Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Difficulties

After the moment of tension I have described above, there is bound to be a reaction.That night I went to bed triumphantly.But when I woke up, I felt that I was still in the ecstasy and couldn't get out.To be honest, there is no loophole in the time card I came up with.I just have to stick to my original statement.I'm not sure what else they could convict of Bella with the evidence. But I feel that one has to be careful.Poirot would not resign himself to failure.He'd always find ways to come back and fight me back, when and in ways I least expected. The next day, we met at breakfast as if nothing had happened.Poirot's good-nature was unmoved, but I thought I detected something in his bearing which was not usual.After breakfast, I said I was going to go out for a walk.There was a malicious gleam in Poirot's eyes.

"If you want news, you don't have to worry about it. I can tell you anything you want. The Dulsibella sisters have canceled their contract, and have left Coventry whereabouts are unknown." "Really, Poirot?" "You can trust that, Hastings. I asked this morning. After all, what else do you expect?" In truth, what else could one hope for in such circumstances.Cinderella took advantage of the little time I had gained for her, and of course seized every minute to get away as quickly as possible without letting her pursuers catch her.That's exactly what I was going for.

Having said that, I realized I was in a lot of trouble. I have no way of contacting Cinderella, but the important thing is that she should know the precautions I have in mind and are ready to implement.Of course, she might manage to deliver a message to me, but that's unlikely.She knew that passing the message was risky because it might be intercepted by Poirot, allowing him to track her down again.It was obvious that her only way out for the time being was to disappear. But what was Poirot doing in the meantime? I observed carefully that he was gazing into the distance with an air of complete ignorance, too serene and indolent for me to trust him.In my experience with Poirot, the less dangerous he looks the more dangerous he is.His suppressed state worries me.Seeing my uneasy eyes, he smiled kindly.

"Are you confused, Hastings? You're asking yourself: Why don't I go after me?" "Well, there are some thoughts." "I know if you were in my position, you'd do it. But I'm not one of those people who like to run around, as you English say--finding a needle in a haystack. No, let Miss Bella Duveen Run. Needless to say, I will find her in due time. Until then, I am willing to wait." I looked at him incredulously.Is he trying to lead me astray? I feel annoyed that even now he has the upper hand.My sense of superiority gradually disappeared.I managed to get the girl out, and had a good idea of ​​saving her from the consequences of her rash action.But I can't feel at ease.Poirot's complete composure aroused a thousand suspicions in me.

"I say, Poirot," I said sheepishly, "that I shouldn't ask you what you intend to do? I have forfeited the right to do so." "But not at all, there is no dark secret. We will go back to France at once." "us?" "It's 'us'! You know very well that you can't let Papa Poirot out of your sight. Well, can you, my friend? But if you're going to stay in England, then--" I shake my head.He's getting to the point where I can't let him out of my sight.Although I could no longer expect Poirot to trust me after that event, I could know his actions.The only danger to Bella lay in Poirot.Neither Giraud nor the French police knew anything about her presence.

In any case, I had to stay by Poirot's side. Poirot examined me carefully as these thoughts raced through my mind, and nodded to me with satisfaction. "I'm right, aren't I? Since you're likely to try to stalk me, with a ridiculous false beard or something--anybody can see right through, of course--I'd rather have you sail with me to France. I don't want people to laugh at you." "That's fine. Fair trade, though, and I should warn you..." "I know . . . I know everything. You are my enemy: so be my enemy. I don't care." "As long as it's upright, I don't care."

"You're quite the British 'fair deal'! Now that your doubts have been reassured, let's start at once. We must hurry. Our stay in England, though short, is enough. I already know . . . Stuff I need to know." His tone was relaxed, but I detected a faint threat in his voice. "But..." I hesitated to speak. "But, in your terms! Needless to say, you're very pleased with the role you've taken on. Me, I've got to get busy with Jack Raynor." Jack Reynolds: The name caught me by surprise.I have completely forgotten about the situation.Jack Reynolds was in prison, with the shadow of the guillotine hanging over his head.I couldn't help but see myself playing a sinister role.I might have saved Bella... yes, but in so doing I guillotined an innocent man.

I pushed the thought out of my mind in horror.impossible.He must be declared guilty.Certainly.But a cold terror came over me again.What if it wasn't so? What then? Is my conscience going to live with it—that's terrible: is it going to be like this in the end? A decision has to be made.Rescue Bella? Or rescue Jack Reynolds? My heart drives me to save the girl I love at all costs.But if the price is at the expense of others, the matter is different. What would the girl say herself? I don't remember a single word coming out of my mouth about Jack Raynor's arrest.Her former lover is now in prison, accused of a heinous crime he did not commit, a fact she is utterly ignorant of.If she knew, what would she do? Would she be willing to sacrifice his life to save herself? She must not act hastily.Without her intervention, Jack could and would have been acquitted.If so, all is well.But what if not: that question is too scary to answer.

Whether she should risk capital punishment, I wonder.Her criminal circumstances are another matter.She could justify jealousy, being badly provoked, and her youthful beauty would play a big role.The fact that, by a catastrophic mistake, it was Monsieur Reynolds, and not his son, did not change the nature of her criminal motives.But no matter how lenient the court's verdict, a long prison sentence is inevitable. No, Bella must be protected.At the same time, Jack Reynolds had to be rescued.I don't know how to do both, so I can only pin my hope on Poirot.He has a way.No matter what happens, he will try to save an innocent man.Besides the real reason, he had to find some kind of excuse.The situation is difficult, but he will always find a way.As long as Bella was not under suspicion and Jack Reynolds was acquitted, everyone would be happy.

I repeated this to myself, but there was still a cold mass of fear in my heart.