〃I am older。〃
〃Yes； you are older。 And by that I do not mean that the wrinkles and the crows' feet are ing。 When I first saw you； Mademoiselle； you were a looker…on at life。 You had the quiet； amused look of one who sits back in the stalls and watches the play。〃
〃And now？〃
〃Now； you no longer watch。 It is an absurd thing； perhaps； that I say here； but you have the wary look of a fighter who is playing a difficult game。〃
〃My old lady is difficult sometimes；〃 said Katherine； with a smile； 〃but I can assure you that I don't engage in deadly contests with her。 You must go down and see her some day； Monsieur Poirot。 I think you are one of the people who would appreciate her pluck and her spirit。〃
There was a silence while the waiter deftly served them with chicken en casserole。 When he had departed； Poirot said：
〃You have heard me speak of my friend Hastings？ … he who said that I was a human oyster。 Eh bien； Mademoiselle； I have met my match in you。 You； far more than I； play a lone hand。〃
〃Nonsense；〃 said Katherine lightly。
〃Never does Hercule Poirot talk nonsense。 It is as I say。〃
Again there was a silence。 Poirot broke it by inquiring：
〃Have you seen any of our Riviera friends since you have been back； Mademoiselle？〃
〃I have seen something of Major Knighton。〃
〃A…ha！ Is that so？〃
Something in Poirot's twinkling eyes made Katherine lower hers。
〃So Mr Van Aldin remains in London？〃