Katherine looked up sharply.
“When you say ruined-”
“I mean from his point of view. One must be wholehearted in crime as in everything else.”
“You are trying to warn me,” said Katherine in a low voice. “Against whom?”
“I cannot look into your heart. Mademoiselle; I do not think you would let me if I could. I will just say this. There are men who have a strange fascination for women.”
“The Comte de la Roche,” said Katherine, with a smile.
“There are others – more dangerous than the Comte de la Roche. They have qualities that appeal – recklessness, daring, audacity. You are fascinated. Mademoiselle; I see that, but I think that it is no more than that. I hope so. This man of whom I speak, the emotion he feels is genuine enough, but all me same-”
“Yes?”
He got up and stood looking down at her. Then he spoke in a low, distinct voice:
“You could, perhaps, love a thief. Mademoiselle, but not a murderer.”
He wheeled sharply away on that and left her sitting there.
He heard the little gasp she gave and paid no attention. He had said what he meant to say. He left her there to digest that last unmistakable phrase.
Derek Kettering, coming out of the Casino into the sunshine, saw her sitting alone on the bench and joined her.
“I have been gambling,” he said, with a light laugh, “gambling unsuccessfully. I have lost everything – everything, that is, that I have with me.”
Katherine looked at him with a troubled face. She was aware at once of something new in his manner, some hidden excitement that betrayed itself in a hundred different infinitesimal signs.
“I should think you were always a gambler. The spirit of gambling appeals to you.”
“Every day and in every way a gambler? You are about right. Don't you find something stimulating in it? To risk all on one throw – there is nothing like it.”
Calm and stolid as she believed herself to be, Katherine felt a faint answering thrill.
“I want to talk to you,” went on Derek, “and who knows when I may have another opportunity? There is an idea going about iat I murdered my wife – no, please don't iterrupt. It is absurd, of course.” He mused for a minute or two, then went on, speaking more deliberately. “In dealing with the police and Local Authorities here I have had to pretend to – well – a certain decency. I prefer not to pretend with you. I meant to marry money. I was on the look out for money when I first met Ruth Van Aldin. She had the look of a slim Madonna about her, and I – well – I made all sorts of good resolutions – and was bitterly disillusioned. My wife was in love with another man when she married me. She never cared for me in the least. Oh, I am not complaining; the thing was a perfectly respectable bargain. She wanted Leconbury and I wanted money. The trouble arose simply through Ruth's American blood. Without caring a pin for me, she would have liked me to be continually dancing attendance. Time and again she as good as told me that she had bought me and that I belonged to her. The result was that I behaved abominably to her. My father-in-law will tell you that, and he is quite right. At the time of Ruth's death, I was faced with absolute disaster.” He sighed suddenly. “One is faced with absolute disaster when one is up against a man like Rufus Van Aldin.”
“And then?” asked Katherine in a low voice.
“And then,” Derek shrugged his shoulders, “Ruth was murdered – very providentially.”
He laughed, and the sound of his laugh hurt Katherine. She winced.
“Yes,” said Derek. “that wasn't in very good taste. But it is quite true. Now I am going to tell you something more. From the very first moment I saw you I knew you were the only woman in the world for me. I was – afraid of you. I thought you might bring me bad luck.”
“Bad luck?” said Katherine sharply.
He stared at her. “Why do you repeat it like that? What have you got in your mind?”
“I was thinking of things that people have said to me.”
Derek grinned suddenly. “They will say a lot to you about me, my dear, and most of it will be true. Yes, and worse things too – things that I shall never tell you. I have been a gambler always – and I have taken some long odds. I shan't confess to you now or at any other time. The past is done with. There is one thing I do wish you to believe. I swear to you solemnly that I did not kill my wife.”
He said the words earnestly enough, yet there was somehow a theatrical touch about them. He met her troubled gaze and went on:
“I know. I lied the other day. It was my wife's compartment I went into.”
“Ah,” said Katherine.
“It's difficult to explain just why I went in, but I'll try. I did it on an impulse. You see, I was more or less spying on my wife. I kept out of sight on the train. Mirelle had told me that my wife was meeting the Comte de la Roche in Paris. Well, as far as I had seen, that was not so. I felt ashamed, and I thought suddenly that it would be a good thing to have it out with her once and for all, so I pushed open the door and went in.”
He paused.
“Yes,” said Katherine gently.
“Ruth was lying on the bunk asleep – her face was turned away from me – I could only see the back of her head. I could have waked her up, of course. But suddenly I felt a re- sction. What, after all, was there to say that w^ hadn't both of us said a hundred times before? She looked so peaceful lying there. I left the compartment as quietly as I could.”
“Why lie about it to the police?” asked Katherine.
“Because I'm not a complete fool. I've realized from the beginning that, from the point of view of motive, I'm the ideal murderer.
If I once admitted that I had been in her compartment just before she was murdered, I'd do for myself once and for all.”
“I see.”
Did she see? She could not have told herself. She was feeling the magnetic attraction of Derek's personality, but there was something in her that resisted, that held back…
“Katherine-”
“You know that I care for you. Do – do you care for me?”
“I – I don't know.”
Weakness there. Either she knew or she did not know. If – if only –
She cast a look round desperately as though seeking something that would help her. A soft colour rose in her cheeks as a tall fair man with a limp came hurrying along the path towards them – Major Knighton.
There was relief and an unexpected warmth in her voice as she greeted him.
Derek stood up scowling, his face black as a thundercloud.
“Lady Tamplin having a flutter?” he said easily. “I must join her and give her the benefit of my system.”
He swung round on his heel and left them together. Katherine sat down again. Her heart was beating rapidly and unevenly, but as she sat there talking commonplaces to the quiet, rather shy man beside her, her selfcommand came back.
Then she realized with a shock that Knighton also was laying bare his heart, much as Derek had done, but in a very different manner.
He was shy and stammering. The words came haltingly with no eloquence to back them.
“From the first moment I saw you – I – I ought not to have spoken so soon – but Mr. Van Aldin may leave here any day, and I might not have another chance. I know you don't care for me so soon – that is impossible. I dare say it is presumption anyway on my part. I have private means, but not very much – no, please don't answer now. I know what your answer would be. But in case I went away suddenly I just wanted you to know – that I care.”
She was shaken – touched. His manner was so gentle and appealing.
“There's one thing more. I just wanted to say that if – if you are ever in trouble, anything that I can do-”
He took her hand in his, held it tightly for a minute, then dropped it and walked rapidly away towards the Casino without looking back.
Katherine sat perfectly still, looking after him. Derek Kettering – Richard Kn
ighton – two men so different – so very different. There was something kind about Knighton, kind and trustworthy. As to Derek –
Then suddenly Katherine had a very curious sensation. She felt that she was no longer sitting alone on the seat in the Casino gardens, but that some one was standing beside her, and that that some one was the dead woman, Ruth Kettering. She had a further impression that Ruth wanted – badly – to tell her something. The impression was so curious, so vivid, that it could not be driven away. She felt absolutely certain that the spirit of Ruth Kettering was trying to convey something of vital importance to her. The impression faded. Katherine got up, trembling a little. What was it that Ruth Kettering had wanted so badly to say?
Chapter 27. Interview with Mirelle
When Knighton left Katherine he went in search of Hercule Poirot, whom he found in the Rooms, jauntily placing the minimum stake on the even numbers. As Knighton joined him, the number thirty-three turned up, and Poirot's stake was swept away.
“Bad luck!” said Knighton; “are you going to stake again?”
Poirot shook his head.
“Not at present.”
“Do you feel the fascination of gambling?” asked Knighton curiously.
“Not at roulette.”
Knighton shot a swift glance at him. His own face became troubled. He spoke hautily, with a touch of deference.
“I wonder, are you busy, M. Poirot? There is something I would like to ask you about.”
“I am at your disposal. Shall we go outside? It is pleasant in the sunshine.”
They strolled out together, and Knighton drew a deep breath.
“I love the Riviera,” he said. “I came here first twelve years ago, during the War, when I was sent to Lady Tamplin's Hospital. It was like Paradise, coming from Flanders to this.”
“It must have been,” said Poirot.
“How long ago the War seems now!” mused Knighton.
They walked on in silence for some little way.
“You have something on your mind?” said Poirot.
Knighton looked at him in some surprise.
“You are quite right,” he confessed. “I don't know how you knew it, though.”
“It showed itself only too plainly,” said Poirot drily.
“I did not know that I was so transparent.”
It is my business to observe the physiognomy,” the little man explained, with dignity.
“I will tell you, M. Poirot. You have heard of this dancer woman – Mirelle ?”
“She who is the chère amie of M. Derek Kettering?”
“Yes, that is the one; and, knowing this, you will understand that Mr Van Aldin is naturally prejudiced against her. She wrote to him, asking for an interview. He told me to dictate a curt refusal, which of course I did. This morning she came to the hotel and sent up her card, saying that it was urgent and vital that she should see Mr Van Aldin at once.”
“You interest me,” said Poirot.
“Mr Van Aldin was furious. He told me what message to send down to her. I ventured to disagree with him. It seemed to me both likely and probable that this woman Mirelle might give as valuable information. We know that she was on the Blue Train, and she may have seen or heard something that it might be vital for us to know. Don't you agree with me, M. Poirot?”
“I do,” said Poicot drily. “M. Van Aldin, if I may say so, behaved exceedingly foolishly.”
“I am glad you take that view of the matter,” said the secretary. “Now I am going to tell you something, M. Poirot. So strongly did I feel the unwisdom of Mr Van Aidin's attitude that I went down privately and had an interview with the lady.”
“Eh bien?”
“The difficulty was that she insisted on seeing Mr. Van Aldin himself. I softened his message as much as I possibly could. In fact – to be candid – I gave it in a very different form. I said that Mr. Van Aldin was too busy to see her at present, but that she might make any communication she wished to me. That, however, she could not bring herself to do, and she left without saying anything further. But I have a strong impression, M. Poirot that that woman knows something.”
“This is serious,” said Poirot quietly. “You know where she is staying?”
“Yes.” Knighton mentioned the name of the hotel.
“Good,” said Poirot; “we will go there immediately.”
The secretary looked doubtful.
“And Mr. Van Aldin?” he queried doubtfully.
“M. Van Aldin is an obstinate man,” said Poirot drily. “I do not argue with obstinate men. I act in spite of them. We will go and see the lady immediately. I will tell her that you are empowered by M. Van Aldin to act for him, and you will guard yourself well from contradicting me.”
Knighton still looked slightly doubtful, but Poirot took no notice of his hesitation.
At the hotel, they were told that Mademoiselle was in, and Poirot sent up both his and Knighton's cards, with “From Mr. Van Aldin” pencilled upon them.
Word came down that Mademoiselle Mirelle would receive them.
When they were ushered into the dancer's apartments, Poirot immediately took the lead.
“Mademoiselle,” he murmured, bowing very low, “we are here on behalf of M. Van Aldin.”
“Ah! And why did he not come himself?”
“He is indisposed,” said Poirot mendaciously; “the Riviera throat, it has him in its grip, but me, I am empowered to act for him, as is Major Knighton, his secretary. Unless, of course. Mademoiselle would prefer to wait a fortnight or so.”
If there was one thing of which Poirot was tolerably certain, it was that to a temperament such as Mirelle's the mere word “wait” was anathema.
“Eh bien, I will speak. Messieurs,” she cried. “I have been patient. I have held my hand. And for what? That I should be insulted! Yes, insulted! Ah! Does he think to treat Mirelle like that? To throw her off like an old glove. I tell you never has a man tired of me. Always it is I who tire of them.”
She paced up and down the room, her slender body trembling with rage. A small table impeded her free passage and she flung it from her into a corner, where it splintered against the wall.
“That is what I will do to him,” she cried, “and that!”
Picking up a glass bowl filled with lilies she flung it into the grate, where it smashed into a hundred pieces.
Knighton was looking at her with cold British disapproval. He felt embarrassed and ill at ease. Poirot, on the other hand, with twinkling eyes was thoroughly enjoying the scene.
“Ah, it is magnificent!” he cried. “It can be seen – Madame has a temperament.”
“I am an artist,” said Mirelle; “every artist has a temperament. I told Dereek to beware, and he would not listen.” She whirled round on Poirot suddenly. “It is true, is it not, that he wants to marry that English miss?”
Poirot coughed.
“On m'a dit,” he murmured, “that he adores her passionately.”
Mirelle came towards them.
“He murdered his wife,” she screamed. “There – now you have it! He told me beforehand that he meant to do it. He had got to an impasse – zut! he took the easiest way out.”
“You say that M. Kettering murdered his wife.”
“Yes, yes, yes. Have I not told you so?”
“The police,” murmured Poirot, “will need proof of that – er – statement.”
“I tell you I saw him come out of her compartment that night on the train.”
“When?” asked Poirot sharply.
“Just before the train reached Lyons.”
“You will swear to that. Mademoiselle?”
It was a different Poirot who spoke now, sharp and decisive.
“Yes.” There was a moment's silence. Mirelle was panting, and her eyes, half defiant, half frightened, went from the face of one man to the other.
“This is a serious matter, Mademoiselle,” said the detective. “You realize how serious?”
“Certainl
y I do.”
“That is well,” said Poirot. “Then you understand. Mademoiselle, that no time must be lost. You will, perhaps accompany us immediately to the office of the Examining Magistrate.”
Mirelle was taken aback. She hesitated, but, as Poirot had foreseen, she had no loophole for escape.
“Very well,” she muttered. “I will fetch a coat.”
Left alone together, Poirot and Knighton exchanged glances.
“It is necessary to act while – how do you say it? – the iron is hot,” murmured Poirot. “She is temperamental; in an hour's time, maybe, she will repent, and she will wish to draw back. We must prevent that at all costs.”
Mirelle reappeared, wrapped in a sandcoloured velvet wrap trimmed with leopard skin. She looked not altogether unlike a leopardess, tawny and dangerous. Her eyes still flashed with anger and determination.
They found M. Caux and the Examining Magistrate together. A few brief introductory words from Poirot, and Mademoiselle Mirelle was courteously entreated to tell her tale. This she did in much the same words is she had done to Knighton and Poirot, hough with far more soberness of manner.
“This is an extraordinary story. Mademoiselle,” said M. Carrège slowly. He leant back in his chair, adjusted his pince-nez, and looked keenly and searchingly at the dancer through them.
“You wish us to believe M. Kettering actually boasted of the crime to you beforehand?”
“Yes, yes. She was too healthy, he said. If she were to die it must be an accident – he would arrange it all.”
“You are aware. Mademoiselle,” said M. Carrège sternly, “that you are making yourself out to be an accessory before the fact?”
“Me? But not the least in the world, Monsieur. Not for a moment did I take that statement seriously. Ah no, indeed! I know men. Monsieur; they say many wild things. It would be an odd state of affairs if one were to take all they said au pied de la lettre.”
The Examining Magistrate raised his eyebrows.
“We are to take it, then, that you regarded M. Kettering'S threats as mere idle words? May I ask. Mademoiselle, what made you throw up your engagements in London and come out to the Riviera?”
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