It must have been about a quarter to two when I got there.
Did you find any of your friends on the dig?
No, there seemed to be no one there but the Arab foreman.
You did not see Mr Carey?
No.
Curious, said Poirot.
No more did M. Verrier when he went there that same afternoon.
He looked invitingly at Carey, but the latter neither moved nor spoke.
Have you any explanation, Mr Carey?
I went for a walk.
There was nothing of interest turning up.
In which direction did you go for a walk?
Down by the river.
Not back towards the house?
No.
I suppose, said Miss Reilly, that you were waiting for someone who didnt come.
He looked at her but didnt answer.
Poirot did not press the point.
He spoke once more to the girl.
Did you see anything else, mademoiselle?
Yes.
I was not far from the expedition house when I noticed the expedition lorry drawn up in a wadi.
I thought it was rather queer.
Then I saw Mr Coleman.
He was walking along with his head down as though he were searching for something.
Look here, burst out Mr Coleman, I
Poirot stopped him with an authoritative gesture.
Wait.
Did you speak to him, Miss Reilly?
No. I didnt.
Why?
The girl said slowly: Because, from time to time, he started and looked round with an extraordinary furtive look.
It gave me an unpleasant feeling.
I turned my horses head and rode away.
I dont think he saw me.
I was not very near and he was absorbed in what he was doing.
Look here, Mr Coleman was not to be hushed any longer.
Ive got a perfectly good explanation for what I admit looks a bit fishy.
As a matter of fact, the day before I had slipped a jolly fine cylinder seal into my coat pocket instead of putting it in the antika-room forgot all about it.
And then I discovered Id been and lost it out of my pocket dropped it somewhere.
I didnt want to get into a row about it so I decided Id have a jolly good search on the quiet.
I was pretty sure Id dropped it on the way to or from the dig.
I rushed over my business in Hassanieh.
Sent a walad to do some of the shopping and got back early.
I stuck the bus where it wouldnt show and had a jolly good hunt for over an hour.
And didnt find the damned thing at that!
Then I got into the bus and drove on to the house.
Naturally, everyone thought Id just got back.
And you did not undeceive them? asked Poirot sweetly.
Well, that was pretty natural under the circumstances, dont you think?