I think, perhaps, what I am meant to think. No, that is wrong again.
If my original idea were right, I could not be meant to think -"
He broke off.
"I beg your pardon," said Jane.
Poirot did not answer for a moment or two. Then he took his hands from his temples, sat very upright and straightened two forks and a saltcellar which offended his sense of symmetry.
"Let us reason," he said. "Anne Morisot is either guilty or innocent of the crime.
If she is innocent, why has she lied?
Why has she concealed the fact that she was lady's maid to Lady Horbury?"
"Why, indeed?" said Fournier.
"So we say Anne Morisot is guilty because she has lied.
But wait.
Suppose my first supposition was correct.
Will that supposition fit in with Anne Morisot's guilt or with Anne Morisot's lie?
Yes, yes, it might - given one premise.
But in that case, and if that premise is correct, then Anne Morisot should have not been on the plane at all."
The others looked at him politely, if with, perhaps, a rather perfunctory interest.
Fournier thought: "I see now what the Englishman, Japp, meant.
He makes difficulties, this old one.
He tries to make an affair which is now simple sound complicated.
He cannot accept a straightforward solution without pretending that it squares with his preconceived ideas."
Jane thought: "I don't see in the least what he means.
Why couldn't the girl be in the plane?
She had to go wherever Lady Horbury wanted her to go. I think he's rather a mountebank, really."
Suddenly Poirot drew in his breath with a hiss.
"Of course," he said. "It is a possibility! And it ought to be very simple to find out."
He rose.
"What now, my friend?" asked Fournier.
"Again the telephone," said Poirot.
"The transatlantic to Quebec?"
"This time it is merely to call to London."
"To Scotland Yard?"
"No, to Lord Horbury's house in Grosvenor Square.
If only I have the good fortune to find Lady Horbury at home."
"Be careful, my friend, if any suspicion gets round to Anne Morisot that we have been making inquiries about her, it would not suit our affair.
Above all, we must not put her upon her guard."
"Have no fears.
I will be discreet.
I ask only one little question. A question of a most harmless nature." He smiled. "You shall come with me if you like."
"No, no."
"But, yes. I insist."
The two men went off, leaving Jane in the lounge.
It took some little time to put the call through. But Poirot's luck was in. Lady Horbury was lunching at home.
"Good. Will you tell Lady Horbury that it is Mr Hercule Poirot speaking from Paris."
There was a pause.
"That is you, Lady Horbury?...
No, no, all is well.
I assure you all is well.
It is not that matter at all.
I want you to answer me a question...
Yes... When you go from Paris to England by air, does your maid usually go with you, or does she go by train?...