‘My God—it isn’t true—it isn’t true—’

He was shaking now—collapsed…

Japp looked at him with disgust. He spoke crisply.

‘I’ll have to ask you, sir, to come with me.’

‘You’re arresting me?’

‘Detained for inquiry—we’ll put it that way.’

The silence was broken with a long, shuddering sigh. The despairing voice of the erstwhile blustering Major Eustace said:

‘I’m sunk…’

Hercule Poirot rubbed his hands together and smiled cheerfully. He seemed to be enjoying himself.

Chapter 9

‘Pretty the way he went all to pieces,’ said Japp with professional appreciation, later that day.

He and Poirot were driving in a car along the Brompton Road.

‘He knew the game was up,’ said Poirot absently.

‘We’ve got plenty on him,’ said Japp. ‘Two or three different aliases, a tricky business over a cheque, and a very nice affair when he stayed at the Ritz and called himself Colonel de Bathe. Swindled half a dozen Piccadilly tradesmen. We’re holding him on that charge for the moment—until we get this affair finally squared up. What’s the idea of this rush to the country, old man?’

‘My friend, an affair must be rounded off properly. Everything must be explained. I am on the quest of the mystery you suggested. The Mystery of the Missing Attaché-Case.’

‘The Mystery of the Small Attaché-Case—that’s what I called it—It isn’t missing that I know of.’

‘Wait, mon ami.’

The car turned into the mews. At the door of No. 14, Jane Plenderleith was just alighting from a small Austin Seven. She was in golfing clothes.

She looked from one to the other of the two men, then produced a key and opened the door.

‘Come in, won’t you?’

She led the way. Japp followed her into the sitting-room. Poirot remained for a minute or two in the hall, muttering something about:

‘C’est embêtant—how difficult to get out of these sleeves.’

In a moment or two he also entered the sitting-room minus his overcoat but Japp’s lips twitched under his moustache. He had heard the very faint squeak of an opening cupboard door.

Japp threw Poirot an inquiring glance and the other gave a hardly perceptible nod.

‘We won’t detain you, Miss Plenderleith,’ said Japp briskly.

‘Only came to ask if you could tell us the name of Mrs Allen’s solicitor.’

‘Her solicitor?’ The girl shook her head. ‘I don’t even know that she had one.’

‘Well, when she rented this house with you, someone must have drawn up the agreement?’

‘No, I don’t think so. You see, I took the house, the lease is in my name. Barbara paid me half the rent. It was quite informal.’

‘I see. Oh! well, I suppose there’s nothing doing then.’

‘I’m sorry I can’t help you,’ said Jane politely.

‘It doesn’t really matter very much.’ Japp turned towards the door. ‘Been playing golf?’

‘Yes.’ She flushed. ‘I suppose it seems rather heartless to you. But as a matter of fact it got me down rather, being here in this house. I felt I must go out and do something—tire myself—or I’d choke!’