Evening star., 1940-05-05

imblng. that's why she comes nere Solt
ss feel, don't you that we ought to do some
~ ling about it try to take her out of
il erself?"
Il Hercule Poirot said, IF were you should
OF attempt it,
But the friendliness of Schwartz was in
efatigable Poirot saw him make his over
ures, saw the remorseless way in which they
we're rebuffed. The two stood together for
J minute, silhouetted against the light. The
woman was taller than Schwartz Her express
i lion was cold and forbidding. He did not hear
what she said, but Schwartz came back look
ing crestfallen.
Nothing doing. Seems to me that as we're
bll human beings together there's no reason
i've shouldn't be friendly to one another. Don't
kou agree Mr. - You know. don't know
your name"
MY name" said Poirot. lis Poirier. am
silk merchant from Lyons
'Id like to give you my card, M. Poirier.
and if you ever come to Denver you'll be sure
of welcome"
Poirot clapped his hand to his pocket, mur-
INJURED, Alas, have not a card on me at the
moment
i HAT night, when he went to bed, Poirot
read through Lementeuil's letter carefully
before replacing it, neatly folded in his wallet.
As he got into bed he said to himself: 1T is
curious i wonder -"
1t was Gustave who brought Poirot his
breakfast of coffee and rolls Monsieur COM
prehends, does he not, that at this altitude it
is impossible to have the coffee really hot?
Lamentably, it boils too soon.'
Poirot murmured: ''One must accept these
things with fortitude."
Gustave mnmured: Monsieur is philoso-
pher" He went to the door. but instead of
leaving the room, he took one quick look out
side, then shut the door again and returned to
the bedside He said: IN. Hercule Poirot?
am Drouet. Inspector of Police"
'Ah," said Poirot. Il had already sus-
pected as much"
Drouet said: IN. Poirot, something very
grave has occurred. There has been an acci-
dent to the funicular."
An accident? What kind of an accident?"
Nobody has been injured. 1t happened in
the night 1t was occasioned, perhaps, by
natural causes - small avalanche that swept
down heavy boulders and rocks. 1t is possible
that there was human agency at work. In any
case it will take many days to repair, and in
the meantime we are cut off up here So early
in the season, when the snow is still heavy,
it is impossible to communicate with the val
ley below"
Poirot sat up in bed. He said softly:
That is very interesting"
The other man nodded Yes. 1t shows that
the Commissaire's information was correct.
Marrascaud has a rendezvous here, and he
has made sure that that rendezvous shall not
be interrupted.
Hercule Poirot cried: But it is fantastic!"
Il agree" The Inspector threw up his
hands. 1T does not make the common sense
- but there it is. This Marrascaud, you
know, is fantastic creature. Myself. think
he is mad
Poirot said: "A madman and murderer"
Drouet said 1T is not amusing, agree"
Poirot said slowly: But if he has rendez-
vous here, on this ledge of snow high above
the world, then it also follows that Marascaud
is here already, since communications are
now cut"
Drouet said quietly: II know
Both men were silent for minute or two.
Then Poirot asked, "Dr. Lutz?"
Drouet shook his head. Il do not think so.
There is real DR.. Lutz have seen his