irot nodded significantly。 Then he leant towards the other and spoke in a different tone； a quiet； grave tone that was new to Derek Kettering。
〃You will pardon an old man； Monsieur； if he says to you something that you may consider impertinent。 There is one of your English proverbs that I would quote to you。 It says that 'it is well to be off with the old love； before being on with the new。'〃
Kettering turned on him angrily。 〃What the devil do you mean？〃
〃You enrage yourself at me；〃 said Poirot placidly。 〃I expected as much。 As to what I mean … I mean； Monsieur； that there is a second car with a lady in it。 If you turn your head you will see her。〃
Derek spun around。 His face darkened with anger。
〃Mirelle； damn her！〃 he muttered。 〃I will soon …〃
Poirot arrested the movement he was about to make。
〃Is it wise what you are about to do there？〃 he asked warningly。 His eyes shone brightly with a green light in them。 But Derek was past noticing the warning signs。 In his manner he was pletely off his guard。
〃I have broken with her utterly； and she knows it；〃 cried Derek angrily。
〃You have broken with her； yes； but has she broken with you？〃
Derek gave a sudden harsh laugh。
〃She won't break with two million pounds if she can help it；〃 he murmured brutally； 〃trust Mirelle for that。〃
Poirot raised his eyebrows。
〃You have the outlook cynical；〃 he murmured。
〃Have I？〃 There was no mirth in his s