AgathaChristie
FiveLittlePigs
AHerculePoirotMystery
ToStephenGlanville
Contents
Cover
TitlePage
Dedication
Introduction
BookOne
1.CounselfortheDefence2.CounselfortheProsecution3.TheYoungSolicitor4.TheOldSolicitor5.ThePoliceSuperintendent6.ThisLittlePigWenttoMarket7.ThisLittlePigStayedatHome8.ThisLittlePigHadRoastBeef9.ThisLittlePigHadNone10.ThisLittlePigCried“WeeWeeWee”
BookTwo
NarrativeofPhilipBlakeNarrativeofMeredithBlakeNarrativeofLadyDittisham
NarrativeofCeciliaWilliamsNarrativeofAngelaWarren
BookThree
1.Conclusions2.PoirotAsksFiveQuestions3.Reconstruction4.Truth5.AftermathAbouttheAuthorOtherBooksbyAgathaChristieCreditsCopyrightAboutthePublisherIntroduction
CARLALEMARCHANT
HerculePoirotlookedwithinterestandappreciationattheyoungwomanwhowasbeingusheredintotheroom.
Therehadbeennothingdistinctiveinthelettershehadwritten.Ithadbeenamererequestforanappointment,withnohintofwhatlaybehindthatrequest.Ithadbeenbriefandbusinesslike.OnlythefirmnessofthehandwritinghadindicatedthatCarlaLemarchantwasayoungwoman.
Andnowhereshewasintheflesh—atall,slenderyoungwomanintheearlytwenties.Thekindofyoungwomanthatonedefinitelylookedattwice.Herclothesweregood,anexpensivewell-cutcoatandskirtandluxuriousfurs.Herheadwaswellpoisedonhershoulders,shehadasquarebrow,asensitivelycutnoseandadeterminedchin.Shelookedverymuchalive.Itwasheraliveness,morethanherbeauty,whichstruckthepredominantnote.
Beforeherentrance,HerculePoirothadbeenfeelingold—nowhefeltrejuvenated—alive—keen!
Ashecameforwardtogreether,hewasawareofherdarkgreyeyesstudyinghimattentively.Shewasveryearnestinthatscrutiny.
Shesatdownandacceptedthecigarettethatheofferedher.Afteritwaslitshesatforaminuteortwosmoking,stilllookingathimwiththatearnest,thoughtfulgaze.
Poirotsaidgently:
“Yes,ithastobedecided,doesitnot?”
Shestarted.“Ibegyourpardon?”
Hervoicewasattractive,withafaint,agreeablehuskinessinit.
“Youaremakingupyourmind,areyounot,whetherIamameremountebank,orthemanyouneed?”
Shesmiled.Shesaid:
“Well,yes—somethingofthatkind.Yousee,Mr.Poirot,you—youdon’tlookexactlythewayIpicturedyou.”
“AndIamold,amInot?Olderthanyouimagined?”
“Yes,thattoo.”Shehesitated.“I’mbeingfrank,yousee.Iwant—I’vegottohave—thebest.”
“Restassured,”saidHerculePoirot.“Iamthebest!”
Carlasaid:“You’renotmodest…Allthesame,I’minclinedtotakeyouatyourword.”
Poirotsaidplacidly:
“Onedoesnot,youknow,employmerelythemuscles.Idonotneedtobendandmeasurethefootprintsandpickupthecigaretteendsandexaminethebentbladesofgrass.Itisenoughformetositbackinmychairandthink.Itisthis”—hetappedhisegg-shapedhead—“thisthatfunctions!”
“Iknow,”saidCarlaLemarchant.“That’swhyI’vecometoyou.Iwantyou,yousee,todosomethingfantastic!”
“That,”saidHerculePoirot,“promiseswell!”
Helookedatherinencouragement.
CarlaLemarchantdrewadeepbreath.
“Myname,”shesaid,“isn’tCarla.It’sCaroline.Thesameasmymother’s.Iwascalledafterher.”Shepaused.“AndthoughI’vealwaysgonebythenameofLemarchant—myrealnameisCrale.”
HerculePoirot’sforeheadcreasedamomentperplexedly.Hemurmured:“Crale—Iseemtoremember….”
Shesaid:
“Myfatherwasapainter—ratherawell-knownpainter.Somepeoplesayhewasagreatpainter.Ithinkhewas.”
HerculePoirotsaid:“AmyasCrale?”
“Yes.”Shepaused,thenshewenton:“Andmymother,CarolineCrale,wastriedformurderinghim!”
“Aha,”saidHerculePoirot.“Iremembernow—butonlyvaguely.Iwasabroadatthetime.Itwasalongtimeago.”
“Sixteenyears,”saidthegirl.
Herfacewasverywhitenowandhereyestwoburninglights.
Shesaid:
“Doyouunderstand?Shewastriedandconvicted…Shewasn’thangedbecausetheyfeltthattherewereextenuatingcircumstances—sothesentencewascommutedtopenalservitudeforlife.Butshediedonlyayearafterthetrial.Yousee?It’sallover—done—finishedwith….”
Poirotsaidquietly:“Andso?”
ThegirlcalledCarlaLemarchantpressedherhandstogether.Shespokeslowlyandhaltinglybutwithanodd,pointedemphasis.
Shesaid:
“You’vegottounderstand—exactly—whereIcomein.Iwasfiveyearsoldatthetimeit—happened.Tooyoungtoknowanythingaboutit.Iremembermymotherandmyfather,ofcourse,andIrememberleavinghomesuddenly—beingtakentothecountry.Irememberthepigsandanicefatfarmer’swife—andeverybodybeingverykind—andIremember,quiteclearly,thefunnywaytheyusedtolookatme—everybody—asortoffurtivelook.Iknew,ofcourse,childrendo,thattherewassomethingwrong—butIdidn’tknowwhat.
“AndthenIwentonaship—itwasexciting—itwentonfordays,andthenIwasinCanadaandUncleSimonmetme,andIlivedinMontrealwithhimandwithAuntLouise,andwhenIaskedaboutMummyandDaddytheysaidthey’dbecomingsoon.Andthen—andthenIthinkIforgot—onlyIsortofknewthattheyweredeadwithoutrememberinganyoneactuallytellingmeso.Becausebythattime,yousee,Ididn’tthinkaboutthemanymore.Iwasveryhappy,youknow.UncleSimonandAuntLouiseweresweettome,andIwenttoschoolandhadalotoffriends,andI’dquiteforgottenthatI’deverhadanothername,notLemarchant.AuntLouise,yousee,toldmethatthatwasmynameinCanadaandthatseemedquitesensibletomeatthetime—itwasjustmyCanadianname—butasIsayIforgotintheendthatI’deverhadanyother.”
Sheflungupherdefiantchin.Shesaid:
“Lookatme.You’dsay—wouldn’tyou?ifyoumetme:‘Theregoesagirlwho’sgotnothingtoworryabout!’I’mwelloff,I’vegotsplendidhealth,I’msufficientlygoodtolookat,Icanenjoylife.Attwenty,therewasn’tagirlanywhereI’dhavechangedplaceswith.
“Butalready,youknow,I’dbeguntoaskquestions.Aboutmyownmotherandfather.Whotheywereandwhattheydid?I’dhavebeenboundtofindoutintheend—
“Asitwas,theytoldmethetruth.WhenIwastwenty-one.Theyhadtothen,becauseforonethingIcameintomyownmoney.Andthen,yousee,therewastheletter.Thelettermymotherleftformewhenshedied.”
Herexpressionchanged,dimmed.Hereyeswerenolongertwoburningpoints,theyweredarkdimpools.Shesaid:
“That’swhenIlearntthetruth.Thatmymotherhadbeenconvictedofmurder.Itwas—ratherhorrible.”
Shepaused.
“There’ssomethingelseImusttellyou.Iwasengagedtobemarried.Theysaidwemustwait—thatwecouldn’tbemarrieduntilIwastwenty-one.WhenIknew,Iunderstoodwhy.”
Poirotstirredandspokeforthefirsttime.Hesaid:
“Andwhatwasyourfiancé’sreaction?”
“John?Johndidn’tcare.Hesaiditmadenodifference—nottohim.HeandIwereJohnandCarla—andthepastdidn’tmatter.”
Sheleanedforward.
“We’restillengaged.Butallthesame,youknow,itdoesmatter.Itmatterstome.AnditmatterstoJohntoo…Itisn’tthepastthatmatterstous—it’sthefuture.”Sheclenchedherhands.“Wewantchildren,yousee.Webothwantchildren.Andwedon’twanttowatchourchildrengrowingupandbeafraid.”
Poirotsaid:
“Doyounotrealizethatamongsteveryone’sancestorstherehasbeenviolenceandevil?”
“Youdon’tunderstand.That’sso,ofcourse.Butthen,onedoesn’tusuallyknowaboutit.Wedo.It’sveryneartous.Andsometimes—I’veseenJohnjustlookatme.Suchaquickglance—justaflash.Supposingweweremarriedandwe’dquarrelled—andIsawhimlookatmeand—andwonder?”
HerculePoirotsaid:“Howwasyourfatherkilled?”
Carla’svoicecameclearandfirm.
“Hewaspoisoned.”
HerculePoirotsaid:“Isee.”
Therewasasilence.
Thenthegirlsaidinacalm,matter-of-factvoice:
“Thankgoodnessyou’resensible.Youseethatitdoesmatter—andwhatitinvolves.Youdon’ttryandpatchitupandtrotoutconsolingphrases.”
“Iunderstandverywell,”saidPoirot.“WhatIdonotunderstandiswhatyouwantofme?”
CarlaLemarchantsaidsimply:
“IwanttomarryJohn!AndImeantomarryJohn!AndIwanttohaveatleasttwogirlsandtwoboys.Andyou’regoingtomakethatpossible!”
“Youmean—youwantmetotalktoyourfiancé?Ahno,itisidiocywhatIsaythere!Itissomethingquitedifferentthatyouaresuggesting.Tellmewhatisinyourmind.”
“Listen,Mr.Poirot.Getthis—andgetitclearly.I’mhiringyoutoinvestigateacaseofmurder.”
“Doyoumean—?”
“Yes,Idomean.Acaseofmurderisacaseofmurderwhetherithappenedyesterdayorsixteenyearsago.”
“Butmydearyounglady—”
“Wait,Mr.Poirot.Youhaven’tgotitallyet.There’saveryimportantpoint.”
“Yes?”
“Mymotherwasinnocent,”saidCarlaLemarchant.
HerculePoirotrubbedhisnose.Hemurmured:
“Well,naturally—Icomprehendthat—”
“Itisn’tsentiment.There’sherletter.Sheleftitformebeforeshedied.ItwastobegiventomewhenIwastwenty-one.Sheleftitforthatonereason—thatIshouldbequitesure.That’sallthatwasinit.Thatshehadn’tdoneit—thatshewasinnocent—thatIcouldbesureofthatalways.”
HerculePoirotlookedthoughtfullyattheyoungvitalfacestaringsoearnestlyathim.Hesaidslowly:
“Toutdemême—”
Carlasmiled.
“No,motherwasn’tlikethat!You’rethinkingthatitmightbealie—asentimentallie?”Sheleanedforwardearnestly.“Listen,Mr.Poirot,therearesomethingsthatchildrenknowquitewell.Icanremembermymother—apatchyremembrance,ofcourse,butIrememberquitewellthesortofpersonshewas.Shedidn’ttelllies—kindlies.Ifathingwasgoingtohurtshealwaystoldyouso.Dentists,orthornsinyourfinger—allthatsortofthing.Truthwasa—anaturalimpulsetoher.Iwasn’t,Idon’tthink,especiallyfondofher—butItrustedher.Istilltrusther!Ifshesaysshedidn’tkillmyfatherthenshedidn’tkillhim!Shewasn’tthesortofpersonwhowouldsolemnlywritedownaliewhensheknewshewasdying.”
Slowly,almostreluctantly,HerculePoirotbowedhishead.
Carlawenton.
“That’swhyit’sallrightformemarryingJohn.Iknowit’sallright.Buthedoesn’t.HefeelsthatnaturallyIwouldthinkmymotherwasinnocent.It’sgottobeclearedup,Mr.Poirot.Andyou’regoingtodoit!”
HerculePoirotsaidslowly:
“Grantedthatwhatyousayistrue,mademoiselle,sixteenyearshavegoneby!”
CarlaLemarchantsaid:“Oh!ofcourseit’sgoingtobedifficult!Nobodybutyoucoulddoit!”
HerculePoirot’seyestwinkledslightly.Hesaid:
“Yougivemethebestbutter—hein?”
Carlasaid:
“I’veheardaboutyou.Thethingsyou’vedone.Thewayyouhavedonethem.It’spsychologythatinterestsyou,isn’tit?Well,thatdoesn’tchangewithtime.Thetangiblethingsaregone—thecigaretteendandthefootprintsandthebentbladesofgrass.Youcan’tlookforthoseanymore.Butyoucangooverallthefactsofthecase,andperhapstalktothepeoplewhowerethereatthetime—they’reallalivestill—andthen—andthen,asyousaidjustnow,youcanliebackinyourchairandthink.Andyou’llknowwhatreallyhappened….”
HerculePoirotrosetohisfeet.Onehandcaressedhismoustache.Hesaid:
“Mademoiselle,Iamhonoured!Iwilljustifyyourfaithinme.Iwillinvestigateyourcaseofmurder.IwillsearchbackintotheeventsofsixteenyearsagoandIwillfindoutthetruth.”
Carlagotup.Hereyeswereshining.Butsheonlysaid:
“Good.”
HerculePoirotshookaneloquentforefinger.
“Onelittlemoment.IhavesaidIwillfindoutthetruth.Idonot,youunderstand,havethebias.Idonotacceptyourassuranceofyourmother’sinnocence.Ifshewasguilty—ehbien,whatthen?”
Carla’sproudheadwentback.Shesaid:
“I’mherdaughter.Iwantthetruth!”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Enavant,then.Thoughitisnotthat,thatIshouldsay.Onthecontrary.Enarrière….”
BOOKONE
One
COUNSELFORTHEDEFENCE
“DoIremembertheCralecase?”askedSirMontagueDepleach.“CertainlyIdo.Rememberitverywell.Mostattractivewoman.Butunbalanced,ofcourse.Noself-control.”
HeglancedsidewaysatPoirot.
“Whatmakesyouaskmeaboutit?”
“Iaminterested.”
“Notreallytactfulofyou,mydearman,”saidDepleach,showinghisteethinhissuddenfamous“wolf’ssmile,”whichhadbeenreputedtohavesuchaterrifyingeffectuponwitnesses.“Notoneofmysuccesses,youknow.Ididn’tgetheroff.”
“Iknowthat.”
SirMontagueshruggedhisshoulders.Hesaid:
“OfcourseIhadn’tquiteasmuchexperiencethenasIhavenow.AllthesameIthinkIdidallthatcouldhumanlybedone.Onecan’tdomuchwithoutcooperation.Wedidgetitcommutedtopenalservitude.Provocation,youknow.Lotsofrespectablewivesandmothersgotupapetition.Therewasalotofsympathyforher.”
Heleanedbackstretchingouthislonglegs.Hisfacetookonajudicial,appraisinglook.
“Ifshe’dshothim,youknow,orevenknifedhim—I’dhavegonealloutformanslaughter.Butpoison—no,youcan’tplaytrickswiththat.It’stricky—verytricky.”
“Whatwasthedefence?”askedHerculePoirot.
Heknewbecausehehadalreadyreadthenewspaperfiles,buthesawnoharminplayingthecompleteignoranttoSirMontague.
“Oh,suicide.Onlythingyoucouldgofor.Butitdidn’tgodownwell.Cralesimplywasn’tthatkindofman!Younevermethim,Isuppose?No?Well,hewasagreatblustering,vividsortofchap.Greatwomanizer,beerdrinker—alltherestofit.Wentinforthelustsofthefleshandenjoyedthem.Youcan’tpersuadeajurythatamanlikethatisgoingtositdownandquietlydoawaywithhimself.Itjustdoesn’tfit.No,IwasafraidIwasupagainstalosingpropositionfromthefirst.Andshewouldn’tplayup!Iknewwe’dlostassoonasshewentintothebox.Nofightinheratall.Butthereitis—ifyoudon’tputyourclientintothebox,thejurydrawtheirownconclusions.”
Poirotsaid:
“Isthatwhatyoumeantwhenyousaidjustnowthatonecannotdomuchwithoutcooperation?”
“Absolutely,mydearfellow.We’renotmagicians,youknow.Halfthebattleistheimpressiontheaccusedmakesonthejury.I’veknownjuriestimeandagainbringinverdictsdeadagainstthejudge’ssummingup.‘’Edidit,allright’—that’sthepointofview.Or‘Heneverdidathinglikethat—don’ttellme!’CarolineCraledidn’teventrytoputupafight.”
“Whywasthat?”
SirMontagueshruggedhisshoulders.
“Don’taskme.Ofcourse,shewasfondofthefellow.Brokeherallupwhenshecametoandrealizedwhatshe’ddone.Don’tbelievesheeverralliedfromtheshock.”
“Soinyouropinionshewasguilty?”
Depleachlookedratherstartled.Hesaid:
“Er—well,Ithoughtweweretakingthatforgranted.”
“Didsheeveradmittoyouthatshewasguilty?”
Depleachlookedshocked.
“Ofcoursenot—ofcoursenot.Wehaveourcode,youknow.Innocenceisalways—er—assumed.Ifyou’resointerestedit’sapityyoucan’tgetholdofoldMayhew.Mayhewswerethesolicitorswhobriefedme.OldMayhewcouldhavetoldyoumorethanIcan.Butthere—he’sjoinedthegreatmajority.There’syoungGeorgeMayhew,ofcourse,buthewasonlyaboyatthetime.It’salongtimeago,youknow.”
“Yes,Iknow.Itisfortunateformethatyouremembersomuch.Youhavearemarkablememory.”
Depleachlookedpleased.Hemurmured:
“Ohwell,oneremembersthemainheadings,youknow.Especiallywhenit’sacapitalcharge.And,ofcourse,theCralecasegotalotofpublicityfromthepress.Lotofsexinterestandallthat.Thegirlinthecasewasprettystriking.Hard-boiledpieceofgoods,Ithought.”
“YouwillforgivemeifIseemtooinsistent,”saidPoirot,“butIrepeatoncemore,youhadnodoubtofCarolineCrale’sguilt?”
Depleachshruggedhisshoulders.Hesaid:
“Frankly—asmantoman—Idon’tthinkthere’smuchdoubtaboutit.Ohyes,shediditallright.”
“Whatwastheevidenceagainsther?”
“Verydamningindeed.Firstofalltherewasmotive.SheandCralehadledakindofcatanddoglifeforyears—interminablerows.Hewasalwaysgettingmixedupwithsomewomanorother.Couldn’thelpit.Hewasthatkindofman.Shestooditprettywellonthewhole.Madeallowancesforhimonthescoreoftemperament—andthemanreallywasafirst-classpainter,youknow.Hisstuff’sgoneupenormouslyinprice—enormously.Don’tcareforthatstyleofpaintingmyself—uglyforcefulstuff,butit’sgood—nodoubtofthat.
“Well,asIsay,therehadbeentroubleaboutwomenfromtimetotime.Mrs.Cralewasn’tthemeekkindwhosuffersinsilence.Therewererowsallright.Buthealwayscamebacktoherintheend.Theseaffairsofhisblewover.Butthisfinalaffairwasratherdifferent.Itwasagirl,yousee—andquiteayounggirl.Shewasonlytwenty.
“ElsaGreer,thatwashername.ShewastheonlydaughterofsomeYorkshiremanufacturer.She’dgotmoneyanddetermination,andsheknewwhatshewanted.WhatshewantedwasAmyasCrale.Shegothimtopainther—hedidn’tpaintregularSocietyportraits,‘Mrs.BlinketyBlankinsatinandpearls,’buthepaintedfigures.Idon’tknowthatmostwomenwouldhavecaredtobepaintedbyhim—hedidn’tsparethem!ButhepaintedtheGreergirl,andheendedbyfallingforhergoodandproper.Hewasgettingonforforty,youknow,andhe’dbeenmarriedagoodmanyyears.Hewasjustripeformakingafoolofhimselfoversomechitofagirl.ElsaGreerwasthegirl.Hewascrazyabouther,andhisideawastogetadivorcefromhiswifeandmarryElsa.
“CarolineCralewasn’tstandingforthat.Shethreatenedhim.Shewasoverheardbytwopeopletosaythatifhedidn’tgivethegirlupshe’dkillhim.Andshemeantitallright!Thedaybeforeithappened,they’dbeenhavingteawithaneighbour.Hewasbywayofdabblinginherbsandhome-brewedmedicines.Amongsthispatentbrewswasoneofconiine—spottedhemlock.Therewassometalkaboutitanditsdeadlyproperties.
“Thenextdayhenoticedthathalfthecontentsofthebottlehadgone.Gotthewindupaboutit.TheyfoundanalmostemptybottleofitinMrs.Crale’sroom,hiddenawayatthebottomofadrawer.”
HerculePoirotmoveduncomfortably.Hesaid:
“Somebodyelsemighthaveputitthere.”
“Oh!Sheadmittedtothepoliceshe’dtakenit.Veryunwise,ofcourse,butshedidn’thaveasolicitortoadviseheratthatstage.Whentheyaskedheraboutit,sheadmittedquitefranklythatshehadtakenit.”
“Forwhatreason?”
“Shemadeoutthatshe’dtakenitwiththeideaofdoingherselfin.Shecouldn’texplainhowthebottlecametobeempty—norhowitwasthattherewereonlyherfingerprintsonit.Thatpartofitwasprettydamaging.Shecontended,yousee,thatAmyasCralehadcommittedsuicide.Butifhe’dtakentheconiinefromthebottleshe’dhiddeninherroom,hisfingerprintswouldhavebeenonthebottleaswellashers.”
“Itwasgivenhiminbeer,wasitnot?”
“Yes.Shegotoutthebottlefromtherefrigeratorandtookitdownherselftowherehewaspaintinginthegarden.Shepoureditoutandgaveittohimandwatchedhimdrinkit.Everyonewentuptolunchandlefthim—heoftendidn’tcomeintomeals.Afterwardssheandthegovernessfoundhimtheredead.Herstorywasthatthebeershegavehimwasallright.Ourtheorywasthathesuddenlyfeltsoworriedandremorsefulthatheslippedthepoisoninhimself.Allpoppycock—hewasn’tthatkindofman!Andthefingerprintevidencewasthemostdamningofall.”
“Theyfoundherfingerprintsonthebottle?”
“No,theydidn’t—theyfoundonlyhis—andtheywerephoneyones.Shewasalonewiththebody,yousee,whilethegovernesswenttocallupadoctor.Andwhatshemusthavedonewastowipethebottleandglassandthenpresshisfingersonthem.Shewantedtopretend,yousee,thatshe’dneverevenhandledthestuff.Well,thatdidn’twork.OldRudolph,whowasprosecuting,hadalotoffunwiththat—provedquitedefinitelybydemonstrationincourtthatamancouldn’tholdabottlewithhisfingersinthatposition!Ofcoursewedidourbesttoprovethathecould—thathishandswouldtakeupacontortedattitudewhenhewasdying—butfranklyourstuffwasn’tveryconvincing.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Theconiineinthebottlemusthavebeenputtherebeforeshetookitdowntothegarden.”
“Therewasnoconiineinthebottleatall.Onlyintheglass.”
Hepaused—hislargehandsomefacesuddenlyaltered—heturnedhisheadsharply.“Hallo,”hesaid.“Nowthen,Poirot,whatareyoudrivingat?”
Poirotsaid:
“IfCarolineCralewasinnocent,howdidthatconiinegetintothebeer?ThedefencesaidatthetimethatAmyasCralehimselfputitthere.Butyousaytomethatthatwasinthehighestdegreeunlikely—andformypartIagreewithyou.Hewasnotthatkindofman.Then,ifCarolineCraledidnotdoit,someoneelsedid.”
Depleachsaidwithalmostasplutter:
“Oh,damnitall,man,youcan’tflogadeadhorse.It’salloveranddonewithyearsago.Ofcourseshedidit.You’dknowthatwellenoughifyou’dseenheratthetime.Itwaswrittenalloverher!Ievenfancythattheverdictwasarelieftoher.Shewasn’tfrightened.Nonervesatall.Justwantedtogetthroughthetrialandhaveitover.Averybravewoman,really….”
“Andyet,”saidHerculePoirot,“whenshediedsheleftalettertobegiventoherdaughterinwhichshesworesolemnlythatshewasinnocent.”
“Idaresayshedid,”saidSirMontagueDepleach.“YouorIwouldhavedonethesameinherplace.”
“Herdaughtersaysshewasnotthatkindofwoman.”
“Thedaughtersays—pah!Whatdoessheknowaboutit?MydearPoirot,thedaughterwasamereinfantatthetimeofthetrial.Whatwasshe—four—five?TheychangedhernameandsentheroutofEnglandsomewheretosomerelatives.Whatcansheknoworremember?”
“Childrenknowpeopleverywellsometimes.”
“Maybetheydo.Butthatdoesn’tfollowinthiscase.Naturallythegirlwantstobelievehermotherdidn’tdoit.Letherbelieveit.Itdoesn’tdoanyharm.”
“Butunfortunatelyshedemandsproof.”
“ProofthatCarolineCraledidn’tkillherhusband?”
“Yes.”
“Well,”saidDepleach.“Shewon’tgetit.”
“Youthinknot?”
ThefamousK.C.lookedthoughtfullyathiscompanion.
“I’vealwaysthoughtyouwereanhonestman,Poirot.Whatareyoudoing?Tryingtomakemoneybyplayingonagirl’snaturalaffections?”
“Youdonotknowthegirl.Sheisanunusualgirl.Agirlofgreatforceofcharacter.”
“Yes,IshouldimaginethedaughterofAmyasandCarolineCralemightbethat.Whatdoesshewant?”
“Shewantsthetruth.”
“Hm—I’mafraidshe’llfindthetruthunpalatable.Honestly,Poirot,Idon’tthinkthere’sanydoubtaboutit.Shekilledhim.”
“Youwillforgiveme,myfriend,butImustsatisfymyselfonthatpoint.”
“Well,Idon’tknowwhatmoreyoucando.Youcanreadupthenewspaperaccountsofthetrial.HumphreyRudolphappearedfortheCrown.He’sdead—letmesee,whowashisjunior?YoungFogg,Ithink.Yes,Fogg.Youcanhaveachatwithhim.Andthentherearethepeoplewhowerethereatthetime.Don’tsupposethey’llenjoyyourbuttinginandrakingthewholethingup,butIdaresayyou’llgetwhatyouwantoutofthem.You’reaplausibledevil.”
“Ahyes,thepeopleconcerned.Thatisveryimportant.Youremember,perhaps,whotheywere?”
Depleachconsidered.
“Letmesee—it’salongtimeago.Therewereonlyfivepeoplewhowerereallyinit,sotospeak—I’mnotcountingtheservants—acoupleoffaithfuloldthings,scared-lookingcreatures—theydidn’tknowanythingaboutanything.Noonecouldsuspectthem.”
“Therearefivepeople,yousay.Tellmeaboutthem.”
“Well,therewasPhilipBlake.HewasCrale’sgreatestfriend—hadknownhimallhislife.Hewasstayinginthehouseatthetime.He’salive.Iseehimnowandagainonthelinks.LivesatSt.George’sHill.Stockbroker.Playsthemarketsandgetsawaywithit.Successfulman,runningtofatabit.”
“Yes.Andwhonext?”
“ThentherewasBlake’selderbrother.Countrysquire—stayathomesortofchap.”
AjingleranthroughPoirot’shead.Herepressedit.Hemustnotalwaysbethinkingofnurseryrhymes.Itseemedanobsessionwithhimlately.Andyetthejinglepersisted.
“Thislittlepigwenttomarket,thislittlepigstayedathome….”
Hemurmured:
“Hestayedathome—yes?”
“He’sthefellowIwastellingyouabout—messedaboutwithdrugs—andherbs—bitofachemist.Hishobby.Whatwashisnamenow?Literarysortofname—I’vegotit.Meredith.MeredithBlake.Don’tknowwhetherhe’saliveornot.”
“Andwhonext?”
“Next?Well,there’sthecauseofallthetrouble.Thegirlinthecase.ElsaGreer.”
“Thislittlepigateroastbeef,”murmuredPoirot.
Depleachstaredathim.
“They’vefedhermeatallright,”hesaid.“She’sbeenago-getter.She’shadthreehusbandssincethen.Inandoutofthedivorcecourtaseasyasyouplease.Andeverytimeshemakesachange,it’sforthebetter.LadyDittisham—that’swhosheisnow.OpenanyTatlerandyou’resuretofindher.”
“Andtheothertwo?”
“Therewasthegovernesswoman.Idon’trememberhername.Nicecapablewoman.Thompson—Jones—somethinglikethat.Andtherewasthechild.CarolineCrale’shalfsister.Shemusthavebeenaboutfifteen.She’smaderatheranameforherself.Digsupthingsandgoestrekkingtothebackofbeyond.Warren—that’shername.AngelaWarren.Ratheranalarmingyoungwomannowadays.Imethertheotherday.”
“Sheisnot,then,thelittlepigwhocriedWeeWeeWee…?”
SirMontagueDepleachlookedathimratheroddly.Hesaiddrily:
“She’shadsomethingtocryWee-Weeaboutinherlife!She’sdisfigured,youknow.Gotabadscardownonesideofherface.She—Ohwell,you’llhearallaboutit,Idaresay.”
Poirotstoodup.Hesaid:
“Ithankyou.Youhavebeenverykind.IfMrs.Craledidnotkillherhusband—”
Depleachinterruptedhim:
“Butshedid,oldboy,shedid.Takemywordforit.”
Poirotcontinuedwithouttakinganynoticeoftheinterruption.
“Thenitseemslogicaltosupposethatoneofthesefivepeoplemusthavedoneso.”
“Oneofthemcouldhavedoneit,Isuppose,”saidDepleach,doubtfully.“ButIdon’tseewhyanyofthemshould.Noreasonatall!Infact,I’mquitesurenoneofthemdiddoit.Dogetthisbeeoutofyourbonnet,oldboy!”
ButHerculePoirotonlysmiledandshookhishead.
Two
COUNSELFORTHEPROSECUTION
“GuiltyasHell,”saidMr.Foggsuccinctly.
HerculePoirotlookedmeditativelyatthethinclear-cutfaceofthebarrister
QuentinFogg,K.C.wasaverydifferenttypefromMontagueDepleach.Depleachhadforce,magnetism,anoverbearingandslightlybullyingpersonality.Hegothiseffectsbyarapidanddramaticchangeofmanner.Handsome,urbane,charmingoneminute—thenanalmostmagicaltransformation,lipsback,snarlingsmile—outforyourblood.
QuentinFoggwasthin,pale,singularlylackinginwhatiscalledpersonality.Hisquestionswerequietandunemotional—butsteadilypersistent.IfDepleachwaslikearapier,Foggwaslikeanauger.Heboredsteadily.Hehadneverreachedspectacularfame,buthewasknownasafirst-classmanonlaw.Heusuallywonhiscases.
HerculePoiroteyedhimmeditatively.
“Sothat,”hesaid,“washowitstruckyou?”
Foggnodded.Hesaid:
“Youshouldhaveseenherinthebox.OldHumpieRudolph(hewasleading,youknow)simplymademincementofher.Mincemeat!”
Hepausedandthensaidunexpectedly:
“Onthewhole,youknow,itwasrathertoomuchofagoodthing.”
“Iamnotsure,”saidHerculePoirot,“thatIquiteunderstandyou?”
Foggdrewhisdelicatelymarkedbrowstogether.Hissensitivehandstrokedhisbareupperlip.Hesaid:
“HowshallIputit?It’saveryEnglishpointofview.‘Shootingthesittingbird’describesitbest.Isthatintelligibletoyou?”
“Itis,asyousay,averyEnglishpointofview,butIthinkIunderstandyou.IntheCentralCriminalCourt,asontheplayingfieldsofEton,andinthehuntingcountry,theEnglishmanlikesthevictimtohaveasportingchance.”
“That’sit,exactly.Well,inthiscase,theaccuseddidn’thaveachance.HumpieRudolphdidashelikedwithher.ItstartedwithherexaminationbyDepleach.Shestoodupthere,youknow—asdocileasalittlegirlataparty,answeringDepleach’squestionswiththeanswersshe’dlearntoffbyheart.Quitedocile,wordperfect—andabsolutelyunconvincing!She’dbeentoldwhattosayandshesaidit.Itwasn’tDepleach’sfault.Thatoldmountebankplayedhispartperfectly—butinanyscenethatneedstwoactors,onealonecan’tcarryit.Shedidn’tplayuptohim.Itmadetheworstpossibleeffectonthejury.AndthenoldHumpiegotup.Iexpectyou’veseenhim?He’sagreatloss.Hitchinghisgownup,swayingbackonhisfeet—andthen—straightoffthemark!
“AsItellyou,hemademincemeatofher!Leduptothisandthat—andshefellintothepitfalleverytime.Hegothertoadmittheabsurditiesofherownstatements,hegothertocontradictherself,sheflounderedindeeperanddeeper.Andthenhewoundupwithhisusualstuff.Verycompelling—veryconvinced:‘Isuggesttoyou,Mrs.Crale,thatthisstoryofyoursaboutstealingconiineinordertocommitsuicideisatissueoffalsehood.Isuggestthatyoutookitinordertoadministerittoyourhusbandwhowasabouttoleaveyouforanotherwoman,andthatyoudiddeliberatelyadministerittohim.’Andshelookedathim—suchaprettycreature—graceful,delicate—andshesaid:‘Oh,no—no,Ididn’t.’Itwastheflattestthingyoueverheard—themostunconvincing.IsawoldDepleachsquirminhisseat.Heknewitwasallupthen.”
Foggpausedaminute—thenhewenton:
“Andyet—Idon’tknow.Insomewaysitwasthecleverestthingshecouldhavedone!Itappealedtochivalry—tothatqueerchivalrycloselyalliedtobloodsportswhichmakesmostforeignersthinkussuchalmightyhumbugs!Thejuryfelt—thewholecourtfelt—thatshehadn’tgotachance.Shecouldn’tevenfightforherself.Shecertainlycouldn’tputupanykindofashowagainstagreatbigcleverbrutelikeoldHumpie.Thatweak,unconvincing:‘Ohno—no,Ididn’t,’itwaspathetic—simplypathetic.Shewasdonefor!
“Yes,inaway,itwasthebestthingshecouldhavedone.Thejurywereonlyoutjustoverhalfanhour.Theybroughtherin:Guiltywitharecommendationtomercy.
“Actually,youknow,shemadeagoodcontrasttotheotherwomaninthecase.Thegirl.Thejurywereunsympathetictoherfromthestart.Sheneverturnedahair.Verygoodlooking,hard-boiled,modern.Tothewomeninthecourtshestoodforatype—typeofthehomebreaker.Homesweren’tsafewhengirlslikethatwerewanderingabroad.Girlsdamnfullofsexandcontemptuousoftherightsofwivesandmothers.Shedidn’tspareherself,Iwillsay.Shewashonest.Admirablyhonest.She’dfalleninlovewithAmyasCraleandhewithher,andshe’dnoscruplesatallabouttakinghimawayfromhiswifeandchild.
“Iadmiredherinaway.Shehadguts.Depleachputinsomenastystuffincross-examinationandshestoodupwelltoit.Butthecourtwasunsympathetic.Andthejudgedidn’tlikeher.OldAvis,itwas.Beenabitofariphimselfwhenyoung—buthe’sveryhotonmoralitywhenhe’spresidinginhisrobes.HissummingupagainstCarolineCralewasmildnessitself.Hecouldn’tdenythefactsbuthethrewoutprettystronghintsastoprovocationandallthat.”
HerculePoirotasked:
“Hedidnotsupportthesuicidetheoryofthedefence?”
Foggshookhishead.
“Thatneverreallyhadalegtostandupon.Mindyou,Idon’tsayDepleachdidn’tdohisbestwithit.Hewasmagnificent.Hepaintedamostmovingpictureofagreat-hearted,pleasure-loving,temperamentalman,suddenlyovertakenbyapassionforalovelyyounggirl,consciencestricken,yetunabletoresist.Thenhisrecoil,hisdisgustwithhimself,hisremorseforthewayhewastreatinghiswifeandchildandhissuddendecisiontoenditall!Thehonourablewayout.Icantellyou,itwasamostmovingperformance;Depleach’svoicebroughttearstoyoureyes.Yousawthepoorwretchtornbyhispassionsandhisessentialdecency.Theeffectwasterrific.Only—whenitwasallover—andthespellwasbroken,youcouldn’tquitesquarethatmythicalfigurewithAmyasCrale.EverybodyknewtoomuchaboutCrale.Hewasn’tatallthatkindofman.AndDepleachhadn’tbeenabletogetholdofanyevidencetoshowthathewas.IshouldsayCralecameasnearaspossibletobeingamanwithoutevenarudimentaryconscience.Hewasaruthless,selfish,good-temperedhappyegoist.Anyethicshehadwouldhaveappliedtopainting.Hewouldn’t,I’mconvinced,havepaintedasloppy,badpicture—nomatterwhattheinducement.Butfortherest,hewasafull-bloodedmanandhelovedlife—hehadazestforit.Suicide?Nothe!”
“Not,perhaps,averygooddefencetohavechosen?”
Foggshruggedhisthinshoulders.Hesaid:
“Whatelsewasthere?Couldn’tsitbackandpleadthattherewasnocaseforthejury—thattheprosecutionhadgottoprovetheircaseagainsttheaccused.Therewasagreatdealtoomuchproof.She’dhandledthepoison—admittedpinchingit,infact.Therewasmeans,motive,opportunity—everything.”
“Onemighthaveattemptedtoshowthatthesethingswereartificiallyarranged?”
Fogsaidbluntly:
“Sheadmittedmostofthem.And,inanycase,it’stoofarfetched.You’reimplying,Ipresume,thatsomebodyelsemurderedhimandfixedituptolookasthoughshehaddoneit.”
“Youthinkthatquiteuntenable?”
Foggsaidslowly:
“I’mafraidIdo.You’resuggestingthemysteriousX.Wheredowelookforhim?”
Poirotsaid:
“Obviouslyinaclosecircle.Therewerefivepeople,weretherenot,whocouldhavebeenconcerned?”
“Five?Letmesee.Therewastheolddufferwhomessedaboutwithhisherbbrewing.Adangeroushobby—butanamiablecreature.Vaguesortofperson.Don’tseehimasX.Therewasthegirl—shemighthavepolishedoffCaroline,butcertainlynotAmyas.Thentherewasthestockbroker—Crale’sbestfriend.That’spopularindetectivestories,butIdon’tbelieveinitinreallife.There’snooneelse—ohyes,thekidsister,butonedoesn’tseriouslyconsiderher.That’sfour.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Youforgetthegoverness.”
“Yes,that’strue.Wretchedpeople,governesses,oneneverdoesrememberthem.Idorecallherdimlythough.Middle-aged,plain,competent.IsupposeapsychologistwouldsaythatshehadaguiltypassionforCraleandthereforekilledhim.Therepressedspinster!It’snogood—Ijustdon’tbelieveit.Asfarasmydimremembrancegoesshewasn’ttheneurotictype.”
“Itisalongtimeago.”
“Fifteenorsixteenyears,Isuppose.Yes,quitethat.Youcan’texpectmymemoriesofthecasetobeveryacute.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Butonthecontrary,yourememberitamazinglywell.Thatastoundsme.Youcanseeit,canyounot?Whenyoutalkthepictureistherebeforeyoureyes.”
Foggsaidslowly:
“Yes,you’reright—Idoseeit—quiteplainly.”
Poirotsaid:
“Itwouldinterestme,myfriend,verymuch,ifyouwouldtellmewhy?”
“Why?”Foggconsideredthequestion.Histhinintellectualfacewasalert—interested.“Yes,nowwhy?”
Poirotasked:
“Whatdoyouseesoplainly?Thewitnesses?Thecounsel?Thejudge?Theaccusedstandinginthedock?”
Foggsaidquietly:
“That’sthereason,ofcourse!You’veputyourfingeronit.Ishallalwaysseeher…Funnything,romance.Shehadthequalityofit.Idon’tknowifshewasreallybeautiful…Shewasn’tveryyoung—tiredlooking—circlesunderhereyes.Butitallcenteredroundher.Theinterest—thedrama.Andyet,halfthetime,shewasn’tthere.She’dgoneawaysomewhere,quitefaraway—justleftherbodythere,quiescent,attentive,withthelittlepolitesmileonherlips.Shewasallhalftones,youknow,lightsandshades.Andyet,withitall,shewasmorealivethantheother—thatgirlwiththeperfectbody,andthebeautifulface,andthecrudeyoungstrength.IadmiredElsaGreerbecauseshehadguts,becauseshecouldfight,becauseshestooduptohertormentorsandneverquailed!ButIadmiredCarolineCralebecauseshedidn’tfight,becausesheretreatedintoherworldofhalflightsandshadows.Shewasneverdefeatedbecauseshenevergavebattle.”
Hepaused:
“I’monlysureofonething.Shelovedthemanshekilled.Lovedhimsomuchthathalfofherdiedwithhim….”
Mr.Fogg,K.C.,pausedandpolishedhisglasses.
“Dearme,”hesaid.“Iseemtobesayingsomeverystrangethings!Iwasquiteayoungmanatthetime,youknow.Justanambitiousyoungster.Thesethingsmakeanimpression.ButallthesameI’msurethatCarolineCralewasaveryremarkablewoman.Ishallneverforgether.No—Ishallneverforgether….”
Three
THEYOUNGSOLICITOR
GeorgeMayhewwascautiousandnon-committal.
Herememberedthecase,ofcourse,butnotatallclearly.Hisfatherhadbeenincharge—hehimselfhadbeenonlynineteenatthetime.
Yes,thecasehadmadeagreatstir.BecauseofCralebeingsuchawell-knownman.Hispictureswereveryfine—veryfineindeed.TwoofthemwereintheTate.Notthatthatmeantanything.
Mr.Poirotwouldexcusehim,buthedidn’tseequitewhatMr.Poirot’sinterestwasinthematter.Oh,thedaughter!Really?Indeed?Canada?HehadalwayshearditwasNewZealand.
GeorgeMayhewbecamelessrigid.Heunbent.
Ashockingthinginagirl’slife.Hehadthedeepestsympathyforher.Reallyitwouldhavebeenbetterifshehadneverlearnedthetruth.Still,itwasnousesayingthatnow
Shewantedtoknow?Yes,butwhatwastheretoknow?Therewerethereportsofthetrial,ofcourse.Hehimselfdidn’treallyknowanything.
No,hewasafraidtherewasn’tmuchdoubtastoMrs.Crale’sbeingguilty.Therewasacertainamountofexcuseforher.Theseartists—difficultpeopletolivewith.WithCrale,heunderstood,ithadalwaysbeensomewomanorother
Andsheherselfhadprobablybeenthepossessivetypeofwoman.Unabletoacceptfacts.Nowadaysshe’dsimplyhavedivorcedhimandgotoverit.Headdedcautiously:
“Letmesee—er—LadyDittisham,Ibelieve,wasthegirlinthecase.”
Poirotsaidthathebelievedthatthatwasso.
“Thenewspapersbringitupfromtimetotime,”saidMayhew.“She’sbeeninthedivorcecourtagooddeal.She’saveryrichwoman,asIexpectyouknow.ShewasmarriedtothatexplorerfellowbeforeDittisham.She’salwaysmoreorlessinthepubliceye.Thekindofwomanwholikesnotoriety,Ishouldimagine.”
“Orpossiblyaheroworshipper,”suggestedPoirot.
TheideawasupsettingtoGeorgeMayhew.Heaccepteditdubiously.
“Well,possibly—yes,Isupposethatmightbeso.”
Heseemedtobeturningtheideaoverinhismind.
Poirotsaid:
“HadyourfirmactedforMrs.Craleforalongperiodofyears?”
GeorgeMayhewshookhishead.
“Onthecontrary.JonathanandJonathanweretheCralesolicitors.Underthecircumstances,however,Mr.JonathanfeltthathecouldnotverywellactforMrs.Crale,andhearrangedwithus—withmyfather—totakeoverhercase.Youwoulddowell,Ithink,Mr.Poirot,toarrangeameetingwitholdMr.Jonathan.Hehasretiredfromactivework—heisoverseventy—butheknewtheCralefamilyintimately,andhecouldtellyoufarmorethanIcan.Indeed,Imyselfcantellyounothingatall.Iwasaboyatthetime.Idon’tthinkIwasevenincourt.”
PoirotroseandGeorgeMayhew,risingtoo,added:
“YoumightliketohaveawordwithEdmunds,ourmanagingclerk.Hewaswiththefirmthenandtookagreatinterestinthecase.”
Edmundswasamanofslowspeech.Hiseyesgleamedwithlegalcaution.HetookhistimeinsizingupPoirotbeforehelethimselfbebetrayedintospeech.Hesaid:
“Ay,ImindtheCralecase.”
Headdedseverely:“Itwasadisgracefulbusiness.”
HisshrewdeyesrestedappraisinglyonHerculePoirot.
Hesaid:
“It’salongtimesincetoberakingthingsupagain.”
“Acourtverdictisnotalwaysanending.”
Edmunds’ssquareheadnoddedslowly.
“I’dnotsaythatyouweren’tintherightofitthere.”
HerculePoirotwenton:“Mrs.Craleleftadaughter.”
“Ay,Imindtherewasachild.Sentabroadtorelatives,wasshenot?”
Poirotwenton:
“Thatdaughterbelievesfirmlyinhermother’sinnocence.”
ThehugebushyeyebrowsofMr.Edmundsrose.
“That’sthewayofit,isit?”
Poirotasked:
“Isthereanythingyoucantellmetosupportthatbelief?”
Edmundsreflected.Then,slowly,heshookhishead.
“Icouldnotconscientiouslysaytherewas.IadmiredMrs.Crale.Whateverelseshewas,shewasalady!Notliketheother.Ahussy—nomore,noless.Boldasbrass!Jumped-uptrash—that’swhatshewas—andshowedit!Mrs.Cralewasquality.”
“Butnonethelessamurderess?”
Edmundsfrowned.Hesaid,withmorespontaneitythanhehadyetshown:
“That’swhatIusedtoaskmyself,dayafterday.Sittingthereinthedocksocalmandgentle.‘I’llnotbelieveit,’Iusedtosaytomyself.But,ifyoutakemymeaning,Mr.Poirot,therewasn’tanythingelsetobelieve.Thathemlockdidn’tgetintoMr.Crale’sbeerbyaccident.Itwasputthere.AndifMrs.Craledidn’tputitthere,whodid?”
“Thatisthequestion,”saidPoirot.“Whodid?”
Againthoseshrewdoldeyessearchedhisface.
“Sothat’syouridea?”saidMr.Edmunds.
“Whatdoyouthinkyourself?”
Therewasapausebeforetheofficeranswered.Thenhesaid:
“Therewasnothingthatpointedthatway—nothingatall.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youwereincourtduringthehearingofthecase?”
“Everyday.”
“Youheardthewitnessesgiveevidence?”
“Idid.”
“Didanythingstrikeyouaboutthem—anyabnormality,anyinsincerity?”
Edmundssaidbluntly:
“Wasoneofthemlying,doyoumean?HadoneofthemareasontowishMr.Craledead?Ifyou’llexcuseme,Mr.Poirot,that’saverymelodramaticidea.”
“Atleastconsiderit,”Poiroturged.
Hewatchedtheshrewdface,thescrewed-up,thoughtfuleyes.Slowly,regretfully,Edmundsshookhishead.
“ThatMissGreer,”hesaid,“shewasbitterenough,andvindictive!I’dsaysheoversteppedthemarkinagooddealshesaid,butitwasMr.Cralealiveshewanted.Hewasnousetoherdead.ShewantedMrs.Cralehangedallright—butthatwasbecausedeathhadsnatchedhermanawayfromher.Likeabaulkedtigressshewas!But,asIsay,itwasMr.Cralealiveshe’dwanted.Mr.PhilipBlake,hewasagainstMrs.Craletoo.Prejudiced.Gothisknifeintoherwheneverhecould.ButI’dsayhewashonestaccordingtohislights.He’dbeenMr.Crale’sgreatfriend.Hisbrother,Mr.MeredithBlake—abadwitnesshewas—vague,hesitating—neverseemedsureofhisanswers.I’veseenmanywitnesseslikethat.Lookasthoughthey’relyingwhenallthetimethey’retellingthetruth.Didn’twanttosayanythingmorethanhecouldhelp,Mr.MeredithBlakedidn’t.Counselgotallthemoreoutofhimonthataccount.Oneofthesequietgentlemenwhogeteasilyflustered.Thegovernessnow,shestoodupwelltothem.Didn’twastewordsandansweredpatandtothepoint.Youcouldn’thavetold,listeningtoher,whichsideshewason.Gotallherwitsabouther,shehad.Thebriskkind.”Hepaused.“Knewalotmorethansheeverletonaboutthewholething,Ishouldn’twonder.”
“I,too,shouldnotwonder,”saidHerculePoirot.
Helookedsharplyatthewrinkled,shrewdfaceofMr.AlfredEdmunds.Itwasquiteblandandimpassive.ButHerculePoirotwonderedifhehadbeenvouchsafedahint.
Four
THEOLDSOLICITOR
Mr.CalebJonathanlivedinEssex.Afteracourteousexchangeofletters,Poirotreceivedaninvitation,almostroyalinitscharacter,todineandsleep.Theoldgentlemanwasdecidedlyacharacter.AftertheinsipidityofyoungGeorgeMayhew,Mr.Jonathanwaslikeaglassofhisownvintageport.
Hehadhisownmethodsofapproachtoasubject,anditwasnotuntilwellontowardsmidnight,whensippingaglassoffragrantoldbrandy,thatMr.Jonathanreallyunbent.InorientalfashionhehadappreciatedHerculePoirot’scourteousrefusaltorushhiminanyway.Now,inhisowngoodtime,hewaswillingtoelaboratethethemeoftheCralefamily.
“Ourfirm,ofcourse,hasknownmanygenerationsoftheCrales.IknewAmyasCraleandhisfather,RichardCrale,andIcanrememberEnochCrale—thegrandfather.Countrysquires,allofthem,thoughtmoreofhorsesthanhumanbeings.Theyrodestraight,likedwomen,andhadnotruckwithideas.Theydistrustedideas.ButRichardCrale’swifewascramfullofideas—moreideasthansense.Shewaspoeticalandmusical—sheplayedtheharp,youknow.Sheenjoyedpoorhealthandlookedverypicturesqueonhersofa.ShewasanadmirerofKingsley.That’swhyshecalledhersonAmyas.Hisfatherscoffedatthename—buthegavein.
“AmyasCraleprofitedbyhismixedinheritance.Hegothisartistictrendfromhisweaklymother,andhisdrivingpowerandruthlessegoismfromhisfather.AlltheCraleswereegoists.Theyneverbyanychancesawanypointofviewbuttheirown.”
Tappingwithadelicatefingeronthearmofhischair,theoldmanshotashrewdglanceatPoirot.
“CorrectmeifIamwrong,Mr.Poirot,butIthinkyouareinterestedin—character,shallwesay?”
Poirotreplied.
“That,tome,istheprincipalinterestofallmycases.”
“Icanconceiveofit.Togetundertheskin,asitwere,ofyourcriminal.Howinteresting.Howabsorbing.Ourfirm,ofcourse,haveneverhadacriminalpractice.WeshouldnothavebeencompetenttoactforMrs.Crale,eveniftastehadallowed.Mayhews,however,wereaveryadequatefirm.TheybriefedDepleach—theydidn’tperhapsshowmuchimaginationthere—still,hewasveryexpensiveand,ofcourse,exceedinglydramatic!Whattheyhadn’tthewitstoseewasthatCarolinewouldneverplayupinthewayhewantedherto.Shewasn’tadramaticwoman.”
“Whatwasshe?”askedPoirot.“ItisthatthatIamchieflyanxioustoknow.”
“Yes,yes—ofcourse.Howdidshecometodowhatshedid?Thatisthereallyvitalquestion.Iknewher,youknow,beforeshemarried.CarolineSpalding,shewas.Aturbulentunhappycreature.Veryalive.HermotherwasleftawidowearlyinlifeandCarolinewasdevotedtohermother.Thenthemothermarriedagain—therewasanotherchild.Yes—yes,verysad,verypainful.Theseyoung,ardent,adolescentjealousies.”
“Shewasjealous?”
“Passionatelyso.Therewasaregrettableincident.Poorchild,sheblamedherselfbitterlyafterwards.Butyouknow,Mr.Poirot,thesethingshappen.Thereisaninabilitytoputonthebrakes.Itcomes—itcomeswithmaturity.”
Poirotsaid:
“Whathappened?”
“Shestruckthechild—thebaby—flungapaperweightather.Thechildlostthesightofoneeyeandwaspermanentlydisfigured.”
Mr.Jonathansighed.Hesaid:
“Youcanimaginetheeffectasimplequestiononthatpointhadatthetrial.”
Heshookhishead:
“ItgavetheimpressionthatCarolineCralewasawomanofungovernabletemper.Thatwasnottrue.No,thatwasnottrue.”
Hepausedandthenresumed:
“CarolineSpaldingcameoftentostayatAlderbury.Sherodewell,andwaskeen.RichardCralewasfondofher.ShewaitedonMrs.Craleandwasdeftandgentle—Mrs.Cralealsolikedher.Thegirlwasnothappyathome.ShewashappyatAlderbury.DianaCrale,Amyas’ssister,andshewerebywayofbeingfriends.PhilipandMeredithBlake,boysfromtheadjoiningestate,werefrequentlyatAlderbury.Philipwasalwaysanasty,money-grubbinglittlebrute.ImustconfessIhavealwayshadadistasteforhim.ButIamtoldthathetellsaverygoodstoryandthathehasthereputationofbeingastaunchfriend.MeredithwaswhatmycontemporariesusedtocallNambyPamby.Likedbotanyandbutterfliesandobservingbirdsandbeasts.Naturestudytheycallitnowadays.Ah,dear—alltheyoungpeoplewereadisappointmenttotheirparents.Noneofthemrantruetotype—huntin’,shootin’,fishin’.Meredithpreferredwatchingbirdsandanimalstoshootingorhuntingthem,Philipdefinitelypreferredtowntocountryandwentintothebusinessofmoneymaking.Dianamarriedafellowwhowasn’tagentleman—oneofthetemporaryofficersinthewar.AndAmyas,strong,handsome,virileAmyas,blossomedintobeingapainter,ofallthingsintheworld.It’smyopinionthatRichardCralediedoftheshock.
“AndinduecourseAmyasmarriedCarolineSpalding.They’dalwaysfoughtandsparred,butitwasalovematchallright.Theywerebothcrazyabouteachother.Andtheycontinuedtocare.ButAmyaswaslikealltheCrales,aruthlessegoist.HelovedCarolinebutheneveronceconsideredherinanyway.Hedidashepleased.It’smyopinionthathewasasfondofherashecouldbeofanybody—butshecamealongwaybehindhisart.Thatcamefirst.AndIshouldsayatnotimedidhisartgiveplacetoawoman.Hehadaffairswithwomen—theystimulatedhim—butheleftthemhighanddrywhenhe’dfinishedwiththem.Hewasn’tasentimentalman,noraromanticone.Andhewasn’tentirelyasensualisteither.Theonlywomanhecaredabuttonforwashisownwife.Andbecausesheknewthatsheputupwithalot.Hewasaveryfinepainter,youknow.Sherealizedthat,andrespectedit.Hechasedoffinhisamorouspursuitsandcamebackagain—usuallywithapicturetoshowforit.
“Itmighthavegoneonlikethatifithadn’tcometoElsaGreer.ElsaGreer—”
Mr.Jonathanshookhishead.
Poirotsaid:“WhatofElsaGreer?”
Mr.Jonathansaidunexpectedly:
“Poorchild.Poorchild.”
Poirotsaid:“Soyoufeellikethatabouther?”
Jonathansaid:
“MaybeitisbecauseIamanoldman,butIfind,Mr.Poirot,thatthereissomethingaboutthedefencelessnessofyouththatmovesmetotears.Youthissovulnerable.Itissoruthless—sosure.Sogenerousandsodemanding.”
Gettingup,hecrossedtothebookcase.Takingoutavolumeheopenedit,turnedthepages,andthenreadout:
“‘Ifthatthybentoflovebehonourable,Thepurposemarriage,sendmewordtomorrowByonethatI’llprocuretocometothee,Whereandwhattimethouwiltperformtherite,AndallmyfortunesatthyfootI’lllay,Andfollowtheemylordthroughouttheworld.’”
“Therespeakslovealliedtoyouth,inJuliet’swords.Noreticence,noholdingback,noso-calledmaidenmodesty.Itisthecourage,theinsistence,theruthlessforceofyouth.Shakespeareknewyouth.JulietsinglesoutRomeo.DesdemonaclaimsOthello.Theyhavenodoubts,theyoung,nofear,nopride.”
Poirotsaidthoughtfully:
“SotoyouElsaGreerspokeinthewordsofJuliet?”
“Yes.Shewasaspoiledchildoffortune—young,lovely,rich.Shefoundhermateandclaimedhim—noyoungRomeo,amarried,middle-agedpainter.ElsaGreerhadnocodetorestrainher,shehadthecodeofmodernity.‘Takewhatyouwant—weshallonlyliveonce!’”
Hesighed,leanedback,andagaintappedgentlyonthearmofhischair.
“ApredatoryJuliet.Young,ruthless,buthorriblyvulnerable!Stakingeverythingontheoneaudaciousthrow.Andseeminglyshewon…andthen—atthelastmoment—deathstepsin—andtheliving,ardent,joyousElsadiedalso.Therewasleftonlyavindictive,cold,hardwoman,hatingwithallhersoulthewomanwhosehandhaddonethisthing.”
Hisvoicechanged:
“Dear,dear.Prayforgivethislittlelapseintomelodrama.Acrudeyoungwoman—withacrudeoutlookonlife.Not,Ithink,aninterestingcharacter.Rosewhiteyouth,passionate,pale,etc.Takethatawayandwhatremains?Onlyasomewhatmediocreyoungwomanseekingforanotherlife-sizedherotoputonanemptypedestal.”
Poirotsaid:
“IfAmyasCralehadnotbeenafamouspainter—”
Mr.Jonathanagreedquickly.Hesaid:
“Quite—quite.Youhavetakenthepointadmirably.TheElsasofthisworldareheroworshippers.Amanmusthavedonesomething,mustbesomebody…CarolineCrale,now,couldhaverecognizedqualityinabankclerkoraninsuranceagent!CarolinelovedAmyasCraletheman,notAmyasCralethepainter.CarolineCralewasnotcrude—ElsaGreerwas.”
Headded:
“Butshewasyoungandbeautifulandtomymindinfinitelypathetic.”
HerculePoirotwenttobedthoughtful.Hewasfascinatedbytheproblemofpersonality.
ToEdmunds,theclerk,ElsaGreerwasahussy,nomore,noless.
TooldMr.JonathanshewastheeternalJuliet.
AndCarolineCrale?
Eachpersonhadseenherdifferently.MontagueDepleachhaddespisedherasadefeatist—aquitter.ToyoungFoggshehadrepresentedRomance.Edmundssawhersimplyasa“lady.”Mr.Jonathanhadcalledherastormy,turbulentcreature.
Howwouldhe,HerculePoirot,haveseenher?
Ontheanswertothatquestiondepended,hefelt,thesuccessofhisquest.
Sofar,notoneofthepeoplehehadseenhaddoubtedthatwhateverelseshewas,CarolineCralewasalsoamurderess
Five
THEPOLICESUPERINTENDENT
Ex-SuperintendentHalepulledthoughtfullyathispipe.
Hesaid:
“Thisisafunnyfancyofyours,Mr.Poirot.”
“Itis,perhaps,alittleunusual,”Poirotagreedcautiously.
“Yousee,”saidHale,“it’sallsuchalongtimeago.”
HerculePoirotforesawthathewasgoingtogetalittletiredofthatparticularphrase.Hesaidmildly:
“Thataddstothedifficulty,ofcourse.”
“Rakingupthepast,”musedtheother.“Iftherewereanobjectinit,now….”
“Thereisanobject.”
“Whatisit?”
“Onecanenjoythepursuitoftruthforitsownsake.Ido.Andyoumustnotforgettheyounglady.”
Halenodded.
“Yes,Iseehersideofit.But—you’llexcuseme,Mr.Poirot—you’reaningeniousman.Youcouldcookherupatale.”
Poirotreplied:
“Youdonotknowtheyounglady.”
“Oh,comenow—amanofyourexperience!”
Poirotdrewhimselfup.
“Imaybe,moncher,anartisticandcompetentliar—youseemtothinkso.Butitisnotmyideaofethicalconduct.Ihavemystandards.”
“Sorry,Mr.Poirot.Ididn’tmeantohurtyourfeelings.Butitwouldbeallinagoodcause,sotospeak.”
“OhIwonder,woulditreally?”
Halesaidslowly:
“It’stoughluckonahappyinnocentgirlwho’sjustgoingtogetmarriedtofindthathermotherwasamurderess.IfIwereyouI’dgotoherandsaythat,afterall,suicidewaswhatitwas.SaythecasewasmishandledbyDepleach.Saythatthere’snodoubtinyourmindthatCralepoisonedhimself!”
“Butthereiseverydoubtinmymind!IdonotbelieveforoneminutethatCralepoisonedhimself.Doyouconsideritevenreasonablypossibleyourself?”
SlowlyHaleshookhishead.
“Yousee?No,itisthetruthImusthave—notaplausible—ornotveryplausible—lie.”
HaleturnedandlookedatPoirot.Hissquareratherredfacegrewalittleredderandevenappearedtogetalittlesquarer.Hesaid:
“Youtalkaboutthetruth.I’dliketomakeitplaintoyouthatwethinkwegotthetruthintheCralecase.”
Poirotsaidquickly:
“Thatpronouncementfromyoumeansagreatdeal.Iknowyouforwhatyouare,anhonestandcapableman.Nowtellmethis,wastherenodoubtatanytimeinyourmindastotheguiltofMrs.Crale?”
TheSuperintendent’sanswercamepromptly.
“Nodoubtatall,Mr.Poirot.Thecircumstancespointedtoherstraightaway,andeverysinglefactthatweuncoveredsupportedthatview.”
“Youcangivemeanoutlineoftheevidenceagainsther?”
“Ican.WhenIreceivedyourletterIlookedupthecase.”Hepickedupasmallnotebook.“I’vejotteddownallthesalientfactshere.”
“Thankyou,myfriend.Iamalleagernesstohear.”
Haleclearedhisthroat.Aslightofficialintonationmadeitselfheardinhisvoice.
Hesaid:
“Attwoforty-fiveontheafternoonofSeptember18th,InspectorConwaywasrungupbyDr.AndrewFaussett.Dr.FaussettstatedthatMr.AmyasCraleofAlderburyhaddiedsuddenlyandthatinconsequenceofthecircumstancesofthatdeathandalsoofastatementmadetohimbyaMr.Blake,agueststayinginthehouse,heconsideredthatitwasacaseforthepolice.
“InspectorConway,incompanywithasergeantandthepolicesurgeon,cameovertoAlderburystraightaway.Dr.FaussettwasthereandtookhimtowherethebodyofMr.Cralehadnotbeendisturbed.
“Mr.Cralehadbeenpaintinginasmallenclosedgarden,knownastheBatterygarden,fromthefactthatitoverlookedthesea,andhadsomeminiaturecannonplacedinembattlements.Itwassituatedataboutfourminutes’walkfromthehouse.Mr.Cralehadnotcomeuptothehouseforlunchashewantedtogetcertaineffectsoflightonthestone—andthesunwouldhavebeenwrongforthislater.Hehad,therefore,remainedaloneintheBatterygarden,painting.Thiswasstatednottobeanunusualoccurrence.Mr.Craletookverylittlenoticeofmealtimes.Sometimesasandwichwouldbesentdowntohim,butmoreoftenhepreferredtoremainundisturbed.ThelastpeopletoseehimalivewereMissElsaGreer(stayinginthehouse)andMr.MeredithBlake(anearneighbour).Thesetwowentuptogethertothehouseandwentwiththerestofthehouseholdintolunch.Afterlunch,coffeewasservedontheterrace.Mrs.Cralefinisheddrinkinghercoffeeandthenobservedthatshewould‘godownandseehowAmyaswasgettingon.’MissCeciliaWilliams,governess,gotupandaccompaniedher.Shewaslookingforapulloverbelongingtoherpupil,MissAngelaWarren,sisterofMrs.Crale,whichthelatterhadmislaidandshethoughtitpossibleitmighthavebeenleftdownonthebeach.
“Thesetwostartedofftogether.Thepathleddownwards,throughsomewoods,untilitemergedatthedoorleadingintotheBatterygarden.YoucouldeithergointotheBatterygardenoryoucouldcontinueonthesamepath,whichleddowntotheseashore.
“MissWilliamscontinuedondownandMrs.CralewentintotheBatterygarden.Almostatonce,however,Mrs.CralescreamedandMissWilliamshurriedback.Mr.Cralewasrecliningonaseatandhewasdead.
“AtMrs.Crale’surgentrequestMissWilliamslefttheBatterygardenandhurrieduptothehousetotelephoneforadoctor.Onherway,however,shemetMr.MeredithBlakeandentrustedhererrandtohim,herselfreturningtoMrs.Cralewhomshefeltmightbeinneedofsomeone.Dr.Faussettarrivedonthesceneaquarterofanhourlater.HesawatoncethatMr.Cralehadbeendeadforsometime—heplacedtheprobabletimeofdeathatbetweenoneandtwoo’clock.Therewasnothingtoshowwhathadcauseddeath.TherewasnosignofanywoundandMr.Crale’sattitudewasaperfectlynaturalone.NeverthelessDr.Faussett,whowaswellacquaintedwithMr.Crale’sstateofhealth,andwhoknewpositivelythattherewasnodiseaseorweaknessofanykind,wasinclinedtotakeagraveviewofthesituation.ItwasatthispointthatMr.PhilipBlakemadeacertainstatementtoDr.Faussett.”
SuperintendentHalepaused,drewadeepbreathandpassed,asitwere,toChapterTwo.
“SubsequentlyMr.BlakerepeatedthisstatementtoInspectorConway.Itwastothiseffect.Hehadthatmorningreceivedatelephonemessagefromhisbrother,Mr.MeredithBlake(wholivedatHandcrossManor,amileandahalfaway).Mr.MeredithBlakewasanamateurchemist—orperhapsherbalistwoulddescribeitbest.Onenteringhislaboratorythatmorning,Mr.MeredithBlakehadbeenstartledtonotethatabottlecontainingapreparationofhemlock,whichhadbeenquitefullthedaybefore,wasnownearlyempty.Worriedandalarmedbythisfacthehadrunguphisbrothertoaskhisadviceastowhatheshoulddoaboutit.Mr.PhilipBlakehadurgedhisbrothertocomeovertoAlderburyatonceandtheywouldtalkthematterover.Hehimselfwalkedpartwaytomeethisbrotherandtheyhadcomeuptothehousetogether.Theyhadcometonodecisionastowhatcoursetoadoptandhadleftthematterinordertoconsultagainafterlunch.
“Asaresultoffurtherinquiries,InspectorConwayascertainedthefollowingfacts:OntheprecedingafternoonfivepeoplehadwalkedoverfromAlderburytoteaatHandcrossManor.TherewereMr.andMrs.Crale,MissAngelaWarren,MissElsaGreerandMr.PhilipBlake.Duringthetimespentthere,Mr.MeredithBlakehadgivenquiteadissertationonhishobbyandhadtakenthepartyintohislittlelaboratoryand‘shownthemround.’Inthecourseofthistour,hehadmentionedcertainspecificdrugs—oneofwhichwasconiine,theactiveprincipleofthespottedhemlock.Hehadexplaineditsproperties,hadlamentedthefactthatithadnowdisappearedfromthePharmacop?iaandboastedthathehadknownsmalldosesofittobeveryefficaciousinwhoopingcoughandasthma.Laterhehadmentioneditslethalproperties
SuperintendentHalepaused,refilledhispipeandpassedontoChapterThree.
“ColonelFrere,theChiefConstable,putthecaseintomyhands.Theresultoftheautopsyputthematterbeyondanydoubt.Coniine,Iunderstand,leavesnodefinitepostmortemappearances,butthedoctorsknewwhattolookfor,andanampleamountofthedrugwasrecovered.Thedoctorwasoftheopinionthatithadbeenadministeredtwoorthreehoursbeforedeath.InfrontofMr.Crale,onthetable,therehadbeenanemptyglassandanemptybeerbottle.Thedregsofbothwereanalysed.Therewasnoconiineinthebottle,buttherewasintheglass.ImadeinquiriesandlearnedthatalthoughacaseofbeerandglasseswerekeptinasmallsummerhouseintheBatterygardenincaseMr.Craleshouldfeelthirstywhenpainting,onthisparticularmorningMrs.Cralehadbroughtdownfromthehouseabottleoffreshlyicedbeer.Mr.CralewasbusypaintingwhenshearrivedandMissGreerwasposingforhim,sittingononeofthebattlements.
“Mrs.Craleopenedthebeer,poureditoutandputtheglassintoherhusband’shandashewasstandingbeforetheeasel.Hetosseditoffinonedraught—ahabitofhis,Ilearned.Thenhemadeagrimace,setdowntheglassonthetable,andsaid:‘Everythingtastesfoultometoday!’MissGreeruponthatlaughedandsaid,‘Liver!’Mr.Cralesaid:‘Well,atanyrateitwascold.’”
Halepaused.Poirotsaid:
“Atwhattimedidthistakeplace?”
“Ataboutaquarterpasteleven.Mr.Cralecontinuedtopaint.AccordingtoMissGreer,helatercomplainedofstiffnessinthelimbsandgrumbledthathemusthavegotatouchofrheumatism.Buthewasthetypeofmanwhohatestoadmittoillnessofanykind,andheundoubtedlytriednottoadmitthathewasfeelingill.Hisirritabledemandthatheshouldbeleftaloneandtheothersgouptolunchwasquitecharacteristicoftheman,Ishouldsay.”
Poirotnodded.
Halecontinued.
“SoCralewasleftaloneintheBatterygarden.Nodoubthedroppeddownontheseatandrelaxedassoonashewasalone.Muscularparalysiswouldthensetin.Nohelpwasathand,anddeathsupervened.”
AgainPoirotnodded.
Halesaid:
“Well,Iproceededaccordingtoroutine.Therewasn’tmuchdifficultyingettingdowntothefacts.Ontheprecedingdaytherehadbeenaset-tobetweenMrs.CraleandMissGreer.Thelatterhadprettyinsolentlydescribedsomechangeinthearrangementofthefurniture‘whenIamlivinghere.’Mrs.Craletookherup,andsaid,‘Whatdoyoumean?Whenyouarelivinghere.’MissGreerreplied:‘Don’tpretendyoudon’tknowwhatImean,Caroline.You’rejustlikeanostrichthatburiesitsheadinthesand.YouknowperfectlywellthatAmyasandIcareforeachotherandaregoingtobemarried.’Mrs.Cralesaid:‘Iknownothingofthekind.’MissGreerthensaid:‘Well,youknowitnow.’Whereupon,itseems,Mrs.Craleturnedtoherhusbandwhohadjustcomeintotheroomandsaid:‘Isittrue,Amyas,thatyouaregoingtomarryElsa?’”
Poirotsaidwithinterest:
“AndwhatdidMr.Cralesaytothat?”
“ApparentlyheturnedonMissGreerandshoutedather:‘Whatthedevildoyoumeanbyblurtingthatout?Haven’tyougotthesensetoholdyourtongue?’
“MissGreersaid:‘IthinkCarolineoughttorecognizethetruth.’
“Mrs.Cralesaidtoherhusband:‘Isittrue,Amyas?’
“Hewouldn’tlookather,itseems,turnedhisfaceawayandmumbledsomething.
“Shesaid:‘Speakout.I’vegottoknow.’Whereuponhesaid:
“‘Oh,it’strueenough—butIdon’twanttodiscussitnow.’
“ThenheflouncedoutoftheroomagainandMissGreersaid:
“‘Yousee!’andwenton—withsomethingaboutitsbeingnogoodforMrs.Craletoadoptadog-in-the-mangerattitudeaboutit.Theymustallbehavelikerationalpeople.SheherselfhopedthatCarolineandAmyaswouldalwaysremaingoodfriends.”
“AndwhatdidMrs.Cralesaytothat?”askedPoirotcuriously.
“Accordingtothewitnessesshelaughed.Shesaid:‘Overmydeadbody,Elsa.’ShewenttothedoorandMissGreercalledafterher:‘Whatdoyoumean?’Mrs.Cralelookedbackandsaid:‘I’llkillAmyasbeforeIgivehimuptoyou.’”
Halepaused.
“Prettydamning—eh?”
“Yes.”Poirotseemedthoughtful.“Whooverheardthisscene?”
“MissWilliamswasintheroomandPhilipBlake.Veryawkwardforthem.”
“Theiraccountsofthesceneagree?”
“Nearenough—younevergottwowitnessestorememberathingexactlyalike.YouknowthatjustaswellasIdo,Mr.Poirot.”
Poirotnodded.Hesaidthoughtfully:
“Yes,itwillbeinterestingtosee—”Hestoppedwiththesentenceunfinished.
Halewenton:“Iinstitutedasearchofthehouse.InMrs.Crale’sbedroomIfoundinabottomdrawer,tuckedawayunderneathsomewinterstockings,asmallbottlelabelledjasminescent.Itwasempty.Ifingerprintedit.TheonlyprintsonitwerethoseofMrs.Crale.Onanalysisitwasfoundtocontainfainttracesofoilofjasmine,andastrongsolutionofconiinehydrobromide.
“IcautionedMrs.Craleandshowedherthebottle.Sherepliedreadily.Shehad,shesaid,beeninaveryunhappystateofmind.AfterlisteningtoMr.MeredithBlake’sdescriptionofthedrugshehadslippedbacktothelaboratory,hademptiedoutabottleofjasminescentwhichwasinherbagandhadfilledthebottleupwithconiinesolution.Iforanotherwoman.Ifthatwasso,Ididn’twanttolive.ThatiswhyItookit.’”
Halepaused.
Poirotsaid:“Afterall—itislikelyenough.”
“Perhaps,Mr.Poirot.Butitdoesn’tsquarewithwhatshewasoverheardtosay.Andthentherewasafurthersceneonthefollowingmorning.Mr.PhilipBlakeoverheardaportionofit.MissGreeroverheardadifferentportionofit.IttookplaceinthelibrarybetweenMr.andMrs.Crale.Mr.Blakewasinthehallandcaughtafragmentortwo.MissGreerwassittingoutsideneartheopenlibrarywindowandheardagooddealmore.”
“Andwhatdidtheyhear?”
“Mr.BlakeheardMrs.Cralesay:‘Youandyourwomen.I’dliketokillyou.SomedayIwillkillyou.’”
“Nomentionofsuicide?”
“Exactly.Noneatall.Nowordslike‘Ifyoudothisthing,I’llkillmyself.’MissGreer’sevidencewasmuchthesame.Accordingtoher,Mr.Cralesaid:‘Dotryandbereasonableaboutthis,Caroline.I’mfondofyouandwillalwayswishyouwell—youandthechild.ButI’mgoingtomarryElsa.We’vealwaysagreedtoleaveeachotherfree.’Mrs.Craleansweredtothat:‘Verywell,don’tsayIhaven’twarnedyou.’Hesaid:‘Whatdoyoumean?’Andshesaid:‘ImeanthatIloveyouandI’mnotgoingtoloseyou.I’dratherkillyouthanletyougotothatgirl.’”
Poirotmadeaslightgesture.
“Itoccurstome,”hemurmured,“thatMissGreerwassingularlyunwisetoraisethisissue.Mrs.Cralecouldeasilyhaverefusedherhusbandadivorce.”
“Wehadsomeevidencebearingonthatpoint,”saidHale.“Mrs.Crale,itseems,confidedpartlyinMr.MeredithBlake.Hewasanoldandtrustedfriend.HewasverydistressedandmanagedtogetawordwithMr.Craleaboutit.This,Imaysay,wasontheprecedingafternoon.Mr.Blakeremonstrateddelicatelywithhisfriend,saidhowdistressedhewouldbeifthemarriagebetweenMr.andMrs.Cralewastobreakupsodisastrously.HealsostressedthepointthatMissGreerwasaveryyounggirlandthatitwasaveryseriousthingtodragayounggirlthroughthedivorcecourt.TothisMr.Cralereplied,withachuckle(calloussortofbrutehemusthavebeen):‘Thatisn’tElsa’sideaatall.Sheisn’tgoingtoappear.Weshallfixitupintheusualway.’”
Poirotsaid:“ThereforeevenmoreimprudentofMissGreertohavebrokenoutthewayshedid.”
SuperintendentHalesaid:
“Oh,youknowwhatwomenare!Havetogetateachother’sthroats.Itmusthavebeenadifficultsituationanyhow.Ican’tunderstandMr.Craleallowingittohappen.AccordingtoMr.MeredithBlakehewantedtofinishhispicture.Doesthatmakesensetoyou?”
“Yes,myfriend,Ithinkitdoes.”
“Itdoesn’ttome.Themanwasaskingfortrouble!”
“Hewasprobabyseriouslyannoyedwithhisyoungwomanforbreakingoutthewayshedid.”
“Oh,hewas.MeredithBlakesaidso.IfhehadtofinishthepictureIdon’tseewhyhecouldn’thavetakensomephotographsandworkedfromthem.Iknowachap—doeswatercoloursofplaces—hedoesthat.”
Poirotshookhishead.
“No—IcanunderstandCraletheartist.Youmustrealize,myfriend,thatatthatmoment,probably,hispicturewasallthatmatteredtoCrale.Howevermuchhewantedtomarrythegirl,thepicturecamefirst.That’swhyhehopedtogetthroughhervisitwithoutitscomingtoanopenissue.Thegirl,ofcourse,didn’tseeitthatway.Withwomen,lovealwayscomesfirst.”
“Don’tIknowit?”saidSuperintendentHalewithfeeling.
“Men,”continuedPoirot,“andespeciallyartists—aredifferent.”
“Art!”saidtheSuperintendentwithscorn.“AllthistalkaboutArt!IneverhaveunderstooditandInevershall!YoushouldhaveseenthatpictureCralewaspainting.Alllopsided.He’dmadethegirllookasthoughshe’dgottoothache,andthebattlementswereallcock-eyed.Unpleasantlooking,thewholething.Icouldn’tgetitoutofmymindforalongtimeafterwards.Ievendreamtaboutit.Andwhat’smoreitaffectedmyeyesight—Ibegantoseebattlementsandwallsandthingsalloutofdrawing.Yes,andwomentoo!”
Poirotsmiled.Hesaid:
“Althoughyoudonotknowit,youarepayingatributetothegreatnessofAmyasCrale’sart.”
“Nonsense.Whycan’tapainterpaintsomethingniceandcheerfultolookat?Whygooutofyourwaytolookforugliness?”
“Someofus,moncher,seebeautyincuriousplaces.”
“Thegirlwasagoodlooker,allright,”saidHale.“Lotsofmakeupandnexttonoclotheson.Itisn’tdecentthewaythesegirlsgoabout.Andthatwassixteenyearsago,mindyou.Nowadaysonewouldn’tthinkanythingofit.Butthen—well,itshockedme.Trousersandoneofthosecanvasshirts,openattheneck—andnotanotherthing,Ishouldsay!”
“Youseemtorememberthesepointsverywell,”murmuredPoirotslyly.
SuperintendentHaleblushed.“I’mjustpassingontheimpressionIgot,”hesaidausterely.
“Quite—quite,”saidPoirotsoothingly.Hewenton:
“SoitwouldseemthattheprincipalwitnessesagainstMrs.CralewerePhilipBlakeandElsaGreer?”
“Yes.Vehement,theywere,bothofthem.Butthegovernesswascalledbytheprosecutiontoo,andwhatshesaidcarriedmoreweightthantheothertwo.ShewasonMrs.Crale’ssideentirely,yousee.Upinarmsforher.Butshewasanhonestwomanandgaveherevidencetruthfullywithouttryingtominimizeitinanyway.”
“AndMeredithBlake?”
“Hewasverydistressedbythewholething,poorgentleman.Aswellhemightbe!Blamedhimselfforhisdrugbrewing—andthecoronerblamedhimforittoo.ConiineandAESaltscomesunderScheduleIofthePoisonsActs.Hecameinforsomeprettysharpcensure.Hewasafriendofbothparties,andithithimveryhard—besidesbeingthekindofcountygentlemanwhoshrinksfromnotorietyandbeinginthepubliceye.”
“DidnotMrs.Crale’syoungsistergiveevidence?”
“No.Itwasn’tnecessary.Shewasn’ttherewhenMrs.Cralethreatenedherhusband,andtherewasnothingshecouldtellusthatwecouldn’tgetfromsomeoneelseequallywell.ShesawMrs.Cralegototherefrigeratorandgettheicedbeeroutand,ofcourse,theDefencecouldhavesubp?naedhertosaythatMrs.Craletookitstraightdownwithouttamperingwithitinanyway.Butthatpointwasn’trelevantbecauseweneverclaimedthattheconiinewasinthebeerbottle.”
“Howdidshemanagetoputitintheglasswiththosetwolookingon?”
“Well,firstofall,theyweren’tlookingon.Thatistosay,Mr.Cralewaspainting—lookingathiscanvasandatthesitter.AndMissGreerwasposed,sittingwithherbackalmosttowhereMrs.Cralewasstanding,andhereyeslookingoverMr.Crale’sshoulder.”
Poirotnodded.
“AsIsayneitherofthetwowaslookingatMrs.Crale.Shehadthestuffinoneofthosepipettethings—oneusedtofillfountainpenswiththem.Wefounditcrushedtosplintersonthepathuptothehouse.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Youhaveananswertoeverything.”
“Well,comenow,Mr.Poirot!Withoutprejudice.Shethreatenstokillhim.Shetakesthestufffromthelaboratory.Theemptybottleisfoundinherroomandnobodyhashandleditbuther.Shedeliberatelytakesdownicedbeertohim—afunnything,anyway,whenyourealizethattheyweren’tonspeakingterms—”
“Averycuriousthing.Ihadalreadyremarkedonit.”
“Yes.Bitofagiveaway.Whywasshesoamiableallofasudden?Hecomplainsofthetasteofthestuff—andconiinehasanastytaste.Shearrangestofindthebodyandshesendstheotherwomanofftotelephone.Why?Sothatshecanwipethatbottleandglassandthenpresshisfingersonit.Afterthatshecanpipeupandsaythatitwasremorseandthathecommittedsuicide.Alikelystory.”
“Itwascertainlynotverywellimagined.”
“No.Ifyouaskmeshedidn’ttakethetroubletothink.Shewassoeatenupwithhateandjealousy.Allshethoughtofwasdoinghimin.Andthen,whenit’sover,whensheseeshimtheredead—well,then,Ishouldsay,shesuddenlycomestoherselfandrealizesthatwhatshe’sdoneismurder—andthatyougethangedformurder.Anddesperatelyshegoesbaldheadedfortheonlythingshecanthinkof—whichissuicide.”
Poirotsaid:
“Itisverysoundwhatyousaythere—yes.Hermindmightworkthatway.”
“Inawayitwasapremeditatedcrimeandinawayitwasn’t,”saidHale.“Idon’tbelieveshereallythoughtitout,youknow.Justwentonwithitblindly.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Iwonder….”
Halelookedathimcuriously.Hesaid:
“HaveIconvincedyou,Mr.Poirot,thatitwasastraightforwardcase?”
“Almost.Notquite.Thereareoneortwopeculiarpoints…!”
“Canyousuggestanalternativesolution—thatwillholdwater?”
Poirotsaid:
“Whatwerethemovementsoftheotherpeopleonthatmorning?”
“Wewentintothem,Icanassureyou.Wecheckeduponeverybody.Nobodyhadwhatyoucouldcallanalibi—youcan’thavewithpoisoning.Why,there’snothingtopreventawould-bemurdererfromhandinghisvictimsomepoisoninacapsulethedaybefore,tellinghimit’saspecificcureforindigestionandhemusttakeitbeforelunch—andthengoingawaytotheotherendofEngland.”
“Butyoudon’tthinkthathappenedinthiscase?”
“Mr.Craledidn’tsufferfromindigestion.AndinanycaseIcan’tseethatkindofthinghappening.It’struethatMr.MeredithBlakewasgiventorecommendingquacknostrumsofhisownconcocting,butIdon’tseeMr.Craletryinganyofthem.Andifhedidhe’dprobablytalkandjokeaboutit.Besides,whyshouldMr.MeredithBlakewanttokillMr.Crale?Everythinggoestoshowthathewasonverygoodtermswithhim.Theyallwere.Mr.PhilipBlakewashisbestfriend.MissGreerwasinlovewithhim.MissWilliamsdisapprovedofhim,Iimagine,verystrongly—butmoraldisapprobationdoesn’tleadtopoisoning.LittleMissWarrenscrappedwithhimalot,shewasatatiresomeage—justofftoschool,Ibelieve,buthewasquitefondofherandsheofhim.Shewastreated,youknow,withparticulartendernessandconsiderationinthathouse.Youmayhaveheardwhy.Shewasbadlyinjuredwhenshewasachild—injuredbyMrs.Craleinakindofmaniacalfitofrage.Thatrathershows,doesn’tit,thatshewasaprettyuncontrolledsortofperson?Togoforachild—andmaimherforlife!”
“Itmightshow,”saidPoirotthoughtfully,“thatAngelaWarrenhadgoodreasontobearagrudgeagainstCarolineCrale.”
“Perhaps—butnotagainstAmyasCrale.AndanywayMrs.Cralewasdevotedtoheryoungsister—gaveherahomewhenherparentsdied,and,asIsay,treatedherwithspecialaffection—spoiledherbadly,sotheysay.ThegirlwasobviouslyfondofMrs.Crale.Shewaskeptawayfromthetrialandshelteredfromitallasfaraspossible—Mrs.Cralewasveryinsistentaboutthat,Ibelieve.Butthegirlwasterriblyupsetandlongedtobetakentoseehersisterinprison.CarolineCralewouldn’tagree.Shesaidthatsortofthingmightinjureagirl’smentalityforlife.Shearrangedforhertogotoschoolabroad.”
Headded:
“MissWarren’sturnedoutaverydistinguishedwoman.Travellertoweirdplaces.LecturesattheRoyalGeographical—allthatsortofthing.”
“Andnooneremembersthetrial?”
“Well,it’sadifferentnameforonething.Theyhadn’teventhesamemaidenname.Theyhadthesamemotherbutdifferentfathers.Mrs.Crale’snamewasSpalding.”
“ThisMissWilliams,wasshethechild’sgoverness,orAngelaWarren’s?”
“Angela’s.Therewasanurseforthechild—butsheusedtodoafewlittlelessonswithMissWilliamseveryday,Ibelieve.”
“Wherewasthechildatthetime?”
“She’dgonewiththenursetopayavisittohergrandmother.ALadyTressillian.Awidowladywho’dlostherowntwolittlegirlsandwhowasdevotedtothiskid.”
Poirotnodded.“Isee.”
Halecontinued:
“Astothemovementsoftheotherpeopleonthedayofthemurder,Icangivethemtoyou.
“MissGreersatontheterracenearthelibrarywindowafterbreakfast.There,asIsay,sheoverheardthequarrelbetweenCraleandhiswife.AfterthatsheaccompaniedCraledowntotheBatteryandsatforhimuntillunchtimewithacoupleofbreakstoeasehermuscles
“PhilipBlakewasinthehouseafterbreakfast,andoverheardpartofthequarrel.AfterCraleandMissGreerwentoff,hereadthepaperuntilhisbrothertelephonedhim.Thereuponhewentdowntotheshoretomeethisbrother.TheywalkedtogetherupthepathagainpasttheBatterygarden.MissGreerhadjustgoneuptothehousetofetchapulloverasshefeltchillyandMrs.CralewaswithherhusbanddiscussingarrangementsforAngela’sdeparturetoschool.”
“Ah,anamicableinterview.”
“Well,no,notamicable.Cralewasfairlyshoutingather,Iunderstand.Annoyedatbeingbotheredwithdomesticdetails.Isupposeshewantedtogetthingsstraightenedupiftherewasgoingtobeabreak.”
Poirotnodded.
Halewenton:
“ThetwobrothersexchangedafewwordswithAmyasCrale.ThenMissGreerreappearedandtookupherposition,andCralepickeduphisbrushagain,obviouslywantingtogetridofthem.Theytookthehintandwentuptothehouse.ItwaswhentheywereattheBattery,bytheway,thatAmyasCralecomplainedallthebeerdowntherewashotandhiswifepromisedtosendhimdownsomeicedbeer.”
“Aha!”
“Exactly—Aha!Sweetassugarshewasaboutit.Theywentuptothehouseandsatontheterraceoutside.Mrs.CraleandAngelaWarrenbroughtthemoutbeerthere.
“Later,AngelaWarrenwentdowntobatheandPhilipBlakewentwithher.
“MeredithBlakewentdowntoaclearingwithaseatjustabovetheBatterygarden.HecouldjustseeMissGreerassheposedonthebattlementsandcouldhearhervoiceandCrale’sastheytalked.Hesatthereandthoughtovertheconiinebusiness.Hewasstillveryworriedaboutitanddidn’tknowquitewhattodo.ElsaGreersawhimandwavedherhandtohim.WhenthebellwentforlunchhecamedowntotheBatteryandElsaGreerandhewentbacktothehousetogether.HenoticedthenthatCralewaslooking,asheputit,veryqueer,buthedidn’treallythinkanythingofitatthetime.Cralewasthekindofmanwhoisneverill—andsoonedidn’timaginehewouldbe.Ontheotherhand,hedidhavemoodsoffuryanddespondencyaccordingastowhetherhispaintingwasnotgoingashelikedit.Onthoseoccasionsonelefthimaloneandsaidaslittleaspossibletohim.That’swhatthesetwodidonthisoccasion.
“Astotheothers,theservantswerebusywithhouseworkandcookinglunch.MissWilliamswasintheschoolroompartofthemorningcorrectingsomeexercisebooks.Afterwardsshetooksomehouseholdmendingtotheterrace.AngelaWarrenspentmostofthemorningwanderingaboutthegarden,climbingtreesandeatingthings—youknowwhatagirloffifteenis!Plums,sourapples,hardpears,etc.Aftershecamebacktothehouseand,asIsay,wentdownwithPhilipBlaketothebeachandhadabathebeforelunch.”
SuperintendentHalepaused:
“Nowthen,”hesaidbelligerently,“doyoufindanythingphoneyaboutthat?”
Poirotsaid:“Nothingatall.”
“Well,then!”
Thetwowordsexpressedvolumes.
“Butallthesame,”saidHerculePoirot.“Iamgoingtosatisfymyself.I—”
“Whatareyougoingtodo?”
“Iamgoingtovisitthesefivepeople—andfromeachoneIamgoingtogethisorherownstory.”
SuperintendentHalesighedwithadeepmelancholy.
Hesaid:
“Man,you’renuts!Noneoftheirstoriesaregoingtoagree!Don’tyougraspthatelementaryfact?Notwopeoplerememberathinginthesameorderanyway.Andafterallthistime!Why,you’llhearfiveaccountsoffiveseparatemurders!”
“That,”saidPoirot,“iswhatIamcountingupon.Itwillbeveryinstructive.”
Six
THISLITTLEPIGWENTTOMARKET…
PhilipBlakewasrecognizablylikethedescriptiongivenofhimbyMontagueDepleach.Aprosperous,shrewd,jovial-lookingman—slightlyrunningtofat.
HerculePoirothadtimedhisappointmentforhalfpastsixonaSaturdayafternoon.PhilipBlakehadjustfinishedhiseighteenholes,andhehadbeenonhisgame—winningafiverfromhisopponent.Hewasinthemoodtobefriendlyandexpansive.
HerculePoirotexplainedhimselfandhiserrand.Onthisoccasionatleastheshowednounduepassionforunsulliedtruth.Itwasaquestion,Blakegathered,ofaseriesofbooksdealingwithfamouscrimes.
PhilipBlakefrowned.Hesaid:
“GoodLord,whymakeupthesethings?”
HerculePoirotshruggedhisshoulders.Hewasathismostforeigntoday.Hewasouttobedespisedbutpatronized.
Hemurmured:
“Itisthepublic.Theyeatitup—yes,eatitup.”
“Ghouls,”saidPhilipBlake.
Buthesaiditgood-humouredly—notwiththefastidiousnessandthedistastethatamoresensitivemanmighthavedisplayed.
HerculePoirotsaidwithashrugoftheshoulders:
“Itishumannature.YouandI,Mr.Blake,whoknowtheworld,havenoillusionsaboutourfellowhumanbeings.Notbadpeople,mostofthem,butcertainlynottobeidealized.”
Blakesaidheartily:
“I’vepartedwithmyillusionslongago.”
“Instead,youtellaverygoodstory,soIhavebeentold.”
“Ah!”Blake’seyestwinkled.“Heardthisone?”
Poirot’slaughcameattherightplace.Itwasnotanedifyingstory,butitwasfunny.
PhilipBlakelaybackinhischair,hismusclesrelaxed,hiseyescreasedwithgoodhumour.
HerculePoirotthoughtsuddenlythathelookedratherlikeacontentedpig.
Apig.Thislittlepigwenttomarket….
Whatwashelike,thisman,thisPhilipBlake?Aman,itwouldseem,withoutcares.Prosperous,contented.Noremorsefulthoughts,nouneasytwingesofconsciencefromthepast,nohauntingmemorieshere.No,awell-fedpigwhohadgonetomarket—andfetchedthefullmarketprice….
Butonce,perhaps,therehadbeenmoretoPhilipBlake.Hemusthavebeen,whenyoung,ahandsomeman.Eyesalwaysashadetoosmall,afractiontooneartogether,perhaps—butotherwiseawellmade,wellsetupyoungman.Howoldwashenow?Ataguessbetweenfiftyandsixty.Nearingforty,then,atthetimeofCrale’sdeath.Lessstultified,then,lesssunkinthegratificationsoftheminute.Askingmoreoflife,perhaps,andreceivingless….
Poirotmurmuredasamerecatch-phrase:
“Youcomprehendmyposition.”
“No,really,youknow,I’mhangedifIdo.”Thestockbrokersatuprightagain,hisglancewasoncemoreshrewd.“Whyyou?You’renotawriter?”
“Notprecisely—no.ActuallyIamadetective.”
ThemodestyofthisremarkhadprobablynotbeenequalledbeforeinPoirot’sconversation.
“Ofcourseyouare.Weallknowthat.ThefamousHerculePoirot!”
Buthistoneheldasubtlymockingnote.Intrinsically,PhilipBlakewastoomuchofanEnglishmantotakethepretensionsofaforeignerseriously.
Tohiscronieshewouldhavesaid:
“Quaintlittlemountebank.Ohwell,Iexpecthisstuffgoesdownwiththewomenallright.”
AndalthoughthatderisivepatronizingattitudewasexactlytheonewhichHerculePoirothadaimedatinducing,neverthelesshefoundhimselfannoyedbyit.
Thisman,thissuccessfulmanofaffairs,wasunimpressedbyHerculePoirot!Itwasascandal.
“Iamgratified,”saidPoirotuntruly,“thatIamsowellknowntoyou.Mysuccess,letmetellyou,hasbeenfoundedonthepsychology—theeternalwhy?ofhumanbehaviour.That,Mr.Blake,iswhatintereststheworldincrimetoday.Itusedtoberomance.Famouscrimeswereretoldfromoneangleonly—thelovestoryconnectedwiththem.Nowadaysitisverydifferent.PeoplereadwithinterestthatDr.Crippenmurderedhiswifebecauseshewasabigbouncingwomanandhewaslittleandinsignificantandthereforeshemadehimfeelinferior.Theyreadofsomefamouswomancriminalthatshekilledbecauseshe’dbeensnubbedbyherfatherwhenshewasthreeyearsold.Itis,asIsay,thewhyofcrimethatinterestsnowadays.”
PhilipBlakesaid,withaslightyawn:
“Thewhyofmostcrimesisobviousenough,Ishouldsay.Usuallymoney.”
Poirotcried:
“Ah,butmydearsir,thewhymustneverbeobvious.Thatisthewholepoint!”
“Andthat’swhereyoucomein?”
“Andthat,asyousay,iswhereIcomein!Itisproposedtorewritethestoriesofcertainbygonecrimes—fromthepsychologicalangle.Psychologyincrime,itismyspeciality.Ihaveacceptedthecommission.”
PhilipBlakegrinned.
“Prettylucrative,Isuppose?”
“Ihopeso—Icertainlyhopeso.”
“Congratulations.Now,perhaps,you’lltellmewhereIcomein?”
“Mostcertainly.TheCralecase,Monsieur.”
PhillipBlakedidnotlookstartled.Buthelookedthoughtful.Hesaid:
“Yes,ofcourse,theCralecase….”
HerculePoirotsaidanxiously:
“Itisnotdispleasingtoyou,Mr.Blake?”
“Oh,astothat.”PhilipBlakeshruggedhisshoulders.“It’snouseresentingathingthatyou’venopowertostop.ThetrialofCarolineCraleispublicproperty.Anyonecangoaheadandwriteitup.It’snousemyobjecting.Inaway—Idon’tmindtellingyou—Idodislikeitagooddeal.AmyasCralewasoneofmybestfriends.I’msorrythewholeunsavourybusinesshastoberakedupagain.Butthesethingshappen.”
“Youareaphilosopher,Mr.Blake.”
“No,no.Ijustknowenoughnottostartkickingagainstthepricks.Idaresayyou’lldoitlessoffensivelythanmanyothers.”
“Ihope,atleast,towritewithdelicacyandgoodtaste,”saidPoirot.
PhilipBlakegavealoudguffawbutwithoutanyrealamusement.“Makesmechuckletohearyousaythat.”
“Iassureyou,Mr.Blake,Iamreallyinterested.Itisnotjustamatterofmoneywithme.Igenuinelywanttorecreatethepast,tofeelandseetheeventsthattookplace,toseebehindtheobviousandtovisualizethethoughtsandfeelingsoftheactorsinthedrama.”
PhilipBlakesaid:
“Idon’tknowthattherewasmuchsubtletyaboutit.Itwasaprettyobviousbusiness.Crudefemalejealousy,thatwasalltherewastoit.”
“Itwouldinterestmeenormously,Mr.Blake,ifIcouldhaveyourownreactionstotheaffair.”
PhilipBlakesaidwithsuddenheat,hisfacedeepeningincolour.
“Reactions!Reactions!Don’tspeaksopedantically.Ididn’tjuststandthereandreact!Youdon’tseemtounderstandthatmyfriend—myfriend,Itellyou,hadbeenkilled—poisoned!AndthatifI’dactedquickerIcouldhavesavedhim.”
“Howdoyoumakethatout,Mr.Blake?”
“Likethis.Itakeitthatyou’vealreadyreadupthefactsofthecase?”Poirotnodded.“Verywell.NowonthatmorningmybrotherMeredithcalledmeup.Hewasinaprettygoodstew.OneofhisHellbrewswasmissing—anditwasafairlydeadlyHellbrew.WhatdidIdo?Itoldhimtocomealongandwe’dtalkitover.Decidewhatwasbesttobedone.‘Decidewhatwasbest.’ItbeatsmenowhowIcouldhavebeensuchahesitatingfool!Ioughttohaverealizedthattherewasnotimetolose.IoughttohavegonetoAmyasstraightawayandwarnedhim.Ioughttohavesaid:‘Caroline’spinchedoneofMeredith’spatentpoisons,andyouandElsahadbetterlookoutforyourselves.’”
Blakegotup.Hestrodeupanddowninhisexcitement.
“GoodGod,man.DoyousupposeIhaven’tgoneoveritinmymindagainandagain?Iknew.Ihadthechancetosavehim—andIdalliedabout—waitingforMeredith!Whyhadn’tIthesensetorealizethatCarolinewasn’tgoingtohaveanyqualmsorhesitancies.She’dtakenthatstufftouse—and,byGod,she’duseditattheveryfirstopportunity.Shewouldn’twaittillMeredithdiscoveredhisloss.Iknew—ofcourseIknew—thatAmyaswasindeadlydanger—andIdidnothing!”
“Ithinkyoureproachyourselfunduly,Monsieur.Youhadnotmuchtime—”
Theotherinterruptedhim:
“Time?Ihadplentyoftime.Anyamountofcoursesopentome.IcouldhavegonetoAmyas,asIsay—buttherewasthechance,ofcourse,thathewouldn’tbelieveme.Amyaswasn’tthesortofmanwho’dbelieveeasilyinhisowndanger.He’dhavescoffedatthenotion.AndheneverthoroughlyunderstoodthesortofdevilCarolinewas.ButIcouldhavegonetoher.Icouldhavesaid:‘Iknowwhatyou’reupto.Iknowwhatyou’replanningtodo.ButifAmyasorElsadieofconiinepoisoning,you’llbehangedbyyourneck!’Thatwouldhavestoppedher.OrImighthaverungupthepolice.Oh!therewerethingsthatcouldhavebeendone—andinstead,IletmyselfbeinfluencedbyMeredith’sslow,cautiousmethods.‘Wemustbesure—talkitover—makequitecertainwhocouldhavetakenit…’Damnedoldfool—nevermadeaquickdecisioninhislife!Agoodthingforhimhewastheeldestsonandhasanestatetoliveon.Ifhe’devertriedtomakemoneyhe’dhavelosteverypennyhehad.”
Poirotasked:
“Youhadnodoubtyourselfwhohadtakenthepoison?”
“Ofcoursenot.IknewatonceitmustbeCaroline.Yousee,IknewCarolineverywell.”
Poirotsaid:
“Thatisveryinteresting.Iwanttoknow,Mr.Blake,whatkindofawomanCarolineCralewas?”
PhilipBlakesaidsharply:
“Shewasn’ttheinjuredinnocentpeoplethoughtshewasatthetimeofthetrial!”
“Whatwasshe,then?”
Blakesatdownagain.Hesaidseriously:
“Wouldyoureallyliketoknow?”
“Iwouldliketoknowverymuchindeed.”
“Carolinewasarotter.Shewasarotterthroughandthrough.Mindyou,shehadcharm.Shehadthatkindofsweetnessofmannerthatdeceivespeopleutterly.Shehadafrail,helplesslookaboutherthatappealedtopeople’schivalry.Sometimes,whenI’vereadabitofhistory,IthinkMaryQueenofScotsmusthavebeenabitlikeher.Alwayssweetandunfortunateandmagnetic—andactuallyacoldcalculatingwoman,aschemingwomanwhoplannedthemurderofDarnleyandgotawaywithit.Carolinewaslikethat—acold,calculatingplanner.Andshehadawickedtemper.
“Idon’tknowwhetherthey’vetoldyou—itisn’tavitalpointofthetrial,butitshowsherup—whatshedidtoherbabysister?Shewasjealous,youknow.Hermotherhadmarriedagain,andallthenoticeandaffectionwenttolittleAngela.Carolinecouldn’tstandthat.Shetriedtokillthebabywithacrowbar—smashitsheadin.Luckilytheblowwasn’tfatal.Butitwasaprettyghastlythingtodo.”
“Yes,indeed.”
“Well,thatwastherealCaroline.Shehadtobefirst.Thatwasthethingshesimplycouldnotstand—notbeingfirst.Andtherewasacold,egotisticaldevilinherthatwascapableofbeingstirredtomurderouslengths.
“Sheappearedimpulsive,youknow,butshewasreallycalculating.WhenshestayedatAlderburyasagirl,shegaveusalltheonceoverandmadeherplans.She’dnomoneyofherown.Iwasneverintherunning—ayoungersonwithhiswaytomake.(Funny,that,IcouldprobablybuyupMeredithandCrale,ifhe’dlived,nowadays!)SheconsideredMeredithforabit,butshefinallyfixedonAmyas.AmyaswouldhaveAlderbury,andthoughhewouldn’thavemuchmoneywithit,sherealizedthathistalentasapainterwassomethingquiteoutoftheway.Shegambledonhisbeingnotonlyageniusbutafinancialsuccessaswell.
“Andshewon.RecognitioncametoAmyasearly.Hewasn’tafashionablepainterexactly—buthisgeniuswasrecognizedandhispictureswerebought.Haveyouseenanyofhispaintings?There’sonehere.Comeandlookatit.”
Heledthewayintothediningroomandpointedtotheleft-handwall.
“Thereyouare.That’sAmyas.”
Poirotlookedinsilence.Itcametohimwithfreshamazementthatamancouldsoimbueaconventionalsubjectwithhisownparticularmagic.Avaseofrosesonapolishedmahoganytable.Thathoaryoldsetpiece.HowthendidAmyasCralecontrivetomakehisrosesflameandburnwithariotousalmostobscenelife.Thepolishedwoodofthetabletrembledandtookonsentientlife.Howexplaintheexcitementthepictureroused?Foritwasexciting.TheproportionsofthetablewouldhavedistressedSuperintendentHale,hewouldhavecomplainedthatnoknownroseswerepreciselyofthatshapeorcolour.Andafterwardshewouldhavegoneaboutwonderingvaguelywhytheroseshesawwereunsatisfactory,androundmahoganytableswouldhaveannoyedhimfornoknownreason.
Poirotgavealittlesigh.
Hemurmured:
“Yes—itisallthere.”
Blakeledthewayback.Hemumbled:
“Neverhaveunderstoodanythingaboutartmyself.Don’tknowwhyIlikelookingatthatthingsomuch,butIdo.It’s—oh,damnitall,it’sgood.”
Poirotnoddedemphatically.
Blakeofferedhisguestacigaretteandlitonehimself.Hesaid:
“Andthat’stheman—themanwhopaintedthoseroses—themanwhopaintedthe‘WomanwithaCocktailShaker’—themanwhopaintedthatamazingpainful‘Nativity,’that’sthemanwhowascutshortinhisprime,deprivedofhisvividforcefullifeallbecauseofavindictivemean-naturedwoman!”
Hepaused:
“You’llsaythatI’mbitter—thatI’mundulyprejudicedagainstCaroline.Shehadcharm—I’vefeltit.ButIknew—Ialwaysknew—therealwomanbehind.Andthatwoman,Mr.Poirot,wasevil.Shewascruelandmalignantandagrabber!”
“AndyetithasbeentoldmethatMrs.Craleputupwithmanyhardthingsinhermarriedlife?”
“Yes,anddidn’tsheleteverybodyknowaboutit!Alwaysthemartyr!PooroldAmyas.Hismarriedlifewasonelonghell—orratheritwouldhavebeenifithadn’tbeenforhisexceptionalquality.Hisart,yousee—healwayshadthat.Itwasanescape.Whenhewaspaintinghedidn’tcare,heshookoffCarolineandhernaggingandalltheceaselessrowsandquarrels.Theywereendless,youknow.Notaweekpassedwithoutathunderingrowoveronethingoranother.Sheenjoyedit.Havingrowsstimulatedher,Ibelieve.Itwasanoutlet.Shecouldsayallthehardbitterstingingthingsshewantedtosay.She’dpositivelypurrafteroneofthoseset-tos—goofflookingassleekandwell-fedasacat.Butittookitoutofhim.Hewantedpeace—rest—aquietlife.Ofcourseamanlikethatoughtnevertomarry—heisn’toutfordomesticity.AmanlikeCraleshouldhaveaffairsbutnobindingties.They’reboundtochafehim.”
“Heconfidedinyou?”
“Well—heknewthatIwasaprettydevotedpal.Heletmeseethings.Hedidn’tcomplain.Hewasn’tthatkindofman.Sometimeshe’dsay,‘Damnallwomen.’Orhe’dsay,‘Nevergetmarried,oldboy.Waitforhelltillafterthislife.’”
“YouknewabouthisattachmenttoMissGreer?”
“Ohyes—atleastIsawitcomingon.Hetoldmehe’dmetamarvellousgirl.Shewasdifferent,hesaid,fromanythingoranyonehe’devermetbefore.NotthatIpaidmuchattentiontothat.Amyaswasalwaysmeetingonewomanorotherwhowas‘different.’Usuallyamonthlaterhe’dstareatyouifyoumentionedthem,andwonderwhoyouweretalkingabout!ButthisElsaGreerreallywasdifferent.IrealizedthatwhenIcamedowntoAlderburytostay.She’dgothim,youknow,hookedhimgoodandproper.Thepoormuttfairlyateoutofherhand.”
“YoudidnotlikeElsaGreereither?”
“No,Ididn’tlikeher.Shewasdefinitelyapredatorycreature.She,too,wantedtoownCralebodyandsoul.ButIthink,allthesame,thatshe’dhavebeenbetterforhimthanCaroline.Shemightconceivablyhavelethimaloneonceshewassureofhim.Orshemighthavegottiredofhimandmovedontosomeoneelse.ThebestthingforAmyaswouldhavebeentobequitefreeoffemaleentanglements.”
“Butthat,itwouldseem,wasnottohistaste?”
PhilipBlakesaidwithasigh:
“Thedamnedfoolwasalwaysgettinghimselfinvolvedwithsomewomanorother.Andyet,inaway,womenreallymeantverylittletohim.TheonlytwowomenwhoreallymadeanyimpressiononhimatallinhislifewereCarolineandElsa.”
Poirotsaid:
“Washefondofthechild?”
“Angela?Oh!wealllikedAngela.Shewassuchasport.Shewasalwaysgameforanything.Whatalifesheledthatwretchedgovernessofhers.Yes,AmyaslikedAngelaallright—butsometimesshewenttoofarandthenheusedtogetreallymadwithher—andthenCarolinewouldstepin—CarowasalwaysonAngela’ssideandthatwouldfinishAmyasaltogether.HehateditwhenCarosidedwithAngelaagainsthim.Therewasabitofjealousyallround,youknow.AmyaswasjealousofthewayCaroalwaysputAngelafirstandwoulddoanythingforher.AndAngelawasjealousofAmyasandrebelledagainsthisoverbearingways.Itwashisdecisionthatsheshouldgotoschoolthatautumn,andshewasfuriousaboutit.Not,Ithink,becauseshedidn’tliketheideaofschool,shereallyratherwantedtogo,Ibelieve—butitwasAmyas’shigh-handedwayofsettlingitalloffhandthatinfuriatedher.Sheplayedallsortsoftricksonhiminrevenge.Oncesheputtenslugsinhisbed.Onthewhole,IthinkAmyaswasright.Itwastimeshegotsomediscipline.MissWilliamswasveryefficient,butevensheconfessedthatAngelawasgettingtoomuchforher.”
Hepaused.Poirotsaid:
“WhenIaskedifAmyaswasfondofthechild—Ireferredtohisownchild,hisdaughter?”
“Oh,youmeanlittleCarla?Yes,shewasagreatpet.Heenjoyedplayingwithherwhenhewasinthemood.Buthisaffectionforherwouldn’thavedeterredhimfrommarryingElsa,ifthat’swhatyoumean.Hehadn’tthatkindoffeelingforher.”
“WasCarolineCraleverydevotedtothechild?”AkindofspasmcontortedPhilip’sface.Hesaid:
“Ican’tsaythatshewasn’tagoodmother.No,Ican’tsaythat.It’stheonething—”
“Yes,Mr.Blake?”
Philipsaidslowlyandpainfully:
“It’stheonethingIreally—regret—inthisaffair.Thethoughtofthatchild.Suchatragicbackgroundtoheryounglife.TheysentherabroadtoAmyas’scousinandherhusband.Ihope—Isincerelyhope—theymanagedtokeepthetruthfromher.”
Poirotshookhishead.Hesaid:
“Thetruth,Mr.Blake,hasahabitofmakingitselfknown.Evenaftermanyyears.”
Thestockbrokermurmured:“Iwonder.”
Poirotwenton:
“Intheinterestsoftruth,Mr.Blake,Iamgoingtoaskyoutodosomething.”
“Whatisit?”
“IamgoingtobegthatyouwillwritemeoutanexactaccountofwhathappenedonthosedaysatAlderbury.Thatistosay,Iamgoingtoaskyoutowritemeoutafullaccountofthemurderanditsattendantcircumstances.”
“But,mydearfellow,afterallthistime?Ishouldbehopelesslyinaccurate.”
“Notnecessarily.”
“Surely.”
“No,foronething,withthepassageoftime,themindretainsaholdonessentialsandrejectssuperficialmatters.”
“Ho!Youmeanamerebroadoutline?”
“Notatall.Imeanadetailedconscientiousaccountofeacheventasitoccurred,andeveryconversationyoucanremember.”
“AndsupposingIrememberthemwrong?”
“Youcangivethewordingatleasttothebestofyourreflection.Theremaybegaps,butthatcannotbehelped.”
Blakelookedathimcuriously.
“Butwhat’stheidea?Thepolicefileswillgiveyouthewholethingfarmoreaccurately.”
“No,Mr.Blake.Wearespeakingnowfromthepsychologicalpointofview.Idonotwantbarefacts.Iwantyourownselectionsoffacts.Timeandyourmemoryareresponsibleforthatselection.Theremayhavebeenthingsdone,wordsspoken,thatIshouldseekforinvaininthepolicefiles.Thingsandwordsthatyounevermentionedbecause,maybe,youjudgedthemirrelevant,orbecauseyoupreferrednottorepeatthem.”
Blakesaidsharply:
“Isthisaccountofmineforpublication?”
“Certainlynot.Itisformyeyeonly.Toassistmetodrawmyowndeductions.”
“Andyouwon’tquotefromitwithoutmyconsent?”
“Certainlynot.”
“Hm,”saidPhilipBlake.“I’maverybusyman,Mr.Poirot.”
“Iappreciatethattherewillbetimeandtroubleinvolved.Ishouldbehappytoagreetoa—reasonablefee.”
Therewasamoment’spause.ThenPhilipBlakesaidsuddenly:
“No,ifIdoit—I’lldoitfornothing.”
“Andyouwilldoit?”
Philipsaidwarningly:
“Remember,Ican’tvouchfortheaccuracyofmymemory.”
“Thatisperfectlyunderstood.”
“ThenIthink,”saidPhilipBlake,“thatIshouldliketodoit.IfeelIoweit—inaway—toAmyasCrale.”
Seven
THISLITTLEPIGSTAYEDATHOME
HerculePoirotwasnotamantoneglectdetails.
HisadvancetowardsMeredithBlakewascarefullythoughtout.MeredithBlakewas,healreadyfeltsure,averydifferentpropositionfromPhilipBlake.Rushtacticswouldnotsucceedhere.Theassaultmustbeleisurely.
HerculePoirotknewthattherewasonlyonewaytopenetratethestronghold.HemustapproachMeredithBlakewiththepropercredentials.Thosecredentialsmustbesocial,notprofessional.Fortunately,inthecourseofhiscareer,HerculePoirothadmadefriendsinmanycounties.Devonshirewasnoexception.HesatdowntoreviewwhatresourceshehadinDevonshire.AsaresulthediscoveredtwopeoplewhowereacquaintancesorfriendsofMr.MeredithBlake.Hedescendeduponhimthereforearmedwithtwoletters,onefromLadyMaryLytton-Gore,agentlewidowladyofrestrictedmeans,themostretiringofcreatures;andtheotherfromaretiredAdmiral,whosefamilyhadbeensettledinthecountyforfourgenerations.
MeredithBlakereceivedPoirotinastateofsomeperplexity.
Ashehadoftenfeltlately,thingswerenotwhattheyusedtobe.Dashitall,privatedetectivesusedtobeprivatedetectives—fellowsyougottoguardweddingpresentsatcountryreceptions,fellowsyouwentto—rathershamefacedly—whentherewassomedirtybusinessafootandyou’dgottogetthehangofit.
ButherewasLadyMaryLytton-Gorewriting:“HerculePoirotisaveryoldandvaluedfriendofmine.Pleasedoallyoucantohelphim,won’tyou?”AndMaryLytton-Gorewasn’t—no,decidedlyshewasn’t—thesortofwomanyouassociatewithprivatedetectivesandallthattheystandfor.AndAdmiralCronshawwrote:“Verygoodchap—absolutelysound.Gratefulifyouwilldowhatyoucanforhim.Mostentertainingfellow,cantellyoulotsofgoodstories.”
Andnowherewasthemanhimself.Reallyamostimpossibleperson—thewrongclothes—buttonboots!—anincrediblemoustache!Nothis—MeredithBlake’s—kindoffellowatall.Didn’tlookasthoughhe’deverhuntedorshot—orevenplayedadecentgame.Aforeigner.
Slightlyamused,HerculePoirotreadaccuratelythesethoughtspassingthroughtheother’shead.
HehadfelthisowninterestrisingconsiderablyasthetrainbroughthimintotheWestCountry.Hewouldseenow,withhisowneyes,theactualplacewheretheselongpasteventshappened.
Itwashere,atHandcrossManor,thattwoyoungbrothershadlivedandgoneovertoAlderburyandjokedandplayedtennisandfraternizedwithayoungAmyasCraleandagirlcalledCaroline.ItwasfromherethatMeredithhadstartedouttoAlderburyonthatfatalmorning.Thathadbeensixteenyearsago.HerculePoirotlookedwithinterestatthemanwhowasconfrontinghimwithsomewhatuneasypoliteness.
Verymuchwhathehadexpected.MeredithBlakeresembledsuperficiallyeveryotherEnglishcountrygentlemanofstraitenedmeansandoutdoortastes.
AshabbyoldcoatofHarristweed,aweather-beaten,pleasant,middle-agedfacewithsomewhatfadedblueeyes,aweakmouth,halfhiddenbyaratherstragglymoustache.PoirotfoundMeredithBlakeagreatcontrasttohisbrother.Hehadahesitatingmanner,hismentalprocesseswereobviouslyleisurely.Itwasasthoughhistempohadsloweddownwiththeyearsjustashisbrother’shadbeenaccelerated.
AsPoirothadalreadyguessed,hewasamanwhomyoucouldnothurry.TheleisurelylifeoftheEnglishcountrysidewasinhisbones.
Helooked,thedetectivethought,agooddealolderthanhisbrother,though,fromwhatMr.Jonathanhadsaid,itwouldseemthatonlyacoupleofyearsseparatedthem.
HerculePoirotpridedhimselfonknowinghowtohandlean“oldschooltie.”ItwasnomomentfortryingtoseemEnglish.No,onemustbeaforeigner—franklyaforeigner—andbemagnanimouslyforgivenforthefact.“Ofcourse,theseforeignersdon’tquiteknowtheropes.Willshakehandsatbreakfast.Still,adecentfellowreally….”
Poirotsetaboutcreatingthisimpressionofhimself.Thetwomentalked,cautiously,ofLadyMaryLytton-GoreandofAdmiralCronshaw.Othernameswerementioned.FortunatelyPoirotknewsomeone’scousinandhadmetsomebodyelse’ssister-in-law.HecouldseeakindofwarmthdawningintheSquire’seye.Thefellowseemedtoknowtherightpeople.
Gracefully,insidiously,Poirotslidintothepurposeofhisvisit.Hewasquicktocounteracttheinevitablerecoil.Thisbookwas,alas!goingtobewritten.MissCrale—MissLemarchant,asshewasnowcalled—wasanxiousforhimtoexerciseajudiciouseditorship.Thefacts,unfortunately,werepublicproperty.Butmuchcouldbedoneintheirpresentationtoavoidwoundingsusceptibilities.Poirotmurmuredthatbeforenowhehadbeenabletousediscreetinfluencetoavoidcertainpurplepassagesinabookofmemoirs.
MeredithBlakeflushedangrily.Hishandshookalittleashefilledapipe.Hesaid,aslightstammerinhisvoice:
“It’s—it’sg-ghoulishthewaytheydigthesethingsup.S-sixteenyearsago.Whycan’ttheyletitbe?”
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.Hesaid:
“Iagreewithyou.Butwhatwillyou?Thereisademandforsuchthings.Andanyoneisatlibertytoreconstructaprovedcrimeandtocommentonit.”
“Seemsdisgracefultome.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Alas—wedonotliveinadelicateage…Youwouldbesurprised,Mr.Blake,ifyouknewtheunpleasantpublicationsIhadsucceededin—shallwesay—softening.IamanxioustodoallIcantosaveMissCrale’sfeelinginthematter.”
MeredithBlakemurmured:“LittleCarla!Thatchild!Agrown-upwoman.Onecanhardlybelieveit.”
“Iknow.Timefliesswiftly,doesitnot?”
MeredithBlakesighed.Hesaid:“Tooquickly.”
Poirotsaid:
“AsyouwillhaveseenintheletterIhandedyoufromMissCrale,sheisveryanxioustoknoweverythingpossibleaboutthesadeventsofthepast.”
MeredithBlakesaidwithatouchofirritation:
“Why?Whyrakeupeverythingagain?Howmuchbettertoletitallbeforgotten.”
“Yousaythat,Mr.Blake,becauseyouknowallthepasttoowell.MissCrale,remember,knowsnothing.Thatistosaysheknowsonlythestoryasshehaslearntitfromtheofficialaccounts.”
MeredithBlakewinced.Hesaid:
“Yes,Iforgot.Poorchild.Whatadetestablepositionforher.Theshockoflearningthetruth.Andthen—thosesoulless,callousreportsofthetrial.”
“Thetruth,”saidHerculePoirot,“canneverbedonejusticetoinamerelegalrecital.Itisthethingsthatareleftoutthatarethethingsthatmatter.Theemotions,thefeelings—thecharactersoftheactorsinthedrama.Theextenuatingcircumstances—”
Hepausedandtheothermanspokeeagerlylikeanactorwhohadreceivedhiscue.
“Extenuatingcircumstances!That’sjustit.Ifevertherewereextenuatingcircumstances,therewereinthiscase.AmyasCralewasanoldfriend—hisfamilyandminehadbeenfriendsforgenerations,butonehastoadmitthathisconductwas,frankly,outrageous.Hewasanartist,ofcourse,andpresumablythatexplainsit.Butthereitis—heallowedamostextraordinarysetofaffairstoarise.Thepositionwasonethatnoordinarydecentmancouldhavecontemplatedforamoment.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Iaminterestedthatyoushouldsaythat.Ithadpuzzledme,thatsituation.Notsodoesawell-bredman,amanoftheworld,goabouthisaffairs.”
Blake’sthin,hesitatingfacehadlitupwithanimation.Hesaid:
“Yes,butthewholepointisthatAmyasneverwasanordinaryman!Hewasapainter,yousee,andwithhimpaintingcamefirst—reallysometimesinthemostextraordinaryway!Idon’tunderstandtheseso-calledartisticpeoplemyself—neverhave.IunderstoodCralealittlebecause,ofcourse,I’dknownhimallmylife.Hispeoplewerethesamesortasmypeople.AndinmanywaysCralerantruetotype—itwasonlywhereartcameinthathedidn’tconformtotheusualstandards.Hewasn’t,yousee,anamateurinanyway.Hewasfirst-class—reallyfirst-class.Somepeoplesayhe’sagenius.Theymayberight.Butasaresult,hewasalwayswhatIshoulddescribeasunbalanced.Whenhewaspaintingapicture—nothingelsemattered,nothingcouldbeallowedtogetintheway.Hewaslikeamaninadream.Completelyobsessedbywhathewasdoing.Nottillthecanvaswasfinisheddidhecomeoutofthisabsorptionandstarttopickupthethreadsofordinarylifeagain.”
HelookedquestioninglyatPoirotandthelatternodded.
“Youunderstand,Isee.Well,thatexplains,Ithink,whythisparticularsituationarose.Hewasinlovewiththisgirl.Hewantedtomarryher.Hewaspreparedtoleavehiswifeandchildforher.Buthe’dstartedpaintingherdownhere,andhewantedtofinishthatpicture.Nothingelsematteredtohim.Hedidn’tseeanythingelse.Andthefactthatthesituationwasaperfectlyimpossibleoneforthetwowomenconcerned,doesn’tseemtohaveoccurredtohim.”
“Dideitherofthemunderstandhispointofview?”
“Ohyes—inaway.Elsadid,Isuppose.Shewasterrificallyenthusiasticabouthispainting.Butitwasadifficultpositionforher—naturally.AndasforCaroline—”
Hestopped.Poirotsaid:
“ForCaroline—yes,indeed.”
MeredithBlakesaid,speakingwithalittledifficulty:
“Caroline—Ihadalways—well,IhadalwaysbeenveryfondofCaroline.Therewasatimewhen—whenIhopedtomarryher.Butthatwassoonnippedinthebud.Still,Iremained,ifImaysayso,devotedto—toherservice.”
Poirotnoddedthoughtfully.Thatslightlyold-fashionedphraseexpressed,hefelt,themanbeforehimverytypically.MeredithBlakewasthekindofmanwhowoulddevotehimselfreadilytoaromanticandhonourabledevotion.Hewouldservehisladyfaithfullyandwithouthopeofreward.Yes,itwasallverymuchincharacter.
Hesaid,carefullyweighingthewords:
“Youmusthaveresentedthis—attitude—onherbehalf?”
“Idid.Oh,Idid.I—IactuallyremonstratedwithCraleonthesubject.”
“Whenwasthis?”
“Actuallythedaybefore—beforeitallhappened.Theycameovertoteahere,youknow.IgotCraleasideandI—Iputittohim.Ievensaid,Iremember,thatitwasn’tfaironeitherofthem.”
“Ah,yousaidthat?”
“Yes.Ididn’tthink—yousee,thatherealized.”
“Possiblynot.”
“IsaidtohimthatitwasputtingCarolineinaperfectlyunendurableposition.Ifhemeanttomarrythisgirl,heoughtnottohaveherstayinginthehouseand—well—moreorlessflauntherinCaroline’sface.Itwas,Isaid,anunendurableinsult.”
Poirotaskedcuriously:“Whatdidheanswer?”
MeredithBlakerepliedwithdistaste:
“Hesaid:‘Carolinemustlumpit.’”
HerculePoirot’seyebrowsrose.
“Not,”hesaid,“averysympatheticreply.”
“Ithoughtitabominable.Ilostmytemper.Isaidthatnodoubt,notcaringforhiswife,hedidn’tmindhowmuchhemadehersuffer,butwhat,Isaid,aboutthegirl?Hadn’therealizeditwasaprettyrottenpositionforher?HisreplytothatwasthatElsamustlumpittoo!
“Thenhewenton:‘Youdon’tseemtounderstand,Meredith,thatthisthingI’mpaintingisthebestthingI’vedone.It’sgood,Itellyou.Andacoupleofjealousquarrellingwomenaren’tgoingtoupsetit—no,byhell,they’renot.’
“Itwashopelesstalkingtohim.Isaidheseemedtohavetakenleaveofallordinarydecency.Painting,Isaid,wasn’teverything.Heinterruptedthere.Hesaid:‘Ah,butitistome.’
“Iwasstillveryangry.IsaiditwasperfectlydisgracefulthewayhehadalwaystreatedCaroline.Shehadhadamiserablelifewithhim.Hesaidheknewthatandhewassorryaboutit.Sorry!Hesaid:‘Iknow,Merry,youdon’tbelievethat—butit’sthetruth.I’vegivenCarolinethehellofalifeandshe’sbeenasaintaboutit.Butshedidknow,Ithink,whatshemightbelettingherselfinfor.Itoldhercandidlythesortofdamnableegoistic,loose-livingkindofchapIwas.’
“Iputittohimthenverystronglythatheoughtnottobreakuphismarriedlife.Therewasthechildtobeconsideredandeverything.IsaidthatIcouldunderstandthatagirllikeElsacouldbowlamanover,butthatevenforhersakeheoughttobreakoffthewholething.Shewasveryyoung.Shewasgoingintothisbaldheaded,butshemightregretitbitterlyafterwards.Isaidcouldn’thepullhimselftogether,makeacleanbreakandgobacktohiswife?”
“Andwhatdidhesay?”
Blakesaid:“Hejustlooked—embarrassed.Hepattedmeontheshoulderandsaid:‘You’reagoodchap,Merry.Butyou’retoosentimental.Youwaittillthepicture’sfinishedandyou’lladmitthatIwasright.’
“Isaid:‘Damnyourpicture.’AndhegrinnedandsaidalltheneuroticwomeninEnglandcouldn’tdothat.ThenIsaidthatitwouldhavebeenmoredecenttohavekeptthewholethingfromCarolineuntilafterthepicturewasfinished.Hesaidthatthatwasn’thisfault.ItwasElsawhohadinsistedonspillingthebeans.Isaid,Why?Andhesaidthatshehadhadsomeideathatitwasn’tstraightotherwise.Shewantedeverythingtobeclearandaboveboard.Well,ofcourse,inaway,onecouldunderstandthatandrespectthegirlforit.Howeverbadlyshewasbehaving,shedidatleastwanttobehonest.”
“Alotofadditionalpainandgriefiscausedbyhonesty,”remarkedHerculePoirot.
MeredithBlakelookedathimdoubtfully.Hedidnotquitelikethesentiment.Hesighed:
“Itwasa—amostunhappytimeforusall.”
“TheonlypersonwhodoesnotseemtohavebeenaffectedbyitwasAmyasCrale,”saidPoirot.
“Andwhy?Becausehewasarankegoist.Irememberhimnow.Grinningatmeashewentoffsaying:‘Don’tworry,Merry.Everything’sgoingtopanoutallright!’”
“Theincurableoptimist,”murmuredPoirot.
MeredithBlakesaid:
“Hewasthekindofmanwhodidn’ttakewomenseriously.IcouldhavetoldhimthatCarolinewasdesperate.”
“Didshetellyouso?”
“Notinsomanywords.ButIshallalwaysseeherfaceasitwasthatafternoon.Whiteandstrainedwithakindofdesperategaiety.Shetalkedandlaughedalot.Buthereyes—therewasakindofanguishedgriefinthemthatwasthemostmovingthingIhaveeverknown.Suchagentlecreature,too.”
HerculePoirotlookedathimforaminuteortwowithoutspeaking.Clearlythemaninfrontofhimfeltnoincongruityinspeakingthusofawomanwhoonthedayafterhaddeliberatelykilledherhusband.
MeredithBlakewenton.Hehadbynowquiteovercomehisfirstsuspicioushostility.HerculePoirothadthegiftoflistening.TomensuchasMeredithBlake,therelivingofthepasthasadefiniteattraction.Hespokenowalmostmoretohimselfthantohisguest.
“Ioughttohavesuspectedsomething,Isuppose.ItwasCarolinewhoturnedtheconversationto—tomylittlehobby.Itwas,Imustconfess,anenthusiasmofmine.TheoldEnglishherbalists,youknow,areaveryinterestingstudy.TherearesomanyplantsthatwereformerlyusedinmedicineandwhichhavenowdisappearedfromtheofficialPharmacop?ia.Andit’sastonishing,really,howasimpledecoctionofsomethingorotherwillreallyworkwonders.Noneedfordoctorshalfthetime.TheFrenchunderstandthesethings—someoftheirtisanesarefirstrate.”Hewaswellawaynowonhishobby.
“Dandeliontea,forinstance;marvellousstuff.Andadecoctionofhips—Isawtheotherdaysomewherethatthat’scomingintofashionwiththemedicalprofessionagain.Ohyes,Imustconfess,Igotalotofpleasureoutofmybrews.Gatheringtheplantsattherighttime,dryingthem—maceratingthem—alltherestofit.I’veevendroppedtosuperstitionsometimesandgatheredmyrootsatthefullofthemoonorwhateveritwastheancientsadvised.OnthatdayIgavemyguests,Iremember,aspecialdisquisitiononthespottedhemlock.Itflowersbiennially.Yougatherthefruitswhenthey’reripening,justbeforetheyturnyellow.Coniine,youknow,isadrugthat’sdroppedout—Idon’tbelievethere’sanyofficialpreparationofitinthelastPharmacop?ia—butI’veprovedtheusefulnessofitinwhoopingcough—andinasthmatoo,forthatmatter—”
“Youtalkedofallthisinyourlaboratory?”
“Yes,Ishowedthemround—explainedthevariousdrugstothem—valerianandthewayitattractscats—onesniffatthatwasenoughforthem!ThentheyaskedaboutdeadlynightshadeandItoldthemaboutbelladonnaandatropine.Theywereverymuchinterested.”
“They?Whatiscomprisedinthatword?”
MeredithBlakelookedfaintlysurprisedasthoughhehadforgottenthathislistenerhadnofirst-handknowledgeofthescene.
“Oh,thewholeparty.Letmesee,PhilipwasthereandAmyas,andCaroline,ofcourse.Angela.AndElsaGreer.”
“Thatwasall?”
“Yes—Ithinkso.Yes,Iamsureofit,”Blakelookedathimcuriously.“Whoelseshouldtherebe?”
“Ithoughtperhapsthegoverness—”
“Oh,Isee.No,shewasn’ttherethatafternoon.IbelieveI’veforgottenhernamenow.Nicewomen.Tookherdutiesveryseriously.AngelaworriedheragooddealIthink.”
“Whywasthat?”
“Well,shewasanicekid,butshewasinclinedtorunwild.Alwaysuptosomethingorother.PutaslugorsomethingdownAmyas’sbackonedaywhenhewashardatworkpainting.Hewentupinsmoke.Cursedherupanddowndale.Itwasafterthatthatheinsistedonthisschoolidea.”
“Sendinghertoschool?”
“Yes.Idon’tmeanhewasn’tfondofher,buthefoundherabitofanuisancesometimes.AndIthink—I’vealwaysthought—”
“Yes?”
“Thathewasabitjealous.Caroline,yousee,wasaslavetoAngela.Inaway,perhaps,Angelacamefirstwithher—andAmyasdidn’tlikethat.Therewasareasonforitofcourse.Iwon’tgointothat,but—”
Poirotinterrupted.
“ThereasonbeingthatCarolineCralereproachedherselfforanactionthathaddisfiguredthegirl?”
Blakeexclaimed:“Oh,youknowthat?Iwasn’tgoingtomentionit.Alloveranddonewith.Butyes,thatwasthecauseofherattitudeIthink.Shealwaysseemedtofeelthattherewasnothingtoomuchshecoulddo—tomakeup,asitwere.”
Poirotnoddedthoughtfully.Heasked:
“AndAngela?Didshebearagrudgeagainstherhalfsister?”
“Ohno,don’trunawaywiththatidea.AngelawasdevotedtoCaroline.Shenevergavethatoldbusinessathought,I’msure.ItwasjustCarolinewhocouldn’tforgiveherself.”
“DidAngelatakekindlytotheideaofboardingschool?”
“No,shedidn’t.ShewasfuriouswithAmyas.Carolinetookherside,butAmyashadabsolutelymadehismindupaboutit.Inspiteofahottemper,Amyaswasaneasymaninmostrespects,butwhenhereallygothisbackup,everyonehadtogivein.BothCarolineandAngelaknuckledunder.”
“Shewastogotoschool—when?”
“Theautumnterm—theyweregettingherkittogether,Iremember.Isuppose,ifithadn’tbeenforthetragedy,shewouldhavegoneoffafewdayslater.Therewassometalkofherpackingonthemorningofthatday.”
Poirotsaid:“Andthegoverness?”
“Whatdoyoumean—thegoverness?”
“Howdidsheliketheidea?Itdeprivedherofajob,diditnot?”
“Yes—well,Isupposeitdidinaway.LittleCarlausedtodoafewlessons,butofcourseshewasonly—what?Sixorthereabouts.Shehadanurse.Theywouldn’thavekeptMissWilliamsonforher.Yes,that’sthename—Williams.Funnyhowthingscomebacktoyouwhenyoutalkthemover.”
“Yes,indeed.Youarebacknow,areyounot,inthepast?Yourelivethescenes—thewordsthatpeoplesaid,theirgestures—theexpressionsontheirfaces?”
MeredithBlakesaidslowly:
“Inaway—yes…Buttherearegaps,youknow…Greatchunksmissedout.Iremember,forinstance,theshockitwastomewhenIfirstlearnedthatAmyaswasgoingtoleaveCaroline—butIcan’trememberwhetheritwashewhotoldmeorElsa.IdorememberarguingwithElsaonthesubject—tryingtoshowher,Imean,thatitwasaprettyrottenthingtodo.AndsheonlylaughedatmeinthatcoolwayofhersandsaidIwasoldfashioned.Well,IdaresayIamoldfashioned,butIstillthinkIwasright.Amyashadawifeandchild—heoughttohavestucktothem.”
“ButMissGreerthoughtthatpointofviewoutofdate?”
“Yes.Mindyou,sixteenyearsago,divorcewasn’tlookedonquitesomuchasamatterofcourseasitisnow.ButElsawasthekindofgirlwhowentinforbeingmodern.Herpointofviewwasthatwhentwopeopleweren’thappytogetheritwasbettertomakeabreak.ShesaidthatAmyasandCarolineneverstoppedhavingrowsandthatitwasfarbetterforthechildthatsheshouldn’tbebroughtupinanatmosphereofdisharmony.”
“Andherargumentdidnotimpressyou?”
MeredithBlakesaidslowly:
“Ifelt,allthetime,thatshedidn’treallyknowwhatshewastalkingabout.Shewasrattlingthesethingsoff—thingsshe’dreadinbooksorheardfromherfriends—itwaslikeaparrot.Shewas—it’saqueerthingtosay—patheticsomehow.Soyoungandsoself-confident.”Hepaused.“Thereissomethingaboutyouth,Mr.Poirot,thatis—thatcanbe—terriblymoving.”
HerculePoirotsaid,lookingathimwithsomeinterest:“Iknowwhatyoumean….”
Blakewenton,speakingmoretohimselfthantoPoirot.
“That’spartly,Ithink,whyItackledCrale.Hewasnearlytwentyyearsolderthanthegirl.Itdidn’tseemfair.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Alas—howseldomonemakesanyeffect.Whenapersonhasdeterminedonacertaincourse—itisnoteasytoturnthemfromit.”
MeredithBlakesaid:
“Thatistrueenough.”Histonewasashadebitter.“Icertainlydidnogoodbymyinterference.Butthen,Iamnotaveryconvincingperson.Ineverhavebeen.”
Poirotthrewhimaquickglance.Hereadintothatslightacerbityoftonethedissatisfactionofasensitivemanwithhisownlackofpersonality.AndheacknowledgedtohimselfthetruthofwhatBlakehadjustsaid.MeredithBlakewasnotthemantopersuadeanyoneintooroutofanycourse.Hiswell-meaningattemptswouldalwaysbesetaside—indulgentlyusually,withoutanger,butdefinitelysetaside.Theywouldnotcarryweight.Hewasessentiallyanineffectiveman.
Poirotsaid,withanappearanceofchangingapainfulsubject:“Youstillhaveyourlaboratoryofmedicinesandcordials,yes?”
“No.”
Thewordcamesharply—withanalmostanguishedrapidityMeridithBlakesaid,hisfaceflushing:
“Iabandonedthewholething—dismantledit.Icouldn’tgoonwithit—howcouldI?—afterwhathadhappened.Thewholething,yousee,mighthavebeensaidtobemyfault.”
“No,no,Mr.Blake,youaretoosensitive.”
“Butdon’tyousee?IfIhadn’tcollectedthosedamneddrugs?IfIhadn’tlaidstressonthem—boastedaboutthem—forcedthemonthosepeople’snoticethatafternoon?ButIneverthought—Ineverdreamed—howcouldI—”
“Howindeed.”
“ButIwentbumblingonaboutthem.Pleasedwithmylittlebitofknowledge.Blind,conceitedfool.Ipointedoutthatdamnedconiine.Ieven,foolthatIwas,tookthembackintothelibraryandreadthemoutthatpassagefromthePhaedodescribingSocrates’death.Abeautifulpieceofwriting—I’vealwaysadmiredit.Butit’shauntedmeeversince.”
Poirotsaid:
“Didtheyfindanyfingerprintsontheconiinebottle?”
“Hers.”
“CarolineCrale’s?”
“Yes.”
“Notyours?”
“No.Ididn’thandlethebottle,yousee.Onlypointedtoit.”
“Butatthesametime,surely,youhadhandledit?”
“Oh,ofcourse,butIgavethebottlesaperiodicdustingfromtimetotime—Ineverallowedtheservantsinthere,ofcourse—andIhaddonethataboutfourorfivedayspreviously.”
“Youkepttheroomlockedup?”
“Invariably.”
“WhendidCarolineCraletaketheconiinefromthebottle?”
MeredithBlakerepliedreluctantly:
“Shewasthelasttoleavetheroom.Icalledher,Iremember,andshecamehurryingout.Hercheekswerejustalittlepink—andhereyeswideandexcited.Oh,God,Icanseehernow.”
Poirotsaid:“Didyouhaveanyconversationwithheratallthatafternoon?Imeanbythat,didyoudiscussthesituationasbetweenherandherhusbandatall?”
Blakesaidslowlyinalowvoice:
“Notdirectly.ShewaslookingasI’vetoldyou—veryupset.Isaidtoheratamomentwhenweweremoreorlessbyourselves:‘Isanythingthematter,mydear?’shesaid:‘Everything’sthematter…’Iwishyoucouldhaveheardthedesperationinhervoice.Thosewordsweretheabsoluteliteraltruth.There’snogettingawayfromit—AmyasCralewasCaroline’swholeworld.Shesaid,‘Everything’sgone—finished.I’mfinished,Meredith.’Andthenshelaughedandturnedtotheothersandwassuddenlywildlyandveryunnaturallygay.”
HerculePoirotnoddedhisheadslowly.Helookedverylikeachinamandarin.Hesaid:
“Yes—Isee—itwaslikethat….”
MeredithBlakepoundedsuddenlywithhisfist.Hisvoicerose.Itwasalmostashout.
“AndI’lltellyouthisMr.Poirot—whenCarolineCralesaidatthetrialthatshetookthestuffforherself,I’llswearshewasspeakingthetruth!Therewasnothoughtinhermindofmurderatthattime.Isweartherewasn’t.Thatcamelater.”
HerculePoirotasked:
“Areyousurethatitdidcomelater?”
Blakestared.Hesaid:
“Ibegyourpardon?Idon’tquiteunderstand—”
Poirotsaid:
“Iaskyouwhetheryouaresurethatthethoughtofmurdereverdidcome?AreyouperfectlyconvincedinyourownmindthatCarolineCralediddeliberatelycommitmurder?”
MeredithBlake’sbreathcameunevenly.Hesaid:“Butifnot—ifnot—areyousuggestingan—well,accidentofsomekind?”
“Notnecessarily.”
“That’saveryextraordinarythingtosay.”
“Isit?YouhavecalledCarolineCraleagentlecreature.Dogentlecreaturescommitmurder?”
“Shewasagentlecreature—butallthesame—well,therewereveryviolentquarrels,youknow.”
“Notsuchagentlecreature,then?”
“Butshewas—Oh,howdifficultthesethingsaretoexplain.”
“Iamtryingtounderstand.”
“Carolinehadaquicktongue—avehementwayofspeaking.Shemightsay‘Ihateyou.Iwishyouweredead.’Butitwouldn’tmean—itwouldn’tentail—action.”
“Soinyouropinion,itwashighlyuncharacteristicofMrs.Craletocommitmurder?”
“Youhavethemostextraordinarywaysofputtingthings,Mr.Poirot.Icanonlysaythat—yes—itdoesseemtomeuncharacteristicofher.Icanonlyexplainitbyrealizingthattheprovocationwasextreme.Sheadoredherhusband.Underthosecircumstancesawomanmight—well—kill.”
Poirotnodded.“Yes,Iagree….”
“Iwasdumbfoundedatfirst.Ididn’tfeelitcouldbetrue.Anditwasn’ttrue—ifyouknowwhatImean—itwasn’ttherealCarolinewhodidthat.”
“Butyouarequitesurethat—inthelegalsense—CarolineCralediddoit?”
AgainMeredithBlakestaredathim.
“Mydearman—ifshedidn’t—”
“Well,ifshedidn’t?”
“Ican’timagineanyalternativesolution.Accident?Surelyimpossible.”
“Quiteimpossible,Ishouldsay.”
“AndIcan’tbelieveinthesuicidetheory.Ithadtobebroughtforward,butitwasquiteunconvincingtoanyonewhoknewCrale.”
“Quite.”
“Sowhatremains?”askedMeredithBlake.
Poirotsaidcoolly:“ThereremainsthepossibilityofAmyasCralehavingbeenkilledbysomebodyelse.”
“Butthat’sabsurd!”
“Youthinkso?”
“I’msureofit.Whowouldhavewantedtokillhim?Whocouldhavekilledhim?”
“YouaremorelikelytoknowthanIam.”
“Butyoudon’tseriouslybelieve—”
“Perhapsnot.Itinterestsmetoexaminethepossibility.Giveityourseriousconsideration.Tellmewhatyouthink.”
Meredithstaredathimforaminuteortwo.Thenheloweredhiseyes.Afteraminuteortwoheshookhishead.Hesaid:
“Ican’timagineanypossiblealternative.Ishouldliketodoso.IftherewereanyreasonforsuspectinganybodyelseIwouldreadilybelieveCarolineinnocent.Idon’twanttothinkshedidit.Icouldn’tbelieveitatfirst.Butwhoelseisthere?Whoelsewasthere.Philip?Crale’sbestfriend.Elsa?Ridiculous.Myself?DoIlooklikeamurderer?Arespectablegoverness?Acoupleofoldfaithfulservants?Perhapsyou’dsuggestthatthechildAngeladidit?No,Mr.Poirot,there’snoalternative.NobodycouldhavekilledAmyasCralebuthiswife.Buthedrovehertoit.Andso,inaway,itwassuicideafterall,Isuppose.”
“Meaningthathediedbytheresultofhisownactions,thoughnotbyhisownhand?”
“Yes,it’safancifulpointofview,perhaps.But—well—causeandeffect,youknow.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Haveyoueverreflected,Mr.Blake,thatthereasonformurderisnearlyalwaystobefoundbyastudyofthepersonmurdered?”
“Ihadn’texactly—yes,IsupposeIseewhatyoumean.”
Poirotsaid:
“Untilyouknowexactlywhatsortofapersonthevictimwas,youcannotbegintoseethecircumstancesofacrimeclearly.”
Headded:
“ThatiswhatIamseekingfor—andwhatyouandyourbrotherhavehelpedtogiveme—areconstructionofthemanAmyasCrale.”
MeredithBlakepassedthemainpointoftheremarkover.Hisattentionhadbeenattractedbyasingleword.Hesaidquickly:
“Philip?”
“Yes.”
“Youhavetalkedwithhimalso?”
“Certainly.”
MeredithBlakesaidsharply:
“Youshouldhavecometomefirst.”
Smilingalittle,Poirotmadeacourteousgesture.
“Accordingtothelawsofprimogenitude,thatisso,”hesaid.“Iamawarethatyouaretheelder.ButyoucomprehendthatasyourbrotherlivesnearLondon,itwaseasiertovisithimfirst.”
MeredithBlakewasstillfrowning.Hepulleduneasilyathislip.Herepeated:
“Youshouldhavecometomefirst.”
Thistime,Poirotdidnotanswer.Hewaited.AndpresentlyMeredithBlakewenton:
“Philip,”hesaid,“isprejudiced.”
“Yes?”
“Asamatteroffacthe’samassofprejudices—alwayshasbeen.”HeshotaquickuneasyglanceatPoirot.“He’llhavetriedtoputyouagainstCaroline.”
“Doesthatmatter,solong—after?”
MeredithBlakegaveasharpsigh.
“Iknow.Iforgetthatit’ssolongago—thatit’sallover.Carolineisbeyondbeingharmed.ButallthesameIshouldn’tlikeyoutogetafalseimpression.”
“Andyouthinkyourbrothermightgivemeafalseimpression?”
“Frankly,Ido.Yousee,therewasalwaysacertain—howshallIputit?—antagonismbetweenhimandCaroline.”
“Why?”
ThequestionseemedtoirritateBlake.Hesaid:
“Why?HowshouldIknowwhy?Thesethingsareso.Philipalwayscrabbedherwheneverhecould.Hewasannoyed,Ithink,whenAmyasmarriedher.Heneverwentnearthemforoverayear.AndyetAmyaswasalmosthisbestfriend.Thatwasthereasonreally,Isuppose.Hedidn’tfeelthatanywomanwasgoodenough.AndheprobablyfeltthatCaroline’sinfluencewouldspoiltheirfriendship.”
“Anddidit?”
“No,ofcourseitdidn’t.AmyaswasalwaysjustasfondofPhilip—rightuptotheend.UsedtotwithimwithbeingamoneygrabberandwithgrowingacorporationandbeingaPhilistinegenerally.Philipdidn’tcare.HejustusedtogrinandsayitwasagoodthingAmyashadonerespectablefriend.”
“HowdidyourbrotherreacttotheElsaGreeraffair?”
“Doyouknow,Ifinditratherdifficulttosay.Hisattitudewasn’treallyeasytodefine.Hewasannoyed,Ithink,withAmyasformakingafoolofhimselfoverthegirl.Hesaidmorethanoncethatitwouldn’tworkandthatAmyaswouldlivetoregretit.AtthesametimeIhaveafeeling—yes,verydefinitelyIhaveafeelingthathewasjustfaintlypleasedatseeingCarolineletdown.”
Poirot’seyebrowsrose.Hesaid:
“Hereallyfeltlikethat?”
“Oh,don’tmisunderstandme.Iwouldn’tgofurtherthantosaythatIbelievethatfeelingwasatthebackofhismind.Idon’tknowthatheeverquiterealizedhimselfthatthatiswhathefelt.PhilipandIhavenothingmuchincommon,butthereisalink,youknow,betweenpeopleofthesameblood.Onebrotheroftenknowswhattheotherbrotheristhinking.”
“Andafterthetragedy?”
MeredithBlakeshookhishead.Aspasmofpaincrossedhisface.Hesaid:
“PoorPhil.Hewasterriblycutup.Justbrokenupbyit.He’dalwaysbeendevotedtoAmyas,yousee.Therewasanelementofheroworshipaboutit,Ithink.AmyasCraleandIarethesameage.Philipwastwoyearsyounger.AndhelookeduptoAmyasalways.Yes—itwasagreatblowtohim.Hewas—hewasterriblybitteragainstCaroline.”
“He,atleast,hadnodoubts,then?”
MeredithBlakesaid:
“Noneofushadanydoubts….”
Therewasasilence.ThenBlakesaidwiththeirritableplaintivenessofaweakman:
“Itwasallover—forgotten—andnowyoucome—rakingitallup….”
“NotI.CarolineCrale.”
Meredithstaredathim:“Caroline?Whatdoyoumean?”
Poirotsaid,watchinghim:
“CarolineCralethesecond.”
Meredith’sfacerelaxed.
“Ahyes,thechild.LittleCarla.I—Imisunderstoodyouforamoment.”
“YouthoughtImeanttheoriginalCarolineCrale?Youthoughtthatitwasshewhowouldnot—howshallIsayit—resteasyinhergrave?”
MeredithBlakeshivered.
“Don’t,man.”
“Youknowthatshewrotetoherdaughter—thelastwordssheeverwrote—thatshewasinnocent?”
Meredithstaredathim.Hesaid—andhisvoicesoundedutterlyincredulous:
“Carolinewrotethat?”
“Yes.”
Poirotpausedandsaid:
“Itsurprisesyou?”
“Itwouldsurpriseyouifyou’dseenherincourt.Poor,hunted,defencelesscreature.Notevenstruggling.”
“Adefeatist?”
“No,no.Shewasn’tthat.Itwas,Ithink,theknowledgethatshe’dkilledthemansheloved—orIthoughtitwasthat.”
“Youarenotsosurenow?”
“Towriteathinglikethat—solemnly—whenshewasdying.”
Poirotsuggested:
“Apiouslie,perhaps.”
“Perhaps.”ButMeredithwasdubious.“That’snot—that’snotlikeCaroline….”
HerculePoirotnodded.CarlaLemarchanthadsaidthat.Carlahadonlyachild’sobstinatememory.ButMeredithBlakehadknownCarolinewell.ItwasthefirstconfirmationPoirothadgotthatCarla’sbeliefwastobedependedupon.
MeredithBlakelookedupathim.Hesaidslowly:
“If—ifCarolinewasinnocent—why,thewholething’smadness!Idon’tsee—anyotherpossiblesolution….”
HeturnedsharplyonPoirot.
“Andyou?Whatdoyouthink?”
Therewasasilence.
“Asyet,”saidPoirotatlast,“Ithinknothing.Icollectonlytheimpressions.WhatCarolineCralewaslike.WhatAmyasCralewaslike.Whattheotherpeoplewhowerethereatthetimewerelike.Whathappenedexactlyonthosetwodays.ThatiswhatIneed.Togooverthefactslaboriouslyonebyone.Yourbrotherisgoingtohelpmethere.Heissendingmeanaccountoftheeventsasheremembersthem.”
MeredithBlakesaidsharply:
“Youwon’tgetmuchfromthat.Philip’sabusyman.Thingssliphismemoryoncethey’repastanddonewith.Probablyhe’llrememberthingsallwrong.”
“Therewillbegaps,ofcourse.Irealizethat.”
“Itellyouwhat—”Meredithpausedabruptly,thenwenton,reddeningalittleashespoke.“Ifyoulike,I—Icoulddothesame.Imean,itwouldbeakindofcheck,wouldn’tit?”
HerculePoirotsaidwarmly:
“Itwouldbemostvaluable.Anideaofthefirstexcellence!”
“Right.Iwill.I’vegotsomeolddiariessomewhere.Mindyou,”helaughedawkwardly.“I’mnotmuchofahandatliterarylanguage.Evenmyspelling’snottoogood.You—youwon’texpecttoomuch?”
“Ah,itisnotthestyleIdemand.Justaplainrecitalofeverythingyoucanremember.Whateveryonesaid,howtheylooked—justwhathappened.Nevermindifitdoesn’tseemrelevant.Itallhelpswiththeatmosphere,sotospeak.”
“Yes,Icanseethat.Itmustbedifficultvisualizingpeopleandplacesyouhaveneverseen.”
Poirotnodded.
“ThereisanotherthingIwantedtoaskyou.Alderburyistheadjoiningpropertytothis,isitnot?Woulditbepossibletogothere—toseewithmyowneyeswherethetragedyoccurred?”
MeredithBlakesaidslowly:
“Icantakeyouoverthererightaway.But,ofcourse,itisagooddealchanged.”
“Ithasnotbeenbuiltover?”
“No,thankgoodness—notquitesobadasthat.Butit’sakindofhostelnow—itwasboughtbysomesociety.Hordesofyoungpeoplecomedowntoitinthesummer,andofcoursealltheroomshavebeencutupandpartitionedintocubicles,andthegroundshavebeenalteredagooddeal.”
“Youmustreconstructitformebyyourexplanations.”
“I’lldomybest.Iwishyoucouldhaveseenitintheolddays.ItwasoneoftheloveliestpropertiesIknow.”
Heledthewayoutthroughthewindowandbeganwalkingdownaslopeoflawn.
“Whowasresponsibleforsellingit?”
“Theexecutorsonbehalfofthechild.EverythingCralehadcametoher.Hehadn’tmadeawill,soIimaginethatitwouldbedividedautomaticallybetweenhiswifeandthechild.Caroline’swillleftwhatshehadtothechildalso.”
“Nothingtoherhalfsister?”
“Angelahadacertainamountofmoneyofherownleftherbyherfather.”
Poirotnodded.“Isee.”
Thenheutteredanexclamation:
“Butwhereisitthatyoutakeme?Thisistheseashoreaheadofus!”
“Ah,Imustexplainourgeographytoyou.You’llseeforyourselfinaminute.There’sacreek,yousee,CamelCreek,theycallit,runsinland—looksalmostlikearivermouth,butitisn’t—it’sjustsea.TogettoAlderburybylandyouhavetogorightinlandandroundthecreek,buttheshortestwayfromonehousetotheotheristorowacrossthisnarrowbitofthecreek.Alderburyisjustopposite—there,youcanseethehousethroughthetrees.”
Theyhadcomeoutonalittlebeach.Oppositethemwasawoodedheadlandandawhitehousecouldjustbedistinguishedhighupamongstthetrees.
Twoboatsweredrawnuponthebeach.MeredithBlake,withPoirot’ssomewhatawkwardassistance,draggedoneofthemdowntothewaterandpresentlytheywererowingacrosstotheotherside.
“Wealwayswentthiswayintheolddays,”Meredithexplained.“Unless,ofcourse,therewasastormoritwasraining,andthenwe’dtakethecar.Butit’snearlythreemilesifyougoroundthatway.”
Herantheboatneatlyalongsideastonequayontheotherside.Hecastadisparagingeyeonacollectionofwoodenhutsandsomeconcreteterraces.
“Allnew,this.Usedtobeaboathouse—tumbledownoldplace—andnothingelse.Andonewalkedalongtheshoreandbathedoffthoserocksoverthere.”
Heassistedhisguesttoalight,madefasttheboat,andledthewayupasteeppath.
“Don’tsupposewe’llmeetanyone,”hesaidoverhisshoulder.“NobodyhereinApril—exceptforEaster.Doesn’tmatterifwedo.I’mongoodtermswithmyneighbours.Sun’sglorioustoday.Mightbesummer.Itwasawonderfuldaythen.MorelikeJulythanSeptember.Brilliantsun—butachillylittlewind.”
Thepathcameoutofthetreesandskirtedanoutcropofrock.Meredithpointedupwithhishand.
“That’swhattheycalledtheBattery.We’remoreorlessunderneathitnow—skirtingroundit.”
Theyplungedintotreesagainandthenthepathtookanothersharpturnandtheyemergedbyadoorsetinahighwall.Thepathitselfcontinuedtozigzagupwards,butMeredithopenedthedoorandthetwomenpassedthroughit.
ForamomentPoirotwasdazzledcominginfromtheshadeoutside.TheBatterywasanartificiallyclearedplateauwithbattlementssetwithcannon.Itgaveonetheimpressionofoverhangingthesea.Thereweretreesaboveitandbehindit,butontheseasidetherewasnothingbutthedazzlingbluewaterbelow.
“Attractivespot,”saidMeredith.Henoddedcontemptuouslytowardsakindofpavilionsetbackagainstthebackwall.“Thatwasn’tthere,ofcourse—onlyanoldtumbledownshedwhereAmyaskepthispaintingmuckandsomebottledbeerandafewdeckchairs.Itwasn’tconcretedthen,either.Thereusedtobeabenchandatable—paintedironones.Thatwasall.Still—ithasn’tchangedmuch.”
Hisvoiceheldanunsteadynote.
Poirotsaid:“Anditwasherethatithappened?”
Meredithnodded.
“Thebenchwasthere—upagainsttheshed.Hewassprawledonthat.Heusedtosprawltheresometimeswhenhewaspainting—justflinghimselfdownandstareandstare—andthensuddenlyuphe’djumpandstartlayingthepaintonthecanvaslikemad.”
Hepaused.
“That’swhy,youknow,helooked—almostnatural.Asthoughhemightbeasleep—justhavedroppedoff.Buthiseyeswereopen—andhe’d—juststiffenedup.Stuffsortofparalysesyou,youknow.Thereisn’tanypain…I’ve—I’vealwaysbeengladofthat….”
Poirotaskedathingthathealreadyknew.
“Whofoundhim?”
“Shedid.Caroline.Afterlunch.IandElsa,Isuppose,werethelastonestoseehimalive.Itmusthavebeencomingonthen.He—lookedqueer.I’drathernottalkaboutit.I’llwriteittoyou.Easierthatway.”
HeturnedabruptlyandwentoutoftheBattery.Poirotfollowedhimwithoutspeaking.
Thetwomenwentonupthezigzagpath.AtahigherlevelthantheBatterytherewasanothersmallplateau.Itwasovershadowedwithtreesandtherewasabenchthereandatable.
Meredithsaid:
“Theyhaven’tchangedthismuch.ButthebenchusednottobeYeOldeRustic.Itwasjustapaintedironbusiness.Abithardforsitting,butalovelyview.”
Poirotagreed.ThroughaframeworkoftreesonelookeddownovertheBatterytothecreekmouth.
“Isatupherepartofthemorning,”Meredithexplained.“Treesweren’tquitesoovergrownthen.OnecouldseethebattlementsoftheBatteryquiteplainly.That’swhereElsawasposing,youknow.Sittingononewithherheadtwistedround.”
Hegaveaslighttwitchofhisshoulders.
“Treesgrowfasterthanonethinks,”hemuttered.“Ohwell,supposeI’mgettingold.Comeonuptothehouse.”
Theycontinuedtofollowthepathtillitemergednearthehouse.Ithadbeenafineoldhouse,Georgianinstyle.Ithadbeenaddedtoandonagreenlawnnearitweresetsomefiftylittlewoodenbathinghutches.
“Youngmensleepthere,girlsinthehouse,”Meredithexplained.“Idon’tsupposethere’sanythingyouwanttoseehere.Alltheroomshavebeencutabout.Usedtobealittleconservatorytackedonhere.Thesepeoplehavebuiltaloggia.Ohwell—Isupposetheyenjoytheirholidays.Can’tkeepeverythingasitusedtobe—more’sthepity.”
Heturnedawayabruptly.
“We’llgodownanotherway.It—itallcomesbacktome,youknow.Ghosts.Ghostseverywhere.”
Theyreturnedtothequaybyasomewhatlongerandmoreramblingroute.Neitherofthemspoke.Poirotrespectedhiscompanion’smood.
WhentheyreachedHandcrossManoroncemore,MeredithBlakesaidabruptly:
“Iboughtthatpicture,youknow.TheonethatAmyaswaspainting.Ijustcouldn’tstandtheideaofitsbeingsoldfor—well—publicityvalue—alotofdirty-mindedbrutesgapingatit.Itwasafinepieceofwork.Amyassaiditwasthebestthinghe’deverdone.Ishouldn’tbesurprisedifhewasright.Itwaspracticallyfinished.Heonlywantedtoworkonitanotherdayorso.Would—wouldyoucaretoseeit?”
HerculePoirotsaidquickly:“Yes,indeed.”
Blakeledthewayacrossthehallandtookakeyfromhispocket.Heunlockedadoorandtheywentintoafair-sized,dustysmellingroom.Itwascloselyshuttered.Blakewentacrosstothewindowsandopenedthewoodenshutters.Then,withalittledifficulty,heflungupawindowandabreathoffragrantspringaircamewaftingintotheroom.
Meredithsaid:“That’sbetter.”
HestoodbythewindowinhalingtheairandPoirotjoinedhim.Therewasnoneedtoaskwhattheroomhadbeen.Theshelveswereemptybutthereweremarksuponthemwherebottleshadstood.Againstonewallwassomederelictchemicalapparatusandasink.Theroomwasthickindust.
MeredithBlakewaslookingoutofthewindow.Hesaid:
“Howeasilyitallcomesback.Standinghere,smellingthejasmine—andtalking—talking—likethedamnedfoolIwas—aboutmypreciouspotionsanddistillations!”
Absently,Poirotstretchedahandthroughthewindow.Hepulledoffasprayofjasmineleavesjustbreakingfromtheirwoodystem.
MeredithBlakemovedresolutelyacrossthefloor.Onthewallwasapicturecoveredwithadustsheet.Hejerkedthedustsheetaway.
Poirotcaughthisbreath.Hehadseensofar,fourpicturesofAmyasCrale’s:twoattheTate,oneataLondondealer’s,one,thestilllifeofroses.Butnowhewaslookingatwhattheartisthimselfhadcalledhisbestpicture,andPoirotrealizedatoncewhatasuperbartistthemanhadbeen.
Thepaintinghadanoldsuperficialsmoothness.Atfirstsightitmighthavebeenaposter,soseeminglycrudewereitscontrasts.Agirl,agirlinacanary-yellowshirtanddark-blueslacks,sittingonagreywallinfullsunlightagainstabackgroundofviolentbluesea.Justthekindofsubjectforaposter
Butthefirstappearancewasdeceptive;therewasasubtledistortion—anamazingbrillianceandclarityinthelight.Andthegirl—
Yes,herewaslife.Alltherewas,alltherecouldbeoflife,ofyouth,ofsheerblazingvitality.Thefacewasaliveandtheeyes….
Somuchlife!Suchpassionateyouth!That,then,waswhatAmyasCralehadseeninElsaGreer,whichhadmadehimblindanddeaftothegentlecreature,hiswife.Elsawaslife.Elsawasyouth.
Asuperb,slim,straightcreature,arrogant,herheadturned,hereyesinsolentwithtriumph.Lookingatyou,watchingyou—waiting….
HerculePoirotspreadouthishands.Hesaid:
“Itisagreat—yes,itisgreat—”
MeredithBlakesaid,acatchinhisvoice:
“Shewassoyoung—”
Poirotnodded.Hethoughttohimself.
“Whatdomostpeoplemeanwhentheysaythat?Soyoung.Somethinginnocent,somethingappealing,somethinghelpless.Butyouthisnotthat!Youthiscrude,youthisstrong,youthispowerful—yes,andcruel!Andonethingmore—youthisvulnerable.”
Hefollowedhishosttothedoor.HisinterestwasquickenednowinElsaGreerwhomhewastovisitnext.Whatwouldtheyearshavedonetothatpassionate,triumphantcrudechild?
Helookedbackatthepicture.
Thoseeyes.Watchinghim…watchinghim…Tellinghimsomething….
Supposinghecouldn’tunderstandwhattheyweretellinghim?Wouldtherealwomanbeabletotellhim?Orwerethoseeyessayingsomethingthattherealwomandidnotknow?
Sucharrogance,suchtriumphantanticipation.
AndthenDeathhadsteppedinandtakenthepreyoutofthoseeager,clutchingyounghands….
Andthelighthadgoneoutofthosepassionatelyanticipatingeyes.WhatweretheeyesofElsaGreerlikenow?
Hewentoutoftheroomwithonelastlook.
Hethought:“Shewastoomuchalive.”
Hefelt—alittle—frightened….
Eight
THISLITTLEPIGHADROASTBEEF
ThehouseinBrookStreethadDarwintulipsinthewindowboxes.Insidethehallagreatvaseofwhitelilacsenteddiesofperfumetowardstheopenfrontdoor.
Amiddle-agedbutlerrelievedPoirotofhishatandstick.Afootmanappearedtotakethemandthebutlermurmureddeferentially:
“Willyoucomethisway,sir?”
Poirotfollowedhimalongthehallanddownthreesteps.Adoorwasopened,thebutlerpronouncedhisnamewitheverysyllablecorrect.
Thenthedoorclosedbehindhimandatallthinmangotupfromachairbythefireandcametowardshim.
LordDittishamwasamanjustunderforty.HewasnotonlyaPeeroftheRealm,hewasapoet.Twoofhisfantasticalpoeticdramashadbeenstagedatvastexpenseandhadhadasuccèsd’estime.Hisforeheadwasratherprominent,hischinwaseager,andhiseyesandhismouthunexpectedlybeautiful.
Hesaid:
“Sitdown,Mr.Poirot.”
Poirotsatdownandacceptedacigarettefromhishost.LordDittishamshutthebox,struckamatchandhelditforPoirottolighthiscigarette,thenhehimselfsatdownandlookedthoughtfullyathisvisitor.
Thenhesaid:
“Itismywifeyouhavecometosee,Iknow.”
Poirotanswered:
“LadyDittishamwassokindastogivemeanappointment.”
“Yes.”
Therewasapause.Poirothazarded:
“Youdonot,Ihope,object,LordDittisham?”
Thethindreamyfacewastransformedbyasuddenquicksmile.
“Theobjectionsofhusbands,Mr.Poirot,arenevertakenseriouslyinthesedays.”
“Thenyoudoobject?”
“No.Icannotsaythat.ButIam,Imustconfessit,alittlefearfuloftheeffectuponmywife.Letmebequitefrank.Agreatmanyyearsago,whenmywifewasonlyayounggirl,shepassedthroughaterribleordeal.Shehas,Ihope,recoveredfromtheshock.Ihavecometobelievethatshehasforgottenit.Nowyouappearandnecessarilyyourquestionswillreawakentheseoldmemories.”
“Itisregrettable,”saidHerculePoirotpolitely.
“Idonotknowquitewhattheresultwillbe.”
“Icanonlyassureyou,LordDittisham,thatIshallbeasdiscreetaspossible,anddoallIcannottodistressLadyDittisham.Sheis,nodoubt,ofadelicateandnervoustemperament.”
Then,suddenlyandsurprisingly,theotherlaughed.Hesaid:
“Elsa?Elsa’sasstrongasahorse!”
“Then—”Poirotpauseddiplomatically.Thesituationintriguedhim.
LordDittishamsaid:
“Mywifeisequaltoanyamountofshocks.Iwonderifyouknowherreasonforseeingyou?”
Poirotrepliedplacidly:“Curiosity?”
Akindofrespectshowedintheotherman’seyes.
“Ah,yourealizethat?”
Poirotsaid:
“Itisinevitable.Womenwillalwaysseeaprivatedetective!Menwilltellhimtogotothedevil.”
“Somewomenmighttellhimtogotothedeviltoo.”
“Aftertheyhaveseenhim—notbefore.”
“Perhaps.”LordDittishampaused.“Whatistheideabehindthisbook?”
HerculePoirotshruggedhisshoulders.
“Oneresurrectstheoldtunes,theoldstageturns,theoldcostumes.Oneresurrects,too,theoldmurders.”
“Faugh!”saidLordDittisham.
“Faugh!Ifyoulike.ButyouwillnotalterhumannaturebysayingFaugh.Murderisadrama.Thedesirefordramaisverystronginthehumanrace.”
LordDittishammurmured:
“Iknow—Iknow….”
“Soyousee,”saidPoirot,“thebookwillbewritten.Itismyparttomakesurethatthereshallbenogrossmisstatements,notamperingwiththeknownfacts.”
“ThefactsarepublicpropertyIshouldhavethought.”
“Yes.Butnottheinterpretationofthem.”
Dittishamsaidsharply:
“Justwhatdoyoumeanbythat,Mr.Poirot?”
“MydearLordDittisham,therearemanywaysofregarding,forinstance,ahistoricalfact.Takeanexample:manybookshavebeenwrittenonyourMaryQueenofScots,representingherasamartyr,asanunprincipledandwantonwoman,asarathersimplemindedsaint,asamurderessandanintriguer,oragainasavictimofcircumstanceandfate!Onecantakeone’schoice.”
“Andinthiscase?Cralewaskilledbyhiswife—thatis,ofcourse,undisputed.Atthetrialmywifecameinforsome,inmyopinion,undeservedcalumny.Shehadtobesmuggledoutofcourtafterwards.Publicopinionwasveryhostiletoher.”
“TheEnglish,”saidPoirot,“areaverymoralpeople.”
LordDittishamsaid:“Confoundthem,theyare!”
Headded—lookingatPoirot:“Andyou?”
“Me,”saidPoirot.“Ileadaverymorallife.Thatisnotquitethesamethingashavingmoralideas.”
LordDittishamsaid:
“I’vewonderedsometimeswhatthisMrs.Cralewasreallylike.Allthisinjuredwifebusiness—I’veafeelingtherewassomethingbehindthat.”
“Yourwifemightknow,”agreedPoirot
“Mywife,”saidLordDittisham,“hasnevermentionedthecaseonce.”
Poirotlookedathimwithquickenedinterest.Hesaid:
“Ah,Ibegintosee—”
Theothersaidsharply:
“Whatdoyousee?”
Poirotrepliedwithabow:
“Thecreativeimaginationofthepoet….”
LordDittishamroseandrangthebell.Hesaidbrusquely:
“Mywifewillbewaitingforyou.”
Thedooropened.
“Yourang,mylord?”
“TakeMr.Poirotuptoherladyship.”
Uptwoflightsofstairs,feetsinkingintosoftpilecarpets.Subduedfloodlighting.Money,moneyeverywhere.Oftaste,notsomuch.TherehadbeenasombreausterityinLordDittisham’sroom.Buthere,inthehouse,therewasonlyasolidlavishness.Thebest.Notnecessarilytheshowiest,orthemoststartling.Merely“expensenoobject,”alliedtoalackofimagination.
Poirotsaidtohimself:“Roastbeef?Yes,roastbeef!”
Itwasnotalargeroomintowhichhewasshown.Thebigdrawingroomwasonthefirstfloor.ThiswasthepersonalsittingroomofthemistressofthehouseandthemistressofthehousewasstandingagainstthemantelpieceasPoirotwasannouncedandshownin.
Aphraseleaptintohisstartledmindandrefusedtobedrivenout.
Shediedyoung….
ThatwashisthoughtashelookedatElsaDittishamwhohadbeenElsaGreer.
HewouldneverhaverecognizedherfromthepictureMeredithBlakehadshownhim.Thathadbeen,aboveall,apictureofyouth,apictureofvitality.Heretherewasnoyouth—theremightneverhavebeenyouth.Andyetherealized,ashehadnotrealizedfromCrale’spicture,thatElsawasbeautiful.Yes,itwasaverybeautifulwomanwhocameforwardtomeethim.Andcertainlynotold.Afterall,whatwasshe?Notmorethanthirty-sixnowifshehadbeentwentyatthetimeofthetragedy.Herblackhairwasperfectlyarrangedroundhershapelyhead,herfeatureswerealmostclassic,hermakeupwasexquisite.
Hefeltastrangepang.Itwas,perhaps,thefaultofoldMr.Jonathan,speakingofJuliet…NoJuliethere—unlessperhapsonecouldimagineJulietasurvivor—livingon,deprivedofRomeo…WasitnotanessentialpartofJuliet’smakeupthatsheshoulddieyoung?
ElsaGreerhadbeenleftalive….
Shewasgreetinghiminalevelrathermonotonousvoice.
“Iamsointerested,Mr.Poirot.Sitdownandtellmewhatyouwantmetodo?”
Hethought:
“Butsheisn’tinterested.Nothinginterestsher.”
Biggreyeyes—likedeadlakes.
Poirotbecame,aswashisway,alittleobviouslyforeign.
Heexclaimed:
“Iamconfused,madame,veritablyIamconfused.”
“Ohno,why?”
“BecauseIrealizethatthis—thisreconstructionofapastdramamustbeexcessivelypainfultoyou!”
Shelookedamused.Yes,itwasamusement.Quitegenuineamusement.
Shesaid:
“Isupposemyhusbandputthatideaintoyourhead?Hesawyouwhenyouarrived.Ofcoursehedoesn’tunderstandintheleast.Heneverhas.I’mnotatallthesensitivesortofpersonheimaginesIam.”
Theamusementwasstillinhervoice.Shesaid:
“Myfather,youknow,wasamillhand.Heworkedhiswayupandmadeafortune.Youdon’tdothatifyou’rethin-skinned.I’mthesame.”
Poirotthoughttohimself:Yes,thatistrue.Athin-skinnedpersonwouldnothavecometostayinCarolineCrale’shouse.
LadyDittishamsaid:
“Whatisityouwantmetodo?”
“Youaresure,madame,thattogooverthepastwouldnotbepainfultoyou?”
Sheconsideredaminute,anditstruckPoirotsuddenlythatLadyDittishamwasaveryfrankwoman.Shemightliefromnecessitybutneverfromchoice.
ElsaDittishamsaidslowly:
“No,notpainful.Inaway,Iwishitwere.”
“Why?”
Shesaidimpatiently:
“It’ssostupidnevertofeelanything….”
AndHerculePoirotthought:
“Yes,ElsaGreerisdead….”
Aloudhesaid:
“Atallevents,LadyDittisham,itmakesmytaskverymucheasier.”
Shesaidcheerfully:
“Whatdoyouwanttoknow?”
“Haveyouagoodmemory,madame?”
“Reasonablygood,Ithink.”
“Andyouaresureitwillnotpainyoutogooverthosedaysindetail?”
“Itwon’tpainmeatall.Thingscanonlypainyouwhentheyarehappening.”
“Itissowithsomepeople,Iknow.”
LadyDittishamsaid:
“That’swhatEdward—myhusband—can’tunderstand.Hethinksthetrialandallthatwasaterribleordealforme.”
“Wasitnot?”
ElsaDittishamsaid:
“No,Ienjoyedit.”Therewasareflectivesatisfiedqualityinhervoice.Shewenton:“God,howthatoldbruteDepleachwentforme.He’sadevil,ifyoulike.Ienjoyedfightinghim.Hedidn’tgetmedown.”
ShelookedatPoirotwithasmile.
“IhopeI’mnotupsettingyourillusions.Agirloftwenty,Ioughttohavebeenprostrated,Isuppose—agonizedwithshameorsomething.Iwasn’t.Ididn’tcarewhattheysaidtome.Ionlywantedonething.”
“What?”
“Togetherhanged,ofcourse,”saidElsaDittisham.
Henoticedherhands—beautifulhandsbutwithlongcurvingnails.Predatoryhands.
Shesaid:
“You’rethinkingmevindictive?SoIamvindictive—toanyonewhohasinjuredme.Thatwomanwastomymindthelowestkindofwomanthereis.SheknewthatAmyascaredforme—thathewasgoingtoleaveherandshekilledhimsothatIshouldn’thavehim.”
ShelookedacrossatPoirot.
“Don’tyouthinkthat’sprettymean?”
“Youdonotunderstandorsympathizewithjealousy?”
“No,Idon’tthinkIdo.Ifyou’velost,you’velost.Ifyoucan’tkeepyourhusband,lethimgowithagoodgrace.It’spossessivenessIdon’tunderstand.”
“Youmighthaveunderstooditifyouhadevermarriedhim.”
“Idon’tthinkso.Weweren’t—”ShesmiledsuddenlyatPoirot.Hersmilewas,hefelt,alittlefrightening.Itwassofarremovedfromanyrealfeeling.“I’dlikeyoutogetthisright,”shesaid.“Don’tthinkthatAmyasCraleseducedaninnocentyounggirl.Itwasn’tlikethatatall!Ofthetwoofus,Iwasresponsible.ImethimatapartyandIfellforhim—IknewI’dgottohavehim—”
Atravesty—agrotesquetravestybut—
AndallmyfortunesatthyfootI’lllayAndfollowthee,mylord,throughouttheworld….
“Althoughhewasmarried?”
“Trespasserswillbeprosecuted?Ittakesmorethanaprintednoticetokeepyoufromreality.Ifhewasunhappywithhiswifeandcouldbehappywithme,thenwhynot?We’veonlyonelifetolive.”
“Butithasbeensaidhewashappywithhiswife.”
Elsashookherhead.
“No.Theyquarrelledlikecatanddog.Shenaggedathim.Shewas—oh,shewasahorriblewoman!”
Shegotupandlitacigarette.Shesaidwithalittlesmile:
“ProbablyI’munfairtoher.ButIreallydothinkshewasratherhateful.”
Poirotsaidslowly:“Itwasagreattragedy.”
“Yes,itwasagreattragedy.”Sheturnedonhimsuddenly,intothedeadmonotonouswearinessofherfacesomethingcamequiveringlyalive.
“Itkilledme,doyouunderstand?Itkilledme.Eversincethere’sbeennothing—nothingatall.”Hervoicedropped.“Emptiness!”Shewavedherhandsimpatiently.“Likeastuffedfishinaglasscase!”
“DidAmyasCralemeansomuchtoyou?”
Shenodded.Itwasaqueerconfidinglittlenod—oddlypathetic.Shesaid:
“IthinkI’vealwayshadasingle-trackmind.”Shemusedsombrely.“Isuppose—really—oneoughttoputaknifeintooneself—likeJuliet.But—buttodothatistoacknowledgethatyou’redonefor—thatlife’sbeatenyou.”
“Andinstead?”
“Thereoughttobeeverything—justthesame—onceonehasgotoverit.Ididgetoverit.Itdidn’tmeananythingtomeanymore.IthoughtI’dgoontothenextthing.”
Yes,thenextthing.Poirotsawherplainlytryingsohardtofulfilthatcrudedetermination.Sawherbeautifulandrich,seductivetomen,seekingwithgreedypredatoryhandstofillupalifethatwasempty.Heroworship—amarriagetoafamousaviator—thenanexplorer,thatbiggiantofaman,ArnoldStevenson—possiblynotunlikeAmyasCralephysically—areversiontothecreativearts:Dittisham!
ElsaDittishamsaid:
“I’veneverbeenahypocrite!There’saSpanishproverbI’vealwaysliked.Takewhatyouwantandpayforit,saysGod.Well,I’vedonethat.I’vetakenwhatIwanted—butI’vealwaysbeenwillingtopaytheprice.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Whatyoudonotunderstandisthattherearethingsthatcannotbebought.”
Shestaredathim.Shesaid:
“Idon’tmeanjustmoney.”
Poirotsaid:
“No,no,Iunderstandwhatyoumean.Butitisnoteverythinginlifethathasitsticket,somuch.Therearethingsthatarenotforsale.”
“Nonsense!”
Hesmiledveryfaintly.Inhervoicewasthearroganceofthesuccessfulmillhandwhohadrisentoriches.
HerculePoirotfeltasuddenwaveofpity.Helookedattheageless,smoothface,thewearyeyes,andherememberedthegirlwhomAmyasCralehadpainted….
ElsaDittishamsaid:
“Tellmeallaboutthisbook.Whatisthepurposeofit?Whoseideaisit?”
“Oh!mydearlady,whatotherpurposeistherebuttoserveupyesterday’ssensationwithtoday’ssauce.”
“Butyou’renotawriter?”
“No,Iamanexpertoncrime.”
“Youmeantheyconsultyouoncrimebooks?”
“Notalways.Inthiscase,Ihaveacommission.”
“Fromwhom?”
“Iam—whatdoyousay—vettingthispublicationonbehalfofaninterestedparty.”
“Whatparty?”
“MissCarlaLemarchant.”
“Whoisshe?”
“SheisthedaughterofAmyasandCarolineCrale.”
Elsastaredforaminute.Thenshesaid:
“Oh,ofcourse,therewasachild.Iremember.Isupposeshe’sgrownupnow?”
“Yes,sheistwenty-one.”
“Whatisshelike?”
“Sheistallanddarkand,Ithink,beautiful.Andshehascourageandpersonality.”
Elsasaidthoughtfully:
“Ishouldliketoseeher.”
“Shemightnotcaretoseeyou.”
Elsalookedsurprised.
“Why?Oh,Isee.Butwhatnonsense!Shecan’tpossiblyrememberanythingaboutit.Shecan’thavebeenmorethansix.”
“Sheknowsthathermotherwastriedforherfather’smurder.”
“Andshethinksit’smyfault?”
“Itisapossibleinterpretation.”
Elsashruggedhershoulders.Shesaid:
“Howstupid!IfCarolinehadbehavedlikeareasonablehumanbeing—”
“Soyoutakenoresponsibility?”
“WhyshouldI?I’venothingtobeashamedof.Ilovedhim.Iwouldhavemadehimhappy.”ShelookedacrossatPoirot.Herfacebrokeup—suddenly,incredibly,hesawthegirlofthepicture.Shesaid:“IfIcouldmakeyousee.Ifyoucouldseeitfrommyside.Ifyouknew—”
Poirotleanedforward.
“ButthatiswhatIwant.See,Mr.PhilipBlakewhowasthereatthetime,heiswritingmeameticulousaccountofeverythingthathappened.Mr.MeredithBlakethesame.Nowifyou—”
ElsaDittishamtookadeepbreath.Shesaidcontemptuously:
“Thosetwo!Philipwasalwaysstupid.MeredithusedtotrotroundafterCaroline—buthewasquiteadear.Butyouwon’thaveanyrealideafromtheiraccounts.”
Hewatchedher,sawtheanimationrisinginhereyes,sawalivingwomantakeshapefromadeadone.Shesaidquicklyandalmostfiercely:
“Wouldyoulikethetruth?Oh,notforpublication.Butjustforyourself—”
“Iwillundertakenottopublishwithoutyourconsent.”
“I’dliketowritedownthetruth…”Shewassilentaminuteortwo,thinking.Hesawthesmoothhardnessofhercheeksfalterandtakeonayoungercurve,hesawlifeebbingintoherasthepastclaimedheragain.
“Togoback—towriteitalldown…Toshowyouwhatshewas—”
Hereyesflashed.Herbreastheavedpassionately.
“Shekilledhim.ShekilledAmyas.Amyaswhowantedtolive—whoenjoyedliving.Hateoughtn’ttobestrongerthanlove—butherhatewas.Andmyhateforheris—Ihateher—Ihateher—Ihateher….”
Shecameacrosstohim.Shestooped,herhandclutchedathissleeve.Shesaidurgently:
“Youmustunderstand—youmust—howwefeltabouteachother.AmyasandI,Imean.There’ssomething—I’llshowyou.”
Shewhirledacrosstheroom.Shewasunlockingalittledesk,pullingoutadrawerconcealedinsideapigeonhole.
Thenshewasback.Inherhandwasacreasedletter,theinkfaded.ShethrustitonhimandPoirothadasuddenpoignantmemoryofachildhehadknownwhohadthrustonhimoneofhertreasures—aspecialshellpickedupontheseashoreandzealouslyguarded.Justsohadthatchildstoodbackandwatchedhim.Proud,afraid,keenlycriticalofhisreceptionofhertreasure.
Heunfoldedthefadedsheets.
Elsa—youwonderfulchild!Thereneverwasanythingasbeautiful.AndyetI’mafraid—I’mtooold—amiddle-aged,uglytempereddevilwithnostabilityinme.Don’ttrustme,don’tbelieveinme—I’mnogood—apartfrommywork.Thebestofmeisinthat.There,don’tsayyouhaven’tbeenwarned.Hell,mylovely—I’mgoingtohaveyouallthesame.I’dgotothedevilforyouandyouknowit.AndI’llpaintapictureofyouthatwillmakethefat-headedworldholditssidesandgasp!I’mcrazyaboutyou—Ican’tsleep—Ican’teat.Elsa—Elsa—Elsa—I’myoursforever—yourstilldeath.Amyas.
Sixteenyearsago.Fadedink,crumblingpaper.Butthewordsstillalive—stillvibrating….
Helookedacrossatthewomantowhomtheyhadbeenwritten.
Butitwasnolongerawomanatwhomhelooked.
Itwasayounggirlinlove.
HethoughtagainofJuliet….
Nine
THISLITTLEPIGHADNONE
“MayIaskwhy,Mr.Poirot?”
HerculePoirotconsideredhisanswertothequestion.Hewasawareofapairofveryshrewdgreyeyeswatchinghimoutofthesmallwizenedface.
HehadclimbedtothetopfloorofthebarebuildingandknockedonthedoorofNo.584GillespieBuildings,whichhadcomeintoexistencetoprovidewhatwerecalled“flatlets”forworkingwomen.
Here,inasmallcubicspace,existedMissCeciliaWilliams,inaroomthatwasbedroom,sittingroom,diningroom,and,byjudicioususeofthegasring,kitchen—akindofcubbyholeattachedtoitcontinedaquarter-lengthbathandtheusualoffices.
Meagrethoughthesesurroundingsmightbe,MissWilliamshadcontrivedtoimpressuponthemherstampofpersonality.
Thewallsweredistemperedanasceticpalegrey,andvariousreproductionshunguponthem.DantemeetingBeatriceonabridge—andthatpictureoncedescribedbyachildasa“blindgirlsittingonanorangeandcalled,Idon’tknowwhy,‘Hope.’”TherewerealsotwowatercoloursofVeniceandasepiacopyofBotticelli’s“Primavera.”Onthetopofthelowchestofdrawerswerealargequantityoffadedphotographs,mostly,bytheirstyleofhairdressing,datingfromtwentytothirtyyearsago.
Thesquareofcarpetwasthreadbare,thefurniturebatteredandofpoorquality.ItwascleartoHerculePoirotthatCeciliaWilliamslivedverynearthebone.Therewasnoroastbeefhere.Thiswasthelittlepigthathadnone.
Clear,incisiveandinsistent,thevoiceofMissWilliamsrepeateditsdemand.
“YouwantmyrecollectionsoftheCralecase?MayIaskwhy?”
IthadbeensaidofHerculePoirotbysomeofhisfriendsandassociates,atmomentswhenhehasmaddenedthemmost,thatheprefersliestotruthandwillgooutofhiswaytogainhisendsbymeansofelaboratefalsestatements,ratherthantrusttothesimpletruth.
Butinthiscasehisdecisionwasquicklymade.HerculePoirotdidnotcomeofthatclassofBelgianorFrenchchildrenwhohavehadanEnglishgoverness,buthereactedassimplyandinevitablyasvarioussmallboyswhohadbeenaskedintheirtime:“Didyoubrushyourteeththismorning,Harold(orRichardorAnthony)?”Theyconsideredfleetinglythepossibilityofalieandinstantlyrejectedit,replyingmiserably,“No,MissWilliams.”
ForMissWilliamshadwhateverysuccessfulchildeducatormusthave,thatmysteriousquality—authority!WhenMissWilliamssaid“Goupandwashyourhands,Joan,”or“IexpectyoutoreadthischapterontheElizabethanpoetsandbeabletoanswermyquestionsonit,”shewasinvariablyobeyed.IthadneverenteredMissWilliams’headthatshewouldnotbeobeyed.
SointhiscaseHerculePoirotprofferednospeciousexplanationofabooktobewrittenonbygonecrimes.InsteadhenarratedsimplythecircumstancesinwhichCarlaLemarchanthadsoughthimout.
Thesmall,elderlyladyintheneatshabbydresslistenedattentively.
Shesaid:
“Itinterestsmeverymuchtohavenewsofthatchild—toknowhowshehasturnedout.”
“Sheisaverycharmingandattractiveyoungwoman,withplentyofcourageandamindofherown.”
“Good,”saidMissWilliamsbriefly.
“Andsheis,Imaysay,averypersistentperson.Sheisnotapersonwhomitiseasytorefuseorputoff.”
Theex-governessnoddedthoughtfully.Sheasked:
“Issheartistic?”
“Ithinknot.”
MissWilliamssaiddrily:
“That’sonethingtobethankfulfor!”
ThetoneoftheremarkleftMissWilliams’viewsastoartistsinnodoubtwhatever.
Sheadded:
“FromyouraccountofherIshouldimaginethatshetakesafterhermotherratherthanafterherfather.”
“Verypossibly.Thatyoucantellmewhenyouhaveseenher.Youwouldliketoseeher?”
“Ishouldliketoseeherverymuchindeed.Itisalwaysinterestingtoseehowachildyouhaveknownhasdeveloped.”
“Shewas,Isuppose,veryyoungwhenyoulastsawher?”
“Shewasfiveandahalf.Averycharmingchild—alittleover-quiet,perhaps.Thoughtful.Giventoplayingherownlittlegamesandnotinvitingoutsidecooperation.Naturalandunspoilt.”
Poirotsaid:
“Itwasfortunateshewassoyoung.”
“Yes,indeed.Hadshebeenoldertheshockofthetragedymighthavehadaverybadeffect.”
“Nevertheless,”saidPoirot,“onefeelsthattherewasahandicap—howeverlittlethechildunderstoodorwasallowedtoknow,therewouldhavebeenanatmosphereofmysteryandevasionandanabruptuprooting.Thesethingsarenotgoodforachild.”
MissWilliamsrepliedthoughtfully:
“Theymayhavebeenlessharmfulthanyouthink.”
Poirotsaid:
“BeforeweleavethesubjectofCarlaLemarchant—littleCarlaCralethatwas,thereissomethingIwouldliketoaskyou.Ifanyonecanexplainit,Ithinkyoucan.”
“Yes?”
Hervoicewasinquiring,noncommital.
Poirotwavedhishandsinanefforttoexpresshismeaning.
“Thereisasomething—anuanceIcannotdefine—butitseemstomealwaysthatthechild,whenImentionher,isnotgivenherfullrepresentationalvalue.WhenImentionher,theresponsecomesalwayswithavaguesurprise,asthoughthepersontowhomIspeakhadforgottenaltogetherthattherewasachild.Nowsurely,Mademoiselle,thatisnotnatural?Achild,underthesecircumstances,isapersonofimportance,notinherself,butasapivotalpoint.AmyasCralemayhavehadreasonsforabandoninghiswife—orfornotabandoningher.Butintheusualbreakupofamarriagethechildformsaveryimportantpoint.Butherethechildseemstocountforverylittle.Thatseemstome—strange.”
MissWilliamssaidquickly:
“Youhaveputyourfingeronavitalpoint,Mr.Poirot.Youarequiteright.AndthatispartlywhyIsaidwhatIdidjustnow—thatCarla’stransportationtodifferentsurroundingsmighthavebeeninsomerespectsagoodthingforher.Whenshewasolder,yousee,shemighthavesufferedfromacertainlackinherhomelife.”
Sheleanedforwardandspokeslowlyandcarefully.
“Naturally,inthecourseofmywork,Ihaveseenagoodmanyaspectsoftheparentandchildproblem.Manychildren,mostchildren,Ishouldsay,sufferfromoverattentiononthepartoftheirparents.Thereistoomuchlove,toomuchwatchingoverthechild.Itisuneasilyconsciousofthisbrooding,andseekstofreeitself,togetawayandbeunobserved.Withanonlychildthatisparticularlythecase,andofcoursemothersaretheworstoffenders.Theresultonthemarriageisoftenunfortunate.Thehusbandresentscomingsecond,seeksconsolation—orratherflatteryandattention—elsewhere,andadivorceresultssoonerorlater.Thebestthingforachild,Iamconvinced,istohavewhatIshouldtermhealthyneglectonthepartofbothitsparents.Thishappensnaturallyenoughinthecaseofalargefamilyofchildrenandverylittlemoney.Theyareoverlookedbecausethemotherhasliterallynotimetooccupyherselfwiththem.Theyrealizequitewellthatsheisfondofthem,buttheyarenotworriedbytoomanymanifestationsofthefact.
“Butthereisanotheraspect.Onedoesoccasionallyfindahusbandandwifewhoaresoall-sufficienttoeachother,sowrappedupineachother,thatthechildofthemarriagehardlyseemsveryrealtoeitherofthem.AndinthosecircumstancesIthinkachildcomestoresentthatfact,tofeeldefraudedandleftoutinthecold.YouunderstandthatIamnotspeakingofneglectinanyway.Mrs.Crale,forinstance,waswhatistermedanexcellentmother,alwayscarefulofCarla’swelfare,ofherhealth—playingwithherattherighttimesandalwayskindandgay.Butforallthat,Mrs.Cralewasreallycompletelywrappedupinherhusband.Sheexisted,onemightsay,onlyinhimandforhim.”MissWilliamspausedaminuteandthensaidquietly:“That,Ithink,isthejustificationforwhatsheeventuallydid.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Youmeanthattheyweremorelikeloversthanlikehusbandandwife?”
MissWilliams,withaslightfrownofdistasteforforeignphraseology,said:
“Youcouldcertainlyputitthatway.”
“Hewasdevotedtoherasshewastohim?”
“Theywereadevotedcouple.Buthe,ofcourse,wasaman.”
MissWilliamscontrivedtoputintothatlastwordawhollyVictoriansignificance.
“Men—”saidMissWilliams,andstopped.
Asarichpropertyownersays“Bolsheviks”—asanearnestCommunistsays“Capitalists!”—asagoodhousewifesays“Blackbeetles”—sodidMissWilliamssay“Men!”
Fromherspinster’s,governess’slife,thereroseupablastoffiercefeminism.NobodyhearingherspeakcoulddoubtthattoMissWilliamsMenweretheEnemy!
Poirotsaid:“Youholdnobriefformen?”
Sheanswereddrily:
“Menhavethebestofthisworld.Ihopethatitwillnotalwaysbeso.”
HerculePoiroteyedherspeculatively.HecouldquiteeasilyvisualizeMissWilliamsmethodicallyandefficientlypadlockingherselftoarailing,andlaterhungerstrikingwithresoluteendurance.Leavingthegeneralfortheparticular,hesaid:
“YoudidnotlikeAmyasCrale?”
“IcertainlydidnotlikeMr.Crale.NordidIapproveofhim.IfIwerehiswifeIshouldhavelefthim.Therearethingsthatnowomanshouldputupwith.”
“ButMrs.Craledidputupwiththem?”
“Yes.”
“Youthoughtshewaswrong?”
“Yes,Ido.Awomanshouldhaveacertainrespectforherselfandnotsubmittohumiliation.”
“DidyoueversayanythingofthatkindtoMrs.Crale?”
“Certainlynot.Itwasnotmyplacetodoso.IwasengagedtoeducateAngela,nottoofferunaskedadvicetoMrs.Crale.Todosowouldhavebeenmostimpertinent.”
“YoulikedMrs.Crale?”
“IwasveryfondofMrs.Crale.”Theefficientvoicesoftened,heldwarmthandfeeling.“Veryfondofherandverysorryforher.”
“Andyourpupil—AngelaWarren?”
“Shewasamostinterestinggirl—oneofthemostinterestingpupilsIhavehad.Areallygoodbrain.Undisciplined,quick-tempered,mostdifficulttomanageinmanyways,butreallyaveryfinecharacter.”
Shepausedandthenwenton:
“Ialwayshopedthatshewouldaccomplishsomethingworthwhile.Andshehas!Youhavereadherbook—ontheSahara?AndsheexcavatedthoseveryinterestingtombsintheFayum!Yes,IamproudofAngela.IwasnotatAlderburyverylong—twoyearsandahalf—butIalwayscherishthebeliefthatIhelpedtostimulatehermindandencouragehertasteforarchaeology.”
Poirotmurmured:“Iunderstandthatitwasdecidedtocontinuehereducationbysendinghertoschool.Youmusthaveresentedthatdecision.”
“Notatall,Mr.Poirot.Ithoroughlyconcurredwithit.”
Shepausedandwent:
“Letmemakethemattercleartoyou.Angelawasadeargirl—reallyaverydeargirl—warm-heartedandimpulsive—butshewasalsowhatIcalladifficultgirl.Thatis,shewasatadifficultage.Thereisalwaysamomentwhereagirlfeelsunsureofherself—neitherchildnorwoman.AtoneminuteAngelawouldbesensibleandmature—quitegrownup,infact—butaminutelatershewouldrelapseintobeingahoydenishchild—playingmischievoustricksandbeingrudeandlosinghertemper.Girls,youknow,feeldifficultatthatage—theyareterriblysensitive.Everythingthatissaidtothemtheyresent.Theyareannoyedatbeingtreatedlikeachildandthentheysuddenlyfeelshyatbeingtreatedlikeadults.Angelawasinthatstate.Shehadfitsoftemper,wouldsuddenlyresentteasingandflareout—andthenshewouldbesulkyfordaysatatime,sittingaboutandfrowning—thenagainshewouldbeinwildspirits,climbingtrees,rushingaboutwiththegardenboys,refusingtosubmittoanykindofauthority.”
MissWilliamspausedandwenton:
“Whenagirlgetstothatstage,schoolisveryhelpful.Sheneedsthestimulationofotherminds—that,andthewholesomedisciplineofacommunity,helphertobecomeareasonablememberofsociety.Angela’shomeconditionswerenotwhatIwouldhavecalledideal.Mrs.Cralespoiledher,foronething.AngelahadonlytoappealtoherandMrs.Cralealwaysbackedherup.TheresultwasthatAngelaconsideredshehadfirstclaimuponhersister’stimeandattention,anditwasinthesemoodsofhersthatsheusedtoclashwithMr.Crale.Mr.Cralenaturallythoughtthatheshouldcomefirst—andintendedtodoso.Hewasreallyveryfondofthegirl—theyweregoodcompanionsandusedtospartogetherquiteamiably,butthereweretimeswhenMr.CraleusedsuddenlytoresentMrs.Crale’spreoccupationwithAngela.Likeallmen,hewasaspoiltchild;heexpectedeverybodytomakeafussofhim.ThenheandAngelausedtohavearealset-to—andveryoftenMrs.CralewouldtakeAngela’sside.Thenhewouldbefurious.Ontheotherhand,ifshesupportedhim,Angelawouldbefurious.ItwasontheseoccasionsthatAngelausedtoreverttochildishwaysandplaysomespitefultrickonhim.Hehadahabitoftossingoffhisdrinksandsheonceputalotofsaltintohisdrink.Thewholething,ofcourse,actedasanemetic,andhewasinarticulatewithfury.Butwhatreallybroughtthingstoaheadwaswhensheputalotofslugsintohisbed.Hehadaqueeraversionforslugs.Helosthistempercompletelyandsaidthatthegirlhadgottobesentawaytoschool.Hewasn’tgoingtoputupwithallthispettynonsenseanymore.Angelawasterriblyupset—thoughactuallyshehadonceortwiceexpressedawishherselftogotoaboardingschool—butshechosetomakeahugegrievanceofit.Mrs.Craledidn’twanthertogobutallowedherselftobepersuaded—largelyowing,Ithink,towhatIsaidtoheronthesubject.IpointedouttoherthatitwouldbegreatlytoAngela’sadvantage,andthatIthoughtitwouldreallybeagreatbenefittothegirl.SoitwassettledthatsheshouldgotoHelston—averyfineschoolonthesouthcoast—intheautumnterm.ButMrs.Cralewasstillunhappyaboutitallthoseholidays.AndAngelakeptupagrudgeagainstMr.Cralewheneversheremembered.Itwasn’treallyserious,youunderstand,Mr.Poirot,butitmadeakindofundercurrentthatsummerto—well—toeverythingelsethatwasgoingon.”
Poirotsaid:“Meaning—ElsaGreer?”
MissWilliamssaidsharply:
“Exactly.”Andshutherlipsverytightaftertheword.
“WhatwasyouropinionofElsaGreer?”
“Ihadnoopinionofheratall.Athoroughlyunprincipledyoungwoman.”
“Shewasveryyoung.”
“Oldenoughtoknowbetter.Icanseenoexcuseforher—noneatall.”
“Shefellinlovewithhim,Isuppose—”
MissWilliamsinterruptedwithasnort.
“Fellinlovewithhimindeed.Ishouldhope,Mr.Poirot,thatwhateverourfeelings,wecankeepthemindecentcontrol.Andwecancertainlycontrolouractions.Thatgirlhadabsolutelynomoralsofanykind.ItmeantnothingtoherthatMr.Cralewasamarriedman.Shewasabsolutelyshamelessaboutitall—coolanddetermined.Possiblyshemay
“Mr.Crale’sdeathmusthavebeenaterribleshocktoher.”
“Oh,itwas.Andsheherselfwasentirelytoblameforit.Idon’tgoasfarascondoningmurder,butallthesame,Mr.Poirot,ifeverawomanwasdriventobreakingpoint,thatwomanwasCarolineCrale.Itellyoufrankly,thereweremomentswhenIwouldhavelikedtomurderthembothmyself.Flauntingthegirlinhiswife’sface,listeningtoherhavingtoputupwiththegirl’sinsolence—andshewasinsolent,Mr.Poirot.Ohno,AmyasCraledeservedwhathegot.Nomanshouldtreathiswifeashedidandnotbepunishedforit.Hisdeathwasajustretribution.”
HerculePoirotsaid:“Youfeelstrongly….”
Thesmallwomanlookedathimwiththoseindomitablegreyeyes.Shesaid:
“Ifeelverystronglyaboutthemarriagetie.Unlessitisrespectedandupheld,acountrydegenerates.Mrs.Cralewasadevotedandfaithfulwife.Herhusbanddeliberatelyfloutedherandintroducedhismistressintoherhome.AsIsay,hedeservedwhathegot.HegoadedherpastenduranceandI,forone,donotblameherforwhatshedid.”
Poirotsaidslowly:“Heactedverybadly—thatIadmit—buthewasagreatartist,remember.”
MissWilliamsgaveaterrificsnort.
“Ohyes,Iknow.That’salwaystheexcusenowadays.Anartist!Anexcuseforeverykindoflooseliving,fordrunkenness,forbrawling,forinfidelity.AndwhatkindofanartistwasMr.Crale,whenallissaidanddone?Itmaybethefashiontoadmirehispicturesforafewyears.Buttheywon’tlast.Why,hecouldn’tevendraw!Hisperspectivewasterrible!Evenhisanatomywasquiteincorrect.IknowsomethingofwhatIamtalkingabout,Mr.Poirot.Istudiedpaintingforatime,asagirl,inFlorence,andtoanyonewhoknowsandappreciatesthegreatmasters,thesedaubsofMr.Crale’sarereallyludicrous.Justsplashingafewcoloursaboutonthecanvas—noconstruction—nocarefuldrawing.No,”sheshookherhead,“don’taskmetoadmireMr.Crale’spainting.”
“TwoofthemareintheTateGallery,”Poirotremindedher.
MissWilliamssniffed.
“Possibly.SoisoneofMr.Epstein’sstatues,Ibelieve.”
Poirotperceivedthat,accordingtoMissWilliams,thelastwordhadbeensaid.Heabandonedthesubjectofart.
Hesaid:
“YouwerewithMrs.Cralewhenshefoundthebody?”
“Yes.SheandIwentdownfromthehousetogetherafterlunch.Angelahadleftherpulloveronthebeachafterbathing,orelseintheboat.Shewasalwaysverycarelessaboutherthings.IpartedfromMrs.CraleatthedooroftheBatterygarden,butshecalledmebackalmostatonce.IbelieveMr.Cralehadbeendeadoveranhour.Hewassprawledonthebenchnearhiseasel.”
“Wassheterriblyupsetatthediscovery?”
“Whatexactlydoyoumeanbythat,Mr.Poirot?”
“Iamaskingyouwhatyourimpressionswereatthetime.”
“Oh,Isee.Yes,sheseemedtomequitedazed.Shesentmeofftotelephoneforthedoctor.Afterall,wecouldn’tbeabsolutelysurehewasdead—itmighthavebeenacatalepticseizure.”
“Didshesuggestsuchapossibility?”
“Idon’tremember.”
“Andyouwentandtelephoned?”
MissWilliam’stonewasdryandbrusque.
“IhadgonehalfupthepathwhenImetMr.MeredithBlake.IentrustedmyerrandtohimandreturnedtoMrs.Crale.Ithought,yousee,shemighthavecollapsed—andmenarenogoodinamatterofthatkind.”
“Andhadshecollapsed?”
MissWilliamssaiddrily:
“Mrs.Cralewasquiteincommandofherself.ShewasquitedifferentfromMissGreer,whomadeahystericalandveryunpleasantscene.”
“Whatkindofascene?”
“ShetriedtoattackMrs.Crale.”
“YoumeansherealizedthatMrs.CralewasresponsibleforMr.Crale’sdeath?”
MissWilliamsconsideredforamomentortwo.
“No,shecouldhardlybesureofthat.That—er—terriblesuspicionhadnotyetarisen.MissGreerjustscreamedout:‘It’sallyourdoing,Caroline.Youkilledhim.It’sallyourfault.’Shedidnotactuallysay‘You’vepoisonedhim,’butIthinkthereisnodoubtthatshethoughtso.”
“AndMrs.Crale?”
MissWilliamsmovedrestlessly.
“Mustwebehypocritical,Mr.Poirot?IcannottellyouwhatMrs.Cralereallyfeltorthoughtatthatmoment.Whetheritwashorroratwhatshehaddone—”
“Diditseemlikethat?”
“N-no,n-no,Ican’tsayitdid.Stunned,yes—and,Ithink,frightened.Yes,Iamsure,frightened.Butthatisnaturalenough.”
HerculePoirotsaidinadissatisfiedtone:
“Yes,perhapsthatisnaturalenough…Whatviewdidsheadoptofficiallyastoherhusband’sdeath?”
“Suicide.Shesaid,verydefinitelyfromthefirst,thatitmustbesuicide.”
“Didshesaythesamewhenshewastalkingtoyouprivately,ordidsheputforwardanyothertheory.”
“No.She—she—tookpainstoimpressuponmethatitmustbesuicide.”
MissWilliamssoundedembarrassed.
“Andwhatdidyousaytothat?”
“Really,Mr.Poirot,doesitmatterwhatIsaid?”
“Yes,Ithinkitdoes.”
“Idon’tseewhy—”
Butasthoughhisexpectantsilencehypnotizedher,shesaidreluctantly:
“IthinkIsaid:‘Certainly,Mrs.Crale.Itmusthavebeensuicide.’”
“Didyoubelieveyourownwords?”
MissWilliamsraisedherhead.Shesaidfirmly:
“No,Ididnot.Butpleaseunderstand,Mr.Poirot,thatIwasentirelyonMrs.Crale’sside,ifyouliketoputitthatway.Mysympathieswerewithher,notwiththepolice.”
“Youwouldhavelikedtohaveseenheracquitted?”
MissWilliamssaiddefiantly:
“Yes,Iwould.”
Poirotsaid:
“Thenyouareinsympathywithherdaughter’sfeelings?”
“IhaveeverysympathywithCarla.”
“Wouldyouhaveanyobjectiontowritingoutformeadetailedaccountofthetragedy?”
“Youmeanforhertoread?”
“Yes.”
MissWilliamssaidslowly:
“No,Ihavenoobjection.Sheisquitedeterminedtogointothematter,isshe?”
“Yes.Idaresayitwouldhavebeenpreferableifthetruthhadbeenkeptfromher—”
MissWilliamsinterruptedhim:
“No.Itisalwaysbettertofacethetruth.Itisnouseevadingunhappinessbytamperingwithfacts.Carlahashadashocklearningthetruth—nowshewantstoknowexactlyhowthetragedycameabout.Thatseemstometherightattitudeforabraveyoungwomantotake.Oncesheknowsallaboutitshewillbeabletoforgetitagainandgoonwiththebusinessoflivingherownlife.”
“Perhapsyouareright,”saidPoirot.
“I’mquitesureI’mright.”
“Butyousee,thereismoretoitthanthat.Shenotonlywantstoknow—shewantstoprovehermotherinnocent.”
MissWilliamssaid:“Poorchild.”
“Thatiswhatyousay,isit?”
MissWilliamssaid:
“Iseenowwhyyousaidthatitmightbebetterifshehadneverknown.Allthesame,Ithinkitisbestasitis.Towishtofindhermotherinnocentisanaturalhope—andhardthoughtheactualrevelationmaybe,IthinkfromwhatyousayofherthatCarlaisbraveenoughtolearnthetruthandnotflinchfromit.”
“Youaresureitisthetruth?”
“Idon’tunderstandyou?”
“YouseenoloopholeforbelievingthatMrs.Cralewasinnocent?”
“Idon’tthinkthatpossibilityhaseverbeenseriouslyconsidered.”
“Andyetsheherselfclungtothetheoryofsuicide?”
MissWilliamssaiddrily:
“Thepoorwomanhadtosaysomething.”
“DoyouknowthatwhenMrs.Cralewasdyingsheleftaletterforherdaughterinwhichshesolemnlyswearsthatsheisinnocent?”
MissWilliamsstared.
“Thatwasverywrongofher,”shesaidsharply.
“Youthinkso?”
“Yes,Ido.Oh,Idaresayyouareasentimentalistlikemostmen—”
Poirotinterruptedindignantly:
“Iamnotasentimentalist.”
“Butthereissuchathingasfalsesentiment.Whywritethat,alie,atsuchasolemnmoment?Tospareyourchildpain?Yes,manywomenwoulddothat.ButIshouldnothavethoughtitofMrs.Crale.Shewasabravewomanandatruthfulwoman.Ishouldhavethoughtitfarmorelikehertohavetoldherdaughternottojudge.”
Poirotsaidwithslightexasperation:
“YouwillnotevenconsiderthenthepossibilitythatwhatCarolineCralewrotewasthetruth?”
“Certainlynot!”
“Andyetyouprofesstohavelovedher?”
“Ididloveher.Ihadagreataffectionanddeepsympathyforher.”
“Well,then—”
MissWilliamslookedathiminaveryoddway.
“Youdon’tunderstand,Mr.Poirot.Itdoesn’tmattermysayingthisnow—solongafterwards.Yousee,IhappentoknowthatCarolineCralewasguilty!”
“What?”
“It’strue.WhetherIdidrightinwithholdingwhatIknewatthetimeIcannotbesure—butIdidwithholdit.Butyoumusttakeitfromme,quitedefinitely,thatIknowCarolineCralewasguilty….”
Ten
THISLITTLEPIGCRIED“WEEWEEWEE”
AngelaWarren’sflatoverlookedRegent’sPark.Here,onthisspringday,asoftairwaftedinthroughtheopenwindowandonemighthavehadtheillusionthatonewasinthecountryifithadnotbeenforthesteadymenacingroarofthetrafficpassingbelow.
PoirotturnedfromthewindowasthedooropenedandAngelaWarrencameintotheroom.
Itwasnotthefirsttimehehadseenher.HehadavailedhimselfoftheopportunitytoattendalectureshehadgivenattheRoyalGeographical.Ithadbeen,heconsidered,anexcellentlecture.Dry,perhaps,fromtheviewofpopularappeal.MissWarrenhadanexcellentdelivery,sheneitherpausednorhesitatedforaword.Shedidnotrepeatherself.Thetonesofhervoicewereclearandnotunmelodious.Shemadenoconcessionstoromanticappealorloveofadventure.Therewasverylittlehumaninterestinthelecture.Itwasanadmirablerecitalofconcisefacts,adequatelyillustratedbyexcellentslides,andwithintelligentdeductionsfromthefactsrecited.Dry,precise,clear,lucid,highlytechnical.
ThesoulofHerculePoirotapproved.Here,heconsidered,wasanorderlymind.
NowthathesawheratclosequartersherealizedthatAngelaWarrenmighteasilyhavebeenaveryhandsomewoman.Herfeatureswereregular,thoughsevere.Shehadfinelymarkeddarkbrows,clearintelligentbrowneyes,afinepaleskin.Shehadverysquareshouldersandaslightlymannishwalk.
Therewascertainlyabouthernosuggestionofthelittlepigwhocries“WeeWee.”Butontherightcheek,disfiguringandpuckeringtheskin,wasthathealedscar.Therighteyewasslightlydistorted,thecornerpulleddownwardsbyitbutnoonewouldhaverealizedthatthesightofthateyewasdestroyed.ItseemedtoHerculePoirotalmostcertainthatshehadlivedwithherdisabilitysolongthatshewasnowcompletelyunconsciousofit.Anditoccurredtohimthatofthefivepeopleinwhomhehadbecomeinterestedasaresultofhisinvestigations,thosewhomighthavebeensaidtostartwiththefullestadvantageswerenotthosewhohadactuallywrestedthemostsuccessandhappinessfromlife.Elsa,whomighthavebeensaidtostartwithalladvantages—youth,beauty,riches—haddoneworst.Shewaslikeaflowerovertakenbyuntimelyfrost—stillinbud—butwithoutlife.CeciliaWilliams,tooutwardappearances,hadnoassetsofwhichtoboast.Nevertheless,toPoirot’seye,therewasnodespondencythereandnosenseoffailure.MissWilliams’slifehadbeeninterestingtoher—shewasstillinterestedinpeopleandevents.ShehadthatenormousmentalandmoraladvantageofastrictVictorianupbringingdeniedtousinthesedays—shehaddoneherdutyinthatstationoflifetowhichithadpleasedGodtocallher,andthatassuranceencasedherinanarmourimpregnabletotheslingsanddartsofenvy,discontentandregret.Shehadhermemories,hersmallpleasures,madepossiblebystringenteconomies,andsufficienthealthandvigourtoenableherstilltobeinterestedinlife.
Now,inAngelaWarren—thatyoungcreaturehandicappedbydisfigurementanditsconsequenthumiliation,Poirotbelievedhesawaspiritstrengthenedbyitsnecessaryfightforconfidenceandassurance.Theundisciplinedschoolgirlhadgivenplacetoavitalandforcefulwoman,awomanofconsiderablementalpowerandgiftedwithabundantenergytoaccomplishambitiouspurposes.Shewasawoman,Poirotfeltsure,bothhappyandsuccessful.Herlifewasfullandvividandeminentlyenjoyable.
Shewasnot,incidentally,thetypeofwomanthatPoirotreallyliked.Thoughadmiringtheclear-cutprecisionofhermind,shehadjustasufficientnuanceofthefemmeformidableabouthertoalarmhimasamereman.Histastehadalwaysbeenfortheflamboyantandextravagant.
WithAngelaWarrenitwaseasytocometothepointofhisvisit.Therewasnosubterfuge.HemerelyrecountedCarlaLemarchant’sinterviewwithhim.
AngelaWarren’sseverefacelightedupappreciatively.
“LittleCarla?Sheisoverhere?Iwouldliketoseehersomuch.”
“Youhavenotkeptintouchwithher?”
“HardlyasmuchasIshouldhavedone.IwasaschoolgirlatthetimeshewenttoCanada,andIrealized,ofcourse,thatinayearortwoshewouldhaveforgottenus.Oflateyears,anoccasionalpresentatChristmashasbeentheonlylinkbetweenus.Iimaginedthatshewould,bynow,becompletelyimmersedintheCanadianatmosphereandthatherfuturewouldlieoverthere.Betterso,inthecircumstances.”
Poirotsaid:“Onemightthinkso,certainly.Achangeofname—achangeofscene.Anewlife.Butitwasnottobesoeasyasthat.”
AndhethentoldofCarla’sengagement,thediscoveryshehadmadeuponcomingofageandhermotivesincomingtoEngland.
AngelaWarrenlistenedquietly,herdisfiguredcheekrestingononehand.Shebetrayednoemotionduringtherecital,butasPoirotfinished,shesaidquietly:
“GoodforCarla.”
Poirotwasstartled.Itwasthefirsttimethathehadmetwiththisreaction.Hesaid:
“Youapprove,MissWarren?”
“Certainly.Iwishhereverysuccess.AnythingIcandotohelp,Iwill.Ifeelguilty,youknow,thatIhaven’tattemptedanythingmyself.”
“Thenyouthinkthatthereisapossibilitythatsheisrightinherviews.”
AngelaWarrensaidsharply:
“Ofcourseshe’sright.Carolinedidn’tdoit.I’vealwaysknownthat.”
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“Yousurprisemeverymuchindeed,mademoiselle.EverybodyelseIhavespokento—”
Shecutinsharply:
“Youmustn’tgobythat.I’venodoubtthatthecircumstantialevidenceisoverwhelming.Myownconvictionisbasedonknowledge—knowledgeofmysister.IjustknowquitesimplyanddefinitelythatCarocouldn’thavekilledanyone.”
“Canonesaythatwithcertaintyofanyhumancreature?”
“Probablynotinmostcases.Iagreethatthehumananimalisfullofcurioussurprises.ButinCaroline’scasetherewerespecialreasons—reasonswhichIhaveabetterchanceofappreciatingthananyoneelsecould.”
Shetouchedherdamagedcheek.
“Youseethis?You’veprobablyheardaboutit?”Poirotnodded.“Carolinedidthat.That’swhyI’msure—Iknow—thatshedidn’tdomurder.”
“Itwouldnotbeaconvincingargumenttomostpeople.”
“No,itwouldbetheopposite.Itwasactuallyusedinthatway,Ibelieve.AsevidencethatCarolinehadaviolentandungovernabletemper!Becauseshehadinjuredmeasababy,learnedmenarguedthatshewouldbeequallycapableofpoisoninganunfaithfulhusband.”
Poirotsaid:
“I,atleast,appreciatedthedifference.Asuddenfitofungovernableragedoesnotleadyoutofirstabstractapoisonandthenuseitdeliberatelyonthefollowingday.”
AngelaWarrenwavedanimpatienthand.
“That’snotwhatImeanatall.Imusttryandmakeitplaintoyou.Supposingthatyouareapersonnormallyaffectionateandofkindlydisposition—butthatyouarealsoliabletointensejealousy.Andsupposingthatduringtheyearsofyourlifewhencontrolismostdifficult,youdo,inafitofrage,comeneartocommittingwhatis,ineffect,murder.Thinkoftheawfulshock,thehorror,theremorsethatseizesuponyou.Toasensitiveperson,likeCaroline,thathorrorandremorsewillneverquiteleaveyou.Itneverlefther.Idon’tsupposeIwasconsciouslyawareofitatthetime,butlookingbackIrecognizeitperfectly.Carowashaunted,continuallyhaunted,bythefactthatshehadinjuredme.Thatknowledgeneverleftherinpeace.Itcolouredallheractions.Itexplainedherattitudetome.Nothingwastoogoodforme.Inhereyes,Imustalwayscomefirst.HalfthequarrelsshehadwithAmyaswereonmyaccount.Iwasinclinedtobejealousofhimandplayedallkindsoftricksonhim.Ipinchedcatstufftoputinhisdrink,andonceIputahedgehoginhisbed.ButCarolinewasalwaysonmyside.”
MissWarrenpaused,thenshewenton:
“Itwasverybadforme,ofcourse.Igothorriblyspoilt.Butthat’sneitherherenorthere.We’rediscussingtheeffectonCaroline.Theresultofthatimpulsetoviolencewasalife-longabhorrenceofanyfurtheractofthesamekind.Carowasalwayswatchingherself,alwaysinfearthatsomethingofthatkindmighthappenagain.Andshetookherownwaysofguardingagainstit.Oneofthesewayswasagreatextravaganceoflanguage.Shefelt(andIthink,psychologicallyquitetruly)thatifshewereviolentenoughinspeechshewouldhavenotemptationtoviolenceinaction.Shefoundbyexperiencethatthemethodworked.That’swhyI’veheardCarosaythingslike‘I’dliketocutsoandsoinpiecesandboilhimslowlyinoil.’Andshe’dsaytome,ortoAmyas,‘IfyougoonannoyingmeIshallmurderyou.’Inthesamewayshequarrelledeasilyandviolently.Sherecognized,Ithink,theimpulsetoviolencethattherewasinhernature,andshedeliberatelygaveitanoutletthatway.SheandAmyasusedtohavethemostfantasticandluridquarrels.”
HerculePoirotnodded.
“Yes,therewasevidenceofthat.Theyquarrelledlikecatanddog,itwassaid.”
AngelaWarrensaid:
“Exactly.That’swhatissostupidandmisleadingaboutevidence.OfcourseCaroandAmyasquarrelled!Ofcoursetheysaidbitterandoutrageousandcruelthingstoeachother!Whatnobodyappreciatesisthattheyenjoyedquarrelling.Buttheydid!Amyasenjoyedittoo.Theywerethatkindofcouple.Theybothofthemlikeddramaandemotionalscenes.Mostmendon’t.Theylikepeace.ButAmyaswasanartist.Helikedshoutingandthreateningandgenerallybeingoutrageous.Itwaslikelettingoffsteamtohim.Hewasthekindofmanwhowhenheloseshiscollarstudbellowsthehousedown.Itsoundsveryodd,Iknow,butlivingthatwaywithcontinualrowsandmakingsupwasAmyas’sandCaroline’sideaoffun!”
Shemadeanimpatientgesture.
“Ifthey’donlynothustledmeawayandletmegiveevidence,I’dhavetoldthemthat.”Thensheshruggedhershoulders.“ButIdon’tsupposetheywouldhavebelievedme.Andanywaythenitwouldn’thavebeenasclearinmymindasitisnow.ItwasthekindofthingIknewbuthadn’tthoughtaboutandcertainlyhadneverdreamedofputtingintowords.”
ShelookedacrossatPoirot.
“YoudoseewhatImean?”
Henoddedvigorously.
“Iseeperfectly—andIrealizetheabsoluterightnessofwhatyouhavesaid.Therearepeopletowhomagreementismonotony.Theyrequirethestimulantofdissensiontocreatedramaintheirlives.”
“Exactly.”
“MayIaskyou,MissWarren,whatwereyourownfeelingsatthetime?”
AngelaWarrensighed.
“Mostlybewildermentandhelplessness,Ithink.Itseemedafantasticnightmare.Carolinewasarrestedverysoon—aboutthreedaysafterwards,Ithink.Icanstillremembermyindignation,mydumbfury—and,ofcourse,mychildishfaiththatitwasjustasillymistake,thatitwouldbeallright.Carowaschieflyperturbedaboutme—shewantedmekeptrightawayfromitallasfaraspossible.ShegotMissWilliamstotakemeawaytosomerelationsalmostatonce.Thepolicehadnoobjection.Andthen,whenitwasdecidedthatmyevidencewouldnotbeneeded,arrangementsweremadeformetogotoschoolabroad.
“Ihatedgoing,ofcourse.ButitwasexplainedtomethatCarohadmeterriblyonhermindandthattheonlywayIcouldhelpherwasbygoing.”
Shepaused.Thenshesaid:
“SoIwenttoMunich.Iwastherewhen—whentheverdictwasgiven.TheyneverletmegotoseeCaro.Carowouldn’thaveit.That’stheonlytime,Ithink,whenshefailedinunderstanding.”
“Youcannotbesureofthat,MissWarren.Tovisitsomeonedearlylovedinaprisonmightmakeaterribleimpressiononayoungsensitivegirl.”
“Possibly.”
AngelaWarrengotup.Shesaid:
“Aftertheverdict,whenshehadbeencondemned,mysisterwrotemealetter.Ihavenevershownittoanyone.IthinkIoughttoshowittoyounow.ItmayhelpyoutounderstandthekindofpersonCarolinewas.IfyoulikeyoumaytakeittoshowtoCarlaalso.”
Shewenttothedoor,thenturningbackshesaid:
“Comewithme.ThereisaportraitofCarolineinmyroom.”
Forasecondtime,Poirotstoodgazingupataportrait.
Asapainting,CarolineCrale’sportraitwasmediocre.ButPoirotlookedatitwithinterest—itwasnotitsartisticvaluethatinterestedhim.
Hesawalongovalface,agraciouslineofjawandasweet,slightlytimidexpression.Itwasafaceuncertainofitself,emotional,withawithdrawnhiddenbeauty.Itlackedtheforcefulnessandvitalityofherdaughter’sface—thatenergyandjoyoflifeCarlaLemarchanthaddoubtlessinheritedfromherfather.Thiswasalesspositivecreature.
AngelaWarrenstoodathissideagain—aletterinherhand.
Shesaidquietly:
“Nowthatyouhaveseenwhatshewaslike—readherletter.”
HeunfoldeditcarefullyandreadwhatCarolineCralehadwrittensixteenyearsago.
MydarlinglittleAngela,Youwillhearbadnewsandyouwillgrieve,butwhatIwanttoimpressuponyouisthatitisallallright.IhavenevertoldyouliesandIdon’tnowwhenIsaythatIamactuallyhappy—thatIfeelanessentialrightnessandapeacethatIhaveneverknownbefore.It’sallright,darling,it’sallright.Don’tlookbackandregretandgrieveforme—goonwithyourlifeandsucceed.Youcan,Iknow.It’sall,allright,darling,andI’mgoingtoAmyas.Ihaven’ttheleastdoubtthatweshallbetogether.Icouldn’thavelivedwithouthim…Dothisonethingforme—behappy.I’vetoldyou—I’mhappy.Onehastopayone’sdebts.It’slovelytofeelpeaceful.Yourlovingsister,Caro
HerculePoirotreaditthroughtwice.Thenhehandeditback.Hesaid:
“Thatisaverybeautifulletter,mademoiselle—andaveryremarkableone.Averyremarkableone.”
“Caroline,”saidAngelaWarren,“wasaveryremarkableperson.”
“Yes,anunusualmind…Youtakeitthatthisletterindicatesinnocence?”
“Ofcourseitdoes!”
“Itdoesnotsaysoexplicitly.”
“BecauseCarowouldknowthatI’dneverdreamofherbeingguilty!”
“Perhaps—perhaps…Butitmightbetakenanotherway.Inthesensethatshewasguiltyandthatinexpiatinghercrimeshewillfindpeace.”
Itfittedin,hethought,withthedescriptionofherincourt.Andheexperiencedinthismomentthestrongestdoubtshehadyetfeltofthecoursetowhichhehadcommittedhimself.EverythingsofarhadpointedunswervinglytoCarolineCrale’sguilt.Now,evenherownwordstestifiedagainsther.
OntheothersidewasonlytheunshakenconvictionofAngelaWarren.Angelahadknownherwell,undoubtedly,butmightnothercertaintybethefanaticalloyaltyofanadolescentgirl,upinarmsforadearlylovedsister?
AsthoughshehadreadhisthoughtsAngelaWarrensaid:
“No,Mr.Poirot—IknowCarolinewasn’tguilty.”
Poirotsaidbriskly:
“TheBonDieuknowsIdonotwanttoshakeyouonthatpoint.Butletusbepractical.Yousayyoursisterwasnotguilty.Verywell,then,whatreallyhappened?”
Angelanoddedthoughtfully.Shesaid:
“Thatisdifficult,Iagree.Isupposethat,asCarolinesaid,Amyascommittedsuicide.”
“Isthatlikelyfromwhatyouknowofhischaracter?”
“Veryunlikely.”
“Butyoudonotsay,asinthefirstcase,thatyouknowitisimpossible?”
“No,because,asIsaidjustnow,mostpeopledodoimpossiblethings—thatistosaythingsthatseemoutofcharacter.ButIpresume,ifyouknowthemintimately,itwouldn’tbeoutofcharacter.”
“Youknewyourbrother-in-lawwell?”
“Yes,butnotlikeIknewCaro.ItseemstomequitefantasticthatAmyasshouldhavekilledhimself—butIsupposehecouldhavedoneso.Infact,hemusthavedoneso.”
“Youcannotseeanyotherexplanation?”
Angelaacceptedthesuggestioncalmly,butnotwithoutacertainstirringofinterest.
“Oh,Iseewhatyoumean…I’veneverreallyconsideredthatpossibility.Youmeanoneoftheotherpeoplekilledhim?Thatitwasadeliberatecold-bloodedmurder….”
“Itmighthavebeen,mightitnot?”
“Yes,itmighthavebeen…Butitcertainlyseemsveryunlikely.”
“Moreunlikelythansuicide?”
“That’sdifficulttosay…Onthefaceofit,therewasnoreasonforsuspectinganybodyelse.Thereisn’tnowwhenIlookback….”
“Allthesame,letusconsiderthepossibility.Whoofthoseintimatelyconcernedwouldyousaywas—shallwesay—themostlikelyperson?”
“Letmethink.Well,Ididn’tkillhim.AndtheElsacreaturecertainlydidn’t.Shewasmadwithragewhenhedied.Whoelsewasthere?MeredithBlake?HewasalwaysverydevotedtoCaroline,quiteatamecataboutthehouse.Isupposethatmightgivehimamotiveinaway.InabookhemighthavewantedtogetAmyasoutofthewaysothathehimselfcouldmarryCaroline.ButhecouldhaveachievedthatjustaswellbylettingAmyasgooffwithElsaandtheninduetimeconsolingCaroline.BesidesIreallycan’tseeMeredithasamurderer.Toomildandtoocautious.Whoelsewasthere?”
Poirotsuggested:“MissWilliams?PhilipBlake?”
Angela’sgravefacerelaxedintoasmileforaminute.
“MissWilliams?Onecan’treallymakeoneselfbelievethatone’sgovernesscouldcommitamurder!MissWilliamswasalwayssounyieldingandsofullofrectitude.”
Shepausedaminuteandthenwenton:
“ShewasdevotedtoCaroline,ofcourse.Wouldhavedoneanythingforher.AndshehatedAmyas.Shewasagreatfeministanddislikedmen.Isthatenoughformurder?Surelynot.”
“Itwouldhardlyseemso,”agreedPoirot.
Angelawenton:
“PhilipBlake?”Shewassilentforsomefewmoments.Thenshesaidquietly:“Ithink,youknow,ifwe’rejusttalkingoflikelihoods,he’sthemostlikelyperson.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youinterestmeverymuch,MissWarren.MayIaskwhyyousaythat?”
“Nothingatalldefinite.ButfromwhatIrememberofhim,Ishouldsayhewasapersonofratherlimitedimagination.”
“Andalimitedimaginationpredisposesyoutomurder?”
“Itmightleadyoutotakeacrudewayofsettlingyourdifficulties.Menofthattypegetacertainsatisfactionfromactionofsomekindorother.Murderisaverycrudebusiness,don’tyouthinkso?”
“Yes—Ithinkyouareright…Itisdefinitelyapointofview,that.Butallthesame,MissWarren,theremustbemoretoitthanthat.WhatmotivecouldPhilipBlakepossiblyhavehad?”
AngelaWarrendidnotansweratonce.Shestoodfrowningdownatthefloor.
HerculePoirotsaid:
“HewasAmyasCrale’sbestfriend,washenot?”
Shenodded.
“Butthereissomethinginyourmind,MissWarren.Somethingthatyouhavenotyettoldme.Werethetwomenrivals,perhaps,overthegirl—overElsa?”
AngelaWarrenshookherhead.
“Oh,no,notPhilip.”
“Whatistherethen?”
AngelaWarrensaidslowly:
“Doyouknowthewaythatthingssuddenlycomebacktoyou—afteryearsperhaps.I’llexplainwhatImean.Somebodytoldmeastoryonce,whenIwaseleven.Isawnopointinthatstorywhatsoever.Itdidn’tworryme—itjustpassedstraightovermyhead.Idon’tbelieveIever,astheysay,thoughtofitagain.Butabouttwoyearsago,sittinginthestallsatarevue,thatstorycamebacktome,andIwassosurprisedthatIactuallysaidaloud,‘Oh,nowIseethepointofthatsillystoryaboutthericepudding.’Andyettherehadbeennodirectallusiononthesamelines—onlysomefunsailingrathernearthewind.”
Poirotsaid:“Iunderstandwhatyoumean,mademoiselle.”
“ThenyouwillunderstandwhatIamgoingtotellyou.Iwasoncestayingatahotel.AsIwalkedalongapassage,oneofthebedroomdoorsopenedandawomanIknewcameout.Itwasnotherbedroom—andsheregisteredthefactplainlyonherfacewhenshesawme.
“AndIknewthenthemeaningoftheexpressionIhadonceseenonCaroline’sfacewhenatAlderburyshecameoutofPhilipBlake’sroomonenight.”
Sheleantforward,stoppingPoirot’swords.
“Ihadnoideaatthetime,youunderstand.Iknewthings—girlsoftheageIwasusuallydo—butIdidn’tconnectthemwithreality.CarolinecomingoutofPhilipBlake’sbedroomwasjustCarolinecomingoutofPhilipBlake’sbedroomtome.ItmighthavebeenMissWilliam’sroomormyroom.ButwhatIdidnoticewastheexpressiononherface—aqueerexpressionthatIdidn’tknowandcouldn’tunderstand.Ididn’tunderstandituntil,asIhavetoldyou,thenightinPariswhenIsawthatsameexpressiononanotherwoman’sface.”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“Butwhatyoutellme,MissWarren,issufficientlyastonishing.FromPhilipBlakehimselfIgottheimpressionthathedislikedyoursisterandalwayshaddoneso.”
Angelasaid:
“Iknow.Ican’texplainitbutthereitis.”
Poirotnoddedslowly.Already,inhisinterviewwithPhilipBlake,hehadfeltvaguelythatsomethingdidnotringtrue.ThatoverdoneanimosityagainstCaroline—ithadnot,somehow,beennatural.
AndthewordsandphrasesfromhisconversationwithMeredithBlakecamebacktohim.“VeryupsetwhenAmyasmarried—didnotgonearthemforoverayear….”
HadPhilip,then,alwaysbeeninlovewithCaroline?Andhadhislove,whenshechoseAmyas,turnedtobitternessandhate?
Yes,Philiphadbeentoovehement—toobiased.Poirotvisualizedhimthoughtfully—thecheerfulprosperousmanwithhisgolfandhiscomfortablehouse.WhathadPhilipBlakereallyfeltsixteenyearsago.
AngelaWarrenwasspeaking.
“Idon’tunderstandit.Yousee,I’venoexperienceinloveaffairs—theyhaven’tcomemyway.I’vetoldyouthisforwhatit’sworthincase—incaseitmighthaveabearingonwhathappened.”
BOOKTWO
NarrativeofPhilipBlake
(Coveringletterreceivedwithmanuscript)
DearMr.Poirot,IamfulfillingmypromiseandherewithfindenclosedanaccountoftheeventsrelatingtothedeathofAmyasCrale.AftersuchalapseoftimeIamboundtopointoutthatmymemoriesmaynotbestrictlyaccurate,butIhaveputdownwhatoccurredtothebestofmyrecollection.Yourstruly,PhilipBlake
NotesonProgressofEventsLeadinguptoMurderofAmyasCraleonSept.,19…
Myfriendshipwithdeceaseddatesbacktoaveryearlyperiod.Hishomeandminewerenextdoortoeachotherinthecountry,andourfamilieswerefriends.AmyasCralewasalittleovertwoyearsolderthanIwas.Weplayedtogetherasboys,intheholidays,thoughwewerenotatthesameschool.
FromthepointofviewofmylongknowledgeofthemanIfeelmyselfparticularlyqualifiedtotestifyastohischaracterandgeneraloutlookonlife.AndIwillsaythisstraightaway—toanyonewhoknewAmyasCralewell—thenotionofhiscommittingsuicideisquiteridiculous.Cralewouldneverhavetakenhisownlife.Hewasfartoofondofliving!ThecontentionofthedefenceatthetrialthatCralewasobsessedbyconscience,andtookpoisoninafitofremorse,isutterlyabsurdtoanyonewhoknewtheman.Crale,Ishouldsay,hadverylittleconscience,andcertainlynotamorbidone.Moreover,heandhiswifewereonbadterms,andIdon’tthinkhewouldhavehadanyscruplesaboutbreakingupwhatwas,tohim,averyunsatisfactorymarriedlife.Hewaspreparedtolookafterherfinancialwelfareandthatofthechildofthemarriage,andIamsurewouldhavedonesogenerously.Hewasaverygenerousman—andaltogetherawarm-heartedandlovableperson.Notonlywasheagreatpainter,buthewasamanwhosefriendsweredevotedtohim.AsfarasIknowhehadnoenemies.
IhadalsoknownCarolineCraleformanyyears.Iknewherbeforehermarriage,whensheusedtocomeandstayatAlderbury.Shewasthenasomewhatneuroticgirl,subjecttouncontrollableoutburstsoftemper,notwithoutattraction,butunquestionablyadifficultpersontolivewith.
SheshowedherdevotiontoAmyasalmostimmediately.He,Idonotthink,wasreallyverymuchinlovewithher.Buttheywerefrequentlythrowntogether—shewas,asIsay,attractive,andtheyeventuallybecameengaged.AmyasCrale’sbestfriendswereratherapprehensiveaboutthemarriage,astheyfeltthatCarolinewasquiteunsuitedtohim.
ThiscausedacertainamountofstraininthefirstfewyearsbetweenCrale’swifeandCrale’sfriends,butAmyaswasaloyalfriendandwasnotdisposedtogiveuphisoldfriendsatthebiddingofhiswife.Afterafewyears,heandIwereonthesameoldtermsandIwasafrequentvisitoratAlderbury.ImayaddthatIstoodgodfathertothelittlegirl,Carla.Thisproves,Ithink,thatAmyasconsideredmehisbestfriend,anditgivesmeauthoritytospeakforamanwhocannolongerspeakforhimself.
TocometotheactualeventsofwhichIhavebeenaskedtowrite,IarriveddownatAlderbury(soIseebyanolddiary)fivedaysbeforethecrime.Thatis,onSept.13th.Iwasconsciousatonceofacertaintensionintheatmosphere.TherewasalsostayinginthehouseMissElsaGreerwhomAmyaswaspaintingatthetime.
ItwasthefirsttimeIhadseenMissGreerintheflesh,butIhadbeenawareofherexistenceforsometime.Amyashadravedabouthertomeamonthpreviously.Hehadmet,hesaid,amarvellousgirl.HetalkedabouthersoenthusiasticallythatIsaidtohimjokingly:“Becareful,oldboy,oryou’llbelosingyourheadagain.”Hetoldmenottobeabloodyfool.Hewaspaintingthegirl;he’dnopersonalinterestinher.Isaid:“Tellthattothemarines!I’veheardyousaythatbefore.”Hesaid:“Thistimeit’sdifferent;”towhichIansweredsomewhatcynically:“Italwaysis!”Amyasthenlookedquiteworriedandanxious.Hesaid:“Youdon’tunderstand.She’sjustagirl.Notmuchmorethanachild.”Headdedthatshehadverymodernviewsandwasabsolutelyfreefromold-fashionedprejudices.Hesaid:“She’shonestandnaturalandabsolutelyfearless!”
Ithoughttomyself,thoughIdidn’tsayso,thatAmyashadcertainlygotitbadlythistime.AfewweekslaterIheardcommentsfromotherpeople.Itwassaidthatthe“Greergirlwasabsolutelyinfatuated.”SomebodyelsesaidthatitwasabitthickofAmyasconsideringhowyoungthegirlwas,whereuponsomebodyelsesniggeredandsaidthatElsaGreerknewherwayaboutallright.Furtherremarkswerethatthegirlwasrollinginmoneyandhadalwaysgoteverythingshewanted,andalsothat“shewastheonewhowasmakingmostoftherunning.”TherewasaquestionastowhatCrale’swifethoughtaboutit—andthesignificantreplythatshemustbeusedtothatsortofthingbynow,towhichsomeonedemurredbysayingthey’dheardthatshewasjealousashellandledCralesuchanimpossiblelifethatanymanwouldbejustifiedinhavingaflingfromtimetotime.
ImentionallthisbecauseIthinkitisimportantthatthestateofaffairsbeforeIgotdownthereshouldbefullyrealized.
Iwasinterestedtoseethegirl—shewasremarkablygood-lookingandveryattractive—andIwas,Imustadmit,maliciouslyamusedtonotethatCarolinewascuttingupveryroughindeed.
AmyasCralehimselfwaslesslight-heartedthanusual.Thoughtoanyonewhodidnotknowhimwell,hismannerwouldhaveappearedmuchasusual,Iwhoknewhimsointimatelynotedatoncevarioussignsofstrain,uncertaintemper,fitsofmoodyabstraction,generalirritabilityofmanner.
Althoughhewasalwaysinclinedtobemoodywhenpainting,thepicturehewasatworkupondidnotaccountentirelyforthestrainheshowed.Hewaspleasedtoseemeandsaidassoonaswewerealone:“Thankgoodnessyou’veturnedup,Phil.Livinginahousewithfourwomenisenoughtosendanymancleanoffhischump.Betweenthemallthey’llsendmeintoalunaticasylum.”
Itwascertainlyanuncomfortableatmosphere.Caroline,asIsaid,wasobviouslycuttinguproughaboutthewholething.Inapolite,well-bredway,shewasrudertoElsathanonewouldbelievepossible—withoutasingleactuallyoffensiveword.ElsaherselfwasopenlyandflagrantlyrudetoCaroline.Shewastopdogandsheknewit—andnoscruples
Itwasthenthathesaid:
“Goddamnallwomen!Ifamanistohaveanypeacehemuststeerclearofwomen!”
“Yououghtn’ttohavemarried,”Isaid.“You’rethesortofmanwhooughttohavekeptclearofdomesticties.”
Herepliedthatitwastoolatetotalkaboutthatnow.HeaddedthatnodoubtCarolinewouldbeonlytoogladtogetridofhim.ThatwasthefirstindicationIhadthatsomethingunusualwasinthewind.
Isaid:“What’sallthis?IsthisbusinesswiththelovelyElsaseriousthen?”Hesaidwithasortofgroan:
“Sheislovely,isn’tshe?SometimesIwishI’dneverseenher.”
Isaid:“Lookhere,oldboy,youmusttakeaholdonyourself.Youdon’twanttogettiedupwithanymorewomen.”Helookedatmeandlaughed.Hesaid:“It’sallverywellforyoutotalk.Ican’tletwomenalone—simplycan’tdoit—andifIcould,theywouldn’tletmealone!”Thenheshruggedthosegreatshouldersofhis,grinnedatmeandsaid:“Ohwell,itwillallpanoutintheend,Iexpect.Andyoumustadmitthepictureisgood?”
HewasreferringtotheportraithewasdoingofElsa,andalthoughIhadverylittletechnicalknowledgeofpainting,evenIcouldseethatitwasgoingtobeaworkofespecialpower.
Whilsthewaspainting,Amyaswasadifferentman.Althoughhewouldgrowl,groan,frown,swearextravagantly,andsometimeshurlhisbrushesaway,hewasreallyintenselyhappy.
Itwasonlywhenhecamebacktothehouseformealsthatthehostileatmospherebetweenthewomengothimdown.ThathostilitycametoaheadonSept.17th.Wehadhadanembarrassinglunch.Elsahadbeenparticularly—really,Ithinkinsolentistheonlywordforit!ShehadignoredCarolinepointedly,persistentlyaddressingtheconversationtoAmyasasthoughheandshewerealoneintheroom.Carolinehadtalkedlightlyandgailytotherestofus,cleverlycontrivingsothatseveralperfectlyinnocent-soundingremarksshouldhaveasting.Shehadn’tgotElsaGreer’sscornfulhonesty—withCarolineeverythingwasoblique,suggestedratherthansaid.
Thingscametoaheadafterlunchinthedrawingroomjustaswewerefinishingcoffee.Ihadcommentedonacarvedheadinhighlypolishedbeechwood—averycuriousthing,andCarolinesaid:“ThatistheworkofayoungNorwegiansculptor.AmyasandIadmirehisworkverymuch.Wehopetogoandseehimnextsummer.”ThatcalmassumptionofpossessionwastoomuchforElsa.Shewasneveronetoletachallengepass.Shewaitedaminuteortwoandthenshespokeinherclear,ratheroveremphasizedvoice.Shesaid:“Thiswouldbealovelyroomifitwasproperlyfixed.It’sgotfartoomuchfurnitureinit.WhenI’mlivinghereIshalltakealltherubbishoutandjustleaveoneortwogoodpieces.AndIshallhavecopper-colouredcurtains,Ithink—sothatthesettingsunwilljustcatchthemthroughthatbigwesternwindow.”Sheturnedtomeandsaid.“Don’tyouthinkthatwouldberatherlovely?”
Ididn’thavetimetoanswer.Carolinespoke,andhervoicewassoftandsilkyandwhatIcanonlydescribeasdangerous.Shesaid:
“Areyouthinkingofbuyingthisplace,Elsa?”
Elsasaid:“Itwon’tbenecessaryformetobuyit.”
Carolinesaid:“Whatdoyoumean?”Andtherewasnosoftnessinhervoicenow.Itwashardandmetallic.Elsalaughed.Shesaid:“Mustwepretend?Comenow,Caroline,youknowverywellwhatImean!”
Carolinesaid:“I’venoidea.”
Elsasaidtothat:“Don’tbesuchanostrich.It’snogoodpretendingyoudon’tseeandknowallaboutit.AmyasandIcareforeachother.Thisisn’tyourhome.It’shis.Andafterwe’remarriedIshallliveherewithhim!”
Carolinesaid:“Ithinkyou’recrazy.”
Elsasaid:“Ohno,I’mnot,mydear,andyouknowit.Itwouldbemuchsimplerifwewerehonestwitheachother.AmyasandIloveeachother—you’veseenthatclearlyenough.There’sonlyonedecentthingforyoutodo.You’vegottogivehimhisfreedom.”
Carolinesaid:“Idon’tbelieveawordofwhatyouaresaying.”
Buthervoicewasunconvincing.Elsahadgotunderherguardallright.
AndatthatminuteAmyasCralecameintotheroomandElsasaidwithalaugh:
“Ifyoudon’tbelieveme,askhim.”
AndCarolinesaid:“Iwill.”
Shedidn’tpauseatall.Shesaid:
“Amyas,Elsasaysyouwanttomarryher.Isthistrue?”
PoorAmyas.Ifeltsorryforhim.Itmakesamanfeelafooltohaveasceneofthatkindforceduponhim.Hewentcrimsonandstartedblustering.HeturnedonElsaandaskedherwhythedevilshecouldn’thaveheldhertongue?
Carolinesaid:“Thenitistrue?”
Hedidn’tsayanything,juststoodtherepassinghisfingerroundinsidetheneckofhisshirt.Heusedtodothatasakidwhenhegotintoajamofanykind.Hesaid—andhetriedtomakethewordssounddignifiedandauthoritative—andofcoursecouldn’tmanageit,poordevil:
“Idon’twanttodiscussit.”
Carolinesaid:“Butwe’regoingtodiscussit!”
Elsachippedinandsaid:
“Ithinkit’sonlyfairtoCarolinethatsheshouldbetold.”
Carolinesaid,veryquietly:
“Isittrue,Amyas?”
Helookedabitashamedofhimself.Mendowhenwomenpinthemdowninacorner.
Shesaid:
“Answerme,please.I’vegottoknow.”
Heflunguphisheadthen—ratherthewayabulldoesinthebullring.Hesnappedout:
“It’strueenough—butIdon’twanttodiscussitnow.”
Andheturnedandstrodeoutoftheroom.Iwentafterhim.Ididn’twanttobeleftwiththewomen.Icaughtupwithhimontheterrace.Hewasswearing.Ineverknewamanswearmoreheartily.Thenheraved:
“Whycouldn’tsheholdhertongue?Whythedevilcouldn’tsheholdhertongue?Nowthefat’sinthefire.AndI’vegottofinishthatpicture—doyouhear,Phil?It’sthebestthingI’vedone.ThebestthingI’veeverdoneinmylife.Andacoupleofdamn’foolwomenwanttomuckitupbetweenthem!”
Thenhecalmeddownalittleandsaidwomenhadnosenseofproportion.
Icouldn’thelpsmilingalittle.Isaid:
“Well,dashitall,oldboy,youhavebroughtthisonyourself.”
“Don’tIknowit,”hesaid,andgroaned.Thenheadded:“Butyoumustadmit,Phil,thatamancouldn’tbeblamedforlosinghisheadabouther.EvenCarolineoughttounderstandthat.”
IaskedhimwhatwouldhappenifCarolinegotherbackupandrefusedtogivehimadivorce.
Butbynowhehadgoneoffintoafitofabstraction.Irepeatedtheremarkandhesaidabsently:
“Carolinewouldneverbevindictive.Youdon’tunderstand,oldboy.”
“There’sthechild,”Ipointedout.
Hetookmebythearm.
“Phil,oldboy,youmeanwell—butdon’tgooncroakinglikearaven.Icanmanagemyaffairs.Everythingwillturnoutallright.You’llseeifitdoesn’t.”
ThatwasAmyasallover—anabsolutelyunjustifiedoptimist.Hesaidnow,cheerfully:
“Tohellwiththewholepackofthem!”
Idon’tknowwhetherwewouldhavesaidanythingmore,butafewminuteslaterCarolinesweptoutontheterrace.She’dgotahaton,aqueer,flopping,dark-brownhat,ratherattractive.
Shesaidinanabsolutelyordinary,everydayvoice:
“Takeoffthatpaint-stainedcoat,Amyas.We’regoingovertoMeredith’stotea—don’tyouremember?”
Hestared,stammeredabitashesaid:
“Oh,I’dforgotten.Yes,ofc-c-courseweare.”
Shesaid:
“Thengoandtryandmakeyourselflooklesslikearag-and-boneman.”
Althoughhervoicewasquitenatural,shedidn’tlookathim.Shemovedovertowardsabedofdahliasandbeganpickingoffsomeoftheoverblownflowers.
Amyasturnedroundslowlyandwentintothehouse.
Carolinetalkedtome.Shetalkedagooddeal.Aboutthechancesoftheweatherlasting.Andwhethertheremightbemackerelabout,andifsoAmyasandAngelaandImightliketogofishing.Shewasreallyamazing.I’vegottohandittoher.
ButIthink,myself,thatthatshowedthesortofwomanshewas.Shehadenormousstrengthofwillandcompletecommandoverherself.Idon’tknowwhethershe’dmadeuphermindtokillhimthen—butIshouldn’tbesurprised.Andshewascapableofmakingherplanscarefullyandunemotionally,withanabsolutelyclearandruthlessmind.
CarolineCralewasaverydangerouswoman.Ioughttohaverealizedthenthatshewasn’tpreparedtotakethisthinglyingdown.ButlikeafoolIthoughtthatshehadmadeuphermindtoaccepttheinevitable—orelsepossiblyshethoughtthatifshecarriedonexactlyasusualAmyasmightchangehismind.
Presentlytheotherscameout.Elsalookingdefiant—butatthesametimetriumphant.Carolinetooknonoticeofher.Angelareallysavedthesituation.ShecameoutarguingwithMissWilliamsthatshewasn’tgoingtochangeherskirtforanyone.Itwasquiteallright—goodenoughfordarlingoldMeredithanyway—henevernoticedanything.
Wegotoffatlast.CarolinewalkedwithAngela.AndIwalkedwithAmyas.AndElsawalkedbyherself—smiling.
Ididn’tadmirehermyself—tooviolentatype—butIhavetoadmitthatshelookedincrediblybeautifulthatafternoon.Womendowhenthey’vegotwhattheywant.
Ican’tremembertheeventsofthatafternoonclearlyatall.It’sallblurred.IrememberoldMerrycomingouttomeetus.Ithinkwewalkedroundthegardenfirst.IrememberhavingalongdiscussionwithAngelaaboutthetrainingofterriersforratting.Sheateanincrediblelotofapples,andtriedtopersuademetodosotoo.
Whenwegotbacktothehouse,teawasgoingonunderthebigcedartree.Merry,Iremember,waslookingveryupset.IsupposeeitherCarolineorAmyashadtoldhimsomething.HewaslookingdoubtfullyatCaroline,andthenhestaredatElsa.Theoldboylookedthoroughlyworried.OfcourseCarolinelikedtohaveMeredithonastringmoreorless,thedevoted,platonicfriendwhowouldnever,nevergotoofar.Shewasthatkindofwoman.
AfterteaMeredithhadahurriedwordwithme.Hesaid:
“Lookhere,Phil,Amyascan’tdothisthing!”
Isaid:
“Makenomistake,he’sgoingtodoit.”
“Hecan’tleavehiswifeandchildandgooffwiththisgirl.He’syearsolderthansheis.Shecan’tbemorethaneighteen.”
IsaidtohimthatMissGreerwasafullysophisticatedtwenty.
Hesaid:“Anyway,that’sunderage.Shecan’tknowwhatshe’sdoing.”
PooroldMeredith.Alwaysthechivalrouspukkasahib.Isaid:
“Don’tworry,oldboy.Sheknowswhatshe’sdoing,andshelikesit!”
That’sallwehadthechanceofsaying.IthoughttomyselfthatprobablyMerryfeltdisturbedatthethoughtofCarolinebeingadesertedwife.OncethedivorcewasthroughshemightexpectherfaithfulDobbintomarryher.Ihadanideathathopelessdevotionwasreallyfarmoreinhisline.Imustconfessthatthatsideofitamusedme.
CuriouslyenoughIrememberverylittleaboutourvisittoMeredith’sstinkroom.Heenjoyedshowingpeoplehishobby.PersonallyIalwaysfounditveryboring.IsupposeIwasintherewiththerestofthemwhenhegaveadissertationontheefficacyofconiine,butIdon’trememberit.AndIdidn’tseeCarolinepinchthestuff.AsI’vesaid,shewasaveryadroitwoman.IdorememberMeredithreadingaloudthepassagefromPlatodescribingSocrates’death.VeryboringIthoughtit.Classicsalwaysdidboreme.
There’snothingmuchmoreIcanrememberaboutthatday.AmyasandAngelahadafirst-classrow,Iknow,andtherestofusratherwelcomedit.Itavoidedotherdifficulties.Angelarushedofftobedwithafinalvituperativeoutburst.ShesaidA,she’dpayhimout.B,shewishedheweredead.C,shehopedhe’ddieofleprosy,itwouldservehimright.D,shewishedasausagewouldsticktohisnose,likeinthefairystory,andnevercomeoff.Whenshe’dgonewealllaughed,wecouldn’thelpit,itwassuchafunnymixture.
Carolinewentuptobedimmediatelyafterwards.MissWilliamsdisappearedafterherpupil.AmyasandElsawentofftogetherintothegarden.ItwasclearthatIwasn’twanted.Iwentforastrollbymyself.Itwasalovelynight.
Icamedownlatethefollowingmorning.Therewasnooneinthediningroom.Funnythethingsyoudoremember.IrememberthetasteofthekidneysandbaconIatequitewell.Theywereverygoodkidneys.Devilled.
AfterwardsIwanderedoutlookingforeverybody.Iwentoutside,didn’tseeanybody,smokedacigarette,encounteredMissWilliamsrunningaboutlookingforAngela,whohadplayedtruantasusualwhensheoughttohavebeenmendingatornfrock.IwentbackintothehallandrealizedthatAmyasandCarolinewerehavingaset-tointhelibrary.Theyweretalkingveryloud.Iheardhersay:
“Youandyourwomen!I’dliketokillyou.SomedayIwillkillyou.”Amyassaid:“Don’tbeafool,Caroline.”Andshesaid:“Imeanit,Amyas.”
Well,Ididn’twanttooverhearanymore.Iwentoutagain.IwanderedalongtheterracetheotherwayandcameacrossElsa.
Shewassittingononeofthelongseats.Theseatwasdirectlyunderthelibrarywindow,andthewindowwasopen.Ishouldimaginethattherewasn’tmuchshehadmissedofwhatwasgoingoninside.Whenshesawmeshegotupascoolasacucumberandcametowardsme.Shewassmiling.Shetookmyarmandsaid:
“Isn’titalovelymorning?”
Itwasalovelymorningforherallright!Ratheracruelgirl.No,Ithinkmerelyhonestandlackinginimagination.Whatshewantedherselfwastheonlythingthatshecouldsee.
We’dbeenstandingontheterracetalkingforaboutfiveminutes,whenIheardthelibrarydoorbangandAmyasCralecameout.Hewasveryredintheface.
HecaughtholdofElsaunceremoniouslybytheshoulder.
Hesaid:“Comeon,timeforyoutosit.Iwanttogetonwiththatpicture.”
Shesaid:“Allright.I’lljustgoupandgetapullover.There’sachillywind.”
Shewentintothehouse.
IwonderedifAmyaswouldsayanythingtome,buthedidn’tsaymuch.Just:“Thesewomen!”
Isaid:“Cheerup,oldboy.”
ThenweneitherofussaidanythingtillElsacameoutofthehouseagain.
TheywentofftogetherdowntotheBatterygarden.Iwentintothehouse.Carolinewasstandinginthehall.Idon’tthinksheevennoticedme.Itwasawayofhersattimes.She’dseemtogorightaway—togetinsideherselfasitwere.Shejustmurmuredsomething.Nottome—toherself.Ijustcaughtthewords:
“It’stoocruel….”
That’swhatshesaid.Thenshewalkedpastmeandupstairs,stillwithoutseemingtoseeme—justlikeapersonintentonsomeinnervision.Ithinkmyself(I’venoauthorityforsayingthis,youunderstand)thatshewentuptogetthestuff,andthatitwasthenshedecidedtodowhatshediddo.
Andjustatthatmomentthetelephonerang.Insomehousesonewouldwaitfortheservantstoanswerit,butIwassooftenatAlderburythatIactedmoreorlessasoneofthefamily.Ipickedupthereceiver.
ItwasmybrotherMeredith’svoicethatanswered.Hewasveryupset.Heexplainedthathehadbeenintohislaboratoryandthattheconiinebottlewashalf-empty.
Idon’tneedtogoagainoverallthethingsIknownowIoughttohavedone.ThethingwassostartlingandIwasfoolishenoughtobetakenaback.Meredithwasditheringagoodbitattheotherend.Iheardsomeoneonthestairs,andIjusttoldhimsharplytocomeoveratonce.
Imyselfwentdowntomeethim.Incaseyoudon’tknowthelayoftheland,theshortestwayfromoneestatetotheotherwasbyrowingacrossasmallcreek.Iwentdownthepathtowheretheboatswerekeptbyasmalljetty.TodosoIpassedunderthewalloftheBatterygarden.IcouldhearElsaandAmyastalkingashepainted.Theysoundedverycheerfulandcarefree.Amyassaiditwasanamazinglyhotday(soitwas,veryhotforSeptember),andElsasaidthatsittingwhereshewas,poisedonthebattlements,therewasacoldwindblowinginfromthesea.Andthenshesaid:“I’mhorriblystifffromposing.Can’tIhavearest,darling?”AndIheardAmyascryout:“Notonyourlife.Stickit.You’reatoughgirl.Andthisisgoinggood,Itellyou.”IheardElsasay,“Brute”andlaugh,asIwentoutofearshot.
Meredithwasjustrowinghimselfacrossfromtheotherside.Iwaitedforhim.Hetieduptheboatandcameupthesteps.Hewaslookingverywhiteandworried.Hesaidtome:
“Yourhead’sbetterthanmine,Philip.WhatoughtItodo?Thatstuff’sdangerous.”
Isaid:“Areyouabsolutelysureaboutthis?”Meredith,yousee,wasalwaysarathervaguekindofchap.Perhapsthat’swhyIdidn’ttakeitasseriouslyasIoughttohavedone.Andhesaidhewasquitesure.Thebottlehadbeenfullyesterdayafternoon.
Isaid:“Andyou’veabsolutelynoideawhopinchedit?”
HesaidnonewhateverandaskedmewhatIthought.Couldithavebeenoneoftheservants?IsaidIsupposeditmighthavebeen,butitseemedunlikelytome.Healwayskeptthedoorlocked,didn’the?Always,hesaid,andthenbeganarigmaroleabouthavingfoundthewindowafewinchesopenatthebottom.Someonemighthavegotinthatway.
“Achanceburglar?”Iaskedsceptically.“Itseemstome,Meredith,thattherearesomeverynastypossibilities.”
HesaidwhatdidIreallythink?AndIsaid,ifhewassurehewasn’tmakingamistake,thatprobablyCarolinehadtakenittopoisonElsawith—orthatalternativelyElsahadtakenittogetCarolineoutofthewayandstraightenthepathoftruelove.
Meredithtwitteredabit.Hesaiditwasabsurdandmelodramaticandcouldn’tbetrue.Isaid:“Well,thestuff’sgone.What’syourexplanation?”Hehadn’tany,ofcourse.ActuallythoughtjustasIdid,butdidn’twanttofacethefact.
Hesaidagain:“Whatarewetodo?”
Isaid,damnedfoolthatIwas:“Wemustthinkitovercarefully.Eitheryou’dbetterannounceyourloss,straightoutwheneverybody’sthere,orelseyou’dbettergetCarolinealoneandtaxherwithit.Ifyou’reconvincedshe’snothingtodowithit,adoptthesametacticsforElsa.”Hesaid:“Agirllikethat!Shecouldn’thavetakenit.”IsaidIwouldn’tputitpasther.
Wewerewalkinguptothehouseaswetalked.Afterthatlastremarkofmineneitherofusspokeforsomefewseconds.WewereroundingtheBatterygardenagainandIheardCaroline’svoice.
Ithoughtperhapsathree-handedrowwasgoingon,butactuallyitwasAngelathattheywerediscussing.Carolinewasprotesting.Shesaid:“It’sveryhardonthegirl.”AndAmyasmadesomeimpatientrejoinder.Thenthedoortothegardenopenedjustaswecameabreastofit.Amyaslookedalittletakenabackatseeingus.Carolinewasjustcomingout.Shesaid:“Hallo,Meredith.We’vebeendiscussingthequestionofAngela’sgoingtoschool.I’mnotatallsureit’stherightthingforher.”Amyassaid:“Don’tfussaboutthegirl.She’llbeallright.Goodriddance.”
JustthenElsacamerunningdownthepathfromthehouse.Shehadsomesortofscarletjumperinherhand.Amyasgrowled:
“Comealong.Getbackintothepose.Idon’twanttowastetime.”
Hewentbacktowherehiseaselwasstanding.InoticedthathestaggeredabitandIwonderedifhehadbeendrinking.Amanmighteasilybeexcusedfordoingsowithallthefussandthescenes
Hegrumbled.
“Thebeerhereisredhot.Whycan’twekeepsomeicedownhere?”
AndCarolineCralesaid:
“I’llsendyoudownsomebeerjustofftheice.”
Amyasgruntedout:
“Thanks.”
ThenCarolineshutthedooroftheBatterygardenandcameupwithustothehouse.Wesatdownontheterraceandshewentintothehouse.AboutfiveminuteslaterAngelacamealongwithacoupleofbottlesofbeerandsomeglasses.Itwasahotdayandweweregladtoseeit.AsweweredrinkingitCarolinepassedus.ShewascarryinganotherbottleandsaidshewouldtakeitdowntoAmyas.Meredithsaidhe’dgo,butshewasquitefirmthatshe’dgoherself.Ithought—foolthatIwas—thatitwasjustherjealousy.Shecouldn’tstandthosetwobeingalonedownthere.ThatwaswhathadtakenherdownthereoncealreadywiththeweakpretextofarguingaboutAngela’sdeparture.
Shewentoffdownthatzigzagpath—andMeredithandIwatchedhergo.We’dstillnotdecidedanything,andnowAngelaclamouredthatIshouldcomebathingwithher.ItseemedimpossibletogetMeredithalone.Ijustsaidtohim:“Afterlunch.”Andhenodded.
ThenIwentoffbathingwithAngela.Wehadagoodswim—acrossthecreekandback,andthenwelayoutontherockssunbathing.Angelawasabittaciturnandthatsuitedme.ImadeupmymindthatdirectlyafterlunchI’dtakeCarolineasideandaccuseherpoint-blankofhavingstolenthestuff.NouselettingMeredithdoit—he’dbetooweak.No,I’dtaxherwithitoutright.Afterthatshe’dhavetogiveitback,orevenifshedidn’tshewouldn’tdareuseit.Iwasprettysureitmustbeheronthinkingthingsover.Elsawasfartoosensibleandhard-boiledayoungwomantorisktamperingwithpoisons.Shehadahardheadandwouldtakecareofherownskin.Carolinewasmadeofmoredangerousstuff—unbalanced,carriedawaybyimpulsesanddefinitelyneurotic.Andstill,youknow,atthebackofmymindwasthefeelingthatMeredithmighthavemadeamistake.Orsomeservantmighthavebeenpokingaboutinthereandsplitthestuffandthennotdaredtoownup.Yousee,poisonseemssuchamelodramaticthing—youcan’tbelieveinit.
Nottillithappens.
ItwasquitelatewhenIlookedatmywatch,andAngelaandIfairlyraceduptolunch.Theywerejustsittingdown—allbutAmyas,whohadremaineddownintheBatterypainting.Quiteanormalthingforhimtodo—andprivatelyIthoughthimverywisetoelecttodoittoday.Lunchwaslikelytohavebeenanawkwardmeal.
Wehadcoffeeontheterrace.IwishIcouldrememberbetterhowCarolinelookedandacted.Shedidn’tseemexcitedinanyway.Quietandrathersadismyimpression.Whatadevilthatwomanwas!
Foritisadevilishthingtodo,topoisonamanincoldblood.Iftherehadbeenarevolveraboutandshecaughtitupandshothim—well,thatmighthavebeenunderstandable.Butthiscold,deliberate,vindictivepoisoning….Andsocalmandcollected.
Shegotupandsaidshe’dtakehiscoffeetohiminthemostnaturalwaypossible.Andyetsheknew—shemusthaveknown—thatbynowshe’dfindhimdead.MissWilliamswentwithher.Idon’trememberifthatwasatCaroline’ssuggestionornot.Iratherthinkitwas.
Thetwowomenwentofftogether.Meredithstrolledawayshortlyafterwards.Iwasjustmakinganexcusetogoafterhim,whenhecamerunningupthepathagain.Hisfacewasgrey.Hegaspedout:
“Wemustgetadoctor—quick—Amyas—”
Isprangup.
“Isheill—dying?”
Meredithsaid:
“I’mafraidhe’sdead….”
We’dforgottenElsafortheminute.Butsheletoutasuddencry.Itwaslikethewailofabanshee.
Shecried:
“Dead?Dead?…”Andthensheran.Ididn’tknowanyonecouldmovelikethat—likeadeer—likeastrickenthing.AndlikeanavengingFury,too.
Meredithpantedout:
“Goafterher.I’lltelephone.Goafterher.Youdon’tknowwhatshe’lldo.”
Ididgoafterher—andit’saswellIdid.ShemightquiteeasilyhavekilledCaroline.I’veneverseensuchgriefandsuchfrenziedhate.Alltheveneerofrefinementandeducationwasstrippedoff.Youcouldseeherfatherandherfather’smotherandfatherhadbeenmillhands.Deprivedofherlover,shewasjustelementalwoman.She’dhaveclawedCaroline’sface,tornherhair,hurledherovertheparapetifshecould.ShethoughtforsomereasonorotherthatCarolinehadknifedhim.She’dgotitallwrong—naturally.
Iheldheroff,andthenMissWilliamstookcharge.Shewasgood,Imustsay.ShegotElsatocontrolherselfinunderaminute—toldhershe’dgottobequietandthatwecouldn’thavethisnoiseandviolencegoingon.Shewasatartar,thatwoman.Butshedidthetrick.Elsawasquiet—juststoodtheregaspingandtrembling.
AsforCaroline,sofarasIamconcerned,themaskwasrightoff.Shestoodthereperfectlyquiet—youmighthavesaiddazed.Butshewasn’tdazed.Itwashereyesgaveheraway.Theywerewatchful—fullyawareandquietlywatchful.She’dbegun,Isuppose,tobeafraid….
Iwentuptoherandspoketoher.Isaiditquitelow.Idon’tthinkeitherofthetwowomenoverheard.
Isaid:
“Youdamnedmurderess,you’vekilledmybestfriend.”
Sheshrankback.Shesaid:
“No—ohno—he—hedidithimself….”
Ilookedherfullintheeyes.Isaid:
“Youcantellthatstory—tothepolice.”
Shedid—andtheydidn’tbelieveher.
EndofPhilipBlake’sStatement.
NarrativeofMeredithBlake
DearMr.Poirot,
AsIpromisedyou,IhavesetdowninwritinganaccountofallIcanrememberrelatingtothetragiceventsthathappenedsixteenyearsago.FirstofallIwouldliketosaythatIhavethoughtovercarefullyallyousaidtomeatourrecentmeeting.AndonreflectionIammoreconvincedthanIwasbeforethatitisinthehighestdegreeunlikelythatCarolineCralepoisonedherhusband.Italwaysseemedincongruous,buttheabsenceofanyotherexplanationandherownattitudeledmetofollow,sheep-like,theopinionofotherpeopleandtosaywiththem—thatifshedidn’tdoit,whatexplanationcouldtherebe?
SinceseeingyouIhavereflectedverycarefullyonthealternativesolutionpresentedatthetimeandbroughtforwardbythedefenceatthetrial.Thatis,thatAmyasCraletookhisownlife.AlthoughfromwhatIknewofhimthatsolutionseemedquitefantasticatthetime,Inowseefittomodifymyopinion.Tobeginwith,andhighlysignificant,isthefactthatCarolinebelievedit.Ifwearenowtotakeitthatthatcharmingandgentleladywasunjustlyconvicted,thenherownfrequentlyreiteratedbeliefmustcarrygreatweight.SheknewAmyasbetterthananyoneelse.Ifshethoughtsuicidepossible,thensuicidemusthavebeenpossibleinspiteofthescepticismofhisfriends.
Iwilladvancethetheory,therefore,thattherewasinAmyasCralesomecoreofconscience,someundercurrentofremorseandevendespairattheexcessestowhichhistemperamentledhim,ofwhichonlyhiswifewasaware.This,Ithink,isanotimpossiblesupposition.Hemayhaveshownthatsideofhimselfonlytoher.ThoughitisinconsistentwithanythingIeverheardhimsay,yetitisneverthelessatruththatinmostmenthereissomeunsuspectedandinconsistentstreakwhichoftencomesasasurprisetopeoplewhohaveknownthemintimately.Arespectedandausteremanisdiscoveredtohavehadacoarsersidetohislifehidden.Avulgarmoneymakerhas,perhaps,asecretappreciationofsomedelicateworkofart.Hardandruthlesspeoplehavebeenconvictedofunsuspectedhiddenkindnesses.Generousandjovialmenhavebeenshowntohaveameanandcruelsidetothem.
SoitmaybethatinAmyasCralethereranastrainofmorbidself-accusation,andthatthemoreheblusteredouthisegoismandhisrighttodoashepleased,themorestronglythatsecretconscienceofhisworked.Itisimprobable,onthefaceofit,butInowbelievethatitmusthavebeenso.AndIrepeatagain,Carolineherselfheldsteadfastlytothatview.That,Irepeat,issignificant!
Andnowtoexaminefacts,orrathermymemoryoffacts,inthelightofthatnewbelief.
IthinkthatImightwithrelevanceincludehereaconversationIheldwithCarolinesomeweeksbeforetheactualtragedy.ItwasduringElsaGreer’sfirstvisittoAlderbury.
Caroline,asIhavetoldyou,wasawareofmydeepaffectionandfriendshipforher.Iwas,therefore,thepersoninwhomshecouldmosteasilyconfide.Shehadnotbeenlookingveryhappy.NeverthelessIwassurprisedwhenshesuddenlyaskedmeonedaywhetherIthoughtAmyasreallycaredverymuchforthisgirlhehadbroughtdown.
Isaid:“He’sinterestedinpaintingher.YouknowwhatAmyasis.”
Sheshookherheadandsaid:
“No,he’sinlovewithher.”
“Well—perhapsalittle.”
“Agreatdeal,Ithink.”
Isaid:“Sheisunusuallyattractive,Iadmit.AndwebothknowthatAmyasissusceptible.Butyoumustknowbynow,mydear,thatAmyasreallyonlycaresforoneperson—andthatisyou.Hehastheseinfatuations—buttheydon’tlast.Youaretheonepersontohim,andthoughhebehavesbadly,itdoesnotreallyaffecthisfeelingforyou.”
Carolinesaid:“ThatiswhatIalwaysusedtothink.”
“Believeme,Caro,”Isaid.“Itisso.”
Shesaid:“Butthistime,Merry,I’mafraid.Thatgirlisso—soterriblysincere.She’ssoyoung—andsointense.I’veafeelingthatthistime—it’sserious.”
Isaid:“Buttheveryfactthatsheissoyoungand,asyousay,sosincere,willprotecther.Onthewhole,womenarefairgametoAmyas,butinthecaseofagirllikethisitwillbedifferent.”
Shesaid:“Yes,that’swhatI’mafraidof—itwillbedifferent.”
Andshewenton.“I’mthirty-four,youknow,Merry.Andwe’vebeenmarriedtenyears.InlooksIcan’tholdacandletothisElsachild,andIknowit.”
Isaid:“Butyouknow,Caroline,youknow—thatAmyasisreallydevotedtoyou?”
Shesaidtothat:“Doesoneeverknowwithmen?”Andthenshelaughedalittleruefullyandsaid:“I’maveryprimitivewoman,Merry.I’dliketotakeahatchettothatgirl.”
Itoldherthatthechildprobablydidn’tunderstandintheleastwhatshewasdoing.ShehadagreatadmirationandheroworshipforAmyas,andsheprobablydidn’trealizeatallthatAmyaswasfallinginlovewithher.
Carolinejustsaidtome:
“DearMerry!”andbegantotalkaboutthegarden.Ihopedthatshewasnotgoingtoworryanymoreaboutthematter
Shortlyafterwards,ElsawentbacktoLondon.Amyaswasawaytooforseveralweeks.Ihadreallyforgottenallaboutthebusiness.AndthenIheardthatElsawasbackagainatAlderburyinorderthatAmyasmightfinishthepicture.
Iwasalittledisturbedbythenews.ButCaroline,whenIsawher,wasnotinacommunicativemood.Sheseemedquiteherusualself—notworriedorupsetinanyway.Iimaginedthateverythingwasallright.
That’swhyitwassuchashocktometolearnhowfarthethinghadgone.
IhavetoldyouofmyconversationswithCraleandwithElsa.IhadnoopportunityoftalkingtoCaroline.WewereonlyabletoexchangethosefewwordsaboutwhichIhavealreadytoldyou.
Icanseeherfacenow,thewidedarkeyesandtherestrainedemotion.Icanstillhearhervoiceasshesaid:
“Everything’sfinished….”
Ican’tdescribetoyoutheinfinitedesolationsheconveyedinthosewords.Theywerealiteralstatementoftruth.WithAmyas’sdefection,everythingwasfinishedforher.That,Iamconvinced,waswhyshetooktheconiine.Itwasawayout.Awaysuggestedtoherbymystupiddissertationonthedrug.AndthepassageIreadfromthePhaedogivesagraciouspictureofdeath.
Hereismypresentbelief.Shetooktheconiine,resolvedtoendherownlifewhenAmyaslefther.Hemayhaveseenhertakeit—orhemayhavediscoveredthatshehaditlater.
Thatdiscoveryacteduponhimwithterrificforce.Hewashorrifiedatwhathisactionshadledhertocontemplate.Butnotwithstandinghishorrorandremorse,hestillfelthimselfincapableofgivingupElsa.Icanunderstandthat.Anyonewhohadfalleninlovewithherwouldfinditalmostimpossibletotearhimselfaway.
HecouldnotenvisagelifewithoutElsa.HerealizedthatCarolinecouldnotlivewithouthim.Hedecidedtherewasonlyonewayout—tousetheconiinehimself.
Andthemannerinwhichhediditmightbecharacteristicoftheman,Ithink.Hispaintingwasthedearestthinginlifetohim.Hechosetodieliterallywithhisbrushinhishand.Andthelastthinghiseyeswouldseewasthefaceofthegirlhelovedsodesperately.Hemighthavethought,too,thathisdeathwouldbethebestthingforher….
Iadmitthatthistheoryleavescertaincuriousfactsunexplained.Why,forinstance,wereonlyCaroline’sfingerprintsfoundontheemptyconiinebottle.IsuggestthatafterAmyashadhandledit,allprintsgotsmudgedorrubbedoffbythesoftpilesofstuffsthatwerelyingoverthebottleandthat,afterhisdeath,Carolinehandledittoseeifanyonehadtouchedit.Surelythatispossibleandplausible?Astotheevidenceaboutthefingerprintsonthebeerbottle,thewitnessesforthedefencewereofopinionthataman’shandmightbedistortedaftertakingpoisonandsocouldmanagetograspabeerbottleinawhollyunnaturalway.
Oneotherthingremainstobeexplained.Caroline’sownattitudethroughoutthetrial.ButIthinkIhavenowseenthecauseforthat.Itwasshewhoactuallytookthepoisonfrommylaboratory.Itwasherdeterminationtodoawaywithherselfthatimpelledherhusbandtotakehisownlifeinstead.Surelyitisnotunreasonabletosupposethatinamorbidexcessofresponsibilitysheconsideredherselfresponsibleforhisdeath—thatshepersuadedherselfthatshewasguiltyofmurder—thoughnotthekindofmurderofwhichshewasbeingaccused?
Ithinkallthatcouldbeso.Andifthatisthecase,thensurelyitwillbeeasyforyoutopersuadelittleCarlaofthefact?Andshecanmarryheryoungmanandrestcontentedthattheonlythingofwhichhermotherwasguiltywasanimpulse(nomore)totakeherownlife.
Allthis,alas,isnotwhatyouaskedmefor—whichwasanaccountofthehappeningsasIrememberthem.Letmenowrepairthatomission.IhavealreadytoldyoufullywhathappenedonthedayprecedingAmyas’sdeath.Wenowcometothedayitself.
Ihadsleptverybadly—worriedbythedisastrousturnofeventsformyfriends.AfteralongwakefulperiodwhilstIvainlytriedtothinkofsomethinghelpfulIcoulddotoavertthecatastrophe,Ifellintoaheavysleepaboutsixa.m.Thebringingofmyearlyteadidnotawakenme,andIfinallywokeupheavy-headedandunrefreshedabouthalfpastnine.ItwasshortlyafterthatthatIthoughtIheardmovementsintheroombelowme,whichwastheroomIusedasalaboratory.
Imaysayherethatactuallythesoundswereprobablycausedbyacatgettingin.Ifoundthewindowsashraisedalittlewayasithadcarelesslybeenleftfromthedaybefore.Itwasjustwideenoughtoadmitthepassageofacat.ImerelymentionthesoundstoexplainhowIcametoenterthelaboratory.
IwentinthereassoonasIhaddressed,andlookingalongtheshelvesInoticedthatthebottlecontainingthepreparationofconiinewasslightlyoutoflinewiththerest.Havinghadmyeyedrawntoitinthisway,Iwasstartledtoseethataconsiderablequantityofithadgone.Thebottlehadbeennearlyfullthedaybefore—nowitwasnearlyempty.
Ishutandlockedthewindowandwentout,lockingthedoorbehindme.Iwasconsiderablyupsetandalsobewildered.Whenstartled,mymentalprocessesare,Iamafraid,somewhatslow.
Iwasfirstdisturbed,thenapprehensive,andfinallydefinitelyalarmed.Iquestionedthehousehold,andtheyalldeniedhavingenteredthelaboratoryatall.Ithoughtthingsoveralittlewhilelonger,andthendecidedtoringupmybrotherandgethisadvice.
PhilipwasquickerthanIwas.Hesawtheseriousnessofmydiscovery,andurgedmetocomeoveratonceandconsultwithhim.
Iwentout,encounteringMissWilliams,whohadcomeacrossfromtheothersidetolookforatruantpupil.IassuredherthatIhadnotseenAngelaandthatshehadnotbeentothehouse.
IthinkthatMissWilliamsnoticedtherewassomethingamiss.Shelookedatmerathercuriously.Ihadnointention,however,oftellingherwhathadhappened.Isuggestedsheshouldtrythekitchengarden—Angelahadafavouriteappletreethere—andImyselfhurrieddowntotheshoreandrowedmyselfacrosstotheAlderburyside.
Mybrotherwasalreadytherewaitingforme.
WewalkeduptothehousetogetherbythewayyouandIwenttheotherday.HavingseenthetopographyyoucanunderstandthatinpassingunderneaththewalloftheBatterygardenwewereboundtooverhearanythingbeingsaidinsideit.
BeyondthefactthatCarolineandAmyaswereengagedinadisagreementofsomekind,Ididnotpaymuchattentiontowhatwassaid.
CertainlyIoverheardnothreatofanykindutteredbyCaroline.ThesubjectofdiscussionwasAngela,andIpresumeCarolinewaspleadingforarespitefromthefiatofschool.Amyas,however,wasadamant,shoutingoutirritablythatitwasallsettled,he’dseetoherpacking.
ThedooroftheBatteryopenedjustaswedrewabreastofit,andCarolinecameout.Shelookeddisturbed—butnotundulyso.Shesmiledratherabsentlyatme,andsaidtheyhadbeendiscussingAngela.Elsacamedownthepathatthatminute,andasAmyasclearlywantedtogetonwiththesittingwithoutinterruptionfromus,wewentonupthepath.
Philipblamedhimselfseverelyafterwardsforthefactthatwedidnottakeimmediateaction.ButImyselfcannotseeitthesameway.Wehadnoearthlyrighttoassumethatsuchathingasmurderwasbeingcontemplated.(MoreoverInowbelievethatitwasnotcontemplated.)Itwasclearthatweshouldhavetoadoptsomecourseofaction,butIstillmaintainthatwewererighttotalkthematterovercarefullyfirst.Itwasnecessarytofindtherightthingtodo—andonceortwiceIfoundmyselfwonderingifIhadnotafterallmadeamistake.HadthebottlereallybeenfullthedaybeforeasIthought?Iamnotoneofthosepeople(likemybrotherPhilip)whocanbecock-sureofeverything.One’smemorydoesplaytricksonone.Howoften,forinstance,oneisconvincedonehasputanarticleinacertainplace,latertofindthatyouhaveputitsomewherequitedifferent.ThemoreItriedtorecallthestateofthebottleontheprecedingafternoon,themoreuncertainanddoubtfulIbecame.ThiswasveryannoyingtoPhilip,whobegancompletelytolosepatiencewithme.
Wewerenotabletocontinueourdiscussionatthetime,andtacitlyagreedtopostponeituntilafterlunch.(ImaysaythatIwasalwaysfreetodropinforlunchatAlderburyifIchose.)
Later,AngelaandCarolinebroughtusbeer.IaskedAngelawhatshehadbeenuptoplayingtruant,andtoldherMissWilliamswasonthewarpath,andshesaidshehadbeenbathing—andaddedthatshedidn’tseewhysheshouldhavetomendherhorribleoldskirtwhenshewasgoingtohaveallnewthingstogotoschoolwith.
SincethereseemednochanceoffurthertalkwithPhilipalone,andsinceIwasreallyanxioustothinkthingsoutbymyself,IwanderedoffdownthepathtowardstheBattery.JustabovetheBattery,asIshowedyou,thereisaclearinginthetreeswherethereusedtobeanoldbench.Isattheresmokingandthinking,andwatchingElsaasshesatposingforAmyas.
Ishallalwaysthinkofherasshewasthatday.Rigidinthepose,withheryellowshirtanddark-bluetrousersandaredpulloverslungroundhershouldersforwarmth.
Herfacewassoalightwithlifeandhealthandradiance.Andthatgayvoiceofhersrecitingplansforthefuture.
ThissoundsasthoughIwaseavesdropping,butthatisnotso.IwasperfectlyvisibletoElsa.BothsheandAmyasknewIwasthere.ShewavedherhandatmeandcalledupthatAmyaswasaperfectbearthatmorning—hewouldn’tletherrest.Shewasstiffandachingallover.
Amyasgrowledoutthatshewasn’tasstiffashewas.Hewasstiffallover—muscularrheumatism.Elsasaidmockingly:“Pooroldman!”Andhesaidshe’dbetakingonacreakinginvalid.
Itshockedme,youknow,theirlightheartedacquiescenceintheirfuturetogetherwhilsttheywerecausingsomuchsuffering.AndyetIcouldn’tholditagainsther.Shewassoyoung,soconfident,soverymuchinlove.Andshedidn’treallyknowwhatshewasdoing.Shedidn’tunderstandsuffering.Shejustassumedwiththena?veconfidenceofachildthatCarolinewouldbe“allright,”that“she’dsoongetoverit.”Shesawnothing,yousee,butherselfandAmyas—happytogether.She’dalreadytoldmemypointofviewwasold-fashioned.Shehadnodoubts,noqualms—nopityeither.Butcanoneexpectpityfromradiantyouth?Itisanolder,wiseremotion.
Theydidn’ttalkverymuch,ofcourse.Nopainterwantstobechatteringwhenheisworking.PerhapseverytenminutesorsoElsawouldmakeanobservationandAmyaswouldgruntareply.Onceshesaid:
“Ithinkyou’rerightaboutSpain.That’sthefirstplacewe’llgoto.Andyoumusttakemetoseeabullfight.Itmustbewonderful.OnlyI’dlikethebulltokilltheman—nottheotherwayabout.IunderstandhowRomanwomenfeltwhentheysawamandie.Menaren’tmuch,butanimalsaresplendid.”
Isupposeshewasratherlikeananimalherself—youngandprimitiveandwithnothingyetofman’ssadexperienceanddoubtfulwisdom.Idon’tbelieveElsahadbeguntothink—sheonlyfelt.Butshewasverymuchalive—morealivethananypersonIhaveeverknown….
ThatwasthelasttimeIsawherradiantandassured—ontopoftheworld.Feyisthewordforit,isn’tit?
Thebellsoundedforlunch,andIgotupandwentdownthepathandinattheBatterydoor,andElsajoinedme.Itwasdazzlinglybrighttherecominginoutoftheshadytrees.Icouldhardlysee.Amyaswassprawledbackontheseat,hisarmsflungout.Hewasstaringatthepicture.I’vesooftenseenhimlikethat.HowwasItoknowthatalreadythepoisonwasworking,stiffeninghimashesat?
Hesohatedandresentedillness.Hewouldneverowntoit.Idaresayhethoughthehadgotatouchofthesun—thesymptomsaremuchthesame—buthe’dbethelastpersontocomplainaboutit.
Elsasaid:
“Hewon’tcomeuptolunch.”
PrivatelyIthoughthewaswise.Isaid:
“Solong,then.”
Hemovedhiseyesfromthepictureuntiltheyrestedonme.Therewasaqueer—howshallIdescribeit—itlookedlikemalevolence.Akindofmalevolentglare.
NaturallyIdidn’tunderstanditthen—ifhispicturewasn’tgoingashelikedheoftenlookedquitemurderous.Ithoughtthatwaswhatitwas.Hemadeasortofgruntingsound.
NeitherElsanorIsawanythingunusualinhim—justartistictemperament.
SowelefthimthereandsheandIwentuptothehouselaughingandtalking.Ifshe’dknown,poorchild,thatshe’dneverseehimaliveagain…Oh,well,thankGodshedidn’t.Shewasabletobehappyalittlelonger.
Carolinewasquitenormalatlunch—alittlepreoccupied;nothingmore.Anddoesn’tthatshowthatshehadnothingtodowithit?Shecouldn’thavebeensuchanactress.
Sheandthegovernesswentdownafterwardsandfoundhim.ImetMissWilliamsasshecameup.ShetoldmetotelephoneadoctorandwentbacktoCaroline.
Thatpoorchild—Elsa,Imean!Shehadthatfranticunrestrainedgriefthatachildhas.Theycan’tbelievethatlifecandothesethingstothem.Carolinewasquitecalm.Yes,shewasquitecalm.Shewasable,ofcourse,tocontrolherselfbetterthanElsa.Shedidn’tseemremorseful—then.Justsaidhemusthavedoneithimself.Andwecouldn’tbelievethat.Elsaburstoutandaccusedhertoherface.
Ofcourseshemayhaverealized,already,thatsheherselfwouldbesuspected.Yes,thatprobablyexplainshermanner
Philipwasquiteconvincedthatshehaddoneit.
Thegovernesswasagreathelpandstandby.ShemadeElsaliedownandgaveherasedative,andshekeptAngelaoutofthewaywhenthepolicecame.Yes,shewasatowerofstrength,thatwoman.
Thewholethingbecameanightmare.Thepolicesearchingthehouseandaskingquestions,andthenthereporters,swarmingabouttheplacelikefliesandclickingcamerasandwantinginterviewswithmembersofthefamily.
Anightmare,thewholething….
It’sanightmare,afteralltheseyears.PleaseGod,onceyou’veconvincedlittleCarlawhatreallyhappened,wecanforgetitallandneverrememberitagain.
Amyasmusthavecommittedsuicide—howeverunlikelyitseems.
EndofMeredithBlake’sNarrative.
NarrativeofLadyDittisham
IhavesetdownherethefullstoryofmymeetingwithAmyasCrale,uptothetimeofhistragicdeath.
Isawhimfirstatastudioparty.Hewasstanding,Iremember,byawindow,andIsawhimasIcameinatthedoor.Iaskedwhohewas.Someonesaid:“That’sCrale,thepainter.”IsaidatoncethatI’dliketomeethim.
Wetalkedonthatoccasionforperhapstenminutes.WhenanyonemakestheimpressiononyouthatAmyasCralemadeonme,it’shopelesstoattempttodescribethem.IfIsaythatwhenIsawAmyasCrale,everybodyelseseemedtogrowverysmallandfadeaway,thatexpressesitaswellasanythingcan.
ImmediatelyafterthatmeetingIwenttolookatasmanyofhispicturesasIcould.HehadashowoninBondStreetatthemoment,andtherewasoneofhispicturesinManchesterandoneinLeedsandtwoinpublicgalleriesinLondon.Iwenttoseethemall.ThenImethimagain.Isaid:“I’vebeentoseeallyourpictures.Ithinkthey’rewonderful.”
Hejustlookedamused.Hesaid:
“Whosaidyouwereanyjudgeofpainting?Idon’tbelieveyouknowanythingaboutit.”
Isaid:“Perhapsnot.Buttheyaremarvellous,allthesame.”
Hegrinnedatmeandsaid:“Don’tbeagushinglittlefool.”
Isaid:“I’mnot.Iwantyoutopaintme.”
Cralesaid:“Ifyou’veanysenseatall,you’llrealizethatIdon’tpaintportraitsofprettywomen.”
Isaid:“Itneedn’tbeaportraitandI’mnotaprettywoman.”
Helookedatmethenasthoughhe’dbeguntoseeme.Hesaid:“No,perhapsyou’renot.”
Isaid:“Willyoupaintmethen?”
Hestudiedmeforsometimewithhisheadononeside.Thenhesaid:“You’reastrangechild,aren’tyou?”
Isaid:“I’mquiterich,youknow.Icanaffordtopaywellforit.”
Hesaid:“Whyareyousoanxiousformetopaintyou?”
Isaid:“BecauseIwantit!”
Hesaid:“Isthatareason?”
AndIsaid:“Yes,IalwaysgetwhatIwant.”
Hesaidthen:“Oh,mypoorchild,howyoungyouare!”
Isaid:“Willyoupaintme?”
Hetookmebytheshouldersandturnedmetowardsthelightandlookedmeover.Thenhestoodawayfrommealittle.Istoodquitestill,waiting.
Hesaid:“I’vesometimeswantedtopaintaflightofimpossibly-colouredAustralianMaccawsalightingonSt.Paul’sCathedral.IfIpaintedyouagainstanicetraditionalbitofoutdoorlandscape,IbelieveI’dgetexactlythesameresult.”
Isaid:“Thenyouwillpaintme?”
Hesaid:“You’reoneoftheloveliest,crudest,mostflamboyantbitsofexoticcolouringI’veeverseen.I’llpaintyou!”
Isaid:“Thenthat’ssettled.”
Hewenton:“ButI’llwarnyou,ElsaGreer.IfIdopaintyou,Ishallprobablymakelovetoyou.”
Isaid:“Ihopeyouwill….”
Isaiditquitesteadilyandquietly.Iheardhimcatchhisbreath,andIsawthelookthatcameintohiseyes.
Yousee,itwasassuddenasallthat.
Adayortwolaterwemetagain.HetoldmethathewantedmetocomedowntoDevonshire—he’dgottheveryplacetherethathewantedforabackground.Hesaid:
“I’mmarried,youknow.AndI’mveryfondofmywife.”
Isaidifhewasfondofhershemustbeverynice.
Hesaidshewasextremelynice.“Infact,”hesaid,“she’squiteadorable—andIadoreher.Soputthatinyourpipe,youngElsa,andsmokeit.”
ItoldhimthatIquiteunderstood.
Hebeganthepictureaweeklater.CarolineCralewelcomedmeverypleasantly.Shedidn’tlikememuch—but,afterall,whyshouldshe?Amyaswasverycircumspect.Heneversaidawordtomethathiswifecouldn’thaveoverheard,andIwasquitepoliteandformaltohim.Underneath,though,webothknew.
AftertendayshetoldmeIwastogobacktoLondon.
Isaid:“Thepictureisn’tfinished.”
Hesaid:“It’sbarelybegun.Thetruthis,Ican’tpaintyou,Elsa.”
Isaid:“Why?”
Hesaid:“Youknowwellenoughwhy,Elsa.Andthat’swhyyou’vegottoclearout.Ican’tthinkaboutthepainting—Ican’tthinkaboutanythingbutyou.”
WewereintheBatterygarden.Itwasahotsunnyday.Therewerebirdsandhummingbees.Itoughttohavebeenveryhappyandpeaceful.Butitdidn’tfeellikethat.Itfelt—somehow—tragic.Asthough—asthoughwhatwasgoingtohappenwasalreadymirroredthere.
IknewitwouldbenogoodmygoingbacktoLondon,butIsaid:“Verywell,I’llgoifyousayso.”
Amyassaid:“Goodgirl.”
SoIwent.Ididn’twritetohim.
Heheldoutfortendaysandthenhecame.Hewassothinandhaggardandmiserablethatitshockedme.
Hesaid:“Iwarnedyou,Elsa.Don’tsayIdidn’twarnyou.”
Isaid:“I’vebeenwaitingforyou.Iknewyou’dcome.”
Hegaveasortofgroanandsaid:“Therearethingsthataretoostrongforanyman.Ican’teatorsleeporrestforwantingyou.”
IsaidIknewthatandthatitwasthesamewithme,andhadbeenfromthefirstmomentI’dseenhim.ItwasFateanditwasnousestrugglingagainstit.
Hesaid:“Youhaven’tstruggledmuch,haveyou,Elsa?”AndIsaidIhadn’tstruggledatall.
HesaidhewishedIwasn’tsoyoung,andIsaidthatdidn’tmatter.IsupposeImightsaythatforthenextfewweekswewereveryhappy.Buthappinessisn’tquitetheword.Itwassomethingdeeperandmorefrighteningthanthat.
Weweremadeforeachotherandwe’dfoundeachother—andwebothknewwe’dgottobetogetheralways.
Butsomethingelsehappened,too.TheunfinishedpicturebegantohauntAmyas.Hesaidtome:“Damnedfunny,Icouldn’tpaintyoubefore—youyourselfgotinthewayofit.ButIwanttopaintyou,Elsa.IwanttopaintyousothatthatpicturewillbethefinestthingI’veeverdone.I’mitchingandachingnowtogetatmybrushestoseeyousittingthereonthathoaryoldchestnutofabattlementwallwiththeconventionalblueseaandthedecorousEnglishtrees—andyou—you—sittingtherelikeadiscordantshriekoftriumph.”
Hesaid:“AndI’vegottopaintyouthatway!AndIcan’tbefussedandbotheredwhileI’mdoingit.Whenthepicture’sfinishedI’lltellCarolinethetruthandwe’llgetthewholemessybusinessclearedup.”
Isaid:“WillCarolinemakeafussaboutdivorcingyou?”
Hesaidhedidn’tthinkso.Butyouneverknewwithwomen.
IsaidIwassorryifshewasgoingtobeupset,butafterall,Isaid,thesethingsdidhappen.
Hesaid:“Veryniceandreasonable,Elsa.ButCarolineisn’treasonable,neverhasbeenreasonable,andcertainlyisn’tgoingtofeelreasonable.Shelovesme,youknow.”
IsaidIunderstoodthat,butifshelovedhim,she’dputhishappinessfirst,andatanyrateshewouldn’twanttokeephimifhewantedtobefree.
Hesaid:“Lifecan’treallybesolvedbyadmirablemaximsoutofmodernliterature.Nature’sredintoothandclaw,remember.”
Isaid:“Surelyweareallcivilizedpeoplenowadays?”andAmyaslaughed.Hesaid:“Civilizedpeoplemyfoot!Carolinewouldprobablyliketotakeahatchettoyou.Shemightdoittoo.Don’tyourealize,Elsa,thatshe’sgoingtosuffer—suffer?Don’tyouknowwhatsufferingmeans?”
Isaid:“Thendon’ttellher.”
Hesaid:“No.Thebreak’sgottocome.You’vegottobelongtomeproperly,Elsa.Beforealltheworld.Openlymine.”
Isaid:“Supposeshewon’tdivorceyou?”
Hesaid:“I’mnotafraidofthat.”
Isaid:“Whatareyouafraidofthen?”
Andthenhesaidslowly:“Idon’tknow….”
Yousee,heknewCaroline.Ididn’t.
IfI’dhadanyidea….
WewentdownagaintoAlderbury.Thingsweredifficultthistime.Carolinehadgotsuspicious.Ididn’tlikeit—Ididn’tlikeit—Ididn’tlikeitabit.I’vealwayshateddeceitandconcealment.Ithoughtweoughttotellher.Amyaswouldn’thearofit.
Thefunnypartofitwasthathedidn’treallycareatall.InspiteofbeingfondofCarolineandnotwantingtohurther,hejustdidn’tcareaboutthehonestyordishonestyofitall.Hewaspaintingwithakindoffrenzy,andnothingelsemattered.Ihadn’tseenhiminoneofhisworkingspellsbefore.Irealizednowwhatareallygreatgeniushewas.Itwasnaturalforhimtobesocarriedawaythatalltheordinarydecenciesdidn’tmatter.Butitwasdifferentforme.Iwasinahorribleposition.Carolineresentedme—andquiterightly.Theonlythingtoputthepositionquitestraightwastobehonestandtellherthetruth.
ButallAmyaswouldsaywasthathewasn’tgoingtobebotheredwithscenesandfussesuntilhe’dfinishedthepicture.Isaidthereprobablywouldn’tbeascene.Carolinewouldhavetoomuchdignityandprideforthat.
Isaid:“Iwanttobehonestaboutitall.We’vegottobehonest!”
Amyassaid:“Tohellwithhonesty.I’mpaintingapicture,damnit.”
Ididseehispointofview,buthewouldn’tseemine.
AndintheendIbrokedown.CarolinehadbeentalkingofsomeplansheandAmyasweregoingtocarryoutnextautumn.Shetalkedaboutitquiteconfidently.AndIsuddenlyfeltitwastooabominable,whatweweredoing—lettinghergoonlikethis—andperhaps,too,Iwasangry,becauseshewasreallybeingveryunpleasanttomeinacleversortof
AndsoIcameoutwiththetruth.Inaway,IstillthinkIwasright.Though,ofcourse,Iwouldn’thavedoneitifI’dhadthefaintestideawhatwastocomeofit.
Theclashcamerightaway.Amyaswasfuriouswithme,buthehadtoadmitthatwhatIhadsaidwastrue.
Ididn’tunderstandCarolineatall.WeallwentovertoMeredithBlake’stotea,andCarolineplayedupmarvellously—talkingandlaughing.Likeafool,Ithoughtshewastakingitwell.Itwasawkwardmynotbeingabletoleavethehouse,butAmyaswouldhavegoneupinsmokeifIhad.IthoughtperhapsCarolinewouldgo.Itwouldhavemadeitmucheasierforusifshehad.
Ididn’tseehertaketheconiine.IwanttobehonestsoIthinkthatit’sjustpossiblethatshemayhavetakenitasshesaidshedid,withtheideaofsuicideinhermind.
ButIdon’treallythinkso.Ithinkshewasoneofthoseintenselyjealousandpossessivewomenwhowon’tletgoofanythingthattheythinkbelongstothem.Amyaswasherproperty.Ithinkshewasquitepreparedtokillhimratherthantolethimgo—completelyandfinally—toanotherwoman.Ithinkshemadeuphermind,rightaway,tokillhim.AndIthinkthatMeredith’shappeningtodiscussconiinesofreelyjustgaveherthemeanstodowhatshe’dalreadymadeuphermindtodo.Shewasaverybitterandrevengefulwoman—vindictive.Amyasknewallalongthatshewasdangerous.Ididn’t.
ThenextmorningshehadafinalshowdownwithAmyas.Iheardmostofitfromtheoutsideontheterrace.Hewassplendid—verypatientandcalm.Heimploredhertobereasonable.Hesaidhewasveryfondofherandthechildandalwayswouldbe.He’ddoeverythinghecoulddotoassuretheirfuture.Thenhehardenedupandsaid:“Butunderstandthis.I’mdamnedwellgoingtomarryElsa—andnothingshallstopme.YouandIalwaysagreedtoleaveeachotherfree.Thesethingshappen.”
Carolinesaidtohim:“Doasyouplease.I’vewarnedyou.”
Hervoicewasveryquiet,buttherewasaqueernoteinit.
Amyassaid:“Whatdoyoumean,Caroline?”
Shesaid:“You’remineandIdon’tmeantoletyougo.SoonerthanletyougotothatgirlI’llkillyou….”
Justatthatminute,PhilipBlakecamealongtheterrace.Igotupandwenttomeethim.Ididn’twanthimtooverhear.
PresentlyAmyascameoutandsaiditwastimetogetonwiththepicture.WewentdowntogethertotheBattery.Hedidn’tsaymuch.JustsaidthatCarolinewascuttinguprough—butforGod’ssakenottotalkaboutit.Hewantedtoconcentrateonwhathewasdoing.Anotherday,hesaid,wouldaboutfinishthepicture.
Hesaid:“Andit’llbethebestthingI’veeverdone,Elsa,evenifitispaidforinbloodandtears.”
AlittlelaterIwentuptothehousetogetapullover.Therewasachillywindblowing.WhenIcamebackagainCarolinewasthere.Isupposeshehadcomedowntomakeonelastappeal.PhilipandMeredithBlakeweretheretoo.
ItwasthenthatAmyassaidhewasthirstyandwantedadrink.Hesaidtherewasbeerbutitwasn’ticed.
Carolinesaidshe’dsendhimdownsomeicedbeer.Shesaiditquitenaturallyinanalmostfriendlytone.Shewasanactress,thatwoman.Shemusthaveknownthenwhatshemeanttodo.
Shebroughtitdownabouttenminuteslater.Amyaswaspainting.Shepoureditoutandsettheglassdownbesidehim.Neitherofuswerewatchingher.AmyaswasintentonwhathewasdoingandIhadtokeepthepose.
Amyasdrankitdownthewayhealwaysdrankbeer,justpouringitdownhisthroatinonedraught.Thenhemadeafaceandsaidittastedfoul—butatanyrateitwascold.
Andeventhen,whenhesaidthat,nosuspicionenteredmyhead,Ijustlaughedandsaid:“Liver.”
Whenshe’dseenhimdrinkitCarolinewentaway.
ItmusthavebeenaboutfortyminuteslaterthatAmyascomplainedofstiffnessandpains.Hesaidhethoughthemusthavegotatouchofmuscularrheumatism.Amyaswasalwaysintolerantofanyailmentandhedidn’tlikebeingfussedover.Aftersayingthatheturneditoffwithalight:“Oldage,Isuppose.You’vetakenonacreakingoldman,Elsa.”Iplayeduptohim.ButInoticedthathislegsmovedstifflyandqueerlyandthathegrimacedonceortwice.Ineverdreamtthatitwasn’trheumatism.Presentlyhedrewthebenchalongandsatsprawledonthat,occasionallystretchinguptoputatouchofpainthereandthereonthecanvas.Heusedtodothatsometimeswhenhewaspainting.Justsitstaringatmeandthenthecanvas.Sometimeshe’ddoitforhalfanhouratatime.SoIdidn’tthinkitspeciallyqueer.
Weheardthebellgoforlunch,andhesaidhewasn’tcomingup.He’dstaywherehewasandhedidn’twantanything.Thatwasn’tunusualeither,anditwouldbeeasierforhimthanfacingCarolineatthetable.
Hewastalkinginratheraqueerway—gruntingouthiswords.Buthesometimesdidthatwhenhewasdissatisfiedwiththeprogressofthepicture.
MeredithBlakecameintofetchme.HespoketoAmyas,butAmyasonlygruntedathim.
Wewentuptothehousetogetherandlefthimthere.Welefthimthere—todiealone.I’dneverseenmuchillness—Ididn’tknowmuchaboutit—IthoughtAmyaswasjustinapainter’smood.IfI’dknown—ifI’drealized—perhapsadoctorcouldhavesavedhim…OhGod,whydidn’tI—it’snogoodthinkingofthatnow.Iwasablindfool.Ablind,stupidfool
Thereisn’tmuchmoretotell.
Carolineandthegovernesswentdownthereafterlunch.Meredithfollowedthem.Presentlyhecamerunningup.HetoldusAmyaswasdead.
ThenIknew!Knew,Imean,thatitwasCaroline.Istilldidn’tthinkofpoison.Ithoughtshe’dgonedownthatminuteandeithershothimorstabbedhim.
Iwantedtogetather—tokillher….
Howcouldshedoit?Howcouldshe?Hewassoalive,sofulloflifeandvigour.Toputallthatout—tomakehimlimpandcold.JustsothatIshouldn’thavehim.
Horriblewoman….
Horrible,scornful,cruel,vindictivewoman….
Ihateher.Istillhateher.
Theydidn’tevenhangher.
Theyoughttohavehangedher….
Evenhangingwastoogoodforher….
Ihateher…Ihateher…Ihateher….
EndofLadyDittisham’sNarrative.
NarrativeofCeciliaWilliams
DearMr.Poirot,IamsendingyouanaccountofthoseeventsinSeptember,19…actuallywitnessedbymyself.Ihavebeenabsolutelyfrankandhavekeptnothingback.YoumayshowittoCarlaCrale.Itmaypainher,butIhavealwaysbeenabelieverintruth.Palliativesareharmful.Onemusthavethecouragetofacereality.Withoutthatcourage,lifeismeaningless.ThepeoplewhodousmostharmarethepeoplewhoshieldusfromrealityBelieveme,yourssincerely,CeciliaWilliams
MynameisCeciliaWilliams.IwasengagedbyMrs.CraleasgovernesstoherhalfsisterAngelaWarren,in19…Iwasthenforty-eight.
ItookupmydutiesatAlderbury,averybeautifulestateinsouthDevonwhichhadbelongedtoMr.Crale’sfamilyformanygenerations.IknewthatMr.Cralewasawell-knownpainter,butIdidnotmeethimuntilItookupresidenceatAlderbury.
ThehouseholdconsistedofMr.andMrs.Crale,AngelaWarren(thenagirlofthirteen),andthreeservants,allofwhomhadbeenwiththefamilymanyyears.
Ifoundmypupilaninterestingandpromisingcharacter.Shehadverymarkedabilitiesanditwasapleasuretoteachher.Shewassomewhatwildandundisciplined,butthesefaultsarosemainlythroughhighspirits,andIhavealwayspreferredmygirlstoshowspirit.Anexcessofvitalitycanbetrainedandguidedintopathsofrealusefulnessandachievement.
Onthewhole,IfoundAngelaamenabletodiscipline.Shehadbeensomewhatspoiled—mainlybyMrs.Crale,whowasfartooindulgentwhereshewasconcerned.Mr.Crale’sinfluencewas,Iconsidered,unwise.Heindulgedherabsurdlyoneday,andwasunnecessarilyperemptoryonanotheroccasion.Hewasverymuchamanofmoods—possiblyowingtowhatisstyledtheartistictemperament.
Ihaveneverseen,myself,whythepossessionofartisticabilityshouldbesupposedtoexcuseamanfromadecentexerciseofself-control.IdidnotmyselfadmireMr.Crale’spaintings.Thedrawingseemedtomefaultyandthecolouringexaggerated,butnaturallyIwasnotcalledupontoexpressanyopiniononthesematters.
IsoonformedadeepattachmenttoMrs.Crale.Iadmiredhercharacterandherfortitudeinthedifficultiesofherlife.Mr.Cralewasnotafaithfulhusband,andIthinkthatthatfactwasthesourceofmuchpaintoher.Astronger-mindedwomanwouldhavelefthim,butMrs.Craleneverseemedtocontemplatesuchacourse.Sheenduredhisinfidelitiesandforgavehimforthem—butImaysaythatshedidnottakethemmeekly.Sheremonstrated—andwithspirit!
Itwassaidatthetrialthattheyledacatanddoglife.Iwouldnotgoasfarasthat—Mrs.Cralehadtoomuchdignityforthattermtoapply,buttheydidhavequarrels.AndIconsiderthatthatwasonlynaturalunderthecircumstances.
IhadbeenwithMrs.CralejustovertwoyearswhenMissElsaGreerappeareduponthescene.ShearriveddownatAlderburyinthesummerof19…Mrs.Cralehadnotmetherpreviously.ShewasMr.Crale’sfriend,andshewassaidtobethereforthepurposeofhavingherportraitpainted.
ItwasapparentatoncethatMr.Cralewasinfatuatedwiththisgirlandthatthegirlherselfwasdoingnothingtodiscouragehim.Shebehaved,inmyopinion,quiteoutrageously,beingabominablyrudetoMrs.Crale,andopenlyflirtingwithMr.Crale.
NaturallyMrs.Cralesaidnothingtome,butIcouldseethatshewasdisturbedandunhappy,andIdideverythinginmypowertodistracthermindandlightenherburden.MissGreersateverydaytoMr.Crale,butInoticedthatthepicturewasnotgettingonveryfast.Theyhad,nodoubt,otherthingstotalkabout!
Mypupil,Iamthankfultosay,noticedverylittleofwhatwasgoingon.Angelawasinsomewaysyoungforherage.Thoughherintellectwaswelldeveloped,shewasnotatallwhatImaytermprecocious.Sheseemedtohavenowishtoreadundesirablebooks,andshowednosignsofmorbidcuriositysuchasgirlsoftendoatherage.
She,therefore,sawnothingundesirableinthefriendshipbetweenMr.CraleandMissGreer.NeverthelessshedislikedMissGreerandthoughtherstupid.Hereshewasquiteright.MissGreerhadhad,Ipresume,apropereducation,butsheneveropenedabookandwasquiteunfamiliarwithcurrentliteraryallusions.Moreovershecouldnotsustainadiscussiononanyintellectualsubject.
Shewasentirelytakenupwithherpersonalappearance,herclothes,andmen.
Angela,Ithink,didnotevenrealizethathersisterwasunhappy.Shewasnotatthattimeaveryperceptiveperson.Shespentalotoftimeinhoydenishpastimes,suchastreeclimbingandwildfeatsofbicycling.Shewasalsoapassionatereaderandshowedexcellenttasteinwhatshelikedanddisliked.
Mrs.CralewasalwayscarefultoconcealanysignsofunhappinessfromAngela,andexertedherselftoappearbrightandcheerfulwhenthegirlwasabout.
MissGreerwentbacktoLondon—atwhich,Icantellyou,wewereallverypleased!TheservantsdislikedherasmuchasIdid.Shewasthekindofpersonwhogivesalotofunnecessarytroubleandforgetstosaythankyou.
Mr.Cralewentawayshortlyafterwards,andofcourseIknewthathehadgoneafterthegirl.IwasverysorryforMrs.Crale.Shefeltthesethingsverykeenly.IfeltextremelybittertowardsMr.Crale.Whenamanhasacharming,gracious,intelligentwife,he’snobusinesstotreatherbadly.
However,sheandIbothhopedtheaffairwouldsoonbeover.Notthatwementionedthesubjecttoeachother—wedidnot—butsheknewquitewellhowIfeltaboutit.
Unfortunately,aftersomeweeks,thepairofthemreappeared.Itseemedthesittingsweretoberesumed.
Mr.Cralewasnowpaintingwithabsolutefrenzy.Heseemedlesspreoccupiedwiththegirlthanwithhispictureofher.NeverthelessIrealizedthatthiswasnottheusualkindofthingwehadgonethroughbefore.Thisgirlhadgotherclawsintohimandshemeantbusiness.Hewasjustlikewaxinherhands.
Thethingcametoaheadonthedaybeforehedied—thatisonSept.17.MissGreer’smannerhadbeenunbearablyinsolentthelastfewdays.Shewasfeelingsureofherselfandshewantedtoassertherimportance.Mrs.Cralebehavedlikeatruegentlewoman.Shewasicilypolite,butsheshowedtheotherclearlywhatshethoughtofher.
Onthisday,Sept.17,asweweresittinginthedrawingroomafterlunch,MissGreercameoutwithanamazingremarkastohowshewasgoingtoredecoratetheroomwhenshewaslivingatAlderbury.
NaturallyMrs.Cralecouldn’tletthatpass.Shechallengedher,andMissGreerhadtheimpudencetosay,beforeusall,thatshewasgoingtomarryMr.Crale.Sheactuallytalkedaboutmarryingamarriedman—andshesaidittohiswife!
Iwasvery,veryangrywithMr.Crale.Howdaredheletthisgirlinsulthiswifeinherowndrawingroom?Ifhewantedtorunawaywiththegirl,heshouldhavegoneoffwithher,notbroughtherintohiswife’shouseandbackedherupinherinsolence.
Inspiteofwhatshemusthavefelt,Mrs.Craledidnotloseherdignity.Herhusbandcameinjustthen,andsheimmediatelydemandedconfirmationfromhim.
Hewas,notunnaturally,annoyedwithMissGreerforherunconsideredforcingofthesituation.Apartfromanythingelse,itmadehimappearatadisadvantage,andmendonotlikeappearingatadisadvantage.Itupsetstheirvanity.
Hestoodthere,agreatgiantofaman,lookingassheepishandfoolishasanaughtyschoolboy.Itwashiswifewhocarriedoffthehonoursofthesituation.Hehadtomutterfoolishlythatitwastrue,butthathehadn’tmeanthertolearnitlikethis.
Ihaveneverseenanythinglikethelookofscornshegavehim.Shewentoutoftheroomwithherheadheldhigh.Shewasabeautifulwoman—muchmorebeautifulthanthatflamboyantgirl—andshewalkedlikeanEmpress.
Ihoped,withallmyheart,thatAmyasCralewouldbepunishedforthecrueltyhehaddisplayedandfortheindignityhehadputuponalong-sufferingandnoblewoman.
Forthefirsttime,ItriedtosaysomethingofwhatIfelttoMrs.Crale,butshestoppedme.
Shesaid:
“Wemusttryandbehaveasusual.It’sthebestway.We’reallgoingovertoMeredithBlake’stotea.”
Isaidtoherthen:
“Ithinkyouarewonderful,Mrs.Crale.”
Shesaid:
“Youdon’tknow….”
Then,asshewasgoingoutoftheroom,shecamebackandkissedme.Shesaid:
“You’resuchacomforttome.”
ShewenttoherroomthenandIthinkshecried.Isawherwhentheyallstartedoff.Shewaswearingabig-brimmedhatthatshadedherface—ahatsheveryseldomwore.
Mr.Cralewasuneasy,butwastryingtobrazenthingsout.Mr.PhilipBlakewastryingtobehaveasusual.ThatMissGreerwaslookinglikeacatwhohasgotatthecreamjug.Allself-satisfactionandpurrs!
Theyallstartedoff.Theygotbackaboutsix.IdidnotseeMrs.Craleagainalonethatevening.Shewasveryquietandcomposedatdinner,andshewenttobedearly.Idon’tthinkthatanyoneknewhowshewassuffering.
TheeveningwastakenupwithakindofrunningquarrelbetweenMr.CraleandAngela.Theybroughtuptheoldschoolquestionagain.Hewasirritableandonedge,andshewasunusuallytrying.Thewholematterwassettledandheroutfithadbeenbought,andtherewasnosenseinstartingupanargumentagain,butshesuddenlychosetomakeagrievanceofit.Ihavenodoubtshesensedthetensionintheairandthatitreactedonherasmuchasoneverybodyelse.IamafraidIwastoopreoccupiedwithmyownthoughtstotryandcheckherasIshouldhavedone.ItallendedwithherflingingapaperweightatMr.Craleanddashingoutoftheroom.
IwentafterherandtoldhersharplythatIwasashamedofherbehavinglikeababy,butshewasstillveryuncontrolled,andIthoughtitbesttoleaveheralone.
IhesitatedastowhethertogotoMrs.Crale’sroom,butIdecidedintheendthatitwould,perhaps,annoyher.IwishsincethatIhadovercomemydiffidenceandinsistedonhertalkingtome.Ifshehaddoneso,itmightpossiblyhavemadeadifference.Shehadnoone,yousee,inwhomshecouldconfide.AlthoughIadmireself-control,Imustregretfullyadmitthatsometimesitcanbecarriedtoofar.Anaturaloutlettothefeelingsisbetter.
ImetMr.CraleasIwentalongtomyroom.Hesaidgoodnight,butIdidnotanswer.
Thenextmorningwas,Iremember,abeautifulday.Onefeltwhenwakingthatsurelywithsuchpeaceallaroundevenamanmustcometohissenses.
IwentintoAngela’sroombeforegoingdowntobreakfast,butshewasalreadyupandout.Ipickedupatornskirtwhichshehadleftlyingonthefloorandtookitdownwithmeforhertomendafterbreakfast.
Shehad,however,obtainedbreadandmarmaladefromthekitchenandgoneout.AfterIhadhadmyownbreakfastIwentinsearchofher.ImentionthistoexplainwhyIwasnotmorewithMrs.CraleonthatmorningasperhapsIshouldhavebeen.Atthetime,however,IfeltitwasmydutytolookforAngela.Shewasverynaughtyandobstinateaboutmendingherclothes,andIhadnointentionofallowinghertodefymeinthematter.
HerbathingdresswasmissingandIaccordinglywentdowntothebeach.Therewasnosignofherinthewaterorontherocks,soIconceiveditpossiblethatshehadgoneovertoMr.MeredithBlake’s.Sheandheweregreatfriends.Iaccordinglyrowedmyselfacrossandresumedmysearch.Ididnotfindherandeventuallyreturned.Mrs.Crale,Mr.BlakeandMr.PhilipBlakewereontheterrace.
Itwasveryhotthatmorningifonewasoutofthewind,andthehouseandterraceweresheltered.Mrs.Cralesuggestedtheymightlikesomeicedbeer.
TherewasalittleconservatorywhichhadbeenbuiltontothehouseinVictoriandays.Mrs.Craledislikedit,anditwasnotusedforplants,butithadbeenmadeintoakindofbar,withvariousbottlesofgin,vermouth,lemonade,gingerbeer,etc.,onshelves,andasmallrefrigeratorwhichwasfilledwithiceeverymorningandinwhichsomebeerandgingerbeerwasalwayskept.
Mrs.CralewenttheretogetthebeerandIwentwithher.Angelawasattherefrigeratorandwasjusttakingoutabottleofbeer.
Mrs.Cralewentinaheadofme.Shesaid:
“IwantabottleofbeertotakedowntoAmyas.”
ItissodifficultnowtoknowwhetherIoughttohavesuspectedanything.Hervoice,Ifeelalmostconvinced,wasperfectlynormal.ButImustadmitthatatthatmomentIwasintent,notonher,butonAngela.AngelawasbytherefrigeratorandIwasgladtoseethatshelookedredandratherguilty.
Iwasrathersharpwithher,andtomysurpriseshewasquitemeek.Iaskedherwhereshehadbeen,andshesaidshehadbeenbathing.Isaid:“Ididn’tseeyouonthebeach.”Andshelaughed.ThenIaskedherwhereherjerseywas,andshesaidshemusthaveleftitdownonthebeach.
ImentionthesedetailstoexplainwhyIletMrs.CraletakethebeerdowntotheBatterygarden.
Therestofthemorningisquiteblankinmymind.Angelafetchedherneedlebookandmendedherskirtwithoutanymorefuss.IratherthinkthatImendedsomeofthehouseholdlinen.Mr.Craledidnotcomeupforlunch.Iwasgladthathehadatleastthatmuchdecency.
Afterlunch,Mrs.CralesaidshewasgoingdowntotheBattery.IwantedtoretrieveAngela’sjerseyfromthebeach.Westarteddowntogether.ShewentintotheBattery—Iwasgoingonwhenhercrycalledmeback.AsItoldyouwhenyoucametoseeme,sheaskedmetogoupandtelephone.OnthewayupImetMr.MeredithBlakeandthenwentbacktoMrs.Crale.
ThatwasmystoryasItolditattheinquestandlateratthetrial.
WhatIamabouttowritedownIhavenevertoldtoanylivingsoul.IwasnotaskedanyquestiontowhichIreturnedanuntrueanswer.NeverthelessIwasguiltyofwithholdingcertainfacts—Idonotrepentofthat.Iwoulddoitagain.IamfullyawarethatinrevealingthisImaybelayingmyselfopentocensure,butIdonotthinkthatafterthislapseoftimeanyonewilltakethematterveryseriously—especiallysinceCarolineCralewasconvictedwithoutmyevidence.
This,then,iswhathappened.
ImetMr.MeredithBlakeasIsaid,andIrandownthepathagainasquicklyasIcould.IwaswearingsandshoesandIhavealwaysbeenlightonmyfeet.IcametotheopenBatterydoor,andthisiswhatIsaw.
Mrs.Cralewasbusilypolishingthebeerbottleonthetablewithherhandkerchief.Havingdoneso,shetookherdeadhusband’shandandpressedthefingersofitonthebeerbottle.Allthetimeshewaslisteningandonthealert.ItwasthefearIsawonherfacethattoldmethetruth.
Iknewthen,beyondanypossibledoubt,thatCarolineCralehadpoisonedherhusband.AndI,forone,donotblameher.Hedrovehertoapointbeyondhumanendurance,andhebroughthisfateuponhimself.
InevermentionedtheincidenttoMrs.CraleandsheneverknewthatIhadseenit.
CarolineCrale’sdaughtermustnotbolsterupherlifewithalie.Howevermuchitmaypainhertoknowthetruth,truthistheonlythingthatmatters.
Tellher,fromme,thathermotherisnottobejudged.Shewasdrivenbeyondwhatalovingwomancanendure.Itisforherdaughtertounderstandandforgive.
EndofCeciliaWilliams’sNarrative.
NarrativeofAngelaWarren
DearMr.Poirot,
IamkeepingmypromisetoyouandhavewrittendownallIcanrememberofthatterribletimesixteenyearsago.ButitwasnotuntilIstartedthatIrealizedhowverylittleIdidremember.Untilthethingactuallyhappened,yousee,thereisnothingtofixanythingby.
I’vejustavaguememoryofsummerdays—andisolatedincidents,butIcouldn’tsayforcertainwhatsummertheyhappenedeven!Amyas’sdeathwasjustathunderclapcomingoutoftheblue.I’dhadnowarningofit,andIseemtohavemissedeverythingthatleduptoit
I’vebeentryingtothinkwhetherthatwastobeexpectedornot.AremostgirlsoffifteenasblindanddeafandobtuseasIseemtohavebeen?Perhapstheyare.Iwasquick,Ithink,togaugepeople’smoods,butIneverbotheredmyheadaboutwhatcausedthosemoods.
Besides,justatthattime,I’dsuddenlybeguntodiscovertheintoxicationofwords.ThingsthatIread,scrapsofpoetry—ofShakespeare—wouldechoinmyhead.Iremembernowwalkingalongthekitchengardenpathrepeatingtomyselfinakindofecstaticdelirium“undertheglassygreentranslucentwave”…ItwasjustsolovelyIhadtosayitoverandoveragain.
AndmixedupwiththesenewdiscoveriesandexcitementstherewereallthethingsI’dlikeddoingeversinceIcouldremember.Swimmingandclimbingtreesandeatingfruitandplayingtricksonthestableboyandfeedingthehorses.
CarolineandAmyasItookforgranted.Theywerethecentralfiguresinmyworld,butIneverthoughtaboutthemorabouttheiraffairsorwhattheythoughtandfelt.
Ididn’tnoticeElsaGreer’scomingparticularly.IthoughtshewasstupidandIdidn’teventhinkshewasgood-looking.Iacceptedherassomeonerichbuttiresome,whomAmyaswaspainting.
Actually,theveryfirstintimationIhadofthewholethingwaswhatIoverheardfromtheterracewhereIhadescapedafterlunchoneday—ElsasaidshewasgoingtomarryAmyas!Itstruckmeasjustridiculous.IremembertacklingAmyasaboutit.InthegardenatHandcrossitwas.Isaidtohim:
“WhydoesElsasayshe’sgoingtomarryyou?Shecouldn’t.Peoplecan’thavetwowives—it’sbigamyandtheygotoprison.”
Amyasgotveryangryandsaid:“Howthedevildidyouhearthat?”
IsaidI’dhearditthroughthelibrarywindow.
Hewasangrierthaneverthen,andsaiditwashightimeIwenttoschoolandgotoutofthehabitofeavesdropping.
IstillremembertheresentmentIfeltwhenhesaidthat.Becauseitwassounfair.Absolutelyandutterlyunfair.
IstammeredoutangrilythatIhadn’tbeenlistening—andanyhow,Isaid,whydidElsasayasillythinglikethat?
Amyassaiditwasjustajoke.
Thatoughttohavesatisfiedme.Itdid—almost.Butnotquite.
IsaidtoElsawhenwewereonthewayback:“IaskedAmyaswhatyoumeantwhenyousaidyouweregoingtomarryhim,andhesaiditwasjustajoke.”
Ifeltthatoughttosnubher.Butsheonlysmiled.
Ididn’tlikethatsmileofhers.IwentuptoCaroline’sroom.Itwaswhenshewasdressingfordinner.IaskedherthenoutrightifitwerepossibleforAmyastomarryElsa.
IrememberCaroline’sanswerasthoughIhearditnow.Shemusthavespokenwithgreatemphasis.
“AmyaswillonlymarryElsaafterIamdead,”shesaid.
Thatreassuredmecompletely.Deathseemedagesawayfromusall.Nevertheless,IwasstillverysorewithAmyasaboutwhathehadsaidintheafternoon,andIwentforhimviolentlyallthroughdinner,andIrememberwehadarealflamingrow,andIrushedoutoftheroomandwentuptobedandhowledmyselftosleep.
Idon’tremembermuchabouttheafternoonatMeredithBlake’s,althoughIdorememberhisreadingaloudthepassagefromthePhaedodescribingSocrates’death.Ihadneverhearditbefore.Ithoughtitwastheloveliest,mostbeautifulthingIhadeverheard.Irememberthat—butIdon’trememberwhenitwas.AsfarasIcanrecallnow,itmighthavebeenanytimethatsummer.
Idon’trememberanythingthathappenedthenextmorningeither,thoughIhavethoughtandthought.I’veavaguefeelingthatImusthavebathed,andIthinkIrememberbeingmadetomendsomething.
Butit’sallveryvagueanddimtillthetimewhenMeredithcamepantingupthepathfromtheterrace,andhisfacewasallgreyandqueer.Irememberacoffeecupfallingoffthetableandbeingbroken—Elsadidthat.AndIrememberherrunning—suddenlyrunningforallshewasworthdownthepath—andtheawfullooktherewasonherface.
Ikeptsayingtomyself:“Amyasisdead.”Butitjustdidn’tseemreal.
IrememberDr.Faussettcomingandhisgraveface.MissWilliamswasbusylookingafterCaroline.Iwanderedaboutratherforlornly,gettinginpeople’sway.Ihadanastysickfeeling.Theywouldn’tletmegodownandseeAmyas.Butbyandbythepolicecameandwrotedownthingsinnotebooks,andpresentlytheybroughthisbodyuponastretcher
MissWilliamstookmeintoCaroline’sroomlater.Carolinewasonthesofa.Shelookedverywhiteandill.
ShekissedmeandsaidshewantedmetogoawayassoonasIcould,anditwasallhorrible,butIwasn’ttoworryorthinkaboutitanymorethanIcouldhelp.IwastojoinCarlaatLadyTressillian’sbecausethishousewastobekeptasemptyaspossible.
IclungtoCarolineandsaidIdidn’twanttogoaway.Iwantedtostaywithher.ShesaidsheknewIdid,butitwasbetterformetogoawayandwouldtakealotofworryoffhermind.AndMissWilliamschippedinandsaid:
“Thebestwayyoucanhelpyoursister,Angela,istodowhatshewantsyoutodowithoutmakingafussaboutit.”
SoIsaidIwoulddowhateverCarolinewished.AndCarolinesaid:“That’smydarlingAngela.”Andshehuggedmeandsaidtherewasnothingtoworryabout,andtotalkaboutitandthinkaboutitallaslittleaspossible.
IhadtogodownandtalktoaPoliceSuperintendent.Hewasverykind,askedmewhenIhadlastseenAmyasandalotofotherquestionswhichseemedtomequitepointlessatthetime,butwhich,ofcourse,Iseethepointofnow.HesatisfiedhimselfthattherewasnothingthatIcouldtellhimwhichhehadn’talreadyheardfromtheothers.SohetoldMissWilliamsthathesawnoobjectiontomygoingovertoFerribyGrangetoLadyTressillian’s.
Iwentthere,andLadyTressillianwasverykindtome.ButofcourseIsoonhadtoknowthetruth.TheyarrestedCarolinealmostatonce.IwassohorrifiedanddumbfoundedthatIbecamequiteill.
IheardafterwardsthatCarolinewasterriblyworriedaboutme.ItwasatherinsistencethatIwassentoutofEnglandbeforethetrialcameon.ButthatIhavetoldyoualready.
Asyousee,whatIhavetoputdownispitiablymeagre.SincetalkingtoyouIhavegoneoverthelittleIrememberpainstakingly,rackingmymemoryfordetailsofthisorthatperson’sexpressionorreaction.Icanremembernothingconsistentwithguilt.Elsa’sfrenzy.Meredith’sgreyworriedface.Philip’sgriefandfury—theyallseemnaturalenough.Isuppose,though,someonecouldhavebeenplayingapart?
Ionlyknowthis,Carolinedidnotdoit
Iamquitecertainonthispoint,andalwaysshallbe,butIhavenoevidencetoofferexceptmyownintimateknowledgeofhercharacter.
EndofAngelaWarren’sNarrative.
BOOKTHREE
One
CONCLUSIONS
CarlaLemarchantlookedup.Hereyeswerefulloffatigueandpain.Shepushedbackthehairfromherforeheadinatiredgesture.
Shesaid:
“It’ssobewilderingallthis.”Shetouchedthepileofmanuscripts.“Becausetheangle’sdifferenteverytime!Everybodyseesmymotherdifferently.Butthefactsarethesame.Everyoneagreesonthefacts.”
“Ithasdiscouragedyou,readingthem?”
“Yes.Hasn’titdiscouragedyou?”
“No,Ihavefoundthosedocumentsveryvaluable—veryinformative.”
Poirotspokeslowlyandreflectively.
Carlasaid:
“IwishI’dneverreadthem!”
Poirotlookedacrossather.
“Ah—soitmakesyoufeelthatway?”
Carlasaidbitterly:
“Theyallthinkshedidit—allofthemexceptAuntAngelaandwhatshethinksdoesn’tcount.Shehasn’tgotanyreasonforit.She’sjustoneofthoseloyalpeoplewho’llsticktoathingthroughthickandthin.Shejustgoesonsaying:“Carolinecouldn’thavedoneit.”
“Itstrikesyoulikethat?”
“Howelseshoulditstrikeme?I’verealized,youknow,thatifmymotherdidn’tdoit,thenoneofthesefivepeoplemusthavedoneit.I’veevenhadtheoriesastowhy.”
“Ah!Thatisinteresting.Tellme.”
“Oh,theywereonlytheories.PhilipBlake,forinstance.He’sastockbroker,hewasmyfather’sbestfriend—probablymyfathertrustedhim.Andartistsareusuallycarelessaboutmoneymatters.PerhapsPhilipBlakewasinajamandusedmyfather’smoney.Hemayhavegotmyfathertosignsomething.Thenthewholethingmayhavebeenonthepointofcomingout—andonlymyfather’sdeathcouldhavesavedhim.That’soneofthethingsIthoughtof.”
“Notbadlyimaginedatall.Whatelse?”
“Well,there’sElsa.PhilipBlakesayshereshehadherheadscrewedontoowelltomeddlewithpoison,butIdon’tthinkthat’strueatall.Supposingmymotherhadgonetoherandtoldherthatshewouldn’tdivorcemyfather—thatnothingwouldinducehertodivorcehim.Youmaysaywhatyoulike,butIthinkElsahadabourgeoismind—shewantedtoberespectablymarried.IthinkthatthenElsawouldhavebeenperfectlycapableofpinchingthestuff—shehadjustasgoodachancethatafternoon—andmighthavetriedtogetmymotheroutofthewaybypoisoningher.IthinkthatwouldbequitelikeElsa.Andthen,possibly,bysomeawfulaccident,AmyasgotthestuffinsteadofCaroline.”
“Againitisnotbadlyimagined.Whatelse?”
Carlasaidslowly:
“Well,Ithought—perhaps—Meredith!”
“Ah—MeredithBlake?”
“Yes.Yousee,hesoundstomejustthesortofpersonwhowoulddoamurder.Imean,hewastheslowditheringonetheotherslaughedat,andunderneath,perhaps,heresentedthat.Thenmyfathermarriedthegirlhewantedtomarry.Andmyfatherwassuccessfulandrich.Andhedidmakeallthosepoisons!Perhapshereallymadethembecausehelikedtheideaofbeingabletokillsomeoneoneday.Hehadtocallattentiontothestuffbeingtaken,soastodivertsuspicionfromhimself.Buthehimselfwasfarthemostlikelypersontohavetakenit.Hemight,even,havelikedgettingCarolinehanged—becausesheturnedhimdownlongago.Ithink,youknow,it’sratherfishywhathesaysinhisaccountofitall—howpeopledothingsthataren’tcharacteristicofthem.Supposinghemeanthimselfwhenhewrotethat?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Youareatleastrightinthis—nottotakewhathasbeenwrittendownasnecessarilyatruenarrative.Whathasbeenwrittenmayhavebeenwrittendeliberatelytomislead.”
“Oh,Iknow.I’vekeptthatinmind.”
“Anyotherideas?”
Carlasaidslowly:
“Iwondered—beforeI’dreadthis—aboutMissWilliams.Shelostherjob,yousee,whenAngelawenttoschool.AndifAmyashaddiedsuddenly,Angelaprobablywouldn’thavegoneafterall.Imeanifitpassedoffasanaturaldeath—whichiteasilymighthavedone,Isuppose,ifMeredithhadn’tmissedtheconiine.Ireadupconiine,andithasn’tgotanydistinctivepostmortemappearances.Itmighthavebeenthoughttobesunstroke.Iknowthatjustlosingajobdoesn’tsoundaveryadequatemotiveformurder.Butmurdershavebeencommittedagainandagainforwhatseemridiculouslyinadequatemotives.Tinysumsofmoneysometimes.Andamiddle-aged,perhapsratherincompetentgovernessmighthavegotthewindupandjustseennofutureaheadofher.
“AsIsay,that’swhatIthoughtbeforeIreadthis.ButMissWilliamsdoesn’tsoundlikethatatall.Shedoesn’tsoundintheleastincompetent—”
“Notatall.Sheisstillaveryefficientandintelligentwoman.”
“Iknow.Onecanseethat.Andshesoundsabsolutelytrustworthytoo.That’swhathasupsetmereally.Oh,youknow—youunderstand.Youdon’tmind,ofcourse.Allalongyou’vemadeitclearitwasthetruthyouwanted.Isupposenowwe’vegotthetruth!MissWilliamsisquiteright.Onemustaccepttruth.It’snogoodbasingyourlifeonaliebecauseit’swhatyouwanttobelieve.Allrightthen—Icantakeit!Mymotherwasn’tinnocent!Shewrotemethatletterbecauseshewasweakandunhappyandwantedtospareme.Idon’tjudgeher.PerhapsIshouldfeellikethattoo.Idon’tknowwhatprisondoestoyou.AndIdon’tblamehereither—ifshefeltsodesperatelyaboutmyfather,Isupposeshecouldn’thelpherself.ButIdon’tblamemyfatheraltogethereither.Iunderstand—justalittle—howhefelt.Soalive—andsofullofwantingeverything…Hecouldn’thelpit—hewasmadethatway.Andhewasagreatpainter.Ithinkthatexcusesalot.”
SheturnedherflushedexcitedfacetoHeculePoirotwithherchinraiseddefiantly.
HerculePoirotsaid:
“So—youaresatisfied?”
“Satisfied?”saidCarlaLemarchant.Hervoicebrokeontheword.
Poirotleantforwardandpattedherpaternallyontheshoulder.
“Listen,”hesaid.“Yougiveupthefightatthemomentwhenitismostworthfighting.AtthemomentwhenI,HerculePoirot,haveaverygoodideaofwhatreallyhappened.”
Carlastaredathim.Shesaid:
“MissWilliamslovedmymother.Shesawher—withherowneyes—fakingthatsuicideevidence.Ifyoubelievewhatshesays—”
HerculePoirotgotup.Hesaid:
“Mademoiselle,becauseCeciliaWilliamssaysshesawyourmotherfakingAmyasCrale’sfingerprintsonthebeerbottle—onthebeerbottle,mind—thatistheonlythingIneedtotellmedefinitely,onceforall,thatyourmotherdidnotkillyourfather.”
Henoddedhisheadseveraltimesandwentoutoftheroom,leavingCarlastaringafterhim.
Two
POIROTASKSFIVEQUESTIONS
I
“Well,Mr.Poirot?”
PhilipBlake’stonewasimpatient.
Poirotsaid:
“IhavetothankyouforyouradmirableandlucidaccountoftheCraletragedy.”
PhilipBlakelookedratherself-conscious.
“Verykindofyou,”hemurmured.“ReallysurprisinghowmuchIrememberedwhenIgotdowntoit.”
Poirotsaid:
“Itwasanadmirablyclearnarrative,buttherewerecertainomissions,weretherenot?”
“Omissions”PhilipBlakefrowned.
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Yournarrative,shallwesay,wasnotentirelyfrank.”Histonehardened.“Ihavebeeninformed,Mr.Blake,thatonatleastonenightduringthesummer,Mrs.Cralewasseencomingoutofyourroomatasomewhatcompromisinghour.”
TherewasasilencebrokenonlybyPhilipBlake’sheavybreathing.Hesaidatlast:“Whotoldyouthat?”
HerculePoirotshookhishead.
“Itisnomatterwhotoldme.ThatIknow,thatisthepoint.”
Againtherewasasilence;thenPhilipBlakemadeuphismind.Hesaid:
“Byaccident,itseems,youhavestumbleduponapurelyprivatematter.IadmitthatitdoesnotsquarewithwhatIhavewrittendown.Nevertheless,itsquaresbetterthanyoumightthink.Iamforcednowtotellyouthetruth.
“IdidentertainafeelingofanimositytowardCarolineCrale.AtthesametimeIwasalwaysstronglyattractedbyher.Perhapsthelatterfactinducedtheformer.Iresentedthepowershehadovermeandtriedtostifletheattractionshehadformebyconstantlydwellingonherworstpoints.Ineverlikedher,ifyouunderstand.Butitwouldhavebeeneasyatanymomentformetomakelovetoher.Ihadbeeninlovewithherasaboyandshehadtakennonoticeofme.Ididnotfindthateasytoforgive.
“MyopportunitycamewhenAmyaslosthisheadsocompletelyovertheGreergirl.QuitewithoutmeaningtoIfoundmyselftellingCarolineIlovedher.Shesaidquitecalmly:“Yes,Ihavealwaysknownthat.”Theinsolenceofthewoman!
“OfcourseIknewthatshedidn’tloveme,butIsawthatshewasdisturbedanddisillusionedbyAmyas’spresentinfatuation.Thatisamoodwhenawomancanveryeasilybewon.Sheagreedtocometomethatnight.Andshecame.”
Blakepaused.Hefoundnowadifficultyingettingthewordsout.
“Shecametomyroom.Andthen,withmyarmsroundher,shetoldmequitecoollythatitwasnogood!Afterall,shesaid,shewasaone-manwoman.ShewasAmyasCrale’s,forbetterorworse.Sheagreedthatshehadtreatedmeverybadly,butsaidshecouldn’thelpit.Sheaskedmetoforgiveher.
“Andsheleftme.Sheleftme!Doyouwonder,Mr.Poirot,thatmyhatredofherwasheightenedahundredfold?DoyouwonderthatIhaveneverforgivenher?Fortheinsultshedidme—aswellasforthefactthatshekilledthefriendIlovedbetterthananyoneintheworld!”
Tremblingviolently,PhilipBlakeexclaimed:
“Idon’twanttospeakofit,doyouhear?You’vegotyouranswer.Nowgo!Andnevermentionthemattertomeagain!”
II
“Iwanttoknow,Mr.Blake,theorderinwhichyourguestsleftthelaboratorythatday?”
MeredithBlakeprotested.
“But,mydearMr.Poirot.Aftersixteenyears!HowcanIpossiblyremember?I’vetoldyouthatCarolinecameoutlast.”
“Youaresureofthat?”
“Yes—atleast—Ithinkso….”
“Letusgotherenow.Wemustbequitesure,yousee.”
Stillprotesting,MeredithBlakeledtheway.Heunlockedthedoorandswungbacktheshutters.Poirotspoketohimauthoritatively.
“Nowthen,myfriend.Youhaveshowedyourvisitorsyourinterestingpreparationsofherbs.Shutyoureyesnowandthink—”
MeredithBlakedidsoobediently.Poirotdrewahandkerchieffromhispocketandgentlypassedittoandfro.Blakemurmured,hisnostrilstwitchingslightly:
“Yes,yes—extraordinaryhowthingscomebacktoone.Caroline,Iremember,hadonapalecoffee-coloureddress.Philwaslookingbored…Healwaysthoughtmyhobbywasquiteidiotic.”
Poirotsaid:
“Reflectnow,youareabouttoleavetheroom.YouaregoingtothelibrarywhereyouaregoingtoreadthepassageaboutthedeathofSocrates.Wholeavestheroomfirst—doyou?”
“ElsaandI—yes.Shepassedthroughthedoorfirst.Iwasclosebehindher.Weweretalking.IstoodtherewaitingfortheotherstocomesothatIcouldlockthedooragain.Philip—yes,Philipcameoutnext.AndAngela—shewasaskinghimwhatbullsandbearswere.Theywentonthroughthehall.Amyasfollowedthem.Istoodtherewaitingstill—forCaroline,ofcourse.”
“SoyouarequitesureCarolinestayedbehind.Didyouseewhatshewasdoing?”
Blakeshookhishead.
“No,Ihadmybacktotheroom,yousee.IwastalkingtoElsa—boringher,Iexpect—tellingherhowcertainplantsmustbegatheredatthefullofthemoonaccordingtooldsuperstition.AndthenCarolinecameout—hurryingalittle—andIlockedthedoor.”
HestoppedandlookedatPoirot,whowasreplacingahandkerchiefinhispocket.MeredithBlakesniffleddisgustedlyandthought:“Why,thefellowactuallyusesscent!”
Aloudhesaid:
“Iamquitesureofit.Thatwastheorder.Elsa,myself,Philip,AngelaandCaroline.Doesthathelpyouatall?”
Poirotsaid:
“Itallfitsin.Listen.Iwanttoarrangeameetinghere.Itwillnot,Ithink,bedifficult….”
III
“Well?”
ElsaDittishamsaiditalmosteagerly—likeachild.
“Iwanttoaskyouaquestion,madame.”
“Yes?”
Poirotsaid:
“Afteritwasallover—thetrial,Imean—didMeredithBlakeaskyoutomarryhim?”
Elsastared.Shelookedcontemptuous—almostbored.
“Yes—hedid.Why?”
“Wereyousurprised?”
“WasI?Idon’tremember.”
“Whatdidyousay?”
Elsalaughed.Shesaid:
“WhatdoyouthinkIsaid?AfterAmyas—Meredith?Itwouldhavebeenridiculous!Itwasstupidofhim.Healwayswasratherstupid.”
Shesmiledsuddenly.
“Hewanted,youknow,toprotectme—to‘lookafterme’—that’showheputit!HethoughtlikeeverybodyelsethattheAssizeshadbeenaterribleordealforme.Andthereporters!Andthebooingcrowds!Andallthemudthatwasslungatme.”
Shebroodedaminute.Thensaid:
“PooroldMeredith!Suchanass!”Andlaughedagain.
IV
OnceagainHerculePoirotencounteredtheshrewdpenetratingglanceofMissWilliams,andonceagainfelttheyearsfallingawayandhimselfameekandapprehensivelittleboy.
Therewas,heexplained,aquestionhewishedtoask.
MissWilliamsintimatedherwillingnesstohearwhatthequestionwas.
Poirotsaidslowly,pickinghiswordscarefully:
“AngelaWarrenwasinjuredasaveryyoungchild.InmynotesIfindtworeferencestothatfact.InoneofthemitisstatedthatMrs.Cralethrewapaperweightatthechild.Intheotherthatsheattackedthebabywithacrowbar.Whichofthoseversionsistherightone?”
MissWilliamsrepliedbriskly:
“Ineverheardanythingaboutacrowbar.Thepaperweightisthecorrectstory.”
“Whowasyourowninformant?”
“Angelaherself.Shevolunteeredtheinformationquiteearly.”
“Whatdidshesayexactly?”
“Shetouchedhercheekandsaid:‘CarolinedidthiswhenIwasababy.Shethrewapaperweightatme.Neverrefertoit,willyou,becauseitupsetsherdreadfully.’”
“DidMrs.Craleherselfevermentionthemattertoyou?”
“Onlyobliquely.SheassumedthatIknewthestory.Irememberhersayingonce:‘IknowyouthinkIspoilAngela,butyousee,IalwaysfeelthereisnothingIcandotomakeuptoherforwhatIdid.’Andonanotheroccasionshesaid:‘Toknowyouhavepermanentlyinjuredanotherhumanbeingistheheaviestburdenanyonecouldhavetobear.’”
“Thankyou,MissWilliams.ThatisallIwantedtoknow.”
CeciliaWilliamssaidsharply:
“Idon’tunderstandyou,Mr.Poirot.YoushowedCarlamyaccountofthetragedy?”
Poirotnodded.
“Andyetyouarestill—”Shestopped
Poirotsaid:
“Reflectaminute.Ifyouweretopassafishmonger’sandsawtwelvefishlaidoutonhisslab,youwouldthinktheywereallrealfish,wouldyounot?Butoneofthemmightbestuffedfish.”
MissWilliamsrepliedwithspirit:
“Mostunlikelyandanyway—”
“Ah,unlikely,yes,butnotimpossible—becauseafriendofmineoncetookdownastuffedfish(itwashistrade,youcomprehend)tocompareitwiththerealthing!AndifyousawabowlofzinniasinadrawingroominDecemberyouwouldsaythattheywerefalse—buttheymightberealonesflownhomefromBaghdad.”
“Whatisthemeaningofallthisnonsense?”demandedMissWilliams.
“Itistoshowyouthatitistheeyesofthemindwithwhichonereallysees….”
V
PoirotslowedupalittleasheapproachedthebigblockofflatsoverlookingRegent’sPark.
Really,whenhecametothinkofit,hedidnotwanttoaskAngelaWarrenanyquestionsatall.Theonlyquestionhedidwanttoaskhercouldwait….
No,itwasreallyonlyhisinsatiablepassionforsymmetrythatwasbringinghimhere.Fivepeople—thereshouldbefivequestions!Itwasneaterso.Itroundedoffthethingbetter.
Ahwell—hewouldthinkofsomething.
AngelaWarrengreetedhimwithsomethingcloselyapproachingeagerness.Shesaid:
“Haveyoufoundoutanything?Haveyougotanywhere?”
SlowlyPoirotnoddedhisheadinhisbestChinamandarinmanner.Hesaid:
“AtlastImakeprogress.”
“PhilipBlake?”Itwashalfwaybetweenstatementandaquestion.
“Mademoiselle,Idonotwishtosayanythingatpresent.Themomenthasnotyetcome.WhatIwillaskofyouistobesogoodastocomedowntoHandcrossManor.Theothershaveconsented.”
Shesaidwithaslightfrown:
“Whatdoyouproposetodo?Reconstructsomethingthathappenedsixteenyearsago?”
“Seeit,perhaps,fromaclearerangle.Youwillcome?”
AngelaWarrensaidslowly:
“Oh,yes,I’llcome.Itwillbeinterestingtoseeallthosepeopleagain.Ishallseethemnow,perhaps,fromaclearerangle(asyouputit)thanIdidthen.”
“Andyouwillbringwithyoutheletterthatyoushowedme?”
AngelaWarrenfrowned.
“Thatletterismyown.Ishowedittoyouforagoodandsufficientreason,butIhavenointentionofallowingittobereadbystrangeandunsympatheticpersons.”
“Butyouwillallowyourselftobeguidedbymeinthismatter?”
“Iwilldonothingofthekind.Iwillbringtheletterwithme,butIshallusemyownjudgementwhichIventuretothinkisquiteasgoodasyours.”
Poirotspreadouthishandsinagestureofresignation.Hegotuptogo.Hesaid:
“YoupermitthatIaskonelittlequestion?”
“Whatisit?”
“Atthetimeofthetragedy,youhadlatelyread,hadyounot,SomersetMaugham’sTheMoonandSixpence?”
Angelastaredathim.Thenshesaid:
“Ibelieve—why,yes,thatisquitetrue.”Shelookedathimwithfrankcuriosity.“Howdidyouknow?”
“Iwanttoshowyou,mademoiselle,thateveninasmallunimportantmatter,Iamsomethingofamagician.TherearethingsIknowwithouthavingtobetold.”
Three
RECONSTRUCTION
TheafternoonsunshoneintothelaboratoryatHandcrossManor.Someeasychairsandasetteehadbeenbroughtintotheroom,buttheyservedmoretoemphasizeitsforlornaspectthantofurnishit.
Slightlyembarrassed,pullingathismoustache,MeredithBlaketalkedtoCarlainadesultoryway.Hebrokeoffoncetosay:“Mydear,youareverylikeyourmother—andyetunlikeher,too.”
Carlaasked:“HowamIlikeherandhowunlike?”
“Youhavehercolouringandherwayofmoving,butyouare—howshallIputit—morepositivethansheeverwas.”
PhilipBlake,ascowlcreasingoverhisforehead,lookedoutofthewindowanddrummedimpatientlyonthepane.Hesaid:
“What’sthesenseofallthis?AperfectlyfineSaturdayafternoon—”
HerculePoirothastenedtopouroilontroubledwaters.
“Ah,Iapologize—itis,Iknow,unpardonabletodisarrangethegolf.Maisvoyons,Mr.Blake,thisisthedaughterofyourbestfriend.Youwillstretchapointforher,willyounot?”
Thebutlerannounced:“MissWarren.”
Meredithwenttowelcomeher.Hesaid:“It’sgoodofyoutosparethetime,Angela.You’rebusy,Iknow.”
Heledherovertothewindow.
Carlasaid:“Hallo,AuntAngela.IreadyourarticleinTheTimesthismorning.It’snicetohaveadistinguishedrelative.”Sheindicatedthetall,square-jawedyoungmanwiththesteadygreyeyes.“ThisisJohnRattery.HeandI—hope—tobemarried.”
AngelaWarrensaid:“Oh!—Ididn’tknow….”
Meredithwenttogreetthenextarrival
“Well,MissWilliams,it’sagoodmanyyearssincewemet.”
Thin,frailandindomitable,theelderlygovernessadvanceduptheroom.HereyesrestedthoughtfullyonPoirotforaminute,thentheywenttothetall,square-shoulderedfigureinthewell-cuttweeds.
AngelaWarrencameforwardtomeetherandsaidwithasmile:“Ifeellikeaschoolgirlagain.”
“I’mveryproudofyou,mydear,”saidMissWilliams.“You’vedonemecredit.ThisisCarla,Isuppose?Shewon’trememberme.Shewastooyoung….”
PhilipBlakesaidfretfully:“Whatisallthis?Nobodytoldme—”
HerculePoirotsaid:“Icallit—me—anexcursionintothepast.Shallwenotallsitdown?Thenweshallbereadywhenthelastguestarrives.Andwhensheisherewecanproceedtoourbusiness—tolaytheghosts.”
PhilipBlakeexclaimed:“Whattomfooleryisthis?You’renotgoingtoholdaséance,areyou?”
“No,no.Weareonlygoingtodiscusssomeeventsthathappenedlongago—todiscussthemand,perhaps,toseemoreclearlythecourseofthem.Astotheghosts,theywillnotmaterialize,butwhoistosaytheyarenothere,inthisroom,althoughwecannotseethem.WhoistosaythatAmyasandCarolineCralearenothere—listening?”
PhilipBlakesaid:“Absurdnonsense—”andbrokeoffasthedooropenedagainandthebutlerannouncedLadyDittisham.
ElsaDittishamcameinwiththatfaint,boredinsolencethatwasacharacteristicofher.ShegaveMeredithaslightsmile,staredcoldlyatAngelaandPhilip,andwentovertoachairbythewindowalittleapartfromtheothers.Sheloosenedtherichpalefursroundherneckandletthemfallback.Shelookedforaminuteortwoabouttheroom,thenatCarla,andthegirlstaredback,thoughtfullyappraisingthewomanwhohadwroughtthehavocinherparents’lives.Therewasnoanimosityinheryoungearnestface,onlycuriosity.
Elsasaid:“IamsorryifIamlate,Mr.Poirot.”
“Itwasverygoodofyoutocome,madame.”
CeciliaWilliamssnortedeversoslightly.Elsamettheanimosityinhereyeswithacompletelackofinterest.Shesaid:
“Iwouldn’thaveknownyou,Angela.Howlongisit?Sixteenyears?”
HerculePoirotseizedhisopportunity.
“Yes,itissixteenyearssincetheeventsofwhichwearetospeak,butletmefirsttellyouwhywearehere.”
AndinafewsimplewordsheoutlinedCarla’sappealtohimandhisacceptanceofthetask.
Hewentonquickly,ignoringthegatheringstormvisibleonPhilip’sface,andtheshockeddistasteonMeredith’s.
“Iacceptedthatcommision—Isettoworktofindout—thetruth.”
CarlaLemarchant,inthebiggrandfatherchair,heardPoirot’swordsdimly,fromadistance.
Withherhandshieldinghereyesshestudiedfivefaces,surreptitiously.Couldsheseeanyofthesepeoplecommittingmurder?TheexoticElsa,thered-facedPhilip,dear,nice,kindMr.MeredithBlake,thatgrimtartarofagoverness,thecool,competentAngelaWarren?
Couldshe—ifshetriedhard—visualizeoneofthemkillingsomeone?Yes,perhaps—butitwouldn’tbetherightkindofmurder.ShecouldpicturePhilipBlake,inanoutburstoffury,stranglingsomewomen—yes,shecouldpicturethat…AndshecouldpictureMeredithBlake,threateningaburglarwitharevolver—andlettingitoffbyaccident.AndshecouldpictureAngelaWarren,alsofiringarevolver,butnotbyaccident.Withnopersonalfeelinginthematter—thesafetyoftheexpeditiondependedonit!AndElsa,insomefantasticcastle,sayingfromhercouchoforientalsilks:“Throwthewretchoverthebattlements!”Allwildfancies—andnoteveninthewildestflightoffancycouldsheimaginelittleMissWilliamskillinganybodyatall!Anotherfantasticpicture:“Didyoueverkillanybody,MissWilliams?”“Goonwithyourarithmetic,Carla,anddon’tasksillyquestions.Tokillanybodyisverywicked.”
Carlathought:“Imustbeill—andImuststopthis.Listen,youfool,listentothatlittlemanwhosaysheknows.”
HerculePoirotwastalking.
“Thatwasmytask—toputmyselfinreversegear,asitwere,andgobackthroughtheyearsanddiscoverwhatreallyhappened.”
PhilipBlakesaid:“Weallknowwhathappened.Topretendanythingelseisaswindle—that’swhatitis,abare-facedswindle.You’regettingmoneyoutofthisgirlonfalsepretences.”
Poirotdidnotallowhimselftobeangered.Hesaid:
“Yousay,weallknowwhathappened.Youspeakwithoutreflection.Theacceptedversionofcertainfactsisnotnecessarilythetrueone.Onthefaceofit,forinstance,you,Mr.Blake,dislikedCarolineCrale.Thatistheacceptedversionofyourattitude.Butanyonewiththeleastflairforpsychologycanperceiveatoncethattheexactoppositewasthetruth.YouwerealwaysviolentlyattractedtowardsCarolineCrale.Youresentedthefact,andtriedtoconqueritbysteadfastlytellingyourselfherdefectsandreiteratingyourdislike.Inthesameway,Mr.MeredithBlakehadatraditionofdevotiontoCarolineCralelastingovermanyyears.InhisstoryofthetragedyherepresentshimselfasresentingAmyasCrale’sconductonheraccount,butyouhaveonlytoreadcarefullybetweenthelinesandyouwillseethatthedevotionofalifetimehadwornitselfthinandthatitwastheyoung,beautifulElsaGreerthatwasoccupyinghismindandthoughts.”
TherewasasplutterfromMeredith,andLadyDittishamsmiled.
Poirotwenton.
“Imentionthesemattersonlyasillustrations,thoughtheyhavetheirbearingonwhathappened.Verywell,then,Istartonmybackwardjourney—tolearneverythingIcanaboutthetragedy.IwilltellyouhowIsetaboutit.ItalkedtotheCounselwhodefendedCarolineCrale,totheJuniorCounselfortheCrown,totheoldsolicitorwhohadknowntheCralefamilyintimately,tothelawyer’sclerkwhohadbeen
“ThatatnotimedidCarolineCraleprotestherinnocence(exceptinthatoneletterwrittentoherdaughter).
“ThatCarolineCraleshowednofearinthedock,thatsheshowed,infact,hardlyanyinterest,thatsheadoptedthroughoutathoroughlydefeatistattitude.Thatinprisonshewasquietandserene.Thatinalettershewrotetohersisterimmediatelyaftertheverdict,sheexpressedherselfasacquiescentinthefatethathadovertakenher.AndintheopinionofeveryoneItalkedto(withonenotableexception)CarolineCralewasguilty.”
PhilipBlakenoddedhishead.“Ofcourseshewas!”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Butitwasnotmyparttoaccepttheverdictofothers.Ihadtoexaminetheevidenceformyself.Toexaminethefactsandtosatisfymyselfthatthepsychologyofthecaseaccordeditselfwiththem.TodothisIwentoverthepolicefilescarefully,andIalsosucceededingettingfivepeoplewhowereonthespottowritemeouttheirownaccountsofthetragedy.Theseaccountswereveryvaluablefortheycontainedcertainmatterwhichthepolicefilescouldnotgiveme—thatistosay:A,certainconversationsandincidentswhich,fromthepolicepointofview,werenotrelevant;B,theopinionsofthepeoplethemselvesastowhatCarolineCralewasthinkingandfeeling(notadmissiblelegallyasevidence);C,certainfactswhichhadbeendeliberatelywithheldfromthepolice.
“Iwasinapositionnowtojudgethecaseformyself.ThereseemsnodoubtwhateverthatCarolineCralehadamplemotiveforthecrime.Shelovedherhusband,hehadpubliclyadmittedthathewasabouttoleaveherforanotherwoman,andbyherownadmissionshewasajealouswoman.
“Tocomefrommotivestomeans,anemptyscentbottlethathadcontainedconiinewasfoundinherbureaudrawer.Therewerenofingerprintsuponitbuthers.Whenaskedaboutitbythepolice,sheadmittedtakingitfromthisroomweareinnow.Theconiinebottleherealsohadherfingerprintsuponit.IquestionedMr.MeredithBlakeastotheorderinwhichthefivepeopleleftthisroomonthatday—foritseemedtomehardlyconceivablethatanyoneshouldbeabletohelpthemselvestothepoisonwhilstfivepeoplewereintheroom.Thepeoplelefttheroominthisorder—ElsaGreer,MeredithBlake,AngelaWarrenandPhilipBlake,AmyasCrale,andlastlyCarolineCrale.Moreover,Mr.MeredithBlakehashisbacktotheroomwhilsthewaswaitingforMrs.Craletocomeout,sothatitwasimpossibleforhimtoseewhatshewasdoing.Shehad,thatistosay,theopportunity.Iamthereforesatisfiedthatshedidtaketheconiine.Thereisindirectconfirmationofit.Mr.MeredithBlakesaidtometheotherday:“Icanrememberstandinghereandsmellingthejasminethroughtheopenwindow.”ButthemonthwasSeptember,andthejasminecreeperoutsidethatwindowwouldhavefinishedflowering.ItistheordinaryjasminewhichbloomsinJuneandJuly.Butthescentbottlefoundinherroomandwhichcontainedthedregsofconiinehadoriginallycontainedjasminescent.Itakeitascertain,then,thatMrs.Craledecidedtostealtheconiine,andsurreptitiouslyemptiedoutthescentfromabottleshehadinherbag.
“ItestedthatasecondtimetheotherdaywhenIaskedMr.Blaketoshuthiseyesandtryandremembertheorderofleavingtheroom.Awhiffofjasminescentstimulatedhismemoryimmediately.Weareallmoreinfluencedbysmellthanweknow.
“Sowecometothemorningofthefatalday.Sofarthefactsarenotindispute.MissGreer’ssuddenrevealingofthefactthatsheandMr.Cralecontemplatemarriage,AmyasCrale’sconfirmationofthat,andCarolineCrale’sdeepdistress.Noneofthesethingsdependontheevidenceofonewitnessonly.
“Onthefollowingmorningthereisascenebetweenhusbandandwifeinthelibrary.ThefirstthingthatisoverheardisCarolineCralesaying:“Youandyourwomen!”inabittervoice,andfinallygoingontosay,“SomedayI’llkillyou.”PhilipBlakeoverheardthisfromthehall.AndMissGreeroverhearditfromtheterraceoutside.
“ShethenheardMr.Craleaskhiswifetobereasonable.AndsheheardMrs.Cralesay:“Soonerthanletyougotothatgirl—I’llkillyou.”SoonafterthisAmyasCralecomesoutandbrusquelytellsElsaGreertocomedownandposeforhim.Shegetsapulloverandaccompanieshim.
“Thereisnothingsofarthatseemspsychologicallyincorrect.Everyonehasbehavedastheymightbeexpectedtobehave.Butwecomenowtosomethingthatisincongruous.
“MeredithBlakediscovershisloss,telephoneshisbrother;theymeetdownatthelandingstageandtheycomeuppasttheBatterygarden,whereCarolineCraleishavingadiscussionwithherhusbandonthesubjectofAngela’sgoingtoschool.Nowthatdoesstrikemeasveryodd.Husbandandwifehaveaterrificscene,endinginadistinctthreatonCaroline’spart,andyet,twentyminutesorsolater,shegoesdownandstartsatrivialdomesticargument.”
PoirotturnedtoMeredithBlake.
“YouspeakinyournarrativeofcertainwordsyouoverheardCralesay.Thesewere:‘It’sallsettled—I’llseetoherpacking.’Thatisright?”
MeredithBlakesaid:“Itwassomethinglikethat—yes.”
PoirotturnedtoPhilipBlake.
“Isyourrecollectionthesame?”
Thelatterfrowned.
“Ididn’trememberittillyousayso—butIdoremembernow.Somethingwassaidaboutpacking!”
“SaidbyMr.Crale—notMrs.Crale?”
“Amyassaidit.AllIheardCarolinesaywassomethingaboutitsbeingveryhardonthegirl.Anyway,whatdoesallthismatter?WeallknowAngelawasofftoschoolinadayortwo.”
Poirotsaid:“Youdonotseetheforceofmyobjection.WhyshouldAmyasCralepackforthegirl?Itisabsurd,that!TherewasMrs.Crale,therewasMissWilliams,therewasahousemaid.Itisawoman’sjobtopack—notaman’s.”
PhilipBlakesaidimpatiently:
“Whatdoesitmatter?It’snothingtodowiththecrime.”
“Youthinknot?Forme,itwasthefirstpointthatstruckmeassuggestive.Anditisimmediatelyfollowedbyanother.Mrs.Crale,adesperatewoman,broken-hearted,whohasthreatenedherhusbandashortwhilebeforeandwhoiscertainlycontemplatingeithersuicideormurder,nowoffersinthemostamicablemannertobringherhusbanddownsomeicedbeer.”
MeredithBlakesaidslowly:“Thatisn’toddifshewascontemplatingmurder.Then,surely,itisjustwhatshewoulddo.Dissimulate!”
“Youthinkso?Shehasdecidedtopoisonherhusband,shehasalreadygotthepoison.HerhusbandkeepsasupplyofbeerdownintheBatterygarden.Surelyifshehasanyintelligenceatall,shewillputthepoisoninoneofthosebottlesatamomentwhenthereisnooneabout.”
MeredithBlakeobjected.
“Shecouldn’thavedonethat.Somebodyelsemighthavedrunkit.”
“Yes,ElsaGreer.Doyoutellmethathavingmadeuphermindtomurderherhusband,CarolineCralewouldhavescruplesagainstkillingthegirltoo?
“Butletusnotarguethepoint.Letusconfineourselvestofacts.CarolineCralesaysshewillsendherhusbanddownsomeicedbeer.Shegoesuptothehouse,fetchesabottlefromtheconservatorywhereitwaskeptandtakesitdowntohim.Shepoursitoutandgivesittohim.
“AmyasCraledrinksitoffandsays:‘Everythingtastesfoultoday.’
“Mrs.Cralegoesupagaintothehouse.Shehaslunchandappearsmuchasusual.Ithasbeensaidofherthatshelooksalittleworriedandpreoccupied.Thatdoesnothelpus—forthereisnocriterionofbehaviourforamurderer.Therearecalmmurderersandexcitedmurderers.
“AfterlunchshegoesdownagaintotheBattery.Shediscoversherhusbanddeadanddoes,shallwesay,theobviouslyexpectedthings.Sheregistersemotionandshesendsthegovernesstotelephoneforadoctor.Wenowcometoafactwhichhaspreviouslynotbeenknown.”HelookedatMissWilliams.“Youdonotobject?”
MissWilliamswasratherpale.Shesaid:“Ididnotpledgeyoutosecrecy.”
Quietly,butwithtellingeffect,Poirotrecountedwhatthegovernesshadseen
ElsaDittishammovedherposition.Shestaredatthedrablittlewomaninthebigchair.Shesaidincredibly:
“Youactuallysawherdothat?”
PhilipBlakesprangup.
“Butthatsettlesit!”heshouted.“Thatsettlesitonceandforall.”
HerculePoirotlookedathimmildly.Hesaid:“Notnecessarily.”
AngelaWarrensaidsharply:“Idon’tbelieveit.”Therewasaquickhostileglintintheglancesheshotatthelittlegoverness.
MeredithBlakewaspullingathismoustache,hisfacedismayed.Alone,MissWilliamsremainedundisturbed.Shesatveryuprightandtherewasaspotofcolourineachcheek.
Shesaid:“ThatiswhatIsaw.”
Poirotsaidslowly:“Thereis,ofcourse,onlyyourwordforit….”
“Thereisonlymywordforit.”Theindomitablegreyeyesmethis.“Iamnotaccustomed,Mr.Poirot,tohavingmyworddoubted.”
HerculePoirotbowedhishead.Hesaid:
“Idonotdoubtyourword,MissWilliams.Whatyousawtookplaceexactlyasyousayitdid—andbecauseofwhatyousawIrealizedthatCarolineCralewasnotguilty—couldnotpossiblybeguilty.”
Forthefirsttime,thattall,anxious-facedyoungman,JohnRattery,spoke.Hesaid:“I’dbeinterestedtoknowwhyyousaythat,Mr.Poirot.”
Poirotturnedtohim.
“Certainly.Iwilltellyou.WhatdidMissWilliamssee—shesawCarolineCraleverycarefullyandanxiouslywipingofffingerprintsandsubsequentlyimposingherdeadhusband’sfingerprintsonthebeerbottle.Onthebeerbottle,mark.Buttheconiinewasintheglass—notinthebottle.Thepolicefoundnotracesofconiineinthebottle.Therehadneverbeenanyconiineinthebottle.AndCarolineCraledidn’tknowthat
“Shewhoissupposedtohavepoisonedherhusbanddidn’tknowhowhehadbeenpoisoned.Shethoughtthepoisonwasinthebottle.”
Meredithobjected:“Butwhy—”
Poirotinterruptedhiminaflash.
“Yes—why?WhydidCarolineCraletrysodesperatelytoestablishthetheoryofsuicide?Theansweris—mustbe—quitesimple.Becausesheknewwhohadpoisonedhimandshewaswillingtodoanything—endureanything—ratherthanletthatpersonbesuspected.
“Thereisnotfartogonow.Whocouldthatpersonbe?WouldshehaveshieldedPhilipBlake?OrMeredith?OrElsaGreer?OrCeciliaWilliams?No,thereisonlyonepersonwhomshewouldbewillingtoprotectatallcosts.”
Hepaused:“MissWarren,ifyouhavebroughtyoursister’slastletterwithyou,Ishouldliketoreaditaloud.”
AngelaWarrensaid:“No.”
“But,MissWarren—”
Angelagotup.Hervoicerangout,coldassteel.
“Irealizeverywellwhatyouaresuggesting.Youaresaying,areyounot,thatIkilledAmyasCraleandthatmysisterknewit.Idenythatallegationutterly.”
Poirotsaid:“Theletter….”
“Thatletterwasmeantformyeyesalone.”
Poirotlookedtowherethetwoyoungestpeopleintheroomstoodtogether.
CarlaLemarchantsaid:“Please,AuntAngela,won’tyoudoasMr.Poirotasks?”
AngelaWarrensaidbitterly:“Really,Carla!Haveyounosenseofdecency?Shewasyourmother—you—”
Carla’svoicerangoutclearandfierce.
“Yes,shewasmymother.That’swhyI’vearighttoaskyou.I’mspeakingforher.Iwantthatletterread.”
Slowly,AngelaWarrentookouttheletterfromherbagandhandedittoPoirot.Shesaidbitterly:
“IwishIhadnevershownittoyou.”
Turningawayfromthemshestoodlookingoutofthewindow.
AsHerculePoirotreadaloudCarolineCrale’slastletter,theshadowsweredeepeninginthecornersoftheroom.Carlahadasuddenfeelingofsomeoneintheroom,gatheringshape,listening,breathing,waiting.Shethought:“She’shere—mymother’shere.Caroline—CarolineCraleishereinthisroom!”
HerculePoirot’svoiceceased.Hesaid:
“Youwillallagree,Ithink,thatthatisaveryremarkableletter.Abeautifulletter,too,butcertainlyremarkable.Forthereisonestrikingomissioninit—itcontainsnoprotestationofinnocence.”
AngelaWarrensaidwithoutturningherhead:“Thatwasunnecessary.”
“Yes,MissWarren,itwasunnecessary.CarolineCralehadnoneedtotellhersisterthatshewasinnocent—becauseshethoughthersisterknewthatfactalready—knewitforthebestofallreasons.AllCarolineCralewasconcernedaboutwastocomfortandreassureandtoavertthepossibilityofaconfessionfromAngela.Shereiteratesagainandagain—It’sallright,darling,it’sallright.”
AngelaWarrensaid:“Can’tyouunderstand?Shewantedmetobehappy,that’sall.”
“Yes,shewantedyoutobehappy,thatisabundantlyclear.Itisheronepreoccupation.Shehasachild,butitisnotthatchildofwhomsheisthinking—thatistocomelater.No,itishersisterwhooccupieshermindtotheexclusionofeverythingelse.Hersistermustbereassured,mustbeencouragedtoliveherlife,tobehappyandsuccessful.Andsothattheburdenofacceptancemaynotbetoogreat,Carolineincludesthatoneverysignificantphrase:‘Onemustpayone’sdebts.’
“Thatonephraseexplainseverything.ItrefersexplicitlytotheburdenthatCarolinehascarriedforsomanyyearseversince,inafitofuncontrolledadolescentrage,shehurledapaperweightatherbabysisterandinjuredthatsisterforlife.Now,atlast,shehastheopportunitytopaythedebtsheowes.Andifitisanyconsolation,IwillsaytoyouallthatIearnestlybelievethatinthepaymentofthatdebt,CarolineCraledidachieveapeaceandserenitygreaterthananyshehadeverknown.Becauseofherbeliefthatshewaspayingthatdebt,theordealoftrialandcondemnationcouldnottouchher.Itisastrangethingtosayofacondemnedmurderess—butshehadeverythingtomakeherhappy.Yes,morethanyouimagine,asIwillshowyoupresently.
“Seehow,bythisexplanation,everythingfallsintoitsplacewhereCaroline’sownreactionsareconcerned.Lookattheseriesofeventsfromherpointofview.Tobeginwith,ontheprecedingevening,aneventoccurswhichremindsherforciblyofherownundisciplinedgirlhood.AngelathrowsapaperweightatAmyasCrale.That,remember,iswhatsheherselfdidmanyyearsago.AngelashoutsoutthatshewishesAmyaswasdead.Then,onthenextmorning,CarolinecomesintothelittleconservatoryandfindsAngelatamperingwiththebeer.RememberMissWilliams’swords:‘Angelawasthere.Shelookedguilty…’Guiltyofplayingtruant,waswhatMissWilliamsmeant,buttoCaroline,Angela’sguiltyface,asshewascaughtunawares,wouldhaveadifferentmeaning.RememberthatonatleastoneoccasionbeforeAngelahadputthingsinAmyas’sdrink.Itwasanideawhichmightreadilyoccurtoher.
“CarolinetakesthebottlethatAngelagivesherandgoesdownwithittotheBattery.AndthereshepoursitoutandgivesittoAmyas,andhemakesafaceashetossesitoffanduttersthosesignificantwords:‘Everythingtastesfoultoday.’
“Carolinehasnosuspicionsthen—butafterlunchshegoesdowntotheBatteryandfindsherhusbanddead—andshehasnodoubtatallbutthathehasbeenpoisoned.Shehadnotdoneit.Who,then,has?Andthewholethingcomesoverherwitharush—Angela’sthreats,Angela’sfacestoopingoverthebeerandcaughtunawares—guilty—guilty—guilty.Whyhasthechilddoneit?AsarevengeonAmyas,perhapsnotmeaningtokill,justtomakehimillorsick?Orhasshedoneitforher,Caroline’ssake?HassherealizedandresentedAmyas’sdesertionofhersister?Carolineremembers—oh,sowell—herownundisciplinedviolentemotionsatAngela’sage.Andonlyonethoughtspringstohermind.HowcansheprotectAngela?Angelahandledthatbottle—Angela’sfingerprintswillbeonit.Shequicklywipesitandpolishesit.Ifonlyeverybodycanbegottobelieveitissuicide.IfAmyas’sfingerprintsaretheonlyonesfound.Shetriestofithisdeadfingersroundthebottle—workingdesperately—listeningforsomeonetocome….
“Oncetakethatassumptionastrue,andeverythingfromthenonfitsin.HeranxietyaboutAngelaallalong,herinsistenceongettingheraway,keepingheroutoftouchwithwhatwasgoingon.HerfearofAngela’sbeingquestionedundulybythepolice.Finally,heroverwhelminganxietytogetAngelaoutofEnglandbeforethetrialcomeson.BecausesheisalwaysterrifiedthatAngelamightbreakdownandconfess.”
Four
TRUTH
Slowly,AngelaWarrenswunground.Hereyes,hardandcontemptuous,rangedoverthefacesturnedtowardsher.
Shesaid:
“You’reblindfools—allofyou.Don’tyouknowthatifIhaddoneitIwouldhaveconfessed!I’dneverhaveletCarolinesufferforwhatI’ddone.Never!”
Poirotsaid:
“Butyoudidtamperwiththebeer.”
“I?Tamperwiththebeer?”
PoirotturnedtoMeredithBlake.
“Listen,monsieur.Inyouraccounthereofwhathappened,youdescribehavingheardsoundsinthisroom,whichisbelowyourbedroom,onthemorningofthecrime.”
Blakenodded.
“Butitwasonlyacat.”
“Howdoyouknowitwasacat?”
“I—Ican’tremember.Butitwasacat.Iamquitesureitwasacat.Thewindowwasopenjustwideenoughforacattogetthrough.”
“Butitwasnotfixedinthatposition.Thesashmovesfreely.Itcouldhavebeenpushedupandahumanbeingcouldhavegotinandout.”
“Yes,butIknowitwasacat.”
“Youdidnotseeacat?”
Blakesaidperplexedlyandslowly:
“No,Ididnotseeit—”Hepaused,frowning.“AndyetIknow.”
“Iwilltellyouwhyyouknowpresently.InthemeantimeIputthispointtoyou.Someonecouldhavecomeuptothehousethatmorning,havegotintoyourlaboratory,takensomethingfromtheshelfandgoneagainwithoutyourseeingthem.NowifthatsomeonehadcomeoverfromAlderburyitcouldnothavebeenPhilipBlake,norElsaGreer,norAmyasCralenorCarolineCrale.Weknowquitewellwhatallthosefourweredoing.ThatleavesAngelaWarrenandMissWilliams.MissWilliamswasoverhere—youactuallymetherasyouwentout.ShetoldyouthenthatshewaslookingforAngela.Angelahadgonebathingearly,butMissWilliamsdidnotseeherinthewater,noranywhereontherocks.Shecouldswimacrosstothissideeasily—infactshedidsolaterinthemorningwhenshewasbathingwithPhilipBlake.Isuggestthatsheswamacrosshere,cameuptothehouse,gotinthroughthewindow,andtooksomethingfromtheshelf.”
AngelaWarrensaid:“Ididnothingofthekind—not—atleast—”
“Ah!”Poirotgaveayelpoftriumph.“Youhaveremembered.Youtoldme,didyounot,thattoplayamaliciousjokeonAmyasCraleyoupinchedsomeofwhatyoucalled‘thecatstuff’—thatishowyouputit—”
MeredithBlakesaidsharply:
“Valerian!Ofcourse.”
“Exactly.Thatiswhatmadeyousureinyourmindthatitwasacatwhohadbeenintheroom.Yournoseisverysensitive.Yousmelledthefaint,unpleasantodourofvalerianwithoutknowing,perhaps,thatyoudidso—butitsuggestedtoyoursubconsciousmind‘Cat.’Catslovevalerianandwillgoanywhereforit.Valerianisparticularlynastytotaste,anditwasyouraccountofitthedaybeforewhichmademischievousMissAngelaplantoputsomeinherbrother-in-law’sbeer,whichsheknewhealwaystosseddownhisthroatinadraught.”
AngelaWarrensaidwonderingly:“Wasitreallythatday?Iremembertakingitperfectly.Yes,andIremembergettingoutthebeerandCarolinecominginandnearlycatchingme!OfcourseIremember…ButI’veneverconnecteditwiththatparticularday.”
“Ofcoursenot—becausetherewasnoconnectioninyourmind.Thetwoeventswereentirelydissimilartoyou.Onewasonaparwithothermischievouspranks—theotherwasabombshelloftragedyarrivingwithoutwarningandsucceedinginbanishingalllesserincidentsfromyourmind.Butme,Inoticedwhenyouspokeofitthatyousaid:‘Ipinched,etc.,etc.,toputitinAmyas’sdrink.’Youdidnotsayyouhadactuallydoneso.”
“No,becauseIneverdid.CarolinecameinjustwhenIwasunscrewingthebottle.Oh!”Itwasacry.“AndCarolinethought—shethoughtitwasme—!”
Shestopped.Shelookedround.Shesaidquietlyinherusualcooltones:“Isupposeyouallthinkso,too.”
Shepausedandthensaid:“Ididn’tkillAmyas.Notastheresultofamaliciousjokenorinanyotherway.IfIhadIwouldneverhavekeptsilence.”
MissWilliamssaidsharply:
“Ofcourseyouwouldn’t,mydear.”ShelookedatHerculePoirot.“Nobodybutafoolwouldthinkso.”
HerculePoirotsaidmildly:
“IamnotafoolandIdonotthinksoIknowquitewellwhokilledAmyasCrale.”
Hepaused.
“Thereisalwaysadangerofacceptingfactsasprovedwhicharereallynothingofthekind.LetustakethesituationatAlderbury.Averyoldsituation.Twowomenandoneman.WehavetakenitforgrantedthatAmyasCraleproposedtoleavehiswifefortheotherwoman.ButIsuggesttoyounowthatheneverintendedtodoanythingofthekind
“Hehadhadinfatuationsforwomenbefore.Theyobsessedhimwhiletheylasted,buttheyweresoonover.Thewomenhehadfalleninlovewithwereusuallywomenofacertainexperience—theydidnotexpecttoomuchofhim.Butthistimethewomandid.Shewasnot,yousee,awomanatall.Shewasagirl,andinCarolineCrale’swords,shewasterriblysincere…Shemayhavebeenhard-boiledandsophisticatedinspeech,butinloveshewasfrighteninglysingle-minded.BecausesheherselfhadadeepandovermasteringpassionforAmyasCralesheassumedthathehadthesameforher.Sheassumedwithoutanyquestionthattheirpassionwasforlife.Sheassumedwithoutaskinghimthathewasgoingtoleavehiswife.
“Butwhy,youwillsay,didAmyasCralenotundeceiveher?Andmyansweris—thepicture.Hewantedtofinishhispicture.
“Tosomepeoplethatsoundsincredible—butnottoanybodywhoknowsaboutartists.Andwehavealreadyacceptedthatexplanationinprinciple.ThatconversationbetweenCraleandMeredithBlakeismoreintelligiblenow.Craleisembarrassed—patsBlakeontheback,assureshimoptimisticallythewholethingisgoingtopanoutallright.ToAmyasCrale,yousee,everythingissimple.Heispaintingapicture,slightlyencumberedbywhathedescribesasacoupleofjealous,neuroticwomen—butneitherofthemisgoingtobeallowedtointerferewithwhattohimisthemostimportantthinginlife.
“IfheweretotellElsathetruthitwouldbeallupwiththepicture.PerhapsinthefirstflushofhisfeelingsforherhedidtalkaboutleavingCaroline.Mendosaythesethingswhentheyareinlove.Perhapshemerelyletitbeassumed,asheislettingitbeassumednow.Hedoesn’tcarewhatElsaassumes.Letherthinkwhatshelikes.Anythingtokeepherquietforanotherdayortwo.
“Then—hewilltellherthetruth—thatthingsbetweenthemareover.Hehasneverbeenamantobetroubledwithscruples.
“Hedid,Ithink,makeaneffortnottogetembroiledwithElsatobeginwith.Hewarnedherwhatkindofamanhewas—butshewouldnottakewarning.SherushedonherFate.AndtoamanlikeCralewomenwerefairgame.IfyouhadaskedhimhewouldhavesaideasilythatElsawasyoung—she’dsoongetoverit.ThatwasthewayAmyasCrale’smindworked.
“Hiswifewasactuallytheonlypersonhecaredaboutatall.Hewasn’tworryingmuchabouther.She’donlygottoputupwiththingsforafewdayslonger.HewasfuriouswithElsaforblurtingoutthingstoCaroline,buthestilloptimisticallythoughtitwouldbe‘allright.’Carolinewouldforgivehimasshehaddonesooftenbefore,andElsa—Elsawouldjusthaveto‘lumpit.’SosimplearetheproblemsoflifetoamanlikeAmyasCrale.
“ButIthinkthatthatlasteveninghebecamereallyworried.AboutCaroline,notaboutElsa.Perhapshewenttoherroomandsherefusedtospeakwithhim.Atanyrate,afterarestlessnight,hetookherasideafterbreakfastandblurtedoutthetruth.HehadbeeninfatuatedwithElsa,butitwasallover.Oncehe’dfinishedthepicturehe’dneverseeheragain.
“AnditwasinanswertothatthatCarolineCralecriedoutindignantly:‘Youandyourwomen!’Thatphrase,yousee,putElsainaclasswithothers—thoseotherswhohadgonetheirway.Andsheaddedindignantly:‘SomedayI’llkillyou.’
“Shewasangry,revoltedbyhiscallousnessandbyhiscrueltytothegirl.WhenPhilipBlakesawherinthehallandheardhermurmurtoherself,‘It’stoocruel!’itwasofElsashewasthinking.
“AsforCrale,hecameoutofthelibrary,foundElsawithPhilipBlake,andbrusquelyorderedherdowntogoonwiththesitting.WhathedidnotknowwasthatElsaGreerhadbeensittingjustoutsidethelibrarywindowandhadoverheardeverything.Andtheaccountshegavelaterofthatconversationwasnotthetrueone.Thereisonlyherwordforit,remember.
“Imaginetheshockitmusthavebeentohertohearthetruth,brutallyspoken!
“OnthepreviousafternoonMeredithBlakehastoldusthatwhilsthewaswaitingforCarolinetoleavethisroomhewasstandinginthedoorwaywithhisbacktotheroom.HewastalkingtoElsaGreer.ThatmeansthatshewouldhavebeenfacinghimandthatshecouldseeexactlywhatCarolinewasdoingoverhisshoulder—andthatshewastheonlypersonwhocoulddoso
“ShesawCarolinetakethatpoison.Shesaidnothing,butsheremembereditasshesatoutsidethelibrarywindow.
“WhenAmyasCralecameoutshemadetheexcuseofwantingapullover,andwentuptoCarolineCrale’sroomtolookforthatpoison.Womenknowwhereotherwomenarelikelytohidethings.Shefoundit,andbeingcarefulnottoobliterateanyfingerprintsortoleaveherown,shedrewoffthefluidintoafountain-penfiller.
“ThenshecamedownagainandwentoffwithCraletotheBatterygarden.Andpresently,nodoubt,shepouredhimoutsomebeerandhetosseditdowninhisusualway.
“Meanwhile,CarolineCralewasseriouslydisturbed.WhenshesawElsacomeuptothehouse(thistimereallytofetchapullover),CarolineslippedquicklydowntotheBatterygardenandtackledherhusband.Whatheisdoingisshameful!Shewon’tstandforit!It’sunbelievablycruelandhardonthegirl!Amyas,irritableatbeinginterrupted,saysit’sallsettled—whenthepictureisdonehe’llsendthegirlpacking!‘It’sallsettled—I’llsendherpacking.Itellyou.’
“AndthentheyhearthefootstepsofthetwoBlakes,andCarolinecomesoutand,slightlyembarrassed,murmurssomethingaboutAngelaandschoolandhavingalottodo,andbyanaturalassociationofideasthetwomenjudgetheconversationtheyhaveoverheardreferstoAngela,and‘I’llsendherpacking’becomes‘I’llseetoherpacking.’
“AndElsa,pulloverinhand,comesdownthepath,coolandsmiling,andtakesuptheposeoncemore.
“Shehascounted,nodoubt,uponCaroline’sbeingsuspectedandtheconiinebottlebeingfoundinherroom.ButCarolinenowplaysintoherhandscompletely.Shebringsdownsomeicedbeerandpoursitoutforherhusband.
“Amyastossesitoff,makingafaceandsays:‘Everythingtastesfoultoday.’
“Doyounotseehowsignificantthatremarkis?Everythingtastesfoul?Thentherehasbeensomethingelsebeforethatbeerthathastastedunpleasantandthetasteofwhichisstillinhismouth.Andoneotherpoint.PhilipBlakespeaksofCrale’sstaggeringalittleandwonders‘ifhehasbeendrinking.’Butthatslightstaggerwasthefirstsignoftheconiineworking,andthatmeansthatithadalreadybeenadministeredtohimsometimebeforeCarolinebroughthimtheicedbottleofbeer
“AndsoElsaGreersatonthegreywallandposedand,sinceshemustkeephimfromsuspectinguntilitwastoolate,shetalkedtoAmyasCralebrightlyandnaturally.PresentlyshesawMeredithonthebenchaboveandwavedherhandtohimandactedherpartevenmorethoroughlyforhisbehalf.
“AndAmyasCrale,amanwhodetestedillnessandrefusedtogiveintoit,painteddoggedlyontillhislimbsfailedandhisspeechthickened,andhesprawledthereonthatbench,helpless,butwithhismindstillclear.
“ThebellsoundedfromthehouseandMeredithleftthebenchtocomedowntotheBattery.IthinkinthatbriefmomentElsaleftherplaceandranacrosstothetableanddroppedthelastfewdropsofthepoisonintothebeerglassthatheldthatlastinnocentdrink.(Shegotridofthedropperonthepathuptothehouse—crushingittopowder.)ThenshemetMeredithinthedoorway
“Thereisaglaretherecominginoutoftheshadows.Meredithdidnotseeveryclearly—onlyhisfriendsprawledinafamiliarpositionandsawhiseyesturnfromthepictureinwhathedescribedasamalevolentglare.
“HowmuchdidAmyasknoworguess?Howmuchhisconsciousmindknewwecannottell,buthishandandhiseyewerefaithful.”
HerculePoirotgesturedtowardsthepictureonthewall
“IshouldhaveknownwhenIfirstsawthatpicture.Foritisaveryremarkablepicture.Itisthepictureofamurderesspaintedbyhervictim—itisthepictureofagirlwatchingherloverdie….”
Five
AFTERMATH
Inthesilencethatfollowed—ahorrified,appalledsilence,thesunsetslowlyflickeredaway,thelastgleamleftthewindowwhereithadrestedonthedarkheadandpalefursofthewomansittingthere.
ElsaDittishammovedandspoke.Shesaid:
“Takethemaway,Meredith.LeavemewithMr.Poirot.”
Shesattheremotionlessuntilthedoorshutbehindthem.Thenshesaid:“Youareveryclever,aren’tyou?”
Poirotdidnotanswer.
Shesaid:“Whatdoyouexpectmetodo?Confess?”
Heshookhishead.
Elsasaid:
“BecauseIshalldonothingofthekind!AndIshalladmitnothing.Butwhatwesayhere,together,doesnotmatter.Becauseitisonlyaquestionofyourwordagainstmine.”
“Exactly.”
“Iwanttoknowwhatyouaregoingtodo?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“IshalldoeverythingIcantoinducetheauthoritiestograntaposthumousfreepardontoCarolineCrale.”
Elsalaughed.Shesaid:“Howabsurd!Tobegivenafreepardonforsomethingyoudidn’tdo.”Thenshesaid:“Whataboutme?”
“Ishalllaymyconclusionbeforethenecessarypeople.Iftheydecidethereisthepossibilityofmakingoutacaseagainstyouthentheymayact.Iwilltellyouinmyopinionthereisnotsufficientevidence—thereareonlyinferences,notfacts.Moreover,theywillnotbeanxioustoproceedagainstanyoneinyourpositionunlessthereisamplejustificationforsuchacourse.”
Elsasaid:
“Ishouldn’tcare.IfIwerestandinginthedock,fightingformylife—theremightbesomethinginthat—somethingalive—exciting.Imight—enjoyit.”
“Yourhusbandwouldnot.”
Shestaredathim.
“DoyouthinkIcareintheleastwhatmyhusbandwouldfeel?”
“No,Idonot.Idonotthinkyouhaveeverinyourlifecaredaboutwhatanyotherpersonwouldfeel.Ifyouhad,youmightbehappier.”
Shesaidsharply:
“Whyareyousorryforme?”
“Because,mychild,youhavesomuchtolearn.”
“WhathaveIgottolearn?”
“Allthegrown-upemotions—pity,sympathy,understanding.Theonlythingsyouknow—haveeverknown—areloveandhate.”
Elsasaid:
“IsawCarolinetaketheconiine.Ithoughtshemeanttokillherself.Thatwouldhavesimplifiedthings.Andthen,thenextmorning,Ifoundout.Hetoldherthathedidn’tcareabuttonaboutme—hehadcared,butitwasallover.Oncehe’dfinishedthepicturehe’dsendmepacking.She’dnothingtoworryabout,hesaid.
“Andshe—wassorryforme…Doyouunderstandwhatthatdidtome?IfoundthestuffandIgaveittohimandIsattherewatchinghimdie.I’veneverfeltsoalive,soexultant,sofullofpower.Iwatchedhimdie….”
Sheflungoutherhands.
“Ididn’tunderstandthatIwaskillingmyself—nothim.AfterwardsIsawhercaughtinatrap—andthatwasnogoodeither.Icouldn’thurther—shedidn’tcare—sheescapedfromitall—halfthetimeshewasn’tthere.SheandAmyasbothescaped—theywentsomewherewhereIcouldn’tgetatthem.Buttheydidn’tdie.Idied.”
ElsaDittishamgotup.Shewentacrosstothedoor.Shesaidagain:
“Idied….”
Inthehallshepassedtwoyoungpeoplewhoselifetogetherwasjustbeginning
Thechauffeurheldopenthedoorofthecar.LadyDittishamgotinandthechauffeurwrappedthefurrugroundherknees.
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEHERCULEPOIROTMYSTERIES
MatchyourwitswiththefamousBelgiandetective.
TheMysteriousAffairatStylesTheMurderontheLinksPoirotInvestigatesTheMurderofRogerAckroydTheBigFourTheMysteryoftheBlueTrainPerilatEndHouseLordEdgwareDiesMurderontheOrientExpressThreeActTragedyDeathintheCloudsTheA.B.C.MurdersMurderinMesopotamiaCardsontheTableMurderintheMewsandOtherStoriesDumbWitnessDeathontheNileAppointmentwithDeathHerculePoirot’sChristmasSadCypressOne,Two,BuckleMyShoeEvilUndertheSunFiveLittlePigsTheHollowTheLaborsofHerculesTakenattheFloodTheUnderdogandOtherStoriesMrs.McGinty’sDeadAftertheFuneralHickoryDickoryDockDeadMan’sFollyCatAmongthePigeonsTheClocksThirdGirlHallowe’enPartyElephantsCanRememberCurtain:Poirot’sLastCase
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEMISSMARPLEMYSTERIES
Jointhelegendaryspinstersleuthfromit.MaryMeadinsolvingmurdersfarandwide.
TheMurderattheVicarageTheBodyintheLibraryTheMovingFingerAMurderIsAnnouncedTheyDoItwithMirrorsAPocketFullofRye4:50FromPaddingtonTheMirrorCrack’dACaribbeanMysteryAtBertram’sHotelNemesisSleepingMurderMissMarple:TheComplShortStoryCollection
THETOMMYANDTUPPENCEMYSTERIES
Jumponboardwiththeentertainingcrime-solvingcouplefromYoungAdventurersLtd.
TheSecretAdversaryPartnersinCrimeNorM?BythePrickingofMyThumbsPosternofFateExploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
Don’tmissasingleoneofAgathaChristie’sstand-alonenovelsandshort-storycollections.
TheManintheBrownSuitTheSecretofChimneysTheSevenDialsMysteryTheMysteriousMr.QuinTheSittafordMysteryParkerPyneInvestigatesWhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?MurderIsEasyTheRegattaMysteryandOtherStoriesAndThenThereWereNoneTowardsZeroDeathComesastheEndSparklingCyanideTheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStoriesCrookedHouseThreeBlindMiceandOtherStoriesTheyCametoBaghdadDestinationUnknownOrdealbyInnocenceDoubleSinandOtherStoriesThePaleHorseStaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStoriesEndlessNightPassengertoFrankfurtTheGoldenBallandOtherStoriesTheMousetrapandOtherPlaysTheHarlequinTeaSet
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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.
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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
MurderintheMewsandOtherStories
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’d
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStoryCollection
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
Credits
CoverdesignbySaraWood
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
ThistitlewaspreviouslypublishedasMurderinRetrospect
AGATHACHRISTIE?POIROT?FIVELITTLEPIGS?.Copyright?2011AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.FiveLittlePigswasfirstpublishedin1943.
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