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to all mysteries early. Hi

1:42

and welcome to a Mysteries at

1:44

Midnight story with Sleepcoves

1:47

Christopher Fitton. Tonight,

1:50

the Detective Poirot investigates

1:52

the dual robbery at

1:55

the Grand Metropolitan. This

1:58

is a closed room meeting. as I'm

2:01

sure you'll enjoy. There

2:04

is a sketch included in the

2:06

original text. I'll include

2:08

a link to the sketch in the show

2:10

notes so you can view

2:12

it at your pleasure. So

2:16

let's begin. Poirot

2:20

investigates the dual

2:22

robbery at the Grand

2:25

Metropolitan. Poirot,

2:27

I said, a change

2:29

of air would do you good. You

2:33

think so, Monomie? said

2:35

Poirot. I am sure of

2:37

it. Aye, aye, said

2:40

my friend, smiling. It

2:42

is all arranged then. You

2:44

all come, I replied. Where

2:48

do you propose to take me? said

2:51

Poirot. Brighton,

2:54

as a matter of fact, a

2:56

friend of mine in the city put

2:58

me on to a very good thing.

3:01

And well, I have money to

3:03

burn, as the saying goes. I think a

3:05

weekend at the Grand

3:09

Metropolitan would do us

3:11

all the good in the world. Thank

3:14

you, I accept most

3:16

gratefully. You have the

3:18

good art to think of an old man, and the good

3:23

art is in the end worth

3:25

all the little grey cells. Yes, yes, I

3:28

who speak to you am in

3:32

danger of forgetting that sometimes.

3:36

I did not quite relish the

3:39

implication. I fancy

3:41

that Poirot is sometimes a little

3:43

too inclined

3:45

to underestimate my

3:47

mental capacities. But

3:50

his pleasure was so evident that he was not

3:53

aware that I put my slight

3:55

annoyance aside. Then

3:58

that's all right, I said. Saturday

4:02

evening saw his

4:05

dining at the Grand Metropolitan

4:08

in the midst of an exciting

4:10

throng. All

4:12

the world and his wife seemed

4:15

to be at Brighton. The

4:18

dresses were marvellous and

4:21

the jewels worn sometimes

4:23

with more love of display

4:26

than good taste were

4:29

something magnificent. Hein,

4:33

it is a sight this,

4:36

murmured Poirot. This

4:38

is the home of the profiteer,

4:41

is it not so, Hastings? Supposed

4:44

to be, I replied, but

4:48

will hope they aren't all

4:50

tired with a profiteering brush.

4:54

Poirot gazed round him

4:56

placidly. The

4:58

sight of so many jewels makes

5:01

me wish I had turned my brains

5:03

to crime instead

5:06

of its detection. What

5:09

a magnificent opportunity for

5:12

some thief of distinction. Regard

5:15

Hastings, that stout

5:17

woman by the pillar, she

5:20

is, as he would say, plastered

5:22

with gems. I

5:25

followed his eyes. Why,

5:28

I exclaimed, it's

5:30

Mrs. Opelson. You

5:33

know her. Slightly,

5:36

her husband is a rich

5:38

stockbroker who made a

5:41

fortune in a recent oil boom.

5:45

After dinner, we ran across

5:47

the Opelsons in a lounge and

5:50

I introduced Poirot to

5:52

them. We chatted

5:54

for a few minutes and

5:56

ended by having our coffee together.

6:00

Poirot said a few words in

6:03

praise of some of

6:05

the costlier gems displayed

6:07

on the lady's ample bosom,

6:11

and she brightened up at once. "'It's

6:14

a perfect hobby of mine, Mr

6:17

Poirot. I just

6:19

love jewellery,' Ed

6:21

knows my weakness, and

6:23

every time things go well he

6:26

brings me something new. They

6:29

were interested in precious stones. I

6:32

have had a good deal to do with

6:34

them one time and

6:36

another, Madame. My

6:39

profession has brought me into

6:41

contact with some of

6:43

the most famous jewels in

6:46

the world.' He

6:48

went on to narrate with

6:51

discrete pseudonyms the

6:53

story of the historic jewels

6:56

of a reigning house that

6:58

Mrs Opelson listened

7:00

with mated breath. "'There

7:03

now,' she exclaimed

7:05

as he ended, if it

7:08

isn't just like a play.

7:11

You know, I've got some

7:13

pearls of my own that have

7:15

a history attached to them. I

7:19

believe it's supposed to be one

7:21

of the finest necklaces in the

7:24

world. The pearls are

7:27

so beautifully matched and

7:29

so perfect in colour. I

7:32

declare I must run up and

7:34

get it.' Oh Madame,

7:37

protested Poirot, you

7:39

are too amiable. Pray

7:42

do not derange yourself. Oh,

7:46

but I'd like to show it to you.' The

7:49

booksam dame waddled across

7:52

to the left briskly

7:54

enough. Her husband,

7:57

who had been talking to me, looked

7:59

at the door. to Poirot intriguingly.

8:03

Madame, your wife is

8:05

so amiable as to

8:07

insist on showing me her pearl

8:09

necklace," explained the

8:11

latter. "'O

8:14

the pearls,' Opalson smiled

8:16

in a satisfied fashion. "'Well,

8:19

they are worth seeing. Cost

8:22

a pretty penny too. Still

8:24

the money's there all right. I

8:27

could get what I paid for them any day,

8:29

perhaps more. May have

8:32

to, if things go on

8:34

as they are now. Money's

8:36

confounded the tight in the city, all

8:40

this infernal EPD.' He

8:44

rambled on, launching into

8:46

technicalities where I could

8:48

not follow him. He

8:51

was interrupted by a

8:53

small pageboy who approached

8:56

and murmured something in his

8:58

ear. "'Oh, what?

9:01

I'll come at once. Not

9:03

taken ill, is she?' "'Excuse

9:06

me, gentlemen.' He

9:09

left us abruptly. Poirot

9:11

leaned back and

9:13

lit one of his tiny

9:16

Russian cigarettes. Then,

9:19

carefully and meticulously,

9:21

he arranged the empty coffee

9:23

cups into a neat

9:25

row and beamed happily

9:28

on the result. The

9:31

minutes passed. The

9:33

Opalsons did not return. "'Curious,'

9:37

I remarked at length. I

9:40

wonder when they will come back.' Poirot

9:44

watched the ascending

9:46

spirals of smoke and

9:49

then said thoughtfully, "'They

9:51

will not come back.' Why?

9:55

Because, my friend, something

9:58

has happened.'" What

10:00

sort of thing? How do you

10:03

know? I asked curiously.

10:06

Quaro smiled. A

10:09

few moments ago, the

10:11

manager came hurriedly out of

10:14

his office and ran

10:16

upstairs. He was

10:18

much agitated. The

10:21

lift boy is deep in

10:23

talk with one of the pages. The

10:26

lift bell has rung three

10:29

times, but he eats

10:31

it not. Thirdly,

10:35

even the waiters are distray, and

10:38

to make a waiter distray, Quaro

10:41

shook his head with an

10:43

air of finality. The

10:46

affair must indeed be of

10:48

the first magnitude. Ah,

10:51

it is thy thought. Here

10:54

come the police. Two

10:57

men had just entered a hotel,

11:00

one in uniform, the

11:02

other in plain clothes. They

11:06

spoke to a page and

11:09

were immediately ushered

11:11

upstairs. A

11:13

few minutes later, the same

11:16

boy descended and came

11:18

up to where we were sitting. Mr.

11:22

Obelson's compliments. And

11:24

would he step upstairs? Quaro

11:27

sprang nimbly to his feet.

11:30

One would have said that

11:33

he awaited the summons. I

11:36

followed with no less

11:38

alacrity. The

11:41

Opelson's apartment was

11:43

situated on the first floor. After

11:46

knocking on the door, the

11:50

page boy retired, and we answered the

11:52

summons. Come in. A

11:56

strange scene met our

11:58

eyes. The real was

12:00

Mrs. Opelson's bedroom,

12:04

and in the centre of it, lying

12:06

back in an armchair, was

12:09

the lady herself weeping

12:12

violently. She

12:15

presented an extraordinary

12:17

spectacle, with tears

12:19

making great furrows

12:22

in the powder with which

12:24

her complexion was deliberately

12:26

coated. Mr. Opelson was

12:30

striding up and down

12:32

angrily. The

12:35

two police officials stood

12:37

in the middle of the room, one

12:40

with a notebook in hand, a

12:43

hotel chambermaid looking

12:45

frightened to death, stood

12:48

by the fireplace, and

12:50

on the other side of the room, a

12:53

French woman, obviously Mrs.

12:56

Opelson's maid, was

12:58

weeping and wringing her hands,

13:01

with an intensity of grief

13:04

that rivalled that of

13:06

her mistress. Into

13:08

this pandemonium stepped

13:11

Poirot neat and

13:13

smiling, immediately with

13:15

an energy surprising in

13:17

one of her bulk.

13:20

Mrs. Opelson sprang

13:23

from her chair toward him.

13:26

There now Ed may say

13:28

what he likes, but I

13:30

believe in luck I do. It was

13:33

fated I should meet you

13:35

the way I did this evening,

13:39

and I've a feeling that if

13:41

you can't get my pills back

13:43

for me, nobody

13:45

can. Calm

13:47

yourself, I pray

13:50

of you, madam. Poirot patted

13:52

her hand, soothing me.

13:55

Reassure yourself, all

13:57

will be well. will

14:00

aid you." Mr.

14:03

Opelson turned to

14:05

the police inspector. There

14:08

will be no objection to my

14:11

err, calling in this gentleman,

14:13

I suppose. "'None at

14:15

all, sir,' replied the

14:17

man, civilly, but with

14:19

complete indifference. Perhaps

14:22

now your lady's feeling better.

14:25

She'll just let us have a fath." Mrs.

14:29

Opelson looked helplessly

14:31

at Poirot. He

14:34

led her back to her chair. "'Seed

14:37

yourself, madam, and

14:39

recount to us the whole history without

14:42

agitating yourself.' Thus

14:45

objured, Mrs. Opelson

14:48

dried her eyes gingerly

14:50

and began. I

14:52

came upstairs, after dinner,

14:55

to fetch my pearls for

14:57

Mr. Poirot here to see.

15:00

The chambermaid and Celestine were

15:03

both in the room as

15:05

usual." "'Excuse

15:08

me, madam, but what

15:10

do you mean by as usual?' Mr.

15:13

Opelson explained. I

15:15

make it a rule that no one

15:18

is to come into this room unless,

15:20

Celestine, the maid is

15:23

there also. The

15:25

chambermaid does the room in the

15:28

morning while Celestine

15:30

is present and

15:32

comes in after dinner to

15:34

turn down the beds under

15:36

the same conditions. Otherwise,

15:39

she never enters the room.

15:42

"'Well, as I was saying,' continued

15:45

Mrs. Opelson. I

15:48

came up. I went to

15:50

the drawer here.' She

15:52

indicated the bottom right-hand

15:54

drawer of the knee-hole

15:56

dressing table. Took

15:58

out my jewel case." and unlocked

16:01

it. It seemed quite as

16:03

usual, but the pearls

16:05

were not there. The

16:07

inspector had been busy with

16:09

his notebook. When

16:11

had you last seen them? he

16:14

asked. They were there when

16:16

I went down to dinner. You

16:19

are sure? Quite sure.

16:22

I was uncertain whether to wear them or

16:24

not, but in the

16:26

end I decided on the emeralds and

16:29

put them back in the jewel case. Who

16:32

locked up the jewel case? I

16:35

did. I wear the key on

16:37

a chain round my neck. She

16:40

held it up as she spoke. The

16:42

inspector examined it and

16:45

shrugged his shoulders. The

16:47

thief must have a duplicate key.

16:50

No difficult matter. The lock

16:52

is quite a simple one. What

16:55

did you do after? You locked

16:57

the jewel case? I

16:59

put it back in the bottom drawer, where

17:02

I always keep it. You

17:05

didn't lock the drawer? No,

17:07

I never do. My maid

17:09

remains in the room till

17:11

I come up, so

17:14

there's no need. The

17:16

inspector's face grew graver.

17:20

Am I to understand that the jewels

17:22

were there when he went down to

17:24

dinner, and that since

17:26

the maid has not left the

17:29

room? Suddenly, as

17:31

though the horror of her

17:34

own situation for the first

17:36

time burst upon her. Philistine

17:39

uttered a piercing

17:41

shriek, and

17:44

flinging herself upon Poirot

17:47

poured out a torrent of

17:50

incoherent French. The

17:52

suggestion was infamous that

17:55

she should be suspected of robbing

17:57

Madame. The police

18:00

were well known to be

18:02

of a stupidity incredible. But

18:05

Mercier, who was a Frenchman,

18:07

a Belgian,

18:10

interjected Poirot, but,

18:13

for last year, paid no

18:15

attention to the correction. Mercier

18:18

would not stand by and

18:21

see her falsely accused, while

18:24

that infamous chambermaid was

18:26

allowed to go scot-free. She

18:29

had never liked her, a

18:32

bold red-faced thing, a

18:35

born thief. She

18:37

had said from the first that

18:39

she was not honest, and

18:42

had kept a sharp watch over her too,

18:45

when she was doing Madame's room. Let

18:48

those idiots of policemen search

18:51

her, and if they do not

18:53

find Madame's pearls on her,

18:56

it would be very surprising.

18:59

Although this harangue was

19:02

uttered in a rapid

19:04

and virulent French, Celestine

19:08

had interlarded it with

19:10

a wealth of gesture, and

19:13

the chambermaid realised at least

19:15

a part of her meaning. She

19:19

reddened angrily. "'If

19:22

that foreign woman's saying

19:24

I took the pearls, it's

19:26

a lie,' she declared. He

19:28

did thee. I never

19:31

so much as saw them." Surtcher

19:35

screamed the other. "'You will

19:37

find it, as I say.' "'You're

19:40

a liar, do you hear?' said

19:43

the chambermaid, advancing upon

19:45

her. "'Stole him

19:48

yourself, and want to put it

19:50

on me. Why, I

19:52

was only in the room about three

19:54

minutes before the lady came

19:56

up. And then you were

19:58

sitting here the whole time.' whole time as

20:01

you always do, like a

20:03

cat watching a mouse. The

20:07

inspector looked across inquiringly

20:10

at Celestine. Is

20:13

that true? Didn't you leave

20:15

the room at all? I

20:18

did not actually leave her alone,

20:21

admitted Celestine reluctantly,

20:25

but I went into my own room

20:27

through the door here twice, once

20:30

to fetch a reel of cotton and

20:33

once for my scissors. She

20:35

must have done it then. He

20:39

wasn't gone a minute, retorted

20:41

the chambermaid angrily. Just

20:45

popped out and in again. I'll

20:47

be glad if the police would

20:49

search me. I've nothing

20:52

to be afraid of. At

20:55

this moment, there was a tap

20:57

at the door. The

21:00

inspector went to it. His

21:02

face brightened when he saw

21:04

who it was. Ah,

21:08

he said, that's rather

21:10

fortunate. I

21:12

sent for one of our

21:14

female searchers, and she's

21:17

just arrived. Perhaps

21:19

if you wouldn't mind going

21:21

into the room next door. He

21:24

looked at the chambermaid, who

21:26

stepped across the threshold with

21:29

a toss of her head, the

21:32

searcher following her closely.

21:36

The French girl had sunk

21:38

sobbing into a chair. Guaro

21:41

was looking round the room,

21:45

the main features of which I

21:47

have made clear by a sketch. Where

21:51

does the door lead? He

21:53

inquired, nodding his head

21:55

towards the one by the window.

21:59

Into the next apartment. I believe," said

22:02

the inspector. It's bolted

22:04

anyway on this side." Huaro

22:07

walked across to it, tried

22:10

it, and then drew back

22:12

the bolt and tried it again.

22:16

And on the other side as well, he

22:19

remarked, well that

22:21

seems to rule out that. He

22:25

walked over to the windows, examining

22:27

each of them in turn.

22:31

And again, nothing, not

22:33

even a balcony outside.

22:37

"'Even if there were,' said

22:40

the inspector impatiently, "'I don't

22:42

see how that would help

22:44

us, if the maid never

22:46

left the room.'" "'Evedon,

22:49

ma,' said Huaro,

22:52

not disconcerted. As

22:54

Madame Moselle is positive she

22:57

did not leave the room." He

23:00

was interrupted by the reappearance

23:02

of the chambermaid and

23:05

the police-searcher. "'Nothing,'

23:08

said the latter, archonically. "'I

23:10

should hope not indeed,' said

23:13

the chambermaid, virtuously. And

23:16

that French hussy ought to be

23:18

ashamed of herself, taking away

23:21

an honest girl's character."

23:25

"'There, there, my girl, that's all right,' said

23:28

the inspector, opening the door. "'Nobody

23:31

suspects you. You go

23:33

along and get on with your work.' The

23:37

chambermaid went unwillingly. "'Going

23:41

to search her?' she

23:43

demanded, pointing at

23:45

Celestine. "'Yes,

23:47

yes,' he shut the door

23:49

on her and turned the key. Celestine

23:53

accompanied the searcher into

23:55

the small room in her turn.

23:58

A few minutes later, She

24:01

also returned. Nothing

24:03

had been found on her. The

24:06

inspector's face grew graver.

24:10

I'm afraid I'll have to ask

24:12

you to come along with me all the same,

24:14

Miss. She turned

24:16

to Mrs. Opelson. I'm

24:19

sorry, madam, but all the evidence

24:21

points that way. If she's

24:23

not caught them on her, they're

24:25

hidden somewhere about the room. Celestine

24:30

uttered a piercing shriek and

24:33

clung to Poirot's arm. The

24:36

latter bent and whispered something

24:38

in the girl's ear. She

24:41

looked up at him doubtfully. C.C.

24:45

Model 4, I assure you

24:48

it is better not to resist. Then

24:51

he turned to the inspector. You

24:54

permit, Miss. here, a

24:56

little experiment purely

24:58

for my own satisfaction. Depends

25:01

on what it is, replied

25:03

the police officer non-committedly.

25:08

Poirot addressed Celestine once

25:11

more. You have

25:13

told us that you went into your

25:15

room to fetch a reel of cotton.

25:18

Whereabouts was it? On

25:22

top of the chest of drawers, Miss. here,

25:25

and the scissors. They

25:27

also... Would

25:29

it be troubling you too much, Mademoiselle,

25:32

to ask you to repeat those two

25:35

actions? You were

25:37

sitting here with your work, you say. Celestine

25:40

sat down, and

25:42

then at the sign

25:45

from Poirot, Rose, passed

25:47

into the joining room, took

25:49

up an object from the chest of

25:52

drawers and returned. Poirot

25:54

divided his attention between

25:57

her movements and our

25:59

journey. turnip of the watch, which

26:02

he held in the palm of his hand.

26:05

Again, if you please, Mademoiselle.

26:09

At the conclusion of the

26:11

second performance, he made

26:13

a note in his pocketbook and

26:15

returned the watch to his pocket.

26:18

Thank you, Mademoiselle, and

26:21

you, Monsieur. He

26:23

bowed to the Inspector, for

26:26

your courtesy. The

26:29

Inspector seemed somewhat

26:31

entertained by this excessive

26:33

politeness. Celestine

26:36

departed in a flood of

26:38

tears, accompanied by

26:40

the woman and the plain

26:42

clothes official. Then,

26:45

with a brief apology to

26:47

Mrs. Opalson, the Inspector

26:49

set to work to ransack the

26:52

room. He pulled out drawers,

26:55

open cupboards, completely

26:57

unmade the bed, and

26:59

tapped the floor. Mr.

27:01

Opalson looked on sceptically.

27:04

You really think you'll find them, said

27:07

Mr. Opalson. Yes,

27:09

sir, it stands to reason. She

27:12

hadn't time to take them out of the room. The

27:15

ladies discovering the robbery so

27:17

soon upset her plans. No,

27:21

they're here right enough. One

27:23

of the two must have hidden them,

27:26

and it's very unlikely for the

27:29

chambermaid to have done so. More

27:32

than unlikely, impossible,

27:35

said Poirot quietly. Ay,

27:38

the Inspector stared. Poirot

27:41

smiled modestly. I

27:44

will demonstrate. Aced you, my

27:46

good friend. Take my watch

27:48

in your hand, with care. It

27:51

is a family heirloom. Just

27:53

now, I timed Madame

27:55

Wiesel's movements. Her

27:58

first absence from the room. was

28:00

of twelve seconds, a

28:03

second of fifteen. Now

28:05

observe my actions. Madame

28:09

will have a kindness to give me

28:11

the key of the dual case. I

28:14

thank you. My friend

28:16

Hastings will have the kindness to

28:19

say go. Go,

28:22

I said. With

28:24

almost incredible swiftness, Poirot

28:27

wrenched open the drawer of the

28:30

dressing table, extracted

28:32

the dual case, fitted

28:34

the key in the lock, opened

28:37

the case, selected a piece

28:39

of jewellery, shut and

28:42

locked the case and returned

28:44

it to the drawer, which

28:46

he pushed to again. His

28:49

movements were like a lightning.

28:52

Well, Madamey, he

28:54

demanded of me breathlessly. Forty-six

28:57

seconds, I replied. You

29:00

see, he looked around. There

29:03

would not have been the time for

29:05

the chambermaid even to take

29:07

the nexus out. Far

29:09

less, I did. Then

29:12

that settles it on the

29:14

maid, the inspector with satisfaction,

29:17

and returned to his search. He

29:21

passed into the maid's bedroom

29:23

next door. Poirot

29:25

was frowning forcefully. Suddenly,

29:28

he shut a question at

29:30

Mr. Opelson. This nexus,

29:33

it was, without doubt,

29:35

ensured. Mr.

29:38

Opelson looked at Troy for

29:40

surprise at the question. Yes,

29:44

he said hesitantly. That

29:46

is so. But

29:49

what does it matter? Broken,

29:51

Mrs. Opelson, tearfully.

29:53

It's my necklace I want.

29:56

It was unique. No money

29:58

could be the same. I

30:01

comprehend, madam, said

30:03

Poirot soothingly. I

30:05

comprehend perfectly. To

30:08

the firm sentiment is everything, is

30:10

it not so? But,

30:13

Monsieur, who has

30:15

not the so fine

30:17

suspectability, will doubtless

30:20

find some slight consolation

30:22

in the fact? Of

30:25

course, of course, said

30:28

Mr. Opelson rather

30:30

uncertainly. Still, he

30:33

was interrupted by a

30:35

shout of triumph from the inspector.

30:38

He came in dangling something

30:40

from his fingers. With

30:43

a cry, Mrs. Opelson heaved

30:45

herself from her chair. She

30:48

was a changed woman. Oh,

30:51

oh, my necklace! She

30:54

clasped it to her breast with both

30:57

hands. We crowded

30:59

round. Where

31:01

was it? demanded Opelson. Maid's

31:05

bed, in among the

31:07

springs of the wire mattress. She

31:10

must have stolen it and hidden

31:12

it there before the chambermaid arrived

31:14

on the scene. You

31:17

permit, madam, said Poirot

31:19

gently. He took

31:21

the necklace from her and

31:23

examined it closely, then

31:26

handed it back with a bow. I'm

31:29

afraid, madam, you'll have to hand

31:31

it over to us for the time being, said

31:34

the inspector. We shall

31:36

want it for the charge, but

31:38

it shall be returned to you as soon as

31:41

possible. Mr. Opelson

31:43

frowned. Is that

31:45

necessary? I'm afraid

31:47

so, sir. Just a formality.

31:50

Oh, let him take it, Ed, cried

31:52

his wife. I would feel

31:54

safer if he did. I

31:57

shouldn't sleep a wink thinking someone

31:59

else... might try and get hold of

32:01

it. That wretched girl.

32:05

And I would never have believed

32:07

it of her. There,

32:09

there, my dear. Don't take

32:11

on so," said Mr. Opelson.

32:15

I felt a gentle pressure on my

32:17

arm. It was

32:19

Poirot. Shall we slip

32:21

away, my friend? I think

32:23

our services are no longer

32:25

needed. Once

32:27

outside, however, he hesitated,

32:30

and then, much to my surprise,

32:33

he remarked, I should

32:35

rather like to see the room next door.

32:39

The door was not locked, and

32:41

we entered. The room, which

32:44

was a large double one, was

32:47

unoccupied. First

32:49

lay about rather

32:52

noticeably, and my

32:54

sensitive friend gave a

32:56

characteristic grimace as he

32:58

ran his finger round a rectangular

33:01

mark on a table near the

33:03

window. The

33:05

service leaves to be desired,

33:08

he observed drearily. He

33:11

was staring thoughtfully out of the

33:13

window, and seemed to

33:15

have fallen into a brown

33:18

study. Well, I

33:21

demanded impatiently, what

33:23

did we come in here for? He

33:26

started. Je vous

33:28

demand par d'hors m'or ami. I

33:31

wish to see if the door was

33:33

already bolted on this side or

33:35

so. Well,

33:38

I said, can't think of the

33:40

door, which communicated with the

33:42

room we had just left. It

33:45

is bolted. Poirot

33:48

nodded. He still seemed

33:50

to be thinking. And

33:52

anyway, I continued, what

33:55

does it matter? The case

33:57

is over. I wish you'd

33:59

have it. more chance of distinguishing

34:01

yourself, but it

34:04

was the kind of case

34:06

that even a stiff-backed idiot

34:08

like that inspector couldn't go

34:11

wrong over." Waro

34:13

Shuka said, The

34:16

case is not over, my friend.

34:19

It will not be over until

34:21

we find who stole the

34:23

pearls. But the

34:25

maid did. Why do

34:27

you say that? Why,

34:30

I stumbled. They

34:32

were found actually in her

34:35

mattress. Ta

34:37

ta ta, said Waro

34:39

impatiently. Those

34:41

were not the pearls. What?

34:45

Imitation monomy. The

34:48

statement took my breath away. Waro

34:52

was smiling placidly. The

34:55

good inspector obviously knows nothing

34:58

of jewels. But

35:00

presently there will be

35:02

a fine hullabaloo. Come,

35:06

I cried dragging at his arm. Where?

35:10

We must tell the opalsons at once.

35:13

I think not. For that

35:15

poor woman, Abia, that

35:18

poor woman, as you call her, will

35:21

have a much better night believing

35:23

the jewels to be safe. But

35:26

the thief may escape with them. As

35:30

usual, my friend, you speak

35:32

without reflection. How

35:35

do you know that the

35:37

pearls Mrs. Opalson locked

35:39

up so carefully tonight were

35:41

not the false ones, and

35:44

that the real robbery did

35:46

not take place at a much

35:48

earlier date? Oh,

35:50

I said bewilders. Exactly,

35:54

said Waro beaming. We

35:57

start again. He's

35:59

ever- The way out to the real.

36:02

Caused a name and as though

36:05

considering and then moved down to

36:07

the end of the corridor. Stopping

36:10

outside the smooth then where

36:12

the chamber maids and that

36:15

eyes of the respective schools

36:17

congregate is. One

36:20

particular chambermaid appeared to be

36:22

holding a small cool to

36:24

their. And to

36:27

be restating, has eight

36:29

experiences to an appreciative

36:31

audience. She. Stopped

36:33

in the middle of a sentence.

36:36

For. Bout with his

36:39

usual politeness. Excuse

36:41

that I to reach you put

36:43

I shall be obliged if you

36:46

will or look for me the

36:48

to of the un peu since

36:50

room. The.

36:52

Woman rose willingly. And

36:55

we a complete her down

36:57

the passage again. Mr.

37:00

Offices Real was on the other

37:02

side of the corridor. Is

37:05

to facing that of his

37:08

wife's room. The

37:10

chamber these are looked it with

37:12

her posts key. And

37:14

we entered. A

37:17

she was about the part

37:19

foreign detained or. One

37:22

method. Has he is

37:24

a seed among the effects of

37:26

Mr. Opal said a card like

37:29

this. He held

37:31

out of played white code

37:33

rather heidi to the east

37:35

and on a common in

37:38

appearance. The need

37:40

to kid and scrutinized it. Care

37:42

for the. No

37:44

sir, I can't say I have.

37:47

But anyway, the valet has most

37:49

to do with a gentleman's reeves.

37:55

Or I took part because. The

37:57

woman deposited. Far.

38:00

Fauro appeared to reflect a little,

38:03

then he gave a short, sharp nod

38:05

of the head. Ring

38:07

the bell, I pray of you, Hastings, three

38:10

times for the valet. I

38:14

obeyed, devoured with

38:16

curiosity. Meanwhile

38:18

Fauro had emptied the waste

38:20

paper basket on the floor,

38:23

and was swiftly going through

38:25

its contents. In

38:28

a few moments, the valet answered

38:31

the bell. To

38:33

him Fauro put the same

38:35

question and handed him

38:37

the card to examine. But

38:40

the response was the same. The

38:43

valet had never seen a card of

38:46

that particular quantity among

38:49

Mr. Opelson's belongings. Fauro

38:53

thanked him, and he withdrew somewhat

38:56

unwinnily with an

38:58

inquisitive glance at the

39:01

overturned waste paper basket and

39:03

the litter on the floor. He

39:06

could hardly have helped overhearing

39:08

Fauro's thoughtful remark as

39:11

he bundled the torn papers back

39:13

again. And

39:16

the necklace was heavily ensured.

39:19

Fauro, I cried, I see. You

39:22

see nothing, my friend, you

39:25

replied quickly. As

39:27

usual, nothing at all. It

39:30

is incredible, but there it is. Let

39:33

us return to our own ababas.

39:37

We did so in silence. Once

39:39

there, to my intense surprise,

39:42

Fauro affected a rapid change

39:45

of clothing. I

39:47

go to London tonight, he

39:49

explained. It is imperative.

39:53

What? Absolutely. The

39:56

real work, that of the brain, are

39:59

those brave men. little gray cells, it

40:02

is done. I go to

40:04

seek the confirmation. I

40:06

shall find it. Impossible

40:08

to deceive Akul Poirot.

40:12

You'll come a cropper one of these days," I

40:15

observed, rather disgusted by his

40:17

vanity. Do not be

40:20

enraged, I beg of you, Monomie.

40:23

I count on you to do me a service

40:25

of your friendship. Of

40:28

course, I said eagerly, rather

40:31

ashamed of my morose-ness.

40:34

What is it? The

40:36

sleeve on my coat that

40:38

I have taken off. Will you

40:40

brush it? See you,

40:43

a little white powder has clung to

40:45

it. You,

40:47

without doubt, observed me run

40:50

my finger round the drawer of their

40:52

dressing table. No, I

40:55

didn't. You should

40:57

observe my actions, my friend. Thus

41:01

I obtained the powder on

41:03

my finger, and,

41:05

being a little overexcited, I rubbed

41:08

it on my sleeve. An

41:11

action without method which I

41:13

deplore. False to

41:15

all my principles. But

41:19

what was the powder? I

41:21

asked, not particularly

41:23

interested in Poirot's principles.

41:26

You should observe my actions,

41:28

my friend. Thus

41:31

I obtained the powder on my

41:33

finger, and, being

41:35

a little overexcited, I rubbed

41:38

it on my sleeve. An

41:41

action without method which

41:43

I deplore. False

41:45

to all my principles. But

41:49

what was the powder? I asked,

41:51

not particularly interested in

41:54

Poirot's principles. Another

41:56

poison of the bougie, replied.

42:00

Or a with the twins home. I

42:02

see your imagination Mountie.

42:05

I would say it was French

42:08

to. French.

42:10

To. Yes, capital

42:12

make his shoes. He to

42:14

make it rules Who runs

42:16

smoothly. A soft.

42:20

You owed sinner I thought

42:22

to a working up to

42:24

something exciting. Or

42:26

if love my friend I

42:28

see myself. I fly.

42:31

The to shut behind him. With

42:34

a smile half have to

42:37

ration half of a section,

42:39

I picked up the coat

42:41

and stretched out my hand

42:43

for the clothes brush. The

42:48

next morning hearing nothing different

42:50

Claro I went out for

42:52

a stroll, met some old

42:55

friends and have lunch with

42:57

the at the hotel. To

43:00

the have to the we went for a

43:02

spin. A punch. It's

43:05

time to they this. and it

43:07

was past eight when I go

43:09

back to the Grand Metropolitan. The

43:12

first sight that met my

43:15

eyes was foro. Looking

43:17

even more to me to visit

43:20

each issue. Sandwiched

43:22

between the opal since.

43:25

The be in a state

43:27

of placid satisfaction. Mother

43:30

be a Steve's He cried

43:32

as sprang to be be.

43:35

Embrace. Be my friend who

43:38

has marched to a marvel.

43:42

Know kitty the embrace was

43:44

a be the secret is.

43:47

Not. And see mode is only

43:49

show off with Sapporo. Did.

43:53

You mean I began. just

43:56

wouldn't so i could said

43:58

mrs i posted mining

44:00

all over her fat face. Didn't

44:03

I tell you, Ed, that if

44:05

he couldn't get back my pearls, nobody

44:08

would? You

44:10

did, my dear, you did, and you were right.

44:13

I looked helplessly at Poirot

44:15

and he answered the glance.

44:18

My friend, Hastings, is, as

44:21

you say in England, or

44:23

at the seaside. Seat

44:26

yourself and I will recount to

44:28

you all the

44:30

affair that has so happily

44:32

ended. Ended, I

44:35

said. But yes, they

44:37

are arrested. Who

44:39

are arrested? The chambermaid

44:42

and the verlée part

44:44

bleur. Did you not

44:46

suspect? Not with my

44:48

parting hint about the French

44:50

chalk. You

44:53

said cabinet makers used it, I

44:55

replied. Certainly they do,

44:57

to make drawers

45:00

slide easily. Somebody

45:03

wanted that drawer to slide

45:05

in and out without any

45:07

noise. Who could

45:10

that be? Obviously,

45:13

only the chambermaid. Her

45:15

pan was so ingenious,

45:18

that did not at once leap

45:20

to the eye, not

45:23

even to the eye of Hercule

45:25

Poirot. Listen,

45:28

this was how it was

45:31

done. The valet was in

45:33

the empty room next door waiting.

45:36

The French maid leaves the room.

45:40

Quick as a flash, the

45:43

chambermaid whips open the door,

45:46

takes out the jewel

45:48

case, and slipping at the bolt, passes

45:51

it through the door. The valet

45:54

opens it at a leisure with

45:56

a duplicate key with

45:58

which he is provided himself. Extracts

46:02

the necklace and waits

46:04

his time. Celestine

46:08

leaves the room again and piss.

46:10

In a flash, the case is

46:13

passed back again and

46:15

replaced in the drawl. Madame

46:18

arrives. The theft

46:20

is discovered. The

46:23

chambermaid demands to be

46:25

searched with a good deal

46:27

of righteous indignation and

46:31

leaves the room without a stain

46:33

on her character. The

46:36

invitation necklace with which

46:39

they have provided themselves has

46:41

been concealed in the French girl's bed

46:44

that morning by the chambermaid, a

46:47

master-stroke, sa. But

46:50

what did he go to London for? You

46:53

remember the card? Certainly.

46:57

It puzzled me and puzzles

46:59

me still, I thought. I

47:02

hesitated delicately, glancing

47:05

at Mr. Opalson. Poirot

47:08

laughed heartily. Un blac,

47:12

for the benefit of the valet, the card

47:16

was won with a specially

47:18

prepared surface for fingerprints.

47:21

They went straight to Scotland Yard, asked

47:24

for our old friend, Inspector

47:27

Chap, and laid the

47:29

facts before him. As

47:32

I had suspected, the fingerprints

47:34

proved to be those of

47:37

two well-known jewel thieves who

47:40

had been wanted for some time.

47:43

Jap came down with me, the

47:46

thieves were arrested, and the

47:49

necklace was discovered in

47:51

the valet's possession. A clever

47:53

pair, but they failed

47:56

in method. Have

47:58

I not told you Hastings? At

48:00

least thirty-six times, that

48:03

without method. At

48:05

least thirty-six times, I

48:08

interrupted. But where did

48:10

their method break down? Mon

48:12

ami, it is a good plan to

48:15

take the place of a chambermaid of

48:17

L.A., which must

48:20

not choke your work. They

48:23

left an empty room undusted,

48:26

and therefore when the man put down

48:28

the due-case on their little table near

48:31

the communicating door, it

48:33

left a square mark. I

48:36

remember, I cried. Therefore,

48:39

I wasn't decided. Then,

48:41

I knew. There

48:43

was a moment's silence. And

48:46

I've got my pearls, said

48:49

Mrs. Opelson, as a

48:51

sort of Greek chorus. Well,

48:53

I said, I'd better have some

48:56

dinner. Poirot accompanied

48:58

me. This

49:00

ought to mean kudos for you, I

49:02

observed. Padutois

49:05

replied Poirot tranquilly.

49:08

Jap and the local inspector would

49:11

divide the credit between them. But

49:15

he tapped his pocket. I

49:17

have a check here from Mr.

49:20

Opelson. And how

49:22

say you, my friend, this

49:24

weekend has not gone according to

49:26

plan. Shall we

49:29

return here next weekend at

49:31

my expense this time?