Chapter 22 Section 22

The night after the blackmail, Norman Gale, Jane and Poirot dine together.Norman was relieved that he no longer had to be Robinson Crusoe. "From my conversations with her, it appears that she was in contact with Mrs. Giselle," Norman said. "Obviously," said Poirot, "but I have seen more details. Most people say the same thing on the surface, but they have a secret calculation in their hearts. For example, someone complained that 'I don't want to stay in the In the office, I want to go to some distant country to reinvent myself.' But he is satisfied with the security and comfort of the office work."

"So," said Jane, "my motives for traveling abroad are not pure?" Poirot looked at her and smiled, "You are still young, and you will naturally make many choices in your life, but you will ultimately determine your own life style." "Like, I want to be rich." "Oh, that's even more difficult." "I don't agree with your law," Gail said, "I became a dentist by chance. My uncle is a dentist and he wants me to practice his profession, but I want to travel around the world and read all the books in the world. At one point, I gave up practicing medicine and went to a farm in South Africa, but with little success. In the end, I had to obey my uncle’s wishes and return to my old practice.”

"Now you are forced to abandon your doctor and go to Canada?" "This time I had to," Norman said. "I travel out of my own free will," said Jane. "Well," said Poirot, "I am going to Paris next week, and I want you to be my secretary, and I will pay you well." Jane shook her head, "I have to quit my job at Antoine's hairdressing salon, it's a good job." "Me too, it's pretty good." "Yes, but only temporarily." "I promise to find you another job that is just as good." "Thank you. But I'm not taking the risk now."

Poirot looked at her helplessly.But 3 days later Jane called: "Can I still do that job?" "Of course. What? You changed your mind?" "I had a big fight with Antoine. I lost my temper with a customer and I told her exactly what I thought." "I said that people say one thing in the open, but they think about other things in secret." "Perhaps my mouth has ruined me. But Paris is the first thing I think of now, and you may say that I am duplicity." "Her, it's settled. I'll tell you what to do." Poirot and his new secretary did not take the plane, which Jane thought was a good thing, and she still remembers the encounter on the plane last time.They booked a cabin at Carais and took a direct boat to Paris.Poirot dictated his intentions to her.

"When I get to Paris, I'm going to meet a few people, the lawyer Mette Alexander, Fournier of the Paris Police Department, and Dupont and his son. But you are in charge of the little Dupont, and it seems that he has some affection for you. He may remember you." "Actually, I met him." Jane told Poirot about their encounter. "That's all the better. Ma'am, you're not allowed to talk to anyone about Madame Giselle this time we're in Paris. If little Dupont insists on talking, you can say that Madame Hobrey is the prime suspect. I'll go and see." Fournier just wanted to confirm my thoughts."

"Poor Mrs. Horbury, you used her as a shield." Jane thought for a while and said, "Don't you suspect that Little Dupont did it?" "No, no," said Poirot. "I just wanted to gather information. Besides, he seems to be infatuated with you, isn't he?" Jane laughed loudly, "His thinking is simple, but he's cute. He only knows how to play with ancient fossils and the like." "He is not like Norman," said Poirot, "though both wish to travel the world. Didn't Norman say he was going to Canada?" "He wants to go to New Zealand now and says I'd like the weather there."

"But now that you have entrusted yourself to Uncle Poirot, I will do my best to take care of you." When they arrived in Paris two days later, Poirot dined with his secretary and the Duponts in a secluded bistro.The British guests each faced their own conversation partner, and Jane felt that little Dupont was not as easy-going as he was in London.While chatting and laughing, she eavesdropped on the conversation of the two elderly people next to her, and she found that they did not mention the murder. Poirot kept saying that his interest in Persian archaeology had grown greatly.In the end, I don't know who suggested that the two young people should go to the movies.After they had gone, Poirot pulled up a chair and said: "It's not easy to raise money in the bad economy these days. Have you ever received any private donations?"

"Oh, my friend, we're pretty much on our knees asking for funding. The public doesn't have much interest in our business, who cares about patterns and shapes on pottery?" "So how much is a donation? £500?" Mr. DuPont straightened up in surprise, "You want to donate? That's a huge amount for us." Poirot coughed dryly, "I just want to help. Please don't get me wrong. My secretary, the girl you saw just now, wants to go on an adventure with you." Mr. DuPont was a little puzzled, stroked his beard and said, "Oh, that's no problem."

"Miss Gray has a special liking for ancient pottery. She has dreamed all her life that one day she can dig some ancient relics. Besides, she is dexterous and careful." "That's a useful qualification," Mr. Dupont seemed to accept. When Poirot returned to the shop, he saw Jane saying goodbye to Dupont in the lobby.Then, they got on the elevator together.Poirot said: "I have found a job for you. You will go to Persia with the Duponts in the spring." "Are you crazy? I'm sure I'm not going to Persia. I'm going to Mount Muswell, New Zealand, with Norman."

Poirot winked at her kindly. "My child, May is still a few months away. A pleasant smile does not mean approval. Just as I talked to old Dupont about donations, it does not mean Then I'm going to sign the check."