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双重线索 The Double Clue
“但最重要的是——不要公开。”马库斯·哈德曼先生可能已经说了第十四次了。
在他的谈话中“公开”这个词就像主题一样贯穿始终。
哈德曼先生个子不高，小巧而又敦实，指甲修得很精致。他的声音是哀怨的男高音。他别具风格，有些名人的意味。时髦的生活就是他的职业。他富有，但却不是富豪，在寻欢作乐方面他花钱无度。他的爱好是收藏，他有收藏家的魄力。
古老的网眼织品，古老的风扇，古代的珠宝——对马库斯·哈德曼来说，没有什么粗陋的或现代的东西是适合他的口味的。
波洛和我紧急应召来到这里，看见这个小个子男人正在痛苦的煎熬中而犹豫不决。在这种情况下，报警是他所憎恶的，而不报警这就意味着只有默认他的收藏品中的精华丢失。作为妥协，他想到了波洛。
“我的红宝石，波洛先生，还有据说曾经是卡特琳的翡翠项链。噢，翡翠项链！”“你能不能给我讲讲它们丢失的情况？”波洛轻声建议道。
“我正努力这么做。昨天下午。我开了一个小茶会——很不正式的那种，大概有六七人。这段时期我已经开了一两个小茶会了，虽然也许我可以这么说，这些茶会都很成功。有一些很好的音乐——纳科拉，钢琴家；凯瑟琳·伯德，那位澳大利亚女低音歌唱家——就在大工作室里。嗯，下午刚过不久，我正给我的客人看我收藏的中世纪珠宝。我将它们保存在那边的墙上的小保险箱里。为了展示这些宝石，里面弄得就像一个小陈列柜一样，背景是彩色的天鹅绒。随后我们又看了风扇——它们放在壁柜里。然后我们一起去工作室听音乐。直到大家都走了我才发现保险箱被盗！我一定是没有关好，然后有人就利用了这个机会将它洗劫一空。红宝石，波洛先生，翡翠项链——它们是我一生的主要收藏！要是能找回来，我什么都愿意给！但是不能公开！你是完全明白这一点的，是不是，波洛先生？我自己的客人，我的私人朋友！那将是一个可怕的丑闻！”
“当你们去工作室的时候，谁是最后一个离开这间屋子的？”“约翰斯顿先生。你也许认识他？他是南非的百万富翁。他刚刚租了艾博特伯里在帕克街的住宅。我记得他在后面逗留了一会儿。但，肯定，噢，肯定不会是他！”“下午你的客人当中有没有人用任何借口回到这间屋？”“我想到了这个问题，波洛先生。有三个人回去过。薇拉·罗萨科娃伯爵夫人，伯纳德·帕克先生，和朗科恩女勋爵。”
“请介绍一下他们的情况。”
“罗萨科娃伯爵夫人是一位很迷人的女士，她是前政权的一个成员，最近来到这个国家。她已经跟我说了再见，因此在我发现她在这问屋里很着迷地看着装着风扇的柜壁时，我有些吃惊。波洛先生，你知道，我越想越觉得奇怪。你同意吗？”“非常可疑。再说说别的人。”
“嗯，帕克只是来取一个装微型画的盒子，我很想把这些微型画给朗科思女勋爵看。”“那朗科思女勋爵呢？”“我敢说你知道她，朗科恩女勋爵是一位中年妇女，很有勇气，把她大部分时间致力于各种各样的慈善活动。她回来是为了取她放在什么地方的手提包。”
“好，先生，我们有四个可能的嫌疑犯。那位俄罗斯伯爵夫人，那位英国贵夫人，那位南非百万富翁，和伯纳德·帕克。顺便问一下，帕克先生是谁？”这个问题好像让哈德曼先生很尴尬。
“他是——呢——他是一个年轻人。喂，事实上，只是我认识的一个年轻人。”
“这我已经推断出来了，”波洛严肃地回答说，“这个帕克先生，他是干什么的？”“他是一个——也许，如果我可以这样说的话，不是很合潮流。”
“我可以问吗？他怎么成了你的朋友？”“嗯——呃——我托他做过一两回事情。”
“继续说，先生。”波洛说。
哈德曼可怜巴巴地看着他。很明显他很不愿意继续说下去。但波洛还是沉默着，无动于衷，他只得让步。
“你知道，波洛先生——谁都知道我对古代珠宝感兴趣。有时候，需要卖掉祖传遗物——请记住——这些祖传遗物是不会公开出售的，也不会卖给一个商人的。但要是私下卖给我就不是一回事了。帕克安排这种事的细节，他和双方联系，这样就会避免尴尬。他把所有这样的事情都告诉我。比如，罗萨科娃伯爵夫人从带来了一些家传珠宝，她急于想卖掉这些珠宝。这个交易就由伯纳德·帕克来安排。”
“我明白了，”波洛若有所思地说，“那你绝对相信他吗？”
“我没有理由不相信他。”
“哈德曼先生，这四个人当中，你自己怀疑谁？”“噢，波洛先生，这是什么问题！就像我告诉你的那样，他们是我的朋友。我谁都不怀疑——要么就是谁都怀疑，你想怎么说就怎么说。”
“我不同意。他们当中有一个人你怀疑。不是罗萨科娃伯爵夫人。不是帕克先生。那是不是朗科恩女勋爵或者约翰斯顿先生？”“你让我犯难了，波洛先生，你的确让我犯难了。我非常不想爆出丑闻。朗科恩女勋爵属于英国最古老的家族之一；但这是真的，很不幸这是真的，她的姑妈，凯瑟琳女勋爵，有一个很令人苦恼的毛病——她所有的朋友都知道这一点。于是，她的女佣就将茶匙，或者其他什么东西，尽快给失主送回去。你这就明白我的难处了！”“这就是说朗科恩女勋爵有一个姑妈是个偷盗狂？很有意思。请允许我检查一下保险箱，好吗？”哈德曼先生同意了，波洛将保险箱的门拉开，检查它的内部。里面只有铺着天鹅绒的架子。
“就是现在门也不好关，”当他把门拉来拉去的时候，波洛喃喃道，“这是为什么？啊，这儿有什么？一只手套，卡在合叶里。一只男人的手套。”
他将它举起来给哈德曼看。
“那不是我的手套。”后者宣称。
“啊哈！还有别的东西！”波洛机敏地弯下腰去，从保险箱底拣起了一个小东西。这是个黑色云纹绸做的扁香烟盒。
“我的香烟盒！”哈德曼先生喊道。
“你的？肯定不是，先生。这不是你的名字的首字母。”
他指着交织在一起的两个银灰色字母。
哈德曼将它拿在手里。
“你是对的，”他说道，“这很像我的，但首字母不同。一个‘B’和一个‘P’。我的天哪！是帕克！”
“看上去像，”波洛说道，“一个有些粗心的年轻人——尤其是手套也是他的话。那会是双重线索，不是吗？”“伯纳德·帕克！”哈德曼喃喃道，“真让我松了口气！嗯，波洛先生，追回珠宝这件事我就交给你了。如果你觉得合适的话，你就把这件事交给——如果你确信他就是罪犯的话。”
“你看到了吗，我的朋友。”在我们一起离开屋子的时候，波洛对我说，“这个哈德曼先生，他对有爵位的人有一套法律，对普通人又有另一套法律。我，还没有被封贵族，因此也就站在普通人这边了。我同情这位年轻人。整个事情有点蹊跷，是不是？哈德曼怀疑朗科恩女勋爵；而我怀疑那位伯爵夫人和约翰斯顿；而一文不名的帕克先生却是我们的目标。”“你为什么怀疑那两个人呢？”“当然！做一个俄罗斯难民或者一位南非百万富翁是很简单的。任何一个女人都可以称自己是俄罗斯伯爵夫人；任何人都可以在帕克街买一幢房子然后称自己是一个南非百万富翁。谁会说他们不是呢？但我注意到我们现在正经过伯里街。我们粗心的年轻朋友住在这里。就像你所说的，让我们趁热打铁吧。”
伯纳德。帕克先生在家。我们看见他躺在一些靠垫上，穿着让人吃惊的紫色和梧黄色晨衣。他长着女人气十足的小白脸，说话装腔作势，口齿不清。我特别不喜欢他。
“早上好，先生，”波洛轻快地说，“我从哈德曼先生那儿来。昨天茶会的时候，有人将他的珠宝全偷走了。请允许我问你，先生——这是你的手套吗？”帕克先生的反应好像不是很快。他盯着手套看着，好像是使劲在想。
“你在什么地方发现的？”他最后问。
“这是不是你的手套，先生？”帕克先生好像是在下决心。
“不，不是的。”他宣称。
“还有这只香烟盒，是你的吗？”“当然不是，我总是带着一个银色的。”
“很好，先生。我把这事交给。”
“噢，我说，我要是你的话，我就不这么做。”帕克先生有些担心地喊道，“，那帮人非常没有同情心。等会儿，我会过去看看老哈德曼。看这儿——噢，等会儿。”
但波洛主意已定，退了出去。
“我们给了他一些东西让他去想，是不是？”他格格笑道，“明天我们看会发生什么事情。”
但命里注定，那个下午就有人提醒我们哈德曼的案子了。一点预告也没有，门突然开了，一股人的旋风打破了我们的清静，她带着一撮螺旋形的紫貂皮(只有英国六月的天才会那样冷)和一个满是羽毛的帽子。薇拉。罗萨科娃伯爵夫人是一个有些令人不安的人。
“你是波洛先生吗？你都做了什么？你指控那个可怜的男孩？这很无耻，很令人气愤。我了解他。他是一个懦夫，一个傻瓜——他绝不会偷东西的。他替我做了一切。我会站在一边看着他受折磨、受宰杀吗？”“夫人，告诉我，这是他的香烟盒吗？”波洛举起那个黑色云纹绸烟盒。
伯爵夫人停了下来，她细看了一下。
“是的，是他的，我很清楚。那又怎么样？你是在屋里找到的吗？我们都在那儿。我想他是那时候丢的。啊，你们比苏联的赤卫队还坏——”“那这是他的手套吗？”“我怎么会知道？手套都一样。别想阻止我——我一定得设法放了他。得替他恢复名誉。你得这么做——我会卖了我的珠宝，给你很多钱的。”
“夫人———”“那就这样定下来吧？不，不，不要争了。这个可怜的男孩：他来找我，满眼是泪。‘我会救你的，’我说，‘我会去找这个人的——这个妖魔，这个怪物：把这事交给薇拉吧。’现在就这样定了，我走了。”
就像她来时没有礼节一样，她从这间屋子飞速离开了，在她身后留下外国香水呛人的味道。
“什么女人啊！”我大声说道，“还有那是什么毛皮衣服啊！”“啊，是的，那是真的。一个假的伯爵夫人会有真的毛皮衣服吗？我的一个小玩笑，黑斯廷斯.....。不，我想，她是真正的俄罗斯人。嗯，嗯，这么说伯纳德少爷去向她诉苦了。”
“那个香烟盒是他的，我想知道那只手套是不是也”波洛笑着从他的口袋里掏出另一只手套，并把它放在第一只手套旁边。毫无疑问，它们是一副。
“你从哪儿得到第二只的，波洛？”“在伯里街的那个大厅里的桌子上，它和一根手杖放在一起的。帕克先生的确是一个很粗心的小伙子。好了，好了，我的朋友——我们得彻底一点。仅仅为了形式，我得去拜访一下帕克街。”
不用说，我陪着我的朋友去了。约翰斯顿不在家，但我们见到了他的私人秘书，并得知约翰斯顿不久前从南非来。以前从没来过英国。
“他对宝石很感兴趣，是不是？”波洛斗胆问了一句。
“金矿开采更接近一点。”秘书笑道。
见面之后，波洛离开时若有所思。那天晚上已很晚了，让我感到特别惊讶的是，我发现他在认真地研究一本俄语语法书。
“天哪！波洛！”我叫道，“你学俄语是为了用伯爵夫人的语言和她交谈吗？”“她肯定不会听我的英语的，我的朋友！”“但毫无疑问，波洛，出身很好的人肯定都会说法语的，不是吗？”“你知识真丰富，黑斯廷斯！我这就停止对俄语字母的玄妙之处而大伤脑筋的工作了。”
他戏剧化地将书扔掉。我不是很满意。他的眼里有一种我很熟悉的光芒。毋庸置疑，那说明他对自己很是满意。
“也许，”我机灵地说，“你怀疑她是否是真的人。你要考考她？”“啊，不，不，她确实是个人。”
“嗯，那——”“如果你真想在这个案子上有所表现的话，黑斯廷斯，我推荐你读《俄语入门》，它非常有用。”
接着他笑了，没再说什么。我从地上拣起那本书，好奇地翻阅着，但对波洛讲的话还是一点也不明白。
第二天早晨没有给我们带采任何消息，但我的朋友好像并不为此发愁。吃早饭时，他宣布他想在那天早一点去拜访哈德曼先生。我们在他家里找到了这个老交际场中的老手，他看上去比前一天要镇静一些。
“噢，波洛先生，有什么消息吗？”他急切地问道。
波洛递给他一张纸。
“这就是偷珠宝的人，先生。我把这些事交给吗？还是你更愿意由我来追回珠宝而不要参与其中？”哈德曼先生盯着那张纸。最后他恢复了说话能力。
“太吃惊了。我当然不想这事爆出丑闻。我全权委托你了，波洛先生。我相信你一定会谨慎的。”
我们招来了一辆出租车，波洛让出租车开到卡尔顿饭店。在那儿我们要求见罗萨科娃伯爵夫人。一会儿之后，我们被领到了楼上的伯爵夫人的套房。她穿着带有粗俗图案的长晨衣，张开手臂迎接我们。
“波洛先生！”她喊道，“你成功了，是吗？你为那个可怜的孩子洗清罪名了，是不是？”“伯爵夫人，你的朋友帕克先生绝不会被捕的。”
“啊，你是一个聪明的小个子男人！太棒了！而且这么快就办成功了。”
“另一方面，我答应哈德曼先生我会今天把他的珠宝送回去。”
“是这样吗？”“因此，夫人，如果你能立刻把它们交给我，我会不胜感激的。催你很不好意思，但我让出租车等着呢——以防万一我得去苏格兰场跑一趟；而我们比利时人，夫人，是很节俭的。”
伯爵夫人点燃了一根烟。好一阵，她坐着一动不动，吹着烟圈，并一直盯着波洛。然后她大笑起来，并且站起身。她走到写字台前，打开一个抽屉，拿出了一个黑色丝质手包。她轻轻地将它扔给了波洛。当她说话的时候，她的语调非常轻快而且很平静。
“相反，我们人是挥霍无度的，”她说道，“不幸的是，要那样的话，得有钱。你不用看里面了，它们都在里面。”
波洛站起身来。
“我祝贺你，夫人，你思维敏捷，而且动作很快。”
“啊！但因为你的出租车在等着你，我还能做什么呢？”“你真和蔼可亲，夫人。你在伦敦要呆很长时间吗？”“我想不了——因为你。”
“请原谅。”
“也许，我们还会在别的地方见面的。”
“我希望是这样的。”
“但我——不希望这样：”伯爵夫人笑着喊道，“我向你表示敬意。在这世界上没有几个人是我害怕的。再见，波洛先生。”
“再见，伯爵夫人。啊—请原谅，我忘了，请允许我归还您的香烟盒。”
他鞠了一躬，把我们在保险箱里发现的那只小的黑色云纹绸烟盒递给了她。她脸不变色地接了过去，只是抬了一下眉头，低声说了声：“我知道了！”“这女人真厉害！”在我们下楼的时候，波洛满怀热情地喊道，“我的天哪！这女人真厉害！一句争辩也没说，一句也没有，也没有一点虚张声势！只是很快地扫了一眼，她就正确地估计了形势。我告诉你，黑斯廷斯，一个女人接受失败能像那样——只是很随便地笑一下——会大有作为的：她很危险，她很有胆量；她——”他被重重地绊了一跤。
“如果你能减慢速度，看着你在往哪儿走，那就不会错。”我做上述建议之后问道：“你什么时候开始怀疑伯爵夫人的？”“我的朋友，那是因为手套和香烟盒——双重线索，我们可不可以这么说——让我犯愁。伯纳德·帕克很有可能会丢掉一样或者另一样——但丢两样是不太可能的。啊，不，那就会太不小心了：同样的，如果有人要把它们放在那儿陷害帕克的话，一个就足够了。所以这迫使我得出这样的结论：这两个当中有一个不是帕克的。一开始我以为香烟盒是他的，而那只手套不是他的。但当我发现手套的另外一只，我就明白是另外一回事了。那么香烟盒又是谁的呢？很明显，它不会是朗科恩女勋爵的，首字母不对。那会不会是约翰斯顿的？惟一的可能就是他在这儿是用的假名。我和他的秘书见了面，于是一切显然就很清楚明了了。对约翰斯顿的过去他直言不讳。那么就是伯爵夫人了？她应该从俄罗斯带一些珠宝来的；她只要把偷来的宝石从底板上拿下来，失主是不是还能认出来那是非常值得怀疑的。还有什么比从大厅里拿来一只帕克的手套然后把它塞进保险箱更简单呢？但，当然，她不想把她自己的香烟盒丢在那里。”
“但要是香烟盒是她的，那上面为什么有‘BP’？伯爵夫人的首字母是VR。”
波洛温柔地冲着我微笑。
“正是，我的朋友；但在俄文字母表里，B是V而P是R。”
“喂，你不能指望我能猜到那个。我不懂俄语。”
“我也不借，黑斯廷斯。那就是我为什么买了那本小书——并且敦促你去注意它。”
他叹了口气。
“一个了不起的女人。我有一种感觉，我的朋友——一种非常肯定的感觉——我还会碰上她的。但我不知道，会在什么地方碰上她。”
In his talk "open" as the word is like the theme through to the end.
Mr. Hardeman not tall, small but stocky, very fine nail revision. His voice is plaintive tenor. His style, meaning that some celebrities. Fashionable life is his career. He was rich, but not rich, the pleasure he needs to have to spend excessive. His hobby is collecting, he vigor collectors.
The old mesh fabric, old fans, ancient jewelry - on 马库斯哈德曼, nothing rude or modern things for his taste.
Polo, and I urgently summoned here to see this little man is suffering pain in the hesitant. In this case, the alarm is his hatred, not only the default alarm which means that his collection of the best is lost. As a compromise, he thought of polo.
"My ruby, Mr. Poirot, who is also said to Catherine's emerald necklace. Oh, jade necklace!" "Can you tell me that they lost the case?" Poirot softly suggested.
"I'm trying to do. Yesterday afternoon. I opened a small tea party - very formal kind, with about 67 people. This time I've opened one or two small tea party, though perhaps I can be so that these tea have been successful. there are some very good music - nacorra, pianist; 凯瑟琳伯德, Australia alto singer who - in the big studio. ah afternoon, shortly after I was for my guests to see my collection of medieval jewelry. I will save them in the side wall of the small safety deposit box. To show these gems, which confused as a small display case, as is the color of the velvet background . then we looked at the fan - they are on the closet. Then we went to studio to listen to music. until we all left me only to find safe stolen! I must have not the good, and some people took advantage of this opportunity to have it stripped. rubies, Mr. Poirot, jade necklace - they are the main collections of my life! I wish to look back, I do it to! but can not open! you are fully aware of this point is not, Mr. Poirot? my own guests, my personal friend! It would be a terrible scandal! "
"When you go to the studio time, who was last to leave this room?" "Mr. Johnston. You may know him? He is a millionaire in South Africa. He had just rented a 艾博特伯里 in Parker Street homes. I remember he stayed behind for a while. But, certainly, Oh, certainly not him! "" afternoon, customers are not your people use any excuse to come back to this house? "" I think this question , Mr. Poirot. there are three back-off. Weilaluosa Kova countess, 伯纳德帕克 President, and Runcorn female Lord. "
"Please tell us about their situation."
"Rosakova countess was a very charming lady, she is a member of the former regime, recently came to this country. She had said goodbye to me, so I found she was fascinated by this question to the room wall cabinets filled with fans watching, I surprised. Mr. Poirot, you know, I grew more and more surprised. Do you agree? "" very suspicious. Let me say something else. "
"Ah, Parker is just to get a box mounted miniature painting, miniature paintings I want these women to the Lord Lang Kesi see." "That woman, Lord Lang Kesi it?" "I bet you know her, runcorn Lord is a middle-aged women, female, very courageous, most of the time dedicated to her various charities. She came back to take her place where the bag. "
"Well, sir, we have four possible suspects. Who the Russian countess, who the British lady, who the South African millionaire, and 伯纳德帕克. By the way, Mr. Parker, who?" This issue Mr. Hardman is like a very embarrassing.
"He is - what - he is a young man. Well, actually, but I know a young man."
"This I have inferred it," replied Poirot gravely, "that Mr. Park, he is doing it?" "He is a - perhaps, if I may say so, the trend is not very together."
"I ask it? How he became your friend?" "Ah - uh - I asked him did a totally different situation."
"Went on to say, sir." Pollock said.
Hardeman looked at him piteously. Obviously he was not willing to go on. But polo is silent and indifferent, he had to give.
"You know, Mr. Poirot - Everyone knows that I am interested in ancient jewelry. Sometimes, the need to sell family heirlooms - Please remember - these family heirlooms is not open for sale, nor sold to a businessmen. But if I am not the same thing in private to sell the. Parker arranged the details of this matter, contact him and the two sides, this will avoid embarrassment. all these things he told me. For example, Luo Sake Wa countess brought some peculiar from the jewelry, she was anxious to sell these jewels. this transaction by the 伯纳德帕克 to arrange. "
"I see," said Poirot thoughtfully, "that you absolutely believe him?"
"I have no reason not to believe him."
"Mr. Hardman, the four of them, you wonder who?" "Oh, Mr. Poirot, this is a problem! Like I told you so, they are my friends. I have no doubt that the - or is that no one suspected how you would like to say on how to say. "
"Now the door is not a good pass," when he pulled the door to the time got me, Polokwane whispered, "Why? Ah, here is what? A glove, stuck in the co-Ye Li. A man gloves. "
He lifted it to see Hardman.
"That's not my gloves." The latter claim.
"Aha! There is something else!" Polo cleverly bent to pick up from the safe end of a small thing. This is the flat black moire silk, cigarette boxes.
"My cigarette box!" Cried Mr. Hardman.
"You? Certainly not, sir. This is not the first letter of your name."
He pointed to the two intertwined silver letters.
Hardeman it in his hand.
"You are right," he said, "It's like me, but different first letter. A 'B' and a 'P'. My God! Parker!"
"Looks like," said Poirot, "one that some careless young people - especially the gloves but also his words. That will be a double thread, is not it?" "伯纳德帕克!" Hardman muttered , "really makes me relieved! ah, Polokwane, Mr recovered jewelry this thing I will give you a. If you feel right, you put this thing to - if you are convinced he is the offender the words. "
Bernard. Mr. Park home. We saw him lying on some of the cushions, wearing a shocking purple and yellow dressing gown Wu. He has an effeminate full of small white face, pretending to speak, slurred speech. I do not particularly like him.
"Good morning, sir," said Poirot briskly, "I come from there, Mr. Hardman. Tea time yesterday, it was all his jewelry stolen. Let me ask you, sir - this is your the gloves? "Mr. Parker does not seem to respond very quickly. He stared gloves looked as if Shijin thinking.
"Where did you find?" He finally asked.
"This is not your gloves, sir?" Mr. Parker seems to be in the determination.
"No, no." He declared.
"There are only cigarette box, is yours?" "Of course not, I always took a silver."
"Very well, Sir. I give this thing."
"Oh, I said, if I were you, I would not do that." Mr. Parker cried a little worried, "those people are not sympathetic. Wait a moment, I will have a look at the old hardman. Look here - Oh, wait a while. "
But the idea has been scheduled Poirot, back out.
"We gave him something to let him think, is not it?" He giggled, "Tomorrow we will see what happens."
However, destined, to remind us that the afternoon was a case Hardeman. Little notice and no, the door suddenly opened, and an human whirlwind break our peace and quiet, with a handful of her spiral sable (only British talent will be as cold in June) and a hat full of feathers. Vera. Rosakova countess is a somewhat disturbing people.
"You, Mr. Poirot? You have done what? You alleged that the poor boy? This is shameless, it is infuriating. I know him. He is a coward, a fool - he would not steal something . He made me everything. I will stand watch him be tortured and killed by it? "" Lady, tell me that this is his cigarette box it? "Poirot lifted the black moire silk cigarette case .
Countess stopped, she take a closer look a bit.
"Yes, he's, I know. So what? You find in the house? We were there. I think he lost the time. Ah, you worse than the Soviet Union's Red Guards - "" Well, this is his gloves? "" how do I know? gloves are the same. Do not try to stop me - I'll have to let him go. get him rehabilitated. you have to do - I will sell my jewelry, give you a lot money. "
"Mrs. ---"" it settle down this right? No, no, not the other. The poor boy: he came to me, eyes full of tears. 'I will rescue you,' I said, 'I will to find this man - this monster, this monster: this matter to the Vera it. 'So this is now, I go. "
Did not like her to etiquette, she left this house fast, leaving behind her choking smell of foreign perfume.
"What a woman ah!" Cried I, "And what furs ah!" "Ah, yes, it is true. There is really a fake countess fur clothes? Me a little joke , Hastings .....。 not, and I think she is really Russian. ah, ah, so said the young master Bernard complained of her fate. "
"That was his cigarette box, I would like to know the glove is not also" Poirot smiled from his pocket and pulled out another glove, and put it on the first glove side. There is no doubt they are one.
"Where did you get the second only, and polo?" "In Bury Street, the hall table, and a cane, put it together. Mr. Parker is indeed a very careless young man. Well, Well, my friend - we have to complete a little. just to form, I have to visit about Parker Street. "
Needless to say, I accompanied my friend go. Johnston was not at home, but we see his private secretary, and that Johnston recently from South Africa. Previously had never been in the United Kingdom.
"He is very interested in precious stones, is not it?" Dare to ask, Poirot.
"Gold mining closer to that." Secretary of the laughs.
After the meeting, leaving Poirot thoughtfully. That night, late, I am particularly surprised that I found him a serious look at a book in Russian syntax.
"Good heavens! Polo!" I cried, "you learn Russian language in order to use the countess and her talk to them?" "She certainly will not listen to my English, my friend!" "But there is no doubt , Polokwane, good family and people will definitely speak French, do not you? "" You are really rich in knowledge, Hastings! I'll halt the mystery of Russian letters between the work of large nerve-racking. "
He theatrically throw away the book. I am not very satisfied. His eyes have a light I'm familiar with. Needless to say, it shows that he was very satisfied with their own.
"Maybe," I smartly said, "you wonder if she really were. You are going to test her?" "Ah, no, no, she really is personal."
"Ah, that -" "If you really want to do well in this case on the words, Hastings, I recommend you read" Russian entry ", it is very useful."
Then he laughed, did not say anything. I picked up from the earth, the book, read with curiosity, but Poirot is not about the words or understand.
The next morning did not bring us any news, but my friends do not seem worried about it. Breakfast, he announced that he would like to visit earlier in the day, Mr. Hardman. We found at his home in this old veteran of the communication field, he seemed to calm some of the previous day.
"Oh, Mr. Poirot, what message?" He asked eagerly.
Poirot gave him a piece of paper.
"This is the person who stole jewelry, sir. I put these things to you? Or do you prefer for me to recover the jewelry and keep away from them?" Mr. Hardman staring at the piece of paper. Finally, he restored the ability to speak.
"Too amazing. I certainly do not want this scandal. I consigned to you, Mr. Poirot. I believe you will care for."
We attracted a taxi, taxi Poirot to open to the Carlton Hotel. Where we asked to see Rosakova countess. After a while, we are being led upstairs suite countess. She wore a long dressing gown with a vulgar pattern of open arms to greet us.
"Mr. Poirot!" She cried, "you are successful, is not it? For that poor child, you cleared of charges, is not it?" "Countess, your friend, Mr. Parker will not be arrested."
"Ah, you are a smart little man! Great! And do so quickly successful."
"On the other hand, I promise I will be here today, Mr. Hardman his jewelry to send back."
"Is that true?" "So, madam, if you can get them to me immediately, I would be grateful for. Hurry you are embarrassed, but I let a taxi waiting for it - just in case I have to go to Scotland Yard a trip to; and we Belgians, wife is very frugal. "
Countess lit a cigarette. A moment, she sat, blowing smoke ring, and has been watching polo. Then she laughed and got up. She went to the desk, opens a drawer and took out a black silk handbag. She gently throwing it a polo. When she spoke, her tone is very light and very quiet.
"Instead, we were extravagant," she said, "Unfortunately, it did so, get the money. You do not look inside, and they are in there."
Poirot stood up.
"I congratulate you, Madame, your thinking and action soon."
"Ah! But because you are a taxi waiting for you, I can do?" "You're amiable, madame. You have to stay in London long?" "I think not - because of you."
"Please forgive me."
"Perhaps we will meet elsewhere."
"I hope so."
"But I - do not want this:" cried the countess, laughing, "I pay tribute to you. In this world few people that I fear. Good-bye, Mr. Poirot."
"Goodbye, Countess. Ah - sorry, I forgot, please allow me to return your cigarette case."
He bowed to us in a safe found in the little black moire silk cigarette case handed to her. Her face does not change color to access the past, only lifted a bit brows, whispered the voice: "I know!" "This woman is gorgeous!" When we went downstairs, Polokwane exclaimed with enthusiasm, " My God! This woman is gorgeous! a debate not say anything, one does not, and no little bravado! only glanced quickly, she correctly estimate the situation. I tell you, Hastings to accept failure as a woman can do - just laugh about it casually - will accomplish a great deal: She is dangerous, she's very courageous; her - "He was heavily stumbled.
"If you can slow down and watch you where to go, it would be wrong." After I made the proposal asked: "When did you begin to doubt the countess?" "My friends, it is because glove and cigarette boxes - double thread, can we say - let me worry. 伯纳德帕克 likely to lose the same or another thing - but throw different is unlikely. ah, no, that would be too careless: Similarly, if some people want to trap them in there, Parker, then a sufficient. so it forced me to come to this conclusion: the two of them that is not Parker's. first I cigarette box thinking that is his, but not his glove. but when I discovered the other a glove, I understand that is another matter. then cigarette box is one? Obviously, it does not is female Runcorn Lord, not the first letter. It will be Johnston's? only probably here is his pseudonym. I met his secretary, so everything is clear very clear understanding of the . on Johnston's past, he bluntly. so that the countess had? she should bring some jewels from the Russian past; her as long as the stolen gems from the floor, and took to, call the owner is not also recognize what it is doubtful. What can be brought from the hall, a Parker's glove and put it into the safe even more simple? But, of course, she did not want to lose her own box of cigarettes there. "
"But if the cigarette box is her, then why the above 'BP'? Countess is the first letter of VR."
Poirot smiled at me gently.
"It is, my friend; but where in the Russian alphabet, B is V and P is R."
"Hey, I guess you can not expect that. I do not understand Russian."
"I do not use, Hastings. That is why I bought a little book - and urging you to pay attention to it."
He sighed.
"A remarkable woman. I have a feeling, my friend - a very positive feeling - I would run into her. But I do not know where to run into her at."
在他的谈话中“公开”这个词就像主题一样贯穿始终。
哈德曼先生个子不高，小巧而又敦实，指甲修得很精致。他的声音是哀怨的男高音。他别具风格，有些名人的意味。时髦的生活就是他的职业。他富有，但却不是富豪，在寻欢作乐方面他花钱无度。他的爱好是收藏，他有收藏家的魄力。
古老的网眼织品，古老的风扇，古代的珠宝——对马库斯·哈德曼来说，没有什么粗陋的或现代的东西是适合他的口味的。
波洛和我紧急应召来到这里，看见这个小个子男人正在痛苦的煎熬中而犹豫不决。在这种情况下，报警是他所憎恶的，而不报警这就意味着只有默认他的收藏品中的精华丢失。作为妥协，他想到了波洛。
“我的红宝石，波洛先生，还有据说曾经是卡特琳的翡翠项链。噢，翡翠项链！”“你能不能给我讲讲它们丢失的情况？”波洛轻声建议道。
“我正努力这么做。昨天下午。我开了一个小茶会——很不正式的那种，大概有六七人。这段时期我已经开了一两个小茶会了，虽然也许我可以这么说，这些茶会都很成功。有一些很好的音乐——纳科拉，钢琴家；凯瑟琳·伯德，那位澳大利亚女低音歌唱家——就在大工作室里。嗯，下午刚过不久，我正给我的客人看我收藏的中世纪珠宝。我将它们保存在那边的墙上的小保险箱里。为了展示这些宝石，里面弄得就像一个小陈列柜一样，背景是彩色的天鹅绒。随后我们又看了风扇——它们放在壁柜里。然后我们一起去工作室听音乐。直到大家都走了我才发现保险箱被盗！我一定是没有关好，然后有人就利用了这个机会将它洗劫一空。红宝石，波洛先生，翡翠项链——它们是我一生的主要收藏！要是能找回来，我什么都愿意给！但是不能公开！你是完全明白这一点的，是不是，波洛先生？我自己的客人，我的私人朋友！那将是一个可怕的丑闻！”
“当你们去工作室的时候，谁是最后一个离开这间屋子的？”“约翰斯顿先生。你也许认识他？他是南非的百万富翁。他刚刚租了艾博特伯里在帕克街的住宅。我记得他在后面逗留了一会儿。但，肯定，噢，肯定不会是他！”“下午你的客人当中有没有人用任何借口回到这间屋？”“我想到了这个问题，波洛先生。有三个人回去过。薇拉·罗萨科娃伯爵夫人，伯纳德·帕克先生，和朗科恩女勋爵。”
“请介绍一下他们的情况。”
“罗萨科娃伯爵夫人是一位很迷人的女士，她是前政权的一个成员，最近来到这个国家。她已经跟我说了再见，因此在我发现她在这问屋里很着迷地看着装着风扇的柜壁时，我有些吃惊。波洛先生，你知道，我越想越觉得奇怪。你同意吗？”“非常可疑。再说说别的人。”
“嗯，帕克只是来取一个装微型画的盒子，我很想把这些微型画给朗科思女勋爵看。”“那朗科思女勋爵呢？”“我敢说你知道她，朗科恩女勋爵是一位中年妇女，很有勇气，把她大部分时间致力于各种各样的慈善活动。她回来是为了取她放在什么地方的手提包。”
“好，先生，我们有四个可能的嫌疑犯。那位俄罗斯伯爵夫人，那位英国贵夫人，那位南非百万富翁，和伯纳德·帕克。顺便问一下，帕克先生是谁？”这个问题好像让哈德曼先生很尴尬。
“他是——呢——他是一个年轻人。喂，事实上，只是我认识的一个年轻人。”
“这我已经推断出来了，”波洛严肃地回答说，“这个帕克先生，他是干什么的？”“他是一个——也许，如果我可以这样说的话，不是很合潮流。”
“我可以问吗？他怎么成了你的朋友？”“嗯——呃——我托他做过一两回事情。”
“继续说，先生。”波洛说。
哈德曼可怜巴巴地看着他。很明显他很不愿意继续说下去。但波洛还是沉默着，无动于衷，他只得让步。
“你知道，波洛先生——谁都知道我对古代珠宝感兴趣。有时候，需要卖掉祖传遗物——请记住——这些祖传遗物是不会公开出售的，也不会卖给一个商人的。但要是私下卖给我就不是一回事了。帕克安排这种事的细节，他和双方联系，这样就会避免尴尬。他把所有这样的事情都告诉我。比如，罗萨科娃伯爵夫人从带来了一些家传珠宝，她急于想卖掉这些珠宝。这个交易就由伯纳德·帕克来安排。”
“我明白了，”波洛若有所思地说，“那你绝对相信他吗？”
“我没有理由不相信他。”
“哈德曼先生，这四个人当中，你自己怀疑谁？”“噢，波洛先生，这是什么问题！就像我告诉你的那样，他们是我的朋友。我谁都不怀疑——要么就是谁都怀疑，你想怎么说就怎么说。”
“我不同意。他们当中有一个人你怀疑。不是罗萨科娃伯爵夫人。不是帕克先生。那是不是朗科恩女勋爵或者约翰斯顿先生？”“你让我犯难了，波洛先生，你的确让我犯难了。我非常不想爆出丑闻。朗科恩女勋爵属于英国最古老的家族之一；但这是真的，很不幸这是真的，她的姑妈，凯瑟琳女勋爵，有一个很令人苦恼的毛病——她所有的朋友都知道这一点。于是，她的女佣就将茶匙，或者其他什么东西，尽快给失主送回去。你这就明白我的难处了！”“这就是说朗科恩女勋爵有一个姑妈是个偷盗狂？很有意思。请允许我检查一下保险箱，好吗？”哈德曼先生同意了，波洛将保险箱的门拉开，检查它的内部。里面只有铺着天鹅绒的架子。
“就是现在门也不好关，”当他把门拉来拉去的时候，波洛喃喃道，“这是为什么？啊，这儿有什么？一只手套，卡在合叶里。一只男人的手套。”
他将它举起来给哈德曼看。
“那不是我的手套。”后者宣称。
“啊哈！还有别的东西！”波洛机敏地弯下腰去，从保险箱底拣起了一个小东西。这是个黑色云纹绸做的扁香烟盒。
“我的香烟盒！”哈德曼先生喊道。
“你的？肯定不是，先生。这不是你的名字的首字母。”
他指着交织在一起的两个银灰色字母。
哈德曼将它拿在手里。
“你是对的，”他说道，“这很像我的，但首字母不同。一个‘B’和一个‘P’。我的天哪！是帕克！”
“看上去像，”波洛说道，“一个有些粗心的年轻人——尤其是手套也是他的话。那会是双重线索，不是吗？”“伯纳德·帕克！”哈德曼喃喃道，“真让我松了口气！嗯，波洛先生，追回珠宝这件事我就交给你了。如果你觉得合适的话，你就把这件事交给——如果你确信他就是罪犯的话。”
“你看到了吗，我的朋友。”在我们一起离开屋子的时候，波洛对我说，“这个哈德曼先生，他对有爵位的人有一套法律，对普通人又有另一套法律。我，还没有被封贵族，因此也就站在普通人这边了。我同情这位年轻人。整个事情有点蹊跷，是不是？哈德曼怀疑朗科恩女勋爵；而我怀疑那位伯爵夫人和约翰斯顿；而一文不名的帕克先生却是我们的目标。”“你为什么怀疑那两个人呢？”“当然！做一个俄罗斯难民或者一位南非百万富翁是很简单的。任何一个女人都可以称自己是俄罗斯伯爵夫人；任何人都可以在帕克街买一幢房子然后称自己是一个南非百万富翁。谁会说他们不是呢？但我注意到我们现在正经过伯里街。我们粗心的年轻朋友住在这里。就像你所说的，让我们趁热打铁吧。”
伯纳德。帕克先生在家。我们看见他躺在一些靠垫上，穿着让人吃惊的紫色和梧黄色晨衣。他长着女人气十足的小白脸，说话装腔作势，口齿不清。我特别不喜欢他。
“早上好，先生，”波洛轻快地说，“我从哈德曼先生那儿来。昨天茶会的时候，有人将他的珠宝全偷走了。请允许我问你，先生——这是你的手套吗？”帕克先生的反应好像不是很快。他盯着手套看着，好像是使劲在想。
“你在什么地方发现的？”他最后问。
“这是不是你的手套，先生？”帕克先生好像是在下决心。
“不，不是的。”他宣称。
“还有这只香烟盒，是你的吗？”“当然不是，我总是带着一个银色的。”
“很好，先生。我把这事交给。”
“噢，我说，我要是你的话，我就不这么做。”帕克先生有些担心地喊道，“，那帮人非常没有同情心。等会儿，我会过去看看老哈德曼。看这儿——噢，等会儿。”
但波洛主意已定，退了出去。
“我们给了他一些东西让他去想，是不是？”他格格笑道，“明天我们看会发生什么事情。”
但命里注定，那个下午就有人提醒我们哈德曼的案子了。一点预告也没有，门突然开了，一股人的旋风打破了我们的清静，她带着一撮螺旋形的紫貂皮(只有英国六月的天才会那样冷)和一个满是羽毛的帽子。薇拉。罗萨科娃伯爵夫人是一个有些令人不安的人。
“你是波洛先生吗？你都做了什么？你指控那个可怜的男孩？这很无耻，很令人气愤。我了解他。他是一个懦夫，一个傻瓜——他绝不会偷东西的。他替我做了一切。我会站在一边看着他受折磨、受宰杀吗？”“夫人，告诉我，这是他的香烟盒吗？”波洛举起那个黑色云纹绸烟盒。
伯爵夫人停了下来，她细看了一下。
“是的，是他的，我很清楚。那又怎么样？你是在屋里找到的吗？我们都在那儿。我想他是那时候丢的。啊，你们比苏联的赤卫队还坏——”“那这是他的手套吗？”“我怎么会知道？手套都一样。别想阻止我——我一定得设法放了他。得替他恢复名誉。你得这么做——我会卖了我的珠宝，给你很多钱的。”
“夫人———”“那就这样定下来吧？不，不，不要争了。这个可怜的男孩：他来找我，满眼是泪。‘我会救你的，’我说，‘我会去找这个人的——这个妖魔，这个怪物：把这事交给薇拉吧。’现在就这样定了，我走了。”
就像她来时没有礼节一样，她从这间屋子飞速离开了，在她身后留下外国香水呛人的味道。
“什么女人啊！”我大声说道，“还有那是什么毛皮衣服啊！”“啊，是的，那是真的。一个假的伯爵夫人会有真的毛皮衣服吗？我的一个小玩笑，黑斯廷斯.....。不，我想，她是真正的俄罗斯人。嗯，嗯，这么说伯纳德少爷去向她诉苦了。”
“那个香烟盒是他的，我想知道那只手套是不是也”波洛笑着从他的口袋里掏出另一只手套，并把它放在第一只手套旁边。毫无疑问，它们是一副。
“你从哪儿得到第二只的，波洛？”“在伯里街的那个大厅里的桌子上，它和一根手杖放在一起的。帕克先生的确是一个很粗心的小伙子。好了，好了，我的朋友——我们得彻底一点。仅仅为了形式，我得去拜访一下帕克街。”
不用说，我陪着我的朋友去了。约翰斯顿不在家，但我们见到了他的私人秘书，并得知约翰斯顿不久前从南非来。以前从没来过英国。
“他对宝石很感兴趣，是不是？”波洛斗胆问了一句。
“金矿开采更接近一点。”秘书笑道。
见面之后，波洛离开时若有所思。那天晚上已很晚了，让我感到特别惊讶的是，我发现他在认真地研究一本俄语语法书。
“天哪！波洛！”我叫道，“你学俄语是为了用伯爵夫人的语言和她交谈吗？”“她肯定不会听我的英语的，我的朋友！”“但毫无疑问，波洛，出身很好的人肯定都会说法语的，不是吗？”“你知识真丰富，黑斯廷斯！我这就停止对俄语字母的玄妙之处而大伤脑筋的工作了。”
他戏剧化地将书扔掉。我不是很满意。他的眼里有一种我很熟悉的光芒。毋庸置疑，那说明他对自己很是满意。
“也许，”我机灵地说，“你怀疑她是否是真的人。你要考考她？”“啊，不，不，她确实是个人。”
“嗯，那——”“如果你真想在这个案子上有所表现的话，黑斯廷斯，我推荐你读《俄语入门》，它非常有用。”
接着他笑了，没再说什么。我从地上拣起那本书，好奇地翻阅着，但对波洛讲的话还是一点也不明白。
第二天早晨没有给我们带采任何消息，但我的朋友好像并不为此发愁。吃早饭时，他宣布他想在那天早一点去拜访哈德曼先生。我们在他家里找到了这个老交际场中的老手，他看上去比前一天要镇静一些。
“噢，波洛先生，有什么消息吗？”他急切地问道。
波洛递给他一张纸。
“这就是偷珠宝的人，先生。我把这些事交给吗？还是你更愿意由我来追回珠宝而不要参与其中？”哈德曼先生盯着那张纸。最后他恢复了说话能力。
“太吃惊了。我当然不想这事爆出丑闻。我全权委托你了，波洛先生。我相信你一定会谨慎的。”
我们招来了一辆出租车，波洛让出租车开到卡尔顿饭店。在那儿我们要求见罗萨科娃伯爵夫人。一会儿之后，我们被领到了楼上的伯爵夫人的套房。她穿着带有粗俗图案的长晨衣，张开手臂迎接我们。
“波洛先生！”她喊道，“你成功了，是吗？你为那个可怜的孩子洗清罪名了，是不是？”“伯爵夫人，你的朋友帕克先生绝不会被捕的。”
“啊，你是一个聪明的小个子男人！太棒了！而且这么快就办成功了。”
“另一方面，我答应哈德曼先生我会今天把他的珠宝送回去。”
“是这样吗？”“因此，夫人，如果你能立刻把它们交给我，我会不胜感激的。催你很不好意思，但我让出租车等着呢——以防万一我得去苏格兰场跑一趟；而我们比利时人，夫人，是很节俭的。”
伯爵夫人点燃了一根烟。好一阵，她坐着一动不动，吹着烟圈，并一直盯着波洛。然后她大笑起来，并且站起身。她走到写字台前，打开一个抽屉，拿出了一个黑色丝质手包。她轻轻地将它扔给了波洛。当她说话的时候，她的语调非常轻快而且很平静。
“相反，我们人是挥霍无度的，”她说道，“不幸的是，要那样的话，得有钱。你不用看里面了，它们都在里面。”
波洛站起身来。
“我祝贺你，夫人，你思维敏捷，而且动作很快。”
“啊！但因为你的出租车在等着你，我还能做什么呢？”“你真和蔼可亲，夫人。你在伦敦要呆很长时间吗？”“我想不了——因为你。”
“请原谅。”
“也许，我们还会在别的地方见面的。”
“我希望是这样的。”
“但我——不希望这样：”伯爵夫人笑着喊道，“我向你表示敬意。在这世界上没有几个人是我害怕的。再见，波洛先生。”
“再见，伯爵夫人。啊—请原谅，我忘了，请允许我归还您的香烟盒。”
他鞠了一躬，把我们在保险箱里发现的那只小的黑色云纹绸烟盒递给了她。她脸不变色地接了过去，只是抬了一下眉头，低声说了声：“我知道了！”“这女人真厉害！”在我们下楼的时候，波洛满怀热情地喊道，“我的天哪！这女人真厉害！一句争辩也没说，一句也没有，也没有一点虚张声势！只是很快地扫了一眼，她就正确地估计了形势。我告诉你，黑斯廷斯，一个女人接受失败能像那样——只是很随便地笑一下——会大有作为的：她很危险，她很有胆量；她——”他被重重地绊了一跤。
“如果你能减慢速度，看着你在往哪儿走，那就不会错。”我做上述建议之后问道：“你什么时候开始怀疑伯爵夫人的？”“我的朋友，那是因为手套和香烟盒——双重线索，我们可不可以这么说——让我犯愁。伯纳德·帕克很有可能会丢掉一样或者另一样——但丢两样是不太可能的。啊，不，那就会太不小心了：同样的，如果有人要把它们放在那儿陷害帕克的话，一个就足够了。所以这迫使我得出这样的结论：这两个当中有一个不是帕克的。一开始我以为香烟盒是他的，而那只手套不是他的。但当我发现手套的另外一只，我就明白是另外一回事了。那么香烟盒又是谁的呢？很明显，它不会是朗科恩女勋爵的，首字母不对。那会不会是约翰斯顿的？惟一的可能就是他在这儿是用的假名。我和他的秘书见了面，于是一切显然就很清楚明了了。对约翰斯顿的过去他直言不讳。那么就是伯爵夫人了？她应该从俄罗斯带一些珠宝来的；她只要把偷来的宝石从底板上拿下来，失主是不是还能认出来那是非常值得怀疑的。还有什么比从大厅里拿来一只帕克的手套然后把它塞进保险箱更简单呢？但，当然，她不想把她自己的香烟盒丢在那里。”
“但要是香烟盒是她的，那上面为什么有‘BP’？伯爵夫人的首字母是VR。”
波洛温柔地冲着我微笑。
“正是，我的朋友；但在俄文字母表里，B是V而P是R。”
“喂，你不能指望我能猜到那个。我不懂俄语。”
“我也不借，黑斯廷斯。那就是我为什么买了那本小书——并且敦促你去注意它。”
他叹了口气。
“一个了不起的女人。我有一种感觉，我的朋友——一种非常肯定的感觉——我还会碰上她的。但我不知道，会在什么地方碰上她。”
In his talk "open" as the word is like the theme through to the end.
Mr. Hardeman not tall, small but stocky, very fine nail revision. His voice is plaintive tenor. His style, meaning that some celebrities. Fashionable life is his career. He was rich, but not rich, the pleasure he needs to have to spend excessive. His hobby is collecting, he vigor collectors.
The old mesh fabric, old fans, ancient jewelry - on 马库斯哈德曼, nothing rude or modern things for his taste.
Polo, and I urgently summoned here to see this little man is suffering pain in the hesitant. In this case, the alarm is his hatred, not only the default alarm which means that his collection of the best is lost. As a compromise, he thought of polo.
"My ruby, Mr. Poirot, who is also said to Catherine's emerald necklace. Oh, jade necklace!" "Can you tell me that they lost the case?" Poirot softly suggested.
"I'm trying to do. Yesterday afternoon. I opened a small tea party - very formal kind, with about 67 people. This time I've opened one or two small tea party, though perhaps I can be so that these tea have been successful. there are some very good music - nacorra, pianist; 凯瑟琳伯德, Australia alto singer who - in the big studio. ah afternoon, shortly after I was for my guests to see my collection of medieval jewelry. I will save them in the side wall of the small safety deposit box. To show these gems, which confused as a small display case, as is the color of the velvet background . then we looked at the fan - they are on the closet. Then we went to studio to listen to music. until we all left me only to find safe stolen! I must have not the good, and some people took advantage of this opportunity to have it stripped. rubies, Mr. Poirot, jade necklace - they are the main collections of my life! I wish to look back, I do it to! but can not open! you are fully aware of this point is not, Mr. Poirot? my own guests, my personal friend! It would be a terrible scandal! "
"When you go to the studio time, who was last to leave this room?" "Mr. Johnston. You may know him? He is a millionaire in South Africa. He had just rented a 艾博特伯里 in Parker Street homes. I remember he stayed behind for a while. But, certainly, Oh, certainly not him! "" afternoon, customers are not your people use any excuse to come back to this house? "" I think this question , Mr. Poirot. there are three back-off. Weilaluosa Kova countess, 伯纳德帕克 President, and Runcorn female Lord. "
"Please tell us about their situation."
"Rosakova countess was a very charming lady, she is a member of the former regime, recently came to this country. She had said goodbye to me, so I found she was fascinated by this question to the room wall cabinets filled with fans watching, I surprised. Mr. Poirot, you know, I grew more and more surprised. Do you agree? "" very suspicious. Let me say something else. "
"Ah, Parker is just to get a box mounted miniature painting, miniature paintings I want these women to the Lord Lang Kesi see." "That woman, Lord Lang Kesi it?" "I bet you know her, runcorn Lord is a middle-aged women, female, very courageous, most of the time dedicated to her various charities. She came back to take her place where the bag. "
"Well, sir, we have four possible suspects. Who the Russian countess, who the British lady, who the South African millionaire, and 伯纳德帕克. By the way, Mr. Parker, who?" This issue Mr. Hardman is like a very embarrassing.
"He is - what - he is a young man. Well, actually, but I know a young man."
"This I have inferred it," replied Poirot gravely, "that Mr. Park, he is doing it?" "He is a - perhaps, if I may say so, the trend is not very together."
"I ask it? How he became your friend?" "Ah - uh - I asked him did a totally different situation."
"Went on to say, sir." Pollock said.
Hardeman looked at him piteously. Obviously he was not willing to go on. But polo is silent and indifferent, he had to give.
"You know, Mr. Poirot - Everyone knows that I am interested in ancient jewelry. Sometimes, the need to sell family heirlooms - Please remember - these family heirlooms is not open for sale, nor sold to a businessmen. But if I am not the same thing in private to sell the. Parker arranged the details of this matter, contact him and the two sides, this will avoid embarrassment. all these things he told me. For example, Luo Sake Wa countess brought some peculiar from the jewelry, she was anxious to sell these jewels. this transaction by the 伯纳德帕克 to arrange. "
"I see," said Poirot thoughtfully, "that you absolutely believe him?"
"I have no reason not to believe him."
"Mr. Hardman, the four of them, you wonder who?" "Oh, Mr. Poirot, this is a problem! Like I told you so, they are my friends. I have no doubt that the - or is that no one suspected how you would like to say on how to say. "
"Now the door is not a good pass," when he pulled the door to the time got me, Polokwane whispered, "Why? Ah, here is what? A glove, stuck in the co-Ye Li. A man gloves. "
He lifted it to see Hardman.
"That's not my gloves." The latter claim.
"Aha! There is something else!" Polo cleverly bent to pick up from the safe end of a small thing. This is the flat black moire silk, cigarette boxes.
"My cigarette box!" Cried Mr. Hardman.
"You? Certainly not, sir. This is not the first letter of your name."
He pointed to the two intertwined silver letters.
Hardeman it in his hand.
"You are right," he said, "It's like me, but different first letter. A 'B' and a 'P'. My God! Parker!"
"Looks like," said Poirot, "one that some careless young people - especially the gloves but also his words. That will be a double thread, is not it?" "伯纳德帕克!" Hardman muttered , "really makes me relieved! ah, Polokwane, Mr recovered jewelry this thing I will give you a. If you feel right, you put this thing to - if you are convinced he is the offender the words. "
Bernard. Mr. Park home. We saw him lying on some of the cushions, wearing a shocking purple and yellow dressing gown Wu. He has an effeminate full of small white face, pretending to speak, slurred speech. I do not particularly like him.
"Good morning, sir," said Poirot briskly, "I come from there, Mr. Hardman. Tea time yesterday, it was all his jewelry stolen. Let me ask you, sir - this is your the gloves? "Mr. Parker does not seem to respond very quickly. He stared gloves looked as if Shijin thinking.
"Where did you find?" He finally asked.
"This is not your gloves, sir?" Mr. Parker seems to be in the determination.
"No, no." He declared.
"There are only cigarette box, is yours?" "Of course not, I always took a silver."
"Very well, Sir. I give this thing."
"Oh, I said, if I were you, I would not do that." Mr. Parker cried a little worried, "those people are not sympathetic. Wait a moment, I will have a look at the old hardman. Look here - Oh, wait a while. "
But the idea has been scheduled Poirot, back out.
"We gave him something to let him think, is not it?" He giggled, "Tomorrow we will see what happens."
However, destined, to remind us that the afternoon was a case Hardeman. Little notice and no, the door suddenly opened, and an human whirlwind break our peace and quiet, with a handful of her spiral sable (only British talent will be as cold in June) and a hat full of feathers. Vera. Rosakova countess is a somewhat disturbing people.
"You, Mr. Poirot? You have done what? You alleged that the poor boy? This is shameless, it is infuriating. I know him. He is a coward, a fool - he would not steal something . He made me everything. I will stand watch him be tortured and killed by it? "" Lady, tell me that this is his cigarette box it? "Poirot lifted the black moire silk cigarette case .
Countess stopped, she take a closer look a bit.
"Yes, he's, I know. So what? You find in the house? We were there. I think he lost the time. Ah, you worse than the Soviet Union's Red Guards - "" Well, this is his gloves? "" how do I know? gloves are the same. Do not try to stop me - I'll have to let him go. get him rehabilitated. you have to do - I will sell my jewelry, give you a lot money. "
"Mrs. ---"" it settle down this right? No, no, not the other. The poor boy: he came to me, eyes full of tears. 'I will rescue you,' I said, 'I will to find this man - this monster, this monster: this matter to the Vera it. 'So this is now, I go. "
Did not like her to etiquette, she left this house fast, leaving behind her choking smell of foreign perfume.
"What a woman ah!" Cried I, "And what furs ah!" "Ah, yes, it is true. There is really a fake countess fur clothes? Me a little joke , Hastings .....。 not, and I think she is really Russian. ah, ah, so said the young master Bernard complained of her fate. "
"That was his cigarette box, I would like to know the glove is not also" Poirot smiled from his pocket and pulled out another glove, and put it on the first glove side. There is no doubt they are one.
"Where did you get the second only, and polo?" "In Bury Street, the hall table, and a cane, put it together. Mr. Parker is indeed a very careless young man. Well, Well, my friend - we have to complete a little. just to form, I have to visit about Parker Street. "
Needless to say, I accompanied my friend go. Johnston was not at home, but we see his private secretary, and that Johnston recently from South Africa. Previously had never been in the United Kingdom.
"He is very interested in precious stones, is not it?" Dare to ask, Poirot.
"Gold mining closer to that." Secretary of the laughs.
After the meeting, leaving Poirot thoughtfully. That night, late, I am particularly surprised that I found him a serious look at a book in Russian syntax.
"Good heavens! Polo!" I cried, "you learn Russian language in order to use the countess and her talk to them?" "She certainly will not listen to my English, my friend!" "But there is no doubt , Polokwane, good family and people will definitely speak French, do not you? "" You are really rich in knowledge, Hastings! I'll halt the mystery of Russian letters between the work of large nerve-racking. "
He theatrically throw away the book. I am not very satisfied. His eyes have a light I'm familiar with. Needless to say, it shows that he was very satisfied with their own.
"Maybe," I smartly said, "you wonder if she really were. You are going to test her?" "Ah, no, no, she really is personal."
"Ah, that -" "If you really want to do well in this case on the words, Hastings, I recommend you read" Russian entry ", it is very useful."
Then he laughed, did not say anything. I picked up from the earth, the book, read with curiosity, but Poirot is not about the words or understand.
The next morning did not bring us any news, but my friends do not seem worried about it. Breakfast, he announced that he would like to visit earlier in the day, Mr. Hardman. We found at his home in this old veteran of the communication field, he seemed to calm some of the previous day.
"Oh, Mr. Poirot, what message?" He asked eagerly.
Poirot gave him a piece of paper.
"This is the person who stole jewelry, sir. I put these things to you? Or do you prefer for me to recover the jewelry and keep away from them?" Mr. Hardman staring at the piece of paper. Finally, he restored the ability to speak.
"Too amazing. I certainly do not want this scandal. I consigned to you, Mr. Poirot. I believe you will care for."
We attracted a taxi, taxi Poirot to open to the Carlton Hotel. Where we asked to see Rosakova countess. After a while, we are being led upstairs suite countess. She wore a long dressing gown with a vulgar pattern of open arms to greet us.
"Mr. Poirot!" She cried, "you are successful, is not it? For that poor child, you cleared of charges, is not it?" "Countess, your friend, Mr. Parker will not be arrested."
"Ah, you are a smart little man! Great! And do so quickly successful."
"On the other hand, I promise I will be here today, Mr. Hardman his jewelry to send back."
"Is that true?" "So, madam, if you can get them to me immediately, I would be grateful for. Hurry you are embarrassed, but I let a taxi waiting for it - just in case I have to go to Scotland Yard a trip to; and we Belgians, wife is very frugal. "
Countess lit a cigarette. A moment, she sat, blowing smoke ring, and has been watching polo. Then she laughed and got up. She went to the desk, opens a drawer and took out a black silk handbag. She gently throwing it a polo. When she spoke, her tone is very light and very quiet.
"Instead, we were extravagant," she said, "Unfortunately, it did so, get the money. You do not look inside, and they are in there."
Poirot stood up.
"I congratulate you, Madame, your thinking and action soon."
"Ah! But because you are a taxi waiting for you, I can do?" "You're amiable, madame. You have to stay in London long?" "I think not - because of you."
"Please forgive me."
"Perhaps we will meet elsewhere."
"I hope so."
"But I - do not want this:" cried the countess, laughing, "I pay tribute to you. In this world few people that I fear. Good-bye, Mr. Poirot."
"Goodbye, Countess. Ah - sorry, I forgot, please allow me to return your cigarette case."
He bowed to us in a safe found in the little black moire silk cigarette case handed to her. Her face does not change color to access the past, only lifted a bit brows, whispered the voice: "I know!" "This woman is gorgeous!" When we went downstairs, Polokwane exclaimed with enthusiasm, " My God! This woman is gorgeous! a debate not say anything, one does not, and no little bravado! only glanced quickly, she correctly estimate the situation. I tell you, Hastings to accept failure as a woman can do - just laugh about it casually - will accomplish a great deal: She is dangerous, she's very courageous; her - "He was heavily stumbled.
"If you can slow down and watch you where to go, it would be wrong." After I made the proposal asked: "When did you begin to doubt the countess?" "My friends, it is because glove and cigarette boxes - double thread, can we say - let me worry. 伯纳德帕克 likely to lose the same or another thing - but throw different is unlikely. ah, no, that would be too careless: Similarly, if some people want to trap them in there, Parker, then a sufficient. so it forced me to come to this conclusion: the two of them that is not Parker's. first I cigarette box thinking that is his, but not his glove. but when I discovered the other a glove, I understand that is another matter. then cigarette box is one? Obviously, it does not is female Runcorn Lord, not the first letter. It will be Johnston's? only probably here is his pseudonym. I met his secretary, so everything is clear very clear understanding of the . on Johnston's past, he bluntly. so that the countess had? she should bring some jewels from the Russian past; her as long as the stolen gems from the floor, and took to, call the owner is not also recognize what it is doubtful. What can be brought from the hall, a Parker's glove and put it into the safe even more simple? But, of course, she did not want to lose her own box of cigarettes there. "
"But if the cigarette box is her, then why the above 'BP'? Countess is the first letter of VR."
Poirot smiled at me gently.
"It is, my friend; but where in the Russian alphabet, B is V and P is R."
"Hey, I guess you can not expect that. I do not understand Russian."
"I do not use, Hastings. That is why I bought a little book - and urging you to pay attention to it."
He sighed.
"A remarkable woman. I have a feeling, my friend - a very positive feeling - I would run into her. But I do not know where to run into her at."
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