Read Online The Big Four by Agatha Christie - Free Book Online Page B

One does not catch Hercule Poirot as easily as that.”
    â€œGood heavens,” I gasped.
    Poirot was frowning to himself.
    â€œThere is still one thing I do not understand.”
    â€œWhat is that?”
    â€œThe time, Hastings—the time. If they wanted to decoy meaway, surely nighttime would be better? Why this early hour? Is it possible that something is about to happen this morning? Something which they are anxious Hercule Poirot should not know about?”
    He shook his head.
    â€œWe shall see. Here I sit, mon ami . We do not stir out this morning. We await events here.”
    It was at half past eleven exactly that the summons came. A petit bleu . Poirot tore it open, then handed it to me. It was from Madame Olivier, the world-famous scientist, whom we had visited yesterday in connection with the Halliday case. It asked us to come out to Passy at once.
    We obeyed the summons without an instant’s delay. Madame Olivier received us in the same small salon. I was struck anew with the wonderful power of this woman, with her long nun’s face and burning eyes—this brilliant successor of Becquerel and the Curies. She came to the point at once.
    â€œMessieurs, you interviewed me yesterday about the disappearance of M. Halliday. I now learn that you returned to the house a second time, and asked to see my secretary, Inez Veroneau. She left the house with you, and has not returned here since.”
    â€œIs that all, madame?”
    â€œNo, monsieur, it is not. Last night the laboratory was broken into, and several valuable papers and memoranda were stolen. The thieves had a try for something more precious still, but luckily they failed to open the big safe.”
    â€œMadame, these are the facts of the case. Your late secretary, Madame Veroneau, was really the Countess Rossakoff, an expertthief, and it was she who was responsible for the disappearance of M. Halliday. How long had she been with you?”
    â€œFive months, Monsieur. What you say amazes me.”
    â€œIt is true, nevertheless. These papers, were they easy to find? Or do you think an inside knowledge was shown?”
    â€œIt is rather curious that the thieves knew exactly where to look. You think Inez—”
    â€œYes, I have no doubt that it was upon her information that they acted. But what is this precious thing that the thieves failed to find? Jewels?”
    Madame Olivier shook her head with a faint smile.
    â€œSomething much more precious than that, monsieur.” She looked round her, then bent forward, lowering her voice. “Radium, monsieur.”
    â€œRadium?”
    â€œYes, monsieur. I am now at the crux of my experiments. I possess a small portion of radium myself—more has been lent to me for the process I am at work upon. Small though the actual quantity is, it comprises a large amount of the world’s stock and represents a value of millions of francs.”
    â€œAnd where is it?”
    â€œIn its leaden case in the big safe—the safe purposely appears to be of an old and worn-out pattern, but it is really a triumph of the safe-maker’s art. That is probably why the thieves were unable to open it.”
    â€œHow long are you keeping this radium in your possession?”
    â€œOnly for two days more, monsieur. Then my experiments will be concluded.”
    Poirot’s eyes brightened.
    â€œAnd Inez Veroneau is aware of the fact? Good—then our friends will come back. Not a word of me to anyone, madame. But rest assured, I will save your radium for you. You have a key of the door leading from the laboratory to the garden?”
    â€œYes, monsieur. Here it is. I have a duplicate for myself. And here is the key of the garden door leading out into the alleyway between this villa and the next one.”
    â€œI thank you, madame. Tonight, go to bed as usual, have no fears, and leave all to me. But not a word to anyone—not to your two assistants—Mademoiselle