here was one whom nobody could have passed without remark. Very tall, with the proportions of a young goddess, her uncovered golden head gleaming in the sunlight, I swore to myself that she was one of the most beautiful girls I had ever seen. As we swung up the rough road, I turned my head to look after her.
"By Jove, Poirot," I exclaimed, "did you see that young goddess?"
Poirot raised his eyebrows.
"Ça commence!" he murmured. "Already you have seen a goddess!"
"But, hang it all, wasn't she?"
"Possibly. I did not remark the fact."
"Surely you noticed her?"
"Mon ami, two people rarely see the same thing. You, for instance, saw a goddess. I—" he hesitated.
"Yes?"
"I saw only a girl with anxious eyes," said Poirot gravely.
But at that moment we drew up at a big green gate, and simultaneously we both uttered an exclamation. Before it stood an imposing sergent de ville. He held up his hand to bar our way.
"You cannot pass, monsieurs."
"But we wish to see Mr. Renauld," I cried. "We have an appointment. This is his villa, isn't it?"
"Yes, monsieur, but—"
Poirot leaned forward.
"But what?"
"M. Renauld was murdered this morning."
15
