云中命案 24

II

Two days after their arrival in Paris, M. Hercule Poirot and his secretary dined in a smallrestaurant, and the two Duponts, father and son, were Poirot’s guests.

Old M. Dupont, Jane found as charming as his son, but she got little chance of talking to him.

Poirot monopolized¹ him severely² from the start. Jane found Jean no less easy to get on with thanshe had done in London. His attractive, boyish personality pleased her now as it had then. He wassuch a simple friendly soul.

All the same, even while she laughed and talked with him, her ear was alert to catch snatches ofthe two older men’s conversation. She wondered precisely³ what information it was that Poirotwanted. So far as she could hear, the conversation had never touched once on the murder. Poirotwas skilfully⁴ drawing out his companion on the subject of the past. His interest in archaeologicalresearch in Persia seemed both deep and sincere. M. Dupont was enjoying his eveningenormously. Seldom did he get such an intelligent and sympathetic listener.

Whose suggestion it was that the two young people should go to a cinema was not quite clear,but when they had gone Poirot drew his chair a little closer to the table and seemed prepared totake a still more practical interest in archaeological research.

‘I comprehend,’ he said. ‘Naturally it is a great anxiety in these difficult financial days to raisesufficient funds. You accept private donations?’

M. Dupont laughed.

‘My dear friend, we sue for them practically on bended knees! But our particular type of digdoes not attract the great mass of humanity. They demand spectacular results! Above all, they likegold—large quantities of gold! It is amazing how little the average person cares for pottery⁵.

Pottery—the whole romance of humanity can be expressed in terms of pottery. Design—texture—’

M. Dupont was well away. He besought⁶ Poirot not to be led astray by the specious⁷ publicationsof B—, the really criminal misdating of L—, and the hopelessly unscientific stratification of G—.

Poirot promised solemnly not to be led astray by any of the publications of these learnedpersonages.

Then he said:

‘Would a donation, for instance, of five hundred pounds—?’

M. Dupont nearly fell across the table in his excitement.

‘You—you are offering that? To me? To aid our researches. But it is magnificent, stupendous!

The biggest private donation we have had.’

Poirot coughed.

‘I will admit—there is a favour—’

‘Ah, yes, a souvenir—some specimens⁸ of pottery—’

‘No, no, you misunderstand me,’ said Poirot quickly before M. Dupont could get well awayagain. ‘It is my secretary—that charming young girl you saw tonight—if she could accompanyyou on your expedition?’

M. Dupont seemed slightly taken aback for a moment.

‘Well,’ he said, pulling his moustache, ‘it might possibly be arranged. I should have to consultmy son. My nephew and his wife are to accompany us. It was to have been a family party.

However, I will speak to Jean—’

‘Mademoiselle Grey is passionately⁹ interested in pottery. The Past has for her an immensefascination. It is the dream of her life to dig. Also she mends socks and sews on buttons in amanner truly admirable.’

‘A useful accomplishment¹⁰.’

‘Is it not? And now you were telling me—about the pottery of Susa—’

M. Dupont resumed a happy monologue¹¹ on his own particular theories of Susa I and Susa II.

Poirot reached his hotel, to find Jane saying good night to Jean Dupont in the hall.

As they went up in the lift Poirot said:

‘I have obtained for you a job of great interest. You are to accompany the Duponts to Persia inthe spring.’

Jane stared at him.

‘Are you quite mad?’

‘When the offer is made to you, you will accept with every manifestation¹² of delight.’

‘I am certainly not going to Persia. I shall be in Muswell Hill or New Zealand with Norman.’

Poirot twinkled at her gently.

‘My dear child,’ he said, ‘it is some months to next March. To express delight is not to buy aticket. In the same way, I have talked about a donation—but I have not actually signed a cheque!

By the way, I must obtain for you in the morning a handbook on Prehistoric¹³ Pottery of the NearEast. I have said that you are passionately interested in the subject.’

Jane sighed.

‘Being secretary to you is no sinecure¹⁴, is it? Anything else?’

‘Yes. I have said that you sew on buttons and darn socks to perfection.’

‘Do I have to give a demonstration¹⁵ of that tomorrow, too?’

‘It would be as well, perhaps,’ said Poirot, ‘if they took my word for it!’

 

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