HP01-TheMysteriousAffairatStyles

AgathaChristie

1

IGotoStyles

Theintenseinterestarousedinthepublicbywhatwasknownatthetimeas"TheStylesCase"hasnow
somewhat subsided. Nevertheless, in view of the worldwide notoriety which attended it, I have been
asked,bothbymyfriendPoirotandthefamilythemselves,towriteanaccountofthewholestory.This,
wetrust,willeffectuallysilencethesensationalrumourswhichstillpersist.

Iwillthereforebrieflysetdownthecircumstanceswhichledtomybeingconnectedwiththeaffair.

I had been invalided home from the Front; and, after spending some months in a rather depressing
ConvalescentHome,wasgivenamonth'ssickleave.Havingnonearrelationsorfriends,Iwastryingto
makeupmymindwhattodo,whenIranacrossJohnCavendish.Ihadseenverylittleofhimforsome
years.Indeed,Ihadneverknownhimparticularlywell.Hewasagoodfifteenyearsmysenior,forone
thing,thoughhehardlylookedhisforty-fiveyears.Asaboy,though,IhadoftenstayedatStyles,his
mother'splaceinEssex.

Wehadagoodyarnaboutoldtimes,anditendedinhisinvitingmedowntoStylestospendmyleave
there.

"Thematerwillbedelightedtoseeyouagain-afterallthoseyears,"headded.

"Yourmotherkeepswell?"Iasked.

"Oh,yes.Isupposeyouknowthatshehasmarriedagain?"

IamafraidIshowedmysurpriseratherplainly.Mrs.Cavendish,whohadmarriedJohn'sfatherwhenhe
wasawidowerwithtwosons,hadbeenahandsomewomanofmiddleageasIrememberedher.She
certainlycouldnotbeadaylessthanseventynow.Irecalledherasanenergetic,autocraticpersonality,
somewhatinclinedtocharitableandsocialnotoriety,withafondnessforopeningbazaarsandplaying
theLadyBountiful.Shewasamostgenerouswoman,andpossessedaconsiderablefortuneofherown.

Theircountry-place,StylesCourt,hadbeenpurchasedbyMr.Cavendishearlyintheirmarriedlife.He

hadbeencompletelyunderhiswife'sascendancy,somuchsothat,ondying,helefttheplacetoherfor
herlifetime,aswellasthelargerpartofhisincome;anarrangementthatwasdistinctlyunfairtohistwo
sons.Theirstepmother,however,hadalwaysbeenmostgeneroustothem;indeed,theyweresoyoung
atthetimeoftheirfather'sremarriagethattheyalwaysthoughtofherastheirownmother.

Lawrence,theyounger,hadbeenadelicateyouth.Hehadqualifiedasadoctorbutearlyrelinquished
theprofessionofmedicine,andlivedathomewhilepursuingliteraryambitions;thoughhisversesnever
hadanymarkedsuccess.

Johnpracticedforsometimeasabarrister,buthadfinallysettleddowntothemorecongeniallifeofa
country squire. He had married two years ago, and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I
entertainedashrewdsuspicionthathewouldhavepreferredhismothertoincreasehisallowance,which
wouldhaveenabledhimtohaveahomeofhisown.Mrs.Cavendish,however,wasaladywholikedto
makeherownplans,andexpectedotherpeopletofallinwiththem,andinthiscaseshecertainlyhad
thewhiphand,namely:thepursestrings.

Johnnoticedmysurpriseatthenewsofhismother'sremarriageandsmiledratherruefully.

"Rottenlittleboundertoo!"hesaidsavagely."Icantellyou,Hastings,it'smakinglifejollydifficultfor
us.AsforEvie-yourememberEvie?"

"No."

"Oh, I suppose she was after your time. She's the mater's factotum, companion, Jack of all trades! A
greatsport-oldEvie!Notpreciselyyoungandbeautiful,butasgameastheymakethem."

"Youweregoingtosay--?"

"Oh,thisfellow!Heturnedupfromnowhere,onthepretextofbeingasecondcousinorsomethingof
Evie's, though she didn't seem particularly keen to acknowledge the relationship. The fellow is an
absoluteoutsider,anyonecanseethat.He'sgotagreatblackbeard,andwearspatentleatherbootsinall
weathers!Butthematercottonedtohimatonce,tookhimonassecretary-youknowhowshe'salways
runningahundredsocieties?"

Inodded.

"Well,ofcoursethewarhasturnedthehundredsintothousands.Nodoubtthefellowwasveryusefulto
her. But you could have knocked us all down with a feather when, three months ago, she suddenly
announcedthatsheandAlfredwereengaged!Thefellowmustbeatleasttwentyyearsyoungerthanshe
is!It'ssimplybare-facedfortunehunting;butthereyouare-sheisherownmistress,andshe'smarried
him."

"Itmustbeadifficultsituationforyouall."

"Difficult!It'sdamnable!"

Thusitcameaboutthat,threedayslater,IdescendedfromthetrainatStylesSt.Mary,anabsurdlittle
station,withnoapparentreasonforexistence,perchedupinthemidstofgreenfieldsandcountrylanes.
JohnCavendishwaswaitingontheplatform,andpilotedmeouttothecar.

"Gotadroportwoofpetrolstill,yousee,"heremarked."Mainlyowingtothemater'sactivities."

ThevillageofStylesSt.Marywassituatedabouttwomilesfromthelittlestation,andStylesCourtlay
amiletheothersideofit.Itwasastill,warmdayinearlyJuly.AsonelookedoutovertheflatEssex
country, lying so green and peaceful under the afternoon sun, it seemed almost impossible to believe
that,notsoveryfaraway,agreatwarwasrunningitsappointedcourse.IfeltIhadsuddenlystrayed
into another world. As we turned in at the lodge gates, John said: "I'm afraid you'll find it very quiet
downhere,Hastings."

"Mydearfellow,that'sjustwhatIwant."

"Oh,it'spleasantenoughifyouwanttoleadtheidlelife.Idrillwiththevolunteerstwiceaweek,and
lendahandatthefarms.Mywifeworksregularly'ontheland'.Sheisupatfiveeverymorningtomilk,
and keeps at it steadily until lunchtime. It's a jolly good life taking it all round - if it weren't for that
fellowAlfredInglethorp!"Hecheckedthecarsuddenly,andglancedathiswatch."Iwonderifwe've
timetopickupCynthia.No,she'llhavestartedfromthehospitalbynow."

"Cynthia!That'snotyourwife?"

"No,Cynthiaisaprotégéeofmymother's,thedaughterofanoldschoolfellowofhers,whomarrieda
rascallysolicitor.Hecameacropper,andthegirlwasleftanorphanandpenniless.Mymothercameto
therescue,andCynthiahasbeenwithusnearlytwoyearsnow.SheworksintheRedCrossHospitalat
Tadminster,sevenmilesaway."

Ashespokethelastwords,wedrewupinfrontofthefineoldhouse.Aladyinastouttweedskirt,who
wasbendingoveraflowerbed,straightenedherselfatourapproach.

"Hullo,Evie,here'sourwoundedhero!Mr.Hastings-MissHoward."

MissHowardshookhandswithahearty,almostpainful,grip.Ihadanimpressionofveryblueeyesina
sunburntface.Shewasapleasant-lookingwomanofaboutforty,withadeepvoice,almostmanlyinits
stentoriantones,andhadalargesensiblesquarebody,withfeettomatch-theselastencasedingood
thickboots.Herconversation,Isoonfound,wascouchedinthetelegraphicstyle.

"Weedsgrowlikehouseafire.Can'tkeepevenwith'em.Shallpressyouin.Betterbecareful."

"I'msureIshallbeonlytoodelightedtomakemyselfuseful,"Iresponded.

"Don'tsayit.Neverdoes.Wishyouhadn'tlater."

"You'reacynic,Evie,"saidJohn,laughing."Where'steatoday-insideorout?"

"Out.Toofineadaytobecoopedupinthehouse."

"Comeonthen,you'vedoneenoughgardeningfortoday.'Thelabourerisworthyofhishire',youknow.
Comeandberefreshed."

"Well,"saidMissHoward,drawingoffhergardeninggloves,"I'minclinedtoagreewithyou."

Sheledthewayroundthehousetowhereteawasspreadundertheshadeofalargesycamore.

Afigurerosefromoneofthebasketchairs,andcameafewstepstomeetus.

"Mywife,Hastings,"saidJohn.

IshallneverforgetmyfirstsightofMaryCavendish.Hertall,slenderform,outlinedagainstthebright
light;thevividsenseofslumberingfirethatseemedtofindexpressiononlyinthosewonderfultawny
eyes of hers, remarkable eyes, different from any other woman's that I have ever known; the intense
powerofstillnessshepossessed,whichneverthelessconveyedtheimpressionofawilduntamedspirit
inanexquisitelycivilisedbody-allthesethingsareburntintomymemory.Ishallneverforgetthem.

She greeted me with a few words of pleasant welcome in a low clear voice, and I sank into a basket
chairfeelingdistinctlygladthatIhadacceptedJohn'sinvitation.Mrs.Cavendishgavemesometea,and
her few quiet remarks heightened my first impression of her as a thoroughly fascinating woman. An
appreciativelistenerisalwaysstimulating,andIdescribed,inahumorousmanner,certainincidentsof
myConvalescentHome,inawaywhich,Iflattermyself,greatlyamusedmyhostess.John,ofcourse,
goodfellowthoughheis,couldhardlybecalledabrilliantconversationalist.

AtthatmomentawellrememberedvoicefloatedthroughtheopenFrenchwindownearathand:"Then
you'llwritetothePrincessaftertea,Alfred?I'llwritetoLadyTadminsterforthesecondday,myself.Or
shallwewaituntilwehearfromthePrincess?Incaseofarefusal,LadyTadminstermightopenitthe
firstday,andMrs.Crosbiethesecond.Thenthere'stheDuchess-abouttheschoolfete."

Therewasthemurmurofaman'svoice,andthenMrs.Inglethorp'sroseinreply:"Yes,certainly.After
teawilldoquitewell.Youaresothoughtful,Alfreddear."

TheFrenchwindowswungopenalittlewider,andahandsomewhite-hairedoldlady,withasomewhat
masterful cast of features, stepped out of it on to the lawn. A man followed her, a suggestion of
deferenceinhismanner.

Mrs.Inglethorpgreetedmewitheffusion.

"Why,ifitisn'ttoodelightfultoseeyouagain,Mr.Hastings,afteralltheseyears.Alfred,darling,Mr.
Hastings-myhusband."

I looked with some curiosity at "Alfred darling". He certainly struck a rather alien note. I did not
wonderatJohnobjectingtohisbeard.ItwasoneofthelongestandblackestIhaveeverseen.Hewore
gold-rimmedpince-nez,andhadacuriousimpassivityoffeature.Itstruckmethathemightlooknatural
onastage,butwasstrangelyoutofplaceinreallife.Hisvoicewasratherdeepandunctuous.Heplaced
awoodenhandinmineandsaid:"Thisisapleasure,Mr.Hastings."Then,turningtohiswife:"Emily
dearest,Ithinkthatcushionisalittledamp."

She beamed fondly on him, as he substituted another with every demonstration of the tenderest care.
Strangeinfatuationofanotherwisesensiblewoman!

With the presence of Mr. Inglethorp, a sense of constraint and veiled hostility seemed to settle down
uponthecompany.MissHoward,inparticular,tooknopainstoconcealherfeelings.Mrs.Inglethorp,
however,seemedtonoticenothingunusual.Hervolubility,whichIrememberedofold,hadlostnothing
intheinterveningyears,andshepouredoutasteadyfloodofconversation,mainlyonthesubjectofthe
forthcoming bazaar which she was organizing and which was to take place shortly. Occasionally she
referred to her husband over a question of days or dates. His watchful and attentive manner never
varied. From the very first I took a firm and rooted dislike to him, and I flatter myself that my first
judgmentsareusuallyfairlyshrewd.

Presently Mrs. Inglethorp turned to give some instructions about letters to Evelyn Howard, and her

husbandaddressedmeinhispainstakingvoice:"Issoldieringyourregularprofession,Mr.Hastings?"

"No,beforethewarIwasinLloyd's."

"Andyouwillreturnthereafteritisover?"

"Perhaps.Eitherthatorafreshstartaltogether."

MaryCavendishleantforward."Whatwouldyoureallychooseasaprofession,ifyoucouldjustconsult
yourinclination?"

"Well,thatdepends."

"Nosecrethobby?"sheasked."Tellme-you'redrawntosomething?Everyoneis-usuallysomething
absurd."

"You'lllaughatme."

Shesmiled."Perhaps."

"Well,I'vealwayshadasecrethankeringtobeadetective!"

"Therealthing-ScotlandYard?OrSherlockHolmes?"

"Oh,SherlockHolmesbyallmeans.Butreally,seriously,Iamawfullydrawntoit.Icameacrossaman
inBelgiumonce,averyfamousdetective,andhequiteinflamedme.Hewasamarvellouslittlefellow.
Heusedtosaythatallgooddetectiveworkwasamerematterofmethod.Mysystemisbasedonhis-
though of course I have progressed rather further. He was a funny little man, a great dandy, but
wonderfullyclever."

"Like a good detective story myself," remarked Miss Howard. "Lots of nonsense written, though.
Criminaldiscoveredinlastchapter.Everyonedumbfounded.Realcrime-you'dknowatonce."

"Therehavebeenagreatnumberofundiscoveredcrimes,"Iargued.

"Don't mean the police, but the people that are right in it. The family. You couldn't really hoodwink
them.They'dknow."

"Then,"Isaid,muchamused,"youthinkthatifyouweremixedupinacrime,sayamurder,you'dbe
abletospotthemurdererrightoff?"

"OfcourseIshould.Mightn'tbeabletoproveittoapackoflawyers.ButI'mcertainI'dknow.I'dfeelit
inmyfingertipsifhecamenearme."

"Itmightbea'she,'"Isuggested.

"Might.Butmurder'saviolentcrime.Associateitmorewithaman."

"Not in a case of poisoning." Mrs. Cavendish's clear voice startled me. "Dr. Bauerstein was saying
yesterday that, owing to the general ignorance of the more uncommon poisons among the medical
profession,therewereprobablycountlesscasesofpoisoningquiteunsuspected."

"Why, Mary, what a gruesome conversation!" cried Mrs. Inglethorp. "It makes me feel as if a goose

werewalkingovermygrave.Oh,there'sCynthia!"

AyounggirlinV.A.D.uniformranlightlyacrossthelawn.

"Why,Cynthia,youarelatetoday.ThisisMr.Hastings-MissMurdoch."

CynthiaMurdochwasafresh-lookingyoungcreature,fulloflifeandvigour.ShetossedoffherlittleV.
A.D.cap,andIadmiredthegreatloosewavesofherauburnhair,andthesmallnessandwhitenessof
thehandsheheldouttoclaimhertea.Withdarkeyesandeyelashesshewouldhavebeenabeauty.

SheflungherselfdownonthegroundbesideJohn,andasIhandedheraplateofsandwichesshesmiled
upatme.

"Sitdownhereonthegrass,do.It'seversomuchnicer."

Idroppeddownobediently.

"YouworkatTadminster,don'tyou,MissMurdoch?"

Shenodded."Formysins."

"Dotheybullyyou,then?"Iasked,smiling.

"Ishouldliketoseethem!"criedCynthiawithdignity.

"Ihavegotacousinwhoisnursing,"Iremarked."Andsheisterrifiedof'Sisters'."

"Idon'twonder.Sisterscare,youknow,Mr.Hastings.Theysimplycare!You'venoidea!ButI'mnota
nurse,thankheaven,Iworkinthedispensary."

"Howmanypeopledoyoupoison?"Iasked,smiling.

Cynthiasmiledtoo."Oh,hundreds!"shesaid.

"Cynthia,"calledMrs.Inglethorp,"doyouthinkyoucouldwriteafewnotesforme?"

"Certainly,AuntEmily."

Shejumpeduppromptly,andsomethinginhermannerremindedmethatherpositionwasadependent
one,andthatMrs.Inglethorp,kindasshemightbeinthemain,didnotallowhertoforgetit.

Myhostessturnedtome."Johnwillshowyouyourroom.Supperisathalf-pastseven.Wehavegiven
up late dinner for some time now. Lady Tadminster, our Member's wife - she was the late Lord
Abbotsbury'sdaughter-doesthesame.Sheagreeswithmethatonemustsetanexampleofeconomy.
Wearequiteawarhousehold;nothingiswastedhere-everyscrapofwastepaper,even,issavedand
sentawayinsacks."

Iexpressedmyappreciation,andJohntookmeintothehouseandupthebroadstaircase,whichforked
rightandlefthalfwaytodifferentwingsofthebuilding.Myroomwasintheleftwing,andlookedout
overthepark.

Johnleftme,andafewminuteslaterIsawhimfrommywindowwalkingslowlyacrossthegrassarm
in arm with Cynthia Murdoch. I heard Mrs. Inglethorp call "Cynthia" impatiently, and the girl started

and ran back to the house. At the same moment, a man stepped out from the shadow of a tree and
walkedslowlyinthesamedirection.Helookedaboutforty,verydarkwithamelancholyclean-shaven
face.Someviolentemotionseemedtobemasteringhim.Helookedupatmywindowashepassed,and
Irecognizedhim,thoughhehadchangedmuchinthefifteenyearsthathadelapsedsincewelastmet.It
wasJohn'syoungerbrother,LawrenceCavendish.Iwonderedwhatitwasthathadbroughtthatsingular
expressiontohisface.

ThenIdismissedhimfrommymind,andreturnedtothecontemplationofmyownaffairs.

The evening passed pleasantly enough; and I dreamed that night of that enigmatical woman, Mary
Cavendish.

Thenextmorningdawnedbrightandsunny,andIwasfulloftheanticipationofadelightfulvisit.

IdidnotseeMrs.Cavendishuntillunchtime,whenshevolunteeredtotakemeforawalk,andwespent
acharmingafternoonroaminginthewoods,returningtothehouseaboutfive.

Asweenteredthelargehall,Johnbeckonedusbothintothesmokingroom.Isawatoncebyhisface
thatsomethingdisturbinghadoccurred.Wefollowedhimin,andheshutthedoorafterus.

"Lookhere,Mary,there'sthedeuceofamess.Evie'shadarowwithAlfredInglethorp,andshe'soff."

"Evie?Off?"

Johnnoddedgloomily."Yes;youseeshewenttothemater,and-Oh,here'sEvieherself."

Miss Howard entered. Her lips were set grimly together, and she carried a small suitcase. She looked
excitedanddetermined,andslightlyonthedefensive.

"Atanyrate,"sheburstout,"I'vespokenmymind!"

"MydearEvelyn,"criedMrs.Cavendish,"thiscan'tbetrue!"

Miss Howard nodded grimly. "True enough! Afraid I said some things to Emily she won't forget or
forgiveinahurry.Don'tmindifthey'veonlysunkinabit.Probablywateroffaduck'sback,though.I
saidrightout:'You'reanoldwoman,Emily,andthere'snofoollikeanoldfool.Theman'stwentyyears
youngerthanyou,anddon'tyoufoolyourselfastowhathemarriedyoufor.Money!Well,don'tlethim
havetoomuchofit.FarmerRaikeshasgotaveryprettyyoungwife.JustaskyourAlfredhowmuch
timehespendsoverthere.'Shewasveryangry.Natural!Iwenton,'I'mgoingtowarnyou,whetheryou
likeitornot.Thatmanwouldassoonmurderyouinyourbedaslookatyou.He'sabadlot.Youcan
saywhatyouliketome,butrememberwhatI'vetoldyou.He'sabadlot!'"

"Whatdidshesay?"

Miss Howard made an extremely expressive grimace. "'Darling Alfred' - 'dearest Alfred' - 'wicked
calumnies'-'wickedlies'-'wickedwoman'-toaccuseher'dearhusband'!ThesoonerIleftherhouse
thebetter.SoI'moff."

"Butnotnow?"

"Thisminute!"

Foramomentwesatandstaredather.FinallyJohnCavendish,findinghispersuasionsofnoavail,went
off to look up the trains. His wife followed him, murmuring something about persuading Mrs.
Inglethorptothinkbetterofit.

Asshelefttheroom,MissHoward'sfacechanged.Sheleanttowardsmeeagerly."Mr.Hastings,you're
honest.Icantrustyou?"

Iwasalittlestartled.Shelaidherhandonmyarm,andsankhervoicetoawhisper."Lookafterher,Mr.
Hastings.MypoorEmily.They'realotofsharks-allofthem.Oh,IknowwhatI'mtalkingabout.There
isn'toneofthemthat'snothardupandtryingtogetmoneyoutofher.I'veprotectedherasmuchasI
could.NowI'moutoftheway,they'llimposeuponher."

"Of course, Miss Howard," I said, "I'll do everything I can, but I'm sure you're excited and
overwrought."

She interrupted me by slowly shaking her forefinger. "Young man, trust me. I've lived in the world
ratherlongerthanyouhave.AllIaskyouistokeepyoureyesopen.You'llseewhatImean."

Thethrobofthemotorcamethroughtheopenwindow,andMissHowardroseandmovedtothedoor.
John'svoicesoundedoutside.Withherhandonthehandle,sheturnedherheadoverhershoulder,and
beckonedtome."Aboveall,Mr.Hastings,watchthatdevil-herhusband!"

There was no time for more. Miss Howard was swallowed up in an eager chorus of protests and
goodbyes.TheInglethorpsdidnotappear.

Asthemotordroveaway,Mrs.Cavendishsuddenlydetachedherselffromthegroup,andmovedacross
the drive to the lawn to meet a tall bearded man who had been evidently making for the house. The
colourroseinhercheeksassheheldoutherhandtohim.

"Whoisthat?"Iaskedsharply,forinstinctivelyIdistrustedtheman.

"That'sDr.Bauerstein,"saidJohnshortly.

"AndwhoisDr.Bauerstein?"

"He'sstayinginthevillagedoingarestcure,afterabadnervousbreakdown.He'saLondonspecialist;a
verycleverman-oneofthegreatestlivingexpertsonpoisons,Ibelieve."

"Andhe'sagreatfriendofMary's,"putinCynthia,theirrepressible.

JohnCavendishfrownedandchangedthesubject."Comeforastroll,Hastings.Thishasbeenamost
rottenbusiness.Shealwayshadaroughtongue,butthereisnostauncherfriendinEnglandthanEvelyn
Howard."

Hetookthepaththroughtheplantation,andwewalkeddowntothevillagethroughthewoodswhich
borderedonesideoftheestate.

As we passed through one of the gates on our way home again, a pretty young woman of gipsy type
comingintheoppositedirectionbowedandsmiled.

"That'saprettygirl,"Iremarkedappreciatively.

John'sfacehardened."ThatisMrs.Raikes."

"TheonethatMissHoward--"

"Exactly,"saidJohn,withratherunnecessaryabruptness.

I thought of the white-haired old lady in the big house, and that vivid wicked little face that had just
smiledintoours,andavaguechillofforebodingcreptoverme.Ibrusheditaside.

"Stylesisreallyagloriousoldplace,"IsaidtoJohn.

He nodded rather gloomily. "Yes, it's a fine property. It'll be mine someday - should be mine now by
rights, if my father had only made a decent will. And then I shouldn't be so damned hard up as I am
now."

"Hardup,areyou?"

"MydearHastings,Idon'tmindtellingyouthatI'matmywit'sendformoney."

"Couldn'tyourbrotherhelpyou?"

"Lawrence?He'sgonethrougheverypennyheeverhad,publishingrottenversesinfancybindings.No,
we'reanimpecuniouslot.Mymother'salwaysbeenawfullygoodtous,Imustsay.Thatis,uptonow.
Sincehermarriage,ofcourse--"hebrokeoff,frowning.

ForthefirsttimeIfeltthat,withEvelynHoward,somethingindefinablehadgonefromtheatmosphere.
Her presence had spelt security. Now that security was removed - and the air seemed rife with
suspicion. The sinister face of Dr. Bauerstein recurred to me unpleasantly. A vague suspicion of
everyoneandeverythingfilledmymind.JustforamomentIhadapremonitionofapproachingevil.

2

The16

th

and17

th

ofJuly

IhadarrivedatStylesonthe5ofJuly.Icomenowtotheeventsofthe16and17ofthatmonth.Forthe
convenienceofthereaderIwillrecapitulatetheincidentsofthosedaysinasexactamanneraspossible.
Theywereelicitedsubsequentlyatthetrialbyaprocessoflongandtediouscross-examinations.

IreceivedaletterfromEvelynHowardacoupleofdaysafterherdeparture,tellingmeshewasworking
as a nurse at the big hospital in Middlingham, a manufacturing town some fifteen miles away, and
beggingmetoletherknowifMrs.Inglethorpshouldshowanywishtobereconciled.

TheonlyflyintheointmentofmypeacefuldayswasMrs.Cavendish'sextraordinary,and,formypart,
unaccountablepreferenceforthesocietyofDr.Bauerstein.WhatshesawinthemanIcannotimagine,
butshewasalwaysaskinghimuptothehouse,andoftenwentoffforlongexpeditionswithhim.Imust
confessthatIwasquiteunabletoseehisattraction.

The 16 of July fell on a Monday. It was a day of turmoil. The famous bazaar had taken place on
Saturday, and an entertainment, in connection with the same charity, at which Mrs. Inglethorp was to
recite a War poem, was to be held that night. We were all busy during the morning arranging and

decorating the Hall in the village where it was to take place. We had a late luncheon and spent the
afternoonrestinginthegarden.InoticedthatJohn'smannerwassomewhatunusual.Heseemedvery
excitedandrestless.

After tea, Mrs. Inglethorp went to lie down to rest before her efforts in the evening and I challenged
MaryCavendishtoasingleattennis.

Aboutaquartertoseven,Mrs.Inglethorpcalledusthatweshouldbelateassupperwasearlythatnight.
Wehadratherascrambletogetreadyintime;andbeforethemealwasoverthemotorwaswaitingat
thedoor.

The entertainment was a great success, Mrs. Inglethorp's recitation receiving tremendous applause.
There were also some tableaux in which Cynthia took part. She did not return with us, having been
askedtoasupperparty,andtoremainthenightwithsomefriendswhohadbeenactingwithherinthe
tableaux.

Thefollowingmorning,Mrs.Inglethorpstayedinbedtobreakfast,asshewasratherovertired;butshe
appearedinherbriskestmoodabout12.30,andsweptLawrenceandmyselfofftoaluncheonparty.

"SuchacharminginvitationfromMrs.Rolleston,LadyTadminster'ssister,youknow.TheRollestons
cameoverwiththeConqueror-oneofouroldestfamilies."

MaryhadexcusedherselfonthepleaofanengagementwithDr.Bauerstein.

We had a pleasant luncheon, and as we drove away Lawrence suggested that we should return by
Tadminster,whichwasbarelyamileoutofourway,andpayavisittoCynthiainherdispensary.Mrs.
Inglethorprepliedthatthiswasanexcellentidea,butasshehadseveralletterstowriteshewoulddrop
usthere,andwecouldcomebackwithCynthiainthepony-trap.

We were detained under suspicion by the hospital porter, until Cynthia appeared to vouch for us,
lookingverycoolandsweetinherlongwhiteoverall.Shetookusuptohersanctum,andintroducedus
toherfellowdispenser,aratherawe-inspiringindividual,whomCynthiacheerilyaddressedas"Nibs."

"Whatalotofbottles!"Iexclaimed,asmyeyetravelledroundthesmallroom."Doyoureallyknow
what'sinthemall?"

"Saysomethingoriginal,"groanedCynthia."Everysinglepersonwhocomesupheresaysthat.Weare
reallythinkingofbestowingaprizeonthefirstindividualwhodoesnotsay:'Whatalotofbottles!'And
Iknowthenextthingyou'regoingtosayis:'Howmanypeoplehaveyoupoisoned?'"

Ipleadedguiltywithalaugh.

"Ifyoupeopleonlyknewhowfatallyeasyitistopoisonsomeonebymistake,youwouldn'tjokeabout
it.Comeon,let'shavetea.We'vegotallsortsofsecretstoriesinthatcupboard.No,Lawrence-that's
thepoisoncupboard.Thebigcupboard-that'sright."

We had a very cheery tea, and assisted Cynthia to wash up afterwards. We had just put away the last
teaspoon when a knock came at the door. The countenances of Cynthia and Nibs were suddenly
petrifiedintoasternandforbiddingexpression.

"Comein,"saidCynthia,inasharpprofessionaltone.

A young and rather scared-looking nurse appeared with a bottle which she proffered to Nibs, who
wavedhertowardsCynthiawiththesomewhatenigmaticalremark:"I'mnotreallyheretoday."

Cynthiatookthebottleandexamineditwiththeseverityofajudge.

"Thisshouldhavebeensentupthismorning."

"Sisterisverysorry.Sheforgot."

"Sistershouldreadtherulesoutsidethedoor."

I gathered from the little nurse's expression that there was not the least likelihood of her having the
hardihoodtoretailthismessagetothedreaded"Sister".

"Sonowitcan'tbedoneuntiltomorrow,"finishedCynthia.

"Don'tyouthinkyoucouldpossiblyletushaveittonight?"

"Well,"saidCynthiagraciously,"weareverybusy,butifwehavetimeitshallbedone."

Thelittlenursewithdrew,andCynthiapromptlytookajarfromtheshelf,refilledthebottle,andplaced
itonthetableoutsidethedoor.

Ilaughed.

"Disciplinemustbemaintained?"

"Exactly.Comeoutonourlittlebalcony.Youcanseealltheoutsidewardsthere."

IfollowedCynthiaandherfriendandtheypointedoutthedifferentwardstome.Lawrenceremained
behind,butafterafewmomentsCynthiacalledtohimoverhershouldertocomeandjoinus.Thenshe
lookedatherwatch.

"Nothingmoretodo,Nibs?"

"No."

"Allright.Thenwecanlockupandgo."

IhadseenLawrenceinquiteadifferentlightthatafternoon.ComparedtoJohn,hewasanastoundingly
difficult person to get to know. He was the opposite of his brother in almost every respect, being
unusuallyshyandreserved.Yethehadacertaincharmofmanner,andIfanciedthat,ifonereallyknew
himwell,onecouldhaveadeepaffectionforhim.IhadalwaysfanciedthathismannertoCynthiawas
rather constrained, and that she on her side was inclined to be shy of him. But they were both gay
enoughthisafternoon,andchattedtogetherlikeacoupleofchildren.

Aswedrovethroughthevillage,IrememberedthatIwantedsomestamps,soaccordinglywepulledup
atthepostoffice.

AsIcameoutagain,Icannonedintoalittlemanwhowasjustentering.Idrewasideandapologised,
whensuddenly,withaloudexclamation,heclaspedmeinhisarmsandkissedmewarmly.

"MonamiHastings!"hecried."ItisindeedmonamiHastings!"

"Poirot!"Iexclaimed.

Iturnedtothepony-trap."Thisisaverypleasantmeetingforme,MissCynthia.Thisismyoldfriend,
MonsieurPoirot,whomIhavenotseenforyears."

"Oh,weknowMonsieurPoirot,"saidCynthiagaily."ButIhadnoideahewasafriendofyours."

"Yes, indeed," said Poirot seriously. "I know Mademoiselle Cynthia. It is by the charity of that good
Mrs.InglethorpthatIamhere."Then,asIlookedathiminquiringly:"Yes,myfriend,shehadkindly
extended hospitality to seven of my countrypeople who, alas, are refugees from their native land. We
Belgianswillalwaysrememberherwithgratitude."

Poirot was an extraordinary-looking little man. He was hardly more than five feet, four inches, but
carriedhimselfwithgreatdignity.Hisheadwasexactlytheshapeofanegg,andhealwaysperchedita
little on one side. His moustache was very stiff and military. The neatness of his attire was almost
incredible. I believe a speck of dust would have caused him more pain than a bullet wound. Yet this
quaintdandifiedlittlemanwho,Iwassorrytosee,nowlimpedbadly,hadbeeninhistimeoneofthe
mostcelebratedmembersoftheBelgianpolice.Asadetective,hisflairhadbeenextraordinary,andhe
hadachievedtriumphsbyunravellingsomeofthemostbafflingcasesoftheday.

HepointedouttomethelittlehouseinhabitedbyhimandhisfellowBelgians,andIpromisedtogoand
seehimatanearlydate.ThenheraisedhishatwithaflourishtoCynthia,andwedroveaway.

"He'sadearlittleman,"saidCynthia."I'dnoideayouknewhim."

"You'vebeenentertainingacelebrityunawares,"Ireplied.

And,fortherestofthewayhome,IrecitedtothemthevariousexploitsandtriumphsofHerculePoirot.

We arrived back in a very cheerful mood. As we entered the hall, Mrs. Inglethorp came out of her
boudoir.Shelookedflushedandupset.

"Oh,it'syou,"shesaid.

"Isthereanythingthematter,AuntEmily?"askedCynthia.

"Certainlynot,"saidMrs.Inglethorpsharply."Whatshouldtherebe?"ThencatchingsightofDorcas,
theparlourmaid,goingintothediningroom,shecalledtohertobringsomestampsintotheboudoir.

"Yes,ma'am."Theoldservanthesitated,thenaddeddiffidently:"Don'tyouthink,ma'am,you'dbetter
gettobed?You'relookingverytired."

"Perhapsyou'reright,Dorcas-yes-no-notnow.I'vesomelettersImustfinishbypost-time.Haveyou
lightedthefireinmyroomasItoldyou?"

"Yes,ma'am."

"ThenI'llgotobeddirectlyaftersupper."

Shewentintotheboudoiragain,andCynthiastaredafterher.

"Goodnessgracious!Iwonderwhat'sup?"shesaidtoLawrence.

Hedidnotseemtohaveheardher,forwithoutawordheturnedonhisheelandwentoutofthehouse.

I suggested a quick game of tennis before supper and, Cynthia agreeing, I ran upstairs to fetch my
racquet.

Mrs.Cavendishwascomingdownthestairs.Itmayhavebeenmyfancy,butshe,too,waslookingodd
anddisturbed.

"HadagoodwalkwithDr.Bauerstein?"Iasked,tryingtoappearasindifferentasIcould.

"Ididn'tgo,"sherepliedabruptly."WhereisMrs.Inglethorp?"

"Intheboudoir."

Her hand clenched itself on the banisters, then she seemed to nerve herself for some encounter, and
wentrapidlypastmedownthestairsacrossthehalltotheboudoir,thedoorofwhichsheshutbehind
her.

AsIranouttothetenniscourtafewmomentslater,Ihadtopasstheopenboudoirwindow,andwas
unabletohelpoverhearingthefollowingscrapofdialogue.MaryCavendishwassayinginthevoiceof
awomandesperatelycontrollingherself:

"Thenyouwon'tshowittome?"

TowhichMrs.Inglethorpreplied:"MydearMary,ithasnothingtodowiththatmatter."

"Thenshowittome."

"Itellyouitisnotwhatyouimagine.Itdoesnotconcernyouintheleast."

TowhichMaryCavendishreplied,witharisingbitterness:"Ofcourse,Imighthaveknownyouwould
shieldhim."

Cynthiawaswaitingforme,andgreetedmeeagerlywith:"Isay!There'sbeenthemostawfulrow!I've
gotitalloutofDorcas."

"Whatkindofarow?"

"BetweenAuntEmilyandhim.Idohopeshe'sfoundhimoutatlast!"

"WasDorcasthere,then?"

"Ofcoursenot.She'happenedtobenearthedoor'.Itwasarealoldbust-up.IdowishIknewwhatit
wasallabout."

I thought of Mrs. Raikes's gipsy face, and Evelyn Howard's warnings, but wisely decided to hold my
peace, whilst Cynthia exhausted every possible hypothesis, and cheerfully hoped, "Aunt Emily will
sendhimaway,andwillneverspeaktohimagain."

IwasanxioustogetholdofJohn,buthewasnowheretobeseen.Evidentlysomethingverymomentous
had occurred that afternoon. I tried to forget the few words I had overheard; but, do what I would, I
couldnotdismissthemaltogetherfrommymind.WhatwasMaryCavendish'sconcerninthematter?

Mr.InglethorpwasinthedrawingroomwhenIcamedowntosupper.Hisfacewasimpassiveasever,
andthestrangeunrealityofthemanstruckmeafresh.

Mrs.Inglethorpcamedownlast.Shestilllookedagitated,andduringthemealtherewasasomewhat
constrained silence. Inglethorp was unusually quiet. As a rule, he surrounded his wife with little
attentions, placing a cushion at her back, and altogether playing the part of the devoted husband.
Immediatelyaftersupper,Mrs.Inglethorpretiredtoherboudoiragain.

"Sendmycoffeeinhere,Mary,"shecalled."I'vejustfiveminutestocatchthepost."

Cynthia and I went and sat by the open window in the drawing room. Mary Cavendish brought our
coffeetous.Sheseemedexcited.

"Do you young people want lights, or do you enjoy the twilight?" she asked. "Will you take Mrs.
Inglethorphercoffee,Cynthia?Iwillpouritout."

"Donottrouble,Mary,"saidInglethorp."IwilltakeittoEmily."Hepoureditout,andwentoutofthe
roomcarryingitcarefully.

Lawrencefollowedhim,andMrs.Cavendishsatdownbyus.

We three sat for some time in silence. It was a glorious night, hot and still. Mrs. Cavendish fanned
herselfgentlywithapalmleaf.

"It'salmosttoohot,"shemurmured."Weshallhaveathunderstorm."

Alas,thattheseharmoniousmomentscanneverendure!Myparadisewasrudelyshatteredbythesound
ofawellknown,andheartilydisliked,voiceinthehall.

"Dr.Bauerstein!"exclaimedCynthia."Whatafunnytimetocome."

I glanced jealously at Mary Cavendish, but she seemed quite undisturbed, the delicate pallor of her
cheeksdidnotvary.

Inafewmoments,AlfredInglethorphadusheredthedoctorin,thelatterlaughing,andprotestingthat
he was in no fit state for a drawing room. In truth, he presented a sorry spectacle, being literally
plasteredwithmud.

"Whathaveyoubeendoing,doctor?"criedMrs.Cavendish.

"I must make my apologies," said the doctor. "I did not really mean to come in, but Mr. Inglethorp
insisted."

"Well,Bauerstein,youareinaplight,"saidJohn,strollinginfromthehall."Havesomecoffee,andtell
uswhatyouhavebeenupto."

"Thank you, I will." He laughed rather ruefully, as he described how he had discovered a very rare
speciesofferninaninaccessibleplace,andinhiseffortstoobtainithadlosthisfooting,andslipped
ignominiouslyintoaneighbouringpond.

"Thesunsoondriedmeoff,"headded,"butI'mafraidmyappearanceisverydisreputable."

Atthisjuncture,Mrs.InglethorpcalledtoCynthiafromthehall,andthegirlranout.

"Justcarryupmydespatch-case,willyou,dear?I'mgoingtobed."

Thedoorintothehallwasawideone.IhadrisenwhenCynthiadid,Johnwasclosebyme.Therewere
thereforethreewitnesseswhocouldswearthatMrs.Inglethorpwascarryinghercoffee,asyetuntasted,
inherhand.

MyeveningwasutterlyandentirelyspoiltbythepresenceofDr.Bauerstein.Itseemedtometheman
wouldnevergo.Heroseatlast,however,andIbreathedasighofrelief.

"I'll walk down to the village with you," said Mr. Inglethorp. "I must see our agent over those estate
accounts."HeturnedtoJohn."Nooneneedsitup.Iwilltakethelatchkey."

3

TheNightoftheTragedy

Tomakethispartofmystoryclear,IappendthefollowingplanofthefirstfloorofStyles.Theservants'
rooms are reached through the door B. They have no communication with the right wing, where the
Inglethorps'roomsweresituated.

ItseemedtobethemiddleofthenightwhenIwasawakenedbyLawrenceCavendish.Hehadacandle
inhishand,andtheagitationofhisfacetoldmeatoncethatsomethingwasseriouslywrong.

"What'sthematter?"Iasked,sittingupinbed,andtryingtocollectmyscatteredthoughts.

"Weareafraidmymotherisveryill.Sheseemstobehavingsomekindoffit.Unfortunatelyshehas
lockedherselfin."

"I'llcomeatonce."

I sprang out of bed; and, pulling on a dressing gown, followed Lawrence along the passage and the
gallerytotherightwingofthehouse.

JohnCavendishjoinedus,andoneortwooftheservantswerestandingroundinastateofawestricken
excitement.Lawrenceturnedtohisbrother.

"Whatdoyouthinkwehadbetterdo?"

Never,Ithought,hadhisindecisionofcharacterbeenmoreapparent.

JohnrattledthehandleofMrs.Inglethorp'sdoorviolently,butwithnoeffect.Itwasobviouslylockedor
boltedontheinside.Thewholehouseholdwasarousedbynow.Themostalarmingsoundswereaudible

fromtheinterioroftheroom.Clearlysomethingmustbedone.

"TrygoingthroughMr.Inglethorp'sroom,sir,"criedDorcas."Oh,thepoormistress!"

Suddenly I realized that Alfred Inglethorp was not with us - that he alone had given no sign of his
presence. John opened the door of his room. It was pitch dark, but Lawrence was following with the
candle,andbyitsfeeblelightwesawthatthebedhadnotbeensleptin,andthattherewasnosignof
theroomhavingbeenoccupied.

Wewentstraighttotheconnectingdoor.That,too,waslockedorboltedontheinside.Whatwastobe
done?

"Oh,dear,sir,"criedDorcas,wringingherhands,"whatevershallwedo?"

"Wemusttryandbreakthedoorin,Isuppose.It'llbeatoughjob,though.Here,letoneofthemaidsgo
downandwakeBailyandtellhimtogoforDr.Wilkinsatonce.Nowthen,we'llhaveatryatthedoor.
Halfamoment,though,isn'tthereadoorintoMissCynthia'srooms?"

"Yes,sir,butthat'salwaysbolted.It'sneverbeenundone."

"Well,wemightjustsee."

HeranrapidlydownthecorridortoCynthia'sroom.MaryCavendishwasthere,shakingthegirl-who
musthavebeenanunusuallysoundsleeper-andtryingtowakeher.

Inamomentortwohewasback.

"Nogood.That'sboltedtoo.Wemustbreakinthedoor.Ithinkthisoneisashadelesssolidthantheone
inthepassage."

Westrainedandheavedtogether.Theframeworkofthedoorwassolid,andforalongtimeitresisted
our efforts, but at last we felt it give beneath our weight, and finally, with a resounding crash, it was
burstopen.

Westumbledintogether,Lawrencestillholdinghiscandle.Mrs.Inglethorpwaslyingonthebed,her
wholeformagitatedbyviolentconvulsions,inoneofwhichshemusthaveoverturnedthetablebeside
her.Asweentered,however,herlimbsrelaxed,andshefellbackuponthepillows.

John strode across the room, and lit the gas. Turning to Annie, one of the housemaids, he sent her
downstairstothediningroomforbrandy.ThenhewentacrosstohismotherwhilstIunboltedthedoor
thatgaveonthecorridor.

IturnedtoLawrence,tosuggestthatIhadbetterleavethemnowthattherewasnofurtherneedofmy
services, but the words were frozen on my lips. Never have I seen such a ghastly look on any man's
face.Hewaswhiteaschalk,thecandleheheldinhisshakinghandwassputteringontothecarpet,and
hiseyes,petrifiedwithterror,orsomesuchkindredemotion,staredfixedlyovermyheadatapointon
the further wall. It was as though he had seen something that turned him to stone. I instinctively
followedthedirectionofhiseyes,butIcouldseenothingunusual.Thestillfeeblyflickeringashesin
thegrate,andtherowofprimornamentsonthemantelpiece,weresurelyharmlessenough.

TheviolenceofMrs.Inglethorp'sattackseemedtobepassing.Shewasabletospeakinshortgasps.

"Betternow-verysudden-stupidofme-tolockmyselfin."

Ashadowfellonthebedand,lookingup,IsawMaryCavendishstandingnearthedoorwithherarm
aroundCynthia.Sheseemedtobesupportingthegirl,wholookedutterlydazedandunlikeherself.Her
facewasheavilyflushed,andsheyawnedrepeatedly.

"PoorCynthiaisquitefrightened,"saidMrs.Cavendishinalowclearvoice.Sheherself,Inoticed,was
dressed in her white land smock. Then it must be later than I thought. I saw that a faint streak of
daylight was showing through the curtains of the windows, and that the clock on the mantelpiece
pointedtocloseuponfiveo'clock.

A strangled cry from the bed startled me. A fresh access of pain seized the unfortunate old lady. The
convulsions were of a violence terrible to behold. Everything was confusion. We thronged round her,
powerlesstohelporalleviate.Afinalconvulsionliftedherfromthebed,untilsheappearedtorestupon
herheadandherheels,withherbodyarchedinanextraordinarymanner.InvainMaryandJohntriedto
administermorebrandy.Themomentsflew.Againthebodyarcheditselfinthatpeculiarfashion.

Atthatmoment,Dr.Bauersteinpushedhiswayauthoritativelyintotheroom.Foroneinstanthestopped
dead,staringatthefigureonthebed,and,atthesameinstant,Mrs.Inglethorpcriedoutinastrangled
voice,hereyesfixedonthedoctor:

"Alfred-Alfred--"Thenshefellbackmotionlessonthepillows.

With a stride, the doctor reached the bed, and seizing her arms worked them energetically, applying
whatIknewtobeartificialrespiration.Heissuedafewshortsharporderstotheservants.Animperious
waveofhishanddroveusalltothedoor.Wewatchedhim,fascinated,thoughIthinkweallknewin
ourheartsthatitwastoolate,andthatnothingcouldbedonenow.Icouldseebytheexpressiononhis
facethathehimselfhadlittlehope.

Finally he abandoned his task, shaking his head gravely. At that moment, we heard footsteps outside,
andDr.Wilkins,Mrs.Inglethorp'sowndoctor,aportly,fussylittleman,camebustlingin.

InafewwordsDr.Bauersteinexplainedhowhehadhappenedtobepassingthelodgegatesasthecar
cameout,andhadrunuptothehouseasfastashecould,whilstthecarwentontofetchDr.Wilkins.
Withafaintgestureofthehand,heindicatedthefigureonthebed.

"Verysad.Verysad,"murmuredDr.Wilkins."Poordearlady.Alwaysdidfartoomuch-fartoomuch-
againstmyadvice.Iwarnedher.Herheartwasfarfromstrong.'Takeiteasy,'Isaidtoher,'Take-it-
easy'.Butno-herzealforgoodworkswastoogreat.Naturerebelled.Na-ture-re-belled."

Dr.Bauerstein,Inoticed,waswatchingthelocaldoctornarrowly.Hestillkepthiseyesfixedonhimas
hespoke.

"The convulsions were of a peculiar violence, Dr. Wilkins. I am sorry you were not here in time to
witnessthem.Theywerequite-tetanicincharacter."

"Ah!"saidDr.Wilkinswisely.

"Ishouldliketospeaktoyouinprivate,"saidDr.Bauerstein.HeturnedtoJohn."Youdonotobject?"

"Certainlynot."

Wealltroopedoutintothecorridor,leavingthetwodoctorsalone,andIheardthekeyturnedinthelock
behindus.

Wewentslowlydownthestairs.Iwasviolentlyexcited.Ihaveacertaintalentfordeduction,andDr.
Bauerstein's manner had started a flock of wild surmises in my mind. Mary Cavendish laid her hand
uponmyarm.

"Whatisit?WhydidDr.Bauersteinseemso-peculiar?"

Ilookedather."DoyouknowwhatIthink?"

"What?"

"Listen!"Ilookedround,theotherswereoutofearshot.Iloweredmyvoicetoawhisper."Ibelieveshe
hasbeenpoisoned!I'mcertainDr.Bauersteinsuspectsit."

"What?"Sheshrankagainstthewall,thepupilsofhereyesdilatingwildly.Then,withasuddencrythat
startled me, she cried out: "No, no - not that - not that!" And breaking from me, fled up the stairs. I
followedher,afraidthatshewasgoingtofaint.Ifoundherleaningagainstthebanisters,deadlypale.
Shewavedmeawayimpatiently.

"No,no-leaveme.I'dratherbealone.Letmejustbequietforaminuteortwo.Godowntotheothers."

Iobeyedherreluctantly.JohnandLawrencewereinthediningroom.Ijoinedthem.Wewereallsilent,
but I suppose I voiced the thoughts of us all when I at last broke it by saying: "Where is Mr.
Inglethorp?"

Johnshookhishead."He'snotinthehouse."

Oureyesmet.WherewasAlfredInglethorp?Hisabsencewasstrangeandinexplicable.Iremembered
Mrs.Inglethorp'sdyingwords.Whatlaybeneaththem?Whatmorecouldshehavetoldus,ifshehad
hadtime?

Atlastweheardthedoctorsdescendingthestairs.Dr.Wilkinswaslookingimportantandexcited,and
tryingtoconcealaninwardexultationunderamannerofdecorouscalm.Dr.Bauersteinremainedinthe
background, his grave bearded face unchanged. Dr. Wilkins was the spokesman for the two. He
addressedhimselftoJohn:"Mr.Cavendish,Ishouldlikeyourconsenttoapost-mortem."

"Isthatnecessary?"askedJohngravely.Aspasmofpaincrossedhisface.

"Absolutely,"saidDr.Bauerstein.

"Youmeanbythat--?"

"ThatneitherDr.Wilkinsnormyselfcouldgiveadeathcertificateunderthecircumstances."

Johnbenthishead."Inthatcase,Ihavenoalternativebuttoagree."

"Thankyou,"saidDr.Wilkinsbriskly."Weproposethatitshouldtakeplacetomorrownight-orrather
tonight."Andheglancedatthedaylight."Underthecircumstances,Iamafraidaninquestcanhardlybe
avoided-theseformalitiesarenecessary,butIbegthatyouwon'tdistressyourselves."

Therewasapause,andthenDr.Bauersteindrewtwokeysfromhispocket,andhandedthemtoJohn.

"Thesearethekeysofthetworooms.Ihavelockedthemand,inmyopinion,theywouldbebetterkept
lockedforthepresent."

Thedoctorsthendeparted.

Ihadbeenturningoveranideainmyhead,andIfeltthatthemomenthadnowcometobroachit.YetI
wasalittlecharyofdoingso.John,Iknew,hadahorrorofanykindofpublicity,andwasaneasygoing
optimist, who preferred never to meet trouble halfway. It might be difficult to convince him of the
soundness of my plan. Lawrence, on the other hand, being less conventional, and having more
imagination,IfeltImightcountuponasanally.Therewasnodoubtthatthemomenthadcomeforme
totakethelead.

"John,"Isaid,"Iamgoingtoaskyousomething."

"Well?"

"YouremembermyspeakingofmyfriendPoirot?TheBelgianwhoishere?Hehasbeenamostfamous
detective."

"Yes."

"Iwantyoutoletmecallhimin-toinvestigatethismatter."

"What-now?Beforethepost-mortem?"

"Yes,timeisanadvantageif-if-therehasbeenfoulplay."

"Rubbish!" cried Lawrence angrily. "In my opinion the whole thing is a mare's nest of Bauerstein's!
Wilkins hadn't an idea of such a thing, until Bauerstein put it into his head. But, like all specialists,
Bauerstein'sgotabeeinhisbonnet.Poisonsarehishobby,soofcourseheseesthemeverywhere."

IconfessthatIwassurprisedbyLawrence'sattitude.Hewassoseldomvehementaboutanything.

Johnhesitated."Ican'tfeelasyoudo,Lawrence,"hesaidatlast."I'minclinedtogiveHastingsafree
hand,thoughIshouldprefertowaitabit.Wedon'twantanyunnecessaryscandal."

"No,no,"Icriedeagerly,"youneedhavenofearofthat.Poirotisdiscretionitself."

"Verywell,then,haveityourownway.Ileaveitinyourhands.Though,ifitisaswesuspect,itseems
aclearenoughcase.GodforgivemeifIamwronginghim!"

Ilookedatmywatch.Itwassixo'clock.Ideterminedtolosenotime.Fiveminutes'delay,however,I
allowed myself. I spent it in ransacking the library until I discovered a medical book which gave a
descriptionofstrychninepoisoning.

4

PoirotInvestigates

ThehousewhichtheBelgiansoccupiedinthevillagewasquiteclosetotheparkgates.Onecouldsave
timebytakinganarrowpaththroughthelonggrass,whichcutoffthedetoursofthewindingdrive.So
I, accordingly, went that way. I had nearly reached the lodge, when my attention was arrested by the
runningfigureofamanapproachingme.ItwasMr.Inglethorp.Wherehadhebeen?Howdidheintend
toexplainhisabsence?

Heaccostedmeeagerly.

"MyGod!Thisisterrible!Mypoorwife!Ihaveonlyjustheard."

"Wherehaveyoubeen?"Iasked.

"Denbykeptmelatelastnight.Itwasoneo'clockbeforewe'dfinished.ThenIfoundthatI'dforgotten
thelatchkeyafterall.Ididn'twanttoarousethehousehold,soDenbygavemeabed."

"Howdidyouhearthenews?"Iasked.

"Wilkins knocked Denby up to tell him. My poor Emily! She was so self - sacrificing - such a noble
character.Sheovertaxedherstrength."

Awaveofrevulsionsweptoverme.Whataconsummatehypocritethemanwas!

"Imusthurryon,"Isaid,thankfulthathedidnotaskmewhitherIwasbound.

InafewminutesIwasknockingatthedoorofLeastwaysCottage.

Getting no answer, I repeated my summons impatiently. A window above me was cautiously opened,
andPoirothimselflookedout.

Hegaveanexclamationofsurpriseatseeingme.Inafewbriefwords,Iexplainedthetragedythathad
occurred,andthatIwantedhishelp.

"Wait,myfriend,Iwillletyouin,andyoushallrecounttometheaffairwhilstIdress."

Inafewmomentshehadunbarredthedoor,andIfollowedhimuptohisroom.Thereheinstalledmein
a chair, and I related the whole story, keeping back nothing, and omitting no circumstance, however
insignificant,whilsthehimselfmadeacarefulanddeliberatetoilet.

Itoldhimofmyawakening,ofMrs.Inglethorp'sdyingwords,ofherhusband'sabsence,ofthequarrel
thedaybefore,ofthescrapofconversationbetweenMaryandhermother-in-lawthatIhadoverheard,
oftheformerquarrelbetweenMrs.InglethorpandEvelynHoward,andofthelatter'sinnuendoes.

IwashardlyasclearasIcouldwish.Irepeatedmyselfseveraltimes,andoccasionallyhadtogobackto
somedetailthatIhadforgotten.Poirotsmiledkindlyonme.

"Themindisconfused?Isitnotso?Taketime,monami.Youareagitated;youareexcited-itisbut

natural.Presently,whenwearecalmer,wewillarrangethefacts,neatly,eachinhisproperplace.We
willexamine-andreject.Thoseofimportancewewillputononeside;thoseofnoimportance,pouf!"-
hescreweduphischerub-likeface,andpuffedcomicallyenough-"blowthemaway!"

"That'sallverywell,"Iobjected,"buthowareyougoingtodecidewhatisimportant,andwhatisn't?
Thatalwaysseemsthedifficultytome."

Poirotshookhisheadenergetically.Hewasnowarranginghismoustachewithexquisitecare.

"Notso.Voyons!Onefactleadstoanother-sowecontinue.Doesthenextfitinwiththat?Amerveille!
Good!Wecanproceed.Thisnextlittlefact-no!Ah,thatiscurious!Thereissomethingmissing-alink
inthechainthatisnotthere.Weexamine.Wesearch.Andthatlittlecuriousfact,thatpossiblypaltry
little detail that will not tally, we put it here!" He made an extravagant gesture with his hand. "It is
significant!Itistremendous!"

"Y-es-"

"Ah!" Poirot shook his forefinger so fiercely at me that I quailed before it. "Beware! Peril to the
detectivewhosays:'Itissosmall-itdoesnotmatter.Itwillnotagree.Iwillforgetit.'Thatwaylies
confusion!Everythingmatters."

"Iknow.Youalwaystoldmethat.That'swhyIhavegoneintoallthedetailsofthisthingwhetherthey
seemedtomerelevantornot."

"AndIampleasedwithyou.Youhaveagoodmemory,andyouhavegivenmethefactsfaithfully.Of
theorderinwhichyoupresentthem,Isaynothing-truly,itisdeplorable!ButImakeallowances-you
areupset.TothatIattributethecircumstancethatyouhaveomittedonefactofparamountimportance."

"Whatisthat?"Iasked.

"YouhavenottoldmeifMrs.Inglethorpatewelllastnight."

Istaredathim.Surelythewarhadaffectedthelittleman'sbrain.Hewascarefullyengagedinbrushing
hiscoatbeforeputtingiton,andseemedwhollyengrossedinthetask.

"Idon'tremember,"Isaid."And,anyway,Idon'tsee--"

"Youdonotsee?Butitisofthefirstimportance."

"I can't see why," I said, rather nettled. "As far as I can remember, she didn't eat much. She was
obviouslyupset,andithadtakenherappetiteaway.Thatwasonlynatural."

"Yes,"saidPoirotthoughtfully,"itwasonlynatural."

Heopenedadrawer,andtookoutasmalldespatch-case,thenturnedtome."NowIamready.Wewill
proceedtothechateau,andstudymattersonthespot.Excuseme,monami,youdressedinhaste,and
yourtieisononeside.Permitme."Withadeftgesture,herearrangedit.

"Cayest!Now,shallwestart?"

We hurried up the village, and turned in at the lodge gates. Poirot stopped for a moment, and gazed
sorrowfullyoverthebeautifulexpanseofpark,stillglitteringwithmorningdew.

"Sobeautiful,sobeautiful,andyet,thepoorfamily,plungedinsorrow,prostratedwithgrief."

Helookedatmekeenlyashespoke,andIwasawarethatIreddenedunderhisprolongedgaze.

Wasthefamilyprostratedbygrief?WasthesorrowatMrs.Inglethorp'sdeathsogreat?Irealizedthat
therewasanemotionallackintheatmosphere.Thedeadwomanhadnotthegiftofcommandinglove.
Herdeathwasashockandadistress,butshewouldnotbepassionatelyregretted.

Poirotseemedtofollowmythoughts.Henoddedhisheadgravely."No,youareright,"hesaid,"itisnot
asthoughtherewasabloodtie.ShehasbeenkindandgeneroustotheseCavendishes,butshewasnot
theirownmother.Bloodtells-alwaysrememberthat-bloodtells."

"Poirot," I said, "I wish you would tell me why you wanted to know if Mrs. Inglethorp ate well last
night?Ihavebeenturningitoverinmymind,butIcan'tseehowithasanythingtodowiththematter?"

Hewassilentforaminuteortwoaswewalkedalong,butfinallyhesaid:"Idonotmindtellingyou-
though,asyouknow,itisnotmyhabittoexplainuntiltheendisreached.Thepresentcontentionisthat
Mrs.Inglethorpdiedofstrychninepoisoning,presumablyadministeredinhercoffee."

"Yes?"

"Well,whattimewasthecoffeeserved?"

"Abouteighto'clock."

"Thereforeshedrankitbetweenthenandhalf-pasteight-certainlynotmuchlater.Well,strychnineisa
fairly rapid poison. Its effects would be felt very soon, probably in about an hour. Yet, in Mrs.
Inglethorp's case, the symptoms do not manifest themselves until five o'clock the next morning: nine
hours! But a heavy meal, taken at about the same time as the poison, might retard its effects, though
hardlytothatextent.Still,itisapossibilitytobetakenintoaccount.But,accordingtoyou,sheatevery
little for supper, and yet the symptoms do not develop until early the next morning! Now that is a
curious circumstance, my friend. Something may arise at the autopsy to explain it. In the meantime,
rememberit."

Aswenearedthehouse,Johncameoutandmetus.Hisfacelookedwearyandhaggard.

"Thisisaverydreadfulbusiness,MonsieurPoirot,"hesaid."Hastingshasexplainedtoyouthatweare
anxiousfornopublicity?"

"Icomprehendperfectly."

"Yousee,itisonlysuspicionsofar.Wehavenothingtogoupon."

"Precisely.Itisamatterofprecautiononly."

Johnturnedtome,takingouthiscigarettecase,andlightingacigaretteashedidso.

"YouknowthatfellowInglethorpisback?"

"Yes.Imethim."

Johnflungthematchintoanadjacentflowerbed,aproceedingwhichwastoomuchforPoirot'sfeelings.

Heretrievedit,andburieditneatly.

"It'sjollydifficulttoknowhowtotreathim."

"Thatdifficultywillnotexistlong,"pronouncedPoirotquietly.

Johnlookedpuzzled,notquiteunderstandingtheportentofthiscrypticsaying.Hehandedthetwokeys
whichDr.Bauersteinhadgivenhimtome.

"ShowMonsieurPoiroteverythinghewantstosee."

"Theroomsarelocked?"askedPoirot.

"Dr.Bauersteinconsidereditadvisable."

Poirotnoddedthoughtfully."Thenheisverysure.Well,thatsimplifiesmattersforus."

Wewentuptogethertotheroomofthetragedy.ForconvenienceIappendaplanoftheroomandthe
principalarticlesoffurnitureinit.

Poirotlockedthedoorontheinside,andproceededtoaminuteinspectionoftheroom.Hedartedfrom
oneobjecttotheotherwiththeagilityofagrasshopper.Iremainedbythedoor,fearingtoobliterateany
clues.Poirot,however,didnotseemgratefultomeformyforbearance.

"Whathaveyou,myfriend,"hecried,"thatyouremaintherelike-howdoyousayit?-ah,yes,the
stuckpig?"

IexplainedthatIwasafraidofobliteratinganyfootmarks.

"Footmarks? But what an idea! There has already been practically an army in the room! What
footmarksarewelikelytofind?No,comehereandaidmeinmysearch.Iwillputdownmylittlecase
untilIneedit."

Hedidso,ontheroundtablebythewindow,butitwasanill-advisedproceeding;for,thetopofitbeing
loose,ittiltedup,andprecipitatedthedespatch-caseonthefloor.

"Eh viola une table!" cried Poirot. "Ah, my friend, one may live in a big house and yet have no
comfort."

Afterwhichpieceofmoralizing,heresumedhissearch.

A small purple despatch-case, with a key in the lock, on the writing table, engaged his attention for
sometime.Hetookoutthekeyfromthelock,andpassedittometoinspect.Isawnothingpeculiar,
however.ItwasanordinarykeyoftheYaletype,withabitoftwistedwirethroughthehandle.

Next,heexaminedtheframeworkofthedoorwehadbrokenin,assuringhimselfthatthebolthadreally
beenshot.ThenhewenttothedooroppositeleadingintoCynthia'sroom.Thatdoorwasalsobolted,as
Ihadstated.However,hewenttothelengthofunboltingit,andopeningandshuttingitseveraltimes;
thishedidwiththeutmostprecautionagainstmakinganynoise.Suddenlysomethingintheboltitself
seemedtorivethisattention.Heexamineditcarefully,andthen,nimblywhippingoutapairofsmall
forcepsfromhiscase,hedrewoutsomeminuteparticlewhichhecarefullysealedupinatinyenvelope.

Onthechestofdrawerstherewasatraywithaspiritlampandasmallsaucepanonit.Asmallquantity
ofadarkfluidremainedinthesaucepan,andanemptycupandsaucerthathadbeendrunkoutofstood
nearit.

IwonderedhowIcouldhavebeensounobservantastooverlookthis.Herewasaclueworthhaving.
Poirotdelicatelydippedhisfingerintoliquid,andtasteditgingerly.Hemadeagrimace.

"Coco-with-Ithink-ruminit."

He passed on to the debris on the floor, where the table by the bed had been overturned. A reading-
lamp,somebooks,matches,abunchofkeys,andthecrushedfragmentsofacoffeecuplayscattered
about.

"Ah,thisiscurious,"saidPoirot.

"ImustconfessthatIseenothingparticularlycuriousaboutit."

"Youdonot?Observethelamp-thechimneyisbrokenintwoplaces;theyliethereastheyfell.But
see,thecoffeecupisabsolutelysmashedtopowder."

"Well,"Isaidwearily,"Isupposesomeonemusthavesteppedonit."

"Exactly,"saidPoirot,inanoddvoice."Someonesteppedonit."

He rose from his knees, and walked slowly across to the mantelpiece, where he stood abstractedly
fingeringtheornaments,andstraighteningthem-atrickofhiswhenhewasagitated.

"Mon ami," he said, turning to me, "somebody stepped on that cup, grinding it to powder, and the
reasontheydidsowaseitherbecauseitcontainedstrychnineor-whichisfarmoreserious-becauseit
didnotcontainstrychnine!"

Imadenoreply.Iwasbewildered,butIknewthatitwasnogoodaskinghimtoexplain.Inamomentor
twoherousedhimself,andwentonwithhisinvestigations.Hepickedupthebunchofkeysfromthe
floor,andtwirlingthemroundinhisfingersfinallyselectedone,verybrightandshining,whichhetried
inthelockofthepurpledespatch-case.Itfitted,andheopenedthebox,butafteramoment'shesitation,
closedandrelockedit,andslippedthebunchofkeys,aswellasthekeythathadoriginallystoodinthe
lock,intohisownpocket.

"Ihavenoauthoritytogothroughthesepapers.Butitshouldbedone-atonce!"

Hethenmadeaverycarefulexaminationofthedrawersofthewashstand.Crossingtheroomtotheleft-
hand window, a round stain, hardly visible on the dark-brown carpet, seemed to interest him
particularly.Hewentdownonhisknees,examiningitminutely-evengoingsofarastosmellit.

Finally,hepouredafewdropsofthecocointoatesttube,sealingitupcarefully.Hisnextproceeding
wastotakeoutalittlenotebook.

"Wehavefoundinthisroom,"hesaid,writingbusily,"sixpointsofinterest.ShallIenumeratethem,or
willyou?"

"Oh,you,"Irepliedhastily.

"Verywell,then.One,acoffeecupthathasbeengroundintopowder;two,adespatch-casewithakey
inthelock;three,astainonthefloor."

"Thatmayhavebeendonesometimeago,"Iinterrupted.

"No,foritisstillperceptiblydampandsmellsofcoffee.Four,afragmentofsomedark-greenfabric-
onlyathreadortwo,butrecognizable."

"Ah!"Icried."Thatwaswhatyousealedupintheenvelope."

"Yes.ItmayturnouttobeapieceofoneofMrs.Inglethorp'sowndresses,andquiteunimportant.We
shallsee.Five,this!"Withadramaticgesture,hepointedtoalargesplashofcandlegreaseonthefloor
bythewritingtable."Itmusthavebeendonesinceyesterday,otherwiseagoodhousemaidwouldhave
atonceremoveditwithblottingpaperandahotiron.Oneofmybesthatsonce-butthatisnottothe
point."

"Itwasverylikelydonelastnight.Wewereveryagitated.OrperhapsMrs.Inglethorpherselfdropped
hercandle."

"Youbroughtonlyonecandleintotheroom?"

"Yes. Lawrence Cavendish was carrying it. But he was very upset. He seemed to see something over
here"-Iindicatedthemantelpiece-"thatabsolutelyparalysedhim."

"Thatisinteresting,"saidPoirotquickly."Yes,itissuggestive"-hiseyesweepingthewholelengthof
thewall-"butitwasnothiscandlethatmadethisgreatpatch,foryouperceivethatthisiswhitegrease;
whereas Monsieur Lawrence's candle, which is still on the dressing table, is pink. On the other hand,
Mrs.Inglethorphadnocandlestickintheroom,onlyareading-lamp."

"Then,"Isaid,"whatdoyoudeduce?"

Towhichmyfriendonlymadearatherirritatingreply,urgingmetousemyownnaturalfaculties.

"Andthesixthpoint?"Iasked."Isupposeitisthesampleofcoco."

"No,"saidPoirotthoughtfully."Imighthaveincludedthatinthesix,butIdidnot.No,thesixthpointI
willkeeptomyselfforthepresent."

Helookedquicklyroundtheroom."Thereisnothingmoretobedonehere,Ithink,unless"-hestared
earnestlyandlongatthedeadashesinthegrate."Thefireburns-anditdestroys.Butbychance-there
mightbe-letussee!"

Deftly,onhandsandknees,hebegantosorttheashesfromthegrateintothefender,handlingthemwith
thegreatestcaution.Suddenly,hegaveafaintexclamation.

"Theforceps,Hastings!"

Iquicklyhandedthemtohim,andwithskillheextractedasmallpieceofhalf-charredpaper.

"There,monami!"hecried."Whatdoyouthinkofthat?"

Iscrutinizedthefragment.Thisisanexactreproductionofit:[missingpicture?]

Iwaspuzzled.Itwasunusuallythick,quiteunlikeordinarynotepaper.Suddenlyanideastruckme.

"Poirot!"Icried."Thisisafragmentofawill!"

"Exactly."

Ilookedupathimsharply."Youarenotsurprised?"

"No,"hesaidgravely,"Iexpectedit."

I relinquished the piece of paper, and watched him put it away in his case, with the same methodical
care that he bestowed on everything. My brain was in a whirl. What was this complication of a will?
Whohaddestroyedit?Thepersonwhohadleftthecandlegreaseonthefloor?Obviously.Buthowhad
anyonegainedadmission?Allthedoorshadbeenboltedontheinside.

"Now,myfriend,"saidPoirotbriskly,"wewillgo.Ishouldliketoaskafewquestionsoftheparlour
maid-Dorcas,hernameis,isitnot?"

WepassedthroughAlfredInglethorp'sroom,andPoirotdelayedlongenoughtomakeabriefbutfairly
comprehensive examination of it. We went out through that door, locking both it and that of Mrs.
Inglethorp'sroomasbefore.

I took him down to the boudoir which he had expressed a wish to see, and went myself in search of
Dorcas.

WhenIreturnedwithher,however,theboudoirwasempty."Poirot,"Icried,"whereareyou?"

"Iamhere,myfriend."

HehadsteppedoutsidetheFrenchwindow,andwasstanding,apparentlylostinadmiration,beforethe
variousshapedflowerbeds.

"Admirable!"hemurmured."Admirable!Whatsymmetry!Observethatcrescent;andthosediamonds-
theirneatnessrejoicestheeye.Thespacingoftheplants,also,isperfect.Ithasbeenrecentlydone;isit
notso?"

"Yes,Ibelievetheywereatityesterdayafternoon.Butcomein-Dorcasishere."

"Ehbien,ehbien!Donotgrudgemeamoment'ssatisfactionoftheeye."

"Yes,butthisaffairismoreimportant."

"Andhowdoyouknowthatthesefinebegoniasarenotofequalimportance?"

Ishruggedmyshoulders.Therewasreallynoarguingwithhimifhechosetotakethatline.

"Youdonotagree?Butsuchthingshavebeen.Well,wewillcomeinandinterviewthebraveDorcas."

Dorcas was standing in the boudoir, her hands folded in front of her, and her grey hair rose in stiff
wavesunderherwhitecap.Shewastheverymodelandpictureofagoodold-fashionedservant.

InherattitudetowardsPoirot,shewasinclinedtobesuspicious,buthesoonbrokedownherdefences.
Hedrewforwardachair."Praybeseated,mademoiselle."

"Thankyou,sir."

"Youhavebeenwithyourmistressmanyyears,isitnotso?"

"Tenyears,sir."

"Thatisalongtime,andveryfaithfulservice.Youweremuchattachedtoher,wereyounot?"

"Shewasaverygoodmistresstome,sir."

"Then you will not object to answering a few questions. I put them to you with Mr. Cavendish's full
approval."

"Oh,certainly,sir."

"ThenIwillbeginbyaskingyouabouttheeventsofyesterdayafternoon.Yourmistresshadaquarrel?"

"Yes,sir.ButIdon'tknowthatIought--"Dorcashesitated.Poirotlookedatherkeenly.

"MygoodDorcas,itisnecessarythatIshouldknoweverydetailofthatquarrelasfullyaspossible.Do
notthinkthatyouarebetrayingyourmistress'ssecrets.Yourmistressliesdead,anditisnecessarythat
weshouldknowall-ifwearetoavengeher.Nothingcanbringherbacktolife,butwedohope,ifthere
hasbeenfoulplay,tobringthemurderertojustice."

"Amentothat,"saidDorcasfiercely."And,namingnonames,there'soneinthishousethatnoneofus
couldeverabide!Andanilldayitwaswhenfirsthedarkenedthethreshold."

Poirotwaitedforherindignationtosubside,andthen,resuminghisbusinessliketone,heasked:"Now,
astothisquarrel?Whatisthefirstyouheardofit?"

"Well,sir,Ihappenedtobegoingalongthehalloutsideyesterday--"

"Whattimewasthat?"

"Icouldn'tsayexactly,sir,butitwasn'ttea-timebyalongway.Perhapsfouro'clock-oritmayhave
beenabitlater.Well,sir,asIsaid,Ihappenedtobepassingalong,whenIheardvoicesveryloudand
angryinhere.Ididn'texactlymeantolisten,but-well,thereitis.Istopped.Thedoorwasshut,butthe
mistresswasspeakingverysharpandclear,andIheardwhatshesaidquiteplainly.'Youhaveliedto
me, and deceived me,' she said. I didn't hear what Mr. Inglethorp replied. He spoke a good bit lower
thanshedid-butsheanswered:'Howdareyou?Ihavekeptyouandclothedyouandfedyou!Youowe
everythingtome!Andthisishowyourepayme!Bybringingdisgraceuponourname!'AgainIdidn't
hearwhathesaid,butshewenton:'Nothingthatyoucansaywillmakeanydifference.Iseemyduty
clearly.Mymindismadeup.Youneednotthinkthatanyfearofpublicity,orscandalbetweenhusband
andwifewilldeterme.'ThenIthoughtIheardthemcomingout,soIwentoffquickly."

"YouaresureitwasMr.Inglethorp'svoiceyouheard?"

"Oh,yes,sir,whoseelse'scoulditbe?"

"Well,whathappenednext?"

"Later,Icamebacktothehall;butitwasallquiet.Atfiveo'clock,Mrs.Inglethorprangthebelland

toldmetobringheracupoftea-nothingtoeat-totheboudoir.Shewaslookingdreadful-sowhite
andupset.'Dorcas,'shesays,'I'vehadagreatshock.''I'msorryforthat,ma'am,'Isays.'You'llfeelbetter
afteranicehotcupoftea,ma'am.'Shehadsomethinginherhand.Idon'tknowifitwasaletter,orjust
apieceofpaper,butithadwritingonit,andshekeptstaringatit,almostasifshecouldn'tbelievewhat
waswrittenthere.Shewhisperedtoherself,asthoughshehadforgottenIwasthere:'Thesefewwords-
andeverything'schanged.'Andthenshesaystome:'Nevertrustaman,Dorcas,they'renotworthit!'I
hurriedoff,andgotheragoodstrongcupoftea,andshethankedme,andsaidshe'dfeelbetterwhen
she'd drunk it. 'I don't know what to do,' she says. 'Scandal between husband and wife is a dreadful
thing,Dorcas.I'dratherhushitupifIcould.'Mrs.Cavendishcameinjustthen,soshedidn'tsayany
more."

"Shestillhadtheletter,orwhateveritwas,inherhand?"

"Yes,sir."

"Whatwouldshebelikelytodowithitafterwards?"

"Well,Idon'tknow,sir,Iexpectshewouldlockitupinthatpurplecaseofhers."

"Isthatwheresheusuallykeptimportantpapers?"

"Yes,sir.Shebroughtitdownwithhereverymorning,andtookitupeverynight."

"Whendidshelosethekeyofit?"

"Shemissedityesterdayatlunchtime,sir,andtoldmetolookcarefullyforit.Shewasverymuchput
outaboutit."

"Butshehadaduplicatekey?"

"Oh,yes,sir."

Dorcaswaslookingverycuriouslyathimand,totellthetruth,sowasI.Whatwasallthisaboutalost
key?Poirotsmiled.

"Nevermind,Dorcas,itismybusinesstoknowthings.Isthisthekeythatwaslost?"Hedrewfromhis
pocketthekeythathehadfoundinthelockofthedespatch-caseupstairs.

Dorcas'seyeslookedasthoughtheywouldpopoutofherhead."That'sit,sir,rightenough.Butwhere
didyoufindit?Ilookedeverywhereforit."

"Ah,butyouseeitwasnotinthesameplaceyesterdayasitwastoday.Now,topasstoanothersubject,
hadyourmistressadark-greendressinherwardrobe?"

Dorcaswasratherstartledbytheunexpectedquestion.

"No,sir."

"Areyouquitesure?"

"Oh,yes,sir."

"Hasanyoneelseinthehousegotagreendress?"

Dorcasreflected."MissCynthiahasagreeneveningdress."

"Lightordarkgreen?"

"Alightgreen,sir;asortofchiffon,theycallit."

"Ah,thatisnotwhatIwant.Andnobodyelsehasanythinggreen?"

"No,sir-notthatIknowof."

Poirot'sfacedidnotbetrayatraceofwhetherhewasdisappointedorotherwise.Hemerelyremarked:
"Good,wewillleavethatandpasson.Haveyouanyreasontobelievethatyourmistresswaslikelyto
takeasleepingpowderlastnight?"

"Notlastnight,sir,Iknowshedidn't."

"Whydoyouknowsopositively?"

"Becausetheboxwasempty.Shetookthelastonetwodaysago,andshedidn'thaveanymoremade
up."

"Youarequitesureofthat?"

"Positive,sir."

"Thenthatisclearedup!Bytheway,yourmistressdidn'taskyoutosignanypaperyesterday?"

"Tosignapaper?No,sir."

"When Mr. Hastings and Mr. Lawrence came in yesterday evening, they found your mistress busy
writingletters.Isupposeyoucangivemenoideatowhomtheseletterswereaddressed?"

"I'mafraidIcouldn't,sir.Iwasoutintheevening.PerhapsAnniecouldtellyou,thoughshe'sacareless
girl.Neverclearedthecoffeecupsawaylastnight.That'swhathappenswhenI'mnotheretolookafter
things."

Poirotliftedhishand."Sincetheyhavebeenleft,Dorcas,leavethemalittlelonger,Iprayyou.Ishould
liketoexaminethem."

"Verywell,sir."

"Whattimedidyougooutlastevening?"

"Aboutsixo'clock,sir."

"Thank you, Dorcas, that is all I have to ask you." He rose and strolled to the window. "I have been

admiringtheseflowerbeds.Howmanygardenersareemployedhere,bytheway?"

"Onlythreenow,sir.Five,wehad,beforethewar,whenitwaskeptasagentleman'splaceshouldbe.I
wishyoucouldhaveseenitthen,sir.Afairsightitwas.Butnowthere'sonlyoldManning,andyoung
William,andanew-fashionedwomangardenerinbreechesandsuchlike.Ah,thesearedreadfultimes!"

"Thegoodtimeswillcomeagain,Dorcas.Atleast,wehopeso.Now,willyousendAnnietomehere?"

"Yes,sir.Thankyou,sir."

"HowdidyouknowthatMrs.Inglethorptooksleepingpowders?"Iasked,inlivelycuriosity,asDorcas
lefttheroom."Andaboutthelostkeyandtheduplicate?"

"One thing at a time. As to the sleeping powders, I knew by this." He suddenly produced a small
cardboardbox,suchaschemistsuseforpowders.

"Wheredidyoufindit?"

"InthewashstanddrawerinMrs.Inglethorp'sbedroom.ItwasNumberSixofmycatalogue."

"ButIsuppose,asthelastpowderwastakentwodaysago,itisnotofmuchimportance?"

"Probablynot,butdoyounoticeanythingthatstrikesyouaspeculiaraboutthisbox?"

Iexamineditclosely."No,Ican'tsaythatIdo."

"Lookatthelabel."

Ireadthelabelcarefully:"'Onepowdertobetakenatbedtime,ifrequired.Mrs.Inglethorp.'No,Isee
nothingunusual."

"Notthefactthatthereisnochemist'sname?"

"Ah!"Iexclaimed."Tobesure,thatisodd!"

"Haveyoueverknownachemisttosendoutaboxlikethat,withouthisprintedname?"

"No,Ican'tsaythatIhave."

Iwasbecomingquiteexcited,butPoirotdampedmyardourbyremarking:"Yettheexplanationisquite
simple.Sodonotintrigueyourself,myfriend."

AnaudiblecreakingproclaimedtheapproachofAnnie,soIhadnotimetoreply.

Anniewasafine,strappinggirl,andwasevidentlylabouringunderintenseexcitement,mingledwitha
certainghoulishenjoymentofthetragedy.

Poirotcametothepointatonce,withabusinesslikebriskness."Isentforyou,Annie,becauseIthought
you might be able to tell me something about the letters Mrs. Inglethorp wrote last night. How many
werethere?Andcanyoutellmeanyofthenamesandaddresses?"

Annieconsidered."Therewerefourletters,sir.OnewastoMissHoward,andonewastoMr.Wells,the
lawyer, and the other two I don't think I remember, sir - oh, yes, one was to Ross's, the caterers in

Tadminster.Theotherone,Idon'tremember."

"Think,"urgedPoirot.

Annierackedherbrainsinvain."I'msorry,sir,butit'scleangone.Idon'tthinkIcanhavenoticedit."

"It does not matter," said Poirot, not betraying any sign of disappointment. "Now I want to ask you
aboutsomethingelse.ThereisasaucepaninMrs.Inglethorp'sroomwithsomecocoinit.Didshehave
thateverynight?"

"Yes, sir, it was put in her room every evening, and she warmed it up in the night - whenever she
fanciedit."

"Whatwasit?Plaincoco?"

"Yes,sir,madewithmilk,withateaspoonfulofsugar,andtwoteaspoonfulsofruminit."

"Whotookittoherroom?"

"Idid,sir."

"Always?"

"Yes,sir."

"Atwhattime?"

"WhenIwenttodrawthecurtains,asarule,sir."

"Didyoubringitstraightupfromthekitchenthen?"

"No,sir,youseethere'snotmuchroomonthegasstove,soCookusedtomakeitearly,beforeputting
thevegetablesonforsupper.ThenIusedtobringitup,andputitonthetablebytheswingdoor,and
takeitintoherroomlater."

"Theswingdoorisintheleftwing,isitnot?"

"Yes,sir."

"Andthetable,isitonthissideofthedoor,oronthefarther-servants'side?"

"It'sthisside,sir."

"Whattimedidyoubringituplastnight?"

"Aboutquarter-pastseven,Ishouldsay,sir."

"AndwhendidyoutakeitintoMrs.Inglethorp'sroom?"

"WhenIwenttoshutup,sir.Abouteighto'clock.Mrs.InglethorpcameuptobedbeforeI'dfinished."

"Then,between7.15and8o'clock,thecocowasstandingonthetableintheleftwing?"

"Yes,sir."Anniehadbeengrowingredderandredderintheface,andnowsheblurtedoutunexpectedly:

"Andiftherewassaltinit,sir,itwasn'tme.Inevertookthesaltnearit."

"Whatmakesyouthinktherewassaltinit?"askedPoirot.

"Seeingitonthetray,sir."

"Yousawsomesaltonthetray?"

"Yes.Coarsekitchensalt,itlooked.InevernoticeditwhenItookthetrayup,butwhenIcametotakeit
intothemistress'sroomIsawitatonce,andIsupposeIoughttohavetakenitdownagain,andasked
Cooktomakesomefresh.ButIwasinahurry,becauseDorcaswasout,andIthoughtmaybethecoco
itselfwasallright,andthesalthadonlygoneonthetray.SoIdusteditoffwithmyapron,andtookit
in."

I had the utmost difficulty in controlling my excitement. Unknown to herself, Annie had provided us
with an important piece of evidence. How she would have gaped if she had realized that her "coarse
kitchensalt"wasstrychnine,oneofthemostdeadlypoisonsknowntomankind.ImarvelledatPoirot's
calm.Hisself-controlwasastonishing.Iawaitedhisnextquestionwithimpatience,butitdisappointed
me.

"WhenyouwentintoMrs.Inglethorp'sroom,wasthedoorleadingintoMissCynthia'sroombolted?"

"Oh!Yes,sir;italwayswas.Ithadneverbeenopened."

"AndthedoorintoMr.Inglethorp'sroom?Didyounoticeifthatwasboltedtoo?"

Anniehesitated."Icouldn'trightlysay,sir;itwasshutbutIcouldn'tsaywhetheritwasboltedornot."

"Whenyoufinallylefttheroom,didMrs.Inglethorpboltthedoorafteryou?"

"No,sir,notthen,butIexpectshedidlater.Sheusuallydidlockitatnight.Thedoorintothepassage,
thatis."

"Didyounoticeanycandlegreaseonthefloorwhenyoudidtheroomyesterday?"

"Candlegrease?Oh,no,sir.Mrs.Inglethorpdidn'thaveacandle,onlyareading-lamp."

"Then,iftherehadbeenalargepatchofcandlegreaseonthefloor,youthinkyouwouldhavebeensure
tohaveseenit?"

"Yes,sir,andIwouldhavetakenitoutwithapieceofblottingpaperandahotiron."

ThenPoirotrepeatedthequestionhehadputtoDorcas:"Didyourmistresseverhaveagreendress?"

"No,sir."

"Noramantle,noracape,nora-howdoyoucallit?-asportscoat?"

"Notgreen,sir."

"Noranyoneelseinthehouse?"

Anniereflected."No,sir."

"Youaresureofthat?"

"Quitesure."

"Bien!ThatisallIwanttoknow.Thankyouverymuch."

With a nervous giggle, Annie took herself creakingly out of the room. My pent-up excitement burst
forth."Poirot,"Icried,"Icongratulateyou!Thisisagreatdiscovery."

"Whatisagreatdiscovery?"

"Why,thatitwasthecocoandnotthecoffeethatwaspoisoned.Thatexplainseverything!Ofcourseit
didnottakeeffectuntiltheearlymorning,sincethecocowasonlydrunkinthemiddleofthenight."

"Soyouthinkthatthecoco-markwellwhatIsay,Hastings,thecoco-containedstrychnine?"

"Ofcourse!Thatsaltonthetray,whatelsecouldithavebeen?"

"Itmighthavebeensalt,"repliedPoirotplacidly.

Ishruggedmyshoulders.Ifhewasgoingtotakethematterthatway,itwasnogoodarguingwithhim.
The idea crossed my mind, not for the first time, that poor old Poirot was growing old. Privately I
thoughtitluckythathehadassociatedwithhimsomeoneofamorereceptivetypeofmind.

Poirotwassurveyingmewithquietlytwinklingeyes."Youarenotpleasedwithme,monami?"

"MydearPoirot,"Isaidcoldly,"itisnotformetodictatetoyou.Youhavearighttoyourownopinion,
justasIhavetomine."

"Amostadmirablesentiment,"remarkedPoirot,risingbrisklytohisfeet."NowIhavefinishedwiththis
room.Bytheway,whoseisthesmallerdeskinthecorner?"

"Mr.Inglethorp's."

"Ah!"Hetriedtherolltoptentatively."Locked.ButperhapsoneofMrs.Inglethorp'skeyswouldopen
it."Hetriedseveral,twistingandturningthemwithapracticedhand,andfinallyutteringanejaculation
ofsatisfaction."Voila!Itisnotthekey,butitwillopenitatapinch."Heslidbacktherolltop,andrana
rapid eye over the neatly filed papers. To my surprise, he did not examine them, merely remarking
approvinglyasherelockedthedesk:"Decidedly,heisamanofmethod,thisMr.Inglethorp!"

A "man of method" was, in Poirot's estimation, the highest praise that could be bestowed on any
individual.

Ifeltthatmyfriendwasnotwhathehadbeenasherambledondisconnectedly:"Therewerenostamps
inhisdesk,buttheremighthavebeen,eh,monami?Theremighthavebeen?Yes"-hiseyeswandered
roundtheroom-"thisboudoirhasnothingmoretotellus.Itdidnotyieldmuch.Onlythis."

He pulled a crumpled envelope out of his pocket, and tossed it over to me. It was rather a curious
document. A plain, dirty-looking old envelope with a few words scrawled across it, apparently at
random.Thefollowingisafacsimileofit.

[missingpicture]

5

"Itisn'tStrychnine,isit?"

"Wheredidyoufindthis?"IaskedPoirot,inlivelycuriosity.

"Inthewastepaperbasket.Yourecognisethehandwriting?"

"Yes,itisMrs.Inglethorp's.Butwhatdoesitmean?"

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders."Icannotsay-butitissuggestive."

Awildideaflashedacrossme.WasitpossiblethatMrs.Inglethorp'smindwasderanged?Hadshesome
fantastic idea of demoniacal possession? And, if that were so, was it not also possible that she might
havetakenherownlife?

IwasabouttoexpoundthesetheoriestoPoirot,whenhisownwordsdistractedme."Come,"hesaid,
"nowtoexaminethecoffeecups!"

"MydearPoirot!Whatonearthisthegoodofthat,nowthatweknowaboutthecoco?"

"Oh,lala!Thatmiserablecoco!"criedPoirotflippantly.Helaughedwithapparentenjoyment,raising
hisarmstoheaveninmockdespair,inwhatIcouldnotbutconsidertheworstpossibletaste.

"And,anyway,"Isaid,withincreasingcoldness,"asMrs.Inglethorptookhercoffeeupstairswithher,I
do not see what you expect to find, unless you consider it likely that we shall discover a packet of
strychnineonthecoffeetray!"

Poirot was sobered at once. "Come, come, my friend," he said, slipping his arms through mine. "Ne
vousfachezpas!Allowmetointerestmyselfinmycoffeecups,andIwillrespectyourcoco.There!Is
itabargain?"

He was so quaintly humorous that I was forced to laugh; and we went together to the drawing room,
wherethecoffeecupsandtrayremainedundisturbedaswehadleftthem.

Poirot made me recapitulate the scene of the night before, listening very carefully, and verifying the
positionofthevariouscups.

"SoMrs.Cavendishstoodbythetray-andpouredout.Yes.Thenshecameacrosstothewindowwhere
yousatwithMademoiselleCynthia.Yes.Herearethethreecups.Andthecuponthemantelpiece,half
drunk,thatwouldbeMr.LawrenceCavendish's.Andtheoneonthetray?"

"JohnCavendish's.Isawhimputitdownthere."

"Good.One,two,three,four,five-butwhere,then,isthecupofMr.Inglethorp?"

"Hedoesnottakecoffee."

"Thenallareaccountedfor.Onemoment,myfriend."

Withinfinitecare,hetookadroportwofromthegroundsineachcup,sealingthemupinseparatetest
tubes,tastingeachinturnashedidso.Hisphysiognomyunderwentacuriouschange.Anexpression
gatheredtherethatIcanonlydescribeashalfpuzzled,andhalfrelieved.

"Bien!"hesaidatlast."Itisevident!Ihadanidea-butclearlyIwasmistaken.Yes,altogetherIwas
mistaken.Yetitisstrange.Butnomatter!"

And,withacharacteristicshrug,hedismissedwhateveritwasthatwasworryinghimfromhismind.I
couldhavetoldhimfromthebeginningthatthisobsessionofhisoverthecoffeewasboundtoendina
blindalley,butIrestrainedmytongue.Afterall,thoughhewasold,Poirothadbeenagreatmaninhis
day.

"Breakfast is ready," said John Cavendish, coming in from the hall. "You will breakfast with us,
MonsieurPoirot?"

Poirotacquiesced.IobservedJohn.Alreadyhewasalmostrestoredtohisnormalself.Theshockofthe
eventsofthelastnighthadupsethimtemporarily,buthisequablepoisesoonswungbacktothenormal.
Hewasamanofverylittleimagination,insharpcontrastwithhisbrother,whohad,perhaps,toomuch.

Eversincetheearlyhoursofthemorning,Johnhadbeenhardatwork,sendingtelegrams-oneofthe
firsthadgonetoEvelynHoward-writingnoticesforthepapers,andgenerallyoccupyinghimselfwith
themelancholydutiesthatadeathentails.

"May I ask how things are proceeding?" he said. "Do your investigations point to my mother having
diedanaturaldeath-or-ormustweprepareourselvesfortheworst?"

"Ithink,Mr.Cavendish,"saidPoirotgravely,"thatyouwoulddowellnottobuoyyourselfupwithany
falsehopes.Canyoutellmetheviewsoftheothermembersofthefamily?"

"My brother Lawrence is convinced that we are making a fuss over nothing. He says that everything
pointstoitsbeingasimplecaseofheartfailure."

"He does, does he? That is very interesting - very interesting," murmured Poirot softly. "And Mrs.
Cavendish?"

A faint cloud passed over John's face. "I have not the least idea what my wife's views on the subject
are."

Theanswerbroughtamomentarystiffnessinitstrain.Johnbroketheratherawkwardsilencebysaying
withaslighteffort:"Itoldyou,didn'tI,thatMr.Inglethorphasreturned?"

Poirotbenthishead.

"It'sanawkwardpositionforallofus.Ofcourseonehastotreathimasusual-but,hangitall,one's
gorgedoesriseatsittingdowntoeatwithapossiblemurderer!"

Poirot nodded sympathetically. "I quite understand. It is a very difficult situation for you, Mr.
Cavendish. I would like to ask you one question. Mr. Inglethorp's reason for not returning last night
was,Ibelieve,thathehadforgottenthelatchkey.Isnotthatso?"

"Yes."

"Isupposeyouarequitesurethatthelatchkeywasforgotten-thathedidnottakeitafterall?"

"Ihavenoidea.Ineverthoughtoflooking.Wealwayskeepitinthehalldrawer.I'llgoandseeifit's
therenow."

Poirothelduphishandwithafaintsmile."No,no,Mr.Cavendish,itistoolatenow.Iamcertainthat
youwouldfindit.IfMr.Inglethorpdidtakeit,hehashadampletimetoreplaceitbynow."

"Butdoyouthink--"

"I think nothing. If anyone had chanced to look this morning before his return, and seen it there, it
wouldhavebeenavaluablepointinhisfavour.Thatisall."

Johnlookedperplexed.

"Donotworry,"saidPoirotsmoothly."Iassureyouthatyouneednotletittroubleyou.Sinceyouareso
kind,letusgoandhavesomebreakfast."

Everyonewasassembledinthediningroom.Underthecircumstances,wewerenaturallynotacheerful
party.Thereactionafterashockisalwaystrying,andIthinkwewereallsufferingfromit.Decorum
andgoodbreedingnaturallyenjoinedthatourdemeanourshouldbemuchasusual,yetIcouldnothelp
wonderingifthisself-controlwerereallyamatterofgreatdifficulty.Therewerenoredeyes,nosigns
ofsecretlyindulgedgrief.IfeltthatIwasrightinmyopinionthatDorcaswasthepersonmostaffected
bythepersonalsideofthetragedy.

IpassoverAlfredInglethorp,whoactedthebereavedwidowerinamannerthatIfelttobedisgustingin
itshypocrisy.Didheknowthatwesuspectedhim,Iwondered.Surelyhecouldnotbeunawareofthe
fact,concealitaswewould.Didhefeelsomesecretstirringoffear,orwasheconfidentthathiscrime
would go unpunished? Surely the suspicion in the atmosphere must warn him that he was already a
markedman.

Butdideveryonesuspecthim?WhataboutMrs.Cavendish?Iwatchedherasshesatattheheadofthe
table,graceful,composed,enigmatic.Inhersoftgreyfrock,withwhiterufflesatthewristsfallingover
herslenderhands,shelookedverybeautiful.Whenshechose,however,herfacecouldbesphinx-likein
itsinscrutability.Shewasverysilent,hardlyopeningherlips,andyetinsomequeerwayIfeltthatthe
greatstrengthofherpersonalitywasdominatingusall.

AndlittleCynthia?Didshesuspect?Shelookedverytiredandill,Ithought.Theheavinessandlanguor
ofhermannerwereverymarked.Iaskedherifshewerefeelingill,andsheansweredfrankly:

"Yes,I'vegotthemostbeastlyheadache."

"Have another cup of coffee, mademoiselle?" said Poirot solicitously. "It will revive you. It is
unparalleledforthemaldetete."Hejumpedupandtookhercup.

"Nosugar,"saidCynthia,watchinghim,ashepickedupthesugar-tongs.

"Nosugar?Youabandonitinthewartime,eh?"

"No,Inevertakeitincoffee."

"Sacre!"murmuredPoirottohimself,ashebroughtbackthereplenishedcup.

Only I heard him, and glancing up curiously at the little man I saw that his face was working with
suppressedexcitement,andhiseyeswereasgreenasacat's.Hehadheardorseensomethingthathad
affectedhimstrongly-butwhatwasit?Idonotusuallylabelmyselfasdense,butImustconfessthat
nothingoutoftheordinaryhadattractedmyattention.

Inanothermoment,thedooropenedandDorcasappeared."Mr.Wellstoseeyou,sir,"shesaidtoJohn.

I remembered the name as being that of the lawyer to whom Mrs. Inglethorp had written the night
before.

John rose immediately. "Show him into my study." Then he turned to us. "My mother's lawyer," he
explained.Andinalowervoice:"HeisalsoCoroner-youunderstand.Perhapsyouwouldliketocome
withme?"

Weacquiescedandfollowedhimoutoftheroom.JohnstrodeonaheadandItooktheopportunityof
whisperingtoPoirot:"Therewillbeaninquestthen?"

Poirotnoddedabsently.Heseemedabsorbedinthought;somuchsothatmycuriositywasaroused.

"Whatisit?YouarenotattendingtowhatIsay."

"Itistrue,myfriend.Iammuchworried."

"Why?"

"BecauseMademoiselleCynthiadoesnottakesugarinhercoffee."

"What?Youcannotbeserious?"

"ButIammostserious.Ah,thereissomethingtherethatIdonotunderstand.Myinstinctwasright."

"Whatinstinct?"

"Theinstinctthatledmetoinsistonexaminingthosecoffeecups.Chut!nomorenow!"

We followed John into his study, and he closed the door behind us. Mr. Wells was a pleasant man of
middleage,withkeeneyes,andthetypicallawyer'smouth.Johnintroducedusboth,andexplainedthe
reasonofourpresence.

"You will understand, Wells," he added, "that this is all strictly private. We are still hoping that there
willturnouttobenoneedforinvestigationofanykind."

"Quiteso,quiteso,"saidMr.Wellssoothingly."Iwishwecouldhavesparedyouthepainandpublicity
ofaninquest,butofcourseit'squiteunavoidableintheabsenceofadoctor'scertificate."

"Yes,Isupposeso."

"Cleverman,Bauerstein.Greatauthorityontoxicology,Ibelieve."

"Indeed,"saidJohnwithacertainstiffnessinhismanner.Thenheaddedratherhesitatingly:"Shallwe
havetoappearaswitnesses-allofus,Imean?"

"You,ofcourse-andah-er-Mr.-er-Inglethorp."

Aslightpauseensuedbeforethelawyerwentoninhissoothingmanner:"Anyotherevidencewillbe
simplyconfirmatory,amerematterofform."

"Isee."

AfaintexpressionofreliefsweptoverJohn'sface.Itpuzzledme,forIsawnooccasionforit.

"Ifyouknowofnothingtothecontrary,"pursuedMr.Wells,"IhadthoughtofFriday.Thatwillgiveus
plentyoftimeforthedoctor'sreport.Thepost-mortemistotakeplacetonight,Ibelieve?"

"Yes."

"Thenthatarrangementwillsuityou?"

"Perfectly."

"Ineednottellyou,mydearCavendish,howdistressedIamatthismosttragicaffair."

"Canyougiveusnohelpinsolvingit,monsieur?"interposedPoirot,speakingforthefirsttimesince
wehadenteredtheroom.

"I?"

"Yes, we heard that Mrs. Inglethorp wrote to you last night. You should have received the letter this
morning."

"Idid,butitcontainsnoinformation.Itismerelyanoteaskingmetocalluponherthismorning,asshe
wantedmyadviceonamatterofgreatimportance."

"Shegaveyounohintastowhatthatmattermightbe?"

"Unfortunately,no."

"Thatisapity,"saidJohn.

"Agreatpity,"agreedPoirotgravely.

There was silence. Poirot remained lost in thought for a few minutes. Finally he turned to the lawyer

again. "Mr. Wells, there is one thing I should like to ask you - that is, if it is not against professional
etiquette.IntheeventofMrs.Inglethorp'sdeath,whowouldinherithermoney?"

Thelawyerhesitatedamoment,andthenreplied:"Theknowledgewillbepublicpropertyverysoon,so
ifMr.Cavendishdoesnotobject--"

"Notatall,"interpolatedJohn.

"IdonotseeanyreasonwhyIshouldnotansweryourquestion.Byherlastwill,datedAugustoflast
year,aftervariousunimportantlegaciestoservants,etc.,shegaveherentirefortunetoherstepson,Mr.
JohnCavendish."

"Wasnotthat-pardonthequestion,Mr.Cavendish-ratherunfairtoherotherstepson,Mr.Lawrence
Cavendish?"

"No,Idonotthinkso.Yousee,underthetermsoftheirfather'swill,whileJohninheritedtheproperty,
Lawrence,athisstepmother'sdeath,wouldcomeintoaconsiderablesumofmoney.Mrs.Inglethorpleft
hermoneytoherelderstepson,knowingthathewouldhavetokeepupStyles.Itwas,tomymind,a
veryfairandequitabledistribution."

Poirotnoddedthoughtfully."Isee.ButIamrightinsaying,amInot,thatbyyourEnglishlawthatwill
wasautomaticallyrevokedwhenMrs.Inglethorpremarried?"

Mr.Wellsbowedhishead."AsIwasabouttoproceed,MonsieurPoirot,thatdocumentisnownulland
void."

"Hein!"saidPoirot.Hereflectedforamoment,andthenasked:"WasMrs.Inglethorpherselfawareof
thatfact?"

"Idonotknow.Shemayhavebeen."

"Shewas,"saidJohnunexpectedly."Wewerediscussingthematterofwillsbeingrevokedbymarriage
onlyyesterday."

"Ah! One more question, Mr. Wells. You say 'her last will.' Had Mrs. Inglethorp, then, made several
formerwills?"

"On an average, she made a new will at least once a year," said Mr. Wells imperturbably. "She was
given to changing her mind as to her testamentary dispositions, now benefiting one, now another
memberofherfamily."

"Suppose," suggested Poirot, "that, unknown to you, she had made a new will in favour of someone
whowasnot,inanysenseoftheword,amemberofthefamily-wewillsayMissHoward,forinstance
-wouldyoubesurprised?"

"Notintheleast."

"Ah!"Poirotseemedtohaveexhaustedhisquestions.

I drew close to him, while John and the lawyer were debating the question of going through Mrs.
Inglethorp'spapers."DoyouthinkMrs.InglethorpmadeawillleavingallhermoneytoMissHoward?"
Iaskedinalowvoice,withsomecuriosity.

Poirotsmiled."No."

"Thenwhydidyouask?"

"Hush!"

JohnCavendishhadturnedtoPoirot."Willyoucomewithus,MonsieurPoirot?Wearegoingthrough
mymother'spapers.Mr.InglethorpisquitewillingtoleaveitentirelytoMr.Wellsandmyself."

"Whichsimplifiesmattersverymuch,"murmuredthelawyer."Astechnically,ofcourse,hewasentitled
--"Hedidnotfinishthesentence.

"We will look through the desk in the boudoir first," explained John, "and go up to her bedroom
afterwards.Shekepthermostimportantpapersinapurpledespatch-case,whichwemustlookthrough
carefully."

"Yes,"saidthelawyer,"itisquitepossiblethattheremaybealaterwillthantheoneinmypossession."

"Thereisalaterwill."ItwasPoirotwhospoke.

"What?"Johnandthelawyerlookedathimstartled.

"Or,rather,"pursuedmyfriendimperturbably,"therewasone."

"Whatdoyoumean-therewasone?Whereisitnow?"

"Burnt!"

"Burnt?"

"Yes.Seehere."HetookoutthecharredfragmentwehadfoundinthegrateinMrs.Inglethorp'sroom,
andhandedittothelawyerwithabriefexplanationofwhenandwherehehadfoundit.

"Butpossiblythisisanoldwill?"

"Idonotthinkso.InfactIamalmostcertainthatitwasmadenoearlierthanyesterdayafternoon."

"What?""Impossible!"brokesimultaneouslyfrombothmen.

PoirotturnedtoJohn."Ifyouwillallowmetosendforyourgardener,Iwillproveittoyou."

"Oh,ofcourse-butIdon'tsee--"

Poirotraisedhishand."DoasIaskyou.Afterwardsyoushallquestionasmuchasyouplease."

"Verywell."Herangthebell.

Dorcasanswereditinduecourse.

"Dorcas,willyoutellManningtocomeroundandspeaktomehere."

"Yes,sir."

Dorcaswithdrew.

Wewaitedinatensesilence.Poirotaloneseemedperfectlyathisease,anddustedaforgottencornerof
thebookcase.

The clumping of hobnailed boots on the gravel outside proclaimed the approach of Manning. John
lookedquestioninglyatPoirot.Thelatternodded.

"Comeinside,Manning,"saidJohn,"Iwanttospeaktoyou."

ManningcameslowlyandhesitatinglythroughtheFrenchwindow,andstoodasnearitashecould.He
heldhiscapinhishands,twistingitverycarefullyroundandround.Hisbackwasmuchbent,thoughhe
wasprobablynotasoldashelooked,buthiseyesweresharpandintelligent,andbeliedhisslowand
rathercautiousspeech.

"Manning,"saidJohn,"thisgentlemanwillputsomequestionstoyouwhichIwantyoutoanswer."

"Yessir,"mumbledManning.

Poirotsteppedforwardbriskly.Manning'seyesweptoverhimwithafaintcontempt.

"Youwereplantingabedofbegoniasroundbythesouthsideofthehouseyesterdayafternoon,were
younot,Manning?"

"Yes,sir,meandWillum."

"AndMrs.Inglethorpcametothewindowandcalledyou,didshenot?"

"Yes,sir,shedid."

"Tellmeinyourownwordsexactlywhathappenedafterthat."

"Well,sir,nothingmuch.ShejusttoldWillumtogoonhisbicycledowntothevillage,andbringbacka
formofwill,orsuchlike-Idon'tknowwhatexactly-shewroteitdownforhim."

"Well?"

"Well,hedid,sir."

"Andwhathappenednext?"

"Wewentonwiththebegonias,sir."

"DidnotMrs.Inglethorpcallyouagain?"

"Yes,sir,bothmeandWillum,shecalled."

"Andthen?"

"She made us come right in, and sign our names at the bottom of a long paper - under where she'd
signed."

"Didyouseeanythingofwhatwaswrittenabovehersignature?"askedPoirotsharply.

"No,sir,therewasabitofblottingpaperoverthatpart."

"Andyousignedwhereshetoldyou?"

"Yes,sir,firstmeandthenWillum."

"Whatdidshedowithitafterwards?"

"Well,sir,sheslippeditintoalongenvelope,andputitinsideasortofpurpleboxthatwasstandingon
thedesk."

"Whattimewasitwhenshefirstcalledyou?"

"Aboutfour,Ishouldsay,sir."

"Notearlier?Couldn'tithavebeenabouthalf-pastthree?"

"No,Ishouldn'tsayso,sir.Itwouldbemorelikelytobeabitafterfour-notbeforeit."

"Thankyou,Manning,thatwilldo,"saidPoirotpleasantly.

The gardener glanced at his master, who nodded, whereupon Manning lifted a finger to his forehead
withalowmumble,andbackedcautiouslyoutofthewindow.

Wealllookedateachother.

"Goodheavens!"murmuredJohn."Whatanextraordinarycoincidence."

"How-acoincidence?"

"Thatmymothershouldhavemadeawillontheverydayofherdeath!"

Mr.Wellsclearedhisthroatandremarkeddrily:"Areyousosureitisacoincidence,Cavendish?"

"Whatdoyoumean?"

"Yourmother,youtellme,hadaviolentquarrelwith-someoneyesterdayafternoon--"

"Whatdoyoumean?"criedJohnagain.Therewasatremorinhisvoice,andhehadgoneverypale.

"In consequence of that quarrel, your mother very suddenly and hurriedly makes a new will. The
contentsofthatwillweshallneverknow.Shetoldnooneofitsprovisions.Thismorning,nodoubt,she
wouldhaveconsultedmeonthesubject-butshehadnochance.Thewilldisappears,andshetakesits
secretwithhertohergrave.Cavendish,Imuchfearthereisnocoincidencethere.MonsieurPoirot,Iam
sureyouagreewithmethatthefactsareverysuggestive."

"Suggestive, or not," interrupted John, "we are most grateful to Monsieur Poirot for elucidating the
matter.Butforhim,weshouldneverhaveknownofthiswill.Isuppose,Imaynotaskyou,monsieur,
whatfirstledyoutosuspectthefact?"

Poirotsmiledandanswered:"Ascribbled-overoldenvelope,andafreshlyplantedbedofbegonias."

John,Ithink,wouldhavepressedhisquestionsfurther,butatthatmomenttheloudpurrofamotorwas
audible,andweallturnedtothewindowasitsweptpast.

"Evie!"criedJohn."Excuseme,Wells."Hewenthurriedlyoutintothehall.

Poirotlookedinquiringlyatme."MissHoward,"Iexplained.

"Ah,Iamgladshehascome.Thereisawomanwithaheadandahearttoo,Hastings.Thoughthegood
Godgavehernobeauty!"

I followed John's example, and went out into the hall, where Miss Howard was endeavouring to
extricateherselffromthevoluminousmassofveilsthatenvelopedherhead.Ashereyesfellonme,a
sudden pang of guilt shot through me. This was the woman who had warned me so earnestly, and to
whosewarningIhad,alas,paidnoheed!Howsoon,andhowcontemptuously,Ihaddismisseditfrom
mymind.Nowthatshehadbeenprovedjustifiedinsotragicamanner,Ifeltashamed.Shehadknown
AlfredInglethorponlytoowell.Iwonderedwhether,ifshehadremainedatStyles,thetragedywould
havetakenplace,orwouldthemanhavefearedherwatchfuleyes?

Iwasrelievedwhensheshookmebythehand,withherwellrememberedpainfulgrip.Theeyesthat
metmineweresad,butnotreproachful;thatshehadbeencryingbitterly,Icouldtellbytherednessof
hereyelids,buthermannerwasunchangedfromitsoldgruffness.

"StartedthemomentIgotthewire.Justcomeoffnightduty.Hiredcar.Quickestwaytogethere."

"Haveyouhadanythingtoeatthismorning,Evie?"askedJohn.

"No."

"Ithoughtnot.Comealong,breakfast'snotclearedawayyet,andthey'llmakeyousomefreshtea."He
turnedtome."Lookafterher,Hastings,willyou?Wellsiswaitingforme.Oh,here'sMonsieurPoirot.
He'shelpingus,youknow,Evie."

MissHowardshookhandswithPoirot,butglancedsuspiciouslyoverhershoulderatJohn.

"Whatdoyoumean-helpingus?"

"Helpingustoinvestigate."

"Nothingtoinvestigate.Havetheytakenhimtoprisonyet?"

"Takenwhotoprison?"

"Who?AlfredInglethorp,ofcourse!"

"MydearEvie,dobecareful.Lawrenceisoftheopinionthatmymotherdiedfromheartseizure."

"Morefool,Lawrence!"retortedMissHoward."OfcourseAlfredInglethorpmurderedpoorEmily-as
Ialwaystoldyouhewould."

"MydearEvie,don'tshoutso.Whateverwemaythinkorsuspect,itisbettertosayaslittleaspossible

forthepresent.Theinquestisn'tuntilFriday."

"Notuntilfiddlesticks!"ThesnortMissHowardgavewastrulymagnificent."You'realloffyourheads.
Themanwillbeoutofthecountrybythen.Ifhe'sanysense,hewon'tstayheretamelyandwaittobe
hanged."

JohnCavendishlookedatherhelplessly.

"Iknowwhatitis,"sheaccusedhim,"you'vebeenlisteningtothedoctors.Nevershould.Whatdothey
know?Nothingatall-orjustenoughtomakethemdangerous.Ioughttoknow-myownfatherwasa
doctor. That little Wilkins is about the greatest fool that even I have ever seen. Heart seizure! Sort of
thing he would say. Anyone with any sense could see at once that her husband had poisoned her. I
alwayssaidhe'dmurderherinherbed,poorsoul.Nowhe'sdoneit.Andallyoucandoistomurmur
silly things about 'heart seizure' and 'inquest on Friday.' You ought to be ashamed of yourself, John
Cavendish."

"Whatdoyouwantmetodo?"askedJohn,unabletohelpafaintsmile."Dashitall,Evie,Ican'thaul
himdowntothelocalpolicestationbythescruffofhisneck."

"Well, you might do something. Find out how he did it. He's a crafty beggar. Dare say he soaked fly
papers.AskCookifshe'smissedany."

It occurred to me very forcibly at that moment that to harbour Miss Howard and Alfred Inglethorp
underthesameroof,andkeepthepeacebetweenthem,waslikelytoproveaHerculeantask,andIdid
not envy John. I could see by the expression of his face that he fully appreciated the difficulty of the
position.Forthemoment,hesoughtrefugeinretreat,andlefttheroomprecipitately.

Dorcasbroughtinfreshtea.Asshelefttheroom,Poirotcameoverfromthewindowwherehehadbeen
standing,andsatdownfacingMissHoward.

"Mademoiselle,"hesaidgravely,"Iwanttoaskyousomething."

"Askaway,"saidthelady,eyeinghimwithsomedisfavour.

"Iwanttobeabletocountuponyourhelp."

"I'llhelpyoutohangAlfredwithpleasure,"sherepliedgruffly."Hanging'stoogoodforhim.Oughtto
bedrawnandquartered,likeingoodoldtimes."

"Weareatonethen,"saidPoirot,"forI,too,wanttohangthecriminal."

"AlfredInglethorp?"

"Him,oranother."

"No question of another. Poor Emily was never murdered until he came along. I don't say she wasn't
surroundedbysharks-shewas.Butitwasonlyherpursetheywereafter.Herlifewassafeenough.But
alongcomesMr.AlfredInglethorp-andwithintwomonths-heypresto!"

"Believe me, Miss Howard," said Poirot very earnestly, "if Mr. Inglethorp is the man, he shall not
escapeme.Onmyhonour,IwillhanghimashighasHaman!"

"That'sbetter,"saidMissHowardmoreenthusiastically.

"But I must ask you to trust me. Now your help may be very valuable to me. I will tell you why.
Because,inallthishouseofmourning,yoursaretheonlyeyesthathavewept."

MissHowardblinked,andanewnotecreptintothegruffnessofhervoice."IfyoumeanthatIwasfond
ofher-yes,Iwas.Youknow,Emilywasaselfisholdwomaninherway.Shewasverygenerous,but
shealwayswantedareturn.Sheneverletpeopleforgetwhatshehaddoneforthem-and,thatwayshe
missedlove.Don'tthinksheeverrealizedit,though,orfeltthelackofit.Hopenot,anyway.Iwasona
different footing. I took my stand from the first. 'So many pounds a year I'm worth to you. Well and
good.Butnotapennypiecebesides-notapairofgloves,noratheatreticket.'Shedidn'tunderstand-
was very offended sometimes. Said I was foolishly proud. It wasn't that - but I couldn't explain.
Anyway,Ikeptmyself-respect.Andso,outofthewholebunch,Iwastheonlyonewhocouldallow
myselftobefondofher.Iwatchedoverher.Iguardedherfromthelotofthem,andthenaglib-tongued
scoundrelcomesalong,andpooh!allmyyearsofdevotiongofornothing."

Poirotnoddedsympathetically."Iunderstand,mademoiselle,Iunderstandallyoufeel.Itismostnatural.
Youthinkthatwearelukewarm-thatwelackfireandenergy-buttrustme,itisnotso."

Johnstuckhisheadinatthisjuncture,andinvitedusbothtocomeuptoMrs.Inglethorp'sroom,ashe
andMr.Wellshadfinishedlookingthroughthedeskintheboudoir.

As we went up the stairs, John looked back to the dining room door, and lowered his voice
confidentially:"Lookhere,what'sgoingtohappenwhenthesetwomeet?"

Ishookmyheadhelplessly.

"I'vetoldMarytokeepthemapartifshecan."

"Willshebeabletodoso?"

"TheLordonlyknows.There'sonething,Inglethorphimselfwon'tbetookeenonmeetingher."

"You'vegotthekeysstill,haven'tyou,Poirot?"Iasked,aswereachedthedoorofthelockedroom.

Taking the keys from Poirot, John unlocked it, and we all passed in. The lawyer went straight to the
desk,andJohnfollowedhim.

"Mymotherkeptmostofherimportantpapersinthisdespatch-case,Ibelieve,"hesaid.

Poirotdrewoutthesmallbunchofkeys."Permitme.Ilockedit,outofprecaution,thismorning."

"Butit'snotlockednow."

"Impossible!"

"See."AndJohnliftedthelidashespoke.

"Millestonnerres!"criedPoirot,dumfounded."AndI-whohaveboththekeysinmypocket!"Heflung
himselfuponthecase.Suddenlyhestiffened."Envoilauneaffaire!Thislockhasbeenforced."

"What?"

Poirotlaiddownthecaseagain.

"But who forced it? Why should they? When? But the door was locked?" These exclamations burst
fromusdisjointedly.

Poirotansweredthemcategorically-almostmechanically."Who?Thatisthequestion.Why?Ah,ifI
onlyknew.When?SinceIwashereanhourago.Astothedoorbeinglocked,itisaveryordinarylock.
Probablyanyotherofthedoorkeysinthispassagewouldfitit."

Westaredatoneanotherblankly.Poirothadwalkedovertothemantelpiece.Hewasoutwardlycalm,
butInoticedhishands,whichfromlongforceofhabitweremechanicallystraighteningthespillvases
onthemantelpiece,wereshakingviolently.

"Seehere,itwaslikethis,"hesaidatlast."Therewassomethinginthatcase-somepieceofevidence,
slightinitselfperhaps,butstillenoughofacluetoconnectthemurdererwiththecrime.Itwasvitalto
himthatitshouldbedestroyedbeforeitwasdiscoveredanditssignificanceappreciated.Therefore,he
tooktherisk,thegreatrisk,ofcominginhere.Findingthecaselocked,hewasobligedtoforceit,thus
betrayinghispresence.Forhimtotakethatrisk,itmusthavebeensomethingofgreatimportance."

"Butwhatwasit?"

"Ah!"criedPoirot,withagestureofanger."That,Idonotknow!Adocumentofsomekind,without
doubt,possiblythescrapofpaperDorcassawinherhandyesterdayafternoon.AndI-"hisangerburst
forthfreely-"miserableanimalthatIam!Iguessednothing!Ihavebehavedlikeanimbecile!Ishould
neverhaveleftthatcasehere.Ishouldhavecarrieditawaywithme.Ah,triplepig!Andnowitisgone.
Itisdestroyed-butisitdestroyed?Istherenotyetachance-wemustleavenostoneunturned-"

Herushedlikeamadmanfromtheroom,andIfollowedhimassoonasIhadsufficientlyrecoveredmy
wits.But,bythetimeIhadreachedthetopofthestairs,hewasoutofsight.

MaryCavendishwasstandingwherethestaircasebranched,staringdownintothehallinthedirection
inwhichhehaddisappeared.

"Whathashappenedtoyourextraordinarylittlefriend,Mr.Hastings?Hehasjustrushedpastmelikea
madbull."

"He'sratherupsetaboutsomething,"Iremarkedfeebly.IreallydidnotknowhowmuchPoirotwould
wishmetodisclose.AsIsawafaintsmilegatheronMrs.Cavendish'sexpressivemouth,Iendeavoured
totryandturntheconversationbysaying:"Theyhaven'tmetyet,havethey?"

"Who?"

"Mr.InglethorpandMissHoward."

Shelookedatmeinratheradisconcertingmanner."Doyouthinkitwouldbesuchadisasteriftheydid
meet?"

"Well,don'tyou?"Isaid,rathertakenaback.

"No."Shewassmilinginherquietway."Ishouldliketoseeagoodflareup.Itwouldcleartheair.At
presentweareallthinkingsomuch,andsayingsolittle."

"Johndoesn'tthinkso,"Iremarked."He'sanxioustokeepthemapart."

"Oh,John!"

Somethinginhertonefiredme,andIblurtedout:"OldJohn'sanawfullygoodsort."

Shestudiedmecuriouslyforaminuteortwo,andthensaid,tomygreatsurprise:"Youareloyaltoyour
friend.Ilikeyouforthat."

"Aren'tyoumyfriendtoo?"

"Iamaverybadfriend."

"Whydoyousaythat?"

"Becauseitistrue.Iamcharmingtomyfriendsoneday,andforgetallaboutthemthenext."

Idon'tknowwhatimpelledme,butIwasnettled,andIsaidfoolishlyandnotinthebestoftaste:"Yet
youseemtobeinvariablycharmingtoDr.Bauerstein!"

InstantlyIregrettedmywords.Herfacestiffened.Ihadtheimpressionofasteelcurtaincomingdown
and blotting out the real woman. Without a word, she turned and went swiftly up the stairs, whilst I
stoodlikeanidiotgapingafterher.

I was recalled to other matters by a frightful row going on below. I could hear Poirot shouting and
expounding. I was vexed to think that my diplomacy had been in vain. The little man appeared to be
takingthewholehouseintohisconfidence,aproceedingofwhichI,forone,doubtedthewisdom.Once
againIcouldnothelpregrettingthatmyfriendwassopronetolosehisheadinmomentsofexcitement.
Isteppedbrisklydownthestairs.ThesightofmecalmedPoirotalmostimmediately.Idrewhimaside.

"My dear fellow," I said, "is this wise? Surely you don't want the whole house to know of this
occurrence?Youareactuallyplayingintothecriminal'shands."

"Youthinkso,Hastings?"

"Iamsureofit."

"Well,well,myfriend,Iwillbeguidedbyyou."

"Good.Although,unfortunately,itisalittletoolatenow."

"Sure."

HelookedsocrestfallenandabashedthatIfeltquitesorry,thoughIstillthoughtmyrebukeajustand
wiseone.

"Well,"hesaidatlast,"letusgo,monami."

"Youhavefinishedhere?"

"Forthemoment,yes.Youwillwalkbackwithmetothevillage?"

"Willingly."

He picked up his little suitcase, and we went out through the open window in the drawing room.
CynthiaMurdochwasjustcomingin,andPoirotstoodasidetoletherpass.

"Excuseme,mademoiselle,oneminute."

"Yes?"sheturnedinquiringly.

"DidyouevermakeupMrs.Inglethorp'smedicines?"

Aslightflushroseinherface,assheansweredratherconstrainedly:"No."

"Onlyherpowders?"

TheflushdeepenedasCynthiareplied:"Oh,yes,Ididmakeupsomesleepingpowdersforheronce."

"These?"

Poirotproducedtheemptyboxwhichhadcontainedpowders.

Shenodded.

"Canyoutellmewhattheywere?Sulphonal?Veronal?"

"No,theywerebromidepowders."

"Ah!Thankyou,mademoiselle;goodmorning."

Aswewalkedbrisklyawayfromthehouse,Iglancedathimmorethanonce.Ihadoftenbeforenoticed
that,ifanythingexcitedhim,hiseyesturnedgreenlikeacat's.Theywereshininglikeemeraldsnow.

"Myfriend,"hebrokeoutatlast,"Ihavealittleidea,averystrange,andprobablyutterlyimpossible
idea.Andyet-itfitsin."

I shrugged my shoulders. I privately thought that Poirot was rather too much given to these fantastic
ideas.Inthiscase,surely,thetruthwasonlytooplainandapparent.

"Sothatistheexplanationoftheblanklabelonthebox,"Iremarked."Verysimple,asyousaid.Ireally
wonderthatIdidnotthinkofitmyself."

Poirotdidnotappeartobelisteningtome."Theyhavemadeonemorediscovery,la-bas,"heobserved,
jerking his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of Styles. "Mr. Wells told me as we were going
upstairs."

"Whatwasit?"

"Lockedupinthedeskintheboudoir,theyfoundawillofMrs.Inglethorp's,datedbeforehermarriage,
leavingherfortunetoAlfredInglethorp.Itmusthavebeenmadejustatthetimetheywereengaged.It
camequiteasasurprisetoWells-andtoJohnCavendishalso.Itwaswrittenononeofthoseprinted
willforms,andwitnessedbytwooftheservants-notDorcas."

"DidMr.Inglethorpknowofit?"

"Hesaysnot."

"Onemighttakethatwithagrainofsalt,"Iremarkedsceptically."Allthesewillsareveryconfusing.
Tell me, how did those scribbled words on the envelope help you to discover that a will was made
yesterdayafternoon?"

Poirotsmiled."Monami,haveyouever,whenwritingaletter,beenarrestedbythefactthatyoudidnot
knowhowtospellacertainword?"

"Yes,often.Isupposeeveryonehas."

"Exactly. And have you not, in such a case, tried the word once or twice on the edge of the blotting
paper,orasparescrapofpaper,toseeifitlookedright?Well,thatiswhatMrs.Inglethorpdid.Youwill
noticethattheword'possessed'isspeltfirstwithone's'endsubsequentlywithtwo-correctly.Tomake
sure,shehadfurthertrieditinasentence,thus:'Iampossessed.'Now,whatdidthattellme?Ittoldme
thatMrs.Inglethorphadbeenwritingtheword'possessed'thatafternoon,and,havingthefragmentof
paper found in the grate fresh in my mind, the possibility of a will - (a document almost certain to
containthatword)-occurredtomeatonce.Thispossibilitywasconfirmedbyafurthercircumstance.
Inthegeneralconfusion,theboudoirhadnotbeensweptthatmorning,andnearthedeskwereseveral
tracesofbrownmouldandearth.Theweatherhadbeenperfectlyfineforsomedays,andnoordinary
bootswouldhaveleftsuchaheavydeposit."

"Istrolledtothewindow,andsawatoncethatthebegoniabedshadbeennewlyplanted.Themouldin
thebedswasexactlysimilartothatontheflooroftheboudoir,andalsoIlearntfromyouthattheyhad
beenplantedyesterdayafternoon.Iwasnowsurethatone,orpossiblybothofthegardeners-forthere
were two sets of footprints in the bed - had entered the boudoir, for if Mrs. Inglethorp had merely
wishedtospeaktothemshewouldinallprobabilityhavestoodatthewindow,andtheywouldnothave
comeintotheroomatall.Iwasnowquiteconvincedthatshehadmadeafreshwill,andhadcalledthe
twogardenersintowitnesshersignature.EventsprovedthatIwasrightinmysupposition."

"Thatwasveryingenious,"Icouldnothelpadmitting."ImustconfessthattheconclusionsIdrewfrom
thosefewscribbledwordswerequiteerroneous."

He smiled. "You gave too much rein to your imagination. Imagination is a good servant, and a bad
master.Thesimplestexplanationisalwaysthemostlikely."

"Anotherpoint-howdidyouknowthatthekeyofthedespatch-casehadbeenlost?"

"I did not know it. It was a guess that turned out to be correct. You observed that it had a piece of
twistedwirethroughthehandle.Thatsuggestedtomeatoncethatithadpossiblybeenwrenchedoffa
flimsykeyring.Now,ifithadbeenlostandrecovered,Mrs.Inglethorpwouldatoncehavereplacedit
on her bunch; but on her bunch I found what was obviously the duplicate key, very new and bright,
which led me to the hypothesis that somebody else had inserted the original key in the lock of the
despatch-case."

"Yes,"Isaid,"AlfredInglethorp,withoutdoubt."

Poirotlookedatmecuriously."Youareverysureofhisguilt?"

"Well,naturally.Everyfreshcircumstanceseemstoestablishitmoreclearly."

"Onthecontrary,"saidPoirotquietly,"thereareseveralpointsinhisfavour."

"Oh,comenow!"

"Yes."

"Iseeonlyone."

"Andthat?"

"Thathewasnotinthehouselastnight."

"'Badshot!'asyouEnglishsay!Youhavechosentheonepointthattomymindtellsagainsthim."

"Howisthat?"

"Because if Mr. Inglethorp knew that his wife would be poisoned last night, he would certainly have
arrangedtobeawayfromthehouse.Hisexcusewasanobviouslytrumped-upone.Thatleavesustwo
possibilities:eitherheknewwhatwasgoingtohappenorhehadareasonofhisownforhisabsence."

"Andthatreason?"Iaskedsceptically.

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders."HowshouldIknow?Discreditable,withoutdoubt.ThisMr.Inglethorp,
Ishouldsay,issomewhatofascoundrel-butthatdoesnotofnecessitymakehimamurderer."

Ishookmyhead,unconvinced.

"Wedonotagree,eh?"saidPoirot."Well,letusleaveit.Timewillshowwhichofusisright.Nowlet
usturntootheraspectsofthecase.Whatdoyoumakeofthefactthatallthedoorsofthebedroomwere
boltedontheinside?"

"Well--"Iconsidered."Onemustlookatitlogically."

"True."

"Ishouldputitthisway.Thedoorswerebolted-ourowneyeshavetoldusthat-yetthepresenceofthe
candlegreaseonthefloor,andthedestructionofthewill,provethatduringthenightsomeoneentered
theroom.Youagreesofar?"

"Perfectly.Putwithadmirableclearness.Proceed."

"Well,"Isaid,encouraged,"asthepersonwhoentereddidnotdosobythewindow,norbymiraculous
means, it follows that the door must have been opened from inside by Mrs. Inglethorp herself. That
strengthenstheconvictionthatthepersoninquestionwasherhusband.Shewouldnaturallyopenthe
doortoherownhusband."

Poirotshookhishead."Whyshouldshe?Shehadboltedthedoorleadingintohisroom-amostunusual
proceedingonherpart-shehadhadamostviolentquarrelwithhimthatveryafternoon.No,hewasthe
lastpersonshewouldadmit."

"ButyouagreewithmethatthedoormusthavebeenopenedbyMrs.Inglethorpherself?"

"Thereisanotherpossibility.Shemayhaveforgottentoboltthedoorintothepassagewhenshewentto
bed,andhavegotuplater,towardsmorning,andbolteditthen."

"Poirot,isthatseriouslyyouropinion?"

"No,Idonotsayitisso,butitmightbe.Now,toturntoanotherfeature,whatdoyoumakeofthescrap
ofconversationyouoverheardbetweenMrs.Cavendishandhermother-in-law?"

"I had forgotten that," I said thoughtfully. "That is as enigmatical as ever. It seems incredible that a
womanlikeMrs.Cavendish,proudandreticenttothelastdegree,shouldinterferesoviolentlyinwhat
wascertainlynotheraffair."

"Precisely.Itwasanastonishingthingforawomanofherbreedingtodo."

"Itiscertainlycurious,"Iagreed."Still,itisunimportant,andneednotbetakenintoaccount."

AgroanburstfromPoirot."WhathaveIalwaystoldyou?Everythingmustbetakenintoaccount.Ifthe
factwillnotfitthetheory-letthetheorygo."

"Well,weshallsee,"Isaid,nettled.

"Yes,weshallsee."

WehadreachedLeastwaysCottage,andPoirotusheredmeupstairstohisownroom.Heofferedmeone
ofthetinyRussiancigaretteshehimselfoccasionallysmoked.Iwasamusedtonoticethathestowed
awaytheusedmatchesmostcarefullyinalittlechinapot.Mymomentaryannoyancevanished.

Poirothadplacedourtwochairsinfrontoftheopenwindowwhichcommandedaviewofthevillage
street.Thefreshairblewinwarmandpleasant.Itwasgoingtobeahotday.

Suddenlymyattentionwasarrestedbyaweedy-lookingyoungmanrushingdownthestreetatagreat
pace. It was the expression on his face that was extraordinary - a curious mingling of terror and
agitation.

"Look,Poirot!"Isaid.

Heleantforward."Tiens!"hesaid."ItisMr.Mace,fromthechemist'sshop.Heiscominghere."

The young man came to a halt before Leastways Cottage, and, after hesitating a moment, pounded
vigorouslyatthedoor.

"Alittleminute,"criedPoirotfromthewindow."Icome."

Motioningtometofollowhim,heranswiftlydownthestairsandopenedthedoor.Mr.Macebeganat
once."Oh,Mr.Poirot,I'msorryfortheinconvenience,butIheardthatyou'djustcomebackfromthe
Hall?"

"Yes,wehave."

Theyoungmanmoistenedhisdrylips.Hisfacewasworkingcuriously."It'salloverthevillageabout
old Mrs. Inglethorp dying so suddenly. They do say - " he lowered his voice cautiously - "that it's
poison?"

Poirot'sfaceremainedquiteimpassive."Onlythedoctorscantellusthat,Mr.Mace."

"Yes,exactly-ofcourse--"Theyoungmanhesitated,andthenhisagitationwastoomuchforhim.He

clutchedPoirotbythearm,andsankhisvoicetoawhisper:"Justtellmethis,Mr.Poirot,itisn't-itisn't
strychnine,isit?"

I hardly heard what Poirot replied. Something evidently of a noncommittal nature. The young man
departed,andasheclosedthedoorPoirot'seyesmetmine.

"Yes,"hesaid,noddinggravely."Hewillhaveevidencetogiveattheinquest."

We went slowly upstairs again. I was opening my lips, when Poirot stopped me with a gesture of his
hand."Notnow,notnow,monami.Ihaveneedofreflection.Mymindisinsomedisorder-whichis
notwell."

Forabouttenminuteshesatindeadsilence,perfectlystill,exceptforseveralexpressivemotionsofhis
eyebrows,andallthetimehiseyesgrewsteadilygreener.Atlastheheavedadeepsigh.

"It is well. The bad moment has passed. Now all is arranged and classified. One must never permit
confusion.Thecaseisnotclearyet-no.Foritisofthemostcomplicated!Itpuzzlesme.Me, Hercule
Poirot!Therearetwofactsofsignificance."

"Andwhatarethey?"

"Thefirstisthestateoftheweatheryesterday.Thatisveryimportant."

"Butitwasagloriousday!"Iinterrupted."Poirot,you'repullingmyleg!"

"Notatall.Thethermometerregistered80degreesintheshade.Donotforgetthat,myfriend.Itisthe
keytothewholeriddle!"

"Andthesecondpoint?"Iasked.

"TheimportantfactthatMonsieurInglethorpwearsverypeculiarclothes,hasablackbeard,anduses
glasses."

"Poirot,Icannotbelieveyouareserious."

"Iamabsolutelyserious,myfriend."

"Butthisischildish!"

"No,itisverymomentous."

"AndsupposingtheCoroner'sjuryreturnsaverdictofWilfulMurderagainstAlfredInglethorp.What
becomesofyourtheories,then?"

"Theywouldnotbeshakenbecausetwelvestupidmenhadhappenedtomakeamistake!Butthatwill
not occur. For one thing, a country jury is not anxious to take responsibility upon itself, and Mr.
Inglethorpstandspracticallyinthepositionoflocalsquire.Also,"headdedplacidly,"Ishouldnotallow
it!"

"Youwouldnotallowit?"

"No."

I looked at the extraordinary little man, divided between annoyance and amusement. He was so
tremendouslysureofhimself.Asthoughhereadmythoughts,henoddedgently."Oh,yes,monami,I
would do what I say." He got up and laid his hand on my shoulder. His physiognomy underwent a
completechange.Tearscameintohiseyes."Inallthis,yousee,IthinkofthatpoorMrs.Inglethorpwho
isdead.Shewasnotextravagantlyloved-no.ButshewasverygoodtousBelgians-Ioweheradebt."

Iendeavouredtointerrupt,butPoirotswepton."Letmetellyouthis,Hastings.Shewouldneverforgive
meifIletAlfredInglethorp,herhusband,bearrestednow-whenawordfrommecouldsavehim!"

6

TheInquest

Intheintervalbeforetheinquest,Poirotwasunfailinginhisactivity.TwicehewasclosetedwithMr.
Wells.Healsotooklongwalksintothecountry.Iratherresentedhisnottakingmeintohisconfidence,
themoresoasIcouldnotintheleastguesswhathewasdrivingat.

ItoccurredtomethathemighthavebeenmakinginquiriesatRaikes'sfarm;so,findinghimoutwhenI
calledatLeastwaysCottageonWednesdayevening,Iwalkedovertherebythefields,hopingtomeet
him.Buttherewasnosignofhim,andIhesitatedtogorightuptothefarmitself.AsIwalkedaway,I
metanagedrustic,wholeeredatmecunningly.

"You'refromtheHall,ain'tyou?"heasked.

"Yes.I'mlookingforafriendofminewhomIthoughtmighthavewalkedthisway."

"Alittlechap?Aswaveshishandswhenhetalks?OneofthemBelgiesfromthevillage?"

"Yes,"Isaideagerly."Hehasbeenhere,then?"

"Oh,ay,he'sbeenhere,rightenough.More'noncetoo.Friendofyours,ishe?Ah,yougentlemenfrom
theHall-you'naprettylot!"Andheleeredmorejocoselythanever.

"Why,dothegentlemenfromtheHallcomehereoften?"Iasked,ascarelesslyasIcould.

Hewinkedatmeknowingly."Onedoes,mister.Namingnonames,mind.Andaveryliberalgentleman
too!Oh,thankyou,sir,I'msure."

Iwalkedonsharply.EvelynHowardhadbeenrightthen,andIexperiencedasharptwingeofdisgust,as
I thought of Alfred Inglethorp's liberality with another woman's money. Had that piquant gipsy face
beenatthebottomofthecrime,orwasitthebasermainspringofmoney?Probablyajudiciousmixture
ofboth.

On one point, Poirot seemed to have a curious obsession. He once or twice observed to me that he
thought Dorcas must have made an error in fixing the time of the quarrel. He suggested to her
repeatedlythatitwas4.30,andnot4o'clockwhenshehadheardthevoices.

But Dorcas was unshaken. Quite an hour, or even more, had elapsed between the time when she had
heardthevoicesand5o'clock,whenshehadtakenteatohermistress.

The inquest was held on Friday at the Styles Arms in the village. Poirot and I sat together, not being
requiredtogiveevidence.

Thepreliminariesweregonethrough.Thejuryviewedthebody,andJohnCavendishgaveevidenceof
identification.

Furtherquestioned,hedescribedhisawakeningintheearlyhoursofthemorning,andthecircumstances
ofhismother'sdeath.

The medical evidence was next taken. There was a breathless hush, and every eye was fixed on the
famousLondonspecialist,whowasknowntobeoneofthegreatestauthoritiesofthedayonthesubject
oftoxicology.

Inafewbriefwords,hesummeduptheresultofthepost-mortem.Shornofitsmedicalphraseologyand
technicalities,itamountedtothefactthatMrs.Inglethorphadmetherdeathastheresultofstrychnine
poisoning. Judging from the quantity recovered, she must have taken not less than three-quarters of a
grainofstrychnine,butprobablyonegrainorslightlyover.

"Isitpossiblethatshecouldhaveswallowedthepoisonbyaccident?"askedtheCoroner.

"Ishouldconsideritveryunlikely.Strychnineisnotusedfordomesticpurposes,assomepoisonsare,
andtherearerestrictionsplacedonitssale."

"Doesanythinginyourexaminationleadyoutodeterminehowthepoisonwasadministered?"

"No."

"YouarrivedatStylesbeforeDr.Wilkins,Ibelieve?"

"Thatisso.Themotormetmejustoutsidethelodgegates,andIhurriedthereasfastasIcould."

"Willyourelatetousexactlywhathappenednext?"

"IenteredMrs.Inglethorp'sroom.Shewasatthatmomentinatypicaltetanicconvulsion.Sheturned
towardsme,andgaspedout:'Alfred-Alfred--'"

"CouldthestrychninehavebeenadministeredinMrs.Inglethorp'safter-dinnercoffeewhichwastaken
toherbyherhusband?"

"Possibly,butstrychnineisafairlyrapiddruginitsaction.Thesymptomsappearfromonetotwohours

afterithasbeenswallowed.Itisretardedundercertainconditions,noneofwhich,however,appearto
have been present in this case. I presume Mrs. Inglethorp took the coffee after dinner about eight
o'clock,whereasthesymptomsdidnotmanifestthemselvesuntiltheearlyhoursofthemorning,which,
onthefaceofit,pointstothedrughavingbeentakenmuchlaterintheevening."

"Mrs. Inglethorp was in the habit of drinking a cup of coco in the middle of the night. Could the
strychninehavebeenadministeredinthat?"

"No,Imyselftookasampleofthecocoremaininginthesaucepanandhaditanalysed.Therewasno
strychninepresent."

IheardPoirotchucklesoftlybesideme.

"Howdidyouknow?"Iwhispered.

"Listen."

"Ishouldsay"-thedoctorwascontinuing-"thatIwouldhavebeenconsiderablysurprisedatanyother
result."

"Why?"

"Simplybecausestrychninehasanunusuallybittertaste.Itcanbedetectedinasolutionof1in70,000,
and can only be disguised by some strongly flavoured substance. Coco would be quite powerless to
maskit."

Oneofthejurywantedtoknowifthesameobjectionappliedtocoffee.

"No.Coffeehasabittertasteofitsownwhichwouldprobablycoverthetasteofstrychnine."

"Then you consider it more likely that the drug was administered in the coffee, but that for some
unknownreasonitsactionwasdelayed."

"Yes,but,thecupbeingcompletelysmashed,thereisnopossibilityofanalysingitscontents."

ThisconcludedDr.Bauerstein'sevidence.Dr.Wilkinscorroborateditonallpoints.Soundedastothe
possibility of suicide, he repudiated it utterly. The deceased, he said, suffered from a weak heart, but
otherwise enjoyed perfect health, and was of a cheerful and well-balanced disposition. She would be
oneofthelastpeopletotakeherownlife.

LawrenceCavendishwasnextcalled.Hisevidencewasquiteunimportant,beingamererepetitionof
thatofhisbrother.Justashewasabouttostepdown,hepaused,andsaidratherhesitatingly:"Ishould
liketomakeasuggestionifImay?"

HeglanceddeprecatinglyattheCoroner,whorepliedbriskly:"Certainly,Mr.Cavendish,wearehereto
arriveatthetruthofthismatter,andwelcomeanythingthatmayleadtofurtherelucidation."

"Itisjustanideaofmine,"explainedLawrence."OfcourseImaybequitewrong,butitstillseemsto
methatmymother'sdeathmightbeaccountedforbynaturalmeans."

"Howdoyoumakethatout,Mr.Cavendish?"

"My mother, at the time of her death, and for some time before it, was taking a tonic containing
strychnine."

"Ah!"saidtheCoroner.

Thejurylookedup,interested.

"I believe," continued Lawrence, "that there have been cases where the cumulative effect of a drug,
administeredforsometime,hasendedbycausingdeath.Also,isitnotpossiblethatshemayhavetaken
anoverdoseofhermedicinebyaccident?"

"Thisisthefirstwehaveheardofthedeceasedtakingstrychnineatthetimeofherdeath.Wearemuch
obligedtoyou,Mr.Cavendish."

Dr.Wilkinswasrecalledandridiculedtheidea."WhatMr.Cavendishsuggestsisquiteimpossible.Any
doctorwouldtellyouthesame.Strychnineis,inacertainsense,acumulativepoison,butitwouldbe
quite impossible for it to result in sudden death in this way. There would have to be a long period of
chronicsymptomswhichwouldatoncehaveattractedmyattention.Thewholethingisabsurd."

"Andthesecondsuggestion?ThatMrs.Inglethorpmayhaveinadvertentlytakenanoverdose?"

"Three,orevenfourdoses,wouldnothaveresultedindeath.Mrs.Inglethorpalwayshadanextralarge
amountofmedicinemadeupatatime,asshedealtwithCoot's,theCashChemistsinTadminster.She
wouldhavehadtotakeverynearlythewholebottletoaccountfortheamountofstrychninefoundatthe
post-mortem."

"Thenyouconsiderthatwemaydismissthetonicasnotbeinginanywayinstrumentalincausingher
death?"

"Certainly.Thesuppositionisridiculous."

The same juryman who had interrupted before here suggested that the chemist who made up the
medicinemighthavecommittedanerror.

"That,ofcourse,isalwayspossible,"repliedthedoctor.

ButDorcas,whowasthenextwitnesscalled,dispelledeventhatpossibility.Themedicinehadnotbeen
newlymadeup.Onthecontrary,Mrs.Inglethorphadtakenthelastdoseonthedayofherdeath.

So the question of the tonic was finally abandoned, and the Coroner proceeded with his task. Having
elicitedfromDorcashowshehadbeenawakenedbytheviolentringingofhermistress'sbell,andhad
subsequentlyrousedthehousehold,hepassedtothesubjectofthequarrelontheprecedingafternoon.

Dorcas's evidence on this point was substantially what Poirot and I had already heard, so I will not
repeatithere.

ThenextwitnesswasMaryCavendish.Shestoodveryupright,andspokeinalow,clear,andperfectly
composedvoice.InanswertotheCoroner'squestion,shetoldhow,heralarmclockhavingarousedher
at4.30asusual,shewasdressing,whenshewasstartledbythesoundofsomethingheavyfalling.

"Thatwouldhavebeenthetablebythebed?"commentedtheCoroner.

"Iopenedmydoor,"continuedMary,"andlistened.Inafewminutesabellrangviolently.Dorcascame
runningdownandwokemyhusband,andweallwenttomymother-in-law'sroom,butitwaslocked--
"

TheCoronerinterruptedher."Ireallydonotthinkweneedtroubleyoufurtheronthatpoint.Weknow
allthatcanbeknownofthesubsequenthappenings.ButIshouldbeobligedifyouwouldtellusallyou
overheardofthequarrelthedaybefore."

"I?"

Therewasafaintinsolenceinhervoice.Sheraisedherhandandadjustedtheruffleoflaceatherneck,
turning her head a little as she did so. And quite spontaneously the thought flashed across my mind:
"Sheisgainingtime!"

"Yes.Iunderstand,"continuedtheCoronerdeliberately,"thatyouweresittingreadingonthebenchjust
outsidethelongwindowoftheboudoir.Thatisso,isitnot?"

ThiswasnewstomeandglancingsidewaysatPoirot,Ifanciedthatitwasnewstohimaswell.

Therewasthefaintestpause,themerehesitationofamoment,beforesheanswered:"Yes,thatisso."

"Andtheboudoirwindowwasopen,wasitnot?"

Surelyherfacegrewalittlepalerassheanswered:"Yes."

"Thenyoucannothavefailedtohearthevoicesinside,especiallyastheywereraisedinanger.Infact,
theywouldbemoreaudiblewhereyouwerethaninthehall."

"Possibly."

"Willyourepeattouswhatyouoverheardofthequarrel?"

"Ireallydonotrememberhearinganything."

"Doyoumeantosayyoudidnothearvoices?"

"Oh, yes, I heard the voices, but I did not hear what they said." A faint spot of colour came into her
cheek."Iamnotinthehabitoflisteningtoprivateconversations."

The Coroner persisted. "And you remember nothing at all? Nothing, Mrs. Cavendish? Not one stray
wordorphrasetomakeyourealizethatitwasaprivateconversation?"

Shepaused,andseemedtoreflect,stilloutwardlyascalmasever."Yes;Iremember.Mrs.Inglethorp
saidsomething-Idonotrememberexactlywhat-aboutcausingscandalbetweenhusbandandwife."

"Ah!"theCoronerleantbacksatisfied."ThatcorrespondswithwhatDorcasheard.Butexcuseme,Mrs.
Cavendish,althoughyourealizeditwasaprivateconversation,youdidnotmoveaway?Youremained
whereyouwere?"

Icaughtthemomentarygleamofhertawnyeyesassheraisedthem.Ifeltcertainthatatthatmoment
shewouldwillinglyhavetornthelittlelawyer,withhisinsinuations,intopieces,butsherepliedquietly
enough:"No.IwasverycomfortablewhereIwas.Ifixedmymindonmybook."

"Andthatisallyoucantellus?"

"Thatisall."

The examination was over, though I doubted if the Coroner was entirely satisfied with it. I think he
suspectedthatMaryCavendishcouldtellmoreifshechose.

AmyHill,shopassistant,wasnextcalled,anddeposedtohavingsoldawillformontheafternoonof
the17toWilliamEarl,under-gardeneratStyles.

William Earl and Manning succeeded her, and testified to witnessing a document. Manning fixed the
timeatabout4.30,Williamwasoftheopinionthatitwasratherearlier.

Cynthia Murdoch came next. She had, however, little to tell. She had known nothing of the tragedy,
untilawakenedbyMrs.Cavendish.

"Youdidnothearthetablefall?"

"No.Iwasfastasleep."

The Coroner smiled. "A good conscience makes a sound sleeper," he observed. "Thank you, Miss
Murdoch,thatisall."

"MissHoward."

MissHowardproducedtheletterwrittentoherbyMrs.Inglethorpontheeveningofthe17.PoirotandI
had, of course already seen it. It added nothing to our knowledge of the tragedy. The following is a
facsimile:

[handwrittennote:]

STYLESCOURTESSEX

July17

th

,

MydearEvelyn

Can we not bury the hatchet? I have found it hard to forgive the things you said against my dear
husbandbutIamanoldwoman&veryfondofyou.

Yoursaffectionately,

EmilyInglethorpe

Itwashandedtothejurywhoscrutinizeditattentively.

"I fear it does not help us much," said the Coroner, with a sigh. "There is no mention of any of the
eventsofthatafternoon."

"Plainasapikestafftome,"saidMissHowardshortly."Itshowsclearlyenoughthatmypooroldfriend
hadjustfoundoutshe'dbeenmadeafoolof!"

"Itsaysnothingofthekindintheletter,"theCoronerpointedout.

"No,becauseEmilynevercouldbeartoputherselfinthewrong.ButIknowher.Shewantedmeback.
Butshewasn'tgoingtoownthatI'dbeenright.Shewentroundabout.Mostpeopledo.Don'tbelievein
itmyself."

Mr. Wells smiled faintly. So, I noticed, did several of the jury. Miss Howard was obviously quite a
publiccharacter.

"Anyway, all this tomfoolery is a great waste of time," continued the lady, glancing up and down the
jurydisparagingly."Talk-talk-talk!Whenallthetimeweknowperfectlywell--"

TheCoronerinterruptedherinanagonyofapprehension:"Thankyou,MissHoward,thatisall."

Ifancyhebreathedasighofreliefwhenshecomplied.

Thencamethesensationoftheday.TheCoronercalledAlbertMace,chemist'sassistant.

Itwasouragitatedyoungmanofthepaleface.InanswertotheCoroner'squestions,heexplainedthat
he was a qualified pharmacist, but had only recently come to this particular shop, as the assistant
formerlytherehadjustbeencalledupforthearmy.

Thesepreliminariescompleted,theCoronerproceededtobusiness.

"Mr.Mace,haveyoulatelysoldstrychninetoanyunauthorizedperson?"

"Yes,sir."

"Whenwasthis?"

"LastMondaynight."

"Monday?NotTuesday?"

"No,sir,Monday,the16."

"Willyoutellustowhomyousoldit?"

Youcouldhaveheardapindrop."Yes,sir.ItwastoMr.Inglethorp."

Every eye turned simultaneously to where Alfred Inglethorp was sitting, impassive and wooden. He
startedslightly,asthedamningwordsfellfromtheyoungman'slips.Ihalfthoughthewasgoingtorise
from his chair, but he remained seated, although a remarkably well-acted expression of astonishment
roseonhisface.

"Youaresureofwhatyousay?"askedtheCoronersternly.

"Quitesure,sir."

"Areyouinthehabitofsellingstrychnineindiscriminatelyoverthecounter?"

ThewretchedyoungmanwiltedvisiblyundertheCoroner'sfrown.

"Oh,no,sir-ofcoursenot.But,seeingitwasMr.InglethorpoftheHall,Ithoughttherewasnoharmin
it.Hesaiditwastopoisonadog."

InwardlyIsympathized.Itwasonlyhumannaturetoendeavourtoplease"TheHall"-especiallywhen
itmightresultincustombeingtransferredfromCoot'stothelocalestablishment.

"Isitnotcustomaryforanyonepurchasingpoisontosignabook?"

"Yes,sir,Mr.Inglethorpdidso."

"Haveyougotthebookhere?"

"Yes,sir."

Itwasproduced;and,withafewwordsofsterncensure,theCoronerdismissedthewretchedMr.Mace.

Then,amidstabreathlesssilence,AlfredInglethorpwascalled.Didherealize,Iwondered,howclosely
thehalterwasbeingdrawnaroundhisneck?

TheCoronerwentstraighttothepoint."OnMondayeveninglast,didyoupurchasestrychnineforthe
purposeofpoisoningadog?"

Inglethorprepliedwithperfectcalmness:"No,Ididnot.ThereisnodogatStyles,exceptanoutdoor
sheepdog,whichisinperfecthealth."

"YoudenyabsolutelyhavingpurchasedstrychninefromAlbertMaceonMondaylast?"

"Ido."

"Doyoualsodenythis?"

TheCoronerhandedhimtheregisterinwhichhissignaturewasinscribed.

"CertainlyIdo.Thehandwritingisquitedifferentfrommine.Iwillshowyou."

He took an old envelope out of his pocket, and wrote his name on it, handing it to the jury. It was
certainlyutterlydissimilar.

"ThenwhatisyourexplanationofMr.Mace'sstatement?"

AlfredInglethorprepliedimperturbably:"Mr.Macemusthavebeenmistaken."

TheCoronerhesitatedforamoment,andthensaid:"Mr.Inglethorp,asamerematterofform,would
youmindtellinguswhereyouwereontheeveningofMonday,July16?"

"Really-Ican'tremember."

"Thatisabsurd,Mr.Inglethorp,"saidtheCoronersharply."Thinkagain."

Inglethorpshookhishead."Icannottellyou.IhaveanideathatIwasoutwalking."

"Inwhatdirection?"

"Ireallycan'tremember."

TheCoroner'sfacegrewgraver."Wereyouincompanywithanyone?"

"No."

"Didyoumeetanyoneonyourwalk?"

"No."

"Thatisapity,"saidtheCoronerdryly."Iamtotakeitthenthatyoudeclinetosaywhereyouwereat
thetimethatMr.Macepositivelyrecognizedyouasenteringtheshoptopurchasestrychnine?"

"Ifyouliketotakeitthatway,yes."

"Becareful,Mr.Inglethorp."

Poirot was fidgeting nervously. "Sacre!" he murmured. "Does this imbecile of a man want to be
arrested?"

Inglethorpwasindeedcreatingabadimpression.Hisfutiledenialswouldnothaveconvincedachild.
TheCoroner,however,passedbrisklytothenextpoint,andPoirotdrewadeepbreathofrelief.

"YouhadadiscussionwithyourwifeonTuesdayafternoon?"

"Pardonme,"interruptedAlfredInglethorp,"youhavebeenmisinformed.Ihadnoquarrelwithmydear
wife.Thewholestoryisabsolutelyuntrue.Iwasabsentfromthehousetheentireafternoon."

"Haveyouanyonewhocantestifytothat?"

"Youhavemyword,"saidInglethorphaughtily.

TheCoronerdidnottroubletoreply.

"TherearetwowitnesseswhowillsweartohavingheardyourdisagreementwithMrs.Inglethorp."

"Thosewitnessesweremistaken."

Iwaspuzzled.ThemanspokewithsuchquietassurancethatIwasstaggered.IlookedatPoirot.There
wasanexpressionofexultationonhisfacewhichIcouldnotunderstand.Washeatlastconvincedof
AlfredInglethorp'sguilt?

"Mr. Inglethorp," said the Coroner, "you have heard your wife's dying words repeated here. Can you
explaintheminanyway?"

"CertainlyIcan."

"Youcan?"

"It seems to me very simple. The room was dimly lighted. Dr. Bauerstein is much of my height and
build,and,likeme,wearsabeard.Inthedimlight,andsufferingasshewas,mypoorwifemistookhim
forme."

"Ah!"murmuredPoirottohimself."Butitisanidea,that!"

"Youthinkitistrue?"Iwhispered.

"Idonotsaythat.Butitistrulyaningenioussupposition."

"You read my wife's last words as an accusation" - Inglethorp was continuing - "they were, on the
contrary,anappealtome."

TheCoronerreflectedamoment,thenhesaid:"Ibelieve,Mr.Inglethorp,thatyouyourselfpouredout
thecoffee,andtookittoyourwifethatevening?"

"Ipoureditout,yes.ButIdidnottakeittoher.Imeanttodoso,butIwastoldthatafriendwasatthe
halldoor,soIlaiddownthecoffeeonthehalltable.WhenIcamethroughthehallagainafewminutes
later,itwasgone."

This statement might, or might not, be true, but it did not seem to me to improve matters much for
Inglethorp.Inanycase,hehadhadampletimetointroducethepoison.

Atthatpoint,Poirotnudgedmegently,indicatingtwomenwhoweresittingtogethernearthedoor.One
wasalittle,sharp,dark,ferret-facedman,theotherwastallandfair.

IquestionedPoirotmutely.Heputhislipstomyear."Doyouknowwhothatlittlemanis?"

Ishookmyhead.

"ThatisDetectiveInspectorJamesJappofScotlandYard-JimmyJapp.TheothermanisfromScotland
Yardtoo.Thingsaremovingquickly,myfriend."

I stared at the two men intently. There was certainly nothing of the policeman about them. I should
neverhavesuspectedthemofbeingofficialpersonages.

Iwasstillstaring,whenIwasstartledandrecalledbytheverdictbeinggiven:"WilfulMurderagainst
somepersonorpersonsunknown."

7

PoirotPaysHisDebts

AswecameoutoftheStylesArms,Poirotdrewmeasidebyagentlepressureofthearm.Iunderstood
hisobject.HewaswaitingfortheScotlandYardmen.

Ina few moments,they emerged, andPoirot at once steppedforward, and accostedthe shorter of the
two.

"Ifearyoudonotrememberme,InspectorJapp."

"Why,ifitisn'tMr.Poirot!"criedtheInspector.Heturnedtotheotherman."You'veheardmespeakof
Mr.Poirot?Itwasin1904heandIworkedtogether-theAbercrombieforgerycase-youremember,he
wasrundowninBrussels.Ah,thoseweregreatdays,moosier.Then,doyouremember'Baron'Altara?
There was a pretty rogue for you! He eluded the clutches of half the police in Europe. But we nailed
himinAntwerp-thankstoMr.Poirothere."

Asthesefriendlyreminiscenceswerebeingindulgedin,Idrewnearer,andwasintroducedtoDetective-
InspectorJapp,who,inhisturn,introducedusbothtohiscompanion,SuperintendentSummerhaye.

"Ineedhardlyaskwhatyouaredoinghere,gentlemen,"remarkedPoirot.

Jappclosedoneeyeknowingly."No,indeed.PrettyclearcaseIshouldsay."

ButPoirotansweredgravely:"ThereIdifferfromyou."

"Oh, come!" said Summerhaye, opening his lips for the first time. "Surely the whole thing is clear as
daylight.Theman'scaughtred-handed.Howhecouldbesuchafoolbeatsme!"

ButJappwaslookingattentivelyatPoirot."Holdyourfire,Summerhaye,"heremarkedjocularly."Me
andMoosierherehavemetbefore-andthere'snoman'sjudgmentI'dsoonertakethanhis.IfI'mnot
greatlymistaken,he'sgotsomethinguphissleeve.Isn'tthatso,moosier?"

Poirotsmiled."Ihavedrawncertainconclusions-yes."

Summerhayewasstilllookingrathersceptical,butJappcontinuedhisscrutinyofPoirot."It'sthisway,"
hesaid,"sofar,we'veonlyseenthecasefromtheoutside.That'swheretheYard'satadisadvantageina
caseofthiskind,wherethemurder'sonlyout,sotospeak,aftertheinquest.Alotdependsonbeingon
thespotfirstthing,andthat'swhereMr.Poirot'shadthestartofus.Weshouldn'thavebeenhereassoon
asthiseven,ifithadn'tbeenforthefactthattherewasasmartdoctoronthespot,whogaveusthetip
throughtheCoroner.Butyou'vebeenonthespotfromthefirst,andyoumayhavepickedupsomelittle
hints.Fromtheevidenceattheinquest,Mr.InglethorpmurderedhiswifeassureasIstandhere,andif
anyonebutyouhintedthecontraryI'dlaughinhisface.ImustsayIwassurprisedthejurydidn'tbring
itinWilfulMurderagainsthimrightoff.Ithinktheywouldhave,ifithadn'tbeenfortheCoroner-he
seemedtobeholdingthemback."

"Perhaps,though,youhaveawarrantforhisarrestinyourpocketnow,"suggestedPoirot.

AkindofwoodenshutterofofficialdomcamedownfromJapp'sexpressivecountenance.

"PerhapsIhave,andperhapsIhaven't,"heremarkeddryly.

Poirotlookedathimthoughtfully."Iamveryanxious,Messieurs,thatheshouldnotbearrested."

"Idaresay,"observedSummerhayesarcastically.

JappwasregardingPoirotwithcomicalperplexity."Can'tyougoalittlefurther,Mr.Poirot?Awink'sas
goodasanod-fromyou.You'vebeenonthespot-andtheYarddoesn'twanttomakeanymistakes,
youknow."

Poirot nodded gravely. "That is exactly what I thought. Well, I will tell you this. Use your warrant:
ArrestMr.Inglethorp.Butitwillbringyounokudos-thecaseagainsthimwillbedismissedatonce!
Commeca!"Andhesnappedhisfingersexpressively.

Japp'sfacegrewgrave,thoughSummerhayegaveanincreduloussnort.

Asforme,Iwasliterallydumbwithastonishment.IcouldonlyconcludethatPoirotwasmad.

Japphadtakenoutahandkerchief,andwasgentlydabbinghisbrow."Idaren'tdoit,Mr.Poirot.I'dtake
yourword,butthere'sothersovermewho'llbeaskingwhatthedevilImeanbyit.Can'tyougivemea
littlemoretogoon?"

Poirotreflectedamoment."Itcanbedone,"hesaidatlast."IadmitIdonotwishit.Itforcesmyhand.I
wouldhavepreferredtoworkinthedarkjustforthepresent,butwhatyousayisveryjust-thewordof
a Belgian policeman, whose day is past, is not enough! And Alfred Inglethorp must not be arrested.
That I have sworn, as my friend Hastings here knows. See, then, my good Japp, you go at once to
Styles?"

"Well,inabouthalfanhour.We'reseeingtheCoronerandthedoctorfirst."

"Good. Call for me in passing - the last house in the village. I will go with you. At Styles, Mr.
Inglethorpwillgiveyou,orifherefuses-asisprobable-Iwillgiveyousuchproofsthatshallsatisfy
youthatthecaseagainsthimcouldnotpossiblybesustained.Isthatabargain?"

"That'sabargain,"saidJappheartily."And,onbehalfoftheYard,I'mmuchobligedtoyou,thoughI'm
bound to confess I can't at present see the faintest possible loophole in the evidence, but you always
wereamarvel!Solong,then,moosier."

Thetwodetectivesstrodeaway,Summerhayewithanincredulousgrinonhisface.

"Well,myfriend,"criedPoirot,beforeIcouldgetinaword,"whatdoyouthink?MonDieu!Ihadsome
warmmomentsinthatcourt;Ididnotfiguretomyselfthatthemanwouldbesopig-headedastorefuse
tosayanythingatall.Decidedly,itwasthepolicyofanimbecile."

"Hm!Thereareotherexplanationsbesidesthatofimbecility,"Iremarked."For,ifthecaseagainsthim
istrue,howcouldhedefendhimselfexceptbysilence?"

"Why, in a thousand ingenious ways," cried Poirot. "See; say that it is I who have committed this
murder, I can think of seven most plausible stories! Far more convincing than Mr. Inglethorp's stony
denials!"

I could not help laughing. "My dear Poirot, I am sure you are capable of thinking of seventy! But,
seriously, in spite of what I heard you say to the detectives, you surely cannot still believe in the
possibilityofAlfredInglethorp'sinnocence?"

"Whynotnowasmuchasbefore?Nothinghaschanged."

"Buttheevidenceissoconclusive."

"Yes,tooconclusive."

WeturnedinatthegateofLeastwaysCottage,andproceededupthenowfamiliarstairs.

"Yes, yes, too conclusive," continued Poirot, almost to himself. "Real evidence is usually vague and
unsatisfactory.Ithastobeexamined-sifted.Butherethewholethingiscutanddried.No,myfriend,
thisevidencehasbeenverycleverlymanufactured-socleverlythatithasdefeateditsownends."

"Howdoyoumakethatout?"

"Because,solongastheevidenceagainsthimwasvagueandintangible,itwasveryhardtodisprove.
But,inhisanxiety,thecriminalhasdrawnthenetsocloselythatonecutwillsetInglethorpfree."

I was silent. And in a minute or two, Poirot continued: "Let us look at the matter like this. Here is a
man,letussay,whosetsouttopoisonhiswife.Hehaslivedbyhiswitsasthesayinggoes.Presumably,
therefore,hehassomewits.Heisnotaltogetherafool.Well,howdoeshesetaboutit?Hegoesboldly
tothevillagechemist'sandpurchasesstrychnineunderhisownname,withatrumpedupstoryabouta
dogwhichisboundtobeprovedabsurd.Hedoesnotemploythepoisonthatnight.No,hewaitsuntilhe
has had a violent quarrel with her, of which the whole household is cognisant, and which naturally
directs their suspicions upon him. He prepares no defence - no shadow of an alibi, yet he knows the

chemist'sassistantmustnecessarilycomeforwardwiththefacts.Bah!donotaskmetobelievethatany
mancouldbesoidiotic!Onlyalunatic,whowishedtocommitsuicidebycausinghimselftobehanged,
wouldactso!"

"Still-Idonotsee-"Ibegan.

"NeitherdoIsee.Itellyou,monami,itpuzzlesme.Me-HerculePoirot!"

"Butifyoubelievehiminnocent,howdoyouexplainhisbuyingthestrychnine?"

"Verysimply.Hedidnotbuyit."

"ButMacerecognizedhim!"

"Ibegyourpardon,hesawamanwithablackbeardlikeMr.Inglethorp's,andwearingglasseslikeMr.
Inglethorp, and dressed in Mr. Inglethorp's rather noticeable clothes. He could not recognize a man
whomhehadprobablyonlyseeninthedistance,since,youremember,hehimselfhadonlybeeninthe
villageafortnight,andMrs.InglethorpdealtprincipallywithCoot'sinTadminster."

"Thenyouthink--"

"Monami,doyourememberthetwopointsIlaidstressupon?Leavethefirstoneforthemoment,what
wasthesecond?"

"TheimportantfactthatAlfredInglethorpwearspeculiarclothes,hasablackbeard,andusesglasses,"I
quoted.

"Exactly.NowsupposeanyonewishedtopasshimselfoffasJohnorLawrenceCavendish.Woulditbe
easy?"

"No,"Isaidthoughtfully."Ofcourseanactor--"

ButPoirotcutmeshortruthlessly.

"Andwhywoulditnotbeeasy?Iwilltellyou,myfriend:Becausetheyarebothclean-shavenmen.To
make up successfully as one of these two in broad daylight, it would need an actor of genius, and a
certaininitialfacialresemblance.ButinthecaseofAlfredInglethorp,allthatischanged.Hisclothes,
hisbeard,theglasseswhichhidehiseyes-thosearethesalientpointsabouthispersonalappearance.
Now,whatisthefirstinstinctofthecriminal?Todivertsuspicionfromhimself,isitnotso?Andhow
canhebestdothat?Bythrowingitonsomeoneelse.Inthisinstance,therewasamanreadytohishand.
Everybody was predisposed to believe in Mr. Inglethorp's guilt. It was a foregone conclusion that he
wouldbesuspected;but,tomakeitasurethingtheremustbetangibleproof-suchastheactualbuying
of the poison, and that, with a man of the peculiar appearance of Mr. Inglethorp, was not difficult.
Remember,thisyoungMacehadneveractuallyspokentoMr.Inglethorp.Howshouldhedoubtthatthe
maninhisclothes,withhisbeardandhisglasses,wasnotAlfredInglethorp?"

"Itmaybeso,"Isaid,fascinatedbyPoirot'seloquence."But,ifthatwasthecase,whydoeshenotsay
wherehewasatsixo'clockonMondayevening?"

"Ah,whyindeed?"saidPoirot,calmingdown."Ifhewerearrested,heprobablywouldspeak,butIdo
not want it to come to that. I must make him see the gravity of his position. There is, of course,

something discreditable behind his silence. If he did not murder his wife, he is, nevertheless, a
scoundrel,andhassomethingofhisowntoconceal,quiteapartfromthemurder."

"Whatcanitbe?"Imused,wonovertoPoirot'sviewsforthemoment,althoughstillretainingafaint
convictionthattheobviousdeductionwasthecorrectone.

"Canyounotguess?"askedPoirot,smiling.

"No,canyou?"

"Oh,yes,Ihadalittleideasometimeago-andithasturnedouttobecorrect."

"Younevertoldme,"Isaidreproachfully.

Poirotspreadouthishandsapologetically."Pardonme,monami,youwerenotpreciselysympathique."
Heturnedtomeearnestly."Tellme-youseenowthathemustnotbearrested?"

"Perhaps," I said doubtfully, for I was really quite indifferent to the fate of Alfred Inglethorp, and
thoughtthatagoodfrightwoulddohimnoharm.

Poirot,whowaswatchingmeintently,gaveasigh."Come,myfriend,"hesaid,changingthesubject,
"apartfromMr.Inglethorp,howdidtheevidenceattheinqueststrikeyou?"

"Oh,prettymuchwhatIexpected."

"Didnothingstrikeyouaspeculiaraboutit?"

MythoughtsflewtoMaryCavendish,andIhedged:"Inwhatway?"

"Well,Mr.LawrenceCavendish'sevidenceforinstance?"

Iwasrelieved."Oh,Lawrence!No,Idon'tthinkso.He'salwaysanervouschap."

"Hissuggestionthathismothermighthavebeenpoisonedaccidentallybymeansofthetonicshewas
taking,thatdidnotstrikeyouasstrange-hein?"

"No, I can't say it did. The doctors ridiculed it of course. But it was quite a natural suggestion for a
laymantomake."

"But Monsieur Lawrence is not a layman. You told me yourself that he had started by studying
medicine,andthathehadtakenhisdegree."

"Yes,that'strue.Ineverthoughtofthat."Iwasratherstartled."Itisodd."

Poirotnodded."Fromthefirst,hisbehaviourhasbeenpeculiar.Ofallthehousehold,healonewouldbe
likelytorecognizethesymptomsofstrychninepoisoning,andyetwefindhimtheonlymemberofthe
familyto uphold strenuouslythe theory ofdeath from natural causes.If it hadbeen Monsieur John, I
couldhaveunderstoodit.Hehasnotechnicalknowledge,andisbynatureunimaginative.ButMonsieur
Lawrence - no! And now, today, he puts forward a suggestion that he himself must have known was

ridiculous.Thereisfoodforthoughtinthis,monami!"

"It'sveryconfusing,"Iagreed.

"Then there is Mrs. Cavendish," continued Poirot. "That's another who is not telling all she knows!
Whatdoyoumakeofherattitude?"

"Idon'tknowwhattomakeofit.ItseemsinconceivablethatsheshouldbeshieldingAlfredInglethorp.
Yetthatiswhatitlookslike."

Poirotnoddedreflectively."Yes,itisqueer.Onethingiscertain,sheoverheardagooddealmoreofthat
'privateconversation'thanshewaswillingtoadmit."

"Andyetsheisthelastpersononewouldaccuseofstoopingtoeavesdrop!"

"Exactly.Onethingherevidencehasshownme.Imadeamistake.Dorcaswasquiteright.Thequarrel
didtakeplaceearlierintheafternoon,aboutfouro'clock,asshesaid."

Ilookedathimcuriously.Ihadneverunderstoodhisinsistenceonthatpoint.

"Yes,agooddealthatwaspeculiarcameouttoday,"continuedPoirot."Dr.Bauerstein,now,whatwas
hedoingupanddressedatthathourinthemorning?Itisastonishingtomethatnoonecommentedon
thefact."

"Hehasinsomnia,Ibelieve,"Isaiddoubtfully.

"Whichisaverygood,oraverybadexplanation,"remarkedPoirot."Itcoverseverything,andexplains
nothing.IshallkeepmyeyeonourcleverDr.Bauerstein."

"Anymorefaultstofindwiththeevidence?"Iinquiredsatirically.

"Monami,"repliedPoirotgravely,"whenyoufindthatpeoplearenottellingyouthetruth-lookout!
Now,unlessIammuchmistaken,attheinquesttodayonlyone-atmost,twopersonswerespeaking
thetruthwithoutreservationorsubterfuge."

"Oh,comenow,Poirot!Iwon'tciteLawrence,orMrs.Cavendish.Butthere'sJohn-andMissHoward,
surelytheywerespeakingthetruth?"

"Bothofthem,myfriend?One,Igrantyou,butboth--!"

His words gave me an unpleasant shock. Miss Howard's evidence, unimportant as it was, had been
given in such a downright straightforward manner that it had never occurred to me to doubt her
sincerity.Still,IhadagreatrespectforPoirot'ssagacity-exceptontheoccasionswhenhewaswhatI
describedtomyselfas"foolishlypig-headed."

"Do you really think so?" I asked. "Miss Howard had always seemed to me so essentially honest -
almostuncomfortablyso."

Poirotgavemeacuriouslook,whichIcouldnotquitefathom.Heseemedtospeak,andthenchecked

himself.

"MissMurdochtoo,"Icontinued,"there'snothinguntruthfulabouther."

"No.Butitwasstrangethatsheneverheardasound,sleepingnextdoor;whereasMrs.Cavendish,in
theotherwingofthebuilding,distinctlyheardthetablefall."

"Well,she'syoung.Andshesleepssoundly."

"Ah,yes,indeed!Shemustbeafamoussleeper,thatone!"

Ididnotquitelikethetoneofhisvoice,butatthatmomentasmartknockreachedourears,andlooking
outofthewindowweperceivedthetwodetectiveswaitingforusbelow.

Poirot seized his hat, gave a ferocious twist to his moustache, and, carefully brushing an imaginary
speck of dust from his sleeve, motioned me to precede him down the stairs; there we joined the
detectivesandsetoutforStyles.

IthinktheappearanceofthetwoScotlandYardmenwasratherashock-especiallytoJohn,thoughof
course after the verdict, he had realized that it was only a matter of time. Still, the presence of the
detectivesbroughtthetruthhometohimmorethananythingelsecouldhavedone.

Poirot had conferred with Japp in a low tone on the way up, and it was the latter functionary who
requested that the household, with the exception of the servants, should be assembled together in the
drawingroom.Irealizedthesignificanceofthis.ItwasuptoPoirottomakehisboastgood.

Personally, I was not sanguine. Poirot might have excellent reasons for his belief in Inglethorp's
innocence,butamanofthetypeofSummerhayewouldrequiretangibleproofs,andtheseIdoubtedif
Poirotcouldsupply.

Before very long we had all trooped into the drawing room, the door of which Japp closed. Poirot
politelysetchairsforeveryone.TheScotlandYardmenwerethecynosureofalleyes.Ithinkthatfor
thefirsttimewerealizedthatthethingwasnotabaddream,butatangiblereality.Wehadreadofsuch
things - now we ourselves were actors in the drama. Tomorrow the daily papers, all over England,
wouldblazonoutthenewsinstaringheadlines:

"MYSTERIOUSTRAGEDYINESSEX"

"WEALTHYLADYPOISONED"

There would be pictures of Styles, snapshots of "The family leaving the Inquest" - the village

photographerhadnotbeenidle!Allthethingsthatonehadreadahundredtimes-thingsthathappento
otherpeople,nottooneself.Andnow,inthishouse,amurderhadbeencommitted.Infrontofuswere
"the detectives in charge of the case." The well-known glib phraseology passed rapidly through my
mindintheintervalbeforePoirotopenedtheproceedings.

Ithinkeveryonewasalittlesurprisedthatitshouldbeheandnotoneoftheofficialdetectiveswhotook
theinitiative.

"Mesdamesandmessieurs,"saidPoirot,bowingasthoughhewereacelebrityabouttodeliveralecture,
"I have asked you to come here all together, for a certain object. That object, it concerns Mr. Alfred
Inglethorp."

Inglethorpwassittingalittlebyhimself-Ithink,unconsciously,everyonehaddrawnhischairslightly
awayfromhim-andhegaveafaintstartasPoirotpronouncedhisname.

"Mr.Inglethorp,"saidPoirot,addressinghimdirectly,"averydarkshadowisrestingonthishouse-the
shadowofmurder."

Inglethorpshookhisheadsadly."Mypoorwife,"hemurmured."PoorEmily!Itisterrible."

"I do not think, monsieur," said Poirot pointedly, "that you quite realize how terrible it may be - for
you." And as Inglethorp did not appear to understand, he added: "Mr. Inglethorp, you are standing in
verygravedanger."

The two detectives fidgeted. I saw the official caution "Anything you say will be used in evidence
againstyou,"actuallyhoveringonSummerhaye'slips.Poirotwenton.

"Doyouunderstandnow,monsieur?"

"No;Whatdoyoumean?"

"Imean,"saidPoirotdeliberately,"thatyouaresuspectedofpoisoningyourwife."

Alittlegaspranroundthecircleatthisplainspeaking.

"Goodheavens!"criedInglethorp,startingup."Whatamonstrousidea!I-poisonmydearestEmily!"

"Idonotthink"-Poirotwatchedhimnarrowly-"thatyouquiterealizetheunfavourablenatureofyour
evidenceattheinquest.Mr.Inglethorp,knowingwhatIhavenowtoldyou,doyoustillrefusetosay
whereyouwereatsixo'clockonMondayafternoon?"

Withagroan,AlfredInglethorpsankdownagainandburiedhisfaceinhishands.Poirotapproached
andstoodoverhim.

"Speak!"hecriedmenacingly.

With an effort, Inglethorp raised his face from his hands. Then, slowly and deliberately, he shook his
head.

"Youwillnotspeak?"

"No.Idonotbelievethatanyonecouldbesomonstrousastoaccusemeofwhatyousay."

Poirotnoddedthoughtfully,likeamanwhosemindismadeup."Soit!"hesaid."ThenImustspeakfor
you."

Alfred Inglethorp sprang up again. "You? How can you speak? You do not know - - " he broke off
abruptly.

Poirotturnedtofaceus."Mesdamesandmessieurs!Ispeak!Listen!I,HerculePoirot,affirmthatthe
manwhoenteredthechemist'sshop,andpurchasedstrychnineatsixo'clockonMondaylastwasnot
Mr.Inglethorp,foratsixo'clockonthatdayMr.InglethorpwasescortingMrs.Raikesbacktoherhome
from a neighbouring farm. I can produce no less than five witnesses to swear to having seen them
together, either at six or just after and, as you may know, the Abbey Farm, Mrs. Raikes's home, is at
leasttwoandahalfmilesdistantfromthevillage.Thereisabsolutelynoquestionastothealibi!"

8

FreshSuspicions

Therewasamoment'sstupefiedsilence.Japp,whowastheleastsurprisedofanyofus,wasthefirstto
speak.

"Myword,"hecried,"you'rethegoods!Andnomistake,Mr.Poirot!Thesewitnessesofyoursareall
right,Isuppose?"

"Voila!Ihavepreparedalistofthem-namesandaddresses.Youmustseethem,ofcourse.Butyouwill
finditallright."

"I'msureofthat."Japploweredhisvoice."I'mmuchobligedtoyou.Aprettymare'snestarrestinghim
wouldhavebeen."HeturnedtoInglethorp."But,ifyou'llexcuseme,sir,whycouldn'tyousayallthis
attheinquest?"

"Iwilltellyouwhy,"interruptedPoirot."Therewasacertainrumour--"

"Amostmaliciousandutterlyuntrueone,"interruptedAlfredInglethorpinanagitatedvoice.

"AndMr.Inglethorpwasanxioustohavenoscandalrevivedjustatpresent.AmIright?"

"Quiteright."Inglethorpnodded."WithmypoorEmilynotyetburied,canyouwonderIwasanxious
thatnomorelyingrumoursshouldbestarted."

"Betweenyouandme,sir,"remarkedJapp,"I'dsoonerhaveanyamountofrumoursthanbearrestedfor
murder.AndIventuretothinkyourpoorladywouldhavefeltthesame.And,ifithadn'tbeenforMr.
Poirothere,arrestedyouwouldhavebeen,assureaseggsiseggs!"

"I was foolish, no doubt," murmured Inglethorp. "But you do not know, inspector, how I have been
persecutedandmaligned."AndheshotabalefulglanceatEvelynHoward.

"Now,sir,"saidJapp,turningbrisklytoJohn,"Ishouldliketoseethelady'sbedroom,please,andafter
thatI'llhavealittlechatwiththeservants.Don'tyoubotheraboutanything.Mr.Poirot,here,willshow
metheway."

Astheyallwentoutoftheroom,Poirotturnedandmademeasigntofollowhimupstairs.Therehe
caughtmebythearm,anddrewmeaside.

"Quick,gototheotherwing.Standthere-justthissideofthebaizedoor.DonotmovetillIcome."
Then,turningrapidly,herejoinedthetwodetectives.

Ifollowedhisinstructions,takingupmypositionbythebaizedoor,andwonderingwhatonearthlay
behindtherequest.WhywasItostandinthisparticularspotonguard?Ilookedthoughtfullydownthe
corridorinfrontofme.Anideastruckme.WiththeexceptionofCynthiaMurdoch's,everyone'sroom
was in this left wing. Had that anything to do with it? Was I to report who came or went? I stood
faithfullyatmypost.Theminutespassed.Nobodycame.Nothinghappened.

ItmusthavebeenquitetwentyminutesbeforePoirotrejoinedme.

"Youhavenotstirred?"

"No,I'vestuckherelikearock.Nothing'shappened."

"Ah!"Washepleased,ordisappointed?"You'veseennothingatall?"

"No."

"Butyouhaveprobablyheardsomething?Abigbump-eh,monami?"

"No."

"Isitpossible?Ah,butIamvexedwithmyself!Iamnotusuallyclumsy.Imadebutaslightgesture"-I
knowPoirot'sgestures-"withthelefthand,andoverwentthetablebythebed!"

HelookedsochildishlyvexedandcrestfallenthatIhastenedtoconsolehim.

"Nevermind,oldchap.Whatdoesitmatter?Yourtriumphdownstairsexcitedyou.Icantellyou,that
was a surprise to us all. There must be more in this affair of Inglethorp's with Mrs. Raikes than we
thought, to make him hold his tongue so persistently. What are you going to do now? Where are the
ScotlandYardfellows?"

"Gonedowntointerviewtheservants.Ishowedthemallourexhibits.IamdisappointedinJapp.Hehas
nomethod!"

"Hullo!"Isaid,lookingoutofthewindow."Here'sDr.Bauerstein.Ibelieveyou'rerightaboutthatman,
Poirot.Idon'tlikehim."

"Heisclever,"observedPoirotmeditatively.

"Oh,cleverasthedevil!ImustsayIwasoverjoyedtoseehimintheplighthewasinonTuesday.You
neversawsuchaspectacle!"AndIdescribedthedoctor'sadventure."Helookedaregularscarecrow!
Plasteredwithmudfromheadtofoot."

"Yousawhim,then?"

"Yes.Ofcourse,hedidn'twanttocomein-itwasjustafterdinner-butMr.Inglethorpinsisted."

"What?" Poirot caught me violently by the shoulders. "Was Dr. Bauerstein here on Tuesday evening?
Here?Andyounevertoldme?Whydidyounottellme?Why?Why?"

Heappearedtobeinanabsolutefrenzy.

"My dear Poirot," I expostulated, "I never thought it would interest you. I didn't know it was of any
importance."

"Importance?Itisofthefirstimportance!SoDr.BauersteinwashereonTuesdaynight-thenightof
themurder.Hastings,doyounotsee?Thatalterseverything-everything!"

I had never seen him so upset. Loosening his hold of me, he mechanically straightened a pair of
candlesticks,stillmurmuringtohimself:"Yes,thatalterseverything-everything."

Suddenly he seemed to come to a decision. "Allons!" he said. "We must act at once. Where is Mr.
Cavendish?"

John was in the smoking room. Poirot went straight to him. "Mr. Cavendish, I have some important
businessinTadminster.Anewclue.MayItakeyourmotor?"

"Why,ofcourse.Doyoumeanatonce?"

"Ifyouplease."

Johnrangthebell,andorderedroundthecar.Inanothertenminutes,wewereracingdowntheparkand
alongthehighroadtoTadminster.

"Now,Poirot,"Iremarkedresignedly,"perhapsyouwilltellmewhatallthisisabout?"

"Well,monami,agooddealyoucanguessforyourself.Ofcourseyourealizethat,nowMr.Inglethorp
isoutofit,thewholepositionisgreatlychanged.Wearefacetofacewithanentirelynewproblem.We
knownowthatthereisonepersonwhodidnotbuythepoison.Wehaveclearedawaythemanufactured
clues.Nowfortherealones.Ihaveascertainedthatanyoneinthehousehold,withtheexceptionofMrs.
Cavendish, who was playing tennis with you, could have impersonated Mr. Inglethorp on Monday
evening.Inthesameway,wehavehisstatementthatheputthecoffeedowninthehall.Noonetook
muchnoticeofthatattheinquest-butnowithasaverydifferentsignificance.Wemustfindoutwho
didtakethatcoffeetoMrs.Inglethorpeventually,orwhopassedthroughthehallwhilstitwasstanding
there. From your account, there are only two people whom we can positively say did not go near the
coffee-Mrs.Cavendish,andMademoiselleCynthia."

"Yes,thatisso."Ifeltaninexpressiblelighteningoftheheart.MaryCavendishcouldcertainlynotrest
undersuspicion.

"InclearingAlfredInglethorp,"continuedPoirot,"IhavebeenobligedtoshowmyhandsoonerthanI
intended.AslongasImightbethoughttobepursuinghim,thecriminalwouldbeoffhisguard.Now,
he will be doubly careful. Yes - doubly careful." He turned to me abruptly. "Tell me, Hastings, you
yourself-haveyounosuspicionsofanybody?"

I hesitated. To tell the truth, an idea, wild and extravagant in itself, had once or twice that morning
flashedthroughmybrain.Ihadrejecteditasabsurd,neverthelessitpersisted.

"Youcouldn'tcallitasuspicion,"Imurmured."It'ssoutterlyfoolish."

"Come now," urged Poirot encouragingly. "Do not fear. Speak your mind. You should always pay
attentiontoyourinstincts."

"Wellthen,"Iblurtedout,"it'sabsurd-butIsuspectMissHowardofnottellingallsheknows!"

"MissHoward?"

"Yes-you'lllaughatme--"

"Notatall.WhyshouldI?"

"Ican'thelpfeeling,"Icontinuedblunderingly;"thatwe'veratherleftheroutofthepossiblesuspects,
simplyonthestrengthofherhavingbeenawayfromtheplace.But,afterall,shewasonlyfifteenmiles
away.Acarwoulddoitinhalfanhour.CanwesaypositivelythatshewasawayfromStylesonthe
nightofthemurder?"

"Yes,myfriend,"saidPoirotunexpectedly,"wecan.Oneofmyfirstactionswastoringupthehospital
whereshewasworking."

"Well?"

"Well,IlearntthatMissHowardhadbeenonafternoondutyonTuesday,andthat-aconvoycomingin
unexpectedly - she had kindly offered to remain on night duty, which offer was gratefully accepted.
Thatdisposesofthat."

"Oh!" I said, rather nonplussed. "Really," I continued, "it's her extraordinary vehemence against
Inglethorpthatstartedmeoffsuspectingher.Ican'thelpfeelingshe'ddoanythingagainsthim.AndI
hadanideashemightknowsomethingaboutthedestroyingofthewill.Shemighthaveburntthenew
one,mistakingitfortheearlieroneinhisfavour.Sheissoterriblybitteragainsthim."

"Youconsiderhervehemenceunnatural?"

"Y-es.Sheissoveryviolent.Iwonderedreallywhethersheisquitesaneonthatpoint."

Poirot shook his head energetically. "No, no, you are on a wrong tack there. There is nothing weak-
mindedordegenerateaboutMissHoward.Sheisanexcellentspecimenofwell-balancedEnglishbeef
andbrawn.Sheissanityitself."

"YetherhatredofInglethorpseemsalmostamania.Myideawas-averyridiculousone,nodoubt-that
shehadintendedtopoisonhim-andthat,insomeway,Mrs.Inglethorpgotholdofitbymistake.ButI
don't at all see how it could have been done. The whole thing is absurd and ridiculous to the last
degree."

"Stillyouarerightinonething.Itisalwayswisetosuspecteverybodyuntilyoucanprovelogically,
andtoyourownsatisfaction,thattheyareinnocent.Now,whatreasonsarethereagainstMissHoward's
havingdeliberatelypoisonedMrs.Inglethorp?"

"Why,shewasdevotedtoher!"Iexclaimed.

"Tcha!Tcha!"criedPoirotirritably."Youarguelikeachild.IfMissHowardwerecapableofpoisoning
theoldlady,shewouldbequiteequallycapableofsimulatingdevotion.No,wemustlookelsewhere.
YouareperfectlycorrectinyourassumptionthathervehemenceagainstAlfredInglethorpistooviolent
to be natural; but you are quite wrong in the deduction you draw from it. I have drawn my own
deductions,whichIbelievetobecorrect,butIwillnotspeakofthematpresent."Hepausedaminute,
thenwenton."Now,tomywayofthinking,thereisoneinsuperableobjectiontoMissHoward'sbeing
themurderess."

"Andthatis?"

"ThatinnopossiblewaycouldMrs.Inglethorp'sdeathbenefitMissHoward.Nowthereisnomurder
withoutamotive."

Ireflected."CouldnotMrs.Inglethorphavemadeawillinherfavour?"Poirotshookhishead.

"ButyouyourselfsuggestedthatpossibilitytoMr.Wells?"

Poirot smiled. "That was for a reason. I did not want to mention the name of the person who was
actuallyinmymind.MissHowardoccupiedverymuchthesameposition,soIusedhernameinstead."

"Still,Mrs.Inglethorpmighthavedoneso.Why,thatwill,madeontheafternoonofherdeathmay--"

ButPoirot'sshakeoftheheadwassoenergeticthatIstopped."No,myfriend.Ihavecertainlittleideas
ofmyownaboutthatwill.ButIcantellyouthismuch-itwasnotinMissHoward'sfavour."

Iacceptedhisassurance,thoughIdidnotreallyseehowhecouldbesopositiveaboutthematter.

"Well,"Isaid,withasigh,"wewillacquitMissHoward,then.ItispartlyyourfaultthatIevercameto
suspecther.Itwaswhatyousaidaboutherevidenceattheinquestthatsetmeoff."

Poirotlookedpuzzled."WhatdidIsayaboutherevidenceattheinquest?"

"Don'tyouremember?WhenIcitedherandJohnCavendishasbeingabovesuspicion?"

"Oh - ah - yes." He seemed a little confused, but recovered himself. "By the way, Hastings, there is
somethingIwantyoutodoforme."

"Certainly.Whatisit?"

"NexttimeyouhappentobealonewithLawrenceCavendish,Iwantyoutosaythistohim.'Ihavea
messageforyou,fromPoirot.Hesays:"Findtheextracoffeecup,andyoucanrestinpeace!"'Nothing
more.Nothingless."

"'Findtheextracoffeecup,andyoucanrestinpeace.'Isthatright?"Iasked,muchmystified.

"Excellent."

"Butwhatdoesitmean?"

"Ah,thatIwillleaveyoutofindout.Youhaveaccesstothefacts.Justsaythattohim,andseewhathe
says."

"Verywell-butit'sallextremelymysterious."

WewererunningintoTadminsternow,andPoirotdirectedthecartothe"AnalyticalChemist."

Poirothoppeddownbriskly,andwentinside.Inafewminuteshewasbackagain.

"There,"hesaid."Thatisallmybusiness."

"Whatwereyoudoingthere?"Iasked,inlivelycuriosity.

"Ileftsomethingtobeanalysed."

"Yes,butwhat?"

"ThesampleofcocoItookfromthesaucepaninthebedroom."

"But that has already been tested!" I cried, stupefied. "Dr. Bauerstein had it tested, and you yourself
laughedatthepossibilityoftherebeingstrychnineinit."

"IknowDr.Bauersteinhadittested,"repliedPoirotquietly.

"Well,then?"

"Well,Ihaveafancyforhavingitanalysedagain,thatisall."

AndnotanotherwordonthesubjectcouldIdragoutofhim.

ThisproceedingofPoirot's,inrespectofthecoco,puzzledmeintensely.Icouldseeneitherrhymenor
reasonin it. However,my confidence inhim, which at onetime had ratherwaned, was fully restored
sincehisbeliefinAlfredInglethorp'sinnocencehadbeensotriumphantlyvindicated.

ThefuneralofMrs.Inglethorptookplacethefollowingday,andonMonday,asIcamedowntoalate
breakfast,Johndrewmeaside,andinformedmethatMr.Inglethorpwasleavingthatmorning,totake
uphisquartersattheStylesArmsuntilheshouldhavecompletedhisplans.

"And really it's a great relief to think he's going, Hastings," continued my honest friend. "It was bad
enough before, when we thought he'd done it, but I'm hanged if it isn't worse now, when we all feel
guilty for having been so down on the fellow. The fact is, we've treated him abominably. Of course,
thingsdidlookblackagainsthim.Idon'tseehowanyonecouldblameusforjumpingtotheconclusions
wedid.Still,thereitis,wewereinthewrong,andnowthere'sabeastlyfeelingthatoneoughttomake
amends;whichisdifficult,whenonedoesn'tlikethefellowabitbetterthanonedidbefore.Thewhole
thing'sdamnedawkward!AndI'mthankfulhe'shadthetacttotakehimselfoff.It'sagoodthingStyles
wasn'tthemater'stoleavetohim.Couldn'tbeartothinkofthefellowfordingithere.He'swelcometo
hermoney."

"You'llbeabletokeepuptheplaceallright?"Iasked.

"Oh, yes. There are the death duties, of course, but half my father's money goes with the place, and

Lawrencewillstaywithusforthepresent,sothereishisshareaswell.Weshallbepinchedatfirst,of
course, because, as I once told you, I am in a bit of a hole financially myself. Still, the Johnnies will
waitnow."

In the general relief at Inglethorp's approaching departure, we had the most genial breakfast we had
experiencedsincethetragedy.Cynthia,whoseyoungspiritswerenaturallybuoyant,waslookingquite
herprettyselfagain,andweall,withtheexceptionofLawrence,whoseemedunalterablygloomyand
nervous,werequietlycheerful,attheopeningofanewandhopefulfuture.

Thepapers,ofcourse,hadbeenfullofthetragedy.Glaringheadlines,sandwichedbiographiesofevery
member of the household, subtle innuendoes, the usual familiar tag about the police having a clue.
Nothing was spared us. It was a slack time. The war was momentarily inactive, and the newspapers
seizedwithavidityonthiscrimeinfashionablelife:"TheMysteriousAffairatStyles"wasthetopicof
themoment.

Naturally it was very annoying for the Cavendishes. The house was constantly besieged by reporters,
whowereconsistentlydeniedadmission,butwhocontinuedtohauntthevillageandthegrounds,where
they lay in wait with cameras, for any unwary members of the household. We all lived in a blast of
publicity. The Scotland Yard men came and went, examining, questioning, lynx-eyed and reserved of
tongue.Towardswhatendtheywereworking,wedidnotknow.Hadtheyanyclue,orwouldthewhole
thingremaininthecategoryofundiscoveredcrimes?

After breakfast, Dorcas came up to me rather mysteriously, and asked if she might have a few words
withme.

"Certainly.Whatisit,Dorcas?"

"Well,it'sjustthis,sir.You'llbeseeingtheBelgiangentlemantodayperhaps?"Inodded."Well,sir,you
knowhowheaskedmesoparticularifthemistress,oranyoneelse,hadagreendress?"

"Yes,yes.Youhavefoundone?"Myinterestwasaroused.

"No, not that, sir. But since then I've remembered what the young gentlemen" - John and Lawrence
werestillthe"younggentlemen"toDorcas-"callthe'dressing-upbox.'It'supinthefrontattic,sir.A
greatchest,fullofoldclothesandfancydresses,andwhatnot.Anditcametomesuddenlikethatthere
mightbeagreendressamongstthem.So,ifyou'dtelltheBelgiangentleman--"

"Iwilltellhim,Dorcas,"Ipromised.

"Thankyouverymuch,sir.Averynicegentlemanheis,sir.Andquiteadifferentclassfromthemtwo
detectivesfromLondon,whatgoespryingabout,andaskingquestions.Idon'tholdwithforeignersasa
rule,butfromwhatthenewspaperssayImakeoutashowthesebraveBelgesisn'ttheordinaryrunof
foreigners,andcertainlyhe'samostpolitespokengentleman."

Dear old Dorcas! As she stood there, with her honest face upturned to mine, I thought what a fine
specimenshewasoftheold-fashionedservantthatissofastdyingout.

I thought I might as well go down to the village at once, and look up Poirot; but I met him halfway,
cominguptothehouse,andatoncegavehimDorcas'smessage.

"Ah,thebraveDorcas!Wewilllookatthechest,although-butnomatter-wewillexamineitallthe

same."

Weenteredthehousebyoneofthewindows.Therewasnooneinthehall,andwewentstraightupto
theattic.

Sureenough,therewasthechest,afineoldpiece,allstuddedwithbrassnails,andfulltooverflowing
witheveryimaginabletypeofgarment.

Poirotbundledeverythingoutonthefloorwithscantceremony.Therewereoneortwogreenfabricsof
varyingshades;butPoirotshookhisheadoverthemall.Heseemedsomewhatapatheticinthesearch,
asthoughheexpectednogreatresultsfromit.Suddenlyhegaveanexclamation.

"Whatisit?"

"Look!"

Thechestwasnearlyempty,andthere,reposingrightatthebottom,wasamagnificentblackbeard.

"Oho!" said Poirot. "Oho!" He turned it over in his hands, examining it closely. "New," he remarked.
"Yes,quitenew."

Afteramoment'shesitation,hereplaceditinthechest,heapedalltheotherthingsontopofitasbefore,
and made his way briskly downstairs. He went straight to the pantry, where we found Dorcas busily
polishinghersilver.

PoirotwishedhergoodmorningwithGallicpoliteness,andwenton:"Wehavebeenlookingthrough
thatchest,Dorcas.Iammuchobligedtoyouformentioningit.Thereis,indeed,afinecollectionthere.
Aretheyoftenused,mayIask?"

"Well,sir,notveryoftennowadays,thoughfromtimetotimewedohavewhattheyounggentlemen
call'adress-upnight.'Andveryfunnyitissometimes,sir.Mr.Lawrence,he'swonderful.Mostcomic!I
shallneverforgetthenighthecamedownastheCharofPersia,Ithinkhecalledit-asortofEastern
Kingitwas.Hehadthebigpaperknifeinhishand,and'Mind,Dorcas,'hesays,'you'llhavetobevery
respectful. This is my specially sharpened scimitar, and it's off with your head if I'm at all displeased
withyou!'MissCynthia,shewaswhattheycallanApache,orsomesuchname-aFrenchifiedsortof
cutthroat,Itakeittobe.Arealsightshelooked.You'dneverhavebelievedaprettyyoungladylikethat
couldhavemadeherselfintosucharuffian.Nobodywouldhaveknownher."

"These evenings must have been great fun," said Poirot genially. "I suppose Mr. Lawrence wore that
fineblackbeardinthechestupstairs,whenhewasShahofPersia?"

"Hedidhaveabeard,sir,"repliedDorcas,smiling."AndwellIknowit,forheborrowedtwoskeinsof
myblackwooltomakeitwith!AndI'msureitlookedwonderfullynaturalatadistance.Ididn'tknow
astherewasabeardupthereatall.Itmusthavebeengotquitelately,Ithink.Therewasaredwig,I
know,butnothingelseinthewayofhair.Burntcorkstheyusemostly-though'tismessygettingitoff
again.MissCynthiawasaniggeronce,and,oh,thetroubleshehad."

"SoDorcasknowsnothingaboutthatblackbeard,"saidPoirotthoughtfully,aswewalkedoutintothe
hallagain.

"Doyouthinkitistheone?"Iwhisperedeagerly.

Poirotnodded."Ido.Younoticeithadbeentrimmed?"

"No."

"Yes.ItwascutexactlytheshapeofMr.Inglethorp's,andIfoundoneortwosnippedhairs.Hastings,
thisaffairisverydeep."

"Whoputitinthechest,Iwonder?"

"Someonewithagooddealofintelligence,"remarkedPoirotdryly."Yourealizethathechosetheone
placeinthehousetohideitwhereitspresencewouldnotberemarked?Yes,heisintelligent.Butwe
must be more intelligent. We must be so intelligent that he does not suspect us of being intelligent at
all."

Iacquiesced.

"There,monami,youwillbeofgreatassistancetome."

Iwaspleasedwiththecompliment.TherehadbeentimeswhenIhardlythoughtthatPoirotappreciated
meatmytrueworth.

"Yes,"hecontinued,staringatmethoughtfully,"youwillbeinvaluable."

Thiswasnaturallygratifying,butPoirot'snextwordswerenotsowelcome."Imusthaveanallyinthe
house,"heobservedreflectively.

"Youhaveme,"Iprotested.

"True,butyouarenotsufficient."

Iwashurt,andshowedit.Poirothurriedtoexplainhimself."Youdonotquitetakemymeaning.You
areknowntobeworkingwithme.Iwantsomebodywhoisnotassociatedwithusinanyway."

"Oh,Isee.HowaboutJohn?"

"No,Ithinknot."

"Thedearfellowisn'tperhapsverybright,"Isaidthoughtfully.

"HerecomesMissHoward,"saidPoirotsuddenly."Sheistheveryperson.ButIaminherblackbooks,
sinceIclearedMr.Inglethorp.Still,wecanbuttry."

With a nod that was barely civil, Miss Howard assented to Poirot's request for a few minutes'
conversation.

Wewentintothelittlemorningroom,andPoirotclosedthedoor.

"Well,MonsieurPoirot,"saidMissHowardimpatiently,"whatisit?Outwithit.I'mbusy."

"Doyouremember,mademoiselle,thatIonceaskedyoutohelpme?"

"Yes,Ido."Theladynodded."AndItoldyouI'dhelpyouwithpleasure-tohangAlfredInglethorp."

"Ah!"Poirotstudiedherseriously."MissHoward,Iwillaskyouonequestion.Ibegofyoutoreplytoit

truthfully."

"Nevertelllies,"repliedMissHoward.

"Itisthis.DoyoustillbelievethatMrs.Inglethorpwaspoisonedbyherhusband?"

"Whatdoyoumean?"sheaskedsharply."Youneedn'tthinkyourprettyexplanationsinfluencemein
the slightest. I'll admit that it wasn't he who bought strychnine at the chemist's shop. What of that? I
daresayhesoakedflypaper,asItoldyouatthebeginning."

"Thatisarsenic-notstrychnine,"saidPoirotmildly.

"Whatdoesthatmatter?ArsenicwouldputpoorEmilyoutofthewayjustaswellasstrychnine.IfI'm
convincedhedidit,itdoesn'tmatterajottomehowhedidit."

"Exactly.Ifyouareconvincedhedidit,"saidPoirotquietly."Iwillputmyquestioninanotherform.
DidyoueverinyourheartofheartsbelievethatMrs.Inglethorpwaspoisonedbyherhusband?"

"Goodheavens!"criedMissHoward."Haven'tIalwaystoldyouthemanisavillain?Haven'tIalways
toldyouhewouldmurderherinherbed?Haven'tIalwayshatedhimlikepoison?"

"Exactly,"saidPoirot."Thatbearsoutmylittleideaentirely."

"Whatlittleidea?"

"MissHoward,doyourememberaconversationthattookplaceonthedayofmyfriend'sarrivalhere?
He repeated it to me, and there is a sentence of yours that has impressed me very much. Do you
rememberaffirmingthatifacrimehadbeencommitted,andanyoneyoulovedhadbeenmurdered,you
felt certain that you would know by instinct who the criminal was, even if you were quite unable to
proveit?"

"Yes,Iremembersayingthat.Ibelieveittoo.Isupposeyouthinkitnonsense?"

"Notatall."

"AndyetyouwillpaynoattentiontomyinstinctagainstAlfredInglethorp."

"No,"saidPoirotcurtly."BecauseyourinstinctisnotagainstMr.Inglethorp."

"What?"

"No.Youwishtobelievehecommittedthecrime.Youbelievehimcapableofcommittingit.Butyour
instincttellsyouhedidnotcommitit.Ittellsyoumore-shallIgoon?"

Shewasstaringathim,fascinated,andmadeaslightaffirmativemovementofthehand.

"ShallItellyouwhyyouhavebeensovehementagainstMr.Inglethorp?Itisbecauseyouhavebeen
tryingtobelievewhatyouwishtobelieve.Itisbecauseyouaretryingtodrownandstifleyourinstinct,
whichtellsyouanothername--"

"No,no,no!"criedMissHowardwildly,flingingupherhands."Don'tsayit!Oh,don'tsayit!Itisn't
true!Itcan'tbetrue.Idon'tknowwhatputsuchawild-suchadreadful-ideaintomyhead!"

"Iamright,amInot?"askedPoirot.

"Yes,yes;youmustbeawizardtohaveguessed.Butitcan'tbeso-it'stoomonstrous,tooimpossible.
ItmustbeAlfredInglethorp."

Poirotshookhisheadgravely.

"Don't ask me about it," continued Miss Howard, "because I shan't tell you. I won't admit it, even to
myself.Imustbemadtothinkofsuchathing."

Poirotnodded,asifsatisfied."Iwillaskyounothing.ItisenoughformethatitisasIthought.AndI-
I,too,haveaninstinct.Weareworkingtogethertowardsacommonend."

"Don'taskmetohelpyou,becauseIwon't.Iwouldn'tliftafingerto-to--"Shefaltered.

"Youwillhelpmeinspiteofyourself.Iaskyounothing-butyouwillbemyally.Youwillnotbeable
tohelpyourself.YouwilldotheonlythingthatIwantofyou."

"Andthatis?"

"Youwillwatch!"

EvelynHowardbowedherhead."Yes,Ican'thelpdoingthat.Iamalwayswatching-alwayshopingI
shallbeprovedwrong."

"Ifwearewrong,wellandgood,"saidPoirot."NoonewillbemorepleasedthanIshall.But,ifweare
right?Ifweareright,MissHoward,onwhosesideareyouthen?"

"Idon'tknow,Idon'tknow--"

"Comenow."

"Itcouldbehushedup."

"Theremustbenohushingup."

"ButEmilyherself--"Shebrokeoff.

"MissHoward,"saidPoirotgravely,"thisisunworthyofyou."

Suddenlyshetookherfacefromherhands."Yes,"shesaidquietly,"thatwasnotEvelynHowardwho
spoke!"Sheflungherheadupproudly."ThisisEvelynHoward!AndsheisonthesideofJustice!Let
thecostbewhatitmay."Andwiththesewords,shewalkedfirmlyoutoftheroom.

"There,"saidPoirot,lookingafterher,"goesaveryvaluableally.Thatwoman,Hastings,hasgotbrains
aswellasaheart."

Ididnotreply.

"Instinctisamarvellousthing,"musedPoirot."Itcanneitherbeexplainednorignored."

"You and Miss Howard seem to know what you are talking about," I observed coldly. "Perhaps you
don'trealizethatIamstillinthedark."

"Really?Isthatso,monami?"

"Yes.Enlightenme,willyou?"

Poirot studied me attentively for a moment or two. Then, to my intense surprise, he shook his head
decidedly.

"No,myfriend."

"Oh,lookhere,whynot?"

"Twoisenoughforasecret."

"Well,Ithinkitisveryunfairtokeepbackfactsfromme."

"I am not keeping back facts. Every fact that I know is in your possession. You can draw your own
deductionsfromthem.Thistimeitisaquestionofideas."

"Still,itwouldbeinterestingtoknow."

Poirot looked at me very earnestly, and again shook his head. "You see," he said sadly, "you have no
instincts."

"Itwasintelligenceyouwererequiringjustnow,"Ipointedout.

"Thetwooftengotogether,"saidPoirotenigmatically.

TheremarkseemedsoutterlyirrelevantthatIdidnoteventakethetroubletoanswerit.ButIdecided
thatifImadeanyinterestingandimportantdiscoveries-asnodoubtIshould-Iwouldkeepthemto
myself,andsurprisePoirotwiththeultimateresult.

Therearetimeswhenitisone'sdutytoassertoneself.

9

Dr.Bauerstein

IhadhadnoopportunityasyetofpassingonPoirot'smessagetoLawrence.Butnow,asIstrolledout
onthelawn,stillnursingagrudgeagainstmyfriend'shigh-handedness,IsawLawrenceonthecroquet
lawn,aimlesslyknockingacoupleofveryancientballsabout,withastillmoreancientmallet.

Itstruckmethatitwouldbeagoodopportunitytodelivermymessage.Otherwise,Poirothimselfmight
relieve me of it. It was true that I did not quite gather its purport, but I flattered myself that by
Lawrence'sreply,andperhapsalittleskilfulcross-examinationonmypart,Ishouldsoonperceiveits
significance.AccordinglyIaccostedhim.

"I'vebeenlookingforyou,"Iremarkeduntruthfully.

"Haveyou?"

"Yes.Thetruthis,I'vegotamessageforyou-fromPoirot."

"Yes?"

"HetoldmetowaituntilIwasalonewithyou,"Isaid,droppingmyvoicesignificantly,andwatching
him intently out of the corner of my eye. I have always been rather good at what is called, I believe,
creatinganatmosphere.

"Well?"

Therewasnochangeofexpressioninthedarkmelancholicface.HadheanyideaofwhatIwasaboutto
say?

"Thisisthemessage."Idroppedmyvoicestilllower."'Findtheextracoffeecup,andyoucanrestin
peace.'"

"Whatonearthdoeshemean?"Lawrencestaredatmeinquiteunaffectedastonishment.

"Don'tyouknow?"

"Notintheleast.Doyou?"

Iwascompelledtoshakemyhead.

"Whatextracoffeecup?"

"Idon'tknow."

"He'dbetteraskDorcas,oroneofthemaids,ifhewantstoknowaboutcoffeecups.It'stheirbusiness,
notmine.Idon'tknowanythingaboutthecoffeecups,exceptthatwe'vegotsomethatareneverused,
whichareaperfectdream!OldWorcester.You'renotaconnoisseur,areyou,Hastings?"

Ishookmyhead.

"Youmissalot.Areallyperfectbitofoldchina-it'spuredelighttohandleit,oreventolookatit."

"Well,whatamItotellPoirot?"

"TellhimIdon'tknowwhathe'stalkingabout.It'sdoubleDutchtome."

"Allright."

Iwasmovingofftowardsthehouseagainwhenhesuddenlycalledmeback."Isay,whatwastheendof
thatmessage?Sayitoveragain,willyou?"

"'Findtheextracoffeecup,andyoucanrestinpeace.'Areyousureyoudon'tknowwhatitmeans?"I
askedhimearnestly.

Heshookhishead."No,"hesaidmusingly,"Idon't.I-IwishIdid."

Theboomofthegongsoundedfromthehouse,andwewentintogether.PoirothadbeenaskedbyJohn
toremaintolunch,andwasalreadyseatedatthetable.

By tacit consent, all mention of the tragedy was barred. We conversed on the war, and other outside
topics.Butafterthecheeseandbiscuitshadbeenhandedround,andDorcashadlefttheroom,Poirot
suddenlyleantforwardtoMrs.Cavendish.

"Pardonme,madame,forrecallingunpleasantmemories,butIhavealittleidea"-Poirot's"littleideas"
werebecomingaperfectbyword-"andwouldliketoaskoneortwoquestions."

"Ofme?Certainly."

"Youaretooamiable,madame.WhatIwanttoaskisthis:thedoorleadingintoMrs.Inglethorp'sroom
fromthatofMademoiselleCynthia,itwasbolted,yousay?"

"Certainlyitwasbolted,"repliedMaryCavendish,rathersurprised."Isaidsoattheinquest."

"Bolted?"

"Yes."Shelookedperplexed.

"Imean,"explainedPoirot,"youaresureitwasbolted,andnotmerelylocked?"

"Oh,Iseewhatyoumean.No,Idon'tknow.Isaidbolted,meaningthatitwasfastened,andIcouldnot
openit,butIbelieveallthedoorswerefoundboltedontheinside."

"Still,asfarasyouareconcerned,thedoormightequallywellhavebeenlocked?"

"Oh,yes."

"You yourself did not happen to notice, madame, when you entered Mrs. Inglethorp's room, whether
thatdoorwasboltedornot?"

"I-Ibelieveitwas."

"Butyoudidnotseeit?"

"No.I-neverlooked."

"ButIdid,"interruptedLawrencesuddenly."Ihappenedtonoticethatitwasbolted."

"Ah,thatsettlesit."AndPoirotlookedcrestfallen.

Icouldnothelprejoicingthat,foronce,oneofhis"littleideas"hadcometonaught.

AfterlunchPoirotbeggedmetoaccompanyhimhome.Iconsentedratherstiffly.

"Youareannoyed,isitnotso?"heaskedanxiously,aswewalkedthroughthepark.

"Notatall,"Isaidcoldly.

"Thatiswell.Thatliftsagreatloadfrommymind."

ThiswasnotquitewhatIhadintended.Ihadhopedthathewouldhaveobservedthestiffnessofmy
manner.Still,thefervourofhiswordswenttowardstheappeasingofmyjustdispleasure.Ithawed.

"IgaveLawrenceyourmessage,"Isaid.

"Andwhatdidhesay?Hewasentirelypuzzled?"

"Yes.Iamquitesurehehadnoideaofwhatyoumeant."

IhadexpectedPoirottobedisappointed;but,tomysurprise,herepliedthatthatwasashehadthought,
andthathewasveryglad.Myprideforbademetoaskanyquestions.

Poirotswitchedoffonanothertack."MademoiselleCynthiawasnotatlunchtoday?Howwasthat?"

"Sheisatthehospitalagain.Sheresumedworktoday."

"Ah, she is an industrious little demoiselle. And pretty too. She is like pictures I have seen in Italy. I
wouldratherliketoseethatdispensaryofhers.Doyouthinkshewouldshowittome?"

"Iamsureshewouldbedelighted.It'saninterestinglittleplace."

"Doesshegothereeveryday?"

"ShehasallWednesdaysoff,andcomesbacktolunchonSaturdays.Thoseareheronlytimesoff."

"I will remember. Women are doing great work nowadays, and Mademoiselle Cynthia is clever - oh,
yes,shehasbrains,thatlittleone."

"Yes.Ibelieveshehaspassedquiteastiffexam."

"Withoutdoubt.Afterall,itisveryresponsiblework.Isupposetheyhaveverystrongpoisonsthere?"

"Yes,sheshowedthemtous.Theyarekeptlockedupinalittlecupboard.Ibelievetheyhavetobevery
careful.Theyalwaystakeoutthekeybeforeleavingtheroom."

"Indeed.Itisnearthewindow,thiscupboard?"

"No,righttheothersideoftheroom.Why?"

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders."Iwondered.Thatisall.Willyoucomein?"

Wehadreachedthecottage.

"No.IthinkI'llbegettingback.Ishallgoroundthelongwaythroughthewoods."

The woods round Styles were very beautiful. After the walk across the open park, it was pleasant to
saunter lazily through the cool glades. There was hardly a breath of wind, the very chirp of the birds

wasfaintandsubdued.Istrolledonalittleway,andfinallyflungmyselfdownatthefootofagrandold
beech-tree. My thoughts of mankind were kindly and charitable. I even forgave Poirot for his absurd
secrecy.Infact,Iwasatpeacewiththeworld.ThenIyawned.

Ithoughtaboutthecrime,anditstruckmeasbeingveryunrealandfaroff.

Iyawnedagain.

Probably,Ithought,itreallyneverhappened.Ofcourse,itwasallabaddream.Thetruthofthematter
wasthatitwasLawrencewhohadmurderedAlfredInglethorpwithacroquetmallet.Butitwasabsurd
ofJohntomakesuchafussaboutit,andtogoshoutingout:"ItellyouIwon'thaveit!"

Iwokeupwithastart.AtonceIrealizedthatIwasinaveryawkwardpredicament.For,abouttwelve
feetawayfromme,JohnandMaryCavendishwerestandingfacingeachother,andtheywereevidently
quarrelling.And,quiteasevidently,theywereunawareofmyvicinity,forbeforeIcouldmoveorspeak
Johnrepeatedthewordswhichhadarousedmefrommydream.

"Itellyou,Mary,Iwon'thaveit."

Mary'svoicecame,coolandliquid:"Haveyouanyrighttocriticizemyactions?"

"It will be the talk of the village! My mother was only buried on Saturday, and here you are gadding
aboutwiththefellow."

"Oh,"sheshruggedhershoulders,"ifitisonlyvillagegossipthatyoumind!"

"Butitisn't.I'vehadenoughofthefellowhangingabout.He'saPolishJew,anyway."

"AtingeofJewishbloodisnotabadthing.Itleavensthe"-shelookedathim-"stolidstupidityofthe
ordinaryEnglishman."

Fireinhereyes,iceinhervoice.IdidnotwonderthatthebloodrosetoJohn'sfaceinacrimsontide.

"Mary!"

"Well?"Hertonedidnotchange.

Thepleadingdiedoutofhisvoice."AmItounderstandthatyouwillcontinuetoseeBauersteinagainst
myexpresswishes?"

"IfIchoose."

"Youdefyme?"

"No,butIdenyyourrighttocriticizemyactions.HaveyounofriendsofwhomIshoulddisapprove?"

John fell back a pace. The colour ebbed slowly from his face. "What do you mean?" he said, in an
unsteadyvoice.

"Yousee!"saidMaryquietly."Youdosee,don'tyou,thatyouhavenorighttodictatetomeastothe
choiceofmyfriends?"

Johnglancedatherpleadingly,astrickenlookonhisface."Noright?HaveInoright,Mary?"hesaid

unsteadily.Hestretchedouthishands."Mary--"

Foramoment,Ithoughtshewavered.Asofterexpressioncameoverherface,thensuddenlysheturned
almostfiercelyaway.

"None!"

ShewaswalkingawaywhenJohnsprangafterher,andcaughtherbythearm."Mary"-hisvoicewas
veryquietnow-"areyouinlovewiththisfellowBauerstein?"

Shehesitated,andsuddenlytheresweptacrossherfaceastrangeexpression,oldasthehills,yetwith
somethingeternallyyoungaboutit.SomightsomeEgyptiansphinxhavesmiled.

She freed herself quietly from his arm, and spoke over her shoulder. "Perhaps," she said; and then
swiftlypassedoutofthelittleglade,leavingJohnstandingthereasthoughhehadbeenturnedtostone.

Ratherostentatiously,Isteppedforward,cracklingsomedeadbrancheswithmyfeetasIdidso.John
turned.Luckily,hetookitforgrantedthatIhadonlyjustcomeuponthescene.

"Hullo,Hastings.Haveyouseenthelittlefellowsafelybacktohiscottage?Quaintlittlechap!Isheany
good,though,really?"

"Hewasconsideredoneofthefinestdetectivesofhisday."

"Oh,well,Isupposetheremustbesomethinginit,then.Whatarottenworlditis,though!"

"Youfinditso?"Iasked.

"GoodLord,yes!There'sthisterriblebusinesstostartwith.ScotlandYardmeninandoutofthehouse
likeajack-in-the-box!Neverknowwheretheywon'tturnupnext.Screamingheadlinesineverypaper
in the country - damn all journalists, I say! Do you know there was a whole crowd staring in at the
lodgegatesthismorning.SortofMadameTussaud'schamberofhorrorsbusinessthatcanbeseenfor
nothing.Prettythick,isn'tit?"

"Cheerup,John!"Isaidsoothingly."Itcan'tlastforever."

"Can'tit,though?Itcanlastlongenoughforusnevertobeabletoholdupourheadsagain."

"No,no,you'regettingmorbidonthesubject."

"Enoughtomakeamanmorbid,tobestalkedbybeastlyjournalistsandstaredatbygapingmoon-faced
idiots,whereverhegoes!Butthere'sworsethanthat."

"What?"

Johnloweredhisvoice:"Haveyoueverthought,Hastings-it'sanightmaretome-whodidit?Ican't
help feeling sometimes it must have been an accident. Because - because - who could have done it?
NowInglethorp'soutoftheway,there'snooneelse;noone,Imean,except-oneofus."

Yes,indeed,thatwasnightmareenoughforanyman!Oneofus?Yes,surelyitmustbeso,unless--

A new idea suggested itself to my mind. Rapidly, I considered it. The light increased. Poirot's
mysterious doings, his hints - they all fitted in. Fool that I was not to have thought of this possibility

before,andwhatareliefforusall.

"No,John,"Isaid,"itisn'toneofus.Howcoulditbe?"

"Iknow,but,still,whoelseisthere?"

"Can'tyouguess?"

"No."

Ilookedcautiouslyround,andloweredmyvoice."Dr.Bauerstein!"Iwhispered.

"Impossible!"

"Notatall."

"Butwhatearthlyinterestcouldhehaveinmymother'sdeath?"

"ThatIdon'tsee,"Iconfessed,"butI'lltellyouthis:Poirotthinksso."

"Poirot?Doeshe?Howdoyouknow?"

ItoldhimofPoirot'sintenseexcitementonhearingthatDr.BauersteinhadbeenatStylesonthefatal
night,andadded:"Hesaidtwice:'Thatalterseverything.'AndI'vebeenthinking.YouknowInglethorp
said he had put down the coffee in the hall? Well, it was just then that Bauerstein arrived. Isn't it
possiblethat,asInglethorpbroughthimthroughthehall,thedoctordroppedsomethingintothecoffee
inpassing?"

"Hm,"saidJohn."Itwouldhavebeenveryrisky."

"Yes,butitwaspossible."

"Andthen,howcouldheknowitwashercoffee?No,oldfellow,Idon'tthinkthatwillwash."

ButIhadrememberedsomethingelse."You'requiteright.Thatwasn'thowitwasdone.Listen."AndI
thentoldhimofthecocosamplewhichPoirothadtakentobeanalysed.

JohninterruptedjustasIhaddone."But,lookhere,Bauersteinhadhaditanalysedalready?"

"Yes, yes, that's the point. I didn't see it either until now. Don't you understand? Bauerstein had it
analysed-that'sjustit!IfBauerstein'sthemurderer,nothingcouldbesimplerthanforhimtosubstitute
some ordinary coco for his sample, and send that to be tested. And of course they would find no
strychnine! But no one would dream of suspecting Bauerstein, or think of taking another sample -
exceptPoirot,"Iadded,withbelatedrecognition.

"Yes,butwhataboutthebittertastethatcocowon'tdisguise?"

"Well,we'veonlyhiswordforthat.Andthereareotherpossibilities.He'sadmittedlyoneoftheworld's
greatesttoxicologists--"

"Oneoftheworld'sgreatestwhat?Sayitagain."

"Heknowsmoreaboutpoisonsthanalmostanybody,"Iexplained."Well,myideais,thatperhapshe's

found some way of making strychnine tasteless. Or it may not have been strychnine at all, but some
obscuredrugnoonehaseverheardof,whichproducesmuchthesamesymptoms."

"Hm, yes, that might be," said John. "But look here, how could he have got at the coco? That wasn't
downstairs?"

"No,itwasn't,"Iadmittedreluctantly.

And then, suddenly, a dreadful possibility flashed through my mind. I hoped and prayed it would not
occurtoJohnalso.Iglancedsidewaysathim.Hewasfrowningperplexedly,andIdrewadeepbreath
of relief, for the terrible thought that had flashed across my mind was this: that Dr. Bauerstein might
havehadanaccomplice.

Yetsurelyitcouldnotbe!SurelynowomanasbeautifulasMaryCavendishcouldbeamurderess.Yet
beautifulwomenhadbeenknowntopoison.

AndsuddenlyIrememberedthatfirstconversationatteaonthedayofmyarrival,andthegleaminher
eyes as she had said that poison was a woman's weapon. How agitated she had been on that fatal
Tuesday evening! Had Mrs. Inglethorp discovered something between her and Bauerstein, and
threatenedtotellherhusband?Wasittostopthatdenunciationthatthecrimehadbeencommitted?

Then I remembered that enigmatical conversation between Poirot and Evelyn Howard. Was this what
theyhadmeant?WasthisthemonstrouspossibilitythatEvelynhadtriednottobelieve?

Yes,itallfittedin.

NowonderMissHowardhadsuggested"hushingitup."NowIunderstoodthatunfinishedsentenceof
hers:"Emilyherself--"AndinmyheartIagreedwithher.WouldnotMrs.Inglethorphavepreferred
togounavengedratherthanhavesuchterribledishonourfalluponthenameofCavendish.

"There's another thing," said John suddenly, and the unexpected sound of his voice made me start
guiltily."Somethingwhichmakesmedoubtifwhatyousaycanbetrue."

"What'sthat?"Iasked,thankfulthathehadgoneawayfromthesubjectofhowthepoisoncouldhave
beenintroducedintothecoco.

"Why,thefactthatBauersteindemandedapost-mortem.Heneedn'thavedoneso.LittleWilkinswould
havebeenquitecontenttoletitgoatheartdisease."

"Yes,"Isaiddoubtfully."Butwedon'tknow.Perhapshethoughtitsaferinthelongrun.Someonemight
havetalkedafterwards.ThentheHomeOfficemighthaveorderedexhumation.Thewholethingwould
havecomeout,then,andhewouldhavebeeninanawkwardposition,fornoonewouldhavebelieved
thatamanofhisreputationcouldhavebeendeceivedintocallingitheartdisease."

"Yes,that'spossible,"admittedJohn."Still,"headded,"I'mblestifIcanseewhathismotivecouldhave
been."

Itrembled."Lookhere,"Isaid,"Imaybealtogetherwrong.And,remember,allthisisinconfidence."

"Oh,ofcourse-thatgoeswithoutsaying."

We had walked, as we talked, and now we passed through the little gate into the garden. Voices rose

nearathand,forteawasspreadoutunderthesycamoretree,asithadbeenonthedayofmyarrival.

Cynthiawasbackfromthehospital,andIplacedmychairbesideher,andtoldherofPoirot'swishto
visitthedispensary.

"Ofcourse!I'dlovehimtoseeit.He'dbettercometoteathereoneday.Imustfixitupwithhim.He's
suchadearlittleman!Butheisfunny.Hemademetakethebroochoutofmytietheotherday,andput
itinagain,becausehesaiditwasn'tstraight."

Ilaughed."It'squiteamaniawithhim."

"Yes,isn'tit?"

We were silent for a minute or two, and then, glancing in the direction of Mary Cavendish, and
droppinghervoice,Cynthiasaid:"Mr.Hastings."

"Yes?"

"Aftertea,Iwanttotalktoyou."

Her glance at Mary had set me thinking. I fancied that between these two there existed very little
sympathy. For the first time, it occurred to me to wonder about the girl's future. Mrs. Inglethorp had
madenoprovisionsofanykindforher,butIimaginedthatJohnandMarywouldprobablyinsistonher
makingherhomewiththem-atanyrateuntiltheendofthewar.John,Iknew,wasveryfondofher,
andwouldbesorrytolethergo.

John, who had gone into the house, now reappeared. His good-natured face wore an unaccustomed
frownofanger.

"Confoundthosedetectives!Ican'tthinkwhatthey'reafter!They'vebeenineveryroominthehouse-
turningthingsinsideout,andupsidedown.Itreallyistoobad!Isupposetheytookadvantageofourall
beingout.IshallgoforthatfellowJapp,whenInextseehim!"

"LotofPaulPrys,"gruntedMissHoward.

Lawrenceopinedthattheyhadtomakeashowofdoingsomething.

MaryCavendishsaidnothing.

Aftertea,IinvitedCynthiatocomeforawalk,andwesaunteredoffintothewoodstogether.

"Well?"Iinquired,assoonaswewereprotectedfrompryingeyesbytheleafyscreen.

With a sigh, Cynthia flung herself down, and tossed off her hat. The sunlight, piercing through the
branches,turnedtheauburnofherhairtoquiveringgold.

"Mr.Hastings-youarealwayssokind,andyouknowsuchalot."

It struck me at this moment that Cynthia was really a very charming girl! Much more charming than
Mary,whoneversaidthingsofthatkind.

"Well?"Iaskedbenignantly,asshehesitated.

"Iwanttoaskyouradvice.WhatshallIdo?"

"Do?"

"Yes.Yousee,AuntEmilyalwaystoldmeIshouldbeprovidedfor.Isupposesheforgot,ordidn'tthink
she was likely to die - anyway, I am not provided for! And I don't know what to do. Do you think I
oughttogoawayfromhereatonce?"

"Goodheavens,no!Theydon'twanttopartwithyou,I'msure."

Cynthiahesitatedamoment,pluckingupthegrasswithhertinyhands.Thenshesaid:"Mrs.Cavendish
does.Shehatesme."

"Hatesyou?"Icried,astonished.

Cynthianodded."Yes.Idon'tknowwhy,butshecan'tbearme;andhecan't,either."

"ThereIknowyou'rewrong,"Isaidwarmly."Onthecontrary,Johnisveryfondofyou."

"Oh,yes-John.ImeantLawrence.Not,ofcourse,thatIcarewhetherLawrencehatesmeornot.Still,
it'sratherhorridwhennoonelovesyou,isn'tit?"

"Buttheydo,Cynthiadear,"Isaidearnestly."I'msureyouaremistaken.Look,thereisJohn-andMiss
Howard-"

Cynthianoddedrathergloomily."Yes,Johnlikesme,Ithink,andofcourseEvie,forallhergruffways,
wouldn'tbeunkindtoafly.ButLawrenceneverspeakstomeifhecanhelpit,andMarycanhardly
bringherselftobeciviltome.ShewantsEvietostayon,isbeggingherto,butshedoesn'twantme,
and-and-Idon'tknowwhattodo."Suddenlythepoorchildburstoutcrying.

Idon'tknowwhatpossessedme.Herbeauty,perhaps,asshesatthere,withthesunlightglintingdown
on her head; perhaps the sense of relief at encountering someone who so obviously could have no
connectionwiththetragedy;perhapshonestpityforheryouthandloneliness.Anyway,Ileantforward,
andtakingherlittlehand,Isaidawkwardly:"Marryme,Cynthia."

Unwittingly,Ihadhituponasovereignremedyforhertears.Shesatupatonce,drewherhandaway,
andsaid,withsomeasperity:"Don'tbesilly!"

Iwasalittleannoyed."I'mnotbeingsilly.Iamaskingyoutodomethehonourofbecomingmywife."

Tomyintensesurprise,Cynthiaburstoutlaughing,andcalledmea"funnydear."

"It'sperfectlysweetofyou,"shesaid,"butyouknowyoudon'twantto!"

"Yes,Ido.I'vegot-"

"Nevermindwhatyou'vegot.Youdon'treallywantto-andIdon'teither."

"Well, of course, that settles it," I said stiffly. "But I don't see anything to laugh at. There's nothing
funnyaboutaproposal."

"No, indeed," said Cynthia. "Somebody might accept you next time. Goodbye, you've cheered me up
verymuch."

And,withafinaluncontrollableburstofmerriment,shevanishedthroughthetrees.

Thinkingovertheinterview,itstruckmeasbeingprofoundlyunsatisfactory.Itoccurredtomesuddenly
thatIwouldgodowntothevillage,andlookupBauerstein.Somebodyoughttobekeepinganeyeon
the fellow. At the same time, it would be wise to allay any suspicions he might have as to his being
suspected.IrememberedhowPoirothadreliedonmydiplomacy.Accordingly,Iwenttothelittlehouse
withthe"Apartments"cardinsertedinthewindow,whereIknewhelodged,andtappedonthedoor.

Anoldwomancameandopenedit.

"Goodafternoon,"Isaidpleasantly."IsDr.Bauersteinin?"

Shestaredatme."Haven'tyouheard?"

"Heardwhat?"

"Abouthim."

"Whatabouthim?"

"He'stook."

"Took?Dead?"

"No,tookbytheperlice."

"Bythepolice!"Igasped."Doyoumeanthey'vearrestedhim?"

"Yes,that'sit,and-"

Iwaitedtohearnomore,buttoreupthevillagetofindPoirot.

10

TheArrest

Tomyextremeannoyance,Poirotwasnotin,andtheoldBelgianwhoansweredmyknockinformedme
thathebelievedhehadgonetoLondon.

Iwasdumbfounded.WhatonearthcouldPoirotbedoinginLondon!Wasitasuddendecisiononhis
part,orhadhealreadymadeuphismindwhenhepartedfrommeafewhoursearlier?

IretracedmystepstoStylesinsomeannoyance.WithPoirotaway,Iwasuncertainhowtoact.Hadhe
foreseen this arrest? Had he not, in all probability, been the cause of it? Those questions I could not
resolve.ButinthemeantimewhatwasItodo?ShouldIannouncethearrestopenlyatStyles,ornot?
ThoughIdidnotacknowledgeittomyself,thethoughtofMaryCavendishwasweighingonme.Would
itnotbeaterribleshocktoher?Forthemoment,Isetasideutterlyanysuspicionsofher.Shecouldnot
beimplicated-otherwiseIshouldhaveheardsomehintofit.

Of course, there was no possibility of being able permanently to conceal Dr. Bauerstein's arrest from
her. It would be announced in every newspaper on the morrow. Still, I shrank from blurting it out. If
onlyPoirothadbeenaccessible,Icouldhaveaskedhisadvice.Whatpossessedhimtogopostingoffto
Londoninthisunaccountableway?

Inspiteofmyself,myopinionofhissagacitywasimmeasurablyheightened.Iwouldneverhavedreamt
ofsuspectingthedoctor,hadnotPoirotputitintomyhead.Yes,decidedly,thelittlemanwasclever.

After some reflecting, I decided to take John into my confidence, and leave him to make the matter
publicornot,ashethoughtfit.

Hegaveventtoaprodigiouswhistle,asIimpartedthenews.

"GreatScot!Youwereright,then.Icouldn'tbelieveitatthetime."

"No,itisastonishinguntilyougetusedtotheidea,andseehowitmakeseverythingfitin.Now,what
arewetodo?Ofcourse,itwillbegenerallyknowntomorrow."

Johnreflected."Nevermind,"hesaidatlast,"wewon'tsayanythingatpresent.Thereisnoneed.As
yousay,itwillbeknownsoonenough."

But to my intense surprise, on getting down early the next morning, and eagerly opening the
newspapers, there was not a word about the arrest! There was a column of mere padding about "The
Styles Poisoning Case," but nothing further. It was rather inexplicable, but I supposed that, for some
reasonorother,Jappwishedtokeepitoutofthepapers.Itworriedmejustalittle,foritsuggestedthe
possibilitythattheremightbefurtherarreststocome.

After breakfast, I decided to go down to the village, and see if Poirot had returned yet; but, before I
couldstart,awell-knownfaceblockedoneofthewindows,andthewell-knownvoicesaid:"Bonjour,
monami!"

"Poirot,"Iexclaimed,withrelief,andseizinghimbybothhands,Idraggedhimintotheroom."Iwas
neversogladtoseeanyone.Listen,IhavesaidnothingtoanybodybutJohn.Isthatright?"

"Myfriend,"repliedPoirot,"Idonotknowwhatyouaretalkingabout."

"Dr.Bauerstein'sarrest,ofcourse,"Iansweredimpatiently.

"IsBauersteinarrested,then?"

"Didyounotknowit?"

"Nottheleastintheworld."But,pausingamoment,headded:"Still,itdoesnotsurpriseme.Afterall,
weareonlyfourmilesfromthecoast."

"Thecoast?"Iasked,puzzled."Whathasthatgottodowithit?"

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders."Surely,itisobvious!"

"Nottome.NodoubtIamverydense,butIcannotseewhattheproximityofthecoasthasgottodo
withthemurderofMrs.Inglethorp."

"Nothing at all, of course," replied Poirot, smiling. "But we were speaking of the arrest of Dr.
Bauerstein."

"Well,heisarrestedforthemurderofMrs.Inglethorp--"

"What?"criedPoirot,inapparentlylivelyastonishment."Dr.BauersteinarrestedforthemurderofMrs.
Inglethorp?"

"Yes."

"Impossible!Thatwouldbetoogoodafarce!Whotoldyouthat,myfriend?"

"Well,nooneexactlytoldme,"Iconfessed."Butheisarrested."

"Oh,yes,verylikely.Butforespionage,monami."

"Espionage?"Igasped.

"Precisely."

"NotforpoisoningMrs.Inglethorp?"

"NotunlessourfriendJapphastakenleaveofhissenses,"repliedPoirotplacidly.

"But-butIthoughtyouthoughtsotoo?"

Poirotgavemeonelook,whichconveyedawonderingpity,andhisfullsenseoftheutterabsurdityof
suchanidea.

"Doyoumeantosay,"Iasked,slowlyadaptingmyselftothenewidea,"thatDr.Bauersteinisaspy?"

Poirotnodded."Haveyouneversuspectedit?"

"Itneverenteredmyhead."

"ItdidnotstrikeyouaspeculiarthatafamousLondondoctorshouldburyhimselfinalittlevillagelike
this,andshouldbeinthehabitofwalkingaboutatallhoursofthenight,fullydressed?"

"No,"Iconfessed,"Ineverthoughtofsuchathing."

"Heis,ofcourse,aGermanbybirth,"saidPoirotthoughtfully,"thoughhehaspracticedsolonginthis
country that nobody thinks of him as anything but an Englishman. He was naturalized about fifteen
yearsago.Averycleverman-aJew,ofcourse."

"Theblackguard!"Icriedindignantly.

"Notatall.Heis,onthecontrary,apatriot.Thinkwhathestandstolose.Iadmirethemanmyself."

ButIcouldnotlookatitinPoirot'sphilosophicalway."AndthisisthemanwithwhomMrs.Cavendish
hasbeenwanderingaboutalloverthecountry!"Icriedindignantly.

"Yes.Ishouldfancyhehadfoundherveryuseful,"remarkedPoirot."Solongasgossipbusieditselfin
couplingtheirnamestogether,anyothervagariesofthedoctor'spassedunobserved."

"Thenyouthinkheneverreallycaredforher?"Iaskedeagerly-rathertooeagerly,perhaps,underthe
circumstances.

"That,ofcourse,Icannotsay,but-shallItellyoumyownprivateopinion,Hastings?"

"Yes."

"Well, it is this: that Mrs. Cavendish does not care, and never has cared one little jot about Dr.
Bauerstein!"

"Doyoureallythinkso?"Icouldnotdisguisemypleasure.

"Iamquitesureofit.AndIwilltellyouwhy."

"Yes?"

"Becauseshecaresforsomeoneelse,monami."

"Oh!"Whatdidhemean?Inspiteofmyself,anagreeablewarmthspreadoverme.Iamnotavainman
where women are concerned, but I remembered certain evidences, too lightly thought of at the time,
perhaps,butwhichcertainlyseemedtoindicate--

My pleasing thoughts were interrupted by the sudden entrance of Miss Howard. She glanced round
hastily to make sure there was no one else in the room, and quickly produced an old sheet of brown
paper.ThisshehandedtoPoirot,murmuringasshedidsothecrypticwords:"Ontopofthewardrobe."
Thenshehurriedlylefttheroom.

Poirotunfoldedthesheetofpapereagerly,andutteredanexclamationofsatisfaction.Hespreaditout
onthetable.

"Comehere,Hastings.Nowtellme,whatisthatinitial-J.orL.?"

Itwasamediumsizedsheetofpaper,ratherdusty,asthoughithadlainbyforsometime.Butitwasthe
labelthatwasattractingPoirot'sattention.Atthetop,itboretheprintedstampofMessrs.Parkson's,the
well-known theatrical costumiers, and it was addressed to " - (the debatable initial) Cavendish, Esq.,
StylesCourt,StylesSt.Mary,Essex."

"ItmightbeT.,oritmightbeL.,"Isaid,afterstudyingthethingforaminuteortwo."Itcertainlyisn'ta
J."

"Good," replied Poirot, folding up the paper again. "I, also, am of your way of thinking. It is an L.,
dependuponit!"

"Wherediditcomefrom?"Iaskedcuriously."Isitimportant?"

"Moderately so. It confirms a surmise of mine. Having deduced its existence, I set Miss Howard to
searchforit,and,asyousee,shehasbeensuccessful."

"Whatdidshemeanby'Onthetopofthewardrobe'?"

"Shemeant,"repliedPoirotpromptly,"thatshefounditontopofawardrobe."

"Afunnyplaceforapieceofbrownpaper,"Imused.

"Not at all. The top of a wardrobe is an excellent place for brown paper and cardboard boxes. I have
keptthemtheremyself.Neatlyarranged,thereisnothingtooffendtheeye."

"Poirot,"Iaskedearnestly,"haveyoumadeupyourmindaboutthiscrime?"

"Yes-thatistosay,IbelieveIknowhowitwascommitted."

"Ah!"

"Unfortunately,Ihavenoproofbeyondmysurmise,unless--"Withsuddenenergy,hecaughtmeby
thearm,andwhirledmedownthehall,callingoutinFrenchinhisexcitement:"MademoiselleDorcas,
MademoiselleDorcas,unmoment,s'ilvousplait!"

Dorcas,quiteflurriedbythenoise,camehurryingoutofthepantry.

"MygoodDorcas,Ihaveanidea-alittleidea-ifitshouldprovejustified,whatmagnificentchance!
Tell me, on Monday, not Tuesday, Dorcas, but Monday, the day before the tragedy, did anything go
wrongwithMrs.Inglethorp'sbell?"

Dorcaslookedverysurprised."Yes,sir,nowyoumentionit,itdid;thoughIdon'tknowhowyoucame
tohearofit.Amouse,orsomesuch,musthavenibbledthewirethrough.Themancameandputitright
onTuesdaymorning."

Withalongdrawnexclamationofecstasy,Poirotledthewaybacktothemorningroom.

"Seeyou,oneshouldnotaskforoutsideproof-no,reasonshouldbeenough.Butthefleshisweak,itis
consolation to find that one is on the right track. Ah, my friend, I am like a giant refreshed. I run! I
leap!"

And, in very truth, run and leap he did, gambolling wildly down the stretch of lawn outside the long
window.

"What is your remarkable little friend doing?" asked a voice behind me, and I turned to find Mary
Cavendishatmyelbow.Shesmiled,andsodidI."Whatisitallabout?"

"Really,Ican'ttellyou.HeaskedDorcassomequestionaboutabell,andappearedsodelightedwith
heranswerthatheiscaperingaboutasyousee!"

Marylaughed."Howridiculous!He'sgoingoutofthegate.Isn'thecomingbacktoday?"

"Idon'tknow.I'vegivenuptryingtoguesswhathe'lldonext."

"Ishequitemad,Mr.Hastings?"

"I honestly don't know. Sometimes, I feel sure he is as mad as a hatter; and then, just as he is at his
maddest,Ifindthereismethodinhismadness."

"Isee."

Inspiteofherlaugh,Marywaslookingthoughtfulthismorning.Sheseemedgrave,almostsad.

ItoccurredtomethatitwouldbeagoodopportunitytotackleheronthesubjectofCynthia.Ibegan
rathertactfully,Ithought,butIhadnotgonefarbeforeshestoppedmeauthoritatively.

"You are an excellent advocate, I have no doubt, Mr. Hastings, but in this case your talents are quite
thrownaway.Cynthiawillrunnoriskofencounteringanyunkindnessfromme."

IbegantostammerfeeblythatIhopedshehadn'tthought-Butagainshestoppedme,andherwords
weresounexpectedthattheyquitedroveCynthia,andhertroubles,outofmymind.

"Mr.Hastings,"shesaid,"doyouthinkIandmyhusbandarehappytogether?"

I was considerably taken aback, and murmured something about it not being my business to think
anythingofthesort.

"Well,"shesaidquietly,"whetheritisyourbusinessornot,Iwilltellyouthatwearenothappy."

Isaidnothing,forIsawthatshehadnotfinished.Shebeganslowly,walkingupanddowntheroom,
her head a little bent, and that slim, supple figure of hers swaying gently as she walked. She stopped
suddenly,andlookedupatme.

"You don't know anything about me, do you?" she asked. "Where I come from, who I was before I
married John - anything, in fact? Well, I will tell you. I will make a father confessor of you. You are
kind,Ithink-yes,Iamsureyouarekind."

Somehow, I was not quite as elated as I might have been. I remembered that Cynthia had begun her
confidencesinmuchthesameway.Besides,afatherconfessorshouldbeelderly,itisnotatalltherole
forayoungman.

"MyfatherwasEnglish,"saidMrs.Cavendish,"butmymotherwasaRussian."

"Ah,"Isaid,"nowIunderstand-"

"Understandwhat?"

"Ahintofsomethingforeign-different-thattherehasalwaysbeenaboutyou."

"Mymotherwasverybeautiful,Ibelieve.Idon'tknow,becauseIneversawher.ShediedwhenIwas
quitealittlechild.Ibelievetherewassometragedyconnectedwithherdeath-shetookanoverdoseof
some sleeping draught by mistake. However that may be, my father was broken-hearted. Shortly
afterwards, he went into the Consular Service. Everywhere he went, I went with him. When I was
twenty-three,Ihadbeennearlyallovertheworld.Itwasasplendidlife-Ilovedit."

There was a smile on her face, and her head was thrown back. She seemed living in the memory of
thoseoldgladdays.

"Thenmyfatherdied.Heleftmeverybadlyoff.IhadtogoandlivewithsomeoldauntsinYorkshire."
Sheshuddered."YouwillunderstandmewhenIsaythatitwasadeadlylifeforagirlbroughtupasI
hadbeen.Thenarrowness,thedeadlymonotonyofit,almostdrovememad."Shepausedaminute,and
addedinadifferenttone:"AndthenImetJohnCavendish."

"Yes?"

"You can imagine that, from my aunts' point of view, it was a very good match for me. But I can
honestlysayitwasnotthisfactwhichweighedwithme.No,hewassimplyawayofescapefromthe
insufferablemonotonyofmylife."

Isaidnothing,andafteramoment,shewenton:"Don'tmisunderstandme.Iwasquitehonestwithhim.
Itoldhim,whatwastrue,thatIlikedhimverymuch,thatIhopedtocometolikehimmore,butthatI
wasnotinanywaywhattheworldcalls'inlove'withhim.Hedeclaredthatthatsatisfiedhim,andso-
weweremarried."

She waited a long time, a little frown had gathered on her forehead. She seemed to be looking back
earnestlyintothosepastdays.

"Ithink-Iamsure-hecaredformeatfirst.ButIsupposewewerenotwellmatched.Almostatonce,
wedriftedapart.He-itisnotapleasingthingformypride,butitisthetruth-tiredofmeverysoon."I
musthavemadesomemurmurofdissent,forshewentonquickly:"Oh,yes,hedid!Notthatitmatters
now-nowthatwe'vecometothepartingoftheways."

"Whatdoyoumean?"

Sheansweredquietly:"ImeanthatIamnotgoingtoremainatStyles."

"YouandJohnarenotgoingtolivehere?"

"Johnmaylivehere,butIshallnot."

"Youaregoingtoleavehim?"

"Yes."

"Butwhy?"

Shepausedalongtime,andsaidatlast:"Perhaps-becauseIwanttobe-free!"

And,asshespoke,Ihadasuddenvisionofbroadspaces,virgintractsofforests,untroddenlands-and
arealizationofwhatfreedomwouldmeantosuchanatureasMaryCavendish.Iseemedtoseeherfora
momentasshewas,aproudwildcreature,asuntamedbycivilizationassomeshybirdofthehills.A

littlecrybrokefromherlips:"Youdon'tknow,youdon'tknow,howthishatefulplacehasbeenprison
tome!"

"Iunderstand,"Isaid,"but-butdon'tdoanythingrash."

"Oh,rash!"Hervoicemockedatmyprudence.

ThensuddenlyIsaidathingIcouldhavebittenoutmytonguefor:"YouknowthatDr.Bauersteinhas
beenarrested?"

Aninstantcoldnesspassedlikeamaskoverherface,blottingoutallexpression.

"Johnwassokindastobreakthattomethismorning."

"Well,whatdoyouthink?"Iaskedfeebly.

"Ofwhat?"

"Ofthearrest?"

"WhatshouldIthink?ApparentlyheisaGermanspy;sothegardenerhadtoldJohn."

Herfaceandvoicewereabsolutelycoldandexpressionless.Didshecare,ordidshenot?Shemoved
awayasteportwo,andfingeredoneoftheflowervases."Thesearequitedead.Imustdothemagain.
Would you mind moving - thank you, Mr. Hastings." And she walked quietly past me out of the
window,withacoollittlenodofdismissal.

No,surelyshecouldnotcareforBauerstein.Nowomancouldactherpartwiththaticyunconcern.

Poirotdidnotmakehisappearancethefollowingmorning,andtherewasnosignoftheScotlandYard
men.

But,atlunchtime,therearrivedanewpieceofevidence-orratherlackofevidence.Wehadvainlytried
to trace the fourth letter, which Mrs. Inglethorp had written on the evening preceding her death. Our
effortshavingbeeninvain,wehadabandonedthematter,hopingthatitmightturnupofitselfoneday.
And this is just what did happen, in the shape of a communication, which arrived by the second post
from a firm of French music publishers, acknowledging Mrs. Inglethorp's cheque, and regretting they
hadbeenunabletotraceacertainseriesofRussianfolksongs.Sothelasthopeofsolvingthemystery,
bymeansofMrs.Inglethorp'scorrespondenceonthefatalevening,hadtobeabandoned.

Justbeforetea,IstrolleddowntotellPoirotofthenewdisappointment,butfound,tomyannoyance,
thathewasoncemoreout.

"GonetoLondonagain?"

"Oh,no,monsieur,hehasbuttakenthetraintoTadminster.'Toseeayounglady'sdispensary,'hesaid."

"Sillyass!"Iejaculated."ItoldhimWednesdaywastheonedayshewasn'tthere!Well,tellhimtolook
usuptomorrowmorning,willyou?"

"Certainly,monsieur."

But,onthefollowingday,nosignofPoirot.Iwasgettingangry.Hewasreallytreatingusinthemost

cavalierfashion.

Afterlunch,Lawrencedrewmeaside,andaskedifIwasgoingdowntoseehim.

"No,Idon'tthinkIshall.Hecancomeuphereifhewantstoseeus."

"Oh!"Lawrencelookedindeterminate.Somethingunusuallynervousandexcitedinhismannerroused
mycuriosity.

"Whatisit?"Iasked."Icouldgoifthere'sanythingspecial."

"It'snothingmuch,but-well,ifyouaregoing,willyoutellhim-"hedroppedhisvoicetoawhisper-
"IthinkI'vefoundtheextracoffeecup!"

IhadalmostforgottenthatenigmaticalmessageofPoirot's,butnowmycuriositywasarousedafresh.
Lawrencewouldsaynomore,soIdecidedthatIwoulddescendfrommyhighhorse,andoncemore
seekoutPoirotatLeastwaysCottage.

This time I was received with a smile. Monsieur Poirot was within. Would I mount? I mounted
accordingly.

Poirotwassittingbythetable,hisheadburiedinhishands.Hesprangupatmyentrance.

"Whatisit?"Iaskedsolicitously."Youarenotill,Itrust?"

"No,no,notill.ButIdecideanaffairofgreatmoment."

"Whethertocatchthecriminalornot?"Iaskedfacetiously.

But, to my great surprise, Poirot nodded gravely. "'To speak or not to speak,' as your so great
Shakespearesays,'thatisthequestion.'"

Ididnottroubletocorrectthequotation."Youarenotserious,Poirot?"

"Iamofthemostserious.Forthemostseriousofallthingshangsinthebalance."

"Andthatis?"

"Awoman'shappiness,monami,"hesaidgravely.

Ididnotquiteknowwhattosay.

"Themomenthascome,"saidPoirotthoughtfully,"andIdonotknowwhattodo.For,seeyou,itisa
big stake for which I play. No one but I, Hercule Poirot, would attempt it!" And he tapped himself
proudlyonthebreast.

Afterpausingafewminutesrespectfully,soasnottospoilhiseffect,IgavehimLawrence'smessage.

"Aha!" he cried. "So he has found the extra coffee cup. That is good. He has more intelligence than
wouldappear,thislong-facedMonsieurLawrenceofyours!"

I did not myself think very highly of Lawrence's intelligence; but I forbore to contradict Poirot, and
gentlytookhimtotaskforforgettingmyinstructionsastowhichwereCynthia'sdaysoff.

"Itistrue.Ihavetheheadofasieve.However,theotheryoungladywasmostkind.Shewassorryfor
mydisappointment,andshowedmeeverythinginthekindestway."

"Oh,well,that'sallright,then,andyoumustgototeawithCynthiaanotherday."

Itoldhimabouttheletter.

"Iamsorryforthat,"hesaid."Ialwayshadhopesofthatletter.Butno,itwasnottobe.Thisaffairmust
allbeunravelledfromwithin."Hetappedhisforehead."Theselittlegreycells.Itis'uptothem'-asyou
sayoverhere."Then,suddenly,heasked:"Areyouajudgeoffinger-marks,myfriend?"

"No,"Isaid,rathersurprised,"Iknowthattherearenotwofinger-marksalike,butthat'sasfarasmy
sciencegoes."

"Exactly."

He unlocked a little drawer, and took out some photographs which he laid on the table. "I have
numberedthem,1,2,3.Willyoudescribethemtome?"

I studied the proofs attentively. "All greatly magnified, I see. No. 1, I should say, are a man's
fingerprints; thumb and first finger. No. 2 are a lady's; they are much smaller, and quite different in
everyway.No.3"-Ipausedforsometime-"thereseemtobealotofconfusedfinger-marks,buthere,
verydistinctly,areNo.1's."

"Overlappingtheothers?"

"Yes."

"Yourecognizethembeyondfail?"

"Oh,yes;theyareidentical."

Poirotnodded,andgentlytakingthephotographsfrommelockedthemupagain.

"Isuppose,"Isaid,"thatasusual,youarenotgoingtoexplain?"

"Onthecontrary.No.1werethefingerprintsofMonsieurLawrence.No.2werethoseofMademoiselle
Cynthia. They are not important. I merely obtained them for comparison. No. 3 is a little more
complicated."

"Yes?"

"Itis,asyousee,highlymagnified.Youmayhavenoticedasortofblurextendingallacrossthepicture.
Iwillnotdescribetoyouthespecialapparatus,dustingpowder,etc.,whichIused.Itisawell-known
processtothepolice,andbymeansofityoucanobtainaphotographofthefingerprintsofanyobjectin
averyshortspaceoftime.Well,myfriend,youhaveseenthefinger-marks-itremainstotellyouthe
particularobjectonwhichtheyhadbeenleft."

"Goon-Iamreallyexcited."

"Eh bien! Photo No. 3 represents the highly magnified surface of a tiny bottle in the top poison
cupboardofthedispensaryintheRedCrossHospitalatTadminster-whichsoundslikethehousethat

Jackbuilt!"

"Good heavens!" I exclaimed. "But what were Lawrence Cavendish's finger-marks doing on it? He
neverwentnearthepoisoncupboardthedaywewerethere!"

"Oh,yes,hedid!"

"Impossible!Wewerealltogetherthewholetime."

Poirotshookhishead."No,myfriend,therewasamomentwhenyouwerenotalltogether.Therewasa
moment when you could not have been all together, or it would not have been necessary to call to
MonsieurLawrencetocomeandjoinyouonthebalcony."

"I'dforgottenthat,"Iadmitted."Butitwasonlyforamoment."

"Longenough."

"Longenoughforwhat?"

Poirot's smile became rather enigmatical. "Long enough for a gentleman who had once studied
medicinetogratifyaverynaturalinterestandcuriosity."

Our eyes met. Poirot's were pleasantly vague. He got up and hummed a little tune. I watched him
suspiciously.

"Poirot,"Isaid,"whatwasinthisparticularlittlebottle?"

Poirotlookedoutofthewindow."Hydrochlorideofstrychnine,"hesaid,overhisshoulder,continuing
tohum.

"Goodheavens!"Isaiditquitequietly.Iwasnotsurprised.Ihadexpectedthatanswer.

"Theyusethepurehydrochlorideofstrychnineverylittle-onlyoccasionallyforpills.Itistheofficial
solution,Liq.StrychnineHydroclorthatisusedinmostmedicines.Thatiswhythefinger-markshave
remainedundisturbedsincethen."

"Howdidyoumanagetotakethisphotograph?"

"I dropped my hat from the balcony," explained Poirot simply. "Visitors were not permitted below at
that hour, so, in spite of my many apologies, Mademoiselle Cynthia's colleague had to go down and
fetchitforme."

"Thenyouknewwhatyouweregoingtofind?"

"No,notatall.Imerelyrealizedthatitwaspossible,fromyourstory,forMonsieurLawrencetogoto
thepoisoncupboard.Thepossibilityhadtobeconfirmed,oreliminated."

"Poirot,"Isaid,"yourgaietydoesnotdeceiveme.Thisisaveryimportantdiscovery."

"Idonotknow,"saidPoirot."Butonethingdoesstrikeme.Nodoubtithasstruckyoutoo."

"Whatisthat?"

"Why, that there is altogether too much strychnine about this case. This is the third time we run up
against it. There was strychnine in Mrs. Inglethorp's tonic. There is the strychnine sold across the
counteratStylesSt.MarybyMace.Nowwehavemorestrychnine,handledbyoneofthehousehold.It
isconfusing;and,asyouknow,Idonotlikeconfusion."

BeforeIcouldreply,oneoftheotherBelgiansopenedthedoorandstuckhisheadin."Thereisalady
below,askingforMrHastings."

"Alady?"Ijumpedup.Poirotfollowedmedownthenarrowstairs.MaryCavendishwasstandinginthe
doorway.

"Ihavebeenvisitinganoldwomaninthevillage,"sheexplained,"andasLawrencetoldmeyouwere
withMonsieurPoirotIthoughtIwouldcallforyou."

"Alas,madame,"saidPoirot,"Ithoughtyouhadcometohonourmewithavisit!"

"Iwillsomeday,ifyouaskme,"shepromisedhim,smiling.

"Thatiswell.Ifyoushouldneedafatherconfessor,madame"-shestartedeversoslightly-"remember,
PapaPoirotisalwaysatyourservice."

She stared at him for a few minutes, as though seeking to read some deeper meaning into his words.
Thensheturnedabruptlyaway."Come,willyounotwalkbackwithustoo,MonsieurPoirot?"

"Enchanted,madame."

AllthewaytoStyles,Marytalkedfastandfeverishly.Itstruckmethatinsomewayshewasnervousof
Poirot'seyes.

Theweatherhadbroken,andthesharpwindwasalmostautumnalinitsshrewishness.Maryshivereda
little,andbuttonedherblacksportscoatcloser.Thewindthroughthetreesmadeamournfulnoise,like
somegreatgiantsighing.

We walked up to the great door of Styles, and at once the knowledge came to us that something was
wrong.

Dorcas came running out to meet us. She was crying and wringing her hands. I was aware of other
servantshuddledtogetherinthebackground,alleyesandears.

"Oh,ma'am!Oh,ma'am!Idon'tknowhowtotellyou-"

"Whatisit,Dorcas?"Iaskedimpatiently."Tellusatonce."

"It'sthosewickeddetectives.They'vearrestedhim-they'vearrestedMr.Cavendish!"

"ArrestedLawrence?"Igasped.

IsawastrangelookcomeintoDorcas'seyes."No,sir.NotMr.Lawrence-Mr.John."

Behindme,withawildcry,MaryCavendishfellheavilyagainstme,andasIturnedtocatchherImet
thequiettriumphinPoirot'seyes.

11

TheCasefortheProsecution

ThetrialofJohnCavendishforthemurderofhisstepmothertookplacetwomonthslater.

Of the intervening weeks I will say little, but my admiration and sympathy went out unfeignedly to
MaryCavendish.Sherangedherselfpassionatelyonherhusband'sside,scorningthemereideaofhis
guilt,andfoughtforhimtoothandnail.

IexpressedmyadmirationtoPoirot,andhenoddedthoughtfully.

"Yes,sheisofthosewomenwhoshowattheirbestinadversity.Itbringsoutallthatissweetestand
truestinthem.Herprideandherjealousyhave-"

"Jealousy?"Iqueried.

"Yes. Have you not realized that she is an unusually jealous woman? As I was saying, her pride and
jealousy have been laid aside. She thinks of nothing but her husband, and the terrible fate that is
hangingoverhim."

Hespokeveryfeelingly,andIlookedathimearnestly,rememberingthatlastafternoon,whenhehad
been deliberating whether or not to speak. With his tenderness for "a woman's happiness," I felt glad
thatthedecisionhadbeentakenoutofhishands.

"Even now," I said, "I can hardly believe it. You see, up to the very last minute, I thought it was
Lawrence!"

Poirotgrinned."Iknowyoudid."

"ButJohn!MyoldfriendJohn!"

"Everymurdererisprobablysomebody'soldfriend,"observedPoirotphilosophically."Youcannotmix
upsentimentandreason."

"ImustsayIthinkyoumighthavegivenmeahint."

"Perhaps,monami,Ididnotdoso,justbecausehewasyouroldfriend."

Iwasratherdisconcertedbythis,rememberinghowIhadbusilypassedontoJohnwhatIbelievedtobe
Poirot'sviewsconcerningBauerstein.He,bytheway,hadbeenacquittedofthechargebroughtagainst

him. Nevertheless, although he had been too clever for them this time, and the charge of espionage
couldnotbebroughthometohim,hiswingswereprettywellclippedforthefuture.

IaskedPoirotwhetherhethoughtJohnwouldbecondemned.Tomyintensesurprise,herepliedthat,on
thecontrary,hewasextremelylikelytobeacquitted.

"But,Poirot-"Iprotested.

"Oh,myfriend,haveInotsaidtoyouallalongthatIhavenoproofs.Itisonethingtoknowthataman
is guilty, it is quite another matter to prove him so. And, in this case, there is terribly little evidence.
Thatisthewholetrouble.I,HerculePoirot,know,butIlackthelastlinkinmychain.AndunlessIcan
findthatmissinglink-"Heshookhisheadgravely.

"WhendidyoufirstsuspectJohnCavendish?"Iasked,afteraminuteortwo.

"Didyounotsuspecthimatall?"

"No,indeed."

"NotafterthatfragmentofconversationyouoverheardbetweenMrs.Cavendishandhermother-in-law,
andhersubsequentlackoffranknessattheinquest?"

"No."

"Did you not put two and two together, and reflect that if it was not Alfred Inglethorp who was
quarrellingwithhiswife-andyouremember,hestrenuouslydenieditattheinquest-itmustbeeither
LawrenceorJohn.Now,ifitwasLawrence,MaryCavendish'sconductwasjustasinexplicable.Butif,
ontheotherhand,itwasJohn,thewholethingwasexplainedquitenaturally."

"So,"Icried,alightbreakinginuponme,"itwasJohnwhoquarrelledwithhismotherthatafternoon?"

"Exactly."

"Andyouhaveknownthisallalong?"

"Certainly.Mrs.Cavendish'sbehaviourcouldonlybeexplainedthatway."

"Andyetyousayhemaybeacquitted?"

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders."CertainlyIdo.Atthepolicecourtproceedings,weshallhearthecase
fortheprosecution,butinallprobabilityhissolicitorswilladvisehimtoreservehisdefence.Thatwill
besprunguponusatthetrial.And-ah,bytheway,Ihaveawordofcautiontogiveyou,myfriend.I
mustnotappearinthecase."

"What?"

"No.Officially,Ihavenothingtodowithit.UntilIhavefoundthatlastlinkinmychain,Imustremain
behindthescenes.Mrs.CavendishmustthinkIamworkingforherhusband,notagainsthim."

"Isay,that'splayingitabitlowdown,"Iprotested.

"Notatall.Wehavetodealwithamostcleverandunscrupulousman,andwemustuseanymeansin
ourpower-otherwisehewillslipthroughourfingers.ThatiswhyIhavebeencarefultoremaininthe
background.AllthediscoverieshavebeenmadebyJapp,andJappwilltakeallthecredit.IfIamcalled
upontogiveevidenceatall"-hesmiledbroadly-"itwillprobablybeasawitnessforthedefence."

Icouldhardlybelievemyears.

"Itisquiteenregle,"continuedPoirot."Strangelyenough,Icangiveevidencethatwilldemolishone
contentionoftheprosecution."

"Whichone?"

"Theonethatrelatestothedestructionofthewill.JohnCavendishdidnotdestroythatwill."

Poirot was a true prophet. I will not go into the details of the police court proceedings, as it involves
manytiresomerepetitions.IwillmerelystatebaldlythatJohnCavendishreservedhisdefence,andwas
dulycommittedfortrial.

September found us all in London. Mary took a house in Kensington, Poirot being included in the
familyparty.

ImyselfhadbeengivenajobattheWarOffice,sowasabletoseethemcontinually.

As the weeks went by, the state of Poirot's nerves grew worse and worse. That "last link" he talked
about was still lacking. Privately, I hoped it might remain so, for what happiness could there be for
Mary,ifJohnwerenotacquitted?

On September 15 John Cavendish appeared in the dock at the Old Bailey, charged with "The Wilful
MurderofEmilyAgnesInglethorp,"andpleaded"NotGuilty."

SirErnestHeavywether,thefamousK.C.,hadbeenengagedtodefendhim.

Mr.Philips,K.C.,openedthecasefortheCrown.

Themurder,hesaid,wasamostpremeditatedandcold-bloodedone.Itwasneithermorenorlessthan
thedeliberatepoisoningofafondandtrustingwomanbythestepsontowhomshehadbeenmorethana
mother. Ever since his boyhood, she had supported him. He and his wife had lived at Styles Court in
everyluxury,surroundedbyhercareandattention.Shehadbeentheirkindandgenerousbenefactress.

Heproposedtocallwitnessestoshowhowtheprisoner,aprofligateandspendthrift,hadbeenattheend
of his financial tether, and had also been carrying on an intrigue with a certain Mrs. Raikes, a
neighbouring farmer's wife. This having come to his stepmother's ears, she taxed him with it on the
afternoonbeforeherdeath,andaquarrelensued,partofwhichwasoverheard.Onthepreviousday,the
prisonerhadpurchasedstrychnineatthevillagechemist'sshop,wearingadisguisebymeansofwhich
hehopedtothrowtheonusofthecrimeuponanotherman-towit,Mrs.Inglethorp'shusband,ofwhom
hehadbeenbitterlyjealous.LuckilyforMr.Inglethorp,hehadbeenabletoproduceanunimpeachable
alibi.

On the afternoon of July 17, continued the Counsel, immediately after the quarrel with her son, Mrs.

Inglethorpmadeanewwill.Thiswillwasfounddestroyedinthegrateofherbedroomthefollowing
morning, but evidence had come to light which showed that it had been drawn up in favour of her
husband. Deceased had already made a will in his favour before her marriage, but - and Mr. Philips
waggedanexpressiveforefinger-theprisonerwasnotawareofthat.Whathadinducedthedeceasedto
make a fresh will, with the old one still extant, he could not say. She was an old lady, and might
possiblyhaveforgottentheformerone;or-thisseemedtohimmorelikely-shemayhavehadanidea
thatitwasrevokedbyhermarriage,astherehadbeensomeconversationonthesubject.Ladieswere
notalwaysverywellversedinlegalknowledge.Shehad,aboutayearbefore,executedawillinfavour
of the prisoner. He would call evidence to show that it was the prisoner who ultimately handed his
stepmotherhercoffeeonthefatalnight.Laterintheevening,hehadsoughtadmissiontoherroom,on
which occasion, no doubt, he found an opportunity of destroying the will which, as far as he knew,
wouldrendertheoneinhisfavourvalid.

The prisoner had been arrested in consequence of the discovery, in his room, by Detective Inspector
Japp - a most brilliant officer - of the identical phial of strychnine which had been sold at the village
chemist'stothesupposedMr.Inglethorponthedaybeforethemurder.Itwouldbeforthejurytodecide
whetherornotthesedamningfactsconstitutedanoverwhelmingproofoftheprisoner'sguilt.

And,subtlyimplyingthatajurywhichdidnotsodecide,wasquiteunthinkable,Mr.Philipssatdown
andwipedhisforehead.

The first witnesses for the prosecution were mostly those who had been called at the inquest, the
medicalevidencebeingagaintakenfirst.

Sir Ernest Heavywether, who was famous all over England for the unscrupulous manner in which he
bulliedwitnesses,onlyaskedtwoquestions.

"Itakeit,Dr.Bauerstein,thatstrychnine,asadrug,actsquickly?"

"Yes."

"Andthatyouareunabletoaccountforthedelayinthiscase?"

"Yes."

"Thankyou."

Mr.MaceidentifiedthephialhandedhimbyCounselasthatsoldbyhimto"Mr.Inglethorp."Pressed,
headmittedthatheonlyknewMr.Inglethorpbysight.Hehadneverspokentohim.Thewitnesswas
notcross-examined.

AlfredInglethorpwascalled,anddeniedhavingpurchasedthepoison.Healsodeniedhavingquarrelled
withhiswife.Variouswitnessestestifiedtotheaccuracyofthesestatements.

Thegardeners'evidence,astothewitnessingofthewillwastaken,andthenDorcaswascalled.

Dorcas,faithfultoher"younggentlemen,"deniedstrenuouslythatitcouldhavebeenJohn'svoiceshe
heard,andresolutelydeclared,intheteethofeverything,thatitwasMr.Inglethorpwhohadbeeninthe
boudoirwithhermistress.Aratherwistfulsmilepassedacrossthefaceoftheprisonerinthedock.He
knewonlytoowellhowuselesshergallantdefiancewas,sinceitwasnottheobjectofthedefenceto
deny this point. Mrs. Cavendish, of course, could not be called upon to give evidence against her

husband.

After various questions on other matters, Mr. Philips asked: "In the month of June last, do you
rememberaparcelarrivingforMr.LawrenceCavendishfromParkson's?"

Dorcas shook her head. "I don't remember, sir. It may have done, but Mr. Lawrence was away from
homepartofJune."

"Intheeventofaparcelarrivingforhimwhilsthewasaway,whatwouldbedonewithit?"

"Itwouldeitherbeputinhisroomorsentonafterhim."

"Byyou?"

"No,sir,Ishouldleaveitonthehalltable.ItwouldbeMissHowardwhowouldattendtoanythinglike
that."

EvelynHowardwascalledand,afterbeingexaminedonotherpoints,wasquestionedastotheparcel.

"Don'tremember.Lotsofparcelscome.Can'trememberonespecialone."

"YoudonotknowifitwassentafterMr.LawrenceCavendishtoWales,orwhetheritwasputinhis
room?"

"Don'tthinkitwassentafterhim.Shouldhaveremembereditifitwas."

"Supposing a parcel arrived addressed to Mr. Lawrence Cavendish, and afterwards it disappeared,
shouldyouremarkitsabsence?"

"No,don'tthinkso.Ishouldthinksomeonehadtakenchargeofit."

"Ibelieve,MissHoward,thatitwasyouwhofoundthissheetofbrownpaper?"Heheldupthesame
dustypiecewhichPoirotandIhadexaminedinthemorningroomatStyles.

"Yes,Idid."

"Howdidyoucometolookforit?"

"TheBelgiandetectivewhowasemployedonthecaseaskedmetosearchforit."

"Wheredidyoueventuallydiscoverit?"

"Onthetopof-of-awardrobe."

"Ontopoftheprisoner'swardrobe?"

"I-Ibelieveso."

"Didyounotfindityourself?"

"Yes."

"Thenyoumustknowwhereyoufoundit?"

"Yes,itwasontheprisoner'swardrobe."

"Thatisbetter."

AnassistantfromParkson's,TheatricalCostumiers,testifiedthatonJune29,theyhadsuppliedablack
beardtoMr.L.Cavendish,asrequested.Itwasorderedbyletter,andapostalorderwasenclosed.No,
they had not kept the letter. All transactions were entered in their books. They had sent the beard, as
directed,to"L.Cavendish,Esq.,StylesCourt."

SirErnestHeavywetherroseponderously."Wherewastheletterwrittenfrom?"

"FromStylesCourt."

"Thesameaddresstowhichyousenttheparcel?"

"Yes."

"Andthelettercamefromthere?"

"Yes."

Likeabeastofprey,Heavywetherfelluponhim:"Howdoyouknow?"

"I-Idon'tunderstand."

"HowdoyouknowthatlettercamefromStyles?Didyounoticethepostmark?"

"No-but-"

"Ah, you did not notice the postmark! And yet you affirm so confidently that it came from Styles. It
might,infact,havebeenanypostmark?"

"Y-es."

"Infact,theletter,thoughwrittenonstampednotepaper,mighthavebeenpostedfromanywhere?From
Wales,forinstance?"

Thewitnessadmittedthatsuchmightbethecase,andSirErnestsignifiedthathewassatisfied.

ElizabethWells,secondhousemaidatStyles,statedthataftershehadgonetobedsherememberedthat
shehadboltedthefrontdoor,insteadofleavingitonthelatchasMr.Inglethorphadrequested.Shehad
accordinglygonedownstairsagaintorectifyhererror.HearingaslightnoiseintheWestwing,shehad
peepedalongthepassage,andhadseenMr.JohnCavendishknockingatMrs.Inglethorp'sdoor.

Sir Ernest Heavywether made short work of her, and under his unmerciful bullying she contradicted
herselfhopelessly,andSirErnestsatdownagainwithasatisfiedsmileonhisface.

WiththeevidenceofAnnie,astothecandlegreaseonthefloor,andastoseeingtheprisonertakethe
coffeeintotheboudoir,theproceedingswereadjourneduntilthefollowingday.

Aswewenthome,MaryCavendishspokebitterlyagainsttheprosecutingcounsel.

"Thathatefulman!WhatanethehasdrawnaroundmypoorJohn!Howhetwistedeverylittlefactuntil

hemadeitseemwhatitwasn't!"

"Well,"Isaidconsolingly,"itwillbetheotherwayabouttomorrow."

"Yes,"shesaidmeditatively;thensuddenlydroppedhervoice."Mr.Hastings,youdonotthink-surely
itcouldnothavebeenLawrence-Oh,no,thatcouldnotbe!"

ButImyselfwaspuzzled,andassoonasIwasalonewithPoirotIaskedhimwhathethoughtSirErnest
wasdrivingat.

"Ah!"saidPoirotappreciatively."Heisacleverman,thatSirErnest."

"DoyouthinkhebelievesLawrenceguilty?"

"Idonotthinkhebelievesorcaresanything!No,whatheistryingforistocreatesuchconfusioninthe
mindsofthejurythattheyaredividedintheiropinionastowhichbrotherdidit.Heisendeavouringto
makeoutthatthereisquiteasmuchevidenceagainstLawrenceasagainstJohn-andIamnotatallsure
thathewillnotsucceed."

Detective-InspectorJappwasthefirstwitnesscalledwhenthetrialwasreopened,andgavehisevidence
succinctlyandbriefly.Afterrelatingtheearlierevents,heproceeded:"Actingoninformationreceived,
Superintendent Summerhaye and myself searched the prisoner's room, during his temporary absence
fromthehouse.Inhischestofdrawers,hiddenbeneathsomeunderclothing,wefound:first,apairof
gold-rimmedpince-nezsimilartothosewornbyMr.Inglethorp"-thesewereexhibited-"secondly,this
phial."

Thephialwasthatalreadyrecognizedbythechemist'sassistant,atinybottleofblueglass,containinga
fewgrainsofawhitecrystallinepowder,andlabelled:"StrychnineHydrochloride.POISON."

Afreshpieceofevidencediscoveredbythedetectivessincethepolicecourtproceedingswasalong,
almostnewpieceofblottingpaper.IthadbeenfoundinMrs.Inglethorp'schequebook,andonbeing
reversed at a mirror, showed clearly the words: ". . . erything of which I die possessed I leave to my
belovedhusbandAlfredIng..."Thisplacedbeyondquestionthefactthatthedestroyedwillhadbeen
infavourofthedeceasedlady'shusband.Jappthenproducedthecharredfragmentofpaperrecovered
fromthegrate,andthis,withthediscoveryofthebeardintheattic,completedhisevidence.

ButSirErnest'scross-examinationwasyettocome.

"Whatdaywasitwhenyousearchedtheprisoner'sroom?"

"Tuesday,the24ofJuly."

"Exactlyaweekafterthetragedy?"

"Yes."

"Youfoundthesetwoobjects,yousay,inthechestofdrawers.Wasthedrawerunlocked?"

"Yes."

"Doesitnotstrikeyouasunlikelythatamanwhohadcommittedacrimeshouldkeeptheevidenceofit
inanunlockeddrawerforanyonetofind?"

"Hemighthavestowedthemthereinahurry."

"Butyouhavejustsaiditwasawholeweeksincethecrime.Hewouldhavehadampletimetoremove
themanddestroythem."

"Perhaps."

"Thereisnoperhapsaboutit.Wouldhe,orwouldhenothavehadplentyoftimetoremoveanddestroy
them?"

"Yes."

"Wasthepileofunderclothesunderwhichthethingswerehiddenheavyorlight?"

"Heavyish."

"Inotherwords,itwaswinterunderclothing.Obviously,theprisonerwouldnotbelikelytogotothat
drawer?"

"Perhapsnot."

"Kindlyanswermyquestion.Wouldtheprisoner,inthehottestweekofahotsummer,belikelytogoto
adrawercontainingwinterunderclothing.Yes,orno?"

"No."

"Inthatcase,isitnotpossiblethatthearticlesinquestionmighthavebeenputtherebyathirdperson,
andthattheprisonerwasquiteunawareoftheirpresence?"

"Ishouldnotthinkitlikely."

"Butitispossible?"

"Yes."

"Thatisall."

More evidence followed. Evidence as to the financial difficulties in which the prisoner had found
himselfattheendofJuly.EvidenceastohisintriguewithMrs.Raikes-poorMary,thatmusthavebeen
bitter hearing for a woman of her pride. Evelyn Howard had been right in her facts, though her
animosity against Alfred Inglethorp had caused her to jump to the conclusion that he was the person
concerned.

LawrenceCavendishwasthenputintothebox.Inalowvoice,inanswertoMr.Philips'questions,he
deniedhavingorderedanythingfromParkson'sinJune.Infact,onJune29,hehadbeenstayingaway,
inWales.

Instantly,SirErnest'schinwasshootingpugnaciouslyforward."Youdenyhavingorderedablackbeard
fromParkson'sonJune29?"

"Ido."

"Ah!Intheeventofanythinghappeningtoyourbrother,whowillinheritStylesCourt?"

The brutality of the question called a flush to Lawrence's pale face. The judge gave vent to a faint
murmurofdisapprobation,andtheprisonerinthedockleantforwardangrily.

Heavywethercarednothingforhisclient'sanger."Answermyquestion,ifyouplease."

"Isuppose,"saidLawrencequietly,"thatIshould."

"What do you mean by you 'suppose'? Your brother has no children. You would inherit it, wouldn't
you?"

"Yes."

"Ah,that'sbetter,"saidHeavywether,withferociousgeniality."Andyou'dinheritagoodsliceofmoney
too,wouldn'tyou?"

"Really,SirErnest,"protestedthejudge,"thesequestionsarenotrelevant."

SirErnestbowed,andhavingshothisarrowproceeded.

"On Tuesday, the 17 July, you went, I believe, with another guest, to visit the dispensary at the Red
CrossHospitalinTadminster?"

"Yes."

"Did you - while you happened to be alone for a few seconds - unlock the poison cupboard, and
examinesomeofthebottles?"

"I-I-mayhavedoneso."

"Iputittoyouthatyoudiddoso?"

"Yes."

SirErnestfairlyshotthenextquestionathim."Didyouexamineonebottleinparticular?"

"No,Idonotthinkso."

"Becareful,Mr.Cavendish.IamreferringtoalittlebottleofHydrochlorideofStrychnine."

Lawrencewasturningasicklygreenishcolour."N-o-IamsureIdidn't."

"Thenhow do youaccount for thefact that you leftthe unmistakable impressof your fingerprints on
it?"

Thebullyingmannerwashighlyefficaciouswithanervousdisposition.

"I-IsupposeImusthavetakenupthebottle."

"Isupposesotoo!Didyouabstractanyofthecontentsofthebottle?"

"Certainlynot."

"Thenwhydidyoutakeitup?"

"Ioncestudiedtobeadoctor.Suchthingsnaturallyinterestme."

"Ah! So poisons 'naturally interest' you, do they? Still, you waited to be alone before gratifying that
'interest'ofyours?"

"Thatwaspurechance.Iftheothershadbeenthere,Ishouldhavedonejustthesame."

"Still,asithappens,theotherswerenotthere?"

"No,but--"

"Infact,duringthewholeafternoon,youwereonlyaloneforacoupleofminutes,andithappened-I
say, it happened - to be during those two minutes that you displayed your 'natural interest' in
HydrochlorideofStrychnine?"

Lawrencestammeredpitiably."I-I--"

Withasatisfiedandexpressivecountenance,SirErnestobserved:"Ihavenothingmoretoaskyou,Mr.
Cavendish."

Thisbitofcross-examinationhadcausedgreatexcitementincourt.Theheadsofthemanyfashionably
attired women present were busily laid together, and their whispers became so loud that the judge
angrilythreatenedtohavethecourtclearediftherewasnotimmediatesilence.

There was little more evidence. The handwriting experts were called upon for their opinion of the
signatureof"AlfredInglethorp"inthechemist'spoisonregister.Theyalldeclaredunanimouslythatit
was certainly not his handwriting, and gave it as their view that it might be that of the prisoner
disguised. Cross-examined, they admitted that it might be the prisoner's handwriting cleverly
counterfeited.

Sir Ernest Heavywether's speech in opening the case for the defence was not a long one, but it was
backedbythefullforceofhisemphaticmanner.Never,hesaid,inthecourseofhislongexperience,
hadheknownachargeofmurderrestonslighterevidence.Notonlywasitentirelycircumstantial,but
the greater part of it was practically unproved. Let them take the testimony they had heard and sift it
impartially. The strychnine had been found in a drawer in the prisoner's room. That drawer was an
unlockedone,ashehadpointedout,andhesubmittedthattherewasnoevidencetoprovethatitwas
theprisonerwhohadconcealedthepoisonthere.Itwas,infact,awickedandmaliciousattemptonthe
partofsomethirdpersontofixthecrimeontheprisoner.Theprosecutionhadbeenunabletoproducea
shred of evidence in support of their contention that it was the prisoner who ordered the black beard
from Parkson's. The quarrel which had taken place between prisoner and his stepmother was freely
admitted,butbothitandhisfinancialembarrassmentshadbeengrosslyexaggerated.

Hislearnedfriend-SirErnestnoddedcarelesslyatMr.Philips-hadstatedthatiftheprisonerwerean
innocent man, he would have come forward at the inquest to explain that it was he, and not Mr.
Inglethorp,whohadbeentheparticipatorinthequarrel.Hethoughtthefactshadbeenmisrepresented.
Whathadactuallyoccurredwasthis.Theprisoner,returningtothehouseonTuesdayevening,hadbeen
authoritativelytoldthattherehadbeenaviolentquarrelbetweenMr.andMrs.Inglethorp.Nosuspicion
had entered the prisoner's head that anyone could possibly have mistaken his voice for that of Mr.
Inglethorp.Henaturallyconcludedthathisstepmotherhadhadtwoquarrels.

The prosecution averred that on Monday, July 16, the prisoner had entered the chemist's shop in the
village, disguised as Mr. Inglethorp. The prisoner, on the contrary, was at that time at a lonely spot
called Marston's Spinney, where he had been summoned by an anonymous note, couched in
blackmailing terms, and threatening to reveal certain matters to his wife unless he complied with its
demands.Theprisonerhad,accordingly,gonetotheappointedspot,andafterwaitingtherevainlyfor
halfanhourhadreturnedhome.Unfortunately,hehadmetwithnooneonthewaythereorbackwho
could vouch for the truth of his story, but luckily he had kept the note, and it would be produced as
evidence.

As for the statement relating to the destruction of the will, the prisoner had formerly practiced at the
Bar, and was perfectly well aware that the will made in his favour a year before was automatically
revokedbyhisstepmother'sremarriage.Hewouldcallevidencetoshowwhodiddestroythewill,andit
waspossiblethatthatmightopenupquiteanewviewofthecase.

Finally, he would point out to the jury that there was evidence against other people besides John
Cavendish.HewoulddirecttheirattentiontothefactthattheevidenceagainstMr.LawrenceCavendish
wasquiteasstrong,ifnotstrongerthanthatagainsthisbrother.

Hewouldnowcalltheprisoner.

John acquitted himself well in the witness box. Under Sir Ernest's skilful handling, he told his tale
credibly and well. The anonymous note received by him was produced, and handed to the jury to
examine.Thereadinesswithwhichheadmittedhisfinancialdifficulties,andthedisagreementwithhis
stepmother,lentvaluetohisdenials.

At the close of his examination, he paused, and said: "I should like to make one thing clear. I utterly
reject and disapprove of Sir Ernest Heavywether's insinuations against my brother. My brother, I am
convinced,hadnomoretodowiththecrimethanIhave."

SirErnestmerelysmiled,andnotedwithasharpeyethatJohn'sprotesthadproducedaveryfavourable
impressiononthejury.

Thenthecross-examinationbegan.

"Iunderstandyoutosaythatitneverenteredyourheadthatthewitnessesattheinquestcouldpossibly
havemistakenyourvoiceforthatofMr.Inglethorp.Isnotthatverysurprising?"

"No,Idon'tthinkso.IwastoldtherehadbeenaquarrelbetweenmymotherandMr.Inglethorp,andit
neveroccurredtomethatsuchwasnotreallythecase."

"Not when the servant Dorcas repeated certain fragments of the conversation - fragments which you
musthaverecognized?"

"Ididnotrecognizethem."

"Yourmemorymustbeunusuallyshort!"

"No,butwewerebothangry,and,Ithink,saidmorethanwemeant.Ipaidverylittleattentiontomy
mother'sactualwords."

Mr.Philips'increduloussniffwasatriumphofforensicskill.Hepassedontothesubjectofthenote.

"Youhaveproducedthisnoteveryopportunely.Tellme,istherenothingfamiliaraboutthehandwriting
ofit?"

"NotthatIknowof."

"Doyounotthinkthatitbearsamarkedresemblancetoyourownhandwriting-carelesslydisguised?"

"No,Idonotthinkso."

"Iputittoyouthatitisyourownhandwriting!"

"No."

"Iputittoyouthat,anxioustoproveanalibi,youconceivedtheideaofafictitiousandratherincredible
appointment,andwrotethisnoteyourselfinordertobearoutyourstatement!"

"No."

"Is it not a fact that, at the time you claim to have been waiting about at a solitary and unfrequented
spot,youwerereallyinthechemist'sshopinStylesSt.Mary,whereyoupurchasedstrychnineinthe
nameofAlfredInglethorp?"

"No,thatisalie."

"Iputittoyouthat,wearingasuitofMr.Inglethorp'sclothes,withablackbeardtrimmedtoresemble
his,youwerethere-andsignedtheregisterinhisname!"

"Thatisabsolutelyuntrue."

"Then I will leave the remarkable similarity of handwriting between the note, the register, and your
own,totheconsiderationofthejury,"saidMr.Philips,andsatdownwiththeairofamanwhohasdone
hisduty,butwhowasneverthelesshorrifiedbysuchdeliberateperjury.

Afterthis,asitwasgrowinglate,thecasewasadjournedtillMonday.

Poirot,Inoticed,waslookingprofoundlydiscouraged.HehadthatlittlefrownbetweentheeyesthatI
knewsowell.

"Whatisit,Poirot?"Iinquired.

"Ah,monami,thingsaregoingbadly,badly."

Inspiteofmyself,myheartgavealeapofrelief.EvidentlytherewasalikelihoodofJohnCavendish
beingacquitted.

Whenwereachedthehouse,mylittlefriendwavedasideMary'sofferoftea.

"No,Ithankyou,madame.Iwillmounttomyroom."

Ifollowedhim.Stillfrowning,hewentacrosstothedeskandtookoutasmallpackofpatiencecards.
Thenhedrewupachairtothetable,and,tomyutteramazement,begansolemnlytobuildcardhouses!

Myjawdroppedinvoluntarily,andhesaidatonce:"No,monami,Iamnotinmysecondchildhood!I

steadymynerves,thatisall.Thisemploymentrequiresprecisionofthefingers.Withprecisionofthe
fingersgoesprecisionofthebrain.AndneverhaveIneededthatmorethannow!"

"Whatisthetrouble?"Iasked.

Withagreatthumponthetable,Poirotdemolishedhiscarefullybuiltupedifice."Itisthis,monami!
ThatIcanbuildcardhousessevenstorieshigh,butIcannot"-thump-"find"-thump-"thatlastlinkof
whichIspoketoyou."

Icouldnotquitetellwhattosay,soIheldmypeace,andhebeganslowlybuildingupthecardsagain,
speakinginjerksashedidso.

"Itisdone-so!Byplacing-onecard-onanother-withmathematical-precision!"

Iwatchedthecardhouserisingunderhishands,storybystory.Heneverhesitatedorfaltered.Itwas
reallyalmostlikeaconjuringtrick.

"Whatasteadyhandyou'vegot,"Iremarked."IbelieveI'veonlyseenyourhandshakeonce."

"OnanoccasionwhenIwasenraged,withoutdoubt,"observedPoirot,withgreatplacidity.

"Yesindeed!Youwereinatoweringrage.Doyouremember?Itwaswhenyoudiscoveredthatthelock
of the despatch-case in Mrs. Inglethorp's bedroom had been forced. You stood by the mantelpiece,
twiddlingthethingsonitinyourusualfashion,andyourhandshooklikealeaf!Imustsay--"

But I stopped suddenly. For Poirot, uttering a hoarse and inarticulate cry, again annihilated his
masterpieceofcards,andputtinghishandsoverhiseyesswayedbackwardsandforwards,apparently
sufferingthekeenestagony.

"Goodheavens,Poirot!"Icried."Whatisthematter?Areyoutakenill?"

"No,no,"hegasped."Itis-itis-thatIhaveanidea!"

"Oh!"Iexclaimed,muchrelieved."Oneofyour'littleideas'?"

"Ah,mafoi,no!"repliedPoirotfrankly."Thistimeitisanideagigantic!Stupendous!Andyou-you,
myfriend,havegivenittome!"

Suddenly clasping me in his arms, he kissed me warmly on both cheeks, and before I had recovered
frommysurpriseranheadlongfromtheroom.

MaryCavendishenteredatthatmoment.

"What is the matter with Monsieur Poirot? He rushed past me crying out: 'A garage! For the love of
Heaven,directmetoagarage,madame!'And,beforeIcouldanswer,hehaddashedoutintothestreet."

Ihurriedtothewindow.Trueenough,therehewas,tearingdownthestreet,hatless,andgesticulatingas
hewent.IturnedtoMarywithagestureofdespair.

"He'llbestoppedbyapolicemaninanotherminute.Therehegoes,roundthecorner!"

Oureyesmet,andwestaredhelplesslyatoneanother.

"Whatcanbethematter?"

Ishookmyhead."Idon'tknow.Hewasbuildingcardhouses,whensuddenlyhesaidhehadanidea,
andrushedoffasyousaw."

"Well,"saidMary,"Iexpecthewillbebackbeforedinner."

Butnightfell,andPoirothadnotreturned.

12

TheLastLink

Poirot'sabruptdeparturehadintriguedusallgreatly.Sundaymorningworeaway,andstillhedidnot
reappear.Butaboutthreeo'clockaferociousandprolongedhootingoutsidedroveustothewindow,to
seePoirotalightingfromacar,accompaniedbyJappandSummerhaye.Thelittlemanwastransformed.
Heradiatedanabsurdcomplacency.HebowedwithexaggeratedrespecttoMaryCavendish.

"Madame,Ihaveyourpermissiontoholdalittlereunioninthesalon?Itisnecessaryforeveryoneto
attend."

Marysmiledsadly."Youknow,MonsieurPoirot,thatyouhavecarteblancheineveryway."

"Youaretooamiable,madame."

Stillbeaming,Poirotmarshalledusallintothedrawingroom,bringingforwardchairsashedidso.

"MissHoward-here.MademoiselleCynthia.MonsieurLawrence.ThegoodDorcas.AndAnnie.Bien!
WemustdelayourproceedingsafewminutesuntilMr.Inglethorparrives.Ihavesenthimanote."

MissHowardroseimmediatelyfromherseat."Ifthatmancomesintothehouse,Ileaveit!"

"No,no!"Poirotwentuptoherandpleadedinalowvoice.

FinallyMissHowardconsentedtoreturntoherchair.AfewminuteslaterAlfredInglethorpenteredthe
room.

Thecompanyonceassembled,Poirotrosefromhisseatwiththeairofapopularlecturer,andbowed
politelytohisaudience.

"Messieurs,mesdames,asyouallknow,IwascalledinbyMonsieurJohnCavendishtoinvestigatethis
case. I at once examined the bedroom of the deceased which, by the advice of the doctors, had been
kept locked, and was consequently exactly as it had been when the tragedy occurred. I found: first, a
fragmentofgreenmaterial;second,astainonthecarpetnearthewindow,stilldamp;thirdly,anempty

boxofbromidepowders."

"Totakethefragmentofgreenmaterialfirst,Ifounditcaughtintheboltofthecommunicatingdoor
between that room and the adjoining one occupied by Mademoiselle Cynthia. I handed the fragment
overtothepolicewhodidnotconsideritofmuchimportance.Nordidtheyrecognizeitforwhatitwas
-apiecetornfromagreenlandarmlet."

Therewasalittlestirofexcitement.

"NowtherewasonlyonepersonatStyleswhoworkedontheland-Mrs.Cavendish.Thereforeitmust
have been Mrs. Cavendish who entered the deceased's room through the door communicating with
MademoiselleCynthia'sroom."

"Butthatdoorwasboltedontheinside!"Icried.

"WhenIexaminedtheroom,yes.Butinthefirstplacewehaveonlyherwordforit,sinceitwasshe
who tried that particular door and reported it fastened. In the ensuing confusion she would have had
ampleopportunitytoshoottheboltacross.Itookanearlyopportunityofverifyingmyconjectures.To
begin with, the fragment corresponds exactly with a tear in Mrs. Cavendish's armlet. Also, at the
inquest, Mrs. Cavendish declared that she had heard, from her own room, the fall of the table by the
bed.ItookanearlyopportunityoftestingthatstatementbystationingmyfriendMonsieurHastingsin
theleftwingofthebuilding,justoutsideMrs.Cavendish'sdoor.Imyself,incompanywiththepolice,
went to the deceased's room, and whilst there I, apparently accidentally, knocked over the table in
question, but found that, as I had expected, Monsieur Hastings had heard no sound at all. This
confirmed my belief that Mrs. Cavendish was not speaking the truth when she declared that she had
beendressinginherroomatthetimeofthetragedy.Infact,Iwasconvincedthat,farfromhavingbeen
inherownroom,Mrs.Cavendishwasactuallyinthedeceased'sroomwhenthealarmwasgiven."

IshotaquickglanceatMary.Shewasverypale,butsmiling.

"Iproceededtoreasononthatassumption.Mrs.Cavendishisinhermother-in-law'sroom.Wewillsay
that she is seeking for something and has not yet found it. Suddenly Mrs. Inglethorp awakens and is
seized with an alarming paroxysm. She flings out her arm, overturning the bed table, and then pulls
desperatelyatthebell.Mrs.Cavendish,startled,dropshercandle,scatteringthegreaseonthecarpet.
Shepicksitup,andretreatsquicklytoMademoiselleCynthia'sroom,closingthedoorbehindher.She
hurriesoutintothepassage,fortheservantsmustnotfindherwheresheis.Butitistoolate!Already
footsteps are echoing along the gallery which connects the two wings. What can she do? Quick as
thought, she hurries back to the young girl's room, and starts shaking her awake. The hastily aroused
householdcometroopingdownthepassage.TheyareallbusilybatteringatMrs.Inglethorp'sdoor.It
occurstonobodythatMrs.Cavendishhasnotarrivedwiththerest,but-andthisissignificant-Ican
find no one who saw her come from the other wing." He looked at Mary Cavendish. "Am I right,
madame?"

She bowed her head. "Quite right, monsieur. You understand that, if I had thought I would do my
husband any good by revealing these facts, I would have done so. But it did not seem to me to bear
uponthequestionofhisguiltorinnocence."

"Inasense,thatiscorrect,madame.Butitclearedmymindofmanymisconceptions,andleftmefreeto
seeotherfactsintheirtruesignificance."

"Thewill!"criedLawrence."Thenitwasyou,Mary,whodestroyedthewill?"

She shook her head, and Poirot shook his also. "No," he said quietly. "There is only one person who
couldpossiblyhavedestroyedthatwill-Mrs.Inglethorpherself!"

"Impossible!"Iexclaimed."Shehadonlymadeitoutthatveryafternoon!"

"Nevertheless,monami,itwasMrs.Inglethorp.Because,innootherwaycanyouaccountforthefact
that,ononeofthehottestdaysoftheyear,Mrs.Inglethorporderedafiretobelightedinherroom."

I gave a gasp. What idiots we had been never to think of that fire as being incongruous! Poirot was
continuing:"Thetemperatureonthatday,messieurs,was80degreesintheshade.YetMrs.Inglethorp
orderedafire!Why?Becauseshewishedtodestroysomething,andcouldthinkofnootherway.You
will remember that, in consequence of the War economics practiced at Styles, no waste paper was
thrownaway.Therewasthereforenomeansofdestroyingathickdocumentsuchasawill.Themoment
IheardofafirebeinglightedinMrs.Inglethorp'sroom,Ileapedtotheconclusionthatitwastodestroy
someimportantdocument-possiblyawill.Sothediscoveryofthecharredfragmentinthegratewasno
surprisetome.Ididnot,ofcourse,knowatthetimethatthewillinquestionhadonlybeenmadethat
afternoon, and I will admit that, when I learnt that fact, I fell into a grievous error. I came to the
conclusionthatMrs.Inglethorp'sdeterminationtodestroyherwillaroseasadirectconsequenceofthe
quarrelshehadthatafternoon,andthatthereforethequarreltookplaceafter,andnotbeforethemaking
ofthewill."

"Here,asweknow,Iwaswrong,andIwasforcedtoabandonthatidea.Ifacedtheproblemfromanew
standpoint. Now, at 4 o'clock, Dorcas overheard her mistress saying angrily: 'You need not think that
any fear of publicity, or scandal between husband and wife will deter me.' I conjectured, and
conjecturedrightly,thatthesewordswereaddressed,nottoherhusband,buttoMr.JohnCavendish.At
5o'clock,anhourlater,sheusesalmostthesamewords,butthestandpointisdifferent.Sheadmitsto
Dorcas,'Idon'tknowwhattodo;scandalbetweenhusbandandwifeisadreadfulthing.'At4o'clock
shehasbeenangry,butcompletelymistressofherself.At5o'clocksheisinviolentdistress,andspeaks
ofhavinghadagreatshock."

"Lookingatthematterpsychologically,IdrewonedeductionwhichIwasconvincedwascorrect.The
second'scandal'shespokeofwasnotthesameasthefirst-anditconcernedherself!"

"Letusreconstruct.At4o'clock,Mrs.Inglethorpquarrelswithherson,andthreatenstodenouncehim
tohiswife-who,bytheway,overheardthegreaterpartoftheconversation.At4.30,Mrs.Inglethorp,
inconsequenceofaconversationonthevalidityofwills,makesawillinfavourofherhusband,which
thetwogardenerswitness.At5o'clock,Dorcasfindshermistressinastateofconsiderableagitation,
withaslipofpaper-'aletter,'Dorcasthinks-inherhand,anditisthenthatsheordersthefireinher
roomtobelighted.Presumably,then,between4.30and5o'clock,somethinghasoccurredtooccasiona
complete revolution of feeling, since she is now as anxious to destroy the will, as she was before to
makeit.Whatwasthatsomething?"

"As far as we know, she was quite alone during that half-hour. Nobody entered or left that boudoir.
Whatthenoccasionedthissuddenchangeofsentiment?"

"Onecanonlyguess,butIbelievemyguesstobecorrect.Mrs.Inglethorphadnostampsinherdesk.
We know this, because later she asked Dorcas to bring her some. Now in the opposite corner of the
room stood her husband's desk - locked. She was anxious to find some stamps, and, according to my

theory, she tried her own keys in the desk. That one of them fitted I know. She therefore opened the
desk,andinsearchingforthestampsshecameacrosssomethingelse-thatslipofpaperwhichDorcas
sawinherhand,andwhichassuredlywasnevermeantforMrs.Inglethorp'seyes.Ontheotherhand,
Mrs.Cavendishbelievedthattheslipofpapertowhichhermother-in-lawclungsotenaciouslywasa
writtenproofofherownhusband'sinfidelity.ShedemandeditfromMrs.Inglethorpwhoassuredher,
quitetruly,thatithadnothingtodowiththatmatter.Mrs.Cavendishdidnotbelieveher.Shethought
that Mrs. Inglethorp was shielding her stepson. Now Mrs. Cavendish is a very resolute woman, and,
behindhermaskofreserve,shewasmadlyjealousofherhusband.Shedeterminedtogetholdofthat
paperatallcosts,andinthisresolutionchancecametoheraid.ShehappenedtopickupthekeyofMrs.
Inglethorp's despatch-case, which had been lost that morning. She knew that her mother-in-law
invariablykeptallimportantpapersinthisparticularcase."

"Mrs.Cavendish,therefore,madeherplansasonlyawomandrivendesperatethroughjealousycould
havedone.SometimeintheeveningsheunboltedthedoorleadingintoMademoiselleCynthia'sroom.
Possiblysheappliedoiltothehinges,forIfoundthatitopenedquitenoiselesslywhenItriedit.Sheput
offherprojectuntiltheearlyhoursofthemorningasbeingsafer,sincetheservantswereaccustomedto
hearinghermoveaboutherroomatthattime.Shedressedcompletelyinherlandkit,andmadeherway
quietlythroughMademoiselleCynthia'sroomintothatofMrs.Inglethorp."

He paused a moment, and Cynthia interrupted: "But I should have woken up if anyone had come
throughmyroom?"

"Notifyouweredrugged,mademoiselle."

"Drugged?"

"Mais,oui!"

"Youremember"-headdresseduscollectivelyagain-"thatthroughallthetumultandnoisenextdoor
MademoiselleCynthiaslept.Thatadmittedoftwopossibilities.Eitherhersleepwasfeigned-whichI
didnotbelieve-orherunconsciousnesswasindeedbyartificialmeans."

"Withthislatterideainmymind,Iexaminedallthecoffeecupsmostcarefully,rememberingthatitwas
Mrs. Cavendish who had brought Mademoiselle Cynthia her coffee the night before. I took a sample
fromeachcup,andhadthemanalysed-withnoresult.Ihadcountedthecupscarefully,intheeventof
onehavingbeenremoved.Sixpersonshadtakencoffee,andsixcupsweredulyfound.Ihadtoconfess
myselfmistaken."

"Then I discovered that I had been guilty of a very grave oversight. Coffee had been brought in for
seven persons, not six, for Dr. Bauerstein had been there that evening. This changed the face of the
whole affair, for there was now one cup missing. The servants noticed nothing, since Annie, the
housemaid,whotookinthecoffee,broughtinsevencups,notknowingthatMr.Inglethorpneverdrank
it, whereas Dorcas, who cleared them away the following morning, found six as usual - or strictly
speakingshefoundfive,thesixthbeingtheonefoundbrokeninMrs.Inglethorp'sroom."

"IwasconfidentthatthemissingcupwasthatofMademoiselleCynthia.Ihadanadditionalreasonfor
thatbeliefinthefactthatallthecupsfoundcontainedsugar,whichMademoiselleCynthianevertookin
hercoffee.MyattentionwasattractedbythestoryofAnnieaboutsome'salt'onthetrayofcocowhich
shetookeverynighttoMrs.Inglethorp'sroom.Iaccordinglysecuredasampleofthatcoco,andsentit
tobeanalysed."

"ButthathadalreadybeendonebyDr.Bauerstein,"saidLawrencequickly.

"Notexactly.Theanalystwasaskedbyhimtoreportwhetherstrychninewas,orwasnot,present.He
didnothaveittested,asIdid,foranarcotic."

"Foranarcotic?"

"Yes. Here is the analyst's report. Mrs. Cavendish administered a safe, but effectual, narcotic to both
Mrs.InglethorpandMademoiselleCynthia.Anditispossiblethatshehadamauvaisquartd'heurein
consequence! Imagine her feelings when her mother-in-law is suddenly taken ill and dies, and
immediately after she hears the word 'Poison'! She has believed that the sleeping draught she
administeredwasperfectlyharmless,butthereisnodoubtthatforoneterriblemomentshemusthave
fearedthatMrs.Inglethorp'sdeathlayatherdoor.Sheisseizedwithpanic,andunderitsinfluenceshe
hurriesdownstairs,andquicklydropsthecoffeecupandsaucerusedbyMademoiselleCynthiaintoa
largebrassvase,whereitisdiscoveredlaterbyMonsieurLawrence.Theremainsofthecocoshedare
not touch. Too many eyes are upon her. Guess at her relief when strychnine is mentioned, and she
discoversthatafterallthetragedyisnotherdoing."

"Wearenowabletoaccountforthesymptomsofstrychninepoisoningbeingsolonginmakingtheir
appearance.Anarcotictakenwithstrychninewilldelaytheactionofthepoisonforsomehours."

Poirotpaused.Marylookedupathim,thecolourslowlyrisinginherface."Allyouhavesaidisquite
true, Monsieur Poirot. It was the most awful hour of my life. I shall never forget it. But you are
wonderful.Iunderstandnow--"

"What I meant when I told you that you could safely confess to Papa Poirot, eh? But you would not
trustme."

"Iseeeverythingnow,"saidLawrence."Thedruggedcoco,takenontopofthepoisonedcoffee,amply
accountsforthedelay."

"Exactly. But was the coffee poisoned, or was it not? We come to a little difficulty here, since Mrs.
Inglethorpneverdrankit."

"What?"Thecryofsurprisewasuniversal.

"No.You will remembermy speaking ofa stain on thecarpet in Mrs.Inglethorp's room? There were
some peculiar points about that stain. It was still damp, it exhaled a strong odour of coffee, and
imbeddedinthenapofthecarpetIfoundsomelittlesplintersofchina.Whathadhappenedwasplainto
me,fornottwominutesbeforeIhadplacedmylittlecaseonthetablenearthewindow,andthetable,
tiltingup,haddepositeditupontheflooronpreciselytheidenticalspot.Inexactlythesameway,Mrs.
Inglethorphadlaiddownhercupofcoffeeonreachingherroomthenightbefore,andthetreacherous
tablehadplayedherthesametrick."

"Whathappenednextismereguessworkonmypart,butIshouldsaythatMrs.Inglethorppickedupthe
brokencupandplaceditonthetablebythebed.Feelinginneedofastimulantofsomekind,sheheated
uphercoco,anddrankitoffthenandthere.Nowwearefacedwithanewproblem.Weknowthecoco
containednostrychnine.Thecoffeewasneverdrunk.Yetthestrychninemusthavebeenadministered
betweensevenandnineo'clockthatevening.Whatthirdmediumwasthere-amediumsosuitablefor
disguisingthetasteofstrychninethatitisextraordinarynoonehasthoughtofit?"Poirotlookedround

theroom,andthenansweredhimselfimpressively."Hermedicine!"

"Doyoumeanthatthemurdererintroducedthestrychnineintohertonic?"Icried.

"Therewasnoneedtointroduceit.Itwasalreadythere-inthemixture.ThestrychninethatkilledMrs.
InglethorpwastheidenticalstrychnineprescribedbyDr.Wilkins.Tomakethatcleartoyou,Iwillread
youanextractfromabookondispensingwhichIfoundintheDispensaryoftheRedCrossHospitalat
Tadminster:"

"'Thefollowingprescriptionhasbecomefamousintextbooks:StrychninaeSulph......gr.1Potass
Bromide.......3viAquaad...........3viiiFiatMistura.'"

"Thissolutiondepositsinafewhoursthegreaterpartofthestrychninesaltasaninsolublebromidein
transparent crystals. A lady in England lost her life by taking a similar mixture: the precipitated
strychninecollectedatthebottom,andintakingthelastdosesheswallowednearlyallofit!"

"Now there was, of course, no bromide in Dr. Wilkins' prescription, but you will remember that I
mentioned an empty box of bromide powders. One or two of those powders introduced into the full
bottleofmedicinewouldeffectuallyprecipitatethestrychnine,asthebookdescribes,andcauseittobe
taken in the last dose. You will learn later that the person who usually poured out Mrs. Inglethorp's
medicinewasalwaysextremelycarefulnottoshakethebottle,buttoleavethesedimentatthebottom
ofitundisturbed."

"Throughoutthecase,therehavebeenevidencesthatthetragedywasintendedtotakeplaceonMonday
evening.Onthatday,Mrs.Inglethorp'sbellwirewasneatlycut,andonMondayeveningMademoiselle
Cynthiawasspendingthenightwithfriends,sothatMrs.Inglethorpwouldhavebeenquitealoneinthe
rightwing,completelyshutofffromhelpofanykind,andwouldhavedied,inallprobability,before
medical aid could have been summoned. But in her hurry to be in time for the village entertainment
Mrs.Inglethorpforgottotakehermedicine,andthenextdayshelunchedawayfromhome,sothatthe
last - and fatal - dose was actually taken twenty-four hours later than had been anticipated by the
murderer; and it is owing to that delay that the final proof - the last link of the chain - is now in my
hands."

Amidbreathlessexcitement,heheldoutthreethinstripsofpaper.

"A letter in the murderer's own handwriting, mes amis! Had it been a little clearer in its terms, it is
possiblethatMrs.Inglethorp,warnedintime,wouldhaveescaped.Asitwas,sherealizedherdanger,
butnotthemannerofit."

Inthedeathlysilence,Poirotpiecedtogethertheslipsofpaperand,clearinghisthroat,read:

"'DearestEvelyn:'

'Youwillbeanxiousathearingnothing.Itisallright-onlyitwillbetonightinsteadoflastnight.You
understand.There'sagoodtimecomingoncetheoldwomanisdeadandoutoftheway.Noonecan
possiblybringhomethecrimetome.Thatideaofyoursaboutthebromideswasastrokeofgenius!But
wemustbeverycircumspect.Afalsestep--'"

"Here, my friends, the letter breaks off. Doubtless the writer was interrupted; but there can be no
questionastohisidentity.Weallknowthishandwritingand--"

Ahowlthatwasalmostascreambrokethesilence."Youdevil!Howdidyougetit?"

Achairwasoverturned.Poirotskippednimblyaside.Aquickmovementonhispart,andhisassailant
fellwithacrash.

"Messieurs,mesdames,"saidPoirot,withaflourish,"letmeintroduceyoutothemurderer,Mr.Alfred
Inglethorp!"

13

PoirotExplains

"Poirot,youoldvillain,"Isaid,"I'vehalfamindtostrangleyou!Whatdoyoumeanbydeceivingmeas
youhavedone?"

We were sitting in the library. Several hectic days lay behind us. In the room below, John and Mary
weretogetheroncemore,whileAlfredInglethorpandMissHowardwereincustody.Nowatlast,Ihad
Poirottomyself,andcouldrelievemystillburningcuriosity.

Poirotdidnotanswermeforamoment,butatlasthesaid:"Ididnotdeceiveyou,monami.Atmost,I
permittedyoutodeceiveyourself."

"Yes,butwhy?"

"Well,itisdifficulttoexplain.Yousee,myfriend,youhaveanaturesohonest,andacountenanceso
transparent,that-enfin,toconcealyourfeelingsisimpossible!IfIhadtoldyoumyideas,theveryfirst
timeyousawMr.AlfredInglethorpthatastutegentlemanwouldhave-inyoursoexpressiveidiom-
'smeltarat'!Andthen,bonjourtoourchancesofcatchinghim!"

"IthinkthatIhavemorediplomacythanyougivemecreditfor."

"Myfriend,"besoughtPoirot,"Iimploreyou,donotenrageyourself!Yourhelphasbeenofthemost
invaluable.Itisbuttheextremelybeautifulnaturethatyouhave,whichmademepause."

"Well,"Igrumbled,alittlemollified."Istillthinkyoumighthavegivenmeahint."

"ButIdid,myfriend.Severalhints.Youwouldnottakethem.Thinknow,didIeversaytoyouthatI
believedJohnCavendishguilty?DidInot,onthecontrary,tellyouthathewouldalmostcertainlybe
acquitted?"

"Yes,but--"

"AnddidInotimmediatelyafterwardsspeakofthedifficultyofbringingthemurderertojustice?Wasit
notplaintoyouthatIwasspeakingoftwoentirelydifferentpersons?"

"No,"Isaid,"itwasnotplaintome!"

"Thenagain,"continuedPoirot,"atthebeginning,didInotrepeattoyouseveraltimesthatIdidn'twant
Mr.Inglethorparrestednow?Thatshouldhaveconveyedsomethingtoyou."

"Doyoumeantosayyoususpectedhimaslongagoasthat?"

"Yes.Tobeginwith,whoeverelsemightbenefitbyMrs.Inglethorp'sdeath,herhusbandwouldbenefit
themost.Therewasnogettingawayfromthat.WhenIwentuptoStyleswithyouthatfirstday,Ihad
noideaastohowthecrimehadbeencommitted,butfromwhatIknewofMr.InglethorpIfanciedthat
itwouldbeveryhardtofindanythingtoconnecthimwithit.WhenIarrivedatthechateau,Irealizedat
oncethatitwasMrs.Inglethorpwhohadburntthewill;andthere,bytheway,youcannotcomplain,my
friend,forItriedmybesttoforceonyouthesignificanceofthatbedroomfireinmidsummer."

"Yes,yes,"Isaidimpatiently."Goon."

"Well,myfriend,asIsay,myviewsastoMr.Inglethorp'sguiltwereverymuchshaken.Therewas,in
fact,somuchevidenceagainsthimthatIwasinclinedtobelievethathehadnotdoneit."

"Whendidyouchangeyourmind?"

"When I found that the more efforts I made to clear him, the more efforts he made to get himself
arrested.Then,whenIdiscoveredthatInglethorphadnothingtodowithMrs.Raikesandthatinfactit
wasJohnCavendishwhowasinterestedinthatquarter,Iwasquitesure."

"Butwhy?"

"Simply this. If it had been Inglethorp who was carrying on an intrigue with Mrs. Raikes, his silence
wasperfectlycomprehensible.But,whenIdiscoveredthatitwasknownalloverthevillagethatitwas
John who was attracted by the farmer's pretty wife, his silence bore quite a different interpretation. It
wasnonsensetopretendthathewasafraidofthescandal,asnopossiblescandalcouldattachtohim.
This attitude of his gave me furiously to think, and I was slowly forced to the conclusion that Alfred
Inglethorpwantedtobearrested.Ehbien!fromthatmoment,Iwasequallydeterminedthatheshould
notbearrested."

"Waitaminute.Idon'tseewhyhewishedtobearrested?"

"Because,monami,itisthelawofyourcountrythatamanonceacquittedcanneverbetriedagainfor
thesameoffence.Aha!butitwasclever-hisidea!Assuredly,heisamanofmethod.Seehere,heknew
that in his position he was bound to be suspected, so he conceived the exceedingly clever idea of
preparing a lot of manufactured evidence against himself. He wished to be arrested. He would then
producehisirreproachablealibi-and,heypresto,hewassafeforlife!"

"ButIstilldon'tseehowhemanagedtoprovehisalibi,andyetgotothechemist'sshop?"

Poirot stared at me in surprise. "Is it possible? My poor friend! You have not yet realized that it was
MissHowardwhowenttothechemist'sshop?"

"MissHoward?"

"But, certainly. Who else? It was most easy for her. She is of a good height, her voice is deep and
manly; moreover, remember, she and Inglethorp are cousins, and there is a distinct resemblance
betweenthem,especiallyintheirgaitandbearing.Itwassimplicityitself.Theyareacleverpair!"

"Iamstillalittlefoggedastohowexactlythebromidebusinesswasdone,"Iremarked.

"Bon! I will reconstruct for you as far as possible. I am inclined to think that Miss Howard was the
mastermindinthataffair.Yourememberheroncementioningthatherfatherwasadoctor?Possiblyshe
dispensed his medicines for him, or she may have taken the idea from one of the many books lying
aboutwhenMademoiselleCynthiawasstudyingforherexam.Anyway,shewasfamiliarwiththefact
thattheadditionofabromidetoamixturecontainingstrychninewouldcausetheprecipitationofthe
latter. Probably the idea came to her quite suddenly. Mrs. Inglethorp had a box of bromide powders,
whichsheoccasionallytookatnight.Whatcouldbeeasierthanquietlytodissolveoneormoreofthose
powders in Mrs. Inglethorp's large-sized bottle of medicine when it came from Coot's? The risk is
practicallynil.Thetragedywillnottakeplaceuntilnearlyafortnightlater.Ifanyonehasseeneitherof
themtouchingthemedicine,theywillhaveforgottenitbythattime.MissHowardwillhaveengineered
herquarrel,anddepartedfromthehouse.Thelapseoftime,andherabsence,willdefeatallsuspicion.
Yes,itwasacleveridea!Iftheyhadleftitalone,itispossiblethecrimemightneverhavebeenbrought
hometothem.Buttheywerenotsatisfied.Theytriedtobetooclever-andthatwastheirundoing."

Poirot puffed at his tiny cigarette, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. "They arranged a plan to throw
suspiciononJohnCavendish,bybuyingstrychnineatthevillagechemist's,andsigningtheregisterin
hishandwriting.

"On Monday Mrs. Inglethorp will take the last dose of her medicine. On Monday, therefore, at six
o'clock, Alfred Inglethorp arranges to be seen by a number of people at a spot far removed from the
village. Miss Howard has previously made up a cock and bull story about him and Mrs. Raikes to
account for his holding his tongue afterwards. At six o'clock, Miss Howard, disguised as Alfred
Inglethorp,entersthechemist'sshop,withherstoryaboutadog,obtainsthestrychnine,andwritesthe
nameofAlfredInglethorpinJohn'shandwriting,whichshehadpreviouslystudiedcarefully."

"But, as it will never do if John, too, can prove an alibi, she writes him an anonymous note - still
copyinghishandwriting-whichtakeshimtoaremotespotwhereitisexceedinglyunlikelythatanyone
willseehim."

"So far, all goes well. Miss Howard goes back to Middlingham. Alfred Inglethorp returns to Styles.
Thereisnothingthatcancompromisehiminanyway,sinceitisMissHowardwhohasthestrychnine,
which,afterall,isonlywantedasablindtothrowsuspiciononJohnCavendish."

"But now a hitch occurs. Mrs. Inglethorp does not take her medicine that night. The broken bell,
Cynthia'sabsence-arrangedbyInglethorpthroughhiswife-allthesearewasted.Andthen-hemakes
hisslip."

"Mrs.Inglethorpisout,andhesitsdowntowritetohisaccomplice,who,hefears,maybeinapanicat
the non-success of their plan. It is probable that Mrs. Inglethorp returned earlier than he expected.
Caughtintheact,andsomewhatflurriedhehastilyshutsandlockshisdesk.Hefearsthatifheremains
intheroomhemayhavetoopenitagain,andthatMrs.Inglethorpmightcatchsightoftheletterbefore
hecouldsnatchitup.Sohegoesoutandwalksinthewoods,littledreamingthatMrs.Inglethorpwill
openhisdesk,anddiscovertheincriminatingdocument."

"Butthis,asweknow,iswhathappened.Mrs.Inglethorpreadsit,andbecomesawareoftheperfidyof
her husband and Evelyn Howard, though, unfortunately, the sentence about the bromides conveys no
warning to her mind. She knows that she is in danger - but is ignorant of where the danger lies. She
decidestosaynothingtoherhusband,butsitsdownandwritestohersolicitor,askinghimtocomeon
the morrow, and she also determines to destroy immediately the will which she has just made. She
keepsthefatalletter."

"Itwastodiscoverthatletter,then,thatherhusbandforcedthelockofthedespatch-case?"

"Yes, and from the enormous risk he ran we can see how fully he realized its importance. That letter
excepted,therewasabsolutelynothingtoconnecthimwiththecrime."

"There'sonlyonethingIcan'tmakeout,whydidn'thedestroyitatoncewhenhegotholdofit?"

"Becausehedidnotdaretakethebiggestriskofall-thatofkeepingitonhisownperson."

"Idon'tunderstand."

"Lookatitfromhispointofview.Ihavediscoveredthattherewereonlyfiveshortminutesinwhichhe
couldhavetakenit-thefiveminutesimmediatelybeforeourownarrivalonthescene,forbeforethat
timeAnniewasbrushingthestairs,andwouldhaveseenanyonewhopassedgoingtotherightwing.
Figure to yourself the scene! He enters the room, unlocking the door by means of one of the other
doorkeys - they were all much alike. He hurries to the despatch-case - it is locked, and the keys are
nowheretobeseen.Thatisaterribleblowtohim,foritmeansthathispresenceintheroomcannotbe
concealed as he had hoped. But he sees clearly that everything must be risked for the sake of that
damningpieceofevidence.Quickly,heforcesthelockwithapenknife,andturnsoverthepapersuntil
hefindswhatheislookingfor."

"Butnowafreshdilemmaarises:hedarenotkeepthatpieceofpaperonhim.Hemaybeseenleaving
theroom-hemaybesearched.Ifthepaperisfoundonhim,itiscertaindoom.Probably,atthisminute,
too,hehearsthesoundsbelowofMr.WellsandJohnleavingtheboudoir.Hemustactquickly.Where
canhehidethisterribleslipofpaper?Thecontentsofthewastepaperbasketarekeptandinanycase,
aresuretobeexamined.Therearenomeansofdestroyingit;andhedarenotkeepit.Helooksround,
andhesees-whatdoyouthink,monami?"

Ishookmyhead.

"Inamoment,hehastorntheletterintolongthinstrips,androllingthemupintospillshethruststhem
hurriedlyinamongsttheotherspillsinthevaseonthemantelpiece."

Iutteredanexclamation.

"Noonewouldthinkoflookingthere,"Poirotcontinued."Andhewillbeable,athisleisure,tocome

backanddestroythissolitarypieceofevidenceagainsthim."

"Then,allthetime,itwasinthespillvaseinMrs.Inglethorp'sbedroom,underourverynoses?"Icried.

Poirotnodded."Yes,myfriend.ThatiswhereIdiscoveredmy'lastlink,'andIowethatveryfortunate
discoverytoyou."

"Tome?"

"Yes. Do you remember telling me that my hand shook as I was straightening the ornaments on the
mantelpiece?"

"Yes,butIdon'tsee--"

"No,butIsaw.Doyouknow,myfriend,Irememberedthatearlierinthemorning,whenwehadbeen
there together, I had straightened all the objects on the mantelpiece. And, if they were already
straightened, there would be no need to straighten them again, unless, in the meantime, someone else
hadtouchedthem."

"Dearme,"Imurmured,"sothatistheexplanationofyourextraordinarybehaviour.Yourusheddown
toStyles,andfounditstillthere?"

"Yes,anditwasaracefortime."

"ButIstillcan'tunderstandwhyInglethorpwassuchafoolastoleaveittherewhenhehadplentyof
opportunitytodestroyit."

"Ah,buthehadnoopportunity.Isawtothat."

"You?"

"Yes.Doyourememberreprovingmefortakingthehouseholdintomyconfidenceonthesubject?"

"Yes."

"Well,myfriend,Isawtherewasjustonechance.IwasnotsurethenifInglethorpwasthecriminalor
not, but if he was I reasoned that he would not have the paper on him, but would have hidden it
somewhere,andbyenlistingthesympathyofthehouseholdIcouldeffectuallypreventhisdestroyingit.
He was already under suspicion, and by making the matter public I secured the services of about ten
amateur detectives, who would be watching him unceasingly, and being himself aware of their
watchfulnesshewouldnotdareseekfurthertodestroythedocument.Hewasthereforeforcedtodepart
fromthehouse,leavingitinthespillvase."

"ButsurelyMissHowardhadampleopportunitiesofaidinghim."

"Yes, but Miss Howard did not know of the paper's existence. In accordance with their prearranged
plan,sheneverspoketoAlfredInglethorp.Theyweresupposedtobedeadlyenemies,anduntilJohn
Cavendishwassafelyconvictedtheyneitherofthemdaredriskameeting.OfcourseIhadawatchkept
on Mr. Inglethorp, hoping that sooner or later he would lead me to the hiding-place. But he was too
clevertotakeanychances.Thepaperwassafewhereitwas;sincenoonehadthoughtoflookingthere
inthefirstweek,itwasnotlikelytheywoulddosoafterwards.Butforyourluckyremark,wemight
neverhavebeenabletobringhimtojustice."

"Iunderstandthatnow;butwhendidyoufirstbegintosuspectMissHoward?"

"When I discovered that she had told a lie at the inquest about the letter she had received from Mrs.
Inglethorp."

"Why,whatwastheretolieabout?"

"Yousawthatletter?Doyourecallitsgeneralappearance?"

"Yes-moreorless."

"Youwillrecollect,then,thatMrs.Inglethorpwroteaverydistinctivehand,andleftlargeclearspaces
between her words. But if you look at the date at the top of the letter you will notice that 'July 17'is
quitedifferentinthisrespect.DoyouseewhatImean?"

"No,"Iconfessed,"Idon't."

"Youdonotseethatthatletterwasnotwrittenonthe17,butonthe7 - the day after Miss Howard's
departure?The'1'waswritteninbeforethe'7'toturnitintothe'17'."

"Butwhy?"

"ThatisexactlywhatIaskedmyself.WhydoesMissHowardsuppresstheletterwrittenonthe17,and
producethisfakedoneinstead?Becauseshedidnotwishtoshowtheletterofthe17.Why,again?And
atonceasuspiciondawnedinmymind.Youwillremembermysayingthatitwaswisetobewareof
peoplewhowerenottellingyouthetruth."

"Andyet,"Icriedindignantly,"afterthat,yougavemetworeasonswhyMissHowardcouldnothave
committedthecrime!"

"Andverygoodreasonstoo,"repliedPoirot."ForalongtimetheywereastumblingblocktomeuntilI
remembered a very significant fact: that she and Alfred Inglethorp were cousins. She could not have
committed the crime single-handed, but the reasons against that did not debar her from being an
accomplice.And,then,therewasthatratherover-vehementhatredofhers!Itconcealedaveryopposite
emotion.Therewas,undoubtedly,atieofpassionbetweenthemlongbeforehecametoStyles.They
had already arranged their infamous plot - that he should marry this rich, but rather foolish old lady,
induce her to make a will leaving her money to him, and then gain their ends by a very cleverly
conceived crime. If all had gone as they planned, they would probably have left England, and lived
togetherontheirpoorvictim'smoney."

"They are a very astute and unscrupulous pair. While suspicion was to be directed against him, she
would be making quiet preparations for a very different denouement. She arrives from Middlingham
withallthecompromisingitemsinherpossession.Nosuspicionattachestoher.Nonoticeispaidtoher
comingandgoinginthehouse.ShehidesthestrychnineandglassesinJohn'sroom.Sheputsthebeard
intheattic.Shewillseetoitthatsoonerorlatertheyaredulydiscovered."

"Idon'tquiteseewhytheytriedtofixtheblameonJohn,"Iremarked."Itwouldhavebeenmucheasier
forthemtobringthecrimehometoLawrence."

"Yes,butthatwasmerechance.Alltheevidenceagainsthimaroseoutofpureaccident.Itmust,infact,
havebeendistinctlyannoyingtothepairofschemers."

"Hismannerwasunfortunate,"Iobservedthoughtfully.

"Yes.Yourealize,ofcourse,whatwasatthebackofthat?"

"No."

"YoudidnotunderstandthathebelievedMademoiselleCynthiaguiltyofthecrime?"

"No,"Iexclaimed,astonished."Impossible!"

"Not at all. I myself nearly had the same idea. It was in my mind when I asked Mr. Wells that first
questionaboutthewill.Thentherewerethebromidepowderswhichshehadmadeup,andherclever
maleimpersonations,asDorcasrecountedthemtous.Therewasreallymoreevidenceagainstherthan
anyoneelse."

"Youarejoking,Poirot!"

"No. Shall I tell you what made Monsieur Lawrence turn so pale when he first entered his mother's
roomonthefatalnight?Itwasbecause,whilsthismotherlaythere,obviouslypoisoned,hesaw,over
yourshoulder,thatthedoorintoMademoiselleCynthia'sroomwasunbolted."

"Buthedeclaredthathesawitbolted!"Icried.

"Exactly,"said Poirot dryly."And that wasjust what confirmed mysuspicion that itwas not. He was
shieldingMademoiselleCynthia."

"Butwhyshouldheshieldher?"

"Becauseheisinlovewithher."

Ilaughed."There,Poirot,youarequitewrong!Ihappentoknowforafactthat,farfrombeinginlove
withher,hepositivelydislikesher."

"Whotoldyouthat,monami?"

"Cynthiaherself."

"Lapauvrepetite!Andshewasconcerned?"

"Shesaidthatshedidnotmindatall."

"Thenshecertainlydidmindverymuch,"remarkedPoirot."Theyarelikethat-lesfemmes!"

"WhatyousayaboutLawrenceisagreatsurprisetome,"Isaid.

"But why? It was most obvious. Did not Monsieur Lawrence make the sour face every time
Mademoiselle Cynthia spoke and laughed with his brother? He had taken it into his long head that
MademoiselleCynthiawasinlovewithMonsieurJohn.Whenheenteredhismother'sroom,andsaw
herobviouslypoisoned,hejumpedtotheconclusionthatMademoiselleCynthiaknewsomethingabout
the matter. He was nearly driven desperate. First he crushed the coffee cup to powder under his feet,
rememberingthatshehadgoneupwithhismotherthenightbefore,andhedeterminedthatthereshould
be no chance of testing its contents. Thenceforward, he strenuously, and quite uselessly, upheld the
theoryof'Deathfromnaturalcauses'."

"Andwhataboutthe'extracoffeecup'?"

"IwasfairlycertainthatitwasMrs.Cavendishwhohadhiddenit,butIhadtomakesure.Monsieur
LawrencedidnotknowatallwhatImeant;but,onreflection,hecametotheconclusionthatifhecould
find an extra coffee cup anywhere his lady love would be cleared of suspicion. And he was perfectly
right."

"Onethingmore.WhatdidMrs.Inglethorpmeanbyherdyingwords?"

"Theywere,ofcourse,anaccusationagainstherhusband."

"Dearme,Poirot,"Isaidwithasigh,"Ithinkyouhaveexplainedeverything.Iamgladithasallended
sohappily.EvenJohnandhiswifearereconciled."

"Thankstome."

"Howdoyoumean-thankstoyou?"

"My dear friend, do you not realize that it was simply and solely the trial which has brought them
togetheragain?ThatJohnCavendishstilllovedhiswife,Iwasconvinced.Also,thatshewasequallyin
love with him. But they had drifted very far apart. It all arose from a misunderstanding. She married
himwithoutlove.Heknewit.Heisasensitivemaninhisway,hewouldnotforcehimselfuponherif
she did not want him. And, as he withdrew, her love awoke. But they are both unusually proud, and
their pride held them inexorably apart. He drifted into an entanglement with Mrs. Raikes, and she
deliberatelycultivatedthefriendshipofDr.Bauerstein.DoyourememberthedayofJohnCavendish's
arrest,whenyoufoundmedeliberatingoverabigdecision?"

"Yes,Iquiteunderstoodyourdistress."

"Pardonme,monami,butyoudidnotunderstanditintheleast.IwastryingtodecidewhetherornotI
wouldclearJohnCavendishatonce.Icouldhaveclearedhim-thoughitmighthavemeantafailureto
convict the real criminals. They were entirely in the dark as to my real attitude up to the very last
moment-whichpartlyaccountsformysuccess."

"DoyoumeanthatyoucouldhavesavedJohnCavendishfrombeingbroughttotrial?"

"Yes, my friend. But I eventually decided in favour of 'a woman's happiness'. Nothing but the great
dangerthroughwhichtheyhavepassedcouldhavebroughtthesetwoproudsoulstogetheragain."

IlookedatPoirotinsilentamazement.Thecolossalcheekofthelittleman!WhoonearthbutPoirot
wouldhavethoughtofatrialformurderasarestorerofconjugalhappiness!

"Iperceiveyourthoughts,monami,"saidPoirot,smilingatme."NoonebutHerculePoirotwouldhave
attempted such a thing! And you are wrong in condemning it. The happiness of one man and one
womanisthegreatestthinginalltheworld."

His words took me back to earlier events. I remembered Mary as she lay white and exhausted on the
sofa, listening, listening. There had come the sound of the bell below. She had started up. Poirot had
opened the door, and meeting her agonized eyes had nodded gently. "Yes, madame," he said. "I have
broughthimbacktoyou."Hehadstoodaside,andasIwentoutIhadseenthelookinMary'seyes,as
JohnCavendishhadcaughthiswifeinhisarms.

"Perhapsyouareright,Poirot,"Isaidgently."Yes,itisthegreatestthingintheworld."

Suddenly,therewasatapatthedoor,andCynthiapeepedin."I-Ionly--"

"Comein,"Isaid,springingup.

Shecamein,butdidnotsitdown."Ionlywantedtotellyousomething--"

"Yes?"

Cynthiafidgetedwithalittletasselforsomemoments,then,suddenlyexclaiming:"Youdears!"kissed
firstmeandthenPoirot,andrushedoutoftheroomagain.

"Whatonearthdoesthismean?"Iasked,surprised.

ItwasverynicetobekissedbyCynthia,butthepublicityofthesaluteratherimpairedthepleasure.

"It means that she has discovered Monsieur Lawrence does not dislike her as much as she thought,"
repliedPoirotphilosophically.

"But--"

"Hereheis."

Lawrenceatthatmomentpassedthedoor.

"Eh!MonsieurLawrence,"calledPoirot."Wemustcongratulateyou,isitnotso?"

Lawrence blushed, and then smiled awkwardly. A man in love is a sorry spectacle. Now Cynthia had
lookedcharming.

Isighed.

"Whatisit,monami?"

"Nothing,"Isaidsadly."Theyaretwodelightfulwomen!"

"Andneitherofthemisforyou?"finishedPoirot."Nevermind.Consoleyourself,myfriend.Wemay
hunttogetheragain,whoknows?Andthen--"