Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Speculation

The clock had just struck eleven when Poirot appeared in the hotel where von Arden was staying.Only the millionaire was alone indoors. "As usual, you are always on time, M. Poirot!" Von Alding greeted the detective. "Punctuality and order are the two great virtues of human beings. How about it, let's get back to the book." "Your little thought?" "Yes, my little idea," said Poirot, smiling. "But first I must speak to the maid again. Is she there?" "Well, she's here." "Great." Von Alden looked at Poirot curiously.He gave orders, and a moment later the maid entered the room.

Poirot welcomed her with his customary decorum, which gave her the impression that he was being courteous and not slighting. "Good morning, Miss Masson, please sit down." "Thank you, sir," said Masson unnaturally, sitting on the edge of the chair, looking bored and listless. "I just wanted to ask you a few questions," began Poirot. "We pointed you to Comte Roger. You say that this man may be the one on the train, but you are not sure." "I didn't see the man's face clearly at the time." "Of course! I quite understand. You have only been in the service of your master, Mrs. Kettering, for two months. Did you see your lord very often during this time?"

She thought for a moment and replied, "I've only seen him twice, sir." "Attention now, miss. How can you be sure that the man who was talking to your lady on the train was not Mr. Kettering, the master of your house?" "Mr. Kettering? It never occurred to me." "Of course you have heard that your master is on the same train. So, isn't it quite natural if the lady is talking to her husband?" "But the gentleman got on the train from outside. He was wearing a frock coat, a coat, and a hat." "Exactly, madam. But think again. The train has just arrived at the Gare de Lyon, and there are many people getting off to go for a walk. Your mistress also has the same idea, and she also puts on her coat as she gets off to get some air. "

"Yes, sir." The maid responded. "Well, what do you think! It's hot inside the train, and cold outside. The gentleman put on his coat and hat, and went out for a walk along the train, when, from a lighted window, he suddenly Seeing Mrs. Kettering. Before that, he didn't know that Mrs. was also taking this train. Of course, he got on the train again and went to Mrs.'s box. When Mrs. found him, she cried out in surprise , and then closed the door leading to your box, and the rest of the conversation was of course private." Poirot leaned back on his back and watched carefully as his suggestive words worked slowly.He should have given the girl time to connect these new conjectures with the past.After a moment of nervous thought, she said, "That's entirely possible. I've never thought of it that way before. Mr. Kettering is also tall, dark-haired, and has a figure like the man on the train. Yes, it could be Katelyn." Mr. Lin."

"Thank you, miss, I won't delay you too much. There is only one more question." He took out the cigarette case, the one he had shown Caterina.He asked, "Is this cigarette case Madam's?" "No, this is not my beloved wife's cigarette case, but it looks a bit like it." She seemed to have a new idea in a flash. "Huh?" Poirot hummed inquiringly. "Sir, I just think so. Of course, this is completely speculative. This may be a cigarette case bought by Madam, and I want to present it to that gentleman." "Oh, you think so."

"However, I cannot say whether I have seen this cigarette case." "Well, that's all, miss. Thank you very much!" Ida Masson immediately exited the room, closing the door softly. Poirot looked at von Arden with an imperceptible smile. The millionaire is in a bad mood right now. "Derek, you think?" he asked. "However, all the materials so far prove that the count is the murderer. It can be said that the gem sent him to the guillotine." "No." "Why not? You told me yourself..." "What did I say to you?" "And you showed me the gems yourself."

"No." Von Alding was at a loss. "Do you dare to say that you have not shown me those gems?" "I dare say." "Poirot, either you are crazy, or I am mentally ill." "Neither of us is crazy," said the old detective calmly. "You ask me questions, and I answer. You ask me if I have shown you those gems, and I answer no. The things I have shown you are first-rate reproductions, and even an expert can hardly distinguish them. distinguish it from the original."