"That is exactly what you will not have. p^\ you will get is a lie.33

^But damme, sir --33

I 313

cc! assure you. General Grant, you must hold your tongue. That is vital--you understand ? Vital /"

"Oh well, have it your own way,"

growled the old soldier.

He was mastered but not convinced.

Hercule Poirot picked his way carefully

through the Benares brass and went out.

V

Mrs. Larkin's room was full of people.

Mrs. Larkin herself was mixing cocktails

at a side table. She was a tall woman with

pale auburn hair rolled into the back of her

neck. Her eyes were greenish-grey with

big, black pupils. She moved easily, with

a kind of sinister grace. She looked as

though she were in the early thirties. Only

a close scrutiny revealed the lines at the corners of the eyes and hinted that she was ten years older than her looks.

Hercule Poirot had been brought here

by a brisk, middle-aged woman, a friend

of Lady CarmichaeFs. He found himself

given a cocktail and further directed to take

one to a girl sitting in the window. The

girl was small and fair --her face was pink

and white and suspiciously angelic. Her

314

eyes, Hercule Poirot noticed at once, were

alert and suspicious.

He said:

"To your continued good health. Mademoiselle.

^

She nodded and drank. Then she said

abruptly:

"You know my sister."

"Your sister? Ah, you are then one

of the Miss Grants ?"

"I'm Pam Grant.39

"And where is your sister today ?"

"She's out hunting. Ought to be back

soon."

"I met your sister in London."

"I know."

"She told you ?"

Pam Grant nodded. She said abruptly :

"Was Sheila in a jam ?"

"So she did not tell you everything ?"

The girl shook her head. She asked:

"Was Tony Hawker there ?"

Before Poirot could answer, the door

opened and Hawker and Sheila Grant

came in. They were in hunting kit and

Sheila had a streak of mud on her cheek.

"Hullo, people, we've come in for a

drink. Tony's flask is dry."

315

Poirot murmured:

"Talk of the angels — "

Pam Grant snapped:

"Devils, you mean."

Poirot said sharply:

"Is it like that ?"

Beryl Larkin had come forward. She

said:

"Here you are. Tony. Tell me about

the run ? Did you draw Gelert's Copse ?"

She drew him away skilfully to a sofa

near the fireplace. Poirot saw him turn

his head and glance at Sheila before he

went.

Sheila had seen Poirot. She hesitated

a minute, then came over to the two in the

window. She said abruptly:

"So it was you who came to the house

yesterday ?"

"Did your father tell you ?"

She shook her head.

"Abdul described you. I — guessed."

Pam exclaimed: "You went to see

Father ?"

Poirot said:

"Ah—yes. We have—some mutual

friends."

Pam said sharply:

316

"I don't believe it."

"What do you not believe? That your

father and I could have a mutual friend ?"