Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
AHerculePoirotMystery
Contents
TitlePage
One
Two
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Eight
Nine
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Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
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Fifteen
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Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Postscript
AbouttheAuthor
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One
I
Whoistherewhohasnotfeltasuddenstartledpangatrelivinganoldexperience,orfeelinganoldemotion?
“Ihavedonethisbefore….”
Whydothosewordsalwaysmoveonesoprofoundly?
ThatwasthequestionIaskedmyselfasIsatinthetrainwatchingtheflatEssexlandscapeoutside.
HowlongagowasitthatIhadtakenthisselfsamejourney?Hadfelt(ridiculously)thatthebestoflifewasoverforme!Woundedinthatwarthatformewouldalwaysbethewar—thewarthatwaswipedoutnowbyasecondandamoredesperatewar.
Ithadseemedin1916toyoungArthurHastingsthathewasalreadyoldandmature.HowlittlehadIrealizedthat,forme,lifewasonlythenbeginning.
Ihadbeenjourneying,thoughIdidnotknowit,tomeetthemanwhoseinfluenceovermewastoshapeandmouldmylife.Actually,Ihadbeengoingtostaywithmyoldfriend,JohnCavendish,whosemother,recentlyremarried,hadacountryhousenamedStyles.Apleasantrenewingofoldacquaintanceships,thatwasallIhadthoughtit,notforeseeingthatIwasshortlytoplungeintoallthedarkembroilmentsofamysteriousmurder.
ItwasatStylesthatIhadmetagainthatstrangelittleman,HerculePoirot,whomIhadfirstcomeacrossinBelgium.
HowwellIrememberedmyamazementwhenIhadseenthelimpingfigurewiththelargemoustachecomingupthevillagestreet.
HerculePoirot!Sincethosedayshehadbeenmydearestfriend,hisinfluencehadmouldedmylife.Incompanywithhim,inthehuntingdownofyetanothermurderer,Ihadmetmywife,thetruestandsweetestcompanionanymancouldhavehad.
ShelaynowinArgentinesoil,havingdiedasshewouldhavewished,withnolongdrawnoutsuffering,orfeeblenessofoldage.Butshehadleftaverylonelyandunhappymanbehindher.
Ah!IfIcouldgoback—livelifealloveragain.Ifthiscouldhavebeenthatdayin1916whenIfirsttravelledtoStyles…Whatchangeshadtakenplacesincethen!Whatgapsamongstthefamiliarfaces!StylesitselfhadbeensoldbytheCavendishes.JohnCavendishwasdead,thoughhiswife,Mary(thatfascinatingenigmaticalcreature),wasstillalive,livinginDevonshire.LaurencewaslivingwithhiswifeandchildreninSouthAfrica.Changes—changeseverywhere.
Butonething,strangelyenough,wasthesame.IwasgoingtoStylestomeetHerculePoirot.
HowstupefiedIhadbeentoreceivehisletter,withitsheadingStylesCourt,Styles,Essex.
Ihadnotseenmyoldfriendfornearlyayear.ThelasttimeIhadseenhimIhadbeenshockedandsaddened.Hewasnowaveryoldman,andalmostcrippledwitharthritis.HehadgonetoEgyptinthehopesofimprovinghishealth,buthadreturned,sohislettertoldme,ratherworsethanbetter.Nevertheless,hewrotecheerfully….
II
Anddoesitnotintrigueyou,myfriend,toseetheaddressfromwhichIwrite?Itrecallsoldmemories,doesitnot?Yes,Iamhere,atStyles.Figuretoyourself,itisnowwhattheycallaguesthouse.RunbyoneofyoursoBritisholdColonels—very“oldschooltie”and“Poonar.”Itishiswife,bienentendu,whomakesitpay.Sheisagoodmanage,thatone,butthetonguelikevinegar,andthepoorColonel,hesuffersmuchfromit.IfitweremeIwouldtakeahatchettoher!Isawtheiradvertisementinthepaper,andthefancytookmetogoonceagaintotheplacewhichfirstwasmyhomeinthiscountry.Atmyageoneenjoysrelivingthepast.Thenfiguretoyourself,Ifindhereagentleman,abaronetwhoisafriendoftheemployerofyourdaughter.(ThatphraseitsoundsalittleliketheFrenchexercise,doesitnot?)ImmediatelyIconceiveaplan.HewishestoinducetheFranklinstocomehereforthesummer.Iinmyturnwillpersuadeyouandweshallbealltogether,enfamille.Itwillbemostagreeable.Therefore,moncherHastings,dépêchez-vous,arrivewiththeutmostcelerity.Ihavecommandedforyouaroomwithbath(itismodernizednow,youcomprehend,thedearoldStyles)anddisputedthepricewithMrs.ColonelLuttrelluntilIhavemadeanarrangementtrèsbonmarché.TheFranklinsandyourcharmingJudithhavebeenhereforsomedays.Itisallarranged,somakenohistories.Abient?t,Yoursalways,HerculePoirot
Theprospectwasalluring,andIfellinwithmyoldfriend’swisheswithoutdemur.Ihadnotiesandnosettledhome.Ofmychildren,oneboywasintheNavy,theothermarriedandrunningtheranchintheArgentine.MydaughterGracewasmarriedtoasoldierandwasatpresentinIndia.Myremainingchild,Judith,wastheonewhomsecretlyIhadalwayslovedbest,althoughIhadneverforonemomentunderstoodher.Aqueer,dark,secretivechild,withapassionforkeepingherowncounsel,whichhadsometimesaffrontedanddistressedme.Mywifehadbeenmoreunderstanding.Itwas,sheassuredme,nolackoftrustorconfidenceonJudith’spart,butakindoffiercecompulsion.Butshe,likemyself,wassometimesworriedaboutthechild.Judith’sfeelings,shesaid,weretoointense,tooconcentrated,andherinstinctivereservedeprivedherofanysafetyvalve.Shehadqueerfitsofbroodingsilenceandafierce,almostbitterpowerofpartisanship.Herbrainswerethebestofthefamilyandwegladlyfellinwithherwishforauniversityeducation.ShehadtakenherB.Sc.aboutayearago,andhadthentakenthepostofsecretarytoadoctorwhowasengagedinresearchworkconnectedwithtropicaldisease.Hiswifewassomewhatofaninvalid.
IhadoccasionallyhadqualmsastowhetherJudith’sabsorptioninherwork,anddevotiontoheremployer,werenotsignsthatshemightbelosingherheart,butthebusinesslikefootingoftheirrelationshipassuredme.
Judithwas,Ibelieved,fondofme,butshewasveryundemonstrativebynature,andshewasoftenscornfulandimpatientofwhatshecalledmysentimentalandoutwornideas.Iwas,frankly,alittlenervousofmydaughter!
AtthispointmymeditationswereinterruptedbythetraindrawingupatthestationofStylesSt.Mary.Thatatleasthadnotchanged.Timehadpasseditby.Itwasstillperchedupinthemidstoffields,withapparentlynoreasonforexistence.
Asmytaxipassedthroughthevillage,though,Irealizedthepassageofyears.StylesSt.Marywasalteredoutofallrecognition.Petrolstations,acinema,twomoreinnsandrowsofcouncilhouses.
PresentlyweturnedinatthegateofStyles.Hereweseemedtorecedeagainfrommoderntimes.TheparkwasmuchasIrememberedit,butthedrivewasbadlykeptandmuchovergrownwithweedsgrowingupoverthegravel.Weturnedacornerandcameinviewofthehouse.Itwasunalteredfromtheoutsideandbadlyneededacoatofpaint.
Asonmyarrivalallthoseyearsago,therewasawoman’sfigurestoopingoveroneofthegardenbeds.Myheartmissedabeat.Thenthefigurestraightenedupandcametowardsme,andIlaughedatmyself.NogreatercontrasttotherobustEvelynHowardcouldhavebeenimagined.
Thiswasafrailelderlylady,withanabundanceofcurlywhitehair,pinkcheeks,andapairofcoldpaleblueeyesthatwerewidelyatvariancewiththeeasygenialityofhermanner,whichwasfranklyashadetoogushingformytaste.
“It’llbeCaptainHastingsnow,won’tit?”shedemanded.“Andmewithmyhandsalloverdirtandnotabletoshakehands.We’redelightedtoseeyouhere—theamountwe’veheardaboutyou!Imustintroducemyself.I’mMrs.Luttrell.MyhusbandandIboughtthisplaceinafitofmadnessandhavebeentryingtomakeapayingconcernofit.IneverthoughtthedaywouldcomewhenI’dbeahotelkeeper!ButI’llwarnyou,CaptainHastings,I’maverybusinesslikewoman.IpileuptheextrasallIknowhow.”
Webothlaughedasthoughatanexcellentjoke,butitoccurredtomethatwhatMrs.Luttrellhadjustsaidwasinallprobabilitytheliteraltruth.Behindtheveneerofhercharmingoldladymanner,Icaughtaglimpseofflint-likehardness.
AlthoughMrs.Luttrelloccasionallyaffectedafaintbrogue,shehadnoIrishblood.Itwasamereaffectation.
Ienquiredaftermyfriend.
“Ah,poorlittleM.Poirot.Thewayhe’sbeenlookingforwardtoyourcoming.Itwouldmeltaheartofstone.TerriblysorryIamforhim,sufferingthewayhedoes.”
Wewerewalkingtowardsthehouseandshewaspeelingoffhergardeninggloves
“Andyourprettydaughter,too,”shewenton.“Whatalovelygirlsheis.Wealladmirehertremendously.ButI’mold-fashioned,youknow,anditseemstomeashameandasinthatagirllikethat,thatoughttobegoingtopartiesanddancingwithyoungmen,shouldspendhertimecuttinguprabbitsandbendingoveramicroscopeallday.Leavethatsortofthingtothefrumps,Isay.”
“WhereisJudith?”Iasked.“Isshesomewhereabout?”
Mrs.Luttrellmadewhatchildrencall“aface.”
“Ah,thepoorgirl.Sheh’scoopedupintatstudioplacedownatthebottomofthegarden.Dr.Franklinrentsitfrommeandhe’shaditallfittedup.Hutchesofguineapigshe’sgotthere,thepoorcreatures,andmiceandrabbits.I’mnotsurethatIlikeallthisscience,CaptainHastings.Ah,here’smyhusband.”
ColonelLuttrellhadjustcomeroundthecornerofthehouse.Hewasaverytall,attenuatedoldman,withacadaverousface,mildblueeyesandahabitofirresolutelytuggingathislittlewhitemoustache.
Hehadavague,rathernervousmanner.
“Ah,George,here’sCaptainHastingsarrived.”
ColonelLuttrellshookhands.“Youcamebythefive—er—forty,eh?”
“Whatelseshouldhehavecomeby?”saidMrs.Luttrellsharply.“Andwhatdoesitmatteranyway?Takehimupandshowhimhisroom,George.Andthenmaybehe’dliketogostraighttoM.Poirot—orwouldyouratherhaveteafirst?”
IassuredherthatIdidnotwantteaandwouldprefertogoandgreetmyfriend.
ColonelLuttrellsaid,“Right.Comealong.Iexpect—er—they’llhavetakenyourthingsupalready—eh,Daisy?”
Mrs.Luttrellsaidtartly,“That’syourbusiness,George.I’vebeengardening.Ican’tseetoeverything.”
“No,no,ofcoursenot.I—I’llseetoit,mydear.”
Ifollowedhimupthefrontsteps.Inthedoorwayweencounteredagrey-hairedman,slightlybuilt,whowashurryingoutwithapairoffieldglasses.Helimped,andhadaboyisheagerface.Hesaid,stammeringslightly:“There’sapairofn-nestingblackcapsdownbythesycamore.”
Aswewentintothehall,Luttrellsaid,“That’sNorton.Nicefellow.Crazyaboutbirds.”
Inthehallitself,averybigmanwasstandingbythetable.Hehadobviouslyjustfinishedtelephoning.Lookinguphesaid,“I’dliketohang,drawandquarterallcontractorsandbuilders.Nevergetanythingdoneright,curse’em.”
Hiswrathwassocomicalandsorueful,thatwebothlaughed.Ifeltveryattractedatoncetowardstheman.Hewasverygood-looking,thoughamanwelloverfifty,withadeeplytannedface.Helookedasthoughhehadledanout-of-doorslife,andhelooked,too,thetypeofmanthatisbecomingmoreandmorerare,anEnglishmanoftheoldschool,straightforward,fondofout-of-doorslife,andthekindofmanwhocancommand.
IwashardlysurprisedwhenColonelLuttrellintroducedhimasSirWilliamBoydCarrington.Hehadbeen,Iknew,GovernorofaprovinceinIndia,wherehehadbeenasignalsuccess.Hewasalsorenownedasafirst-classshotandbiggamehunter.Thesortofman,Ireflectedsadly,thatwenolongerseemedtobreedinthesedegeneratedays.
“Aha,”hesaid.“I’mgladtomeetinthefleshthatfamouspersonagemonamiHastings.”Helaughed.“ThedearoldBelgianfellowtalksaboutyoualot,youknow.Andthen,ofcourse,we’vegotyourdaughterhere.She’safinegirl.”
“Idon’tsupposeJudithtalksaboutmemuch,”Isaid,smiling.
“No,no,fartoomodern.Thesegirlsnowadaysalwaysseemembarrassedathavingtoadmittoafatherormotheratall.”
“Parents,”Isaid,“arepracticallyadisgrace.”
Helaughed.“Oh,well—Idon’tsufferthatway.I’venochildren,worseluck.YourJudithisaverygood-lookingwench,butterriblyhighbrow.Ifinditratheralarming.”Hepickedupthetelephonereceiveragain.“Hopeyoudon’tmind,Luttrell,ifIstartdamningyourexchangetohell.I’mnotapatientman.”
“Do’emgood,”saidLuttrell.
HeledthewayupstairsandIfollowedhim.Hetookmealongtheleftwingofthehousetoadoorattheend,andIrealizedthatPoirothadchosenformetheroomIhadoccupiedbefore.
Therewerechangeshere.AsIwalkedalongthecorridorsomeofthedoorswereopenandIsawthattheold-fashionedlargebedroomshadbeenpartitionedoffsoastomakeseveralsmallerones.
Myownroom,whichhadnotbeenlarge,wasunalteredsavefortheinstallationofhotandcoldwater,andpartofithadbeenpartitionedofftomakeasmallbathroom.Itwasfurnishedinacheapmodernstylewhichratherdisappointedme.Ishouldhavepreferredastylemorenearlyapproximatingtothearchitectureofthehouseitself.
MyluggagewasinmyroomandtheColonelexplainedthatPoirot’sroomwasexactlyopposite.Hewasabouttotakemetherewhenasharpcryof“George”echoedupfromthehallbelow.
ColonelLuttrellstartedlikeanervoushorse.Hishandwenttohislips.
“I—I—sureyou’reallright?Ringforwhatyouwant—”
“George.”
“Coming,mydear,coming.”
Hehurriedoffdownthecorridor.Istoodforamomentlookingafterhim.Then,withmyheartbeatingslightlyfaster,IcrossedthecorridorandrappedonthedoorofPoirot’sroom.
Two
Nothingissosad,inmyopinion,asthedevastationwroughtbyage.
Mypoorfriend.Ihavedescribedhimmanytimes.Nowtoconveytoyouthedifference.Crippledwitharthritis,hepropelledhimselfaboutinawheeledchair.Hisonceplumpframehadfallenin.Hewasathinlittlemannow.Hisfacewaslinedandwrinkled.Hismoustacheandhair,itistrue,werestillofajetblackcolour,butcandidly,thoughIwouldnotfortheworldhavehurthisfeelingsbysayingsotohim,thiswasamistake.Therecomesamomentwhenhairdyeisonlytoopainfullyobvious.TherehadbeenatimewhenIhadbeensurprisedtolearnthattheblacknessofPoirot’shaircameoutofabottle.Butnowthetheatricalitywasapparentandmerelycreatedtheimpressionthatheworeawigandhadadornedhisupperliptoamusethechildren!
Onlyhiseyeswerethesameasever,shrewdandtwinkling,andnow—yes,undoubtedly—softenedwithemotion.
“Ah,monamiHastings—monamiHastings….”
Ibentmyheadand,aswashiscustom,heembracedmewarmly.
“MonamiHastings!”
Heleanedback,surveyingmewithhisheadalittletooneside.
“Yes,justthesame—thestraightback,thebroadshoulders,thegreyofthehair—trèsdistingué.Youknow,myfriend,youhavewornwellLesfemmes,theystilltakeaninterestinyou?Yes?”
“Really,Poirot,”Iprotested.“Mustyou—”
“ButIassureyou,myfriend,itisatest—itisthetest.Whentheveryyounggirlscomeandtalktoyoukindly,ohsokindly—itistheend!‘Thepooroldman,’theysay,‘wemustbenicetohim.Itmustbesoawfultobelikethat.’Butyou,Hastings—vousêtesencorejeune.Foryoutherearestillpossibilities.Thatisright,twistyourmoustache,hunchyourshoulders—IseeitisasIsay—youwouldnotlooksoself-consciousotherwise.”
Iburstoutlaughing.“Youreallyarethelimit,Poirot.Andhowareyouyourself?”
“Me,”saidPoirotwithagrimace.“Iamawreck.Iamaruin.Icannotwalk.Iamcrippledandtwisted.MercifullyIcanstillfeedmyself,butotherwiseIhavetobeattendedtolikeababy.Puttobed,washedanddressed.Enfin,itisnotamusingthat.Mercifully,thoughtheoutsidedecays,thecoreisstillsound.”
“Yes,indeed.Thebestheartintheworld.”
“Theheart?Perhaps.Iwasnotreferringtotheheart.Thebrain,moncher,iswhatImeanbythecore.Mybrain,itstillfunctionsmagnificently.”
Icouldatleastperceiveclearlythatnodeteriorationofthebraininthedirectionofmodestyhadtakenplace.
“Andyoulikeithere?”Iasked.
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.“Itsuffices.Itisnot,youcomprehend,theRitz.No,indeed.TheroomIwasinwhenIfirstcameherewasbothsmallandinadequatelyfurnished.Imovedtothisonewithnoincreaseofprice.Then,thecooking,itisEnglishatitsworst.ThoseBrusselssproutssoenormous,sohard,thattheEnglishlikesomuch.Thepotatoesboiledandeitherhardorfallingtopieces.Thevegetablesthattasteofwater,water,andagainwater.Thecompleteabsenceofthesaltandpepperinanydish—”hepausedexpressively.
“Itsoundsterrible,”Isaid.
“Idonotcomplain,”saidPoirot,andproceededtodoso.“Andthereisalsothemodernization,socalled.Thebathrooms,thetapseverywhereandwhatcomesoutofthem?Lukewarmwater,monami,atmosthoursoftheday.Andthetowels,sothin,someagre!”
“Thereissomethingtobesaidfortheolddays,”Isaidthoughtfully.IrememberedthecloudsofsteamwhichhadgushedfromthehottapoftheonebathroomStyleshadoriginallypossessed,oneofthosebathroomsinwhichanimmensebathwithmahoganysideshadreposedproudlyinthemiddleofthebathroomfloor.Remembered,too,theimmensebath
“Butonemustnotcomplain,”saidPoirotagain.“Iamcontenttosuffer—foragoodcause.”
Asuddenthoughtstruckme.
“Isay,Poirot,you’renot—er—hardup,areyou?Iknowthewarhitinvestmentsverybadly—”
Poirotreassuredmequickly.
“No,no,myfriend.Iaminmostcomfortablecircumstances.Indeed,Iamrich.Itisnottheeconomythatbringsmehere.”
“Thenthat’sallright,”Isaid.Iwenton:“IthinkIcanunderstandyourfeeling.Asonegetson,onetendsmoreandmoretoreverttotheolddays.Onetriestorecaptureoldemotions.Ifinditpainfultobehere,inaway,andyetitbringsbacktomeahundredoldthoughtsandemotionsthatI’dquiteforgottenIeverfelt.Idaresayyoufeelthesame.”
“Notintheleast.Idonotfeellikethatatall.”
“Theyweregooddays,”Isaidsadly.
“Youmayspeakforyourself,Hastings.Forme,myarrivalatStylesSt.Marywasasadandpainfultime.Iwasarefugee,wounded,exiledfromhomeandcountry,existingbycharityinaforeignland.No,itwasnotgay.IdidnotknowthenthatEnglandwouldcometobemyhomeandthatIshouldfindhappinesshere.”
“Ihadforgottenthat,”Iadmitted.
“Precisely.Youattributealwaystoothersthesentimentsthatyouyourselfexperience.Hastingswashappy—everybodywashappy!”
“No,no,”Iprotested,laughing.
“Andinanycaseitisnottrue,”continuedPoirot.“Youlookback,yousay,thetearsrisinginyoureyes,‘Oh,thehappydays.ThenIwasyoung.’Butindeed,myfriend,youwerenotsohappyasyouthink.Youhadrecentlybeenseverelywounded,youwerefrettingatbeingnolongerfitforactiveservice,youhadjustbeendepressedbeyondwordsbyyoursojourninadrearyconvalescenthomeand,asfarasIremember,youproceededtocomplicatemattersbyfallinginlovewithtwowomenatthesametime.”
Ilaughedandflushed.
“Whatamemoryyouhave,Poirot.”
“Tatata—Iremembernowthemelancholysighyouheavedasyoumurmuredfatuitiesabouttwolovelywomen.”
“Doyourememberwhatyousaid?Yousaid,‘Andneitherofthemforyou!Butcourage,monami.Wemayhunttogetheragainandthenperhaps—’”
Istopped.ForPoirotandIhadgonehuntingagaintoFranceanditwastherethatIhadmettheonewoman….
Gentlymyfriendpattedmyarm.
“Iknow,Hastings,Iknow.Thewoundisstillfresh.Butdonotdwellonit,donotlookback.Insteadlookforward.”
Imadeagestureofdisgust.
“Lookforward?Whatistheretolookforwardto?”
“Ehbien,myfriend,thereisworktobedone.”
“Work?Where?”
“Here.”
Istaredathim.
“Justnow,”saidPoirot,“youaskedmewhyIhadcomehere.YoumaynothaveobservedthatIgaveyounoanswer.Iwillgivetheanswernow.Iamheretohuntdownamurderer.”
Istaredathimwithevenmoreastonishment.ForamomentIthoughthewasrambling.
“Youreallymeanthat?”
“ButcertainlyImeanit.ForwhatotherreasondidIurgeyoutojoinme?Mylimbs,theyarenolongeractive,butmybrain,asItoldyou,isunimpaired.Myrule,remember,hasbeenalwaysthesame—sitbackandthink.ThatIstillcando—infactitistheonlythingpossibleforme.ForthemoreactivesideofthecampaignIshallhavewithmemyinvaluableHastings.”
“Youreallymeanit?”Igasped.
“OfcourseImeanit.YouandI,Hastings,aregoinghuntingonceagain.”
IttooksomeminutestograspthatPoirotwasreallyinearnest.
Fantasticthoughhisstatementsounded,Ihadnoreasontodoubthisjudgement
Withaslightsmilehesaid,“Atlastyouareconvinced.Atfirstyouimagined,didyounot,thatIhadthesofteningofthebrain?”
“No,no,”Isaidhastily.“Onlythisseemssuchanunlikelyplace.”
“Ah,youthinkso?”
“OfcourseIhaven’tseenallthepeopleyet—”
“Whomhaveyouseen?”
“JusttheLuttrells,andamancalledNorton,seemsaninoffensivechap,andBoydCarrington—ImustsayItookthegreatestfancytohim.”
Poirotnodded.“Well,Hastings,Iwilltellyouthis,whenyouhaveseentherestofthehousehold,mystatementwillseemtoyoujustasimprobableasitisnow.”
“Whoelseisthere?”
“TheFranklins—DoctorandMrs.,thehospitalnursewhoattendstoMrs.Franklin,yourdaughterJudith.ThenthereisamancalledAllerton,somethingofalady-killer,andaMissCole,awomaninherthirties.Theyareall,letmetellyou,verynicepeople.”
“Andoneofthemisamurderer?”
“Andoneofthemisamurderer.”
“Butwhy—how—whyshouldyouthink—?”
Ifoundithardtoframemyquestions,theytumbledovereachother.
“Calmyourself,Hastings.Letusbeginfromthebeginning.Reachme,Iprayyou,thatsmallboxfromthebureau.Bien.Andnowthekey—so—”
Unlockingthedespatchcase,hetookfromitamassoftypescriptandnewspaperclippings.
“Youcanstudytheseatyourleisure,Hastings.ForthemomentIshouldnotbotherwiththenewspapercuttings.Theyaremerelythepressaccountsofvarioustragedies,occasionallyinaccurate,sometimessuggestive.TogiveyouanideaofthecasesIsuggestthatyoushouldreadthroughtheprécisIhavemade.”
Deeplyinterested,Istartedreading.
CASEA.ETHERINGTONLeonardEtherington.Unpleasanthabits—tookdrugsandalsodrank.Apeculiarandsadisticcharacter.Wifeyoungandattractive.Desperatelyunhappywithhim.Etheringtondied,apparentlyoffoodpoisoning.Doctornotsatisfied.Asaresultofautopsy,deathdiscoveredtobeduetoarsenicalpoisoning.Supplyofweedkillerinthehouse,butorderedalongtimepreviously.Mrs.Etheringtonarrestedandchargedwithmurder.ShehadrecentlybeenfriendswithamaninCivilServicereturningtoIndia.Nosuggestionofactualinfidelity,butevidenceofdeepsympathybetweenthem.Youngmanhadsincebecomeengagedtobemarriedtogirlhemetonvoyageout.SomedoubtastowhetherlettertellingMrs.Etheringtonofthisfactwasreceivedbyherafterorbeforeherhusband’sdeath.Sheherselfsaysbefore.Evidenceagainsthermainlycircumstantial,absenceofanotherlikelysuspectandaccidenthighlyunlikely.Greatsympathyfeltwithherattrialowingtohusband’scharacterandthebadtreatmentshehadreceivedfromhim.Judge’ssummingupwasinherfavourstressingthatverdictmustbebeyondanyreasonabledoubt.Mrs.Etheringtonwasacquitted.Generalopinion,however,wasthatshewasguilty.Herlifeafterwardsverydifficultowingtofriends,etc.,cold-shoulderingher.Shediedasaresultoftakinganoverdoseofsleepingdraughttwoyearsafterthetrial.Verdictofaccidentaldeathreturnedatinquest.CASEB.MISSSHARPLESElderlyspinster.Aninvalid.Difficult,sufferingmuchpain.Shewaslookedafterbyherniece,FredaClay.MissSharplesdiedasaresultofanoverdoseofmorphia.FredaClayadmittedanerror,sayingthatheraunt’ssufferingsweresobadthatshecouldnotstanditandgavehermoremorphiatoeasethepain.Opinionofpolicethatactwasdeliberate,notamistake,buttheyconsideredevidenceinsufficientonwhichtoprosecute.CASEC.EDWARDRIGGSAgriculturallabourer.Suspectedhiswifeofinfidelitywiththeirlodger,BenCraig.CraigandMrs.Riggsfoundshot.ShotsprovedtobefromRiggs’sgun.Riggsgavehimselfuptothepolice,saidhesupposedhemusthavedoneit,butcouldn’tremember.Hismindwentblank,hesaid.Riggssentencedtodeath,sentenceafterwardscommutedtopenalservitudeforlife.CASED.DEREKBRADLEYWascarryingonanintriguewithagirl.Hiswifediscoveredthis,shethreatenedtokillhim.Bradleydiedofpotassiumcyanideadministeredinhisbeer.Mrs.Bradleyarrestedandtriedformurder.Brokedownundercross-examination.Convictedandhanged.CASEE.MATTHEWLITCHFIELDElderlytyrant.Fourdaughtersathome,notallowedanypleasuresormoneytospend.Oneeveningonreturninghome,hewasattackedoutsidehissidedoorandkilledbyablowonthehead.Later,afterpoliceinvestigation,hiseldestdaughter,Margaret,walkedintothepolicestationandgaveherselfupforherfather’smurder.Shedidit,shesaid,inorderthatheryoungersistersmightbeabletohavealifeoftheirownbeforeitwastoolate.Litchfieldleftalargefortune.MargaretLitchfieldwasadjudgedinsaneandcommittedtoBroadmoor,butdiedshortlyafterwards.
Ireadcarefully,butwithagrowingbewilderment.FinallyIputthepaperdownandlookedenquiringlyatPoirot.
“Well,monami?”
“IremembertheBradleycase,”Isaidslowly,“Ireadaboutitatthetime.Shewasaverygood-lookingwoman.”
Poirotnodded.
“Butyoumustenlightenme.Whatisallthisabout?”
“Tellmefirstwhatitamountstoinyoureyes.”
Iwasratherpuzzled.
“Whatyougavemewasanaccountoffivedifferentmurders.Theyalloccurredindifferentplacesandamongstdifferentclassesofpeople.Moreoverthereseemsnosuperficialresemblancebetweenthem.Thatistosay,onewasacaseofjealousy,onewasanunhappywifeseekingtogetridofherhusband,anotherhadmoneyforamotive,anotherwas,youmightsay,unselfishinaimsincethemurdererdidnottrytoescapepunishment,andthefifthwasfranklybrutal,probablycommittedundertheinfluenceofdrink.”Ipausedandsaiddoubtfully:“IstheresomethingincommonbetweenthemallthatIhavemissed?”
“No,no,youhavebeenveryaccurateinyoursummingup.Theonlypointthatyoumighthavementioned,butdidnot,wasthefactthatinnoneofthosecasesdidanyrealdoubtexist.”
“Idon’tthinkIunderstand.”
“Mrs.Etherington,forinstance,wasacquitted.Buteverybody,nevertheless,wasquitecertainthatshedidit.FredaClaywasnotopenlyaccused,butnoonethoughtofanyalternativesolutiontothecrime.Riggsstatedthathedidnotrememberkillinghiswifeandherlover,buttherewasneveranyquestionofanybodyelsehavingdoneso.MargaretLitchfieldconfessed.Ineachcase,yousee,Hastings,therewasoneclearsuspectandnoother.”
Iwrinkledmybrow.“Yes,thatistrue—butIdon’tseewhatparticularinferencesyoudrawfromthat.”
“Ah,butyousee,Iamcomingtoafactthatyoudonotknowasyet.Supposing,Hastings,thatineachofthesecasesthatIhaveoutlined,therewasonealiennotecommontothemall?”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Poirotsaidslowly:“Iintend,Hastings,tobeverycarefulinwhatIsay.Letmeputitthisway.Thereisacertainperson—X.InnoneofthesecasesdidX(apparently)haveanymotiveindoingawaywiththevictim.Inonecase,asfarasIhavebeenabletofindout,Xwasactuallytwohundredmilesawaywhenthecrimewascommitted.NeverthelessIwilltellyouthis.XwasonintimatetermswithEtherington,XlivedforatimeinthesamevillageasRiggs,XwasacquaintedwithMrs.Bradley.IhaveasnapofXandFredaClaywalkingtogetherinthestreet,andXwasnearthehousewhenoldMatthewLitchfielddied.Whatdoyousaytothat?”
Istaredathim.Isaidslowly:“Yes,it’sabittoomuch.Coincidencemightaccountfortwocases,oreventhree,butfiveisabittoothick.Theremust,unlikelyasitseems,besomeconnectionbetweenthesedifferentmurders.”
“Youassume,then,whatIhaveassumed?”
“ThatXisthemurderer?Yes.”
“Inthatcase,Hastings,youwillbewillingtogowithmeonestepfarther.Letmetellyouthis.Xisinthishouse.”
“Here?AtStyles?”
“AtStyles.Whatisthelogicalinferencetobedrawnfromthat?”
IknewwhatwascomingasIsaid:“Goon—sayit.”
HerculePoirotsaidgravely:“Amurderwillshortlybecommittedhere—here.”
Three
ForamomentortwoIstaredatPoirotindismay,thenIreacted.
“No,itwon’t,”Isaid.“You’llpreventthat.”
Poirotthrewmeanaffectionateglance.
“Myloyalfriend.HowmuchIappreciateyourfaithinme.Toutdemême,Iamnotsureifitisjustifiedinthiscase.”
“Nonsense.Ofcourseyoucanstopit.”
Poirot’svoicewasgraveashesaid:“Reflectaminute,Hastings.Onecancatchamurderer,yes.Buthowdoesoneproceedtostopamurder?”
“Well,you—you—well,Imean—ifyouknowbeforehand—”
Ipausedratherfeebly—forsuddenlyIsawthedifficulties.
Poirotsaid:“Yousee?Itisnotsosimple.Thereare,infact,onlythreemethods.Thefirstistowarnthevictim.Toputthevictimonhisorherguard.Thatdoesnotalwayssucceed,foritisunbelievablydifficulttoconvincesomepeoplethattheyareingravedanger—possiblyfromsomeonenearanddeartothem.Theyareindignantandrefusetobelieve.Thesecondcourseistowarnthemurderer.Tosay,inlanguagethatisonlyslightlyveiled,‘Iknowyourintentions.Ifso-and-sodies,myfriend,youwillmostsurelyhang.’Thatsucceedsmoreoftenthanthefirstmethod,buteventhereitislikelytofail.Foramurderer,myfriend,ismoreconceitedthananycreatureonthisearth.Amurdererisalwaysmorecleverthananyoneelse—noonewilleversuspecthimorher—thepolicewillbeutterlybaffled,etc.Thereforehe(orshe)goesaheadjustthesame,andallyoucanhaveisthesatisfactionofhangingthemafterwards.”Hepausedandsaidthoughtfully:“TwiceinmylifeIhavewarnedamurderer—onceinEgypt,onceelsewhere.Ineachcase,thecriminalwasdeterminedtokill…Itmaybesohere.”
“Yousaidtherewasathirdmethod,”Iremindedhim.
“Ahyes.Forthatoneneedstheutmostingenuity.Youhavetoguessexactlyhowandwhentheblowistimedtofallandyouhavetobereadytostepinattheexactpsychologicalmoment.Youhavetocatchthemurderer,ifnotquitered-handed,thenguiltyoftheintentionbeyondanypossibledoubt.
“Andthat,myfriend,”wentonPoirot,“is,Icanassureyou,amatterofgreatdifficultyanddelicacy,andIwouldnotforamomentguaranteeitssuccess!Imaybeconceited,butIamnotsoconceitedasthat.”
“Whichmethoddoyouproposetotryhere?”
“Possiblyallthree.Thefirstisthemostdifficult.”
“Why?Ishouldhavethoughtittheeasiest.”
“Yes,ifyouknowtheintendedvictim.Butdoyounotrealize,Hastings,thathereIdonotknowthevictim?”
“What?”
Igaveventtotheexclamationwithoutreflecting.Thenthedifficultiesofthepositionbegantodrawonme.Therewas,theremustbe,somelinkconnectingthisseriesofcrimes,butwedidnotknowwhatthatlinkwas.Themotive,thevitallyimportantmotive,wasmissing.Andwithoutknowingthat,wecouldnottellwhowasthreatened.
PoirotnoddedashesawbymyfacethatIwasrealizingthedifficultiesofthesituation.
“Yousee,myfriend,itisnotsoeasy.”
“No,”Isaid.“Iseethat.Youhavesofarbeenabletofindnoconnectionbetweenthesevaryingcases?”
Poirotshookhishead.“Nothing.”
Ireflectedagain.IntheABCcrimes,wehadtodealwithwhatpurportedtobeanalphabeticalseries,thoughinactualityithadturnedouttobesomethingverydifferent.
Iasked:“Thereis,youarequitesure,nofar-fetchedfinancialmotive—nothing,forinstance,likeyoufoundinthecaseofEvelynCarlisle?”
“No.Youmaybequitesure,mydearHastings,thatfinancialgainisthefirstthingforwhichIlook.”
Thatwastrueenough.Poirothadalwaysbeencompletelycynicalaboutmoney.
Ithoughtagain.Avendettaofsomekind?Thatwasmoreinaccordancewiththefacts.Buteventhere,thereseemedalackofanyconnectinglink.IrecalledastoryIhadreadofaseriesofpurposelessmurders—thecluebeingthatthevictimshadhappenedtoserveasmembersofajury,andthecrimeshadbeencommittedbyamanwhomtheyhadcondemned.Itstruckmethatsomethingofthatkindwouldmeetthiscase.IamashamedtosaythatIkepttheideatomyself.ItwouldhavebeensuchafeatherinmycapifIcouldgotoPoirotwiththesolution.
InsteadIasked:“Andnowtellme,whoisX?”
TomyintenseannoyancePoirotshookhisheadverydecidedly.“That,myfriend,Idonottell.”
“Nonsense.Whynot?”
Poirot’seyestwinkled.“Because,moncher,youarestillthesameoldHastings.Youhavestillthespeakingcountenance.Idonotwish,yousee,thatyoushouldsitstaringatXwithyourmouthhangingopen,yourfacesayingplainly:‘This—thisthatIamlookingat—isamurderer.’”
“Youmightgivemecreditforalittledissimulationatneed.”
“Whenyoutrytodissimulate,itisworse.No,no,monami,wemustbeveryincognito,youandI.Then,whenwepounce,wepounce.”
“Youobstinateolddevil,”Isaid.“I’veagoodmindto—”
Ibrokeoffastherewasataponthedoor.Poirotcalled,“Comein,”andmydaughterJudithentered.
IshouldliketodescribeJudith,butI’vealwaysbeenapoorhandatdescriptions.
Judithistall,sheholdsherheadhigh,shehasleveldarkbrows,andaverylovelylineofcheekandjaw,severeinitsausterity.Sheisgraveandslightlyscornful,andtomymindtherehasalwayshungaboutherasuggestionoftragedy.
Judithdidn’tcomeandkissme—sheisnotthatkind.Shejustsmiledatmeandsaid,“Hullo,Father.”
Hersmilewasshyandalittleembarrassed,butitmademefeelthatinspiteofherundemonstrativenessshewaspleasedtoseeme.
“Well,”Isaid,feelingfoolishasIsooftendowiththeyoungergeneration,“I’vegothere.”
“Verycleverofyou,darling,”saidJudith.
“Idescribetohim,”saidPoirot,“thecooking.”
“Isitverybad?”askedJudith.
“Youshouldnothavetoaskthat,mychild.Isitthatyouthinkofnothingbutthetesttubesandthemicroscopes?Yourmiddlefingeritisstainedwithmethyleneblue.Itisnotagoodthingforyourhusbandifyoutakenointerestinhisstomach.”
“IdaresayIshan’thaveahusband.”
“Certainlyyouwillhaveahusband.WhatdidthebonDieucreateyoufor?”
“Manythings,Ihope,”saidJudith.
“Lemariagefirstofall.”
“Verywell,”saidJudith.“YouwillfindmeanicehusbandandIwilllookafterhisstomachverycarefully.”
“Shelaughsatme,”saidPoirot.“Somedayshewillknowhowwiseoldmenare.”
TherewasanothertaponthedoorandDr.Franklinentered.Hewasatall,angularyoungmanofthirty-five,withadecidedjaw,reddishhair,andbrightblueeyes.HewasthemostungainlymanIhadeverknown,andwasalwaysknockingintothingsinanabsentmindedway.
HecannonedintothescreenroundPoirot’schair,andhalfturninghisheadmurmured“Ibegyourpardon”toitautomatically.
Iwantedtolaugh,butJudith,Inoted,remainedquitegrave.Isupposeshewasquiteusedtothatsortofthing.
“Youremembermyfather,”saidJudith
Dr.Franklinstarted,shiednervously,screweduphiseyesandpeeredatme,thenstuckoutahand,sayingawkwardly:“Ofcourse,ofcourse,howareyou?Iheardyouwerecomingdown.”HeturnedtoJudith.“Isay,doyouthinkweneedchange?Ifnotwemightgoonabitafterdinner.Ifwegotafewmoreofthoseslidesprepared—”
“No,”saidJudith.“Iwanttotalktomyfather.”
“Oh,yes.Oh,ofcourse.”Suddenlyhesmiled,anapologetic,boyishsmile.“Iamsorry—Igetsoawfullywrappedupinathing.It’squiteunpardonable—makesmesoselfish.Doforgiveme.”
TheclockstruckandFranklinglancedatithurriedly.
“GoodLord,isitaslateasthat?Ishallgetintotrouble.PromisedBarbaraI’dreadtoherbeforedinner.”
Hegrinnedatusbothandhurriedout,collidingwiththedoorpostashewent
“HowisMrs.Franklin?”Iasked.
“Thesameandrathermoreso,”saidJudith.
“It’sverysadherbeingsuchaninvalid,”Isaid.
“It’smaddeningforadoctor,”saidJudith.“Doctorslikehealthypeople.”
“Howhardyouyoungpeopleare!”Iexclaimed.
Judithsaidcoldly:“Iwasjuststatingafact.”
“Nevertheless,”saidPoirot,“thegooddoctorhurriestoreadtoher.”
“Verystupid,”saidJudith.“Thatnurseofherscanreadtoherperfectlywellifshewantstobereadto.PersonallyIshouldloatheanyonereadingaloudtome.”
“Well,well,tastesdiffer,”Isaid.
“She’saverystupidwoman,”saidJudith.
“Nowthere,monenfant,”saidPoirot,“Idonotagreewithyou.”
“Sheneverreadsanythingbutthecheapestkindofnovel.Shetakesnointerestinhiswork.Shedoesn’tkeepabreastofcurrentthought.Shejusttalksaboutherhealthtoeveryonewhowilllisten.”
“Istillmaintain,saidPoirot,“thatsheuseshergreycellsinwaysthatyou,mychild,knownothingabout.”
“She’saveryfemininesortofwoman,”saidJudith.“Shecoosandpurrs.Iexpectyoulike’emlikethat,UncleHercule.”
“Notatall,”Isaid.“HelikesthemlargeandflamboyantandRussianforchoice.”
“Sothatishowyougivemeaway,Hastings?Yourfather,Judith,hasalwayshadapenchantforauburnhair.Ithaslandedhimintroublemanyatime.”
Judithsmiledatusbothindulgently.Shesaid:“Whatafunnycoupleyouare.”
SheturnedawayandIrose.
“Imustgetunpacked,andImighthaveabathbeforedinner.”
Poirotpressedalittlebellwithinreachofhishandandaminuteortwolaterhisvaletattendantentered.Iwassurprisedtofindthatthemanwasastranger.
“Why!Where’sGeorge?”
Poirot’svaletGeorgehadbeenwithhimformanyyears.
“Georgehasreturnedtohisfamily.Hisfatherisill.Ihopehewillcomebacktomesometime.Inthemeantime—”hesmiledatthenewvalet—“Curtisslooksafterme.”
Curtisssmiledbackrespectfully.Hewasabigmanwithabovine,ratherstupid,face.
AsIwentoutofthedoorInotedthatPoirotwascarefullylockingupthedespatchcasewiththepapersinsideit.
MymindinawhirlIcrossedthepassagetomyownroom.
Four
Iwentdowntodinnerthatnightfeelingthatthewholeoflifehadbecomesuddenlyunreal.
Onceortwice,whiledressing,IhadaskedmyselfifpossiblyPoirothadimaginedthewholething.Afterall,thedearoldchapwasanoldmannowandsadlybrokeninhealth.Hehimselfmightdeclarehisbrainwasassoundasever—butinpointoffact,wasit?Hiswholelifehadbeenspentintrackingdowncrime.Woulditreallybesurprisingif,intheend,hewastofancycrimeswherenocrimeswere?Hisenforcedinactionmusthavefrettedhimsorely.Whatmorelikelythanthatheshouldinventforhimselfanewmanhunt?Wishfulthinking—aperfectlyreasonableneurosis.Hehadselectedanumberofpubliclyreportedhappenings,andhadreadintothemsomethingthatwasnotthere—ashadowyfigurebehindthem,amadmassmurderer.InallprobabilityMrs.Etheringtonhadreallykilledherhusband,thelabourerhadshothiswife,ayoungwomanhadgivenheroldauntanoverdoseofmorphia,ajealouswifehadpolishedoffherhusbandasshehadthreatenedtodo,andacrazyspinsterhadreallycommittedthemurderforwhichshehadsubsequentlygivenherselfup.Infactthesecrimeswereexactlywhattheyseemed!
Againstthatview(surelythecommonsenseone)IcouldonlysetmyowninherentbeliefinPoirot’sacumen.
Poirotsaidthatamurderhadbeenarranged.ForthesecondtimeStyleswastohouseacrime.
Timewouldproveordisprovethatassertion,butifitweretrue,itbehovedustoforestallthathappening.
AndPoirotknewtheidentityofthemurdererwhichIdidnot.
ThemoreIthoughtaboutthat,themoreannoyedIbecame!Really,frankly,itwasdamnedcheekofPoirot!Hewantedmycooperationandyetherefusedtotakemeintohisconfidence!
Why?Therewasthereasonhegave—surelyamostinadequateone!Iwastiredofthissillyjokingaboutmy“speakingcountenance.”Icouldkeepasecretaswellasanyone.PoirothadalwayspersistedinthehumiliatingbeliefthatIamatransparentcharacterandthatanyonecanreadwhatispassinginmymind.Hetriestosoftentheblowsometimesbyattributingittomybeautifulandhonestcharacterwhichabhorsallformofdeceit!
Ofcourse,Ireflected,ifthewholethingwasachimeraofPoirot’simagination,hisreticencewaseasilyexplained
Ihadcometonoconclusionbythetimethegongsounded,andIwentdowntodinnerwithanopenmind,butwithanalerteye,forthedetectionofPoirot’smythicalX.
ForthemomentIwouldaccepteverythingthatPoirothadsaidasgospeltruth.Therewasapersonunderthisroofwhohadalreadykilledfivetimesandwhowaspreparingtokillagain.Whowasit?
InthedrawingroombeforewewentintodinnerIwasintroducedtoMissColeandMajorAllerton.Theformerwasatall,stillhandsomewomanofthirty-threeorfour.MajorAllertonIinstinctivelydisliked.Hewasagood-lookingmanintheearlyforties,broad-shouldered,bronzedofface,withaneasywayoftalking,mostofwhathesaidholdingadoubleimplication.Hehadthepouchesunderhiseyesthatcomewithadissipatedwayoflife.Isuspectedhimofracketingaround,ofgambling,ofdrinkinghard,andofbeingfirstandlastawomanizer.
OldColonelLuttrell,Isaw,didnotmuchlikehimeither,andBoydCarringtonwasalsoratherstiffinhismannertowardshim.Allerton’ssuccesswaswiththewomenoftheparty.Mrs.Luttrelltwitteredtohimdelightedly,whilstheflatteredherlazilyandwithahardlyconcealedimpertinence.IwasalsoannoyedtoseethatJudith,too,seemedtoenjoyhiscompanyandwasexertingherselffarmorethanusualtotalktohim.Whytheworsttypeofmancanalwaysbereliedupontopleaseandinterestthenicestofwomenhaslongbeenaproblembeyondme.IknewinstinctivelythatAllertonwasarotter—andninemenoutoftenwouldhaveagreedwithme.Whereasninewomenorpossiblythewholetenwouldhavefallenforhimimmediately.
Aswesatdownatthedinnertableandplatesofwhiteglueyliquidweresetbeforeus,IletmyeyesroveroundthetablewhilstIsummedupthepossibilities.
IfPoirotwereright,andretainedhisclearnessofbrainunimpaired,oneofthesepeoplewasadangerousmurderer—andprobablyalunaticaswell.
Poirothadnotactuallysaidso,butIpresumedthatXwasprobablyaman.Whichofthesemenwasitlikelytobe?
SurelynotoldColonelLuttrell,withhisindecision,andhisgeneralairoffeebleness.Norton,themanIhadmetrushingoutofthehousewithfieldglasses?Itseemedunlikely.Heappearedtobeapleasantfellow,ratherineffectiveandlackinginvitality.Ofcourse,Itoldmyself,manymurderershavebeensmallinsignificantmen—driventoassertthemselvesbycrimeforthatveryreason.Theyresentedbeingpassedoverandignored.Nortonmightbeamurdererofthistype.Buttherewashisfondnessforbirds.Ihavealwaysbelievedthataloveofnaturewasessentiallyahealthysigninaman.
BoydCarrington?Outofthequestion.Amanwithanameknownallovertheworld.Afinesportsman,anadministrator,amanuniversallylikedandlookedupto.FranklinIalsodismissed.IknewhowJudithrespectedandadmiredhim.
MajorAllertonnow.Idweltonhimappraisingly.AnastyfellowifIeversawone!Thesortoffellowwhowouldskinhisgrandmother.Andallglossedoverwiththissuperficialcharmofmanner.Hewastalkingnow—tellingastoryofhisowndiscomfitureandmakingeverybodylaughwithhisruefulappreciationofajokeathisexpense.
IfAllertonwasX,Idecided,hiscrimeshadbeencommittedforprofitinsomeway.
ItwastruethatPoirothadnotdefinitelysaidthatXwasaman.IconsideredMissColeasapossibility.Hermovementswererestlessandjerky—obviouslyawomanofnerves.Handsomeinahag-riddenkindofway.Still,shelookednormalenough.She,Mrs.LuttrellandJudithweretheonlywomenatthedinnertable.Mrs.Franklinwashavingdinnerupstairsinherroom,andthenursewhoattendedtoherhadhermealsafterus.
AfterdinnerIwasstandingbythedrawingroomwindowlookingoutintothegardenandthinkingbacktothetimewhenIhadseenCynthiaMurdoch,ayounggirlwithauburnhair,runacrossthatlawn.Howcharmingshehadlookedinherwhiteoverall….
Lostinthoughtsofthepast,IstartedwhenJudithpassedherarmthroughmineandledmewithheroutofthewindowontotheterrace.
Shesaidabruptly:“What’sthematter?”
Iwasstartled.“Thematter?Whatdoyoumean?”
“You’vebeensoqueerallthroughtheevening.Whywereyoustaringateveryoneatdinner?”
Iwasannoyed.IhadhadnoideaIhadallowedmythoughtssomuchswayoverme.
“WasI?IsupposeIwasthinkingofthepast.Seeingghostsperhaps.”
“Oh,yes,ofcourseyoustayedhere,didn’tyou,whenyouwereayoungman?Anoldladywasmurderedhere,orsomething?”
“Poisonedwithstrychnine.”
“Whatwasshelike?Niceornasty?”
Iconsideredthequestion.
“Shewasaverykindwoman,”Isaidslowly.“Generous.Gavealottocharity.”
“Oh,thatkindofgenerosity.”
Judith’svoicesoundedfaintlyscornful.Thensheaskedacuriousquestion:“Werepeople—happyhere?”
No,theyhadnotbeenhappy.That,atleast,Iknew.Isaidslowly:“No.”
“Whynot?”
“Becausetheyfeltlikeprisoners.Mrs.Inglethorp,yousee,hadallthemoney—and—doleditout.Herstepchildrencouldhavenolifeoftheirown.”
IheardJudithtakeasharpbreath.Thehandonmyarmtightened.
“That’swicked—wicked.Anabuseofpower.Itshouldn’tbeallowed.Oldpeople,sickpeople,theyshouldn’thavethepowertoholdupthelivesoftheyoungandstrong.Tokeepthemtieddown,fretting,wastingtheirpowerandenergythatcouldbeused—that’sneeded.It’sjustselfishness.”
“Theold,”Isaiddrily,“havenotgotamonopolyofthatquality.”
“Oh,Iknow,Father,youthinktheyoungareselfish.Soweare,perhaps,butit’sacleanselfishness.Atleastweonlywanttodowhatwewantourselves,wedon’twanteverybodyelsetodowhatwewant,wedon’twanttomakeslavesofotherpeople.”
“No,youjusttramplethemdowniftheyhappentobeinyourway.”
Judithsqueezedmyarm.Shesaid:“Don’tbesobitter!Idon’treallydomuchtrampling—andyou’venevertriedtodictateourlivestoanyofus.Wearegratefulforthat.”
“I’mafraid,”Isaidhonestly,“thatI’dhavelikedto,though.Itwasyourmotherwhoinsistedyoushouldbeallowedtomakeyourownmistakes.”
Judithgavemyarmanotherquicksqueeze.Shesaid:“Iknow.You’dhavelikedtofussoveruslikeahen!Idohatefuss.Iwon’tstandit.Butyoudoagreewithme,don’tyou,aboutusefullivesbeingsacrificedtouselessones?”
“Itdoessometimeshappen,”Iadmitted.“Butthere’snoneedfordrasticmeasures…It’suptoanybodyjusttowalkout,youknow.”
“Yes,butisit?Isit?”
HertonewassovehementthatIlookedatherinsomeastonishment.Itwastoodarktoseeherfaceclearly.Shewenton,hervoicelowandtroubled:“There’ssomuch—it’sdifficult—financialconsiderations,asenseofresponsibility,reluctancetohurtsomeoneyou’vebeenfondof—allthosethings,andsomepeoplearesounscrupulous—theyknowjusthowtoplayonallthosefeelings.Somepeople—somepeoplearelikeleeches!”
“MydearJudith,”Iexclaimed,takenabackbythepositivefuryofhertone.
Sheseemedtorealizethatshehadbeenovervehement,forshelaughed,andwithdrewherarmfrommine.
“WasIsoundingveryintense?It’samatterIfeelratherhotlyabout.Yousee,I’veknownacase…Anoldbrute.Andwhensomeonewasbraveenoughto—tocuttheknotandsetthepeopleshelovedfree,theycalledhermad.Mad?Itwasthesanestthinganyonecoulddo—andthebravest!”
Ahorriblequalmpassedoverme.Where,notlongago,hadIheardsomethinglikethat?
“Judith,”Isaidsharply.“Ofwhatcaseareyoutalking?”
“Oh,nobodyyouknow.SomefriendsoftheFranklins.OldmancalledLitchfield.Hewasquiterichandpracticallystarvedhiswretcheddaughters—neverletthemseeanyone,orgoout.Hewasmadreally,butnotsufficientlysointhemedicalsense.”
“Andtheeldestdaughtermurderedhim,”Isaid.
“Oh,Iexpectyoureadaboutit?Isupposeyouwouldcallitmurder—butitwasn’tdonefrompersonalmotives.MargaretLitchfieldwentstraighttothepoliceandgaveherselfup.Ithinkshewasverybrave.Iwouldn’thavehadthecourage.”
“Thecouragetogiveyourselfuporthecouragetocommitmurder?”
“Both.”
“I’mverygladtohearit,”Isaidseverely,“andIdon’tliketohearyoutalkingofmurderasjustifiedincertaincases.”Ipaused,andadded:“WhatdidDr.Franklinthink?”
“Thoughtitservedhimright,”saidJudith.“Youknow,Father,somepeoplereallyasktobemurdered.”
“Iwon’thaveyoutalkinglikethis,Judith.Who’sbeenputtingtheseideasintoyourhead?”
“Nobody.”
“Well,letmetellyouthatit’sallperniciousnonsense.”
“Isee.We’llleaveitatthat.”Shepaused.“IcamereallytogiveyouamessagefromMrs.Franklin.She’dliketoseeyouifyoudon’tmindcominguptoherbedroom.”
“Ishallbedelighted.I’msosorryshewasfeelingtooilltocomedowntodinner.”
“She’sallright,”saidJudithunfeelingly.“Shejustlikesmakingafuss.”
Theyoungareveryunsympathetic.
Five
IhadonlymetMrs.Franklinoncebefore.Shewasawomanaboutthirty—ofwhatIshoulddescribeasthemadonnatype.Bigbrowneyes,hairpartedinthecentre,andalonggentleface.Shewasveryslenderandherskinhadatransparentfragility.
Shewaslyingonadaybed,proppedupwithpillows,andwearingaverydaintynegligeeofwhiteandpaleblue.
FranklinandBoydCarringtonweretheredrinkingcoffee.Mrs.Franklinwelcomedmewithanoutstretchedhandandasmile.
“HowgladIamyou’vecome,CaptainHastings.ItwillbesoniceforJudith.Thechildhasreallybeenworkingfartoohard.”
“Shelooksverywellonit,”IsaidasItookthefragilelittlehandinmine.
BarbaraFranklinsighed.“Yes,she’slucky.HowIenvyher.Idon’tbelievereallythatsheknowswhatillhealthis.Whatdoyouthink,Nurse?Oh!Letmeintroduceyou.ThisisNurseCravenwho’ssoterribly,terriblygoodtome.Idon’tknowwhatIshoulddowithouther.Shetreatsmejustlikeababy.”
NurseCravenwasatall,good-lookingyoungwomanwithafinecolourandahandsomeheadofauburnhair.Inoticedherhandswhichwerelongandwhite—verydifferentfromthehandsofsomanyhospitalnurses.Shewasinsomerespectsataciturngirl,andsometimesdidnotanswer.Shedidnotnow,merelyinclinedherhead.
“Butreally,”wentonMrs.Franklin,“Johnhasbeenworkingthatwretchedgirlofyourstoohard.He’ssuchaslavedriver.Youareaslavedriver,aren’tyou,John?”
Herhusbandwasstandinglookingoutofthewindow.Hewaswhistlingtohimselfandjinglingsomeloosechangeinhispocket.Hestartedslightlyathiswife’squestion.
“What’sthat,Barbara?”
“IwassayingthatyouoverworkpoorJudithHastingsshamefully.NowCaptainHastingsishere,heandIaregoingtoputourheadstogetherandwe’renotgoingtoallowit.”
PersiflagewasnotDr.Franklin’sstrongpoint.HelookedvaguelyworriedandturnedtoJudithenquiringly.Hemumbled:“YoumustletmeknowifIoverdoit.”
Judithsaid:“They’rejusttryingtobefunny.Talkingofwork,Iwantedtoaskyouaboutthatstainforthesecondslide—youknow,theonethat—”
Heturnedtohereagerlyandbrokein.“Yes,yes.Isay,ifyoudon’tmind,let’sgodowntothelab.I’dliketobequitesure—”
Stilltalking,theywentoutoftheroomtogether.
BarbaraFranklinlaybackonherpillows.Shesighed.NurseCravensaidsuddenlyandratherdisagreeably:“It’sMissHastingswho’stheslavedriver,Ithink!”
AgainMrs.Franklinsighed.Shemurmured:“Ifeelsoinadequate.Iought,Iknow,totakemoreinterestinJohn’swork,butIjustcan’tdoit.Idaresayit’ssomethingwronginme,but—”
ShewasinterruptedbyasnortfromBoydCarringtonwhowasstandingbythefireplace.
“Nonsense,Babs,”hesaid.“You’reallright.Don’tworryyourself.”
“Ohbut,Bill,dear,Idoworry.Igetsodiscouragedaboutmyself.It’sall—Ican’thelpfeelingit—it’sallsonasty.Theguineapigsandtheratsandeverything.Ugh!”Sheshuddered.“Iknowit’sstupid,butI’msuchafool.Itmakesmefeelquitesick.Ijustwanttothinkofallthelovelyhappythings—birdsandflowersandchildrenplaying.Youknow,Bill.”
Hecameoverandtookthehandsheheldouttohimsopleadingly.Hisfaceashelookeddownatherwaschanged,asgentleasanywoman’s.Itwas,somehow,impressive—forBoydCarringtonwassoessentiallyamanlyman.
“You’venotchangedmuchsinceyouwereseventeen,Babs,”hesaid.“Doyourememberthatgardenhouseofyoursandthebirdbathandthecoconuts?”
Heturnedhisheadtome.“BarbaraandIareoldplaymates,”hesaid.
“Oldplaymates!”sheprotested.
“Oh,I’mnotdenyingthatyou’reoverfifteenyearsyoungerthanIam.ButIplayedwithyouasatinytotwhenIwasayoungman.Gaveyoupick-a-backs,mydear.AndthenlaterIcamehometofindyouabeautifulyounglady—justonthepointofmakingyourdébutintheworld—andIdidmysharebytakingyououtonthegolflinksandteachingyoutoplaygolf.Doyouremember?”
“Oh,Bill,doyouthinkI’dforget?”
“Mypeopleusedtoliveinthispartoftheworld,”sheexplainedtome.“AndBillusedtocomeandstaywithhisolduncle,SirEverard,atKnatton.”
“Andwhatamausoleumitwas—andis,”saidBoydCarrington.“SometimesIdespairofgettingtheplaceliveable.”
“Oh,Bill,itcouldbemademarvellous—quitemarvellous!”
“Yes,Babs,butthetroubleisI’vegotnoideas.Bathsandsomereallycomfortablechairs—that’sallIcanthinkof.Itneedsawoman.”
“I’vetoldyouI’llcomeandhelp.Imeanit.Really.”
SirWilliamlookeddoubtfullytowardsNurseCraven.
“Ifyou’restrongenough,Icoulddriveyouover.Whatdoyouthink,Nurse?”
“Ohyes,SirWilliam.IreallythinkitwoulddoMrs.Franklingood—ifshe’scarefulnottoovertireherself,ofcourse.”
“That’sadate,then,”saidBoydCarrington.“Andnowyouhaveagoodnight’ssleep.Getintogoodfettlefortomorrow.”
WebothwishedMrs.Franklingoodnightandwentouttogether.Aswewentdownthestairs,BoydCarringtonsaidgruffly:“You’venoideawhatalovelycreatureshewasatseventeen.IwashomefromBurma—mywifediedoutthere,youknow.Don’tmindtellingyouIcompletelylostmyhearttoher.ShemarriedFranklinthreeorfouryearsafterwards.Don’tthinkit’sbeenahappymarriage.It’smyideathatthat’swhatliesatthebottomofherillhealth.Fellowdoesn’tunderstandherorappreciateher.Andshe’sthesensitivekind.I’veanideathatthisdelicacyofhersispartlynervous.Takeheroutofherself,amuseher,interesther,andshelooksadifferentcreature!ButthatdamnedsawbonesonlytakesaninterestintesttubesandWestAfricannativesandcultures.”Hesnortedangrily.
Ithoughtthattherewas,perhaps,somethinginwhathesaid.YetitsurprisedmethatBoydCarringtonshouldbeattractedbyMrs.Franklinwho,whenallwassaidanddone,wasasicklycreature,thoughprettyinafrail,chocolate-boxway.ButBoydCarringtonhimselfwassofullofvitalityandlifethatIshouldhavethoughthewouldmerelyhavebeenimpatientwiththeneurotictypeofinvalid.However,BarbaraFranklinmusthavebeenquitelovelyasagirl,andwithmanymen,especiallythoseoftheidealistictypesuchasIjudgedBoydCarringtontobe,earlyimpressionsdiehard.
Downstairs,Mrs.Luttrellpounceduponusandsuggestedbridge.IexcusedmyselfonthepleaofwantingtojoinPoirot.
Ifoundmyfriendinbed.Curtisswasmovingaroundtheroomtidyingup,buthepresentlywentout,shuttingthedoorbehindhim.
“Confoundyou,Poirot,”Isaid.“Youandyourinfernalhabitofkeepingthingsupyoursleeve.I’vespentthewholeeveningtryingtospotX.”
“Thatmusthavemadeyousomewhatdistrait,”observedmyfriend.“Didnobodycommentonyourabstractionandaskyouwhatwasthematter?”
Ireddenedslightly,rememberingJudith’squestions.Poirot,Ithink,observedmydiscomfiture.Inoticedasmallmalicioussmileonhislips.Hemerelysaid,however:“Andwhatconclusionhaveyoucometoonthatpoint?”
“WouldyoutellmeifIwasright?”
“Certainlynot.”
Iwatchedhisfaceclosely.
“IhadconsideredNorton—”
Poirot’sfacedidnotchange.
“Not,”Isaid,“thatI’veanythingtogoupon.Hejuststruckmeasperhapslessunlikelythananyoneelse.Andthenhe’s—well—inconspicuous.Ishouldimaginethekindofmurdererwe’reafterwouldhavetobeinconspicuous.”
“Thatistrue.Buttherearemorewaysthanyouthinkofbeinginconspicuous.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Supposing,totakeahypotheticalcase,thatifasinisterstrangerarrivestheresomeweeksbeforethemurder,fornoapparentreason,hewillbenoticeable.Itwouldbebetter,woulditnot,ifthestrangerweretobeanegligiblepersonality,engagedinsomeharmlesssportlikefishing.”
“Orwatchingbirds,”Iagreed.“Yes,butthat’sjustwhatIwassaying.”
“Ontheotherhand,”saidPoirot,“itmightbebetterstillifthemurdererwerealreadyaprominentpersonality—thatistosay,hemightbethebutcher.Thatwouldhavethefurtheradvantagethatnoonenoticesbloodstainsonabutcher!”
“You’rejustbeingridiculous.Everybodywouldknowifthebutcherhadquarrelledwiththebaker.”
“Notifthebutcherhadbecomeabutchersimplyinordertohaveachanceofmurderingthebaker.Onemustalwayslookonestepbehind,myfriend.”
Ilookedathimclosely,tryingtodecideifahintlayconcealedinthosewords.Iftheymeantanythingdefinite,theywouldseemtopointtoColonelLuttrell.Hadhedeliberatelyopenedaguesthouseinordertohaveanopportunityofmurderingoneoftheguests?
Poirotverygentlyshookhishead.Hesaid:“Itisnotfrommyfacethatyouwillgettheanswer.”
“Youreallyareamaddeningfellow,Poirot,”Isaidwithasigh.“Anyway,Nortonisn’tmyonlysuspect.WhataboutthisfellowAllerton?”
Poirot,hisfacestillimpassive,enquired:“Youdonotlikehim?”
“No,Idon’t.”
“Ah.Whatyoucallthenastybitofgoods.Thatisright,isitnot?”
“Definitely.Don’tyouthinkso?”
“Certainly.Heisaman,”saidPoirotslowly,“veryattractivetowomen.”
Imadeanexclamationofcontempt.“Howwomencanbesofoolish.Whatdotheyseeinafellowlikethat?”
“Whocansay?Butitisalwaysso.Themauvaissujet—alwayswomenareattractedtohim.”
“Butwhy?”
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.“Theyseesomething,perhaps,thatwedonot.”
“Butwhat?”
“Danger,possibly…Everyone,myfriend,demandsaspiceofdangerintheirlives.Somegetitvicariously—asinbullfights.Somereadaboutit.Somefinditatthecinema.ButIamsureofthis—toomuchsafetyisabhorrenttothenatureofahumanbeing.Menfinddangerinmanyways—womenarereducedtofindingtheirdangermostlyinaffairsofsex.Thatiswhy,perhaps,theywelcomethehintofthetiger—thesheathedclaws,thetreacherousspring.Theexcellentfellowwhowillmakeagoodandkindhusband—theypasshimby.”
Iconsideredthisgloomilyinsilenceforsomeminutes.ThenIrevertedtotheprevioustheme.
“Youknow,Poirot,”Isaid.“ItwillbeeasyenoughreallyformetofindoutwhoXis.I’veonlygottopokeaboutandfindwhowasacquaintedwithallthepeople.Imeanthepeopleofyourfivecases.”
Ibroughtthisouttriumphantly,butPoirotmerelygavemealookofscorn.
“Ihavenotdemandedyourpresencehere,Hastings,inordertowatchyouclumsilyandlaboriouslyfollowingthewayIhavealreadytrodden.Andletmetellyouitisnotquitesosimpleasyouthink.Fourofthosecasestookplaceinthiscounty.Thepeopleassembledunderthisroofarenotacollectionofstrangerswhohavearrivedhereindependently.Thisisnotahotelintheusualsenseoftheword.TheLuttrellscomefromthispartoftheworld;theywerebadlyoffandboughtthisplaceandstarteditasaventure.Thepeoplewhocomeherearetheirfriends,orfriendsrecommendedbytheirfriends.SirWilliampersuadedtheFranklinstocome.TheyinturnsuggestedittoNorton,and,Ibelieve,toMissCole—andsoon.Whichistosaythatthereisaveryfairchanceofacertainpersonwhoisknowntooneofthesepeoplebeingknowntoallofthesepeople.ItisalsoopentoXtoliewhereverthefactsarebestknown.TakethecaseofthelabourerRiggs.ThevillagewherethattragedyoccurredisnotfarfromthehouseofBoydCarrington’suncle.Mrs.Franklin’speople,also,livednear.Theinninthevillageismuchfrequentedbytourists.SomeofMrs.Franklin’sfamilyfriendsusedtoputupthere.Franklinhimselfhasstayedthere.NortonandMissColemayhavestayedthereandprobablyhave.
“No,no,myfriend.IbegthatyouwillnotmaketheseclumsyattemptstounravelasecretthatIrefusetorevealtoyou.”
“It’ssodamnedsilly.AsthoughIshouldbelikelytogiveitaway.Itellyou,Poirot,I’mtiredofthesejokesaboutmyspeakingcountenance.It’snotfunny.”
Poirotsaidquietly:“Areyousosurethatistheonlyreason?Doyounotrealize,myfriend,thatsuchknowledgemaybedangerous?DoyounotseethatIconcernmyselfwithyoursafety?”
Istaredathimopenmouthed.UptillthatminuteIhadnotappreciatedthataspectofthematter.Butitwas,ofcourse,trueenough.Ifacleverandresourcefulmurdererwhohadalreadygotawaywithfivecrimes—unsuspectedashethought—onceawoketothefactthatsomeonewasonhistrail,thenindeedtherewasdangerforthoseonhistrack.
Isaidsharply:“Butthenyou—youyourselfareindanger,Poirot?”
Poirot,asfarashewasabletoinhiscrippledstate,madeagestureofsupremedisdain.
“Iamaccustomedtothat;Icanprotectmyself.Andsee,haveInotheremyfaithfuldogtoprotectmealso?MyexcellentandloyalHastings!”
Six
Poirotwassupposedtokeepearlyhours.Ilefthimthereforetogotosleepandwentdownstairs,pausingtohaveafewwordswiththeattendantCurtissontheway.
Ifoundhimastolidindividual,slowintheuptake,buttrustworthyandcompetent.HehadbeenwithPoirotsincethelatter’sreturnfromEgypt.Hismaster’shealth,hetoldme,wasfairlygood,butheoccasionallyhadalarmingheartattacks,andhisheartwasmuchweakenedinthelastfewmonths.Itwasacaseoftheengineslowlyfailing.
Ohwell,ithadbeenagoodlife.Neverthelessmyheartwaswrungformyoldfriendwhowasfightingsogallantlyeverystepofthedownwardway.Evennow,crippledandweak,hisindomitablespiritwasstillleadinghimtoplythecraftatwhichhewassoexpert.
Iwentdownstairssadatheart.IcouldhardlyimaginelifewithoutPoirot..
Arubberwasjustfinishedinthedrawingroom,andIwasinvitedtocutin.IthoughtitmightservetodistractmymindandIaccepted.BoydCarringtonwastheonetocutout,andIsatdownwithNortonandColonelandMrs.Luttrell
“Whatdoyousaynow,Mr.Norton,”saidMrs.Luttrell.“ShallyouandItaketheothertwoon?Ourlatepartnership’sbeenverysuccessful.”
Nortonsmiledpleasantly,butmurmuredthatperhaps,really,theyoughttocut—what?
Mrs.Luttrellassented,butwithratheranill-grace,Ithought.
NortonandIcuttogetheragainsttheLuttrells.InoticedthatMrs.Luttrellwasdefinitelydispleasedbythis.ShebitherlipandhercharmandIrishbroguedisappearedcompletelyforthemoment.
Isoonfoundoutwhy.IplayedonmanyfutureoccasionswithColonelLuttrell,andhewasnotreallysuchabadplayer.HewaswhatIshoulddescribeasamoderateplayer,butinclinedtobeforgetful.Everynowandthenhewouldmakesomereallybadmistakeowingtothis.Butplayingwithhiswifehemademistakeaftermistakewithoutceasing.Hewasobviouslynervousofher,andthiscausedhimtoplayaboutthreetimesasbadlyaswasnormal.Mrs.Luttrellwasaverygoodplayerindeed,thougharatherunpleasantonetoplaywith.Shesnatchedeveryconceivableadvantage,ignoredtherulesifheradversarywasunawareofthem,andenforcedthemimmediatelywhentheyservedher.Shewasalsoextremelyadeptataquicksidewaysglanceintoheropponent’shands.Inotherwords,sheplayedtowin.
AndIunderstoodsoonenoughwhatPoirothadmeantbyvinegar.Atcardsherself-restraintfailed,andhertonguelashedeverymistakeherwretchedhusbandmade.ItwasreallymostuncomfortableforbothNortonandmyself,andIwasthankfulwhentherubbercametoanend.
Webothexcusedourselvesfromplayinganotheronthescoreofthelatenessofthehour.
Aswemovedaway,Nortonratherincautiouslygavewaytohisfeelings.
“Isay,Hastings,thatwasprettyghastly.Itgetsmybackuptoseethatpooroldboybulliedlikethat.Andthemeekwayhetakesit!Poorchap.Notmuchofthepeppery-tonguedIndianColonelabouthim.”
“Ssh,”Iwarnedhim,forNorton’svoicehadbeenincautiouslyraisedandIwasafraidoldColonelLuttrellwouldoverhear.
“No,butitistoobad.”
Isaidwithfeeling:“Ishallunderstanditifheevertakesahatchettoher.”
Nortonshookhishead.“Hewon’t.Theiron’senteredhissoul.He’llgoon:‘Yes,m’dear,no,m’dear,sorry,m’dear,’pullingathismoustacheandbleatingmeeklyuntilhe’sputinhiscoffin.Hecouldn’tasserthimselfifhetried!”
Ishookmyheadsadly,forIwasafraidNortonwasright.
WepausedinthehallandInoticedthatthesidedoortothegardenwasopenandthewindblowingin.
“Oughtwetoshutthat?”Iasked.
Nortonhesitatedaminutebeforesaying:“Well—er—Idon’tthinkeverybody’sinyet.”
Asuddensuspiciondartedthroughmymind.
“Who’sout?”
“Yourdaughter,Ithink—and—er—Allerton.”
Hetriedtomakehisvoiceextracasual,buttheinformationcomingontopofmyconversationwithPoirotmademefeelsuddenlyuneasy.
Judith—andAllerton.SurelyJudith,myclever,coolJudith,wouldnotbetakeninbyamanofthattype?Surelyshewouldseethroughhim?
ItoldmyselfthatrepeatedlyasIundressed,butthevagueuneasinesspersisted.Icouldnotsleepandlaytossingfromsidetoside.
Asisthewaywithnightworries,everythinggetsexaggerated.Afreshsenseofdespairandlosssweptoverme.Ifonlymydearwifewerealive.SheonwhosejudgementIhadreliedforsomanyyears.Shehadalwaysbeenwiseandunderstandingaboutthechildren.
WithoutherIfeltmiserablyinadequate.Theresponsibilityfortheirsafetyandhappinesswasmine.WouldIbeequaltothattask?Iwasnot,Heavenhelpme,acleverman.Iblundered—mademistakes.IfJudithwastoruinherchancesofhappiness,ifsheweretosuffer—
DesperatelyIswitchedthelightonandsatup.
Itwasnogoodgoingonlikethis.Imustgetsomesleep.GettingoutofbedIwalkedovertothewashbasinandlookeddoubtfullyatabottleofaspirintablets.
No,Ineededsomethingstrongerthanaspirin.IreflectedthatPoirot,probably,wouldhavesomesleepingstuffofsomekind.Icrossedthepassagetohisroomandstoodhesitatingaminuteoutsidethedoor.Ratherashametowaketheoldboyup.
AsIhesitatedIheardafootfallandlookedround.Allertonwascomingalongthecorridortowardsme.Itwasdimlylit,anduntilhecamenearIcouldnotseehisface,andwonderedforaminutewhoitwas.ThenIsaw,andstiffenedallover.Forthemanwassmilingtohimself,andIdislikedthatsmileverymuch.
Helookedupandraisedhiseyebrows.“Hullo,Hastings,stillabout?”
“Icouldn’tsleep,”Isaidshortly.
“Isthatall?I’llsoonfixyouup.Comewithme.”
Ifollowedhimintohisroom,whichwasthenextonetomine.AstrangefascinationdrovemetostudythismanascloselyasIcould.
“Youkeeplatehoursyourself,”Iremarked.
“I’veneverbeenanearlybed-goer.Notwhenthere’ssportabroad.Thesefineeveningsaren’tmadetobewasted.”
Helaughed—andIdislikedthelaugh.
Ifollowedhimintothebathroom.Heopenedalittlecupboardandtookoutabottleoftablets.
“Hereyouare.Thisistherealdope.You’llsleeplikealog—andhavepleasantdreamstoo.WonderfulstuffSlumberyl—that’sthepatentnameforit.”
Theenthusiasminhisvoicegavemeaslightshock.Washeadrugtakeraswell?Isaiddoubtfully:“Itisn’t—dangerous?”
“Itisifyoutaketoomuchofit.It’soneofthebarbiturates—whosetoxicdoseisveryneartheeffectiveone.”Hesmiled,thecornersofhismouthslidinguphisfaceinanunpleasantway.
“Ishouldn’thavethoughtyoucouldgetitwithoutadoctor’sprescription,”Isaid.
“Youcan’t,oldboy.Anyway,quiteliterally,youcan’t.I’vegotapullinthatline.”
Isupposeitwasfoolishofme,butIgettheseimpulses.Isaid:“YouknewEtherington,Ithink?”
AtonceIknewthatithadstruckanoteofsomekind.Hiseyesgrewhardandwary.Hesaid—andhisvoicehadchanged—itwaslightandartificial:“Ohyes—IknewEtherington.Poorchap.”Then,asIdidnotspeak,hewenton:“Etheringtontookdrugs—ofcourse—butheoverdidit.One’sgottoknowwhentostop.Hedidn’t.Badbusiness.Thatwifeofhiswaslucky.Ifthesympathyofthejuryhadn’tbeenwithher,she’dhavehanged.”
Hepassedmeoveracoupleofthetablets.Thenhesaidcasually:“DidyouknowEtheringtonaswell?”
Iansweredwiththetruth.“No.”
Heseemedforamomentatalosshowtoproceed.Thenheturneditoffwithalightlaugh.
“Funnychap.NotexactlyaSundayschoolcharacterbuthewasgoodcompanysometimes.”
Ithankedhimforthetabletsandwentbacktomyroom.
AsIlaydownagainandturnedoffthelightsIwonderedifIhadbeenfoolish
ForitcametomeverystronglythatAllertonwasalmostcertainlyX.AndIhadlethimseethatIsuspectedthefact
Seven
I
MynarrativeofthedaysspentatStylesmustnecessarilybesomewhatrambling.Inmyrecollectionofit,itpresentsitselftomeasaseriesofconversations—ofsuggestivewordsandphrasesthatetchedthemselvesintomyconsciousness.
Firstofall,andveryearlyon,therecametherealizationofHerculePoirot’sinfirmityandhelplessness.Ididbelieve,ashehadsaid,thathisbrainstillfunctionedwithallitsoldkeenness,butthephysicalenvelopehadwornsothinthatIrealizedatoncethatmypartwasdestinedtobeafarmoreactiveonethanusual.Ihadtobe,asit
True,everyfinedayCurtisswouldpickuphismasterandcarryhimcarefullydownstairstowherehischairhadbeencarrieddownbeforehandandwasawaitinghim.ThenhewouldwheelPoirotoutintothegardenandselectaspotthatwasfreeofdraughts.Onotherdays,whentheweatherwasnotpropitious,hewouldbecarriedtothedrawingroom.
Whereverhemightbe,someoneorotherwassuretocomeandsitwithhimandtalk,butthiswasnotthesamethingasifPoirotcouldhaveselectedforhimselfhispartnerinthetête-à-tête.Hecouldnolongersingleoutthepersonhewantedtotalkto.
OnthedayaftermyarrivalIwastakenbyFranklintoanoldstudiointhegardenwhichhadbeenfittedupinaroughandreadyfashionforscientificpurposes.
LetmemakeclearhereandnowthatImyselfhavenotgotthescientificmind.InmyaccountofDr.Franklin’sworkIshallprobablyuseallthewrongtermsandarousethescornofthoseproperlyinstructedinsuchmatters.
AsfarasI,amerelayman,couldmakeout,FranklinwasexperimentingwithvariousalkaloidsderivedfromtheCalabarbean,Physostigmavenenosum.IunderstoodmoreafteraconversationwhichtookplaceonedaybetweenFranklinandPoirot.Judith,whotriedtoinstructme,was,asiscustomarywiththeearnestyoung,almostimpossiblytechnical.Shereferredlearnedlytothealkaloidsphysostigmine,eserine,physoveineandgeneserine,andthenproceededtoamostimpossiblesoundingsubstance,prostigminorthedemethylcarbonicesterof3hydroxypheyltrimethyllammonum,etc.etc.,andagooddealmorewhich,itappeared,wasthesamething,onlydifferentlyarrivedat!Itwasall,atanyrate,doubleDutchtome,andIarousedJudith’scontemptbyaskingwhatgoodallthiswaslikelytodomankind?Thereisnoquestionthatannoysyourtruescientistmore.Judithatoncethrewmeascornfulglanceandembarkedonanotherlengthyandlearnedexplanation.Theupshotofitwas,soIgathered,thatcertainobscuretribesofWestAfricannativeshadshownaremarkableimmunitytoanequallyobscure,thoughdeadlydiseasecalled,asfarasIremember,Jordanitis—acertainenthusiasticDr.Jordanhavingoriginallytrackeditdown.Itwasanextremelyraretropicalailment,whichhadbeen,ononeortwooccasions,contractedbywhitepeople,withfatalresults.
IriskedinflamingJudith’sragebyremarkingthatitwouldbemoresensibletofindsomedrugthatwouldcounteracttheafter-effectsofmeasles!
WithpityandscornJudithmadeitcleartomethatitwasnotthebenefactionofthehumanrace,buttheenlargementofhumanknowledge,thatwastheonlygoalworthyofattainment.
Ilookedatsomeslidesthroughthemicroscope,studiedsomephotographsofWestAfricannatives(reallyquiteentertaining!),caughttheeyeofasoporificratinacageandhurriedoutagainintotheair.
AsIsay,anyinterestIcouldfeelwaskindledbyFranklin’sconversationwithPoirot.
Hesaid:“Youknow,Poirot,thestuff’sreallymoreupyourstreetthanmine.It’stheordealbean—supposedtoproveinnocenceorguilt.TheseWestAfricantribesbelieveitimplicitly—ordiddoso—they’regettingsophisticatednowadays.They’llsolemnlychewitupquiteconfidentthatitwillkillthemifthey’reguiltyandnotharmthemifthey’reinnocent.”
“Andso,alas,theydie?”
“No,theydon’talldie.That’swhathasalwaysbeenoverlookeduptonow.There’salotbehindthewholething—amedicinemanramp,Iratherfancy.Therearetwodistinctspeciesofthisbean—onlytheylooksomuchalikethatyoucanhardlyspotthedifference.Butthereisadifference.Theybothcontainphysostigmineandgeneserineandtherestofit,butinthesecondspeciesyoucanisolate,orIthinkIcan,yetanotheralkaloid—andtheactionofthatalkaloidneutralizestheeffectoftheothers.What’smorethatsecondspeciesisregularlyeatenbyakindofinnerringinasecretritual—andthepeoplewhoeatitnevergodownwithJordanitis.Thisthirdsubstancehasaremarkableeffectonthemuscularsystem—withoutdeleteriouseffects.It’sdamnedinteresting.Unfortunatelythepurealkaloidisveryunstable.Still,I’mgettingresults.Butwhat’swantedisalotmoreresearchoutthereonthespot.It’sworkthatoughttobedone!Yes,byheckitis…I’dsellmysoulto—”Hebrokeoffabruptly.Thegrincameagain.“Forgivetheshop.Igettoohetupoverthesethings!”
“Asyousay,”saidPoirotplacidly,“itwouldcertainlymakemyprofessionmucheasierifIcouldtestguiltandinnocencesoeasily.Ah,iftherewereasubstancethatcoulddowhatisclaimedfortheCalabarbean.”
Franklinsaid:“Ah,butyourtroubleswouldn’tendthere.Afterall,whatisguiltorinnocence?”
“Ishouldn’tthinktherecouldbeanydoubtaboutthat,”Iremarked.
Heturnedtome.“Whatisevil?Whatisgood?Ideasonthemvaryfromcenturytocentury.Whatyouwouldbetestingwouldprobablybeasenseofguiltorasenseofinnocence.Infactnovalueasatestatall.”
“Idon’tseehowyoumakethatout.”
“Mydearfellow,supposeamanthinkshehasadivinerighttokilladictatororamoneylenderorapimporwhateverarouseshismoralindignation.Hecommitswhatyouconsideraguiltydeed—butwhatheconsidersisaninnocentone.Whatisyourpoorordealbeantodoaboutit?”
“Surely,”Isaid,“theremustalwaysbeafeelingofguiltwithmurder?”
“LotsofpeopleI’dliketokill,”saidDr.Franklincheerfully.“Don’tbelievemyconsciencewouldkeepmeawakeatnightafterwards.It’sanideaofmine,youknow,thatabouteightypercentofthehumanraceoughttobeeliminated.We’dgetonmuchbetterwithoutthem.”
Hegotupandstrolledaway,whistlingcheerfullytohimself.
Ilookedafterhimdoubtfully.AlowchucklefromPoirotrecalledme.
“Youlook,myfriend,likeonewhohasenvisagedanestofserpents.Letushopethatourfriendthedoctordoesnotpractisewhathepreaches.”
“Ah,”Isaid.“Butsupposinghedoes?”
II
AftersomehesitationsIdecidedthatIoughttosoundJudithonthesubjectofAllerton.IfeltthatImustknowwhatherreactionswere.Shewas,Iknew,alevelheadedgirl,wellabletotakecareofherself,andIdidnotthinkthatshewouldreallybetakeninbythecheapattractionofamanlikeAllerton.Isuppose,actually,thatItackledheronthesubjectbecauseIwantedtobereassuredonthatpoint.
Unfortunately,IdidnotgetwhatIwanted…Iwentaboutitclumsily,Idaresay.Thereisnothingthatyoungpeopleresentsomuchasadvicefromtheirelders.Itriedtomakemywordsquitecarelessanddebonair.IsupposethatIfailed.
Judithbristledatonce.
“What’sthis?”shesaid.“Apaternalwarningagainstthebigbadwolf?”
“No,no,Judith,ofcoursenot.”
“Igatheryoudon’tlikeMajorAllerton?”
“Frankly,Idon’t.Actually,Idon’tsupposeyoudoeither.”
“Whynot?”
“Well—er—heisn’tyourtype,ishe?”
“Whatdoyouconsiderismytype,Father?”
Judithcanalwaysflurryme.Iboggledratherbadly.Shestoodlookingatme,hermouthcurvingupwardsinaslightlyscornfulsmile.
“Ofcourseyoudon’tlikehim,”shesaid.“Ido.Ithinkhe’sveryamusing.”
“Oh,amusing—perhaps.”Iendeavouredtopassitoff.
Judithsaiddeliberately:“He’sveryattractive.Anywomanwouldthinkso.Men,ofcourse,wouldn’tseeit.”
“Theycertainlywouldn’t.”Iwenton,ratherclumsily:“Youwereoutwithhimverylatetheothernight—”
Iwasnotallowedtofinish.Thestormbroke.
“Really,Father,you’rebeingtooidiotic.Don’tyourealizethatatmyageI’mcapableofmanagingmyownaffairs?You’venoearthlyrighttocontrolwhatIdoorwhomIchoosetomakeafriendof.It’sthissenselessinterferingintheirchildren’slivesthatissoinfuriatingaboutfathersandmothers.I’mveryfondofyou—butI’manadultwomanandmylifeismyown.Don’tstartmakingaMr.Barrettofyourself.”
IwassohurtbythisextremelyunkindremarkthatIwasquiteincapableofreplying,andJudithwentquicklyaway.
IwasleftwiththedismayedfeelingthatIhaddonemoreharmthangood.
IwasstandinglostinmythoughtswhenIwasrousedbythevoiceofMrs.Franklin’snurseexclaimingarchly:“Apennyforyourthoughts,CaptainHastings!”
Iturnedgladlytowelcometheinterruption.
NurseCravenwasreallyaverygood-lookingyoungwoman.Hermannerwas,perhaps,alittleonthearchandsprightlyside,butshewaspleasantandintelligent.
Shehadjustcomefromestablishingherpatientinasunnyspotnotfarfromtheimprovisedlaboratory.
“IsMrs.Franklininterestedinherhusband’swork?”Iasked.
NurseCraventossedherheadcontemptuously.“Oh,it’sagooddealtootechnicalforher.She’snotatallacleverwoman,youknow,CaptainHastings.”
“No,Isupposenot.”
“Dr.Franklin’swork,ofcourse,canonlybeappreciatedbysomeonewhoknowssomethingaboutmedicine.He’saveryclevermanindeed,youknow.Brilliant.Poorman,Ifeelsosorryforhim.”
“Sorryforhim?”
“Yes.I’veseenithappensooften.Marryingthewrongtypeofwoman,Imean.”
“Youthinkshe’sthewrongtypeforhim?”
“Well,don’tyou?They’venothingatallincommon.”
“Heseemsveryfondofher,”Isaid.“Veryattentivetoherwishesandallthat.”
NurseCravenlaughedratherdisagreeably.“Sheseestothatallright!”
“Youthinkshetradesonher—onherillhealth?”Iaskeddoubtfully.
NurseCravenlaughed.“Thereisn’tmuchyoucouldteachheraboutgettingherownway.Whateverherladyshipwantshappens.Somewomenarelikethat—cleverasabarrelfulofmonkeys.Ifanyoneopposesthemtheyjustliebackandshuttheireyesandlookillandpathetic,orelsetheyhaveanervestorm—butMrs.Franklin’sthepathetictype.Doesn’tsleepallnightandisallwhiteandexhaustedinthemorning.”
“Butsheisreallyaninvalid,isn’tshe?”Iasked,ratherstartled.
NurseCravengavemearatherpeculiarglance.Shesaiddrily:“Oh,ofcourse,”andthenturnedthesubjectratherabruptly.
SheaskedmeifitwastruethatIhadbeenherelongago,inthefirstwar.
“Yes,that’squitetrue.”
Sheloweredhervoice.“Therewasamurderhere,wasn’tthere?Sooneofthemaidswastellingme.Anoldlady?”
“Yes.”
“Andyouwerehereatthetime?”
“Iwas.”
Shegaveaslightshiver.Shesaid:“Thatexplainsit,doesn’tit?”
“Explainswhat?”
Shegavemeaquicksidewaysglance.“The—theatmosphereoftheplace.Don’tyoufeelit?Ido.Somethingwrong,ifyouknowwhatImean?”
Iwassilentamomentconsidering.Wasittruewhatshehadjustsaid?Didthefactthatdeathbyviolence—bymaliceaforethought—hadtakenplaceinacertainspotleaveitsimpressiononthatspotsostronglythatitwasperceptibleaftermanyyears?Psychicpeoplesaidso.DidStylesdefinitelybeartracesofthateventthathadoccurredsolong
NurseCravenbrokeinonmythoughtsbysayingabruptly:“Iwasinahousewheretherewasamurdercaseonce.I’veneverforgottenit.Onedoesn’t,youknow.Oneofmypatients.Ihadtogiveevidenceandeverything.Mademefeelquitequeer.It’sanastyexperienceforagirl.”
“Itmustbe.Iknowmyself—”
IbrokeoffasBoydCarringtoncamestridingroundthecornerofthehouse.
Asusual,hisbig,buoyantpersonalityseemedtosweepawayshadowsandintangibleworries.Hewassolarge,sosane,soout-of-doors—oneofthoselovable,forcefulpersonalitiesthatradiatecheerfulnessandcommonsense.
“Morning,Hastings,morning,Nurse.Where’sMrs.Franklin?”
“Goodmorning,SirWilliam.Mrs.Franklin’sdownatthebottomofthegardenunderthebeechtreenearthelaboratory.”
“AndFranklin,Isuppose,isinsidethelaboratory?”
“Yes,SirWilliam—withMissHastings.”
“Wretchedgirl.Fancybeingcoopedupdoingstinksonamorninglikethis!Yououghttoprotest,Hastings.”
NurseCravensaidquickly:“Oh,MissHastingsisquitehappy.Shelikesit,youknow,andthedoctorcouldn’tdowithouther,I’msure.”
“Miserablefellow,”saidBoydCarrington.“IfIhadaprettygirllikeyourJudithasasecretary,I’dbelookingatherinsteadofatguineapigs,eh,what?”
ItwasthekindofjokethatJudithwouldparticularlyhavedislikedbutitwentdownquitewellwithNurseCravenwholaughedagooddeal.
“Oh,SirWilliam,”sheexclaimed.“Youreallymustn’tsaythingslikethat.I’msureweallknowwhatyou’dbelike!ButpoorDr.Franklinissoserious—quitewrappedupinhiswork.”
BoydCarringtonsaidcheerfully:“Well,hiswifeseemstohavetakenupherpositionwhereshecankeephereyeonherhusband.Ibelieveshe’sjealous.”
“Youknowfartoomuch,SirWilliam!”
NurseCravenseemeddelightedwiththisbadinage.Shesaidreluctantly:“Well,IsupposeIoughttobegoingtoseeaboutMrs.Franklin’smaltedmilk.”
ShemovedawayslowlyandBoydCarringtonstoodlookingafterher.
“Good-lookinggirl,”heremarked.“Lovelyhairandteeth.Finespecimenofwomanhood.Mustbeadulllifeonthewholealwayslookingaftersickpeople.Agirllikethatdeservesabetterfate.”
“Oh,well,”Isaid.“Isupposeshe’llmarryoneday.”
“Iexpectso.”
Hesighed—anditoccurredtomethathewasthinkingofhisdeadwife.Thenhesaid:“LiketocomeoverwithmetoKnattonandseetheplace?”
“Rather.I’dliketo.I’lljustseefirstifPoirotneedsme.”
IfoundPoirotsittingontheveranda,wellmuffledup.Heencouragedmetogo
“Butcertainlygo,Hastings,go.Itis,Ibelieve,amosthandsomeproperty.Youshouldcertainlyseeit.”
“I’dliketo.ButIdidn’twanttodesertyou.”
“Myfaithfulfriend!No,no,gowithSirWilliam.Acharmingman,ishenot?”
“First-class,”Isaidwithenthusiasm
Poirotsmiled.“Ahyes.Ithoughthewasyourtype.”
III
Ienjoyedmyexpeditionenormously.
Notonlywastheweatherfine—areallylovelysummer’sday—butIenjoyedthecompanionshipoftheman.
BoydCarringtonhadthatpersonalmagnetism,thatwideexperienceoflifeandofplacesthatmadehimexcellentcompany.HetoldmestoriesofhisadministrativedaysinIndia,someintriguingdetailsofEastAfricantriballore,andwasaltogethersointerestingthatIwasquitetakenoutofmyselfandforgotmyworriesaboutJudithandthedeepanxietiesthatPoirot’srevelationshadgivenme.
Iliked,too,thewayBoydCarringtonspokeofmyfriend.Hehadadeeprespectforhim—bothforhisworkandhischaracter.Sadthoughhispresentconditionofillhealthwas,BoydCarringtonutterednofacilewordsofpity.HeseemedtothinkthatalifetimespentasPoirot’shadbeenwasinitselfarichrewardandthatinhismemoriesmyfriendcouldfindsatisfactionandself-respect.
“Moreover,”hesaid,“I’dwagerhisbrainisaskeenaseveritwas.”
“Itis,indeeditis,”Iassentedeagerly.
“Nogreatermistakethantothinkthatbecauseaman’stiedbythelegitaffectshisbrainpan.Notabitofit.AnnoDominiaffectsheadworkmuchlessthanyou’dthink.ByJove,Iwouldn’tcaretoundertaketocommitamurderunderHerculePoirot’snose—evenatthistimeofday.”
“He’dgetyouifyoudid,”Isaidgrinning.
“Ibethewould.Not,”headdedruefully,“thatIshouldbemuchgoodatdoingamurderanyway.Ican’tplanthings,youknow.Tooimpatient.IfIdidamurderitwouldbedoneonthespurofthemoment.”
“Thatmightbethemostdifficultcrimetospot.”
“Ihardlythinkso.I’dprobablyleavecluestrailingalongbehindmeineverydirection.Well,it’sluckyIhaven’tgotacriminalmind.OnlykindofmanIcanimaginemyselfkillingisablackmailer.Thatisafoulthingifyoulike.I’vealwaysthoughtablackmaileroughttobeshot.Whatdoyousay?”
Iconfessedtosomesympathywithhispointofview.
Thenwepassedontoanexaminationoftheworkdoneonthehouseasayoungarchitectcameforwardtomeetus.
KnattonwasmainlyofTudordatewithawingaddedlater.Ithadnotbeenmodernizedoralteredsincetheinstallationoftwoprimitivebathroomsintheeighteenfortiesorthereabouts.
BoydCarringtonexplainedthathisunclehadbeenmoreorlessofahermit,dislikingpeopleandlivinginacornerofthevasthouse.BoydCarringtonandhisbrotherhadbeentolerated,andhadspenttheirholidaysthereasschoolboysbeforeSirEverardhadbecomeasmuchofarecluseasheafterwardsbecame.
Theoldmanhadnevermarried,andhadspentonlyatenthofhislargeincome,sothatevenafterdeathdutieshadbeenpaid,thepresentbaronethadfoundhimselfaveryrichman.
“Butaverylonelyone,”hesaidsighing.
Iwassilent.Mysympathywastooacutetobeputintowords.ForI,too,wasalonelyman.SinceCindershaddied,Ifeltmyselftobeonlyhalfahumanbeing.
Presently,alittlehaltingly,IexpressedalittleofwhatIfelt.
“Ahyes,Hastings,butyou’vehadsomethingIneverhad.”
Hepausedamomentandthen—ratherjerkily—hegavemeanoutlineofhisowntragedy.
Ofthebeautifulyoungwife,alovelycreaturefullofcharmandaccomplishmentsbutwithataintedheritage.Herfamilyhadnearlyalldiedofdrink,andsheherselffellvictimtothesamecurse.Barelyayearaftertheirmarriageshehadsuccumbedandhaddiedadipsomaniac’sdeath.Hedidnotblameher.Herealizedthatheredityhadbeentoostrongforher.
Afterherdeathhehadsettleddowntoleadalonelylife.Hehaddetermined,saddenedbyhisexperience,nottomarryagain.
“Onefeels,”hesaidsimply,“saferalone.”
“Yes,Icanunderstandyourfeelinglikethat—atanyrateatfirst.”
“Thewholethingwassuchatragedy.Itleftmeprematurelyagedandembittered.”Hepaused.“It’strue—Iwasonceverymuchtempted.Butshewassoyoung—Ididn’tfeelitwouldbefairtotiehertoadisillusionedman.Iwastoooldforher—shewassuchachild—sopretty—socompletelyuntouched.”
Hebrokeoff,shakinghishead.
“Wasn’tthatforhertojudge?”
“Idon’tknow,Hastings.Ithoughtnot.She—sheseemedtolikeme.Butthen,asIsay,shewassoyoung.IshallalwaysrememberherasIsawherthelastdayofthatleave.Herheadalittleononeside—thatslightlybewilderedlook—herlittlehand—”
Hestopped.Thewordsconjuredupapicturethatseemedvaguelyfamiliar,thoughIcouldnotthinkwhy.
BoydCarrington’svoice,suddenlyharsh,brokeintomythoughts.
“Iwasafool,”hesaid.“Anymanisafoolwholetsopportunityslipbyhim.Anyway,hereIam,withagreatmansionofahousefartoobigforme,andnograciouspresencetosetattheheadofmytable.”
Tometherewasacharminhisslightlyold-fashionedwayofputtingthings.Itconjuredupapictureofoldworldcharmandease.
“Whereistheladynow?”Iasked.
“Oh—married.”Heturneditoffbriefly.“Factis,Hastings,I’mcutoutnowforabachelorexistence.I’vegotmylittleways.Comeandlookatthegardens.They’vebeenbadlyneglected,butthey’reveryfineintheirway.”
WewalkedroundtheplaceandIwasmuchimpressedwithallIsaw.KnattonwasundoubtedlyaveryfineestateandIdidnotwonderthatBoydCarringtonwasproudofit.Heknewtheneighbourhoodwellandmostofthepeopleroundabout,thoughofcoursetherehadbeennewcomerssincehistime.
HehadknownColonelLuttrellintheolddaysandexpressedhisearnesthopethattheStylesventurewasgoingtopay
“PooroldTobyLuttrell’sveryhardup,youknow,”hesaid.“Nicefellow.Goodsoldier,too,andaveryfineshot.WentonsafariwithhiminAfricaonce.Ah,thosewerethedays!Hewasmarriedthen,ofcourse,buthismissusdidn’tcomealong,thankgoodness.Prettywomanshewas—butalwaysabitofaTartar.Funnythethingsamanwillstandfromawoman.OldTobyLuttrellwhousedtomakesubalternsshakeintheirshoes,hewassuchasternmartinet!Andthereheis,henpeckedandbulliedandmeekastheymake’em!Nodoubtaboutit,thatwoman’sgotatonguelikevinegar.Still,she’sgotaheadonher.Ifanyonecanmaketheplacepay,shewill.Luttrellneverhadmuchofaheadforbusiness—butMrs.Tobywouldskinhergrandmother!”
“She’ssogushingwithitall,”Icomplained.
BoydCarringtonlookedamused.“Iknow.Allsweetness.Buthaveyouplayedbridgewiththem?”
IrepliedfeelinglythatIhad.
“OnthewholeIsteerclearofwomenbridgeplayers,”saidBoydCarrington.“Andifyoutakemytipyou’lldothesame.”
ItoldhimhowuncomfortableNortonandmyselfhadfeltonthefirsteveningofmyarrival.
“Exactly.Onedoesn’tknowwheretolook!”Headded:“Nicefellow,Norton.Veryquiet,though.Alwayslookingatbirdsandthings.Doesn’tcareforshootingthem,hetoldme.Extraordinary!Nofeelingforsport.Itoldhimhemissedalot.Can’tseemyselfwhatexcitementtherecanbestalkingaboutthroughcoldwoodspeeringatbirdsthroughglasses.”
HowlittlewerealizedthatNorton’shobbymighthaveanimportantparttoplayintheeventsthatweretocome.
Eight
I
Thedayspassed.Itwasanunsatisfactorytime,withitsuneasyfeelingofwaitingforsomething.
Nothing,ifImayputitinsuchaway,actuallyhappened.Yettherewereincidents,scrapsofoddconversations,sidelightsuponthevariousinmatesofStyles,elucidatingremarks.Theyallmountedupand,ifproperlypiecedtogether,couldhavedonealottowardsenlighteningme.
ItwasPoirotwho,withafewforcefulwords,showedmesomethingtowhichIhadbeencriminallyblind.
Iwascomplaining,fortheumpteenthtime,ofhiswilfulrefusaltoadmitmetohisconfidence.Itwasnotfair,Itoldhim.AlwaysheandIhadhadequalknowledge—evenifIhadbeendenseandhehadbeenastuteindrawingtherightconclusionsfromthatknowledge.
Hewavedanimpatienthand.“Quiteso,myfriend.Itisnotfair!Itisnotsporting!Itisnotplayingthegame!Admitallthatandpassfromit.Thisisnotagame—itisnotlesport.Foryou,youoccupyyourselfinguessingwildlyattheidentityofX.ItisnotforthatthatIaskedyoutocomehere.Unnecessaryforyoutooccupyyourselfwiththat.Iknowtheanswertothatquestion.ButwhatIdonotknowandwhatImustknowisthis:‘Whoisgoingtodie—verysoon?’Itisaquestion,monvieux,notofyouplayingaguessinggame,butofpreventingahumanbeingfromdying.”
Iwasstartled.“Ofcourse,”Isaidslowly.“I—well,Ididknowthatyoupracticallysaidsoonce,butIhaven’tquiterealizedit.”
“Thenrealizeitnow—immediately.”
“Yes,yes,Iwill—Imean,Ido.”
“Bien!Thentellme,Hastings,whoisitwhoisgoingtodie?”
Istaredathimblankly.“Ihavereallynoidea!”
“Thenyoushouldhaveanidea!Whatelseareyouherefor?”
“Surely,”Isaid,goingbackovermymeditationsonthesubject,“theremustbeaconnectionbetweenthevictimandXsothatifyoutoldmewhoXwas—”
Poirotshookhisheadwithsomuchvigourthatitwasquitepainfultowatch.
“HaveInottoldyouthatthatistheessenceofX’stechnique?TherewillbenothingconnectingXwiththedeath.Thatiscertain.”
“Theconnectionwillbehidden,youmean?”
“ItwillbesowellhiddenthatneitheryounorIwillfindit.”
“ButsurelybystudyingX’spast—”
“Itellyou,no.Certainlynotinthetime.Murdermayhappenanymoment,youcomprehend?”
“Tosomeoneinthishouse?”
“Tosomeoneinthishouse.”
“Andyoureallydonotknowwho,orhow?”
“Ah!IfIdid,Ishouldnotbeurgingyoutofindoutforme.”
“YousimplybaseyourassumptiononthepresenceofX?”
Isoundedalittledoubtful.Poirot,whoseself-controlhadlessenedashislimbswereperforceimmobile,fairlyhowledatme.
“Ah,mafoi,howmanytimesamItogooverallthis?IfalotofwarcorrespondentsarrivesuddenlyinacertainspotofEurope,itmeanswhat?Itmeanswar!Ifdoctorscomefromallovertheworldtoacertaincity,itshowswhat?Thatthereistobethereamedicalconference.Whereyouseeavulturehovering,therewillbeacarcass.Ifyouseebeaterswalkingupamoor,therewillbeashoot.Ifyouseeamanstopsuddenly,tearoffhiscoatandplungeintothesea,itmeansthatthere,therewillbearescuefromdrowning.
“Ifyouseeladiesofmiddleageandrespectableappearancepeeringthroughahedge,youmaydeducethatthereisthereanimproprietyofsomekind!Andfinally,ifyousmellasucculentsmellandobserveseveralpeopleallwalkingalongacorridorinthesamedirectionyoumaysafelyassumethatamealisabouttobeserved!”
Iconsideredtheseanalogiesforaminuteortwo,thenIsaid,takingthefirstone:“Allthesame,onewarcorrespondentdoesnotmakeawar!”
“Certainlynot.Andoneswallowdoesnotmakeasummer.Butonemurderer,Hastings,doesmakeamurder.”
That,ofcourse,wasundeniable.Butitstilloccurredtome,asitdidnotseemtohaveoccurredtoPoirot,thatevenamurdererhashisofftimes.XmightbeatStylessimplyforaholidaywithnolethalintent.Poirotwassoworkedup,however,thatIdarednotpropoundthissuggestion.Imerelysaidthatthewholethingseemedtomehopeless.Wemustwait—
“Andsee,”finishedPoirot.“LikeyourMr.Asquithinthelastwar.That,moncher,isjustwhatwemustnotdo.Idonotsay,markyou,thatweshallsucceed,forasIhavetoldyoubefore,whenakillerhasdeterminedtokill,itisnoteasytocircumventhim.Butwecanatleasttry.Figuretoyourself,Hastings,thatyouhaveherethebridgeprobleminthepaper.Youcanseeallthecards.Whatyouareaskedtodois‘Forecasttheresultofthedeal.’”
Ishookmyhead.“It’snogood,Poirot,Ihaven’ttheleastidea.IfIknewwhoXwas—”
Poirothowledatmeagain.HehowledsoloudthatCurtisscamerunninginfromthenextroomlookingquitefrightened.Poirotwavedhimawayandwhenhehadgoneoutagain,myfriendspokeinamorecontrolledmanner.
“Come,Hastings,youarenotsostupidasyouliketopretend.YouhavestudiedthosecasesIgaveyoutoread.YoumaynotknowwhoXis,butyouknowX’stechniqueforcommittingacrime.”
“Oh,”Isaid.“Isee.”
“Ofcourseyousee.Thetroublewithyouisthatyouarementallylazy.Youliketoplaygamesandguess.Youdonotliketoworkwithyourhead.WhatistheessentialelementofX’stechnique?Isitnotthatthecrime,whencommitted,iscomplete?Thatistosay,thereisamotiveforthecrime,thereisanopportunity,thereismeansandthereis,lastandmostimportant,theguiltypersonallreadyforthedock.”
AtonceIgraspedtheessentialpointandrealizedwhatafoolIhadbeennottoseeitsooner.
“Isee,”Isaid.“I’vegottolookroundforsomebodywho—whoanswerstothoserequirements—thepotentialvictim.”
Poirotleanedbackwithasigh.“Enfin!Iamverytired.SendCurtisstome.Youunderstandyourjobnow.Youareactive,youcangetabout,youcanfollowpeopleabout,talktothem,spyuponthemunobserved—”(Inearlyutteredanindignantprotest,butquelledit.Itwastoooldanargument)—“Youcanlistentoconversations,youhavekneesthatwillbendandpermityoutokneelandlookthroughkeyholes—”
“Iwillnotlookthroughkeyholes,”Iinterruptedhotly.
Poirotclosedhiseyes.“Verywell,then.Youwillnotlookthroughkeyholes.YouwillremaintheEnglishgentlemanandsomeonewillbekilled.Itdoesnotmatter,that.HonourcomesfirstwithanEnglishman.Yourhonourismoreimportantthansomebodyelse’slife.Bien!Itisunderstood.”
“No,butdashitall,Poirot—”
Poirotsaidcoldly:“SendCurtisstome.Goaway.YouareobstinateandextremelystupidandIwishthatthereweresomeoneelsewhomIcouldtrust,butIsupposeIshallhavetoputupwithyouandyourabsurdideasoffairplay.Sinceyoucannotuseyourgreycellsasyoudonotpossessthem,atanyrateuseyoureyes,yourearsandyournoseifneedbeinsofarasthedictatesofhonourallow.”
II
ItwasonthefollowingdaythatIventuredtobroachanideawhichhadcomeintomymindmorethanonce.Ididsoalittledubiously,foroneneverknowshowPoirotmayreact!
Isaid:“I’vebeenthinking,Poirot,IknowI’mnotmuchofafellow.You’vesaidI’mstupid—well,inawayit’strue.AndI’monlyhalfthemanIwas.SinceCinders’sdeath—”
Istopped.Poirotmadeagruffnoiseindicativeofsympathy.
Iwenton:“Butthereisamanherewhocouldhelpus—justthekindofmanweneed.Brains,imagination,resource—usedtotakingdecisionsandamanofwideexperience.I’mtalkingofBoydCarrington.He’sthemanwewant,Poirot.Takehimintoyourconfidence.Putthewholethingbeforehim.”
Poirotopenedhiseyesandsaidwithimmensedecision:“Certainlynot.”
“Butwhynot?Youcan’tdenythathe’sclever—agooddealclevererthanIam.”
“THAT,”saidPoirotwithbitingsarcasm,“wouldbeeasy.Butdismisstheideafromyourmind,Hastings.Wetakenooneintoourconfidence.Thatisunderstood—hein?Youcomprehend,Iforbidyoutospeakofthismatter.”
“Allright,ifyousayso,butreallyBoydCarrington—”
“Ah,tata!BoydCarrington.WhyareyousoobsessedwithBoydCarrington?Whatishe,afterall?Abigmanwhoispompousandpleasedwithhimselfbecausepeoplehavecalledhim‘YourExcellency.’Amanwith—yes,acertainamountoftactandcharmofmanner.Butheisnotsowonderful,yourBoydCarrington.Herepeatshimself,hetellsthesamestorytwice—andwhatismore,hismemoryissobadthathetellsbacktoyouthestorythatyouhavetoldtohim!Amanofoutstandingability?Notatall.Anoldbore,awindbag—enfin—thestuffedshirt!”
“Oh,”Isaidasenlightenmentcametome.
ItwasquitetruethatBoydCarrington’smemorywasnotgood.AndhehadactuallybeenguiltyofagaffewhichInowsawhadannoyedPoirotagooddeal.PoirothadtoldhimastoryofhispolicedaysinBelgium,andonlyacoupleofdaysafterwards,whenseveralofuswereassembledinthegarden,BoydCarringtonhadinblandforgetfulnesstoldthesamestorybackagaintoPoirot,prefacingitwiththeremark:“IremembertheChefdelaS?retéinParistellingme….”
Inowperceivedthatthishadrankled!
Tactfully,Isaidnomore,andwithdrew
III
Iwandereddownstairsandoutintothegarden.TherewasnooneaboutandIstrolledthroughagroveoftreesanduptoagrassyknollwhichwassurmountedbyasomewhatearwiggysummerhouseinanadvancedstageofdecrepitude.HereIsatdown,litmypipe,andsettledtothinkthingsout.
WhowasthereatStyleswhohadafairlydefinitemotiveformurderingsomebodyelse—orwhomightbemadeouttohaveone?
PuttingasidethesomewhatobviouscaseofColonelLuttrell,who,Iwasafraid,washardlylikelytotakeahatchettohiswifeinthemiddleofarubber,justifiablethoughthatcoursemightbe,Icouldnotatfirstthinkofanyone.
ThetroublewasthatIdidnotreallyknowenoughaboutthesepeople.Norton,forinstance,andMissCole?Whatweretheusualmotivesformurder?Money?BoydCarringtonwas,Ifancied,theonlyrichmanoftheparty.Ifhedied,whowouldinheritthatmoney?Anyoneatpresentinthehouse?Ihardlythoughtso,butitwasapointthatmightbearenquiry.Hemight,forinstance,havelefthismoneytoresearch,makingFranklinatrustee.That,withthedoctor’sratherinjudiciousremarksonthesubjectofeliminatingeightypercentofthehumanrace,mightmakeoutafairlydamningcaseagainstthered-haireddoctor.OrpossiblyNortonorMissColemightbeadistantrelativeandwouldinheritautomatically.Far-fetchedbutpossible.WouldColonelLuttrell,whowasanoldfriend,benefitunderBoydCarrington’swill?Thesepossibilitiesseemedtoexhaustthemoneyangle.Iturnedtomoreromanticpossibilities.TheFranklins.Mrs.Franklinwasaninvalid.Wasitpossiblethatshewasbeingslowlypoisoned—andwouldtheresponsibilityforherdeathbelaidatherhusband’sdoor?Hewasadoctor,hehadopportunityandmeans,nodoubt.Whataboutmotive?AnunpleasantqualmshotacrossmymindasitoccurredtomethatJudithmightbeinvolved.Ihadgoodreasontoknowhowbusinessliketheirrelationswere—butwouldthegeneralpublicbelievethat?Wouldacynicalpoliceofficerbelieveit?Judithwasaverybeautifulyoungwoman.Anattractivesecretaryorassistanthadbeenthemotiveformanycrimes.Thepossibilitydismayedme
IconsideredAllertonnext.CouldtherebeanyreasonfordoingawaywithAllerton?IfwehadtohaveamurderIwouldprefertoseeAllertonthevictim!Oneoughttobeabletofindmotiveseasilyfordoingawaywithhim.MissCole,thoughnotyoung,wasstillagood-lookingwoman.Shemight,conceivably,beactuatedbyjealousyifsheandAllertonhadeverbeenonintimateterms,thoughIhadnoreasontobelievethatthatwasthecase.Besides,ifAllertonwasX—
Ishookmyheadimpatiently.Allthiswasgettingmenowhere.Afootsteponthegravelbelowattractedmyattention.ItwasFranklinwalkingrapidlytowardsthehouse,hishandsinhispockets,hisheadthrustforward.Hiswholeattitudewasoneofdejection.Seeinghimthus,offguard,Iwasstruckbythefactthathelookedathoroughlyunhappyman.
IwassobusystaringathimthatIdidnothearafootfallnearerathand,andturnedwithastartwhenMissColespoketome.
“Ididn’thearyoucoming,”IexplainedapologeticallyasIsprangup.
Shewasexaminingthesummerhouse.
“WhataVictorianrelic!”
“Isn’tit?It’sratherspidery,I’mafraid.Dositdown.I’lldusttheseatforyou.”
Foritoccurredtomethatherewasachancetogettoknowoneofmyfellowguestsalittlebetter.IstudiedMissColecovertlyasIbrushedawaycobwebs.
Shewasawomanofbetweenthirtyandforty,slightlyhaggard,withaclear-cutprofileandreallyverybeautifuleyes.Therewasaboutheranairofreserve,more—ofsuspicion.Itcametomesuddenlythatthiswasawomanwhohadsufferedandwhowas,inconsequence,deeplydistrustfuloflife.IfeltthatIwouldliketoknowmoreaboutElizabethCole.
“There,”Isaidwithafinalflickofthehandkerchief,“that’sthebestIcando.”
“Thankyou.”Shesmiledandsatdown.Isatdownbesideher.Theseatcreakedominouslybutnocatastropheoccurred
MissColesaid:“Dotellme,whatwereyouthinkingaboutwhenIcameuptoyou?Youseemedquitesunkinthought.”
Isaidslowly:“IwaswatchingDr.Franklin.”
“Yes?”
Isawnoreasonfornotrepeatingwhathadbeeninmymind.
“Itstruckmethathelookedaveryunhappyman.”
Thewomanbesidemesaidquietly:“Butofcourseheis.Youmusthaverealizedthat.”
IthinkIshowedmysurprise.Isaid,stammeringslightly:“No—no—Ihaven’t.I’vealwaysthoughtofhimasabsolutelywrappedupinhiswork.”
“Soheis.”
“Doyoucallthatunhappiness?Ishouldhavesaiditwasthehappieststateimaginable.”
“Ohyes,I’mnotdisputingit—butnotifyou’rehamperedfromdoingwhatyoufeelit’sinyoutodo.Ifyoucan’t,thatistosay,produceyourbest.”
Ilookedather,feelingratherpuzzled.Shewentontoexplain:“LastautumnDr.FranklinwasofferedthechanceofgoingouttoAfricaandcontinuinghisresearchworkthere.He’stremendouslykeen,asyouknow,andhasreallydonefirst-classworkalreadyintherealmoftropicalmedicine.”
“Andhedidn’tgo?”
“No.Hiswifeprotested.Sheherselfwasn’twellenoughtostandtheclimateandshekickedagainsttheideaofbeingleftbehind,especiallyasitwouldhavemeantveryeconomicallivingforher.Thepayofferedwasnothigh.”
“Oh,”Isaid.Iwentonslowly:“Isupposehefeltthatinherstateofhealthhecouldn’tleaveher.”
“Doyouknowmuchaboutherstateofhealth,CaptainHastings?”
“Well,I—no—Butsheisaninvalid,isn’tshe?”
“Shecertainlyenjoysbadhealth,”saidMissColedrily.Ilookedatherdoubtfully.Itwaseasytoseethathersympathieswereentirelywiththehusband
“Isuppose,”Isaidslowly,“thatwomenwhoare—delicateareapttobeselfish?”
“Yes,Ithinkinvalids—chronicinvalids—usuallyareveryselfish.Onecan’tblamethemperhaps.It’ssoeasy.”
“Youdon’tthinkthatthere’sreallyverymuchthematterwithMrs.Franklin?”
“Oh,Ishouldn’tliketosaythat.It’sjustasuspicion.Shealwaysseemsabletodoanythingshewantstodo.”
Ireflectedinsilenceforaminuteortwo.ItstruckmethatMissColeseemedverywellacquaintedwiththeramificationsoftheFranklinménage.Iaskedwithsomecuriosity:“YouknowDr.Franklinwell,Isuppose?”
Sheshookherhead.“Oh,no.Ihadonlymetthemonceortwicebeforewemethere.”
“Buthehastalkedtoyouabouthimself,Isuppose?”
Againsheshookherhead.“No,whatIhavejusttoldyouIlearntfromyourdaughterJudith.”
Judith,Ireflected,withamoment’sbitterness,talkedtoeveryoneexceptme
MissColewenton:“Judithisterrificallyloyaltoheremployerandverymuchupinarmsonhisbehalf.HercondemnationofMrs.Franklin’sselfishnessissweeping.”
“You,too,thinksheisselfish?”
“Yes,butIcanseeherpointofview.I—Iunderstandinvalids.Icanunderstand,too,Dr.Franklin’sgivingwaytoher.Judith,ofcourse,thinksheshouldparkhiswifeanywhereandgetonwiththejob.Yourdaughter’saveryenthusiasticscientificworker.”
“Iknow,”Isaidratherdisconsolately.“Itworriesmesometimes.Itdoesn’tseemnatural,ifyouknowwhatImean.Ifeelsheoughttobe—morehuman—morekeenonhavingagoodtime.Amuseherself—fallinlovewithaniceboyortwo.Afterall,youthisthetimetohaveone’sfling—nottositporingovertesttubes.Itisn’tnatural.Inouryoungdayswewerehavingfun—flirting—enjoyingourselves—youknow.”
Therewasamoment’ssilence.ThenMissColesaidinaqueercoldvoice:“Idon’tknow.”
Iwasinstantlyhorrified.UnconsciouslyIhadspokenasthoughsheandIwerecontemporaries—butIrealizedsuddenlythatshewaswellovertenyearsmyjuniorandthatIhadbeenunwittinglyextremelytactless.
IapologizedasbestIcould.Shecutintomystammeringphrases.
“No,no,Ididn’tmeanthat.Pleasedon’tapologize.ImeantjustsimplywhatIsaid.Idon’tknow.Iwasneverwhatyoumeantby‘young.’Ineverhadwhatiscalled‘agoodtime.’”
Somethinginhervoice,abitterness,adeepresentment,leftmeataloss.Isaid,ratherlamely,butwithsincerity:“I’msorry.”
Shesmiled.“Oh,well,itdoesn’tmatter.Don’tlooksoupset.Let’stalkaboutsomethingelse.”
Iobeyed.“Tellmesomethingabouttheotherpeoplehere,”Isaid.“Unlessthey’reallstrangerstoyou.”
“I’veknowntheLuttrellsallmylife.It’srathersadthattheyshouldhavetodothis—especiallyforhim.He’sratheradear.Andshe’snicerthanyou’dthink.It’shavinghadtopinchandscrapeallherlifethathasmadeherrather—well—predatory.Ifyou’realwaysonthemake,itdoestellintheend.TheonlythingIdoratherdislikeaboutheristhatgushingmanner.”
“TellmesomethingaboutMr.Norton.”
“Thereisn’treallymuchtotell.He’sverynice—rathershy—justalittlestupid,perhaps.He’salwaysbeenratherdelicate.He’slivedwithhismother—ratherapeevish,stupidwoman.Shebossedhimagooddeal,Ithink.Shediedafewyearsago.He’skeenonbirdsandflowersandthingslikethat.He’saverykindperson—andhe’sthesortofpersonwhoseesalot.”
“Throughhisglasses,youmean?”
MissColesmiled.“Well,Iwasn’tmeaningitquitesoliterallyasthat.Imeantmorethathenoticesagooddeal.Thosequietpeopleoftendo.He’sunselfish—andveryconsiderateforaman,buthe’srather—ineffectual,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
Inodded.“Oh,yes,Iknow.”
ElizabethColesaidsuddenly,andoncemorethedeepbitternotewasinhervoice:“That’sthedepressingpartofplaceslikethis.Guesthousesrunbybroken-downgentlepeople.They’refulloffailures—ofpeoplewhohavenevergotanywhereandneverwillgetanywhere,ofpeoplewho—whohavebeendefeatedandbrokenbylife,ofpeoplewhoareoldandtiredandfinished.”
Hervoicediedaway.Adeepandspreadingsadnesspermeatedme.Howtrueitwas!Herewewere,acollectionoftwilitpeople.Greyheads,greyhearts,greydreams.Myself,sadandlonely,thewomanbesidemealsoabitteranddisillusionedcreature.Dr.Franklin,eager,ambitious,curbedandthwarted,hiswifeapreytoillhealth.QuietlittleNortonlimpingaboutlookingatbirds.EvenPoirot,theoncebrilliantPoirot,nowabroken,crippledoldman.
Howdifferentithadbeenintheolddays—thedayswhenIhadfirstcometoStyles.Thethoughtwastoomuchforme—astifledexclamationofpainandregretcametomylips.
Mycompanionsaidquickly:“Whatisit?”
“Nothing.Iwasjuststruckbythecontrast—Iwashere,youknow,manyyearsago,asayoungman.Iwasthinkingofthedifferencebetweenthenandnow.”
“Isee.Itwasahappyhousethen?Everyonewashappyhere?”
Curious,sometimes,howone’sthoughtsseemedtoswinginakaleidoscope.Ithappenedtomenow.Abewilderingshufflingandreshufflingofmemories,ofevents.Thenthemosaicsettledintoitstruepattern.
Myregrethadbeenforthepastasthepast,notforthereality.Foreventhen,inthatfar-offtime,therehadbeennohappinessatStyles.Iremembereddispassionatelytherealfacts.MyfriendJohnandhiswife,bothunhappyandchafingatthelifetheywereforcedtolead.LaurenceCavendish,sunkinmelancholy.Cynthia,hergirlishbrightnessdampedbyherdependentposition.Inglethorpmarriedtoarichwomanforhermoney.No,noneofthemhadbeenhappy.Andnow,again,nooneherewashappy.Styleswasnotaluckyhouse.
IsaidtoMissCole:“I’vebeenindulginginfalsesentiment.Thiswasneverahappyhouse.Itisn’tnow.Everyonehereisunhappy.”
“No,no.Yourdaughter—”
“Judith’snothappy.”
Isaiditwiththecertaintyofsuddenknowledge.No,Judithwasn’thappy.
“BoydCarrington,”Isaiddoubtfully.“Hewassayingtheotherdaythathewaslonely—butforallthatIthinkhe’senjoyinghimselfquiteagooddeal—whatwithhishouseandonethingandanother.”
MissColesaidsharply:“Ohyes,butthenSirWilliamisdifferent.Hedoesn’tbelonghereliketherestofusdo.He’sfromtheoutsideworld—theworldofsuccessandindependence.He’smadeasuccessofhislifeandheknowsit.He’snotoneof—ofthemaimed.”
Itwasacuriouswordtochoose.Iturnedandstaredather.
“Willyoutellme,”Iasked,“whyyouusedthatparticularexpression?”
“Because,”shesaidwithasuddenfierceenergy,“it’sthetruth.Thetruthaboutme,atanyrate.Iammaimed.”
“Icansee,”Isaidgently,“thatyouhavebeenveryunhappy.”
Shesaidquietly:“Youdon’tknowwhoIam,doyou?”
“Er—Iknowyourname—”
“Coleisn’tmyname—thatistosay,itwasmymother’sname.Itookit—afterwards.”
“After?”
“MyrealnameisLitchfield.”
Foraminuteortwoitdidn’tsinkin—itwasjustanamevaguelyfamiliar.ThenIremembered.
“MatthewLitchfield.”
Shenodded.“Iseeyouknowaboutit.ThatwaswhatImeantjustnow.Myfatherwasaninvalidandatyrant.Heforbadeusanykindofnormallife.Wecouldn’taskfriendstothehouse.Hekeptusshortofmoney.Wewere—inprison.”
Shepaused,hereyes,thosebeautifuleyes,wideanddark.
“Andthenmysister—mysister—”
Shestopped.
“Pleasedon’t—don’tgoon.Itistoopainfulforyou.Iknowaboutit.Thereisnoneedtotellme.”
“Butyoudon’tknow.Youcan’t.Maggie.It’sinconceivable—unbelievable.Iknowthatshewenttothepolice,thatshegaveherselfup,thatsheconfessed.ButIstillsometimescan’tbelieveit!Ifeelsomehowthatitwasn’ttrue—thatitdidn’t—thatitcouldn’thavehappenedlikeshesaiditdid.”
“Youmean—”Ihesitated—“thatthefactswereat—atvariance—”
Shecutmeshort.“No,no.Notthat.No,it’sMaggieherself.Itwasn’tlikeher.Itwasn’t—itwasn’tMaggie!”
Wordstrembledonmylips,butIdidnotsaythem.ThetimehadnotyetcomewhenIcouldsaytoher:“YouarerightItwasn’tMaggie….”
Nine
Itmusthavebeenaboutsixo’clockwhenColonelLuttrellcamealongthepath.Hehadarookriflewithhimandwascarryingacoupleofdeadwoodpigeons.
HestartedwhenIhailedhimandseemedsurprisedtoseeus.
“Hullo,whatareyoutwodoinghere?Thattumbledownoldplaceisn’tverysafe,youknow.It’sfallingtopieces.Probablybreakupaboutyourears.Afraidyou’llgetdirtythere,Elizabeth.”
“Oh,that’sallright.CaptainHastingshassacrificedapockethandkerchiefinthegoodcauseofkeepingmydressclean.”
TheColonelmurmuredvaguely:“Ohreally?Ohwell,that’sallright.”
Hestoodtherepullingathislipandwegotupandjoinedhim.
Hismindseemedfarawaythisevening.Herousedhimselftosay:“Beentryingtogetsomeofthesecursedwoodpigeons.Doalotofdamage,youknow.”
“You’reaveryfineshot,Ihear,”Itoldhim.
“Eh?Whotoldyouthat?Oh,BoydCarrington.Usedtobe—usedtobe.Bitrustynowadays.Agewilltell.”
“Eyesight,”Isuggested.
Henegativedthesuggestionimmediately.“Nonsense.Eyesight’sasgoodaseveritwas.Thatis—havetowearglassesforreading,ofcourse.Butfarsight’sallright.”
Herepeatedaminuteortwolater:“Yes—allright.Notthatitmatters…”Hisvoicetrailedoffintoanabsentmindedmutter.
MissColesaid,lookinground:“Whatabeautifuleveningitis.”
Shewasquiteright.Thesunwasdrawingtothewestandthelightwasarichgolden,bringingoutthedeepershadesofgreeninthetreesinadeepglowingeffect.Itwasanevening,stillandcalm,andveryEnglish,suchasonerememberswheninfar-offtropicalcountries.Isaidasmuch.
ColonelLuttrellagreedeagerly.“Yes,yes,oftenusedtothinkofeveningslikethis—outinIndia,youknow.Makesyoulookforwardtoretiringandsettlingdown,what?”
Inodded.Hewenton,hisvoicechanging:“Yes,settlingdown,cominghome—nothing’severquitewhatyoupictureit—no—no.”
Ithoughtthatthatwasprobablyparticularlytrueinhiscase.Hehadnotpicturedhimselfrunningaguesthouse,tryingtomakeitpay,withanaggingwifeforeversnappingathimandcomplaining.
Wewalkedslowlytowardsthehouse.NortonandBoydCarringtonweresittingontheverandaandtheColonelandIjoinedthemwhilstMissColewentonintothehouse.
Wechattedforafewminutes.ColonelLuttrellseemedtohavebrightenedup.Hemadeajokeortwoandseemedfarmorecheerfulandwideawakethanusual.
“Beenahotday,”saidNorton.“I’mthirsty.”
“Haveadrink,youfellows.Onthehouse,what?”TheColonelsoundedeagerandhappy.
Wethankedhimandaccepted.Hegotupandwentin.
Thepartoftheterracewhereweweresittingwasjustoutsidethediningroomwindow,andthatwindowwasopen.
WeheardtheColonelinsideopeningacupboard,thenheardthesqueakofacorkscrewandthesubduedpopasthecorkofthebottlecameout.
Andthen,sharpandhigh,cametheunofficialvoiceofMrs.ColonelLuttrell!
“Whatareyoudoing,George?”
TheColonel’svoicewassubduedtoamutter.Weonlyheardamumbledwordhereandthere—“fellowsoutside”—“drink”—
Thesharp,irritatingvoiceburstoutindignantly:“You’lldonosuchthing,George.Theideanow.Howdoyouthinkwe’llevermakethisplacepayifyougoroundstandingeverybodydrinks?Drinksherewillbepaidfor.I’vegotabusiness-headifyouhaven’t.Why,you’dbebankrupttomorrowifitwasn’tforme!I’vegottolookafteryoulikeachild.Yes,justlikeachild.You’vegotnosenseatall.Givemethatbottle.Giveittome,Isay.”
Againtherewasanagonizedlowprotestingmumble.
Mrs.Luttrellansweredsnappishly:“Idon’tcarewhethertheydoortheydon’t.Thebottle’sgoingbackinthecupboard,andI’mgoingtolockthecupboardtoo.”
Therewasthesoundofakeybeingturnedinthelock.
“Therenow.That’sthewayofit.”
ThistimetheColonel’svoicecamemoreclearly:“You’regoingtoofar,Daisy.Iwon’thaveit.”
“Youwon’thaveit?AndwhoareyouI’dliketoknow?Whorunsthishouse?Ido.Anddon’tyouforgetit.”
TherewasafaintswishofdraperiesandMrs.Luttrellevidentlyflouncedoutoftheroom.
ItwassomefewmomentsbeforetheColonelreappeared.Helookedinthosefewmomentstohavegrownmucholderandfeebler.
TherewasnotoneofuswhodidnotfeeldeeplysorryforhimandwhowouldnotwillinglyhavemurderedMrs.Luttrell
“Awfullysorry,youchaps,”hesaid,hisvoicesoundingstiffandunnatural.“Seemtohaverunoutofwhisky.”
Hemusthaverealizedthatwecouldnothavehelpedoverhearingwhathadpassed.Ifhehadnotrealizedit,ourmannerwouldsoonhavetoldhim.Wewereallmiserablyuncomfortable,andNortonquitelosthishead,hurriedlysayingfirstthathedidn’treallywantadrink—tooneardinner,wasn’tit—andthenelaboratelychangingthesubjectandmakingaseriesofthemostunconnectedremarks.Itwasindeedabadmoment.ImyselffeltparalysedandBoydCarrington,whowastheonlyoneofuswhomightconceivablyhavemanagedtopassitoff,gotnoopportunitywithNorton’sbabble.
OutofthetailofmyeyeIsawMrs.Luttrellstalkingawaydownoneofthepathsequippedwithgardeningglovesandadandelionweeder.Shewascertainlyanefficientwoman,butIfeltbitterlytowardsherjustthen.Nohumanbeinghasarighttohumiliateanotherhumanbeing.
Nortonwasstilltalkingfeverishly.Hehadpickedupawoodpigeon,andfromfirsttellingushowhehadbeenlaughedatathisprepschoolforbeingsickwhenhesawarabbitkilled,hadgoneontothesubjectofgrousemoors,tellingalongandratherpointlessstoryofanaccidentthathadoccurredinScotlandwhenabeaterhadbeenshot.Wetalkedofvariousshootingaccidentswehadknown,andthenBoydCarringtonclearedhisthroatandsaid:
“Ratheranamusingthinghappenedoncewithabatmanofmine.Irishchap.HehadaholidayandwentofftoIrelandforit.WhenhecamebackIaskedhimifhehadhadagoodholiday.
“‘Ahshure,yourHonour,bestholidayI’veeverhadinmylife!’
“‘I’mgladofthat,’Isaid,rathersurprisedathisenthusiasm.
“‘Ahyes,shure,itwasagrandholiday!Ishotmybrother.’
“‘Youshotyourbrother!’Iexclaimed.
“‘Ahyes,indade.It’syearsnowthatI’vebeenwantingtodoit.AndthereIwasonaroofinDublinandwhoshouldIseecomingdownthestreetbutmybrotherandItherewitharifleinmyhand.Alovelyshotitwas,thoughIsayitmyself.Pickedhimoffascleanasabird.Ah,itwasafoinemoment,that,andI’llneverforgetit!’”
BoydCarringtontoldastorywell,withexaggerateddramaticemphasis,andwealllaughedandfelteasier.Whenhegotupandstrolledoff,sayinghemustgetabathbeforedinner,Nortonvoicedourfeelingbysayingwithenthusiasm:“Whatasplendidchapheis!”
IagreedandLuttrellsaid:“Yes,yes,agoodfellow.”
“Alwaysbeenasuccesseverywhere,soIunderstand,”saidNorton.“Everythinghe’sturnedhishandtohassucceeded.Clear-headed,knowshisownmind—essentiallyamanofaction.Thetruesuccessfulman.”
Luttrellsaidslowly:“Somemenarelikethat.Everythingtheyturntheirhandtosucceeds.Theycan’tgowrong.Somepeople—havealltheluck.”
Nortongaveaquickshakeofthehead.“No,no,sir.Notluck.”Hequotedwithmeaning:“Notinourstars,dearBrutus—butinourselves.”
Luttrellsaid:“Perhapsyou’reright.”
Isaidquickly:“Atanyratehe’sluckytohaveinheritedKnatton.Whataplace!Buthecertainlyoughttomarry.He’llbelonelytherebyhimself.”
Nortonlaughed.“Marryandsettledown?Andsupposehiswifebullieshim—”
Itwasthepurestbadluck.Thesortofremarkthatanyonecouldmake.Butitwasunfortunateinthecircumstances,andNortonrealizeditjustatthemomentthatthewordscameout.Hetriedtocatchthemback,hesitated,stammered,andstoppedawkwardly.Itmadethewholethingworse.
BothheandIbegantospeakatonce.Imadesomeidioticremarkabouttheeveninglight.Nortonsaidsomethingabouthavingsomebridgeafterdinner.
ColonelLuttrelltooknonoticeofeitherofus.Hesaidinaqueer,inexpressivevoice:“No,BoydCarringtonwon’tgetbulliedbyhiswife.He’snotthesortofmanwholetshimselfgetbullied.He’sallright.He’saman!”
Itwasveryawkward.Nortonbeganbabblingaboutbridgeagain.Inthemiddleofitalargewoodpigeoncameflappingoverourheadsandsettledonthebranchofatreenotfaraway.
ColonelLuttrellpickeduphisgun.“There’soneoftheblighters,”hesaid
Beforehecouldtakeaimthebirdhadflownoffagainthroughthetreeswhereitwasimpossibletogetashotatit.
Atthesamemoment,however,theColonel’sattentionwasdivertedbyamovementonthefarslope.
“Damn,there’sarabbitnibblingthebarkofthoseyoungfruittrees.ThoughtI’dwiredtheplace.”
Heraisedtherifleandfired,andasIsaw—
Therewasascreaminawoman’svoice.Itdiedinakindofhorriblegurgle.
TheriflefellfromtheColonel’shand,hisbodysagged—hecaughthislip.
“MyGod—it’sDaisy.”
Iwasalreadyrunningacrossthelawn.Nortoncamebehindme.Ireachedthespotandkneltdown.ItwasMrs.Luttrell.Shehadbeenkneeling,tyingastakeagainstoneofthesmallfruittrees.ThegrasswaslongtheresothatIrealizedhowitwasthattheColonelhadnotseenherclearlyandhadonlydistinguishedmovementsinthegrass.Thelighttoowasconfusing.Shehadbeenshotthroughtheshoulderandthebloodwasgushingout.
IbenttoexaminethewoundandlookedupatNorton.Hewasleaningagainstatreeandwaslookinggreenandasthoughheweregoingtobesick.Hesaidapologetically:“Ican’tstandblood.”
Isaidsharply:“GetholdofFranklinatonce.Orthenurse.”
Henoddedandranoff.
ItwasNurseCravenwhoappearedfirstuponthescene.Shewasthereinanincrediblyshorttimeandatoncesetaboutinabusinesslikewaytostopthebleeding.Franklinarrivedatarunsoonafterwards.Betweenthemtheygotherintothehouseandtobed:FranklindressedandbandagedthewoundandsentforherowndoctorandNurseCravenstayedwithher.
IranacrossFranklinjustasheleftthetelephone.
“Howisshe?”
“Oh,she’llpullthroughallright.Itmissedanyvitalspot,luckily.Howdidithappen?”
Itoldhim.Hesaid:“Isee.Where’stheoldboy?He’llbefeelingknockedout,Ishouldn’twonder.Probablyneedsattentionmorethanshedoes.Ishouldn’tsayhisheartisanytoogood.”
WefoundColonelLuttrellinthesmokingroom.Hewasabluecolourroundthemouthandlookedcompletelydazed.Hesaidbrokenly:“Daisy?Isshe—howisshe?”
Franklinsaidquickly:“She’llbeallright,sir.Youneedn’tworry.”
“I—thought—rabbit—nibblingthebark—don’tknowhowIcametomakesuchamistake.Lightinmyeyes.”
“Thesethingshappen,”saidFranklindrily.“I’veseenoneortwooftheminmytime.Lookhere,sir,you’dbetterletmegiveyouapick-me-up.You’renotfeelingtoogood.”
“I’mallright.CanI—canIgotoher?”
“Notjustnow.NurseCraveniswithher.Butyoudon’tneedtoworry.She’sallright.Dr.Oliverwillbeherepresentlyandhe’lltellyouthesame.”
Ileftthetwoofthemtogetherandwentoutintotheeveningsunshine.JudithandAllertonwerecomingalongthepathtowardsme.Hisheadwasbenttohersandtheywerebothlaughing.
Comingontopofthetragedythathadjusthappened,itmademefeelveryangry.IcalledsharplytoJudithandshelookedup,surprised.InafewwordsItoldthemwhathadoccurred.
“Whatanextraordinarythingtohappen,”wasmydaughter’scomment.
Shedidnotseemnearlyasperturbedassheshouldhavebeen,Ithought.
Allerton’smannerwasoutrageous.Heseemedtotakethewholethingasagoodjoke.
“Servetheoldharridandamnwellright,”heobserved.“Thinktheoldboydiditonpurpose?”
“Certainlynot,”Isaidsharply.“Itwasanaccident.”
“Yes,butIknowtheseaccidents.Damnedconvenientsometimes.Myword,iftheoldboyshotherdeliberatelyItakeoffmyhattohim.”
“Itwasnothingofthekind,”Isaidangrily.
“Don’tbetoosure.I’veknowntwomenwhoshottheirwives.Cleaninghisrevolveronewas.Theotherfiredpoint-blankatherasajoke,hesaid.Didn’tknowthethingwasloaded.Gotawaywithit,bothofthem.Damnedgoodrelease,Ishouldsaymyself.”
“ColonelLuttrell,”Isaidcoldly,“isn’tthattypeofman.”
“Wellyoucouldn’tsayitwouldn’tbeablessedrelease,couldyou?”demandedAllertonpertinently.“Theyhadn’tjusthadaroworanything,hadthey?”
Iturnedawayangrily,atthesametimetryingtohideacertainperturbation.Allertonhadcomealittletoonearthemark.Forthefirsttimeadoubtcreptintomymind.
ItwasnotbetteredbymeetingBoydCarrington.Hehadbeenforastrolldowntowardsthelake,heexplained.WhenItoldhimthenewshesaidatonce:“Youdon’tthinkhemeanttoshoother,doyou,Hastings?”
“Mydearman.”
“Sorry,sorry.Ishouldn’thavesaidthat.Itwasonly,forthemoment,onewondered…She—shegavehimabitofprovocation,youknow.”
Wewerebothsilentforamomentaswerememberedthescenewehadsounwillinglyoverheard.
Iwentupstairsfeelingunhappyandworried,andrappedonPoirot’sdoor.
HehadalreadyheardthroughCurtissofwhathadoccurred,buthewaseagerforfulldetails.SincemyarrivalatStylesIhadgotintothewayofreportingmostofmydailyencountersandconversationsinfulldetail.InthiswayIfeltthatthedearoldfellowfeltlesscutoff.Itgavehimtheillusionofactuallyparticipatingineverythingthatwenton.Ihavealwayshadagoodandaccuratememoryandfounditasimplemattertorepeatconversationsverbatim
Poirotlistenedveryattentively.Iwashopingthathewouldbeabledefinitelytopooh-poohthedreadfulsuggestionthathadbynowtakeneasycontrolofmymind,butbeforehehadachanceoftellingmewhathethought,therecamealighttaponthedoor.
ItwasNurseCraven.Sheapologizedfordisturbingus.
“I’msorry,butIthoughtDoctorwashere.Theoldladyisconsciousnowandshe’sworryingaboutherhusband.She’dliketoseehim.Doyouknowwhereheis,CaptainHastings?Idon’twanttoleavemypatient.”
Ivolunteeredtogoandlookforhim.PoirotnoddedapprovalandNurseCraventhankedmewarmly.
IfoundColonelLuttrellinalittlemorningroomthatwasseldomused.Hewasstandingbythewindowlookingout.
HeturnedsharplyasIcamein.Hiseyesaskedaquestion.Helooked,Ithought,afraid.
“Yourwifeisconscious,ColonelLuttrell,andisaskingforyou.”
“Oh.”ThecoloursurgedupinhischeeksandIrealizedthenhowverywhitehehadbeenbefore.Hesaidslowly,fumblingly,likeanold,oldman:“She—she—isaskingforme?I’ll—I’llcome—atonce.”
HewassounsteadyashebeganshufflingtowardsthedoorthatIcameandhelpedhim.Heleanedonmeheavilyaswewentupthestairs.Hisbreathingwascomingwithdifficulty.Theshock,asFranklinhadprophesied,wassevere.
Wecametothedoorofthesickroom.ItappedandNurseCraven’sbrisk,efficientvoicecalled:“Comein.”
Stillsupportingtheoldman,Iwentwithhimintotheroom.Therewasascreenroundthebed.Wecameroundthecornerofit.
Mrs.Luttrellwaslookingveryill—whiteandfrail,hereyesclosed.Sheopenedthemaswecameroundthecornerofthescreen.
Shesaidinasmall,breathlessvoice:“George—George….”
“Daisy—mydear….”
Oneofherarmswasbandagedandsupported.Theother,thefreeone,movedunsteadilytowardshim.Hetookastepforwardandclaspedherfraillittlehandinhis.Hesaidagain:“Daisy…”Andthen,gruffly…“ThankGod,you’reallright.”
Andlookingupathim,seeinghiseyesslightlymistyandthedeeploveandanxietyinthem,Ifeltbitterlyashamedofallourghoulishimaginings.
Icreptquietlyoutoftheroom.Camouflagedaccidentindeed!Therewasnodisguisingthatheartfeltnoteofthankfulness.Ifeltimmeasurablyrelieved.
ThesoundofthegongstartledmeasIwentalongthepassage.Ihadcompletelyforgottenthepassageoftime.Theaccidenthadupseteverything.Onlythecookhadgoneonasusualandproduceddinnerattheusualtime.
MostofushadnotchangedandColonelLuttrelldidnotappear.ButMrs.Franklin,lookingquiteattractiveinapalepinkeveningdress,wasdownstairsforonceandseemedingoodhealthandspirits.Franklin,Ithought,wasmoodyandabsorbed.
Afterdinner,tomyannoyance,AllertonandJudithdisappearedintothegardentogether.Isataroundawhile,listeningtoFranklinandNortondiscussingtropicaldiseases.Nortonwasasympatheticandinterestedlistener,evenifheknewlittleofthesubjectunderdiscussion.
Mrs.FranklinandBoydCarringtonweretalkingattheotherendoftheroom.Hewasshowinghersomepatternsofcurtainsorcretonnes.
ElizabethColehadabookandseemeddeeplyabsorbedinit.Ifanciedthatshewasslightlyembarrassedandillateasewithme.Perhapsnotunnaturallysoaftertheconfidencesoftheafternoon.Iwassorryaboutit,allthesame,andhopedshedidnotregretallshehadtoldme.IshouldhavelikedtohavemadeitcleartoherthatIshouldrespectherconfidenceandnotrepeatit.Howevershegavemenochance.
AfterawhileIwentuptoPoirot.
IfoundColonelLuttrellsittinginthecircleoflightthrownbytheonesmallelectriclampthatwasturnedon.
HewastalkingandPoirotwaslistening.IthinktheColonelwasspeakingtohimselfratherthantohislistener.
“Iremembersowell—yes,itwasatahuntball.Sheworewhitestuff,calledtulle,Ithinkitwas.Floatedallroundher.Suchaprettygirl—bowledmeoverthenandthere.Isaidtomyself:‘That’sthegirlI’mgoingtomarry.’AndbyJoveIbroughtitoff.Awfullyprettywayshehadwithher—saucy,youknow,plentyofbackchat.Alwaysgaveasgoodasshegot,blessher.”
Hechuckled.
Isawthesceneinmymind’seye.IcouldimagineDaisyLuttrellwithayoungsaucyfaceandthatsmarttongue—socharmingthen,soapttoturnshrewishwiththeyears.
Butitwasasthatyounggirl,hisfirstreallove,thatColonelLuttrellwasthinkingofhertonight.HisDaisy.
AndagainIfeltashamedofwhatwehadsaidsuchafewhourspreviously.
Ofcourse,whenColonelLuttrellhadatlasttakenhimselfofftobed,IblurtedoutthewholethingtoPoirot.
Helistenedveryquietly.Icouldmakenothingoftheexpressiononhisface.
“Sothatiswhatyouthought,Hastings—thattheshotwasfiredonpurpose?”
“Yes.Ifeelashamednow—”
Poirotwavedasidemypresentfeelings.
“Didthethoughtoccurtoyouofyourownaccord,ordidsomeoneelsesuggestittoyou?”
“Allertonsaidsomethingofthekind,”Isaidresentfully.“Hewould,ofcourse.”
“Anyoneelse?”
“BoydCarringtonsuggestedit.”
“Ah!BoydCarrington.”
“Andafterall,he’samanoftheworldandhasexperienceofthesethings.”
“Oh,quiteso,quiteso.Hedidnotseethethinghappen,though?”
“No,he’dgoneforawalk.Bitofexercisebeforechangingfordinner.”
“Isee.”
Isaiduneasily:“Idon’tthinkIreallybelievedthattheory.Itwasonly—”
Poirotinterruptedme.“Youneednotbesoremorsefulaboutyoursuspicions,Hastings.Itwasanideaquitelikelytooccurtoanyonegiventhecircumstances.Oh,yes,itwasallquitenatural.”
TherewassomethinginPoirot’smannerIdidnotquiteunderstand.Areserve.Hiseyeswerewatchingmewithacuriousexpression.
Isaidslowly:“Perhaps.Butseeingnowhowdevotedhereallyistoher—”
Poirotnodded.“Exactly.Thatisoftenthecase,remember.Underneaththequarrels,themisunderstandings,theapparenthostilityofeverydaylife,arealandtrueaffectioncanexist.”
Iagreed.IrememberedthegentleaffectionatelookinlittleMrs.Luttrell’seyesasshelookedupatherhusbandstoopingoverherbed.Nomorevinegar,noimpatience,noill-temper.
Marriedlife,Imused,asIwenttobed,wasacuriousthing.
ThatsomethinginPoirot’smannerstillworriedme.Thatcuriouswatchfullook—asthoughhewerewaitingformetosee—what?
Iwasjustgettingintobedwhenitcametome.Hitmebangbetweentheeyes.
IfMrs.Luttrellhadbeenkilled,itwouldhavebeenacaselikethoseothercases.ColonelLuttrellwould,apparently,havekilledhiswife.Itwouldhavebeenaccountedanaccident,yetatthesametimenobodywouldhavebeensurethatitwasanaccident,orwhetherithadbeendoneonpurpose.Insufficientevidencetoshowitasmurder,butquiteenoughevidenceformurdertobesuspected.
Butthatmeant—thatmeant—
Whatdiditmean?
Itmeant—ifanythingatallwastomakesense—thatitwasnotColonelLuttrellwhoshotMrs.Luttrell,butX.
Andthatwasclearlyimpossible.Ihadseenthewholething.ItwasColonelLuttrellwhohadfiredtheshot.Noothershothadbeenfired.
Unless—Butsurelythatwouldbeimpossible.No,perhapsnotimpossible—merelyhighlyimprobable.Butpossible,yes…Supposingthatsomeoneelsehadwaitedhismoment,andattheexactinstantwhenColonelLuttrellhadfired(atarabbit),thisotherpersonhadfiredatMrs.Luttrell.Thenonlytheoneshotwouldhavebeenheard.Or,evenwithaslightdiscrepancy,itwouldhavebeenputdownasanecho.(NowIcometothinkofit,therehadbeenanecho,surely.)
Butno,thatwasabsurd.Therewerewaysofdecidingexactlywhatweaponabullethadbeenfiredfrom.Themarksonthebulletmustagreewiththeriflingofthebarrel.
Butthat,Iremembered,wasonlywhenthepolicewereanxioustoestablishwhatweaponhadfiredtheshot.Therewouldhavebeennoenquiryinthisbusiness.ForColonelLuttrellwouldhavebeenquiteascertainaseveryoneelsethatitwashewhohadfiredthefatalshot.Thatfactwouldhavebeenadmitted,acceptedwithoutquestion;therewouldhavebeennoquestionoftests.Theonlydoubtwouldhavebeenwhethertheshotwasfiredaccidentallyorwithcriminalintent—aquestionthatcouldneverberesolved.
Andthereforethecasefellintolineexactlywiththoseothercases—withthecaseofthelabourerRiggswhodidn’trememberbutsupposedhemusthavedoneit,withMaggieLitchfieldwhowentoutofhermindandgaveherselfup—foracrimeshehadnotcommitted.
Yes,thiscasefellintolinewiththerestandIknewnowthemeaningofPoirot’smanner.Hewaswaitingformetoappreciatethefact.
Ten
I
IopenedthesubjectwithPoirotthefollowingmorning.Hisfacelightedupandhewaggedhisheadappreciatively.
“Excellent,Hastings.Iwonderedifyouwouldseethesimilarity.Ididnotwanttopromptyou,youunderstand.”
“ThenIamright.ThisisanotherXcase?”
“Undeniably.”
“Butwhy,Poirot?Whatisthemotive?”
Poirotshookhishead.
“Don’tyouknow?Haven’tyouanyidea?”
Poirotsaidslowly:“Ihaveanidea,yes.”
“You’vegottheconnectionbetweenallthesedifferentcases?”
“Ithinkso.”
“Wellthen.”
Icouldhardlyrestrainmyimpatience.
“No,Hastings.”
“ButI’vegottoknow.”
“Itismuchbetterthatyoushouldnot.”
“Why?”
“Youmusttakeitfrommethatitisso.”
“Youareincorrigible,”Isaid.“Twistedupwitharthritis.Sittingherehelpless.Andstilltryingtoplayalonehand.”
“DonotfiguretoyourselfthatIamplayingalonehand.Notatall.Youare,onthecontrary,verymuchinthepicture,Hastings.Youaremyeyesandears.Ionlyrefusetogiveyouinformationthatmightbedangerous.”
“Tome?”
“Tothemurderer.”
“Youwanthim,”Isaidslowly,“nottosuspectthatyouareonhistrack?Thatisit,Isuppose.OrelseyouthinkthatIcannottakecareofmyself.”
“Youshouldatleastknowonething,Hastings.Amanwhohaskilledoncewillkillagain—andagainandagainandagain.”
“Atanyrate,”Isaidgrimly,“therehasn’tbeenanothermurderthistime.Onebulletatleasthasgonewide.”
“Yes,thatwasveryfortunate—veryfortunateindeed.AsItoldyou,thesethingsaredifficulttoforesee.”
Hesighed.Hisfacetookonaworriedexpression.
Iwentawayquietly,realizingsadlyhowunfitPoirotwasnowforanysustainedeffort.Hisbrainwasstillkeen,buthewasasickandtiredman.
PoirothadwarnedmenottotryandpenetratethepersonalityofX.InmyownmindIstillclungtomybeliefthatIhadpenetratedthatpersonality.TherewasonlyonepersonatStyleswhostruckmeasdefinitelyevil.Byasimplequestion,however,Icouldmakesureofonething.Thetestwouldbeanegativeone,butwouldneverthelesshaveacertainvalue.
ItackledJudithafterbreakfast.
“WherehadyoubeenyesterdayeveningwhenImetyou,youandMajorAllerton?”
Thetroubleisthatwhenyouareintentononeaspectofathing,youtendtoignoreallotheraspects.IwasquitestartledwhenJudithflaredoutatme.
“Really,Father,Idon’tseewhatbusinessitisofyours.”
Istaredather,rathertakenaback.“I—Ionlyasked.”
“Yes,butwhy?Whydoyouhavetobecontinuallyaskingquestions?WhatwasIdoing?WheredidIgo?WhowasIwith?It’sreallyintolerable!”
Thefunnypartofitwas,ofcourse,thatthistimeIwasnotreallyaskingatallwhereJudithwas.ItwasAllertonIwasinterestedin.
Itriedtopacifyher.
“Really,Judith,Idon’tseewhyIcan’taskasimplequestion.”
“Idon’tseewhyyouwanttoknow.”
“Idon’tparticularly.Imean,Ijustwonderedwhyneitherofyou—er—seemedtoknowwhathadhappened.”
“Abouttheaccident,doyoumean?I’dbeendowntothevillage,ifyoumustknow,togetsomestamps.”
Ipouncedonthepersonalpronoun.
“Allertonwasn’twithyouthen?”
Judithgaveanexasperatedgasp.
“No,hewasnot,”shesaidintonesofcoldfury.“Actually,we’dmetjustnearthehouseandonlyabouttwominutesbeforewemetyou.Ihopeyou’resatisfiednow.ButI’djustliketosaythatifI’dspentthewholedaywalkingaroundwithMajorAllerton,it’sreallynotyourbusiness.I’mtwenty-oneandearningmyownliving,andhowIspendmytimeisentirelymyownbusiness.”
“Entirely,”Isaid,quicklytryingtostemthetide.
“I’mgladyouagree.”Judithlookedmollified.Shegavearuefulhalfsmile.“Oh,dearest,dotryandnotcometheheavyfatherquitesomuch.Youdon’tknowhowmaddeningitis.Ifyoujustwouldn’tfussso.”
“Iwon’t—Ireallywon’tinfuture,”Ipromisedher.
Franklincamestridingalongatthisminute.
“Hullo,Judith.Comealong.We’relaterthanusual.”
Hismannerwascurtandreallyhardlypolite.InspiteofmyselfIfeltannoyed.IknewthatFranklinwasJudith’semployer,thathehadacalluponhertimeandthat,sincehepaidforit,hewasentitledtogiveherorders.Nevertheless,Ididnotseewhyhecouldnotbehavewithcommoncourtesy.Hismannerswerenotwhatonewouldcallpolishedtoanyone,buthedidatleastbehavetomostpeoplewithacertainamountofeverydaypoliteness.ButtoJudith,especiallyoflate,hismannerwasalwayscurtanddictatorialintheextreme.Hehardlylookedatherwhenhespokeandmerelybarkedoutorders.Judithneverappearedtoresentthis,butIdidonherbehalf.ItcrossedmymindthatitwasespeciallyunfortunatesinceitcontrastedinsuchaverymarkedwaywithAllerton’sexaggeratedattention.NodoubtJohnFranklinwasatentimesbettermanthanAllerton,buthecomparedverybadlywithhimfromthepointofviewofattraction.
IwatchedFranklinashestrodealongthepathtowardsthelaboratory,hisungainlywalk,hisangularbuild,thejuttingbonesofhisfaceandhead,hisredhairandhisfreckles.Anuglymanandanungainlyman.Noneofthemoreobviousqualities.Agoodbrain,yes,butwomenseldomfallforbrainsalone.IreflectedwithdismaythatJudith,owingtothecircumstancesofherjob,practicallynevercameintocontactwithothermen.Shehadnoopportunityofsizingupvariousattractivemen.ComparedwiththegruffandunattractiveFranklin,Allerton’smeretriciouscharmsstoodoutwithalltheforceofcontrast.Mypoorgirlhadnochanceofappraisinghimathistrueworth.
Supposingthatsheshouldcomeseriouslytoloseherhearttohim?Theirritabilityshehadshownjustnowwasadisquietingsign.Allerton,Iknew,wasarealbadlot.Hewaspossiblysomethingmore.IfAllertonwereX—?
Hecouldbe.AtthetimethattheshotwasfiredhehadnotbeenwithJudith.
Butwhatwasthemotiveofalltheseseeminglypurposelesscrimes?Therewas,Ifeltsure,nothingofthemadmanaboutAllerton.Hewassane—altogethersane—andutterlyunprincipled.
AndJudith—myJudith—wasseeingaltogethertoomuchofhim.
II
Uptothistime,thoughIhadbeenfaintlyworriedaboutmydaughter,mypreoccupationoverXandthepossibilityofacrimeoccurringatanymomenthadsuccessfullydrivenmorepersonalproblemstothebackofmymind.
Nowthattheblowhadfallen,thatacrimehadbeenattemptedandhadmercifullyfailed,Iwasfreetoreflectonthesethings.AndthemoreIdidso,themoreanxiousIbecame.AchancewordspokenonedayrevealedtomethefactthatAllertonwasamarriedman.
BoydCarrington,whoknewallabouteveryone,enlightenedmefurther.Allerton’swifewasadevoutRomanCatholic.Shehadlefthimashorttimeaftertheirmarriage.Owingtoherreligiontherehadneverbeenanyquestionofdivorce
“Andifyouaskme,”saidBoydCarringtonfrankly,“itsuitstheblighterdowntotheground.Hisintentionsarealwaysdishonourable,andawifeinthebackgroundsuitsthebookverywell.”
Pleasanthearingforafather!
Thedaysaftertheshootingaccidentpasseduneventfullyenoughonthesurface,buttheyaccompaniedagrowingundercurrentofunrestonmypart.
ColonelLuttrellspentmuchtimeinhiswife’sbedroom.AnursehadarrivedtotakechargeofthepatientandNurseCravenwasabletoresumeherministrationstoMrs.Franklin.
Withoutwishingtobeill-natured,ImustadmitthatIhadobservedsignsonMrs.Franklin’spartofirritationatnotbeingtheinvalidenchef.ThefussandattentionthatcentredroundMrs.Luttrellwasclearlyverydispleasingtothelittleladywhowasaccustomedtoherownhealthbeingthemaintopicoftheday.
Shelayaboutinahammockchair,herhandtoherside,complainingofpalpitation.Nofoodthatwasservedwassuitableforher,andallherexactionsweremaskedbyaveneerofpatientendurance.
“Idosohatemakingafuss,”shemurmuredplaintivelytoPoirot.“Ifeelsoashamedofmywretchedhealth.It’sso—sohumiliatingalwaystohavetoaskpeopletobedoingthingsforme.Isometimesthinkillhealthisreallyacrime.Ifoneisn’thealthyandinsensitiveoneisn’tfitforthisworldandoneshouldjustbeputquietlyaway.”
“Ahno,madame.”Poirot,asalways,wasgallant.“Thedelicateexoticflowerhastohavetheshelterofthegreenhouse—itcannotendurethecoldwinds.Itisthecommonweedthatthrivesinthewintryair,butitisnottobeprizedhigheronthataccount.Considermycase—cramped,twisted,unabletomove,butI—Idonotthinkofquittinglife.IenjoystillwhatIcan—thefood,thedrink,thepleasuresoftheintellect.”
Mrs.Franklinsighedandmurmured:“Ah,butit’sdifferentforyou.Youhavenoonebutyourselftoconsider.Inmycase,thereismypoorJohn.IfeelacutelywhataburdenIamtohim.Asicklyuselesswife.Amillstonehungroundhisneck.”
“Hehasneversaidthatyouarethat,Iamsure.”
“Oh,notsaidso.Ofcoursenot.Butmenaresotransparent,poordears.AndJohnisn’tanygoodatconcealinghisfeelings.Hedoesn’tmean,ofcourse,tobeunkind,buthe’s—well,mercifullyforhimselfhe’saveryinsensitivesortofperson.He’snofeelingsandsohedoesn’texpectanyoneelsetohavethem.It’ssoterriblyluckytobebornthick-skinned.”
“IshouldnotdescribeDr.Franklinasthick-skinned.”
“Wouldn’tyou?Oh,butyoudon’tknowhimaswellasIdo.OfcourseIknowthatifitwasn’tforme,hewouldbemuchfreer.Sometimes,youknow,IgetsoterriblydepressedthatIthinkwhatareliefitwouldbetoenditall.”
“Oh,come,madame.”
“Afterall,whatuseamItoanybody?TogooutofitallintotheGreatUnknown…”sheshookherhead.“AndthenJohnwouldbefree.”
“Greatfiddlesticks,”saidNurseCravenwhenIrepeatedthisconversationtoher.“Shewon’tdoanythingofthekind.Don’tyouworry,CaptainHastings.Theseonesthattalkabout‘endingitall’inadying-duckvoicehaven’tthefaintestintentionofdoinganythingofthekind.”
AndImustsaythatoncetheexcitementarousedbyMrs.Luttrell’sinjuryhaddieddown,andNurseCravenwasoncemoreinattendance,Mrs.Franklin’sspiritsimprovedverymuch.
OnaparticularlyfinemorningCurtisshadtakenPoirotdowntothecornerbelowthebeechtreesnearthelaboratory.Thiswasafavouritespotofhis.Itwasshelteredfromanyeastwindandinfacthardlyanybreezecouldeverbefeltthere.ThissuitedPoirot,whoabhorreddraughtsandwasalwayssuspiciousofthefreshair.Actually,Ithinkhemuchpreferredtobeindoorsbuthadgrowntotoleratetheouterairwhenmuffledinrugs.
IstrolleddowntojoinhimandasIgotthereMrs.Franklincameoutofthelaboratory.
Shewasmostbecominglydressedandlookedremarkablycheerful.SheexplainedthatshewasdrivingoverwithBoydCarringtontoseethehouseandgiveexpertadviceinchoosingcretonnes.
“IleftmyhandbaginthelabyesterdaywhenIwastalkingtoJohn,”sheexplained.“PoorJohn,heandJudithhavedrivenintoTadcaster—theywereshortofsomechemicalreagentorother.”
ShesankdownonaseatnearPoirotandshookherheadwithacomicalexpression.“Poordears—I’msogladIhaven’tgotthescientificmind.Onalovelydaylikethisitallseemssopuerile.”
“Youmustnotletscientistshearyousaythat,madame.”
“No,ofcoursenot.”Herfacechanged.Itgrewserious.Shesaidquietly:“Youmustn’tthink,M.Poirot,thatIdon’tadmiremyhusband.Ido.Ithinkthewayhejustlivesforhisworkisreally—tremendous.”
Therewasalittletremorinhervoice.
AsuspicioncrossedmymindthatMrs.Franklinratherlikedplayingdifferentroles.Atthismomentshewasbeingtheloyalandhero-worshippingwife.
Sheleanedforward,placinganearnesthandonPoirot’sknee.“John,”shesaid,“isreallya—akindofsaint.Itmakesmequitefrightenedsometimes.”
TocallFranklinasaintwassomewhatoverstatingthecase,Ithought,butBarbaraFranklinwenton,hereyesshining
“He’lldoanything—takeanyrisk—justtoadvancethesumofhumanknowledge.Thatisprettyfine,don’tyouthink?”
“Assuredly,assuredly,”saidPoirotquickly.
“Butsometimes,youknow,”wentonMrs.Franklin,“I’mreallynervousabouthim.Thelengthstowhichhe’llgo,Imean.Thishorriblebeanthinghe’sexperimentingwithnow.I’msoafraidhe’llstartexperimentingonhimself.”
“He’dtakeeveryprecaution,surely,”Isaid.
Sheshookherheadwithaslight,ruefulsmile.“Youdon’tknowJohn.Didyouneverhearaboutwhathedidwiththatnewgas?”
Ishookmyhead.
“Itwassomenewgastheywantedtofindoutabout.Johnvolunteeredtotestit.Hewasshutupinatankforsomethinglikethirty-sixhours,takinghispulseandtemperatureandrespiration,toseewhattheaftereffectswereandiftheywerethesameformenasforanimals.Itwasafrightfulrisk,sooneoftheprofessorstoldmeafterwards.Hemighteasilyhavepassedoutaltogether.Butthat’sthesortofpersonJohnis—absolutelyobliviousofhisownsafety.Ithinkit’sratherwonderful,don’tyou,tobelikethat?Ishouldneverbebraveenough.”
“Itneeds,indeed,highcourage,”saidPoirot,“todothesethingsincoldblood.”
BarbaraFranklinsaid:“Yes,itdoes.I’mawfullyproudofhim,youknow,butatthesametimeitmakesmerathernervous,too.Because,yousee,guineapigsandfrogsarenogoodafteracertainpoint.Youwantthehumanreaction.That’swhyIfeelsoterrifiedthatJohnwillgoanddosehimselfwiththisnastyordealbeanandthatsomethingawfulmighthappen.”Shesighedandshookherhead.“Butheonlylaughsatmyfears.Hereallyisasortofsaint,youknow.”
AtthismomentBoydCarringtoncametowardsus.
“Hullo,Babs,ready?”
“Yes,Bill,waitingforyou.”
“Idohopeitwon’ttireyoutoomuch.”
“Ofcourseitwon’t.IfeelbettertodaythanIhaveforages.”
Shegotup,smiledprettilyatusboth,andwalkedupthelawnwithhertallescort.
“Dr.Franklin,themodernsaint—h’m,”saidPoirot.
“Ratherachangeofattitude,”Isaid.“ButIthinktheladyislikethat.”
“Likewhat?”
“Giventodramatizingherselfinvariousroles.Onedaythemisunderstood,neglectedwife,thentheself-sacrificing,sufferingwomanwhohatestobeaburdenonthemansheloves.Todayit’sthehero-worshippinghelpmate.Thetroubleisthatalltherolesareslightlyoverdone.”
Poirotsaidthoughtfully:“YouthinkMrs.Franklin,doyounot,ratherafool?”
“Well,Iwouldn’tsaythat—yes,perhapsnotaverybrilliantintellect.”
“Ah,sheisnotyourtype.”
“Whoismytype?”Isnapped.
Poirotrepliedunexpectedly:“Openyourmouthandshutyoureyesandseewhatthefairieswillsendyou—”
IwaspreventedfromreplyingbecauseNurseCravencametrippinghastilyacrossthegrass.Shegaveusasmilewithabrilliantflashofteeth,unlockedthedoorofthelab,passedinsideandreappearedwithapairofgloves.
“Firstahankyandnowgloves,alwayssomethingleftbehind,”sheobservedasshespedbackwiththemtowhereBarbaraFranklinandBoydCarringtonwerewaiting.
Mrs.Franklin,Ireflected,wasthatratherfecklesstypeofwomanwhoalwaysdidleavethingsbehind,sheddingherpossessionsandexpectingeverybodytoretrievethemasamatterofcourseandeven,Ifancied,wasratherproudofherselfforsodoing.Ihadheardhermorethanoncemurmurcomplacently:“OfcourseI’vegotaheadlikeasieve.”
IsatlookingafterNurseCravenassheranacrossthelawnandoutofsight.Sheranwell,herbodywasvigorousandwellbalanced.Isaidimpulsively:“Ishouldthinkagirlmustgetfedupwiththatsortoflife.Imeanwhenthereisn’tmuchnursingtobedone—whenit’sjustfetchandcarry.Idon’tsupposeMrs.Franklinisparticularlyconsiderateorkindly.”
Poirot’sresponsewasdistinctlyannoying.Fornoreasonwhatever,heclosedhiseyesandmurmured:“Auburnhair.”
UndoubtedlyNurseCravenhadgotauburnhair,butIdidnotseewhyPoirotshouldchoosejustthisminutetocommentuponit.
Imadenoreply.
Eleven
Itwas,Ithink,onthefollowingmorningbeforelunchthataconversationtookplacewhichleftmevaguelydisquieted
Therewerefourofus—Judith,myself,BoydCarringtonandNorton.
Exactlyhowthesubjectstarted,Iamnotsure,butweweretalkingofeuthanasia—thecaseforandagainstit.
BoydCarrington,aswasnatural,didmostofthetalking,NortonputtinginawordortwohereandthereandJudithsittingsilentbutcloselyattentive.
Imyselfhadconfessedthatthoughthereseemed,onthefaceofit,everyreasontosupportthepractice,yetinactualityIfeltasentimentalshrinkingfromit.Besides,Isaid,Ithoughtitwouldputtoomuchpowerinthehandsofrelatives.
Nortonagreedwithme.Headdedthathethoughtitshouldonlybedonebythewishandconsentofthepatienthimselfwheredeathafterprolongedsufferingwascertain.
BoydCarringtonsaid:“Ah,butthat’sthecuriousthing.Doesthepersonmostconcernedeverwishto‘puthimselfoutofhismisery,’aswesay?”
Hethentoldastorywhichhesaidwasauthentic,ofamaninterriblepainfrominoperablecancer.Thismanhadbeggedthedoctorinattendanceto“givehimsomethingthatwouldfinishitall.”Thedoctorhadreplied:“Ican’tdothat,oldman.”Later,onleaving,hehadplacedbythepatientsomemorphiatablets,tellinghimcarefullyhowmanyhecouldsafelytakeandwhatdosewouldbedangerous.Althoughthesewereleftinthepatient’schargeandhecouldeasilyhavetakenafatalquantity,hedidnotdoso.“Thusproving,”saidBoydCarrington,“that,inspiteofhiswords,themanpreferredhissufferingtoaswiftandmercifulrelease.”
ItwasthenthatJudithspokeforthefirsttime,spokewithvigourandabruptly.“Ofcoursehewould,”shesaid.“Itshouldn’thavebeenlefttohimtodecide.”
BoydCarringtonaskedwhatshemeant.
“Imeanthatanyonewho’sweak—inpainandill—hasn’tgotthestrengthtomakeadecision—theycan’t.Itmustbedoneforthem.It’sthedutyofsomeonewholovesthemtotakethedecision.”
“Duty?”Iqueriedabruptly.
Judithturnedonme.“Yes,duty.Someonewhosemindisclearandwhowilltaketheresponsibility.”
BoydCarringtonshookhishead.“Andendupinthedockchargedwithmurder?”
“Notnecessarily.Anyway,ifyoulovesomeone,youwouldtaketherisk.”
“Butlookhere,Judith,”saidNorton,“whatyou’resuggestingissimplyaterrificresponsibilitytotake.”
“Idon’tthinkitis.Peoplearetooafraidofresponsibility.They’lltakeresponsibilitywhereadogisconcerned—whynotwithahumanbeing?”
“Well—it’sratherdifferent,isn’tit?”
Judithsaid:“Yes,it’smoreimportant.”
Nortonmurmured:“Youtakemybreathaway.”
BoydCarringtonaskedcuriously:“Soyou’dtaketherisk,wouldyou?”
“Ithinkso.I’mnotafraidoftakingrisks.”
BoydCarringtonshookhishead.“Itwouldn’tdo,youknow.Youcan’thavepeoplehere,there,andeverywhere,takingthelawintotheirownhands,decidingmattersoflifeanddeath.”
Nortonsaid:“Actually,youknow,BoydCarrington,mostpeoplewouldn’thavethenervetotaketheresponsibility.”HesmiledfaintlyashelookedatJudith.“Don’tbelieveyouwouldifitcametothepoint.”
Judithsaidcomposedly:“Onecan’tbesure,ofcourse.IthinkIshould.”
Nortonsaidwithaslighttwinkle:“Notunlessyouhadanaxeofyourowntogrind.”
Judithflushedhotly.Shesaidsharply:“Thatjustshowsyoudon’tunderstandatall.IfIhada—apersonalmotive,Icouldn’tdoanything.Don’tyousee?”sheappealedtousall.“It’sgottobeabsolutelyimpersonal.Youcouldonlytaketheresponsibilityof—ofendingalifeifyouwerequitesureofyourmotive.Itmustbeabsolutelyselfless.”
“Allthesame,”saidNorton,“youwouldn’tdoit.”
Judithinsisted:“Iwould.TobeginwithIdon’tholdlifeassacredasallyoupeopledo.Unfitlives,uselesslives—theyshouldbegotoutoftheway.There’ssomuchmessabout.Onlypeoplewhocanmakeadecentcontributiontothecommunityoughttobeallowedtolive.Theothersoughttobeputpainlesslyaway.”
SheappealedsuddenlytoBoydCarrington.
“Youagreewithme,don’tyou?”
Hesaidslowly:“Inprinciple,yes.Onlytheworthwhileshouldsurvive.”
“Wouldn’tyoutakethelawintoyourownhandsifitwasnecessary?”
BoydCarringtonsaidslowly:“Perhaps.Idon’tknow….”
Nortonsaidquietly:“Alotofpeoplewouldagreewithyouintheory.Butpracticeisadifferentmatter.”
“That’snotlogical.”
Nortonsaidimpatiently:“Ofcourseit’snot.It’sreallyaquestionofcourage.Onejusthasn’tgottheguts,toputitvulgarly.”
Judithwassilent.Nortonwenton.
“Frankly,youknow,Judith,you’dbejustthesameyourself.Youwouldn’thavethecouragewhenitcametoit.”
“Don’tyouthinkso?”
“I’msureofit.”
“Ithinkyou’rewrong,Norton,”saidBoydCarrington.“IthinkJudithhasanyamountofcourage.Fortunatelytheissuedoesn’tpresentitself.”
Thegongsoundedfromthehouse.
Judithgotup.
ShesaidverydistinctlytoNorton:“You’rewrong,youknow.I’vegotmore—moregutsthanyouthink.”
Shewentswiftlytowardsthehouse.BoydCarringtonfollowedhersaying,“Hey,waitforme,Judith.”
Ifollowed,feelingforsomereasonratherdismayed.Norton,whowasalwaysquicktosenseamood,endeavouredtoconsoleme.
“Shedoesn’tmeanit,youknow,”hesaid.“It’sthesortofhalf-bakedideaonehaswhenoneisyoung,butfortunatelyonedoesn’tcarryitout.Itremainsjusttalk.”
IthinkJudithoverheard,forshecastafuriousglanceoverhershoulder.
Nortondroppedhisvoice.“Theoriesneedn’tworryanybody,”hesaid.“Butlookhere,Hastings—”
“Yes?”
Nortonseemedratherembarrassed.Hesaid:“Idon’twanttobuttin,butwhatdoyouknowofAllerton?”
“OfAllerton?”
“Yes,sorryifI’mbeingaNosyParker,butfranklyifIwereyouIshouldn’tletthatgirlofyoursseetoomuchofhim.He’s—well,hisreputationisn’tverygood.”
“Icanseeformyselfthesortofrotterheis,”Isaidbitterly.“Butit’snotsoeasyinthesedays.”
“Oh,Iknow.Girlscanlookafterthemselves,asthesayinggoes.Mostofthemcan,too.But—well—Allertonhasratheraspecialtechniqueinthatline.”Hehesitated,thensaid:“Lookhere,IfeelIoughttotellyou.Don’tletitgofarther,ofcourse—butIdohappentoknowsomethingprettyfoulabouthim.”
Hetolditmethenandthere—andIwasabletoverifyitineverydetaillater.Itwasarevoltingtale.Thestoryofagirl,sureofherself,modern,independent.Allertonhadbroughtallhistechniquetobearuponher.Laterhadcometheothersideofthepicture—thestoryendedwithadesperategirltakingherownlifewithanoverdoseofVeronal.
AndthehorriblepartwasthatthegirlinquestionhadbeenmuchthesametypeasJudith—theindependent,highbrowkind.Thekindofgirlwhowhenshedoesloseherheart,losesitwithadesperationandanabandonmentthatthesillylittlefluffytypecanneverknow.
Iwentintolunchwithahorriblesenseofforeboding.
Twelve
I
“Isanythingworryingyou,monami?”askedPoirotthatafternoon.
Ididnotanswerhim,merelyshookmyhead.IfeltthatIhadnorighttoburdenPoirotwiththis,mypurelypersonalproblem.Itwasnotasthoughhecouldhelpinanyway.
Judithwouldhavetreatedanyremonstrancesonhispartwiththesmilingdetachmentoftheyoungtowardstheboringcounselsoftheold.
Judith,myJudith….
ItishardnowtodescribejustwhatIwentthroughthatday.Afterwards,thinkingitover,IaminclinedtoputsomethingdowntotheatmosphereofStylesitself.Evilimaginingscameeasilytothemindthere.Therewas,too,notonlythepast,butasinisterpresent.Theshadowofmurderandamurdererhauntedthehouse.
AndtothebestofmybeliefthemurdererwasAllertonandJudithwaslosingherhearttohim!Itwasunbelievable—monstrous—andIdidn’tknowwhattodo
ItwasafterlunchthatBoydCarringtondrewmeaside.Hehemmedandhawedabitbeforecomingtothepoint.Atlasthesaidratherjerkily:“Don’tthinkI’minterfering,butIthinkyououghttospeaktothatgirlofyours.Giveherawordofwarning,eh?YouknowthisfellowAllerton—reputation’sprettybad,andshe—well,itlooksratherlikeacase.”
Soeasyforthesemenwithoutchildrentospeaklikethat!Giveherawordofwarning?
Woulditbeanyuse?Woulditmakethingsworse?
IfonlyCinderswerehere.Shewouldknowwhattodo,whattosay.
Iwastempted,Iadmit,toholdmypeaceandsaynothing.ButIreflectedafterawhilethatthiswasreallyonlycowardice.IshrankfromtheunpleasantnessofhavingthingsoutwithJudith.Iwas,yousee,afraidofmytall,beautifuldaughter.
Ipacedupanddownthegardensinincreasingagitationofmind.Myfootstepsledmeatlasttotherosegarden,andthere,asitwere,thedecisionwastakenoutofmyhands,forJudithwassittingonaseatalone,andinallmylifeIhaveneverseenanexpressionofgreaterunhappinessonanywoman’sface.
Themaskwasoff.Indecisionanddeepunhappinessshowedonlytooplainly.
Itookmycourageinmyhands.Iwenttoher.ShedidnothearmeuntilIwasbesideher.
“Judith,”Isaid.“ForGod’ssake,Judith,don’tmindsomuch.”
Sheturnedonme,startled.“Father?Ididn’thearyou.”
Iwenton,knowingthatitwouldbefatalifshemanagedtoturnmebacktonormaleverydayconversation.
“Oh,mydearestchild,don’tthinkIdon’tknow,thatIcan’tsee.Heisn’tworthit—oh,dobelieveme,heisn’tworthit.”
Herface,troubled,alarmed,wasturnedtowardsme.Shesaidquietly:“Doyouthinkyoureallyknowwhatyouaretalkingabout?”
“Idoknow.Youcareaboutthisman.But,mydear,it’snogood.”
Shesmiledsombrely.Aheartbreakingsmile.
“PerhapsIknowthataswellasyoudo.”
“Youdon’t.Youcan’t.Oh,Judith,whatcancomeofitall?He’samarriedman.Therecanbenofuturethereforyou—onlysorrowandshame—andallendinginbitterself-loathing.”
Hersmilegrewwider—evenmoresorrowful.
“Howfluentlyyoutalk,don’tyou?”
“Giveitup,Judith—giveitallup.”
“No!”
“He’snotworthit,mydear.”
Shesaidveryquietlyandslowly:“He’swortheverythingintheworldtome.”
“No,no.Judith,Ibegofyou—”
Thesmilevanished.Sheturnedonmelikeanavengingfury.
“Howdareyou?Howdareyouinterfere?Iwon’tstandit.Youarenevertospeaktomeofthisagain.Ihateyou,Ihateyou.It’snobusinessofyours.It’smylife—myownsecretinsidelife!”
Shegotup.Withonefirmhandshepushedmeasideandwentpastme.Likeanavengingfury.Istaredafterher,dismayed.
II
Iwasstillthere,dazedandhelpless,unabletothinkoutmynextcourseofaction,somequarterofanhourlater.
IwastherewhenElizabethColeandNortonfoundme.
Theywere,Irealizedlater,verykindtome.Theysaw,theymusthaveseen,thatIwasinastateofgreatmentalperturbation.Buttactfullyenoughtheymadenoslightestallusiontomystateofmind.Insteadtheytookmewiththemonaramblingwalk.Theywerebothnaturelovers.ElizabethColepointedoutwildflowerstome,Nortonshowedmebirdsthroughhisfieldglasses.
Theirtalkwasgentle,soothing,concernedonlywithfeatheredbeingsandwithwoodlandflora.LittlebylittleIcamebacktonormal,althoughunderneathIwasstillinastateoftheutmostperturbation.
MoreoverIwas,aspeopleare,convincedthatanyhappeningthatoccurredwasconnectedwithmyownparticularperplexity.
So,therefore,whenNorton,hisglassestohiseyes,exclaimed:“Hullo,ifthatisn’taspeckledwoodpecker.Inever—”andthenbrokeoffsuddenly,Iimmediatelyleapttosuspicion.Iheldoutmyhandfortheglasses.
“Letmesee.”Myvoicewasperemptory
Nortonfumbledwiththeglasses.Hesaid,inacurioushesitatingvoice:“I—I—madeamistake.It’sflownaway—atleast,asamatteroffact,itwasquiteacommonbird.”
Hisfacewaswhiteandtroubled,heavoidedlookingatus.Heseemedbothbewilderedanddistressed.
EvennowIcannotthinkIwasaltogetherunreasonableinjumpingtotheconclusionthathehadseenthroughthoseglassesofhissomethingthathewasdeterminedtopreventmyseeing.
Whateveritwasthathehadseen,hewassothoroughlytakenabackbyitthatitwasnoticeabletobothofus.
Hisglasseshadbeentrainedonadistantbeltofwoodland.Whathadheseenthere?
Isaidperemptorily:“Letmelook.”
Isnatchedattheglasses.Irememberhetriedtodefendthemfromme,buthediditclumsily.Iseizedthemroughly.
Nortonsaidweakly:“Itwasn’treally—Imean,thebird’sgone.Iwish—”
Myhandsshakingalittle,Iadjustedtheglassestomyeyes.Theywerepowerfulglasses.ItrainedthemasnearlyasIcouldonthespotwhereIthoughtNortonhadbeenlooking.
ButIsawnothing—nothingbutagleamofwhite(agirl’swhitedress?)disappearingintothetrees.
Iloweredtheglasses.WithoutawordIhandedthembacktoNorton.Hedidnotmeetmyeyes.Hewaslookingworriedandperplexed.
WewalkedbacktothehousetogetherandIrememberthatNortonwasverysilentalltheway.
III
Mrs.FranklinandBoydCarringtoncameinshortlyafterwegotbacktothehouse.HehadtakenherinhiscartoTadcasterbecauseshewantedtodosomeshopping.
Shehaddoneit,Igather,prettythoroughly.Lotsofparcelscameoutofthecarandshewaslookingquiteanimated,talkingandlaughingandwithquiteacolourinhercheeks.
ShesentBoydCarringtonupwithaparticularlyfragilepurchaseandIgallantlyreceivedafurtherconsignment.
Hertalkwasquickerandmorenervousthanusual.
“Frightfullyhot,isn’tit?Ithinkthere’sgoingtobeastorm.Thisweathermustbreaksoon.Theysay,youknow,there’squiteawatershortage.Theworstdroughtthere’sbeenforyears.”
Shewenton,turningtoElizabethCole:“Whathaveyouallbeendoingwithyourselves?Where’sJohn?Hesaidhe’dgotaheadacheandwasgoingtowalkitoff.Veryunlikehimtohaveaheadache.Ithink,youknow,he’sworriedabouthisexperiments.Theyaren’tgoingrightorsomething.Iwishhe’dtalkmoreaboutthings.”
ShepausedandthenaddressedNorton:“You’reverysilent,Mr.Norton.Isanythingthematter?Youlook—youlookscared.Youhaven’tseentheghostofoldMrs.Whoever-it-was?”
Nortonstarted.“No,no.Ihaven’tseenanyghosts.I—Iwasjustthinkingofsomething.”
ItwasatthatmomentthatCurtisscamethroughthedoorwaywheelingPoirotinhisinvalidchair.
Hestoppedwithitinthehall,preparatorytotakinghismasteroutandcarryinghimupthestairs.
Poirot,hiseyessuddenlyalert,lookedfromonetotheotherofus.
Hesaidsharply:“Whatisit?Isanythingthematter?”
Noneofusansweredforaminute,thenBarbaraFranklinsaidwithalittleartificiallaugh:“No,ofcoursenot.Whatshouldbethematter?It’sjust—perhapsthundercoming?I—ohdear—I’mterriblytired.Bringthosethingsup,willyou,CaptainHastings?Thankyousomuch.”
Ifollowedherupthestairsandalongtheeastwing.Herroomwastheendoneonthatside.
Mrs.Franklinopenedthedoor.Iwasbehindher,myarmsfullofparcels.
Shestoppedabruptlyinthedoorway.BythewindowBoydCarringtonwashavinghispalmexaminedbyNurseCraven.
Helookedupandlaughedalittlesheepishly.“Hullo,I’mhavingmyfortunetold.Nurseisnoendofahandreader.”
“Really?Ihadnoideaofthat.”BarbaraFranklin’svoicewassharp.IhadanideathatshewasannoyedwithNurseCraven.“Pleasetakethesethings,Nurse,willyou?Andyoumightmixmeaneggflip.Ifeelverytired.Ahot-waterbottle,too,please.I’llgettobedassoonaspossible.”
“Certainly,Mrs.Franklin.”
NurseCravenmovedforward.Sheshowednosignsofanythingbutprofessionalconcern.
Mrs.Franklinsaid:“Pleasego,Bill,I’mterriblytired.”
BoydCarringtonlookedveryconcerned.“Oh,Isay,Babs,hasitbeentoomuchforyou?Iamsorry.WhatathoughtlessfoolIam.Ishouldn’thaveletyouovertireyourself.”
Mrs.Franklingavehimherangelicmartyr’ssmile.“Ididn’twanttosayanything.Idohatebeingtiresome.”
Wetwomenwentoutoftheroom,somewhatabashed,andleftthetwowomentogether.
BoydCarringtonsaidcontritely:“WhatadamnedfoolIam.BarbaraseemedsobrightandgayIforgotallabouttiringher.Hopeshe’snotknockedherselfup.”
Isaidmechanically:“Oh,Iexpectshe’llbeallrightafteranight’srest.”
Hewentdownthestairs.Ihesitatedandthenwentalongtheotherwingtowardsmyownroom,andPoirot’s.Thelittlemanwouldbeexpectingme.ForthefirsttimeIwasreluctanttogotohim.Ihadsomuchtooccupymythoughts,andIstillhadthatdullsickfeelingatthepitofmystomach.
Iwentslowlyalongthecorridor.
FrominsideAllerton’sroomIheardvoices.Idon’tthinkImeantconsciouslytolistenthoughIstoppedforaminuteautomaticallyoutsidehisdoor.Then,suddenly,thedooropenedandmydaughterJudithcameout.
Shestoppeddeadwhenshesawme.Icaughtherbythearmandhustledheralongintomyroom.Iwassuddenlyintenselyangry.
“Whatdoyoumeanbygoingtothatfellow’sroom?”
Shelookedatmesteadily.Sheshowednoangernow,onlycompletecoldness.Forsomefewsecondsshedidnotreply.
Ishookherbythearm.“Iwon’thaveit,Itellyou.Youdon’tknowwhatyouaredoing.”
Shesaidthen,inalowbitingvoice:“Ithinkyouhaveaperfectlyfilthymind.”
Isaid:“IdaresayIhave.It’sareproachyourgenerationisfondoflevellingatmine.Wehave,atleast,certainstandards.Understandthis,Judith,Iforbidyouabsolutelytohaveanythingmoretodowiththatman.”
Shelookedatmesteadily.Thenshesaidquietly:“Isee.Sothat’sit.”
“Doyoudenythatyou’reinlovewithhim?”
“No.”
“Butyoudon’tknowwhatheis.Youcan’tknow.”
Deliberately,withoutmincingmylanguage,IrepeatedtoherthestoryIhadheardaboutAllerton.
“Yousee,”IsaidwhenIhadfinished.“That’sthekindoffoulbruteheis.”
Sheseemedquiteannoyed.Herlipscurledupwardsscornfully.
“Ineverthoughthewasasaint,Icanassureyou.”
“Doesn’tthismakeanydifferencetoyou?Judith,youcan’tbeutterlydepraved.”
“Callitthatifyoulike.”
“Judith,youhaven’t—youaren’t—”
Icouldnotputmymeaningintowords.Sheshookherarmfreefrommydetaininghand.
“Now,listen,Father.IdowhatIchoose.Youcan’tbullyme.Andit’snogoodranting.IshalldoexactlyasIpleasewithmylife,andyoucan’tstopme.”
Inanotherinstantshewasoutoftheroom.
Ifoundmykneestrembling.
Isankdownontoachair.Itwasworse—muchworsethanIthought.Thechildwasutterlyinfatuated.TherewasnoonetowhomIcouldappeal.Hermother,theonlypersonshemighthavelistenedto,wasdead.Italldependedonme.
IdonotthinkthateitherbeforeorsinceIhaveeversufferedasIsufferedthen….
IV
PresentlyIrousedmyself.Iwashedandshavedandchanged.Iwentdowntodinner.Ibehaved,Ifancy,inquiteanormalmanner.Nobodyseemedtonoticeanythingamiss.
OnceortwiceIsawJudithflashacuriousglanceatme.Shemusthavebeenpuzzled,Ithink,bythewayIwasabletoappearquitelikemyusualself.
Andallthetime,underneath,Iwasgrowingmoreandmoredetermined.
AllthatIneededwascourage—courageandbrains.
Afterdinnerwewentoutside,lookedupatthesky,commentedontheclosenessoftheatmosphere,prophesiedrain—thunder—astorm.
OutofthetailofmyeyeIsawJudithdisappearroundthecornerofthehouse.PresentlyAllertonstrolledinthesamedirection.
IfinishedwhatIwassayingtoBoydCarringtonandwanderedthatwaymyself.
Norton,Ithink,triedtostopme.Hetookmyarm.Hetried,Ithink,tosuggestwalkinguptotherosegarden.Itooknonotice.
HewasstillwithmeasIturnedthecornerofthehouse.
Theywerethere.IsawJudith’supturnedface,sawAllerton’sbentdownoverit,sawhowhetookherinhisarmsandthekissthatfollowed.
Thentheybrokeawayquickly.Itookastepforward.Almostbymainforce,Nortonhauledmebackandroundthecorner.Hesaid:“Lookhere,youcan’t—”
Iinterruptedhim.Isaidforcefully:“Ican.AndIwill.”
“It’snogood,mydearfellow.It’sallverydistressingbutallitcomestoisthatthere’snothingyoucando.”
Iwassilent.Hemightthinkthatthatwasso,butIknewbetter.
Nortonwenton:“Iknowhowineffectualandmaddenedonefeels,buttheonlythingtodoistoadmitdefeat.Acceptit,man!”
Ididn’tcontradicthim.Iwaited,allowinghimtotalk.ThenIwentfirmlyroundthecornerofthehouseagain.
Thetwoofthemhaddisappearednow,butIhadashrewdideaofwheretheymightbe.Therewasasummerhouseconcealedinagroveoflilactreesnotfaraway.
Iwenttowardsit.IthinkNortonwasstillwithme,butI’mnotsure.
AsIgotnearerIheardvoicesandstopped.ItwasAllerton’svoiceIheard.
“Well,then,mydeargirl,that’ssettled.Don’tmakeanymoreobjections.Yougouptotowntomorrow.I’llsayI’mrunningovertoIpswichtostaywithapalforanightortwo.YouwirefromLondonthatyoucan’tgetback.Andwho’stoknowofthatcharminglittledinneratmyflat?Youwon’tregretit,Icanpromiseyou.”
IfeltNortontuggingatme,andsuddenly,meekly,Iturned.Ialmostlaughedatthesightofhisworriedanxiousface.Ilethimdragmebacktothehouse.IpretendedtogiveinbecauseIknew,atthatmoment,exactlywhatIwasgoingtodo….
Isaidtohimclearlyanddistinctly:“Don’tworry,oldchap.It’sallnogood—Iseethatnow.Youcan’tcontrolyourchildren’slives.I’mthrough.”
Hewasridiculouslyrelieved.
Shortlyafterwards,ItoldhimIwasgoingtobedearly.I’dgotabitofaheadache,Isaid.
HehadnosuspicionsatallofwhatIwasgoingtodo.
V
Ipausedforamomentinthecorridor.Itwasquitequiet.Therewasnooneabout.Thebedshadbeenallturneddownreadyforthenight.Norton,whohadaroomonthisside,Ihadleftdownstairs.ElizabethColewasplayingbridge.Curtiss,Iknew,wouldbedownstairshavinghissupper.Ihadtheplacetomyself.
IflattermyselfthatIhavenotworkedwithPoirotforsomanyyearsinvain.Iknewjustwhatprecautionstotake.
AllertonwasnotgoingtomeetJudithinLondontomorrow
Allertonwasnotgoinganywheretomorrow….
Thewholethingwasreallysoridiculouslysimple.
Iwenttomyownroomandpickedupmybottleofaspirins.ThenIwentintoAllerton’sroomandintothebathroom.ThetabletsofSlumberylwereinthecupboard.Eight,Iconsidered,oughttodothetrick.Oneortwowasthestateddose.Eight,therefore,oughttobeample.Allertonhimselfhadsaidthetoxicdosewasnothigh.Ireadthelabel.“Itisdangeroustoexceedtheprescribeddose.”
Ismiledtomyself.
Iwrappedasilkhandkerchiefroundmyhandandunscrewedthebottlecarefully.Theremustbenofingerprintsonit.
Iemptiedoutthetablets.Yes,theywerealmostexactlythesamesizeastheaspirins.Iputeightaspirinsinthebottle,thenfilledupwiththeSlumberyls,leavingouteightofthem.Thebottlenowlookedexactlyasithadbefore.Allertonwouldnoticenodifference.
Iwentbacktomyroom.Ihadabottleofwhiskythere—mostofushadatStyles.Igotouttwoglassesandasyphon.I’dneverknownAllertonrefuseadrinkyet.WhenhecameupI’daskhiminforanightcap.
Itriedthetabletsinalittleofthespirit.Theydissolvedeasilyenough.Itastedthemixturegingerly.Ashadebitterperhapsbuthardlynoticeable.Ihadmyplan.IshouldbejustpouringmyselfoutadrinkwhenAllertoncameup.Iwouldhandthattohimandpourmyselfoutanother.Allquiteeasyandnatural.
Hecouldhavenoideaofmyfeelings—unlessofcourseJudithhadtoldhim.Iconsideredthisforamoment,butdecidedthatIwasquitesafehere.Judithnevertoldanyoneanything.
Hewouldprobablybelievemetobequiteunsuspiciousoftheirplan.
Ihadnothingtodobuttowait.Itwouldbealongtime,probablyanhourortwo,beforeAllertoncameuptobed.Hewasalwaysalatebird.
Isattherequietlywaiting.
Asuddenknockonthedoormademestart.ItwasonlyCurtiss,however.Poirotwasaskingforme.
Icametomyselfwithashock.Poirot!Ihadneveroncethoughtofhimallevening.Hemusthavewonderedwhathadbecomeofme.Itworriedmealittle.FirstofallbecauseIwasashamedofneverhavingbeennearhim,andsecondlyIdidnotwanthimtosuspectthatanythingoutofthewayhadhappened.
IfollowedCurtissacrossthepassage.
“Ehbien!”exclaimedPoirot.“Soyoudesertme,hein?”
Iforcedayawnandanapologeticsmile.“Awfullysorry,oldboy,”Isaid.“ButtotellthetruthI’vegotsuchablindingheadacheIcanhardlyseeoutofmyeyes.It’sthethunderintheair,Isuppose.Ireallyhavebeenfeelingquitemuzzywithit—infact,somuchsoIentirelyforgotIhadn’tbeenintosaygoodnighttoyou.”
AsIhadhoped,Poirotwasimmediatelysolicitous.Heofferedremedies.Hefussed.Heaccusedmeofhavingsataboutintheopenairinadraught.(Onthehottestdayofthesummer!)IrefusedaspirinonthegroundsthatIhadalreadytakensome,butIwasnotabletoavoidbeinggivenacupofsweetandwhollydisgustingchocolate!
“Itnourishesthenerves,youcomprehend,”Poirotexplained.
Idrankittoavoidargumentandthen,withPoirot’sanxiousandaffectionateexclamationsstillringinginmyears,Ibadehimgoodnight.
Ireturnedtomyownroom,andshutthedoorostentatiously.Later,Iopeneditacrackwiththeutmostcaution.IcouldnotfailnowtohearAllertonwhenhecame.Butitwouldbesometimeyet.
Isattherewaiting.Ithoughtofmydeadwife.Once,undermybreath,Imurmured:“Youunderstand,darling,I’mgoingtosaveher.”
ShehadleftJudithinmycare,Iwasnotgoingtofailher.
InthequietandthestillnessIsuddenlyfeltthatCinderswasveryneartome.
Ifeltalmostasthoughshewereintheroom.
AndstillIsatongrimly,waiting.
Thirteen
I
Thereissomethingaboutwritingdownananticlimaxincoldbloodthatissomewhatshatteringtoone’sself-esteem.
Forthetruthofthematteris,yousee,thatIsattherewaitingforAllertonandthatIfellasleep!
Notsosurprisingreally,Isuppose.Ihadsleptverybadlythenightbefore.Ihadbeenoutintheairthewholeday.IwaswornoutwithworryandthestrainofnervingmyselffordoingwhatIhaddecidedtodo.Ontopofallthatwastheheavythunderyweather.PossiblyeventhefierceeffortofconcentrationIwasmakinghelped.
Anyway,ithappened.Ifellasleepthereinmychair,andwhenIwokebirdsweretwitteringoutside,thesunwasupandtherewasI,crampedanduncomfortable,slippeddowninmychairinmyeveningdress,withafoultasteinthemouthandasplittinghead.
Iwasbewildered,incredulous,disgusted,andfinallyimmeasurablyandoverwhelminglyrelieved.
Whowasitwhowrote,“Thedarkestday,livedtilltomorrow,willhavepassedaway?”Andhowtrueitis.Isawnow,clearlyandsanely,howoverwroughtandwrongheadedIhadbeen.Melodramatic,losttoallsenseofproportion.Ihadactuallymadeupmymindtokillanotherhumanbeing.
Atthismomentmyeyesfellontheglassofwhiskyinfrontofme.WithashudderIgotup,drewthecurtainsandpoureditoutofthewindow.Imusthavebeenmadlastnight!
Ishaved,hadabathanddressed.Then,feelingverymuchbetter,IwentacrosstoPoirot.Healwayswokeveryearly,Iknew.Isatdownandmadeacleanbreastofthewholethingtohim.
Imaysayitwasagreatrelief.
Heshookhisheadgentlyatme.“Ah,butwhatfolliesitisyoucontemplate.Iamgladyoucametoconfessyoursinstome.Butwhy,mydearfriend,didyounotcometomelastnightandtellmewhatwasinyourmind?”
Isaidshamefacedly:“Iwasafraid,Isuppose,thatyouwouldhavetriedtostopme.”
“AssuredlyIwouldhavestoppedyou.Ahthat,certainly.DoyouthinkIwanttoseeyouhangedbytheneck,allonaccountofaveryunpleasantscoundrelcalledMajorAllerton?”
“Ishouldn’thavebeencaught,”Isaid.“I’dtakeneveryprecaution.”
“Thatiswhatallmurderersthink.Youhadthetruementality!Butletmetellyou,monami,youwerenotascleverasyouthoughtyourself.”
“Itookeveryprecaution.Iwipedmyfingerprintsoffthebottle.”
“Exactly.YoualsowipedAllerton’sfingerprintsoff.Andwhenheisfounddead,whathappens?TheyperformtheautopsyanditisestablishedthathediedofanoverdoseofSlumberyl.Didhetakeitbyaccidentorintention?Tiens,hisfingerprintsarenotonthebottle.Butwhynot?Whetheraccidentorsuicidehewouldhavenoreasontowipethemoff.Andthentheyanalysetheremainingtabletsandfindnearlyhalfofthemhavebeenreplacedbyaspirin.”
“Well,practicallyeveryonehasaspirintablets,”Imurmuredweakly.
“Yes,butitisnoteveryonewhohasadaughterwhomAllertonispursuingwithdishonourableintentions—touseanold-fashioneddramaticphrase.Andyouhavehadaquarrelwithyourdaughteronthesubjectthedaybefore.Twopeople,BoydCarringtonandNorton,cansweartoyourviolentfeelingagainsttheman.No,Hastings,itwouldnothavelookedtoogood.Attentionwouldimmediatelyhavebeenfocuseduponyou,andbythattimeyouwouldprobablyhavebeeninsuchastateoffear—orevenremorse—thatsomegoodsolidinspectorofpolicewouldhavemadeuphismindquitedefinitelythatyouweretheguiltyparty.Itisquitepossible,even,thatsomeonemayhaveseenyoutamperingwiththetablets.”
“Theycouldn’t.Therewasnooneabout.”
“Thereisabalconyoutsidethewindow.Somebodymighthavebeenthere,peepingin.Or,whoknows,someonemighthavebeenlookingthroughthekeyhole.”
“You’vegotkeyholesonthebrain,Poirot.Peopledon’treallyspendtheirtimelookingthroughkeyholesasmuchasyouseemtothink.”
Poirothalf-closedhiseyesandremarkedthatIhadalwayshadtootrustinganature.
“Andletmetellyou,veryfunnythingshappenwithkeysinthishouse.Me,Iliketofeelthatmydoorislockedontheinside,evenifthegoodCurtissisintheadjoiningroom.SoonafterIamhere,mykeydisappears—butentirely!Ihavetohaveanotheronemade.”
“Well,anyway,”Isaidwithadeepbreathofrelief,mymindstillladenwithmyowntroubles,“itdidn’tcomeoff.It’sawfultothinkonecangetworkeduplikethat.”Iloweredmyvoice.“Poirot,youdon’tthinkthatbecause—becauseofthatmurderlongagothere’sasortofinfectionintheair?”
“Avirusofmurder,youmean?Well,itisaninterestingsuggestion.”
“Housesdohaveanatmosphere,”Isaidthoughtfully.“Thishousehasabadhistory.”
Poirotnodded.“Yes.Therehavebeenpeoplehere—severalofthem—whodesireddeeplythatsomeoneelseshoulddie.Thatistrueenough.”
“Ibelieveitgetsholdofoneinsomeway.Butnow,Poirot,tellme,whatamItodoaboutallthis—JudithandAllerton,Imean.It’sgottobestoppedsomehow.WhatdoyouthinkI’dbetterdo?”
“Donothing,”saidPoirotwithemphasis.
“Oh,but—”
“Believeme,youwilldoleastharmbynotinterfering.”
“IfIweretotackleAllerton—”
“Whatcanyousayordo?Judithistwenty-oneandherownmistress.”
“ButIfeelIoughttobeable—”
Poirotinterruptedme.“No,Hastings.Donotimaginethatyouarecleverenough,forcefulenough,orevencunningenoughtoimposeyourpersonalityoneitherofthosetwopeople.Allertonisaccustomedtodealingwithangryandimpotentfathersandprobablyenjoysitasagoodjoke.Judithisnotthesortofcreaturewhocanbebrowbeaten.Iwouldadviseyou—ifIadvisedyouatall—todosomethingverydifferent.IwouldtrustherifIwereyou.”
Istaredathim.
“Judith,”saidHerculePoirot,“ismadeofveryfinestuff.Iadmireherverymuch.”
Isaid,myvoiceunsteady:“Iadmireher,too.ButI’mafraidforher.”
Poirotnoddedhisheadwithsuddenenergy.“I,too,amafraidforher,”hesaid.“Butnotinthewayyouare.Iamterriblyafraid.AndIampowerless—ornearlyso.Andthedaysgoby.Thereisdanger,Hastings,anditisveryclose.”
II
IknewaswellasPoirotthatthedangerwasveryclose.Ihadmorereasontoknowitthanhehad,becauseofwhatIhadactuallyoverheardthepreviousnight.
NeverthelessIponderedonthatphraseofPoirot’sasIwentdowntobreakfast.“IwouldtrustherifIwereyou.”
Ithadcomeunexpectedly,butithadgivenmeanoddsenseofcomfort.Andalmostimmediately,thetruthofitwasjustified.ForJudithhadobviouslychangedhermindaboutgoinguptoLondonthatday.
InsteadshewentoffwithFranklintothelabasusualdirectlyafterbreakfast,anditwasclearthattheyweretohaveanarduousandbusydaythere.
Afeelingofintensethanksgivingrushedoverme.Howmad,howdespairingIhadbeenlastnight.Ihadassumed—assumedquitecertainly—thatJudithhadyieldedtoAllerton’sspeciousproposals.Butitwastrue,Ireflectednow,thatIhadneverheardheractuallyassent.No,shewastoofine,tooessentiallygoodandtrue,togivein.Shehadrefusedtherendezvous.
Allertonhadbreakfastedearly,Ifound,andgoneofftoIpswich.He,then,hadkepttotheplanandmustassumethatJudithwasgoinguptoLondonasarranged.
“Well,”Ithoughtgrimly,“hewillgetadisappointment.”
BoydCarringtoncamealongandremarkedrathergrumpilythatIlookedverycheerfulthismorning.
“Yes,”Isaid.“I’vehadsomegoodnews.”
Hesaidthatitwasmorethanhehad.He’dhadatiresometelephonecallfromthearchitect,somebuildingdifficulty—alocalsurveyorcuttinguprough.Alsoworryingletters.Andhewasafraidhe’dletMrs.Franklinoverdoherselfthedaybefore.
Mrs.Franklinwascertainlymakingupforherrecentboutofgoodhealthandspirits.Shewas,soIgatheredfromNurseCraven,makingherselfquiteimpossible.
NurseCravenhadhadtogiveupherdayoffwhichhadbeenpromisedhertogoandmeetsomefriends,andshewasdecidedlysouraboutit.SinceearlymorningMrs.Franklinhadbeencallingforsalvolatile,hot-waterbottles,variouspatentfoodanddrinks,andwasunwillingtoletNurseleavetheroom.Shehadneuralgia,apainroundtheheart,crampsinherfeetandlegs,coldshiversandIdon’tknowwhatelse.
ImaysayhereandnowthatneitherI,noranyoneelse,wasinclinedtobereallyalarmed.WeallputitdownaspartofMrs.Franklin’shypochondriacaltendencies.
ThiswastrueofNurseCravenandDr.Franklinaswell.
Thelatterwasfetchedfromthelaboratory;helistenedtohiswife’scomplaints,askedherifshewouldlikethelocaldoctorcalledin(violentlynegativedbyMrs.Franklin);hethenmixedherasedative,soothedherasbesthecouldandwentoffbacktoworkagain.
NurseCravensaidtome:“Heknows,ofcourse,she’sjustplayingup.”
“Youdon’treallythinkthere’sanythingmuchthematter?”
“Hertemperatureisnormal,andherpulseisperfectlygood.Justfuss,ifyouaskme.”
Shewasannoyedandspokeoutmoreimprudentlythanusual.
“Shelikestointerferewithanyoneelseenjoyingthemselves.She’dlikeherhusbandallworkedup,andmerunningroundafterher,andevenSirWilliamhasgottobemadetofeellikeabrutebecausehe‘overtiredheryesterday.’She’soneofthatkind.”
NurseCravenwasclearlyfidingherpatientalmostimpossibletoday.IgatheredthatMrs.Franklinhadbeenreallyextremelyrudetoher.Shewasthekindofwomanwhomnursesandservantsinstinctivelydisliked,notonlybecauseofthetroubleshegave,butbecauseofhermannerofdoingso.
So,asIsay,noneofustookherindispositionseriously.
TheonlyexceptionwasBoydCarrington,whowanderedroundlookingratherpatheticallylikeasmallboywhohasbeenscolded.
HowmanytimessincethenhaveInotgoneoverandovertheeventsofthatday,tryingtoremembersomethingsofarunheeded—sometinyforgottenincident,strivingtorememberexactlythemannerofeverybody.Howfartheywerenormal,orshowedexcitement.
Letme,oncemore,putdownexactlywhatIrememberofeverybody.
BoydCarrington,asIhavesaid,lookeduncomfortableandratherguilty.Heseemedtothinkthathehadbeenratherover-exuberantthedaybeforeandhadbeenselfishinnotthinkingmoreofthefrailhealthofhiscompanion.HehadbeenuponceortwicetoenquireaboutBarbaraFranklin,andNurseCraven,herselfnotinthebestoftempers,hadbeentartandsnappishwithhim.Hehadevenbeentothevillageandpurchasedaboxofchocolates.Thishadbeensentdown.“Mrs.Franklincouldn’tbearchocolates.”
Ratherdisconsolately,heopenedtheboxinthesmokingroomandNortonandIandheallsolemnlyhelpedourselves.
Norton,Inowthink,haddefinitelysomethingonhismindthatmorning.Hewasabstracted,onceortwicehisbrowsdrewtogetherasthoughhewerepuzzlingoversomething.
Hewasfondofchocolates,andateagoodmanyinanabstractedfashion.
Outside,theweatherhadbroken.Sinceteno’clocktherainhadbeenpouringdown.
Ithadnotthemelancholythatsometimesaccompaniesawetday.Actuallyitwasarelieftousall.
PoirothadbeenbroughtdownbyCurtissaboutmiddayandensconcedinthedrawingroom.HereElizabethColehadjoinedhimandwasplayingthepianotohim.Shehadapleasanttouch,andplayedBachandMozart,bothfavouritecomposersofmyfriend’s.
FranklinandJudithcameupfromthegardenaboutaquartertoone.Judithlookedwhiteandstrained.Shewasverysilent,lookedvaguelyaboutherasthoughlostinadreamandthenwentaway.Franklinsatdownwithus.He,too,lookedtiredandabsorbed,andhehad,too,theairofamanverymuchonedge.
Isaid,Iremember,somethingabouttherainbeingarelief,andhesaidquickly:“Yes.Therearetimeswhensomething’sgottobreak….”
AndsomehowIgottheimpressionthatitwasnotmerelyoftheweatherthathespoke.Awkwardasalwaysinhismovements,hejerkedagainstthetableandupsethalfthechocolates.Withhisusualstartledair,heapologized—apparentlytothebox.
“Oh,sorry.”
Itoughttohavebeenfunny,butsomehowitwasn’t.Hebentquicklyandpickedupthespiltchocolates.
Nortonaskedhimifhehadhadatiringmorning.
Hissmileflashedoutthen—eager,boyish,verymuchalive.
“No—no—justrealized,suddenly,I’vebeenonthewrongtrack.Muchsimplerprocessaltogetheriswhat’sneeded.Cantakeashortcutnow.”
Hestoodswayingslightlytoandfroonhisfeet,hiseyesabsentyetresolved
“Yes,shortcut.Muchthebestway.”
III
Ifwewereallnervyandaimlessinthemorning,theafternoonwasunexpectedlypleasant.Thesuncameout,thetemperaturewascoolandfresh.Mrs.Luttrellwasbroughtdownandsatontheveranda.Shewasinexcellentform—exercisinghercharmandmannerwithlessgushthanusual,andwithnolatenthintofvinegarinreserve.Shechaffedherhusband,butgentlyandwithakindofaffection,andhebeamedather.Itwasreallydelightfultoseethemonsuchgoodterms.
Poirotpermittedhimselftobewheeledoutalso,andhewasingoodspiritstoo.IthinkhelikedseeingtheLuttrellsonsuchafriendlyfootingwitheachother.TheColonelwaslookingyearsyounger.Hismannerseemedlessvacillating,hetuggedlessathismoustache.Heevensuggestedthattheremightbesomebridgethatevening.
“Daisyheremissesherbridge.”
“IndeedIdo,”saidMrs.Luttrell.
Nortonsuggesteditwouldbetiringforher.
“I’llplayonerubber,”saidMrs.Luttrell,andaddedwithatwinkle:“AndI’llbehavemyselfandnotbitepoorGeorge’sheadoff.”
“Mydear,”protestedherhusband,“IknowI’mashockingplayer.”
“Andwhatofthat?”saidMrs.Luttrell.“Doesn’titgivemegrandpleasurebadgeringandbullyingyouaboutit?”
Itmadeusalllaugh.Mrs.Luttrellwenton:“Oh,Iknowmyfaults,butI’mnotgoingtogivethemupatmytimeoflife.Georgehasjustgottoputupwithme.”
ColonelLuttrelllookedatherquitefatuously.
Ithinkitwasseeingthembothonsuchgoodtermsthatledtoadiscussiononmarriageanddivorcethattookplacelaterintheday.
Weremenandwomenactuallyhappierbyreasonofthegreaterfacilitiesaffordedfordivorce,orwasitoftenthecasethatatemporaryperiodofirritationandestrangement—ortroubleoverathirdperson—gavewayafterawhiletoaresumptionofaffectionandfriendliness?
Itisoddsometimestoseehowmuchatvariancepeople’sideasarewiththeirownpersonalexperiences.
Myownmarriagehadbeenunbelievablyhappyandsuccessful,andIamessentiallyanold-fashionedperson,yetIwasonthesideofdivorce—ofcuttingone’slossesandstartingafresh.BoydCarrington,whosemarriagehadbeenunhappy,yetheldforanindissolublemarriagebond.Hehad,hesaid,theutmostreverencefortheinstitutionofmarriage.Itwasthefoundationofthestate.
Norton,withnotiesandnopersonalangle,wasofmywayofthinking.Franklin,themodernscientificthinker,was,strangelyenough,resolutelyopposedtodivorce.Itoffended,apparently,hisidealofclear-cutthinkingandaction.Oneassumedcertainresponsibilities.Thosemustbecarriedthroughandnotshirkedorsetaside.Acontract,hesaid,isacontract.Oneentersuponitofone’sownfreewill,andmustabidebyit.Anythingelseresultedinwhathecalledamess.Looseends,half-dissolvedties.
Leaningbackinhischair,hislonglegskickingvaguelyatatable,hesaid:“Amanchooseshiswife.She’shisresponsibilityuntilshedies—orhedoes.”
Nortonsaidrathercomically:“Andsometimes—Ohblesseddeath,eh?”
Welaughed,andBoydCarringtonsaid:“Youneedn’ttalk,mylad,you’veneverbeenmarried.”
Shakinghishead,Nortonsaid:“AndnowI’veleftittoolate.”
“Haveyou?”BoydCarrington’sglancewasquizzical.“Sureofthat?”
ItwasjustatthatmomentthatElizabethColejoinedus.ShehadbeenupwithMrs.Franklin.
Iwonderedifitwasmyfancy,ordidBoydCarringtonlookmeaninglyfromhertoNorton,andwasitpossiblethatNortonblushed?
ItputanewideaintomyheadandIlookedsearchinglyatElizabethCole.Itwastruethatshewasstillacomparativelyyoungwoman.Moreovershewasquiteahandsomeone.Infactaverycharmingandsympatheticpersonwhowascapableofmakinganymanhappy.AndsheandNortonhadspentagooddealoftimetogetheroflate.Intheirhuntsforwildflowersandbirds,theyhadbecomefriends;IrememberedhowshehadspokenofNortonbeingsuchakindperson.
Well,ifso,Iwasgladforhersake.Herstarvedandbarrengirlhoodwouldnotstandinthewayofherultimatehappiness.Thetragedythathadshatteredherlifewouldnothavebeenenactedinvain.Ithought,lookingather,thatshecertainlylookedmuchhappierand—yes,gayer,thanwhenIhadfirstcometoStyles.
ElizabethColeandNorton—yes,itmightbe.
Andsuddenly,fromnowhere,avaguefeelingofuneasinessanddisquietassailedme.Itwasnotsafe—itwasnotright—toplanhappinesshere.TherewassomethingmalignantabouttheairofStyles.Ifeltitnow—thisminute,feltsuddenlyoldandtired—yes,andafraid.
Aminutelaterthefeelingpassed.Nobodyhadnoticedit,Ithink,exceptBoydCarrington.Hesaidtomeinanundertoneafewminuteslater:“Anythingthematter,Hastings?”
“No,why?”
“Well—youlooked—Ican’tquiteexplainit.”
“Justafeeling—apprehension.”
“Apremonitionofevil?”
“Yes,ifyouliketoputitthatway.Afeelingthat—thatsomethingwasgoingtohappen.”
“Funny.I’vefeltthatonceortwice.Anyideawhat?”
Hewaswatchingmenarrowly.
Ishookmyhead.ForindeedIhadhadnodefiniteapprehensionofanyparticularthing.Ithadonlybeenawaveofdeepdepressionandfear.
ThenJudithhadcomeoutofthehouse.Shehadcomeslowly,herheadheldhigh,herlipspressedtogether,herfacegraveandbeautiful.
IthoughthowunlikeshewastoeithermeorCinders.Shelookedlikesomeyoungpriestess.Nortonfeltsomethingofthattoo.Hesaidtoher:“YoulooklikeyournamesakemighthavelookedbeforeshecutofftheheadofHolofernes.”
Judithsmiledandraisedhereyebrowsalittle.“Ican’tremembernowwhyshewantedto.”
“Oh,strictlyonthehighestmoralgroundsforthegoodofthecommunity.”
ThelightbanterinhistoneannoyedJudith.SheflushedandwentpasthimtositbyFranklin.Shesaid:“Mrs.Franklinisfeelingmuchbetter.Shewantsusalltocomeupandhavecoffeewithherthisevening.”
IV
Mrs.Franklinwascertainlyacreatureofmoods,Ithought,aswetroopedupstairsafterdinner.Havingmadeeveryone’slifeunbearableallday,shewasnowsweetnessitselftoeverybody.
Shewasdressedinanegligeeofpaleeau-de-Nilandwaslyingonherchaiselongue.Besideherwasasmallrevolvingbookcase-tablewiththecoffeeapparatussetout.Herfingers,deftandwhite,dealtwiththeritualofcoffeemaking,withsomeslightaidfromNurseCraven.WewerealltherewiththeexceptionofPoirotwhoalwaysretiredbeforedinner,AllertonwhohadnotreturnedfromIpswich,andMrs.andColonelLuttrellwhohadremaineddownstairs.
Thearomaofcoffeecametoournoses—adelicioussmell.ThecoffeeatStyleswasanuninterestingmuddyfluid,sowealllookedforwardtoMrs.Franklin’sbrewwithfreshlygroundberries.
Franklinsatontheothersideofthetablehandingthecupsasshefilledthem.BoydCarringtonstoodbythefootofthesofa,ElizabethColeandNortonwerebythewindow.NurseCravenhadretiredtothebackgroundbytheheadofthebed.IwassittinginanarmchairwrestlingwithTheTimescrossword,andreadingouttheclues.
“Evenloveorthirdpartyrisk?”Ireadout.“Eightletters.”
“Probablyananagram,”saidFranklin.
Wethoughtforaminute.Iwenton.“Thechapsbetweenthehillsareunkind.”
“Tormentor,”saidBoydCarringtonquickly.
“Quotation:‘AndEchowhate’erisaskedheranswers’—blank.Tennyson.Fiveletters.”
“Where,”suggestedMrs.Franklin.“Surelythat’sright.‘AndEchoanswerswhere?’”
Iwasdoubtful.“Itwouldmakeawordendin‘W.’”
“Well,lotsofwordsendin‘W.’Howandnowandsnow.”
ElizabethColesaidfromthewindow:“TheTennysonquotationis:‘AndEchowhate’erisaskedheranswersDeath.’”
Iheardaquicksharpintakeofbreathbehindme.Ilookedup.ItwasJudith.Shewentpastustothewindowandoutuponthebacony.
Isaid,asIwrotethelastcluein:“Evenlovecan’tbeananagram.Thesecondletternowis‘A.’”
“What’stheclueagain?”
“Evenloveorthirdpartyrisk?BlankAandsixblanks.”
“Paramour,”saidBoydCarrington.
IheardtheteaspoonrattleonBarbaraFranklin’ssaucer.Iwentontothenextclue.
“‘Jealousyisagreen-eyedmonster,’thispersonsaid.”
“Shakespeare,”saidBoydCarrington.
“WasitOthelloorEmilia?”saidMrs.Franklin.
“Alltoolong.Theclueisonlyfourletters.”
“Iago.”
“I’msureitwasOthello.”
“Itwasn’tinOthelloatall.RomeosaidittoJuliet.”
Weallvoicedouropinions.SuddenlyfromthebalconyJudithcriedout:“Look,ashootingstar.Oh,there’sanother.”
BoydCarringtonsaid:“Where?Wemustwish.”Hewentoutonthebalcony,joiningElizabethCole,NortonandJudith.NurseCravenwentouttoo.Franklingotupandjoinedthem.Theystoodthere,exclaiming,gazingoutintothenight.
Iremainedwithmyheadbentoverthecrossword.WhyshouldIwishtoseeafallingstar?Ihadnothingtowishfor….
SuddenlyBoydCarringtonwheeledbackintotheroom.
“Barbara,youmustcomeout.”
Mrs.Franklinsaidsharply:“No,Ican’t.I’mtootired.”
“Nonsense,Babs.Youmustcomeandwish!”Helaughed.“Nowdon’tprotest.I’llcarryyou.”
Andsuddenlystoopinghepickedherupinhisarms.Shelaughedandprotested:“Bill,putmedown—don’tbesosilly.”
“Littlegirlshavegottocomeoutandwish.”Hecarriedherthroughthewindowandsetherdownonthebalcony.
Ibentcloseroverthepaper.ForIwasremembering…Acleartropicalnight,frogscroaking…andashootingstar.Iwasstandingtherebythewindow,andIhadturnedandpickedupCindersandcarriedheroutinmyarmstoseethestarsandwish….
Thelinesofmycrosswordranandblurredbeforemyeyes.
Afiguredetacheditselffromthebalconyandcameintotheroom—Judith.
Judithmustnevercatchmewithtearsinmyeyes.Itwouldneverdo.HastilyIswungroundthebookcaseandpretendedtobelookingforabook.IrememberedhavingseenanoldeditionofShakespearethere.Yes,hereitwas.IlookedthroughOthello.
“Whatareyoudoing,Father?”
Imumbledsomethingabouttheclue,myfingersturningoverthepages.Yes,itwasIago.
“Obeware,mylord,ofjealousy;Itisthegreen-eyedmonsterwhichdothmockThemeatitfeedson.”
Judithwentonwithsomeotherlines:
“Notpoppy,normandragora,norallthedrowsysyrupsoftheworldShallevermedicinetheetothatsweetsleepwhichthouow’dstyesterday.”
Hervoicerangout,beautifulanddeep.
Theotherswerecomingback,laughingandtalking.Mrs.Franklinresumedherplaceonthechaiselongue,Franklincamebacktohisseatandstirredhiscoffee.NortonandElizabethColefinisheddrinkingtheirsandexcusedthemselvesastheyhadpromisedtoplaybridgewiththeLuttrells.
Mrs.Franklindrankhercoffeeandthendemandedher“drops.”JudithgotthemforherfromthebathroomasNurseCravenhadjustgoneout.
Franklinwaswanderingaimlesslyroundtheroom.Hestumbledoverasmalltable.Hiswifesaidsharply:
“Don’tbesoclumsy,John.”
“Sorry,Barbara.Iwasthinkingofsomething.”
Mrs.Franklinsaidratheraffectedly:“Suchagreatbear,aren’tyou,darling?”
Helookedatherratherabstractedly.Thenhesaid:“Nicenight,thinkI’lltakeastroll.”
Hewentout.
Mrs.Franklinsaid:“Heisagenius,youknow.Youcantellitfromhismanner.Ireallydoadmirehimterrifically.Suchapassionforhiswork.”
“Yes,yes,cleverfellow,”saidBoydCarringtonratherperfunctorily.
Judithlefttheroomabruptly,nearlycollidingwithNurseCraveninthedoorway.
BoydCarringtonsaid:“Whataboutagameofpicquet,Babs?”
“Oh,lovely.Canyougetholdofsomecards,Nurse?”
NurseCravenwenttogetcards,andIwishedMrs.Franklingoodnightandthankedherforthecoffee.
OutsideIovertookFranklinandJudith.Theywerestandinglookingoutofthepassagewindow.Theywerenotspeaking,juststandingsidebyside.
FranklinlookedoverhisshoulderasIapproached.Hemovedasteportwo,hesitatedandsaid:“Comingoutforastroll,Judith?”
Mydaughtershookherhead.“Nottonight.”Sheaddedabruptly:“I’mgoingtobed.Goodnight.”
IwentdownstairswithFranklin.Hewaswhistlingsoftlytohimselfandsmiling.
Iremarkedrathercrossly,forIwasfeelingdepressedmyself:“Youseempleasedwithyourselftonight.”
Headmittedit.
“Yes.I’vedonesomethingthatI’vebeenmeaningtodoforalongtime.Verysatisfactory,that.”
Ipartedfromhimdownstairs,andlookedinonthebridgeplayersforaminute.NortonwinkedatmewhenMrs.Luttrellwasn’tlooking.Therubberseemedtobeprogressingwithunusualharmony.
Allertonhadstillnotcomeback.Itseemedtomethatthehousewashappierandlessoppressivewithouthim.
IwentuptoPoirot’sroom.IfoundJudithsittingwithhim.ShesmiledatmewhenIcameinanddidnotspeak.
“Shehasforgivenyou,monami,”saidPoirot—anoutrageousremark.
“Really,”Ispluttered.“Ihardlythink—”
Judithgotup.Sheputanarmroundmyneckandkissedme.Shesaid:“PoorFather.UncleHerculeshallnotattackyourdignity.Iamtheonetobeforgiven.Soforgivemeandsaygoodnight.”
Idon’tquiteknowwhy,butIsaid:“I’msorry,Judith.I’mverysorry,Ididn’tmean—”
Shestoppedme.“That’sallright.Let’sforgetit.Everything’sallrightnow.”Shesmiledaslow,farawaysmile.Shesaidagain:“Everything’sallrightnow…”andquietlylefttheroom.
WhenshehadgonePoirotlookedatme.
“Well?”hedemanded.“Whathasbeenhappeningthisevening?”
Ispreadoutmyhands.“Nothinghashappened,orislikelytohappen,”Itoldhim.
ActuallyIwasverywideofthemark.Forsomethingdidhappenthatnight.Mrs.Franklinwastakenviolentlyill.Twomoredoctorsweresentfor,butinvain.Shediedthefollowingmorning.
Itwasnotuntiltwenty-fourhourslaterthatwelearnedthatherdeathwasduetopoisoningbyphysostigmine.
Fourteen
I
Theinquesttookplacetwodayslater.ItwasthesecondtimeIhadattendedaninquestinthispartoftheworld.
Thecoronerwasanablemiddle-agedmanwithashrewdglanceandadrymannerofspeech.
Themedicalevidencewastakenfirst.Itestablishedthefactthatdeathwastheresultofpoisoningbyphysostigmine,andthatotheralkaloidsoftheCalabarbeanwerealsopresent.Thepoisonmusthavebeentakensometimeontheprecedingeveningbetweenseveno’clockandmidnight.Thepolicesurgeonandhiscolleaguerefusedtobemoreprecise.
ThenextwitnesswasDr.Franklin.Hecreatedonthewholeagoodimpression.Hisevidencewasclearandsimple.Afterhiswife’sdeathhehadcheckedoverhissolutionsinthelaboratory.Hehaddiscoveredthatacertainbottle,whichshouldhavecontainedastrongsolutionofalkaloidsoftheCalabarbeanwithwhichhehadbeenconductingexperiments,hadbeenfilledupwithordinarywaterinwhichonlyatraceoftheoriginalcontentswaspresent.Hecouldnotsaywithcertaintywhenthishadbeendoneashehadnotusedthatparticularpreparationforsomedays.
Thequestionofaccesstothelaboratorywasthengoneinto.Dr.Franklinagreedthatthelaboratorywasusuallykeptlockedandthatheusuallyhadthekeyinhispocket.Hisassistant,MissHastings,hadaduplicatekey.Anyonewhowishedtogointothestudiohadtogetthekeyfromherorfromhimself.Hiswifehadborroweditoccasionally,whenshehadleftthingsbelongingtoherinthelaboratory.Hehimselfhadneverbroughtasolutionofphysostigmineintothehouseorintohiswife’sroomandhethoughtthatbynopossibilitycouldshehavetakenitaccidentally.
Questionedfurtherbythecoroner,hesaidthathiswifehadforsometimebeeninalowandnervousstateofhealth.Therewasnoorganicdisease.Shesufferedfromdepressionandfromarapidalterationofmoods.
Oflate,hesaid,shehadbeencheerfulandhehadconsideredherimprovedinhealthandspirits.Therehadbeennoquarrelbetweenthemandtheyhadbeenongoodterms.Onthelasteveninghiswifehadseemedingoodspiritsandnotmelancholy.
Hesaidthathiswifehadoccasionallyspokenofendingherlifebutthathehadnottakenherremarksseriously.Askedthequestiondefinitely,herepliedthatinhisopinionhiswifehadnotbeenasuicidaltype.Thatwashismedicalopinionaswellashispersonalone.
HewasfollowedbyNurseCraven.Shelookedsmartandefficientinhertrimuniformandherreplieswerecrispandprofessional.ShehadbeeninattendanceonMrs.Franklinforovertwomonths.Mrs.Franklinsufferedbadlyfromdepression.Witnesshadheardhersayatleastthreetimesthatshe“wantedtoenditall,”thatherlifewasuselessand
“Whydidshesaythat?Hadtherebeenanyaltercationbetweenthem?”
“Ohno,butshewasawarethatherhusbandhadrecentlybeenofferedanappointmentabroad.Hehadrefusedthatinordernottoleaveher.”
“Andsometimesshefeltmorbidlyaboutthefact?”
“Yes.Shewouldblamehermiserablehealth,andgetallworkedup.”
“DidDr.Franklinknowaboutthis?”
“Idonotthinksheoftensaidsotohim.”
“Butshewassubjecttofitsofdepression.”
“Oh,definitely.”
“Didsheeverspecificallymentioncommittingsuicide?”
“Ithink‘Iwanttoenditall’wasthephrasesheused.”
“Sheneversuggestedanyparticularmethodoftakingherownlife?”
“No.Shewasquitevague.”
“Hadtherebeenanythingespeciallytodepressheroflate?”
“No.Shehadbeeninreasonablygoodspirits.”
“DoyouagreewithDr.Franklinthatshewasingoodspiritsonthenightofherdeath?”
NurseCravenhesitated.“Well—shewasexcited.She’dhadabadday—complainedofpainandgiddiness.Shehadseemedbetterintheevening,buthergoodspiritswereabitunnatural.Sheseemedfeverishandratherartificial.”
“Didyouseeanythingofabottle,oranythingthatmighthavecontainedthepoison?”
“No.”
“Whatdidsheeatanddrink?”
“Shehadsoup,acutlet,greenpeasandmashedpotatoes,andcherrytart.Shehadaglassofburgundywithit.”
“Wheredidtheburgundycomefrom?”
“Therewasabottleinherroom.TherewassomeleftafterwardsbutIbelieveitwasexaminedandfoundtobequiteallright.”
“Couldshehaveputthedruginherglasswithoutyouseeing?”
“Ohyes,easily.Iwastoandfrointheroom,tidyingupandarrangingthings.Iwasnotwatchingher.Shehadalittledespatchcasebesideherandalsoahandbag.Shecouldhaveputanythingintheburgundy,orlaterinthecoffee,orinthehotmilkshehadlastthing.”
“Haveyouanyideaastowhatshecouldhavedonewiththebottleorcontainerifso?”
NurseCravenconsidered.“Well,Isupposeshecouldhavethrownitoutofthewindowlater.Orputitinthewastepaperbasket,orevenwasheditoutinthebathroomandputitbackinthemedicinecupboard.Thereareseveralemptybottlesthere.Isavethembecausetheycomeinhandy.”
“WhendidyoulastseeMrs.Franklin?”
“Atten-thirty.Isettledherforthenight.Shehadhotmilkandsaidshe’dlikeanaspirin.”
“Howwasshethen?”
Thewitnessconsideredaminute.
“Well,really,justasusual…No,I’dsayshewasperhapsjustabitoverexcited.”
“Notdepressed?”
“Well,no,morestrungup,sotospeak.Butifit’ssuicideyou’rethinkingof,itmighttakeherthatway.Shemightfeelnobleorexaltedaboutit.”
“Doyouconsidershewasalikelypersontotakeherownlife?”
Therewasapause.NurseCravenseemedtobestrugglingtomakeuphermind.
“Well,”shesaidatlast,“IdoandIdon’t.I—yes,onthewholeIdo.Shewasveryunbalanced.”
SirWilliamBoydCarringtoncamenext.Heseemedgenuinelyupset,butgavehisevidenceclearly.
Hehadplayedpicquetwiththedeceasedonthenightofherdeath.Hehadnotnoticedanysignsofdepressionthen,butinaconversationsomedayspreviouslyMrs.Franklinhadmentionedthesubjectoftakingherownlife.Shewasaveryunselfishwoman,anddeeplydistressedatfeelingthatshewashamperingherhusband’scareer.Shewasdevotedtoherhusbandandveryambitiousforhim.Shewassometimesverydepressedaboutherownhealth.
Judithwascalled,butshehadlittletosay.
Sheknewnothingabouttheremovalofthephysostigminefromthelaboratory.OnthenightofthetragedyMrs.Franklinhadseemedtohermuchasusual,thoughperhapsoverexcited.ShehadneverheardMrs.Franklinmentionsuicide.
ThelastwitnesswasHerculePoirot.Hisevidencewasgivenwithmuchemphasisandcausedaconsiderableimpression.HedescribedaconversationhehadhadwithMrs.Franklinonthedayprevioustoherdecease.Shehadbeenverydepressedandhadexpressedseveraltimesawishtobeoutofitall.Shewasworriedaboutherhealthandhadconfidedinhimthatshehadfitsofdeepmelancholywhenlifedidnotseemworthliving.Shesaidthatsometimesshefeltitwouldbewonderfultogotosleepandneverwakeup.
Hisnextreplycausedanevengreatersensation.
“OnthemorningofJune10thyouweresittingoutsidethelaboratorydoor?”
“Yes.”
“DidyouseeMrs.Franklincomeoutofthelaboratory?”
“Idid.”
“Didshehaveanythinginherhand?”
“Shehadasmallbottleclaspedinherrighthand.”
“Youarequitesureofthat?”
“Yes.”
“Didsheshowanyconfusionatseeingyou?”
“Shelookedstartled,thatisall.”
Thecoronerproceededtohissummingup.Theymustmakeuptheirminds,hesaid,howthedeceasedcametoherdeath.Theywouldhavenodifficultyinassigningthecauseofdeath,themedicalevidencehadtoldthemthat.Deceasedwaspoisonedbyphysostigminesulphate.Alltheyhadtodecidewaswhethershetookitaccidentallyorbyintent,orifitwasadministeredtoherbysomeotherperson.Theyhadheardthatdeceasedhadfitsofmelancholy,thatshewasinpoorhealth,andthatwhiletherewasnoorganicdisease,shewasinabadnervouscondition.Mr.HerculePoirot,awitnesswhosenamemustcarryweight,hadassertedpositivelythathehadseenMrs.Franklincomeoutofthelaboratorywithasmallbottleinherhandandthatsheseemedstartledtoseehim.Theymightcometotheconclusionthatshehadtakenthepoisonfromthelaboratorywiththeintentionofdoingawaywithherself.Sheseemedtobesufferingfromanobsessionthatshewasstandinginherhusband’slightandobstructinghiscareer.ItwasonlyfairtoDr.Franklintosaythatheseemedtohavebeenakindandaffectionatehusband,andthathehadneverexpressedannoyanceatherdelicacy,orcomplainedthatshehinderedhiscareer.Theideaseemedtobeentirelyherown.Womeninacertainconditionofnervouscollapsedidgetthesepersistentideas.Therewasnoevidencetoshowatwhattimeorinwhatvehiclethepoisonwastaken.Itwas,perhaps,alittleunusualthatthebottlewhichoriginallycontainedthepoisonhadnotbeenfound,butitwaspossiblethat,asNurseCravensuggested,Mrs.Franklinhadwasheditandputitawayinthebathroomcupboardfromwhereshemayhaveoriginallytakenit.Itwasforthejurytomaketheirowndecision.
Theverdictwasarrivedatafteronlyashortdelay.
ThejuryfoundthatMrs.Franklintookherownlifewhiletemporarilyofunsoundmind.
II
HalfanhourlaterIwasinPoirot’sroom.Hewaslookingveryexhausted.Curtisshadputhimtobedandwasrevivinghimwithastimulant.
IwasdyingtotalkbutIhadtocontainmyselfuntilthevalethadfinishedandlefttheroom.
ThenIburstout.“Wasthattrue,Poirot,whatyousaid?ThatyousawabottleinMrs.Franklin’shandwhenshecameoutofthelaboratory?”
AveryfaintsmilecreptoverPoirot’sbluish-tingedlips.Hemurmured:“Didnotyouseeit,myfriend?”
“No,Ididnot.”
“Butyoumightnothavenoticed,hein?”
“No,perhapsnot.Icertainlycan’tswearshedidn’thaveit.”Ilookedathimdoubtfully.“Thequestionis,areyouspeakingthetruth?”
“DoyouthinkIwouldlie,myfriend?”
“Iwouldn’tputitpastyou.”
“Hastings,youshockandsurpriseme.Whereisnowyoursimplefaith?”
“Well,”Iconceded.“Idon’tsupposeyouwouldreallycommitperjury.”
Poirotsaidmildly:“Itwouldnotbeperjury.Itwasnotonoath.”
“Thenitwasalie?”
Poirotwavedhishandautomatically.“WhatIhavesaid,monami,issaid.Itisunnecessarytodiscussit.”
“Isimplydon’tunderstandyou!”Icried.
“Whatdon’tyouunderstand?”
“Yourevidence—allthataboutMrs.Franklin’shavingtalkedaboutcommittingsuicide,aboutherbeingdepressed.”
“Enfin,youheardhersaysuchthingsyourself.”
“Yes.Butitwasonlyoneofmanymoods.Youdidn’tmakethatclear.”
“PerhapsIdidnotwantto.”
Istaredathim.“Youwantedtheverdicttobesuicide?”
Poirotpausedbeforereplying.Thenhesaid:“Ithink,Hastings,thatyoudonotappreciatethegravityofthesituation.Yes,ifyoulike,Iwantedtheverdicttobesuicide….”
Isaid:“Butyoudidn’tthink—yourself—thatshedidcommitsuicide?”
SlowlyPoirotshookhishead.
Isaid:“Youthink—thatshewasmurdered?”
“Yes,Hastings,shewasmurdered.”
“Thenwhytrytohushitup,tohaveitlabelledandputasideassuicide?Thatstopsallenquiry.”
“Precisely.”
“Youwantthat?”
“Yes.”
“Butwhy?”
“Isitconceivablethatyoudonotsee?Nevermind—letusnotgointothat.Youmusttakemywordforitthatitwasmurder—deliberatepreconceivedmurder.Itoldyou,Hastings,thatacrimewouldbecommittedhere,andthatitwasunlikelyweshouldbeabletopreventit—forthekillerisbothruthlessanddetermined.”
Ishivered.Isaid:“Andwhathappensnext?”
Poirotsmiled.“Thecaseissolved—labelledandputawayassuicide.ButyouandI,Hastings,goonworkingunderground,likemoles.And,soonerorlater,wegetX.”
Isaid:“Andsupposingthat,meanwhile,someoneelseiskilled?”
Poirotshookhishead.“Idonotthinkso.Unless,thatis,somebodysawsomethingorknowssomething,butifso,surely,theywouldhavecomeforwardtosayso…?”
Fifteen
I
MymemoryisalittlevagueabouttheeventsofthedaysimmediatelyfollowingtheinquestonMrs.Franklin.Therewas,ofcourse,thefuneral,whichImaysaywasattendedbyalargenumberofthecuriousofStylesSt.Mary.ItwasonthatoccasionthatIwasaddressedbyanoldwomanwithrheumyeyesandanunpleasantghoulishmanner.
Sheaccostedmejustaswewerefilingoutofthecemetery.
“Rememberyou,sir,don’tI?”
“Well—er—possibly….”
Shewenton,hardlylisteningtowhatIsaid.
“Twentyyearsagoandover.WhentheoldladydiedupattheCourt.ThatwasthefirstmurderwehadatStyles.Won’tbethelast,Isay.OldMrs.Inglethorp,herhusbanddoneherinsoweallsaid.Sureofitwewas.”Sheleeredatmecunningly.“Maybeit’sthehusbandthistime.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”Isaidsharply.“Didn’tyouheartheverdictwassuicide?”
“That’swhatCoronersaid.Buthemightbewrong,don’tyouthink?”Shenudgedme.“Doctors,theyknowhowtodoawaywiththeirwives.Andshewasn’tmuchgoodtohimseemingly.”
Iturnedonherangrilyandsheslunkawaymurmuringshehadn’tmeantanything,onlyitseemedoddlike,didn’tit,happeningasecondtime.“Andit’squeeryoushouldbetherebothtimes,sir,isn’titnow?”
ForonefantasticmomentIwonderedifshesuspectedmeofhavingreallycommittedbothcrimes.Itwasmostdisturbing.Itcertainlymademerealizewhataqueer,hauntingthinglocalsuspicionis.
Anditwasnot,afterall,sofarwrong.ForsomebodyhadkilledMrs.Franklin
AsIsayIrememberverylittleofthosedays.Poirot’shealth,foronething,wasgivingmegraveconcern.CurtisscametomewithhiswoodenfaceslightlydisturbedandreportedthatPoirothadhadasomewhatalarmingheartattack.
“Seemstome,sir,heoughttoseeadoctor.”
IwentposthastetoPoirotwhonegativedthesuggestionmostvigorously.Itwas,Ithought,alittleunlikehim.Hehadalwaysbeen,inmyopinion,extremelyfussyabouthishealth.Distrustingdraughts,wrappinguphisneckinsilkandwool,showingahorrorofgettinghisfeetdamp,andtakinghistemperatureandretiringtobedattheleastsuspicionofachill—“Forotherwiseitmaybeformeafluxiondepoitrine!”Inmostlittleailments,hehad,Iknew,alwaysconsultedadoctorimmediately.
Now,whenhewasreallyill,thepositionseemedreversed.
Yetperhapsthatwastherealreason.Thoseotherailmentshadbeentrifling.Now,whenhewasindeedasickman,hefeared,perhaps,admittingtherealityofhisillness.Hemadelightofitbecausehewasafraid.
Heansweredmyprotestswithenergyandbitterness.
“Ah,butIhaveconsulteddoctors!Notonebutmany.IhavebeentoBlankandtoDash[henamedtwospecialists]andtheydowhat?—theysendmetoEgyptwhereimmediatelyIamrenderedmuchworse.Ihavebeen,too,toR….”
R.was,Iknew,aheartspecialist.Iaskedquickly:“Whatdidhesay?”
Poirotgavemeasuddensidelongglance—andmyheartgaveanagonizedleap.
Hesaidquietly:“Hehasdoneformeallthatcanbedone.Ihavemytreatments,myremedies,allcloseathand.Beyondthat—thereisnothing.Soyousee,Hastings,tocallinmoredoctorswouldbeofnoavail.Themachine,monami,wearsout.Onecannot,alas,installthenewengineandcontinuetorunasbeforelikeamotorcar.”
“Butlookhere,Poirot,surelythere’ssomething.Curtiss—”
Poirotsaidsharply:“Curtiss?”
“Yes,hecametome.Hewasworried—Youhadanattack—”
Poirotnoddedgently.“Yes,yes.Theyaresometimes,theseattacks,painfultowitness.Curtiss,Ithink,isnotusedtotheseattacksoftheheart.”
“Won’tyoureallyseeadoctor?”
“Itisofnoavail,myfriend.”
Hespokeverygentlybutwithfinality.Andagainmyheartfeltapainfulconstriction.Poirotsmiledatme.Hesaid:“This,Hastings,willbemylastcase.Itwillbe,too,mymostinterestingcase—andmymostinterestingcriminal.ForinXwehaveatechniquesuperb,magnificent,thatarousesadmirationinspiteofoneself.Sofar,moncher,thisXhasoperatedwithsomuchabilitythathehasdefeatedme,HerculePoirot!HehasdevelopedtheattacktowhichIcanfindnoanswer.”
“Ifyouhadyourhealth—”Ibegansoothingly.
Butapparentlythatwasnottherightthingtosay.HerculePoirotimmediatelyflewintoarage.
“Ah!HaveIgottotellyouthirty-sixtimes,andthenagainthirty-six,thatthereisnoneedofphysicaleffort?Oneneedsonly—tothink.”
“Well—ofcourse—yes,youcandothatallright.”
“Allright?Icandoitsuperlatively.Mylimbstheyareparalysed,myheart,itplaysmethetricks,butmybrain,Hastings,mybrainitfunctionswithoutimpairmentofanykind.Itisstillofthefirstexcellencemybrain.”
“That,”Isaidsoothingly,“issplendid.”
ButasIwentslowlydownstairs,IthoughttomyselfthatPoirot’sbrainwasnotgettingonwiththingsasfastasitmightdo.FirstthenarrowescapeofMrs.LuttrellandnowthedeathofMrs.Franklin.Andwhatwerewedoingaboutit?Practicallynothing.
II
ItwasthefollowingdaythatPoirotsaidtome:“Yousuggested,Hastings,thatIshouldseeadoctor.”
“Yes,”Isaideagerly.“I’dfeelmuchhappierifyouwould.”
“Ehbien,Iwillconsent.IwillseeFranklin.”
“Franklin?”Ilookeddoubtful.
“Well,heisadoctor,ishenot?”
“Yes,but—hismainlineisresearch,isitnot?”
“Undoubtedly.Hewouldnotsucceed,Ifancy,asageneralpractitioner.Hehasnotsufficientlywhatyoucallthe‘sideofthebedmanner.’Buthehasthequalifications.InfactIshouldsaythat,asthefilmssay,‘heknowshisstuffbetterthanmost.’”
Iwasstillnotentirelysatisfied.AlthoughIdidnotdoubtFranklin’sability,hehadalwaysstruckmeasamanwhowasimpatientofanduninterestedinhumanailments.Possiblyanadmirableattitudeforresearchwork,butnotsogoodforanysickpersonshemightattend.
However,forPoirottogosofarwasaconcession,andasPoirothadnolocalmedicalattendant,Franklinreadilyagreedtotakealookathim.Butheexplainedthatifregularmedicalattendancewasneeded,alocalpractitionermustbecalledin.Hecouldnotattendthecase.
Franklinspentalongtimewithhim.
WhenhecameoutfinallyIwaswaitingforhim.Idrewhimintomyroomandshutthedoor.
“Well?”Idemandedanxiously.
Franklinsaidthoughtfully:“He’saveryremarkableman.”
“Oh,that.Yes—”Ibrushedasidethisself-evidentfact.“Buthishealth?”
“Oh!Hishealth?”Franklinseemedquitesurprised—asthoughIhadmentionedsomethingofnoimportanceatall.“Oh!Hishealth’srotten,ofcourse.”
Itwasnot,Ifelt,atallaprofessionalwayofputtingit.AndyetIhadheard—fromJudith—thatFranklinhadbeenoneofthemostbrilliantstudentsofhistime.
“Howbadishe?”Idemandedanxiously
Heshotmealook.“D’youwanttoknow?”
“Ofcourse.”
Whatdidthefoolthink?
Healmostimmediatelytoldme.
“Mostpeople,”hesaid,“don’twanttoknow.Theywantsoothingsyrup.Theywanthope.Theywantreassuranceladledoutindriblets.Andofcourseamazingrecoveriesdooccur.Buttheywon’tinPoirot’scase.”
“Doyoumean—”Againthatcoldhandclosedroundmyheart.
Franklinnodded.“Ohyes,he’sforitallright.Andprettysoon,Ishouldsay.Ishouldn’ttellyousoifhehadn’tauthorizedmetodoso.”
“Then—heknows.”
Franklinsaid:“Heknowsallright.Thatheartofhismaygoout—phut—anymoment.Onecan’tsay,ofcourse,exactlywhen.”
Hepaused,thenhesaidslowly:“Fromwhathesays,Igatherhe’sworryingaboutgettingsomethingfinished,somethingthat,asheputsit,he’sundertaken.D’youknowaboutthat?”
“Yes,”Isaid.“Iknow.”
Franklinshotmeaninterestedglance.
“Hewantstobesureoffinishingoffthejob.”
“Isee.”
IwonderedifJohnFranklinhadanyideaofwhatthatjobwas!
Hesaidslowly:“Ihopehe’llmanageit.Fromwhathesaiditmeansalottohim.”Hepausedandadded:“He’sgotamethodicalmind.”
Iaskedanxiously:“Isn’ttheresomethingthatcanbedone—somethinginthewayoftreatment—”
Heshookhishead.“Nothingdoing.He’sgotampoulesofamylnitratetousewhenhefeelsanattackiscomingon.”
Thenhesaidarathercuriousthing.
“Gotaverygreatrespectforhumanlife,hasn’the?”
“Yes,Isupposehehas.”
HowoftenhadInotheardPoirotsay:“Idonotapproveofmurder.”Thatunderstatement,madesoprimly,hadalwaystickledmyfancy.
Franklinwasgoingon.“That’sthedifferencebetweenus.Ihaven’t…!”
Ilookedathimcuriously.Heinclinedhisheadwithafaintsmile.
“Quitetrue,”hesaid.“Sincedeathcomesanyway,whatdoesitmatterifitcomesearlyorlate?There’ssolittledifference.”
“Thenwhatonearthmadeyoubecomeadoctorifyoufeellikethat?”Idemandedwithsomeindignation.
“Oh,mydearfellow,doctoringisn’tjustamatterofdodgingtheultimateend.It’salotmore—it’simprovingliving.Ifahealthymandies,itdoesn’tmatter—much.Ifanimbecile—acretin—dies,it’sagoodthing—butifbythediscoveryofadministeringthecorrectglandyouturnyourcretinintoahealthynormalindividualbycorrectinghisthyroiddeficiency,that,tomymind,mattersagooddeal.”
Ilookedathimwithmoreinterest.IstillfeltthatitwouldnotbeDr.FranklinIshouldcallinifIhadinfluenza,butIhadtopaytributetoakindofwhite-hotsincerityandaveryrealforceintheman.Ihadnoticedachangeinhimsincehiswife’sdeath.Hehaddisplayedfewoftheconventionalsignsofmourning.Onthecontraryheseemedmorealive,lessabsentminded,andfullofanewenergyandfire.
Hesaidabruptly,breakingintomythoughts:“YouandJuditharen’tmuchalike,areyou?”
“No,Isupposewe’renot.”
“Isshelikehermother?”
Ireflected,thenslowlyshookmyhead.“Notreally.Mywifewasamerry,laughingcreature.Shewouldn’ttakeanythingseriously—andtriedtomakemethesame,withoutmuchsuccessI’mafraid.”
Hesmiledfaintly.“No,you’rerathertheheavyfather,aren’tyou?SoJudithsays.Judithdoesn’tlaughmuch—seriousyoungwoman.Toomuchwork,Iexpect.Myfault.”
Hewentintoabrownstudy.Isaidconventionally:“Yourworkmustbeveryinteresting.”
“Eh?”
“Isaidyourworkmustbeinteresting.”
“Onlytoabouthalfadozenpeople.Toeverybodyelseit’sdarneddull—andthey’reprobablyright.Anyway—”heflunghisheadback,hisshoulderssquaredthemselves,hesuddenlylookedwhathewas,apowerfulandvirileman—“I’vegotmychancenow!God,Icouldshoutoutloud.TheMinisterInstitutepeopleletmeknowtoday.Thejob’sstillopenandI’vegotit.Istartintendays’time.”
“ForAfrica?”
“Yes.It’sgrand.”
“Sosoon.”Ifeltslightlyshocked.
Hestaredatme.“Whatdoyoumean—soon?Oh.”Hisbrowcleared.“YoumeanafterBarbara’sdeath?Whyonearthnot?It’snogoodpretending,isit,thatherdeathwasn’tthegreatestrelieftome.”
Heseemedamusedbytheexpressiononmyface.
“I’venottime,I’mafraid,forconventionalattitudes.IfellinlovewithBarbara—shewasaveryprettygirl—marriedherandfelloutoflovewithheragaininaboutayear.Idon’tthinkitlastedevenaslongasthatwithher.Iwasadisappointmenttoher,ofcourse.Shethoughtshecouldinfluenceme.Shecouldn’t.I’maselfish,pigheadedsortofbrute,andIdowhatIwanttodo.”
“ButyoudidrefusethisjobinAfricaonheraccount,”Iremindedhim.
“Yes.Thatwaspurelyfinancial,though.I’dundertakentosupportBarbarainthewayoflifeshewasaccustomedto.IfI’dgoneitwouldhavemeantleavingherveryshort.Butnow—”hesmiled,acompletelyfrank,boyishsmile—“it’sturnedoutamazinglyluckyforme.”
Iwasrevolted.Itistrue,Isuppose,thatmanymenwhosewivesdiearenotpreciselyheartbrokenandeveryonemoreorlessknowsthefact.Butthiswassoblatant.
Hesawmyface,butdidnotseemputout.
“Truth,”hesaid,“isseldomappreciated.Andyetitsavesalotoftimeandalotofinaccuratespeech.”
Isaidsharply:“Anditdoesn’tworryyouatallthatyourwifecommittedsuicide?”
Hesaidthoughtfully:“Idon’treallybelieveshedidcommitsuicide.Mostunlikely—”
“But,then,whatdoyouthinkhappened?”
Hecaughtmeup:“Idon’tknow.Idon’tthinkI—wanttoknow.Understand?”
Istaredathim.Hiseyeswerehardandcold.
Hesaidagain:“Idon’twanttoknow.I’mnot—interested.See?”
Ididsee—butIdidn’tlikeit.
III
Idon’tknowwhenitwasthatInoticedthatStephenNortonhadsomethingonhismind.Hehadbeenverysilentaftertheinquest,andafterthatandthefuneralwereoverhestillwalkedabout,hiseyesonthegroundandhisforeheadpuckered.HehadahabitofrunninghishandsthroughhisshortgreyhairuntilitstuckuponendlikeStruwwelpeter.Itwascomicalbutquiteunconsciousanddenotedsomeperplexityofhismind.Hereturnedabsentmindedanswerswhenyouspoketohim,anditdidatlastdawnuponmethathewasdefinitelyworriedaboutsomething.Iaskedhimtentativelyifhehadhadbadnewsofanykind,whichhepromptlynegatived.Thatclosedthesubjectforthetimebeing.
Butalittlelaterheseemedtobetryingtogetanopinionfrommeonsomematterinaclumsy,roundaboutway.
Stammeringalittle,ashealwaysdidwhenhewasseriousaboutathing,heembarkedonaninvolvedstorycentringaboutapointofethics.
“Youknow,Hastings,itshouldbeawfullysimpletosaywhenathing’srightorwrong—butreallywhenitcomestoit,itisn’tquitesuchplainsailing.Imean,onemaycomeacrosssomething—thekindofthing,yousee,thatisn’tmeantforyou—it’sallakindofaccident,andit’sthesortofthingyoucouldn’ttakeadvantageof,andyetitmightbemostfrightfullyimportant.DoyouseewhatImean?”
“Notverywell,I’mafraid,”Iconfessed.
Norton’sbrowfurrowedagain.Heranhishandsupthroughhishairagainsothatitstooduprightinitsusualcomicalmanner.
“It’ssohardtoexplain.WhatImeanis,supposeyoujusthappenedtoseesomethinginaprivateletter—oneopenedbymistake,thatsortofthing—alettermeantforsomeoneelseandyoubeganreadingitbecauseyouthoughtitwaswrittentoyouandsoyouactuallyreadsomethingyouweren’tmeanttobeforeyourealized.Thatcouldhappen,youknow.”
“Ohyes,ofcourseitcould.”
“Well,Imean,whatwouldonedo?”
“Well—”Igavemymindtotheproblem.“Isupposeyou’dgotothepersonandsay,‘I’mawfullysorrybutIopenedthisbymistake.’”
Nortonsighed.Hesaiditwasn’tquitesosimpleasthat.
“Yousee,youmighthavereadsomethingratherembarrassing,Hastings.”
“Thatwouldembarrasstheotherperson,youmean?Isupposeyou’dhavetopretendyouhadn’tactuallyreadanything—thatyou’ddiscoveredyourmistakeintime.”
“Yes.”Nortonsaiditafteramoment’spause,andhedidnotseemtofeelthathehadyetarrivedatasatisfactorysolution.
Hesaidratherwistfully:“IwishIdidknowwhatIoughttodo.”
IsaidthatIcouldn’tseethattherewasanythingelsehecoulddo.
Nortonsaid,theperplexedfrownstillonhisforehead:“Yousee,Hastings,there’srathermoretoitthanthat.Supposingthatwhatyoureadwas—well,ratherimportant,tosomeoneelseagain,Imean.”
Ilostpatience.“Really,Norton,Idon’tseewhatyoudomean.Youcan’tgoaboutreadingotherpeople’sprivateletters,canyou?”
“No,no,ofcoursenot.Ididn’tmeanthat.Andanyway,itwasn’taletteratall.Ionlysaidthattotryandexplainthesortofthing.Naturallyanythingyousaworheardorread—byaccident—you’dkeeptoyourself,unless—”
“Unlesswhat?”
Nortonsaidslowly:“Unlessitwassomethingyououghttospeakabout.”
Ilookedathimwithsuddenlyawakenedinterest.Hewenton:“Lookhere,thinkofitthisway,supposingyousawsomethingthrougha—akeyhole—”
KeyholesmademethinkofPoirot!Nortonwasstumblingon:
“WhatImeanis,you’dgotaperfectlygoodreasonforlookingthroughthekeyhole—thekeymighthavestuckandyoujustlookedtoseeifitwasclear—or—orsomequitegoodreason—andyouneverforoneminuteexpectedtoseewhatyoudidsee….”
ForamomentortwoIlostthreadofhisstumblingsentences,forenlightenmenthadcometome.IrememberedadayonagrassyknollandNortonswinginguphisglassestoseeaspeckledwoodpecker.Irememberedhisimmediatedistressandembarrassment,hisendeavourstopreventmefromlookingthroughtheglassesinmyturn.AtthemomentIhadleapedtotheconclusionthatwhathehadseenwassomethingtodowithme—infactthatitwasAllertonandJudith.Butsupposingthatthatwasnotthecase?Thathehadseensomethingquitedifferent?IhadassumedthatitwassomethingtodowithAllertonandJudithbecauseIwassoobsessedbythematthattimethatIcouldthinkofnothingelse.
Isaidabruptly:“Wasitsomethingyousawthroughthoseglassesofyours?”
Nortonwasbothstartledandrelieved.
“Isay,Hastings,howdidyouguess?”
“ItwasthatdaywhenyouandIandElizabethColewereuponthatknoll,wasn’tit?”
“Yes,that’sright.”
“Andyoudidn’twantmetosee?”
“No.Itwasn’t—well,Imeanitwasn’tmeantforanyofustosee.”
“Whatwasit?”
Nortonfrownedagain.“That’sjustit.OughtItosay?Imeanitwas—well,itwasspying.IsawsomethingIwasn’tmeanttosee.Iwasn’tlookingforit—therereallywasaspeckledwoodpecker—alovelyfellow,andthenIsawtheotherthing.”
Hestopped.Iwascurious,intenselycurious,yetIrespectedhisscruples.
Iasked:“Wasit—somethingthatmattered?”
Hesaidslowly:“Itmightmatter.That’sjustit.Idon’tknow.”
Iaskedthen:“HasitsomethingtodowithMrs.Franklin’sdeath?”
Hestarted.“It’squeeryoushouldsaythat.”
“Thenithas?”
“No—no,notdirectly.Butitmighthave.”Hesaidslowly:“Itwouldthrowadifferentlightoncertainthings.Itwouldmeanthat—Oh,damnitall,Idon’tknowwhattodo!”
Iwasinadilemma.Iwasagogwithcuriosity,yetIfeltthatNortonwasveryreluctanttosaywhathehadseen.Icouldunderstandthat.Ishouldhavefeltthesamemyself.Itisalwaysunpleasanttocomeintopossessionofapieceofinformationthathasbeenacquiredinwhattheoutsideworldwouldconsideradubiousmanner.
Thenanideastruckme.
“WhynotconsultPoirot?”
“Poirot?”Nortonseemedalittledoubtful.
“Yes,askhisadvice.”
“Well,”saidNortonslowly,“it’sanidea.Only,ofcourse,he’saforeigner—”hestopped,ratherembarrassed.
Iknewwhathemeant.Poirot’sscathingremarksonthesubjectof“playingthegame”wereonlytoofamiliartome.IonlywonderedthatPoirothadneverthoughtoftakingtobirdglasseshimself!Hewouldhavedoneifhehadthoughtofit.
“He’drespectyourconfidence,”Iurged.“Andyouneedn’tactuponhisadviceifyoudon’tlikeit.”
“That’strue,”saidNorton,hisbrowclearing.“Youknow,Hastings,Ithinkthat’sjustwhatIwilldo.”
IV
IwasastonishedatPoirot’sinstantreactiontomypieceofinformation.
“Whatisthatyousay,Hastings?”
Hedroppedthepieceofthintoasthehadbeenraisingtohislips.Hepokedhisheadforward.
“Tellme.Tellmequickly.”
Irepeatedthestory.
“Hesawsomethingthroughtheglassesthatday,”repeatedPoirotthoughtfully.“Somethingthathewillnottellyou.”Hishandshotoutandgrippedmyarm.“Hehasnottoldanyoneelseofthis?”
“Idon’tthinkso.No,I’msurehehasn’t.”
“Beverycareful,Hastings.Itisurgentthatheshouldnottellanyone—hemustnotevenhint.Todosomightbedangerous.”
“Dangerous?”
“Verydangerous.”
Poirot’sfacewasgrave.“Arrangewithhim,monami,tocomeupandseemethisevening.Justanordinaryfriendlylittlevisit,youunderstand.Donotletanyoneelsesuspectthatthereisanyspecialreasonforhiscoming.Andbecareful,Hastings,bevery,verycareful.Whoelsedidyousaywaswithyouatthetime?”
“ElizabethCole.”
“Didshenoticeanythingoddabouthismanner?”
Itriedtorecollect.“Idon’tknow.Shemayhave.ShallIaskherif—?”
“Youwillsaynothing,Hastings—absolutelynothing.”
Sixteen
I
IgaveNortonPoirot’smessage.
“I’llgoupandseehim,certainly.I’dliketo.Butyouknow,Hastings,I’mrathersorryImentionedthemattereventoyou.”
“Bytheway,”Isaid,“youhaven’tsaidanythingtoanyoneelseaboutit,haveyou?”
“No—atleast—no,ofcoursenot.”
“You’requitesure?”
“No,no,Ihaven’tsaidanything.”
“Well,don’t.Notuntilafteryou’veseenPoirot.”
Ihadnoticedtheslighthesitationinhistonewhenhefirstanswered,buthissecondassurancewasquitefirm.Iwastorememberthatslighthesitationafterwards,though.
II
Iwentupagaintothegrassyknollwherewehadbeenonthatday.Someoneelsewastherealready.ElizabethCole.SheturnedherheadasIcameuptheslope.
Shesaid:“Youlookveryexcited,CaptainHastings.Isanythingthematter?”
Itriedtocalmmyself.
“No,no,nothingatall.I’mjustoutofbreathwithwalkingfast.”Iaddedinaneveryday,commonplacevoice:“It’sgoingtorain.”
Shelookedupatthesky.“Yes,Ithinkitis.”
Westoodtheresilentforaminuteortwo.TherewassomethingaboutthiswomanthatIfoundverysympathetic.Eversinceshehadtoldmewhoshereallywas,andthetragedythathadruinedherlife,Ihadtakenaninterestinher.Twopeoplewhohavesufferedunhappinesshaveagreatbondincommon.Yetforhertherewas,orsoIsuspected,asecondspring.Isaidnowimpulsively:“Farfrombeingexcited,I’mdepressedtoday.I’vehadbadnewsaboutmydearoldfriend.”
“AboutM.Poirot?”
Hersympatheticinterestledmetounburdenmyself.
WhenIhadfinishedshesaidsoftly:“Isee.So—theendmightcomeatanytime?”
Inodded,unabletospeak.
AfteraminuteortwoIsaid:“Whenhe’sgoneIshallindeedbealoneintheworld.”
“Oh,no,you’vegotJudith—andyourotherchildren.”
“They’rescatteredovertheworld,andJudith—well,she’sgotherwork,shedoesn’tneedme.”
“Isuspectthatchildrendon’teverneedtheirparentsuntiltheyareintroubleofsomekind.Ishouldmakeupyourmindtothatastosomefundamentallaw.I’mfarmorelonelythanyouare.Mytwosistersarefaraway,oneinAmericaandoneinItaly.”
“Mydeargirl,”Isaid.“You’relife’sbeginning.”
“Atthirty-five?”
“What’sthirty-five?IwishIwerethirty-five.”Iaddedmaliciously:“I’mnotquiteblind,youknow.”
Sheturnedanenquiringglanceonme,thenblushed.
“Youdon’tthink—oh!StephenNortonandIareonlyfriends.We’vegotagooddealincommon—”
“Allthebetter.”
“He’s—he’sjustawfullykind.”
“Oh,mydear,”Isaid.“Don’tbelieveit’sallkindness.Wemenaren’tmadethatway.”
ButElizabethColehadturnedsuddenlywhite.Shesaidinalow,strainedvoice:“You’recruel—blind!HowcanIeverthinkof—ofmarriage?Withmyhistory.Withmysisteramurderess—orifnotthat,insane.Idon’tknowwhichisworse.”
Isaidstrongly:“Don’tletthatpreyonyourmind.Remember,itmaynotbetrue.”
“Whatdoyoumean?Itistrue.”
“Don’tyouremembersayingtomeonce,‘Thatwasn’tMaggie?’”
Shecaughtherbreath.“Onefeelslikethat.”
“Whatonefeelsisoften—true.”
Shestaredatme.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Yoursister,”Isaid,“didnotkillherfather.”
Herhandcreptuptohermouth.Hereyes,wideandscared,lookedintomine.
“You’remad,”shesaid.“Youmustbemad.Whotoldyouthat?”
“Nevermind,”Isaid.“It’strue.SomedayI’llproveittoyou.”
III
NearthehouseIranintoBoydCarrington.
“Thisismylastevening,”hetoldme.“Imoveouttomorrow.”
“ToKnatton?”
“Yes.”
“That’sveryexcitingforyou.”
“Isit?Isupposeitis.”Hegaveasigh.“Anyway,Hastings,Idon’tmindtellingyou,Ishallbegladtoleavehere.”
“Thefoodiscertainlyprettybadandtheserviceisn’tgood.”
“Idon’tmeanthat.Afterall,it’scheap,andyoucan’texpectmuchfromthesepaying-guestplaces.No,Hastings,Imeanmorethandiscomfort.Idon’tlikethishouse—there’ssomemaligninfluenceaboutit.Thingshappenhere.”
“Theycertainlydo.”
“Idon’tknowwhatitis.Perhapsahousethathasoncehadamurderinitisneverquitethesameafterwards…ButIdon’tlikeit.FirsttherewasthataccidenttoMrs.Luttrell—adamnedunluckythingtohappen.AndthentherewaspoorlittleBarbara.”Hepaused.“ThemostunlikelypersonintheworldtohavecommittedsuicideIshouldhavesaid.”
Ihesitated.“Well,Idon’tknowthatI’dgoasfarasthat—”
Heinterruptedme.“Well,Iwould.Hangitall,Iwaswithhermostofthedaybefore.Shewasingoodspirits—enjoyedourouting.TheonlythingshewasworryingaboutwaswhetherJohnwasn’tgettingtoomuchwrappedupinhisexperimentsandmightoverdothings,ortrysomeofhismessesuponhimself.DoyouknowwhatIthink,Hastings?”
“No.”
“Thathusbandofhersistheonewho’sresponsibleforherdeath.Naggedather,Iexpect.Shewasalwayshappyenoughwhenshewaswithme.Heletherseethatshehandicappedhispreciouscareer(I’dgivehimacareer!)anditbrokeherup.Damnedcallous,thatfellow,hasn’tturnedahair.ToldmeascoolasanythinghewasofftoAfricanow.Really,youknow,Hastings,Ishouldn’tbesurprisedifhe’dactuallymurderedher.”
“Youdon’tmeanthat,”Isaidsharply.
“No—no,Idon’treally.Though,mindyou,mainlybecauseIcanseethatifhemurderedher,hewouldn’tdoitthatway.Imean,hewasknowntobeworkingonthisstuffphysostigmine,soitstandstoreasonifhe’ddoneherin,hewouldn’thaveusedthat.Butallthesame,Hastings,I’mnottheonlyonetothinkthatFranklin’sasuspiciouscharacter.Ihadthetipfromsomeonewhooughttoknow.”
“Whowasthat?”Iaskedsharply.
BoydCarringtonloweredhisvoice.“NurseCraven.”
“What?”Iwasintenselysurprised.
“Hush.Don’tshout.Yes,NurseCravenputtheideaintomyhead.She’sasmartgirl,youknow,gotherwitsabouther.Shedoesn’tlikeFranklin—hasn’tlikedhimallalong.”
Iwondered.IshouldhavesaidthatitwasherownpatientwhomNurseCravenhaddisliked.ItoccurredtomesuddenlythatNurseCravenmustknowagooddealabouttheFranklinménage.
“She’sstayingheretonight,”saidBoydCarrington.
“What?”Iwasratherstartled.NurseCravenhadleftimmediatelyafterthefuneral.
“Justforanightbetweencases,”explainedBoydCarrington.
“Isee.”
IwasvaguelydisquietedbyNurseCraven’sreturn,yetIcouldhardlyhavesaidwhy.Wasthere,Iwondered,anyreasonforhercomingback?Shedidn’tlikeFranklin,BoydCarringtonhadsaid..
ReassuringmyselfIsaidwithsuddenvehemence:“She’snorighttohintthingsaboutFranklin.Afterall,itwasherevidencethathelpedtoestablishsuicide.That,andPoirot’sseeingMrs.Franklincomingoutofthestudiowithabottleinherhand.”
BoydCarringtonsnapped:“What’sabottle?Womenarealwayscarryingbottles—scentbottles,hairlotion,nailpolish.Thatwenchofyourswasrunningaboutwithabottleinherhandthatevening—itdoesn’tmeanshewasthinkingofsuicide,doesit?Nonsense!”
HebrokeoffasAllertoncameuptous.Mostappropriately,inmelodramaticfashion,therewasalowrumbleofthunderinthedistance.Ireflected,asIhadreflectedbefore,thatAllertonwascertainlycastforthepartofthevillain.
ButhehadbeenawayfromthehouseonthenightofBarbaraFranklin’sdeath.Andbesides,whatpossiblemotivecouldhehavehad?
Butthen,Ireflected,Xneverhadamotive.Thatwasthestrengthofhisposition.Itwasthat,andthatonly,thatwasholdingusup.Andyet,atanyminute,thattinyflashofilluminationmightcome.
IV
IthinkthathereandnowIshouldliketoplaceonrecordthatIhadnever,allthrough,consideredforonemomentthatPoirotmightfail.IntheconflictbetweenPoirotandXIhadnevercontemplatedthepossibilitythatXmightcomeoutvictor.InspiteofPoirot’sfeeblenessandillhealth,Ihadfaithinhimaspotentiallythestrongerofthetwo.Iwasused,yousee,toPoirot’ssucceeding.
ItwasPoirothimselfwhofirstputadoubtintomyhead.
Iwentintoseehimonmywaydowntodinner.Iforgetnowexactlywhatledtoit,buthesuddenlyusedthephrase“ifanythinghappenstome.”
Iprotestedimmediatelyandloudly.Nothingwouldhappen—nothingcouldhappen
“Ehbien,thenyouhavenotlistenedcarefullytowhatDr.Franklintoldyou.”
“Franklindoesn’tknow.You’regoodformanyalongyearyet,Poirot.”
“Itispossible,myfriend,thoughextremelyunlikely.ButIspeaknowintheparticularandnotthegeneralsense.ThoughImaydieverysoon,itmaystillbenotsoonenoughtosuitourfriendX.”
“What?”Myfaceshowedmyshockedreaction.
Poirotnodded.“Butyes,Hastings.Xis,afterall,intelligent.Infact,mostintelligent.AndXcannotfailtoperceivethatmyelimination,evenifitwereonlytoprecedenaturaldeceasebyafewdays,mightbeofinestimableadvantage.”
“Butthen—butthen—whatwouldhappen?”Iwasbewildered.
“WhentheColonelfalls,monami,thesecondincommandtakesover.Youwillcontinue.”
“HowcanI?I’mentirelyinthedark.”
“Ihavearrangedforthat.Ifanythinghappenstome,myfriend,youwillfindhere—”hepattedthelockeddespatchcasebyhisside—“allthecluesyouneed.Ihavearranged,yousee,foreveryeventuality.”
“Thereisreallynoneedtobeclever.Justtellmenoweverythingthereistoknow.”
“No,myfriend.ThefactthatyoudonotknowwhatIknowisavaluableasset.”
“Youhaveleftmeaclearlywrittenaccountofthings?”
“Certainlynot.Xmightgetholdofit.”
“Thenwhathaveyouleft?”
“Indicationsinkind.TheywillmeannothingtoX—beassuredofthat—buttheywillleadyoutothediscoveryofthetruth.”
“I’mnotsosureofthat.Whymustyouhavesuchatortuousmind,Poirot?Youalwayslikemakingeverythingdifficult.Youalwayshave!”
“Anditisnowwithmeapassion?Isthatwhatyouwouldsay?Perhaps.Butrestassured,myindicationswillleadyoutothetruth.”Hepaused.Thenhesaid:“Andperhaps,then,youwouldwishthattheyhadnotledyousofar.Youwouldsayinstead:‘Ringdownthecurtain.’”
SomethinginhisvoicestartedagainthatvagueunformulateddreadthatIhadonceortwicefeltspasmsofalready.Itwasasthoughsomewhere,justoutofsight,wasafactthatIdidnotwanttosee—thatIcouldnotbeartoacknowledge.Somethingthatalready,deepdown,Iknew.
Ishookthefeelingoffandwentdowntodinner.
Seventeen
I
Dinnerwasareasonablycheerfulmeal.Mrs.LuttrellwasdownagainandinherbestveinofartificialIrishgaiety.FranklinwasmoreanimatedandcheerfulthanIhadyetseenhim.NurseCravenIsawforthefirsttimeinmuftiinsteadofhernurse’suniform.Shewascertainlyaveryattractiveyoungwomannowthatshehadcastoffherprofessionalreserve.
AfterdinnerMrs.Luttrellsuggestedbridge,butintheendsomeroundgameswerestarted.AbouthalfpastnineNortondeclaredhisintentionofgoinguptoseePoirot.
“Goodidea,”saidBoydCarrington.“Sorryhe’sbeenundertheweatherlately.I’llcomeuptoo.”
Ihadtoactquickly.
“Lookhere,”Isaid,“doyoumind—itreallytireshimtoomuchtotalktomorethanonepersonatatime.”
Nortontookthecueandsaidquickly:“Ipromisedtolendhimabookonbirds.”
BoydCarringtonsaid:“Allright.Youcomingbackagain,Hastings?”
“Yes.”
IwentupwithNorton.Poirotwaswaiting.AfterawordortwoIcamedownagain.Webeganplayingrummy.
BoydCarrington,Ithink,resentedthecarefreeatmosphereofStylestonight.Hethought,perhaps,thatitwastoosoonafterthetragedyforeveryonetoforget.Hewasabsentminded,forgotfrequentlywhathewasdoing,andatlastexcusedhimselffromfurtherplay.
Hewenttothewindowandopenedit.Thesoundofthundercouldbeheardinthedistance.Therewasastormaboutalthoughithadnotyetreachedus.Heclosedthewindowagainandcameback.Hestoodforaminuteortwowatchingusplay.Thenhewentoutoftheroom.
Iwentuptobedataquartertoeleven.IdidnotgointoPoirot.Hemightbeasleep.MoreoverIfeltareluctancetothinkanymoreaboutStylesanditsproblems.Iwantedtosleep—tosleepandforget.
Iwasjustdroppingoffwhenasoundwakenedme.Ithoughtitmighthavebeenataponmydoor.Icalled“Comein,”butastherewasnoresponse,Iswitchedthelightonand,gettingup,lookedoutintothecorridor.
IsawNortonjustcomingfromthebathroomandgoingintohisownroom.Heworeacheckeddressinggownofparticularlyhideouscolouringandhishairwasstickinguponendasusual.Hewentintohisroomandshutthedoor,andimmediatelyafterwardsIheardhimturnthekeyinthelock.
Overheadtherewasalowrumblingofthunder.Thestormwascomingnearer.
Iwentbacktobedwithaslightlyuneasyfeelinginducedbythesoundofthatturningkey.
Itsuggested,veryfaintly,sinisterpossibilities.DidNortonusuallylockhisdooratnight,Iwondered?HadPoirotwarnedhimtodoso?IrememberedwithsuddenuneasinesshowPoirot’sdoorkeyhadmysteriouslydisappeared.
Ilayinbedandmyuneasinessgrewwhilstthestormoverheadaddedtomyfeelingofnerviness.Igotupatlastandlockedmyowndoor.ThenIwentbacktobedandslept.
II
IwentintoPoirotbeforegoingdowntobreakfast.
HewasinbedandIwasstruckagainbyhowillhelooked.Deeplinesofwearinessandfatiguewereonhisface.
“Howareyou,oldboy?”
Hesmiledpatientlyatme.“Iexist,myfriend.Istillexist.”
“Notinpain?”
“No—justtired—”hesighed—“verytired.”
Inodded.“Whataboutlastnight?DidNortontellyouwhathesawthatday?”
“Hetoldme,yes.”
“Whatwasit?”
Poirotlookedatmelongandthoughtfullybeforehereplied:“Iamnotsure,Hastings,thatIhadbettertellyou.Youmightmisunderstand.”
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“Norton,”saidPoirot,“tellsmehesawtwopeople—”
“JudithandAllerton,”Icried.“Ithoughtsoatthetime.”
“Ehbien,non.NotJudithandAllerton.DidInottellyouyouwouldmisunderstand?Youareamanofoneidea!”
“Sorry,”Isaid,alittleabashed.“Tellme.”
“Iwilltellyoutomorrow.IhavemuchonwhichIwishtoreflect.”
“Doesit—doesithelpwiththecase?”
Poirotnodded.Heclosedhiseyes,leaningbackinhispillows.
“Thecaseisended.Yes,itisended.Thereareonlysomelooseendstobetied.Godowntobreakfast,myfriend.Andasyougo,sendCurtisstome.”
Ididsoandwentdownstairs.IwantedtoseeNorton.IwasdeeplycurioustoknowwhatitwasthathehadtoldPoirot.
SubconsciouslyIwasstillnothappy.ThelackofelationinPoirot’smannerstruckmedisagreeably.Whythispersistentsecrecy?Whythatdeepinexplicablesadness?Whatwasthetruthofallthis?
Nortonwasnotatbreakfast.
Istrolledoutintothegardenafterwards.Theairwasfreshandcoolafterthestorm.Inoticedthatithadrainedheavily.BoydCarringtonwasonthelawn.IfeltpleasedtoseehimandwishedthatIcouldtakehimintomyconfidence.Ihadwantedtoallalong.Iwasverytemptedtodosonow.Poirotwasreallyunfittocarryonbyhimself.
ThismorningBoydCarringtonlookedsovital,sosureofhimself,thatIfeltawaveofwarmthandreassurance.
“You’relateupthismorning,”hesaid.
Inodded.“Isleptlate.”
“Bitofathunderstormlastnight.Hearit?”
IrememberednowthatIhadbeenconsciousoftherollingofthunderthroughmysleep.
“Ifeltabitundertheweatherlastnight,”saidBoydCarrington.“Ifeelalotbettertoday.”Hestretchedhisarmsoutandyawned.
“Where’sNorton?”Iasked.
“Don’tthinkhe’supyet.Lazydevil.”
Withcommonaccordweraisedoureyes.WherewewerestandingthewindowsofNorton’sroomwerejustaboveus.Istarted.Foraloneinthefa?adeofwindowsNorton’swerestillshuttered.
Isaid:“That’sodd.Doyouthinkthey’veforgottentocallhim?”
“Funny.Hopehe’snotill.Let’sgoupandsee.”
Wewentuptogether.Thehousemaid,aratherstupid-lookinggirl,wasinthepassage.InanswertoaquestionsherepliedthatMr.Nortonhadn’tansweredwhensheknocked.She’dknockedonceortwicebuthehadn’tseemedtohear.Hisdoorwaslocked.
Anastyforebodingsweptoverme.Irappedloudlyonthedoor,callingasIdidso:“Norton—Norton.Wakeup!”
Andagainwithgrowinguneasiness:“Wakeup….”
III
WhenitwasapparentthattherewasgoingtobenoanswerwewentandfoundColonelLuttrell.Helistenedtouswithavaguealarmshowinginhisfadedblueeyes.Hepulleduncertainlyathismoustache.
Mrs.Luttrell,alwaystheoneforpromptdecisions,madenobonesaboutit.
“You’llhavetogetthatdooropensomehow.There’snothingelseforit.”
Forthesecondtimeinmylife,IsawadoorbrokenopenatStyles.Behindthatdoorwaswhathadbeenbehindalockeddooronthefirstoccasion.Deathbyviolence.
Nortonwaslyingonhisbedinhisdressinggown.Thekeyofthedoorwasinthepocket.Inhishandwasasmallpistol,ameretoy,butcapableofdoingitswork.Therewasasmallholeintheexactcentreofhisforehead.
ForamomentortwoIcouldnotthinkofwhatIwasreminded.Something,surelyveryold….
Iwastootiredtoremember.
AsIcameintoPoirot’sroomhesawmyface.
Hesaidquickly:“Whathashappened?Norton?”
“Dead!”
“How?When?”
BrieflyItoldhim.
Iendedwearily:“Theysayit’ssuicide.Whatelsecantheysay?Thedoorwaslocked.Thewindowswereshuttered.Thekeywasinhispocket.Why!Iactuallysawhimgoinandheardhimlockthedoor.”
“Yousawhim,Hastings?”
“Yes,lastnight.”
Iexplained.
“You’resureitwasNorton?”
“Ofcourse.I’dknowthatawfulolddressinggownanywhere.”
ForamomentPoirotbecamehisoldself
“Ah,butitisamanyouareidentifying,notadressinggown.Mafoi!Anyonecanwearadressinggown.”
“It’strue,”Isaidslowly,“thatIdidn’tseehisface.Butitwashishairallright,andthatslightlimp—”
“Anyonecouldlimp,monDieu!”
Ilookedathim,startled.“Doyoumeantosuggest,Poirot,thatitwasn’tNortonthatIsaw?”
“Iamnotsuggestinganythingofthekind.IammerelyannoyedbytheunscientificreasonsyougiveforsayingitwasNorton.No,no,IdonotforoneminutesuggestthatitwasnotNorton.Itwouldbedifficultforittobeanyoneelse,foreverymanhereistall—verymuchtallerthanhewas—andenfinyoucannotdisguiseheight—that,no.Nortonwasonlyfivefootfive,Ishouldsay.Toutdemême,itislikeaconjuringtrick,isitnot?Hegoesintohisroom,locksthedoor,putsthekeyinhispocket,andisfoundshotwiththepistolinhishandandthekeystillinhispocket.”
“Thenyoudon’tbelieve,”Isaid,“thatheshothimself?”
SlowlyPoirotshookhishead.“No,”hesaid.“Nortondidnotshoothimself.Hewasdeliberatelykilled.”
IV
Iwentdownstairsinadaze.ThethingwassoinexplicableImaybeforgiven,Ihope,fornotseeingthenextinevitablestep.Iwasdazed.Mymindwasnotworkingproperly.
Andyetitwassological.Nortonhadbeenkilled—why?Toprevent,orsoIbelieved,histellingwhathehadseen.
Buthehadconfidedthatknowledgetooneotherperson.
Sothatperson,too,wasindanger..
Andwasnotonlyindanger,butwashelpless.
Ishouldhaveknown.
Ishouldhaveforeseen….
“Cherami!”PoirothadsaidtomeasIlefttheroom.
TheywerethelastwordsIwasevertohearhimsay.ForwhenCurtisscametoattendtohismasterhefoundthatmasterdead….
Eighteen
I
Idon’twanttowriteaboutitatall.
Iwant,yousee,tothinkaboutitaslittleaspossible.HerculePoirotwasdead—andwithhimdiedagoodpartofArthurHastings.
Iwillgiveyouthebarefactswithoutembroidery.ItisallIcanbeartodo.
Hedied,theysaid,ofnaturalcauses.Thatistosayhediedofaheartattack.Itwastheway,soFranklinsaid,thathehadexpectedhimtogo.DoubtlesstheshockofNorton’sdeathbroughtoneon.Bysomeoversight,itseems,theamylnitrateampouleswerenotbyhisbed.
Wasitanoversight?Didsomeonedeliberatelyremovethem?No,itmusthavebeensomethingmorethanthat.XcouldnotcountonPoirot’shavingaheartattack.
For,yousee,IrefusetobelievethatPoirot’sdeathwasnatural.Hewaskilled,asNortonwaskilled,asBarbaraFranklinwaskilled.AndIdon’tknowwhytheywerekilled—andIdon’tknowwhokilledthem!
TherewasaninquestonNortonandaverdictofsuicide.Theonlypointofdoubtwasraisedbythesurgeonwhosaiditwasunusualforamantoshoothimselfintheexactcentreofhisforehead.Butthatwastheonlyshadowofdoubt.Thewholethingwassoplain.Thedoorlockedontheinside,thekeyinthedeadman’spocket,thewindowscloselyshuttered,thepistolinhishand.Nortonhadcomplainedofheadaches,itseemed,andsomeofhisinvestmentshadbeendoingbadlylately.Hardlyreasonsforsuicide,buttheyhadtoputforwardsomething.
Thepistolwasapparentlyhisown.Ithadbeenseenlyingonhisdressing-tabletwicebythehousemaidduringhisstayatStyles.Sothatwasthat.Anothercrimebeautifullystage-managedandasusualwithnoalternativesolution.
IntheduelbetweenPoirotandX,Xhadwon.
Itwasnowuptome.
IwenttoPoirot’sroomandtookawaythedespatchbox.
Iknewthathehadmademehisexecutor,soIhadaperfectrighttodoso.Thekeywasroundhisneck.
InmyownroomIopenedthebox.
AndatonceIhadashock.ThedossiersofX’scasesweregone.IhadseenthemthereonlyadayortwopreviouslywhenPoirotunlockedit.Thatwasproof,ifIhadbeenneedingit,thatXhadbeenatwork.EitherPoirothaddestroyedthosepapershimself(mostunlikely)orelseXhaddoneso.
X.X.ThatdamnedfiendX.
Butthecasewasnotempty.IrememberedPoirot’spromisethatIshouldfindotherindicationswhichXwouldnotknowabout.
Werethesetheindications?
TherewasacopyofoneofShakespeare’splays,Othello,inasmallcheapedition.TheotherbookwastheplayJohnFerguesonbySt.JohnErvine.Therewasamarkerinitatthethirdact.
Istaredatthetwobooksblankly.
HerewerethecluesthatPoirothadleftforme—andtheymeantnothingtomeatall!
Whatcouldtheymean?
TheonlythingIcouldthinkofwasacodeofsomekind.Awordcodebasedontheplays.
Butifso,howwasItogetatit?
Therewerenowords,noletters,underlinedanywhere.Itriedgentleheatwithnoresult.
IreadthethirdactofJohnFerguesoncarefullythrough.Amostadmirableandthrillingscenewherethe“wanting”ClutieJohnsitsandtalks,andwhichendswiththeyoungerFerguesongoingouttoseekforthemanwhohaswrongedhissister.Masterlycharacterdrawing—butIcouldhardlythinkthatPoirothadleftthemtoimprovemytasteinliterature!
Andthen,asIturnedtheleavesofthebookover,aslipofpaperfellout.ItboreaphraseinPoirot’shandwriting.
“TalktomyvaletGeorge.”
Well,herewassomething.Possiblythekeytothecode—ifcodeitwas—hadbeenleftwithGeorge.Imustgetholdofhisaddressandgotoseehim.
Butfirsttherewasthesadbusinessofburyingmydearfriend.
Herewasthespotwherehehadlivedwhenhefirstcametothiscountry.Hewastoliehereatthelast.
Judithwasverykindtomeinthesedays.
Shespentalotoftimewithmeandhelpedtomakeallthearrangements.Shewasgentleandsympathetic.ElizabethColeandBoydCarringtonwereverykindtoo.
ElizabethColewaslessaffectedbyNorton’sdeaththanIshouldhavethought.Ifshefeltanydeepgriefshekeptittoherself.
Andsoitwasallended….II
Yes,Imustputitdown.
Itmustbesaid.
Thefuneralwasover.IwassittingwithJudith,tryingtomakeafewsketchyplansforthefuture.
Shesaidthen:“Butyousee,dear,Ishan’tbehere.”
“Nothere?”
“Ishan’tbeinEngland.”
Istaredather.
“Ihaven’tlikedtotellyoubefore,Father.Ididn’twanttomakethingsworseforyou.Butyou’vegottoknownow.Ihopeyouwon’tmindtoomuch.I’mgoingtoAfrica,yousee,withDr.Franklin.”
Iburstoutatthat.Itwasimpossible.Shecouldn’tdoathinglikethat.Everyonewouldbeboundtotalk.TobeanassistanttohiminEnglandandespeciallywhenhiswifewasalivewasonething,buttogoabroadwithhimtoAfricawasanother.ItwasimpossibleandIwasgoingtoforbiditabsolutely.Judithmustnotdosuchathing!
Shedidn’tinterrupt.Sheletmefinish.Shesmiledveryfaintly.
“But,dearest,”shesaid,“I’mnotgoingashisassistant.I’mgoingashiswife.”
Ithitmebetweentheeyes.
Isaid—orratherstammered:“Al—Allerton?”
Shelookedfaintlyamused.“Therewasneveranythinginthat.Iwouldhavetoldyousoifyouhadn’tmademesoangry.Besides,Iwantedyoutothink,well—whatyoudidthink.Ididn’twantyoutoknowitwas—John.”
“ButIsawhimkissyouonenight—ontheterrace.”
Shesaidimpatiently:“Oh,Idaresay.Iwasmiserablethatnight.Thesethingshappen.Surelyyouknowthat?”
Isaid:“Youcan’tmarryFranklinyet—sosoon.”
“Yes,Ican.Iwanttogooutwithhim,andyou’vejustsaidyourselfit’seasier.We’venothingtowaitfor—now.”
JudithandFranklin.FranklinandJudith.
Doyouunderstandthethoughtsthatcameintomymind—thethoughtsthathadlainunderthesurfaceforsometime?
Judithwithabottleinherhand,Judithwithheryoungpassionatevoicedeclaringthatuselesslivesshouldgotomakewayforusefulones—JudithwhomIlovedandwhomPoirotalsohadloved.ThosetwopeoplethatNortonhadseen—hadtheybeenJudithandFranklin?Butifso—ifso—no,thatcouldn’tbetrue.NotJudith.Franklin,perhaps—astrangeman,aruthlessman,amanwhoifhemadeuphismindtomurder,mightmurderagainandagain.
PoirothadbeenwillingtoconsultFranklin.
Why?Whathadhesaidtohimthatmorning?
ButnotJudith.NotmylovelygraveyoungJudith.
AndyethowstrangePoirothadlooked.Howthosewordshadrungout:“Youmayprefertosay‘Ringdownthecurtain…’”
Andsuddenlyafreshideastruckme.Monstrous!Impossible!WasthewholestoryofXafabrication?HadPoirotcometoStylesbecausehefearedatragedyintheFranklinménage?HadhecometowatchoverJudith?Wasthatwhyhehadresolutelytoldmenothing?BecausethewholestoryofXwasafabrication,asmokescreen?
WasthewholeheartofthetragedyJudith,mydaughter?
Othello!ItwasOthelloIhadtakenfromthebookcasethatnightwhenMrs.Franklinhaddied.Wasthattheclue?
Judiththatnightlooking,sosomeonehadsaid,likehernamesakebeforeshecutofftheheadofHolofernes.Judith—withdeathinherheart?
Nineteen
IamwritingthisinEastbourne.
IcametoEastbournetoseeGeorge,formerlyPoirot’svalet.
GeorgehadbeenwithPoirotmanyyears.Hewasacompetentmatter-of-factman,withabsolutelynoimagination.Healwaysstatedthingsliterallyandtookthemattheirfacevalue.
Well,Iwenttoseehim.ItoldhimaboutPoirot’sdeathandGeorgereactedasGeorgewouldreact.Hewasdistressedandgrievedandmanagedverynearlytoconcealthefact.
ThenIsaid:“Heleftyou,didhenot,amessageforme?”
Georgesaidatonce:“Foryou,sir?No,notthatIamawareof.”
Iwassurprised.Ipressedhim,buthewasquitedefinite.
Isaidatlast:“Mymistake,Isuppose.Well,that’sthat.Iwishyouhadbeenwithhimattheend.”
“Iwishso,too,sir.”
“StillIsupposeifyourfatherwasillyouhadtocometohim.”
Georgelookedatmeinaverycuriousmanner.Hesaid:“Ibegyourpardon,sir,Idon’tquiteunderstandyou.”
“Youhadtoleaveinordertolookafteryourfather,isn’tthatright?”
“Ididn’twishtoleave,sir.M.Poirotsentmeaway.”
“Sentyouaway?”Istared.
“Idon’tmean,sir,thathedischargedme.TheunderstandingwasthatIwastoreturntohisservicelater.ButIleftbyhiswish,andhearrangedforsuitableremunerationwhilstIwasherewithmyoldfather.”
“Butwhy,George,why?”
“Ireallycouldn’tsay,sir.”
“Didn’tyouask?”
“No,sir.Ididn’tthinkitwasmyplacetodoso.M.Poirotalwayshadhisideas,sir.Averyclevergentleman,Ialwaysunderstood,sir,andverymuchrespected.”
“Yes,yes,”Imurmuredabstractedly.
“Veryparticularabouthisclothes,hewas—thoughgiventohavingthemratherforeignandfancyifyouknowwhatImean.Butthat,ofcourse,isunderstandableashewasaforeigngentleman.Hishair,too,andhismoustache.”
“Ah,thosefamousmoustaches.”IfeltatwingeofpainasIrememberedhisprideinthem.
“Veryparticularabouthismoustache,hewas,”wentonGeorge.“Notveryfashionablethewayheworeit,butitsuitedhim,sir,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
IsaidIdidknow.ThenImurmureddelicately:“Isupposehedyeditaswellashishair?”
“Hedid—er—touchuphismoustachealittle—butnothishair—notoflateyears.”
“Nonsense,”Isaid.“Itwasasblackasaraven—lookedquitelikeawigitwassounnatural.”
Georgecoughedapologetically.“Excuseme,sir,itwasawig.M.Poirot’shaircameoutagooddeallately,sohetooktoawig.”
Ithoughthowodditwasthatavaletknewmoreaboutamanthanhisclosestfrienddid.
Iwentbacktothequestionthatpuzzledme.
“ButhaveyoureallynoideawhyM.Poirotsentyouawayashedid?Think,man,think.”
Georgeendeavouredtodoso,buthewasclearlynotverygoodatthinking.
“Icanonlysuggest,sir,”hesaidatlast,“thathedischargedmebecausehewantedtoengageCurtiss.”
“Curtiss?WhyshouldhewanttoengageCurtiss?”
Georgecoughedagain.“Well,sir,Ireallycannotsay.Hedidnotseemtome,whenIsawhim,asa—excuseme—particularlybrightspecimen,sir.Hewasstrongphysically,ofcourse,butIshouldhardlyhavethoughtthathewasquitetheclassM.Poirotwouldhaveliked.He’dbeenassistantinamentalhomeatonetime,Ibelieve.”
IstaredatGeorge.
Curtiss!
WasthatthereasonwhyPoirothadinsistedontellingmesolittle?Curtiss,theonemanIhadneverconsidered!Yes,andPoirotwascontenttohaveitso,tohavemecombingtheguestsatStylesforthemysteriousX.ButXwasnotaguest.
Curtiss!
One-timeassistantinamentalhome.Andhadn’tIreadsomewherethatpeoplewhohavebeenpatientsinmentalhomesandasylumssometimesremainorgobackthereasassistants?
Aqueer,dumb,stupid-lookingman—amanwhomightkillforsomestrangewarpedreasonofhisown….
Andifso—ifso….
Why,thenagreatcloudwouldrollawayfromme!
Curtiss…?
Postscript
NotebyCaptainArthurHastings:ThefollowingmanuscriptcameintomypossessionfourmonthsafterthedeathofmyfriendHerculePoirot.Ireceivedacommunicationfromafirmoflawyersaskingmetocallattheiroffice.There“inaccordancewiththeinstructionsoftheirclient,thelateM.HerculePoirot,”theyhandedmeasealedpacket.Ireproduceitscontentshere.
ManuscriptwrittenbyHerculePoirot:
“Moncherami,“Ishallhavebeendeadfourmonthswhenyoureadthesewords.Ihavedebatedlongwhetherornottowritedownwhatiswrittenhere,andIhavedecidedthatitisnecessaryforsomeonetoknowthetruthaboutthesecond‘AffaireStyles.’AlsoIhazardaconjecturethatbythetimeyoureadthisyouwillhaveevolvedthemostpreposteroustheories—andpossiblymaybegivingpaintoyourself.“Butletmesaythis:Youshould,monami,haveeasilybeenabletoarriveatthetruth.Isawtoitthatyouhadeveryindication.Ifyouhavenot,itisbecause,asalways,youhavefartoobeautifulandtrustinganature.Alafincommeaucommencement.“Butyoushouldknow,atleast,whokilledNorton—evenifyouarestillinthedarkastowhokilledBarbaraFranklin.Thelattermaybeashocktoyou.“Tobeginwith,asyouknow,Isentforyou.ItoldyouthatIneededyou.Thatwastrue.ItoldyouthatIwantedyoutobemyearsandmyeyes.Thatagainwastrue,verytrue—ifnotinthesensethatyouunderstoodit!YouweretoseewhatIwantedyoutoseeandhearwhatIwantedyoutohear.“Youcomplained,cherami,thatIwas‘unfair’inmypresentationofthiscase.IwithheldfromyouknowledgethatIhadmyself.Thatistosay,IrefusedtotellyoutheidentityofX.Thatisquitetrue.Ihadtodoso—thoughnotforthereasonsthatIadvanced.Youwillseethereasonpresently.“AndnowletusexaminethismatterofX.Ishowedyoutherésuméofthevariouscases.Ipointedouttoyouthatineachseparatecaseitseemedquiteclearthatthepersonaccused,orsuspected,hadactuallycommittedthecrimesinquestion,thattherewasnoalternatesolution.AndIthenproceededtothesecondimportantfact—thatineachcaseXhadbeeneitheronthesceneorcloselyinvolved.Youthenjumpedtoadeductionthatwas,paradoxically,bothtrueandfalse.YousaidthatXhadcommittedallthemurders.“But,myfriend,thecircumstancesweresuchthatineachcase(orverynearly)onlytheaccusedpersoncouldhavedonethecrime.Ontheotherhand,ifso,howaccountforX?Apartfromapersonconnectedwiththepoliceforceorwith,say,afirmofcriminallawyers,itisnotreasonableforanymanorwomantobeinvolvedinfivemurdercases.Itdoesnot,youcomprehend,happen!Never,neverdoesitoccurthatsomeonesaysconfidentially:‘Well,asamatteroffact,I’veactuallyknownfivemurderers!’No,no,monami,itisnotpossible,that.Sowegetthecuriousresultthatwehavehereacaseofcatalysis—areactionbetweentwosubstancesthattakesplaceonlyinthepresenceofathirdsubstance,thatthirdsubstanceapparentlytakingnopartinthereactionandremainingunchanged.Thatistheposition.ItmeansthatwhereXwaspresent,crimestookplace—butXdidnotactivelytakepartinthesecrimes.“Anextraordinary,anabnormalsituation!AndIsawthatIhadcomeacrossatlast,attheendofmycareer,theperfectcriminal,thecriminalwhohadinventedsuchatechniquethathecouldneverbeconvictedofcrime.“Itwasamazing.Butitwasnotnew.Therewereparallels.Andherecomesinthefirstofthe‘clues’Ileftyou.TheplayofOthello.Forthere,magnificentlydelineated,wehavetheoriginalX.Iagoistheperfectmurderer.ThedeathsofDesdemona,ofCassio—indeedofOthellohimself—areallIago’scrimes,plannedbyhim,carriedoutbyhim.Andheremainsoutsidethecircle,untouchedbysuspicion—orcouldhavedoneso.ForyourgreatShakespeare,myfriend,hadtodealwiththedilemmathathisownarthadbroughtabout.TounmaskIagohehadtoresorttotheclumsiestofdevices—thehandkerchief—apieceofworknotatallinkeepingwithIago’sgeneraltechniqueandablunderofwhichonefeelscertainhewouldnothavebeenguilty.“Yes,thereistheretheperfectionoftheartofmurder.Notevenawordofdirectsuggestion.Heisalwaysholdingbackothersfromviolence,refutingwithhorrorsuspicionsthathavenotbeenentertaineduntilhementionsthem!“AndthesametechniqueisseeninthebrilliantthirdactofJohnFergueson,wherethe‘half-witted’ClutieJohninducesotherstokillthemanthathehimselfhates.Itisawonderfulpieceofpsychologicalsuggestion.“Nowyoumustrealizethis,Hastings.Everyoneisapotentialmurderer.Ineveryonetherearisesfromtimetotimethewishtokill—thoughnotthewilltokill.Howoftenhaveyounotfeltorheardotherssay:‘ShemademesofuriousIfeltIcouldhavekilledher!’‘IcouldhavekilledB.forsayingsoandso!’‘IwassoangryIcouldhavemurderedhim!’Andallthosestatementsareliterallytrue.Yourmindatsuchmomentsisquiteclear.Youwouldliketokillsoandso.Butyoudonotdoit.Yourwillhastoassenttoyourdesire.Inyoungchildren,thebrakeisasyetactingimperfectly.Ihaveknownachild,annoyedbyitskitten,say‘KeepstillorI’llhityouontheheadandkillyou’andactuallydoso—tobestunnedandhorrifiedamomentlaterwhenitrealizesthatthekitten’slifewillnotreturn—because,yousee,reallythechildlovesthatkittendearly.Sothen,weareallpotentialmurderers.AndtheartofXwasthis,nottosuggestthedesire,buttobreakdownthenormaldecentresistance.Itwasanartperfectedbylongpractice.Xknewtheexactword,theexactphrase,theintonationeventosuggestandtobringcumulativepressureonaweakspot!Itcouldbedone.Itwasdonewithoutthevictimeversuspecting.Itwasnothypnotism—hypnotismwouldnothavebeensuccessful.Itwassomethingmoreinsidious,moredeadly.Itwasamarshallingoftheforcesofahumanbeingtowidenabreachinsteadofrepairingit.Itcalledonthebestinamanandsetitinalliancewiththeworst.“Youshouldknow,Hastings—forithappenedtoyou…“Sonow,perhaps,youbegintoseewhatsomeofmyremarks,thatannoyedandconfusedyou,reallymeant.WhenIspokeofacrimetobecommitted,Iwasnotalwaysreferringtothesamecrime.ItoldyouthatIwasatStylesforapurpose.Iwasthere,Isaid,becauseacrimewasgoingtobecommitted.Youweresurprisedatmycertaintyonthatpoint.ButIwasabletobecertain—forthecrime,yousee,wastobecommittedbymyself…“Yes,myfriend—itisodd—andlaughable—andterrible!I,whodonotapproveofmurder—I,whovaluehumanlife—haveendedmycareerbycommittingmurder.PerhapsitisbecauseIhavebeentooself-righteous,tooconsciousofrectitude,thatthisterribledilemmahadtocometome.Foryousee,Hastings,therearetwosidestoit.Itismyworkinlifetosavetheinnocent—topreventmurder—andthis—thisistheonlywayIcandoit!Makenomistake,Xcouldnotbetouchedbythelaw.Hewassafe.BynoingenuitythatIcouldthinkofcouldhebedefeatedanyotherway.“Andyet,myfriend,Iwasreluctant.Isawwhathadtobedone—butIcouldnotbringmyselftodoit.IwaslikeHamlet—eternallyputtingofftheevilday…Andthenthenextattempthappened—theattemptonMrs.Luttrell.“Ihadbeencurious,Hastings,toseeifyourwell-knownflairfortheobviouswouldwork.Itdid.YourveryfirstreactionwasamildsuspicionofNorton.Andyouwerequiteright.Nortonwastheman.Youhadnoreasonforyourbelief—excepttheperfectlysoundifslightlyhalfheartedsuggestionthathewasinsignificant.There,Ithink,youcameveryclosetothetruth.“Ihaveconsideredhislifehistorywithsomecare.Hewastheonlysonofamasterfulandbossywoman.Heseemstohavehadatnotimeanygiftforassertinghimselforforimpressinghispersonalityonotherpeople.Hehasalwaysbeenslightlylameandwasunabletotakepartingamesatschool.“Oneofthemostsignificantthingsyoutoldmewasaremarkabouthimhavingbeenlaughedatatschoolfornearlybeingsickwhenseeingadeadrabbit.There,Ithink,wasanincidentthatmayhaveleftadeepimpressiononhim.Hedislikedbloodandviolenceandhisprestigesufferedinconsequence.Subconsciously,Ishouldsay,hehaswaitedtoredeemhimselfbybeingboldandruthless.“Ishouldimaginethathebegantodiscoverquiteyounghisownpowerforinfluencingpeople.Hewasagoodlistener,hehadaquietsympatheticpersonality.Peoplelikedhimwithout,atthesametime,noticinghimverymuch.Heresentedthis—andthenmadeuseofit.Hediscoveredhowridiculouslyeasyitwas,byusingthecorrectwordsandsupplyingthecorrectstimuli,toinfluencehisfellowcreatures.Theonlythingnecessarywastounderstandthem—topenetratetheirthoughts,theirsecretreactionsandwishes.“Canyourealize,Hastings,thatsuchadiscoverymightfeedasenseofpower?Herewashe,StephenNortonwhomeveryonelikedanddespised,andhewouldmakepeopledothingstheydidn’twanttodo—or(markthis)thoughttheydidnotwanttodo.“Icanvisualizehim,developingthishobbyofhis…Andlittlebylittledevelopingamorbidtasteforviolenceatsecondhand.Theviolenceforwhichhelackedphysicalstaminaandforthelackofwhichhehadbeenderided.“Yes,hishobbygrowsandgrowsuntilitcomestobeapassion,anecessity!Itwasadrug,Hastings—adrugthatinducedcravingassurelyasopiumorcocainemighthavedone.“Norton,thegentle-hearted,lovingman,wasasecretsadist.Hewasanaddictofpain,ofmentaltorture.Therehasbeenanepidemicofthatintheworldoflateyears—L’appétitvientenmangeant.“Itfedtwolusts,thelustofthesadistandthelustofpower.He,Norton,hadthekeysoflifeandofdeath“Likeanyotherdrugslave,hehadtohavehissupplyofthedrug.Hefoundvictimaftervictim.IhavenodoubttherehavebeenmorecasesthanthefiveIactuallytrackeddown.Ineachofthoseheplayedthesamepart.HeknewEtherington,hestayedonesummerinthevillagewhereRiggslivedanddrankwithRiggsinthelocalpub.OnacruisehemetthegirlFredaClayandencouragedandplayeduponherhalf-formedconvictionthatifheroldauntdieditwouldbereallyagoodthing—areleaseforAuntieandalifeoffinancialeaseandpleasureforherself.HewasafriendoftheLitchfields,andwhentalkingtohim,MargaretLitchfieldsawherselfinthelightofaheroinedeliveringhersistersfromtheirlifesentenceofimprisonment.ButIdonotbelieve,Hastings,thatanyofthesepeoplewouldhavedonewhattheydid—butforNorton’sinfluence.“AndnowwecometotheeventsatStyles.IhadbeenonNorton’stracksforsometime.HebecameacquaintedwiththeFranklinsandatonceIscenteddanger.YoumustunderstandthatevenNortonhastohaveanucleusonwhichtowork.Youcanonlydevelopathingofwhichtheseedisalreadypresent.InOthello,forinstance,IhavealwaysbeenofthebeliefthatalreadypresentinOthello’smindwastheconviction(possiblycorrect)thatDesdemona’sloveforhimwasthepassionateunbalancedhero-worshipofayounggirlforafamouswarriorandnotthebalancedloveofawomanforOthellotheman.HemayhaverealizedthatCassiowashertruemateandthatintimeshewouldcometorealizethefact.“TheFranklinspresentedamostagreeableprospecttoourNorton.Allkindsofpossibilities!Youhavedoubtlessrealizedbynow,Hastings,(whatanyoneofsensecouldhaveseenperfectlyplainlyallalong)thatFranklinwasinlovewithJudithandshewithhim.Hisbrusqueness,hishabitofneverlookingather,offorsakinganyattemptatcourtesy,oughttohavetoldyouthatthemanwasheadoverearsinlovewithher.ButFranklinisamanofgreatstrengthofcharacterandalsoofgreatrectitude.Hisspeechisbrutallyunsentimental,butheisamanofverydefinitestandards.Inhiscodeamanstickstothewifehehaschosen.“Judith,asIshouldhavethoughtevenyoucouldhaveseen,wasdeeplyandunhappilyinlovewithhim.Shethoughtyouhadgraspedthefactthatdayyoufoundherintherosegarden.Henceherfuriousoutburst.Characterslikeherscannotstandanyexpressionofpityorsympathy.Itwasliketouchingarawwound.“ThenshediscoveredthatyouthoughtitwasAllertonshecaredfor.Sheletyouthinkso,therebyshieldingherselffromclumsysympathyandfromafurtherprobingofthewound.SheflirtedwithAllertonasakindofdesperatesolace.Sheknewexactlythetypeofmanhewas.Heamusedheranddistractedher,butsheneverhadtheleastfeelingforhim.“Norton,ofcourse,knewexactlyhowthewindlay.HesawpossibilitiesintheFranklintrio.ImaysaythathestartedfirstonFranklin,butdrewacompleteblank.FranklinistheonetypeofmanwhoisquiteimmunefromNorton’stypeofinsidioussuggestion.Franklinhasaclear-cut,blackandwhitemind,withanexactknowledgeofhisownfeeling—andacompletedisregardforoutsidepressure.Moreoverthegreatpassionofhislifeishiswork.Hisabsorptioninitmakeshimfarlessvulnerable.“WithJudith,Nortonwasfarmoresuccessful.Heplayedverycleverlyonthethemeofuselesslives.ItwasanarticleoffaithwithJudith—andthefactthathersecretdesireswereinaccordancewithitwasafactthatsheignoredstridentlywhilstNortonknewittobeanally.Hewasverycleveraboutit—takinghimselftheoppositepointofview,gentlyridiculingtheideathatshewouldeverhavethenervetodosuchadecisiveaction.‘Itisthekindofthingthatallyoungpeoplesay—butneverdo!’Suchanoldcheapjibe—andhowoftenitworks,Hastings!Sovulnerabletheyare,thesechildren!Soready,thoughtheydonotrecognizeitthatway,totakeadare!“AndwiththeuselessBarbaraoutoftheway,thentheroadisclearforFranklinandJudith.Thatwasneversaid—thatwasneverallowedtocomeintotheopen.Itwasstressedthatthepersonalanglehadnothingtodowithit—nothingatall.ForifJudithoncerecognizedthatithad,shewouldhavereactedviolently.ButwithamurderaddictsofaradvancedasNorton,oneironinthefireisnotenough.Heseesopportunitiesforpleasureeverywhere.HefoundoneintheLuttrells.“Castyourmindback,Hastings.Remembertheveryfirsteveningyouplayedbridge.Norton’sremarkstoyouafterwards,utteredsoloudthatyouwereafraidColonelLuttrellwouldhear.Ofcourse!Nortonmeanthimtohear!Heneverlostanopportunityofunderliningit,rubbingitin—Andfinallyhiseffortsculminatedinsuccess.Ithappenedunderyournose,Hastings,andyouneversawhowitwasdone.Thefoundationswerealreadylaid—theincreasingsenseofaburdenborne,ofshameatthefigurehecutinfrontofothermen,inadeepgrowingresentmentagainsthiswife.“Rememberexactlywhathappened.Nortonsaysheisthirsty.(DidheknowMrs.Luttrellisinthehouseandwillcomeuponthescene?)TheColonelreactsimmediatelyastheopenhandedhostwhichheisbynature.Heoffersdrinks.Hegoestogetthem.Youareallsittingoutsidethewindow.Hiswifearrives—thereistheinevitablescene,whichheknowsisbeingoverheard.Hecomesout.Itmighthavebeenglossedoverbyagoodpretence—BoydCarringtoncouldhavedoneitwell.(Hehasacertainamountofworldlywisdomandatactfulmanner,thoughotherwiseheisoneofthemostpompousandboringindividualsthatIhaveevercomeacross!Justthesortofmanyouwouldadmire!)Youyourselfcouldhaveacquittedyourselfnottoobadly.ButNortonrushesintospeech,heavily,fatuously,underliningtactuntilitscreamstoHeavenandmakesthingsmuchworse.Hebabblesofbridge(morerecalledhumiliations),talksaimlesslyofshootingincidents.Andpromptonhiscue,justasNortonintended,thatoldwoolly-headedassBoydCarringtoncomesoutwithhisstoryofanIrishbatmanwhoshothisbrother—astory,Hastings,thatNortontoldtoBoydCarrington,knowingquitewellthattheoldfoolwouldbringitoutashisownwheneversuitablyprompted.Yousee,thesupremesuggestionwillnotcomefromNorton.MonDieu,non!“Itisallset,then.Thecumulativeeffect.Thebreakingpoint.Affrontedinhisinstinctsasahost,shamedbeforehisfellowmen,writhingundertheknowledgethattheyarequiteconvincedhehasnotgotthegutstodoanythingbutsubmitmeeklytobullying—andthenthekeywordsofescape.Therookrifle,accidents—manwhoshothisbrother—andsuddenly,bobbingup,hiswife’shead…‘quitesafe—anaccident…I’llshowthem…I’llshowher…damnher!Iwishshewasdead…sheshallbedead!’“Hedidnotkillher,Hastings.Myself,Ithinkthat,evenashefired,instinctivelyhemissedbecausehewantedtomiss.Andafterwards—afterwardstheevilspellwasbroken.Shewashiswife,thewomanhelovedinspiteofeverything.“OneofNorton’scrimesthatdidnotquitecomeoff.“Ah,buthisnextattempt!Doyourealize,Hastings,thatitwasyouwhocamenext?Throwyourmindback—recalleverything.You,myhonest,kindlyHastings!Hefoundeveryweakspotinyourmind—yes,andeverydecentandconscientiousone,too.“Allertonisthetypeofmanyouinstinctivelydislikeandfear.Heisthetypeofmanthatyouthinkoughttobeabolished.Andeverythingyouheardabouthimandthoughtabouthimwastrue.Nortontellsyouacertainstoryabouthim—anentirelytruestoryasfarasthefactsgo.(Thoughactuallythegirlconcernedwasaneurotictypeandcameofpoorstock.)“Itappealstoyourconventionalandsomewhatold-fashionedinstincts.Thismanisthevillain,theseducer,themanwhoruinsgirlsanddrivesthemtosuicide!NortoninducesBoydCarringtontotackleyoualso.Youareimpelledto‘speaktoJudith.’Judith,ascouldbepredicted,immediatelyrespondsbysayingshewilldoasshechooseswithherlife.Thatmakesyoubelievetheworst.“SeenowthedifferentstopsonwhichNortonplays.Yourloveforyourchild.Theintenseold-fashionedsenseofresponsibilitythatamanlikeyoufeelsforhischildren.Theslightself-importanceofyournature:‘Imustdosomething.Italldependsonme.’Yourfeelingofhelplessnessowingtothelackofyourwife’swisejudgement.Yourloyalty—Imustnotfailher.And,onthebaserside,yourvanity—throughassociationwithmeyouhavelearnedallthetricksofthetrade!Andlastly,thatinnerfeelingwhichmostmenhaveabouttheirdaughters—theunreasoningjealousyanddislikeforthemanwhotakesherawayfromhim.Nortonplayed,Hastings,likeavirtuosoonallthesethemes.Andyouresponded.“Youacceptthingstooeasilyattheirfacevalue.Youalwayshavedone.YouacceptedquiteeasilythefactthatitwasJudithtowhomAllertonwastalkinginthesummerhouse.Yetyoudidnotseeher,youdidnotevenhearherspeak.Andincredibly,eventhenextmorning,youstillthoughtitwasJudith.Yourejoicedbecauseshehad‘changedhermind.’“ButifyouhadtakenthetroubletoexaminethefactsyouwouldhavediscoveredatoncethattherehadneverbeenanyquestionofJudithgoinguptoLondonthatday!Andyoufailedtomakeanothermostobviousinference.Therewassomeonewhowasgoingofffortheday—andwhowasfuriousatnotbeingabletodoso.NurseCraven.Allertonisnotamanwhoconfineshimselftothepursuitofonewoman!HisaffairwithNurseCravenhadprogressedmuchfartherthanthemereflirtationhewashavingwithJudith.“No,stagemanagementagainbyNorton.“YousawAllertonandJudithkiss.ThenNortonshovesyoubackroundthecorner.HedoubtlessknowsquitewellthatAllertonisgoingtomeetNurseCraveninthesummerhouse.Afteralittleargumentheletsyougobutstillaccompaniesyou.ThesentenceyouoverhearAllertonspeakingismagnificentforhispurposeandheswiftlydragsyouawaybeforeyouhaveachancetodiscoverthatthewomanisnotJudith!“Yes,thevirtuoso!Andyourreactionisimmediate,completeonallthosethemes!Youresponded.Youmadeupyourmindtodomurder.“Butfortunately,Hastings,youhadafriendwhosebrainstillfunctioned.Andnotonlyhisbrain!“Isaidatthebeginningofthisthatifyouhavenotarrivedatthetruthitisbecauseyouhavetootrustinganature.Youbelievewhatissaidtoyou.YoubelievedwhatIsaidtoyou….“Yetitwasallveryeasyforyoutodiscoverthetruth.IhadsentGeorgeaway—why?Ihadreplacedhimwithalessexperiencedandclearlymuchlessintelligentman—why?Iwasnotbeingattendedbyadoctor—Iwhohavealwaysbeencarefulaboutmyhealth—Iwouldnothearofseeingone—why?“DoyouseenowwhyyouwerenecessarytomeatStyles?IhadtohavesomeonewhoacceptedwhatIsaidwithoutquestionYouacceptedmystatementthatIcamebackfromEgyptmuchworsethanwhenIwent.Ididnot.Icamebackverymuchbetter!Youcouldhavefoundoutthefactifyouhadtakenthetrouble.Butno,youbelieved.IsentawayGeorgebecauseIcouldnothavesucceededinmakinghimthinkthatIhadsuddenlylostallpowerinmylimbs.Georgeisextremelyintelligentaboutwhathesees.HewouldhaveknownthatIwasshamming.“Doyouunderstand,Hastings?AllthetimethatIwaspretendingtobehelpless,anddeceivingCurtiss,Iwasnothelplessatall.Icouldwalk—withalimp.“Iheardyoucomeupthatevening.IheardyouhesitateandthengointoAllerton’sroom.AndatonceIwasonthealert.Iwasalreadymuchexercisedaboutyourstateofmind.“Ididnotdelay.Iwasalone.Curtisshadgonedowntosupper.Islippedoutofmyroomandacrossthepassage.IheardyouinAllerton’sbathroom.Andpromptly,myfriend,inthemanneryousomuchdeplore,Idroppedtomykneesandlookedthroughthekeyholeofthebathroomdoor.Onecouldseethroughit,fortunately,asthereisaboltandnotakeyontheinside.“Iperceivedyourmanipulationswiththesleepingtablets.Irealizedwhatyourideawas.“Andso,myfriend,Iacted.Iwentbacktomyroom.Imademypreparations.WhenCurtisscameupIsenthimtofetchyou.Youcame,yawningandexplainingthatyouhadaheadache.Imadeatoncethebigfuss—urgedremediesonyou.Forthesakeofpeaceyouconsentedtodrinkacupofchocolate.Yougulpeditdownquicklysoastogetawayquicker.ButI,too,myfriend,havesomesleepingtablets.“Andso,youslept—sleptuntilmorningwhenyouawokeyourownsaneselfandwerehorrifiedatwhatyouhadsonearlydone.“Youweresafenow—onedoesnotattemptthesethingstwice—notwhenonehasrelapsedintosanity.“Butitdecidedme,Hastings!ForwhateverImightnotknowaboutotherpeopledidnotapplytoyou.Youarenotamurderer,Hastings!Butyoumighthavebeenhangedforone—foramurdercommittedbyanothermanwhointheeyesofthelawwouldbeguiltless.“You,mygood,myhonest,myohsohonourableHastings—sokindly,soconscientious—soinnocent!“Yes,Imustact.Iknewthatmytimewasshort—andforthatIwasglad.Fortheworstpartofmurder,Hastings,isitseffectonthemurderer.I,HerculePoirot,mightcometobelievemyselfdivinelyappointedtodealoutdeathtoallandsundry…Butmercifullytherewouldnotbetimeforthattohappen.Theendwouldcomesoon.AndIwasafraidthatNortonmightsucceedwithsomeonewhowasunutterablydeartobothofus.Iamtalkingofyourdaughter….“AndnowwecometothedeathofBarbaraFranklin.Whateveryourideasmaybeonthesubject,Hastings,Idonotthinkyouhaveoncesuspectedthetruth.“Foryousee,Hastings,youkilledBarbaraFranklin.“Maisoui,youdid!“Therewas,yousee,yetanotherangletothetriangle.OnethatIdidnotfullytakeintoaccount.Asithappened,Norton’stacticstherewereunseenandunheardbyeitherofus.ButIhavenodoubtthatheemployedthem….“Diditeverenteryourmindtowonder,Hastings,whyMrs.FranklinwaswillingtocometoStyles?Itisnot,whenyouthinkofit,atallherlineofcountry.Shelikescomfort,goodfoodandaboveallsocialcontacts.Stylesisnotgay;itisnotwell-run;itisinthedeadcountry.AndyetitwasMrs.Franklinwhoinsistedonspendingthesummerthere.“Yes,therewasathirdangle.BoydCarrington.Mrs.Franklinwasadisappointedwoman.Thatwasattherootofherneuroticillness.Shewasambitiousbothsociallyandfinancially.ShemarriedFranklinbecausesheexpectedhimtohaveabrilliantcareer.“Hewasbrilliantbutnotinherway.Hisbrilliancewouldneverbringhimnewspapernotoriety,oraHarleyStreetreputation.Hewouldbeknowntohalfadozenmenofhisownprofessionandwouldpublisharticlesinlearnedjournals.Theoutsideworldwouldnothearofhim—andhewouldcertainlynotmakemoney.“AndhereisBoydCarrington—homefromtheEast—justcomeintoabaronetcyandmoney,andBoydCarringtonhasalwaysfelttenderlysentimentaltowardstheprettyseventeen-year-oldgirlhenearlyaskedtomarryhim.HeisgoingtoStyles,hesuggeststheFranklinscometoo—andBarbaracomes.“Howmaddeningitisforher!Obviouslyshehaslostnoneofheroldcharmforthisrichattractiveman,butheisold-fashioned—notthetypeofmantosuggestdivorce.AndJohnFranklin,too,hasnousefordivorce.IfJohnFranklinweretodie,thenshecouldbeLadyBoydCarrington—andohwhatawonderfullifethatwouldbe!“Norton,Ithink,foundheronlytooreadyatool.“Itwasalltooobvious,Hastings,whenyoucometothinkofit.Thosefirstfewtentativeattemptsatestablishinghowfondshewasofherhusband.Sheoverdiditalittle—murmuringabout‘endingitall’becauseshewasadragonhim.“Andthenanentirelynewline.HerfearsthatFranklinmightexperimentuponhimself.“Itoughttohavebeensoobvioustous,Hastings!ShewaspreparingusforJohnFranklintodieofphysostigminepoisoning.Noquestion,yousee,ofanyonetryingtopoisonhim—ohno—justpurescientificresearch.Hetakestheharmlessalkaloid,anditturnsouttobeharmfulafterall.“Theonlythingwasitwasalittletooswift.YoutoldmethatshewasnotpleasedtofindBoydCarringtonhavinghisfortunetoldbyNurseCraven.NurseCravenwasanattractiveyoungwomanwithakeeneyeformen.ShehadhadatryatDr.Franklinandhadnotmetwithsuccess.(HenceherdislikeforJudith.)SheiscarryingonwithAllerton,butsheknowsquitewellheisnotserious.InevitablethatsheshouldcasthereyeontherichandstillattractiveSirWilliam—andSirWilliamwas,perhaps,onlytooreadytobeattracted.HehadalreadynoticedNurseCravenasahealthy,good-lookinggirl.“BarbaraFranklinhasafrightanddecidestoactquickly.Thesoonersheisapathetic,charmingandnotinconsolablewidowthebetter.“Andso,afteramorningofnerves,shesetsthescene.“Doyouknow,monami,IhavesomerespectfortheCalabarbean.Thistime,yousee,itworked.Itsparedtheinnocentandslewtheguilty.“Mrs.Franklinasksyoualluptoherroom.Shemakescoffeewithmuchfussanddisplay.Asyoutellme,herowncoffeeisbesideher,herhusband’sontheothersideofthebookcase-table.“Andthentherearetheshootingstarsandeveryonegoesoutandonlyyou,myfriend,areleft,youandyourcrosswordpuzzleandyourmemories—andtohideemotionyouswingroundthebookcasetofindaquotationinShakespeare.“AndsotheycomebackandMrs.FranklindrinksthecoffeefulloftheCalabarbeanalkaloidsthatweremeantfordearscientificJohn,andJohnFranklindrinkstheniceplaincupofcoffeethatwasmeantforcleverMrs.Franklin.“Butyouwillsee,Hastings,ifyouthinkaminute,thatalthoughIrealizedwhathadhappened,Isawthattherewasonlyonethingtobedone.Icouldnotprovewhathadhappened.AndifMrs.Franklin’sdeathwasthoughttobeanythingbutsuicidesuspicionwouldinevitablyfalloneitherFranklinorJudith.Ontwopeoplewhowereutterlyandcompletelyinnocent.SoIdidwhatIhadaperfectrighttodo,laidstressonandputconvictioninto,myrepetitionofMrs.Franklin’sextremelyunconvincingremarksonthesubjectofputtinganendtoherself.“Icoulddoit—andIwasprobablytheonlypersonwhocould.Foryouseemystatementcarriedweight.Iamamanexperiencedinthematterofcommittingmurder—ifIamconvinceditissuicide,well,then,itwillbeacceptedassuicide.“Itpuzzledyou,Icouldsee,andyouwerenotpleased.Butmercifullyyoudidnotsuspectthetruedanger.“ButwillyouthinkofitafterIamgone?Willitcomeintoyourmind,lyingtherelikesomedarkserpentthatnowandthenraisesitsheadandsays:‘SupposeJudith…?’“Itmaydo.AndthereforeIamwritingthis.Youmustknowthetruth.“Therewasonepersonwhomtheverdictofsuicidedidnotsatisfy.Norton.Hewasbalked,yousee,ofhispoundofflesh.AsIsay,heisasadist.Hewantsthewholegamutofemotion,suspicion,fear,thecoilsofthelaw.Hewasdeprivedofallthat.Themurderhehadarrangedhadgoneawry.“Butpresentlyhesawwhatonemaycallawayofrecoupinghimself.Hebegantothrowouthints.Earlieronhehadpretendedtoseesomethingthroughhisglasses.Actuallyheintendedtoconveytheexactimpressionthathedidconvey—namelythathesawAllertonandJudithinsomecompromisingattitude.Butnothavingsaidanythingdefinite,hecouldusethatincidentinadifferentway.“Supposing,forinstance,thathesayshesawFranklinandJudith.Thatwillopenupaninterestingnewangleofthesuicidecase!Itmay,perhaps,throwdoubtsonwhetheritwassuicide….“So,monami,Idecidedthatwhathadtobedonemustbedoneatonce.Iarrangedthatyoushouldbringhimtomyroomthatnight….“Iwilltellyouexactlywhathappened.Norton,nodoubt,wouldhavebeendelightedtotellmehisarrangedstory.Igavehimnotime.Itoldhim,clearlyanddefinitely,allthatIknewabouthim.“Hedidnotdenyit.No,monami,hesatbackinhischairandsmirked.Maisoui,thereisnootherwordforit,hesmirked.HeaskedmewhatIthoughtIwasgoingtodoaboutthisamusingideaofmine.ItoldhimthatIproposedtoexecutehim.“‘Ah,’hesaid,‘Isee.Thedaggerorthecupofpoison?’“Wewereabouttohavechocolatetogetheratthetime.Hehasasweettooth,M.Norton.“‘Thesimplest,’Isaid,‘wouldbethecupofpoison.’“AndIhandedhimthecupofchocolateIhadjustpouredout.“‘Inthatcase,’hesaid,‘wouldyoumindmydrinkingfromyourcupinsteadoffrommine?’“Isaid,‘Notatall.’Ineffect,itwasquiteimmaterial.AsIhavesaid,I,too,takethesleepingtablets.TheonlythingisthatsinceIhavebeentakingthemeverynightforaconsiderableperiod,Ihaveacquiredacertaintolerance,andadosethatwouldsendM.Nortontosleepwouldhaveverylittleeffectuponme.Thedosewasinthechocolateitself.Webothhadthesame.Hisportiontookeffectinduecourse,minehadlittleeffectuponme,especiallywhencounteractedwithadoseofmystrychninetonic.“Andsotothelastchapter.WhenNortonwasasleepIgothimintomywheeledchair—fairlyeasy,ithasmanytypesofmechanism—andwheeledhimbackinittoitsusualplaceinthewindowembrasurebehindthecurtains.“Curtissthen‘putmetobed.’WheneverythingwasquietIwheeledNortontohisroom.Itremained,then,toavailmyselfoftheeyesandearsofmyexcellentfriendHastings.“Youmaynothaverealizedit,butIwearawig,Hastings.YouwillrealizeevenlessthatIwearafalsemoustache.(EvenGeorgedoesnotknowthat!)IpretendedtoburnitbyaccidentsoonafterCurtisscame,andatoncehadmyhairdressermakemeareplica.“IputonNorton’sdressinggown,ruffledupmygreyhaironend,andcamedownthepassageandrappedonyourdoor.Presentlyyoucameandlookedwithsleepyeyesintothepassage.YousawNortonleavethebathroomandlimpacrossthepassageintohisownroom.Youheardhimturnthekeyinthelockontheinside.“IthenreplacedthedressinggownonNorton,laidhimonhisbed,andshothimwithasmallpistolthatIacquiredabroadandwhichIhavekeptcarefullylockedupexceptfortwooccasionswhen(nobodybeingabout)IhaveputitostentatiouslyonNorton’sdressingtable,hehimselfbeingwellawaysomewherethatmorning.“ThenIlefttheroomafterputtingthekeyinNorton’spocket.ImyselflockedthedoorfromtheoutsidewiththeduplicatekeywhichIhavepossessedforsometime.Iwheeledthechairbacktomyroom.“SincethenIhavebeenwritingthisexplanation.“Iamverytired—andtheexertionsIhavebeenthroughhavestrainedmeagooddeal.Itwillnot,Ithink,belongbefore….“ThereareoneortwothingsIwouldliketostress.“Norton’sweretheperfectcrimes.“Minewasnot.Itwasnotintendedtobe.“Theeasiestwayandthebestwayformetohavekilledhimwastohavedonesoquiteopenly—tohavehad,shallwesay,anaccidentwithmylittlepistol.Ishouldhaveprofesseddismay,regret—amostunfortunateaccident.Theywouldhavesaid,‘Oldgaga,didn’trealizeitwasloaded—cepauvrevieux.’“Ididnotchoosetodothat.“Iwilltellyouwhy.“Itisbecause,Hastings,Ichosetobe‘sporting.’“Maisoui,sporting!Iamdoingallthethingsthatsooftenyouhavereproachedmewithnotdoing.Iamplayingfairwithyou.Iamgivingyouarunforyourmoney.Iamplayingthegame.Youhaveeverychancetodiscoverthetruth.“Incaseyoudisbelievemeletmeenumeratealltheclues.“Thekeys.“Youknow,forIhavetoldyouso,thatNortonarrivedhereafterIdid.Youknow,foryouhavebeentold,thatIchangedmyroomafterIgothere.Youknow,foragainithasbeentoldtoyou,thatsinceIhavebeenatStylesthekeyofmyroomdisappearedandIhadanothermade.“ThereforewhenyouaskyourselfwhocouldhavekilledNorton?Whocouldhaveshotandstillhavelefttheroom(apparently)lockedontheinsidesincethekeyisinNorton’spocket?—“Theansweris‘HerculePoirot,whosincehehasbeenherehaspossessedduplicatekeysofoneoftherooms.’“Themanyousawinthepassage.“ImyselfaskedyouifyouweresurethemanyousawinthepassagewasNorton.Youwerestartled.YouaskedmeifIintendedtosuggestitwasnotNorton.Ireplied,truthfully,thatIdidnotatallintendtosuggestitwasnotNorton.(Naturally,sinceIhadtakenagooddealoftroubletosuggestitwasNorton.)Ithenbroughtupthequestionofheight.Allthemen,Isaid,weremuchtallerthanNorton.ButtherewasamanwhowasshorterthanNorton—HerculePoirot.Anditiscomparativelyeasywithraisedheelsorelevatorsintheshoestoaddtoone’sheight.“YouwereundertheimpressionthatIwasahelplessinvalid.Butwhy?OnlybecauseIsaidso.AndIhadsentawayGeorge.Thatwasmylastindicationtoyou,‘GoandtalktoGeorge.’“OthelloandClutieJohnshowyouthatXwasNorton.“ThenwhocouldhavekilledNorton?“OnlyHerculePoirot.“Andonceyoususpectedthat,everythingwouldhavefallenintoplace,thethingsIhadsaidanddone,myinexplicablereticence.EvidencefromthedoctorsinEgypt,frommyowndoctorinLondon,thatIwasnotincapableofwalkingabout.TheevidenceofGeorgeastomywearingawig.ThefactwhichIwasunabletodisguise,andwhichyououghttohavenoticed,thatIlimpmuchmorethanNortondoes.“Andlastofall,thepistolshot.Myoneweakness.Ishould,Iamaware,haveshothimthroughthetemple.Icouldnotbringmyselftoproduceaneffectsolopsided,sohaphazard.No,Ishothimsymmetrically,intheexactcentreoftheforehead….“Oh,Hastings,Hastings,thatshouldhavetoldyouthetruth.“Butperhaps,afterall,youhavesuspectedthetruth?Perhapswhenyoureadthis,youalreadyknow.“ButsomehowIdonotthinkso…“No,youaretootrusting….“Youhavetoobeautifulanature..“WhatshallIsaymoretoyou?BothFranklinandJudith,Ithinkyouwillfind,knewthetruthalthoughtheywillnothavetoldittoyou.Theywillbehappytogether,thosetwo.Theywillbepoorandinnumerabletropicalinsectswillbitethemandstrangefeverswillattackthem—butweallhaveourownideasoftheperfectlife,havewenot?“Andyou,mypoorlonelyHastings?Ah,myheartbleedsforyou,dearfriend.Willyou,forthelasttime,taketheadviceofyouroldPoirot?“Afteryouhavereadthis,takeatrainoracaroraseriesofbusesandgotofindElizabethColewhoisalsoElizabethLitchfield.Letherreadthis,ortellherwhatisinit.Tellherthatyou,too,mighthavedonewhathersisterMargaretdid—onlyforMargaretLitchfieldtherewasnowatchfulPoirotathand.Takethenightmareawayfromher,showherthatherfatherwaskilled,notbyhisdaughter,butbythatkindsympatheticfamilyfriend,that‘honestIago’StephenNorton.“Foritisnotright,myfriend,thatawomanlikethat,stillyoung,stillattractive,shouldrefuselifebecauseshebelievesherselftobetainted.No,itisnotright.Tellherso,you,myfriend,whoareyourselfstillnotunattractivetowomen….“Ehbien,Ihavenomorenowtosay.Idonotknow,Hastings,ifwhatIhavedoneisjustifiedornotjustified.No—Idonotknow.Idonotbelievethatamanshouldtakethelawintohisownhands….“Butontheotherhand,Iamthelaw!AsayoungmanintheBelgianpoliceforceIshotdownadesperatecriminalwhosatonaroofandfiredatpeoplebelow.Inastateofemergencymartiallawisproclaimed.“BytakingNorton’slife,Ihavesavedotherlives—innocentlives.ButstillIdonotknow…ItisperhapsrightthatIshouldnotknow.Ihavealwaysbeensosure—toosure..“ButnowIamveryhumbleandIsaylikealittlechild‘Idonotknow…’“Good-bye,cherami.Ihavemovedtheamylnitrateampoulesawayfrombesidemybed.IprefertoleavemyselfinthehandsofthebonDieu.Mayhispunishment,orhismercy,beswift!“Weshallnothunttogetheragain,myfriend.Ourfirsthuntwashere—andourlast….“Theyweregooddays.“Yes,theyhavebeengooddays….”
(EndofHerculePoirot’smanuscript.)
FinalnotebyCaptainArthurHastings:Ihavefinishedreading…cannotbelieveitallyet…Butheisright.Ishouldhaveknown.IshouldhaveknownwhenIsawthebulletholesosymmetricallyinthemiddleoftheforehead.Queer—it’sjustcometome—thethoughtinthebackofmymindthatmorning.ThemarkonNorton’sforehead—itwaslikethebrandofCain….AbouttheAuthor
AgathaChristieisthemostwidelypublishedauthorofalltimeandinanylanguage,outsoldonlybytheBibleandShakespeare.HerbookshavesoldmorethanabillioncopiesinEnglishandanotherbillioninahundredforeignlanguages.Sheistheauthorofeightycrimenovelsandshort-storycollections,nineteenplays,twomemoirs,andsixnovelswrittenunderthenameMaryWestmacott.
ShefirsttriedherhandatdetectivefictionwhileworkinginahospitaldispensaryduringWorldWarI,creatingthenowlegendaryHerculePoirotwithherdebutnovelTheMysteriousAffairatStyles.WithTheMurderintheVicarage,publishedin1930,sheintroducedanotherbelovedsleuth,MissJaneMarple.Additionalseriescharactersincludethehusband-and-wifecrime-fightingteamofTommyandTuppenceBeresford,privateinvestigatorParkerPyne,andScotlandYarddetectivesSuperintendentBattleandInspectorJapp.
ManyofChristie’snovelsandshortstorieswereadaptedintoplays,films,andtelevisionseries.TheMousetrap,hermostfamousplayofall,openedin1952andisthelongest-runningplayinhistory.Amongherbest-knownfilmadaptationsareMurderontheOrientExpress(1974)andDeathontheNile(1978),withAlbertFinneyandPeterUstinovplayingHerculePoirot,respectively.OnthesmallscreenPoirothasbeenmostmemorablyportrayedbyDavidSuchet,andMissMarplebyJoanHicksonandsubsequentlyGeraldineMcEwanandJuliaMcKenzie.
ChristiewasfirstmarriedtoArchibaldChristieandthentoarchaeologistSirMaxMallowan,whomsheaccompaniedonexpeditionstocountriesthatwouldalsoserveasthesettingsformanyofhernovels.In1971sheachievedoneofBritain’shighesthonorswhenshewasmadeaDameoftheBritishEmpire.Shediedin1976attheageofeighty-five.Heronehundredandtwentiethanniversarywascelebratedaroundtheworldin2010.
Visitwww.AuthorTracker.comforexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteHarperCollinsauthors.
www.AgathaChristie.com
THEAGATHACHRISTIECOLLECTION
TheManintheBrownSuit
TheSecretofChimneys
TheSevenDialsMystery
TheMysteriousMr.Quin
TheSittafordMystery
ParkerPyneInvestigates
WhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?
MurderIsEasy
TheRegattaMysteryandOtherStories
AndThenThereWereNone
TowardsZero
DeathComesastheEnd
SparklingCyanide
TheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStories
CrookedHouse
ThreeBlindMiceandOtherStories
TheyCametoBaghdad
DestinationUnknown
OrdealbyInnocence
DoubleSinandOtherStories
ThePaleHorse
StaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStories
EndlessNight
PassengertoFrankfurt
TheGoldenBallandOtherStories
TheMousetrapandOtherPlays
TheHarlequinTeaSetandOtherStories
TheHerculePoirotMysteries
TheMysteriousAffairatStyles
TheMurderontheLinks
PoirotInvestigates
TheMurderofRogerAckroyd
TheBigFour
TheMysteryoftheBlueTrain
PerilatEndHouse
LordEdgwareDies
MurderontheOrientExpress
ThreeActTragedy
DeathintheClouds
TheA.B.C.Murders
MurderinMesopotamia
CardsontheTable
MurderintheMews
DumbWitness
DeathontheNile
AppointmentwithDeath
HerculePoirot’sChristmas
SadCypress
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
EvilUndertheSun
FiveLittlePigs
TheHollow
TheLaborsofHercules
TakenattheFlood
TheUnderDogandOtherStories
Mrs.McGinty’sDead
AftertheFuneral
HickoryDickoryDock
DeadMan’sFolly
CatAmongthePigeons
TheClocks
ThirdGirl
Hallowe’enParty
ElephantsCanRemember
Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
TheMissMarpleMysteries
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderIsAnnounced
TheyDoItwithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
4:50fromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSide
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
Memoirs
AnAutobiography
Come,TellMeHowYouLive
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
AGATHACHRISTIE?POIROT?CURTAIN:POIROT’SLASTCASE?.Copyright?1975AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.
CURTAIN:POIROT’SLASTCASE?1975.PublishedbypermissionofG.P.Putnam’sSons,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthisebookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverse-engineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinsebooks.
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