Chapter 32 KATHERINE AND POIROT COMPARE NOTES
"You have changed, Mademoiselle," said Poirot suddenly. He and Katherine were seated opposite each other at a small table at the Savoy.
"Yes, you have changed," he continued.
"In what way?"
"Mademoiselle, these nuances are difficult to express."
"I am older."
"Yes, you are older. And by that I do not mean that the wrinkles and the crows' feet are coming. 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 wary¹ 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 deftly² 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 oyster³. Eh bien, Mademoiselle, I have met my match in you. You, far more than I, play a lone⁴ 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 remains⁵ in London?"
"Yes."
"I must try to see him tomorrow or the next day."
"You have news for him?"
"What makes you think that?"
"I - wondered, that is all."
Poirot looked across at her with twinkling eyes.

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