Hercule Poirot bowed his head.
He said:
“Yes, I thought—I was sure—that you would say that….”
Seven
In the offices of Messrs Seddon, Blatherwick & Seddon, Hercule Poirot was received with extreme caution, not to say distrust.
Mr. Seddon, a forefinger stroking his closely shaven chin, was noncommittal and his shrewd grey eyes appraised the detective thoughtfully.
“Your name is familiar to me, M. Poirot, of course. But I am at a loss to understand your position in this case.”
Hercule Poirot said:
“I am acting, Monsieur, in the interests of your client.”
“Ah—indeed? And who—er—engaged you in that capacity?”
“I am here at the request of Dr. Lord.”
Mr. Seddon’s eyebrows rose very high.
“Indeed! That seems to me very irregular—very irregular. Dr. Lord, I understand, has been subpoenaed as a witness for the prosecution.”
Hercule Poirot shrugged his shoulders.
“Does that matter?”
Mr. Seddon said:
“The arrangements for Miss Carlisle’s defence are entirely in our hands. I really do not think we need any outside assistance in this case.”
Poirot asked:
“Is that because your client’s innocence will be so easily proved?”
Mr. Seddon winced. Then he became wrathful in a dry legal fashion.
“That,” he said, “is a most improper question. Most improper.”
Hercule Poirot said:
“The case against your client is a very strong one….”
“I really fail to see, M. Poirot, how you know anything about it.”
Poirot said:
“Although I am actually retained by Dr. Lord, I have here a note from Mr. Roderick Welman.”
He handed it over with a bow.
Mr. Seddon perused the few lines it contained and remarked grudgingly:
“That, of course, throws a new complexion on the matter. Mr. Welman has made himself responsible for Miss Carlisle’s defence. We are acting at his request.”
He added with visible distaste: