蓝色列车之谜19

Chapter 19  AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR ,The Comte de la Roche had just finished déjeuner, consisting of an omelette fines herbes, an entrec?te Bearnaise, and a Savarin au Rhum. Wiping his fine black moustache delicately with his table napkin, the Comte rose from the table. He passed through the salon of the villa, noting with appreciation the few objets d'art which were carelessly scattered about. The Louis XV snuff-box, the satin shoe worn by Marie Antoinette, and the other historic trifles were part of the Comte's mise en scene. They were, he would explain to his fair visitors, heirlooms in his family. Passing through on to the terrace, the Comte looked out on the Mediterranean with an unseeing eye. He was in no mood for appreciating the beauties of scenery. A fully matured scheme had been rudely brought to naught, and his plans had to be cast afresh. Stretching himself out in a basket chair, a cigarette held between his white fingers, the Comte pondered deeply. ,Presently Hippolyte, his manservant, brought out coffee and a choice of liqueurs. The Comte selected some very fine old brandy. ,As the man-servant was preparing to depart, the Comte arrested him with a slight gesture. Hippolyte stood respectfully to attention. ,His countenance was hardly a prepossessing one, but the correctitude of his demeanour went far to obliterate the fact. ,He was now the picture of respectful attention. ,"Yes, Monsieur le Comte." ,"Perhaps this has already happened?" ,"No, Monsieur le Comte." ,"There have been no strangers about the place? You are certain?" ,"There has been no one, Monsieur le Comte." ,