This is a crime that needed audacity, swift and faultless execution, courage, indifference to danger, and a resourceful, calculating brain.
Pennington hasn't got those attributes.
He couldn't do a crime unless he knew it to be safe.
This crime wasn't safe!
It hung on a razor edge.
It needed boldness.
Pennington isn't bold. He's only astute."
Race looked at him with the respect one able man gives to another.
"You've got it all well taped," he said.
"I think so, yes.
There are one or two things - that telegram, for instance, that Linnet Doyle read.
I should like to get that cleared up."
"By Jove, we forgot to ask Doyle.
He was telling us when poor old Ma Otterbourne came along.
We'll ask him again."
"Presently.
First, I have someone else to whom I wish to speak."
"Who's that?"
"Tim Allerton."
Race raised his eyebrows.
"Allerton? Well, we'll get him here."
He pressed a bell and sent the steward with a message.
Tim Allerton entered with a questioning look.
"Steward said you wanted to see me?"
"That is right, Monsieur Allerton.
Sit down."
Tim sat.
His face was attentive but very slightly bored.
"Anything I can do?" His tone was polite but not enthusiastic.
Poirot said: "In a sense, perhaps.
What I really require is for you to listen."
Tim's eyebrows rose in polite surprise.
"Certainly.
I'm the world's best listener.
Can be relied on to say 'Oo-er!' at the right moments."
"That is very satisfactory.
'Oo-er!' will be very expressive.
Eh bien, let us commence.
When I met you and your mother at Assuan, Monsieur Allerton, I was attracted to your company very strongly.
To begin with, I thought your mother was one of the most charming people I had ever met -" The weary face flickered for a moment; a shade of expression came into it.
"She is - unique," he said.
"But the second thing that interested me was your mention of a certain lady."
"Really?"
"Yes, a Mademoiselle Joanna Southwood.
You see, I had recently been hearing that name." He paused and went on: "For the last three years there have been certain jewel robberies that have been worrying Scotland Yard a good deal.
They are what may be described as Society robberies.
The method is usually the same - the substitution of an imitation piece of jewellery for an original.
My friend, Chief Inspector Japp, came to the conclusion that the robberies were not the work of one person, but of two people working in with each other very cleverly.
He was convinced, from the considerable inside knowledge displayed, that the robberies were the work of people in a good social position.
And finally his attention became riveted on Mademoiselle Joanna Southwood.