Chapter 13.

Poirot explains.

Poirot, you old villain, I said, I have half a mind to strangle you.

What do you mean by deceiving me as you have done?

We were sitting in the library.

Several hectic days lay behind us.

In the room below, John and Mary were together once more, while Alfred Inglethorp and Miss

Howard were in custody.

Now at last I had Poirot to myself and could relieve my still burning curiosity.

Poirot did not answer me for a moment, but at last he said, I did not deceive you, monami,

at most, I permitted you to deceive yourself.

Yes, but why?

Well, it is difficult to explain.

You see my friend, you have a nature so honest and accountant, so transparent, that to conceal

your feelings is impossible.

If I told you my ideas, the very first time you saw Mr. Alfred Inglethorp, that a stupe

gentleman would have in your so expressive idiom, smelterat, and then, bonjour to our

chances of catching him.

I think that I have more diplomacy than you give me credit for.

My friend, Besaut Poirot, I implore you, do not enrage yourself.

Your help has been of the most invaluable.

It is but the extremely beautiful nature that you have which made me pause.

...