of information."

The other gave an uneasy laugh.

"Want me to give you some inside dope,

eh? Didn't know you were interested in

finance.33

"It is not a matter of les affaires. It is a

question of a certain lady."

"Oh, a woman." Sir George Sanderfield

leant back in his armchair. He seemed

to relax. His voice held an easier note.

Poirot said:

"You were acquainted, I think, with

Mademoiselle Katrina Samoushenka ?"

Sanderfield laughed.

"Yes. An enchanting creature. Pity she's

left London."

"Why did she leave London ?"

"My dear fellow, / don't know. Row

with the management, I believe. She was

temperamental, you know — very Russian

in her moods. I'm sorry that I can't help

you but I haven't the least idea where she

is now. I haven't kept up with her at all."

There was a note of dismissal in his voice

as he rose to his feet.

LOH9 119

Poirot said:

"But it is not Mademoiselle Samoushenka

that I am anxious to trace."

"It isn't ?"

"No, it is a question of her maid."

"Her maid ?" Sanderfield stared at him.

Poirot said:

"Do you --perhaps --remember her

maid ?"

All Sanderfield's uneasiness had returned.

He said awkwardly:

"Good Lord, no, how should I? I

remember she had one, of course. ... Bit

of a bad lot, too, I should say. Sneaking, prying sort of girl. If I were you I shouldn't put any faith in a word that girl says.

She's the kind of girl who's a born liar."

Poirot murmured:

"So actually, you remember quite a lot

about her ?"

Sanderfield said hastily:

"Just an impression, that's all.. .. Don't

even remember her name. Let me see, Marie something or other --no, I'm afraid I can't help you to get hold of her. Sorry."

Poirot said gently:

"I have already got the name of Marie

Hellin from the Thespian Theatre --and

120

her address. But I am speaking. Sir

George, of the maid who was with Mademoiselle

Samoushenka before Marie Hellin.

I am speaking ofNita Valetta."

Sanderfield stared. He said:

"Don't remember her at all. Marie's the

only one I remember. Little dark girl with

a nasty look in her eye."

Poirot said:

"The girl I mean was at your house

Grasslawn last June."

Sanderfield said sulkily:

"Well, all I can say is I don't remember

her. Don't believe she had a maid with

her. I think you're making a mistake."

Hercule Poirot shook his head. He did

not think he was making a mistake.

V

Marie Hellin looked swiftly at Poirot out of

small intelligent eyes and as swiftly looked

away again. She said in smooth, even tones :

"But I remember perfectly. Monsieur.

I was engaged by Madame Samoushenka

the last week in June. Her former maid

had departed in a hurry."

"Did you ever hear why that maid left ?" "She went--suddenly--that is all I 121

know! It may have been illness—something

of that kind. Madame did not say."

Poirot said: