Nine

“Pretty the way he went all to pieces,” said Japp with professional appreciation¹, 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 aliases², a tricky³ business overa 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 onthe 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 knowof.”

“Wait, mon ami.”

The car turned into the mews. At the door of No. 14, Jane Plenderleith was just alightingfrom 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 twoin 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 lipstwitched under his moustache. He had heard the very faint squeak⁴ 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 solicitor⁵.”

“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 drawn⁶ up the agreement?”

“No, I don’t think so. You see, I took the house, the lease is in my name. Barbara paid mehalf 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 gotme down rather, being here in this house. I felt I must go out and do something—tire myself—orI’d choke!”

She spoke⁷ with intensity⁸.

Poirot said quickly:

“I comprehend, mademoiselle. It is most understandable—most natural. To sit in this houseand think—no, it would not be pleasant.”

“So long as you understand,” said Jane shortly.

“You belong to a club?”

“Yes, I play at Wentworth.”

“It has been a pleasant day,” said Poirot.

“Alas, there are few leaves left on the trees now! A week ago the woods were magnificent.”

“It was quite lovely today.”

“Good afternoon, Miss?Plenderleith,” said Japp formally. “I’ll let you know when there’sanything definite. As a matter of fact we have got a man detained on suspicion.”

“What man?”

She looked at them eagerly.

“Major Eustace.”

She nodded and turned away, stooping down to put a match to the fire.

“Well?” said Japp as the car turned the corner of the mews.

Poirot grinned.

“It was quite simple. The key was in the door this time.”

“And—?”

Poirot smiled.

“Eh, bien, the golf clubs had gone—”

“Naturally. The girl isn’t a fool, whatever else she is. Anything else gone?”

Poirot nodded his head.

“Yes, my friend—the little attaché case!”

The accelerator leaped under Japp’s foot.

“Damnation!” he said. “I knew there was something. But what the devil is it? I searched thatcase pretty thoroughly⁹.”

“My poor Japp—but it is—how do you say, ‘obvious, my dear Watson?’ ”

Japp threw him an exasperated¹⁰ look.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

Poirot consulted his watch.

“It is not yet four o’clock. We could get to Wentworth, I think, before it is dark.”

“Do you think she really went there?”

“I think so—yes. She would know that we might make inquiries¹¹. Oh, yes, I think we will findthat she has been there.”

Japp grunted¹².

“Oh well, come on.” He threaded his way dexterously¹³ through the traffic. “Though what thisattaché case business has to do with the crime I can’t imagine. I can’t see that it’s got anything atall to do with it.”

“Precisely, my friend, I agree with you—it has nothing to do with it.”

“Then why—No, don’t tell me! Order and method and everything nicely rounded off! Oh,well, it’s a fine day.”

The car was a fast one. They arrived at Wentworth Golf Club a little after half past four.

There was no great congestion¹⁴ there on a week day.

Poirot went straight to the caddie-master and asked for Miss?Plenderleith’s clubs. She wouldbe playing on a different course tomorrow, he explained.

The caddie master raised his voice and a boy sorted through some golf clubs standing¹⁵ in acorner. He finally produced a bag bearing the initials, J.P.

“Thank you,” said Poirot. He moved away, then turned carelessly and asked, “She did notleave with you a small attaché case also, did she?”

“Not today, sir. May have left it in the clubhouse.”

“She was down here today?”

“Oh, yes, I saw her.”

“Which caddie did she have, do you know? She’s mislaid an attaché case and can’t rememberwhere she had it last.”

“She didn’t take a caddie. She came in here and bought a couple of balls. Just took out acouple of irons. I rather fancy she had a little case in her hand then.”

Poirot turned away with a word of thanks. The two men walked round the clubhouse. Poirotstood a moment admiring the view.

“It is beautiful, is it not, the dark pine trees—and then the lake. Yes, the lake—”

Japp gave him a quick glance.

“That’s the idea, is it?”

Poirot smiled.

“I think it possible that someone may have seen something. I should set the inquiries inmotion if I were you.”

 

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