«I'm truly sorry...» said Hercule Poirot. He was interrupted. Not rudely. The interruption was polite, skillful, convincing, rather, than for the sake of disagreement. «Please, do not refuse before you think it over, Mr. Poirot. There are serious state matters. The highest offices would appreciate your cooperation.» «You are very kind,» replied Hercule Poirot, waving his hand, «but I really cannot undertake what you are asking of me. At this time...» Mr. Jesmond interrupted him again. «Christmas,» he said convincingly. «Traditional Christmas in the English countryside.» Just thinking that he would spend this time in the English countryside, Hercule Poirot shivered. «Beautiful traditional Christmas!» insisted Mr. Jesmond. «I'm not English,» said Hercule Poirot. «In my country, Christmas is for children. We celebrate New Year’s.» «Ah,» said Mr. Jesmond. «But Christmas in England is an important institution, and I assure you that at Kings Lacey you will enjoy it in all its grandeur. You see, it’s a wonderful old house. One of its wings dates back to the fourteenth century.» Poirot shivered again. Just thinking about staying in an English manor house from the fourteenth century made him uneasy.
«In winter,» he said decisively, «I do not leave London.» «I don’t think you understand, Mr. Poirot, how serious this matter is.» Mr. Jesmond glanced sideways at his companion and then again at Poirot. Up to that moment, the second visitor to Poirot had said nothing but a polite and formal «How are you». Now he sat and looked at his polished shoes, while on his olive-toned face was painted an expression of complete gloom. He was young, no more than twenty-three years old, and apparently deeply upset. «Yes, yes,» said Hercule Poirot. «Of course, the matter is serious. I understand. His Lordship has my sincere sympathy.» «The position is extremely sensitive,» said Mr. Jesmond. Poirot shifted his gaze from the young man to his older guest. If someone were to summarize Mr. Jesmond with only one word, that word would be discretion. Everything about him was discreet.