ployer signalling to him from the other end of the court; and went off to speak to him。
〃Me; I approve of that young man;〃 said Poirot; sending a beaming smile after the departing secretary; 〃and you; Mademoiselle?〃
〃I like him very much。〃
〃And you; M。 Kettering?〃
Some quick rejoinder was springing to Derek's lips; but he checked it as though something in the little Belgian's twinkling eyes had made him suddenly alert。 He spoke carefully; choosing his words。
〃Knighton is a very good fellow;〃 he said。 Just for a moment Katherine fancied that Poirot looked disappointed。
〃He is a great admirer of yours; M。 Poirot;〃 she said; and she related some of the things that Knighton had said。 It amused her to see the little man plume himself like a bird; thrusting out his chest; and assuming an air of mock modesty that would have deceived no one。
〃That reminds me; Mademoiselle;〃 he said suddenly; 〃I have a little matter of business I have to speak to you about。 When you were sitting talking to that poor lady in the train; I think you must have dropped a cigarette case。〃
Katherine looked rather astonished。 〃I don't think so;〃 she said。 Poirot drew from his pocket a cigarette case of soft blue leather; with the initial 〃K〃 on it in gold。
〃No; that is not mine;〃 Katherine said。
〃Ah; a thousand apologies。 It was doubtless Madame's own。 'K' of course; stands for Kettering。 We were doubtful; because she had another cigarette case in her bag; and it seemed odd that she should have two。〃
He turned to Derek suddenly。 〃You do not know; I suppose; whether this was your wife's case or not?〃
Derek seemed momentarily taken aback。 He stammered a little in his reply: 〃I … I don't know。 I suppose so。〃
〃It is n