Page:The Big Four (Christie).pdf/90

 the outside. I seized the telephone from Poirot.

“Is that the bureau? Stop a man who is coming out. A tall man, with a buttoned-up overcoat and a soft hat. He is wanted by the police.”

Very few minutes elapsed before we heard a noise in the corridor outside. The key was turned and the door flung open. The manager himself stood in the doorway.

“The man—you have got him?” I cried.

“No, monsieur. No one has descended.”

“You must have passed him.”

“We have passed no one, monsieur. It is incredible that he can have escaped.”

“You have passed some one, I think,” said Poirot, in his gentle voice. “One of the hotel staff, perhaps?”

“Only a waiter carrying a tray, monsieur.”

“Ah!” said Poirot, in a tone that spoke infinities,

“So that was why he wore his overcoat buttoned up to his chin,” mused Poirot, when we had finally got rid of the excited hotel officials.

“I’m awfully sorry, Poirot,” I murmured, rather crestfallen. “I thought I’d downed him all right.”

“Yes, that was a Japanese trick, I fancy. Do