DEAD MAN’S MIRROR

One

IThe flat was a modern one. The furnishings of the room were modern, too. The armchairs weresquarely built, the upright chairs were angular. A modern writing table was set squarely in front ofthe window, and at it sat a small, elderly man. His head was practically the only thing in the roomthat was not square. It was egg-shaped.

M. Hercule Poirot was reading a letter:

Station: Whimperley. Hamborough Close,

Telegrams: Hamborough St.?Mary

Hamborough St.?John. Westshire.

September 24th, 1936.

M. Hercule Poirot.

Dear Sir,—A matter has arisen which requires handling with great delicacyand discretion¹. I have heard good accounts of you, and have decided² to entrustthe matter to you. I have reason to believe that I am the victim of fraud, but forfamily reasons I do not wish to call in the police. I am taking certain measures ofmy own to deal with the business, but you must be prepared to come down hereimmediately on receipt of a telegram. I should be obliged if you will not answerthis letter.

Yours faithfully,

Gervase Chevenix-Gore.

The eyebrows³ of M. Hercule Poirot climbed slowly up his forehead until they nearlydisappeared into his hair.

“And who, then,” he demanded of space, “is this Gervase Chevenix-Gore?”

He crossed to a bookcase and took out a large, fat book.

He found what he wanted easily enough.

Chevenix-Gore, Sir Gervase Francis Xavier, 10th Bt. cr. 1694; formerly⁴ Captain17th Lancers; b. 18th May, 1878; e.s. of Sir Guy Chevenix-Gore, 9th Bt., andLady Claudia Bretherton, 2nd. d. of 8th Earl of Wallingford. S. father, 1911; m.

1912, Vanda Elizabeth, e.d. of Colonel Frederick Arbuthnot, q.v.; educ. Eton.

Served European War, 1914–18. Recreations: travelling, big game hunting.

Address: Hamborough St.?Mary, Westshire, and 218 Lowndes Square, S.W.1.

Clubs: Cavalry⁵. Travellers.

Poirot shook his head in a slightly dissatisfied manner. For a moment or two he remained lostin thought, then he went to the desk, pulled open a drawer and took out a little pile of invitationcards.

His face brightened.

“A la bonne heure! Exactly my affair! He will certainly be there.”

 

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