He interrupted me.
"Carry him on to the bed in my room.
I have not a minute to lose if I would catch my train.
Not that I want to catch it.
Oh, that I could miss it with a clear conscience!
But I gave my word.
Come, Hastings!"
Leaving our mysterious visitor in the charge of Mrs. Pearson, we drove away, and duly caught the train by the skin of our teeth.
Poirot was alternately silent and loquacious.
He would sit staring out of the window like a man lost in a dream, apparently not hearing a word that I said to him. Then, reverting to animation suddenly, he would shower injunctions and commands upon me, and urge the necessity of constant radiograms.
We had a long fit of silence just after we passed Woking.
The train, of course, did not stop anywhere until Southhampton; but just here it happened to be held up by a signal.
"Ah!
SacrŠ¹ mille tonnerres!" cried Poirot suddenly. "But I have been an imbecile.
I see clearly at last.
It is undoubtedly the blessed saints who stopped the train.
Jump, Hastings, but jump, I tell you."
In an instant he had unfastened the carriage door, and jumped out on the line.
"Throw out the suit-cases and jump yourself."
I obeyed him.
Just in time.
As I alighted beside him, the train moved on.
"And now Poirot," I said, in some exasperation, "perhaps you will tell me what all this is about."
"It is, my friend, that I have seen the light."
"That," I said. "is very illuminating to me."
"It should be," said Poirot, "but I fear - I very much fear that it is not.
If you can carry two of these valises, I think I can manage the rest."
Chapter 2 THE MAN FROM THE ASYLUM
Fortunately the train had stopped near a station.
A short walk brought us to a garage where we were able to obtain a car, and half an hour later we were spinning rapidly back to London.
Then, and not till then, did Poirot deign to satisfy my curiosity.
"You do not see?
No more did I.
But I see now.
Hastings, I was being got out of the way."
"What!"
"Yes.
Very cleverly.
Both the place and the method were chosen with great knowledge and acumen.
They were afraid of me."
"Who were?"
"Those four geniuses who have banded themselves together to work outside the law.
A Chinaman, an American, a Frenchwoman, and - another.
Pray the good God we arrive back in time, Hastings."
"You think there is danger to our visitor?"
"I am sure of it."
Mrs. Pearson greeted us on arrival.
Brushing aside her ecstasies of astonishment on beholding Poirot, we asked for information.
It was reassuring.
No one had called, and our guest had not made any sign.