his going to Scotland had been from Mrs. Clay-ton.
Such were the bald facts of the case. Innuendoes
and suggestions naturally abounded. The close
friendship and intimacy of Major Rich and Mrs.
Clayton were so stressed that only a fool could fail
to read between the lines. The motive for the crime
was plainly indicated.
Long experience has taught me to make allow-ance
/> for baseless calumny. The motive suggested
might, for all the evidence, be entirely nonexis
THE MYSTERY OF THE BAGDAD CHEST
33
tent. Some quite other reaso/a might have precipitated
the issue. But one thing did stand out clearly
--that Rich was the murderer.
As I say, the matter might have rested there,
had it not happened that Poirot and I were due at
a party given by Lady Chatterton that night.
Poirot, whilst bemoaning social engagements
and declaring a passion for solitude, really enjoyed
these affairs enormously. To be made a fuss
of and treated as a lion suited him down to the
ground.
On occasions he positively purred! I have seen
him blandly receiving the most outrageous compliments
as no more than his due, and uttering the
most blatantly conceited remarks, such as I can
hardly bear to set down.
Sometimes he would argue with me on the subject.
"But, my friend, I am not an AngloSaxon.