MAN: Ladies and gentlemen... ..when the Russian actress and dancer, Natalia Dovzhenka, made Salome in 1908... ..she wore a necklace made of magnificent pearls, given to her by the Tsar.

Last week, at an auction in Paris, I paid 300,000 francs for that same pearl necklace.

ALL GASP My wife is going to show it to you now.

GASPS OF APPRECIATION WOMAN: Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, our new play premieres here at your beautiful theatre next week, prior to a six-month tour of America.

MAN: Yes, Margaret is taking the leading part, and she will be wearing the Tsar's pearls at each and every performance.

JOURNALIST: Mr Opalsen, don't the pearls get stolen in the course of the play?

LAUGHTER Yes, they do.

But that's in the play.

They'll be under guard 24 hours a day.

I think I can promise you that they're not going anywhere.

APPLAUSE POIROT WINCES DOCTOR: And again, please.

POIROT: Ah!

HE COUGHS Thank you.

HOARSELY: Well, Doctor, tell me... ..what is your diagnosis?

DOCTOR: Well, essentially... - Yes?

..you're run down.

Even those famous grey cells of yours need an occasional rest.

It is true, Mr Poirot.

You've been taking on much too much recently.

DOCTOR: Two weeks' complete rest, that's the answer.

If I were you, I'd think of getting out of London.

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS NEWSBOY: Daily Echo!

Daily Echo!

This hotel, Hastings, it has, I hope, the full central heating?

Well, Miss Lemon said it had all the comforts.

Now, where's a cab?

Well, I must say, it's good to be out of London.

Less traffic for a start.

SEAGULLS SQUAWKING Less taxis also, it would appear.

Yes.

I know you!

It is possible, yes.

Your face, been in the paper.

Yes, that is true, on many occasions.

You're Lucky Len and I claim my ten guineas.

I've got my paper.

I said the right words.

Where's my money?

Please.

Do you mind?

Grand Metropolitan Hotel, driver.

DRIVER: Right-ho, guv.

HASTINGS: It's a sort of game, Poirot.

The newspaper prints a photograph of this character Lucky Len, and whoever finds him gets ten guineas.

POIROT: This holiday, Hastings, already I begin to have the second thoughts.

DESK CLERK: Your key, Mr Worthing.

MR WORTHING: Room 113?

DESK CLERK: Yes, sir, it's as you requested.

On the first floor.

MR WORTHING: Good, thank you.

I'll have your bags sent up, sir.

It is most curious, Hastings.

Did you not remark?

What's that?

The gentleman that just booked in ahead of us... Honestly, Poirot, you are incorrigible.

- Mr Poirot, isn't it?

- Yes?

What a great privilege to have you here at the Grand Metropolitan.

- Thank you.

- Boy.

BELL BOY: You got a nice sea view here, huh?

Bathroom through there, two bedrooms.

You going to the races?

HASTINGS: Oh, we might.

I think not.

Laughing Boy in the four o'clock, that's my tip.

How about the theatre?

There's a new show opening this week.

I can get you tickets.

Hastings.

I reckon you'd enjoy it, sir, you being a detective and that.

They got a necklace worth a bundle on stage.

Yes, I read about that.

Mr Opalsen, the producer, he's staying here too, him and his wife.

Oh!

Thank you, sir.

Un moment, s'il vous plait.

This Monsieur Opalsen, would you happen to know which is his room?

HASTINGS: Poirot.

BELL BOY: Yes, course I do, sir.

The Imperial Suite, number 114.

Just here, sir.

Merci.

DOOR CLOSES Ah, here we are.

Laughing Boy in the four o'clock.

Seven to one.

Perhaps I will have a flutter.

Mr Poirot.

I hope you'll forgive me, Mr Poirot, but when I heard that the famous detective was staying at the hotel, I just had to meet him.

Mr Poirot, this is Mr Opalsen, the producer.

Ah, yes, of course.

Monsieur Opalsen.

My associate Captain Hastings and myself have already heard much about your production.

Will you join us?

Thank you.

Yes, Pearls Before Swine.

It opens tonight.

I'd be honoured if you'd come as my guests.

And to the party afterwards.

Well, that's jolly decent of you.

And it is tonight, I think, that your famous necklace makes also its debut?

Yes.

The maid's just taking it to the theatre now.

Celestine, show Mr Poirot the pearls.

Well, get them out of the box.

I can't, sir.

I don't have the key.

MR OPALSEN: Why not, damn it?

Where'd you put it?

Mrs Opalsen keeps it, sir.

She insists.

HE GROANS Security.

You carry the necklace on your own?

No, sir.

No.

Saunders, my driver, always goes with her.

As a matter of fact, he's late.

Then perhaps you will permit Captain Hastings and myself to accompany la mademoiselle?

- Well, that's very kind.

POIROT: Not at all.

It is our pleasure, is it not, Hastings?

Oh, rather!

MR OPALSEN: Margaret?

Now, listen, dear, you'll never guess who I've just met.

Yep.

It's Poirot.

Hercule Poirot.

He's on his way over now.

Yeah, I know.

That's right.

We're gonna have to do something.

BRASS BAND PLAYS Mademoiselle, your name of Celestine, it is French, n'est-ce pas?

My mother was French, sir, but I've always lived here.

I was hoping to be in the theatre myself one day.

Ah.

And you have been working with Monsieur Opalsen for how long?

About two years.

He's not normally so edgy, sir.

It's just when there's a first night.

Have you seen Pearls Before Swine?

Only in rehearsal.

But it's beautifully written.

I'm sure Mr Opalsen has nothing to worry about.

WOMAN: Stop!

Stop!

You are Lucky Len of the Daily Echo and I claim my ten guineas.

No, madame, I am not Len, and, therefore, for you, I am not lucky.

Excuse me.

What... I... Here we are.

We can go in the back way.

MAN: 'All right, where is it?'

Let me go!

MAN: The money!

- Look, you'll have it!

MAN: When?

ANDREW: Tomorrow.

MAN: You said that yesterday!

THUDDING MAN: Tomorrow.

- I promise you.

Andrew!

MAN: Tomorrow, then, or else!

Give me the bag, mademoiselle.

CELESTINE: Are you all right?

Yeah.

HE PANTS They haven't hurt me.

My God, you're Hercule Poirot, aren't you?

Oui.

It would appear that you are in need of assistance, monsieur.

Me?

No, no.

Those are just what you might call business associates.

It's nothing I can't handle.

This is Andrew Hall, the writer I was telling you about.

Ah, Monsieur Hall.

So it's your play.

It's Ed Opalsen's play.

He bought it, cut it, rewrote it and left me with about two percent of it.

Hence my current difficulties.

CELESTINE: Are you sure you're all right?

Yes.

- I have to go in.

- I'll come with you.

Thank you, Mr Poirot.

Mademoiselle.

You know, Hastings, I begin, I think, to look forward to this play.

Glad to hear it.

Thank you.

KNOCKING AT DOOR - I'll go.

- Thank you, Hastings.

Mr Poirot?

I am Poirot.

My name is Saunders, sir.

Mr Opalsen's chauffeur.

- Yes?

Mr Opalsen has sent me to take you to the theatre, sir.

With his compliments.

Thank you.

MAN 1: Here he comes!

MAN 2: Mr Poirot.

Mr Poirot, have you been challenged to solve the play, sir?

POIROT: I do not believe!

Hastings!

MAN 1: Mr Poirot!

How many acts do you think it'll take him?

Excuse me!

It is an outrage, Hastings, to use Hercule Poirot for the publicity of this play!

HASTINGS: Absolutely.

It's beginning.

Inspector Drake should be here pretty soon.

MAID: Is Inspector Drake really coming here?

I've read so much about him in the newspapers.

POLICEMAN: Oh, yes, Inspector Drake and I have worked together quite a lot recently.

Good luck, my dear.

MAID: And you're only a local sergeant.

Oh, here's Inspector Drake coming now.

Good evening, sir.

My lady will be here presently.

DRAKE: Good.

I will speak to her at once.

MRS OPALSEN: My dear Inspector.

GASPING AND MURMURING DRAKE: Forgive me, Lady Jane, but I don't think you should be wearing that.

The necklace?

Why ever not?

DRAKE: Because the Phantom has sworn to have it.

And the Phantom has never once failed.

MR OPALSEN: I think it's about time we made an appearance at the party.

Well, are you not going to wearing the pearls?

I'm tired of being upstaged by them.

Celestine - Yes, Mrs Opalsen.

MR OPALSEN: Is it safe just leaving them there?

MRS OPALSEN: Of course, Celestine won't leave the room.

MR OPALSEN: More Champagne?

MRS OPALSEN: No, thank you.

I don't see why you don't wear the pearls.

It's good publicity.

MRS OPALSEN: That's all you ever think about.

Now, you heard what I said, didn't you, Celestine?

CELESTINE: Yes, ma'am.

MRS OPALSEN: I'll have your supper sent up to you.

There.

MR OPALSEN: Come on, then.

Time to play host and hostess.

DANCE BAND MUSIC PLAYING Thank you.

SAUNDERS: I, uh, hope you enjoy the party, sir.

Thank you.

Oh, pardon.

You will forgive me?

Oh... Thank you very much, sir.

Not at all.

SAUNDERS: I'll be waiting for you here, sir.

Thank you.

KNOCK AT DOOR CELESTINE: Who is it?

The maid, ma'am.

I've got your supper for you.

CELESTINE: One moment.

DOOR OPENS That's very kind of you.

MAID: All part of the service.

Do you want me to carry it in?

CELESTINE: Yes.

Put it over there.

- All on your own, are you?

- Yes.

That's a shame.

All the rest of them at the party.

Tell you what.

I'll sit with you, if you like.

Thank you.

MAID: My name's Grace.

Grace Wilson.

So, how do you like the Grand Metropolitan?

Let us say, it was an evening I shall not easily forget.

MR OPALSEN: Ah, Mr Poirot!

- Excuse me.

- Delighted you could make it.

POIROT: Monsieur, madame.

Mr Opalsen, at the theatre this evening, there were some journalists awaiting me.

This was not, I think, a coincidence.

Er, no.

But a man in my position needs all the publicity he can get.

MRS OPALSEN: I bet you'd guessed who'd stolen the pearls by the second interval, Monsieur Poirot.

Not at all, madame.

It was a question that ceased to occupy my mind long before the first.

Excuse me.

CELESTINE: They're not really that bad.

GRACE: You should try this job.

I could tell you a thing or two.

CELESTINE: Have you worked here long?

GRACE: Not here, no.

INDISTINCT CONVERSATION MAN: Mr Poirot.

Hubert Devine.

I play the detective, Drake.

POIROT: Ah, yes, of course.

I found your performance most engaging.

It's a jolly good play.

Yes.

I think it's going to be a success.

HE CHUCKLES And just as well.

Dear Ed needs a winner.

Well, three disasters last season.

He only had one success and that was a revival.

Oh, yes.

If Pearls doesn't run... I'd say he was finished.

GRACE: I do like these telegrams.

They're really nice.

They always send them?

Hmm.

- Mm.

I need some scissors.

GRACE: I can get you some, if you like.

CELESTINE: No, it's all right.

I've got some somewhere.

I hate sewing.

INDISTINCT CHATTER Did you enjoy yourself, sir?

Yes, thank you, Saunders.

But now, you know, the fatigue.

- Well, it is after midnight.

- Yes, indeed, Hastings.

Thank you.

MRS OPALSEN: We're back, Celestine.

Everything all right?

CELESTINE: Yes, ma'am.

Everything's fine.

MRS OPALSEN: What a dreary party.

MR OPALSEN: You weren't exactly glittering yourself, my dear.

And you drank too much.

Why not?

I paid for it.

Celestine, my jewellery box.

Yes, ma'am.

MR OPALSEN: That damned writer, Andrew Hall, didn't even bother to show up.

MRS OPALSEN: I saw him leave the theatre.

He was avoiding you.

MR OPALSEN: Are you inferring something?

MRS OPALSEN: No.

Here's the key.

Are you still drinking?

MR OPALSEN: Yes.

Do you want one?

Sir?

Mrs Opalsen?

What is it?

The necklace.

I don't understand it.

I-It's not here!

MRS OPALSEN: What do you mean, it's not there?

It's got to be.

MR OPALSEN: Out of the way.

Let me look!

For heaven's sake!

Call the police.

Someone has stolen my pearls!

BRASS BAND PLAYS IN DISTANCE, BIRDS SQUAWKING I take it, Monsieur Opalsen, that you have summoned the police.

HE EXHALES Yes, of course.

They're sending someone down from London.

But that's not good enough.

I want you, Mr Poirot.

I beg of you.

I've got to get them back.

And these pearls... they were without doubt... insured?

Well, yes.

But... but that's not the point.

The play, Mr Poirot.

All the publicity about the pearls.

If they aren't returned, I'll be a laughing stock.

We have an American tour.

How can we do Pearls Before Swine with no pearls?

Poirot?

Excuse me.

Mon cher Hastings?

- The doctor.

- Comment?

I just think you ought to remember why you're here.

Yes, that is true.

But, Hastings... Monsieur Opalsen.

I regret that Poirot cannot help you in this matter.

What?

I am here... ..en vacances.

JAPP: Ah, morning, Poirot.

Bonjour, Chief Inspector Japp.

JAPP: Imperial Suite, please.

MRS OPALSEN: I took the necklace off before the party and put it in my jewellery box, and then I put the box in the drawer.

JAPP: Was the drawer locked?

No, it wasn't.

Celestine was here, so I felt there was no need.

How many keys are there to this box, Mrs Opalsen?

Only one.

And I keep it with me all the time.

You're sure of that?

It doesn't seem to have been forced.

Of course, I'm sure.

There's only ever been one key.

MR OPALSEN: I'm going to offer a reward, Chief Inspector.

A big one.

You think that'll help?

It may, sir.

So what were you doing when all this was going on?

I was doing the sewing, sir.

I only went into the side room.

The first time for scissors, and later for thread.

BRASS BAND PLAYING SEAGULLS SQUAWKING Oh, cheer up, Poirot.

It is for the best.

I have no doubt, Hastings.

Well, you're here for a rest.

If you going to get involved in another case, you might just as well have stayed in London.

It is true.

I don't know why you can't just sit back and enjoy the sea air.

I know you!

No, no, Hastings.

It is no use.

Not to take this case is, for Poirot, more hard work than to take it.

ANDREW: Saunders, get the car started.

I'm in a hurry.

POIROT: Monsieur Hall.

- What?

Oh, erm, Mr Poirot.

I'm afraid I can't stop.

You have heard, then, about the pearls?

Yes.

What was it about life imitating art?

It serves Ed right.

Anyway, it's not my problem.

POIROT: Monsieur Hall, I noticed that you were not at the party last night.

Well, I wasn't in a party mood.

May I ask where you were?

I went for a walk.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I really will be late.

Thank you, Saunders.

I only stayed with her cos I felt sorry for her.

So you were alone in the room with the necklace?

GRACE: Yeah, for about two seconds.

I didn't even know it was there.

Blooming cheek.

Chief Inspector.

Ah.

Hello, Poirot.

Excuse us, mademoiselle.

I thought you were sitting this one out.

- Well... - No, no, no, no.

So, how goes the investigation?

- Pretty routine.

Have you got any more questions?

I've got a ton of work.

JAPP: That's all right, Miss Wilson.

That's all for now.

Grace Wilson.

Been with the hotel a couple of months.

Barmaid before that.

The Dog And Duck in Holborn.

She took that girl Celestine her supper.

First floor, please.

POIROT: So tell me, Chief Inspector, what is it that you have so far found out?

Grace Wilson or Celestine.

The hotel maid or the lady's maid.

It seems to me it's got be one of them.

A necklace in a box within a chest, Chief Inspector, and only one key.

It is as a magical trick.

The necklace, it was in this drawer?

That's right.

And this door?

JAPP: That leads to the maid's room.

That's where Celestine went to get the scissors and thread.

Leaving Grace alone in the room.

Tell me, Hastings, how long do you think it would have taken Mademoiselle Celestine to retrieve the scissors from that room?

Oh, I don't know.

Uh, 20 seconds?

Twenty seconds.

And for how much of that time would she have been out of this room?

Four or five seconds at the most.

Exactement.

And for Mademoiselle Grace Wilson to open this drawer, remove the box, somehow to unlock it, open the box, take out the necklace, close the box and return it?

Well, she couldn't possibly have had time.

I do not think so.

Right.

Excuse me.

POIROT: Where are you going, Chief Inspector?

I think it's about time I had Miss Celestine searched.

I can't imagine why they didn't lock it.

This drawer runs easily, Hastings.

RATTLES But not this one.

C'est interessant.

I wonder... Well, that must interconnect with the room next door.

It is bolted.

Bolted on both sides.

But, Hastings, we know who it is who occupies this room.

Room 113?

Oui.

His name, I think, was Mr Worthing.

That's right, sir.

He was an American gent.

He only stayed the night.

Left this morning.

POIROT: You saw him depart?

BELL BOY: Oh, no, sir.

Carried his own luggage.

Must have left at the crack of dawn.

You didn't by chance see him yesterday evening?

No, sir.

I can tell you who I did see, though, sir.

It was just as I was leaving.

Well, I don't want to talk out of turn, sir, but if there's a reward and all that... Well... HE CHUCKLES Please to continue.

Yeah.

Well, that writer, Mr Hall, he was hanging around outside the hotel.

Must have been about... eleven o'clock.

- Outside?

BELL BOY: Yes, sir.

Would he have been near to the window of Monsieur and Madame Opalsen?

Well... yes, sir.

Right under it.

Thank you.

FEMALE OFFICER: Ah!

Now, here's something that shouldn't be here.

That's a duplicate key to the jewel box.

We found it hidden in the hem of Celestine's petticoat.

Sounds pretty conclusive.

But what about the necklace?

No sign of that yet.

But, uh... HE CLEARS THROAT ..if you say her boyfriend was seen outside the hotel last night... Monsieur Hall, he was here, yes.

Yes, well, that explains it, doesn't it?

Explains what?

How she got the necklace out of the hotel.

She couldn't leave the room, so she simply dropped it out of the window and he was there to catch it.

You have arrested Mademoiselle Celestine?

Yes.

And the sooner we find Andrew Hall, the better.

Ah, Mr Saunders, we want a word with you.

I hear you already solved the case, sir.

Never mind about that.

Have you seen Mr Hall?

SAUNDERS: Mr Hall, sir.

I drove him to the racecourse.

Is he in some sort of trouble, sir?

He could be in a lot of trouble.

Why do you ask?

SAUNDERS: Well... he did seem a little... anxious.

I'm not surprised.

Have you any idea where we might find him?

Well, he always places his bets with the same man.

Harry Wax.

- Harry Wax?

He's a bookie, sir.

CAR HORN HONKS Just the sort of place I'd expect him to go.

What do you mean, Chief Inspector?

A racecourse.

This is where you'll find every criminal element, Poirot.

And what better place to do this kind of business than in the middle of a crowd?

I only hope we're not too late.

You got all the entrances covered?

Yes, sir.

You lot come with me and keep your eyes out for a bookie called Harry Wax.

Come on, lads.

Hastings, this is wrong.

To Poirot, it makes no sense.

INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER SPEAKER MAN: 45, 50, 55, 60... BOOKIE: It's six to four, this favourite.

And four to one, bar one.

Take six to four.

Take six to four.

COMMENTATOR: They're under starter's orders now.

INDISTINCT CHATTERING - Are you Harry Wax?

- Yeah.

Seen a tall, blond hair chap who made a bet this morning?

Poirot!

There's Mr Worthing, I could have sworn it.

Hall!

There he is!

Hall!

MAN: Hey, you can't come in here!

JAPP: Stop him!

Stop him!

Get him!

OFFICER: Gotcha!

Come on!

Right, get him in the car.

OFFICER: All right, in the car.

Come on.

I'm afraid we got to him just too late.

But we found this... and this.

HASTINGS: The pearls?

No, just the pouch they were kept in.

Empty.

HASTINGS: So what's happened to the pearls?

FOOTSTEPS RETREATING ANDREW: You've got it all wrong, Chief Inspector.

Ah.

So I suppose you won this lot on a horse, did you?

Yes.

Laughing Boy came in at seven to one.

Then why did you try and run for it when you saw me?

I owe money.

I've had a bad run and fell in with some pretty bad company.

Well, you saw what they were like... outside the theatre.

HASTINGS: Yes.

ANDREW: I didn't know who you were so... How do you explain this?

I can't.

I've never seen it before.

JAPP: It was in your pocket.

Then somebody must have put it there!

Chief Inspector?

Monsieur Hall... ..why did you not go to the party of Monsieur Opalsen?

I've told you.

I went for a walk.

And your walk took you back to the Grand Metropolitan Hotel.

Yes.

I wanted to see Celestine.

I just needed to be with her.

But... ..then when I saw she wasn't alone... ..I went to bed.

Mr Poirot, you've got to believe me.

I'd never seen that key before.

Someone must have hidden it there.

Now, now, now, ma petite.

Tell me about Monsieur Hall.

You know of his gambling?

Yes.

I've tried to stop him, but it's no good.

It's like a disease.

And you are aware, mademoiselle, that for the return of these pearls, Monsieur Opalsen is offering a reward most substantial?

Yes.

But I didn't take them, Mr Poirot, I swear to you.

But nobody else came into the room while you were there.

No.

Only the hotel maid.

Tell me, Mademoiselle Celestine, Monsieur Hall, how did you first meet?

It was at the theatre.

One of Mr Opalsen's productions.

An Oscar Wilde.

Lady Windermere's Fan?

No.

It was The Importance Of Being Earnest.

Of course.

TELEPHONE RINGS Hastings, I must contact the good Miss Lemon in London.

- What for?

- This case, Hastings, I begin to see the light.

I don't understand.

You heard what the young lady said.

- Oscar Wilde?

- Exactement.

Hastings, there is work to be done.

INAUDIBLE CONVERSATION Left to get married about six months ago.

Really?

CARNIVAL MUSIC PLAYING BOY: Roll up, now.

Five goes for a penny.

Come on, give the wives a treat... STRENGTH TEST BELL RINGS HASTINGS: Good shooting, Chief Inspector.

JAPP: I used to go out on Isleworth Marshes when I was a boy.

Some things you never forget.

Well, I must say, it's nice to have an evening off.

- What's Poirot up to, then?

- Thinking.

Oh.

This was meant to be a rest, you know.

Heaven knows what Miss Lemon's gonna say when she arrives.

Hello, sir.

Evening, Chief Inspector.

Hello, Miss Wilson.

It's nice to see the police is human, too.

Is that for your little boy?

Yes.

I'm glad I ran into you.

Something I was wanting to tell you.

Oh, yes?

What's that?

Well, it may not mean nothing, but it's that writer.

What about him?

I saw him in Mr Opalsen's room the day before that necklace got swiped.

He was there when I did the cleaning Said he was looking for something.

But, I don't know.

Anyway... The day before.

MISS LEMON: Mr Poirot!

Ah, Miss Lemon.

Allow me to take your case.

Thank you.

Good morning, Miss Lemon.

STERNLY: I thought this was meant to be a holiday, Captain Hastings.

I'll talk to you later.

JAPP: Poirot!

What are you up to, Poirot?

Chief Inspector, you must make an immediate arrest.

I've already made an arrest, thank you very much.

Chief Inspector, what if this case was not just a question of theft, but of fraud?

And what, also, if the Pearls of the Tsar did not exist?

REPORTER: There's Mr Opalsen.

Can we have a statement, please, sir?

Make a statement, Chief Inspector.

Mr Opalsen.

Poirot, how dare you!

But, Monsieur Opalsen, a man in your position needs all the publicity he can get.

REPORTER: Mr Opalsen, can you tell us what's going on, sir?

Following our investigations, we discovered that the necklace that was stolen was a fake.

There never were any real pearls.

You mean, he did it for the insurance, Chief Inspector?

We are now investigating the possibility of an insurance fraud.

That's all I can tell you for the present.

Thank you.

One more question, sir.

What made you think the pearls were fake?

REPORTER 1: Mr Opalsen!

REPORTER 2: Mr Opalsen!

POLICEMAN: Inspector Drake and I have worked together quite a lot recently.

MAID: Here's Inspector Drake coming now.

SHE SHUSHES Good evening, sir.

My lady will be here presently.

MRS OPALSEN: My dear Inspector.

Forgive me, Lady Jane, but I don't think you should be wearing that.

LAUGHTER The necklace?

Why ever not?

Because the Phantom has sworn he'll have it.

LAUGHTER And the Phantom has never once failed.

Poirot, why did you want to see the play again?

Tomorrow the play travels to New York, mon ami.

Yes?

Miss Lemon has yet to see a performance.

SHE SHUSHES DRAKE: I mean to have him.

LAUGHTER Good night, sir.

What are we doing here, Poirot?

The play is finished.

The play, it has finished, yes, Hastings.

But there is still one more act.

I don't understand.

POIROT: Ah, mon cher Hastings, the pearls so celebrated of the Tsar, where do think a market could be found for them?

I don't know, er... ..Somewhere on the Continent, I suppose.

No, no, no, Hastings.

That is what Miss Lemon discovered for me in London.

They're just too well known over here.

No-one would touch them.

- In America, then?

- Exactement!

And with everyone searching for them, what would be the best way to smuggle them abroad?

Well, of course.

In among the scenery and props for the play.

- Oui.

You mean they're here somewhere?

- Oui.

- Well, where?

And who put them here?

This case, it has been most curious, n'est-ce pas, Chief Inspector?

From the start, there were only two people who could possibly have stolen those pearls of Monsieur Opalsen.

Mademoiselle Celestine... ..or Mademoiselle Grace Wilson, the hotel maid.

HASTINGS: Well, it must have been Celestine.

She had the key.

It was sewn into her petticoat.

It has always puzzled me that, Hastings.

Why keep the key?

It was so needless, so clumsy.

Are you saying it was planted?

Yes, of course.

Well, if it wasn't Celestine, it must have been Grace.

But we know she didn't have time to take the pearls.

You said so yourself.

It is a riddle, is it not, Hastings?

So, which of them was it?

Let us imagine.

'Mademoiselle Grace Wilson is in the room 'with Monsieur Opalsen.

'She is there only to be friendly.'

GRACE: I can get you some.

- No, it's all right.

POIROT: 'The moment Mademoiselle Celestine 'leaves the room to retrieve the scissors, 'as quick as a flash, she acts.

'She was able to execute 'the theft of the pearls in an instant 'because she did not need to unlock the box herself.

'She had, in the adjoining room, 'an accomplice with a duplicate key.

'And it was he who removed the pouch and the pearls.'

HASTINGS: 'Mr Worthing!'

Exactement, Hastings.

And when Mademoiselle Celestine leaves the room for the second time, this time for some thread, the box, it is returned in exactly the same manner.

Only now, the necklace, it has gone.

And I suppose it was this mysterious Mr Worthing who hid the key in Celestine's petticoat?

He, or his accomplice, Chief Inspector, yes.

'But it was definitely Mr Worthing 'who placed into the pocket of Monsieur Hall 'the pouch which was empty.'

HASTINGS: Poirot!

'That's right.

I saw him at the racecourse.'

There's Mr Worthing, I could have sworn it.

But who is he?

Who is this Mr Worthing?

WHISPERS: Mr Poirot!

HE SHUSHES HE SHUSHES MR WORTHING: Wait there.

DOOR OPENS It is a pleasure to meet you at last... Mr Worthing.

HASTINGS: Saunders!

GRACE: Let go!

Get off me!

I done nothing wrong!

Let go of me!

Oh, God.

You bloody fool!

I told you we shouldn't ought to have come.

But I think it is too late for that... Madame Saunders.

Madame?

What?

You mean they're married?

Yes, of course, Chief Inspector.

It was that that Miss Lemon discovered for me at the Dog And The Duck in Holborn.

Grace Saunders.

The landlord remembered her well.

But why the disguise?

Ah, Hastings.

How else could Monsieur Saunders reserve for himself a room next to Monsieur Opalsen?

He had to assume a new identity.

How could you possibly know?

As ever, monsieur, it was the little details, the matters of no consequence that caught the attention of Poirot.

'You will recall, Hastings, on the night of the theft, 'that I remarked on some white powder 'on the sleeve of Monsieur Saunders.'

Oh, pardon, you will forgive me?

SAUNDERS CHUCKLES HASTINGS: 'I thought it was talcum powder.'

- Thank you very much, sir.

POIROT: Not at all.

'No, Hastings, it was not the talcum powder.

'It was the French chalk, which cabinet-makers use 'to let the drawers made of wood run more smoothly, 'and with which Monsieur Worthing 'prepared beforehand the drawer containing the pearls.'

'But I was suspicious of Mr Worthing long before this.'

DESK CLERK: Your key, Mr Worthing.

POIROT: 'When Hastings and myself, 'we first came to the Grand Metropolitan hotel, 'there was a man at the desk.

'He was elderly, he must walk with a stick.'

SAUNDERS: Thank you.

POIROT: 'But when he goes to his room, 'which is on the first floor, 'he proceeds not to the lift that is waiting.

No.

'But to the staircase.'

It was a performance, monsieur, but a performance that, to Poirot, did not ring true.

Damn you.

JAPP: That's enough of that.

Take 'em away!

HASTINGS: One thing, Poirot.

I know you were waiting for them.

Why did you think they'd come here?

They came here, Hastings, to retrieve the necklace.

I see.

Where is the necklace?

The necklace, Hastings, it is, I think... Voila!

Damn Poirot!

You mean that bloody little man set me up?

It's your own fault.

You tried to use HIM.

But, Margaret, what about the pearls?

Don't worry.

That "bloody little man" got them back.

So, you made up the story about the fake pearls to smoke out the thieves?

Mm.

So... now you learn the plot of your next play, Monsieur Hall.

Yes.

I told to them that the necklace, it was false, because I knew that they would have to examine it.

- We're all packed, Mr Poirot.

- Thank you, Miss Lemon.

The reward, Mr Poirot, it should be yours.

Why have you given it to me?

Because, mademoiselle, it was you who told to me the title of the play, The Importance Of Being Earnest.

And there is in that play a character that is very well known who is called... Jack Worthing.

POIROT: C'est ca.

And it was then that I saw the light.

So the reward, I think, must be for you.

Miss Lemon, Hastings.

So much for your holiday, Mr Poirot.

But, Miss Lemon, I feel completely refreshed.

MISS LEMON: Even so, this wasn't what the doctor ordered.

NEWSBOY: Daily Echo!

Daily Echo!

You are Lucky Len of the Daily Echo and I claim my ten guineas.

You're right.

I was Lucky Len.

But I'm sorry.

I got fired this morning.

Fired?

Why?

Too many people were recognising me.

The papers decided it must be my face.

It's too common.

- Common?

LUCKY LEN: That's what they say.

Bit of a cheek, if you ask me, but there you are.

They are wrong, mon ami.

You have a face that is most distinguished.

You have no need to work for this newspaper.

You have a face of a great man.

- You think so?

POIROT: Oh, yes.

I know it.

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