Agatha Christie - Poirot 25 by The Labours Of Hercules

Author:The Labours Of Hercules [Hercules, The Labours Of]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-10-31T21:27:03+00:00

Hercule Poirot went on: "It is a serious business, blackmail. These harpies will force you to pay -

and pay - and pay again! And if you defy them, well, what happens?"

Harold said bitterly: "The whole thing comes out. My career's ruined, and a wretched girl who's never done anyone any harm will be put through hell, and God knows what the end of it all will be!"

"Therefore," said Hercule Poirot, "something must be done!"

Harold said baldly: "What?"

Hercule Poirot leaned back, half-closing his eyes. He said (and again a doubt of his sanity crossed Harold's mind):

"It is the moment for the castanets of bronze."

Harold said: "Are you quite mad?"

The other shook his head. He said: "Mais non! I strive only to follow the example of my great predecessor, Hercules. Have a few hours' patience, my friend. By tomorrow I may be able to deliver you from your persecutors."

IX

Harold Waring came down the following morning to find Hercule Poirot sitting alone on the terrace. In spite of himself Harold had been impressed by Hercule Poirot's promises.

He came up to him now and asked anxiously: "Well?"

Hercule Poirot beamed upon him. "It is well."

"What do you mean?"

"Everything has settled itself satisfactorily."

"But what has happened?"

Hercule Poirot replied dreamily: "I have employed the castanets of bronze. Or, in modern parlance, I have caused metal wires to hum - in short I have employed the telegraph! Your Stymphalean Birds, Monsieur, have been removed to where they will be unable to exercise their ingenuity for some time to come."

"They were wanted by the police? They have been arrested?"

"Precisely."

Harold drew a deep breath. "How marvellous! I never thought of that."

He got up. "I must find Mrs Rice and Elsie and tell them."

"They know."

"Oh good." Harold sat down again. "Tell me just what -"

He broke off.

Coming up the path from the lake were two figures with flapping cloaks and profiles like birds.

He exclaimed: "I thought you said they had been taken away!"

Hercule Poirot followed his glance.

"Oh, those ladies? They are very harmless, Polish ladies of good family, as the porter told you.

Their appearance is, perhaps, not very pleasing but that is all."

"But I don't understand!"

"No, you do not understand! It is the other ladies who were wanted by the police - the Page 77

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