the mysterious affair at styles(斯代尔斯的怪事)-第5章
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the evening and I challenged Mary Cavendish to a single at tennis。
About a quarter to seven； Mrs。 Inglethorp called us that we should be
late as supper was early that night。 We had rather a scramble to get ready
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in time； and before the meal was over the motor was waiting at the door。
The entertainment was a great success； Mrs。 Inglethorp's recitation
receiving tremendous applause。 There were also some tableaux in which
Cynthia took part。 She did not return with us； having been asked to a
supper party； and to remain the night with some friends who had been
acting with her in the tableaux。
The following morning； Mrs。 Inglethorp stayed in bed to breakfast； as
she was rather overtired； but she appeared in her briskest mood about
12。30； and swept Lawrence and myself off to a luncheon party。
〃Such a charming invitation from Mrs。 Rolleston。 Lady Tadminster's
sister； you know。 The Rollestons came over with the Conquerorone of
our oldest families。〃
Mary had excused herself on the plea of an engagement with Dr。
Bauerstein。
We had a pleasant luncheon； and as we drove away Lawrence
suggested that we should return by Tadminster； which was barely a mile
out of our way； and pay a visit to Cynthia in her dispensary。 Mrs。
Inglethorp replied that this was an excellent idea； but as she had several
letters to write she would drop us there； and we could come back with
Cynthia in the pony…trap。
We were detained under suspicion by the hospital porter； until Cynthia
appeared to vouch for us； looking very cool and sweet in her long white
overall。 She took us up to her sanctum； and introduced us to her fellow
dispenser； a rather awe…inspiring individual； whom Cynthia cheerily
addressed as 〃Nibs。〃
〃What a lot of bottles！〃 I exclaimed； as my eye travelled round the
small room。 〃Do you really know what's in them all？〃
〃Say something original；〃 groaned Cynthia。 〃Every single person
who comes up here says that。 We are really thinking of bestowing a prize
on the first individual who does *NOT say： 'What a lot of bottles！' And I
know the next thing you're going to say is： 'How many people have you
poisoned？' 〃
I pleaded guilty with a laugh。
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〃If you people only knew how fatally easy it is to poison some one by
mistake； you wouldn't joke about it。 Come on； let's have tea。 We've got
all sorts of secret stories in that cupboard。 No； Lawrencethat's the
poison cupboard。 The big cupboardthat's right。〃
We had a very cheery tea； and assisted Cynthia to wash up afterwards。
We had just put away the last tea…spoon when a knock came at the door。
The countenances of Cynthia and Nibs were suddenly petrified into a stern
and forbidding expression。
〃Come in；〃 said Cynthia； in a sharp professional tone。
A young and rather scared looking nurse appeared with a bottle which
she proffered to Nibs； who waved her towards Cynthia with the somewhat
enigmatical remark：
〃_I_'m not really here to…day。〃
Cynthia took the bottle and examined it with the severity of a judge。
〃This should have been sent up this morning。〃
〃Sister is very sorry。 She forgot。〃
〃Sister should read the rules outside the door。〃
I gathered from the little nurse's expression that there was not the least
likelihood of her having the hardihood to retail this message to the dreaded
〃Sister〃。
〃So now it can't be done until to…morrow；〃 finished Cynthia。
〃Don't you think you could possibly let us have it to…night？〃
〃Well；〃 said Cynthia graciously； 〃we are very busy； but if we have time
it shall be done。〃
The little nurse withdrew； and Cynthia promptly took a jar from the
shelf； refilled the bottle； and placed it on the table outside the door。
I laughed。
〃Discipline must be maintained？〃
〃Exactly。 Come out on our little balcony。 You can see all the
outside wards there。〃
I followed Cynthia and her friend and they pointed out the different
wards to me。 Lawrence remained behind； but after a few moments
Cynthia called to him over her shoulder to come and join us。 Then she
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looked at her watch。
〃Nothing more to do； Nibs？〃
〃No。〃
〃All right。 Then we can lock up and go。〃
I had seen Lawrence in quite a different light that afternoon。
Compared to John； he was an astoundingly difficult person to get to know。
He was the opposite of his brother in almost every respect； being
unusually shy and reserved。 Yet he had a certain charm of manner； and I
fancied that； if one really knew him well； one could have a deep affection
for him。 I had always fancied that his manner to Cynthia was rather
constrained； and that she on her side was inclined to be shy of him。 But
they were both gay enough this afternoon； and chatted together like a
couple of children。
As we drove through the village； I remembered that I wanted some
stamps； so accordingly we pulled up at the post office。
As I came out again； I cannoned into a little man who was just entering。
I drew aside and apologised； when suddenly； with a loud exclamation； he
clasped me in his arms and kissed me warmly。
〃Mon ami Hastings！〃 he cried。 〃It is indeed mon ami Hastings！〃
〃Poirot！〃 I exclaimed。
I turned to the pony…trap。
〃This is a very pleasant meeting for me； Miss Cynthia。 This is my
old friend； Monsieur Poirot； whom I have not seen for years。〃
〃Oh； we know Monsieur Poirot；〃 said Cynthia gaily。 〃But I had no
idea he was a friend of yours。〃
〃Yes； indeed；〃 said Poirot seriously。 〃I know Mademoiselle Cynthia。
It is by the charity of that good Mrs。 Inglethorp that I am here。〃 Then； as I
looked at him inquiringly： 〃Yes； my friend； she had kindly extended
hospitality to seven of my countrypeople who； alas； are refugees from
their native land。 We Belgians will always remember her with gratitude。〃
Poirot was an extraordinary looking little man。 He was hardly more
than five feet； four inches； but carried himself with great dignity。 His
head was exactly the shape of an egg； and he always perched it a little on
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one side。 His moustache was very stiff and military。 The neatness of
his attire was almost incredible。 I believe a speck of dust would have
caused him more pain than a bullet wound。 Yet this quaint dandyfied
little man who； I was sorry to see； now limped badly； had been in his time
one of the most celebrated members of the Belgian police。 As a detective；
his flair had been extraordinary； and
