Hercule Poirot's Casebook

'You're coming with us!' said Pain. 'To the boat deck.

There's a moon.'

'Don't be foolish, John,' said Mrs Clapperton. You'll Catch

a chill.'

'Not with us, he won't,' said Kitty. 'We're hot smffi.'

He went with them, laughing.

Poirot noticed that Mrs Clappenon said No Bid to her initial

hid of Two Clubs.

He strolled out on to the promenade deck. Miss Henderson

was standing by the rail. She looked round expectantly as he

came to stand beside her and he saw the drop in her expression.

They chatted for a while. Then presently as he fell silent she

asked: 'What are you thinking about?'

Poirot replied: 'I am wondering about my knowledge of

English. Mrs Clapperton said: "John won't play bridge." Is

not "can't play" the usual term?'

'She takes it as a personal insult that he doesn't, I suppose,'

said Ellie drily. 'The man was a fool ever to have married her.'

In the darkness Poirot smiled. 'You don't think it's just

possible that the marriage may be a success?' he asked

diffidently.

'With a woman like that?'

Poirot shrugged his shoulders. 'Many odious women have

devoted husbands. An enigma of nature. You will amit that

nothing she says or does appears to gall him.' Miss Henderson

was considering her reply when Mrs Clappenon's voice floated

out through the smoking-room window.

'No - I don't think I will play another rubber. So stuffy. I

think I'll go up and get some air on the boat deck.'

'Good night,' said Miss Henderson. 'I'm going to bed.' She

disappeared abruptly.

193

Poirot strolled forward to the lounge - deserted saw: for

Colonel Clapperton and the two girls. He was doing card t

for them and noting the dexterity of his shuffling and hans iing

of the cards, Poirot remembered the General's story of a c: ?eer

on the music hall stage.

'I see you enjoy the cards even though you do not play

bridge,' he remarked.

'I've my reasons for not playing bridge,' said Clapperton, his

charming smile breaking out. 'I'll show you. We'll play one

hand.'

He dealt the cards rapidly. 'Pick up your hands. Well, what

about it?' He laughed at the bewildered expression on Kitty's

face. He laid down his hand and the others followed suit. Kitty

held the entire club suit, M. Poirot the hearts, Pam the

diamonds and Colonel Clapperton the spades.

'You see?' he said. 'A man who can deal his partner and his

adversaries any hand he pleases had better stand aloof from a

friendly game! If the luck goes too much his way, ill-natured

things might be said.'

'Oh!' gasped Kitty. 'How could you do that? It all looked

perfect ordinary.'

'The quickness of the hand deceives the eye,' said Poitot

sententiously - and caught the sudden change in the Colonel's

expression.

It was as though he realized that he had been off his guard

for a moment or two.

Poirot smiled. The conjuror had shown himself through the

mask of the pulO. a sahib.

The ship reached Alexandria at dawn the following morning.

As Poirot came up from brealffast he found the two girls all

Ieady to go on shore. They were talking to Colonel Clapperton.

'We ought to get offnow,' urged Kitty. 'The passport peorle

will be going offthe ship presently. You'll come with us wc,','t

you? You wouldn't let us go ashore all by ourselves? Ay0 1

things might happen to us.'

'I certainly don't think you ought to go by yourselves,' s I

Clapperton, smiling. 'But I'm not sure my wife feels up to

194

'lat's too bad,' said Pam. 'But she can have a nice long

rest.'

Colonel Clapperton looked a little irresolute. Ev'ently the

desire to play truant was strong upon him. He noticed Poirot.

'Hullo, M. Poirot - you going ashore?'

'No, I think not,' M. Poirot replied.

'I'll - I'll - just have a word with Adeline,' decided Colonel

Clapperton.

'We'll come with you,' said Pam. She flashed a wink at

Poirot. 'Perhaps we can persuade her to come too' she added

gravely.

Colonel Clapperton seemed to welcome this suggeafion. He

looked decidedly relieved.

'Come along then, the pair of you,' he said lightly. They all

three went along the passage of B deck together.

Poirot, whose cabin was just opposite the C!appertons',

followed them out of curiosity.

Colonel Clapperton rapped a little nervously at the cabin

door.

'Adeline, my dear, are you up?'

The sleepy voice of Mrs Clapperton from within replied:

'Oh, bother - what is it?'

'It's John. What about going ashore?'

'Certainly not.' The voice was shrill and decisive. 'I've had

a very bad night. I shall stay in bed most of the day.'

Para nipped in quickly. 'Oh, Mxs Clapperton, I'm so sorry.

We did so want you to come with us. Are you sure you're not

up to it?'

'I'm quite certain.' Mrs Clapperton's voice sounded even

shriller.

The Colonel was turning the door-handle without result.

'What is it, John? The door's locked. I don't want to be

disturbed by the stewards.'

'Sorry, my dear, sorry. Just wanted my Baedeker.'

'Well, you can't have it,' snapped Mrs Clapperton. 'I'm not

going to get out of bed. Do go away, John, and let me have a

little peace.'

195

'Certainly, certainly, my dear.' The Colonel backed w%.

from the door. Pam and Kitty closed in on him.