Death in the Clouds (Hercule Poirot 12)

‘That poor girl, Jane Grey.’

Poirot shook his head sadly.

‘Yes, as I said to her, life can be very terrible. But she has courage. She will come through.’

With an absent-minded hand he arranged a pile of picture papers that Norman Gale had disarranged in his wild spring.

Something arrested his attention—a snapshot of Venetia Kerr at a race meeting, ‘talking to Lord Horbury and a friend.’

He handed it to Mr Clancy.

‘You see that? In a year’s time there will be an announcement: “A marriage is arranged and will shortly take place between Lord Horbury and the Hon. Venetia Kerr.” And do you know who will have arranged that marriage? Hercule Poirot! There is another marriage that I have arranged, too.’

‘Lady Horbury and Mr Barraclough?’

‘Ah, no, in that matter I take no interest.’ He leaned forward. ‘No—I refer to a marriage between M. Jean Dupont and Miss Jane Grey. You will see.’

II

It was a month later that Jane came to Poirot.

‘I ought to hate you, M. Poirot.’

She looked pale and fine drawn with dark circles round her eyes.

Poirot said gently:

‘Hate me a little if you will. But I think you are one of those who would rather look truth in the face than live in a fool’s paradise; and you might not have lived in it so very long. Getting rid of women is a vice that grows.’

‘He was so terribly attractive,’ said Jane.

She added:

‘I shall never fall in love again.’

‘Naturally,’ agreed Poirot. ‘That side of life is finished for you.’

Jane nodded.

‘But what I must do is to have work—something interesting that I could lose myself in.’

Poirot tilted back his chair and looked at the ceiling.

‘I should advise you to go to Persia with the Duponts. That is interesting work, if you like.’

&n

bsp; ‘But—but—I thought that was only camouflage on your part.’

Poirot shook his head.

‘On the contrary—I have become so interested in archaeology and prehistoric pottery that I sent the cheque for the donation I had promised. I heard this morning that they were expecting you to join the expedition. Can you draw at all?’

‘Yes, I was rather good at drawing at school.’

‘Excellent. I think you will enjoy your season.’

‘Do they really want me to come?’