the nicest person on the boat,’ he said. ‘And mind you remember it.’
Blushing with pleasure Cornelia repaired to the observation saloon. Miss Van Schuyler was conversing with Dr Bessner – an agreeable conversation dealing with certain royal patients of his.
Cornelia said guiltily:
‘I do hope I haven’t been a long time, Cousin Marie.’
Glancing at her watch, the old lady snapped:
‘You haven’t exactly hurried, my dear. And what have you done with my velvet stole?’
Cornelia looked round.
‘Shall I see if it’s in the cabin, Cousin Marie?’
‘Of course it isn’t! I had it just after dinner in here, and I haven’t moved out of the place. It was on that chair.’
Cornelia made a desultory search.
‘I can’t see it anywhere, Cousin Marie.’
‘Nonsense,’ said Miss Van Schuyler. ‘Look about.’
It was an order such as one might give to a dog, and in her doglike fashion Cornelia obeyed. The quiet Mr Fanthorp, who was sitting at a table near by, rose and assisted her. But the stole could not be found.
The day had been such an unusually hot and sultry one that most people had retired early after going ashore to view the temple. The Doyles were playing bridge with Pennington and Race at a table in a corner. The only other occupant of the saloon was Hercule Poirot, who was yawning his head off at a small table near the door.
Miss Van Schuyler, making a Royal Progress bedward, with Cornelia and Miss Bowers in attendance, paused by his chair. He sprang politely to his feet, stifling a yawn of gargantuan dimensions.
Miss Van Schuyler said:
‘I have only just realized who you are, Monsieur Poirot. I may tell you that I have heard of you from my old friend Rufus Van Aldin. You must tell me about your cases sometime.’
Poirot, his eyes twinkling a little through their sleepiness, bowed in an exaggerated manner. With a kindly but condescending nod, Miss Van Schuyler passed on.
Then he yawned once more. He felt heavy and stupid with sleep and could hardly keep his eyes open. He glanced over at the bridge players, absorbed in their game, then at young Fanthorp, who was deep in a book. Apart from them the saloon was empty.
He passed through the swinging door out on to the deck. Jacqueline de Bellefort, coming precipitately along the deck, almost collided with him.
‘Pardon, Mademoiselle.’
She said: ‘You look sleepy, Monsieur Poirot.’
He admitted it frankly.
‘Mais oui – I am consumed with sleep. I can hardly keep my eyes open. It has been a day very close and oppressive.’
‘Yes.’ She seemed to brood over it. ‘It’s been the sort of day when things – snap! Break! When one can’t go on…’
Her voice was low and charged with passion. She looked not at him, but towards the sandy shore. Her hands were clenched, rigid…
Suddenly the tension relaxed. She said:
‘Good night, Monsieur Poirot.’
‘Good night, Mademoiselle.’
Her eyes met his, just for a swift moment. Thinking it over the next day, he came to the conclusion that there had been appeal in that glance. He was to remember it afterwards.
Then he passed on to his cabin and she went towards the saloon.
Cornelia, having dealt with Miss Van Schuyler’s many needs and fantasies, took some needlework with her back to the saloon. She herself did not feel in the least sleepy. On the contrary she felt wide awake and slightly excited.
The bridge four were still at it. In another chair the quiet Fanthorp read a book. Cornelia sat down to her needlework.
Suddenly the door opened and Jacqueline de Bellefort came in. She stood in the doorway, her head thrown back. Then she pressed a bell and sauntered across to Cornelia and sat down.
‘Been ashore?’ she asked.
‘Yes. I thought it was just fascinating in the moonlight.’
Jacqueline nodded.
‘Yes, lovely night… A real honeymoon night.’
Her eyes went to the bridge table – rested a moment on Linnet Doyle.
The servant came in answer to the bell. Jacqueline ordered a double gin. As she gave the order Simon Doyle shot a quick glance at her. A faint line of anxiety showed between his eyebrows.
His wife said:
‘Simon, we’re waiting for you to call.’
Jacqueline hummed a little tune to herself. When the drink came, she picked it up, said: ‘Well, here’s to crime,’ drank it off and ordered another.
Again Simon looked across from the bridge table. His calls became slightly absent-minded. His partner, Pennington, took him to task.
Jacqueline began to hum again, at first under her breath, then louder: ‘He was her man and he did her wrong …’
‘Sorry,’ said Simon to Pennington. ‘Stupid of me not to return your lead. That gives ’em rubber.’
Linnet rose to her feet.
‘I’m sleepy. I think I’ll go to bed.’
‘About time to turn in,’ said Colonel Race.
‘I’m with you,’ agreed Pennington.
‘Coming, Simon?’
Doyle said slowly:
‘Not just yet. I think I’ll have a drink first.’
Linnet nodded and went out. Race followed her. Pennington finished his drink and then followed suit.
Cornelia began to gather up her embroidery.
‘Don’t go to bed, Miss Robson,’ said Jacqueline. ‘Please don’t. I feel like making a night of it. Don’t desert me.’
Cornelia sat down again.
‘We girls must stick together,’ said Jacqueline.
She threw back her head and laughed – a shrill laugh without merriment.
The second drink came.
‘Have something,’ said Jacqueline.
‘No, thank you very much,’ replied Cornelia.
Jacqueline
