The General himself did not notice the smiles.
He glanced at his watch, rose and remarked:
"Exercise. Got to keep oneself fit on a boat," and
passed out through the open door onto the deck.
Miss Henderson glanced at the man who had
smiled. It was a well-bred glance indicating that
she was ready to enter into conversation with a
fellow traveler.
PROBLEI AT SEA
195
energetic--yes, said the little man.
ii.
"He is
ยท
"He goes round the deck forty-eight times
exactly," said Miss Henclerson. "What an old
gossip! And they say we are the scandal-loving sex. ' '
"What an impoliteness!',
"Frenchmen are always polite," said Miss
Henderson--there was the nuance of a question in
her voice.
The little man responded promptly. "Belgian,
Mademoiselle."
"Oh I Belgian."
"Hercule Poirot. At YOUr service."
The name aroused sonic memory. Surely she
had heard it before--? "Are you enjoying this
trip, M. Poirot?"
"Frankly, no. It was an imbecility to allow
myself to be persuaded to come. I detest ia mcr. Never does it remain tranquil--no, not for a little