Poirot drew forward a chair for her, and she commenced talking at once. Miss Marvell was small and slender, very fair and girlish-looking, with the wide innocent blue eyes of a child. All these details passed rapidly through my mind as I joined with Poirot in greeting our fair client. Every one was prepared to go mad over Mary Marvell, her wonderful clothes, her furs, her jewels, above all one jewel, the great diamond which had been nicknamed, to match its owner, "the Western Star." Much, true and untrue, had been written about this famous stone which was reported to be insured for the enormous sum of fifty thousand pounds. Their marriage had taken place about a year ago in the States and this was their first visit to England. She had only lately arrived in England in company with her husband, Gregory B. Mary Marvell was undoubtedly one of the most popular actresses on the screen. After a short interval, the American film star was ushered in, and we rose to our feet. "What did I tell you? That is Miss Marvell." As usual, Poirot was right. He is too marvellous! Every one goes! Courez!' And they arrive! In flocks, mon ami! With problems of the most foolish!" A bell rang below. Oui, my friend, it is true - I am become the mode, the dernier cri! One says to another: 'Comment? You have lost your gold pencil-case? You must go to the little Belgian. This street, it is not aristocratic, mon ami! In it there is no fashionable doctor, no fashionable dentist - still less is there a fashionable milliner! But there is a fashionable detective. She is coming here." "How do you make that out?" "Very simply. "What will you? When one is unique, one knows it! And others share that opinion - even, if I mistake not, Miss Mary Marvell." "What?" "Without doubt. "You really have the best opinion of yourself of anyone I ever knew!" I cried, divided between amusement and annoyance. "All cannot be as Hercule Poirot! I know it well." "But console yourself, mon ami," said Poirot, calming down. "Is it that you expect her to promenade herself in the streets of London in a cowboy hat, or with bare feet, and a bunch of curls, as an Irish colleen? Always with you it is the non-essentials! Remember the case of the dancer, Valerie Saintclair." I shrugged my shoulders, slightly annoyed. "About a dozen times perhaps." "And I - once! Yet I recognize her, and you do not." "She looks so different," I replied rather feebly. It was a mere matter of recognition." "En vérité! And how many times have you seen Mary Marvell on the screen, mon cher?" I thought. "So all is explained! But you get no marks for that, Poirot. And, en passant, my dear Hastings, she is quite aware of the fact!" I laughed. She is being followed by a bevy of admirers who have recognized her.
That is Miss Mary Marvell, the film star. "As usual, your facts are tinged with your incurable romanticism. In a minute he gave vent to an amused chuckle. He rises to see for himself." And my friend joined me at the window.
What drama is this being played? Is the girl a crook, and are the shadowers detectives preparing to arrest her? Or are they the scoundrels, and are they plotting to attack an innocent victim? What does the great detective say?" "The great detective, mon ami, chooses, as ever, the simplest course. They have just been joined by an errand boy who points after the girl, gesticulating as he does so. Unknown to her, she is being shadowed by three men and a middle-aged woman. She is coming along slowly, looking up at the houses as she goes. "Deduce, Poirot, from the following facts! Here is a young lady, richly dressed - fashionable hat, magnificent furs. "What is, mon ami?" asked Poirot placidly, from the depths of his comfortable chair. "That's queer," I ejaculated suddenly beneath my breath. The Adventure of "The Western Star" The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor The Adventure of the Cheap Flat The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge A Million Dollar Bond Robbery The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan The Kidnapped Prime Minister The Disappearance of Mr Davenheim The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman The Case of the Missing Will The Veiled Lady The Lost Mine The Chocolate Box THE ADVENTURE OF "THE WESTERN STAR" I was standing at the window of Poirot's rooms looking out idly on the street below. POIROT INVESTIGATES (1924) Agatha Christie