Death in the Clouds (Hercule Poirot 12)
‘I hope not to keep you waiting any longer than is unavoidable, ladies and gentlemen.’
‘Look here, Inspector,’ said Mr James Ryder. ‘I have an important business engagement in London.’
‘Sorry, sir.’
‘I am Lady Horbury. I consider it absolutely outrageous that I should be detained in this matter!’
‘I’m sincerely sorry, Lady Horbury; but, you see, this is a very serious matter. It looks like a case of murder.’
‘The arrow poison of the South American Indians,’ murmured Mr Clancy deliriously, a happy smile on his face.
The inspector looked at him suspiciously.
The French archaeologist spoke excitedly in French, and the inspector replied to him slowly and carefully in the same language.
Venetia Kerr said, ‘All this is a most crashing bore, but I suppose you have your duty to do, Inspector,’ to which that worthy replied, ‘Thank you, Madam,’ in accents of some gratitude.
He went on:
‘If you ladies and gentlemen will remain here, I want a few words with Doctor—er—Doctor—?’
‘Bryant, my name is.’
‘Thank you. Just come this way with me, Doctor.’
‘May I assist at your interview?’
It was the little man with the moustaches who spoke.
The inspector turned on him, a sharp retort on his lips. Then his face changed suddenly.
‘Sorry, M. Poirot,’ he said. ‘You’re so muffled up, I didn’t recognize you. Come along, by all means.’
He held the door open and Bryant and Poirot passed through, followed by the suspicious glance of the rest of the company.
‘And why should he be allowed out and we made to stay here?’ cried Cicely Horbury.
Venetia Kerr sat down resignedly on a bench.
‘Probably one of the French police,’ she said, ‘or a customs spy.’
She lit a cigarette.
Norman Gale said rather diffidently to Jane:
‘I think I saw you at—er—Le Pinet.’
‘I was at Le Pinet.’
Norman Gale said, ‘It’s an awfully attractive place. I like the pine trees.’
Jane said, ‘Yes, they smell so nice.’
And then they both paused for a minute or two, uncertain what to say next.
Finally Gale said, ‘I—er—recognized you at once in the plane.’
Jane expressed great surprise. ‘Did you?’