Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-09-10

//~ DDL
- NE thing leads to another. as IIercuc Poirot
is fond of saying without much originality
~ He adds that this never more clearly
evidenced than in the case of the stolen Rubens.
He was never much interested in the Rubens.
For one thing Rubens is not painter he admires,
and then the circumstances of the theft were quite
ordinary He took it up to oblige Mr.. Simpson, who
was friend of his and for certain private of
his own.
After the theft, Alexander Simpson sent for
Poirot and poured out all his woes. The Rubens was
recent discovery, hitherto unknown masterpiece,
painted, as Rubens often did, on a wooden panel.
But there was no doubt of its authenticity Placed
display at Simpsons Galleries, it had been stolen in
broad daylight. 1t was at time when the UNI
employed were pursuing their tactics of lying down
on street crossings and penetrating into the Ritz
small body of demonstrators, carrying sign which
read: art is Luxury. Feed the Hungry" had
entered the Simpson Galleries and lain down. The
police had been sent for, everyone had crowded
round in eager curiosity and it was not till the
demonstrators had been forcibly removed by the
police that it was noticed that the new Rubens,
small picture, had been stolen.
The unemployed men, it was later discovered, had
been paid for their innocent part in the robbery.
They were to demonstrate at Simpsons Galleries.
But they had known nothing of the reason until
afterwards.
Hercue Poirot did not see what he could do about
it. The police he pointed out could be trusted to deal
with straightforward robbery. Alexander Simpson
said: Listen to me. Poirot. know who stole the
picture and where it is going
1t had been stolen by gang OF international
hobo rs n vtair,
acquiring works of art at very low price - and no
questions Asked The Rubens said Simpson, would
be struggled over to France where it would pass into
the millionaire possession. The English and French
police were on the alert. Nevertheless Simpson
of the opinion that they would fail And once it has
passed into this dirty dogs possession, it's going to
be difficult The situations going to be delicate.
You're the man to handle it."
Finally Poirot was induced to accept the task. He
agreed to depart for France Immediately. He was
not very interested in his quest but because of it,
he introduced to the Case of the Missing School
girl, which interested him very much indeed.
He first heard of it from Chief Inspector Japp who
dropped in to see him just as Poirots valet was
packing "Ha,' said Japp Going to France. aren't
you?"
Poirot said: Mon asni, you are incredibly we'll in
formed at Scotland Yard"
Japp chuckled. I'VE have our spies! Simpsons got
you on this Rubens business. Doesn't trust us. it
seems Well that's neither here there, but what
l want you to do is something quite different. AS
you're going to Paris anyway, thought you might
as well kill two birds with stone. Hearns over
there cooperating with the Trenches - you know
Hean? Good chap but not very imaginative. I'd like
your opinion"
What is the matter of which you speak?'
evening. Looks as though she's been kidnapped
Daughter of Canon down at Cranchester. Winnie
King, her name is
He proceeded with the story.
Winnie had been on her way to Paris, to join that
select and hgh-class establishment for English and
American girls - Miss Popes Winnie had come up
from Cranchester by the early train, had been seen
across London by member of Elder Sisters. Ltd,
who undertook such work as seeing girls from one
station to another had been delivered at Victoria to
Miss Burshaw, Miss Pope's second in command, and
had then in CornDapv with aiohteep nj left