"Why, certainly.
After our luncheon and a brief rest we set out for a kind of informal tour around. We escaped, I'm glad to say, without that pestilential dragoman.
That man's just crazy on the subject of the Jews.
I don't think he's quite sane on that point.
Anyway, as I was saying, we set out. It was then that I had my interview with Nadine. Afterwards, she wished to be alone with her husband to discuss matters with him.
I went off on my own, working gradually back towards the camp.
About half way there I met the two English ladies who had been on the morning expedition.
One of them's an English peeress, I understand."
Poirot said that such was the case.
"Ah, she's a fine woman, a very powerful intellect and very well informed.
The other seemed to me rather a weak sister, and she looked about dead with fatigue.
That expedition in the morning was very strenuous for an elderly lady, especially when she doesn't like heights.
Well, as I was saying, I met these two ladies and was able to give them some information on the subject of the Nabateans.
We went around a bit and got back to the camp about six.
Lady Westholme insisted on having tea and I had the pleasure of having a cup with her. The tea was kind of weak but it had an interesting flavor.
Then the boys laid the table for supper and sent out for the old lady, only to find that she was sitting there dead in her chair."
"Did you notice her as you walked home?"
"I did just notice she was there - it was her usual seat in the afternoon and evening, but I didn't pay special attention.
I was just explaining to Lady Westholme the conditions of our recent slump. I had to keep an eye on Miss Pierce, too. She was so tired she kept turning her ankles."
"Thank you, Mr. Cope.
May I be so indiscreet as to ask if Mrs. Boynton is likely to have left a large fortune?"
"A very considerable one.
That is to say, strictly speaking, it was not hers to leave.
She had a life interest in it and at her death it is divided among the late Elmer Boynton's children.
Yes, they will all be very comfortably off now."
"Money," murmured Poirot, "makes a lot of difference. How many crimes have been committed for it!"
Mr. Cope looked a little startled.
"Why, that's so, I suppose," he admitted.
Poirot smiled sweetly and murmured:
"But there are so many motives for murder, are there not?
Thank you, Mr. Cope, for your kind cooperation."
"You're welcome, I'm sure," said Mr. Cope. "Do I see Miss King sitting up there?
I think I'll go and have a word with her."
Poirot continued to descend the hill.
He met Miss Pierce fluttering up it.
She greeted him breathlessly.
"Oh M. Poirot, I'm so glad to meet you.
I've been talking to that very odd Boynton girl - the youngest one, you know.
She has been saying the strangest things - about enemies and some Sheikh who wanted to kidnap her and how she has spies all around her.
Really, it sounded most romantic!
Lady Westholme says it is all nonsense and that she once had a redheaded kitchen maid who told lies just like that, but I think sometimes that Lady Westholme is rather hard.
And after all, it might be true, mightn't it, M. Poirot?
I read some years ago that one of the Czar's daughters was not killed in the Revolution in Russia but escaped secretly to America.
The Grand Duchess Tatiana, I think it was.
If so, this might be her daughter, mightn't it?
She did hint at something Royal. And she has a look, don't you think? Rather Slavic, those cheekbones.
How thrilling it would be!"
Miss Pierce looked wistful and excited. Poirot said, somewhat sententiously: "It is true that there are many strange things in life."
"I didn't really take in this morning who you are," said Miss Pierce, clasping her hands. "Of course you are that very famous detective!
I read all about the A.B.C. case.