After a moment of stress, such as I have just described, reaction is bound to set in. I to rest that night on a note of triumph, but I awoke to realize that I was by no means out of the wood. True, I could see no flaw in the I had so suddenly conceived. I had but to stick to my story, and I failed to see how Bella could be convicted in face of it. It was not as though there was any old friendship between us that could be raked up, and which might lead them to suspect that I was committing . It could be proved that in actual fact I had only seen the girl on three occasions. No, I was still satisfied with my idea—had not even Poirot admitted that it defeated him?  
But there I felt the need of treading . All very well for my little friend to admit himself momentarily . I had far too much respect for his abilities to conceive of him as being content to remain in that position. I had a very opinion of my wits when it came to matching them against his. Poirot would not take defeat lying down. Somehow or other, he would endeavour to turn the tables on me, and that in the way, and at the moment, when I least expected it.
 
We met at breakfast the following morning as though nothing had happened. Poirot’s good temper was , yet I thought I detected a film of reserve in his manner which was new. After breakfast, I announced my intention of going out for a stroll. A gleam shot through Poirot’s eyes.
 
“If it is information you seek, you need not be at the pains of yourself. I can tell you all you wish to know. The Dulcibella Sisters have cancelled their contract, and have left Coventry for an unknown destination.”
 
“Is that really so, Poirot?”
 
“You can take it from me, Hastings. I made the first thing this morning. After all, what else did you expect?”
 
True enough, nothing else could be expected under the circumstances. Cinderella had profited by the slight start I had been able to assure her, and would certainly not lose a moment in removing herself from the reach of the pursuer. It was what I had intended and planned. Nevertheless, I was aware of being into a network of fresh difficulties.
 
I had absolutely no means of communicating with the girl, and it was vital that she should know the line of defence that had occurred to me, and which I was prepared to carry out. Of course it was possible that she might try to send word to me in some way or another, but I hardly thought it likely. She would know the risk she ran of a message being by Poirot, thus setting him on her track once more. Clearly her only course was to disappear for the time being.
 
But, in the meantime, what was Poirot doing? I studied him . He was wearing his most innocent air, and staring into the far distance. He looked altogether too and supine to give me . I had learned, with Poirot, that the less dangerous he looked, the more dangerous he was. His alarmed me. Observing a troubled quality in my glance, he smiled benignantly.
 
“You are puzzled, Hastings? You ask yourself why I do not launch myself in pursuit?”
 
“Well—something of the kind.”
 
“It is what you would do, were you in my place. I understand that. But I am not of those who enjoy rushing up and down a country seeking a needle in a haystack, as you English say. No—let Mademoiselle Bella Duveen go. Without doubt, I shall be able to find her when the time comes. Until then, I am content to wait.”
 
I stared at him doubtfully. Was he seeking to mislead me? I had an irritating feeling that, even now, he was master of the situation. My sense of superiority was gradually . I had the girl’s escape, and evolved a brilliant scheme for saving her from the consequences of her rash act—but I could not rest easy in my mind. Poirot’s perfect calm a thousand .
 
“I suppose, Poirot,” I said rather diffidently, “I mustn’t ask what your plans are? I’ve the right.&rdq............