But afterwards Uncle Alistair told me that he had definitely asked you because he wanted you to clear up this business of that missing woman – Sainsbury Seale.
That's right, isn't it?"
"Absolutely."
"So I'm sorry for what I said to you that evening. But it did look like it, you know. I mean, as though you were just following Howard and spying on us both."
"Even if it were true, Mademoiselle – I was an excellent witness to the fact that Mr. Raikes bravely saved your uncle's life by springing on his assailant and preventing him from firing another shot."
"You've got a funny way of saying things, M. Poirot. I never know whether you're serious or not."
Poirot said gravely: "At the moment I am very serious, Miss Olivera."
Jane said with a slight break in her voice:
"Why do you look at me like that?
As though – as though you were sorry for me?"
"Perhaps because I am sorry, Mademoiselle, for the things that I shall have to do so soon -"
"Well, then – don't do them!"
"Alas, Mademoiselle, but I must."
She stared at him for a minute or two, then she said:
"Have you found that woman?"
Poirot said: "Let us say – that I know where she is."
"Is she dead?"
"I have not said so."
"She's alive, then?"
"I have not said that either."
Jane looked at him with irritation.
She exclaimed: "Well, she's got to be one or the other, hasn't she?"
"Actually, it is not quite so simple."
"I believe you just like making things difficult!"
"It has been said of me," admitted Hercule Poirot.
Jane shivered.
She said: "Isn't it funny?
It's a lovely warm day – and yet I suddenly feel cold…"
"Perhaps you had better walk on, Mademoiselle."
Jane rose to her feet.
She stood a minute irresolute. She said abruptly: "Howard wants me to marry him. At once.
Without letting anyone know.
He says – he says it's the only way I'll ever do it – that I'm weak -" She broke off, then with one hand she gripped Poirot's arm with surprising strength.
"What shall I do about it, M. Poirot?"
"Why ask me to advise you?
There are those who are nearer!"
"Mother?
She'd scream the house down at the bare idea!
Uncle Alistair?
He'd be cautious and prosy.
'Plenty of time, my dear.
Got to make quite sure, you know.
Bit of an odd fish – this young man of yours.
No sense in rushing things -'"
"Your friends?" suggested Poirot.
"I haven't got any friends.
Only a silly crowd I drink and dance and talk inane catchwords with! Howard's the only real person I've ever come up against."
"Still – why ask me, Miss Olivera?"
Jane said: "Because you've got a queer look on your face – as though you were sorry about something – as though you knew something that – that – was – coming -" She stopped.
"Well?" she demanded. "What do you say?"