IV

On his way home, Poirot called in at the Glengowrie Court Hotel.

As a result of that visit he rang Japp up very early the following morning.

“Bonjour, mon ami. The inquest is today, is it not?”

“It is. Are you going to attend?”

“I do not think so.”

“It won’t really be worth your while, I expect.”

“Are you calling Miss Sainsbury Seale as a witness?”

“The lovely Mabelle—why can’t she just spell it plain Mabel. These women get my goat! No,I’m not calling her. There’s no need.”

“You have heard nothing from her?”

“No, why should I?”

Hercule Poirot said:

“I wondered, that was all. Perhaps it may interest you to learn that Miss Sainsbury Seale walkedout of the Glengowrie Court Hotel just before dinner the night before last—and did not comeback.”

“What? She’s hooked it?”

“That is a possible explanation.”

“But why should she? She’s quite all right, you know. Perfectly genuine and aboveboard. Icabled Calcutta about her—that was before I knew the reason for Amberiotis’ death, otherwise Ishouldn’t have bothered—and I got the reply last night. Everything O.K. She’s been known therefor years, and her whole account of herself is true—except that she’s slurred over her marriage abit. Married a Hindu student and then found he’d got a few attachments already. So she resumedher maiden name and took to good works. She’s hand and glove with the missionaries—teacheselocution, and helps in amateur dramatic shows. In fact, what I call a terrible woman — butdefinitely above suspicion of being mixed up in a murder. And now you say she’s walked out onus! I can’t understand it.” He paused a minute and then went on doubtfully: “Perhaps she just gotfed up with that hotel? I could have easily.”

Poirot said:

“Her luggage is still there. She took nothing with her.”

Japp swore.

“When did she go?”

“About a quarter to seven.”

“What about the hotel people?”

“They’re very upset. Manageress looked quite distraught.”

“Why didn’t they report to the police?”

“Because, mon cher, supposing that a lady does happen to stay out for a night (howeverunlikely it may seem from her appearance) she will be justifiably annoyed by finding on her returnthat the police have been called in. Mrs. Harrison, the manageress in question, called up varioushospitals in case there had been an accident. She was considering notifying the police when Icalled. My appearance seemed to her like an answer to a prayer. I charged myself with everything,and explained that I would enlist the help of a very discreet police officer.”

“The discreet police officer being yours truly, I suppose?”

“You suppose rightly.”

Japp groaned:

“All right. I’ll meet you at the Glengowrie Court Hotel after the inquest.”