Page:The Big Four (Christie).pdf/166

 In about a quarter of an hour the telephone rang. I answered it. It was Japp. Ivan had left the flat, carrying a large bundle. He had sprung into a waiting taxi, and the chase had begun. He was evidently trying to lose his pursuers. In the end he seemed to fancy that he had done so, and had then driven to a big empty house at Hampstead. The house was surrounded.

I recounted all this to Poirot. He merely stared at me as though he scarcely took in what I was saying. He held out the chess book.

“Listen to this, my friend. This is the Ruy Lopez opening. 1 P-K4, P-K4; 2 Kt-KB3, Kt-QB3; 3 [sic]B-Kt5; ? Then there comes a question as to Black’s best third move. He has the choice of various defences. It was White’s third move that killed Gilmour Wilson, 3B-Kt5. [sic] Only the third move—does that say nothing to you?”

I hadn’t the least idea what he meant, and told him so.

“I suppose, Hastings, that while you were sitting in this chair, you heard the front door being opened and shut, what would you think?”

“I should think some one had gone out, I suppose.”

“Yes—but there are always two ways of