rolls.
He lifted the telephone receiver and Battle's voice spoke.
"That Monsieur Poirot?"
"Yes, it is I.