Chapter 22

Jane Takes a New Job

When Norman Gale¹, Jane and Poirot met for dinner on the night after the ‘blackmailing incident’

Norman was relieved to hear that his services as ‘Mr Robinson’ were no longer required.

‘He is dead, the good Mr Robinson,’ said Poirot. He raised his glass. ‘Let us drink to hismemory.’

‘RIP,’ said Norman with a laugh.

‘What happened?’ asked Jane of Poirot.

He smiled at her.

‘I found out what I wanted to know.’

‘Was she mixed up with Giselle?’

‘Yes.’

‘That was pretty clear from my interview with her,’ said Norman.

‘Quite so,’ said Poirot. ‘But I wanted a full and detailed² story.’

‘And you got it?’

‘I got it.’

They both looked at him inquiringly, but Poirot, in a provoking manner, began to discuss therelationship between a career and life.

‘There are not so many round pegs³ in square holes as one might think. Most people, in spite ofwhat they tell you, choose the occupations that they secretly desire. You will hear a man say whoworks in an office, “I should like to explore—to rough it in far countries.” But you will find that helikes reading the fiction that deals with that subject, but that he himself prefers the safety andmoderate comfort of an office stool.’

‘According to you,’ said Jane, ‘my desire for foreign travel isn’t genuine—messing about withwomen’s heads is my true vocation—well, that isn’t true.’

Poirot smiled at her.

‘You are young still. Naturally one tries this, that and the other, but what one eventually settlesdown into is the life one prefers.’

‘And suppose I prefer being rich?’

‘Ah, that, it is more difficult!’

‘I don’t agree with you,’ said Gale. ‘I’m a dentist by chance—not choice. My uncle was adentist—he wanted me to come in with him, but I was all for adventure and seeing the world. Ichucked dentistry and went off to farm in South Africa. However, that wasn’t much good—Ihadn’t got enough experience. I had to accept the old man’s offer and come and set up businesswith him.’

‘And now you are thinking of chucking dentistry again and going off to Canada. You have aDominion complex!’

‘This time I shall be forced to do it.’

‘Ah, but it is incredible how often things force one to do the thing one would like to do.’

‘Nothing’s forcing me to travel,’ said Jane wistfully. ‘I wish it would.’

‘Eh bien, I make you an offer here and now. I go to Paris next week. If you like you can take thejob of my secretary—I will give you a good salary.’

Jane shook her head.

‘I mustn’t give up Antoine’s. It’s a good job.’

‘So is mine a good job.’

‘Yes, but it’s only temporary.’

‘I will obtain you another post of the same kind.’

‘Thanks, but I don’t think I’ll risk it.’

Poirot looked at her and smiled enigmatically.

Three days later he was rung up.

‘M. Poirot,’ said Jane, ‘is that job still open?’

‘But yes. I go to Paris on Monday.’

‘You really mean it? I can come?’

‘Yes, but what has happened to make you change your mind?’

‘I’ve had a row with Antoine. As a matter of fact I lost my temper with a customer. She was an—an absolute—well, I can’t say just what she was through the telephone. I was feeling nervy andinstead of doing my soothing⁴ syrup⁵ stuff I just let rip and told her exactly what I thought of her.’

‘Ah, the thought of the great wide open spaces.’

‘What’s that you say?’

‘I say that your mind was dwelling⁶ on a certain subject.’

‘It wasn’t my mind, it was my tongue that slipped. I enjoyed it—her eyes looked just like herbeastly Pekingese’s—as though they were going to drop out—but here I am—thrown out on myear, as you might say. I must get another job sometime, I suppose—but I’d like to come to Parisfirst.’

‘Good, it is arranged. On the way over I will give you your instructions.’

Poirot and his new secretary did not travel by air, for which Jane was secretly thankful. Theunpleasant experience of her last trip had shaken her nerve. She did not want to be reminded ofthat lolling figure in rusty⁷ black…

On their way from Calais to Paris they had the compartment⁸ to themselves, and Poirot gaveJane some idea of his plans.

‘There are several people in Paris that I have to see. There is the lawyer—Ma?tre Thibault.

There is also M. Fournier of the S?reté—a melancholy⁹ man, but intelligent. And there are M.

Dupont père and M. Dupont fils. Now, Mademoiselle Jane, whilst I am taking on the father I shallleave the son to you. You are very charming, very attractive — I fancy that M. Dupont willremember you from the inquest.’

‘I’ve seen him since then,’ said Jane, her colour rising slightly.

‘Indeed? And how was that?’

Jane, her colour rising a little more, described their meeting in the Corner House.

‘Excellent—better and better. Ah, it was a famous idea of mine to bring you to Paris with me.

Now listen carefully, Mademoiselle Jane. As far as possible do not discuss the Giselle affair, butdo not avoid the subject if Jean Dupont introduces it. It might be well if, without actually sayingso, you could convey the impression that Lady Horbury is suspected of the crime. My reason forcoming to Paris, you can say, is to confer with M. Fournier and to inquire particularly into anydealings Lady Horbury may have had with the dead woman.’

‘Poor Lady Horbury—you do make her a stalking horse!’

‘She is not the type I admire—eh bien, let her be useful for once.’

Jane hesitated for a minute, then said:

‘You don’t suspect young M. Dupont of the crime, do you?’

‘No, no, no—I desire information merely.’ He looked at her sharply. ‘He attracts you—eh—thisyoung man? Il a le sex appeal?’

Jane laughed at the phrase.

‘No, that’s not how I would describe him. He’s very simple, but rather a dear.’

‘So that is how you describe him—very simple?’

‘He is simple. I think it’s because he’s led a nice unworldly life.’

‘True,’ said Poirot. ‘He has not, for instance, dealt with teeth. He has not been disillusioned¹⁰ bythe sight of a public hero shivering with fright in the dentist’s chair.’

Jane laughed.

‘I don’t think Norman’s roped in any public heroes yet as patients.’

‘It would have been a waste, since he is going to Canada.’

‘He’s talking of New Zealand now. He thinks I’d like the climate better.’

‘At all events he is patriotic¹¹. He sticks to the British Dominions¹².’

‘I’m hoping,’ said Jane, ‘that it won’t be necessary.’

She fixed¹³ Poirot with an inquiring eye.

‘Meaning that you put your trust in Papa Poirot? Ah, well—I will do the best I can—that Ipromise you. But I have the feeling very strongly, Mademoiselle, that there is a figure who has notyet come into the limelight—a part as yet unplayed—’

He shook his head, frowning.

‘There is, Mademoiselle, an unknown factor in this case. Everything points to that…’

 

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