AgathaChristie
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
AHerculePoirotMystery
ToDorothyNorthwholikesdetectivestoriesandcream,inthehopeitmaymakeuptoherfortheabsenceofthelatter!
Contents
Dedication
One,two,bucklemyshoe,
Three,four,shutthedoor,
Five,six,pickingupsticks,
Seven,eight,laythemstraight,
Nine,ten,agoodfathen,
Eleven,twelve,menmustdelve,
Thirteen,fourteen,maidsarecourting,
Fifteen,sixteen,maidsinthekitchen,
Seventeen,eighteen,maidsinwaiting,
Nineteen,Twenty,MyPlate’sEmpty,
AbouttheAuthor
OtherBooksbyAgathaChristie
Credits
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
ONE,TWO,BUCKLEMYSHOE
I
Mr.Morleywasnotinthebestoftempersatbreakfast.Hecomplainedofthebacon,wonderedwhythecoffeehadtohavetheappearanceofliquidmud,andremarkedthatbreakfastcerealswereeachoneworsethanthelast.
Mr.Morleywasasmallmanwithadecidedjawandapugnaciouschin.Hissister,whokepthouseforhim,wasalargewomanratherlikeafemalegrenadier.Sheeyedherbrotherthoughtfullyandaskedwhetherthebathwaterhadbeencoldagain.
Rathergrudgingly,Mr.Morleysaidithadnot.
HeglancedatthepaperandremarkedthattheGovernmentseemedtobepassingfromastateofincompetencetooneofpositiveimbecility!
MissMorleysaidinadeepbassvoicethatitwasDisgraceful!
AsamerewomanshehadalwaysfoundwhateverGovernmenthappenedtobeinpowerdistinctlyuseful.SheurgedherbrotherontoexplainwhytheGovernment’spresentpolicywasinconclusive,idiotic,imbecileandfranklysuicidal!
WhenMr.Morleyhadexpressedhimselffullyonthesepoints,hehadasecondcupofthedespisedcoffeeandunburdenedhimselfofhistruegrievance.
“Thesegirls,”hesaid,“areallthesame!Unreliable,self-centred—nottobedependedoninanyway.”
MissMorleysaidinterrogatively:
“Gladys?”
“I’vejusthadthemessage.Heraunt’shadastrokeandshe’shadtogodowntoSomerset.”
MissMorleysaid:
“Verytrying,dear,butafterallhardlythegirl’sfault.”
Mr.Morleyshookhisheadgloomily.
“HowdoIknowtheaunthashadastroke?HowdoIknowthewholethinghasn’tbeenarrangedbetweenthegirlandthatveryunsuitableyoungfellowshegoesaboutwith?Thatyoungmanisawrong’unifIeversawone!They’veprobablyplannedsomeoutingtogetherfortoday.”
“Oh,no,dear,Idon’tthinkGladyswoulddoathinglikethat.Youknow,you’vealwaysfoundherveryconscientious.”
“Yes,yes.”
“Anintelligentgirlandreallykeenonherwork,yousaid.”
“Yes,yes,Georgina,butthatwasbeforethisundesirableyoungmancamealong.She’sbeenquitedifferentlately—quitedifferent—absentminded—upset—nervy.”
TheGrenadierproducedadeepsigh.Shesaid:
“Afterall,Henry,girlsdofallinlove.Itcan’tbehelped.”
Mr.Morleysnapped:
“Sheoughtn’ttoletitaffectherefficiencyasmysecretary.Andtoday,inparticular,I’mextremelybusy!Severalveryimportantpatients.Itismosttrying!”
“I’msureitmustbeextremelyvexing,Henry.Howisthenewboyshaping,bytheway?”
HenryMorleysaidgloomily:
“He’stheworstI’vehadyet!Can’tgetasinglenamerightandhasthemostuncouthmanners.Ifhedoesn’timproveIshallsackhimandtryagain.Idon’tknowwhat’sthegoodofoureducationnowadays.Itseemstoturnoutacollectionofnitwitswhocan’tunderstandasinglethingyousaytothem,letalonerememberit.”
Heglancedathiswatch.
“Imustbegettingalong.Afullmorning,andthatSainsburySealewomantofitinsomewhereassheisinpain.IsuggestedthatsheshouldseeReilly,butshewouldn’thearofit.”
“Ofcoursenot,”saidGeorginaloyally.
“Reilly’sveryable—veryableindeed.First-classdiplomas.Thoroughlyup-to-dateinhiswork.”
“Hishandshakes,”saidMissMorley.“Inmyopinionhedrinks.”
Herbrotherlaughed,hisgoodtemperrestored.Hesaid:
“I’llbeupforasandwichathalfpastoneasusual.”
II
AttheSavoyHotelMr.Amberiotiswaspickinghisteethwithatoothpickandgrinningtohimself.
Everythingwasgoingverynicely.
Hehadhadhisusualluck.Fancythosefewkindwordsofhistothatidiotichenofawomanbeingsorichlyrepaid.Oh!well—castyourbreaduponthewaters.Hehadalwaysbeenakindheartedman.Andgenerous!Inthefuturehewouldbeabletobeevenmoregenerous.Benevolentvisionsfloatedbeforehiseyes.LittleDimitri…AndthegoodConstantopopolusstrugglingwithhislittlerestaurant…Whatpleasantsurprisesforthem….
ThetoothpickprobedunguardedlyandMr.Amberiotiswinced.Rosyvisionsofthefuturefadedandgavewaytoapprehensionsoftheimmediatefuture.Heexploredtenderlywithhistongue.Hetookouthisnotebook.Twelveo’clock.58,QueenCharlotteStreet.
Hetriedtorecapturehisformerexultantmood.Butinvain.Thehorizonhadshrunktosixbarewords:
“58,QueenCharlotteStreet.Twelveo’clock.”
III
AttheGlengowrieCourtHotel,SouthKensington,breakfastwasover.Inthelounge,MissSainsburySealewassittingtalkingtoMrs.Bolitho.TheyoccupiedadjacenttablesinthediningroomandhadmadefriendsthedayafterMissSainsburySeale’sarrivalaweekago.
MissSainsburySealesaid:
“Youknow,dear,itreallyhasstoppedaching!Notatwinge!IthinkperhapsI’llringup—”
Mrs.Bolithointerruptedher.
“Nowdon’tbefoolish,mydear.Yougotothedentistandgetitover.”
Mrs.Bolithowasatall,commandingfemalewithadeepvoice.MissSainsburySealewasawomanoffortyoddwithindecisivelybleachedhairrolledupinuntidycurls.Herclotheswereshapelessandratherartistic,andherpince-nezwerealwaysdroppingoff.Shewasagreattalker.
Shesaidnowwistfully:
“Butreally,youknow,itdoesn’tacheatall.”
“Nonsense,youtoldmeyouhardlysleptawinklastnight.”
“No,Ididn’t—no,indeed—butperhaps,now,thenervehasactuallydied.”
“Allthemorereasontogotothedentist,”saidMrs.Bolithofirmly.“Weallliketoputitoff,butthat’sjustcowardice.Bettermakeupone’smindandgetitover!”
SomethinghoveredonMissSainsburySeale’slips.Wasittherebelliousmurmurof:“Yes,butit’snotyourtooth!”
Allsheactuallysaid,however,was:
“Iexpectyou’reright.AndMr.Morleyissuchacarefulmanandreallyneverhurtsoneatall.”
IV
ThemeetingoftheBoardofDirectorswasover.Ithadpassedoffsmoothly.Thereportwasgood.Thereshouldhavebeennodiscordantnote.YettothesensitiveMr.SamuelRothersteintherehadbeensomething,somenuanceinthechairman’smanner.
Therehadbeen,onceortwice,ashortness,anacerbity,inhistone—quiteuncalledforbytheproceedings.
Somesecretworry,perhaps?ButsomehowRothersteincouldnotconnectasecretworrywithAlistairBlunt.Hewassuchanunemotionalman.Hewassoverynormal.SoessentiallyBritish.
Therewas,ofcourse,alwaysliver…Mr.Rotherstein’slivergavehimabitoftroublefromtimetotime.Buthe’dneverknownAlistairtocomplainofhisliver.Alistair’shealthwasassoundashisbrainandhisgraspoffinance.Itwasnotannoyingheartiness—justquietwell-being.
Andyet—therewassomething—onceortwicethechairman’shandhadwanderedtohisface.Hehadsatsupportinghischin.Nothisnormalattitude.Andonceortwicehehadseemedactually—yes,distrait.
Theycameoutoftheboardroomandpasseddownthestairs.
Rothersteinsaid:
“Can’tgiveyoualift,Isuppose?”
AlistairBluntsmiledandshookhishead.
“Mycar’swaiting.”Heglancedathiswatch.“I’mnotgoingbacktothecity.”Hepaused.“AsamatteroffactI’vegotanappointmentwiththedentist.”
Themysterywassolved.
V
HerculePoirotdescendedfromhistaxi,paidthemanandrangthebellof58,QueenCharlotteStreet.
Afteralittledelayitwasopenedbyaboyinpageboy’suniformwithafreckledface,redhair,andanearnestmanner.
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Mr.Morley?”
TherewasinhisheartaridiculoushopethatMr.Morleymighthavebeencalledaway,mightbeindisposed,mightnotbeseeingpatientstoday…Allinvain.Thepageboydrewback,HerculePoirotsteppedinside,andthedoorclosedbehindhimwiththequietremorselessnessofunalterabledoom.
Theboysaid:“Name,please?”
Poirotgaveittohim,adoorontherightofthehallwasthrownopenandhesteppedintothewaitingroom.
Itwasaroomfurnishedinquietgoodtasteand,toHerculePoirot,indescribablygloomy.Onthepolished(reproduction)Sheratontablewerecarefullyarrangedpapersandperiodicals.The(reproduction)HepplewhitesideboardheldtwoSheffieldplatedcandlesticksandanépergne.Themantelpieceheldabronzeclockandtwobronzevases.Thewindowswereshroudedbycurtainsofbluevelvet.ThechairswereupholsteredinaJacobeandesignofredbirdsandflowers.
Inoneofthemsatamilitary-lookinggentlemanwithafiercemoustacheandayellowcomplexion.HelookedatPoirotwithanairofoneconsideringsomenoxiousinsect.Itwasnotsomuchhisgunhelookedasthoughhewishedhehadwithhim,ashisFlitspray.Poirot,eyeinghimwithdistaste,saidtohimself,“Inverity,therearesomeEnglishmenwhoarealtogethersounpleasingandridiculousthattheyshouldhavebeenputoutoftheirmiseryatbirth.”
Themilitarygentleman,afteraprolongedglare,snatchedupTheTimes,turnedhischairsoastoavoidseeingPoirot,andsettleddowntoreadit.
PoirotpickedupPunch.
Hewentthroughitmeticulously,butfailedtofindanyofthejokesfunny.
Thepageboycameinandsaid,“ColonelArrow-Bumby?”—andthemilitarygentlemanwasledaway.
Poirotwasspeculatingontheprobabilitiesoftherereallybeingsuchaname,whenthedooropenedtoadmitayoungmanofaboutthirty.
Astheyoungmanstoodbythetable,restlesslyflickingoverthecoversofmagazines,Poirotlookedathimsideways.Anunpleasantanddangerouslookingyoungman,hethought,andnotimpossiblyamurderer.AtanyratehelookedfarmorelikeamurdererthananyofthemurderersHerculePoirothadarrestedinthecourseofhiscareer.
Thepageboyopenedthedoorandsaidtomidair:
“Mr.Peerer.”
Rightlyconstruingthisasasummonstohimself,Poirotrose.Theboyledhimtothebackofthehallandroundthecornertoasmallliftinwhichhetookhimuptothesecondfloor.Hereheledhimalongapassage,openedadoorwhichledintoalittleanteroom,tappedataseconddoor;andwithoutwaitingforareplyopeneditandstoodbackforPoirottoenter.
PoirotenteredtoasoundofrunningwaterandcameroundthebackofthedoortodiscoverMr.Morleywashinghishandswithprofessionalgustoatabasinonthewall.
VI
Therearecertainhumiliatingmomentsinthelivesofthegreatestofmen.Ithasbeensaidthatnomanisaherotohisvalet.Tothatmaybeaddedthatfewmenareheroestothemselvesatthemomentofvisitingtheirdentist.
HerculePoirotwasmorbidlyconsciousofthisfact.
Hewasamanwhowasaccustomedtohaveagoodopinionofhimself.HewasHerculePoirot,superiorinmostwaystoothermen.Butinthismomenthewasunabletofeelsuperiorinanywaywhatever.Hismoralewasdowntozero.Hewasjustthatordinary,cravenfigure,amanafraidofthedentist’schair
Mr.Morleyhadfinishedhisprofessionalablutions.Hewasspeakingnowinhisencouragingprofessionalmanner.
“Hardlyaswarmasitshouldbe,isit,forthetimeofyear?”
Gentlyheledthewaytotheappointedspot—toTheChair!Deftlyheplayedwithitsheadrest,runningitupanddown.
HerculePoirottookadeepbreath,steppedup,satdownandrelaxedhisheadtoMr.Morley’sprofessionalfiddlings.
“There,”saidMr.Morleywithhideouscheerfulness.“Thatquitecomfortable?Sure?”
InsepulchraltonesPoirotsaidthatitwasquitecomfortable.
Mr.Morleyswunghislittletablenearer,pickeduphislittlemirror,seizedaninstrumentandpreparedtogetonwiththejob.
HerculePoirotgraspedthearmsofthechair,shuthiseyesandopenedhismouth.
“Anyspecialtrouble?”Mr.Morleyinquired.
Slightlyindistinctly,owingtothedifficultyofformingconsonantswhilekeepingthemouthopen,HerculePoirotwasunderstoodtosaythattherewasnospecialtrouble.Thiswas,indeed,thetwiceyearlyoverhaulthathissenseoforderandneatnessdemanded.Itwas,ofcourse,possiblethattheremightbenothingtodo…Mr.Morleymight,perhaps,overlookthatsecondtoothfromthebackfromwhichthosetwingeshadcome…Hemight—butitwasunlikely—forMr.Morleywasaverygooddentist.
Mr.Morleypassedslowlyfromtoothtotooth,tappingandprobing,murmuringlittlecommentsashedidso.
“Thatfillingiswearingdownalittle—nothingserious,though.Gumsareinprettygoodcondition,I’mgladtosee.”Apauseatasuspect,atwistoftheprobe—no,onagain,falsealarm.Hepassedtothelowerside.One,two—ontothree?—No—“Thedog,”HerculePoirotthoughtinconfusedidiom,“hasseentherabbit!”
“Alittletroublehere.Notbeengivingyouanypain?Hm,I’msurprised.”Theprobewenton.
FinallyMr.Morleydrewback,satisfied
“Nothingveryserious.Justacoupleoffillings—andatraceofdecayonthatuppermolar.Wecangetitalldone,Ithink,thismorning.”
Heturnedonaswitchandtherewasahum.Mr.Morleyun-hookedthedrillandfittedaneedletoitwithlovingcare.
“Guideme,”hesaidbriefly,andstartedthedreadwork.
ItwasnotnecessaryforPoirottoavailhimselfofthispermission,toraiseahand,towince,oreventoyell.Atexactlytherightmoment,Mr.Morleystoppedthedrill,gavethebriefcommand“Rinse,”appliedalittledressing,selectedanewneedleandcontinued.Theordealofthedrillwasterrorratherthanpain.
Presently,whileMr.Morleywaspreparingthefilling,conversationwasresumed.
“Havetodothismyselfthismorning,”heexplained.“MissNevillhasbeencalledaway.YourememberMissNevill?”
Poirotuntruthfullyassented.
“Calledawaytothecountrybytheillnessofarelative.Sortofthingthatdoeshappenonabusyday.I’mbehindhandalreadythismorning.Thepatientbeforeyouwaslate.Veryvexingwhenthathappens.Itthrowsthewholemorningout.ThenIhavetofitinanextrapatientbecausesheisinpain.Ialwaysallowaquarterofanhourinthemorningincasethathappens.Still,itaddstotherush.”
Mr.Morleypeeredintohislittlemortarasheground.Thenheresumedhisdiscourse.
“I’lltellyousomethingthatI’vealwaysnoticed,M.Poirot.Thebigpeople—theimportantpeople—they’realwaysontime—neverkeepyouwaiting.Royalty,forinstance.Mostpunctilious.AndthesebigCitymenarethesame.NowthismorningI’vegotamostimportantmancoming—AlistairBlunt!”
Mr.Morleyspokethenameinavoiceoftriumph.
Poirot,prohibitedfromspeechbyseveralrollsofcottonwoolandaglasstubethatgurgledunderhistongue,madeanindeterminatenoise.
AlistairBlunt!Thosewerethenamesthatthrillednowadays.NotDukes,notEarls,notPrimeMinisters.No,plainMr.AlistairBlunt.Amanwhosefacewasalmostunknowntothegeneralpublic—amanwhoonlyfiguredinanoccasionalquietparagraph.Notaspectacularperson.
JustaquietnondescriptEnglishmanwhowastheheadofthegreatestbankingfirminEngland.Amanofvastwealth.AmanwhosaidYesandNotoGovernments.Amanwholivedaquiet,unobtrusivelifeandneverappearedonapublicplatformormadespeeches.Yetamaninwhosehandslaysupremepower.
Mr.Morley’svoicestillheldareverenttoneashestoodoverPoirotrammingthefillinghome.
“Alwayscomestohisappointmentsabsolutelyontime.Oftensendshiscarawayandwalksbacktohisoffice.Nice,quiet,unassumingfellow.Fondofgolfandkeenonhisgarden.You’dneverdreamhecouldbuyuphalfEurope!Justlikeyouandme.”
AmomentaryresentmentroseinPoirotatthisoffhandcouplingofnames.Mr.Morleywasagooddentist,yes,buttherewereothergooddentistsinLondon.TherewasonlyoneHerculePoirot.
“Rinse,please,”saidMr.Morley.
“It’stheanswer,youknow,totheirHitlersandMussolinisandalltherestofthem,”wentonMr.Morley,asheproceededtotoothnumbertwo.“Wedon’tmakeafussoverhere.LookhowdemocraticourKingandQueenare.Ofcourse,aFrenchmanlikeyou,accustomedtotheRepublicanidea—”
“IahnahaFrahah—Iah—ahaBenyon.”
“Tchut—tchut—”saidMr.Morleysadly.“Wemusthavethecavitycompletelydry.”Hepuffedhotairrelentlesslyonit.
Thenhewenton:
“Ididn’trealizeyouwereaBelgian.Veryinteresting.Veryfineman,KingLeopold,soI’vealwaysheard.I’magreatbelieverinthetraditionofRoyaltymyself.Thetrainingisgood,youknow.Lookattheremarkablewaytheyremembernamesandfaces.Alltheresultoftraining—thoughofcoursesomepeoplehaveanaturalaptitudeforthatsortofthing.I,myself,forinstance.Idon’tremembernames,butit’sremarkablethewayIneverforgetaface.Oneofmypatientstheotherday,forinstance—I’veseenthatpatientbefore.Thenamemeantnothingtome—butIsaidtomyselfatonce,‘NowwherehaveImetyoubefore?’I’venotrememberedyet—butitwillcomebacktome—I’msureofit.Justanotherrinse,please.”
Therinseaccomplished,Mr.Morleypeeredcriticallyintohispatient’smouth
“Well,Ithinkthatseemsallright.Justclose—verygently…Quitecomfortable?Youdon’tfeelthefillingatall?Openagain,please.No,thatseemsquiteallright.”
HerculePoirotdescended,afreeman.
“Well,good-bye,M.Poirot.Notdetectedanycriminalsinmyhouse,Ihope?”
Poirotsaidwithasmile:
“BeforeIcameup,everyonelookedtomelikeacriminal!Now,perhaps,itwillbedifferent!”
“Ah,yes,agreatdealofdifferencebetweenbeforeandafter!Allthesame,wedentistsaren’tsuchdevilsnowasweusedtobe!ShallIringfortheliftforyou?”
“No,no,Iwillwalkdown.”
“Asyoulike—theliftisjustbythestairs.”
Poirotwentout.Heheardthetapsstarttorunasheclosedthedoorbehindhim.
Hewalkeddownthetwoflightsofstairs.Ashecametothelastbend,hesawtheAnglo-IndianColonelbeingshownout.Notatallabad-lookingman,Poirotreflectedmellowly.Probablyafineshotwhohadkilledmanyatiger.Ausefulman—aregularoutpostofEmpire.
Hewentintothewaitingroomtofetchhishatandstickwhichhehadleftthere.Therestlessyoungmanwasstillthere,somewhattoPoirot’ssurprise.Anotherpatient,aman,wasreadingtheField.
Poirotstudiedtheyoungmaninhisnewbornspiritofkindliness.Hestilllookedveryfierce—andasthoughhewantedtodoamurder—butnotreallyamurderer,thoughtPoirotkindly.Doubtless,presently,thisyoungmanwouldcometrippingdownthestairs,hisordealover,happyandsmilingandwishingnoilltoanyone.
Thepageboyenteredandsaidfirmlyanddistinctly:
“Mr.Blunt.”
ThemanatthetablelaiddowntheFieldandgotup.Amanofmiddleheight,ofmiddleage,neitherfatnorthin.Well-dressed,quiet.
Hewentoutaftertheboy.
OneoftherichestandmostpowerfulmeninEngland—buthestillhadtogotothedentistjustlikeanybodyelse,andnodoubtfeltjustthesameasanybodyelseaboutit!
Thesereflectionspassingthroughhismind,HerculePoirotpickeduphishatandstickandwenttothedoor.Heglancedbackashedidso,andthestartledthoughtwentthroughhismindthatthatyoungmanmusthaveverybadtoothacheindeed.
InthehallPoirotpausedbeforethemirrortheretoadjusthismoustaches,slightlydisarrangedastheresultofMr.Morley’sministrations.
Hehadjustcompletedtheirarrangementtohissatisfactionwhentheliftcamedownagainandthepageboyemergedfromthebackofthehallwhistlingdiscordantly.HebrokeoffabruptlyatthesightofPoirotandcametoopenthefrontdoorforhim.
Ataxihadjustdrawnupbeforethehouseandafootwasprotrudingfromit.Poirotsurveyedthefootwithgallantinterest.
Aneatankle,quiteagoodqualitystocking.Notabadfoot.Buthedidn’tliketheshoe.Abrandnewpatentleathershoewithalargegleamingbuckle.Heshookhishead.
Notchic—veryprovincial!
Theladygotoutofthetaxi,butindoingsoshecaughtherotherfootinthedoorandthebucklewaswrenchedoff.Itfelltinklingontothepavement.Gallantly,Poirotsprangforwardandpickeditup,restoringitwithabow.
Alas!Nearerfiftythanforty.Pince-nez.Untidyyellow-greyhair—unbecomingclothes—thosedepressingartgreens!Shethankedhim,droppingherpince-nez,thenherhandbag.
Poirot,politeifnolongergallant,pickedthemupforher.
Shewentupthestepsof58,QueenCharlotteStreet,andPoirotinterruptedthetaxidriver’sdisgustedcontemplationofameagretip.
“Youarefree,hein?”
Thetaxidriversaidgloomily:“Oh,I’mfree.”
“SoamI,”saidHerculePoirot.“Freeofcare!”
Hesawthetaximan’sairofdeepsuspicion.
“No,myfriend,Iamnotdrunk.ItisthatIhavebeentothedentistandIneednotgoagainforsixmonths.Itisabeautifulthought.”
THREE,FOUR,SHUTTHEDOOR
I
Itwasaquartertothreewhenthetelephonerang.
HerculePoirotwassittinginaneasychairhappilydigestinganexcellentlunch.
HedidnotmovewhenthebellrangbutwaitedforthefaithfulGeorgetocomeandtakethecall.
“Ehbien?”hesaid,asGeorge,witha“Justaminute,sir,”loweredthereceiver.
“It’sChiefInspectorJapp,sir.”
“Aha?”
Poirotliftedthereceivertohisear.
“Ehbien,monvieux,”hesaid.“Howgoesit?”
“Thatyou,Poirot?”
“Naturally.”
“Ihearyouwenttothedentistthismorning?Isthatso?”
Poirotmurmured:
“ScotlandYardknowseverything!”
“ManofthenameofMorley.58,QueenCharlotteStreet?”
“Yes.”Poirot’svoicehadchanged.“Why?”
“Itwasagenuinevisit,wasit?Imeanyoudidn’tgotoputthewinduphimoranythingofthatsort?”
“Certainlynot.Ihadthreeteethfilledifyouwanttoknow.”
“Whatdidheseemliketoyou—mannermuchasusual?”
“Ishouldsayso,yes.Why?”
Japp’svoicewasrigidlyunemotional.
“Becausenotverymuchlaterheshothimself.”
“What?”
Jappsaidsharply:
“Thatsurprisesyou?”
“Frankly,itdoes.”
Jappsaid:
“I’mnottoohappyaboutitmyself…I’dliketohaveatalkwithyou.Isupposeyouwouldn’tliketocomeround?”
“Whereareyou?”
“QueenCharlotteStreet.”
Poirotsaid:
“Iwilljoinyouimmediately.”
II
Itwasapoliceconstablewhoopenedthedoorof58.Hesaidrespectfully:
“M.Poirot?”
“It’sI,myself.”
“TheChiefInspectorisupstairs.Secondfloor—youknowit?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Iwastherethismorning.”
Therewerethreemenintheroom.JapplookedupasPoirotentered.
Hesaid:
“Gladtoseeyou,Poirot.We’rejustgoingtomovehim.Liketoseehimfirst?”
Amanwithacamerawhohadbeenkneelingnearthebodygotup.
Poirotcameforward.Thebodywaslyingnearthefireplace.
IndeathMr.Morleylookedverymuchashehadlookedinlife.Therewasalittleblackenedholejustbelowhisrighttemple.Asmallpistollayonthefloornearhisoutflungrighthand.
Poirotshookhisheadgently.
Jappsaid:
“Allright,youcanmovehimnow.”
TheytookMr.Morleyaway.JappandPoirotwereleftalone.
Jappsaid:
“We’rethroughalltheroutine.Fingerprints,etc.”
Poirotsatdown.Hesaid:
“Tellme.”
Japppursedhislips.Hesaid:
“Hecouldhaveshothimself.Heprobablydidshoothimself.Thereareonlyhisfingerprintsonthegun—butI’mnotquitesatisfied.”
“Whatareyourobjections?”
“Well,tobeginwith,theredoesn’tseemtobeanyreasonwhyheshouldshoothimself…Hewasingoodhealth,hewasmakingmoney,hehadn’tanyworriesthatanyoneknewof.Hewasn’tmixedupwithawoman—atleast,”Jappcorrectedhimselfcautiously,“asfarasweknowhewasn’t.Hehasn’tbeenmoodyordepressedorunlikehimself.That’spartlywhyIwasanxioustohearwhatyousaid.Yousawhimthismorning,andIwonderedifyou’dnoticedanything.”
Poirotshookhishead.
“Nothingatall.Hewas—whatshallIsay—normalityitself.”
“Thenthatmakesitodd,doesn’tit?Anyway,youwouldn’tthinkamanwouldshoothimselfinthemiddleofbusinesshours,sotospeak.Whynotwaittillthisevening?Thatwouldbethenaturalthingtodo.”
Poirotagreed.
“Whendidthetragedyoccur?”
“Can’tsayexactly.Nobodyseemstohaveheardtheshot.ButIdon’tthinktheywould.Therearetwodoorsbetweenhereandthepassageandtheyhavebaizefittedroundtheedges—todeadenthenoisefromthevictimsofthedentalchair,Iimagine.”
“Veryprobably.Patientsundergassometimesmakealotofnoise.”
“Quite.Andoutside,inthestreet,there’splentyoftraffic,soyouwouldn’tbelikelytohearitoutthere.”
“Whenwasitdiscovered?”
“Roundaboutonethirty—bythepageboy,AlfredBiggs.Notaverybrightspecimen,byallaccounts.ItseemsthatMorley’stwelvethirtypatientkickedupabitofarowatbeingkeptwaiting.Aboutonetentheboycameupandknocked.Therewasnoanswerandapparentlyhedidn’tdarecomein.He’dgotinafewrowsalreadyfromMorleyandhewasnervousofdoingthewrongthing.Hewentdownagainandthepatientwalkedoutinahuffatonefifteen.Idon’tblameher.She’dbeenkeptwaitingthree-quartersofanhourandshewantedherlunch.”
“Whowasshe?”
Jappgrinned.
“AccordingtotheboyshewasMissShirty—butfromtheappointmentbookhernamewasKirby.”
“Whatsystemwasthereforshowinguppatients?”
“WhenMorleywasreadyforhisnextpatienthepressedthatbuzzeroverthereandtheboythenshowedthepatientup.”
“AndMorleypressedthebuzzerlast?”
“Atfiveminutespasttwelve,andtheboyshowedupthepatientwhowaswaiting.Mr.Amberiotis,SavoyHotel,accordingtotheappointmentbook.”
AfaintsmilecametoPoirot’slips.Hemurmured:
“Iwonderwhatourpageboymadeofthatname!”
“Aprettyhash,Ishouldsay.We’llaskhimpresentlyifwefeellikealaugh.”
Poirotsaid:
“AndatwhattimedidthisMr.Amberiotisleave?”
“Theboydidn’tshowhimout,sohedoesn’tknow…Agoodmanypatientsjustgodownthestairswithoutringingfortheliftandletthemselvesout.”
Poirotnodded.
Jappwenton:
“ButIranguptheSavoyHotel.Mr.Amberiotiswasquiteprecise.Hesaidhelookedathiswatchasheclosedthefrontdooranditwasthentwenty-fiveminutespasttwelve.”
“Hecouldtellyounothingofimportance?”
“No,allhecouldsaywasthatthedentisthadseemedperfectlynormalandcalminhismanner.”
“Ehbien,”saidPoirot.“Thenthatseemsquiteclear.Betweenfiveandtwentypasttwelveandhalfpastonesomethinghappened—andpresumablynearertheformertime.”
“Quite.Becauseotherwise—”
“Otherwisehewouldhavepressedthebuzzerforthenextpatient.”
“Exactly.Themedicalevidenceagreeswiththatforwhatit’sworth.Thedivisionalsurgeonexaminedthebody—attwentypasttwo.Hewouldn’tcommithimself—theyneverdonowadays—toomanyindividualidiosyncrasies,theysay.ButMorleycouldn’thavebeenshotlaterthanoneo’clock,hesays—probablyconsiderablyearlier—buthewouldn’tbedefinite.”
Poirotsaidthoughtfully:
“Thenattwenty-fiveminutespasttwelveourdentistisanormaldentist,cheerful,urbane,competent.Andafterthat?Despair—misery—whatyouwill—andheshootshimself?”
“It’sfunny,”saidJapp.“You’vegottoadmit,it’sfunny.”
“Funny,”saidPoirot,“isnottheword.”
“Iknowitisn’treally—butit’sthesortofthingonesays.It’sodd,then,ifyoulikethatbetter.”
“Wasithisownpistol?”
“No,itwasn’t.Hehadn’tgotapistol.Neverhadhadone.Accordingtohissistertherewasn’tsuchathinginthehouse.Thereisn’tinmosthouses.Ofcoursehemighthaveboughtitifhe’dmadeuphismindtodoawaywithhimself.Ifso,we’llsoonknowaboutit.”
Poirotasked:
“Isthereanythingelsethatworriesyou?”
Japprubbedhisnose.
“Well,therewasthewayhewaslying.Iwouldn’tsayamancouldn’tfalllikethat—butitwasn’tquiterightsomehow!Andtherewasjustatraceortwoonthecarpet—asthoughsomethinghadbeendraggedalongit.”
“That,then,isdecidedlysuggestive.”
“Yes,unlessitwasthatdrattedboy.I’veafeelingthathemayhavetriedtomoveMorleywhenhefoundhim.Hedeniesit,ofcourse,butthenhewasscared.He’sthatkindofyoungass.Thekindthat’salwaysputtingtheirfootinitandgettingcursed,andsotheycometolieaboutthingsalmostautomatically.”
Poirotlookedthoughtfullyroundtheroom.
Atthewashbasinonthewallbehindthedoor,atthetallfilingcabinetontheothersideofthedoor.Atthedentalchairandsurroundingapparatusnearthewindow,thenalongtothefireplaceandbacktowherethebodylay;therewasaseconddoorinthewallnearthefireplace.
Japphadfollowedhisglance.“Justasmallofficethroughthere.”Heflungopenthedoor.
Itwasashehadsaid,asmallroom,withadesk,atablewithaspiritlampandteaapparatusandsomechairs.Therewasnootherdoor.
“Thisiswherehissecretaryworked,”explainedJapp.“MissNevill.Itseemsshe’sawaytoday.”
HiseyesmetPoirot’s.Thelattersaid:
“Hetoldme,Iremember.Thatagain—mightbeapointagainstsuicide?”
“Youmeanshewasgotoutoftheway?”
Japppaused.Hesaid:
“Ifitwasn’tsuicide,hewasmurdered.Butwhy?Thatsolutionseemsalmostasunlikelyastheother.Heseemstohavebeenaquiet,inoffensivesortofchap.Whowouldwanttomurderhim?”
Poirotsaid:
“Whocouldhavemurderedhim?”
Jappsaid:
“Theanswertothatis—almostanybody!Hissistercouldhavecomedownfromtheirflataboveandshothim,oneoftheservantscouldhavecomeinandshothim.Hispartner,Reilly,couldhaveshothim.TheboyAlfredcouldhaveshothim.Oneofthepatientscouldhaveshothim.”Hepausedandsaid,“AndAmberiotiscouldhaveshothim—easiestofthelot.”
Poirotnodded.
“Butinthatcase—wehavetofindoutwhy.”
“Exactly.You’vecomeroundagaintotheoriginalproblem.Why?AmberiotisisstayingattheSavoy.WhydoesarichGreekwanttocomeandshootaninoffensivedentist?”
“That’sreallygoingtobeourstumblingblock.Motive!”
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.Hesaid:
“Itwouldseemthatdeathselected,mostinartistically,thewrongman.TheMysteriousGreek,theRichBanker,theFamousDetective—hownaturalthatoneofthemshouldbeshot!Formysteriousforeignersmaybemixedupinespionageandrichbankershaveconnectionswhowillbenefitbytheirdeathsandfamousdetectivesmaybedangeroustocriminals.”
“WhereaspooroldMorleywasn’tdangeroustoanybody,”observedJappgloomily.
“Iwonder.”
Jappwhirledroundonhim.
“What’supyoursleevenow?”
“Nothing.Achanceremark.”
HerepeatedtoJappthosefewcasualwordsofMr.Morley’saboutrecognizingfaces,andhismentionofapatient.
Japplookeddoubtful.
“It’spossible,Isuppose.Butit’sabitfar-fetched.Itmighthavebeensomeonewhowantedtheiridentitykeptdark.Youdidn’tnoticeanyoftheotherpatientsthismorning?”
Poirotmurmured:
“Inoticedinthewaitingroomayoungmanwholookedexactlylikeamurderer!”
Jappsaid,startled:“What’sthat?”
Poirotsmiled:
“Moncher,itwasuponmyarrivalhere!Iwasnervous,fanciful—enfin,inamood.Everythingseemedsinistertome,thewaitingroom,thepatients,theverycarpetonthestairs!Actually,Ithinktheyoungmanhadverybadtoothache.Thatwasall!”
“Iknowwhatitcanbe,”saidJapp.“However,we’llcheckuponyourmurdererallthesame.We’llcheckuponeverybody,whetherit’ssuicideornot.IthinkthefirstthingistohaveanothertalkwithMissMorley.I’veonlyhadawordortwo.Itwasashocktoher,ofcourse,butshe’sthekindthatdoesn’tbreakdown.We’llgoandseehernow.”
III
Tallandgrim,GeorginaMorleylistenedtowhatthetwomenhadsaidandansweredtheirquestions.Shesaidwithemphasis:
“It’sincredibletome—quiteincredible—thatmybrothershouldhavecommittedsuicide!”
Poirotsaid:
“Yourealizethealternative,Mademoiselle?”
“Youmean—murder.”Shepaused.Thenshesaidslowly:“Itistrue—thatalternativeseemsnearlyasimpossibleastheother.”
“Butnotquiteasimpossible?”
“No—because—oh,inthefirstcase,yousee,IamspeakingofsomethingIknow—thatis:mybrother’sstateofmind.Iknowhehadnothingonhismind—Iknowthattherewasnoreason—noreasonatallwhyheshouldtakehisownlife!”
“Yousawhimthismorning—beforehestartedwork?”
“Atbreakfast—yes.”
“Andhewasquiteasusual—notupsetinanyway?”
“Hewasupset—butnotinthewayyoumean.Hewasjustannoyed!”
“Whywasthat?”
“Hehadabusymorninginfrontofhim,andhissecretaryandassistanthadbeencalledaway.”
“ThatisMissNevill?”
“Yes.”
“Whatusedshetodoforhim?”
“Shedidallhiscorrespondence,ofcourse,andkepttheappointmentbook,andfiledallthecharts.Shealsosawtothesterilizingoftheinstrumentsandgrounduphisfillingsandhandedthemtohimwhenhewasworking.”
“Hadshebeenwithhimlong?”
“Threeyears.Sheisaveryreliablegirlandweare—werebothveryfondofher.”
Poirotsaid:
“Shewascalledawayowingtotheillnessofarelative,soyourbrothertoldme.”
“Yes,shegotatelegramtosayheraunthadhadastroke.ShewentofftoSomersetbyanearlytrain.”
“Andthatwaswhatannoyedyourbrothersomuch?”
“Ye-es.”TherewasafainthesitationinMissMorley’sanswer.Shewentonratherhurriedly.“You—youmustn’tthinkmybrotherunfeeling.Itwasonlythathethought—justforamoment—”
“Yes,MissMorley?”
“Well,thatshemighthaveplayedtruantonpurpose.Oh!Pleasedon’tmisunderstandme—I’mquitecertainthatGladyswouldneverdosuchathing.ItoldHenryso.Butthefactofthematteris,thatshehasgotherselfengagedtoratheranunsuitableyoungman—Henrywasveryvexedaboutit—anditoccurredtohimthatthisyoungmanmighthavepersuadedhertotakeadayoff.”
“Wasthatlikely?”
“No,I’msureitwasn’t.Gladysisaveryconscientiousgirl.”
“Butitisthesortofthingtheyoungmanmighthavesuggested?”
MissMorleysniffed.
“Quitelikely,Ishouldsay.”
“Whatdoeshedo,thisyoungfellow—whatishisname,bytheway?”
“Carter,FrankCarter.Heis—orwas—aninsuranceclerk,Ibelieve.Helosthisjobsomeweeksagoanddoesn’tseemabletogetanother.Henrysaid—andIdaresayhewasright—thatheisacompleterotter.GladyshadactuallylenthimsomeofhersavingsandHenrywasveryannoyedaboutit.”
Jappsaidsharply:
“Didyourbrothertrytopersuadehertobreakherengagement?”
“Yes,hedid,Iknow.”
“ThenthisFrankCarterwould,quitepossibly,haveagrudgeagainstyourbrother.”
TheGrenadiersaidrobustly:
“Nonsense—thatisifyouaresuggestingthatFrankCartershotHenry.HenryadvisedthegirlagainstyoungCarter,certainly;butshedidn’ttakehisadvice—sheisfoolishlydevotedtoFrank.”
“Isthereanyoneelseyoucanthinkofwhohadagrudgeagainstyourbrother?”
MissMorleyshookherhead.
“Didhegetonwellwithhispartner,Mr.Reilly?”
MissMorleyrepliedacidly:
“AswellasyoucaneverhopetogetonwithanIrishman!”
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat,MissMorley?”
“Well,Irishmenhavehottempersandtheythoroughlyenjoyarowofanykind.Mr.Reillylikedarguingaboutpolitics.”
“Thatwasall?”
“Thatwasall.Mr.Reillyisunsatisfactoryinmanyways,buthewasveryskilledinhisprofession—orsomybrothersaid.”
Japppersisted:
“Howisheunsatisfactory?”
MissMorleyhesitated,thensaidacidly:
“Hedrinkstoomuch—butpleasedon’tletthatgoanyfurther.”
“Wasthereanytroublebetweenhimandyourbrotheronthatsubject?”
“Henrygavehimoneortwohints.Indentistry,”continuedMissMorleydidactically,“asteadyhandisneeded,andanalcoholicbreathdoesnotinspireconfidence.”
Jappbowedhisheadinagreement.Thenhesaid:
“Canyoutellusanythingofyourbrother’sfinancialposition?”
“Henrywasmakingagoodincomeandhehadacertainamountputby.Weeachhadasmallprivateincomeofourownlefttousbyourfather.”
Jappmurmuredwithaslightcough:
“Youdon’tknow,Isuppose,ifyourbrotherleftawill?”
“Hedid—andIcantellyouitscontents.HeleftahundredpoundstoGladysNevill,otherwiseeverythingcomestome.”
“Isee.Now—”
Therewasafiercethumponthedoor.Alfred’sfacethenappearedroundit.Hisgogglingeyestookineachdetailofthetwovisitorsasheejaculated:
“It’sMissNevill.She’sback—andinararetaking.Shallshecomein,shewantstoknow?”
JappnoddedandMissMorleysaid:
“Tellhertocomehere,Alfred.”
“O.K.,”saidAlfred,anddisappeared.MissMorleysaidwithasighandinobviouscapitalletters:
“ThatBoyisaSadTrial.”
IV
GladysNevillwasatall,fair,somewhatanemicgirlofabouttwenty-eight.Thoughobviouslyveryupset,sheatonceshowedthatshewascapableandintelligent.
UnderthepretextoflookingthroughMr.Morley’spapers,JappgotherawayfromMissMorleydowntothelittleofficenextdoortothesurgery.
Sherepeatedmorethanonce:
“Isimplycannotbelieveit!ItseemsquiteincrediblethatMr.Morleyshoulddosuchathing!”
Shewasemphaticthathehadnotseemedtroubledorworriedinanyway.
ThenJappbegan:
“Youwerecalledawaytoday,MissNevill—”
Sheinterruptedhim.
“Yes,andthewholethingwasawickedpracticaljoke!Idothinkit’sawfulofpeopletodothingslikethat.Ireallydo.”
“Whatdoyoumean,MissNevill?”
“Why,therewasn’tanythingthematterwithAuntatall.She’dneverbeenbetter.Shecouldn’tunderstanditwhenIsuddenlyturnedup.OfcourseIwaseversoglad—butitdidmakememad.Sendingatelegramlikethatandupsettingmeandeverything.”
“Haveyougotthattelegram,MissNevill?”
“Ithrewitaway,Ithink,atthestation.Itjustsaid,Youraunthadastrokelastnight.Pleasecomeatonce.”
“Youarequitesure—well—”Jappcougheddelicately—“thatitwasn’tyourfriend,Mr.Carter,whosentthattelegram?”
“Frank?Whateverfor?Oh!Isee,youmean—aput-upjobbetweenus?No,indeed,Inspector—neitherofuswoulddosuchathing.”
HerindignationseemedgenuineenoughandJapphadalittletroubleinsoothingherdown.Butaquestionastothepatientsonthisparticularmorningrestoredhertohercompetentself.
“Theyareallhereinthebook.Idaresayyouhaveseenitalready.Iknowaboutmostofthem.Teno’clock,Mrs.Soames—thatwasabouthernewplate.Tenthirty,LadyGrant—she’sanelderlylady—livesinLowndesSquare.Eleveno’clock,M.HerculePoirot,hecomesregularly—oh,ofcoursethisishim—sorry,M.Poirot,butIreallyamsoupset!Eleventhirty,Mr.AlistairBlunt—that’sthebanker,youknow—ashortappointment,becauseMr.Morleyhadpreparedthefillinglasttime.ThenMissSainsburySeale—sherangupspecially—hadtoothacheandsoMr.Morleyfittedherin.Aterribletalker,sheis,neverstops—thefussykind,too.Thentwelveo’clock,Mr.Amberiotis—hewasanewpatient—madeanappointmentfromtheSavoyHotel.Mr.MorleygetsquitealotofforeignersandAmericans.Thentwelvethirty,MissKirby.ShecomesupfromWorthing.”
Poirotasked:
“TherewasherewhenIarrivedatallmilitarygentleman.Whowouldhebe?”
“OneofMr.Reilly’spatients,Iexpect.I’lljustgethislistforyou,shallI?”
“Thankyou,MissNevill.”
Shewasabsentonlyafewminutes.ShereturnedwithasimilarbooktothatofMr.Morley.
Shereadout:
“Teno’clock,BettyHeath(that’salittlegirlofnine).Eleveno’clock,ColonelAbercrombie.”
“Abercrombie!”murmuredPoirot.“C’etait?a!”
“Eleventhirty,Mr.HowardRaikes.Twelveo’clock,Mr.Barnes.Thatwasallthepatientsthismorning.Mr.Reillyisn’tsobookedupasMr.Morley,ofcourse.”
“CanyoutellusanythingaboutanyofthesepatientsofMr.Reilly’s?”
“ColonelAbercrombiehasbeenapatientforalongtime,andallMrs.Heath’schildrencometoMr.Reilly.Ican’ttellyouanythingaboutMr.RaikesorMr.Barnes,thoughIfancyIhaveheardtheirnames.Itakeallthetelephonecalls,yousee—”
Jappsaid:
“WecanaskMr.Reillyourselves.Ishouldliketoseehimassoonaspossible.”
MissNevillwentout.JappsaidtoPoirot:
“AlloldpatientsofMr.Morley’sexceptAmberiotis.I’mgoingtohaveaninterestingtalkwithMr.Amberiotispresently.He’sthelastperson,asitstands,toseeMorleyalive,andwe’vegottomakequitesurethatwhenhelastsawhim,Morleywasalive.”
Poirotsaidslowly,shakinghishead:
“Youhavestilltoprovemotive.”
“Iknow.That’swhatisgoingtobetheteaser.ButwemayhavesomethingaboutAmberiotisattheYard.”Headdedsharply:“You’reverythoughtful,Poirot!”
“Iwaswonderingaboutsomething.”
“Whatwasit?”
Poirotsaidwithafaintsmile:
“WhyChiefInspectorJapp?”
“Eh?”
“Isaid,‘WhyChiefInspectorJapp?’Anofficerofyoureminence—isheusuallycalledintoacaseofsuicide?”
“Asamatteroffact,Ihappenedtobenearbyatthetime.AtLavenham’s—inWigmoreStreet.Ratheraningenioussystemoffraudsthey’vehadthere.Theytelephonedmetheretocomeonhere.”
“Butwhydidtheytelephoneyou?”
“Oh,that—that’ssimpleenough.AlistairBlunt.AssoonastheDivisionalInspectorheardhe’dbeenherethismorning,hegotontotheYard.Mr.Bluntisthekindofpersonwetakecareofinthiscountry.”
“Youmeanthattherearepeoplewhowouldlikehim—outoftheway?”
“Youbetthereare.TheReds,tobeginwith—andourBlack-shirtedfriends,too.It’sBluntandhisgroupwhoarestandingsolidbehindthepresentGovernment.GoodsoundConservativefinance.That’swhy,ifthereweretheleastchancethattherewasanyfunnystuffintendedagainsthimthismorning,theywantedathoroughinvestigation.”
Poirotnodded.
“ThatiswhatImoreorlessguessed.AndthatisthefeelingIhave”—hewavedhishandsexpressively—“thattherewas,perhaps—ahitchofsomekind.Thepropervictimwas—shouldhavebeen—AlistairBlunt.Oristhisonlyabeginning—thebeginningofacampaignofsomekind?Ismell—Ismell—”hesniffedtheair,“—bigmoneyinthisbusiness!”
Jappsaid:
“You’reassumingalot,youknow.”
“IamsuggestingthatcepauvreMorleywasonlyapawninthegame.Perhapsheknewsomething—perhapshetoldBluntsomething—ortheyfearedhewouldtellBluntsomething—”
HestoppedasGladysNevillenteredtheroom.
“Mr.Reillyisbusyonanextractioncase,”shesaid.“Hewillbefreeinabouttenminutesifthatwillbeallright?”
Jappsaidthatitwould.Inthemeantime,hesaid,hewouldhaveanothertalktotheboyAlfred.
V
Alfredwasdividedbetweennervousness,enjoyment,andamorbidfearofbeingblamedforeverythingthathadoccurred!HehadonlybeenafortnightinMr.Morley’semployment,andduringthatfortnighthehadconsistentlyandunvaryinglydoneeverythingwrong.Persistentblamehadsappedhisself-confidence.
“Hewasabitrattierthanusual,perhaps,”saidAlfredinanswertoaquestion,“nothingelseasIcanremember.I’dneverhavethoughthewasgoingtodohimselfin.”
Poirotinterposed.
“Youmusttellus,”hesaid,“everythingthatyoucanrememberaboutthismorning.Youareaveryimportantwitness,andyourrecollectionsmaybeofimmenseservicetous.”
Alfred’sfacewassuffusedbyvividcrimsonandhischestswelled.HehadalreadygivenJappabriefaccountofthemorning’shappenings.Heproposednowtospreadhimself.Acomfortingsenseofimportanceoozedintohim.
“Icantellyouorlright,”hesaid.“Justyouaskme.”
“Tobeginwith,didanythingoutofthewayhappenthismorning?”
Alfredreflectedaminuteandthensaidrathersadly:“Can’tsayasitdid.Itwasorljustasusual.”
“Didanystrangerscometothehouse?”
“No,sir.”
“Notevenamongthepatients?”
“Ididn’tknowasyoumeantthepatients.Nobodycomewhathadn’tgotanappointment,ifthat’swhatyoumean.Theywerealldowninthebook.”
Jappnodded.Poirotasked:
“Couldanybodyhavewalkedinfromoutside?”
“No,theycouldn’t.They’dhavetohaveakey,see?”
“Butitwasquiteeasytoleavethehouse?”
“Oh,yes,justturnthehandleandgooutandpullthedoortoafteryou.AsIwassayingmostof’emdo.TheyoftencomedownthestairswhileI’mtakingupthenextpartyinthelift,see?”
“Isee.Nowjusttelluswhocamefirstthismorningandsoon.Describethemifyoucan’tremembertheirnames.”
Alfredreflectedaminute.Thenhesaid:“Ladywithalittlegirl,thatwasforMr.ReillyandaMrs.SoaporsomesuchnameforMr.Morley.”
Poirotsaid:
“Quiteright.Goon.”
“Thenanotherelderlylady—bitofatoffshewas—comeinaDaimler.Asshewentoutatallmilitarygentcomein,andjustafterhim,youcame,”henoddedtoPoirot.
“Right.”
“ThentheAmericangentcame—”
Jappsaidsharply:
“American?”
“Yes,sir.Youngfellow.HewasAmericanallright—youcouldtellbyhisvoice.Comeearly,hedid.Hisappointmentwasn’ttilleleventhirty—andwhat’smorehedidn’tkeepit—neither.”
Jappsaidsharply:
“What’sthat?”
“Nothim.ComeinforhimwhenMr.Reilly’sbuzzerwentateleventhirty—abitlateritwas,asamatteroffact,mighthavebeentwentytotwelve—andhewasn’tthere.Musthavefunkeditandgoneaway.”Headdedwithaknowledgeableair,“Theydosometimes.”
Poirotsaid:
“Thenhemusthavegoneoutsoonafterme?”
“That’sright,sir.YouwentoutafterI’dtakenupatoffwhatcomeinaRolls.Coo—itwasaloverlycar,Mr.Blunt—eleventhirty.ThenIcomedownandletyouout,andaladyin.MissSomeBerrySeal,orsomethinglikethat—andthenI—well,asamatteroffactIjustnippeddowntothekitchentogetmyelevenses,andwhenIwasdowntherethebuzzerwent—Mr.Reilly’sbuzzer—soIcomeupand,asIsay,theAmericangentlemanhadhookedit.IwentandtoldMr.Reillyandhesworeabit,asishisway.”
Poirotsaid:
“Continue.”
“Lemmesee,whathappenednext?Oh,yes,Mr.Morley’sbuzzerwentforthatMissSeal,andthetoffcamedownandwentoutasItookMissWhatsernameupinthelift.ThenIcomedownagainandtwogentlemencame—onealittlemanwithafunnysqueakyvoice—Ican’trememberhisname.ForMr.Reilly,hewas.AndafatforeigngentlemanforMr.Morley.
“MissSealwasn’tverylong—notaboveaquarterofanhour.IletheroutandthenItookuptheforeigngentleman.I’dalreadytakentheothergentintoMr.Reillyrightawayassoonashecame.”
Jappsaid:
“Andyoudidn’tseeMr.Amberiotis,theforeigngentleman,leave?”
“No,sir,Ican’tsayasIdid.Hemusthavelethimselfout.Ididn’tseeeitherofthosetwogentlemengo.”
“Wherewereyoufromtwelveo’clockonwards?”
“Ialwayssitinthelift,sir,waitinguntilthefrontdoorbelloroneofthebuzzersgoes.”
Poirotsaid:
“Andyouwereperhapsreading?”
Alfredblushedagain.
“Thereain’tnoharminthat,sir.It’snotasthoughIcouldbedoinganythingelse.”
“Quiteso.Whatwereyoureading?”
“DeathatEleven-Forty-Five,sir.It’sanAmericandetectivestory.It’sacorker,sir,itreallyis!Allaboutgunmen.”
Poirotsmiledfaintly.Hesaid:
“Wouldyouhearthefrontdoorclosefromwhereyouwere?”
“Youmeananyonegoingout?Idon’tthinkIshould,sir.WhatImeanis,Ishouldn’tnoticeit!Yousee,theliftisrightatthebackofthehallandalittleroundthecorner.Thebellringsjustbehindit,andthebuzzerstoo.Youcan’tmissthem.”
PoirotnoddedandJappasked:
“Whathappenednext?”
Alfredfrownedinasupremeeffortofmemory.
“Onlythelastlady,MissShirty.IwaitedforMr.Morley’sbuzzertogo,butnothinghappenedandatoneo’clocktheladywhowaswaiting,shegotratherratty.”
“ItdidnotoccurtoyoutogoupbeforeandseeifMr.Morleywasready?”
Alfredshookhisheadverypositively.
“Notme,sir.Iwouldn’thavedreamedofit.ForallIknewthelastgentlemanwasstillupthere.I’dgottowaitforthebuzzer.OfcourseifI’dknowedasMr.Morleyhaddonehimselfin—”
Alfredshookhisheadwithmorbidrelish.
Poirotasked:
“Didthebuzzerusuallygobeforethepatientcamedown,ortheotherwayabout?”
“Depends.Usuallythepatientwouldcomedownthestairsandthenthebuzzerwouldgo.Iftheyrangforthelift,thatbuzzerwouldgoperhapsasIwasbringingthemdown.Butitwasn’tfixedinanyway.SometimesMr.Morleywouldbeafewminutesbeforeherangforthenextpatient.Ifhewasinahurry,he’dringassoonastheywereoutoftheroom.”
“Isee—”Poirotpausedandthenwenton:
“WereyousurprisedatMr.Morley’ssuicide,Alfred?”
“Knockedallofaheap,Iwas.Hehadn’tnocalltogodoinghimselfinasfarasIcansee—oh!”Alfred’seyesgrewlargeandround.“Oo—er—hewasn’tmurdered,washe?”
PoirotcutinbeforeJappcouldspeak.
“Supposinghewere,woulditsurpriseyouless?”
“Well,Idon’tknow,sir,I’msure.Ican’tseewho’dwanttomurderMr.Morley.Hewas—well,hewasaveryordinarygentleman,sir.Washereallymurdered,sir?”
Poirotsaidgravely:
“Wehavetotakeeverypossibilityintoaccount.ThatiswhyItoldyouyouwouldbeaveryimportantwitnessandthatyoumusttryandrecollecteverythingthathappenedthismorning.”
HestressedthewordsandAlfredfrownedwithaprodigiouseffortofmemory.
“Ican’tthinkofanythingelse,sir.Ican’tindeed.”
Alfred’stonewasrueful.
“Verygood,Alfred.Andyouarequitesurenooneexceptpatientscametothehousethismorning?”
“Nostrangerdid,sir.ThatMissNevill’syoungmancameround—andinararetakingnottofindherhere.”
Jappsaidsharply:
“Whenwasthat?”
“Sometimeaftertwelveitwas.WhenItoldhimMissNevillwasawayfortheday,heseemedveryputoutandhesaidhe’dwaitandseeMr.Morley.ItoldhimMr.Morleywasbusyrightuptolunchtime,buthesaid:Nevermind,he’dwait.”
Poirotasked:
“Anddidhewait?”
AstartledlookcameintoAlfred’seyes.Hesaid:
“Cor—Ineverthoughtofthat!Hewentintothewaitingroom,buthewasn’ttherelater.Hemusthavegottiredofwaiting,andthoughthe’dcomebackanothertime.”
VI
WhenAlfredhadgoneoutoftheroom,Jappsaidsharply:
“D’youthinkitwisetosuggestmurdertothatlad?”
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.
“Ithinkso—yes.Anythingsuggestivethathemayhaveseenorheardwillcomebacktohimunderthestimulus,andhewillbekeenlyalerttoeverythingthatgoesonhere.”
“Allthesame,wedon’twantittogetabouttoosoon.”
“Moncher,itwillnot.Alfredreadsdetectivestories—Alfredisenamouredofcrime.WhateverAlfredletsslipwillbeputdowntoAlfred’smorbidcriminalimagination.”
“Well,perhapsyouareright,Poirot.Nowwe’vegottohearwhatReillyhastosay.”
Mr.Reilly’ssurgeryandofficewereonthefirstfloor.Theywereasspaciousastheonesabovebuthadlesslightinthem,andwerenotquitesorichlyappointed.
Mr.Morley’spartnerwasatall,darkyoungman,withaplumeofhairthatfelluntidilyoverhisforehead.Hehadanattractivevoiceandaveryshrewdeye.
“We’rehoping,Mr.Reilly,”saidJapp,afterintroducinghimself,“thatyoucanthrowsomelightonthismatter.”
“You’rewrongthen,becauseIcan’t,”repliedtheother.“I’dsaythis—thatHenryMorleywasthelastpersontogotakinghisownlife.Imighthavedoneit—buthewouldn’t.”
“Whymightyouhavedoneit?”askedPoirot.
“BecauseI’veoceansofworries,”repliedtheother.“Moneytroubles,forone!I’veneveryetbeenabletosuitmyexpendituretomyincome.ButMorleywasacarefulman.You’llfindnodebts,normoneytroubles,I’msureofthat.”
“Loveaffairs?”suggestedJapp.
“IsitMorleyyoumean?Hehadnojoyoflivingatall!Rightunderhissister’sthumbhewas,poorman.”
JappwentontoaskReillydetailsaboutthepatientshehadseenthatmorning
“Oh,Ifancythey’reallsquareandaboveboard.LittleBettyHeath,she’sanicechild—I’vehadthewholefamilyoneafteranother.ColonelAbercrombie’sanoldpatient,too.”
“WhataboutMr.HowardRaikes?”askedJapp.
Reillygrinnedbroadly.
“Theonewhowalkedoutonme?He’sneverbeentomebefore.Iknownothingabouthim.Herangupandparticularlyaskedforanappointmentthismorning.”
“Wheredidheringupfrom?”
“HolbornPalaceHotel.He’sanAmerican,Ifancy.”
“SoAlfredsaid.”
“Alfredshouldknow,”saidMr.Reilly.“He’safilmfan,ourAlfred.”
“Andyourotherpatient?”
“Barnes?Afunnypreciselittleman.RetiredCivilServant.LivesoutEalingway.”
Japppausedaminuteandthensaid:
“WhatcanyoutellusaboutMissNevill?”
Mr.Reillyraisedhiseyebrows.
“Thebee-yewtifulblondesecretary?Nothingdoing,oldboy!HerrelationswitholdMorleywereperfectlypewer—I’msureofit.”
“Ineversuggestedtheyweren’t,”saidJapp,reddeningslightly.
“Myfault,”saidReilly.“Excusemyfilthymind,won’tyou?Ithoughtitmightbeanattemptonyourparttocherchezlafemme.
“Excusemeforspeakingyourlanguage,”headdedparentheticallytoPoirot.“Beautifulaccent,haven’tI?Itcomesofbeingeducatedbynuns.”
Jappdisapprovedofthisflippancy.Heasked:
“Doyouknowanythingabouttheyoungmansheisengagedto?HisnameisCarter,Iunderstand.FrankCarter.”
“Morleydidn’tthinkmuchofhim,”saidReilly.“HetriedtogetlaNevilltoturnhimdown.”
“ThatmighthaveannoyedCarter?”
“Probablyannoyedhimfrightfully,”agreedMr.Reillycheerfully.
Hepausedandthenadded:
“Excuseme,thisisasuicideyouareinvestigating,notamurder?”
Jappsaidsharply:
“Ifitwereamurder,wouldyouhaveanythingtosuggest?”
“NotI!I’dlikeittobeGeorgina!Oneofthosegrimfemaleswithtemperanceonthebrain.ButI’mafraidGeorginaisfullofmoralrectitude.OfcourseIcouldeasilyhavenippedupstairsandshottheoldboymyself,butIdidn’t.Infact,Ican’timagineanyonewantingtokillMorley.ButthenIcan’tconceiveofhiskillinghimself.”
Headded—inadifferentvoice:
“Asamatteroffact,I’mverysorryaboutit…Youmustn’tjudgebymymanner.That’sjustnervousness,youknow.IwasfondofoldMorleyandIshallmisshim.”
VII
Jappputdownthetelephonereceiver.Hisface,asheturnedtoPoirot,wasrathergrim.
Hesaid:
“Mr.Amberiotisisn’tfeelingverywell—wouldrathernotseeanyonethisafternoon.
“He’sgoingtoseeme—andhe’snotgoingtogivemetheslipeither!I’vegotamanattheSavoyreadytotrailhimifhetriestomakeagetaway.”
Poirotsaidthoughtfully:
“YouthinkAmberiotisshotMorley?”
“Idon’tknow.ButhewasthelastpersontoseeMorleyalive.Andhewasanewpatient.Accordingtohisstory,heleftMorleyaliveandwellattwenty-fiveminutespasttwelve.Thatmaybetrueoritmaynot.IfMorleywasallrightthenwe’vegottoreconstructwhathappenednext.Therewasstillfiveminutestogobeforehisnextappointment.Didsomeonecomeinandseehimduringthatfiveminutes?Carter,say?OrReilly?Whathappened?Dependuponit,byhalfpasttwelve,orfive-and-twentytooneatthelatest,Morleywasdead—otherwisehe’deitherhavesoundedhisbuzzerorelsesentdownwordtoMissKirbythathecouldn’tseeher.No,eitherhewaskilled,orelsesomebodytoldhimsomethingwhichupsetthewholetenorofhismind,andhetookhisownlife.”
Hepaused.
“I’mgoingtohaveawordwitheverypatienthesawthismorning.There’sjustthepossibilitythathemayhavesaidsomethingtooneofthemthatwillputusontherighttrack.”
Heglancedathiswatch.
“Mr.AlistairBluntsaidhecouldgivemeafewminutesatfourfifteen.We’llgotohimfirst.HishouseisonChelseaEmbankment.ThenwemighttaketheSainsburySealewomanonourwaytoAmberiotis.I’dprefertoknowallwecanbeforetacklingourGreekfriend.Afterthat,I’dlikeawordortwowiththeAmericanwho,accordingtoyou‘lookedlikemurder.’”
HerculePoirotshookhishead.
“Notmurder—toothache.”
“Allthesame,we’llseethisMr.Raikes.Hisconductwasqueertosaytheleastofit.Andwe’llcheckuponMissNevill’stelegramandonherauntandonheryoungman.Infact,we’llcheckuponeverythingandeverybody!”
VIII
AlistairBlunthadneverloomedlargeinthepubliceye.Possiblybecausehewashimselfaveryquietandretiringman.PossiblybecauseformanyyearshehadfunctionedasaPrinceConsortratherthanasaKing.
RebeccaSanseverato,néeArnholt,cametoLondonadisillusionedwomanofforty-five.OneithersideshecameoftheRoyaltyofwealth.HermotherwasanheiressoftheEuropeanfamilyofRothersteins.HerfatherwastheheadofthegreatAmericanbankinghouseofArnholt.RebeccaArnholt,owingtothecalamitousdeathsoftwobrothersandacousininanairaccident,wassoleheiresstoimmensewealth.ShemarriedaEuropeanaristocratwithafamousname,PrinceFelipediSanseverato.Threeyearslatersheobtainedadivorceandcustodyofthechildofthemarriage,havingspenttwoyearsofwretchednesswithawell-bredscoundrelwhoseconductwasnotorious.Afewyearslaterherchilddied.
Embitteredbyhersufferings,RebeccaArnholtturnedherundoubtedbrainstothebusinessoffinance—theaptitudeforitraninherblood.Sheassociatedherselfwithherfatherinbanking.
Afterhisdeathshecontinuedtobeapowerfulfigureinthefinancialworldwithherimmenseholdings.ShecametoLondon—andajuniorpartneroftheLondonhousewassenttoClaridge’stoseeherwithvariousdocuments.SixmonthslatertheworldwaselectrifiedtohearthatRebeccaSanseveratowasmarryingAlistairBlunt,amannearlytwentyyearsyoungerthanherself.
Thereweretheusualjeers—andsmiles.Rebecca,herfriendssaid,wasreallyanincurablefoolwheremenwereconcerned!FirstSanseverato—nowthisyoungman.Ofcoursehewasonlymarryingherforhermoney.Shewasinforaseconddisaster!Buttoeveryone’ssurprisethemarriagewasasuccess.ThepeoplewhoprophesiedthatAlistairBluntwouldspendhermoneyonotherwomenwerewrong.Heremainedquietlydevotedtohiswife.Evenafterherdeath,tenyearslater,whenasinheritorofhervastwealthhemighthavebeensupposedtocutloose,hedidnotmarryagain.Helivedthesamequietandsimplelife.Hisgeniusforfinancehadbeennolessthanhiswife’s.Hisjudgementsanddealingsweresound—hisintegrityabovequestion.HedominatedthevastArnholtandRothersteininterestsbyhissheerability.
Hewentverylittleintosociety,hadahouseinKentandoneinNorfolkwherehespentweekends—notwithgayparties,butwithafewquietstodgyfriends.Hewasfondofgolfandplayedmoderatelywell.Hewasinterestedinhisgarden.
ThiswasthemantowardswhomChiefInspectorJappandHerculePoirotwerebouncingalonginasomewhatelderlytaxi.
TheGothicHousewasawell-knownfeatureonChelseaEmbankment.Insideitwasluxuriouswithanexpensivesimplicity.Itwasnotverymodernbutitwaseminentlycomfortable.
AlistairBluntdidnotkeepthemwaiting.Hecametothemalmostatonce.
“ChiefInspectorJapp?”
JappcameforwardandintroducedHerculePoirot.Bluntlookedathimwithinterest.
“Iknowyourname,ofcourse,M.Poirot.Andsurely—somewhere—quiterecently—”hepaused,frowning.
Poirotsaid:
“Thismorning,Monsieur,inthewaitingroomofcepauvreM.Morley.”
AlistairBlunt’sbrowcleared.Hesaid:
“Ofcourse.IknewIhadseenyousomewhere.”HeturnedtoJapp.“WhatcanIdoforyou?IamextremelysorrytohearaboutpoorMorley.”
“Youweresurprised,Mr.Blunt?”
“Verysurprised.OfcourseIknewverylittleabouthim,butIshouldhavethoughthimamostunlikelypersontocommitsuicide.”
“Heseemedingoodhealthandspiritsthen,thismorning?”
“Ithinkso—yes.”AlistairBluntpaused,thensaidwithanalmostboyishsmile:“Totellyouthetruth,I’mamostawfulcowardaboutgoingtothedentist.AndIsimplyhatethatbeastlydrillthingtheyrunintoyou.That’swhyIreallydidn’tnoticeanythingmuch.Nottillitwasover,youknow,andIgotuptogo.ButImustsayMorleyseemedperfectlynaturalthen.Cheerfulandbusy.”
“Youhavebeentohimoften?”
“Ithinkthiswasmythirdorfourthvisit.I’veneverhadmuchtroublewithmyteethuntilthelastyear.Breakingup,Isuppose.”
HerculePoirotasked:
“WhorecommendedMr.Morleytoyouoriginally?”
Bluntdrewhisbrowstogetherinaneffortofconcentration.
“Letmeseenow—Ihadatwinge—somebodytoldmeMorleyofQueenCharlotteStreetwasthemantogoto—no,Ican’tforthelifeofmerememberwhoitwas.Sorry.”
Poirotsaid:
“Ifitshouldcomebacktoyou,perhapsyouwillletoneofusknow?”
AlistairBluntlookedathimcuriously.
Hesaid:
“Iwill—certainly.Why?Doesitmatter?”
“Ihaveanidea,”saidPoirot,“thatitmightmatterverymuch.”
Theyweregoingdownthestepsofthehousewhenacardrewupinfrontofit.Itwasacarofsportingbuild—oneofthosecarsfromwhichitisnecessarytowrigglefromunderthewheelinsections.
Theyoungwomanwhodidsoappearedtoconsistchieflyofarmsandlegs.Shehadfinallydislodgedherselfasthementurnedtowalkdownthestreet.
Thegirlstoodonthepavementlookingafterthem.Then,suddenlyandvigorously,sheejaculated,“Hi!”
Notrealizingthatthecallwasaddressedtothem,neithermanturned,andthegirlrepeated:“Hi!Hi!Youthere!”
Theystoppedandlookedroundinquiringly.Thegirlwalkedtowardsthem.Theimpressionofarmsandlegsremained.Shewastall,thin,andherfacehadanintelligenceandalivenessthatredeemeditslackofactualbeauty.Shewasdarkwithadeeplytannedskin.
ShewasaddressingPoirot:
“Iknowwhoyouare—you’rethedetectiveman,HerculePoirot!”Hervoicewaswarmanddeep,withatraceofAmericanaccent.
Poirotsaid:
“Atyourservice,Mademoiselle.”
Hereyeswentontohiscompanion.
Poirotsaid:
“ChiefInspectorJapp.”
Hereyeswidened—almostitseemedwithalarm.Shesaid,andtherewasaslightbreathlessnessinhervoice:
“Whathaveyoubeendoinghere?Nothing—nothinghashappenedtoUncleAlistair,hasit?”
Poirotsaidquickly:
“Whyshouldyouthinkso,Mademoiselle?”
“Ithasn’t?Good.”
JapptookupPoirot’squestion.
“WhyshouldyouthinkanythinghadhappenedtoMr.Blunt,Miss—”
Hepausedinquiringly.
Thegirlsaidmechanically:
“Olivera.JaneOlivera.”Thenshegaveaslightandratherunconvincinglaugh.“Sleuthsonthedoorsteprathersuggestbombsintheattic,don’tthey?”
“There’snothingwrongwithMr.Blunt,I’mthankfultosay,MissOlivera.”
ShelookeddirectlyatPoirot.
“Didhecallyouinaboutsomething?”
Jappsaid:
“Wecalledonhim,MissOlivera,toseeifhecouldthrowanylightonacaseofsuicidethatoccurredthismorning.”
Shesaidsharply:
“Suicide?Whose?Where?”
“AMr.Morley,adentist,of58,QueenCharlotteStreet.”
“Oh!”saidJaneOliverablankly.“Oh!—”Shestartedaheadofher,frowning.Thenshesaidunexpectedly:
“Oh,butthat’sabsurd!”Andturningonherheelsheleftthemabruptlyandwithoutceremony,runningupthestepsoftheGothicHouseandlettingherselfinwithakey.
“Well!”saidJapp,staringafterher,“that’sanextraordinarythingtosay.”
“Interesting,”observedPoirotmildly
Japppulledhimselftogether,glancedathiswatchandhailedanapproachingtaxi.
“We’llhavetimetotaketheSainsburySealeonourwaytotheSavoy.”
IX
MissSainsburySealewasinthedimlylitloungeoftheGlengowrieCourtHotelhavingtea.
Shewasflusteredbytheappearanceofapoliceofficerinplainclothes—butherexcitementwasofapleasurablenature,heobserved.Poirotnoticed,withsorrow,thatshehadnotyetsewnthebuckleonhershoe.
“Really,officer,”flutedMissSainsburySeale,glancinground,“Ireallydon’tknowwherewecouldgotobeprivate.Sodifficult—justteatime—butperhapsyouwouldcareforsometea—and—andyourfriend—”
“Notforme,Madam,”saidJapp.“ThisisM.HerculePoirot.”
“Really?”saidMissSainsburySeale.“Thenperhaps—you’resure—youwon’teitherofyouhavetea?No.Well,perhapswemighttrythedrawingroom,thoughthat’sveryoftenfull—Oh,Isee,thereisacorneroverthere—intherecess.Thepeoplearejustleaving.Shallwegothere—”
Sheledthewaytothecomparativeseclusionofasofaandtwochairsinanalcove.PoirotandJappfollowedher,theformerpickingupascarfandahandkerchiefthatMissSainsburySealehadshedenroute.
Herestoredthemtoher.
“Oh,thankyou—socarelessofme.Nowplease,Inspector—No,ChiefInspector,isn’tit?—doaskmeanythingyoulike.Sodistressing,thewholebusiness.Poorman—Isupposehehadsomethingonhismind?Suchworryingtimeswelivein!”
“Didheseemtoyouworried,MissSainsburySeale?”
“Well—”MissSainsburySealereflected,andfinallysaidunwillingly:
“Ican’treallysay,youknow,thathedid!ButthenperhapsIshouldn’tnotice—notunderthecircumstances.I’mafraidI’mratheracoward,youknow.”MissSainsburySealetitteredalittleandpattedherbird’s-nest-likecurls.
“Canyoutelluswhoelsewasinthewaitingroomwhileyouwerethere?”
“Nowletmesee—therewasjustoneyoungmantherewhenIwentin.Ithinkhewasinpainbecausehewasmutteringtohimselfandlookingquitewildandturningovertheleavesofamagazinejustanyhow.Andthensuddenlyhejumpedupandwentout.Reallyacutetoothachehemusthavehad.”
“Youdon’tknowwhetherheleftthehousewhenhewentoutoftheroom?”
“Idon’tknowatall.Iimaginedhejustfelthecouldn’twaitanylongerandmustseethedentist.Butitcouldn’thavebeenMr.Morleyhewasgoingto,becausetheboycameinandtookmeuptoMr.Morleyonlyafewminuteslater.”
“Didyougointothewaitingroomagainonyourwayout?”
“No.Because,yousee,I’dalreadyputonmyhatandstraightenedmyhairupinMr.Morley’sroom.Somepeople,”wentonMissSainsburySeale,warmingtohersubject,“takeofftheirhatsdownstairsinthewaitingroom,butIneverdo.Amostdistressingthinghappenedtoafriendofminewhodidthat.Itwasanewhatandsheputitverycarefullyonachair,andwhenshecamedown,wouldyoubelieveit,achildhadsatonitandsquasheditflat.Ruined!Absolutelyruined!”
“Acatastrophe,”saidPoirotpolitely
“Iblamethemotherentirely,”saidMissSainsburySealejudicially.“Mothersshouldkeepaneyeontheirchildren.Thelittledearsdonotmeananyharm,buttheyhavetobewatched.”
Jappsaid:
“Thenthisyoungmanwithtoothachewastheonlyotherpatientyounoticedat58,QueenCharlotteStreet.”
“AgentlemancamedownthestairsandwentoutjustasIwentuptoMr.Morley—Oh!andIremember—averypeculiarlookingforeignercameoutofthehousejustasIarrived.”
Jappcoughed.Poirotsaidwithdignity:
“ThatwasI,Madame.”
“Ohdear!”MissSainsburySealepeeredathim.“Soitwas!Doforgive—soshortsighted—andverydarkhere,isn’tit?”Shetailedoffintoincoherencies.“Andreally,youknow,IflattermyselfthatIhaveaverygoodmemoryforfaces.Butthelighthereisdim,isn’tit?Doforgivemymostunfortunatemistake!”
Theysoothedtheladydown,andJappasked:
“YouarequitesureMr.Morleydidn’tsayanythingsuchas—forinstance—thathewasexpectingapainfulinterviewthismorning?Anythingofthatkind?”
“No,indeed,I’msurehedidn’t.”
“Hedidn’tmentionapatientbythenameofAmberiotis?”
“No,no.Hereallysaidnothing—except,Imean,thethingsthatdentistshavetosay.”
ThroughPoirot’smindthereranquickly:“Rinse.Openalittlewider,please.Nowclosegently.”
Japphadproceededtohisnextstep.ItwouldpossiblybenecessaryforMissSainsburySealetogiveevidenceattheinquest.
Afterafirstscreamofdismay,MissSainsburySealeseemedtotakekindlytotheidea.AtentativeinquiryfromJappproducedMissSainsburySeale’swholelifehistory.
Shehad,itseemed,comefromIndiatoEnglandsixmonthsago.ShehadlivedinvarioushotelsandboardinghousesandhadfinallycometotheGlengowrieCourtwhichshelikedverymuchbecauseofitshomelyatmosphere;inIndiashehadlivedmostlyinCalcuttawhereshehaddoneMissionworkandhadalsotaughtelocution.
“Pure,well-enunciatedEnglish—mostimportant,ChiefInspector.Yousee,”MissSainsburySealesimperedandbridled,“asagirlIwasonthestage.Oh!onlyinsmallparts,youknow.Theprovinces!ButIhadgreatambitions.Repertory.ThenIwentonaworldtour—Shakespeare,BernardShaw.”Shesighed.“Thetroublewithuspoorwomenisheart—atthemercyofourhearts.Arashimpulsivemarriage.Alas!wepartedalmostimmediately.I—Ihadbeensadlydeceived.Iresumedmymaidenname.AfriendkindlyprovidedmewithalittlecapitalandIstartedmyelocutionschool.Ihelpedtofoundaverygoodamateurdramaticsociety.Imustshowyousomeofournotices.”
ChiefInspectorJappknewthedangersofthat!Heescaped,MissSainsburySeale’slastwordsbeing:“andif,byanychance,mynameshouldbeinthepapers—asawitnessattheinquest,Imean—youwillbesurethatitisspeltright.MabelleSainsburySeale—MabellespeltM.A.B.E.L.L.E,andSealeS.E.A.L.E.And,ofcourse,iftheydidcaretomentionthatIappearedinAsYouLikeItattheOxfordRepertoryTheatre—”
“Ofcourse,ofcourse.”ChiefInspectorJappfairlyfled.
Inthetaxi,hesighedandwipedhisforehead.
“Ifit’severnecessary,weoughttobeabletocheckuponherallright,”heobserved,“unlessitwasalllies—butthatIdon’tbelieve!”
Poirotshookhishead.“Liars,”hesaid,“areneithersocircumstantialnorsoinconsequential.”
Jappwenton:
“Iwasafraidshe’djibattheinquest—mostmiddle-agedspinstersdo—butherhavingbeenanactressaccountsforherbeingeager.Bitoflimelightforher!”
Poirotsaid:
“Doyoureallywantherattheinquest?”
“Probablynot.Itdepends.”Hepausedandthensaid:“I’mmorethaneverconvinced,Poirot.Thiswasn’tsuicide.”
“Andthemotive?”
“Hasusbeatforthemoment.SupposeMorleyonceseducedAmberiotis’daughter?”
Poirotwassilent.HetriedtovisualizeMr.Morleyintheroleofseducertoaluscious-eyedGreekmaiden,butfailedlamentably.
HeremindedJappthatMr.Reillyhadsaidhispartnerhadhadnojoyofliving
Jappsaidvaguely:“Ohwell,youneverknowwhatmayhappenonacruise!”andheaddedwithsatisfaction,“Weshallknowbetterwherewestandwhenwe’vetalkedtothisfellow.”
TheypaidoffthetaxiandenteredtheSavoy.
JappaskedforMr.Amberiotis.
Theclerklookedatthemratheroddly.Hesaid:
“Mr.Amberiotis?I’msorry,sir,I’mafraidyoucan’tseehim.”
“Oh,yes,Ican,mylad,”Jappsaidgrimly.Hedrewtheotheralittleasideandshowedhimhiscredentials.
Theclerksaid:
“Youdon’tunderstand,sir.Mr.Amberiotisdiedhalfanhourago.”
ToHerculePoirotitwasasthoughadoorhadgentlybutfirmlyshut.
FIVE,SIX,PICKINGUPSTICKS
I
Twenty-fourhourslaterJapprangPoirotup.Histonewasbitter.
“Washout!Thewholething!”
“Whatdoyoumean,myfriend?”
“Morleycommittedsuicideallright.We’vegotthemotive.”
“Whatwasit?”
“I’vejusthadthedoctor’sreportonAmberiotis’death.Iwon’tgiveyoutheofficialjargonbutinplainEnglishhediedasaresultofanoverdoseofadrenalineandnovocaine.Itactedonhisheart,Iunderstand,andhecollapsed.Whenthewretcheddevilsaidhewasfeelingbadyesterdayafternoon,hewasjustspeakingthetruth.Well,thereyouare!Adrenalineandprocaineisthestuffdentistsinjectintoyourgum—localanesthetic.Morleymadeanerror,injectedanoverdose,andthenafterAmberiotisleft,herealizedwhathehaddone,couldn’tfacethemusicandshothimself.”
“Withapistolhewasnotknowntopossess?”queriedPoirot.
“Hemayhavepossesseditallthesame.Relationsdon’tknoweverything.You’dbesurprisedsometimes,thethingstheydon’tknow!”
“Thatistrue,yes.”
Jappsaid:
“Well,thereyouare.It’saperfectlylogicalexplanationofthewholething.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youknow,myfriend,itdoesnotquitesatisfyme.Itistruethatpatientshavebeenknowntoreactunfavourablytotheselocalanesthetics.Adrenalineidiosyncrasyiswell-known.Incombinationwithprocainetoxiceffectshavefollowedquitesmalldoses.Butthedoctorordentistwhoemployedthedrugdoesnotusuallycarryhisconcernasfaraskillinghimself!”
“Yes,butyou’retalkingofcaseswheretheemploymentoftheanestheticwasnormal.Inthatcasenoparticularblameattachestothesurgeonconcerned.Itistheidiosyncrasyofthepatientthathascauseddeath.Butinthiscaseit’sprettyclearthattherewasadefiniteoverdose.Theyhaven’tgottheexactamountyet—thesequantitiveanalysesseemtotakeamonthofSundays—butitwasdefinitelymorethanthenormaldose.ThatmeansthatMorleymusthavemadeamistake.”
“Eventhen,”saidPoirot,“itwasamistake.Itwouldnotbeacriminalmatter.”
“No,butitwouldn’tdohimanygoodinhisprofession.Infact,itwouldprettywellruinhim.Nobody’sgoingtogotoadentistwho’slikelytoshootlethaldosesofpoisonintoyoujustbecausehehappenstobeabitabsentminded.”
“Itwasacuriousthingtodo,Iadmit.”
“Thesethingshappen—theyhappentodoctors—theyhappentochemists…Carefulandreliableforyears,andthen—onemoment’sinattention—andthemischief’sdoneandthepoordevilsareforit.Morleywasasensitiveman.Inthecaseofadoctor,there’susuallyachemistoradispensertosharetheblame—ortoshoulderitaltogether.InthiscaseMorleywassolelyresponsible.”
Poirotdemurred.
“Wouldhenothaveleftsomemessagebehindhim?Sayingwhathehaddone?Andthathecouldnotfacetheconsequences?Somethingofthatkind?Justawordforhissister?”
“No,asIseeit,hesuddenlyrealizedwhathadhappened—andjustlosthisnerveandtookthequickestwayout.”
Poirotdidnotanswer.
Jappsaid:
“Iknowyou,oldboy.Onceyou’vegotyourteethintoacaseofmurder,youlikeittobeacaseofmurder!IadmitI’mresponsibleforsettingyouonthetrackthistime.Well,Imadeamistake.Iadmititfreely.”
Poirotsaid:
“Istillthink,youknow,thattheremightbeanotherexplanation.”
“Plentyofotherexplanations,Idaresay.I’vethoughtofthem—butthey’realltoofantastic.Let’ssaythatAmberiotisshotMorley,wenthome,wasfilledwithremorseandcommittedsuicide,usingsomestuffhe’dpinchedfromMorley’ssurgery.Ifyouthinkthat’slikely,Ithinkit’sdamnedunlikely.We’vegotarecordofAmberiotisattheYard.Quiteinteresting.StartedasalittlehotelkeeperinGreece,thenhemixedhimselfupinpolitics.He’sdoneespionageworkinGermanyandinFrance—andmadeveryprettylittlesumsofmoney.Buthewasn’tgettingrichquickenoughthatway,andhe’sbelievedtohavedoneaspotortwoofblackmail.Notaniceman,ourMr.Amberiotis.HewasoutinIndialastyearandisbelievedtohavebledoneofthenativeprincesratherfreely.Thedifficultthinghasbeenevertoproveanythingagainsthim.Slipperyasaneel!Thereisanotherpossibility.HemighthavebeenblackmailingMorleyoversomethingorother.Morley,havingagoldenopportunity,plugsanoverdoseofadrenalineandnovocaineintohim,hopingthattheverdictwillbeanunfortunateaccident—adrenalineidiosyncrasy—somethingofthatsort.Then,aftertheman’sgoneawayMorleygetsafitofremorseanddoeshimselfin.That’spossible,ofcourse,butIcan’tsomehowseeMorleyasadeliberatemurderer.No,I’mprettysureitwaswhatIfirstsaid—agenuinemistake,madeonamorningwhenhewasoverworked.We’llhavetoleaveitatthat,Poirot.I’vetalkedtotheA.C.andhe’squiteclearonit.”
“Isee,”saidPoirot,withasigh.“Isee….”
Jappsaidkindly:
“Iknowwhatyoufeel,oldboy.Butyoucan’thaveanicejuicymurdereverytime!Solong.AllIcansaybywayofapologyistheoldphrase:‘Sorryyouhavebeentroubled!’”
Herangoff.
II
HerculePoirotsatathishandsomemoderndesk.Helikedmodernfurniture.Itssquarenessandsolidityweremoreagreeabletohimthanthesoftcontoursofantiquemodels.
Infrontofhimwasasquaresheetofpaperwithneatheadingsandcomments.Againstsomeofthemwerequerymarks.
Firstcame:
Amberiotis.Espionage.InEnglandforthatpurpose?WasinIndialastyear.Duringperiodofriotsandunrest.CouldbeaCommunistagent.
Therewasaspace,andthenthenextheading:
FrankCarter?Morleythoughthimunsatisfactory.Wasdischargedfromhisemploymentrecently.Why?
Afterthatcameanamewithmerelyaquestionmark:
HowardRaikes?
Nextcameasentenceininvertedcommas
“Butthat’sabsurd!”???
HerculePoirot’sheadwaspoisedinterrogatively.Outsidethewindowabirdwascarryingatwigtobuilditsnest.HerculePoirotlookedratherlikeabirdashesattherewithhisegg-shapedheadcockedtooneside.
Hemadeanotherentryalittlefartherdown:
Mr.Barnes?
Hepausedandthenwrote:
Morley’soffice?Markoncarpet.Possibilities.
Heconsideredthatlastentryforsometime.
Thenhegotup,calledforhishatandstickandwentout.
III
Three-quartersofanhourlaterHerculePoirotcameoutoftheundergroundstationatEalingBroadwayandfiveminutesafterthathehadreachedhisdestination—No.88,CastlegardensRoad.
Itwasasmallsemidetachedhouse,andtheneatnessofthefrontgardendrewanadmiringnodfromHerculePoirot.
“Admirablysymmetrical,”hemurmuredtohimself.
Mr.BarneswasathomeandPoirotwasshownintoasmall,precisediningroomandherepresentlyMr.Barnescametohim.
Mr.Barneswasasmallmanwithtwinklingeyesandanearlybaldhead.HepeepedoverthetopofhisglassesathisvisitorwhileinhislefthandhetwirledthecardthatPoirothadgiventhemaid.
Hesaidinasmall,prim,almostfalsettovoice:
“Well,well,M.Poirot?Iamhonoured,Iamsure.”
“Youmustexcusemycallinguponyouinthisinformalmanner,”saidPoirotpunctiliously.
“Muchthebestway,”saidMr.Barnes.“Andthetimeisadmirable,too.Aquartertoseven—verysoundtimeatthisperiodoftheyearforcatchinganyoneathome.”Hewavedhishand.“Sitdown,M.Poirot.I’venodoubtwe’vegotagooddealtotalkabout.58,QueenCharlotteStreet,Isuppose?”
Poirotsaid:
“Yousupposerightly—butwhyshouldyousupposeanythingofthekind?”
“Mydearsir,”saidMr.Barnes,“I’vebeenretiredfromtheHomeOfficeforsometimenow—butI’venotgonequiterustyyet.Ifthere’sanyhush-hushbusiness,it’sfarbetternottousethepolice.Drawsattentiontoitall!”
Poirotsaid:
“Iwillaskyetanotherquestion.Whyshouldyousupposethisisahush-hushbusiness?”
“Isn’tit?”askedtheother.“Well,ifitisn’t,inmyopinionitoughttobe.”Heleantforwardandtappedwithhispince-nezonthearmofthechair.“InSecretServiceworkit’sneverthelittlefryyouwant—it’sthebigbugsatthetop—buttogetthemyou’vegottobecarefulnottoalarmthelittlefry.”
“Itseemstome,Mr.Barnes,thatyouknowmorethanIdo,”saidHerculePoirot.
“Don’tknowanythingatall,”repliedtheother,“justputtwoandtwotogether.”
“Oneofthosetwobeing?”
“Amberiotis,”saidMr.Barnespromptly.“YouforgetIsatoppositehiminthewaitingroomforaminuteortwo.Hedidn’tknowme.Iwasalwaysaninsignificantchap.Notabadthingsometimes.ButIknewhimallright—andIcouldguesswhathewasuptooverhere.”
“Whichwas?”
Mr.Barnestwinkledmorethanever.
“We’reverytiresomepeopleinthiscountry.We’reconservative,youknow,conservativetothebackbone.Wegrumblealot,butwedon’treallywanttosmashourdemocraticgovernmentandtrynewfangledexperiments.That’swhat’ssoheartbreakingtothewretchedforeignagitatorwho’sworkingfulltimeandover!Thewholetroubleis—fromtheirpointofview—thatwereallyare,asacountry,comparativelysolvent.HardlyanyothercountryinEuropeisatthemoment!ToupsetEngland—reallyupsetit—you’vegottoplayhellwithitsfinance—that’swhatitcomesto!Andyoucan’tplayhellwithitsfinancewhenyou’vegotmenlikeAlistairBluntatthehelm.”
Mr.Barnespausedandthenwenton:
“Bluntisthekindofmanwhoinprivatelifewouldalwayspayhisbillsandlivewithinhisincome—whetherhe’dgottwo-penceayearorseveralmillionmakesnodifference.Heisthattypeoffellow.Andhejustsimplythinksthatthere’snoreasonwhyacountryshouldn’tbethesame!Nocostlyexperiments.NofrenziedexpenditureonpossibleUtopias.That’swhy”—hepaused—“that’swhycertainpeoplehavemadeuptheirmindsthatBluntmustgo.”
“Ah,”saidPoirot.
Mr.Barnesnodded.
“Yes,”hesaid.“IknowwhatI’mtalkingabout.Quitenicepeoplesomeof’em.Long-haired,earnest-eyed,andfullofidealsofabetterworld.Othersnotsonice,rathernastyinfact.Furtivelittleratswithbeardsandforeignaccents.AndanotherlotagainoftheBigBullytype.Butthey’veallgotthesameidea:BluntMustGo!”
Hetiltedhischairgentlybackandforwardagain.
“Sweepawaytheoldorder!TheTories,theConservatives,theDiehards,thehardheadedsuspiciousBusinessMen,that’stheidea.Perhapsthesepeopleareright—Idon’tknow—butIknowonething—you’vegottohavesomethingtoputinplaceoftheoldorder—somethingthatwillwork—notjustsomethingthatsoundsallright.Well,weneedn’tgointothat.Wearedealingwithconcretefacts,notabstracttheories.Takeawaythepropsandthebuildingwillcomedown.BluntisoneofthepropsofThingsasTheyAre.”
Heleanedforward.
“They’reoutafterBluntallright.ThatIknow.Andit’smyopinionthatyesterdaymorningtheynearlygothim.Imaybewrong—butit’sbeentriedbefore.Themethod,Imean.”
Hepausedandthenquietly,circumspectly,hementionedthreenames.AnunusuallyableChancelloroftheExchequer,aprogressiveandfarsightedmanufacturer,andahopefulyoungpoliticianwhohadcapturedthepublicfancy.Thefirsthaddiedontheoperatingtable,thesecondhadsuccumbedtoanobscurediseasewhichhadbeenrecognizedtoolate,thethirdhadbeenrundownbyacarandkilled.
“It’sveryeasy,”saidMr.Barnes.“Theanesthetistmuffedthegivingoftheanesthetic—well,thatdoeshappen.Inthesecondcasethesymptomswerepuzzling.Thedoctorwasjustawell-meaningG.P.,couldn’tbeexpectedtorecognizethem.Inthethirdcase,anxiousmotherwasdrivingcarinahurrytogettohersickchild.Sobstuff—thejuryacquittedherofblame!”
Hepaused:
“Allquitenatural.Andsoonforgotten.ButI’lljusttellyouwherethosethreepeoplearenow.Theanesthetistissetuponhisownwithafirst-classresearchlaboratory—noexpensespared.ThatG.P.hasretiredfrompractice.He’sgotayacht,andanicelittleplaceontheBroads.Themotherisgivingallherchildrenafirst-classeducation,poniestorideintheholidays,nicehouseinthecountrywithabiggardenandpaddocks.”
Henoddedhisheadslowly.
“Ineveryprofessionandwalkoflifethereissomeonewhoisvulnerabletotemptation.ThetroubleinourcaseisthatMorleywasn’t!”
“Youthinkitwaslikethat?”saidHerculePoirot.
Mr.Barnessaid:
“Ido.It’snoteasytogetatoneofthesebigmen,youknow.They’refairlywellprotected.Thecarstuntisriskyanddoesn’talwayssucceed.Butamanisdefencelessenoughinadentist’schair.”
Hetookoffhispince-nez,polishedthemandputthemonagain.Hesaid:
“That’smytheory!Morleywouldn’tdothejob.Heknewtoomuch,though,sotheyhadtoputhimout.”
“They?”askedPoirot.
“WhenIsaythey—Imeantheorganizationthat’sbehindallthis.Onlyonepersonactuallydidthejob,ofcourse.”
“Whichperson?”
“Well,Icouldmakeaguess,”saidMr.Barnes,“butit’sonlyaguessandImightbewrong.”
Poirotsaidquietly:“Reilly?”
“Ofcourse!He’stheobviousperson.IthinkthatprobablytheyneveraskedMorleytodothejobhimself.Whathewastodo,wastoturnBluntovertohispartneratthelastminute.Suddenillness,somethingofthatsort.Reillywouldhavedonetheactualbusiness—andtherewouldhavebeenanotherregrettableaccident—deathofafamousbanker—unhappyyoungdentistincourtinsuchastateofditherandmiserythathewouldhavebeenletdownlight.He’dhavegivenupdentistryafterwards—andsettleddownsomewhereonaniceincomeofseveralthousandsayear.”
Mr.BarneslookedacrossatPoirot.
“Don’tthinkI’mromancing,”hesaid.“Thesethingshappen.”
“Yes,yes,Iknowtheyhappen.”
Mr.Barneswenton,tappingabookwithaluridjacketthatlayonatablecloseathand:“Ireadalotofthesespyyarns.Fantastic,someofthem.Butcuriouslyenoughthey’renotanymorefantasticthantherealthing.Therearebeautifuladventuresses,anddarksinistermenwithforeignaccents,andgangsandinternationalassociationsandsupercrooks!I’dblushtoseesomeofthethingsIknowsetdowninprint—nobodywouldbelievethemforaminute!”
Poirotsaid:
“Inyourtheory,wheredoesAmberiotiscomein?”
“I’mnotquitesure.Ithinkhewasmeanttotaketherap.He’splayedadoublegamemorethanonceandIdaresayhewasframed.That’sonlyanidea,mind.”
HerculePoirotsaidquietly:
“Grantingthatyourideasarecorrect—whatwillhappennext?”
Mr.Barnesrubbedhisnose.
“They’lltrytogethimagain,”hesaid.“Oh,yes.They’llhaveanothertry.Time’sshort.Blunthasgotpeoplelookingafterhim,Idaresay.They’llhavetobeextracareful.Itwon’tbeamanhidinginabushwithapistol.Nothingsocrudeasthat.Youtell’emtolookoutfortherespectablepeople—therelations,theoldservants,thechemist’sassistantwhomakesupamedicine,thewinemerchantwhosellshimhisport.GettingAlistairBluntoutofthewayisworthagreatmanymillions,andit’swonderfulwhatpeoplewilldofor—sayanicelittleincomeoffourthousandayear!”
“Asmuchasthat?”
“Possiblymore…”
Poirotwassilentamoment,thenhesaid:
“IhavehadReillyinmindfromthefirst.”
“Irish?I.R.A.?”
“Notthatsomuch,buttherewasamark,yousee,onthecarpet,asthoughthebodyhadbeendraggedalongit.ButifMorleyhadbeenshotbyapatienthewouldbeshotinthesurgeryandtherewouldbenoneedtomovethebody.Thatiswhy,fromthefirst,Isuspectedthathehadbeenshot,notinthesurgery,butinhisoffice—nextdoor.Thatwouldmeanthatitwasnotapatientwhoshothim,butsomememberofhisownhousehold.”
“Neat,”saidMr.Barnesappreciatively.
HerculePoirotgotupandheldoutahand.
“Thankyou,”hesaid.“Youhavehelpedmeagreatdeal.”
IV
Onhiswayhome,PoirotcalledinattheGlengowrieCourtHotel.
AsaresultofthatvisitherangJappupveryearlythefollowingmorning.
“Bonjour,monami.Theinquestistoday,isitnot?”
“Itis.Areyougoingtoattend?”
“Idonotthinkso.”
“Itwon’treallybeworthyourwhile,Iexpect.”
“AreyoucallingMissSainsburySealeasawitness?”
“ThelovelyMabelle—whycan’tshejustspellitplainMabel.Thesewomengetmygoat!No,I’mnotcallingher.There’snoneed.”
“Youhaveheardnothingfromher?”
“No,whyshouldI?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Iwondered,thatwasall.PerhapsitmayinterestyoutolearnthatMissSainsburySealewalkedoutoftheGlengowrieCourtHoteljustbeforedinnerthenightbeforelast—anddidnotcomeback.”
“What?She’shookedit?”
“Thatisapossibleexplanation.”
“Butwhyshouldshe?She’squiteallright,youknow.Perfectlygenuineandaboveboard.IcabledCalcuttaabouther—thatwasbeforeIknewthereasonforAmberiotis’death,otherwiseIshouldn’thavebothered—andIgotthereplylastnight.EverythingO.K.She’sbeenknownthereforyears,andherwholeaccountofherselfistrue—exceptthatshe’sslurredoverhermarriageabit.MarriedaHindustudentandthenfoundhe’dgotafewattachmentsalready.Sosheresumedhermaidennameandtooktogoodworks.She’shandandglovewiththemissionaries—teacheselocution,andhelpsinamateurdramaticshows.Infact,whatIcallaterriblewoman—butdefinitelyabovesuspicionofbeingmixedupinamurder.Andnowyousayshe’swalkedoutonus!Ican’tunderstandit.”Hepausedaminuteandthenwentondoubtfully:“Perhapsshejustgotfedupwiththathotel?Icouldhaveeasily.”
Poirotsaid:
“Herluggageisstillthere.Shetooknothingwithher.”
Jappswore.
“Whendidshego?”
“Aboutaquartertoseven.”
“Whataboutthehotelpeople?”
“They’reveryupset.Manageresslookedquitedistraught.”
“Whydidn’ttheyreporttothepolice?”
“Because,moncher,supposingthataladydoeshappentostayoutforanight(howeverunlikelyitmayseemfromherappearance)shewillbejustifiablyannoyedbyfindingonherreturnthatthepolicehavebeencalledin.Mrs.Harrison,themanageressinquestion,calledupvarioushospitalsincasetherehadbeenanaccident.ShewasconsideringnotifyingthepolicewhenIcalled.Myappearanceseemedtoherlikeananswertoaprayer.Ichargedmyselfwitheverything,andexplainedthatIwouldenlistthehelpofaverydiscreetpoliceofficer.”
“Thediscreetpoliceofficerbeingyourstruly,Isuppose?”
“Yousupposerightly.”
Jappgroaned:
“Allright.I’llmeetyouattheGlengowrieCourtHotelaftertheinquest.”
V
Jappgrumbledastheywerewaitingforthemanageress.
“Whatdoesthewomanwanttodisappearfor?”
“Itiscurious,youadmit?”
Theyhadnotimeformore.
Mrs.Harrison,proprietoroftheGlengowrieCourt,waswiththem.
Mrs.Harrisonwasvolubleandalmosttearful.ShewassoworriedaboutMissSainsburySeale.Whatcouldhavehappenedtoher?Rapidlyshewentovereverypossibilityofdisaster.Lossofmemory,suddenillness,haemorrhage,rundownbyanomnibus,robberyandassault—
Shepausedatlastforbreath,murmuring:
“Suchanicetypeofwoman—andsheseemedsohappyandcomfortablehere.”
Shetookthem,atJapp’srequest,uptothechastebedroomoccupiedbythemissinglady.Everythingwasneatandorderly.Clotheshunginthewardrobe,nightclotheswerefoldedreadyonthebed,inacornerwereMissSainsburySeale’stwomodestsuitcases.Arowofshoesstoodunderthedressingtable—someserviceableOxfords,twopairsofrathermeretriciousglacéfancyshoeswithcourtheelsandornamentwithbowsofleather,someplainblacksatineveningshoes,practicallynew,andapairofmoccasins.Poirotnotedthattheeveningshoeswereasizesmallerthanthedayones—afactthatmightbeputdowntocornsortovanity.HewonderedwhetherMissSainsburySealehadfoundtimetosewthesecondbuckleonhershoebeforeshewentout.Hehopedso.Slovenlinessindressalwaysannoyedhim.
Jappwasbusylookingthroughsomelettersinadrawerofthedressingtable.HerculePoirotgingerlypulledopenadrawerofthechestofdrawers.Itwasfullofunderclothing.Heshutitagainmodestly,murmuringthatMissSainsburySealeseemedtobelieveinwearingwoolnexttotheskin,andopenedanotherdrawerwhichcontainedstockings.
Jappsaid:
“Gotanything,Poirot?”
Poirotsaidsadly,ashedangledapair:“Teninch,cheapshinysilk,priceprobablytwo-and-eleven.”
Jappsaid:
“You’renotvaluingforprobate,oldboy.TwolettersherefromIndia,oneortworeceiptsfromcharitableorganizations,nobills.Mostestimablecharacter,ourMissSainsburySeale.”
“Butverylittletasteindress,”saidPoirotsadly.
“Probablythoughtdresswordly.”Jappwasnotingdownanaddressfromanoldletterdatedtwomonthsback.
“Thesepeoplemayknowsomethingabouther,”hesaid.“AddressupHampsteadway.Soundasthoughtheywerefairlyintimate.”
TherewasnothingmoretobegleanedattheGlengowrieCourtHotelexceptthenegativefactthatMissSainsburySealehadnotseemedexcitedorworriedinanywaywhenshewentout,anditwouldappearthatshehaddefinitelyintendedtoreturnsinceonpassingherfriendMrs.Bolithointhehall,shehadcalledout:
“AfterdinnerIwillshowyouthatPatienceIwastellingyouabout.”
Moreover,itwasthecustomattheGlengowrieCourttogivenoticeinthediningroomifyouintendedtobeoutforameal.MissSainsburySealehadnotdoneso.Thereforeitseemedclearthatshehadintendedreturningfordinnerwhichwasservedfromseventhirtytoeightthirty.
Butshehadnotreturned.ShehadwalkedoutintotheCromwellRoadanddisappeared.
JappandPoirotcalledattheaddressinWestHampsteadwhichhadheadedtheletterfound.
ItwasapleasanthouseandtheAdamswerepleasantpeoplewithalargefamily.TheyhadlivedinIndiaformanyyearsandspokewarmlyofMissSainsburySeale.Buttheycouldnothelp.
Theyhadnotseenherlately,notforamonth,notinfactsincetheycamebackfromtheirEasterholidays.ShehadbeenstayingthenatahotelnearRussellSquare.Mrs.AdamsgavePoirottheaddressofitandalsotheaddressofsomeotherAnglo-IndianfriendsofMissSainsburySeale’swholivedinStreatham
Butthetwomendrewablankinbothplaces.MissSainsburySealehadstayedatthehotelinquestion,buttheyrememberedverylittleaboutherandnothingthatcouldbeofanyhelp.Shewasanicequietladyandhadlivedabroad.ThepeopleinStreathamwerenohelpeither.TheyhadnotseenMissSainsburySealesinceFebruary.
Thereremainedthepossibilityofanaccident,butthatpossibilitywasdispelledtoo.Nohospitalhadadmittedanycasualtyansweringtothedescriptiongiven.
MissSainsburySealehaddisappearedintospace.
VI
Onthefollowingmorning,PoirotwenttotheHolbornPalaceHotelandaskedforMr.HowardRaikes.
BythistimeitwouldhardlyhavesurprisedhimtohearthatMr.HowardRaikes,too,hadsteppedoutoneeveningandhadneverreturned.
Mr.HowardRaikes,however,wasstillattheHolbornPalaceandwassaidtobebreakfasting.
TheapparitionofHerculePoirotatthebreakfasttableseemedtogiveMr.HowardRaikesdoubtfulpleasure.
ThoughnotlookingsomurderousasinPoirot’sdisorderedrecollectionofhim,hisscowlwasstillformidable—hestaredathisuninvitedguestandsaidungraciously:
“Whatthehell?”
“Youpermit?”
HerculePoirotdrewachairfromanothertable.
Mr.Raikessaid:
“Don’tmindme!Sitdownandmakeyourselfathome!”
Poirotsmilingavailedhimselfofthepermission.
Mr.Raikessaidungraciously:
“Well,whatdoyouwant?”
“Doyouremembermeatall,Mr.Raikes?”
“Neverseteyesonyouinmylife.”
“Thereyouarewrong.Yousatinthesameroomwithmeforatleastfiveminutesnotmorethanthreedaysago.”
“Ican’tremembereveryoneImeetatsomeGoddamnedpartyorother.”
“Itwasnotaparty,”saidPoirot.“Itwasadentist’swaitingroom.”
Someswiftemotionflashedintotheyoungman’seyesanddiedagainatonce.Hismannerchanged.Itwasnolongerimpatientandcasual.Itbecamesuddenlywary.HelookedacrossatPoirotandsaid:
“Well!”
Poirotstudiedhimcarefullybeforereplying.Hefelt,quitepositively,thatthiswasindeedadangerousyoungman.Aleanhungryface,anaggressivejaw,theeyesofafanatic.Itwasaface,though,thatwomenmightfindattractive.Hewasuntidily,evenshabbilydressed,andheatewithacarelessvoraciousnessthatwas,sothemanwatchinghimthought,significant.
Poirotsummedhimuptohimself.
“Itisawolfwithideas….”
Raikessaidharshly:
“Whatthehelldoyoumean—comingherelikethis?”
“Myvisitisdisagreeabletoyou?”
“Idon’tevenknowwhoyouare.”
“Iapologize.”
DexterouslyPoirotwhippedouthiscardcase.Heextractedacardandpasseditacrossthetable.
AgainthatemotionthathecouldnotquitedefineshoweduponMr.Raikes’leanface.Itwasnotfear—itwasmoreaggressivethanfear.Afterit,quiteunquestionably,cameanger.
Hetossedthecardback.
“Sothat’swhoyouare,isit?I’veheardofyou.”
“Mostpeoplehave,”saidHerculePoirotmodestly.
“You’reaprivatedick,aren’tyou?Theexpensivekind.Thekindpeoplehirewhenmoneyisnoobject—whenit’sworthpayinganythinginordertosavetheirmiserableskins!”
“Ifyoudonotdrinkyourcoffee,”saidHerculePoirot,“itwillgetcold.”
Hespokekindlyandwithauthority.
Raikesstaredathim.
“Say,justwhatkindofaninsectareyou?”
“Thecoffeeinthiscountryisverybadanyway—”saidPoirot.
“I’llsayitis,”agreedMr.Raikeswithfervour.
“Butifyouallowittogetcolditispracticallyundrinkable.”
Theyoungmanleantforward.
“Whatareyougettingat?What’sthebigideaincomingroundhere?”
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.
“Iwantedto—seeyou.”
“Ohyes?”saidMr.Raikessceptically
Hiseyesnarrowed.
“Ifit’sthemoneyyou’reafter,you’vecometothewrongman!ThepeopleI’minwithcan’taffordtobuywhattheywant.Bettergobacktothemanwhopaysyoursalary.”
Poirotsaid,sighing:
“Nobodyhaspaidmeanything—yet.”
“You’retellingme,”saidMr.Raikes
“Itisthetruth,”saidHerculePoirot.“Iamwastingagooddealofvaluabletimefornorecompensewhatsoever.Simply,shallwesay,toassuagemycuriosity.”
“AndIsuppose,”saidMr.Raikes,“youwerejustassuagingyourcuriosityatthatdarneddentist’stheotherday.”
Poirotshookhishead.Hesaid:
“Youseemtooverlookthemostordinaryreasonforbeinginadentist’swaitingroom—whichisthatoneiswaitingtohaveone’steethattendedto.”
“Sothat’swhatyouweredoing?”Mr.Raikes’toneexpressedcontemptuousunbelief.“Waitingtohaveyourteethseento?”
“Certainly.”
“You’llexcusemeifIsayIdon’tbelieveit.”
“MayIaskthen,Mr.Raikes,whatyouweredoingthere?”
Mr.Raikesgrinnedsuddenly.Hesaid:
“Gotyouthere!Iwaswaitingtohavemyteethseentoalso.”
“Youhadperhapsthetoothache?”
“That’sright,bigboy.”
“Butallthesame,youwentawaywithouthavingyourteethattendedto?”
“WhatifIdid?That’smybusiness.”
Hepaused—thenhesaid,withaquicksavageryoftone:“Oh,whatthehell’stheuseofallthisslicktalking?Youweretheretolookafteryourbigshot.Well,he’sallright,isn’the?NothinghappenedtoyourpreciousMr.AlistairBlunt.You’venothingonme.”
Poirotsaid:
“Wheredidyougowhenyouwentsoabruptlyoutofthewaitingroom?”
“Leftthehouse,ofcourse.”
“Ah!”Poirotlookedupattheceiling
“Butnobodysawyouleave,Mr.Raikes.”
“Doesthatmatter?”
“Itmight.Somebodydiedinthathousenotlongafterwards,remember.”
Raikessaidcarelessly:
“Oh,youmeanthedentistfellow.”
Poirot’stonewashardashesaid:
“Yes,Imeanthedentistfellow.”
Raikesstared.Hesaid:
“Youtryingtopinthatonme?Isthatthegame?Well,youcan’tdoit.I’vejustreadtheaccountoftheinquestyesterday.Thepoordevilshothimselfbecausehe’dmadeamistakewithalocalanestheticandoneofhispatientsdied.”
Poirotwentonunmoved:“Canyouprovethatyouleftthehousewhenyousayyoudid?Isthereanyonewhocansaydefinitelywhereyouwerebetweentwelveandone?”
Theother’seyesnarrowed.
“Soyouaretryingtopinitonme?IsupposeBluntputyouuptothis?”
Poirotsighed.Hesaid:
“Youwillpardonme,butitseemsanobsessionwithyou—thispersistentharpingonMr.AlistairBlunt.Iamnotemployedbyhim,Ineverhavebeenemployedbyhim.Iamconcerned,notwithhissafety,butwiththedeathofamanwhodidgoodworkinhischosenprofession.”
Raikesshookhishead.
“Sorry,”hesaid,“Idon’tbelieveyou.You’reBlunt’sprivatedickallright.”Hisfacedarkenedasheleanedacrossthetable.“Butyoucan’tsavehim,youknow.He’sgottogo—heandeverythinghestandsfor!There’sgottobeanewdeal—theoldcorruptsystemoffinancehasgottogo—thiscursednetofbankersallovertheworldlikeaspider’sweb.They’vegottobesweptaway.I’venothingagainstBluntpersonally—buthe’sthetypeofmanIhate.He’smediocre—he’ssmug.He’sthesortyoucan’tmoveunlessyouusedynamite.He’sthesortofmanwhosays,‘Youcan’tdisruptthefoundationsofcivilization.’Can’tyou,though?Lethimwaitandsee!He’sanobstructioninthewayofProgressandhe’sgottoberemoved.There’snoroomintheworldtodayformenlikeBlunt—menwhoharkbacktothepast—menwhowanttoliveastheirfatherslivedorevenastheirgrandfatherslived!You’vegotalotofthemhereinEngland—crustedolddiehards—useless,worn-outsymbolsofadecayedera.And,myGod,they’vegottogo!There’sgottobeanewworld.Doyougetme—anewworld,see?”
Poirotsighedandrose.Hesaid:
“Isee,Mr.Raikes,thatyouareanidealist.”
“WhatifIam?”
“Toomuchofanidealisttocareaboutthedeathofadentist.”
Mr.Raikessaidscornfully:
“Whatdoesthedeathofonemiserabledentistmatter?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Itdoesnotmattertoyou.Itmatterstome.Thatisthedifferencebetweenus.”
VII
PoirotarrivedhometobeinformedbyGeorgethataladywaswaitingtoseehim.
“Sheis—ahem—alittlenervous,sir,”saidGeorge.
SincetheladyhadgivennonamePoirotwasatlibertytoguess.Heguessedwrong,fortheyoungwomanwhoroseagitatedlyfromthesofaasheenteredwasthelateMr.Morley’ssecretary,MissGladysNevill.
“Oh,dear,M.Poirot.Iamsosorrytoworryyoulikethis—andreallyIdon’tknowhowIhadthecouragetocome—I’mafraidyou’llthinkitveryboldofme—andI’msureIdon’twanttotakeupyourtime—Iknowwhattimemeanstoabusyprofessionalman—butreallyIhavebeensounhappy—onlyIdaresayyouwillthinkitallawasteoftime—”
ProfitingbyalongexperienceoftheEnglishpeople,Poirotsuggestedacupoftea.MissNevill’sreactionwasallthatcouldbehopedfor.
“Well,really,M.Poirot,that’sverykindofyou.Notthatit’ssoverylongsincebreakfast,butonecanalwaysdowithacupoftea,can’tone?”
Poirot,whocouldalwaysdowithoutone,assentedmendaciously.Georgewasinstructedtothiseffect,andinamiraculouslyshorttimePoirotandhisvisitorfacedeachotheracrossateatray.
“Imustapologizetoyou,”saidMissNevill,regainingheraplombundertheinfluenceofthebeverage,“butasamatteroffacttheinquestyesterdayupsetmeagooddeal.”
“I’msureitmusthavedone,”saidPoirotkindly.
“Therewasnoquestionofmygivingevidence,oranythinglikethat.ButIfeltsomebodyoughttogowithMissMorley.Mr.Reillywasthere,ofcourse—butImeantawoman.Besides,MissMorleydoesn’tlikeMr.Reilly.SoIthoughtitwasmydutytogo.”
“Thatwasverykindofyou,”saidPoirotencouragingly.
“Oh,no,IjustfeltIhadto.Yousee,IhaveworkedforMr.Morleyforquiteanumberofyearsnow—andthewholethingwasagreatshocktome—andofcoursetheinquestmadeitworse—”
“I’mafraiditmusthavedone.”
MissNevillleanedforwardearnestly.
“Butit’sallwrong,M.Poirot.Itreallyisallwrong.”
“Whatiswrong,Mademoiselle?”
“Well,itjustcouldn’thavehappened—notthewaytheymakeout—givingapatientanoverdoseininjectingthegum,Imean.”
“Youthinknot.”
“I’msureaboutit.Occasionallypatientsdosufferilleffects,butthatisbecausetheyarephysiologicallyunfitsubjects—theirheartactionisn’tnormal.ButI’msurethatanoverdoseisaveryrarething.Youseepractitionersgetsointothehabitofgivingtheregulationamountthatitisabsolutelymechanical—they’dgivetherightdoseautomatically.”
Poirotnoddedapprovingly.Hesaid:
“ThatiswhatIthoughtmyself,yes.”
“It’ssostandardized,yousee.It’snotlikeachemistwhoismakingupdifferentamountsthewholetime,ormultiplyingdosagewhereanerrormightcreepinthroughinattention.Oradoctorwhowritesagreatmanydifferentprescriptions.Butadentistisn’tlikethatatall.”
Poirotasked:
“YoudidnotasktobeallowedtomaketheseobservationsintheCoroner’sCourt?”
GladysNevillshookherhead.Shetwistedherfingersuncertainly.
“Yousee,”shebrokeoutatlast,“Iwasafraidof—ofmakingthingsworse.OfcourseIknowthatMr.Morleywouldn’tdosuchathing—butitmightmakepeoplethinkthathehaddoneitdeliberately.”
Poirotnodded.
GladysNevillsaid:
“That’swhyIcametoyou,M.Poirot.Becausewithyouit—itwouldn’tbeofficialinanyway.ButIdothinksomebodyoughttoknowhow—howunconvincingthewholethingis!”
“Nobodywantstoknow,”saidPoirot.
Shestaredathim,puzzled.
Poirotsaid:
“Ishouldliketoknowalittlemoreaboutthattelegramyoureceived,summoningyouawaythatday.”
“Honestly,Idon’tknowwhattothinkaboutthat,M.Poirot.Itdoesseemsoqueer.Yousee,itmusthavebeensentbysomeonewhoknewallaboutme—andAunt—whereshelivedandeverything.”
“Yes,itwouldseemasthoughitmusthavebeensentbyoneofyourintimatefriends,orbysomeonewholivedinthehouseandknewallaboutyou.”
“Noneofmyfriendswoulddosuchathing,M.Poirot.”
“Youhavenoideasyourselfonthesubject?”
Thegirlhesitated.Shesaidslowly:
“Justatfirst,whenIrealizedthatMr.Morleyhadshothimself,Iwonderedifhecouldpossiblyhavesentit.”
“Youmean,outofconsiderationforyou,togetyououtoftheway?”
Thegirlnodded.
“Butthatreallyseemedafantasticidea,evenifhehadgottheideaofsuicideinhismindthatmorning.It’sreallyveryodd.Frank—myfriend,youknow—wasquiteabsurdatfirstaboutit.Heaccusedmeofwantingtogooffforthedaywithsomebodyelse—asthoughIwoulddosuchathing.”
“Istheresomebodyelse?”
“No,ofcoursethereisn’t.ButFrankhasbeensodifferentlately—somoodyandsuspicious.Really,youknow,itwaslosinghisjobandnotbeingabletogetanother.Justhangingaboutissobadforaman.I’vebeenveryworriedaboutFrank.”
“Hewasupset,washenot,tofindyouhadgoneawaythatday?”
“Yes,yousee,hecameroundtotellmehehadgotanewjob—amarvellousjob—tenpoundsaweek.Andhecouldn’twait.Hewantedmetoknowrightaway.AndIthinkhewantedMr.Morleytoknow,too,becausehe’dbeenveryhurtatthewayMr.Morleydidn’tappreciatehim,andhesuspectedMr.Morleyoftryingtoinfluencemeagainsthim.”
“Whichwastrue,wasitnot?”
“Well,yes,itwas,inaway!Ofcourse,Frankhaslostagoodmanyjobsandhehasn’tbeen,perhaps,whatmostpeoplewouldcallverysteady.Butitwillbedifferentnow.Ithinkonecandosomuchbyinfluence,don’tyou,M.Poirot?Ifamanfeelsawomanexpectsalotofhim,hetriestoliveuptoheridealofhim.”
Poirotsighed.Buthedidnotargue.Hehadheardmanyhundredsofwomenproducethatsameargument,withthesameblithebeliefintheredeemingpowerofawoman’slove.Onceinathousandtimes,hesupposed,cynically,itmightbetrue.
Hemerelysaid:
“Ishouldliketomeetthisfriendofyours.”
“I’dlovetohaveyoumeethim,M.Poirot.ButjustatpresentSundayishisonlyfreeday.He’sawayinthecountryalltheweek,yousee.”
“Ah,onthenewjob.Whatisthejob,bytheway?”
“Well,Idon’texactlyknow,M.Poirot.Somethinginthesecretarialline,Iimagine.Orsomegovernmentdepartment.IknowIhavetosendletterstoFrank’sLondonaddressandtheygetforwarded.”
“Thatisalittleodd,isitnot?”
“Well,Ithoughtso—butFranksaysitisoftendonenowadays.”
Poirotlookedatherforamomentortwowithoutspeaking.
Thenhesaiddeliberately:
“TomorrowisSunday,isitnot?Perhapsyouwouldbothgivemethepleasureoflunchingwithme—atLogan’sCornerHouse?Ishouldliketodiscussthissadbusinesswithyouboth.”
“Well—thankyou,M.Poirot.I—yes,I’msurewe’dliketolunchwithyouverymuch.”
VIII
FrankCarterwasafairyoungmanofmediumheight.Hisappearancewascheaplysmart.Hetalkedreadilyandfluently.Hiseyesweresetratherclosetogetherandtheyhadawayofshiftinguneasilyfromsidetosidewhenhewasembarrassed.
Hewasinclinedtobesuspiciousandslightlyhostile.
“I’dnoideaweweretohavethepleasureoflunchingwithyou,M.Poirot.Gladysdidn’ttellmeanythingaboutit.”
Heshotheraratherannoyedglanceashespoke.
“Itwasonlyarrangedyesterday,”saidPoirot,smiling.“MissNevillisveryupsetbythecircumstancesofMr.Morley’sdeathandIwonderedifweputourheadstogether—”
FrankCarterinterruptedhimrudely.
“Morley’sdeath?I’msickofMorley’sdeath!Whycan’tyouforgethim,Gladys?Therewasn’tanythingsowonderfulabouthimthatIcansee.”
“Oh,Frank,Idon’tthinkyououghttosaythat.Why,heleftmeahundredpounds.Igottheletteraboutitlastnight.”
“That’sallright,”admittedFrankgrudgingly.“Butafterall,whyshouldn’the?Heworkedyoulikeanigger—andwhopocketedallthefatfees?Why,hedid!”
“Well,ofcoursehedid—hepaidmeaverygoodsalary.”
“Notaccordingtomyideas!You’retoohumblealtogether,Gladys,mygirl,youletyourselfbeputupon,youknow.IsizedMorleyupallright.YouknowaswellasIdothathetriedhisbesttogetyoutogivemethechuck.”
“Hedidn’tunderstand.”
“Heunderstoodallright.Theman’sdeadnow—otherwiseIcantellyouI’dhavegivenhimapieceofmymind.”
“Youactuallycameroundtodosoonthemorningofhisdeath,didyounot?”HerculePoirotinquiredgently.
FrankCartersaidangrily:
“Who’sbeensayingso?”
“Youdidcomeround,didyounot?”
“WhatifIdid?IwantedtoseeMissNevillhere.”
“Buttheytoldyoushewasaway.”
“Yes,andthatmademeprettysuspicious,Icantellyou.Itoldthatred-headedoafI’dwaitandseeMorleymyself.ThisbusinessofputtingGladysagainstmehadgoneonlongenough.ImeanttotellMorleythat,insteadofbeingapoorunemployedrotter,I’dlandedagoodjobandthatitwasabouttimeGladyshandedinhernoticeandthoughtabouthertrousseau.”
“Butyoudidnotactuallytellhimso?”
“No,Igottiredofwaitinginthatdingymausoleum.Iwentaway.”
“Whattimedidyouleave?”
“Ican’tremember.”
“Whattimedidyouarrivethen?”
“Idon’tknow.Soonaftertwelve,Ishouldimagine.”
“Andyoustayedhalfanhour—orlonger—orlessthanhalfanhour?”
“Idon’tknow,Itellyou.I’mnotthesortofchapwho’salwayslookingataclock.”
“Wasthereanyoneinthewaitingroomwhileyouwerethere?”
“TherewasanoilyfatblokewhenIwentin,buthewasn’ttherelong.AfterthatIwasalone.”
“Thenyoumusthaveleftbeforehalfpasttwelve—foratthattimealadyarrived.”
“DaresayIdid.TheplacegotonmynervesasItellyou.”
Poiroteyedhimthoughtfully.
Theblusterwasuneasy—itdidnotringquitetrue.Andyetthatmightbeexplainedbymerenervousness.
Poirot’smannerwassimpleandfriendlyashesaid:
“MissNevilltellsmethatyouhavebeenveryfortunateandhavefoundaverygoodjobindeed.”
“Thepay’sgood.”
“Tenpoundsaweek,shetellsme.”
“That’sright.Nottoodusty,isit?ShowsIcanpullitoffwhenIsetmymindtoit.”
Heswaggeredalittle.
“Yes,indeed.Andtheworkisnottooarduous?”
FrankCartersaidshortly:
“Nottoobad.”
“Andinteresting?”
“Oh,yes,quiteinteresting.Talkingofjobs,I’vealwaysbeeninterestedtoknowhowyouprivatedetectivesgoaboutthings?Isupposethere’snotmuchoftheSherlockHolmestouchreally,mostlydivorcenowadays?”
“Idonotconcernmyselfwithdivorce.”
“Really?ThenIdon’tseehowyoulive.”
“Imanage,myfriend,Imanage.”
“Butyou’rerightatthetopofthetree,aren’tyou,M.Poirot?”putinGladysNevill.“Mr.Morleyusedtosayso.Imeanyou’rethesortofpersonRoyaltycallsin,ortheHomeOfficeorDuchesses.”
Poirotsmileduponher.
“Youflatterme,”hesaid.
IX
Poirotwalkedhomethroughthedesertedstreetsinathoughtfulframeofmind.
Whenhegotin,herangupJapp.
“Forgivemytroublingyou,myfriend,butdidyoueverdoanythinginthematteroftracingthattelegramthatwassenttoGladysNevill?”
“Stillharpingonthesubject?Yes,wedid,asamatteroffact.Therewasatelegramand—ratherclever—theauntlivesatRichbourneinSomerset.ThetelegramwashandedinatRichbarn—youknow,theLondonsuburb.”
HerculePoirotsaidappreciatively:
“Thatwasclever—yes,thatwasclever.Iftherecipienthappenedtoglanceatwherethetelegramwashandedin,thewordwouldlooksufficientlylikeRichbournetocarryconviction.”
Hepaused.
“DoyouknowwhatIthink,Japp?”
“Well?”
“Therearesignsofbrainsinthisbusiness.”
“HerculePoirotwantsittobemurder,soit’sgottobemurder.”
“Howdoyouexplainthattelegram?”
“Coincidence.Someonewashoaxingthegirl.”
“Whyshouldthey?”
“Oh,mygoodness,Poirot,whydopeopledothings?Practicaljokes,hoaxes.Misplacedsenseofhumour,that’sall.”
“AndsomebodyfeltlikebeingfunnyjustonthedaythatMorleywasgoingtomakeamistakeoveraninjection.”
“Theremayhavebeenacertainamountofcauseandeffect.BecauseMissNevillwasaway,Morleywasmorerushedthanusualandconsequentlywasmorelikelytomakeamistake.”
“Iamstillnotsatisfied.”
“Idaresay—butdon’tyouseewhereyourviewisleadingyou?IfanybodygotlaNevilloutoftheway,itwasprobablyMorleyhimself.MakinghiskillingofAmberiotisdeliberateandnotanaccident.”
Poirotwassilent.Jappsaid:
“Yousee?”
Poirotsaid:
“Amberiotismighthavebeenkilledinsomeotherway.”
“Nothe.NobodycametoseehimattheSavoy.Helunchedupinhisroom.Andthedoctorssaythestuffwasdefinitelyinjected,nottakenbymouth—itwasn’tinthestomach.Sothereyouare.It’saclearcase.”
“Thatiswhatwearemeanttothink.”
“TheA.C.issatisfiedanyway.”
“Andheissatisfiedwiththedisappearinglady?”
“TheCaseoftheVanishingSeal?No,Icantellyou,we’restillworkingonthat.Thatwoman’sgottobesomewhere.Youjustcan’twalkoutintothestreetanddisappear.”
“Sheseemstohavedoneso.”
“Forthemoment.Butshemustbesomewhere,aliveordead,andIdon’tthinksheisdead.”
“Whynot?”
“Becausewe’dhavefoundherbodybynow.”
“Oh,myJapp,dobodiesalwayscometolightsosoon?”
“Isupposeyou’rehintingthatshe’sbeenmurderednowandthatwe’llfindherinaquarry,cutupinlittlepieceslikeMrs.Ruxton?”
“Afterall,monami,youdohavemissingpersonswhoarenotfound.”
“Veryseldom,oldboy.Lotsofwomendisappear,yes,butweusuallyfind’em,allright.Ninetimesoutoftenit’sacaseofgoodoldsex.They’resomewherewithaman.ButIdon’tthinkitcouldbethatwithourMabelle,doyou?”
“Oneneverknows,”saidPoirotcautiously.“ButIdonotthinkitlikely.Soyouaresureoffindingher?”
“We’llfindherallright.We’republishingadescriptionofhertothePressandwe’reropingintheB.B.C.”
“Ah,”saidPoirot,“Ifancythatmaybringdevelopments.”
“Don’tworry,oldboy.We’llfindyourmissingbeautyforyou—woollenunderwearandall.”
Herangoff.
Georgeenteredtheroomwithhisusualnoiselesstread.Hesetdownonalittletableasteamingpotofchocolateandsomesugarbiscuits.
“Willtherebeanythingelse,sir?”
“Iamingreatperplexityofmind,Georges.”
“Indeed,sir?Iamsorrytohearit.”
HerculePoirotpouredhimselfoutsomechocolateandstirredhiscupthoughtfully.
Georgestooddeferentiallywaiting,recognizingthesigns.ThereweremomentswhenHerculePoirotdiscussedhiscaseswithhisvalet.HealwayssaidthathefoundGeorge’scommentssingularlyhelpful.
“Youareaware,nodoubt,Georges,ofthedeathofmydentist?”
“Mr.Morley,sir?Yes,sir.Verydistressing,sir.Heshothimself,Iunderstand.”
“Thatisthegeneralunderstanding.Ifhedidnotshoothimself,hewasmurdered.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Thequestionis,ifhewasmurdered,whomurderedhim?”
“Quiteso,sir.”
“Thereareonlyacertainnumberofpeople,Georges,whocouldhavemurderedhim.Thatistosaythepeoplewhowereactuallyin,orcouldhavebeenin,thehouseatthetime.”
“Quiteso,sir.”
“Thosepeopleare:acookandhousemaid,amiabledomesticsandhighlyunlikelytodoanythingofthekind.Adevotedsister,alsohighlyunlikely,butwhodoesinheritherbrother’smoneysuchasitwas—andonecanneverentirelyneglectthefinancialaspect.Anableandefficientpartner—nomotiveknown.Asomewhatboneheadedpageboyaddictedtocheapcrimestories.Andlastly,aGreekgentlemanofsomewhatdoubtfulantecedents.”
Georgecoughed.
“Theseforeigners,sir—”
“Exactly.Iagreeperfectly.TheGreekgentlemanisdecidedlyindicated.Butyousee,Georges,theGreekgentlemanalsodiedandapparentlyitwasMr.Morleywhokilledhim—whetherbyintentionorastheresultofanunfortunateerrorwecannotbesure.”
“Itmightbe,sir,thattheykilledeachother.Imean,sir,eachgentlemanhadformedtheideaofdoingtheothergentlemanin,thoughofcourseeachgentlemanwasunawareoftheothergentleman’sintention.”
HerculePoirotpurredapprovingly.
“Veryingenious,Georges.Thedentistmurderstheunfortunategentlemanwhositsinthechair,notrealizingthatthesaidvictimisatthatmomentmeditatingexactlyatwhatmomenttowhipouthispistol.Itcould,ofcourse,besobutitseemstome,Georges,extremelyunlikely.Andwehavenotcometotheendofourlistyet.Therearestilltwootherpeoplewhomightpossiblyhavebeeninthehouseatthegivenmoment.Everypatient,beforeMr.Amberiotis,wasactuallyseentoleavethehousewiththeexceptionofone—ayoungAmericangentleman.Heleftthewaitingroomatabouttwentyminutestotwelve,butnooneactuallysawhimleavethehouse.Wemustthereforecounthimasapossibility.TheotherpossibilityisacertainMr.FrankCarter(notapatient)whocametothehouseatalittleaftertwelvewiththeintentionofseeingMr.Morley.Nobodysawhimleave,either.Those,mygoodGeorges,arethefacts;whatdoyouthinkofthem?”
“Atwhattimewasthemurdercommitted,sir?”
“IfthemurderwascommittedbyMr.Amberiotis,itwascommittedatanytimebetweentwelveandfive-and-twentypast.Ifbysomebodyelse,itwascommittedaftertwenty-fiveminutespasttwelve,asotherwiseMr.Amberiotiswouldhavenoticedthecorpse.”
HelookedencouraginglyatGeorge.
“Now,mygoodGeorges,whathaveyoutosayaboutthematter?”
Georgepondered.Hesaid:
“Itstrikesme,sir—”
“Yes,Georges?”
“Youwillhavetofindanotherdentisttoattendtoyourteethinfuture,sir.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Yousurpassyourself,Georges.Thataspectofthematterhadnotasyetoccurredtome!”
Lookinggratified,Georgelefttheroom
HerculePoirotremainedsippinghischocolateandgoingoverthefactshehadjustoutlined.Hefeltsatisfiedthattheywereashehadstatedthem.Withinthatcircleofpersonswasthehandthathadactuallydonethedeed—nomatterwhosetheinspirationhadbeen.
Thenhiseyebrowsshotupasherealizedthatthelistwasincomplete.Hehadleftoutonename.
Andnoonemustbeleftout—noteventhemostunlikelyperson.
Therehadbeenoneotherpersoninthehouseatthetimeofthemurder.
Hewrotedown:
“Mr.Barnes.”
X
Georgeannounced:
“Aladytospeaktoyouonthetelephone,sir.”
Aweekago,Poirothadguessedwronglytheidentityofavisitor.Thistimehisguesswasright.
Herecognizedhervoiceatonce.
“M.HerculePoirot?”
“Speaking.”
“ThisisJaneOlivera—Mr.AlistairBlunt’sniece.”
“Yes,MissOlivera.”
“CouldyoucometotheGothicHouse,please?ThereissomethingIfeelyououghttoknow.”
“Certainly.Whattimewouldbeconvenient?”
“Atsixthirty,please.”
“Iwillbethere.”
Foramomenttheautocraticnotewavered:
“I—IhopeIamnotinterruptingyourwork?”
“Notatall.Iwasexpectingyoutocallme.”
Heputdownthereceiverquickly.Hemovedawayfromitsmiling.HewonderedwhatexcuseJaneOliverahadfoundforsummoninghim.
OnarrivalattheGothicHousehewasshownstraightintothebiglibraryoverlookingtheriver.AlistairBluntwassittingatthewritingtableplayingabsentmindedlywithapaperknife.Hehadtheslightlyharassedlookofamanwhosewomenfolkhavebeentoomuchforhim
JaneOliverawasstandingbythemantelpiece.Aplumpmiddle-agedwomanwasspeakingfretfullyasPoirotentered—“andIreallythinkmyfeelingsshouldbeconsideredinthematter,Alistair.”
“Yes,Julia,ofcourse,ofcourse.”
AlistairBluntspokesoothinglyasherosetogreetPoirot.
“Andifyou’regoingtotalkhorrorsIshallleavetheroom,”addedthegoodlady.
“Ishould,mother,”saidJaneOlivera
Mrs.OliverasweptfromtheroomwithoutcondescendingtotakeanynoticeofPoirot.
AlistairBluntsaid:
“It’sverygoodofyoutocome,M.Poirot.You’vemetMissOlivera,Ithink?Itwasshewhosentforyou—”
Janesaidabruptly:
“It’saboutthismissingwomanthatthepapersarefullof.MissSomethingSeale.”
“SainsburySeale?Yes?”
JaneturnedoncemoretoPoirot.
“It’ssuchapompousname,that’swhyIremember.ShallItellhim,orwillyou,UncleAlistair?”
“Mydear,it’syourstory.”
JaneturnedoncemoretoPoirot.
“Itmayn’tbeimportantintheleast—butIthoughtyououghttoknow.”
“Yes?”
“ItwasthelasttimeUncleAlistairwenttothedentist’s—Idon’tmeantheotherday—Imeanaboutthreemonthsago.IwentwithhimtoQueenCharlotteStreetintheRollsanditwastotakemeontosomefriendsinRegent’sParkandcomebackforhim.Westoppedat58,andUnclegotout,andjustashedid,awomancameoutof58—amiddle-agedwomanwithfussyhairandratherartyclothes.ShemadeabeelineforUncleandsaid(JaneOlivera’svoicerosetoanaffectedsqueak):‘Oh,Mr.Blunt,youdon’trememberme,I’msure!’Well,ofcourse,IcouldseebyUncle’sfacethathedidn’trememberherintheslightest—”
AlistairBluntsighed.
“Ineverdo.Peoplearealwayssayingit—”
“Heputonhisspecialface,”wentonJane.“Iknowitwell.Kindofpoliteandmake-believe.Itwouldn’tdeceiveababy.Hesaidinamostunconvincingvoice:‘Oh—er—ofcourse.’Theterriblewomanwenton:‘Iwasagreatfriendofyourwife’s,youknow!’”
“Theyusuallysaythat,too,”saidAlistairBluntinavoiceofevendeepergloom.
Hesmiledratherruefully.
“Italwaysendsthesameway!Asubscriptiontosomethingorother.IgotoffthistimewithfivepoundstoaZenanaMissionorsomething.Cheap!”
“Hadshereallyknownyourwife?”
“Well,herbeinginterestedinZenanaMissionsmademethinkthat,ifso,itwouldhavebeeninIndia.Wewerethereabouttenyearsago.But,ofcourse,shecouldn’thavebeenagreatfriendorI’dhaveknownaboutit.Probablymetheronceatareception.”
JaneOliverasaid:
“Idon’tbelieveshe’devermetAuntRebeccaatall.Ithinkitwasjustanexcusetospeaktoyou.”
AlistairBluntsaidtolerantly:
“Well,that’squitepossible.”
Janesaid:
“Imean,Ithinkit’squeerthewayshetriedtoscrapeanacquaintancewithyou,Uncle.”
AlistairBluntsaidwiththesametolerance:
“Shejustwantedasubscription.”
Poirotsaid:
“Shedidnottrytofollowitupinanyway?”
Bluntshookhishead.
“Ineverthoughtofheragain.I’devenforgottenhernametillJanespotteditinthepaper.”
Janesaidalittleunconvincingly:
“Well,IthoughtM.Poirotoughttobetold!”
Poirotsaidpolitely:
“Thankyou,Mademoiselle.”
Headded:
“Imustnotkeepyou,Mr.Blunt.Youareabusyman.”
Janesaidquickly:
“I’llcomedownwithyou.”
Underhismoustaches,HerculePoirotsmiledtohimself.
Onthegroundfloor,Janepausedabruptly.Shesaid:
“Comeinhere.”
Theywentintoasmallroomoffthehall.
Sheturnedtofacehim.
“Whatdidyoumeanonthetelephonewhenyousaidthatyouhadbeenexpectingmetocallyou?”
Poirotsmiled.Hespreadouthishands.
“Justthat,Mademoiselle.Iwasexpectingacallfromyou—andthecallcame.”
“YoumeanthatyouknewI’dringupaboutthisSainsburySealewoman.”
Poirotshookhishead.
“Thatwasonlythepretext.Youcouldhavefoundsomethingelseifnecessary.”
Janesaid:
“WhythehellshouldIcallyouup?”
“WhyshouldyoudeliverthistitbitofinformationaboutMissSainsburySealetomeinsteadofgivingittoScotlandYard?Thatwouldhavebeenthenaturalthingtodo.”
“Allright,Mr.KnowAll,howmuchexactlydoyouknow?”
“IknowthatyouareinterestedinmesinceyouheardthatIpaidavisittotheHolbornPalaceHoteltheotherday.”
Shewentsowhitethatitstartledhim.Hehadnotbelievedthatthatdeeptancouldchangetosuchagreenishhue.
Hewenton,quietlyandsteadily:
“Yougotmetocomeheretodaybecauseyouwantedtopumpme—thatistheexpression,isitnot?—yes,topumpmeonthesubjectofMr.HowardRaikes.”
JaneOliverasaid:
“Who’she,anyway?”
Itwasnotaverysuccessfulparry.
Poirotsaid:
“Youdonotneedtopumpme,Mademoiselle.IwilltellyouwhatIknow—orratherwhatIguessed.Thatfirstdaythatwecamehere,InspectorJappandI,youwerestartledtoseeus—alarmed.Youthoughtsomethinghadhappenedtoyouruncle.Why?”
“Well,he’sthekindofmanthingsmighthappento.Hehadabombbypostoneday—aftertheHerjoslovakianLoan.Andhegetslotsofthreateningletters.”
Poirotwenton:
“ChiefInspectorJapptoldyouthatacertaindentist,Mr.Morley,hadbeenshot.Youmayrecollectyouranswer.Yousaid:‘Butthat’sabsurd.’”
Janebitherlip.Shesaid:
“DidI?Thatwasratherabsurdofme,wasn’tit?”
“Itwasacuriousremark,Mademoiselle.ItrevealedthatyouknewoftheexistenceofMr.Morley,thatyouhadratherexpectedsomethingtohappen—nottohappentohim—butpossiblytohappeninhishouse.”
“Youdoliketellingyourselfstories,don’tyou?”
Poirotpaidnoattention.
“Youhadexpected—orratheryouhadfeared—thatsomethingmighthappenatMr.Morley’shouse.Youhadfearedthatthatsomethingwouldhavehappenedtoyouruncle.Butifso,youmustknowsomethingthatwedidnotknow.IreflectedonthepeoplewhohadbeeninMr.Morley’shousethatday,andIseizedatonceontheonepersonwhomightpossiblyhaveaconnectionwithyou—whichwasthatyoungAmerican,Mr.HowardRaikes.”
“It’sjustlikeaserial,isn’tit?What’sthenextthrillinginstalment?”
“IwenttoseeMr.HowardRaikes.Heisadangerousandattractiveyoungman—”
Poirotpausedexpressively.
Janesaidmeditatively:
“Heis,isn’the?”Shesmiled.“Allright!Youwin!Iwasscaredstiff.”
Sheleanedforward.
“I’mgoingtotellyouthings,M.Poirot.You’renotthekindonecanjuststringalong.I’drathertellyouthanhaveyousnoopingaroundfindingout.Ilovethatman,HowardRaikes.I’mjustcrazyabouthim.Mymotherbroughtmeoverherejusttogetmeawayfromhim.PartlythatandpartlybecauseshehopesUncleAlistairmightgetfondenoughofmetoleavemehismoneywhenhedies.”
Shewenton:
“Motherishisniecebymarriage.HermotherwasRebeccaArnholt’ssister.He’smygreat-uncle-in-law.Onlyhehasn’tgotanynearrelativesofhisown,somotherdoesn’tseewhyweshouldn’tbehisresiduarylegatees.Shecadgesoffhimprettyfreelytoo.
“Yousee,I’mbeingfrankwithyou,M.Poirot.That’sthekindofpeopleweare.Actuallywe’vegotplentyofmoneyourselves—anindecentamountaccordingtoHoward’sideas—butwe’renotinUncleAlistair’sclass.”
Shepaused.Shestruckwithonehandfiercelyonthearmofherchair.
“HowcanImakeyouunderstand?EverythingI’vebeenbroughtuptobelievein,Howardabominatesandwantstodoawaywith.Andsometimes,youknow,Ifeellikehedoes.I’mfondofUncleAlistair,buthegetsonmynervessometimes.He’ssostodgy—soBritish—socautiousandconservative.Ifeelsometimesthatheandhiskindoughttobesweptaway,thattheyareblockingprogress—thatwithoutthemwe’dgetthingsdone!”
“YouareaconverttoMr.Raikes’ideas?”
“Iam—andI’mnot.Howardis—iswilderthanmostofhiscrowd.Therearepeople,youknow,who—whoagreewithHowarduptoapoint.Theywouldbewillingto—totrythings—ifUncleAlistairandhiscrowdwouldagree.Buttheyneverwill!Theyjustsitbackandshaketheirheadsandsay:‘Wecouldneverriskthat.’And‘Itwouldn’tbesoundeconomically.’And‘We’vegottoconsiderourresponsibility.’And‘Lookathistory.’ButIthinkthatonemustn’tlookathistory.That’slookingback.Onemustlookforwardallthetime.”
Poirotsaidgently:
“Itisanattractivevision.”
Janelookedathimscornfully.
“Yousaythattoo!”
“PerhapsbecauseIamold.Theiroldmenhavedreams—onlydreams,yousee.”
Hepausedandthenaskedinamatter-of-factvoice:
“WhydidMr.HowardRaikesmakethatappointmentinQueenCharlotteStreet?”
“BecauseIwantedhimtomeetUncleAlistairandIcouldn’tseeotherwisehowtomanageit.He’dbeensobitteraboutUncleAlistair—sofullof—well,hatereally,thatIfeltifhecouldonlyseehim—seewhatanicekindlyunassumingpersonhewas—that—thathewouldfeeldifferently…Icouldn’tarrangeameetingherebecauseofmother—shewouldhavespoilteverything.”
Poirotsaid:
“Butafterhavingmadethatarrangement,youwere—afraid.”
Hereyesgrewwideanddark.Shesaid:
“Yes.Because—because—sometimesHowardgetscarriedaway.He—he—”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Hewantstotakeashortcut.Toexterminate—”
JaneOliveracried:“Don’t!”
SEVEN,EIGHT,LAYTHEMSTRAIGHT
I
Timewenton.ItwasoveramonthsinceMr.Morley’sdeath,andtherewasstillnonewsofMissSainsburySeale.
Jappbecameincreasinglywrathfulonthesubject.
“Dashitall,Poirot,thewoman’sgottobesomewhere.”
“Indubitably,moncher.”
“Eithershe’ddeadoralive.Ifshe’sdead,where’sherbody?Say,forinstance,shecommittedsuicide—”
“Anothersuicide?”
“Don’tlet’sgetbacktothat.YoustillsayMorleywasmurdered—Isayitwassuicide.”
“Youhaven’ttracedthepistol?”
“No,it’saforeignmake.”
“Thatissuggestive,isitnot?”
“Notinthewayyoumean.Morleyhadbeenabroad.Hewentoncruises,heandhissister.EverybodyintheBritishIslesgoesoncruises.Hemayhavepickeditupabroad.Theyliketofeellife’sdangerous.”
Hepausedandsaid:
“Don’tsidetrackme.Iwassayingthatif—onlyif,mindyou—thatblastedwomancommittedsuicide,ifshe’ddrownedherselfforinstance,thebodywouldhavecomeashorebynow.Ifshewasmurdered,thesamething.”
“NotifaweightwasattachedtoherbodyanditwasputintotheThames.”
“FromacellarinLimehouse,Isuppose!You’retalkinglikeathrillerbyaladynovelist.”
“Iknow—Iknow.IblushwhenIsaythesethings!”
“Andshewasdonetodeathbyaninternationalgangofcrooks,Isuppose?”
Poirotsighed.Hesaid:
“Ihavebeentoldlatelythattherereallyaresuchthings.”
“Whotoldyouso?”
“Mr.ReginaldBarnesofCastlegardenRoad,Ealing.”
“Well,hemightknow,”saidJappdubiously.“HedealtwithalienswhenhewasattheHomeOffice.”
“Andyoudonotagree?”
“Itisn’tmybranch—ohyes,therearesuchthings—butthey’reratherfutileasarule.”
TherewasamomentarysilenceasPoirottwirledhismoustache.
Jappsaid:
“We’vegotoneortwoadditionalbitsofinformation.ShecamehomefromIndiaonthesameboatasAmberiotis.Butshewassecondclassandhewasfirst,soIdon’tsupposethere’sanythinginthat,althoughoneofthewaitersattheSavoythinksshelunchedtherewithhimaboutaweekorsobeforehedied.”
“Sotheremayhavebeenaconnectionbetweenthem?”
“Theremaybe—butIcan’tfeelit’slikely.Ican’tseeaMissionaryladybeingmixedupinanyfunnybusiness.”
“WasAmberiotismixedupinany‘funnybusiness,’asyoutermit?”
“Yes,hewas.HewasinclosetouchwithsomeofourCentralEuropeanfriends.Espionageracket.”
“Youaresureofthat?”
“Yes.Oh,hewasn’tdoinganyofthedirtyworkhimself.Wewouldn’thavebeenabletotouchhim.Organizingandreceivingreports—thatwashislay.”
Japppausedandthenwenton:
“Butthatdoesn’thelpuswiththeSainsburySeale.Shewouldn’thavebeeninonthatracket.”
“ShehadlivedinIndia,remember.Therewasalotofunresttherelastyear.”
“AmberiotisandtheexcellentMissSainsburySeale—Ican’tfeelthattheywereteammates.”
“DidyouknowthatMissSainsburySealewasaclosefriendofthelateMrs.AlistairBlunt?”
“Whosaysso?Idon’tbelieveit.Notinthesameclass.”
“Shesaidso.”
“Who’dshesaythatto?”
“Mr.AlistairBlunt.”
“Oh!Thatsortofthing.Hemustbeusedtothatlay.DoyoumeanthatAmberiotiswasusingherthatway?Itwouldn’twork.Bluntwouldgetridofherwithasubscription.Hewouldn’taskherdownforaweekendoranythingofthatkind.He’snotsounsophisticatedasthat.”
ThiswassopalpablytruethatPoirotcouldonlyagree.Afteraminuteortwo,JappwentonwithhissummingupoftheSainsburySealesituation.
“Isupposeherbodymighthavebeenloweredintoatankofacidbyamadscientist—that’sanothersolutionthey’reveryfondofinbooks!Buttakemywordforit,thesethingsareallmyeyeandBettyMartin.Ifthewomanisdead,herbodyhasjustbeenquietlyburiedsomewhere.”
“Butwhere?”
“Exactly.ShedisappearedinLondon.Nobody’sgotagardenthere—notaproperone.Alonelychickenfarm,that’swhatwewant!”
Agarden!Poirot’smindflashedsuddenlytothatneatprimgardeninEalingwithitsformalbeds.Howfantasticifadeadwomanshouldbeburiedthere!Hetoldhimselfnottobeabsurd.
“Andifsheisn’tdead,”wentonJapp,“whereisshe?Overamonthnow,descriptionpublishedinthePress,circulatedalloverEngland—”
“Andnobodyhasseenher?”
“Ohyes,practicallyeverybodyhasseenher!You’venoideahowmanymiddle-agedfaded-lookingwomenwearingolivegreencardigansuitsthereare.She’sbeenseenonYorkshiremoors,andinLiverpoolhotels,inguesthousesinDevonandonthebeachatRamsgate!Mymenhavespenttheirtimepatientlyinvestigatingallthesereports—andoneandallthey’velednowhere,excepttogettingusinwrongwithanumberofperfectlyrespectablemiddle-agedladies.”
Poirotclickedhistonguesympathetically.
“Andyet,”wentonJapp,“she’sarealpersonallright.Imean,sometimesyoucomeacrossadummy,sotospeak—someonewhojustcomestoaplaceandposesasaMissSpinks—whenallthetimethereisn’taMissSpinks.Butthiswoman’sgenuine—she’sgotapast,abackground!Weknowallaboutherfromherchildhoodupwards!She’sledaperfectlynormal,reasonablelife—andsuddenly,heypresto—vanish!”
“Theremustbeareason,”saidPoirot
“Shedidn’tshootMorley,ifthat’swhatyoumean.Amberiotissawhimaliveaftersheleft—andwe’vecheckeduponhermovementsaftersheleftQueenCharlotteStreetthatmorning.”
Poirotsaidimpatiently:
“IamnotsuggestingforamomentthatsheshotMorley.Ofcourseshedidnot.Butallthesame—”
Jappsaid:
“IfyouarerightaboutMorley,thenit’sfarmorelikelythathetoldhersomethingwhich,althoughshedoesn’tsuspectit,givesacluetohismurderer.Inthatcase,shemighthavebeendeliberatelygotoutoftheway.”
Poirotsaid:
“Allthisinvolvesanorganization,somebigconcernquiteoutofproportiontothedeathofaquietdentistinQueenCharlotteStreet.”
“Don’tyoubelieveeverythingReginaldBarnestellsyou!He’safunnyoldbird—gotspiesandcommunistsonthebrain.”
JappgotupandPoirotsaid:
“Letmeknowifyouhavenews.”
WhenJapphadgoneout,Poirotsatfrowningdownatthetableinfrontofhim.
Hehaddefinitelythefeelingofwaitingforsomething.Whatwasit?
Herememberedhowhehadsatbefore,jottingdownvariousunrelatedfactsandaseriesofnames.Abirdhadflownpastthewindowwithatwiginitsmouth.
He,too,hadbeencollectingtwigs.Five,six,pickingupsticks…
Hehadthesticks—quiteanumberofthemnow.Theywereallthere,neatlypigeonholedinhisorderlymind—buthehadnotasyetattemptedtosettheminorder.Thatwasthenextstep—laythemstraight.
Whatwasholdinghimup?Heknewtheanswer.Hewaswaitingforsomething.
Somethinginevitable,foreordained,thenextlinkinthechain.Whenitcame—then—thenhecouldgoon….
II
Itwaslateeveningaweeklaterwhenthesummonscame.Japp’svoicewasbrusqueoverthetelephone.
“Thatyou,Poirot?We’vefoundher.You’dbettercomeround.KingLeopoldMansions.BatterseaPark.Number45.”
AquarterofanhourlaterataxidepositedPoirotoutsideKingLeopoldMansions.
ItwasabigblockofmansionflatslookingoutoverBatterseaPark.Number45wasonthesecondfloor.Japphimselfopenedthedoor.
Hisfacewassetingrimlines.
“Comein,”hesaid.“It’snotparticularlypleasant,butIexpectyou’llwanttoseeforyourself.”
Poirotsaid—butitwashardlyaquestion:
“Dead?”
“Whatyoumightdescribeasverydead!”
Poirotcockedhisheadatafamiliarsoundcomingfromadooronhisright.
“That’stheporter,”saidJapp.“Beingsickinthescullerysink!Ihadtogethimupheretoseeifhecouldidentifyher.”
HeledthewaydownthepassageandPoirotfollowedhim.Hisnosewrinkled.
“Notnice,”saidJapp.“Butwhatcanyouexpect?She’sbeendeadwelloveramonth.”
Theroomtheywentintowasasmalllumberandboxroom.Inthemiddleofitwasabigmetalchestofthekindusedforstoringfurs.Thelidwasopen.
Poirotsteppedforwardandlookedinside.
Hesawthefootfirst,withtheshabbyshoeonitandtheornatebuckle.HisfirstsightofMissSainsburySealehadbeen,heremembered,ashoebuckle.
Hisgazetravelledup,overthegreenwoolcoatandskirttillitreachedthehead.
Hemadeaninarticulatenoise.
“Iknow,”saidJapp.“It’sprettyhorrible.”
Thefacehadbeenbatteredoutofallrecognizableshape.Addtothatthenaturalprocessofdecomposition,anditwasnowonderthatbothmenlookedashadepeagreenastheyturnedaway.
“Ohwell,”saidJapp.“It’sallinaday’swork—ourday’swork.Nodoubtaboutit,oursisalousyjobsometimes.There’saspotofbrandyintheotherroom.You’dbetterhavesome.”
Thelivingroomwassmartlyfurnishedinanup-to-datestyle—agooddealofchromiumandsomelargesquare-lookingeasychairsupholsteredinapalefawngeometricfabric.
Poirotfoundthedecanterandhelpedhimselftosomebrandy.Ashefinisheddrinking,hesaid:
“Itwasnotpretty,that!Nowtellme,myfriend,allaboutit.”
Jappsaid:
“ThisflatbelongstoaMrs.AlbertChapman.Mrs.Chapmanis,Igather,awell-upholsteredsmartblondeofforty-odd.Paysherbills,fondofanoccasionalgameofbridgewithherneighboursbutkeepsherselftoherselfmoreorless.Nochildren.Mr.Chapmanisacommercialtraveller.
“SainsburySealecamehereontheeveningofourinterviewwithher.Aboutsevenfifteen.SosheprobablycamestraightherefromtheGlengowrieCourt.She’dbeenhereoncebefore,sotheportersays.Yousee,allperfectlyclearandaboveboard—nicefriendlycall.TheportertookMissSainsburySealeupinthelifttothisflat.Thelasthesawofherwasstandingonthematpressingthebell.”
Poirotcommented:
“Hehastakenhistimetorememberthis!”
“He’shadgastrictrouble,itseems,beenawayinhospitalwhileanothermantookontemporarilyforhim.Itwasn’tuntilaboutaweekagothathehappenedtonoticeinanoldpaperthedescriptionofa‘wantedwoman’andhesaidtohiswife,‘SoundsquitelikethatoldcupofteawhocametoseeMrs.Chapmanonthesecondfloor.Shehadonagreenwooldressandbucklesonhershoes.’Andafteraboutanotherhourheregisteredagain—‘Believeshehadaname,too,somethinglikethat.Blimey,itwas—MissSomethingorotherSeale!’
“Afterthat,”continuedJapp,“ittookhimaboutfourdaystoovercomehisnaturaldistrustofgettingmixedupwiththepoliceandcomealongwithhisinformation.
“Wedidn’treallythinkitwouldleadtoanything.You’venoideahowmanyofthesefalsealarmswe’vehad.However,IsentSergeantBeddoesalong—he’sabrightyoungfellow.Abittoomuchofthishigh-classeducationbuthecan’thelpthat.It’sfashionablenow.
“Well,Beddoesgotahunchatoncethatwewereontosomethingatlast.ForonethingthisMrs.Chapmanhadn’tbeenseenaboutforoveramonth.She’dgoneawaywithoutleavinganyaddress.Thatwasabitodd.InfacteverythinghecouldlearnaboutMr.andMrs.Chapmanseemedodd.
“Hefoundouttheporterhadn’tseenMissSainsburySealeleaveagain.Thatinitselfwasn’tunusual.Shemighteasilyhavecomedownthestairsandgoneoutwithouthisseeingher.ButthentheportertoldhimthatMrs.Chapmanhadgoneawayrathersuddenly.Therewasjustabigprintednoticeoutsidethedoorthenextmorning:
NOMILK.TELLNELLIEIAMCALLEDAWAY.
“Nelliewasthedailymaidwhodidforher.Mrs.Chapmanhadgoneawaysuddenlyonceortwicebefore,sothegirldidn’tthinkitodd,butwhatwasoddwasthefactthatshehadn’trungfortheportertotakeherluggagedownorgetherataxi.
“Anyway,Beddoesdecidedtogetintotheflat.Wegotasearchwarrantandapasskeyfromthemanager.Foundnothingofinterestexceptinthebathroom.Therehadbeensomehastyclearingupdonethere.Therewasatraceofbloodonthelinoleum—inthecornerswhereithadbeenmissedwhenthefloorwaswashedover.Afterthat,itwasjustaquestionoffindingthebody.Mrs.Chapmancouldn’thaveleftwithanyluggagewithherortheporterwouldhaveknown.Thereforethebodymuststillbeintheflat.Wesoonspottedthatfurchest—airtight,youknow—justtheplace.Keyswereinthedressingtabledrawer.
“Weopeneditup—andtherewasthemissinglady!MistletoeBoughup-to-date.”
Poirotasked:
“WhataboutMrs.Chapman?”
“Whatindeed?WhoisSylvia(hername’sSylvia,bytheway),whatisshe?Onethingiscertain.Sylvia,orSylvia’sfriends,murderedtheladyandputherinthebox.”
Poirotnodded.
Heasked:
“Butwhywasherfacebatteredin?Itisnotnice,that.”
“I’llsayitisn’tnice!Astowhy—well,onecanonlyguess.Sheervindictiveness,perhaps.Oritmayhavebeenwiththeideaofconcealingthewoman’sidentity.”
“Butitdidnotconcealheridentity.”
“No,becausenotonlyhadwegotaprettygooddescriptionofwhatMabelleSainsburySealewaswearingwhenshedisappeared,butherhandbaghadbeenstuffedintothefurboxtooandinsidethehandbagtherewasactuallyanoldletteraddressedtoheratherhotelinRussellSquare.”
Poirotsatup.Hesaid:
“Butthat—thatdoesnotmakethecommonsense!”
“Itcertainlydoesn’t.Isupposeitwasaslip.”
“Yes—perhaps—aslip.But—”
Hegotup.
“Youhavebeenovertheflat?”
“Prettywell.There’snothingilluminating.”
“IshouldliketoseeMrs.Chapman’sbedroom.”
“Comealongthen.”
Thebedroomshowednosignsofahastydeparture.Itwasneatandtidy.Thebedhadnotbeensleptin,butwasturneddownreadyforthenight.Therewasathickcoatingofdusteverywhere.
Jappsaid:
“Nofinger-prints,sofaraswecansee.Therearesomeonthekitchenthings,butIexpectthey’llturnouttobethemaid’s.”
“Thatmeansthatthewholeplacewasdustedverycarefullyafterthemurder?”
“Yes.”
Poirot’seyessweptslowlyroundtheroom.Likethesittingroomitwasfurnishedinthemodernstyle—andfurnished,sohethought,bysomeonewithamoderateincome.Thearticlesinitwereexpensivebutnotultraexpensive.Theywereshowybutnotfirst-class.Thecolourschemewasrosepink.Helookedintothebuilt-inwardrobeandhandledtheclothes—smartclothesbutagainnotoffirst-classquality.Hiseyesfelltotheshoes—theywerelargelyofthesandalvarietypopularatthemoment,somehadexaggeratedcorksoles.Hebalancedoneinhishand,registeredthefactthatMrs.Chapmanhadtakena5inshoesandputitdownagain.Inanothercupboardhefoundapileoffurs,shovedinaheap.
Jappsaid:
“Cameoutofthefurchest.”
Poirotnodded.
Hewashandlingagreysquirrelcoat.Heremarkedappreciatively:“First-classskins.”
Hewentintothebathroom.
Therewasalavishdisplayofcosmetics.Poirotlookedatthemwithinterest.Powder,rouge,vanishingcream,skinfood,twobottlesofhairapplication.
Jappsaid:
“Notoneofournaturalplatinumblondes,Igather.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Atforty,monami,thehairofmostwomenhasbeguntogogreybutMrs.Chapmanwasnotonetoyieldtonature.”
“She’sprobablygonehennaredbynowforachange.”
“Iwonder.”
Jappsaid:
“There’ssomethingworryingyou,Poirot.Whatisit?”
Poirotsaid:
“Butyes,Iamworried.Iamveryseriouslyworried.Thereishere,yousee,formeaninsolubleproblem.”
Resolutely,hewentoncemoreintotheboxroom….
Hetookholdoftheshoeonthedeadwoman’sfoot.Itresistedandcameoffwithdifficulty.
Heexaminedthebuckle.Ithadbeenclumsilysewnonbyhand.
HerculePoirotsighed.Hesaid:
“ItisthatIamdreaming!”
Jappsaidcuriously:
“Whatareyoutryingtodo—makethethingmoredifficult?”
“Exactlythat.”
Jappsaid:
“Onepatentleathershoe,completewithbuckle.What’swrongwiththat?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Nothing—absolutelynothing.Butallthesame—Idonotunderstand.”
III
Mrs.MertonofNo.82,KingLeopoldMansionshadbeendesignatedbytheporterasMrs.Chapman’sclosestfriendintheMansions.
Itwas,therefore,toNo.82thatJappandPoirotbetookthemselvesnext.
Mrs.Mertonwasaloquaciouslady,withsnappingblackeyes,andanelaboratecoiffure.
Itneedednopressuretomakehertalk.Shewasonlytooreadytorisetoadramaticsituation.
“SylviaChapman—well,ofcourse,Idon’tknowherreallywell—notintimately,sotospeak.Wehadafewbridgeeveningsoccasionallyandwewenttothepicturestogether,andofcourseshoppingsometimes.Butoh,dotellme—sheisn’tdead,isshe?”
Jappreassuredher.
“Well,I’msureI’mthankfultohearit!Butthepostmanjustnowwasallagogaboutabodyhavingbeenfoundinoneoftheflats—butthenonereallycan’tbelievehalfonehears,canone?Ineverdo.”
Jappaskedafurtherquestion.
“No,Ihaven’theardanythingofMrs.Chapman—notsincewehadspokenaboutgoingtoseethenewGingerRogersandFredAstairethefollowingweek,andshesaidnothingaboutgoingawaythen.”
Mrs.MertonhadneverheardaMissSainsburySealementioned.Mrs.Chapmanhadneverspokenofanyoneofthatname.
“Andyet,youknow,thenameisfamiliartome,distinctlyfamiliar.Iseemtohaveseenitsomewherequitelately.”
Jappsaiddrily:
“It’sbeeninallthepapersforsomeweeks—”
“Ofcourse—somemissingperson,wasn’tit?AndyouthoughtMrs.Chapmanmighthaveknownher?No,I’msureI’veneverheardSylviamentionthatname.”
“CanyoutellmeanythingaboutMr.Chapman,Mrs.Merton?”
ArathercuriousexpressioncameoverMrs.Merton’sface.Shesaid:
“Hewasacommercialtraveller,Ibelieve,soMrs.Chapmantoldme.Hetravelledabroadforhisfirm—armaments,Ibelieve.HewentalloverEurope.”
“Didyouevermeethim?”
“No,never.Hewasathomesoseldom,andwhenhewasathomeheandMrs.Chapmandidn’twanttobotherwithoutsiders.Verynaturally.”
“DoyouknowifMrs.Chapmanhadanynearrelationsorfriends?”
“Idon’tknowaboutfriends.Idon’tthinkshehadanynearrelations.Sheneverspokeofany.”
“WassheeverinIndia?”
“NotthatIknowof.”
Mrs.Mertonpaused,andthenbrokeout:
“Butpleasetellme—whyareyouaskingallthesequestions?IquiteunderstandthatyoucomefromScotlandYardandallthat,buttheremustbesomespecialreason?”
“Well,Mrs.Merton,youareboundtoknowsometime.Asamatteroffact,adeadbodyhasbeenfoundinMrs.Chapman’sflat.”
“Oh—?”Mrs.Mertonlookedforamomentlikethedogwhoseeyeswereasbigassaucers.
“Adeadbody!Itwasn’tMr.Chapman,wasit?Orperhapssomeforeigner?”
Jappsaid:
“Itwasn’tamanatall—itwasawoman.”
“Awoman.”Mrs.Mertonseemedevenmoresurprised.
Poirotsaidgently:
“Whyshouldyouthinkitwasaman?”
“Oh,Idon’tknow.Itseemedmorelikelysomehow.”
“Butwhy?WasitbecauseMrs.Chapmanwasinthehabitofreceivinggentlemanvisitors?”
“Ohno—ohnoindeed.”Mrs.Mertonwasindignant.“Inevermeantanythingofthatkind.SylviaChapmanwasn’tintheleastthatkindofwoman—notatall!Itwasjustthat,withMr.Chapman—Imean—”
Shecametoastop.
Poirotsaid:
“Ithink,Madame,thatyouknowalittlemorethanyouhavetoldus.”
Mrs.Mertonsaiduncertainly:
“Idon’tknow,I’msure—whatIoughttodo!Imean,Idon’texactlywanttobetrayaconfidenceandofcourseIneverhaverepeatedwhatSylviatoldme—exceptjusttooneortwointimateswhomIknewwerereallysafe—”
Mrs.Mertonleanedforwardandloweredhervoice:
“Itjust—slippedout,asitwere,oneday.Whenwewereseeingafilm—abouttheSecretServiceandMrs.Chapmansaidyoucouldseethatwhoeverhadwrittenitdidn’tknowmuchabouttheirsubject,andthenitcameout—onlyshesworemetosecrecy.Mr.ChapmanwasintheSecretService,Imean.Thatwastherealreasonhehadtogoabroadsomuch.Thearmamentfirmwasonlyablind.AnditwasterriblyworryingforMrs.Chapmanbecauseshecouldn’twritetohimorgetlettersfromhimwhilehewasaway.And,ofcourse,itwasterriblydangerous!”
IV
AstheywentdownthestairsagaintoNo.42,Jappejaculatedwithfeeling:“ShadesofPhillipsOppenheim,ValentineWilliamsandWilliamleQueux,IthinkI’mgoingmad!”
Thatsmartyoungman,SergeantBeddoes,waswaitingforthem.
Hesaidrespectfully:
“Haven’tbeenabletogetanythinghelpfulfromthemaid,sir.Mrs.Chapmanchangedmaidsprettyoften,itseems.Thisoneonlyworkedforherforamonthortwo.ShesaysMrs.Chapmanwasanicelady,fondoftheradioandpleasantspoken.GirlwasoftheopinionthehusbandwasagaydeceiverbutthatMrs.Chapmandidn’tsuspectit.Shegotlettersfromabroadsometimes,somefromGermany,twofromAmerica,onefromItalyandonefromRussia.Thegirl’syoungmancollectsstamps,andMrs.Chapmanusedtogivethemtoherofftheletters.”
“AnythingamongMrs.Chapman’spapers?”
“Absolutelynothing,sir.Shedidn’tkeepmuch.Afewbillsandreceiptedaccounts—alllocal.Someoldtheatreprogrammes,oneortwocookeryrecipescutoutofthepapers,andapamphletaboutZenanaMissions.”
“Andwecanguesswhobroughtthathere.Shedoesn’tsoundlikeamurderess,doesshe?Andyetthat’swhatitseemstobe.She’sboundtobeanaccompliceanyway.Nostrangemenseenaboutthatevening?”
“Theporterdoesn’trememberany—butthenIdon’tsupposehewouldbynow,andanywayit’sabigblockofflats—peoplealwaysgoinginandout.HecanonlyfixthedateofMissSainsburySeale’svisitbecausehewastakenofftothehospitalthenextdayandwasactuallyfeelingratherbadthatevening.”
“Anybodyintheotherflatshearanythingoutoftheway?”
Theyoungermanshookhishead.
“I’veinquiredattheflatabovethisandtheonebelow.Nobodycanrememberhearinganythingunusual.Bothofthemhadtheirradioson,Igather.”
Thedivisionalsurgeoncameoutofthebathroomwherehehadbeenwashinghishands.
“Mostunsavourycorpse,”hesaidcheerfully.“Sendheralongwhenyou’rereadyandI’llgetdowntobrasstacks.”
“Noideaofthecauseofdeath,doctor?”
“ImpossibletosayuntilI’vedonetheautopsy.Thosefaceinjuriesweredefinitelyinflictedafterdeath,Ishouldsay.ButIshallknowbetterwhenI’vegotheratthemortuary.Middle-agedwoman,quitehealthy—greyhairattherootsbuttintedblonde.Theremaybedistinguishingmarksonthebody—ifthereisn’t,itmaybeajobtoidentifyher—oh,youknowwhosheis,splendid?What?Missingwomanthere’sbeenallthefussabout?Well,youknow,Ineverreadthepapers.Justdothecrosswords.”
Jappsaidbitterly:
“Andthat’spublicityforyou!”asthedoctorwentout.
Poirotwashoveringoverthedesk.Hepickedupasmallbrownaddressbook.
TheindefatigableBeddoessaid:
“Nothingofspecialinterestthere—mosthairdressers,dressmakers,etc.I’venoteddownanyprivatenamesandaddresses.”
PoirotopenedthebookattheletterD.
Heread:
Dr.Davis,17,PrinceAlbertRoad,DrakeandPomponetti,Fishmongers.
Andbelowit:
Dentist.Mr.Morley,58,QueenCharlotteStreet.
TherewasagreenlightinPoirot’seyes.Hesaid:
“Therewillbenodifficulty,Iimagine,inpositivelyidentifyingthebody.”
Japplookedathimcuriously.Hesaid:
“Surely—youdon’timagine—?”
Poirotsaidwithvehemence:
“Iwanttobesure.”
V
MissMorleyhadmovedtothecountry.ShewaslivinginasmallcountrycottagenearHertford.
TheGrenadiergreetedPoirotamicably.Sinceherbrother’sdeathherfacehadperhapsgrownslightlygrimmer,hercarriagemoreupright,hergeneralattitudetowardslifemoreunyielding.Sheresentedbitterlytheslurcastuponherbrother’sprofessionalnamebythefindingsoftheinquest.
Poirot,shehadreasontobelieve,sharedtheviewthattheverdictoftheCoroner’sinquestwasuntrue.HencetheGrenadierunbentalittle.
Sheansweredhisquestionsreadilyenoughandwithcompetence.AllMr.Morley’sprofessionalpapershadbeencarefullyfiledbyMissNevillandhadbeenhandedoverbyhertoMr.Morley’ssuccessor.SomeofthepatientshadtransferredthemselvestoMr.Reilly,othershadacceptedthenewpartner,othersagainhadgonetootherdentistselsewhere
MissMorley,aftershehadgivenwhatinformationshecould,said:
“SoyouhavefoundthatwomanwhowasHenry’spatient—MissSainsburySeale—andshewasmurderedtoo.”
The“too”wasalittledefiant.Shestressedtheword.
Poirotsaid:
“YourbrothernevermentionedMissSainsburySealeparticularlytoyou?”
“No,Idon’trememberhisdoingso.Hewouldtellmeifhehadhadaparticularlytryingpatient,orifoneofhispatientshadsaidsomethingamusinghewouldpassitontome,butwedidn’tusuallytalkabouthisworkmuch.Hewasgladtoforgetitwhenthedaywasover.Hewasverytiredsometimes.”
“DoyourememberhearingofaMrs.Chapmanamongstyourbrother’spatients?”
“Chapman?No,Idon’tthinkso.MissNevillisreallythepersontohelpyouoverallthis.”
“Iamanxioustogetintouchwithher.Whereisshenow?”
“ShehastakenapostwithadentistinRamsgate,Ibelieve.”
“ShehasnotmarriedthatyoungmanFrankCarteryet?”
“No.Iratherhopethatwillnevercomeoff.Idon’tlikethatyoungman,M.Poirot.Ireallydon’t.Thereissomethingwrongabouthim.Istillfeelthathehasn’treallyanypropermoralsense.”
Poirotsaid:
“Doyouthinkitispossiblethathecouldhaveshotyourbrother?”
MissMorleysaidslowly:
“Idofeelperhapsthathewouldbecapableofit—hehasaveryuncontrollabletemper.ButIdon’treallyseethathehadanymotive—noropportunityforthatmatter.Yousee,itwasn’tasthoughHenryhadsucceededinpersuadingGladystogivehimup.Shewasstickingtohiminthemostfaithfulway.”
“Couldhehavebeenbribed,doyouthink?”
“Bribed?Tokillmybrother?Whatanextraordinaryidea!”
Anice-lookingdark-hairedgirlbroughtintheteaatthismoment.Assheclosedthedoorbehindheragain,Poirotsaid:
“ThatgirlwaswithyouinLondon,wasshenot?”
“Agnes?Yes,shewashouse-parlourmaid.Iletthecookgo—shedidn’twanttocometothecountryanyway—andAgnesdoeseverythingforme.Sheisturningintoquiteanicelittlecook.”
Poirotnodded.
Heknewveryaccuratelythedomesticarrangementsof58,QueenCharlotteStreet.Theyhadbeenthoroughlygoneintoatthetimeofthetragedy.Mr.Morleyandhissisterhadoccupiedthetwotopfloorsofthehouseasamaisonette.Thebasementhadbeenshutupaltogetherexceptforanarrowpassageleadingfromtheareatothebackyardwhereawirecageranuptothetopfloorwiththetradesmen’sdeliveriesandwhereaspeakingtubewasinstalled.ThereforetheonlyentrancetothehousewasbythefrontdoorwhichitwasAlfred’sbusinesstoanswer.Thishadenabledthepolicetobesurethatnooutsidercouldhaveenteredthehouseonthatparticularmorning.
Bothcookandhouse-parlourmaidhadbeenwiththeMorleysforsomeyearsandboregoodcharacters.So,althoughitwastheoreticallypossiblethatoneortheotherofthemmighthavecreptdowntothesecondfloorandshothermaster,thepossibilityhadneverbeentakenseriouslyintoaccount.Neitherofthetwohadappearedundulyflusteredorupsetatbeingquestioned,andtherecertainlyseemednopossiblereasonforconnectingeitherofthemwithhisdeath.
Nevertheless,asAgneshandedPoirothishatandstickonleaving,sheaskedhimwithanunusuallynervousabruptness:
“Does—doesanyoneknowanythingmoreaboutthemaster’sdeath,sir?”
Poirotturnedtolookather.Hesaid:
“Nothingfreshhascometolight.”
“They’restillquitesureashedidshoothimselfbecausehe’dmadeamistakewiththatdrug?”
“Yes.Whydoyouask?”
Agnespleatedherapron.Herfacewasaverted.Shesaidratherindistinctly:
“The—themistressdoesn’tthinkso.”
“Andyouagreewithher,perhaps?”
“Me?Oh,Idon’tknownothing,sir.Ionly—Ionlywantedtobesure.”
HerculePoirotsaidinhismostgentlevoice:
“Itwouldbearelieftoyoutofeelbeyondanypossibledoubtthatitwassuicide?”
“Oh,yes,sir,”Agnesagreedquickly,“itwouldindeed.”
“Foraspecialreason,perhaps?”
Herstartledeyesmethis.Sheshrankbackalittle.
“I—Idon’tknowanythingaboutit,sir.Ionlyjustasked.”
“Butwhydidsheask?”HerculePoirotdemandedofhimself,ashewalkeddownthepathtothegate.
Hefeltsurethattherewasananswertothatquestion.Butasyethecouldnotguesswhatitwas.
Allthesame,hefeltastepnearer.
VI
WhenPoirotreturnedtohisflathewassurprisedtofindanunexpectedvisitorwaitingforhim.
Abaldheadwasvisibleabovethebackofachair,andthesmallneatfigureofMr.Barnesrosetohisfeet.
Witheyesthattwinkledasusual,hemadeadrylittleapology.
Hehadcome,heexplained,toreturnM.HerculePoirot’svisit.
PoirotprofessedhimselfdelightedtoseeMr.Barnes.
Georgewasinstructedtobringsomecoffeeunlesshisvisitorpreferredteaorwhiskyandsoda?
“Coffeewillbeadmirable,”saidMr.Barnes.“Iimaginethatyourmanservantpreparesitwell.MostEnglishservantsdonot.”
Presently,afterafewinterchangesofpoliteremarks,Mr.Barnesgavealittlecoughandsaid:
“Iwillbefrankwithyou,M.Poirot.Itwassheercuriositythatbroughtmehere.You,Iimagined,wouldbewellpostedinallthedetailsofthisrathercuriouscase.IseebythepapersthatthemissingMissSainsburySealehasbeenfound.Thataninquestwasheldandadjournedforfurtherevidence.Causeofdeathwasstatedtohavebeenanoverdoseofmedinal.”
“Thatisquitecorrect,”saidPoirot.
TherewasapauseandthenPoirotasked:
“HaveyoueverheardofAlbertChapman,Mr.Barnes?”
“Ah,thehusbandoftheladyinwhoseflatMissSainsburySealecametodie?Ratheranelusiveperson,itwouldseem.”
“Buthardlynonexistent?”
“Ohno,”saidMr.Barnes.“Heexists.Ohyes,heexists—ordidexist.Ihadheardhewasdead.Butyoucan’ttrusttheserumours.”
“Whowashe,Mr.Barnes?”
“Idon’tsupposethey’llsayattheinquest.Notiftheycanhelpit.They’lltrotoutthearmamentsfirmtravellerstory.”
“HewasintheSecretServicethen?”
“Ofcoursehewas.Buthehadnobusinesstotellhiswifeso—nobusinessatall.InfactheoughtnottohavecontinuedintheServiceafterhismarriage.Itisn’tusuallydone—not,thatis,whenyou’reoneofthereallyhush-hushpeople.”
“AndAlbertChapmanwas?”
“Yes.Q.X.912.That’swhathewasknownas.Usinganameismostirregular.Oh,Idon’tmeanthatQ.X.912wasspeciallyimportant—oranythingofthatkind.Buthewasusefulbecausehewasaninsignificantkindofchap—thekindwhosefaceisn’teasilyremembered.HewasusedalotasamessengerupanddownEurope.Youknowthesortofthing.OnedignifiedlettersentviaourAmbassadorinRuritania—oneunofficialdittocontainingthedirtperQ.X.912—thatistosay:Mr.AlbertChapman.”
“Thenheknewalotofusefulinformation?”
“Probablydidn’tknowathing,”saidMr.Barnescheerfully.“Hisjobwasjusthoppinginandoutoftrainsandboatsandaero-planesandhavingtherightstorytoexplainwhyhewasgoingwherehewasgoing!”
“Andyouheardhewasdead?”
“That’swhatIheard,”saidMr.Barnes.“Butyoucan’tbelieveallyouhear.Ineverdo.”
LookingatMr.Barnesintently,Poirotasked:
“Whatdoyouthinkhashappenedtohiswife?”
“Ican’timagine,”saidMr.Barnes.Helooked,wide-eyedatPoirot.“Canyou?”
Poirotsaid:
“Ihadanidea—”Hestopped.
Hesaidslowly:
“Itisveryconfusing.”
Mr.Barnesmurmuredsympathetically:“Anythingworryingyouinparticular?”
HerculePoirotsaidslowly:
“Yes.Theevidenceofmyowneyes….”
VII
JappcameintoPoirot’ssittingroomandslammeddownhisbowlerhatwithsuchforcethatthetablerocked.
Hesaid:
“Whatthedevilmadeyouthinkofit?”
“MygoodJapp,Idonotknowwhatyouaretalkingabout.”
Jappsaidslowlyandforcefully:
“Whatgaveyoutheideathatthebodywasn’tMissSainsburySeale’sbody?”
Poirotlookedworried.Hesaid:
“Itwasthefacethatworriedme.Whysmashupadeadwoman’sface?”
Jappsaid:
“Myword,IhopeoldMorley’ssomewherewherehecanknowaboutit.It’sjustpossible,youknow,thathewasputoutofthewayonpurpose—sothathecouldn’tgiveevidence.”
“Itwouldcertainlybebetterifhecouldhavegivenevidencehimself.”
“Leatheranwillbeallright.Morley’ssuccessor.He’sathoroughlycapablemanwithagoodmannerandtheevidenceisunmistakable.”
Theeveningpaperscameoutwithasensationthenextday.ThedeadbodyfoundintheBatterseaflat,believedtobethatofMissSainsburySeale,waspositivelyidentifiedasthatofMrs.AlbertChapman.
Mr.Leatheran,of58,QueenCharlotteStreet,unhesitatinglypronouncedittobeMrs.Chapmanontheevidenceoftheteethandjaw,fullparticularsofwhichwererecordedinthelateMr.Morley’sprofessionalchart.
MissSainsburySeale’sclotheshadbeenfoundonthebodyandMissSainsburySeale’shandbagwiththebody—butwherewasMissSainsburySealeherself?
NINE,TEN,AGOODFATHEN
I
AstheycameawayfromtheinquestJappsaidjubilantlytoPoirot:
“Asmartpieceofwork,that.Gave’emasensation!”
Poirotnodded.
“Youtumbledtoitfirst,”saidJapp,“but,youknow,Iwasn’thappyaboutthatbodymyself.Afterall,youdon’tgosmashingadeadperson’sfaceandheadaboutfornothing.It’smessy,unpleasantwork,anditwasprettyplaintheremustbesomereasonforit.Andthere’sonlyonereasontherecouldbe—toconfusetheidentity.”Headdedgenerously:“ButIshouldn’thavetumbledsoquicklytothefactthatitactuallywastheotherwoman.”
Poirotsaidwithasmile:
“Andyet,myfriend,theactualdescriptionsofthewomenwerenotunlikeasregardsfundamentals.Mrs.Chapmanwasasmart,good-lookingwoman,wellmadeupandfashionablyturnedout.MissSainsburySealewasdowdyandinnocentoflipstickorrouge.Buttheessentialswerethesame.Bothwerewomenoffortyodd.Bothwereroughlyaboutthesameheightandbuild.Bothhadhairturninggreywhichtheytoucheduptomakeitappeargolden.”
“Yes,ofcourse,whenyouputitlikethat.Onethingwe’vegottoadmit—thefairMabelleputitoveronbothofus,goodandproper.I’dhaveswornshewasthegenuinearticle.”
“But,myfriend,shewasthegenuinearticle.Weknowallaboutherpastlife.”
“Wedidn’tknowshewascapableofmurder—andthat’swhatitlookslikenow.Sylviadidn’tmurderMabelle.MabellemurderedSylvia.”
HerculePoirotshookhisheadinaworriedfashion.HestillfounditdifficulttoreconcileMabelleSainsburySealewithmurder.Yetinhisearsheheardthesmall,ironicvoiceofMr.Barnes:
“Lookamongtherespectablepeople….”
MabelleSainsburySealehadbeeneminentlyrespectable.
Jappsaidwithemphasis:
“I’mgoingtogettothebottomofthiscase,Poirot.Thatwomanisn’tgoingtoputitoveronme.”
II
Thefollowingday,Japprangup.Hisvoiceheldacuriousnote.
Hesaid:
“Poirot,doyouwanttohearapieceofnews?It’snapoo,mylad.Napoo!”
“Pardon?—thelineisperhapsnotveryclear.Ididnotquitecatch—”
“It’soff,myboy.O.F.F.Callitaday!Sitdownandtwiddleourthumbs!”
Therewasnomistakingthebitternessnow.Poirotwasstartled.
“Whatisoff?”
“Thewholeruddyblinkingthing!Thehueandcry!Thepublicity!Thewholebagoftricks!”
“ButIstilldonotunderstand.”
“Well,listen.Listencarefully,becauseIcan’tmentionnamesverywell.Youknowourinquiry?Youknowwe’recombingthecountryforaperformingfish?”
“Yes,yes,perfectly.Icomprehendnow.”
“Well,that’sbeencalledoff.Hushedup—keptmum.Nowdoyouunderstand?”
“Yes,yes.Butwhy?”
“OrdersfromtheruddyForeignOffice.”
“Isnotthatveryextraordinary?”
“Well,itdoeshappennowandagain.”
“WhyshouldtheybesoforbearingtoMiss—totheperformingfish?”
“They’renot.Theydon’tcaretuppenceabouther.It’sthepublicity—ifshe’sbroughttotrialtoomuchmightcomeoutaboutMrs.A.C.Thecorpse.That’sthehush-hushside!Icanonlysupposethattheruddyhusband—Mr.A.C.—Getme?”
“Yes,yes.”
“Thathe’ssomewhereabroadinaticklishspotandtheydon’twanttoqueerhispitch.”
“Tchah!”
“Whatdidyousay?”
“Imade,monami,anexclamationofannoyance!”
“Oh!thatwasit.Ithoughtyou’dcaughtcold.Annoyanceisright!Icoulduseastrongerword.Lettingthatdamegetawaywithitmakesmeseered.”
Poirotsaidverysoftly:
“Shewillnotgetawaywithit.”
“Ourhandsaretied,Itellyou!”
“Yoursmaybe—minearenot!”
“GoodoldPoirot!Thenyouaregoingonwithit?”
“Maisoui—tothedeath.”
“Well,don’tletitbeyourdeath,oldboy!Ifthisbusinessgoesonasithasbegunsomeonewillprobablysendyouapoisonedtarantulabypost!”
Ashereplacedthereceiver,Poirotsaidtohimself:
“Now,whydidIusethatmelodramaticphrase—‘tothedeath?’Vraiment,itisabsurd!”
III
Thelettercamebyeveningpost.Itwastypewrittenexceptforthesignature.
DearM.Poirot(itran),Ishouldbegreatlyobligedifyouwouldcalluponmesometimetomorrow.Imayhaveacommissionforyou.Isuggesttwelvethirty,atmyhouseinChelsea.Ifthisisinconvenienttoyou,perhapsyouwouldtelephonemysecretary?Iapologizeforgivingyousuchshortnotice.Yourssincerely,AlistairBlunt.
Poirotsmoothedouttheletterandreaditasecondtime.Atthatmomentthetelephonerang.
HerculePoirotoccasionallyindulgedinthefancythatheknewbytheringofhistelephonebellwhatkindofmessagewasimpending.
Onthisoccasionhewasatoncequitesurethatthecallwassignificant.Itwasnotawrongnumber—notoneofhisfriends.
Hegotupandtookdownthereceiver.Hesaidinhispolite,foreignvoice:
“’Allo?”
Animpersonalvoicesaid:“Whatnumberareyou,please?”
“ThisisWhitehall7272.”
Therewasapause,aclick,andthenavoicespoke.Itwasawoman’svoice.
“M.Poirot?”
“Yes.”
“M.HerculePoirot?”
“Yes.”
“M.Poirot,youhaveeitheralreadyreceived—orwillshortlyreceive,aletter.”
“Whoisspeaking?”
“Itisnotnecessarythatyoushouldknow.”
“Verywell.Ihavereceived,Madame,eightlettersandthreebillsbytheeveningpost.”
“ThenyouknowwhichletterImean.Youwillbewise,M.Poirot,torefusethecommissionyouhavebeenoffered.”
“That,Madame,isamatterIshalldecidemyself.”
Thevoicesaidcoldly:
“Iamwarningyou,M.Poirot.Yourinterferencewillnolongerbetolerated.Keepoutofthisbusiness.”
“AndifIdonotkeepoutofit?”
“Thenweshalltakestepstoseethatyourinterferenceisnolongertobefeared….”
“Thatisathreat,Madame!”
“Weareonlyaskingyoutobesensible…Itisforyourowngood.”
“Youareverymagnanimous!”
“Youcannotalterthecourseofeventsandwhathasbeenarranged.Sokeepoutofwhatdoesn’tconcernyou!Doyouunderstand?”
“Ohyes,Iunderstand.ButIconsiderthatMr.Morley’sdeathismyconcern.”
Thewoman’svoicesaidsharply:
“Morley’sdeathwasonlyanincident.Heinterferedwithourplans.”
“Hewasahumanbeing,Madame,andhediedbeforehistime.”
“Hewasofnoimportance.”
Poirot’svoicewasdangerousashesaidveryquietly:
“Thereyouarewrong….”
“Itwashisownfault.Herefusedtobesensible.”
“I,too,refusetobesensible.”
“Thenyouareafool.”
Therewasaclicktheotherendasthereceiverwasreplaced.
Poirotsaid,“Allo?”thenputdownhisreceiverinturn.HedidnottroubletoasktheExchangetotracethenumber.Hewasfairlysurethatthecallhadbeenputthroughfromapublictelephonebox.
Whatintriguedandpuzzledhimwasthefactthathethoughthehadheardthevoicesomewherebefore.Herackedhisbrains,tryingtobringtheelusivememoryback.CoulditbethevoiceofMissSainsburySeale?
Asherememberedit,MabelleSainsburySeale’svoicehadbeenhigh-pitchedandsomewhataffected,withratheroveremphasizeddiction.Thisvoicewasnotatalllikethat,andyet—perhapsitmightbeMissSainsburySealewithhervoicedisguised.Afterall,shehadbeenanactressinhertime.Shecouldalterhervoice,probably,easilyenough.Inactualtimbre,thevoicewasnotunlikewhatheremembered.
Buthewasnotsatisfiedwiththatexplanation.No,itwassomeotherpersonthatthevoicebroughtbacktohim.Itwasnotavoiceheknewwell—buthewasstillquitesurethathehadhearditonce,ifnottwice,before.
Why,hewondered,bothertoringupandthreatenhim?Couldthesepeopleactuallybelievethatthreatswoulddeterhim?Apparentlytheydid.Itwaspoorpsychology!
IV
Therewassomesensationalnewsinthemorningpapers.ThePrimeMinisterhadbeenshotatwhenleaving10,DowningStreetwithafriendyesterdayevening.Fortunatelythebullethadgonewide.Theman,anIndian,hadbeentakenintocustody.
Afterreadingthis,PoirottookataxitoScotlandYardwherehewasshownuptoJapp’sroom.Thelattergreetedhimheartily.
“Ah,sothenewshasbroughtyoualong.Haveanyofthepapersmentionedwho‘thefriend’waswiththeP.M.?”
“No,whowasit?”
“AlistairBlunt.”
“Really?”
“And,”wentonJapp,“we’veeveryreasontobelievethatthebulletwasmeantforBluntandnotfortheP.M.Thatis,unlessthemanwasanevenmorethunderingbadshotthanheisalready!”
“Whodidit?”
“SomecrazyHindustudent.Half-baked,asusual.Buthewasputuptoit.Itwasn’tallhisownidea.”
Jappadded:
“Quiteasoundbitofworkgettinghim.There’susuallyasmallgroupofpeople,youknow,watchingNo.10.Whentheshotwasfired,ayoungAmericangrabbedholdofalittlemanwithabeard.Heheldontohimlikegrimdeathandyelledtothepolicethathe’dgottheman.MeanwhiletheIndianwasquietlyhookingit—butoneofourpeoplenabbedhimallright.”
“WhowastheAmerican?”askedPoirotcuriously.
“YoungfellowbythenameofRaikes.Why—”Hestoppedshort,staringatPoirot.“What’sthematter?”
Poirotsaid:
“HowardRaikes,stayingattheHolbornPalaceHotel?”
“That’sright.Who—why,ofcourse!Ithoughtthenameseemedfamiliar.He’sthepatientwhoranawaythatmorningwhenMorleyshothimself….”
Hepaused.Hesaidslowly:
“Rum—howthatoldbusinesskeepscroppingup.You’vestillgotyourideasaboutit,haven’tyou,Poirot?”
HerculePoirotrepliedgravely:
“Yes.Istillhavemyideas….”
V
AttheGothicHouse,Poirotwasreceivedbyasecretary,atall,limpyoungmanwithanaccomplishedsocialmanner.
Hewaspleasantlyapologetic.
“Iamsosorry,M.Poirot—andsoisMr.Blunt.HehasbeencalledtoDowningStreet.Theresultofthis—er—incidentlastnight.Irangyourflat,butunfortunatelyyouhadalreadyleft.”
Theyoungmanwentonrapidly:
“Mr.BluntcommissionedmetoaskyouifitwouldbepossibleforyoutospendtheweekendwithhimathishouseinKent.Exsham,youknow.Ifso,hewouldcallforyouinthecartomorrowevening.”
Poirothesitated.
Theyoungmansaidpersuasively:
“Mr.Bluntisreallymostanxioustoseeyou.”
HerculePoirotbowedhishead.
Hesaid:“Thankyou.Iaccept.”
“Oh,that’ssplendid.Mr.Bluntwillbedelighted.Ifhecallsforyouaboutaquartertosix,willthat—Oh,goodmorning,Mrs.Olivera—”
JaneOlivera’smotherhadjustentered.Shewasverysmartlydressed,withahatclingingtoaneyebrowinthemidstofaverysoignéecoiffure.
“Oh!Mr.Selby,didMr.Bluntgiveyouanyinstructionsaboutthosegardenchairs?Imeanttotalktohimaboutthemlastnight,becauseIknewwe’dbegoingdownthisweekendand—”
Mrs.OliveratookinPoirotandpaused.
“DoyouknowMrs.Olivera,M.Poirot?”
“IhavealreadyhadthepleasureofmeetingMadame.”
Poirotbowed.
Mrs.Oliverasaidvaguely:
“Oh?Howdoyoudo.Ofcourse,Mr.Selby,IknowthatAlistairisaverybusymanandthatthesesmalldomesticmattersmayn’tseemtohimimportant—”
“It’squiteallright,Mrs.Olivera,”saidtheefficientMr.Selby.“HetoldmeaboutitandIrangupMessrsDeeversaboutthem.”
“Well,now,that’sarealloadoffmymind.Now,Mr.Selby,canyoutellme…”
Mrs.Oliveraclackedon.Shewas,thoughtPoirot,ratherlikeahen.Abig,fathen!Mrs.Olivera,stillclacking,movedmajesticallyafterherbusttowardsthedoor.
“…Andifyou’requitesurethattherewillonlybeourselvesthisweekend—”
Mr.Selbycoughed.
“Er—M.Poirotisalsocomingdownfortheweekend.”
Mrs.Oliverastopped.SheturnedroundandsurveyedPoirotwithvisibledistaste.
“Isthatreallyso?”
“Mr.Blunthasbeenkindenoughtoinviteme,”saidPoirot.
“Well,Iwonder—why,ifthatisn’tqueerofAlistair.You’llexcuseme,M.Poirot,butMr.Bluntparticularlytoldmethathewantedaquiet,familyweekend!”
Selbysaidfirmly:
“Mr.BluntisparticularlyanxiousthatM.Poirotshouldcome.”
“Ohreally?Hedidn’tmentionittome.”
Thedooropened.Janestoodthere.Shesaidimpatiently:
“Mother,aren’tyoucoming?Ourlunchappointmentisatonefifteen!”
“I’mcoming,Jane.Don’tbeimpatient.”
“Well,getamoveon,forgoodnesssake—Hallo,M.Poirot.”
Shewassuddenlyverystill—herpetulancefrozen.Hereyesmorewary.
Mrs.Oliverasaidinacoldvoice:
“M.PoirotiscomingdowntoExshamfortheweekend.”
“Oh—Isee.”
JaneOliverastoodbacktolethermotherpassher.Onthepointoffollowingher,shewhirledbackagain.
“M.Poirot!”
Hervoicewasimperious.
Poirotcrossedtheroomtoher.
Shesaidinalowvoice:“You’recomingdowntoExsham?Why?”
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.Hesaid:
“Itisakindthoughtofyouruncle’s.”
Janesaid:
“Buthecan’tknow…Hecan’t…Whendidheaskyou?Oh,there’snoneed—”
“Jane!”
Hermotherwascallingfromthehall.
Janesaidinalow,urgenttone:
“Stayaway.Pleasedon’tcome.”
Shewentout.Poirotheardthesoundsofaltercation.HeardMrs.Olivera’shigh,complaining,cluckingvoice.“Ireallywillnottolerateyourrudeness,Jane…Ishalltakestepstoseethatyoudonotinterfere—”
Thesecretarysaid:
“Thenatalittlebeforesixtomorrow,M.Poirot?”
Poirotnoddedassentmechanically.Hewasstandinglikeamanwhohasseenaghost.Butitwashisears,nothiseyes,thathadgivenhimtheshock.
Twoofthesentencesthathaddriftedinthroughtheopendoorwerealmostidenticalwiththosehehadheardlastnightthroughthetelephone,andheknewwhythevoicehadbeenfaintlyfamiliar.
Ashewalkedoutintothesunshineheshookhisheadblankly.
Mrs.Olivera?
Butitwasimpossible!ItcouldnothavebeenMrs.Oliverawhohadspokenoverthe’phone!
Thatempty-headedsocietywoman—selfish,brainless,grasping,self-centred?Whathadhecalledhertohimselfjustnow?
“Thatgoodfathen?C’estridicule!”saidHerculePoirot.
Hisears,hedecided,musthavedeceivedhim.Andyet—
VI
TheRollscalledpunctuallyforPoirotatalittlebeforesix.
AlistairBluntandhissecretaryweretheonlyoccupants.Mrs.OliveraandJanehadgonedowninanothercarearlier,itseemed.
Thedrivewasuneventful.Blunttalkedalittle,mostlyofhisgardenandofarecenthorticulturalshow.
Poirotcongratulatedhimonhisescapefromdeath,atwhichBluntdemurred.Hesaid:
“Oh,that!Don’tthinkthefellowwasshootingatmeparticularly.Anyway,thepoorchaphadn’tthefirstideaofhowtoaim!Justoneofthesehalf-crazedstudents.There’snoharminthemreally.TheyjustgetworkedupandfancyapotshotattheP.M.willalterthecourseofhistory.It’spathetic,really.”
“Therehavebeenotherattemptsonyourlife,havetherenot?”
“Soundsquitemelodramatic,”saidBlunt,withaslighttwinkle.“Someonesentmeabombbypostnotlongago.Itwasn’taveryefficientbomb.Youknow,thesefellowswhowanttotakeonthemanagementoftheworld—whatsortofanefficientbusinessdotheythinktheycouldmakeofit,whentheycan’tevendeviseaneffectualbomb?”
Heshookhishead.
“It’salwaysthesamething—long-hairedwoollyidealists—withoutonepracticalbitofknowledgeintheirheads.I’mnotacleverchap—neverhavebeen—butIcanjustreadandwriteanddoarithmetic.D’youunderstandwhatImeanbythat?”
“Ithinkso,butexplaintomefurther.”
“Well,ifIreadsomethingthatiswrittendowninEnglishIcanunderstandwhatitmeans—Iamnottalkingofabstrusestuff,formulaeorphilosophy—justplainbusinesslikeEnglish—mostpeoplecan’t!IfIwanttowritedownsomethingIcanwritedownwhatImean—I’vediscoveredthatquitealotofpeoplecan’tdothateither!And,asIsay,Icandoplainarithmetic.IfJoneshaseightbananasandBrowntakestenawayfromhim,howmanywillJoneshaveleft?That’sthekindofsumpeopleliketopretendhasasimpleanswer.Theywon’tadmit,firstthatBrowncan’tdoit—andsecondthattherewon’tbeananswerinplusbananas!”
“Theyprefertheanswertobeaconjuringtrick?”
“Exactly.Politiciansarejustasbad.ButI’vealwaysheldoutforplaincommonsense.Youcan’tbeatit,youknow,intheend.”
Headdedwithaslightlyself-consciouslaugh:
“ButImustn’ttalkshop.Badhabit.Besides,IliketoleavebusinessmattersbehindwhenIgetawayfromLondon.I’vebeenlookingforward,M.Poirot,tohearingafewofyouradventures.Ireadalotofthrillersanddetectivestories,youknow.Doyouthinkanyofthemaretruetolife?”
TheconversationdweltfortherestofthejourneyonthemorespectacularcasesofHerculePoirot.AlistairBluntdisplayedhimselfasvividasanyschoolboyfordetails.
ThispleasantatmospheresustainedachillonarrivalatExsham,wherebehindhermassivebustMrs.Oliveraradiatedafreezingdisapproval.SheignoredPoirotasfaraspossible,addressingherselfexclusivelytoherhostandtoMr.Selby.
ThelattershowedPoirottohisroom.
Thehousewasacharmingone,notverybig,andfurnishedwiththesamequietgoodtastethatPoirothadnoticedinLondon.Everythingwascostlybutsimple.Thevastwealththatowneditwasonlyindicatedbythesmoothnesswithwhichthisapparentsimplicitywasproduced.Theservicewasadmirable—thecookingEnglish,notContinental—thewinesatdinnerstirredPoirottoapassionofappreciation.Theyhadaperfectclearsoup,agrilledsole,saddleoflambwithtinyyounggardenpeasandstrawberriesandcream.
PoirotwassoenjoyingthesecreaturecomfortsthatthecontinuedfrigiddemeanourofMrs.Oliveraandthebrusquerudenessofherdaughterhardlyattractedhisattention.Jane,forsomereason,wasregardinghimwithdefinitehostility.Hazily,towardstheendofthedinner,Poirotwonderedwhy!
Lookingdownthetablewithmildcuriosity,Bluntasked:
“Helennotdiningwithustonight?”
JuliaOlivera’slipsdrewthemselvesinwithatautline.Shesaid:
“DearHelenhasbeenovertiringherself,Ithink,inthegarden.Isuggesteditwouldbefarbetterforhertogotobedandrestthantobothertodressherselfupandcomehere.Shequitesawmypoint.”
“Oh,Isee.”Bluntlookedvagueandalittlepuzzled.“Ithoughtitmadeabitofachangeforheratweekends.”
“Helenissuchasimplesoul.Shelikesturninginearly,”saidMrs.Oliverafirmly.
WhenPoirotjoinedtheladiesinthedrawingroom,Blunthavingremainedbehindforafewminutes’conversationwithhissecretary,heheardJaneOliverasaytohermother:
“UncleAlistairdidn’tlikethecoolwayyou’dshelvedHelenMontressor,Mother.”
“Nonsense,”saidMrs.Oliverarobustly.“Alistairistoogood-natured.Poorrelationsareallverywell—verykindofhimtoletherhavethecottagerentfree,buttothinkhehastohaveheruptothehouseeveryweekendfordinnerisabsurd!She’sonlyasecondcousinorsomething.Idon’tthinkAlistairoughttobeimposedupon!”
“Ithinkshe’sproudinherway,”saidJane.“Shedoesanawfullotinthegarden.”
“Thatshowsaproperspirit,”saidMrs.Oliveracomfortably.“TheScotchareveryindependentandonerespectsthemforit.”
Shesettledherselfcomfortablyonthesofaand,stillnottakinganynoticeofPoirot,added:
“JustbringmetheLowDownReview,dear.There’ssomethingaboutLoisVanSchuylerinitandthatMoroccanguideofhers.”
AlistairBluntappearedinthedoorway.Hesaid:
“NowM.Poirot,comeintomyroom.”
AlistairBlunt’sownsanctumwasalow,longroomatthebackofthehouse,withwindowsopeninguponthegarden.Itwascomfortable,withdeeparmchairsandsetteesandjustenoughpleasantuntidinesstomakeitlivable.
(Needlesstosay,HerculePoirotwouldhavepreferredagreatersymmetry!)
Afterofferinghisguestacigaretteandlightinghisownpipe,AlistairBluntcametothepointquitesimplyanddirectly.
Hesaid:
“There’sagooddealthatI’mnotsatisfiedabout.I’mreferring,ofcourse,tothisSainsburySealewoman.Forreasonsoftheirown—reasonsnodoubtwhichareperfectlyjustified—theauthoritieshavecalledoffthehunt.Idon’tknowexactlywhoAlbertChapmanisorwhathe’sdoing—butwhateveritis,it’ssomethingprettyvitalandit’sthesortofbusinessthatmightlandhiminatightspot.Idon’tknowtheinsandoutsofit,buttheP.M.didjustmentionthattheycan’taffordanypublicitywhateveraboutthiscaseandthatthesooneritfadesoutofthepublic’smemorythebetter.
“That’squiteO.K.That’stheofficialview,andtheyknowwhat’snecessary.Sothepolicehavegottheirhandstied.”
Heleanedforwardinhischair.
“ButIwanttoknowthetruth,M.PoirotAndyou’rethemantofinditoutforme.Youaren’thamperedbyofficialdom.”
“Whatdoyouwantmetodo,M.Blunt?”
“Iwantyoutofindthiswoman—SainsburySeale.”
“Aliveordead?”
AlistairBlunt’seyebrowsrose.
“Youthinkit’spossiblethatsheisdead?”
HerculePoirotwassilentforaminuteortwo,thenhesaid,speakingslowlyandwithweight:
“Ifyouwantmyopinion—butitisonlyanopinion,remember—then,yes,Ithinksheisdead….”
“Whydoyouthinkso?”
HerculePoirotsmiledslightly.
Hesaid:
“ItwouldnotmakesensetoyouifIsaiditwasbecauseofapairofunwornstockingsinadrawer.”
AlistairBluntstaredathimcuriously.
“You’reanoddman,M.Poirot.”
“Iamveryodd.Thatistosay,Iammethodical,orderlyandlogical—andIdonotlikedistortingfactstosupportatheory—that,Ifind—isunusual!”
AlistairBluntsaid:
“I’vebeenturningthewholethingoverinmymind—ittakesmealittletimealwaystothinkathingout.Andthewholebusinessisdeucedodd!Imean—thatdentistchapshootinghimself,andthenthisChapmanwomanpackedawayinherownfurchestwithherfacesmashedin.It’snasty!It’sdamnednasty!Ican’thelpfeelingthatthere’ssomethingbehinditall.”
Poirotnodded.
Bluntsaid:
“Andyouknow—themoreIthinkofit—I’mquitesurethatwomanneverknewmywife.Itwasjustapretexttospeaktome.Butwhy?Whatgooddiditdoher?Imean—barasmallsubscription—andeventhatwasmadeouttothesociety,nottoherpersonally.AndyetIdofeel—that—thatitwasengineered—justmeetingmeonthestepsofthehouse.Itwasallsopat.Sosuspiciouslywell-timed!Butwhy?That’swhatIkeepaskingmyself—why?”
“Itisindeedtheword—why?Itooaskmyself—andIcannotseeit—no,Icannotseeit.”
“You’venoideasatallonthesubject?”
Poirotwavedanexasperatedhand.
“Myideasarechildishintheextreme.Itellmyself,itwasperhapsarusetoindicateyoutosomeone—topointyouout.Butthatagainisabsurd—youarequiteawell-knownman—andanywayhowmuchmoresimpletosay‘See,thatishe—themanwhoenterednowbythatdoor.’”
“Andanyway,”saidBlunt,“whyshouldanyonewanttopointmeout?”
“Mr.Blunt,thinkbackoncemoreonyourtimethatmorninginthedentist’schair.DidnothingthatMorleysaidstrikeanunusualnote?Istherenothingatallthatyoucanrememberwhichmighthelpasaclue?”
AlistairBluntfrownedinaneffortofmemory.Thenheshookhishead.
“I’msorry.Ican’tthinkofanything.”
“You’requitesurehedidn’tmentionthiswoman—thisMissSainsburySeale?”
“No.”
“Ortheotherwoman—Mrs.Chapman?”
“No—no—wedidn’tspeakofpeopleatall.Wementionedroses,gardensneedingrain,holidays—nothingelse.”
“Andnoonecameintotheroomwhileyouwerethere?”
“Letmesee—no,Idon’tthinkso.OnotheroccasionsIseemtorememberayoungwomanbeingthere—fair-hairedgirl.Butshewasn’ttherethistime.Oh,anotherdentistfellowcamein,Iremember—thefellowwithanIrishaccent.”
“Whatdidhesayordo?”
“JustaskedMorleysomequestionandwentoutagain.Morleywasabitshortwithhim,Ifancy.Hewasonlythereaminuteorso.”
“Andthereisnothingelseyoucanremember?Nothingatall?”
“No.Hewasabsolutelynormal.”
HerculePoirotsaidthoughtfully:
“I,too,foundhimabsolutelynormal.”
Therewasalongpause.ThenPoirotsaid:
“Doyouhappentoremember,Monsieur,ayoungmanwhowasinthewaitingroomdownstairswithyouthatmorning?”
AlistairBluntfrowned.
“Letmesee—yes,therewasayoungman—ratherrestlesshewas.Idon’trememberhimparticularly,though.Why?”
“Wouldyouknowhimagainifyousawhim?”
Bluntshookhishead.
“Ihardlyglancedathim.”
“Hedidn’ttrytoenterintoconversationwithyouatall?”
“No.”
Bluntlookedwithfrankcuriosityattheother.
“What’sthepoint?Whoisthisyoungman?”
“HisnameisHowardRaikes.”
Poirotwatchedkeenlyforanyreaction,buthesawnone.
“OughtItoknowhisname?HaveImethimelsewhere?”
“Idonotthinkyouhavemethim.Heisafriendofyourniece,MissOlivera’s.”
“Oh,oneofJane’sfriends.”
“Hermother,Igather,doesnotapproveofthefriendship.”
AlistairBluntsaidabsently:
“Idon’tsupposethatwillcutanyicewithJane.”
“SoseriouslydoeshermotherregardthefriendshipthatIgathershebroughtherdaughteroverfromtheStatesonpurposetogetherawayfromthisyoungman.”
“Oh!”Blunt’sfaceregisteredcomprehension.“It’sthatfellow,isit?”
“Aha,youbecomemoreinterestednow.”
“He’samostundesirableyoungfellowineveryway,Ibelieve.Mixedupinalotofsubversiveactivities.”
“IunderstandfromMissOliverathathemadeanappointmentthatmorninginQueenCharlotteStreet,solelyinordertogetalookatyou.”
“Totryandgetmetoapproveofhim?”
“Well—no—Iunderstandtheideawasthatheshouldbeinducedtoapproveofyou.”
“Well,ofallthedamnedcheek!”
Poirotconcealedasmile.
“Itappearsyouareeverythingthathemostdisapprovesof.”
“He’scertainlythekindofyoungmanIdisapproveof!Spendshistimetub-thumpingandtalkinghotair,insteadofdoingadecentjobofwork!”
Poirotwassilentforaminute,thenhesaid:
“WillyouforgivemeifIaskyouanimpertinentandverypersonalquestion?”
“Fireahead.”
“Intheeventofyourdeath,whatareyourtestamentarydispositions?”
Bluntstared.Hesaidsharply:
“Whydoyouwanttoknowthat?”
“Because,itisjustpossible,”heshruggedhisshoulders—“thatitmightberelevanttothiscase.”
“Nonsense!”
“Perhaps.Butperhapsnot.”
AlistairBluntsaidcoldly:
“Ithinkyouarebeingundulymelodramatic,M.Poirot.Nobodyhasbeentryingtomurderme—oranythinglikethat!”
“Abombonyourbreakfasttable—ashotinthestreet—”
“Ohthose!Anymanwhodealsintheworld’sfinanceinabigwayisliabletothatkindofattentionfromsomecrazyfanatic!”
“Itmightpossiblybeacaseofsomeonewhoisnotafanaticandnotcrazy.”
Bluntstared.
“Whatareyoudrivingat?”
“Inplainlanguage,Iwanttoknowwhobenefitsbyyourdeath.”
Bluntgrinned.
“ChieflytheSt.Edward’sHospital,theCancerHospital,andtheRoyalInstitutefortheBlind.”
“Ah!”
“Inaddition,Ihaveleftasumofmoneytomyniecebymarriage,Mrs.JuliaOlivera;anequivalentsum,butintrust,toherdaughter,JaneOlivera,andalsoasubstantialprovisionformyonlysurvivingrelative,asecondcousin,HelenMontressor,whowasleftverybadlyoffandwhooccupiesasmallcottageontheestatehere.”
Hepausedandthensaid:
“This,M.Poirot,isstrictlyinconfidence.”
“Naturally,Monsieur,naturally.”
AlistairBluntaddedsarcastically:
“Isupposeyoudonotsuggest,M.Poirot,thateitherJuliaorJaneOliveraormycousinHelenMontressor,areplanningtomurdermeformymoney?”
“Isuggestnothing—nothingatall.”
Blunt’sslightirritationsubsided.Hesaid:
“Andyou’lltakeonthatothercommissionforme?”
“ThefindingofMissSainsburySeale?Yes,Iwill.”
AlistairBluntsaidheartily:
“Goodman.”
VII
InleavingtheroomPoirotalmostcannonedintoatallfigureoutsidethedoor
Hesaid:“Ibegyourpardon,Mademoiselle.”
JaneOliveradrewapartalittle.
Shesaid.“DoyouknowwhatIthinkofyou,M.Poirot?”
“Ehbien—Mademoiselle—”
Shedidnotgivetimetofinish.Thequestion,indeed,hadbutarhetoricalvalue.AllthatitmeantwasthatJaneOliverawasabouttoansweritherself.
“You’reaspy,that’swhatyouare!Amiserable,low,snoopingspy,nosingroundandmakingtrouble!”
“Iassureyou,Mademoiselle—”
“Iknowjustwhatyou’reafter!AndIknownowjustwhatliesyoutell!Whydon’tyouadmititstraightout?Well,I’lltellyouthis—youwon’tfindoutanything—anythingatall!There’snothingtofindout!Noone’sgoingtoharmahaironmypreciousuncle’shead.He’ssafeenough.He’llalwaysbesafe.Safeandsmugandprosperous—andfullofplatitudes!He’sjustastodgyJohnBull,that’swhatheis—withoutanounceofimaginationorvision.”
Shepaused,then,heragreeable,huskyvoicedeepening,shesaidvenomously:“Iloathethesightofyou—youbloodylittlebourgeoisdetective!”
Shesweptawayfromhiminawhirlofexpensivemodeldrapery.
HerculePoirotremained,hiseyesverywideopen,hiseyebrowsraisedandhishandthoughtfullycaressinghismoustaches.
Theepithetbourgeoiswas,headmitted,well-appliedtohim.Hisoutlookonlifewasessentiallybourgeois,andalwayshadbeen,buttheemploymentofitasanepithetofcontemptbytheexquisitelyturnedoutJaneOliveragavehim,asheexpressedittohimself,furiouslytothink.
Hewent,stillthinking,intothedrawingroom.
Mrs.Oliverawasplayingpatience.
ShelookedupasPoirotentered,surveyedhimwiththecoldlookshemighthavebestoweduponablackbeetleandmurmureddistantly:
“Redknaveonblackqueen.”
Chilled,Poirotretreated.Hereflectedmournfully:
“Alas,itwouldseemthatnobodylovesme!”
Hestrolledoutofthewindowintothegarden.Itwasanenchantingeveningwithasmellofnight-scentedstocksintheair.Poirotsniffedhappilyandstrolledalongapaththatranbetweentwoherbaceousborders.
Heturnedacornerandtwodimly-seenfiguressprangapart.
Itwouldseemthathehadinterruptedapairoflovers.
Poirothastilyturnedandretracedhissteps.
Evenouthere,itwouldseem,hispresencewasdetrop.
HepassedAlistairBlunt’swindowandAlistairBluntwasdictatingtoMr.Selby.
ThereseemeddefinitelyonlyoneplaceforHerculePoirot.
Hewentuptohisbedroom.
Heponderedforsometimeonvariousfantasticaspectsofthesituation.
HadheorhadhenotmadeamistakeinbelievingthevoiceonthetelephonetobethatofMrs.Olivera?Surelytheideawasabsurd!
HerecalledthemelodramaticrevelationsofquietlittleMr.Barnes.HespeculatedonthemysteriouswhereaboutsofMr.Q.X.912,aliasAlbertChapman.Heremembered,withaspasmofannoyance,theanxiouslookintheeyesofthemaidservant,Agnes—
Itwasalwaysthesameway—peoplewouldkeepthingsback!Usuallyquiteunimportantthings,butuntiltheywereclearedoutoftheway,impossibletopursueastraightpath.
Atthemomentthepathwasanythingbutstraight!
AndthemostunaccountableobstacleinthewayofclearthinkingandorderlyprogresswaswhathedescribedtohimselfasthecontradictoryandimpossibleproblemofMissSainsburySeale.For,ifthefactsthatHerculePoirothadobservedweretruefacts—thennothingwhatevermadesense!
HerculePoirotsaidtohimself,withastonishmentinthethought:
“IsitpossiblethatIamgrowingold?”
ELEVEN,TWELVE,MENMUSTDELVE
I
Afterpassingatroublednight,HerculePoirotwasupandaboutearlyonthenextday.Theweatherwasperfectandheretracedhisstepsoflastnight.
TheherbaceousborderswereinfullbeautyandthoughPoirothimselfleanedtoamoreorderlytypeofflowerarrangement—aneatarrangementofbedsofscarletgeraniumssuchasareseenatOstend—heneverthelessrealizedthatherewastheperfectionoftheEnglishgardenspirit.
Hepursuedhiswaythrougharosegarden,wheretheneatlayoutofthebedsdelightedhim—andthroughthewindingwaysofanalpinerockgarden,comingatlasttothewalledkitchengardens.
Hereheobservedasturdywomancladinatweedcoatandskirt,blackbrowed,withshortcroppedblackhairwhowastalkinginaslow,emphaticScotsvoicetowhatwasevidentlytheheadgardener.Theheadgardener,Poirotobserved,didnotappeartobeenjoyingtheconversation.
AsarcasticinflectionmadeitselfheardinMissHelenMontressor’svoice,andPoirotescapednimblydownasidepath.
Agardenerwhohadbeen,Poirotshrewdlysuspected,restingonhisspade,begandiggingwithfervour.Poirotapproachednearer.Theman,ayoungfellow,dugwithardour,hisbacktoPoirotwhopausedtoobservehim.
“Goodmorning,”saidPoirotamiably.
Amuttered“Morning,sir,”wastheresponse,butthemandidnotstopworking.
Poirotwasalittlesurprised.Inhisexperienceagardener,thoughanxioustoappearzealouslyatworkasyouapproached,wasusuallyonlytoowillingtopauseandpassthetimeofdaywhendirectlyaddressed.
Itseemed,hethought,alittleunnatural.Hestoodthereforsomeminutes,watchingthetoilingfigure.Wasthere,orwastherenot,somethingalittlefamiliarabouttheturnofthoseshoulders?Orcoulditbe,thoughtHerculePoirot,thathewasgettingintoahabitofthinkingthatbothvoicesandshoulderswerefamiliarwhentheywerereallynothingofthekind?Washe,ashehadfearedlastnight,growingold?
Hepassedthoughtfullyonwardoutofthewalledgardenandpausedtoregardarisingslopeofshrubberyoutside.
Presently,likesomefantasticmoon,aroundobjectrosegentlyoverthetopofthekitchengardenwall.Itwastheegg-shapedheadofHerculePoirot,andtheeyesofHerculePoirotregardedwithagooddealofinterestthefaceoftheyounggardenerwhohadnowstoppeddiggingandwaspassingasleeveacrosshiswetface.
“Verycuriousandveryinteresting,”murmuredHerculePoirotashediscreetlyloweredhisheadoncemore.
Heemergedfromtheshrubberyandbrushedoffsometwigsandleavesthatwerespoilingtheneatnessofhisapparel.
Yes,indeed,verycuriousandinterestingthatFrankCarter,whohadasecretarialjobinthecountry,shouldbeworkingasagardenerintheemploymentofAlistairBlunt.
Reflectingonthesepoints,HerculePoirotheardagonginthedistanceandretracedhisstepstowardsthehouse.
OnthewaythereheencounteredhishosttalkingtoMissMontressorwhohadjustemergedfromthekitchengardenbythefartherdoor.
Hervoiceroseclearanddistinct:
“It’sverrakindofyou,Alistairr,butIwouldpreferrnottoacceptanyinvitationsthisweekwhileyourAmerricanrelationsarewithyou!”
Bluntsaid:
“Julia’sratheratactlesswoman,butshedoesn’tmean—”
MissMontressorsaidcalmly:
“Inmyopinionhermannertomeisverrainsolent,andIwillnotputupwithinsolence—fromAmericanwomenoranyothers!”
MissMontressormovedaway,PoirotcameuptofindAlistairBluntlookingassheepishasmostmenlookwhoarehavingtroublewiththeirfemalerelations.Hesaidruefully:
“Womenreallyarethedevil!Goodmorning,M.Poirot.Lovelyday,isn’tit?”
TheyturnedtowardsthehouseandBluntsaidwithasigh:“Idomissmywife!”
Inthediningroom,heremarkedtotheredoubtableJulia:
“I’mafraid,Julia,you’veratherhurtHelen’sfeelings.”
Mrs.Oliverasaidgrimly:
“TheScotcharealwaystouchy.”
AlistairBluntlookedunhappy.
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Youhaveayounggardener,Inoticed,whomIthinkyoumusthavetakenonrecently.”
“Idaresay,”saidBlunt.“Yes,Burton,mythirdgardener,leftaboutthreeweeksago,andwetookthisfellowoninstead.”
“Doyourememberwherehecamefrom?”
“Ireallydon’t.MacAlisterengagedhim.Somebodyorotheraskedmetogivehimatrial,Ithink.Recommendedhimwarmly.I’mrathersurprised,becauseMacAlistersaysheisn’tmuchgood.Hewantstosackhimagain.”
“Whatishisname?”
“Dunning—Sunbury—somethinglikethat.”
“Woulditbeagreatimpertinencetoaskwhatyoupayhim?”
“Notatall.Twopoundsfifteen,Ithinkitis.”
“Notmore?”
“Certainlynotmore—mightbeabitless.”
“Nowthat,”saidPoirot,“isverycurious.”
AlistairBluntlookedathiminquiringly.
ButJaneOlivera,rustlingthepaper,distractedtheconversation.
“Alotofpeopleseemtobeoutforyourblood,UncleAlistair!”
“Oh,you’rereadingthedebateintheHouse.That’sallright.OnlyArcherton—he’salwaystiltingatwindmills.Andhe’sgotthemostcrazyideasoffinance.Ifwelethimhavehisway,Englandwouldbebankruptinaweek.”
Janesaid:
“Don’tyoueverwanttotryanythingnew?”
“Notunlessit’sanimprovementtotheold,mydear.”
“Butyou’dneverthinkitwouldbe.You’dalwayssay,‘Thiswouldneverwork’—withouteventrying.”
“Experimentalistscandoalotofharm.”
“Yes,buthowcanyoubesatisfiedwiththingsastheyare?Allthewasteandtheinequalityandtheunfairness.Somethingmustbedoneaboutit!”
“Wegetalongprettywellinthiscountry,Jane,allthingsconsidered.”
Janesaidpassionately:
“What’sneededisanewheavenandanewearth!Andyousitthereeatingkidneys!”
Shegotupandwentoutbythefrenchwindowintothegarden.
Alistairlookedmildlysurprisedandalittleuncomfortable.
Hesaid:“Janehaschangedalotlately.Wheredoesshegetalltheseideas?”
“TakenonoticeofwhatJanesays,”saidMrs.Olivera.“Jane’saverysillygirl.Youknowwhatgirlsare—theygotothesequeerpartiesinstudioswheretheyoungmenhavefunnytiesandtheycomehomeandtalkalotofnonsense.”
“Yes,butJanewasalwaysratherahard-boiledyoungwoman.”
“It’sjustafashion,Alistair,thesethingsareintheair!”
AlistairBluntsaid:
“Yes,they’reintheairallright.”
Helookedalittleworried.
Mrs.OliveraroseandPoirotopenedthedoorforher.Shesweptoutfrowningtoherself.
AlistairBluntsaidsuddenly:
“Idon’tlikeit,youknow!Everybody’stalkingthissortofstuff!Anditdoesn’tmeananything!It’sallhotair!Ifindmyselfupagainstitthewholetime—anewheavenandanewearth.Whatdoesitmean?Theycan’ttellyouthemselves!They’rejustdrunkonwords.”
Hesmiledsuddenly,ratherruefully.
“I’moneofthelastoftheOldGuard,youknow.”
Poirotsaidcuriously:
“Ifyouwere—removed,whatwouldhappen?”
“Removed!Whatawayofputtingit!”Hisfacegrewsuddenlygrave.“I’lltellyou.Alotofdamnedfoolswouldtryalotofverycostlyexperiments.Andthatwouldbetheendofstability—ofcommonsense,ofsolvency.Infact,ofthisEnglandofoursasweknowit…”
Poirotnoddedhishead.Hewasessentiallyinsympathywiththebanker.He,too,approvedofsolvency.AndhebegantorealizewithanewmeaningjustexactlywhatAlistairBluntstoodfor.Mr.Barneshadtoldhim,buthehadhardlytakenitinthen.Quitesuddenly,hewasafraid….
II
“I’vefinishedmyletters,”saidBlunt,appearinglaterinthemorning.“Now,M.Poirot,I’mgoingtoshowyoumygarden.”
ThetwomenwentouttogetherandBlunttalkedeagerlyofhishobby.
Therockgarden,withitsrarealpineplants,washisgreatestjoyandtheyspentsometimetherewhileBluntpointedoutcertainminuteandrarespecies.
HerculePoirot,hisfeetencasedinhisbestpatentleathershoes,listenedpatiently,shiftinghisweighttenderlyfromonefoottotheotherandwincingslightlyastheheatofthesuncausedtheillusionthathisfeetweregiganticpuddings!
Hishoststrolledon,pointingoutvariousplantsinthewideborder.Beeswerehummingandfromnearathandcamethemonotonousclickingofapairofshearstrimmingalaurelhedge.
Itwasallverydrowsyandpeaceful.
Bluntpausedattheendoftheborder,lookingback.Theclipoftheshearswasquitecloseby,thoughtheclipperwasconcealedfromview.
“Lookatthevistadownfromhere,Poirot.TheSweetWilliamsareparticularlyfinethisyear.Idon’tknowwhenI’veseenthemsogood—andthoseareRusselllupins.Marvellouscolours.”
Crack!Theshotbrokethepeaceofthemorning.Somethingsangangrilythroughtheair.AlistairBluntturnedbewilderedtowhereafaintthreadofsmokewasrisingfromthemiddleofthelaurels
Therewasasuddenoutcryofangryvoices,thelaurelsheavedastwomenstruggledtogether.Ahigh-pitchedAmericanvoicesangoutresolutely:
“I’vegotyou,youdamnedscoundrel!Dropthatgun!”
Twomenstruggledoutintotheopen.Theyounggardenerwhohaddugsoindustriouslythatmorningwaswrithinginthepowerfulgripofamannearlyaheadtaller.
Poirotrecognizedthelatteratonce.Hehadalreadyguessedfromthevoice.
FrankCartersnarled:
“Letgoofme!Itwasn’tme,Itellyou!Ineverdid.”
HowardRaikessaid:
“Oh,no?Justshootingatthebirds,Isuppose!”
Hestopped—lookingatthenewcomers.
“Mr.AlistairBlunt?Thisguyherehasjusttakenapotshotatyou.Icaughthimrightintheact.”
FrankCartercriedout:
“It’salie!Iwasclippingthehedge.Iheardashotandthegunfellrighthereatmyfeet.Ipickeditup—that’sonlynatural,thatis,andthenthisblokejumpedonme.”
HowardRaikessaidgrimly:
“Thegunwasinyourhandandithadjustbeenfired!”
Withafinalgesture,hetossedthepistoltoPoirot.
“Let’sseewhatthedick’sgottosayaboutit!LuckyIgotholdofyouintime.Iguessthereareseveralmoreshotsinthatautomaticofyours.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Precisely.”
Bluntwasfrowningangrily.Hesaidsharply:
“NowthenDunnon—Dunbury—what’syourname?”
HerculePoirotinterrupted.Hesaid:
“Thisman’snameisFrankCarter.”
Carterturnedonhimfuriously.
“You’vehaditinformeallalong!YoucamespyingonmethatSunday.Itellyou,it’snottrue.Inevershotathim.”
HerculePoirotsaidgently:
“Then,inthatcase,whodid?”
Headded:
“Thereisnooneelseherebutourselves,yousee.”
III
JaneOliveracamerunningalongthepath.Herhairstreamlinedbackbehindher.Hereyeswerewidewithfear.Shegasped:“Howard?”
HowardRaikessaidlightly:
“Hallo,Jane.I’vejustbeensavingyouruncle’slife.”
“Oh!”Shestopped.“Youhave?”
“Yourarrivalcertainlyseemstohavebeenveryopportune,Mr.—er—”Blunthesitated.
“ThisisHowardRaikes,UncleAlistair.He’safriendofmine.”
BluntlookedatRaikes—hesmiled.
“Oh!”hesaid.“SoyouareJane’syoungman!Imustthankyou.”
WithapuffingnoiseasofasteamengineathighpressureJuliaOliveraappearedonthescene.Shepantedout:
“Iheardashot.IsAlistair—Why—”ShestaredblanklyatHowardRaikes.“You?Why,why,howdareyou?”
Janesaidinanicyvoice:
“HowardhasjustsavedUncleAlistair’slife,mother.”
“What?I—I—”
“ThismantriedtoshootUncleAlistairandHowardgrabbedhimandtookthepistolawayfromhim.”
FrankCartersaidviolently:
“You’rebloodyliars,allofyou.”
Mrs.Olivera,herjawdropping,saidblankly:
“Oh!”Ittookheraminuteortwotoreadjustherpoise.SheturnedfirsttoBlunt.
“MydearAlistair!Howawful!ThankGodyou’resafe.Butitmusthavebeenafrightfulshock.I—Ifeelquitefaintmyself.Iwonder—doyouthinkIcouldhavejustalittlebrandy?”
Bluntsaidquickly:
“Ofcourse.Comebacktothehouse.”
Shetookhisarm,leaningonitheavily
BluntlookedoverhisshoulderatPoirotandHowardRaikes.
“Canyoubringthatfellowalong?”heasked.“We’llringupthepoliceandhandhimover.”
FrankCarteropenedhismouth,butnowordscame.Hewasdeadwhite,andhiskneeswerewilting.HowardRaikeshauledhimalongwithanunsympathetichand.
“Comeon,you,”hesaid.
FrankCartermurmuredhoarselyandunconvincingly:
“It’sallalie….”
HowardRaikeslookedatPoirot.
“You’vegotpreciouslittletosayforyourselfforahigh-tonedsleuth!Whydon’tyouthrowyourweightaboutabit?”
“Iamreflecting,Mr.Raikes.”
“Iguessyou’llneedtoreflect!Ishouldsayyou’llloseyourjoboverthis!Itisn’tthankstoyouthatAlistairBluntisstillaliveatthisminute.”
“Thisisyoursecondgooddeedofthekind,isitnot,Mr.Raikes?”
“Whatthehelldoyoumean?”
“Itwasonlyyesterday,wasitnot,thatyoucaughtandheldthemanwhomyoubelievedtohaveshotatMr.BluntandthePrimeMinister?”
HowardRaikessaid:
“Er—yes.Iseemtobemakingakindofhabitofit.”
“Butthereisadifference,”HerculePoirotpointedout.“Yesterday,themanyoucaughtandheldwasnotthemanwhofiredtheshotinquestion.Youmadeamistake.”
FrankCartersaidsullenly:
“He’smadeamistakenow.”
“Quiet,you,”saidRaikes.
HerculePoirotmurmuredtohimself:
“Iwonder….”
IV
Dressingfordinner,adjustinghistietoanexactsymmetry,HerculePoirotfrownedathisreflectioninthemirror.
Hewasdissatisfied—buthewouldhavebeenatalosstoexplainwhy.Forthecase,asheownedtohimself,wassoveryclear.FrankCarterhadindeedbeencaughtred-handed.
Itwasnotasthoughhehadanyparticularbeliefin,orlikingfor,FrankCarter.Carter,hethoughtdispassionately,wasdefinitelywhattheEnglishcalla“wrong’un.”Hewasanunpleasantyoungbullyofthekindthatappealstowomen,sothattheyarereluctanttobelievetheworst,howeverplaintheevidence.
AndCarter’swholestorywasweakintheextreme.Thistaleofhavingbeenapproachedbyagentsofthe“SecretService”—andofferedaplummyjob.Totakethepostofgardenerandreportontheconversationsandactionsoftheothergardeners.Itwasastorythatwasdisprovedeasilyenough—therewasnofoundationforit.
Aparticularlyweakinvention—thekindofthing,Poirotreflected,thatamanlikeCarterwouldinvent.
AndonCarter’sside,therewasnothingatalltobesaid.Hecouldoffernoexplanation,exceptthatsomebodyelsemusthaveshotofftherevolver.Hekeptrepeatingthat.Itwasaframe-up.
No,therewasnothingtobesaidforCarterexcept,perhaps,thatitseemedanoddcoincidencethatHowardRaikesshouldhavebeenpresenttwodaysrunningatthemomentwhenabullethadjustmissedAlistairBlunt.
Butpresumablytherewasn’tanythinginthat.Raikescertainlyhadn’tfiredtheshotinDowningStreet.Andhispresencedownherewasfullyaccountedfor—hehadcomedowntobenearhisgirl.No,therewasnothingdefinitelyimprobableinhisstory.
Ithadturnedout,ofcourse,veryfortunatelyforHowardRaikes.Whenamanhasjustsavedyoufromabullet,youcannotforbidhimthehouse.Theleastyoucandoistoshowfriendlinessandextendhospitality.Mrs.Oliveradidn’tlikeit,obviously,butevenshesawthattherewasnothingtobedoneaboutit.
Jane’sundesirableyoungmanhadgothisfootinandhemeanttokeepitthere!
Poirotwatchedhimspeculativelyduringtheevening.
Hewasplayinghispartwithagooddealofastuteness.Hedidnotairanysubversiveviews,hekeptoffpolitics.Hetoldamusingstoriesofhishitchhikesandtrampsinwildplaces.
“Heisnolongerthewolf,”thoughtPoirot.“No,hehasputonthesheep’sclothing.Butunderneath?Iwonder….”
AsPoirotwaspreparingforbedthatnight,therewasaraponthedoor.Poirotcalled,“Comein,”andHowardRaikesentered.
HelaughedatPoirot’sexpression.
“Surprisedtoseeme?I’vehadmyeyeonyouallevening.Ididn’tlikethewayyouwerelooking.Kindofthoughtful.”
“Whyshouldthatworryyou,myfriend?”
“Idon’tknowwhy,butitdid.Ithoughtmaybethatyouwerefindingcertainthingsjustabithardtoswallow.”
“Ehbien?Andifso?”
“Well,IdecidedthatI’dbestcomeclean.Aboutyesterday,Imean.Thatwasafakeshowallright!Yousee,Iwaswatchinghislordshipcomeoutof10,DowningStreetandIsawRamLalfireathim.IknowRamLal.He’sanicekid.AbitexcitablebuthefeelsthewrongsofIndiaverykeenly.Well,therewasnoharmdone,thatpreciouspairofstuffedshirtsweren’tharmed—thebullethadmissed’embothbymiles—soIdecidedtoputupashowandhopetheIndiankidwouldgetclear.IgrabbedholdofashabbylittleguyjustbymeandcalledoutthatI’dgotthevillainandhopedRamLalwasbeatingitallright.Butthedicksweretoosmart.Theywereontohiminaflash.That’sjusthowitwas.See?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Andtoday?”
“That’sdifferent.Thereweren’tanyRamLalsabouttoday.Carterwastheonlymanonthespot.Hefiredthatpistolallright!ItwasstillinhishandwhenIjumpedonhim.Hewasgoingtotryasecondshot,Iexpect.”
Poirotsaid:
“YouwereveryanxioustopreservethesafetyofM.Blunt?”
Raikesgrinned—anengaginggrin.
“Abitodd,youthink,afterallI’vesaid?Oh,Iadmitit.IthinkBluntisaguywhooughttobeshot—forthesakeofProgressandHumanity—Idon’tmeanpersonally—he’saniceenougholdboyinhisBritishway.Ithinkthat,andyetwhenIsawsomeonetakingapotshotathimIleapinandinterfere.Thatshowsyouhowillogicalthehumananimalis.It’scrazy,isn’tit?”
“Thegapbetweentheoryandpracticeisawideone.”
“I’llsayitis!”Mr.Raikesgotupfromthebedwherehehadbeensitting.
Hissmilewaseasyandconfiding.
“Ijustthought,”hesaid,“thatI’dcomealongandexplainthethingtoyou.”
Hewentoutshuttingthedoorcarefullybehindhim.
V
“Deliverme,OLord,fromtheevilman:andpreservemefromthewickedman,”sangMrs.Oliverainafirmvoice,slightlyoffthenote.
TherewasarelentlessnessaboutherenunciationofthesentimentwhichmadeHerculePoirotdeducethatMr.HowardRaikeswasthewickedmanimmediatelyinhermind.
HerculePoirothadaccompaniedhishostandthefamilytothemorningserviceinthevillagechurch.
HowardRaikeshadsaidwithafaintsneer:“Soyoualwaysgotochurch,Mr.Blunt?”
AndAlistairhadmurmuredvaguelysomethingaboutitbeingexpectedofyouinthecountry—can’tlettheparsondown,youknow—whichtypicallyEnglishsentimenthadmerelybewilderedtheyoungman,andhadmadeHerculePoirotsmilecomprehendingly.
Mrs.OliverahadtactfullyaccompaniedherhostandcommandedJanetodolikewise.
“Theyhavesharpenedtheirtongueslikeaserpent,”sangthechoirboysinshrilltreble,“adder’spoisonisundertheirlips.”
Thetenorsandbassesdemandedwithgusto:
“Keepme,OLord,fromthehandsoftheungodly.Preservemefromthewickedmenwhoarepurposedtooverthrowmygoings.”
HerculePoirotessayedinahesitantbaritone.
“Theproudhavelaidasnareforme,”hesang,“andspreadanetwithcords:yea,andsettrapsinmyway….”
Hismouthremainedopen.
Hesawit—sawclearlythetrapintowhichhehadsonearlyfallen!
LikeamaninatranceHerculePoirotremained,mouthopen,staringintospace.Heremainedthereasthecongregationseatedthemselveswitharustle;untilJaneOliveratuggedathisarmandmurmuredasharp,“Sitdown.”
HerculePoirotsatdown.Anagedclergymanwithabeardintoned:“HerebeginneththefifteenthchapteroftheFirstBookofSamuel,”andbegantoread.
ButPoirotheardnothingofthesmitingoftheAmalekites.
Asnarecunninglylaid—anetwithcords—apitopenathisfeet—dugcarefullysothatheshouldfallintoit.
Hewasinadaze—agloriousdazewhereisolatedfactsspunwildlyroundbeforesettlingneatlyintotheirappointedplaces.
Itwaslikeakaleidoscope—shoebuckles,10-inchstockings,adamagedface,thelowtastesinliteratureofAlfredthepageboy,theactivitiesofMr.Amberiotis,andthepartplayedbythelateMr.Morley,allroseupandwhirledandsettledthemselvesdownintoacoherentpattern.
Forthefirsttime,HerculePoirotwaslookingatthecasetherightwayup.
“Forrebellionisasthesinofwitchcraftandstubbornessisasiniquityandidolatry.BecausethouhastrejectedthewordoftheLordhehathalsorejectedtheefrombeingking.Hereendeththefirstlesson,”quaveredtheagedclergymanallinonebreath.
Asoneinadream,HerculePoirotrosetopraisetheLordintheTeDeum.
THIRTEEN,FOURTEEN,MAIDSARECOURTING
I
“M.Reilly,isitnot?”
TheyoungIrishmanstartedasthevoicespokeathiselbow.
Heturned.
StandingnexttohimatthecounteroftheShippingCo.wasasmallmanwithlargemoustachesandanegg-shapedhead.
“Youdonotrememberme,perhaps?”
“Youdoyourselfaninjustice,M.Poirot.You’renotamanthat’seasilyforgotten.”
Heturnedbacktospeaktotheclerkbehindthecounterwhowaswaiting.
Thevoiceathiselbowmurmured:
“Youaregoingabroadforaholiday?”
“It’snotaholidayI’mtaking.Andyouyourself,M.Poirot?You’renotturningyourbackonthiscountry,Ihope?”
“Sometimes,”saidHerculePoirot,“Ireturnforashortwhiletomyowncountry—Belgium.”
“I’mgoingfartherthanthat,”saidReilly.“It’sAmericaforme.”Headded:“AndIdon’tthinkI’llbecomingback,either.”
“I’msorrytohearthat,Mr.Reilly.Youare,then,abandoningyourpracticeinQueenCharlotteStreet.”
“Ifyou’dsayitwasabandoningme,you’dbenearerthemark.”
“Indeed?Thatisverysad.”
“Itdoesn’tworryme.WhenIthinkofthedebtsIshallleavebehindmeunpaid,I’mahappyman.”
Hegrinnedengagingly.
“It’snotIwho’llbeshootingmyselfbecauseofmoneytroubles.Leavethembehindyou,Isay,andstartafresh.I’vegotmyqualificationsandthey’regoodonesifIsaysomyself.”
Poirotmurmured:
“IsawMissMorleytheotherday.”
“Wasthatapleasuretoyou?I’dsayitwasnot.Amoresour-facedwomanneverlived.I’veoftenwonderedwhatshe’dbelikedrunk—butthat’swhatnoonewilleverknow.”
Poirotsaid:
“DidyouagreewiththeverdictoftheCoroner’sCourtonyourpartner’sdeath?”
“Ididnot,”saidReillyemphatically
“Youdon’tthinkhemadeamistakeintheinjection?”
Reillysaid:
“IfMorleyinjectedthatGreekwiththeamountthattheysayhedid,hewaseitherdrunkorelsehemeanttokilltheman.AndI’veneverseenMorleydrink.”
“Soyouthinkitwasdeliberate?”
“I’dnotliketobesayingthat.It’sagraveaccusationtobemaking.Trulynow,Idon’tbelieveit.”
“Theremustbesomeexplanation.”
“Theremustindeed—butI’venotthoughtofityet.”
Poirotsaid:
“WhendidyoulastactuallyseeMr.Morleyalive?”
“Letmeseenow.It’salongtimeaftertobeaskingmeathinglikethat.Itwouldbethenightbefore—aboutaquartertoseven.”
“Youdidn’tseehimontheactualdayofthemurder?”
Reillyshookhishead.
“Youaresure?”Poirotpersisted.
“Oh,I’dnotsaythat.ButIdon’tremember—”
“Youdidnot,forinstance,gouptohisroomabouteleventhirtyfivewhenhehadapatientthere?”
“You’rerightnow.Idid.TherewasatechnicalquestionIhadtoaskhimaboutsomeinstrumentsIwasordering.They’drungmeupaboutit.ButIwasonlythereforaminute,soitslippedmymemory.Hehadapatientthereatthetime.”
Poirotnodded.Hesaid:
“ThereisanotherquestionIalwaysmeanttoaskyou.Yourpatient,Mr.Raikes,cancelledhisappointmentbywalkingout.Whatdidyoudoduringthathalfhour’sleisure?”
“WhatIalwaysdowhenIhaveanyleisure.Mixedmyselfadrink.AndasI’vebeentellingyou,IputthroughatelephonecallandranuptoseeMorleyforaminute.”
Poirotsaid:
“AndIalsounderstandthatyouhadnopatientfromhalfpasttwelvetooneafterMr.Barnesleft.Whendidheleave,bytheway?”
“Oh!Justafterhalfpasttwelve.”
“Andwhatdidyoudothen?”
“Thesameasbefore.Mixedmyselfanotherdrink!”
“AndwentuptoseeMorleyagain?”
Mr.Reillysmiled.
“AreyoumeaningdidIgoupandshoothim?I’vetoldyoualready,longago,thatIdidnot.Butyou’veonlymywordforit.”
Poirotsaid:
“Whatdidyouthinkofthehouse-parlourmaid,Agnes?”
Reillystared:
“Nowthat’safunnyquestiontobeasking.”
“ButIshouldliketoknow.”
“I’llansweryou.Ididn’tthinkabouther.Georginakeptastricteyeonthemaids—andquiterighttoo.Thegirlneverlookedmywayonce—whichwasbadtasteonherpart.”
“Ihaveafeeling,”saidHerculePoirot,“thatthatgirlknowssomething.”
HelookedinquiringlyatMr.Reilly.Thelattersmiledandshookhishead.
“Don’taskme,”hesaid.“Iknownothingaboutit.Ican’thelpyouatall.”
Hegathereduptheticketswhichwerelyinginfrontofhimandwentoffwithanodandasmile.
PoirotexplainedtoadisillusionedclerkthathewouldnotmakeuphismindaboutthatcruisetotheNorthernCapitalsafterall.
II
PoirotpaidanothervisittoHampstead.Mrs.Adamswasalittlesurprised,perhaps,toseehim.Thoughhehadbeenvouchedfor,sotospeak,byaChiefInspectorofScotlandYard,sheneverthelessregardedhimasa“quaintlittleforeigner”andhadnottakenhispretentionsveryseriously.Shewas,however,verywillingtotalk.
Afterthefirstsensationalannouncementabouttheidentityofthevictim,thefindingoftheinquesthadreceivedverylittlepublicity.Ithadbeenacaseofmistakenidentity—thebodyofMrs.ChapmanhadbeenmistakenforthatofMissSainsburySeale.Thatwasallthatthepublicknew.ThefactthatMissSainsburySealehadbeenprobablythelastpersontoseetheunfortunateMrs.Chapmanalivewasnotstressed.TherehadbeennohintinthePressthatMissSainsburySealemightpossiblybewantedbythepoliceonacriminalcharge.
Mrs.Adamshadbeenveryrelievedwhensheknewthatitwasnotherfriend’sbodywhichhadbeendiscoveredsodramatically.SheappearedtohavenoideathatanysuspicionmightattachtoMabelleSainsburySeale.
“Butitissoextraordinarythatshehasdisappearedlikethis.Ifeelsure,M.Poirot,thatitmustbelossofmemory.”
Poirotsaidthatitwasveryprobable.Hehadknowncasesofthekind.
“Yes—Irememberafriendofoneofmycousins.She’dhadalotofnursingandworry,anditbroughtiton.Amnesia,Ithinktheycalledit.”
Poirotsaidthathebelievedthatthatwasthetechnicalterm.
HepausedandthenaskedifMrs.AdamshadeverheardMissSainsburySealespeakofaMrs.AlbertChapman?
No,Mrs.Adamsneverrememberedherfriendmentioninganyoneofthatname.Butthen,ofcourse,itwasn’tlikelythatMissSainsburySealeshouldhappentomentioneveryonewithwhomshewasacquainted.WhowasthisMrs.Chapman?Hadthepoliceanyideawhocouldhavemurderedher?
“Itisstillamystery,Madame.”PoirotshookhisheadandthenaskedifitwasMrs.AdamswhohadrecommendedMr.MorleyasadentisttoMissSainsburySeale.
Mrs.Adamsrepliedinthenegative.SheherselfwenttoaMr.FrenchinHarleyStreet,andifMabellehadaskedheraboutadentistshewouldhavesenthertohim.
Possibly,Poirotthought,itmighthavebeenthisMrs.ChapmanwhorecommendedMissSainsburySealetogotoMr.Morley.
Mrs.Adamsagreedthatitmighthavebeen.Didn’ttheyknowatthedentist’s?
ButPoirothadalreadyaskedMissNevillthatquestionandMissNevillhadnotknownorhadnotremembered.SherecollectedMrs.Chapman,butdidnotthinkthelatterhadevermentionedaMissSainsburySeale—thenamebeinganoddone,shewouldhaverememberedithadshehearditthen.
Poirotperseveredwithhisquestions.
Mrs.AdamshadknownMissSainsburySealefirstinIndia,hadshenot?Mrs.Adamsagreed.
DidMrs.AdamsknowifMissSainsburySealehadmetMr.orMrs.AlistairBluntatanytimeoutthere?
“Oh,Idon’tthinkso,M.Poirot.Youmeanthebigbanker?TheywereoutsomeyearsagostayingwiththeViceroy,butI’msureifMabellehadmetthematall,shewouldhavetalkedaboutitormentionedthem.”
“I’mafraid,”addedMrs.Adams,withafaintsmile,“onedoesusuallymentiontheimportantpeople.We’reallsuchsnobsatheart.”
“SheneverdidmentiontheBlunts—Mrs.Bluntinparticular?”
“Never.”
“IfshehadbeenaclosefriendofMrs.Blunt’sprobablyyouwouldhaveknown?”
“Ohyes.Idon’tbelievesheknewanyonelikethat.Mabelle’sfriendswereallveryordinarypeople—likeus.”
“That,Madame,Icannotallow,”saidPoirotgallantly.
Mrs.AdamswentontalkingofMabelleSainsburySealeasonetalksofafriendwhohasrecentlydied.SherecalledallMabelle’sgoodworks,herkindnesses,herindefatigableworkforthemission,herzeal,herearnestness.
HerculePoirotlistened.AsJapphadsaid,MabelleSainsburySealewasarealperson.ShehadlivedinCalcuttaandtaughtelocutionandworkedamongstthenativepopulation.Shehadbeenrespectable,well-meaning,alittlefussyandstupidperhaps,butalsowhatistermedawomanwithaheartofgold.
AndMrs.Adams’voiceranon:“Shewassomuchinearnestovereverything,M.Poirot.Andshefoundpeoplesoapathetic—sohardtorouse.Itwasverydifficulttogetsubscriptionsoutofpeople—worseeveryyear,withtheincometaxrisingandthecostoflivingandeverything.Shesaidtomeonce:‘Whenoneknowswhatmoneycando—thewonderfulgoodyoucanaccomplishwithit—well,reallysometimes,Alice,IfeelIwouldcommitacrimetogetit.’Thatshows,doesn’tit,M.Poirot,howstronglyshefelt?”
“Shesaidthat,didshe?”saidPoirotthoughtfully.
Heasked,casually,whenMissSainsburySealehadenunciatedthisparticularstatement,andlearnedthatithadbeenaboutthreemonthsago.
Heleftthehouseandwalkedawaylostinthought.
HewasconsideringthecharacterofMabelleSainsburySeale.
Anicewoman—anearnestandkindlywoman—arespectable,decenttypeofwoman.ItwasamongstthattypeofpersonthatMr.Barneshadsuggestedapotentialcriminalcouldbefound.
ShehadtravelledbackonthesameboatfromIndiaasMr.Amberiotis.ThereseemedreasontobelievethatshehadlunchedwithhimattheSavoy.
ShehadaccostedandclaimedacquaintancewithAlistairBluntandlaidclaimtoanintimacywithhiswife.
ShehadtwicevisitedKingLeopoldMansionswhere,later,adeadbodyhadbeenfounddressedinherclothesandwithherhandbagconvenientlyidentifyingit
Alittletooconvenient,that!
ShehadlefttheGlengowrieCourtHotelsuddenlyafteraninterviewwiththepolice.
CouldthetheorythatHerculePoirotbelievedtobetrueaccountforandexplainallthosefacts?
Hethoughtitcould.
III
ThesemeditationshadoccupiedHerculePoirotonhishomewardwayuntilreachingRegent’sPark.HedecidedtotraverseapartoftheParkbeforetakingataxion.Byexperience,heknewtoanicetythemomentwhenhissmartpatentleathershoesbegantopresspainfullyonhisfeet.
Itwasalovelysummer’sdayandPoirotlookedindulgentlyoncourtingnursemaidsandtheirswains,laughingandgigglingwhiletheirchubbychargesprofitedbynurse’sinattention.
Dogsbarkedandromped.
Littleboyssailedboats.
Andundernearlyeverytreewasacouplesittingclosetogether….
“Ah!Jeunesse,Jeunesse,”murmuredHerculePoirot,pleasurablyaffectedbythesight.
Theywerechic,theselittleLondongirls.Theyworetheirtawdryclotheswithanair.
Theirfigures,however,heconsideredlamentablydeficient.Whereweretherichcurves,thevoluptuouslinesthathadformerlydelightedtheeyeofanadmirer?
He,HerculePoirot,rememberedwomen…Onewoman,inparticular—whatasumptuouscreature—BirdofParadise—aVenus…
Whatwomanwasthereamongsttheseprettychitsnowadays,whocouldholdacandletoCountessVeraRossakoff?AgenuineRussianaristocrat,anaristocrattoherfingertips!Andalso,heremembered,amostaccomplishedthief…Oneofthosenaturalgeniuses…
Withasigh,Poirotwrenchedhisthoughtsawayfromtheflamboyantcreatureofhisdreams.
Itwasnotonly,henoted,thelittlenursemaidsandtheirlikewhowerebeingwooedunderthetreesofRegent’sPark.
ThatwasaSchiaparellicreationthere,underthatlimetree,withtheyoungmanwhobenthisheadsoclosetohers,whowaspleadingsoearnestly.
Onemustnotyieldtoosoon!Hehopedthegirlunderstoodthat.Thepleasureofthechasemustbeextendedaslongaspossible….
Hisbeneficenteyestillonthem,hebecamesuddenlyawareofafamiliarityinthosetwofigures.
SoJaneOliverahadcometoRegent’sParktomeetheryoungAmericanrevolutionary?
Hisfacegrewsuddenlysadandratherstern.
Afteronlyabriefhesitationhecrossedthegrasstothem.Sweepingoffhishatwithaflourish,hesaid:
“Bonjour,Mademoiselle.”
JaneOlivera,hethought,wasnotentirelydispleasedtoseehim.
HowardRaikes,ontheotherhand,wasagooddealannoyedattheinterruption.
Hegrowled:“Oh,soit’syouagain!”
“Goodafternoon,M.Poirot,”saidJane.“Howunexpectedlyyoualwayspopup,don’tyou?”
“KindofaJackintheBox,”saidRaikes,stilleyeingPoirotwithaconsiderablecoldness.
“Idonotintrude?”Poirotaskedanxiously.
JaneOliverasaidkindly:
“Notatall.”
HowardRaikessaidnothing.
“Itisapleasantspotyouhavefoundhere,”saidPoirot.
“Itwas,”saidMr.Raikes.
Janesaid:
“Bequiet,Howard.Youneedtolearnmanners!”
HowardRaikessnortedandasked:
“What’sthegoodofmanners?”
“You’llfindtheykindofhelpyoualong,”saidJane.“Ihaven’tgotanymyself,butthatdoesn’tmattersomuch.TobeginwithI’mrich,andI’mmoderatelygood-looking,andI’vegotalotofinfluentialfriends—andnoneofthoseunfortunatedisabilitiestheytalkaboutsofreelyintheadvertisementsnowadays.Icangetalongallrightwithoutmanners.”
Raikessaid:
“I’mnotinthemoodforsmalltalk,Jane.IguessI’lltakemyselfoff.”
Hegotup,noddedcurtlytoPoirotandstrodeaway.
JaneOliverastaredafterhim,herchincuppedinherpalm.
Poirotsaidwithasigh:
“Alas,theproverbistrue.Whenyouarecourting,twoiscompany,isitnot,threeisnone?”
Janesaid:
“Courting?Whataword!”
“Butyes,itistherightword,isitnot?Forayoungmanwhopaysattentiontoayoungladybeforeaskingherhandinmarriage?Theysay,dotheynot,acourtingcouple?”
“Yourfriendsseemtosaysomeveryfunnythings.”
HerculePoirotchantedsoftly:
“Thirteen,fourteen,maidsarecourting.See,allaroundustheyaredoingit.”
Janesaidsharply:
“Yes—I’mjustoneofthecrowd,Isuppose….”
SheturnedsuddenlytoPoirot.
“Iwanttoapologizetoyou.Imadeamistaketheotherday.IthoughtyouhadwormedyourwayinandcomedowntoExshamjusttospyonHoward.ButafterwardsUncleAlistairtoldmethathehaddefinitelyaskedyoubecausehewantedyoutoclearupthisbusinessofthatmissingwoman—SainsburySeale.That’sright,isn’tit?”
“Absolutely.”
“SoI’msorryforwhatIsaidtoyouthatevening.Butitdidlooklikeit,youknow.Imean—asthoughyouwerejustfollowingHowardandspyingonusboth.”
“Evenifitweretrue,Mademoiselle—IwasanexcellentwitnesstothefactthatMr.Raikesbravelysavedyouruncle’slifebyspringingonhisassailantandpreventinghimfromfiringanothershot.”
“You’vegotafunnywayofsayingthings,M.Poirot.Ineverknowwhetheryou’reseriousornot.”
Poirotsaidgravely:
“AtthemomentIamveryserious,MissOlivera.”
Janesaidwithaslightbreakinhervoice:
“Whydoyoulookatmelikethat?Asthough—asthoughyouweresorryforme?”
“PerhapsbecauseIamsorry,Mademoiselle,forthethingsthatIshallhavetodososoon….”
“Well,then—don’tdothem!”
“Alas,Mademoiselle,butImust….”
Shestaredathimforaminuteortwo,thenshesaid:
“Haveyou—foundthatwoman?”
Poirotsaid:
“Letussay—thatIknowwheresheis.”
“Isshedead?”
“Ihavenotsaidso.”
“She’salive,then?”
“Ihavenotsaidthateither.”
Janelookedathimwithirritation.Sheexclaimed:
“Well,she’sgottobeoneortheother,hasn’tshe?”
“Actually,it’snotquitesosimple.”
“Ibelieveyoujustlikemakingthingsdifficult!”
“Ithasbeensaidofme,”admittedHerculePoirot.
Janeshivered.Shesaid:
“Isn’titfunny?It’salovelywarmday—andyetIsuddenlyfeelcold….”
“Perhapsyouhadbetterwalkon,Mademoiselle.”
Janerosetoherfeet.Shestoodaminuteirresolute.Shesaidabruptly:
“Howardwantsmetomarryhim.Atonce.Withoutlettinganyoneknow.Hesays—hesaysit’stheonlywayI’lleverdoit—thatI’mweak—”Shebrokeoff,thenwithonehandshegrippedPoirot’sarmwithsurprisingstrength.“WhatshallIdoaboutit,M.Poirot?”
“Whyaskmetoadviseyou?Therearethosewhoarenearer!”
“Mother?She’dscreamthehousedownatthebareidea!UncleAlistair?He’dbecautiousandprosy.Plentyoftime,mydear.Gottomakequitesure,youknow.Bitofanoddfish—thisyoungmanofyours.Nosenseinrushingthings—”
“Yourfriends?”suggestedPoirot.
“Ihaven’tgotanyfriends.OnlyasillycrowdIdrinkanddanceandtalkinanecatchwordswith!Howard’stheonlyrealpersonI’veevercomeupagainst.”
“Still—whyaskme,MissOlivera?”
Janesaid:
“Becauseyou’vegotaqueerlookonyourface—asthoughyouweresorryaboutsomething—asthoughyouknewsomethingthat—that—was—coming.…”
Shestopped.
“Well?”shedemanded.“Whatdoyousay?”
HerculePoirotslowlyshookhishead.
IV
WhenPoirotreachedhome,Georgesaid:
“ChiefInspectorJappishere,sir.”
JappgrinnedinaruefulwayasPoirotcameintotheroom.
“HereIam,oldboy.Comeroundtosay:‘Aren’tyouamarvel?Howdoyoudoit?Whatmakesyouthinkofthesethings?’”
“Allthismeaning—?Butpardon,youwillhavesomerefreshment?Asirop?Orperhapsthewhisky?”
“Thewhiskyisgoodenoughforme.”
Afewminuteslaterheraisedhisglass,observing:
“Here’stoHerculePoirotwhoisalwaysright!”
“No,no,monami.”
“Herewehadalovelycaseofsuicide.H.P.saysit’smurder—wantsittobemurder—anddashitall,itismurder!”
“Ah?Soyouagreeatlast?”
“Well,nobodycansayI’mpigheaded.Idon’tflyinthefaceofevidence.Thetroublewastherewasn’tanyevidencebefore.”
“Butthereisnow?”
“Yes,andI’vecomeroundtomaketheamendhonourable,asyoucallit,andpresentthetitbittoyouontoast,asitwere.”
“Iamallagog,mygoodJapp.”
“Allright.Heregoes.ThepistolthatFrankCartertriedtoshootBluntwithonSaturdayisatwinpistoltotheonethatkilledMorley!”
Poirotstared:“Butthisisextraordinary!”
“Yes,itmakesitlookratherblackforMasterFrank.”
“Itisnotconclusive.”
“No,butit’senoughtomakeusreconsiderthesuicideverdict.They’reaforeignmakeofpistolandratheranuncommononeatthat!”
HerculePoirotstared.Hiseyebrowslookedlikecrescentmoons.Hesaidatlast:
“FrankCarter?No—surelynot!”
Jappbreathedasighofexasperation.
“What’sthematterwithyou,Poirot?FirstyouwillhaveitthatMorleywasmurderedandthatitwasn’tsuicide.ThenwhenIcomeandtellyouwe’reinclinedtocomeroundtoyourviewsyouhemandhaanddon’tseemtolikeit.”
“YoureallybelievethatMorleywasmurderedbyFrankCarter?”
“Itfits.CarterhadgotagrudgeagainstMorley—thatweknewallalong.HecametoQueenCharlotteStreetthatmorning—andhepretendedafterwardsthathehadcomealongtotellhisyoungwomanhe’dgotajob—butwe’venowdiscoveredthathehadn’tgotthejobthen.Hedidn’tgetittilllaterintheday.Headmitsthatnow.Sothere’slieNo.1.Hecan’taccountforwherehewasattwenty-fivepasttwelveonwards.SayshewaswalkingintheMaryleboneRoad,butthefirstthinghecanproveishavingadrinkinapubatfivepastone.Andthebarmansayshewasinaregularstate—hishandshakingandhisfaceaswhiteasasheet!”
HerculePoirotsighedandshookhishead.Hemurmured:
“Itdoesnotaccordwithmyideas.”
“Whataretheseideasofyours?”
“Itisverydisturbingwhatyoutellme.Verydisturbingindeed.Because,yousee,ifyouareright…”
ThedooropenedsoftlyandGeorgemurmureddeferentially:
“Excuseme,sir,but…”
Hegotnofurther.MissGladysNevillthrusthimasideandcameagitatedlyintotheroom.Shewascrying.
“Oh,M.Poirot—”
“Here,I’llbeoff,”saidJapphurriedly.
Helefttheroomprecipitately.
GladysNevillpaidhisbackthetributeofavenomouslook.
“That’stheman—thathorridInspectorfromScotlandYard—it’shewhohastrumpedupawholecaseagainstpoorFrank.”
“Now,now,youmustnotagitateyourself.”
“Buthehas.FirsttheypretendthathetriedtomurderthisMr.Bluntandnotcontentwiththatthey’veaccusedhimofmurderingpoorMr.Morley.”
HerculePoirotcoughed.Hesaid:
“Iwasdownthere,youknow,atExsham,whentheshotwasfiredatMr.Blunt.”
GladysNevillsaidwithasomewhatconfusinguseofpronouns:
“ButevenifFrankdid—diddoafoolishthinglikethat—andhe’soneofthoseImperialShirts,youknow—theymarchwithbannersandhavearidiculoussalute,andofcourseIsupposeMr.Blunt’swifewasaverynotoriousJewess,andtheyjustworkupthesepooryoungmen—quiteharmlessoneslikeFrank—untiltheythinktheyaredoingsomethingwonderfulandpatriotic.”
“IsthatMr.Carter’sdefence?”askedHerculePoirot.
“Ohno.Frankjustswearshedidn’tdoanythingandhadneverseenthepistolbefore.Ihaven’tspokentohim,ofcourse—theywouldn’tletme—buthe’sgotasolicitoractingforhimandhetoldmewhatFrankhadsaid.Frankjustsaysit’sallaframe-up.”
Poirotmurmured:
“Andthesolicitorisofopinionthathisclienthadbetterthinkofamoreplausiblestory?”
“Lawyersaresodifficult.Theywon’tsayanythingstraightout.Butit’sthemurderchargeI’mworryingabout.Oh!M.Poirot,I’msureFrankcouldn’thavekilledMr.Morley.Imeanreally—hehadn’tanyreasonto.”
“Isittrue,”saidPoirot,“thatwhenhecameroundthatmorninghehadnotyetgotajobofanykind?”
“Well,really,M.Poirot,Idon’tseewhatdifferencethatmakes.Whetherhegotthejobinthemorningortheafternooncan’tmatter.”
Poirotsaid:
“Buthisstorywasthathecametotellyouabouthisgoodluck.Now,itseems,hehadasyethadnoluck.Why,then,didhecome?”
“Well,M.Poirot,thepoorboywasdispiritedandupset,andtotellthetruthIbelievehe’dbeendrinkingalittle.PoorFrankhasratheraweakhead—andthedrinkupsethimandsohefeltlike—likemakingarow,andhecameroundtoQueenCharlotteStreettohaveitoutwithMr.Morley,because,yousee,FrankisawfullysensitiveandithadupsethimalottofeelthatMr.Morleydisapprovedofhim,andwaswhathecalledpoisoningmymind.”
“Soheconceivedtheideaofmakingasceneinbusinesshours?”
“Well—yes—Isupposethatwashisidea.OfcourseitwasverywrongofFranktothinkofsuchathing.”
Poirotlookedthoughtfullyatthetearfulblondeyoungwomaninfrontofhim.Hesaid:
“DidyouknowthatFrankCarterhadapistol—orapairofpistols?”
“Ohno,M.Poirot.IswearIdidn’t.AndIdon’tbelieveit’strue,either.”
Poirotshookhisheadslowlyinaperplexedmanner.
“Oh!M.Poirot,dohelpus.IfIcouldonlyfeelthatyouwereonourside—”
Poirotsaid:
“Idonottakesides.Iamonthesideonlyofthetruth.”
V
Afterhehadgotridofthegirl,PoirotrangupScotlandYard.JapphadnotyetreturnedbutDetectiveSergeantBeddoeswasobligingandinformative.
ThepolicehadnotasyetfoundanyevidencetoproveFrankCarter’spossessionofthepistolbeforetheassaultatExsham.
Poirothungupthereceiverthoughtfully.ItwasapointinCarter’sfavour.Butsofaritwastheonlyone.
HehadalsolearnedfromBeddoesafewmoredetailsastothestatementFrankCarterhadmadeabouthisemploymentasgardeneratExsham.HestucktohisstoryofaSecretServicejob.HehadbeengivenmoneyinadvanceandsometestimonialsastohisgardeningabilitiesandbeentoldtoapplytoMr.MacAlister,theheadgardener,forthepost.
Hisinstructionsweretolistentotheothergardeners’conversationsandsoundthemastotheir“red”tendencies,andtopretendtobeabitofa“red”himself.HehadbeeninterviewedandinstructedinhistaskbyawomanwhohadtoldhimthatshewasknownasQ.H.56,andthathehadbeenrecommendedtoherasastronganti-communist.Shehadinterviewedhiminadimlightandhedidnotthinkhewouldknowheragain.Shewasared-hairedladywithalotofmakeupon.
Poirotgroaned.ThePhillipsOppenheimtouchseemedtobereappearing.
HewastemptedtoconsultMr.Barnesonthesubject.
AccordingtoMr.Barnesthesethingshappened.
Thelastpostbroughthimsomethingwhichdisturbedhimmorestill.
Acheapenvelopeinanunformedhandwriting,postmarkedHertfordshire.
Poirotopeneditandread:
DearSir,—Hopingasyouwillforgivemefortroublingyou,butIamveryworriedanddonotknowwhattodo.Idonotwanttobemixedupwiththepoliceinanyway.IknowthatperhapsIoughttohavetoldsomethingIknowbefore,butastheysaidthemasterhadshothimselfitwasallrightIthoughtandIwouldn’thavelikedtogetMissNevill’syoungmanintotroubleandneverthoughtreallyforonemomentashehaddoneitbutnowIseehehasbeentookupforshootingatagentlemaninthecountryandsoperhapsheisn’tquiteallthereandIoughttosaybutIthoughtIwouldwritetoyou,youbeingafriendofthemistressandaskingmesoparticulartheotherdayiftherewasanythingandofcourseIwishnowIhadtoldyouthen.ButIdohopeitwon’tmeangettingmixedupwiththepolicebecauseIshouldn’tlikethatandmymotherwouldn’tlikeiteither.Shehasalwaysbeenmostparticular.YoursrespectfullyAgnesFletcher.
Poirotmurmured:
“Ialwaysknewitwassomethingtodowithsomeman.Iguessedthewrongman,thatisall.”
FIFTEEN,SIXTEEN,MAIDSINTHEKITCHEN
I
TheinterviewwithAgnesFletchertookplaceinHertford,inasomewhatderelictteashop,forAgneshadbeenanxiousnottotellherstoryunderMissMorley’scriticaleye.
ThefirstquarterofanhourwastakenuplisteningtoexactlyhowparticularAgnes’motherhadalwaysbeen.AlsohowAgnes’father,thoughaproprietoroflicensedpremises,hadneveroncehadanyfrictionwiththepolice,closingtimebeingstrictlyobservedtothesecond,andindeedAgnes’fatherandmotherwereuniversallyrespectedandlookeduptoinLittleDarlingham,Gloucestershire,andnoneofMrs.Fletcher’sfamilyofsix(twohavingdiedininfancy)hadeveroccasionedtheirparentstheleastanxiety.AndifAgnes,now,weretogetmixedupwiththepoliceinanyway,MumandDadwouldprobablydieofit,becauseasshe’dbeensaying,they’dalwaysheldtheirheadshigh,andneverhadnotroubleofanykindwiththepolice.
Afterthishadbeenrepeated,dacapo,andwithvariousembellishments,severaltimes,Agnesdrewalittlenearertothesubjectoftheinterview.
“Iwouldn’tliketosayanythingtoMissMorley,sir,becauseitmightbe,yousee,thatshe’dsayashowIoughttohavesaidsomethingbefore,butmeandcook,wetalkeditoverandwedidn’tseeasitwasanybusinessofours,becausewe’dreadquiteclearandplaininthepaperashowthemasterhadmadeamistakeinthedrughewasgivingandthathe’dshothimselfandthepistolwasinhishandsandeverything,soitdidseemquiteclear,didn’tit,sir?”
“Whendidyoubegintofeeldifferently?”Poirothopedtogetalittlenearerthepromisedrevelationbyanencouragingbutnottoodirectquestion.
Agnesrepliedpromptly.
“SeeingitinthepaperaboutthatFrankCarter—MissNevill’syoungmanaswas.WhenIreadashe’dshotatthatgentlemanwherehewasgardener,well,Ithought,itlooksasifhemightbequeerinthehead,becauseIdoknowthere’speopleittakeslikethat,thinkthey’rebeingpersecuted,orsomething,andthatthey’reringedroundbyenemies,andintheendit’sdangeroustokeepthemathomeandtheyhavetobetookawaytotheasylum.AndIthoughtthatmaybethatFrankCarterwaslikethat,becauseIdidrememberthatheusedtogoonaboutMr.MorleyandsayasMr.MorleywasagainsthimandtryingtoseparatehimfromMissNevill,butofcourseshewouldn’thearawordagainsthim,andquiterighttoowethought—Emmaandme,becauseyoucouldn’tdenyasMr.Carterwasverynice-lookingandquitethegentleman.But,ofcourse,neitherofusthoughthe’dreallydoneanythingtoMr.Morley.WejustthoughtitwasabitqueerifyouknowwhatImean.”
Poirotsaidpatiently:
“Whatwasqueer?”
“Itwasthatmorning,sir,themorningMr.Morleyshothimself.I’dbeenwonderingifIdaredrundownandgetthepost.ThepostmanhadcomebutthatAlfredhadn’tbroughtuptheletters,whichhewouldn’tdo,notunlesstherewassomeforMissMorleyorMr.Morley,butifitwasjustforEmmaandmehewouldn’tbothertobringthemuptilllunchtime.
“SoIwentoutonthelandingandIlookeddownoverthestairs.MissMorleydidn’tlikeusgoingdowntothehall,notduringthemaster’sbusinesshours,butIthoughtmaybeasI’dseeAlfredtakinginapatienttothemasterandI’dcalldowntohimashecameback.”
Agnesgasped,tookadeepbreathandwenton:“AnditwasthenIsawhim—thatFrankCarter,Imean.Halfwayupthestairshewas—ourstairs,Imean,abovethemaster’sfloor.Andhewasstandingtherewaitingandlookingdown—andI’vecometofeelmoreandmoreasthoughtherewassomethingqueeraboutit.Heseemedtobelisteningveryintent,ifyouknowwhatImean?”
“Whattimewasthis?”
“Itmusthavebeengettingonforhalfpasttwelve,sir.AndjustasIwasthinking:Therenow,it’sFrankCarter,andMissNevill’sawayforthedayandwon’thebedisappointed,andIwaswonderingifIoughttorundownandtellhimbecauseitlookedasthoughthatlumpofanAlfredhadforgot,otherwiseIthoughthewouldn’thavebeenwaitingforher.AndjustasIwashesitating,Mr.Carter,heseemedtomakeuphismind,andheslippeddownthestairsveryquickandwentalongthepassagetowardsthemaster’ssurgery,andIthoughttomyself,themasterwon’tlikethat,andIwonderediftherewasgoingtobearow,butjustthenEmmacalledme,saidwhateverwasIupto?andIwentupagainandthen,afterwards,Iheardthemasterhadshothimselfand,ofcourse,itwassoawfulitjustdroveeverythingoutofmyhead.Butlater,whenthatPoliceInspectorhadgoneIsaidtoEmma,Isaid,Ididn’tsayanythingaboutMr.Carterhavingbeenupwiththemasterthismorning,andshesaidwashe?andItoldher,andshesaidwell,perhapsIoughttotell,butanywayIsaidI’dbetterwaitabit,andsheagreed,becauseneitherofusdidn’twanttogetFrankCarterintotroubleifwecouldhelp.Andthen,whenitcametotheinquestanditcomeoutthatthemasterhadmadethatmistakeinadrugandreallyhadgotthewindupandshothimself,quitenatural-like—well,then,ofcourse,therewasnocalltosayanything.Butreadingthatpieceinthepapertwodaysago—Oh!itdidgivemeaturn!AndIsaidtomyself,‘Ifhe’soneofthoselooniesthatthinksthey’repersecutedandgoesroundshootingpeople,well,thenmaybehedidshootthemasterafterall!’”
Hereyes,anxiousandscared,lookedhopefullyatHerculePoirot.Heputasmuchreassuranceintohisvoiceashecould.
“Youmaybesurethatyouhavedoneabsolutelytherightthingintellingme,Agnes,”hesaid.
“Well,Imustsay,sir,itdoestakealoadoffmymind.Yousee,I’vekeptsayingtomyselfasperhapsIoughttotell.Andthen,yousee,Ithoughtofgettingmixedupwiththepoliceandwhatmotherwouldsay.She’salwaysbeensoparticularaboutusall….”
“Yes,yes,”saidHerculePoirothastily.
Hehadhad,hefelt,asmuchofAgnes’motherashecouldstandforoneafternoon.
II
PoirotcalledatScotlandYardandaskedforJapp.WhenhewastakenuptotheChiefInspector’sroom:“IwanttoseeCarter,”saidHerculePoirot.
Jappshothimaquick,sidewaysglance.
Hesaid:
“What’sthebigidea?”
“Youareunwilling?”
Jappshruggedhisshoulders.Hesaid:
“Oh,Ishan’tmakeobjections.NogoodifIdid.Who’stheHomeSecretary’slittlepet?Youare.Who’sgothalftheCabinetinhispocket?Youhave.Hushinguptheirscandalsforthem.”
Poirot’smindflewforamomenttothatcasethathehadnamedtheCaseoftheAugeanStables.Hemurmured,notwithoutcomplacence:
“Itwasingenious,yes?Youmustadmitit.Wellimagined,letussay.”
“Nobodybutyouwouldeverhavethoughtofsuchathing!Sometimes,Poirot,Ithinkyouhaven’tanyscruplesatall!”
Poirot’sfacebecamesuddenlygrave.Hesaid:
“Thatisnottrue.”
“Oh,allright,Poirot,Ididn’tmeanit.Butyou’resopleasedsometimeswithyourdamnedingenuity.WhatdoyouwanttoseeCarterfor?ToaskhimwhetherhereallymurderedMorley?”
ToJapp’ssurprise,Poirotnoddedhisheademphatically.
“Yes,myfriend,thatisexactlythereason.”
“AndIsupposeyouthinkhe’lltellyouifhedid?”
Japplaughedashespoke.ButHerculePoirotremainedgrave.Hesaid:
“Hemighttellme—yes.”
Japplookedathimcuriously.Hesaid:
“Youknow,I’veknownyoualongtime—twentyyears?Somethinglikethat.ButIstilldon’talwayscatchontowhatyou’redrivingat.Iknowyou’vegotabeeinyourbonnetaboutyoungFrankCarter.Forsomereasonorother,youdon’twanthimtobeguilty—”
HerculePoirotshookhisheadenergetically.
“No,no,thereyouarewrong.Itistheotherwayabout—”
“Ithoughtperhapsitwasonaccountofthatgirlofhis—theblondepiece.You’reasentimentaloldbuzzardinsomeways—”
Poirotwasimmediatelyindignant.
“ItisnotIwhoamsentimental!ThatisanEnglishfailing!ItisinEnglandthattheyweepoveryoungsweetheartsanddyingmothersanddevotedchildren.Me,Iamlogical.IfFrankCarterisakiller,thenIamcertainlynotsentimentalenoughtowishtounitehiminmarriagetoanicebutcommonplacegirlwho,ifheishanged,willforgethiminayearortwoandfindsomeoneelse!”
“Thenwhydon’tyouwanttobelieveheisguilty?”
“Idowanttobelieveheisguilty.”
“Isupposeyoumeanthatyou’vegotholdofsomethingwhichmoreorlessconclusivelyproveshimtobeinnocent?Whyholditup,then?Yououghttoplayfairwithus,Poirot.”
“Iamplayingfairwithyou.Presently,veryshortly,Iwillgiveyouthenameandaddressofawitnesswhowillbeinvaluabletoyoufortheprosecution.Herevidenceoughttoclinchthecaseagainsthim.”
“Butthen—Oh!You’vegotmealltangledup.Whyareyousoanxioustoseehim.”
“Tosatisfymyself,”saidHerculePoirot.
Andhewouldsaynomore.
III
FrankCarter,haggard,white-faced,stillfeeblyinclinedtobluster,lookedonhisunexpectedvisitorwithunconcealeddisfavour.Hesaidrudely:
“Soit’syou,youruddylittleforeigner?Whatdoyouwant?”
“Iwanttoseeyouandtalktoyou.”
“Well,youseemeallright.ButIwon’ttalk.Notwithoutmylawyer.That’sright,isn’tit?Youcan’tgoagainstthat.I’vegottherighttohavemysolicitorpresentbeforeIsayaword.”
“Certainlyyouhave.Youcansendforhimifyoulike—butIshouldpreferthatyoudidnot.”
“Idaresay.Thinkyou’regoingtotrapmeintomakingsomedamagingadmissions,eh?”
“Wearequitealone,remember.”
“That’sabitunusual,isn’tit?Gotyourpolicepalslisteningin,nodoubt.”
“Youarewrong.Thisisaprivateinterviewbetweenyouandme.”
FrankCarterlaughed.Helookedcunningandunpleasant.Hesaid:
“Comeoffit!Youdon’ttakemeinwiththatoldgag.”
“DoyourememberagirlcalledAgnesFletcher?”
“Neverheardofher.”
“Ithinkyouwillrememberher,thoughyoumayneverhavetakenmuchnoticeofher.Shewashouse-parlourmaidat58,QueenCharlotteStreet.”
“Well,whatofit?”
HerculePoirotsaidslowly:
“OnthemorningofthedaythatMr.Morleywasshot,thisgirlAgneshappenedtolookoverthebanistersfromthetopfloor.Shesawyouonthestairs—waitingandlistening.PresentlyshesawyougoalongtoMr.Morley’sroom.Thetimewasthentwenty-sixminutesorthereaboutspasttwelve.”
FrankCartertrembledviolently.Sweatcameoutonhisbrow.Hiseyes,morefurtivethanever,wentwildlyfromsidetoside.Heshoutedangrily:
“It’salie!It’sadamnedlie!You’vepaidher—thepolicehavepaidher—tosayshesawme.”
“Atthattime,”saidHerculePoirot,“byyourownaccount,youhadleftthehouseandwerewalkingintheMaryleboneRoad.”
“SoIwas.Thatgirl’slying.Shecouldn’thaveseenme.It’sadirtyplot.Ifit’strue,whydidn’tshesaysobefore?”
HerculePoirotsaidquietly:
“Shedidmentionitatthetimetoherfriendandcolleaguethecook.Theywereworriedandpuzzledanddidn’tknowwhattodo.Whenaverdictofsuicidewasbroughtintheyweremuchrelievedanddecidedthatitwasn’tnecessaryforthemtosayanything.”
“Idon’tbelieveawordofit!They’reinittogether,that’sall.Acoupleofdirty,lyinglittle…”
Hetailedoffintofuriousprofanity.
HerculePoirotwaited.
WhenCarter’svoiceatlastceased,Poirotspokeagain,stillinthesamecalm,measuredvoice.
“Angerandfoolishabusewillnothelpyou.Thesegirlsaregoingtotelltheirstoryanditisgoingtobebelieved.Because,yousee,theyaretellingthetruth.Thegirl,AgnesFletcher,didseeyou.Youwerethere,onthestairs,atthattime.Youhadnotleftthehouse.AndyoudidgointoMr.Morley’sroom.”
Hepausedandthenaskedquietly:
“Whathappenedthen?”
“It’salie,Itellyou!”
HerculePoirotfeltverytired—veryold.HedidnotlikeFrankCarter.Hedislikedhimverymuch.InhisopinionFrankCarterwasabully,aliar,aswindler—altogetherthetypeofyoungmantheworldcouldwelldowithout.He,HerculePoirot,hadonlytostandbackandletthisyoungmanpersistinhisliesandtheworldwouldberidofoneofitsmoreunpleasantinhabitants….
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Isuggestyoutellmethetruth….”
Herealizedtheissueveryclearly.FrankCarterwasstupid—buthewasn’tsostupidasnottoseethattopersistinhisdenialwashisbestandsafestcourse.Lethimonceadmitthathehadgoneintothatroomattwenty-sixminutespasttwelveandhewastakingastepintogravedanger.Forafterthat,anystoryhetoldwouldhaveagoodchanceofbeingconsideredalie.
Lethimpersistinhisdenial,then.Ifso,HerculePoirot’sdutywouldbeover.FrankCarterwouldinallprobabilitybehangedforthemurderofHenryMorley—anditmightbe,justlyhanged.
HerculePoirothadonlytogetupandgo.
FrankCartersaidagain:
“It’salie!”
Therewasapause.HerculePoirotdidnotgetupandgo.Hewouldhavelikedtodoso—verymuch.Nevertheless,heremained.
Heleanedforward.Hesaid—andhisvoiceheldallthecompellingpowerofhispowerfulpersonality—
“Iamnotlyingtoyou.Iaskyoutobelieveme.IfyoudidnotkillMorleyyouronlyhopeistotellmetheexacttruthofwhathappenedthatmorning.”
Themean,treacherousfacelookingathimwavered,becameuncertain.FrankCarterpulledathislip.Hiseyeswentfromsidetoside,terrified,franklyanimaleyes.
Itwastouchandgonow….
Thensuddenly,overbornebythestrengthofthepersonalityconfrontinghim,FrankCartersurrendered.
Hesaidhoarsely:
“Allrightthen—I’lltellyou.Godcurseyouifyouletmedownnow!Ididgoin…IwentupthestairsandwaitedtillIcouldbesureofgettinghimalone.Waitedthere,upaboveMorley’slanding.Thenagentcameoutandwentdown—fatgent.Iwasjustmakingupmymindtogo—whenanothergentcameoutofMorley’sroomandwentdowntoo.IknewI’dgottobequick.Iwentalongandnippedintohisroomwithoutknocking.Iwasallsettohaveitoutwithhim.Muckingabout,puttingmygirlagainstme—damnhim—”
Hestopped.
“Yes?”saidHerculePoirot:andhisvoicewasstillurgent—compelling—
Carter’svoicecroakeduncertainly.
“Andhewaslyingthere—dead.It’strue!Iswearit’strue!Lyingjustastheysaidattheinquest.Icouldn’tbelieveitatfirst.Istoopedoverhim.Buthewasdeadallright.HishandwasstonecoldandIsawthebulletholeinhisheadwithahardblackcrustofbloodroundit….”
Atthememoryofit,sweatbrokeoutonhisforeheadagain.
“IsawthenIwasinajam.They’dgoandsayI’ddoneit.Ihadn’ttouchedanythingexcepthishandandthedoorhandle.Iwipedthatwithmyhandkerchief,bothsides,asIwentout,andIstoledownstairsasquicklyasIcould.TherewasnobodyinthehallandIletmyselfoutandleggeditawayasfastasIcould.NowonderIfeltqueer.”
Hepaused.HisscaredeyeswenttoPoirot.
“That’sthetruth.Iswearthat’sthetruth…Hewasdeadalready.You’vegottobelieveme!”
Poirotgotup.Hesaid—andhisvoicewastiredandsad—“Ibelieveyou.”
Hemovedtowardsthedoor.
FrankCartercriedout:
“They’llhangme—they’llhangmeforacertiftheyknowIwasinthere.”
Poirotsaid:
“Bytellingthetruthyouhavesavedyourselffrombeinghanged.”
“Idon’tseeit.They’llsay—”
Poirotinterruptedhim.
“YourstoryhasconfirmedwhatIknewtobethetruth.Youcanleaveitnowtome.”
Hewentout.
Hewasnotatallhappy.
IV
HereachedMr.Barnes’HouseatEalingat6:45.HerememberedthatMr.Barneshadcalledthatagoodtimeofday.
Mr.Barneswasatworkinhisgarden.
Hesaidbywayofgreeting:
“Weneedrain,M.Poirot—needitbadly.”
Helookedthoughtfullyathisguest.Hesaid:
“Youdon’tlookverywell,M.Poirot?”
“Sometimes,”saidHerculePoirot,“IdonotlikethethingsIhavetodo.”
Mr.Barnesnoddedhisheadsympathetically.
Hesaid:
“Iknow.”
HerculePoirotlookedvaguelyroundattheneatarrangementofthesmallbeds.Hemurmured:
“Itiswell-planned,thisgarden.Everythingistoscale.Itissmallbutexact.”
Mr.Barnessaid:
“Whenyouhaveonlyasmallplaceyou’vegottomakethemostofit.Youcan’taffordtomakemistakesintheplanning.”
HerculePoirotnodded.
Barneswenton:
“Iseeyou’vegotyourman?”
“FrankCarter?”
“Yes.I’mrathersurprised,really.”
“Youdidnotthinkthatitwas,sotospeak,aprivatemurder?”
“No.FranklyIdidn’t.WhatwithAmberiotisandAlistairBlunt—ImadesurethatitwasoneoftheseEspionageorCounter-Espionagemix-ups.”
“Thatistheviewyouexpoundedtomeatourfirstmeeting.”
“Iknow.Iwasquitesureofitatthetime.”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“Butyouwerewrong.”
“Yes.Don’trubitin.Thetroubleis,onegoesbyone’sownexperience.I’vebeenmixed-upinthatsortofthingsomuchIsupposeI’minclinedtoseeiteverywhere.”
Poirotsaid:
“Youhaveobservedinyourtimeaconjurerofferacard,haveyounot?Whatiscalled—forcingacard?”
“Yes,ofcourse.”
“Thatiswhatwasdonehere.EverytimethatonethinksofaprivatereasonforMorley’sdeath,heypresto—thecardisforcedonone.Amberiotis,AlistairBlunt,theunsettledstateofpolitics—ofthecountry—”Heshruggedhisshoulders.“Asforyou,Mr.Barnes,youdidmoretomisleadmethananybody.”
“Oh,Isay,Poirot,I’msorry.Isupposethat’strue.”
“Youwereinapositiontoknow,yousee.Soyourwordscarriedweight.”
“Well—IbelievedwhatIsaid.That’stheonlyapologyIcanmake.”
Hepausedandsighed.
“Andallthetime,itwasapurelyprivatemotive?”
“Exactly.Ithastakenmealongtimetoseethereasonforthemurder—althoughIhadoneverydefinitepieceofluck.”
“Whatwasthat?”
“Afragmentofconversation.ReallyaveryilluminatingfragmentifonlyIhadhadthesensetorealizeitssignificanceatthetime.”
Mr.Barnesscratchedhisnosethoughtfullywiththetrowel.Asmallpieceofearthadheredtothesideofhisnose.
“Beingrathercryptic,aren’tyou?”heaskedgenially.
HerculePoirotshruggedhisshoulders.Hesaid:
“Iam,perhaps,aggrievedthatyouwerenotmorefrankwithme.”
“I?”
“Yes.”
“Mydearfellow—IneverhadtheleastideaofCarter’sguilt.AsfarasIknew,he’dleftthehouselongbeforeMorleywaskilled.Isupposenowthey’vefoundhedidn’tleavewhenhesaidhedid?”
Poirotsaid:
“Carterwasinthehouseattwenty-sixminutespasttwelve.Heactuallysawthemurderer.”
“ThenCarterdidn’t—”
“Cartersawthemurderer,Itellyou!”
Mr.Barnessaid:
“Didherecognizehim?”
SlowlyHerculePoirotshookhishead.
SEVENTEEN,EIGHTEEN,MAIDSINWAITING
I
OnthefollowingdayHerculePoirotspentsomehourswithatheatricalagentofhisacquaintance.IntheafternoonhewenttoOxford.Onthedayafterthathedrovedowntothecountry—itwaslatewhenhereturned.
HehadtelephonedbeforehelefttomakeanappointmentwithMr.AlistairBluntforthatsameevening.
ItwashalfpastninewhenhereachedtheGothicHouse.
AlistairBluntwasaloneinhislibrarywhenPoirotwasshownin.
Helookedaneagerquestionathisvisitorasheshookhands.
Hesaid:
“Well?”
Slowly,HerculePoirotnoddedhishead.
Bluntlookedathiminalmostincredulousappreciation.
“Haveyoufoundher?”
“Yes.Yes,Ihavefoundher.”
Hesatdown.Andhesighed.
AlistairBluntsaid:
“Youaretired?”
“Yes.Iamtired.Anditisnotpretty—whatIhavetotellyou.”
Bluntsaid:
“Isshedead?”
“Thatdepends,”saidHerculePoirotslowly,“onhowyouliketolookatit.”
Bluntfrowned.
Hesaid:
“Mydearman,apersonmustbedeadoralive.MissSainsburySealemustbeoneortheother!”
“Ah,butwhoisMissSainsburySeale?”
AlistairBluntsaid:
“Youdon’tmeanthat—thatthereisn’tanysuchperson?”
“Ohno,no.Therewassuchaperson.ShelivedinCalcutta.Shetaughtelocution.Shebusiedherselfwithgoodworks.ShecametoEnglandintheMaharanah—thesameboatinwhichMr.Amberiotistravelled.Althoughtheywerenotinthesameclass,hehelpedheroversomething—somefussaboutherluggage.Hewas,itwouldseem,akindlymaninlittleways.Andsometimes,M.Blunt,kindnessisrepaidinanunexpectedfashion.Itwasso,youknow,withM.Amberiotis.Hechancedtomeettheladyagainin
“Shewasnever,yousee,ofthefirstorderofintelligence.Agood,well-meaningsoul,butthebrain,Ishouldsay,ofahen.”
Bluntsaid:
“Thenitwasn’tshewhokilledtheChapmanwoman?”
Poirotsaidslowly:
“Itisdifficulttoknowjusthowtopresentthematter.Ishallbegin,Ithink,wherethematterbeganforme.Withashoe!”
Bluntsaidblankly:
“Withashoe?”
HerculePoirotnodded.
“Yes,abuckledshoe.Icameoutfrommyséanceatthedentist’sandasIstoodonthestepsof58,QueenCharlotteStreet,ataxistoppedoutside,thedooropenedandawoman’sfootpreparedtodescend.Iamamanwhonoticesawoman’sfootandankle.Itwasawell-shapedfoot,withagoodankleandanexpensivestocking,butIdidnotliketheshoe.Itwasanew,shiningpatentleathershoewithalargeornatebuckle.Notchic—notatallchic!
“AndwhilstIwasobservingthis,therestoftheladycameintosight—andfranklyitwasadisappointment—amiddle-agedladywithoutcharmandbadlydressed.”
“MissSainsburySeale?”
“Precisely.Asshedescendedacontretempsoccurred—shecaughtthebuckleofhershoeinthedooranditwaswrenchedoff.Ipickeditupandreturnedittoher.Thatwasall.Theincidentwasclosed.
“Later,onthatsameday,IwentwithChiefInspectorJapptointerviewthelady.(Shehadnotasyetsewnonthebuckle,bytheway.)
“Onthatsameevening,MissSainsburySealewalkedoutofherhotelandvanished.That,shallwesay,istheendofPartOne.
“PartTwobeganwhenChiefInspectorJappsummonedmetoKingLeopoldMansions.Therewasafurchestinaflatthere,andinthatfurchesttherehadbeenfoundabody.Iwentintotheroom,Iwalkeduptothechest—andthefirstthingIsawwasashabbybuckledshoe!”
“Well?”
“Youhavenotappreciatedthepoint.Itwasashabbyshoe—awell-wornshoe.Butyousee,MissSainsburySealehadcometoKingLeopoldMansionsontheeveningofthatsameday—thedayofMr.Morley’smurder.Inthemorningtheshoeswerenewshoes—intheeveningtheywereoldshoes.Onedoesnotwearoutapairofshoesinaday,youcomprehend.”
AlistairBluntsaidwithoutmuchinterest:
“Shecouldhavetwopairsofshoes,Isuppose?”
“Ah,butthatwasnotso.ForJappandIhadgoneuptoherroomattheGlengowrieCourtandhadlookedatallherpossessions—andtherewasnopairofbuckledshoesthere.Shemighthavehadanoldpairofshoes,yes.Shemighthavechangedintothemafteratiringdaytogooutintheevening,yes?Butifso,theotherpairwouldhavebeenatthehotel.Itwascurious,youwilladmit?”
“Ican’tseethatitisimportant.”
“No,notimportant.Notatallimportant.Butonedoesnotlikethingsthatonecannotexplain.IstoodbythefurchestandIlookedattheshoe—thebucklehadrecentlybeensewnonbyhand.IwillconfessthatIthenhadamomentofdoubt—ofmyself.Yes,Isaidtomyself,HerculePoirot,youwerealittlelight-headedperhapsthismorning.Yousawtheworldthroughrosyspectacles.Eventheoldshoeslookedlikenewonestoyou?”
“Perhapsthatwastheexplanation?”
“Butno,itwasnot.Myeyesdonotdeceiveme!Tocontinue,IstudiedthedeadbodyofthiswomanandIdidnotlikewhatIsaw.Whyhadthefacebeenwantonly,deliberatelysmashedandrenderedunrecognizable?”
AlistairBluntmovedrestlessly.Hesaid:
“Mustwegooverthatagain?Weknow—”
HerculePoirotsaidfirmly:
“Itisnecessary.Ihavetotakeyouoverthestepsthatledmeatlasttothetruth.Isaidtomyself:‘Somethingiswronghere.HereisadeadwomanintheclothesofMissSainsburySeale(except,perhaps,theshoes?)andwiththehandbagofMissSainsburySeale—butwhyisherfaceunrecognizable?Isit,perhaps,becausethefaceisnotthefaceofMissSainsburySeale?’AndimmediatelyIbegintoputtogetherwhatIhaveheardoftheappearanceoftheotherwoman—thewomantowhomtheflatbelongs,andIaskmyself—Mightitnotperhapsbethisotherwomanwholiesdeadhere?Igothenandlookattheotherwoman’sbedroom.Itrytopicturetomyselfwhatsortofwomansheis.Insuperficialappearance,verydifferenttotheother.Smart,showilydressed,verymuchmadeup.Butinessentials,notunlike.Hair,build,age…Butthereisonedifference.Mrs.AlbertChapmantookafiveinshoes.MissSainsburySeale,Iknew,tooka10-inchstocking—thatistosayshewouldtakeatleasta6inshoes.Mrs.Chapman,then,hadsmallerfeetthanMissSainsburySeale.Iwentbacktothebody.Ifmyhalf-formedideawasright,andthebodywasthatofMrs.thentheshoesshouldbetoobig.Itookholdofone.Butitwasnotloose.Itfittedtightly.ThatlookedasthoughitwerethebodyofMissSainsburySealeafterall!Butinthatcase,whywasthefacedisfigured?Heridentitywasalreadyprovedbythehandbag,whichcouldeasilyhavebeenremoved,butwhichhadnotbeenremoved.
“Itwasapuzzle—atangle.IndesperationIseizedonMrs.Chapman’saddressbook—adentistwastheonlypersonwhocouldprovedefinitelywhothedeadwomanwas—orwasnot.Bycoincidence,Mrs.Chapman’sdentistwasMr.Morley.Morleywasdead,butidentificationwasstillpossible.Youknowtheresult.ThebodywasidentifiedintheCoroner’sCourtbyMr.Morley’ssuccessorasthatofMrs.AlbertChapman.”
Bluntwasfidgetingwithsomeimpatience,butPoirottooknonotice.Hewenton:
“Iwasleftnowwithapsychologicalproblem.WhatsortofawomanwasMabelleSainsburySeale?Thereweretwoanswerstothatquestion.ThefirstwastheobviousoneborneoutbyherwholelifeinIndiaandbythetestimonyofherpersonalfriends.Thatdepictedherasanearnest,conscientious,slightlystupidwoman.WasthereanotherMissSainsburySeale?Apparentlytherewas.Therewasawomanwhohadlunchedwithawell-knownforeignagent,whohadaccostedyouinthestreetandclaimedtobeaclosefriendofyourwife’s(astatementthatwasalmostcertainlyuntrue),awomanwhohadleftaman’shouseveryshortlybeforeamurderhadbeencommitted,awomanwhohadvisitedanotherwomanontheeveningwheninallprobabilitythatotherwomanhadbeenmurdered,andwhohadsincedisappearedalthoughshemustbeawarethatthepoliceforceofEnglandwaslookingforher.Werealltheseactionscompatiblewiththecharacterwhichherfriendsgaveher?Itwouldseemthattheywerenot.Therefore,ifMissSainsburySealewerenotthegood,amiablecreaturesheseemed,thenitwouldappearthatshewasquitepossiblyacold-bloodedmurderessoralmostcertainlyanaccompliceafterthefact.
“Ihadonemorecriterion—myownpersonalimpression.IhadtalkedtoMabelleSainsburySealemyself.Howhadshestruckme?Andthat,M.Blunt,wasthemostdifficultquestiontoanswerofall.Everythingthatshesaid,herwayoftalking,hermanner,hergestures,allwereperfectlyinaccordwithhergivencharacterButtheywereequallyinaccordwithacleveractressplayingapart.And,afterall,MabelleSainsburySealehadstartedlifeasanactress.
“IhadbeenmuchimpressedbyaconversationIhadhadwithMr.BarnesofEalingwhohadalsobeenapatientat58,QueenCharlotteStreetonthatparticularday.Histheory,expressedveryforcibly,wasthatthedeathsofMorleyandofAmberiotiswereonlyincidental,sotospeak—thattheintendedvictimwasyou.”
AlistairBluntsaid:
“Oh,comenow—that’sabitfar-fetched.”
“Isit,M.Blunt?Isitnottruethatatthismomenttherearevariousgroupsofpeopletowhomitisvitalthatyoushouldbe—removed,shallwesay?Shallbenolongercapableofexertingyourinfluence?”
Bluntsaid:
“Ohyes,that’strueenough.ButwhymixupthisbusinessofMorley’sdeathwiththat?”
Poirotsaid:
“Becausethereisacertain—howshallIputit?—lavishnessaboutthecase—Expenseisnoobject—humanlifeisnoobject.Yes,thereisarecklessness,alavishness—thatpointstoabigcrime!”
“Youdon’tthinkMorleyshothimselfbecauseofamistake?”
“Ineverthoughtso—notforaminute.No,Morleywasmurdered,Amberiotiswasmurdered,anunrecognizablewomanwasmurdered—Why?Forsomebigstake.Barnes’theorywasthatsomebodyhadtriedtobribeMorleyorhispartnertoputyououtoftheway.”
AlistairBluntsaidsharply:
“Nonsense!”
“Ah,butisitnonsense?Sayonewishestoputsomeoneoutoftheway.Yes,butthatsomeoneisforewarned,forearmed,difficultofaccess.Tokillthatpersonitisnecessarytobeabletoapproachhimwithoutawakeninghissuspicions—andwherewouldamanbelesssuspiciousthaninadentist’schair?”
“Well,that’strue,Isuppose.Ineverthoughtofitlikethat.”
“Itistrue.AndonceIrealizeditIhadmyfirstvagueglimmeringofthetruth.”
“SoyouacceptedBarnes’theory?WhoisBarnes,bytheway?”
“BarneswasReilly’stwelveo’clockpatient.HeisretiredfromtheHomeOfficeandlivesinEaling.Aninsignificantlittleman.ButyouarewrongwhenyousayIacceptedhistheory.Ididnot.Ionlyacceptedtheprincipleofit.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Allalong,allthewaythrough,Ihavebeenledastray—sometimesunwittingly,sometimesdeliberatelyandforapurpose.Allalongitwaspresentedtome,forceduponme,thatthiswaswhatyoumightcallapubliccrime.Thatistosay,thatyou,M.Blunt,werethefocusofitall,inyourpubliccharacter.You,thebanker,youthecontrolleroffinance,you,theupholderofconservativetradition!
“Buteverypubliccharacterhasaprivatelifealso.Thatwasmymistake,Iforgottheprivatelife.ThereexistedprivatereasonsforkillingMorley—FrankCarter’sforinstance.
“Therecouldalsoexistprivatereasonsforkillingyou…Youhadrelationswhowouldinheritmoneywhenyoudied.Youhadpeoplewholovedandhatedyou—asaman—notasapublicfigure.
“AndsoIcametothesupremeinstanceofwhatIcall‘theforcedcard.’ThepurportedattackuponyoubyFrankCarter.Ifthatattackwasgenuine—thenitwasapoliticalcrime.Butwasthereanyotherexplanation?Therecouldbe.Therewasasecondmanintheshrubbery.ThemanwhorushedupandseizedCarter.AmanwhocouldeasilyhavefiredthatshotandthentossedthepistoltoCarter’sfeetsothatthelatterwouldalmostinevitablypickitupandbefoundwithitinhishand….
“IconsideredtheproblemofHowardRaikes.RaikeshadbeenatQueenCharlotteStreetthatmorningofMorley’sdeath.Raikeswasabitterenemyofallthatyoustoodforandwere.Yes,butRaikeswassomethingmore.Raikeswasthemanwhomightmarryyourniece,andwithyoudead,yourniecewouldinheritaveryhandsomeincome,eventhoughyouhadprudentlyarrangedthatshecouldnottouchtheprincipal.
“Wasthewholething,afterall,aprivatecrime—acrimeforprivategain,forprivatesatisfaction?WhyhadIthoughtitapubliccrime?Because,notonce,butmanytimes,thatideahadbeensuggestedtome,hadbeenforceduponmelikeaforcedcard.…
“Itwasthen,whenthatideaoccurredtome,thatIhadmyfirstglimmeringofthetruth.Iwasinchurchatthetimeandsingingaverseofapsalm.Itspokeofasnarelaidwithcords….
“Asnare?Laidforme?Yes,itcouldbe…Butinthatcasewhohadlaidit?Therewasonlyonepersonwhocouldhavelaidit…Andthatdidnotmakesense—ordidit?HadIbeenlookingatthecaseupsidedown?Moneynoobject?Exactly!Recklessdisregardofhumanlife?Yesagain.Forthestakesforwhichtheguiltypersonwasplayingwereenormous.…
“Butifthisnew,strangeideaofminewereright,itmustexplaineverything.Itmustexplain,forinstance,themysteryofthedualnatureofMissSainsburySeale.Itmustsolvetheriddleofthebuckledshoe.Anditmustanswerthequestion:WhereisMissSainsburySealenow?
“Ehbien—itdidallthatandmore.ItshowedmethatMissSainsburySealewasthebeginningandmiddleandendofthecase.NowonderithadseemedtomethatthereweretwoMabelleSainsburySeales.ThereweretwoMabelleSainsburySeales.Therewasthegood,stupid,amiablewomanwhowasvouchedforsoconfidentlybyherfriends.Andtherewastheother—thewomanwhowasmixed-upwithtwomurdersandwhotoldliesandwhovanishedmysteriously.
“Remember,theporteratKingLeopoldMansionssaidthatMissSainsburySealehadbeenthereoncebefore….
“Inmyreconstructionofthecase,thatfirsttimewastheonlytime.SheneverleftKingLeopoldMansions.TheotherMissSainsburySealetookherplace.ThatotherMabelleSainsburySeale,dressedinclothesofthesametypeandwearinganewpairofshoeswithbucklesbecausetheothersweretoolargeforher,wenttotheRussellSquareHotelatabusytimeofday,packedupthedeadwoman’sclothes,paidthebillandleft.ShewenttotheGlengowrieCourtHotel.NoneoftherealMissSainsburySeale’sfriendssawherafterthattime,remember.SheplayedthepartofMabelleSainsburySealethereforoveraweek.SheworeMabelleSainsburySeale’sclothes,shetalkedinMabelleSainsburySeale’svoice,butshehadtobuyasmallerpairofeveningshoes,too.Andthen—shevanished,herlastappearancebeingwhenshewasseenreenteringKingLeopoldMansionsontheeveningofthedayMorleywaskilled.”
“Areyoutryingtosay,”demandedAlistairBlunt,“thatitwasMabelleSainsburySeale’sdeadbodyinthatflat,afterall.”
“Ofcourseitwas!Itwasaverycleverdoublebluff—thesmashedfacewasmeanttoraiseaquestionofthewoman’sidentity!”
“Butthedentalevidence?”
“Ah!Nowwecometoit.Itwasnotthedentisthimselfwhogaveevidence.Morleywasdead.Hecouldn’tgiveevidenceastohisownwork.Hewouldhaveknownwhothedeadwomanwas.Itwasthechartsthatwereputinasevidence—andthechartswerefaked.Bothwomenwerehispatients,remember.Allthathadtobedonewastorelabelthecharts,exchangingthenames.”
HerculePoirotadded:
“AndnowyouseewhatImeantwhenyouaskedmeifthewomanwasdeadandIreplied,‘Thatdepends.’Forwhenyousay‘MissSainsburySeale’—whichwomandoyoumean?ThewomanwhodisappearedfromtheGlengowrieCourtHotelortherealMabelleSainsburySeale.”
AlistairBluntsaid:
“Iknow,M.Poirot,thatyouhaveagreatreputation.ThereforeIacceptthatyoumusthavesomegroundsforthisextraordinaryassumption—foritisanassumption,nothingmore.ButallIcanseeisthefantasticimprobabilityofthewholething.Youaresaying,areyounot,thatMabelleSainsburySealewasdeliberatelymurderedandthatMorleywasalsomurderedtopreventhisidentifyingherdeadbody.Butwhy?That’swhatIwanttoknow.Here’sthiswoman—aperfectlyharmless,middle-agedwoman—withplentyoffriendsandapparentlynoenemies.Whyonearthallthiselaborateplottogetridofher?”
“Why?Yes,thatisthequestion.Why?Asyousay,MabelleSainsburySealewasaperfectlyharmlesscreaturewhowouldn’thurtafly!Why,then,wasshedeliberatelyandbrutallymurdered?Well,IwilltellyouwhatIthink.”
“Yes?”
HerculePoirotleanedforward.Hesaid:
“ItismybeliefthatMabelleSainsburySealewasmurderedbecauseshehappenedtohavetoogoodamemoryforfaces.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Wehaveseparatedthedualpersonality.ThereistheharmlessladyfromIndia.Butthereisoneincidentthatfallsbetweenthetworoles.WhichMissSainsburySealewasitwhospoketoyouonthedoorstepofMr.Morley’shouse?Sheclaimed,youwillremember,tobe‘agreatfriendofyourwife’s.’Nowthatclaimwasadjudgedbyherfriendsandbythelightofordinaryprobabilitytobeuntrue.Sowecansay:‘Thatwasalie.TherealMissSainsburySealedoesnottelllies.’Soitwasalieutteredbytheimpostorforapurposeofherown.”
AlistairBluntnodded.
“Yes,thatreasoningisquiteclear.ThoughIstilldon’tknowwhatthepurposewas.”
Poirotsaid:
“Ah,pardon—butletusfirstlookatittheotherwayround.ItwastherealMissSainsburySeale.Shedoesnottelllies.Sothestorymustbetrue.”
“Isupposeyoucanlookatitthatway—butitseemsveryunlikely—”
“Ofcourseitisunlikely!Buttakingthatsecondhypothesisasfact—thestoryistrue.ThereforeMissSainsburySealedidknowyourwife.Sheknewherwell.Therefore—yourwifemusthavebeenthetypeofpersonMissSainsburySealewouldhaveknownwell.Someoneinherownstationoflife.AnAnglo-Indian—amissionary—or,togobackfartherstill—anactress—Therefore—notRebeccaArnholt!
“Now,M.Blunt,doyouseewhatImeantwhenItalkedofaprivateandapubliclife?Youarethegreatbanker.Butyouarealsoamanwhomarriedarichwife.Andbeforeyoumarriedheryouwereonlyajuniorpartnerinthefirm—notverylongdownfromOxford.
“Youcomprehend—Ibegantolookatthecasetherightwayup.Expensenoobject?Naturallynot—toyou.Recklessofhumanlife—that,too,sinceforalongtimeyouhavebeenvirtuallyadictatorandtoadictatorhisownlifebecomesundulyimportantandthoseofothersunimportant.”
AlistairBluntsaid:
“Whatareyousuggesting,M.Poirot?”
Poirotsaidquietly:
“Iamsuggesting,M.Blunt,thatwhenyoumarriedRebeccaArnholt,youweremarriedalready.That,dazzledbythevista,notsomuchofwealth,asofpower,yousuppressedthatfactanddeliberatelycommittedbigamy.Thatyourrealwifeacquiescedinthesituation.”
“Andwhowasthisrealwife?”
“Mrs.AlbertChapmanwasthenameshewentunderatKingLeopoldMansions—ahandyspot,notfiveminutes’walkfromyourhouseontheChelseaEmbankment.Youborrowedthenameofarealsecretagent,realizingthatitwouldgivesupporttoherhintsofahusbandengagedinintelligencework.Yourschemesucceededperfectly.Nosuspicionwaseveraroused.Nevertheless,thefactremained,youhadneverbeenlegallymarriedtoRebeccaArnholtandyouwereguiltyofbigamy.Youneverdreamtofdangeraftersomanyyears.Itcameoutoftheblue—intheformofatiresomewomanwhorememberedyouafternearlytwentyyears,asherfriend’shusband.Chancebroughtherbacktothiscountry,chancelethermeetyouinQueenCharlotteStreet—itwaschancethatyourniecewaswithyouandheardwhatshesaidtoyou.OtherwiseImightneverhaveguessed.”
“Itoldyouaboutthatmyself,mydearPoirot.”
“No,itwasyourniecewhoinsistedontellingmeandyoucouldnotverywellprotesttooviolentlyincaseitmightarousesuspicions.Andafterthatmeeting,onemoreevilchance(fromyourpointofview)occurred.MabelleSainsburySealemetAmberiotis,wenttolunchwithhimandbabbledtohimofthismeetingwithafriend’shusband—‘afteralltheseyears!’—‘Lookedolder,ofcourse,buthadhardlychanged!’That,Iadmit,ispureguessworkonmypartbutIbelieveitiswhathappened.IdonotthinkthatMabelleSainsburySealerealizedforamomentthattheMr.Bluntherfriendhadmarriedwastheshadowyfigurebehindthefinanceoftheworld.Thename,afterall,isnotanuncommonone.ButAmberiotis,remember,inadditiontohisespionageactivities,wasablackmailer.Blackmailershaveanuncannynoseforasecret.Amberiotiswondered.EasytofindoutjustwhotheMr.Bluntwas.Andthen,Ihavenodoubt,hewrotetoyouortelephoned…Oh,yes—agoldmineforAmberiotis.”
Poirotpaused.Hewenton:
“Thereisonlyoneeffectualmethodofdealingwithareallyefficientandexperiencedblackmailer.Silencehim.
“Itwasnotacase,asIhadhaderroneouslysuggestedtome,of‘Bluntmustgo.’Itwas,onthecontrary,‘Amberiotismustgo.’Buttheanswerwasthesame!Theeasiestwaytogetatamaniswhenheisoffhisguard,andwhenisamanmoreoffhisguardthaninthedentist’schair?”
Poirotpausedagain.Afaintsmilecametohislips.Hesaid:
“Thetruthaboutthecasewasmentionedveryearly.Thepageboy,Alfred,wasreadingacrimestorycalledDeathatElevenForty-Five.Weshouldhavetakenthatasanomen.For,ofcourse,thatisjustaboutthetimewhenMorleywaskilled.Youshothimjustasyouwereleaving.Thenyoupressedhisbuzzer,turnedonthetapsofthewashbasinandlefttheroom.YoutimeditsothatyoucamedownthestairsjustasAlfredwastakingthefalseMabelleSainsburySealetothelift.Youactuallyopenedthefrontdoor,perhapsyoupassedout,butastheliftdoorsshutandtheliftwentupyouslippedinsideagainandwentupthestairs.
“Iknow,frommyownvisits,justwhatAlfreddidwhenhetookupapatient.Heknockedonthedoor,openedit,andstoodbacktoletthepatientpassin.Insidethewaterwasrunning—inference,Morleywaswashinghishandsasusual.ButAlfredcouldn’tactuallyseehim.
“AssoonasAlfredhadgonedownagaininthelift,youslippedalongintothesurgery.Togetheryouandyouraccompliceliftedthebodyandcarrieditintotheadjoiningoffice.Thenaquickhuntthroughthefiles,andthechartsofMrs.ChapmanandMissSainsburySealewerecleverlyfalsified.Youputonawhitelinencoat,perhapsyourwifeappliedatraceofmakeup.Butnothingmuchwasneeded.ItwasAmberiotis’firstvisittoMorley.Hehadnevermetyou.Andyourphotographseldomappearsinthepapers.Besides,whyshouldhehavesuspicions?Ablackmailerdoesnotfearhisdentist.MissSainsburySealegoesdownandAlfredshowsherout.ThebuzzergoesandAmberiotisistakenup.Hefindsthedentistwashinghishandsbehindthedoorinapprovedfashion.Heisconductedtothechair.Heindicatesthepainfultooth.Youtalktheaccustomedpatter.Youexplainitwillbebesttofreezethegum.Theprocaineandadrenalinarethere.Youinjectabigenoughdosetokill.Andincidentallyhewillnotfeelanylackofskillinyourdentistry!
“Completelyunsuspicious,Amberiotisleaves.YoubringoutMorley’sbodyandarrangeitonthefloor,draggingitslightlyonthecarpetnowthatyouhavetomanageitsingle-handed.Youwipethepistolandputitinhishand—wipethedoorhandlesothatyourprintsshallnotbethelast.Theinstrumentsyouusedhaveallbeenpassedintothesterilizer.Youleavetheroom,godownthestairsandslipoutofthefrontdooratasuitablemoment.Thatisyouronlymomentofdanger.
“Itshouldallhavepassedoffsowell!Twopeoplewhothreatenedyoursafety—bothdead.Athirdpersonalsodead—butthat,fromyourpointofview,wasunavoidable.Andallsoeasilyexplained.Morley’ssuicideexplainedbythemistakehehadmadeoverAmberiotis.Thetwodeathscancelout.Oneoftheseregrettableaccidents.
“Butalasforyou,Iamonthescene.Ihavedoubts.Imakeobjections.Allisnotgoingaseasilyasyouhoped.Sotheremustbeasecondlineofdefences.Theremustbe,ifnecessary,ascapegoat.Youhavealreadyinformedyourselfminutely,ofMorley’shousehold.Thereisthisman,FrankCarter,hewilldo.Soyouraccomplicearrangesthatheshallbeengagedinamysteriousfashionasgardener.If,later,hetellssucharidiculousstorynoonewillbelieveit.Induecourse,thebodyinthefurchestwillcometolight.AtfirstitwillbethoughttobethatofMissSainsburySeale,thenthedentalevidencewillbetaken.Bigsensation!Itmayseemaneedlesscomplication,butitwasnecessary.YoudonotwantthepoliceforceofEnglandtobelookingforamissingMrs.AlbertChapman.No,letMrs.Chapmanbedead—andletitbeMabelleSainsburySealeforwhomthepolicelook.Sincetheycanneverfindher.Besides,throughyourinfluence,youcanarrangetohavethecasedropped.
“Youdiddothat,butsinceitwasnecessarythatyoushouldknowjustwhatIwasdoing,yousentformeandurgedmetofindthemissingwomanforyou.Andyoucontinued,steadily,to‘forceacard’uponme.Youraccomplicerangmeupwithamelodramaticwarning—thesameidea—espionage—thepublicaspect.Sheisacleveractress,thiswifeofyours,buttodisguiseone’svoicethenaturaltendencyistoimitateanothervoice.YourwifeimitatedtheintonationofMrs.Olivera.Thatpuzzledme,Imaysay,agooddeal.
“ThenIwastakendowntoExsham—thefinalperformancewasstaged.Howeasytoarrangealoadedpistolamongstlaurelssothataman,clippingthem,shallunwittinglycauseittogooff.Thepistolfallsathisfeet.Startled,hepicksitup.Whatmoredoyouwant?Heiscaughtred-handed—witharidiculousstoryandwithapistolwhichisatwintotheonewithwhichMorleywasshot.
“AndallasnareforthefeetofHerculePoirot.”
AlistairBluntstirredalittleinhischair.Hisfacewasgraveandalittlesad.Hesaid:
“Don’tmisunderstandme,M.Poirot.Howmuchdoyouguess?Andhowmuchdoyouactuallyknow?”
Poirotsaid:
“Ihaveacertificateofthemarriage—ataregistryofficenearOxford—ofMartinAlistairBluntandGerdaGrant.FrankCartersawtwomenleaveMorley’ssurgeryjustaftertwenty-fivepasttwelve.Thefirstwasafatman—Amberiotis.Thesecondwas,ofcourse,you.FrankCarterdidnotrecognizeyou.Heonlysawyoufromabove.”
“Howfairofyoutomentionthat!”
“HewentintothesurgeryandfoundMorley’sbody.Thehandswerecoldandtherewasdriedbloodroundthewound.ThatmeantthatMorleyhadbeendeadsometime.ThereforethedentistwhoattendedtoAmberiotiscouldnothavebeenMorleyandmusthavebeenMorley’smurderer.”
“Anythingelse?”
“Yes.HelenMontressorwasarrestedthisafternoon.”
AlistairBluntgaveonesharpmovement.Thenhesatverystill.Hesaid:
“That—rathertearsit.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Yes.TherealHelenMontressor,yourdistantcousin,diedinCanadasevenyearsago.Yousuppressedthatfact,andtookadvantageofit.”
AsmilecametoAlistairBlunt’slips.Hespokenaturallyandwithakindofboyishenjoyment.
“Gerdagotakickoutofitall,youknow.I’dliketomakeyouunderstand.You’resuchacleverfellow.Imarriedherwithoutlettingmypeopleknow.Shewasactinginrepertoryatthetime.Mypeoplewerethestraitlacedkind,andIwasgoingintothefirm.Weagreedtokeepitdark.Shewentonacting.MabelleSainsburySealewasinthecompanytoo.Sheknewaboutus.Thenshewentabroadwithatouringcompany.GerdaheardofheronceortwicefromIndia.Thenshestoppedwriting.MabellegotmixedupwithsomeHindu.Shewasalwaysastupid,credulousgirl.
“IwishIcouldmakeyouunderstandaboutmymeetingwithRebeccaandmymarriage.Gerdaunderstood.TheonlywayIcanputitisthatitwaslikeRoyalty.IhadthechanceofmarryingaQueenandplayingthepartofPrinceConsortorevenKing.IlookedonmymarriagetoGerdaasmorganatic.Ilovedher.Ididn’twanttogetridofher.Andthewholethingworkedsplendidly.IlikedRebeccaimmensely.Shewasawomanwithafirst-classfinancialbrainandminewasjustasgood.Weweregoodatteamwork.Itwassupremelyexciting.ShewasanexcellentcompanionandIthinkImadeherhappy.Iwasgenuinelysorrywhenshedied.ThequeerthingwasthatGerdaandIgrewtoenjoythesecretthrillofourmeetings.Wehadallsortsofingeniousdevices.Shewasanactressbynature.Shehadarepertoireofsevenoreightcharacters—Mrs.AlbertChapmanwasonlyoneofthem.ShewasanAmericanwidowinParis.ImethertherewhenIwentoveronbusiness.AndsheusedtogotoNorwaywithpaintingthingsasanartist.Iwentthereforthefishing.Andthen,later,Ipassedheroffasmycousin.HelenMontressor.Itwasgreatfunforusboth,anditkeptromancealive,Isuppose.WecouldhavemarriedofficiallyafterRebeccadied—butwedidn’twantto.Gerdawouldhavefoundithardtolivemyofficiallifeand,ofcourse,somethingfromthepastmighthavebeenrakedup,butIthinktherealreasonwewentonmoreorlessthesamewasthatweenjoyedthesecrecyofit.Weshouldhavefoundopendomesticitydull.”
Bluntpaused.Hesaid,andhisvoicechangedandhardened:
“Andthenthatdamnedfoolofawomanmessedupeverything.Recognizingme—afterallthoseyears!AndshetoldAmberiotis.Yousee—youmustsee—thatsomethinghadtobedone!Itwasn’tonlymyself—notonlytheselfishpointofview.IfIwasruinedanddisgraced—thecountry,mycountrywashitaswell.ForI’vedonesomethingforEngland,M.Poirot.I’vehelditfirmandkeptitsolvent.It’sfreefromDictators—fromFascismandfromCommunism.Idon’treallycareformoneyasmoney.Idolikepower—Iliketorule—butIdon’twanttotyrannize.WearedemocraticinEngland—trulydemocratic.Wecangrumbleandsaywhatwethinkandlaughatourpoliticians.We’refree.Icareforallthat—it’sbeenmylifework.ButifIwent—well,youknowwhatwouldprobablyhappen.I’mneeded,M.Poirot.Andadamneddouble-crossing,blackmailingrogueofaGreekwasgoingtodestroymylifework.Somethinghadtobedone.Gerdasawit,too.WeweresorryabouttheSainsburySealewoman—butitwasnogood.We’dgottosilenceher.Shecouldn’tbetrustedtoholdhertongue.Gerdawenttoseeher,askedhertotea,toldhertoaskforMrs.Chapman,saidshewasstayinginMr.Chapman’sflat.MabelleSainsburySealecame,quiteunsuspecting.Sheneverknewanything—themedinalwasinthetea—it’squitepainless.Youjustsleepanddon’twakeup.Thefacebusinesswasdoneafterwards—rathersickening,butwefeltitwasnecessary.Mrs.Chapmanwastoexitforgood.Ihadgivenmy‘cousin’Helenacottagetolivein.Wedecidedthatafterawhilewewouldgetmarried.ButfirstwehadtogetAmberiotisoutoftheway.Itworkedbeautifully.Hehadn’tasuspicionthatIwasn’tarealdentist.Ididmystuffwiththehandpricksratherwell.Ididn’triskthedrill.Ofcourse,aftertheinjectionhecouldn’tfeelwhatIwasdoing.Probablyjustaswell!”
Poirotasked:
“Thepistols?”
“ActuallytheybelongedtoasecretaryIoncehadinAmerica.Heboughtthemabroadsomewhere.Whenheleftheforgottotakethem.”
Therewasapause.ThenAlistairBluntasked:
“Isthereanythingelseyouwanttoknow?”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“WhataboutMorley?”
AlistairBluntsaidsimply:
“IwassorryaboutMorley.”
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Yes,Isee….”
Therewasalongpause,thenBluntsaid:
“Well,M.Poirot,whataboutit?”
Poirotsaid:
“HelenMontressorisarrestedalready.”
“Andnowit’smyturn?”
“Thatwasmymeaning,yes.”
Bluntsaidgently:
“Butyouarenothappyaboutit,eh?”
“No,Iamnotatallhappy.”
AlistairBluntsaid:
“I’vekilledthreepeople.SopresumablyIoughttobehanged.Butyou’veheardmydefence.”
“Whichis—exactly?”
“ThatIbelieve,withallmyheartandsoul,thatIamnecessarytothecontinuedpeaceandwell-beingofthiscountry.”
HerculePoirotallowed:
“Thatmaybe—yes.”
“Youagree,don’tyou?”
“Iagree,yes.Youstandforallthethingsthattomymindareimportant.Forsanityandbalanceandstabilityandhonestdealing.”
AlistairBluntsaidquietly:
“Thanks.”
Headded:
“Well,whataboutit?”
“YousuggestthatI—retirefromthecase?”
“Yes.”
“Andyourwife?”
“I’vegotagooddealofpull.Mistakenidentity,that’sthelinetotake.”
“AndifIrefuse?”
“Then,”saidAlistairBluntsimply,“I’mforit.”
Hewenton:
“It’sinyourhands,Poirot.It’suptoyou.ButItellyouthis—andit’snotjustself-preservation—I’mneededintheworld.Anddoyouknowwhy?BecauseI’manhonestman.AndbecauseI’vegotcommonsense—andnoparticularaxeofmyowntogrind.”
Poirotnodded.Strangelyenough,hebelievedallthat.
Hesaid:
“Yes,thatisoneside.Youaretherightmanintherightplace.Youhavesanity,judgement,balance.Butthereistheotherside.Threehumanbeingswhoaredead.”
“Yes,butthinkofthem!MabelleSainsburySeale—yousaidyourself—awomanwiththebrainsofahen!Amberiotis—acrookandablackmailer!”
“AndMorley?”
“I’vetoldyoubefore.I’msorryaboutMorley.Butafterall—hewasadecentfellowandagooddentist—butthereareotherdentists.”
“Yes,”saidPoirot,“thereareotherdentists.AndFrankCarter?Youwouldhavelethimdie,too,withoutregret?”
Bluntsaid:
“Idon’twasteanypityonhim.He’snogood.Anutterrotter.”
Poirotsaid:
“Butahumanbeing….”
“Ohwell,we’reallhumanbeings….”
“Yes,weareallhumanbeings.Thatiswhatyouhavenotremembered.YouhavesaidthatMabelleSainsburySealewasafoolishhumanbeingandAmberiotisanevilone,andFrankCarterawastrel—andMorley—Morleywasonlyadentistandthereareotherdentists.ThatiswhereyouandI,M.Blunt,donotseealike.Fortomethelivesofthosefourpeoplearejustasimportantasyourlife.”
“You’rewrong.”
“No,Iamnotwrong.Youareamanofgreatnaturalhonestyandrectitude.Youtookonestepaside—andoutwardlyithasnotaffectedyou.Publiclyyouhavecontinuedthesame,upright,trustworthy,honest.Butwithinyoutheloveofpowergrewtoover-whelmingheights.Soyousacrificedfourhumanlivesandthoughtthemofnoaccount.”
“Don’tyourealize,Poirot,thatthesafetyandhappinessofthewholenationdependsonme?”
“Iamnotconcernedwithnations,Monsieur.Iamconcernedwiththelivesofprivateindividualswhohavetherightnottohavetheirlivestakenfromthem.”
Hegotup.
“Sothat’syouranswer,”saidAlistairBlunt.
HerculePoirotsaidinatiredvoice:
“Yes—thatismyanswer….”
Hewenttothedoorandopenedit.Twomencamein.
II
HerculePoirotwentdowntowhereagirlwaswaiting.
JaneOlivera,herfacewhiteandstrained,stoodagainstthemantelpiece.BesideherwasHowardRaikes.
Shesaid:
“Well?”
Poirotsaidgently:
“Itisallover.”
Raikessaidharshly:
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Poirotsaid:
“Mr.AlistairBlunthasbeenarrestedformurder.”
Raikessaid:
“Ithoughthe’dbuyyouoff….”
Janesaid:
“No.Ineverthoughtthat.”
Poirotsighed.Hesaid:
“Theworldisyours.TheNewHeavenandtheNewEarth.Inyournewworld,mychildren,lettherebefreedomandlettherebepity…ThatisallIask.”
NINETEEN,TWENTY,MYPLATE’SEMPTY
HerculePoirotwalkedhomealongthedesertedstreets.
Anunobtrusivefigurejoinedhim.
“Well?”saidMr.Barnes.
HerculePoirotshruggedhisshouldersandspreadouthishands.
Barnessaid:
“Whatlinedidhetake?”
“Headmittedeverythingandpleadedjustification.Hesaidthatthiscountryneededhim.”
“Soitdoes,”saidMr.Barnes.
Headdedafteraminuteortwo:
“Don’tyouthinkso?”
“Yes,Ido.”
“Well,then—”
“Wemaybewrong,”saidHerculePoirot.
“Ineverthoughtofthat,”saidMr.Barnes.“Sowemay.”
Theywalkedonforalittleway,thenBarnesaskedcuriously:
“Whatareyouthinkingabout?”
HerculePoirotquoted:
“BecausethouhastrejectedthewordoftheLord,hehathalsorejectedtheefrombeingking.”
“Hm—Isee—”saidMr.Barnes.“Saul—aftertheAmalekites.Yes,youcouldthinkofitthatway.”
Theywalkedonalittlefarther,thenBarnessaid:
“Itakethetubehere.Goodnight,Poirot.”Hepaused,thensaidawkwardly:“Youknow—there’ssomethingI’dliketotellyou.”
“Yes,monami?”
“FeelIoweittoyou.Ledyouastrayunintentionally.Factofthematteris,AlbertChapman,Q.X.912.”
“Yes?”
“I’mAlbertChapman.That’spartlywhyIwasinterested.Iknew,yousee,thatI’dneverhadawife.”
Hehurriedaway,chuckling.
Poirotstoodstockstill.Thenhiseyesopened,hiseyebrowsrose.
Hesaidtohimself:
“Nineteen,twenty,myplate’sempty—”
Andwenthome.
AbouttheAuthor
AgathaChristieisthemostwidelypublishedauthorofalltimeandinanylanguage,outsoldonlybytheBibleandShakespeare.HerbookshavesoldmorethanabillioncopiesinEnglishandanotherbillioninahundredforeignlanguages.Sheistheauthorofeightycrimenovelsandshort-storycollections,nineteenplays,twomemoirs,andsixnovelswrittenunderthenameMaryWestmacott.
ShefirsttriedherhandatdetectivefictionwhileworkinginahospitaldispensaryduringWorldWarI,creatingthenowlegendaryHerculePoirotwithherdebutnovelTheMysteriousAffairatStyles.WithTheMurderintheVicarage,publishedin1930,sheintroducedanotherbelovedsleuth,MissJaneMarple.Additionalseriescharactersincludethehusband-and-wifecrime-fightingteamofTommyandTuppenceBeresford,privateinvestigatorParkerPyne,andScotlandYarddetectivesSuperintendentBattleandInspectorJapp.
ManyofChristie’snovelsandshortstorieswereadaptedintoplays,films,andtelevisionseries.TheMousetrap,hermostfamousplayofall,openedin1952andisthelongest-runningplayinhistory.Amongherbest-knownfilmadaptationsareMurderontheOrientExpress(1974)andDeathontheNile(1978),withAlbertFinneyandPeterUstinovplayingHerculePoirot,respectively.OnthesmallscreenPoirothasbeenmostmemorablyportrayedbyDavidSuchet,andMissMarplebyJoanHicksonandsubsequentlyGeraldineMcEwanandJuliaMcKenzie.
ChristiewasfirstmarriedtoArchibaldChristieandthentoarchaeologistSirMaxMallowan,whomsheaccompaniedonexpeditionstocountriesthatwouldalsoserveasthesettingsformanyofhernovels.In1971sheachievedoneofBritain’shighesthonorswhenshewasmadeaDameoftheBritishEmpire.Shediedin1976attheageofeighty-five.Heronehundredandtwentiethanniversarywascelebratedaroundtheworldin2010.
www.AgathaChristie.com
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THEAGATHACHRISTIECOLLECTION
TheManintheBrownSuit
TheSecretofChimneys
TheSevenDialsMystery
TheMysteriousMr.Quin
TheSittafordMystery
ParkerPyneInvestigates
WhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?
MurderIsEasy
TheRegattaMysteryandOtherStories
AndThenThereWereNone
TowardsZero
DeathComesastheEnd
SparklingCyanide
TheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStories
CrookedHouse
ThreeBlindMiceandOtherStories
TheyCametoBaghdad
DestinationUnknown
OrdealbyInnocence
DoubleSinandOtherStories
ThePaleHorse
StaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStories
EndlessNight
PassengertoFrankfurt
TheGoldenBallandOtherStories
TheMousetrapandOtherPlays
TheHarlequinTeaSet
TheHerculePoirotMysteries
TheMysteriousAffairatStyles
TheMurderontheLinks
PoirotInvestigates
TheMurderofRogerAckroyd
TheBigFour
TheMysteryoftheBlueTrain
PerilatEndHouse
LordEdgwareDies
MurderontheOrientExpress
ThreeActTragedy
DeathintheClouds
TheA.B.C.Murders
MurderinMesopotamia
CardsontheTable
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
Credits
CoverdesignandillustrationbyFaithLaurel
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
ThistitlewaspreviouslypublishedasThePatrioticMurdersandAnOverdoseofDeath.
AGATHACHRISTIE?POIROT?ONE,TWO,BUCKLEMYSHOE?.Copyright?1940AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.
ONE,TWO,BUCKLEMYSHOE?1941.PublishedbypermissionofG.P.Putnam’sSons,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverse-engineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformation
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