It was quite easy.
That's what's so horribly, horribly frightening about it...
It's so terribly easy...
"And even then we weren't safe.
Mrs Otterbourne had seen me.
She came triumphantly along the deck looking for you and Colonel Race.
I'd no time to think.
I just acted like a flash.
It was almost exciting. I knew it was touch or go that time.
That seemed to make it better..."
She stopped again.
"Do you remember when you came into my cabin afterward?
You said you were not sure why you had come.
I was so miserable - so terrified.
I thought Simon was going to die..."
"And I - was hoping it," said Poirot.
Jacqueline nodded.
"Yes, it would have been better for him that way."
"That was not my thought."
Jacqueline looked at the sternness of his face.
She said gently:
"Don't mind so much for me, Monsieur Poirot.
After all, I've lived hard always, you know.
If we'd won out, I'd have been very happy and enjoyed things and probably should never have regretted anything.
As it is - well, one goes through with it." She added:
"I suppose the stewardess is in attendance to see I don't hang myself or swallow a miraculous capsule of prussic acid as people always do in books.
You needn't be afraid! I shan't do that.
It will be easier for Simon if I'm standing by."
Poirot got up. Jacqueline rose also.
She said with a sudden smile:
"Do you remember when I said I must follow my star?
You said it might be a false star. And I said,
'That very bad star, that star fall down.'" He went out onto the deck with her laughter ringing in his ears.
Chapter 30
It was early dawn when they came into Shellвl.
The rocks came down grimly to the water's edge.
Poirot murmured,
"Quel pays sauvage!"
Race stood beside him.
"Well," he said, "we've done our job.
I've arranged for Richetti to be taken ashore first.
Glad we've got him, He's been a slippery customer, I can tell you.
Given us the slip dozens of times."
He went on: "We must get hold of a stretcher for Doyle. Remarkable how he went to pieces."
"Not really," said Poirot.
"That boyish type of criminal is usually intensely vain.
Once prick the bubble of their self-esteem and it is finished!
They go to pieces like children."
"Deserves to be hanged," said Race. "He's a cold-blooded scoundrel.
I'm sorry for the girl - but there's nothing to be done about it."