Evil Under the Sun_ A Hercule Poirot Mys

AgathaChristie
EvilUndertheSun
AHerculePoirotMystery
Dedication
ToJohn
InmemoryofourlastseasoninSyria
Contents
Cover
TitlePage
Dedication
Map
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
AbouttheAuthor
OtherbooksbyAgathaChristie
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
Map
One
WhenCaptainRogerAngmeringbuilthimselfahouseintheyear1782ontheislandoffLeathercombeBay,itwasthoughttheheightofeccentricityonhispart.Amanofgoodfamilysuchashewasshouldhavehadadecorousmansionsetinwidemeadowswith,perhaps,arunningstreamandgoodpasture.
ButCaptainRogerAngmeringhadonlyonegreatlove,thesea.Sohebuilthishouse—asturdyhousetoo,asitneededtobe,onthelittlewindsweptgull-hauntedpromontory—cutofffromlandateachhightide.
Hedidnotmarry,theseawashisfirstandlastspouse,andathisdeaththehouseandislandwenttoadistantcousin.Thatcousinandhisdescendantsthoughtlittleofthebequest.Theirownacresdwindled,andtheirheirsgrewsteadilypoorer.
In1922whenthegreatcultoftheSeasideforHolidayswasfinallyestablishedandthecoastofDevonandCornwallwasnolongerthoughttoohotinthesummer,ArthurAngmeringfoundhisvastinconvenientlateGeorgianhouseunsaleable,buthegotagoodpricefortheoddbitofpropertyacquiredbytheseafaringCaptainRoger.
Thesturdyhousewasaddedtoandembellished.Aconcretecausewaywaslaiddownfromthemainlandtotheisland.“Walks”and“Nooks”werecutanddevisedallroundtheisland.Thereweretwotenniscourts,sunterracesleadingdowntoalittlebayembellishedwithraftsanddivingboards.TheJollyRogerHotel,Smugglers’Island,LeathercombeBay,cametriumphantlyintobeing.AndfromJunetillSeptember(withashortseasonatEaster)theJollyRogerHotelwasusuallypackedtotheattics.Itwasenlargedandimprovedin1934bytheadditionofacocktailbar,abiggerdiningroomandsomeextrabathrooms.Thepriceswentup.
Peoplesaid:
“EverbeentoLeathercombeBay?Awfullyjollyhotelthere,onasortofisland.Verycomfortableandnotrippersorcharabancs.Goodcookingandallthat.Yououghttogo.”
Andpeopledidgo.
II
Therewasoneveryimportantperson(inhisownestimationatleast)stayingattheJollyRoger.HerculePoirot,resplendentinawhiteducksuit,withapanamahattiltedoverhiseyes,hismoustachesmagnificentlybefurled,laybackinanimprovedtypeofdeckchairandsurveyedthebathingbeach.Aseriesofterracesleddowntoitfromthehotel.Onthebeachitselfwerefloats,lilos,rubberandcanvasboats,ballsandrubbertoys.Therewasalongspringboardandthreeraftsatvaryingdistancesfromtheshore.
Ofthebathers,somewereinthesea,somewerelyingstretchedoutinthesun,andsomewereanointingthemselvescarefullywithoil.
Ontheterraceimmediatelyabove,thenonbatherssatandcommentedontheweather,thesceneinfrontofthem,thenewsinthemorningpapersandanyothersubjectthatappealedtothem.
OnPoirot’sleftaceaselessflowofconversationpouredinagentlemonotonefromthelipsofMrs.Gardenerwhileatthesametimeherneedlesclackedassheknittedvigorously.Beyondher,herhusband,OdellC.Gardener,layinahammockchair,hishattiltedforwardoverhisnose,andoccasionallyutteredabriefstatementwhencalledupontodoso.
OnPoirot’sright,MissBrewster,atoughathleticwomanwithgrizzledhairandapleasantweather-beatenface,madegruffcomments.TheresultsoundedratherlikeasheepdogwhoseshortstentorianbarksinterruptedtheceaselessyappingofaPomeranian.
Mrs.Gardenerwassaying:
“AndsoIsaidtoMr.Gardener,why,Isaid,sightseeingisallverywell,andIdoliketodoaplacethoroughly.But,afterall,Isaid,we’vedoneEnglandprettywellandallIwantnowistogettosomequietspotbytheseasideandjustrelax.That’swhatIsaid,wasn’tit,Odell?Justrelax.IfeelImustrelax,Isaid.That’sso,isn’tit,Odell?”
Mr.Gardener,frombehindhishat,murmured:
“Yes,darling.”
Mrs.Gardenerpursuedthetheme.
“Andso,whenImentionedittoMr.Kelso,atCook’s—He’sarrangedallouritineraryforusandbeenmosthelpfulineveryway.Idon’treallyknowwhatwe’dhavedonewithouthim!—well,asIsay,whenImentionedittohim,Mr.Kelsosaidthatwecouldn’tdobetterthancomehere.Amostpicturesquespot,hesaid,quiteoutoftheworld,andatthesametimeverycomfortableandmostexclusiveineveryway.And,ofcourse,Mr.Gardener,hechippedinthereandsaidwhataboutthesanitaryarrangements?Because,ifyou’llbelieveme,nothingbutanearthcloset!SonaturallythatmadeMr.Gardenersuspiciousoftheseout-of-the-worldplaces,didn’tit,Odell?”
“Why,yes,darling,”saidGardener.
“ButMr.Kelsoreassuredusatonce.Thesanitation,hesaid,wasabsolutelythelatestword,andthecookingwasexcellent.AndI’msurethat’sso.AndwhatIlikeaboutitis,it’sintime,ifyouknowwhatImean.Beingasmallplacewealltalktoeachotherandeverybodyknowseverybody.IfthereisafaultabouttheBritishitisthatthey’reinclinedtobeabitstandoffishuntilthey’veknownyouacoupleofyears.Afterthatnobodycouldbenicer.Mr.Kelsosaidthatinterestingpeoplecamehere,andIseehewasright.There’syou,M.PoirotandMissDarnley.Oh!IwasjusttickledtodeathwhenIfoundoutwhoyouwere,wasn’tI,Odell?”
“Youwere,darling.”
“Ha!”saidMissBrewster,breakinginexplosively.“Whatathrill,eh,M.Poirot?”
HerculePoirotraisedhishandsindeprecation.Butitwasnomorethanapolitegesture.Mrs.Gardenerflowedsmoothlyon.
“Yousee,M.Poirot,I’dheardalotaboutyoufromCorneliaRobsonwhowasatBadenhof.Mr.GardenerandIwereatBadenhofinMay.AndofcourseCorneliatoldusallaboutthatbusinessinEgyptwhenLinnetRidgewaywaskilled.ShesaidyouwerewonderfulandI’vealwaysbeensimplycrazytomeetyou,haven’tI,Odell?”
“Yes,darling.”
“AndthenMissDarnley,too.IgetalotofmythingsatRoseMond’sandofcoursesheisRoseMond,isn’tshe?Ithinkherclothesareeversoclever.Suchamarvellousline.ThatdressIhadonlastnightwasoneofhers.She’sjustalovelywomanineveryway,Ithink.”
FrombeyondMissBrewster,MajorBarry,whohadbeensittingwithprotuberanteyesgluedtothebathers,gruntedout:
“Distinguishedlookin’gal!”
Mrs.Gardenerclackedherneedles.
“I’vejustgottoconfessonething,M.Poirot.Itgavemeakindofaturnmeetingyouhere—notthatIwasn’tjustthrilledtomeetyou,becauseIwas.Mr.Gardenerknowsthat.Butitjustcametomethatyoumightbehere—well,professionally.YouknowwhatImean?Well,I’mjustterriblysensitive,asMr.Gardenerwilltellyou,andIjustcouldn’tbearitifIwastobemixedupincrimeofanykind.Yousee—”
Mr.Gardenerclearedhisthroat.Hesaid:
“Yousee,M.Poirot,Mrs.Gardenerisverysensitive.”
ThehandsofHerculePoirotshotintotheair.
“Butletmeassureyou,Madame,thatIamheresimplyinthesamewaythatyouarehereyourselves—toenjoymyself—tospendtheholiday.Idonotthinkofcrimeeven.”
MissBrewstersaidagain,givinghershortgruffbark:
“NobodiesonSmugglers’Island.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Ah!butthat,itisnotstrictlytrue.”Hepointeddownward.“Regardthemthere,lyingoutinrows.Whatarethey?Theyarenotmenandwomen.Thereisnothingpersonalaboutthem.Theyarejust—bodies!”
MajorBarrysaidappreciatively:
“Good-lookingfillies,someof’em.Bitonthethinside,perhaps.”
Poirotcried:
“Yes,butwhatappealisthere?Whatmystery?I,Iamold,oftheoldschool,WhenIwasyoung,onesawbarelytheankle.Theglimpseofafoamypetticoat,howalluring!Thegentleswellingofthecalf—aknee—aberibbonedgarter—”
“Naughty,naughty!”saidMajorBarryhoarsely.
“Muchmoresensible—thethingswewearnowadays,”saidMissBrewster.
“Why,yes,M.Poirot,”saidMrs.Gardener.“Idothink,youknow,thatourgirlsandboysnowadaysleadamuchmorenaturalhealthylife.Theyjustrompabouttogetherandthey—well,they—”Mrs.Gardenerblushedslightlyforshehadanicemind—“theythinknothingofit,ifyouknowwhatImean?”
“Idoknow,”saidHerculePoirot.“Itisdeplorable!”
“Deplorable?”squeakedMrs.Gardener.
“Toremovealltheromance—allthemystery!Todayeverythingisstandardized!”Hewavedahandtowardstherecumbentfigures.“ThatremindsmeverymuchoftheMorgueinParis.”
“M.Poirot!”Mrs.Gardenerwasscandalized.
“Bodies—arrangedonslabs—likebutcher’smeat!”
“ButM.Poirot,isn’tthattoofar-fetchedforwords?”
HerculePoirotadmitted:
“Itmaybe,yes.”
“Allthesame,”Mrs.Gardenerknittedwithenergy,“I’minclinedtoagreewithyouononepoint.Thesegirlsthatlieoutlikethatinthesunwillgrowhairontheirlegsandarms.I’vesaidsotoIrene—that’smydaughter,M.Poirot.Irene,Isaidtoher,ifyoulieoutlikethatinthesun,you’llhavehairalloveryou,haironyourarmsandhaironyourlegsandhaironyourbosom,andwhatwillyoulooklikethen?Isaidtoher.Didn’tI,Odell?”
“Yes,darling,”saidMr.Gardener.
Everyonewassilent,perhapsmakingamentalpictureofIrenewhentheworsthadhappened.
Mrs.Gardenerrolledupherknittingandsaid:
“Iwondernow—”
Mr.Gardenersaid:
“Yes,darling?”
HestruggledoutofthehammockchairandtookMrs.Gardener’sknittingandherbook.Heasked:
“Whataboutjoiningusforadrink,MissBrewster?”
“Notjustnow,thanks.”
TheGardenerswentuptothehotel.
MissBrewstersaid:
“Americanhusbandsarewonderful!”
III
Mrs.Gardener’splacewastakenbytheReverendStephenLane.
Mr.Lanewasatallvigorousclergymanoffiftyodd.Hisfacewastannedandhisdarkgreyflanneltrouserswereholidayfiedanddisreputable.
Hesaidwithenthusiasm:
“Marvellouscountry!I’vebeenfromLeathercombeBaytoHarfordandbackoverthecliffs.”
“Warmworkwalkingtoday,”saidMajorBarrywhoneverwalked.
“Goodexercise,”saidMissBrewster.“Ihaven’tbeenformyrowyet.Nothinglikerowingforyourstomachmuscles.”
TheeyesofHerculePoirotdroppedsomewhatruefullytoacertainprotuberanceinhismiddle.
MissBrewster,notingtheglance,saidkindly:
“You’dsoongetthatoff,M.Poirot,ifyoutookarowingboatouteveryday.”
“Merci,Mademoiselle.Idetestboats!”
“Youmeansmallboats?”
“Boatsofallsizes!”Heclosedhiseyesandshuddered.“Themovementofthesea,itisnotpleasant.”
“Blesstheman,theseaisascalmasamillpondtoday.”
Poirotrepliedwithconviction:
“Thereisnosuchthingasareallycalmsea.Always,always,thereismotion.”
“Ifyouaskme,”saidMajorBarry,“seasicknessisnine-tenthsnerves.”
“There,”saidtheclergyman,smilingalittle,“speaksthegoodsailor—eh,Major?”
“Onlybeenillonce—andthatwascrossingtheChannel!Don’tthinkaboutit,that’smymotto.”
“Seasicknessisreallyaveryoddthing,”musedMissBrewster.“Whyshouldsomepeoplebesubjecttoitandnotothers?Itseemssounfair.Andnothingtodowithone’sordinaryhealth.Quitesicklypeoplearegoodsailors.Someonetoldmeonceitwassomethingtodowithone’sspine.Thenthere’sthewaysomepeoplecan’tstandheights.I’mnotverygoodmyself,butMrs.Redfernisfarworse.Theotherday,onthecliffpathtoHarford,sheturnedquitegiddyandsimplyclungtome.ShetoldmesheoncegotstuckhalfwaydownthatoutsidestaircaseonMilanCathedral.She’dgoneupwithoutthinkingbutcomingdowndidforher.”
“She’dbetternotgodowntheladdertoPixyCove,then,”observedLane.
MissBrewstermadeaface.
“Ifunkthatmyself.It’sallrightfortheyoung.TheCowanboysandtheyoungMastermans,theyrunupanddownandenjoyit.”
Lanesaid.
“HerecomesMrs.Redfernnow,comingupfromherbathe.”
MissBrewsterremarked:
“M.Poirotoughttoapproveofher.She’snosunbather.”
YoungMrs.Redfernhadtakenoffherrubbercapandwasshakingoutherhair.Shewasanashblondeandherskinwasofthatdeadfairnessthatgoeswiththatcolouring.Herlegsandarmswereverywhite.
Withahoarsechuckle,MajorBarrysaid:
“Looksabituncookedamongtheothers,doesn’tshe?”
WrappingherselfinalongbathrobeChristineRedferncameupthebeachandmountedthestepstowardsthem.
Shehadafairseriousface,prettyinanegativewayandsmalldaintyhandsandfeet.
Shesmiledatthemanddroppeddownbesidethem,tuckingherbathwraproundher.
MissBrewstersaid:
“YouhaveearnedM.Poirot’sgoodopinion.Hedoesn’tlikethesuntanningcrowd.Saysthey’relikejointsofbutcher’smeat,orwordstothateffect.”
ChristineRedfernsmiledruefully.Shesaid:
“IwishIcouldsunbathe!ButIdon’tgobrown.Ionlyblisterandgetthemostfrightfulfrecklesallovermyarms.”
“BetterthangettinghairalloverthemlikeMrs.Gardener’sIrene,”saidMissBrewster.InanswertoChristine’sinquiringglanceshewenton:“Mrs.Gardener’sbeeningrandformthismorning.Absolutelynonstop.‘Isn’tthatso,Odell?’‘Yes,darling.’”Shepausedandthensaid:“Iwish,though,M.Poirot,thatyou’dplayeduptoherabit.Whydidn’tyou?Whydidn’tyoutellherthatyouweredownhereinvestigatingaparticularlygruesomemurder,andthatthemurderer,ahomicidalmaniac,wascertainlytobefoundamongtheguestsofthehotel?”
HerculePoirotsighed.Hesaid:
“Iverymuchfearshewouldhavebelievedme.”
MajorBarrygaveawheezychuckle.Hesaid:
“Shecertainlywould.”
EmilyBrewstersaid:
“No,Idon’tbelieveevenMrs.Gardenerwouldhavebelievedinacrimestagedhere.Thisisn’tthesortofplaceyou’dgetabody!”
HerculePoirotstirredalittleinhischair.Heprotested.Hesaid:
“Butwhynot,Mademoiselle?Whyshouldtherenotbewhatyoucalla‘body’hereonSmugglers’Island?”
EmilyBrewstersaid:
“Idon’tknow.Isupposesomeplacesaremoreunlikelythanothers.Thisisn’tthekindofspot—”Shebrokeoff,findingitdifficulttoexplainhermeaning.
“Itisromantic,yes,”agreedHerculePoirot.“Itispeaceful.Thesunshines.Theseaisblue.Butyouforget,MissBrewster,thereisevileverywhereunderthesun.”
Theclergymanstirredinhischair.Heleanedforward.Hisintenselyblueeyeslightedup.
MissBrewstershruggedhershoulders.
“Oh!ofcourseIrealizethat,butallthesame—”
“Butallthesamethisstillseemstoyouanunlikelysettingforcrime?Youforgetonething,Mademoiselle.”
“Humannature,Isuppose?”
“That,yes.That,always.ButthatwasnotwhatIwasgoingtosay.Iwasgoingtopointouttoyouthathereeveryoneisonholiday.”
EmilyBrewsterturnedapuzzledfacetohim.
“Idon’tunderstand.”
HerculePoirotbeamedkindlyather.Hemadedabsintheairwithanemphaticforefinger.
“Letussay,youhaveanenemy.Ifyouseekhimoutinhisflat,inhisoffice,inthestreet—ehbien,youmusthaveareason—youmustaccountforyourself.Buthereattheseasideitisnecessaryfornoonetoaccountforhimself.YouareatLeathercombeBay,why?Parbleu!itisAugust—onegoestotheseasideinAugust—oneisonone’sholiday.Itisquitenatural,yousee,foryoutobehereandforMr.LanetobehereandforMajorBarrytobehereandforMrs.Redfernandherhusbandtobehere.BecauseitisthecustominEnglandtogototheseasideinAugust.”
“Well,”admittedMissBrewster,“that’scertainlyaveryingeniousidea.ButwhatabouttheGardeners?They’reAmerican.”
Poirotsmiled.
“EvenMrs.Gardener,asshetoldus,feelstheneedtorelax.Also,sincesheis‘doing’England,shemustcertainlyspendafortnightattheseaside—asagoodtourist,ifnothingelse.Sheenjoyswatchingpeople.”
Mrs.Redfernmurmured:
“Youlikewatchingthepeopletoo,Ithink?”
“Madame,Iwillconfessit.Ido.”
Shesaidthoughtfully:“Yousee—agooddeal.”
IV
Therewasapause.StephenLaneclearedhisthroatandsaidwithatraceofself-consciousness.
“Iwasinterested,M.Poirot,insomethingyousaidjustnow.Yousaidthattherewasevildoneeverywhereunderthesun.ItwasalmostaquotationfromEcclesiastes.”Hepausedandthenquotedhimself:“Yea,alsotheheartofthesonsofmenisfullofevil,andmadnessisintheirheartwhiletheylive.”Hisfacelitupwithanalmostfanaticallight.“Iwasgladtohearyousaythat.Nowadays,noonebelievesinevil.Itisconsidered,atmost,amerenegationofgood.Evil,peoplesay,isdonebythosewhoknownobetter—whoareundeveloped—whoaretobepitiedratherthanblamed.ButM.Poirot,evilisreal!Itisafact!IbelieveinEvillikeIbelieveinGood.Itexists!Itispowerful!Itwalkstheearth!”
Hestopped.Hisbreathwascomingfast.Hewipedhisforeheadwithhishandkerchiefandlookedsuddenlyapologetic.
“I’msorry.Igotcarriedaway.”
Poirotsaidcalmly:
“Iunderstandyourmeaning.UptoapointIagreewithyou.Evildoeswalktheearthandcanberecognizedassuch.”
MajorBarryclearedhisthroat.
“Talkingofthatsortofthing,someofthesefakirfellersinIndia—”
MajorBarryhadbeenlongenoughattheJollyRogerforeveryonetobeontheirguardagainsthisfataltendencytoembarkonlongIndianstories.BothMissBrewsterandMrs.Redfernburstintospeech.
“That’syourhusbandswimminginnow,isn’tit,Mrs.Redfern?Howmagnificenthiscrawlstrokeis.He’sanawfullygoodswimmer.”
AtthesamemomentMrs.Redfernsaid:
“Ohlook!Whatalovelylittleboatthatisouttherewiththeredsails.It’sMr.Blatt’s,isn’tit?”
Thesailingboatwiththeredsailswasjustcrossingtheendofthebay.
MajorBarrygrunted:
“Fancifulidea,redsails,”butthemenaceofthestoryaboutthefakirwasavoided.
HerculePoirotlookedwithappreciationattheyoungmanwhohadjustswumtoshore.PatrickRedfernwasagoodspecimenofhumanity.Lean,bronzedwithbroadshouldersandnarrowthighs,therewasabouthimakindofinfectiousenjoymentandgaiety—anativesimplicitythatendearedhimtoallwomenandmostmen.
Hestoodthereshakingthewaterfromhimandraisingahandingaysalutationtohiswife.
Shewavedbackcallingout:
“Comeuphere,Pat.”
“I’mcoming.”
Hewentalittlewayalongthebeachtoretrievethetowelhehadleftthere.
Itwasthenthatawomancamedownpastthemfromthehoteltothebeach.
Herarrivalhadalltheimportanceofastageentrance.
Moreover,shewalkedasthoughsheknewit.Therewasnoself-consciousnessapparent.Itwouldseemthatshewastoousedtotheinvariableeffectherpresenceproduced.
Shewastallandslender.Sheworeasimplebacklesswhitebathingdressandeveryinchofherexposedbodywastannedabeautifulevenshadeofbronze.Shewasasperfectasastatue.Herhairwasarichflamingauburncurlingrichlyandintimatelyintoherneck.Herfacehadthatslighthardnesswhichisseenwhenthirtyyearshavecomeandgone,butthewholeeffectofherwasoneofyouth—ofsuperbandtriumphantvitality.TherewasaChineseimmobilityaboutherface,andanupwardslantofthedarkblueeyes.OnherheadsheworeafantasticChinesehatofjadegreencardboard.
Therewasthataboutherwhichmadeeveryotherwomanonthebeachseemfadedandinsignificant.Andwithequalinevitability,theeyeofeverymalepresentwasdrawnandrivetedonher.
TheeyesofHerculePoirotopened,hismoustachequiveredappreciatively,MajorBarrysatupandhisprotuberanteyesbulgedevenfartherwithexcitement;onPoirot’slefttheReverendStephenLanedrewinhisbreathwithalittlehissandhisfigurestiffened.
MajorBarrysaidinahoarsewhisper:
“ArlenaStuart(that’swhoshewasbeforeshemarriedMarshall)—IsawherinComeandGobeforesheleftthestage.Somethingworthlookingat,eh?”
ChristineRedfernsaidslowlyandhervoicewascold:“She’shandsome—yes.Ithink—shelooksratherabeast!”
EmilyBrewstersaidabruptly:
“Youtalkedabouteviljustnow,M.Poirot.Nowtomymindthatwoman’sapersonificationofevil!She’sabadlotthroughandthrough.Ihappentoknowagooddealabouther.”
MajorBarrysaidreminiscently:
“IrememberagaloutinSimla.Shehadredhairtoo.Wifeofasubaltern.Didshesettheplacebytheears?I’llsayshedid!Menwentmadabouther!Allthewomen,ofcourse,wouldhavelikedtogougehereyesout!Sheupsettheapplecartinmorehomesthanone.”
Hechuckledreminiscently.
“Husbandwasanicequietfellow.Worshippedthegroundshewalkedon.Neversawathing—ormadeouthedidn’t.”
StephenLanesaidinalowvoicefullofintensefeeling:
“Suchwomenareamenace—amenaceto—”
Hestopped.
ArlenaStuarthadcometothewater’sedge.Twoyoungmen,littlemorethanboys,hadsprungupandcomeeagerlytowardsher.Shestoodsmilingatthem.
HereyesslidpastthemtowherePatrickRedfernwascomingalongthebeach.
Itwas,HerculePoirotthought,likewatchingtheneedleofacompass.PatrickRedfernwasdeflected,hisfeetchangedtheirdirection.Theneedle,dowhatitwill,mustobeythelawofmagnetismandturntothenorth.PatrickRedfern’sfeetbroughthimtoArlenaStuart.
Shestoodsmilingathim.Thenshemovedslowlyalongthebeachbythesideofthewaves.PatrickRedfernwentwithher.Shestretchedherselfoutbyarock.Redferndroppedtotheshinglebesideher.
Abruptly,ChristineRedferngotupandwentintothehotel.
V
Therewasanuncomfortablelittlesilenceaftershehadleft.
ThenEmilyBrewstersaid:
“It’srathertoobad.She’sanicelittlething.They’veonlybeenmarriedayearortwo.”
“GalIwasspeakingof,”saidMajorBarry,“theoneinSimla.Sheupsetacoupleofreallyhappymarriages.Seemedapity,what?”
“There’satypeofwoman,”saidMissBrewster,“wholikessmashinguphomes.”Sheaddedafteraminuteortwo,“PatrickRedfern’safool!”
HerculePoirotsaidnothing.Hewasgazingdownthebeach,buthewasnotlookingatPatrickRedfernandArlenaStuart.
MissBrewstersaid:
“Well,I’dbettergoandgetholdofmyboat.”
Sheleftthem.
MajorBarryturnedhisboiledgooseberryeyeswithmildcuriosityonPoirot.
“Well,Poirot,”hesaid.“Whatareyouthinkingabout?You’venotopenedyourmouth.Whatdoyouthinkofthesiren?Prettyhot?”
Poirotsaid:
“C’estpossible.”
“Nowthen,youolddog.IknowyouFrenchmen!”
Poirotsaidcoldly:
“IamnotaFrenchman!”
“Well,don’ttellmeyouhaven’tgotaneyeforaprettygirl!Whatdoyouthinkofher,eh?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Sheisnotyoung.”
“Whatdoesthatmatter?Awoman’sasoldasshelooks!Herlooksareallright.”
HerculePoirotnodded.Hesaid:
“Yes,sheisbeautiful.Butitisnotbeautythatcountsintheend.Itisnotbeautythatmakeseveryhead(exceptone)turnonthebeachtolookather.”
“It’sIT,myboy,”saidtheMajor.“That’swhatitis—IT.”
Thenhesaidwithsuddencuriosity.
“Whatareyoulookingatsosteadily?”
HerculePoirotreplied:“Iamlookingattheexception.Attheonemanwhodidnotlookupwhenshepassed.”
MajorBarryfollowedhisgazetowhereitrestedonamanofaboutforty,fair-hairedandsuntanned.HehadaquietpleasantfaceandwassittingonthebeachsmokingapipeandreadingTheTimes.
“Oh,that!”saidMajorBarry.“That’sthehusband,myboy.That’sMarshall.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Yes,Iknow.”
MajorBarrychuckled.Hehimselfwasabachelor.HewasaccustomedtothinkofTheHusbandinthreelightsonly—as“theObstacle,”“theInconvenience”or“theSafeguard.”
Hesaid:
“Seemsanicefellow.Quiet.WonderifmyTimeshascome?”
Hegotupandwentuptowardsthehotel
Poirot’sglanceshiftedslowlytothefaceofStephenLane.
StephenLanewaswatchingArlenaMarshallandPatrickRedfern.HeturnedsuddenlytoPoirot.Therewasasternfanaticallightinhiseyes.
Hesaid:
“Thatwomanisevilthroughandthrough.Doyoudoubtit?”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“Itisdifficulttobesure.”
StephenLanesaid:
“But,manalive,don’tyoufeelitintheair?Allroundyou?ThepresenceofEvil.”
Slowly,HerculePoirotnoddedhishead.
Two
WhenRosamundDarnleycameandsatdownbyhim,HerculePoirotmadenoattempttodisguisehispleasure.
Ashehassinceadmitted,headmiredRosamundDarnleyasmuchasanywomanhehadevermet.Helikedherdistinction,thegracefullinesofherfigure,thealertproudcarriageofherhead.Helikedtheneatsleekwavesofherdarkhairandtheironicqualityofhersmile.
Shewaswearingadressofsomenavybluematerialwithtouchesofwhite.Itlookedverysimpleowingtotheexpensiveseverityofitsline.RosamundDarnleyasRoseMondLtdwasoneofLondon’sbest-knowndressmakers.
Shesaid:
“Idon’tthinkIlikethisplace.I’mwonderingwhyIcamehere!”
“Youhavebeenherebefore,haveyounot?”
“Yes,twoyearsago,atEaster.Thereweren’tsomanypeoplethen.”
HerculePoirotlookedather.Hesaidgently:
“Somethinghasoccurredtoworryyou.Thatisright,isitnot?”
Shenodded.Herfootswungtoandfro.Shestareddownatit.Shesaid:
“I’vemetaghost.That’swhatitis.”
“Aghost,Mademoiselle?”
“Yes.”
“Theghostofwhat?Orofwhom?”
“Oh,theghostofmyself.”
Poirotaskedgently:
“Wasitapainfulghost?”
“Unexpectedlypainful.Ittookmeback,youknow….”
Shepaused,musing.Thenshesaid.
“Imaginemychildhood.No,youcan’t!You’renotEnglish!”
Poirotasked:
“WasitaveryEnglishchildhood?”
“Oh,incrediblyso!Thecountry—abigshabbyhouse—horses,dogs—walksintherain—woodfires—applesintheorchard—lackofmoney—oldtweeds—eveningdressesthatwentonfromyeartoyear—aneglectedgarden—withMichaelmasdaisiescomingoutlikegreatbannersintheautumn….”
Poirotaskedgently:
“Andyouwanttogoback?”
RosamundDarnleyshookherhead.Shesaid:
“Onecan’tgoback,canone?That—never.ButI’dliketohavegoneon—adifferentway.”
Poirotsaid:
“Iwonder.”
RosamundDarnleylaughed.
“SodoI,really!”
Poirotsaid:
“WhenIwasyoung(andthat,Mademoiselle,isindeedalongtimeago)therewasagameentitled,‘Ifnotyourself,whowouldyoube?’Onewrotetheanswerinyoungladies’albums.Theyhadgoldedgesandwereboundinblueleather.Theanswer?Mademoiselle,isnotreallyveryeasytofind.”
Rosamundsaid:
“No—Isupposenot.Itwouldbeabigrisk.Onewouldn’tliketotakeonbeingMussoliniorPrincessElizabeth.Asforone’sfriends,oneknowstoomuchaboutthem.Irememberoncemeetingacharminghusbandandwife.TheyweresocourteousanddelightfultooneanotherandseemedonsuchgoodtermsafteryearsofmarriagethatIenviedthewoman.I’dhavechangedplaceswithherwillingly.Somebodytoldmeafterwardsthatinprivatethey’dneverspokentoeachotherforelevenyears!”
Shelaughed.
“Thatshows,doesn’tit,thatyouneverknow?”
AfteramomentortwoPoirotsaid:
“Manypeople,Mademoiselle,mustenvyyou.”
RosamundDarnleysaidcoolly:
“Oh,yes.Naturally.”
Shethoughtaboutit,herlipscurvedupwardintheirironicsmile.
“Yes,I’mreallytheperfecttypeofthesuccessfulwoman!Ienjoytheartisticsatisfactionofthesuccessfulcreativeartist(Ireallydolikedesigningclothes)andthefinancialsatisfactionofthesuccessfulbusinesswoman.I’mverywelloff,I’veagoodfigure,apassableface,andanottoomalicioustongue.”
Shepaused.Hersmiledwidened.
“Ofcourse—Ihaven’tgotahusband!I’vefailedthere,haven’tI,M.Poirot?”
Poirotsaidgallantly:
“Mademoiselle,ifyouarenotmarried,itisbecausenoneofmysexhavebeensufficientlyeloquent.Itisfromchoice,notnecessity,thatyouremainsingle.”
RosamundDarnleysaid:
“Andyet,likeallmen,I’msureyoubelieveinyourheartthatnowomaniscontentunlesssheismarriedandhaschildren.”
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.
“Tomarryandhavechildren,thatisthecommonlotofwomen.Onlyonewomaninahundred—more,inathousand,canmakeforherselfanameandapositionasyouhavedone.”
Rosamundgrinnedathim.
“Andyet,allthesame,I’mnothingbutawretchedoldmaid!That’swhatIfeeltoday,atanyrate.I’dbehappierwithtwopenceayearandabigsilentbruteofahusbandandabroodofbratsrunningafterme.That’strue,isn’tit?”
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.
“Sinceyousayso,then,yes,Mademoiselle.”
Rosamundlaughed,herequilibriumsuddenlyrestored.Shetookoutacigaretteandlitit.
Shesaid:
“Youcertainlyknowhowtodealwithwomen,M.Poirot.Inowfeelliketakingtheoppositepointofviewandarguingwithyouinfavourofcareersforwomen.OfcourseI’mdamnedwell-offasIam—andIknowit!”
“Theneverythinginthegarden—orshallwesayattheseaside?islovely,Mademoiselle.”
“Quiteright.”
Poirot,inhisturn,extractedhiscigarettecaseandlitoneofthosetinycigaretteswhichitwashisaffectiontosmoke.
Regardingtheascendinghazewithaquizzicaleye,hemurmured:
“SoMr.—no,CaptainMarshallisanoldfriendofyours,Mademoiselle?”
Rosamundsatup.Shesaid:
“Nowhowdoyouknowthat?Oh,IsupposeKentoldyou.”
Poirotshookhishead.
“Nobodyhastoldmeanything.Afterall,Mademoiselle,Iamadetective.Itwastheobviousconclusiontodraw.”
RosamundDarnleysaid:“Idon’tseeit.”
“Butconsider!”Thelittleman’shandswereeloquent.“Youhavebeenhereaweek.Youarelively,gay,withoutacare.Today,suddenly,youspeakofghosts,ofoldtimes.Whathashappened?ForseveraldaystherehavebeennonewarrivalsuntillastnightwhenCaptainMarshallandhiswifeanddaughterarrive.Todaythechange!Itisobvious!”
RosamundDarnleysaid:
“Well,it’strueenough.KennethMarshallandIweremoreorlesschildrentogether.TheMarshallslivednextdoortous.Kenwasalwaysnicetome—althoughcondescending,ofcourse,sincehewasfouryearsolder.I’venotseenanythingofhimforalongtime.Itmustbe—fifteenyearsatleast.”
Poirotsaidthoughtfully:
“Alongtime.”
Rosamundnodded.
TherewasapauseandthenHerculePoirotsaid:
“Heissympathetic,yes?”
Rosamundsaidwarmly:
“Ken’sadear.Oneofthebest.Frightfullyquietandreserved.I’dsayhisonlyfaultisapenchantformakingunfortunatemarriages.”
Poirotsaidinatoneofgreatunderstanding:“Ah—”
RosamundDarnleywenton.
“Kenneth’safool—anutterfoolwherewomenareconcerned!DoyouremembertheMartingdalecase?”
Poirotfrowned.
“Martingdale?Martingdale?Arsenic,wasitnot?”
“Yes.Seventeenoreighteenyearsago.Thewomanwastriedforthemurderofherhusband.”
“Andhewasprovedtohavebeenanarseniceaterandshewasacquitted?”
“That’sright.Well,afterheracquittal,Kenmarriedher.That’sthesortofdamnsillythinghedoes.”
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“Butifshewasinnocent?”
RosamundDarnleysaidimpatiently:
“Oh,Idaresayshewasinnocent.Nobodyreallyknows!Butthereareplentyofwomentomarryintheworldwithoutgoingoutofyourwaytomarryonewho’sstoodhertrialformurder.”
Poirotsaidnothing.PerhapsheknewthatifhekeptsilenceRosamundDarnleywouldgoon.Shedidso.
“Hewasveryyoung,ofcourse,onlyjusttwenty-one.Hewascrazyabouther.ShediedwhenLindawasborn—ayearaftertheirmarriage.IbelieveKenwasterriblycutupbyherdeath.Afterwardsheracketedaroundalot—tryingtoforget,Isuppose.”
Shepaused.
“AndthencamethisbusinessofArlenaStuart.ShewasinRevueatthetime.TherewastheCodringtondivorcecase.LadyCodringtondivorcedCodrington,citingArlenaStuart.TheysayLordCodringtonwasabsolutelyinfatuatedwithher.Itwasunderstoodtheyweretobemarriedassoonasthedecreewasmadeabsolute.Actually,whenitcametoit,hedidn’tmarryher.Turnedherdownflat.Ibelievesheactuallysuedhimforbreachofpromise.Anyway,thethingmadeabigstiratthetime.ThenextthingthathappensisthatKengoesandmarriesher.Thefool—thecompletefool!”
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“Amanmightbeexcusedsuchafolly—sheisbeautiful,Mademoiselle.”
“Yes,there’snodoubtofthat.Therewasanotherscandalaboutthreeyearsago.OldSirRogerErskinelefthereverypennyofhismoney.IshouldhavethoughtthatwouldhaveopenedKen’seyesifanythingwould.”
“Anddiditnot?”
RosamundDarnleyshruggedhershoulders
“ItellyouI’veseennothingofhimforyears.Peoplesay,though,thathetookitwithabsoluteequanimity.Why,Ishouldliketoknow?Hashegotanabsolutelyblindbeliefinher?”
“Theremightbeotherreasons.”
“Yes.Pride!Keepingastiffupperlip!Idon’tknowwhathereallyfeelsabouther.Nobodydoes.”
“Andshe?Whatdoesshefeelabouthim?”
Rosamundstaredathim.
Shesaid:
“She?She’stheworld’sfirstgolddigger.Andaman-eateraswell!Ifanythingpersonableintrouserscomeswithinahundredyardsofher,it’sfreshsportforArlena!She’sthatkind.”
Poirotnoddedhisheadslowlyincompleteagreement.
“Yes,”hesaid.“Thatistruewhatyousay…Hereyeslookforonethingonly—men.”
Rosamundsaid:
“She’sgothereyeonPatrickRedfernnow.He’sagood-lookingman—andratherthesimplekind—youknow,fondofhiswife,andnotaphilanderer.That’sthekindthat’smeatanddrinktoArlena.IlikelittleMrs.Redfern—she’snicelookinginherfairwashed-outway—butIdon’tthinkshe’llstandadog’schanceagainstthatman-eatingtiger,Arlena.”
Poirotsaid:
“No,itisasyousay.”
Helookeddistressed.
Rosamundsaid:
“ChristineRedfernwasaschoolteacher,Ibelieve.She’sthekindthatthinksthatmindhasapullovermatter.She’sgotarudeshockcomingtoher.”
Poirotshookhisheadvexedly.
Rosamundgotup.Shesaid:
“It’sashame,youknow.”Sheaddedvaguely:“Somebodyoughttodosomethingaboutit.”
II
LindaMarshallwasexaminingherfacedispassionatelyinherbedroommirror.Shedislikedherfaceverymuch.Atthisminuteitseemedtohertobemostlybonesandfreckles.Shenotedwithdistasteherheavybushofsoftbrownhair(mouse,shecalleditinherownmind),hergreenish-greyeyes,herhighcheekbonesandthelongaggressivelineofthechin.Hermouthandteethweren’tperhapsquitesobad—butwhatwereteethafterall?Andwasthataspotcomingonthesideofhernose?
Shedecidedwithreliefthatitwasn’taspot.Shethoughttoherself:
“It’sawfultobesixteen—simplyawful.”
Onedidn’t,somehow,knowwhereonewas.Lindawasasawkwardasayoungcoltandaspricklyasahedgehog.Shewasconsciousthewholetimeofherungainlinessandofthefactthatshewasneitheronethingnortheother.Ithadn’tbeensobadatschool.Butnowshehadleftschool.Nobodyseemedtoknowquitewhatshewasgoingtodonext.HerfathertalkedvaguelyofsendinghertoParisnextwinter.Lindadidn’twanttogotoParis—butthenshedidn’twanttobeathomeeither.She’dneverrealizedproperly,somehow,untilnow,howverymuchshedislikedArlena.
Linda’syoungfacegrewtense,hergreeneyeshardened.
Arlena…
Shethoughttoherself:
“She’sabeast—abeast….”
Stepmothers!Itwasrottentohaveastepmother,everybodysaidso.Anditwastrue!NotthatArlenawasunkindtoher.Mostofthetimeshehardlynoticedthegirl.Butwhenshedid,therewasacontemptuousamusementinherglance,inherwords.ThefinishedgraceandpoiseofArlena’smovementsemphasizedLinda’sownadolescentclumsiness.WithArlenaabout,onefelt,shamingly,justhowimmatureandcrudeonewas.
Butitwasn’tthatonly.No,itwasn’tonlythat.
Lindagropedhaltinglyintherecessofhermind.Shewasn’tverygoodatsortingoutheremotionsandlabellingthem.ItwassomethingthatArlenadidtopeople—tothehouse—
“She’sbad,”thoughtLindawithdecision.“She’squite,quitebad.”
Butyoucouldn’tevenleaveitatthat.Youcouldn’tjustelevateyournosewithasniffofmoralsuperiorityanddismissherfromyourmind.
Itwassomethingshedidtopeople.Father,now,Fatherwasquitedifferent….
Shepuzzledoverit.Fathercomingdowntotakeheroutfromschool.Fathertakingheronceforacruise.AndFatherathome—withArlenathere.All—allsortofbottledupandnot—andnotthere.
Lindathought:
“Andit’llgoonlikethis.Dayafterday—monthaftermonth.Ican’tbearit.”
Lifestretchedbeforeher—endless—inaseriesofdaysdarkenedandpoisonedbyArlena’spresence.Shewaschildishenoughstilltohavelittlesenseofproportion.Ayear,toLinda,seemedlikeaneternity.
AbigdarkburningwaveofhatredagainstArlenasurgedupinhermind.Shethought:
“I’dliketokillher.Oh!Iwishshe’ddie….”
Shelookedoutabovethemirrorontotheseabelow.
Thisplacewasreallyratherfun.Oritcouldbefun.Allthosebeachesandcovesandqueerlittlepaths.Lotstoexplore.Andplaceswhereonecouldgooffbyoneselfandmuckabout.Therewerecaves,too,sotheCowanboyshadtoldher.
Lindathought:
“IfonlyArlenawouldgoaway,Icouldenjoymyself.”
Hermindwentbacktotheeveningoftheirarrival.Ithadbeenexcitingcomingfromthemainland.Thetidehadbeenupoverthecauseway.Theyhadcomeinaboat.Thehotelhadlookedexciting,unusual.Andthenontheterraceatalldarkwomanhadjumpedupandsaid:
“Why,Kenneth!”
Andherfather,lookingfrightfullysurprised,hadexclaimed:
“Rosamund!”
LindaconsideredRosamundDarnleyseverelyandcriticallyinthemannerofyouth.
ShedecidedthatsheapprovedofRosamund.Rosamund,shethought,wassensible.Andherhairgrewnicely—asthoughitfittedher—mostpeople’shairdidn’tfitthem.Andherclotheswerenice.Andshehadakindoffunnyamusedface—asthoughitwereamusedatherself,notatyou.Rosamundhadbeennicetoher,Linda.Shehadn’tbeengushingorsaidthings.(Underthetermof“sayingthings”Lindagroupedamassofmiscellaneousdislikes.)AndRosamundhadn’tlookedasthoughshethoughtLindaafool.Infactshe’dtreatedLindaasthoughshewasarealhumanbeing.Lindasoseldomfeltlikearealhumanbeingthatshewasdeeplygratefulwhenanyoneappearedtoconsiderherone.
Father,too,hadseemedpleasedtoseeMissDarnley.
Funny—he’dlookedquitedifferent,allofasudden.He’dlooked—he’dlooked—Lindapuzzleditout—why,young,thatwasit!He’dlaughed—aqueerboyishlaugh.NowLindacametothinkofit,she’dveryseldomheardhimlaugh.
Shefeltpuzzled.Itwasasthoughshe’dgotaglimpseofquiteadifferentperson.Shethought:
“IwonderwhatFatherwaslikewhenhewasmyage…?”
Butthatwastoodifficult.Shegaveitup.
Anideaflashedacrosshermind.
Whatfunitwouldhavebeenifthey’dcomehereandfoundMissDarnleyhere—justsheandFather.
Avistaopenedoutjustforaminute.Father,boyishandlaughing,MissDarnley,herself—andallthefunonecouldhaveontheisland—bathing—caves—
Theblacknessshutdownagain.
Arlena.Onecouldn’tenjoyoneselfwithArlenaabout.Whynot?Well,she,Linda,couldn’tanyway.Youcouldn’tbehappywhentherewasapersonthereyou—hated.Yes,hated.ShehatedArlena.
Veryslowlyagainthatblackburningwaveofhatredroseupagain.
Linda’sfacewentverywhite.Herlipspartedalittle.Thepupilsofhereyescontracted.Andherfingersstiffenedandclenchedthemselves….
III
KennethMarshalltappedonhiswife’sdoor.Whenhervoiceanswered,heopenedthedoorandwentin.
Arlenawasjustputtingthefinishingtouchestohertoilet.Shewasdressedinglitteringgreenandlookedalittlelikeamermaid.Shewasstandinginfrontoftheglassapplyingmascaratohereyelashes.Shesaid:
“Oh,it’syou,Ken.”
“Yes.Iwonderedifyouwereready.”
“Justaminute.”
KennethMarshallstrolledtothewindow.Helookedoutonthesea.Hisface,asusual,displayednoemotionofanykind.Itwaspleasantandordinary.
Turninground,hesaid:
“Arlena?”
“Yes?”
“You’vemetRedfernbefore,Igather?”
Arlenasaideasily:
“Ohyes,darling.Atacocktailpartysomewhere.Ithoughthewasratherapet.”
“SoIgather.Didyouknowthatheandhiswifewerecomingdownhere?”
Arlenaopenedhereyesverywide.
“Ohno,darling.Itwasthegreatestsurprise!”
KennethMarshallsaidquietly:
“Ithought,perhaps,thatthatwaswhatputtheideaofthisplaceintoyourhead.Youwereverykeenweshouldcomehere.”
Arlenaputdownthemascara.Sheturnedtowardshim.Shesmiled—asoftseductivesmile.Shesaid:
“Somebodytoldmeaboutthisplace.IthinkitwastheRylands.Theysaiditwassimplytoomarvellous—sounspoilt!Don’tyoulikeit?”
KennethMarshallsaid:
“I’mnotsure.”
“Oh,darling,butyouadorebathingandlazingabout.I’msureyou’llsimplyadoreithere.”
“Icanseethatyoumeantoenjoyyourself.”
Hereyeswidenedalittle.Shelookedathimuncertainly.
KennethMarshallsaid:
“IsupposethetruthofitisthatyoutoldyoungRedfernthatyouwerecominghere?”
Arlenasaid:
“Kennethdarling,you’renotgoingtobehorrid,areyou?”
KennethMarshallsaid:
“Lookhere,Arlena.Iknowwhatyou’relike.They’reratheraniceyoungcouple.Thatboy’sfondofhiswife,really.Mustyouupsetthewholeblinkingshow?”
Arlenasaid:
“It’ssounfairblamingme.Ihaven’tdoneanything—anythingatall.Ican’thelpitif—”
Hepromptedher.
“Ifwhat?”
Hereyelidsfluttered.
“Well,ofcourse.Iknowpeopledogocrazyaboutme.Butit’snotmydoing.Theyjustgetlikethat.”
“SoyoudoadmitthatyoungRedferniscrazyaboutyou?”
Arlenamurmured:
“It’sreallyratherstupidofhim.”
Shemovedasteptowardsherhusband.
“Butyouknow,don’tyou,Ken,thatIdon’treallycareforanyonebutyou?”
Shelookedupathimthroughherdarkenedlashes.
Itwasamarvellouslook—alookthatfewmencouldhaveresisted.
KennethMarshalllookeddownathergravely.Hisfacewascomposed.Hisvoicequiet.Hesaid:
“IthinkIknowyouprettywell,Arlena….”
IV
Whenyoucameoutofthehotelonthesouthsidetheterracesandthebathingbeachwereimmediatelybelowyou.Therewasalsoapaththatledoffroundthecliffonthesouthwestsideoftheisland.Alittlewayalongit,afewstepsleddowntoaseriesofrecessescutintothecliffandlabelledonthehotelmapoftheislandasSunnyLedge.Herecutoutofthecliffwerenicheswithseatsinthem.
Tooneofthese,immediatelyafterdinner,camePatrickRedfernandhiswife.Itwasalovelyclearnightwithabrightmoon.
TheRedfernssatdown.Forawhiletheyweresilent
AtlastPatrickRedfernsaid:
“It’sagloriousevening,isn’tit,Christine?”
“Yes.”
Somethinginhervoicemayhavemadehimuneasy.Hesatwithoutlookingather
ChristineRedfernaskedinherquietvoice:
“Didyouknowthatwomanwasgoingtobehere?”
Heturnedsharply.Hesaid:
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”
“Ithinkyoudo.”
“Lookhere,Christine.Idon’tknowwhathascomeoveryou—”
Sheinterrupted.Hervoiceheldfeelingnow.Ittrembled.
“Overme?It’swhathascomeoveryou!”
“Nothing’scomeoverme.”
“Oh!Patrick!ithas!Youinsistedsooncominghere.Youwerequitevehement.IwantedtogotoTintagelagainwhere—wherewehadourhoneymoon.Youwerebentoncominghere.”
“Well,whynot?It’safascinatingspot.”
“Perhaps.Butyouwantedtocomeherebecauseshewasgoingtobehere.”
“She?Whoisshe?”
“Mrs.Marshall.You—you’reinfatuatedwithher.”
“ForGod’ssake,Christine,don’tmakeafoolofyourself.It’snotlikeyoutobejealous.”
Hisblusterwasalittleuncertain.Heexaggeratedit.
Shesaid:
“We’vebeensohappy.”
“Happy?Ofcoursewe’vebeenhappy!Wearehappy.Butweshan’tgoonbeinghappyifIcan’tevenspeaktoanotherwomanwithoutyoukickinguparow.”
“It’snotlikethat.”
“Yes,itis.Inmarriageonehasgottohave—well—friendshipswithotherpeople.Thissuspiciousattitudeisallwrong.I—Ican’tspeaktoaprettywomanwithoutyourjumpingtotheconclusionthatI’minlovewithher—”
Hestopped.Heshruggedhisshoulders.
ChristineRedfernsaid:
“Youareinlovewithher….”
“Oh,don’tbeafool,Christine!I’ve—I’vebarelyspokentoher.”
“That’snottrue.”
“Don’tforgoodness”sakegetintothehabitofbeingjealousofeveryprettywomanwecomeacross.”
ChristineRedfernsaid:
“She’snotjustanyprettywoman!She’s—she’sdifferent!She’sabadlot!Yes,sheis.She’lldoyouharm,Patrick,please,giveitup.Let’sgoawayfromhere.”
PatrickRedfernstuckouthischinmutinously.Helooked,somehow,veryyoungashesaiddefiantly:
“Don’tberidiculous,Christine.And—anddon’tlet’squarrelaboutit.”
“Idon’twanttoquarrel.”
“Thenbehavelikeareasonablehumanbeing.Comeon,let’sgobacktothehotel.”
Hegotup.Therewasapause,thenChristineRedferngotuptoo.
Shesaid:
“Verywell….”
Intherecessadjoining,ontheseatthere,HerculePoirotsatandshookhisheadsorrowfully.
Somepeoplemighthavescrupulouslyremovedthemselvesfromearshotofaprivateconversation.ButnotHerculePoirot.Hehadnoscruplesofthatkind.
“Besides,”asheexplainedtohisfriendHastingsatalaterdate,“itwasaquestionofmurder.”
Hastingssaid,staring:
“Butthemurderhadn’thappened,then.”
HerculePoirotsighed.Hesaid:
“Butalready,moncher,itwasveryclearlyindicated.”
“Thenwhydidn’tyoustopit?”
AndHerculePoirot,withasigh,saidashehadsaidoncebeforeinEgypt,thatifapersonisdeterminedtocommitmurderitisnoteasytopreventthem.Hedoesnotblamehimselfforwhathappened.Itwas,accordingtohim,inevitable.
Three
RosamundDarnleyandKennethMarshallsatontheshortspringyturfofthecliffoverlookingGullCove.Thiswasontheeastsideoftheisland.Peoplecamehereinthemorningsometimestobathewhentheywantedtobepeaceful.
Rosamundsaid:
“It’snicetogetawayfrompeople.”
Marshallmurmuredinaudibly:
“M—m,yes.”
Herolledover,sniffingattheshortturf.
“Smellsgood.RememberthedownsatShipley?”
“Rather.”
“Prettygood,thosedays.”
“Yes.”
“You’venotchangedmuch,Rosamund.”
“Yes,Ihave.I’vechangedenormously.”
“You’vebeenverysuccessfulandyou’rerichandallthat,butyou’rethesameoldRosamund.”
Rosamundmurmured:
“IwishIwere.”
“What’sthat?”
“Nothing.It’sapity,isn’tit,Kenneth,thatwecan’tkeepthenicenaturesandhighidealsthatwehadwhenwewereyoung?”
“Idon’tknowthatyournaturewaseverparticularlynice,mychild.Youusedtogetintothemostfrightfulrages.Youhalf-chokedmeoncewhenyouflewatmeinatemper.”
Rosamundlaughed.Shesaid:
“DoyourememberthedaythatwetookTobydowntogetwaterrats?”
Theyspentsomeminutesinrecallingoldadventures.
Thentherecameapause.
Rosamund’sfingersplayedwiththeclaspofherbag.Shesaidatlast:
“Kenneth?”
“Um.”Hisreplywasindistinct.Hewasstilllyingonhisfaceontheturf.
“IfIsaysomethingtoyouthatisprobablyoutrageouslyimpertinentwillyouneverspeaktomeagain?”
Herolledoverandsatup.
“Idon’tthink,”hesaidseriously,“thatIwouldeverregardanythingyousaidasimpertinent.Yousee,youbelong.”
Shenoddedinacceptanceofallthatlastphrasemeant.Sheconcealedonlythepleasureitgaveher.
“Kenneth,whydon’tyougetadivorcefromyourwife?”
Hisfacealtered.Ithardened—thehappyexpressiondiedoutofit.Hetookapipefromhispocketandbeganfillingit.
Rosamundsaid:
“I’msorryifI’veoffendedyou.”
Hesaidquietly:
“Youhaven’toffendedme.”
“Wellthen,whydon’tyou?”
“Youdon’tunderstand,mydeargirl.”
“Areyou—sofrightfullyfondofher?”
“It’snotjustaquestionofthat.Yousee,Imarriedher.”
“Iknow.Butshe’s—prettynotorious.”
Heconsideredthatforamoment,ramminginthetobaccocarefully.
“Isshe?Isupposesheis.”
“Youcoulddivorceher,Ken.”
“Mydeargirl,you’vegotnobusinesstosayathinglikethat.Justbecausemenlosetheirheadsaboutherabitisn’ttosaythatsheloseshers.”
Rosamundbitoffarejoinder.Thenshesaid:
“Youcouldfixitsothatshedivorcedyou—ifyoupreferitthatway.”
“IdaresayIcould.”
“Yououghtto,Ken.Really,Imeanit.There’sthechild.”
“Linda?”
“Yes,Linda.”
“What’sLindatodowithit?”
“Arlena’snotgoodforLinda.Sheisn’treally.Linda,Ithink,feelsthingsagooddeal.”
KennethMarshallappliedamatchtohispipe.Betweenpuffshesaid:
“Yes—there’ssomethinginthat.IsupposeArlenaandLindaaren’tverygoodforeachother.Nottherightthingforagirlperhaps.It’sabitworrying.”
Rosamundsaid:
“IlikeLinda—verymuch.There’ssomething—fineabouther.”
Kennethsaid:
“She’slikehermother.ShetakesthingshardlikeRuthdid.”
Rosamundsaid:
“Thendon’tyouthink—really—thatyououghttogetridofArlena?”
“Fixupadivorce?”
“Yes.Peoplearedoingthatallthetime.”
KennethMarshallsaidwithsuddenvehemence:
“Yes,andthat’sjustwhatIhate.”
“Hate?”Shewasstartled.
“Yes.Sortofattitudetolifethereisnowadays.Ifyoutakeonathinganddon’tlikeit,thenyougetyourselfoutofitasquickaspossible!Dashitall,there’sgottobesuchathingasgoodfaith.Ifyoumarryawomanandengageyourselftolookafterher,wellit’suptoyoutodoit.It’syourshow.You’vetakeniton.I’msickofquickmarriageandeasydivorce.Arlena’smywife,that’sallthereistoit.”
Rosamundleanedforward.Shesaidinalowvoice:
“Soit’slikethatwithyou?‘Tilldeathdouspart?’”
KennethMarshallnoddedhishead.
Hesaid:
“That’sjustit.”
Rosamundsaid:
“Isee.”
II
Mr.HoraceBlatt,returningtoLeathercombeBaydownanarrowtwistinglane,nearlyrandownMrs.Redfernatacorner
Assheflattenedherselfintothehedge,Mr.BlattbroughthisSunbeamtoahaltbyapplyingthebrakesvigorously.
“Hullo-ullo-ullo,”saidMr.Blattcheerfully.
Hewasalargemanwitharedfaceandafringeofreddishhairroundashiningbaldspot.
ItwasMr.Blatt’sapparentambitiontobethelifeandsoulofanyplacehehappenedtobein.TheJollyRogerHotel,inhisopinion,givensomewhatloudly,neededbrighteningup.Hewaspuzzledatthewaypeopleseemedtomeltanddisappearwhenhehimselfarrivedonthescene.
“Nearlymadeyouintostrawberryjam,didn’tI?”saidMr.Blattgaily.
ChristineRedfernsaid:
“Yes,youdid.”
“Jumpin,”saidMr.Blatt.
“Oh,thanks—IthinkI’llwalk.”
“Nonsense,”saidMr.Blatt.“What’sacarfor?”
YieldingtonecessityChristineRedferngotin.
Mr.Blattrestartedtheenginewhichhadstoppedowingtothesuddennesswithwhichhehadpreviouslypulledup.
Mr.Blattinquired:
“Andwhatareyoudoingwalkingaboutallalone?That’sallwrong,anicelookinggirllikeyou.”
Christinesaidhurriedly:
“Oh!Ilikebeingalone.”
Mr.Blattgaveheraterrificdigwithhiselbow,nearlysendingthecarintothehedgeatthesametime.
“Girlsalwayssaythat,”hesaid.“Theydon’tmeanit.Youknow,thatplace,theJollyRoger,wantsabitofliveningup.Nothingjollyaboutit.Nolifeinit.Ofcoursethere’sagoodamountofdudsstayingthere.Alotofkids,tobeginwithandalotofoldfogeystoo.There’sthatoldAnglo-IndianboreandthatathleticparsonandthoseyappingAmericansandthatforeignerwiththemoustache—makesmelaughthatmoustacheofhis!Ishouldsayhe’sahairdresser,somethingofthatsort.”
Christineshookherhead.
“Ohno,he’sadetective.”
Mr.Blattnearlyletthecargointothehedgeagain.
“Adetective?D’youmeanhe’sindisguise?”
Christinesmiledfaintly.
Shesaid:
“Ohno,hereallyislikethat.He’sHerculePoirot.Youmusthaveheardofhim.”
Mr.Blattsaid:
“Didn’tcatchhisnameproperly.Ohyes,I’veheardofhim.ButIthoughthewasdead.Dashit,heoughttobedead.What’sheafterdownhere?”
“He’snotafteranything—he’sjustonaholiday.”
“Well,Isupposethatmightbeso,”Mr.Blattseemeddoubtfulaboutit.“Looksabitofabounder,doesn’the?”
“Well,”saidChristineandhesitated.“Perhapsalittlepeculiar.”
“WhatIsayis,”saidMr.Blatt,“what’swrongwithScotlandYard?BuyBritisheverytimeforme.”
HereachedthebottomofthehillandwithatriumphantfanfareofthehornranthecarintotheJollyRoger’sgaragewhichwassituated,fortidalreasons,onthemainlandoppositethehotel.
III
LindaMarshallwasinthesmallshopwhichcateredforthewantsofvisitorstoLeathercombeBay.Onesideofitwasdevotedtoshelvesonwhichwerebookswhichcouldbeborrowedforthesumoftwopence.Thenewestofthemwastenyearsold,someweretwentyyearsoldandothersolderstill.
Lindatookfirstoneandthenanotherdoubtfullyfromtheshelfandglancedintoit.Shedecidedthatshecouldn’tpossiblyreadTheFourFeathersorViceVersa.Shetookoutasmallsquatvolumeinbrowncalf.
Thetimepassed….
WithastartLindashovedthebookbackintheshelfasChristineRedfern’svoicesaid:
“Whatareyoureading,Linda?”
Lindasaidhurriedly:
“Nothing.I’mlookingforabook.”
ShepulledoutTheMarriageofWilliamAsheatrandomandadvancedtothecounterfumblingfortwopence.
Christinesaid:
“Mr.Blattjustdrovemehome—afternearlyrunningovermefirst.IreallyfeltIcouldn’twalkallacrossthecausewaywithhim,soIsaidIhadtobuysomethings.”
Lindasaid:
“He’sawful,isn’the?Alwayssayinghowrichheisandmakingthemostterriblejokes.”
Christinesaid:
“Poorman.Onereallyfeelsrathersorryforhim.”
Lindadidn’tagree.Shedidn’tseeanythingtobesorryforinMr.Blatt.Shewasyoungandruthless.
ShewalkedwithChristineRedfernoutoftheshopanddowntowardsthecauseway.
Shewasbusywithherownthoughts.ShelikedChristineRedfern.SheandRosamundDarnleyweretheonlybearablepeopleontheislandinLinda’sopinion.Neitherofthemtalkedmuchtoherforonething.Now,astheywalked,Christinedidn’tsayanything.That,Lindathought,wassensible.Ifyouhadn’tanythingworthsayingwhygochatteringallthetime?
Shelostherselfinherownperplexities.
Shesaidsuddenly:
“Mrs.Redfern,haveyoueverfeltthateverything’ssoawful—soterrible—thatyou’ll—oh,burst…?”
Thewordswerealmostcomic,butLinda’sface,drawnandanxious,wasnot.ChristineRedfern,lookingatheratfirstvaguely,withscarcelycomprehendingeyes,certainlysawnothingtolaughat….
Shecaughtherbreathsharply.
Shesaid:
“Yes—yes—Ihavefelt—justthat….”
IV
Mr.Blattsaid:
“Soyou’rethefamoussleuth,eh?”
Theywereinthecocktailbar,afavouritehauntofMr.Blatt’s.
HerculePoirotacknowledgedtheremarkwithhisusuallackofmodesty.
Mr.Blattwenton.
“Andwhatareyoudoingdownhere—onajob?”
“No,no.Ireposemyself.Itaketheholiday.”
Mr.Blattwinked.
“You’dsaythatanyway,wouldn’tyou?”
Poirotreplied:
“Notnecessarily.”
HoraceBlattsaid:
“Oh!Comenow.Asamatteroffactyou’dbesafeenoughwithme.Idon’trepeatallIhear!Learnttokeepmymouthshutyearsago.Shouldn’thavegotonthewayIhaveifIhadn’tknownhowtodothat.Butyouknowwhatmostpeopleare—yap,yap,yapabouteverythingtheyhear!Nowyoucan’taffordthatinyourtrade!That’swhyyou’vegottokeepitupthatyou’rehereholiday-makingandnothingelse.”
Poirotasked:
“Andwhyshouldyousupposethecontrary?”
Mr.Blattclosedoneeye.
Hesaid:
“I’mamanoftheworld.Iknowthecutofafellow’sjib.AmanlikeyouwouldbeatDeauvilleorLeTouquetordownatJuanlesPins.That’syour—what’sthephrase?—spiritualhome.”
Poirotsighed.Helookedoutofthewindow.Rainwasfallingandmistencircledtheisland.Hesaid:
“Itispossiblethatyouareright!There,atleast,inwetweathertherearethedistractions.”
“GoodoldCasino!”saidMr.Blatt.“Youknow,I’vehadtoworkprettyhardmostofmylife.Notimeforholidaysorkickshaws.ImeanttomakegoodandIhavemadegood.NowIcandowhatIplease.Mymoney’sasgoodasanyman’s.I’veseenabitoflifeinthelastfewyears,Icantellyou.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Ah,yes?”
“Don’tknowwhyIcametothisplace,”Mr.Blattcontinued.
Poirotobserved:
“I,too,wondered?”
“Eh,what’sthat?”
Poirotwavedaneloquenthand.
“I,too,amnotwithoutobservation.IshouldhaveexpectedyoumostcertainlytochooseDeauvilleorBiarritz.”
“Insteadofwhich,we’rebothhere,eh?”
Mr.Blattgaveahoarsechuckle.
“Don’treallyknowwhyIcamehere,”hemused.“Ithink,youknow,itsoundedromantic.JollyRogerHotel,Smugglers’Island.Thatkindofaddressticklesyouup,youknow.Makesyouthinkofwhenyouwereaboy.Pirates,smuggling,allthat.”
Helaughed,ratherself-consciously.
“Iusedtosailquiteabitasaboy.Notthispartoftheworld.OfftheEastcoast.Funnyhowatasteforthatsortofthingneverquiteleavesyou.Icouldhaveatip-topyachtifIliked,butsomehowIdon’treallyfancyit.Ilikemuckingaboutinthatlittleyawlofmine.Redfern’skeenonsailing,too.He’sbeenoutwithmeonceortwice.Can’tgetholdofhimnow—alwayshangingroundthatred-hairedwifeofMarshall’s.”
Hepaused,thenloweringhisvoice,hewenton:
“Mostlyadrieduplotofsticksinthishotel!Mrs.Marshall’sabouttheonlylivelyspot!IshouldthinkMarshall’sgothishandsfulllookingafterher.Allsortsofstoriesaboutherinherstagedays—andafter!Mengocrazyabouther.You’llsee,there’llbeaspotoftroubleoneofthesedays.”
Poirotasked:“Whatkindoftrouble?”
HoraceBlattreplied:
“Thatdepends.I’dsay,lookingatMarshall,thathe’samanwithafunnykindoftemper.Asamatteroffact,Iknowheis.Heardsomethingabouthim.I’vemetthatquietsort.Neverknowwhereyouarewiththatkind.Redfernhadbetterlookout—”
Hebrokeoff,asthesubjectofhiswordscameintothebar.Hewentonspeakingloudlyandself-consciously.
“And,asIsay,sailingroundthiscoastisgoodfun.Hullo,Redfern,haveonewithme?What’llyouhave?DryMartini?Right.Whataboutyou,M.Poirot?”
Poirotshookhishead.
PatrickRedfernsatdownandsaid:
“Sailing?It’sthebestfunintheworld.WishIcoulddomoreofit.Usedtospendmostofmytimeasaboyinasailingdinghyroundthiscoast.”
Poirotsaid:
“Thenyouknowthispartoftheworldwell?”
“Rather!Iknewthisplacebeforetherewasahotelonit.Therewerejustafewfishermen’scottagesatLeathercombeBayandatumbledownoldhouse,allshutup,ontheisland.”
“Therewasahousehere?”
“Oh,yes,butithadn’tbeenlivedinforyears.Waspracticallyfallingdown.ThereusedtobeallsortsofstoriesofsecretpassagesfromthehousetoPixy’sCave.Wewerealwayslookingforthatsecretpassage,Iremember.”
HoraceBlattspilthisdrink.Hecursed,moppedhimselfandasked:
“WhatisthisPixy’sCave?”
Patricksaid:
“Oh,don’tyouknowit?It’sonPixyCove.Youcan’tfindtheentrancetoiteasily.It’samongalotofpiledupbouldersatoneend.Justalongthincrack.Youcanjustsqueezethroughit.Insideitwidensoutintoquiteabigcave.Youcanimaginewhatfunitwastoaboy!Anoldfishermanshowedittome.Nowadays,eventhefishermendon’tknowaboutit.IaskedonetheotherdaywhytheplacewascalledPixyCoveandhecouldn’ttellme.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“ButIstilldonotunderstand.Whatisthispixy?”
PatrickRedfernsaid:
“Oh!that’stypicallyDevonshire.There’sthepixy’scaveatSheepstorontheMoor.You’resupposedtoleaveapin,youknow,asapresentforthepixy.Apixyisakindofmoorspirit.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Ah!butitisinteresting,that.”
PatrickRedfernwenton.
“There’salotofpixyloreonDartmoorstill.Therearetorsthataresaidtopixy-ridden,andIexpectthatfarmerscominghomeafterathicknightstillcomplainofbeingpixy-led.”
HoraceBlattsaid:
“Youmeanwhenthey’vehadacouple?”
PatrickRedfernsaidwithasmile:
“That’scertainlythecommonsenseexplanation!”
Blattlookedathiswatch.Hesaid:
“I’mgoingintodinner.Onthewhole,Redfern,piratesaremyfavourites,notpixies.”
PatrickRedfernsaidwithalaughastheotherwentout:
“Faith,I’dliketoseetheoldboypixy-ledhimself!”
Poirotobservedmeditatively:
“Forahard-bittenbusinessman,M.Blattseemstohaveaveryromanticimagination.”
PatrickRedfernsaid:
“That’sbecausehe’sonlyhalf-educated.Orsomywifesays.Lookatwhathereads!NothingbutthrillersorWildWeststories.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youmeanthathehasstillthementalityofaboy?”
“Well,don’tyouthinkso,sir?”
“Me,Ihavenotseenverymuchofhim.”
“Ihaven’teither.I’vebeenoutsailingwithhimonceortwice—buthedoesn’treallylikehavinganyonewithhim.Hepreferstobeonhisown.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Thatisindeedcurious.Itissingularlyunlikehispracticeonland.”
Redfernlaughed.Hesaid:
“Iknow.Weallhaveabitoftroublekeepingoutofhisway.He’dliketoturnthisplaceintoacrossbetweenMargateandLeTouquet.”
Poirotsaidnothingforaminuteortwo.Hewasstudyingthelaughingfaceofhiscompanionveryattentively.Hesaidsuddenlyandunexpectedly:
“Ithink,M.Redfern,thatyouenjoyliving.”
Patrickstaredathim,surprised.
“IndeedIdo.Whynot?”
“Whynotindeed,”agreedPoirot.“Imakeyoumyfelicitationonthefact.”
Smilingalittle,PatrickRedfernsaid:
“Thankyou,sir.”
“Thatiswhy,asanolderman,averymucholderman,Iventuretoofferyouapieceofadvice.”
“Yes,sir?”
“AverywisefriendofmineinthePoliceForcesaidtomeyearsago:‘Hercule,myfriend,ifyouwouldknowtranquillity,avoidwomen.’”
PatrickRedfernsaid:
“I’mafraidit’sabitlateforthat,sir.I’mmarried,youknow.”
“Idoknow.Yourwifeisaverycharming,averyaccomplishedwoman.Sheis,Ithink,veryfondofyou.”
PatrickRedfernsaidsharply:
“I’mveryfondofher.”
“Ah,”saidHerculePoirot,“Iamdelightedtohearit.”
Patrick’sbrowwassuddenlylikethunder.
“Lookhere,M.Poirot,whatareyougettingat?”
“LesFemmes.”Poirotleanedbackandclosedhiseyes.“Iknowsomethingofthem.Theyarecapableofcomplicatinglifeunbearably.AndtheEnglish,theyconducttheiraffairsindescribably.Ifitwasnecessaryforyoutocomehere,M.Redfern,why,inthenameofheaven,didyoubringyourwife?”
PatrickRedfernsaidangrily:
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”
HerculePoirotsaidcalmly:
“Youknowperfectly.Iamnotsofoolishastoarguewithaninfatuatedman.Iutteronlythewordofcaution.”
“You’vebeenlisteningtothesedamnedscandalmongers.Mrs.Gardener,theBrewsterwoman—nothingtodobuttoclacktheirtonguesallday.Justbecauseawoman’sgood-looking—they’redownonherlikeasackofcoals.”
HerculePoirotgotup.Hemurmured:
“Areyoureallyasyoungasallthat?”
Shakinghishead,heleftthebar.PatrickRedfernstaredangrilyafterhim.
V
HerculePoirotpausedinthehallonhiswayfromthediningroom.Thedoorswereopen—abreathofsoftnightaircamein.
Therainhadstoppedandthemisthaddispersed.Itwasafinenightagain.
HerculePoirotfoundMrs.Redferninherfavouriteseatonthecliffledge.Hestoppedbyherandsaid:
“Thisseatisdamp.Youshouldnotsithere.Youwillcatchthechill.”
“No,Ishan’t.Andwhatdoesitmatteranyway.”
“Tscha,tscha,youarenotachild!Youareaneducatedwoman.Youmustlookatthingssensibly.”
Shesaidcoldly:
“IcanassureyouInevertakecold.”
Poirotsaid:
“Ithasbeenawetday.Thewindblew,theraincamedown,andthemistwaseverywheresothatonecouldnotseethroughit.Ehbien,whatisitlikenow?Themistshaverolledaway,theskyisclearandupabovethestarsshine.Thatislikelife,Madame.”
Christinesaidinalowfiercevoice:
“DoyouknowwhatIammostsickofinthisplace?”
“What,Madame?”
“Pity.”
Shebroughtthewordoutliketheflickofawhip.
Shewenton:
“DoyouthinkIdon’tknow?ThatIcan’tsee?Allthetimepeoplearesaying:‘PoorMrs.Redfern—thatpoorlittlewoman.’AndanywayI’mnotlittle,I’mtall.Theysaylittlebecausetheyaresorryforme.AndIcan’tbearit!”
Cautiously,HerculePoirotspreadhishandkerchiefontheseatandsatdown.Hesaidthoughtfully:
“Thereissomethinginthat.”
“Thatwoman—”saidChristineandstopped.
Poirotsaidgravely:
“Willyouallowmetotellyousomething,Madame?Somethingthatisastrueasthestarsaboveus?TheArlenaStuarts—orArlenaMarshalls—ofthisworld—donotcount.”
ChristineRedfernsaid:
“Nonsense.”
“Iassureyou,itistrue.TheirEmpireisofthemomentandforthemoment.Tocount—reallyandtrulytocount—awomanmusthavegoodnessorbrains.”
Christinesaidscornfully:
“Doyouthinkmencareforgoodnessorbrains?”
Poirotsaidgravely:
“Fundamentally,yes.”
Christinelaughedshortly.
“Idon’tagreewithyou.”
Poirotsaid:
“Yourhusbandlovesyou,Madame.Iknowit.”
“Youcan’tknowit.”
“Yes,yes.Iknowit.Ihaveseenhimlookingatyou.”
Suddenlyshebrokedown.SheweptstormilyandbitterlyagainstPoirot’saccommodatingshoulder.
Shesaid:
“Ican’tbearit…Ican’tbearit….”
Poirotpattedherarm.Hesaidsoothingly:
“Patience—onlypatience.”
Shesatupandpressedherhandkerchieftohereyes.Shesaidinastifledvoice:
“It’sallright.I’mbetternow.Leaveme.I’d—I’dratherbealone.”
Heobeyedandlefthersittingtherewhilehehimselffollowedthewindingpathdowntothehotel.
Hewasnearlytherewhenheheardthemurmurofvoices.
Heturnedalittleasidefromthepath.Therewasagapinthebushes.
HesawArlenaMarshallandPatrickRedfernbesideher.Heheardtheman’svoice,withthethrobinitofemotion.
“I’mcrazyaboutyou—crazy—you’vedrivenmemad…Youdocarealittle—youdocare?”
HesawArlenaMarshall’sface—itwas,hethought,likeasleekhappycat—itwasanimal,nothuman.Shesaidsoftly:
“Ofcourse,Patrickdarling,Iadoreyou.Youknowthat….”
ForonceHerculePoirotcuthiseavesdroppingshort.Hewentbacktothepathandondowntothehotel.
Afigurejoinedhimsuddenly.ItwasCaptainMarshall.
Marshallsaid:
“Remarkablenight,what?Afterthatfoulday.”Helookedupatthesky.“Looksasthoughweshouldhavefineweathertomorrow.”
Four
Themorningofthe25thofAugustdawnedbrightandcloudless.Itwasamorningtotemptevenaninveteratesluggardtoriseearly.
SeveralpeopleroseearlythatmorningattheJollyRoger.
Itwaseighto’clockwhenLinda,sittingatherdressingtable,turnedalittlethickcalf-boundvolumefacedownwards,sprawlingitopenandlookedatherownfaceinthemirror.
Herlipsweresettighttogetherandthepupilsofhereyescontracted.
Shesaidbelowherbreath:
“I’lldoit….”
Sheslippedoutofherpyjamasandintoherbathingdress.Overitsheflungonabathrobeandlacedespadrillesonherfeet.
Shewentoutofherroomandalongthepassage.Attheendofitadoorontothebalconyledtoanoutsidestaircaseleadingdirectlydowntotherocksbelowthehotel.Therewasasmallironladderclampedontotherocksleadingdownintothewaterwhichwasusedbymanyofthehotelguestsforabefore-breakfastdipastakinguplesstimethangoingdowntothemainbathingbeach.
AsLindastarteddownfromthebalconyshemetherfathercomingup.Hesaid:
“You’reupearly.Goingtohaveadip?”
Lindanodded.
Theypassedeachother.
Insteadofgoingondowntherocks,however,Lindaskirtedroundthehoteltotheleftuntilshecametothepathdowntothecausewayconnectingthehotelwiththemainland.Thetidewashighandthecausewayunderwater,buttheboatthattookhotelguestsacrosswastiedtoalittlejetty.Themaninchargeofitwasabsentatthemoment.Lindagotin,untieditandrowedherselfacross.
Shetieduptheboatontheotherside,walkeduptheslope,pastthehotelgarageandalonguntilshereachedthegeneralshop.
Thewomanhadjusttakendowntheshuttersandwasengagedinsweepingoutthefloor.ShelookedamazedatthesightofLinda.
“Well,Miss,youareupearly.”
Lindaputherhandinthepocketofherbathwrapandbroughtoutsomemoney.Sheproceededtomakeherpurchases.
II
ChristineRedfernwasstandinginLinda’sroomwhenthegirlreturned.
“Oh,thereyouare,”Christineexclaimed.“Ithoughtyoucouldn’tbereallyupyet.”
Lindasaid:
“No,I’vebeenbathing.”
Noticingtheparcelinherhand,Christinesaidwithsurprise:
“Theposthascomeearlytoday.”
Lindaflushed.Withherhabitualnervousclumsinesstheparcelslippedfromherhand.Theflimsystringbrokeandsomeofthecontentsrolledoverthefloor
Christineexclaimed:
“Whathaveyoubeenbuyingcandlesfor?”
ButtoLinda’sreliefshedidnotwaitforananswer,butwenton,asshehelpedtopickthethingsupfromthefloor.
“IcameintoaskwhetheryouwouldliketocomewithmetoGullCovethismorning.Iwanttosketchthere.”
Lindaacceptedwithalacrity.
InthelastfewdaysshehadaccompaniedChristineRedfernmorethanonceonsketchingexpeditions.Christinewasamostindifferentartist,butitispossiblethatshefoundtheexcuseofpaintingahelptoherpridesinceherhusbandnowspentmostofhistimewithArlenaMarshall.
LindaMarshallhadbeenincreasinglymoroseandbadtempered.ShelikedbeingwithChristinewho,intentonherwork,spokeverylittle.Itwas,Lindafelt,nearlyasgoodasbeingbyoneself,andinacuriouswayshecravedforcompanyofsomekind.Therewasasubtlekindofsympathybetweenherandtheelderwoman,probablybasedonthefactoftheirmutualdislikeofthesameperson
Christinesaid:
“I’mplayingtennisattwelve,sowe’dbetterstartfairlyearly.Halfpastten?”
“Right.I’llbeready.Meetyouinthehall.”
III
RosamundDarnley,strollingoutofthediningroomafteraverylatebreakfast,wascannonedintobyLindaasthelattercametearingdownthestairs.
“Oh!sorry,MissDarnley.”
Rosamundsaid:“Lovelymorning,isn’tit?Onecanhardlybelieveitafteryesterday.”
“Iknow.I’mgoingwithMrs.RedferntoGullCove.IsaidI’dmeetherathalfpastten.IthoughtIwaslate.”
“No,it’sonlytwenty-fivepast.”
“Oh!good.”
ShewaspantingalittleandRosamundlookedathercuriously.
“You’renotfeverish,areyou,Linda?”
Thegirls’eyeswereverybrightandshehadavividpatchofcolourineachcheek.
“Oh!no.I’mneverfeverish.”
Rosamundsmiledandsaid:
“It’ssuchalovelydayIgotupforbreakfast.UsuallyIhaveitinbed.ButtodayIcamedownandfacedeggsandbaconlikeaman.”
“Iknow—it’sheavenlyafteryesterday.GullCoveisniceinthemorning.Ishallputalotofoilonandgetreallybrown.”
Rosamundsaid:
“Yes,GullCoveisniceinthemorning.Andit’smorepeacefulthanthebeachhere.”
Lindasaid,rathershyly:
“Cometoo.”
Rosamundshookherhead.
Shesaid:
“Notthismorning.I’veotherfishtofry.”
ChristineRedferncamedownthestairs.
Shewaswearingbeachpyjamasofaloosefloppypatternwithlongsleevesandwidelegs.Theyweremadeofsomegreenmaterialwithayellowdesign.Rosamund’stongueitchedtotellherthatyellowandgreenwerethemostunbecomingcolourspossibleforherfair,slightlyanaemiccomplexion.ItalwaysannoyedRosamundwhenpeoplehadnoclothessense.
Shethought:“IfIdressedthatgirl,I’dsoonmakeherhusbandsitupandtakenotice.HowevermuchofafoolArlenais,shedoesknowhowtodress.Thiswretchedgirllooksjustlikeawiltinglettuce.”
Aloudshesaid:
“Haveanicetime.I’mgoingtoSunnyLedgewithabook.”
IV
HerculePoirotbreakfastedinhisroomasusualoffcoffeeandrolls.
Thebeautyofthemorning,however,temptedhimtoleavethehotelearlierthanusual.Itwasteno’clock,atleasthalfanhourbeforehisusualappearance,whenhedescendedtothebathingbeach.Thebeachitselfwasemptysaveforoneperson.
ThatpersonwasArlenaMarshall.
Cladinherwhitebathingdress,thegreenChinesehatonherhead,shewastryingtolaunchawhitewoodenfloat.Poirotcamegallantlytotherescue,completelyimmersingapairofwhitesuèdeshoesindoingso.
Shethankedhimwithoneofthosesidewaysglancesofhers.
Justasshewaspushingoff,shecalledhim.
“M.Poirot?”
Poirotleapedtothewater’sedge.
“Madame.”
ArlenaMarshallsaid:
“Dosomethingforme,willyou?”
“Anything.”
Shesmiledathim.Shemurmured:
“Don’ttellanyonewhereIam.”Shemadeherglanceappealing.“Everyonewillfollowmeaboutso.Ijustwantforoncetobealone.”
Shepaddledoffvigorously.
Poirotwalkedupthebeach.Hemurmuredtohimself:
“Ah?a,jamais!That,parexemple,Idonotbelieve.”
HedoubtedifArlenaStuart,togiveherherstagename,hadeverwantedtobealoneinherlife.
HerculePoirot,thatmanoftheworld,knewbetter.ArlenaMarshallwasdoubtlesskeepingarendezvous,andPoirothadaverygoodideawithwhom.
Orthoughthehad,buttherehefoundhimselfprovedwrong.
Forjustasshefloatedroundedthepointofthebayanddisappearedoutofsight,PatrickRedferncloselyfollowedbyKennethMarshall,camestridingdownthebeachfromthehotel.
MarshallnoddedtoPoirot,“’Morning,Poirot.Seenmywifeanywhereabout?”
Poirot’sanswerwasdiplomatic.
“HasMadamethenrisensoearly?”
Marshallsaid:
“She’snotinherroom.”Helookedupatthesky.“Lovelyday.Ishallhaveabatherightaway.Gotalotoftypingtodothismorning.”
PatrickRedfern,lessopenly,waslookingupanddownthebeach.HesatdownnearPoirotandpreparedtowaitforthearrivalofhislady.
Poirotsaid:
“AndMadameRedfern?Hasshetoorisenearly?”
PatrickRedfernsaid:
“Christine?Oh,she’sgoingoffsketching.She’sratherkeenonartjustnow.”
Hespokeimpatiently,hismindclearlyelsewhere.AstimepassedhedisplayedhisimpatienceforArlena’sarrivalonlytoocrudely.Ateveryfootstepheturnedaneagerheadtoseewhoitwascomingdownfromthehotel.
Disappointmentfolloweddisappointment.
FirstMr.andMrs.GardenercompletewithknittingandbookandthenMissBrewsterarrived.
Mrs.Gardener,industriousasever,settledherselfinherchair,andbegantoknitvigorouslyandtalkatthesametime.
“Well.M.Poirot.Thebeachseemsverydesertedthismorning.Whereiseverybody?”
PoirotrepliedthattheMastermansandtheCowans,twofamilieswithyoungpeopleinthem,hadgoneoffonanall-daysailingexcursion.
“Whythatcertainlydoesmakeallthedifference,nothavingthemaboutlaughingandcallingout.Andonlyonepersonbathing,CaptainMarshall.”
Marshallhadjustfinishedhisswim.Hecameupthebeachswinginghistowel.
“Prettygoodintheseathismorning,”hesaid.“UnfortunatelyI’vegotalotofworktodo.Mustgoandgetonwithit.”
“Why,ifthatisn’ttoobad,CaptainMarshall.Onabeautifuldaylikethis,too.My,wasn’tyesterdaytooterrible?IsaidtoMr.Gardenerthatiftheweatherwasgoingtocontinuelikethatwe’djusthavetoleave.It’sthemelancholy,youknow,withthemistrightuparoundtheisland.Givesyouakindofghostlyfeeling,butthenI’vealwaysbeenverysusceptibletoatmosphereeversinceIwasachild.Sometimes,youknow,I’dfeelIjusthadtoscreamandscream.Andthat,ofcourse,wasverytryingtomyparents.Butmymotherwasalovelywomanandshesaidtomyfather,‘Sinclair,ifthechildfeelslikethat,wemustletherdoit.Screamingisherwayofexpressingherself.’Andofcourse,myfatheragreed.Hewasdevotedtomymotherandjustdideverythingshesaid.Theywereaperfectlylovelycouple,asI’msureMr.Gardenerwillagree.Theywereaveryremarkablecouple,weren’tthey,Odell?”
“Yes,darling,”saidMr.Gardener.
“Andwhere’syourgirlthismorning,CaptainMarshall?”
“Linda?Idon’tknow.Iexpectshe’smooningroundtheislandsomewhere.”
“Youknow,CaptainMarshall,thatgirllookskindofpeakytome.Sheneedsfeedingupandveryverysympathetictreatment.”
KennethMarshallsaidcurtly:
“Linda’sallright.”
Hewentuptothehotel.
PatrickRedferndidnotgointothewater.Hesatabout,franklylookinguptowardsthehotel.Hewasbeginningtolookashadesulky.
MissBrewsterwasbriskandcheerfulwhenshearrived.
Theconversationwasmuchasithadbeenonapreviousmorning.GentleyappingfromMrs.GardenerandshortstaccatobarksfromMissBrewster.
Sheremarkedatlast:“Beachseemsabitempty.Everyoneoffonexcursions?”
Mrs.Gardenersaid:
“IwassayingtoMr.GardeneronlythismorningthatwesimplymustmakeanexcursiontoDartmoor.It’squitenearandtheassociationsareallsoromantic.AndI’dliketoseethatconvictprison—Princetown,isn’tit?Ithinkwe’dbetterfixuprightawayandgotheretomorrow,Odell.”
Mr.Gardenersaid:
“Yes,darling.”
HerculePoirotsaidtoMissBrewster.
“Youaregoingtobathe,Mademoiselle?”
“OhI’vehadmymorningdipbeforebreakfast.Somebodynearlybrainedmewithabottle,too.Chuckeditoutofoneofthehotelwindows.”
“Nowthat’saverydangerousthingtodo,”saidMrs.Gardener.“Ihadaverydearfriendwhogotconcussionbyatoothpastetinfallingonhiminthestreet—thrownoutofathirty-fifthstoreywindowitwas.Amostdangerousthingtodo.Hegotverysubstantialdamages.”Shebegantohuntamongherskeinsofwool.“Why,Odell,Idon’tbelieveI’vegotthatsecondshadeofpurplewool.It’sintheseconddrawerofthebureauinourbedroomoritmightbethethird.”
“Yes,darling.”
Mr.Gardenerroseobedientlyanddepartedonhissearch.
Mrs.Gardenerwenton:
“Sometimes,youknow,Idothinkthatmaybewe’regoingalittletoofarnowadays.Whatwithallourgreatdiscoveriesandalltheelectricalwavestheremustbeintheatmosphere,Idothinkitleadstoagreatdealofmentalunrest,andIjustfeelthatmaybethetimehascomeforanewmessagetohumanity.Idon’tknow,M.Poirot,ifyou’veeverinterestedyourselfinthepropheciesfromthePyramids.”
“Ihavenot,”saidPoirot.
“Well,Idoassureyouthatthey’revery,veryinteresting.WhatwithMoscowbeingexactlyathousandmilesduenorthof—nowwhatwasit?—woulditbeNineveh?—butanywayyoutakeacircleanditjustshowsthemostsurprisingthings—andonecanjustseethattheremusthavebeenspecialguidance,andthatthoseancientEgyptianscouldn’thavethoughtofwhattheydidallbythemselves.Andwhenyou’vegoneintothetheoryofthenumbersandtheirrepetition,whyit’salljustsoclearthatIcan’tseehowanyonecandoubtthetruthofitforamoment.”
Mrs.GardenerpausedtriumphantlybutneitherPoirotnorMissEmilyBrewsterfeltmovedtoarguethepoint.
Poirotstudiedhiswhitesuèdeshoesruefully.
EmilyBrewstersaid:
“Youbeenpaddlingwithyourshoeson,M.Poirot?”
Poirotmurmured:
“Alas!Iwasprecipitate.”
EmilyBrewsterloweredhervoice.Shesaid:
“Where’sourvampthismorning?She’slate.”
Mrs.Gardener,raisinghereyesfromherknittingtostudyPatrickRedfern,murmured:
“Helooksjustlikeathundercloud.Ohdear,Idofeelthewholethingissuchapity.IwonderwhatCaptainMarshallthinksaboutitall.He’ssuchanicequietman—veryBritishandunassuming.Youjustneverknowwhathe’sthinkingaboutthings.”
PatrickRedfernroseandbegantopaceupanddownthebeach.
Mrs.Gardenermurmured:
“Justlikeatiger.”
Threepairsofeyeswatchedhispacing.TheirscrutinyseemedtomakePatrickRedfernuncomfortable.Helookedmorethansulkynow.Helookedinaflamingtemper.
Inthestillnessafaintchimefromthemainlandcametotheirears.
EmilyBrewstermurmured:
“Wind’sfromtheeastagain.That’sagoodsignwhenyoucanhearthechurchclockstrike.”
NobodysaidanymoreuntilMr.Gardenerreturnedwithaskeinofbrilliantmagentawool.
“Why,Odell,whatalongtimeyouhavebeen?”
“Sorrydarling,butyouseeitwasn’tinyourbureauatall.Ifounditonyourwardrobeshelf.”
“Why,isn’tthattooextraordinary?IcouldhavedeclaredIputitinthatbureaudrawer.Idothinkit’sfortunatethatI’veneverhadtogiveevidenceinacourtcase.I’djustworrymyselftodeathincaseIwasn’trememberingathingjustright.”
Mr.Gardenersaid:
“Mrs.Gardenerisveryconscientious.”
V
ItwassomefiveminuteslaterthatPatrickRedfernsaid:
“Goingforyourrowthismorning,MissBrewster?MindifIcomewithyou?”
MissBrewstersaidheartily:
“Delighted.”
“Let’srowrightroundtheisland,”proposedRedfern.
MissBrewsterconsultedherwatch.
“Shallwehavetime?Ohyes,it’snothalfpastelevenyet.Comeon,then,let’sstart.”
Theywentdownthebeachtogether.
PatrickRedferntookfirstturnattheoars.Herowedwithapowerfulstroke.Theboatleaptforward.
EmilyBrewstersaidapprovingly:
“Good.We’llseeifyoucankeepthatup.”
Helaughedintohereyes.Hisspiritshadimproved.
“Ishallprobablyhaveafinecropofblistersbythetimewegetback.”Hethrewuphishead,tossingbackhisblackhair.“God,it’samarvellousday!Ifyoudogetarealsummer’sdayinEnglandthere’snothingtobeatit.”
EmilyBrewstersaidgruffly:
“Can’tbeatEnglandanywayinmyopinion.Onlyplaceintheworldtolivein.”
“I’mwithyou.”
Theyroundedthepointofthebaytothewestandrowedunderthecliffs.PatrickRedfernlookedup.
“AnyoneonSunnyLedgethismorning?Yes,there’sasunshade.Whoisit,Iwonder?”
EmilyBrewstersaid:
“It’sMissDarnley,Ithink.She’sgotoneofthoseJapaneseaffairs.”
Theyrowedupthecoast.Ontheirleftwastheopensea.
EmilyBrewstersaid:
“Weoughttohavegonetheotherwayround.Thiswaywe’vegotthecurrentagainstus.”
“There’sverylittlecurrent.I’veswumouthereandnotnoticedit.Anywaywecouldn’tgotheotherway,thecausewaywouldn’tbecovered.”
“Dependsonthetide,ofcourse.ButtheyalwayssaythatbathingfromPixyCoveisdangerousifyouswimouttoofar.”
Patrickwasrowingvigorouslystill.Atthesametimehewasscanningthecliffsattentively.
EmilyBrewsterthoughtsuddenly:
“He’slookingfortheMarshallwoman.That’swhyhewantedtocomewithme.Shehasn’tshownupthismorningandhe’swonderingwhatshe’supto.Probablyshe’sdoneitonpurpose.Justamoveinthegame—tomakehimkeener.”
TheyroundedthejuttingpointofrocktothesouthofthelittlebaynamedPixy’sCove.Itwasquiteasmallcove,withrocksdottedfantasticallyaboutthebeach.Itfacednearlynorthwestandthecliffoverhungitagooddeal.Itwasafavouriteplaceforpicnicteas.Inthemorning,whenthesunwasoff,itwasnotpopularandtherewasseldomanyonethere.
Onthisoccasion,however,therewasafigureonthebeach.
PatrickRedfern’sstrokecheckedandrecovered.
Hesaidinawould-becasualtone:
“Hullo,who’sthat?”
MissBrewstersaiddryly:
“ItlookslikeMrs.Marshall.”
PatrickRedfernsaid,asthoughstruckbytheidea.
“Soitdoes.”
Healteredhiscourse,rowinginshore.
EmilyBrewsterprotested.
“Wedon’twanttolandhere,dowe?”
PatrickRedfernsaidquickly:
“Oh,plentyoftime.”
Hiseyeslookedintohers—somethinginthem,ana?vepleadinglookratherlikethatofanimportunatedog,silencedEmilyBrewster.Shethoughttoherself:
“Poorboy,he’sgotitbadly.Ohwell,itcan’tbehelped.He’llgetoveritintime.”
Theboatwasfastapproachingthebeach
ArlenaMarshallwaslyingfacedownwardsontheshingle,herarmsoutstretched.Thewhitefloatwasdrawnupnearby.
SomethingwaspuzzlingEmilyBrewster.Itwasasthoughshewaslookingatsomethingsheknewquitewellbutwhichwasinonerespectquitewrong.
Itwasaminuteortwobeforeitcametoher.
ArlenaMarshall’sattitudewastheattitudeofasunbather.Sohadshelainmanyatimeonthebeachbythehotel,herbronzedbodyoutstretchedandthegreencardboardhatprotectingherheadandneck.
ButtherewasnosunonPixy’sBeachandtherewouldbenoneforsomehoursyet.Theoverhangingcliffprotectedthebeachfromthesuninthemorning.AvaguefeelingofapprehensioncameoverEmilyBrewster.
Theboatgroundedontheshingle.PatrickRedferncalled:
“Hullo,Arlena.”
AndthenEmilyBrewster’sforebodingtookdefiniteshape.Fortherecumbentfiguredidnotmoveoranswer.
EmilysawPatrickRedfern’sfacechange.Hejumpedoutoftheboatandshefollowedhim.Theydraggedtheboatashorethensetoffupthebeachtowherethatwhitefigurelaysostillandunresponsivenearthebottomofthecliff.
PatrickRedferngottherefirstbutEmilyBrewsterwasclosebehindhim.
Shesaw,asoneseesinadream,thebronzedlimbs,thewhitebacklessbathingdress—theredcurlofhairescapingunderthejadegreenhat—sawsomethingelsetoo—thecuriousunnaturalangleoftheoutspreadarms.Felt,inthatminute,thatthisbodyhadnotlaindownbuthadbeenthrown….
SheheardPatrick’svoice—amerefrightenedwhisper.Hekneltdownbesidethatstillform—touchedthehand—thearm….
Hesaidinalowshudderingwhisper:
“MyGod,she’sdead….”
Andthen,asheliftedthehatalittle,peeredattheneck:
“Oh,God,she’sbeenstrangled…murdered.”
VI
Itwasoneofthosemomentswhentimestandsstill.
WithanoddfeelingofunrealityEmilyBrewsterheardherselfsaying:
“Wemusn’ttouchanything…Notuntilthepolicecome.”
Redfern’sanswercamemechanically.
“No—no—ofcoursenot.”Andtheninadeepagonizedwhisper.“Who?Who?WhocouldhavedonethattoArlena.Shecan’thave—havebeenmurdered.Itcan’tbetrue!”
EmilyBrewstershookherhead,notknowingquitewhattoanswer.
Sheheardhimdrawinhisbreath—heardthelowcontrolledrageinhisvoiceashesaid:
“MyGod,ifIgetmyhandsonthefoulfiendwhodidthis.”
EmilyBrewstershivered.Herimaginationpicturedalurkingmurdererbehindoneoftheboulders.Thensheheardhervoicesaying:
“Whoeverdiditwouldn’tbehangingabout.Wemustgetthepolice.Perhaps—”shehesitated—“oneofusoughttostaywith—withthebody.”
PatrickRedfernsaid:
“I’llstay.”
EmilyBrewsterdrewalittlesighofrelief.Shewasnotthekindofwomanwhowouldeveradmittofeelingfear,butshewassecretlythankfulnottohavetoremainonthatbeachalonewiththefaintpossibilityofahomicidalmaniaclingeringcloseathand.
Shesaid:
“Good.I’llbeasquickasIcan.I’llgointheboat.Can’tfacethatladder.There’saconstableatLeathercombeBay.”
PatrickRedfernmurmuredmechanically:
“Yes—yes,whateveryouthinkbest.”
Assherowedvigorouslyawayfromtheshore,EmilyBrewstersawPatrickdropdownbesidethedeadwomanandburyhisheadinhishands.Therewassomethingsoforlornabouthisattitudethatshefeltanunwillingsympathy.Helookedlikeadogwatchingbyitsdeadmaster.Neverthelessherrobustcommonsensewassayingtoher:
“Bestthingthatcouldhavehappenedforhimandhiswife—andforMarshallandthechild—butIdon’tsupposehecanseeitthatway,poordevil.”
EmilyBrewsterwasawomanwhocouldalwaysrisetoanemergency.
Five
InspectorColgatestoodbackbythecliffwaitingforthepolice-surgeontofinishwithArlena’sbody.PatrickRedfernandEmilyBrewsterstoodalittletooneside.
Dr.Neasdenrosefromhiskneeswithaquickdeftmovement.
Hesaid:
“Strangled—andbyaprettypowerfulpairofhands.Shedoesn’tseemtohaveputupmuchofastruggle.Takenbysurprise.H’m—well—nastybusiness.”
EmilyBrewsterhadtakenonelookandthenquicklyavertedhereyesfromthedeadwoman’sface.Thathorriblepurpleconvulsedcountenance.
InspectorColgateasked:
“Whatabouttimeofdeath?”
Neasdensaidirritably:
“Can’tsaydefinitelywithoutknowingmoreabouther.Lotsoffactorstotakeintoaccount.Let’ssee,it’squartertoonenow.Whattimewasitwhenyoufoundher?”
PatrickRedfern,towhomthequestionwasaddressed,saidvaguely:
“Sometimebeforetwelve.Idon’tknowexactly.”
EmilyBrewstersaid:
“Itwasexactlyaquartertotwelvewhenwefoundshewasdead.”
“Ah,andyoucamehereintheboat.Whattimewasitwhenyoucaughtsightofherlyinghere?”
EmilyBrewsterconsidered.
“Ishouldsayweroundedthepointaboutfiveorsixminutesearlier.”SheturnedtoRedfern.“Doyouagree?”
Hesaidvaguely:
“Yes—yes—aboutthat,Ishouldthink.”
NeasdenaskedtheInspectorinalowvoice:
“Thisthehusband?Oh!Isee,mymistake.Thoughtitmightbe.Heseemsratherdoneinoverit.”
Heraisedhisvoiceofficially.
“Let’sputitattwentyminutestotwelve.Shecannothavebeenkilledverylongbeforethat.Saybetweenthenandeleven—quartertoelevenattheearliestoutsidelimit.”
TheInspectorshuthisnotebookwithasnap.
“Thanks,”hesaid.“Thatoughttohelpusconsiderably.Putsitwithinverynarrowlimits—lessthananhouralltold.”
HeturnedtoMissBrewster.
“Nowthen,Ithinkit’sallclearsofar.You’reMissEmilyBrewsterandthisisMr.PatrickRedfern,bothstayingattheJollyRogerHotel.Youidentifythisladyasafellowguestofyoursatthehotel—thewifeofaCaptainMarshall?”
EmilyBrewsternodded.
“Then,Ithink,”saidInspectorColgate,“thatwe’lladjourntothehotel.”
Hebeckonedtoaconstable.
“Hawkes,youstayhereanddon’tallowanyoneontothiscove.I’llbesendingPhillipsalonglater.”
II
“Uponmysoul!”saidColonelWeston.“Thisisasurprisefindingyouhere!”
HerculePoirotrepliedtotheChiefConstable’sgreetinginasuitablemanner.Hemurmured:
“Ah,yes,manyyearshavepassedsincethataffairatSt.Loo.”
“Ihaven’tforgottenit,though,”saidWeston.“Biggestsurpriseofmylife.ThethingI’venevergotover,though,isthewayyougotroundmeaboutthatfuneralbusiness.Absolutelyunorthodox,thewholething.Fantastic!”
“Toutdemême,monColonel,”saidPoirot.“Itproducedthegoods,diditnot?”
“Er—well,possibly.Idaresayweshouldhavegottherebymoreorthodoxmethods.”
“Itispossible,”agreedPoirotdiplomatically.
“Andhereyouareinthethickofanothermurder,”saidtheChiefConstable.“Anyideasaboutthisone?”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“Nothingdefinite—butitisinteresting.”
“Goingtogiveusahand?”
“Youwouldpermitit,yes?”
“Mydearfellow,delightedtohaveyou.Don’tknowenoughyettodecidewhetherit’sacaseforScotlandYardornot.Offhanditlooksasthoughourmurderermustbeprettywellwithinalimitedradius.Ontheotherhand,allthesepeoplearestrangersdownhere.Tofindoutaboutthemandtheirmotivesyou’vegottogotoLondon.”
Poirotsaid:
“Yes,thatistrue.”
“Firstofall,”saidWeston,“we’vegottofindoutwholastsawthedeadwomanalive.Chambermaidtookherherbreakfastatnine.Girlinthebureaudownstairssawherpassthroughtheloungeandgooutaboutten.”
“Myfriend,”saidPoirot,“IsuspectthatIamthemanyouwant.”
“Yousawherthismorning?Whattime?”
“Atfiveminutespastten.Iassistedhertolaunchherfloatfromthebathingbeach.”
“Andshewentoffonit?”
“Yes.”
“Alone?”
“Yes.”
“Didyouseewhichdirectionshetook?”
“Shepaddledroundthatpointtheretotheright.”
“InthedirectionofPixy’sCove,thatis?”
“Yes.”
“Andthetimethenwas—?”
“Ishouldsaysheactuallyleftthebeachataquarterpastten.”
Westonconsidered.
“Thatfitsinwellenough.HowlongshouldyousaythatitwouldtakehertopaddleroundtotheCove?”
“Ahme,Iamnotanexpert.Idonotgoinboatsorexposemyselfonfloats.Perhapshalfanhour?”
“That’saboutwhatIthink,”saidtheColonel.“Shewouldn’tbehurrying,Ipresume.Well,ifshearrivedthereataquartertoeleven,thatfitsinwellenough.”
“Atwhattimedoesyourdoctorsuggestshedied?”
“Oh,Neasdendoesn’tcommithimself.He’sacautiouschap.Aquartertoelevenishisearliestoutsidelimit.”
Poirotnodded.Hesaid:
“ThereisoneotherpointthatImustmention.Assheleft,Mrs.MarshallaskedmenottosayIhadseenher.”
Westonstared.
Hesaid:
“H’m,that’srathersuggestive,isn’tit?”
Poirotmurmured.
“Yes.Ithoughtsomyself.”
Westontuggedathismoustache.Hesaid:
“Lookhere,Poirot.You’reamanoftheworld.WhatsortofawomanwasMrs.Marshall?”
AfaintsmilecametoPoirot’slips.
Heasked:
“Haveyounotalreadyheard?”
TheChiefConstablesaiddryly:
“Iknowwhatthewomensayofher.Theywould.Howmuchtruthisthereinit?WasshehavinganaffairwiththisfellowRedfern?”
“Ishouldsayundoubtedlyyes.”
“Hefollowedherdownhere,eh?”
“Thereisreasontosupposeso.”
“Andthehusband?Didheknowaboutit?Whatdidhefeel?”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“ItisnoteasytoknowwhatCaptainMarshallfeelsorthinks.Heisamanwhodoesnotdisplayhisemotions.”
Westonsaidsharply:
“Buthemighthave’em,allthesame.”
Poirotnodded.Hesaid:
“Ohyes,hemighthavethem.”
III
TheChiefConstablewasbeingastactfulasitwasinhisnaturetobewithMrs.Castle.
Mrs.CastlewastheownerandproprietressoftheJollyRogerHotel.Shewasawomanoffortyoddwithalargebust,ratherviolenthennaredhair,andanalmostoffensivelyrefinedmannerofspeech.
Shewassaying:
“Thatsuchathingshouldhappeninmyhotel!Ayamsureithasalwaysbeenthequayettestplaceimaginable!Thepeoplewhocomeherearesuchnaicepeople.Norowdiness—ifyouknowwhataymean.NotlikethebighotelsinSt.Loo.”
“Quiteso,Mrs.Castle,”saidColonelWeston.“Butaccidentshappeninthebestregulated—erhouseholds.”
“Ay’msureInspectorColgatewillbearmeout,”saidMrs.Castle,sendinganappealingglancetowardstheInspectorwhowassittinglookingveryofficial.“Astothelaycensinglaws,ayammostparticular.Therehasneverbeenanyirregularity!”
“Quite,quite,”saidWeston.“We’renotblamingyouinanyway,Mrs.Castle.”
“Butitdoessoreflectuponanestablishment,”saidMrs.Castle,herlargebustheaving.“Whenaythinkofthenoisygapingcrowds.Ofcoursenoonebuthotelguestsareallowedupontheisland—butallthesametheywillnodoubtcomeandpointfromtheshore.”
Sheshuddered.
InspectorColgatesawhischancetoturntheconversationtogoodaccount.
Hesaid:
“Inregardtothatpointyou’vejustraised.Accesstotheisland.Howdoyoukeeppeopleoff?”
“Ayammostparticularaboutit.”
“Yes,butwhatmeasuresdoyoutake?Whatkeeps’emoff?Holidaycrowdsinsummertimeswarmeverywherelikeflies.”
Mrs.Castleshruggedslightlyagain.
Shesaid:
“Thatisthefaultofthecharabancs.AyhaveseeneighteenatonetimeparkedbythequayatLeathercombeBay.Eighteen!”
“Justso.Howdoyoustopthemcominghere?”
“Therearenotices.Andthen,ofcourse,athightide,wearecutoff.”
“Yes,butatlowtide?”
Mrs.Castleexplained.Attheislandendofthecausewaytherewasagate.Thissaid“JollyRogerHotel.Private.NoentryexcepttoHotel.”Therocksrosesheeroutoftheseaoneithersidethereandcouldnotbeclimbed.
“Anyonecouldtakeaboat,though,Isuppose,androwroundandlandononeofthecoves?Youcouldn’tstopthemdoingthat.There’sarightofaccesstotheforeshore.Youcan’tstoppeoplebeingonthebeachbetweenlowandhighwatermark.”
Butthis,itseemed,veryseldomhappened.BoatscouldbeobtainedatLeathercombeBayharbour,butfromthereitwasalongrowtotheisland,andtherewasalsoastrongcurrentjustoutsideLeathercombeBayharbour.
Therewerenotices,too,onbothGullCoveandPixyCovebytheladder.SheaddedthatGeorgeorWilliamwerealwaysonthelookoutatthebathingbeachproperwhichwasthenearesttothemainland.
“WhoareGeorgeandWilliam?”
“Georgeattendstothebathingbeach.Heseestothecostumesandthefloats.Williamisthegardener.Hekeepsthepathsandmarksthetenniscourtsandallthat.”
ColonelWestonsaidimpatiently:
“Well,thatseemsclearenough.That’snottosaythatnobodycouldhavecomefromoutside,butanyonewhodidsotookarisk—theriskofbeingnoticed.We’llhaveawordwithGeorgeandWilliampresently.”
Mrs.Castlesaid:
“Aydonotcarefortrippers—averynoisycrowd,andtheyfrequentlyleaveorangepeelandcigaretteboxesonthecausewayanddownbytherocks,butallthesameayneverthoughtoneofthemwouldturnouttobeamurderer.Ohdear!itreallyistooterribleforwords.AladylikeMrs.Marshallmurderedandwhat’ssohorrible,actually—er—strangled….”
Mrs.Castlecouldhardlybringherselftosaytheword.Shebroughtitoutwiththeutmostreluctance.
InspectorColgatesaidsoothingly:
“Yes,it’sanastybusiness.”
“Andthenewspapers.Myhotelinthenewspapers!”
Colgatesaid,withafaintgrin.
“Ohwell,it’sadvertisement,inaway.”
Mrs.Castledrewherselfup.Herbustheavedandwhalebonecreaked.Shesaidicily:
“Thatisnotthekindofadvertisementaycareabout,Mr.Colgate.”
ColonelWestonbrokein.Hesaid:
“Nowthen,Mrs.Castle,you’vegotalistoftheguestsstayinghere,asIaskedyou?”
“Yes,sir.”
ColonelWestonporedoverthehotelregister.HelookedovertoPoirotwhomadethefourthmemberofthegroupassembledinthemanageress’soffice.
“Thisiswhereyou’llprobablybeabletohelpuspresently.”
Hereaddownthenames.
“Whataboutservants?”
Mrs.Castleproducedasecondlist.
“Therearefourchambermaids,theheadwaiterandthreeunderhimandHenryinthebar.Williamdoesthebootsandshoes.Thenthere’sthecookandtwounderher.”
“Whataboutthewaiters?”
“Well,sir,Albert,theMaterDotel,cametomefromtheVincentatPlymouth.Hewasthereforsomeyears.Thethreeunderhimhavebeenhereforthreeyears—oneofthemfour.Theyareverynaiseladsandmostrespectable.Henryhasbeenheresincethehotelopened.Heisquiteaninstitution.”
Westonnodded.HesaidtoColgate:
“Seemsallright.You’llcheckuponthem,ofcourse.Thankyou,Mrs.Castle.”
“Thatwillbeallyourequire?”
“Forthemoment,yes.”
Mrs.Castlecreakedoutoftheroom.
Westonsaid:
“FirstthingtodoistotalkwithCaptainMarshall.
IV
KennethMarshallsatquietlyansweringthequestionsputtohim.Apartfromaslighthardeningofhisfeatureshewasquitecalm.Seenhere,withthesunlightfallingonhimfromthewindow,yourealizedthathewasahandsomeman.Thosestraightfeatures,thesteadyblueeyes,thefirmmouth.Hisvoicewaslowandpleasant.
ColonelWestonwassaying:
“Iquiteunderstand,CaptainMarshall,whataterribleshockthismustbetoyou.ButyourealizethatIamanxioustogetthefullestinformationassoonaspossible.”
Marshallnodded.
Hesaid:
“Iquiteunderstand.Carryon.”
“Mrs.Marshallwasyoursecondwife?”
“Yes.”
“Andyouhavebeenmarriedhowlong?”
“Justoverfouryears.”
“Andhernamebeforeshewasmarried?”
“HelenStuart.HeractingnamewasArlenaStuart.”
“Shewasanactress?”
“SheappearedinRevueandmusicalshows.”
“Didshegiveupthestageonhermarriage?”
“No.Shecontinuedtoappear.Sheactuallyretiredonlyaboutayearandahalfago.”
“Wasthereanyspecialreasonforherretirement?”
KennethMarshallappearedtoconsider.
“No,”hesaid.“Shesimplysaidthatshewastiredofitall.”
“Itwasnot—er—inobediencetoyourspecialwish?”
Marshallraisedhiseyebrows.
“Oh,no.”
“Youwerequitecontentforhertocontinueactingafteryourmarriage?”
Marshallsmiledveryfaintly.
“Ishouldhavepreferredhertogiveitup—that,yes.ButImadenofussaboutit.”
“Itcausednopointofdissensionbetweenyou?”
“Certainlynot.Mywifewasfreetopleaseherself.”
“And—themarriagewasahappyone?”
“KennethMarshallsaidcoldly:
“Certainly.”
ColonelWestonpausedaminute.Thenhesaid:
“CaptainMarshall,haveyouanyideawhocouldpossiblyhavekilledyourwife?”
Theanswercamewithouttheleasthesitation.
“Nonewhatever.”
“Hadsheanyenemies?”
“Possibly.”
“Ah?”
Theotherwentonquickly.Hesaid:
“Don’tmisunderstandme,sir.Mywifewasanactress.Shewasalsoaverygood-lookingwoman.Inbothcapacitiesshearousedacertainamountofjealousyandenvy.Therewerefussesoverparts—therewasrivalryfromotherwomen—therewasagooddeal,shallwesay,ofgeneralenvy,hatred,malice,andalluncharitableness!Butthatisnottosaythattherewasanyonewhowascapableofdeliberatelymurderingher.”
HerculePoirotspokeforthefirsttime.Hesaid:
“Whatyoureallymean,Monsieur,isthatherenemiesweremostlyorentirely,women?”
KennethMarshalllookedacrossathim.
“Yes,”hesaid.“Thatisso.”
TheChiefConstablesaid:
“Youknowofnomanwhohadagrudgeagainsther?”
“No.”
“Wasshepreviouslyacquaintedwithanyoneinthishotel?”
“IbelieveshehadmetMr.Redfernbefore—atsomecocktailparty.Nobodyelsetomyknowledge.”
Westonpaused.Heseemedtodeliberateastowhethertopursuethesubject.Thenhedecidedagainstthatcourse.Hesaid:
“Wenowcometothismorning.Whenwasthelasttimeyousawyourwife?”
Marshallpausedaminute,thenhesaid:
“Ilookedinonmywaydowntobreakfast—”
“Excuseme,youoccupiedseparaterooms?”
“Yes.”
“Andwhattimewasthat?”
“Itmusthavebeenaboutnineo’clock.”
“Whatwasshedoing?”
“Shewasopeningherletters.”
“Didshesayanything?”
“Nothingofanyparticularinterest.Justgoodmorning—andthatitwasaniceday—thatsortofthing.”
“Whatwashermanner?Unusualatall?”
“No,perfectlynormal.”
“Shedidnotseemexcited,ordepressed,orupsetinanyway?”
“Icertainlydidn’tnoticeit.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Didshementionatallwhatwerethecontentsofherletters?”
AgainafaintsmileappearedonMarshall’slips.Hesaid:
“AsfarasIcanremember,shesaidtheywereallbills.”
“Yourwifebreakfastedinbed?”
“Yes.”
“Didshealwaysdothat?”
“Invariably.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Whattimedidsheusuallycomedownstairs?”
“Oh!betweentenandeleven—usuallynearereleven.”
Poirotwenton:
“Ifshewastodescendatteno’clockexactly,thatwouldberathersurprising?”
“Yes.Shewasn’toftendownasearlyasthat.”
“Butshewasthismorning.Whydoyouthinkthatwas,CaptainMarshall?”
Marshallsaidunemotionally:
“Haven’ttheleastidea.Mighthavebeentheweather—extrafinedayandallthat.”
“Youmissedher?”
KennethMarshallshiftedalittleinhischair.Hesaid:
“Lookedinonheragainafterbreakfast.Roomwasempty.Iwasabitsurprised.”
“AndthenyoucamedownonthebeachandaskedmeifIhadseenher?”
“Er—yes.”Headdedwithafaintemphasisinhisvoice.“Andyousaidyouhadn’t….”
TheinnocenteyesofHerculePoirotdidnotfalter.Gentlyhecaressedhislargeandflamboyantmoustache.
Westonasked:
“Hadyouanyspecialreasonforwantingtofindyourwifethismorning?”
MarshallshiftedhisglanceamiablytotheChiefConstable.
Hesaid:
“No,justwonderedwhereshewas,that’sall.”
Westonpaused.Hemovedhischairslightly.Hisvoicefellintoadifferentkey.Hesaid:
“Justnow,CaptainMarshall,youmentionedthatyourwifehadapreviousacquaintancewithMr.PatrickRedfern.HowwelldidyourwifeknowMr.Redfern?”
KennethMarshallsaid:
“MindifIsmoke?”Hefeltthroughhispockets.“Dash!I’vemislaidmypipesomewhere.”
Poirotofferedhimacigarettewhichheaccepted.Lightingit,hesaid:
“YouwereaskingaboutRedfern.Mywifetoldmeshehadcomeacrosshimatsomecocktailpartyorother.”
“Hewas,then,justacasualacquaintance?”
“Ibelieveso.”
“Sincethen—”theChiefConstablepaused.“Iunderstandthatthatacquaintanceshiphasripenedintosomethingrathercloser.”
Marshallsaidsharply:
“Youunderstandthat,doyou?Whotoldyouso?”
“Itisthecommongossipofthehotel.”
ForamomentMarshall’seyeswenttoHerculePoirot.Theydweltonhimwithakindofcoldanger.Hesaid:
“Hotelgossipisusuallyatissueoflies!”
“Possibly.ButIgatherthatMr.Redfernandyourwifegavesomegroundsforthegossip.”
“Whatgrounds?”
“Theywereconstantlyineachother’scompany.”
“Isthatall?”
“Youdonotdenythatthatwasso?”
“Mayhavebeen.Ireallydidn’tnotice.”
“Youdidnot—excuseme,CaptainMarshall—objecttoyourwife’sfriendshipwithMr.Redfern?”
“Iwasn’tinthehabitofcriticizingmywife’sconduct.”
“Youdidnotprotestorobjectinanyway?”
“Certainlynot.”
“NoteventhoughitwasbecomingasubjectofscandalandanestrangementwasgrowingupbetweenMr.Redfernandhiswife?”
KennethMarshallsaidcoldly:
“ImindmyownbusinessandIexpectotherpeopletomindtheirs.Idon’tlistentogossipandtittle-tattle.”
“Youwon’tdenythatMr.Redfernadmiredyourwife?”
“Heprobablydid.Mostmendid.Shewasaverybeautifulwoman.”
“Butyouyourselfwerepersuadedthattherewasnothingseriousintheaffair?”
“Ineverthoughtaboutit,Itellyou.”
“Andsupposewehaveawitnesswhocantestifythattheywereontermsofthegreatestintimacy?”
AgainthoseblueeyeswenttoHerculePoirot.Againanexpressionofdislikeshowedonthatusuallyimpassiveface.
Marshallsaid:
“Ifyouwanttolistentothesetales,listento’em.Mywife’sdeadandcan’tdefendherself.”
“Youmeanthatyou,personally,don’tbelievethem?”
ForthefirsttimeafaintdewofsweatwasobservableonMarshall’sbrow.Hesaid:
“Idon’tproposetobelieveanythingofthekind.”
Hewenton:
“Aren’tyougettingagoodwayfromtheessentialsofthisbusiness?WhatIbelieveordon’tbelieveissurelynotrelevanttotheplainfactofmurder?”
HerculePoirotansweredbeforeeitheroftheotherscouldspeak.Hesaid:
“Youdonotcomprehend,CaptainMarshall.Thereisnosuchthingasaplainfactofmurder.Murdersprings,ninetimesoutoften,outofthecharacterandcircumstancesofthemurderedperson.Becausethevictimwasthekindofpersonheorshewas,thereforewasheorshemurdered!UntilwecanunderstandfullyandcompletelyexactlywhatkindofapersonArlenaMarshallwas,weshallnotbeabletoseeclearlyexactlythekindofpersonwhomurderedher.Fromthatspringsthenecessityofourquestions.”
MarshallturnedtotheChiefConstable.Hesaid:
“Thatyourview,too?”
Westonboggledalittle.Hesaid:
“Well,uptoapoint—thatistosay—”
Marshallgaveashortlaugh.Hesaid:
“Thoughtyouwouldn’tagree.ThischaracterstuffisM.Poirot’sspecialty,Ibelieve.”
Poirotsaid,smiling:
“Youcanatleastcongratulateyourselfonhavingdonenothingtoassistme!”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Whathaveyoutoldusaboutyourwife?Exactlynothingatall.Youhavetoldusonlywhateveryonecouldseeforthemselves.Thatshewasbeautifulandadmired.Nothingmore.”
KennethMarshallshruggedhisshoulders.Hesaidsimply:
“You’recrazy.”
HelookedtowardstheChiefConstableandsaidwithemphasis:
“Anythingelse,sir,thatyou’dlikemetotellyou?”
“Yes,CaptainMarshall,yourownmovementsthismorning,please.”
KennethMarshallnodded.Hehadclearlyexpectedthis.
Hesaid:
“Ibreakfasteddownstairsaboutnineo’clockasusualandreadthepaper.AsItoldyouIwentuptomywife’sroomafterwardsandfoundshehadgoneout.Icamedowntothebeach,sawM.Poirotandaskedifhehadseenher.ThenIhadaquickbatheandwentuptothehotelagain.Itwasthen,letmesee,abouttwentytoeleven—yes,justaboutthat.Isawtheclockinthelounge.Itwasjustaftertwentyminutesto.Iwentuptomyroom,butthechambermaidhadn’tquitefinishedit.Iaskedhertofinishasquicklyasshecould.IhadsomeletterstotypewhichIwantedtogetoffbythepost.IwentdownstairsagainandhadawordortwowithHenryinthebar.Iwentupagaintomyroomattenminutestoeleven.ThereItypedmyletters.Itypeduntiltenminutestotwelve.IthenchangedintotenniskitasIhadadatetoplaytennisattwelve.We’dbookedthecourtthedaybefore.”
“Whowaswe?”
“Mrs.Redfern,MissDarnley,Mr.Gardenerandmyself.Icamedownattwelveo’clockandwentuptothecourt.MissDarnleywasthereandMr.Gardener.Mrs.Redfernarrivedafewminuteslater.Weplayedtennisforanhour.JustaswecameintothehotelafterwardsI—I—gotthenews.”
“Thankyou,CaptainMarshall.Justasamatterofform,isthereanyonewhocancorroboratethefactthatyouweretypinginyourroombetween—er—tenminutestoelevenandtenminutestotwelve?”
KennethMarshallsaidwithafaintsmile:
“HaveyougotsomeideathatIkilledmyownwife?Letmeseenow.Thechambermaidwasaboutdoingtherooms.Shemusthaveheardthetypewritergoing.Andthentherearethelettersthemselves.WithallthisupsetIhaven’tpostedthem.Ishouldimaginetheyareasgoodevidenceasanything.”
Hetookthreelettersfromhispocket.Theywereaddressed,butnotstamped.Hesaid:
“Theircontents,bytheway,arestrictlyconfidential.Butwhenit’sacaseofmurder,oneisforcedtotrustinthediscretionofthepolice.Theycontainlistsoffiguresandvariousfinancialstatements.Ithinkyouwillfindthatifyouputoneofyourmenontotypethemout,hewon’tdoitinmuchunderanhour.”
Hepaused.
“Satisfied,Ihope?”
Westonsaidsmoothly.
“Itisnoquestionofsuspicion.Everyoneontheislandwillbeaskedtoaccountforhisorhermovementsbetweenaquartertoelevenandtwentyminutestotwelvethismorning.”
KennethMarshallsaid:
“Quite.”
Westonsaid:
“Onemorething,CaptainMarshall.Doyouknowanythingaboutthewayyourwifewaslikelytohavedisposedofanypropertyshehad?”
“Youmeanawill?Idon’tthinksheevermadeawill.”
“Butyouarenotsure?”
“HersolicitorsareBarkett,Markett&Applegood,BedfordSquare.Theysawtoallhercontracts,etc.ButI’mfairlycertainshenevermadeawill.Shesaidoncethatdoingathinglikethatwouldgivehertheshivers.”
“Inthatcase,ifshehasdiedintestate,you,asherhusband,succeedtoherproperty.”
“Yes,IsupposeIdo.”
“Hadsheanynearrelatives?”
“Idon’tthinkso.Ifshehad,shenevermentionedthem.Iknowthatherfatherandmotherdiedwhenshewasachildandshehadnobrothersorsisters.”
“Inanycase,Isuppose,shehadnothingverymuchtoleave?”
KennethMarshallsaidcoldly:
“Onthecontrary.Onlytwoyearsago,SirRobertErskine,whowasanoldfriendofhers,diedandlefthermostofhisfortune.Itamounted,Ithink,toaboutfiftythousandpounds.”
InspectorColgatelookedup.Analertnesscameintohisglance.Uptonowhehadbeensilent.Nowheasked:
“Thenactually,CaptainMarshall,yourwifewasarichwoman?”
KennethMarshallshruggedhisshoulders
“Isupposeshewasreally.”
“Andyoustillsayshedidnotmakeawill?”
“Youcanaskthesolicitors.ButI’mprettycertainshedidn’t.AsItellyou,shethoughtitunlucky.”
TherewasapausethenMarshalladded:
“Isthereanythingfurther?”
Westonshookhishead.
“Don’tthinkso—ehColgate?No.Oncemore,CaptainMarshall,letmeofferyouallmysympathyinyourloss.”
Marshallblinked.Hesaidjerkily:
“Oh—thanks.”
Hewentout.
V
Thethreemenlookedateachother.
Westonsaid:
“Coolcustomer.Notgivinganythingaway,ishe?Whatdoyoumakeofhim,Colgate?”
TheInspectorshookhishead.
“It’sdifficulttotell.He’snotthekindthatshowsanything.Thatsortmakesabadimpressioninthewitness-box,andyetit’sabitunfaironthemreally.Sometimesthey’reascutupasanythingandyetcan’tshowit.ThatkindofmannermadethejurybringinaverdictofGuiltyagainstWallace.Itwasn’ttheevidence.Theyjustcouldn’tbelievethatamancouldlosehiswifeandtalkandactsocoollyaboutit.”
WestonturnedtoPoirot.
“Whatdoyouthink,Poirot?”
HerculePoirotraisedhishands.
Hesaid:
“Whatcanonesay?Heistheclosedbox—thefastenedoyster.Hehaschosenhisr?le.Hehasheardnothing,hehasseennothing,heknowsnothing!”
“We’vegotachoiceofmotives,”saidColgate.“There’sjealousyandthere’sthemoneymotive.Ofcourse,inaway,ahusband’stheobvioussuspect.Onenaturallythinksofhimfirst.Ifheknewhismissuswascarryingonwiththeotherchap—”
Poirotinterrupted.
Hesaid:
“Ithinkheknewthat.”
“Whydoyousayso?”
“Listen,myfriend.LastnightIhadbeentalkingwithMrs.RedfernonSunnyLedge.IcamedownfromtheretothehotelandonmywayIsawthosetwotogether—Mrs.MarshallandPatrickRedfern.AndamomentortwoafterImetCaptainMarshall.Hisfacewasverystiff.Itsaysnothing—butnothingatall!Itisalmosttooblank,ifyouunderstandme.Oh!heknewallright.”
Colgategrunteddoubtfully.
Hesaid:
“Ohwell,ifyouthinkso—”
“Iamsureofit!Buteventhen,whatdoesthattellus?WhatdidKennethMarshallfeelabouthiswife?”
ColonelWestonsaid:
“Takesherdeathcoollyenough.”
Poirotshookhisheadinadissatisfiedmanner.
InspectorColgatesaid:
“Sometimesthesequietonesarethemostviolentunderneath,sotospeak.It’sallbottledup.Hemayhavebeenmadlyfondofher—andmadlyjealous.Buthe’snotthekindtoshowit.”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“Thatispossible—yes.HeisaveryinterestingcharacterthisCaptainMarshall.Iinterestmyselfinhimgreatly.Andinhisalibi.”
“Alibibytypewriter,”saidWestonwithashortbarkofalaugh.“Whathaveyougottosayaboutthat,Colgate?”
InspectorColgatescreweduphiseyes.Hesaid:
“Well,youknow,sir,Iratherfancythatalibi.It’snottoogood,ifyouknowwhatImean.It’s—well,it’snatural.Andifwefindthechambermaidwasabout,anddidhearthetypewritergoing,wellthen,itseemstomethatit’sallrightandthatwe’llhavetolookelsewhere.”
“H’m,”saidColonelWeston.“Whereareyougoingtolook?”
VI
Foraminuteortwothethreemenponderedthequestion.
InspectorColgatespokefirst.Hesaid:
“Itboilsdowntothis—wasitanoutsider,oraguestatthehotel?I’mnoteliminatingtheservantsentirely,mind,butIdon’texpectforaminutethatwe’llfindanyofthemhadahandinit.No,it’sahotelguest,orit’ssomeonefromrightoutside.We’vegottolookatitthisway.Firstofall—motive.There’sgain.Theonlypersontogainbyherdeathwasthelady’shusband,itseems.Whatothermotivesarethere?Firstandforemost—jealousy.Itseemstome—justlookingatit—thatifeveryou’vegotacrimepassionnel—(hebowedtoPoirot)thisisone.”
Poirotmurmuredashelookedupattheceiling:
“Therearesomanypassions.”
InspectorColgatewenton:
“Herhusbandwouldn’tallowthatshehadanyenemies—realenemies,thatis,butIdon’tbelieveforaminutethatthat’sso!Ishouldsaythataladylikeherwould—well,wouldmakesomeprettybadenemies—eh,sir,whatdoyousay?”
Poirotresponded.Hesaid:
“Maisoui,thatisso.ArlenaMarshallwouldmakeenemies.Butinmyopinion,theenemytheoryisnottenable,foryousee,Inspector,ArlenaMarshall’senemieswould,Ithink,asIsaidjustnow,alwaysbewomen.”
ColonelWestongruntedandsaid:
“Somethinginthat.It’sthewomenwho’vegottheirknifeintoherhereallright.”
Poirotwenton.
“Itseemstobehardlypossiblethatthiscrimewascommittedbyawoman.Whatdoesthemedicalevidencesay?”
Westongruntedagain.Hesaid:
“Neasden’sprettyconfidentthatshewasstrangledbyaman.Bighands—powerfulgrip.It’sjustpossible,ofcourse,thatanunusuallyathleticwomanmighthavedoneit—butit’sdamnedunlikely.”
Poirotnodded.
“Exactly.Arsenicinacupoftea—aboxofpoisonedchocolates—aknife—evenapistol—butstrangulation—no!Itisamanwehavetolookfor.”
“Andimmediately,”hewenton,“itbecomesmoredifficult.TherearetwopeoplehereinthishotelwhohaveamotiveforwishingArlenaMarshalloutoftheway—butbothofthemarewomen.”
ColonelWestonasked:
“Redfern’swifeisoneofthem,Isuppose?”
“Yes.Mrs.RedfernmighthavemadeuphermindtokillArlenaStuart.Shehad,letussay,amplecause.Ithink,too,thatitwouldbepossibleforMrs.Redferntocommitamurder.Butnotthiskindofmurder.Forallherunhappinessandjealousy,sheisnot,Ishouldsay,awomanofstrongpassions.Inlove,shewouldbedevotedandloyal—notpassionate.AsIsaidjustnow—arsenicintheteacup,possibly—strangulation,no.Iamsure,also,thatsheisphysicallyincapableofcommittingthiscrime,herhandsandfeetaresmall,belowtheaverage.”
Westonnodded.Hesaid:
“Thisisn’tawoman’scrime.No,amandidthis.”
InspectorColgatecoughed.
“Letmeputforwardasolution,sir.SaythatpriortomeetingthisMr.Redferntheladyhadhadanotheraffairwithsomeone—callhimX.SheturnsXdownforMr.Redfern.Xismadwithrageandjealousy.Hefollowsherdownhere,stayssomewhereintheneighbourhood,comesovertotheisland,doesherin.It’sapossibility!”
Westonsaid:
“It’spossible,allright.Andifit’strue,itoughttobeeasytoprove.Didhecomeonfootorinaboat?Thelatterseemsmorelikely.Ifso,hemusthavehiredaboatsomewhere.You’dbettermakeinquiries.”
HelookedacrossatPoirot.
“WhatdoyouthinkofColgate’ssuggestion?”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“Itleaves,somehow,toomuchtochance.Andbesides—somewherethepictureisnottrue.Icannot,yousee,imaginethisman…themanwhoismadwithrageandjealousy.”
Colgatesaid:
“Peopledidgopottyabouther,though,sir.LookatRedfern.”
“Yes,yes…Butallthesame—”
Colgatelookedathimquestioningly.
Poirotshookhishead.
Hesaid,frowning:
“Somewhere,thereissomethingthatwehavemissed….”
Six
ColonelWestonwasporingoverthehotelregister.
Hereadaloud:
“MajorandMrs.Cowan,MissPamelaCowan,MasterRobertCowan,MasterEvanCowan,Rydal’sMount,Leatherhead.Mr.andMrs.Masterman,Mr.EdwardMasterman,MissJenniferMasterman,Mr.RoyMasterman,MasterFrederickMasterman,5MarlboroughAvenue,London,N.W.Mr.andMrs.Gardener,NewYork.
Mr.andMrs.Redfern,Crossgates,Seldon,PrincesRisborough.MajorBarry,18CardonSt.,St.James,London,S.W.1.Mr.HoraceBlatt,5PickersgillStreet,London,E.C.2.M.HerculePoirot,WhitehavenMansions,London,W.1.MissRosamundDarnley,8CardiganCourt,W.1.MissEmilyBrewster,Southgates,Sunbury-on-Thames.Rev.StephenLane,London.CaptainandMrs.Marshall,MissLindaMarshall,73UpcottMansions,London,S.W.7.”
Hestopped.
InspectorColgatesaid:
“Ithink,sir,thatwecanwashoutthefirsttwoentries.Mrs.CastletellsmethattheMastermansandtheCowanscomehereregularlyeverysummerwiththeirchildren.Thismorningtheywentoffonanall-dayexcursionsailing,takinglunchwiththem.Theyleftjustafternineo’clock.AmancalledAndrewBastontookthem.Wecancheckupfromhim,butIthinkwecanputthemrightoutofit.”
Westonnodded.
“Iagree.Let’seliminateeveryonewecan.Canyougiveusapointeronanyoftherestofthem,Poirot?”
Poirotsaid:
“Superficially,thatiseasy.TheGardenersareamiddle-agedmarriedcouple,pleasant,travelled.Allthetalkingisdonebythelady.Thehusbandisacquiescent.Heplaystennisandgolfandhasaformofdryhumourthatisattractivewhenonegetshimtooneself.”
“SoundsquiteO.K.”
“Next—theRedferns.Mr.Redfernisyoung,attractivetowomen,amagnificentswimmer,agoodtennisplayerandaccomplisheddancer.HiswifeIhavealreadyspokenoftoyou.Sheisquiet,prettyinawashed-outway.Sheis,Ithink,devotedtoherhusband.ShehassomethingthatArlenaMarshalldidnothave.”
“Whatisthat?”
“Brains.”
InspectorColgatesighed.Hesaid:
“Brainsdon’tcountformuchwhenitcomestoaninfatuation,sir.”
“Perhapsnot.AndyetIdotrulybelievethatinspiteofhisinfatuationforMrs.Marshall,PatrickRedfernreallycaresforhiswife.”
“Thatmaybe,sir.Itwouldn’tbethefirsttimethat’shappened.”
Poirotmurmured.
“Thatisthepityofit!Itisalwaysthethingwomenfindhardesttobelieve.”
Hewenton:
“MajorBarry.RetiredIndianArmy.Anadmirerofwomen.Atelleroflongandboringstories.”
InspectorColgatesighed.
“Youneedn’tgoon.I’vemetafew,sir.”
“Mr.HoraceBlatt.Heis,apparently,arichman.Hetalksagooddeal—aboutMr.Blatt.Hewantstobeeverybody’sfriend.Itissad.Fornobodylikeshimverymuch.Andthereissomethingelse.Mr.Blattlastnightaskedmeagoodmanyquestions.Mr.Blattwasuneasy.Yes,thereissomethingnotquiterightaboutMr.Blatt.”
Hepausedandwentonwithachangeofvoice:
“NextcomesMissRosamundDarnley.HerbusinessnameisRoseMondLtd.Sheisacelebrateddressmaker.WhatcanIsayofher?Shehasbrainsandcharmandchic.Sheisverypleasingtolookat.”Hepausedandadded.“AndsheisaveryoldfriendofCaptainMarshall’s.”
Westonsatupinhischair.
“Oh,sheis,isshe?”
“Yes.Theyhadnotmetforsomeyears.”
Westonasked:
“Didsheknowhewasgoingtobedownhere?”
“Shesaysnot.”
Poirotpausedandthenwenton.
“Whocomesnext?MissBrewster.Ifindherjustalittlealarming.”Heshookhishead.“Shehasavoicelikeaman’s.Sheisgruffandwhatyoucallhearty.Sherowsboatsandhasahandicapoffouratgolf.”Hepaused.“Ithink,though,thatshehasagoodheart.”
Westonsaid:
“ThatleavesonlytheReverendStephenLane.Who’stheReverendStephenLane?”
“Icanonlytellyouonething.Heisamanwhoisinaconditionofgreatnervoustension.Alsoheis,Ithink,afanatic.”
InspectorColgatesaid:
“Oh,thatkindofperson.”
Westonsaid:
“Andthat’sthelot!”HelookedatPoirot.“Youseemverylostinthought,myfriend?”
Poirotsaid:
“Yes.Because,yousee,whenMrs.MarshallwentoffthismorningandaskedmenottotellanyoneIhadseenher,Ijumpedatonceinmyownmindtoacertainconclusion.IthoughtthatherfriendshipwithPatrickRedfernhadmadetroublebetweenherandherhusband.IthoughtthatshewasgoingtomeetPatrickRedfernsomewhere,andthatshedidnotwantherhusbandtoknowwhereshewas.”
Hepaused.
“Butthat,yousee,waswhereIwaswrong.Because,althoughherhusbandappearedalmostimmediatelyonthebeachandaskedifIhadseenher,PatrickRedfernarrivedalso—andwasmostpatentlyandobviouslylookingforher!Andtherefore,myfriends,Iamaskingmyself,whowasitthatArlenaMarshallwentofftomeet?”
InspectorColgatesaid:
“Thatfitsinwithmyidea.AmanfromLondonorsomewhere.”
HerculePoirotshookhishead.Hesaid:
“But,myfriend,accordingtoyourtheory,ArlenaMarshallhadbrokenwiththismythicalman.Why,then,shouldshetakesuchtroubleandpainstomeethim?”
InspectorColgateshookhishead.Hesaid:
“Whodoyouthinkitwas?”
“ThatisjustwhatIcannotimagine.Wehavejustreadthroughthelistofhotelguests.Theyareallmiddle-aged—dull.WhichofthemwouldArlenaMarshallprefertoPatrickRedfern?No,thatisimpossible.Andyet,allthesame,shedidgotomeetsomeone—andthatsomeonewasnotPatrickRedfern.”
Westonmurmured:
“Youdon’tthinkshejustwentoffbyherself?”
Poirotshookhishead.
“Moncher,”hesaid.“Itisveryevidentthatyounevermetthedeadwoman.SomebodyoncewrotealearnedtreatiseonthedifferencethatsolitaryconfinementwouldmeantoBeauBrummelortoamanlikeNewton.ArlenaMarshall,mydearfriend,wouldpracticallynotexistinsolitude.Sheonlylivedinthelightofaman’sadmiration.No,ArlenaMarshallwenttomeetsomeonethismorning.Whowasit?”
II
ColonelWestonsighed,shookhisheadandsaid:
“Well,wecangointotheorieslater.Gottogetthroughtheseinterviewsnow.Gottogetitdowninblackandwhitewhereeveryonewas.Isupposewe’dbetterseetheMarshallgirlnow.Shemightbeabletotellussomethinguseful.”
LindaMarshallcameintotheroomclumsily,knockingagainstthedoorpost.Shewasbreathingquicklyandthepupilsofhereyesweredilated.Shelookedlikeastartledyoungcolt.ColonelWestonfeltakindlyimpulsetowardsher.
Hethought:
“Poorkid—she’snothingbutakidafterall.Thismusthavebeenaprettybadshocktoher.”
Hedrewupachairandsaidinareassuringvoice.
“Sorrytoputyouthroughthis,Miss—Linda,isn’tit?”
“Yes,Linda.”
Hervoicehadthatindrawnbreathyqualitythatisoftencharacteristicofschoolgirls.Herhandsrestedhelplesslyonthetableinfrontofhim—pathetichands,bigandred,withlargebonesandlongwrists.Westonthought:
“Akidoughtn’ttobemixedupinthissortofthing.”
Hesaidreassuringly.
“There’snothingveryalarmingaboutallthis.Wejustwantyoutotellusanythingyouknowthatmightbeuseful,that’sall.”
Lindasaid:
“Youmean—aboutArlena?”
“Yes.Didyouseeherthismorningatall?”
Thegirlshookherhead.
“No.Arlenaalwaysgetsdownratherlate.Shehasbreakfastinbed.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Andyou,Mademoiselle?”
“Oh,Igetup.Breakfastinbed’ssostuffy.”
Westonsaid:
“Willyoutelluswhatyoudidthismorning?”
“Well,Ihadabathefirstandthenbreakfast,andthenIwentwithMrs.RedferntoGullCove.”
Westonsaid:
“WhattimedidyouandMrs.Redfernstart?”
“Shesaidshe’dbewaitingformeinthehallathalf-pastten.IwasafraidIwasgoingtobelate,butitwasallright.Westartedoffataboutthreeminutestothehalfhour.”
Poirotsaid:
“AndwhatdidyoudoatGullCove?”
“Oh,IoiledmyselfandsunbathedandMrs.Redfernsketched.Then,later,IwentintotheseaandChristinewentbacktothehoteltogetchangedfortennis.”
Westonsaid,keepinghisvoicequitecasual:
“Doyourememberwhattimethatwas?”
“WhenMrs.Redfernwentbacktothehotel?Quartertotwelve.”
“Sureofthattime—quartertotwelve?”
Linda,openinghereyeswide,said:
“Ohyes.Ilookedatmywatch.”
“Thewatchyouhaveonnow?”
Lindaglanceddownatherwrist.
“Yes.”
Westonsaid:
“MindifIsee?”
Sheheldourherwrist.Hecomparedthewatchwithhisownandwiththehotelclockonthewall.
Hesaid,smiling:
“Correcttoasecond.Andafterthatyouhadabathe?”
“Yes.”
“Andyougotbacktothehotel—when?”
“Justaboutoneo’clock.And—andthen—Iheard—aboutArlena….”
Hervoicechanged.
ColonelWestonsaid:
“Didyou—er—getonwithyourstepmotherallright?”
Shelookedathimforaminutewithoutreplying.Thenshesaid:
“Ohyes.”
Poirotasked:
“Didyoulikeher,Mademoiselle?”
Lindasaidagain:
“Ohyes.”Sheadded:“Arlenawasquitekindtome.”
Westonsaidwithratheruneasyfacetiousness.
“Notthecruelstepmother,eh?”
Lindashookherheadwithoutsmiling.
Westonsaid:
“That’sgood.That’sgood.Sometimes,youknow,there’sabitofdifficultyinfamilies—jealousy—allthat.Girlandherfathergreatpalsandthensheresentsitabitwhenhe’sallwrappedupinthenewwife.Youdidn’tfeellikethat,eh?”
Lindastaredathim.Shesaidwithobvioussincerity:
“Ohno.”
Westonsaid:
“Isupposeyourfatherwas—er—verywrappedupinher?”
Lindasaidsimply:
“Idon’tknow.”
Westonwenton:
“Allsortsofdifficulties,asIsay,ariseinfamilies.Quarrels—rows—thatsortofthing.Ifhusbandandwifegetrattywitheachother,that’sabitawkwardforadaughtertoo.Anythingofthatsort?”
Lindasaidclearly:
“Doyoumean,didFatherandArlenaquarrel?”
“Well—yes.”
Westonthoughttohimself:
“Rottenbusiness—questioningachildaboutherfather.Whyisoneapoliceman?Damnitall,it’sgottobedone,though.”
Lindasaidpositively:
“Ohno.”Sheadded:“Fatherdoesn’tquarrelwithpeople.He’snotlikethatatall.”
Westonsaid:
“Now,MissLinda,Iwantyoutothinkverycarefully.Haveyouanyideaatallwhomighthavekilledyourstepmother?Isthereanythingyou’veeverheardoranythingyouknowthatcouldhelpusonthatpoint?”
Lindawassilentaminute.Sheseemedtobegivingthequestionaseriousunhurriedconsideration.Shesaidatlast.
“No,Idon’tknowwhocouldhavewantedtokillArlena.”Sheadded:“Except,ofcourse,Mrs.Redfern.”
Westonsaid:
“YouthinkMrs.Redfernwantedtokillher?Why?”
Lindasaid:
“BecauseherhusbandwasinlovewithArlena.ButIdon’tthinkshewouldreallywanttokillher.Imeanshe’djustfeelthatshewishedshewasdead—andthatisn’tthesamethingatall,isit?”
Poirotsaidgently:
“No,itisnotatallthesame.”
Lindanodded.Aqueersortofspasmpassedacrossherface.Shesaid:
“Andanyway,Mrs.Redferncouldneverdoathinglikethat—killanybody.Sheisn’t—sheisn’tviolent,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
WestonandPoirotnodded.Thelattersaid:
“Iknowexactlywhatyoumean,mychild,andIagreewithyou.Mrs.Redfernisnotofthosewho,asyoursayinggoes,‘seesred.’Shewouldnotbe”—heleanedbackhalfclosinghiseyes,pickinghiswordswithcare—“shakenbyastormoffeeling—seeinglifenarrowinginfrontofher—seeingahatedface—ahatedwhiteneck—feelingherhandsclench—longingtofeelthempressintoflesh—”
Hestopped.
Lindamovedjerkilybackfromthetable.Shesaidinatremblingvoice:
“CanIgonow?Isthatall?”
ColonelWestonsaid:
“Yes,yes,that’sall.Thankyou,MissLinda.”
Hegotuptoopenthedoorforher.Thencamebacktothetableandlitacigarette.
“Phew,”hesaid.“Notanicejob,ours.IcantellyouIfeltabitofacadquestioningthatchildabouttherelationsbetweenherfatherandherstepmother.Moreorlessinvitingadaughtertoputaroperoundherfather’sneck.Allthesame,ithadtobedone.Murderismurder.Andshe’sthepersonmostlikelytoknowthetruthofthings.I’mratherthankful,though,thatshe’dnothingtotellusinthatline.”
Poirotsaid:
“Yes,Ithoughtyouwere.”
Westonsaidwithanembarrassedcough:
“Bytheway,Poirot,youwentabitfar,Ithoughtattheend.Allthathandssinkingintofleshbusiness!Notquitethesortofideatoputintoakid’shead.”
HerculePoirotlookedathimwiththoughtfuleyes.Hesaid:
“SoyouthoughtIputideasintoherhead?”
“Well,didn’tyou?Comenow.”
Poirotshookhishead.
Westonsheeredawayfromthepoint.Hesaid:
“Onthewholewegotverylittleusefulstuffoutofher.ExceptamoreorlesscompletealibifortheRedfernwoman.IftheyweretogetherfromhalfpasttentoaquartertotwelvethatletsChristineRedfernoutofit.Exitthejealouswifesuspect.”
Poirotsaid:
“TherearebetterreasonsthanthatforleavingMrs.Redfernoutofit.Itwould,Iamconvinced,bephysicallyimpossibleandmentallyimpossibleforhertostrangleanyone.Sheiscoldratherthanwarmblooded,capableofdeepdevotionandunswervingconstancy,butnotofhot-bloodedpassionorrage.Moreover,herhandsarefartoosmallanddelicate.”
Colgatesaid:
“IagreewithM.Poirot.She’soutofit.Dr.Neasdensaysitwasafull-sizedpairofhandsthatthrottledthatdame.”
Westonsaid:
“Well,Isupposewe’dbetterseetheRedfernsnext.Iexpecthe’srecoveredabitfromtheshocknow.”
III
PatrickRedfernhadrecoveredfullcomposurebynow.Helookedpaleandhaggardandsuddenlyveryyoung,buthismannerwasquitecomposed.
“YouareMr.PatrickRedfernofCrossgates,Seldon,PrincesRisborough?”
“Yes.”
“HowlonghadyouknownMrs.Marshall?”
PatrickRedfernhesitated,thensaid:
“Threemonths.”
Westonwenton:
“CaptainMarshallhastoldusthatyouandshemetcasuallyatacocktailparty.Isthatright?”
“Yes,that’showitcameabout.”
Westonsaid:
“CaptainMarshallhasimpliedthatuntilyoubothmetdownhereyoudidnotknoweachotherwell.Isthatthetruth,Mr.Redfern?”
AgainPatrickRedfernhesitatedaminute.Thenhesaid:
“Well—notexactly.AsamatteroffactIsawafairamountofheronewayandanother.”
“WithoutCaptainMarshall’sknowledge?”
Redfernflushedslightly.Hesaid:
“Idon’tknowwhetherheknewaboutitornot.”
HerculePoirotspoke.Hemurmured:
“Andwasitalsowithoutyourwife’sknowledge,Mr.Redfern?”
“IbelieveImentionedtomywifethatIhadmetthefamousArlenaStuart.”
Poirotpersisted.
“Butshedidnotknowhowoftenyouwereseeingher?”
“Well,perhapsnot.”
Westonsaid:
“DidyouandMrs.Marshallarrangetomeetdownhere?”
Redfernwassilentaminuteortwo.Thenheshruggedhisshoulders.
“Ohwell,”hesaid,“Isupposeit’sboundtocomeoutnow.It’snogoodmyfencingwithyou.Iwascrazyaboutthewoman—mad—infatuated—anythingyoulike.Shewantedmetocomedownhere.IdemurredabitandthenIagreed.I—I—well,Iwouldhaveagreedtodoanymortalthingsheliked.Shehadthatkindofeffectonpeople.”
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“Youpaintaveryclearpictureofher.ShewastheeternalCirce.Justthat!”
PatrickRedfernsaidbitterly:
“Sheturnedmenintoswineallright!”Hewenton:“I’mbeingfrankwithyou,gentlemen.I’mnotgoingtohideanything.What’stheuse?AsIsay,Iwasinfatuatedwithher.Whethershecaredformeornot,Idon’tknow.Shepretendedto,butIthinkshewasoneofthosewomenwholoseinterestinamanoncethey’vegothimbodyandsoul.Sheknewshe’dgotmeallright.Thismorning,whenIfoundherthereonthebeach,dead,itwasasthough”—hepaused—“asthoughsomethinghadhitmestraightbetweentheeyes.Iwasdazed—knockedout!”
Poirotleanedforward.“Andnow?”
PatrickRedfernmethiseyessquarely.
Hesaid:
“I’vetoldyouthetruth.WhatIwanttoaskisthis—howmuchofithasgottobemadepublic?It’snotasthoughitcouldhaveanybearingonherdeath.Andifitallcomesout,it’sgoingtobeprettyroughonmywife.”
“Oh,Iknow,”hewentonquickly.“YouthinkIhaven’tthoughtmuchaboutheruptonow?Perhapsthat’strue.But,thoughImaysoundtheworstkindofhypocrite,therealtruthisthatIcareformywife—careforherverydeeply.Theother”—hetwitchedhisshoulders—“itwasamadness—thekindofidioticfoolthingmendo—butChristineisdifferent.She’sreal.BadlyasI’vetreatedher,I’veknownallalong,deepdown,thatshewasthepersonwhoreallycounted.”Hepaused—sighed—andsaidratherpathetically:“IwishIcouldmakeyoubelievethat.”
HerculePoirotleantforward.Hesaid:
“ButIdobelieveit.Yes,yes,Idobelieveit!”
PatrickRedfernlookedathimgratefully.Hesaid:
“Thankyou.”
ColonelWestonclearedhisthroat.Hesaid:
“Youmaytakeit,Mr.Redfern,thatweshallnotgointoirrelevancies.IfyourinfatuationforMrs.Marshallplayednopartinthemurderthentherewillbenopointindraggingitintothecase.Butwhatyoudon’tseemtorealizeisthatthat—er—intimacy—mayhaveaverydirectbearingonthemurder.Itmightestablish,youunderstand,amotiveforthecrime.”
PatrickRedfernsaid:
“Motive?”
Westonsaid:
“Yes,Mr.Redfern,motive!CaptainMarshall,perhaps,wasunawareoftheaffair.Supposethathesuddenlyfoundout?”
Redfernsaid:
“OhGod!Youmeanhegotwiseand—andkilledher?”
TheChiefConstablesaidratherdryly:
“Thatsolutionhadnotoccurredtoyou?”
Redfernshookhishead.Hesaid:
“No—funny.Ineverthoughtofit.Yousee,Marshall’ssuchaquietchap.I—oh,itdoesn’tseemlikely.”
Westonasked:
“WhatwasMrs.Marshall’sattitudetoherhusbandinallthis?Wasshe—well,uneasy—incaseitshouldcometohisears?Orwassheindifferent?”
Redfernsaidslowly:
“Shewas—abitnervous.Shedidn’twanthimtosuspectanything.”
“Didsheseemafraidofhim?”
“Afraid.No,Iwouldn’tsaythat.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Excuseme,M.Redfern,therewasnot,atanytime,thequestionofadivorce?”
PatrickRedfernshookhisheaddecisively.
“Ohno,therewasnoquestionofanythinglikethat.TherewasChristine,yousee.AndArlena,Iamsure,neverthoughtofsuchathing.ShewasperfectlysatisfiedmarriedtoMarshall.He’s—well,ratherabigbuginhisway—”Hesmiledsuddenly.“County—allthatsortofthing,andquitewelloff.Sheneverthoughtofmeasapossiblehusband.No,Iwasjustoneofasuccessionofpoormutts—justsomethingtopassthetimewith.Iknewthatallalong,andyet,queerlyenough,itdidn’taltermyfeelingtowardsher….”
Hisvoicetrailedoff.Hesattherethinking.
Westonrecalledhimtotheneedsofthemoment.
“Now,Mr.Redfern,hadyouanyparticularappointmentwithMrs.Marshallthismorning?”
PatrickRedfernlookedslightlypuzzled
Hesaid:
“Notaparticularappointment,no.Weusuallymeteverymorningonthebeach.Weusedtopaddleaboutonfloats.”
“WereyousurprisednottofindMrs.Marshalltherethismorning?”
“Yes,Iwas.Verysurprised.Icouldn’tunderstanditatall.”
“Whatdidyouthink?”
“Well,Ididn’tknowwhattothink.Imean,allthetimeIthoughtshewouldbecoming.”
“Ifshewerekeepinganappointmentelsewhereyouhadnoideawithwhomthatappointmentmightbe?”
PatrickRedfernmerelystaredandshookhishead.
“WhenyouhadarendezvouswithMrs.Marshall,wheredidyoumeet?”
“Well,sometimesI’dmeetherintheafternoondownatGullCove.YouseethesunisoffGullCoveintheafternoonandsotherearen’tusuallymanypeoplethere.Wemetthereonceortwice.”
“Neverontheothercove?”PixyCove?”
“No.YouseePixyCovefaceswestandpeoplegoroundthereinboatsoronfloatsintheafternoon.Wenevertriedtomeetinthemorning.Itwouldhavebeentoonoticeable.Intheafternoonpeoplegoandhaveasleepormoucharoundandnobodyknowsmuchwhereanyoneelseis.”
Westonnodded:
PatrickRedfernwenton:
“Afterdinner,ofcourse,onthefinenights,weusedtogooffforastrolltogethertodifferentpartsoftheisland.”
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“Ah,yes!”andPatrickRedfernshothimaninquiringglance.
Westonsaid:
“ThenyoucangiveusnohelpwhatsoeverastothecausethattookMrs.MarshalltoPixyCovethismorning?”
Redfernshookhishead.Hesaid,andhisvoicesoundedhonestlybewildered:
“Ihaven’tthefaintestidea!Itwasn’tlikeArlena.”
Westonsaid:
“Hadsheanyfriendsdownherestayingintheneighbourhood?”
“NotthatIknowof.Oh,I’msureshehadn’t.”
“Now,Mr.Redfern,Iwantyoutothinkverycarefully.YouknewMrs.MarshallinLondon.Youmustbeacquaintedwithvariousmembersofhercircle.Isthereanyoneyouknowofwhocouldhavehadagrudgeagainsther?Someone,forinstance,whomyoumayhavesupplantedinherfancy?”
PatrickRedfernthoughtforsomeminutes.Thenheshookhishead.
“Honestly,”hesaid.“Ican’tthinkofanyone.”
ColonelWestondrummedwithhisfingersonthetable.
Hesaidatlast:
“Well,that’sthat.Weseemtobeleftwiththreepossibilities.Thatofanunknownkiller—somemonomaniac—whohappenedtobeintheneighbourhood—andthat’saprettytallorder—”
Redfernsaid,interrupting:
“Andyetsurely,it’sbyfarthemostlikelyexplanation.”
Westonshookhishead.Hesaid:
“Thisisn’toneofthe‘lonelycopse’murders.Thiscoveplacewasprettyinaccessible.Eitherthemanwouldhavetocomeupfromthecausewaypastthehotel,overthetopoftheislandanddownbythatladdercontraption,orelsehecametherebyboat.Eitherwayisunlikelyforacasualkilling.”
PatrickRedfernsaid:
“Yousaidtherewerethreepossibilities.”
“Um—yes,”saidtheChiefConstable.“That’stosay,thereweretwopeopleonthisislandwhohadamotiveforkillingher.Herhusband,forone,andyourwifeforanother.”
Redfernstaredathim.Helookeddumbfounded.Hesaid:
“Mywife?Christine?D’youmeanthatChristinehadanythingtodowiththis?”
Hegotupandstoodtherestammeringslightlyinhisincoherenthastetogetthewordsout.
“You’remad—quitemad—Christine?Why,it’simpossible.It’slaughable!”
Westonsaid:
“Allthesame,Mr.Redfern,jealousyisaverypowerfulmotive.Womenwhoarejealouslosecontrolofthemselvescompletely.”
Redfernsaidearnestly.
“NotChristine.She’s—ohshe’snotlikethat.Shewasunhappy,yes.Butshe’snotthekindofpersonto—Oh,there’snoviolenceinher.”
HerculePoirotnoddedthoughtfully.Violence.ThesamewordthatLindaMarshallhadused.Asbefore,heagreedwiththesentiment.
“Besides,”wentonRedfernconfidently.“Itwouldbeabsurd.ArlenawastwiceasstrongphysicallyasChristine.IdoubtifChristinecouldstrangleakitten—certainlynotastrongwirycreaturelikeArlena.AndthenChristinecouldneverhavegotdownthatladdertothebeach.Shehasnoheadforthatsortofthing.And—oh,thewholethingisfantastic!”
ColonelWestonscratchedhiseartentatively.
“Well,”hesaid.“Putlikethatitdoesn’tseemlikely.Igrantyouthat.Butmotive’sthefirstthingwe’vegottolookfor.”Headded:“Motiveandopportunity.”
IV
WhenRedfernhadlefttheroom,theChiefConstableobservedwithaslightsmile:
“Didn’tthinkitnecessarytotellthefellowhiswifehadgotanalibi.Wantedtohearwhathe’dhavetosaytotheidea.Shookhimupabit,didn’tit?”
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“Theargumentsheadvancedwerequiteasstrongasanyalibi.”
“Yes.Oh!shedidn’tdoit!Shecouldn’thavedoneit—physicallyimpossibleasyousaid.Marshallcouldhavedoneit—butapparentlyhedidn’t.”
InspectorColgatecoughed.Hesaid:
“Excuseme,sir,I’vebeenthinkingaboutthatalibi.It’spossible,youknow,ifhe’dthoughtthisthingout,thatthoselettersweregotreadybeforehand.”
Westonsaid:
“That’sagoodidea.Wemustlookinto—”
HebrokeoffasChristineRedfernenteredtheroom.
Shewas,asalways,calmandalittlepreciseinmanner.Shewaswearingawhitetennisfrockandapalebluepullover.Itaccentuatedherfair,ratheranaemicprettiness.Yet,HerculePoirotthoughttohimself,itwasneitherasillyfacenoraweakone.Ithadplentyofresolution,courageandgoodsense.Henoddedappreciatively.
ColonelWestonthought:
“Nicelittlewoman.Bitwishy-washy,perhaps.Alottoogoodforthatphilanderingyoungassofahusbandofhers.Ohwell,theboy’syoung.Womenusuallymakeafoolofyouonce!”
Hesaid:
“Sitdown,Mrs.Redfern.We’vegottogothroughacertainamountofroutine,yousee.Askingeverybodyforanaccountoftheirmovementsthismorning.Justforourrecords.”
ChristineRedfernnodded.
Shesaidinherquietprecisevoice.
“Ohyes,Iquiteunderstand.Wheredoyouwantmetobegin?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Asearlyaspossible,Madame.Whatdidyoudowhenyoufirstgotupthismorning?”
Christinesaid:
“Letmesee.OnmywaydowntobreakfastIwentintoLindaMarshall’sroomandfixedupwithhertogotoGullCovethismorning.Weagreedtomeetintheloungeathalfpastten.”
Poirotasked:
“Youdidnotbathebeforebreakfast,Madame?”
“No.Iveryseldomdo.”Shesmiled.“IliketheseawellwarmedbeforeIgetintoit.I’mratherachillyperson.”
“Butyourhusbandbathesthen?”
“Oh,yes.Nearlyalways.”
“AndMrs.Marshall,shealso?”
AchangecameoverChristine’svoice.Itbecamecoldandalmostacrid.
Shesaid:
“Ohno,Mrs.Marshallwasthesortofpersonwhonevermadeanappearancebeforethemiddleofthemorning.”
Withanairofconfusion,HerculePoirotsaid:
“Pardon,Madame,Iinterruptedyou.YouweresayingthatyouwenttoMissLindaMarshall’sroom.Whattimewasthat?”
“Letmesee—halfpasteight—no,alittlelater.”
“AndwasMissMarshallupthen?”
“Ohyes,shehadbeenout.”
“Out?”
“Yes,shesaidshe’dbeenbathing.”
Therewasafaint—averyfaintnoteofembarrassmentinChristine’svoice.ItpuzzledHerculePoirot.
Westonsaid:
“Andthen?”
“ThenIwentdowntobreakfast.”
“Andafterbreakfast?”
“Iwentupstairs,collectedmysketchingboxandsketchingbookandwestartedout.”
“YouandMissLindaMarshall?”
“Yes.”
“Whattimewasthat?”
“Ithinkitwasjustonhalfpastten.”
“Andwhatdidyoudo?”
“WewenttoGullCove.Youknow,thecoveontheeastsideoftheisland.Wesettledourselvesthere.IdidasketchandLindasunbathed.”
“Whattimedidyouleavethecove?”
“Ataquartertotwelve.Iwasplayingtennisattwelveandhadtochange.”
“Youhadyourwatchwithyou?”
“No,asamatteroffactIhadn’t.IaskedLindathetime.”
“Isee.Andthen?”
“Ipackedupmysketchingthingsandwentbacktothehotel.”
Poirotsaid:
“AndMademoiselleLinda?”
“Linda?”Oh,Lindawentintothesea.”
Poirotsaid:
“Wereyoufarfromtheseawhereyouweresitting?”
“Well,wewerewellabovehigh-watermark.Justunderthecliff—sothatIcouldbealittleintheshadeandLindainthesun.”
Poirotsaid:
“DidLindaMarshallactuallyentertheseabeforeyouleftthebeach?”
Christinefrownedalittleintheefforttoremember.Shesaid:
“Letmesee.Sherandownthebeach—Ifastenedmybox—Yes,IheardhersplashinginthewavesasIwasonthepathupthecliff.”
“Youaresureofthat,Madame?Thatshereallyenteredthesea?”
“Ohyes.”
Shestaredathiminsurprise.
ColonelWestonalsostaredathim.
Thenhesaid:
“Goon,Mrs.Redfern.”
“Iwentbacktothehotel,changed,andwenttothetenniscourtswhereImettheothers.”
“Whowere?”
“CaptainMarshall,Mr.GardenerandMissDarnley.Weplayedtwosets.Wewerejustgoinginagainwhenthenewscameabout—aboutMrs.Marshall.”
HerculePoirotleantforward.Hesaid:
“Andwhatdidyouthink,Madame,whenyouheardthatnews?”
“WhatdidIthink?”
Herfaceshowedafaintdistasteforthequestion.
“Yes.”
ChristineRedfernsaidslowly:
“Itwas—ahorriblethingtohappen.”
“Ah,yes,yourfastidiousnesswasrevolted.Iunderstandthat.Butwhatdiditmeantoyou—personally?”
Shegavehimaquicklook—alookofappeal.Herespondedtoit.Hesaidinamatter-of-factvoice.
“Iamappealingtoyou,Madame,asawomanofintelligencewithplentyofgoodsenseandjudgment.YouhaddoubtlessduringyourstayhereformedanopinionofMrs.Marshall,ofthekindofwomanshewas?”
Christinesaidcautiously:
“Isupposeonealwaysdoesthatmoreorlesswhenoneisstayinginhotels.”
“Certainly,itisthenaturalthingtodo.SoIaskyou,Madame,wereyoureallyverysurprisedatthemannerofherdeath?”
Christinesaidslowly:
“IthinkIseewhatyoumean.No,Iwasnot,perhaps,surprised.Shocked,yes.Butshewasthekindofwoman—”
Poirotfinishedthesentenceforher.
“Shewasthekindofwomantowhomsuchathingmighthappen…Yes,Madame,thatisthetruestandmostsignificantthingthathasbeensaidinthisroomthismorning.Layingall—er(hestresseditcarefully)personalfeelingaside,whatdidyoureallythinkofthelateMrs.Marshall?”
ChristineRedfernsaidcalmly:
“Isitreallyworthwhilegoingintoallthatnow?”
“Ithinkitmightbe,yes.”
“Well,whatshallIsay?”Herfairskinwassuddenlysuffusedwithcolour.Thecarefulpoiseofhermannerwasrelaxed.Forashortspacethenaturalrawwomanlookedout.“She’sthekindofwomanthattomymindisabsolutelyworthless!Shedidnothingtojustifyherexistence.Shehadnomind—nobrains.Shethoughtofnothingbutmenandclothesandadmiration.Useless,aparasite!Shewasattractivetomen,Isuppose—Oh,ofcourse,shewas.Andshelivedforthatkindoflife.Andso,Isuppose,Iwasn’treallysurprisedathercomingtoastickyend.Shewasthesortofwomanwhowouldbemixedupwitheverythingsordid—blackmail—jealousy—violence—everykindofcrudeemotion.She—sheappealedtotheworstinpeople.”
Shestopped,pantingalittle.Herrathershorttopliplifteditselfinakindoffastidiousdisgust.ItoccurredtoColonelWestonthatyoucouldnothavefoundamorecompletecontrasttoArlenaStuartthanChristineRedfern.ItalsooccurredtohimthatifyouweremarriedtoChristineRedfern,theatmospheremightbesorarefiedthattheArlenaStuartsofthisworldwouldholdaparticularattractionforyou.
Andthen,immediatelyfollowingonthesethoughts,asinglewordoutofthewordsshehadspokenfastenedonhisattentionwithparticularintensity.
Heleanedforwardandsaid:
“Mrs.Redfern,why,inspeakingofher,didyoumentionthewordblackmail?”
Seven
Christinestaredathim,notseemingatoncetotakeinwhathemeant.Sheansweredalmostmechanically.
“Isuppose—becauseshewasbeingblackmailed.Shewasthesortofpersonwhowouldbe.”
ColonelWestonsaidearnestly:
“But—doyouknowshewasbeingblackmailed?”
Afaintcolourroseinthegirl’scheeks.Shesaidratherawkwardly:
“AsamatteroffactIdohappentoknowit.I—Ioverheardsomething.”
“Willyouexplain,Mrs.Redfern?”
Flushingstillmore,ChristineRedfernsaid:
“I—Ididn’tmeantooverhear.Itwasanaccident.Itwastwo—no,threenightsago.Wewereplayingbridge.”SheturnedtowardsPoirot.“Youremember?MyhusbandandI,M.PoirotandMissDarnley.Iwasdummy.Itwasverystuffyinthecardroom,andIslippedoutofthewindowforabreathoffreshair.IwentdowntowardsthebeachandIsuddenlyheardvoices.One—itwasArlenaMarshall’s—Iknewitatonce—said:‘It’snogoodpressingme.Ican’tgetanymoremoneynow.Myhusbandwillsuspectsomething.”Andthenaman’svoicesaid:‘I’mnottakinganyexcuses.You’vegottocoughup.’AndthenArlenaMarshallsaid:‘Youblackmailingbrute!’Andthemansaid:‘Bruteornot,you’llpayup,mylady.’”
Christinepaused.
“I’dturnedbackandaminuteafterArlenaMarshallrushedpastme.Shelooked—well,frightfullyupset.”
Westonsaid:
“Andtheman?Doyouknowwhohewas?”
ChristineRedfernshookherhead.
Shesaid:
“Hewaskeepinghisvoicelow.Ibarelyheardwhathesaid.”
“Itdidn’tsuggestthevoicetoyouofanyoneyouknew?”
Shethoughtagain,butoncemoreshookherhead.Shesaid:
“No,Idon’tknow.Itwasgruffandlow.It—oh,itmighthavebeenanybody’s.”
ColonelWestonsaid:
“Thankyou,Mrs.Redfern.”
II
WhenthedoorhadclosedbehindChristineRedfernInspectorColgatesaid:
“Nowwearegettingsomewhere!”
Westonsaid:
“Youthinkso,eh?”
“Well,it’ssuggestive,sir,youcan’tgetawayfromit.Somebodyinthishotelwasblackmailingthelady.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Butitisnotthewickedblackmailerwholiesdead.Itisthevictim.”
“That’sabitofasetback,Iagree,”saidtheInspector.“Blackmailersaren’tinthehabitofbumpingofftheirvictims.Butwhatitdoesgiveusisthis,itsuggestsareasonforMrs.Marshall’scuriousbehaviourthismorning.She’dgotarendezvouswiththisfellowwhowasblackmailingher,andshedidn’twanteitherherhusbandorRedferntoknowaboutit.”
“Itcertainlyexplainsthatpoint,”agreedPoirot.
InspectorColgatewenton:
“Andthinkoftheplacechosen.Theveryspotforthepurpose.Theladygoesoffinherfloat.That’snaturalenough.It’swhatshedoeseveryday.ShegoesroundtoPixyCovewherenooneevergoesinthemorningandwhichwillbeanicequietplaceforaninterview.”
Poirotsaid:
“Butyes,Itoowasstruckbythatpoint.Itisasyousay,anidealspotforarendezvous.Itisdeserted,itisonlyaccessiblefromthelandsidebydescendingaverticalsteelladderwhichisnoteverybody’smoney,bienentendu.Moreovermostofthebeachisinvisiblefromabovebecauseoftheoverhangingcliff.Andithasanotheradvantage.Mr.Redferntoldmeofthatoneday.Thereisacaveonit,theentrancetowhichisnoteasytofindbutwhereanyonecouldwaitunseen.”
Westonsaid:
“Ofcourse,thePixy’sCave—rememberhearingaboutit.”
InspectorColgatesaid:
“Haven’thearditspokenofforyears,though.We’dbetterhavealookinsideit.Neverknow,wemightfindapointerofsomekind.”
Westonsaid:
“Yes,you’reright,Colgate,we’vegotthesolutiontopartoneofthepuzzle.WhydidMrs.MarshallgotoPixy’sCove?Wewanttheotherhalfofthatsolution,though.Whodidshegotheretomeet?Presumablysomeonestayinginthishotel.Noneofthemfittedasalover—butablackmailer’sadifferentproposition.”
Hedrewtheregistertowardshim.
“Excludingthewaiters,boots,etc.,whomIdon’tthinklikely,we’vegotthefollowing.TheAmerican—Gardener,MajorBarry,Mr.HoraceBlatt,andtheReverendStephenLane.”
InspectorColgatesaid:
“Wecannarrowitdownabit,sir.WemightalmostruleouttheAmerican,Ithink.Hewasonthebeachallthemorning.That’sso,isn’tit,M.Poirot?”
Poirotreplied:
“Hewasabsentforashorttimewhenhefetchedaskeinofwoolforhiswife.”
Colgatesaid:
“Ohwell,weneedn’tcountthat.”
Westonsaid:
“Andwhatabouttheotherthree?”
“MajorBarrywentoutatteno’clockthismorning.Hereturnedatonethirty.Mr.Lanewasearlierstill.Hebreakfastedateight.Saidhewasgoingforatramp.Mr.Blattwentoffforasailatninethirtysameashedoesmostdays.Neitherofthemarebackyet.”
“Asail,eh?”ColonelWeston’svoicewasthoughtful.
InspectorColgate’svoicewasresponsive.Hesaid:
“Mightfitinratherwell,sir.”
Westonsaid:
“Well,we’llhaveawordwiththisMajorbloke—andletmesee,whoelseisthere?RosamundDarnley.Andthere’stheBrewsterwomanwhofoundthebodywithRedfern.What’sshelike,Colgate?”
“Oh,asensibleparty,sir.Nononsenseabouther.”
“Shedidn’texpressanyopinionsonthedeath?”
TheInspectorshookhishead.
“Idon’tthinkshe’llhaveanythingmoretotellus,sir,butwe’llhavetomakesure.ThentherearetheAmericans.”
ColonelWestonnodded.Hesaid:“Let’shave’emallinandgetitoverassoonaspossible.Neverknow,mightlearnsomething.Abouttheblackmailingstuntifaboutnothingelse.”
III
Mr.andMrs.Gardenercameintothepresenceofauthoritytogether.
Mrs.Gardenerexplainedimmediately.
“Ihopeyou’llunderstandhowitis,ColonelWeston(thatisthename,Ithink?).”Reassuredonthispointshewenton:“ButthishasbeenaverybadshocktomeandMr.Gardenerisalwaysvery,verycarefulofmyhealth—”
Mr.Gardenerhereinterpolated:
“Mrs.Gardener,”hesaid,“isverysensitive.”
“—andhesaidtome,‘Why,Carrie,’hesaid,‘naturallyI’mcomingrightalongwithyou.’It’snotthatwehaven’tthehighestadmirationforBritishpolicemethodsbecausewehave.I’vebeentoldthatBritishpoliceprocedureismostrefinedanddelicate,andI’veneverdoubtedit,andcertainlywhenIoncehadabraceletmissingattheSavoyHotelnothingcouldhavebeenmorelovelyandsympatheticthantheyoungmanwhocametoseemeaboutit,and,ofcourse,Ihadn’treallylostthebraceletatall,butjustmislaidit;that’stheworstofrushingaboutsomuch,itmakesyoukindofforgetfulwhereyouputthings—”Mrs.Gardenerpaused,inhaledgentlyandstartedoffagain.“AndwhatIsayis,andIknowMr.Gardeneragreeswithme,thatwe’reonlytooanxioustodoanythingtohelptheBritishpoliceineveryway.Sogorightaheadandaskmeanythingatallyouwanttoknow—”
ColonelWestonopenedhismouthtocomplywiththisinvitation,buthadmomentarilytopostponespeechwhileMrs.Gardenerwenton.
“That’swhatIsaid,Odell,isn’tit?Andthat’sso,isn’tit?”
“Yes,darling,”saidMr.Gardener.
ColonelWestonspokehastily.
“Iunderstand,Mrs.Gardener,thatyouandyourhusbandwereonthebeachallthemorning?”
ForonceMr.Gardenerwasabletogetinfirst.
“That’sso,”hesaid.
“Why,certainlywewere,”saidMrs.Gardener.“Andalovelypeacefulmorningitwas,justlikeanyothermorningifyougetme,perhapsevenmoreso,andnottheslightestideainourmindsofwhatwashappeningroundthecorneronthatlonelybeach.”
“DidyouseeMrs.Marshallatalltoday?”
“Wedidnot.AndIsaidtoOdell,whywherevercanMrs.Marshallhavegottothismorning?Isaid.Andfirstherhusbandcominglookingforherandthenthatgood-lookingyoungman,Mr.Redfern,andsoimpatienthewas,justsittingthereonthebeachscowlingateveryoneandeverything.AndIsaidtomyselfwhy,whenhehasthatniceprettylittlewifeofhisown,musthegorunningafterthatdreadfulwoman?Becausethat’sjustwhatIfeltshewas.Ialwaysfeltthatabouther,didn’tI,Odell?”
“Yes,darling.”
“HoweverthatniceCaptainMarshallcametomarrysuchawomanIjustcannotimagineandwiththatniceyoungdaughtergrowingup,andit’ssoimportantforgirlstohavetherightinfluence.Mrs.Marshallwasnotatalltherightperson—nobreedingatall—andIshouldsayaveryanimalnature.NowifCaptainMarshallhadhadanysensehe’dhavemarriedMissDarnley,who’saveryverycharmingwomanandaverydistinguishedone.ImustsayIadmirethewayshe’sgonestraightaheadandbuiltupafirst-classbusinessasshehas.Ittakesbrainstodoathinglikethat—andyou’veonlygottolookatRosamundDarnleytoseeshe’sjustfranticwithbrains.Shecouldplanandcarryoutanymoralthingsheliked.IjustadmirethatwomanmorethanIcansay.AndIsaidtoMr.GardenertheotherdaythatanyonecouldseeshewasverymuchinlovewithCaptainMarshall—crazyabouthimwaswhatIsaid,didn’tI,Odell?”
“Yes,darling.”
“Itseemstheykneweachotheraschildren,andwhynow,whoknows,itmayallcomerightafterallwiththatwomanoutoftheway.I’mnotanarrow-mindedwoman,ColonelWeston,anditisn’tthatIdisapproveofthestageassuch—why,quitealotofmybestfriendsareactresses—butI’vesaidtoMr.Gardenerallalongthattherewassomethingevilaboutthatwoman.Andyousee,I’vebeenprovedright.”
Shepausedtriumphantly.
ThelipsofHerculePoirotquiveredinalittlesmile.HiseyesmetforaminutetheshrewdgreyeyesofMr.Gardener
ColonelWestonsaidratherdesperately:
“Well,thankyou,Mrs.Gardener.Isupposethere’snothingthateitherofyouhasnoticedsinceyou’vebeenherethatmighthaveabearinguponthecase?”
“Whyno,Idon’tthinkso.”Mr.Gardenerspokewithaslowdrawl.“Mrs.MarshallwasaroundwithyoungRedfernmostofthetime—buteverybodycantellyouthat.”
“Whataboutherhusband?Didhemind,doyouthink?”
Mr.Gardenersaidcautiously:
“CaptainMarshallisaveryreservedman.”
Mrs.Gardenerconfirmedthisbysaying:
“Why,yes,heisarealBritisher!”
IV
OntheslightlyapoplecticcountenanceofMajorBarryvariousemotionsseemedcontendingformastery.Hewasendeavouringtolookproperlyhorrifiedbutcouldnotsubdueakindofshamefacedgusto.
Hewassayinginhishoarse,slightlywheezyvoice:
“GladtohelpyouanywayIcan.’CourseIdon’tknowanythin’aboutit—nothin’atall.Notacquaintedwiththeparties.ButI’veknockedaboutabitinmytime.LivedalotintheEast,youknow.AndIcantellyouthatafterbeinginanIndianhillstationwhatyoudon’tknowabouthumannatureisn’tworthknowin’.”
Hepaused,tookabreathandwasoffagain.
“MatteroffactthisbusinessremindsmeofacaseinSimla.FellowcalledRobinson,orwasitFalconer?AnywayhewasintheEastWilts,orwasittheNorthSurreys?Can’tremembernow,andanywayitdoesn’tmatter.Quietchap,youknow,greatreader—mildasmilkyou’dhavesaid.Wentforhiswifeoneeveningintheirbungalow.Gotherbythethroat.She’dbeencarryin’onwithsomefellerorotherandhe’dgotwisetoit.ByJove,henearlydidforher!Itwastouchandgo.Surprisedusall!Didn’tthinkhehaditinhim.”
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“AndyouseethereananalogytothedeathofMrs.Marshall?”
“Well,whatImeantosay—strangled,youknow.Sameidea.Fellersuddenlyseesred!”
Poirotsaid:
“YouthinkthatCaptainMarshallfeltlikethat?”
“Oh,lookhere,Ineversaidthat.”MajorBarry’sfacewentevenredder.“NeversaidanythingaboutMarshall.Thoroughlynicechap.Wouldn’tsayawordagainsthimfortheworld.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Ah,pardon,butyoudidrefertothenaturalreactionsofahusband.”
MajorBarrysaid:
“Well,Imeantosay,Ishouldthinkshe’dbeenprettyhotstuff.Eh?GotyoungRedfernonastringallright.Andtherewereprobablyothersbeforehim.Butthefunnythingis,youknow,thathusbandsareadenselot.Amazin’.I’vebeensurprisedbyitagainandagain.Theyseeafellersweetontheirwifebuttheydon’tseethatshe’ssweetonhim!RememberacaselikethatinPoona.Veryprettywoman,Jove,sheledherhusbandadance—”
ColonelWestonstirredalittlerestively.Hesaid:
“Yes,yes,MajorBarry.Forthemomentwe’vejustgottoestablishthefacts.Youdon’tknowofanythingpersonally—thatyou’veseenornoticedthatmighthelpusinthiscase?”
“Well,really,Weston,Ican’tsayIdo.SawherandyoungRedfernoneafternoononGullCove”—herehewinkedknowinglyandgaveadeephoarsechuckle—“veryprettyitwas,too.Butit’snotevidenceofthatkindyou’rewanting.Ha,ha!”
“YoudidnotseeMrs.Marshallatallthismorning?”
“Didn’tseeanybodythismorning.WentovertoSt.Loo.Justmyluck.Sortofplaceherewherenothin’happensformonthsandwhenitdoesyoumissit!”
TheMajor’svoiceheldaghoulishregret.
ColonelWestonpromptedhim.
“YouwenttoSt.Loo,yousay?”
“Yes,wantedtodosometelephonin’.NotelephonehereandthatpostofficeplaceatLeathercombeBayisn’tveryprivate.”
“Wereyourtelephonecallsofaveryprivatenature?”
TheMajorwinkedagaincheerfully.
“Well,theywereandtheyweren’t.Wantedtogetthroughtoapalofmineandgethimtoputsomethin’onahorse.Couldn’tgetthroughtohim,worseluck.”
“Wheredidyoutelephonefrom?”
“CallboxintheG.P.O.atSt.Loo.ThenonthewaybackIgotlost—theseconfoundedlanes—twistin’andturnin’allovertheplace.Musthavewastedanhouroverthatatleast.Damnedconfusingpartoftheworld.Ionlygotbackhalfanhourago.”
ColonelWestonsaid:
“SpeaktoanyoneormeetanyoneinSt.Loo?”
MajorBarrysaidwithachuckle:
“Wantin’metoproveanalibi?Can’tthinkofanythin’useful.SawaboutfiftythousandpeopleinSt.Loo—butthat’snottosaythey’llrememberseein’me.”
TheChiefConstablesaid:
“Wehavetoaskthesethings,youknow.”
“Rightyouare.Callonmeatanytime.Gladtohelpyou.Veryfetchin’woman,thedeceased.Liketohelpyoucatchthefellerwhodidit.TheLonelyBeachMurder—betyouthat’swhatthepaperswillcallit.Remindsmeofthetime—”
ItwasInspectorColgatewhofirmlynippedthislatestreminiscenceinthebudandmanoeuvredthegarrulousMajoroutofthedoor.
Comingbackhesaid:
“DifficulttocheckuponanythinginSt.Loo.It’sthemiddleoftheholidayseason.”
TheChiefConstablesaid:
“Yes,wecan’ttakehimoffthelist.NotthatIseriouslybelievehe’simplicated.Dozensofoldboreslikehimgoingabout.Rememberoneortwooftheminmyarmydays.Still—he’sapossibility.Ileaveallthattoyou,Colgate.Checkwhattimehetookthecarout—petrol—allthat.It’shumanlypossiblethatheparkedthecarsomewhereinalonelyspot,walkedbackhereandwenttothecove.Butitdoesn’tseemfeasibletome.He’dhaveruntoomuchriskofbeingseen.”
Colgatenodded.
Hesaid:
“Ofcoursethereareagoodmanycharabancsheretoday.Fineday.Theystartarrivingroundabouthalfpasteleven.Hightidewasatseven.Lowtidewouldbeaboutoneo’clock.Peoplewouldbespreadoutoverthesandsandthecauseway.”
Westonsaid:
“Yes.Buthe’dhavetocomeupfromthecausewaypastthehotel.”
“Notrightpastit.Hecouldbranchoffonthepaththatleadsupoverthetopoftheisland.”
Westonsaiddoubtfully:
“I’mnotsayingthathemightn’thavedoneitwithoutbeingseen.PracticallyallthehotelguestswereonthebathingbeachexceptforMrs.RedfernandtheMarshallgirlwhoweredowninGullCove,andthebeginningofthatpathwouldonlybeoverlookedbyafewroomsofthehotelandthereareplentyofchancesagainstanyonelookingoutofthosewindowsjustatthatmoment.Forthematterofthat,Idaresayit’spossibleforamantowalkuptothehotel,throughtheloungeandoutagainwithoutanyonehappeningtoseehim.ButwhatIsayis,hecouldn’tcountonnooneseeinghim.”
Colgatesaid:
“Hecouldhavegoneroundtothecovebyboat.”
Westonnodded.Hesaid:
“That’smuchsounder.Ifhe’dhadaboathandyinoneofthecovesnearby,hecouldhaveleftthecar,rowedorsailedtoPixyCove,donethemurder,rowedback,pickedupthecarandarrivedbackwiththistaleabouthavingbeentoSt.Looandlosthisway—astorythathe’dknowwouldbeprettyhardtodisprove.”
“You’reright,sir.”
TheChiefConstablesaid:
“Well,Ileaveittoyou,Colgate.Combtheneighbourhoodthoroughly.Youknowwhattodo.We’dbetterseeMissBrewsternow.”
V
EmilyBrewsterwasnotabletoaddanythingofmaterialvaluetowhattheyalreadyknew.
Westonsaidaftershehadrepeatedherstory:
“Andthere’snothingyouknowofthatcouldhelpusinanyway?”
EmilyBrewstersaidshortly:
“Afraidnot.It’sadistressingbusiness.However,Iexpectyou’llsoongettothebottomofit.”
Westonsaid:
“Ihopeso,I’msure.”
EmilyBrewstersaiddryly:
“Oughtnottobedifficult.”
“Nowwhatdoyoumeanbythat,MissBrewster?”
“Sorry.Wasn’tattemptingtoteachyouyourbusiness.AllImeantwasthatwithawomanofthatkinditoughttobeeasyenough.”
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“Thatisyouropinion?”
EmilyBrewstersnappedout:
“Ofcourse.Demortuisnilnisibonumandallthat,butyoucan’tgetawayfromfacts.Thatwomanwasabadlotthroughandthrough.You’veonlygottohuntroundabitinherunsavourypast.”
HerculePoirotsaidgently:
“Youdidnotlikeher?”
“Iknowabittoomuchabouther.”Inanswertotheinquiringlooksshewenton:“MyfirstcousinmarriedoneoftheErskines.You’veprobablyheardthatthatwomaninducedoldSirRobertwhenhewasinhisdotagetoleavemostofhisfortunetoherawayfromhisownfamily.”
ColonelWestonsaid:
“Andthefamily—er—resentedthat?”
“Naturally.Hisassociationwithherwasascandalanyway,andontopofthat,toleaveherasumlikefiftythousandpoundsshowsjustthekindofwomanshewas.IdaresayIsoundhard,butinmyopiniontheArlenaStuartsofthisworlddeserveverylittlesympathy.Iknowofsomethingelsetoo—ayoungfellowwholosthisheadabouthercompletely—he’dalwaysbeenabitwild,naturallyhisassociationwithherpushedhimovertheedge.Hedidsomethingratherfishywithsomeshares—solelytogetmoneytospendonher—andonlyjustmanagedtoescapeprosecution.Thatwomancontaminatedeveryoneshemet.LookatthewayshewasruiningyoungRedfern.No,I’mafraidIcan’thaveanyregretforherdeath—thoughofcourseitwouldhavebeenbetterifshe’ddrownedherself,orfallenoveracliff.Stranglingisratherunpleasant.”
“Andyouthinkthemurdererwassomeoneoutofherpast?”
“Yes,Ido.”
“Someonewhocamefromthemainlandwithnooneseeinghim?”
“Whyshouldanyoneseehim?Wewereallonthebeach.IgathertheMarshallchildandChristineRedfernweredownonGullCoveoutoftheway.CaptainMarshallwasinhisroominthehotel.ThenwhoonearthwastheretoseehimexceptpossiblyMissDarnley.”
“WherewasMissDarnley?”
“Sittinguponthecuttingatthetopofthecliff.SunnyLedgeit’scalled.Wesawherthere,Mr.RedfernandI,whenwewererowingroundtheisland.”
ColonelWestonsaid:
“Youmayberight,MissBrewster.”
EmilyBrewstersaidpositively:
“I’msureI’mright.Whenawoman’sneithermorenorlessthananastymess,thensheherselfwillprovidethebestpossibleclue.Don’tyouagreewithme,M.Poirot?”
HerculePoirotlookedup.Hiseyesmetherconfidentgreyones.Hesaid:
“Oh,yes—Iagreewiththatwhichyouhavejustthisminutesaid.ArlenaMarshallherselfisthebest,theonlyclue,toherowndeath.”
MissBrewstersaidsharply:
“Well,then!”
Shestoodthere,anerectsturdyfigure,hercoolself-confidentglancegoingfromonemantotheother.
ColonelWestonsaid:
“Youmaybesure,MissBrewster,thatanycluetheremaybeinMrs.Marshall’spastlifewillnotbeoverlooked.”
EmilyBrewsterwentout.
VI
InspectorColgateshiftedhispositionatthetable.Hesaidinathoughtfulvoice:
“She’sadeterminedone,sheis.Andshe’dgotherknifeintothedeadlady,proper,shehad.”
Hestoppedaminuteandsaidreflectively:
“It’sapityinawaythatshe’sgotacast-ironalibiforthewholemorning.Didyounoticeherhands,sir?Asbigasaman’s.Andshe’saheftywoman—asstrongandstrongerthanmanyaman,I’dsay….”
Hepausedagain.HisglanceatPoirotwasalmostpleading.
“Andyousaysheneverleftthebeachthismorning,M.Poirot?”
SlowlyPoirotshookhishead.Hesaid:
“MydearInspector,shecamedowntothebeachbeforeMrs.MarshallcouldhavereachedPixyCoveandshewaswithinmysightuntilshesetoffwithMr.Redfernintheboat.”
InspectorColgatesaidgloomily:
“Thenthatwashesherout.”
Heseemedupsetaboutit.
VII
Asalways,HerculePoirotfeltakeensenseofpleasureatthesightofRosamundDarnley.
Eventoabarepoliceinquiryintotheuglyfactsofmurdershebroughtadistinctionofherown.
ShesatdownoppositeColonelWestonandturnedagraveandintelligentfacetohim.
Shesaid:
“Youwantmynameandaddress?RosamundAnneDarnley.IcarryonadressmakingbusinessunderthenameofRoseMondLtdat622BrookStreet.”
“Thankyou,MissDarnley.Nowcanyoutellusanythingthatmayhelpus?”
“Idon’treallythinkIcan.”
“Yourownmovements—”
“Ihadbreakfastaboutninethirty.ThenIwentuptomyroomandcollectedsomebooksandmysunshadeandwentouttoSunnyLedge.Thatmusthavebeenabouttwenty-fivepastten.Icamebacktothehotelabouttenminutestotwelve,wentupandgotmytennisracquetandwentouttothetenniscourts,whereIplayedtennisuntillunchtime.”
“Youwereinthecliffrecess,calledbythehotelSunnyLedge,fromabouthalfpasttenuntiltenminutestotwelve?”
“Yes.”
“DidyouseeMrs.Marshallatallthismorning?”
“No.”
“DidyouseeherfromthecliffasshepaddledherfloatroundtoPixyCove?”
“No,shemusthavegonebybeforeIgotthere.”
“Didyounoticeanyoneonafloatorinaboatatallthismorning?”
“No,Idon’tthinkIdid.Yousee,Iwasreading.OfcourseIlookedupfrommybookfromtimetotime,butasithappenedtheseawasquitebareeachtimeIdidso.”
“Youdidn’tevennoticeMr.RedfernandMissBrewsterwhentheywentround?”
“No.”
“Youwere,Ithink,acquaintedwithMr.Marshall?”
“CaptainMarshallisanoldfamilyfriend.Hisfamilyandminelivednextdoortoeachother.Ihadnotseenhim,however,foragoodmanyyears—itmustbesomethingliketwelveyears.”
“AndMrs.Marshall?”
“I’dneverexchangedhalfadozenwordswithheruntilImetherhere.”
“WereCaptainandMrs.Marshall,asfarasyouknew,ongoodtermswitheachother?”
“Onperfectlygoodterms,Ishouldsay.”
“WasCaptainMarshallverydevotedtohiswife?”
Rosamundsaid:
“Hemayhavebeen.Ican’treallytellyouanythingaboutthat.CaptainMarshallisratherold-fashioned—hehasn’tgotthemodernhabitofshoutingmatrimonialwoesuponthehousetop.”
“DidyoulikeMrs.Marshall,MissDarnley?”
“No.”
Themonosyllablecamequietlyandevenly.Itsoundedwhatitwas—asimplestatementoffact.
“Whywasthat?”
AhalfsmilecametoRosamund’slips.Shesaid:
“Surelyyou’vediscoveredthatArlenaMarshallwasnotpopularwithherownsex?Shewasboredtodeathwithwomenandshowedit.NeverthelessIshouldliketohavehadthedressingofher.Shehadagreatgiftforclothes.Herclotheswerealwaysjustrightandsheworethemwell.Ishouldliketohavehadherasaclient.”
“Shespentagooddealonclothes?”
“Shemusthavedone.ButthenshehadmoneyofherownandofcourseCaptainMarshallisquitewelloff.”
“DidyoueverhearordiditeveroccurtoyouthatMrs.Marshallwasbeingblackmailed,MissDarnley?”
AlookofintenseastonishmentcameoverRosamundDarnley’sexpressiveface.
Shesaid:
“Blackmailed?Arlena?”
“Theideaseemstosurpriseyou.”
“Well,yes,itdoesrather.Itseemssoincongruous.”
“Butsurelyitispossible?”
“Everything’spossible,isn’tit?Theworldsoonteachesonethat.ButIwonderedwhatanyonecouldblackmailArlenaabout?”
“Therearecertainthings,Isuppose,thatMrs.Marshallmightbeanxiousshouldnotcometoherhusband’sears?”
“We-ll,yes.”
Sheexplainedthedoubtinhervoicebysayingwithahalfsmile:
“Isoundsceptical,butthen,yousee,Arlenawasrathernotoriousinherconduct.Shenevermademuchofaposeofrespectability.”
“Youthink,then,thatherhusbandwasawareofher—intimacieswithotherpeople?”
Therewasapause.Rosamundwasfrowning.Shespokeatlastinaslow,reluctantvoice.Shesaid:
“Youknow,Idon’treallyknowwhattothink.I’vealwaysassumedthatKennethMarshallacceptedhiswife,quitefrankly,forwhatshewas.Thathehadnoillusionsabouther.Butitmaynotbeso.”
“Hemayhavebelievedinherabsolutely?”
Rosamundsaidwithsemi-exasperation:
“Menaresuchfools.AndKennethMarshallisunworldlyunderhissophisticatedmanner.Hemayhavebelievedinherblindly.Hemayhavethoughtshewasjust—admired.”
“Andyouknowofnoone—thatis,youhaveheardofnoonewhowaslikelytohavehadagrudgeagainstMrs.Marshall?”
RosamundDarnleysmiled.Shesaid:
“Onlyresentfulwives.AndIpresume,sinceshewasstrangled,thatitwasamanwhokilledher.”
“Yes.”
Rosamundsaidthoughtfully:
“No,Ican’tthinkofanyone.ButthenIprobablyshouldn’tknow.You’llhavetoasksomeoneinherownintimateset.”
“Thankyou,MissDarnley.”
Rosamundturnedalittleinherchair.Shesaid:
“Hasn’tM.Poirotanyquestionstoask?”
Herfaintlyironicsmileflashedoutathim.
HerculePoirotsmiledandshookhishead.
Hesaid:
“Icanthinkofnothing.”
RosamundDarnleygotupandwentout.
Eight
TheywerestandinginthebedroomthathadbeenArlenaMarshall’s.
Twobigbaywindowsgaveontoabalconythatoverlookedthebathingbeachandtheseabeyond.Sunshinepouredintotheroom,flashingoverthebewilderingarrayofbottlesandjarsonArlena’sdressingtable.
Heretherewaseverykindofcosmeticandunguentknowntobeautyparlours.Amongstthispanoplyofwoman’saffairsthreemenmovedpurposefully.InspectorColgatewentaboutshuttingandopeningdrawers.
Presentlyhegaveagrunt.Hehadcomeuponapacketoffoldedletters.HeandWestonranthroughthemtogether.
HerculePoirothadmovedtothewardrobe.Heopenedthedoorofthehangingcupboardandlookedatthemultiplicityofgownsandsportssuitsthathungthere.Heopenedtheotherside.Foamylingerielayinpiles.Onawideshelfwerehats.Twomorebeachcardboardhatsinlacquerredandpaleyellow—aBigHawaiianstrawhat—anotherofdroopingdark-bluelinenandthreeorfourlittleabsurditiesforwhich,nodoubt,severalguinesshadbeenpaidapiece—akindofberetindarkblue—atuft,nomore,ofblackvelvet—apalegreyturban.
HerculePoirotstoodscanningthem—afaintlyindulgentsmilecametohislips.Hemurmured:
“Lesfemmes!”
ColonelWestonwasrefoldingtheletters.
“ThreefromyoungRedfern,”hesaid.“Damnedyoungass.He’lllearnnottowriteletterstowomeninafewmoreyears.Womenalwayskeeplettersandthenswearthey’veburntthem.There’soneotherletterhere.Samelineofcountry.”
HehelditoutandPoirottookit.
DarlingArlena,—God,Ifeelblue.TobegoingouttoChina—andperhapsnotseeingyouagainforyearsandyears.Ididn’tknowanymancouldgoonfeelingcrazyaboutawomanlikeIfeelaboutyou.Thanksforthecheque.Theywon’tprosecutenow.Itwasanearshave,though,andallbecauseIwantedtomakebigmoneyforyou.Canyouforgiveme?Iwantedtosetdiamondsinyourears—yourlovelyears—andclaspgreatmilk-whitepearlsroundyourthroat,onlytheysaypearlsarenogoodnowadays.Afabulousemerald,then?Yes,that’sthething.Agreatemerald,coolandgreenandfullofhiddenfire.Don’tforgetme—butyouwon’t,Iknow.You’remine—always.Goodbye—goodbye—goodbye.J.N.
InspectorColgatesaid:
“MightbeworthwhiletofindoutifJ.N.reallydidgotoChina.Otherwise—well,hemightbethepersonwe’relookingfor.Crazyaboutthewoman,idealizingher,suddenlyfindingouthe’dbeenplayedforasucker.ItsoundstomeasthoughthisistheboyMissBrewstermentioned.Yes,Ithinkthismightbeuseful.”
HerculePoirotnodded.Hesaid:“Yes,thatletterisimportant.Ifinditveryimportant.”
Heturnedroundandstaredattheroom—atthebottlesonthedressingtable—attheopenwardrobeandatabigPierrotdollthatlolledinsolentlyonthebed.
TheywentintoKennethMarshall’sroom
Itwasnextdoortohiswife’sbutwithnocommunicatingdoorandnobalcony.Itfacedthesamewayandhadtwowindows,butitwasmuchsmaller.Betweenthetwowindowsagiltmirrorhungonthewall.Inthecornerbeyondtheright-handwindowwasthedressingtable.Onitweretwoivorybrushes,aclothesbrushandabottleofhairlotion.Inthecornerbytheleft-handwindowwasawritingtable.Anopentypewriterstoodonitandpaperswererangedinastackbesideit.
Colgatewentthroughthemrapidly.
Hesaid:
“Allseemsstraightforwardenough.Ah,here’stheletterhementionedthismorning.Datedthe24th—that’syesterday.Andhere’stheenvelopepostmarkedLeathercombeBaythismorning.Seemsallsquare.Nowwe’llhaveanideaifhecouldhavepreparedthatanswerofhisbeforehand.
Hesatdown.
ColonelWestonsaid:
“We’llleaveyoutoit,foramoment.We’lljustglancethroughtherestoftherooms.Everyone’sbeenkeptoutofthiscorridoruntilnow,andthey’regettingabitrestiveaboutit.”
TheywentnextintoLindaMarshall’sroom.Itfacedeast,lookingoutovertherocksdowntotheseabelow.
Westongaveaglanceround.Hemurmured:
“Don’tsupposethere’sanythingtoseehere.Butit’spossibleMarshallmighthaveputsomethinginhisdaughter’sroomthathedidn’twantustofind.Notlikely,though.Itisn’tasthoughtherehadbeenaweaponoranythingtogetridof.”
Hewentoutagain.
HerculePoirotstayedbehind.Hefoundsomethingthatinterestedhiminthegrate.Somethinghadbeenburntthererecently.Hekneltdown,workingpatiently.Helaidouthisfindsonasheetofpaper.Alargeirregularblobofcandlegrease—somefragmentsofgreenpaperorcardboard,possiblyapull-offcalendarforwithitwasanunburntfragmentbearingalargefigure5andascrapofprinting…nobledeeds…Therewasalsoanordinarypinandsomeburntanimalmatterwhichmighthavebeenhair.
Poirotarrangedthemneatlyinarowandstaredatthem.
Hemurmured:
“Donobledeeds,notdreamthemalldaylong.C’estpossible.Butwhatisonetomakeofthiscollection?C’estfantastique!”
Andthenhepickedupthepinandhiseyesgrewsharpandgreen.
Hemurmured:
“Pourl’amourdeDieu!Isitpossible?”
HerculePoirotgotupfromwherehehadbeenkneelingbythegrate.
Slowlyhelookedroundtheroomandthistimetherewasanentirelynewexpressiononhisface.Itwasgraveandalmoststern.
Totheleftofthemantelpiecethereweresomeshelveswitharowofbooks.HerculePoirotlookedthoughtfullyalongthetitles.
ABible,abatteredcopyofShakespeare’splays,TheMarriageofWilliamAshe,byMrs.HumphryWard.TheYoungStepmother,byCharlotteYonge.TheShropshireLad.Eliot’sMurderintheCathedral.BernardShaw’sSt.Joan.GoneWiththeWind,byMargaretMitchell.TheBurningCourt,byDicksonCarr.
Poirottookouttwobooks.TheYoungStepmotherandWilliamAshe,andglancedinsideattheblurredstampaffixedtothetitlepage.Ashewasabouttoreplacethem,hiseyecaughtsightofabookthathadbeenshovedbehindtheotherbooks.Itwasasmalldumpyvolumeboundinbrowncalf.
Hetookitoutandopenedit.Veryslowlyhenoddedhishead.
Hemurmured:
“SoIwasright…Yes,Iwasright.Butfortheother—isthatpossibletoo?No,itisnotpossible,unless…”
Hestayedthere,motionless,strokinghismoustacheswhilsthismindrangedbusilyovertheproblem.
Hesaidagain,softly:
“Unless—”
II
ColonelWestonlookedinatthedoor.
“Hullo,Poirot,stillthere?”
“Iarrive.Iarrive,”criedPoirot.
Hehurriedoutintothecorridor.
TheroomnexttoLinda’swasthatoftheRedferns.
Poirotlookedintoit,notingautomaticallythetraceoftwodifferentindividualities—aneatnessandtidinesswhichheassociatedwithChristine,andapicturesquedisorderwhichwascharacteristicofPatrick.Apartfromthesesidelightsonpersonalitytheroomdidnotinteresthim.
NexttoitagainwasRosamundDarnley’sroom,andherehelingeredforamomentinthesheerpleasureoftheowner’spersonality.
Henotedthefewbooksthatlayonthetablenexttothebed,theexpensivesimplicityofthetoiletsetonthedressingtable.AndtherecamegentlytohisnostrilstheelusiveexpensiveperfumethatRosamundDarnleyused.
NexttoRosamundDarnley’sroomatthenorthernendofthecorridorwasanopenwindowleadingtoabalconyfromwhichanoutsidestairleddowntotherocksbelow.
Westonsaid:
“That’sthewaypeoplegodowntobathebeforebreakfast—thatis,iftheybatheofftherocksasmostofthemdo.”
InterestcameintoHerculePoirot’seyes.Hesteppedoutsideandlookeddown.
Below,apathledtostepscutzigzagleadingdowntherockstothesea.Therewasalsoapaththatledroundthehoteltotheleft.Hesaid:
“Onecouldgodownthesestairs,gototheleftroundthehotelandjointhemainpathupfromthecauseway.”
Westonnodded.HeamplifiedPoirot’sstatement.
“Onecouldgorightacrosstheislandwithoutgoingthroughthehotelatall.”Headded:“Butonemightstillbeseenfromawindow.”
“Whatwindow?”
“Twoofthepublicbathroomslookoutthatway—north—andthestaffbathroom,andthecloakroomsonthegroundfloor.Alsothebilliardroom.”
Poirotnodded.Hesaid:
“Andalltheformerhavefrostedglasswindows,andonedoesnotplaybilliardsonafinemorning.”
“Exactly.”
Westonpausedandsaid:
“Ifhedidit,that’sthewayhewent.”
“YoumeanCaptainMarshall?”
“Yes.Blackmail,ornoblackmail.Istillfeelitpointstohim.Andhismanner—well,hismannerisunfortunate.”
HerculePoirotsaiddryly:
“Perhaps—butamannerdoesnotmakeamurderer!”
Westonsaid:
“Thenyouthinkhe’soutofit?”
Poirotshookhishead.Hesaid:
“No,Iwouldnotsaythat.”
Westonsaid:
“We’llseewhatColgatecanmakeoutofthetypewritingalibi.InthemeantimeI’vegotthechambermaidofthisfloorwaitingtobeinterviewed.Agooddealmaydependonherevidence.”
Thechambermaidwasawomanofthirty,brisk,efficientandintelligent.Heranswerscamereadily.
CaptainMarshallhadcomeuptohisroomnotlongafterten-thirty.Shewasthenfinishingtheroom.Hehadaskedhertobeasquickaspossible.Shehadnotseenhimcomebackbutshehadheardthesoundofthetypewriteralittlelater.Sheputitataboutfiveminutestoeleven.ShewastheninMr.andMrs.Redfern’sroom.AftershehaddonethatshemovedontoMissDarnley’sroomattheendofthecorridor.Shecouldnothearthetypewriterfromthere.Shewentto
MissLindaMarshall’s,thetwopublicbathrooms,Mrs.Marshall’sroomandprivatebath,CaptainMarshall’sroom.Mr.andMrs.Redfern’sroomandprivatebath,MissDarnley’sroomandprivatebath.CaptainMarshall’sandMissMarshall’sroomshadnoadjoiningbathrooms.
DuringthetimeshewasinMissDarnley’sroomandbathroomshehadnotheardanyonepassthedoororgooutbythestaircasetotherocks,butitwasquitelikelyshewouldn’thaveheardifanyonewentquietly.
WestonthendirectedhisquestionstothesubjectofMrs.Marshall.
No,Mrs.Marshallwasn’toneforrisingearlyasarule.She,GladysNarracott,hadbeensurprisedtofindthedooropenandMrs.Marshallgonedownatjustafterten.Somethingquiteunusual,thatwas.
“DidMrs.Marshallalwayshaveherbreakfastinbed?”
“Ohyes,sir,always.Notverymuchofiteither.Justteaandorangejuiceandonepieceoftoast.Slimminglikesomanyladies.”
No,shehadn’tnoticedanythingunusualinMrs.Marshall’smannerthatmorning.She’dseemedquiteasusual.
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“WhatdidyouthinkofMrs.Marshall,Mademoiselle?”
GladysNarracottstaredathim.Shesaid:
“Well,that’shardlyformetosay,isit,sir?”
“Butyes,itisforyoutosay.Weareanxious—veryanxious—tohearyourimpression.”
GladysgaveaslightlyuneasyglancetowardstheChiefConstable,whoendeavouredtomakehisfacesympatheticandapproving,thoughactuallyhefeltslightlyembarrassedbyhisforeigncolleague’smethodsofapproach.Hesaid:
“Er—yes,certainly.Goahead.”
ForthefirsttimeGladysNarracott’sbriskefficiencydesertedher.Herfingersfumbledwithherprintdress.Shesaid:
“Well,Mrs.Marshall—shewasn’texactlyalady,asyoumightsay.WhatImeanisshewasmorelikeanactress.”
ColonelWestonsaid:
“Shewasanactress.”
“Yes,sir,that’swhatI’msaying.Shejustwentonexactlyasshefeltlikeit.Shedidn’t—well,shedidn’ttroubletobepoliteifshewasn’tfeelingpolite.Andshe’dbeallsmilesoneminuteandthen,ifshecouldn’tfindsomethingorthebellwasn’tansweredatonceorherlaundrywasn’tback,well,bedownrightrudeandnastyaboutit.Noneofusyoumightsaylikedher.Butherclotheswerebeautiful,and,ofcourse,shewasaveryhandsomelady,soitwasonlynaturalsheshouldbeadmired.”
ColonelWestonsaid:
“IamsorrytohavetoaskyouwhatIamgoingtoaskyou,butitisaveryvitalmatter.Canyoutellmehowthingswerebetweenherandherhusband?”
GladysNarracotthesitatedaminute.
Shesaid:
“Youdon’t—itwasn’t—youdon’tthinkashedidit?”
HerculePoirotsaidquickly:
“Doyou?”
“Oh!Iwouldn’tliketothinkso.He’ssuchanicegentleman,CaptainMarshall.Hecouldn’tdoathinglikethat—I’msurehecouldn’t.”
“Butyouarenotverysure—Ihearitinyourvoice.”
GladysNarracottsaidreluctantly:
“Youdoreadsuchthingsinthepapers!Whenthere’sjealousy.Ifthere’sbeengoingson—and,ofcourse,everyone’sbeentalkingaboutit—aboutherandMr.Redfern,Imean.AndMrs.Redfernsuchanicequietlady!Itdoesseemashame!AndMr.Redfern’sanicegentlemantoo,butitseemsmencan’thelpthemselveswhenit’saladylikeMrs.Marshall—onewho’susedtohavingherownway.Wiveshavetoputupwithalot,I’msure.”Shesighedandpaused.“ButifCaptainMarshallfoundoutaboutit—”
ColonelWestonsaidsharply:
“Well?”
GladysNarracottsaidslowly:
“IdidthinksometimesthatMrs.Marshallwasfrightenedofherhusbandknowing.”
“Whatmakesyousaythat?”
“Itwasn’tanythingdefinite,sir.ItwasonlyIfelt—thatsometimesshewas—afraidofhim.Hewasaveryquietgentlemanbuthewasn’t—hewasn’teasy.”
Westonsaid:
“Butyou’venothingdefinitetogoon?Nothingeitherofthemeversaidtoeachother.”
SlowlyGladysNarracottshookherhead.
Westonsighed.Hewenton.
“Now,astolettersreceivedbyMrs.Marshallthismorning.Canyoutellusanythingaboutthose?”
“Therewereaboutsixorseven,sir.Icouldn’tsayexactly.”
“Didyoutakethemuptoher?”
“Yes,sir.Igotthemfromtheofficeasusualandputthemonherbreakfasttray.”
“Doyourememberanythingaboutthelookofthem?”
Thegirlshookherhead.
“Theywerejustordinary-lookingletters.Someofthemwerebillsandcirculars,Ithink,becausetheyweretornuponthetray.”
“Whathappenedtothem?”
“Theywentintothedustbin,sir.Oneofthepolicegentlemenisgoingthroughthatnow.”
Westonnodded.
“Andthecontentsofthewastepaperbaskets,wherearethey?”
“They’llbeinthedustbintoo.”
Westonsaid:“H’m—well,Ithinkthatisallatpresent.”HelookedinquiringlyatPoirot.
Poirotleanedforward.
“WhenyoudidMissLindaMarshall’sroomthismorning,didyoudothefireplace?”
“Therewasn’tanythingtodo,sir.Therehadbeennofirelit.”
“Andtherewasnothinginthefireplaceitself?”
“Nosir,itwasperfectlyallright.”
“Whattimedidyoudoherroom?”
“Aboutaquarterpastnine,sir,whenshe’dgonedowntobreakfast.”
“Didshecomeuptoherroomafterbreakfast,doyouknow?”
“Yes,sir.Shecameupaboutaquartertoten.”
“Didshestayinherroom?”
“Ithinkso,sir.Shecameout,hurryingrather,justbeforehalfpastten.”
“Youdidn’tgointoherroomagain?”
“No,sir.Ihadfinishedwithit.”
Poirotnodded.Hesaid:
“ThereisanotherthingIwanttoknow.Whatpeoplebathedbeforebreakfastthismorning?”
“Icouldn’tsayabouttheotherwingandthefloorabove.Onlyaboutthisone.”
“ThatisallIwanttoknow.”
“Well,sir,CaptainMarshallandMr.Redfernweretheonlyonesthismorning,Ithink.Theyalwaysgodownforanearlydip.”
“Didyouseethem?”
“No,sir,buttheirwetbathingthingswerehangingoverthebalconyrailasusual.”
“MissLindaMarshalldidnotbathethismorning?”
“No,sir.Allherbathingdresseswerequitedry.”
“Ah,”saidPoirot.“ThatiswhatIwantedtoknow.”
GladysNarracottvolunteered:
“Shedoesmostmornings,sir.”
“Andtheotherthree,MissDarnley,Mrs.RedfernandMrs.Marshall?”
“Mrs.Marshallnever,sir.MissDarnleyhasonceortwice,Ithink.Mrs.Redferndoesn’toftenbathebeforebreakfast—onlywhenit’sveryhot,butshedidn’tthismorning.”
AgainPoirotnodded.Thenheasked:
“Iwonderifyouhavenoticedwhetherabottleismissingfromanyoftheroomsyoulookafterinthiswing?”
“Abottle,sir?Whatkindofabottle?”
“UnfortunatelyIdonotknow.Buthaveyounoticed—orwouldyoubelikelytonotice—ifonehadgone?”
Gladyssaidfrankly:
“Ishouldn’tfromMrs.Marshall’sroom,sir,andthat’safact.Shehaseversomany.”
“Andtheotherrooms?”
“Well,I’mnotsureaboutMissDarnley.Shehasagoodmanycreamsandlotions.Butfromtheotherrooms,yes,Iwould,sir.ImeanifIweretolookspecial.IfIwerenoticing,sotospeak.”
“Butyouhaven’tactuallynoticed?”
“No,becauseIwasn’tlookingspecial,asIsay.”
“Perhapsyouwouldgoandlooknow,then.”
“Certainly,sir.”
Shelefttheroom,herprintdressrustling.WestonlookedatPoirot.Hesaid:“What’sallthis?”
Poirotmurmured:
“Myorderlymind,thatisvexedbytrifles!MissBrewster,thismorning,wasbathingofftherocksbeforebreakfast,andshesaysthatabottlewasthrownfromaboveandnearlyhither.Ehbien,Iwanttoknowwhothrewthatbottleandwhy?”
“Mydearman,anyonemayhavechuckedabottleaway.”
“Notatall.Tobeginwith,itcouldonlyhavebeenthrownfromawindowontheeastsideofthehotel—thatis,oneofthewindowsoftheroomswehavejustexamined.NowIaskyou,ifyouhaveanemptybottleonyourdressingtableorinyourbathroomwhatdoyoudowithit?Iwilltellyou,youdropitintothewastepaperbasket.Youdonottakeifyoudidnotwantanyonetoseethatparticularbottle.”
Westonstaredathim.
Westonsaid:
“IknowthatChiefInspectorJapp,whomImetoveracasenotlongago,alwayssaysyouhaveadamnedtortuousmind.You’renotgoingtotellmenowthatArlenaMarshallwasn’tstrangledatall,butpoisonedoutofsomemysteriousbottlewithamysteriousdrug?”
“No,no,Idonotthinktherewaspoisoninthatbottle.”
“Thenwhatwasthere?”
“Idonotknowatall.That’swhyIaminterested.”
GladysNarracottcameback.Shewasalittlebreathless.Shesaid:
“I’msorry,sir,butIcan’tfindanythingmissing.I’msurethere’snothinggonefromCaptainMarshall’sroom,orMissLindaMarshall’sroom,orMr.andMrs.Redfern’sroom,andI’mprettysurethere’snothinggonefromMissDarnley’seither.ButIcouldn’tsayaboutMrs.Marshall’s.AsIsay,she’sgotsuchalot.”
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.
Hesaid:
“Nomatter.Wewillleaveit.”
GladysNarracottsaid:
“Isthereanythingmore,sir?”
Shelookedfromonetotheotherofthem.
Westonsaid:
“Don’tthinkso.Thankyou.”
Poirotsaid:
“Ithankyou,no.Youaresure,areyounot,thatthereisnothing—nothingatall,thatyouhaveforgottentotellus?”
“AboutMrs.Marshall,sir?”
“Aboutanythingatall.Anythingunusual,outoftheway,unexplained,slightlypeculiar,rathercurious—enfin,somethingthathasmadeyousaytoyourselfortooneofyourcolleagues:‘That’sfunny!’?”
Gladyssaiddoubtfully:
“Well,notthesortofthingthatyouwouldmean,sir.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“NevermindwhatImean.YoudonotknowwhatImean.Itistrue,then,thatyouhavesaidtoyourselfortoacolleaguetoday,‘thatisfunny!’?”
Hebroughtoutthethreewordswithironicdetachment.
Gladyssaid:
“Itwasnothingreally.Justabathbeingrun.AndIdidpasstheremarktoElsie,downstairs,thatitwasfunnysomebodyhavingabathroundabouttwelveo’clock.”
“Whosebath,whohadabath?”
“ThatIcouldn’tsay,sir.Wehearditgoingdownthewastefromthiswing,that’sall,andthat’swhenIsaidwhatIdidtoElsie.”
“You’resureitwasabath?Notoneofthehandbasins?”
“Oh!quitesure,sir.Youcan’tmistakebathwaterrunningaway.”
Poirotdisplayingnofurtherdesiretokeepher,GladysNarracottwaspermittedtodepart.
Westonsaid:
“Youdon’tthinkthisbathquestionisimportant,doyou,Poirot?Imean,there’snopointtoit.Nobloodstainsoranythinglikethattowashoff.That’sthe—”Hehesitated.
Poirotcutin:
“That,youwouldsay,istheadvantageofstrangulation!Nobloodstains,noweapon—nothingtogetridoforconceal!Nothingisneededbutphysicalstrength—andthesoulofakiller!”
Hisvoicewassofierce,sochargedwithfeeling,thatWestonrecoiledalittle.
HerculePoirotsmiledathimapologetically.
“Noone,”hesaid,“thebathisprobablyofnoimportance.Anyonemayhavehadabath.Mrs.Redfernbeforeshewenttoplaytennis,CaptainMarshall,MissDarnley.AsIsay,anyone.Thereisnothinginthat.”
Apoliceconstableknockedatthedoor,andputinhishead.
“It’sMissDarnley,sir.Shesaysshe’dliketoseeyouagainforaminute.There’ssomethingsheforgottotellyou,shesays.”
Westonsaid:
“We’recomingdown—now.”
III
ThefirstpersontheysawwasColgate.Hisfacewasgloomy.
“Justaminute,sir.”
WestonandPoirotfollowedhimintoMrs.Castle’soffice.
Colgatesaid:
“I’vebeencheckingupwithHealdonthistypewritingbusiness.Notadoubtofit,itcouldn’tbedoneunderanhour.Longer,ifyouhadtostopandthinkhereandthere.Thatseemstomeprettywelltosettleit.Andlookatthisletter.”
Hehelditout.
“MydearMarshall—SorrytoworryyouonyourholidaybutanentirelyunforseensituationhasarisenovertheBurleyandTendercontracts…”
“Etcetera,etcetera,”saidColgate.“Datedthe24th—that’syesterday.EnvelopepostmarkedyesterdayeveningE.C.1.andLeathercombeBaythismorning.Sametypewriterusedonenvelopeandinletter.AndbythecontentsitwasclearlyimpossibleforMarshalltopreparehisanswerbeforehand.Thefiguresariseoutoftheonesintheletter—thewholethingisquiteintricate.”
“H’m,”saidWestongloomily.“ThatseemstoletMarshallout.We’llhavetolookelsewhere.”Headded:“I’vegottoseeMissDarnleyagain.She’swaitingnow.”
Rosamundcameincrisply.Hersmileheldanapologeticnuance.
Shesaid:
“I’mfrightfullysorry.Probablyitisn’tworthbotheringabout.Butonedoesforgetthingsso.”
“Yes,MissDarnley?”
TheChiefConstableindicatedachair.
Sheshookhershapelyblackhead.
“Oh,itisn’tworthsittingdown.It’ssimplythis.ItoldyouthatIspentthemorninglyingoutonSunnyLedge.Thatisn’tquiteaccurate.IforgotthatonceduringthemorningIwentbacktothehotelandoutagain.”
“Whattimewasthat,MissDarnley?”
“Itmusthavebeenaboutaquarterpasteleven.”
“Youwentbacktothehotel,yousaid?”
“Yes,I’dforgottenmyglareglasses.AtfirstIthoughtIwouldn’tbotherandthenmyeyesgottiredandIdecidedtogoinandgetthem.”
“Youwentstraighttoyourroomandoutagain?”
“Yes.Atleast,asamatteroffact,IjustlookedinonKen—CaptainMarshall.IheardhismachinegoingandIthoughtitwassostupidofhimtostayindoorstypingonsuchalovelyday.IthoughtI’dtellhimtocomeout.”
“AndwhatdidCaptainMarshallsay?”
Rosamundsmiledrathershamefacedly.
“Well,whenIopenedthedoorhewastypingsovigorously,andfrowningandlookingsoconcentrated,thatIjustwentawayquietly.Idon’tthinkheevensawmecomein.”
“Andthatwas—atwhattime,MissDarnley?”
“Justabouttwentypasteleven.InoticedtheclockinthehallasIwentoutagain.”
IV
“Andthatputsthelidonitfinally,”saidInspectorColgate.“Thechambermaidheardhimtypinguptillfiveminutestoeleven.MissDarnleysawhimattwentyminutespast,andthewomanwasdeadataquartertotwelve.Hesayshespentthathourtypinginhisroom,anditseemsquiteclearthathewastypinginhisroom.ThatwashesCaptainMarshallrightout.”
Hestopped,thenlookingatPoirotwithsomecuriosity,heasked:
“M.Poirot’slookingveryseriousoversomething.”
Poirotsaidthoughtfully:
“IwaswonderingwhyMissDarnleysuddenlyvolunteeredthisextraevidence.”
InspectorColgatecockedhisheadalertly.
“Thinkthere’ssomethingfishyaboutit?Thatitisn’tjustaquestionof‘forgetting?’”
Heconsideredforaminuteortwo,thenhesaidslowly:
“Lookhere,sir,let’slookatitthisway.SupposingMissDarnleywasn’tonSunnyLedgethismorningasshesays.Thatstory’salie.Nowsupposethataftertellingusherstory,shefindsthatsomebodysawhersomewhereelseoralternativelythatsomeonewenttotheLedgeanddidn’tfindherthere.Thenshethinksupthisstoryquickandcomesandtellsittoustoaccountforherabsence.You’llnoticethatshewascarefultosayCaptainMarshalldidn’tseeherwhenshelookedintohisroom.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Yes,Inoticedthat.”
Westonsaidincredulously:
“AreyousuggestingthatMissDarnley’smixedupinthis?Nonsense,seemsabsurdtome.Whyshouldshebe?”
InspectorColgatecoughed.
Hesaid:
“You’llrememberwhattheAmericanlady,Mrs.Gardener,said.ShesortofhintedthatMissDarnleywassweetonCaptainMarshall.There’dbeamotivethere,sir.”
Westonsaidimpatiently:
“ArlenaMarshallwasn’tkilledbyawoman.It’samanwe’vegottolookfor.We’vegottosticktothemeninthecase.”
InspectorColgatesighed.Hesaid:
“Yes,that’strue,sir.Wealwayscomebacktothat,don’twe?”
Westonwenton:
“Betterputaconstableontotimingoneortwothings.Fromthehotelacrosstheislandtothetopoftheladder.Lethimdoitrunningandwalking.Samethingwiththeladderitself.Andsomebodyhadbettercheckthetimeittakestogoonafloatfromthebathingbeachtothecove.”
InspectorColgatenodded.
“I’llattendtoallthat,sir,”hesaidconfidently.
TheChiefConstablesaid:
“ThinkI’llgoalongtothecovenow.SeeifPhillipshasfoundanything.Thenthere’sthatPixy’sCavewe’vebeenhearingabout.Oughttoseeifthereareanytracesofamanwaitinginthere.Eh,Poirot?Whatdoyouthink?”
“Byallmeans.Itisapossibility.”
Westonsaid:
“Ifsomebodyfromoutsidehadnippedovertotheislandthatwouldbeagoodhidingplace—ifheknewaboutit.Isupposethelocalsknow?”
Colgatesaid:
“Don’tbelievetheyoungergenerationwould.Yousee,eversincethishotelwasstartedthecoveshavebeenprivateproperty.Fishermendon’tgothere,orpicnicparties.Andthehotelpeoplearen’tlocal.Mrs.Castle’saLondoner.”
Westonsaid:
“WemighttakeRedfernwithus.Hetoldusaboutit.Whataboutyou,M.Poirot?”
HerculePoirothesitated.Hesaid,hisforeignintonationverypronounced:
“Me,IamlikeMissBrewsterandMrs.Redfern,Idonotliketodescendperpendicularladders.”
Westonsaid:“Youcangoroundbyboat.”
AgainHerculePoirotsighed.
“Mystomach,itisnothappyonthesea.”
“Nonsense,man,it’sabeautifulday.Calmasamillpond.Youcan’tletusdown,youknow.”
HerculePoirothardlylookedlikerespondingtothisBritishadjuration.Butatthatmoment,Mrs.Castlepokedherladylikefaceandelaboratecoiffureroundthedoor.
“Ay’msureayhopeayamnotintruding,”shesaid.“ButMr.Lane,theclergyman,youknow,hasjustreturned.Aythoughtyoumightliketoknow.”
“Ahyes,thanks,Mrs.Castle.We’llseehimrightaway.”
Mrs.Castlecamealittlefartherintotheroom.Shesaid:
“Aydon’tknowifitisworthmentioning,butayhaveheardthatthesmallestincidentshouldnotbeignored—”
“Yes,yes?”saidWestonimpatiently.
“Itisonlythattherewasaladyandgentlemanhereaboutoneo’clock.Cameoverfromthemainland.Forluncheon.Theywereinformedthattherehadbeenanaccidentandthatunderthecircumstancesnoluncheonscouldbeserved.”
“Anyideawhotheywere?”
“Aycouldn’tsayatall.Naturallynonamewasgiven.Theyexpresseddisappointmentandacertainamountofcuriosityastothenatureoftheaccident.Aycouldn’ttellthemanything,ofcourse.Ayshouldsay,myself,theyweresummervisitorsofthebetterclass.”
Westonsaidbrusquely:
“Ahwell,thankyoufortellingus.Probablynotimportantbutquiteright—er—toremembereverything.”
“Naturally,”saidMrs.Castle,“aywishtodomyDuty!”
“Quite,quite.AskMr.Lanetocomehere.”
V
StephenLanestrodeintotheroomwithhisusualvigour.
Westonsaid:
“I’mtheChiefConstableoftheCounty,Mr.Lane.Isupposeyou’vebeentoldwhathasoccurredhere?”
“Yes—ohyes—IheardassoonasIgothere.Terrible…Terrible…”Histhinframequivered.Hesaidinalowvoice:“Allalong—eversinceIarrivedhere—Ihavebeenconscious—veryconscious—oftheforcesofevilcloseathand.”
Hiseyes,burningeagereyes,wenttoHerculePoirot.
Hesaid:
“Youremember,M.Poirot?Ourconversationsomedaysago?Abouttherealityofevil?”
Westonwasstudyingthetall,gauntfigureinsomeperplexity.Hefounditdifficulttomakethismanout.Lane’seyescamebacktohim.Theclergymansaidwithaslightsmile:
“Idaresaythatseemsfantastictoyou,sir.Wehaveleftoffbelievinginevilinthesedays.WehaveabolishedHellfire!WenolongerbelieveintheDevil!ButSatanandSatan’semissarieswerenevermorepowerfulthantheyaretoday!”
Westonsaid:
“Er—er—yes,perhaps.That,Mr.Lane,isyourprovince.Mineismoreprosaic—toclearupacaseofmurder.”
StephenLanesaid:
“Anawfulword.Murder!Oneoftheearliestsinsknownonearth—theruthlesssheddingofaninnocentbrother’sblood…”Hepaused,hiseyeshalfclosed.Then,inamoreordinaryvoicehesaid:
“InwhatwaycanIhelpyou?”
“Firstofall,Mr.Lane,willyoutellmeyourownmovementstoday?”
“Willingly.Istartedoffearlyononeofmyusualtramps.Iamfondofwalking.Ihaveroamedoveragooddealofthecountrysideroundhere.TodayIwenttoSt.Petrock-in-the-Combe.Thatisaboutsevenmilesfromhere—averypleasantwalkalongwindinglanes,upanddowntheDevonhillsandvalleys.Itooksomelunchwithmeandateitinaspinney.Ivisitedthechurch—ithassomefragments—onlyfragmentsalas,ofearlyglass—alsoaveryinterestingpaintedscreen.”
“Thankyou,Mr.Lane.Didyoumeetanyoneonyourwalk?”
“Nottospeakto.Acartpassedmeonceandacoupleofboysonbicyclesandsomecows.However,”hesmiled,“ifyouwantproofofmystatement,Iwrotemynameinthebookatthechurch.Youwillfinditthere.”
“Youdidnotseeanyoneatthechurchitself—theVicar,ortheverger?”
StephenLaneshookhishead.Hesaid:
“No,therewasnooneaboutandIwastheonlyvisitor.St.Petrockisaveryremotespot.Thevillageitselfliesonthefarsideofitabouthalfamilefartheron.”
ColonelWestonsaidpleasantly:
“Youmustn’tthinkwe’re—er—doubtingwhatyousay.Justamatterofcheckinguponeverybody.Justroutine,youknow,routine.Havetosticktoroutineincasesofthiskind.”
StephenLanesaidgently:
“Ohyes,Iquiteunderstand.”
Westonwenton:
“Nowthenextpoint.Isthereanythingyouknowthatwouldassistusatall?Anythingaboutthedeadwoman?Anythingthatcouldgiveusapointerastowhomurderedher?Anythingyouheardorsaw?”
StephenLanesaid:
“Iheardnothing.AllIcantellyouisthis:thatIknewinstinctivelyassoonasIsawherthatArlenaMarshallwasafocusofevil.ShewasEvil!Evilpersonified!Womancanbeman’shelpandinspirationinlife—shecanalsobeman’sdownfall.Shecandragamandowntothelevelofthebeast.Thedeadwomanwasjustsuchawoman.Sheappealedtoeverythingbaseinaman’snature.ShewasawomansuchasJezebelandAholibah.Now—shehasbeenstruckdowninthemiddleofherwickedness!”
HerculePoirotstirred.Hesaid:
“Notstruckdown—strangled!Strangled,Mr.Lane,byapairofhumanhands.”
Theclergyman’sownhandstrembled.Thefingerswrithedandtwitched.Hesaid,andhisvoicecamelowandchoked:
“That’shorrible—horrible—Mustyouputitlikethat?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Itisthesimpletruth.Haveyouanyidea,Mr.Lane,whosehandsthosewere?”
Theothershookhishead.Hesaid:“Iknownothing—nothing….”
Westongotup.Hesaid,afteraglanceatColgatetowhichthelatterrepliedbyanalmostimperceptiblenod,“Well,wemustgetontotheCove.”
Lanesaid:
“Isthatwhere—ithappened?”
Westonnodded.
Lanesaid:
“Can—canIcomewithyou?”
Abouttoreturnacurtnegative,WestonwasforestalledbyPoirot.
“Butcertainly,”saidPoirot.“Accompanymethereinaboat,Mr.Lane.Westartimmediately.”
Nine
ForthesecondtimethatmorningPatrickRedfernwasrowingaboatintoPixyCove.TheotheroccupantsoftheboatwereHerculePoirot,verypalewithahandtohisstomach,andStephenLane.ColonelWestonhadtakenthelandroute.Havingbeendelayedonthewayhearrivedonthebeachatthesametimeastheboatgrounded.Apoliceconstableandaplainclothessergeantwereonthebeachalready.Westonwasquestioningthelatterasthethreefromtheboatwalkedupandjoinedhim.
SergeantPhillipssaid:
“IthinkI’vebeenovereveryinchofthebeach,sir.”
“Good,whatdidyoufind?”
“It’salltogetherhere,sir,ifyou’dliketocomeandsee.”
Asmallcollectionofobjectswaslaidoutneatlyonarock.Therewasapairofscissors,anemptyGoldFlakepacket,fivepatentbottletops,anumberofusedmatches,threepiecesofstring,oneortwofragmentsofnewspaper,afragmentofasmashedpipe,fourbuttons,thedrumstickboneofachickenandanemptybottleofsunbathingoil.
Westonlookeddownappraisinglyontheobjects.
“H’m,”hesaid.“Rathermoderateforabeachnowadays!Mostpeopleseemtoconfuseabeachwithapublicrubbishdump!Emptybottle’sbeenheresometimebythewaythelabel’sblurred—sohavemostoftheotherthings,Ishouldsay.Thescissorsarenew,though.Brightandshining.Theyweren’toutinyesterday’srain!Wherewerethey?”
“Closebythebottomoftheladder,sir.Alsothisbitofpipe.”
“H’m,probablydroppedbysomeonegoingupordown.Nothingtosaywhotheybelongto?”
“No,sir.Quiteanordinarypairofnailscissors.Pipe’sagoodqualitybrier—expensive.”
Poirotmurmuredthoughtfully:
“CaptainMarshalltoldus,Ithink,thathehadmislaidhispipe.”
Westonsaid:
“Marshall’soutofthepicture.Anyway,he’snottheonlypersonwhosmokesapipe.”
HerculePoirotwaswatchingStephenLaneasthelatter’shandwenttohispocketandawayagain.Hesaidpleasantly:
“Youalsosmokeapipe,doyounot,Mr.Lane?”
Theclergymanstarted.HelookedatPoirot.
Hesaid:
“Yes.Ohyes.Mypipeisanoldfriendandcompanion.”Puttinghishandintohispocketagainhedrewoutapipe,filleditwithtobaccoandlightedit.
HerculePoirotmovedawaytowhereRedfernwasstanding,hiseyesblank.
Hesaidinalowvoice:
“I’mglad—they’vetakenheraway….”
StephenLaneasked:
“Wherewasshefound?”
TheSergeantsaidcheerfully:
“Justaboutwhereyou’restanding,sir.”
Lanemovedswiftlyaside.Hestaredatthespothehadjustvacated.
TheSergeantwenton:
“Placewherethefloatwasdrawnupagreeswithputtingthetimeshearrivedhereat10:45.That’sgoingbythetide.It’sturnednow.”
“Photographyalldone?”askedWeston.
“Yes,sir.”
WestonturnedtoRedfern.
“Nowthen,man,where’stheentrancetothiscaveofyours?”
PatrickRedfernwasstillstaringdownatthebeachwhereLanehadbeenstanding.Itwasasthoughhewasseeingthatsprawlingbodythatwasnolongerthere.
Weston’swordsrecalledhimtohimself
Hesaid:“It’soverhere.”
Heledthewaytowhereagreatmassoftumbled-downrocksweremassedpicturesquelyagainstthecliffside.Hewentstraighttowheretwobigrocks,sidebyside,showedastraightnarrowcleftbetweenthem.Hesaid:
“Theentranceishere.”
Westonsaid:
“Here?Doesn’tlookasthoughamancouldsqueezethrough.”
“It’sdeceptive,you’llfind,sir.Itcanjustbedone.”
Westoninsertedhimselfgingerlyintothecleft.Itwasnotasnarrowasitlooked.Inside,thespacewidenedandprovedtobeafairlyroomyrecesswithroomtostanduprightandtomoveabout.
HerculePoirotandStephenLanejoinedtheChiefConstable.Theotherstayedoutside.Lightfilteredinthroughtheopening,butWestonhadalsogotapowerfultorchwhichheplayedfreelyovertheinterior.
Heobserved:
“Handyplace.You’dneversuspectitfromtheoutside.”
Heplayedthetorchcarefullyoverthefloor.
HerculePoirotwasdelicatelysniffingtheair.
Noticingthis,Westonsaid:
“Airquitefresh,notfishyorseaweedy,butofcoursethisplaceiswellabovehighwatermark.”
ButtoPoirot’ssensitivenose,theairwasmorethanfresh.Itwasdelicatelyscented.Heknewtwopeoplewhousedthatelusiveperfume….
“Weston’storchcametorest.Hesaid:
“Don’tseeanythingoutofthewayinhere.”
Poirot’seyesrosetoaledgealittlewayabovehishead.Hemurmured:
“Onemightperhapsseethatthereisnothingupthere?”
Westonsaid:“Ifthere’sanythingupthereitwouldhavetobedeliberatelyputthere.Still,we’dbetterhavealook.”
PoirotsaidtoLane:
“Youare,Ithink,thetallestofus,Monsieur.Couldweventuretoaskyoutomakesurethereisnothingrestingonthatledge?”
Lanestretchedup,buthecouldnotquitereachtothebackoftheshelf.Then,seeingacreviceintherock,heinsertedatoeinitandpulledhimselfupbyonehand.
Hesaid:
“Hullo,there’saboxuphere.”
Inaminuteortwotheywereoutinthesunshineexaminingtheclergyman’sfind.
Westonsaid:
“Careful,don’thandleitmorethanyoucanhelp.Maybefingerprints.”
Itwasadark-greentinboxandborethewordSandwichesonit.
SergeantPhillipssaid:
“Leftfromsomepicnicorother,Isuppose.”
Heopenedthelidwithhishandkerchief
Insideweresmalltincontainersmarkedsalt,pepper,mustardandtwolargersquaretinsevidentlyforsandwiches.SergeantPhillipsliftedthelidofthesaltcontainer.Itwasfulltothebrim.Heraisedthenextone,commenting:
“H’m,gotsaltinthepepperonetoo.”
Themustardcompartmentalsocontainedsalt.
Hisfacesuddenlyalert,thepolicesergeantopenedoneofthebiggersquaretins.That,too,containedthesamewhitecrystallinepowder.
Verygingerly,SergeantPhillipsdippedafingerinandappliedittohistongue.
Hisfacechanged.Hesaid—andhisvoicewasexcited:
“Thisisn’tsalt,sir.Notbyalongway!Bittertaste!Seemstomeit’ssomekindofdrug.”
II
“Thethirdangle,”saidColonelWestonwithagroan.
Theywerebackatthehotelagain.
TheChiefConstablewenton:
“Ifbyanychancethere’sadopegangmixedupinthis,itopensupseveralpossibilities.Firstofall,thedeadwomanmayhavebeeninwiththegangherself.Thinkthat’slikely?”
HerculePoirotsaidcautiously:
“Itispossible.”
“Shemayhavebeenadrugaddict?”
Poirotshookhishead.
Hesaid:
“Ishoulddoubtthat.Shehadsteadynerves,radianthealth,therewerenomarksofhypodermicinjections(notthatthatprovesanything.Somepeoplesniffthestuff).No,Idonotthinkshetookdrugs.”
“Inthatcase,”saidWeston,“shemayhaverunintothebusinessaccidentally,andshewasdeliberatelysilencedbythepeoplerunningtheshow.We’llknowpresentlyjustwhatthestuffis.I’vesentittoNeasden.Ifwe’reontosomedopering,they’renotthepeopletostickattrifles—”
HebrokeoffasthedooropenedandMr.HoraceBlattcamebrisklyintotheroom.
Mr.Blattwaslookinghot.Hewaswipingtheperspirationfromhisforehead.Hisbigheartyvoicebillowedoutandfilledthesmallroom.
“Justthisminutegotbackandheardthenews!YoutheChiefConstable?Theytoldmeyouwereinhere.Myname’sBlatt—HoraceBlatt.AnywayIcanhelpyou?Don’tsupposeso.I’vebeenoutinmyboatsinceearlythismorning.Missedthewholeblinkingshow.Theonedaythatsomethingdoeshappeninthisout-of-the-wayspot,I’mnotthere.Justlikelife,that,isn’tit?Hullo,Poirot,didn’tseeyouatfirst.Soyou’reinonthis?Ohwell,Isupposeyouwouldbe.SherlockHolmesv.thelocalpolice,isthatit?Ha,ha!Lestrade—allthatstuff.I’llenjoyseeingyoudoabitoffancysleuthing.”
Mr.Blattcametoanchorinachair,pulledoutacigarettecaseandofferedittoColonelWeston,whoshookhishead
Hesaid,withaslightsmile:
“I’maninveteratepipesmoker.”
“Samehere.Ismokecigarettesaswell—butnothingbeatsapipe.”
ColonelWestonsaidwithsuddenlygeniality:
“Thenlightup,man.”
Blattshookhishead.
“Notgotmypipeonmeatthemoment.Butputmewiseaboutallthis.AllI’veheardsofaristhatMrs.Marshallwasfoundmurderedononeofthebeacheshere.”
“OnPixyCove,”saidColonelWeston,watchinghim.
ButMr.Blattmerelyaskedexcitedly:
“Andshewasstrangled?”
“Yes,Mr.Blatt.”
“Nasty—verynasty.Mindyou,sheaskedforit!Hotstuff—trésmoustarde—eh,M.Poirot?Anyideawhodidit,ormustn’tIaskthat?”
WithafaintsmileColonelWestonsaid:
“Well,youknow,it’swewhoaresupposedtoaskthequestions.”
Mr.Blattwavedhiscigarette.
“Sorry—sorry—mymistake.Goahead.”
“Youwentoutsailingthismorning.Atwhattime?”
“Lefthereataquartertoten.”
“Wasanyonewithyou?”
“Notasoul.Allonmylittlelonesome.”
“Andwheredidyougo?”
“AlongthecoastinthedirectionofPlymouth.Tooklunchwithme.NotmuchwindsoIdidn’tactuallygetveryfar.”
Afteranotherquestionortwo,Westonasked:
“NowabouttheMarshalls?Doyouknowanythingthatmighthelpus?”
“Well,I’vegivenyoumyopinion.Crimepassionnel!AllIcantellyouis,itwasn’tme!ThefairArlenahadnouseforme.Nothingdoinginthatquarter.Shehadherownblue-eyedboy!Andifyouaskme,Marshallwasgettingwisetoit.”
“Haveyouanyevidenceforthat?”
“SawhimgiveyoungRedfernadirtylookonceortwice.Darkhorse,Marshall.Looksverymeekandmildandasthoughhewerehalfasleepallthetime—butthat’snothisreputationintheCity.I’veheardathingortwoabouthim.Nearlyhadupforassaultonce.Mindyou,thefellowinquestionhadputupaprettydirtydeal.Marshallhadtrustedhimandthefellowhadlethimdowncold.Particularlydirtybusiness,Ibelieve.Marshallwentforhimandhalf-killedhim.Fellowdidn’tprosecute—tooafraidofwhatmightcomeout.Igiveyouthatforwhatit’sworth.”
“Soyouthinkitpossible,”saidPoirot,“thatCaptainMarshallstrangledhiswife?”
“Notatall.Neversaidanythingofthesort.Justlettingyouknowthathe’sthesortoffellowwhocouldgoberserkonoccasions.”
Poirotsaid:
“Mr.Blatt,thereisreasontobelievethatMrs.MarshallwentthismorningtoPixyCovetomeetsomeone.Haveyouanyideawhothatsomeonemightbe?”
Mr.Blattwinked.
“It’snotaguess.It’sacertainty.Redfern!”
“ItwasnotMr.Redfern.”
Mr.Blattseemedtakenaback.Hesaidhesitatingly:
“ThenIdon’tknow…No,Ican’timagine….”
Hewenton,regainingalittleofhisaplomb:
“AsIsaidbefore,itwasn’tme!Nosuchluck!Letmesee,couldn’thavebeenGardener—hiswifekeepsfartoosharpaneyeonhim!ThatoldassBarry?Rot!Anditwouldhardlybetheparson.Although,mindyou,I’veseenhisReverencewatchingheragoodbit.Allholydisapproval,butperhapsaneyeforthecontoursallthesame!Eh?Lotofhypocrites,mostparsons.Didyoureadthatcaselastmonth?Parsonandthechurchwarden’sdaughter!Bitofaneye-opener.”
Mr.Blattchuckled.
ColonelWestonsaidcoldly:
“Thereisnothingyoucanthinkofthatmighthelpus?”
Theothershookhishead.
“No.Can’tthinkofathing.”Headded:“Thiswillmakeabitofastir,Iimagine.ThePresswillbeontoitlikehotcakes.Therewon’tbequitesomuchofthishigh-tonedexclusivenessabouttheJollyRogerinfuture.JollyRogerindeed.Preciouslittlejollityaboutit.”
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“Youhavenotenjoyedyourstayhere?”
Mr.Blatt’sredfacegotslightlyredder.Hesaid:
“Well,no,Ihaven’t.Thesailing’sallrightandthesceneryandtheserviceandthefood—butthere’snomatinessintheplace,youknowwhatImean!WhatIsayis,mymoney’sasgoodasanotherman’s.We’reallheretoenjoyourselves.Thenwhynotgettogetheranddoit?Allthesecliquesandpeoplesittingbythemselvesandgivingyoufrostygoodmornings—andgoodevenings—andyes,verypleasantweather.Nojoydeviver.Lotofstuck-updummies!”
Mr.Blattpaused—bynowveryredindeed.
Hewipedhisforeheadoncemoreandsaidapologetically:
“Don’tpayanyattentiontome.Igetallworkedup.”
III
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“AndwhatdowethinkofMr.Blatt?”
ColonelWestongrinnedandsaid:
“Whatdoyouthinkofhim?You’veseenmoreofhimthanIhave.”
Poirotsaidsoftly:
“TherearemanyofyourEnglishidiomsthatdescribehim.Theroughdiamond!Theself-mademan!Thesocialclimber!Heis,asyouchoosetolookatit,pathetic,ludicrous,blatant!Itisamatterofopinion.ButIthink,too,thatheissomethingelse.”
“Andwhatisthat?”
HerculePoirot,hiseyesraisedtotheceiling,murmured:
“Ithinkthatheis—nervous!”
IV
InspectorColgatesaid:
“I’vegotthosetimesworkedout.FromthehoteltotheladderdowntoPixyCovethreeminutes.That’swalkingtillyouareoutofsightofthehotelandthenrunninglikehell.”
Westonraisedhiseyebrows.Hesaid:
“That’squickerthanIthought.”
“Downladdertobeachoneminuteandthreequarters.Upsametwominutes.That’sP.C.Flint.He’sabitofanathlete.Walkingandtakingtheladderinthenormalway,thewholebusinesstakescloseonaquarterofanhour.”
Westonnodded.Hesaid:
“There’sanotherthingwemustgointo,thepipequestion.”
Colgatesaid:
“Blattsmokesapipe,sodoesMarshall,sodoestheparson.Redfernsmokescigarettes,theAmericanprefersacigar.MajorBarrydoesn’tsmokeatall.There’sonepipeinMarshall’sroom,twoinBlatt’s,andoneintheparson’s.ChambermaidsaysMarshallhastwopipes.Theotherchambermaidisn’taverybrightgirl.Doesn’tknowhowmanypipestheothertwohave.Saysvaguelyshe’snoticedtwoorthreeaboutintheirrooms.”
Westonnodded.
“Anythingelse?”
“I’vecheckeduponthestaff.TheyallseemquiteO.K.Henry,inthebar,checksMarshall’sstatementaboutseeinghimattentoeleven.William,thebeachattendant,wasdownrepairingtheladderontherocksbythehotelmostofthemorning.Heseemsallright.Georgemarkedthetenniscourtandthenbeddedoutsomeplantsroundbythediningroom.Neitherofthemwouldhaveseenanyonewhocameacrossthecausewaytotheisland.”
“Whenwasthecausewayuncovered?”
“Roundabout9:30,sir.”
Westonpulledathismoustache.
“It’spossiblesomebodydidcomethatway.We’vegotanewangle,Colgate.”
Hetoldofthediscoveryofthesandwichboxinthecave.
V
Therewasataponthedoor.
“Comein,”saidWeston.
ItwasCaptainMarshall.
Hesaid:
“CanyoutellmewhatarrangementsIcanmakeaboutthefuneral?”
“Ithinkweshallmanagetheinquestforthedayaftertomorrow,CaptainMarshall.”
“Thankyou.”
InspectorColgatesaid:
“Excuseme,sir,allowmetoreturnyouthese.”
Hehandedoverthethreeletters.
KennethMarshallsmiledrathersardonically.
Hesaid:
“Hasthepolicedepartmentbeentestingthespeedofmytyping?Ihopemycharacteriscleared.”
ColonelWestonsaidpleasantly.
“Yes,CaptainMarshall,Ithinkwecangiveyouacleanbillofhealth.Thosesheetstakefullyanhourtotype.Moreoveryouwereheardtypingthembythechambermaiduptillfiveminutestoelevenandyouwereseenbyanotherwitnessattwentyminutespast.”
CaptainMarshallmurmured:
“Really?Thatallseemsverysatisfactory!”
“Yes.MissDarnleycametoyourroomattwentyminutespasteleven.Youweresobusytypingthatyoudidnotobserveherentry.”
KennethMarshall’sfacetookonanimpassiveexpression.Hesaid:
“DoesMissDarnleysaythat?”Hepaused.“Asamatteroffactsheiswrong.Ididseeher,thoughshemaynotbeawareofthefact.Isawherinthemirror.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Butyoudidnotinterruptyourtyping?”
Marshallsaidshortly:
“No.Iwantedtogetfinished.”
Hepausedaminute,then,inanabruptvoice,hesaid:
“NothingmoreIcandoforyou?”
“No,thankyou,CaptainMarshall.”
KennethMarshallnoddedandwentout.
Westonsaidwithasigh:
“Theregoesourmosthopefulsuspect—cleared!Hullo,here’sNeasden.”
Thedoctorcameinwithatraceofexcitementinhismanner.Hesaid:
“That’sanicelittledeathlotyousentmealong.”
“Whatisit?”
“Whatisit?DiamorphineHydrochloride.Stuffthat’susuallycalledHeroin.”
InspectorColgatewhistled.Hesaid:
“Nowwe’regettingplaces,allright!Dependuponit,thisdopestuntisatthebottomofthewholebusiness.”
Ten
ThelittlecrowdofpeopleflockedoutoftheRedBull.Thebriefinquestwasover—adjournedforafortnight.
RosamundDarnleyjoinedCaptainMarshall.Shesaidinalowvoice:
“Thatwasn’tsobad,wasit,Ken?”
Hedidnotansweratonce.Perhapshewasconsciousofthestaringeyesofthevillagers,thefingersthatnearlypointedtohimandonlyjustdidnotquitedoso!
“That’s’im,mydear.”“See,that’s’er’usband.”“Thatbethe’usband.”“Look,there’egoes….”
Themurmurswerenotloudenoughtoreachhisears,buthewasnonethelesssensitivetothem.Thiswasthemodern-daypillory.ThePresshehadalreadyencountered—self-confident,persuasiveyoungmen,adeptatbatteringdownhiswallofsilenceof“Nothingtosay”thathehadendeavouredtoerect.Eventhecurtmonosyllablesthathehaduttered,thinkingthattheyatleastcouldnotleadtomisapprehension,hadreappearedinhismorning’spapersinatotallydifferentguise.“Askedwhetherheagreedthatthemysteryofhiswife’sdeathcouldonlybeexplainedontheassumptionthatahomicidalmurdererhadfoundhiswayontotheisland,CaptainMarshalldeclaredthat—”andsoonandsoforth.
Camerashadclickedceaselessly.Now,atthisminute,thewell-knownsoundcaughthisear.Hehalf-turned—asmilingyoungmanwasnoddingcheerfully,hispurposeaccomplished.
Rosamundmurmured:
“CaptainMarshallandafriendleavingtheRedBullaftertheinquest.”
Marshallwinced.
Rosamundsaid:
“It’snouse,Ken!You’vegottofaceit!Idon’tmeanjustthefactofArlena’sdeath—Imeanalltheattendantbeastliness.Thestaringeyesandgossipingtongues,thefatuousinterviewsinthepapers—andthebestwaytomeetitistofinditfunny!Comeoutwithalltheoldinaneclichesandcurlasardoniclipatthem.”
Hesaid:
“Isthatyourway?”
“Yes.”Shepaused.“Itisn’tyours,Iknow.Protectivecolouringisyourline.Remainrigidlynonactiveandfadeintothebackground!Butyoucan’tdothathere—you’venobackgroundtofadeinto.Youstandoutclearforalltosee—likeastripedtigeragainstawhitebackcloth.Thehusbandofthemurderedwoman!”
“ForGod’ssake,Rosamund—”
Shesaidgently:
“Mydear,I’mtryingtobegoodforyou!”
Theywalkedforafewstepsinsilence.ThenMarshallsaidinadifferentvoice:
“Iknowyouare.I’mnotreallyungrateful,Rosamund.”
Theyhadprogressedbeyondthelimitsofthevillage.Eyesfollowedthembuttherewasnooneverynear.RosamundDarnley’svoicedroppedassherepeatedavariantofherfirstremark.
“Itdidn’treallygosobadly,didit?”
Hewassilentforamoment,thenhesaid:
“Idon’tknow.”
“Whatdothepolicethink?”
“They’renoncommittal.”
AfteraminuteRosamundsaid:
“Thatlittleman—Poirot—ishereallytakinganactiveinterest!”
KennethMarshallsaid:
“SeemedtobesittingintheChiefConstable’spocketallrighttheotherday.”
“Iknow—butishedoinganything?”
“HowthehellshouldIknow,Rosamund?”
Shesaidthoughtfully:
“He’sprettyold.Probablymoreorlessgaga.”
“Perhaps.”
Theycametothecauseway.Oppositethem,sereneinthesun,laytheisland.
Rosamundsaidsuddenly:
“Sometimes—thingsseemunreal.Ican’tbelieve,thisminute,thatiteverhappened….”
Marshallsaidslowly:
“IthinkIknowwhatyoumean.Natureissoregardless!Oneanttheless—that’sallitisinNature!”
Rosamundsaid:
“Yes—andthat’stheproperwaytolookatitreally.”
Hegaveheroneveryquickglance.Thenhesaidinalowvoice:
“Don’tworry,mydear.It’sallright.It’sallright.”
II
Lindacamedowntothecausewaytomeetthem.Shemovedwiththespasmodicjerkinessofanervouscolt.Heryoungfacewasmarredbydeepblackshadowsunderhereyes.Herlipsweredryandrough
Shesaidbreathlessly:
“Whathappened—what—whatdidtheysay?”
Herfathersaidabruptly:
“Inquestadjournedforafortnight.”
“Thatmeansthey—theyhaven’tdecided?”
“Yes.Moreevidenceisneeded.”
“But—butwhatdotheythink?”
Marshallsmiledalittleinspiteofhimself.
“Oh,mydearchild—whoknows?Andwhomdoyoumeanbythey?Thecoroner,thejury,thepolice,thenewspaperreporters,thefishingfolkofLeathercombeBay?”
Lindasaidslowly:
“IsupposeImean—thepolice.”
Marshallsaiddryly:
“Whateverthepolicethink,they’renotgivingitawayatpresent.”
Hislipsclosedtightlyafterthesentence.Hewentintothehotel.
AsRosamundDarnleywasabouttofollowsuit,Lindasaid:
“Rosamund!”
Rosamundturned.Themuteappealinthegirl’sunhappyfacetouchedher.ShelinkedherarmthroughLinda’sandtogethertheywalkedawayfromthehotel,takingthepaththatledtotheextremeendoftheisland.
Rosamundsaidgently:
“Trynottomindsomuch,Linda.Iknowit’sallveryterribleandashockandallthat,butit’snousebroodingoverthesethings.Anditcanbeonlythe—horrorofit,thatisworryingyou.Youweren’tintheleastfondofArlena,youknow.”
Shefeltthetremorthatranthroughthegirl’sbodyasLindaanswered:
“No,Iwasn’tfondofher….”
Rosamundwenton:
“Sorrowforapersonisdifferent—onecan’tputthatbehindone.Butonecangetovershockandhorrorbyjustnotlettingyourminddwellonitallthetime.”
Lindasaidsharply:
“Youdon’tunderstand.”
“IthinkIdo,mydear.”
Lindashookherhead.
“No,youdon’t.Youdon’tunderstandintheleast—andChristinedoesn’tunderstandeither!Bothofyouhavebeennicetome,butyoucan’tunderstandwhatI’mfeeling.Youjustthinkit’smorbid—thatI’mdwellingonitallwhenIneedn’t.”
Shepaused.
“Butitisn’tthatatall.IfyouknewwhatIknow—”
Rosamundstoppeddead.Herbodydidnottremble—onthecontraryitstiffened.Shestoodforaminuteortwo,thenshedisengagedherarmfromLinda’s.
Shesaid:
“Whatisitthatyouknow,Linda?”
Thegirlgazedather.Thensheshookherhead.
Shemuttered:
“Nothing.”
Rosamundcaughtherbythearm.ThegriphurtandLindawincedslightly.
Rosamundsaid:
“Becareful,Linda.Bedamnedcareful.”
Lindahadgonedeadwhite.
Shesaid:
“Iamverycareful—allthetime.”
Rosamundsaidurgently:
“Listen,Linda,whatIsaidaminuteortwoagoappliesjustthesame—onlyahundredtimesmoreso.PutthewholebusinessoutofyourmindNeverthinkaboutit.Forget—forget…Youcanifyoutry!Arlenaisdeadandnothingcanbringherbacktolife…Forgeteverythingandliveinthefuture.Andaboveall,holdyourtongue.”
Lindashrankalittle.Shesaid:
“You—youseemtoknowallaboutit?”
Rosamundsaidenergetically:
“Idon’tknowanything!InmyopinionawanderingmaniacgotontotheislandandkilledArlena.That’smuchthemostprobablesolution.I’mfairlysurethatthepolicewillhavetoacceptthatintheend.That’swhatmusthavehappened!That’swhatdidhappen!”
Lindasaid:
“IfFather—”
Rosamundinterruptedher.
“Don’ttalkaboutit.”
Lindasaid:
“I’vegottosayonething.Mymother—”
“Well,whatabouther?”
“She—shewastriedformurder,wasn’tshe?”
“Yes.”
Lindasaidslowly:
“AndthenFathermarriedher.Thatlooks,doesn’tit,asthoughFatherdidn’treallythinkmurderwasverywrong—notalways,thatis.”
Rosamundsaidsharply:
“Don’tsaythingslikethat—eventome!Thepolicehaven’tgotanythingagainstyourfather.He’sgotanalibi—analibithattheycan’tbreak.He’sperfectlysafe.”
Lindawhispered:
“DidtheythinkatfirstthatFather—?”
Rosamundcried:
“Idon’tknowwhattheythought!Buttheyknownowthathecouldn’thavedoneit.Doyouunderstand?Hecouldn’thavedoneit.”
Shespokewithauthority,hereyescommandedLinda’sacquiescence.Thegirlutteredalongflutteringsigh.
Rosamundsaid:
“You’llbeabletoleaveheresoon.You’llforgeteverything—everything!”
Lindasaidwithsuddenunexpectedviolence.
“Ishallneverforget.”
Sheturnedabruptlyandranbacktothehotel.Rosamundstaredafterher.
III
“ThereissomethingIwanttoknow,Madame?”
ChristineRedfernglancedupatPoirotinaslightlyabstractedmanner.Shesaid:
“Yes?”
HerculePoirottookverylittlenoticeofherabstraction.Hehadnotedthewayhereyesfollowedherhusband’sfigurewherehewaspacingupanddownontheterraceoutsidethebar,butforthemomenthehadnointerestinpurelyconjugalproblems.Hewantedinformation.
Hesaid:
“Yes,Madame.Itwasaphrase—achancephraseofyourstheotherdaywhichrousedmyattention.”
Christine,hereyesstillonPatrick,said:
“Yes?WhatdidIsay?”
“ItwasinanswertoaquestionfromtheChiefConstable.YoudescribedhowyouwentintoMissLindaMarshall’sroomonthemorningofthecrimeandhowyoufoundherabsentfromitandhowshereturnedthere,anditwasthenthattheChiefConstableaskedyouwhereshehadbeen.”
Christinesaidratherimpatiently:
“AndIsaidshehadbeenbathing?Isthatit?”
“Ah,butyoudidnotsayquitethat.Youdidnotsay‘shehadbeenbathing.’Yourwordswere,‘shesaidshehadbeenbathing.’”
Christinesaid:
“It’sthesamething,surely.”
“No,itisnotthesame!Theformofyouranswersuggestsacertainattitudeofmindonyourpart.LindaMarshallcameintotheroom—shewaswearingabathingwrapandyet—forsomereason—youdidnotatonceassumeshehadbeenbathing.Thatisshownbyyourwords,‘shesaidshehadbeenbathing.’Whatwasthereaboutherappearance—wasithermanner,orsomethingthatshewaswearingorsomethingshesaid—thatledyoutofeelsurprisedwhenshesaidshehadbeenbathing?”
Christine’sattentionleftPatrickandfocuseditselfentirelyonPoirot.Shewasinterested.Shesaid:
“That’scleverofyou.It’squitetrue,nowIremember…Iwas,justfaintly,surprisedwhenLindasaidshehadbeenbathing.”
“Butwhy,Madame,why?”
“Yes,why?That’sjustwhatI’mtryingtoremember.Ohyes,Ithinkitwastheparcelinherhand.”
“Shehadaparcel?”
“Yes.”
“Youdonotknowwhatwasinit?”
“Ohyes,Ido.Thestringbroke.Itwaslooselydoneupinthewaytheydointhevillage.Itwascandles—theywerescatteredonthefloor.Ihelpedhertopickthemup.”
“Ah,”saidPoirot.“Candles.”
Christinestaredathim.Shesaid:
“Youseemexcited,M.Poirot.”
Poirotasked:
“DidLindasaywhyshehadboughtcandles?”
Christinereflected.
“No,Idon’tthinkshedid.Isupposeitwastoreadbyatnight—perhapstheelectriclightwasn’tgood.”
“Onthecontrary,Madame,therewasabedsideelectriclampinperfectorder.”
Christinesaid:
“ThenIdon’tknowwhatshewantedthemfor.”
Poirotsaid:
“Whatwashermanner—whenthestringbrokeandthecandlesfelloutoftheparcel?”
Christinesaidslowly:
“Shewas—upset—embarrassed.”
Poirotnoddedhishead.Thenheasked:
“Didyounoticeacalendarinherroom?”
“Acalendar?Whatkindofacalendar?”
Poirotsaid:
“Possiblyagreencalendar—withtear-offleaves.”
Christinescreweduphereyesinaneffortofmemory.
“Agreencalendar—ratherabrightgreen.Yes,Ihaveseenacalendarlikethat—butIcan’trememberwhere.ItmayhavebeeninLinda’sroom,butIcan’tbesure.”
“Butyouhavedefinitelyseensuchathing.”
“Yes.”
AgainPoirotnodded.
Christinesaidrathersharply:
“Whatareyouhintingat,M.Poirot?Whatisthemeaningofallthis?”
ForanswerPoirotproducedasmallvolumeboundinfadedbrowncalf.Hesaid:
“Haveyoueverseenthisbefore?”
“Why—Ithink—I’mnotsure—yes,Lindawaslookingintoitinthevillagelendinglibrarytheotherday.ButsheshutitupandthrustitbackquicklywhenIcameuptoher.Itmademewonderwhatitwas.”
SilentlyPoirotdisplayedthetitle.
AHistoryofWitchcraft,SorceryandoftheCompoundingofUntraceablePoisons
Christinesaid:
“Idon’tunderstand.Whatdoesallthismean?”
Poirotsaidgravely.
“Itmaymean,Madame,agooddeal.”
Shelookedathiminquiringly,buthedidnotgoon.Insteadheasked:
“Onemorequestion,Madame,didyoutakeabaththatmorningbeforeyouwentouttoplaytennis?”
Christinestaredagain.
“Abath?No.Iwouldhavehadnotimeand,anyway,Ididn’twantabath—notbeforetennis.Imighthavehadoneafter.”
“Didyouuseyourbathroomatallwhenyoucamein?”
“Ispongedmyfaceandhands,that’sall.”
“Youdidnotturnonthebathatall?”
“No,I’msureIdidn’t.”
Poirotnodded.Hesaid:
“Itisofnoimportance.”
IV
HerculePoirotstoodbythetablewhereMrs.Gardenerwaswrestlingwithajig-saw.Shelookedupandjumped.
“Why,M.Poirot,howveryquietlyyoucameupbesideme!Ineverheardyou.Haveyoujustcomebackfromtheinquest?Youknow,theverythoughtofthatinquestmakesmesonervous,Idon’tknowwhattodo.That’swhyI’mdoingthispuzzle.IjustfeltIcouldn’tsitoutsideonthebeachasusual.AsMr.Gardenerknows,whenmynervesareallupset,there’snothinglikeoneofthesepuzzlesforcalmingme.Therenow,wheredoesthiswhitepiecefitin?Itmustbepartofthefurrug,butIdon’tseemtosee….”
GentlyPoirot’shandtookthepiecefromher.Hesaid:
“Itfits,Madame,here.Itispartofthecat.”
“Itcan’tbe.It’sablackcat.”
“Ablackcat,yes,butyouseethetipoftheblackcat’stailhappenstobewhite.”
“Why,soitdoes!Howcleverofyou!ButIdothinkthepeoplewhomakepuzzlesarekindofmean.Theyjustgooutoftheirwaytodeceiveyou.”
Shefittedinanotherpieceandthenresumed.
“Youknow,M.Poirot,I’vebeenwatchingyouthislastdayortwo.IjustwantedtowatchyoudetectingifyouknowwhatImean—notthatitdoesn’tsoundratherheartlessputlikethat,asthoughitwereallagame—andapoorcreaturekilled.Ohdear,everytimeIthinkofitIgettheshivers!ItoldMr.GardenerthismorningI’djustgottogetawayfromhere,andnowtheinquest’soverhethinkswe’llbeabletoleavetomorrow,andthat’sablessing,I’msure.Butaboutdetecting,Iwouldsoliketoknowyourmethods—youknow,I’dfeelprivilegedifyou’djustexplainittome.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Itisalittlelikeyourpuzzle,Madame.Oneassemblesthepieces.Itislikeamosaic—manycoloursandpatterns—andeverystrange-shapedlittlepiecemustbefittedintoitsownplace.”
“Nowisn’tthatinteresting?Why,I’msureyouexplainitjusttoobeautifully.”
Poirotwenton:
“Andsometimesitislikethatpieceofyourpuzzlejustnow.Onearrangesverymethodicallythepiecesofthepuzzle—onesortsthecolours—andthenperhapsapieceofonecolourthatshouldfitinwith—say,thefurrug,fitsininsteadinablackcat’stail.”
“Why,ifthatdoesn’tsoundtoofascinating!Andarethereagreatmanypieces,M.Poirot?”
“Yes,Madame.Almosteveryonehereinthishotelhasgivenmeapieceformypuzzle.Youamongstthem.”
“Me?”Mrs.Gardener’stonewasshrill.
“Yes,aremarkofyours,Madame,wasexceedinglyhelpful.Imightsayitwasilluminating.”
“Well,ifthatisn’ttoolovely!Can’tyoutellmesomemore,M.Poirot?”
“Ah!Madame,Ireservetheexplanationsforthelastchapter.”
Mrs.Gardenermurmured:
“Ifthatisn’tjusttoobad!”
V
HerculePoirottappedgentlyonthedoorofCaptainMarshall’sroom.Insidetherewasthesoundofatypewriter.
Acurt“Comein”camefromtheroomandPoirotentered.
CaptainMarshall’sbackwasturnedtohim.Hewassittingtypingatthetablebetweenthewindows.HedidnotturnhisheadbuthiseyesmetPoirot’sinthemirrorthathungonthewalldirectlyinfrontofhim.Hesaidirritably:
“Well,M.Poirot,whatisit?”
Poirotsaidquickly:
“Athousandapologiesforintruding.Youarebusy?”
Marshallsaidshortly:“Iamrather.”
Poirotsaid:
“ItisonelittlequestionthatIwouldliketoaskyou.”
Marshallsaid:
“MyGod,I’msickofansweringquestions.I’veansweredthepolicequestions.Idon’tfeelcalledupontoansweryours.”
Poirotsaid:
“Mineisaverysimpleone.Onlythis.Onthemorningofyourwife’sdeath,didyouhaveabathafteryoufinishedtypingandbeforeyouwentouttoplaytennis?”
“Abath?No,ofcourseIdidn’t!I’dhadabatheonlyanhourearlier!”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Thankyou.Thatisall.”
“Butlookhere.Oh—”theotherpausedirresolutely.
Poirotwithdrew,gentlyclosingthedoor.
KennethMarshallsaid:
“Thefellow’scrazy!”
VI
JustoutsidethebarPoirotencounteredMr.Gardener.HewascarryingtwococktailsandwasclearlyonhiswaytowhereMrs.Gardenerwasensconcedwithherjig-saw.
HesmiledatPoirotingenialfashion.
“Caretojoinus,M.Poirot?”
Poirotshookhishead.Hesaid:
“Whatdidyouthinkoftheinquest,Mr.Gardener?”
Mr.Gardenerloweredhisvoice.Hesaid:
“Seemedkindofindeterminatetome.Yourpolice,Igather,havegotsomethinguptheirsleeves.”
“Itispossible,”saidHerculePoirot
Mr.Gardenerloweredhisvoicestillfurther.
“IshallbegladtogetMrs.Gardeneraway.She’savery,verysensitivewoman,andthisaffairhasgotonhernerves.She’sveryhighlystrung.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Willyoupermitme,Mr.Gardener,toaskyouonequestion?”
“Why,certainly,M.Poirot.DelightedtoassistinanywayIcan.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Youareamanoftheworld—aman,Ithink,ofconsiderableacumen.What,frankly,wasyouropinionofthelateMrs.Marshall?”
Mr.Gardener’seyebrowsroseinsurprise.Heglancedcautiouslyroundandloweredhisvoice.
“Well,M.Poirot,I’veheardafewthingsthathavebeenkindofgoingaround,ifyougetme,especiallyamongthewomen.”Poirotnodded.“ButifyouaskmeI’lltellyoumycandidopinionandthatisthatthatwomanwasprettymuchofadarnedfool!”
HerculePoirotsaidthoughtfully:
“Nowthatisveryinteresting.”
VII
RosamundDarnleysaid:“Soit’smyturn,isit?”
“Pardon?”
Shelaughed.
“TheotherdaytheChiefConstableheldthisinquisition.Yousatby.Today,Ithink,youareconductingyourownunofficialinquiry.I’vebeenwatchingyou.FirstMrs.Redfern,thenIcaughtaglimpseofyouthroughtheloungewindowwhereMrs.Gardenerisdoingherhatefuljig-sawpuzzle.Nowit’smyturn.”
HerculePoirotsatdownbesideher.TheywereonSunnyLedge.Belowthemtheseashowedadeep-glowinggreen.Fartheroutitwasapaledazzlingblue.
Poirotsaid:
“Youareveryintelligent,Mademoiselle.IhavethoughtsoeversinceIarrivedhere.Itwouldbeapleasuretodiscussthisbusinesswithyou.”
RosamundDarnleysaidsoftly:
“YouwanttoknowwhatIthinkaboutthewholething?”
“Itwouldbemostinteresting.”
Rosamundsaid:
“Ithinkit’sreallyverysimple.Theclueisinthewoman’spast.”
“Thepast?Notthepresent?”
“Oh!notnecessarilytheveryremotepast.Ilookatitlikethis.ArlenaMarshallwasattractive,fatallyattractive,tomen.It’spossible,Ithink,thatshealsotiredofthemratherquickly.Amongsther—followers,shallwesay—wasonewhoresentedthat.Oh,don’tmisunderstandme,itwon’tbesomeonewhosticksoutamile.Probablysometepidlittleman,vainandsensitive—thekindofmanwhobroods.Ithinkhefollowedherdownhere,waitedhisopportunityandkilledher.”
“Youmeanthathewasanoutsider,thathecamefromthemainland?”
“Yes.Heprobablyhidinthatcaveuntilhegothischance.”
Poirotshookhishead.Hesaid:
“Wouldshegotheretomeetsuchamanasyoudescribe?No,shewouldlaughandnotgo.”
Rosamundsaid:
“Shemayn’thaveknownshewasgoingtomeethim.Hemayhavesentheramessageinsomeotherperson’sname.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Thatispossible.”
Thenhesaid:
“Butyouforgetonething,Mademoiselle.Amanbentonmurdercouldnotriskcominginbroaddaylightacrossthecausewayandpastthehotel.Someonemighthaveseenhim.”
“Theymighthave—butIdon’tthinkthatit’scertain.Ithinkit’squitepossiblethathecouldhavecomewithoutanyonenoticinghimatall.”
“Itwouldbepossible,yes,thatIgrantyou.Butthepointisthathecouldnotcountonthatpossibility.”
Rosamundsaid:
“Aren’tyouforgettingsomething?Theweather.”
“Theweather?”
“Yes.Thedayofthemurderwasagloriousday,butthedaybefore,remember,therewasrainandthickmist.Anyonecouldcomeontotheislandthenwithoutbeingseen.Hehadonlytogodowntothebeachandspendthenightinthecave.Thatmist,M.Poirot,isimportant.”
Poirotlookedatherthoughtfullyforaminuteortwo.Hesaid:
“Youknow,thereisagooddealinwhatyouhavejustsaid.”
Rosamundflushed.Shesaid:
“That’smytheory,forwhatitisworth.Nowtellmeyours.”
“Ah,”saidHerculePoirot.Hestareddownatthesea.
“Ehbien,Mademoiselle.Iamaverysimpleperson.Ialwaysinclinetothebeliefthatthemostlikelypersoncommittedthecrime.Attheverybeginningitseemedtomethatonepersonwasveryclearlyindicated.”
Rosamund’svoicehardenedalittle.Shesaid:
“Goon.”
HerculePoirotwenton.
“Butyousee,thereiswhatyoucallasnagintheway!Itseemsthatitwasimpossibleforthatpersontohavecommittedthecrime.”
Heheardthequickexpulsionofherbreath.Shesaidratherbreathlessly:
“Well?”
HerculePoirotshruggedhisshoulders.
“Well,whatdowedoaboutit?Thatismyproblem.”Hepausedandthenwenton.“MayIaskyouaquestion?”
“Certainly.”
Shefacedhim,alertandvigilant.Butthequestionthatcamewasanunexpectedone.
“Whenyoucameintochangefortennisthatmorning,didyouhaveabath?”
Rosamundstaredathim.
“Abath?Whatdoyoumean?”
“ThatiswhatImean.Abath!Thereceptacleofporcelain,oneturnsthetapsandfillsit,onegetsin,onegetsoutandghoosh—ghoosh—ghoosh,thewatergoesdownthewastepipe!”
“M.Poirot,areyouquitemad?”
“No,Iamextremelysane.”
“Well,anyway,Ididn’ttakeabath.”
“Ha!”saidPoirot.“Sonobodytookabath.Thatisextremelyinteresting.”
“Butwhyshouldanyonetakeabath?”
HerculePoirotsaid:“Why,indeed?”
Rosamundsaidwithsomeexasperation:
“IsupposethisistheSherlockHolmestouch!”
HerculePoirotsmiled.
Thenhesniffedtheairdelicately.
“Willyoupermitmetobeimpertinent,Mademoiselle?”
“I’msureyoucouldn’tbeimpertinent,M.Poirot.”
“Thatisverykindofyou.ThenmayIventuretosaythatthescentyouuseisdelicious—ithasanuance—adelicateelusivecharm.”Hewavedhishands,andthenaddedinapracticalvoice,“Gabrielle,No.8,Ithink?”
“Howcleveryouare.Yes,Ialwaysuseit.”
“SodidthelateMrs.Marshall.Itischic,eh?Andveryexpensive?”
Rosamundshruggedhershoulderswithafaintsmile.
Poirotsaid:
“Yousatherewherewearenow,Mademoiselle,onthemorningofthecrime.Youwereseenhere,oratleastyoursunshadewasseenbyMissBrewsterandMr.Redfernastheypassedonthesea.Duringthemorning,Mademoiselle,areyousureyoudidnothappentogodowntoPixyCoveandenterthecavethere—thefamousPixy’sCave?”
Rosamundturnedherheadandstaredathim.
Shesaidinaquietlevelvoice:
“AreyouaskingmeifIkilledArlenaMarshall?”
“No,IamaskingyouifyouwentintothePixy’sCave?”
“Idon’tevenknowwhereitis.WhyshouldIgointoit?Forwhatreason?”
“Onthedayofthecrime,Mademoiselle,somebodyhadbeeninthatcavewhousedGabrielleNo8.”
Rosamundsaidsharply:
“You’vejustsaidyourself,M.Poirot,thatArlenaMarshallusedGabrielleNo.8.Shewasonthebeachtherethatday.Presumablyshewentintothecave.”
“Whyshouldshegointothecave?Itisdarkthereandnarrowandveryuncomfortable.”
Rosamundsaidimpatiently:
“Don’taskmeforreasons.Sinceshewasactuallyatthecoveshewasbyfarthemostlikelyperson.I’vetoldyoualreadyIneverleftthisplacethewholemorning.”
“ExceptforthetimewhenyouwentintothehoteltoCaptainMarshall’sroom.”Poirotremindedher.
“Yes,ofcourse.I’dforgottenthat.”
Poirotsaid:
“Andyouwerewrong,Mademoiselle,whenyouthoughtthatCaptainMarshalldidnotseeyou.”
Rosamundsaidincredulously:
“Kennethdidseeme?Did—didhesayso?”
Poirotnodded.
“Hesawyou,Mademoiselle,inthemirrorthathangsoverthetable.”
Rosamundcaughtherbreath.Shesaid:
“Oh!Isee.”
Poirotwasnolongerlookingouttosea.HewaslookingatRosamundDarnley’shandsastheylayfoldedinherlap.Theywerewell-shapedhands,beautifullymouldedwithverylongfingers.
Rosamund,shootingaquicklookathim,followedthedirectionofhiseyes.Shesaidsharply:
“Whatareyoulookingatmyhandsfor?Doyouthink—doyouthink—?”
Poirotsaid:
“DoIthink—what,Mademoiselle?”
RosamundDarnleysaid:
“Nothing.”
VIII
ItwasperhapsanhourlaterthatHerculePoirotcametothetopofthepathleadingtoGullCove.Therewassomeonesittingonthebeach.Aslightfigureinaredshirtanddarkblueshorts.
Poirotdescendedthepath,steppingcarefullyinhistightsmartshoes.
LindaMarshallturnedherheadsharply.Hethoughtthatsheshrankalittle.
Hereyes,ashecameandloweredhimselfgingerlytotheshinglebesideher,restedonhimwiththesuspicionandalertnessofatrappedanimal.Herealized,withapang,howyoungandvulnerableshewas.
Shesaid:
“Whatisit?Whatdoyouwant?”
HerculePoirotdidnotanswerforaminuteortwo.Thenhesaid:
“TheotherdayyoutoldtheChiefConstablethatyouwerefondofyourstepmotherandthatshewaskindtoyou.”
“Well?”
“Thatwasnottrue,wasit,Mademoiselle?”
“Yes,itwas.”
Poirotsaid:
“Shemaynothavebeenactivelyunkind—thatIwillgrant.Butyouwerenotfondofher—Ohno—Ithinkyoudislikedherverymuch.Thatwasveryplaintosee.”
Lindasaid:
“PerhapsIdidn’tlikeherverymuch.Butonecan’tsaythatwhenapersonisdead.Itwouldn’tbedecent.”
Poirotsighed.Hesaid:
“Theytaughtyouthatatyourschool?”
“Moreorless,Isuppose.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Whenapersonhasbeenmurdered,itismoreimportanttobetruthfulthantobedecent.”
Lindasaid:
“Isupposeyouwouldsayathinglikethat.”
“IwouldsayitandIdosayit.Itismybusiness,yousee,tofindoutwhokilledArlenaMarshall.”
Lindamuttered:
“Iwanttoforgetitall.It’ssohorrible.”
Poirotsaidgently:
“Butyoucan’tforget,canyou?”
Lindasaid:
“Isupposesomebeastlymadmankilledher.”
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“No,Idonotthinkitwasquitelikethat.”
Lindacaughtherbreath.Shesaid:
“Yousound—asthoughyouknew?”
Poirotsaid:
“PerhapsIdoknow.”Hepausedandwenton:“Willyoutrustme,mychild,todothebestIcanforyouinyourbittertrouble?”
Lindasprangup.Shesaid:
“Ihaven’tanytrouble.Thereisnothingyoucandoforme.Idon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout.”
Poirotsaid,watchingher:
“Iamtalkingaboutcandles….”
Hesawtheterrorleapintohereyes.Shecried:
“Iwon’tlistentoyou.Iwon’tlisten.”
Sheranacrossthebeach,swiftasayounggazelleandwentflyingupthezigzagpath.
Poirotshookhishead.Helookedgraveandtroubled.
Eleven
InspectorColgatewasreportingtotheChiefConstable.
“I’vegotontoonething,sir,andsomethingprettysensational.It’saboutMrs.Marshall’smoney.I’vebeenintoitwithherlawyers.I’dsayit’sabitofashocktothem.I’vegotproofoftheblackmailstory.YouremembershewasleftfiftythousandpoundsbyoldErskine?Well,allthat’sleftofthatisaboutfifteenthousand.”
TheChiefConstablewhistled.
“Whew,what’sbecomeoftherest?”
“That’stheinterestingpoint,sir.She’ssoldoutstufffromtimetotime,andeachtimeshe’shandleditincashornegotiablesecurities—that’stosayshe’shandedoutmoneytosomeonethatshedidn’twanttraced.Blackmailallright.”
TheChiefConstablenodded.
“Certainlylookslikeit.Andtheblackmailerishereinthishotel.Thatmeansitmustbeoneofthosethreemen.Gotanythingfreshonanyofthem?”
“Can’tsayI’vegotanythingdefinite,sir.MajorBarry’saretiredArmyman,ashesays.Livesinasmallflat,hasapensionandasmallincomefromstocks.Buthe’spaidinprettyconsiderablesumsintohisaccountinthelastyear.”
“Thatsoundspromising.What’shisexplanation?”
“Saysthey’rebettinggains.It’sperfectlytruethathegoestoallthelargeracemeetings.Placeshisbetsonthecoursetoo,doesn’trunanaccount.”
TheChiefConstablenodded.
“Hardtodisprovethat,”hesaid.“Butit’ssuggestive.”
Colgatewenton.
“Next,theReverendStephenLane.He’sbonafideallright—hadalivingatSt.Helen’s,Whiteridge,Surrey—resignedhislivingjustoverayearagoowingtoillhealth.Hisillhealthamountedtohisgoingintoanursinghomeformentalpatients.Hewasthereforoverayear.”
“Interesting,”saidWeston.
“Yes,sir.ItriedtogetasmuchasIcouldoutofthedoctorinchargebutyouknowwhatthesemedicosare—it’sdifficulttopinthemdowntoanythingyoucangetholdof.ButasfarasIcanmakeout,hisreverence’stroublewasanobsessionaboutthedevil—especiallythedevilintheguiseofawoman—scarletwoman—whoreofBabylon.”
“H’m,”saidWeston.“Therehavebeenprecedentsformurderthere.”
“Yes,sir.ItseemstomethatStephenLaneisatleastapossibility.ThelateMrs.MarshallwasaprettygoodexampleofwhataclergymanwouldcallaScarletWoman—hairandgoingsonandall.Seemstomeit’snotimpossiblehemayhavefeltithisappointedtasktodisposeofher.Thatisifheisreallybatty.”
“Nothingtofitinwiththeblackmailtheory?”
“No,sir,Ithinkwecanwashhimoutasfarasthat’sconcerned.Hassomeprivatemeansofhisown,butnotverymuch,andnosuddenincreaselately.”
“Whatabouthisstoryofhismovementsonthedayofthecrime?”
“Can’tgetanyconfirmationofthem.Nobodyremembersmeetingaparsoninthelanes.Astothebookatthechurch,thelastentrywasthreedaysbeforeandnobodyhadlookedatitforaboutafortnight.Hecouldhavequiteeasilygoneoverthedaybefore,say,orevenacoupleofdaysbefore,anddatedhisentrythe25th.”
Westonnodded.Hesaid:
“Andthethirdman?”
“HoraceBlatt?It’smyopinion,sir,thatthere’sdefinitelysomethingfishythere.Paysincometaxonasumfarexceedingwhathemakesoutofhishardwarebusiness.Andmindyou,he’saslipperycustomer.Hecouldprobablycookupareasonablestatement—hegamblesabitontheStockExchange,andhe’sinwithoneortwoshadydeals.Oh,yes,theremaybeplausibleexplanations,butthere’snogettingawayfromitthathe’sbeenmakingprettybigsumsfromunexplainedsourcesforsomeyearsnow.”
“Infact,”saidWeston,“theideaisthatMr.HoraceBlattisasuccessfulblackmailerbyprofession?”
“Eitherthat,sir,orit’sdope.IsawChiefInspectorRidgewaywho’sinchargeofthedopebusiness,andhewasnoendkeen.Seemsthere’sbeenagoodbitofheroincominginlately.They’reontothesmalldistributors,andtheyknowmoreorlesswho’srunningittheotherend,butit’sthewayit’scomingintothecountrythat’sbaffledthemsofar.”
Westonsaid:
“IftheMarshallwoman’sdeathistheresultofhergettingmixed-up,innocentlyorotherwise,withthedope-runningstunt,thenwe’dbetterhandthewholethingovertoScotlandYard.It’stheirpigeon.Eh?Whatdoyousay?”
InspectorColgatesaidratherregretfully:
“I’mafraidyou’reright,sir.Ifit’sdope,thenit’sacasefortheYard.”
Westonsaidafteramomentortwo’sthought:
“Itreallyseemsthemostlikelyexplanation.”
Colgatenoddedgloomily.
“Yes,itdoes.Marshall’srightoutofit—thoughIdidgetsomeinformationthatmighthavebeenusefulifhisalibihadn’tbeensogood.Seemshisfirmisveryneartherocks.Nothisfaultorhispartner’s,justthegeneralresultofthecrisislastyearandthegeneralstateoftradeandfinance.Andasfarasheknew,he’dcomeintofiftythousandpoundsifhiswifedied.Andfiftythousandwouldhavebeenaveryusefulsum.”
Hesighed.
“Seemsapitywhenaman’sgottwoperfectlygoodmotivesformurder,thathecanbeprovedtohavehadnothingtodowithit!”
Westonsmiled.
“Cheerup,Colgate.There’sstillachancewemaydistinguishourselves.There’stheblackmailanglestillandthere’sthebattyparson,but,personally,Ithinkthedopesolutionisfarthemostlikely.”Headded:“Andifitwasoneofthedopegangwhoputheroutwe’llhavebeeninstrumentalinhelpingScotlandYardtosolvethedopeproblem.Infact,takeitallround,onewayoranother,we’vedoneprettywell.”
AnunwillingsmileshowedonColgate’sface.
Hesaid:
“Well,that’sthelot,sir.Bytheway,Icheckeduponthewriterofthatletterwefoundinherroom.TheonesignedJ.N.Nothingdoing.He’sinChinasafeenough.SamechapasMissBrewsterwastellingusabout.Bitofayoungscallywag.I’vecheckedupontherestofMrs.Marshall’sfriends.Noleadsthere.Everythingthereistoget,we’vegot,sir.”
Westonsaid:
“Sonowit’suptous.”Hepausedandthenadded:“SeenanythingofourBelgiancolleague?Doesheknowallyou’vetoldme?”
Colgatesaidwithagrin:
“He’saqueerlittlecuss,isn’the?D’youknowwhatheaskedmedaybeforeyesterday?Hewantedparticularsofanycasesofstrangulationinthelastthreeyears.”
ColonelWestonsatup.
“Hedid,didhe?NowIwonder—”hepausedaminute.“WhendidyousaytheReverendStephenLanewentintothatmentalhome?”
“AyearagolastEaster,sir.”
ColonelWestonwasthinkingdeeply.Hesaid:
“Therewasacase—bodyofayoungwomanfoundsomewherenearBagshot.Goingtomeetherhusbandsomewhereandneverturnedup.AndtherewaswhatthepaperscalledtheLonelyCopseMystery.BothinSurreyifIrememberrightly.”
HiseyesmetthoseofhisInspector.Colgatesaid:
“Surrey?Myword,sir,itfits,doesn’tit?Iwonder….”
II
HerculePoirotsatontheturfonthesummitoftheisland.
AlittletohisleftwasthebeginningofthesteelladderthatleddowntoPixyCove.Therewereseveralroughbouldersneartheheadoftheladder,henoted,formingeasyconcealmentforanyonewhoproposedtodescendtothebeachbelow.Ofthebeachitselflittlecouldbeseenfromthetopowingtotheoverhangofthecliff.
HerculePoirotnoddedhisheadgravely.
Thepiecesofhisjig-sawwerefittingintoposition.
Mentallyhewentoverthosepieces,consideringeachasadetacheditem.
AmorningonthebathingbeachsomefewdaysbeforeArlenaMarshall’sdeath.
One,two,three,four,fiveseparateremarksutteredonthatmorning.
Theeveningofabridgegame.He,PatrickRedfernandRosamundDarnleyhadbeenatthetable.Christinehadwanderedoutwhiledummyandhadoverheardacertainconversation.Whoelsehadbeenintheloungeatthattime?Whohadbeenabsent?
Theeveningbeforethecrime.TheconversationhehadhadwithChristineonthecliffandthescenehehadwitnessedonhiswaybacktothehotel.
GabrielleNo.8.
Apairofscissors.
Abrokenpipestem.
Abottlethrownfromawindow.
Agreencalendar.
Apacketofcandles.
Amirrorandatypewriter.
Askeinofmagentawool.
Agirl’swristwatch.
Bathwaterrushingdownthewastepipe.
Eachoftheseunrelatedfactsmustfitintoitsappointedplace.Theremustbenolooseends.
Andthen,witheachconcretefactfittedintoposition,ontothenextstop:hisownbeliefinthepresenceofevilontheisland.
Evil…
Helookeddownatatypewrittenpaperinhishands.
NellieParsons—foundstrangledinalonelycopsenearChobham.Nocluetohermurderereverdiscovered.
NellieParsons?
AliceCorrigan.
HereadverycarefullythedetailsofAliceCorrigan’sdeath.
III
ToHerculePoirot,sittingontheledgeoverlookingthesea,cameInspectorColgate.
PoirotlikedInspectorColgate.Helikedhisruggedface,hisshrewdeyes,andhisslowunhurriedmanner.
InspectorColgatesatdown.Hesaid,glancingdownatthetypewrittensheetsinPoirot’shand:
“Doneanythingwiththosecases,sir?”
“Ihavestudiedthem—yes.”
Colgategotup,hewalkedalongandpeeredintothenextniche.Hecameback,saying:
“Onecan’tbetoocareful.Don’twanttobeoverheard.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youarewise.”
Colgatesaid:
“Idon’tmindtellingyou,M.Poirot,thatI’vebeeninterestedinthosecasesmyself—thoughperhapsIshouldn’thavethoughtaboutthemifyouhadn’taskedforthem.”Hepaused:“I’vebeeninterestedinonecaseinparticular.”
“AliceCorrigan?”
“AliceCorrigan.”Hepaused.“I’vebeenontotheSurreypoliceaboutthatcase—wantedtogetalltheinsandoutsofit.”
“Tellme,myfriend.Iaminterested—veryinterested.”
“Ithoughtyoumightbe.AliceCorriganwasfoundstrangledinCaesar’sGroveonBlackridgeHeath—nottenmilesfromMarleyCopsewhereNellieParsonswasfound—andboththoseplacesarewithintwelvemilesofWhiteridgewhereMr.Lanewasvicar.”
Poirotsaid:
“TellmemoreaboutthedeathofAliceCorrigan.”
Colgatesaid:
“TheSurreypolicedidn’tatfirstconnectherdeathwiththatofNellieParsons.That’sbecausethey’dpitchedonthehusbandastheguiltyparty.Don’tquiteknowwhyexceptthathewasabitofwhatthePresscallsa‘mysteryman’—notmuchknownabouthim—whohewasorwherehecamefrom.She’dmarriedhimagainstherpeople’swishes,she’dabitofmoneyofherown—andshe’dinsuredherlifeinhisfavour—allthatwasenoughtoraisesuspicion,asIthinkyou’llagree,sir?”
Poirotnodded.
“Butwhenitcamedowntobrasstacksthehusbandwaswashedrightoutofthepicture.Thebodywasdiscoveredbyoneofthesewomenhikers—heftyyoungwomeninshorts.Shewasanabsolutelycompetentandreliablewitness—gamesmistressataschoolinLancashire.Shenotedthetimewhenshefoundthebody—itwasexactlyfour-fifteen—andgaveitasheropinionthatthewomanhadbeendeadquiteashorttime—notmorethantenminutes.Thatfittedinwellenoughwiththepolicesurgeon’sviewwhenheexaminedthebodyat5:45.ShelefteverythingasitwasandtrampedacrosscountrytoBagshotpolicestationwhereshereportedthedeath.Nowfromthreeo’clocktofour-ten,EdwardCorriganwasinthetraincomingdownfromLondonwherehe’dgoneupforthedayonbusiness.Fourotherpeoplewereinthecarriagewithhim.Fromthestationhetookthelocalbus,twoofhisfellowpassengerstravellingbyitalso.HegotoffatthePineRidgeCaféwherehe’darrangedtomeethiswifefortea.Timethenwasfourtwenty-five.Heorderedteaforthemboth,butsaidnottobringittillshecame.Thenhewalkedaboutoutsidewaitingforher.When,byfiveo’clockshehadn’tturnedup,hewasgettingalarmed—thoughtshemighthavesprainedherankle.ThearrangementwasthatshewastowalkacrossthemoorsfromthevillagewheretheywerestayingtothePineRidgeCaféandgohomebybus.Caesar’sGroveisnotfarfromthecafé,andit’sthoughtthatasshewasaheadoftimeshesatdowntheretoadmiretheviewforabitbeforegoingon,andthatsometrampormadmancameuponherthereandcaughtherunawares.Oncethehusbandwasprovedtobeoutofit,naturallytheyconnectedupherdeathwiththatofNellieParsons—thatratherflightyservantgirlwhowasfoundstrangledinMarleyCopse.Theydecidedthatthesamemanwasresponsibleforbothcrimes,buttheynevercaughthim—andwhat’smoretheynevercameneartocatchinghim!Drewablankeverywhere.”
Hepausedandthenhesaidslowly:
“Andnow—here’sathirdwomanstrangled—andacertaingentlemanwewon’tnamerightonthespot.”
Hestopped.
HissmallshrewdeyescameroundtoPoirot.Hewaitedhopefully.
Poirot’slipsmoved.InspectorColgateleanedforward.
Poirotwasmurmuring:
“—sodifficulttoknowwhichpiecesarepartofthefurrugandwhicharethecat’stail.”
“Ibegpardon,sir?”saidInspectorColgate,startled.
Poirotsaidquickly:
“Iapologize.Iwasfollowingatrainofthoughtofmyown.”
“What’sthisaboutafurrugandacat?”
“Nothing—nothingatall.”Hepaused.“Tellme,InspectorColgate,ifyoususpectedsomeoneoftellinglies—many,manyliesbutyouhadnoproof,whatwouldyoudo?”
InspectorColgateconsidered.
“It’sdifficult,thatis.Butit’smyopinionthatifanyonetellsenoughlies,they’reboundtotripupintheend.”
Poirotnodded.
“Yes,thatisverytrue.Yousee,itisonlyinmymindthatcertainstatementsarelies.Ithinkthattheyarelies,butIcannotknowthattheyarelies.Butonemightperhapsmakeatest—atestofonelittlenotverynoticeablelie.Andifthatwereprovedtobealie—whythen,onewouldknowthatalltherestwerelies,too!”
InspectorColgatelookedathimcuriously.
“Yourmindworksafunnyway,doesn’tit,sir?ButIdaresayitcomesoutallrightintheend.Ifyou’llexcusemeasking,whatputyouontoaskingaboutstrangulationcasesingeneral?”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“Youhaveawordinyourlanguage—slick.Thiscrimeseemedtomeaveryslickcrime!Itmademewonderif,perhaps,itwasnotafirstattempt.”
InspectorColgatesaid:
“Isee.”
Poirotwenton:
“Isaidtomyself,letusexaminepastcrimesofasimilarkindandifthereisacrimethatcloselyresemblesthisone—ehbien,weshallhavethereaveryvaluableclue.”
“Youmeanusingthesamemethodofdeath,sir?”
“No,no,Imeanmorethanthat.ThedeathofNellieParsonsforinstancetellsmenothing.ButthedeathofAliceCorrigan—tellme,InspectorColgate,doyounotnoticeonestrikingformofsimilarityinthiscrime?”
InspectorColgateturnedtheproblemoverinhismind.Hesaidatlast.
“No,sir,Ican’tsaythatIdoreally.Unlessit’sthatineachcasethehusbandhasgotacast-ironalibi.”
Poirotsaidsoftly:
“Ah,soyouhavenoticedthat?”
IV
“Ha,Poirot.Gladtoseeyou.Comein.JustthemanIwant.”
HerculePoirotrespondedtotheinvitation.
TheChiefConstablepushedoveraboxofcigarettes,tookonehimselfandlightedit.Betweenpuffshesaid:
“I’vedecided,moreorless,onacourseofaction.ButI’dlikeyouropiniononitbeforeIactdecisively.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Tellme,myfriend.”
Westonsaid:
“I’vedecidedtocallinScotlandYardandhandthecaseovertothem.Inmyopinion,althoughtherehavebeengroundsforsuspicionagainstoneortwopeople,thewholecasehingesondopesmuggling.Itseemscleartomethatthatplace,Pixy’sCave,wasadefiniterendezvousforthestuff.”
Poirotnodded.
“Iagree.”
“Goodman.AndI’mprettycertainwhoourdopesmuggleris.HoraceBlatt.”
AgainPoirotassented.Hesaid:
“That,too,isindicated.”
“Iseeourmindshavebothworkedthesameway.Blattusedtogosailinginthatboatofhis.Sometimeshe’dinvitepeopletogowithhim,butmostofthetimehewentoutalone.Hehadsomeratherconspicuousredsailsonthatboat,butwe’vefoundthathehadsomewhitesailsaswellstowedaway.Ithinkhesailedoutonagooddaytoanappointedspot,andwasmetbyanotherboat—sailingboatormotoryacht—somethingofthekindandthestuffwashandedover.ThenBlattwouldrunashoreintoPixyCoveatasuitabletimeofday—”
HerculePoirotsmiled:
“Yes,yes,athalfpastone.ThehouroftheBritishlunchwheneveryoneisquitesuretobeinthediningroom.Theislandisprivate.Itisnotaplacewhereoutsiderscomeforpicnics.PeopletaketheirteasometimesfromthehoteltoPixyCoveintheafternoonwhenthesunisonit,oriftheywantapicnictheywouldgosomewherefarafield,manymilesaway.”
TheChiefConstablenodded.
“Quite,”hesaid.“Therefore,Blattranashorethereandstowedthestuffonthatledgeinthecave.Somebodyelsewastopickitupthereinduecourse.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Therewasacouple,youremember,whocametotheislandforlunchonthedayofthemurder?Thatwouldbeawayofgettingthestuff.SomesummervisitorsfromahotelontheMoororatSt.LoocomeovertoSmugglers’Island.Theyannouncethattheywillhavelunch.Theywalkroundtheislandfirst.Howeasytodescendtothebeach,pickupthesandwichbox,placeit,nodoubt,inMadame’sbathingbagwhichshecarries—andreturnforlunchtothehotel—alittlelate,perhaps,sayattenminutestotwo,havingenjoyedtheirwalkwhilsteveryoneelsewasinthediningroom.”
Westonsaid:
“Yes,itallsoundspracticableenough.Nowthesedopeorganizationsareprettyruthless.Ifanyoneblunderedinandgotwisetothingstheywouldn’tmakeanybonesaboutsilencingthatperson.ItseemstomethatthatistherightexplanationofArlenaMarshall’sdeath.It’spossiblethatonthatmorningBlattwasactuallyatthecovestowingthestuffaway.Hisaccomplicesweretocomeforitthatveryday.Arlenaarrivesonherfloatandseeshimgoingintothecavewiththebox.Sheaskshimaboutitandhekillsherthenandthereandsheersoffinhisboatasquickaspossible.”
Poirotsaid:
“YouthinkdefinitelythatBlattisthemurderer?”
“Itseemsthemostprobablesolution.Ofcourseit’spossiblethatArlenamighthavegotontothetruthearlier,saidsomethingtoBlattaboutit,andsomeothermemberofthegangfixedafakeappointmentwithheranddidherin.AsIsay,IthinkthebestcourseistohandthecaseovertoScotlandYard.They’veafarbetterchancethanwehaveofprovingBlatt’sconnectionwiththegang.”
HerculePoirotnoddedthoughtfully.
Westonsaid:
“Youthinkthat’sthewisethingtodo—eh?”
Poirotwasthoughtful.Hesaidatlast:“Itmaybe.”
“Dashitall,Poirot,haveyougotsomethingupyoursleeve,orhaven’tyou?”
Poirotsaidgravely:
“IfIhave,IamnotsurethatIcanproveit.”
Westonsaid:
“Ofcourse,IknowthatyouandColgatehaveotherideas.Seemsabitfantastictome,butI’mboundtoadmittheremaybesomethinginit.Butevenifyou’reright.Istillthinkit’sacasefortheYard.We’llgivethemthefactsandtheycanworkinwiththeSurreypolice.WhatIfeelisthatitisn’treallyacaseforus.It’snotsufficientlylocalized.”
Hepaused.
“Whatdoyouthink,Poirot?Whatdoyoufeeloughttobedoneaboutit?”
Poirotseemedlostinthought.Atlasthesaid:
“IknowwhatIshouldliketodo.”
“Yes,man.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Ishouldliketogoforapicnic.”
ColonelWestonstaredathim.
Twelve
“Apicnic,M.Poirot?”
EmilyBrewsterstaredathimasthoughhewereoutofhissenses.
Poirotsaidengagingly:
“Itsoundstoyou,doesitnot,veryoutrageous?Butindeeditseemstomeamostadmirableidea.Weneedsomethingoftheeveryday,theusual,torestorelifetothenormal.IammostanxioustoseesomethingofDartmoor,theweatherisgood.Itwill—howshallIsay,itwillcheereverybodyup!Soaidmeinthismatter.Persuadeeveryone.”
Theideametwithunexpectedsuccess.Everyonewasatfirstdubiousandthengrudginglyadmitteditmightnotbesuchabadideaafterall.
ItwasnotsuggestedthatCaptainMarshallshouldbeasked.HehadhimselfannouncedthathehadtogotoPlymouththatday.Mr.Blattwasoftheparty,enthusiasticallyso.Hewasdeterminedtobethelifeandsoulofit.BesideshimtherewasEmilyBrewster,theRedferns,StephenLane,theGardeners,whowerepersuadedtodelaytheirdeparturebyoneday,RosamundDarnleyandLinda.
PoirothadbeeneloquenttoRosamundandhaddweltontheadvantageitwouldbetoLindatohavesomethingtotakeheroutofherself.TothisRosamundagreed.Shesaid:
“You’requiteright.Theshockhasbeenverybadforachildofthatage.Ithasmadeherterriblyjumpy.”
“Thatisonlynatural,Mademoiselle.Butatanyageonesoonforgets.Persuadehertocome.Youcan,Iknow.”
MajorBarryhadrefusedfirmly.Hesaidhedidn’tlikepicnics.“Lotsofbasketstocarry,”hesaid.“Anddarneduncomfortable.Eatingmyfoodatatable’sgoodenoughforme.”
Thepartyassembledatteno’clock.Threecarshadbeenordered.Mr.Blattwasloudandcheerful,imitatingatouristguide.
“Thisway,ladiesandgentlemen—thiswayforDartmoor.Heatherandbilberries,Devonshirecreamandconvicts.Bringyourwives,gentlemen,orbringtheotherthing!Everyonewelcome!Sceneryguaranteed.Walkup.Walkup.”
AtthelastminuteRosamundDarnleycamedownlookingconcerned.Shesaid:
“Linda’snotcoming.Shesaysshe’sgotafrightfulheadache.”
Poirotcried:
“Butitwilldohergoodtocome.Persuadeher,Mademoiselle.”
Rosamundsaidfirmly:
“It’snogood.She’sabsolutelydetermined.I’vegivenhersomeaspirinandshe’sgonetobed.”
Shehesitatedandsaid:
“Ithink,perhaps,Iwon’tgo,either
“Can’tallowthat,dearlady,can’tallowthat,”criedMr.Blatt,seizingherfacetiouslybythearm.“LahauteModemustgracetheoccasion.Norefusals!I’vetakenyouintocustody,ha,ha.SentencedtoDartmoor.”
Heledherfirmlytothefirstcar.RosamundthrewablacklookatHerculePoirot.
“I’llstaywithLinda,”saidChristineRedfern.“Idon’tmindabit.”
Patricksaid:“Oh,comeon,Christine.”
AndPoirotsaid:
“No,no,youmustcome,Madame.Withaheadacheoneisbetteralone.Come,letusstart.”
Thethreecarsdroveoff.TheywentfirsttotherealPixy’sCaveonSheepstor,andhadagooddealoffunlookingfortheentranceandatlastfindingit,aidedbyapicturepostcard.
ItwasprecariousgoingonthebigbouldersandHerculePoirotdidnotattemptit.HewatchedindulgentlywhileChristineRedfernspranglightlyfromstonetostoneandobservedthatherhusbandwasneverfarfromher.RosamundDarnleyandEmilyBrewsterhadjoinedinthesearchthoughthelatterslippedonceandgaveaslighttwisttoherankle.StephenLanewasindefatigable,hislongleanfigureturningandtwistingamongtheboulders.Mr.Blattcontentedhimselfwithgoingalittlewayandshoutingencouragement,alsotakingphotographsofthesearchers.
TheGardenersandPoirotremainedstaidlysittingbythewaysidewhilstMrs.Gardener’svoiceupraiseditselfinapleasanteven-tonedmonologue,punctuatednowandthenbytheobedient“Yes,darlings”ofherspouse.
“—andwhatIalwayshavefelt,M.Poirot,andMr.Gardeneragreeswithme,isthatsnapshotscanbeveryannoying.Unless,thatistosay,theyaretakenamongfriends.ThatMr.Blatthasjustnosensitivenessofanykind.Hejustcomesrightuptoeveryoneandtalksawayandtakespicturesofyouand,asIsaidtoMr.Gardener,thatreallyisveryill-bred.That’swhatIsaid,Odell,wasn’tit?”
“Yes,darling.”
“Thatgrouphetookofusallsittingonthebeach.Well,that’sallverywell,butheshouldhaveaskedfirst.Asitwas,MissBrewsterwasjustgettingupfromthebeach,anditcertainlymakesherlookaverypeculiarshape.”
“I’llsayitdoes,”saidMr.Gardenerwithagrin.
“Andthere’sMr.Blattgivingroundcopiestoeverybodywithoutsomuchasaskingfirst.Hegaveonetoyou,M.Poirot,Inoticed.”
Poirotnodded.Hesaid:
“Ivaluethatgroupverymuch.”
Mrs.Gardenerwenton:
“Andlookathisbehaviourtoday—soloudandnoisyandcommon.Why,itjustmakesmeshudder.Yououghttohavearrangedtoleavethatmanathome,M.Poirot.”
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“Alas,Madame,thatwouldhavebeendifficult.”
“Ishouldsayitwould.Thatmanjustpusheshiswayinanywhere.He’sjustnotsensitiveatall.”
AtthismomentthediscoveryofthePixy’sCavewashailedfrombelowwithloudcries.
Thepartynowdroveon,underHerculePoirot’sdirections,toaspotwhereashortwalkfromthecardownahillsideofheatherledtoadelightfulspotbyasmallriver.
AnarrowplankbridgecrossedtheriverandPoirotandherhusbandinducedMrs.Gardenertocrossittowhereadelightfulheatheryspotfreefrompricklyfurzelookedanidealspotforapicniclunch.
TalkingvolublyabouthersensationswhencrossingonaplankbridgeMrs.Gardenersankdown.Suddenlytherewasaslightoutcry.
Theothershadrunacrossthebridgelightlyenough,butEmilyBrewsterwasstandinginthemiddleoftheplank,hereyesshut,swayingtoandfro.
PoirotandPatrickRedfernrushedtotherescue.
EmilyBrewsterwasgruffandashamed.
“Thanks,thanks.Sorry.Neverwasgoodatcrossingrunningwater.Getgiddy.Stupid,very.”
Lunchwasspreadoutandthepicnicbegan.
Allthepeopleconcernedweresecretlysurprisedtofindhowmuchtheyenjoyedthisinterlude.Itwas,perhaps,becauseitaffordedanescapefromanatmosphereofsuspicionanddread.Here,withthetricklingofthewater,thesoftpeatysmellintheairandthewarmcolouringofbrackenandheather,aworldofmurderandpoliceinquiriesandsuspicionseemedblottedoutasthoughithadneverexisted.EvenMr.Blattforgottobethelifeandsouloftheparty.Afterlunchhewenttosleepalittledistanceawayandsubduedsnorestestifiedtohisblissfulunconsciousness.
ItwasquiteagratefulpartyofpeoplewhopackedupthepicnicbasketsandcongratulatedHerculePoirotonhisgoodidea.
Thesunwassinkingastheyreturnedalongthenarrowwindinglanes.FromthetopofthehillaboveLeathercombeBaytheyhadabriefglimpseoftheislandwiththewhitehotelonit.
Itlookedpeacefulandinnocentinthesettingsun.
Mrs.Gardener,notloquaciousforonce,sighedandsaid:
“Ireallydothankyou,M.Poirot.Ifeelsocalm.It’sjustwonderful.”
II
MajorBarrycameouttogreetthemonarrival.
“Hullo,”hesaid.“Hadagoodday?”
Mrs.Gardenersaid:
“Indeedwedid.Themoorswerejusttoolovelyforanything.SoEnglishandoldworld.Andtheairdeliciousandinvigorating.Yououghttobeashamedofyourselfforbeingsolazyastostaybehind.”
TheMajorchuckled.
“I’mtoooldforthatkindofthing—sittingonapatchofbogandeatingsandwiches.”
Achambermaidhadcomeoutofthehotel.Shewasalittleoutofbreath.ShehesitatedforamomentthencameswiftlyuptoChristineRedfern.
HerculePoirotrecognizedherasGlady’sNarracott.Hervoicecamequickanduneven.
“Excuseme,Madam,butI’mworriedabouttheyounglady.AboutMissMarshall.ItookherupsometeajustnowandIcouldn’tgethertowake,andshelooksso—soqueersomehow.”
Christinelookedroundhelplessly.Poirotwasathersideinamoment.Hishandunderherelbowhesaidquietly:
“Wewillgoupandsee.”
TheyhurriedupthestairsandalongthepassagetoLinda’sroom.
Oneglanceatherwasenoughtotellthemboththatsomethingwasverywrong.Shewasanoddcolourandherbreathingwashardlyperceptible.
Poirot’shandwenttoherpulse.Atthesametimehenoticedanenvelopestuckupagainstthelamponthebedsidetable.Itwasaddressedtohimself.
CaptainMarshallcamequicklyintotheroom.Hesaid:
“What’sthisaboutLinda?What’sthematterwithher?”
AsmallfrightenedsobcamefromChristineRedfern.
HerculePoirotturnedfromthebed.HesaidtoMarshall:
“Getadoctor—asquickasyoupossiblycan.ButI’mafraid—verymuchafraid—itmaybetoolate.”
Hetooktheletterwithhisnameonitandrippedopentheenvelope.InsidewereafewlinesofwritinginLinda’sprimschoolgirlhand.
Ithinkthisisthebestwayout.AskFathertotryandforgiveme.IkilledArlena.IthoughtIshouldbeglad—butI’mnot.Iamverysorryforeverything.
III
Theywereassembledinthelounge—Marshall,theRedferns,RosamundDarnleyandHerculePoirot.
Theysattheresilent—waiting….
ThedooropenedandDr.Neasdencamein.Hesaidcurtly:
“I’vedoneallIcan.Shemaypullthrough—butI’mboundtotellyouthatthere’snotmuchhope.”
Hepaused.Marshall,hisfacestiff,hiseyesacoldfrostyblue,asked:
“Howdidshegetholdofthestuff?”
Neasdenopenedthedooragainandbeckoned.
Thechambermaidcameintotheroom.Shehadbeencrying:
Neasdensaid:
“Justtellusagainwhatyousaw.”
Sniffing,thegirlsaid:
“Ineverthought—Ineverthoughtforaminutetherewasanythingwrong—thoughtheyoungladydidseemratherstrangeaboutit.”Aslightgestureofimpatiencefromthedoctorstartedheroffagain.“Shewasintheotherlady’sroom.Mrs.Redfern’s.Yourroom,Madam.Overatthewashstand,andshetookupalittlebottle.ShedidgiveabitofajumpwhenIcamein,andIthoughtitwasqueerhertakingthingsfromyourroom,butthen,ofcourse,itmightbesomethingshe’dlentyou.Shejustsaid:‘Oh,thisiswhatI’mlookingfor—’andwentout.”
Christinesaidalmostinawhisper.
“Mysleepingtablets.”
Thedoctorsaidbrusquely:
“Howdidsheknowaboutthem?”
Christinesaid:
“Igaveherone.Thenightafterithappened.Shetoldmeshecouldn’tsleep.She—Irememberhersaying—‘Willonebeenough?’—andIsaid,Ohyes,theywereverystrong—thatI’dbeencautionednevertotakemorethantwoatmost.”Neasdennodded:“Shemadeprettysure,”hesaid.“Tooksixofthem.”
Christinesobbedagain.
“Ohdear,Ifeelit’smyfault.Ishouldhavekeptthemlockedup.”
Thedoctorshruggedhisshoulders.
“Itmighthavebeenwiser,Mrs.Redfern.”
Christinesaiddespairingly:
“She’sdying—andit’smyfault….”
KennethMarshallstirredinhischair.Hesaid:
“No,youcan’tblameyourself.Lindaknewwhatshewasdoing.Shetookthemdeliberately.Perhaps—perhapsitwasbest.”
Helookeddownatthecrumplednoteinhishand—thenotethatPoirothadsilentlyhandedtohim.
RosamundDarnleycriedout.
“Idon’tbelieveit.Idon’tbelieveLindakilledher.Surelyit’simpossible—ontheevidence!”
Christinesaideagerly:
“Yes,shecan’thavedoneit!Shemusthavegotoverwroughtandimagineditall.”
ThedooropenedandColonelWestoncamein.Hesaid:
“What’sallthisIhear?”
Dr.NeasdentookthenotefromMarshall’shandandhandedittotheChiefConstable.Thelatterreadit.Heexclaimedincredulously:
“What?Butthisisnonsense—absolutenonsense!It’simpossible.”Herepeatedwithassurance.“Impossible!Isn’tit,Poirot?”
HerculePoirotmovedforthefirsttime.Hesaidinaslowsadvoice:
“No,I’mafraiditisnotimpossible.”
ChristineRedfernsaid:
“ButIwaswithher,M.Poirot.Iwaswithheruptoaquartertotwelve.Itoldthepoliceso.”
Poirotsaid:
“Yourevidencegaveheranalibi—yes.Butwhatwasyourevidencebasedon?ItwasbasedonLindaMarshall’sownwristwatch.Youdonotknowofyourownknowledgethatitwasaquartertotwelvewhenyoulefther—youonlyknowthatshetoldyouso.Yousaidyourselfthetimeseemedtohavegoneveryfast.”
Shestaredathim,stricken.
Hesaid:
“Now,think,Madame,whenyouleftthebeach,didyouwalkbacktothehotelfastorslow?”
“I—well,fairlyslowly,Ithink.”
“Doyouremembermuchaboutthatwalkback?”
“Notverymuch,I’mafraid.I—Iwasthinking.”
Poirotsaid:
“Iamsorrytoaskyouthis,butwillyoutelljustwhatyouwerethinkingaboutduringthatwalk?”
Christineflushed.
“Isuppose—ifitisnecessary…Iwasconsideringthequestionof—ofleavinghere.Justgoingawaywithouttellingmyhusband.I—Iwasveryunhappyjustthen,yousee.”
PatrickRedferncried:
“Oh,Christine!Iknow…Iknow….”
Poirot’sprecisevoicecutin.
“Exactly.Youwereconcernedovertakingastepofsomeimportance.Youwere,Ishouldsay,deafandblindtoyoursurroundings.Youprobablywalkedveryslowlyandoccasionallystoppedforsomeminuteswhilstyoupuzzledthingsout.”
Christinenodded.
“Howcleveryouare.Itwasjustlikethat.IwokeupfromakindofdreamjustoutsidethehotelandhurriedinthinkingIshouldbeverylate,butwhenIsawtheclockintheloungeIrealizedIhadplentyoftime.”
HerculePoirotsaidagain:
“Exactly.”
HeturnedtoMarshall.
“ImustnowdescribetoyoucertainthingsIfoundinyourdaughter’sroomafterthemurder.Inthegratewasalargeblobofmeltedwax,someburnthair,fragmentsofcardboardandpaperandanordinaryhouseholdpin.Thepaperandthecardboardmightnotberelevant,buttheotherthreethingsweresuggestive—particularlywhenIfoundtuckedawayinthebookshelfavolumefromthelocallibraryheredealingwithwitchcraftandmagic.Itopenedveryeasilyatacertainpage.Onthatpageweredescribedvariousmethodsofcausingdeathbymouldinginwasafiguresupposedtorepresentthevictim.Thiswasthenslowlyroastedtillitmeltedaway—oralternativelyyouwouldpiercethewaxfiguretotheheartwithapin.Deathofthevictimwouldensue.IlaterheardfromMrs.RedfernthatLindaMarshallhadbeenoutearlythatmorningandhadboughtapacketofcandles,andhadseemedembarrassedwhenherpurchasewasrevealed.Ihadnodoubtwhathadhappenedafterthat.Lindahadmadeacrudefigureofthecandlewax—possiblyadorningitwithasnipofArlena’sredhairtogivethemagicforce—hadthenstabbedittotheheartwithapinandfinallymeltedthefigureawaybylightingstripsofcardboardunderit.
“Itwascrude,childish,superstitious,butitrevealedonething:thedesiretokill.
“Wasthereanypossibilitythattherehadbeenmorethanadesire?CouldLindaMarshallhaveactuallykilledherstepmother?
“Atfirstsightitseemedasthoughshehadaperfectalibi—butinactuality,asIhavejustpointedout,thetimeevidencewassuppliedbyLindaherself.Shecouldeasilyhavedeclaredthetimetobeaquarterofanhourlaterthanitreallywas.
“ItwasquitepossibleonceMrs.RedfernhadleftthebeachforLindatofollowherupandthenstrikeacrossthenarrowneckoflandtotheladder,hurrydownit,meetherstepmotherthere,strangleherandreturnuptheladderbeforetheboatcontainingMissBrewsterandPatrickRedferncameinsight.ShecouldthenreturntoGullCove,takeherbatheandreturntothehotelatherleisure.
“Butthatentailedtwothings.ShemusthavedefiniteknowledgethatArlenaMarshallwouldbeatPixyCoveandshemustbephysicallycapableofthedeed.
“Well,thefirstwasquitepossible—ifLindaMarshallhadwrittenanotetoArlenaherselfinsomeoneelse’sname.Astothesecond,Lindahasverylargestronghands.Theyareaslargeasaman’s.Astothestrength,sheisattheagewhenoneispronetobementallyunbalanced.Mentalderangementoftenisaccompaniedbyunusualstrength.Therewasoneothersmallpoint.LindaMarshall’smotherhadactuallybeenaccusedandtriedformurder.”
KennethMarshallliftedhishead.Hesaidfiercely:“Shewasalsoacquitted.”
“Shewasacquitted,”Poirotagreed.
Marshallsaid:
“AndI’lltellyouthis,M.Poirot.Ruth—mywife—wasinnocent.ThatIknowwithcompleteandabsolutecertainty.IntheintimacyofourlifeIcouldnothavebeendeceived.Shewasaninnocentvictimofcircumstances.”
Hepaused.
“AndIdon’tbelievethatLindakilledArlena.It’sridiculous—absurd!”
Poirotsaid:
“Doyoubelievethatletter,then,tobeaforgery?”
MarshallheldouthishandforitandWestongaveittohim.Marshallstudieditattentively.Thenheshookhishead.
“No,”hesaidunwillingly.“IbelieveLindadidwritethis.”
Poirotsaid:
“Thenifshewroteit,thereareonlytwoexplanations.Eithershewroteitinallgoodfaith,knowingherselftobethemurderessor—or,Isay—shewroteitdeliberatelytoshieldsomeoneelse,someonewhomshefearedwassuspected.”
KennethMarshallsaid:
“Youmeanme?”
“Itispossible,isitnot?”
Marshallconsideredforamomentortwo,thenhesaidquietly:
“No,Ithinkthatideaisabsurd.LindamayhaverealizedthatIwasregardedwithsuspicionatfirst.Butsheknewdefinitelybynowthatthatwasoveranddonewith—thatthepolicehadacceptedmyalibiandturnedtheirattentionelsewhere.”
Poirotsaid:
“Andsupposingthatitwasnotsomuchthatshethoughtthatyouweresuspectedasthatsheknewyouwereguilty.”
Marshallstaredathim.Hegaveashortlaugh.
“That’sabsurd.”
Poirotsaid:
“Iwonder.Thereare,youknow,severalpossibilitiesaboutMrs.Marshall’sdeath.Thereisthetheorythatshewasbeingblackmailed,thatshewentthatmorningtomeettheblackmailerandthattheblackmailerkilledher.ThereisthetheorythatPixyCoveandCavewerebeingusedfordrugrunning,andthatshewaskilledbecausesheaccidentally
“I’vejusttoldyou—”
“Yes,yes—Iagreethatitisimpossiblethatyoucouldhavekilledyourwife—ifyouwereactingalone.Butsupposingsomeonehelpedyou?”
“Whatthedevildoyoumean?”
Thequietmanwasrousedatlast.Hehalfrosefromhischair.Hisvoicewasmenacing.Therewasahardangrylightinhiseyes.
Poirotsaid:
“Imeanthatthisisnotacrimethatwascommittedsingle-handed.Twopeoplewereinit.Itisquitetruethatyoucouldnothavetypedthatletterandatthesametimegonetothecove—buttherewouldhavebeentimeforyoutohavejotteddownthatletterinshorthand—andforsomeoneelsetohavetypeditinyourroomwhileyouyourselfwereabsentonyourmurderouserrand.”
HerculePoirotlookedtowardsRosamundDarnley.Hesaid:
“MissDarnleystatesthatsheleftSunnyLedgeattenminutespastelevenandsawyoutypinginyourroom.ButjustaboutthattimeMr.Gardenerwentuptothehoteltofetchaskeinofwoolforhiswife.HedidnotmeetMissDarnleyorseeher.Thatisratherremarkable.ItlooksasthougheitherMissDarnleyneverleftSunnyLedge,orelseshehadleftitmuchearlierandwasinyourroomtypingindustriously.Anotherpoint,youstatedthatwhenMissDarnleylookedintoyourroomataquarterpastelevenyousawherinthemirror.Butonthedayofthemurderyourtypewriterandpaperswereallonthewritingdeskacrossthecorneroftheroom,whereasthemirrorwasbetweenthewindows.Sothatstatementwasadeliberatelie.Later,youmovedyourtypewritertothetableunderthemirrorsoastosubstantiateyourstory—butitwastoolate.IwasawarethatbothyouandMissDarnleyhadlied.”
RosamundDarnleyspoke.Hervoicewaslowandclear.
Shesaid:
“Howdevilishlyingeniousyouare!”
HerculePoirotsaid,raisinghisvoice:
“ButnotsodevilishandsoingeniousasthemanwhokilledArlenaMarshall!Thinkbackforamoment.WhodidIthink—whodideverybodythink—thatArlenaMarshallhadgonetomeetthatmorning?Wealljumpedtothesameconclusion.PatrickRedfern.Itwasnottomeetablackmailerthatshewent.Herfacealonewouldhavetoldmethat.Ohno,itwasalovershewasgoingtomeet—orthoughtshewasgoingtomeet.
“Yes,Iwasquitesureofthat.ArlenaMarshallwasgoingtomeetPatrickRedfern.ButaminutelaterPatrickRedfernappearedonthebeachandwasobviouslylookingforher.Sowhatthen?”
PatrickRedfernsaidwithsubduedanger:
“Somedevilusedmyname.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youwereveryobviouslyupsetandsurprisedbyhernonappearance.Almosttooobviously,perhaps.Itismytheory,Mr.Redfern,thatshewenttoPixyCovetomeetyou,andthatshedidmeetyou,andthatyoukilledherthereasyouhadplannedtodo.”
PatrickRedfernstared.Hesaidinhishighgood-humouredIrishvoice:
“Isitdaftyouare?IwaswithyouonthebeachuntilIwentroundintheboatwithMissBrewsterandfoundherdead.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“YoukilledherafterMissBrewsterhadgoneoffintheboattofetchthepolice.ArlenaMarshallwasnotdeadwhenyougottothebeach.Shewaswaitinghiddeninthecaveuntilthecoastcouldbeclear.”
“Butthebody!MissBrewsterandIbothsawthebody.”
“Abody—yes.Butnotadeadbody.Thelivebodyofthewomanwhohelpedyou,herarmsandlegsstainedwithtan,herfacehiddenbyagreencardboardhat.Christine,yourwife(orpossiblynotyourwife—butstillyourpartner),helpingyoutocommitthiscrimeasshehelpedyoutocommitthatcrimeinthepastwhenshe“discovered”thebodyofAliceCorriganatleasttwentyminutesbeforeAliceCorrigandied—killedbyherhusbandEdwardCorrigan—you!”
Christinespoke.Hervoicewassharp—cold.Shesaid:
“Becareful,Patrick,don’tloseyourtemper.”
Poirotsaid:
“YouwillbeinterestedtohearthatbothyouandyourwifeChristinewereeasilyrecognizedandpickedoutbytheSurreypolicefromagroupofpeoplephotographedhere.TheyidentifiedyoubothatonceasEdwardCorriganandChristineDeverill,theyoungwomanwhofoundthebody.”
PatrickRedfernhadrisen.Hishandsomefacewastransformed,suffusedwithblood,blindwithrage.Itwasthefaceofakiller—ofatiger.Heyelled:
“Youdamnedinterferingmurderinglousylittleworm!”
Hehurledhimselfforward,hisfingersstretchingandcurling,hisvoiceravingcurses,ashefastenedhisfingersroundHerculePoirot’sthroat….
Thirteen
Poirotsaidreflectively:
“Itwasonamorningwhenweweresittingoutherethatwetalkedofsuntannedbodieslyinglikemeatuponaslab,anditwasthenthatIreflectedhowlittledifferencetherewasbetweenonebodyandanother.Ifonelookedcloselyandappraisingly—yes—buttothecasualglance?Onemoderatelywell-madeyoungwomanisverylikeanother.Twobrownlegs,twobrownarms,alittlepieceofbathingsuitinbetween—justabodylyingoutinthesun.Whenawomanwalks,whenshespeaks,laughs,turnsherhead,movesahand—then,yesthen,thereispersonality—individuality.Butinthesunritual—no.
“Itwasthatdaythatwespokeofevil—evilunderthesunasMr.Laneputit.Mr.Laneisaverysensitiveperson—evilaffectshim—heperceivesitspresence—butthoughheisagoodrecordinginstrument,hedidnotreallyknowexactlywheretheevilwas.Tohim,evilwasfocusedinthepersonofArlenaMarshall,andpracticallyeveryonepresentagreedwithhim.
“Buttomymind,thoughevilwaspresent,itwasnotcentralizedinArlenaMarshallatall.Itwasconnectedwithher,yes—butinatotallydifferentway.Isawher,first,lastandallthetime,asaneternalandpredestinedvictim.Becauseshewasbeautiful,becauseshehadglamour,becausementurnedtheirheadstolookather,itwasassumedthatshewasthetypeofwomanwhowreckedlivesanddestroyedsouls.ButIsawherverydifferently.Itwasnotshewhofatallyattractedmen—itwasmenwhofatallyattractedher.Shewasthetypeofwomanwhommencareforeasilyandofwhomtheyaseasilytire.AndeverythingthatIwastoldorfoundoutaboutherstrengthenedmyconvictiononthispoint.Thefirstthingthatwasmentionedaboutherwashowthemaninwhosedivorcecaseshehadbeencitedrefusedtomarryher.ItwasthenthatCaptainMarshall,oneofthoseincurablychivalrousmen,steppedinandaskedhertomarryhim.ToashyretiringmanofCaptainMarshall’stype,apublicordealofanykindwouldbetheworsttorture—hencehisloveandpityforhisfirstwifewhowaspubliclyaccusedandtriedforamurdershehadnotcommitted.Hemarriedherandfoundhimselfamplyjustifiedinhisestimateofhercharacter.Afterherdeathanotherbeautifulwoman,perhapssomethingofthesametype(sinceLindahasredhairwhichsheprobablyinheritedfromhermother),ishelduptopublicignominy.AgainMarshallperformsarescueact.Butthistimehefindslittletosustainhisinfatuation.Arlenaisstupid,unworthyofhissympathyandprotection,mindless.Nevertheless,Ithinkhealwayshadafairlytruevisionofher.Longafterheceasedtoloveherandwasirkedbyherpresence,heremainedsorryforher.Shewastohimlikeachildwhocannotgetfartherthanacertainpageinthebookoflife.
“IsawinArlenaMarshallwithherpassionformen,apredestinedpreyforanunscrupulousmanofacertaintype.InPatrickRedfern,withhisgoodlooks,hiseasyassurance,hisundeniablecharmforwomen,Irecognizedatoncethattype.Theadventurerwhomakeshisliving,onewayoranother,outofwomen.LookingonfrommyplaceonthebeachIwasquitecertainthatArlenawasPatrick’svictim,nottheotherwayabout.AndIassociatedthatfocusofevilwithPatrickRedfern,notwithArlenaMarshall.
“Arlenahadrecentlycomeintoalargesumofmoney,leftherbyanelderlyadmirerwhohadnothadtimetogrowtiredofher.Shewasthetypeofwomanwhoisinvariablydefraudedofmoneybysomemanorother.MissBrewstermentionedayoungmanwhohadbeen‘ruined’byArlena,butaletterfromhimwhichwasfoundinherroom,thoughitexpressedawish(whichcostnothing)tocoverherwithjewels,inactualfactacknowledgedachequefromherbymeansofwhichhehopedtoescapeprosecution.Aclearcaseofayoungwasterspongingonher.IhavenodoubtthatPatrickRedfernfounditeasytoinducehertohandhimlargesumsfromtimetotime‘forinvestment.’Heprobablydazzledherwithstoriesofgreatopportunities—howhewouldmakeherfortuneandhisown.Unprotectedwomen,livingalone,areeasypreytothattypeofman—andheusuallyescapesscotfreewiththebooty.If,however,thereisahusband,orabrother,orafatherabout,thingsareapttotakeanunpleasantturnfortheswindler.OnceCaptainMarshallwastofindoutwhathadhappenedtohiswife’sfortune,PatrickRedfernmightexpectshortshrift.
“Thatdidnotworryhim,however,becausehecontemplatedquitecalmlydoingawaywithherwhenhejudgeditnecessary—encouragedbyhavingalreadygotawaywithonemurder—thatofayoungwomanwhomhehadmarriedinthenameofCorriganandwhomhehadpersuadedtoinsureherlifeforalargesum.
“Inhisplanshewasaidedandabettedbythewomanwhodownherepassedashiswifeandtowhomhewasgenuinelyattached.Ayoungwomanasunlikethetypeofhisvictimsascouldwellbeimagined—cool,calm,passionless,butsteadfastlyloyaltohimandanactressofnomeanability.FromthetimeofherarrivalhereChristineRedfernplayedapart,thepartofthe‘poorlittlewife’—frail,helpless,intellectualratherthanathletic.Thinkofthepointsshemadeoneafteranother.Hertendencytoblisterinthesunandherconsequentwhiteskin,hergiddinessatheights—storiesofgettingstuckonMilanCathedral,etc.Anemphasisonherfrailtyanddelicacy—nearlyeveryonespokeofherasa‘littlewoman.’ShewasactuallyastallasArlenaMarshall,butwithverysmallhandsandfeet.Shespokeofherselfasaformerschool-teacher,andtherebyemphasizedanimpressionofbooklearningandlackofathleticprowess.Actually,itisquitetruethatshehadworkedinaschool,butthepositionsheheldtherewasthatofgamesmistress,andshewasanextremelyactiveyoungwomanwhocouldclimblikeacatandrunlikeanathlete.
“Thecrimeitselfwasperfectlyplannedandtimed.Itwas,asImentionedbefore,averyslickcrime.Thetimingwasaworkofgenius.
“Firstofalltherewerecertainpreliminaryscenes—oneplayedonthecliffledgewhentheyknewmetobeoccupyingthenextrecess—aconventionaljealouswifedialoguebetweenherandherhusband.Latersheplayedthesamepartinascenewithme.AtthetimeIrememberavaguefeelingofhavingreadallthisinabook.Itdidnotseemreal.Because,ofcourse,itwasnotreal.Thencamethedayofthecrime.Itwasafineday—anessential.Redfern’sfirstactwastoslipoutveryearly—bythebalconydoorwhichheunlockedfromtheinside(iffoundopenitwouldonlybethoughtsomeonehadgoneforanearlybathe).UnderhisbathingwrapheconcealedagreenChinesehat,theduplicateoftheoneArlenawasinthehabitofwearing.Heslippedacrosstheisland,downtheladderandstoweditawayinanappointedplacebehindsomerocks.PartI.
“OnthepreviouseveninghehadarrangedarendezvouswithArlena.TheywereexercisingagooddealofcautionaboutmeetingasArlenawasslightlyafraidofherhusband.SheagreedtogoroundtoPixyCoveearly.Nobodywentthereinthemorning.Redfernwastojoinherthere,takingachancetoslipawayunobtrusively.IfsheheardanyonedescendingtheladderoraboatcameinsightshewastoslipinsidethePixy’sCave,thesecretofwhichhehadtoldher,andwaitthereuntilthecoastwasclear.PartII.
“InthemeantimeChristinewenttoLinda’sroomatatimewhenshejudgedLindawouldhavegoneforherearlymorningdip.ShewouldthenalterLinda’swatch,puttingitontwentyminutes.Therewas,ofcourse,ariskthatLindamightnoticeherwatchwaswrong,butitdidnotmuchmatterifshedid.Christine’srealalibiwasthesizeofherhandswhichmadeitaphysicalimpossibilityforhertohavecommittedthecrime.Nevertheless,anadditionalalibiwouldbedesirable.TheninLinda’sroomshenoticedthebookonwitchcraftandmagic,openatacertainpage.Shereadit,andwhenLindacameinanddroppedaparcelofcandlessherealizedwhatwasinLinda’smind.Itopenedupsomenewideastoher.TheoriginalideaoftheguiltypairhadbeentocastareasonableamountofsuspiciononKennethMarshall,hencetheabstractedpipe,afragmentofwhichwastobeplantedontheCoveunderneaththeladder.
“OnLinda’sreturnChristineeasilyarrangedanoutingtogethertoGullCove.Shethenreturnedtoherownroom,tookoutfromalockedsuitcaseabottleofartificialsuntan,applieditcarefullyandthrewtheemptybottleoutofthewindowwhereitnarrowlyescapedhittingEmilyBrewsterwhowasbathing.PartIIsuccessfullyaccomplished.
“Christinethendressedherselfinawhitebathingsuit,andoveritapairofbeachtrousersandcoatwithlongfloppysleeveswhicheffectuallyconcealedhernewly-brownedarmsandlegs.
“At10:15Arlenadepartedforherrendezvous,aminuteortwolaterPatrickRedferncamedownandregisteredsurprise,annoyanceetc.Christine’staskwaseasyenough.KeepingherownwatchconcealedsheaskedLindaattwenty-fivepastelevenwhattimeitwas.Lindalookedatherwatchandrepliedthatitwasaquartertotwelve.ShethenstartsdowntotheseaandChristinepacksuphersketchingthings.AssoonasLinda’sbackisturnedChristinepicksupthegirl’swatchwhichshehasnecessarilydiscardedbeforegoingintotheseaandaltersitbacktothecorrecttime.Thenshehurriesupthecliffpath,runsacrossthenarrowneckoflandtothetopoftheladder,stripsoffherpyjamasandshovesthemandhersketchingboxbehindarockandswarmsrapidlydowntheladderinherbestgymnasticfashion.
“ArlenaisonthebeachbelowwonderingwhyPatrickissolongincoming.Sheseesorhearssomeoneontheladder,takesacautiousobservation,andtoherannoyanceseesthatinconvenientperson—thewife!ShehurriesalongthebeachandintothePixy’sCave.
“Christinetakesthehatfromitshidingplace,afalseredcurlpinnedunderneaththebrimattheback,anddisposesherselfinasprawlingattitudewiththehatandcurlshieldingherfaceandneck.Thetimingisperfect.AminuteortwolatertheboatcontainingPatrickandEmilyBrewstercomesroundthepoint.RememberitisPatrickwhobendsdownandexaminesthebody,Patrickwhoisstunned—shocked—brokendownbythedeathofhisladylove!Hiswitnesshasbeencarefullychosen.MissBrewsterhasnotgotagoodhead,shewillnotattempttogouptheladder.ShewillleavetheCovebyboat,Patricknaturallybeingtheonetoremainwiththebody—‘incasethemurderermaystillbeabout.’MissBrewsterrowsofftofetchthepolice.Christine,assoonastheboathasdisappeared,springsup,cutsthehatintopieceswiththescissorsPatrickhascarefullybrought,stuffsthemintoherbathing-suitandswarmsuptheladderindoublequicktime,slipsintoherbeach-pyjamasandrunsbacktothehotel.Justtimetohaveaquickbath,washingoffthebrownsuntanapplication,andintohertennisdress.Oneotherthingshedoes.SheburnsthepiecesofthegreencardboardhatandthehairinLinda’sgrate,addingaleafofacalendarsothatitmaybeassociatedwiththecardboard.NotaHatbutaCalendarhasbeenburnt.Asshesuspected,Lindahasbeenexperimentinginmagic—theblobofwaxandthepinshowsthat.
“Then,downtothetenniscourt,arrivingthelast,butshowingnosignsofflurryorhaste.
“And,meanwhile,Patrickhasgonetothecave.Arlenahasseennothingandheardverylittle—aboat—voices—shehasprudentlyremainedhidden.ButnowitisPatrickcalling.
“‘Allclear,darling,’andshecomesout,andhishandsfastenroundherneck—andthatistheendofpoorfoolishbeautifulArlenaMarshall….”
Hisvoicediedaway.
Foramomenttherewassilence,thenRosamundDarnleysaidwithalittleshiver:
“Yes,youmakeoneseeitall.Butthat’sthestoryfromtheotherside.Youhaven’ttoldushowyoucametogetatthetruth?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“ItoldyouoncethatIhadaverysimplemind.Always,fromthebeginning,itseemedtomethatthemostlikelypersonhadkilledArlenaMarshall.AndthemostlikelypersonwasPatrickRedfern.Hewasthetype,parexcellence—thetypeofmanwhoexploitswomenlikeher—andthetypeofthekiller—thekindofmanwhowilltakeawoman’ssavingsandcutherthroatintothebargain.WhowasArlenagoingtomeetthatmorning?Bytheevidenceofherface,hersmile,hermanner,herwordstome—PatrickRedfern.Andtherefore,intheverynatureofthings,itshouldbePatrickwhokilledher.
“ButatonceIcameup,asItoldyou,againstimpossibility.PatrickRedferncouldnothavekilledhersincehewasonthebeachandinMissBrewster’scompanyuntiltheactualdiscoveryofthebody.SoIlookedaboutforothersolutions—andtherewereseveral.Shecouldhavebeenkilledbyherhusband—withMissDarnley’sconnivance.(Theytoohadbothliedastoonepointwhichlookedsuspicious.)Shecouldhavebeenkilledasaresultofherhavingstumbledonthesecretofthedopesmuggling.Shecouldhavebeenkilled,asIsaid,byareligiousmaniac,andshecouldhavebeenkilledbyherstepdaughter.Thelatterseemedtomeatonetimetobetherealsolution.Linda’smannerinherveryfirstinterviewwiththepolicewassignificant.AninterviewthatIhadwithherlaterassuredmeofonepoint.Lindaconsideredherselfguilty.”
“YoumeansheimaginedthatshehadactuallykilledArlena?”
Rosamund’svoicewasincredulous.
HerculePoirotnodded.
“Yes.Remember—sheisreallylittlemorethanachild.Shereadthatbookonwitchcraftandshehalf-believedit.ShehatedArlena.Shedeliberatelymadethewaxdoll,castherspell,piercedittotheheart,melteditaway—andthatverydayArlenadies.OlderandwiserpeoplethanLindahavebelievedferventlyinmagic.Naturally,shebelievedthatitwasalltrue—thatbyusingmagicshehadkilledherstepmother.”
Rosamundcried:
“Oh,poorchild,poorchild.AndIthought—Iimagined—somethingquitedifferent—thatsheknewsomethingwhichwould—”
Rosamundstopped.Poirotsaid:
“Iknowwhatitwasyouthought.ActuallyyourmannerfrightenedLindastillfurther.ShebelievedthatheractionhadreallybroughtaboutArlena’sdeathandthatyouknewit.ChristineRedfernworkedonhertoo,introducingtheideaofthesleepingtabletstohermind,showingherthewaytoaspeedyandpainlessexpiationofhercrime.Yousee,
Rosamundsaid:
“Whatadevil!”
Poirotnodded.
“Yes,youareright.Acold-bloodedandcruelwoman.Forme,Iwasingreatdifficulty.WasLindaguiltyonlyofthechildishattemptatwitchcraft,orhadherhatecarriedherstillfurther—totheactualact?Itriedtogethertoconfesstome.Butitwasnogood.AtthatmomentIwasingraveuncertainty.TheChiefConstablewasinclinedtoacceptthedopesmugglingexplanation.Icouldn’tletitgoatthat.Iwentoverthefactsagainverycarefully.Ihad,yousee,acollectionofjig-sawpuzzlepieces,isolatedhappenings—plainfacts.Thewholemustfitintoacompleteandharmoniouspattern.Therewerethescissorsfoundonthebeach—abottlethrownfromawindow—abaththatnoonewouldadmittohavingtaken—allperfectlyharmlessoccurrencesinthemselves,butrenderedsignificantbythefactthatnoonewouldadmittothem.Therefore,theymustbeofsignificance.NothingaboutthemfittedinwiththetheoriesofeitherCaptainMarshall’sorLinda’s,orofadopegang’sbeingresponsible.Andyettheymusthavemeaning.Iwentbackagaintomyfirstsolution—thatPatrickRedfernhadcommittedthemurder.Wasthereanythinginsupportofthat?Yes,thefactthataverylargesumofmoneywasmissingfromArlena’saccount.Whohadgotthatmoney?PatrickRedfernofcourse.Shewasthetypeofwomaneasilyswindledbyahandsomeyoungman—butshewasnotatallthetypeofwomantobeblackmailed.Shewasfartootransparent,notgoodenoughatkeepingasecret.Theblackmailerstoryhadneverrungtruetomymind.Andyettherehadbeenthatconversationoverheard—ah,butoverheardbywhom?PatrickRedfern’swife.Itwasherstory—unsupportedbyanyoutsideevidence.Whywasitinvented?Theanswercametomelikelightning.ToaccountfortheabsenceofArlena’smoney!
“PatrickandChristineRedfern.Thetwoofthemwereinittogether.Christinehadn’tgotthephysicalstrengthtostrangleherorthementalmakeup.No,itwasPatrickwhohaddoneit—butthatwasimpossible!Everyminuteofhistimewasaccountedforuntilthebodywasfound.
“Body—thewordstirredsomethinginmymind—bodieslyingonthebeach—allalike.PatrickRedfernandEmilyBrewsterhadgottotheCoveandseenabodylyingthere.Abody—supposeitwasnotArlena’sbodybutsomebodyelse’s?ThefacewashiddenbythegreatChinesehat.
“Buttherewasonlyonedeadbody—Arlena’s.Then,coulditbe—alivebody—someonepretendingtobedead?CoulditbeArlenaherself,inspiredbyPatricktoplaysomekindofajoke.Ishookmyhead—no,toorisky.Alivebody—whose?WasthereanywomanwhowouldhelpRedfern?Ofcourse—hiswife.Butshewasawhite-skinneddelicatecreature.Ahyes,butsuntancanbeappliedoutofbottles—bottles—Ihadoneofmyjig-sawpieces.Yes,andafterwards,ofcourse,abath—towashthattelltalestainoffbeforeshewentouttoplaytennis.Andthescissors?Why,tocutupthatduplicatecardboardhat—anunwieldythingthatmustbegotoutoftheway,andinthehastethescissorswereleftbehind—theonethingthatthepairofmurderersforgot.
“ButwherewasArlenaallthetime?Thatagainwasperfectlyclear.EitherRosamundDarnleyorArlenaMarshallhadbeeninthePixy’sCave,thescenttheybothusedtoldmethat.ItwascertainlynotRosamundDarnley.ThenitwasArlena,hidingtillthecoastshouldclear.
“WhenEmilyBrewsterwentoffintheboat,Patrickhadthebeachtohimselfandfullopportunitytocommitthecrime.ArlenaMarshallwaskilledafteraquartertotwelve,butthemedicalevidencewasonlyconcernedwiththeearliestpossibletimethecrimecouldhavebeencommitted.ThatArlenawasdeadataquartertotwelvewaswhatwastoldtothedoctor,notwhathetoldthepolice.
“Twomorepointshadtobesettled.LindaMarshall’sevidencegaveChristineRedfernanalibi.Yes,butthatevidencedependedonLindaMarshall’swristwatch.AllthatwasneededwastoprovethatChristinehadhadtwoopportunitiesoftamperingwiththewatch.Ifoundthoseeasilyenough.ShehadbeenaloneinLinda’sroomthatmorning—andtherewasanindirectproof.Lindawasheardtosaythatshewas‘afraidshewasgoingtobelate,’butwhenshegotdownitwasonlytwenty-fivepasttenbytheloungeclock.Thesecondopportunitywaseasy—shecouldalterthewatchbackagainassoonasLindaturnedherbackandwentdowntobathe.
“Thentherewasthequestionoftheladder.Christinehadalwaysdeclaredshehadnoheadforheights.Anothercarefullypreparedlie.
“Ihadmymosaicnow—eachpiecebeautifullyfittedintoitsplace.But,unfortunately,Ihadnodefiniteproof.Itwasallinmymind.
“Itwasthenthatanideacametome.Therewasanassurance—aslicknessaboutthecrime.IhadnodoubtthatinthefuturePatrickRedfernwouldrepeathiscrime.Whataboutthepast?Itwasremotelypossiblethatthiswasnothisfirstkilling.Themethodemployed,strangulation,wasinharmonywithhisnature—akillerforpleasureaswellasforprofit.IfhewasalreadyamurdererIwassurethathewouldhaveusedthesamemeans.IaskedInspectorColgateforalistofwomenvictimsofstrangulation.Theresultfilledmewithjoy.ThedeathofNellieParsonfoundstrangledinalonelycopsemightormightnotbePatrickRedfern’swork—itmightmerelyhavesuggestedchoiceoflocalitytohim,butinAliceCorrigan’sdeathIfoundexactlywhatIwaslookingfor.Inessencethesamemethod.Jugglingwithtime—amurdercommittednot,asistheusualway,beforeitissupposedtohavehappened,butafterwards.Abodysupposedlydiscoveredataquarterpastfour.Ahusbandwithanalibiuptotwenty-fivepastfour.
“Whatreallyhappened?ItwassaidthatEdwardCorriganarrivedatthePineRidge,foundhiswifenotthere,andwentoutandwalkedupanddown.Actually,ofcourse,heranfullspeedtotherendezvous,Caesar’sGrove(whichyouwillrememberwasquitenearby),killedherandreturnedtothecafé.Thegirlhikerwhoreportedthecrimewasamostrespectableyounglady,gamesmistressinawell-knowngirls’school.ApparentlyshehadnoconnectionwithEdwardCorrigan.Shehadtowalksomewaytoreportthedeath.Thepolicesurgeononlyexaminedthebodyataquartertosix.Asinthiscasethetimeofdeathwasacceptedwithoutquestion.
“Imadeonefinaltest.ImustknowdefinitelyifMrs.Redfernwasaliar.IarrangedourlittleexcursiontoDartmoor.Ifanyonehasabadheadforheights,theyarenevercomfortablecrossinganarrowbridgeoverrunningwater.MissBrewster,agenuinesufferer,showedgiddiness.ButChristineRedfern,unconcerned,ranacrosswithoutaqualm.Itwasasmallpoint,butitwasadefinitetest.Ifshehadtoldoneunnecessarylie—thenalltheotherlieswerepossible.InthemeantimeColgatehadgotthephotographidentifiedbytheSurreyPolice.IplayedmyhandintheonlywayIthoughtlikelytosucceed.HavinglulledPatrickRedfernintosecurity,Iturnedonhimanddidmyutmosttomakehimlosehisself-control.TheknowledgethathehadbeenidentifiedwithCorrigancausedhimtolosehisheadcompletely.”
HerculePoirotstrokedhisthroatreminiscently.
“WhatIdid,”hesaidwithimportance,“wasexceedinglydangerous—butIdonotregretit.Isucceeded!Ididnotsufferinvain.”
Therewasamoment’ssilence.ThenMrs.Gardenergaveadeepsigh.
“Why,M.Poirot,”shesaid.“It’sjustbeentoowonderful—hearingjustexactlyhowyougotyourresults.It’severybitasfascinatingasalectureoncriminology—infactitisalectureoncriminology.Andtothinkmymagentawoolandthatsunbathingconversationactuallyhadsomethingtodowithit?Thatreallymakesmetooexcitedforwords,andI’msureMr.Gardenerfeelsthesame,don’tyou,Odell?”
“Yes,darling,”saidMr.Gardener.
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Mr.Gardenertoowasofassistancetome.IwantedtheopinionofasensiblemanaboutMrs.Marshall.IaskedMr.Gardenerwhathethoughtofher.”
“Isthatso,”saidMrs.Gardener.“Andwhatdidyousayabouther,Odell?”
Mr.Gardenercoughed.Hesaid:
“Well,darling,Ineverdidthinkverymuchofher,youknow.”
“That’sthekindofthingmenalwayssaytotheirwives,”saidMrs.Gardener.“Andifyouaskme,evenM.PoirothereiswhatIshouldcallashadeontheindulgentsideabouther,callingheranaturalvictimandallthat.Ofcourseit’struethatshewasn’taculturedwomanatall,andasCaptainMarshallisn’thereIdon’tmindsayingthatshealwaysdidseemtomekindofdumb.IsaidsotoMr.Gardener,didn’tI,Odell?”
“Yes,darling,”saidMr.Gardener.
II
LindaMarshallsatwithHerculePoirotonGullCove.
Shesaid:
“OfcourseI’mgladIdidn’tdieafterall.Butyouknow,M.Poirot,it’sjustthesameasifI’dkilledher,isn’tit?Imeantto.”
HerculePoirotsaidenergetically:
“Itisnotatallthesamething.Thewishtokillandtheactionofkillingaretwodifferentthings.Ifinyourbedroominsteadofalittlewaxfigureyouhadhadyourstepmotherboundandhelplessandadaggerinyourhandinsteadofapin,youwouldnothavepusheditintoherheart!Somethingwithinyouwouldhavesaid‘no.’Itisthesamewithme.Ienragemyselfatanimbecile.Isay,‘Iwouldliketokickhim.’Instead,Ikickthetable.Isay,‘Thistable,itistheimbecile,Ikickhimso.’Andthen,ifIhavenothurtmytoetoomuch,Ifeelmuchbetterandthetableitisnotusuallydamaged.ButiftheimbecilehimselfwasthereIshouldnotkickhim.Tomakethewaxfiguresandstickinthepins,itissilly,yes,itischildish,yes—butitdoessomethingusefultoo.Youtookthehateoutofyourselfandputitintothatlittlefigure.Andwiththepinandthefireyoudestroyed—notyourstepmother—butthehateyouboreher.Afterwards,evenbeforeyouheardofherdeath,youfeltcleansed,didyounot—youfeltlighter—happier?”
Lindanodded.Shesaid:
“Howdidyouknow?That’sjusthowIdidfeel.”
Poirotsaid:
“Thendonotrepeattoyourselftheimbecilities.Justmakeupyourmindnottohateyournextstepmother.”
Lindasaidstartled:
“DoyouthinkI’mgoingtohaveanother?Oh,Isee,youmeanRosamund.Idon’tmindher.”Shehesitatedaminute.“She’ssensible.”
ItwasnottheadjectivethatPoirothimselfwouldhaveselectedforRosamundDarnley,butherealizedthatitwasLinda’sideaofhighpraise.
III
KennethMarshallsaid:
“Rosamund,didyougetsomeextraordinaryideaintoyourheadthatI’dkilledArlena.”
Rosamundlookedrathershamefaced.Shesaid:
“IsupposeIwasadamnedfool.”
“Ofcourseyouwere.”
“Yes,butKen,youaresuchanoyster.IneverknewwhatyoureallyfeltaboutArlena.Ididn’tknowifyouacceptedherasshewasandwerejustfrightfullydecentabouther,orwhetheryou—well,justbelievedinherblindly.AndIthoughtifitwasthat,andyousuddenlyfoundoutthatshewaslettingyoudownyoumightgomadwithrage.I’veheardstoriesaboutyou.You’realwaysveryquietbutyou’reratherfrighteningsometimes.”
“SoyouthoughtIjusttookherbythethroatandthrottledthelifeoutofher?”
“Well—yes—that’sjustexactlywhatIdidthink.Andyouralibiseemedabitonthelightside.That’swhenIsuddenlydecidedtotakeahand,andmadeupthatsillystoryaboutseeingyoutypinginyourroom.AndwhenIheardthatyousaidyou’dseenmelookin—well,thatmademequitesureyou’ddoneit.That,andLinda’squeerness.”
KennethMarshallsaidwithasigh:
“Don’tyourealizethatIsaidI’dseenyouinthemirrorinordertobackupyourstory.I—Ithoughtyouneededitcorroborated.”
Rosamundstaredathim.
“Youdon’tmeanyouthoughtthatIkilledyourwife?”
KennethMarshallshifteduneasily.Hemumbled:
“Dashitall,Rosamund,don’tyourememberhowyounearlykilledthatboyaboutthatdogonce?Howyouhungontohisthroatandwouldn’tletgo.”
“Butthatwasyearsago.”
“Yes,Iknow—”
Rosamundsaidsharply:
“WhatearthlymotivedoyouthinkIhadtokillArlena?”
Hisglanceshifted.Hemumbledsomethingagain.
Rosamundcried:
“Ken,youmassofconceit!YouthoughtIkilledheroutofaltruismonyourbehalf,didyou?Or—didyouthinkIkilledherbecauseIwantedyoumyself?”
“Notatall,”saidKennethMarshallindignantly.“Butyouknowwhatyousaidthatday—aboutLindaandeverything—and—andyouseemedtocarewhathappenedtome.”
Rosamundsaid:
“I’vealwayscaredaboutthat.”
“Ibelieveyouhave.Youknow,Rosamund—Ican’tusuallytalkaboutthings—I’mnotgoodattalking—butI’dliketogetthisclear.Ididn’tcareforArlena—onlyjustalittleatfirst—andlivingwithherdayafterdaywasaprettynerve-rackingbusiness.Infactitwasabsolutehell,butIwasawfullysorryforher.Shewassuchadamnedfool—crazyaboutmen—shejustcouldn’thelpit—andtheyalwaysletherdownandtreatedherrottenly.IsimplyfeltIcouldn’tbetheonetogiveherthefinalpush.I’dmarriedheranditwasuptometolookafterherasbestIcould.Ithinksheknewthatandwasgratefultomereally.Shewas—shewasapatheticsortofcreaturereally.”
Rosamundsaidgently:
“It’sallright,Ken.Iunderstandnow.”
WithoutlookingatherKennethMarshallcarefullyfilledapipe.Hemumbled:
“You’re—prettygoodatunderstanding,Rosamund.”
AfaintsmilecurvedRosamund’sironicmouth.Shesaid:
“Areyougoingtoaskmetomarryyounow,Ken,orareyoudeterminedtowaitsixmonths?”
KennethMarshall’spipedroppedfromhislipsandcrashedontherocksbelow.
Hesaid:
“Damn,that’sthesecondpipeI’velostdownhere.AndIhaven’tgotanotherwithme.HowthedevildidyouknowI’dfixedsixmonthsasthepropertime?”
“Isupposebecauseitisthepropertime.ButI’dratherhavesomethingdefinitenow,please.Becauseintheinterveningmonthsyoumaycomeacrosssomeotherpersecutedfemaleandrushtotherescueinchivalrousfashionagain.”
Helaughed.
“You’regoingtobethepersecutedfemalethistime,Rosamund.You’regoingtogiveupthatdamneddress-makingbusinessofyoursandwe’regoingtoliveinthecountry.”
“Don’tyouknowthatImakeaveryhandsomeincomeoutofmybusiness?Don’tyourealizethatit’smybusiness—thatIcreateditandworkeditup,andthatI’mproudofit!Andyou’vegotthedamnednervetocomealongandsay,‘Giveitallup,dear.’”
“I’vegotthedamnednervetosayit,yes.”
“AndyouthinkIcareenoughforyoutodoit?”
“Ifyoudon’t,”saidKennethMarshall,“you’dbenogoodtome.”
Rosamundsaidsoftly:
“Oh,mydear,I’vewantedtoliveinthecountrywithyouallmylife.Now—it’sgoingtocometrue….”
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEHERCULEPOIROTMYSTERIES
MatchyourwitswiththefamousBelgiandetective.
TheMysteriousAffairatStylesTheMurderontheLinksPoirotInvestigatesTheMurderofRogerAckroydTheBigFourTheMysteryoftheBlueTrainPerilatEndHouseLordEdgwareDiesMurderontheOrientExpressThreeActTragedyDeathintheCloudsTheA.B.C.MurdersMurderinMesopotamiaCardsontheTableMurderintheMewsDumbWitnessDeathontheNileAppointmentwithDeathHerculePoirot’sChristmasSadCypressOne,Two,BuckleMyShoeEvilUndertheSunFiveLittlePigsTheHollowTheLaborsofHerculesTakenattheFloodTheUnderdogandOtherStoriesMrs.McGinty’sDeadAftertheFuneralHickoryDickoryDockDeadMan’sFollyCatAmongthePigeonsTheClocksThirdGirlHallowe’enPartyElephantsCanRememberCurtain:Poirot’sLastCase
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEMISSMARPLEMYSTERIES
JointhelegendaryspinstersleuthfromSt.MaryMeadinsolvingmurdersfarandwide.
TheMurderattheVicaragTheBodyintheLibraryTheMovingFingerAMurderIsAnnouncedTheyDoItwithMirrorsAPocketFullofRye4:50FromPaddingtonTheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSideACaribbeanMysteryAtBertram’sHotelNemesisSleepingMurderMissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
THETOMMYANDTUPPENCEMYSTERIES
Jumponboardwiththeentertainingcrime-solvingcouplefromYoungAdventurersLtd.
TheSecretAdversaryPartnersinCrimeNorM?BythePrickingofMyThumbsPosternofFate
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
Don’tmissasingleoneofAgathaChristie’sstand-alonenovelsandshort-storycollections.
TheManintheBrownSuitTheSecretofChimneysTheSevenDialsMysteryTheMysteriousMr.QuinTheSittafordMysteryParkerPyneInvestigatesWhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?MurderIsEasyTheRegattaMysteryandOtherStoriesAndThenThereWereNoneTowardsZeroDeathComesastheEndSparklingCyanideTheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStoriesCrookedHouseThreeBlindMiceandOtherStoriesTheyCametoBaghdadDestinationUnknownOrdealbyInnocenceDoubleSinandOtherStoriesThePaleHorseStaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStoriesEndlessNightPassengertoFrankfurtTheGoldenBallandOtherStoriesTheMousetrapandOtherPlaysTheHarlequinTeaSet
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
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.
www.AgathaChristie.com
Visitwww.AuthorTracker.comforexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteHarperCollinsauthors.
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
TheHarlequinTeaSet
TheHerculePoirotMysteries
TheMysteriousAffairatStyles
TheMurderontheLinks
PoirotInvestigates
TheMurderofRogerAckroyd
TheBigFour
TheMysteryoftheBlueTrain
PerilatEndHouse
LordEdgwareDies
MurderontheOrientExpress
ThreeActTragedy
DeathintheClouds
TheA.B.C.Murders
MurderinMesopotamia
CardsontheTable
MurderintheMews
DumbWitness
DeathontheNile
AppointmentwithDeath
HerculePoirot’sChristmas
SadCypress
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
EvilUndertheSun
FiveLittlePigs
TheHollow
TheLaborsofHercules
TakenattheFlood
TheUnderdogandOtherStories
Mrs.McGinty’sDead
AftertheFuneral
HickoryDickoryDock
DeadMan’sFolly
CatAmongthePigeons
TheClocks
ThirdGirl
Hallowe’enParty
ElephantsCanRemember
Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
TheMissMarpleMysteries
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderIsAnnounced
TheyDoItwithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
4:50fromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSide
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
Memoirs
AnAutobiography
Come,TellMeHowYouLive
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
AGATHACHRISTIE?POIROT?EVILUNDERTHESUN?.Copyright?1941AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.
EVILUNDERTHESUN?1941.PublishedbypermissionofG.P.Putnam’sSons,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,