Elephants Can Remember

ElephantsCanRemember
AHerculePoirotMystery
Dedication
ToMollyMyersinreturnformanykindnesses
Contents
TitlePage
Dedication
1ALiteraryLuncheon
2FirstMentionofElephants
Book1
Elephants
3GreatAuntAlice’sGuidetoKnowledge
4Celia
5OldSinsHaveLongShadows
6AnOldFriendRemembers
7BacktotheNursery
8Mrs.OliveratWork
9ResultsofElephantineResearch
10Desmond
Book2
LongShadows
11SuperintendentGarrowayandPoirotCompareNotes
12CeliaMeetsHerculePoirot
13Mrs.Burton-Cox
14Dr.Willoughby
15EugeneandRosentelle,HairStylistsandBeauticians
16Mr.GobyReports
17PoirotAnnouncesDeparture
18Interlude
19MaddyandZélie
20CourtofEnquiry
AbouttheAuthor
TheAgathaChristieCollection
RelatedProducts
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
One
ALITERARYLUNCHEON
Mrs.Oliverlookedatherselfintheglass.Shegaveabrief,sidewayslooktowardstheclockonthemantelpiece,whichshehadsomeideawastwentyminutesslow.Thensheresumedherstudyofhercoiffure.ThetroublewithMrs.Oliverwas—andsheadmitteditfreely—thatherstylesofhairdressingwerealwaysbeingchanged.Shehadtriedalmosteverythinginturn.Aseverepompadouratonetime,thenawindsweptstylewhereyoubrushedbackyourlockstodisplayanintellectualbrow,atleastshehopedthebrowwasintellectual.Shehadtriedtightlyarrangedcurls,shehadtriedakindofartisticdisarray.Shehadtoadmitthatitdidnotmatterverymuchtodaywhathertypeofhairdressingwas,becausetodayshewasgoingtodowhatsheveryseldomdid,wearahat.
OnthetopshelfofMrs.Oliver’swardrobetherereposedfourhats.Onewasdefinitelyallottedtoweddings.Whenyouwenttoawedding,ahatwasa“must.”ButeventhenMrs.Oliverkepttwo.One,inaroundbandbox,wasoffeathers.Itfittedcloselytotheheadandstoodupverywelltosuddensquallsofrainiftheyshouldovertakeoneunexpectedlyasonepassedfromacartotheinteriorofthesacrededifice,orassooftennowadays,aregistrar’soffice
Theother,andmoreelaborate,hatwasdefinitelyforattendingaweddingheldonaSaturdayafternooninsummer.Ithadflowersandchiffonandacoveringofyellownetattachedwithmimosa.
Theothertwohatsontheshelfwereofamoreall-purposecharacter.OnewaswhatMrs.Olivercalledher“countryhousehat,”madeoftanfeltsuitableforwearingwithtweedsofalmostanypattern,withabecomingbrimthatyoucouldturnuporturndown.
Mrs.Oliverhadacashmerepulloverforwarmthandathinpulloverforhotdays,eitherofwhichwassuitableincolourtogowiththis.However,thoughthepulloverswerefrequentlyworn,thehatwaspracticallyneverworn.Because,really,whyputonahatjusttogotothecountryandhaveamealwithyourfriends?
Thefourthhatwasthemostexpensiveofthelotandithadextraordinarilydurableadvantagesaboutit.Possibly,Mrs.Oliversometimesthought,becauseitwassoexpensive.Itconsistedofakindofturbanofvariouslayersofcontrastingvelvets,allofratherbecomingpastelshadeswhichwouldgowithanything.
Mrs.Oliverpausedindoubtandthencalledforassistance.
“Maria,”shesaid,thenlouder,“Maria.Comehereaminute.”
Mariacame.ShewasusedtobeingaskedtogiveadviceonwhatMrs.Oliverwasthinkingofwearing.
“Goingtowearyourlovelysmarthat,areyou?”saidMaria.
“Yes,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Iwantedtoknowwhetheryouthinkitlooksbestthiswayortheotherwayround.”
Mariastoodbackandtookalook.
“Well,that’sbacktofrontyou’rewearingitnow,isn’tit?”
“Yes,Iknow,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Iknowthatquitewell.ButIthoughtsomehowitlookedbetterthatway.”
“Oh,whyshouldit?”saidMaria.
“Well,it’smeant,Isuppose.Butit’sgottobemeantbymeaswellastheshopthatsoldit,”saidMrs.Oliver
“Whydoyouthinkit’sbetterthewrongwayround?”
“Becauseyougetthatlovelyshadeofblueandthedarkbrown,andIthinkthatlooksbetterthantheotherwaywhichisgreenwiththeredandthechocolatecolour.”
AtthispointMrs.Oliverremovedthehat,putitonagainandtrieditwrongwayround,rightwayroundandsideways,whichbothsheandMariadisapprovedof.
“Youcan’thaveitthewideway.Imean,it’swrongforyourface,isn’tit?It’dbewrongforanyone’sface.”
“No.Thatwon’tdo.IthinkI’llhaveittherightwayround,afterall.”
“Well,Ithinkit’ssaferalways,”saidMaria.
Mrs.Olivertookoffthehat.Mariaassistedhertoputonawellcut,thinwoollendressofadelicatepucecolour,andhelpedhertoadjustthehat.
“Youlookeversosmart,”saidMaria.
ThatwaswhatMrs.OliverlikedsomuchaboutMaria.Ifgiventheleastexcuseforsayingso,shealwaysapprovedandgavepraise.
“Goingtomakeaspeechattheluncheon,areyou?”Mariaasked.
“Aspeech!”Mrs.Oliversoundedhorrified.“No,ofcoursenot.YouknowInevermakespeeches.”
“Well,Ithoughttheyalwaysdidatthesehereliteraryluncheons.That’swhatyou’regoingto,isn’tit?Famouswritersof1973—orwhicheveryearitiswe’vegottonow.”
“Idon’tneedtomakeaspeech,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Severalotherpeoplewholikedoingitwillbemakingspeeches,andtheyaremuchbetteratitthanIwouldbe.”
“I’msureyou’dmakealovelyspeechifyouputyourmindtoit,”saidMaria,adjustingherselftother?leofatempter.
“No,Ishouldn’t,”saidMrs.Oliver.“IknowwhatIcandoandIknowwhatIcan’t.Ican’tmakespeeches.IgetallworriedandnervyandIshouldprobablystammerorsaythesamethingtwice.Ishouldnotonlyfeelsilly,Ishouldprobablylooksilly.Nowit’sallrightwithwords.Youcanwritewordsdownorspeakthemintoamachineordictatethem.IcandothingswithwordssolongasIknowit’snotaspeechI’mmaking.”
“Ohwell.Ihopeeverything’llgoallright.ButI’msureitwill.Quiteagrandluncheon,isn’tit?”
“Yes,”saidMrs.Oliver,inadeeplydepressedvoice.“Quiteagrandluncheon.”
Andwhy,shethought,butdidnotsay,whyonearthamIgoingtoit?Shesearchedhermindforabitbecauseshealwaysreallylikedknowingwhatshewasgoingtodoinsteadofdoingitfirstandwonderingwhyshehaddoneitafterwards.
“Isuppose,”shesaid,againtoherselfandnottoMaria,whohadhadtoreturnratherhurriedlytothekitchen,summonedbyasmellofoverflowingjamwhichshehappenedtohaveonthestove,“Iwantedtoseewhatitfeltlike.I’malwaysbeingaskedtoliterarylunchesorsomethinglikethatandInevergo.”
Mrs.Oliverarrivedatthelastcourseofthegrandluncheonwithasighofsatisfactionasshetoyedwiththeremainsofthemeringueonherplate.Shewasparticularlyfondofmeringuesanditwasadeliciouslastcourseinaverydeliciousluncheon.Nevertheless,whenonereachedmiddleage,onehadtobecarefulwithmeringues.One’steeth?Theylookedallright,theyhadthegreatadvantagethattheycouldnotache,theywerewhiteandquiteagreeablelooking—justliketherealthing.Butitwastrueenoughthattheywerenotrealteeth.Andteeththatwerenotrealteeth—orsoMrs.Oliverbelieved—werenotreallyofhigh-classmaterial.Dogs,shehadalwaysunderstood,hadteethofrealivory,buthumanbeingshadteethmerelyofbone.Or,shesupposed,iftheywerefalseteeth,ofplastic.Anyway,thepointwasthatyoumustn’tgetinvolvedinsomerathershame-makingappearance,whichfalseteethmightleadyouinto.Lettucewasadifficulty,andsaltedalmonds,andsuchthingsaschocolateswithhardcentres,clingingcaramelsandthedeliciousstickinessandadherenceofmeringues.Withasighofsatisfaction,shedealtwiththefinalmouthful.Ithadbeenagoodlunch,averygoodlunch.
Mrs.Oliverwasfondofhercreaturecomforts.Shehadenjoyedtheluncheonverymuch.Shehadenjoyedthecompany,too.Theluncheon,whichhadbeengiventocelebratedfemalewriters,hadfortunatelynotbeenconfinedtofemalewritersonly.Therehadbeenotherwriters,andcritics,andthosewhoreadbooksaswellasthosewhowrotethem.Mrs.Oliverhadsatbetweentwoverycharmingmembersofthemalesex.EdwinAubyn,whosepoetryshealwaysenjoyed,anextremelyentertainingpersonwhohadhadvariousentertainingexperiencesinhistoursabroad,andvariousliteraryandpersonaladventures.Alsohewasinterestedinrestaurantsandfoodandtheyhadtalkedveryhappilyaboutfood,andleftthesubjectofliteratureaside
SirWesleyKent,onherotherside,hadalsobeenanagreeableluncheoncompanion.Hehadsaidverynicethingsaboutherbooks,andhadhadthetacttosaythingsthatdidnotmakeherfeelembarrassed,whichmanypeoplecoulddoalmostwithouttrying.Hehadmentionedoneortworeasonswhyhehadlikedoneorotherofherbooks,andtheyhadbeentherightreasons,andthereforeMrs.Oliverhadthoughtfavourablyofhimforthatreason.Praisefrommen,Mrs.Oliverthoughttoherself,isalwaysacceptable.Itwaswomenwhogushed.Someofthethingsthatwomenwrotetoher!Really!Notalwayswomen,ofcourse.Sometimesemotionalyoungmenfromveryfarawaycountries.Onlylastweekshehadreceivedafanletterbeginning“Readingyourbook,Ifeelwhatanoblewomanyoumustbe.”AfterreadingTheSecondGoldfishhehadthengoneoffintoanintensekindofliteraryecstasywhichwas,Mrs.Oliverfelt,completelyunfitting.Shewasnotundulymodest.Shethoughtthedetectivestoriesshewrotewerequitegoodoftheirkind.Somewerenotsogoodandsomeweremuchbetterthanothers.Buttherewasnoreason,sofarasshecouldsee,tomakeanyonethinkthatshewasanoblewoman.Shewasaluckywomanwhohadestablishedahappyknackofwritingwhatquitealotofpeoplewantedtoread.Wonderfulluckthatwas,Mrs.Oliverthoughttoherself.
Well,allthingsconsidered,shehadgotthroughthisordealverywell.Shehadquiteenjoyedherself,talkedtosomenicepeople.Nowtheyweremovingtowherecoffeewasbeinghandedroundandwhereyoucouldchangepartnersandchatwithotherpeople.Thiswasthemomentofdanger,asMrs.Oliverknewwell.Thiswasnowwhereotherwomenwouldcomeandattackher.Attackherwithfulsomepraise,andwhereshealwaysfeltlamentablyinefficientatgivingtherightanswersbecausethereweren’treallyanyrightanswersthatyoucouldgive.Itwentreallyratherlikeatravelbookforgoingabroadwiththerightphrases.
Question:“ImusttellyouhowveryfondIamofreadingyourbooksandhowwonderfulIthinktheyare.”
Answerfromflusteredauthor,“Well,that’sverykind.Iamsoglad.”
“YoumustunderstandthatI’vebeenwaitingtomeetyouformonths.Itreallyiswonderful.”
“Oh,it’sveryniceofyou.Veryniceindeed.”
Itwentonverymuchlikethat.Neitherofyouseemedtobeabletotalkaboutanythingofoutsideinterest.Ithadtobeallaboutyourbooks,ortheotherwoman’sbooksifyouknewwhatherbookswere.Youwereintheliterarywebandyouweren’tgoodatthissortofstuff.Somepeoplecoulddoit,butMrs.Oliverwasbitterlyawareofnothavingthepropercapacity.Aforeignfriendofhershadonceputher,whenshewasstayingatanembassyabroad,throughakindofcourse.
“Ilistentoyou,”Albertinahadsaidinhercharming,low,foreignvoice,“Ihavelistenedtowhatyousaytothatyoungmanwhocamefromthenewspapertointerviewyou.Youhavenotgot—no!youhavenotgottheprideyoushouldhaveinyourwork.Youshouldsay‘Yes,Iwritewell.Iwritebetterthananyoneelsewhowritesdetectivestories.’”
“ButIdon’t,”Mrs.Oliverhadsaidatthatmoment.“I’mnotbad,but—”
“Ah,donotsay‘Idon’t’likethat.Youmustsayyoudo;evenifyoudonotthinkyoudo,yououghttosayyoudo.”
“Iwish,Albertina,”saidMrs.Oliver,“thatyoucouldinterviewthesejournalistswhocome.Youwoulddoitsowell.Can’tyoupretendtobemeoneday,andI’lllistenbehindthedoor?”
“Yes,IsupposeIcoulddoit.Itwouldberatherfun.ButtheywouldknowIwasnotyou.Theyknowyourface.Butyoumustsay‘Yes,yes,IknowthatIambetterthananyoneelse.’Youmustsaythattoeverybody.Theyshouldknowit.Theyshouldannounceit.Ohyes—itisterribletohearyousittingthereandsaythingsasthoughyouapologizeforwhatyouare.Itmustnotbelikethat.”
Ithadbeenrather,Mrs.Oliverthought,asthoughshehadbeenabuddingactresstryingtolearnapart,andthedirectorhadfoundherhopelesslybadattakingdirection.Well,anyway,there’dbenotmuchdifficultyhere.There’dbeafewwaitingfemaleswhentheyallgotupfromthetable.Infact,shecouldseeoneortwohoveringalready.Thatwouldn’tmattermuch.Shewouldgoandsmileandbeniceandsay“Sokindofyou.I’msopleased.Oneissogladtoknowpeoplelikeone’sbooks.”Allthestaleoldthings.Ratherasyouputahandintoaboxandtookoutsomeusefulwordsalreadystrungtogetherlikeanecklaceofbeads.Andthen,beforeverylongnow,shecouldleave.
Hereyeswentroundthetablebecauseshemightperhapsseesomefriendsthereaswellaswould-beadmirers.Yes,shedidseeinthedistanceMaurineGrant,whowasgreatfun.Themomentcame,theliterarywomenandtheattendantcavalierswhohadalsoattendedthelunch,rose.Theystreamedtowardschairs,towardscoffeetables,towardssofas,andconfidentialcorners.Themomentofperil,Mrs.Oliveroftenthoughtofittoherself,thoughusuallyatcocktailandnotliterarypartiesbecausesheseldomwenttothelatter.Atanymomentthedangermightarise,assomeonewhomyoudidnotrememberbutwhorememberedyou,orsomeonewhomyoudefinitelydidnotwanttotalktobutwhomyoufoundyoucouldnotavoid.Inthiscaseitwasthefirstdilemmathatcametoher.Alargewoman.Ampleproportions,largewhitechampingteeth.WhatinFrenchcouldhavebeencalledunefemmeformidable,butwhodefinitelyhadnotonlytheFrenchvarietyofbeingformidable,buttheEnglishoneofbeingsupremelybossy.ObviouslysheeitherknewMrs.Oliver,orwasintentonmakingheracquaintancethereandthen.Thelastwashowithappenedtogo.
“Oh,Mrs.Oliver,”shesaidinahigh-pitchedvoice.“Whatapleasuretomeetyoutoday.Ihavewantedtoforsolong.Isimplyadoreyourbooks.Sodoesmyson.Andmyhusbandusedtoinsistonnevertravellingwithoutatleasttwoofyourbooks.Butcome,dositdown.TherearesomanythingsIwanttoaskyouabout.”
Ohwell,thoughtMrs.Oliver,notmyfavouritetypeofwoman,this.Butaswellherasanyother.
Sheallowedherselftobeconductedinafirmwayratherasapoliceofficermighthavedone.Shewastakentoasetteefortwoacrossacorner,andhernewfriendacceptedcoffeeandplacedcoffeebeforeheralso.
“There.Nowwearesettled.Idon’tsupposeyouknowmyname.IamMrs.Burton-Cox.”
“Ohyes,”saidMrs.Oliver,embarrassed,asusual.Mrs.Burton-Cox?Didshewritebooksalso?No,shecouldn’treallyrememberanythingabouther.Butsheseemedtohaveheardthename.Afaintthoughtcametoher.Abookonpolitics,somethinglikethat?Notfiction,notfun,notcrime.Perhapsahighbrowintellectualwithpoliticalbias?Thatoughttobeeasy,Mrs.Oliverthoughtwithrelief.Icanjustlethertalkandsay“Howinteresting!”fromtimetotime.
“You’llbeverysurprised,really,atwhatI’mgoingtosay,”saidMrs.Burton-Cox.“ButIhavefelt,fromreadingyourbooks,howsympatheticyouare,howmuchyouunderstandofhumannature.AndIfeelthatifthereisanyonewhocangivemeananswertothequestionIwanttoask,youwillbetheonetodoso.”
“Idon’tthink,really…”saidMrs.Oliver,tryingtothinkofsuitablewordstosaythatshefeltveryuncertainofbeingabletorisetotheheightsdemandedofher.
Mrs.Burton-Coxdippedalumpofsugarinhercoffeeandcruncheditinarathercarnivorousway,asthoughitwasabone.Ivoryteeth,perhaps,thoughtMrs.Olivervaguely.Ivory?Dogshadivory,walruseshadivoryandelephantshadivory,ofcourse.Greatbigtusksofivory.Mrs.Burton-Coxwassaying:
“NowthefirstthingImustaskyou—I’mprettysureIamright,though—youhaveagoddaughter,haven’tyou?Agoddaughterwho’scalledCeliaRavenscroft?”
“Oh,”saidMrs.Oliver,ratherpleasurablysurprised.Shefeltshecoulddealperhapswithagoddaughter.Shehadagoodmanygoddaughters—andgodsons,forthatmatter.Thereweretimes,shehadtoadmitastheyearsweregrowinguponher,whenshecouldn’trememberthemall.Shehaddoneherdutyinduecourse,one’sdutybeingtosendtoystoyourgodchildrenatChristmasintheirearlyyears,tovisitthemandtheirparents,ortohavethemvisityouduringthecourseoftheirupbringing,totaketheboysoutfromschoolperhaps,andthegirlsalso.Andthen,whenthecrowningdayscame,eitherthetwenty-firstbirthdayatwhichagodmothermustdotherightthingandletitbeacknowledgedtobedone,anddoithandsomely,orelsemarriagewhichentailedthesametypeofgiftandafinancialorotherblessing.Afterthatgodchildrenratherrecededintothemiddleorfardistance.Theymarriedorwentabroadtoforeigncountries,foreignembassies,ortaughtinforeignschoolsortookupsocialprojects.Anyway,theyfadedlittlebylittleoutofyourlife.Youwerepleasedtoseethemiftheysuddenly,asitwere,floateduponthehorizonagain.Butyouhadtoremembertothinkwhenyouhadseenthemlast,whosedaughterstheywere,whatlinkhadledtoyourbeingchosenasagodmother.
“CeliaRavenscroft,”saidMrs.Oliver,doingherbest.“Yes,yes,ofcourse.Yes,definitely.”
NotthatanypicturerosebeforehereyesofCeliaRavenscroft,not,thatis,sinceaveryearlytime.Thechristening.She’dgonetoCelia’schristeningandhadfoundaveryniceQueenAnnesilverstrainerasachristeningpresent.Verynice.Donicelyforstrainingmilkandwouldalsobethesortofthingagoddaughtercouldalwayssellforanicelittlesumifshewantedreadymoneyatanytime.Yes,sherememberedthestrainerverywellindeed.QueenAnne—Seventeen-elevenithadbeen.Britanniamark.Howmucheasieritwastoremembersilvercoffeepotsorstrainersorchristeningmugsthanitwastheactualchild.
“Yes,”shesaid,“yes,ofcourse.I’mafraidIhaven’tseenCeliaforaverylongtimenow.”
“Ahyes.Sheis,ofcourse,aratherimpulsivegirl,”saidMrs.Burton-Cox.“Imean,she’schangedherideasveryoften.Ofcourse,veryintellectual,didverywellatuniversity,but—herpoliticalnotions—Isupposeallyoungpeoplehavepoliticalnotionsnowadays.”
“I’mafraidIdon’tdealmuchwithpolitics,”saidMrs.Oliver,towhompoliticshadalwaysbeenanathema.
“Yousee,I’mgoingtoconfideinyou.I’mgoingtotellyouexactlywhatitisIwanttoknow.I’msureyouwon’tmind.I’veheardfromsomanypeoplehowkindyouare,howwillingalways.”
Iwonderifshe’sgoingtotryandborrowmoneyfromme,thoughtMrs.Oliver,whohadknownmanyinterviewsthatbeganwiththiskindofapproach.
“Yousee,itisamatterofthegreatestmomenttome.SomethingthatIreallyfeelImustfindout.Celia,yousee,isgoingtomarry—orthinkssheisgoingtomarry—myson,Desmond.”
“Oh,indeed!”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Atleast,thatistheirideaatpresent.Ofcourse,onehastoknowaboutpeople,andthere’ssomethingIwantverymuchtoknow.It’sanextraordinarythingtoaskanyoneandIcouldn’tgo—well,Imean,Icouldn’tverywellgoandaskastranger,butIdon’tfeelyouareastranger,dearMrs.Oliver.”
Mrs.Oliverthought,Iwishyoudid.Shewasgettingnervousnow.ShewonderedifCeliahadhadanillegitimatebabyorwasgoingtohaveanillegitimatebaby,andwhethershe,Mrs.Oliver,wassupposedtoknowaboutitandgivedetails.Thatwouldbeveryawkward.Ontheotherhand,thoughtMrs.Oliver,Ihaven’tseenhernowforfiveorsixyearsandshemustbeabouttwenty-fiveor-six,soitwouldbequiteeasytosayIdon’tknowanything.
Mrs.Burton-Coxleanedforwardandbreathedhard.
“IwantyoutotellmebecauseI’msureyoumustknoworperhapshaveaverygoodideahowitallcameabout.Didhermotherkillherfatherorwasitthefatherwhokilledthemother?”
WhateverMrs.Oliverhadexpected,itwascertainlynotthat.ShestaredatMrs.Burton-Coxunbelievingly.
“ButIdon’t—”Shestopped.“I—Ican’tunderstand.Imean—whatreason—”
“DearMrs.Oliver,youmustknow…Imean,suchafamouscase…Ofcourse,Iknowit’salongtimeagonow,well,Isupposeten—twelveyearsatleast,butitdidcausealotofattentionatthetime.I’msureyou’llremember,youmustremember.”
Mrs.Oliver’sbrainwasworkingdesperately.Celiawashergoddaughter.Thatwasquitetrue.Celia’smother—yes,ofcourse.Celia’smotherhadbeenMollyPreston-Grey,whohadbeenafriendofhers,thoughnotaparticularlyintimateone,andofcourseshehadmarriedamanintheArmy,yes—whatwashisname—SirSomethingRavenscroft.Orwasheanambassador?Extraordinary,onecouldn’trememberthesethings.Shecouldn’tevenrememberwhethersheherselfhadbeenMolly’sbridesmaid.Shethoughtshehad.RatherasmartweddingattheGuardsChapelorsomethinglikethat.Butonedidforgetso.Andafterthatshehadn’tmetthemforyears—they’dbeenoutsomewhere—intheMiddleEast?InPersia?InIraq?OnetimeinEgypt?Malaya?Veryoccasionally,whentheyhadbeenvisitingEngland,shemetthemagain.Butthey’dbeenlikeoneofthosephotographsthatonetakesandlooksat.Oneknowsthepeoplevaguelywhoareinitbutit’ssofadedthatyoureallycan’trecognizethemorrememberwhotheywere.Andshecouldn’tremembernowwhetherSirSomethingRavenscroftandLadyRavenscroft,bornMollyPreston-Grey,hadenteredmuchintoherlife.Shedidn’tthinkso.Butthen…Mrs.Burton-Coxwasstilllookingather.Lookingatherasthoughdisappointedinherlackofsavoir-faire,herinabilitytorememberwhathadevidentlybeenacausecélèbre.
“Killed?Youmean—anaccident?”
“Ohno.Notanaccident.Inoneofthosehousesbythesea.Cornwall,Ithink.Somewherewheretherewererocks.Anyway,theyhadahousedownthere.Andtheywerebothfoundonthecliffthereandthey’dbeenshot,youknow.Buttherewasnothingreallybywhichthepolicecouldtellwhetherthewifeshotthehusbandandthenshotherself,orwhetherthehusbandshotthewifeandthenshothimself.Theywentintotheevidenceofthe—youknow—ofthebulletsandthevariousthings,butitwasverydifficult.Theythoughtitmightbeasuicidepactand—Iforgetwhattheverdictwas.Something—itcouldhavebeenmisadventureorsomethinglikethat.Butofcourseeveryoneknewitmusthavebeenmeant,andtherewerealotofstoriesthatwentabout,ofcourse,atthetime—”
“Probablyallinventedones,”saidMrs.Oliverhopefully,tryingtorememberevenoneofthestoriesifshecould.
“Well,maybe.Maybe.It’sveryhardtosay,Iknow.Thereweretalesofaquarreleitherthatdayorbefore,therewassometalkofanotherman,andthenofcoursetherewastheusualtalkaboutsomeotherwoman.Andoneneverknowswhichwayitwasabout.IthinkthingswerehushedupagooddealbecauseGeneralRavenscroft’spositionwasratherahighone,andIthinkitwassaidthathe’dbeeninanursinghomethatyear,andhe’dbeenveryrundownorsomething,andthathereallydidn’tknowwhathewasdoing.”
“I’mreallyafraid,”saidMrs.Oliver,speakingfirmly,“thatImustsaythatIdon’tknowanythingaboutit.Idoremember,nowyoumentionit,thattherewassuchacase,andIrememberthenamesandthatIknewthepeople,butIneverknewwhathappenedoranythingatallaboutit.AndIreallydon’tthinkIhavetheleastidea….”
Andreally,thoughtMrs.Oliver,wishingshewasbraveenoughtosayit,howonearthyouhavetheimpertinencetoaskmesuchathingIdon’tknow.
“It’sveryimportantthatIshouldknow,”Mrs.Burton-Coxsaid.
Hereyes,whichwereratherlikehardmarbles,startedtosnap.
“It’simportant,yousee,becauseofmyboy,mydearboywantingtomarryCelia.”
“I’mafraidIcan’thelpyou,”saidMrs.Oliver.“I’veneverheardanything.”
“Butyoumustknow,”saidMrs.Burton-Cox.“Imean,youwritethesewonderfulstories,youknowallaboutcrime.Youknowwhocommitscrimesandwhytheydoit,andI’msurethatallsortsofpeoplewilltellyouthestorybehindthestory,asonesomuchthinksofthesethings.”
“Idon’tknowanything,”saidMrs.Oliver,inavoicewhichnolongerheldverymuchpoliteness,anddefinitelynowspokeintonesofdistaste.
“Butyoudoseethatreallyonedoesn’tknowwhotogotoaskaboutit?Imean,onecouldn’tgotothepoliceafteralltheseyears,andIdon’tsupposethey’dtellyouanywaybecauseobviouslytheyweretryingtohushitup.ButIfeelit’simportanttogetthetruth.”
“Ionlywritebooks,”saidMrs.Olivercoldly.“Theyareentirelyfictional.Iknownothingpersonallyaboutcrimeandhavenoopinionsoncriminology.SoI’mafraidIcan’thelpyouinanyway.”
“Butyoucouldaskyourgoddaughter.YoucouldaskCelia.”
“AskCelia!”Mrs.Oliverstaredagain.“Idon’tseehowIcoulddothat.Shewas—why,Ithinkshemusthavebeenquiteachildwhenthistragedyhappened.”
“Oh,Iexpectsheknewallaboutit,though,”saidMrs.Burton-Cox.“Childrenalwaysknoweverything.Andshe’dtellyou.I’msureshe’dtellyou.”
“You’dbetteraskheryourself,Ishouldthink,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Idon’tthinkIcouldreallydothat,”saidMrs.Burton-Cox.“Idon’tthink,youknow,thatDesmondwouldlikeit.Youknowhe’srather—well,he’srathertouchywhereCeliaisconcernedandIreallydon’tthinkthat—no—I’msureshe’dtellyou.”
“Ireallyshouldn’tdreamofaskingher,”saidMrs.Oliver.Shemadeapretenceoflookingatherwatch.“Ohdear,”shesaid,“whatalongtimewe’vebeenoverthisdelightfullunch.Imustrunnow,Ihaveaveryimportantappointment.Goodbye,Mrs.—er—Bedley-Cox,sosorryIcan’thelpyoubutthesethingsareratherdelicateand—doesitreallymakeanydifferenceanyway,fromyourpointofview?”
“Oh,Ithinkitmakesallthedifference.”
Atthatmoment,aliteraryfigurewhomMrs.Oliverknewwelldriftedpast.Mrs.Oliverjumpeduptocatchherbythearm.
“Louise,mydear,howlovelytoseeyou.Ihadn’tnoticedyouwerehere.”
“Oh,Ariadne,it’salongtimesinceI’veseenyou.You’vegrownalotthinner,haven’tyou?”
“Whatnicethingsyoualwayssaytome,”saidMrs.Oliver,engagingherfriendbythearmandretreatingfromthesettee.“I’mrushingawaybecauseI’vegotanappointment.”
“Isupposeyougottiedupwiththatawfulwoman,didn’tyou?”saidherfriend,lookingoverhershoulderatMrs.Burton-Cox.
“Shewasaskingmethemostextraordinaryquestions,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Oh.Didn’tyouknowhowtoanswerthem?”
“No.Theyweren’tanyofmybusinessanyway.Ididn’tknowanythingaboutthem.Anyway,Iwouldn’thavewantedtoanswerthem.”
“Wasitaboutanythinginteresting?”
“Isuppose,”saidMrs.Oliver,lettinganewideacomeintoherhead.“Isupposeitmightbeinteresting,only—”
“She’sgettinguptochaseyou,”saidherfriend.“Comealong.I’llseeyougetoutandgiveyoualifttoanywhereyouwanttogoifyouhaven’tgotyourcarhere.”
“InevertakemycaraboutinLondon,it’ssoawfultopark.”
“Iknowitis.Absolutelydeadly.”
Mrs.Olivermadethepropergoodbyes.Thanks,wordsofgreatlyexpressedpleasure,andpresentlywasbeingdrivenroundaLondonsquare.
“EatonTerrace,isn’tit?”saidthekindlyfriend.
“Yes,”saidMrs.Oliver,“butwhereI’vegottogonowis—Ithinkit’sWhitefriarsMansions.Ican’tquiterememberthenameofit,butIknowwhereitis.”
“Oh,flats.Rathermodernones.Verysquareandgeometrical.”
“That’sright,”saidMrs.Oliver.
Two
FIRSTMENTIONOFELEPHANTS
HavingfailedtofindherfriendHerculePoirotathome,Mrs.Oliverhadtoresorttoatelephoneenquiry.
“Areyoubyanychancegoingtobeathomethisevening?”askedMrs.Oliver.
Shesatbyhertelephone,herfingerstappingrathernervouslyonthetable.
“Wouldthatbe—?”
“AriadneOliver,”saidMrs.Oliver,whowasalwayssurprisedtofindshehadtogivehernamebecauseshealwaysexpectedallherfriendstoknowhervoiceassoonastheyheardit.
“Yes,Ishallbeathomeallthisevening.DoesthatmeanthatImayhavethepleasureofavisitfromyou?”
“It’sveryniceofyoutoputitthatway,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Idon’tknowthatitwillbesuchapleasure.”
“Itisalwaysapleasuretoseeyou,chèreMadame.”
“Idon’tknow,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Imightbegoingto—well,botheryourather.Askthings.Iwanttoknowwhatyouthinkaboutsomething.”
“ThatIamalwaysreadytotellanyone,”saidPoirot.
“Something’scomeup,”saidMrs.Oliver.“SomethingtiresomeandIdon’tknowwhattodoaboutit.”
“Andsoyouwillcomeandseeme.Iamflattered.Highlyflattered.”
“Whattimewouldsuityou?”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Nineo’clock?Wewilldrinkcoffeetogether,perhaps,unlessyoupreferaGrenadineoraSiropdeCassis.Butno,youdonotlikethat.Iremember.”
“George,”saidPoirot,tohisinvaluablemanservant,“wearetoreceivetonightthepleasureofavisitfromMrs.Oliver.Coffee,Ithink,andperhapsaliqueurofsomekind.Iamneversurewhatshelikes.”
“Ihaveseenherdrinkkirsch,sir.”
“Andalso,Ithink,crèmedementhe.Butkirsch,Ithink,iswhatsheprefers.Verywellthen,”saidPoirot.“Sobeit.”
Mrs.Olivercamepunctualtotime.Poirothadbeenwondering,whileeatinghisdinner,whatitwasthatwasdrivingMrs.Olivertovisithim,andwhyshewassodoubtfulaboutwhatshewasdoing.Wasshebringinghimsomedifficultproblem,orwassheacquaintinghimwithacrime?AsPoirotknewwell,itcouldbeanythingwithMrs.Oliver.Themostcommonplacethingsorthemostextraordinarythings.Theywere,asyoumightsay,allaliketoher.Shewasworried,hethought.Ahwell,HerculePoirotthoughttohimself,hecoulddealwithMrs.Oliver.HealwayshadbeenabletodealwithMrs.Oliver.Onoccasionshemaddenedhim.Atthesametimehewasreallyverymuchattachedtoher.Theyhadsharedmanyexperiencesandexperimentstogether.Hehadreadsomethingaboutherinthepaperonlythatmorning—orwasittheeveningpaper?Hemusttryandrememberitbeforeshecame.Hehadjustdonesowhenshewasannounced.
ShecameintotheroomandPoirotdeducedatoncethathisdiagnosisofworrywastrueenough.Herhairdo,whichwasfairlyelaborate,hadbeenruffledbythefactthatshehadbeenrunningherfingersthroughitinthefrenziedandfeverishwaythatshedidsometimes.Hereceivedherwitheverysignofpleasure,establishedherinachair,pouredhersomecoffeeandhandedheraglassofkirsch.
“Ah!”saidMrs.Oliver,withthesighofsomeonewhohasrelief.“Iexpectyou’regoingtothinkI’mawfullysilly,butstill….”
“Isee,orrather,Isawinthepaperthatyouwereattendingaliteraryluncheontoday.Famouswomenwriters.Somethingofthatkind.Ithoughtyouneverdidthatkindofthing.”
“Idon’tusually,”saidMrs.Oliver,“andIshan’teverdoitagain.”
“Ah.Yousufferedmuch?”Poirotwasquitesympathetic.
HeknewMrs.Oliver’sembarrassingmoments.Extravagantpraiseofherbooksalwaysupsetherhighlybecause,asshehadoncetoldhim,sheneverknewtheproperanswers.
“Youdidnotenjoyit?”
“UptoapointIdid,”saidMrs.Oliver,“andthensomethingverytiresomehappened.”
“Ah.Andthatiswhatyouhavecometoseemeabout.”
“Yes,butIreallydon’tknowwhy.Imean,it’snothingtodowithyouandIdon’tthinkit’sthesortofthingyou’devenbeinterestedin.AndI’mnotreallyinterestedinit.Atleast,IsupposeImustbeorIwouldn’thavewantedtocometoyoutoknowwhatyouthought.Toknowwhat—well,whatyou’ddoifyouwereme.”
“Thatisaverydifficultquestion,thatlastone,”saidPoirot.“IknowhowI,HerculePoirot,wouldactinanything,butIdonotknowhowyouwouldact,wellthoughIknowyou.”
“Youmusthavesomeideabythistime,”saidMrs.Oliver.“You’veknownmelongenough.”
“Aboutwhat—twentyyearsnow?”
“Oh,Idon’tknow.Icanneverrememberwhatyearsare,whatdatesare.Youknow,Igetmixedup.Iknow1939becausethat’swhenthewarstartedandIknowotherdatesbecauseofqueerthings,hereandthere.”
“Anyway,youwenttoyourliteraryluncheon.Andyoudidnotenjoyitverymuch.”
“Ienjoyedthelunchbutitwasafterwards….”
“Peoplesaidthingstoyou,”saidPoirot,withthekindlinessofadoctordemandingsymptoms.
“Well,theywerejustgettingreadytosaythingstome.Suddenlyoneofthoselarge,bossywomenwhoalwaysmanagetodominateeveryoneandwhocanmakeyoufeelmoreuncomfortablethananyoneelse,descendedonme.Youknow,likesomebodywhocatchesabutterflyorsomething,onlyshe’dhaveneededabutterflynet.Shesortofroundedmeupandpushedmeontoasetteeandthenshebegantotalktome,startingaboutagoddaughterofmine.”
“Ahyes.Agoddaughteryouarefondof?”
“Ihaven’tseenherforagoodmanyyears,”saidMrs.Oliver,“Ican’tkeepupwithallofthem,Imean.Andthensheaskedmeamostworryingquestion.Shewantedme—ohdear,howverydifficultitisformetotellthis—”
“No,itisn’t,”saidPoirotkindly.“Itisquiteeasy.Everyonetellseverythingtomesoonerorlater.I’monlyaforeigner,yousee,soitdoesnotmatter.ItiseasybecauseIamaforeigner.”
“Well,itisrathereasytosaythingstoyou,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Yousee,sheaskedmeaboutthegirl’sfatherandmother.Sheaskedmewhetherhermotherhadkilledherfatherorherfatherhadkilledhermother.”
“Ibegyourpardon,”saidPoirot.
“Oh,Iknowitsoundsmad.Well,Ithoughtitwasmad.”
“Whetheryourgoddaughter’smotherhadkilledherfather,orwhetherherfatherhadkilledhermother.”
“That’sright,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“But—wasthatamatteroffact?Hadherfatherkilledhermotherorhermotherkilledherfather?”
“Well,theywerebothfoundshot,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Onthetopofacliff.Ican’trememberifitwasinCornwallorinCorsica.Somethinglikethat.”
“Thenitwastrue,then,whatshesaid?”
“Ohyes,thatpartofitwastrue.Ithappenedyearsago.Well,butImean—whycometome?”
“Allbecauseyouwereacrimewriter,”saidPoirot.“Shenodoubtsaidyouknewallaboutcrime.Thiswasarealthingthathappened?”
“Ohyes.Itwasn’tsomethinglikewhatwouldAdo—orwhatwouldbetheproperprocedureifyourmotherhadkilledyourfatheroryourfatherhadkilledyourmother.No,itwassomethingthatreallyhappened.IsupposereallyI’dbettertellyouallaboutit.Imean,Ican’trememberallaboutitbutitwasquitewellknownatthetime.Itwasabout—oh,Ishouldthinkitwasabouttwelveyearsagoatleast.And,asIsay,IcanrememberthenamesofthepeoplebecauseIdidknowthem.ThewifehadbeenatschoolwithmeandI’dknownherquitewell.We’dbeenfriends.Itwasawell-knowncase—youknow,itwasinallthepapersandthingslikethat.SirAlistairRavenscroftandLadyRavenscroft.Averyhappycoupleandhewasacolonelorageneralandshe’dbeenwithhimandthey’dbeenallovertheworld.Thentheyboughtthishousesomewhere—IthinkitwasabroadbutIcan’tremember.Andthenthereweresuddenlyaccountsofthiscaseinthepapers.Whethersomebodyelsehadkilledthemorwhetherthey’dbeenassassinatedorsomething,orwhethertheykilledeachother.Ithinkitwasarevolverthathadbeeninthehouseforagesand—well,I’dbettertellyouasmuchasIcanremember.”
Pullingherselfslightlytogether,Mrs.OlivermanagedtogivePoirotamoreorlessclearrésuméofwhatshehadbeentold.Poirotfromtimetotimecheckedonapointhereorthere.
“Butwhy?”hesaidfinally,“whyshouldthiswomanwanttoknowthis?”
“Well,that’swhatIwanttofindout,”saidMrs.Oliver.“IcouldgetholdofCelia,Ithink.Imean,shestilllivesinLondon.Orperhapsit’sCambridgeshelivesin,orOxford—Ithinkshe’sgotadegreeandeitherlectureshereorteachessomewhere,ordoessomethinglikethat.And—verymodern,youknow.Goesaboutwithlong-hairedpeopleinqueerclothes.Idon’tthinkshetakesdrugs.She’squiteallrightand—justveryoccasionallyIhearfromher.Imean,shesendsacardatChristmasandthingslikethat.Well,onedoesn’tthinkofone’sgodchildrenallthetime,andshe’squitetwenty-fiveor-six.”
“Notmarried?”
“No.Apparentlysheisgoingtomarry—orthatistheidea—Mrs.—What’sthenameofthatwomanagain?—ohyes,Mrs.Brittle—no—Burton-Cox’sson.”
“AndMrs.Burton-Coxdoesnotwanthersontomarrythisgirlbecauseherfatherkilledhermotherorhermotherkilledherfather?”
“Well,Isupposeso,”saidMrs.Oliver.“It’stheonlythingIcanthink.Butwhatdoesitmatterwhich?Ifoneofyourparentskilledtheother,woulditreallymattertothemotheroftheboyyouweregoingtomarry,whichwayrounditwas?”
“Thatisathingonemighthavetothinkabout,”saidPoirot.“Itis—yes,youknowitisquiteinteresting.IdonotmeanitisveryinterestingaboutSirAlistairRavenscroftorLadyRavenscroft.Iseemtoremembervaguely—oh,somecaselikethisone,oritmightnothavebeenthesameone.ButitisverystrangeaboutMrs.Burton-Cox.Perhapssheisabittouchedinthehead.Issheveryfondofherson?”
“Probably,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Probablyshedoesn’twanthimtomarrythisgirlatall.”
“Becauseshemayhaveinheritedapredispositiontomurderthemanshemarries—orsomethingofthatkind?”
“HowdoIknow?”saidMrs.Oliver.“SheseemstothinkthatIcantellher,andshe’sreallynottoldmeenough,hasshe?Butwhy,doyouthink?What’sbehinditall?Whatdoesitmean?”
“Itwouldbealmostinterestingtofindout,”saidPoirot.
“Well,that’swhyI’vecometoyou,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Youlikefindingoutthings.Thingsthatyoucan’tseethereasonforatfirst.Imean,thatnobodycanseethereasonfor.”
“DoyouthinkMrs.Burton-Coxhasanypreference?”saidPoirot.
“Youmeanthatshe’dratherthehusbandkilledthewife,orthewifekilledthehusband?Idon’tthinkso.”
“Well,”saidPoirot,“Iseeyourdilemma.Itisveryintriguing.Youcomehomefromaparty.You’vebeenaskedtodosomethingthatisverydifficult,almostimpossible,and—youwonderwhatistheproperwaytodealwithsuchathing.”
“Well,whatwouldyouthinkistheproperway?”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Itisnoteasyformetosay,”saidPoirot.“I’mnotawoman.Awomanwhomyoudonotreallyknow,whomyouhadmetataparty,hasputthisproblemtoyou,askedyoutodoit,givingnodiscerniblereason.”
“Right,”saidMrs.Oliver.“NowwhatdoesAriadnedo?WhatdoesAdo,inotherwords,ifyouwerereadingthisasaprobleminanewspaper?”
“Well,Isuppose,”saidPoirot,“therearethreethingsthatAcoulddo.AcouldwriteanotetoMrs.Burton-Coxandsay,‘I’mverysorrybutIreallyfeelIcannotobligeyouinthismatter,’orwhateverwordsyouliketoput.B.Yougetintotouchwithyourgoddaughterandyoutellherwhathasbeenaskedofyoubythemotheroftheboy,ortheyoungman,orwhateverheis,whomsheisthinkingofmarrying.Youwillfindoutfromherifsheisreallythinkingofmarryingthisyoungman.Ifso,whethershehasanyideaorwhethertheyoungmanhassaidanythingtoheraboutwhathismotherhasgotinherhead.Andtherewillbeotherinterestingpoints,likefindingoutwhatthisgirlthinksofthemotheroftheyoungmanshewantstomarry.Thethirdthingyoucoulddo,”saidPoirot,“andthisreallyiswhatIfirmlyadviseyoutodo,is…”
“Iknow,”saidMrs.Oliver,“oneword.”
“Nothing,”saidPoirot.
“Exactly,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Iknowthatisthesimpleandproperthingtodo.Nothing.It’sdarnedcheektogoandtellagirlwho’smygoddaughterwhatherfuturemother-in-lawisgoingaboutsaying,andaskingpeople.But—”
“Iknow,”saidPoirot,“itishumancuriosity.”
“Iwanttoknowwhythatodiouswomancameandsaidwhatshedidtome,”saidMrs.Oliver.“OnceIknowthatIcouldrelaxandforgetallaboutit.ButuntilIknowthat….”
“Yes,”saidPoirot,“youwon’tsleep.You’llwakeupinthenightand,ifIknowyou,youwillhavethemostextraordinaryandextravagantideaswhichpresently,probably,youwillbeabletomakeintoamostattractivecrimestory.Awhodunit—athriller.Allsortsofthings.”
“Well,IsupposeIcouldifIthoughtofitthatway,”saidMrs.Oliver.Hereyesflashedslightly.
“Leaveitalone,”saidPoirot.“Itwillbeaverydifficultplottoundertake.Itseemsasthoughtherecouldbenogoodreasonforthis.”
“ButI’dliketomakesurethatthereisnogoodreason.”
“Humancuriosity,”saidPoirot.“Suchaveryinterestingthing.”Hesighed.“Tothinkwhatweowetoitthroughouthistory.Curiosity.Idon’tknowwhoinventedcuriosity.Itissaidtobeusuallyassociatedwiththecat.Curiositykilledthecat.ButIshouldsayreallythattheGreeksweretheinventorsofcuriosity.Theywantedtoknow.Beforethem,asfarasIcansee,nobodywantedtoknowmuch.Theyjustwantedtoknowwhattherulesofthecountrytheywerelivinginwere,andhowtheycouldavoidhavingtheirheadscutofforbeingimpaledonspikesorsomethingdisagreeablehappeningtothem.Buttheyeitherobeyedordisobeyed.Theydidn’twanttoknowwhy.Butsincethenalotofpeoplehavewantedtoknowwhyandallsortsofthingshavehappenedbecauseofthat.Boats,trains,flyingmachinesandatombombsandpenicillinandcuresforvariousillnesses.Alittleboywatcheshismother’skettleraisingitslidbecauseofthesteam.Andthenextthingweknowiswehaverailwaytrains,leadingoninduecoursetorailwaystrikesandallthat.Andsoonandsoon.”
“Justtellme,”saidMrs.Oliver,“doyouthinkI’materriblenoseyparker?”
“No,Idon’t,”saidPoirot.“OnthewholeIdon’tthinkyouareawomanofgreatcuriosity.ButIcanquiteseeyougettinginahet-upstateataliteraryparty,busydefendingyourselfagainsttoomuchkindness,toomuchpraise.Youranyourselfinsteadintoaveryawkwarddilemma,andtookaverystrongdisliketothepersonwhoranyouintoit.”
“Yes.She’saverytiresomewoman,averydisagreeablewoman.”
“Thismurderinthepastofthishusbandandwifewhoweresupposedtogetonwelltogetherandnoapparentsignsofaquarrelwasknown.Oneneverreallyreadaboutanycauseforit,accordingtoyou?”
“Theywereshot.Yes,theywereshot.Itcouldhavebeenasuicidepact.Ithinkthepolicethoughtitwasatfirst.Ofcourse,onecan’tfindoutaboutthingsallthoseyearsafterwards.”
“Ohyes,”saidPoirot,“IthinkIcouldfindoutsomethingaboutit.”
“Youmean—throughtheexcitingfriendsyou’vegot?”
“Well,Iwouldn’tsaytheexcitingfriends,perhaps.Certainlythereareknowledgeablefriends,friendswhocouldgetcertainrecords,lookuptheaccountsthatweregivenofthecrimeatthetime,someaccessIcouldgettocertainrecords.”
“Youcouldfindoutthings,”saidMrs.Oliverhopefully,“andthentellme.”
“Yes,”saidPoirot,“IthinkIcouldhelpyoutoknowatanyratethefullfactsofthecase.It’lltakealittletime,though.”
“Icanseethatifyoudothat,whichiswhatIwantyoutodo,I’vegottodosomethingmyself.I’llhavetoseethegirl.I’vegottoseewhethersheknowsanythingaboutallthis,askherifshe’dlikemetogivehermother-in-law-to-bearaspberryorwhetherthereisanyotherwayinwhichIcanhelpher.AndI’dliketoseetheboyshe’sgoingtomarry,too.”
“Quiteright,”saidPoirot.“Excellent.”
“AndIsuppose,”saidMrs.Oliver,“theremightbepeople—”Shebrokeoff,frowning.
“Idon’tsupposepeoplewillbeverymuchgood,”saidHerculePoirot.“Thisisanaffairofthepast.Acausecélèbreperhapsatthetime.Butwhatisacausecélèbrewhenyoucometothinkofit?Unlessitcomestoanastonishingdénouement,whichthisonedidn’t.Nobodyremembersit.”
“No,”saidMrs.Oliver,“thatisquitetrue.Therewasalotaboutitinthepapersandmentionsofitforsometime,andthenitjust—fadedout.Well,likethingsdonow.Likethatgirl,theotherday.Youknow,wholeftherhomeandtheycouldn’tfindheranywhere.Well,Imean,thatwasfiveorsixyearsagoandthensuddenlyalittleboy,playingaboutinasandheaporagravelpitorsomething,suddenlycameacrossherdeadbody.Fiveorsixyearslater.”
“Thatistrue,”saidPoirot.“Anditistruethatknowingfromthatbodyhowlongitissincedeathandwhathappenedontheparticulardayandgoingbackovervariouseventsofwhichthereisawrittenrecord,onemayintheendturnupamurderer.Butitwillbemoredifficultinyourproblemsinceitseemstheanswermustbeoneoftwothings:thatthehusbanddislikedhiswifeandwantedtogetridofher,orthatthewifehatedherhusbandorelsehadalover.Therefore,itmighthavebeenapassionatecrimeorsomethingquitedifferent.Anyway,therewouldbenothing,asitwere,tofindoutaboutit.Ifthepolicecouldnotfindoutatthetime,thenthemotivemusthavebeenadifficultone,noteasytosee.Thereforeithasremainedaninedays’wonder,thatisall.”
“IsupposeIcangotothedaughter.Perhapsthatiswhatthatodiouswomanwasgettingmetodo—wantedmetodo.Shethoughtthedaughterknew—well,thedaughtermighthaveknown,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Childrendo,youknow.Theyknowthemostextraordinarythings.”
“Haveyouanyideahowoldthisgoddaughterofyourswouldhavebeenatthetime?”
“Well,IhaveifIreckonitup,butIcan’tsayoffhand.Ithinkshemighthavebeennineorten,butperhapsolder,Idon’tknow.Ithinkthatshewasawayatschoolatthetime.Butthatmaybejustmyfancy,rememberingbackwhatIread.”
“ButyouthinkMrs.Burton-Cox’swishwastomakeyougetinformationfromthedaughter?Perhapsthedaughterknowssomething,perhapsshesaidsomethingtotheson,andthesonsaidsomethingtohismother.IexpectMrs.Burton-Coxtriedtoquestionthegirlherselfandgotrebuffed,butthoughtthefamousMrs.Oliver,beingbothagodmotherandalsofullofcriminalknowledge,mightobtaininformation.Thoughwhyitshouldmattertoher,Istilldon’tsee,”saidPoirot.“Anditdoesnotseemtomethatwhatyoucallvaguely‘people’canhelpafterallthistime.”Headded,“Wouldanybodyremember?”
“Well,that’swhereIthinktheymight,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Yousurpriseme,”saidPoirot,lookingatherwithasomewhatpuzzledface.“Dopeopleremember?”
“Well,”saidMrs.Oliver,“Iwasreallythinkingofelephants.”
“Elephants?”
Ashehadthoughtoftenbefore,PoirotthoughtthatreallyMrs.Oliverwasthemostunaccountablewoman.Whysuddenlyelephants?
“Iwasthinkingofelephantsatthelunchyesterday,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Whywereyouthinkingofelephants?”saidPoirot,withsomecuriosity.
“Well,Iwasreallythinkingofteeth.Youknow,thingsonetriestoeat,andifyou’vegotsomesortoffalseteeth—well,youcan’tdoitverywell.Youknow,you’vegottoknowwhatyoucaneatandwhatyoucan’t.”
“Ah!”saidPoirot,withadeepsigh.“Yes,yes.Thedentists,theycandomuchforyou,butnoteverything.”
“Quiteso.AndthenIthoughtof—youknow—ourteethbeingonlyboneandsonotawfullygood,andhowniceitwouldbetobeadog,whohasrealivoryteeth.AndthenIthoughtofanyoneelsewhohasivoryteeth,andIthoughtaboutwalrusesand—oh,otherthingslikethat.AndIthoughtaboutelephants.Ofcoursewhenyouthinkofivoryyoudothinkofelephants,don’tyou?Greatbigelephanttusks.”
“Thatisverytrue,”saidPoirot,stillnotseeingthepointofwhatMrs.Oliverwassaying.
“SoIthoughtthatwhatwe’vereallygottodoistogetatthepeoplewhoarelikeelephants.Becauseelephants,sotheysay,don’tforget.”
“Ihaveheardthephrase,yes,”saidPoirot.
“Elephantsdon’tforget,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Youknow,astorychildrengetbroughtupon?Howsomeone,anIndiantailor,stuckaneedleorsomethinginanelephant’stusk.No.Notatusk,histrunk,ofcourse,anelephant’strunk.Andthenexttimetheelephantcamepasthehadagreatmouthfulofwaterandhesplasheditoutalloverthetailorthoughhehadn’tseenhimforseveralyears.Hehadn’tforgotten.Heremembered.That’sthepoint,yousee.Elephantsremember.WhatI’vegottodois—I’vegottogetintouchwithsomeelephants.”
“IdonotknowyetifIquiteseewhatyoumean,”saidHerculePoirot.“Whoareyouclassifyingaselephants?YousoundasthoughyouweregoingforinformationtotheZoo.”
“Well,it’snotexactlylikethat,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Notelephants,aselephants,butthewaypeopleuptoapointwouldresembleelephants.Therearesomepeoplewhodoremember.Infact,onedoesrememberqueerthings,ImeantherearealotofthingsthatIrememberverywell.Theyhappened—IrememberabirthdaypartyIhadwhenIwasfive,andapinkcake—alovelypinkcake.Ithadasugarbirdonit.AndIrememberthedaymycanaryflewawayandIcried.AndIrememberanotherdaywhenIwentintoafieldandtherewasabullthereandsomebodysaiditwouldgoreme,andIwasterrifiedandwantedparticularly.OnewhereIwasabridesmaid.IttookplaceintheNewForest,Iremember,andIcan’trememberwhowasthereactually.Ithinkitwasacousinofminegettingmarried.Ididn’tknowherverywellbutshewantedagoodmanybridesmaidsand,well,Icameinhandy,Isuppose.ButIknowanotherwedding.ThatwasafriendofmineintheNavy.Hewasnearlydrownedinasubmarine,andthenhewassaved,andthenthegirlhewasengagedto,herpeopledidn’twanthertomarryhimbutthenhedidmarryherafterthatandIwasoneofherbridesmaidsatthemarriage.Well,Imean,there’salwaysthingsyoudoremember.”
“Iseeyourpoint,”saidPoirot.“Ifinditinteresting.Soyouwillgoàlarecherchedeséléphants?”
“That’sright.I’dhavetogetthedateright.”
“There,”saidPoirot,“IhopeImaybeabletohelpyou.”
“AndthenI’llthinkofpeopleIknewaboutatthattime,peoplethatImayhaveknownwhoalsoknewthesamefriendsthatIdid,whoprobablyknewGeneralWhat-not.Peoplewhomayhaveknownthemabroad,butwhomIalsoknewalthoughImayn’thaveseenthemforagoodmanyyears.Youcanlookuppeople,youknow,thatyouhaven’tseenforalongtime.Becausepeoplearealwaysquitepleasedtoseesomeonecomingupoutofthepast,eveniftheycan’trememberverymuchaboutyou.Andthenyounaturallywilltalkaboutthethingsthatwerehappeningatthatdate,thatyourememberabout.”
“Veryinteresting,”saidPoirot.“Ithinkyouareverywellequippedforwhatyouproposetodo.PeoplewhoknewtheRavenscroftseitherwellornotverywell;peoplewholivedinthesamepartoftheworldwherethethingshappenedorwhomighthavebeenstayingthere.Moredifficult,butIthinkonecouldgetatit.Andso,somehoworotheronewouldtrydifferentthings.Startalittletalkgoingaboutwhathappened,whattheythinkhappened,whatanyoneelsehasevertoldyouaboutwhatmighthavehappened.Aboutanyloveaffairsthehusbandorwifehad,aboutanymoneythatsomebodymighthaveinherited.Ithinkyoucouldscratchupalotofthings.”
“Ohdear,”saidMrs.Oliver.“I’mafraidreallyI’mjustanoseyparker.”
“You’vebeengivenanassignment,”saidPoirot,“notbysomeoneyoulike,notbysomeoneyouwishtooblige,butsomeoneyouentirelydislike.Thatdoesnotmatter.Youarestillonaquest,aquestofknowledge.Youtakeyourownpath.Itisthepathoftheelephants.Theelephantsmayremember.Bonvoyage,”saidPoirot.
“Ibegyourpardon,”saidMrs.Oliver
“I’msendingyouforthonyourvoyageofdiscovery,”saidPoirot.“àlarecherchedeséléphants.”
“IexpectI’mmad,”saidMrs.Oliversadly.ShebrushedherhandsthroughherhairagainsothatshelookedliketheoldpicturebooksofStruwelpeter.“Iwasjustthinkingofstartingastoryaboutagoldenretriever.Butitwasn’tgoingwell.Icouldn’tgetstarted,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
“Allright,abandonthegoldenretriever.Concernyourselfonlywithelephants.”
BOOKONE
ELEPHANTS
Three
GREATAUNTALICE’SGUIDETOKNOWLEDGE
“Canyoufindmyaddressbookforme,MissLivingstone?”
“It’sonyourdesk,Mrs.Oliver.Intheleft-handcorner.”
“Idon’tmeanthatone,”saidMrs.Oliver.“That’stheoneI’musingnow.Imeanmylastone.TheoneIhadlastyear,orperhapstheonebeforethatagain.”
“Hasitbeenthrownaway,perhaps?”suggestedMissLivingstone.
“No,Idon’tthrowawayaddressbooksandthingslikethatbecausesooftenyouwantone.Imeansomeaddressthatyouhaven’tcopiedintothenewone.Iexpectitmaybeinoneofthedrawersofthetallboys.”
MissLivingstonewasafairlynewarrival,replacingMissSedgwick.AriadneOlivermissedMissSedgwick.Sedgwickknewsomanythings.SheknewtheplaceswhereMrs.Oliversometimesputthings,thekindofplacesMrs.Oliverkeptthingsin.SherememberedthenamesofpeopleMrs.Oliverhadwrittennicelettersto,andthenamesofpeoplethatMrs.Oliver,goadedbeyondendurance,hadwrittenratherrudethingsto.Shewasinvaluable,orrather,hadbeeninvaluable.“Shewaslike—whatwasthebookcalled?”Mrs.Oliversaid,castinghermindback.“Ohyes,Iknow—abigbrownbook.AllVictorianshadit.EnquireWithinUponEverything.Andyoucouldtoo!Howtotakeironmarkstainsofflinen,howtodealwithcurdledmayonnaise,howtostartachattylettertoabishop.Many,manythings.ItwasallthereinEnquireWithinUponEverything.”GreatAuntAlice’sgreatstandby.
MissSedgwickhadbeenjustasgoodasAuntAlice’sbook.MissLivingstonewasnotatallthesamething.MissLivingstonestoodtherealways,verylong-facedwithasallowskin,lookingpurposefullyefficient.Everylineofherfacesaid“Iamveryefficient.”Butshewasn’treally,Mrs.Oliverthought.SheonlyknewalltheplaceswhereformerliteraryemployersofhershadkeptthingsandwheresheclearlyconsideredMrs.Oliveroughttokeepthem.
“WhatIwant,”saidMrs.Oliver,withfirmnessandthedeterminationofaspoiltchild,“ismy1970addressbook.AndIthink1969aswell.Pleaselookforitasquickasyoucan,willyou?”
“Ofcourse,ofcourse,”saidMissLivingstone.
Shelookedroundherwiththerathervacantexpressionofsomeonewhoislookingforsomethingshehasneverheardofbeforebutwhichefficiencymaybeabletoproducebysomeunexpectedturnofluck.
IfIdon’tgetSedgwickback,Ishallgomad,thoughtMrs.Olivertoherself.Ican’tdealwiththisthingifIdon’thaveSedgwick.
MissLivingstonestartedpullingopenvariousdrawersinthefurnitureinMrs.Oliver’sso-calledstudyandwritingroom.
“Hereislastyear’s,”saidMissLivingstonehappily.“Thatwillbemuchmoreup-to-date,won’tit?1971.”
“Idon’twant1971,”saidMrs.Oliver.
Vaguethoughtsandmemoriescametoher
“Lookinthatteacaddytable,”shesaid.
MissLivingstonelookedround,lookingworried.
“Thattable,”saidMrs.Oliver,pointing.
“Adeskbookwouldn’tbelikelytobeinateacaddy,”saidMissLivingstone,pointingouttoheremployerthegeneralfactsoflife.
“Yes,itcould,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Iseemtoremember.”
EdgingMissLivingstoneaside,shewenttotheteacaddytable,raisedthelid,lookedattheattractiveinlaidworkinside.“Anditishere,”saidMrs.Oliver,raisingthelidofapapier-machéroundcanister,devisedtocontainLapsangSouchongasopposedtoIndiantea,andtakingoutacurledupsmallbrownnotebook.
“Hereitis,”shesaid.
“That’sonly1968,Mrs.Oliver.Fouryearsago.”
“That’saboutright,”saidMrs.Oliver,seizingitandtakingitbacktothedesk.“That’sallforthepresent,MissLivingstone,butyoumightseeifyoucanfindmybirthdaybooksomewhere.”
“Ididn’tknow….”
“Idon’tuseitnow,”saidMrs.Oliver,“butIusedtohaveoneonce.Quiteabigone,youknow.StartedwhenIwasachild.Goesonforyears.Iexpectit’llbeintheatticupstairs.Youknow,theoneweuseasaspareroomsometimeswhenit’sonlyboyscomingforholidays,orpeoplewhodon’tmind.Thesortofchestorbureauthingnexttothebed.”
“Oh.ShallIlookandsee?”
“That’stheidea,”saidMrs.Oliver.
ShecheeredupalittleasMissLivingstonewentoutoftheroom.Mrs.Olivershutthedoorfirmlybehindher,wentbacktothedeskandstartedlookingdowntheaddresseswritteninfadedinkandsmellingoftea.
“Ravenscroft.CeliaRavenscroft.Yes.14FishacreMews,S.W.3.That’stheChelseaaddress.Shewaslivingtherethen.Buttherewasanotheroneafterthat.SomewherelikeStrand-on-the-GreennearKewBridge.”
Sheturnedafewmorepages.
“Ohyes,thisseemstobealaterone.MardykeGrove.That’soffFulhamRoad,Ithink.Somewherelikethat.Hasshegotatelephonenumber?It’sveryrubbedout,butIthink—yes,Ithinkthat’sright—Flaxman…Anyway,I’lltryit.”
Shewentacrosstothetelephone.ThedooropenedandMissLivingstonelookedin.
“Doyouthinkthatperhaps—”
“IfoundtheaddressIwant,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Goonlookingforthatbirthdaybook.It’simportant.”
“DoyouthinkyoucouldhaveleftitwhenyouwereinSealyHouse?”
“No,Idon’t,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Goonlooking.”
Shemurmured,asthedoorclosed,“Beaslongasyoulikeaboutit.”
Shedialledthetelephoneandwaited,openingthedoortocallupthestairs:“YoumighttrythatSpanishchest.Youknow,theonethat’sboundwithbrass.I’veforgottenwhereitisnow.Underthetableinthehall,Ithink.”
Mrs.Oliver’sfirstdiallingwasnotsuccessful.SheappearedtohaveconnectedherselftoaMrs.SmithPotter,whoseemedbothannoyedandunhelpfulandhadnoideawhatthepresenttelephonenumbermightbeofanyonewhohadlivedinthatparticularflatbefore.
Mrs.Oliverappliedherselftoanexaminationoftheaddressbookoncemore.Shediscoveredtwomoreaddresseswhichwerehastilyscrawledoverothernumbersanddidnotseemwildlyhelpful.However,atthethirdattemptasomewhatillegibleRavenscroftseemedtoemergefromthecrossingsoutandinitialsandaddresses.
AvoiceadmittedtoknowingCelia.
“Ohdear,yes.Butshehasn’tlivedhereforyears.IthinkshewasinNewcastlewhenIlastheardfromher.”
“Ohdear,”saidMrs.Oliver,“I’mafraidIhaven’tgotthataddress.”
“No,Ihaven’tgotiteither,”saidthekindlygirl.“Ithinkshewenttobesecretarytoaveterinarysurgeon.”
Itdidnotsoundveryhopeful.Mrs.Olivertriedonceortwicemore.Theaddressesinthelatestofhertwoaddressbookswerenouse,soshewentbackabitfurther.Shestruckoil,asyoumightputit,whenshecametothelastone,whichwasfortheyear1967.
“Oh,youmeanCelia,”saidavoice.“CeliaRavenscroft,wasn’tit?OrwasitFinchwell?”
Mrs.Oliverjustpreventedherselfintimefromsaying,“No,anditwasn’tredbreasteither.”
“Averycompetentgirl,”saidthevoice.“Sheworkedformeforoverayearandahalf.Ohyes,verycompetent.Iwouldhavebeenquitehappyifshehadstayedlonger.IthinkshewentfromheretosomewhereinHarleyStreet,butIthinkI’vegotheraddresssomewhere.Nowletmesee.”TherewasalongpausewhileMrs.X—nameunknown—wasseeing.“I’vegotoneaddresshere.ItseemstobeinIslingtonsomewhere.Doyouthinkthat’spossible?”
Mrs.OliversaidthatanythingwaspossibleandthankedMrs.Xverymuchandwroteitdown.
“Sodifficult,isn’tit,tryingtofindpeople’saddresses.Theydosendthemtoyouusually.Youknow,asortofpostcardorsomethingofthatkind.PersonallyIalwaysseemtoloseit.”
Mrs.Oliversaidthatsheherselfalsosufferedinthisrespect.ShetriedtheIslingtonnumber.Aheavy,foreignvoicerepliedtoher.
“Youwant,yes—youtellmewhat?Yes,wholivehere?”
“MissCeliaRavenscroft?”
“Ohyes,thatisverytrue.Yes,yessheliveshere.Shehasaroomonthesecondfloor.Sheisoutnowandshenotcomehome.”
“Willshebeinlaterthisevening?”
“Oh,shebehomeverysoonnow,Ithink,becauseshecomehometodressforpartyandgoout.”
Mrs.Oliverthankedherfortheinformationandrangoff.
“Really,”saidMrs.Olivertoherself,withsomeannoyance,“girls!”
Shetriedtothinkhowlongitwassinceshehadlastseenhergoddaughter,Celia.Onelosttouch.Thatwasthewholepoint.Celia,shethought,wasinLondonnow.IfherboyfriendwasinLondon,orifthemotherofherboyfriendwasinLondon—allofitwenttogether.Ohdear,thoughtMrs.Oliver,thisreallymakesmyheadache.“Yes,MissLivingstone?”sheturnedherhead.
MissLivingstone,lookingratherunlikeherselfanddecoratedwithagoodmanycobwebsandageneralcoatingofdust,stoodlookingannoyedinthedoorwayholdingapileofdustyvolumes.
“Idon’tknowwhetheranyofthesethingswillbeanyusetoyou,Mrs.Oliver.Theyseemtogobackforagreatmanyyears.”Shewasdisapproving.
“Boundto,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Idon’tknowifthere’sanythingparticularyouwantmetosearchfor.”
“Idon’tthinkso,”saidMrs.Oliver,“ifyou’lljustputthemonthecornerofthesofathereIcanlookatthemthisevening.”
MissLivingstone,lookingmoredisapprovingeverymoment,said,“Verygood,Mrs.Oliver.IthinkIwilljustdustthemfirst.”
“Thatwillbeverykindofyou,”saidMrs.Oliver,juststoppingherselfintimefromsaying—“andforgoodness’sakedustyourselfaswell.You’vegotsixcobwebsinyourleftear.”
SheglancedatherwatchandrangtheIslingtonnumberagain.ThevoicethatansweredthistimewaspurelyAnglo-SaxonandhadacrispsharpnessaboutitthatMrs.Oliverfeltwasrathersatisfactory.
“MissRavenscroft?—CeliaRavenscroft?”
“Yes,thisisCeliaRavenscroft.”
“Well,Idon’texpectyou’llremembermeverywell.I’mMrs.Oliver.AriadneOliver.Wehaven’tseeneachotherforalongtime,butactuallyI’myourgodmother.”
“Ohyes,ofcourse.Iknowthat.No,wehaven’tseeneachotherforalongtime.”
“IwonderverymuchifIcouldseeyou,ifyoucouldcomeandseeme,orwhateveryoulike.Wouldyouliketocometoamealor…”
“Well,it’sratherdifficultatpresent,whereI’mworking.Icouldcomeroundthisevening,ifyoulike.Abouthalfpastsevenoreight.I’vegotadatelaterbut….”
“IfyoudothatIshallbevery,verypleased,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Well,ofcourseIwill.”
“I’llgiveyoutheaddress.”Mrs.Olivergaveit.
“Good.I’llbethere.Yes,Iknowwherethatis,quitewell.”
Mrs.Olivermadeabriefnoteonthetelephonepad,andlookedwithsomeannoyanceatMissLivingstone,whohadjustcomeintotheroomstrugglingundertheweightofalargealbum.
“Iwonderedifthiscouldpossiblybeit,Mrs.Oliver?”
“No,itcouldn’t,”saidMrs.Oliver.“That’sgotcookeryrecipesinit.”
“Ohdear,”saidMissLivingstone,“soithas.”
“Well,Imightaswelllookatsomeofthemanyway,”saidMrs.Oliver,removingthevolumefirmly.“Goandhaveanotherlook.Youknow,I’vethoughtaboutthelinencupboard.Nextdoortothebathroom.You’dhavetolookonthetopshelfabovethebathtowels.Idosometimesstickpapersandbooksinthere.Waitaminute.I’llcomeupandlookmyself.”
TenminuteslaterMrs.Oliverwaslookingthroughthepagesofafadedalbum.MissLivingstone,havingenteredherfinalstageofmartyrdom,wasstandingbythedoor.Unabletobearthesightofsomuchsuffering,Mrs.Oliversaid,
“Well,that’sallright.Youmightjusttakealookinthedeskinthediningroom.Theolddesk.Youknow,theonethat’sbrokenabit.Seeifyoucanfindsomemoreaddressbooks.Earlyones.Anythinguptoabouttenyearsoldwillbeworthwhilehavingalookat.Andafterthat,”saidMrs.Oliver,“Idon’tthinkIshallwantanythingmoretoday.”
MissLivingstonedeparted.
“Iwonder,”saidMrs.Olivertoherself,releasingadeepsighasshesatdown.Shelookedthroughthepagesofthebirthdaybook.“Who’sbetterpleased?ShetogoorItoseehergo?AfterCeliahascomeandgone,Ishallhavetohaveabusyevening.”
Takinganewexercisebookfromthepileshekeptonasmalltablebyherdesk,sheenteredvariousdates,possibleaddressesandnames,lookeduponeortwomorethingsinthetelephonebookandthenproceededtoringupMonsieurHerculePoirot.
“Ah,isthatyou,MonsieurPoirot?”
“Yes,madame,itisImyself.”
“Haveyoudoneanything?”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Ibegyourpardon—haveIdonewhat?”
“Anything,”saidMrs.Oliver.“WhatIaskedyouaboutyesterday.”
“Yes,certainly.Ihaveputthingsinmotion.Ihavearrangedtomakecertainenquiries.”
“Butyouhaven’tmadethemyet,”saidMrs.Oliver,whohadapoorviewofwhatthemaleviewwasofdoingsomething.
“Andyou,chèremadame?”
“Ihavebeenverybusy,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Ah!Andwhathaveyoubeendoing,madame?”
“Assemblingelephants,”saidMrs.Oliver,“ifthatmeansanythingtoyou.”
“IthinkIcanunderstandwhatyoumean,yes.”
“It’snotveryeasy,lookingintothepast,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Itisastonishing,really,howmanypeopleonedoesrememberwhenonecomestolookupnames.Myword,thesillythingstheywriteinbirthdaybookssometimes,too.Ican’tthinkwhywhenIwasaboutsixteenorseventeenoreventhirty,Iwantedpeopletowriteinmybirthdaybook.There’sasortofquotationfromapoetforeveryparticulardayintheyear.Someofthemareterriblysilly.”
“Youareencouragedinyoursearch?”
“Notquiteencouraged,”saidMrs.Oliver.“ButIstillthinkI’montherightlines.I’verungupmygoddaughter—”
“Ah.Andyouaregoingtoseeher?”
“Yes,sheiscomingtoseeme.Tonightbetweensevenandeight,ifshedoesn’trunoutonme.Oneneverknows.Youngpeopleareveryunreliable.”
“Sheappearedpleasedthatyouhadrungherup?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidMrs.Oliver,“notparticularlypleased.She’sgotaveryincisivevoiceand—Iremembernow,thelasttimeIsawher,thatmustbeaboutsixyearsago,Ithoughtthenthatshewasratherfrightening.”
“Frightening?Inwhatway?”
“WhatImeanisthatshewasmorelikelytobullymethanIwouldbetobullyher.”
“Thatmaybeagoodthingandnotabadthing.”
“Oh,doyouthinkso?”
“Ifpeoplehavemadeuptheirmindsthattheydonotwishtolikeyou,thattheyarequitesuretheydonotlikeyou,theywillgetmorepleasureoutofmakingyouawareofthefactandinthatwaywillreleasemoreinformationtoyouthantheywouldhavedoneiftheyweretryingtobeamiableandagreeable.”
“Suckinguptome,youmean?Yes,youhavesomethingthere.Youmeanthentheytellyouthingsthattheythoughtwouldpleaseyou.Andtheotherwaythey’dbeannoyedwithyouandthey’dsaythingsthatthey’dhopewouldannoyyou.IwonderifCelia’slikethat?Ireallyrememberhermuchbetterwhenshewasfiveyearsoldthanatanyotherage.Shehadanurserygovernessandsheusedtothrowherbootsather.”
“Thegovernessatthechild,orthechildatthegoverness?”
“Thechildatthegoverness,ofcourse!”saidMrs.Oliver.
Shereplacedthereceiverandwentovertothesofatoexaminethevariouspiled-upmemoriesofthepast.Shemurmurednamesunderherbreath.
“MarianaJosephinePontarlier—ofcourse,yes,Ihaven’tthoughtofherforyears—Ithoughtshewasdead.AnnaBraceby—yes,yes,shelivedinthatpartoftheworld—Iwondernow—”
Continuingallthis,timepassed—shewasquitesurprisedwhenthebellrang.Shewentoutherselftoopenthedoor.
Four
CELIA
Atallgirlwasstandingonthematoutside.JustforamomentMrs.Oliverwasstartledlookingather.SothiswasCelia.Theimpressionofvitalityandoflifewasreallyverystrong.Mrs.Oliverhadthefeelingwhichonedoesnotoftenget.
Here,shethought,wassomeonewhomeantsomething.Aggressive,perhaps,couldbedifficult,couldbealmostdangerousperhaps.Oneofthosegirlswhohadamissioninlife,whowasdedicatedtoviolence,perhaps,whowentinforcauses.Butinteresting.Definitelyinteresting.
“Comein,Celia,”shesaid.“It’ssuchalongtimesinceIsawyou.Thelasttime,asfarasIremember,wasatawedding.Youwereabridesmaid.Youworeapricotchiffon,Iremember,andlargebunchesof—Ican’trememberwhatitwas,somethingthatlookedlikeGoldenRod.”
“ProbablywasGoldenRod,”saidCeliaRavenscroft.“Wesneezedalot—withhayfever.Itwasaterriblewedding.Iknow.MarthaLeghorn,wasn’tit?Ugliestbridesmaids’dressesI’veeverseen.CertainlytheugliestI’veeverworn!”
“Yes.Theyweren’tverybecomingtoanybody.Youlookedbetterthanmost,ifImaysayso.”
“Well,it’sniceofyoutosaythat,”saidCelia.“Ididn’tfeelmybest.”
Mrs.Oliverindicatedachairandmanipulatedacoupleofdecanters.
“Likesherryorsomethingelse?”
“No.I’dlikesherry.”
“Thereyouare,then.Isupposeitseemsratheroddtoyou,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Myringingyouupsuddenlylikethis.”
“Ohno,Idon’tknowthatitdoesparticularly.”
“I’mnotaveryconscientiousgodmother,I’mafraid.”
“Whyshouldyoube,atmyage?”
“You’rerightthere,”saidMrs.Oliver.“One’sduties,onefeels,endatacertaintime.NotthatIeverreallyfulfilledmine.Idon’tremembercomingtoyourConfirmation.”
“Ibelievethedutyofagodmotheristomakeyoulearnyourcatechismandafewthingslikethat,isn’tit?Renouncethedevilandallhisworksinmyname,”saidCelia.Afaint,humoroussmilecametoherlips.
Shewasbeingveryamiablebutallthesame,thoughtMrs.Oliver,she’sratheradangerousgirlinsomeways.
“Well,I’lltellyouwhyI’vebeentryingtogetholdofyou,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Thewholethingisratherpeculiar.Idon’toftengoouttoliteraryparties,butasithappenedIdidgoouttoonethedaybeforeyesterday.”
“Yes,Iknow,”saidCelia.“Isawmentionofitinthepaper,andyouhadyournameinit,too,Mrs.AriadneOliver,andIratherwonderedbecauseIknowyoudon’tusuallygotothatsortofthing.”
“No,”saidMrs.Oliver.“IratherwishIhadn’tgonetothatone.”
“Didn’tyouenjoyit?”
“Yes,IdidinawaybecauseIhadn’tbeentoonebefore.Andso—well,thefirsttimethere’salwayssomethingthatamusesyou.But,”sheadded,“there’susuallysomethingthatannoysyouaswell.”
“Andsomethinghappenedtoannoyyou?”
“Yes.Andit’sconnectedinanoddsortofwaywithyou.AndIthought—well,IthoughtIoughttotellyouaboutitbecauseIdidn’tlikewhathappened.Ididn’tlikeitatall.”
“Soundsintriguing,”saidCelia,andsippedhersherry.
“Therewasawomantherewhocameandspoketome.Ididn’tknowherandshedidn’tknowme.”
“Still,Isupposethatoftenhappenstoyou,”saidCelia.
“Yes,invariably,”saidMrs.Oliver.“It’soneofthe—hazardsofliterarylife.Peoplecomeuptoyouandsay‘IdoloveyourbookssomuchandI’msopleasedtobeabletomeetyou.’Thatsortofthing.”
“Iwassecretarytoawriteronce.Idoknowaboutthatsortofthingandhowdifficultitis.”
“Yes,well,therewassomeofthattoo,butthatIwaspreparedfor.Andthenthiswomancameuptomeandshesaid‘IbelieveyouhaveagoddaughtercalledCeliaRavenscroft.’”
“Well,thatwasabitodd,”saidCelia.“Justcominguptoyouandsayingthat.Itseemstomesheoughttohaveledintoitmoregradually.Youknow,talkingaboutyourbooksfirstandhowmuchshe’denjoyedthelastone,orsomethinglikethat.Andthenslidingintome.Whathadshegotagainstme?”
“AsfarasIknowshehadn’tgotanythingagainstyou,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Wassheafriendofmine?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidMrs.Oliver.
Therewasasilence.CeliasippedsomemoresherryandlookedverysearchinglyatMrs.Oliver.
“Youknow,”shesaid,“you’reratherintriguingme.Ican’tseequitewhatyou’releadinginto.”
“Well,”saidMrs.Oliver,“Ihopeyouwon’tbeangrywithme.”
“WhyshouldIbeangrywithyou?”
“Well,becauseI’mgoingtotellyousomething,orrepeatsomething,andyoumightsayit’snobusinessofmineorIoughttokeepquietaboutitandnotmentionit.”
“You’vearousedmycuriosity,”saidCelia.
“Hernameshementionedtome.ShewasaMrs.Burton-Cox.”
“Oh!”Celia’s“Oh”wasratherdistinctive.“Oh.”
“Youknowher?”
“Yes,Iknowher,”saidCelia.
“Well,Ithoughtyoumustbecause—”
“Becauseofwhat?”
“Becauseofsomethingshesaid.”
“What—aboutme?Thatsheknewme?”
“Shesaidthatshethoughthersonmightbegoingtomarryyou.”
Celia’sexpressionchanged.Hereyebrowswentup,camedownagain.ShelookedveryhardatMrs.Oliver.
“Youwanttoknowifthat’ssoornot?”
“No,”saidMrs.Oliver,“Idon’tparticularlywanttoknow.Imerelymentionthatbecauseit’soneofthefirstthingsshesaidtome.Shesaidbecauseyouweremygoddaughter,Imightbeabletoaskyoutogivemesomeinformation.IpresumethatshemeantthatiftheinformationwasgiventomeIwastopassitontoher.”
“Whatinformation?”
“Well,Idon’tsupposeyou’lllikewhatI’mgoingtosaynow,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Ididn’tlikeitmyself.Infact,itgivesmeaverynastyfeelingalldownmyspinebecauseIthinkitwas—well,suchawfulcheek.Awfulbadmanners.Absolutelyunpardonable.Shesaid,‘Canyoufindoutifherfathermurderedhermotherorifhermothermurderedherfather.’”
“Shesaidthattoyou?Askedyoutodothat?”
“Yes.”
“Andshedidn’tknowyou?Imean,apartfrombeinganauthoressandbeingattheparty?”
“Shedidn’tknowmeatall.She’dnevermetme,I’dnevermether.”
“Didn’tyoufindthatextraordinary?”
“Idon’tknowthatI’dfindanythingextraordinarythatthatwomansaid.Shestruckme,”saidMrs.Oliver,“ifImaysayso,asaparticularlyodiouswoman.”
“Ohyes.Sheisaparticularlyodiouswoman.”
“Andareyougoingtomarryherson?”
“Well,we’veconsideredthequestion.Idon’tknow.Youknewwhatshewastalkingabout?”
“Well,IknowwhatIsupposeanyonewouldknowwhowasacquaintedwithyourfamily.”
“Thatmyfatherandmother,afterhehadretiredfromtheArmy,boughtahouseinthecountry,thattheywentoutonedayforawalktogether,awalkalongthecliffpath.Thattheywerefoundthere,bothofthemshot.Therewasarevolverlyingthere.Itbelongedtomyfather.Hehadtworevolversinthehouse,itseems.Therewasnothingtosaywhetheritwasasuicidepactorwhethermyfatherkilledmymotherandthenshothimself,ormymothershotmyfatherandthenkilledherself.Butperhapsyouknowallthisalready.”
“Iknowitafterafashion,”saidMrs.Oliver.“IthappenedIthinkabouttwelveyearsago.”
“Aboutthat,yes.”
“Andyouwereabouttwelveorfourteenatthetime.”
“Yes….”
“Idon’tknowmuchaboutit,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Iwasn’teveninEnglandmyself.Atthetime—IwasonalecturetourinAmerica.Isimplyreaditinthepaper.Itwasgivenalotofspaceinthepressbecauseitwasdifficulttoknowtherealfacts—theredidnotseemtobeanymotive.Yourfatherandmotherhadalwaysbeenhappytogetherandlivedongoodterms.Irememberthatbeingmentioned.IwasinterestedbecauseIhadknownyourfatherandmotherwhenwewereallmuchyounger,especiallyyourmother.Iwasatschoolwithher.Afterthatourwaysledapart.Imarriedandwentsomewhereandshemarriedandwentout,asfarasIremember,toMalayaorsomeplacelikethat,withhersoldierhusband.Butshedidaskmetobegodmothertooneofherchildren.You.Sinceyourmotherandfatherwerelivingabroad,Isawverylittleofthemformanyyears.Isawyouoccasion-ally.”
“Yes.Youusedtotakemeoutfromschool.Irememberthat.Gavemesomespeciallygoodfeeds,too.Lovelyfoodyougaveme.”
“Youwereanunusualchild.Youlikedcaviar.”
“Istilldo,”saidCelia,“thoughIdon’tgetitofferedtomeveryoften.”
“Iwasshockedtoreadthismentionofthingsinthepaper.Verylittlewassaid.Igathereditwasakindofopenverdict.Noparticularmotive.Nothingtoshow.Noaccountsofaquarrel,therewasnosuggestionoftherehavingbeenanattackfromoutside.Iwasshockedbyit,”saidMrs.Oliver,“andthenIforgotit.Iwonderedonceortwicewhatcouldhaveledtoit,butasIwasnotinthecountry—Iwasdoingatouratthetime,inAmericaasI’vesaid—thewholethingpassedoutofmymind.ItwassomeyearslaterwhenInextsawyouandnaturallyIdidnotspeakofittoyou.”
“No,”saidCelia,“Iappreciatethat.”
“Allthroughlife,”Mrs.Oliversaid,“onecomesacrossverycuriousthingsthathappentofriendsortoacquaintances.Withfriends,ofcourse,veryoftenyouhavesomeideaofwhatledto—whatevertheincidentmightbe.Butifit’salongtimesinceyou’veheardthemdiscussedortalkedtothem,youarequiteinthedarkandthereisnobodythatyoucanshowtoomuchcuriositytoabouttheoccasion.”
“Youwerealwaysverynicetome,”saidCelia.“Yousentmenicepresents,aparticularlynicepresentwhenIwastwenty-one,Iremember.”
“That’sthetimewhengirlsneedsomeextracashinhand,”saidMrs.Oliver,“becausetherearesomanythingstheywanttodoandhavejustthen.”
“Yes,Ialwaysthoughtyouwereanunderstandingpersonandnot—well,youknowwhatsomepeoplearelike.Alwaysquestioning,andaskingthingsandwantingtoknowallaboutyou.Youneveraskedquestions.Youusedtotakemeouttoshows,orgivemenicemeals,andtalktomeasthough,well,asthougheverythingwasallrightandyouwerejusta
“Yes.Everyonecomesupagainstthatsoonerorlater,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Butyouseenowwhatupsetmeatthisparticularparty.ItseemsanextraordinarythingtobeaskedtodobyacompletestrangerlikeMrs.Burton-Cox.Icouldn’timaginewhysheshouldwanttoknow.Itwasnobusinessofhers,surely.Unless—”
“Youthoughtitwas,unlessitwassomethingtodowithmymarryingDesmond.Desmondisherson.”
“Yes,Isupposeitcouldhavebeen,butIcouldn’tseehow,orwhatbusinessitwasofhers.”
“Everything’sherbusiness.She’snosey—infactshe’swhatyousaidshewas,anodiouswoman.”
“ButIgatherDesmondisn’todious.”
“No.No,I’mveryfondofDesmondandDesmondisfondofme.Idon’tlikehismother.”
“Doeshelikehismother?”
“Idon’treallyknow,”saidCelia.“Isupposehemightlikeher—anything’spossible,isn’tit?Anyway,Idon’twanttogetmarriedatpresent,Idon’tfeellikeit.Andtherearealotof—oh,well,difficulties,youknow,therearealotofforsandagainsts.Itmusthavemadeyoufeelrathercurious,”saidCelia.“Imean,whyMrs.NoseyCoxshouldhaveaskedyoutotryandwormthingsoutofmeandthenrunalongandspillitalltoher—Areyouaskingmethatparticularquestionbytheway?”
“Youmean,amIaskingyouwhetheryouthinkorknowthatyourmotherkilledyourfatheroryourfatherkilledyourmother,orwhetheritwasadoublesuicide.Isthatwhatyoumean?”
“Well,Isupposeitis,inaway.ButIthinkIhavetoaskyoualso,ifyouwerewantingtoaskmethat,whetheryouweredoingsowiththeideaofgivingMrs.Burton-Coxtheinformationyouobtained,incaseyoudidreceiveanyinformationfromme.”
“No,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Quitedecidedlyno.Ishouldn’tdreamoftellingtheodiouswomananythingofthesort.Ishalltellherquitefirmlythatitisnotanybusinessofhersorofmine,andthatIhavenointentionofobtaininginformationfromyouandretailingittoher.”
“Well,that’swhatIthought,”saidCelia.“IthoughtIcouldtrustyoutothatextent.Idon’tmindtellingyouwhatIdoknow.Suchasitis.”
“Youneedn’t.I’mnotaskingyouforit.”
“No.Icanquiteseethat.ButI’llgiveyoutheanswerallthesame.Theansweris—nothing.”
“Nothing,”saidMrs.Oliverthoughtfully.
“No.Iwasn’tthereatthetime.Imean,Iwasn’tinthehouseatthetime.Ican’tremembernowquitewhereIwas.IthinkIwasatschoolinSwitzerland,orelseIwasstayingwithaschoolfriendduringtheschoolholidays.Yousee,it’sallrathermixedupinmymindbynow.”
“Isuppose,”saidMrs.Oliverdoubtfully,“itwouldn’tbelikelythatyouwouldknow.Consideringyourageatthetime.”
“I’dbeinterested,”saidCelia,“toknowjustwhatyoufeelaboutthat.Doyouthinkitwouldbelikelyformetoknowallaboutit?Ornottoknow?”
“Well,yousaidyouweren’tinthehouse.Ifyou’dbeeninthehouseatthetime,thenyes,Ithinkitwouldbequitelikelythatyoumightknowsomething.Childrendo.Teenagersdo.Peopleofthatageknowalot,theyseealot,theydon’ttalkaboutitveryoften.Buttheydoknowthingsthattheoutsideworldwouldn’tknow,andtheydoknowthingsthattheywouldn’tbewilling,shallwesay,totelltopoliceenquirers.”
“No.You’rebeingquitesensible.Iwouldn’t’veknown.Idon’tthinkIdidknow.Idon’tthinkIhadanyidea.Whatdidthepolicethink?Youdon’tmindmyaskingyouthat,Ihope,becauseIshouldbeinterested.Yousee,Ineverreadanyaccountoftheinquestoranythinglikethatortheenquiryintoit.”
“Ithinktheythoughtitwasadoublesuicide,butIdon’tthinktheyeverhadanyinklingastothereasonforit.”
“DoyouwanttoknowwhatIthink?”
“Notifyoudon’twantmetoknow,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“ButIexpectyouareinterested.Afterall,youwritecrimestoriesaboutpeoplewhokillthemselvesorkilleachother,orwhohavereasonsforthings.Ishouldthinkyouwouldbeinterested.”
“Yes,I’lladmitthat,”saidMrs.Oliver.“ButthelastthingIwanttodoistooffendyoubyseekingforinformationwhichisnobusinessofminetoknow.”
“Well,Iwondered,”saidCelia.“I’veoftenwonderedfromtimetotimewhy,andhow,butIknewverylittleaboutthings.Imean,abouthowthingsweregoingonathome.TheholidaysbeforethatIhadbeenawayonexchangeontheContinent,soIhadn’tseenmymotherandfatherreallyveryrecently.Imean,they’dcomeouttoSwitzerlandandtakenmeoutfromschoolonceortwice,butthatwasall.Theyseemedmuchasusual,buttheyseemedolder.Myfather,Ithink,wasailing.Imean,gettingfeebler.Idon’tknowifitwasheartorwhatitwas.Onedoesn’treallythinkaboutthat.Mymother,too,shewasgoingrathernervy.Nothypochondriacbutalittleinclinedtofussoverherhealth.Theywereongoodterms,quitefriendly.Therewasn’tanythingthatInoticed.Onlysometimesonewould,well,sometimesonegetsideas.Onedoesn’tthinkthey’retrueornecessarilyrightatall,butonejustwondersif—”
“Idon’tthinkwe’dbettertalkaboutitanymore,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Wedon’tneedtoknoworfindout.Thewholething’soveranddonewith.Theverdictwasquitesatisfactory.Nomeanstoshow,ormotive,oranythinglikethat.Buttherewasnoquestionofyourfatherhavingdeliberatelykilledyourmother,orofyourmotherhavingdeliberatelykilledyourfather.”
“IfIthoughtwhichwasmostlikely,”saidCelia,“Iwouldthinkmyfatherkilledmymother.Because,yousee,it’smorenaturalforamantoshootanyone,Ithink.Toshootawomanforwhateverreasonitwas.Idon’tthinkawoman,orawomanlikemymother,wouldbesolikelytoshootmyfather.Ifshewantedhimdead,Ishouldthinkshemighthavechosensomeothermethod.ButIdon’tthinkeitherofthemwantedtheotheronedead.”
“Soitcouldhavebeenanoutsider.”
“Yes,butwhatdoesonemeanbyanoutsider?”saidCelia.
“Whoelsewastherelivinginthehouse?”
“Ahousekeeper,elderly,ratherblindandratherdeaf,aforeigngirl,anaupairgirl,she’dbeenmygovernessonce—shewasawfullynice—shecamebacktolookaftermymotherwhohadbeeninhospital—AndtherewasanauntwhomIneverlovedmuch.Idon’tthinkanyofthemcouldhavebeenlikelytohaveanygrudgeagainstmyparents.Therewasnobodywhoprofitedbytheirdeaths,except,Isuppose,myselfandmybrotherEdward,whowasfouryearsyoungerthanIwas.Weinheritedwhatmoneytherewasbutitwasn’tverymuch.Myfatherhadhispension,ofcourse.Mymotherhadasmallincomeofherown.No.Therewasnothingthereofanyimportance.”
“I’msorry,”saidMrs.Oliver.“I’msorryifI’vedistressedyoubyaskingallthis.”
“Youhaven’tdistressedme.You’vebroughtitupinmymindalittleandithasinterestedme.Because,yousee,IamofanagenowthatIwishIdidknow.Iknewandwasfondofthem,asoneisfondofparents.Notpassionately,justnormally,butIrealizeIdon’tknowwhattheywerereallylike.Whattheirlifewaslike.Whatmatteredtothem.Idon’tknowanythingaboutitatall.IwishIdidknow.It’slikeaburr,somethingstickingintoyou,andyoucan’tleaveitalone.Yes.Iwouldliketoknow.Becausethen,yousee,Ishouldn’thavetothinkaboutitanymore.”
“Soyoudo?Thinkaboutit?”
Celialookedatherforamoment.Sheseemedtobetryingtocometoadecision.
“Yes,”shesaid,“Ithinkaboutitnearlyallthetime.I’mgettingtohaveathingaboutit,ifyouknowwhatImean.AndDesmondfeelsthesame.”
Five
OLDSINSHAVELONGSHADOWS
HerculePoirotlettherevolvingdoorwindhimround.Arrestingtheswingofitwithonehand,hesteppedforwardintothesmallrestaurant.Therewerenotmanypeoplethere.Itwasanunfashionabletimeofday,buthiseyessoonsawthemanhehadcometomeet.Thesquare,solidbulkofSuperintendentSpencerosefromthetableinonecorner.
“Good,”hesaid.“Youhavearrivedhere.Youhadnodifficultyinfindingit?”
“Noneatall.Yourinstructionsweremostadequate.”
“Letmeintroduceyounow.ThisisChiefSuperintendentGarroway.MonsieurHerculePoirot.”
Garrowaywasatall,thinmanwithalean,asceticface,greyhairwhichleftasmallroundspotlikeatonsure,sothathehadafaintresemblancetoanecclesiastic.
“Thisiswonderful,”saidPoirot.
“Iamretirednow,ofcourse,”saidGarroway,“butoneremembers.Yes,certainthingsoneremembers,althoughtheyarepastandgone,andthegeneralpublicprobablyremembersnothingaboutthem.Butyes.”
HerculePoirotverynearlysaid“Elephantsdoremember,”butcheckedhimselfintime.ThatphrasewassoassociatedinhismindnowwithMrs.AriadneOliverthathefounditdifficulttorestrainitfromhistongueinmanyclearlyunsuitablecategories.
“Ihopeyouhavenotbeengettingimpatient,”saidSuperintendentSpence.
Hepulledforwardachair,andthethreemensatdown.Amenuwasbrought.SuperintendentSpence,whowasclearlyaddictedtothisparticularrestaurant,offeredtentativewordsofadvice.GarrowayandPoirotmadetheirchoice.Then,leaningbackalittleintheirchairsandsippingglassesofsherry,theycontemplatedeachotherforsomeminutesinsilencebeforespeaking.
“Imustapologizetoyou,”saidPoirot,“Ireallymustapologizetoyouforcomingtoyouwithmydemandsaboutanaffairwhichisoveranddonewith.”
“Whatinterestsme,”saidSpence,“iswhathasinterestedyou.Ithoughtfirstthatitwasunlikeyoutohavethiswishtodelveinthepast.Itisconnectedwithsomethingthathasoccurrednowadays,orisitsuddencuriosityaboutaratherinexplicable,perhaps,case?Doyouagreewiththat?”
Helookedacrossthetable.
“InspectorGarroway,”hesaid,“ashewasatthattime,wastheofficerinchargeoftheinvestigationsintotheRavenscroftshooting.HewasanoldfriendofmineandsoIhadnodifficultyingettingintouchwithhim.”
“Andhewaskindenoughtocomeheretoday,”saidPoirot,“simplybecauseImustadmittoacuriositywhichIamsureIhavenorighttofeelaboutanaffairthatispastanddonewith.”
“Well,Iwouldn’tsaythat,”saidGarroway.“Weallhaveinterestsincertaincasesthatarepast.DidLizzieBordenreallykillherfatherandmotherwithanaxe?Therearepeoplewhostilldonotthinkso.WhokilledCharlesBravoandwhy?Thereareseveraldifferentideas,mostlynotverywellfounded.Butstillpeopletrytofindalternativeexplanations.”
Hiskeen,shrewdeyeslookedacrossatPoirot.
“AndMonsieurPoirot,ifIamnotmistaken,hasoccasionallyshownaleaningtowardslookingintocases,goingback,shallwesay,formurder,backintothepast,twice,perhapsthreetimes.”
“Threetimes,certainly,”saidSuperintendentSpence.
“Once,IthinkIamright,byrequestofaCanadiangirl.”
“Thatisso,”saidPoirot.“ACanadiangirl,veryvehement,verypassionate,veryforceful,whohadcomeheretoinvestigateamurderforwhichhermotherhadbeencondemnedtodeath,althoughshediedbeforesentencewascarriedout.Herdaughterwasconvincedthathermotherhadbeeninnocent.”
“Andyouagreed?”saidGarroway.
“Ididnotagree,”saidPoirot,“whenshefirsttoldmeofthematter.Butshewasveryvehementandverysure.”
“Itwasnaturalforadaughtertowishhermothertohavebeeninnocentandtotryandproveagainstallappearancesthatshewasinnocent,”saidSpence.
“Itwasjustalittlemorethanthat,”saidPoirot.“Sheconvincedmeofthetypeofwomanhermotherwas.”
“Awomanincapableofmurder?”
“No,”saidPoirot,“itwouldbeverydifficult,andIamsurebothofyouagreewithme,tothinkthereisanyonequiteincapableofmurderifoneknowswhatkindofpersontheyare,whatleduptoit.Butinthatparticularcase,themotherneverprotestedherinnocence.Sheappearedtobequitecontenttobesentenced.Thatwascurioustobeginwith.Wassheadefeatist?Itdidnotseemso.WhenIbegantoenquire,itbecameclearthatshewasnotadefeatist.Shewas,onewouldsay,almosttheoppositeofit.”
Garrowaylookedinterested.Heleanedacrossthetable,twistingabitofbreadofftherollonhisplate.
“Andwassheinnocent?”
“Yes,”saidPoirot.“Shewasinnocent.”
“Andthatsurprisedyou?”
“NotbythetimeIrealizedit,”saidPoirot.“Therewereoneortwothings—onethinginparticular—thatshowedshecouldnothavebeenguilty.Onefactthatnobodyhadappreciatedatthetime.Knowingthatonehadonlytolookatwhattherewas,shallwesay,onthemenuinthewayoflookingelsewhere.”1
Grilledtroutwasputinfrontofthematthispoint.
“Therewasanothercase,too,whereyoulookedintothepast,notquiteinthesameway,”continuedSpence.“Agirlwhosaidatapartythatshehadonceseenamurdercommitted.”2
“Thereagainonehadto—howshallIputit?—stepbackwardsinsteadofforward,”saidPoirot.“Yes,thatisverytrue.”
“Andhadthegirlseenthemurdercommitted?”
“No,”saidPoirot,“becauseitwasthewronggirl.Thistroutisdelicious,”headded,withappreciation.
“Theydoallfishdishesverywellhere,”saidSuperintendentSpence.
Hehelpedhimselffromthesauceboatprofferedtohim.
“Amostdelicioussauce,”headded.
Silentappreciationoffoodfilledthenextthreeminutes.
“WhenSpencecamealongtome,”saidSuperintendentGarroway,“askingifIrememberedanythingabouttheRavenscroftcase,Iwasintriguedanddelightedatonce.”
“Youhaven’tforgottenallaboutit?”
“NottheRavenscroftcase.Itwasn’taneasycasetoforgetabout.”
“Youagree,”saidPoirot,“thattherewerediscrepanciesaboutit?Lackofproof,alternativesolutions?”
“No,”saidGarroway,“nothingofthatkind.Alltheevidencerecordedthevisiblefacts.Deathsofwhichtherewereseveralformerexamples,yes,allplainsailing.Andyet—”
“Well?”saidPoirot.
“Andyetitwasallwrong,”saidGarroway.
“Ah,”saidSpence.Helookedinterested.
“That’swhatyoufeltonce,isn’tit?”saidPoirot,turningtohim.
“InthecaseofMrs.McGinty.Yes.”3
“Youweren’tsatisfied,”saidPoirot,“whenthatextremelydifficultyoungmanwasarrested.Hehadeveryreasonfordoingit,helookedasthoughhehaddoneit,everyonethoughthehaddoneit.Butyouknewhehadn’tdoneit.YouweresosureofitthatyoucametomeandtoldmetogoalongtoseewhatIcouldfindout.”
“Seeifyoucouldhelp—andyoudidhelp,didn’tyou?”saidSpence.
Poirotsighed.
“Fortunately,yes.Butwhatatiresomeyoungmanhewas.Ifeverayoungmandeservedtobehanged,notbecausehehaddoneamurderbutbecausehewouldn’thelpanyonetoprovethathehadn’t.NowwehavetheRavenscroftcase.Yousay,SuperintendentGarroway,somethingwaswrong?”
“Yes,IfeltquitesureofitifyouunderstandwhatImean.”
“Idounderstand,”saidPoirot.“AndsodoesSpence.Onedoescomeacrossthesethingssometimes.Theproofsarethere,themotive,theopportunity,theclues,themise-en-scène,it’sallthere.Acompleteblueprint,asyoumightsay.Butallthesame,thosewhoseprofessionitis,know.Theyknowthatit’sallwrong,justlikeacriticintheartisticworldknowswhenapictureisallwrong.Knowswhenit’safakeandnottherealthing.”
“Therewasn’tanythingIcoulddoaboutit,either,”saidSuperintendentGarroway.“Ilookedintoit,aroundit,upaboveitanddownbelowit,asyoumightsay.Italkedtothepeople.Therewasnothingthere.Itlookedlikeasuicidepact,ithadallthemarksofthesuicidepact.Alternatively,ofcourse,itcouldbeahusbandwhoshotawifeandthenhimself,orawifewhoshotherhusbandandthenherself.Allthosethreethingshappen.Whenonecomesacrossthem,oneknowstheyhavehappened.Butinmostcasesonehassomeideaofwhy.”
“Therewasn’tanyrealideaofwhyinthiscase,wasthatit?”saidPoirot.
“Yes.That’sit.Yousee,themomentyoubegintoenquireintoacase,toenquireaboutpeopleandthings,yougetaverygoodpictureasaruleofwhattheirliveshavebeenlike.Thiswasacouple,ageing,thehusbandwithagoodrecord,awifeaffectionate,pleasant,ongoodtermstogether.That’sathingonesoonfindsoutabout.Theywerehappylivingtogether.Theywentforwalks,theyplayedpicquet,andpokerpatiencewitheachotherintheevenings,theyhadchildrenwhocausedthemnoparticularanxiety.AboyinschoolinEnglandandagirlinapensionnatinSwitzerland.Therewasnothingwrongwiththeirlivesasfarasonecouldtell.Fromsuchmedicalevidenceasonecouldobtain,therewasnothingdefinitelywrongwiththeirhealth.Thehusbandhadsufferedfromhighbloodpressureatonetime,butwasingoodconditionbythetakingofsuitablemedicamentswhichkepthimonanevenkeel.Hiswifewasslightlydeafandhadhadalittleminorhearttrouble,nothingtobeworriedabout.Ofcourseitcouldbe,asdoeshappensometimes,thatoneorotherofthemhadfearsfortheirhealth.Therearealotofpeoplewhoareingoodhealthbutarequiteconvincedtheyhavecancer,arequitesurethattheywon’tliveanotheryear.Sometimesthatleadstotheirtakingtheirownlife.TheRavenscroftsdidn’tseemthatkindofperson.Theyseemedwell-balancedandplacid.”
“Sowhatdidyoureallythink?”saidPoirot.
“ThetroubleisthatIcouldn’tthink.Lookingback,Isaidtomyselfitwassuicide.Itcouldonlyhavebeensuicide.Forsomereasonorothertheydecidedthatlifewasunbearabletothem.Notthroughfinancialtrouble,notthroughhealthdifficulties,notbecauseofunhappiness.Andthere,yousee,Icametoafullstop.Ithadallthemarksof
Garrowaybrokeoffanotherpieceofbreadandchewedatit.
“Yougotsomeidea,MonsieurPoirot?Hassomebodycometoyouandtoldyousomethingthathasawakenedyourinterestparticularly?Doyouknowsomethingthatmightexplainthe‘Why?’”
“No.Allthesame,”saidPoirot,“youmusthavehadatheory.Comenow,youhadatheory?”
“You’requiteright,ofcourse.Onedoeshavetheories.Oneexpectsthemall,oroneofthematleast,toworkout,buttheydon’tusually.Ithinkthatmytheorywasintheendthatyoucouldn’tlookforthecause,becauseonedidn’tknowenough.WhatdidIknowaboutthem?GeneralRavenscroftwascloseonsixty,hiswifewasthirty-five.AllIknewofthem,strictlyspeaking,wasthelastfiveorsixyearsoftheirlives.TheGeneralhadretiredonapension.TheyhadcomebacktoEnglandfromabroadandalltheevidencethatcametome,alltheknowledge,wasofabriefperiodduringwhichtheyhadfirstahouseatBournemouthandthenmovedtowheretheylivedinthehomewherethetragedytookplace.Theyhadlivedtherepeacefully,happily,theirchildrencamehomethereforschoolholidays.Itwasapeacefulperiod,Ishouldsay,attheendofwhatonepresumedwasapeacefullife.IknewoftheirlifeafterretirementinEngland,oftheirfamily.Therewasnofinancialmotive,nomotiveofhatred,nomotiveofsexualinvolvement,ofintrusiveloveaffairs.No.Buttherewasaperiodbeforethat.WhatdidIknowaboutthat?WhatIknewwasalifespentmostlyabroadwithoccasionalvisitshome,agoodrecordfortheman,pleasantremembrancesofherfromfriendsofthewife’s.Therewasnooutstandingtragedy,dispute,nothingthatoneknewof.ButthenImightn’thaveknown.Onedoesn’tknow.Therewasaperiodof,say,twenty–thirtyyears,yearsfromchildhoodtothetimetheymarried,thetimetheylivedabroadinMalayaandotherplaces.Perhapstherootofthetragedywasthere.Thereisaproverbmygrandmotherusedtorepeat:Oldsinshavelongshadows.Wasthecauseofdeathsomelongshadow,ashadowfromthepast?That’snotaneasythingtofindoutabout.Youfindoutaboutaman’srecord,whatfriendsoracquaintancessay,butyoudon’tknowanyinnerdetails.Well,Ithinklittlebylittlethetheorygrewupinmymindthatthatwouldhavebeentheplacetolook,ifIcouldhavelooked.Somethingthathadhappenedthen,inanothercountry,perhaps.Somethingthathadbeenthoughttobeforgotten,tohavepassedoutofexistence,butwhichstillperhapsexisted.Agrudgefromthepast,somehappeningthatnobodyknewabout,thathadhappenedelsewhere,notintheirlifeinEngland,butwhichmayhavebeenthere.Ifonehadknownwheretolookforit.”
“Notthesortofthing,youmean,”saidPoirot,“thatanybodywouldremember.Imean,remembernowadays.SomethingthatnofriendsoftheirsinEngland,perhaps,wouldhaveknownabout.”
“TheirfriendsinEnglandseemtohavebeenmostlymadesinceretirement,thoughIsupposeoldfriendsdidcomeandvisitthemorseethemoccasionally.Butonedoesn’thearaboutthingsthathappenedinthepast.Peopleforget.”
“Yes,”saidPoirot,thoughtfully.“Peopleforget.”
“They’renotlikeelephants,”saidSuperintendentGarroway,givingafaintsmile.“Elephants,theyalwayssay,remembereverything.”
“Itisoddthatyoushouldsaythat,”saidPoirot.
“ThatIshouldsaythataboutlongsins?”
“Notsomuchthat.Itwasyourmentionofelephantsthatinterestedme.”
SuperintendentGarrowaylookedatPoirotwithsomesurprise.Heseemedtobewaitingformore.Spencealsocastaquickglanceathisoldfriend.
“SomethingthathappenedoutEast,perhaps,”hesuggested.“Imean—well,that’swhereelephantscomefrom,isn’tit?OrfromAfrica.Anyway,who’sbeentalkingtoyouaboutelephants?”headded.
“Afriendofminehappenedtomentionthem,”saidPoirot.“Someoneyouknow,”hesaidtoSuperintendentSpence.“Mrs.Oliver.”
“Oh,Mrs.AriadneOliver.Well!”Hepaused.
“Wellwhat?”saidPoirot.
“Well,doessheknowsomething,then?”heasked.
“Idonotthinksoasyet,”saidPoirot,“butshemightknowsomethingbeforeverylong.”Headdedthoughtfully,“She’sthatkindofperson.Shegetsaround,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
“Yes,’saidSpence.“Yes.Hasshegotanyideas?”heasked.
“DoyoumeanMrs.AriadneOliver,thewriter?”askedGarrowaywithsomeinterest.
“That’stheone,”saidSpence.
“Doessheknowagooddealaboutcrime?Iknowshewritescrimestories.I’veneverknownwhereshegotherideasfromorherfacts.”
“Herideas,”saidPoirot,“comeoutofherhead.Herfacts—well,that’smoredifficult.”Hepausedforamoment
“Whatareyouthinkingof,Poirot,somethinginparticular?”
“Yes,”saidPoirot.“Iruinedoneofherstoriesonce,orsoshetellsme.Shehadjusthadaverygoodideaaboutafact,somethingthathadtodowithalong-sleevedwoollenvest.Iaskedhersomethingoverthetelephoneanditputtheideaforthestoryoutofherhead.Shereproachesmeatintervals.”
“Dear,dear,”saidSpence.“Soundsratherlikethatparsleythatsankintothebutteronahotday.Youknow.SherlockHolmesandthedogwhodidnothinginthenighttime.”
“Didtheyhaveadog?”askedPoirot.
“Ibegyourpardon?”
“Isaiddidtheyhaveadog?GeneralandLadyRavenscroft.Didtheytakeadogforthatwalkwiththemonthedaytheywereshot?TheRavenscrofts.”
“Theyhadadog—yes,”saidGarroway.“Isuppose,Isupposetheydidtakehimforawalkmostdays.”
“IfithadbeenoneofMrs.Oliver’sstories,”saidSpence,“yououghttohavefoundthedoghowlingoverthetwodeadbodies.Butthatdidn’thappen.”
Garrowayshookhishead.
“Iwonderwherethedogisnow?”saidPoirot.
“Buriedinsomebody’sgarden,Iexpect,”saidGarroway.“It’sfourteenyearsago.”
“Sowecan’tgoandaskthedog,canwe?”saidPoirot.Headdedthoughtfully,“Apity.It’sastonishing,youknow,whatdogscanknow.Whowasthereexactlyinthehouse?Imeanonthedaywhenthecrimehappened?”
“Ibroughtyoualist,”saidSuperintendentGarroway,“incaseyouliketoconsultit.Mrs.Whittaker,theelderlycook-housekeeper.Itwasherdayoutsowecouldn’tgetmuchfromherthatwashelpful.AvisitorwasstayingtherewhohadbeengovernesstotheRavenscroftchildrenonce,Ibelieve.Mrs.Whittakerwasratherdeafandslightlyblind.Shecouldn’ttellusanythingofinterest,exceptthatrecentlyLadyRavenscrofthadbeeninhospitalorinanursinghome—fornervesbutnotillness,apparently.Therewasagardener,too.”
“Butastrangermighthavecomefromoutside.Astrangerfromthepast.That’syouridea,SuperintendentGarroway?”
“Notsomuchanideaasjustatheory.”
Poirotwassilent,hewasthinkingofatimewhenhehadaskedtogobackintothepast,hadstudiedfivepeopleoutofthepastwhohadremindedhimofthenurseryrhyme“Fivelittlepigs.”Interestingithadbeen,andintheendrewarding,becausehehadfoundoutthetruth.
Six
ANOLDFRIENDREMEMBERS
WhenMrs.Oliverreturnedtothehousethefollowingmorning,shefoundMissLivingstonewaitingforher.
“Therehavebeentwotelephonecalls,Mrs.Oliver.”
“Yes?”saidMrs.Oliver.
“ThefirstonewasfromCrichtonandSmith.Theywantedtoknowwhetheryouhadchosenthelimegreenbrocadeorthepaleblueone.”
“Ihaven’tmadeupmymindyet,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Justremindmetomorrowmorning,willyou?I’dliketoseeitbynightlight.”
“Andtheotherwasfromaforeigner,aMr.HerculePoirot,Ibelieve.”
“Oh,yes,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Whatdidhewant?”
“Heaskedifyouwouldbeabletocallandseehimthisafternoon.”
“Thatwillbequiteimpossible,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Ringhimup,willyou?I’vegottogooutagainatonce,asamatteroffact.Didheleaveatelephonenumber?”
“Yes,hedid.”
“That’sallright,then.Wewon’thavetolookitupagain.Allright.Justringhim.TellhimI’msorrythatIcan’tbutthatI’moutonthetrackofanelephant.”
“Ibegyourpardon?”saidMissLivingstone.
“SaythatI’monthetrackofanelephant.”
“Ohyes,”saidMissLivingstone,lookingshrewdlyatheremployertoseeifshewasrightinthefeelingsthatshesometimeshadthatMrs.AriadneOliver,thoughasuccessfulnovelist,wasatthesametimenotquiterightinthehead.
“I’veneverhuntedelephantsbefore,”saidMrs.Oliver.“It’squiteaninterestingthingtodo,though.”
Shewentintothesittingroom,openedthetopvolumeoftheassortedbooksonthesofa,mostofthemlookingrathertheworseforwear,sinceshehadtoiledthroughthemtheeveningbeforeandwrittenoutapaperwithvariousaddresses.
“Well,onehasgottomakeastartsomewhere,”shesaid.“OnthewholeIthinkthatifJuliahasn’tgonecompletelyoffherrockerbynow,Imightstartwithher.Shealwayshadideasandafterall,sheknewthatpartofthecountrybecauseshelivednearthere.Yes,Ithinkwe’llstartwithJulia.”
“Therearefourlettershereforyoutosign,”saidMissLivingstone.
“Ican’tbebotherednow,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Ireallycan’tspareamoment.I’vegottogodowntoHamptonCourt,andit’squitealongride.”
TheHonourableJuliaCarstairs,strugglingwithsomeslightdifficultyoutofherarmchair,thedifficultythatthoseovertheageofseventyhavewhenrisingtotheirfeetafterprolongedrest,evenapossiblenap,steppedforward,peeringalittletoseewhoitwaswhohadjustbeenannouncedbythefaithfulretainerwhosharedtheapartmentwhichsheoccupiedinherstatusofamemberof“HomesforthePrivileged.”Beingslightlydeaf,thenamehadnotcomeclearlytoher.Mrs.Gulliver.Wasthatit?Butshedidn’trememberaMrs.Gulliver.Sheadvancedonslightlyshakyknees,stillpeeringforward.
“Idon’texpectyou’llrememberme,it’ssomanyyearssincewemet.”
Likemanyelderlypeople,Mrs.Carstairscouldremembervoicesbetterthanshedidfaces.
“Why,”sheexclaimed,“it’s—dearme,it’sAriadne!Mydear,howverynicetoseeyou.”
Greetingspassed.
“Ijusthappenedtobeinthispartoftheworld,”explainedMrs.Oliver.“Ihadtocomedowntoseesomeonenotfarfromhere.AndthenIrememberedthatlookinginmyaddressbooklastnightIhadseenthatthiswasquitenearwhereyouhadyourapartment.Delightful,isn’tit?”sheadded,lookinground.
“Nottoobad,”saidMrs.Carstairs.“Notquiteallit’swrittenuptobe,youknow.Butithasmanyadvantages.Onebringsone’sownfurnitureandthingslikethat,andthereisacentralrestaurantwhereyoucanhaveameal,oryoucanhaveyourownthings,ofcourse.Ohyes,it’sverygood,really.Thegroundsarecharmingandwellkeptup.Butsitdown,Ariadne,dositdown.Youlookverywell.Isawyouwereataliterarylunchtheotherday,inthepaper.Howodditisthatonejustseessomethinginthepaperandalmostthenextdayonemeetstheperson.Quiteextraordinary.”
“Iknow,”saidMrs.Oliver,takingthechairthatwasofferedher.“Thingsdogolikethat,don’tthey.”
“YouarestilllivinginLondon?”
Mrs.Oliversaidyes,shewasstilllivinginLondon.Shethenenteredintowhatshethoughtofinherownmind,withvaguememoriesofgoingtodancingclassasachild,asthefirstfigureoftheLancers.Advance,retreat,handsout,turnroundtwice,whirlround,andsoon.
SheenquiredafterMrs.Carstairs’sdaughterandaboutthetwograndchildren,andsheaskedabouttheotherdaughter,whatshewasdoing.SheappearedtobedoingitinNewZealand.Mrs.Carstairsdidnotseemtobequitesurewhatitwas.Somekindofsocialresearch.Mrs.Carstairspressedanelectricbellthatrestedonthearmofherchair,andorderedEmmatobringtea.Mrs.Oliverbeggedhernottobother.JuliaCarstairssaid:
“OfcourseAriadnehasgottohavetea.”
Thetwoladiesleantback.ThesecondandthirdfiguresoftheLancers.Oldfriends.Otherpeople’schildren.Thedeathoffriends.
“ItmustbeyearssinceIsawyoulast,”saidMrs.Carstairs.
“IthinkitwasattheLlewellyns’wedding,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Yes,thatmusthavebeenaboutit.HowterribleMoiralookedasabridesmaid.Thatdreadfullyunbecomingshadeofapricottheywore.”
“Iknow.Itdidn’tsuitthem.”
“Idon’tthinkweddingsarenearlyasprettyastheyusedtobeinourday.Someofthemseemtowearsuchverypeculiarclothes.Theotherdayoneofmyfriendswenttoaweddingandshesaidthebridegroomwasdressedinsomesortofquiltedwhitesatinandrufflesathisneck.MadeofValencienneslace,Ibelieve.Mostpeculiar.Andthegirlwaswearingaverypeculiartrousersuit.Alsowhitebutitwasstampedwithgreenshamrocksallover.”
“Well,mydearAriadne,canyouimagineit.Really,extraordinary.Inchurchtoo.IfI’dbeenaclergymanI’dhaverefusedtomarrythem.”
Teacame.Talkcontinued.
“Isawmygoddaughter,CeliaRavenscroft,theotherday,”saidMrs.Oliver.“DoyouremembertheRavenscrofts?Ofcourse,it’sagreatmanyyearsago.”
“TheRavenscrofts?Nowwaitaminute.Thatwasthatverysadtragedy,wasn’tit?Adoublesuicide,didn’ttheythinkitwas?NeartheirhouseatOvercliffe.”
“You’vegotsuchawonderfulmemory,Julia,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Alwayshad.ThoughIhavedifficultieswithnamessometimes.Yes,itwasverytragic,wasn’tit.”
“Verytragicindeed.”
“OneofmycousinsknewthemverywellinMalaya,RoddyFoster,youknow.GeneralRavenscrofthadhadamostdistinguishedcareer.Ofcoursehewasabitdeafbythetimeheretired.Hedidn’talwayshearwhatonesaidverywell.”
“Doyourememberthemquitewell?”
“Ohyes.Onedoesn’treallyforgetpeople,doesone?Imean,theylivedatOvercliffeforquitefiveorsixyears.”
“I’veforgottenherChristiannamenow,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Margaret,Ithink.ButeveryonecalledherMolly.Yes,Margaret.SomanypeoplewerecalledMargaret,weren’tthey,ataboutthattime?Sheusedtowearawig,doyouremember?”
“Ohyes,”saidMrs.Oliver.“AtleastIcan’tquiteremember,butIthinkIdo.”
“I’mnotsureshedidn’ttrytopersuademetogetone.Shesaiditwassousefulwhenyouwentabroadandtravelled.Shehadfourdifferentwigs.Oneforeveningandonefortravellingandone—verystrange,youknow.Youcouldputahatonoveritandnotreallydisarrangeit.”
“Ididn’tknowthemaswellasyoudid,”saidMrs.Oliver.“AndofcourseatthetimeoftheshootingIwasinAmericaonalecturetour.SoIneverreallyheardanydetails.”
“Well,ofcourse,itwasagreatmystery,”saidJuliaCarstairs.“Imeantosay,onedidn’tknow.Thereweresomanydifferentstoriesgoingabout.”
“Whatdidtheysayattheinquest—Isupposetheyhadaninquest?”
“Ohyes,ofcourse.Thepolicehadtoinvestigateit.Itwasoneofthoseindecisivethings,youknow,inthatthedeathwasduetorevolvershots.Theycouldn’tsaydefinitelywhathadoccurred.ItseemedpossiblethatGeneralRavenscrofthadshothiswifeandthenhimself,butapparentlyitwasjustasprobablethatLadyRavenscrofthadshotherwasasuicidepact,butitcouldn’tbesaiddefinitelyhowitcameabout.”
“Thereseemedtobenoquestionofitsbeingacrime?”
“No,no.Itwassaidquiteclearlytherewasnosuggestionoffoulplay.Imeantherewerenofootprintsoranysignsofanyonecomingnearthem.Theyleftthehousetogoforawalkaftertea,astheysooftendid.Theydidn’tcomebackagainfordinnerandthemanservantorsomebodyorthegardener—whoeveritwas—wentouttolookforthem,andfoundthembothdead.Therevolverwaslyingbythebodies.”
“Therevolverbelongedtohim,didn’tit?”
“Ohyes.Hehadtworevolversinthehouse.Theseex-militarypeoplesooftendo,don’tthey?Imean,theyfeelsaferwhatwitheverythingthatgoesonnowadays.Asecondrevolverwasstillinthedrawerinthehouse,sothathe—well,hemusthavegoneoutdeliberatelywiththerevolver,presumably.Idon’tthinkitlikelythatshe’dhavegoneoutforawalkcarryingarevolver.”
“No.No,itwouldn’thavebeensoeasy,wouldit?”
“Buttherewasnothingapparentlyintheevidencetoshowthattherewasanyunhappinessorthatthere’dbeenanyquarrelbetweenthemorthattherewasanyreasonwhytheyshouldcommitsuicide.Ofcourseoneneverknowswhatsadthingsthereareinpeople’slives.”
“No,no,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Oneneverknows.Howverytruethatis,Julia.Didyouhaveanyideayourself?”
“Well,onealwayswonders,mydear.”
“Yes,”saidMrs.Oliver,“onealwayswonders.”
“Itmightbeofcourse,yousee,thathehadsomedisease.Ithinkhemighthavebeentoldhewasgoingtodieofcancer,butthatwasn’tso,accordingtothemedicalevidence.Hewasquitehealthy.Imean,hehad—Ithinkhehadhada—whatdotheycallthosethings?—coronary,isthatwhatImean?Itsoundslikeacrown,doesn’tit,butit’sreallyaheartattack,isn’tit?He’dhadthatbuthe’drecoveredfromit,andshewas,well,shewasverynervy.Shewasneuroticalways.”
“Yes,Iseemtorememberthat,”saidMrs.Oliver.“OfcourseIdidn’tknowthemwell,but—”sheaskedsuddenly—“wasshewearingawig?”
“Oh.Well,youknow,Ican’treallyrememberthat.Shealwaysworeherwig.Oneofthem,Imean.”
“Ijustwondered,”saidMrs.Oliver.“SomehowIfeelifyouweregoingtoshootyourselforevenshootyourhusband,Idon’tthinkyou’dwearyourwig,doyou?”
Theladiesdiscussedthispointwithsomeinterest.
“Whatdoyoureallythink,Julia?”
“Well,asIsaid,dear,onewonders,youknow.Therewerethingssaid,butthentherealwaysare.”
“Abouthimorher?”
“Well,theysaidthattherewasayoungwoman,youknow.Yes,Ithinkshedidsomesecretarialworkforhim.Hewaswritinghismemoirsofhiscareerabroad—Ibelievecommissionedbyapublisheratthat—andsheusedtotakedictationfromhim.Butsomepeoplesaid—well,youknowwhattheydosaysometimes,thatperhapshehadgot—er—tiedupwiththisgirlinsomeway.Shewasn’tveryyoung.Shewasoverthirty,andnotverygood-lookingandIdon’tthink—therewerenoscandalsaboutheroranything,butstill,onedoesn’tknow.Peoplethoughthemighthaveshothiswifebecausehewantedto—well,hemighthavewantedtomarryher,yes.ButIdon’treallythinkpeoplesaidthatsortofthingandIneverbelievedit.”
“Whatdidyouthink?”
“Well,ofcourseIwonderedalittleabouther.”
“Youmeanthatamanwasmentioned?”
“IbelievetherewassomethingoutinMalaya.SomekindofstoryIheardabouther.Thatshegotembroiledwithsomeyoungmanmuchyoungerthanherself.Andherhusbandhadn’tlikeditmuchandithadcausedabitofscandal.Iforgetwhere.Butanyway,thatwasalongtimeagoandIdon’tthinkanythingevercameofit.”
“Youdon’tthinktherewasanytalknearerhome?Nospecialrelationshipwithanyoneintheneighbourhood?Therewasn’tanyevidenceofquarrelsbetweenthem,oranythingofthatkind?”
“No,Idon’tthinkso.OfcourseIreadeverythingaboutitatthetime.Onediddiscussit,ofcourse,becauseonecouldn’thelpfeelingtheremightbesome—well,somereallyverytragiclovestoryconnectedwithit.”
“Buttherewasn’t,youthink?Theyhadchildren,didn’tthey.Therewasmygoddaughter,ofcourse.”
“Ohyes,andtherewasason.Ithinkhewasquiteyoung.Atschoolsomewhere.Thegirlwasonlytwelve,no—olderthanthat.ShewaswithafamilyinSwitzerland.”
“Therewasno—nomentaltrouble,Isuppose,inthefamily?”
“Oh,youmeantheboy—yes,mightbeofcourse.Youdohearverystrangethings.Therewasthatboywhoshothisfather—thatwassomewherenearNewcastle,Ithink.Someyearsbeforethat.Youknow.He’dbeenverydepressedandatfirstIthinktheysaidhetriedtohanghimselfwhenhewasattheuniversity,andthenhecameandshothisfather.Butnobodyquiteknewwhy.Anyway,therewasn’tanythingofthatsortwiththeRavenscrofts.No,Idon’tthinkso,infactI’mprettysureofit.Ican’thelpthinking,insomeways—”
“Yes,Julia?”
“Ican’thelpthinkingthattheremighthavebeenaman,youknow.”
“Youmeanthatshe—”
“Yes,well—well,onethinksitratherlikely,youknow.Thewigs,foronething.”
“Idon’tquiteseehowthewigscomeintoit.”
“Well,wantingtoimproveherappearance.”
“Shewasthirty-five,Ithink.”
“More.More.Thirty-six,Ithink.And,well,Iknowsheshowedmethewigsoneday,andoneortwoofthemreallymadeherlookquiteattractive.Andsheusedagooddealofmakeup.Andthathadallstartedjustaftertheyhadcometolivethere,Ithink.Shewasratheragood-lookingwoman.”
“Youmean,shemighthavemetsomeone,someman?”
“Well,that’swhatI’vealwaysthought,”saidMrs.Carstairs.“Yousee,ifaman’sgettingoffwithagirl,peoplenoticeitusuallybecausemenaren’tsogoodathidingtheirtracks.Butawoman,itmightbe—well,Imeanlikesomeoneshe’dmetandnobodyknewmuchaboutit.”
“Oh,doyoureallythinkso,Julia?”
“NoIdon’treallythinkso,”saidJulia,“becauseImean,peoplealwaysdoknow,don’tthey?Imean,youknow,servantsknow,orgardenersorbusdrivers.Orsomebodyintheneighbourhood.Andtheyknow.Andtheytalk.Butstill,therecouldhavebeensomethinglikethat,andeitherhefoundoutaboutit…”
“Youmeanitwasacrimeofjealousy?”
“Ithinkso,yes.”
“Soyouthinkit’smorelikelythatheshother,thenhimself,thanthatsheshothimandthenherself.”
“Well,Ishouldthinkso,becauseIthinkifsheweretryingtogetridofhim—well,Idon’tthinkthey’dhavegoneforawalktogetherandshe’dhavetohavetakentherevolverwithherinahandbaganditwouldhavebeenratherabiggerhandbagifso.Onehastothinkofthepracticalsideofthings.”
“Iknow,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Onedoes.It’sveryinteresting.”
“Itmustbeinterestingtoyou,dear,becauseyouwritethesecrimestories.SoIexpectreallyyouwouldhavebetterideas.You’dknowmorewhat’slikelytohappen.”
“Idon’tknowwhat’slikelytohappen,”saidMrs.Oliver,“because,yousee,inallthecrimesthatIwrite,I’veinventedthecrimes.Imean,whatIwanttohappen,happensinmystories.It’snotsomethingthatactuallyhashappenedorthatcouldhappen.SoI’mreallytheworstpersontotalkaboutit.I’minterestedtoknowwhatyouthinkbecauseyouknowpeopleverywell,Julia,andyouknewthemwell.AndIthinkshemighthavesaidsomethingtoyouoneday—orhemight.”
“Yes.Yes,nowwaitaminutewhenyousaythat,thatseemstobringsomethingbacktome.”
Mrs.Carstairsleanedbackinherchair,shookherheaddoubtfully,halfclosedhereyesandwentintoakindofcoma.Mrs.Oliverremainedsilentwithalookonherfacewhichwomenareapttowearwhentheyarewaitingforthefirstsignsofakettlecomingtotheboil.
“Shedidsaysomethingonce,Iremember,andIwonderwhatshemeantbyit,”saidMrs.Carstairs.“Somethingaboutstartinganewlife—inconnectionIthinkwithSt.Teresa.St.TeresaofAvila….”
Mrs.Oliverlookedslightlystartled.
“ButhowdidSt.TeresaofAvilacomeintoit?”
“Well,Idon’tknowreally.IthinkshemusthavebeenreadingaLifeofher.Anyway,shesaidthatitwaswonderfulhowwomengetasortofsecondwind.That’snotquitethetermsheused,butsomethinglikethat.Youknow,whentheyarefortyorfiftyorthatsortofageandtheysuddenlywanttobeginanewlife.TeresaofAviladid.Shehadn’tdoneanythingspecialuptillthenexceptbeinganun,thenshewentoutandreformedalltheconvents,didn’tshe,andflungherweightaboutandbecameagreatSaint.”
“Yes,butthatdoesn’tseemquitethesamething.”
“No,itdoesn’t,”saidMrs.Carstairs.“Butwomendotalkinaverysillyway,youknow,whentheyarereferringtoloveaffairswhentheygetoninlife.Abouthowit’snevertoolate.”
Seven
BACKTOTHENURSERY
Mrs.Oliverlookedratherdoubtfullyatthethreestepsandthefrontdoorofasmall,ratherdilapidated-lookingcottageinthesidestreet.Belowthewindowssomebulbsweregrowing,mainlytulips.
Mrs.Oliverpaused,openedthelittleaddressbookinherhand,verifiedthatshewasintheplaceshethoughtshewas,andrappedgentlywiththeknockerafterhavingtriedtopressabellpushofpossibleelectricalsignificancebutwhichdidnotseemtoyieldanysatisfactorybellringinginside,oranythingofthatkind.Presently,notgettinganyresponse,sheknockedagain.Thistimethereweresoundsfrominside.Ashufflingsoundoffeet,someasthmaticbreathingandhandsapparentlytryingtomanagetheopeningofthedoor.Withthisnoisetherecameafewvagueechoesintheletterbox.
“Oh,dratit.Dratit.Stuckagain,youbrute,you.”
Finally,successmettheseinwardindustries,andthedoor,makingacreakyandratherdoubtfulnoise,wasslowlypulledopen.Averyoldwomanwithawrinkledface,humpedshouldersandageneralarthriticappearance,lookedathervisitor.Herfacewasunwelcoming.Itheldnosignoffear,merelyofdistasteforthosewhocameandknockedatthehomeofanEnglishwoman’scastle.Shemighthavebeenseventyoreighty,butshewasstillavaliantdefenderofherhome.
“Idunnowhatyou’vecomeaboutandI—”shestopped.“Why,”shesaid,“it’sMissAriadne.WellInevernow!It’sMissAriadne.”
“Ithinkyou’rewonderfultoknowme,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Howareyou,Mrs.Matcham?”
“MissAriadne!Justthinkofthatnow.”
Itwas,Mrs.AriadneOliverthought,alongtimeagosinceshehadbeenaddressedasMissAriadne,buttheintonationofthevoice,crackedwithagethoughitwas,rangafamiliarnote.
“Comein,m’dear,”saidtheolddame,“comeinnow.You’relookin’well,youare.IdunnohowmanyyearsitissinceI’veseenyou.Fifteenatleast.”
ItwasagooddealmorethanfifteenbutMrs.Olivermadenocorrections.Shecamein.Mrs.Matchamwasshakinghands,herhandswereratherunwillingtoobeytheirowner’sorders.Shemanagedtoshutthedoorand,shufflingherfeetandlimping,enteredasmallroomwhichwasobviouslyonethatwaskeptforthereceptionofanylikelyorunlikelyvisitorswhomMrs.Matchamwaspreparedtoadmittoherhome.Therewerelargenumbersofphotographs,someofbabies,someofadults.Someinniceleatherframeswhichwereslowlydroopingbuthadnotquitefallentopiecesyet.Oneinasilverframebynowrathertarnished,representingayoungwomaninpresentationCourtDresswithfeathersrisinguponherhead.Twonavalofficers,twomilitarygentlemen,somephotographsofnakedbabiessprawlingonrugs.Therewasasofaandtwochairs.Asbidden,Mrs.Oliversatinachair.Mrs.Matchampressedherselfdownonthesofaandpulledacushionintothehollowofherbackwithsomedifficulty.
“Well,mydear,fancyseeingyou.Andyou’restillwritingyourprettystories,areyou?”
“Yes,”saidMrs.Oliver,assentingtothisthoughwithaslightdoubtastohowfardetectivestoriesandstoriesofcrimeandgeneralcriminalbehaviourcouldbecalled“prettystories.”Butthat,shethought,wasverymuchahabitofMrs.Matcham’s.
“I’mallalonenow,”saidMrs.Matcham.“YourememberGracie,mysister?Shediedlastautumn,shedid.Canceritwas.Theyoperatedbutitwastoolate.”
“Ohdear,I’msosorry,”saidMrs.Oliver.
Conversationproceededforthenexttenminutesonthesubjectofthedemise,onebyone,ofMrs.Matcham’slastremainingrelatives.
“Andyou’reallright,areyou?Doingallright?Gotahusbandnow?Ohnow,Iremember,he’sdeadyearsago,isn’the?Andwhatbringsyouhere,toLittleSalternMinor?”
“Ijusthappenedtobeintheneighbourhood,”saidMrs.Oliver,“andasI’vegotyouraddressinmylittleaddressbookwithme,IthoughtI’djustdropinand—well,seehowyouwereandeverything.”
“Ah!Andtalkaboutoldtimes,perhaps.Alwaysnicewhenyoucandothat,isn’tit?”
“Yes,indeed,”saidMrs.Oliver,feelingsomereliefthatthisparticularlinehadbeenindicatedtohersinceitwasmoreorlesswhatshehadcomefor.“Whatalotofphotographsyou’vegot,”shesaid.
“Ah,Ihave,an’that.D’youknow,whenIwasinthatHome—sillynameithad.SunsetHouseofHappinessfortheAged,somethinglikethatitwascalled,ayearandaquarterIlivedtheretillIcouldn’tstanditnomore,anastylottheywere,sayingyoucouldn’thaveanyofyourownthingswithyou.Youknow,everythinghadtobelongtotheHome.Idon’tsayasitwasn’tcomfortable,butyouknow,Ilikemeownthingsaroundme.Myphotosandmyfurniture.Andthentherewaseversonicealady,camefromaCouncilshedid,somesocietyorother,andshetoldmetherewasanotherplacewheretheyhadhomesoftheirownorsomethingandyoucouldtakewhatyoulikedwithyou.Andthere’seversuchanicehelperascomesineverydaytoseeifyou’reallright.Ah,verycomfortableIamhere.Verycomfortableindeed.I’vegotallmyownthings.”
“Somethingfromeverywhere,”saidMrs.Oliver,lookinground.
“Yes,thattable—thebrassone—that’sCaptainWilson,hesentmethatfromSingaporeorsomethinglikethat.AndthatBenaresbrasstoo.That’snice,isn’tit?That’safunnythingontheashtray.That’sEgyptian,thatis.It’sascarabee,orsomenamelikethat.Youknow.Soundslikesomekindofscratchingdiseasebutitisn’t.No,it’sasortofbeetleandit’smadeoutofsomestone.Theycallitapreciousstone.Brightblue.Alazy—alavis—alazylapinorsomethinglikethat.”
“Lapislazuli,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“That’sright.That’swhatitis.Verynice,thatis.Thatwasmyarchaeologicalboywhatwentdigging.Hesentmethat.”
“Allyourlovelypast,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Yes,allmyboysandgirls.Someofthemasbabies,someofthemIhadfromthemonth,andtheolderones.SomeofthemwhenIwenttoIndiaandthatothertimewhenIwasinSiam.Yes.That’sMissMoyainherCourtdress.Ah,shewasaprettything.Divorcedtwohusbands,shehas.Yes.Troublewithhislordship,thefirstone,andthenshemarriedoneofthosepopsingersandofcoursethatcouldn’ttakeverywell.AndthenshemarriedsomeoneinCalifornia.Theyhadayachtandwentplaces,Ithink.Diedtwoorthreeyearsagoandonlysixty-two.Pitydyingsoyoung,youknow.”
“You’vebeentoalotofdifferentpartsoftheworldyourself,haven’tyou?”saidMrs.Oliver.“India,HongKong,thenEgypt,andSouthAmerica,wasn’tit?”
“Ahyes,I’vebeenaboutagooddeal.”
“Iremember,”saidMrs.Oliver,“whenIwasinMalaya,youwerewithaservicefamilythen,weren’tyou?AGeneralsomebody.Wasit—nowwaitaminute,Ican’trememberthename—itwasn’tGeneralandLadyRavenscroft,wasit?”
“No,no,you’vegotthenamewrong.You’rethinkingofwhenIwaswiththeBarnabys.That’sright.Youcametostaywiththem.Remember?Youweredoingatour,youwere,andyoucameandstayedwiththeBarnabys.Youwereanoldfriendofhers.HewasaJudge.”
“Ahyes,”saidMrs.Oliver.“It’sdifficultabit.Onegetsnamesmixedup.”
“Twonicechildrentheyhad,”saidMrs.Matcham.“OfcoursetheywenttoschoolinEngland.TheboywenttoHarrowandthegirlwenttoRoedean,Ithinkitwas,andsoImovedontoanotherfamilyafterthat.Ah,thingshavechangednowadays.Notsomanyamahs,even,asthereusedtobe.Mindyou,theamahsusedtobeabitofatroublenowandthen.IgotonwithouroneverywellwhenIwaswiththeBarnabys,Imean.Whowasityouspokeof?TheRavenscrofts?Well,Irememberthem.Yes—Iforgetthenameoftheplacewheretheylivednow.Notfarfromus.Thefamilieswereacquainted,youknow.Ohyes,it’salongtimeago,butIrememberitall.IwasstillouttherewiththeBarnabys,youknow.IstayedonwhenthechildrenwenttoschooltolookafterMrs.Barnaby.Lookafterherthings,youknow,andmendthemandallthat.Ohyes,Iwastherewhenthatawfulthinghappened.Idon’tmeantheBarnabys,ImeantotheRavenscrofts.Yes,Ishallneverforgetthat.Hearingaboutit,Imean.NaturallyIwasn’tmixedupinitmyself,butitwasaterriblethingtohappen,wasn’tit?”
“Ishouldthinkitmusthavebeen,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Itwasafteryou’dgonebacktoEngland,agoodlongtimeafterthat,Ithink.Anicecoupletheywere.Verynicecoupleanditwasashocktothem.”
“Idon’treallyremembernow,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Iknow.Oneforgetsthings.Idon’tmyself.Buttheysaidshe’dalwaysbeenqueer,youknow.Eversincethetimeshewasachild.Someearlystorytherewas.Shetookababyoutofthepramandthrewitintheriver.Jealousy,theysaid.Otherpeoplesaidshewantedthebabytogotoheavenandnotwait.”
“Isit—isitLadyRavenscroft,youmean?”
“No,ofcourseIdon’t.Ah,youdon’trememberaswellasIdo.Itwasthesister.”
“Hersister?”
“I’mnotsurenowwhetheritwashersisterorhissister.Theysaidshe’dbeeninakindofmentalplaceforalongtime,youknow.Eversinceshewasaboutelevenortwelveyearsold.Theykeptherthereandthentheysaidshewasallrightagainandshecameout.AndshemarriedsomeoneintheArmy.Andthentherewastrouble.Andthenextthingtheyheard,Ibelieve,wasthatshe’dbeenputbackagaininoneofthemloonybinplaces.Theytreatyouverywell,youknow.Theyhaveasuite,niceroomsandallthat.Andtheyusedtogoandseeher,Ibelieve.ImeantheGeneraldidorhiswife.Thechildrenwerebroughtupbysomeoneelse,Ithink,becausetheywereafraid-like.However,theysaidshewasallrightintheend.Soshecamebacktolivewithherhusband,andthenhediedorsomething.BloodpressureIthinkitwas,orheart.Anyway,shewasveryupsetandshecameouttostaywithherbrotherorhersister—whicheveritwas—sheseemedquitehappythereandeverything,andeversofondofchildren,shewas.Itwasn’tthelittleboy,Ithink,hewasatschool.Itwasthelittlegirl,andanotherlittlegirlwho’dcometoplaywithherthatafternoon.Ahwell,Ican’trememberthedetailsnow.It’ssolongago.Therewasalotoftalkaboutit.Therewassomeassaid,youknow,asitwasn’theratall.Theythoughtitwastheamahthathaddoneit,buttheamahlovedthemandshewasvery,veryupset.Shewantedtotakethemawayfromthehouse.Shesaidtheyweren’tsafethere,andallsortsofthingslikethat.Butofcoursetheothersdidn’tbelieveinitandthenthiscameaboutandIgathertheythinkitmusthavebeenwhateverhernamewas—Ican’trememberitnow.Anyway,thereitwas.”
“Andwhathappenedtothissister,eitherofGeneralorLadyRavenscroft?”
“Well,Ithink,youknow,asshewastakenawaybyadoctorandputinsomeplaceandwentbacktoEngland,Ibelieve,intheend.Idunnoifshewenttothesameplaceasbefore,butshewaswelllookedaftersomewhere.Therewasplentyofmoney,Ithink,youknow.Plentyofmoneyinthehusband’sfamily.Maybeshegotallrightagain.Butwell,Ihaven’tthoughtofitforyears.NottillyoucamehereaskingmestoriesaboutGeneralandLadyRavenscroft.Iwonderwheretheyarenow.Theymusthaveretiredbeforenow,longago.”
“Well,itwasrathersad,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Perhapsyoureadaboutitinthepapers.”
“Readwhat?”
“Well,theyboughtahouseinEnglandandthen—”
“Ahnow,it’scomingbacktome.Irememberreadingsomethingaboutthatinthepaper.Yes,andthinkingthenthatIknewthenameRavenscroft,butIcouldn’tquiterememberwhenandhow.Theyfelloveracliff,didn’tthey?Somethingofthatkind.”
“Yes,”saidMrs.Oliver,“somethingofthatkind.”
“Nowlookhere,dearie,it’ssonicetoseeyou,itis.Youmustletmegiveyouacupoftea.”
“Really,”saidMrs.Oliver,“Idon’tneedanytea.Really,Idon’twantit.”
“Ofcourseyouwantsometea.Ifyoudon’tmindnow,comeintothekitchen,willyou?Imean,Ispendmostofmytimetherenow.It’seasiertogetaboutthere.ButItakevisitorsalwaysintothisroombecauseI’mproudofmythings,youknow.Proudofmythingsandproudofallthechildrenandtheothers.”
“Ithink,”saidMrs.Oliver,“thatpeoplelikeyoumusthavehadawonderfullifewithallthechildrenyou’velookedafter.”
“Yes.Irememberwhenyouwerealittlegirl,youlikedtolistentothestoriesItoldyou.Therewasoneaboutatiger,Iremember,andoneaboutmonkeys—monkeysinatree.”
“Yes,”saidMrs.Oliver,“Irememberthose.Itwasaverylongtimeago.”
Hermindsweptbacktoherself,achildofsixorseven,walkinginbuttonbootsthatwererathertootightonaroadinEngland,andlisteningtoastoryofIndiaandEgyptfromanattendantNanny.AndthiswasNanny.Mrs.MatchamwasNanny.Shelookedroundtheroomasshefollowedherhostessout.Atthepicturesofgirls,ofschoolboys,ofchildrenandvariousmiddle-agedpeople,allmainlyphotographedintheirbestclothesandsentinniceframesorotherthingsbecausetheyhadn’tforgottenNanny.Becauseofthem,probably,Nannywashavingareasonablycomfortableoldagewithmoneysupplied.Mrs.Oliverfeltasuddendesiretoburstoutcrying.Thiswassounlikeherthatshewasabletostopherselfbyaneffortofwill.ShefollowedMrs.Matchamtothekitchen.Theresheproducedtheofferingshehadbrought.
“Well,Inever!AtinofTopholeThathamstea.Alwaysmyfavourite.Fancyyouremembering.Icanhardlyevergetitnowadays.Andthat’smyfavouriteteabiscuits.Well,youareaoneforneverforgetting.Whatwasittheyusedtocallyou—thosetwolittleboyswhocametoplay—onewouldcallyouLadyElephantandtheotheronecalledyouLadySwan.TheonewhocalledyouLadyElephantusedtositonyourbackandyouwentabouttheflooronallfoursandpretendedtohaveatrunkyoupickedthingsupwith.”
“Youdon’tforgetmanythings,doyou,Nanny?”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Ah,”saidMrs.Matcham.“Elephantsdon’tforget.That’stheoldsaying.”
Eight
MRS.OLIVERATWORK
Mrs.OliverenteredthepremisesofWilliams&Barnet,awell-appointedchemist’sshopalsodealingwithvariouscosmetics.Shepausedbyakindofdumbwaitercontainingvarioustypesofcornremedies,hesitatedbyamountainofrubbersponges,wanderedvaguelytowardstheprescriptiondeskandthencamedownpastthewell-displayedaidstobeautyasimaginedbyElizabethArden,HelenaRubinstein,MaxFactorandotherbenefitprovidersforwomen’slives.
Shestoppedfinallyneararatherplumpgirlandenquiredforcertainlipsticks,thenutteredashortcryofsurprise
“Why,Marlene—itisMarlene,isn’tit?”
“Well,Inever.It’sMrs.Oliver.Iampleasedtoseeyou.It’swonderful,isn’tit?AllthegirlswillbeveryexcitedwhenItellthemthatyou’vebeenintobuythingshere.”
“Noneedtotellthem,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Oh,nowI’msurethey’llbebringingouttheirautographbooks!”
“I’drathertheydidn’t,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Andhowareyou,Marlene?”
“Oh,gettingalong,gettingalong,”saidMarlene.
“Ididn’tknowwhetheryou’dbeworkingherestill.”
“Well,it’sasgoodasanyotherplace,Ithink,andtheytreatyouverywellhere,youknow.IhadariseinsalarylastyearandI’mmoreorlessinchargeofthiscosmeticcounternow.”
“Andyourmother?Isshewell?”
“Ohyes.MumwillbepleasedtohearI’vemetyou.”
“Isshestilllivinginhersamehousedownthe—theroadpastthehospital?”
“Ohyes,we’restillthere.Dad’snotbeensowell.He’sbeeninhospitalforawhile,butMumkeepsalongverywellindeed.Oh,shewillbepleasedtohearI’veseenyou.Areyoustayingherebyanychance?”
“Notreally,”saidMrs.Oliver.“I’mjustpassingthrough,asamatteroffact.I’vebeentoseeanoldfriendandIwondernow—”shelookedatherwristwatch.“Wouldyourmotherbeathomenow,Marlene?Icouldjustcallinandseeher.HaveafewwordsbeforeIhavetogeton.”
“Oh,dodothat,”saidMarlene.“She’dbeeversopleased.I’msorryIcan’tleavehereandcomewithyou,butIdon’tthink—well,itwouldn’tbeviewedverywell.YouknowIcan’tgetoffforanotherhourandahalf.”
“Ohwell,someothertime,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Anyway,Ican’tquiteremember—wasitnumber17orhasitgotaname?”
“It’scalledLaurelCottage.”
“Ohyes,ofcourse.Howstupidofme.Well,nicetohaveseenyou.”
Shehurriedoutplusoneunwantedlipstickinherbag,anddrovehercardownthemainstreetofChippingBartramandturned,afterpassingagarageandahospitalbuilding,downarathernarrowroadwhichhadquitepleasantsmallhousesoneithersideofit.
SheleftthecaroutsideLaurelCottageandwentin.Athin,energeticwomanwithgreyhair,ofaboutfiftyyearsofage,openedthedooranddisplayedinstantsignsofrecognition.
“Why,soit’syou,Mrs.Oliver.Ahwell,now.Notseenyouforyearsandyears,Ihaven’t.”
“Oh,it’saverylongtime.”
“Well,comeinthen,comein.CanImakeyouanicecupoftea?”
“I’mafraidnot,”saidMrs.Oliver,“becauseI’vehadteaalreadywithafriend,andI’vegottogetbacktoLondon.Asithappened,IwentintothechemistforsomethingIwantedandIsawMarlenethere.”
“Yes,she’sgotaverygoodjobthere.Theythinkalotofherinthatplace.Theysayshe’sgotalotofenterprise.”
“Well,that’sverynice.Andhowareyou,Mrs.Buckle?Youlookverywell.HardlyolderthanwhenIsawyoulast.”
“Oh,Iwouldn’tliketosaythat.Greyhairs,andI’velostalotofweight.”
“ThisseemstobeadaywhenImeetalotoffriendsIknewformerly,”saidMrs.Oliver,goingintothehouseandbeingledintoasmall,ratherover-clutteredsittingroom.“Idon’tknowifyourememberMrs.Carstairs—Mrs.JuliaCarstairs.”
“Oh,ofcourseIdo.Yes,rather.Shemustbegettingon.”
“Ohyes,sheis,really.Butwetalkedoverafewolddays,youknow.Infact,wewentasfarastalkingaboutthattragedythatoccurred.IwasinAmericaatthetimesoIdidn’tknowmuchaboutit.PeoplecalledRavenscroft.”
“Oh,Irememberthatwell.”
“Youworkedforthem,didn’tyou,atonetime,Mrs.Buckle?”
“Yes.Iusedtogointhreemorningsaweek.Verynicepeopletheywere.Youknow,realmilitaryladyandgentleman,asyoumightsay.Theoldschool.”
“Itwasaverytragicthingtohappen.”
“Yes,itwas,indeed.”
“Wereyoustillworkingforthematthattime?”
“No.Asamatteroffact,I’dgivenupgoingthere.IhadmyoldAuntEmmacometolivewithmeandshewasratherblindandnotverywell,andIcouldn’treallysparethetimeanymoretogooutdoingthingsforpeople.ButI’dbeenwiththemuptoaboutamonthortwobeforethat.”
“Itseemedsuchaterriblethingtohappen,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Iunderstandthattheythoughtitwasasuicidepact.”
“Idon’tbelievethat,”saidMrs.Buckle.“I’msurethey’dneverhavecommittedsuicidetogether.Notpeoplelikethat.Andlivingsopleasantlytogetherastheydid.Ofcourse,theyhadn’tlivedthereverylong.”
“No,Isupposetheyhadn’t,”saidMrs.Oliver.“TheylivedsomewherenearBournemouth,didn’tthey,whentheyfirstcametoEngland?”
“Yes,buttheyfounditwasabittoofarforgettingtoLondonfromthere,andsothat’swhytheycametoChippingBartram.Verynicehouseitwas,andanicegarden.”
“Weretheybothingoodhealthwhenyouwereworkingforthemlast?”
“Well,hefelthisageabitasmostpeopledo.TheGeneral,he’dhadsomekindofhearttroubleoraslightstroke.Somethingofthatkind,youknow.They’dtakepills,youknow,andlieupabitfromtimetotime.”
“AndLadyRavenscroft?”
“Well,Ithinkshemissedthelifeshe’dhadabroad,youknow.Theydidn’tknowsoverymanypeoplethere,althoughtheygottoknowagoodmanyfamilies,ofcourse,beingthesortofclasstheywere.ButIsupposeitwasn’tlikeMalayaorthoseplaces.Youknow,whereyouhavealotofservants.Isupposegaypartiesandthatsortofthing.”
“Youthinkshemissedhergayparties?”
“Well,Idon’tknowthatexactly.”
“Somebodytoldmeshe’dtakentowearingawig.”
“Oh,she’dgotseveralwigs,”saidMrs.Buckle,smilingslightly.“Verysmartonesandveryexpensive.Youknow,fromtimetotimeshe’dsendonebacktotheplaceshe’dgotitfrominLondon,andthey’dre-dressitforheragainandsendit.Therewereallkinds.Youknow,therewasonewithauburnhair,andonewithlittlegreycurlsalloverherhead.Really,shelookedveryniceinthatone.Andtwo—well,notsoattractivereallybutusefulfor—youknow—windydayswhenyouwantedsomethingtoputonwhenitmightberaining.Thoughtalotaboutherappearance,youknowandspentalotofhermoneyonclothes.”
“Whatdoyouthinkwasthecauseofthetragedy?”saidMrs.Oliver.“Yousee,notbeinganywherenearhereandnotseeinganyofmyfriendsatthattimebecauseIwasinAmerica,Imissedhearinganythingaboutitand,well,onedoesn’tliketoaskquestionsorwritelettersaboutthingsofthatkind.Isupposetheremusthavebeensomecause.Imean,itwasGeneralRavenscroft’sownrevolverthatwasused,Iunderstand.”
“Ohyes,hehadtwoofthoseinthehousebecausehesaidthatnohousewassafewithout.Perhapshewasrightthere,youknow.Notthatthey’dhadanytroublebeforehandasfarasIknow.Oneafternoonarathernastysortoffellowcamealongtothedoor.Didn’tlikethelookofhim,Ididn’t.WantedtoseetheGeneral.Saidhe’dbeenintheGeneral’sregimentwhenhewasayoungfellow.TheGeneralaskedhimafewquestionsandIthinkthoughtashowhedidn’t—well,thoughthewasn’tveryreliable.Sohesenthimoff.”
“Youthinkthenthatitwassomeoneoutsidethatdidit?”
“Well,IthinkitmusthavebeenbecauseIcan’tseeanyotherthing.Mindyou,Ididn’tlikethemanwhocameanddidthegardeningforthemverymuch.Hehadn’tgotaverygoodreputationandIgatherhe’dhadafewjailsentencesearlierinhislife.ButofcoursetheGeneraltookuphisreferencesandhewantedtogivehimachance.”
“Soyouthinkthegardenermighthavekilledthem?”
“Well,I—Ialwaysthoughtthat.ButthenI’mprobablywrong.Butitdoesn’tseemtome—Imean,thepeoplewhosaidtherewassomescandalousstoryorsomethingabouteitherherorhimandthateitherhe’dshotherorshe’dshothim,that’sallnonsense,I’dsay.No,itwassomeoutsider.Oneofthesepeoplethat—well,it’snotasbadasitisnowadaysbecausethat,youmustremember,wasbeforepeoplebegangettingallthisviolenceidea.Butlookatwhatyoureadinthepaperseverydaynow.Youngmen,practicallyonlyboysstill,takingalotofdrugsandgoingwildandrushingabout,shootingalotofpeoplefornothingatall,askingagirlinapubtohaveadrinkwiththemandthentheyseeherhomeandnextdayherbody’sfoundinaditch.Stealingchildrenoutofpramsfromtheirmothers,takingagirltoadanceandmurderingherorstranglingheronthewayback.Ifanything,youfeelasanyonecandoanything.Andanyway,there’sthatnicecouple,theGeneralandhiswife,outforanicewalkintheevening,andtheretheywere,bothshotthroughthehead.”
“Wasitthroughthehead?”
“Well,Idon’trememberexactlynowandofcourseIneversawanythingmyself.Butanyway,justwentforawalkastheyoftendid.”
“Andthey’dnotbeenonbadtermswitheachother?”
“Well,theyhadwordsnowandagain,butwhodoesn’t?”
“Noboyfriendorgirlfriend?”
“Well,ifyoucanusethattermofpeopleofthatage,oh,Imeantherewasabitoftalkhereandthere,butitwasallnonsense.Nothingtoitatall.Peoplealwayswanttosaysomethingofthatkind.”
“Perhapsoneofthemwas—ill.”
“Well,LadyRavenscrofthadbeenuptoLondononceortwiceconsultingadoctoraboutsomethingandIratherthinkshewasgoingintohospital,orplanningtogointohospitalforanoperationofsomekindthoughshenevertoldmeexactlywhatitwas.ButIthinktheymanagedtoputherright—shewasinthishospitalforashorttime.Nooperation,Ithink.Andwhenshecamebackshelookedverymuchyounger.Altogether,she’dhadalotoffacetreatmentandyouknow,shelookedsoprettyinthesewigswithcurlsonthem.Ratherasthoughshe’dgotanewleaseoflife.”
“AndGeneralRavenscroft?”
“HewasaverynicegentlemanandIneverheardorknewofanyscandalabouthimandIdon’tthinktherewasany.Peoplesaythings,butthentheywanttosaysomethingwhenthere’sbeenatragedyofanykind.ItseemstomeperhapsashemighthavehadablowontheheadinMalayaorsomethinglikethat.Ihadanuncleoragreat-uncle,youknow,whofelloffhishorsethereonce.Hititonacannonorsomethingandhewasveryqueerafterwards.Allrightforaboutsixmonthsandthentheyhadtoputhimintoanasylumbecausehewantedtotakehiswife’slifethewholetime.Hesaidshewaspersecutinghimandfollowinghimandthatshewasaspyforanothernation.Ah,there’snosayingwhatthingshappenorcanhappeninfamilies.”
“Anyway,youdon’tthinktherewasanytruthinsomeofthestoriesaboutthemthatIhavehappenedtohearof,badfeelingbetweenthemsothatoneofthemshottheotherandthenshothimselforherself.”
“Ohno,Idon’t.”
“Wereherchildrenathomeatthetime?”
“No.Miss—er—ohwhatwashernamenow,Rosie?No.Penelope?”
“Celia,”saidMrs.Oliver.“She’smygoddaughter.”
“Oh,ofcoursesheis.Yes,Iknowthatnow.Irememberyoucomingandtakingheroutonce.Shewasahigh-spiritedgirl,ratherbad-temperedinsomeways,butshewasveryfondofherfatherandmother,Ithink.No,shewasawayataschoolinSwitzerlandwhenithappened,I’mgladtosay,becauseitwouldhavebeenaterribleshocktoherifshe’dbeenathomeandtheonewhosawthem.”
“Andtherewasaboy,too,wasn’tthere?”
“Ohyes.MasterEdward.Hisfatherwasabitworriedabouthim,Ithink.Helookedasthoughhedislikedhisfather.”
“Oh,there’snothinginthat.Boysgothroughthatstage.Washeverydevotedtohismother?”
“Well,shefussedoverhimabittoomuch,Ithink,whichhefoundtiresome.Youknow,theydon’tlikeamotherfussingoverthem,tellingthemtowearthickervestsorputanextrapulloveron.Hisfather,hedidn’tlikethewayheworehishair.Itwas—welltheyweren’twearinghairlikethewaytheyarenowadays,buttheywerebeginningto,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
“Buttheboywasn’tathomeatthetimeofthetragedy?”
“No.”
“Isupposeitwasashocktohim?”
“Well,itmusthavebeen.Ofcourse,Iwasn’tgoingtothehouseanymoreatthattimesoIdidn’thearsomuch.Ifyouaskme,Ididn’tlikethatgardener.Whatwashisnamenow—Fred,Ithink.FredWizell.Somenamelikethat.Seemstomeifhe’ddoneabitof—well,abitofcheatingorsomethinglikethatandtheGeneralhadfoundhimoutandwasgoingtosackhim,Iwouldn’tputitpasthim.”
“Toshootthehusbandandwife?”
“Well,I’dhavethoughtitmorelikelyhe’djusthaveshottheGeneral.IfheshottheGeneralandthewifecamealong,thenhe’dhavehadtoshoothertoo.Youreadthingslikethatinbooks.”
“Yes,”saidMrs.Oliverthoughtfully,“onedoesreadallsortsofthingsinbooks.”
“Therewasthetutor.Ididn’tlikehimmuch.”
“Whattutor?”
“Well,therewasatutorfortheboyearlier.Youknow,hecouldn’tpassanexamandthingsattheearlierschoolhewasat—prepschoolorsomething.Sotheyhadatutorforhim.Hewasthereforaboutayear,Ithink.LadyRavenscroftlikedhimverymuch.Shewasmusical,youknow,andsowasthistutor.Mr.Edmunds,Ithinkhisnamewas.Ratheranamby-pambysortofyoungman,Ithoughtmyself,andit’smyopinionthatGeneralRavenscroftdidn’tcareforhimmuch.”
“ButLadyRavenscroftdid.”
“Oh,theyhadalotincommon,Ithink.AndIthinkshewastheonereallythatchosehimrathermorethantheGeneral.Mindyou,hehadverynicemannersandspoketoeveryonenicelyandallthat—”
“Anddid—what’s-his-name?”
“Edward?Ohyes,helikedhimallright,Ithink.Almostabitofheroworship.Anyway,don’tyoubelieveanystoriesyouhearaboutscandalsinthefamilyorherhavinganaffairwithanyoneorGeneralRavenscroftwiththatratherpo-facedgirlwhodidfilingworkforhimandallthatsortofthing.No.Whoeverthatwickedmurdererwas,it’sonewhocamefromoutside.Thepolicenevergotontoanyone,acarwasseenneartherebuttherewasnothingtoitandtheynevergotanyfurther.ButallthesameIthinkoneoughttolookaboutforsomebodyperhapswho’dknowntheminMalayaorabroadorsomewhereelse,orevenwhentheywerefirstlivingatBournemouth.Oneneverknows.”
“Whatdidyourhusbandthinkaboutit?”saidMrs.Oliver.“Hewouldn’thaveknownasmuchaboutthemasyouwould,ofcourse,butstillhemighthaveheardalot.”
“Oh,heheardalotoftalk,ofcourse.IntheGeorgeandFlag,ofanevening,youknow.Peoplesayingallsortsofthings.Saidasshedrankandthatcasesofemptybottleshadbeentakenoutofthehouse.Absolutelyuntrue,thatwas,Iknowforafact.Andtherewasanephewasusedtocomeandseethemsometimes.Gotintotroublewiththepoliceinsomeway,hedid,butIdon’tthinktherewasanythinginthat.Thepolicedidn’t,either.Anyway,itwasn’tatthattime.”
“Therewasnooneelsereallylivinginthehouse,wasthere,excepttheGeneralandLadyRavenscroft?”
“Well,shehadasisterasusedtocomesometimes,LadyRavenscroftdid.Shewasahalfsister,Ithink.Somethinglikethat.LookedratherlikeLadyRavenscroft.Shemadeabitoftroublebetweenthem,Ialwaysusedtothink,whenshecameforavisit.Shewasoneofthosewholikesstirringthingsup,ifyouknowwhatImean.Justsaidthingstoannoypeople.”
“WasLadyRavenscroftfondofher?”
“Well,ifyouaskme,Idon’tthinkshewasreally.Ithinkthesistermoreorlesswishedherselfontothemsometimesandshedidn’tlikenottohaveher,butIthinkshefounditprettytryingtohaveherthere.TheGeneralquitelikedherbecausesheplayedcardswell.Playedchessandthingswithhimandheenjoyedthat.Andshewasanamusingwomaninaway.Mrs.Jerryboyorsomethinglikethat,hernamewas.Shewasawidow,Ithink.Usedtoborrowmoneyfromthem,Ithink,too.”
“Didyoulikeher?”
“Well,ifyoudon’tmindmysayingso,ma’am,no,Ididn’tlikeher.Idislikedherverymuch.Ithoughtshewasoneofthosetroublemakers,youknow.Butshehadn’tbeendownforsometimebeforethetragedyhappened.Idon’treallyrememberverymuchwhatshewaslike.Shehadasonascamewithheronceortwice.Didn’tlikehimverymuch.Shifty,Ithought.”
“Well,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Isupposenobodywillreallyeverknowthetruth.Notnow.Notafterallthistime.Isawmygoddaughtertheotherday.”
“Didyounow,ma’am.I’dbeinterestedtohearaboutMissCelia.Howisshe?Allright?”
“Yes.Sheseemsquiteallright.Ithinkshe’sthinkingperhapsofgettingmarried.Atanyrateshe’sgota—”
“Gotasteadyboyfriend,hasshe?”saidMrs.Buckle.“Ahwell,we’veallgotthat.Notthatweallmarrythefirstonewesettleon.Justaswellifyoudon’t,ninetimesoutoften.”
“Youdon’tknowaMrs.Burton-Cox,doyou?”askedMrs.Oliver.
“Burton-Cox?Iseemtoknowthatname.No,Idon’tthinkso.Wasn’tlivingdownhereorcometostaywiththemoranything?No,notthatIremember.YetIdidhearsomething.SomeoldfriendofGeneralRavenscroft,Ithink,whichhe’dknowninMalaya.ButIdon’tknow.”Sheshookherhead.
“Well,”saidMrs.Oliver,“Imustn’tstaygossipingwithyouanylonger.It’sbeensonicetoseeyouandMarlene.”
Nine
RESULTSOFELEPHANTINERESEARCH
“Atelephonecallforyou,”saidHerculePoirot’smanservant,George.“FromMrs.Oliver.”
“Ahyes,George.Andwhathadshetosay?”
“Shewonderedifshecouldcomeandseeyouthisevening,sir,afterdinner.”
“Thatwouldbeadmirable,”saidPoirot.“Admirable.Ihavehadatiringday.ItwillbeastimulatingexperiencetoseeMrs.Oliver.Sheisalwaysentertainingaswellasbeinghighlyunexpectedinthethingsshesays.Didshementionelephants,bytheway?”
“Elephants,sir?No,Idonotthinkso.”
“Ah.Thenitwouldseemperhapsthattheelephantshavebeendisappointing.”
Georgelookedathismasterratherdoubtfully.ThereweretimeswhenhedidnotquiteunderstandtherelevanceofPoirot’sremarks.
“Ringherback,”saidHerculePoirot,“tellherIshallbedelightedtoreceiveher.”
Georgewentawaytocarryoutthisorder,andreturnedtosaythatMrs.Oliverwouldbethereaboutquartertonine.
“Coffee,”saidPoirot.“Letcoffeebepreparedandsomepetit-fours.IratherthinkIorderedsomeinlatelyfromFortnumandMason.”
“Aliqueurofanykind,sir?”
“No,Ithinknot.ImyselfwillhavesomeSiropdeCassis.”
“Yes,sir.”
Mrs.Oliverarrivedexactlyontime.Poirotgreetedherwitheverysignofpleasure.
“Andhowareyou,chèremadame?”
“Exhausted,”saidMrs.Oliver.
ShesankdownintothearmchairthatPoirotindicated.
“Completelyexhausted.”
“Ah.Quivaàlachasse—oh,Icannotrememberthesaying.”
“Irememberit,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Ilearntitasachild.‘Quivaàlachasseperdsaplace.’”
“That,Iamsure,isnotapplicabletothechaseyouhavebeenconducting.Iamreferringtothepursuitofelephants,unlessthatwasmerelyafigureofspeech.”
“Notatall,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Ihavebeenpursuingelephantsmadly.Here,thereandeverywhere.TheamountofpetrolIhaveused,theamountoftrainsIhavetaken,theamountoflettersI’vewritten,theamountoftelegramsI’vesent—youwouldn’tbelievehowexhaustingitallis.”
“Thenreposeyourself.Havesomecoffee.”
“Nice,strong,blackcoffee—yes,Iwill.JustwhatIwant.”
“Didyou,mayIask,getanyresults?”
“Plentyofresults,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Thetroubleis,Idon’tknowwhetheranyofthemareanyuse.”
“Youlearnfacts,however?”
“No.Notreally.Ilearntthingsthatpeopletoldmewerefacts,butIstronglydoubtmyselfwhetheranyofthemwerefacts.”
“Theywerehearsay?”
“No.TheywerewhatIsaidtheywouldbe.Theywerememories.Lotsofpeoplewhohadmemories.Thetroubleis,whenyourememberthingsyoudon’talwaysrememberthemright,doyou?”
“No.Buttheyarestillwhatyoumightdescribeperhapsasresults.Isnotthatso?”
“Andwhathaveyoudone?”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Youarealwayssostern,madame,”saidPoirot.“YoudemandthatIrunabout,thatIalsodothings.”
“Well,haveyourunabout?”
“Ihavenotrunabout,butIhavehadafewconsultationswithothersofmyownprofession.”
“ItsoundsfarmorepeacefulthanwhatIhavebeendoing,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Oh,thiscoffeeisnice.It’sreallystrong.Youwouldn’tbelievehowtiredIam.Andhowmuddled.”
“Come,come.Letushavegoodexpectancy.Youhavegotthings.Youhavegotsomething,Ithink.”
“I’vegotalotofdifferentsuggestionsandstories.Idon’tknowwhetheranyofthemaretrue.”
“Theycouldbenottrue,butstillbeofuse,”saidPoirot.
“Well,Iknowwhatyoumean,”saidMrs.Oliver,“andthat’swhatIthink,too.Imean,that’swhatIthoughtwhenIwentaboutit.Whenpeopleremembersomethingandtellyouaboutit—Imean,it’softennotquiteactuallywhatoccurred,butit’swhattheythemselvesthoughtoccurred.”
“Buttheymusthavehadsomethingonwhichtobaseit,”saidPoirot.
“I’vebroughtyoualistofakind,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Idon’tneedtogointodetailsofwhereIwentorwhatIsaidorwhy,Iwentoutdeliberatelyfor—well,informationonecouldn’tperhapsgetfromanybodyinthiscountrynow.Butit’sallfrompeoplewhoknewsomethingabouttheRavenscrofts,eveniftheyhadn’tknownthemverywell.”
“Newsfromforeignplaces,doyoumean?”
“Quitealotofthemwerefromforeignplaces.Otherpeoplewhoknewthemhereratherslightlyorfrompeoplewhoseauntsorcousinsorfriendsknewthemlongago.”
“Andeachonethatyou’venoteddownhadsomestorytotell—somereferencetothetragedyortopeopleinvolved?”
“That’stheidea,”saidMrs.Oliver.“I’lltellyouroughly,shallI?”
“Yes.Haveapetit-four.”
“Thankyou,”saidMrs.Oliver.
Shetookaparticularlysweetandratherbilious-lookingoneandchampeditwithenergy.
“Sweetthings,”shesaid,“reallygiveyoualotofvitality,Ialwaysthink.Wellnow,I’vegotthefollowingsuggestions.Thesethingshaveusuallybeensaidtomestartingby:—‘Ohyes,ofcourse!’‘Howsaditwas,thatwholestory!’‘Ofcourse,Ithinkeveryoneknowsreallywhathappened.’That’sthesortofthing.”
“Yes.”
“Thesepeoplethoughttheyknewwhathappened.Butthereweren’treallyanyverygoodreasons.Itwasjustsomethingsomeonehadtoldthem,orthey’dheardeitherfromfriendsorservantsorrelationsorthingslikethat.Thesuggestions,ofcourse,areallthekindthatyoumightthinktheywere.A.ThatGeneralRavenscroftwaswritinghismemoirsofhisMalayandaysandthathehadayoungwomanwhoactedashissecretaryandtookdictationandtypedthingsforhimandwashelpinghim,thatshewasanice-lookinggirlandnodoubttherewassomethingthere.Theresultbeing—well,thereseemedtobetwoschoolsofthought.Oneschoolofthoughtwasthatheshothiswifebecausehehopedtomarrythegirl,andthenwhenhehadshother,immediatelywashorror-strickenatwhathe’ddoneandshothimself….”
“Exactly,”saidPoirot.“Aromanticexplanation.”
“Theotherideawasthattherehadbeenatutorwhocametogivelessonstothesonwhohadbeenillandawayfromhisprepschoolforsixmonthsorso—agood-lookingyoungman.”
“Ahyes.Andthewifehadfalleninlovewiththeyoungman.Perhapshadanaffairwithhim?”
“Thatwastheidea,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Nokindofevidence.Justromanticsuggestionagain.”
“Andtherefore?”
“ThereforeIthinktheideawasthattheGeneralprobablyshothiswifeandtheninafitofremorseshothimself.TherewasanotherstorythattheGeneralhadhadanaffair,andhiswifefoundoutaboutit,thatsheshothimandthenherself.It’salwaysbeenslightlydifferenteverytime.Butnobodyreallyknewanything.Imean,it’salwaysjustalikelystoryeverytime.Imean,theGeneralmayhavehadanaffairwithagirlorlotsofgirlsorjustanothermarriedwoman,oritmighthavebeenthewifewhohadanaffairwithsomeone.It’sbeenadifferentsomeoneineachstoryI’vebeentold.Therewasnothingdefiniteaboutitoranyevidenceforit.It’sjustthegossipthatwentaroundabouttwelveorthirteenyearsago,whichpeoplehaveratherforgottenaboutnow.Buttheyrememberenoughaboutittotelloneafewnamesandgetthingsonlymoderatelywrongaboutwhathappened.Therewasanangrygardenerwhohappenedtoliveontheplace,therewasaniceelderlycook-housekeeper,whowasratherblindandratherdeaf,butnobodyseemstosuspectthatshehadanythingtodowithit.Andsoon.I’vegotallthenamesandpossibilitieswrittendown.Thenamesofsomeofthemwrongandsomeofthemright.It’sallverydifficult.Hiswifehadbeenill,Igather,forsomeshorttime,Ithinkitwassomekindoffeverthatshehad.Alotofherhairmusthavefallenoutbecausesheboughtfourwigs.Therewereatleastfournewwigsfoundamongherthings.”
“Yes.I,too,heardthat,”saidPoirot.
“Whodidyouhearitfrom?”
“Afriendofmineinthepolice.Hewentbackovertheaccountsoftheinquestandthevariousthingsinthehouse.Fourwigs!Iwouldliketohaveyouropiniononthat,madame.Doyouthinkthatfourwigsseemssomewhatexcessive?”
“Well,Idoreally,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Ihadanauntwhohadawig,andshehadanextrawig,butshesentonebacktoberedressedandworethesecondone.Ineverheardofanyonewhohadfourwigs.”
Mrs.Oliverextractedasmallnotebookfromherbag,ruffledthepagesofit,searchingforextracts.
“Mrs.Carstairs,she’sseventy-sevenandrathergaga.Quotefromher:‘IdoremembertheRavenscroftsquitewell.Yes,yes,averynicecouple.It’sverysad,Ithink.Yes.Canceritwas!’Iaskedherwhichofthemhadcancer,”saidMrs.Oliver,“butMrs.Carstairshadratherforgottenaboutthat.ShesaidshethoughtthewifecametoLondonandconsultedadoctorandhadanoperationandthencamehomeandwasverymiserable,andherhusbandwasveryupsetabouther.Soofcourseheshotherandhimself.”
“Wasthathertheoryordidshehaveanexactknowledge?”
“Ithinkitwasentirelytheory.AsfarasIcanseeandhearinthecourseofmyinvestigations,”saidMrs.Oliver,makingratherapointofthislastword,“whenanybodyhasheardthatanyoftheirfriendswhomtheydon’thappentoknowverywellhavesuddenillnessorconsultdoctors,theyalwaysthinkit’scancer.Andsodothepeoplethemselves,Ithink.Somebodyelse—Ican’treadhernamehere,I’veforgotten,IthinkitbeganwithT—shesaidthatitwasthehusbandwhohadcancer.Hewasveryunhappy,andsowashiswife.Andtheytalkeditovertogetherandtheycouldn’tbearthethoughtofitall,sotheydecidedtocommitsuicide.”
“Sadandromantic,”saidPoirot.
“Yes,andIdon’tthinkreallytrue,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Itisworrying,isn’tit?Imean,thepeoplerememberingsomuchandthattheyreallymostlyseemtohavemadeitupthemselves.”
“Theyhavemadeupthesolutionofsomethingtheyknewabout,”saidPoirot.“Thatistosay,theyknowthatsomebodycomestoLondon,say,toconsultadoctor,orthatsomebodyhasbeeninhospitalfortwoorthreemonths.Thatisafactthattheyknow.”
“Yes,”saidMrs.Oliver,“andthenwhentheycometotalkaboutitalongtimeafterwards,they’vegotthesolutionforitwhichthey’vemadeupthemselves.Thatisn’tawfullyhelpful,isit?”
“Itishelpful,”saidPoirot.“Youarequiteright,youknow,inwhatyousaidtome.”
“Aboutelephants?”saidMrs.Oliver,ratherdoubtfully.
“Aboutelephants,”saidPoirot.“Itisimportanttoknowcertainfactswhichhavelingeredinpeople’smemoriesalthoughtheymaynotknowexactlywhatthefactwas,whyithappenedorwhatledtoit.Buttheymighteasilyknowsomethingthatwedonotknowandthatwehavenomeansoflearning.Sotherehavebeenmemoriesleadingtotheories—theoriesofinfidelity,ofillness,ofsuicidepacts,ofjealousy,allthesethingshavebeensuggestedtoyou.Furthersearchcouldbemadeastopointsiftheyseeminanywayprobable.”
“Peopleliketalkingaboutthepast,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Theyliketalkingaboutthepastreallymuchmorethantheyliketalkingaboutwhat’shappeningnow,orwhathappenedlastyear.Itbringsthingsbacktothem.Theytellyou,ofcourse,firstaboutalotofotherpeoplethatyoudon’twanttohearaboutandthenyouhearwhattheotherpeoplethatthey’verememberedknewaboutsomebodyelsethattheydidn’tknowbuttheyheardabout.Youknow,sothattheGeneralandLadyRavenscroftyouhearaboutisatoneremove,asitwere.It’slikefamilyrelationships,”shesaid.“Youknow,firstcousinonceremoved,secondcousintwiceremoved,alltherestofit.Idon’tthinkI’vebeenreallyveryhelpful,though.”
“Youmustnotthinkthat,”saidPoirot.“Iamprettysurethatyouwillfindthatsomeofthesethingsinyouragreeablelittlepurple-colourednotebookwillhavesomethingtodowiththepasttragedy.Icantellyoufrommyownenquiriesintotheofficialaccountsofthesetwodeaths,thattheyhaveremainedamystery.Thatis,fromthepolicepointofview.Theywereanaffectionatecouple,therewasnogossiporhearsaymuchaboutthemofanysextrouble,therewasnoillnessdiscoveredsuchaswouldhavecausedanyonetotaketheirownlives.Italknowonlyofthetime,youunderstand,immediatelyprecedingthetragedy.Buttherewasatimebeforethat,furtherback.”
“Iknowwhatyoumean,”saidMrs.Oliver,“andI’vegotsomethingaboutthatfromanoldNanny.AnoldNannywhoisnow—Idon’tknow,shemightbeahundred,butIthinkshe’sonlyabouteighty.Irememberherfrommychildhooddays.SheusedtotellmestoriesaboutpeopleintheServicesabroad—India,Egypt,SiamandHongKongandtherest.”
“Anythingthatinterestedyou?”
“Yes,”saidMrs.Oliver,“therewassometragedythatshetalkedabout.Sheseemedabituncertainaboutwhatitwas.I’mnotsurethatithadanythingtodowiththeRavenscrofts,itmighthavebeentodowithsomeotherpeopleouttherebecauseshedoesn’tremembersurnamesandthingsverywell.Itwasamentalcaseinonefamily.Someone’ssister-in-law.EitherGeneralWhoever-it-was’ssisterorMrs.Who-ever-it-was’ssister.Somebodywho’dbeeninamentalhomeforyears.Igatheredshe’dkilledherownchildrenortriedtokillherownchildrenlongago,andthenshe’dbeensupposedtobecuredorparoledorsomethingandcameouttoEgypt,orMalayaorwhereveritwas.Shecameouttostaywiththepeople.Andthenitseemstherewassomeothertragedy,connectedagain,Ithink,withchildrenorsomethingofthatkind.Anyway,itwassomethingthatwashushedup.ButIwondered.Imean,iftherewassomethingmentalinthefamily,eitherLadyRavenscroft’sfamilyorGeneralRavenscroft’sfamily.Idon’tthinkitneedhavebeenasnearasasister.Itcouldhavebeenacousinorsomethinglikethat.But—well,itseemedtomeapossiblelineofenquiry.”
“Yes,”saidPoirot,“there’salwayspossibilityandsomethingthatwaitsformanyyearsandthencomeshometoroostfromsomewhereinthepast.Thatiswhatsomeonesaidtome.Oldsinshavelongshadows.”
“Itseemedtome,”saidMrs.Oliver,“notthatitwaslikelyoreventhatoldNannyMatchamremembereditrightorevenreallyaboutitbeingthepeopleshethoughtitwas.Butitmighthavefittedinwithwhatthatawfulwomanattheliteraryluncheonsaidtome.”
“Youmeanwhenshewantedtoknow….”
“Yes.Whenshewantedmetofindoutfromthedaughter,mygodchild,whetherhermotherhadkilledherfatherorwhetherherfatherhadkilledhermother.”
“Andshethoughtthegirlmightknow?”
“Well,it’slikelyenoughthatthegirlwouldknow.Imean,notatthetime—itmighthavebeenshieldedfromher—butshemightknowthingsaboutitwhichwouldmakeherbeawarewhatthecircumstanceswereintheirlivesandwhowaslikelytohavekilledwhom,thoughshewouldprobablynevermentionitorsayanythingaboutitortalktoanyoneaboutit.”
“Andyousaythatwoman—thisMrs.—”
“Yes.I’veforgottenhernamenow.Mrs.Burtonsomething.Anamelikethat.Shesaidsomethingabouthersonhadthisgirlfriendandthattheywerethinkingofgettingmarried.AndIcanquiteseeyoumightwanttoknow,ifso,whetherhermotherorfatherhadcriminalrelationsintheirfamily—oraloonystrain.Sheprobablythoughtthatifitwasthemotherwhokilledthefatheritwouldbeveryunwisefortheboytomarryher,whereasifthefatherhadkilledthemother,sheprobablywouldn’tmindasmuch,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Youmeanthatshewouldthinkthattheinheritancewouldgointhefemaleline?”
“Well,shewasn’taveryclevertypeofwoman.Bossy,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Thinkssheknowsalot,butno.Ithinkyoumightthinkthatwayifyouwereawoman.”
“Aninterestingpointofview,butpossible,”saidPoirot.“Yes,Irealizethat.”Hesighed.“Wehavealottodostill.”
“I’vegotanothersidelightonthings,too.Samething,butsecondhand,ifyouknowwhatImean.Youknow.Someonesays‘TheRavenscrofts?Weren’ttheythatcouplewhoadoptedachild?Thenitseems,afteritwasallarranged,andtheywereabsolutelystuckonit—very,verykeenonit,oneoftheirchildrenhaddiedinMalaya,Ithink—butatanyratetheyhadadoptedthischildandthenitsownmotherwanteditbackandtheyhadacourtcaseorsomething.Butthecourtgavethemthecustodyofthechildandthemothercameandtriedtokidnapitback.’”
“Therearesimplerpoints,”saidPoirot,“arisingoutofyourreport,pointsthatIprefer.”
“Suchas?”
“Wigs.Fourwigs.”
“Well,”saidMrs.Oliver,“IthoughtthatwasinterestingyoubutIdon’tknowwhy.Itdoesn’tseemtomeananything.Theotherstorywasjustsomebodymental.Therearementalpeoplewhoareinhomesorloonybinsbecausetheyhavekilledtheirchildrenorsomeotherchild,forsomeabsolutelybattyreason,nosensetoitatall.Idon’tseewhythatwouldmakeGeneralandLadyRavenscroftwanttokillthemselves.”
“Unlessoneofthemwasimplicated,”saidPoirot.
“YoumeanthatGeneralRavenscroftmayhavekilledsomeone,aboy—anilligitimatechild,perhaps,ofhiswife’sorofhisown?No,Ithinkwe’regettingabittoomelodramaticthere.Orshemighthavekilledherhusband’schildorherown.”
“Andyet,”saidPoirot,“whatpeopleseemtobe,theyusuallyare.”
“Youmean—?”
“Theyseemedanaffectionatecouple,acouplewholivedtogetherhappilywithoutdisputes.Theyseemtohavehadnocasehistoryofillnessbeyondasuggestionofanoperation,ofsomeonecomingtoLondontoconsultsomemedicalauthority,apossibilityofcancer,ofleukaemia,somethingofthatkind,somefuturethattheycouldnotface.Andyet,somehowwedonotseemtogetatsomethingbeyondwhatispossible,butnotyetwhatisprobable.Iftherewasanyoneelseinthehouse,anyoneelseatthetime,thepolice,myfriendsthatistosay,whohaveknowntheinvestigationatthetime,saythatnothingtoldwasreallycompatiblewithanythingelsebutwiththefacts.Forsomereason,thosetwodidn’twanttogoonliving.Why?”
“Iknewacouple,”saidMrs.Oliver,“inthewar—thesecondwar,Imean—theythoughtthattheGermanswouldlandinEnglandandtheyhaddecidedifthathappenedtheywouldkillthemselves.Isaiditwasverystupid.Theysaiditwouldbeimpossibletogoonliving.Itstillseemstomestupid.You’vegottohaveenoughcouragetolivethroughsomething.Imean,it’snotasthoughyourdeathwasgoingtodoanygoodtoanybodyelse.Iwonder—”
“Yes,whatdoyouwonder?”
“Well,whenIsaidthatIwonderedsuddenlyifGeneralandLadyRavenscroft’sdeathsdidanygoodtoanyoneelse.”
“Youmeansomebodyinheritedmoneyfromthem?”
“Yes.Notquiteasblatantasthat.Perhapssomebodywouldhaveabetterchanceofdoingwellinlife.Somethingtherewasintheirlifethattheydidn’twanteitheroftheirtwochildrenevertohearaboutortoknowabout.”
Poirotsighed.
“Thetroublewithyou,is,”hesaid,“youthinksooftenofsomethingthatwellmighthaveoccurred,thatmighthavebeen.Yougivemeideas.Possibleideas.Ifonlytheywereprobableideasalso.Why?Whywerethedeathsofthosetwonecessary?Whyisit—theywerenotinpain,theywerenotinillness,theywerenotdeeplyunhappyfromwhatonecansee.Thenwhy,intheeveningofabeautifulday,didtheygoforawalktoacliffandtakingthedogwiththem….”
“What’sthedoggottodowithit?”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Well,Iwonderedforamoment.Didtheytakethedog,ordidthedogfollowthem?Wheredoesthedogcomein?”
“Isupposeitcomesinlikethewigs,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Justonemorethingthatyoucan’texplainanddoesn’tseemtomakesense.OneofmyelephantssaidthedogwasdevotedtoLadyRavenscroft,butanotheronesaidthedogbither.”
“Onealwayscomesbacktothesamething,”saidPoirot.“Onewantstoknowmore.”Hesighed.“Onewantstoknowmoreaboutthepeople,andhowcanyouknowpeopleseparatedfromyoubyagulfofyears.”
“Well,you’vedoneitonceortwice,haven’tyou?”saidMrs.Oliver.“Youknow—somethingaboutwhereapainterwasshotorpoisoned.Thatwasneartheseaonasortoffortificationorsomething.Youfoundoutwhodidthat,althoughyoudidn’tknowanyofthepeople.”
“No.Ididn’tknowanyofthepeople,butIlearntaboutthemfromtheotherpeoplewhowerethere.”1
“Well,that’swhatI’mtryingtodo,”saidMrs.Oliver,“onlyIcan’tgetnearenough.Ican’tgettoanyonewhoreallyknewanything,whowasreallyinvolved.Doyouthinkreallyweoughttogiveitup?”
“Ithinkitwouldbeverywisetogiveitup,”saidPoirot,“butthereisamomentwhenonenolongerwantstobewise.Onewantstofindoutmore.Ihaveaninterestnowinthatcoupleofkindlypeople,withtwonicechildren.Ipresumetheyarenicechildren?”
“Idon’tknowtheboy,”saidMrs.Oliver,“Idon’tthinkI’veevermethim.Doyouwanttoseemygoddaughter?Icouldsendhertoseeyou,ifyoulike.”
“Yes,IthinkIwouldliketoseeher,meethersomeway.Perhapsshewouldnotwishtocomeandseeme,butameetingcouldbebroughtabout.Itmight,Ithink,beinteresting.AndthereissomeoneelseIwouldliketosee.”
“Oh!Whoisthat?”
“Thewomanattheparty.Thebossywoman.Yourbossyfriend.”
“She’snofriendofmine,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Shejustcameupandspoketome,that’sall.”
“Youcouldresumeacquaintancewithher?”
“Ohyes,quiteeasily.Iwouldthinkshe’dprobablyjumpatit.”
“Iwouldliketoseeher.Iwouldliketoknowwhyshewantstoknowthesethings.”
“Yes.Isupposethatmightbeuseful.Anyway—”Mrs.Oliversighed—“Ishallbegladtohavearestfromelephants.Nanny—youknow,theoldNannyItalkedabout—shementionedelephantsandthatelephantsdidn’tforget.Thatsortofsillysentenceisbeginningtohauntme.Ahwell,youmustlookformoreelephants.It’syourturn.”
“Andwhataboutyou?”
“PerhapsIcouldlookforswans.”
“Mondieu,wheredoswanscomein?”
“ItisonlywhatIremember,whichNannyremindedmeof.ThattherewerelittleboysIusedtoplaywithandoneusedtocallmeLadyElephantandtheotheroneusedtocallmeLadySwan.WhenIwasLadySwanIpretendedtobeswimmingaboutonthefloor.WhenIwasLadyElephanttheyrodeonmyback.Therearenoswansinthis.”
“Thatisagoodthing,”saidPoirot.“Elephantsarequiteenough.”
Ten
DESMOND
Twodayslater,asHerculePoirotdrankhismorningchocolate,hereadatthesametimealetterthathadbeenamonghiscorrespondencethatmorning.Hewasreadingitnowforthesecondtime.Thehandwritingwasamoderatelygoodone,thoughithardlyborethestampofmaturity.
DearMonsieurPoirot,Iamafraidyouwillfindthisletterofminesomewhatpeculiar,butIbelieveitwouldhelpifImentionedafriendofyours.Itriedtogetintouchwithhertoaskherifshewouldarrangeformetocomeandseeyou,butapparentlyshehadlefthome.Hersecretary—IamreferringtoMrs.AriadneOliver,thenovelist—hersecretaryseemedtosaysomethingaboutherhavinggoneonasafariinEastAfrica.Ifso,Icanseeshemaynotreturnforsometime.ButI’msureshewouldhelpme.Iwouldindeedliketoseeyousomuch.Iambadlyinneedofadviceofsomekind.Mrs.Oliver,Iunderstand,isacquaintedwithmymother,whometherataliteraryluncheonparty.IfyoucouldgivemeanappointmenttovisityouonedayIshouldbeverygrateful.Icansuitmytimetoanythingyousuggested.Idon’tknowifitishelpfulatallbutMrs.Oliver’ssecretarydidmentiontheword“elephants.”IpresumethishassomethingtodowithMrs.Oliver’stravelsinEastAfrica.Thesecretaryspokeasthoughitwassomekindofpassword.Idon’treallyunderstandthisbutperhapsyouwill.IaminagreatstateofworryandanxietyandIwouldbeverygratefulifyoucouldseeme.Yourstruly,DesmondBurton-Cox.
“Nomd’unpetitbonhomme!”saidHerculePoirot.
“Ibegyourpardon,sir?”saidGeorge
“Amereejaculation,”saidHerculePoirot.“Therearesomethings,oncetheyhaveinvadedyourlife,whichyoufindverydifficulttogetridofagain.Withmeitseemstobeaquestionofelephants.”
Heleftthebreakfasttable,summonedhisfaithfulsecretary,MissLemon,handedhertheletterfromDesmondCoxandgaveherdirectionstoarrangeanappointmentwiththewriteroftheletter.
“Iamnottoooccupiedatthepresenttime,”hesaid.“Tomorrowwillbequitesuitable.”
MissLemonremindedhimoftwoappointmentswhichhealreadyhad,butagreedthatthatleftplentyofhoursvacantandshewouldarrangesomethingashewished.
“SomethingtodowiththeZoologicalGardens?”sheenquired.
“Hardly,”saidPoirot.“No,donotmentionelephantsinyourletter.Therecanbetoomuchofanything.Elephantsarelargeanimals.Theyoccupyagreatdealofthehorizon.Yes.Wecanleaveelephants.TheywillnodoubtariseinthecourseoftheconversationIproposetoholdwithDesmondBurton-Cox.”
“Mr.DesmondBurton-Cox,”announcedGeorge,usheringintheexpectedguest.
Poirothadrisentohisfeetandwasstandingbesidethemantelpiece.Heremainedforamomentortwowithoutspeaking,thenheadvanced,havingsummeduphisownimpression.Asomewhatnervousandenergeticpersonality.Quitenaturallyso,Poirotthought.Alittleillateasebutmanagingtomaskitverysuccessfully.Hesaid,extendingahand,
“Mr.HerculePoirot?”
“Thatisright,”saidPoirot.“AndyournameisDesmondBurton-Cox.PraysitdownandtellmewhatIcandoforyou,thereasonswhyyouhavecometoseeme.”
“It’sallgoingtoberatherdifficulttoexplain,”saidDesmondBurton-Cox
“Somanythingsaredifficulttoexplain,”saidHerculePoirot,“butwehaveplentyoftime.Sitdown.”
Desmondlookedratherdoubtfullyatthefigureconfrontinghim.Really,averycomicpersonality,hethought.Theegg-shapedhead,thebigmoustaches.Notsomehowveryimposing.Notquite,infact,whathehadexpectedtoencounter.
“You—youareadetective,aren’tyou?”hesaid.“Imeanyou—youfindoutthings.Peoplecometoyoutofindout,ortoaskyoutofindoutthingsforthem.”
“Yes,”saidPoirot,“thatisoneofmytasksinlife.”
“Idon’tsupposethatyouknowwhatI’vecomeaboutorthatyouknowanythingmuchaboutme.”
“Iknowsomething,”saidPoirot.
“YoumeanMrs.Oliver,yourfriendMrs.Oliver.She’stoldyousomething?”
“Shetoldmethatshehadhadaninterviewwithagoddaughterofhers,aMissCeliaRavenscroft.Thatisright,isitnot?”
“Yes.Yes,Celiatoldme.ThisMrs.Oliver,isshe—doesshealsoknowmymother—knowherwell,Imean?”
“No.Idonotthinkthattheyknoweachotherwell.AccordingtoMrs.Oliver,shemetherataliteraryluncheonrecentlyandhadafewwordswithher.Yourmother,Iunderstand,madeacertainrequesttoMrs.Oliver.”
“She’dnobusinesstodoso,”saidtheboy.
Hiseyebrowscamedownoverhisnose.Helookedangrynow,angry—almostrevengeful.
“Really,”hesaid.“Mothers—Imean—”
“Iunderstand,”saidPoirot.“Thereismuchfeelingthesedays,indeedperhapstherealwayshasbeen.Mothersarecontinuallydoingthingswhichtheirchildrenwouldmuchrathertheydidnot.AmIright?”
“Ohyou’rerightenough.Butmymother—Imean,sheinterferesinthingsinwhichreallyshehasnoconcern.”
“YouandCeliaRavenscroft,Iunderstand,areclosefriends.Mrs.Oliverunderstoodfromyourmotherthattherewassomequestionofmarriage.Perhapsinthenearfuture?”
“Yes,butmymotherreallydoesn’tneedtoaskquestionsandworryaboutthingswhichare—well,noconcernofhers.”
“Butmothersarelikethat,”saidPoirot.Hesmiledfaintly.Headded,“Youare,perhaps,verymuchattachedtoyourmother?”
“Iwouldn’tsaythat,”saidDesmond.“No,Icertainlywouldn’tsaythat.Yousee—well,I’dbettertellyoustraightaway,she’snotreallymymother.”
“Oh,indeed.Ihadnotunderstoodthat.”
“I’madopted,”saidDesmond.“Shehadason.Alittleboywhodied.AndthenshewantedtoadoptachildsoIwasadopted,andshebroughtmeupasherson.Shealwaysspeaksofmeasherson,andthinksofmeasherson,butI’mnotreally.We’renotabitalike.Wedon’tlookatthingsthesameway.”
“Veryunderstandable,”saidPoirot.
“Idon’tseemtobegettingon,”saidDesmond,“withwhatIwanttoaskyou.”
“Youwantmetodosomethingtofindoutsomething,tocoveracertainlineofinterrogation?”
“Isupposethatdoescoverit.Idon’tknowhowmuchyouknowabout—aboutwell,whatthetroubleisallabout.”
“Iknowalittle,”saidPoirot.“Notdetails.IdonotknowverymuchaboutyouoraboutMissRavenscroft,whomIhavenotyetmet.I’dliketomeether.”
“Yes,well,IwasthinkingofbringinghertotalktoyoubutIthoughtI’dbettertalktoyoumyselffirst.”
“Well,thatseemsquitesensible,”saidPoirot.“Youareunhappyaboutsomething?Worried?Youhavedifficulties?”
“Notreally.No.No,thereshouldn’tbeanydifficulties.Therearen’tany.WhathappenedisathingthathappenedyearsagowhenCeliawasonlyachild,oraschoolgirlatleast.Andtherewasatragedy,thesortofthingthathappens—well,ithappenseveryday,anytime.Twopeopleyouknowwhomsomethinghasupsetverymuchandtheycommitsuicide.Asortofsuicidepact,thiswas.Nobodyknewverymuchaboutitorwhy,oranythinglikethat.But,afterall,ithappensandit’snobusinessreallyofpeople’schildrentoworryaboutit.Imean,iftheyknowthefactsthat’squiteenough,Ishouldthink.Andit’snobusinessofmymother’satall.”
“Asonejourneysthroughlife,”saidPoirot,“onefindsmoreandmorethatpeopleareofteninterestedinthingsthatarenoneoftheirownbusiness.Evenmoresothantheyareinthingsthatcouldbeconsideredastheirownbusiness.”
“Butthisisallover.Nobodyknewmuchaboutitoranything.But,yousee,mymotherkeepsaskingquestions.Wantstoknowthings,andshe’sgotatCelia.She’sgotCeliaintoastatewhereshedoesn’treallyknowwhethershewantstomarrymeornot.”
“Andyou?Youknowifyouwanttomarryherstill?”
“Yes,ofcourseIknow.Imeantomarryher.I’mquitedeterminedtomarryher.Butshe’sgotupset.Shewantstoknowthings.Shewantstoknowwhyallthishappenedandshethinks—I’msureshe’swrong—shethinksthatmymotherknowssomethingaboutit.Thatshe’sheardsomethingaboutit.”
“Well,Ihavemuchsympathyforyou,”saidPoirot,“butitseemstomethatifyouaresensibleyoungpeopleandifyouwanttomarry,thereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldnot.ImaysaythatIhavebeengivensomeinformationatmyrequestaboutthissadtragedy.Asyousay,itisamatterthathappenedyearsago.Therewasnofullexplanationofit.Thereneverhasbeen.Butinlifeonecannothaveexplanationsofallthesadthingsthathappen.”
“Itwasasuicidepact,”saidtheboy.“Itcouldn’thavebeenanythingelse.But—well….”
“Youwanttoknowthecauseofit.Isthatit?”
“Well,yes,that’sit.That’swhatCelia’sbeenworriedabout,andshe’salmostmademeworried.Certainlymymotherisworried,though,asI’vesaid,it’sabsolutelynobusinessofhers.Idon’tthinkanyfaultisattachedtoanyone.Imean,therewasn’taroworanything.Thetroubleis,ofcourse,thatwedon’tknow.Well,Imean,Ishouldn’tknowanywaybecauseIwasn’tthere.”
“Youdidn’tknowGeneralandLadyRavenscroftorCelia?”
“I’veknownCeliamoreorlessallmylife.Yousee,thepeopleIwenttoforholidaysandherpeoplelivednextdoortoeachotherwhenwewereveryyoung.Youknow—justchildren.Andwealwayslikedeachother,andgotontogetherandallthat.Andthenofcourse,foralongtimeallthatpassedover.Ididn’tmeetCeliaforagreatmanyyearsafterthat.Herparents,yousee,wereinMalaya,andsoweremine.Ithinktheymeteachotheragainthere—Imeanmyfatherandmother.Myfather’sdead,bytheway.ButIthinkwhenmymotherwasinMalayasheheardthingsandshe’srememberednowwhatsheheardandshe’sworkedherselfupaboutthemandshesortof—sortofthinksthingsthatcan’tpossiblybetrue.I’msuretheyaren’ttrue.Butshe’sdeterminedtoworryCeliaaboutthem.Iwanttoknowwhatreallyhappened.Celiawantstoknowwhatreallyhappened.Whatitwasallabout.Andwhy?Andhow?Notjustpeople’ssillystories.”
“Yes,”saidPoirot,“itisnotunnaturalperhapsthatyoushouldbothfeelthat.Celia,Ishouldimagine,morethanyou.Sheismoredisturbedbyitthanyouare.But,ifImaysayso,doesitreallymatter?Whatmattersisthenow,thepresent.Thegirlyouwanttomarry,thegirlwhowantstomarryyou—whathasthepasttodowithyou?Doesitmatterwhetherherparentshadasuicidepactorwhethertheydiedinanaeroplaneaccidentoroneofthemwaskilledinanaccidentandtheotheronelatercommittedsuicide?Whethertherewereloveaffairswhichcameintotheirlivesandmadeforunhappiness.”
“Yes,”saidDesmondBurton-Cox,“yes,Ithinkwhatyousayissensibleandquiterightbut—well,thingshavebeenbuiltupinsuchawaythatI’vegottomakesurethatCeliaissatisfied.She’s—she’sapersonwhomindsaboutthingsalthoughshedoesn’ttalkaboutthemmuch.”
“Hasitnotoccurredtoyou,”saidHerculePoirot,“thatitmaybeverydifficult,ifnotimpossible,tofindoutwhatreallyhappened.”
“Youmeanwhichofthemkilledtheotherorwhy,orthatoneshottheotherandthenhimself.Notunless—notunlesstherehadbeensomething.”
“Yes,butthatsomethingwouldhavebeeninthepast,sowhydoesitmatternow?”
“Itoughtn’ttomatter—itwouldn’tmatterbutformymotherinterfering,pokingaboutinthings.Itwouldn’thavemattered.Idon’tsupposethat,well,Celia’severthoughtmuchaboutit.IthinkprobablythatshewasawayatschoolinSwitzerlandatthetimethetragedyhappenedandnobodytoldhermuchand,well,whenyou’reateenageroryoungerstillyoujustacceptthingsassomethingthathappened,butthat’snotanythingtodowithyoureally.”
“Thendon’tyouthinkthatperhapsyou’rewantingtheimpossible?”
“Iwantyoutofindout,”saidDesmond.“Perhapsit’snotthekindofthingthatyoucanfindout,orthatyoulikefindingout—”
“Ihavenoobjectiontofindingout,”saidPoirot.“Infactonehasevenacertain—curiosity,shallIsay.Tragedies,thingsthatariseasamatterofgrief,surprise,shock,illness,theyarehumantragedies,humanthings,anditisonlynaturalthatifone’sattentionisdrawntothemoneshouldwanttoknow.WhatIsayis,isitwiseornecessarytorakeupthings?”
“Perhapsitisn’t,”saidDesmond,“butyousee….”
“Andalso,”saidPoirot,interruptinghim,“don’tyouagreewithmethatitisratheranimpossiblethingtodoafterallthistime?”
“No,”saidDesmond,“that’swhereIdon’tagreewithyou.Ithinkitwouldbequitepossible.”
“Veryinteresting,”saidPoirot.“Whydoyouthinkitwouldbequitepossible?”
“Because—”
“Ofwhat?Youhaveareason.”
“Ithinktherearepeoplewhowouldknow.Ithinktherearepeoplewhocouldtellyouiftheywerewillingtotellyou.People,perhaps,whowouldnotwishtotellme,whowouldnotwishtotellCelia,butyoumightfindoutfromthem.”
“Thatisinteresting,”saidPoirot.
“Thingshappened,”saidDesmond.“Thingshappenedinthepast.I—I’vesortofheardabouttheminavagueway.Therewassomementaltrouble.Therewassomeone—Idon’tknowwhoexactly,IthinkitmighthavebeenLadyRavenscroft—Ithinkshewasinamentalhomeforyears.Quitealongtime.Sometragedyhadhappenedwhenshewasquiteyoung.Somechildwhodiedoranaccident.Somethingthat—well,shewasconcernedinitinsomeway.”
“Itisnotwhatyouknowofyourownknowledge,Ipresume?”
“No.It’ssomethingmymothersaid.Somethingsheheard.ShehearditinMalaya,Ithink.Gossiptherefromotherpeople.YouknowhowtheygettogetherintheServices,peoplelikethat,andthewomenallgossiptogether—allthememsahibs.Sayingthingsthatmightn’tbetrueatall.”
“Andyouwanttoknowwhethertheyweretrueorwerenottrue?”
“Yes,andIdon’tknowhowtofindoutmyself.Notnow,becauseitwasalongtimeagoandIdon’tknowwhotoask.Idon’tknowwhotogoto,butuntilwereallyfindoutwhatdidhappenandwhy—”
“Whatyoumeanis,”saidPoirot,“atleastIthinkIamrightonlythisispuresurmiseonmypart,CeliaRavenscroftdoesnotwanttomarryyouunlesssheisquitesurethatthereisnomentalflawpassedtoherpresumablybyhermother.Isthatit?”
“Ithinkthatiswhatshehasgotintoherheadsomehow.AndIthinkmymotherputitthere.Ithinkit’swhatmymotherwantstobelieve.Idon’tthinkshe’sanyreasonreallyforbelievingitexceptill-manneredspiteandgossipandalltherestofit.”
“Itwillnotbeaveryeasythingtoinvestigate,”saidPoirot.
“No,butI’veheardthingsaboutyou.Theysaythatyou’reverycleveratfindingoutwhatdidhappen.Askingpeoplequestionsandgettingthemtotellyouthings.”
“WhomdoyousuggestIshouldquestionorask?WhenyousayMalaya,IpresumeyouarenotreferringtopeopleofMalayannationality.Youarespeakingofwhatyoumightcallthememsahibdays,thedayswhentherewereServicecommunitiesinMalaya.YouarespeakingofEnglishpeopleandthegossipinsomeEnglishstationthere.”
“Idon’treallymeanthatthatwouldbeanygoodnow.Ithinkwhoeveritwaswhogossiped,whotalked—Imean,it’ssolongagonowthatthey’dhaveforgottenallaboutit,thattheyareprobablydeadthemselves.Ithinkthatmymother’sgotalotofthingswrong,thatshe’sheardthingsandmadeupmorethingsabouttheminhermind.”
“AndyoustillthinkthatIwouldbecapable—”
“Well,Idon’tmeanthatIwantyoutogoouttoMalayaandaskpeoplethings.Imean,noneofthepeoplewouldbetherenow.”
“Soyouthinkyoucouldnotgivemenames?”
“Notthosesortofnames,”saidDesmond.
“Butsomenames?”
“Well,I’llcomeoutwithwhatImean.Ithinktherearetwopeoplewhomightknowwhathappenedandwhy.Because,yousee,they’dhavebeenthere.They’dhaveknown,reallyknown,oftheirownknowledge.”
“Youdonotwanttogotothemyourself?”
“Well,Icould.Ihaveinaway,butIdon’tthink,yousee,thatthey—Idon’tknow.Iwouldn’tliketoasksomeofthethingsIwanttoask.Idon’tthinkCeliawould.They’reverynice,andthat’swhythey’dknow.Notbecausethey’renasty,notbecausetheygossip,butbecausetheymighthavehelped.Theymighthavedonesomethingtomakethingsbetter,orhavetriedtodoso,onlytheycouldn’t.Oh,I’mputtingitallsobadly.”
“No,”saidPoirot,“youaredoingitverywell,andIaminterestedandIthinkyouhavesomethingdefiniteinyourmind.Tellme,doesCeliaRavenscroftagreewithyou?”
“Ihaven’tsaidtoomuchtoher.Yousee,shewasveryfondofMaddyandofZélie.”
“MaddyandZélie?”
“Ohwell,that’stheirnames.Oh,Imustexplain.Ihaven’tdoneitverywell.Yousee,whenCeliawasquiteachild—atthetimewhenIfirstknewher,asIsay,whenwewerelivingnextdoorinthecountry—shehadaFrenchsortof—well,Isupposenowadayswecallitanaupairgirlbutitwascalledagovernessthen.Youknow,aFrenchgoverness.Amademoiselle.Andyousee,shewasverynice.SheplayedwithallofuschildrenandCeliaalwayscalledher‘Maddy’forshort—andallthefamilycalledherMaddy.”
“Ahyes.Themademoiselle.”
“Yes,youseebeingFrenchIthought—Ithoughtperhapsshewouldtellyouthingsthatsheknewandwouldn’twishtospeakabouttootherpeople.”
“Ah.Andtheothernameyoumentioned?”
“Zélie.Thesamesortofthing,yousee.Amademoiselle.Maddywasthere,Ithink,forabouttwoorthreeyearsandthen,later,shewentbacktoFrance,orSwitzerlandIthinkitwas,andthisotheronecame.YoungerthanMaddywasandwedidn’tcallherMaddy.CeliacalledherZélie.Shewasveryyoung,prettyandgreatfun.Wewereallfrightfullyfondofher.Sheplayedgameswithusandwealllovedher.Thefamilydid.AndGeneralRavenscroftwasverytakenwithher.Theyusedtoplaygamestogether,picquet,youknowandlotsofthings.”
“AndLadyRavenscroft?”
“OhshewasdevotedtoZélietoo,andZéliewasdevotedtoher.That’swhyshecamebackagainaftershe’dleft.”
“Cameback?”
“Yes,whenLadyRavenscroftwasill,andhadbeeninhospital,Zéliecamebackandwassortofcompaniontoherandlookedafterher.Idon’tknow,butIbelieve,Ithink,I’malmostsurethatshewastherewhenit—thetragedy—happened.Andso,youseeshe’dknow—whatreallyhappened.”
“Andyouknowheraddress?Youknowwheresheisnow?”
“Yes.Iknowwheresheis.I’vegotheraddress.I’vegotboththeiraddresses.Ithoughtperhapsyoucouldgoandseeher,orbothofthem.Iknowit’salottoask—”Hebrokeoff.
Poirotlookedathimforsomeminutes.Thenhesaid:“Yes,itisapossibility—certainly—apossibility.”
BookTwo
LONGSHADOWS
Eleven
SUPERINTENDENTGARROWAYANDPOIROTCOMPARENOTES
SuperintendentGarrowaylookedacrossthetableatPoirot.Hiseyestwinkled.AthissideGeorgedeliveredawhiskyandsoda.PassingontoPoirot,heputdownaglassfilledwithadarkpurpleliquid.
“What’syourtipple?”saidSuperintendentGarroway,withsomeinterest.
“Asyrupofblackcurrant,”saidPoirot.
“Well,well,”saidSuperintendentGarroway,“everyonetotheirowntaste.WhatwasitSpencetoldme?Hetoldmeyouusedtodrinksomethingcalledatisane,wasn’tit?What’sthat,avariantofFrenchpianoorsomething?”
“No,”saidPoirot,“it’susefulforreducingfevers.”
“Ah.Invaliddopeofsomekind.”Hedrankfromhisglass.“Well,”hesaid,“here’stosuicide!”
“Itwassuicide?”Poirotasked.
“Whatelsecanitbe?”saidSuperintendentGarroway.“Thethingsyouwantedtoknow!”Heshookhishead.Hissmilegrewmorepronounced.
“Iamsorry,”saidPoirot,“tohavetroubledyousomuch.IamliketheanimalorthechildinoneofyourstoriesbyMr.Kipling.ISufferfromInsatiableCuriosity.”
“Insatiablecuriosity,”saidSuperintendentGarroway.“Nicestorieshewrote,Kipling.Knewhisstuff,too.TheytoldmeoncethatthatmancouldgoforoneshorttourroundadestroyerandknowmoreaboutitthanoneofthetopengineersintheRoyalNavy.”
“Alas,”saidHerculePoirot.“Idonotknoweverything.Therefore,yousee,Ihavetoaskquestions.IamafraidthatIsentyouratheralonglistofquestions.”
“Whatintriguedme,”saidSuperintendentGarroway,“isthewayyoujumpedfromonethingtoanother.Psychiatrists,doctors’reports,howmoneywasleft,whohadmoney,whogotmoney.Whoexpectedmoneyanddidn’tgetmoney,particularsofladies’hairdressing,wigs,nameofthesupplierofwigs,charmingrose-colouredcardboardboxestheycameinbytheway.”
“Youknewallthesethings,”saidPoirot.“Thathasamazedme,Icanassureyou.”
“Ahwell,itwasapuzzlingcaseandofcoursewemadefullnotesonthesubject.Noneofthiswasanygoodtousbutwekeptthefilesanditwasallthereifonewantedtolookforit.”
Hepushedapieceofpaperacrossthetable.
“Hereyouare.Hairdressers.BondStreet.Expensivefirm.EugeneandRosentellewasthenameofit.Theymovedlater.SamefirmbutwentintobusinessinSloaneStreet.Here’stheaddress,butit’saPetShopnow.Twooftheirassistantsretiredsomeyearsagonow,buttheywerethetopassistantsservingpeoplethen,andLadyRavenscroftwasontheirlist.RosentellelivesinCheltenhamnow.Stillinthesamelineofbusiness—CallsherselfaHairStylist—That’stheup-to-dateterm—andyouaddBeautician.Sameman,differenthat,asoneusedtosayinmyyoungdays.”
“Ah-ha?”saidPoirot.
“Whyah-ha?”askedGarroway.
“Iamimmenselyobligedtoyou,”saidHerculePoirot.“Youhavepresentedmewithanidea.Howstrangeitisthewayideasarriveintoone’shead.”
“You’vetoomanyideasinyourheadalready,”saidtheSuperintendent,“that’soneofyourtroubles—youdon’tneedanymore.Nowthen,I’vecheckedupaswellasIcouldonthefamilyhistory—nothingmuchthere.AlistairRavenscroftwasofScottishextraction.Fatherwasaclergyman—twounclesintheArmy—bothquitedistinguished.MarriedMargaretPreston-Grey—well-borngirl—presentedatCourtandalltherestofit.Nofamilyscandals.Youwerequiterightaboutherbeingoneoftwinsisters.Don’tknowwhereyoupickedthatup—DorotheaandMargaretPreston-Grey—knowncolloquiallyasDollyandMolly.ThePreston-GreyslivedatHattersGreeninSussex.Identicaltwins—usualkindofhistoryofthatkindoftwin.Cuttheirfirsttooththesameday—bothgotscarletfeverthesamemonth—worethesamekindofclothes—fellinlovewiththesamekindofman—gotmarriedaboutthesametime—bothhusbandsintheArmy.Familydoctorwhoattendedthefamilywhentheywereyoungdiedsomeyearsago,sothere’snothingofinteresttobegotoutofhim.Therewasanearlytragedy,though,connectedwithoneofthem.”
“LadyRavenscroft?”
“No,theotherone—shemarriedaCaptainJarrow—hadtwochildren;theyoungerone,aboyoffour,wasknockeddownbyawheelbarroworsomekindofchild’sgardentoy—oraspadeorachild’shoe.Hithimonhisheadandhefellintoanartificialpondorsomethinganddrowned.Apparentlyitwastheolderchild,agirlofninewhodidit.Theywereplayingtogetherandquarrelled,aschildrendo.Doesn’tseemmuchdoubt,buttherewasanotherstory.Someonesaidthemotherdidit—gotangryandhithim—andsomeoneelsesaiditwasawomanwholivednextdoorwhohithim.Don’tsupposeit’sofanyinteresttoyou—nobearingonasuicidepactenteredintobythemother’ssisterandherhusbandyearsafter.”
“No,”saidPoirot,“itdoesnotseemto.Butonelikestoknowbackground.”
“Yes,”saidGarroway,“asItoldyou,onehastolookintothepast.Ican’tsaywe’dthoughtoflookingintothepastaslongagoasthis.Imean,asI’vesaid,allthiswassomeyearsbeforethesuicide.”
“Werethereanyproceedingsatthetime?”
“Yes.Imanagedtolookupthecase.Accountsofit.Newspaperaccounts.Variousthings.Thereweresomedoubtsaboutit,youknow.Themotherwasbadlyaffected.Shebrokedowncompletelyandhadtogointohospital.Theydosayshewasneverthesamewomanagainafterwards.”
“Buttheythoughtshehaddoneit?”
“Well,that’swhatthedoctorthought.Therewasnodirectevidence,youunderstand.Shesaidthatshehadseenthishappenfromawindow,thatshe’dseentheolderchild,thegirl,hittheboyandpushhimin.Butheraccount—well,Idon’tthinktheybelieveditatthetime.Shetalkedsowildly.”
“Therewas,Isuppose,somepsychiatricevidence?”
“Yes.Shewenttoanursinghomeorhospitalofsomekind,shewasdefinitelyamentalcase.Shewasagoodlongtimeinoneortwodifferentestablishmentshavingtreatment,IbelieveunderthecareofoneofthespecialistsfromSt.Andrew’sHospitalinLondon.Intheendshewaspronouncedcured,andreleasedafteraboutthreeyears,andsenthometoleadanormallifewithherfamily.”
“Andshewasthenquitenormal?”
“Shewasalwaysneurotic,Ibelieve—”
“Wherewassheatthetimeofthesuicide?WasshestayingwiththeRavenscrofts?”
“No—shehaddiednearlythreeweeksbeforethat.ShewasstayingwiththematOvercliffewhenithappened.Itseemedagaintobeanillustrationoftheidenticaltwindestiny.Shewalkedinhersleep—hadsufferedfromthatoveraperiodofyears,itseems.Shehadhadoneortwominoraccidentsthatway.Sometimesshetooktoomanytranquillizersandthatresultedinherwalkingroundthehouseandsometimesoutofitduringthenight.Shewasfollowingapathalongthecliffedge,lostherfootingandfelloverthecliff.Killedimmediately—theydidn’tfindheruntilthenextday.Hersister,LadyRavenscroft,wasterriblyupset.Theywereverydevotedtoeachotherandshehadtobetakentohospitalsufferingfromshock.”
“CouldthistragicaccidenthaveledtotheRavenscrofts’suicidesomeweekslater?”
“Therewasneverasuggestionofsuchathing.”
“Oddthingshappenwithtwinsasyousay—LadyRavenscroftmighthavekilledherselfbecauseofthelinkbetweenherandhertwinsister.Thenthehusbandmayhaveshothimselfbecausepossiblyhefeltguiltyinsomeway—”
SuperintendentGarrowaysaid:“Youhavetoomanyideas,Poirot.AlistairRavenscroftcouldn’thavehadanaffairwithhissister-in-lawwithouteveryoneknowingaboutit.Therewasnothingofthatkind—ifthat’swhatyou’vebeenimagining.”
Thetelephonerang—Poirotroseandansweredit.ItwasMrs.Oliver.
“MonsieurPoirot,canyoucometoteaorsherrytomorrow?IhavegotCeliacoming—andlateronthebossywoman.That’swhatyouwanted,isn’tit?”
Poirotsaiditwasjustwhathewanted.
“I’vegottodashnow,”saidMrs.Oliver.“GoingtomeetanoldWarHorse—providedbymyelephantNo.1,JuliaCarstairs.Ithinkshe’sgothisnamewrong—shealwaysdoes—butIhopeshe’sgothisaddressright.”
Twelve
CELIAMEETSHERCULEPOIROT
“Well,madame,”saidPoirot,“andhowdidyoufarewithSirHugoFoster?”
“Tobeginwithhisnamewasn’tFoster—itwasFothergill.TrustJuliatogetanamewrong.She’salwaysdoingit.”
“Soelephantsarenotalwaysreliableinthenamestheyremember?”
“Don’ttalkofelephants—I’vefinishedwithelephants.”
“AndyourWarHorse?”
“Quiteanoldpet—butuselessasasourceofinformation.ObsessedbysomepeoplecalledBarnetwhodidhaveachildkilledinanaccidentinMalaya.ButnothingtodowiththeRavenscrofts.ItellyouI’vefinishedwithelephants—”
“Madame,youhavebeenmostpersevering,mostnoble.”
“Celiaiscomingalonginabouthalfanhour’stime.Youwantedtomeether,didn’tyou?I’vetoldherthatyouare—well,helpingmeinthismatter.Orwouldyourathershecametoseeyou?”
“No,”saidPoirot,“IthinkIshouldlikehertocomeinthewayyouhavearranged.”
“Idon’tsupposeshe’llstayverylong.Ifwegetridofherinaboutanhour,thatwouldbeallright,justtothinkoverthingsabit,andthenMrs.Burton-Coxiscoming.”
“Ahyes.Thatwillbeinteresting.Yes,thatwillbeveryinteresting.”
Mrs.Oliversighed.“Ohdear,it’sapity,though,isn’tit?”Shesaidagain,“Wedohavetoomuchmaterial,don’twe?”
“Yes,”saidPoirot.“Wedonotknowwhatwearelookingfor.Allweknowofstillis,inallprobability,thedoublesuicideofamarriedcouplewholivedquietandhappylivestogether.Andwhathavewegottoshowforcause,forreason?We’vegoneforwardandbacktotheright,totheleft,tothewest,totheeast.”
“Quiteright,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Everywhere.Wehaven’tbeentotheNorthPoleyet,”sheadded.
“NortotheSouthPole,”saidPoirot.
“Sowhatisthere,whenitallcomestoit?”
“Variousthings,”saidPoirot.“Ihavemadeherealist.Doyouwanttoreadit?”
Mrs.Olivercameoverandsatbesidehimandlookedoverhisshoulder.
“Wigs,”shesaid,pointingtothefirstitem.“Whywigsfirst?”
“Fourwigs,”saidPoirot,“seemtobeinteresting.Interestingandratherdifficulttosolve.”
“Ibelievetheshopshegotherwigsfromhasgoneoutofthetradenow.Peoplegotoquitedifferentplacesforwigsandthey’renotwearingsomanyastheydidjustthen.Peopleusedtowearwigstogoabroad.Youknow,becauseitsavesbotherintravelling.”
“Yes,yes,”saidPoirot,“wewilldowhatwecanwithwigs.Anyway,thatisonethingthatinterestsme.Andthenthereareotherstories.Storiesofmentaldisturbanceinthefamily.Storiesofatwinsisterwhowasmentallydisturbedandspentagoodmanyyearsofherlifeinamentalhome.”
“Itdoesn’tseemtoleadanywhere,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Imeantosay,Isupposeshecouldhavecomeandshotthetwoofthem,butIdon’treallyseewhy.”
“No,”saidPoirot,“thefingerprintsontherevolverweredefinitelyonlythefingerprintsofGeneralRavenscroftandhiswife,Iunderstand.Thentherearestoriesofachild,achildinMalayawasmurderedorattacked,possiblybythistwinsisterofLadyRavenscroft.Possiblybysomequitedifferentwoman—possiblybyanamahoraservant.Pointtwo.Youknowalittlemoreaboutmoney.”
“Wheredoesmoneycomeintoit?”saidMrs.Oliver,insomesurprise.
“Itdoesnotcomeintoit,”saidPoirot.“Thatiswhatissointeresting.Moneyusuallycomesin.Moneysomeonegotasaresultofthatsuicide.Moneylostasaresultofit.Moneysomewherecausingdifficulties,causingtrouble,causingcovetousnessanddesire.Itisdifficult,that.Difficulttosee.Theredoesnotseemtohavebeenanylargeamountofmoneyanywhere.Therearevariousstoriesofloveaffairs,womenwhowereattractivetothehusband,menwhowereattractivetothewife.Anaffairononesideortheothercouldhaveledtosuicideortomurder.Itveryoftendoes.Thenwecometowhatatthemomentinclinesmetothemostinterest.ThatiswhyIamsoanxioustomeetMrs.
“Oh.Thatawfulwoman.Idon’tseewhyyouthinkshe’simportant.Allshedidwastobeanoseyparkerandwantmetofindoutthings.”
“Yes,butwhydidshewantyoutofindoutthings?Itseemstomeveryodd,that.Itseemstomethatthatissomethingthatonehastofindoutabout.Sheisthelink,yousee.”
“Thelink?”
“Yes.Wedonotknowwhatthelinkwas,whereitwas,howitwas.Allweknowisthatshewantsdesperatelytolearnmoreaboutthissuicide.Beingalink,sheconnectsbothwithyourgodchild,CeliaRavenscroft,andwiththesonwhoisnotherson.”
“Whatdoyoumean—notherson?”
“Heisanadoptedson,”saidPoirot.“Asonsheadoptedbecauseherownsondied.”
“Howdidherownchilddie?Why?When?”
“AllthesethingsIaskedmyself.Shecouldbealink,alinkofemotion,awishforrevengethroughhatred,throughsomeloveaffair.AtanyrateImustseeher.Imustmakeupmymindabouther.Yes,Icannothelpbutthinkthatisveryimportant.”
TherewasaringatthebellandMrs.Oliverwentoutoftheroomtoanswerit
“This,Ithink,couldbeCelia,”shesaid.“You’resureit’sallright?”
“Byme,yes,”saidPoirot.“Byheralso,Ihope.”
Mrs.Olivercamebackafewminuteslater.CeliaRavenscroftwaswithher.Shehadadoubtful,suspiciouslook.
“Idon’tknow,”shesaid,“ifI—”Shestopped,staringatHerculePoirot
“Iwanttointroduceyou,”saidMrs.Oliver,“tosomeonewhoishelpingme,andIhopeishelpingyoualso.Thatis,helpingyouinwhatyouwanttoknowandtofindout.ThisisMonsieurHerculePoirot.Hehasspecialgeniusinfindingoutthings.”
“Oh,”saidCelia.
Shelookedverydoubtfullyattheegg-shapedhead,themonstrousmoustachesandthesmallstature.
“Ithink,”shesaid,ratherdoubtfully,“thatIhaveheardofhim.”
HerculePoirotstoppedhimselfwithaslighteffortfromsayingfirmly“Mostpeoplehaveheardofme.”ItwasnotquiteastrueasitusedtobebecausemanypeoplewhohadheardofHerculePoirotandknownhim,werenowreposingwithsuitablememorialstonesoverthem,inchurchyards.Hesaid,
“Sitdown,mademoiselle.Iwilltellyouthismuchaboutmyself.ThatwhenIstartaninvestigationIpursueittotheend.Iwillbringtolightthetruthandifitis,shallwesay,trulythetruththatyouwant,thenIwilldeliverthatknowledgetoyou.Butitmaybethatyouwantreassuring.Thatisnotthesamethingasthetruth.Icanfindvariousaspectsthatmightreassureyou.Willthatbeenough?Ifso,donotaskformore.”
Celiasatdowninthechairhehadpushedtowardsher,andlookedathimratherearnestly.Thenshesaid,
“Youdon’tthinkI’dcareforthetruth,isthatit?”
“Ithink,”saidPoirot,“thatthetruthmightbe—ashock,asorrow,anditmightbethatyouwouldhavesaid‘WhydidInotleaveallthisbehind?WhydidIaskforknowledge?ItispainfulknowledgeaboutwhichIcandonothinghelpfulorhopeful.’ItisadoublesuicidebyafatherandamotherthatI—well,we’lladmitit—thatIloved.Itisnotadisadvantagetoloveamotherandfather.”
“Itseemstobeconsideredsonowadaysoccasionally,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Newarticleofbelief,shallwesay.”
“That’sthewayI’vebeenliving,”saidCelia.“Beginningtowonder,youknow.Catchingontooddthingsthatpeoplesaidsometimes.Peoplewholookedatmeratherpityingly.Butmorethanthat.Withcuriosityaswell.Onebeginstofindout,youknow,thingsaboutpeople,Imean.Peopleyoumeet,peopleyouknow,peoplewhousedtoknowyourfamily.Idon’twantthislife.Iwant…youthinkIdon’treallywantitbutIdo—Iwanttruth.I’mabletodealwithtruth.Justtellmesomething.”
Itwasnotacontinuationoftheconversation.CeliahadturnedonPoirotwithaseparatequestion.Somethingwhichhadreplacedwhathadbeeninhermindjustpreviously.
“YousawDesmond,didn’tyou?”shesaid.“Hewenttoseeyou.Hetoldmehehad.”
“Yes.Hecametoseeme.Didyounotwanthimtodoso?”
“Hedidn’taskme.”
“Ifhehadaskedyou?”
“Idon’tknow.Idon’tknowwhetherIshouldhaveforbiddenhimtodoso,toldhimonnoaccounttodosuchathing,orwhetherIshouldhaveencouragedit.”
“Iwouldliketoaskyouonequestion,mademoiselle.Iwanttoknowifthereisoneclearthinginyourmindthatmatterstoyou,thatcouldmattertoyoumorethananythingelse.”
“Well,whatisthat?”
“Asyousay,DesmondBurton-Coxcametoseeme.Averyattractiveandlikeableyoungman,andverymuchinearnestoverwhathecametosay.Nowthat—thatisthereallyimportantthing.Theimportantthingisifyouandhereallywishtomarry—becausethatisserious.Thatis—thoughyoungpeopledonotalwaysthinksonowadays—thatisalinktogetherforlife.Doyouwanttoenterintothatstate?Itmatters.WhatdifferencecanitmaketoyouortoDesmondwhetherthedeathoftwopeoplewasadoublesuicideorsomethingquitedifferent?”
“Youthinkitissomethingquitedifferent—or,itwas?”
“Idonotasyetknow,”saidPoirot.“Ihavereasontobelievethatitmightbe.Therearecertainthingsthatdonotaccordwithadoublesuicide,butasfarasIcangoontheopinionofthepolice—andthepoliceareveryreliable,MademoiselleCelia,veryreliable—theyputtogetheralltheevidenceandtheythoughtverydefinitelythatitcouldbenothingelsebutadoublesuicide.”
“Buttheyneverknewthecauseofit?That’swhatyoumean.”
“Yes,”saidPoirot,“that’swhatImean.”
“Anddon’tyouknowthecauseofit,either?Imean,fromlookingintothingsorthinkingaboutthem,orwhateveryoudo?”
“No,Iamnotsureaboutit,”saidPoirot.“IthinktheremightbesomethingverypainfultolearnandIamaskingyouwhetheryouwillbewiseenoughtosay:‘Thepastisthepast.HereisayoungmanwhomIcareforandwhocaresforme.Thisisthefuturewearespendingtogether,notthepast.’”
“Didhetellyouhewasanadoptedchild?”askedCelia.
“Yes,hedid.”
“Yousee,whatbusinessisitreally,ofhers?WhyshouldshecomeworryingMrs.Oliverhere,tryingtomakeMrs.Oliveraskmequestions,findoutthings?She’snothisownmother.”
“Doeshecareforher?”
“No,”saidCelia.“I’dsayonthewholehedislikesher.Ithinkhealwayshas.”
“She’sspentmoneyonhim,schoolingandonclothesandonallsortsofdifferentthings.Andyouthinkshecaresforhim?”
“Idon’tknow.Idon’tthinkso.Shewanted,Isuppose,achildtoreplaceherownchild.She’dhadachildwhodiedinanaccident,thatwaswhyshewantedtoadoptsomeone,andherhusbandhaddiedquiterecently.Allthesedatesaresodifficult.”
“Iknow,Iknow.Iwouldlikeperhapstoknowonething.”
“Aboutherorabouthim?”
“Isheprovidedforfinancially?”
“Idon’tknowquitewhatyoumeanbythat.He’llbeabletosupportme—tosupportawife.Igathersomemoneywassettledonhimwhenhewasadopted.Asufficientsum,thatis.Idon’tmeanafortuneoranythinglikethat.”
“Thereisnothingthatshecould—withhold?”
“What,youmeanthatshe’dcutoffthemoneysuppliesifhemarriedme?Idon’tthinkshe’severthreatenedtodothat,orindeedthatshecoulddoit.Ithinkitwasallfixedupbylawyersorwhoeverarrangesadoptions.Imean,theymakealotoffuss,theseadoptionsocieties,fromallIhear.”
“Iwouldaskyousomethingelsewhichyoumightknowbutnobodyelsedoes.PresumablyMrs.Burton-Coxknowsit.Doyouknowwhohisactualmotherwas?”
“Youthinkthatmighthavebeenoneofthereasonsforherbeingsonoseyandallthat?Somethingtodowith,asyousay,whathewasreally.Idon’tknow.Isupposehemighthavebeenanillegitimatechild.They’retheusualonesthatgoforadoption,aren’tthey?Shemighthaveknownsomethingabouthisrealmotherorhisrealfather,orsomethinglikethat.Ifso,shedidn’ttellhim.Igathershejusttoldhimthesillythingstheysuggestyoushouldsay.Thatitisjustasnicetobeadoptedbecauseitshowsyoureallywerewanted.There’salotofsillysloplikethat.”
“Ithinksomesocietiessuggestthatthat’sthewayyoushouldbreakthenews.Doesheoryouknowofanybloodrelations?”
“Idon’tknow.Idon’tthinkheknows,butIdon’tthinkitworrieshimatall.He’snotthatkindofaworrier.”
“DoyouknowifMrs.Burton-Coxwasafriendofyourfamily,ofyourmotherandfather?Didyouevermeetherasfarasyoucanremember,whenyouwerelivinginyourownhomeintheearlydays?”
“Idon’tthinkso.IthinkDesmond’smother—Imean,IthinkMrs.Burton-CoxwenttoMalaya.IthinkperhapsherhusbanddiedoutinMalaya,andthatDesmondwassenttoschoolinEnglandwhiletheywereoutthereandthathewasboardedwithsomecousinsorpeoplewhotakeinchildrenforholidays.Andthat’showwecametobefriendsinthosedays.Ialwaysrememberedhim,youknow.Iwasagreathero-worshipper.Hewaswonderfulatclimbingtreesandhetaughtmethingsaboutbirds’nestsandbirds’eggs.Soitseemedquitenatural,whenImethimagainImean,methimattheuniversity,andwebothtalkedaboutwherewe’dlivedandthenheaskedmemyname.Hesaid‘OnlyyourChristiannameIknow,’andthenwerememberedquitealotofthingstogether.It’swhatmadeus,youmightsay,getacquainted.Idon’tknoweverythingabouthim.Idon’tknowanything.Iwanttoknow.Howcanyouarrangeyourlifeandknowwhatyou’regoingtodowithyourlifeifyoudon’tknowallaboutthethingsthataffectyou,thatreallyhappened?”
“Soyoutellmetocarryonwithmyinvestigation?”
“Yes,ifit’sgoingtoproduceanyresults,thoughIdon’tthinkitwillbebecauseinaway,well,DesmondandIhavetriedourhandatfindingoutafewthings.Wehaven’tbeenverysuccessful.Itseemstocomebacktothisplainfactwhichisn’treallythestoryofalife.It’sthestoryofadeath,isn’tit?Oftwodeaths,that’stosay.Whenit’sadoublesuicide,onethinksofitasonedeath.IsitinShakespeareorwheredoesthequotationcomefrom—‘Andindeaththeywerenotdivided.’”SheturnedtoPoirotagain.“Yes,goon.Goonfindingout.GoontellingMrs.Oliverortellingmedirect.I’dratheryoutoldmedirect.”SheturnedtowardsMrs.Oliver.“Idon’tmeantobehorridtoyou,Godmother.You’vebeenaverynicegodmothertomealways,but—butI’dlikeitstraightfromthehorse’smouth.I’mafraidthat’sratherrude,MonsieurPoirot,butIdidn’tmeanitthatway.”
“No,”saidPoirot,“Iamcontenttobethehorse’smouth.”
“Andyouthinkyouwillbe?”
“IalwaysbelievethatIcan.”
“Andit’salwaystrue,isit?”
“Itisusuallytrue,”saidPoirot.“Idonotsaymorethanthat.”
Thirteen
MRS.BURTON-COX
“Well,”saidMrs.OliverasshereturnedintotheroomafterseeingCeliatothedoor.“Whatdoyouthinkofher?”
“Sheisapersonality,”saidPoirot,“aninterestinggirl.Definitely,ifImayputitso,sheissomebody,notanybody.”
“Yes,that’strueenough,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Iwouldlikeyoutotellmesomething.”
“Abouther?Idon’treallyknowherverywell.Onedoesn’treally,withgodchildren.Imean,youonlyseethem,asitwere,atstatedintervalsratherfarapart.”
“Ididn’tmeanher.Tellmeabouthermother.”
“Oh.Isee.”
“Youknewhermother?”
“Yes.WewereinasortofpensionnatinParistogether.PeopleusedtosendgirlstoParisthentobefinished,”saidMrs.Oliver.“ThatsoundsmorelikeanintroductiontoacemeterythananintroductionintoSociety.Whatdoyouwanttoknowabouther?”
“Yourememberher?Yourememberwhatshewaslike?”
“Yes.AsItellyou,onedoesn’tentirelyforgetthingsorpeoplebecausethey’reinthepast.”
“Whatimpressiondidshemakeonyou?”
“Shewasbeautiful,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Idorememberthat.Notwhenshewasaboutthirteenorfourteen.Shehadalotofpuppyfatthen.Ithinkwealldid,”sheadded,thoughtfully.
“Wassheapersonality?”
“It’sdifficulttorememberbecause,yousee,shewasn’tmyonlyfriendormygreatestfriend.Imean,therewereseveralofustogether—alittlepack,asyoumightsay.Peoplewithtastesmoreorlessthesame.Wewerekeenontennisandwewerekeenonbeingtakentotheoperaandwewereboredtodeathbeingtakentothepicturegalleries.Ireallycanonlygiveyouageneralidea
“MollyPreston-Grey.Thatwashername.”
“Youbothhadboyfriends?”
“Wehadoneortwopassions,Ithink.Notforpopsingers,ofcourse.Theyhadn’thappenedyet.Actorsusually.Therewasoneratherfamousvarietyactor.Agirl—oneofthegirls—hadhimpinnedupoverherbedandMademoiselleGirand,theFrenchmistress,onnoaccountallowedthatactortobepinnedupthere.‘Cen’estpasconvenable,’shesaid.Thegirldidn’ttellherthathewasherfather!Welaughed,”addedMrs.Oliver.“Yes,welaughedagooddeal.”
“Well,tellmemoreaboutMollyorMargaretPreston-Grey.Doesthisgirlremindyouofher?”
“No,Idon’tthinkshedoes.No.Theyarenotalike.IthinkMollywasmore—wasmoreemotionalthanthisgirl.”
“Therewasatwinsister,Iunderstand.Wassheatthesamepensionnat?”
“No,shewasn’t.Shemighthavebeensincetheywerethesameage,butno,IthinkshewasinsomeentirelydifferentplaceinEngland.I’mnotsure.IhaveafeelingthatthetwinsisterDolly,whomIhadmetonceortwiceveryoccasionallyandwhoofcourseatthattimelookedexactlylikeMolly—Imeantheyhadn’tstartedtryingtolookdifferent,havedifferenthairdosandallthat,astwinsdousuallywhentheygrowup.IthinkMollywasdevotedtohersisterDolly,butshedidn’ttalkaboutherverymuch.Ihaveafeeling—nowadays,Imean,Ididn’thaveitthen—thattheremighthavebeensomethingabitwrongperhapswiththesistereventhen.Onceortwice,Iremember,therewerementionsofherhavingbeenillorgoneawayforacourseoftreatmentsomewhere.Somethinglikethat.Irememberoncewonderingwhethershewasacripple.Shewastakenoncebyanauntonaseavoyagetodoherhealthgood.”Sheshookherhead.“Ican’treallyremember,though.IjusthadafeelingthatMollywasdevotedtoherandwouldhavelikedtohaveprotectedherinsomeway.Doesthatseemnonsensetoyou?”
“Notatall,”saidHerculePoirot.
“Therewereothertimes,Ithink,whenshedidn’twanttotalkabouther.Shetalkedabouthermotherandherfather.Shewasfondofthem,Ithink,intheordinarysortofway.HermothercameoncetoParisandtookherout,Iremember.Nicewoman.Notveryexcitingorgood-lookingoranything.Nice,quiet,kindly.”
“Isee.Soyouhavenothingtohelpusthere?Noboyfriends?”
“Wedidn’thavesomanyboyfriendsthen,”saidMrs.Oliver.“It’snotlikenowadayswhenit’samatterofcourse.Later,whenwewerebothbackagainathomewemoreorlessdriftedapart.IthinkMollywentabroadsomewherewithherparents.Idon’tthinkitwasIndia—Idon’tthinkso.SomewhereelseIthinkitwas.Egyptperhaps.IthinknowtheywereintheDiplomaticService.TheywereinSwedenatonetime,andafterthatsomewherelikeBermudaortheWestIndies.IthinkhewasaGovernororsomethingthere.Butthosesortofthingsonedoesn’treallyremember.Mollywasverykeenonthemusicmaster,whichwasverysatisfyingtousbothandIshouldthinkmuchlesstroublesomethanboyfriendsseemtobenowadays.Imean,youadored—longedforthedaywhentheycameagaintoteachyou.Theywere,Ihavenodoubt,quiteindifferenttoyou.ButonedreamtaboutthematnightandIrememberhavingasplendidkindofdaydreaminwhichInursedmybelovedMonsieurAdolphewhenhehadcholeraandIgavehim,Ithink,bloodtransfusionstosavehislife.Howverysillyoneis.Andthinkofalltheotherthingsyouthinkofdoing!TherewasonetimewhenIwasquitedeterminedtobeanunandlateronIthoughtI’dbeahospitalnurse.Well,IsupposeweshallhaveMrs.Burton-Coxinamoment.Iwonderhowshewillreacttoyou?”
Poirotgazedathiswatch.
“Weshallbeabletoseethatfairlysoon.”
“Haveweanythingelseweoughttotalkaboutfirst?”
“Ithinkthereareafewthingswemightcomparenoteson.AsIsay,thereareoneortwothingsthatIthinkcoulddowithinvestigation.Anelephantinvestigationforyou,shallwesay?Andanunderstudyforanelephantforme.”
“Whatanextraordinarythingtosay,”saidMrs.Oliver.“ItoldyouIwasdonewithelephants.”
“Ah,”saidPoirot,“butelephantsperhapshavenotdonewithyou.”
Thefrontdoorbellsoundedonceagain.PoirotandMrs.Oliverlookedateachother.
“Well,”saidMrs.Oliver,“herewego.”
Shelefttheroomoncemore.PoirotheardsoundsofgreetinggoingonoutsideandinamomentortwoMrs.Oliverreturned,usheringthesomewhatmassivefigureofMrs.Burton-Cox.
“Whatadelightfulflatyouhave,”saidMrs.Burton-Cox.“Socharmingofyoutohavesparedtime—yourveryvaluabletime,I’msure—youaskedmetocomeandseeyou.”HereyesshotsidewaystoHerculePoirot.Afaintexpressionofsurprisepassedoverherface.Foramomenthereyeswentfromhimtothebabygrandpianothatstoodinonewindow.ItoccurredtoMrs.OliverthatMrs.Burton-CoxwasthinkingthatHerculePoirotwasapianotuner.Shehastenedtodispelthisillusion.
“Iwanttointroduceyou,”shesaid,“toM.HerculePoirot.”
Poirotcameforwardandbentoverherhand.
“Ithinkheistheonlypersonwhomightbeabletohelpyouinsomeway.Youknow.Whatyouwereaskingmeabouttheotherdayconcerningmygodchild,CeliaRavenscroft.”
“Ohyes,howkindofyoutoremember.Idosohopeyoucangivemealittlemoreknowledgeofwhatreallyhappened.”
“I’mafraidIhaven’tbeenverysuccessful,”saidMrs.Oliver,“andthatisreallywhyIaskedM.Poirottomeetyou.Heisawonderfulperson,youknow,forinformationonthingsgenerally.Reallyontopofhisprofession.Icannottellyouhowmanyfriendsofminehehasassistedandhowmany,well,Icanreallycallthemmysteries,hehaselucidated.Andthiswassuchatragicthingtohavehappened.”
“Yes,indeed,”saidMrs.Burton-Cox.Hereyeswerestillsomewhatdoubtful.Mrs.Oliverindicatedchairsandremarked,
“Nowwhatwillyouhave?Aglassofsherry?It’stoolatefortea,ofcourse.Orwouldyoupreferacocktailofsomekind?”
“Oh,aglassofsherry.Youareverykind.”
“MonsieurPoirot?”
“I,too,”saidPoirot.
Mrs.OlivercouldnothelpbeingthankfulthathehadnotaskedforSiropdeCassisoroneofhisfavouritefruitdrinks.Shegotoutglassesandadecanter.
“IhavealreadyindicatedtoMonsieurPoirottheoutlinesoftheenquiryyouwanttomake.”
“Ohyes,”saidMrs.Burton-Cox.
Sheseemedratherdoubtfulandnotsosureofherselfasitwouldseemshewasinthenaturalhabitofbeing.
“Theseyoungpeople,”shesaidtoPoirot,“sodifficultnowadays.Theseyoungpeople.Myson,suchadearboy,wehavegreathopesofhisdoingwellinthefuture.Andthenthereisthisgirl,averycharminggirl,who,asprobablyMrs.Olivertoldyou,ishergoddaughter,and—well,ofcourseoneneverknows.Imeanthesefriendshipsspringupandveryoftentheydon’tlast.Theyarewhatweusedtocallcalf-love,youknow,yearsago,anditisveryimportanttoknowalittleatleastaboutthe—antecedentsofpeople.Youknow,whattheirfamiliesarelike.Oh,ofcourseIknowCelia’saverywell-borngirlandallthat,buttherewasthistragedy.Mutualsuicide,Ibelieve,butnobodyhasbeenreallyabletoenlightenmeatallonwhatledtoitorwhatleduptoit,shallwesay.IhavenoactualfriendswhowerefriendsincommonwiththeRavenscroftsandsoitisverydifficultformetohaveideas.IknowCeliaisacharminggirlandallthat,butonewouldliketoknow,toknowmore.”
“Iunderstandfrommyfriend,Mrs.Oliver,thatyouwantedtoknowsomethingspecifically.Youwantedtoknow,infact—”
“Whatyousaidyouwantedtoknow,”saidMrs.Oliver,chippinginwithsomefirmness,“waswhetherCelia’sfathershothermotherandthenhimselforwhetherCelia’smothershotherfatherandthenherself.”
“Ifeelitmakesadifference,”saidMrs.Burton-Cox.“Yes,definitelyIfeelitmakesadifference.”
“Averyinterestingpointofview,”saidPoirot.
Histonewasnotveryencouraging.
“Oh,theemotionalbackground,shallIsay,theemotionaleventsthatleduptoallthis.Inamarriage,youmustadmit,onehastothinkofthechildren.Thechildren,Imean,thataretocome.Imeanheredity.Ithinknowwerealizethathereditydoesmorethanenvironment.Itleadstocertainformationofcharacterandcertainverygraverisksthatonemightnotwanttotake.”
“True,”saidPoirot.“Thepeoplewhoundertaketherisksaretheonesthathavetomakethedecision.Yoursonandthisyounglady,itwillbetheirchoice.”
“Oh,Iknow,Iknow.Notmine.Parentsareneverallowedtochoose,arethey,oreventogiveanyadvice.ButIwouldliketoknowsomethingaboutit,yes,Iwouldliketoknowverymuch.Ifyoufeelthatyoucouldundertakeany—investigationIsupposeisthewordyouwoulduse.Butperhaps—perhapsIambeingaveryfoolishmother.Youknow.Overanxiousaboutmydearson.Mothersarelikethat.”
Shegavealittlewhinneyoflaughter,puttingherheadslightlyononeside.
“Perhaps,”shesaid,asshetippedupthesherryglass,“perhapsyouwillthinkaboutitandIalsowillletyouknow.PerhapstheexactpointsandthingsthatIamworriedabout.”
Shelookedatherwatch.
“Ohdear.Ohdear,I’mlateforanotherappointment.Ishallhavetogo.Iamsosorry,dearMrs.Oliver,tohavetorunawaysosoon,butyouknowwhatitis.Ihadgreatdifficultiesfindingataxithisafternoon.Oneafteranotherjustturnedhisheadasideanddrovestraightpastme.Allvery,verydifficult,isn’tit?IthinkMrs.Oliverhasyouraddress,hasshenot?”
“Iwillgiveyoumyaddress,”saidPoirot.Heremovedacardfromhispocketandhandedittoher.
“Ohyes,yes.Isee.MonsieurHerculePoirot.YouareFrench,isthatright?”
“IamBelgian,”saidPoirot.
“Ohyes,yes.Belgique.Yes,yes,Iquiteunderstand.IamsopleasedtohavemetyouandIfeelsohopeful.Ohdear,Imustgovery,veryfast.”
ShakingMrs.Oliverwarmlybythehand,thenextendingthesamehandtoPoirot,shelefttheroomandthedoorsoundedinthehall.
“Well,whatdoyouthinkofthat?”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Whatdoyou?”saidPoirot.
“Sheranaway,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Sheranaway.Youfrightenedherinsomeway.”
“Yes,”saidPoirot,“Ithinkyou’vejudgedquiteright.”
“ShewantedmetogetthingsoutofCelia,shewantedmetogetsomeknowledgeoutofCelia,someexpression,somesortofsecretshesuspectedwasthere,butshedoesn’twantarealproperinvestigation,doesshe?”
“Ithinknot,”saidPoirot.“Thatisinteresting.Veryinteresting.Sheiswell-to-do,youthink?”
“Ishouldsayso.Herclothesareexpensive,shelivesatanexpensiveaddress,sheis—it’sdifficulttomakeout.She’sapushingwomanandabossywoman.Shesitsonalotofcommittees.There’snothing,Imean,suspiciousabouther.I’veaskedafewpeople.Nobodylikesherverymuch.Butshe’sasortofpublic-spiritedwomanwhotakespartinpolitics,allthosesortofthings.”
“Thenwhatiswrongwithher?”saidPoirot.
“Youthinkthereissomethingwrongwithher?Ordoyoujustnotlikeher,likeIdo?”
“Ithinkthereissomethingtherethatshedoesnotwanttocometolight,”saidPoirot.
“Oh.Andareyougoingtofindoutwhatitis?”
“Naturally,ifIcan,”saidPoirot.“Itmaynotbeeasy.Sheisinretreat.Shewasinretreatwhensheleftushere.ShewasafraidofwhatquestionsIwasgoingtoaskher.Yes.Itisinteresting.”Hesighed.“Onewillhavetogoback,youknow,evenfartherthanonethought.”
“What,backintothepastagain?”
“Yes.Somewhereinthepast,inmorecasesthanone,thereissomethingthatonewillhavetoknowbeforewecancomebackagaintowhathappened—whatisitnow?—fifteenyearsago,twentyyearsago,atahousecalledOvercliffe.Yes.Onewillhavetogobackagain.”
“Well,that’sthat,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Andnow,whatistheretodo?Whatisthislistofyours?”
“Ihaveheardacertainamountofinformationthroughpolicerecordsonwhatwasfoundinthehouse.Youwillrememberthatamongthethingstherewerefourwigs.”
“Yes,”saidMrs.Oliver,“yousaidthatfourwigsweretoomany.”
“Itseemedtobealittleexcessive,”saidPoirot.“Ihavealsogotcertainusefuladdresses.Theaddressofadoctorthatmightbehelpful.”
“Thedoctor?Youmean,thefamilydoctor?”
“No,notthefamilydoctor.Thedoctorwhogaveevidenceataninquestonachildwhometwithanaccident.Eitherpushedbyanolderchildorpossiblybysomeoneelse.”
“Youmeanbythemother?”
“Possiblythemother,possiblybysomeoneelsewhowasinthehouseatthetime.IknowthepartofEnglandwherethathappened,andSuperintendentGarrowayhasbeenabletotracehim,throughsourcesknowntohimandalsothroughjournalisticfriendsofmine,whowereinterestedinthisparticularcase.”
“Andyou’regoingtosee—hemustbeaveryoldmanbynow.”
“ItisnothimIshallgotosee,itishisson.Hissonisalsoqualifiedasaspecialistinvariousformsofmentaldisorders.Ihaveanintroductiontohimandhemightbeabletotellmesomethinginteresting.Therehavealsobeenenquiriesintoacaseofmoney.”
“Whatdoyoumeanbymoney?”
“Well,therearecertainthingswehavetofindout.Thatisoneofthethingsinanythingwhichmightbeacrime.Money.Whohasmoneytolosebysomehappening,whohasmoneytogainbysomethinghappening.That,onehastofindout.”
“Well,theymusthavefoundoutinthecaseoftheRavenscrofts.”
“Yes,thatwasallquitenatural,itseems.Theyhadbothmadenormalwills,leavingineachcase,themoneytotheotherpartner.Thewifelefthermoneytothehusbandandthehusbandlefthismoneytohiswife.Neitherofthembenefitedbywhathappenedbecausetheybothdied.Sothatthepeoplewhodidprofit,werethedaughter,Celia,andayoungerchild,Edward,whoIgatherisnowatauniversityabroad.”
“Well,thatwon’thelp.Neitherofthechildrenwerethereorcouldhavehadanythingtodowithit.”
“Ohno,thatisquitetrue.Onemustgofurther—furtherback,furtherforward,furthersidewaystofindoutifthereissomefinancialmotivesomewherethatis—well,shallwesay,significant.”
“Well,don’taskmetodothatsortofthing,”saidMrs.Oliver,“I’venorealqualificationsforthat.Imean,that’scomeup,Isuppose,fairlyreasonableinthe—well,intheelephantsthatI’vetalkedto.”
“No.Ithinkthebestthingforyoutodowouldbeto,shallwesay,takeonthesubjectofthewigs.”
“Wigs?”
“Therehadbeenanotemadeinthecarefulpolicereportatthetimeofthesuppliersofthewigs,whowereaveryexpensivefirmofhairdressersandwig-makersinLondon,inBondStreet.Later,thatparticularshopclosedandthebusinesswastransferredsomewhereelse.TwooftheoriginalpartnerscontinuedtorunitandIunderstandithasnowbeengivenup,butIhavehereanaddressofoneoftheprincipalfittersandhairdressers,andIthoughtperhapsthatitwouldcomemoreeasilyifenquiriesweremadebyawoman.”
“Ah,”saidMrs.Oliver,“me?”
“Yes,you.”
“Allright.Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”
“PayavisittoCheltenhamtoanaddressIshallgiveyouandthereyouwillfindaMadameRosentelle.Awomannolongeryoungbutwhowasaveryfashionablemakerofladies’hairadornmentsofallkinds,andwhowasmarried,Iunderstand,toanotherinthesameprofession,ahairdresserwhospecializedinsurmountingtheproblemsofgentlemen’sbaldness.Toupeesandotherthings.”
“Ohdear,”saidMrs.Oliver,“thejobsyoudogivemetodo.Doyouthinkthey’llrememberanythingaboutit?”
“Elephantsremember,”saidHerculePoirot.
“Oh,andwhoareyougoingtoaskquestionsof?Thisdoctoryoutalkedabout?”
“Forone,yes.”
“Andwhatdoyouthinkhe’llremember?”
“Notverymuch,”saidPoirot,“butitseemstomepossiblethathemighthaveheardaboutacertainaccident.Itmusthavebeenaninterestingcase,youknow.Theremustberecordsofthecasehistory.”
“Youmeanofthetwinsister?”
“Yes.ThereweretwoaccidentsasfarasIcanhearconnectedwithher.Onewhenshewasayoungmotherlivinginthecountry,atHattersGreenIthinktheaddresswas,andagainlaterwhenshewasinMalaya.Eachtimeanaccidentwhichresultedinthedeathofachild.Imightlearnsomethingabout—”
“Youmeanthatastheyweretwinsisters,thatMolly—myMollyImean—mightalsohavehadmentaldisabilityofsomekind?Idon’tbelieveitforaminute.Shewasn’tlikethat.Shewasaffectionate,loving,verygood-looking,emotionaland—oh,shewasaterriblyniceperson.”
“Yes.Yes,soitwouldseem.Andaveryhappypersononthewhole,wouldyousay?”
“Yes.Shewasahappyperson.Averyhappyperson.Oh,IknowIneversawanythingofherlaterinlife,ofcourse;shewaslivingabroad.ButitalwaysseemedtomeontheveryrareoccasionswhenIgotaletterorwenttoseeherthatshewasahappyperson.”
“Andthetwinsisteryoudidnotreallyknow?”
“No.Well,Ithinkshewas…well,quitefranklyshewasinaninstitutionofsomekind,Ithink,ontherareoccasionsthatIsawMolly.Shewasn’tatMolly’swedding,notasabridesmaideven.”
“Thatisoddinitself.”
“Istilldon’tseewhatyou’regoingtofindoutfromthat.”
“Justinformation,”saidPoirot.
Fourteen
DR.WILLOUGHBY
HerculePoirotgotoutofthetaxi,paidthefareandatip,verifiedthefactthattheaddresshehadcometowastheaddresscorrespondingtothatwrittendowninhislittlenotebook,tookcarefullyaletterfromhispocketaddressedtoDr.Willoughby,mountedthestepstothehouseandpressedthebell.Thedoorwasopenedbyamanservant.OnreceptionofPoirot’snamehewastoldthatDr.Willoughbywasexpectinghim.
Hewasshownintoasmall,comfortableroomwithbookshelvesupthesideofit,thereweretwoarmchairsdrawntothefireandatraywithglassesonitandtwodecanters.Dr.Willoughbyrosetogreethim.Hewasamanbetweenfiftyandsixtywithalean,thinbody,ahighforehead,dark-hairedandwithverypiercinggreyeyes.Heshookhandsandmotionedhimtoaseat.Poirotproducedtheletterfromhispocket.
“Ah,yes.”
Thedoctortookitfromhim,openedit,readitandthen,placingitbesidehim,lookedatPoirotwithsomeinterest.
“Ihadalreadyheard,”hesaid,“fromSuperintendentGarrowayandalso,Imaysay,fromafriendofmineintheHomeOffice,whoalsobeggedmetodowhatIcanforyouinthematterthatinterestsyou.”
“Itisaratherseriousfavourtoask,Iknow,”saidPoirot,“buttherearereasonswhichmakeitimportantforme.”
“Importantforyouafterthisnumberofyears?”
“Yes.OfcourseIshallquiteunderstandifthoseparticulareventshavepassedoutofyourmindaltogether.”
“Ican’tsaythey’vedonethat.Iaminterested,asyoumayhaveheard,inspecialbranchesofmyprofession,andhavebeenformanyyears.”
“Yourfather,Iknow,wasaverycelebratedauthorityonthem.”
“Yes,hewas.Itwasagreatinterestinhislife.Hehadalotoftheories,someofthemtriumphantlyprovedrightandsomeofthemwhichproveddisappointing.Itis,Igather,amentalcaseyouareinterestedin?”
“Awoman.HernamewasDorotheaPreston-Grey.”
“Yes.Iwasquiteayoungmanatthetime.Iwasalreadyinterestedinmyfather’slineofthoughtalthoughmytheoriesandhisdidnotalwaysagree.TheworkhedidwasinterestingandtheworkIdidincollaborationinterestedmeverymuch.Idon’tknowwhatyourparticularinterestwasinDorotheaPreston-Grey,asshewasatthetime,Mrs.Jarrowlater.”
“Shewasoneoftwins,Igather,”saidPoirot.
“Yes.Thatwasatthatmoment,Imaysay,myfather’sparticularfieldofstudy.Therewasaprojectonhandatthattime,tofollowupthegenerallivesofselectedpairsofidenticaltwins.Thosewhowerebroughtupinthesameenvironment,thosewhothroughvariouschancesoflifewerebroughtupinentirelydifferentenvironments.Toseehowaliketheyremained,howsimilarthethingswerethathappenedtothem.Twosisters,perhaps,ortwobrotherswhohadhardlyspentanyoftheirlifetogetherandyetinanextraordinarywaythesamethingsseemedtohappentothematthesametime.Itwasall—indeedithasbeenall—extremelyinteresting.However,thatisnotyourinterestinthematter,Igather.”
“No,”saidPoirot,“itisacase,Ithink—thepartofitthatistosaythatI’minterestedin—ofanaccidenttoachild.”
“Thatisso.ItwasinSurrey,Ithink.Yes,averypleasantarea,that,inwhichpeoplelived.NotveryfarfromCamberley,Ithink.Mrs.Jarrowwasayoungwidowatthattimeandshehadtwosmallchildren.Herhusbandhadrecentlydiedinanaccident.Shewas,asaresult—”
“Mentallydisturbed?”askedPoirot.
“No,shewasnotthoughttobeso.Shewasdeeplyshockedbyherhusband’sdeathandhadagreatsenseofloss,butshewasnotrecoveringverysatisfactorilyintheimpressionofherowndoctor.Hedidnotquitelikethewayherconvalescencewastending,andshedidnotseemtobegettingoverherbereavementinthewaythathewouldhaveliked.
“Butyourfatherwasquitesurethatshehadbeenresponsible?”
“Yes.Therewasaschooloftreatmentatthetimewhichwasverypopularandwhichmyfatherbelievedin.Thatschool’sbeliefwasthataftersufficienttreatment,lastingsometimesquitealongtime,ayearorlonger,peoplecouldresumeanormaleverydaylife,anditwastotheiradvantagetodoso.Theycouldbereturnedtoliveathomeandwithasuitableamountofattention,bothmedicalandfromthose,usuallynearrelatives,whowerewiththemandcouldobservethemlivinganormallife,everythingwouldgowell.This,Imaysay,didmeetwithsuccessatfirstinmanycases,butlatertherewasadifference.Severalcaseshadmostunfortunateresults.Patientswhoappearedtobecuredcamehometotheirnaturalsurroundings,toafamily,ahusband,theirmothersandfathers,andslowlyrelapsed,sothatveryoftentragediesorneartragediesoccurred.Onecasemyfatherwasbitterlydisappointedin—alsoaveryimportantcaseinhisknowledge—wasawomanwhocamebacktolivewiththesamefriendshelivedwithbefore.Allseemedtobegoinghappilybutafteraboutfiveorsixmonthsshesenturgentlyforadoctorandwhenhecamesaid,‘ImusttakeyouupstairsbecauseyouwillbeangryatwhatIhavedone,andyouwillhavetosendforthepolice,Iamafraid.Iknowthatmusthappen.Butyousee,Iwascommandedtodothis.IsawtheDevillookingoutofHilda’seyes
Poirotshookhisheadsadly—
Thedoctorwenton:“Yes.Well,IconsiderthatinamildwayDorotheaPreston-Greysufferedfromaformofmentaldisorderthatwasdangerousandthatshecouldonlybeconsideredsafeifshelivedundersupervision.Thiswasnotgenerallyaccepted,Imaysay,atthetime,andmyfatherdidconsideritmostinadvisable.Onceshehadbeencommittedtoaverypleasantnursinghomeaverygoodtreatmentwasgiven.Andagain,afteraperiodofyearssheappearedtobecompletelysane,lefttheestablishment,livedinanordinarylifewithaverypleasantnursemoreorlessinchargeofher,thoughconsideredinthehouseholdasalady’smaid.Shewentabout,madefriendsandsoonerorlaterwentabroad.”
“ToMalaya,”saidPoirot.
“Yes.Iseeyou’vebeencorrectlyinformed.ShewenttoMalayatostaywithhertwinsister.”
“Andthereanothertragedyhappened?”
“Yes.Achildofaneighbourwasattacked.Itwasthoughtatfirstbyanamah,andafterwardsIbelieveoneofthenativeservants,abearer,wassuspected.ButthereagainthereseemednodoubtthatMrs.Jarrowhad,foroneofthosementalreasonsknownonlytoher,beenguiltyoftheattack.Therewasnodefiniteevidence,Iunderstand,whichcouldbebroughtagainsther.IthinkGeneral—Iforgethisnamenow—”
“Ravenscroft?”saidPoirot.
“Yes,yes,GeneralRavenscroftagreedtoarrangeforhertogobacktoEnglandandagainundergomedicaltreatment.Isthatwhatyouwantedtoknow?”
“Yes,”saidPoirot,“thatiswhatIhavepartlyheardalready,butmainlyImaysay,byhearsay,whichisnotdependable.WhatIwanttoaskyouwas,thiswasacaseconcernedwithidenticaltwins.Whatabouttheothertwin?MargaretPreston-Grey.AfterwardsthewifeofGeneralRavenscroft.Wasshelikelytobeaffectedbythesamemalady?”
“Therewasneveranymedicalcaseabouther.Shewasperfectlysane.Myfatherwasinterested,visitedheronceortwiceandtalkedtoherbecausehehadsooftenseencasesofalmostidenticalillnessesormentaldisturbanceshappenbetweenidenticaltwinswhohadstartedlifeverydevotedtoeachother.”
“Onlystartedlife,yousaid?”
“Yes.Oncertainoccasionsastateofanimositycanarisebetweenidenticaltwins.Itfollowsonafirstkeenprotectiveloveonefortheother,butitcandegenerateintosomethingwhichisnearerhatred,ifthereissomeemotionalstrainthatcouldtriggeritofforcouldarouseit,oranyemotionalcrisistoaccountforanimosityarisingbetweentwosisters.
“Ithinktheremighthavebeenthathere.GeneralRavenscroftasayoungsubalternorcaptainorwhateverhewas,felldeeplyinlove,Ithink,withDorotheaPreston-Grey,whowasaverybeautifulgirl.Actuallythemorebeautifulofthetwo—shealsofellinlovewithhim.Theywerenotofficiallyengaged,butGeneralRavenscrofttransferredhisaffectionsfairlysoontotheothersister,Margaret.OrMollyasshewascalled.Hefellinlovewithher,andaskedhertomarryhim.Shereturnedhisaffectionandtheyweremarriedassoonasitbecamefeasibleinhiscareer.Myfatherhadnodoubtthattheothertwin,Dolly,wasbitterlyjealousofhersister’smarriageandthatshecontinuedtobeinlovewithAlistairRavenscroftandtoresenthismarriage.However,shegotoveritall,marriedanothermaninduecourse—athoroughlyhappymarriage,itseemed,andlatersheusedfrequentlytogotovisittheRavenscrofts,notonlyonthatoneoccasioninMalaya,butlaterwhentheywereinanotherstationabroadandaftertheyreturnedhome.Shewasbythattimeapparentlycuredagain,wasnolongerinanykindofmentaldejectionandlivedwithaveryreliablenursecompanionandstaffofservants.Ibelieve,orsomyfatherhadalwaystoldme,thatLadyRavenscroft,Molly,remainedverydevotedtohersister.Shefeltveryprotectivetowardsherandlovedherdearly.Shewantedoften,Ithink,toseemoreofherthanshedid,butGeneralRavenscroftwasnotsokeenonherdoingso.IthinkitpossiblethattheslightlyunbalancedDolly—Mrs.Jarrow—continuedtofeelaverystrongattachmenttoGeneralRavenscroft,whichIthinkmayhavebeenembarrassinganddifficultforhim,thoughIbelievethathiswifewasquiteconvincedthathersisterhadgotoveranyfeelingsofjealousyoranger.”
“IunderstandMrs.JarrowwasstayingwiththeRavenscroftsaboutthreeweeksorsobeforethetragedyoftheirsuicidehappened.”
“Yes,thatwasquitetrue.Herowntragicdeathhappenedthen.Shewasquitefrequentlyasleepwalker.Shewentoutonenightwalkinginhersleepandhadanaccident,fallingdownaportionoftheclifftowhichapathwaywhichhadbeendiscardedappearedtolead.ShewasfoundthenextdayandIbelievediedinhospitalwithoutrecoveringconsciousness.HersisterMollywasextremelyupsetandbitterlyunhappyaboutthis,butIwouldliketosay,whichyouprobablywanttoknow,Idonotthinkthatthiscaninanywaybeheldresponsibleforthesubsequentsuicideofthemarriedcouplewhowerelivingsohappilytogether.Griefforasister’sorasister-in-law’sdeathwouldhardlyleadyoutocommitsuicide.Certainlynottoadoublesuicide.”
“Unless,perhaps,”saidHerculePoirot,“MargaretRavenscrofthadbeenresponsibleforhersister’sdeath.”
“Goodheavens!”saidDr.Willoughby—“surelyyouarenotsuggesting—”
“ThatitwasMargaretwhofollowedhersleepwalkingsister,andthatitwasMargaret’shandthatwasstretchedouttopushDorotheaoverthecliffedge?”
“Irefuseabsolutely,”saidDr.Willoughby,“toacceptanysuchidea.”
“Withpeople,”saidHerculePoirot,“oneneverknows.”
Fifteen
EUGENEANDROSENTELLE,HAIRSTYLISTSANDBEAUTICIANS
Mrs.OliverlookedatCheltenhamwithapproval.Asithappened,shehadneverbeentoCheltenhambefore.Hownice,saidMrs.Olivertoherself,toseesomehousesthatarereallylikehouses,properhouses.
Castinghermindbacktoyouthfuldays,sherememberedthatshehadknownpeople,oratleastherrelations,heraunts,hadknownpeoplewholivedatCheltenham.Retiredpeopleusually.ArmyorNavy.Itwasthesortofplace,shethought,whereonewouldliketocomeandliveifonehadspentagooddealoftimeabroad.IthadafeelingofEnglishsecurity,goodtasteandpleasantchatandconversation.
Afterlookinginoneortwoagreeableantiqueshops,shefoundherwaytowhereshewanted—orratherHerculePoirotwantedher—togo.ItwascalledTheRoseGreenHairdressingSaloons.Shewalkedinsideitandlookedround.Fourorfivepeoplewereinprocessofhavingthingsdonetotheirhair.Aplumpyoungladyleftherclientandcameforwardwithanenquiringair.
“Mrs.Rosentelle?”saidMrs.Oliver,glancingdownatacard.“IunderstandshesaidshecouldseemeifIcameherethismorning.Idon’tmean,”sheadded,“havinganythingdonetomyhair,butIwantedtoconsultheraboutsomethingandIbelieveatelephonecallwasmadeandshesaidifIcameathalfpastelevenshecouldsparemeashorttime.”
“Ohyes,”saidthegirl.“IthinkMadamisexpectingsomeone.”
Sheledthewaythroughapassagedownashortflightofstepsandpushedaswingdooratthebottomofit.FromthehairdressingsaloontheyhadpassedintowhatwasobviouslyMrs.Rosentelle’shouse.Theplumpgirlknockedatthedoorandsaid,“Theladytoseeyou,”assheputhernosein,andthenaskedrathernervously,“Whatnamedidyousay?”
“Mrs.Oliver,”saidMrs.Oliver.
Shewalkedin.Ithadafainteffectofwhatmighthavebeenyetanothershowroom.TherewerecurtainsofrosegauzeandrosesonthewallpaperandMrs.Rosentelle,awomanMrs.Oliverthoughtofasroughlyherownageorpossiblyagoodmanyyearsolder,wasjustfinishingwhatwasobviouslyacupofmorningcoffee.
“Mrs.Rosentelle?”saidMrs.Oliver.
“Yes?”
“Youdidexpectme?”
“Ohyes.Ididn’tquiteunderstandwhatitwasallabout.Thelinesaresobadonthetelephone.Thatisquiteallright,Ihaveabouthalfanhourtospare.Wouldyoulikesomecoffee?”
“No,thankyou,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Iwon’tkeepyouanylongerthanIneed.ItisjustsomethingthatIwanttoaskyouabout,thatyoumayhappentoremember.Youhavehadquitealongcareer,Iunderstand,inthehairdressingbusiness.”
“Ohyes.I’mquitethankfultogiveovertothegirlsnow.Idon’tdoanythingmyselfthesedays.”
“Perhapsyoustilladvisepeople?”
“Yes,Idothat.”Mrs.Rosentellesmiled.
Shehadanice,intelligentfacewithwell-arranged,brownhair,withsomewhatinterestinggreystreaksinithereandthere.
“I’mnotsurewhatit’sallabout.”
“Well,reallyIwantedtoaskyouaquestionabout,well,Isupposeinawayaboutwigsgenerally.”
“Wedon’tdoasmuchinwigsnowasweusedtodo.”
“YouhadabusinessinLondon,didn’tyou?”
“Yes.FirstinBondStreetandthenwemovedtoSloaneStreetbutit’sverynicetoliveinthecountryafterallthat,youknow.Ohyes,myhusbandandIareverysatisfiedhere.Werunasmallbusinessbutwedon’tdomuchinthewiglinenowadays,”shesaid,“thoughmyhusbanddoesadviseandgetwigsdesignedformenwhoarebald.Itreallymakesabigdifference,youknow,tomanypeopleintheirbusinessiftheydon’tlooktoooldanditoftenhelpsingettingajob.”
“Icanquiteimaginethat,”saidMrs.Oliver.
Fromsheernervousnessshesaidafewmorethingsinthewayofordinarychatandwonderedhowshewouldstartonhersubject.ShewasstartledwhenMrs.Rosentelleleantforwardandsaidsuddenly,“YouareAriadneOliver,aren’tyou?Thenovelwriter?”
“Yes,”saidMrs.Oliver,“asamatteroffact—”shehadherusualsomewhatshamefacedexpressionwhenshesaidthis,thatwashabitualtoher—“yes,Idowritenovels.”
“I’msofondofyourbooks.I’vereadalotofthem.Oh,thisisveryniceindeed.NowtellmeinwhatwaycanIhelpyou?”
“Well,Iwantedtotalkaboutwigsandaboutsomethingthathappenedagreatmanyyearsagoandprobablyyoumayn’trememberanythingaboutit.”
“Well,Iratherwonder—doyoumeanfashionsofyearsago?”
“Notexactly.It’sawoman,afriendofmine—actuallyIwasatschoolwithher—andthenshemarriedandwentouttoMalayaandcamebacktoEngland,andtherewasatragedylaterandoneofthethingsIthinkthatpeoplefoundsurprisingafteritwasthatshehadsomanywigs.Ithinktheyhadbeenallsuppliedbyyou,byyourfirm,Imean.”
“Oh,atragedy.Whatwashername?”
“Well,hernamewhenIknewherwasPreston-Grey,butafterwardshernamewasRavenscroft.”
“Oh.Ohyes,thatone.Yes,IdorememberLadyRavenscroft.Irememberherquitewell.Shewassoniceandreallyvery,verygood-lookingstill.Yes,herhusbandwasaColoneloraGeneralorsomethingandthey’dretiredandtheylivedin—Iforgetthecountynow—”
“—Andtherewaswhatwassupposedtobeadoublesuicide,”saidMrs.Oliver
“Yes.Yes,Irememberreadingaboutitandsaying,‘Whythat’sourLadyRavenscroft,’andthentherewasapictureofthembothinthepaper,andIsawthatitwasso.Ofcourse,I’dneverseenhimbutitwasherallright.Itseemedsosad,somuchgrief.Iheardthattheydiscoveredthatshehadcancerandtheycouldn’tdoanythingaboutitsothishappened.ButIneverheardanydetailsoranything.”
“No,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“ButwhatisityouthinkIcantellyou?”
“YousuppliedherwithwigsandIunderstandthepeopleinvestigating,Isupposethepolice,thoughtfourwigswasquitealottohave,butperhapspeopledidhavefourwigsatatime?”
“Well,Ithinkthatmostpeoplehadtwowigsatleast,”saidMrs.Rosentelle.“Youknow,onetosendbacktobeserviced,asyoumightsay,andtheotheronethattheyworewhileitwasaway.”
“DoyourememberLadyRavenscroftorderinganextratwowigs?”
“Shedidn’tcomeherself.Ithinkshe’dbeenorwasillinhospital,orsomething,anditwasaFrenchyoungladywhocame.IthinkaFrenchladywhowascompaniontoherorsomethinglikethat.Verynice.SpokeperfectEnglish.Andsheexplainedallabouttheextrawigsshewanted,sizesandcoloursandstylesandorderedthem.Yes.Fancymyrememberingit.IsupposeIwouldn’thaveexceptthatabout—ohitmusthavebeenamonthlater—amonth,perhapsmore,sixweeks—Ireadaboutthesuicide,youknow.I’mafraidtheygaveherbadnewsatthehospitalorwherevershewas,andsoshejustcouldn’tfacelivinganymore,andherhusbandfelthecouldn’tfacelifewithouther—”
Mrs.Olivershookherheadsadly—andcontinuedherenquiries.
“Theyweredifferentkindsofwigs,Isuppose.”
“Yes,onehadaveryprettygreystreakinit,andthentherewasapartyoneandoneforeveningwear,andoneclose-croppedwithcurls.Verynice,thatyoucouldwearunderahatanditdidn’tgetmessedup.IwassorrynottohaveseenLadyRavenscroftagain.Evenapartfromherillness,shehadbeenveryunhappyaboutasisterwhohadrecently
“Yes,twinsareverydevoted,aren’tthey,”saidMrs.Oliver.
“She’dalwaysseemedsuchahappywomanbefore,”saidMrs.Rosentelle.
Bothwomensighed.Mrs.Oliverchangedthesubject.
“DoyouthinkthatI’dfindawiguseful?”sheasked.
TheexpertstretchedoutahandandlaiditspeculativelyonMrs.Oliver’shead.
“Iwouldn’tadviseit—you’vegotasplendidcropofhair—verythickstill—Iimagine—”afaintsmilecametoherlips—“youenjoydoingthingswithit?”
“Howcleverofyoutoknowthat.It’squitetrue—Ienjoyexperimenting—it’ssuchfun.”
“Youenjoylifealtogether,don’tyou?”
“Yes,Ido.Isupposeit’sthefeelingthatoneneverknowswhatmightbegoingtohappennext.”
“Yetthatfeeling,”saidMrs.Rosentelle,“isjustwhatmakessomanypeopleneverstopworrying!”
Sixteen
MR.GOBYREPORTS
Mr.Gobycameintotheroomandsat,asindicatedbyPoirot,inhisusualchair.Heglancedaroundhimbeforechoosingwhatparticularpieceoffurnitureorpartoftheroomhewasabouttoaddress.Hesettled,asoftenbefore,fortheelectricfire,notturnedonatthistimeofyear.Mr.Gobyhadneverbeenknowntoaddressthehumanbeinghewasworkingfordirectly.Heselectedalwaysthecornice,aradiator,atelevisionset,aclock,sometimesacarpetoramat.Outofabriefcasehetookafewpapers.
“Well,”saidHerculePoirot,“youhavesomethingforme?”
“Ihavecollectedvariousdetails,”saidMr.Goby.
Mr.GobywascelebratedalloverLondon,indeedpossiblyalloverEnglandandevenfurther,asagreatpurveyorofinformation.Howheperformedthesemiraclesnobodyeverreallyquiteknew.Heemployedanotexcessivestaff.Sometimeshecomplainedthathislegs,ashesometimescalledthem,werenotasgoodastheyusedtobe.Buthisresultswerestillabletoastonishpeoplewhohadcommissionedthem.
“Mrs.Burton-Cox,”hesaid,announcingthenamemuchasthoughhehadbeenthelocalchurchwardenhavinghisturnatreadingthelessons.Hemightequallyhavebeensaying“Thirdverse,fourthchapter,thebookofIsaiah.”
“Mrs.Burton-Cox,”hesaidagain.“MarriedMr.CecilAldbury,manufacturerofbuttonsonalargescale.Richman.Enteredpolitics,wasMPforLittleStansmere.Mr.CecilAldburywaskilledinacaraccidentfouryearsaftertheirmarriage.Theonlychildofthemarriagediedinanaccidentshortlyafterwards.Mr.Aldbury’sestatewasinheritedbyhiswife,butwasnotasmuchashadbeenexpectedsincethefirmhadnotbeendoingwelloflateyears.Mr.AldburyalsoleftquiteaconsiderablesumofmoneytoaMissKathleenFenn,withwhomitseemedhehadbeenhavingintimaterelationsquiteunknowntohiswife.Mrs.Burton-Coxcontinuedherpoliticalcareer.SomethreeyearsafterthatsheadoptedachildwhichhadbeenborntoMissKathleenFenn.MissKathleenFenninsistedthatthechildwasthesonofthelateMr.Aldbury.This,fromwhatIhavebeenabletolearninmyenquiries,issomewhatdifficulttoaccept,”continuedMr.Goby.“MissFennhadhadmanyrelationships,usuallywithgentlemenofamplemeansandgenerousdispositions,butafterall,somanypeoplehavetheirprice,havetheynot?I’mafraidthisisquiteaseriousbillImayhavetosendyouin.”
“Continue,”saidHerculePoirot.
“Mrs.Aldbury,asshethenwas,agreedtoadoptthechild.AshortwhilelatershemarriedMajorBurton-Cox.MissKathleenFennbecame,Imaysay,amostsuccessfulactressandpopsingerandmadeaverylargeamountofmoney.ShethenwrotetoMrs.Burton-Coxsayingshewouldbewillingtotakebacktheadoptedchild.Mrs.Burton-Coxrefused.Mrs.Burton-Coxhasbeenlivingquitecomfortablysince,Iunderstand,MajorBurton-CoxwaskilledinMalaya.Helefthermoderatelywelloff.AfurtherpieceofinformationIhaveobtainedisthatMissKathleenFenn,whodiedaveryshortwhileago—eighteenmonths,Ithink—leftaWillbywhichherentirefortune,whichamountedbythentoaconsiderablesumofmoney,waslefttohernaturalsonDesmond,atpresentknownunderthenameofDesmondBurton-Cox.”
“Verygenerous,”saidPoirot.“OfwhatdidMissFenndie?”
“Myinformanttellsmethatshecontractedleukaemia.”
“Andtheboyhasinheritedhismother’smoney?”
“Itwasleftintrustforhimtoacquireattheageoftwenty-five.”
“Sohewillbeindependent,willhaveasubstantialfortune?AndMrs.Burton-Cox?”
“Hasnotbeenhappyinherinvestments,itisunderstood.Shehassufficienttoliveonbutnotmuchmore.”
“HastheboyDesmondmadeaWill?”askedPoirot.
“That,”saidMr.Goby,“IfearIdonotknowasyet.ButIhavecertainmeansoffindingout.IfIdo,Iwillacquaintyouwiththefactwithoutlossoftime.”
Mr.Gobytookhisleave,absentmindedlybowingafarewelltotheelectricfire
Aboutanhourandahalflaterthetelephonerang.
HerculePoirot,withasheetofpaperinfrontofhim,wasmakingnotes.Nowandthenhefrowned,twirledhismoustaches,crossedsomethingoutandrewroteitandthenproceededonward.Whenthetelephoneranghepickedupthereceiverandlistened.
“Thankyou,”hesaid,“thatwasquickwork.Yes…yes,I’mgrateful.Ireallydonotknowsometimeshowyoumanagethesethings…Yes,thatsetsoutthepositionclearly.Itmakessenseofsomethingthatdidnotmakesensebefore…Yes…Igather…yes,I’mlistening…youareprettysurethatthatisthecase.Heknowsheisadopted…butheneverhasbeentoldwhohisrealmotherwas…yes.Yes,Isee…Verywell.Youwillclearuptheotherpointtoo?Thankyou.”
Hereplacedthereceiverandstartedoncemorewritingdownwords.Inhalfanhourthetelephonerangoncemore.Onceagainhepickedupthephone.
“I’mbackfromCheltenham,”saidavoicewhichPoirothadnodifficultyinrecognizing.
“Ah,chèremadame,youhavereturned?YouhaveseenMrs.Rosentelle?”
“Yes.Sheisnice.Verynice.Andyouwerequiteright,youknow,sheisanotherelephant.”
“Meaning,chèremadame?”
“ImeanthatsherememberedMollyRavenscroft.”
“Andsherememberedherwigs?”
“Yes.”
Brieflysheoutlinedwhattheretiredhairdresserhadtoldheraboutthewigs.
“Yes,”saidPoirot,“thatagrees.ThatisexactlywhatSuperintendentGarrowaymentionedtome.Thefourwigsthatthepolicefound.Curls,aneveningtypeofheaddress,andtwootherplainerones.Four.”
“SoIreallyonlytoldyouwhatyouknewalready?”
“No,youtoldmesomethingmorethanthat.Shesaid—thatiswhatyoutoldmejustnow,isitnot?—thatLadyRavenscroftwantedtwoextrawigstoaddtothetwothatshealreadyhadandthatthiswasaboutthreeweekstosixweeksbeforethesuicidetragedyoccurred.Yes,thatisinteresting,isitnot?”
“It’sverynatural,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Imean,youknowthatpeople,women,Imean,maydoawfuldamagetothings.Tofalsehairandthingsofthatkind.Ifitcan’tberedressedandcleaned,ifit’sgotburntorgotstuffspiltonityoucan’tgetout,orit’sbeendyedanddyedallwrong—somethinglikethat—wellthen,ofcourseyouhavetogettwonewwigsorswitchesorwhatevertheyare.Idon’tseewhatmakesyouexcitedaboutthat.”
“Notexactlyexcited,”saidPoirot,“no.Itisapoint,butthemoreinterestingpointiswhatyouhavejustadded.ItwasaFrenchlady,wasitnot,whobroughtthewigstobecopiedormatched?”
“Yes.Igatheredsomekindofcompanionorsomething.LadyRavenscrofthadbeenorwasinhospitalorinanursinghomesomewhereandshewasnotingoodhealthandshecouldnotcomeherselftomakeachoiceoranythingofthatkind.”
“Isee.”
“AndsoherFrenchcompanioncame.”
“Doyouknowthenameofthatcompanionbyanychance?”
“No.Idon’tthinkMrs.Rosentellementionedit.InfactIdon’tthinksheknew.TheappointmentwasmadebyLadyRavenscroftandtheFrenchgirlorwomanjustbroughtthewigsalongforsizeandmatchingandalltherestofit,Isuppose.”
“Well,”saidPoirot,“thathelpsmetowardsthefurtherstepthatIamabouttotake.”
“Whathaveyoulearnt?”saidMrs.Oliver.“Haveyoudoneanything?”
“Youarealwayssosceptical,”saidPoirot.“YoualwaysconsiderthatIdonothing,thatIsitinachairandreposemyself.”
“WellIthinkyousitinachairandthink,”admittedMrs.Oliver,“butIquiteagreethatyoudon’toftengooutanddothings.”
“InthenearfutureIthinkImaypossiblygooutanddothings,”saidHerculePoirot,“andthatwillpleaseyou.ImayevencrosstheChannelthoughcertainlynotinaboat.Aplane,Ithinkisindicated.”
“Oh,”saidMrs.Oliver.“Doyouwantmetocometoo?”
“No,”saidPoirot,“IthinkitwouldbebetterifIwentaloneonthisoccasion.”
“Youreallywillgo?”
“Ohyes,ohyes.Iwillrunaboutwithallactivityandsoyoushouldbepleasedwithme,madame.”
Whenhehadrungoff,hedialledanothernumberwhichhelookedupfromanotehehadmadeinhispocketbook.Presentlyhewasconnectedtothepersonwhomhewishedtospeakto.
“MydearSuperintendentGarroway,itisHerculePoirotwhoaddressesyou.Idonotderangeyoutoomuch?Youarenotverybusyatthismoment?”
“No,Iamnotbusy,”saidSuperintendentGarroway.“Iampruningmyroses,that’sall.”
“ThereissomethingthatIwanttoaskyou.Quiteasmallthing.”
“Aboutourproblemofthedoublesuicide?”
“Yes,aboutourproblem.Yousaidtherewasadoginthehouse.Yousaidthatthedogwentforwalkswiththefamily,orsoyouunderstood.”
“Yes,therewassomementionmadeofadog.Ithinkitmayhavebeeneitherthehousekeeperorsomeonewhosaidthattheywentforawalkwiththedogasusualthatday.”
“InexaminationofthebodywasthereanysignthatLadyRavenscrofthadbeenbittenbyadog?Notnecessarilyveryrecentlyoronthatparticularday?”
“Well,it’soddyoushouldsaythat.Ican’tsayI’dhaverememberedaboutitifyouhadn’tmentionedsuchathing.Butyes,therewereacoupleofscars.Notbadones.Butagainthehousekeepermentionedthatthedoghadattackeditsmistressmorethanonceandbittenher,thoughnotveryseverely.Lookhere,Poirot,therewasnorabiesabout,ifthat’swhatyouarethinking.Therecouldn’thavebeenanythingofthatkind.Afterallshewasshot—theywerebothshot.Therewasnoquestionofanysepticpoisoningordangeroftetanus.”
“Idonotblamethedog,”saidPoirot,“itwasonlysomethingIwantedtoknow.”
“Onedogbitewasfairlyrecent,aboutaweekbefore,Ithink,ortwoweekssomebodysaid.Therewasnocaseofnecessaryinjectionsoranythingofthatkind.Ithadhealedquitewell.What’sthatquotation?”wentonSuperintendentGarroway.“‘Thedogitwasthatdied.’Ican’trememberwhereitcomesfrombut—”
“Anyway,itwasn’tthedogthatdied,”saidPoirot.“Thatwasn’tthepointofmyquestion.Iwouldliketohaveknownthatdog.Hewasperhapsaveryintelligentdog.”
AfterhehadreplacedthereceiverwiththankstotheSuperintendent,Poirotmurmured:“Anintelligentdog.Moreintelligentperhapsthanthepolicewere.”
Seventeen
POIROTANNOUNCESDEPARTURE
MissLivingstoneshowedinaguest.“Mr.HerculesPorrett.”
AssoonasMissLivingstonehadlefttheroom,Poirotshutthedoorafterherandsatdownbyhisfriend,Mrs.AriadneOliver.
Hesaid,loweringhisvoiceslightly,“Idepart.”
“Youdowhat?”saidMrs.Oliver,whowasalwaysslightlystartledbyPoirot’smethodsofpassingoninformation.
“Idepart.Imakethedeparture.ItakeaplanetoGeneva.”
“YousoundasthoughyouwereUNOorUNESCOorsomething.”
“No.ItisjustaprivatevisitthatImake.”
“HaveyougotanelephantinGeneva?”
“Well,Isupposeyoumightlookatitthatway.Perhapstwoofthem.”
“Ihaven’tfoundoutanythingmore,”saidMrs.Oliver.“InfactIdon’tknowwhoIcangoto,tofindoutanymore.”
“Ibelieveyoumentioned,orsomebodydid,thatyourgoddaughter,CeliaRavenscroft,hadayoungbrother.”
“Yes.He’scalledEdward,Ithink.I’vehardlyeverseenhim.Itookhimoutonceortwicefromschool,Iremember.Butthatwasyearsago.”
“Whereishenow?”
“He’satuniversity,inCanadaIthink.Orhe’stakingsomeengineeringcoursethere.Doyouwanttogoandaskhimthings?”
“No,notatthemoment.Ishouldjustliketoknowwhereheisnow.ButIgatherhewasnotinthehousewhenthissuicidehappened?”
“You’renotthinking—you’renotthinkingforamomentthathedidit,areyou?Imean,shothisfatherandhismother,bothofthem.Iknowboysdosometimes.Veryqueertheyaresometimeswhenthey’reatafunnyage.”
“Hewasnotinthehouse,”saidPoirot.“ThatIknowalreadyfrommypolicereports.”
“Haveyoufoundoutanythingelseinteresting?Youlookquiteexcited.”
“Iamexcitedinaway.Ihavefoundoutcertainthingsthatmaythrowlightuponwhatwealreadyknow.”
“Well,whatthrowslightonwhat?”
“ItseemstomepossiblenowthatIcanunderstandwhyMrs.Burton-CoxapproachedyouasshedidandtriedtogetyoutoobtaininformationforheraboutthefactsofthesuicideoftheRavenscrofts.”
“Youmeanshewasn’tjustbeinganoseyparker?”
“No.Ithinktherewassomemotivebehindit.Thisiswhere,perhaps,moneycomesin.”
“Money?What’smoneygottodowiththat?She’squitewelloff,isn’tshe?”
“Shehasenoughtoliveupon,yes.Butitseemsthatheradoptedsonwhomsheregardsapparentlyashertrueson—heknowsthathewasadoptedalthoughheknowsnothingaboutthefamilyfromwhichhereallycame.ItseemsthatwhenhecameofagehemadeaWill,possiblyurgedbyhisadoptedmothertodoso.Perhapsitwasmerelyhintedtohimbysomefriendsofhersorpossiblybysomelawyerthatshehadconsulted.Anyway,oncomingofagehemayhavefeltthathemightaswellleaveeverythingtoher,tohisadoptedmother.Presumablyatthattimehehadnobodyelsetoleaveitto.”
“Idon’tseehowthatleadstowantingnewsaboutasuicide.”
“Don’tyou?Shewantedtodiscouragethemarriage.IfyoungDesmondhadagirlfriend,ifheproposedtomarryherinthenearfuture,whichiswhatalotofyoungpeopledonowadays—theywon’twaitorthinkitover.Inthatcase,Mrs.Burton-Coxwouldnotinheritthemoneyheleft,sincethemarriagewouldinvalidateanyearlierWill,andpresumablyifhedidmarryhisgirlhewouldmakeanewWillleavingeverythingtoherandnottohisadoptedmother.”
“AndyoumeanMrs.Burton-Coxdidn’twantthat?”
“Shewantedtofindsomethingthatwoulddiscouragehimfrommarryingthegirl.Ithinkshehoped,andprobablyreallybelievedasfarasthatgoes,thatCelia’smotherkilledherhusband,afterwardsshootingherself.Thatisthesortofthingthatmightdiscourageaboy.Evenifherfatherkilledhermother,itisstilladiscouragingthought.It
“Youmeanhe’dthinkthatifherfatherormotherwasamurderer,thegirlmighthavemurderoustendencies?”
“Notquiteascrudeasthatbutthatmightbethemainidea,Ishouldthink.”
“Buthewasn’trich,washe?Anadoptedchild.”
“Hedidn’tknowhisrealmother’snameorwhoshewas,butitseemsthathismother,whowasanactressandasingerandwhomanagedtomakeagreatdealofmoneybeforeshebecameillanddied,wantedatonetimetogetherchildreturnedtoherandwhenMrs.Burton-Coxwouldnotagreetothat,Ishouldimagineshethoughtaboutthisboyagreatdealanddecidedthatshewouldleavehermoneytohim.Hewillinheritthismoneyattheageoftwenty-five,butitisheldintrustforhimuntilthen.SoofcourseMrs.Burton-Coxdoesn’twanthimtomarry,oronlytomarrysomeonethatshereallyapprovesoforoverwhomshemighthaveinfluence.”
“Yes,thatseemstomefairlyreasonable.She’snotanicewomanthough,isshe?”
“No,”saidPoirot,“Ididnotthinkheraverynicewoman.”
“Andthat’swhyshedidn’twantyoucomingtoseeherandmessingaboutwiththingsandfindingoutwhatshewasupto.”
“Possibly,”saidPoirot.
“Anythingelseyouhavelearnt?”
“Yes,Ihavelearnt—thatisonlyafewhoursagoreally—whenSuperintendentGarrowayhappenedtoringmeupaboutsomeothersmallmatters,butIdidaskhimandhetoldmethatthehousekeeper,whowaselderly,hadverybadeyesight.”
“Doesthatcomeintoitanywhere?”
“Itmight,”saidPoirot.Helookedathiswatch.“Ithink,”hesaid,“itistimethatIleft.”
“Youareonyourwaytocatchyourplaneattheairport?”
“No.Myplanedoesnotleaveuntiltomorrowmorning.ButthereisaplaceIhavetovisittoday—aplacethatIwishtoseewithmyowneyes.Ihaveacarwaitingoutsidenowtotakemethere—”
“Whatisityouwanttosee?”Mrs.Oliveraskedwithsomecuriosity.
“Notsomuchtosee—tofeel.Yes—thatistherightword—tofeelandtorecognizewhatitwillbethatIfeel….”
Eighteen
INTERLUDE
HerculePoirotpassedthroughthegateofthechurchyard.Hewalkeduponeofthepaths,andpresently,againstamoss-grownwallhestopped,lookingdownonagrave.Hestoodthereforsomeminuteslookingfirstatthegrave,thenattheviewoftheDownsandseabeyond.Thenhiseyescamebackagain.Flowershadbeenputrecentlyonthegrave.Asmallbunchofassortedwildflowers,thekindofbunchthatmighthavebeenleftbyachild,butPoirotdidnotthinkthatitwasachildwhohadleftthem.Hereadtheletteringonthegrave.
TothememoryofDOROTHEAJARROWDiedSept15th1960AlsoofMARGARETRAVENSCROFTDiedOct3rd1960SisterofaboveAlsoofALISTAIRRAVENSCROFTDiedOct3rd1960HerhusbandIntheirDeaththeywerenotdividedForgiveusourtrespassesAsweforgivethosethattrespassagainstusLord,haveMercyuponusChrist,haveMercyuponusLord,haveMercyuponus
Poirotstoodthereamomentortwo.Henoddedhisheadonceortwice.Thenheleftthechurchyardandwalkedbyafootpaththatledoutontothecliffandalongthecliff.Presentlyhestoodstillagainlookingouttothesea.Hespoketohimself.
“IamsurenowthatIknowwhathappenedandwhy.Iunderstandthepityofitandthetragedy.Onehastogobacksuchalongway.Inmyendismybeginning,orshouldoneputitdifferently?‘Inmybeginningwasmytragicend?’TheSwissgirlmusthaveknown—butwillshetellme?Theboybelievesshewill.Fortheirsakes—thegirlandtheboy.Theycannotacceptlifeunlesstheyknow.”
Nineteen
MADDYANDZéLIE
“MademoiselleRouselle?”saidHerculePoirot.Hebowed.
MademoiselleRouselleextendedherhand.Aboutfifty,Poirotthought.Afairlyimperiouswoman.Wouldhaveherway.Intelligent,intellectual,satisfied,hethought,withlifeasshehadlivedit,enjoyingthepleasuresandsufferingthesorrowslifebrings.
“Ihaveheardyourname,”shesaid.“Youhavefriends,youknow,bothinthiscountryandinFrance.IdonotknowexactlywhatIcandoforyou.Oh,Iknowthatyouexplained,intheletterthatyousentme.Itisanaffairofthepast,isitnot?Thingsthathappened.Notexactlythingsthathappened,butthecluetothingsthathappenedmany,manyyearsago.Butsitdown.Yes.Yes,thatchairisquitecomfortable,Ihope.Therearesomepetit-foursandthedecanterisonthetable.”
Shewasquietlyhospitablewithoutanyurgency.Shewasunworriedbutamiable.
“Youwereatonetimeagovernessinacertainfamily,”saidPoirot.“ThePreston-Greys.Perhapsnowyouhardlyrememberthem.”
“Ohyes,onedoesnotforget,youknow,thingsthathappenwhenyouwereyoung.Therewasagirl,andaboyaboutfourorfiveyearsyoungerinthefamilyIwentto.Theywerenicechildren.TheirfatherbecameaGeneralintheArmy.”
“Therewasalsoanothersister.”
“Ahyes,Iremember.ShewasnottherewhenIfirstcame.Ithinkshewasdelicate.Herhealthwasnotgood.Shewashavingtreatmentsomewhere.”
“YouremembertheirChristiannames?”
“Margaret,Ithinkwasone.TheotheroneIamnotsureofbynow.”
“Dorothea.”
“Ahyes.AnameIhavenotoftencomeacross.Buttheycalledeachotherbyshorternames.MollyandDolly.Theywereidenticaltwins,youknow,remarkablyalike.Theywerebothveryhandsomeyoungwomen.”
“Andtheywerefondofeachother?”
“Yes,theyweredevoted.Butweare,arewenot,becomingslightlyconfused?Preston-GreyisnotthenameofthechildrenIwenttoteach.DorotheaPreston-GreymarriedaMajor—ah,Icannotrememberthenamenow.Arrow?No,Jarrow.Margaret’smarriednamewas—”
“Ravenscroft,”saidPoirot.
“Ah,that.Yes.Curioushowonecannotremembernames.ThePreston-Greysareagenerationolder.MargaretPreston-Greyhadbeeninapensionnatinthispartoftheworld,andwhenshewroteafterhermarriageaskingMadameBen?it,whoranthatpensionnat,ifsheknewofsomeonewhowouldcometoherasnursery-governesstoherchildren,Iwasrecommended.ThatishowIcametogothere.Ispokeonlyoftheothersisterbecauseshehappenedtobestayingthereduringpartofmytimeofservicewiththechildren.Thechildrenwereagirl,Ithinkthenofsixorseven.ShehadanameoutofShakespeare.Iremember,RosalindorCelia.”
“Celia,”saidPoirot.
“Andtheboywasonlyaboutthreeorfour.HisnamewasEdward.Amischievousbutlovablechild.Iwashappywiththem.”
“Andtheywerehappy,Ihear,withyou.Theyenjoyedplayingwithyouandyouwereverykindinyourplayingwiththem.”
“Moi,j’aimelesenfants,”saidMademoiselleRouselle.
“Theycalledyou‘Maddy,’Ibelieve.”
Shelaughed.
“Ah,Ilikehearingthatword.Itbringsbackpastmemories.”
“DidyouknowaboycalledDesmond?DesmondBurton-Cox?”
“Ahyes.HelivedIthinkinahousenextdoorornearlynextdoor.Wehadseveralneighboursandthechildrenveryoftencametoplaytogether.HisnamewasDesmond.Yes,Iremember.”
“Youweretherelong,mademoiselle?”
“No.Iwasonlythereforthreeorfouryearsatmost.ThenIwasrecalledtothiscountry.Mymotherwasveryill.Itwasaquestionofcomingbackandnursingher,althoughIknewitwouldnotbeperhapsforverylong.Thatwastrue.ShediedayearandahalfortwoyearsatthemostafterIreturnedhere.AfterthatIstartedasmallpensionnatouthere,takinginratheroldergirlswhowantedtostudylanguagesandotherthings.IdidnotvisitEnglandagain,althoughforayearortwoIkeptupcommunicationwiththecountry.ThetwochildrenusedtosendmeacardatChristmastime.”
“DidGeneralRavenscroftandhiswifestrikeyouasahappycouple?”
“Veryhappy.Theywerefondoftheirchildren.”
“Theywereverywellsuitedtoeachother?”
“Yes,theyseemedtometohaveallthenecessaryqualitiestomaketheirmarriageasuccess.”
“YousaidLadyRavenscroftwasdevotedtohertwinsister.Wasthetwinsisteralsodevotedtoher?”
“Well,Ihadnotverymuchoccasionofjudging.Frankly,Ithoughtthatthesister—Dolly,astheycalledher—wasverydefinitelyamentalcase.Onceortwicesheactedinaverypeculiarmanner.Shewasajealouswoman,Ithink,andIunderstoodthatshehadatonetimethoughtshewasengaged,orwasgoingtobeengaged,toGeneralRavenscroft.AsfarasIcouldseehe’dfalleninlovewithherfirst,thenlater,however,hisaffectionsturnedtowardshersister,whichwasfortunate,Ithought,becauseMollyRavenscroftwasawell-balancedandverysweetwoman.AsforDolly—sometimesIthoughtsheadoredhersister,sometimesthatshehatedher.Shewasaveryjealouswomanandshedecidedtoomuchaffectionwasbeingshowntothechildren.ThereisonewhocouldtellyouaboutallthisbetterthanI.MademoiselleMeauhourat.ShelivesinLausanneandshewenttotheRavenscroftsaboutayearandahalfortwoyearsafterIhadtoleave.Shewaswiththemforsomeyears.LaterIbelieveshewentbackascompaniontoLadyRavenscroftwhenCeliawasabroadatschool.”
“Iamgoingtoseeher.Ihaveheraddress,”saidPoirot.
“SheknowsagreatdealthatIdonot,andsheisacharmingandreliableperson.Itwasaterribletragedythathappenedlater.Sheknowsifanyonedoeswhatledtoit.Sheisverydiscreet.Shehasnevertoldmeanything.WhethershewilltellyouIdonotknow.Shemaydo,shemaynot.”
PoirotstoodforamomentortwolookingatMademoiselleMeauhourat.HehadbeenimpressedbyMademoiselleRouselle,hewasimpressedalsobythewomanwhostoodwaitingtoreceivehim.Shewasnotsoformidable,shewasmuchyounger,atleasttenyearsyounger,hethought,andshehadadifferentkindofimpressiveness.Shewasalive,stillattractive,eyesthatwatchedyouandmadetheirownjudgmentonyou,willingtowelcomeyou,lookingwithkindlinessonthosewhocameherwaybutwithoutunduesoftness.Hereissomeone,thoughtHerculePoirot,veryremarkable.
“IamHerculePoirot,mademoiselle.”
“Iknow.Iwasexpectingyoueithertodayortomorrow.”
“Ah.Youreceivedaletterfromme?”
“No.Itisnodoubtstillinthepost.Ourpostsarealittleuncertain.No.Ihadaletterfromsomeoneelse.”
“FromCeliaRavenscroft?”
“No.ItwasaletterwrittenbysomeoneinclosetouchwithCelia.Aboyorayoungman,whicheverweliketoregardhimas,calledDesmondBurton-Cox.Hepreparedmeforyourarrival.”
“Ah.Isee.Heisintelligentandhewastesnotime,Ithink.HewasveryurgentthatIshouldcomeandseeyou.”
“SoIgathered.There’strouble,Iunderstand.Troublethathewantstoresolve,andsodoesCelia.Theythinkyoucanhelpthem?”
“Yes,andtheythinkthatyoucanhelpme.”
“Theyareinlovewitheachotherandwishtomarry.”
“Yes,buttherearedifficultiesbeingputintheirway.”
“Ah,byDesmond’smother,Ipresume.Soheletsmeunderstand.”
“Therearecircumstances,orhavebeencircumstances,inCelia’slifethathaveprejudicedhismotheragainsthisearlymarriagetothisparticulargirl.”
“Ah.Becauseofthetragedy,foritwasatragedy.”
“Yes,becauseofthetragedy.CeliahasagodmotherwhowasaskedbyDesmond’smothertotryandfindoutfromCeliatheexactcircumstancesunderwhichthatsuicideoccurred.”
“There’snosenseinthat,”saidMademoiselleMeauhourat.Shemotionedwithherhand.“Sitdown.Pleasesitdown.Iexpectweshallhavetotalkforsomelittletime.Yes,Celiacouldnottellhergodmother—Mrs.AriadneOliver,thenovelistisitnot?Yes,Iremember.Celiacouldnotgivehertheinformationbecauseshehasnotgottheinformationherself.”
“Shewasnottherewhenthetragedyoccurred,andnoonetoldheranythingaboutit.Isthatright?”
“Yes,thatisright.Itwasthoughtinadvisable.”
“Ah.Anddoyouapproveofthatdecisionordisapproveofit?”
“Itisdifficulttobesure.Verydifficult.I’venotbeensureofitintheyearsthathavepassedsincethen,andtherearequitealot.Celia,asfarasIknow,hasneverbeenworried.Worried,Imean,astothewhyandwherefore.She’saccepteditasshewouldhaveacceptedanaeroplaneaccidentoracaraccident.Somethingthatresultedinthedeathofherparents.Shespentmanyyearsinapensionnatabroad.”
“ActuallyIthinkthepensionnatwasrunbyyou,MademoiselleMeauhourat.”
“Thatisquitetrue.Ihaveretiredrecently.Acolleagueofmineisnowtakingiton.ButCeliawassentouttomeandIwasaskedtofindforheragoodplaceforhertocontinuehereducation,asmanygirlsdocometoSwitzerlandforthatpurpose.Icouldhaverecommendedseveralplaces.AtthemomentItookherintomyown.”
“AndCeliaaskedyounothing,didnotdemandinformation?”
“No.Itwas,yousee,beforethetragedyhappened.”
“Oh.Ididnotquiteunderstandthat.”
“Celiacameoutheresomeweeksbeforethetragicoccurrence.Iwasatthattimenotheremyself.IwasstillwithGeneralandLadyRavenscroft.IlookedafterLadyRavenscroft,actingasacompaniontoherratherthanasagovernesstoCelia,whowasstillatthatmomentinboardingschool.ButitwassuddenlyarrangedthatCeliashouldcometoSwitzerlandandfinishhereducationthere.”
“LadyRavenscrofthadbeeninpoorhealth,hadshenot?”
“Yes.Nothingveryserious.Nothingasseriousasshehadherselffearedatonetime.Butshehadsufferedalotofnervousstrainandshockandgeneralworry.”
“Youremainedwithher?”
“AsisterwhomIhadlivinginLausannereceivedCeliaonherarrivalandsettledherintotheinstitutionwhichwasonlyforaboutfifteenorsixteengirls,butthereshewouldstartherstudiesandawaitmyreturn.Ireturnedsomethreeorfourweekslater.”
“ButyouwereatOvercliffeatthetimeithappened.”
“IwasatOvercliffe.GeneralandLadyRavenscroftwentforawalk,aswastheirhabit.Theywentoutanddidnotreturn.Theywerefounddead,shot.Theweaponwasfoundlyingbythem.ItwasonethatbelongedtoGeneralRavenscroftandhadbeenalwayskeptinadrawerinhisstudy.Thefingermarksofbothofthemwerefoundonthatweapon.Therewasnodefiniteindicationofwhohadhelditlast.Impressionsofbothpeople,slightlysmeared,wereonit.Theobvioussolutionwasadoublesuicide.”
“Youfoundnoreasontodoubtthat?”
“Thepolicefoundnoreason,soIbelieve.”
“Ah,”saidPoirot.
“Ibegyourpardon?”saidMademoiselleMeauhourat.
“Nothing.Nothing.JustsomethinguponwhichIreflect.”
Poirotlookedather.Brownhairasyethardlytouchedwithgrey,lipsclosedfirmlytogether,greyeyes,afacewhichshowednoemotion.Shewasincontrolofherselfcompletely.
“Soyoucannottellmeanythingmore?”
“Ifearnot.Itwasalongtimeago.”
“Yourememberthattimewellenough.”
“Yes.Onecannotentirelyforgetsuchasadthing.”
“AndyouagreedthatCeliashouldnotbetoldanythingmoreofwhathadleduptothis?”
“HaveInotjusttoldyouthatIhadnoextrainformation?”
“Youwerethere,livingatOvercliffe,foraperiodoftimebeforethetragedy,wereyounot?Fourorfiveweeks—sixweeksperhaps.”
“Longerthanthat,really.AlthoughIhadbeengovernesstoCeliaearlier,Icamebackthistime,aftershewenttoschool,inordertohelpLadyRavenscroft.”
“LadyRavenscroft’ssisterwaslivingwithheralsoaboutthattime,wasshenot?”
“Yes.Shehadbeeninhospitalhavingspecialtreatmentforsometime.Shehadshownmuchimprovementandtheauthoritieshadfelt—themedicalauthoritiesIspeakof—thatshewoulddobettertoleadanormallifewithherownrelationsandtheatmosphereofahome.AsCeliahadgonetoschool,itseemedagoodtimeforLadyRavenscrofttoinvitehersistertobewithher.”
“Weretheyfondofeachother,thosetwosisters?”
“Itwasdifficulttoknow,”saidMademoiselleMeauhourat.Herbrowsdrewtogether.ItwasasthoughwhatPoirothadjustsaidarousedherinterest.“Ihavewondered,youknow.Ihavewonderedsomuchsince,andatthetimereally.Theywereidenticaltwins,youknow.Theyhadabondbetweenthem,abondofmutualdependenceandloveandinmanywaystheywereveryalike.Buttherewerewaysalsoinwhichtheywerenotalike.”
“Youmean?Ishouldbegladtoknowjustwhatyoumeanbythat.”
“Oh,thishasnothingtodowiththetragedy.Nothingofthatkind.Buttherewasadefinite,asIshallputit,adefinitephysicalormentalflaw—whicheverwayyouliketoputit—somepeoplenowadaysholdthetheorythatthereissomephysicalcauseforanykindofmentaldisorder.Ibelievethatitisfairlywellrecognizedbythemedicalprofessionthatidenticaltwinsareborneitherwithagreatbondbetweenthem,agreatlikenessintheircharacterswhichmeansthatalthoughtheymaybedividedintheirenvironment,wheretheyarebroughtup,thesamethingswillhappentothematthesametimeoflife.Theywilltakethesametrend.Someofthecasesquotedasmedicalexampleseemquiteextraordinary.Twosisters,onelivinginEurope,onesayinFrance,theotherinEngland,theyhaveadogofthesamekindwhichtheychooseataboutthesamedate.Theymarrymensingularlyalike.Theygivebirthperhapstoachildalmostwithinamonthofeachother.Itasthoughtheyhavetofollowthepatternwherevertheyareandwithoutknowingwhattheotheroneisdoing.Thenthereistheoppositetothat.Akindofrevulsion,ahatredalmost,thatmakesonesisterdrawapart,oronebrotherrejecttheotherasthoughtheyseektogetawayfromthesameness,thelikeness,theknowledge,thethingstheyhaveincommon.Andthatcanleadtoverystrangeresults.”
“Iknow,”saidPoirot.“Ihaveheardofit.Ihaveseenitonceortwice.Lovecanturntohateveryeasily.Itiseasiertohatewhereyouhavelovedthanitistobeindifferentwhereyouhaveloved.”
“Ah,youknowthat,”saidMademoiselleMeauhourat.
“Yes,Ihaveseenitnotoncebutseveraltimes.LadyRavenscroft’ssisterwasverylikeher?”
“Ithinkshewasstillverylikeherinappearance,though,ifImaysayso,theexpressiononherfacewasverydifferent.ShewasinaconditionofstrainasLadyRavenscroftwasnot.Shehadagreataversiontochildren.Idon’tknowwhy.Perhapsshehadhadamiscarriageinearlylife.Perhapsshehadlongedforachildandneverhadone,butshehadakindofresentmentagainstchildren.Adislikeofthem.”
“Thathadledtooneortworatherserioushappenings,haditnot?”saidPoirot.
“Someonehastoldyouthat?”
“IhaveheardthingsfrompeoplewhoknewbothsisterswhentheywereinMalaya.LadyRavenscroftwastherewithherhusbandandhersister,Dolly,cameouttostaywiththemthere.Therewasanaccidenttoachildthere,anditwasthoughtthatDollymighthavebeenpartiallyresponsibleforit.Nothingwasproveddefinitely,butIgatherthatMolly’shusbandtookhissister-in-lawhometoEnglandandshehadoncemoretogointoamentalhome.”
“Yes,Ibelievethatisaverygoodaccountofwhathappened.Idonotofcourseknowitofmyownknowledge.”
“No,buttherearethingsyoudoknow,Ithink,fromyourownknowledge.”
“Ifso,Iseenoreasonforbringingthembacktomindnow.Isitnotbettertoleavethingswhenatleasttheyhavebeenaccepted?”
“ThereareotherthingsthatcouldhavehappenedthatdayatOvercliffe.Itmayhavebeenadoublesuicide,itcouldhavebeenamurder,itcouldhavebeenseveralotherthings.Youweretoldwhathadhappened,butIthinkfromonelittlesentenceyoujustsaid,thatyouknowwhathappenedthatdayandIthinkyouknowwhathappenedperhaps—orbegantohappen,shallwesay?—sometimebeforethat.ThetimewhenCeliahadgonetoSwitzerlandandyouwerestillatOvercliffe.Iwillaskyouonequestion.Iwouldliketoknowwhatyouranswerwouldbetoit.Itisnotathingofdirectinformation,itisaquestionofwhatyoubelieve.WhatwerethefeelingsofGeneralRavenscrofttowardsthose
“Iknowwhatyoumean.”
Forthefirsttimehermannerchangedslightly.Shewasnolongeronherguard,sheleanedforwardnowandspoketoPoirotalmostasthoughshedefinitelyfoundareliefindoingso.
“Theywerebothbeautiful,”shesaid,“asgirls.Iheardthatfrommanypeople.GeneralRavenscroftfellinlovewithDolly,thementallyafflictedsister.Althoughshehadadisturbedpersonalityshewasexceedinglyattractive—sexuallyattractive.Helovedherverydearly,andthenIdon’tknowwhetherhediscoveredinhersomecharacteristic,somethingperhapsthatalarmedhimorinwhichhefoundarepulsionofsomekind.Hesawperhapsthebeginningsofinsanityinher,thedangersconnectedwithher.Hisaffectionswenttohersister.Hefellinlovewiththesisterandmarriedher.”
“Helovedthemboth,youmean.Notatthesametimebutineachcasetherewasagenuinefactoflove.”
“Oh,yes,hewasdevotedtoMolly,reliedonherandsheonhim.Hewasaverylovableman.”
“Forgiveme,”saidPoirot,“youtoowereinlovewithhim,Ithink.”
“You—youdaresaythattome?”
“Yes.Idaresayittoyou.Iamnotsuggestingthatyouandhehadaloveaffair,nothingofthatkind.I’monlysayingthatyoulovedhim.”
“Yes,”saidZélieMeauhourat.“Ilovedhim.Inasense,Istilllovehim.There’snothingtobeashamedof.Hetrustedmeandreliedonme,buthewasneverinlovewithme.Youcanloveandserveandstillbehappy.IwantednomorethanIhad.Trust,sympathy,beliefinme—”
“Andyoudid,”saidPoirot,“whatyoucouldtohelphiminaterriblecrisisinhislife.Therearethingsyoudonotwishtotellme.TherearethingsthatIwillsaytoyou,thingsthatIhavegatheredfromvariousinformationthathascometome,thatIknowsomethingabout.BeforeIhavecometoseeyouIhaveheardfromothers,frompeoplewhohaveknownnotonlyLadyRavenscroft,notonlyMolly,butwhohaveknownDolly.AndIknowsomethingofDolly,thetragedyofherlife,thesorrow,theunhappinessandalsothehatred,thestreakperhapsofevil,theloveofdestructionthatcanbehandeddowninfamilies.Ifshelovedthemanshewasengagedtoshemusthave,whenhemarriedher
“Ohno,”saidZélieMeauhourat,“shelovedhersister.Shelovedherwithaverydeepandprotectivelove.ThatIdoknow.Itwasshewhoalwaysaskedthathersistershouldcomeandmakeherhomewithher.Shewantedtosavehersisterfromunhappiness,fromdangertoo,becausehersisterwouldoftenrelapseintofitsofratherdangerousrages.Shewasfrightenedsometimes.Well,youknowenough.YouhavealreadysaidthattherewasastrangedislikeofchildrenfromwhichDollysuffered.”
“YoumeanthatshedislikedCelia?”
“No,no,notCelia.Theotherone,Edward.Theyoungerone.TwiceEdwardhaddangersofanaccident.Once,somekindoftinkeringwithacarandoncesomeoutburstofviolentannoyance.IknowMollywasgladwhenEdwardwentbacktoschool.Hewasveryyoung,remember,muchyoungerthanCelia.Hewasonlyeightornine,atpreparatoryschool.Hewasvulnerable.Mollywasfrightenedabouthim.”
“Yes,”saidPoirot,“Icanunderstandthat.Now,ifImayIwilltalkofwigs.Wigs.Thewearingofwigs.Fourwigs.Thatisalotforonewomantopossessatonetime.Iknowwhattheywerelike,whattheylookedlike.Iknowthatwhenmorewereneeded,aFrenchladywenttotheshopinLondonandspokeaboutthemandorderedthem.Therewasadog,too.AdogwhowentforawalkonthedayofthetragedywithGeneralRavenscroftandhiswife.Earlierthatdog,somelittletimeearlier,hadbittenhismistress,MollyRavenscroft.”
“Dogsarelikethat,”saidZélieMeauhourat.“Theyareneverquitetobetrusted.Yes,Iknowthat.”
“AndIwilltellyouwhatIthinkhappenedonthatday,andwhathappenedbeforethat.Somelittletimebeforethat.”
“AndifIwillnotlistentoyou?”
“Youwilllistentome.YoumaysaythatwhatIhaveimaginedisfalse.Yes,youmightevendothat,butIdonotthinkyouwill.Iamtellingyou,andIbelieveitwithallmyheart,thatwhatisneededhereisthetruth.Itisnotjustimagining,itisnotjustwondering.Thereisagirlandaboywhocareforeachotherandwhoarefrightenedofthefuturebecauseofwhatmayhavehappenedandwhattheremightbehandeddownfromthefatherorthemothertothechild.Iamthinkingofthegirl,Celia.Arebelliousgirl,spirited,difficultperhapstomanagebutwithbrains,agoodmind,capableofhappiness,capableofcouragebutneeding—therearepeoplewhoneed—truth.Becausetheycan
“Yes,”saidZélieMeauhourat,“Iamlistening.Youunderstandagreatdeal,Ithink,andIthinkyouknowmorethanIcouldhaveimaginedyouwouldknow.SpeakandIwilllisten.”
Twenty
COURTOFENQUIRY
OncemoreHerculePoirotstoodonthecliffoverlookingtherocksbelowandtheseabreakingagainstthem.Herewherehestoodthebodiesofahusbandandwifehadbeenfound.Here,threeweeksbeforethatawomanhadwalkedinhersleepandfallentoherdeath.
“Whyhadthesethingshappened?”ThathadbeenSuperintendentGarroway’squestion.
Why?Whathadledtoit?
Anaccidentfirst—andthreeweekslateradoublesuicide.Oldsinsthathadleftlongshadows.Abeginningthathadledyearslatertoatragicend.
Todaytherewouldbepeoplemeetinghere.AboyandagirlwhosoughttheTruth.Twopeoplewhoknewthetruth.
HerculePoirotturnedawayfromtheseaandbackalongthenarrowpaththatledtoahouseoncecalledOvercliffe.
Itwasnotveryfar.Hesawcarsparkedagainstawall.Hesawtheoutlineofahouseagainstthesky.Ahousethatwasclearlyempty—thatneededrepainting.Ahouseagent’sboardhungthere—announcingthat“thisdesirableproperty”wasforsale.OnthegatethewordOvercliffehadalinedrawnoveritandthenameDownHousereplacedit.Hewenttomeettwopeoplewhowerewalkingtowardshim.OnewasDesmondBurton-CoxandtheotherwasCeliaRavenscroft.
“Igotanorderfromthehouseagent,”saidDesmond,“sayingwewantedtoviewitorhowevertheyputit.I’vegotthekeyincasewewanttogoinside.It’schangedhandstwiceinthelastfiveyears.Buttherewouldn’tbeanythingtoseetherenow,wouldthere?”
“Ishouldn’tthinkso,”saidCelia.“Afterall,it’sbelongedtolotsofpeoplealready.SomepeoplecalledArcherwhofirstboughtit,andthensomebodycalledFallowfield,Ithink.Theysaiditwastoolonely.Andnowtheselastpeoplearesellingittoo.Perhapstheywerehaunted.”
“Doyoureallybelieveinhauntedhouses?”saidDesmond.
“Wellnow,ofcourseIdon’tthinksoreally,”saidCelia,“butthismightbe,mightn’tit?Imean,thesortofthingsthathappened,thesortofplaceitisandeverything….”
“Idonotthinkso,”saidPoirot.“TherewassorrowhereandDeath,buttherewasalsoLove.”
Ataxicamealongtheroad.
“Iexpectthat’sMrs.Oliver,”saidCelia.“Shesaidshe’dcomebytrainandtakeataxifromthestation.”
Twowomengotoutofthetaxi.OnewasMrs.Oliverandwithherwasatall,elegantlydressedwoman.SincePoirotknewshewascominghewasnottakenbysurprise.HewatchedCeliatoseeifshehadanyreactions.
“Oh!”Celiasprangforward.
Shewenttowardsthewomanandherfacehadlitup.
“Zélie!”shesaid,“itisZélie?ItisreallyZélie!Oh,Iamsopleased.Ididn’tknowyouwerecoming.”
“MonsieurHerculePoirotaskedmetocome.”
“Isee,”saidCelia.“Yes,yes,IsupposeIsee.ButI—Ididn’t—”shestopped.Sheturnedherheadandlookedatthehandsomeboystandingbesideher.“Desmond,wasit—wasityou?”
“Yes.IwrotetoMademoiselleMeauhourat—toZélie,ifImaystillcallherthat.”
“Youcanalwayscallmethat,bothofyou,”saidZélie.“IwasnotsureIwantedtocome,IdidnotknowifIwaswisetocome.ThatIstilldonotknow,butIhopeso.”
“Iwanttoknow,”saidCelia.“Webothwanttoknow.Desmondthoughtyoucouldtellussomething.”
“MonsieurPoirotcametoseeme,”saidZélie.“Hepersuadedmetocometoday.”
CelialinkedherarminMrs.Oliver’s.
“Iwantedyoutocometoobecauseyouputthisinhand,didn’tyou?YougotMonsieurPoirotandyoufoundoutsomethingsyourself,didn’tyou?”
“Peopletoldmethings,”saidMrs.Oliver,“peoplewhomIthoughtmightrememberthings.Someofthemdidrememberthings.Someofthemrememberedthemrightandsomeofthemrememberedthemwrong.Thatwasconfusing.MonsieurPoirotsaysthatthatdoesnotreallymatter.”
“No,”saidPoirot,“itisjustasimportanttoknowwhatishearsayandwhatiscertainknowledge.Becausefromoneyoucanlearnfactseveniftheyarenotquitetherightfactsorhadnotgottheexplanationthatyouthinktheyhad.Withtheknowledgethatyougotfromme,madame,fromthepeoplewhomyoudesignatedelephants—”hesmiledalittle
“Elephants?!”saidMademoiselleZélie
“Itiswhatshecalledthem,”saidPoirot.
“Elephantscanremember,”explainedMrs.Oliver.“ThatwastheideaIstartedon.Andpeoplecanrememberthingsthathappenedalongtimeagojustlikeelephantscan.Notallpeople,ofcourse,buttheycanusuallyremembersomething.Therewerealotofpeoplewhodid.IturnedalotofthethingsIheardovertoMonsieurPoirotandhe—hehasmadeasortof—oh,ifhewasadoctorIshouldcallitasortofdiagnosis,Isuppose.”
“Imadealist,”saidPoirot.“Alistofthingsthatseemedtobepointerstothetruthofwhathappenedallthoseyearsago.Ishallreadthevariousitemstoyoutoseeperhapsifyouwhowereconcernedinallthis,feelthattheyhaveanysignificance.Youmaynotseetheirsignificanceoryoumayseeitplainly.”
“Onewantstoknow,”saidCelia.“Wasitsuicide,orwasitmurder?Didsomebody—someoutsideperson—killbothmyfatherandmymother,shootthemforsomereasonwedon’tknowabout,somemotive?Ishallalwaysthinktherewassomethingofthatkindorsomethingelse.It’sdifficult,but—”
“Wewillstayhere,Ithink,”saidPoirot.“Wewillnotgointothehouseasyet.Otherpeoplehavelivedinitandithasadifferentatmosphere.Wewillperhapsgoinifwewishwhenwehavefinishedourcourtofenquiryhere.”
“It’sacourtofenquiry,isit?”saidDesmond.
“Yes.Acourtofenquiryintowhathappened.”
Hemovedtowardssomeironseatswhichstoodneartheshelterofalargemagnolianearthehouse.Poirottookfromthecasehecarriedasheetofpaperwithwritingonit.HesaidtoCelia:
“Toyou,ithasgottobethatway?Adefinitechoice.Suicideormurder.”
“Oneofthemmustbetrue,”saidCelia.
“Ishallsaytoyouthatbotharetrue,andmorethanthosetwo.Accordingtomyideas,wehaveherenotonlyamurderandalsoasuicide,butwehaveaswellwhatIshallcallanexecution,andwehaveatragedyalso.Atragedyoftwopeoplewholovedeachotherandwhodiedforlove.AtragedyoflovemaynotalwaysbelongtoRomeoandJuliet,itisnotnecessarilyonlytheyoungwhosufferthepainsofloveandarereadytodieforlove.No.Thereismoretoitthanthat.”
“Idon’tunderstand,”saidCelia.
“Notyet.”
“ShallIunderstand?”saidCelia.
“Ithinkso,”saidPoirot.“IwilltellyouwhatIthinkhappenedandIwilltellyouhowIcametothinkso.Thefirstthingthatstruckmewasthethingsthatwerenotexplainedbytheevidencethatthepoliceexamined.Somethingswereverycommonplace,werenotevidenceatall,you’dthink.AmongthepossessionsofthedeadMargaretRavenscroft,werefourwigs.”Herepeatedwithemphasis.“Fourwigs.”HelookedatZélie.
“Shedidnotuseawigallthetime,”saidZélie.“Onlyoccasionally.Ifshetravelledorifshe’dbeenoutandgotverydishevelledandwantedtotidyherselfinahurry,orsometimesshe’duseonethatwassuitableforeveningwear.”
“Yes,”saidPoirot,“itwasquitethefashionatthatparticulardate.Peoplecertainlywhentheytravelledabroadusuallyhadawigortwowigs.Butinherpossessionwerefourwigs.Fourwigsseemedtomeratheralot.Iwonderedwhysheneededfour.AccordingtothepolicewhomIasked,itwasnotthatshehadanytendencytobaldness,shehadtheordinaryhairawomanofheragewouldhaveandingoodcondition.Allthesame,Iwonderedaboutthose.Oneofthewigshadagreystreakinit,Ilearntlater.Itwasherhairdresserwhotoldmethat.Andoneofthewigshadlittlecurls.Itwasthelatterwigshewaswearingthedayshedied.”
“Isthatsignificantinanyway?”askedCelia.“Shemighthavebeenwearinganyofthem.”
“Shemight.Ialsolearntthehousekeepertoldthepolicethatshehadbeenwearingthatparticularwigalmostallthetimeforthelastfewweeksbeforeshedied.Itappearedtobeherfavouriteone.”
“Ican’tsee—”
“TherewasalsoasayingthatSuperintendentGarrowayquotedtome—‘Sameman,differenthat.’Itgavemefuriouslytothink.”
Celiarepeated,“Idon’tsee—”
Poirotsaid,“Therewasalsotheevidenceofthedog—”
“Thedog—whatdidthedogdo?”
“Thedogbither.Thedogwassaidtobedevotedtoitsmistress—butinthelastfewweeksofherlife,thedogturnedonhermorethanonceandbitherquiteseverely.”
“Doyoumeanitknewshewasgoingtocommitsuicide?”Desmondstared.
“No,somethingmuchsimplerthanthat—”
“Idon’t—”
Poirotwenton—“No,itknewwhatnooneelseseemedtoknow.Itknewshewasnotitsmistress.Shelookedlikeitsmistress—thehousekeeperwhowasslightlyblindandalsodeafsawawomanwhoworeMollyRavenscroft’sclothesandthemostrecognizableofMollyRavenscroft’swigs—theonewithlittlecurlsalloverthehead.Thehousekeepersaidonlythathermistresshadbeenratherdifferentinhermannerthelastfewweeksofherlife—‘Sameman,differenthat,’hadbeenGarroway’sphrase.Andthethought—theconviction—cametomethen.Samewig—differentwoman.Thedogknew—heknewbywhathisnosetoldhim.Adifferentwoman,notthewomanheloved—awomanwhomhedislikedandfeared.AndIthought,supposethatwomanwasnotMollyRavenscroft—butwhocouldshebe?CouldshebeDolly—thetwinsister?”
“Butthat’simpossible,”saidCelia.
“No—itwasnotimpossible.Afterall,remember,theyweretwins.ImustcomenowtothethingsthatwerebroughttomynoticebyMrs.Oliver.Thethingspeopletoldherorsuggestedtoher.TheknowledgethatLadyRavenscrofthadsuggestedtoher.TheknowledgethatLadyRavenscrofthadrecentlybeeninhospitalorinanursinghomeandthatsheperhapshadknownthatshesufferedfromcancer,orthoughtthatshedid.Medicalevidencewasagainstthat,however.Shestillmighthavethoughtshedid,butitwasnotthecase.ThenIlearntlittlebylittletheearlyhistoryofherandhertwinsister,wholovedeachotherverydevotedlyastwinsdo,dideverythingalike,woreclothesalike,thesamethingsseemedtohappentothem,theyhadillnessesatthesametime,theymarriedaboutthesametimeornotveryfarremovedintime.Andeventually,asmanytwinsdo,insteadofwantingtodoeverythinginthesamefashionandthesameway,theywantedtodotheopposite.Tobeasunlikeeachotherastheycould.Andevenbetweenthemgrewacertainamountofdislike.Morethanthat.Therewasareasoninthepastforthat.AlistairRavenscroftasayoungmanfellinlovewithDorotheaPreston-Grey,theeldertwinofthetwo.Buthisaffectionshiftedtotheothersister,Margaret,whomhemarried.Therewasjealousythen,nodoubt,whichledtoanestrangementbetweenthesisters.Margaretcontinuedtobedeeplyattachedtohertwin,butDorotheanolongerwasdevotedinanywaytoMargaret.Thatseemedtometobetheexplanationofagreatmanythings.Dorotheawasatragicfigure.Bynofaultofherownbutbysomeaccidentofgenes,ofbirth,ofhereditarycharacteristics,shewasalwaysmentallyunstable.Atquiteanearlyageshehad,forsomereasonwhichhasneverbeenmadeclear,adislikeofchildren.Thereiseveryreasontobelievethatachildcametoitsdeaththroughheraction.Theevidencewasnotdefinite,butitwasdefiniteenoughforadoctortoadvisethatsheshouldhavementaltreatment,andshewasforsomeyearstreatedinamentalhome.Whenreportedcuredbydoctors,sheresumednormallife,cameoftentostaywithhersisterandwentouttoMalayaatatimewhentheywerestationedoutthere,tojointhemthere.Andthere,again,anaccidenthappened.Achildofaneighbour.Andagain,althoughperhapstherewasnoverydefiniteproof,itseemsagainDorotheamighthavebeenresponsibleforit.GeneralRavenscrofttookherhometoEnglandandshewasplacedoncemoreinmedicalcare.Onceagainsheappearedtobecured,andafterpsychiatriccareitwasagainsaidthatshecouldgooncemoreandresumeanormallife.Margaretbelievedthistimethatallwouldbewell,andthoughtthatsheoughttolivewiththemsothattheycouldwatchcloselyforanysignsofanyfurthermentaldisability.Idon’tthinkthatGeneralRavenscroftapproved.Ithinkhehadaverystrongbeliefthatjustassomeonecanbeborndeformed,spasticorcrippledinsomeway,shehadadeformityofthebrainwhichwouldrecurfromtimetotimeandthatshewouldhavetobeconstantlywatchedandsavedfromherselfincasesomeothertragedyhappened.”
“Areyousaying,”askedDesmond,“thatitwasshewhoshotboththeRavenscrofts?”
“No,”saidPoirot,“thatisnotmysolution.IthinkwhathappenedwasthatDorotheakilledhersister,Margaret.TheywalkedtogetheronthecliffonedayandDorotheapushedMargaretover.Thedormantobsessionofhatredandresentmentofthesisterwho,thoughsolikeherself,wassaneandhealthy,wastoomuchforher.Hate,jealousy,thedesiretokillallrosetothesurfaceanddominatedher.Ithinkthattherewasoneoutsiderwhoknew,whowashereatthetimethatthishappened.Ithinkyouknew,MademoiselleZélie.”
“Yes,”saidZélieMeauhourat,“Iknew.Iwashereatthetime.TheRavenscroftshadbeenworriedabouther.Thatiswhentheysawherattempttoinjuretheirsmallson,Edward.EdwardwassentbacktoschoolandIandCeliawenttomypensionnat.Icamebackhere—afterseeingCeliasettledin.Oncethehousewasemptyexceptformyself,GeneralRavenscroftandDorotheaandMargaret,nobodyhadanyanxiety.Andthenonedayithappened.Thetwosisterswentouttogether.Dollyreturnedalone.Sheseemedinaveryqueerandnervousstate.Shecameinandsatdownattheteatable.ItwasthenGeneralRavenscroftnoticedthatherrighthandwascoveredwithblood.Heaskedherifshehadhadafall.Shesaid,‘Ohno,itwasnothing.Nothingatall.Igotscratchedbyarosebush.’Buttherewerenorosebushesonthedowns.Itwasapurelyfoolishremarkandwewereworried.Ifshehadsaidagorsebush,wemighthaveacceptedtheremark.GeneralRavenscroftwentoutandIwentafterhim.Hekeptsayingashewalked,‘SomethinghashappenedtoMargaret.I’msuresomethinghashappenedtoMolly.’Wefoundheronaledgealittlewaydownthecliff.Shehadbeenbatteredwitharockandstones.Shewasnotdeadbutshehadbledheavily.Foramomentwehardlyknewwhatwecoulddo.Wedarednotmoveher.Wemustgetadoctor,wefelt,atonce,butbeforewecoulddothatsheclungtoherhusband.Shesaid,gaspingforbreath,‘Yes,itwasDolly.Shedidn’tknowwhatshewasdoing.Shedidn’tknow,Alistair.Youmustn’tlethersufferforit.She’sneverknownthethingsshedoesorwhy.Shecan’thelpit.She’sneverbeenabletohelpit.Youmustpromiseme,Alistair.IthinkI’mdyingnow.No—no,wewon’thavetimetogetadoctorandadoctorcouldn’tdoanything.I’vebeenlyingherebleedingtodeath—andI’mveryclosetodeath.Iknowthat,butpromiseme.Promisemeyou’llsaveher.Promisemeyouwon’tletthepolicearresther.Promisemethatshe’llnotbetriedforkillingme,notshutupforlifeasacriminal.Hidemesomewheresothatmybodywon’tbefound.Please,please,it’sthelastthingIaskyou.YouwhomIlovemorethananythingintheworld.IfIcouldliveforyouIwould,butI’mnotgoingtolive.Icanfeelthat.IcrawledalittlewaybutthatwasallIcoulddo.Promiseme.Andyou,Zélie,youlovemetoo.Iknow.You’velovedmeandbeengoodtomeandlookedaftermealways.Andyoulovedthechildren,soyoumustsaveDolly.YoumustsavepoorDolly.Please,please.Forallthelovewehaveforeachother,Dollymustbesaved.’”
“Andthen,”saidPoirot.“Whatdidyoudo?Itseemstomethatyoumustinsomewaybetweenyou—”
“Yes.Shedied,youknow.Shediedwithinabouttenminutesofthoselastwords,andIhelpedhim.Ihelpedhimtohideherbody.Itwasaplacealittlefurtheralongthecliff.Wecarriedherthereandtherewererocksandbouldersandstones,andwecoveredherbodyasbestwecould.Therewasnopathtoitreally,ornoway.Youhadtoscramble.Weputherthere.AllAlistairsaidagainandagainwas—‘Ipromisedher.Imustkeepmyword.Idon’tknowhowtodoit,Idon’tknowhowanyonecansaveher.Idon’tknow.But—’Well,wediddoit.Dollywasinthehouse.Shewasfrightened,desperatewithfright—butatthesametimesheshowedahorriblekindofsatisfaction.Shesaid,‘Ialwaysknew,I’veknownforyearsthatMollywasreallyevil.Shetookyouawayfromme,Alistair.Youbelongedtome—butshetookyouawayfrommeandmadeyoumarryherandIalwaysknew.NowI’mfrightened.What’lltheydotome—what’lltheysay?Ican’tbeshutupagain.Ican’t,Ican’t.Ishallgomad.Youwon’tletmebeshutup.They’lltakemeawayandthey’llsayI’mguiltyofmurder.Itwasn’tmurder.Ijusthadtodoit.SometimesIdohavetodothings.Iwantedtoseetheblood,youknow.Icouldn’twaittoseeMollydie,though.Iranaway.ButIknewshewoulddie.Ijusthopedyouwouldn’tfindher.Shejustfelloverthecliff.Peoplewouldsayitwasanaccident.’”
“It’sahorriblestory,”saidDesmond.
“Yes,”saidCelia,“it’sahorriblestory,butit’sbettertoknow.It’sbettertoknow,isn’tit?Ican’tevenfeelsorryforher.Imeanformymother.Iknowshewassweet.Iknowtherewasneveranytraceofevilinher—shewasgoodallthrough—andIknow,Icanunderstand,whymyfatherdidn’twanttomarryDolly.HewantedtomarrymymotherbecausehelovedherandhehadfoundoutbythenthattherewassomethingwrongwithDolly.Somethingbadandtwisted.Buthow—howdidyoudoitall?”
“Wetoldagoodmanylies,”saidZélie.“Wehopedthebodywouldnotbefoundsothatlaterperhapsitmightberemovedinthenightorsomethinglikethattosomewherewhereitcouldlookasthoughshe’dfallendownintothesea.Butthenwethoughtofthesleepwalkingstory.Whatwehadtodowasreallyquitesimple.Alistairsaid,‘It’sfrightening,youknow.ButIpromised—IsworetoMollywhenshewasdying.IsworeI’ddoassheasked—there’saway,apossiblewaytosaveDolly,ifonlyDollycandoherpart.Idon’tknowifshe’scapableofit.’Isaid,‘Dowhat?’AndAlistairsaid,‘Pretendshe’sMollyandthatit’sDorotheawhowalkedinhersleepandfelltoherdeath.’
“Wemanagedit.TookDollytoanemptycottageweknewofandIstayedwithherthereforsomedays.AlistairsaidMollyhadbeentakentohospitalsufferingfromshockafterthediscoverythathersisterhadfallenoverthecliffwhilstwalkinginhersleepatnight.ThenwebroughtDollyback—broughtherbackasMolly—wearingMolly’sclothesandMolly’swig.Igotextrawigs—thekindwiththecurlswhichreallydiddisguiseher.Thedearoldhousekeeper,Janet,couldn’tseeverywell.DollyandMollywerereallyverymuchalike,youknow,andtheirvoiceswerealike.EveryoneacceptedquiteeasilythatitwasMolly,behavingratherpeculiarlynowandthenbecauseofstillsufferingfromshock.Itallseemedquitenatural.Thatwasthehorriblepartofit—”
“Buthowcouldshekeepitup?”askedCelia.“Itmusthavebeendreadfullydifficult.”
“No—shedidnotfinditdifficult—shehadgot,yousee,whatshewanted—whatshehadalwayswanted.ShehadgotAlistair—”
“ButAlistair—howcouldhebearit?”
“Hetoldmewhyandhow—onthedayhehadarrangedformetogobacktoSwitzerland.HetoldmewhatIhadtodoandthenhetoldmewhathewasgoingtodo.
“Hesaid:‘Thereisonlyonethingformetodo.IpromisedMargaretthatIwouldn’thandDollyovertothepolice,thatitshouldneverbeknownthatshewasamurderess,thatthechildrenwerenevertoknowthattheyhadamurderessforanaunt.NooneneedeverknowthatDollycommittedmurder.Shewalkedinhersleepandfelloverthecliff—asadaccidentandshewillbeburiedhereinthechurch,andunderherownname.’
“‘Howcanyouletthatbedone?’Iasked—Icouldn’tbearit.
“Hesaid:‘BecauseofwhatIamgoingtodo—youhavegottoknowaboutit.’
“‘Yousee,’hesaid,‘Dollyhastobestoppedfromliving.Ifshe’snearchildrenshe’lltakemorelives—poorsoul;she’snotfittolive.Butyoumustunderstand,Zélie,thatbecauseofwhatIamgoingtodo,Imustpaywithmyownlife,too—IshallliveherequietlyforafewweekswithDollyplayingthepartofmywife—andthentherewillbeanothertragedy—’
“Ididn’tunderstandwhathemeant—Isaid,‘Anotheraccident?Sleepwalkingagain?’Andhesaid,‘No—whatwillbeknowntotheworldisthatIandMollyhavebothcommittedsuicide—Idon’tsupposethereasonwilleverbeknown.Theymaythinkit’sbecauseshewasconvincedshehadcancer—orthatIthoughtso—allsortsofthingsmaybesuggested.Butyousee—youmusthelpme,Zélie.YouaretheonlypersonwhoreallylovesmeandlovesMollyandlovesthechildren.IfDollyhasgottodie,Iamtheonlypersonwhomustdoit.Shewon’tbeunhappyorfrightened.Ishallshootherandthenmyself.Herfingerprintswillshowontherevolverbecauseshehandleditnotlongago,andminewillbetheretoo.JusticehastobedoneandIhavetobetheexecutioner.ThethingIwantyoutoknowisthatIdid—thatIstilldo—lovethemboth.Mollymorethanmylife.DollybecauseIpityhersomuchforwhatshewasborntobe.’Hesaid,‘Alwaysrememberthat—’”
ZélieroseandcametowardsCelia.“Nowyouknowthetruth,”shesaid.“Ipromisedyourfatherthatyoushouldneverknow—Ihavebrokenmyword.Inevermeanttorevealittoyouortoanyoneelse.MonsieurPoirotmademefeeldifferently.But—it’ssuchahorriblestory—”
“Iunderstandhowyoufelt,”saidCelia.“Perhapsyouwererightfromyourpointofview,butI—Iamgladtoknowbecausenowagreatburdenseemstohavebeenliftedoffme—”
“Becausenow,”saidDesmond,“webothknow.Andit’ssomethingwe’llnevermindaboutknowing.Itwasatragedy.AsMonsieurPoirotherehassaid,itwasarealtragedyoftwopeoplewholovedeachother.Buttheydidn’tkilleachother,becausetheylovedeachother.Onewasmurderedandtheotherexecutedamurdererforthesakeofhumanitysothatmorechildrenshouldn’tsuffer.Onecanforgivehimifhewaswrong,butIdon’tthinkitwaswrongreally.”
“Shewasafrighteningwomanalways,”saidCelia.“EvenwhenIwasachildIwasfrightenedofherbutIdidn’tknowwhy.ButIdoknowwhynow.Ithinkmyfatherwasabravemantodowhathedid.Hedidwhatmymotheraskedhimtodo,beggedhimtodowithherdyingbreath.HesavedhertwinsisterwhomIthinkshe’dalwayslovedverydearly.Iliketothink—oh,itseemsasillythingformetosay—”shelookeddoubtfullyatHerculePoirot.“Perhapsyouwon’tthinkso.Iexpectyou’reaCatholic,butit’swhat’swrittenontheirtombstone.‘Indeaththeywerenotdivided.’Itdoesn’tmeanthattheydiedtogether,butIthinktheyaretogether.Ithinktheycametogetherafterwards.Twopeoplewholovedeachotherverymuch,andmypoorauntwhomI’lltrytofeelmorekindlyaboutthanIeverdid—mypoorauntdidn’thavetosufferforwhatshecouldn’tperhapshelpherselfdoing.Mindyou,”saidCelia,suddenlybreakingintoherordinaryeverydayvoice,“shewasn’taniceperson.Youcan’thelpnotlikingpeopleifthey’renotnicepeople.Perhapsshecouldhavebeendifferentifshetried,butperhapsshecouldn’t.Andifso,onehastothinkofherassomeonewhowasveryill—likesomebody,forinstance,whohadplagueinavillageandtheywouldn’tlethergooutorfeedherandshecouldn’tgoamongstotherpeoplebecausethewholevillagewouldhavedied.Somethinglikethat.ButI’lltryandbesorryforher.Andmymotherandfather—Idon’tworryaboutthemanymore.Theylovedeachothersomuch,andlovedpoor,unhappy,hatingDolly.”
“Ithink,Celia,”saidDesmond,“we’dbettergetmarriednowassoonaspossible.Icantellyouonething.Mymotherisnevergoingtohearanythingaboutthis.She’snotmyownmotherandshe’snotapersonIcantrustwiththissortofsecret.”
“Youradoptedmother,Desmond,”saidPoirot,“IhavegoodreasontobelievewasanxioustocomebetweenyouandCeliaandtriedtoinfluenceyouintheideathatfromhermotherandfathershemighthaveinheritedsometerriblecharacteristic.Butyouknow,oryoumaynotknowandIseenoreasonwhyIshouldnottellyou,youwillinheritfromthewomanwhowasyourrealmotherandwhodiednotverylongagoleavingallhermoneytoyou—youwillinheritaverylargesumwhenyoureachtheageoftwenty-five.”
“IfImarryCelia,ofcourseweshallneedthemoneytoliveon,”saidDesmond.“Iquiteunderstand.IknowmypresentadoptedmotherisverykeenonmoneyandIoftenlendhermoneyevennow.ShesuggestedmyseeingalawyertheotherdaybecauseshesaiditwasverydangerousnowthatIwasovertwenty-one,notleavingaWillbehindme.Isupposeshethoughtshe’dgetthemoney.Ihadthoughtofprobablyleavingnearlyallthemoneytoher.ButofcoursenowCeliaandIaregettingmarriedIshallleaveittoCelia—andIdidn’tlikethewaymymothertriedtoputmeagainstCelia.”
“Ithinkyoursuspicionsareentirelycorrect,”saidPoirot.“Idaresayshecouldtellherselfthatshemeantitallforthebest,thatCelia’soriginissomethingthatyououghttoknowifthereisariskforyoutotake,but—”
“Allright,”saidDesmond,“but—IknowI’mbeingunkind.Afterall,sheadoptedmeandbroughtmeupandalltherestofitandIdaresayifthere’senoughmoneyIcansettlesomeofitonher.CeliaandIwillhavetherestandwe’regoingtobehappytogether.Afterall,therearethingsthat’llmakeusfeelsadfromtimetotimebutweshan’tworryanymore,shallwe,Celia?”
“No,”saidCelia,“we’llneverworryagain.Ithinktheywererathersplendidpeople,mymotherandfather.Mothertriedtolookafterhersisterallherlife,butIsupposeitwasabittoohopeless.Youcan’tstoppeoplefrombeingliketheyare.”
“Ah,dearchildren,”saidZélie.“Forgivemeforcallingyouchildrenbecauseyouarenot.Youareagrownmanandwoman.Iknowthat.IamsopleasedtohaveseenyouagainandtoknowIhavenotdoneanyharminwhatIdid.”
“Youhaven’tdoneanyharmatallandit’slovelyseeingyou,dearZélie.”Celiawenttoherandhuggedher.“I’vealwaysbeenterriblyfondofyou,”shesaid.
“AndIwasveryfondofyoutoowhenIknewyou,”saidDesmond.“WhenIlivednextdoor.Youhadlovelygamesyouplayedwithus.”
Thetwoyoungpeopleturned.
“Thankyou,Mrs.Oliver,”saidDesmond.“You’vebeenverykindandyou’veputinalotofwork.Icanseethat.Thankyou,MonsieurPoirot.”
“Yes,thankyou,”saidCelia.“I’mverygrateful.”
Theywalkedawayandtheotherslookedafterthem.
“Well,”saidZélie,“Imustleavenow.”ShesaidtoPoirot,“Whataboutyou?Willyouhavetotellanyoneaboutthis?”
“ThereisonepersonImighttellinconfidence.Aretiredpoliceforceofficer.HeisnolongeractivelyintheServicenow.Heiscompletelyretired.Ithinkhewouldnotfeelitishisdutytointerferewithwhattimehasnowwipedout.Ifhewasstillinactiveserviceitmightbedifferent.”
“It’saterriblestory,”saidMrs.Oliver,“terrible.AndallthosepeopleItalkedto—yes,Icanseenow,theyallrememberedsomething.Somethingthatwasusefulinshowinguswhatthetruthwas,althoughitwasdifficulttoputtogether.ExceptforMonsieurPoirot,whocanalwaysputthingstogetheroutofthemostextraordinarythings.Likewigsandtwins.”
PoirotwalkedacrosstowhereZéliewasstandinglookingoutovertheview.
“Youdonotblameme,”hesaid,“forcomingtoyou,persuadingyoutodowhatyouhavedone?”
“No.Iamglad.Youhavebeenright.Theyareverycharming,thosetwo,andtheyarewellsuited,Ithink.Theywillbehappy.Wearestandingherewheretwoloversoncelived.WheretwoloversdiedandIdon’tblamehimforwhathedid.Itmayhavebeenwrong,Isupposeitwaswrong,butIcan’tblamehim.Ithinkitwasabraveactevenifitwasawrongone.”
“Youlovedhimtoo,didyounot?”saidHerculePoirot.
“Yes.Always.AssoonasIcametothehouse.Ilovedhimdearly.Idon’tthinkheknewit.Therewasneveranything,whatyoucall,betweenus.Hetrustedmeandwasfondofme.Ilovedthemboth.BothhimandMargaret.”
“ThereissomethingIwouldliketoaskyou.HelovedDollyaswellasMolly,didn’the?”
“Rightuptotheend.Helovedthemboth.Andthat’swhyhewaswillingtosaveDolly.WhyMollywantedhimto.Whichdidhelovethebestofthosesisters?Iwonder.ThatisathingIshallperhapsneverknow,”saidZélie.“Ineverdid—perhapsInevershall.”
Poirotlookedatherforamoment,thenturnedaway.HerejoinedMrs.Oliver.
“WewilldrivebacktoLondon.Wemustreturntoeverydaylife,forgettragediesandloveaffairs.”
“Elephantscanremember,”saidMrs.Oliver,“butwearehumanbeingsandmercifullyhumanbeingscanforget.”
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