HerculePoirot’sChristmas
AHerculePoirotMystery
Dedication
MydearJamesYouhavealwaysbeenoneofthemostfaithfulandkindlyofmyreaders,andIwasthereforeseriouslyperturbedwhenIreceivedfromyouawordofcriticism.Youcomplainedthatmymurdersweregettingtoorefined—anaemic,infact.Youyearnedfora“goodviolentmurderwithlotsofblood.”Amurderwheretherewasnodoubtaboutitsbeingmurder!Sothisisyourspecialstory—writtenforyou.Ihopeitmayplease.Youraffectionatesister-in-lawAgathaContents
TitlePageDedicationPartOneDecember22ndPartTwoDecember23rdPartThreeDecember24thPartFourDecember25thPartFiveDecember26thPartSixDecember27thPartSevenDecember28thAbouttheAuthorTheAgathaChristieCollectionRelatedProductsCopyrightAboutthePublisherPARTONE
DECEMBER22ND
Stephenpulledupthecollarofhiscoatashewalkedbrisklyalongtheplatform.Overheadadimfogcloudedthestation.Largeengineshissedsuperbly,throwingoffcloudsofsteamintothecoldrawair.Everythingwasdirtyandsmoke-grimed.
Stephenthoughtwithrevulsion:
“Whatafoulcountry—whatafoulcity!”
HisfirstexcitedreactiontoLondon,itsshops,itsrestaurants,itswell-dressed,attractivewomen,hadfaded.Hesawitnowasaglitteringrhinestonesetinadingysetting.
SupposinghewerebackinSouthAfricanow…Hefeltaquickpangofhomesickness.Sunshine—blueskies—gardensofflowers—coolblueflowers—hedgesofplumbago—blueconvolvulusclingingtoeverylittleshanty.
Andhere—dirt,grime,andendless,incessantcrowds—moving,hurrying—jostling.Busyantsrunningindustriouslyabouttheiranthill.
Foramomenthethought,“IwishIhadn’tcome….”
Thenherememberedhispurposeandhislipssetbackinagrimline.No,byhell,he’dgoonwithit!He’dplannedthisforyears.He’dalwaysmeanttodo—whathewasgoingtodo.Yes,he’dgoonwithit!
Thatmomentaryreluctance,thatsuddenquestioningofhimself:“Why?Isitworthit?Whydwellonthepast?Whynotwipeoutthewholething?”—allthatwasonlyweakness.Hewasnotaboy—tobeturnedthiswayandthatbythewhimofthemoment.Hewasamanofforty,assured,purposeful.Hewouldgoonwithit.HewoulddowhathehadcometoEnglandtodo.
Hegotonthetrainandpassedalongthecorridorlookingforaplace.Hehadwavedasideaporterandwascarryinghisownraw-hidesuitcase.Helookedintocarriageaftercarriage.Thetrainwasfull.ItwasonlythreedaysbeforeChristmas.StephenFarrlookeddistastefullyatthecrowdedcarriages.
People!Incessant,innumerablepeople!Andallso—so—whatwastheword—sodrab-looking!Soalike,sohorriblyalike!Thosethathadn’tgotfaceslikesheephadfaceslikerabbits,hethought.Someofthemchatteredandfussed.Some,heavilymiddle-agedmen,grunted.Morelikepigs,those.Eventhegirls,slender,egg-faced,scarlet-lipped,wereofadepressinguniformity.
Hethoughtwithasuddenlongingofopenveldt,sunbakedandlonely….
Andthen,suddenly,hecaughthisbreath,lookingintoacarriage.Thisgirlwasdifferent.Blackhair,richcreamypallor—eyeswiththedepthanddarknessofnightinthem.ThesadproudeyesoftheSouth…Itwasallwrongthatthisgirlshouldbesittinginthistrainamongthesedull,drab-lookingpeople—allwrongthatsheshouldbegoingintothedrearymidlandsofEngland.Sheshouldhavebeenonabalcony,arosebetweenherlips,apieceofblacklacedrapingherproudhead,andthereshouldhavebeendustandheatandthesmellofblood—thesmellofthebullring—intheair…Sheshouldbesomewheresplendid,notsqueezedintothecornerofathird-classcarriage.
Hewasanobservantman.Hedidnotfailtonotetheshabbinessofherlittleblackcoatandskirt,thecheapqualityofherfabricgloves,theflimsyshoesandthedefiantnoteofaflame-redhandbag.Neverthelesssplendourwasthequalityheassociatedwithher.Shewassplendid,fine,exotic….
Whatthehellwasshedoinginthiscountryoffogsandchillsandhurryingindustriousants?
Hethought,“I’vegottoknowwhosheisandwhatshe’sdoinghere…I’vegottoknow….”
II
PilarsatsqueezedupagainstthewindowandthoughthowveryoddtheEnglishsmelt…ItwaswhathadstruckhersofarmostforciblyaboutEngland—thedifferenceofsmell.Therewasnogarlicandnodustandverylittleperfume.Inthiscarriagenowtherewasasmellofcoldstuffiness—thesulphursmellofthetrains—thesmellofsoapandanotherveryunpleasantsmell—itcame,shethought,fromthefurcollarofthestoutwomansittingbesideher.Pilarsniffeddelicately,imbibingtheodourofmothballsreluctantly.Itwasafunnyscenttochoosetoputonyourself,shethought.
Awhistleblew,astentorianvoicecriedoutsomethingandthetrainjerkedslowlyoutofthestation.Theyhadstarted.Shewasonherway….
Herheartbeatalittlefaster.Woulditbeallright?Wouldshebeabletoaccomplishwhatshehadsetouttodo?Surely—surely—shehadthoughtitalloutsocarefully…Shewaspreparedforeveryeventuality.Oh,yes,shewouldsucceed—shemustsucceed….
ThecurveofPilar’sredmouthcurvedupwards.Itwassuddenlycruel,thatmouth.Cruelandgreedy—likethemouthofachildorakitten—amouththatknewonlyitsowndesiresandthatwasasyetunawareofpity.
Shelookedroundherwiththefrankcuriosityofachild.Allthesepeople,sevenofthem—howfunnytheywere,theEnglish!Theyallseemedsorich,soprosperous—theirclothes—theirboots—Oh!undoubtedlyEnglandwasaveryrichcountryasshehadalwaysheard.Buttheywerenotatallgay—no,decidedlynotgay.
Thatwasahandsomemanstandinginthecorridor…Pilarthoughthewasveryhandsome.Shelikedhisdeeplybronzedfaceandhishigh-bridgednoseandhissquareshoulders.MorequicklythananyEnglishgirl,Pilarhadseenthatthemanadmiredher.Shehadnotlookedathimoncedirectly,butsheknewperfectlyhowoftenhehadlookedatherandexactlyhowhehadlooked.
Sheregisteredthefactswithoutmuchinterestoremotion.Shecamefromacountrywheremenlookedatwomenasamatterofcourseanddidnotdisguisethefactunduly.ShewonderedifhewasanEnglishmananddecidedthathewasnot.
“Heistooalive,tooreal,tobeEnglish,”Pilardecided.“Andyetheisfair.HemaybeperhapsAmericano.”Hewas,shethought,ratherliketheactorsshehadseeninWildWestfilms.
Anattendantpushedhiswayalongthecorridor.
“Firstlunch,please.Firstlunch.Takeyourseatsforfirstlunch.”
ThesevenoccupantsofPilar’scarriageallheldticketsforthefirstlunch.Theyroseinabodyandthecarriagewassuddenlydesertedandpeaceful.
Pilarquicklypulledupthewindowwhichhadbeenletdownacoupleofinchesatthetopbyamilitant-looking,grey-hairedladyintheoppositecorner.ThenshesprawledcomfortablybackonherseatandpeeredoutofthewindowatthenorthernsuburbsofLondon.Shedidnotturnherheadatthesoundofthedoorslidingback.Itwasthemanfromthecorridor,andPilarknew,ofcourse,thathehadenteredthecarriageonpurposetotalktoher.
Shecontinuedtolookpensivelyoutofthewindow.
StephenFarrsaid:
“Wouldyoulikethewindowdownatall?”
Pilarreplieddemurely:
“Onthecontrary.Ihavejustshutit.”
ShespokeEnglishperfectly,butwithaslightaccent.
Duringthepausethatensued,Stephenthought:
“Adeliciousvoice.Ithasthesuninit…Itiswarmlikeasummernight….”
Pilarthought:
“Ilikehisvoice.Itisbigandstrong.Heisattractive—yes,heisattractive.”
Stephensaid:“Thetrainisveryfull.”
“Oh,yes,indeed.ThepeoplegoawayfromLondon,Isuppose,becauseitissoblackthere.”
Pilarhadnotbeenbroughtuptobelievethatitwasacrimetotalktostrangemenintrains.Shecouldtakecareofherselfaswellasanygirl,butshehadnorigidtaboos.
IfStephenhadbeenbroughtupinEnglandhemighthavefeltillateaseatenteringintoconversationwithayounggirl.ButStephenwasafriendlysoulwhofounditperfectlynaturaltotalktoanyoneifhefeltlikeit.
Hesmiledwithoutanyself-consciousnessandsaid:
“London’sratheraterribleplace,isn’tit?”
“Oh,yes.Idonotlikeitatall.”
“NomoredoI.”
Pilarsaid:“YouarenotEnglish,no?”
“I’mBritish,butIcomefromSouthAfrica.”
“Oh,Isee,thatexplainsit.”
“Haveyoujustcomefromabroad?”
Pilarnodded.“IcomefromSpain.”
Stephenwasinterested.
“FromSpain,doyou?You’reSpanish,then?”
“Iamhalf-Spanish.MymotherwasEnglish.ThatiswhyItalkEnglishsowell.”
“Whataboutthiswarbusiness?”askedStephen.
“Itisveryterrible,yes—verysad.Therehasbeendamagedone,quitealot—yes.”
“Whichsideareyouon?”
Pilar’spoliticsseemedtoberathervague.Inthevillagewhereshecamefrom,sheexplained,nobodyhadpaidverymuchattentiontothewar.“Ithasnotbeennearus,youunderstand.TheMayor,heis,ofcourse,anofficeroftheGovernment,soheisfortheGovernment,andthepriestisforGeneralFranco—butmostofthepeoplearebusywiththevinesandtheland,theyhavenottimetogointothesequestions.”
“Sotherewasn’tanyfightingroundyou?”
Pilarsaidthattherehadnotbeen.“ButthenIdroveinacar,”sheexplained,“allacrossthecountryandtherewasmuchdestruction.AndIsawabombdropanditblewupacar—yes,andanotherdestroyedahouse.Itwasveryexciting!”
StephenFarrsmiledafaintlytwistedsmile.
“Sothat’showitseemedtoyou?”
“Itwasanuisance,too,”explainedPilar.“BecauseIwantedtogeton,andthedriverofmycar,hewaskilled.”
Stephensaid,watchingher:
“Thatdidn’tupsetyou?”
Pilar’sgreatdarkeyesopenedverywide.
“Everyonemustdie!Thatisso,isitnot?Ifitcomesquicklyfromthesky—bouff—likethat,itisaswellasanyotherway.Oneisaliveforatime—yes,andthenoneisdead.Thatiswhathappensinthisworld.”
StephenFarrlaughed.
“Idon’tthinkyouareapacifist.”
“YoudonotthinkIamwhat?”Pilarseemedpuzzledbyawordwhichhadnotpreviouslyenteredhervocabulary.
“Doyouforgiveyourenemies,se?orita?”
Pilarshookherhead.
“Ihavenoenemies.ButifIhad—”
“Well?”
Hewaswatchingher,fascinatedanewbythesweet,cruelupward-curvingmouth.
Pilarsaidgravely:
“IfIhadanenemy—ifanyonehatedmeandIhatedthem—thenIwouldcutmyenemy’sthroatlikethis….”
Shemadeagraphicgesture.
ItwassoswiftandsocrudethatStephenFarrwasmomentarilytakenaback.Hesaid:
“Youareabloodthirstyyoungwoman!”
Pilaraskedinamatter-of-facttone:
“Whatwouldyoudotoyourenemy?”
Hestarted—staredather,thenlaughedaloud.
“Iwonder—”hesaid.“Iwonder!”
Pilarsaiddisapprovingly:
“Butsurely—youknow.”
Hecheckedhislaughter,drewinhisbreathandsaidinalowvoice:
“Yes.Iknow….”
Thenwitharapidchangeofmanner,heasked:
“WhatmadeyoucometoEngland?”
Pilarrepliedwithacertaindemureness
“Iamgoingtostaywithmyrelations—withmyEnglishrelations.”
“Isee.”
Heleanedbackinhisseat,studyingher—wonderingwhattheseEnglishrelationsofwhomshespokewerelike—wonderingwhattheywouldmakeofthisSpanishstranger…tryingtopictureherinthemidstofsomesoberBritishfamilyatChristmastime.
Pilarasked:“Isitnice,SouthAfrica,yes?”
HebegantotalktoheraboutSouthAfrica.Shelistenedwiththepleasedattentionofachildhearingastory.Heenjoyedhern?ivebutshrewdquestionsandamusedhimselfbymakingakindofexaggeratedfairystoryofitall.
Thereturnoftheproperoccupantsofthecarriageputanendtothisdiversion.Herose,smiledintohereyes,andmadehiswayoutagainintothecorridor
Ashestoodbackforaminuteinthedoorway,toallowanelderlyladytocomein,hiseyesfellonthelabelofPilar’sobviouslyforeignstrawcase.Hereadthenamewithinterest—MissPilarEstravados—thenashiseyecaughttheaddressitwidenedtoincredulityandsomeotherfeeling—GorstonHall,Longdale,Addlesfield.
Hehalfturned,staringatthegirlwithanewexpression—puzzled,resentful,suspicious…Hewentoutintothecorridorandstoodtheresmokingacigaretteandfrowningtohimself…
III
InthebigblueandgolddrawingroomatGorstonHall,AlfredLeeandLydia,hiswife,satdiscussingtheirplansforChristmas.Alfredwasasquarelybuiltmanofmiddleagewithagentlefaceandmildbrowneyes.Hisvoicewhenhespokewasquietandprecisewithaveryclearenunciation.Hisheadwassunkintohisshouldersandhegaveacuriousimpressionofinertia.Lydia,hiswife,wasanenergetic,leangreyhoundofawoman.Shewasamazinglythin,butallhermovementshadaswift,startledgraceaboutthem.
Therewasnobeautyinhercareless,haggardface,butithaddistinction.Hervoicewascharming.
Alfredsaid:
“Fatherinsists!There’snothingelsetoit.”
Lydiacontrolledasuddenimpatientmovement.Shesaid:
“Mustyoualwaysgiveintohim?”
“He’saveryoldman,mydear—”
“Oh,Iknow—Iknow!”
“Heexpectstohavehisownway.”
Lydiasaiddryly:
“Naturally,sincehehasalwayshadit!Butsometimeorother,Alfred,youwillhavetomakeastand.”
“Whatdoyoumean,Lydia?”
Hestaredather,sopalpablyupsetandstartled,thatforamomentshebitherlipandseemeddoubtfulwhethertogoon.
AlfredLeerepeated:
“Whatdoyoumean,Lydia?”
Sheshruggedherthin,gracefulshoulders.
Shesaid,tryingtochooseherwordscautiously:
“Yourfatheris—inclinedtobe—tyrannical—”
“He’sold.”
“Andwillgrowolder.Andconsequentlymoretyrannical.Wherewillitend?Alreadyhedictatesourlivestouscompletely.Wecan’tmakeaplanofourown!Ifwedo,itisalwaysliabletobeupset.”
Alfredsaid:
“Fatherexpectstocomefirst.Heisverygoodtous,remember.”
“Oh!goodtous!”
“Verygoodtous.”
Alfredspokewithatraceofsternness.
“Lydiasaidcalmly:
“Youmeanfinancially?”
“Yes.Hisownwantsareverysimple.Buthenevergrudgesusmoney.Youcanspendwhatyoulikeondressandonthishouse,andthebillsarepaidwithoutamurmur.Hegaveusanewcaronlylastweek.”
“Asfarasmoneygoes,yourfatherisverygenerous,Iadmit,”saidLydia.“Butinreturnheexpectsustobehavelikeslaves.”
“Slaves?”
“That’sthewordIused.Youarehisslave,Alfred.IfwehaveplannedtogoawayandFathersuddenlywishesusnottogo,youcancelyourarrangementsandremainwithoutamurmur!Ifthewhimtakeshimtosendusaway,wego…Wehavenolivesofourown—noindependence.”
Herhusbandsaiddistressfully:
“Iwishyouwouldn’ttalklikethis,Lydia.Itisveryungrateful.Myfatherhasdoneeverythingforus….”
Shebitoffaretortthatwasonherlips.Sheshruggedthosethin,gracefulshouldersoncemore.
Alfredsaid:
“Youknow,Lydia,theoldmanisveryfondofyou—”
Hiswifesaidclearlyanddistinctly:
“Iamnotatallfondofhim.”
“Lydia,itdistressesmetohearyousaythingslikethat.Itissounkind—”
“Perhaps.Butsometimesacompulsioncomesoveronetospeakthetruth.”
“IfFatherguessed—”
“YourfatherknowsperfectlywellthatIdonotlikehim!Itamuseshim,Ithink.”
“Really,Lydia,Iamsureyouarewrongthere.Hehasoftentoldmehowcharmingyourmannertohimis.”
“NaturallyI’vealwaysbeenpolite.Ialwaysshallbe.I’mjustlettingyouknowwhatmyrealfeelingsare.Idislikeyourfather,Alfred.Ithinkheisamaliciousandtyrannicaloldman.Hebulliesyouandpresumesonyouraffectionforhim.Yououghttohavestooduptohimyearsago.”
Alfredsaidsharply:
“Thatwilldo,Lydia.Pleasedon’tsayanymore.”
Shesighed.
“I’msorry.PerhapsIwaswrong…Let’stalkofourChristmasarrangements.DoyouthinkyourbrotherDavidwillreallycome?”
“Whynot?”
Sheshookherheaddoubtfully.
“Davidis—queer.He’snotbeeninsidethehouseforyears,remember.Hewassodevotedtoyourmother—he’sgotsomefeelingaboutthisplace.”
“DavidalwaysgotonFather’snerves,”saidAlfred,“withhismusicandhisdreamyways.Fatherwas,perhaps,abithardonhimsometimes.ButIthinkDavidandHildawillcomeallright.Christmastime,youknow.”
“Peaceandgoodwill,”saidLydia.Herdelicatemouthcurvedironically.“Iwonder!GeorgeandMagdalenearecoming.Theysaidtheywouldprobablyarrivetomorrow.I’mafraidMagdalenewillbefrightfullybored.”
Alfredsaidwithsomeslightannoyance:
“WhymybrotherGeorgeevermarriedagirltwentyyearsyoungerthanhimselfIcan’tthink!Georgewasalwaysafool!”
“He’sverysuccessfulinhiscareer,”saidLydia.“Hisconstituentslikehim.IbelieveMagdaleneworksquitehardpoliticallyforhim.”
Alfredsaidslowly:
“Idon’tthinkIlikeherverymuch.Sheisverygood-looking—butIsometimesthinksheislikeoneofthosebeautifulpearsonegets—theyhavearosyflushandaratherwaxenappearance—”Heshookhishead.
“Andthey’rebadinside?”saidLydia.“Howfunnyyoushouldsaythat,Alfred!”
“Whyfunny?”
Sheanswered:
“Because—usually—youaresuchagentlesoul.Youhardlyeversayanunkindthingaboutanyone.Igetannoyedwithyousometimesbecauseyou’renotsufficiently—oh,whatshallIsay?—sufficientlysuspicious—notworldlyenough!”
Herhusbandsmiled.
“Theworld,Ialwaysthink,isasyouyourselfmakeit.”
Lydiasaidsharply:
“No!Evilisnotonlyinone’smind.Evilexists!Youseemtohavenoconsciousnessoftheevilintheworld.Ihave.Icanfeelit.I’vealwaysfeltit—hereinthishouse—”Shebitherlipandturnedaway.
Alfredsaid,“Lydia—”
Butsheraisedaquickadmonitoryhand,hereyeslookingpasthimatsomethingoverhisshoulder.Alfredturned.
Adarkmanwithasmoothfacewasstandingtheredeferentially.
Lydiasaidsharply:
“Whatisit,Horbury?”
Horbury’svoicewaslow,ameredeferentialmurmur.
“It’sMr.Lee,madam.HeaskedmetotellyouthattherewouldbetwomoreguestsarrivingforChristmas,andwouldyouhaveroomspreparedforthem.”
Lydiasaid,“Twomoreguests?”
Horburysaidsmoothly,“Yes,madam,anothergentlemanandayounglady.”
Alfredsaidwonderingly:“Ayounglady?”
“That’swhatMr.Leesaid,sir.”
Lydiasaidquickly:
“Iwillgoupandseehim—”
Horburymadeonelittlestep,itwasamereghostofamovementbutitstoppedLydia’srapidprogressautomatically.
“Excuseme,madam,butMr.Leeishavinghisafternoonsleep.Heaskedspecificallythatheshouldnotbedisturbed.”
“Isee,”saidAlfred.“Ofcoursewewon’tdisturbhim.”
“Thankyou,sir.”Horburywithdrew.
Lydiasaidvehemently:
“HowIdislikethatman!Hecreepsaboutthehouselikeacat!Oneneverhearshimgoingorcoming.”
“Idon’tlikehimverymucheither.Butheknowshisjob.It’snotsoeasytogetagoodmalenurseattendant.AndFatherlikeshim,that’sthemainthing.”
“Yes,that’sthemainthing,asyousay.Alfred,whatisthisaboutayounglady?Whatyounglady?”
Herhusbandshookhishead.
“Ican’timagine.Ican’teventhinkofanyoneitmightbelikelytobe.”
Theystaredateachother.ThenLydiasaid,withasuddentwistofherexpressivemouth:
“DoyouknowwhatIthink,Alfred?”
“What?”
“Ithinkyourfatherhasbeenboredlately.IthinkheisplanningalittleChristmasdiversionforhimself.”
“Byintroducingtwostrangersintoafamilygathering?”
“Oh!Idon’tknowwhatthedetailsare—butIdofancythatyourfatherispreparingto—amusehimself.”
“Ihopehewillgetsomepleasureoutofit,”saidAlfredgravely.“Pooroldchap,tiedbytheleg,aninvalid—aftertheadventurouslifehehasled.”
Lydiasaidslowly:
“Afterthe—adventurouslifehehasled.”
Thepauseshemadebeforetheadjectivegaveitsomespecialthoughobscuresignificance.Alfredseemedtofeelit.Heflushedandlookedunhappy.
Shecriedoutsuddenly:
“Howheeverhadasonlikeyou,Ican’timagine!Youtwoarepolesapart.Andhefascinatesyou—yousimplyworshiphim!”
Alfredsaidwithatraceofvexation:
“Aren’tyougoingalittlefar,Lydia?It’snatural,Ishouldsay,forasontolovehisfather.Itwouldbeveryunnaturalnottodoso.”
Lydiasaid:
“Inthatcase,mostofthemembersofthisfamilyare—unnatural!Oh,don’tlet’sargue!Iapologize.I’vehurtyourfeelings,Iknow.Believeme,Alfred,Ireallydidn’tmeantodothat.Iadmireyouenormouslyforyour—your—fidelity.Loyaltyissuchararevirtueinthesedays.Letussay,shallwe,thatIamjealous?Womenaresupposedtobejealousoftheirmothers-in-law—whynot,then,oftheirfathers-in-law?”
Heputagentlearmroundher.
“Yourtonguerunsawaywithyou,Lydia.There’snoreasonforyoutobejealous.”
Shegavehimaquickremorsefulkiss,adelicatecaressonthetipofhisear.
“Iknow.Allthesame,Alfred,Idon’tbelieveIshouldhavebeenintheleastjealousofyourmother.IwishI’dknownher.”
“Shewasapoorcreature,”hesaid.
Hiswifelookedathiminterestedly.
“Sothat’showshestruckyou…asapoorcreature…That’sinteresting.”
Hesaiddreamily:
“Irememberherasnearlyalwaysill…Oftenintears…”Heshookhishead.“Shehadnospirit.”
Stillstaringathim,shemurmuredverysoftly:
“Howodd….”
Butasheturnedaquestioningglanceonher,sheshookherheadquicklyandchangedthesubject.
“SincewearenotallowedtoknowwhoourmysteriousguestsareIshallgooutandfinishmygarden.”
“It’sverycold,mydear,abitingwind.”
“I’llwrapupwarmly.”
Shelefttheroom.AlfredLee,leftalone,stoodforsomeminutesmotionless,frowningalittletohimself,thenhewalkedovertothebigwindowattheendoftheroom.Outsidewasaterracerunningthewholelengthofthehouse.Here,afteraminuteortwo,hesawLydiaemerge,carryingaflatbasket.Shewaswearingabigblanketcoat.Shesetdownthebasketandbegantoworkatasquarestonesinkslightlyraisedabovegroundlevel.
Herhusbandwatchedforsometime.Atlasthewentoutoftheroom,fetchedhimselfacoatandmuffler,andemergedontotheterracebyasidedoor.Ashewalkedalonghepassedvariousotherstonesinksarrangedasminiaturegardens,alltheproductsofLydia’sagilefingers.
Onerepresentedadesertscenewithsmoothyellowsand,alittleclumpofgreenpalmtreesincolouredtin,andaprocessionofcamelswithoneortwolittleArabfigures.Someprimitivemudhouseshadbeenconstructedofplasticine.TherewasanItaliangardenwithterracesandformalbedswithflowersincolouredsealingwax.TherewasanArcticone,too,withclumpsofgreenglassforicebergs,andalittleclusterofpenguins.NextcameaJapanesegardenwithacoupleofbeautifullittlestuntedtrees,lookingglassarrangedforwater,andbridgesmodelledoutofplasticine
Hecameatlasttostandbesideherwhereshewasatwork.Shehadlaiddownbluepaperandcovereditoverwithglass.Roundthiswerelumpsofrockpiledup.Atthemomentshewaspouringoutcoarsepebblesfromalittlebagandformingthemintoabeach.Betweentherocksweresomesmallcactuses.
Lydiawasmurmuringtoherself:
“Yes,that’sexactlyright—exactlywhatIwant.”
Alfredsaid:
“What’sthislatestworkofart?”
Shestarted,forshehadnotheardhimcomeup.
“This?Oh,it’stheDeadSea,Alfred.Doyoulikeit?”
Hesaid,“It’sratherarid,isn’tit?Oughtn’ttheretobemorevegetation?”
Sheshookherhead.
“It’smyideaoftheDeadSea.Itisdead,yousee—”
“It’snotsoattractiveassomeoftheothers.”
“It’snotmeanttobespeciallyattractive.”
Footstepssoundedontheterrace.Anelderlybutler,white-hairedandslightlybowed,wascomingtowardsthem.
“Mrs.GeorgeLeeonthetelephone,madam.ShesayswillitbeconvenientifsheandMr.Georgearrivebythefivetwentytomorrow?”
“Yes,tellherthatwillbequiteallright.”
“Thankyou,madam.”
Thebutlerhurriedaway.Lydialookedafterhimwithasoftenedexpressiononherface.
“DearoldTressilian.Whatastandbyheis!Ican’timaginewhatweshoulddowithouthim.”
Alfredagreed.
“He’soneoftheoldschool.He’sbeenwithusnearlyfortyyears.He’sdevotedtousall.”
Lydianodded.
“Yes.He’slikethefaithfuloldretainersoffiction.Ibelievehe’dliehimselfblueinthefaceifitwasnecessarytoprotectoneofthefamily!”
Alfredsaid:
“Ibelievehewould…Yes,Ibelievehewould.”
Lydiasmoothedoverthelastbitofhershingle.
“There,”shesaid.“That’sready.”
“Ready?”Alfredlookedpuzzled.
Shelaughed.
“ForChristmas,silly!ForthissentimentalfamilyChristmaswe’regoingtohave.”
IV
Davidwasreadingtheletter.Oncehescreweditupintoaballandthrustitawayfromhim.Then,reachingforit,hesmootheditoutandreaditagain.
Quietly,withoutsayinganything,hiswife,Hilda,watchedhim.Shenotedthejerkingmuscle(orwasitanerve?)inhistemple,theslighttremorofthelongdelicatehands,thenervousspasmodicmovementsofhiswholebody.Whenhepushedasidethelockoffairhairthatalwaystendedtostraydownoverhisforeheadandlookedacrossatherwithappealingblueeyesshewasready.
“Hilda,whatshallwedoaboutit?”
Hildahesitatedaminutebeforespeaking.Shehadheardtheappealinhisvoice.Sheknewhowdependenthewasuponher—hadalwaysbeeneversincetheirmarriage—knewthatshecouldprobablyinfluencehisdecisionfinallyanddecisively.Butforjustthatreasonshewascharyofpronouncinganythingtoofinal
Shesaid,andhervoicehadthecalm,soothingqualitythatcanbeheardinthevoiceofanexperiencednannieinanursery:
“Itdependsonhowyoufeelaboutit,David.”
Abroadwoman,Hilda,notbeautiful,butwithacertainmagneticquality.SomethingaboutherlikeaDutchpicture.Somethingwarmingandendearinginthesoundofhervoice.Somethingstrongabouther—thevitalhiddenstrengththatappealstoweakness.Anoverstoutdumpymiddle-agedwoman—notclever—notbrilliant—butwithsomethingaboutherthatyoucouldn’tpassover.Force!HildaLeehadforce!
Davidgotupandbeganpacingupanddown.Hishairwaspracticallyuntouchedbygrey.Hewasstrangelyboyish-looking.HisfacehadthemildqualityofaBurneJonesknight.Itwas,somehow,notveryreal….
Hesaid,andhisvoicewaswistful:
“YouknowhowIfeelaboutit,Hilda.Youmust.”
“I’mnotsure.”
“ButI’vetoldyou—I’vetoldyouagainandagain!HowIhateitall—thehouseandthecountryroundandeverything!Itbringsbacknothingbutmisery.IhatedeverymomentthatIspentthere!WhenIthinkofit—ofallthatshesuffered—mymother…”
Hiswifenoddedsympathetically.
“Shewassosweet,Hilda,andsopatient.Lyingthere,ofteninpain,butbearingit—enduringeverything.AndwhenIthinkofmyfather”—hisfacedarkened—“bringingallthatmiseryintoherlife—humiliatingher—boastingofhisloveaffairs—constantlyunfaithfultoherandnevertroublingtoconcealit.”
HildaLeesaid:
“Sheshouldnothaveputupwithit.Sheshouldhavelefthim.”
Hesaidwithatouchofreproof:
“Shewastoogoodtodothat.Shethoughtitwasherdutytoremain.Besides,itwasherhome—whereelseshouldshego?”
“Shecouldhavemadealifeofherown.”
Davidsaidfretfully:
“Notinthosedays!Youdon’tunderstand.Womendidn’tbehavelikethat.Theyputupwiththings.Theyenduredpatiently.Shehadustoconsider.Evenifshedivorcedmyfather,whatwouldhavehappened?Hewouldprobablyhavemarriedagain.Theremighthavebeenasecondfamily.Ourinterestsmighthavegonetothewall.Shehadtothinkofallthoseconsiderations.”
Hildadidnotanswer.
Davidwenton:
“No,shedidright.Shewasasaint!Sheenduredtotheend—uncomplainingly.”
Hildasaid,“Notquiteuncomplaininglyoryouwouldnotknowsomuch,David!”
Hesaidsoftly,hisfacelightingup:
“Yes—shetoldmethings—SheknewhowIlovedher.Whenshedied—”
Hestopped.Heranhishandsthroughhishair.
“Hilda,itwasawful—horrible!Thedesolation!Shewasquiteyoungstill,sheneedn’thavedied.Hekilledher—myfather!Hewasresponsibleforherdying.Hebrokeherheart.IdecidedthenthatI’dnotgoonlivingunderhisroof.Ibrokeaway—gotawayfromitall.”
Hildanodded.
“Youwereverywise,”shesaid.“Itwastherightthingtodo.”
Davidsaid:
“Fatherwantedmetogointotheworks.Thatwouldhavemeantlivingathome.Icouldn’thavestoodthat.Ican’tthinkhowAlfredstandsit—howhehasstooditalltheseyears.”
“Didheneverrebelagainstit?”askedHildawithsomeinterest.“Ithoughtyoutoldmesomethingabouthishavinggivenupsomeothercareer.”
Davidnodded.
“Alfredwasgoingintothearmy.Fatherarrangeditall.Alfred,theeldest,wastogointosomecavalryregiment,Harrywastogointotheworks,sowasI.Georgewastoenterpolitics.”
“Anditdidn’tworkoutlikethat?”
Davidshookhishead.
“Harrybrokeallthatup!Hewasalwaysfrightfullywild.Gotintodebt—andallsortsofothertroubles.Finallyhewentoffonedaywithseveralhundredpoundsthatdidn’tbelongtohim,leavinganotebehindhimsayinganofficestooldidn’tsuithimandhewasgoingtoseetheworld.”
“Andyouneverheardanymoreofhim?”
“Oh,yes,wedid!”Davidlaughed.“Weheardquiteoften!Hewasalwayscablingformoneyfromallovertheworld.Heusuallygotittoo!”
“AndAlfred?”
“Fathermadehimchuckupthearmyandcomebackandgointotheworks.”
“Didhemind?”
“Verymuchtobeginwith.Hehatedit.ButFathercouldalwaystwistAlfredroundhislittlefinger.He’sabsolutelyunderFather’sthumbstill,Ibelieve.”
“Andyou—escaped!”saidHilda.
“Yes.IwenttoLondonandstudiedpainting.FathertoldmeplainlythatifIwentoffonafool’serrandlikethatI’dgetasmallallowancefromhimduringhislifetimeandnothingwhenhedied.IsaidIdidn’tcare.Hecalledmeayoungfool,andthatwasthat!I’veneverseenhimsince.”
Hildasaidgently:
“Andyouhaven’tregrettedit?”
“No,indeed.IrealizeIshan’tevergetanywherewithmyart.Ishallneverbeagreatartist—butwe’rehappyenoughinthiscottage—we’vegoteverythingwewant—alltheessentials.AndifIdie,well,mylife’sinsuredforyou.”
Hepausedandthensaid:
“Andnow—this!”
Hestrucktheletterwithhisopenhand
“Iamsorryyourfathereverwrotethatletter,ifitupsetsyousomuch,”saidHilda.
Davidwentonasthoughhehadnotheardher.
“AskingmetobringmywifeforChristmas,expressingahopethatwemaybealltogetherforChristmas;aunitedfamily!Whatcanitmean?”
Hildasaid:
“Needitmeananythingmorethanitsays?”
Helookedatherquestioningly.
“Imean,”shesaid,smiling,“thatyourfatherisgrowingold.He’sbeginningtofeelsentimentalaboutfamilyties.Thatdoeshappen,youknow.”
“Isupposeitdoes,”saidDavidslowly.
“He’sanoldmanandhe’slonely.”
Hegaveheraquicklook.
“Youwantmetogo,don’tyou,Hilda?”
Shesaidslowly:
“Itseemsapity—nottoansweranappeal.I’mold-fashioned,Idaresay,butwhynothavepeaceandgoodwillatChristmastime?”
“AfterallI’vetoldyou?”
“Iknow,dear,Iknow.Butallthat’sinthepast.It’salldoneandfinishedwith.”
“Notforme.”
“No,becauseyouwon’tletitdie.Youkeepthepastaliveinyourownmind.”
“Ican’tforget.”
“Youwon’tforget—that’swhatyoumean,David.”
Hismouthsetinafirmline.
“We’relikethat,weLees.Werememberthingsforyears—broodaboutthem,keepmemorygreen.”
Hildasaidwithatouchofimpatience:
“Isthatanythingtobeproudof?Idonotthinkso!”
Helookedthoughtfullyather,atouchofreserveinhismanner.
Hesaid:“Youdon’tattachmuchvaluetoloyalty,then—loyaltytoamemory?”
Hildasaid:
“Ibelievethepresentmatters—notthepast!Thepastmustgo.Ifweseektokeepthepastalive,weend,Ithink,bydistortingit.Weseeitinexaggeratedterms—afalseperspective.”
“Icanremembereverywordandeveryincidentofthosedaysperfectly,”saidDavidpassionately.
“Yes,butyoushouldn’t,mydear!Itisn’tnaturaltodoso!You’reapplyingthejudgmentofaboytothosedaysinsteadoflookingbackonthemwiththemoretemperateoutlookofaman.”
“Whatdifferencewouldthatmake?”demandedDavid.
Hildahesitated.Shewasawareofunwisdomingoingon,andyettherewerethingsshebadlywantedtosay.
“Ithink,”shesaid,“thatyou’reseeingyourfatherasabogy!Probably,ifyouweretoseehimnow,youwouldrealizethathewasonlyaveryordinaryman;aman,perhaps,whosepassionsranawaywithhim,amanwhoselifewasfarfromblameless,butneverthelessmerelyaman—notakindofinhumanmonster!”
“Youdon’tunderstand!Histreatmentofmymother—”
Hildasaidgravely:
“Thereisacertainkindofmeekness—ofsubmission—bringsouttheworstinaman—whereasthatsameman,facedbyspiritanddetermination,mightbeadifferentcreature!”
“Soyousayitwasherfault—”
Hildainterruptedhim.
“No,ofcourseIdon’t!I’venodoubtyourfathertreatedyourmotherverybadlyindeed,butmarriageisanextraordinarything—andIdoubtifanyoutsider—evenachildofthemarriage—hastherighttojudge.Besides,allthisresentmentonyourpartnowcannothelpyourmother.Itisallgone—itisbehindyou!Whatisleftnowisanoldman,infeeblehealth,askinghissontocomehomeforChristmas.”
“Andyouwantmetogo?”
Hildahesitated,thenshesuddenlymadeuphermind.“Yes,”shesaid.“Ido.Iwantyoutogoandlaythebogyonceandforall.”
V
GeorgeLee,M.P.forWesteringham,wasasomewhatcorpulentgentlemanofforty-one.Hiseyeswerepaleblueandslightlyprominentwithasuspiciousexpression,hehadaheavyjowl,andaslowpedanticutterance.
Hesaidnowinaweightymanner:
“Ihavetoldyou,Magdalene,thatIthinkitmydutytogo.”
Hiswifeshruggedhershouldersimpatiently.
Shewasaslendercreature,aplatinumblondewithpluckedeyebrowsandasmoothegglikeface.Itcould,onoccasions,lookquiteblankanddevoidofanyexpressionwhatever.Shewaslookinglikethatnow.
“Darling,”shesaid,“itwillbeperfectlygrim,Iamsureofit.”
“Moreover,”saidGeorgeLee,andhisfacelitupasanattractiveideaoccurredtohim,“itwillenableustosaveconsiderably.Christmasisalwaysanexpensivetime.Wecanputtheservantsonboardwages.”
“Oh,well!”saidMagdalene.“Afterall,Christmasisprettygrimanywhere!”
“Isuppose,”saidGeorge,pursuinghisownlineofthought,“theywillexpecttohaveaChristmasdinner?Anicepieceofbeef,perhaps,insteadofaturkey.”
“Who?”Theservants?Oh,George,don’tfussso.You’realwaysworryingaboutmoney.”
“Somebodyhastoworry,”saidGeorge.
“Yes,butit’sabsurdtopinchandscrapeinalltheselittleways.Whydon’tyoumakeyourfathergiveyousomemoremoney?”
“Healreadygivesmeaveryhandsomeallowance.”
“It’sawfultobecompletelydependentonyourfather,asyouare!Heoughttosettlesomemoneyonyououtright.”
“That’snothiswayofdoingthings.”
Magdalenelookedathim.Herhazeleyesweresuddenlysharpandkeen.Theexpressionlessegglikefaceshowedsuddenmeaning.
“He’sfrightfullyrich,isn’the,George?Akindofmillionaire,isn’the?”
“Amillionairetwiceover,Ibelieve.”
Magdalenegaveanenvioussigh.
“Howdidhemakeitall?SouthAfrica,wasn’tit?”
“Yes,hemadeabigfortunethereinhisearlydays.Mainlydiamonds.”
“Thrilling!”saidMagdalene.
“ThenhecametoEnglandandstartedinbusinessandhisfortunehasactuallydoubledortrebleditself,Ibelieve.”
“Whatwillhappenwhenhedies?”askedMagdalene.
“Father’sneversaidmuchonthesubject.Ofcourseonecan’texactlyask.IshouldimaginethatthebulkofhismoneywillgotoAlfredandmyself.Alfred,ofcourse,willgetthelargershare.”
“You’vegototherbrothers,haven’tyou?”
“Yes,there’smybrotherDavid.Idon’tfancyhewillgetmuch.Hewentofftodoartorsometomfooleryofthatkind.IbelieveFatherwarnedhimthathewouldcuthimoutofhiswillandDavidsaidhedidn’tcare.”
“Howsilly!”saidMagdalenewithscorn.
“TherewasmysisterJennifertoo.Shewentoffwithaforeigner—aSpanishartist—oneofDavid’sfriends.Butshediedjustoverayearago.Sheleftadaughter,Ibelieve.Fathermightleavealittlemoneytoher,butnothingmuch.Andofcoursethere’sHarry—”
Hestopped,slightlyembarrassed.
“Harry?”saidMagdalene,surprised.“WhoisHarry?”
“Ah—er—mybrother.”
“Ineverknewyouhadanotherbrother.”
“Mydear,hewasn’tagreat—er—credit—tous.Wedon’tmentionhim.Hisbehaviourwasdisgraceful.Wehaven’theardanythingofhimforsomeyearsnow.He’sprobablydead.”
Magdalenelaughedsuddenly.
“Whatisit?Whatareyoulaughingat?”
Magdalenesaid:
“Iwasonlythinkinghowfunnyitwasthatyou—you,George,shouldhaveadisreputablebrother!You’resoveryrespectable.”
“Ishouldhopeso,”saidGeorgecoldly.
Hereyesnarrowed.
“Yourfatherisn’t—veryrespectable,George.”
“Really,Magdalene!”
“Sometimesthethingshesaysmakemefeelquiteuncomfortable.”
Georgesaid:
“Really,Magdalene,yousurpriseme.Does—er—doesLydiafeelthesame?”
“Hedoesn’tsaythesamekindofthingstoLydia,”saidMagdalene.Sheaddedangrily,“No,heneversaysthemtoher.Ican’tthinkwhynot.”
Georgeglancedatherquicklyandthenglancedaway.
“Oh,well,”hesaidvaguely.“Onemustmakeallowances.AtFather’sage—andwithhishealthbeingsobad—”
Hepaused.Hiswifeasked:
“Ishereally—prettyill?”
“Oh,Iwouldn’tsaythat.He’sremarkablytough.Allthesame,sincehewantstohavehisfamilyroundhimatChristmas,Ithinkwearequiterighttogo.ItmaybehislastChristmas.”
Shesaidsharply:
“Yousaythat,George,butreally,Isuppose,hemayliveforyears?”
Slightlytakenaback,herhusbandstammered:
“Yes—yes,ofcoursehemay.”
Magdaleneturnedaway.
“Oh,well,”shesaid,“Isupposewe’redoingtherightthingbygoing.”
“Ihavenodoubtaboutit.”
“ButIhateit!Alfred’ssodull,andLydiasnubsme.”
“Nonsense.”
“Shedoes.AndIhatethatbeastlymanservant.”
“OldTressilian?”
“No,Horbury.Sneakingroundlikeacatandsmirking.”
“Really,Magdalene,Ican’tseethatHorburycanaffectyouinanyway!”
“Hejustgetsonmynerves,that’sall.Butdon’tlet’sbother.We’vegottogo,Icanseethat.Won’tdotooffendtheoldman.”
“No—no,that’sjustthepoint.Abouttheservants’Christmasdinner—”
“Notnow,George,someothertime.I’lljustringupLydiaandtellherthatwe’llcomebythefivetwentytomorrow.”
Magdalenelefttheroomprecipitately.Aftertelephoningshewentuptoherownroomandsatdowninfrontofthedesk.Sheletdowntheflapandrummagedinitsvariouspigeonholes.Cascadesofbillscametumblingout.Magdalenesortedthroughthem,tryingtoarrangetheminsomekindoforder.Finally,withanimpatientsigh,shebundledthemupandthrustthembackwhencetheyhadcome.Shepassedahandoverhersmoothplatinumhead.
“WhatonearthamItodo?”shemurmured.
VI
OnthefirstfloorofGorstonHallalongpassageledtoabigroomoverlookingthefrontdrive.Itwasaroomfurnishedinthemoreflamboyantofold-fashionedstyles.Ithadheavybrocadedwallpaper,richleatherarmchairs,largevasesembossedwithdragons,sculpturesinbronze…Everythinginitwasmagnificent,costlyandsolid.
Inabiggrandfatherarmchair,thebiggestandmostimposingofallthechairs,satthethin,shrivelledfigureofanoldman.Hislongclawlikehandsrestedonthearmsofthechair.Agold-mountedstickwasbyhisside.Heworeanoldshabbybluedressinggown.Onhisfeetwerecarpetslippers.Hishairwaswhiteandtheskinofhisfacewasyellow.
Ashabby,insignificantfigure,onemighthavethought.Butthenose,aquilineandproud,andtheeyes,darkandintenselyalive,mightcauseanobservertoalterhisopinion.Herewasfireandlifeandvigour.
OldSimeonLeecackledtohimself,asudden,highcackleofamusement.
Hesaid:
“YougavemymessagetoMrs.Alfred,hey?”
Horburywasstandingbesidehischair.Herepliedinhissoftdeferentialvoice:
“Yes,sir.”
“ExactlyinthewordsItoldyou?Exactly,mind?”
“Yes,sir.Ididn’tmakeamistake,sir.”
“No—youdon’tmakemistakes.You’dbetternotmakemistakeseither—oryou’llregretit!Andwhatdidshesay,Horbury?WhatdidMr.Alfredsay?”
Quietly,unemotionally,Horburyrepeatedwhathadpassed.Theoldmancackledagainandrubbedhishandstogether.
“Splendid…Firstrate…They’llhavebeenthinkingandwondering—alltheafternoon!Splendid!I’llhave’emupnow.Goandgetthem.”
“Yes,sir.”
Horburywalkednoiselesslyacrosstheroomandwentout.
“And,Horbury—”
Theoldmanlookedround,thencursedtohimself.
“Fellowmoveslikeacat.Neverknowwhereheis.”
Hesatquitestillinhischair,hisfingerscaressinghischintilltherewasataponthedoor,andAlfredandLydiacamein.
“Ah,thereyouare,thereyouare.Sithere,Lydia,mydear,byme.Whatanicecolouryou’vegot.”
“I’vebeenoutinthecold.Itmakesone’scheeksburnafterwards.”
Alfredsaid:
“Howareyou,Father,didyouhaveagoodrestthisafternoon?”
“Firstrate—firstrate.Dreamtabouttheolddays!ThatwasbeforeIsettleddownandbecameapillarofsociety.”
Hecackledwithsuddenlaughter.
Hisdaughter-in-lawsatsilentlysmilingwithpoliteattention.
Alfredsaid:
“What’sthis,Father,abouttwoextrabeingexpectedforChristmas?”
“Ah,that!Yes,Imusttellyouaboutthat.It’sgoingtobeagrandChristmasformethisyear—agrandChristmas.Letmesee,GeorgeiscomingandMagdalene—”
Lydiasaid:
“Yes,theyarearrivingtomorrowbythefivetwenty.”
OldSimeonsaid:
“Poorstick,George!Nothingbutagasbag!Still,heismyson.”
Alfredsaid:
“Hisconstituentslikehim.”
Simeoncackledagain.
“Theyprobablythinkhe’shonest.Honest!ThereneverwasaLeewhowashonestyet.”
“Oh,comenow,Father.”
“Iexceptyou,myboy.Iexceptyou.”
“AndDavid?”askedLydia.
“Davidnow.I’mcurioustoseetheboyafteralltheseyears.Hewasanamby-pambyyoungster.Wonderwhathiswifeislike?Atanyratehehasn’tmarriedagirltwentyyearsyoungerthanhimself,likethatfoolGeorge!”
“Hildawroteaveryniceletter,”saidLydia.“I’vejusthadawirefromherconfirmingitandsayingtheyaredefinitelyarrivingtomorrow.”
Herfather-in-lawlookedather,akeen,penetratingglance.
Helaughed.
“InevergetanychangeoutofLydia,”hesaid.“I’llsaythisforyou,Lydia,you’reawell-bredwoman.Breedingtells.Iknowthatwellenough.Afunnything,though,heredity.There’sonlyoneofyouthat’stakenafterme—onlyoneoutofallthelitter.”
Hiseyesdanced.
“Nowguesswho’scomingforChristmas.I’llgiveyouthreeguessesandI’llbetyouafiveryouwon’tgettheanswer.”
Helookedfromonefacetotheother.Alfredsaidfrowning:
“Horburysaidyouexpectedayounglady.”
“Thatintriguedyou—yes,Idaresayitdid.Pilarwillbearrivinganyminutenow.Igaveordersforthecartogoandmeether.”
Alfredsaidsharply:
“Pilar?”
Simeonsaid:
“PilarEstravados.Jennifer’sgirl.Mygranddaughter.Iwonderwhatshe’llbelike.”
Alfredcriedout:
“Goodheavens,Father,younevertoldme….”
Theoldmanwasgrinning.
“No,IthoughtI’dkeepitasecret!GotCharltontowriteoutandfixthings.”
Alfredrepeated,histonehurtandreproachful:
“Younevertoldme….”
Hisfathersaid,stillgrinningwickedly:
“Itwouldhavespoiltthesurprise!Wonderwhatitwillbeliketohaveyoungbloodunderthisroofagain?IneversawEstravados.Wonderwhichthegirltakesafter—hermotherorherfather?”
“Doyoureallythinkit’swise,Father,”beganAlfred.“Takingeverythingintoconsideration—”
Theoldmaninterruptedhim.
“Safety—safety—youplayforsafetytoomuch,Alfred!Alwayshave!Thathasn’tbeenmyway!Dowhatyouwantandbedamnedtoit!That’swhatIsay!Thegirl’smygranddaughter—theonlygrandchildinthefamily!Idon’tcarewhatherfatherwasorwhathedid!She’smyfleshandblood!Andshe’scomingtolivehereinmyhouse.”
Lydiasaidsharply:“She’scomingtolivehere?”
Hedartedaquicklookather.“Doyouobject?”
Sheshookherhead.Shesaidsmiling:
“Icouldn’tverywellobjecttoyouraskingsomeonetoyourownhouse,couldI?No,Iwaswonderingabout—her.”
“Abouther—whatd’youmean?”
“Whethershewouldbehappyhere.”
OldSimeonflunguphishead.
“She’snotgotapennyintheworld.Sheoughttobethankful!”
Lydiashruggedhershoulders.
SimeonturnedtoAlfred:
“Yousee?It’sgoingtobeagrandChristmas!Allmychildrenroundme.Allmychildren!There,Alfred,there’syourclue.Nowguesswhotheothervisitoris.”
Alfredstaredathim.
“Allmychildren!Guess,boy!Harry,ofcourse!YourbrotherHarry!”
Alfredhadgoneverypale.Hestammered:
“Harry—notHarry—”
“Harryhimself!”
“Butwethoughthewasdead!”
“Nothe!”
“You—youarehavinghimbackhere?Aftereverything?”
“Theprodigalson,eh?You’reright.Thefattedcalf!Wemustkillthefattedcalf,Alfred.Wemustgivehimagrandwelcome.”
Alfredsaid:
“Hetreatedyou—allofus—disgracefully.He—”
“Noneedtorecitehiscrimes!It’salonglist.ButChristmas,you’llremember,istheseasonofforgiveness!We’llwelcometheprodigalhome.”
Alfredrose.Hemurmured:
“Thishasbeen—ratherashock.IneverdreamtthatHarrywouldevercomeinsidethesewallsagain.”
Simeonleanedforward.
“YouneverlikedHarry,didyou?”hesaidsoftly.
“Afterthewayhebehavedtoyou—”
Simeoncackled.Hesaid:
“Ah,butbygonesmustbebygones.That’sthespiritforChristmas,isn’tit,Lydia?”
Lydia,too,hadgonepale.Shesaiddryly:
“IseethatyouhavethoughtagooddealaboutChristmasthisyear.”
“Iwantmyfamilyroundme.Peaceandgoodwill.I’manoldman.Areyougoing,mydear?”
Alfredhadhurriedout.Lydiapausedamomentbeforefollowinghim.
Simeonnoddedhisheadaftertheretreatingfigure.
“It’supsethim.HeandHarrynevergoton.HarryusedtojeeratAlfred.CalledhimoldSlowandSure.”
Lydia’slipsparted.Shewasabouttospeak,then,asshesawtheoldman’seagerexpression,shecheckedherself.Herself-control,shesaw,disappointedhim.Theperceptionofthatfactenabledhertosay:
“Thehareandthetortoise.Ah,well,thetortoisewinstherace.”
“Notalways,”saidSimeon.“Notalways,mydearLydia.”
Shesaid,stillsmiling:
“Excuseme,ImustgoafterAlfred.Suddenexcitementsalwaysupsethim.”
Simeoncackled.
“Yes,Alfreddoesn’tlikechanges.Healwayswasaregularsobersides.”
Lydiasaid:
“Alfredisverydevotedtoyou.”
“Thatseemsoddtoyou,doesn’tit?”
“Sometimes,”saidLydia,“itdoes.”
Shelefttheroom.Simeonlookedafterher.
Hechuckledsoftlyandrubbedhispalmstogether.“Lotsoffun,”hesaid.“Lotsoffunstill.I’mgoingtoenjoythisChristmas.”
Withanefforthepulledhimselfupright,andwiththehelpofhisstick,shuffledacrosstheroom.
Hewenttoabigsafethatstoodatthecorneroftheroom.Hetwirledthehandleofthecombination.Thedoorcameopenand,withshakingfingers,hefeltinside.
Heliftedoutasmallwash-leatherbag,andopeningit,letastreamofuncutdiamondspassthroughhisfingers.
“Well,mybeauties,well…Stillthesame—stillmyoldfriends.Thoseweregooddays—gooddays…Theyshan’tcarveyouandcutyouabout,myfriends.Youshan’thangroundthenecksofwomenorsitontheirfingersorhangontheirears.You’remine!Myoldfriends!Weknowathingortwo,youandI.I’mold,theysay,andill,butI’mnotdonefor!Lotsoflifeintheolddogyet.Andthere’sstillsomefuntobegotoutoflife.Stillsomefun—”
PARTTWO
DECEMBER23RD
Tressilianwenttoanswerthedoorbell.Ithadbeenanunusuallyaggressivepeal,andnow,beforehecouldmakehisslowwayacrossthehall,itpealedoutagain.
Tressilianflushed.Anill-mannered,impatientwayofringingthebellatagentleman’shouse!Ifitwasafreshlotofthosecarolsingershe’dgivethemapieceofhismind.
Throughthefrostedglassoftheupperhalfofthedoorhesawasilhouette—abigmaninaslouchhat.Heopenedthedoor.Ashehadthought—acheap,flashystranger—nastypatternofsuithewaswearing—loud!Someimpudentbeggingfellow!
“Blessedifitisn’tTressilian,”saidthestranger.“Howareyou,Tressilian?”
Tressilianstared—tookadeepbreath—staredagain.Thatboldarrogantjaw,thehigh-bridgednose,therollickingeye.Yes,theyhadallbeentherethreeyearsago.Moresubduedthen….
Hesaidwithagasp:
“Mr.Harry!”
HarryLeelaughed.
“LooksasthoughI’dgivenyouquiteashock.Why?I’mexpected,aren’tI?”
“Yes,indeed,sir.Certainly,sir.”
“Thenwhythesurpriseact?”Harrysteppedbackafootortwoandlookedupatthehouse—agoodsolidmassofredbrick,unimaginativebutsolid.
“Justthesameuglyoldmansion,”heremarked.“Stillstanding,though,that’sthemainthing.How’smyfather,Tressilian?”
“He’ssomewhatofaninvalid,sir.Keepshisroom,andcan’tgetaboutmuch.Buthe’swonderfullywell,considering.”
“Theoldsinner!”
HarryLeecameinside,letTressilianremovehisscarfandtakethesomewhattheatricalhat.
“How’smydearbrotherAlfred,Tressilian?”
“He’sverywell,sir.”
Harrygrinned.
“Lookingforwardtoseeingme?Eh?”
“Iexpectso,sir.”
“Idon’t!Quitethecontrary.Ibetit’sgivenhimanastyjolt,myturningup!AlfredandIneverdidgeton.EverreadyourBible,Tressilian?”
“Why,yes,sir,sometimes,sir.”
“Rememberthetaleoftheprodigal’sreturn?Thegoodbrotherdidn’tlikeit,remember?Didn’tlikeitatall!Goodoldstay-at-homeAlfreddoesn’tlikeiteither,Ibet.”
Tressilianremainedsilentlookingdownhisnose.Hisstiffenedbackexpressedprotest.Harryclappedhimontheshoulder.
“Leadon,oldson,”hesaid.“Thefattedcalfawaitsme!Leadmerighttoit.”
Tressilianmurmured:
“Ifyouwillcomethiswayintothedrawingroom,sir.Iamnotquitesurewhereeveryoneis…Theywereunabletosendtomeetyou,sir,notknowingthetimeofyourarrival.”
Harrynodded.HefollowedTressilianalongthehall,turninghisheadtolookabouthimashewent.
“Alltheoldexhibitsintheirplace,Isee,”heremarked.“Idon’tbelieveanythinghaschangedsinceIwentawaytwentyyearsago.”
HefollowedTressilianintothedrawingroom.Theoldmanmurmured:
“IwillseeifIcanfindMr.orMrs.Alfred,”andhurriedout.
HarryLeehadmarchedintotheroomandhadthenstopped,staringatthefigurewhowasseatedononeofthewindowsills.Hiseyesroamedincredulouslyovertheblackhairandthecreamyexoticpallor.
“GoodLord!”hesaid.“Areyoumyfather’sseventhandmostbeautifulwife?”
Pilarslippeddownandcametowardshim
“IamPilarEstravados,”sheannounced.“AndyoumustbemyUncleHarry,mymother’sbrother.”
Harrysaid,staring:
“Sothat’swhoyouare!Jenny’sdaughter.”
Pilarsaid:“WhydidyouaskmeifIwasyourfather’sseventhwife?Hashereallyhadsixwives?”
Harrylaughed.
“No,Ibelievehe’sonlyhadoneofficialone.Well—Pil—what’syourname?”
“Pilar,yes.”
“Well,Pilar,itreallygivesmequiteaturntoseesomethinglikeyoubloominginthismausoleum.”
“This—maus—please?”
“Thismuseumofstuffeddummies!Ialwaysthoughtthishousewaslousy!NowIseeitagainIthinkit’slousierthanever!”
Pilarsaidinashockedvoice:
“Oh,no,itisveryhandsomehere!Thefurnitureisgoodandthecarpets—thickcarpetseverywhere—andtherearelotsofornaments.Everythingisverygoodqualityandvery,veryrich!”
“You’rerightthere,”saidHarry,grinning.Helookedatherwithamusement.“Youknow,Ican’thelpgettingakickoutofseeingyouinthemidst—”
HebrokeoffasLydiacamerapidlyintotheroom.
Shecamestraighttohim.
“Howd’youdo,Harry?I’mLydia—Alfred’swife.”
“Howdedo,Lydia.”Heshookhands,examiningherintelligentmobilefaceinaswiftglanceandapprovingmentallyofthewayshewalked—veryfewwomenmovedwell.
Lydiainherturntookquickstockofhim.
Shethought:“Helooksafrightfultough—attractivethough.Iwouldn’ttrusthimaninch….”
Shesaidsmiling:
“Howdoesitlookafteralltheseyears?Quitedifferent,orverymuchthesame?”
“Prettymuchthesame.”Helookedroundhim.“Thisroom’sbeendoneover.”
“Oh,manytimes.”
Hesaid:
“Imeantbyyou.You’vemadeit—different.”
“Yes,Iexpectso….”
Hegrinnedather,asuddenimpishgrinthatremindedherwithastartoftheoldmanupstairs.
“It’sgotmoreclassaboutitnow!IrememberhearingthatoldAlfredhadmarriedagirlwhosepeoplecameoverwiththeConqueror.”
Lydiasmiled.Shesaid:
“Ibelievetheydid.Butthey’veratherruntoseedsincethosedays.”
Harrysaid:
“How’soldAlfred?Justthesameblessedoldstick-in-the-mudasever?”
“I’venoideawhetheryouwillfindhimchangedornot.”
“Howaretheothers?ScatteredalloverEngland?”
“No—they’reallhereforChristmas,youknow.”
Harry’seyesopened.
“RegularChristmasfamilyreunion?What’sthematterwiththeoldman?Heusednottogiveadamnforsentiment.Don’trememberhiscaringmuchforhisfamily,either.Hemusthavechanged!”
“Perhaps.”Lydia’svoicewasdry.
Pilarwasstaring,herbigeyeswideandinterested.
Harrysaid:
“How’soldGeorge?Stillthesameskinflint?Howheusedtohowlifhehadtopartwithahalfpennyofhispocketmoney!”
Lydiasaid:
“GeorgeisinParliament.He’smemberforWesteringham.”
“What?PopeyeinParliament?Lord,that’sgood.”
Harrythrewbackhisheadandlaughed.
Itwasrichstentorianlaughter—itsoundeduncontrolledandbrutalintheconfinedspaceoftheroom.Pilardrewinherbreathwithagasp.Lydiaflinchedalittle.
Then,atamovementbehindhim,Harrybrokeoffhislaughandturnedsharply.Hehadnotheardanyonecomingin,butAlfredwasstandingtherequietly.HewaslookingatHarrywithanoddexpressiononhisface.
Harrystoodaminute,thenaslowsmilecrepttohislips.Headvancedastep.
“Why,”hesaid,“it’sAlfred!”
Alfrednodded.
“Hallo,Harry,”hesaid.
Theystoodstaringateachother.Lydiacaughtherbreath.Shethought:
“Howabsurd!Liketwodogs—lookingateachother….”
Pilar’sgazewidenedevenfurther.Shethoughttoherself:
“Howsillytheylookstandingthere…Whydotheynotembrace?No,ofcoursetheEnglishdonotdothat.Buttheymightsaysomething.Whydotheyjustlook?”
Harrysaidatlast:
“Well,well.Feelsfunnytobehereagain!”
“Iexpectso—yes.Agoodmanyyearssinceyou—gotout.”
Harrythrewuphishead.Hedrewhisfingeralongthelineofhisjaw.Itwasagesturethatwashabitualwithhim.Itexpressedbelligerence.
“Yes,”hesaid.“I’mgladIhavecome”—hepausedtobringoutthewordwithgreatersignificance—“home….”
II
“I’vebeen,Isuppose,averywickedman,”saidSimeonLee.
Hewasleaningbackinhischair.Hischinwasraisedandwithonefingerhewasstrokinghisjawreflectively.Infrontofhimabigfireglowedanddanced.BesideitsatPilar,alittlescreenofpapier-machéheldinherhand.Withitsheshieldedherfacefromtheblaze.Occasionallyshefannedherselfwithit,usingherwristinasupplegesture.Simeonlookedatherwithsatisfaction.
Hewentontalking,perhapsmoretohimselfthantothegirl,andstimulatedbythefactofherpresence.
“Yes,”hesaid.“I’vebeenawickedman.Whatdoyousaytothat,Pilar?”
Pilarshruggedhershoulders.Shesaid:
“Allmenarewicked.Thenunssayso.Thatiswhyonehastoprayforthem.”
“Ah,butI’vebeenmorewickedthanmost.”Simeonlaughed.“Idon’tregretit,youknow.No,Idon’tregretanything.I’veenjoyedmyself…everyminute!Theysayyourepentwhenyougetold.That’sbunkum.Idon’trepent.AndasItellyou,I’vedonemostthings…allthegoodoldsins!I’vecheatedandstolenandlied…lord,yes!Andwomen—alwayswomen!SomeonetoldmetheotherdayofanArabchiefwhohadabodyguardoffortyofhissons—allroughlythesameage!Aha!Forty!Idon’tknowaboutforty,butIbetIcouldproduceaveryfairbodyguardifIwentaboutlookingforthebrats!Hey,Pilar,whatdoyouthinkofthat?Shocked?”
Pilarstared.
“No,whyshouldIbeshocked?Menalwaysdesirewomen.Myfather,too.Thatiswhywivesaresooftenunhappyandwhytheygotochurchandpray.”
OldSimeonwasfrowning.
“ImadeAdelaideunhappy,”hesaid.Hespokealmostunderhisbreath,tohimself.“Lord,whatawoman!Pinkandwhiteandprettyastheymake’emwhenImarriedher!Andafterwards?Alwayswailingandweeping.Itrousesthedevilinamanwhenhiswifeisalwayscrying…She’dnoguts,that’swhatwasthematterwithAdelaide.Ifshe’dstooduptome!Butsheneverdid—notonce.IbelievedwhenImarriedherthatIwasgoingtobeabletosettledown,raiseafamily—cutloosefromtheoldlife….”
Hisvoicediedaway.Hestared—staredintotheglowingheartofthefire.
“Raiseafamily…God,whatafamily!”Hegaveasuddenshrillpipeofangrylaughter.“Lookat’em—lookat’em!Notachildamongthem—tocarryon!What’sthematterwiththem?Haven’ttheygotanyofmybloodintheirveins?Notasonamong’em,legitimateorillegitimate.Alfred,forinstance—heavensabove,howboredIgetwithAlfred!Lookingatmewithhisdog’seyes.ReadytodoanythingIask.Lord,whatafool!Hiswife,now—Lydia—IlikeLydia.She’sgotspirit.Shedoesn’tlikeme,though.No,shedoesn’tlikeme.ButshehastoputupwithmeforthatnincompoopAlfred’ssake.”Helookedoveratthegirlbythefire.“Pilar—remember—nothingissoboringasdevotion.”
Shesmiledathim.Hewenton,warmedbythepresenceofheryouthandstrongfemininity.
“George?What’sGeorge?Astick!Astuffedcodfish!apompouswindbagwithnobrainsandnoguts—andmeanaboutmoneyaswell!David?Davidalwayswasafool—afoolandadreamer.Hismother’sboy,thatwasalwaysDavid.Onlysensiblethingheeverdidwastomarrythatsolidcomfortable-lookingwoman.”Hebroughtdownhishandwithabangontheedgeofhischair.“Harry’sthebestof’em!PooroldHarry,thewrong‘un!Butatanyratehe’salive!”
Pilaragreed.
“Yes,heisnice.Helaughs—laughsoutloud—andthrowshisheadback.Oh,yes,Ilikehimverymuch.”
Theoldmanlookedather.
“Youdo,doyou,Pilar?Harryalwayshadawaywiththegirls.Takesaftermethere.”Hebegantolaugh,aslowwheezychuckle.“I’vehadagoodlife—averygoodlife.Plentyofeverything.”
Pilarsaid:
“InSpainwehaveaproverb.Itislikethis:
“Takewhatyoulikeandpayforit,saysGod.”
Simeonbeatanappreciativehandonthearmofhischair.
“That’sgood.That’sthestuff.Takewhatyoulike…I’vedonethat—allmylife—takenwhatIwanted….”
Pilarsaid,hervoicehighandclear,andsuddenlyarresting:
“Andyouhavepaidforit?”
Simeonstoppedlaughingtohimself.Hesatupandstaredather.Hesaid,“What’sthatyousay?”
“Isaid,haveyoupaidforit,Grandfather?”
SimeonLeesaidslowly:
“I—don’tknow….”
Then,beatinghisfistonthearmofthechair,hecriedoutwithsuddenanger:
“Whatmakesyousaythat,girl?Whatmakesyousaythat?”
Pilarsaid:
“I—wondered.”
Herhand,holdingthescreen,wasarrested.Hereyesweredarkandmysterious.Shesat,herheadthrownback,consciousofherself,ofherwomanhood.
Simeonsaid:
“Youdevil’sbrat…”
Shesaidsoftly:
“Butyoulikeme,Grandfather.Youlikemetositherewithyou.”
Simeonsaid:“Yes,Ilikeit.It’salongtimesinceI’veseenanythingsoyoungandbeautiful…Itdoesmegood,warmsmyoldbones…Andyou’remyownfleshandblood…GoodforJennifer,sheturnedouttobethebestofthebunchafterall!”
Pilarsattheresmiling.
“Mindyou,youdon’tfoolme,”saidSimeon.“Iknowwhyyousitheresopatientlyandlistentomedroningon.It’smoney—it’sallmoney…Ordoyoupretendyouloveyouroldgrandfather?”
Pilarsaid:“No,Idonotloveyou.ButIlikeyou.Ilikeyouverymuch.Youmustbelievethat,foritistrue.Ithinkyouhavebeenwicked,butIlikethattoo.Youaremorerealthantheotherpeopleinthishouse.Andyouhaveinterestingthingstosay.Youhavetravelledandyouhaveledalifeofadventure.IfIwereamanIwouldbelikethat,too.”
Simeonnodded.
“Yes,Ibelieveyouwould…We’vegypsybloodinus,soit’salwaysbeensaid.Ithasn’tshownmuchinmychildren—exceptHarry—butIthinkit’scomeoutinyou.Icanbepatient,mindyou,whenit’snecessary.Iwaitedoncefifteenyearstogetevenwithamanwho’ddonemeaninjury.That’sanothercharacteristicoftheLees—theydon’tforget!They’llavengeawrongiftheyhavetowaityearstodoit.Amanswindledme.IwaitedfifteenyearstillIsawmychance—andthenIstruck.Iruinedhim.Cleanedhimrightout!”
Helaughedsoftly.
Pilarsaid:
“ThatwasinSouthAfrica?”
“Yes.Agrandcountry.”
“Youhavebeenbackthere,yes?”
“IwentbacklastfiveyearsafterImarried.Thatwasthelasttime.”
“Butbeforethat?Youwerethereformanyyears?”
“Yes.”
“Tellmeaboutit.”
Hebegantotalk.Pilar,shieldingherface,listened.
Hisvoiceslowed,wearied.Hesaid:
“Wait,I’llshowyousomething.”
Hepulledhimselfcarefullytohisfeet.Then,withhisstick,helimpedslowlyacrosstheroom.Heopenedthebigsafe.Turning,hebeckonedhertohim.
“There,lookatthese.Feelthem,letthemrunthroughyourfingers.”
Helookedintoherwonderingfaceandlaughed.
“Doyouknowwhattheyare?Diamonds,child,diamonds.”
Pilar’seyesopened.Shesaidasshebentover:
“Buttheyarelittlepebbles,thatisall.”
Simeonlaughed.
“Theyareuncutdiamonds.Thatishowtheyarefound—likethis.”
Pilaraskedincredulously:
“Andiftheywerecuttheywouldberealdiamonds?”
“Certainly.”
“Theywouldflashandsparkle?”
“Flashandsparkle.”
Pilarsaidchildishly:
“O-o-o,Icannotbelieveit!”
Hewasamused.
“It’squitetrue.”
“Theyarevaluable?”
“Fairlyvaluable.Difficulttosaybeforetheyarecut.Anyway,thislittlelotisworthseveralthousandsofpounds.”
Pilarsaidwithaspacebetweeneachword:
“Several—thousands—of—pounds?”
“Saynineortenthousands—they’rebiggishstones,yousee.”
Pilarasked,hereyesopening:
“Butwhydoyounotsellthem,then?”
“BecauseIliketohavethemhere.”
“Butallthatmoney?”
“Idon’tneedthemoney.”
“Oh—Isee,”Pilarlookedimpressed.
Shesaid:
“Butwhydoyounothavethemcutandmadebeautiful?”
“BecauseIpreferthemlikethis.”Hisfacewassetinagrimline.Heturnedawayandbeganspeakingtohimself.“Theytakemeback—thetouchofthem,thefeelofthemthroughmyfingers…Itallcomesbacktome,thesunshine,andthesmelloftheveldt,theoxen—oldEb—alltheboys—theevenings….”
Therewasasofttaponthedoor.
Simeonsaid:“Put’embackinthesafeandbangitto.”
Thenhecalled:“Comein.”
Horburycamein,softanddeferential.
Hesaid:“Teaisreadydownstairs.”
III
Hildasaid:“Sothereyouare,David.I’vebeenlookingforyoueverywhere.Don’tlet’sstayinthisroom,it’ssofrightfullycold.”
Daviddidnotanswerforaminute.Hewasstandinglookingatachair,alowchairwithfadedsatinupholstery.Hesaidabruptly:
“That’sherchair…thechairshealwayssatin…justthesame—it’sjustthesame.Onlyfaded,ofcourse.”
AlittlefrowncreasedHilda’sforehead.Shesaid:
“Isee.Dolet’scomeoutofhere,David.It’sfrightfullycold.”
Davidtooknonotice.Lookinground,hesaid:
“Shesatinheremostly.Iremembersittingonthatstooltherewhileshereadtome.JacktheGiantKiller—thatwasit—JacktheGiantKiller.Imusthavebeensixyearsoldthen.”
Hildaputafirmhandthroughhisarm.
“Comebacktothedrawingroom,dear.There’snoheatinginthisroom.”
Heturnedobediently,butshefeltalittleshivergothroughhim.
“Justthesame,”hemurmured.“Justthesame.Asthoughtimehadstoodstill.”
Hildalookedworried.Shesaidinacheerfuldeterminedvoice:
“Iwonderwheretheothersare?Itmustbenearlyteatime.”
Daviddisengagedhisarmandopenedanotherdoor.
“Thereusedtobeapianoinhere…Oh,yes,hereitis!Iwonderifit’sintune.”
Hesatdownandopenedthelid,runninghishandslightlyoverthekeys.
“Yes,it’sevidentlykepttuned.”
Hebegantoplay.Histouchwasgood,themelodyflowedoutfromunderhisfingers.
Hildaasked:“Whatisthat?Iseemtoknowit,andIcan’tquiteremember.”
Hesaid:“Ihaven’tplayeditforyears.Sheusedtoplayit.OneofMendelssohn’sSongsWithoutWords.”
Thesweet,over-sweet,melodyfilledtheroom.Hildasaid:
“PlaysomeMozart,do.”
Davidshookhishead.HebegananotherMendelssohn.
Thensuddenlyhebroughthishandsdownuponthekeysinaharshdiscord.Hegotup.Hewastremblingallover.Hildawenttohim.
Shesaid:“David—David.”
Hesaid:“It’snothing—it’snothing….”
IV
Thebellpealedaggressively.Tressilianrosefromhisseatinthepantryandwentslowlyoutandalongtothedoor.
Thebellpealedagain.Tressilianfrowned.Throughthefrostedglassofthedoorhesawthesilhouetteofamanwearingaslouchhat.
Tressilianpassedahandoverhisforehead.Somethingworriedhim.Itwasasthougheverythingwashappeningtwice.
Surelythishadhappenedbefore.Surely—
Hedrewbackthelatchandopenedthedoor.
Thenthespellbroke.Themanstandingtheresaid:
“IsthiswhereMr.SimeonLeelives?”
“Yes,sir.”
“I’dliketoseehim,please.”
AfaintechoofmemoryawokeinTressilian.ItwasanintonationofvoicethatherememberedfromtheolddayswhenMr.LeewasfirstinEngland.
Tressilianshookhisheaddubiously.
“Mr.Leeisaninvalid,sir.Hedoesn’tseemanypeoplenow.Ifyou—”
Thestrangerinterrupted.
Hedrewoutanenvelopeandhandedittothebutler.
“PleasegivethistoMr.Lee.”
“Yes,sir.”
V
SimeonLeetooktheenvelope.Hedrewoutthesinglesheetofpaperitheld.Helookedsurprised.Hiseyebrowsrose,buthesmiled.
“Byallthat’swonderful!”hesaid.
Thentothebutler:“ShowMr.Farruphere,Tressilian.”
“Yes,sir.”
Simeonsaid:“IwasjustthinkingofoldEbenezerFarr.HewasmypartneroutthereinKimberley.Nowhere’shissoncomealong!”
Tressilianreappeared.Heannounced:“Mr.Farr.”
StephenFarrcameinwithatraceofnervousness.Hedisguiseditbyputtingonalittleextraswagger.Hesaid—andjustforthemomenthisSouthAfricanaccentwasmoremarkedthanusual:“Mr.Lee?”
“I’mgladtoseeyou.Soyou’reEb’sboy?”
StephenFarrgrinnedrathersheepishly.
Hesaid:“Myfirstvisittotheoldcountry.FatheralwaystoldmetolookyouupifIdidcome.”
“Quiteright.”Theoldmanlookedround.“Thisismygranddaughter,PilarEstravados.”
“Howdoyoudo?”saidPilardemurely.
StephenFarrthoughtwithatouchofadmiration:
“Coollittledevil.Shewassurprisedtoseeme,butitonlyshowedforaflash.”
Hesaid,ratherheavily:“I’mverypleasedtomakeyouracquaintance,MissEstravados.”
“Thankyou,”saidPilar.
SimeonLeesaid:“Sitdownandtellmeallaboutyourself.AreyouinEnglandforlong?”
“Oh,Ishan’thurrymyselfnowI’vereallygothere!”
Helaughed,throwinghisheadback.
SimeonLeesaid:“Quiteright.Youmuststayherewithusforawhile.”
“Oh,lookhere,sir.Ican’tbuttinlikethat.It’sonlytwodaystoChristmas.”
“YoumustspendChristmaswithus—unlessyou’vegototherplans?”
“Well,no,Ihaven’t,butIdon’tlike—”
Simeonsaid:“That’ssettled.”Heturnedhishead.“Pilar?”
“Yes,Grandfather.”
“GoandtellLydiaweshallhaveanotherguest.Askhertocomeuphere.”
Pilarlefttheroom.Stephen’seyesfollowedher.Simeonnotedthefactwithamusement.
Hesaid:“You’vecomestraightherefromSouthAfrica?”
“Prettywell.”
Theybegantotalkofthatcountry.
Lydiaenteredafewminuteslater.
Simeonsaid:“ThisisStephenFarr,sonofmyoldfriendandpartner,EbenezerFarr.He’sgoingtobewithusforChristmasifyoucanfindroomforhim.”
Lydiasmiled.
“Ofcourse.”Hereyestookinthestranger’sappearance.Hisbronzedfaceandblueeyesandtheeasybackwardtiltofhishead.
“Mydaughter-in-law,”saidSimeon.
Stephensaid:“Ifeelratherembarrassed—buttinginonafamilypartylikethis.”
“You’reoneofthefamily,myboy,”saidSimeon.“Thinkofyourselfasthat.”
“You’retookind,sir.”
Pilarreenteredtheroom.Shesatdownquietlybythefireandpickedupthehandscreen.Sheuseditasafan,slowlytiltingherwristtoandfro.Hereyesweredemureanddowncast.
PARTTHREE
DECEMBER24TH
“Doyoureallywantmetostayonhere,Father?”askedHarry.Hetiltedhisheadback.“I’mstirringupratherahornet’snest,youknow.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”askedSimeonsharply.
“BrotherAlfred,”saidHarry.“GoodbrotherAlfred!He,ifImaysayso,resentsmypresencehere.”
“Thedevilhedoes!”snappedSimeon.“I’mmasterinthishouse.”
“Allthesame,sir,Iexpectyou’reprettydependentonAlfred.Idon’twanttoupset—”
“You’lldoasItellyou,”snappedhisfather.
Harryyawned.
“Don’tknowthatIshallbeabletostickastay-at-homelife.Prettystiflingtoafellowwho’sknockedabouttheworld.”
Hisfathersaid:“You’dbettermarryandsettledown.”
Harrysaid:“WhoshallImarry?Pityonecan’tmarryone’sniece.YoungPilarisdevilishattractive.”
“You’venoticedthat?”
“Talkingofsettlingdown,fatGeorgehasdonewellforhimselfasfaraslooksgo.Whowasshe?”
Simeonshruggedhisshoulders.
“HowshouldIknow?Georgepickedherupatamannequinparade,Ibelieve.Shesaysherfatherwasaretirednavalofficer.”
Harrysaid:
“Probablyasecondmateofacoastingsteamer.Georgewillhaveabitoftroublewithherifhe’snotcareful.”
“George,”saidSimeonLee,“isafool.”
Harrysaid:“Whatdidshemarryhimfor—hismoney?”
Simeonshruggedhisshoulders.
Harrysaid:“Well,youthinkthatyoucansquareAlfredallright?”
“We’llsoonsettlethat,”saidSimeongrimly.
Hetouchedabellthatstoodonatablenearhim.
Horburyappearedpromptly.Simeonsaid:
“AskMr.Alfredtocomehere.”
HorburywentoutandHarrydrawled:
“Thatfellowlistensatdoors!”
Simeonshruggedhisshoulders.
“Probably.”
Alfredhurriedin.Hisfacetwitchedwhenhesawhisbrother.IgnoringHarry,hesaidpointedly:
“Youwantedme,Father?”
“Yes,sitdown.Iwasjustthinkingwemustreorganizethingsabitnowthatwehavetwomorepeoplelivinginthehouse.”
“Two?”
“Pilarwillmakeherhomehere,naturally.AndHarryishomeforgood.”
Alfredsaid:“Harryiscomingtolivehere?”
“Whynot,oldboy?”saidHarry.
Alfredturnedsharplytohim.
“Ishouldthinkthatyouyourselfwouldseethat!”
“Well,sorry—butIdon’t.”
“Aftereverythingthathashappened?Thedisgracefulwayyoubehaved.Thescandal—”
Harrywavedaneasyhand.
“Allthat’sinthepast,oldboy.”
“YoubehavedabominablytoFather,afterallhe’sdoneforyou.”
“Lookhere,Alfred,itstrikesmethat’sFather’sbusiness,notyours.Ifhe’swillingtoforgiveandforget—”
“I’mwilling,”saidSimeon.“Harry’smyson,afterall,youknow,Alfred.”
“Yes,but—Iresentit—forFather’ssake.”
Simeonsaid:“Harry’scominghere!Iwishit.”Helaidahandgentlyonthelatter’sshoulder.“I’mveryfondofHarry.”
Alfredgotupandlefttheroom.Hisfacewaswhite.Harryrosetooandwentafterhim,laughing.
Simeonsatchucklingtohimself.Thenhestartedandlookedround.“Whothedevil’sthat?Oh,it’syou,Horbury.Don’tcreepaboutthatway.”
“Ibegyourpardon,sir.”
“Nevermind.Listen,I’vegotsomeordersforyou.Iwanteverybodytocomeuphereafterlunch—everybody.”
“Yes,sir.”
“There’ssomethingelse.Whentheycome,youcomewiththem.AndwhenyougethalfwayalongthepassageraiseyourvoicesothatIcanhear.Anypretextwilldo.Understand?”
“Yes,sir.”
Horburywentdownstairs.HesaidtoTressilian:
“Ifyouaskme,wearegoingtohaveaMerryChristmas.”
Tressiliansaidsharply:“Whatd’youmean?”
“Youwaitandsee,Mr.Tressilian.It’sChristmasEvetoday,andaniceChristmasspiritabroad—Idon’tthink!”
II
Theycameintotheroomandpausedatthedoorway.
Simeonwasspeakingintothetelephone.Hewavedahandtothem.
“Sitdown,allofyou.Ishan’tbeaminute.”
Hewentonspeakingintothetelephone.
“IsthatCharlton,Hodgkins&Bruce?Isthatyou,Charlton?SimeonLeespeaking.Yes,isn’tit?…Yes…No,Iwantedyoutomakeanewwillforme…Yes,it’ssometimesinceImadetheother…Circumstanceshavealtered…Ohno,nohurry.Don’twantyoutospoilyourChristmas.SayBoxingDayorthedayafter.Comealong,andI’lltellyouwhatIwantdone.No,that’squiteallright.Ishan’tbedyingjustyet.”
Hereplacedthereceiver,thenlookedroundattheeightmembersofhisfamily.Hecackledandsaid:
“You’realllookingveryglum.Whatisthematter?”
Alfredsaid:“Yousentforus….”
Simeonsaidquickly:“Oh,sorry—nothingportentousaboutit.Didyouthinkitwasafamilycouncil?No,I’mjustrathertiredtoday,that’sall.Noneofyouneedcomeupafterdinner.Ishallgotobed.IwanttobefreshforChristmasDay.”
Hegrinnedatthem.Georgesaidearnestly:
“Ofcourse…ofcourse….”
Simeonsaid:“Grandoldinstitution,Christmas.Promotessolidarityoffamilyfeeling.Whatdoyouthink,Magdalene,mydear?”
MagdaleneLeejumped.Herrathersillylittlemouthflewopenandthenshutitself.Shesaid:“Oh—oh,yes!”
Simeonsaid:“Letmesee,youlivedwitharetirednavalofficer”—hepaused—“yourfather.Don’tsupposeyoumademuchofChristmas.Itneedsabigfamilyforthat!”
“Well—well—yes,perhapsitdoes.”
Simeon’seyesslidpasther.
“Don’twanttotalkofanythingunpleasantatthistimeofyear,butyouknow,George,I’mafraidI’llhavetocutdownyourallowanceabit.Myestablishmenthereisgoingtocostmeabitmoretoruninfuture.”
Georgegotveryred.
“Butlookhere,Father,youcan’tdothat!”
Simeonsaidsoftly:“Oh,can’tI!”
“Myexpensesareveryheavyalready.Veryheavy.Asitis,Idon’tknowhowImakebothendsmeet.Itneedsthemostrigorouseconomy.”
“Letyourwifedoabitmoreofit,”saidSimeon.“Womenaregoodatthatsortofthing.Theyoftenthinkofeconomieswhereamanwouldneverhavedreamtofthem.Andacleverwomancanmakeherownclothes.Mywife,Iremember,wascleverwithherneedle.Aboutallshewascleverwith—agoodwoman,butdeadlydull—”
Davidsprangup.Hisfathersaid:
“Sitdown,boy,you’llknocksomethingover—”
Davidsaid:“Mymother—”
Simeonsaid:“Yourmotherhadthebrainsofalouse!Anditseemstomeshe’stransmittedthosebrainstoherchildren.”Heraisedhimselfupsuddenly.Aredspotappearedoneachcheek.Hisvoicecamehighandshrill.“You’renotworthapennypiece,anyofyou!I’msickofyouall!You’renotmen!You’reweaklings—asetofnamby-pambyweaklings.Pilar’sworthanytwoofyouputtogether!I’llsweartoheavenI’vegotabettersonsomewhereintheworldthananyofyou,evenifyouareborntherightsideoftheblanket!”
“Here,Father,holdhard,”criedHarry.
Hehadjumpedupandstoodthere,afrownonhisusuallygood-humouredface.Simeonsnapped:
“Thesamegoesforyou!Whathaveyoueverdone?Whinedtomeformoneyfromallovertheworld!ItellyouI’msickofthesightofyouall!Getout!”
Heleanedbackinhischair,pantingalittle.
Slowly,onebyone,hisfamilywentout.Georgewasredandindignant.Magdalenelookedfrightened.Davidwaspaleandquivering.Harryblusteredoutoftheroom.Alfredwentlikeamaninadream.Lydiafollowedhimwithherheadheldhigh.OnlyHildapausedinthedoorwayandcameslowlyback.
Shestoodoverhim,andhestartedwhenheopenedhiseyesandfoundherstandingthere.Therewassomethingmenacinginthesolidwayshestoodtherequiteimmovably.
Hesaidirritably:“Whatisit?”
Hildasaid:“WhenyourlettercameIbelievedwhatyousaid—thatyouwantedyourfamilyroundyouforChristmas,IpersuadedDavidtocome.”
Simeonsaid:“Well,whatofit?”
Hildasaidslowly:“Youdidwantyourfamilyroundyou—butnotforthepurposeyousaid!Youwantedthemthere,didn’tyou,inordertosetthemallbytheears?Godhelpyou,it’syourideaoffun!”
Simeonchuckled.Hesaid:“Ialwayshadratheraspecializedsenseofhumour.Idon’texpectanyoneelsetoappreciatethejoke.I’menjoyingit!”
Shesaidnothing.AvaguefeelingofapprehensioncameoverSimeonLee.Hesaidsharply:
“Whatareyouthinkingabout?”
HildaLeesaidslowly:“I’mafraid….”
Simeonsaid:“You’reafraid—ofme?”
Hildasaid:“Notofyou.I’mafraid—foryou!”
Likeajudgewhohasdeliveredsentence,sheturnedaway.Shemarched,slowlyandheavily,outoftheroom….
Simeonsatstaringatthedoor.
Thenhegottohisfeetandmadehiswayovertothesafe.Hemurmured:“Let’shavealookatmybeauties.”
III
Thedoorbellrangaboutaquartertoeight.
Tressilianwenttoanswerit.hereturnedtohispantrytofindHorburythere,pickingupthecoffeecupsoffthetrayandlookingatthemarkonthem.
“Whowasit?”saidHorbury.
“SuperintendentofPolice—Mr.Sugden—mindwhatyou’redoing!”
Horburyhaddroppedoneofthecupswithacrash.
“Lookatthatnow,”lamentedTressilian.“ElevenyearsI’vehadthewashingupofthoseandneveronebroken,andnowyoucomealongtouchingthingsyou’venobusinesstotouch,andlookwhathappens!”
“I’msorry,Mr.Tressilian.Iamindeed,”theotherapologized.Hisfacewascoveredwithperspiration.“Idon’tknowhowithappened.DidyousayaSuperintendentofPolicehadcalled?”
“Yes—Mr.Sugden.”
Thevaletpassedatongueoverpalelips.
“What—whatdidhewant?”
“CollectingforthePoliceOrphanage.”
“Oh!”Thevaletstraightenedhisshoulders.Inamorenaturalvoicehesaid:
“Didhegetanything?”
“ItookupthebooktooldMr.Lee,andhetoldmetofetchthesuperintendentupandtoputthesherryonthetable.”
“Nothingbutbegging,thistimeofyear,”saidHorbury.“Theolddevil’sgenerous,Iwillsaythatforhim,inspiteofhisotherfailings.”
Tressiliansaidwithdignity:
“Mr.Leehasalwaysbeenanopen-handedgentleman.”
Horburynodded.
“It’sthebestthingabouthim!Well,I’llbeoffnow.”
“Goingtothepictures?”
“Iexpectso.Ta-ta,Mr.Tressilian.”
Hewentthroughthedoorthatledtotheservants’hall.
Tressilianlookedupattheclockhangingonthewall.
Hewentintothediningroomandlaidtherollsinthenapkins.
Then,afterassuringhimselfthateverythingwasasitshouldbe,hesoundedthegonginthehall.
Asthelastnotediedawaythepolicesuperintendentcamedownthestairs.SuperintendentSugdenwasalargehandsomeman.Heworeatightlybuttonedbluesuitandmovedwithasenseofhisownimportance.
Hesaidaffably:“Iratherthinkweshallhaveafrosttonight.Goodthing:theweather’sbeenveryunseasonablelately.”
Tressiliansaid,shakinghishead:
“Thedampaffectsmyrheumatism.”
Thesuperintendentsaidthattherheumatismwasapainfulcomplaint,andTressilianlethimoutbythefrontdoor.
Theoldbutlerrefastenedthedoorandcamebackslowlyintothehall.Hepassedhishandoverhiseyesandsighed.ThenhestraightenedhisbackashesawLydiapassintothedrawingroom.GeorgeLeewasjustcomingdownthestairs.
Tressilianhoveredready.Whenthelastguest,Magdalene,hadenteredthedrawingroom,hemadehisownappearance,murmuring:
“Dinnerisserved.”
InhiswayTressilianwasaconnoisseurofladies’dress.Healwaysnotedandcriticizedthegownsoftheladiesashecircledroundthetable,decanterinhand.
Mrs.Alfred,henoted,hadgotonhernewfloweredblackandwhitetaffeta.Abolddesign,verystriking,butshecouldcarryitoff,thoughmanyladiescouldn’t.ThedressMrs.Georgehadonwasamodel,hewasprettysureofthat.Musthavecostaprettypenny.HewonderedhowMr.Georgewouldlikepayingforit!Mr.Georgedidn’tlikespendingmoney—heneverhad.Mrs.Davidnow:anicelady,butdidn’thaveanyideaofhowtodress.Forherfigure,plainblackvelvetwouldhavebeenthebest.Figuredvelvet,andcrimsonatthat,wasabadchoice.MissPilar,now,itdidn’tmatterwhatshewore,withherfigureandherhairshelookedwellinanything.Aflimsycheaplittlewhitegownitwas,though.Still,Mr.Leewouldsoonseetothat!Takentoherwonderful,hehad.Alwayswasthesamewaywhenagentlemanwaselderly.Ayoungfacecoulddoanythingwithhim!
“Hockorclaret?”murmuredTressilianinadeferentialwhisperinMrs.George’sear.OutofthetailofhiseyehenotedthatWalter,thefootman,washandingthevegetablesbeforethegravyagain—afterallhehadbeentold!
Tressilianwentroundwiththesoufflé.Itstruckhim,nowthathisinterestintheladies’toilettesandhismisgivingsoverWalter’sdeficiencieswereathingofthepast,thateveryonewasverysilenttonight.Atleast,notexactlysilent:Mr.Harrywastalkingenoughfortwenty—no,notMr.Harry,theSouthAfricangentleman.Andtheothersweretalkingtoo,butonly,asitwere,inspasms.Therewassomethingalittle—queeraboutthem.
Mr.Alfred,forinstance,helookeddownrightill.Asthoughhehadhadashockorsomething.Quitedazedhelookedandjustturningoverthefoodonhisplatewithouteatingit.Themistress,shewasworriedabouthim.Tressiliancouldseethat.Keptlookingdownthetabletowardshim—notnoticeably,ofcourse,justquietly.Mr.Georgewasveryredintheface—gobblinghisfood,hewas,withouttastingit.He’dgetastrokeonedayifhewasn’tcareful.Mrs.Georgewasn’teating.Slimming,aslikelyasnot.MissPilarseemedtobeenjoyingherfoodallrightandtalkingandlaughingupattheSouthAfricangentleman.Properlytakenwithher,hewas.Didn’tseemtobeanythingontheirminds!
Mr.David?TressilianfeltworriedaboutMr.David.Justlikehismother,hewas,tolookat.Andremarkablyyoung-lookingstill.Butnervy;there,he’dknockedoverhisglass.
Tressilianwhiskeditaway,moppedupthestreamdeftly.Itwasallover.Mr.Davidhardlyseemedtonoticewhathehaddone,justsatstaringinfrontofhimwithawhiteface.
Thinkingofwhitefaces,funnythewayHorburyhadlookedinthepantryjustnowwhenhe’dheardapoliceofficerhadcometothehouse…almostasthough—
Tressilian’smindstoppedwithajerk.Walterhaddroppedapearoffthedishhewashanding.Footmenwerenogoodnowadays!Theymightbestableboys,thewaytheywenton!
Hewentroundwiththeport.Mr.Harryseemedabitdistraittonight.KeptlookingatMr.Alfred.Neverhadbeenanylovelostbetweenthosetwo,notevenasboys.Mr.Harry,ofcourse,hadalwaysbeenhisfather’sfavourite,andthathadrankledwithMr.Alfred.Mr.LeehadnevercaredforMr.Alfredmuch.Apity,whenMr.Alfredalwaysseemedsodevotedtohisfather.
There,Mrs.Alfredwasgettingupnow.Shesweptroundthetable.Verynicethatdesignonthetaffeta;thatcapesuitedher.Averygracefullady.
Hewentouttothepantry,closingthediningroomdooronthegentlemenwiththeirport.
Hetookthecoffeetrayintothedrawingroom.Thefourladiesweresittingthereratheruncomfortably,hethought.Theywerenottalking.Hehandedroundthecoffeeinsilence.
Hewentoutagain.Ashewentintohispantryheheardthediningroomdooropen.DavidLeecameoutandwentalongthehalltothedrawingroom.
Tressilianwentbackintohispantry.HereadtheriotacttoWalter.Walterwasnearly,ifnotquite,impertinent!
Tressilian,aloneinhispantry,satdownratherwearily.
Hehadafeelingofdepression.ChristmasEve,andallthisstrainandtension…Hedidn’tlikeit!
Withaneffortherousedhimself.Hewenttothedrawingroomandcollectedthecoffeecups.TheroomwasemptyexceptforLydia,whowasstandinghalfconcealedbythewindowcurtainatthefarendoftheroom.Shewasstandingtherelookingoutintothenight.
Fromnextdoorthepianosounded.
Mr.Davidwasplaying.Butwhy,Tressilianaskedhimself,didMr.Davidplaythe“DeadMarch?”Forthat’swhatitwas.Oh,indeedthingswereverywrong.
Hewentslowlyalongthehallandbackintohispantry.
Itwasthenhefirstheardthenoisefromoverhead:acrashingofchina,theoverthrowingoffurniture,aseriesofcracksandbumps.
“Goodgracious!”thoughtTressilian.“Whateveristhemasterdoing?What’shappeningupthere?”
Andthen,clearandhigh,cameascream—ahorriblehighwailingscreamthatdiedawayinachokeorgurgle.
Tressilianstoodthereamomentparalysed,thenheranoutintothehallandupthebroadstaircase.Otherswerewithhim.Thatscreamhadbeenheardalloverthehouse.
Theyracedupthestairsandroundthebend,pastarecesswithstatuesgleamingwhiteandeerie,andalongthestraightpassagetoSimeonLee’sdoor.Mr.FarrwastherealreadyandMrs.David.Shewasleaningbackagainstthewallandhewastwistingatthedoorhandle.
“Thedoor’slocked,”hewassaying.“Thedoor’slocked!”
HarryLeepushedpastandwresteditfromhim.He,too,turnedandtwistedatthehandle.
“Father,”heshouted.“Father,letusin.”
Hehelduphishandandinthesilencetheyalllistened.Therewasnoanswer.Nosoundfrominsidetheroom.
Thefrontdoorbellrang,butnoonepaidanyattentiontoit.
StephenFarrsaid:
“We’vegottobreakthedoordown.It’stheonlyway.”
Harrysaid:“That’sgoingtobeatoughjob.Thesedoorsaregoodsolidstuff.Comeon,Alfred.”
Theyheavedandstrained.Finallytheywentandgotanoakbenchanduseditasabatteringram.Thedoorgaveatlast.Itshingessplinteredandthedoorsankshudderingfromitsframe.
Foraminutetheystoodtherehuddledtogetherlookingin.Whattheysawwasasightthatnooneofthemeverforgot.
Therehadclearlybeenaterrificstruggle.Heavyfurniturewasoverturned.Chinavaseslaysplinteredonthefloor.InthemiddleofthehearthruginfrontoftheblazingfirelaySimeonLeeinagreatpoolofblood…Bloodwassplashedallround.Theplacewaslikeashambles.
Therewasalongshudderingsigh,andthentwovoicesspokeinturn.Strangelyenough,thewordstheyutteredwerebothquotations.
DavidLeesaid:
“ThemillsofGodgrindslowly….”
Lydia’svoicecamelikeaflutteringwhisper:
“Whowouldhavethoughttheoldmantohavehadsomuchbloodinhim?…”
IV
SuperintendentSugdenhadrungthebellthreetimes.Finally,indesperation,hepoundedontheknocker.
AscaredWalteratlengthopenedthedoor.
“Oo-er,”hesaid.Alookofreliefcameoverhisface.“Iwasjustringingupthepolice.”
“Whatfor?”saidSuperintendentSugdensharply.“What’sgoingonhere?”
Walterwhispered:
“It’soldMr.Lee.He’sbeendonein….”
Thesuperintendentpushedpasthimandranupthestairs.Hecameintotheroomwithoutanyonebeingawareofhisentrance.AsheenteredhesawPilarbendforwardandpickupsomethingfromthefloor.HesawDavidLeestandingwithhishandsoverhiseyes.
Hesawtheothershuddledintoalittlegroup.AlfredLeealonehadsteppednearhisfather’sbody.Hestoodnowquiteclose,lookingdown.Hisfacewasblank.
GeorgeLeewassayingimportantly:
“Nothingmustbetouched—rememberthat—nothing—tillthepolicearrive.Thatismostimportant!”
“Excuseme,”saidSugden.
Hepushedhiswayforward,gentlythrustingtheladiesaside.
AlfredLeerecognizedhim.
“Ah,”hesaid.“It’syou,SuperintendentSugden.You’vegothereveryquickly.”
“Yes,Mr.Lee.”SuperintendentSugdendidnotwastetimeonexplanations.“What’sallthis?”
“Myfather,”saidAlfredLee,“hasbeenkilled—murdered….”
Hisvoicebroke.
Magdalenebegansuddenlytosobhysterically.
SuperintendentSugdenheldupalargeofficialhand.Hesaidauthoritatively:
“WilleverybodykindlyleavetheroomexceptMr.Leeand—er—Mr.GeorgeLee?….”
Theymovedslowlytowardsthedoor,reluctantly,likesheep.SuperintendentSugdeninterceptedPilarsuddenly.
“Excuseme,miss,”hesaidpleasantly.“Nothingmustbetouchedordisturbed.”
Shestaredathim.StephenFarrsaidimpatiently:
“Ofcoursenot.Sheunderstandsthat.”
SuperintendentSugdensaid,stillinthesamepleasantmanner:“Youpickedupsomethingfromthefloorjustnow?”
Pilar’seyesopened.Shestaredandsaidincredulously:“Idid?”
SuperintendentSugdenwasstillpleasant.Hisvoicewasjustalittlefirmer.
“Yes,Isawyou….”
“Oh!”
“Sopleasegiveittome.It’sinyourhandnow.”
SlowlyPilarunclosedherhand.Therelayinitawispofrubberandasmallobjectmadeofwood.SuperintendentSugdentookthem,enclosedtheminanenvelopeandputthemawayinhisbreastpocket.Hesaid:“Thankyou.”
Heturnedaway.JustforaminuteStephenFarr’seyesshowedastartledrespect.Itwasasthoughhehadunderestimatedthelargehandsomesuperintendent.
Theywentslowlyoutoftheroom.Behindthemtheyheardthesuperintendent’svoicesayingofficially:
“Andnow,ifyouplease….”
V
“Nothinglikeawoodfire,”saidColonelJohnsonashethrewonanadditionallogandthendrewhischairnearertotheblaze.“Helpyourself,”headded,hospitablycallingattentiontothetantalusandsiphonthatstoodnearhisguest’selbow.
Theguestraisedapolitehandinnegation.Cautiouslyheedgedhisownchairnearertotheblazinglogs,thoughhewasoftheopinionthattheopportunityforroastingthesolesofone’sfeet(likesomemediaevaltorture)didnotoffsetthecolddraughtthatswirledroundthebackoftheshoulders.
ColonelJohnson,ChiefConstableofMiddleshire,mightbeoftheopinionthatnothingcouldbeatawoodfire,butHerculePoirotwasoftheopinionthatcentralheatingcouldanddideverytime!
“AmazingbusinessthatCartwrightcase,”remarkedthehostreminiscently.“Amazingman!Enormouscharmofmanner.Why,whenhecameherewithyou,hehadusalleatingoutofhishand.”
Heshookhishead.
“We’llneverhaveanythinglikethatcase!”hesaid.“Nicotinepoisoningisrare,fortunately.”
“TherewasatimewhenyouwouldhaveconsideredallpoisoningunEnglish,”suggestedHerculePoirot.“Adeviceofforeigners!Unsportsmanlike!”
“Ihardlythinkwecouldsaythat,”saidthechiefconstable.“Plentyofpoisoningbyarsenic—probablyagooddealmorethanhaseverbeensuspected.”
“Possibly,yes.”
“Alwaysanawkwardbusiness,apoisoningcase,”saidJohnson.“Conflictingtestimonyoftheexperts—thendoctorsareusuallysoextremelycautiousinwhattheysay.Alwaysadifficultcasetotaketoajury.No,ifonemusthavemurder(whichheavenforbid!)givemeastraightforwardcase.Somethingwherethere’snoambiguityaboutthecauseofdeath.”
Poirotnodded.
“Thebulletwound,thecutthroat,thecrushed-inskull?Itisthereyourpreferencelies?”
“Oh,don’tcallitapreference,mydearfellow.Don’tharbourtheideathatIlikemurdercases!HopeIneverhaveanother.Anyway,weoughttobesafeenoughduringyourvisit.”
Poirotbeganmodestly:
“Myreputation—”
ButJohnsonhadgoneon.
“Christmastime,”hesaid.“Peace,goodwill—andallthatkindofthing.Goodwillallround.”
HerculePoirotleanedbackinhischair.Hejoinedhisfingertips.Hestudiedhishostthoughtfully.
Hemurmured:“Itis,then,youropinionthatChristmastimeisanunlikelyseasonforcrime?”
“That’swhatIsaid.”
“Why?”
“Why?”Johnsonwasthrownslightlyoutofhisstride.“Well,asI’vejustsaid—seasonofgoodcheer,andallthat!”
HerculePoirotmurmured:
“TheBritish,theyaresosentimental!”
Johnsonsaidstoutly:“Whatifweare?Whatifwedoliketheoldways,theoldtraditionalfestivities?What’stheharm?”
“Thereisnoharm.Itisallmostcharming!Butletusforamomentexaminefacts.YouhavesaidthatChristmasisaseasonofgoodcheer.Thatmeans,doesitnot,alotofeatinganddrinking?Itmeans,infact,theovereating!Andwiththeovereatingtherecomestheindigestion!Andwiththeindigestiontherecomestheirritability!”
“Crimes,”saidColonelJohnson,“arenotcommittedfromirritability.”
“Iamnotsosure!Takeanotherpoint.Thereis,atChristmas,aspiritofgoodwill.Itis,asyousay,‘thethingtodo.’Oldquarrelsarepatchedup,thosewhohavedisagreedconsenttoagreeoncemore,evenifitisonlytemporarily.”
Johnsonnodded.
“Burythehatchet,that’sright.”
Poirotpursuedhistheme:
“Andfamiliesnow,familieswhohavebeenseparatedthroughouttheyear,assembleoncemoretogether.Nowundertheseconditions,myfriend,youmustadmitthattherewilloccuragreatamountofstrain.Peoplewhodonotfeelamiableareputtinggreatpressureonthemselvestoappearamiable!ThereisatChristmastimeagreatdealofhypocrisy,honourablehypocrisy,hypocrisyundertakenpourlebonmotif,c’estentendu,butneverthelesshypocrisy!”
“Well,Ishouldn’tputitquitelikethatmyself,”saidColonelJohnsondoubtfully.
Poirotbeameduponhim.
“No,no.ItisIwhoamputtingitlikethat,notyou.Iampointingouttoyouthatundertheseconditions—mentalstrain,physicalmalaise—itishighlyprobablethatdislikesthatwerebeforemerelymildanddisagreementsthatweretrivialmightsuddenlyassumeamoreseriouscharacter.Theresultofpretendingtobeamoreamiable,amoreforgiving,amorehigh-mindedpersonthanonereallyis,hassoonerorlatertheeffectofcausingonetobehaveasamoredisagreeable,amoreruthlessandanaltogethermoreunpleasantpersonthanisactuallythecase!Ifyoudamthestreamofnaturalbehaviour,monami,soonerorlaterthedamburstsandacataclysmoccurs!”
ColonelJohnsonlookedathimdoubtfully.
“Neverknowwhenyou’reseriousandwhenyou’repullingmyleg,”hegrumbled.
Poirotsmiledathim.
“Iamnotserious!NotintheleastamIserious!Butallthesame,itistruewhatIsay—artificialconditionsbringabouttheirnaturalreaction.”
ColonelJohnson’smanservantenteredtheroom.
“SuperintendentSugdenonthephone,sir.”
“Right.I’llcome.”
Withawordofapologythechiefconstablelefttheroom.
Hereturnedsomethreeminuteslater.Hisfacewasgraveandperturbed.
“Damnitall!”hesaid.“Caseofmurder!OnChristmasEve,too!”
Poirot’seyebrowsrose.
“Itisthatdefinitely—murder,Imean?”
“Eh?Oh,noothersolutionpossible!Perfectlyclearcase.Murder—andabrutalmurderatthat!”
“Whoisthevictim?”
“OldSimeonLee.Oneoftherichestmenwe’vegot!MadehismoneyinSouthAfricaoriginally.Gold—no,diamonds,Ibelieve.Hesunkanimmensefortuneinmanufacturingsomeparticulargadgetofminingmachinery.Hisowninvention,Ibelieve.Anyway,it’spaidhimhandoverfist!Theysayhe’samillionairetwiceover.”
Poirotsaid:“Hewaswell-liked,yes?”
Johnsonsaidslowly:
“Don’tthinkanyonelikedhim.Queersortofchap.He’sbeenaninvalidforsomeyearsnow.Idon’tknowverymuchabouthimmyself.Butofcourseheisoneofthebigfiguresofthecounty.”
“Sothiscase,itwillmakeabigstir?”
“Yes.ImustgetovertoLongdaleasfastasIcan.”
Hehesitated,lookingathisguest.Poirotansweredtheunspokenquestion:
“YouwouldlikethatIshouldaccompanyyou?”
Johnsonsaidawkwardly:
“Seemsashametoaskyou.But,well,youknowhowitis!SuperintendentSugdenisagoodman,nonebetter,painstaking,careful,thoroughlysound—but—well,he’snotanimaginativechapinanyway.Shouldlikeverymuch,asyouarehere,benefitofyouradvice.”
Hehaltedalittleovertheendpartofhisspeech,makingitsomewhattelegraphicinstyle.Poirotrespondedquickly
“Ishallbedelighted.YoucancountonmetoassistyouinanywayIcan.Wemustnothurtthefeelingsofthegoodsuperintendent.Itwillbehiscase—notmine.Iamonlytheunofficialconsultant.”
ColonelJohnsonsaidwarmly:
“You’reagoodfellow,Poirot.”
Withthosewordsofcommendation,thetwomenstartedout.
VI
Itwasaconstablewhoopenedthefrontdoortothemandsaluted.Behindhim,SuperintendentSugdenadvanceddownthehallandsaid:
“Gladyou’vegothere,sir.Shallwecomeintothisroomhereontheleft—Mr.Lee’sstudy?I’dliketorunoverthemainoutlines.Thewholething’sarumbusiness.”
Heusheredthemintoasmallroomontheleftofthehall.Therewasatelephonethereandabigdeskcoveredwithpapers.Thewallswerelinedwithbookcases.
Thechiefconstablesaid:“Sugden,thisisM.HerculePoirot.Youmayhaveheardofhim.Justhappenedtobestayingwithme.SuperintendentSugden.”
Poirotmadealittlebowandlookedtheothermanover.Hesawatallmanwithsquareshouldersandamilitarybearingwhohadanaquilinenose,apugnaciousjawandalargeflourishingchestnut-colouredmoustache.SugdenstaredhardatHerculePoirotafteracknowledgingtheintroduction.HerculePoirotstaredhardatSuperintendentSugden’smoustache.Itsluxurianceseemedtofascinatehim.
Thesuperintendentsaid:
“OfcourseIhaveheardofyou,Mr.Poirot.Youwereinthispartoftheworldsomeyearsago,ifIrememberrightly.DeathofSirBartholomewStrange.Poisoningcase.Nicotine.Notmydistrict,butofcourseIheardallaboutit.”
ColonelJohnsonsaidimpatiently:
“Now,then,Sugden,let’shavethefacts.Aclearcase,yousaid.”
“Yes,sir,it’smurderrightenough—notadoubtofthat.Mr.Lee’sthroatwascut—jugularveinsevered,Iunderstandfromthedoctor.Butthere’ssomethingveryoddaboutthewholematter.”
“Youmean—?”
“I’dlikeyoutohearmystoryfirst,sir.Thesearethecircumstances:Thisafternoon,aboutfiveo’clock,IwasrungupbyMr.LeeatAddlesfieldpolicestation.Hesoundedabitoddoverthephone—askedmetocomeandseehimateighto’clockthisevening—madeaspecialpointofthetime.Moreover,heinstructedmetosaytothebutlerthatIwascollectingsubscriptionsforsomepolicecharity.”
Thechiefconstablelookedupsharply.
“Wantedsomeplausiblepretexttogetyouintothehouse?”
“That’sright,sir.Well,naturally,Mr.Leeisanimportantperson,andIaccededtohisrequest.Igotherealittlebeforeeighto’clock,andrepresentedmyselfasseekingsubscriptionsforthePoliceOrphanage.ThebutlerwentawayandreturnedtotellmethatMr.Leewouldseeme.ThereuponheshowedmeuptoMr.Lee’sroom,whichissituatedonthefirstfloor,immediatelyoverthediningroom.”
SuperintendentSugdenpaused,drewabreathandthenproceededinasomewhatofficialmannerwithhisreport.
“Mr.Leewasseatedinachairbythefireplace.Hewaswearingadressinggown.Whenthebutlerhadlefttheroomandclosedthedoor,Mr.Leeaskedmetositnearhim.Hethensaidratherhesitatinglythathewantedtogivemeparticularsofarobbery.Iaskedhimwhathadbeentaken.Herepliedthathehadreasontobelievethatdiamonds(uncutdiamonds,Ithinkhesaid)tothevalueofseveralthousandpoundshadbeenstolenfromhissafe.”
“Diamonds,eh?”saidthechiefconstable.
“Yes,sir.Iaskedhimvariousroutinequestions,buthismannerwasveryuncertainandhisrepliesweresomewhatvagueincharacter.Atlasthesaid,‘Youmustunderstand,Superintendent,thatImaybemistakeninthismatter.’Isaid,‘Idonotquiteunderstand,sir.Eitherthediamondsaremissingortheyarenotmissing—oneortheother.’Hereplied,‘Thediamondsarecertainlymissing,butitisjustpossible,Superintendent,thattheirdisappearancemaybesimplyaratherfoolishkindofpracticaljoke.’Well,thatseemedoddtome,butIsaidnothing.Hewenton:‘Itisdifficultformetoexplainindetail,butwhatitamountstoisthis:SofarasIcansee,onlytwopersonscanpossiblyhavethestones.Oneofthosepersonsmighthavedoneitasajoke.Iftheotherpersontookthem,thentheyhavedefinitelybeenstolen.’Isaid,‘Whatexactlydoyouwantmetodo,sir?’Hesaidquickly,‘Iwantyou,Superintendent,toreturnhereinaboutanhour—no,makeitalittlemorethanthat—sayninefifteen.AtthattimeIshallbeabletotellyoudefinitelywhetherIhavebeenrobbedornot.’Iwasalittlemystified,butIagreedandwentaway.”
ColonelJohnsoncommented:
“Curious—verycurious.Whatdoyousay,Poirot?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“MayIask,Superintendent,whatconclusionsyouyourselfdrew?”
Thesuperintendentstrokedhisjawasherepliedcarefully:
“Well,variousideasoccurredtome,butonthewhole,Ifigureditoutthisway.Therewasnoquestionofanypracticaljoke.Thediamondshadbeenstolenallright.Buttheoldgentlemanwasn’tsurewho’ddoneit.It’smyopinionthathewasspeakingthetruthwhenhesaidthatitmighthavebeenoneoftwopeople—andofthosetwopeopleonewasaservantandtheotherwasamemberofthefamily.”
Poirotnoddedappreciatively.
“Trèsbien.Yes,thatexplainshisattitudeverywell.”
“HencehisdesirethatIshouldreturnlater.Intheintervalhemeanttohaveaninterviewwiththepersoninquestion.Hewouldtellthemthathehadalreadyspokenofthemattertothepolicebutthat,ifrestitutionwerepromptlymade,hecouldhushthematterup.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Andifthesuspectdidn’trespond?”
“Inthatcase,hemeanttoplacetheinvestigationinourhands.”
ColonelJohnsonfrownedandtwistedhismoustache.Hedemurred.
“Whynottakethatcoursebeforecallingyouin?”
“No,no,sir.”Thesuperintendentshookhishead.“Don’tyousee,ifhehaddonethat,itmighthavebeenbluff.Itwouldn’thavebeenhalfsoconvincing.Thepersonmightsaytohimself,‘Theoldmanwon’tcallthepolicein,nomatterwhathesuspects!’Butiftheoldgentlemansaystohim,‘I’vealreadyspokentothepolice,thesuperintendenthasonlyjustleft.’Thenthethiefasksthebutler,say,andthebutlerconfirmsthat.Hesays,‘Yes,thesuperintendentwasherejustbeforedinner.’Thenthechiefisconvincedtheoldgentlemanmeansbusinessandit’suptohimtocoughupthestones.”
“H’m,yes,Iseethat,”saidColonelJohnson.“Anyidea,Sugden,whothis‘memberofthefamily’mightbe?”
“No,sir.”
“Noindicationwhatsoever?”
“None.”
Johnsonshookhishead.Thenhesaid:
“Well,let’sgetonwithit.”
SuperintendentSugdenresumedhisofficialmanner.
“Ireturnedtothehouse,sir,atninefifteenprecisely.JustasIwasabouttoringthefrontdoorbell,Iheardascreamfrominsidethehouse,andthenaconfusedsoundofshoutsandageneralcommotion.Irangseveraltimesandalsousedtheknocker.Itwasthreeorfourminutesbeforethedoorwasanswered.WhenthefootmanatlastopeneditIcouldseethatsomethingmomentoushadoccurred.Hewasshakingalloverandlookedasthoughhewasabouttofaint.HegaspedoutthatMr.Leehadbeenmurdered.Iranhastilyupstairs.IfoundMr.Lee’sroominastateofwildconfusion.Therehadevidentlybeenaseverestruggle.Mr.Leehimselfwaslyinginfrontofthefirewithhisthroatcutinapoolofblood.”
Thechiefconstablesaidsharply:
“Hecouldn’thavedoneithimself?”
Sugdenshookhishead.
“Impossible,sir.Foronething,therewerethechairsandtablesoverturned,andthebrokencrockeryandornaments,andthentherewasnosignoftherazororknifewithwhichthecrimehadbeencommitted.”
Thechiefconstablesaidthoughtfully:
“Yes,thatseemsconclusive.Anyoneintheroom?”
“Mostofthefamilywerethere,sir.Juststandinground.”
ColonelJohnsonsaidsharply:
“Anyideas,Sugden?”
Thesuperintendentsaidslowly:
“It’sabadbusiness,sir.Itlookstomeasthoughoneofthemmusthavedoneit.Idon’tseehowanyonefromoutsidecouldhavedoneitandgotawayintime.”
“Whataboutthewindow?Closedoropen?”
“Therearetwowindowsintheroom,sir.Onewasclosedandlocked.Theotherwasopenafewinchesatthebottom—butitwasfixedinthatpositionbyaburglarscrew,andmoreover,I’vetrieditandit’sstuckfast—hasn’tbeenopenedforyears,Ishouldsay.Alsothewalloutsideisquitesmoothandunbroken—noivyorcreepers.Idon’tseehowanyonecouldhaveleftthatway.”
“Howmanydoorsintheroom?”
“Justone.Theroomisattheendofapassage.Thatdoorwaslockedontheinside.Whentheyheardthenoiseofthestruggleandtheoldman’sdyingscream,andrushedupstairs,theyhadtobreakdownthedoortogetin.”
Johnsonsaidsharply:
“Andwhowasintheroom?”
SuperintendentSugdenrepliedgravely:
“Nobodywasintheroom,sir,excepttheoldmanwhohadbeenkillednotmorethanafewminutespreviously.”
VII
ColonelJohnsonstaredatSugdenforsomeminutesbeforehespluttered:
“Doyoumeantotellme,Superintendent,thatthisisoneofthosedamnedcasesyougetindetectivestorieswhereamaniskilledinalockedroombysomeapparentlysupernaturalagency?”
Averyfaintsmileagitatedthesuperintendent’smoustacheasherepliedgravely:
“Idonotthinkit’squiteasbadasthat,sir.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Suicide.Itmustbesuicide!”
“Where’stheweapon,ifso?No,sir,suicidewon’tdo.”
“Thenhowdidthemurdererescape?Bythewindow?”Sugdenshookhishead.
“I’lltakemyoathhedidn’tdothat.”
“Butthedoorwaslocked,yousay,ontheinside.”
Thesuperintendentnodded.Hedrewakeyfromhispocketandlaiditonthetable.
“Nofingerprints,”heannounced.“Butjustlookatthatkey,sir.Takealookatitwiththatmagnifyingglassthere.”
Poirotbentforward.HeandJohnsonexaminedthekeytogether.Thechiefconstableutteredanexclamation.
“ByJove,Igetyou.Thosefaintscratchesontheendofthebarrel.Yousee’em,Poirot?”
“Butyes,Isee.Thatmeans,doesitnot,thatthekeywasturnedfromoutsidethedoor—turnedbymeansofaspecialimplementthatwentthroughthekeyholeandgrippedthebarrel—possibilyanordinarypairofplierswoulddoit.”
Thesuperintendentnodded.
“Itcanbedoneallright.”
Poirotsaid:“Theideabeing,then,thatthedeathwouldbethoughttobesuicide,sincethedoorwaslockedandnoonewasintheroom?”
“Thatwastheidea,M.Poirot,notadoubtofit,Ishouldsay.”
Poirotshookhisheaddoubtfully.
“Butthedisorderintheroom!Asyousay,thatbyitselfwipedouttheideaofsuicide.Surelythemurdererwouldfirstofallhavesettheroomtorights.”
SuperintendentSugdensaid:“Buthehadn’ttime,Mr.Poirot.That’sthewholepoint.Hehadn’ttime.Let’ssayhecountedoncatchingtheoldgentlemanunawares.Well,thatdidn’tcomeoff.Therewasastruggle—astruggleheardplainlyintheroomunderneath;and,what’smore,theoldgentlemancalledoutforhelp.Everyonecamerushingup.Themurderer’sonlygottimetonipoutoftheroomandturnthekeyfromtheoutside.”
“Thatistrue,”Poirotadmitted.“Yourmurderer,hemayhavemadethebungle.Butwhy,ohwhy,didhenotatleastleavetheweapon?Fornaturally,ifthereisnoweapon,itcannotbesuicide!Thatwasanerrormostgrave.”
SuperintendentSugdensaidstolidly:
“Criminalsusuallymakemistakes.That’sourexperience.”
Poirotgavealightsigh.Hemurmured:
“Butallthesame,inspiteofhismistakes,hehasescapedthiscriminal.”
“Idon’tthinkhehasexactlyescaped.”
“Youmeanheisinthehousestill?”
“Idon’tseewhereelsehecanbe.Itwasaninsidejob.”
“But,toutdemême,”Poirotpointedoutgently,“hehasescapedtothisextent:Youdonotknowwhoheis.”
SuperintendentSugdensaidgentlybutfirmly:
“Iratherfancythatwesoonshall.Wehaven’tdoneanyquestioningofthehouseholdyet.”
ColonelJohnsoncutin:
“Lookhere,Sugden,onethingstrikesme.Whoeverturnedthatkeyfromtheoutsidemusthavehadsomeknowledgeofthejob.That’stosay,heprobablyhashadcriminalexperience.Thesesortoftoolsaren’teasytomanage.”
“Youmeanitwasaprofessionaljob,sir?”
“That’swhatImean.”
“Itdoesseemlikeit,”theotheradmitted.“Followingthatup,itlooksasthoughtherewereaprofessionalthiefamongtheservants.Thatwouldexplainthediamondsbeingtakenandthemurderwouldfollowonlogicallyfromthat.”
“Well,anythingwrongwiththattheory?”
“It’swhatIthoughtmyselftobeginwith.Butit’sdifficult.Thereareeightservantsinthehouse;sixofthemarewomen,andofthosesix,fivehavebeenhereforfouryearsandmore.Thenthere’sthebutlerandthefootman.Thebutlerhasbeenhereforcloseonfortyyears—bitofarecordthat,Ishouldsay.Thefootman’slocal,sonofthegardener,andbroughtuphere.Don’tseeverywellhowhecanbeaprofessional.TheonlyotherpersonisMr.Lee’svaletattendant.He’scomparativelynew,buthewasoutofthehouse—stillis—wentoutjustbeforeeighto’clock.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Haveyougotalistofjustwhoexactlywasinthehouse?”
“Yes,sir.Igotitfromthebutler.”Hetookouthisnotebook.“ShallIreadittoyou?”
“Please,Sugden.”
“Mr.andMrs.AlfredLee.Mr.GeorgeLee,M.P.,andhiswife,Mr.HenryLee,Mr.andMrs.DavidLee.Miss”—thesuperintendentpausedalittle,takingthewordscarefully—“Pilar”—hepronounceditlikeapieceofarchitecture—“Estravados.Mr.StephenFarr.Thenfortheservants:EdwardTressilian,butler.WalterChampion,footman.EmilyReeves,cook.QueenieJones,kitchenmaid.GladysSpent,headhousemaid.GraceBest,secondhousemaid.BeatriceMoscombe,thirdhousemaid.JoanKench,betweenmaid.SydneyHorbury,valetattendant.”
“That’sthelot,eh?”
“That’sthelot,sir.”
“Anyideawhereeverybodywasatthetimeofthemurder?”
“Onlyroughly.AsItoldyou,Ihaven’tquestionedanybodyyet.AccordingtoTressilian,thegentlemenwereinthediningroomstill.Theladieshadgonetothedrawingroom.Tressilianhadservedcoffee.Accordingtohisstatement,hehadjustgotbacktohispantrywhenheheardanoiseupstairs.Itwasfollowedbyascream.Heranoutintothehallandupstairsinthewakeoftheothers.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Howmanyofthefamilyliveinthehouse,andwhoarejuststayinghere?”
“Mr.andMrs.AlfredLeelivehere.Theothersarejustvisiting.”
Johnsonnodded.
“Wherearetheyall?”
“Iaskedthemtostayinthedrawing-roomuntilIwasreadytotaketheirstatements.”
“Isee.Well,we’dbettergoupstairsandtakealookatthedoings.”
Thesuperintendentledthewayupthebroadstairsandalongthepassage.
Asheenteredtheroomwherethecrimehadtakenplace,Johnsondrewadeepbreath.
“Prettyhorrible,”hecommented.
Hestoodforaminutestudyingtheoverturnedchairs,thesmashedchina,andtheblood-bespattereddébris.
Athinelderlymanstoodupfromwherehehadbeenkneelingbythebodyandgaveanod.
“Evening,Johnson,”hesaid.“Bitofashambles,eh?”
“Ishouldsayitwas.Gotanythingforus,doctor?”
Thedoctorshruggedhisshoulders.Hegrinned.
“I’llletyouhavethescientificlanguageattheinquest!Nothingcomplicatedaboutit.Throatcutlikeapig.Hebledtodeathinlessthanaminute.Nosignoftheweapon.”
Poirotwentacrosstheroomtothewindows.Asthesuperintendenthadsaid,onewasshutandbolted.Theotherwasopenaboutfourinchesatthebottom.Athickpatentscrewofthekindknownmanyyearsagoasananti-burglarscrewsecureditinthatposition.
Sugdensaid:“Accordingtothebutler,thatwindowwasnevershutwetorfine.There’salinoleummatunderneathitincaserainbeatin,butitdidn’tmuch,astheoverhangingroofprotectsit.”
Poirotnodded.
Hecamebacktothebodyandstareddownattheoldman.
Thelipsweredrawnbackfromthebloodlessgumsinsomethingthatlookedlikeasnarl.Thefingerswerecurvedlikeclaws.
Poirotsaid:
“Hedoesnotseemastrongman,no.”
Thedoctorsaid:
“Hewasprettytough,Ibelieve.He’dsurvivedseveralprettybadillnessesthatwouldhavekilledmostmen.”
Poirotsaid:“Idonotmeanthat.Imean,hewasnotbig,notstrongphysically.”
“No,he’sfrailenough.”
Poirotturnedfromthedeadman.Hebenttoexamineanoverturnedchair,abigchairofmahogany.Besideitwasaroundmahoganytableandthefragmentsofabigchinalamp.Twoothersmallerchairslaynearby,alsothesmashedfragmentsofadecanterandtwoglasses,aheavyglasspaperweightwasunbroken,somemiscellaneousbooks,abigJapanesevasesmashedinpieces,andabronzestatuetteofanakedgirlcompletedthedébris.
Poirotbentoveralltheseexhibits,studyingthemgravely,butwithouttouchingthem.Hefrownedtohimselfasthoughperplexed.
Thechiefconstablesaid:
“Anythingstrikeyou,Poirot?”
HerculePoirotsighed.Hemurmured:
“Suchafrailshrunkenoldman—andyet—allthis.”
Johnsonlookedpuzzled.Heturnedawayandsaidtothesergeant,whowasbusyathiswork:
“Whataboutprints?”
“Plentyofthem,sir,allovertheroom.”
“Whataboutthesafe?”
“Nogood.Onlyprintsonthatarethoseoftheoldgentlemanhimself.”
Johnsonturnedtothedoctor.
“Whataboutbloodstains?”heasked.“Surelywhoeverkilledhimmusthavegotbloodonhim.”
Thedoctorsaiddoubtfully:
“Notnecessarily.Bleedingwasalmostentirelyfromthejugularvein.Thatwouldn’tspoutlikeanartery.”
“No,no.Still,thereseemsalotofbloodabout.”
Poirotsaid:
“Yes,thereisalotofblood—itstrikesone,that.Alotofblood.”
SuperintendentSugdensaidrespectfully:
“Doyou—er—doesthatsuggestanythingtoyou,Mr.Poirot?”
Poirotlookedabouthim.Heshookhisheadperplexedly.
Hesaid:
“Thereissomethinghere—someviolence…”Hestoppedaminute,thenwenton:“Yes,thatisit—violence…Andblood—aninsistenceonblood…Thereis—howshallIputit?—thereistoomuchblood.Bloodonthechairs,onthetables,onthecarpet…Thebloodritual?Sacrificialblood?Isthatit?Perhaps.Suchafrailoldman,sothin,soshrivelled,sodriedup—andyet—inhisdeath—somuchblood…”
Hisvoicediedaway.SuperintendentSugden,staringathimwithround,startledeyes,saidinanawedvoice:
“Funny—that’swhatshesaid—thelady….”
Poirotsaidsharply:
“Whatlady?Whatwasitshesaid?”
Sugdenanswered:“Mrs.Lee—Mrs.Alfred.Stoodovertherebythedoorandhalfwhisperedit.Itdidn’tmakesensetome.”
“Whatdidshesay?”
“Somethingaboutwhowouldhavethoughttheoldgentlemanhadsomuchbloodinhim….”
Poirotsaidsoftly:
“‘Whowouldhavethoughttheoldmantohavehadsomuchbloodinhim?’ThewordsofLadyMacbeth.Shesaidthat…Ah,thatisinteresting….”
VIII
AlfredLeeandhiswifecameintothesmallstudywherePoirot,Sugdenandthechiefconstablewerestandingwaiting.ColonelJohnsoncameforward.
“Howdoyoudo,Mr.Lee?We’veneveractuallymet,butasyouknow,I’mchiefconstableofthecounty.Johnson’smyname.Ican’ttellyouhowdistressedIambythis.”
Alfred,hisbrowneyeslikethoseofasufferingdog,saidhoarsely:
“Thankyou.It’sterrible—quiteterrible.I—thisismywife.”
Lydiasaidinherquietvoice:
“Ithasbeenafrightfulshocktomyhusband—toallofus—butparticularlytohim.”
Herhandwasonherhusband’sshoulder
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Won’tyousitdown,Mrs.Lee?LetmeintroduceM.HerculePoirot.”
HerculePoirotbowed.Hiseyeswentinterestedlyfromhusbandtowife.
Lydia’shandspressedgentlyonAlfred’sshoulder.
“Sitdown,Alfred.”
Alfredsat.Hemurmured:
“HerculePoirot.Now,who—who—?”
Hepassedhishandinadazedfashionoverhisforehead.
LydiaLeesaid:
“ColonelJohnsonwillwanttoaskyoualotofquestions,Alfred.”
Thechiefconstablelookedatherwithapproval.HewasthankfulthatMrs.AlfredLeewasturningouttobesuchasensibleandcompetentwoman.
Alfredsaid:
“Ofcourse.Ofcourse…”
Johnsonsaidtohimself;
“Shockseemstohaveknockedhimoutcompletely.Hopehecanpullhimselftogetherabit.”
Aloudhesaid:
“I’vegotalisthereofeverybodywhowasinthehousetonight.Perhapsyou’lltellme,Mr.Lee,ifitiscorrect.”
HemadeaslightgesturetoSugdenandthelatterpulledouthisnote-bookandoncemorerecitedthelistofnames.
ThebusinesslikeprocedureseemedtorestoreAlfredLeetosomethingmorelikehisnormalself.Hehadregainedcommandofhimself,hiseyesnolongerlookeddazedandstaring.WhenSugdenfinished,henoddedinagreement.
“That’squiteright,”hesaid.
“Doyoumindtellingmealittlemoreaboutyourguests?Mr.andMrs.GeorgeLeeandMr.andMrs.DavidLeeare,Igather,relatives?”
“Theyaremytwoyoungerbrothersandtheirwives.”
“Theyarestayinghereonly?”
“Yes,theycametousforChristmas.”
“Mr.HenryLeeisalsoabrother?”
“Yes.”
“Andyourtwootherguests?MissEstravadosandMr.Farr?”
“MissEstravadosismyniece.Mr.Farristhesonofmyfather’sonetimepartnerinSouthAfrica.”
“Ah,anoldfriend.”
Lydiaintervened.
“No,actuallywehaveneverseenhimbefore.”
“Isee.ButyouinvitedhimtostaywithyouforChristmas?”
Alfredhesitated,thenlookedtowardshiswife.Shesaidclearly:
“Mr.Farrturnedupquiteunexpectedlyyesterday.Hehappenedtobeintheneighbourhoodandcametocalluponmyfather-in-law.Whenmyfather-in-lawfoundhewasthesonofhisoldfriendandpartner,heinsistedonhisremainingwithusforChristmas.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Isee.Thatexplainsthehousehold.Asregardstheservants,Mrs.Lee,doyouconsiderthemalltrustworthy?”
Lydiaconsideredforamomentbeforereplying.Thenshesaid:
“Yes.Iamquitesuretheyareallthoroughlyreliable.Theyhavemostlybeenwithusformanyyears.Tressilian,thebutler,hasbeenheresincemyhusbandwasayoungchild.Theonlynewcomersarethebetweenmaid,Joan,andthenurse-valetwhoattendedonmyfather-in-law.”
“Whataboutthem?”
“Joanisratherasillylittlething.Thatistheworstthatcanbesaidofher.IknowverylittleaboutHorbury.Hehasbeenherejustoverayear.Hewasquitecompetentathisjobandmyfather-in-lawseemedsatisfiedwithhim.”
Poirotsaidacutely:
“Butyou,madame,werenotsosatisfied?”
Lydiashruggedhershouldersslightly.
“Itwasnothingtodowithme.”
“Butyouarethemistressofthehouse,madame.Theservantsareyourconcern?”
“Ohyes,ofcourse.ButHorburywasmyfather-in-law’spersonalattendant.Hedidnotcomeundermyjurisdiction.”
“Isee.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Wecomenowtotheeventsoftonight.I’mafraidthiswillbepainfulforyou,Mr.Lee,butIwouldlikeyouraccountofwhathappened.”
Alfredsaidinalowvoice:“Ofcourse.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid,promptinghim:
“When,forinstance,didyoulastseeyourfather?”
AslightspasmofpaincrossedAlfred’sfaceasherepliedinalowvoice:
“Itwasaftertea.Iwaswithhimforashorttime.FinallyIsaidgoodnighttohimandlefthimat—letmesee—aboutaquartertosix.”
Poirotobserved:“Yousaidgoodnighttohim?Youdidnotthenexpecttoseehimagainthatevening?”
“No.Myfather’ssupper,alightmeal,wasalwaysbroughttohimatseven.Afterthathesometimeswenttobedearlyorsometimessatupinhischair,buthedidnotexpecttoseeanymembersofthefamilyagainunlesshespeciallysentforthem.”
“Didheoftensendforthem?”
“Sometimes.Ifhefeltlikeit.”
“Butitwasnottheordinaryprocedure?”
“No.”
“Goon,please,Mr.Lee.”
Alfredcontinued:
“Wehadourdinnerateighto’clock.Dinnerwasoverandmywifeandtheotherladieshadgoneintothedrawingroom.”Hisvoicefaltered.Hiseyesbegantostareagain.“Weweresittingthere—atthetable…Suddenlytherewasthemostastoundingnoiseoverheard.Chairsoverturning,furniturecrashing,breakingglassandchina,andthen—Oh,God”—heshuddered—“Icanhearitstill—myfatherscreamed—ahorrible,long-drawnscream—thescreamofamaninmortalagony….”
Heraisedshakinghandstocoverhisface.Lydiastretchedoutherhandandtouchedhissleeve.ColonelJohnsonsaidgently:“Andthen?”
Alfredsaidinabrokenvoice:
“Ithink—justforamomentwewerestunned.Thenwesprangupandwentoutofthedoorandupthestairstomyfather’sroom.Thedoorwaslocked.Wecouldn’tgetin.Ithadtobebrokenopen.Then,whenwedidgetin,wesaw—”
Hisvoicediedaway.
Johnsonsaidquickly:
“There’snoneedtogointothatpartofit,Mr.Lee.Togobackalittle,tothetimeyouwereinthediningroom.Whowastherewithyouwhenyouheardthecry?”
“Whowasthere?Why,wewereall—No,letmesee.Mybrotherwasthere—mybrotherHarry.”
“Nobodyelse?”
“Nooneelse.”
“Whereweretheothergentlemen?”
Alfredsighedandfrownedinaneffortofremembrance.
“Letmesee—itseemssolongago—yes,likeyears—whatdidhappen?Oh,ofcourse,Georgehadgonetotelephone.Thenwebegantotalkoffamilymatters,andStephenFarrsaidsomethingaboutseeingwewantedtodiscussthings,andhetookhimselfoff.Hediditverynicelyandtactfully.”
“AndyourbrotherDavid?”
Alfredfrowned.
“David?Wasn’thethere?No,ofcourse,hewasn’t.Idon’tquiteknowwhenheslippedaway.”
Poirotsaidgently:
“Soyouhadthefamilymatterstodiscuss?”
“Er—yes.”
“Thatistosay,youhadmatterstodiscusswithonememberofyourfamily?”
Lydiasaid:
“Whatdoyoumean,M.Poirot?”
Heturnedquicklytoher.
“Madame,yourhusbandsaysthatMr.Farrleftthembecausehesawtheyhadaffairsofthefamilytodiscuss.Butitwasnotaconseildefamille,sinceM.DavidwasnotthereandM.Georgewasnotthere.Itwas,then,adiscussionbetweentwomembersofthefamilyonly.”
Lydiasaid:
“Mybrother-in-law,Harry,hadbeenabroadforagreatnumberofyears.Itwasnaturalthatheandmyhusbandshouldhavethingstotalkover.”
“Ah!Isee.Itwaslikethat.”
Sheshothimaquickglance,thenturnedhereyesaway.
Johnsonsaid:
“Well,thatseemsclearenough.Didyounoticeanyoneelseasyouranupstairstoyourfather’sroom?”
“I—reallyIdon’tknow.Ithinkso.Weallcamefromdifferentdirections.ButI’mafraidIdidn’tnotice—Iwassoalarmed.Thatterriblecry…”
ColonelJohnsonpassedquicklytoanothersubject.
“Thankyou,Mr.Lee.Now,thereisanotherpoint.Iunderstandthatyourfatherhadsomevaluablediamondsinhispossession.”
Alfredlookedrathersurprised.
“Yes,”hesaid.“Thatisso.”
“Wheredidhekeepthem?”
“Inthesafeinhisroom.”
“Canyoudescribethematall?”
“Theywereroughdiamonds—thatis,uncutstones.”
“Whydidyourfatherhavethemthere?”
“Itwasawhimofhis.TheywerestoneshehadbroughtwithhimfromSouthAfrica.Heneverhadthemcut.Hejustlikedkeepingtheminhispossession.AsIsay,itwasawhimofhis.”
“Isee,”saidthechiefconstable.
Fromhistoneitwasplainthathedidnotsee.Hewenton:“Weretheyofmuchvalue?”
“Myfatherestimatedtheirvalueatabouttenthousandpounds.”
“Infact,theywereveryvaluablestones?”
“Yes.”
“Itseemsacuriousideatokeepsuchstonesinabedroomsafe.”
Lydiainterposed.
“Myfather-in-law,ColonelJohnson,wasasomewhatcuriousman.Hisideaswerenottheconventionalones.Itdefinitelygavehimpleasuretohandlethosestones.”
“Theyrecalled,perhaps,thepasttohim,”saidPoirot.
Shegavehimaquickappreciativelook.
“Yes,”shesaid.“Ithinktheydid.”
“Weretheyinsured?”askedthechiefconstable.
“Ithinknot.”
Johnsonleanedforward.Heaskedquietly:
“Didyouknow,Mr.Lee,thatthosestoneshadbeenstolen?”
“What?”AlfredLeestaredathim.
“Yourfathersaidnothingtoyouoftheirdisappearance?”
“Notaword.”
“YoudidnotknowthathehadsentforSuperintendentSugdenhereandhadreportedthelosstohim?”
“Ihadn’tthefaintestideaofsuchathing!”
Thechiefconstabletransferredhisgaze.
“Whataboutyou,Mrs.Lee?”
Lydiashookherhead.
“Iheardnothingaboutit.”
“Asfarasyouknew,thestoneswerestillinthesafe?”
“Yes.”
Shehesitatedandthenasked:
“Isthatwhyhewaskilled?Forthesakeofthosestones?”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Thatiswhatwearegoingtofindout!”
Hewenton:
“Haveyouanyidea,Mrs.Lee,whocouldhaveengineeredsuchatheft?”
Sheshookherhead.
“No,indeed.Iamsuretheservantsareallhonest.Inanycase,itwouldbeverydifficultforthemtogetatthesafe.Myfather-in-lawwasalwaysinhisroom.Henevercamedownstairs.”
“Whoattendedtotheroom?”
“Horbury.Hemadethebedanddusted.Thesecondhousemaidwentintodothegrateandlaythefireeverymorning,otherwiseHorburydideverything.”
Poirotsaid:
“SoHorburywouldbethepersonwiththebestopportunity?”
“Yes.”
“Doyouthinkthatitwashewhostolethediamonds,then?”
“Itispossible.Isuppose…Hehadthebestopportunity.Oh!Idon’tknowwhattothink.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Yourhusbandhasgivenushisaccountoftheevening.Willyoudothesame,Mrs.Lee?Whendidyoulastseeyourfather-in-law?”
“Wewereallupinhisroomthisafternoon—beforetea.ThatwasthelasttimeIsawhim.”
“Youdidnotseehimlatertobidhimgoodnight?”
“No.”
Poirotsaid:
“Doyouusuallygoandsaygoodnighttohim?”
Lydiasaidsharply:
“No.”
Thechiefconstablewenton:
“Wherewereyouwhenthecrimetookplace?”
“Inthedrawingroom.”
“Youheardthenoiseofthestruggle?”
“IthinkIheardsomethingheavyfall.Ofcoursemyfather-in-law’sroomisoverthediningroom,notthedrawingroom,soIshouldn’thearsomuch.”
“Butyouheardthecry?”
Lydiashuddered.
“Yes,Iheardthat…Itwashorrible—like—likeasoulinhell.Iknewatoncesomethingdreadfulhadhappened.IhurriedoutandfollowedmyhusbandandHarryupthestairs.”
“Whoelsewasinthedrawingroomatthetime?”
Lydiafrowned.
“Really—Ican’tremember.Davidwasnextdoorinthemusic-room,playingMendelssohn.IthinkHildahadgonetojoinhim.”
“Andtheothertwoladies?”
Lydiasaidslowly:
“Magdalenewenttotelephone.Ican’trememberwhethershehadcomebackornot.Idon’tknowwherePilarwas.”
Poirotsaidgently:
“Infact,youmayhavebeenquitealoneinthedrawingroom?”
“Yes—yes—asamatteroffact,IbelieveIwas.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Aboutthesediamonds.Weought,Ithink,tomakequitesureaboutthem.Doyouknowthecombinationofyourfather’ssafe,Mr.Lee?Iseeitisofasomewhatold-fashionedpattern.”
“Youwillfinditwrittendowninasmallnotebookhecarriedinthepocketofhisdressinggown.”
“Good.Wewillgoandlookpresently.Itwillbebetter,perhaps,ifweinterviewtheothermembersofthehousepartyfirst.Theladiesmaywanttogettobed.”
Lydiastoodup.
“Come,Alfred.”Sheturnedtothem.“ShallIsendthemintoyou?”
“Onebyone,ifyouwouldn’tmind,Mrs.Lee.”
“Certainly.”
Shemovedtowardsthedoor.Alfredfollowedher.
Suddenly,atthelastmoment,heswunground.
“Ofcourse,”hesaid.HecamequicklybacktoPoirot.“YouareHerculePoirot!Idon’tknowwheremywitshavebeen.Ishouldhaverealizedatonce.”
Hespokequickly,inalow,excitedvoice.
“It’sanabsolutegodsendyourbeinghere!Youmustfindoutthetruth,M.Poirot.Sparenoexpense!Iwillberesponsibleforanyexpense.Butfindout…Mypoorfather—killedbysomeone—killedwiththeutmostbrutality!Youmustfindout,M.Poirot.Myfatherhasgottobeavenged.”
Poirotansweredquietly:
“Icanassureyou,M.Lee,thatIampreparedtodomyutmosttoassistColonelJohnsonandSuperintendentSugden.”
AlfredLeesaid:
“Iwantyoutoworkforme.Myfatherhasgottobeavenged.”
Hebegantotrembleviolently.Lydiahadcomeback.Shewentuptohimanddrewhisarmthroughhers.
“Come,Alfred,”shesaid.“Wemustgettheothers.”
HereyesmetPoirot’s.Theywereeyesthatkepttheirownsecrets.Theydidnotwaver.
Poirotsaidsoftly:
“Whowouldhavethoughttheoldman—”
Sheinterruptedhim:
“Stop!Don’tsaythat!”
Poirotmurmured:
“Yousaidit,madame.”
Shebreathedsoftly:
“Iknow…Iremember…Itwas—sohorrible.”
Thenshewentabruptlyoutoftheroom,herhusbandbesideher.
IX
GeorgeLeewassolemnandcorrect.
“Aterriblebusiness,”hesaid,shakinghishead.“Aterrible,terriblebusiness.Icanonlybelievethatitmust—er—havebeentheworkofalunatic!”
ColonelJohnsonsaidpolitely:
“Thatisyourtheory?”
“Yes.Yes,indeed.Ahomicidalmaniac.Escaped,perhaps,fromsomementalhomeinthevicinity.”
SuperintendentSugdenputin:
“Andhowdoyousuggestthis—er—lunaticgainedadmittancetothehouse,Mr.Lee?Andhowdidheleaveit?”
Georgeshookhishead.
“That,”hesaidfirmly,“isforthepolicetodiscover.”
Sugdensaid:
“Wemadetheroundofthehouseatonce.Allwindowswereclosedandbarred.Thesidedoorwaslocked,sowasthefrontdoor.Nobodycouldhaveleftbythekitchenpremiseswithoutbeingseenbythekitchenstaff.”
GeorgeLeecried:
“Butthat’sabsurd!You’llbesayingnextthatmyfatherwasnevermurderedatall!”
“Hewasmurderedallright,”saidSuperintendentSugden.“There’snodoubtaboutthat.”
Thechiefconstableclearedhisthroatandtookupthequestioning.
“Justwherewereyou,Mr.Lee,atthetimeofthecrime?”
“Iwasinthediningroom.Itwasjustafterdinner.No,Iwas,Ithink,inthisroom.Ihadjustfinishedtelephoning.”
“Youhadbeentelephoning?”
“Yes.IhadputacallthroughtotheConservativeagentinWesteringham—myconstituency.Someurgentmatters.”
“Anditwasafterthatthatyouheardthescream?”
GeorgeLeegaveaslightshiver.
“Yes,veryunpleasant.It—er—frozemymarrow.Itdiedawayinakindofchokeorgurgle.”
Hetookoutahandkerchiefandwipedhisforeheadwheretheperspirationhadbrokenout.
“Terriblebusiness,”hemuttered.
“Andthenyouhurriedupstairs?”
“Yes.”
“Didyouseeyourbrothers,Mr.AlfredandMr.HarryLee?”
“No,theymusthavegoneupjustaheadofme,Ithink.”
“Whendidyoulastseeyourfather,Mr.Lee?”
“Thisafternoon.Wewereallupthere.”
“Youdidnotseehimafterthat?”
“No.”
Thechiefconstablepaused,thenhesaid:
“Wereyouawarethatyourfatherkeptaquantityofvaluableuncutdiamondsinthesafeinhisbedroom?”
GeorgeLeenodded.
“Amostunwiseprocedure,”hesaidpompously.“Ioftentoldhimso.Hemighthavebeenmurderedforthem—Imean—thatistosay—”
ColonelJohnsoncutin:“Areyouawarethatthesestoneshavedisappeared?”
George’sjawdropped.Hisprotuberanteyesstared.
“Thenhewasmurderedforthem?”
Thechiefconstablesaidslowly:
“Hewasawareoftheirlossandreportedittothepolicesomehoursbeforehisdeath.”
Georgesaid:
“But,then—Idon’tunderstand—I—…”
HerculePoirotsaidgently:
“We,too,donotunderstand….”
X
HarryLeecameintotheroomwithaswagger.ForamomentPoirotstaredathim,frowning.Hehadafeelingthatsomewherehehadseenthismanbefore.Henotedthefeatures:thehigh-bridgednose,thearrogantpoiseofthehead,thelineofthejaw;andherealizedthatthoughHarrywasabigmanandhisfatherhadbeenamanofmerelymiddleheight,yettherehadbeenagooddealofresemblancebetweenthem.
Henotedsomethingelse,too.Forallhisswagger,HarryLeewasnervous.Hewascarryingitoffwithaswing,buttheanxietyunderneathwasrealenough.
“Well,gentlemen,”hesaid.“WhatcanItellyou?”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Weshallbegladofanylightyoucanthrowontheeventsofthisevening.”
HarryLeeshookhishead.
“Idon’tknowanythingatall.It’sallprettyhorribleandutterlyunexpected.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youhaverecentlyreturnedfromabroad,Ithink,Mr.Lee?”
Harryturnedtohimquickly.
“Yes.LandedinEnglandaweekago.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youhadbeenawayalongtime?”
HarryLeelifteduphischinandlaughed.
“Youmightaswellhearstraightaway—someonewillsoontellyou!I’mtheprodigalson,gentlemen!It’snearlytwentyyearssinceIlastsetfootinthishouse.”
“Butyoureturned—now.Willyoutelluswhy?”askedPoirot.
WiththesameappearanceoffranknessHarryansweredreadilyenough.
“It’sthegoodoldparablestill.Igottiredofthehusksthattheswinedoeat—ordon’teat,Iforgetwhich.Ithoughttomyselfthatthefattedcalfwouldbeawelcomeexchange.IhadaletterfrommyfathersuggestingthatIcomehome.Iobeyedthesummonsandcame.That’sall.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youcameforashortvisit—oralongone?”
Harrysaid:“Icamehome—forgood!”
“Yourfatherwaswilling?”
“Theoldmanwasdelighted.”Helaughedagain.Thecornersofhiseyescrinkledengagingly.“PrettyboringfortheoldmanlivingherewithAlfred!Alfred’sadullstick—veryworthyandallthat,butpoorcompany.Myfatherhadbeenabitofaripinhistime.Hewaslookingforwardtomycompany.”
“Andyourbrotherandhiswife,weretheypleasedthatyouweretolivehere?”
Poirotaskedthequestionwithaslightliftingofhiseyebrows.
“Alfred?Alfredwaslividwithrage.Don’tknowaboutLydia.ShewasprobablyannoyedonAlfred’sbehalf.ButI’venodoubtshe’dbequitepleasedintheend.IlikeLydia.She’sadelightfulwoman.IshouldhavegotonwithLydia.ButAlfredwasquiteanotherpairofshoes.”Helaughedagain.“Alfred’salwaysbeenasjealousashellofme.He’salwaysbeenthegooddutifulstay-at-homestick-in-the-mudson.Andwhatwashegoingtogetforitintheend?—whatthegoodboyofthefamilyalwaysgets—akickinthepants.Takeitfromme,gentlemen,virtuedoesn’tpay.”Helookedfromonefacetoanother.
“Hopeyou’renotshockedbymyfrankness.Butafterall,it’sthetruthyou’reafter.You’lldragoutallthefamilydirtylinenintothelightofdayintheend.Imightaswelldisplayminestraightaway.I’mnotparticularlybrokenheartedbymyfather’sdeath—afterall,Ihadn’tseentheolddevilsinceIwasaboy—butneverthelesshewasmyfatherandhewasmurdered.I’malloutforrevengeonthemurderer.”Hestrokedhisjawbone,watchingthem.“We’reratherhotonrevengeinourfamily.NoneoftheLeesforgeteasily.Imeantomakesurethatmyfather’smurdereriscaughtandhanged.”
“Ithinkyoucantrustustodoourbestinthatline,Mr.Lee,”saidSugden
“Ifyoudon’tIshalltakethelawintomyownhands,”saidHarryLee.
Thechiefconstablesaidsharply:
“Haveyouanyideasonthesubjectofthemurderer’sidentity,then,Mr.Lee?”
Harryshookhishead.
“No,”hesaidslowly.“No—Ihaven’t.Youknowit’sratherajolt.BecauseI’vebeenthinkingaboutit—andIdon’tseethatitcanhavebeenanoutsidejob….”
“Ah,”saidSugden,noddinghishead.
“Andifso,”saidHarryLee,“thensomeonehereinthehousekilledhim…Butwhothedevilcouldhavedoneit?Can’tsuspecttheservants.Tressilianhasbeenheresincetheyearone.Thehalf-wittedfootman?Notonyourlife.Horbury,now,he’sacoolcustomer,butTressiliantellsmehewasoutatthepictures.Sowhatdoyoucometo?PassingoverStephenFarr(andwhythedevilshouldStephenFarrcomeallthewayfromSouthAfricaandmurderatotalstranger?)there’sonlythefamily.AndforthelifeofmeIcan’tseeoneofusdoingit.Alfred?HeadoredFather.George?Hehasn’tgottheguts.David?David’salwaysbeenamoondreamer.He’dfaintifhesawhisownfingerbleed.Thewives?Womendon’tgoandslitaman’sthroatincoldblood.Sowhodid?BlessedifIknow.Butit’sdamneddisturbing.”
ColonelJohnsonclearedhisthroat—anofficialhabitofhis—andsaid:
“Whendidyoulastseeyourfatherthisevening?”
“Aftertea.He’djusthadarowwithAlfred—aboutyourhumbleservant.Theoldmanwasnoendbuckedwithhimself.Healwayslikedstirringuptrouble.Inmyopinion,that’swhyhekeptmyarrivaldarkfromtheothers.WantedtoseethefurflywhenIblewinunexpectedly!That’swhyhetalkedaboutalteringhiswill,too.”
Poirotstirredsoftly.Hemurmured:
“Soyourfathermentionedhiswill?”
“Yes—infrontofthewholelotofus,watchinguslikeacattoseehowwereacted.JusttoldthelawyerchaptocomeoverandseehimaboutitafterChristmas.”
Poirotasked:
“Whatchangesdidhecontemplatemaking?”
HarryLeegrinned:
“Hedidn’ttellusthat!Trusttheoldfox!Iimagine—orshallwesayIhoped—thatthechangewastotheadvantageofyourhumbleservant!IshouldimagineI’dbeencutoutofanyformerwills.Now,Iratherfancy,Iwastogoback.Nastyblowfortheothers.Pilar,too—he’dtakenafancytoher.Shewasinforsomethinggood,Ishouldimagine.Youhaven’tseenheryet?MySpanishniece.She’sabeautifulcreature,Pilar—withthelovelywarmthoftheSouth—anditscruelty.WishIwasn’tamereuncle!”
“Yousayyourfathertooktoher?”
Harrynodded.
“Sheknewhowtogetroundtheoldman.Satuptherewithhimagooddeal.Ibetsheknewjustwhatshewasafter!Well,he’sdeadnow.NowillscanbealteredinPilar’sfavour—normineeither,worseluck.”
Hefrowned,pausedaminute,andthenwentonwithachangeoftone.
“ButI’mwanderingfromthepoint.YouwantedtoknowwhatwasthelasttimeIsawmyfather?AsI’vetoldyou,itwasaftertea—mighthavebeenalittlepastsix.Theoldmanwasingoodspiritsthen—abittired,perhaps.IwentawayandlefthimwithHorbury.Ineversawhimagain.”
“Wherewereyouatthetimeofhisdeath?”
“InthediningroomwithbrotherAlfred.Notaveryharmoniousafter-dinnersession.Wewereinthemiddleofaprettysharpargumentwhenweheardthenoiseoverhead.Soundedasthoughtenmenwerewrestlingupthere.AndthenpooroldFatherscreamed.Itwaslikekillingapig.ThesoundofitparalysedAlfred.Hejustsattherewithhisjawdropping.Ifairlyshookhimbacktolife,andwestartedoffupstairs.Thedoorwaslocked.Hadtobreakitopen.Tooksomedoing,too.Howthedevilthatdoorcametobelocked,Ican’timagine!TherewasnooneintheroombutFather,andI’mdamnedifanyonecouldhavegotawaythroughthewindows.”
SuperintendentSugdensaid:
“Thedoorwaslockedfromtheoutside.”
“What?”Harrystared.“ButI’llswearthekeywasontheinside.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Soyounoticedthat?”
HarryLeesaidsharply:
“Idonoticethings.It’sahabitofmine.”
Helookedsharplyfromonefacetotheother.
“Isthereanythingmoreyouwanttoknow,gentlemen?”
Johnsonshookhishead.
“Thankyou,Mr.Lee,notforthemoment.Perhapsyouwillaskthenextmemberofthefamilytocomealong?”
“CertainlyIwill.”
Hewalkedtothedoorandwentoutwithoutlookingback.
Thethreemenlookedateachother.
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Whataboutit,Sugden?”
Thesuperintendentshookhisheaddoubtfully.Hesaid:
“He’safraidofsomething.Iwonderwhy?….”
XI
MagdaleneLeepausedeffectivelyinthedoorway.Onelongslenderhandtouchedtheburnishedplatinumsheenofherhair.Theleaf-greenvelvetfrocksheworeclungtothedelicatelinesofherfigure.Shelookedveryyoungandalittlefrightened.
Thethreemenwerearrestedforamomentlookingather.Johnson’seyesshowedasuddensurprisedadmiration.SuperintendentSugden’sshowednoanimation,merelytheimpatienceofamananxioustogetonwithhisjob.HerculePoirot’seyesweredeeplyappreciative(asshesaw)buttheappreciationwasnotforherbeauty,butfortheeffectiveuseshemadeofit.Shedidnotknowthathewasthinkingtohimself:
“Joliemannequin,lapetite.Maisellealesyeuxdurs.”
ColonelJohnsonwasthinking:
“Damnedgood-lookinggirl.GeorgeLeewillhavetroublewithherifhedoesn’tlookout.Gotaneyeforamanallright.”
SuperintendentSugdenwasthinking:
“Empty-headedvainpieceofgoods.Hopewegetthroughwithherquickly.”
“Willyousitdown,Mrs.Lee?Letmesee,youare—?”
“Mrs.GeorgeLee.”
Sheacceptedthechairwithawarmsmileofthanks.“Afterall,”theglanceseemedtosay,“althoughyouareamanandapoliceman,youarenotsodreadfulafterall.”
ThetailendofthesmileincludedPoirot.Foreignersweresosusceptiblewherewomenwereconcerned.AboutSuperintendentSugdenshedidnotbother.
Shemurmured,twistingherhandstogetherinaprettydistress:
“It’sallsoterrible.Ifeelsofrightened.”
“Come,come,Mrs.Lee,”saidColonelJohnsonkindlybutbriskly.“It’sbeenashock,Iknow,butit’sallovernow.Wejustwantanaccountfromyouofwhathappenedthisevening.”
Shecriedout:
“ButIdon’tknowanythingaboutit—Idon’tindeed.”
Foramomentthechiefconstable’seyesnarrowed.Hesaidgently:“No,ofcoursenot.”
“Weonlyarrivedhereyesterday.GeorgewouldmakemecomehereforChristmas!Iwishwehadn’t.I’msureIshallneverfeelthesameagain!”
“Veryupsetting—yes.”
“IhardlyknowGeorge’sfamily,yousee.I’veonlyseenMr.Leeonceortwice—atourweddingandoncesince.OfcourseI’veseenAlfredandLydiamoreoften,butthey’rereallyallquitestrangerstome.”
Againthewide-eyedfrightened-childlook.AgainHerculePoirot’seyeswereappreciative—andagainhethoughttohimself:
“Ellejouetrèsbienlacomédie,cettepetite….”
“Yes,yes,”saidColonelJohnson.“Nowjusttellmeaboutthelasttimeyousawyourfather-in-law—Mr.Lee—alive.”
“Oh,that!Thatwasthisafternoon.Itwasdreadful!”
Johnsonsaidquickly:
“Dreadful?Why?”
“Theyweresoangry!”
“Whowasangry?”
“Oh,allofthem…Idon’tmeanGeorge.Hisfatherdidn’tsayanythingtohim.Butalltheothers.”
“Whathappenedexactly?”
“Well,whenwegotthere—heaskedforallofus—hewasspeakingintothetelephone—tohislawyersabouthiswill.AndthenhetoldAlfredhewaslookingveryglum.IthinkthatwasbecauseofHarrycominghometolive.Alfredwasveryupsetaboutthat,Ibelieve.Yousee,Harrydidsomethingquitedreadful.Andthenhesaidsomethingabouthiswife—she’sdeadlongago—butshehadthebrainsofalouse,hesaid,andDavidsprangupandlookedasthoughhe’dliketomurderhim—Oh!”Shestoppedsuddenly,hereyesalarmed.“Ididn’tmeanthat—Ididn’tmeanitatall!”
ColonelJohnsonsaidsoothingly:
“Quite—quite,figureofspeech,thatwasall.”
“Hilda,that’sDavid’swife,quietedhimdownand—well,Ithinkthat’sall.Mr.Leesaidhedidn’twanttoseeanyoneagainthatevening.Soweallwentaway.”
“Andthatwasthelasttimeyousawhim?”
“Yes.Until—until—”
Sheshivered.
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Yes,quiteso.Now,wherewereyouatthetimeofthecrime?”
“Oh—letmesee,IthinkIwasinthedrawingroom.”
“Aren’tyousure?”
Magdalene’seyesflickeredalittle,thelidsdroopedoverthem.
Shesaid:
“Ofcourse!Howstupidofme…I’dgonetotelephone.Onegetssomixedup.”
“Youweretelephoning,yousay.Inthisroom?”
“Yes,that’stheonlytelephoneexcepttheoneupstairsinmyfather-in-law’sroom.”
SuperintendentSugdensaid:
“Wasanybodyelseintheroomwithyou?”
Hereyeswidened.
“Oh,no,Iwasquitealone.”
“Hadyoubeenherelong?”
“Well—alittletime.Ittakessometimetoputacallthroughintheevening.”
“Itwasatrunkcall,then?”
“Yes—toWesteringham.”
“Isee.”
“Andthen?”
“Andthentherewasthatawfulscream—andeverybodyrunning—andthedoorbeinglockedandhavingtobreakitdown.Oh!Itwaslikeanightmare!Ishallalwaysrememberit!”
“No,no,”ColonelJohnson’stonewasmechanicallykind.Hewenton:
“Didyouknowthatyourfather-in-lawkeptaquantityofvaluablediamondsinhissafe?”
“No,didhe?”Hertonewasquitefranklythrilled.“Realdiamonds?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Diamondsworthabouttenthousandpounds.”
“Oh!”Itwasasoftgaspingsound—holdinginittheessenceoffemininecupidity.
“Well,”saidColonelJohnson,“Ithinkthat’sallforthepresent.Weneedn’tbotheryouanyfurther,Mrs.Lee.”
“Oh,thankyou.”
Shestoodup—smiledfromJohnsontoPoirot—thesmileofagratefullittlegirl,thenshewentoutwalkingwithherheadheldhighandherpalmsalittleturnedoutwards.
ColonelJohnsoncalled:
“Willyouaskyourbrother-in-law,Mr.DavidLee,tocomehere?”Closingthedoorafterher,hecamebacktothetable.
“Well,”hesaid,“whatdoyouthink?We’regettingatsomeofitnow!Younoticeonething:GeorgeLeewastelephoningwhenheheardthescream!Hiswifewastelephoningwhensheheardit!Thatdoesn’tfit—itdoesn’tfitatall.”
Headded:
“Whatdoyouthink,Sugden?”
Thesuperintendentsaidslowly:
“Idon’twanttospeakoffensivelyofthelady,butIshouldsaythatthoughshe’sthekindwhowouldbefirstclassatgettingmoneyoutagentleman,Idon’tthinkshe’sthekindwho’dcutagentleman’sthroat.Thatwouldn’tbeherlineatall.”
“Ah,butoneneverknows,monvieux,”murmuredPoirot.
Thechiefconstableturnedroundonhim
“Andyou,Poirot,whatdoyouthink?”
HerculePoirotleanedforward.Hestraightenedtheblotterinfrontofhimandflickedaminutespeckofdustfromacandlestick.Heanswered:
“IwouldsaythatthecharacterofthelateMr.SimeonLeebeginstoemergeforus.Itisthere,Ithink,thatthewholeimportanceofthecaselies…inthecharacterofthedeadman.”
SuperintendentSugdenturnedapuzzledfacetohim.
“Idon’tquitegetyou,Mr.Poirot,”hesaid.“Whatexactlyhasthecharacterofthedeceasedgottodowithhismurder?”
Poirotsaiddreamily:
“Thecharacterofthevictimhasalwayssomethingtodowithhisorhermurder.ThefrankandunsuspiciousmindofDesdemonawasthedirectcauseofherdeath.AmoresuspiciouswomanwouldhaveseenIago’smachinationsandcircumventedthemmuchearlier.TheuncleannessofMaratdirectlyinvitedhisendinabath.FromthetemperofMercutio’smindcamehisdeathatthesword’spoint.”
ColonelJohnsonpulledhismoustache.
“Whatexactlyareyougettingat,Poirot?”
“IamtellingyouthatbecauseSimeonLeewasacertainkindofman,hesetinmotioncertainforces,whichforcesintheendbroughtabouthisdeath.”
“Youdon’tthinkthediamondshadanythingtodowithit,then?”
PoirotsmiledatthehonestperplexityinJohnson’sface.
“Moncher,”hesaid.“ItwasbecauseofSimeonLee’speculiarcharacterthathekepttenthousandpoundsworthofuncutdiamondsinhissafe!Youhavenottheretheactionofeveryman.”
“That’sverytrue,Mr.Poirot,”saidSuperintendentSugden,noddinghisheadwiththeairofamanwhoatlastseeswhatafellowconversationalistisdrivingat.“Hewasaqueerone,Mr.Leewas.Hekeptthosestonestheresohecouldtakethemoutandhandlethemandgetthefeelingofthepastback.Dependuponit,that’swhyheneverhadthemcut.”
Poirotnoddedenergetically.
“Precisely—precisely.Iseeyouhavegreatacumen,Superintendent.”
Thesuperintendentlookedalittledoubtfulatthecompliment,butColonelJohnsoncutin:
“There’ssomethingelse,Poirot.Idon’tknowwhetherithasstruckyou—”
“Maisoui,”saidPoirot.“Iknowwhatyoumean.Mrs.GeorgeLee,sheletthecatoutofthebagmorethansheknew!Shegaveusaprettyimpressionofthatlastfamilymeeting.Sheindicates—oh!sona?vely—thatAlfredwasangrywithhisfather—andthatDavidlookedas‘thoughhecouldmurderhim.’BoththosestatementsIthinkweretrue.Butfromthemwecandrawourownreconstruction.WhatdidSimeonLeeassemblehisfamilyfor?Whyshouldtheyhavearrivedintimetohearhimtelephoningtohislawyer?Parbleu,itwasnoerror,that.Hewantedthemtohearit!Thepooroldone,hesitsinhischairandhehaslostthediversionsofhisyoungerdays.Soheinventsanewdiversionforhimself.Heamuseshimselfbyplayinguponthecupidityandthegreedofhumannature—yes,andonitsemotionsanditspassions,too!Butfromthatarisesonefurtherdeduction.Inhisgameofrousingthegreedandemotionofhischildren,hewouldnotomitanyone.Hemust,logicallyandnecessarily,havehadhisdigatMr.GeorgeLeeaswellasattheothers!Hiswifeiscarefullysilentaboutthat.Ather,too,hemayhaveshotapoisonedarrowortwo.Weshallfindout,Ithink,fromothers,whatSimeonLeehadtosaytoGeorgeLeeandGeorgeLee’swife—”
Hebrokeoff.ThedooropenedandDavidLeecamein.
XII
DavidLeehadhimselfwellinhand.Hisdemeanourwascalm—almostunnaturallyso.Hecameuptothem,drewachairforwardandsatdown,lookingwithgraveinterrogationatColonelJohnson.
Theelectriclighttouchedthefairpeakofhairthatgrewonhisforeheadandshowedupthesensitivemodellingofthecheekbones.Helookedabsurdlyyoungtobethesonofthatshrivelledoldmanwholaydeadupstairs.
“Yes,gentlemen,”hesaid,“whatcanItellyou?”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Iunderstand,Mr.Lee,thattherewasakindoffamilymeetingheldinyourfather’sroomthisafternoon?”
“Therewas.Butitwasquiteinformal.Imean,itwasnotafamilycounciloranythingofthatkind.”
“Whattookplacethere?”
DavidLeeansweredcalmly:
“Myfatherwasinadifficultmood.Hewasanoldmanandaninvalid,ofcourse,onehadtomakeallowancesforhim.Heseemedtohaveassembledusthereinorderto—well—venthisspiteuponus.”
“Canyourememberwhathesaid?”
Davidsaidquietly:
“Itwasreallyallratherfoolish.Hesaidwewerenouse—anyofus—thattherewasn’tasinglemaninthefamily!HesaidPilar(thatismySpanishniece)wasworthtwoofanyofus.Hesaid—”Davidstopped.
Poirotsaid:
“Please,Mr.Lee,theexactwords,ifyoucan.”
Davidsaidreluctantly:
“Hespokerathercoarsely—saidhehopedthatsomewhereintheworldhehadbettersons—eveniftheywerebornthewrongsideoftheblanket….”
Hissensitivefaceshoweddistasteforthewordshewasrepeating.SuperintendentSugdenlookedup,suddenlyalert.Leaningforward,hesaid:
“Didyourfathersayanythinginparticulartoyourbrother,Mr.GeorgeLee?”
“ToGeorge?Idon’tremember.Oh,yes,Ibelievehetoldhimhewouldhavetocutdownexpensesinfuture;he’dhavetoreducehisallowance.Georgewasveryupset,gotasredasaturkeycock.Hesplutteredandsaidhecouldn’tpossiblymanagewithless.Myfathersaidquitecoollythathe’dhaveto.Hesaidhe’dbettergethiswifetohelphimeconomize.Ratheranastydig,that—Georgehasalwaysbeentheeconomicalone—savesandstintsoneverypenny.Magdalene,Ifancy,isabitofaspender—shehasextravaganttastes.”
Poirotsaid:
“Sothatshe,too,wasannoyed?”
“Yes.Besides,myfatherwordedsomethingelserathercrudely—mentionedherashavinglivedwithanavalofficer.Ofcoursehereallymeantherfather,butitsoundedratherdubious.Magdalenewentscarlet.Idon’tblameher.”
Poirotsaid:
“Didyourfathermentionhislatewife,yourmother?”
TheredbloodraninwavesupDavid’stemples.Hishandsclenchedthemselvesonthetableinfrontofhim,tremblingslightly.
Hesaidinalowchokedvoice:
“Yes,hedid.Heinsultedher.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Whatdidhesay?”
Davidsaidabruptly:
“Idon’tremember.Justsomeslightingreference.”
Poirotsaidsoftly:
“Yourmotherhasbeendeadsomeyears?”
Davidsaidshortly:
“ShediedwhenIwasaboy.”
“Shewasnot—perhaps—veryhappyinherlifehere?”
Davidgaveascornfullaugh:
“Whocouldbehappywithamanlikemyfather?Mymotherwasasaint.Shediedabrokenheartedwoman.”
Poirotwenton:
“Yourfatherwas,perhaps,distressedbyherdeath?”
Davidsaidabruptly:
“Idon’tknow.Ilefthome.”
Hepausedandthensaid:
“PerhapsyoumaynotbeawareofthefactthatwhenIcameonthisvisitIhadnotseenmyfatherfornearlytwentyyears.SoyouseeIcan’ttellyouverymuchabouthishabitsorhisenemiesorwhatwentonhere.”
ColonelJohnsonasked:
“Didyouknowthatyourfatherkeptalotofvaluablediamondsinthesafeinhisbedroom?”
Davidsaidindifferently:
“Didhe?Seemsafoolishsortofthingtodo.”
Johnsonsaid:
“Willyoudescribebrieflyyourownmovementslastnight?”
“Mine?Oh,Iwentawayfromthedinnertablefairlyquickly.Itboresme,thissittingroundoverport.Besides,IcouldseethatAlfredandHarrywereworkingupforaquarrel.Ihaterows.Islippedawayandwenttothemusicroomandplayedthepiano.”
Poirotasked:
“Themusicroom,itisnexttothedrawingroom,isitnot?”
“Yes.Iplayedthereforsometime—till—tillthethinghappened.”
“Whatdidyouhearexactly?”
“Oh!Afar-offnoiseoffurniturebeingoverturnedsomewhereupstairs.Andthenaprettyghastlycry.”Heclenchedhishandsagain.“Likeasoulinhell.God,itwasawful!”
Johnsonsaid:
“Wereyoualoneinthemusicroom?”
“Eh?No,mywife,Hilda,wasthere.She’dcomeinfromthedrawingroom.We—wewentupwiththeothers.”
Headdedquicklyandnervously:
“Youdon’twantme,doyou,todescribewhat—whatIsawthere?”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“No,quiteunnecessary.Thankyou,Mr.Lee,there’snothingmore.Youcan’timagine,Isuppose,whowouldbelikelytowanttomurderyourfather?”
DavidLeesaidrecklessly:
“Ishouldthink—quitealotofpeople!Idon’tknowofanyonedefinite.”
Hewentoutrapidly,shuttingthedoorloudlybehindhim.
XIII
ColonelJohnsonhadhadnotimetodomorethanclearhisthroatwhenthedooropenedagainandHildaLeecamein.
HerculePoirotlookedatherwithinterest.HehadtoadmittohimselfthatthewivestheseLeeshadmarriedwereaninterestingstudy.TheswiftintelligenceandgreyhoundgraceofLydia,themeretriciousairsandgracesofMagdalene,andnow,thesolidcomfortablestrengthofHilda.Shewas,hesaw,youngerthanherratherdowdystyleofhairdressingandunfashionableclothesmadeherappear.Hermouse-brownhairwasunfleckedwithgreyandhersteadyhazeleyessetintheratherpodgyfaceshoneoutlikebeaconsofkindliness.Shewas,hethought,anicewoman.
ColonelJohnsonwastalkinginhiskindliesttone.
“…Agreatstrainonallofyou,”hewassaying.“Igatherfromyourhusband,Mrs.Lee,thatthisisthefirsttimeyouhavebeentoGorstonHall?”
Shebowedherhead.
“Wereyoupreviouslyacquaintedwithyourfather-in-law,Mr.Lee?”
Hildarepliedinherpleasantvoice:
“No.WeweremarriedsoonafterDavidlefthome.Healwayswantedtohavenothingtodowithhisfamily.Untilnowwehavenotseenanyofthem.”
“How,then,didthisvisitcomeabout?”
“Myfather-in-lawwrotetoDavid.HestressedhisageandhisdesirethatallhischildrenshouldbewithhimthisChristmas.”
“Andyourhusbandrespondedtothisappeal?”
Hildasaid:
“Hisacceptancewas,Iamafraid,allmydoing—Imisunderstoodthesituation.”
Poirotinterposed.Hesaid:
“Willyoubesokindastoexplainyourselfalittlemoreclearly,madame?Ithinkwhatyoucantellusmaybeofvalue.”
Sheturnedtohimimmediately.
Shesaid:
“AtthattimeIhadneverseenmyfather-in-law.Ihadnoideawhathisrealmotivewas.Iassumedthathewasoldandlonelyandthathereallywantedtobereconciledtoallhischildren.”
“Andwhatwashisrealmotive,inyouropinion,madame?”
Hildahesitatedamoment.Thenshesaidslowly:
“Ihavenodoubt—nodoubtatall—thatwhatmyfather-in-lawreallywantedwasnottopromotepeacebuttostirupstrife.”
“Inwhatway?”
Hildasaidinalowvoice:
“Itamusedhimto—toappealtotheworstinstinctsinhumannature.Therewas—howcanIputit?—akindofdiabolicalimpishnessabouthim.Hewishedtoseteverymemberofthefamilyatloggerheadswithoneanother.”
Johnsonsaidsharply:“Anddidhesucceed?”
“Oh,yes,”saidHildaLee.“Hesucceeded.”
Poirotsaid:
“Wehavebeentold,madame,ofascenethattookplacethisafternoon.Itwas,Ithink,ratheraviolentscene.”
Shebowedherhead.
“Willyoudescribeittous—astruthfullyaspossible,ifyouplease.”
Shereflectedaminute.
“Whenwewentinmyfather-in-lawwastelephoning.”
“Tohislawyer,Iunderstand?”
“Yes,hewassuggestingthatMr.—wasitCharlton?—Idon’tquiterememberthename—shouldcomeoverashe,myfather-in-law,wantedtomakeanewwill.Hisoldone,hesaid,wasquiteoutofdate.”
Poirotsaid:
“Thinkcarefully,madame;inyouropiniondidyourfather-in-lawdeliberatelyensurethatyoushouldalloverhearthisconversation,orwasitjustbychancethatyouoverheardit?”
HildaLeesaid:
“Iamalmostsurethathemeantustooverhear.”
“Withtheobjectoffomentingdoubtandsuspicionsamongyou?”
“Yes.”
“Sothat,really,hemaynothavemeanttoalterhiswillatall?”
Shedemurred.
“No,Ithinkthatpartofitwasquitegenuine.Heprobablydidwishtomakeanewwill—butheenjoyedunderliningthefact.”
“Madame,”saidPoirot,“Ihavenoofficialstandingandmyquestions,youunderstand,arenotperhapsthosethatanEnglishofficerofthelawwouldask.ButIhaveagreatdesiretoknowwhatformyouthinkthatnewwillwouldhavetaken.Iamasking,youperceive,notforyourknowledge,butsimplyforyouropinion.Lesfemmes,theyareneverslowtoformanopinion,Dieumerci.”
HildaLeesmiledalittle.
“Idon’tmindsayingwhatIthink.Myhusband’ssisterJennifermarriedaSpaniard,JuanEstravados.Herdaughter,Pilar,hasjustarrivedhere.Sheisaverylovelygirl—andsheis,ofcourse,theonlygrandchildinthefamily.OldMr.Leewasdelightedwithher.Hetookatremendousfancytoher.Inmyopinion,hewishedtoleaveheraconsiderablesuminhisnewwill.Probablyhehadonlyleftherasmallportionorevennothingatallinanoldone.”
“Didyouknowyoursister-in-lawatall?”
“No,Inevermether.HerSpanishhusbanddiedintragiccircumstances,Ibelieve,soonafterthemarriage.Jenniferherselfdiedayearago.Pilarwasleftanorphan.ThisiswhyMr.LeesentforhertocomeandlivewithhiminEngland.”
“Andtheothermembersofthefamily,didtheywelcomehercoming?”
Hildasaidquietly:
“Ithinktheyalllikedher.Itwasverypleasanttohavesomeoneyoungandaliveinthehouse.”
“Andshe,didsheseemtolikebeinghere?”
Hildasaidslowly:
“Idon’tknow.ItmustseemcoldandstrangetoagirlbroughtupintheSouth—inSpain.”
Johnsonsaid:
“Can’tbeverypleasantbeinginSpainjustatpresent.Now,Mrs.Lee,we’dliketohearyouraccountoftheconversationthisafternoon.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Iapologize.Ihavemadethedigressions.”
HildaLeesaid:
“Aftermyfather-in-lawfinishedtelephoning,helookedroundatusandlaughed,andsaidwealllookedveryglum.Thenhesaidhewastiredandshouldgotobedearly.Nobodywastocomeupandseehimthisevening.HesaidhewantedtobeingoodformforChristmasDay.Somethinglikethat.”
“Then—”Herbrowsknitinaneffortofremembrance.“IthinkhesaidsomethingaboutitsbeingnecessarytobeoneofalargefamilytoappreciateChristmas,andthenhewentontospeakofmoney.Hesaiditwouldcosthimmoretorunthishouseinfuture.HetoldGeorgeandMagdalenetheywouldhavetoeconomize.Toldhersheoughttomakeherownclothes.Ratheranold-fashionedidea,I’mafraid.Idon’twonderitannoyedher.Hesaidhisownwifehadbeencleverwithherneedle.”
Poirotsaidgently:
“Isthatallthathesaidabouther?”
Hildaflushed.
“Hemadeaslightingreferencetoherbrains.Myhusbandwasverydevotedtohismother,andthatupsethimverymuch.Andthen,suddenlyMr.Leebeganshoutingatusall.Heworkedhimselfupaboutit.Icanunderstand,ofcourse,howhefelt—”
Poirotsaidgently,interruptingher:
“Howdidhefeel?”
Sheturnedhertranquileyesuponhim.
“Hewasdisappointed,ofcourse,”shesaid.“Becausetherearenograndchildren—noboys,Imean—noLeestocarryon.Icanseethatthatmusthavefesteredforalongtime.Andsuddenlyhecouldn’tkeepitinanylongerandventedhisrageagainsthissons—sayingtheywerealotofnamby-pambyoldwomen—somethinglikethat.Ifeltsorryforhim,then,becauseIrealizedhowhispridewashurtbyit.”
“Andthen?”
“Andthen,”saidHildaslowly,“weallwentaway.”
“Thatwasthelastyousawofhim?”
Shebowedherhead.
“Wherewereyouatthetimethecrimeoccurred?”
“Iwaswithmyhusbandinthemusicroom.Hewasplayingtome.”
“Andthen?”
“Weheardtablesandchairsoverturnedupstairs,andchinabeingbroken—someterriblestruggle.Andthenthatawfulscreamashisthroatwascut….”
Poirotsaid:
“Wasitsuchanawfulscream?Wasit”—hepaused—“likeasoulinhell?”
HildaLeesaid:
“Itwasworsethanthat!”
“Whatdoyoumean,madame?”
“Itwaslikesomeonewhohadnosoul…Itwasinhumanlikeabeast….”
Poirotsaidgravely:
“So—youhavejudgedhim,madame?”
Sheraisedahandinsuddendistress.Hereyesfellandshestareddownatthefloor.
XIV
Pilarcameintotheroomwiththewarinessofananimalwhosuspectsatrap.Hereyeswentquicklyfromsidetoside.Shelookednotsomuchafraidasdeeplysuspicious.
ColonelJohnsonroseandputachairforher.Thenhesaid:
“YouunderstandEnglish,Isuppose,MissEstravados?”
Pilar’seyesopenedwide.Shesaid:
“Ofcourse.MymotherwasEnglish.IamreallyveryEnglishindeed.”
AfaintsmilecametoColonelJohnson’slips,ashiseyestookintheblackglossofherhair,theprouddarkeyes,andthecurlingredlips.VeryEnglish!AnincongruoustermtoapplytoPilarEstravados.
Hesaid:
“Mr.Leewasyourgrandfather.HesentforyoutocomefromSpain.Andyouarrivedafewdaysago.Isthatright?”
Pilarnodded.
“Thatisright.Ihad—oh!alotofadventuresgettingoutofSpain—therewasabombfromtheairandthechauffeurhewaskilled—wherehisheadhadbeentherewasallblood.AndIcouldnotdriveacar,soforalongwayIhadtowalk—andIdonotlikewalking.Ineverwalk.Myfeetweresore—butsore—”
ColonelJohnsonsmiled.Hesaid:
“Atanyrateyouarrivedhere.Hadyourmotherspokentoyouofyourgrandfathermuch?”
Pilarnoddedcheerfully.
“Oh,yes,shesaidhewasanolddevil.”
HerculePoirotsmiled.Hesaid:
“Andwhatdidyouthinkofhimwhenyouarrived,mademoiselle?”
Pilarsaid:
“Ofcoursehewasvery,veryold.Hehadtositinachair—andhisfacewasalldriedup.ButIlikedhimallthesame.Ithinkthatwhenhewasayoungman,hemusthavebeenhandsome—veryhandsome,likeyou,”saidPilartoSuperintendentSugden.Hereyesdweltwithn?ivepleasureonhishandsomeface,whichhadturnedbrick-redatthecompliment.
ColonelJohnsonstifledachuckle.Itwasoneofthefewoccasionswhenhehadseenthestolidsuperintendenttakenaback.
“Butofcourse,”Pilarcontinuedregretfully,“hecouldneverhavebeensobigasyou.”
HerculePoirotsighed.
“Youlike,then,bigmen,se?orita?”heinquired.
Pilaragreedenthusiastically.
“Oh,yes,Ilikeamantobeverybig,tall,andtheshouldersbroad,andvery,verystrong.”
ColonelJohnsonsaidsharply:
“Didyouseemuchofyourgrandfatherwhenyouarrivedhere?”
Pilarsaid:
“Oh,yes.Iwenttositwithhim.Hetoldmethings—thathehadbeenaverywickedman,andallthethingshedidinSouthAfrica.”
“Didheevertellyouthathehaddiamondsinthesafeinhisroom?”
“Yes,heshowedthemtome.Buttheywerenotlikediamonds—theywerejustlikepebbles—veryugly—veryuglyindeed.”
SuperintendentSugdensaidshortly:
“Soheshowedthemtoyou,didhe?”
“Yes.”
“Hedidn’tgiveyouanyofthem?”
Pilarshookherhead.
“No,hedidnot.Ithoughtthatperhapsonedayhewould—ifIwereverynicetohimandcameoftentositwithhim.Becauseoldgentlementheylikeverymuchyounggirls.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Doyouknowthatthosediamondshavebeenstolen?”
Pilaropenedhereyesverywide.
“Stolen?”
“Yes,haveyouanyideawhomighthavetakenthem?”
Pilarnoddedherhead.
“Oh,yes,”shesaid.“ItwouldbeHorbury.”
“Horbury?Youmeanthevalet?”
“Yes.”
“Whydoyouthinkthat?”
“Becausehehasthefaceofathief.Hiseyesgoso,fromsidetoside,hewalkssoftlyandlistensatdoors.Heislikeacat.Andallcatsarethieves.”
“H’m,”saidColonelJohnson.“We’llleaveitatthat.NowIunderstandthatallthefamilywereupinyourgrandfather’sroomthisafternoon,andthatsome—er—angrywordspassed.”
Pilarnoddedandsmiled.
“Yes,”shesaid.“Itwasgreatfun.Grandfathermadethemoh!soangry!”
“Oh,youenjoyedit,didyou?”
“Yes.Iliketoseepeoplegetangry.Ilikeitverymuch.ButhereinEnglandtheydonotgetangryliketheydoinSpain.InSpaintheytakeouttheirknivesandtheycurseandshout.InEnglandtheydonothing,justgetveryredinthefaceandshutuptheirmouthstight.”
“Doyourememberwhatwassaid?”
Pilarseemedratherdoubtful.
“Iamnotsure.Grandfathersaidtheywerenogood—thattheyhadnotgotanychildren.HesaidIwasbetterthananyofthem.Helikedme,verymuch.”
“Didhesayanythingaboutmoneyorawill?”
“Awill—no,Idon’tthinkso.Idon’tremember.”
“Whathappened?”
“Theyallwentaway—exceptHilda—thefatone,David’swife,shestayedbehind.”
“Oh,shedid,didshe?”
“Yes.Davidlookedveryfunny.Hewasallshakingandoh!sowhite.Helookedasthoughhemightbesick.”
“Andwhatthen?”
“ThenIwentandfoundStephen.Wedancedtothegramophone.”
“StephenFarr?”
“Yes.HeisfromSouthAfrica—heisthesonofGrandfather’spartner.Heisveryhandsometoo.Verybrownandbig,andhehasniceeyes.”
Johnsonasked:
“Wherewereyouwhenthecrimeoccurred?”
“YouaskwhereIwas?”
“Yes.”
“IhadgoneintothedrawingroomwithLydia.AndthenIwentuptomyroomanddidmyface.IwasgoingtodanceagainwithStephen.Andthen,faraway,Iheardascreamandeveryonewasrunning,soIwenttoo.AndtheyweretryingtobreakdownGrandfather’sdoor.HarrydiditwithStephen,theyarebothbigstrongmen.”
“Yes?”
“Andthen—crash—downitwent—andwealllookedin.Oh,suchasight—everythingsmashedandknockedover,andGrandfatherlyinginalotofblood,andhisthroatwascutlikethis”—shemadeavividdramaticgestureatherownneck—“rightupunderhisear.”
Shepaused,havingobviouslyenjoyedhernarrative.
Johnsonsaid:
“Theblooddidn’tmakeyoufeelill?”
Shestared.
“No,whyshouldit?Thereisusuallybloodwhenpeoplearekilled.Therewas,oh!somuchbloodeverywhere!”
Poirotsaid:“Didanyonesayanything?”
Pilarsaid:
“Davidsaidsuchafunnything—whatwasit?Oh,yes.ThemillsofGod—thatiswhathesaid”—sherepeateditwithemphasisoneachword—“Themills—of—God—Whatdoesthatmean?Millsarewhatmakeflour,aretheynot?”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Well,Idon’tthinkthereisanythingmorejustnow,MissEstravados.”
Pilargotupobediently.Sheflashedaquickcharmingsmileateachmaninturn.
“Iwillgonow,then.”Shewentout.
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“ThemillsofGodgrindslowly,buttheygrindexceedingsmall.AndDavidLeesaidthat!”
XV
Asthedooropenedoncemore,ColonelJohnsonlookedup.ForamomenthetooktheenteringfiguretobethatofHarryLee,butasStephenFarradvancedintotheroomhesawhiserror.
“Sitdown,Mr.Farr,”hesaid.
Stephensat.Hiseyes,cool,intelligenteyes,wentfromonetotheotherofthethreemen.Hesaid:
“I’mafraidIshan’tbemuchusetoyou.Butpleaseaskmeanythingthatyouthinkmayhelp.PerhapsI’dbetterexplain,tostartwith,whoIam.Myfather,EbenezerFarr,wasSimeonLee’spartnerinSouthAfricaintheolddays.I’mtalkingofoverfortyyearsago.”
Hepaused.
“MydadtalkedtomealotaboutSimeonLee—whatapersonalityhewas.HeandDadcleanedupagoodbittogether.SimeonLeewenthomewithafortuneandmyfatherdidn’tdobadlyeither.MyfatheralwaystoldmethatwhenIcametothiscountryIwastolookupMr.Lee.Isaidoncethatitwasalongtimeagoandthathe’dprobablynotknowwhoIwas,butDadscoffedattheidea.Hesaid,‘WhentwomenhavebeenthroughwhatSimeonandIwentthrough,theydon’tforget.’Well,myfatherdiedacoupleofyearsago.ThisyearIcameovertoEnglandforthefirsttime,andIthoughtI’dactonDad’sadviceandlookupMr.Lee.”
Withaslightsmilehewenton:
“IwasjustalittlenervouswhenIcamealonghere,butIneedn’thavebeen.Mr.LeegavemeawarmwelcomeandabsolutelyinsistedthatIshouldstaywiththefamilyoverChristmas.IwasafraidIwasbuttingin,buthewouldn’thearofarefusal.”
Headdedrathershyly:
“Theywereallverynicetome—Mr.andMrs.AlfredLeecouldn’thavebeennicer.I’mterriblysorryforthemthatallthisshouldcomeuponthem.”
“Howlonghaveyoubeenhere,Mr.Farr?”
“Sinceyesterday.”
“DidyouseeMr.Leetodayatall?”
“Yes,Ihadachatwithhimthismorning.Hewasingoodspiritsthenandanxioustohearaboutalotofpeopleandplaces.”
“Thatwasthelasttimeyousawhim?”
“Yes.”
“Didhementiontoyouthathekeptaquantityofuncutdiamondsinhissafe?”
“No.”
Headdedbeforetheothercouldspeak:
“Doyoumeanthatthisbusinesswasmurderandrobbery?”
“We’renotsureyet,”saidJohnson.“Nowtocometotheeventsofthisevening,willyoutellme,inyourownwords,whatyouweredoing?”
“Certainly.AftertheladiesleftthediningroomIstayedandhadaglassofport.ThenIrealizedthattheLeeshadfamilybusinesstheywantedtodiscussandthatmybeingtherewashamperingthemsoIexcusedmyselfandleftthem.”
“Andwhatdidyoudothen?”
StephenFarrleanedbackinhischair.Hisforefingercaressedhisjaw.Hesaidratherwoodenly:
“I—er—wentalongtoabigroomwithaparquetfloor—akindofballroom,Ifancy.There’sagramophonethereanddancerecords.Iputsomerecordson.”
Poirotsaid:
“Itwaspossible,perhaps,thatsomeonemightjoinyouthere?”
AveryfaintsmilecurvedStephenFarr’slips.Heanswered:
“Itwaspossible,yes.Onealwayshopes.”
Andhegrinnedoutright.
Poirotsaid:
“Se?oritaEstravadosisverybeautiful.”
Stephenanswered:
“She’seasilythebestthingtolookatthatI’veseensinceIcametoEngland.”
“DidMissEstravadosjoinyou?”askedColonelJohnson.
Stephenshookhishead.
“IwasstilltherewhenIheardtherumpus.Icameoutintothehallandranhellforleathertoseewhatwasthematter.IhelpedHarryLeetobreakthedoordown.”
“Andthat’sallyouhavetotellus?”
“Absolutelyall,I’mafraid.”
HerculePoirotleanedforward.Hesaidsoftly:
“ButIthink,MonsieurFarr,thatyoucouldtellusagooddealifyouliked.”
Farrsaidsharply:
“Whatd’youmean?”
“Youcantellussomethingthatisveryimportantinthiscase—thecharacterofMr.Lee.Yousaythatyourfathertalkedmuchofhimtoyou.Whatmannerofamanwasitthathedescribedtoyou?”
StephenFarrsaidslowly:
“IthinkIseewhatyou’redrivingat.WhatwasSimeonLeelikeinhisyoungdays?Well—youwantmetobefrank,Isuppose?”
“Ifyouplease.”
“Well,tobeginwith,Idon’tthinkthatSimeonLeewasahighlymoralmemberofsociety.Idon’tmeanthathewasexactlyacrook,buthesailedprettynearthewind.Hismoralswerenothingtoboastaboutanyway.Hehadcharm,though,agooddealofit.Andhewasfantasticallygenerous.Noonewithahard-luckstoryeverappealedtohiminvain.Hedrankabit,butnotovermuch,wasattractivetowomen,andhadasenseofhumour.Allthesame,hehadaqueerrevengefulstreakinhim.TalkoftheelephantneverforgetsandyoutalkofSimeonLee.MyfathertoldmeofseveralcaseswhereLeewaitedyearstogetevenwithsomeonewho’ddonehimanastyturn.”
SuperintendentSugdensaid:
“Twomightplayatthatgame.You’venoknowledge,Isuppose,Mr.Farr,ofanyonewhoSimeonLeehaddoneabadturntooutthere?Nothingoutofthepastthatcouldexplainthecrimecommittedherethisevening?”
StephenFarrshookhishead.
“Hehadenemies,ofcourse,musthavehad,beingthemanhewas.ButIknowofnospecificcase.Besides,”hiseyesnarrowed,“Iunderstand(asamatteroffact,I’vebeenquestioningTressilian)therehavebeennostrangersinornearthehousethisevening.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Withtheexceptionofyourself,M.Farr.”
StephenFarrswungrounduponhim.
“Oh,sothat’sit?Suspiciousstrangerwithinthegates!Well,youwon’tfindanythingofthatkind.NobackhistoryofSimeonLeedoingEbenezerFarrdown,andEb’ssoncomingovertorevengehisdad!No,”heshookhishead.“SimeonandEbenezerhadnothingagainsteachother.Icamehere,asI’vetoldyou,outofsheercuriosity.Andmoreover,Ishouldimagineagramophoneisasgoodanalibiasanythingelse.Ineverstoppedputtingonrecords—somebodymusthaveheardthem.Onerecordwouldn’tgivemetimetoraceawayupstairs—thesepassagesareamilelong,anyway—slitanoldman’sthroat,washofftheblood,andgetbackagainbeforetheotherscamerushingup.Theidea’sfarcical!”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“We’renotmakinganyinsinuationsagainstyou,Mr.Farr.”
StephenFarrsaid:
“Ididn’tcaremuchforthetoneofMr.HerculePoirot’svoice.”
“That,”saidHerculePoirot,“isunfortunate!”
Hesmiledbenignlyattheother.
StephenFarrlookedangrilyathim.
ColonelJohnsoninterposedquickly:
“Thankyou,Mr.Farr.Thatwillbeallforthepresent.Youwill,ofcourse,notleavethishouse.”
StephenFarrnodded.Hegotupandlefttheroom,walkingwithafreelyswingingstride.
Asthedoorclosedbehindhim,Johnsonsaid:
“TheregoesX,theunknownquantity.Hisstoryseemsstraightforwardenough.Allthesame,he’sthedarkhorse.Hemighthavepinchedthosediamonds—mighthavecomeherewithabogusstoryjusttogainadmittance.You’dbettergethisfingerprints,Sugden,andseeifhe’sknown.”
“I’vealreadygotthem,”saidthesuperintendentwithadrysmile.
“Goodman.Youdon’toverlookmuch.Isupposeyou’reontoalltheobviouslines?”
SuperintendentSugdencheckedoffonhisfingers.
“Checkuponthosetelephonecalls—times,etc.CheckuponHorbury.Whattimeheleft,whosawhimgo.Checkupallentrancesandexits.Checkuponstaffgenerally.Checkupfinancialpositionofmembersoffamily.Getontothelawyersandcheckuponwill.Searchhousefortheweaponandforbloodstainsonclothing—alsopossiblydiamondshiddensomewhere.”
“Thatcoverseverything,Ithink,”saidColonelJohnsonapprovingly.“Canyousuggestanything,M.Poirot?”
Poirotshookhishead.Hesaid:
“Ifindthesuperintendentadmirablythorough.”
Sugdensaidgloomily:
“Itwon’tbeanyjokelookingthroughthishouseforthemissingdiamonds.Neversawsomanyornamentsandknickknacksinmylife.”
“Thehidingplacesarecertainlyabundant,”Poirotagreed.
“Andthere’sreallynothingyouwouldsuggest,Poirot?”
Thechiefconstablelookedalittledisappointed—ratherlikeamanwhosedoghasrefusedtodoitstrick.
Poirotsaid:
“YouwillpermitthatItakealineofmyown?”
“Certainly—certainly,”saidJohnsonatthesamemomentasSuperintendentSugdensaidrathersuspiciously:
“Whatline?”
“Iwouldlike,”saidHerculePoirot,“toconverse—veryoften—veryfrequently—withmembersofthefamily.”
“Youmeanyou’dliketohaveanothershotatquestioningthem?”askedthecolonel,alittlepuzzled.
“No,no,nottoquestion—toconverse!”
“Why?”askedSugden.
HerculePoirotwavedanemphatichand.
“Inconversation,pointsarise!Ifahumanbeingconversesmuch,itisimpossibleforhimtoavoidthetruth!”
Sugdensaid:
“Thenyouthinksomeoneislying?”
Poirotsighed.
“Moncher,everyonelies—inpartsliketheeggoftheEnglishcurate.Itisprofitabletoseparatetheharmlessliesfromthevitalones.”
ColonelJohnsonsaidsharply:
“Allthesame,it’sincredible,youknow.Here’saparticularlycrudeandbrutalmurder—andwhomhaveweassuspects?AlfredLeeandhiswife—bothcharming,well-bred,quietpeople.GeorgeLee,who’saMemberofParliamentandtheessenceofrespectability.Hiswife?She’sjustanordinarymodernlovely.DavidLeeseemsagentlecreatureandwe’vegothisbrotherHarry’swordforitthathecan’tstandthesightofblood.Hiswifeseemsanicesensiblewoman—quitecommonplace.RemainstheSpanishnieceandthemanfromSouthAfrica.Spanishbeautieshavehottempers,butIdon’tseethatattractivecreatureslittingtheoldman’sneckincoldblood,especiallyasfromwhathascomeoutshehadeveryreasontokeephimalive—atanyrateuntilhehadsignedanewwill.StephenFarr’sapossibility—thatistosay,hemaybeaprofessionalcrookandhavecomehereafterthediamonds.TheoldmandiscoveredthelossandFarrslithisthroattokeephimquiet.Thatcouldhavebeenso—thatgramophonealibiisn’ttoogood.”
Poirotshookhishead.
“Mydearfriend,”hesaid.“ComparethephysiqueofM.StephenFarrandoldSimeonLee.IfFarrdecidedtokilltheoldmanhecouldhavedoneitinaminute—SimeonLeecouldn’tpossiblyhaveputupthatfightagainsthim.Canonebelievethatthatfrailoldmanandthatmagnificentspecimenofhumanitystruggledforsomeminutesoverturningchairsandbreakingchina?Toimaginesuchathingisfantastic!”
ColonelJohnson’seyesnarrowed.
“Youmean,”hesaid,“thatitwasaweakmanwhokilledSimeonLee?”
“Orawoman!”saidthesuperintendent
XVI
ColonelJohnsonlookedathiswatch.
“NothingmuchmorethatIcandohere.You’vegotthingswellinhand,Sugden.Oh,justonething.Weoughttoseethebutlerfellow.Iknowyou’vequestionedhim,butweknowabitmoreaboutthingsnow.It’simportanttogetconfirmationofjustwhereeverybodysayshewasatthetimeofthemurder.”
Tressiliancameinslowly.Thechiefconstabletoldhimtositdown.
“Thankyou,sir.Iwill,ifyoudon’tmind.I’vebeenfeelingveryqueer—veryqueerindeed.Mylegs,sir,andmyhead.”
Poirotsaidgently:“Youhavehadtheshock,yes.”
Thebutlershuddered.“Such—suchaviolentthingtohappen.Inthishouse!Whereeverythinghasalwaysgoneonsoquietly.”
Poirotsaid:
“Itwasawell-orderedhouse,yes?Butnotahappyone?”
“Iwouldn’tliketosaythat,sir.”
“Intheolddayswhenallthefamilywasathome,itwashappythen?”
Tressiliansaidslowly:
“Itwasn’tperhapswhatonewouldcallveryharmonious,sir.”
“ThelateMrs.Leewassomewhatofaninvalid,wasshenot?”
“Yes,sir,verypoorlyshewas.”
“Wereherchildrenfondofher?”
“Mr.David,hewasdevotedtoher.Morelikeadaughterthanason.Andaftershediedhebrokeaway,couldn’tfacelivinghereanylonger.”
Poirotsaid:“AndMr.Harry?Whatwashelike?”
“Alwaysratherawildyounggentleman,sir,butgood-hearted.Oh,dear,gavemequiteaturn,itdid,whenthebellrang—andthenagain,soimpatientlike,andIopenedthedoorandtherewasastrangeman,andthenMr.Harry’svoicesaid,‘Hallo,Tressilian.Stillhere,eh?’Justthesameasever.”
Poirotsaidsympathetically:
“Itmusthavebeenthestrangefeeling,yes,indeed.”
Tressiliansaid,alittlepinkflushshowinginhischeek:
“Itseemssometimes,sir,asthoughthepastisn’tthepast!Ibelievethere’sbeenaplayoninLondonaboutsomethinglikethat.There’ssomethinginit,sir—therereallyis.There’safeelingcomesoveryou—asthoughyou’ddoneeverythingbefore.ItjustseemstomeasthoughthebellringsandIgotoansweritandthere’sMr.Harry—evenifitshouldbeMr.Farrorsomeotherperson—I’mjustsayingtomyself—butI’vedonethisbefore….”
Poirotsaid:
“Thatisveryinteresting—veryinteresting.”
Tressilianlookedathimgratefully.
Johnson,somewhatimpatient,clearedhisthroatandtookchargeoftheconversation.
“Justwanttogetvarioustimescheckedcorrectly,”hesaid.“Now,whenthenoiseupstairsstarted,IunderstandthatonlyMr.AlfredLeeandMr.HarryLeewereinthediningroom.Isthatso?”
“Ireallycouldn’ttellyou,sir.AllthegentlemenweretherewhenIservedcoffeetothem—butthatwouldbeaboutaquarterofanhourearlier.”
“Mr.GeorgeLeewastelephoning.Canyouconfirmthat?”
“Ithinksomebodydidtelephone,sir.Thebellringsinmypantry,andwhenanybodytakesoffthereceivertocallanumber,there’sjustafaintnoiseonthebell.Idorememberhearingthat,butIdidn’tpayattentiontoit.”
“Youdon’tknowexactlywhenitwas?”
“Icouldn’tsay,sir.ItwasafterIhadtakencoffeetothegentlemen,thatisallIcansay.”
“DoyouknowwhereanyoftheladieswereatthetimeImentioned?”
“Mrs.Alfredwasinthedrawingroom,sir,whenIwentforthecoffeetray.ThatwasjustaminuteortwobeforeIheardthecryupstairs.”
Poirotasked:
“Whatwasshedoing?”
“Shewasstandingbythefarwindow,sir.Shewasholdingthecurtainalittlebackandlookingout.”
“Andnoneoftheotherladieswereintheroom?”
“No,sir.”
“Doyouknowwheretheywere?”
“Icouldn’tsayatall,sir.”
“Youdon’tknowwhereanyoneelsewas?”
“Mr.David,Ithink,wasplayinginthemusicroomnextdoortothedrawingroom.”
“Youheardhimplaying?”
“Yes,sir.”Againtheoldmanshivered.“Itwaslikeasign,sir,soIfeltafterwards.Itwasthe‘DeadMarch’hewasplaying.Evenatthetime,Iremember,itgavemethecreeps.”
“Itiscurious,yes,”saidPoirot.
“Now,aboutthisfellow,Horbury,thevalet,”saidthechiefconstable.“Areyoudefinitelypreparedtoswearthathewasoutofthehousebyeighto’clock?”
“Ohyes,sir.ItwasjustafterMr.Sugdenherearrived.Irememberparticularbecausehebrokeacoffeecup.”
Poirotsaid:
“Horburybrokeacoffeecup?”
“Yes,sir—oneoftheoldWorcesterones.ElevenyearsI’vewashedthemupandneveronebrokentillthisevening.”
Poirotsaid:
“WhatwasHorburydoingwiththecoffeecups?”
“Well,ofcourse,sir,he’dnobusinesstohavebeenhandlingthematall.Hewasjustholdingoneup,admiringitlike,andIhappenedtomentionthatMr.Sugdenhadcalled,andhedroppedit.”
Poirotsaid:
“Didyousay‘Mr.Sugden’ordidyoumentionthewordpolice?”
Tressilianlookedalittlestartled.
“NowIcometothinkofit,sir,Imentionedthatthepolicesuperintendenthadcalled.”
“AndHorburydroppedthecoffeecup,”saidPoirot.
“Seemssuggestive,that,”saidthechiefconstable.“DidHorburyaskanyquestionsaboutthesuperintendent’svisit?”
“Yes,sir,askedwhathewantedhere.Isaidhe’dcomecollectingforthePoliceOrphanageandhadgoneuptoMr.Lee.”
“DidHorburyseemedrelievedwhenyousaidthat?”
“Doyouknow,sir,nowyoumentionit,hecertainlydid.Hismannerchangedatonce.SaidMr.Leewasagoodoldchapandfreewithhismoney—ratherdisrepectfullyhespoke—andthenhewentoff.”
“Whichway?”
“Outthroughthedoortotheservants’hall.”
Sugdeninterposed:
“Allthat’sO.K.,sir.Hepassedthroughthekitchen,wherethecookandthekitchenmaidsawhim,andoutthroughthebackdoor.”
“Nowlisten,Tressilian,andthinkcarefully.IsthereanymeansbywhichHorburycouldreturntothehousewithoutanyoneseeinghim?”
Theoldmanshookhishead.
“Idon’tseehowhecouldhavedoneso,sir.Allthedoorsarelockedontheinside.”
“Supposinghehadhadakey?”
“Thedoorsareboltedaswell.”
“Howdoeshegetinwhenhecomes?”
“Hehasakeyofthebackdoor,sir.Alltheservantscomeinthatway.”
“Hecouldhavereturnedthatway,then?”
“Notwithoutpassingthroughthekitchen,sir.Andthekitchenwouldbeoccupiedtillwellafterhalfpastnineoraquartertoten.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Thatseemsconclusive.Thankyou,Tressilian.”
Theoldmangotupandwithabowlefttheroom.Hereturned,however,aminuteortwolater.
“Horburyhasjustreturned,sir.Wouldyouliketoseehimnow?”
“Yes,please,sendhiminatonce.”
XVII
SydneyHorburydidnotpresentaveryprepossessingappearance.Hecameintotheroomandstoodrubbinghishandstogetheranddartingquicklooksfromonepersontoanother.Hismannerwasunctuous.
Johnsonsaid:
“You’reSydneyHorbury?”
“Yes,sir.”
“ValetattendanttothelateMr.Lee?”
“Yes,sir.It’sterrible,isn’tit?YoucouldhaveknockedmedownwithafeatherwhenIheardfromGladys.Pooroldgentleman—”
Johnsoncuthimshort.
“Justanswermyquestions,please.”
“Yes,sir,certainly,sir.”
“Whattimedidyougoouttonight,andwherehaveyoubeen?”
“Ileftthehousejustbeforeeight,sir.IwenttotheSuperb,sir,justfiveminutes’walkaway.LoveinOldSevillewasthepicture,sir.”
“Anyonewhosawyouthere?”
“Theyoungladyintheboxoffice,sir,sheknowsme.Andthecommissionaireatthedoor,heknowsmetoo.And—er—asamatteroffact,Iwaswithayounglady,sir.Imethertherebyappointment.”
“Oh,youdid,didyou?What’shername?”
“DorisBuckle,sir.SheworksintheCombinedDairies,sir,23,MarkhamRoad.”
“Good.We’lllookintothat.Didyoucomestraighthome?”
“Isawmyyoungladyhomefirst,sir.ThenIcamestraightback.You’llfindit’squiteallright,sir.Ididn’thaveanythingtodowiththis.Iwas—”
ColonelJohnsonsaidcurtly:
“Nobody’saccusingyouofhavinganythingtodowithit.”
“No,sir,ofcoursenot,sir.Butit’snotverypleasantwhenamurderhappensinahouse.”
“Nobodysaiditwas.Now,then,howlonghadyoubeeninMr.Lee’sservice?”
“Justoverayear,sir.”
“Didyoulikeyourplacehere?”
“Yes,sir.Iwasquitesatisfied.Thepaywasgood.Mr.Leewasratherdifficultsometimes,butofcourseI’musedtoattendingoninvalids.”
“You’vehadpreviousexperience?”
“Oh,yes,sir.IwaswithMajorWestandwiththeHonourableJasperFinch—”
“YoucangiveallthoseparticularstoSugdenlater.WhatIwanttoknowisthis:AtwhattimedidyoulastseeMr.Leethisevening?”
“Itwasabouthalfpastseven,sir.Mr.Leehadalightsupperbroughttohimeveryeveningatseveno’clock.Ithenpreparedhimforbed.Afterthathewouldsitinfrontofthefireinhisdressinggowntillhefeltlikegoingtobed.”
“Whattimewasthatusually?”
“Itvaried,sir.Sometimeshewouldgotobedasearlyaseighto’clock—that’sifhefelttired.Sometimeshewouldsituptillelevenorafter.”
“Whatdidhedowhenhedidwanttogotobed?”
“Usuallyherangforme,sir.”
“Andyouassistedhimtobed?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Butthiswasyoureveningout.DidyoualwayshaveFridays?”
“Yes,sir.Fridaywasmyregularday.”
“WhathappenedthenwhenMr.Leewantedtogotobed?”
“HewouldringhisbellandeitherTressilianorWalterwouldseetohim.”
“Hewasnothelpless?Hecouldmoveabout?”
“Yes,sir,butnotveryeasily.Rheumatoidarthritiswaswhathesufferedfrom,sir.Hewasworsesomedaysthanothers.”
“Didhenevergointoanotherroominthedaytime?”
“No,sir.Hepreferredtobeinjusttheoneroom.Mr.Leewasn’tluxuriousinhistastes.Itwasabigroomwithplentyofairandlightinit.”
“Mr.Leehadhissupperatseven,yousay?”
“Yes,sir.Itookthetrayawayandputoutthesherryandtwoglassesonthebureau.”
“Whydidyoudothat?”
“Mr.Lee’sorders.”
“Wasthatusual?”
“Sometimes.ItwastherulethatnoneofthefamilycametoseeMr.Leeintheeveningunlessheinvitedthem.Someeveningshelikedtobealone.Othereveningshe’dsenddownandaskMr.Alfred,orMrs.Alfred,orbothofthem,tocomeupafterdinner.”
“But,asfarasyouknow,hehadnotdonesoonthisoccasion?Thatis,hehadnotsentamessagetoanymemberofthefamilyrequestingtheirpresence?”
“Hehadn’tsentanymessagebyme,sir.”
“Sothathewasn’texpectinganyofthefamily?”
“Hemighthaveaskedoneofthempersonally,sir.”
“Ofcourse.”
Horburycontinued:
“Isawthateverythingwasinorder,wishedMr.Leegoodnightandlefttheroom.”
Poirotasked:
“Didyoumakeupthefirebeforeyoulefttheroom?”
Thevalethesitated.
“Itwasn’tnecessary,sir.Itwaswellbuiltup.”
“CouldMr.Leehavedonethathimself?”
“Ohno,sir.IexpectMr.HarryLeehaddoneit.”
“Mr.HarryLeewaswithhimwhenyoucameinbeforesupper?”
“Yes,sir.HewentawaywhenIcame.”
“Whatwastherelationshipbetweenthetwoasfarasyoucouldjudge?”
“Mr.HarryLeeseemedinverygoodspirits,sir.Throwingbackhisheadandlaughingagooddeal.”
“AndMr.Lee?”
“Hewasquietandratherthoughtful.”
“Isee.Now,there’ssomethingmoreIwanttoknow,Horbury:WhatcanyoutellusaboutthediamondsMr.Leekeptinhissafe?”
“Diamonds,sir?Ineversawanydiamonds.”
“Mr.Leekeptaquantityofuncutstonesthere.Youmusthaveseenhimhandlingthem.”
“Thosefunnylittlepebbles,sir?Yes,Ididseehimwiththemonceortwice.ButIdidn’tknowtheywerediamonds.Hewasshowingthemtotheforeignyoungladyonlyyesterday—orwasitthedaybefore?”
ColonelJohnsonsaidabruptly:
“Thesestoneshavebeenstolen.”
Horburycriedout:
“Ihopeyoudon’tthink,sir,thatIhadanythingtodowithit!”
“I’mnotmakinganyaccusations,”saidJohnson.“Nowthen,isthereanythingyoucantellusthathasanybearingonthismatter?”
“Thediamonds,sir?Orthemurder?”
“Both.”
“Horburyconsidered.Hepassedhistongueoverhispalelips.Atlasthelookedupwitheyesthatwereashadefurtive.
“Idon’tthinkthere’sanything,sir.”
Poirotsaidsoftly:
“Nothingyou’veoverheard,say,inthecourseofyourduties,whichmightbehelpful?”
Thevalet’seyelidsflickeredalittle
“No,sir,Idon’tthinkso,sir.TherewasalittleawkwardnessbetweenMr.Leeand—andsomemembersofhisfamily.”
“Whichmembers?”
“IgatheredtherewasalittletroubleoverMr.HarryLee’sreturn.Mr.AlfredLeeresentedit.Iunderstandheandhisfatherhadafewwordsaboutit—butthatwasalltherewastoit.Mr.Leedidn’taccusehimforaminuteofhavingtakenanydiamonds.AndI’msureMr.Alfredwouldn’tdosuchathing.”
Poirotsaidquickly:
“HisinterviewwithMr.Alfredwasafterhehaddiscoveredthelossofthediamonds,wasitnot,though?”
“Yes,sir.”
Poirotleanedforward.
“Ithought,Horbury,”hesaidsoftly,“thatyoudidnotknowofthetheftofthediamondsuntilweinformedyouofitjustnow.How,then,doyouknowthatMr.Leehaddiscoveredhislossbeforehehadthisconversationwithhisson?”
Horburyturnedbrickred.
“Nouselying.Outwithit,”saidSugden.“Whendidyouknow?”
Horburysaidsullenly:
“Iheardhimtelephoningtosomeoneaboutit.”
“Youweren’tintheroom?”
“No,outsidethedoor.Couldn’thearmuch—onlyawordortwo.”
“Whatdidyouhearexactly?”askedPoirotsweetly.
“Iheardthewordsrobberyanddiamonds,andIheardhimsay,‘Idon’tknowwhotosuspect’—andIheardhimsaysomethingaboutthiseveningateighto’clock.”
SuperintendentSugdennodded.
“Thatwastomehewasspeaking,mylad.Aboutfiveten,wasit?”
“That’sright,sir.”
“Andwhenyouwentintohisroomafterwards,didhelookupset?”
“Justabit,sir.Seemedabsentmindedandworried.”
“Somuchsothatyougotthewindup—eh?”
“Lookhere,Mr.Sugden,Iwon’thaveyousayingthingslikethat.Nevertouchedanydiamonds,Ididn’t,andyoucan’tproveIdid.I’mnotathief.”
SuperintendentSugden,unimpressed,said:
“Thatremainstobeseen.”Heglancedquestioninglyatthechiefconstable,receivedanod,andwenton:“That’lldoforyou,mylad.Shan’twantyouagaintonight.”
Horburywentoutgratefullyinhaste.
Sugdensaidappreciatively:
“Prettybitofwork,M.Poirot.YoutrappedhimasneatlyasI’veeverseenitdone.Hemaybeathieforhemaynot,buthe’scertainlyafirst-classliar!”
“Anunprepossessingperson,”saidPoirot.
“Nastybitofgoods,”agreedJohnson.“Questionis,whatdowethinkofhisevidence?”
Sugdensummarizedthepositionneatly.
“Seemstometherearethreepossibilities:(1)Horbury’sathiefandamurderer.(2)Horbury’sathief,butnotamurderer.(3)Horbury’saninnocentman.Certainamountofevidencefor(1).Heoverheardtelephonecallandknewthethefthadbeendiscovered.Gatheredfromoldman’smannerthathewassuspected.Madehisplansaccordingly.Wentoutostentatiouslyateighto’clockandcookedupanalibi.Easyenoughtoslipoutofacinemaandreturnthereunnoticed.He’dhavetobeprettysureofthegirl,though,thatshewouldn’tgivehimaway.I’llseewhatIcangetoutofhertomorrow.”
“How,then,didhemanagetoreenterthehouse?”askedPoirot.
“That’smoredifficult,”Sugdenadmitted.“Buttheremightbeways.Sayoneofthewomenservantsunlockedasidedoorforhim.”
Poirotraisedhiseyebrowsquizzically.
“Heplaces,then,hislifeatthemercyoftwowomen?Withonewomanitwouldbetakingabigrisk;withtwo—ehbien,Ifindtheriskfantastic!”
Sugdensaid:
“Somecriminalsthinktheycangetawaywithanything!”
Hewenton:
“Let’stake(2).Horburypinchedthosediamonds.Hetook’emoutofthehousetonightandhaspossiblypassedthemontosomeaccomplice.That’squiteeasygoingandhighlyprobable.Nowwe’vegottoadmitthatsomebodyelsechosethisnighttomurderMr.Lee.Thatsomebodybeingquiteunawareofthediamondcomplication.It’spossible,ofcourse,butit’sabitofacoincidence.
“Possibility(3)—Horbury’sinnocent.Somebodyelsebothtookthediamondsandmurderedtheoldgentleman.Thereitis;it’suptoustogetatthetruth.”
ColonelJohnsonyawned.Helookedagainathiswatchandgotup.
“Well,”hesaid,“Ithinkwe’llcallitanight,eh?Betterjusthavealookinthesafebeforewego.Oddthingifthosewretcheddiamondswerethereallthetime.”
Butthediamondswerenotinthesafe.TheyfoundthecombinationwhereAlfredLeehadtoldthem,inthesmallnotebooktakenfromthedressinggownpocketofthedeadman.Inthesafetheyfoundanemptychamois-leatherbag.Amongthepapersthesafecontainedonlyonewasofinterest.
Itwasawilldatedsomefifteenyearspreviously.Aftervariouslegaciesandbequests,theprovisionsweresimpleenough.HalfSimeonLee’sfortunewenttoAlfredLee.Theotherhalfwastobedividedinequalsharesbetweenhisremainingchildren:Harry,George,DavidandJennifer.
PARTFOUR
DECEMBER25TH
InthebrightsunofChristmasnoon,PoirotwalkedinthegardensofGorstonHall.TheHallitselfwasalargesolidlybuilthousewithnospecialarchitecturalpretensions.
Here,onthesouthside,wasabroadterraceflankedwithahedgeofclippedyew.Littleplantsgrewintheintersticesofthestoneflagsandatintervalsalongtheterracetherewerestonesinksarrangedasminiaturegardens.
Poirotsurveyedthemwithbenignapproval.Hemurmuredtohimself:
“C’estbienimaginé,?a!”
Inthedistancehecaughtsightoftwofiguresgoingtowardsanornamentalsheetofwatersomethreehundredyardsaway.Pilarwaseasilyrecognizableasoneofthefigures,andhethoughtatfirsttheotherwasStephenFarr,thenhesawthatthemanwithPilarwasHarryLee.Harryseemedveryattentivetohisattractiveniece.Atintervalsheflunghisheadbackandlaughed,thenbentoncemoreattentivelytowardsher.
“Assuredly,thereisonewhodoesnotmourn,”Poirotmurmuredtohimself.
Asoftsoundbehindhimmadehimturn.MagdaleneLeewasstandingthere.She,too,waslookingattheretreatingfiguresofthemanandgirl.SheturnedherheadandsmiledenchantinglyatPoirot.Shesaid:
“It’ssuchaglorioussunnyday!Onecanhardlybelieveinallthehorrorsoflastnight,canone,M.Poirot?”
“Itisdifficult,truly,madame.”
Magdalenesighed.
“I’veneverbeenmixedupintragedybefore.I’ve—I’vereallyonlyjustgrownup.Istayedachildtoolong,Ithink—That’snotagoodthingtodo.”
Againshesighed.Shesaid:
“Pilar,now,seemssoextraordinarilyself-possessed—Isupposeit’stheSpanishblood.It’sallveryodd,isn’tit?”
“Whatisodd,madame?”
“Thewaysheturneduphere,outoftheblue!”
Poirotsaid:
“IhavelearnedthatMr.Leehadbeensearchingforherforsometime.HehadbeenincorrespondencewiththeConsulateinMadridandwiththevice-consulatAliquara,wherehermotherdied.”
“Hewasverysecretiveaboutitall,”saidMagdalene.“Alfredknewnothingaboutit.NomoredidLydia.”
“Ah!”saidPoirot.
Magdalenecamealittlenearertohim.Hecouldsmellthedelicateperfumesheused.
“Youknow,M.Poirot,there’ssomestoryconnectedwithJennifer’shusband,Estravados.Hediedquitesoonafterthemarriage,andthere’ssomemysteryaboutit.AlfredandLydiaknow.Ibelieveitwassomething—ratherdisgraceful….”
“That,”saidPoirot,“isindeedsad.”
Magdalenesaid:
“Myhusbandfeels—andIagreewithhim—thatthefamilyoughttohavebeentoldmoreaboutthegirl’santecedents.Afterall,ifherfatherwasacriminal—”
Shepaused,butHerculePoirotsaidnothing.HeseemedtobeadmiringsuchbeautiesofnatureascouldbeseeninthewinterseasoninthegroundsofGorstonHall.
Magdalenesaid:
“Ican’thelpfeelingthatthemannerofmyfather-in-law’sdeathwassomehowsignificant.It—itwassoveryunEnglish.”
HerculePoirotturnedslowly.Hisgraveeyesmethersininnocentinquiry.
“Ah,”hesaid.“TheSpanishtouch,youthink?”
“Well,theyarecruel,aren’tthey?”Magdalenespokewithaneffectofchildishappeal.“Allthosebullfightsandthings!”
HerculePoirotsaidpleasantly:
“YouaresayingthatinyouropinionSe?oritaEstravadoscuthergrandfather’sthroat?”
“Ohno,M.Poirot!”Magdalenewasvehement.Shewasshocked.“Ineversaidanythingofthekind!IndeedIdidn’t!”
“Well,”saidPoirot.“Perhapsyoudidnot.”
“ButIdothinkthatsheis—well,asuspiciousperson.Thefurtivewayshepickedupsomethingfromthefloorofthatroomlastnight,forinstance.”
AdifferentnotecreptintoHerculePoirot’svoice.Hesaidsharply:
“Shepickedupsomethingfromthefloorlastnight?”
Magdalenenodded.Herchildishmouthcurvedspitefully.
“Yes,assoonaswegotintotheroom.Shegaveaquickglanceroundtoseeifanyonewaslooking,andthenpouncedonit.Butthesuperintendentmansawher,I’mgladtosay,andmadehergiveitup.”
“Whatwasitthatshepickedup,doyouknow,madame?”
“No.Iwasn’tnearenoughtosee.”Magdalene’svoiceheldregret.“Itwassomethingquitesmall.”
Poirotfrownedtohimself.
“Itisinteresting,that,”hemurmuredtohimself.
Magdalenesaidquickly:
“Yes,Ithoughtyououghttoknowaboutit.Afterall,wedon’tknowanythingaboutPilar’supbringingandwhatherlifehasbeenlike.AlfredisalwayssosuspiciousanddearLydiaissocasual.”Thenshemurmured:“PerhapsI’dbettergoandseeifIcanhelpLydiainanyway.Theremaybeletterstowrite.”
Shelefthimwithasmileofsatisfiedmaliceonherlips.
Poirotremainedlostinthoughtontheterrace.
II
TohimtherecameSuperintendentSugden.Thepolicesuperintendentlookedgloomy.Hesaid:
“Goodmorning,Mr.Poirot.Doesn’tseemquitetherightthingtosayMerryChristmas,doesit?”
“Monchercollègue,Icertainlydonotobserveanytracesofmerrimentonyourcountenance.IfyouhadsaidMerryChristmasIshouldnothavereplied‘Manyofthem!’”
“Idon’twantanotheronelikethisone,andthat’safact,”saidSugden.
“Youhavemadetheprogress,yes?”
“I’vecheckeduponagoodmanypoints.Horbury’salibiisholdingwaterallright.Thecommissionaireatthecinemasawhimgoinwiththegirl,andsawhimcomeoutwithherattheendoftheperformance,andseemsprettypositivehedidn’tleave,andcouldn’thaveleftandreturnedduringtheperformance.Thegirlswearsquitedefinitelyhewaswithherinthecinemaallthetime.”
Poirot’seyebrowsrose.
“Ihardlysee,then,whatmorethereistosay.”
ThecynicalSugdensaid:
“Well,oneneverknowswithgirls!Liethemselvesblackinthefaceforthesakeofaman.”
“Thatdoescredittotheirhearts,”saidHerculePoirot.
Sugdengrowled.
“That’saforeignwayoflookingatit.It’sdefeatingtheendsofjustice.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Justiceisaverystrangething.Haveyoueverreflectedonit?”
Sugdenstaredathim.Hesaid:
“You’reaqueerone,Mr.Poirot.”
“Notatall.Ifollowalogicaltrainofthought.Butwewillnotenterintoadisputeonthequestion.Itisyourbelief,then,thatthisdemoisellefromthemilkshopisnotspeakingthetruth?”
Sugdenshookhishead.
“No,”hesaid,“it’snotlikethatatall.Asamatteroffact,Ithinksheistellingthetruth.She’sasimplekindofgirl,andIthinkifshewastellingmeapackofliesI’dspotit.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youhavetheexperience,yes?”
“That’sjustit,Mr.Poirot.Onedoesknow,moreorless,afteralifetimeoftakingdownstatements,whenaperson’slyingandwhenthey’renot.No,Ithinkthegirl’sevidenceisgenuine,andifso,Horburycouldn’thavemurderedoldMr.Lee,andthatbringsusrightbacktothepeopleinthehouse.”
Hedrewadeepbreath.
“Oneof’emdidit,Mr.Poirot.Oneof’emdidit.Butwhich?”
“Youhavenonewdata?”
“Yes,I’vehadacertainamountofluckoverthetelephonecalls.Mr.GeorgeLeeputthroughacalltoWesteringhamattwominutestonine.Thatcalllastedundersixminutes.”
“Aha!”
“Asyousay!Moreover,noothercallwasputthrough—toWesteringhamoranywhereelse.”
“Veryinteresting,”saidPoirot,withapproval.“M.GeorgeLeesayshehasjustfinishedtelephoningwhenhehearsthenoiseoverhead—butactuallyhehadfinishedtelephoningnearlytenminutesbeforethat.Wherewasheinthosetenminutes?Mrs.GeorgeLeesaysthatshewastelephoning—butactuallysheneverputthroughacallatall.Wherewasshe?”
Sugdensaid:
“Isawyoutalkingtoher,M.Poirot?”
Hisvoiceheldaquestion,butPoirotreplied:
“Youareinerror!”
“Eh?”
“Iwasnottalkingtoher—shewastalkingtome!”
“Oh—”Sugdenseemedtobeabouttobrushthedistinctionasideimpatiently;then,asitssignificancesankin,hesaid:
“Shewastalkingtoyou,yousay?”
“Mostdefinitely.Shecameouthereforthatpurpose.”
“Whatdidshehavetosay?”
“Shewishedtostresscertainpoints:theunEnglishcharacterofthecrime—thepossiblyundesirableantecedentsofMissEstravadosonthepaternalside—thefactthatMissEstravadoshadfurtivelypickedupsomethingfromthefloorlastnight.”
“Shetoldyouthat,didshe?”saidSugdenwithinterest.
“Yes.Whatwasitthatthese?oritapickedup?”
Sugdensighed.
“Icouldgiveyouthreehundredguesses!I’llshowittoyou.It’sthesortofthingthatsolvesthewholemysteryindetectivestories!Ifyoucanmakeanythingoutofit,I’llretirefromthepoliceforce!”
“Showitme.”
Sugdentookanenvelopefromhispocketandtilteditscontentsontothepalmofhishand.Afaintgrinshowedonhisface.
“Thereyouare.Whatdoyoumakeofit?”
Onthesuperintendent’sbroadpalmlayalittletriangularpieceofpinkrubberandasmallwoodenpeg.
HisgrinbroadenedasPoirotpickedupthearticlesandfrownedoverthem.
“Makeanythingofthem,Mr.Poirot?”
“Thislittlepieceofstuffmighthavebeencutfromaspongebag?”
“Itwas.ItcomesfromaspongebaginMr.Lee’sroom.Somebodywithsharpscissorsjustcutasmalltriangularpieceoutofit.Mr.Leemayhavedoneithimself,forallIknow.Butitbeatsmewhyheshoulddoit.Horburycan’tthrowanylightonthematter.Asforthepeg,it’saboutthesizeofacribbagepeg,butthey’reusuallymadeofivory.Thisisjustroughwood—whittledoutofabitofdeal,Ishouldsay.”
“Mostremarkable,”murmuredPoirot.
“Keep’emifyoulike,”saidSugdenkindly.“Idon’twantthem.”
“Monami,Iwouldnotdepriveyouofthem!”
“Theydon’tmeananythingatalltoyou?”
“Imustconfess—nothingwhatever!”
“Splendid!”saidSugdenwithheavysarcasm,returningthemtohispocket.“Wearegettingon!”
Poirotsaid:
“Mrs.GeorgeLee,sherecountsthattheyoungladystoopedandpickedthesebagatellesupinafurtivemanner.Shouldyousaythatthatwastrue?”
Sugdenconsideredthepoint.
“N-o,”hesaidhesitatingly.“Ishouldn’tquitegoasfarasthat.Shedidn’tlookguilty—nothingofthatkind—butshedidsetaboutitrather—well,quicklyandquietly—ifyouknowwhatImean.Andshedidn’tknowI’dseenherdoit!ThatI’msureof.ShejumpedwhenIroundedonher.”
Poirotsaidthoughtfully:
“Thentherewasareason?Butwhatconceivablereasoncouldtherehavebeen?Thatlittlepieceofrubberisquitefresh.Ithasnotbeenusedforanything.Itcanhavenomeaningwhatsoever;andyet—”
Sugdensaidimpatiently:
“Well,youcanworryaboutitifyoulike,Mr.Poirot.I’vegototherthingstothinkabout.”
Poirotasked:
“Thecasestands—where,inyouropinion?”
Sugdentookouthisnotebook.
“Let’sgetdowntofacts.Tobeginwith,therearethepeoplewhocouldn’thavedoneit.Let’sgetthemoutofthewayfirst—”
“Theyare—?”
“AlfredandHarryLee.They’vegotadefinitealibi.AlsoMrs.AlfredLee,sinceTressiliansawherinthedrawingroomonlyaboutaminutebeforetherowstartedupstairs.Thosethreeareclear.Nowfortheothers.Here’salist.I’veputitthiswayforclearness.”
HehandedthebooktoPoirot.
Atthetimeofthecrime
GeorgeLee
?
Mrs.GeorgeLee
?
DavidLee
playingpianoinmusicroom(confirmedbyhiswife)
Mrs.DavidLee
inmusicroom(confirmedbyhusband)
MissEstravados
inherbedroom(noconfirmation)
StephenFarr
inballroomplayinggramophone(confirmedbythreeofstaffwhocouldhearthemusicinservants’hall).
Poirotsaid,handingbackthelist:
“Andtherefore?”
“Andtherefore,”saidSugden,“GeorgeLeecouldhavekilledtheoldman.Mrs.GeorgeLeecouldhavekilledhim.PilarEstravadoscouldhavekilledhim;andeitherMr.orMrs.DavidLeecouldhavekilledhim,butnotboth.”
“Youdonot,then,acceptthatalibi?”
SuperintendentSugdenshookhisheademphatically.
“Notonyourlife!Husbandandwife—devotedtoeachother!Theymaybeinittogether,orifoneofthemdidit,theotherisreadytosweartoanalibi.Ilookatitthisway:Someonewasinthemusicroomplayingthepiano.ItmayhavebeenDavidLee.Itprobablywas,sincehewasanacknowledgedmusician,butthere’snothingtosayhiswifewastheretooexceptherwordandhis.Inthesameway,itmayhavebeenHildawhowasplayingthatpianowhileDavidLeecreptupstairsandkilledhisfather!No,it’sanabsolutelydifferentcasefromthetwobrothersinthediningroom.AlfredLeeandHarryLeedon’tloveeachother.Neitherofthemwouldperjurehimselffortheother’ssake.”
“WhataboutStephenFarr?”
“He’sapossiblesuspectbecausethatgramophonealibiisabitthin.Ontheotherhand,it’sthesortofalibithat’sreallysounderthanagoodcast-irondyed-in-the-woolalibiwhich,tentoone,hasbeenfakedupbeforehand!”
Poirotbowedhisheadthoughtfully.
“Iknowwhatyoumean.Itisthealibiofamanwhodidnotknowthathewouldbecalledupontoprovidesuchathing.”
“Exactly!Andanyway,somehow,Idon’tbelieveastrangerwasmixedupinthisthing.”
Poirotsaidquickly:
“Iagreewithyou.Itishereafamilyaffair.Itisapoisonthatworksintheblood—itisintimate—itisdeep-seated.Thereishere,Ithink,hateandknowledge….”
Hewavedhishands.
“Idonotknow—itisdifficult!”
SuperintendentSugdenhadwaitedrespectfully,butwithoutbeingmuchimpressed.Hesaid:
“Quiteso,Mr.Poirot.Butwe’llgetatit,neverfear,witheliminationandlogic.We’vegotthepossibilitiesnow—thepeoplewithopportunity.GeorgeLee,MagdaleneLee,DavidLee,HildaLee,PilarEstravados,andI’lladd,StephenFarr.Nowwecometomotive.WhohadamotiveforputtingoldMr.Leeoutoftheway?Thereagainwecanwashoutcertainpeople.MissEstravados,forone.Igatherthatasthewillstandsnow,shedoesn’tgetanythingatall.IfSimeonLeehaddiedbeforehermother,hermother’ssharewouldhavecomedowntoher(unlesshermotherwilleditotherwise),butasJenniferEstravadospredeceased
“Perfectly.”
“Thereremains,ofcourse,thepossibilitythatshecuthisthroatintheheatofaquarrel,butthatseemsextremelyunlikelytome.Tobeginwith,theywereonthebestofterms,andshehadn’tbeenherelongenoughtobearhimagrudgeaboutanything.ItthereforeseemshighlyunlikelythatMissEstravadoshasanythingtodowiththecrime—exceptthatyoumightarguethattocutaman’sthroatisanunEnglishsortofthingtodo,asyourfriendMrs.Georgeputit?”
“Donotcallhermyfriend,”saidPoirothastily.“OrIshallspeakofyourfriendMissEstravados,whofindsyousuchahandsomeman!”
Hehadthepleasureofseeingthesuperintendent’sofficialpoiseupsetagain.Thepoliceofficerturnedcrimson.Poirotlookedathimwithmaliciousamusement.
Hesaid,andtherewasawistfulnoteinhisvoice:
“Itistruethatyourmoustacheissuperb…Tellme,doyouuseforitaspecialpomade?”
“Pomade?Goodlord,no!”
“Whatdoyouuse?”
“Use?Nothingatall.It—itjustgrows.”
Poirotsighed.
“Youarefavouredbynature.”Hecaressedhisownluxuriantblackmoustache,thensighed.“Howeverexpensivethepreparation,”hemurmured,“torestorethenaturalcolourdoessomewhatimpoverishthequalityofthehair.”
SuperintendentSugden,uninterestedinhairdressingproblems,wascontinuinginastolidmanner:
“Consideringthemotiveforthecrime,IshouldsaythatwecanprobablywashoutMr.StephenFarr.It’sjustpossiblethattherewassomehanky-pankybetweenhisfatherandMr.Leeandtheformersuffered,butIdoubtit.Farr’smannerwastooeasyandassuredwhenhementionedthatsubject.Hewasquiteconfident—andIdon’tthinkhewasacting.No,Idon’tthinkwe’llfindanythingthere.”
“Idonotthinkyouwill,”saidPoirot.
“Andthere’soneotherpersonwithamotiveforkeepingoldMr.Leealive—hissonHarry.It’struethathebenefitsunderthewill,butIdon’tbelievehewasawareofthefact.Certainlycouldn’thavebeensureofit!ThegeneralimpressionseemedtobethatHarryhadbeendefinitelycutoutofhisshareoftheinheritanceatthetimehecutloose.Butnowhewasonthepointofcomingbackintofavour!Itwasalltohisadvantagethathisfathershouldmakeanewwill.Hewouldn’tbesuchafoolastokillhimnow.Actually,asweknow,hecouldn’thavedoneit.Yousee,we’regettingon;we’reclearingquitealotofpeopleoutoftheway.”
“Howtrue.Verysoontherewillbenobodyleft!”
Sugdengrinned.
“We’renotgoingasfastasthat!We’vegotGeorgeLeeandhiswife,andDavidLeeandMrs.David.Theyallbenefitbythedeath,andGeorgeLee,fromallIcanmakeout,isgraspingaboutmoney.Moreover,hisfatherwasthreateningtocutdownsupplies.Sowe’vegotGeorgeLeewithmotiveandopportunity!”
“Continue,”saidPoirot.
“Andwe’vegotMrs.George!Asfondofmoneyasacatisfondofcream;andI’dbepreparedtobetshe’sheavilyindebtattheminute!ShewasjealousoftheSpanishgirl.Shewasquicktospotthattheotherwasgaininganascendancyovertheoldman.She’dheardhimsaythathewassendingforthelawyer.Soshestruckquickly.Youcouldmakeoutacase.”
“Possibly.”
“Thenthere’sDavidLeeandhiswife.Theyinheritunderthepresentwill,butIdon’tbelieve,somehow,thatthemoneymotivewouldbeparticularlystrongintheircase.”
“No?”
“No.DavidLeeseemstobeabitofadreamer—notamercenarytype.Buthe’s—well,he’sodd.AsIseeit,therearethreepossiblemotivesforthismurder:There’sthediamondcomplication,there’sthewill,andthere’s—well—justplainhate.”
“Ah,youseethat,doyou?”
Sugdensaid:
“Naturally.It’sbeenpresentinmymindallalong.IfDavidLeekilledhisfather,Idon’tthinkitwasformoney.Andifhewasthecriminalitmightexplainthe—well,thebloodletting!”
Poirotlookedathimappreciatively.
“Yes,Iwonderedwhenyouwouldtakethatintoconsideration.Somuchblood—thatiswhatMrs.Alfredsaid.Ittakesonebacktoancientrituals—tobloodsacrifice,totheanointingwiththebloodofthesacrifice….”
Sugdensaid,frowning:
“Youmeanwhoeverdiditwasmad?”
“Moncher—thereareallsortsofdeepinstinctsinmanofwhichhehimselfisunaware.Thecravingforblood—thedemandforsacrifice!”
Sugdensaiddoubtfully:
“DavidLeelooksaquiet,harmlessfellow.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youdonotunderstandthepsychology.DavidLeeisamanwholivesinthepast—amaninwhomthememoryofhismotherisstillverymuchalive.Hekeptawayfromhisfatherformanyyearsbecausehecouldnotforgivehisfather’streatmentofhismother.Hecamehere,letussuppose,toforgive.Buthemaynothavebeenabletoforgive…Wedoknowonething—thatwhenDavidLeestoodbyhisfather’sdeadbody,somepartofhimwasappeasedandsatisfied.‘ThemillsofGodgrindslowly,yettheygrindexceedingsmall.’Retribution!Payment!Thewrongwipedoutbyexpiation!”
Sugdengaveasuddenshudder.Hesaid:
“Don’ttalklikethat,Mr.Poirot.Yougivemequiteaturn.Itmaybethatit’sasyousay.Ifso,Mrs.Davidknows—andmeanstoshieldhimallsheknowshow.Icanimagineherdoingthat.Ontheotherhand,Ican’timagineherbeingamurderess.She’ssuchacomfortablecommonplacesortofwoman.”
Poirotlookedathimcuriously.
“Soshestrikesyoulikethat?”hemurmured.
“Well,yes—ahomelybody,ifyouknowwhatImean!”
“Oh,Iknowwhatyoumeanperfectly!”
Sugdenlookedathim.
“Come,now,Mr.Poirot,you’vegotideasaboutthecase.Let’shavethem.”
Poirotsaidslowly:“Ihaveideas,yes,buttheyarerathernebulous.Letmefirsthearyoursumming-upofthecase.”
“Well,it’sasIsaid—threepossiblemotives:hate,gain,andthisdiamondcomplication.Takethefactschronologically.
“3:30.Familygathering.Telephoneconversationtolawyeroverheardbyallthefamily.Thentheoldmanletslooseonhisfamily,tellsthemwheretheyallgetoff.Theyslinkoutlikealotofscaredrabbits.”
“HildaLeeremainedbehind,”saidPoirot.
“Soshedid.Butnotforlong.ThenaboutsixAlfredhasaninterviewwithhisfather—unpleasantinterview.Harryistobereinstated.Alfredisn’tpleased.Alfred,ofcourse,oughttobeourprincipalsuspect.Hehadbyfarthestrongestmotive.However,togeton,Harrycomesalongnext.Isinboisterousspirits.Hasgottheoldmanjustwherehewantshim.ButbeforethosetwointerviewsSimeonLeehasdiscoveredthelossofthediamondsandhastelephonedtome.Hedoesn’tmentionhislosstoeitherofhistwosons.Why?Inmyopinionbecausehewasquitesureneitherofthemhadanythingtodowithit.Neitherofthemwereundersuspicion.Ibelieve,asI’vesaidallalong,thattheoldmansuspectedHorburyoneotherperson.AndI’mprettysureofwhathemeanttodo.Remember,hesaiddefinitelyhedidn’twantanyonetocomeandsitwithhimthatevening.Why?Becausehewaspreparingthewayfortwothings:First,myvisit;andsecond,thevisitofthatothersuspectedperson.Hedidasksomeonetocomeandseehimimmediatelyafterdinner.Nowwhowasthatpersonlikelytobe?MighthavebeenGeorgeLee.Muchmorelikelytohavebeenhiswife.Andthere’sanotherpersonwhocomesbackintothepicturehere—PilarEstravados.He’sshownherthediamonds.He’dtoldhertheirvalue.Howdoweknowthatgirlisn’tathief?Rememberthesemysterioushintsaboutthedisgracefulbehaviourofherfather.Perhapshewasaprofessionalthiefandfinallywenttoprisonforit.”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“Andso,asyousay,PilarEstravadoscomesbackintothepicture….”
“Yes—asathief.Nootherway.Shemayhavelostherheadwhenshewasfoundout.Shemayhaveflownathergrandfatherandattackedhim.”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“Itispossible—yes….”
SuperintendentSugdenlookedathimkeenly.
“Butthat’snotyouridea?Come,Mr.Poirot,whatisyouridea?”
Poirotsaid:
“Igobackalwaystothesamething:thecharacterofthedeadman.WhatmannerofamanwasSimeonLee?”
“Thereisn’tmuchmysteryaboutthat,”saidSugden,staring.
“Tellme,then.Thatistosay,tellmefromthelocalpointofviewwhatwasknownoftheman.”
SuperintendentSugdendrewadoubtfulfingeralonghisjawbone.Helookedperplexed.Hesaid:
“I’mnotalocalmanmyself.IcomefromReeveshire,overtheborder—nextcounty.ButofcourseoldMr.Leewasawell-knownfigureintheseparts.Iknowallabouthimbyhearsay.”
“Yes?Andthathearsaywas—what?”
Sugdensaid:
“Well,hewasasharpcustomer;thereweren’tmanywhocouldgetthebetterofhim.Buthewasgenerouswithhismoney.Openhandedastheymake’em.BeatsmehowMr.GeorgeLeecanbetheexactopposite,andbehisfather’sson.”
“Ah!Buttherearetwodistinctstrainsinthefamily.Alfred,George,andDavidresemble—superficiallyatleast—theirmother’ssideofthefamily.Ihavebeenlookingatsomeportraitsinthegallerythismorning.”
“Hewashot-tempered,”continuedSuperintendentSugden,“andofcoursehehadabadreputationwithwomen—thatwasinhisyoungerdays.He’sbeenaninvalidformanyyearsnow.Buteventherehealwaysbehavedgenerously.Iftherewastrouble,healwayspaiduphandsomelyandgotthegirlmarriedoffasoftenasnot.Hemayhavebeenabadlot,buthewasn’tmean.Hetreatedhiswifebadly,ranafterotherwomen,andneglectedher.Shediedofabrokenheart,sotheysay.It’saconvenientterm,butIbelieveshewasreallyveryunhappy,poorlady.Shewasalwayssicklyandneverwentaboutmuch.There’snodoubtthatMr.Leewasanoddcharacter.Hadarevengefulstreakinhim,too.Ifanyonedidhimanastyturnhealwayspaiditback,sotheysay,anddidn’tmindhowlonghehadtowaittodoit.”
“ThemillsofGodgrindslowly,yettheygrindexceedingsmall,”murmuredPoirot.
SuperintendentSugdensaidheavily:
“Millsofthedevil,morelikely!NothingsaintlyaboutSimeonLee.Thekindofmanyoumightsayhadsoldhissoultothedevilandenjoyedthebargain!Andhewasproud,too,proudasLucifer.”
“ProudasLucifer!”saidPoirot.“Itissuggestive,whatyousaythere.”
SuperintendentSugdensaid,lookingpuzzled:
“Youdon’tmeanthathewasmurderedbecausehewasproud?”
“Imean,”saidPoirot,“thatthereissuchathingasinheritance.SimeonLeetransmittedthatpridetohissons—”
Hebrokeoff.HildaLeehadcomeoutofthehouseandwasstandinglookingalongtheterrace.
III
“Iwantedtofindyou,M.Poirot.”
SuperintendentSugdenhadexcusedhimselfandgonebackintothehouse.Lookingafterhim,Hildasaid:
“Ididn’tknowhewaswithyou.IthoughthewaswithPilar.Heseemsaniceman,quiteconsiderate.”
Hervoicewaspleasant,alow,soothingcadencetoit.
Poirotasked:
“Youwantedtoseeme,yousay?”
Sheinclinedherhead.
“Yes.Ithinkyoucanhelpme.”
“Ishallbedelightedtodoso,madame.”
Shesaid:
“Youareaveryintelligentman,M.Poirot.Isawthatlastnight.Therearethingswhichyouwill,Ithink,findoutquiteeasily.Iwantyoutounderstandmyhusband.”
“Yes,madame?”
“Ishouldn’ttalklikethistoSuperintendentSugden.Hewouldn’tunderstand.Butyouwill.”
Poirotbowed.“Youhonourme,madame.”
Hildawentcalmlyon:
“Myhusband,formanyyears,eversinceImarriedhim,hasbeenwhatIcanonlydescribeasamentalcripple.”
“Ah!”
“Whenonesufferssomegreathurtphysically,itcausesshockandpain,butslowlyitmends,thefleshheals,theboneknits.Theremaybe,perhaps,alittleweakness,aslightscar,butnothingmore.Myhusband,M.Poirot,sufferedagreathurtmentallyathismostsusceptibleage.Headoredhismotherandhesawherdie.Hebelievedthathisfatherwasmorallyresponsibleforthatdeath.Fromthatshockhehasneverquiterecovered.Hisresentmentagainsthisfatherneverdieddown.ItwasIwhopersuadedDavidtocomeherethisChristmas,tobereconciledtohisfather.Iwantedit—forhissake—Iwantedthatmentalwoundtoheal.Irealizenowthatcomingherewasamistake.SimeonLeeamusedhimselfbyprobingintothatoldwound.Itwas—averydangerousthingtodo….”
Poirotsaid:“Areyoutellingme,madame,thatyourhusbandkilledhisfather?”
“Iamtellingyou,M.Poirot,thatheeasilymighthavedoneso…AndIwillalsotellyouthis—thathedidnot!WhenSimeonLeewaskilled,hissonwasplayingthe‘DeadMarch.’Thewishtokillwasinhisheart.Itpassedoutthroughhisfingersanddiedinwavesofsound—thatisthetruth.”
Poirotwassilentforaminuteortwo,thenhesaid:
“Andyou,madame,whatisyourverdictonthatpastdrama?”
“YoumeanthedeathofSimeonLee’swife?”
“Yes.”
Hildasaidslowly:
“Iknowenoughoflifetoknowthatyoucanneverjudgeanycaseonitsoutsidemerits.Toallseeming,SimeonLeewasentirelytoblameandhiswifewasabominablytreated.Atthesametime,Ihonestlybelievethatthereisakindofmeekness,apredispositiontomartyrdomwhichdoesarousetheworstinstinctsinmenofacertaintype.SimeonLeewouldhaveadmired,Ithink,spiritandforceofcharacter.Hewasmerelyirritatedbypatienceandtears.”
Poirotnodded.Hesaid:
“Yourhusbandsaidlastnight:‘Mymothernevercomplained.’Isthattrue?”
HildaLeesaidimpatiently:
“Ofcourseitisn’t!ShecomplainedthewholetimetoDavid!Shelaidthewholeburdenofherunhappinessonhisshoulders.Hewastooyoung—fartooyoungtobearallshegavehimtobear!”
Poirotlookedthoughtfullyather.Sheflushedunderhisgazeandbitherlip.
Hesaid:
“Isee.”
Shesaidsharply:
“Whatdoyousee?”
Heanswered:
“Iseethatyouhavehadtobeamothertoyourhusbandwhenyouwouldhavepreferredtobeawife.”
Sheturnedaway.
AtthatmomentDavidLeecameoutofthehouseandalongtheterracetowardsthem.Hesaid,andhisvoicehadaclearjoyfulnoteinit:
“Hilda,isn’titagloriousday?Almostlikespringinsteadofwinter.”
Hecamenearer.Hisheadwasthrownback,alockoffairhairfellacrosshisforehead,hisblueeyesshone.Helookedamazinglyyoungandboyish.Therewasabouthimayouthfuleagerness,acarefreeradiance.HerculePoirotcaughthisbreath….
Davidsaid:“Let’sgodowntothelake,Hilda.”
Shesmiled,putherarmthroughhis,andtheymovedofftogether.
AsPoirotwatchedthemgo,hesawherturnandgivehimarapidglance.Hecaughtamomentaryglimpseofswiftanxiety—orwasit,hewondered,fear?
SlowlyHerculePoirotwalkedtotheotherendoftheterrace.Hemurmuredtohimself:
“AsIhavealwayssaid,me,Iamthefatherconfessor!Andsincewomencometoconfessionmorefrequentlythanmen,itiswomenwhohavecometomethismorning.Willthere,Iwonder,beanotherveryshortly?”
Asheturnedattheendoftheterraceandpacedbackagain,heknewthathisquestionwasanswered.LydiaLeewascomingtowardshim.
IV
Lydiasaid:
“Goodmorning,M.Poirot.TressiliantoldmeIshouldfindyououtherewithHarry;butIamgladtofindyoualone.Myhusbandhasbeenspeakingaboutyou.Iknowheisveryanxioustotalktoyou.”
“Ah!Yes?ShallIgoandseehimnow?”
“Notjustyet.Hegothardlyanysleeplastnight.IntheendIgavehimastrongsleepingdraught.Heisstillasleep,andIdon’twanttodisturbhim.”
“Iquiteunderstand.Thatwasverywise.Icouldseelastnightthattheshockhadbeenverygreat.”
Shesaidseriously:
“Yousee,M.Poirot,hereallycared—muchmorethantheothers.”
“Iunderstand.”
Sheasked:
“Haveyou—hasthesuperintendent—anyideaofwhocanhavedonethisawfulthing?”
Poirotsaiddeliberately:
“Wehavecertainideas,madame,astowhodidnotdoit.”
Lydiasaid,almostimpatiently:
“It’slikeanightmare—sofantastic—Ican’tbelieveit’sreal!”
Sheadded:
“WhataboutHorbury?Washereallyatthecinema,ashesaid?”
“Yes,madame,hisstoryhasbeenchecked.Hewasspeakingthetruth.”
Lydiastoppedandpluckedatabitofyew.Herfacewentalittlepaler.Shesaid:
“Butthat’sawful!Itonlyleaves—thefamily!”
“Exactly.”
“M.Poirot,Ican’tbelieveit!”
“Madame,youcanandyoudobelieveit!”
Sheseemedabouttoprotest.Thensuddenlyshesmiledruefully.
Shesaid:
“Whatahypocriteoneis!”
Henodded.
“Ifyouweretobefrankwithme,madame,”hesaid,“youwouldadmitthattoyouitseemsquitenaturalthatoneofhisfamilyshouldmurderyourfather-in-law.”
Lydiasaidsharply:
“That’sreallyafantasticthingtosay,M.Poirot!”
“Yes,itis.Butyourfather-in-lawwasafantasticperson!”
Lydiasaid:
“Pooroldman.Icanfeelsorryforhimnow.Whenhewasalive,hejustannoyedmeunspeakably!”
Poirotsaid:
“SoIshouldimagine!”
Hebentoveroneofthestonesinks.
“Theyareveryingenious,these.Verypleasing.”
“I’mgladyoulikethem.It’soneofmyhobbies.DoyoulikethisArcticonewiththepenguinsandtheice?”
“Charming.Andthis—whatisthis?”
“Oh,that’stheDeadSea—orgoingtobe.Itisn’tfinishedyet.Youmustn’tlookatit.NowthisoneissupposedtobePianainCorsica.Therocksthere,youknow,arequitepinkandtoolovelywheretheygodownintothebluesea.Thisdesertsceneisratherfun,don’tyouthink?”
Sheledhimalong.Whentheyhadreachedthefartherendsheglancedatherwristwatch.
“ImustgoandseeifAlfredisawake.”
WhenshehadgonePoirotwentslowlybackagaintothegardenrepresentingtheDeadSea.Helookedatitwithagooddealofinterest.Thenhescoopedupafewofthepebblesandletthemrunthroughhisfingers.
Suddenlyhisfacechanged.Heheldupthepebblesclosetohisface.
“Sapristi!”hesaid.“Thisisasurprise!Nowwhatexactlydoesthismean?”
PARTFIVE
DECEMBER26TH
ThechiefconstableandSuperintendentSugdenstaredatPoirotincredulously.Thelatterreturnedastreamofsmallpebblescarefullyintoasmallcardboardboxandpusheditacrosstothechiefconstable.
“Oh,yes,”hesaid.“Itisthediamondsallright.”
“Andyoufoundthemwhere,didyousay?Inthegarden?”
“InoneofthesmallgardensconstructedbyMadameAlfredLee.”
“Mrs.Alfred?”Sugdenshookhishead.“Doesn’tseemlikely.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youmean,Isuppose,thatyoudonotconsideritlikelythatMrs.Alfredcutherfather-in-law’sthroat?”
Sugdensaidquickly:
“Weknowshedidn’tdothat.Imeantitseemedunlikelythatshepinchedthesediamonds.”
Poirotsaid:
“Onewouldnoteasilybelieveherathief—no.”
Sugdensaid:
“Anybodycouldhavehiddenthemthere.”
“Thatistrue.Itwasconvenientthatinthatparticulargarden—theDeadSeaasitrepresents—therehappenedtobepebblesverysimilarinshapeandappearance.”
Sugdensaid:
“Youmeanshefixeditlikethatbeforehand?Ready?”
ColonelJohnsonsaidwarmly:
“Idon’tbelieveitforamoment.Notforamoment.Whyshouldshetakethediamondsinthefirstplace?”
“Well,astothat—”Sugdensaidslowly.
Poirotnippedinquickly:
“Thereisapossibleanswertothat.Shetookthediamondstosuggestamotiveforthemurder.Thatistosaysheknewthatmurderwasgoingtobedonethoughsheherselftooknoactivepartinit.”
Johnsonfrowned.
“Thatwon’tholdwaterforaminute.You’remakingherouttobeanaccomplice—butwhoseaccomplicewouldshebelikelytobe?Onlyherhusband’s.Butasweknowthathe,too,hadnothingtodowiththemurder,thewholetheoryfallstotheground.”
Sugdenstrokedhisjawreflectively.
“Yes,”hesaid,“that’sso.No,ifMrs.Leetookthediamonds—andit’sabigif—itwasjustplainrobbery,andit’strueshemighthavepreparedthatgardenspeciallyasahidingplaceforthemtillthehueandcryhaddieddown.Anotherpossibilityisthatofcoincidence.Thatgarden,withitssimilarityofpebbles,struckthethief,whoeverheorshewas,asanidealhidingplace.”
Poirotsaid:
“Thatisquitepossible.Iamalwayspreparedtoadmitonecoincidence.”
SuperintendentSugdenshookhisheaddubiously.
Poirotsaid:
“Whatisyouropinion,Superintendent?”
Thesuperintendentsaidcautiously:
“Mrs.Lee’saverynicelady.Doesn’tseemlikelythatshe’dbemixedupinanybusinessthatwasfishy.But,ofcourse,oneneverknows.”
ColonelJohnsonsaidtestily:
“Inanycase,whateverthetruthisaboutthediamonds,herbeingmixedupinthemurderisoutofthequestion.Thebutlersawherinthedrawingroomattheactualtimeofthecrime.Yourememberthat,Poirot?”
Poirotsaid:
“Ihadnotforgottenthat.”
Thechiefconstableturnedtohissubordinate.
“We’dbettergeton.Whathaveyoutoreport?Anythingfresh?”
“Yes,sir.I’vegotholdofsomenewinformation.Tostartwith—Horbury.There’sareasonwhyhemightbescaredofthepolice.”
“Robbery?Eh?”
“No,sir.Extortingmoneyunderthreats.Modifiedblackmail.Thecasecouldn’tbeprovedsohegotoff,butIratherfancyhe’sgotawaywithathingortwointhatline.Havingaguiltyconscience,heprobablythoughtwewereontosomethingofthatkindwhenTressilianmentionedapoliceofficerlastnightanditmadehimgetthewindup.”
Thechiefconstablesaid:
“H’m!SomuchforHorbury.Whatelse?”
Thesuperintendentcoughed.
“Er—Mrs.GeorgeLee,sir.We’vegotalineonherbeforehermarriage.WaslivingwithaCommanderJones.Passedashisdaughter—butshewasn’thisdaughter…Ithinkfromwhatwe’vebeentold,thatoldMr.Leesummedherupprettycorrectly—hewassmartwherewomenwereconcerned,knewabadlotwhenhesawone—andwasjustamusinghimselfbytakingashotinthedark.Andhegotherontheraw!”
ColonelJohnsonsaidthoughtfully:
“Thatgivesheranotherpossiblemotive—apartfromthemoneyangle.Shemayhavethoughtheknewsomethingdefiniteandwasgoingtogiveherawaytoherhusband.Thattelephonestoryofhersisprettyfishy.Shedidn’ttelephone.”
Sugdensuggested:
“Whynothavethemintogether,sir,andgetatthattelephonebusinessstraight?Seewhatweget.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Goodidea.”
Herangthebell.Tressilianansweredit.
“AskMr.andMrs.GeorgeLeetocomehere.”
“Verygood,sir.”
Astheoldmanturnedaway,Poirotsaid:
“Thedateonthatwallcalendar,hasitremainedlikeitissincethemurder?”
Tressilianturnedback.
“Whichcalendar,sir?”
“Theoneonthewalloverthere.”
ThethreemenweresittingoncemoreinAlfredLee’ssmallsittingroom.Thecalendarinquestionwasalargeonewithtear-offleaves,abolddateoneachleaf.
Tressilianpeeredacrosstheroom,thenshuffledslowlyacrosstillhewasafootortwoaway.
Hesaid:
“Excuseme,sir,ithasbeentornoff.It’sthetwenty-sixthtoday.”
“Ah,pardon.Whowouldhavebeenthepersontotearitoff?”
“Mr.Leedoes,sir,everymorning.Mr.Alfred,he’saverymethodicalgentleman.”
“Isee.Thankyou.”
Tressilianwentout.Sugdensaid,puzzled:
“Isthereanythingfishyaboutthatcalendar,Mr.Poirot?HaveImissedsomethingthere?”
WithashrugofhisshouldersPoirotsaid:
“Thecalendarisofnoimportance.ItwasjustalittleexperimentIwasmaking.”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Inquesttomorrow.There’llbeanadjournment,ofcourse.”
Sugdensaid:
“Yes,sir,I’veseentheCoronerandit’sallarrangedfor.”
II
GeorgeLeecameintotheroom,accompaniedbyhiswife.
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Goodmorning.Sitdown,willyou?ThereareafewquestionsIwanttoaskbothofyou.SomethingI’mnotquiteclearabout.”
“IshallbegladtogiveyouanyassistanceIcan,”saidGeorge,somewhatpompously.
Magdalenesaidfaintly:
“Ofcourse!”
ThechiefconstablegaveaslightnodtoSugden.Thelattersaid:
“Aboutthosetelephonecallsonthenightofthecrime.YouputthroughacalltoWesteringham,Ithinkyousaid,Mr.Lee?”
Georgesaidcoldly:
“Yes,Idid.Tomyagentintheconstituency.Icanreferyoutohimand—”
SuperintendentSugdenhelduphishandtostemtheflow.
“Quiteso—quiteso,Mr.Lee.We’renotdisputingthatpoint.Yourcallwentthroughat8:59exactly.”
“Well—I—er—couldn’tsayastotheexacttime.”
“Ah,”saidSugden.“Butwecan!Wealwayscheckuponthesethingsverycarefully.Verycarefullyindeed.Thecallwasputthroughat8:59anditwasterminatedat9:4.Yourfather,Mr.Lee,waskilledabout9:15.Imustaskyouoncemoreforanaccountofyourmovements.”
“I’vetoldyou—Iwastelephoning!”
“No,Mr.Lee,youweren’t.”
“Nonsense—youmusthavemadeamistake!Well,Imay,perhaps,havejustfinishedtelephoning—IthinkIdebatedmakinganothercall—wasjustconsideringwhetheritwas—er—worth—theexpense—whenIheardthenoiseupstairs.”
“Youwouldhardlydebatewhetherornottomakeatelephonecallfortenminutes.”
Georgewentpurple.Hebegantosplutter.
“Whatdoyoumean?Whatthedevildoyoumean?Damnedimpudence!Areyoudoubtingmyword?Doubtingthewordofamanofmyposition?I—er—whyshouldIhavetoaccountforeveryminuteofmytime?”
SuperintendentSugdensaidwithastolidnessthatPoirotadmired:
“It’susual.”
Georgeturnedangrilyonthechiefconstable.
“ColonelJohnson.Doyoucountenancethis—thisunprecedentedattitude?”
Thechiefconstablesaidcrisply:“Inamurdercase,Mr.Lee,thenquestionsmustbeasked—andanswered.”
“Ihaveansweredthem!Ihadfinishedtelephoningandwas—er—debatingafurthercall.”
“Youwereinthisroomwhenthealarmwasraisedupstairs?”
“Iwas—yes,Iwas.”
JohnsonturnedtoMagdalene.
“Ithink,Mrs.Lee,”hesaid,“thatyoustatedthatyouweretelephoningwhenthealarmbrokeout,andthatatthetimeyouwerealoneinthisroom?”
Magdalenewasflustered.Shecaughtherbreath,lookedsidewaysatGeorge—atSugden,thenappealinglyatColonelJohnson.Shesaid:
“Oh,really—Idon’tknow—Idon’trememberwhatIsaid…Iwassoupset….”
Sugdensaid:
“We’vegotitallwrittendown,youknow.”
Sheturnedherbatteriesonhim—wideappealingeyes—quiveringmouth.Butshemetinreturntherigidaloofnessofamanofsternrespectabilitywhodidn’tapproveofhertype.
Shesaiduncertainly:
“I—I—ofcourseItelephoned.Ican’tbequitesurejustwhen—”
Shestopped.
Georgesaid:
“What’sallthis?Wheredidyoutelephonefrom?Notinhere.”
SuperintendentSugdensaid:
“Isuggest,Mrs.Lee,thatyoudidn’ttelephoneatall.Inthatcase,wherewereyouandwhatwereyoudoing?”
Magdaleneglanceddistractedlyaboutherandburstintotears.Shesobbed:
“George,don’tletthembullyme!Youknowthatifanyonefrightensmeandthundersquestionsatme,Ican’trememberanythingatall!I—Idon’tknowwhatIwassayingthatnight—itwasallsohorrible—andIwassoupset—andthey’rebeingsobeastlytome….”
Shejumpedupandransobbingoutoftheroom.
Springingup,GeorgeLeeblustered:
“Whatd’youmean?Iwon’thavemywifebulliedandfrightenedoutofherlife!She’sverysensitive.It’sdisgraceful!IshallhaveaquestionaskedintheHouseaboutthedisgracefulbullyingmethodsofthepolice.It’sabsolutelydisgraceful!”
Hestrodeoutoftheroomandbangedthedoor.
SuperintendentSugdenthrewhisheadbackandlaughed.
Hesaid:
“We’vegotthemgoingproperly!Nowwe’llsee!”
Johnsonsaidfrowning:
“Extraordinarybusiness!Looksfishy.Wemustgetafurtherstatementoutofher.”
Sugdensaideasily:
“Oh!She’llbebackinaminuteortwo.Whenshe’sdecidedwhattosay.Eh,Mr.Poirot?”
Poirot,whohadbeensittinginadream,gaveastart.
“Pardon!”
“Isaidshe’llbeback.”
“Probably—yes,possibly—oh,yes!”
Sugdensaid,staringathim:
“What’sthematter,Mr.Poirot?Seenaghost?”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“Youknow—IamnotsurethatIhavenotdonejustexactlythat.”
ColonelJohnsonsaidimpatiently:
“Well,Sugden,anythingelse?”
Sugdensaid:
“I’vebeentryingtocheckupontheorderinwhicheveryonearrivedonthesceneofthemurder.It’squiteclearwhatmusthavehappened.Afterthemurderwhenthevictim’sdyingcryhadgiventhealarm,themurdererslippedout,lockedthedoorwithpliers,orsomethingofthatkind,andamomentortwolaterbecameoneofthepeoplehurryingtothesceneofthecrime.Unfortunatelyit’snoteasytocheckexactlywhomeveryonehasseenbecausepeople’smemoriesaren’tveryaccurateonapointlikethat.TressiliansayshesawHarryandAlfredLeecrossthehallfromthediningroomandraceupstairs.Thatletsthemout,butwedon’tsuspectthemanyway.AsfarasIcanmakeout,MissEstravadosgottherelate—oneofthelast.ThegeneralideaseemstobethatFarr,Mrs.George,andMrs.Davidwerethefirst.Eachofthosethreesaysoneoftheotherswasjustaheadofthem.That’swhat’ssodifficult,youcan’tdistinguishbetweenadeliberatelieandagenuinehazinessofrecollection.Everybodyranthere—that’sagreed,butinwhatordertheyranisn’tsoeasytogetat.”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“Youthinkthatimportant?”
Sugdensaid:
“It’sthetimeelement.Thetime,remember,wasincrediblyshort.”
Poirotsaid:
“Iagreewithyouthatthetimeelementisveryimportantinthiscase.”
Sugdenwenton:
“Whatmakesitmoredifficultisthattherearetwostaircases.There’sthemainoneinthehallhereaboutequidistantfromthediningroomandthedrawingroomdoors.Thenthere’sonetheotherendofthehouse.StephenFarrcameupbythelatter.MissEstravadoscamealongtheupperlandingfromthatendofthehouse(herroomisrighttheotherend).Theotherssaytheywentupbythisone.”
Poirotsaid:
“Itisaconfusion,yes.”
ThedooropenedandMagdalenecamequicklyin.Shewasbreathingfastandhadabrightspotofcolourineachcheek.Shecameuptothetableandsaidquietly:
“MyhusbandthinksI’mlyingdown.Islippedoutofmyroomquietly.ColonelJohnson,”sheappealedtohimwithwide,distressedeyes,“ifItellyouthetruthyouwillkeepquietaboutit,won’tyou?Imeanyoudon’thavetomakeeverythingpublic?”
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Youmean,Itakeit,Mrs.Lee,somethingthathasnoconnectionwiththecrime?”
“Yes,noconnectionatall.Justsomethinginmy—myprivatelife.”
Thechiefconstablesaid:
“You’dbettermakeacleanbreastofit,Mrs.Lee,andleaveustojudge.”
Magdalenesaid,hereyesswimming:
“Yes,Iwilltrustyou.IknowIcan.Youlooksokind.Yousee,it’slikethis.There’ssomebody—”Shestopped.
“Yes,Mrs.Lee?”
“Iwantedtotelephonetosomebodylastnight—aman—afriendofmine,andIdidn’twantGeorgetoknowaboutit.Iknowitwasverywrongofme—butwell,itwaslikethat.SoIwenttotelephoneafterdinnerwhenIthoughtGeorgewouldbesafelyinthediningroom.ButwhenIgothereIheardhimtelephoning,soIwaited.”
“Wheredidyouwait,madame?”askedPoirot.
“There’saplaceforcoatsandthingsbehindthestairs.It’sdarkthere.Islippedbackthere,whereIcouldseeGeorgecomeoutfromthisroom.Buthedidn’tcomeout,andthenallthenoisehappenedandMr.Leescreamed,andIranupstairs.”
“Soyourhusbanddidnotleavethisroomuntilthemomentofthemurder?”
“No.”
Thechiefconstablesaid:
“Andyouyourselffromnineo’clocktoninefifteenwerewaitingintherecessbehindthestairs?”
“Yes,butIcouldn’tsayso,yousee!They’dwanttoknowwhatIwasdoingthere.It’sbeenvery,veryawkwardforme,youdoseethat,don’tyou?”
Johnsonsaiddryly:
“Itwascertainlyawkward.”
Shesmiledathimsweetly.
“I’msorelievedtohavetoldyouthetruth.Andyouwon’ttellmyhusband,willyou?No,I’msureyouwon’t!Icantrustyou,allofyou.”
Sheincludedthemallinherfinalpleadinglook,thensheslippedquicklyoutoftheroom.
ColonelJohnsondrewadeepbreath.
“Well,”hesaid.“Itmightbelikethat!It’saperfectlyplausiblestory.Ontheotherhand—”
“Itmightnot,”finishedSugden.“That’sjustit.Wedon’tknow.”
III
LydiaLeestoodbythefarwindowofthedrawingroomlookingout.Herfigurewashalfhiddenbytheheavywindowcurtains.AsoundintheroommadeherturnwithastarttoseeHerculePoirotstandingbythedoor.
Shesaid:
“Youstartledme,M.Poirot.”
“Iapologize,madame.Iwalksoftly.”
Shesaid:
“IthoughtitwasHorbury.”
HerculePoirotnodded.
“Itistrue,hestepssoftly,thatone—likeacat—orathief.”
Hepausedaminute,watchingher.
Herfaceshowednothing,butshemadeaslightgrimaceofdistateasshesaid:
“Ihavenevercaredforthatman.Ishallbegladtogetridofhim.”
“Ithinkyouwillbewisetodoso,madame.”
Shelookedathimquickly.Shesaid:
“Whatdoyoumean?Doyouknowanythingagainsthim?”
Poirotsaid:
“Heisamanwhocollectssecrets—andusesthemtohisadvantage.”
Shesaidsharply:
“Doyouthinkheknowsanything—aboutthemurder?”
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.Hesaid:
“Hehasquietfeetandlongears.Hemayhaveoverheardsomethingthatheiskeepingtohimself.”
Lydiasaidclearly:
“Doyoumeanthathemaytrytoblackmailoneofus?”
“Itiswithintheboundsofpossibility.ButthatisnotwhatIcameheretosay.”
“Whatdidyoucometosay?”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“IhavebeentalkingwithM.AlfredLee.Hehasmademeaproposition,andIwishedtodiscussitwithyoubeforeacceptingordecliningit.ButIwassostruckbythepictureyoumade—thecharmingpatternofyourjumperagainstthedeepredofthecurtains,thatIpausedtoadmire.”
Lydiasaidsharply:
“Really,M.Poirot,mustwewastetimeincompliments?”
“Ibegyourpardon,madame.SofewEnglishladiesunderstandlatoilette.ThedressyouwerewearingthefirstnightIsawyou,itsboldbutsimplepattern,ithadgrace—distinction.”
Lydiasaidimpatiently:
“Whatwasityouwantedtoseemeabout?”
Poirotbecamegrave.
“Justthis,madame.Yourhusband,hewishesmetotakeuptheinvestigationveryseriously.HedemandsthatIstayhere,inthehouse,anddomyutmosttogettothebottomofthematter.”
Lydiasaidsharply:
“Well?”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“Ishouldnotwishtoacceptaninvitationthatwasnotendorsedbytheladyofthehouse.”
Shesaidcoldly:
“NaturallyIendorsemyhusband’sinvitation.”
“Yes,madame,butIneedmorethanthat.Doyoureallywantmetocomehere?”
“Whynot?”
“Letusbemorefrank.WhatIaskyouisthis:doyouwantthetruthtocomeout,ornot?”
“Naturally.”
Poirotsighed.
“Mustyoureturnmetheseconventionalreplies?”
Lydiasaid:
“Iamaconventionalwoman.”
Thenshebitherlip,hesitated,andsaid:
“Perhapsitisbettertospeakfrankly.OfcourseIunderstandyou!Thepositionisnotapleasantone.Myfather-in-lawhasbeenbrutallymurdered,andunlessacasecanbemadeoutagainstthemostlikelysuspect—Horbury—forrobberyandmurder—anditseemsthatitcannot—thenitcomestothis—oneofhisownfamilykilledhim.Tobringthatpersontojusticewillmeanbringingshameanddisgraceonusall…IfIamtospeakhonestlyImustsaythatIdonotwantthistohappen.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youarecontentforthemurderertoescapeunpunished?”
“Thereareprobablyseveralundiscoveredmurderersatlargeintheworld.”
“That,Igrantyou.”
“Doesonemorematter,then?”
Poirotsaid:
“Andwhatabouttheothermembersofthefamily?Theinnocent?”
Shestared.
“Whataboutthem?”
“Doyourealizethatifitturnsoutasyouhope,noonewilleverknow.Theshadowwillremainonallalike….”
Shesaiduncertainly:
“Ihadn’tthoughtofthat.”
Poirotsaid:
“Noonewilleverknowwhotheguiltypersonis….”
Headdedsoftly:
“Unlessyoualreadyknow,madame?”
Shecriedout:
“Youhavenobusinesstosaythat!It’snottrue!Oh!Ifonlyitcouldbeastranger—notamemberofthefamily.”
Poirotsaid:
“Itmightbeboth.”
Shestaredathim.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Itmightbeamemberofthefamily—and,atthesametime,astranger…YoudonotseewhatImean?Ehbien,itisanideathathasoccurredtothemindofHerculePoirot.”
Helookedather.
“Well,madame,whatamItosaytoMr.Lee?”
Lydiaraisedherhandsandletthemfallinasuddenhelplessgesture.
Shesaid:
“Ofcourse—youmustaccept.”
IV
Pilarstoodinthecentreofthemusicroom.Shestoodverystraight,hereyesdartingfromsidetosidelikeananimalwhofearsanattack.
Shesaid:
“Iwanttogetawayfromhere!”
StephenFarrsaidgently:
“You’renottheonlyonewhofeelslikethat.Buttheywon’tletusgo,mydear.”
“Youmean—thepolice?”
“Yes.”
Pilarsaidveryseriously:
“Itisnotnicetobemixedupwiththepolice.Itisathingthatshouldnothappentorespectablepeople.”
Stephensaidwithafaintsmile:
“Meaningyourself?”
Pilarsaid:
“No,ImeanAlfredandLydiaandDavidandGeorgeandHildaand—yes—Magdalenetoo.”
Stephenlitacigarette.Hepuffedatitforamomentortwobeforesaying:
“Whytheexception?”
“Whatisthat,please?”
Stephensaid:
“WhyleaveoutbrotherHarry?”
Pilarlaughed,herteethshowingwhiteandeven.
“Oh,Harryisdifferent!Ithinkheknowsverywellwhatitistobemixedupwiththepolice.”
“Perhapsyouareright.Hecertainlyisalittletoopicturesquetoblendwellintothedomesticpicture.”
Hewenton:
“DoyoulikeyourEnglishrelations,Pilar?”
Pilarsaiddoubtfully:
“Theyarekind—theyareallverykind.Buttheydonotlaughmuch,theyarenotgay.”
“Mydeargirl,there’sjustbeenamurderinthehouse!”
“Y-es,”saidPilardoubtfully.
“Amurder,”saidStepheninstructively,“isnotsuchaneverydayoccurrenceasyournonchalanceseemstoimply.InEnglandtheytaketheirmurdersseriouslywhatevertheymaydoinSpain.”
Pilarsaid:
“Youarelaughingatme….”
Stephensaid:
“You’rewrong.I’mnotinalaughingmood.”
Pilarlookedathimandsaid:
“Becauseyou,too,wishtogetawayfromhere?”
“Yes.”
“Andthebig,handsomepolicemanwillnotletyougo?”
“Ihaven’taskedhim.ButifIdid,I’venodoubthe’dsayno.I’vegottowatchmystep,Pilar,andbeveryverycareful.”
“Thatistiresome,”saidPilar,noddingherhead.
“It’sjustalittlebitmorethantiresome,mydear.Thenthere’sthatlunaticforeignerprowlingabout.Idon’tsupposehe’sanygoodbuthemakesmefeeljumpy.”
Pilarwasfrowning.Shesaid:
“Mygrandfatherwasvery,veryrich,washenot?”
“Ishouldimagineso.”
“Wheredoeshismoneygotonow?ToAlfredandtheothers?”
“Dependsonhiswill.”
Pilarsaidthoughtfully:“Hemighthaveleftmesomemoney,butIamafraidthatperhapshedidnot.”
Stephensaidkindly:
“You’llbeallright.Afterall,you’reoneofthefamily.Youbelonghere.They’llhavetolookafteryou.”
Pilarsaidwithasigh:“I—belonghere.Itisveryfunny,that.Andyetitisnotfunnyatall.”
“Icanseethatyoumightn’tfinditveryhumorous.”
Pilarsighedagain.Shesaid:
“Doyouthinkifweputonthegramophone,wecoulddance?”
Stephensaiddubiously:
“Itwouldn’tlookanytoogood.Thisisahouseofmourning,youcallousSpanishbaggage.”
Pilarsaid,herbigeyesopeningverywide:
“ButIdonotfeelsadatall.BecauseIdidnotreallyknowmygrandfather,andthoughIlikedtotalktohim,Idonotwanttocryandbeunhappybecauseheisdead.Itisverysillytopretend.”
Stephensaid:“You’readorable!”
Pilarsaidcoaxingly:
“Wecouldputsomestockingsandsomeglovesinthegramophone,andthenitwouldnotmakemuchnoise,andnoonewouldhear.”
“Comealongthen,temptress.”
Shelaughedhappilyandranoutoftheroom,goingalongtowardstheballroomatthefarendofthehouse.
Then,asshereachedthesidepassagewhichledtothegardendoor,shestoppeddead.Stephencaughtupwithherandstoppedalso.
HerculePoirothadunhookedaportraitfromthewallandwasstudyingitbythelightfromtheterrace.Helookedupandsawthem.
“Aha!”hesaid.“Youarriveatanopportunemoment.”
Pilarsaid:“Whatareyoudoing?”
Shecameandstoodbesidehim.
Poirotsaidgravely:
“Iamstudyingsomethingveryimportant,thefaceofSimeonLeewhenhewasayoungman.”
“Oh,isthatmygrandfather?”
“Yes,mademoiselle.”
Shestaredatthepaintedface.Shesaidslowly:
“Howdifferent—howverydifferent…Hewassoold,soshrivelledup.HereheislikeHarry,likeHarrymighthavebeentenyearsago.”
HerculePoirotnodded.
“Yes,mademoiselle.HarryLeeisverymuchthesonofhisfather.Nowhere—”Heledheralittlewayalongthegallery.“Hereismadame,yourgrandmother—alonggentleface,veryblondehair,mildblueeyes.”
Pilarsaid:
“LikeDavid.”
Stephensaid:
“JustalookofAlfredtoo.”
Poirotsaid:
“Theheredity,itisveryinteresting.Mr.Leeandhiswifewerediametricallyoppositetypes.Onthewhole,thechildrenofthemarriagetookafterthemother.Seehere,mademoiselle.”
Hepointedtoapictureofagirlofnineteenorso,withhairlikespungoldandwide,laughingblueeyes.ThecolouringwasthatofSimeonLee’swife,buttherewasaspirit,avivacitythatthosemildblueeyesandplacidfeatureshadneverknown.
“Oh!”saidPilar.
Thecolourcameupinherface.
Herhandwenttoherneck.Shedrewoutalocketonalonggoldchain.Shepressedthecatchanditflewopen.ThesamelaughingfacelookedupatPoirot.
“Mymother,”saidPilar.
Poirotnodded.Ontheoppositesideofthelocketwastheportraitofaman.Hewasyoungandhandsome,withblackhairanddarkblueeyes.
Poirotsaid:“Yourfather?”
Pilarsaid:
“Yes,myfather.Heisverybeautiful,ishenot?”
“Yes,indeed.FewSpaniardshaveblueeyes,havethey,se?orita?”
“Sometimes,intheNorth.Besides,myfather’smotherwasIrish.”
Poirotsaidthoughtfully:
“SoyouhaveSpanishblood,andIrishandEnglish,andatouchofgipsytoo.DoyouknowwhatIthink,mademoiselle?Withthatinheritance,youshouldmakeabadenemy.”
Stephensaid,laughing:
“Rememberwhatyousaidinthetrain,Pilar?Thatyourwayofdealingwithyourenemieswouldbetocuttheirthroats.Oh!”
Hestopped—suddenlyrealizingtheimportofhiswords.
HerculePoirotwasquicktoleadtheconversationaway.Hesaid:
“Ah,yes,therewassomething,se?orita,Ihadtoaskyou.Yourpassport.Itisneededbymyfriendthesuperintendent.Thereare,youknow,policeregulations—verystupid,verytiresome,butnecessary—foraforeignerinthiscountry.Andofcourse,bylaw,youareaforeigner.”
Pilar’seyebrowsrose.
“Mypassport?Yes,Iwillgetit.Itisinmyroom.”
Poirotsaidapologeticallyashewalkedbyherside:
“Iammostsorrytotroubleyou.Iamindeed.”
Theyhadreachedtheendofthelonggallery.Herewasaflightofstairs.PilarranupandPoirotfollowed.Stephencametoo.Pilar’sbedroomwasjustattheheadofthestairs.
Shesaidasshereachedthedoor:“Iwillgetitforyou.”
Shewentin.PoirotandStephenFarrremainedwaitingoutside.
Stephensaidremorsefully:
“Damn”sillyofmetosayathinglikethat.Idon’tthinkshenoticed,though,doyou?”
Poirotdidnotanswer.Heheldhisheadalittleononesideasthoughlistening.
Hesaid:
“TheEnglishareextraordinarilyfondoffreshair.MissEstravadosmusthaveinheritedthatcharacteristic.”
Stephensaidstaring:
“Why?”
Poirotsaidsoftly:
“Becausethoughitistodayextremelycold—theblackfrostyoucallit(notlikeyesterdaysomildandsunny)MissEstravadoshasjustflungupherlowerwindowsash.Amazingtolovesomuchthefreshair.”
SuddenlytherewasanexclamationinSpanishfrominsidetheroomandPilarreappearedlaughinglydismayed.
“Ah!”shecried.“ButIamstupid—andclumsy.Mylittlecaseitwasonthewindowsill,andIwassortingthroughitsoquicklyandverystupidlyIknockmypassportoutofthewindow.Itisdownontheflowerbedbelow.Iwillgetit.”
“I’llgetit,”saidStephen,butPilarhadflownpasthimandcriedbackoverhershoulder:
“No,itwasmystupidity.YougotothedrawingroomwithM.PoirotandIwillbringittoyouthere.”
StephenFarrseemedinclinedtogoafterher,butPoirot’shandfellgentlyonhisarmandPoirot’svoicesaid:
“Letusgothisway.”
Theywentalongthefirstfloorcorridortowardstheotherendofthehouseuntiltheygottotheheadofthemainstaircase.HerePoirotsaid:
“Letusnotgodownforaminute.IfyouwillcomewithmetotheroomofthecrimethereissomethingIwanttoaskyou.”
TheywentalongthecorridorwhichledtoSimeonLee’sroom.Ontheirlefttheypassedanalcovewhichcontainedtwomarblestatues,stalwartnymphsclaspingtheirdraperiesinanagonyofVictorianpropriety.
StephenFarrglancedatthemandmurmured:
“Prettyfrightfulbydaylight.IthoughttherewerethreeofthemwhenIcamealongtheothernight,butthankgoodnessthereareonlytwo!”
“Theyarenotwhatisadmirednowadays,”admittedPoirot.“Butnodoubttheycostmuchmoneyintheirtime.Theylookbetterbynight,Ithink.”
“Yes,oneseesonlyawhiteglimmeringfigure.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Allcatsaregreyinthedark!”
TheyfoundSuperintendentSugdenintheroom.Hewaskneelingbythesafeandexaminingitwithamagnifyingglass.Helookedupastheyentered.
“Thiswasopenedwiththekeyallright,”hesaid.“Bysomeonewhoknewthecombination.Nosignofanythingelse.”
Poirotwentuptohim,drewhimaside,andwhisperedsomething.Thesuperintendentnoddedandlefttheroom.
PoirotturnedtoStephenFarr,whowasstandingstaringatthearmchairinwhichSimeonLeealwayssat.Hisbrowsweredrawntogetherandtheveinsshowedinhisforehead.Poirotlookedathimforaminuteortwoinsilence,thenhesaid:
“Youhavethememories—yes?”
Stephensaidslowly:
“Twodaysagohesattherealive—andnow…”
Then,shakingoffhisabsorption,hesaid:“Yes,M.Poirot,youbroughtmeheretoaskmesomething?”
“Ah,yes.Youwere,Ithink,thefirstpersontoarriveonthescenethatnight?”
“WasI?Idon’tremember.No,Ithinkoneoftheladieswasherebeforeme.”
“Whichlady?”
“Oneofthewives—George’swifeorDavid’s—Iknowtheywerebothhereprettysoon.”
“Youdidnothearthescream,Ithinkyousaid?”
“Idon’tthinkIdid.Ican’tquiteremember.Somebodydidcryoutbutthatmayhavebeensomeonedownstairs.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youdidnothearanoiselikethis?”
Hethrewhisheadbackandsuddenlygaveventtoapiercingyell.
ItwassounexpectedthatStephenstartedbackwardsandnearlyfellover.Hesaidangrily:
“FortheLord’ssake,doyouwanttoscarethewholehouse?No,Ididn’thearanythingintheleastlikethat!You’llhavethewholeplacebytheearsagain!They’llthinkanothermurderhashappened!”
Poirotlookedcrestfallen.Hemurmured:
“True…itwasfoolish…Wemustgoatonce.”
Hehurriedoutoftheroom.LydiaandAlfredwereatthefootofthestairspeeringup—Georgecameoutofthelibrarytojointhem,andPilarcamerunning,apassportheldinherhand.
Poirotcried:
“Itisnothing—nothing.Donotbealarmed.AlittleexperimentthatImake.Thatwasall.”
AlfredlookedannoyedandGeorgeindignant.PoirotleftStephentoexplainandhehurriedlyslippedawayalongthepassagetotheotherendofthehouse.
AttheendofthepassageSuperintendentSugdencamequietlyoutofPilar’sdoorandmetPoirot.
“Ehbien?”askedPoirot.
Thesuperintendentshookhishead.
“Notasound.”
HiseyesmetPoirot’sappreciativelyandhenodded.
V
AlfredLeesaid:“Thenyouaccept,M.Poirot?”
Hishand,asitwenttohismouth,shookslightly.Hismildbrowneyeswerealightwithanewandfeverishexpression.Hestammeredslightlyinhisspeech.Lydia,standingsilentlyby,lookedathimwithsomeanxiety.
Alfredsaid:
“Youdon’tknow—youc-c-can’timagine—whatitm-m-meanstome…Myfather’smurderermustbef-f-found.”
Poirotsaid:
“Sinceyouhaveassuredmethatyouhavereflectedlongandcarefully—yes,Iaccept.Butyoucomprehend,Mr.Lee,therecanbenodrawingback.Iamnotthedogonesetsontohuntandthenrecallsbecauseyoudonotlikethegameheputsup!”
“Ofcourse…ofcourse…Everythingisready.Yourbedroomisprepared.Stayaslongasyoulike—”
Poirotsaidgravely:“Itwillnotbelong.”
“Eh?What’sthat?”
“Isaiditwillnotbelong.Thereisinthiscrimesucharestrictedcirclethatitcannotpossiblytakelongtoarriveatthetruth.Already,Ithink,theenddrawsnear.”
Alfredstaredathim,“Impossible!”hesaid.
“Notatall.Thefactsallpointmoreorlessclearlyinonedirection.Thereisjustsomeirrelevantmattertobeclearedoutoftheway.Whenthisisdonethetruthwillappear.”
Alfredsaidincredulously:
“Youmeanyouknow?”
Poirotsmiled.“Oh,yes,”hesaid.“Iknow.”
Alfredsaid:
“Myfather—myfather—”Heturnedaway.
Poirotsaidbriskly:
“Thereare,M.Lee,tworequeststhatIhavetomake.”
Alfredsaidinamuffledvoice:
“Anything—anything.”
“Then,inthefirstplace,IwouldliketheportraitofM.Leeasayoungmanplacedinthebedroomyouaregoodenoughtoallottome.”
AlfredandLydiastaredathim.
Theformersaid:“Myfather’sportrait—butwhy?”
Poirotsaidwithawaveofthehand:
“Itwill—howshallIsay—inspireme.”
Lydiasaidsharply:
“Doyoupropose,M.Poirot,tosolveacrimebyclairvoyance?”
“Letussay,madame,thatIintendtousenotonlytheeyesofthebody,buttheeyesofthemind.”
Sheshruggedhershoulders.
Poirotcontinued:
“Next,M.Lee,Ishouldliketoknowofthetruecircumstancesattendingthedeathofyoursister’shusband,JuanEstravados.”
Lydiasaid:“Isthatnecessary?”
“Iwantallthefacts,madame.”
Alfredsaid:
“JuanEstravados,astheresultofaquarrelaboutawoman,killedanothermaninacafé.”
“Howdidhekillhim?”
AlfredlookedappealinglyatLydia.Shesaidevenly:
“Hestabbedhim.JuanEstravadoswasnotcondemnedtodeath,astherehadbeenprovocation.Hewassentencedtoatermofimprisonmentanddiedinprison.”
“Doeshisdaughterknowaboutherfather?”
“Ithinknot.”
Alfredsaid:
“No,Jennifernevertoldher.”
“Thankyou.”
Lydiasaid:
“Youdon’tthinkthatPilar—Oh,it’sabsurd!”
Poirotsaid:
“Now,M.Lee,willyougivemesomefactsaboutyourbrother,M.HarryLee?”
“Whatdoyouwanttoknow?”
“Iunderstandthathewasconsideredsomewhatofadisgracetothefamily.Why?”
Lydiasaid:
“Itissolongago….”
Alfredsaid,thecolourcomingupinhisface:
“Ifyouwanttoknow,M.Poirot,hestolealargesumofmoneybyforgingmyfather’snametoacheque.Naturallymyfatherdidn’tprosecute.Harry’salwaysbeencrooked.He’sbeenintroubleallovertheworld.Alwayscablingformoneytogetoutofascrape.He’sbeeninandoutofgaolhere,thereandeverywhere.”
Lydiasaid:
“Youdon’treallyknowallthis,Alfred.”
Alfredsaidangrily,hishandsshaking:
“Harry’snogood—nogoodwhatever!Heneverhasbeen!”
Poirotsaid:
“Thereis,Isee,nolovelostbetweenyou?”
Alfredsaid:
“Hevictimizedmyfather—victimizedhimshamefully!”
Lydiasighed—aquick,impatientsigh.Poirothearditandgaveherasharpglance.
Shesaid:
“Ifonlythosediamondscouldbefound.I’msurethesolutionliesthere.”
Poirotsaid:
“Theyhavebeenfound,madame.”
“What?”
Poirotsaidgently:
“TheywerefoundinyourlittlegardenoftheDeadSea….”
Lydiacried:
“Inmygarden?How—howextraordinary!”
Poirotsaidsoftly:
“Isitnot,madame?”
PARTSIX
DECEMBER27TH
AlfredLeesaidwithasigh:
“ThatwasbetterthanIfeared!”
Theyhadjustreturnedfromtheinquest
Mr.Charlton,anold-fashionedtypeofsolicitorwithacautiousblueeye,hadbeenpresentandhadreturnedwiththem.Hesaid:
“Ah—Itoldyoutheproceedingswouldbepurelyformal—purelyformal—therewasboundtobeanadjournment—toenablethepolicetogatherupadditionalevidence.”
GeorgeLeesaidvexedly:
“Itisallmostunpleasant—reallymostunpleasant—aterriblepositioninwhichtobeplaced!Imyselfamquiteconvincedthatthiscrimewasdonebyamaniacwhosomehoworothergainedadmittancetothehouse.ThatmanSugdenisasobstinateasamule.ColonelJohnsonshouldenlisttheaidofScotlandYard.Theselocalpolicearenogood.Thickheaded.WhataboutthismanHorbury,forinstance?Ihearhispastisdefinitelyunsatisfactorybutthepolicedonothingwhateveraboutit.”
Mr.Charltonsaid:
“Ah—IbelievethemanHorburyhasasatisfactoryalibicoveringtheperiodoftimeinquestion.Thepolicehaveacceptedit.”
“Whyshouldthey?”Georgefumed.“IfIwerethey,Ishouldacceptsuchanalibiwithreserve—withgreatreserve.Naturally,acriminalalwaysprovideshimselfwithanalibi!Itisthedutyofthepolicetobreakdownthealibi—thatis,iftheyknowtheirjob.”
“Well,well,”saidMr.Charlton.“Idon’tthinkit’squiteourbusinesstoteachthepolicetheirjobs,eh?Prettycompetentbodyofmenonthewhole.”
Georgeshookhisheaddarkly.
“ScotlandYardshouldbecalledin.I’mnotatallsatisfiedwithSuperintendentSugden—hemaybepainstaking—butheiscertainlyfarfrombrilliant.”
Mr.Charltonsaid:
“Idon’tagreewithyou,youknow.Sugden’sagoodman.Doesn’tthrowhisweightabout,buthegetsthere.”
Lydiasaid:
“I’msurethepolicearedoingtheirbest.Mr.Charlton,willyouhaveaglassofsherry?”
Mr.Charltonthankedherpolitely,butdeclined.Then,clearinghisthroat,heproceededtothereadingofthewill,allmembersofthefamilybeingassembled.
Hereaditwithacertainrelish,lingeringoveritsmoreobscurephraseology,andsavouringitslegaltechnicalities
Hecametotheend,tookoffhisglasses,wipedthem,andlookedroundontheassembledcompanyinquiringly.
HarryLeesaid:
“Allthislegalstuff’sabithardtofollow.Giveusthebarebonesofit,willyou?”
“Really,”saidMr.Charlton.“It’saperfectlysimplewill.”
Harrysaid:
“MyGod,what’sadifficultwilllikethen?”
Mr.Charltonrebukedhimwithacoldglance.Hesaid:
“Themainprovisionsofthewillarequitesimple.HalfMr.Lee’spropertygoestohisson,Mr.AlfredLee,theremainderisdividedbetweenhisotherchildren.”
Harrylaughedunpleasantly.Hesaid:
“Asusual,Alfred’sstrucklucky!Halfmyfather’sfortune!Luckydog,aren’tyou,Alfred?”
Alfredflushed.Lydiasaidsharply:
“Alfredwasaloyalanddevotedsontohisfather.He’smanagedtheworksforyearsandhashadalltheresponsibility.”
Harrysaid:“Oh,yes,Alfredwasalwaysthegoodboy.”
Alfredsaidsharply:
“Youmayconsideryourselflucky,Ithink,Harry,thatmyfatherleftyouanythingatall!”
Harrylaughed,throwinghisheadback.Hesaid:
“You’dhavelikeditbetterifhe’dcutmerightout,wouldn’tyou?You’vealwaysdislikedme.”
Mr.Charltoncoughed.Hewasused—onlytoowellused—tothepainfulscenesthatsucceededthereadingofawill.Hewasanxioustogetawaybeforetheusualfamilyquarrelgottoowellunderway.
Hemurmured:
“Ithink—er—thatthatisallthatIneed—er—”
Harrysaidsharply:“WhataboutPilar?”
Mr.Charltoncoughedagain,thistimeapologetically.
“Er—MissEstravadosisnotmentionedinthewill.”
Harrysaid:Doesn’tshegethermother’sshare?”
Mr.Charltonexplained.
“Se?oraEstravados,ifshehadlived,wouldofcoursehavereceivedanequalsharewiththerestofyou,butassheisdead,theportionthatwouldhavebeenhersgoesbackintotheestatetobesharedoutbetweenyou.”
PilarsaidslowlyinherrichSouthernvoice:
“Then—Ihave—nothing?”
Lydiasaidquickly:
“Mydear,thefamilywillseetothat,ofcourse.”
GeorgeLeesaid:
“YouwillbeabletomakeyourhomeherewithAlfred—eh,Alfred?We—er—youareourniece—itisourdutytolookafteryou.”
Hildasaid:“WeshallalwaysbegladtohavePilarwithus.”
Harrysaid:
“Sheoughttohaveherpropershare.SheoughttohaveJennifer’swhack.”
Mr.Charltonmurmured:
“Mustreally—er—begoing.Goodbye,Mrs.Lee—anythingIcando—er—consultmeatanytime….”
Heescapedquickly.Hisexperienceenabledhimtopredictthatalltheingredientsforafamilyrowwerepresent.
AsthedoorshutbehindhimLydiasaidinherclearvoice:
“IagreewithHarry.IthinkPilarisentitledtoadefiniteshare.ThiswillwasmademanyyearsbeforeJennifer’sdeath.”
“Nonsense,”saidGeorge.“Veryslipshodandillegalwayofthinking,Lydia.Thelaw’sthelaw.Wemustabidebyit.”
Magdalenesaid:
“It’shardluck,ofcourse,andwe’reallverysorryforPilar,butGeorgeisright.Ashesays,thelawisthelaw.”
Lydiagotup.ShetookPilarbythehand.
“Mydear,”shesaid.“Thismustbeveryunpleasantforyou.Willyoupleaseleaveuswhilewediscussthequestion?”
Sheledthegirltothedoor.
“Don’tworry,Pilar,dear,”shesaid.“Leaveittome.”
Pilarwentslowlyoutoftheroom.Lydiashutthedoorbehindherandturnedback.
Therewasamoment’spausewhileeveryonedrewbreathandinanothermomentthebattlewasinfullswing.
Harrysaid:
“You’vealwaysbeenadamnedskinflint,George.”
Georgeretorted:
“Atanyrate,I’venotbeenaspongeandarotter!”
“You’vebeenjustasmuchofaspongeasIhave!You’vebattenedonFatheralltheseyears.”
“YouseemtoforgetthatIholdaresponsibleandarduouspositionwhich—”
Harrysaid:
“Responsibleandarduousmyfoot!You’reonlyaninflatedgasbag!”
Magdalenescreamed:“Howdareyou?”
Hilda’scalmvoice,slightlyraised,said:
“Couldn’twejustdiscussthisquietly?”
Lydiathrewheragratefulglance.
Davidsaidwithsuddenviolence:
“Mustwehaveallthisdisgracefulfussovermoney!”
Magdalenesaidvenomouslytohim:
“It’sallverywelltobesohigh-minded.You’renotgoingtorefuseyourlegacy,areyou?Youwantmoneyjustasmuchastherestofusdo!Allthisunworldlinessisjustapose!”
Davidsaidinastrangledvoice:
“YouthinkIoughttorefuseit?Iwonder—”
Hildasaidsharply:
“Ofcourseyououghtn’t.Mustweallbehavelikechildren?Alfred,you’retheheadofthefamily—”
Alfredseemedtowakeoutofadream.Hesaid:
“Ibegyourpardon.Allofyoushoutingatonce.It—itconfusesme.”
Lydiasaid:
“AsHildahasjustpointedout,whymustwebehavelikegreedychildren?Letusdiscussthisthingquietlyandsanelyand”—sheaddedthisquickly—“onethingatatime.Alfredshallspeakfirstbecauseheistheeldest.Whatdoyouthink,Alfred,weshoulddoaboutPilar?”
Hesaidslowly:
“Shemustmakeherhomehere,certainly.Andweshouldmakeheranallowance.Idonotseeshehasanylegalclaimtothemoneywhichwouldhavegonetohermother.She’snotaLee,remember.She’saSpanishsubject.”
“Nolegalclaim,no,”saidLydia.“ButIthinkshehasamoralclaim.AsIseeit,yourfather,althoughhisdaughterhadmarriedaSpaniardagainsthiswishes,recognizedhertohaveanequalclaimuponhim.George,Harry,David,andJenniferweretoshareequally.Jenniferonlydiedlastyear.IamsurethatwhenhesentforMr.Charlton,hemeanttomakeampleprovisionforPilarinanewwill.Hewouldhaveallottedheratleasthermother’sshare.Itispossiblethathemighthavedonemuchmorethanthat.Shewastheonlygrandchild,remember.Ithinktheleastwecandoistoendeavourtoremedyanyinjusticethatyourfatherhimselfwaspreparingtoremedy.”
Alfredsaidwarmly:
“Wellput,Lydia!Iwaswrong.IagreewithyouthatPilarmustbegivenJennifer’sshareofmyfather’sfortune.”
Lydiasaid:“Yourturn,Harry.”
Harrysaid:
“Asyouknow,Iagree.IthinkLydiahasputthecaseverywell,andI’dliketosayIadmireherforit.”
Lydiasaid:
“George?”
Georgewasredintheface.Hespluttered:
“Certainlynot!Wholething’spreposterous!Giveherahomeandadecentdressallowance.Quiteenoughforher!”
“Thenyourefusetocooperate?”askedAlfred.
“Yes,Ido.”
“Andhe’squiteright,”saidMagdalene.“It’sdisgracefultosuggestheshoulddoanythingofthekind!ConsideringthatGeorgeistheonlymemberofthefamilywhohasdoneanythingintheworld,Ithinkit’sashamehisfatherlefthimsolittle!”
Lydiasaid:“David?”
Davidsaidvaguely:
“Oh,Ithinkyou’reright.It’sapitythere’sgottobesomuchuglinessanddisputingaboutitall.”
Hildasaid:
“You’requiteright,Lydia.It’sonlyjustice!”
Harrylookedround.Hesaid:
“Well,that’sclear.Ofthefamily,Alfred,myselfandDavidareinfavourofthemotion.Georgeisagainstit.Theayeshaveit.”
Georgesaidsharply:
“Thereisnoquestionofayesandnoes.Myshareofmyfather’sestateismineabsolutely.Ishallnotpartwithapennyofit.”
“No,indeed,”saidMagdalene.
Lydiasaidsharply:
“Ifyouliketostandout,thatisyourbusiness.Therestofuswillmakeupyourshareofthetotal.”
Shelookedroundforassentandtheothersnodded.
Harrysaid:“Alfred’sgotthelion’sshare.Heoughttostandmostoftheracket.”
Alfredsaid:“Iseethatyouroriginaldisinterestedsuggestionwillsoonbreakdown.”
Hildasaidfirmly:
“Don’tlet’sstartagain!LydiashalltellPilarwhatwe’vedecided.Wecansettledetailslater.”Sheaddedinthehopeofmakingadiversion,“IwonderwhereMr.Farris,andM.Poirot?”
Alfredsaid:
“WedroppedPoirotinthevillageonourwaytotheinquest.Hesaidhehadanimportantpurchasetomake.”
Harrysaid:“Whydidn’thegototheinquest?Surelyheoughttohavedone!”
Lydiasaid:
“Perhapsheknewitwasnotgoingtobeimportant.Who’sthatoutthereinthegarden?SuperintendentSugden,orMr.Farr?”
Theeffortsofthetwowomenweresuccessful.Thefamilyconclavebrokeup.
LydiasaidtoHildaprivately:
“Thankyou,Hilda.Itwasniceofyoutobackmeup.Youknow,youreallyhavebeenacomfortinallthis.”
Hildasaidthoughtfully:“Queerhowmoneyupsetspeople.”
Theothershadalllefttheroom.Thetwowomenwerealone.
Lydiasaid:
“Yes—evenHarry—althoughitwashissuggestion!AndmypoorAlfred—heissoBritish—hedoesn’treallylikeLeemoneygoingtoaSpanishsubject.”
Hildasaid,smiling:
“Doyouthinkwewomenaremoreunworldly?”
Lydiasaidwithashrugofhergracefulshoulders:
“Well,youknow,itisn’treallyourmoney—notourown!Thatmaymakeadifference.”
Hildasaidthoughtfully:
“Sheisastrangechild—Pilar,Imean.Iwonderwhatwillbecomeofher?”
Lydiasighed.
“I’mgladthatshewillbeindependent.Tolivehere,tobegivenahomeandadressallowance,wouldnot,Ithink,beverysatisfactorytoher.She’stooproudand,Ithink,too—tooalien.”
Sheaddedmusingly:
“IoncebroughtsomebeautifulbluelapishomefromEgypt.Outthere,againstthesunandthesand,itwasagloriouscolour—abrilliantwarmblue.ButwhenIgotithome,theblueofithardlyshowedanymore.Itwasjustadull,darkishstringofbeads.”
Hildasaid:
“Yes,Isee….”
Lydiasaidgently:
“IamsogladtocometoknowyouandDavidatlast.I’mgladyoubothcamehere.”
Hildasighed:
“HowoftenI’vewishedinthelastfewdaysthatwehadn’t!”
“Iknow.Youmusthavedone…Butyouknow,Hilda,theshockhasn’taffectedDavidnearlyasbadlyasitmighthavedone.Imean,heissosensitivethatitmighthaveupsethimcompletely.Actually,sincethemurder,he’sseemedeversomuchbetter—”
Hildalookedslightlydisturbed.Shesaid:
“Soyou’venoticedthat?It’sratherdreadfulinaway…Butoh!Lydia,it’sundoubtedlyso!”
Shewassilentaminuterecollectingwordsthatherhusbandhadspokenonlythenightbefore.Hehadsaidtoher,eagerly,hisfairhairtossedbackfromhisforehead:
“Hilda,yourememberinTosca—whenScarpiaisdeadandToscalightsthecandlesathisheadandfeet?Doyourememberwhatshesays:“NowIcanforgivehim…”ThatiswhatIfeel—aboutFather.IseenowthatalltheseyearsIcouldn’tforgivehim,andyetIreallywantedto…Butno—nowthere’snorancouranymore.It’sallwipedaway.AndIfeel—oh,Ifeelasthoughagreatloadhadbeenliftedfrommyback.”
Shehadsaid,strivingtofightbackasuddenfear:
“Becausehe’sdead?”
Hehadansweredquickly,stammeringinhiseagerness:
“No,no,youdon’tunderstand.Notbecauseheisdead,butbecausemychildishstupidhateofhimisdead….”
Hildathoughtofthosewordsnow.
Shewouldhavelikedtorepeatthemtothewomanatherside,butshefeltinstinctivelythatitwaswisernot.
ShefollowedLydiaoutofthedrawingroomintothehall.
Magdalenewasthere,standingbythehalltablewithalittleparcelinherhand.Shejumpedwhenshesawthem.Shesaid:
“Oh,thismustbeMPoirot’simportantpurchase.Isawhimputitdownherejustnow.Iwonderwhatitis.”
Shelookedfromonetotheotherofthem,gigglingalittle,buthereyesweresharpandanxious,belyingtheaffectedgaietyofherwords.
Lydia’seyebrowsrose.Shesaid:
“Imustgoandwashbeforelunch.”
Magdalenesaid,stillwiththataffectationofchildishness,butunabletokeepthedesperatenoteoutofhervoice:
“Imustjustpeep!”
Sheunrolledthepieceofpaperandgaveasharpexclamation.Shestaredatthethinginherhand.
LydiastoppedandHildatoo.Bothwomenstared.
Magdalenesaidinapuzzledvoice:
“It’safalsemoustache.But—but—why?”
Hildasaiddoubtfully:
“Disguise?But—”
Lydiafinishedthesentenceforher.
“ButM.Poirothasaveryfinemoustacheofhisown!”
Magdalenewaswrappingtheparcelupagain.Shesaid:
“Idon’tunderstand.It’s—it’smad.WhydoesM.Poirotbuyafalsemoustache?”
II
WhenPilarleftthedrawingroomshewalkedslowlyalongthehall.StephenFarrwascominginthroughthegardendoor.Hesaid:
“Well?Isthefamilyconclaveover?Hasthewillbeenread?”
Pilarsaid,herbreathcomingfast:
“Ihavegotnothing—nothingatall!Itwasawillmademanyyearsago.Mygrandfatherleftmoneytomymother,butbecausesheisdeaditdoesnotgotomebutgoesbacktothem.”
Stephensaid:
“Thatseemsratherhardlines.”
Pilarsaid:
“Ifthatoldmanhadlived,hewouldhavemadeanotherwill.Hewouldhaveleftmoneytome—alotofmoney!Perhapsintimehewouldhaveleftmeallthemoney!”
Stephensaid,smiling:
“Thatwouldn’thavebeenveryfaireither,wouldit?”
“Whynot?Hewouldhavelikedmebest,thatisall.”
Stephensaid:
“Whatagreedychildyouare.Areallittlegolddigger.”
Pilarsaidsoberly:
“Theworldisverycrueltowomen.Theymustdowhattheycanforthemselves—whiletheyareyoung.Whentheyareoldanduglynoonewillhelpthem.”
Stephensaidslowly:
“That’smoretruethanIliketothink.Butitisn’tquitetrue.AlfredLee,forinstance,wasgenuinelyfondofhisfatherinspiteoftheoldmanbeingthoroughlytryingandexacting.”
Pilar’schinwentup.
“Alfred,”shesaid,“isratherafool.”
Stephenlaughed.
Thenhesaid:
“Well,don’tworry,lovelyPilar.TheLeesareboundtolookafteryou,youknow.”
Pilarsaiddisconsolately:
“Itwillnotbeveryamusing,that.”
Stephensaidslowly:
“No,I’mafraiditwon’t.Ican’tseeyoulivinghere,Pilar.WouldyouliketocometoSouthAfrica?”
Pilarnodded.
Stephensaid:
“There’ssunthere,andspace.There’shardworktoo.Areyougoodatwork,Pilar?”
Pilarsaiddoubtfully:
“Idonotknow.”
Hesaid:
“You’drathersitonabalconyandeatsweetsalldaylong?Andgrowenormouslyfatandhavethreedoublechins?”
PilarlaughedandStephensaid:
“That’sbetter.I’vemadeyoulaugh.”
Pilarsaid:
“IthoughtIshouldlaughthisChristmas!InbooksIhavereadthatanEnglishChristmasisverygay,thatoneeatsburningraisinsandthereisaplumpuddingallinflames,andsomethingthatiscalledaYulelog.”
Stephensaid:
“Ah,butyoumusthaveaChristmasuncomplicatedbymurder.Comeinhereaminute.Lydiatookmeinhereyesterday.It’sherstoreroom.”
Heledherintoasmallroomlittlebiggerthanacupboard.
“Look,Pilar,boxesandboxesofcrackers,andpreservedfruitsandorangesanddatesandnuts.Andhere—”
“Oh!”Pilarclaspedherhands.“Theyarepretty,thesegoldandsilverballs.”
“Thoseweretohangonatree,withpresentsfortheservants.Andherearelittlesnowmenallglitteringwithfrosttoputonthedinnertable.Andhereareballoonsofeverycolourallreadytoblowup!”
“Oh!”Pilar’seyesshone.“Oh!canweblowoneup?Lydiawouldnotmind.Idoloveballoons.”
Stephensaid:“Baby!Here,whichwillyouhave?”
Pilarsaid:“Iwillhavearedone.”
Theyselectedtheirballoonsandblew,theircheeksdistended.Pilarstoppedblowingtolaugh,andherballoonwentdownagain.
Shesaid:
“Youlooksofunny—blowing—withyourcheekspuffedout.”
Herlaughrangout.Thenshefellto,blowingindustriously.Theytieduptheirballoonscarefullyandbegantoplaywiththem,pattingthemupwards,sendingthemtoandfro.
Pilarsaid:
“Outinthehalltherewouldbemoreroom.”
Theyweresendingtheballoonstoeachother,andlaughing,whenPoirotcamealongthehall.Heregardedthemindulgently.
“Soyouplaylesjeuxd’enfants?Itispretty,that!”
Pilarsaidbreathlessly:
“Mineistheredone.Itisbiggerthanhis.Muchbigger.Ifwetookitoutsideitwouldgorightupinthesky.”
“Let’ssendthemupandwish,”saidStephen.
“Oh,yes,thatisagoodidea.”
Pilarrantothegardendoor,Stephenfollowed.Poirotcamebehind,stilllookingindulgent.
“Iwillwishforagreatdealofmoney,”announcedPilar.
Shestoodontiptoe,holdingthestringoftheballoon.Ittuggedgentlyasapuffofwindcame.Pilarletgoanditfloatedalong,takenbythebreeze.
Stephenlaughed.
“Youmustn’ttellyourwish.”
“No?Whynot?”
“Becauseitdoesn’tcometrue.Now,I’mgoingtowish.”
Hereleasedhisballoon.Buthewasnotsolucky.Itfloatedsideways,caughtonahollybushandexpiredwithabang
Pilarrantoit.
Sheannouncedtragically:
“Itisgone….”
Then,asshestirredthelittlelimpwispofrubberwithhertoe,shesaid:
“SothatwaswhatIpickedupinGrandfather’sroom.He,too,hadhadaballoon,onlyhiswasapinkone.”
Poirotgaveasharpexclamation.Pilarturnedinquiringly.
Poirotsaid:
“Itisnothing.Istabbed—nostubbed—thetoe.”
Hewheeledroundandlookedatthehouse.
Hesaid:
“Somanywindows!Ahouse,mademoiselle,hasitseyes—anditsears.ItisindeedregrettablethattheEnglisharesofondofopenwindows.”
Lydiacameoutontheterrace.Shesaid:
“Lunchisjustready.Pilar,mydear,everythinghasbeensettledquitesatisfactorily.Alfredwillexplaintheexactdetailstoyouafterlunch.Shallwecomein?”
Theywentintothehouse.Poirotcamelast.Hewaslookinggrave.
III
Lunchwasover.
Astheycameoutofthediningroom,AlfredsaidtoPilar:
“Willyoucomeintomyroom?ThereissomethingIwanttotalkoverwithyou.”
Heledheracrossthehallandintohisstudy,shuttingthedoorafterhim.Theotherswentonintothedrawingroom.OnlyHerculePoirotremainedinthehalllookingthoughtfullyattheclosedstudydoor.
Hewasawaresuddenlyoftheoldbutlerhoveringuneasilynearhim.
Poirotsaid:“Yes,Tressilian,whatisit?”
Theoldmanseemedtroubled.Hesaid:
“IwantedtospeaktoMr.Lee.ButIdon’tliketodisturbhimnow.”
Poirotsaid:“Somethinghasoccurred?”
Tressiliansaidslowly:
“It’ssuchaqueerthing.Itdoesn’tmakesense.”
“Tellme,”saidHerculePoirot.
Tressilianhesitated.Thenhesaid:
“Well,it’sthis,sir.Youmayhavenoticedthateachsideofthefrontdoortherewasacannonball.Bigheavystonethings.Well,sir,oneofthem’sgone.”
HerculePoirot’seyebrowsrose.Hesaid;“Sincewhen?”
“Theywereboththerethismorning,sir.I’lltakemyoathonthat.”
“Letmesee.”
Togethertheywentoutsidethefrontdoor.Poirotbentandexaminedtheremainingcannonball.Whenhestraightenedhimself,hisfacewasverygrave.
Tressilianquavered:
“Who’dwanttostealathinglikethat,sir?Itdoesn’tmakesense.”
Poirotsaid:“Idonotlikeit.Idonotlikeitatall….”
Tressilianwaswatchinghimanxiously.Hesaidslowly:
“What’scometothehouse,sir?Eversincethemasterwasmurdereditdoesn’tseemlikethesameplace.IfeelthewholetimeasthoughIwasgoingaboutinadream.Imixthingsup,andIsometimesfeelIcan’ttrustmyowneyes.”
HerculePoirotshookhishead.Hesaid:
“Youarewrong.Yourowneyesarejustwhatyoumusttrust.”
Tressiliansaid,shakinghishead:
“Mysight’sbad—Ican’tseelikeIusedtodo.Igetthingsmixedup—andpeople.I’mgettingtoooldformywork.”
HerculePoirotclappedhimontheshoulderandsaid:
“Courage.”
“Thankyou,sir.Youmeanitkindly,Iknow.Butthereitis,Iamtooold.I’malwaysgoingbacktotheolddaysandtheoldfaces.MissJennyandMasterDavidandMasterAlfred.I’malwaysseeingthemasyounggentlemenandladies.EversincethatnightwhenMr.Harrycamehome—”
Poirotnodded.
“Yes,”hesaid,“thatiswhatIthought.Yousaidjustnow‘Eversincethemasterwasmurdered’—butitbeganbeforethat.ItiseversinceMr.Harrycamehome,isitnot,thatthingshavealteredandseemedunreal?”
Thebutlersaid:
“You’requiteright,sir.Itwasthen.Mr.Harryalwaysbroughttroubleintothehouse,evenintheolddays.”
Hiseyeswanderedbacktotheemptystonebase.
“Whocanhavetakenit,sir?”hewhispered.“Andwhy?It’s—it’slikeamadhouse.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“ItisnotmadnessIamafraidof.Itissanity!Somebody,Tressilian,isingreatdanger.”
Heturnedandreenteredthehouse.
AtthatmomentPilarcameoutfromthestudy.Aredspotshoneoneithercheek.Sheheldherheadhighandhereyesglittered.
AsPoirotcameuptoher,shesuddenlystampedherfootandsaid:“Iwillnottakeit.”
Poirotraisedhiseyebrows.Hesaid:
“Whatisitthatyouwillnottake,mademoiselle?”
Pilarsaid:
“AlfredhasjusttoldmethatIamtohavemymother’sshareofthemoneymygrandfatherleft.”
“Well?”
“Icouldnotgetitbylaw,hesaid.ButheandLydiaandtheothersconsideritshouldbemine.Theysayitisamatterofjustice.Andsotheywillhanditovertome.”
Poirotsaidagain:
“Well?”
Pilarstampedoncemorewithherfoot.
“Doyounotunderstand?Theyaregivingittome—givingittome.”
“Needthathurtyourpride?Sincewhattheysayistrue—thatitshouldinjusticebeyours?”
Pilarsaid:
“Youdonotunderstand….”
Poirotsaid:
“Onthecontrary—Iunderstandverywell.”
“Oh!…”Sheturnedawaypettishly.
Therewasaringatthebell.Poirotglancedoverhisshoulder.HesawthesilhouetteofSuperintendentSugdenoutsidethedoor.HesaidhurriedlytoPilar:
“Whereareyougoing?”
Shesaidsulkily:
“Tothedrawingroom.Totheothers.”
Poirotsaidquickly:
“Good.Staywiththemthere.Donotwanderaboutthehousealone,especiallyafterdark.Beonyourguard.Youareingreatdanger,mademoiselle.Youwillneverbeingreaterdangerthanyouaretoday.”
HeturnedawayfromherandwenttomeetSugden.
ThelatterwaitedtillTressilianhadgonebackintohispantry.
ThenheshovedacableformunderPoirot’snose.
“Nowwe’vegotit!”hesaid.“Readthat.It’sfromtheSouthAfricanPolice.”
Thecablesaid:
“EbenezerFarr’sonlysondiedtwoyearsago.”
Sugdensaid:
“Sonowweknow!Funny—Iwasonadifferenttackaltogether….”
IV
Pilarmarchedintothedrawingroom,herheadheldhigh.
ShewentstraightuptoLydia,whowassittinginthewindowwithsomeknitting.
Pilarsaid:
“Lydia,IhavecometotellyouthatIwillnottakethatmoney.Iamgoingaway—atonce….”
Lydialookedastonished.Shelaiddownherknitting.Shesaid:
“Mydearchild,Alfredmusthaveexplainedverybadly!Itisnotintheleastamatterofcharity,ifthatiswhatyoufeel.Really,itisnotaquestionofkindnessorgenerosityonourpart.Itisaplainmatterofrightandwrong.Intheordinarycourseofeventsyourmotherwouldhaveinheritedthismoney,andyouwouldhavecomeintoitfromher.Itisyourright—yourbloodright.Itisamatter,notofcharity,butofjustice!”
Pilarsaidfiercely:
“AndthatiswhyIcannotdoit—notwhenyouspeaklikethat—notwhenyouarelikethat!Ienjoyedcominghere.Itwasfun!Itwasanadventure,butnowyouhavespoiltitall!Iamgoingawaynow,atonce—youwillneverbebotheredbymeagain….”
Tearschokedhervoice.Sheturnedandranblindlyoutoftheroom.
Lydiastared.Shesaidhelplessly:
“I’dnoideashewouldtakeitlikethat!”
Hildasaid:
“Thechildseemsquiteupset.”
Georgeclearedhisthroatandsaidportentously:
“Er—asIpointedoutthismorning—theprincipleinvolvediswrong.Pilarhasthewittoseethatforherself.Sherefusestoacceptcharity—”
Lydiasaidsharply:
“Itisnotcharity.Itisherright!”
Georgesaid:
“Shedoesnotseemtothinkso!”
SuperintendentSugdenandHerculePoirotcamein.Theformerlookedroundandasked:
“Where’sMr.Farr?Iwantawordwithhim.”
Beforeanyonehadtimetoanswer,HerculePoirotsaidsharply:
“WhereistheSe?oritaEstravados?”
GeorgeLeesaidwithatraceofmalicioussatisfaction:
“Goingtoclearout,soshesays.ApparentlyshehashadenoughofherEnglishrelations.”
Poirotwheeledround.
HesaidtoSugden:
“Come!”
Asthetwomenemergedintothehall,therewasthesoundofaheavycrashandafarawayshriek.
Poirotcried:
“Quick…Come….”
Theyracedalongthehallandupthefarstaircase.ThedoorofPilar’sroomwasopenandamanstoodinthedoorway.Heturnedhisheadastheyranup.ItwasStephenFarr.
Hesaid:
“She’salive….”
Pilarstoodcrouchedagainstthewallofherroom.Shewasstaringatthefloorwhereabigstonecannonballwaslying.
Shesaidbreathlessly:
“Itwasontopofmydoor,balancedthere.ItwouldhavecrasheddownonmyheadwhenIcamein,butmyskirtcaughtonanailandjerkedmebackjustasIwascomingin.”
Poirotkneltdownandexaminedthenail.Onitwasathreadofpurpletweed.Helookedupandnoddedgravely.
“Thatnail,mademoiselle,”hesaid,“savedyourlife.”
Thesuperintendentsaid,bewildered:
“Lookhere,what’sthemeaningofallthis?”
Pilarsaid:
“Someonetriedtokillme!”
Shenoddedherheadseveraltimes.
SuperintendentSugdenglancedupatthedoor.
“Boobytrap,”hesaid.“Anold-fashionedboobytrap—anditspurposewasmurder!That’sthesecondmurderplannedinthishouse.Butthistimeitdidn’tcomeoff!”
StephenFarrsaidhuskily:
“ThankGodyou’resafe.”
Pilarflungoutherhandsinawide,appealinggesture.
“MadredeDios,”shecried.“Whyshouldanyonewishtokillme?WhathaveIdone?”
HerculePoirotsaidslowly:
“Youshouldratherask,mademoiselle,whatdoIknow?”
Shestared.
“Know?Idonotknowanything.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Thatiswhereyouarewrong.Tellme,MademoisellePilar,wherewereyouatthetimeofthemurder?Youwerenotinthisroom.”
“Iwas.Ihavetoldyouso!”
SuperintendentSugdensaidwithdeceptivemildness:
“Yes,butyouweren’tspeakingthetruthwhenyousaidthat,youknow.Youtoldusyouheardyourgrandfatherscream—youcouldn’thaveheardthatifyouwereinhere—Mr.PoirotandItestedthatyesterday.”
“Oh!”Pilarcaughtherbreath.
Poirotsaid:
“Youweresomewhereverymuchnearerhisroom.IwilltellyouwhereIthinkyouwere,mademoiselle.Youwereintherecesswiththestatuesquiteclosetoyourgrandfather’sdoor.”
Pilarsaid,startled:
“Oh…Howdidyouknow?”
Poirotsaidwithafaintsmile:
“Mr.Farrsawyouthere.”
Stephensaidsharply:
“Ididnot.That’sanabsolutelie!”
Poirotsaid:
“Iaskyourpardon,Mr.Farr,butyoudidseeher.Rememberyourimpressionthattherewerethreestatuesinthatrecess,nottwo.Onlyonepersonworeawhitedressthatnight,MademoiselleEstravados.Shewasthethirdwhitefigureyousaw.Thatisso,isitnot,mademoiselle?”
Pilarsaid,afteramoment’shesitation:“Yes,itistrue.”
Poirotsaidgently:“Nowtellus,mademoiselle,thewholetruth.Whywereyouthere?”
Pilarsaid:
“IleftthedrawingroomafterdinnerandIthoughtIwouldgoandseemygrandfather.Ithoughthewouldbepleased.ButwhenIturnedintothepassageIsawsomeoneelsewasthereathisdoor.IdidnotwanttobeseenbecauseIknewmygrandfatherhadsaidhedidnotwanttoseeanyonethatnight.Islippedintotherecessincasethepersonatthedoorturnedround.”
“Then,allatonce,Iheardthemosthorriblesounds,tables—chairs”—shewavedherhands—“everythingfallingandcrashing.Ididnotmove.Idonotknowwhy.Iwasfrightened.Andthentherewasaterriblescream”—shecrossedherself—“andmyheartitstoppedbeating,andIsaid,‘Someoneisdead….’”
“Andthen?”
“AndthenpeoplebegancomingrunningalongthepassageandIcameoutattheendandjoinedthem.”
SuperintendentSugdensaidsharply:
“Yousaidnothingofallthiswhenwefirstquestionedyou.Whynot?”
Pilarshookherhead.Shesaid,withanairofwisdom:
“Itisnotgoodtotelltoomuchtothepolice.Ithought,yousee,thatifIsaidIwasnearthereyoumightthinkthatIhadkilledhim.SoIsaidIwasinmyroom.”
Sugdensaidsharply:
“Ifyoutelldeliberateliesallthatitendsinisthatyou’reboundtocomeundersuspicion.”
StephenFarrsaid:“Pilar?”
“Yes?”
“Whodidyouseestandingatthedoorwhenyouturnedintothepassage?Tellus.”
Sugdensaid:“Yes,tellus.”
Foramomentthegirlhesitated.Hereyesopened,thennarrowed.Shesaidslowly:
“Idon’tknowwhoitwas.Itwastoodimlylittosee.Butitwasawoman….”
V
SuperintendentSugdenlookedroundatthecircleoffaces.Hesaid,withsomethingasnearirritationashehadyetshown:
“Thisisveryirregular,Mr.Poirot.”
Poirotsaid:
“Itisalittleideaofmine.IwishtosharewitheveryonetheknowledgethatIhaveacquired.Ishalltheninvitetheircooperation,andsoweshallgetatthetruth.”
Sugdenmurmuredunderhisbreath:“Monkeytricks.”
Heleanedbackinhischair.Poirotsaid:
“Tobeginwith,youhave,Ithink,anexplanationtoaskofMr.Farr.”
Sugden’smouthtightened.
“Ishouldhavechosenalesspublicmoment,”hesaid.“However,I’venoobjection.”HehandedthecabletoStephenFarr.“Now,Mr.Farr,asyoucallyourself,perhapsyoucanexplainthis?”
StephenFarrtookit.Raisinghiseyebrows,hereaditslowlyoutloud.Then,withabow,hehandeditbacktothesuperintendent.
“Yes,”hesaid.“It’sprettydamning,isn’tit?”
Sugdensaid:
“Isthatallyou’vegottosayaboutit?Youquiteunderstandthereisnoobligationonyoutomakeastatement—”
StephenFarrinterrupted.Hesaid:
“Youneedn’tcautionme,Superintendent.Icanseeittremblingonyourtongue!Yes,I’llgiveyouanexplanation.It’snotaverygoodone,butit’sthetruth.”
Hepaused.Thenhebegan:
“I’mnotEbenezerFarr’sson.ButIknewbothfatherandsonquitewell.Nowtryandputyourselfinmyplace.(MynameisStephenGrant,bytheway.)Iarrivedinthiscountryforthefirsttimeinmylife.Iwasdisappointed.Everythingandeverybodyseemeddrabandlifeless.ThenIwastravellingbytrainandIsawagirl.I’vegottosayitstraightout:Ifellforthatgirl!Shewastheloveliestandmostunlikelycreatureintheworld!ItalkedtoherforawhileinthetrainandImadeupmymindthenandtherenottolosesightofher.AsIwasleavingthecompartmentIcaughtsightofthelabelonhersuitcase.Hernamemeantnothingtome,buttheaddresstowhichshewastravellingdid.I’dheardofGorstonHall,andIknewallaboutitsowner.HewasEbenezerFarr’sone-timepartnerandoldEboftentalkedabouthimandsaidwhatapersonalityhewas.
“Well,theideacametometogotoGorstonHallandpretendIwasEb’sson.Hehaddied,asthiscablesays,twoyearsago,butIrememberedoldEbsayingthathehadnotheardfromSimeonLeenowformanyyears,andIjudgedthatLeewouldnotknowofthedeathofEb’sson.Anyway,Ifeltitwasworthtrying.”
Sugdensaid:“Youdidn’ttryitonatonce,though.YoustayedintheKing’sArmsatAddlesfieldfortwodays.”
Stephensaid:
“Iwasthinkingitover—whethertotryitornot.AtlastImadeupmymindIwould.Itappealedtomeasabitofanadventure.Well,itworkedlikeacharm!Theoldmangreetedmeinthefriendliestmannerandatonceaskedmetocomeandstayinthehouse.Iaccepted.Thereyouare,Superintendent,there’smyexplanation.Ifyoudon’tfancyit,castyourmindbacktoyourcourtingdaysandseeifyoudon’tremembersomebitoffoolishnessyouindulgedinthen.Asformyrealname,asIsay,it’sStephenGrant.YoucancabletoSouthAfricaandcheckuponme,butI’lltellyouthis:you’llfindI’maperfectlyrespectablecitizen.I’mnotacrookorajewelthief.”
Poirotsaidsoftly:“Ineverbelievedyouwere.”
SuperintendentSugdenstrokedhisjawcautiously.Hesaid:
“I’llhavetocheckuponthatstory.WhatI’dliketoknowisthis:Whydidn’tyoucomecleanafterthemurderinsteadoftellingusapackoflies?”
Stephensaiddisarmingly:
“BecauseIwasafool!IthoughtIcouldgetawaywithit!IthoughtitwouldlookfishyifIadmittedtobeinghereunderafalsename.IfIhadn’tbeenacompleteidiotIwouldhaverealizedyouwereboundtocabletoJo’burg.”
Sugdensaid:
“Well,Mr.Farr—er—Grant—I’mnotsayingIdisbelieveyourstory.Itwillbeprovedordisprovedsoonenough.”
HelookedacrossinquiringlyatPoirot.Thelattersaid:
“IthinkMissEstravadoshassomethingtosay.”
Pilarhadgoneverywhite.Shesaid,inabreathlessvoice:
“Itistrue.Iwouldneverhavetoldyou,butforLydiaandthemoney.Tocomehereandpretendandcheatandact—thatwasfun,butwhenLydiasaidthemoneywasmineandthatitwasonlyjustice,thatwasdifferent;itwasnotfunanylonger.”
AlfredLeesaidwithapuzzledface:
“Idonotunderstand,mydear,whatyouaretalkingabout.”
Pilarsaid:
“YouthinkIamyourniece,PilarEstravados?Butthatisnotso!PilarwaskilledwhenIwastravellingwithherinacarinSpain.Abombcameandithitthecarandshewaskilled,butIwasnottouched.Ididnotknowherverywell,butshehadtoldmeallaboutherselfandhowhergrandfatherhadsentforhertogotoEnglandandthathewasveryrich.AndIhadnomoneyatallandIdidnotknowwheretogoorwhattodo.AndIthoughtsuddenly:‘WhyshouldnotItakePilar’spassportandgotoEnglandandbecomeveryrich?’”Herfacelitupwithitssuddenwidesmile.“Oh,itwasfunwonderingifIcouldgetawaywithit!Ourfacesonthephotographwerenotunlike.ButwhentheywantedmypassporthereIopenedthewindowandthrewitoutandrandowntogetit,andthenIrubbedsomeearthjustoverthefacealittlebecauseatabarriertravellingtheydonotlookveryclosely,butheretheymight—”
AlfredLeesaidangrily:
“Doyoumeantosaythatyourepresentedyourselftomyfatherashisgranddaughter,andplayedonhisaffectionforyou?”
Pilarnodded.Shesaidcomplacently:
“Yes,IsawatonceIcouldmakehimlikemeverymuch.”
GeorgeLeebrokeout:
“Preposterous!”hespluttered.“Criminal!Attemptingtogetmoneybyfalsepretences.”
HarryLeesaid:
“Shedidn’tgetanyfromyou,oldboy!Pilar,I’monyourside!I’vegotaprofoundadmirationforyourdaring.And,thankgoodness,I’mnotyouruncleanymore!Thatgivesmeamuchfreerhand.”
PilarsaidtoPoirot:“Youknew?Whendidyouknow?”
Poirotsmiled:
“Mademoiselle,ifyouhavestudiedthelawsofMendelyouwouldknowthattwoblue-eyedpeoplearenotlikelytohaveabrown-eyedchild.Yourmotherwas,Iwassure,amostchasteandrespectablelady.Itfollowed,then,thatyouwerenotPilarEstravadosatall.Whenyoudidyourtrickwiththepassport,Iwasquitesureofit.Itwasingenious,butnot,youunderstand,quiteingeniousenough.”
SuperintendentSugdensaidunpleasantly:
“Thewholething’snotquiteingeniousenough.”
Pilarstaredathim.Shesaid:
“Idon’tunderstand….”
Sugdensaid:“You’vetoldusastory—butIthinkthere’sagooddealmoreyouhaven’ttold.”
Stephensaid:“Youleaveheralone!”
SuperintendentSugdentooknonotice.Hewenton:
“You’vetoldusthatyouwentuptoyourgrandfather’sroomafterdinner.Yousaiditwasanimpulseonyourpart.I’mgoingtosuggestsomethingelse.Itwasyouwhostolethosediamonds.You’dhandledthem.Onoccasion,perhaps,you’dputthemawayinthesafeandtheoldmanhadn’twatchedyoudoit!Whenhefoundthestonesweremissing,hesawatoncethatonlytwopeoplecouldhavetakenthem.OnewasHorbury,whomighthavegottoknowthecombinationandhavecreptinandstolenthemduringthenight.Theotherpersonwasyou.
“Well,Mr.Leeatoncetookmeasures.Herangmeupandhadmecometoseehim.Thenhesentwordtoyoutocomeandseehimimmediatelyafterdinner.Youdidsoandheaccusedyouofthetheft.Youdeniedit;hepressedthecharge.Idon’tknowwhathappenednext—perhapshetumbledtothefactthatyouweren’thisgranddaughter,butaverycleverlittleprofessionalthief.Anyway,thegamewasup,exposureloomedoveryou,andyouslashedathimwithaknife.Therewasastruggleandhescreamed.Youwereproperlyupagainstitthen.Youhurriedoutoftheroom,turnedthekeyfromtheoutsideandthen,knowingyoucouldnotgetaway,beforetheotherscame,youslippedintotherecessbythestatues.”
Pilarcriedshrilly:
“Itisnottrue!Itisnottrue!Ididnotstealthediamonds!Ididnotkillhim.IswearitbytheBlessedVirgin.”
Sugdensaidsharply:
“Thenwhodid?YousayyousawafigurestandingoutsideMr.Lee’sdoor.Accordingtoyourstory,thatpersonmusthavebeenthemurderer.Nooneelsepassedtherecess!Butwe’veonlyyourwordforitthattherewasafigurethereatall.Inotherwords,youmadethatuptoexculpateyourself!”
GeorgeLeesaidsharply:
“Ofcourseshe’sguilty!It’sallclearenough!Ialwayssaidanoutsiderkilledmyfather!Preposterousnonsensetopretendoneofhisfamilywoulddoathinglikethat!It—itwouldn’tbenatural!”
Poirotstirredinhisseat.Hesaid:
“Idisagreewithyou.TakingintoconsiderationthecharacterofSimeonLee,itwouldbeaverynaturalthingtohappen.”
“Eh?”George’sjawdropped.HestaredatPoirot.
Poirotwenton:
“And,inmyopinion,thatverythingdidhappen.SimeonLeewaskilledbyhisownfleshandblood,forwhatseemedtothemurdereraverygoodandsufficientreason.”
Georgecried:“Oneofus?Ideny—”
Poirot’svoicebrokeinhardassteel.
“Thereisacaseagainsteverypersonhere.Wewill,Mr.GeorgeLee,beginwiththecaseagainstyou.Youhadnoloveforyourfather!Youkeptongoodtermswithhimforthesakeofmoney.Onthedayofhisdeathhethreatenedtocutdownyourallowance.Youknewthatonhisdeathyouwouldprobablyinheritaverysubstantialsum.Thereisthemotive.Afterdinneryouwent,asyousay,totelephone.Youdidtelephone—butthecalllastedonlyfiveminutes.Afterthatyoucouldeasilyhavegonetoyourfather’sroom,chattedwithhim,andthenattackedhimandkilledhim.Youlefttheroomandturnedthekeyfromoutside,foryouhopedtheaffairwouldbeputdowntoaburglar.Youomitted,inyourpanic,tomakesurethatthewindowwasfullyopensoastosupporttheburglartheory.Thatwasstupid;butyouare,ifyouwillpardonmysayingso,ratherastupidman!
“However,”saidPoirot,afterabriefpauseduringwhichGeorgetriedtospeakandfailed,“manystupidmenhavebeencriminals!”
HeturnedhiseyesonMagdalene.
“Madame,too,shealsohadamotive.Sheis,Ithink,indebt,andthetoneofcertainofyourfather’sremarksmay—havecausedheruneasiness.She,too,hasnoalibi.Shewenttotelephone,butshedidnottelephone,andwehaveonlyherwordforwhatshediddo….
“Then,”hepaused,“thereisMr.DavidLee.Wehaveheard,notoncebutmanytimes,oftherevengefultempersandlongmemoriesthatwentwiththeLeeblood.Mr.DavidLeedidnotforgetorforgivethewayhisfatherhadtreatedhismother.Afinaljibedirectedatthedeadladymayhavebeenthelaststraw.DavidLeeissaidtohavebeenplayingthepianoatthetimeofthemurder.Byacoincidencehewasplayingthe‘DeadMarch.’Butsupposesomebodyelsewasplayingthat‘DeadMarch,’somebodywhoknewwhathewasgoingtodo,andwhoapprovedhisaction?”
HildaLeesaidquietly:
“Thatisaninfamoussuggestion.”
Poirotturnedtoher.“Iwillofferyouanother,madame.Itwasyourhandthatdidthedeed.Itwasyouwhocreptupstairstoexecutejudgmentonamanyouconsideredbeyondhumanforgiveness.Youareofthose,madame,whocanbeterribleinanger….”
Hildasaid:“Ididnotkillhim.”
SuperintendentSugdensaidbrusquely:
“Mr.Poirot’squiteright.ThereisapossiblecaseagainsteveryoneexceptMr.AlfredLee,Mr.HarryLee,andMrs.AlfredLee.”
Poirotsaidgently:
“Ishouldnotevenexceptthosethree….”
Thesuperintendentprotested:“Oh,comenow,Mr.Poirot!”
LydiaLeesaid:
“Andwhatisthecaseagainstme,M.Poirot?”
Shesmiledalittleasshespoke,herbrowsraisedironically.
Poirotbowed.Hesaid:
“Yourmotive,madame,Ipassover.Itissufficientlyobvious.Astotherest,youwerewearinglastnightafloweredtaffetadressofaverydistinctivepatternwithacape.IwillremindyouofthefactthatTressilian,thebutler,isshortsighted.Objectsatadistancearedimandvaguetohim.Iwillalsopointoutthatyourdrawingroomisbigandlightedbyheavilyshadedlamps.Onthatnight,aminuteortwobeforethecrieswereheard,Tressiliancameintothedrawingroomtotakeawaythecoffee-cups.Hesawyou,ashethought,inafamiliarattitudebythefarwindowhalfconcealedbytheheavycurtains.”
LydiaLeesaid:“Hedidseeme.”
Poirotwenton:
“IsuggestthatitispossiblethatwhatTressiliansawwasthecapeofyourdress,arrangedtoshowbythewindowcurtain,asthoughyouyourselfwerestandingthere.”
Lydiasaid:“Iwasstandingthere….”
Alfredsaid:“Howdareyousuggest—?”
Harryinterruptedhim.
“Lethimgoon,Alfred.It’sourturnnext.HowdoyousuggestthatdearAlfredkilledhisbelovedfathersincewewerebothtogetherinthediningroomatthetime?”
Poirotbeamedathim.
“That,”hesaid,“isverysimple.Analibigainsinforceaccordinglyasitisunwillinglygiven.Youandyourbrotherareonbadterms.ItiswellknownYoujibeathiminpublic.Hehasnotagoodwordtosayforyou!But,supposingthatwereallpartofaverycleverplot.SupposingthatAlfredLeeistiredofdancingattendanceuponanexactingtaskmaster.Supposingthatyouandhehavegottogethersometimeago.Yourplanislaid.Youcomehome.Alfredappearstoresentyourpresence.Heshowsjealousyanddislikeofyou.Youshowcontemptforhim.Andthencomesthenightofthemurderyouhavesocleverlyplannedtogether.Oneofyouremainsinthediningroom,talkingandperhapsquarrellingaloudasthoughtwopeoplewerethere.Theothergoesupstairsandcommitsthecrime….”
Alfredsprangtohisfeet.
“Youdevil!”hesaid.Hisvoicewasinarticulate.
SugdenwasstaringatPoirot.Hesaid:
“Doyoureallymean—?”
Poirotsaid,withasuddenringofauthorityinhisvoice:
“Ihavehadtoshowyouthepossibilities!Thesearethethingsthatmighthavehappened!Whichofthemactuallydidhappenwecanonlytellbypassingfromtheoutsideappearancetotheinsidereality….”
Hepausedandthensaidslowly:
“Wemustcomeback,asIsaidbefore,tothecharacterofSimeonLeehimself….”
VI
Therewasamomentarypause.Strangelyenough,allindignationandallrancourhaddieddown.HerculePoirotheldhisaudienceunderthespellofhispersonality.Theywatchedhim,fascinated,ashebeganslowlytospeak.
“Itisallthere,yousee.Thedeadmanisthefocusandcentreofthemystery!WemustprobedeepintotheheartandmindofSimeonLeeandseewhatwefindthere.Foramandoesnotliveanddietohimselfalone.Thatwhichhehas,hehandson—tothosewhocomeafterhim….
“WhathadSimeonLeetobequeathtohissonsanddaughter?Pride,tobeginwith—apridewhich,intheoldman,wasfrustratedinhisdisappointmentoverhischildren.Thentherewasthequalityofpatience.WehavebeentoldthatSimeonLeewaitedpatientlyforyearsinordertorevengehimselfuponsomeonewhohaddonehimaninjury.Weseethatthataspectofhistemperamentwasinheritedbythesonwhoresembledhimleastinface.DavidLeealsocouldrememberandcontinuetoharbourresentmentthroughlongyears.Inface,HarryLeewastheonlyoneofhischildrenwhocloselyresembledhim.ThatresemblanceisquitestrikingwhenweexaminetheportraitofSimeonLeeasayoungman.Thereisthesamehigh-bridgedaquilinenose,thelongsharplineofthejaw,thebackwardpoiseofthehead.Ithink,too,thatHarryinheritedmanyofhisfather’smannerisms—thathabit,forinstance,ofthrowingbackhisheadandlaughing,andanotherhabitofdrawinghisfingeralongthelineofhisjaw.
“Bearingallthesethingsinmind,andbeingconvincedthatthemurderwascommittedbyapersoncloselyconnectedwiththedeadman,Istudiedthefamilyfromthepsychologicalstandpoint.Thatis,Itriedtodecidewhichofthemwerepsychologicallypossiblecriminals.And,inmyjudgment,onlytwopersonsqualifiedinthatrespect.TheywereAlfredLeeandHildaLee,David’swife.DavidhimselfIrejectedasapossiblemurderer.Idonotthinkapersonofhisdelicatesusceptibilitiescouldhavefacedtheactualbloodshedofacutthroat.GeorgeLeeandhiswifeIlikewiserejected.Whatevertheirdesires,Ididnotthinktheyhadthetemperamenttotakearisk.Theywerebothessentiallycautious.Mrs.AlfredLeeIfeltsurewasquiteincapableofanactofviolence.Shehastoomuchironyinhernature.AboutHarryLeeIhesitated.Hehadacertaincoarsetruculenceofaspect,butIwasnearlysurethatHarryLee,inspiteofhisbluffandhisbluster,wasessentiallyaweakling.That,Inowknow,wasalsohisfather’sopinion.Harry,hesaid,wasworthnomorethantherest.ThatleftmewithtwopeopleIhavealreadymentioned.AlfredLeewasapersoncapableofagreatdealofselflessdevotion.Hewasamanwhohadcontrolledandsubordinatedhimselftothewillofanotherformanyyears.Itwasalwayspossibleundertheseconditionsforsomethingtosnap.Moreover,hemightquitepossiblyhaveharbouredasecretgrudgeagainsthisfatherwhichmightgraduallyhavegrowninforcethroughneverbeingexpressedinanyway.Itisthequietestandmeekestpeoplewhoareoftencapableofthemostsuddenandunexpectedviolenceforthereasonthatwhentheircontroldoessnap,itdoessoentirely!TheotherpersonIconsideredwascapableofthecrimewasHildaLee.Sheisthekindofindividualwhoiscapable,onoccasions,oftakingthelawintoherownhands—thoughneverthroughselfishmotives.Suchpeoplejudgeandalsoexecute.ManyOldTestamentcharactersareofthistype.JaelandJudith,forexample.
“AndnowhavinggotsofarIexaminedthecircumstancesofthecrimeitself.Andthefirstthingthatarises—thatstrikesoneintheface,asitwere—istheextraordinaryconditionsunderwhichthatcrimetookplace!TakeyourmindsbacktothatroomwhereSimeonLeelaydead.Ifyouremember,therewasbothaheavytableandaheavychairoverturned,alamp,crockery,glasses,etc.Butthechairandthetablewereespeciallysurprising.Theywereofsolidmahogany.Itwashardtoseehowanystrugglebetweenthatfrailoldmanandhisopponentcouldresultinsomuchsolidfurniturebeingoverturnedandknockeddown.Thewholethingseemedunreal.Andyetsurelynooneintheirsenseswouldstagesuchaneffectifithadnotreallyoccurred—unlesspossiblySimeonLeehadbeenkilledbyapowerfulmanandtheideawastosuggestthattheassailantwasawomanorsomebodyofweakphysique.
“Butsuchanideawasunconvincingintheextreme,sincethenoiseofthefurniturewouldgivethealarmandthemurdererwouldtherebyhaveverylittletimetomakehisexit.Itwouldsurelybetoanyone’sadvantagetocutSimeonLee’sthroatasquietlyaspossible.
“Anotherextraordinarypointwastheturningofthekeyinthelockfromtheoutside.Again,thereseemednoreasonforsuchaproceeding.Itcouldnotsuggestsuicide,sincenothinginthedeathitselfaccordedwithsuicide.Itwasnottosuggestescapethroughthewindows—forthosewindowsweresoarrangedthatescapethatwaywasimpossible!Moreover,onceagain,itinvolvedtime.Timewhichmustbeprecioustothemurderer!
“Therewasoneotherincomprehensiblething—apieceofrubbercutfromSimeonLee’sspongebagandasmallwoodenpegshowntomebySuperintendentSugden.Thesehadbeenpickedupfromthefloorbyoneofthepersonswhofirstenteredtheroom.Thereagain—thesethingsdidnotmakesense!Theymeantexactlynothingatall!Yettheyhadbeenthere.
“Thecrime,youperceive,isbecomingincreasinglyincomprehensible.Ithasnoorder,nomethod—enfin,itisnotreasonable.
“Andnowwecometoafurtherdifficulty.SuperintendentSugdenwassentforbythedeadman;arobberywasreportedtohim,andhewasaskedtoreturnanhourandahalflater.Why?IfitisbecauseSimeonLeesuspectedhisgranddaughterorsomeothermemberofthefamily,whydoeshenotaskSuperintendentSugdentowaitdownstairswhilehehashisinterviewstraightawaywiththesuspectedparty?Withthesuperintendentactuallyinthehouse,hisleverovertheguiltypersonwouldhavebeenmuchstronger.
“Sonowwearriveatthepointwherenotonlythebehaviourofthemurdererisextraordinary,butthebehaviourofSimeonLeealsoisextraordinary!
“AndIsaytomyself:‘Thisthingisallwrong!’Why?Becausewearelookingatitfromthewrongangle.Wearelookingatitfromtheanglethatthemurdererwantsustolookatit
“Wehavethreethingsthatdonotmakesense:thestruggle,theturnedkey,andthesnipofrubber.Buttheremustbesomewayoflookingatthosethreethingswhichwouldmakesense!AndIemptymymindblankandforgetthecircumstancesofthecrimeandtakethesethingsontheirownmerits.Isay—astruggle.Whatdoesthatsuggest?Violence—breakage—noise…Thekey?Whydoesoneturnakey?Sothatnooneshallenter?Butthekeydidnotpreventthat,sincethedoorwasbrokendownalmostimmediately.Tokeepsomeonein?Tokeepsomeoneout?Asnipofrubber?Isaytomyself:‘Alittlepieceofaspongebagisalittlepieceofaspongebag,andthatisall!’
“Soyouwouldsaythereisnothingthere—andyetthatisnotstrictlytrue,forthreeimpressionsremain:noise—seclusion—blankness….
“Dotheyfitwitheitherofmytwopossibles?No,theydonot.TobothAlfredLeeandHildaLeeaquietmurderwouldhavebeeninfinitelypreferable,tohavewastedtimeinlockingthedoorfromtheoutsideisabsurd,andthelittlepieceofspongebagmeansyetoncemore—nothingatall!
“AndyetIhaveverystronglythefeelingthatthereisnothingabsurdaboutthiscrime—thatitisonthecontrary,verywellplannedandadmirablyexecuted.Thatishas,infact,succeeded!Thereforethateverythingthathashappenedwasmeant
“Andthen,goingoveritagain,Igotmyfirstglimmeroflight….
“Blood—somuchblood—bloodeverywhere…Aninsistenceonblood—fresh,wet,gleamingblood…Somuchblood—toomuchblood
“Andasecondthoughtcomeswiththat.Thisisacrimeofblood—itisintheblood.ItisSimeonLee’sownbloodthatrisesupagainsthim….”
HerculePoirotleanedforward.
“Thetwomostvaluablecluesinthiscasewereutteredquiteunconsciouslybytwodifferentpeople.ThefirstwaswhenMrs.AlfredLeequotedalinefromMacbeth:‘Whowouldhavethoughttheoldmantohavehadsomuchbloodinhim?’TheotherwasaphraseutteredbyTressilian,thebutler.Hedescribedhowhefeltdazedandthingsseemedtobehappeningthathadhappenedbefore.Itwasaverysimpleoccurrencethatgavehimthatstrangefeeling.HeheardaringatthebellandwenttoopenthedoortoHarryLee,andthenextdayhedidthesamethingtoStephenFarr.
“Nowwhydidhehavethatfeeling?LookatHarryLeeandStephenFarrandyouwillseewhy.Theyareastoundinglyalike!ThatwaswhyopeningthedoortoStephenFarrwasjustlikeopeningthedoortoHarryLee.Itmightalmosthavebeenthesamemanstandingthere.Andthen,onlytoday,Tressilianmentionedthathewasalwaysgettingmuddledbetweenpeople.Nowonder!StephenFarrhasahigh-bridgednose,ahabitofthrowinghisheadbackwhenhelaughs,andatrickofstrokinghisjawwithhisforefinger.LooklongandearnestlyattheportraitofSimeonLeeasayoungmanandyouseenotonlyHarryLee,butStephenFarr….”
Stephenmoved.Hischaircreaked.Poirotsaid:
“RememberthatoutburstofSimeonLee,histiradeagainsthisfamily.Hesaid,yourememberit,thathewouldswearhehadbettersonsbornthewrongsideoftheblanket.WearebackagainatthecharacterofSimeonLee.SimeonLee,whowassuccessfulwithwomenandwhobrokehiswife’sheart!SimeonLee,whoboastedtoPilarthathemighthaveabodyguardofsonsalmostthesameage!SoIcametothisconclusion:SimeonLeehadnotonlyhislegitimatefamilyinthehouse,butanunacknowledgedandunrecognizedsonofhisownblood.”
Stephengottohisfeet.Poirotsaid:
“Thatwasyourrealreason,wasn’tit?Notthatprettyromanceofthegirlyoumetinthetrain!Youwerecomingherebeforeyoumether.Comingtoseewhatkindofamanyourfatherwas….”
Stephenhadgonedeadwhite.Hesaid,andhisvoicewasbrokenandhusky:
“Yes,I’vealwayswondered…Motherspokeabouthimsometimes.Itgrewintoakindofobsessionwithme—toseewhathewaslike!ImadeabitofmoneyandIcametoEngland.Iwasn’tgoingtolethimknowwhoIwas.IpretendedtobeoldEb’sson.Icamehereforonereasononly—toseethemanwhowasmyfather….”
SuperintendentSugdensaidinalmostawhisper:
“Lord,I’vebeenblind…Icanseeitnow.TwiceI’vetakenyouforMr.HarryLeeandthenseenmymistake,andyetIneverguessed!”
HeturnedonPilar.
“Thatwasit,wasn’tit?ItwasStephenFarryousawstandingoutsidethatdoor?Youhesitated,Iremember,andlookedathimbeforeyousaiditwasawoman.ItwasFarryousaw,andyouweren’tgoingtogivehimaway”
Therewasagentlerustle.HildaLee’sdeepvoicespoke:
“No,”shesaid.“You’rewrong.ItwasIwhomPilarsaw….”
Poirotsaid:
“You,madame?Yes,Ithoughtso….”
Hildasaidquietly:
“Self-preservationisacuriousthing.Iwouldn’tbelieveIcouldbesuchacoward.TokeepsilencejustbecauseIwasafraid!”
Poirotsaid:
“Youwilltellusnow?”
Shenodded.
“IwaswithDavidinthemusicroom.Hewasplaying.Hewasinaveryqueermood.IwasalittlefrightenedandIfeltmyresponsibilityverykeenlybecauseitwasIwhohadinsistedoncominghere.Davidbegantoplaythe‘DeadMarch,’andsuddenlyImadeupmymind.Howeverodditmightseem,Ideterminedthatwewouldbothleaveatonce—thatnight.Iwentquietlyoutofthemusicroomandupstairs.ImeanttogotooldMr.Leeandtellhimquiteplainlywhyweweregoing.Iwentalongthecorridortohisroomandknockedonthedoor.Therewasnoanswer.Iknockedagainalittlelouder.Therewasstillnoanswer.ThenItriedthedoorhandle.Thedoorwaslocked.Andthen,asIstoodhesitating,Iheardasoundinsidetheroom—”
Shestopped.
“Youwon’tbelieveme,butit’strue!Someonewasinthere—assaultingMr.Lee.Iheardtablesandchairsoverturnedandthecrashofglassandchina,andthenIheardthatonelasthorriblecrythatdiedawaytonothing—andthensilence.
“Istoodthereparalysed!Icouldn’tmove!AndthenMr.FarrcamerunningalongandMagdaleneandalltheothersandMr.FarrandHarrybegantobatteronthedoor.Itwentdownandwesawtheroom,andtherewasnooneinit—exceptMr.Leelyingdeadinallthatblood.”
Herquietvoicerosehigher.Shecried:
“Therewasnooneelsethere—noone,youunderstand!Andnoonehadcomeoutoftheroom”
VII
SuperintendentSugdendrewadeepbreath.Hesaid:
“EitherI’mgoingmadoreverybodyelseis!Whatyou’vesaid,Mrs.Lee,isjustplumbimpossible.It’scrazy!”
HildaLeecried:
“ItellyouIheardthemfightinginthere,andIheardtheoldmanscreamwhenhisthroatwascut—andnoonecameoutandnoonewasintheroom!”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Andallthistimeyouhavesaidnothing.”
HildaLee’sfacewaswhite,butshesaidsteadily:
“No,becauseifItoldyouwhathadhappened,there’sonlyonethingyoucouldsayorthink—thatitwasIwhokilledhim….”
Poirotshookhishead.
“No,”hesaid.“Youdidnotkillhim.Hissonkilledhim.”
StephenFarrsaid:
“IswearbeforeGodInevertouchedhim!”
“Notyou,”saidPoirot.“Hehadothersons!”
Harrysaid:
“Whatthehell—”
Georgestared.Daviddrewhishandacrosshiseyes.Alfredblinkedtwice.
Poirotsaid:
“TheveryfirstnightIwashere—thenightofthemurder—Isawaghost.Itwastheghostofthedeadman.WhenIfirstsawHarryLeeIwaspuzzled.IfeltIhadseenhimbefore.ThenInotedhisfeaturescarefullyandIrealizedhowlikehisfatherhewas,andItoldmyselfthatthatwaswhatcausedthefeelingoffamiliarity.
“Butyesterdayamansittingoppositemethrewbackhisheadandlaughed—andIknewwhoitwasHarryLeeremindedmeof.AndItracedagain,inanotherface,thefeaturesofthedeadman.
“NowonderpooroldTressilianfeltconfusedwhenhehadansweredthedoornottotwo,buttothreemenwhoresembledeachotherclosely.Nowonderheconfessedtogettingmuddledaboutpeoplewhentherewerethreemeninthehousewho,atalittledistance,couldpassforeachother!Thesamebuild,thesamegestures(oneinparticular,atrickofstrokingthejaw),thesamehabitoflaughingwiththeheadthrownback,thesamedistinctivehigh-bridgednose.Yetthesimilaritywasnotalwayseasytosee—forthethirdmanhadamoustache.”
Heleanedforward.
“Oneforgetssometimesthatpoliceofficersaremen,thattheyhavewivesandchildren,mothers”—hepaused—“andfathers…RememberSimeonLee’slocalreputation:amanwhobrokehiswife’sheartbecauseofhisaffairswithwomen.Asonbornthewrongsideoftheblanketmayinheritmanythings.Hemayinherithisfather’sfeaturesandevenhisgestures.Hemayinherithisprideandhispatienceandhisrevengefulspirit!”
Hisvoicerose.
“Allyourlife,Sugden,you’veresentedthewrongyourfatherdidyou.Ithinkyoudeterminedlongagotokillhim.Youcomefromthenextcounty,notveryfaraway.Doubtlessyourmother,withthemoneySimeonLeesogenerouslygaveher,wasabletofindahusbandwhowouldstandfathertoherchild.EasyforyoutoentertheMiddleshirePoliceForceandwaityouropportunity.Apolicesuperintendenthasagrandopportunityofcommittingamurderandgettingawaywithit.”
Sugden’sfacehadgonewhiteaspaper.
Hesaid:
“You’remad!Iwasoutsidethehousewhenhewaskilled.”
Poirotshookhishead.
“No,youkilledhimbeforeyouleftthehousethefirsttime.Noonesawhimaliveafteryouleft.Itwasallsoeasyforyou.SimeonLeeexpectedyou,yes,butheneversentforyou.Itwasyouwhoranghimupandspokevaguelyaboutanattemptatrobbery.Yousaidyouwouldcalluponhimjustbeforeeightthatnightandwouldpretendtobecollectingforapolicecharity.SimeonLeehadnosuspicions.Hedidnotknowyouwerehisson.Youcameandtoldhimataleofsubstituteddiamonds.Heopenedthesafetoshowyouthattherealdiamondsweresafeinhispossession.Youapologized,camebacktothehearthwithhimand,catchinghimunawares,youcuthisthroat,holdingyourhandoverhismouthsothatheshouldn’tcryout.Child’splaytoamanofyourpowerfulphysique.
“Thenyousetthescene.Youtookthediamonds.Youpileduptablesandchairs,lampsandglasses,andtwinedaverythinropeorcordwhichyouhadbroughtincoiledroundyourbody,inandoutbetweenthem.Youhadwithyouabottleofsomefreshlykilledanimal’sbloodtowhichyouhadaddedaquantityofsodiumcitrate.YousprinkledthisaboutfreelyandaddedmoresodiumcitratetothepoolofbloodwhichflowedfromSimeonLee’swound.Youmadeupupthefiresothatthebodyshouldkeepitswarmth.Thenyoupassedthetwoendsofthecordoutthroughthenarrowslitatthebottomofthewindowandletthemhangdownthewall.Youlefttheroomandturnedthekeyfromtheoutside.Thatwasvital,sincenoonemust,byanychance,enterthatroom.
“Thenyouwentoutandhidthediamondsinthestonesinkgarden.If,soonerorlater,theywerediscoveredthere,theywouldonlyfocussuspicionmorestronglywhereyouwantedit:onthemembersofSimeonLee’slegitimatefamily.Alittlebeforeninefifteenyoureturnedand,goinguptothewallunderneaththewindow,youpulledonthecord.Thatdislodgedthecarefullypiled-upstructureyouhadarranged.Furnitureandchinafellwithacrash.Youpulledononeendofthecordandrewounditroundyourbodyunderyourcoatandwaistcoat.
“Youhadonefurtherdevice!”
Heturnedtotheothers.
“Doyouremember,allofyou,howeachofyoudescribedthedyingscreamofMr.Leeinadifferentway?You,Mr.Lee,describeditasthecryofamaninmortalagony.YourwifeandDavidLeebothusedtheexpression:asoulinhell.Mrs.DavidLee,onthecontrary,saiditwasthecryofsomeonewhohadnosoul.Shesaiditwasinhuman,likeabeast.ItwasHarryLeewhocamenearesttothetruth.Hesaiditsoundedlikekillingapig.
“Doyouknowthoselongpinkbladdersthataresoldatfairswithfacespaintedonthemcalled‘DyingPigs?’Astheairrushesouttheygiveforthaninhumanwail.That,Sugden,wasyourfinaltouch.Youarrangedoneofthoseintheroom.Themouthofitwasstoppedupwithapeg,butthatpegwasconnectedtothecord.Whenyoupulledonthecordthepegcameoutandthepigbegantodeflate.Ontopofthefallingfurniturecamethescreamofthe‘DyingPig.’”
Heturnedoncemoretotheothers.
“YouseenowwhatitwasthatPilarEstravadospickedup?Thesuperintendenthadhopedtogetthereintimetoretrievethatlittlewispofrubberbeforeanyonenoticedit.However,hetookitfromPilarquicklyenoughinhismostofficialmanner.Butrememberhenevermentionedthatincidenttoanyone.Initself,thatwasasingularlysuspiciousfact.IheardofitfromMagdaleneLeeandtackledhimaboutit.Hewaspreparedforthateventuality.HehadsnippedapiecefromMr.Lee’srubberspongebagandproducedthat,togetherwithawoodenpeg.Superficiallyitansweredtothesamedescription—afragmentofrubberandapieceofwood.Itmeant,asIrealizedatthetime,absolutelynothing!But,foolthatIwas,Ididnotatoncesay;‘Thismeansnothing,soitcannothavebeenthere,andSuperintendentSugdenislying…’No,Ifoolishlywentontryingtofindanexplanationforit.ItwasnotuntilMademoiselleEstravadoswasplayingwithaballoonthatburst,andshecriedoutthatitmusthavebeenaburstballoonshepickedupinSimeonLee’sroom,thatIsawthetruth.
“Youseenowhoweverythingfitsin?Theimprobablestruggle,whichisnecessarytoestablishafalsetimeofdeath;thelockeddoor—sothatnobodyshallfindthebodytoosoon;thedyingman’sscream.Thecrimeisnowlogicalandreasonable.
“ButfromthemomentthatPilarEstravadoscriedaloudherdiscoveryabouttheballoon,shewasasourceofdangertothemurderer.Andifthatremarkhadbeenheardbyhimfromthehouse(whichitwellmight,forhervoicewashighandclearandthewindowswereopen),sheherselfwasinconsiderabledanger.Alreadyshehadgiventhemurdereroneverynastymoment.Shehadsaid,speakingofoldMr.Lee,‘Hemusthavebeenverygood-lookingwhenhewasyoung.’Andhadadded,speakingdirectlytoSugden:‘Likeyou.’Shemeantthatliterally,andSugdenknewit.NowonderSugdenwentpurpleinthefaceandnearlychoked.Itwassounexpectedandsodeadlydangerous.Hehoped,afterthat,tofixtheguiltonher,butitprovedunexpectedlydifficult,since,astheoldman’sportionlessgranddaughter,shehadobviouslynomotiveforthecrime.Later,whenheoverheardfromthehouseherclear,highvoicecallingoutitsremarkabouttheballoon,hedecidedondesperatemeasures.Hesetthatboobytrapwhenwewereatlunch.Luckily,almostbyamiracle,itfailed….”
Therewasdeadsilence.ThenSugdensaidquietly:
“Whenwereyousure?”
Poirotsaid:
“IwasnotquitesuretillIbroughthomeafalsemoustacheandtrieditonSimeonLee’spicture.Then—thefacethatlookedatmewasyours.”
Sugdensaid:
“Godrothissoulinhell!I’mgladIdidit!”
PARTSEVEN
DECEMBER28TH
LydiaLeesaid:
“Pilar,Ithinkyouhadbetterstaywithusuntilwecanarrangesomethingdefiniteforyou.”
Pilarsaidmeekly:
“Youareverygood,Lydia.Youarenice.Youforgivepeoplequiteeasilywithoutmakingafussaboutit.”
Lydiasaid,smiling:
“IstillcallyouPilar,thoughIsupposeyournameissomethingelse.”
“Yes,IamreallyConchitaLopez.”
“Conchitaisaprettynametoo.”
“Youarereallyalmosttoonice,Lydia.Butyoudon’tneedtobebotheredbyme.IamgoingtomarryStephen,andwearegoingtoSouthAfrica.”
Lydiasaid,smiling:
“Well,thatroundsoffthingsverynicely.”
Pilarsaidtimidly:
“Sinceyouhavebeensokind,doyouthink,Lydia,thatonedaywemightcomebackandstaywithyou—perhapsforChristmas—andthenwecouldhavethecrackersandtheburningraisinsandthoseshinythingsonatreeandthelittlesnowmen?”
“Certainly,youshallcomeandhavearealEnglishChristmas.”
“Thatwillbelovely.Yousee,Lydia,IfeelthatthisyearitwasnotaniceChristmasatall.”
Lydiacaughtherbreath.Shesaid:
“No,itwasnotaniceChristmas….”
II
Harrysaid:
“Well,goodbye,Alfred.Don’tsupposeyou’llbetroubledbyseeingmuchofme.I’mofftoHawaii.AlwaysmeanttolivethereifIhadabitofmoney.”
Alfredsaid:
“Goodbye,Harry.Iexpectyou’llenjoyyourself.Ihopeso.”
Harrysaidratherawkwardly:
“SorryIriledyousomuch,oldman.RottensenseofhumourI’vegot.Can’thelptryingtopullafellow’sleg.”
Alfredsaidwithaneffort:
“SupposeImustlearntotakeajoke.”
Harrysaidwithrelief:
“Well—so-long.”
III
Alfredsaid:
“David,LydiaandIhavedecidedtosellupthisplace.Ithoughtperhapsyou’dlikesomeofthethingsthatwereourmother’s—herchairandthatfootstool.Youwerealwaysherfavourite.”
Davidhesitatedaminute.Thenhesaidslowly:
“Thanksforthethought,Alfred,butdoyouknow,Idon’tthinkIwill.Idon’twantanythingoutofthehouse.Ifeelit’sbettertobreakwiththepastaltogether.”
Alfredsaid:
“Yes,Iunderstand.Maybeyou’reright.”
IV
Georgesaid:
“Well,goodbye,Alfred.Goodbye,Lydia.Whataterribletimewehavebeenthrough.There’sthetrialcomingon,too.Isupposethewholedisgracefulstoryisboundtocomeout—Sugdenbeing—er—myfather’sson.Onecouldn’tarrangeforittobeputtohim,Isuppose,thatitwouldbebetterifhepleadedadvancedCommunistviewsanddislikeofmyfatherasacapitalist—somethingofthatkind?”
Lydiasaid:
“MydearGeorge,doyoureallyimaginethatamanlikeSugdenwouldtellliestosootheourfeelings?”
Georgesaid:
“Er—perhapsnot.No,Iseeyourpoint.Allthesame,themanmustbemad.Well,good-byeagain.”
Magdalenesaid:
“Good-bye.Nextyeardolet’sallgototheRivieraorsomewhereforChristmasandbereallygay.”
Georgesaid:
“DependsontheExchange.”
Magdalenesaid:
“Darling,don’tbemean.”
V
Alfredcameoutontheterrace.Lydiawasbendingoverastonesink.Shestraightenedupwhenshesawhim.
Hesaidwithasigh:
“Well—they’veallgone.”
Lydiasaid:
“Yes—whatablessing.”
“Itis,rather.”
Alfredsaid:
“You’llbegladtoleavehere.”
Sheasked:
“Willyoumindverymuch?”
“No,Ishallbeglad.Therearesomanyinterestingthingswecandotogether.Toliveonherewouldbetobeconstantlyremindedofthatnightmare.ThankGodit’sallover!”
Lydiasaid:
“ThankstoHerculePoirot.”
“Yes.Youknow,itwasreallyamazingthewayeverythingfellintoplacewhenheexplainedit.”
“Iknow.Likewhenyoufinishajigsawpuzzleandallthequeer-shapedbitsyouswearwon’tfitinanywherefindtheirplacesquitenaturally.”
Alfredsaid:
“There’sonelittlethingthatneverfittedin.WhatwasGeorgedoingafterhetelephoned?Whywouldn’thesay?”
“Don’tyouknow?Iknewallthetime.Hewashavingalookthroughyourpapersonyourdesk.”
“Oh!No,Lydia,noonewoulddoathinglikethat!”
“Georgewould.He’sfrightfullycuriousaboutmoneymatters.Butofcoursehecouldn’tsayso.He’dhavehadtobeactuallyinthedockbeforehe’dhaveowneduptothat.”
Alfredsaid:
“Areyoumakinganothergarden?”
“Yes.”
“Whatisitthistime?”
“Ithink,”saidLydia,“it’sanattemptattheGardenofEden.Anewversion—withoutanyserpent—andAdamandEvearedefinitelymiddle-aged.”
Alfredsaidgently:
“DearLydia,howpatientyouhavebeenalltheseyears.Youhavebeenverygoodtome.”
Lydiasaid:
“But,yousee,Alfred,Iloveyou….”
VI
ColonelJohnsonsaid:
“Godblessmysoul!”Thenhesaid:
“Uponmyword!”Andfinally,oncemore:“Godblessmysoul!
HeleanedbackinhischairandstaredatPoirot.Hesaidplaintively:
“Mybestman!What’sthepolicecomingto?”
Poirotsaid:
“Evenpolicemenhaveprivatelives!Sugdenwasaveryproudman.”
ColonelJohnsonshookhishead.
Torelievehisfeelingshekickedatthelogsinthegrate.Hesaidjerkily:
“Ialwayssay—nothinglikeawoodfire.”
HerculePoirot,consciousofthedraughtsroundhisneck,thoughttohimself:
“Pourmoi,everytimethecentralheating….”
AbouttheAuthor
AgathaChristieisthemostwidelypublishedauthorofalltimeandinanylanguage,outsoldonlybytheBibleandShakespeare.HerbookshavesoldmorethanabillioncopiesinEnglishandanotherbillioninahundredforeignlanguages.Sheistheauthorofeightycrimenovelsandshort-storycollections,nineteenplays,twomemoirs,andsixnovelswrittenunderthenameMaryWestmacott.
ShefirsttriedherhandatdetectivefictionwhileworkinginahospitaldispensaryduringWorldWarI,creatingthenowlegendaryHerculePoirotwithherdebutnovelTheMysteriousAffairatStyles.WithTheMurderintheVicarage,publishedin1930,sheintroducedanotherbelovedsleuth,MissJaneMarple.Additionalseriescharactersincludethehusband-and-wifecrime-fightingteamofTommyandTuppenceBeresford,privateinvestigatorParkerPyne,andScotlandYarddetectivesSuperintendentBattleandInspectorJapp.
ManyofChristie’snovelsandshortstorieswereadaptedintoplays,films,andtelevisionseries.TheMousetrap,hermostfamousplayofall,openedin1952andisthelongest-runningplayinhistory.Amongherbest-knownfilmadaptationsareMurderontheOrientExpress(1974)andDeathontheNile(1978),withAlbertFinneyandPeterUstinovplayingHerculePoirot,respectively.OnthesmallscreenPoirothasbeenmostmemorablyportrayedbyDavidSuchet,andMissMarplebyJoanHicksonandsubsequentlyGeraldineMcEwanandJuliaMcKenzie.
ChristiewasfirstmarriedtoArchibaldChristieandthentoarchaeologistSirMaxMallowan,whomsheaccompaniedonexpeditionstocountriesthatwouldalsoserveasthesettingsformanyofhernovels.In1971sheachievedoneofBritain’shighesthonorswhenshewasmadeaDameoftheBritishEmpire.Shediedin1976attheageofeighty-five.Heronehundredandtwentiethanniversarywascelebratedaroundtheworldin2010.
Visitwww.AuthorTracker.comforexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteHarperCollinsauthors.
www.AgathaChristie.com
THEAGATHACHRISTIECOLLECTION
TheManintheBrownSuit
TheSecretofChimneys
TheSevenDialsMystery
TheMysteriousMr.Quin
TheSittafordMystery
ParkerPyneInvestigates
WhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?
MurderIsEasy
TheRegattaMysteryandOtherStories
AndThenThereWereNone
TowardsZero
DeathComesastheEnd
SparklingCyanide
TheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStories
CrookedHouse
ThreeBlindMiceandOtherStories
TheyCametoBaghdad
DestinationUnknown
OrdealbyInnocence
DoubleSinandOtherStories
ThePaleHorse
StaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStories
EndlessNight
PassengertoFrankfurt
TheGoldenBallandOtherStories
TheMousetrapandOtherPlays
TheHarlequinTeaSetandOtherStories
TheHerculePoirotMysteries
TheMysteriousAffairatStyles
TheMurderontheLinks
PoirotInvestigates
TheMurderofRogerAckroyd
TheBigFour
TheMysteryoftheBlueTrain
PerilatEndHouse
LordEdgwareDies
MurderontheOrientExpress
ThreeActTragedy
DeathintheClouds
TheA.B.C.Murders
MurderinMesopotamia
CardsontheTable
MurderintheMews
DumbWitness
DeathontheNile
AppointmentwithDeath
HerculePoirot’sChristmas
SadCypress
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
EvilUndertheSun
FiveLittlePigs
TheHollow
TheLaborsofHercules
TakenattheFlood
TheUnderDogandOtherStories
Mrs.McGinty’sDead
AftertheFuneral
HickoryDickoryDock
DeadMan’sFolly
CatAmongthePigeons
TheClocks
ThirdGirl
Hallowe’enParty
ElephantsCanRemember
Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
TheMissMarpleMysteries
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderIsAnnounced
TheyDoItwithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
4:50fromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSide
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
Memoirs
AnAutobiography
Come,TellMeHowYouLive
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
ThistitlewaspreviouslypublishedasMurderforChristmasandAHolidayforMurder.
AGATHACHRISTIE?POIROT?HERCULEPOIROT’SCHRISTMAS?.Copyright?1938AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.
HERCULEPOIROT’SCHRISTMAS?1939.PublishedbypermissionofG.P.Putnam’sSons,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthisebookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverse-engineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinsebooks.Forinformation,addressHarperCollinsPublishers,10East53rdStreet,NewYork,NY10022.
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