THEADVENTUREOFTHECHRISTMASPUDDING(1960)

TheAdventureoftheChristmasPudding

TheMysteryoftheSpanishChest

TheUnderDog

FourandtwentyBlackbirds

TheDream

Greenshaw'sFolly

ForewordbyAgathaChristie

ThisbookofChristmasfaremaybedescribedas"TheChef'sSelection."IamtheChef!

Therearetwomaincourses:TheAdventureoftheChristmasPuddingandTheMysteryofthe
SpanishChest;aselectionofEntres:Greenshaw'sFolly,TheDream,andTheUnderDog;anda
Sorbet:FourandtwentyBlackbirds.

TheMysteryoftheSpanishChestmaybedescribedasaHerculePoirotSpecial.Itisacaseinwhich
heconsidershewasathisbest!MissMarple,inherturn,hasalwaysbeenpleasedwithher
perspicuityinGreenshaw'sFolly.

TheAdventureoftheChristmasPuddingisanindulgenceofmyown,sinceitrecallstome,very
pleasurably,theChristmasesofmyyouth.

Aftermyfather'sdeath,mymotherandIalwaysspentChristmaswithmybrotherinlaw'sfamilyin
thenorthofEnglandandwhatsuperbChristmasestheywereforachildtoremember!AbneyHall
hadeverything!Thegardenboastedawaterfall,astream,andatunnelunderthedrive!The
Christmasfarewasofgargantuanproportions.Iwasaskinnychild,appearingdelicate,butactuallyof
robusthealthandperpetuallyhungry!TheboysofthefamilyandIusedtoviewitheachotherasto
whocouldeatmostonChristmasDay.OysterSoupandTurbotwentdownwithoutunduezest,but
thencameRoastTurkey,BoiledTurkeyandanenormousSirloinofBeef.TheboysandIhadtwo
helpingsofallthree!WethenhadPlumPudding,Mincepies,Trifleandeverykindofdessert.During
theafternoonweatechocolatessolidly.Weneitherfelt,norwere,sick!Howlovelytobeeleven
yearsoldandgreedy!

Whatadayofdelightfrom"Stockings"inbedinthemorning,ChurchandalltheChristmashymns,
Christmasdinner,Presents,andthefinalLightingoftheChristmasTree!
Andhowdeepmygratitudetothekindandhospitablehostesswhomusthaveworkedsohardto
makeChristmasDayawonderfulmemorytomestillinmyoldage.

SoletmededicatethisbooktothememoryofAbneyHallitskindnessanditshospitality.

AndahappyChristmastoallwhoreadthisbook.

AgathaChristie

THEADVENTUREOFTHECHRISTMASPUDDING

"Iregretexceedingly..."saidM.HerculePoirot.

Hewasinterrupted.Notrudelyinterrupted.Theinterruptionwassuave,dexterous,persuasive
ratherthancontradictory.

"Pleasedon'trefuseoffhand,M.Poirot.TherearegraveissuesofState.Yourcooperationwillbe
appreciatedinthehighestquarters."

"Youaretookind,"HerculePoirotwavedahand,"butIreallycannotundertaketodoasyouask.At
thisseasonoftheyear..."

AgainMrJesmondinterrupted."Christmastime,"hesaid,persuasively."AnoldfashionedChristmas
intheEnglishcountryside."

HerculePoirotshivered.ThethoughtoftheChristmascountrysideatthisseasonoftheyeardidnot
attracthim.

"AgoodoldfashionedChristmas!"MrJesmondstressedit.

"MeIamnotanEnglishman,"saidHerculePoirot."Inmycountry,Christmas,itisforthechildren.
TheNewYear,thatiswhatwecelebrate."

"Ah,"saidMrJesmond,"butChristmasinEnglandisagreatinstitutionandIassureyouatKings
Laceyyouwouldseeitatitsbest.It'sawonderfuloldhouse,youknow.Why,onewingofitdates
fromthefourteenthcentury."

AgainPoirotshivered.ThethoughtofafourteenthcenturyEnglishmanorhousefilledhimwith
apprehension.HehadsufferedtooofteninthehistoriccountryhousesofEngland.Helookedround
appreciativelyathiscomfortablemodernflatwithitsradiatorsandthelatestpatentdevicesfor
excludinganykindofdraught.

"Inthewinter,"hesaidfirmly,"IdonotleaveLondon."
"Idon'tthinkyouquiteappreciate,MrPoirot,whataveryseriousmatterthisis."MrJesmond
glancedathiscompanionandthenbackatPoirot.

Poirot'ssecondvisitorhaduptonowsaidnothingbutapoliteandformal"Howdoyoudo."Hesat
now,gazingdownathiswellpolishedshoes,withanairoftheutmostdejectiononhiscoffee
colouredface.Hewasayoungman,notmorethantwentythree,andhewasclearlyinastateof
completemisery.

"Yes,yes,"saidHerculePoirot."Ofcoursethematterisserious.Idoappreciatethat.HisHighness
hasmyheartfeltsympathy."

"Thepositionisoneoftheutmostdelicacy,"saidMrJesmond.

Poirottransferredhisgazefromtheyoungmantohisoldercompanion.IfonewantedtosumupMr
Jesmondinaword,thewordwouldhavebeendiscretion.EverythingaboutMrJesmondwas
discreet.Hiswellcutbutinconspicuousclothes,hispleasant,wellbredvoicewhichrarelysoaredout
ofanagreeablemonotone,hislightbrownhairjustthinningalittleatthetemples,hispaleserious
face.ItseemedtoHerculePoirotthathehadknownnotoneMrJesmondbutadozenMrJesmonds
inhistime,allusingsoonerorlaterthesamephrase"apositionoftheutmostdelicacy."

"Thepolice,"saidHerculePoirot,"canbeverydiscreet,youknow."

MrJesmondshookhisheadfirmly.

"Notthepolice,"hesaid."Torecovertheerwhatwewanttorecoverwillalmostinevitablyinvolve
takingproceedingsinthelawcourtsandweknowsolittle.Wesuspect,butwedonotknow."

"Youhavemysympathy,"saidHerculePoirotagain.

Ifheimaginedthathissympathywasgoingtomeananythingtohistwovisitors,hewaswrong.They
didnotwantsympathy,theywantedpracticalhelp.MrJesmondbeganoncemoretotalkaboutthe
delightsofanEnglishChristmas.

"It'sdyingout,youknow,"hesaid,"therealoldfashionedtypeofChristmas.Peoplespenditat
hotelsnowadays.ButanEnglishChristmaswithallthefamilygatheredround,thechildrenandtheir
stockings,theChristmastree,theturkeyandplumpudding,thecrackers.Thesnowmanoutsidethe
window..."

Intheinterestsofexactitude,HerculePoirotintervened.

"Tomakeasnowmanonehastohavethesnow,"heremarkedseverely."Andonecannothave
snowtoorder,evenforanEnglishChristmas."

"Iwastalkingtoafriendofmineinthemeteorologicalofficeonlytoday,"saidMrJesmond,"andhe
tellsmethatitishighlyprobabletherewillbesnowthisChristmas."

Itwasthewrongthingtohavesaid.HerculePoirotshudderedmoreforcefullythanever.

"Snowinthecountry!"hesaid."Thatwouldbestillmoreabominable.Alarge,cold,stonemanor
house."
"Notatall,"saidMrJesmond."Thingshavechangedverymuchinthelasttenyearsorso.Oilfired
centralheating."

"TheyhaveoilfiredcentralheatingatKingsLacey?"askedPoirot.Forthefirsttimeheseemedto
waver.

MrJesmondseizedhisopportunity."Yes,indeed,"hesaid,"andasplendidhotwatersystem.
Radiatorsineverybedroom.Iassureyou,mydearM.Poirot,KingsLaceyiscomfortitselfinthe
wintertime.Youmightevenfindthehousetoowarm."

"Thatismostunlikely,"saidHerculePoirot.

WithpractiseddexterityMrJesmondshiftedhisgroundalittle.

"Youcanappreciatetheterribledilemmawearein,"hesaid,inaconfidentialmanner.

HerculePoirotnodded.Theproblemwas,indeed,notahappyone.Ayoungpotentatetobe,the
onlysonoftherulerofarichandimportantnativeStatehadarrivedinLondonafewweeksago.His
countryhadbeenpassingthroughaperiodofrestlessnessanddiscontent.Thoughloyaltothefather
whosewayoflifehadremainedpersistentlyEastern,popularopinionwassomewhatdubiousofthe
youngergeneration.HisfollieshadbeenWesternonesandassuchlookeduponwithdisapproval.

Recently,however,hisbetrothalhadbeenannounced.Hewastomarryacousinofthesameblood,
ayoungwomanwho,thougheducatedatCambridge,wascarefultodisplaynoWesterninfluencesin
herowncountry.Theweddingdaywasannouncedandtheyoungprincehadmadeajourneyto
England,bringingwithhimsomeofthefamousjewelsofhishousetoberesetinappropriatemodern
settingsbyCartier.Thesehadincludedaveryfamousrubywhichhadbeenremovedfromits
cumbersomeoldfashionednecklaceandhadbeengivenanewlookbythefamousjewellers.Sofar
sogood,butafterthiscamethesnag.Itwasnottobesupposedthatayoungmanpossessedof
muchwealthandconvivialtastes,shouldnotcommitafewfolliesofthepleasantertype.Astothat
therewouldhavebeennocensure.Youngprincesweresupposedtoamusethemselvesinthis
fashion.FortheprincetotakethegirlfriendofthemomentforawalkdownBondStreetandbestow
uponheranemeraldbraceletoradiamondclipasarewardforthepleasureshehadaffordedhim
wouldhavebeenregardedasquitenaturalandsuitable,correspondinginfacttotheCadillaccars
whichhisfatherinvariablypresentedtohisfavouritedancinggirlofthemoment.

Buttheprincehadbeenfarmoreindiscreetthanthat.Flatteredbythelady'sinterest,hehad
displayedtoherthefamousrubyinitsnewsetting,andhadfinallybeensounwiseastoaccedeto
herrequesttobeallowedtowearitjustforoneevening!

Thesequelwasshortandsad.Theladyhadretiredfromtheirsuppertabletopowderhernose.Time
passed.Shedidnotreturn.Shehadlefttheestablishmentbyanotherdoorandsincethenhad
disappearedintospace.Theimportantanddistressingthingwasthattherubyinitsnewsettinghad
disappearedwithher.

Thesewerethefactsthatcouldnotpossiblybemadepublicwithoutthemostdireconsequences.
Therubywassomethingmorethanaruby,itwasahistoricalpossessionofgreatsignificance,and
thecircumstancesofitsdisappearanceweresuchthatanyunduepublicityaboutthemmightresult
inthemostseriouspoliticalconsequences.
MrJesmondwasnotthemantoputthesefactsintosimplelanguage.Hewrappedthemup,asit
were,inagreatdealofverbiage.WhoexactlyMrJesmondwas,HerculePoirotdidnotknow.Hehad
metotherMrJesmondsinthecourseofhiscareer.WhetherhewasconnectedwiththeHome
Office,theForeignOfficeorsomemorediscreetbranchofpublicservicewasnotspecified.Hewas
actingintheinterestsoftheCommonwealth.Therubymustberecovered.

M.Poirot,soMrJesmonddelicatelyinsisted,wasthemantorecoverit.

"Perhapsyes,"HerculePoirotadmitted,"butyoucantellmesolittle.Suggestionsuspicionall
thatisnotverymuchtogoupon."

"Comenow,MonsieurPoirot,surelyitisnotbeyondyourpowers.Ah,comenow."

"Idonotalwayssucceed."

Butthiswasmockmodesty.ItwasclearenoughfromPoirot'stonethatforhimtoundertakea
missionwasalmostsynonymouswithsucceedinginit.

"HisHighnessisveryyoung,"MrJesmondsaid."Itwillbesadifhiswholelifeistobeblightedfora
mereyouthfulindiscretion."

Poirotlookedkindlyatthedowncastyoungman."Itisthetimeforfollies,whenoneisyoung,"he
saidencouragingly,"andfortheordinaryyoungmanitdoesnotmattersomuch.Thegoodpapa,he
paysup;thefamilylawyer,hehelpstodisentangletheinconvenience;theyoungman,helearnsby
experienceandallendsforthebest.Inapositionsuchasyours,itishardindeed.Yourapproaching
marriage..."

"Thatisit.Thatisitexactly."Forthefirsttimewordspouredfromtheyoungman."Youseesheis
very,veryserious.Shetakeslifeveryseriously.ShehasacquiredatCambridgemanyveryserious
ideas.Thereistobeeducationinmycountry.Therearetobeschools.Therearetobemanythings.
Allinthenameofprogress,youunderstand,ofdemocracy.Itwillnotbe,shesays,likeitwasinmy
father'stime.NaturallysheknowsthatIwillhavediversionsinLondon,butnotthescandal.No!Itis
thescandalthatmatters.Youseeitisvery,veryfamous,thisruby.Thereisalongtrailbehindit,a
history.Muchbloodshedmanydeaths!"

"Deaths,"saidHerculePoirotthoughtfully.HelookedatMrJesmond."Onehopes,"hesaid,"itwill
notcometothat?"

MrJesmondmadeapeculiarnoiseratherlikeahenwhohasdecidedtolayaneggandthenthought
betterofit.

"No,no,indeed,"hesaid,soundingratherprim."Thereisnoquestion,Iamsure,ofanythingofthat
kind."

"Youcannotbesure,"saidHerculePoirot."Whoeverhastherubynow,theremaybeotherswho
wanttogainpossessionofit,andwhowillnotstickatatrifle,myfriend."

"Ireallydon'tthink,"saidMrJesmond,soundingmoreprimthanever,"thatweneedenterinto
speculationsofthatkind.Quiteunprofitable."
"Me,"saidHerculePoirot,suddenlybecomingveryforeign,"me,Iexplorealltheavenues,likethe
politicians."

MrJesmondlookedathimdoubtfully.Pullinghimselftogether,hesaid,"Well,Icantakeitthatis
settled,M.Poirot?YouwillgotoKingsLacey?"

"AndhowdoIexplainmyselfthere?"askedHerculePoirot.

MrJesmondsmiledwithconfidence.

"That,Ithink,canbearrangedveryeasily,"hesaid."Icanassureyouthatitwillallseemquite
natural.YouwillfindtheLaceysmostcharming.Delightfulpeople."

"Andyoudonotdeceivemeabouttheoilfiredcentralheating?"

"No,no,indeed."MrJonessoundedquitepained."Iassureyouyouwillfindeverycomfort."

"Toutconfortmoderne,"murmuredPoirottohimself,reminiscently."Ehbien,"hesaid,"Iaccept."

II

ThetemperatureinthelongdrawingroomatKingsLaceywasacomfortablesixtyeightasHercule
PoirotsattalkingtoMrsLaceybyoneofthebigmullionedwindows.MrsLaceywasengagedin
needlework.Shewasnotdoingpetitpointorembroideringflowersuponsilk.Instead,sheappeared
tobeengagedintheprosaictaskofhemmingdishclothes.Asshesewedshetalkedinasoftreflective
voicethatPoirotfoundverycharming.

"IhopeyouwillenjoyourChristmaspartyhere,M.Poirot.It'sonlythefamily,youknow.My
granddaughterandagrandsonandafriendofhisandBridgetwho'smygreatniece,andDianawho's
acousinandDavidWelwynwhoisaveryoldfriend.Justafamilyparty.ButEdwinaMorecombesaid
thatthat'swhatyoureallywantedtosee.AnoldfashionedChristmas.Nothingcouldbemoreold
fashionedthanweare!Myhusband,youknow,absolutelylivesinthepast.Helikeseverythingtobe
justasitwaswhenhewasaboyoftwelveyearsold,andusedtocomehereforhisholidays."She
smiledtoherself."Allthesameoldthings,theChristmastreeandthestockingshungupandthe
oystersoupandtheturkeytwoturkeys,oneboiledandoneroastandtheplumpuddingwiththe
ringandthebachelor'sbuttonandalltherestofitinit.Onecan'thavesixpencesnowadaysbecause
they'renotpuresilveranymore.Butalltheolddesserts,theElvasplumsandCarlsbadplumsand
almondsandraisins,andcrystallisedfruitandginger.Dearme,IsoundlikeacataloguefromFortnum
andMason!"

"Youarousemygastronomicjuices,Madame."

"Iexpectwe'llallhavefrightfulindigestionbytomorrowevening,"saidMrsLacey."Oneisn'tusedto
eatingsomuchnowadays,isone?"

Shewasinterruptedbysomeloudshoutsandwhoopsoflaughteroutsidethewindow.Sheglanced
out.
"Idon'tknowwhatthey'redoingoutthere.Playingsomegameorother,Isuppose.I'vealwaysbeen
soafraid,youknow,thattheseyoungpeoplewouldbeboredbyourChristmashere.Butnotatall,
it'sjusttheopposite.Nowmyownsonanddaughterandtheirfriends,theyusedtoberather
sophisticatedaboutChristmas.Sayitwasallnonsenseandtoomuchfussanditwouldbefarbetter
togoouttoahotelsomewhereanddance.Buttheyoungergenerationseemtofindallthisterribly
attractive.Besides,"addedMrsLaceypractically,"schoolboysandschoolgirlsarealwayshungry,
aren'tthey?Ithinktheymuststarvethemattheseschools.Afterall,onedoesknowchildrenofthat
ageeacheataboutasmuchasthreestrongmen."

Poirotlaughedandsaid,"Itismostkindofyouandyourhusband,Madame,toincludemeinthisway
inyourfamilyparty."

"Oh,we'rebothdelighted,I'msure,"saidMrsLacey."AndifyoufindHoracealittlegruff,"she
continued,"paynoattention.It'sjusthismanner,youknow."

Whatherhusband,ColonelLacey,hadactuallysaidwas:"Can'tthinkwhyyouwantoneofthese
damnedforeignershereclutteringupChristmas?Whycan'twehavehimsomeothertime?Can't
stickforeigners!Allright,allright,soEdwinaMorecombewishedhimonus.What'sitgottodowith
her,Ishouldliketoknow?Whydoesn'tshehavehimforChristmas?"

"Becauseyouknowverywell,"MrsLaceyhadsaid,"thatEdwinaalwaysgoestoClaridge's."

Herhusbandhadlookedatherpiercinglyandsaid,"Notuptosomething,areyou,Em?"

"Uptosomething?"saidEm,openingveryblueeyes."Ofcoursenot.WhyshouldIbe?"

OldColonelLaceylaughed,adeep,rumblinglaugh."Iwouldn'tputitpastyou,Em,"hesaid."When
youlookyourmostinnocentiswhenyouareuptosomething."

Revolvingthesethingsinhermind,MrsLaceywenton:"Edwinasaidshethoughtperhapsyoumight
helpus...I'msureIdon'tknowquitehow,butshesaidthatfriendsofyourshadoncefoundyouvery
helpfulininacasesomethinglikeours.Iwell,perhapsyoudon'tknowwhatI'mtalkingabout?"

Poirotlookedatherencouragingly.MrsLaceywascloseonseventy,asuprightasaramrod,with
snowwhitehair,pinkcheeks,blueeyes,aridiculousnoseandadeterminedchin.

"IfthereisanythingIcandoIshallonlybetoohappytodoit,"saidPoirot."Itis,Iunderstand,a
ratherunfortunatematterofayounggirl'sinfatuation."

MrsLaceynodded."Yes.ItseemsextraordinarythatIshouldwell,wanttotalktoyouaboutit.After
all,youareaperfectstranger..."

"Andaforeigner,"saidPoirot,inanunderstandingmanner.

"Yes,"saidMrsLacey,"butperhapsthatmakesiteasier,inaway.Anyhow,Edwinaseemedtothink
thatyoumightperhapsknowsomethinghowshallIputitsomethingusefulaboutthisyoung
DesmondLeeWortley."

PoirotpausedamomenttoadmiretheingenuityofMrJelmondandtheeasewithwhichhehad
madeuseofLadyMorecombetofurtherhisownpurposes.
"Hehasnot,Iunderstand,averygoodreputation,thisyoungman?"hebegandelicately.

"No,indeed,hehasn't!Averybadreputation!Butthat'snohelpsofarasSarahisconcerned.It's
neveranygood,isit,tellingyounggirlsthatmenhaveabadreputation?Ititjustspursthemon!"

"Youaresoveryright,"saidPoirot.

"Inmyyoungday,"wentonMrsLacey."(Ohdear,that'saverylongtimeago!)Weusedtobe
warned,youknow,againstcertainyoungmen,andofcourseitdidheightenone'sinterestinthem,
andifonecouldpossiblymanagetodancewiththem,ortobealonewiththeminadark
conservatory..."shelaughed."That'swhyIwouldn'tletHoracedoanyofthethingshewantedto
do."

"Tellme,"saidPoirot,"exactlywhatitisthattroublesyou?"

"Oursonwaskilledinthewar,"MrsLacey."MydaughterinlawdiedwhenSarahwasbornsothat
shehasalwaysbeenwithus,andwe'vebroughtherup.Perhapswe'vebroughtherupunwiselyI
don'tknow.Butwethoughtweoughtalwaystoleaveherasfreeaspossible."

"Thatisdesirable,Ithink,"saidPoirot."Onecannotgoagainstthespiritofthetimes."

"No,"saidMrsLacey,"that'sjustwhatIfeltaboutit.And,ofcourse,girlsnowadaysdodothesesort
ofthings."

Poirotlookedatherinquiringly.

"Ithinkthewayoneexpressesit,"saidMrsLacey,"isthatSarahhasgotinwithwhattheycallthe
coffeebarset.Shewon'tgotodancesorcomeoutproperlyorbeadeboranythingofthatkind.
InsteadshehastworatherunpleasantroomsinChelseadownbytheriverandwearsthesefunny
clothesthattheyliketowear,andblackstockingsorbrightgreenones.Verythickstockings.(So
prickly,Ialwaysthink!)Andshegoesaboutwithoutwashingorcombingherhair."

"a,c'esttoutfaitnaturelle,"saidPoirot."Itisthefashionofthemoment.Theygrowoutofit."

"Yes,Iknow,"saidMrsLacey."Iwouldn'tworryaboutthatsortofthing.Butyouseeshe'stakenup
withthisDesmondLeeWortleyandhereallyhasaveryunsavouryreputation.Helivesmoreorless
onwelltodogirls.Theyseemtogoquitemadabouthim.HeverynearlymarriedtheHopegirl,but
herpeoplegothermadeawardofcourtorsomething.Andofcoursethat'swhatHoracewantsto
do.Hesayshemustdoitforherprotection.ButIdon'tthinkit'sreallyagoodidea,M.Poirot.I
mean,they'lljustrunawaytogetherandgotoScotlandorIrelandortheArgentineorsomewhere
andeithergetmarriedorelselivetogetherwithoutgettingmarried.Andalthoughitmaybe
contemptofcourtandallthatwell,itisn'treallyananswer,isit,intheend?Especiallyifababy's
coming.Onehastogiveinthen,andletthemgetmarried.Andthen,nearlyalways,itseemstome,
afterayearortwothere'sadivorce.Andthenthegirlcomeshomeandusuallyafterayearortwo
shemarriessomeonesonicehe'salmostdullandsettlesdown.Butit'sparticularlysad,itseemsto
me,ifthereisachild,becauseit'snotthesamething,beingbroughtupbyastepfather,however
nice.No,Ithinkit'smuchbetterifwedidaswedidinmyyoungdays.Imeanthefirstyoungmanone
fellinlovewithwasalwayssomeoneundesirable.IrememberIhadahorriblepassionforayoung
mancallednowwhatwashisnamenow?howstrangeitis,Ican'trememberhisChristiannameat
all!Tibbitt,thatwashissurname.YoungTibbitt.Ofcourse,myfathermoreorlessforbadehimthe
house,butheusedtogetaskedtothesamedances,andweusedtodancetogether.Andsometimes
we'descapeandsitouttogetherandoccasionallyfriendswouldarrangepicnicstowhichweboth
went.Ofcourse,itwasallveryexcitingandforbiddenandoneenjoyeditenormously.Butonedidn't
gotothewell,tothelengthsthatgirlsgonowadays.Andso,afterawhile,theMrTibbittsfadedout.
Anddoyouknow,whenIsawhimfouryearslaterIwassurprisedwhatIcouldeverhaveseenin
him!Heseemedtobesuchadullyoungman.Flashy,youknow.Nointerestingconversation."

"Onealwaysthinksthedaysofone'sownyoutharebest,"saidPoirot,somewhatsententiously.

"Iknow,"saidMrsLacey."It'stiresome,isn'tit?Imustn'tbetiresome.ButallthesameIdon'twant
Sarah,who'sadeargirlreally,tomarryDesmondLeeWortley.SheandDavidWelwyn,whoisstaying
here,werealwayssuchfriendsandsofondofeachother,andwedidhope,HoraceandI,thatthey
wouldgrowupandmarry.Butofcourseshejustfindshimdullnow,andshe'sabsolutelyinfatuated
withDesmond."

"Idonotquiteunderstand,Madame,"saidPoirot."Youhavehimherenow,stayinginthehouse,this
DesmondLeeWortley?"

"That'smydoing,"saidMrsLacey."Horacewasallforforbiddinghertoseehimandallthat.Of
course,inHorace'sday,thefatherorguardianwouldhavecalledroundattheyoungman'slodgings
withahorsewhip!Horacewasallforforbiddingthefellowthehouse,andforbiddingthegirltosee
him.Itoldhimthatwasquitethewrongattitudetotake.'No,'Isaid.'Askhimdownhere.We'llhave
himdownforChristmaswiththefamilyparty.'Ofcourse,myhusbandsaidIwasmad!ButIsaid,'At
anyrate,dear,let'stryit.Letherseehiminouratmosphereandourhouseandwe'llbeveryniceto
himandverypolite,andperhapsthenhe'llseemlessinterestingtoher'!"

"Ithink,astheysay,youhavesomethingthere,Madame,"saidPoirot."Ithinkyourpointofviewis
verywise.Wiserthanyourhusband's."

"Well,Ihopeitis,"saidMrsLaceydoubtfully."Itdoesn'tseemtobeworkingmuchyet.Butofcourse
he'sonlybeenhereacoupleofdays."Asuddendimpleshowedinherwrinkledcheek."I'llconfess
somethingtoyou,M.Poirot.Imyselfcan'thelplikinghim.Idon'tmeanIreallylikehim,withmy
mind,butIcanfeelthecharmallright.Ohyes,IcanseewhatSarahseesinhim.ButI'manold
enoughwomanandhaveenoughexperiencetoknowthathe'sabsolutelynogood.EvenifIdoenjoy
hiscompany.ThoughIdothink,"addedMrsLacey,ratherwistfully,"hehassomegoodpoints.He
askedifhemightbringhissisterhere,youknow.She'shadanoperationandwasinhospital.Hesaid
itwassosadforherbeinginanursinghomeoverChristmasandhewonderedifitwouldbetoo
muchtroubleifhecouldbringherwithhim.Hesaidhe'dtakeallhermealsuptoherandallthat.
Wellnow,Idothinkthatwasratherniceofhim,don'tyou,M.Poirot?"

"Itshowsaconsideration,"saidPoirot,thoughtfully,"whichseemsalmostoutofcharacter."

"Oh,Idon'tknow.Youcanhavefamilyaffectionsatthesametimeaswishingtopreyonarichyoung
girl.Sarahwillbeveryrich,youknow,notonlywithwhatweleaveherandofcoursethatwon'tbe
verymuchbecausemostofthemoneygoeswiththeplacetoColin,mygrandson.Buthermother
wasaveryrichwomanandSarahwillinheritallhermoneywhenshe'stwentyone.She'sonlytwenty
now.No,IdothinkitwasniceofDesmondtomindabouthissister.Andhedidn'tpretendshewas
anythingverywonderfulorthat.She'sashorthandtypist,IgatherdoessecretarialworkinLondon.
Andhe'sbeenasgoodashiswordanddoescarryuptraystoher.Notallthetime,ofcourse,but
quiteoften.SoIthinkhehassomenicepoints.Butallthesame,"saidMrsLaceywithgreatdecision,
"Idon'twantSarahtomarryhim."

"FromallIhaveheardandbeentold,"saidPoirot,"thatwouldindeedbeadisaster."

"Doyouthinkitwouldbepossibleforyoutohelpusinanyway?"askedMrsLacey.

"Ithinkitispossible,yes,"saidHerculePoirot,"butIdonotwishtopromisetoomuch.FortheMr
DesmondLeeWortleysofthisworldareclever,Madame.Butdonotdespair.Onecan,perhaps,doa
littlesomething.Ishallatanyrate,putforthmybestendeavours,ifonlyingratitudeforyour
kindnessinaskingmehereforthisChristmasfestivity."Helookedroundhim."Anditcannotbeso
easythesedaystohaveChristmasfestivities."

"No,indeed,"MrsLaceysighed.Sheleanedforward."Doyouknow,M.Poirot,whatIreallydreamof
whatIwouldlovetohave?"

"Buttellme,Madame."

"Isimplylongtohaveasmall,modernbungalow.No,perhapsnotabungalowexactly,butasmall,
modern,easytorunhousebuiltsomewhereintheparkhere,andliveinitwithanabsolutelyupto
datekitchenandnolongpassages.Everythingeasyandsimple."

"Itisaverypracticalidea,Madame."

"It'snotpracticalforme,"saidMrsLacey."Myhusbandadoresthisplace.Heloveslivinghere.He
doesn'tmindbeingslightlyuncomfortable,hedoesn'tmindtheinconveniencesandhewouldhate,
simplyhate,toliveinasmallmodernhouseinthepark!"

"Soyousacrificeyourselftohiswishes?"

MrsLaceydrewherselfup."Idonotconsideritasacrifice,M.Poirot,"shesaid."Imarriedmy
husbandwiththewishtomakehimhappy.Hehasbeenagoodhusbandtomeandmademevery
happyalltheseyears,andIwishtogivehappinesstohim."

"Soyouwillcontinuetolivehere,"saidPoirot.

"It'snotreallytoouncomfortable,"saidMrsLacey.

"No,no,"saidPoirot,hastily."Onthecontrary,itismostcomfortable.Yourcentralheatingandyour
bathwaterareperfection."

"Wespendalotofmoneyinmakingthehousecomfortabletolivein,"saidMrsLacey."Wewere
abletosellsomeland.Ripefordevelopment,Ithinktheycallit.Fortunatelyrightoutofsightofthe
houseontheothersideofthepark.Reallyratheranuglybitofgroundwithnoniceview,butwegot
averygoodpriceforit.Sothatwehavebeenabletohaveasmanyimprovementsaspossible."

"Buttheservice,Madame?"

"Oh,well,thatpresentslessdifficultythanyoumightthink.Ofcourse,onecannotexpecttobe
lookedafterandwaiteduponasoneusedtobe.Differentpeoplecomeinfromthevillage.Two
womeninthemorning,anothertwotocooklunchandwashitup,anddifferentonesagaininthe
evening.Thereareplentyofpeoplewhowanttocomeandworkforafewhoursaday.Ofcoursefor
Christmasweareverylucky.MydearMrsRossalwayscomesineveryChristmas.Sheisawonderful
cook,reallyfirstclass.Sheretiredabouttenyearsago,butshecomesintohelpusinanyemergency.
ThenthereisdearPeverell."

"Yourbutler?"

"Yes.Heispensionedoffandlivesinthelittlehousenearthelodge,butheissodevoted,andhe
insistsoncomingtowaitonusatChristmas.Really,I'mterrified,M.Poirot,becausehe'ssooldand
soshakythatIfeelcertainthatifhecarriesanythingheavyhewilldropit.It'sreallyanagonyto
watchhim.AndhisheartisnotgoodandI'mafraidofhisdoingtoomuch.Butitwouldhurthis
feelingsdreadfullyifIdidnotlethimcome.Hehemsandhahsandmakesdisapprovingnoiseswhen
heseesthestateoursilverisinandwithinthreedaysofbeinghere,itisallwonderfulagain.Yes.He
isadearfaithfulfriend."ShesmiledatPoirot."Soyousee,weareallsetforahappyChristmas.A
whiteChristmas,too,"sheaddedasshelookedoutofthewindow."See?Itisbeginningtosnow.Ah,
thechildrenarecomingin.Youmustmeetthem,M.Poirot."

Poirotwasintroducedwithdueceremony.First,toColinandMichael,theschoolboygrandsonand
hisfriend,nicepoliteladsoffifteen,onedark,onefair.Thentotheircousin,Bridget,ablackhaired
girlofaboutthesameagewithenormousvitality.

"Andthisismygranddaughter,Sarah,"saidMrsLacey.

PoirotlookedwithsomeinterestatSarah,anattractivegirlwithamopofredhair;hermanner
seemedtohimnervyandatrifledefiant,butsheshowedrealaffectionforhergrandmother.

"AndthisisMrLeeWortley."

MrLeeWortleyworeafisherman'sjerseyandtightblackjeans;hishairwasratherlongandit
seemeddoubtfulwhetherhehadshavedthatmorning.Incontrasttohimwasayoungman
introducedasDavidWelwyn,whowassolidandquiet,withapleasantsmile,andratherobviously
addictedtosoapandwater.Therewasoneothermemberoftheparty,ahandsome,ratherintense
lookinggirlwhowasintroducedasDianaMiddleton.

Teawasbroughtin.Aheartymealofscones,crumpets,sandwichesandthreekindsofcake.The
youngermembersofthepartyappreciatedthetea.ColonelLaceycameinlast,remarkingina
noncommittalvoice:

"Hey,tea?Ohyes,tea."

Hereceivedhiscupofteafromhiswife'shand,helpedhimselftotwoscones,castalookofaversion
atDesmondLeeWortleyandsatdownasfarawayfromhimashecould.Hewasabigmanwith
bushyeyebrowsandared,weatherbeatenface.Hemighthavebeentakenforafarmerratherthan
thelordofthemanor.

"Startedtosnow,"hesaid."It'sgoingtobeawhiteChristmasallright."

Afterteathepartydispersed.
"Iexpectthey'llgoandplaywiththeirtaperecordersnow,"saidMrsLaceytoPoirot.Shelooked
indulgentlyafterhergrandsonashelefttheroom.Hertonewasthatofonewhosays"Thechildren
aregoingtoplaywiththeirtoysoldiers."

"They'refrightfullytechnical,ofcourse,"shesaid,"andverygrandaboutitall."

TheboysandBridget,however,decidedtogoalongtothelakeandseeiftheiceonitwaslikelyto
makeskatingpossible.

"Ithoughtwecouldhaveskatedonitthismorning,"saidColin."ButoldHodgkinssaidno.He's
alwayssoterriblycareful."

"Comeforawalk,David,"saidDianaMiddleton,softly.Davidhesitatedforhalfamoment,hiseyes
onSarah'sredhead.ShewasstandingbyDesmondLeeWortley,herhandonhisarm,lookingup
intohisface.

"Allright,"saidDavidWelwyn,"yes,let's."

Dianaslippedaquickhandthroughhisarmandtheyturnedtowardsthedoorintothegarden.Sarah
said:

"Shallwego,too,Desmond?It'sfearfullystuffyinthehouse."

"Whowantstowalk?"saidDesmond."I'llgetmycarout.We'llgoalongtotheSpeckledBoarand
haveadrink."

Sarahhesitatedforamomentbeforesaying:

"Let'sgotoMarketLedburytotheWhiteHart.It'smuchmorefun."

Thoughforalltheworldshewouldnothaveputitintowords,Sarahhadaninstinctiverevulsion
fromgoingdowntothelocalpubwithDesmond.Itwas,somehow,notinthetraditionofKings
Lacey.ThewomenofKingsLaceyhadneverfrequentedthebaroftheSpeckledBoar.Shehadan
obscurefeelingthattogotherewouldbetoletoldColonelLaceyandhiswifedown.Andwhynot?
DesmondLeeWortleywouldhavesaid.ForamomentofexasperationSarahfeltthatheoughtto
knowwhynot!Onedidn'tupsetsucholddarlingsasGrandfatheranddearoldEmunlessitwas
necessary.They'dbeenverysweet,really,lettingherleadherownlife,notunderstandinginthe
leastwhyshewantedtoliveinChelseainthewayshedid,butacceptingit.ThatwasduetoEmof
course.Grandfatherwouldhavekickedupnoendofarow.

Sarahhadnoillusionsabouthergrandfather'sattitude.ItwasnothisdoingthatDesmondhadbeen
askedtostayatKingsLacey.ThatwasEm,andEmwasadarlingandalwayshadbeen.

WhenDesmondhadgonetofetchhiscar,Sarahpoppedherheadintothedrawingroomagain.

"We'regoingovertoMarketLedbury,"shesaid."Wethoughtwe'dhaveadrinkthereattheWhite
Hart."

Therewasaslightamountofdefianceinhervoice,butMrsLaceydidnotseemtonoticeit.
"Well,dear,"shesaid,"I'msurethatwillbeverynice.DavidandDianahavegoneforawalk,Isee.
I'msoglad.IreallythinkitwasabrainwaveonmyparttoaskDianahere.Sosadbeingleftawidow
soyoungonlytwentytwoIdohopeshemarriesagainsoon."

Sarahlookedathersharply."Whatareyouupto,Em?"

"It'smylittleplan,"saidMrsLaceygleefully."Ithinkshe'sjustrightforDavid.OfcourseIknowhe
wasterriblyinlovewithyou,Sarahdear,butyou'dnouseforhimandIrealisethatheisn'tyour
type.ButIdon'twanthimtogoonbeingunhappy,andIthinkDianawillreallysuithim."

"Whatamatchmakeryouare,Em,"saidSarah.

"Iknow,"saidMrsLacey."Oldwomenalwaysare.Diana'squitekeenonhimalready,Ithink.Don't
youthinkshe'dbejustrightforhim?"

"Ishouldn'tsayso,"saidSarah."IthinkDiana'sfartoowell,toointense,tooserious.Ishouldthink
Davidwouldfinditterriblyboringbeingmarriedtoher."

"Well,we'llsee,"saidMrsLacey."Anyway,youdon'twanthim,doyou,dear?"

"No,indeed,"saidSarah,veryquickly.Sheadded,inasuddenrush,"YoudolikeDesmond,don'tyou,
Em?"

"I'msurehe'sveryniceindeed,"saidMrsLacey.

"Grandfatherdoesn'tlikehim,"saidSarah.

"Well,youcouldhardlyexpecthimto,couldyou?"saidMrsLaceyreasonably,"butIdaresayhe'll
comeroundwhenhegetsusedtotheidea.Youmustn'trushhim,Sarahdear.Oldpeoplearevery
slowtochangetheirmindsandyourgrandfatherisratherobstinate."

"Idon'tcarewhatGrandfatherthinksorsays,"saidSarah."IshallgetmarriedtoDesmondwhenever
Ilike!"

"Iknow,dear,Iknow.Butdotryandberealisticaboutit.Yourgrandfathercouldcausealotof
trouble,youknow.You'renotofageyet.Inanotheryearyoucandoasyouplease.IexpectHorace
willhavecomeroundlongbeforethat."

"You'reonmysidearen'tyou,darling?"saidSarah.Sheflungherarmsroundhergrandmother'sneck
andgaveheranaffectionatekiss.

"Iwantyoutobehappy,"saidMrsLacey."Ah!there'syouryoungmanbringinghiscarround.You
know,Iliketheseverytighttrouserstheseyoungmenwearnowadays.Theylooksosmartonly,of
course,itdoesaccentuateknockknees."

Yes,Sarahthought,Desmondhadgotknockknees,shehadnevernoticeditbefore...

"Goon,dear,enjoyyourself,"saidMrsLacey.

Shewatchedhergoouttothecar,then,rememberingherforeignguest,shewentalongtothe
library.Lookingin,however,shesawthatHerculePoirotwastakingapleasantlittlenap,andsmiling
toherself,shewentacrossthehallandoutintothekitchentohaveaconferencewithMrsRoss.
"Comeon,beautiful,"saidDesmond."Yourfamilycuttinguproughbecauseyou'recomingouttoa
pub?Yearsbehindthetimeshere,aren'tthey?"

"Ofcoursethey'renotmakingafuss,"saidSarah,sharplyasshegotintothecar.

"What'stheideaofhavingthatforeignfellowdown?He'sadetective,isn'the?Whatneeds
detectinghere?"

"Oh,he'snothereprofessionally,"saidSarah."EdwinaMorecombe,mygodmother,askedustohave
him.Ithinkhe'sretiredfromprofessionalworklongago."

"Soundslikeabrokendownoldcabhorse,"saidDesmond.

"HewantedtoseeanoldfashionedEnglishChristmas,Ibelieve,"saidSarahvaguely.

Desmondlaughedscornfully."Suchalotoftripe,thatsortofthing,"hesaid."HowyoucanstanditI
don'tknow."

Sarah'sredhairwastossedbackandheraggressivechinshotup.

"Ienjoyit!"shesaiddefiantly.

"Youcan't,baby.Let'scutthewholethingtomorrow.GoovertoScarboroughorsomewhere."

"Icouldn'tpossiblydothat."

"Whynot?"

"Oh,itwouldhurttheirfeelings."

"Oh,bilge!Youknowyoudon'tenjoythischildishsentimentalbosh."

"Well,notreallyperhaps,but..."Sarahbrokeoff.Sherealisedwithafeelingofguiltthatshewas
lookingforwardagooddealtotheChristmascelebration.Sheenjoyedthewholething,butshewas
ashamedtoadmitthattoDesmond.ItwasnotthethingtoenjoyChristmasandfamilylife.Justfora
momentshewishedthatDesmondhadnotcomedownhereatChristmastime.Infact,shealmost
wishedthatDesmondhadnotcomedownhereatall.ItwasmuchmorefunseeingDesmondin
Londonthanhereathome.

InthemeantimetheboysandBridgetwerewalkingbackfromthelake,stilldiscussingearnestlythe
problemsofskating.Flecksofsnowhadbeenfalling,andlookingupattheskyitcouldbeprophesied
thatbeforelongtherewasgoingtobeaheavysnowfall.

"It'sgoingtosnowallnight,"saidColin."BetyoubyChristmasmorningwehaveacoupleoffeetof
snow."

Theprospectwasapleasurableone."Let'smakeasnowman,"saidMichael.

"Goodlord,"saidColin."Ihaven'tmadeasnowmansincewell,sinceIwasaboutfouryearsold."

"Idon'tbelieveit'sabiteasytodo,"saidBridget."Imean,youhavetoknowhow."
"WemightmakeaneffigyofM.Poirot,"saidColin."Giveitabigblackmoustache.Thereisoneinthe
dressingupbox."

"Idon'tsee,youknow,"saidMichaelthoughtfully,"howM.Poirotcouldeverhavebeenadetective.
Idon'tseehowhe'deverbeabletodisguisehimself."

"Iknow,"saidBridget,"andonecan'timaginehimrunningaboutwithamicroscopeandlookingfor
cluesormeasuringfootprints."

"I'vegotanidea,"saidColin."Let'sputonashowforhim!"

"Whatdoyoumean,ashow?"askedBridget.

"Well,arrangeamurderforhim."

"Whatagorgeousidea,"saidBridget."Doyoumeanabodyinthesnowthatsortofthing?"

"Yes.Itwouldmakehimfeelathome,wouldn'tit?"

Bridgetgiggled.

"Idon'tknowthatI'dgoasfarasthat."

"Ifitsnows,"saidColin,"we'llhavetheperfectsetting.Abodyandfootprintswe'llhavetothink
thatoutrathercarefullyandpinchoneofGrandfather'sdaggersandmakesomeblood."

Theycametoahaltandoblivioustotherapidlyfallingsnow,enteredintoanexciteddiscussion.

"There'sapaintboxintheoldschoolroom.Wecouldmixupsomebloodcrimsonlake,Ishould
think."

"Crimsonlake'sabittoopink,Ithink,"saidBridget."Itoughttobeabitbrowner."

"Who'sgoingtobethebody?"askedMichael.

"I'llbethebody,"saidBridgetquickly.

"Oh,lookhere,"saidColin,"Ithoughtofit."

"Oh,no,no,"saidBridget,"itmustbeme.It'sgottobeagirl.It'smoreexciting.Beautifulgirllying
lifelessinthesnow."

"Beautifulgirl!Ahha,"saidMichaelinderision.

"I'vegotblackhair,too,"saidBridget.

"What'sthatgottodowithit?"

"Well,it'llshowupsowellonthesnowandIshallwearmyredpyjamas."

"Ifyouwearredpyjamas,theywon'tshowthebloodstains,"saidMichaelinapracticalmanner.
"Butthey'dlooksoeffectiveagainstthesnow,"saidBridget,"andthey'vegotwhitefacings,you
know,sothebloodcouldbeonthat.Oh,won'titbegorgeous?Doyouthinkhewillreallybetaken
in?"

"Hewillifwedoitwellenough,"saidMichael."We'llhavejustyourfootprintsinthesnowandone
otherperson'sgoingtothebodyandcomingawayfromitaman's,ofcourse.Hewon'twantto
disturbthem,sohewon'tknowthatyou'renotreallydead.Youdon'tthink,"Michaelstopped,struck
byasuddenidea.Theotherslookedathim."Youdon'tthinkhe'llbeannoyedaboutit?"

"Oh,Ishouldn'tthinkso,"saidBridget,withfacileoptimism."I'msurehe'llunderstandthatwe've
justdoneittoentertainhim.AsortofChristmastreat."

"Idon'tthinkweoughttodoitonChristmasDay,"saidColinreflectively."Idon'tthinkGrandfather
wouldlikethatverymuch."

"BoxingDaythen,"saidBridget.

"BoxingDaywouldbejustright,"saidMichael.

"Andit'llgiveusmoretime,too,"pursuedBridget."Afterall,therearealotofthingstoarrange.Let's
goandhavealookatalltheprops."

Theyhurriedintothehouse.

III

Theeveningwasabusyone.Hollyandmistletoehadbeenbroughtininlargequantitiesanda
Christmastreehadbeensetupatoneendofthediningroom.Everyonehelpedtodecorateit,toput
upthebranchesofhollybehindpicturesandtohangmistletoeinaconvenientpositioninthehall.

"Ihadnoideaanythingsoarchaicstillwenton,"murmuredDesmondtoSarahwithasneer.

"We'vealwaysdoneit,"saidSarah,defensively.

"Whatareason!"

"Oh,don'tbetiresome,Desmond.Ithinkit'sfun."

"Sarahmysweet,youcan't!"

"Well,notnotreallyperhapsbutIdoinaway."

"Who'sgoingtobravethesnowandgotomidnightmass?"askedMrsLaceyattwentyminutesto
twelve.

"Notme,"saidDesmond."Comeon,Sarah."

Withahandonherarmheguidedherintothelibraryandwentovertotherecordcase.
"Therearelimits,darling,"saidDesmond."Midnightmass!"

"Yes,"saidSarah."Ohyes."

Withagooddealoflaughter,donningofcoatsandstampingoffeet,mostoftheothersgotoff.The
twoboys,Bridget,DavidandDianasetoutforthetenminutes'walktothechurchthroughthefalling
snow.Theirlaughterdiedawayinthedistance.

"Midnightmass!"saidColonelLacey,snorting."Neverwenttomidnightmassinmyyoungdays.
Mass,indeed!Popish,thatis!Oh,Ibegyourpardon,M.Poirot."

Poirotwavedahand."Itisquiteallright.Donotmindme."

"Matinsisgoodenoughforanybody,Ishouldsay,"saidthecolonel."ProperSundaymorningservice.
'Harktheheraldangelssing,'andallthegoodoldChristmashymns.AndthenbacktoChristmas
dinner.That'sright,isn'tit,Em?"

"Yes,dear,"saidMrsLacey."That'swhatwedo.Buttheyoungonesenjoythemidnightservice.And
it'snice,really,thattheywanttogo."

"Sarahandthatfellowdon'twanttogo."

"Well,theredear,Ithinkyou'rewrong,"saidMrsLacey."Sarah,youknow,didwanttogo,butshe
didn'tliketosayso."

"Beatsmewhyshecareswhatthatfellow'sopinionis."

"She'sveryyoung,really,"saidMrsLaceyplacidly."Areyougoingtobed,M.Poirot?Goodnight.I
hopeyou'llsleepwell."

"Andyou,Madame?Areyounotgoingtobedyet?"

"Notjustyet,"saidMrsLacey."I'vegotthestockingstofill,yousee.Oh,Iknowthey'reallpractically
grownup,buttheydoliketheirstockings.Oneputsjokesinthem!Sillylittlethings.Butitallmakes
foralotoffun."

"YouworkveryhardtomakethisahappyhouseatChristmastime,"saidPoirot."Ihonouryou."

Heraisedherhandtohislipsinacourtlyfashion.

"Hm,"gruntedColonelLacey,asPoirotdeparted."Flowerysortoffellow.Stillheappreciatesyou."

MrsLaceydimpledupathim."Haveyounoticed,Horace,thatI'mstandingunderthemistletoe?"she
askedwiththedemurenessofagirlofnineteen.

HerculePoirotenteredhisbedroom.Itwasalargeroomwellprovidedwithradiators.Ashewent
overtowardthebigfourposterbedhenoticedanenvelopelyingonhispillow.Heopeneditand
drewoutapieceofpaper.Onitwasashakilyprintedmessageincapitalletters.

"DON'TEATNONEOFTHEPLUMPUDDING.ONEASWISHESYOUWELL."


HerculePoirotstaredatit.Hiseyebrowsrose."Cryptic,"hemurmured,"andmostunexpected."

IV

Christmasdinnertookplaceat2p.m.andwasafeastindeed.Enormouslogscrackledmerrilyinthe
widefireplaceandabovetheircracklingrosethebabelofmanytonguestalkingtogether.Oyster
souphadbeenconsumed,twoenormousturkeyshadcomeandgone,merecarcassesoftheir
formerselves.Now,thesuprememoment,theChristmaspuddingwasbroughtin,instate!Old
Peverell,hishandsandhiskneesshakingwiththeweaknessofeightyyears,permittednoonebut
himselftobearitin.MrsLaceysat,herhandspressedtogetherinnervousapprehension.One
Christmas,shefeltsure,Peverellwouldfalldowndead.Havingeithertotaketheriskoflettinghim
falldowndeadorofhurtinghisfeelingstosuchanextentthathewouldprobablyprefertobedead
thanalive,shehadsofarchosentheformeralternative.OnasilverdishtheChristmaspudding
reposedinitsglory.Alargefootballofapudding,apieceofhollystuckinitlikeatriumphantflagand
gloriousflamesofblueandredrisingroundit.Therewasacheerandcriesof"Oohah."

OnethingMrsLaceyhaddone:prevaileduponPeverelltoplacethepuddinginfrontofhersothat
shecouldhelpitratherthanhanditinturnroundthetable.Shebreathedasighofreliefasitwas
depositedsafelyinfrontofher.Rapidlytheplateswerepassedround,flamesstilllickingthe
portions.

"Wish,M.Poirot,"criedBridget."Wishbeforetheflamegoes.Quick,Grandarling,quick."

MrsLaceyleantbackwithasighofsatisfaction.OperationPuddinghadbeenasuccess.Infrontof
everyonewasahelpingwithflamesstilllicking.Therewasamomentarysilenceallroundthetableas
everyonewishedhard.

TherewasnobodytonoticetherathercuriousexpressiononthefaceofM.Poirotashesurveyedthe
portionofpuddingonhisplate."Don'teatnoneoftheplumpudding."Whatonearthdidthat
sinisterwarningmean?Therecouldbenothingdifferentabouthisportionofplumpuddingfromthat
ofeveryoneelse!SighingasheadmittedhimselfbaffledandHerculePoirotneverlikedtoadmit
himselfbaffledhepickeduphisspoonandfork.

"Hardsauce,M.Poirot?"

Poirothelpedhimselfappreciativelytohardsauce.

"Swipedmybestbrandyagain,eh,Em?"saidthecolonelgoodhumouredlyfromtheotherendof
thetable.MrsLaceytwinkledathim.

"MrsRossinsistsonhavingthebestbrandy,dear,"shesaid."Shesaysitmakesallthedifference."

"Well,well,"saidColonelLacey,"ChristmascomesbutonceayearandMrsRossisagreatwoman.A
greatwomanandagreatcook."
"Sheisindeed,"saidColin."Smashingplumpudding,this.Mmmm."Hefilledanappreciativemouth.

Gently,almostgingerly,HerculePoirotattackedhisportionofpudding.Heateamouthful.Itwas
delicious!Heateanother.Somethingtinkledfaintlyonhisplate.Heinvestigatedwithafork.Bridget,
onhisleft,cametohisaid.

"You'vegotsomething,M.Poirot,"shesaid."Iwonderwhatitis."

Poirotdetachedalittlesilverobjectfromthesurroundingraisinsthatclungtoit.

"Oooh,"saidBridget,"it'sthebachelor'sbutton!M.Poirot'sgotthebachelor'sbutton!"

HerculePoirotdippedthesmallsilverbuttonintothefingerglassofwaterthatstoodbyhisplate,
andwasheditclearofpuddingcrumbs.

"Itisverypretty,"heobserved.

"Thatmeansyou'regoingtobeabachelor,M.Poirot,"explainedColinhelpfully.

"Thatistobeexpected,"saidPoirotgravely."Ihavebeenabachelorformanylongyearsanditis
unlikelythatIshallchangethatstatusnow."

"Oh,neversaydie,"saidMichael."Isawinthepaperthatsomeoneofninetyfivemarriedagirlof
twentytwotheotherday."

"Youencourageme,"saidHerculePoirot.

ColonelLaceyutteredasuddenexclamation.Hisfacebecamepurpleandhishandwenttohis
mouth.

"Confoundit,Emmeline,"heroared,"whyonearthdoyouletthecookputglassinthepudding?"

"Glass!"criedMrsLacey,astonished.

ColonelLaceywithdrewtheoffendingsubstancefromhismouth."Mighthavebrokenatooth,"he
grumbled."Orswallowedthedamn'thingandhadappendicitis."

Hedroppedthepieceofglassintothefingerbowl,rinseditandhelditup.

"Godblessmysoul,"heejaculated,"It'saredstoneoutofoneofthecrackerbrooches."Heheldit
aloft.

"Youpermit?"

VerydeftlyM.Poirotstretchedacrosshisneighbour,tookitfromColonelLacey'sfingersand
examineditattentively.Asthesquirehadsaid,itwasanenormousredstonethecolourofaruby.
Thelightgleamedfromitsfacetsasheturneditabout.Somewherearoundthetableachairwas
pushedsharplybackandthendrawninagain.

"Phew!"criedMichael."Howwizarditwouldbeifitwasreal."

"Perhapsitisreal,"saidBridgethopefully.
"Oh,don'tbeanass,Bridget.Whyarubyofthatsizewouldbeworththousandsandthousandsof
pounds.Wouldn'tit,M.Poirot?"

"Itwouldindeed,"saidPoirot.

"ButwhatIcan'tunderstand,"saidMrsLacey,"ishowitgotintothepudding."

"Oooh,"saidColin,divertedbyhislastmouthful,"I'vegotthepig.Itisn'tfair."

Bridgetchantedimmediately,"Colin'sgotthepig!Colin'sgotthepig!Colinisthegreedyguzzling
pig!"

"I'vegotthering,"saidDianainaclear,highvoice.

"Goodforyou,Diana.You'llbemarriedfirst,ofusall."

"I'vegotthethimble,"wailedBridget.

"Bridget'sgoingtobeanoldmaid,"chantedthetwoboys."Yah,Bridget'sgoingtobeanoldmaid."

"Who'sgotthemoney?"demandedDavid."There'sarealtenshillingpiece,gold,inthispudding.I
know.MrsRosstoldmeso."

"IthinkI'mtheluckyone,"saidDesmondLeeWortley.

ColonelLacey'stwonextdoorneighboursheardhimmutter,"Yes,youwouldbe."

"I'vegotaring,too,"saidDavid.HelookedacrossatDiana."Quiteacoincidence,isn'tit?"

Thelaughterwenton.NobodynoticedthatM.Poirotcarelessly,asthoughthinkingofsomething
else,haddroppedtheredstoneintohispocket.

MincepiesandChristmasdessertfollowedthepudding.Theoldermembersofthepartythenretired
forawelcomesiestabeforetheteatimeceremonyofthelightingoftheChristmastree.Hercule
Poirot,however,didnottakeasiesta.Instead,hemadehiswaytotheenormousoldfashioned
kitchen.

"Itispermitted,"heasked,lookingroundandbeaming,"thatIcongratulatethecookonthis
marvellousmealthatIhavejusteaten?"

Therewasamoment'spauseandthenMrsRosscameforwardinastatelymannertomeethim.She
wasalargewoman,noblybuiltwithallthedignityofastageduchess.Twoleangreyhairedwomen
werebeyondinthescullerywashingupandatowhairedgirlwasmovingtoandfrobetweenthe
sculleryandthekitchen.Butthesewereobviouslymeremyrmidons.MrsRosswasthequeenofthe
kitchenquarters.

"Iamgladtohearyouenjoyedit,sir,"shesaidgraciously.

"Enjoyedit!"criedHerculePoirot.Withanextravagantforeigngestureheraisedhishandtohislips,
kissedit,andwaftedthekisstotheceiling."Butyouareagenius,MrsRoss!Agenius!NeverhaveI
tastedsuchawonderfulmeal.Theoystersoup..."hemadeanexpressivenoisewithhislips."and
thestuffing.Thechestnutstuffingintheturkey,thatwasquiteuniqueinmyexperience."
"Well,it'sfunnythatyoushouldsaythat,sir,"saidMrsRossgraciously."It'saveryspecialrecipe,
thatstuffing.ItwasgivenmebyanAustrianchefthatIworkedwithmanyyearsago.Butalltherest,"
sheadded,"isjustgood,plainEnglishcooking."

"Andisthereanythingbetter?"demandedHerculePoirot.

"Well,it'sniceofyoutosayso,sir.Ofcourse,youbeingaforeigngentlemanmighthavepreferred
thecontinentalstyle.NotbutwhatIcan'tmanagecontinentaldishestoo."

"Iamsure,MrsRoss,youcouldmanageanything!ButyoumustknowthatEnglishcookinggood
Englishcooking,notthecookingonegetsinthesecondclasshotelsortherestaurantsismuch
appreciatedbygourmetsonthecontinent,andIbelieveIamcorrectinsayingthataspecial
expeditionwasmadetoLondonintheearlyeighteenhundreds,andareportsentbacktoFranceof
thewondersoftheEnglishpuddings.'WehavenothinglikethatinFrance,'theywrote.'Itisworth
makingajourneytoLondonjusttotastethevarietiesandexcellenciesoftheEnglishpuddings.'And
aboveallpuddings,"continuedPoirot,welllaunchednowonakindofrhapsody,"istheChristmas
plumpudding,suchaswehaveeatentoday.Thatwasahomemadepudding,wasitnot?Nota
boughtone?"

"Yes,indeed,sir.OfmyownmakingandmyownrecipesuchasI'vemadeformany,manyyears.
WhenIcamehereMrsLaceysaidthatshe'dorderedapuddingfromaLondonstoretosavemethe
trouble.Butno,Madam,Isaid,thatmaybekindofyoubutnoboughtpuddingfromastorecan
equalahomemadeChristmasone.Mindyou,"saidMrsRoss,warmingtohersubjectliketheartist
shewas,"itwasmadetoosoonbeforetheday.AgoodChristmaspuddingshouldbemadesome
weeksbeforeandallowedtowait.Thelongerthey'rekept,withinreason,thebettertheyare.Imind
nowthatwhenIwasachildandwewenttochurcheverySunday,we'dstartlisteningforthecollect
thatbegins'StirupOLordwebeseechthee'becausethatcollectwasthesignal,asitwere,thatthe
puddingsshouldbemadethatweek.Andsotheyalwayswere.WehadthecollectontheSunday,
andthatweeksureenoughmymotherwouldmaketheChristmaspuddings.Andsoitshouldhave
beenherethisyear.Asitwas,thatpuddingwasonlymadethreedaysago,thedaybeforeyou
arrived,sir.However,Ikepttotheoldcustom.Everyoneinthehousehadtocomeoutintothe
kitchenandhaveastirandmakeawish.That'sanoldcustom,sir,andI'vealwaysheldtoit."

"Mostinteresting,"saidHerculePoirot."Mostinteresting.Andsoeveryonecameoutintothe
kitchen?"

"Yes,sir.Theyounggentlemen,MissBridgetandtheLondongentlemanwho'sstayinghere,andhis
sisterandMrDavidandMissDianaMrsMiddleton,Ishouldsay...Allhadastir,theydid."

"Howmanypuddingsdidyoumake?Isthistheonlyone?"

"No,sir,Imadefour.Twolargeonesandtwosmallerones.TheotherlargeoneIplannedtoserveon
NewYear'sDayandthesmalleroneswereforColonelandMrsLaceywhenthey'realonelikeandnot
somanyinthefamily."

"Isee,Isee,"saidPoirot.

"Asamatteroffact,sir,"saidMrsLacey,"itwasthewrongpuddingyouhadforlunchtoday."

"Thewrongpudding?"Poirotfrowned."Howisthat?"
"Well,sir,wehaveabigChristmasmould.Achinamouldwithapatternofhollyandmistletoeontop
andwealwayshavetheChristmasDaypuddingboiledinthat.Buttherewasamostunfortunate
accident.Thismorning,whenAnniewasgettingitdownfromtheshelfinthelarder,sheslippedand
droppeditanditbroke.Well,sir,naturallyIcouldn'tservethat,couldI?Theremighthavebeen
splintersinit.SowehadtousetheotheronetheNewYear'sDayone,whichwasinaplainbowl.It
makesaniceroundbutit'snotsodecorativeastheChristmasmould.Really,wherewe'llgetanother
mouldlikethatIdon'tknow.Theydon'tmakethingsinthatsizenowadays.Alltiddlybitsofthings.
Why,youcan'tevenbuyabreakfastdishthat'lltakeapropereighttoteneggsandbacon.Ah,things
aren'twhattheywere."

"No,indeed,"saidPoirot."Buttodaythatisnotso.ThisChristmasDayhasbeenliketheChristmas
Daysofold,isthatnottrue?"

MrsRosssighed."Well,I'mgladyousayso,sir,butofcourseIhaven'tthehelpnowthatIusedto
have.Notskilledhelp,thatis.Thegirlsnowadays..."sheloweredhervoiceslightly,"theymeanvery
wellandthey'reverywillingbutthey'venotbeentrained,sir,ifyouunderstandwhatImean."

"Timeschange,yes,"saidHerculePoirot."Itoofinditsadsometimes."

"Thishouse,sir,"saidMrsRoss,"it'stoolarge,youknow,forthemistressandthecolonel.The
mistress,sheknowsthat.Livinginacornerofitastheydo,it'snotthesamethingatall.Itonly
comesalive,asyoumightsay,atChristmastimewhenallthefamilycome."

"Itisthefirsttime,Ithink,thatMrLeeWortleyandhissisterhavebeenhere?"

"Yes,sir."AnoteofslightreservecreptintoMrsRoss'svoice."Averynicegentlemanheisbut,well
itseemsafunnyfriendforMissSarahtohave,accordingtoourideas.ButthereLondonwaysare
different!It'ssadthathissister'ssopoorly.Hadanoperation,shehad.Sheseemedallrightthefirst
dayshewashere,butthatveryday,afterwe'dbeenstirringthepuddings,shewastookbadagain
andshe'sbeeninbedeversince.Gotuptoosoonafterheroperation,Iexpect.Ah,doctors
nowadays,theyhaveyououtofhospitalbeforeyoucanhardlystandonyourfeet.Why,myvery
ownnephew'swife..."AndMrsRosswentintoalongandspiritedtaleofhospitaltreatmentas
accordedtoherrelations,comparingitunfavourablywiththeconsiderationthathadbeenlavished
upontheminoldertimes.

Poirotdulycommiseratedwithher."Itremains,"hesaid,"tothankyouforthisexquisiteand
sumptuousmeal.Youpermitalittleacknowledgmentofmyappreciation?"

AcrispfivepoundnotepassedfromhishandintothatofMrsRosswhosaidperfunctorily:

"Youreallyshouldn'tdothat,sir."

"Iinsist.Iinsist."

"Well,it'sverykindofyouindeed,sir."MrsRossacceptedthetributeasnomorethanherdue."And
Iwishyou,sir,averyhappyChristmasandaprosperousNewYear."

TheendofChristmasDaywasliketheendofmostChristmasDays.Thetreewaslighted,asplendid
Christmascakecameinfortea,wasgreetedwithapprovalbutwaspartakenofonlymoderately.
Therewascoldsupper.

BothPoirotandhishostandhostesswenttobedearly.

"Goodnight,M.Poirot,"saidMrsLacey."Ihopeyou'veenjoyedyourself."

"Ithasbeenawonderfulday,Madame,wonderful."

"You'relookingverythoughtful,"saidMrsLacey.

"ItistheEnglishpuddingthatIconsider."

"Youfounditalittleheavy,perhaps?"askedMrsLaceydelicately.

"No,no,Idonotspeakgastronomically.Iconsideritssignificance."

"It'straditional,ofcourse,"saidMrsLacey."Well,goodnight,M.Poirot,anddon'tdreamtoomuch
ofChristmaspuddingsandmincepies."

"Yes,"murmuredPoirottohimselfasheundressed."Itisaproblemcertainly,thatChristmasplum
pudding.ThereisheresomethingthatIdonotunderstandatall."Heshookhisheadinavexed
manner."Wellweshallsee."

Aftermakingcertainpreparations,Poirotwenttobed,butnottosleep.

Itwassometwohourslaterthathispatiencewasrewarded.Thedoorofhisbedroomopenedvery
gently.Hesmiledtohimself.Itwasashehadthoughtitwouldbe.Hismindwentbackfleetinglyto
thecupofcoffeesopolitelyhandedhimbyDesmondLeeWortley.Alittlelater,whenDesmond's
backwasturned,hehadlaidthecupdownforafewmomentsonatable.Hehadthenapparently
pickeditupagainandDesmondhadhadthesatisfaction,ifsatisfactionitwas,ofseeinghimdrink
thecoffeetothelastdrop.ButalittlesmileliftedPoirot'smoustacheashereflectedthatitwasnot
hebutsomeoneelsewhowassleepingagoodsoundsleeptonight."ThatpleasantyoungDavid,"
saidPoirottohimself,"heisworried,unhappy.Itwilldohimnoharmtohaveanight'sreallysound
sleep.Andnow,letusseewhatwillhappen?"

Helayquitestill,breathinginanevenmannerwithoccasionallyasuggestion,buttheveryfaintest
suggestion,ofasnore.

Someonecameuptothebedandbentoverhim.Then,satisfied,thatsomeoneturnedawayand
wenttothedressingtable.BythelightofatinytorchthevisitorwasexaminingPoirot'sbelongings
neatlyarrangedontopofthedressingtable.Fingersexploredthewallet,gentlypulledopenthe
drawersofthedressingtable,thenextendedthesearchtothepocketsofPoirot'sclothes.Finallythe
visitorapproachedthebedandwithgreatcautionslidhishandunderthepillow.Withdrawinghis
hand,hestoodforamomentortwoasthoughuncertainwhattodonext.Hewalkedroundthe
roomlookinginsideornaments,wentintotheadjoiningbathroomfromwhencehepresently
returned.Then,withafaintexclamationofdisgust,hewentoutoftheroom.
"Ah,"saidPoirot,underhisbreath."Youhavedisappointment.Yes,yes,aseriousdisappointment.
Bah!Toimagine,even,thatHerculePoirotwouldhidesomethingwhereyoucouldfindit!"Then,
turningoveronhisotherside,hewentpeacefullytosleep.

Hewasarousednextmorningbyanurgentsofttappingonhisdoor.

"Quiestl?Comein,comein."

Thedooropened.Breathless,redfaced,Colinstooduponthethreshold.BehindhimstoodMichael.

"MonsieurPoirot,MonsieurPoirot."

"Butyes?"Poirotsatupinbed."Itistheearlytea?Butno.Itisyou,Colin.Whathasoccurred?"

Colinwas,foramoment,speechless.Heseemedtobeunderthegripofsomestrongemotion.In
actualfactitwasthesightofthenightcapthatHerculePoirotworethataffectedforthemomenthis
organsofspeech.Presentlyhecontrolledhimselfandspoke.

"IthinkM.Poirot,couldyouhelpus?Somethingratherawfulhashappened."

"Somethinghashappened?Butwhat?"

"It'sit'sBridget.She'soutthereinthesnow.Ithinkshedoesn'tmoveorspeakandoh,you'd
bettercomeandlookforyourself.I'mterriblyafraidshemaybedead."

"What?"Poirotcastasidehisbedcovers."MademoiselleBridgetisdead!"

"IthinkIthinksomebody'skilledher.There'sthere'sbloodandohdocome!"

"Butcertainly.Butcertainly.Icomeontheinstant."

WithgreatpracticalityPoirotinsertedhisfeetintohisoutdoorshoesandpulledafurlinedovercoat
overhispyjamas.

"Icome,"hesaid."Icomeonthemoment.Youhavearousedthehouse?"

"No.No,sofarIhaven'ttoldanyonebutyou.Ithoughtitwouldbebetter.GrandfatherandGran
aren'tupyet.They'relayingbreakfastdownstairs,butIdidn'tsayanythingtoPeverell.SheBridget
she'sroundtheothersideofthehouse,neartheterraceandthelibrarywindow."

"Isee.Leadtheway.Iwillfollow."

Turningawaytohidehisdelightedgrin,Colinledthewaydownstairs.Theywentoutthroughtheside
door.Itwasaclearmorningwiththesunnotyethighoverthehorizon.Itwasnotsnowingnow,but
ithadsnowedheavilyduringthenightandeverywherearoundwasanunbrokencarpetofthick
snow.Theworldlookedverypureandwhiteandbeautiful.

"There!"saidColinbreathlessly."Iit'sthere!"Hepointeddramatically.

Thescenewasindeeddramaticenough.AfewyardsawayBridgetlayinthesnow.Shewaswearing
scarletpyjamasandawhitewoolwrapthrownroundhershoulders.Thewhitewoolwrapwas
stainedwithcrimson.Herheadwasturnedasideandhiddenbythemassofheroutspreadblackhair.
Onearmwasunderherbody,theotherlayflungout,thefingersclenched,andstandingupinthe
centreofthecrimsonstainwasthehiltofalargecurvedKurdishknifewhichColonelLaceyhad
showntohisguestsonlytheeveningbefore.

"MonDieu!"ejaculatedM.Poirot."Itissomethingonthestage!"

TherewasafaintchokingnoisefromMichael.Colinthrusthimselfquicklyintothebreach.

"Iknow,"hesaid."Ititdoesn'tseemrealsomehow,doesit?DoyouseethosefootprintsIsuppose
wemustn'tdisturbthem?"

"Ahyes,thefootprints.No,wemustbecarefulnottodisturbthosefootprints."

"That'swhatIthought,"saidColin."That'swhyIwouldn'tletanyonegonearheruntilwegotyou.I
thoughtyou'dknowwhattodo."

"Allthesame,"saidHerculePoirotbriskly,"first,wemustseeifsheisstillalive?Isnotthatso?"

"Wellyesofcourse,"saidMichael,alittledoubtfully,"butyousee,wethoughtImean,wedidn't
like"

"Ah,youhavetheprudence!Youhavereadthedetectivestories.Itismostimportantthatnothing
shouldbetouchedandthatthebodyshouldbeleftasitis.Butwecannotbesureasyetifitisa
body,canwe?Afterall,thoughprudenceisadmirable,commonhumanitycomesfirst.Wemust
thinkofthedoctor,mustwenot,beforewethinkofthepolice?"

"Ohyes.Ofcourse,"saidColin,stillalittletakenaback.

"WeonlythoughtImeanwethoughtwe'dbettergetyoubeforewedidanything,"saidMichael
hastily.

"Thenyouwillbothremainhere,"saidPoirot."Iwillapproachfromtheothersidesoasnotto
disturbthesefootprints.Suchexcellentfootprints,aretheynotsoveryclear?Thefootprintsofa
manandagirlgoingouttogethertotheplacewhereshelies.Andthentheman'sfootstepscome
backbutthegirl'sdonot."

"Theymustbethefootprintsofthemurderer,"saidColin,withbatedbreath.

"Exactly,"saidPoirot."Thefootprintsofthemurderer.Alongnarrowfootwithratherapeculiartype
ofshoe.Veryinteresting.Easy,Ithink,torecognise.Yes,thosefootprintswillbeveryimportant."

AtthatmomentDesmondLeeWortleycameoutofthehousewithSarahandjoinedthem.

"Whatonearthareyoualldoinghere?"hedemandedinasomewhattheatricalmanner."Isawyou
frommybedroomwindow.What'sup?Goodlord,what'sthis?Ititlookslike..."

"Exactly,"saidHerculePoirot."Itlookslikemurder,doesitnot?"

Sarahgaveagasp,thenshotaquicksuspiciousglanceatthetwoboys.

"Youmeansomeone'skilledthegirlwhat'shernameBridget?"demandedDesmond."Whoon
earthwouldwanttokillher?It'sunbelievable!"
"Therearemanythingsthatareunbelievable,"saidPoirot."Especiallybeforebreakfast,isitnot?
Thatiswhatoneofyourclassicssays.Siximpossiblethingsbeforebreakfast."Headded:"Pleasewait
here,allofyou."

Carefullymakingacircuit,heapproachedBridgetandbentforamomentdownoverthebody.Colin
andMichaelwerenowbothshakingwithsuppressedlaughter.Sarahjoinedthem,murmuring"What
haveyoutwobeenupto?"

"GoodoldBridget,"whisperedColin."Isn'tshewonderful?Notatwitch!"

"I'veneverseenanythinglooksodeadasBridgetdoes,"whisperedMichael.

HerculePoirotstraightenedupagain.

"Thisisaterriblething,"hesaid.Hisvoiceheldanemotionithadnotheldbefore.

Overcomebymirth,MichaelandColinbothturnedaway.InachokedvoiceMichaelsaid:

"Whatwhatmustwedo?"

"Thereisonlyonethingtodo,"saidPoirot."Wemustsendforthepolice.Willoneofyoutelephone
orwouldyouprefermetodoit?"

"Ithink,"saidColin,"Ithinkwhataboutit,Michael?"

"Yes,"saidMichael,"Ithinkthejig'supnow."Hesteppedforward.Forthefirsttimeheseemeda
littleunsureofhimself."I'mawfullysorry,"hesaid,"Ihopeyouwon'tmindtoomuch.Iteritwasa
sortofjokeforChristmasandallthat,youknow.Wethoughtwe'dwell,layonamurderforyou."

"Youthoughtyouwouldlayonamurderforme?Thenthisthenthis..."

"It'sjustashowweputon,"explainedColin,"totomakeyoufeelathome,youknow."

"Aha,"saidHerculePoirot."Iunderstand.YoumakeofmetheAprilfool,isthatit?Buttodayisnot
Aprilthefirst,itisDecemberthetwentysixth."

"Isupposeweoughtn'ttohavedoneitreally,"saidColin,"butbutyoudon'tmindverymuch,do
you,M.Poirot?Comeon,Bridget,"hecalled,"getup.Youmustbehalffrozentodeathalready."

Thefigureinthesnow,however,didnotstir.

"Itisodd,"saidHerculePoirot,"shedoesnotseemtohearyou."Helookedthoughtfullyatthem."It
isajoke,yousay?Youaresurethisisajoke?"

"Why,yes."Colinspokeuncomfortably."Wewedidn'tmeananyharm."

"ButwhythendoesMademoiselleBridgetnotgetup?"

"Ican'timagine,"saidColin.

"Comeon,Bridget,"saidSarahimpatiently."Don'tgoonlyingthereplayingthefool."

"Wereallyareverysorry,M.Poirot,"saidColinapprehensively."Wedoreallyapologise."
"Youneednotapologise,"saidPoirot,inapeculiartone.

"Whatdoyoumean?"Colinstaredathim.Heturnedagain."Bridget!Bridget!What'sthematter?
Whydoesn'tshegetup?Whydoesshegoonlyingthere?"

PoirotbeckonedtoDesmond."You,MrLeeWortley.Comehere..."

Desmondjoinedhim.

"Feelherpulse,"saidPoirot.

DesmondLeeWortleybenddown.Hetouchedthearmthewrist.

"There'snopulse..."hestaredatPoirot."Herarm'sstiff.GoodGod,shereallyisdead!"

Poirotnodded."Yes,sheisdead,"hesaid."Someonehasturnedthecomedyintoatragedy."

"Someonewho?"

"Thereisasetoffootprintsgoingandreturning.Asetoffootprintsthatbearsastrongresemblance
tothefootprintsyouhavejustmade,MrLeeWortley,comingfromthepathtothisspot."

DesmondLeeWortleywheeledround.

"Whatonearth...Areyouaccusingme?Me?You'recrazy!WhyonearthshouldIwanttokillthe
girl?"

"Ahwhy?Iwonder...Letussee..."

Hebentdownandverygentlyprisedopenthestifffingersofthegirl'sclenchedhand.

Desmonddrewasharpbreath.Hegazeddownunbelievingly.Inthepalmofthedeadgirl'shandwas
whatappearedtobealargeruby.

"It'sthatdamn'thingoutofthepudding!"hecried.

"Isit?"saidPoirot."Areyousure?"

"Ofcourseitis."

WithaswiftmovementDesmondbentdownandpluckedtheredstoneoutofBridget'shand.

"Youshouldnotdothat,"saidPoirotreproachfully."Nothingshouldhavebeendisturbed."

"Ihaven'tdisturbedthebody,haveI?Butthisthingmightmightgetlostandit'sevidence.Thegreat
thingistogetthepolicehereassoonaspossible.I'llgoatonceandtelephone."

Hewheeledroundandransharplytowardsthehouse.SarahcameswiftlytoPoirot'sside.

"Idon'tunderstand,"shewhispered.Herfacewasdeadwhite."Idon'tunderstand."Shecaughtat
Poirot'sarm."Whatdidyoumeanaboutaboutthefootprints?"

"Lookforyourself,Mademoiselle."
Thefootprintsthatledtothebodyandbackagainwerethesameastheonesjustmade
accompanyingPoirottothegirl'sbodyandback.

"YoumeanthatitwasDesmond?Nonsense!"

Suddenlythenoiseofacarcamethroughtheclearair.Theywheeledround.Theysawthecarclearly
enoughdrivingatafuriouspacedownthedriveandSarahrecognisedwhatcaritwas.

"It'sDesmond,"shesaid."It'sDesmond'scar.Hehemusthavegonetofetchthepoliceinsteadof
telephoning."

DianaMiddletoncamerunningoutofthehousetojointhem.

"What'shappened?"shecriedinabreathlessvoice."Desmondjustcamerushingintothehouse.He
saidsomethingaboutBridgetbeingkilledandthenherattledthetelephonebutitwasdead.He
couldn'tgetanyanswer.Hesaidthewiresmusthavebeencut.Hesaidtheonlythingwastotakea
carandgoforthepolice.Whythepolice...?"

Poirotmadeagesture.

"Bridget?"Dianastaredathim."Butsurelyisn'titajokeofsomekind?Iheardsomething
somethinglastnight.Ithoughtthattheyweregoingtoplayajokeonyou,M.Poirot?"

"Yes,"saidPoirot,"thatwastheideatoplayajokeonme.Butnowcomeintothehouse,allofyou.
WeshallcatchourdeathsofcoldhereandthereisnothingtobedoneuntilMrLeeWortleyreturns
withthepolice."

"Butlookhere,"saidColin,"wecan'twecan'tleaveBridgetherealone."

"Youcandohernogoodbyremaining,"saidPoirotgently."Come,itisasad,averysadtragedy,but
thereisnothingwecandoanymoretohelpMademoiselleBridget.Soletuscomeinandgetwarm
andhaveperhapsacupofteaorofcoffee."

Theyfollowedhimobedientlyintothehouse.Peverellwasjustabouttostrikethegong.Ifhe
thoughtitextraordinaryformostofthehouseholdtobeoutsideandforPoirottomakean
appearanceinpyjamasandanovercoat,hedisplayednosignofit.Peverellinhisoldagewasstillthe
perfectbutler.Henoticednothingthathewasnotaskedtonotice.Theywentintothediningroom
andsatdown.Whentheyallhadacupofcoffeeinfrontofthemandweresippingit,Poirotspoke.

"Ihavetorecounttoyou,"hesaid,"alittlehistory.Icannottellyouallthedetails,no.ButIcangive
youthemainoutline.Itconcernsayoungprincelingwhocametothiscountry.Hebroughtwithhima
famousjewelwhichhewastohaveresetfortheladyhewasgoingtomarry,butunfortunately
beforethathemadefriendswithaveryprettyyounglady.Thisprettyyoungladydidnotcarevery
muchfortheman,butshedidcareforhisjewelsomuchsothatonedayshedisappearedwiththis
historicpossessionwhichhadbelongedtohishouseforgenerations.Sothepooryoungman,heisin
aquandary,yousee.Aboveallhecannothaveascandal.Impossibletogotothepolice.Thereforehe
comestome,toHerculePoirot.'Recoverforme,'hesays,'myhistoricruby.'Ehbien,thisyounglady,
shehasafriendandthefriend,hehasputthroughseveralveryquestionabletransactions.Hehas
beenconcernedwithblackmailandhehasbeenconcernedwiththesaleofjewelleryabroad.Always
hehasbeenveryclever.Heissuspected,yes,butnothingcanbeproved.Itcomestomyknowledge
thatthisveryclevergentleman,heisspendingChristmashereinthishouse.Itisimportantthatthe
prettyyounglady,onceshehasacquiredthejewel,shoulddisappearforawhilefromcirculation,so
thatnopressurecanbeputuponher,noquestionscanbeaskedher.Itisarranged,therefore,that
shecomesheretoKingsLacey,ostensiblyasthesisteroftheclevergentleman..."

Sarahdrewasharpbreath.

"Oh,no.Oh,no,nothere!Notwithmehere!"

"Butsoitis,"saidPoirot."AndbyalittlemanipulationI,too,becomeaguesthereforChristmas.This
younglady,sheissupposedtohavejustcomeoutofhospital.Sheismuchbetterwhenshearrives
here.ButthencomesthenewsthatI,too,arrive,adetectiveawellknowndetective.Atonceshe
haswhatyoucallthewindup.Shehidestherubyinthefirstplaceshecanthinkof,andthenvery
quicklyshehasarelapseandtakestoherbedagain.ShedoesnotwantthatIshouldseeher,for
doubtlessIhaveaphotographandIshallrecogniseher.Itisveryboringforher,yes,butshehasto
stayinherroomandherbrother,hebringsherupthetrays."

"Andtheruby?"demandedMichael.

"Ithink,"saidPoirot,"thatatthemomentitismentionedIarrive,theyoungladywasinthekitchen
withtherestofyou,alllaughingandtalkingandstirringtheChristmaspuddings.TheChristmas
puddingsareputintobowlsandtheyoungladyshehidestheruby,pressingitdownintooneofthe
puddingbowls.NottheonethatwearegoingtohaveonChristmasDay.Ohno,thatonesheknows
isinaspecialmould.Sheputsitintheotherone,theonethatisdestinedtobeeatenonNewYear's
Day.Beforethenshewillbereadytoleave,andwhensheleavesnodoubtthatChristmaspudding
willgowithher.Butseehowfatetakesahand.OntheverymorningofChristmasDaythereisan
accident.TheChristmaspuddinginitsfancymouldisdroppedonthestonefloorandthemouldis
shatteredtopieces.Sowhatcanbedone?ThegoodMrsRoss,shetakestheotherpuddingand
sendsitin."

"Goodlord,"saidColin,"doyoumeanthatonChristmasDaywhenGrandfatherwaseatinghis
puddingthatthatwasarealrubyhe'dgotinhismouth?"

"Precisely,"saidPoirot,"andyoucanimaginetheemotionsofMrDesmondLeeWortleywhenhe
sawthat.Ehbien,whathappensnext?Therubyispassedround.IexamineitandImanage
unobtrusivelytoslipitinmypocket.InacarelesswayasthoughIwerenotinterested.Butone
personatleastobserveswhatIhavedone.WhenIlieinbedthatpersonsearchesmyroom.He
searchesme.Hedoesnotfindtheruby.Why?"

"Because,"saidMichaelbreathlessly,"youhadgivenittoBridget.That'swhatyoumean.Andso
that'swhybutIdon'tunderstandquiteImean...Lookhere,whatdidhappen?"

Poirotsmiledathim.

"Comenowintothelibrary,"hesaid,"andlookoutofthewindowandIwillshowyousomething
thatmayexplainthemystery."

Heledthewayandtheyfollowedhim.

"Consideronceagain,"saidPoirot,"thesceneofthecrime."
Hepointedoutofthewindow.Asimultaneousgaspbrokefromthelipsofallofthem.Therewasno
bodylyingonthesnow,notraceofthetragedyseemedtoremainexceptamassofscuffledsnow.

"Itwasn'talladream,wasit?"saidColinfaintly."Ihassomeonetakenthebodyaway?"

"Ah,"saidPoirot."Yousee?TheMysteryoftheDisappearingBody."Henoddedhisheadandhiseyes
twinkledgently.

"Goodlord,"criedMichael."M.Poirot,youareyouhaven'toh,look,he'sbeenhavingusonallthis
time!"

Poirottwinkledmorethanever.

"Itistrue,mychildren,Ialsohavehadmylittlejoke.Iknewaboutyourlittleplot,yousee,andsoI
arrangedacounterplotofmyown.Ah,voilMademoiselleBridget.Nonetheworse,Ihope,foryour
exposureinthesnow?NevershouldIforgivemyselfifyouattrappedunefluxiondepoitrine."

Bridgethadjustcomeintotheroom.Shewaswearingathickskirtandawoollensweater.Shewas
laughing.

"Isentatisanetoyourroom,"saidPoirotseverely."Youhavedrunkit?"

"Onesipwasenough!"saidBridget."I'mallright.DidIdoitwell,M.Poirot?Goodness,myarmhurts
stillafterthattourniquetyoumademeputonit."

"Youweresplendid,mychild,"saidPoirot."Splendid.Butsee,alltheothersarestillinthefog.Last
nightIwenttoMademoiselleBridget.ItoldherthatIknewaboutyourlittlecomplotandIaskedher
ifshewouldactapartforme.Shediditverycleverly.ShemadethefootprintswithapairofMrLee
Wortley'sshoes."

Sarahsaidinaharshvoice:

"Butwhat'sthepointofitall,M.Poirot?What'sthepointofsendingDesmondofftofetchthe
police?They'llbeveryangrywhentheyfindoutit'snothingbutahoax."

Poirotshookhisheadgently.

"ButIdonotthinkforonemoment,Mademoiselle,thatMrLeeWortleywenttofetchthepolice,"
hesaid."MurderisathinginwhichMrLeeWortleydoesnotwanttobemixedup.Helosthisnerve
badly.Allhecouldseewashischancetogettheruby.Hesnatchedthat,hepretendedthetelephone
wasoutoforderandherushedoffinacaronthepretenceoffetchingthepolice.Ithinkmyselfitis
thelastyouwillseeofhimforsometime.Hehas,Iunderstand,hisownwaysofgettingoutof
England.Hehashisownplane,hashenot,Mademoiselle?"

Sarahnodded."Yes,"shesaid."Wewerethinkingof..."shestopped.

"Hewantedyoutoelopewithhimthatway,didhenot?Ehbien,thatisaverygoodwayof
smugglingajeweloutofthecountry.Whenyouareelopingwithagirl,andthatfactispublicised,
thenyouwillnotbesuspectedofalsosmugglingahistoricjeweloutofthecountry.Ohyes,that
wouldhavemadeaverygoodcamouflage."

"Idon'tbelieveit,"saidSarah."Idon'tbelieveawordofit!"
"Thenaskhissister,"saidPoirot,gentlynoddinghisheadoverhershoulder.Sarahturnedherhead
sharply.

Aplatinumblondestoodinthedoorway.Sheworeafurcoatandwasscowling.Shewasclearlyina
furioustemper.

"Sistermyfoot!"shesaid,withashortunpleasantlaugh."Thatswine'snobrotherofmine!Sohe's
beatenit,hashe,andleftmetocarrythecan?Thewholethingwashisidea!Heputmeuptoit!Said
itwasmoneyforjam.They'dneverprosecutebecauseofthescandal.Icouldalwaysthreatentosay
thatAlihadgivenmehishistoricjewel.DesandIweretohavesharedtheswaginParisandnowthe
swinerunsoutonme!I'dliketomurderhim!"Sheswitchedabruptly."ThesoonerIgetoutofhere...
Cansomeonetelephoneforataxi?"

"Acariswaitingatthefrontdoortotakeyoutothestation,Mademoiselle,"saidPoirot.

"Thinkofeverything,don'tyou?"

"Mostthings,"saidPoirotcomplacently.

ButPoirotwasnottogetoffsoeasily.Whenhereturnedtothediningroomafterassistingthe
spuriousMissLeeWortleyintothewaitingcar,Colinwaswaitingforhim.

Therewasafrownonhisboyishface.

"Butlookhere,M.Poirot.Whatabouttheruby?Doyoumeantosayyou'velethimgetawaywith
it?"

Poirot'sfacefell.Hetwirledhismoustaches.Heseemedillatease.

"Ishallrecoverityet,"hesaidweakly."Thereareotherways.Ishallstill..."

"Well,Idothink!"saidMichael."Toletthatswinegetawaywiththeruby!"

Bridgetwassharper.

"He'shavingusonagain,"shecried."Youare,aren'tyou,M.Poirot?"

"Shallwedoafinalconjuringtrick,Mademoiselle?Feelinmylefthandpocket."

Bridgetthrustherhandin.Shedrewitoutagainwithascreamoftriumphandheldaloftalargeruby
blinkingincrimsonsplendour.

"Youcomprehend,"explainedPoirot,"theonethatwasclaspedinyourhandwasapastereplica.I
broughtitfromLondonincaseitwaspossibletomakeasubstitution.Youunderstand?Wedonot
wantthescandal.MonsieurDesmondwilltryanddisposeofthatrubyinParisorinBelgiumor
whereveritisthathehashiscontacts,andthenitwillbediscoveredthatthestoneisnotreal!What
couldbemoreexcellent?Allfinisheshappily.Thescandalisavoided,myprincelingreceiveshisruby
backagain,hereturnstohiscountryandmakesasoberandwehopeahappymarriage.Allends
well."

"Exceptforme,"murmuredSarahunderherbreath.
ShespokesolowthatnooneheardherbutPoirot.Heshookhisheadgently.

"Youareinerror,MademoiselleSarah,inwhatyousaythere.Youhavegainedexperience.All
experienceisvaluable.AheadofyouIprophesytherelieshappiness."

"That'swhatyousay,"saidSarah.

"Butlookhere,M.Poirot,"Colinwasfrowning."Howdidyouknowabouttheshowweweregoingto
putonforyou?"

"Itismybusinesstoknowthings,"saidHerculePoirot.Hetwirledhismoustache.

"Yes,butIdon'tseehowyoucouldhavemanagedit.Didsomeonesplitdidsomeonecomeandtell
you?"

"No,no,notthat."

"Thenhow?Tellushow?"

Theyallchorused,"Yes,tellushow."

"Butno,"Poirotprotested."Butno.IfItellyouhowIdeducedthat,youwillthinknothingofit.Itis
liketheconjurorwhoshowshowhistricksaredone!"

"Tellus,M.Poirot!Goon.Tellus,tellus!"

"YoureallywishthatIshouldsolveforyouthislastmystery?"

"Yes,goon.Tellus."

"Ah,IdonotthinkIcan.Youwillbesodisappointed."

"Now,comeon,M.Poirot,tellus.Howdidyouknow?"

"Well,yousee,IwassittinginthelibrarybythewindowinachairafterteatheotherdayandIwas
reposingmyself.IhadbeenasleepandwhenIawokeyouwerediscussingyourplansjustoutsidethe
windowclosetome,andthewindowwasopenatthetop."

"Isthatall?"criedColin,disgusted."Howsimple!"

"Isitnot?"saidHerculePoirot,smiling."Yousee?Youaredisappointed."

"Ohwell,"saidMichael,"atanyrateweknoweverythingnow."

"Dowe?"murmuredHerculePoirottohimself."Idonot.I,whosebusinessitistoknowthings."

Hewalkedoutintothehall,shakinghisheadalittle.Forperhapsthetwentiethtimehedrewfrom
hispocketaratherdirtypieceofpaper."DON'TEATNONEOFTHEPLUMPUDDING.ONEASWISHES
YOUWELL."

HerculePoirotshookhisheadreflectively.Hewhocouldexplaineverythingcouldnotexplainthis!
Humiliating.Whohadwrittenit?Whyhaditbeenwritten?Untilhefoundthatouthewouldnever
knowamoment'speace.Suddenlyhecameoutofhisreverietobeawareofapeculiargaspingnoise.
Helookedsharplydown.Onthefloor,busywithadustpanandbrushwasatowheadedcreatureina
floweredoverall.Shewasstaringatthepaperinhishandwithlargeroundeyes.

"Ohsir,"saidthisapparition."Oh,sir.Please,sir."

"Andwhomayyoube,monenfant?"inquiredM.Poirotgenially.

"AnnieBates,sir,pleasesir.IcomeheretohelpMrsRoss.Ididn'tmean,sir,Ididn'tmeantotodo
anythingwhatIshouldn'tdo.Ididmeanitwell,sir.Foryourgood,Imean."

EnlightenmentcametoPoirot.Heheldoutthedirtypieceofpaper.

"Didyouwritethat,Annie?"

"Ididn'tmeananyharm,sir.ReallyIdidn't."

"Ofcourseyoudidn't,Annie."Hesmiledather."Buttellmeaboutit.Whydidyouwritethis?"

"Well,itwasthemtwo,sir.MrLeeWortleyandhissister.Notthatshewashissister,I'msure.None
ofusthoughtso!Andshewasn'tillabit.Wecouldalltellthat.Wethoughtweallthought
somethingqueerwasgoingon.I'lltellyoustraight,sir.Iwasinherbathroomtakingintheclean
towels,andIlistenedatthedoor.Hewasinherroomandtheyweretalkingtogether.Iheardwhat
theysaidplainasplain.'Thisdetecive,'hewassaying.'ThisfellowPoirotwho'scominghere.We've
gottodosomethingaboutit.We'vegottogethimoutofthewayassoonaspossible.'Andthenhe
saystoherinanasty,sinistersortofway,loweringhisvoice,'Wheredidyouputit?'Andshe
answeredhim'Inthepudding.'Oh,sir,myheartgavesuchaleapIthoughtitwouldstopbeating.I
thoughttheymeanttopoisonyouintheChristmaspudding.Ididn'tknowwhattodo!'MrsRoss,she
wouldn'tlistentothelikesofme.ThentheideacametomeasI'dwriteyouawarning.AndIdidand
Iputitonyourpillowwhereyou'dfinditwhenyouwenttobed."Anniepausedbreathlessly.

Poirotsurveyedhergravelyforsomeminutes.

"Youseetoomanysensationalfilms,Ithink,Annie,"hesaidatlast,"orperhapsitisthetelevision
thataffectsyou?Buttheimportantthingisthatyouhavethegoodheartandacertainamountof
ingenuity.WhenIreturntoLondonIwillsendyouapresent."

"Ohthankyou,sir.Thankyouverymuch,sir."

"Whatwouldyoulike,Annie,asapresent?"

"AnythingIlike,sir?CouldIhaveanythingIlike?"

"Withinreason,"saidHerculePoirotprudently,"yes."

"Ohsir,couldIhaveavanitybox?ArealposhslapupvanityboxliketheoneMrLeeWortley'ssister,
wotwasn'thissister,had?"

"Yes,"saidPoirot,"yes,Ithinkthatcouldbemanaged."

"Itisinteresting,"hemused."Iwasinamuseumtheotherdayobservingsomeantiquitiesfrom
Babylonoroneofthoseplaces,thousandsofyearsoldandamongthemwerecosmeticsboxes.The
heartofwomendoesnotchange."
"Begyourpardon,sir?"saidAnnie.

"Itisnothing,"saidPoirot,"Ireflect.Youshallhaveyourvanitybox,child."

"Ohthankyou,sir.Ohthankyouverymuchindeed,sir."

Anniedepartedecstatically.Poirotlookedafterher,noddinghisheadinsatisfaction.

"Ah,"hesaidtohimself."AndnowIgo.Thereisnothingmoretobedonehere."

Apairofarmsslippedroundhisshouldersunexpectedly.

"Ifyouwillstandjustunderthemistletoe..."saidBridget.

HerculePoirotenjoyedit.Heenjoyeditverymuch.Hesaidtohimselfthathehadhadaverygood
Christmas.

THEMYSTERYOFTHESPANISHCHEST

Punctualtothemoment,asalways,HerculePoirotenteredthesmallroomWhereMissLemon,his
efficientsecretary,awaitedherinstructionsfortheday.

AtfirstsightMissLemonseemedtobecomposedentirelyofanglesthussatisfyingPoirot'sdemand
forsymmetry.

NotthatwherewomenwereconcernedHerculePoirotcarriedhispassionforgeometricalprecision
sofar.Hewas,onthecontrary,oldfashioned.Hehadacontinentalprejudiceforcurvesitmighthe
saidforvoluptuouscurves.Helikedwomentobewomen.Helikedthemlush,highlycolored,exotic.
TherehadbeenacertainRussiancountessbutthatwaslongagonow.Afollyofearlierdays.

ButMissLemonhehadneverconsideredasawoman.Shewasahumanmachineaninstrumentof
precision.Herefficiencywasterrific.Shewasfortyeightyearsofage,andwasfortunateenoughto
havenoimaginationwhatever.

"Goodmorning,MissLemon."

"Goodmorning,M.Poirot."

PoirotsatdownandMissLemonplacedbeforehimthemorning'smail,neatlyarrangedin
categories.

Sheresumedherseatandsatwithpadandpencilattheready.

Buttherewastobethismorningaslightchangeinroutine.Poirothadbroughtinwithhimthe
morningnewspaper,andhiseyeswerescanningitwithinterest.Theheadlineswerebigandbold.

"SPANISHCHESTMYSTERY.LATESTDEVELOPMENTS."
"Youhavereadthemorningpapers,Ipresume,MissLemon?"

"Yes,M.Poirot.ThenewsfromGenevaisnotverygood."

PoirotwavedawaythenewsfromGenevainacomprehensivesweepofthearm.

"ASpanishchest,"hemused."Canyoutellme,MissLemon,whatexactlyisaSpanishchest?"

"Isuppose,M.Poirot,thatitisachestthatcameoriginallyfromSpain."

"Onemightreasonablysupposeso.Youhavethen,noexpertknowledge?"

"TheyareusuallyoftheElizabethanperiod,Ibelieve.Large,andwithagooddealofbrassdecoration
onthem.Theylookverynicewhenwellkeptandpolished.Mysisterboughtoneatasale.Shekeeps
householdlineninit.Itlooksverynice."

"Iamsurethatinthehouseofanysisterofyours,allthefurniturewouldbewellkept,"saidPoirot,
bowinggracefully.

MissLemonrepliedsadlythatservantsdidnotseemtoknowwhatelbowgreasewasnowadays.

Poirotlookedalittlepuzzled,butdecidednottoinquireintotheinwardmeaningofthemysterious
phrase"elbowgrease."

Helookeddownagainatthenewspaper,conningoverthenames:MajorRich,Mr.andMrs.Clayton,
CommanderMcLaren,Mr.andMrs.Spence.Names,nothingbutnamestohim;yetallpossessedof
humanpersonalities,hating,loving,fearing.Adrama,this,inwhichhe,HerculePoirot,hadnopart.
Andhewouldhavelikedtohaveapartinit!Sixpeopleataneveningparty,inaroomwithabig
Spanishchestagainstthewall,sixpeople,fiveofthemtalking,eatingabuffetsupper,puttingrecords
onthegramophone,dancing,andthesixthdead,intheSpanishchest...

Ah,thoughtPoirot.HowmydearfriendHastingswouldhaveenjoyedthis!Whatromanticflightsof
imaginationhewouldhavehad.Whatineptitudeshewouldhaveuttered!Ah,cecherHastings,at
thismoment,today,Imisshim.Instead

HesighedandlookedatMissLemon.MissLemon,intelligentlyperceivingthatPoirotwasinnomood
todictateletters,haduncoveredhertypewriterandwasawaitinghermomenttogetonwithcertain
arrearsofwork.NothingcouldhaveinterestedherlessthansinisterSpanishchestscontainingdead
bodies.

Poirotsighedandlookeddownataphotographedface.Reproductionsinnewsprintwereneververy
good,andthiswasdecidedlysmudgybutwhataface!Mrs.Clayton,thewifeofthemurdered
man...

Onanimpulse,hethrustthepaperatMissLemon.

"Look,"hedemanded."Lookatthatface."

MissLemonlookedatitobediently,withoutemotion.

"Whatdoyouthinkofher,MissLemon?ThatisMrs.Clayton."
MissLemontookthepaper,glancedcasuallyatthepicture,andremarked:

"She'salittlelikethewifeofourbankmanagerwhenwelivedatCroydonHeath."

"Interesting,"saidPoirot."Recounttome,ifyouwillbesokind,thehistoryofyourbankmanager's
wife."

"Well,it'snotreallyaverypleasantstory,M.Poirot."

"Itwasinmymindthatitmightnotbe.Continue."

"TherewasagooddealoftalkaboutMrs.Adamsandayoungartist.ThenMr.Adamsshothimself.
ButMrs.Adamswouldn'tmarrytheothermanandhetooksomekindofpoisonbuttheypulled
himthroughallright;andfinallyMrs.Adamsmarriedayoungsolicitor.Ibelievetherewasmore
troubleafterthat,onlyofcoursewe'dleftCroydonHeathbythensoIdidn'thearverymuchmore
aboutit."

HerculePoirotnoddedgravely.

"Shewasbeautiful?"

"Wellnotreallywhatyou'dcallbeautifulButthereseemedtobesomethingabouther"

"Exactly.Whatisthatsomethingthattheypossessthesirensofthisworld!TheHelensofTroy,the
Cleopatras?"

MissLemoninsertedapieceofpapervigorouslyintohertypewriter.

"Really,M.Poirot,I'veneverthoughtaboutit.Itseemsallverysillytome.Ifpeoplewouldjustgoon
withtheirjobsanddidn'tthinkaboutsuchthingsitwouldbemuchbetter."

Havingthusdisposedofhumanfrailtyandpassion,MissLemonletherfingershoveroverthekeysof
thetypewriter,waitingimpatientlytobeallowedtobeginherwork.

"Thatisyourview,"saidPoirot."Andatthismomentitisyourdesirethatyoushouldbeallowedto
getonwithyourjob.Butyourjob,MissLemon,isnotonlytotakedownmyletters,tofilemypapers,
todealwithmytelephonecalls,totypewritemylettersAllthesethingsyoudoadmirably.Butme,I
dealnotonlywithdocumentsbutwithhumanbeings.Andthere,too,Ineedassistance."

"Certainly,M.Poirot,"saidMissLemonpatiently."Whatisityouwantmetodo?"

"Thiscaseinterestsme.Ishouldbegladifyouwouldmakeastudyofthismorning'sreportofitinall
thepapersandalsoofanyadditionalreportsintheeveningpapersMakemeaprcisofthefacts."

"Verygood,M.Poirot."

Poirotwithdrewtohissittingroom,aruefulsmileonhisface.

"Itisindeedtheirony,"hesaidtohimself,"thataftermydearfriendHastingsIshouldhaveMiss
Lemon.Whatgreatercontrastcanoneimagine?CecherHastingshowhewouldhaveenjoyed
himself.Howhewouldhavewalkedupanddowntalkingaboutit,puttingthemostromantic
constructiononeveryincident,believingasgospeltrutheverywordthepapershaveprintedaboutit.
AndmypoorMissLemon,whatIhaveaskedhertodo,shewillnotenjoyatall!"

MissLemoncametohiminduecoursewithatypewrittensheet.

"I'vegottheinformationyouwanted,M.Poirot.I'mafraidthough,itcan'tberegardedasreliable.
Thepapersvaryagooddealintheiraccounts.Ishouldn'tliketoguaranteethatthefactsasstated
aremorethansixtypercentaccurate."

"Thatisprobablyaconservativeestimate,"murmuredPoirot."Thankyou,MissLemon,forthe
troubleyouhavetaken."

Thefactsweresensationalbutclearenough.MajorCharlesRich,awelltodobachelor,hadgivenan
eveningpartytoafewofhisfriends,athisapartment.ThesefriendsconsistedofMr.andMrs.
Clayton,Mr.andMrs.Spence,andaCommanderMcLaren.CommanderMcLarenwasaveryold
friendofbothRichandtheClaytons,Mr.andMrs.Spence,ayoungercouple,werefairlyrecent
acquaintances.ArnoldClaytonwasintheTreasury.JeremySpencewasajuniorcivilservant.Major
Richwasfortyeight,ArnoldClaytonwasfiftyfive,CommanderMcLarenwasfortysix,Jeremy
Spencewasthirtyseven.Mrs.Claytonwassaidtobe"someyearsyoungerthanherhusband."One
personwasunabletoattendtheparty.Atthelastmoment,Mr.ClaytonwascalledawaytoScotland
onurgentbusiness,andwassupposedtohaveleftKing'sCrossbythe8:15train.

Thepartyproceededassuchpartiesdo.Everyoneappearedtobeenjoyingthemselves.Itwas
neitherawildpartynoradrunkenone.Itbrokeupabout11:45.Thefourguestslefttogetherand
sharedataxi.CommanderMcLarenwasdroppedfirstathisclubandthentheSpencesdropped
MargharitaClaytonatCardiganGardensjustoffSloaneStreetandwentonthemselvestotheirhouse
inChelsea.

ThegruesomediscoverywasmadeonthefollowingmorningbyMajorRich'smanservant,William
Burgess.Thelatterdidnotlivein.Hearrivedearlysoastoclearupthesittingroombeforecalling
MajorRichwithhisearlymorningtea.ItwaswhilstclearingupthatBurgesswasstartledtofindabig
staindiscoloringthelightcoloredrugonwhichstoodtheSpanishchest.Itseemedtohaveseeped
throughfromthechest,andthevaletimmediatelyliftedupthelidofthechestandlookedinside.He
washorrifiedtofindtherethebodyofMr.Clayton,stabbedthroughtheneck.

Obeyinghisfirstimpulse,Burgessrushedoutintothestreetandfetchedthenearestpoliceman.

Suchwerethebaldfactsofthecase.Buttherewerefurtherdetails.Thepolicehadimmediately
brokenthenewstoMrs.Clayton,whohadbeen"completelyprostrated."Shehadseenherhusband
forthelasttimeatalittleaftersixo'clockontheeveningbefore.Hehadcomehomemuchannoyed,
havingbeensummonedtoScotlandonurgentbusinessinconnectionwithsomepropertythathe
owned.Hehadurgedhiswifetogotothepartywithouthim.Mr.Claytonhadthencalledinathis
andCommanderMcLaren'sclub,hadhadadrinkwithhisfriend,andhadexplainedtheposition.He
hadthensaid,lookingathiswatch,thathehadjusttimeonhiswaytoKing'sCross,tocallinon
MajorRichandexplain.Hehadalreadytriedtotelephonehim,butthelinehadseemedtobeoutof
order.

AccordingtoWilliamBurgess,Mr.Claytonarrivedattheflatatabout7:55.MajorRichwasoutbut
wasduetoreturnanymoment,soBurgesssuggestedthatMr.Claytonshouldcomeinandwait.
Claytonsaidhehadnotimebutwouldcomeinandwriteanote.Heexplainedthathewasonhis
waytocatchatrainatKing'sCross.Thevaletshowedhimintothesittingroomandhimselfreturned
tothekitchen,wherehewasengagedinthepreparationofcanapsfortheparty.Thevaletdidnot
hearhismasterreturn,butabouttenminuteslater,MajorRichlookedintothekitchenandtold
BurgesstohurryoutandgetsomeTurkishcigarettes,whichwereMrs.Spence'sfavoritesmoking.
Thevaletdidsoandbroughtthemtohismasterinthesittingroom.Mr.Claytonwasnotthere,but
thevaletnaturallythoughthehadalreadylefttocatchhistrain.

MajorRich'sstorywasshortandsimple.Mr.Claytonwasnotintheflatwhenhehimselfcameinand
hehadnoideathathehadbeenthere.NonotehadbeenleftforhimandthefirstheheardofMr.
Clayton'sjourneytoScotlandwaswhenMrs.Claytonandtheothersarrived.

Thereweretwoadditionalitemsintheeveningpapers.Mrs.Claytonwhowas"prostratedwith
shock"hadleftherflatinCardiganGardensandwasbelievedtobestayingwithfriends.

Theseconditemwasinthestoppress.MajorCharlesRichhadbeenchargedwiththemurderof
ArnoldClaytonandhadbeentakenintocustody.

"Sothatisthat,"saidPoirot,lookingupatMissLemon."ThearrestofMajorRichwastobeexpected.
Butwhataremarkablecase.Whataveryremarkablecase!Doyounotthinkso?"

"Isupposesuchthingsdohappen,M.Poirot,"saidMissLemonwithoutinterest.

"Ohcertainly!Theyhappeneveryday.Ornearlyeveryday.Butusuallytheyarequiteunderstandable
thoughdistressing."

"Itiscertainlyaveryunpleasantbusiness."

"TobestabbedtodeathandstowedawayinaSpanishchestiscertainlyunpleasantforthevictim
supremelyso.ButwhenIsaythisisaremarkablecase,IrefertotheremarkablebehaviorofMajor
Rich."

MissLemonsaidwithfaintdistaste:

"ThereseemstobeasuggestionthatMajorRichandMrs.Claytonwereveryclosefriends...Itwasa
suggestionandnotaprovedfact,soIdidnotincludeit."

"Thatwasverycorrectofyou.Butitisaninferencethatleapstotheeye.Isthatallyouhavetosay?"

MissLemonlookedblank.Poirotsighed,andmissedtherichcolorfulimaginationofhisfriend
Hastings.DiscussingacasewithMissLemonwasuphillwork.

"ConsiderforamomentthisMajorRich.HeisinlovewithMrs.Claytongranted...Hewantsto
disposeofherhusbandthat,too,wegrant,thoughifMrs.Claytonisinlovewithhim,andtheyare
havingtheaffairtogether,whereistheurgency?Itis,perhaps,thatMr.Claytonwillnotgivehiswife
thedivorce?ButitisnotofallthisthatItalk.MajorRich,heisaretiredsoldier,anditissaid
sometimesthatsoldiersarenotbrainy.But,toutdemme,thisMajorRich,ishe,canhebe,a
completeimbecile?"

MissLemondidnotreply.Shetookthistobeapurelyrhetoricalquestion.
"Well,"demandedPoirot."Whatdoyouthinkaboutitall?"

"WhatdoIthink?"MissLemonwasstartled.

"Maisouiyou!"

MissLemonadjustedhermindtothestrainputuponit.Shewasnotgiventomentalspeculationof
anykindunlessaskedforit.Insuchleisuremomentsasshehad,hermindwasfilledwiththedetails
ofasuperlativelyperfectfilingsystem.Itwasheronlymentalrecreation.

"Well"shebegan,andpaused.

"Tellmejustwhathappenedwhatyouthinkhappened,onthatevening.Mr.Claytonisinthesitting
roomwritinganote,MajorRichcomesbackwhatthen?"

"HefindsMr.Claytonthere.TheyIsupposetheyhaveaquarrel.MajorRichstabshim.Then,when
heseeswhathehasdone,heheputsthebodyinthechest.Afterall,theguests,Isuppose,might
bearrivinganyminute."

"Yes,yes.Theguestsarrive!Thebodyisinthechest.Theeveningpasses.Theguestsdepart.And
then"

"Well,then,IsupposeMajorRichgoestobedandOh!"

"Ah,"saidPoirot."Youseeitnow.Youhavemurderedaman.Youhaveconcealedhisbodyina
chest.Andthenyougopeacefullytobed,quiteunperturbedbythefactthatyourvaletwilldiscover
thecrimeinthemorning."

"Isupposeit'spossiblethatthevaletmightneverhavelookedinsidethechest?"

"Withanenormouspoolofbloodonthecarpetunderneathit?"

"PerhapsMajorRichdidn'trealizethatthebloodwasthere."

"Wasitnotsomewhatcarelessofhimnottolookandsee?"

"Idaresayhewasupset,"saidMissLemon.Poirotthrewuphishandsindespair.

MissLemonseizedtheopportunitytohurryfromtheroom.

ThemysteryoftheSpanishchestwas,strictlyspeaking,nobusinessofPoirot's.Hewasengagedat
themomentinadelicatemissionforoneofthelargeoilcompanieswhereoneofthehighupswas
possiblyinvolvedinsomequestionabletransaction.Itwashushhush,important,andexceedingly
lucrative.ItwassufficientlyinvolvedtocommandPoirot'sattention,andhadthegreatadvantage
thatitrequiredverylittlephysicalactivity.Itwassophisticatedandbloodless.Crimeatthehighest
levels.

ThemysteryoftheSpanishchestwasdramaticandemotional,twoqualitieswhichPoirothadoften
declaredtoHastingscouldbemuchoverratedandindeedfrequentlyweresobythelatter.Hehad
beenseverewithcecherHastingsonthispoint,andnowherehewas,behavingmuchashisfriend
mighthavedone,obsessedwithbeautifulwomen,crimesofpassion,jealousy,hatred,andallthe
otherromanticcausesofmurder!Hewantedtoknowaboutitall.HewantedtoknowwhatMajor
Richwaslike,andwhathismanservant,Burgess,waslike,andwhatMargharitaClaytonwaslike
(thoughthat,hethought,heknew)andwhatthelateArnoldClaytonhadbeenlike(sinceheheld
thatthecharacterofthevictimwasofthefirstimportanceinamurdercase),andevenwhat
CommanderMcLaren,thefaithfulfriend,andMr.andMrs.Spence,therecentlyacquired
acquaintances,werelike.

Andhedidnotseeexactlyhowhewasgoingtogratifyhiscuriosity!

Hereflectedonthematterlaterintheday.

Whydidthewholebusinessintriguehimsomuch?Hedecided,afterreflection,thatitwasbecause
asthefactswererelatedthewholethingwasmoreorlessimpossible!Yes,therewasaEuclidean
flavor.

Startingfromwhatonecouldaccept,therehadbeenaquarrelbetweentwomen.Cause,
presumably,awoman.Onemankilledtheotherintheheatofrage.Yes,thathappenedthoughit
wouldbemoreacceptableifthehusbandhadkilledthelover.Stilltheloverhadkilledthehusband,
stabbedhimwithadagger(?),somehowaratherunlikelyweapon.PerhapsMajorRichhadhadan
Italianmother?Somewheresurelythereshouldbesomethingtoexplainthechoiceofadaggeras
aweapon.Anyway,onemustacceptthedagger(somepaperscalleditastiletto!).Itwastohandand
wasused.Thebodywasconcealedinthechest.Thatwascommonsenseandinevitable.Thecrime
hadnotbeenpremeditated,andasthevaletwasreturningatanymoment,andfourguestswouldbe
arrivingbeforeverylong,itseemedtheonlycourseindicated.

Thepartyisheld,theguestsdepart,themanservantisalreadygoneandMajorRichgoestobed!

Tounderstandhowthatcouldhappen,onemustseeMajorRichandfindoutwhatkindofamanacts
inthatway.

Coulditbethat,overcomewithhorroratwhathehaddoneandthelongstrainofaneveningtrying
toappearhisnormalself,hehadtakenasleepingpillofsomekindoratranquilizerwhichhadput
himintoaheavyslumberwhichlastedlongbeyondhisusualhourofwaking?Possible.Orwasita
case,rewardingtoapsychologist,whereMajorRich'sfeelingofsubconsciousguiltmadehimwant
thecrimetobediscovered?

Tomakeupone'smindonthatpointonewouldhavetoseeMajorRich.Itallcamebackto

Thetelephonerang.Poirotletitringforsomemoments,untilherealizedthatMissLemonafter
bringinghimhisletterstosign,hadgonehomesometimeago,andthatGeorgehadprobablygone
out.

Hepickedupthereceiver.

"M.Poirot?"

"Speaking!"

"Ohhowsplendid."Poirotblinkedslightlyatthefervorofthecharmingfemalevoice."It'sAbbie
Chatterton."

"Ah,LadyChatterton.HowcanIserveyou?"
"BycomingoverasquicklyasyoucanrightawaytoasimplyfrightfulcocktailpartyIangiving.Not
justforthecocktailpartyit'sforsomethingquitedifferentreally.Ineedyou.It'sabsolutelyvital.
Please,please,pleasedon'tletmedown!Don'tsayyoucan'tmanageit."

Poirothadnotbeengoingtosayanythingofthekind.LordChatterton,apartfrombeingapeerof
therealmandoccasionallymakingaverydullspeechintheHouseofLords,wasnobodyinparticular.
ButLadyChattertonwasoneofthebrightestjewelsinwhatPoirotcalledlehautmonde.Everything
shedidorsaidwasnews.Shehadbrains,beauty,originality,andenoughvitalitytoactivatearocket
tothemoon.

Shesaidagain:

"Ineedyou.Justgivethatwonderfulmoustacheofyoursalovelytwirl,andcome!"

Itwasnotquitesoquickasthat.Poirothadfirsttomakeameticuloustoilet.Thetwirltothe
moustacheswasaddedandhethensetoff.

ThedoorofLadyChatterton'sdelightfulhouseinCheritonStreetwasajarandanoiseasofanimals
mutinyingatthezoosoundedfromwithin.LadyChatterton,whowasholdingtwoambassadors,an
internationalruggerplayer,andanAmericanevangelistinplay,neatlyjettisonedthemwiththe
rapidityofsleightofhandandwasatPoirot'sside.

"M.Poirot,howwonderfultoseeyou!No,don'thavethatnastyMartini.I'vegotsomethingspecial
foryouakindofsiropthatthesheikhsdrinkinMorocco.It'sinmyownlittleroomupstairs."

SheledthewayupstairsandPoirotfollowedher.Shepausedtosayoverhershoulder:

"Ididn'tputthesepeopleoff,becauseit'sabsolutelyessentialthatnooneshouldknowthere's
anythingspecialgoingonhere,andI'vepromisedtheservantsenormousbonusesifnotawordleaks
out.Afterall,onedoesn'twantone'shousebesiegedbyreporters.And,poordarling,she'sbeen
throughsomuchalready."

LadyChattertondidnotstopatthefirstfloorlanding;insteadshesweptonuptothefloorabove.

Gaspingforbreathandsomewhatbewildered,HerculePoirotfollowed.

LadyChattertonpaused,gavearapidglancedownwardsoverthebanisters,andthenflungopena
door,exclaimingasshedidso:

"I'vegothim,Margharita!I'vegothim!Hereheis!"

ShestoodasideintriumphtoletPoirotenter,thenperformedarapidintroduction.

"ThisisMargharitaClayton.She'savery,verydearfriendofmine.You'llhelpher,won'tyou?
Margharita,thisisthatwonderfulHerculePoirot.He'lldojusteverythingyouwantyouwill,won't
you,dearM.Poirot?"

Andwithoutwaitingfortheanswerwhichsheobviouslytookforgranted(LadyChattertonhadnot
beenaspoiledbeautyallherlifefornothing),shedashedoutofthedooranddownthestairs,calling
backratherindiscreetly,"I'vegottogobacktoalltheseawfulpeople."
Thewomanwhohadbeensittinginachairbythewindowroseandcametowardshim.Hewould
haverecognizedherevenifLadyChattertonhadnotmentionedhername.Herewasthatwide,that
verywidebrow,thedarkhairthatsprangawayfromitlikewings,thegreyeyessetfarapart.She
woreaclosefittinghighneckedgownofdullblackthatshowedupthebeautyofherbodyandthe
magnoliawhitenessofherskin.Itwasanunusualfaceratherthanabeautifuloneoneofthose
oddlyproportionedfacesthatonesometimesseesinanItalianprimitive.Therewasaboutherakind
ofmedievalsimplicityastrangeinnocencethatcouldbe,Poirotthought,moredevastatingthanany
voluptuoussophistication.Whenshespokeitwaswithakindofchildlikecandor.

"Abbiesaysyouwillhelpme"

Shelookedathimgravelyandinquiringly.

Foramomenthestoodquitestill,scrutinizingherclosely.Therewasnothingillbredinhismannerof
doingit.Itwasmorethekindbutsearchinglookthatafamousconsultantgivesanewpatient.

"Areyousure,madame,"hesaidatlast,"thatIcanhelpyou?"

Alittleflushrosetohercheeks.

"Idon'tknowwhatyoumean."

"Whatisit,madame,thatyouwantmetodo?"

"Oh,"sheseemedsurprised."IthoughtyouknewwhoIwas?"

"Iknowwhoyouare.Yourhusbandwaskilledstabbed,andaMajorRichhasbeenarrestedand
chargedwithhismurder."

Theflushheightened.

"MajorRichdidnotkillmyhusband."

QuickasaflashPoirotsaid:

"Whynot?"

Shestared,puzzled."IIbegyourpardon?"

"IhaveconfusedyoubecauseIhavenotaskedthequestionthateverybodyasksthepolicethe
lawyers'WhyshouldMajorRichkillArnoldClayton?'ButIasktheopposite.Iaskyou,madame,why
youaresurethatMajorRichdidnotkillhim?"

"Because"shepausedamoment"becauseIknowMajorRichsowell."

"YouknowMajorRichsowell,"repeatedPoirottonelessly.Hepausedandthensaidsharply:

"Howwell?"

Whethersheunderstoodhismeaning,hecouldnotguess.Hethoughttohimself.'Hereiseithera
womanofgreatsimplicityorofgreatsubtlety...Manypeople,hethought,musthavewonderedthat
aboutMargharitaClayton...
"Howwell?"Shewaslookingathimdoubtfully."Fiveyearsno,nearlysix."

"ThatwasnotpreciselywhatImeantYoumustunderstand,madame,thatIshallhavetoaskyouthe
impertinentquestions.Perhapsyouwillspeakthetruth,perhapsyouwilllie.Itisverynecessaryfora
womantoliesometimes.Womenmustdefendthemselves,andthelie,itcanbeagoodweapon.But
therearethreepeople,madame,towhomawomanshouldspeakthetruth.ToherFatherconfessor,
toherhairdresser,andtoherprivatedetectiveifshetrustshim.Doyoutrustme,madame?"

MargharitaClaytondrewadeepbreath.

"Yes,"shesaid."Ido."Andadded:"Imust."

"Verywell,then.Whatisityouwantmetodofindoutwhokilledyourhusband?"

"Isupposesoyes."

"Butitisnotessential?Youwantme,then,toclearMajorRichfromsuspicion?"

Shenoddedquicklygratefully.

"Thatandthatonly?"

Itwas,hesaw,anunnecessaryquestion.MargharitaClaytonwasawomanwhosawonlyonething
atatime.

"Andnow,"hesaid,"fortheimpertinence.YouandMajorRich,youarelovers,yes?"

"Doyoumean,werewehavinganaffairtogether?No."

"Buthewasinlovewithyou?"

"Yes."

"Andyouwereinlovewithhim?"

"Ithinkso."

"Youdonotseemquitesure?"

"Iamsurenow."

"Ah!Youdidnot,then,loveyourhusband?"

"No."

"Youreplywithanadmirablesimplicity.Mostwomenwouldwishtoexplainatgreatlengthjust
exactlywhattheirfeelingswere.Howlonghadyoubeenmarried?"

"Elevenyears."

"Canyoutellmealittleaboutyourhusbandwhatkindofamanhewas?"

Shefrowned.
"It'sdifficult.Idon'treallyknowwhatkindofamanArnoldwas.Hewasveryquietveryreserved.
Onedidn'tknowwhathewasthinking.Hewasclever,ofcourseeveryonesaidhewasbrilliantin
hiswork,Imean.Hedidn'thowcanIputitheneverexplainedhimselfatall"

"Washeinlovewithyou?"

"Oh,yes.Hemusthavebeen.Orhewouldn'thavemindedsomuch"shecametoasuddenstop.

"Aboutothermen?Thatiswhatyouweregoingtosay?Hewasjealous?"

Againshesaid:

"Hemusthavebeen."Andthen,asthoughshefeltthatthephraseneededexplanation,shesaid,

"Sometimes,fordays,hewouldn'tspeak..."

Poirotnoddedthoughtfully.

"Thisviolencethathascomeintoyourlife.Isitthefirstthatyouhaveknown?"

"Violence?"Shefrowned,thenflushed."Iyoumeanthatpoorboywhoshothimself?"

"Yes,"saidPoirot."IexpectthatiswhatImean..."

"I'dnoideahefeltlikethat...Iwassorryforhimheseemedsoshysolonely.Hemusthavebeen
veryneurotic,Ithink.AndthereweretwoItaliansandaduelItwasridiculous!Anyway,nobodywas
killed,thankgoodness.Andhonestly,Ididn'tcareabouteitherofthem!Ineverevenpretendedto
care."

"No.Youwerejustthere!Andwhereyouarethingshappen!Ihaveseenthatbeforeinmylife.Itis
becauseyoudonotcarethatmenaredrivenmad.ButforMajorRichyoudocare.Sowemustdo
whatwecan..."

Hewassilentforamomentortwo.

Shesattheregravely,watchinghim.

"Weturnfrompersonalities,whicharethereallyimportantthings,toplainfacts.Iknowonlywhat
hasbeeninthepapers.Onthefactsasgiventhere,onlytwopersonshadtheopportunityofkilling
yourhusband,onlytwopersonscouldhavekilledhimMajorRichandMajorRich'smanservant."

Shesaid,stubbornly:

"IknowCharlesdidn'tkillhim."

"So,then,itmusthavebeenthevalet.Youagree?"

Shesaiddoubtfully:

"Iseewhatyoumean"

"Butyouaredubiousaboutit?"

"Itjustseemsfantastic?
"Yetthepossibilityisthere.Yourhusbandundoubtedlycametotheflat,sincehisbodywasfound
there.Ifthevalet'sstoryistrue,MajorRichkilledhim.Butifthevalet'sstoryisfalse?Thenthevalet
killedhimandhidthebodyinthechestbeforehismasterreturned.Anexcellentwayofdisposingof
thebodyfromhispointofview.Hehasonlygotto'noticethebloodstain'thenextmorningand
'discover'it.SuspicionwillimmediatelyfallonRich."

"ButwhyshouldhewanttokillArnold?"

"Ahwhy?Themotivecannotbeanobviousoneorthepolicewouldhaveinvestigatedit.Itis
possiblethatyourhusbandknewsomethingtothevalet'sdiscredit,andwasabouttoacquaintMajor
Richwiththefacts.DidyourhusbandeversayanythingtoyouaboutthismanBurgess?"

Sheshookherhead.

"Doyouthinkhewouldhavedonesoifthathadindeedbeenthecase?"

Shefrowned.

"It'sdifficulttosay.Possiblynot.Arnoldnevertalkedmuchaboutpeople.Itoldyouhewasreserved.
Hewasn'thewasneverachattyman."

"Hewasamanwhokepthisowncounsel.Yes,nowwhatisyouropinionofBurgess?"

"He'snotthekindofmanyounoticeverymuch.Afairlygoodservant.Adequate,butnotpolished."

"Whatage?"

"Aboutthirtysevenoreight,Ishouldthink.He'dbeenanorderlyinthearmyduringthewar,buthe
wasn'taregularsoldier."

"HowlonghadhebeenwithMajorRich?"

"Notverylong.Aboutayearandahalf,Ithink."

"Younevernoticedanythingoddabouthismannertowardsyourhusband?"

"Weweren'ttheresoveryoften.No,Inoticednothingatall."

"Tellmenowabouttheeventsofthatevening.Whattimewereyouinvited?"

"Eightfifteenforhalfpast."

"Andjustwhatkindofapartywasittobe?"

"Well,therewouldbedrinks,andakindofbuffetsupperusuallyaverygoodone.Foiegrasandhot
toast.Smokedsalmon.SometimestherewasahotricedishCharleshadaspecialrecipehe'dgotin
theNearEastbutthatwasmoreforwinter.ThenweusedtohavemusicCharleshadgotavery
goodstereophonicgramophone.BothmyhusbandandJockMcLarenwereveryfondofclassical
records.AndwehaddancemusictheSpenceswereverykeendancers.Itwasthatsortofthinga
quietinformalevening.Charleswasaverygoodhost."

"Andthisparticulareveningitwaslikeothereveningsthere?Younoticednothingunusualnothing
outofplace?"
"Outofplace?"shefrownedforamoment."WhenyousaidthatIno,it'sgone.Therewas
something"

Sheshookherheadagain."No.Toansweryourquestion,therewasnothingunusualatallaboutthat
evening.Weenjoyedourselves.Everybodyseemedrelaxedandhappy."Sheshivered."Andtothink
thatallthetime"

Poirotheldupaquickhand.

"Donotthink.ThisbusinessthattookyourhusbandtoScotland,howmuchdoyouknowabout
that?"

"Notverymuch.Therewassomedisputeovertherestrictionsonsellingapieceoflandwhich
belongedtomyhusband.Thesalehadapparentlygonethroughandthensomesuddensnagturned
up."

"Whatdidyourhusbandtellyouexactly?"

"Hecameinwithatelegraminhishand.AsfarasIremember,hesaid,'Thisismostannoying.Ishall
havetotakethenightmailtoEdinburghandseeJohnstonfirstthingtomorrowmorning.Toobad,
whenonethoughtthethingwasgoingthroughsmoothlyatlast.'Thenhesaid,'ShallIringupJock
andgethimtocallforyou?'andIsaid,'Nonsense,I'lljusttakeataxi,'andhesaidthatJockorthe
Spenceswouldseemehome.Isaiddidhewantanythingpackedandhesaidhe'djustthrowafew
thingsintoabag,andhaveaquicksnackattheclub,beforecatchingthetrain.Thenhewentoffand
andthat'sthelasttimeIsawhim."

Hervoicebrokealittleonthelastwords.

Poirotlookedatherveryhard.

"Didheshowyouthetelegram?"

"No."

"Apity."

"Whydoyousaythat?"

Hedidnotanswerthatquestion.Insteadhesaidbriskly:

"Nowtobusiness.WhoarethesolicitorsactingforMajorRich?"

Shetoldhimandhemadeanoteoftheaddress.

"Willyouwriteafewwordstothemandgiveittome?Ishallwanttomakearrangementstosee
MajorRich."

"Heit'sbeenremandedforaweek."

"Naturally.Thatistheprocedure.WillyoualsowriteanotetoCommanderMcLarenandtoyour
friendstheSpences?Ishallwanttoseeallofthem,anditisessentialthattheydonotatonceshow
methedoor."
Whensherosefromthewritingdesk,hesaid:

"Onethingmore.Ishallregistermyownimpressions,butIalsowantyoursofCommanderMcLaren
andofMr.andMrs.Spence."

"Jockisoneofouroldestfriends.I'veknownhimeversinceIwasachild.Heappearstobequitea
dourperson,buthe'sreallyadearalwaysthesamealwaystobereliedupon.He'snotgayand
amusingbuthe'satowerofstrengthbothArnoldandIreliedonhisjudgementalot."

"Andhe,also,isdoubtlessinlovewithyou?"Poirot'seyestwinkledslightly.

"Ohyes,"saidMargharitahappily."He'salwaysbeeninlovewithmebutbynowit'sbecomeakind
ofhabit."

"AndtheSpences?"

"They'reamusingandverygoodcompany.LindaSpenceisreallyratheraclevergirl.Arnoldenjoyed
talkingwithher.She'sattractive,too."

"Youarefriends?"

"SheandI?Inaway.Idon'tknowthatIreallylikeher.She'stoomalicious."

"Andherhusband?"

"Oh,Jeremyisdelightful.Verymusical.Knowsagooddealaboutpictures,too.HeandIgotopicture
showsagooddealtogether"

"Ah,well,Ishallseeformyself."Hetookherhandinhis,"Ihope,madame,youwillnotregretasking
formyhelp."

"WhyshouldIregretit?"Hereyesopenedwide

"Oneneverknows,"saidPoirotcryptically.

"AndIIdonotknow,"hesaidtohimself,ashewentdownthestairs.Thecocktailpartywasstillin
fullspate,butheavoidedbeingcapturedandreachedthestreet.

"No,"herepeated."Idonotknow."

ItwasofMargharitaClaytonhewasthinking.Thatapparentlychildlikecandor,thatfrankinnocence
Wasitjustthat?Ordiditmasksomethingelse?Therehadbeenwomenlikethatinmedievaldays
womenonwhomhistoryhadnotbeenabletoagree.

HethoughtofMaryStuart,theScottishQueen.Hadsheknown,thatnightinKirko'Fields,ofthe
deedthatwastobedone?Orwasshecompletelyinnocent?Hadtheconspiratorstoldhernothing?
Wassheoneofthosechildlikesimplewomenwhocansaytothemselves"Idonotknow"andbelieve
it?HefeltthespellofMargharitaClayton.Buthewasnotentirelysureabouther...

Suchwomencouldbe,thoughinnocentthemselves,thecauseofcrimes.

Suchwomencouldbe,inintentanddesign,criminalsthemselves,thoughnotinaction.
TheirswasneverthehandthatheldtheknifeAstoMargharitaClaytonnohedidnotknow!

HerculePoirotdidnotfindMajorRich'ssolicitorsveryhelpful.Hehadnotexpectedtodoso.

Theymanagedtoindicate,thoughwithoutsayingso,thatitwouldbeintheirclient'sbestinterestif
Mrs.Claytonshowednosignofactivityonhisbehalf.

Hisvisittothemwasintheinterestsof"correctness."HehadenoughpullwiththeHomeOfficeand
theCIDtoarrangehisinterviewwiththeprisoner.

InspectorMiller,whowasinchargeoftheClaytoncase,wasnotoneofPoirot'sfavorites.Hewas
not,however,hostileonthisoccasion,merelycontemptuous.

"Can'twastemuchtimeovertheolddodderer,"hehadsaidtohisassistingsergeantbeforePoirot
wasshownin."Still,I'llhavetobepolite."

"You'llreallyhavetopullsomerabbitsoutofahatifyou'regoingtodoanythingwiththisone,M.
Poirot,"heremarkedcheerfully."NobodyelsebutRichcouldhavekilledthebloke."

"Exceptthevalet."

"Oh,I'llgiveyouthevalet!Asapossibility,thatis.Butyouwon'tfindanythingthere.Nomotives
whatever."

"Youcannotbeentirelysureofthat.Motivesareverycuriousthings."

"Well,hewasn'tacquaintedwithClaytoninanyway.He'sgotaperfectlyinnocuouspast.Andhe
seemstobeperfectlyrightinhishead.Idon'tknowwhatmoreyouwant?"

"IwanttofindoutthatRichdidnotcommitthecrime."

"Topleasethelady,eh?"InspectorMillergrinnedwickedly."She'sbeengettingatyou,Isuppose.
Quitesomething,isn'tshe?Cherchezlafemmewithavengeance.Ifshe'dhadtheopportunity,you
know,shemighthavedoneitherself."

"That,no!"

"You'dbesurprised.Ionceknewawomanlikethat.Putacoupleofhusbandsottofthewaywithout
ablinkofherinnocentblueeyes.Brokenheartedeachtime,too.Thejurywouldhaveaquittedherif
they'dhadhalfachancewhichtheyhadn't,theevidencebeingpracticallycastiron."

"Well,myfriend,letusnotargue.WhatImakesoboldastoaskisafewreliabledetailsonthefacts.
Whatanewspaperprintsisnewsbutnotalwaystruth!"

"Theyhavetoenjoythemselves.Whatdoyouwant?"

"Timeofdeathasnearascanbe."

"Whichcan'tbeverynearbecausethebodywasn'texamineduntilthefollowingmorning.Deathis
estimatedtohavetakenplacefromthirteentotenhourspreviously.Thatis,betweensevenandten
o'clockthenightbefore...HewasstabbedthroughthejugularveinDeathmusthavebeenmatterof
moments."
"Andtheweapon?"

"AkindofItalianstilettoquitesmallrazorsharp.Nobodyhaseverseenitbefore,orknowswhere
itcomesfrom.Butweshallknowintheendit'samatteroftimeandpatience."

"Itcouldnothavebeenpickedupinthecourseofaquarrel."

"No.Thevaletsaysnosuchthingwasintheflat."

"Whatinterestsmeisthetelegram,"saidPoirot."ThetelegramthatcalledArnoldClaytonawayto
Scotland.Wasthatsummonsgenuine?"

"No.Therewasnohitchortroubleupthere.Thelandtransfer,orwhateveritwas,wasproceeding
normally."

"ThenwhosentthattelegramIampresumingtherewasatelegram?"

"Theremusthavebeen.Notthatwe'dnecessarilybelieveMrs.Clayton.ButClaytontoldthevalethe
wascalledbywiretoScotland.AndhealsotoldCommanderMcLaren."

"WhattimedidheseeCommanderMcLaren?"

"TheyhadasnacktogetherattheirclubCombinedServicesthatwasataboutaquarterpast
seven.ThenClaytontookataxitoRich'sflat,arrivingtherejustbeforeeighto'clock.Afterthat"
Millerspreadhishandsout.

"AnybodynoticeanythingatalloddaboutRich'smannerthatevening?"

"Ohwell,youknowwhatpeopleare.Onceathinghashappened,peoplethinktheynoticedalotof
thingsIbettheyneversawatall.Mrs.Spence,now,shesayshewasdistraitalltheevening.Didn't
alwaysanswertothepoint.Asthoughhehad'somethingonhismind.'Ibethehad,too,ifhehada
bodyinthechest!Wonderinghowthehelltogetridofit!"

"Whydidn'thegetridofit?"

"Beatsme.Losthisnerve,perhaps.Butitwasmadnesstoleaveituntilthenextday.Hehadthebest
chancehe'deverhavethatnight.There'snonightporteron.Hecouldhavegothiscarround,packed
thebodyinthebootit'sabigbootdrivenoutinthecountryandparkeditsomewhere.Hemight
havebeenseengettingthebodyintothecar,buttheflatsareinasidestreetandthere'sacourtyard
youdriveacarthrough.At,say,threeinthemorning,hehadareasonablechance.Andwhatdoeshe
do?Goestobed,sleepslatethenextmorningandwakesuptofindthepoliceintheflat!"

"Hewenttobedandsleptwellasaninnocentmanmightdo."

"Haveitthatwayifyoulike.Butdoyoureallybelievethatyourself?"

"IshallhavetoleavethatquestionuntilIhaveseenthemanmyself."

"Thinkyouknowaninnocentmanwhenyouseeone?It'snotsoeasyasthat."

"IknowitisnoteasyandIshouldnotattempttosayIcoulddoit.WhatIwanttomakeupmymind
aboutiswhetherthemanisasstupidasheseemstobe."
PoirothadnointentionofseeingCharlesRichuntilhehadseeneveryoneelse.

HestartedwithCommanderMcLaren.

McLarenwasatall,swarthy,uncommunicativeman.Hehadaruggedbutpleasantface.Hewasashy
manandnoteasytotalkto.ButPoirotpersevered.

FingeringMargharita'snote,McLarensaidalmostreluctantly:

"Well,ifMargharitawantsmetotellyouallIcan,ofcourseI'lldoso.Don'tknowwhatthereisto
tell,though.You'vehearditallalready.ButwhateverMargharitawantsI'vealwaysdonewhatshe
wantedeversinceshewassixteen.She'sgotawaywithher,youknow."

"Iknow,"saidPoirot.Hewenton."FirstIshouldlikeyoutoansweraquestionquitefrankly.Doyou
thinkMajorRichisguilty?"

"Yes,Ido.Iwouldn'tsaysotoMargharitaifshewantstothinkhe'sinnocent,butIsimplycan'tseeit
anyotherway.Hangitall,thefellow'sgottobeguilty."

"WastherebadfeelingbetweenhimandMr.Clayton?"

"Notintheleast.ArnoldandCharleswerethebestoffriends.That'swhatmakesthewholethingso
extraordinary."

"PerhapsMajorRich'sfriendshipwithMrs.Clayton"

Hewasinterrupted.

"Faugh!Allthatstuff.Allthepapersslylyhintingatit.Damnedinnuendoes!Mrs.ClaytonandRich
weregoodfriendsandthat'sall!Margharita'sgotlotsoffriends.I'mherfriend.Beenoneforyears.
Andnothingthewholeworldmightn'tknowaboutit.SamewithCharlesandMargharita."

"Youdonotthenconsiderthattheywerehavinganaffairtogether?"

"Certainlynot!"McLarenwaswrathful."Don'tgolisteningtothathellcatSpencewoman.She'dsay
anything."

"ButperhapsMr.ClaytonsuspectedtheremightbesomethingbetweenhiswifeandMajorRich."

"Youcantakeitfrommehedidnothingofthesort!I'dhaveknownifso.ArnoldandIwerevery
close."

"Whatsortofmanwashe?You,ifanyone,shouldknow."

"Well,Arnoldwasaquietsortofchap.Buthewascleverquitebrilliant,Ibelieve.Whattheycalla
firstclassfinancialbrain.HewasquitehighupintheTreasury,youknow."

"SoIhaveheard."

"Hereadagooddeal.Andhecollectedstamps.Andhewasextremelyfondofmusic.Hedidn't
dance,orcaremuchforgoingout."

"Wasit,doyouthink,ahappymarriage?"
CommanderMcLaren'sanswerdidnotcomequickly.Heseemedtobepuzzlingitout.

"Thatsortofthing'sveryhardtosay...Yes,Ithinktheywerehappy.Hewasdevotedtoherinhis
quietway.I'msureshewasfondofhim.Theyweren'tlikelytosplitup,ifthat'swhatyou'rethinking.
Theyhadn't,perhaps,alotincommon."

Poirotnodded.Itwasasmuchashewaslikelytoget.Hesaid:"Nowtellmeaboutthatlastevening.
Mr.Claytondinedwithyouattheclub.Whatdidhesay?"

"Toldmehe'dgottogotoScotland.Seemedvexedaboutit.Wedidn'thavedinner,bytheway.No
time.Justsandwichesandadrink.Forhim,thatis.Ihadonlythedrink.Iwasgoingouttoabuffet
supper,remember."

"Mr.Claytonmentionedatelegram?"

"Yes."

"Hedidnotactuallyshowyouthetelegram?"

"No."

"DidhesayhewasgoingtocallonRich?"

"Notdefinitely.Infacthesaidhedoubtedifhe'dhavetime.Hesaid,'Margharitacanexplainoryou
can,'Andthenhesaid,'Seeshegetshomeallright,won'tyou?'Thenhewentoff.Itwasallquite
naturalandeasy."

"Hehadnosuspicionatallthatthetelegramwasn'tgenuine?"

"Wasn'tit?"CommanderMcLarenlookedstartled.

"Apparentlynot."

"Howveryodd..."CommanderMcLarenwentintoakindofcoma,emergingsuddenlytosay:

"Butthatreallyisodd.Imean,what'sthepoint?WhyshouldanybodywanthimtogotoScotland?"

"Itisaquestionthatneedsanswering,certainly."

HerculePoirotleft,leavingthecommanderapparentlystillpuzzlingonthematter.

TheSpenceslivedinaminutehouseinChelsea.

LindaSpencereceivedPoirotwiththeutmostdelight.

"Dotellme,"shesaid."TellmeallaboutMargharita!Whereisshe?"

"ThatIamnotatlibertytostate,madame."

"Shehashiddenherselfwell!Margharitaisverycleveratthatsortofthing.Butshe'llbecalledto
giveevidenceatthetrial,Isuppose?Shecan'twiggleherselfoutofthat."

Poirotlookedatherappraisingly.Hedecidedgrudginglythatshewasattractiveinthemodernstyle
(whichatthatmomentresembledanunderfedorphanchild).Itwasnotatypeheadmired.The
artisticallydisorderedhairfluffedoutroundherhead,apairofshrewdeyeswatchedhimfroma
slightlydirtyfacedevoidofmakeupsaveforavividcerisemouth.Sheworeanenormouspaleyellow
sweaterhangingalmosttoherknees,andtightblacktrousers.

"What'syourpartinallthis?"demandedMrs.Spence."Gettheboyfriendoutofitsomehow?Isthat
it?Whatahope!"

"Youthinkthen,thatheisguilty?"

"Ofcourse.Whoelse?"

That,Poirotthought,wasverymuchthequestion.Heparrieditbyaskinganotherquestion.

"WhatdidMajorRichseemliketoyouonthatfatalevening?Asusual?Ornotasusual?"

LindaSpencescreweduphereyesjudicially.

"No,hewasn'thimself.Hewasdifferent."

"How,different?"

"Well,surely,ifyou'vejuststabbedamanincoldblood"

"Butyouwerenotawareatthetimethathehadjuststabbedamanincoldblood,wereyou?"

"No,ofcoursenot."

"Sohowdidyouaccountforhisbeing'different.'Inwhatway?"

"Welldistrait.Oh,Idon'tknow.ButthinkingitoverafterwardsIdecidedthattherehaddefinitely
beensomething."

Poirotsighed.

"Whoarrivedfirst?"

"Wedid,JimandI.AndthenJock.AndfinallyMargharita."

"WhenwasMr.Clayton'sdepartureforScotlandfirstmentioned?"

"WhenMargharitacame.ShesaidtoCharles:'Arnold'sterriblysorry.He'shadtorushoffto
Edinburghbythenighttrain.'AndCharlessaid:'Oh,that'stoobad.'AndthenJocksaid:'Sorry.
Thoughtyoualreadyknew.'Andthenwehaddrinks."

"MajorRichatnotimementionedseeingMr.Claytonthatevening?Hesaidnothingofhishaving
calledinonhiswaytothestation?"

"NotthatIheard."

"Itwasstrange,wasitnot,"saidPoirot,"aboutthattelegram?"

"Whatwasstrange?"

"Itwasafake.NobodyinEdinburghknowsanythingaboutit."
"Sothat'sit.Iwonderedatthetime."

"Youhaveanideaaboutthetelegram?"

"Ishouldsayitratherleapstotheeye."

"Howdoyoumeanexactly?"

"Mydearman,"saidLinda."Don'tplaytheinnocent.Unknownhoaxergetsthehusbandoutofthe
way!Forthatnight,atallevents,thecoastisclear."

"YoumeanthatMajorRichandMrs.Claytonplannedtospendthenighttogether."

"Youhaveheardofsuchthings,haven'tyou?"

Lindalookedamused.

"Andthetelegramwassentbyoneortheotherofthem?"

"Itwouldn'tsurpriseme."

"MajorRichandMrs.Claytonwerehavinganaffairtogetheryouthink?"

"Let'ssayIshouldn'tbesurprisediftheywere.Idon'tknowitforafact."

"DidMr.Claytonsuspect?"

"Arnoldwasanextraordinaryperson.Hewasallbottledup,ifyouknowwhatImean.Ithinkhedid
know.Buthewasthekindofmanwhowouldneverhaveleton.Anyonewouldthinkhewasadry
stickwithnofeelingsatall.ButI'mprettysurehewasn'tlikethatunderneath.Thequeerthingisthat
IshouldhavebeenmuchlesssurprisedifArnoldhadstabbedCharlesthantheotherwayabout.I've
anideaArnoldwasreallyaninsanelyjealousperson."

"Thatisinteresting."

"Thoughit'smorelikely,really,thathe'dhavedoneinMargharita.Othellothatsortofthing.
Margharita,youknow,hasanextraordinaryeffectonmen."

"Sheisagoodlookingwoman,"saidPoirotwithjudiciousunderstatement.

"Itwasmorethanthat.Shehadsomething.Shewouldgetmenallhetupmadaboutherandturn
roundandlookatthemwithasortofwideeyedsurprisethatdrovethembarmy."

"Unefemmefatale."

"That'sprobablytheforeignnameforit."

"Youknowherwell?"

"Mydear,she'soneofmybestfriendsandIwouldn'ttrustheraninch."

"Ah,"saidPoirotandshiftedthesubjecttoCommanderMcLaren.
"Jock?Oldfaithful?He'sapet.Borntobethefriendofthefamily.HeandArnoldwerereallyclose
friends.IthinkArnoldunbenttohimmorethantoanyoneelse.AndofcoursehewasMargharita's
tamecat.He'dbeendevotedtoherforyears."

"AndwasMr.Claytonjealousofhim,too?"

"JealousofJock?Whatanidea!Margharita'sgenuinelyfondofJock,butshe'snevergivenhima
thoughtofthatkind.Idon'tthink,really,thatoneeverwould...Idon'tknowwhy...Itseemsashame.
He'ssonice."

Poirotswitchedtoconsiderationofthevalet.Butbeyondsayingvaguelythathemixedaverygood
sidecar,LindaSpenceseemedtohavenoideasaboutBurgess,andindeedseemedbarelytohave
noticedhim.

Butshewasquitequickintheuptake.

"You'rethinking,Isuppose,thathecouldhavekilledArnoldjustaseasilyasCharlescould?Itseems
tomemadlyunlikely."

"Thatremarkdepressesme,madame.Butthen,itseemstome(thoughyouwillprobablynotagree)
thatitismadlyunlikelynotthatMajorRichshouldkillArnoldClaytonbutthatheshouldkillhimin
justthewayhedid."

"Stilettostuff?Yes,definitelynotincharacter.Morelikelythebluntinstrument.Orhemighthave
strangledhim,perhaps?"

Poirotsighed.

"WearebackatOthello.Yes,Othello...youhavegivenmetherealittleidea"

"HaveI?What"Therewasthesoundofalatchkeyandanopeningdoor."Oh,here'sJeremy.Doyou
wanttotalktohim,too?"

JeremySpencewasapleasantlookingmanofthirtyodd,wellgroomed,andalmostostentatiously
discreet.Mrs.Spencesaidthatshehadbettergoandhavealookatacasseroleinthekitchenand
wentoff,leavingthetwomentogether.

JeremySpencedisplayednoneoftheengagingcandorofhiswife.Hewasclearlydislikingverymuch
beingmixedupinthecaseatall,andhisremarkswerecarefullynoninformative.Theyhadknownthe
Claytonssometime,Richnotsowell.Hadseemedapleasantfellow.Asfarashecouldremember,
Richhadseemedabsolutelyasusualontheeveninginquestion.ClaytonandRichalwaysseemedon
goodterms.Thewholethingseemedquiteunaccountable.

ThroughouttheconversationJeremySpencewasmakingitclearthatheexpectedPoirottotakehis
departure.Hewascivil,butonlyjustso.

"Iamafraid,"saidPoirot,"thatyoudonotlikethesequestions?"

"Well,we'vehadquiteasessionofthiswiththepolice.Iratherfeelthat'senough.We'vetoldallwe
knoworsaw.NowI'dliketoforgetit."
"Youhavemysympathy.Itismostunpleasanttobemixedupinthis.Tobeaskednotonlywhatyou
knoworwhatyousawbutperhapsevenwhatyouthink?"

"Bestnottothink."

"Butcanoneavoidit?Doyouthink,forinstance,thatMrs.Claytonwasinit,too?Didsheplanthe
deathofherhusbandwithRich?"

"Goodlord,no."Spencesoundedshockedanddismayed."I'dnoideathattherewasanyquestionof
suchathing?"

"Hasyourwifenotsuggestedsuchapossibility?"

"OhLinda!Youknowwhatwomenarealwaysgottheirknifeintoeachother.Margharitanevergets
muchofashowfromherownsexadarnedsighttooattractive.ButsurelythistheoryaboutRich
andMargharitaplanningmurderthat'sfantastic!"

"Suchthingshavebeenknown.Theweapon,forinstance.Itisthekindofweaponawomanmight
possess,ratherthanaman."

"DoyoumeanthepolicehavetracedittoherTheycan'thave!Imean"

"Iknownothing,"saidPoirottruthfully,andescapedhastily.

FromtheconsternationonSpence'sface,hejudgedthathehadleftthatgentlemansomethingto
thinkabout!

"Youwillforgivemysaying,M.Poirot,thatIcannotseehowyoucanbeofassistancetomeinany
way."

Poirotdidnotanswer.Hewaslookingthoughtfullyatthemanwhohadbeenchargedwiththe
murderofhisfriendArnoldClayton.

Hewaslookingatthefirmjaw,thenarrowhead.Aleanbrownman,athleticandsinewy.Something
ofthegreyhoundabouthim.Amanwhosefacegavenothingaway,andwhowasreceivinghisvisitor
withamarkedlackofcordiality.

"IquiteunderstandthatMrs.Claytonsentyoutoseemewiththebestintentions.Butquitefrankly,I
thinkshewasunwise.Unwisebothforherownsakeandmine."

"Youmean?"

Richgaveanervousglanceoverhisshoulder.Buttheattendantwarderwastheregulationdistance
away.Richloweredhisvoice.

"They'vegottofindamotiveforthisridiculousaccusation.They'lltrytobringthattherewasan
associationbetweenMrs.Claytonandmyself.That,asIknowMrs.Claytonwillhavetoldyou,isquite
untrue.Wearefriends,nothingmore.Butsurelyitisadvisablethatsheshouldmakenomoveonmy
behalf."

HerculePoirotignoredthepoint.Insteadhepickedoutaword.
"Yousaidthis'ridiculous'accusation.Butitisnotthat,youknow."

"IdidnotkillArnoldClayton."

"Callitthenafalseaccusation.Saytheaccusationisnottrue.Butitisnotridiculous.Onthecontrary,
itishighlyplausible.Youmustknowthatverywell."

"Icanonlytellyouthattomeitseemsfantastic."

"Sayingthatwillbeofverylittleusetoyou.Wemustthinkofsomethingmoreusefulthanthat."

"Iamrepresentedbysolicitors.Theyhavebriefed,Iunderstand,eminentcounseltoappearformy
defence.Icannotacceptyouruseoftheword'we.'"

UnexpectedlyPoirotsmiled.

"Ah,"hesaid,inhismostforeignmanner,"thatisthefleaintheearyougiveme.Verywell.Igo.I
wantedtoseeyou.Ihaveseenyou.AlreadyIhavelookedupyourcareer.Youpassedhighupinto
Sandhurst.YoupassedintotheStaffCollege.Andsoonandsoon.Ihavemademyownjudgementof
youtoday.Youarenotastupidman."

"Andwhathasallthatgottodowithit?"

"Everything!Itisimpossiblethatamanofyourabilityshouldcommitamurderinthewaythisone
wascommitted.Verywell.Youareinnocent.TellmenowaboutyourmanservantBurgess."

"Burgess?"

"Yes.Ifyoudidn'tkillClayton,Burgessmusthavedoneso.Theconclusionseemsinescapable.But
why?Theremustbea'why?'YouaretheonlypersonwhoknowsBurgesswellenoughtomakea
guessatit.Why,MajorRich,why?"

"Ican'timagine.Isimplycan'tseeit.Oh,I'vefollowedthesamelineofreasoningasyouhave.Yes,
Burgesshadopportunitytheonlypersonwhohadexceptmyself.Thetroubleis,Ijustcan'tbelieve
it.Burgessisnotthesortofmanyoucanimaginemurderinganybody."

"Whatdoyourlegaladvisersthink?"

Rich'slipssetinagrimline.

"Mylegaladvisersspendtheirtimeaskingme,inapersuasiveway,ifitisn'ttruethatIhavesuffered
allmylifefromblackoutswhenIdon'treallyknowwhatIamdoing!"

"Asbadasthat,"saidPoirot."Well,perhapsweshallfinditisBurgesswhoissubjecttoblackouts.It
isalwaysanidea.Theweaponnow.Theyshowedittoyouandaskedyouifitwasyours?"

"Itwasnotmine.Ihadneverseenitbefore."

"Itwasnotyours,no.Butareyouquitesureyouhadneverseenitbefore?"

"No."Wasthereafainthesitation."It'sakindofornamentaltoyreallyOneseesthingslikethat
lyingaboutinpeople'shouses."
"Inawoman'sdrawingroom,perhaps.PerhapsinMrs.Clayton'sdrawingroom?"

"Certainlynot!"

Thelastwordcameoutloudlyandthewarderlookedup.

"Trsbien.Certainlynotandthereisnoneedtoshout.Butsomewhere,atsometime,youhave
seensomethingverylikeit.Eh?Iamright?"

"Idonotthinkso.Insomecurioshop...perhaps."

"Ah,verylikely."Poirotrose."Itakemyleave."

"Andnow,"saidHerculePoirot,"forBurgess.Yes,atlonglast,forBurgess."

Hehadlearnedsomethingaboutthepeopleinthecase,fromthemselvesandfromeachother.But
nobodyhadgivenhimanyknowledgeofBurgess.Noclue,nohint,ofwhatkindofamanhewas.

WhenhesawBurgessherealizedwhy.

ThevaletwaswaitingforhimatMajorRich'sflat,apprisedofhisarrivalbyatelephonecallfrom
CommanderMcLaren.

"IamM.HerculePoirot."

"Yes,sir,Iwasexpectingyou."

BurgessheldbackthedoorwithadeferentialhandandPoirotentered.Asmallsquareentrancehall,
adoorontheleft,open,leadingintothesittingroom.BurgessrelievedPoirotofhishatandcoat,
andfollowedhimintothesittingroom.

"Ah,"saidPoirotlookinground."Itwashere,then,thatithappened?"

"Yes,sir."

Aquietfellow,Burgess,whitefaced,alittleweedy.Awkwardshouldersandelbows.Aflatvoicewith
aprovincialaccentthatPoirotdidnotknow.Fromtheeastcoast,perhaps.Ratheranervousman,
perhapsbutotherwisenodefinitecharacteristics.Itwashardtoassociatehimwithpositiveaction
ofanykind.Couldonepostulateanegativekiller?

Hehadthosepaleblue,rathershiftyeyesthatobservantpeopleoftenequatewithdishonesty.Yeta
liarcanlookyouinthefacewithaboldandconfidenteye.

"Whatishappeningtotheflat?"Poirotinquired.

"I'mstilllookingafterit,sir.MajorRicharrangedformypayandtokeepitniceuntiluntil"

Theeyesshifteduncomfortably.

"Until"agreedPoirot.

Headdedinamatteroffactmanner:"IshouldsaythatMajorRichwillalmostcertainlybe
committedfortrial.Thecasewillcomeupprobablywithinthreemonths."
Burgessshookhishead,notindenial,simplyinperplexity.

"Itreallydoesn'tseempossible,"hesaid.

"ThatMajorRichshouldbeamurderer?"

"Thewholething.Thatchest"

Hiseyeswentacrosstheroom.

"Ah,sothatisthefamouschest?"

Itwasamammothpieceoffurnitureofverydarkpolishedwood,studdedwithbrass,withagreat
brasshaspandantiquelock.

"Ahandsomeaffair."Poirotwentovertoit.

Itstoodagainstthewallnearthewindow,nexttoamoderncabinetforholdingrecords.Onthe
othersideofitwasadoor,halfajar.Thedoorwaspartlymaskedbyabigpaintedleatherscreen.

"ThatleadsintoMajorRich'sbedroom,"saidBurgess.

Poirotnodded.Hiseyestraveledtotheothersideoftheroom.Thereweretwostereophonicrecord
players,eachonalowtable,trailingsnakelikeelectricalcord.Therewereeasychairsabigtable.
OnthewallswereasetofJapaneseprints.Itwasahandsomeroom,comfortable,butnotluxurious.

HelookedbackatWilliamBurgess.

"Thediscovery,"hesaidkindly,"musthavebeenagreatshocktoyou."

"Ohitwas,sir.I'llneverforgetit."Thevaletrushedintospeech.Wordspouredfromhim.Hefelt,
perhaps,thatbytellingthestoryoftenenough,hemightatlastexpungeitfromhismind.

"I'dgoneroundtheroom,sir.Clearingup.Glassesandsoon.I'djuststoopedtopickupacoupleof
olivesoffthefloorandIsawitontherug,arustydarkstain.No,therug'sgonenow.Tothe
cleaners.Thepolicehaddonewithit.Whatever'sthat?Ithought.Sayingtomyself,almostinjoke
like:'Reallyitmightbeblood!Butwheredoesitcomefrom?Whatgotspilled?'AndthenIsawitwas
fromthechestdowntheside,here,wherethere'sacrack.AndIsaid,stillnotthinkinganything,
'Wellwhatever?'AndIliftedupthelidlikethis"(hesuitedtheactiontotheword)"andthereit
wasthebodyofamanlyingonhissidedoubleduplikehemightbeasleep.Andthatnastyforeign
knifeordaggerthingstickingupoutofhisneck.I'llneverforgetitnever!NotaslongasIlive!The
shocknotexpectingit,youunderstand"

Hebreatheddeeply.

"IletthelidfallandIranoutoftheflatanddowntothestreet.Lookingforapolicemanandlucky,I
foundonejustroundthecorner."

Poirotregardedhimreflectively.Theperformance,ifitwasaperformance,wasverygood.Hebegan
tobeafraidthatitwasnotaperformancethatitwasjusthowthingshadhappened.

"YoudidnotthinkofawakeningfirstMajorRich?"heasked.
"Itneveroccurredtome,sir.Whatwiththeshock,IIjustwantedtogetoutofhere"heswallowed
"andandgethelp."

Poirotnodded.

"DidyourealizethatitwasMr.Clayton?"heasked.

"Ioughttohave,sir,butyouknow,Idon'tbelieveIdid.Ofcourse,assoonasIgotbackwiththe
policeofficer,Isaid'Why,it'sMr.Clayton!'Andhesays'Who'sMr.Clayton?'AndIsays:'Hewashere
lastnight.'"

"Ah,"saidPoirot,"lastnight.DoyourememberexactlywhenitwasMr.Claytonarrivedhere?"

"Nottotheminute.Butasnearasnotaquartertoeight,I'dsay."

"Youknewhimwell?"

"HeandMrs.ClaytonhadbeenherequitefrequentlyduringtheyearandahalfI'vebeenemployed
here."

"Didheseemquiteasusual?"

"Ithinkso.AlittleoutofbreathbutItookithe'dbeenhurrying.Hewascatchingatrain,orsohe
said."

"Hehadabagwithhim,Isuppose,ashewasgoingtoScotland?"

"No,sir.Iimaginehewaskeepingataxidownbelow."

"WashedisappointedtofindthatMajorRichwasout?"

"Nottonotice.Justsaidhe'dscribbleanote.HecameinhereandwentovertothedeskandIwent
backtothekitchen.Iwasalittlebehindhandwiththeanchovyeggs.Thekitchen'sattheendofthe
passageandyoudon'thearverywellfromthere.Ididn'thearhimgooutorthemastercomeinbut
thenIwouldn'texpectto."

"Andthenextthing..."

"MajorRichcalledme.Hewasstandinginthedoorhere.Hesaidhe'dforgottenMrs.Spence's
Turkishcigarettes.Iwastohurryoutandgetthem.SoIdid.Ibroughtthembackandputthemothe
tableinhere.OfcourseItookitthatMr.Claytonhadleftbythentogethistrain."

"AndnobodyelsecametotheflatduringthetimeMajorRichwasoutandyouwereinthekitchen?"

"No,sirnoone."

"Canyoubesureofthat?"

"Howcouldanyone,sir?They'dhavehadtoringthebell."

Poirotshookhishead.Howcouldanyone?TheSpencesandMcLarenandalsoMrs.Claytoncould,he
alreadyknew,accountforeveryminuteoftheirtime.McLarenhadbeenwithacquaintancesatthe
club,theSpenceshadhadacoupleoffriendsinforadrinkbeforestarting.MargharitaClaytonhad
talkedtoafriendonthetelephoneatjustthatperiod.Notthathethoughtofanyofthemas
possibilities.TherewouldhavebeenbetterwaysofkillingArnoldClaytonthanfollowinghimtoaflat
withamanservantthereandthehostreturninganymoment.No,hehadhadalastminutehopeofa
"mysteriousstranger"!SomeoneoutofClayton'sapparentlyimpeccablepast,recognizinghiminthe
street,followinghimhere.Attackinghimwiththestiletto,thrustingthebodyintothechest,and
fleeing.Puremelodrama,unrelatedtoreasonortoprobabilities!Intunewithromantichistorical
fictionsmatchingtheSpanishchest.

Hewentbackacrosstheroomtothechest.Heraisedthelid.Itcameupeasily,noiselessly.Inafaint
voice,Burgesssaid:"It'sbeenscrubbedout,sir,Isawtothat."

Poirotbentoverit.Withafaintexclamationhebentlower.Heexploredwithhisfingers.

"Theseholesatthebackandonesidetheylooktheyfeel,asthoughtheyhadbeenmadequite
recently."

"Holes,sir?"Thevaletbenttosee."Ireallycouldn'tsay.I'venevernoticedthemparticularly."

"Theyarenotveryobvious.Buttheyarethere.Whatistheirpurpose,wouldyousay?"

"Ireallywouldn'tknow,sir.Someanimal,perhapsImeanabeetle,somethingofthatkind.
Somethingthatgnawswood?"

"Someanimal?"saidPoirot."Iwonder."

Hesteppedbackacrosstheroom.

"Whenyoucameinherewiththecigarettes,wasthereanythingatallaboutthisroomthatlooked
different?Anythingatall?Chairsmoved,table,somethingofthatkind?"

"It'soddyoursayingthat,sir...Nowyoucometomentionit,therewas.Thatscreentherethatcuts
offthedraftfromthebedroomdoor,itwasmovedoverabitmoretotheleft."

"Likethis?"Poirotmovedswiftly.

"Alittlemorestill...That'sright."

Thescreenhadalreadymaskedabouthalfofthechest.Thewayitwasnowarranged,italmosthid
thechestaltogether.

"Whydidyouthinkithadbeenmoved?"

"Ididn'tthink,sir."

(AnotherMissLemon!)

Burgessaddeddoubtfully:

"Isupposeitleavesthewayintothebedroomcleareriftheladieswantedtoleavetheirwraps."

"Perhaps.Buttheremightbeanotherreason."Burgesslookedinquiring."Thescreenhidesthechest
now,andithidestherugbelowthechest.IfMajorRichstabbedMr.Clayton,bloodwouldpresently
startdrippingthroughthecracksatthebaseofthechest.Someonemightnoticeasyounoticedthe
nextmorning.Sothescreenwasmoved."

"Ineverthoughtofthat,sir."

"Whatarethelightslikehere,strongordim?"

"I'llshowyou,sir."

Quickly,thevaletdrewthecurtainsandswitchedonacoupleoflamps.Theygaveasoftmellowlight,
hardlystrongenougheventoreadby.Poirotglancedupataceilinglight.

"Thatwasn'ton,sir.It'sverylittleused."

Poirotlookedroundinthesoftglow.Thevaletsaid:

"Idon'tbelieveyou'dseeanybloodstains,sir,it'stoodim."

"Ithinkyouareright.So,then,whywasthescreenmoved?"

Burgessshivered.

"It'sawfultothinkofanicegentlemanlikeMajorRichdoingathinglikethat."

"You'venodoubtthathediddoit?Whydidhedoit,Burgess?"

"Well,he'dbeenthroughthewar,ofcourse.Hemighthavehadaheadwound,mightn'the?Theydo
sayassometimesitallflaresupyearsafterwards.Theysuddenlygoallqueeranddon'tknowwhat
they'redoing.Andtheysayasoftenasnot,it'stheirnearestanddearestastheygoesfor.Doyou
thinkitcouldhavebeenlikethat?"

Poirotgazedathim.Hesighed.Heturnedaway."No,"hesaid,"itwasnotlikethat."

Withtheairofaconjuror,apieceofcrisppaperwasinsinuatedintoBurgess'shand.

"Ohthankyou,sir,butreallyIdon't"

"Youhavehelpedme,"saidPoirot."Byshowingmethisroom.Byshowingmewhatisintheroom.By
showingmewhattookplacethatevening.Theimpossibleisneverimpossible!Rememberthat.Isaid
thattherewereonlytwopossibilitiesIwaswrong.Thereisathirdpossibility."Helookedroundthe
roomagainandgavealittleshiver."Pullbackthecurtains.Letinthelightandtheair.Thisroom
needsit.Itneedscleansing.Itwillbealongtime,Ithink,beforeitispurifiedfromwhatafflictsitthe
lingeringmemoryofhate."

Burgess,hismouthopen,handedPoirothishatandcoat.Heseemedbewildered.Poirot,who
enjoyedmakingincomprehensiblestatements,wentdowntothestreetwithabriskstep.

WhenPoirotgothome,hemadeatelephonecalltoInspectorMiller.

"WhathappenedtoClayton'sbag?Hiswifesaidhehadpackedone."

"Itwasattheclub.Heleftitwiththeporter.Thenhemusthaveforgottenitandgoneoffwithoutit."
"Whatwasinit?"

"Whatyou'dexpect.Pyjamas,extrashirt,washingthings."

"Verythorough."

"Whatdidyouexpectwouldbeinit?"

Poirotignoredthatquestion.Hesaid:

"Aboutthestiletto.IsuggestthatyougetholdofwhatevercleaningwomanattendsMrs.Spence's
house.Findoutifsheeversawanythinglikeitlyingaboutthere."

"Mrs.Spence?"Millerwhistled."Isthatthewayyourmindisworking?TheSpenceswereshownthe
stiletto.Theydidn'trecognizeit."

"Askthemagain."

"Doyoumean"

"Andthenletmeknowwhattheysay"

"Ican'timaginewhatyouthinkyouhavegotholdof."

"ReadOthello,Miller.ConsiderthecharactersinOthello.We'vemissedoutoneofthem."

Herangoff.NexthedialedLadyChatterton.Thenumberwasengaged.

Hetriedagainalittlelater.Stillnosuccess.HecalledforGeorge,hisvalet,andinstructedhimto
continueringingthenumberuntilhegotareply.LadyChatterton,heknew,wasanincorrigible
telephoner.

Hesatdowninachair,carefullyeasedoffhispatentleathershoes,stretchedhistoes,andleaned
back.

"Iamold,"saidHerculePoirot."Itireeasily..."Hebrightened."Butthecellstheystillfunction.
Slowlybuttheyfunction.Othello,yes.Whowasitsaidthattome?Ahyes,Mrs.Spence.Thebag...
thescreen...thebody,lyingtherelikeamanasleep.Aclevermurder.Premeditated,planned...I
think,enjoyed!..."

GeorgeannouncedtohimthatLadyChattertonwasontheline.

"HerculePoirothere,madame.MayIspeaktoyourguest?"

"Why,ofcourse!OhM.Poirot,haveyoudonesomethingwonderful?"

"Notyet,"saidPoirot."Butpossibly,itmarches."

PresentlyMargharita'svoicequiet,gentle.

"Madame,whenIaskedyouifyounoticedanythingoutofplacethateveningattheparty,you
frowned,asthoughyourememberedsomethingandthenitescapedyou.Wouldithavebeenthe
positionofthescreenthatnight?"
"Thescreen?Why,ofcourse,yes.Itwasnotquiteinitsusualplace."

"Didyoudancethatnight?"

"Partofthetime."

"Whodidyoudancewithmostly?"

"JeremySpence.He'sawonderfuldancer.Charlesisgoodbutnotspectacular.HeandLindadanced,
andnowandthenwechanged.JockMcLarendoesn'tdance.Hegotouttherecordsandsortedthem
andarrangedwhatwe'dhave."

"Youhadseriousmusiclater?"

"Yes."

Therewasapause.ThenMargharitasaid:

"M.Poirot,whatisallthis?Haveyouistherehope?"

"Doyoueverknow,madame,whatthepeoplearoundyouarefeeling?"

Hervoice,faintlysurprised,said:

"Isupposeso."

"Isupposenot.Ithinkyouhavenoidea.Ithinkthatisthetragedyofyourlife.Butthetragedyisfor
otherpeoplenotforyou.

"SomeonetodaymentionedtomeOthello.Iaskedyouifyourhusbandwasjealous,andyousaidyou
thoughthemustbe.Butyousaiditquitelightly.YousaiditasDesdemonamighthavesaidit,not
realizingdanger.She,too,recognizedjealousy,butshedidnotunderstandit,becausesheherself
neverhad,andnevercould,experiencejealousy.Shewas,Ithink,quiteunawareoftheforceof
acutephysicalpassion.Shelovedherhusbandwiththeromanticfervorofheroworship,sheloved
herfriendCassio,quiteinnocently,asaclosecompanion.Ithinkthatbecauseofherimmunityto
passion,sheherselfdrovemenmad.AmImakingsensetoyou,madame?"

TherewasapauseandthenMargharita'svoiceanswered.Cool,sweet,alittlebewildered:

"Idon'tIdon'treallyunderstandwhatyouaresaying"

Poirotsighed.

Hespokeinmatteroffacttones."Thisevening,"hesaid,"Ipayyouavisit."

InspectorMillerwasnotaneasymantopersuade.ButequallyHerculePoirotwasnotaneasymanto
shakeoffuntilhehadgothisway.InspectorMillergrumbled,butcapitulated.

"thoughwhatLadyChatterton'sgottodowiththis"

"Nothing,really.Shehasprovidedasylumforafriend,thatisall."

"AboutthoseSpenceshowdidyouknow?"
"Thatstilettocamefromthere?Itwasamereguess.SomethingJeremySpencesaidgavemethe
idea.IsuggestedthatthestilettobelongedtoMargharitaClayton.Heshowedthatheknew
positivelythatitdidnot."Hepaused."Whatdidtheysay?"heaskedwithsomecuriosity.

"Admittedthatitwasverylikeatoydaggerthey'doncehad.Butithadbeenmislaidsomeweeks
ago,andtheyhadreallyforgottenaboutit.IsupposeRichpincheditfromthere."

"Amanwholikestoplaysafe,Mr.JeremySpence,"saidHerculePoirot.Hemutteredtohimself:
"Someweeksago.Ohyes,theplanningbeganalongtimeago."

"Eh,what'sthat?"

"Wearrive,"saidPoirot.ThetaxidrewupatLadyChatterton'shouseinCheritonStreet.Poirotpaid
thefare.

MargharitaClaytonwaswaitingforthemintheroomupstairs.Herfacehardenedwhenshesaw
Miller.

"Ididn'tknow"

"YoudidnotknowwhothefriendwasIproposedtobring?"

"InspectorMillerisnotafriendofmine."

"Thatratherdependsonwhetheryouwanttoseejusticedoneornot,Mrs.Clayton.Yourhusband
wasmurdered"

"Andnowwehavetotalkofwhokilledhim,"saidPoirotquickly."Maywesitdown,madame?"

SlowlyMargharitasatdowninahighbackedchairfacingthetwomen.

"Iask,"saidPoirot,addressingbothhishearers,"tolistentomepatiently.IthinkInowknowwhat
happenedonthatfataleveningatMajorRich'sflat.Westarted,allofus,byanassumptionthatwas
nottruetheassumptionthattherewereonlytwopersonswhohadtheopportunityofputtingthe
bodyinthechestthatistosay,MajorRichorWilliamBurgess.Butwewerewrongtherewasa
thirdpersonattheflatthateveningwhohadanequallygoodopportunitytodoso."

"Andwhowasthat?"demandedMillersceptically."Theliftboy?"

"No.ArnoldClayton."

"What?Concealedhisowndeadbody?You'recrazy."

"Naturallynotadeadbodyaliveone.Insimpleterms,hehidhimselfinthechest.Athingthathas
oftenbeendonethroughoutthecourseofhistory.ThedeadbrideintheMistletoeBough,Iachimo
withdesignsonthevirtueofImogen,andsoon.IthoughtofitassoonasIsawthattherehadbeen
holesboredinthechestquiterecently.Why?Theyweremadesothattheremightbeasufficiencyof
airinthechest.Whywasthescreenmovedfromitsusualpositionthatevening?Soastohidethe
chestfromthepeopleintheroom.Sothatthehiddenmancouldliftthelidfromtimetotimeand
relievehiscramp,andhearbetterwhatwenton."
"Butwhy,"demandedMargharitawideeyedwithastonishment."WhyshouldArnoldwanttohidein
thechest?"

"Isityouwhoaskthat,madame?Yourhusbandwasajealousman.Hewasalsoaninarticulateman.
'Bottledup,'asyourfriendMrs.Spenceputit.Hisjealousymounted.Ittorturedhim!Wereyouor
wereyounotRich'smistress?Hedidnotknow!Hehadtoknow!Soa'telegramfromScotland,'the
telegramthatwasneversentandthatnooneeversaw!Theovernightbagispackedand
convenientlyforgottenattheclub.Hegoestotheflatatatimewhenhehasprobablyascertained
Richwillbeout.Hetellsthevalethewillwriteanote.Assoonasheisleftalone,heborestheholes
inthechest,movesthescreen,andclimbsinsidethechest.Tonighthewillknowthetruth.Perhaps
hiswifewillstaybehindtheothers,perhapsshewillgobutcomebackagain.Thatnightthe
desperate,jealousyrackedmanwillknow"

"You'renotsayinghestabbedhimself?"Miller'svoicewasincredulous."Nonsense!"

"Ohno,someoneelsestabbedhim.Somebodywhoknewhewasthere.Itwasmurderallright.
Carefullyplanned,longpremeditatedmurder.ThinkoftheothercharactersinOthello.ItisIagowe
shouldhaveremembered.SubtlepoisoningofArnoldClayton'smind;hints,suspicions.HonestIago,
thefaithfulfriend,themanyoualwaysbelieve!ArnoldClaytonbelievedhim.ArnoldClaytonlethis
jealousybeplayedupon,berousedtofeverpitch.WastheplanofhidinginthechestArnold'sown
idea?Hemayhavethoughtitwasprobablyhedidthinkso!Andsothesceneisset.Thestiletto,
quietlyabstractedsomeweeksearlier,isready.Theeveningcomes.Thelightsarelow,the
gramophoneisplaying,twocouplesdance,theoddmanoutisbusyattherecordcabinet,closeto
theSpanishchestanditsmaskingscreen.Toslipbehindthescreen,lift

thelidandstrikeAudacious,butquieteasy!"

"Claytonwouldhavecriedout!"

"Notifheweredrugged,"saidPoirot."Accordingtothevalet,thebodywas'lyinglikeamanasleep.'
Claytonwasasleep,druggedbytheonlymanwhocouldhavedruggedhim,themanhehadhada
drinkwithattheclub."

"Jock?"Margharita'svoicerosehighinchildlikesurprise."Jock?NotdearoldJock.Why,I'veknown
Jockallmylife!WhyonearthshouldJock...?"

Poirotturnedonher.

"WhydidtwoItaliansfightaduel?Whydidayoungmanshoothimself?JockMcLarenisan
inarticulateman.Hehasresignedhimself,perhaps,tobeingthefaithfulfriendtoyouandyour
husband,butthencomesMajorRichaswell.Itistoomuch!Inthedarknessofhateanddesire,he
planswhatiswellnightheperfectmurderadoublemurder,forheisalmostcertaintobefound
guiltyofit.AndwithRichandyourhusbandbothoutofthewayhethinksthatatlastyoumayturn
tohim.Andperhaps,madame,youwouldhavedone...Eh?"

Shewasstaringathim,wideeyed,horrorstruck.Almostunconsciouslyshebreathed:

"Perhaps...Idon'tknow..."

InspectorMillerspokewithsuddenauthority.
"Thisisallverywell,Poirot.It'satheory,nothingmore.There'snotashredofevidence,probablynot
awordofitistrue."

"Itisalltrue."

"Butthere'snoevidence.There'snothingwecanacton."

"Youarewrong.IthinkthatMcLaren,ifthisisputtohim,willadmitit.Thatis,ifitismadeclearto
himthatMargharitaClaytonknows..."

Poirotpausedandadded:

"Because,onceheknowsthat,hehaslost.Theperfectmurderhasbeeninvain."

THEUNDERDOG

LilyMargravesmoothedherglovesoutonherkneewithanervousgesture,anddartedaglanceat
theoccupantofthebigchairoppositeher.

ShehadheardofM.HerculePoirot,thewellknowninvestigator,butthiswasthefirsttimeshehad
seenhimintheflesh.

Thecomic,almostridiculous,aspectthathepresenteddisturbedherconceptionofhim.Couldthis
funnylittleman,withtheeggshapedheadandtheenormousmustaches,reallydothewonderful
thingsthatwereclaimedforhim?Hisoccupationatthemomentstruckherasparticularlychildish.
Hewaspilingsmallblocksofcoloredwoodoneupontheother,andseemedfarmoreinterestedin
theresultthaninthestoryshewastelling.

Athersuddensilence,however,helookedsharplyacrossather.

"Mademoiselle,continue,Iprayofyou.ItisnotthatIdonotattend;Iattendverycarefully,Iassure
you."

Hebeganoncemoretopilethelittleblocksofwoodoneupontheother,whilethegirl'svoicetook
upthetaleagain.Itwasagruesometale,ataleofviolenceandtragedy,butthevoicewassocalm
andunemotional,therecitalwassoconcisethatsomethingofthesavorofhumanityseemedtohave
beenleftoutofit.

Shestoppedatlast.

"Ihope,"shesaidanxiously,"thatIhavemadeeverythingclear."

Poirotnoddedhisheadseveraltimesinemphaticassent.Thenheswepthishandacrossthewooden
blocks,scatteringthemoverthetable,and,leaningbackinhischair,hisfingertipspressedtogether
andhiseyesontheceiling,hebegantorecapitulate.
"SirReubenAstwellwasmurderedtendaysago.OnWednesday,thedaybeforeyesterday,his
nephew,CharlesLeverson,wasarrestedbythepolice.Thefactsagainsthimasfarasyouknoware
youwillcorrectmeifIamwrong,Mademoiselle.

"SirReubenwassittinguplatewritinginhisownspecialsanctum,theTowerroom.MrLeverson
cameinlate,lettinghimselfinwithalatchkey.Hewasoverheardquarrelingwithhisunclebythe
butler,whoseroomwasdirectlybelowtheTowerroom.Thequarrelendedwithasuddenthudasof
achairbeingthrownoverandahalfsmotheredcry.

"Thebutlerwasalarmed,andthoughtofgettinguptoseewhatwasthematter,butasafewseconds
laterheheardMrLeversonleavetheroomgailywhistlingatune,hethoughtnothingmoreofit.On
thefollowingmorning,however,ahousemaiddiscoveredSirReubendeadbyhisdesk.Hehadbeen
struckdownbysomeheavyinstrument.Thebutler,Igather,didnotatoncetellthestorytothe
police.Thatwasnatural,Ithink,eh,Mademoiselle?"

ThesuddenquestionmadeLilyMargravestart.

"Ibegyourpardon?"shesaid.

"Onelooksforhumanityinthesematters,doesonenot?"saidthelittleman."Asyourecitedthe
storytomesoadmirably,soconciselyyoumadeoftheactorsinthedramamachinespuppets.
Butme,Ilookalwaysforhumannature.Isaytomyself,thisbutler,thiswhatdidyousayhisname
was?"

"HisnameisParsons."

"ThisParsons,then,hewillhavethecharacteristicsofhisclass,hewillobjectverystronglytothe
police,hewilltellthemaslittleaspossible.Aboveall,hewillsaynothingthatmightseemto
incriminateamemberofthehousehold.Ahousebreaker,aburglar,hewillclingtothatideawithall
thestrengthofextremeobstinacy.Yes,theloyaltiesoftheservantclassareaninterestingstudy."

Heleanedbackbeaming.

"Inthemeantime,"hewenton,"everyoneinthehouseholdhastoldhisorhertale,MrLeverson
amongtherest,andhistalewasthathehadcomeinlateandgoneuptobedwithoutseeinghis
uncle."

"Thatiswhathesaid."

"Andnoonesawreasontodoubtthattale,"musedPoirot,"except,ofcourse,Parsons.Thenthere
comesdownaninspectorfromScotlandYard,InspectorMilleryousaid,didyounot?Iknowhim,I
havecomeacrosshimonceortwiceinthepast.Heiswhattheycallthesharpman,theferret,the
weasel.

"YesIknowhim!AndthesharpInspectorMiller,heseeswhatthelocalinspectorhasnotseen,that
Parsonsisillateaseanduncomfortable,andknowssomethingthathehasnottold.Ehbien,he
makesshortworkofParsons.Bynowithasbeenclearlyprovedthatnoonebrokeintothehouse
thatnight,thatthemurderermustbelookedforinsidethehouseandnotoutside.AndParsonsis
unhappyandfrightened,andfeelsveryrelievedtohavehissecretknowledgedrawnoutofhim.
"Hehasdonehisbesttoavoidscandal,buttherearelimits;andsoInspectorMillerlistensto
Parsons'story,andasksaquestionortwo,andthenmakessomeprivateinvestigationsofhisown.
Thecasehebuildsupisverystrongverystrong.

"BloodstainedfingersrestedonthecornerofthechestintheTowerroomandthefingerprintswere
thoseofCharlesLeverson.ThehousemaidtoldhimsheemptiedabasinofbloodstainedwaterinMr
Leverson'sroomthemorningafterthecrime.Heexplainedtoherthathehadcuthisfinger,andhe
hadalittlecutthere,ohyes,butsuchaverylittlecut!Thecuffofhiseveningshirthadbeenwashed,
buttheyfoundbloodstainsinthesleeveofhiscoat.Hewashardpressedformoney,andhe
inheritedmoneyatSirReuben'sdeath.Oh,yes,averystrongcase,Mademoiselle,"Hepaused.

"Andyetyoucometometoday."

LilyMargraveshruggedherslendershoulders.

"AsItoldyou.M.Poirot,LadyAstwellsentme."

"Youwouldnothavecomeofyourownaccord,eh?"

Thelittlemanglancedathershrewdly.Thegirldidnotanswer.

"Youdonotreplytomyquestion."

LilyMargravebegansmoothingherglovesagain.

"Itisratherdifficultforme,M.Poirot.IhavemyloyaltytoLadyAstwelltoconsider.Strictlyspeaking,
Iamonlyherpaidcompanion,butshehastreatedmemoreasthoughIwereadaughteroraniece.
Shehasbeenextraordinarilykind,andwhateverherfaults,Ishouldnotliketoappeartocriticiseher
actions,orwell,toprejudiceyouagainsttakingupthecase."

"ImpossibletoprejudiceHerculePoirot,celanesefaitpas,"declaredthelittlemancheerily.I
perceivethatyouthinkLadyAstwellhasinherbonnetthebuzzingbee.Comenow,isitnotso?"

"IfImustsay"

"Speak,Mademoiselle."

"Ithinkthewholethingissimplysilly."

"Itstrikesyoulikethat,eh?"

"Idon'twanttosayanythingagainstLadyAstwell"

"Icomprehend,"murmuredPoirotgently."Icomprehendperfectly."Hiseyesinvitedhertogoon.

"Shereallyisanawfullygoodsort,andfrightfullykind,butsheisn'thowcanIputit?Sheisn'tan
educatedwoman.YouknowshewasanactresswhenSirReubenmarriedher,andshehasallsortsof
prejudicesandsuperstitions.Ifshesaysathing,itmustbeso,andshesimplywon'tlistentoreason.
TheInspectorwasnotverytactfulwithher,anditputherbackup.Shesaysitisnonsensetosuspect
MrLeversonandjustthesortofstupid,pigheadedmistakethepolicewouldmake,andthat,of
course,dearCharlesdidnotdoit."
"Butshehasnoreasons,eh?"

"Nonewhatever."

"Ha!Isthatso?Really,now."

"Itoldher,"saidLily,"thatitwouldbenogoodcomingtoyouwithamerestatementlikethatand
nothingtogoon."

"Youtoldherthat,"saidPoirot,"didyoureally?Thatisinteresting."

HiseyessweptoverLilyMargraveinaquickcomprehensivesurvey,takinginthedetailsofherneat
blacktailormade,thetouchofwhiteatherthroat,anexpensivecrpedeChineblouseshowing
daintytucks,andthesmartlittleblackfelthat.Hesawtheeleganceofher,theprettyfacewithits
slightlypointedchin,andthedarkbluelonglashedeyes.Insensiblyhisattitudechanged;hewas
interestednow,notsomuchinthecaseasinthegirlsittingoppositehim.

"LadyAstwellis,Ishouldimagine,Mademoiselle,justatrifleinclinedtobeunbalancedand
hysterical?"

LilyMargravenoddedeagerly.

"Thatdescribesherexactly.Sheis,asItoldyou,verykind,butitisimpossibletoarguewithherorto
makeherseethingslogically."

"Possiblyshesuspectssomeoneonherownaccount,"suggestedPoirot,"someonequiteabsurd."

"Thatisexactlywhatshedoesdo,"criedLily."ShehastakengreatdisliketoSirReuben'ssecretary,
poorman.Shesayssheknowshedidit,andyetithasbeenprovedquiteconclusivelythatpoorMr
OwenTrefusiscannotpossiblyhavedoneit.

"Andshehasnoreasons?"

"Ofcoursenot;itisallintuitionwithher."

LilyMargrave'svoicewasveryscornful.

"Iperceive,Mademoiselle,saidPoirot,smiling,"thatyoudonotbelieveinintuition?"

"Ithinkitisnonsense,"repliedLily.

Poirotleanedbackinhischair.

"Lesfemmes,"hemurmured,"theyliketothinkthatitisaspecialweaponthatthegoodGodhas
giventhem,andforeveryoncethatitshowsthemthetruth,atleastninetimesitleadsthemastray."

"Iknow,"saidLily,"butIhavetoldyouwhatLadyAstwellislike.Yousimplycannotarguewithher.

"Soyou,Mademoiselle,beingwiseanddiscreet,camealongtomeasyouwerebidden,andhave
managedtoputmeaucourantofthesituation."

Somethinginthetoneofhisvoicemadethegirllookupsharply.
"Ofcourse,Iknow,"saidLilyapologetically,"howveryvaluableyourtimeis."

"Youaretooflattering,Mademoiselle,"saidPoirot,"butindeedyes,itistrue,atthispresenttimeI
havemanycasesofmomentonhand."

"Iwasafraidthatmightbeso,"saidLily,rising."IwilltellLadyAstwell"

ButPoirotdidnotrisealso.Insteadhelaybackinhischairandlookedsteadilyupatthegirl.

"Youareinhastetobegone,Mademoiselle?Sitdownonemorelittlemoment,Iprayofyou."

Hesawthecolorfloodintoherfaceandebboutagain.Shesatdownoncemoreslowlyand
unwillingly.

"Mademoiselleisquickanddecisive,"saidPoirot."Shemustmakeallowancesforanoldmanlike
myself,whocomestohisdecisionsslowly.Youmistookme,Mademoiselle.IdidnotsaythatIwould
notgodowntoLadyAstwell."

"Youwillcome,then?"

Thegirl'stonewasflat.ShedidnotlookatPoirot,butdownattheground,andsowasunawareof
thekeenscrutinywithwhichheregardedher.

"TellLadyAstwell,Mademoiselle,thatIamentirelyatherservice.IwillbeatMonRepos,isitnot?
thisafternoon."

Herose.Thegirlfollowedsuit.

"IIwilltellher.Itisverygoodofyoutocome,M.Poirot.Iamafraid,though,youwillfindyouhave
beenbroughtonawildgoosechase."

"Verylikely,butwhoknows?"

Hesawheroutwithpunctiliouscourtesytothedoor.Thenhereturnedtothesittingroom,
frowning,deepinthought.Onceortwicehenoddedhishead,thenheopenedthedoorandcalledto
hisvalet.

"MygoodGeorge,prepareme,Iprayofyou,alittlevalise.Igodowntothecountrythisafternoon."

"Verygood,sir,"saidGeorge.

HewasanextremelyEnglishlookingperson.Tall,cadaverousandunemotional.

"Ayounggirlisaveryinterestingphenomenon,George,"saidPoirot,ashedroppedoncemoreinto
hisarmchairandlightedatinycigarette."Especially,youunderstand,whenshehasbrains.Toask
someonetodoathingandatthesametimetoputthemagainstdoingit,thatisadelicateoperation.
Itrequiresfinesse.Shewasveryadroitoh,veryadroitbutHerculePoirot,mygoodGeorge,isofa
clevernessquiteexceptional."

"Ihaveheardyousayso,sir."

"Itisnotthesecretaryshehasinmind,"musedPoirot."LadyAstwell'saccusationofhimshetreats
withcontempt.Justthesamesheisanxiousthatnooneshoulddisturbthesleepingdogs.I,mygood
George,Igotodisturbthem,Igotomakethedogsfight!Thereisadramathere,atMonRepos.A
humandrama,anditexcitesme.Shewasadroit,thelittleone,butnotadroitenough.IwonderI
wonderwhatIshallfindthere?"

IntothedramaticpausewhichsucceededthesewordsGeorge'svoicebrokeapologetically:

"ShallIpackdressclothes,sir?"

Poirotlookedathimsadly.

"Alwaystheconcentration,theattentiontoyourownjob.Youareverygoodforme,George."

Whenthe4:55drewupatAbbotsCrossstation,theredescendedfromitM.HerculePoirot,very
neatlyandfoppishlyattired,hismustacheswaxedtoastiffpoint.Hegaveuphisticket,passed
throughthebarrier,andwasaccostedbyatallchauffeur.

"MrPoirot?"

Thelittlemanbeameduponhim.

"Thatismyname."

"Thisway,sir,ifyouplease."

HeheldopenthedoorofthebigRollsRoycelimousine.

Thehousewasabarethreeminutesfromthestation.

Thechauffeurdescendedoncemoreandopenedthedoorofthecar,andPoirotsteppedout.The
butlerwasalreadyholdingthefrontdooropen.

Poirotgavetheoutsideofthehouseaswiftappraisingglancebeforepassingthroughtheopendoor.
Itwasabig,solidlybuiltredbrickmansion,withnopretensionstobeauty,butwithanairofsolid
comfort.

Poirotsteppedintothehall.Thebutlerrelievedhimdeftlyofhishatandovercoat,thenmurmured
withthatdeferentialundertoneonlytobeachievedbythebestservants:

"HerLadyshipisexpectingyou,sir."

Poirotfollowedthebutlerupthesoftcarpetedstairs.This,withoutdoubt,wasParsons,averywell
trainedservant,withamannersuitablydevoidofemotion.Atthetopofthestaircaseheturnedto
therightalongacorridor.Hepassedthroughadoorintoalittleanteroom,fromwhichtwomore
doorsled.Hethrewopenthelefthandoneofthese,andannounced:

"M.Poirot,m'lady."

Theroomwasnotaverylargeone,anditwascrowdedwithfurnitureandknickknacks.Awoman,
dressedinblack,gotupfromasofaandcamequicklytowardPoirot.
"M.Poirot,"shesaidwithoutstretchedhand.Hereyeranrapidlyoverthedandifiedfigure.She
pausedaminute,ignoringthelittleman'sbowoverherhand,andhismurmured"MyLady,"and
then,releasinghishandafterasuddenvigorouspressure,sheexclaimed:

"Ibelieveinsmallmen!Theyarethecleverones."

"InspectorMiller,"murmuredPoirot,"is,Ithink,atallman?"

"Heisabumptiousidiot,"saidLadyAstwell."Sitdownherebyme,willyou,M.Poirot?"

Sheindicatedthesofaandwenton:

"Lilydidherbesttoputmeoffsendingforyou,butIhavenotcometomytimeoflifewithout
knowingmyownmind."

"Arareaccomplishment,"saidPoirot,ashefollowedhertothesettee.

LadyAstwellsettledherselfcomfortablyamongthecushionsandturnedsoastofacehim.

"Lilyisadeargirl,"saidLadyAstwell,"butshethinkssheknowseverything,andasoftenasnotinmy
experiencethosesortofpeoplearewrong.Iamnotclever,M.Poirot,Ineverhavebeen,butIam
rightwheremanyamorestupidpersoniswrong.Ibelieveinguidance.Nowdoyouwantmetotell
youwhoisthemurderer,ordoyounot?Awomanknows,M.Poirot."

"DoesMissMargraveknow?"

"Whatdidshetellyou?"askedLadyAstwellsharply.

"Shegavemethefactsofthecase."

"Thefacts?Oh,ofcoursetheyaredeadagainstCharles,butItellyou,M.Poirot,hedidn'tdoit.I
knowhedidn't!"

Shebentuponhimanearnestnessthatwasalmostdisconcerting.

"Youareverypositive,LadyAstwell?"

"Trefusiskilledmyhusband,M.Poirot.Iamsureofit."

"Why?"

"Whyshouldhekillhim,doyoumean,orwhyamIsure?ItellyouIknowit!Iamfunnyaboutthose
things.Imadeupmymindatonce,andIsticktoit."

"DidMrTrefusisbenefitinanywaybySirReuben'sdeath?"

"Neverlefthimapenny,"returnedLadyAstwellpromptly."NowthatshowsyoudearReuben
couldn'thavelikedortrustedhim."

"HadhebeenwithSirReubenlong,then?"

"Closeonnineyears."
"Thatisalongtime,"saidPoirotsoftly,"averylongtimetoremainintheemploymentofoneman.
Yes,MrTrefusis,hemusthaveknownhisemployerwell."

LadyAstwellstaredathim.

"Whatareyoudrivingat?Idon'tseewhatthathastodowithit."

"Iwasfollowingoutalittleideaofmyown,"saidPoirot."Alittleidea,notinteresting,perhaps,but
original,ontheeffectsofservice."

LadyAstwellstillstared.

"Youareveryclever,aren'tyou?"shesaidinratheradoubtfultone."Everybodysaysso."

HerculePoirotlaughed.

"Perhapsyoushallpaymethatcompliment,too,Madame,oneofthesedays.Butletusreturntothe
motive.Tellmenowofyourhousehold,ofthepeoplewhowerehereinthehouseonthedayofthe
tragedy."

"TherewasCharles,ofcourse."

"Hewasyourhusband'snephew,Iunderstand,notyours."

"Yes,CharleswastheonlysonofReuben'ssister.Shemarriedacomparativelyrichman,butoneof
thosecrashescametheydointhecityandhedied,andhiswife,too,andCharlescametolivewith
us.Hewastwentythreeatthetime,andgoingtobeabarrister.Butwhenthetroublecame,Reuben
tookhimintohisoffice."

"Hewasindustrious,M.Charles?"

"Ilikeamanwhoisquickontheuptake,"saidLadyAstwellwithanodofapproval."No,that'sjust
thetrouble,Charleswasnotindustrious.Hewasalwayshavingrowswithhisuncleoversome
muddleorotherthathehadmade.NotthatpoorReubenwasaneasymantogetonwith.Many's
thetimeI'vetoldhimthathehadforgottenwhatitwastobeyounghimself.Hewasverydifferentin
thosedays,M.Poirot."

LadyAstwellheavedasighofreminiscence.

"Changesmustcome,Milady,"saidPoirot."Itisthelaw."

"Still,"saidLadyAstwell,"hewasneverreallyrudetome.Atleastifhewas,hewasalwayssorry
afterwardpoordearReuben."

"Hewasdifficult,eh?"saidPoirot.

"Icouldalwaysmanagehim,"saidLadyAstwellwiththeairofasuccessfulliontamer."Butitwas
ratherawkwardsometimeswhenhewouldlosehistemperwiththeservants.Therearewaysof
doingit,andReuben'swasnottherightway."

"HowexactlydidSirReubenleavehismoney,LadyAstwell?"
"HalftomeandhalftoCharles,"repliedLadyAstwellpromptly."Thelawyersdon'tputitsimplylike
that,butthat'swhatitamountsto."

Poirotnoddedhishead.

"IseeIsee,"hemurmured."Now,LadyAstwell,Iwilldemandofyouthatyouwilldescribetome
thehousehold.Therewasyourself,andSirReuben'snephew,MrCharlesLeverson,andthe
secretary,MrOwenTrefusis,andtherewasMissLilyMargrave.Perhapsyouwilltellmesomething
ofthatyounglady."

"YouwanttoknowaboutLily?"

"Yes,shehasbeenwithyoulong?"

"Aboutayear.Ihavehadalotofsecretarycompanions,youknow,butsomehoworothertheyall
gotonmynerves.Lilywasdifferent.Shewastactfulandfullofcommonsense,andbesidesshelooks
sonice.Idoliketohaveaprettyfaceaboutme,M.Poirot.Iamafunnykindofperson;Itakelikes
anddislikesstraightaway.AssoonasIsawthatgirl,Isaidtomyself:'She'lldo.'"

"Didshecometoyouthroughfriends,LadyAstwell?"

"Ithinksheansweredanadvertisement.Yesthatwasit."

"Youknowsomethingofherpeople,ofwhereshecomesfrom?"

"HerfatherandmotherareoutinIndia,Ibelieve.Idon'treallyknowmuchaboutthem,butyoucan
seeataglancethatLilyisalady,can'tyou,M.Poirot?"

"Ohperfectly,perfectly."

"Ofcourse,"wentonLadyAstwell,"Iamnotaladymyself.Iknowit,andtheservantsknowit,but
thereisnothingmeanspiritedaboutme.IcanappreciatetherealthingwhenIseeit,andnoone
couldbenicerthanLilyhasbeentome.Ilookuponthatgirlalmostasadaughter,M.Poirot,indeedI
do."

Poirot'srighthandstrayedoutandstraightenedoneortwooftheobjectslyingonatablenearhim.

"DidSirReubensharethisfeeling?"heasked.

Hiseyeswereontheknickknacks,butdoubtlesshenotedthepausebeforeLadyAstwell'sanswer
came.

"Withamanit'sdifferent.Ofcoursetheytheygotonverywell,"

"Thankyou,Madame,"saidPoirot.Hewassmilingtohimself.

"Andtheseweretheonlypeopleinthehousethatnight?"heasked,"Excepting,ofcourse,the
servants.

"Oh,therewasVictor."

"Victor?"
"Yesmyhusband'sbrother,youknow,andhispartner.

"Helivedwithyou?"

"No,hehadjustarrivedonavisit.HehasbeenoutinWestAfricaforthepastfewyears."

"WestAfrica,"murmuredPoirot.

HehadlearnedthatLadyAstwellcouldbetrustedtodevelopasubjectherselfifsufficienttimewas
givenher.

"Theysayit'sawonderfulcountry,butIthinkit'sthekindofplacethathasaverybadeffectupona
man,Theydrinktoomuchandtheygetuncontrolled.NoneoftheAstwellshasagoodtemperand
Victor's,sincehecamebackfromAfrica,hasbeensimplytooshocking.Hehasfrightenedmeonceor
twice."

"DidhefrightenMissMargrave,Iwonder?"murmuredPoirotgently.

"Lily?OhIdon'tthinkhehasseenmuchofLily."

Poirotmadeanoteortwoinadiminutivenotebook;thenheputthepencilbackinitsloopand
returnedthenotebooktohispocket.

"Ithankyou,LadyAstwell.Iwillnow,ifImay,interviewParsons."

"Willyouhavehimuphere?"

LadyAstwell'shandmovedtowardthebell.Poirotarrestedthegesturequickly.

"No,no,athousandtimesno.Iwilldescendtohim."

"Ifyouthinkitisbetter"

LadyAstwellwasclearlydisappointedatnotbeingabletoparticipateintheforthcomingscene.
Poirotadoptedanairofsecrecy.

"Itisessential,"hesaidmysteriously,andleftLadyAstwelldulyimpressed.

HefoundParsonsinthebutler'spantry,polishingsilver.Poirotopenedtheproceedingswithoneof
hisfunnylittlebows.

"Imustexplainmyself,"hesaid."Iamadetectiveagent"

"Yes,sir,"saidParsons,"wegatheredasmuch."

Histonewasrespectfulbutaloof.

"LadyAstwellsentforme,"continuedPoirot."Sheisnotsatisfied;no,sheisnotsatisfiedatall."

"IhaveheardherLadyshipsaysoonseveraloccasions,"saidParsons.

"Infact,"saidPoirot,"Irecounttoyouthethingsyoualreadyknow?Eh?Letusthennotwastetime
onthesebagatelles.Takeme,ifyouwillbesogood,toyourbedroomandtellmeexactlywhatitwas
youheardthereonthenightofthemurder."
Thebutler'sroomwasonthegroundfloor,adjoiningtheservantshall.Ithadbarredwindows,and
thestrongroomwasinonecornerofit.Parsonsindicatedthenarrowbed.

"Ihadretired,sir,at11o'clock.MissMargravehadgonetobed,andLadyAstwellwaswithSir
ReubenintheTowerroom."

"LadyAstwellwaswithSirReuben?Ah,proceed."

"TheTowerroom,sir,isdirectlyoverthis.Ifpeoplearetalkinginitonecanhearthemurmurof
voicesbutnaturallynotanythingthatissaid.Imusthavefallenasleepabouthalfpasteleven.Itwas
just12o'clockwhenIwasawakenedbythesoundofthefrontdoorbeingslammedtoandknewMr
Leversonhadreturned.PresentlyIheardfootstepsoverhead,andaminuteortwolaterMr
Leverson'svoicetalkingtoSirReuben.

"Itwasmyfancyatthetime,sir,thatMrLeversonwasIshouldnotexactlyliketosaydrunk,but
inclinedtobealittleindiscreetandnoisy.Hewasshoutingathisuncleatthetopofhisvoice.I
caughtawordortwohereortherebutnotenoughtounderstandwhatitwasallabout,andthen
therewasasharpcryandaheavythud."

Therewasapause,andParsonsrepeatedthelastwords."Aheavythud,"hesaidimpressively..

"IfImistakenot,itisadullthudinmostwordsofromance,"murmuredPoirot.

"Maybe,sir,"saidParsonsseverely."ItwasaheavythudIheard.

"Athousandpardons,"saidPoirot.

"Donotmentionit,sir.Afterthethudinthesilence,IheardMrLeverson'svoiceasplainasplaincan
be,raisedhigh.'MyGod,'hesaid,'MyGod,'justlikethat,sir."

Parsons,fromhisfirstreluctancetotellthetale,hadnowprogressedtoathoroughenjoymentofit.
Hefanciedhimselfmightilyasanarrator.Poirotplayeduptohim.

"MonDieu,"hemurmured."Whatemotionyoumusthaveexperienced!"

"Yes,indeed,sir,"saidParsons,"asyousay,sir.NotthatIthoughtverymuchofitatthetime.Butit
didoccurtometowonderifanythingwasamiss,andwhetherIhadbettergoupandsee.Iwentto
turntheelectriclighton,andwasunfortunateenoughtoknockoverachair.

"Iopenedthedoor,andwentthroughtheservants'hall,andopenedtheotherdoorwhichgivesona
passage.Thebackstairsleadupfromthere,andasIstoodatthebottomofthem,hesitating,Iheard
MrLeverson'svoicefromupabove,speakingheartyandcheerylike.'Noharmdone,luckily,'hesays.
'Goodnight,'andIheardhimmoveoffalongthepassagetohisownroom,whistling.

"OfcourseIwentbacktobedatonce.Justsomethingknockedover,that'sallIthoughtitwas.Iask
you,sir,wasItothinkSirReubenwasmurdered,withMrLeversonsayinggoodnightandall?"

"YouaresureitwasMrLeverson'svoiceyouheard?"

ParsonslookedatthelittleBelgianpityingly,andPoirotsawclearlyenoughthat,rightorwrong,
Parsons'mindwasmadeuponthispoint.
"Isthereanythingfurtheryouwouldliketoaskme,sir?"

"Thereisonething."saidPoirot,"doyoulikeMrLeverson?"

"IIbegyourpardon,sir?"

"Itisasimplequestion.DoyoulikeMrLeverson?"

Parsons,frombeingstartledatfirst,nowseemedembarrassed.

"Thegeneralopinionintheservants'hall,sir,"hesaid,andpaused.

"Byallmeans,"saidPoirot,"putitthatwayifitpleasesyou."

"Theopinionis,sir,thatMrLeversonisanopenhandedyounggentleman,butnot,ifImaysayso,
particularlyintelligent,sir."

"Ah!"saidPoirot."Doyouknow,Parsons,thatwithouthavingseenhim,thatisalsopreciselymy
opinionofMrLeverson."

"Indeed,sir."

"WhatisyouropinionIbegyourpardontheopinionoftheservants'hallofthesecretary?"

"Heisaveryquiet,patientgentleman,sir.Anxioustogivenotrouble."

"Vraiment,"saidPoirot.

Thebutlercoughed.

"Herladyship,sir,"hemurmured,"isapttobealittlehastyinherjudgments."

"Then,intheopinionoftheservants'hall,MrLeversoncommittedthecrime?"

"WenoneofuswishtothinkitwasMrLeverson,"saidParsons."Wewell,plainlywedidn'tthinkhe
haditinhim,sir."

"Buthehasasomewhatviolenttemper,hashenot?"askedPoirot.

Parsonscamenearertohim.

"Ifyouareaskingmewhohadthemostviolenttemperinthehouse"

Poirotheldupahand.

"Ah!ButthatisnotthequestionIshouldask,"hesaidsoftly."Myquestionwouldbe,whohasthe
besttemper?"

Parsonsstaredathimopenmouthed.

Poirotwastednofurthertimeonhim.Withanamiablelittlebowhewasalwaysamiableheleft
theroomandwanderedoutintothebigsquarehallofMonRepos.Therehestoodaminuteortwo
inthought,then,ataslightsoundthatcametohim,cockedhisheadononesideinthemannerofa
perkyrobin,andfinally,withnoiselesssteps,crossedtooneofthedoorsthatledoutofthehall.

Hestoodinthedoorway,lookingintotheroom;asmallroomfurnishedasalibrary.Atabigdeskat
thefurtherendofitsatathin,paleyoungmanbusilywriting.Hehadarecedingchin,andworea
pincenez.

Poirotwatchedhimforsomeminutes,andthenhebrokethesilencebygivingacompletelyartificial
andtheatricalcough.

"Ahem!"coughedM.HerculePoirot.

Theyoungmanatthedeskstoppedwritingandturnedhishead.Hedidnotappearundulystartled,
butanexpressionofperplexitygatheredonhisfaceasheeyedPoirot.

Thelattercameforwardwithalittlebow.

"IhavethehonorofspeakingtoM.Trefusis,yes?Ah!mynameisPoirot,HerculePoirot.Youmay
perhapshaveheardofme."

"Oheryes,certainly,"saidtheyoungman.

Poiroteyedhimattentively.

OwenTrefusiswasaboutthirtythreeyearsofage,andthedetectivesawatoncewhynobodywas
inclinedtotreatLadyAstwell'saccusationseriously.MrOwenTrefusiswasaprim,properyoung
man,disarminglymeek,thetypeofmanwhocanbe,andis,systematicallybullied.Onecouldfeel
quitesurethathewouldneverdisplayresentment.

"LadyAstwellsentforyou,ofcourse,"saidthesecretary."Shementionedthatshewasgoingtodo
so.IsthereanywayinwhichIcanhelpyou?"

Hismannerwaspolitewithoutbeingeffusive.Poirotacceptedachair,andmurmuredgently:

"HasLadyAstwellsaidanythingtoyouofherbeliefsandsuspicions?"

OwenTrefusissmiledalittle.

"Asfarasthatgoes"hesaid,"Ibelieveshesuspectsme.Itisabsurd,butthereitis.Shehashardly
spokenacivilwordtomesince,andsheshrinksagainstthewallasIpassby."

Hismannerwasperfectlynatural,andtherewasmoreamusementthanresentmentinhisvoice.
Poirotnoddedwithanairofengagingfrankness.

"Betweenourselves,"heexplained,"shesaidthesamethingtome.Ididnotarguewithherme,I
havemadeitarulenevertoarguewithverypositiveladies.Youcomprehend,itisawasteoftime."

"Oh,quite."

"Isay,yes,Miladyoh,perfectly,Miladyprecisement,Milady.Theymeannothing,thosewords,but
theysootheallthesame.Imakemyinvestigations,forthoughitseemsalmostimpossiblethat
anyoneexceptM.Leversoncouldhavecommittedthecrime,yetwell,theimpossiblehashappened
beforenow."

"Iunderstandyourpositionperfectly,"saidthesecretary."Pleaseregardmeasentirelyatyour
service."

"Bon,"saidPoirot."Weunderstandoneanother.Nowrecounttometheeventsofthatevening.
Betterstartwithdinner."

"Leversonwasnotatdinner,asyoudoubtlessknow,"saidthesecretary."Hehadaserious
disagreementwithhisuncle,andwentofftodineattheGolfClub.SirReubenwasinaverybad
temperinconsequence."

"Nottooamiable,ceMonsieur,eh?"hintedPoirotdelicately.

Trefusislaughed.

"Oh!HewasaTartar!Ihaven'tworkedwithhimfornineyearswithoutknowingmostofhislittle
ways.Hewasanextraordinarilydifficultman,M.Poirot.Hewouldgetintochildishfitsofrageand
abuseanybodywhocamenearhim.Iwasusedtoitbythattime.Igotintothehabitofpaying
absolutelynoattentiontoanythinghesaid.Hewasnotbadheartedreally,buthecouldbemost
foolishandexasperatinginhismanner.Thegreatthingwasnevertoanswerhimback."

"Wereotherpeopleaswiseasyouwereinthatrespect?"

Trefusisshruggedhisshoulders.

"LadyAstwellenjoyedagoodrow,"hesaid."ShewasnotintheleastafraidofSirReuben,andshe
alwaysstooduptohimandgavehimasgoodasshegot.Theyalwaysmadeupafterward,andSir
Reubenwasreallydevotedtoher."

"Didtheyquarrelthatlastnight?"

Thesecretarylookedathimsideways,hesitatedaminute,thenhesaid:

"Ibelieveso;whatmadeyouask?"

"Anidea,thatisall."

"Idon'tknow,ofcourse,"explainedthesecretary,"butthingslookedasthoughtheywereworking
upthatway."

Poirotdidnotpursuethetopic.

"Whoelsewasatdinner?"

"MissMargrave,MrVictorAstwell,andmyself."

"Andafterward?"

"Wewentintothedrawingroom.SirReubendidnotaccompanyus.Abouttenminuteslaterhe
cameinandhauledmeoverthecoalsforsometriflingmatteraboutaletter.Iwentupwithhimto
theTowerroomandsetthethingstraight;thenMrVictorAstwellcameinandsaidhehad
somethinghewishedtotalktohisbrotherabout,soIwentdownstairsandjoinedthetwoladies.

"AboutaquarterofanhourlaterIheardSirReuben'sbellringingviolently,andParsonscametosayI
wastogouptoSirReubenatonce.AsIenteredtheroom,MrVictorAstwellwascomingout.He
nearlyknockedmeover.Somethinghadevidentlyhappenedtoupsethim.Hehasaveryviolent
temper.Ireallybelievehedidn'tseeme."

"DidSirReubenmakeanycommentonthematter?"

"Hesaid:'Victorisalunatic;hewilldoforsomebodysomedaywhenheisinoneoftheserages.'"

"Ah!"saidPoirot."Haveyouanyideawhatthetroublewasabout?"

"Icouldn'tsayatall."

Poirotturnedhisheadveryslowlyandlookedatthesecretary.Thoselastwordshadbeenuttered
toohastily.HeformedtheconvictionthatTrefusiscouldhavesaidmorehadhewishedtodoso.But
onceagainPoirotdidnotpressthequestion.

"Andthen?Proceed,Iprayofyou."

"IworkedwithSirReubenforaboutanhourandahalf.At11o'clockLadyAstwellcamein,andSir
ReubentoldmeIcouldgotobed."

"Andyouwent?"

"Yes."

"Haveyouanyideahowlongshestayedwithhim?"

"Noneatall.Herroomisonthefirstfloor,andmineisonthesecond,soIwouldnothearhergoto
bed."

"Isee."

Poirotnoddedhisheadonceortwiceandsprangtohisfeet.

"Andnow,Monsieur,takemetotheTowerroom."

Hefollowedthesecretaryupthebroadstairstothefirstlanding.HereTrefusisledhimalongthe
corridor,andthroughabaizedoorattheendofit,whichgaveontheservantsstaircaseandona
shortpassagethatendedinadoor.Theypassedthroughthisdoorandfoundthemselvesonthe
sceneofthecrime.

Itwasaloftyroomtwiceashighasanyoftheothers,andwasroughlyaboutthirtyfeetsquare.
Swordsandassegaisadornedthewalls,andmanynativecurioswerearrangedaboutontables.At
thefarend,intheembrasureofthewindow,wasalargewritingtable.Poirotcrossedstraighttoit.

"ItwashereSirReubenwasfound?"

Trefusisnodded.
"Hewasstruckfrombehind,Iunderstand?"

Againthesecretarynodded.

"Thecrimewascommittedwithoneofthesenativeclubs,"heexplained.Atremendouslyheavy
thing.Deathmusthavebeenpracticallyinstantaneous."

"Thatstrengthenstheconvictionthatthecrimewasnotpremeditated.Asharpquarrel,anda
weaponsnatchedupalmostunconsciously."

"Yes,itdoesnotlookwellforpoorLeverson."

"Andthebodywasfoundfallenforwardonthedesk?"

"No,ithadslippedsidewaystotheground."

"Ah,"saidPoirot,thatiscurious."

"Whycurious?"askedthesecretary.

"Becauseofthis."

Poirotpointedtoaroundirregularstainonthepolishedsurfaceofthewritingtable.

"Thatisabloodstainmonami,"

"Itmayhavesplatteredthere,"suggestedTrefusis,"oritmayhavebeenmadelater,whenthey
movedthebody."

"Verypossibly,verypossibly,"saidthelittleman."Thereisonlytheonedoortothisroom?"

"Thereisastaircasehere."

Trefusispulledasideavelvetcurtaininthecorneroftheroomnearestthedoor,whereasmallspiral
staircaseledupward.

"Thisplacewasoriginallybuiltbyanastronomer.Thestairsleaduptothetowerwherethetelescope
wasfixed.SirReubenhadtheplacefittedupasabedroom,andsometimessleptthereifhewas
workingverylate."

Poirotwentnimblyupthesteps.Thecircularroomupstairswasplainlyfurnished,withacampbed,a
chairanddressingtable.Poirotsatisfied,himselfthattherewasnootherexit,andthencamedown
againtowhereTrefusisstoodwaitingforhim.

"DidyouhearMrLeversoncomein?"heasked.

Trefusisshookhishead.

"Iwasfastasleepbythattime."

Poirotnodded.Helookedslowlyroundtheroom.

"Ehbien!"hesaidatlast."Idonotthinkthereisanythingfurtherhere,unlessperhapsyouwould
besokindastodrawthecurtains."
ObedientlyTrefusispulledtheheavyblackcurtainsacrossthewindowatthefarendoftheroom.
Poirotswitchedonthelightwhichwasmaskedbyabigalabasterbowlhangingfromtheceiling.

"Therewasadesklight?"heasked.

Forreplythesecretaryclickedonapowerfulgreenshadedhandlamp,whichstoodonthewriting
table.Poirotswitchedtheotherlightoff,thenon,thenoffagain.

"C'estbien!Ihavefinishedhere."

"Dinnerisathalfpastseven,"murmuredthesecretary.

"Ithankyou,M.Trefusis,foryourmanyamiabilities."

"Notatall."

Poirotwentthoughtfullyalongthecorridortotheroomappointedforhim.TheimmovableGeorge
wastherelayingouthismaster'sthings.

"MygoodGeorge,"hesaidpresently,"Ishall,Ihope,meetatdinneracertaingentlemanwhobegins
tointriguemegreatly.Amanwhohascomehomefromthetropics,George.Withatropicaltemper
soitissaid.AmanwhomParsonstriestotellmeabout,andwhomLilyMargravedoesnotmention.
ThelateSirReubenhadatemperofhisown,George.Supposingsuchamantocomeintocontact
withamanwhosetemperwasworsethanhisownhowdoyousayit?Thefurwouldjumpabout,
eh?"

"'Wouldfly'isthecorrectexpression,sir,anditisnotalwaysthecase,sir,notbyalongway."

"No?"

"No,sir.TherewasmyAuntJemima,sir,amostshrewishtongueshehad,bulliedapoorsisterof
herswholivedwithher,somethingshockingshedid.Nearlyworriedthelifeoutofher.Butifanyone
camealongwhostooduptoher,well,itwasaverydifferentthing.Itwasmeeknessshecouldn't
bear."

"Ha!"saidPoirot,"itissuggestivethat."

Georgecoughedapologetically.

"IsthereanythingIcandoinanyway,"heinquireddelicately,"toerassistyou,sir?"

"Certainly,"saidPoirotpromptly."YoucanfindoutformewhatcoloreveningdressMissLily
Margraveworethatnight,andwhichhousemaidattendsher."

Georgereceivedthesecommandswithhisusualstolidity.

"Verygood.sir,Iwillhavetheinformationforyouinthemorning."

Poirotrosefromhisseatandstoodgazingintothefire.

"Youareveryusefultome,George,"hemurmured."Doyouknow,IshallnotforgetyourAunt
Jemima?"


Poirotdidnot,afterall,seeVictorAstwellthatnight.Atelephonemessagecamefromhimthathe
wasdetainedinLondon.

"Heattendstotheaffairsofyourlatehusband'sbusiness,eh?"askedPoirotofLadyAstwell.

"Victorisapartner,"sheexplained."HewentouttoAfricatolookintosomeminingconcessionsfor
thefirm.Itwasmining,wasn'tit,Lily?"

"Yes,LadyAstwell."

"Goldmines,Ithink,orwasitcopperortin?Yououghttoknow,Lily,youwerealwaysaskingReuben
questionsaboutitall.Oh,dobecareful,dear,youwillhavethatvaseover!"

"Itisdreadfullyhotinherewiththefire,"saidthegirl."ShallIshallIopenthewindowalittle?"

"Ifyoulike,dear,"saidLadyAstwellplacidly.

Poirotwatchedwhilethegirlwentacrosstothewindowandopenedit.Shestoodthereaminuteor
twobreathinginthecoolnightair.Whenshereturnedandsatdowninherseat,Poirotsaidtoher
politely:

"SoMademoiselleisinterestedinmines?"

"Oh,notreally,"saidthegirlindifferently,"IlistenedtoSirReuben,butIdon'tknowanythingabout
thesubject."

"Youpretendedverywell,then,"saidLadyAstwell."PoorReubenactuallythoughtyouhadsome
ulteriormotiveinaskingallthosequestions."

Thelittledetective'seyeshadnotmovedfromthefire,intowhichhewassteadilystaring,but
nevertheless,hedidnotmissthequickflushofvexationonLilyMargrave'sface.Tactfullyhechanged
theconversation.Whenthehourforgoodnightscame,Poirotsaidtohishostess:

"MayIhavejusttwolittlewordswithyou,Madame?"

LilyMargravevanisheddiscreetly.LadyAstwelllookedinquiringlyatthedetective.

"YouwerethelastpersontoseeSirReubenalivethatnight?"

Shenodded.Tearssprangintohereyes,andshehastilyheldablackedgedhandkerchieftothem.

"Ah,donotdistressyourself,Ibegofyoudonotdistressyourself."

"It'sallverywell,M.Poirot,butIcan'thelpit."

"Iamatripleimbecilethustovexyou."

"No,no,goon.Whatwereyougoingtosay?"

"Itwasabout11o'clock,Ifancy,whenyouwentintotheTowerroom,andSirReubendismissedMr
Trefusis.Isthatright?"
"Itmusthavebeenaboutthen."

"Howlongwereyouwithhim?"

"ItwasjustaquartertotwelvewhenIgotuptomyroom;Irememberglancingattheclock."

"LadyAstwell,willyoutellmewhatyourconversationwithyourhusbandwasabout?"

LadyAstwellsankdownonthesofaandbrokedowncompletely.Hersobswerevigorous.

"Wequaquaquarreled,"shemoaned.

"Whatabout?"Poirot'svoicewascoaxing,almosttender.

"Lllotsofthings.ItbbbeganwithLLily.Reubentookadisliketoherfornoreason,andsaid
hehadcaughtherinterferingwithhispapers.Hewantedtosendheraway,andIsaidshewasadear
girl,andIwouldnothaveit.Andthenhessstartedshoutingmedown,andIwouldn'thavethat,
soIjusttoldhimwhatIthoughtofhim.

"NotthatIreallymeantit,M.Poirot,andhesaidhehadtakenmeoutoftheguttertomarryme,and
Isaidah,butwhatdoesitallmatternow?Ishallneverforgivemyself.Youknowhowitis,MPoirot,
Ialwaysdidsayagoodrowclearstheair,andhowwasItoknowsomeonewasgoingtomurderhim
thatverynight?PooroldReuben."

Poirothadlistenedsympatheticallytoallthisoutburst.

"Ihavecausedyousuffering,"hesaid."Iapologize.Letusnowbeverybusinesslikeverypractical,
veryexact.YoustillclingtoyourideathatMrTrefusismurderedyourhusband?"

LadyAstwelldrewherselfup.

"Awoman'sinstinct,M.Poirot,"shesaidsolemnly,"neverlies."

"Exactly,exactly,"saidPoirot."Butwhendidhedoit?"

"When?AfterIlefthim,ofcourse."

"YouleftSirReubenataquartertotwelve.AtfiveminutestotwelveMrLeversoncamein.Inthat
tenminutesyousaythesecretarycamedownfromhisbedroomandmurderedhim?"

"Itisperfectlypossible."

"Somanythingsarepossible,"saidPoirot."Itcouldbedoneintenminutes.Oh,yes!Butwasit?"

"Ofcoursehesayshewasinbedandfastasleep,"saidLadyAstwell,"butwhoistoknowifhewasor
not?"

"Nobodysawhimabout,"Poirotremindedher.

"Everybodywasinbedandfastasleep,"saidLadyAstwelltriumphantly."Ofcoursenobodysaw
him."

"Iwonder,"saidPoirottohimself.
Ashortpause.

"Ehbien,LadyAstwell,Iwillwishyougoodnight."

Georgedepositedatrayofearlymorningcoffeebyhismaster'sbedside.

"MissMargrave,sir,woreadressoflightgreenchiffononthenightinquestion."

"Thankyou,George,youaremostreliable."

"ThethirdhousemaidlooksafterMissMargrave,sir.HernameisGladys."

"Thankyou,George.Youareinvaluable."

"Notatatall,sir."

"Itisafinemorning,"saidPoirot,lookingoutofthewindow,"andnooneislikelytobeastirvery
early.Ithink,mygoodGeorge,thatweshallhavetheTowerroomtoourselvesifweproceedthere
tomakealittleexperiment."

"Youneedme,sir?"

"Theexperiment',"saidPoirot,"willnotbepainful."

ThecurtainswerestilldrawnintheTowerroomwhentheyarrivedthere.Georgewasabouttopull
them,whenPoirotrestrainedhim.

"Wewillleavetheroomasitis.Justturnonthedesklamp."

Thevaletobeyed.

"Now,mygoodGeorge,sitdowninthatchair.Disposeyourselfasthoughyouwerewriting.Trs
bien.Me,Iseizeaclub,Istealupbehindyou,so,andIhityouonthebackofthehead."

"Yes,sir,"saidGeorge.

"Ah!"saidPoirot,"butwhenIhityou,donotcontinuetowrite.YoucomprehendIcannotbeexact.I
cannothityouwiththesameforcewithwhichtheassassinhitSirReuben.Whenitcomestothat
point,wemustdothemakebelieve.Ihityouonthehead,andyoucollapse,so.Thearmswell
relaxed,thebodylimp.Permitmetoarrangeyou.Butno,donotflexyourmuscles."

Heheavedasighofexasperation.

"Youpressadmirablythetrousers,George,"hesaid,"buttheimaginationyoupossessitnot.Getup
andletmetakeyourplace."

Poirotinhisturnsatdownatthewritingtable.

"Iwrite,"hedeclared,"Iwritebusily.Youstealupbehindmeyouhitmeontheheadwiththeclub.
Crash!Thepenslipsfrommyfingers,Idropforward,butnotveryfarforward,forthechairislow,
andthedeskishigh,and,moreover,myarmssupportme.Havethegoodness,George,togobackto
thedoor,standthere,andtellmewhatyousee."

"Ahem!"

"Yes,George?"encouragingly."Iseeyou,sir,sittingatthedesk."

"Sittingatthedesk?"

"Itisalittledifficulttoseeplainly,sir,"explainedGeorge,"beingsuchalongwayaway,sir,andthe
lampbeingsoheavilyshaded.IfImightturnonthislight,sir?"

Hishandreachedouttotheswitch.

"Notatall,"saidPoirotsharply."Weshalldoverywellasweare.HereamIbendingoverthedesk,
thereareyoustandingbythedoor.Advancenow,George,advance,andputyourhandonmy
shoulder."

Georgeobeyed.

"Leanonmealittle,George,tosteadyyourselfonyourfeet,asitwere.Ah!Voil."

HerculePoirot'slimpbodyslidartisticallysideways.

"Icollapseso!"heobserved."Yes,itisverywellimagined.Thereisnowsomethingmostimportant
thatmustbedone."

"Indeed,sir?"saidthevalet.

"YesitisnecessarythatIshouldbreakfastwell."

Thelittlemanlaughedheartilyathisownjoke.

"Thestomach,George;itmustnotbeignored."

Georgemaintainedadisapprovingsilence.Poirotwentdownstairschucklinghappilytohimself.He
waspleasedatthewaythingswereshaping.AfterbreakfasthemadetheacquaintanceofGladys,
thethirdhousemaid.Hewasveryinterestedinwhatshecouldtellhimofthecrime.Shewas
sympathetictowardCharles,althoughshehadnodoubtofhisguilt.

"Pooryounggentleman,sir,itseemshard,itdoes,himnotbeingquitehimselfatthetime."

"HeandMissMargraveshouldhavegotonwelltogether,"suggestedPoirot,"astheonlytwoyoung
peopleinthehouse."

Gladysshookherhead.

"VerystandoffishMissLilywaswithhim.Shewouldn'thavenocarryingson,andshemadeitplain."

"Hewasfondofher,washe?"

"Oh,onlyinpassing,sotospeak;noharminit,sir.MrVictorAstwell,nowheisproperlygoneon
MissLily."
Shegiggled.

"Ahvraiment!"

Gladysgiggledagain.

"Sweetonherstraightawayhewas.MissLilyisjustlikealily,isn'tshe,sir?Sotallandsuchalovely
shadeofgoldhair."

"Sheshouldwearagreeneveningfrock,"musedPoirot."Thereisacertainshadeofgreen"

"Shehasone,sir,"saidGladys."Ofcourse,shecan'twearitnow,beinginmourning,butshehadit
ontheverynightSirReubendied."

"Itshouldbealightgreen,notadarkgreen,"saidPoirot.

"Itisalightgreen,sir.IfyouwaitaminuteI'llshowittoyou.MissLilyhasjustgoneoutwiththe
dogs."

Poirotnodded.HeknewthataswellasGladysdid.Infact,itwasonlyafterseeingLilysafelyoffthe
premisesthathehadgoneinsearchofthehousemaid.Gladyshurriedaway,andreturnedafew
minuteslaterwithagreeneveningdressonahanger.

"Exquis!"murmuredPoirot,holdinguphandsofadmiration."Permitmetotakeittothelighta
minute."

HetookthedressfromGladys,turnedhisbackonherandhurriedtothewindow.Hebentoverit,
thenhelditoutatarm'slength.

"Itisperfect,"hedeclared."Perfectlyravishing.Athousandthanksforshowingittome."

"Notatail,sir,"saidGladys."WeallknowthatFrenchmenareinterestedinladies'dresses."

"Youaretookind,"murmuredPoirot.

Hewatchedherhurryawayagainwiththedress.Thenhelookeddownathistwohandsandsmiled.
Intherighthandwasatinypairofsmallnailscissors,intheleftwasaneatlyclippedfragmentof
greenchiffon.

"Andnow,"hemurmured,"tobeheroic."

HereturnedtohisownapartmentandsummonedGeorge.

"Onthedressingtable,mygoodGeorge,youwillperceiveagoldscarfpin."

"Yes,sir."

"Onthewashstandisasolutionofcarbolic.Immerse,Iprayyou,thepointofthepininthecarbolic."

Georgedidashewasbid.Hehadlongagoceasedtowonderatthevagariesofhismaster.

"Ihavedonethat,sir."

"Trsbien!Nowapproach.Itendertoyoumyfirstfinger;insertthepointofthepininit."
"Excuseme,sir,youwantmetoprickyou,sir?"

"But,yes,youhaveguessedcorrectly.Youmustdrawblood,youunderstand,butnottoomuch."

Georgetookholdofhismaster'sfinger.Poirotshuthiseyesandleanedback.Thevaletstabbedat
thefingerwiththescarfpin,andPoirotutteredashrillyell.

"Jevousremercie,George,"hesaid."Whatyouhavedoneisample."

Takingasmallpieceofgreenchiffonfromhispocket,hedabbedhisfingerwithitgingerly.

"Theoperationhassucceededtoamiracle,"heremarked,gazingattheresult."Youhaveno
curiosity,George?Now,thatisadmirable!"

Thevalethadjusttakenadiscreetlookoutofthewindow.

"Excuseme,sir,"hemurmured,"agentlemanhasdrivenupinalargecar."

"Ah!Ah!"saidPoirot.Herosebrisklytohisfeet."TheelusiveMrVictorAstwell.Igodowntomake
hisacquaintance."

PoirotwasdestinedtohearMrVictorAstwellsometimebeforehesawhim.Aloudvoicerangout
fromthehall.

"Mindwhatyouaredoing,youdamnedidiot!Thatcasehasgotglassinit.Curseyou,Parsons,get
outoftheway!Putitdown,youfool!"

Poirotskippednimblydownthestairs.VictorAstwellwasabigman.Poirotbowedtohimpolitely.

"Whothedevilareyou?"roaredthebigman.

Poirotbowedagain.

"MynameisHerculePoirot."

"Lord!"saidVictorAstwell."SoNancysentforyou,afterall,didshe?"

HeputahandonPoirot'sshoulderandsteeredhimintothelibrary.

"Soyouarethefellowtheymakesuchafussabout,"heremarked,lookinghimupanddown."Sorry
formylanguagejustnow.Thatchauffeurofmineisadamnedass,andParsonsalwaysdoesgeton
mynerves,blitheringoldidiot.

"Idon'tsufferfoolsgladly,youknow,"hesaid,halfapologetically,"butbyallaccountsyouarenota
fool,eh,M.Poirot?"

Helaughedbreezily.

"Thosewhohavethoughtsohavebeensadlymistaken,"saidPoirotplacidly.

"Isthatso?Well,soNancyhascartedyoudownheregotabeeinherbonnetaboutthesecretary.
Thereisnothinginthat;Trefusisisasmildasmilkdrinksmilk,too,Ibelieve.Thefellowisa
teetotaler.Ratherwasteofyourtime,isn'tit?"
"Ifonehasanopportunitytoobservehumannature,timeisneverwasted,"saidPoirotquietly.

"Humannature,eh?"

VictorAstwellstaredathim,thenheflunghimselfdowninachair.

"AnythingIcandoforyou?"

"Yes,youcantellmewhatyourquarrelwithyourbrotherwasaboutthatevening."

VictorAstwellshookhishead.

"Nothingtodowiththecase,"hesaiddecisively.

"Onecanneverbesure,"saidPoirot.

"IthadnothingtodowithCharlesLeverson."

"LadyAstwellthinksthatCharleshadnothingtodowiththemurder."

"Oh,Nancy!"

"ParsonsassumesthatitwasM.CharlesLeversonwhocameinthatnight,buthedidn'tseehim.
Remembernobodysawhim."

"Youarewrongthere,"saidAstwell."Isawhim."

"Yousawhim?"

"It'sverysimple.ReubenhadbeenpitchingintoyoungCharlesnotwithoutgoodreason,Imustsay.
Lateronhetriedtobullyme.Itoldhimafewhometruthsand,justtoannoyhim,Imadeupmy
mindtobacktheboy.Imeanttoseehimthatnight,soastotellhimhowthelandlay.WhenIwent
uptomyroomIdidn'tgotobed.Instead,Ileftthedoorajarandsatonachairsmoking.Myroomis
onthesecondfloor,M.Poirot,andCharles'sroomisnexttoit."

"PardonmyinterruptingyouMrTrefusis,he,too,sleepsonthatfloor?"

Astwellnodded.

"Yes,hisroomisjustbeyondmine."

"Nearerthestairs?"

"No,theotherway."

AcuriouslightcameintoPoirot'sface,buttheotherdidn'tnoticeitandwenton:

"AsIsay,IwaitedupforCharles.Iheardthefrontdoorslam,asIthought,aboutfiveminutesto
twelve,buttherewasnosignofCharlesforabouttenminutes.WhenhedidcomeupthestairsIsaw
thatitwasnogoodtacklinghimthatnight.

Heliftedhiselbowssignificantly.

"Isee,"murmuredPoirot.
"Poordevilcouldn'twalkstraight,"saidAstwell."Hewaslookingprettyghastly,too.Iputitdownto
hisconditionatthetime.Ofcourse,nowIrealizethathehadcomestraightfromcommittingthe
crime."

Poirotinterposedaquickquestion.

"YouheardnothingfromtheTowerroom?"

"NobutyoumustrememberthatIwasrightattheotherendofthebuilding.Thewallsarethick,and
Idon'tbelieveyouwouldevenhearapistolshotfiredfromthere."

Poirotnodded.

"Iaskedifhewouldlikesomehelpgettingtobed,"continuedAstwell."Buthesaidhewasallright
andwentintohisroomandbangedthedoor.Iundressedandwenttobed."

Poirotwasstaringthoughtfullyatthecarpet.

"Yourealize,M.Astwell,"hesaidatlast,"thatyourevidenceisveryimportant?"

"Isupposeso,atleastwhatdoyoumean?"

"YourevidencethattenminuteselapsedbetweentheslammingofthefrontdoorandLeverson's
appearanceupstairs.Hehimselfsays,soIunderstand,thathecameintothehouseandwentstraight
uptobed.Butthereismorethanthat.LadyAstwell'saccusationofthesecretaryisfantastic,Iadmit,
yetuptonowithasnotbeenprovedimpossible.Butyourevidencecreatesanalibi."

"Howisthat?"

"LadyAstwellsaysthatsheleftherhusbandataquartertotwelve,whilethesecretaryhadgoneto
bedateleveno'clock.Theonlytimehecouldhavecommittedthecrimewasbetweenaquarterto
twelveandCharlesLeverson'sreturn.Now,if,asyousay,yousatwithyourdooropen,hecouldnot
havecomedownfromhisroomwithoutyourseeinghim."

"Thatisso,"agreedtheother.

"Thereisnootherstaircase?"

"No,togetdowntotheTowerroomhewouldhavehadtopassmydoor,andhedidn't,Iamquite
sureofthat.And,anyway,M.Poirot,asIsaidjustnow,themanisasmeekasaparson,Iassureyou."

"Butyes,butyes,"saidPoirotsoothingly,"Iunderstandallthat."Hepaused."Andyouwillnottell
methesubjectofyourquarrelwithSirReuben?"

Theother'sfaceturnedadarkred.

"You'llgetnothingoutofme."

Poirotlookedattheceiling.

"Icanalwaysbediscreet,"hemurmured,"wherealadyisconcerned."

VictorAstwellsprangtohisfeet.
"Damnyou,howdidyouwhatdoyoumean?"

"Iwasthinking,"saidPoirot,"ofMissLilyMargrave."

VictorAstwellstoodundecidedforaminuteortwothenhiscolorsubsided,andhesatdownagain.

"Youaretoocleverforme,M.Poirot.Yes,itwasLilywequarreledabout.Reubenhadhisknifeinto
her;hehadferretedoutsomethingorotheraboutthegirlfalsereferences,somethingofthatkind.
Idon'tbelieveawordofitmyself.

"Andthenhewentfurtherthanhehadanyrighttogo,talkedaboutherstealingdownatnightand
gettingoutofthehousetomeetsomefelloworother.MyGod!Igaveittohim;Itoldhimthat
bettermenthanhehadbeenkilledforsayingless.Thatshuthimup.Reubenwasinclinedtobeabit
afraidofmewhenIgotgoing."

"Ihardlywonderatit,"murmuredPoirotpolitely.

"IthinkalotofLilyMargrave,"saidVictorinanothertone."Anicegirlthroughandthrough."

Poirotdidnotanswer.Hewasstaringinfrontofhim,seeminglylostinabstraction.Hecameoutof
hisbrownstudywithajerk.

"Imust,Ithink,promenademyselfalittle.Thereisahotelhere,yes?"

"Two"saidVictorAstwell,"theGolfHotelupbythelinksandtheMitredownbythestation."

"Ithankyou,"saidPoirot."Yes,certainlyImustpromenademyselfalittle."

TheGolfHotelasbefitsitsname,standsonthegolflinksalmostadjoiningtheclubhouse.Itwasto
thishostelrythatPoirotrepairedfirstinthecourseofthat"promenade"whichhehadadvertised
himselfasbeingabouttotake.Thelittlemanhadhisownwayofdoingthings.Threeminutesafter
hehadenteredtheGolfHotelhewasinprivateconsultationwithMissLangdon,themanageress.

"Iregrettoincommodeyouinanyway,Mademoiselle,"saidPoirot,"butyouseeIamadetective."

Simplicityalwaysappealedtohim.Inthiscasethemethodprovedefficaciousatonce.

"Adetective!"exclaimedMissLangdon,lookingathimdoubtfully.

"NotfromScotlandYard,"Poirotassuredher."Infactyoumayhavenoticedit?Iamnotan
Englishman.No,ImaketheprivateinquiriesintothedeathofSirReubenAstwell."

"Youdon'tsay,now!"MissLangdongoggledathimexpectantly.

"Precisely,"saidPoirot,beaming."OnlytosomeoneofdiscretionlikeyourselfwouldIrevealthefact.
Ithink,Mademoiselle,youmaybeabletoaidme.Canyoutellmeofanygentlemanstayinghereon
thenightofthemurderwhowasabsentfromthehotelthateveningandreturnedtoitabouttwelve
orhalfpast?"

MissLangdon'seyesopenedwiderthanever.
"Youdon'tthink?"shebreathed.

"Thatyonhadthemurdererhere?No,butIhavereasontobelievethatagueststayinghere
promenadedhimselfinthedirectionofMonReposthatnight,andifsohemayhaveseensomething
which,thoughconveyingnomeaningtohim,mightbeveryusefultome."

Themanageressnoddedherheadsapiently,withanairofonethoroughlywellupintheannalsof
detectivelaw.

"Iunderstandperfectly.Now,letmesee;whodidwehavestayinghere?"

Shefrowned,evidentlyrunningoverthenamesinhermind,andhelpinghermemorybyoccasionally
checkingthemoffonherfingertips.

"CaptainSwann,MrElkins,MajorBlunt,oldMrBenson.No,really,sir,Idon'tbelieveanyonewent
outthatevening."

"Youwouldhavenoticediftheyhaddoneso,eh?"

"Oh,yes,sir,itisnotveryusual,yousee.Imeangentlemengoouttodinnerandallthat,butthey
don'tgooutafterdinner,becausewell,thereisnowheretogoto,isthere?"

TheattractionsofAbbotsCrossweregolfandnothingbutgolf.

"Thatisso,"agreedPoirot."Then,asfarasyouremember,Mademoiselle,nobodyfromherewasout
thatnight?"

"CaptainEnglandandhiswifewereouttodinner."

Poirotshookhishead.

"ThatisnotthekindofthingImean.Iwilltrytheotherhotel;theMitre,isitnot?"

"Oh,theMitre,"saidMissLangdon."Ofcourse,anyonemighthavegoneoutwalkingfromthere."

Thedisparagementofhertone,thoughvaguewasevident,andPoirotbeatatactfulretreat.

TenminuteslaterhewasrepeatingthescenethistimewithMissCole,thebrusquemanageressof
theMitre,alesspretentioushotelwithlowerprices,situatedclosetothestation.

"Therewasonegentlemanoutlatethatnight,cameinabouthalfpasttwelve,asfarasIcan
remember.Quiteahabitofhisitwas,togooutforawalkatthattimeoftheevening.Hehaddoneit
onceortwicebefore.Letmeseenow,whatwashisname?JustforthemomentIcan'trememberit."

Shepulledalargeledgertowardherandbeganturningoverthepages.

"Nineteenth,twentieth,twentyfirst,twentysecond.Ah,hereweare.Naylor,CaptainHumphrey
Naylor."

"Hehadstayedherebefore?Youknowhimwell?"
"Oncebefore"saidMissCole,"aboutafortnightearlier.Hewentoutthenintheevening,I
remember,"

"Hecametoplaygolf,eh?"

"Isupposeso,"saidMissCole;"that'swhatmostofthegentlemencomefor."

"Verytrue"saidPoirot."Well,Mademoiselle,Ithankyouinfinitely,andIwishyougoodday."

HewentbacktoMonReposwithaverythoughtfulface.Onceortwicehedrewsomethingfromhis
pocketandlookedatit.

"Itmustbedone,"hemurmuredtohimself,"andsoon,assoonasIcanmaketheopportunity."

HisfirstproceedingonreenteringthehousewastoaskParsonswhereMissMargravemightbe
found.HewastoldthatshewasinthesmallstudydealingwithLadyAstwell'scorrespondenceand
theinformationseemedtoaffordPoirotsatisfaction.

Hefoundthelittlestudywithoutdifficulty.LilyMargravewasseatedatadeskbythewindow,
writing.Butforhertheroomwasempty.Poirotcarefullyshutthedoorbehindhimandcametoward
thegirl.

"Imayhavealittleminuteofyourtime,Mademoiselle,youwillbesokind?"

"Certainly."

LilyMargraveputthepapersasideandturnedtowardhim.

"WhatcanIdoforyou?"

"Ontheeveningofthetragedy,Mademoiselle,IunderstandthatwhenLadyAstwellwenttoher
husbandyouwentstraightuptobed.Isthatso?"

LilyMargravenodded.

"Youdidnotcomedownagain,byanychance?"

Thegirlshookherhead.

"Ithinkyousaid,Mademoiselle,thatyouhadnotatanytimethateveningbeenintheTowerroom?"

"Idon'tremembersayingso,butasamatteroffactthatisquitetrue.IwasnotintheTowerroom
thatevening."

Poirotraisedhiseyebrows.

"Curious,"hemurmured.

"Whatdoyoumean?"

"Verycurious,"murmuredHerculePoirotagain."Howdoyouaccount,then,forthis?"

Hedrewfromhispocketalittlescrapofstainedgreenchiffonandhelditupforthegirl'sinspection.
Herexpressiondidnotchange,buthefeltratherthanheardthesharpintakeofbreath.

"Idon'tunderstand,M.Poirot."

"Youwore,Iunderstand,agreenchiffondressthatevening,Mademoiselle.This"hetappedthe
scrapinhisfingers"wastornfromit."

"AndyoufounditintheTowerroom?"askedthegirlsharply."Whereabouts?"

HerculePoirotlookedattheceiling.

"ForthemomentshallwejustsayintheTowerroom?"

Forthefirsttime,alookoffearsprangintothegirl'seyes.Shebegantospeak,thencheckedherself.
Poirotwatchedhersmallwhitehandsclenchingthemselvesontheedgeofthedesk.

"IwonderifIdidgointotheTowerroomthatevening?"shemused."Beforedinner,Imean.Idon't
thinkso.IamalmostsureIdidnt.IfthatscraphasbeenintheTowerroomallthistime,itseemsto
meaveryextraordinarythingthepolicedidnotfinditrightaway."

"Thepolice,"saidthelittleman,"donotthinkofthingsthatHerculePoirotthinksof."

"Imayhaveruninthereforaminutejustbeforedinner,"musedLilyMargrave,"oritmayhavebeen
thenightbefore.Iworethesamedressthen.Yes,Iamalmostsureitwasthenightbefore."

"Ithinknot,"saidPoirotevenly.

"Why?"

Heonlyshookhisheadslowlyfromsidetoside.

"Whatdoyoumean?"whisperedthegirl.

Shewasleaningforward,staringathim,allthecolorebbingoutofherface.

"Youdonotnotice,Mademoiselle,thatthisfragmentisstained?Thereisnodoubtaboutit,that
stainishumanblood."

"Youmean?"

"Imean,Mademoiselle,thatyouwereintheTowerroomafterthecrimewascommitted,notbefore.
Ithinkyouwilldowelltotellmethewholetruth,lestworseshouldbefallyou."

Hestoodupnow,asternlittlefigureofaman,hisforefingerpointedaccusinglyatthegirl.

"Howdidyoufindout?"gaspedLily.

"Nomatter,Mademoiselle.ItellyouHerculePoirotknows.IknowallaboutCaptainHumphrey
Naylor,andthatyouwentdowntomeethimthatnight."

Lilysuddenlyputherheaddownonherarmsandburstintotears.ImmediatelyPoirotrelinquished
hisaccusingattitude.
"There,there,mylittleone,"hesaid,pattingthegirlontheshoulder."Donotdistressyourself.
ImpossibletodeceiveHerculePoirot;oncerealizethatandallyourtroubleswillbeatanend.And
nowyouwilltellmethewholestory,willyounot?YouwilltelloldPapaPoirot?"

"Itisnotwhatyouthink,itisn't,indeed.Humphreymybrothernevertouchedahairofhishead."

"Yourbrother,eh?"saidPoirot."Sothatishowthelandlies.Well,ifyouwishtosavehimfrom
suspicion,youmusttellmethewholestorynow,withoutreservations."

Lilysatupagain,pushingbackthehairfromherforehead.Afteraminuteortwo,shebegantospeak
inalow,clearvoice.

"Iwilltellyouthetruth,M.Poirot.Icanseenowthatitwouldbeabsurdtodoanythingelse.Myreal
nameisLilyNaylor,andHumphreyismyonlybrother.Someyearsago,whenhewasoutinAfrica,he
discoveredagoldmine,orrather,Ishouldsay,discoveredthepresenceofgold.Ican'ttellyouthis
partofitproperly,becauseIdon'tunderstandthetechnicaldetails,butwhatitamountedtowas
this:

"Thethingseemedlikelytobeaverybigundertaking,andHumphreycamehomewithletterstoSir
ReubenAstwellinthehopesofgettinghiminterestedinthematter.Idon'tunderstandtherightsof
itevennow,butIgatherthatSirReubensentoutanexperttoreport,andthathesubsequentlytold
mybrotherthattheexpert'sreportwasunfavorableandthathe,Humphrey,hadmadeagreat
mistake.MybrotherwentbacktoAfricaonanexpeditionintotheinteriorandwaslostsightof.It
wasassumedthatheandtheexpeditionhadperished.

"ItwassoonafterthatthatacompanywasformedtoexploittheMpalaColdFields.Whenmy
brothergotbacktoEnglandheatoncejumpedtotheconclusionthatthesegoldfieldswereidentical
withthosehehaddiscovered.SirReubenAstwellhadapparentlynothingtodowiththiscompany,
andtheyhadseeminglydiscoveredtheplaceontheirown.Butmybrotherwasnotsatisfied;hewas
convincedthatSirReubenhaddeliberatelyswindledhim.

"Hebecamemoreandmoreviolentandunhappyaboutthematter.Wetwoarealoneintheworld,
M.Poirot,andasitwasnecessarythenformetogooutandearnmyownliving,Iconceivedtheidea
oftakingapostinthishouseholdandtryingtofindoutifanyconnectionexistedbetweenSirReuben
andtheMpalaGoldFields.ForobviousreasonsIconcealedmyrealname,andI'lladmitfranklythatI
usedaforgedreference.

"Thereweremanyapplicantsforthepost,mostofthemwithbetterqualificationsthanmine,so
well,M.Poirot,IwroteabeautifulletterfromtheDuchessofPerthshirewhoIknewhadjustgoneto
America.IthoughtaDuchesswouldhaveagreateffectuponLadyAstwell,andIwasquiteright.She
engagedmeonthespot.

"SincethenIhavebeenthathatefulthing,aspy,anduntillatelywithnosuccess.SirReubenisnota
mantogiveawayhisbusinesssecrets,butwhenVictorAstwellcamebackfromAfricahewasless
guardedinhistalk,andIbegantobelievethat,afterall,Humphreyhadnotbeenmistaken.My
brothercamedownhereaboutafortnightbeforethemurder,andIcreptoutofthehousetomeet
himsecretlyatnight.ItoldhimthethingsVictorAstwellhadsaid,andhebecameveryexcitedand
assuredmeIwasdefinitelyontherighttrack.
"Butafterthatthingsbegantogowrong;someonemusthaveseenmestealingoutofthehouseand
havereportedthemattertoSirReuben.Hebecamesuspiciousandhuntedupmyreference,and
soondiscoveredthefactthattheywereforged.TheCrisiscameonthedayofthemurder.Ithinkhe
thoughtIwasafterhiswife'sjewels.Whateverhissuspicionswere,hehadnointentiontoallowme
toremainanylongeratMonRepos,thoughheagreednottoprosecutemeonaccountofthe
references.LadyAstwelltookmypartthroughoutandstoodupvaliantlytoSirReuben."

Shepaused.Poirot'sfacewasverygrave.

"Andnow,Mademoiselle,"hesaid,"wecometothenightofthemurder."

Lilyswallowedhardandnoddedherhead.

"Tobeginwith,M,Poirot,Imusttellyouthatmybrotherhadcomedownagain,andthatIhad
arrangedtocreepoutandmeethimoncemore.Iwentuptomyroom,asIhavesaid,butIdidnotgo
tobed.Instead,IwaitedtillIthoughteveryonewasasleep,andthenstoledownstairsagainandout
bythesidedoor.ImetHumphreyandacquaintedhiminafewhurriedwordswithwhathad
occurred.ItoldhimthatIbelievedthepapershewantedwereinSirReuben'ssafeintheTower
room,andweagreedasalastdesperateadventuretotryandgetholdofthemthatnight.

"Iwastogoinfirstandseethatthewaywasclear.IheardthechurchclockstriketwelveasIwentin
bythesidedoor.IwashalfwayupthestairsleadingtotheTowerroom,whenIheardathudof
somethingfalling,andavoicecriedout,'MyGod!'AminuteortwoafterwardthedooroftheTower
roomopened,andCharlesLeversoncameout.Icouldseehisfacequiteclearlyinthemoonlight,but
Iwascrouchingsomewaybelowhimonthestairswhereitwasdark,andhedidnotseemeatall.

"Hestoodthereamomentswayingonhisfeetandlookingghastly.Heseemedtobelistening;then
withaneffortheseemedtopullhimselftogetherand,openingthedoorintotheTowerroom,called
outsomethingabouttherebeingnoharmdone.Hisvoicewasquitejauntyanddebonair,buthisface
gavethelietoit.Hewaitedaminutemore,andthenslowlywentonupstairsandoutofsight.

"WhenhehadgoneIwaitedaminuteortwoandthencrepttotheTowerroomdoor,Ihadafeeling
thatsomethingtragichadhappened.Themainlightwasout,butthedesklampwason,andbyits
lightIsawSirReubenlyingonthefloorbythedesk.Idon'tknowhowImanagedit,butInerved
myselfatlasttogooverandkneeldownbyhim.Isawatoncethathewasdead,struckdownfrom
behind,andalsothathecouldn'thavebeendeadlong;Itouchedhishandanditwasstillquitewarm.
Itwasjusthorrible,M.Poirot.Horrible!"

Sheshudderedagainattheremembrance.

"Andthen?"saidPoirot,lookingatherkeenly.

LilyMargravenodded.

"Yes,M.Poirot,Iknowwhatyouarethinking.Whydidn'tIgivethealarmandraisethehouse?I
shouldhavedoneso,Iknow,butitcameovermeinaflash,asIkneltthere,thatmyquarrelwithSir
Reuben,mystealingouttomeetHumphrey,thefactthatIwasbeingsentawayonthemorrow,
madeafatalsequence.TheywouldsaythatIhadletHumphreyin,andthatHumphreyhadkilledSir
Reubenoutofrevenge.IfIsaidthatIhadseenCharlesLeversonleavingtheroom,noonewould
believeme.
"Itwasterrible,M.Poirot!Ikneltthere,andthoughtandthought,andthemoreIthoughtthemore
mynervefailedme.PresentlyInoticedSirReuben'skeyswhichhaddroppedfromhispocketashe
fell.Amongthemwasthekeyofthesafe,thecombinationwordIalreadyknew,sinceLadyAstwell
hadmentioneditonceinmyhearing.Iwentovertothatsafe,M.Poirot,unlockeditandrummaged
throughthepapersIfoundthere.

"IntheendIfoundwhatIwaslookingfor.Humphreyhadbeenperfectlyright.SirReubenwas
behindtheMpalaGoldFields,andhehaddeliberatelyswindledHumphrey.Thatmadeitallthe
worse.ItgaveaperfectlydefinitemotiveforHumphreyhavingcomittedthecrime.Iputthepapers
backinthesafe,leftthekeyinthedoorofit,andwentstraightupstairstomyroom.InthemorningI
pretendedtobesurprisedandhorrorstricken,likeeveryoneelse,whenthehousemaiddiscovered
thebody."

ShestoppedandlookedpiteouslyacrossatPoirot.

"Youdobelieveme,M.Poirot.Oh,dosayyoubelieveme!"

"Ibelieveyou,Mademoiselle,"saidPoirot;"youhaveexplainedmanythingsthatpuzzledme.Your
absolutecertainty,foronething,thatCharlesLeversonhadcommittedthecrimeandatthesame
timeyourpersistenteffortstokeepmefromcomingdownhere."

Lilynodded.

"Iwasafraidofyou,"sheadmittedfrankly."LadyAstwellcouldnotknow,asIdid,thatCharleswas
guilty,andIcouldn'tsayanything.Ihopedagainsthopethatyouwouldrefusetotakethecase."

"Butforthatobviousanxietyonyourpart,Imighthavedoneso,"saidPoirotdryly.

Lilylookedathimswiftly,herlipstrembledalittle.

"Andnow,M.Poirot,whatwhatareyougoingtodo?"

"Asfarasyouareconcerned,Mademoiselle,nothing.Ibelieveyourstory,andIacceptit.Thenext
stepistogotoLondonandseeInspectorMiller."

"Andthen?"askedLily.

"Andthen,"saidPoirot,"weshallsee."

Outsidethedoorofthestudyhelookedoncemoreatthelittlesquareofstainedgreenchiffonwhich
heheldinhishand.

"Amazing,"hemurmuredtohimselfcomplacently,"theingenuityofHerculePoirot."

DetectiveInspectorMillerwasnotparticularlyfondofM.HerculePoirot.Hedidnotbelongtothat
smallbandofinspectorsattheYardwhowelcomedthelittleBelgian'scooperation.Hewaswontto
saythatHerculePoirotwasmuchoverrated.Inthiscasehefeltprettysureofhimself,andgreeted
Poirotwithhighgoodhumorinconsequence.

"ActingforLadyAstwell,areyou?Well,youhavetakenupamare'snestinthatcase."
"Thereis,then,nopossibledoubtaboutthematter?"

Millerwinked."Neverwasaclearercase,shortofcatchingamurdererabsolutelyredhanded."

"M.Leversonhasmadeastatement,Iunderstand?"

"Hehadbetterhavekepthismouthshut,"saidthedetective."Herepeatsoverandoveragainthat
hewentstraightuptohisroomandneverwentnearhisuncle.That'safoolstoryonthefaceofit."

"Itiscertainlyagainsttheweightofevidence,"murmuredPoirot."Howdoeshestrikeyou,this
youngM.Leverson?"

"Darnedyoungfool."

"Aweakcharacter,eh?"

Theinspectornodded.

"Onewouldhardlythinkayoungmanofthattypewouldhavethehowdoyousayitthebowelsto
commitsuchacrime."

"Onthefaceofit,no,"agreedtheinspector."But,blessyou,Ihavecomeacrossthesamething
manytimes.Getaweak,dissipatedyoungmanintoacorner,fillhimupwithadroptoomuchto
drink,andforalimitedamountoftimeyoucanturnhimintoafireeater.Aweakmaninacorneris
moredangerousthanastrongman."

"Thatistrue,yes;thatistruewhatyousay."

Millerunbentalittlefurther.

"Ofcourse,itisallrightforyou,M.Poirot,"hesaid."Yougetyourfeesjustthesame,andnaturally
youhavetomakeapretenseofexaminingtheevidencetosatisfyherLadyship.Icanunderstandall
that."

"Youunderstandsuchinterestingthings,"murmuredPoirot,andtookhisleave.

HisnextcallwasuponthesolicitorrepresentingCharlesLeverson.MrMayhewwasathin,dry,
cautiousgentleman.HereceivedPoirotwithreserve.Poirot,however,hadhisownwaysofinducing
confidence.Intenminutes'timethetwoweretalkingtogetheramicably.

"Youwillunderstand,"saidPoirot,"IamactinginthiscasesolelyonbehalfofM.Leverson.Thatis
LadyAstwell'swish.Sheisconvincedthatheisnotguilty."

"Yes,yes,quiteso,"saidMrMayhewwithoutenthusiasm.Poirot'seyestwinkled."Youdonot
perhapsattachmuchimportancetotheopinions,ofLadyAstwell?"hesuggested.

"Shemightbejustassureofhisguilttomorrow,"saidthelawyerdryly.

"Herintuitionsarenotevidencecertainly,"agreedPoirot,"andonthefaceofitthecaselooksvery
blackagainstthispooryoungman."

"Itisapityhesaidwhathedidtothepolice,"saidthelawyer;"itwillbenogoodhisstickingtothat
story."
"Hashestucktoitwithyou?"inquiredPoirot.

Mayhewnodded."Itnevervariesaniota.Herepeatsitlikeaparrot."

"Andthatiswhatdestroysyourfaithinhim,"musedtheother."Ah,don'tdenyit,"headdedquickly,
holdingupanarrestinghand."Iseeitonlytooplainly.Inyourheartyoubelievehimguilty.Butlisten
nowtome,tome,HerculePoirot.Ipresenttoyouacase.

"Thisyoungmancomeshome,hehasdrunkthecocktail,thecocktail,andagainthecocktail,also
withoutdoubttheEnglishwhiskyandsodamanytimes.Heisfullof,whatyoucallit?thecourage
Dutch,andinthatmoodheletshimselfintothehousewithhislatchkey,andhegoeswithunsteady
stepsuptotheTowerroom.Helooksinatthedoorandseesinthedimlighthisuncle,apparently
bendingoverthedesk.

"M.Leversonisfull,aswehavesaid,ofthecourageDutch.Heletshimselfgo,hetellshisunclejust
whathethinksofhim.Hedefieshim,heinsultshim,andthemorehisuncledoesnotanswerback,
themoreheisencouragedtogoon,torepeathimself,tosaythesamethingoverandoveragain,
andeachtimemoreloudly.Butatlastthecontinuedsilenceofhisuncleawakensanapprehension.
Hegoesnearertohim,helayshishandonhisuncle'sshoulder,andhisuncle'sfigurecrumplesunder
histouchandsinksinaheaptotheground.

"Heissobered,then,thisM.Leverson.Thechairfallswithacrash,andhebendsoverSirReuben.He
realizeswhathashappened,helooksathishandcoveredwithsomethingwarmandred.Heisina
panicthen,hewouldgiveanythingonearthtorecallthecrywhichhasjustsprungfromhislips,
echoingthroughthehouse.Mechanicallyhepicksupthechair,thenhehastensoutthroughthedoor
andlistens.Hefancieshehearsasound,andimmediately,automatically,hepretendstobespeaking
tohisunclethroughtheopendoor.

"Thesoundisnotrepeated.Heisconvincedhehasbeenmistakeninthinkingheheardone.Nowall
issilence,hecreepsuptohisroom,andatonceitoccurstohimhowmuchbetteritwillbeifhe
pretendsnevertohavebeennearhisunclethatnight.Sohetellshisstory.Parsonsatthattime,
remember,hassaidnothingofwhatheheard.Whenhedoesdoso,itistoolateforM.Leversonto
change.Heisstupid,andheisobstinate,hestickstohisstory.Tellme,Monsieur,isthatnot
possible?"

"Yes,"saidthelawyer,"Isupposeinthewayyouputitthatitispossible."

Poirotrosetohisfeet.

"YouhavetheprivilegeofseeingM.Leverson,"hesaid."PuttohimthestoryIhavetoldyou,andask
himifitisnottrue."

Outsidethelawyer'soffice,Poirothailedataxi.

"348HarleyStreet,"hemurmuredtothedriver.

Poirot'sdepartureforLondonhadtakenLadyAstwellbysurprise,forthelittlemanhadnotmade
anymentionofwhatheproposeddoing.Onhisreturn,afteranabsenceoftwentyfourhours,he
wasinformedbyParsonsthatLadyAstwellwouldliketoseehimassoonaspossible.Poirotfound
theladyinherownboudoir.Shewaslyingdownonthedivan,herheadproppedupbycushions,and
shelookedstartlinglyillandhaggard;farmoresothanshehaddoneonthedayPoirotarrived.

"Soyouhavecomeback,M.Poirot?"

"Ihavereturned,milady."

"YouwenttoLondon?"

Poirotnodded.

"Youdidn'ttellmeyouweregoing,"saidLadyAstwellsharply.

"Athousandapologies,milady,Iaminerror,Ishouldhavedoneso.Laprochainefois"

"Youwilldoexactlythesame,"interruptedLadyAstwellwithashrewdtouchofhumor."Dothings
firstandtellpeopleafterward,thatisyourmottorightenough."

"Perhapsithasalsobeenmilady'smotto?"Hiseyestwinkled.

"Nowandthen,perhaps,"admittedtheother."WhatdidyougouptoLondonfor,M.Poirot?You
cantellmenow,Isuppose?"

"IhadaninterviewwiththegoodInspectorMiller,andalsowiththeexcellentMrMayhew."

LadyAstwell'seyessearchedhisface.

"Andyouthink,now?"shesaidslowly.

Poirot'seyeswerefixedonhersteadily.

"ThatthereisapossibilityofCharlesLeverson'sinnocence,"hesaidgravely.

"Ah!"LadyAstwellmovedsuddenly,sendingtwocushionsrollingtotheground."Iwasright,then,I
wasright!"

"Isaidapossibility,Madame,thatisall."

Somethinginhistoneseemedtostrikeher.Sheraisedherselfononeelbowandregardedhim
piercingly.

"CanIdoanything?"sheasked.

"Yes,"henoddedhishead,"youcantellme,LadyAstwell,whyyoususpectOwenTrefusis."

"IhavetoldyouIknowthat'sall."

"Unfortunatelythatisnotenough,"saidPoirotdryly."Castyourmindbacktothefatalevening,
milady.Remembereachdetail,eachtinyhappening.Whatdidyounoticeorobserveaboutthe
secretary?I,HerculePoirot,tellyoutheremusthavebeensomething."

LadyAstwellshookherhead.
"Ihardlynoticedhimatallthatevening,"shesaid,"andIcertainlywasnotthinkingofhim."

"Yourmindwastakenupbysomethingelse?"

"Yes."

"Withyourhusband'sanimusagainstMissLilyMargrave?"

"That'sright,"saidLadyAstwell,noddingherhead;"youseemtoknowallaboutit,M.Poirot."

"Me,Iknoweverything,"declaredthelittlemanwithanabsurdlygrandioseair.

"IamfondofLily,M.Poirot;youhaveseenthatforyourself.Reubenbegankickinguparumpus
aboutsomereferenceorotherofhers.Mindyou,Idon'tsayshehadn'tcheatedaboutit.Shehad.
But,blessyou,Ihavedonemanyworsethingsthanthatintheolddays.Youhavegottobeuptoall
sortsoftrickstogetaroundtheatricalmanagers.ThereisnothingIwouldn'thavewritten,orsaid,or
done,inmytime.

"Lilywantedthisjob,andsheputinalotofslickworkthatwasnotquitewell,quitethething,you
know.Menaresostupidaboutthatsortofthing;Lilyreallymighthavebeenabankclerkabsconding
withmillionsforthefusshemadeaboutit.Iwasterriblyworriedalltheevening,because,althoughI
couldusuallygetroundReubenintheend,hewasterriblypigheadedattimes,poordarling.Soof
courseIhadn'ttimetogonoticingsecretaries,notthatonedoesnoticeM.Trefusismuch,anyway.
Heisjustthereandthat'sallthereistoit."

"IhavenoticedthatfactaboutM.Trefusis,"saidPoirot."Hisisnotapersonalitythatstandsforth,
thatshines,thathitsyoucrrrack."

"No,"saidLadyAstwell,"heisnotlikeVictor."

"M.VictorAstwellis,Ishouldsay,explosive."

"Thatisasplendidwordforhim,"saidLadyAstwell."Heexplodesalloverthehouse,likeoneof
thosethingimyjigfireworkthings."

"Asomewhatquicktemper,Ishouldimagine?"suggestedPoirot.

"Oh,he'saperfectdevilwhenroused,"saidLadyAstwell,"butblessyou,I'innotafraidofhim.All
barkandnobitetoVictor."

Poirotlookedattheceiling.

"Andyoucantellmenothingaboutthesecretarythatevening?"hemurmuredgently.

"Itellyou,M.Poirot,Iknow.It'sintuition.Awoman'sintuition"

"Willnothangaman,"saidPoirot,"andwhatismoretothepoint,itwillnotsaveamanfrombeing
hanged.LadyAstwell,ifyousincerelybelievethatM.Leversonisinnocent,andthatyoursuspicions
ofthesecretaryarewellfounded,willyouconsenttoalittleexperiment?"

"Whatkindofanexperiment?"demandedLadyAstwellsuspiciously.

"Willyoupermityourselftobeputintoaconditionofhypnosis?"
"Whateverfor?"

Poirotleanedforward.

"IfIweretotellyou,Madame,thatyourintuitionisbasedoncertainfactsrecordedsubconsciously,
youwouldprobablybeskeptical.Iwillonlysay,then,thatthisexperimentIproposemaybeofgreat
importancetothatunfortunateyoungman,CharlesLeverson.Youwillnotrefuse?"

"Whoisgoingtoputmeintoatrance?"demandedLadyAstwellsuspiciously."You?"

"Afriendofmine,LadyAstwell,arrives,ifImistakenot,atthisveryminute.Ihearthewheelsofthe
caroutside."

"Whoishe?"

"ADoctorCazaletofHarleyStreet."

"Isheallright?"askedLadyAstwellapprehensively.

"Heisnotaquack,Madame,ifthatiswhatyoumean.Youcantrustyourselfinhishandsquite
safely."

"Well,"saidLadyAstwellwithasigh,"Ithinkitisallbunkum,butyoucantryifyoulike.Nobodyis
goingtosaythatIstoodinyourway."

"Athousandthanks,milady."

Poirothurriedfromtheroom.Inafewminuteshereturnedusheringinacheerful,roundfacedlittle
man,withspectacles,whowasveryupsettingtoLadyAstwell'sconceptionofwhatahypnotist
shouldlooklike.Poirotintroducedthem.

"Well,"saidLadyAstwellgoodhumoredly,"howdowestartthistomfoolery?"

"Quitesimple,LadyAstwell,quitesimple,"saidthelittledoctor."Justleanback,sothat'sright,
that'sright.Noneedtobeuneasy."

"Iamnotintheleastuneasy,"saidLadyAstwell."Ishouldliketoseeanyonehypnotizingmeagainst
mywill."

DoctorCazaletsmiledbroadly.

"Yes,butifyouconsent,itwon'tbeagainstyourwill,willit?"hesaidcheerfully."That'sright.Turn
offthatotherlight,willyou,M.Poirot?Justletyourselfgotosleep,LadyAstwell."

Heshiftedhispositionalittle.

"It'sgettinglate.Youaresleepyverysleepy.Youreyelidsareheavy,theyareclosingclosing
closing.Soonyouwillbeasleep..."

Hisvoicedronedon,low,soothing,andmonotonous.Presentlyheleanedforwardandgentlylifted
LadyAstwell'srighteyelid.ThenheturnedtoPoirot,noddinginasatisfiedmanner.

"That'sallright,"hesaidinalowvoice."ShallIgoahead?"
"Ifyouplease."

Thedoctorspokeoutsharplyandauthoritatively:"Youareasleep,LadyAstwell,butyouhearme,
andyoucananswermyquestions."

Withoutstirringorraisinganeyelid,themotionlessfigureonthesofarepliedinalow,monotonous
voice:

"Ihearyou.Icanansweryourquestions."

"LadyAstwell,Iwantyoutogobacktotheeveningonwhichyourhusbandwasmurdered.You
rememberthatevening?"

"Yes."

"Youareatthedinnertable.Describetomewhatyousawandfelt."

Thepronefigurestirredalittlerestlessly.

"Iamingreatdistress.IamworriedaboutLily."

"Weknowthat;telluswhatyousaw."

"Victoriseatingallthesaltedalmonds;heisgreedy.TomorrowIshalltellParsonsnottoputthedish
onthatsideofthetable."

"Goon.LadyAstwell."

"Reubenisinabadhumortonight.IdontthinkitisaltogetheraboutLily.Itissomethingtodowith
business.Victorlooksathiminaqueerway."

"TellusaboutMrTrefusis,LadyAstwell."

"Hisleftshirtcuffisfrayed.Heputsalotofgreaseonhishair.Iwishmendidn't,itruinsthecoversin
thedrawingroom."

CazaletlookedatPoirot;theothermadeamotionwithhishead.

"Itisafterdinner,LadyAstwell,youarehavingcoffee.Describethescenetome."

"Thecoffeeisgoodtonight.Itvaries.Cookisveryunreliableoverhercoffee.Lilykeepslookingoutof
thewindow,Idon'tknowwhy.Now,Reubencomesintotheroom;heisinoneofhisworstmoods
tonight,andburstsoutwithaperfectfloodofabusetopoorMrTrefusis.MrTrefusishashishand
roundthepaperknife,thebigonewiththesharpbladelikeaknife.Howhardheisgraspingit;his
knucklesarequitewhite.Look,hehasdugitsohardinthetablethatthepointsnaps.Heholdsitjust
asyouwouldholdadaggeryouweregoingtostickintosomeone.There,theyhavegoneout
togethernow.Lilyhasgothergreeneveningdresson;shelookssoprettyingreen,justlikealily.I
musthavethecoverscleanednextweek."

"Justaminute,LadyAstwell."

ThedoctorleanedacrosstoPoirot.
"Wehavegotit,Ithink,"hemurmured;"thatactionwiththepaperknife,that'swhatconvincedher
thatthesecretarydidthething."

"LetusgoontotheTowerroomnow."

Thedoctornodded,andbeganoncemoretoquestionLadyAstwellinhishigh,decisivevoice.

"Itislaterintheevening;youareintheTowerroomwithyourhusband.Youandhehavehada
terriblescenetogether,haveyounot?"

Againthefigurestirreduneasily.

"Yesterribleterrible.Wesaiddreadfulthingsbothofus."

"Nevermindthatnow.Youcanseetheroomclearly,thecurtainsweredrawn,thelightswereon."

"Notthemiddlelight,onlythedesklight."

"Youareleavingyourhusbandnow,youaresayinggoodnighttohim."

"No,Iwastooangry."

"Itisthelasttimeyouwillseehim;verysoonhewillbemurdered.Doyouknowwhomurderedhim,
LadyAstwell?"

"Yes.MrTrefusis."

"Whydoyousaythat?"

"Becauseofthebulgethebulgeinthecurtain."

"Therewasabulgeinthecurtain?"

"Yes."

"Yousawit?"

"Yes.Ialmosttouchedit."

"WasthereamanconcealedthereMrTrefusis?"

"Yes."

"Howdoyouknow?"

Forthefirsttimethemonotonousansweringvoicehesitatedandlostconfidence.

"IIbecauseofthepaperknife."

Poirotandthedoctoragaininterchangedswiftglances.

"Idon'tunderstandyou,LadyAstwell.Therewasabulgeinthecurtain,yousay?Someoneconcealed
there?Youdidn'tseethatperson?"

"No."
"YouthoughtitwasMrTrefusisbecauseofthewayheheldthepaperknifeearlier?"

"Yes."

"ButMrTrefusishadgoneupstairs,hadhenot?"

"Yesyes,that'sright,hehadgoneupstairs."

"Sohecouldn'thavebeenbehindthecurtaininthewindow?"

"Nono,ofcoursenot,hewasn'tthere."

"Hehadsaidgoodnighttoyourhusbandsometimebefore,hadn'the?"

"Yes."

"Andyoudidn'tseehimagain?"

"No."

Shewasstirringnow,throwingherselfabout,moaningfaintly.

"Sheiscomingout,"saidthedoctor."Well,Ithinkwehavegotallwecan,eh?"

Poirotnodded.ThedoctorleanedoverLadyAstwell.

"Youarewaking"hemurmuredsoftly."Youarewakingnow.Inanotherminuteyouwillopenyour
eyes."

Thetwomenwaited,andpresentlyLadyAstwellsatuprightandstaredatthemboth.

"HaveIbeenhavinganap?"

"That'sit,LadyAstwell,justalittlesleep,"saidthedoctor.

Shelookedathim.

"Someofyourhocuspocus,eh?"

"Youdon'tfeelanytheworse,Ihope?"heasked.

LadyAstwellyawned.

"Ifeelrathertiredanddoneup."

Thedoctorrose.

"Iwillaskthemtosendyouupsomecoffee,"hesaid,"andwewillleaveyouforthepresent."

"DidIsayanything?"LadyAstwellcalledafterthemastheyreachedthedoor.

Poirotsmiledbackather.

"Nothingofgreatimportance,Madame.Youinformedusthatthedrawingroomcoversneeded
cleaning."
"Sotheydo,"saidLadyAstwell."Youneedn'thaveputmeintoatrancetogetmetotellyouthat."
Shelaughedgoodhumoredly."Anythingmore?"

"DoyourememberM.Trefusispickingupapaperknifeinthedrawingroomthatnight?"asked
Poirot.

"Idon'tknow,I'msure,"saidLadyAstwell."Hemayhavedoneso."

"Doesabulgeinthecurtainconveyanythingtoyou?"

LadyAstwellfrowned.

"Iseemtoremember,"shesaidslowly."Noit'sgone,andyet"

"Donotdistressyourself,LadyAstwell,"saidPoirotquickly;"itisofnoimportanceofnoimportance
whatever."

ThedoctorwentwithPoirottothelatter'sroom.

"Well,"saidCazalet,"Ithinkthisexplainsthingsprettyclearly.NodoubtwhenSirReubenwas
dressingdownthesecretary,thelattergrabbedtightholdonapaperknife,andhadtoexercisea
gooddealofselfcontroltopreventhimselfansweringback.LadyAstwell'sconsciousmindwas
whollytakenupwiththeproblemofLilyMargrave,buthersubconsciousmindnoticedand
misconstruedtheaction.

"ItimplantedinherthefirmconvictionthatTrefusismurderedSirReuben.Nowwecometothe
bulgeinthecurtain.Thatisinteresting.ItakeitfromwhatyouhavetoldmeoftheTowerroomthat
thedeskwasrightinthewindow.Therearecurtainsacrossthatwindow,ofcourse?"

"Yes,monami,blackvelvetcurtains."

"Andthereisroomintheembrasureofthewindowforanyonetoremainconcealedbehindthem?"

"Therewouldbejustroom,Ithink."

"Thenthereseemsatleastapossibility,"saidthedoctorslowly,"thatsomeonewasconcealedinthe
room,butifsoitcouldnotbethesecretary,sincetheybothsawhimleavetheroom.Itcouldnotbe
VictorAstwell,forTrefusismethimgoingout,anditcouldnotbeLilyMargrave.Whoeveritwas
musthavebeenconcealedtherebeforeSirReubenenteredtheroomthatevening.Youhavetoldme
prettywellhowthelandlies.NowwhataboutCaptainNaylor?Couldithavebeenhewhowas
concealedthere?"

"Itisalwayspossible,"admittedPoirot."Hecertainlydinedatthehotel,buthowsoonhewentout
afterwardisdifficulttofixexactly.Hereturnedabouthalfpasttwelve."

"Thenitmighthavebeenhe,"saidthedoctor,"andifso,hecommittedthecrime.Hehadthe
motive,andtherewasaweaponnearathand.Youdon'tseemsatisfiedwiththeidea,though?"

"Me,Ihaveotherideas,"confessedPoirot."Tellmenow,M.leDocteur,supposingforoneminute
thatLadyAstwellherselfhadcommittedthiscrime,wouldshenecessarilybetraythefactinthe
hypnoticstate?"
Thedoctorwhistled.

"Sothat'swhatyouaregettingat?LadyAstwellisthecriminal,eh?Ofcourseitispossible;Inever
thoughtofittillthisminute.Shewasthelasttobewithhim,andnoonesawhimaliveafterward.As
toyourquestion:IshouldbeinclinedtosayNo.LadyAstwellwouldgointothehypnoticstatewith
astrongmentalreservationtosaynothingofherownpartinthecrime.Shewouldanswermy
questionstruthfully,butshewouldbedumbonthatonepoint.YetIshouldhardlyhaveexpectedher
tobesoinsistentonMrTrefusis'sguilt."

"Icomprehend,"saidPoirot."ButIhavenotsaidthatIbelieveLadyAstwelltobethecriminal.Itisa
suggestion,thatisall."

"Itisaninterestingcase,"saidthedoctorafteraminuteortwo."GrantingCharlesLeversonis
innocent,therearesomany,possibilities,HumphreyNaylor,LadyAstwell,andevenLily,Margrave."

"Thereisanotheryouhavenotmentioned,"saidPoirotquietly,"VictorAstwell.Accordingtohisown
story,hesatinhisroomwiththedooropenwaitingforCharlesLeverson'sreturn,butwehaveonly
hisownwordforit,youcomprehend?"

"Heisthebadtemperedfellow,isn'the?"askedthedoctor."Theoneyoutoldmeabout?"

"Thatisso,"agreedPoirot.

Thedoctorrosetohisfeet.

"Well,Imustbegettingbacktotown.Youwillletmeknow.owthingsshape,won'tyou?"

Afterthedoctorhadleft,PoirotpulledthebellforGeorge.

"Acupoftisane,George.Mynervesaremuchdisturbed."

"Certainly,sir,"saidGeorge."Iwillprepareitimmediately."

Tenminuteslaterhebroughtasteamingcuptohismaster.Poirotinhaledthenoxiousfumeswith
pleasure.Ashesippedit,hesoliloquizedaloud.

"Thechaseisdifferentallovertheworld.Tocatchthefoxyouridehardwiththedogs.Youshout,
yourun,itisamatterofspeed.Ihavenotshotthestagmyself,butIunderstandthattodosoyou
crawlformanylong,longhoursuponyourstomach.MyfriendHastingshasrecountedtheaffairto
me.Ourmethodhere,mygoodGeorge,mustbeneitherofthese.Letusreflectuponthehousehold
cat.Formanylong,wearyhours,hewatchesthemousehole,hemakesnomovement,hebetraysno
energy,buthedoesnotgoaway."

Hesighedandputtheemptycupdownonitssaucer.

"Itoldyoutopackforafewdays.Tomorrow,mygoodGeorge,youwillgotoLondonandbringdown
whatisnecessaryforafortnight."

"Verygood,sir,"saidGeorge.Asusualhedisplayednoemotion.

TheapparentlypermanentpresenceofHerculePoirotatMonReposwasdisquietingtomanypeople.
VictorAstwellremonstratedwithhissisterinlawaboutit.
"It'sallverywell,Nancy.Youdon'tknowwhatfellowsofthatkindarelike.Hehasfoundjolly
comfortablequartershere,andheisevidentlygoingtosettledowncomfortablyforaboutamonth,
chargingyoutwoguineasadayallthewhile."

LadyAstwell'sreplywastotheeffectthatshecouldmanageherownaffairswithoutinterference.

LilyMargravetriedearnestlytoconcealherperturbation.Atthetime,shehadfeltsurethatPoirot
believedherstory.Nowshewasnotsocertain.

Poirotdidnotplayanentirelyquiescentgame.Onthefifthdayofhissojournhebroughtdowna
smallthumbographalbumtodinner.Asamethodofgettingthethumbprintsofthehousehold,it
seemedaratherclumsydevice,yetnotperhapssoclumsyasitseemed,sincenoonecouldaffordto
refusehisthumbprints.OnlyafterthelittlemanhadretiredtobeddidVictorAstwellstatehisviews.

"Youseewhatitmeans,Nancy.Heisoutafteroneofus."

"Don'tbeabsurd,Victor."

"Well,whatothermeaningcouldthatblinkinglittlebookofhishave?"

"M,Poirotknowswhatheisdoing,"saidLadyAstwellcomplacently,andlookedwithsomemeaning
atOwenTrefusis.

OnanotheroccasionPoirotintroducedthegameoftracingfootprintsonasheetofpaper.The
followingmorning,goingwithhissoftcatliketreadintothelibrary,thedetectivestartledOwen
Trefusis,wholeapedfromhischairasthoughhehadbeenshot.

"Youmustreallyexcuseme,M.Poirot,"hesaidprimly,"butyouhaveusonthejump."

"Indeed,howisthat?"demandedthelittlemaninnocently.

"Iwilladmit,"saidthesecretary,"thatIthoughtthecaseagainstCharlesLeversonutterly
overwhelming,Youapparentlydonotfinditso."

Poirotwasstandinglookingoutofthewindow.Heturnedsuddenlytotheother.

"Ishalltellyousomething,M.Trefusisinconfidence."

"Yes?"

Poirotseemedinnohurrytobegin.Hewaitedaminute,hesitating.Whenhedidspeak,hisopening
wordswerecoincidentwiththeopeningandshuttingofthefrontdoor.Foramansayingsomething
inconfidence,hespokeratherloudly,hisvoicedrowningthesoundofafootstepinthehalloutside.

"Ishalltellyouthisinconfidence,MrTrefusis.Thereisnewevidence.Itgoestoprovethatwhen
CharlesLeversonenteredtheTowerroomthatnight,SirReubenwasalreadydead."

Thesecretarystaredathim.

"Butwhatevidence?Whyhavewenotheardofit?"

"Youwillhear,"saidthelittlemanmysteriously."Inthemeantime,youandIaloneknowthesecret."
Heskippednimblyoutoftheroom,andalmostcollidedwithVictorAstwellinthehalloutside.

"Youhavejustcomein,eh,Monsieur?"

Astwellnodded.

"Beastlydayoutside,"hesaid,breathinghard,"coldandblowy."

"Ah,"saidPoirot,"Ishallnotpromenademyselftodayme,Iamlikeacat,Isitbythefireandkeep
myselfwarm."

"amarche,George,"hesaidthateveningtothefaithfulvalet,rubbinghishandsashespoke,"they
areonthetenterhooksthejump!Itishard,George,toplaythegameofthecat,thewaitinggame,
butitanswers,yes,itanswerswonderfully.Tomorrowwemakeafurthereffect."

Onthefollowingday,Trefusiswasobligedtogouptotown.HewentupbythesametrainasVictor
Astwell.NosoonerhadtheyleftthehousethanPoirotwasgalvanizedintoafeverofactivity.

"Come,George,letushurrytowork.Ifthehousemaidshouldapproachtheserooms,youmustdelay
her.Speaktohersweetnothings,George,andkeepherinthecorridor."

Hewentfirsttothesecretary'sroom,andbeganathoroughsearch.Notadrawerorashelfwasleft
uninspected.Thenhereplacedeverythinghurriedly,anddeclaredhisquestfinished.George,on
guardinthedoorway,gavewaytoadeferentialcough.

"Ifyouwillexcuseme,sir?"

"Yes,mygoodGeorge?"

"Theshoes,sir.Thetwopairsofbrownshoeswereonthesecondshelf,andthepatentleatherones
wereontheshelfunderneath.Inreplacingthemyouhavereversedtheorder."

"Marvelous!"criedPoirot,holdinguphishands."Butletusnotdistressourselvesoverthat.Itisofno
importance,Iassureyou,George.NeverwillM.Trefusisnoticesuchatriflingmatter."

"Asyouthink,sir,"saidGeorge.

"Itisyourbusinesstonoticesuchthings,"saidPoirotencouraginglyasheclappedtheotheronthe
shoulder."Itreflectscredituponyou."

Thevaletdidnotreply,andwhen,laterintheday,theproceedingwasrepeatedintheroomof
VictorAstwell,hemadenocommentonthefactthatMrAstwell'sunderclothingwasnotreturnedto
itsdrawersstrictlyaccordingtoplan.Yet,inthesecondcaseatleast,eventsprovedthevalettobe
rightandPoirotwrong.VictorAstwellcamestormingintothedrawingroomthatevening.

"Now,lookhere,youblastedlittleBelgianjackanapes,whatdoyoumeanbysearchingmyroom?
Whatthedevildoyouthinkyouaregoingtofindthere?Iwon'thaveit,doyouhear?That'swhat
comesofhavingaferretinglittlespyinthehouse."

Poirot'shandsspreadthemselvesouteloquentlyashiswordstumbledoneovertheother.He
offeredahundredapologies,athousand,amillion.Hehadbeenmaladroit,officious,hewas
confused.Hehadtakenanunwarrantedliberty.Intheendtheinfuriatedgentlemanwasforcedto
subside,stillgrowling.Andagainthatevening,sippinghistisane,PoirotmurmuredtoGeorge:"It
marches,mygoodGeorge,yetitmarches."

"Friday,"observedHerculePoirotthoughtfully,"ismyluckyday."

"Indeed,sir."

"Youarenotsuperstitious,perhaps,mygoodGeorge?"

"Iprefernottositdownthirteenattable,sir,andIamadversetopassingunderladders.Ihaveno
superstitionsaboutaFriday,sir."

"Thatiswell,"saidPoirot,"for,seeyou,todaywemakeourWaterloo."

"Really,sir."

"Youhavesuchenthusiasm,mygoodGeorge,youdonotevenaskwhatIproposetodo."

"Andwhatisthat,sir?"

"Today,George,ImakeafinalthoroughsearchoftheTowerroom."

Trueenough,afterbreakfast,Poirot,withthepermissionofLadyAstwell,wenttothesceneofthe
crime.There,atvarioustimesofthemorning,membersofthehouseholdsawhimcrawlingabouton
allfours,examiningminutelytheblackvelvetcurtainsandstandingonhighchairstoexaminethe
pictureframesonthewall.LadyAstwellforthefirsttimedisplayeduneasiness.

"Ihavetoadmitit,"shesaid."Heisgettingonmynervesatlast.Hehassomethinguphissleeve,and
Idon'tknowwhatitis.Andthewayheiscrawlingaboutontheflooruptherelikeadogmakesme
downrightshivery.Whatishelookingfor,I'dliketoknow?Lily,mydear,Iwishyouwouldgoupand
seewhatheisuptonow.No,onthewhole,I'dratheryoustayedwithme."

"ShallIgo,LadyAstwell?"askedthesecretary,risingfromthedesk.

"Ifyouwould,MrTrefusis."

OwenTrefusislefttheroomandmountedthestairstotheTowerroom.Atfirstglance,hethought
theroomwasempty,therewascertainlynosignofHerculePoirotthere.Hewasjustturningtogo
downagainwhenasoundcaughthisears;hethensawthelittlemanhalfwaydownthespiral
staircasethatledtothebedroomabove.

Hewasonhishandsandknees;inhislefthandwasalittlepocketlens,andthroughthishewas
examiningminutelysomethingonthewoodworkbesidethestaircarpet.

Asthesecretarywatchedhim,heutteredasuddengrunt,andslippedthelensintohispocket.He
thenrosetohisfeet,holdingsomethingbetweenhisfingerandthumb.Atthatmomenthebecame
awareofthesecretary'spresence.

"Ah,hah!M.Trefusis,Ididn'thearyouenter."
Hewasinthatmomentadifferentman.Triumphandexultationbeamedalloverhisface.Trefusis
staredathiminsurprise.

"Whatisthematter,M.Poirot?Youlookverypleased."

Thelittlemanpuffedouthischest.

"Yes,indeed.SeeyouIhaveatlastfoundthatwhichIhavebeenlookingforfromthebeginning.I
haveherebetweenmyfingerandthumbtheonethingnecessarytoconvictthecriminal."

"Then,"thesecretaryraisedhiseyebrows,"itwasnotCharlesLeverson?"

"ItwasnotCharlesLeverson,"saidPoirot."Untilthismoment,thoughIknowthecriminal,Iamnot
sureofhisnamebutatlastallisclear."

Hesteppeddownthestairsandtappedthesecretaryontheshoulder.

"IamobligedtogotoLondonimmediately.SpeaktoLadyAstwellforme.Willyourequestofher
thateveryoneshouldbeassembledintheTowerroomthiseveningatnineo'clock?Ishallbethere
then,andIshallrevealthetruth.Ah,me,butIamwellcontent."

Andbreakingintoafantasticlittledance,heskippedfromtheTowerroom.Trefusiswasleftstaring
afterhim.

AfewminuteslaterPoirotappearedinthelibrary,demandingifanyonecouldsupplyhimwithalittle
cardboardbox.

"Unfortunately,Ihavenotsuchathingwithme,"heexplained,"andthereissomethingofgreat
valuethatitisnecessaryformetoputinside."

FromoneofthedrawersinthedeskTrefusisproducedasmallbox,andPoirotprofessedhimself
highlydelightedwithit.

Hehurriedupstairswithhistreasuretrove;meetingGeorgeonthelanding,hehandedtheboxto
him.

"Thereissomethingofgreatimportanceinside,"heexplained."Placeit,mygoodGeorge,inthe
seconddrawerofmydressingtable,besidethejewelcasethatcontainsmypearlstuds."

"Verygood,sir,"saidGeorge.

"Donotbreakit."saidPoirot."Beverycareful.Insidethatboxissomethingthatwillhangacriminal."

"Youdon'tsay,sir,"saidGeorge.

Poirothurrieddownthestairsagainand,seizinghishat,departedfromthehouseatabriskrun.

Hisreturnwasmoreunostentatious.ThefaithfulGeorge,accordingtoorders,admittedhimbythe
sidedoor.

"TheyareallintheTowerroom?"inquiredPoirot.
"Yes,sir."

Therewasamurmuredinterchangeofafewwords,andthenPoirotmountedwiththetriumphant
stepofthevictortothatroomwherethemurderhadtakenplacelessthanamonthago.Hiseyes
sweptaroundtheroom.Theywereallthere,LadyAstwell,VictorAstwell,LilyMargrave,the
secretary,andParsons,thebutler.Thelatterwashoveringbythedooruncertainly.

"George,sir,saidIshouldbeneededhere,"saidParsonsasPoirotmadehisappearance."Idon't
knowifthatisright,sir?"

"Quiteright,"saidPoirot."Remain,Iprayofyou."

Headvancedtothemiddleoftheroom.

"Thishasbeenacaseofgreatinterest,"hesaidinaslow,reflectivevoice."Itisinterestingbecause
anyonemighthavemurderedSirReubenAstwell.Whoinheritshismoney?CharlesLeversonand
LadyAstwell.Whowaswithhimlastthatnight?LadyAstwell.Whoquarreledwithhimviolently?
AgainLadyAstwell."

"Whatareyoutalkingabout?"criedLadyAstwell."Idon'tunderstand,I"

"ButsomeoneelsequarreledwithSirReuben,"continuedPoirotinapensivevoice."Someoneelse
lefthimthatnightwhitewithrage.SupposingLadyAstwellleftherhusbandaliveataquarterto
twelvethatnight,therewouldbetenminutesbeforeMrCharlesLeversonreturned,tenminutesin
whichitwouldbepossibleforsomeonefromthesecondfloortostealdownanddothedeed,and
thenreturntohisroomagain."

VictorAstwellsprangupwithacry.

"Whatthehell?"Hestopped,chokingwithrage.

"Inarage,MrAstwell,youoncekilledamaninWestAfrica."

"Idon'tbelieveit,"criedLilyMargrave.

Shecameforward,herhandsclenched,twobrightspotsofcolorinhercheeks.

"Idon'tbelieveit,"repeatedthegirl.ShecameclosetoVictorAstwell'sside.

"It'strue,Lily,"saidAstwell,"buttherearethingsthismandoesn'tknow.ThefellowIkilledwasa
witchdoctorwhohadjustmassacredfifteenchildren.IconsiderthatIwasjustified."

LilycameuptoPoirot.

"M.Poirot,"shesaidearnestly,"youarewrong.Becauseamanhasasharptemper,becausehe
breaksoutandsaysallkindsofthings,thatisnotanyreasonwhyheshoulddoamurder.IknowI
know,ItellyouthatMrAstwellisincapableofsuchathing."

Poirotlookedather,averycurioussmileonhisface.Thenhetookherhandinhisandpattedit
gently.
"Yousee,Mademoiselle,"hesaidgently,"youalsohaveyourintuitions.SoyoubelieveinMrAstwell,
doyou?"

Lilyspokequietly.

"MrAstwellisagoodman,"shesaid,"andheishonest.Hehadnothingtodowiththeinsideworkof
theMpalaGoldFields.Heisgoodthroughandthrough,andIhavepromisedtomarryhim."

VictorAstwellcametohersideandtookherotherhand.

"BeforeGod,M.Poirot,"hesaid,"Ididn'tkillmybrother."

"Iknowyoudidnot,"saidPoirot.

Hiseyessweptaroundtheroom.

"Listen,myfriends.Inanhypnotictrance,LadyAstwellmentionedhavingseenabulgeinthecurtain
thatnight."

Everyone'seyesswepttothewindow.

"Youmeantherewasaburglarconcealedthere?"exclaimedVictorAstwell."Whatasplendid
solution!"

"Ah!"saidPoirotgently."Butitwasnotthatcurtain."

Hewheeledaroundandpointedtothecurtainthatmaskedthelittlestaircase.

"SirReubenusedthebedroomthenightpriortothecrime.Hebreakfastedinbed,andhehadMr
Trefusisuptheretogivehiminstructions.Idon'tknowwhatitwasthatMrTrefusisleftinthat
bedroom,buttherewassomething.WhenhesaidgoodnighttoSirReubenandLadyAstwell,he
rememberedthisthingandranupthestairstofetchit.Idon'tthinkeitherthehusbandorwife
noticedhim,fortheyhadalreadybegunaviolentdiscussion.Theywereinthemiddleofthisquarrel
whenMrTrefusiscamedownthestairsagain.

"ThethingstheyweresayingtoeachotherwereofsointimateandpersonalanaturethatMr
Trefusiswasplacedinaveryawkwardposition.Itwascleartohimthattheyimaginedhehadleftthe
roomsometimeago.FearingtoarouseSirReuben'sangeragainsthimself,hedecidedtoremain
wherehewasandslipoutlater.Hestayedtherebehindthecurtain,andasLadyAstwellleftthe
roomshesubconsciouslynoticedtheoutlineofhisformthere.

"WhenLadyAstwellhadlefttheroom,Trefusistriedtostealoutunobserved,butSirReuben
happenedtoturnhishead,andbecameawareofthesecretary'spresence.Alreadyinabadtemper,
SirReubenhurledabuseathissecretary,andaccusedhimofdeliberatelyeavesdroppingandspying.

"MessieursandMesdames,Iamastudentofpsychology.AllthroughthiscaseIhavelooked,notfor
thebadtemperedmanorwoman,forbadtemperisitsownsafetyvalve.Hewhocanbarkdoesnot
bite.No,Ihavelookedforthegoodtemperedman,forthemanwhoispatientandselfcontrolled,
forthemanwhofornineyearshasplayedthepartoftheunderdog.Thereisnostrainsogreatas
thatwhichhasenduredforyears,thereisnoitresentmentlikethatwhichaccumulesslowly.
"FornineyearsSirReubenhasbulliedandbrowbeatenhissecretary,andfornineyearsthatmanhas
enduredinsilence.Buttherecomesadaywhenatlastthestrainreachesitsbreakingpoint.
Somethingsnaps!Itwassothatnight.SirReubensatdownathisdeskagain,butthesecretary,
insteadofturninghumblyandmeeklytothedoor,picksuptheheavywoodenclub,andstrikesdown
themanwhohadbulliedhimoncetoooften."

HeturnedtoTrefusis,whowasstaringathimasthoughturnedtostone.

"Itwassosimple,youralibi.MrAstwellthoughtyouwereinyourroom,butnoonesawyougo
there.YouwerejuststealingoutafterstrikingdownSirReuben,whenyouhearditsound,andyou
hastenedbacktocover,behindthecurtain.YouwerebehindtherewhenCharlesLeversonentered
theroomyouweretherewhenLilyMargravecame.Itwasnottilllongafterthatthatyoucreptup
throughasilenthousetoyourbedroom.Doyoudenyit?"

Trefusisbegantostammer.

"IInever"

"Ah!Letusfinishthis.FortwoweeksnowIhaveplayedthecomedy,Ihaveshowedyouthenet
closingslowlyaroundyou.Thefingerprints,footprints,thesearchofyourroomwiththethings
artisticallyreplaced.Ihavestruckterrorintoyouwithallofthis;youhavelainawakeatnightfearing
andwondering;didyouleaveafingerprintintheroomorafootprintsomewhere?

"Againandagainyouhavegoneovertheeventsofthatnightwonderingwhatyouhavedoneorleft
undone,andsoIbroughtyoutothestatewhereyoumadeaslip.Isawthefearleapintoyoureyes
todaywhenIpickedupsomethingfromthestairswhereyouhadstoodhiddenthatnight.ThenI
madeagreatparade,thelittlebox,theentrustingofittoGeorge,andIgoout."

Poirotturnedtowardthedoor.

"George?"

"Iamhere,sir."

Thevaletcameforward.

"Willyoutelltheseladiesandgentlemenwhatmyinstructionswere?"

"Iwastoremainconcealedinthewardrobeinyourroom,sir,havingplacedthecardboardbox
whereyoutoldmeto.Athalfpastthreethisafternoon,sir,MrTrefusisenteredtheroom;hewent
tothedrawerandtookouttheboxinquestion."

"Andinthatbox,"continuedPoirot,"wasacommonpin.Me,Ispeakalwaysthetruth.Ididpickup
somethingonthestairsthismorning.ThatisyourEnglishsaying,isitnot?'Seeapinandpickitup,all
thedayyou'llhavegoodluck.'Me,Ihavehadgoodluck,Ihavefoundthemurderer."

Heturnedtothesecretary.

"Yousee?"hesaidgently."Youbetrayedyourself."

SuddenlyTrefusisbrokedown.Hesankintoachairsobbing,hisfaceburiedinhishands.
"Iwasmad,"hegroaned."Iwasmad.But,oh,myGod,hebadgeredandbulliedmebeyondbearing.
ForyearsIhadhatedandloathedhim."

"Iknew!"criedLadyAstwell.

Shesprangforward,herfaceirradiatedwithsavagetriumph.

"Iknewthatmanhaddoneit."

Shestoodthere,savageandtriumphant.

"Andyouwereright,"saidPoirot."Onemaycallthingsbydifferentnames,butthefactremains.Your
'intuition,'LadyAstwell,provedcorrect.Ifelicitateyou."

FOURANDTWENTYBLACKBIRDS

HerculePoirotwasdiningwithhisfriend,HenryBonningtonattheGallantEndeavourintheKing's
Road,Chelsea.

MrBonningtonwasfondoftheGallantEndeavour.Helikedtheleisurelyatmosphere,helikedthe
foodwhichwas'plain'and'English'and'notalotofmadeupmesses.'Helikedtotellpeoplewho
dinedwithhimtherejustexactlywhereAugustusJohnhadbeenwonttositanddrawtheattention
tothefamousartists'namesinthevisitors'bookMrBonningtonwashimselftheleastartisticofmen
buthetookacertainprideintheartisticactivitiesofothers.

Molly,thesympatheticwaitress,greetedMrBonningtonasanoldfriend.Shepridedherselfon
rememberinghercustomers'likesanddislikesinthewayoffood.

'Goodevening,sir,'shesaid,asthetwomentooktheirseatsatacornertable.'You'reinlucktoday
turkeystuffedwithchestnutsthat'syourfavourite,isn'tit?AndeversuchaniceStiltonwe'vegot!
Willyouhavesoupfirstorfish?'

MrBonningtondeliberatedthepoint.HesaidtoPoirotwarninglyasthelatterstudiedthemenu:

'NoneofyourFrenchkickshawsnow.GoodwellcookedEnglishfood.'

'Myfriend,'HerculePoirotwavedhishand,'Iasknobetter!Iputmyselfinyourhandsunreservedly.'

'Ahhmerhm,'repliedMrBonningtonandgavecarefulattentiontothematter.

Theseweightymatters,andthequestionofwine,settled,MrBonningtonleanedbackwithasighand
unfoldedhisnapkinasMollyspedaway.

'Goodgirl,that,'hesaidapprovingly.'Wasquiteabeautyonceartistsusedtopainther.Sheknows
aboutfood,tooandthat'sagreatdealmoreimportant.Womenareveryunsoundonfoodasarule.
There'smanyawomanifshegoesoutwithafellowshefancies,won'tevennoticewhatsheeats.
She'lljustorderthefirstthingshesees.'

HerculePoirotshookhishead.'C'estterrible.'
'Menaren'tlikethat,thankGod!'saidMrBonningtoncomplacently.

'Never?'TherewasatwinkleinHerculePoirot'seye.

'Well,perhapswhenthey'reveryyoung,'concededMrBonnington.'Youngpuppies!Youngfellows
nowadaysareallthesamenogutsnostamina.I'venousefortheyoungandthey,'headdedwith
strictimpartiality,'havenouseforme.Perhapsthey'reright!Buttohearsomeoftheseyoung
fellowstalkyou'dthinknomanhadarighttobealiveaftersixty!Fromthewaytheygoon,you'd
wondermoreofthemdidn'thelptheirelderlyrelationsoutoftheworld.'

'Itispossible,'saidHerculePoirot,'thattheydo.'

'Nicemindyou'vegot,Poirot,Imustsay.Allthispoliceworksapsyourideals.'

HerculePoirotsmiled.

'Toutdemme,'hesaid.'Itwouldbeinterestingtomakeatableofaccidentaldeathsovertheageof
sixty.Iassureyouitwouldraisesomecuriousspeculationsinyourmind.'

'Thetroublewithyouisthatyou'vestartedgoingtolookforcrimeinsteadofwaitingforcrimeto
cometoyou.'

'Iapologize,'saidPoirot.'Italkwhatyoucall"theshop."Tellme,myfriend,ofyourownaffairs.How
doestheworldgowithyou?'

'Mess!'saidMrBonnington.'That'swhat'sthematterwiththeworldnowadays.Toomuchmess.And
toomuchfinelanguage.Thefinelanguagehelpstoconcealthemess.Likeahighlyflavouredsauce
concealingthefactthatthefishunderneathitisnoneofthebest!Givemeanhonestfilletofsole
andnomessysauceoverit.'

ItwasgivenhimatthatmomentbyMollyandhegruntedapproval.

'YouknowjustwhatIlike,mygirl,'hesaid.

'Well,youcomehereprettyregular,don'tyou,sir?Ioughttoknowwhatyoulike.'

HerculePoirotsaid:

'Dopeoplethenalwayslikethesamethings?Donottheylikeachangesometimes?'

'Notgentlemen,sir.Ladieslikevarietygentlemenalwayslikethesamething.'

'WhatdidItellyou?'gruntedBonnington.'Womenarefundamentallyunsoundwherefoodis
concerned!'

Helookedroundtherestaurant.

'Theworld'safunnyplace.Seethatoddlookingoldfellowwithabeardinthecorner?Molly'lltell
youhe'salwayshereTuesdaysandThursdaynights.Hehascomehereforcloseontenyearsnow
he'sakindoflandmarkintheplace.Yetnobodyhereknowshisnameorwherehelivesorwhathis
businessis.It'soddwhenyoucometothinkofit.'
Whenthewaitressbroughttheportionsofturkeyhesaid:'Iseeyou'vestillgotOldFatherTimeover
there.'

'That'sright,sir.TuesdaysandThursdays,hisdaysare.NotbutwhathecameinhereonaMonday
lastweek!Itquiteupsetme!IfeltI'dgotmydateswrongandthatitmustbeTuesdaywithoutmy
knowingit!ButhecameinthenextnightaswellsotheMondaywasjustakindofextra,soto
speak.'

'Aninterestingdeviationfromhabit,'murmuredPoirot.'Iwonderwhatthereasonwas?'

'Well,sir,ifyouaskme,Ithinkhe'dhadsomekindofupsetorworry.'

'Whydidyouthinkthat?Hismanner?'

'No,sirnothismannerexactly.Hewasveryquietashealwaysis.Neversaysmuchexceptgood
eveningwhenhecomesandgoes.No,itwashisorder.'

'Hisorder?'

'Idaresayyougentlemenwilllaughatme,'Mollyflushedup,'butwhenagentlemanhasbeenhere
fortenyears,yougettoknowhislikesanddislikes.Henevercouldbearsuetpuddingorblackberries
andI'veneverknownhimtakethicksoupbutonthatMondaynightheorderedthicktomatosoup,
beefsteakandkidneypuddingandblackberrytart!Seemedasthoughhejustdidn'tnoticewhathe
ordered!'

'Doyouknow,'saidHerculePoirot,'Ifredthatextraordinarilyinteresting.'

Mollylookedgratifiedanddeparted.

'Well,Poirot,'saidHenryBonningtonwithachuckle.'Let'shaveafewdeductionsfromyou.Allin
yourbestmanner.'

'Iwouldprefertohearyoursfirst.'

'WantmetobeWatson,eh?Well,oldfellowwenttoadoctorandthedoctorchangedhisdiet.'

'Tothicktomatosoup,steakandkidneypuddingandblackberrytart?Icannotimagineanydoctor
doingthat.'

'Don'tbelieveit,oldboy.Doctorswillputyouontoanything.'

'Thatistheonlysolutionthatoccurstoyou?'

HenryBonningtonsaid:

'Well,seriously,Isupposethere'sonlyoneexplanationpossible.Ourunknownfriendwasinthegrip
ofsomepowerfulmentalemotion.Hewassoperturbedbyitthatheliterallydidnotnoticewhathe
wasorderingoreating.'Hepausedaminuteandthensaid:'You'llbetellingmenextthatyouknow
justwhatwasonhismind.You'llsayperhapsthathewasmakinguphismindtocommitamurder.'

Helaughedathisownsuggestion.

HerculePoirotdidnotlaugh.
Hehasadmittedthatatthatmomenthewasseriouslyworried.Heclaimsthatheoughtthentohave
hadsomeinklingofwhatwaslikelytooccur.

Hisfriendsassurehimthatsuchanideaisquitefantastic.

ItwassomethreeweekslaterthatHerculePoirotandBonningtonmetagainthistimetheirmeeting
wasintheTube.

Theynoddedtoeachother,swayingabout,hangingontoadjacentstraps.ThenatPiccadillyCircus
therewasageneralexodusandtheyfoundseatsrightattheforwardendofthecarapeacefulspot
sincenobodypassedinoroutthatway.

'That'sbetter,'saidMrBonnington.'Selfishlot,thehumanrace,theywon'tpassupthecarhowever
muchyouask'emto!'

HerculePoirotshruggedhisshoulders.

'Whatwillyou?'hesaid.'Lifeistoouncertain.'

'That'sit.Heretoday,gonetomorrow,'saidMrBonningtonwithakindofgloomyrelish.'Andtalking
ofthat,d'yourememberthatoldboywenoticedattheGallantEndeavour?Ishouldn'twonderif
he'dhoppedittoabetterworld.He'snotbeenthereforawholeweek.Molly'squiteupsetaboutit.'

HerculePoirotsatup.Hisgreeneyesflashed.

'Indeed?'hesaid.'Indeed?'

Bonningtonsaid:

'D'yourememberIsuggestedhe'dbeentoadoctorandbeenputonadiet?Diet'snonsenseof
coursebutIshouldn'twonderifhehadconsultedadoctorabouthishealthandwhatthedoctor
saidgavehimabitofajolt.Thatwouldaccountforhimorderingthingsoffthemenuwithout
noticingwhathewasdoing.Quitelikelythejolthegothurriedhimoutoftheworldsoonerthanhe
wouldhavegoneotherwise.Doctorsoughttobecarefulwhattheytellachap.'

'Theyusuallyare,'saidHerculePoirot.

'Thisismystation,'saidMrBonnington.'Bye,bye.Don'tsupposeweshalleverknownowwhothe
oldboywasnotevenhisname.Funnyworld!'

Hehurriedoutofthecarriage.

HerculePoirot,sittingfrowning,lookedasthoughhedidnotthinkitwassuchafunnyworld.

Hewenthomeandgavecertaininstructionstohisfaithfulvalet,George.

HerculePoirotranhisfingerdownalistofnames.Itwasarecordofdeathswithinacertainarea.

Poirot'sfingerstopped.
'HenryGascoigne.Sixtynine.Imighttryhimfirst.'

Laterintheday,HerculePoirotwassittinginDrMacAndrew'ssurgeryjustofftheKing'sRoad.
MacAndrewwasatallredhairedScotsmanwithanintelligentface.

'Gascoigne?'hesaid.'Yes,that'sright.Eccentricoldbird.Livedaloneinoneofthosederelictold
housesthatarebeingclearedawayinordertobuildablockofmodernflats.Ihadn'tattendedhim
before,butI'dseenhimaboutandIknewwhohewas.Itwasthedairypeoplegotthewindupfirst.
Themilkbottlesbegantopileupoutside.Intheendthepeoplenextdoorsentwordtothepolice
andtheybrokethedoorinandfoundhim.He'dpitcheddownthestairsandbrokenhisneck.Hadon
anolddressinggownwitharaggedcordmighteasilyhavetrippedhimselfupwithit.'

'Isee,'saidHerculePoirot.'Itwasquitesimpleanaccident.'

'That'sright.'

'Hadheanyrelations?'

'There'sanephew.Usedtocomealongandseehisuncleaboutonceamonth.Lorrimer,hisnameis,
GeorgeLorrimer.He'samedicohimself.LivesatWimbledon.'

'Washeupsetattheoldman'sdeath?'

'Idon'tknowthatI'dsayhewasupset.Imean,hehadanaffectionfortheoldman,buthedidn't
reallyknowhimverywell.'

'HowlonghadMrGascoignebeendeadwhenyousawhim?'

'Ah!'saidDrMacAndrew.'Thisiswherewegetofficial.Notlessthanfortyeighthoursandnotmore
thanseventytwohours.Hewasfoundonthemorningofthesixth.Actually,wegotcloserthanthat.
He'dgotaletterinthepocketofhisdressinggownwrittenonthethirdpostedinWimbledonthat
afternoonwouldhavebeendeliveredsomewherearoundninetwentyp.m.Thatputsthetimeof
deathatafterninetwentyontheeveningofthethird.Thatagreeswiththecontentsofthestomach
andtheprocessesofdigestion.Hehadhadamealabouttwohoursbeforedeath.Iexaminedhimon
themorningofthesixthandhisconditionwasquiteconsistentwithdeathhavingoccurredabout
sixtyhourspreviouslyroundabouttenp.m.onthethird.'

'Itallseemsveryconsistent.Tellme,whenwashelastseenalive?'

'HewasseenintheKing'sRoadaboutseveno'clockthatsameevening,Thursdaythethird,andhe
dinedattheGallantEndeavourrestaurantatseventhirty.Itseemshealwaysdinedthereon
Thursdays.Hewasbywayofbeinganartist,youknow.Anextremelybadone.'

'Hehadnootherrelations?Onlythisnephew?'

'Therewasatwinbrother.Thewholestoryisrathercurious.Theyhadn'tseeneachotherforyears.It
seemstheotherbrother,AnthonyGascoigne,marriedaveryrichwomanandgaveupartandthe
brothersquarrelledoverit.Hadn'tseeneachothersince,Ibelieve.Butoddlyenough,theydiedon
thesameday.Theeldertwinpassedawayatthreeo'clockontheafternoonofthethird.Oncebefore
I'veknownacaseoftwinsdyingonthesamedayindifferentpartsoftheworld!Probablyjusta
coincidencebutthereitis.'
'Istheotherbrother'swifealive?'

'No,shediedsomeyearsago.'

'WheredidAnthonyGascoignelive?'

'HehadahouseonKingstonHill.Hewas,Ibelieve,fromwhatDrLorrimertellsme,verymuchofa
recluse.'

HerculePoirotnoddedthoughtfully.

TheScotsmanlookedathimkeenly.

'Whatexactlyhaveyougotinyourmind,M.Poirot?'heaskedbluntly.'I'veansweredyourquestions
aswasmydutyseeingthecredentialsyoubrought.ButI'minthedarkastowhatit'sallabout.'

Poirotsaidslowly:

'Asimplecaseofaccidentaldeath,that'swhatyousaid.WhatIhaveinmindisequallysimplea
simplepush.'

DrMacAndrewlookedstartled.

'Inotherwords,murder!Haveyouanygroundsforthatbelief?'

'No,'saidPoirot.'Itisameresupposition.'

'Theremustbesomething'persistedtheother.

Poirotdidnotspeak.

MacAndrewsaid:'Ifit'sthenephew,Lorrimer,yoususpect,Idon'tmindtellingyouhereandnow
thatyouarebarkingupthewrongtree.LorrimerwasplayingbridgeinWimbledonfromeightthirty
tillmidnight.Thatcameoutattheinquest.'

Poirotmurmured:

'Andpresumablyitwasverified.Thepolicearecareful.'

Thedoctorsaid:

'Perhapsyouknowsomethingagainsthim?'

'Ididn'tknowthattherewassuchapersonuntilyoumentionedhim.'

'Thenyoususpectsomebodyelse?'

'No,no.Itisnotthatatall.It'sacaseoftheroutinehabitsofthehumananimal.Thatisvery
important.AndthedeadM.Gascoignedoesnotfitin.Itisallwrong,yousee.'

'Ireallydon'tunderstand.'

HerculePoirotmurmured:
'Thetroubleis,thereistoomuchsauceoverthebadfish.'

'Mydearsir?'

HerculePoirotsmiled.

'Youwillbehavingmelockedupasalunaticsoon,MonsieurleDocteur.ButIamnotreallyamental
casejustamanwhohasalikingfororderandmethodandwhoisworriedwhenhecomesacrossa
factthatdoesnotfitin.Imustaskyoutoforgivemeforhavinggivenyousomuchtrouble.'

Heroseandthedoctorrosealso.

'Youknow,'saidMacAndrew,'honestly,Ican'tseeanythingtheleastbitsuspiciousaboutthedeath
ofHenryGascoigne.Isayhefellyousaysomebodypushedhim.It'sallwellintheair.'

HerculePoirotsighed.

'Yes,'hesaid.'Itisworkmanlike.Somebodyhasmadethegoodjobofit!'

'Youstillthink'

Thelittlemanspreadouthishands.

"I'manobstinatemanamanwithalittleideaandnothingtosupportit!Bytheway,didHenry
Gascoignehavefalseteeth?'

'No,hisownteethwereinexcellentpreservation.Verycreditableindeedathisage.'

'Helookedafterthemwelltheywerewhiteandwellbrushed?'

'Yes,Inoticedthemparticularly.Teethtendtogrowalittleyellowasonegrowsolder,buttheywere
ingoodcondition.'

'Notdiscolouredinanyway?'

'No.Idon'tthinkhewasasmokerifthatiswhatyoumean.'

'Ididnotmeanthatpreciselyitwasjustalongshotwhichprobablywillnotcomeoff!Goodbye,Dr
MacAndrew,andthankyouforyourkindness.'

Heshookthedoctor'shandanddeparted.

'Andnow,'hesaid,'forthelongshot.'

AttheGallantEndeavour,hesatdownatthesametablewhichhehadsharedwithBonnington.The
girlwhoservedhimwasnotMolly.Molly,thegirltoldhim,wasawayonaholiday.

ItwasonlyjustsevenandHerculePoirotfoundnodifficultyinenteringintoconversationwiththe
girlonthesubjectofoldMrGascoigne.
'Yes,'shesaid.'He'dbeenhereforyearsandyears.Butnoneofusgirlseverknewhisname.Wesaw
abouttheinquestinthepaper,andtherewasapictureofhim."There,"IsaidtoMolly."Ifthatisn't
our'OldFatherTime'"asweusedtocallhim.'

'Hedinedhereontheeveningofhisdeath,didhenot?'

'That'sright,Thursday,thethird.HewasalwayshereonaThursday.TuesdaysandThursdays
punctualasaclock.'

'Youdon'tremember,Isuppose,whathehadfordinner?'

'Nowletmesee,itwasmulligatawnysoup,that'sright,andbeefsteakpuddingorwasitthemutton?
nopudding,that'sright,andblackberryandapplepieandcheese.Andthentothinkofhimgoing
homeandfallingdownthosestairsthatverysameevening.Afrayeddressinggowncordtheysaidit
wasascausedit.Ofcourse,hisclotheswerealwayssomethingawfuloldfashionedandputon
anyhow,andalltattered,andyethehadakindofair,allthesame,asthoughhewassomebody!Oh,
wegetallsortsofinterestingcustomershere.'

Shemovedoff.

HerculePoirotatehisfilletedsole.Hiseyesshowedagreenlight.

'Itisodd,'hesaidtohimself,'howthecleverestpeopleslipoverdetails.Bonningtonwillbe
interested.'

ButthetimehadnotyetcomeforleisurelydiscussionwithBonnington.

Armedwithintroductionsfromacertaininfluentialquarter,HerculePoirotfoundnodifficultyatall
indealingwiththecoronerforthedistrict.

'Acuriousfigure,thedeceasedmanGascoigne,'heobserved.'Alonely,eccentricoldfellow.Buthis
deceaseseemstoarouseanunusualamountofattention?'

Helookedwithsomecuriosityathisvisitorashespoke.

HerculePoirotchosehiswordscarefully.'Therearecircumstancesconnectedwithit,Monsieur,
whichmakeinvestigationdesirable.'

'Well,howcanIhelpyou?'

'Itis,Ibelieve,withinyourprovincetoorderdocumentsproducedinyourcourttobedestroyed,or
tobeimpoundedasyouthinkfit.AcertainletterwasfoundinthepocketofHenryGascoigne's
dressinggown,wasitnot?'

'Thatisso.'

'Aletterfromhisnephew,DrGeorgeLorrimer?'

'Quitecorrect.Theletterwasproducedattheinquestashelpingtofixthetimeofdeath.'

'Whichwascorroboratedbythemedicalevidence?'
'Exactly.'

'Isthatletterstillavailable?'

HerculePoirotwaitedratheranxiouslyforthereply.

Whenheheardthattheletterwasstillavailableforexaminationhedrewasighofrelief.Whenitwas
finallyproducedhestudieditwithsomecare.Itwaswritteninaslightlycrampedhandwritingwitha
stylographicpen.Itranasfollows:

DearUncleHenry,

IamsorrytotellyouthatIhavehadnosuccessasregardsUncleAnthony.Heshowednoenthusiasm
foravisitfromyouandwouldgivemenoreplytoyourrequestthathewouldletbygonesbe
bygones.Heis,ofcourse,extremelyill,andhismindisinclinedtowander.Ishouldfancythatthe
endisverynear.Heseemedhardlytorememberwhoyouwere.

Iamsorrytohavefailedyou,butIcanassureyouthatIdidmybest.

Youraffectionatenephew,

GeorgeLorrimer

Theletteritselfwasdated3rdNovember.Poirotglancedattheenvelope'spostmark4.30p.m.3
Nov.

Hemurmured:

'Itisbeautifullyinorder,isitnot?'

KingstonHillwashisnextobjective.Afteralittletrouble,withtheexerciseofgoodhumoured
pertinacity,heobtainedaninterviewwithAmeliaHill,cookhousekeepertothelateAnthony
Gascoigne.

MrsHillwasinclinedtobestiffandsuspiciousatfirst,butthecharminggenialityofthisstrange
lookingforeignerwouldhavehaditseffectonastone.MrsAmeliaHillbegantounbend.Shefound
herself,ashadsomanyotherwomenbeforeher,pouringouthertroublestoareallysympathetic
listener.ForfourteenyearsshehadhadchargeofMrGascoigne'shouseholdnotaneasyjob!No,
indeed!Manyawomanwouldhavequailedundertheburdensshehadhadtobear!Eccentricthe
poorgentlemanwasandnodenyingit.Remarkablyclosewithhismoneyakindofmaniawithhimit
wasandheasrichagentlemanasmightbe!ButMrsHillhadservedhimfaithfully,andputupwith
hisways,andnaturallyshe'dexpectedatanyratearemembrance.Butnonothingatall!Justanold
willthatleftallhismoneytohiswifeandifshepredeceasedhimtheneverythingtohisbrother,
Henry.Awillmadeyearsago.Itdidn'tseemfair!
GraduallyHerculePoirotdetachedherfromhermainthemeofunsatisfiedcupidity.Itwasindeeda
heartlessinjustice!MrsHillcouldnotbeblamedforfeelinghurtandsurprised.Itwaswellknown
thatMrGascoignewastightfistedaboutmoney.Ithadevenbeensaidthatthedeadmanhad
refusedhisonlybrotherassistance.MrsHillprobablyknewallaboutthat.

'WasitthatthatDrLorrimercametoseehimabout?'askedMrsHill.'Iknewitwassomethingabout
hisbrother,butIthoughtitwasjustthathisbrotherwantedtobereconciled.They'dquarrelled
yearsago.'

'Iunderstand,'saidPoirot,'thatMrGascoignerefusedabsolutely?'

'That'srightenough,'saidMrsHillwithanod.'"Henry?"hesays,ratherweaklike."What'sthisabout
Henry?Haven'tseenhimforyearsanddon'twantto.Quarrelsomefellow,Henry."Justthat.'

TheconversationthenrevertedtoMrsHill'sownspecialgrievances,andtheunfeelingattitudeofthe
lateMrGascoigne'ssolicitor.

WithsomedifficultyHerculePoirottookhisleavewithoutbreakingofftheconversationtooabruptly.

Andso,justafterthedinnerhour,hecametoElmcrest,DorsetRoad,Wimbledon,theresidenceof
DrGeorgeLorrimer.

Thedoctorwasin.HerculePoirotwasshownintothesurgeryandtherepresentlyDrGeorge
Lorrimercametohim,obviouslyjustrisenfromthedinnertable.

'I'mnotapatient,Doctor,'saidHerculePoirot.'Andmycominghereis,perhaps,somewhatofan
impertinencebutI'manoldmanandIbelieveinplainanddirectdealing.Idonotcareforlawyers
andtheirlongwindedroundaboutmethods.'

HehadcertainlyarousedLorrimer'sinterest.Thedoctorwasacleanshavenmanofmiddleheight.
Hishairwasbrown,buthiseyelasheswerealmostwhitewhichgavehiseyesapale,boiled
appearance.Hismannerwasbriskandnotwithouthumour.

'Lawyers?'hesaid,raisinghiseyebrows.'Hatethefellows!Yourousemycuriosity,mydearsir.Pray
sitdown.'

Poirotdidsoandthenproducedoneofhisprofessionalcardswhichhehandedtothedoctor.

GeorgeLorrimer'swhiteeyelashesblinked.

Poirotleanedforwardconfidentially.'Agoodmanyofmyclientsarewomen,'hesaid.

'Naturally,'saidDrGeorgeLorrimer,withaslighttwinkle.

'Asyousay,naturally,'agreedPoirot.'Womendistrusttheofficialpolice.Theypreferprivate
investigations.Theydonotwanttohavetheirtroublesmadepublic.Anelderlywomancameto
consultmeafewdaysago.Shewasunhappyaboutahusbandshe'dquarrelledwithmanyyears
before.Thishusbandofherswasyouruncle,thelateMrGascoigne.'

GeorgeLorrimer'sfacewentpurple.

'Myuncle?Nonsense!Hiswifediedmanyyearsago.'
'Notyouruncle,MrAnthonyGascoigne.Youruncle,MrHenryGascoigne.'

'UncleHenry?Buthewasn'tmarried!'

'Ohyes,hewas,'saidHerculePoirot,lyingunblushingly.'Notadoubtofit.Theladyevenbrought
alonghermarriagecertificate.'

'It'salie!'criedGeorgeLorrimer.Hisfacewasnowaspurpleasaplum.'Idon'tbelieveit.You'rean
impudentliar.'

'Itistoobad,isitnot?'saidPoirot.'Youhavecommittedmurderfornothing.'

'Murder?'Lorrimer'svoicequavered.Hispaleeyesbulgedwithterror.

'Bytheway,'saidPoirot,'Iseeyouhavebeeneatingblackberrytartagain.Anunwisehabit.
Blackberriesaresaidtobefullofvitamins,buttheymaybedeadlyinotherways.OnthisoccasionI
ratherfancytheyhavehelpedtoputaroperoundaman'sneckyourneck,DrLorrimer.'

'Yousee,monami,whereyouwentwrongwasoveryourfundamentalassumption.'HerculePoirot,
beamingplacidlyacrossthetableathisfriend,wavedanexpositoryhand.'Amanundersevere
mentalstressdoesn'tchoosethattimetodosomethingthathe'sneverdonebefore.Hisreflexesjust
followthetrackofleastresistance.Amanwhoisupsetaboutsomethingmightconceivablycome
downtodinnerdressedinhispyjamasbuttheywillbehisownpyjamasnotsomebodyelse's.

'Amanwhodislikesthicksoup,suetpuddingandblackberriessuddenlyordersallthreeoneevening.
Yousay,becauseheisthinkingofsomethingelse.ButIsaythatamanwhohasgotsomethingonhis
mindwillorderautomaticallythedishhehasorderedmostoftenbefore.

'Ehbien,then,whatotherexplanationcouldtherebe?Isimplycouldnotthinkofareasonable
explanation.AndIwasworried!Theincidentwasallwrong.Itdidnotfit!IhaveanorderlymindandI
likethingstofit.MrGascoigne'sdinnerorderworriedme.

'Thenyoutoldmethatthemanhaddisappeared.HehadmissedaTuesdayandaThursdaythefirst
timeforyears.Ilikedthatevenless.Aqueerhypothesissprangupinmymind.IfIwererightaboutit
themanwasdead.Imadeinquiries.Themanwasdead.Andhewasveryneatlyandtidilydead.In
otherwordsthebadfishwascoveredupwiththesauce!

'HehadbeenseenintheKing'sRoadatseveno'clock.Hehadhaddinnerhereatseventhirtytwo
hoursbeforehedied.Itallfittedintheevidenceofthestomachcontents,theevidenceofthe
letter.Muchtoomuchsauce!Youcouldn'tseethefishatall!

'Devotednephewwrotetheletter,devotednephewhadbeautifulalibifortimeofdeath.Deathvery
simpleafalldownthestairs.Simpleaccident?Simplemurder?Everyonesaystheformer.

'Devotednephewonlysurvivingrelative.Devotednephewwillinheritbutisthereanythingto
inherit?Unclenotoriouslypoor.

'Butthereisabrother.Andbrotherinhistimehadhadmarriedarichwife.Andbrotherlivesinabig
richhouseonKingstonHill,soitwouldseemthatrichwifemusthavelefthimallhermoney.Yousee
thesequencerichwifeleavesmoneytoAnthony,AnthonyleavesmoneytoHenry,Henry'smoney
goestoGeorgeacompletechain.'

'Allveryprettyintheory,'saidBonnington.'Butwhatdidyoudo?'

'Onceyouknowyoucanusuallygetholdofwhatyouwant.Henryhaddiedtwohoursafterameal
thatisalltheinquestreallybotheredabout.Butsupposingthemealwasnotdinner,butlunch.Put
yourselfinGeorge'splace.Georgewantsmoneybadly.AnthonyGascoigneisdyingbuthisdeathis
nogoodtoGeorge.HismoneygoestoHenry,andHenryGascoignemayliveforyears.SoHenrymust
dietooandthesoonerthebetterbuthisdeathmusttakeplaceafterAnthony's,andatthesame
timeGeorgemusthaveanalibi.Henry'shabitofdiningregularlyatarestaurantontwoeveningsof
theweeksuggestanalibitoGeorge.Beingacautiousfellow,hetrieshisplanoutfirst.He
impersonateshisuncleonMondayeveningattherestaurantinquestion.Itgoeswithoutahitch.
Everyonethereacceptshimashisuncle.Heissatisfied.HehasonlytowaittillUncleAnthonyshows
definitesignsofpeggingout.Thetimecomes.Hewritesalettertohisuncleontheafternoonofthe
secondNovemberbutdatesitthethird.Hecomesuptotownontheafternoonofthethird,callson
hisuncle,andcarrieshisschemeintoaction.AsharpshoveanddownthestairsgoesUncleHenry.
Georgehuntsaboutfortheletterhehaswritten,andshovesitinthepocketofhisuncle'sdressing
gown.AtseventhirtyheisattheGallantEndeavour,beard,bushyeyebrowsallcomplete.
UndoubtedlyMrHenryGascoigneisaliveatseventhirty.Thenarapidmetamorphosisinalavatory
andbackfullspeedinhiscartoWimbledonandaneveningofbridge.Theperfectalibi.'

MrBonningtonlookedathim.

'Butthepostmarkontheletter?'

'Oh,thatwasverysimple.Thepostmarkwassmudgy.Why?Ithadbeenalteredwithlampblackfrom
secondNovembertothirdNovember.Youwouldnotnoticeitunlessyouwerelookingforit.And
finallythereweretheblackbirds.'

'Blackbirds?'

'Fourandtwentyblackbirdsbakedinapie!Orblackberriesifyouprefertobeliteral!George,you
comprehend,wasafterallnotquiteagoodenoughactor.Doyourememberthefellowwhoblacked
himselfallovertoplayOthello?Thatisthekindofactoryouhavegottobeincrime.Georgelooked
likehisuncleandwalkedlikehisuncleandspokelikehisuncleandhadhisuncles'beardand
eyebrows,butheforgottoeatlikehisuncle.Heorderedthedishesthathehimselfliked.
Blackberriesdiscolourtheteeththecorpse'steethwerenotdiscoloured,andyetHenryGascoigne
ateblackberriesattheGallantEndeavourthatnight.Buttherewerenoblackberriesinthestomach.I
askedthismorning.AndGeorgehadbeenfoolenoughtokeepthebeardandtherestofthemake
up.Oh!plentyofevidenceonceyoulookforit.IcalledonGeorgeandrattledhim.Thatfinishedit!
Hehadbeeneatingblackberriesagain,bytheway.Agreedyfellowcaredalotabouthisfood.Eh
bien,greedwillhanghimallrightunlessIamverymuchmistaken.'

Awaitressbroughtthemtwoportionsofblackberryandappletart.

'Takeitaway,'saidMrBonnington.'Onecan'tbetoocareful.Bringmeasmallhelpingofsago
pudding.'


THEDREAM

HerculePoirotgavethehouseasteadyappraisingglance.Hiseyeswanderedamomenttoits
surroundings,theshops,thebigfactorybuildingontheright,theblocksofcheapmansionflats
opposite.

ThenoncemorehiseyesreturnedtoNorthwayHouse,relicofanearlierageanageofspaceand
leisure,whengreenfieldshadsurroundeditswellbredarrogance.Nowitwasananachronism,
submergedandforgotteninthehecticseaofmodernLondon,andnotonemaninfiftycouldhave
toldyouwhereitstood.

Furthermore,veryfewpeoplecouldhavetoldyoutowhomitbelonged,thoughitsowner'sname
wouldhavebeenrecognizedasoneoftheworld'srichestmen.Butmoneycanquenchpublicityas
wellasflauntit.BenedictFarley,thateccentricmillionaire,chosenottoadvertisehischoiceof
residence.Hehimselfwasrarelyseen,seldommakingapublicappearance.Fromtimetotimehe
appearedatboardmeetings,hisleanfigure,beakednose,andraspingvoiceeasilydominatingthe
assembleddirectors.Apartfromthat,hewasjustawellknownfigureoflegend.Therewerehis
strangemeannesses,hisincrediblegenerosities,aswellasmorepersonaldetailshisfamouspatch
workdressinggown,nowreputedtobetwentyeightyearsold,hisinvariabledietofcabbagesoup
andcaviare,hishatredofcats.Allthesethingsthepublicknew.

HerculePoirotknewthemalso.Itwasallhedidknowofthemanhewasabouttovisit.Theletter
whichwasinhiscoatpockettoldhimlittlemore.

Aftersurveyingthismelancholylandmarkofapastageforaminuteortwoinsilence,hewalkedup
thestepstothefrontdoorandpressedthebell,glancingashedidsoattheneatwristwatchwhich
hadatlastreplacedanearlierfavoritethelargeturnipfacedwatchofearlierdays.Yes,itwas
exactlyninethirty.Asever,HerculePoirotwasexacttotheminute.

Thedooropenedafterjusttherightinterval.Aperfectspecimenofthegenusbutlerstoodoutlined
againstthelightedhall.

"MrBenedictFarley?"askedHerculePoirot.

Theimpersonalglancesurveyedhimfromheadtofoot,inoffensivelybuteffectively.

"Engrosetendtail,"thoughtHerculePoirottohimselfwithappreciation.

"Youhaveanappointment,sir?"askedthesuavevoice.

"Yes."

"Yourname,sir?"

"M.HerculePoirot."

Thebutlerbowedanddrewback.HerculePoirotenteredthehouse.Thebutlerclosedthedoor
behindhim.
Buttherewasyetonemoreformalitybeforethedefthandstookhatandstickfromthevisitor.

"Youwillexcuseme,sir.Iwastoaskforaletter."

WithdeliberationPoirottookfromhispocketthefoldedletterandhandedittothebutler.Thelatter
gaveitamereglance,thenreturneditwithabow.HerculePoirotreturnedittohispocket.Its
contentsweresimple.

NorthwayHouse,W.8.

M.HerculePoirot.

DearSir,

MrBenedictFarleywouldliketohavethebenefitofyouradvice.Ifconvenienttoyourselfhewould
begladifyouwouldcalluponhimattheaboveaddressat9:30tomorrow(Thursday)evening.

Yourstruly,

HugoCornworthy.

(Secretary).

P.S.Pleasebringthisletterwithyou.

DeftlythebutlerrelievedPoirotofhat,stick,andovercoat.Hesaid:

"WillyoupleasecomeuptoMrCornworthy'sroom?"

Heledthewayupthebroadstaircase.Poirotfollowedhim,lookingwithappreciationatsuchobjets
d'artaswereofanopulentandfloridnature!Histasteinartwasalwayssomewhatbourgeois.

Onthefirstfloorthebutlerknockedonadoor.

HerculePoirot'seyebrowsroseveryslightly.Itwasthefirstjarringnote.Forthebestbutlersdonot
knockatdoorsandyetindubitablythiswasafirstclassbutler!

Itwas,sotospeak,thefirstintimationofcontactwiththeeccentricityofamillionaire.

Avoicefromwithincalledoutsomething.Thebutlerthrewopenthedoor.Heannounced(andagain
Poirotsensedthedeliberatedeparturefromorthodoxy):
"Thegentlemanyouareexpecting,sir."

Poirotpassedintotheroom.Itwasafairsizedroom,veryplainlyfurnishedinaworkmanlikefashion.
Filingcabinets,booksofreference,acoupleofeasychairs,andalargeandimposingdeskcovered
withneatlydocketedpapers.Thecornersoftheroomweredim,fortheonlylightcamefromabig
greenshadedreadinglampwhichstoodonasmalltablebythearmofoneoftheeasychairs.Itwas
placedsoastocastitsfulllightonanyoneapproachingfromthedoor.HerculePoirotblinkedalittle,
realizingthatthelampbulbwasatleast150watts.Inthearmchairsatathinfigureinapatchwork
dressinggownBenedictFarley.Hisheadwasstuckforwardinacharacteristicattitude,hisbeaked
noseprojectinglikethatofabird.Acrestofwhitehairlikethatofacockatooroseabovehis
forehead.Hiseyesglitteredbehindthicklensesashepeeredsuspiciouslyathisvisitor.

"Hey,"hesaidatlastandhisvoicewasshrillandharsh,witharaspingnoteinit."Soyou'reHercule
Poirot,hey?"

"Atyourservice,"saidPoirotpolitelyandbowed,onehandonthebackofthechair.

"Sitdownsitdown,"saidtheoldmantestily.

HerculePoirotsatdowninthefullglareofthelamp.Frombehindittheoldmanseemedtobe
studyinghimattentively.

"HowdoIknowyou'reHerculePoirothey?"hedemandedfretfully."Tellmethathey?"

OncemorePoirotdrewtheletterfromhispocketandhandedittoFarley.

"Yes,"admittedthemillionairegrudgingly."That'sit.That'swhatIgotCornworthytowrite."He
foldeditupandtosseditback."Soyou'rethefellow,areyou?"

WithalittlewaveofhishandPoirotsaid:

"Iassureyouthereisnodeception!"

BenedictFarleychuckledsuddenly.

"That'swhattheconjurorsaysbeforehetakesthegoldfishoutofthehat!Sayingthatispartofthe
trick,youknow."

Poirotdidnotreply.Farleysaidsuddenly:

"ThinkI'masuspiciousoldman,hey?SoIam.Don'ttrustanybody!That'smymotto.Can'ttrust
anybodywhenyou'rerich.No,no,itdoesn'tdo."

"Youwished,"Poirothintedgently,"toconsultme?"

Theoldmannodded.

"That'sright.Alwaysbuythebest.That'smymotto.Gototheexpertanddon'tcountthecost.You'll
notice,M.Poirot,Ihaven'taskedyouyourfee.I'mnotgoingto!Sendmeinthebilllatershan'tcut
uproughoverit.Damnedfoolsatthedairythoughttheycouldchargemetwoandnineforeggs
whentwoandseven'sthemarketpricelotofswindlers!Iwon'tbeswindled.Butthemanatthe
top'sdifferent.He'sworththemoney.I'matthetopmyselfIknow."
HerculePoirotmadenoreply.Helistenedattentively,hisheadpoisedalittleononeside.

Behindhisimpassiveexteriorhewasconsciousofafeelingofdisappointment.Hecouldnotexactly
puthisfingeronit.SofarBenedictFarleyhadruntruetotypethatis,hehadconformedtothe
popularideaofhimself;andyetPoirotwasdisappointed.

"Theman,"hesaiddisgustedlytohimself,"isamountebanknothingbutamountebank!"

Hehadknownothermillionaires,eccentricmentoo,butinnearlyeverycasehehadbeenconscious
ofacertainforce,aninnerenergythathadcommandedhisrespect.Iftheyhadwornapatchwork
dressinggown,itwouldhavebeenbecausetheylikedwearingsuchadressinggown.Butthe
dressinggownofBenedictFarley,orsoitseemedtoPoirot,wasessentiallyastageproperty.Andthe
manhimselfwasessentiallystagey.Everywordhespokewasuttered,soPoirotfeltassured,sheerly
foreffect.

Herepeatedagainunemotionally,"Youwishedtoconsultme,MrFarley?"

Abruptlythemillionaire'smannerchanged.

Heleanedforward.Hisvoicedroppedtoacroak.

"Yes.Yes...Iwanttohearwhatyou'vegottosaywhatyouthink...Gotothetop!That'smyway!
Thebestdoctorthebestdetectiveit'sbetweenthetwoofthem."

"Asyet,Monsieur,Idonotunderstand."

"Naturally,"snappedFarley."Ihaven'tbeguntotellyou."

Heleanedforwardoncemoreandshotoutanabruptquestion.

"Whatdoyouknow,M.Poirot,aboutdreams?"

Thelittleman'seyebrowsrose.Whateverhehadexpected,itwasnotthis.

"Forthat,MonsieurFarley,IshouldrecommendNapoleon'sBookofDreamsorthelatestpracticing
psychologistfromHarleyStreet."

BenedictFarleysaidsoberly,"I'vetriedboth..."

Therewasapause,thenthemillionairespoke,atfirstalmostinawhisper,thenwithavoicegrowing
higherandhigher.

"It'sthesamedreamnightafternight.AndI'mafraid,ItellyouI'mafraid...It'salwaysthesame.
I'msittinginmyroomnextdoortothis.Sittingatmydesk,writing.There'saclockthereandIglance
atitandseethetimeexactlytwentyeightminutespastthree.Alwaysthesametime,you
understand.

"AndwhenIseethetime,M.Poirot,IknowI'vegottodoit.Idon'twanttodoitIloathedoingit
butI'vegotto"

Hisvoicehadrisenshrilly.

Unperturbed,Poirotsaid,"Andwhatisitthatyouhavetodo?"
"Attwentyeightminutespastthree,"BenedictFarleysaidhoarsely,"Iopentheseconddrawerdown
ontherightofmydesk,takeouttherevolverthatIkeepthere,loaditandwalkovertothewindow.
Andthenandthen"

"Yes?"

BenedictFarleysaidinawhisper:"ThenIshootmyself..."

Therewassilence.

ThenPoirotsaid,"Thatisyourdream?"

"Yes."

"Thesameeverynight?"

"Yes."

"Whathappensafteryoushootyourself?"

"Iwakeup."

Poirotnoddedhisheadslowlyandthoughtfully.

"Asamatterofinterest,doyoukeeparevolverinthatparticulardrawer?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Ihavealwaysdoneso.Itisaswelltobeprepared."

"Preparedforwhat?"

Farleysaidirritably,"Amaninmypositionhastobeonhisguard.Allrichmenhaveenemies."

Poirotdidnotpursuethesubject.Heremainedsilentforamomentortwo,thenhesaid:

"Whyexactlydidyousendforme?"

"Iwilltellyou.FirstofallIconsultedadoctorthreedoctorstobeexact."

"Yes?"

"Thefirsttoldmeitwasallaquestionofdiet.Hewasanelderlyman.Thesecondwasayoungman
ofthemodernschool.Heassuredmethatitallhingedonacertaineventthattookplaceininfancyat
thatparticulartimeofdaythreetwentyeight.Iamsodetermined,hesays,nottorememberthat
event,thatIsymbolizeitbydestroyingmyself.Thatishisexplanation."

"Andthethirddoctor?"askedPoirot.

BenedictFarley'svoiceroseinshrillanger.
"He'sayoungmantoo.Hehasapreposteroustheory!HeassertsthatI,myself,amtiredoflife,that
mylifeissounbearabletomethatIdeliberatelywanttoendit!Butsincetoacknowledgethatfact
wouldbetoacknowledgethatessentiallyIamafailure,Irefuseinmywakingmomentstofacethe
truth.ButwhenIamasleep,allinhibitionsareremoved,andIproceedtodothatwhichIreallywish
todo.Iputanendtomyself."

"Hisviewisthatyoureallywish,unknowntoyourself,tocommitsuicide?"saidPoirot.

BenedictFarleycriedshrilly:

"Andthat'simpossibleimpossible!I'mperfectlyhappy!I'vegoteverythingIwanteverything
moneycanbuy!It'sfantasticunbelievableeventosuggestathinglikethat!"

Poirotlookedathimwithinterest.Perhapssomethingintheshakinghands,thetremblingshrillness
ofthevoice,warnedhimthatthedenialwastoovehement,thatitsveryinsistencewasinitself
suspect.Hecontentedhimselfwithsaying:

"AndwheredoIcomein,Monsieur?"

BenedictFarleycalmeddownsuddenly.Hetappedwithanemphaticfingeronthetablebesidehim.

"There'sanotherpossibility.Andifit'sright,you'rethemantoknowaboutit!You'refamous,you've
hadhundredsofcasesfantastic,improbablecases!You'dknowifanyonedoes."

"Knowwhat?"

Farley'svoicedroppedtoawhisper.

"Supposingsomeonewantstokillme...Couldtheydoitthisway?Couldtheymakemedreamthat
dreamnightafternight?"

"Hypnotism,youmean?"

"Yes."

HerculePoirotconsideredthequestion.

"Itwouldbepossible,Isuppose,"hesaidatlast."Itismoreaquestionforadoctor."

"Youdon'tknowofsuchacaseinyourexperience?"

"Notpreciselyonthoselines,no."

"YouseewhatI'mdrivingat?I'mmadetodreamthesamedream,nightafternight,nightafternight
andthenonedaythesuggestionistoomuchformeandIactuponit.IdowhatI'vedreamedof
sooftenkillmyself!"

SlowlyHerculePoirotshookhishead.

"Youdon'tthinkthatispossible?"askedFarley.

"Possible?"Poirotshookhishead."ThatisnotawordIcaretomeddlewith."
"Butyouthinkitimprobable?"

"Mostimprobable."

BenedictFarleymurmured,"Thedoctorsaidsotoo..."Thenhisvoicerisingshrillyagain,hecriedout,
"ButwhydoIhavethisdream?Why?Why?"

HerculePoirotshookhishead.BenedictFarleysaidabruptly,"You'resureyou'venevercomeacross
anythinglikethisinyourexperience?"

"Never."

"That'swhatIwantedtoknow."

Delicately,Poirotclearedhisthroat.

"Youpermit,"hesaid,"aquestion?"

"Whatisit?Whatisit?Saywhatyoulike."

"Whoisityoususpectofwantingtokillyou?"

Farleysnappedout,"Nobody.Nobodyatall."

"Buttheideapresenteditselftoyourmind?"Poirotpersisted.

"Iwantedtoknowifitwasapossibility."

"Speakingfrommyownexperience,IshouldsayNo.Haveyoueverbeenhypnotized,bytheway?"

"Ofcoursenot.D'youthinkI'dlendmyselftosuchtomfoolery?"

"ThenIthinkonecansaythatyourtheoryisdefinitelyimprobable."

"Butthedream,youfool,thedream."

"Thedreamiscertainlyremarkable,"saidPoirotthoughtfully.Hepausedandthenwenton."Ishould
liketoseethesceneofthisdramathetable,theclock,andtherevolver."

"Ofcourse,I'lltakeyounextdoor."

Wrappingthefoldsofhisdressinggownroundhim,theoldmanhalfrosefromhischair.Then
suddenly,asthoughathoughthadstruckhim,heresumedhisseat.

"No,"hesaid."There'snothingtoseethere.I'vetoldyouallthereistotell."

"ButIshouldliketoseeformyself"

"There'snoneed,"Farleysnapped."You'vegivenmeyouropinion.That'stheend."

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders."Asyouplease."

Herosetohisfeet."Iamsorry,MrFarley,thatIhavenotbeenabletobeofassistancetoyou."

BenedictFarleywasstaringstraightaheadofhim.
"Don'twantalotofhankypankyingaround,"hegrowledout."I'vetoldyouthefactsyoucan't
makeanythingofthem.Thatclosesthematter.Youcansendmeinabillforaconsultationfee."

"Ishallnotfailtodoso,"saidthedetectivedryly.Hewalkedtowardsthedoor.

"Stopaminute."Themillionairecalledhimback."ThatletterIwantit."

"Theletterfromyoursecretary?"

"Yes."

Poirot'seyebrowsrose.Heputhishandintohispocket,drewoutafoldedsheet,andhandeditto
theoldman.Thelatterscrutinizedit,thenputitdownonthetablebesidehimwithanod.

OncemoreHerculePoirotwalkedtothedoor.Hewaspuzzled.Hisbusymindwasgoingoverand
overthestoryhehadbeentold.Yetinthemidstofhismentalpreoccupation,anaggingsenseof
somethingwrongobtrudeditselfAndthatsomethinghadtodowithhimselfnotwithBenedict
Farley.

Withhishandonthedoorknob,hismindcleared.He,HerculePoirot,hadbeenguiltyofanerror!He
turnedbackintotheroomoncemore.

"Athousandpardons!IntheinterestofyourproblemIhavecommittedafolly!ThatletterIhanded
toyoubymischanceIputmyhandintomyrighthandpocketinsteadoftheleft"

"What'sallthis?What'sallthis?"

"TheletterthatIhandedyoujustnowanapologyfrommylaundressconcerningthetreatmentof
mycollars."Poirotwassmiling,apologetic.Hedippedintohislefthandpocket."Thisisyourletter."

BenedictFarleysnatchedatitgrunted:"Whythedevilcan'tyoumindwhatyou'redoing?"

Poirotretrievedhislaundress'scommunication,apologizedgracefullyoncemore,andlefttheroom.

Hepausedforamomentoutsideonthelanding.Itwasaspaciousone.Directlyfacinghimwasabig
oldoaksettlewitharefectorytableinfrontofit.Onthetableweremagazines.Therewerealsotwo
armchairsandatablewithflowers.Itremindedhimalittleofadentist'swaitingroom.

Thebutlerwasinthehallbelowwaitingtolethimout.

"CanIgetyouataxi,sir?"

"No,Ithankyou.Thenightisfine.Iwillwalk."

HerculePoirotpausedamomentonthepavementwaitingforalullinthetrafficbeforecrossingthe
busystreet.

Afrowncreasedhisforehead.

"No,"hesaidtohimself."Idonotunderstandatall.Nothingmakessense.Regrettabletohaveto
admitit,butI,HerculePoirot,amcompletelybaffled."

Thatwaswhatmightbetermedthefirstactofthedrama.Thesecondactfollowedaweeklater.It
openedwithatelephonecallfromoneJohnStillingfleet,M.D.

Hesaidwitharemarkablelackofmedicaldecorum:

"Thatyou,Poirot,oldhorse?Stillingfleethere."

"Yes,myfriend.Whatisit?"

"I'mspeakingfromNorthwayHouseBenedictFarley's."

"Ah,yes?"Poirot'svoicequickenedwithinterest."WhatofMrFarley?"

"Farley'sdead.Shothimselfthisafternoon."

Therewasapause,thenPoirotsaid:

"Yes..."

"Inoticeyou'renotovercomewithsurprise.Knowsomethingaboutit,oldhorse?"

"Whyshouldyouthinkthat?"

"Well,itisn'tbrilliantdeductionortelepathyoranythinglikethat.WefoundanotefromFarleyto
youmakinganappointmentaboutaweekago."

"Isee."

"We'vegotatamepoliceinspectorheregottobecareful,youknow,whenoneofthesemillionaire
blokesbumpshimselfoff.Wonderedwhetheryoucouldthrowanylightonthecase.Ifso,perhaps
you'dcomeround?"

"Iwillcomeimmediately."

"Goodforyou,oldboy.Somedirtyworkatthecrossroadseh?"

Poirotmerelyrepeatedthathewouldsetforthimmediately.

"Don'twanttospillthebeansoverthetelephone?Quiteright.Solong."

AquarterofanhourlaterPoirotwassittinginthelibrary,alowlongroomatthebackofNorthway
Houseonthegroundfloor.Therewerefiveotherpersonsintheroom.InspectorBarnett,Dr
Stillingfleet,MrsFarley,thewidowofthemillionaire,JoannaFarley,hisonlydaughter,andHugo
Cornworthy,hisprivatesecretary.

Ofthese,InspectorBarnettwasadiscreetsoldierlylookingman.DrStillingfleet,whoseprofessional
mannerwasentirelydifferentfromhistelephonicstyle,wasatall,longfacedyoungmanofthirty.
MrsFarleywasobviouslyverymuchyoungerthanherhusband.Shewasahandsomedarkhaired
woman.Hermouthwashardandherblackeyesgaveabsolutelynocluetoheremotions.She
appearedperfectlyselfpossessed.JoannaFarleyhadfairhairandafreckledface.Theprominenceof
hernoseandchinwasclearlyinheritedfromherfather.Hereyeswereintelligentandshrewd.Hugo
Cornworthywasasomewhatcolorlessyoungman,verycorrectlydressed.Heseemedintelligentand
efficient.
Aftergreetingsandintroductions,Poirotnarratedsimplyandclearlythecircumstancesofhisvisit
andthestorytoldhimbyBenedictFarley.Hecouldnotcomplainofanylackofinterest.

"MostextraordinarystoryI'veeverheard!"saidtheinspector."Adream,eh?Didyouknowanything
aboutthis,MrsFarley?"

Shebowedherhead.

"Myhusbandmentionedittome.Itupsethimverymuch.IItoldhimitwasindigestionhisdiet,
youknow,wasverypeculiarandsuggestedhiscallinginDrStillingfleet."

Thatyoungmanshookhishead.

"Hedidn'tconsultme.FromM.Poirot'sstory,IgatherhewenttoHarleyStreet."

"Iwouldlikeyouradviceonthatpoint,doctor,"saidPoirot."MrFarleytoldmethatheconsulted
threespecialists.Whatdoyouthinkofthetheoriestheyadvanced?"

Stillingfleetfrowned.

"It'sdifficulttosay.You'vegottotakeintoaccountthatwhathepassedontoyouwasn'texactly
whathadbeensaidtohim.Itwasalayman'sinterpretation."

"Youmeanhehadgotthephraseologywrong?"

"Notexactly.Imeantheywouldputathingtohiminprofessionalterms,he'dgetthemeaningalittle
distorted,andthenrecastitinhisownlanguage."

"Sothatwhathetoldmewasnotreallywhatthedoctorssaid."

"That'swhatitamountsto.He'sjustgotitallalittlewrong,ifyouknowwhatImean."

Poirotnoddedthoughtfully."Isitknownwhomheconsulted?"heasked.

MrsFarleyshookherhead,andJoannaFarleyremarked:

"Noneofushadanyideahehadconsultedanyone."

"Didhespeaktoyouabouthisdream?"askedPoirot.

Thegirlshookherhead.

"Andyou,MrCornworthy?"

"No,hesaidnothingatall.Itookdownalettertoyouathisdictation,butIhadnoideawhyhe
wishedtoconsultyou.Ithoughtitmightpossiblyhavesomethingtodowithsomebusiness
irregularity."

Poirotasked:"AndnowastotheactualfactsofMrFarley'sdeath?"

InspectorBarnettlookedinterrogativelyatMrsFarleyandatDrStillingfleet,andthentookupon
himselftheroleofspokesman.
"MrFarleywasinthehabitofworkinginhisownroomonthefirstflooreveryafternoon.I
understandthattherewasabigamalgamationofbusinessesinprospect"

HelookedatHugoCornworthywhosaid,"ConsolidatedCoachlines."

"Inconnectionwiththat,"continuedInspectorBarnett,"MrFarleyhadagreedtogiveaninterviewto
twomembersofthePress.Heveryseldomdidanythingofthekindonlyaboutonceinfiveyears,I
understand.Accordinglytworeporters,onefromtheAssociatedNewsgroups,andonefrom
AmalgamatedPresssheets,arrivedataquarterpastthreebyappointment.Theywaitedonthefirst
flooroutsideMrFarley'sdoorwhichwasthecustomaryplaceforpeopletowaitwhohadan
appointmentwithMrFarley.Attwentypastthreeamessengerarrivedfromtheofficeof
ConsolidatedCoachlineswithsomeurgentpapers.HewasshownintoMrFarley'sroomwherehe
handedoverthedocuments.MrFarleyaccompaniedhimtothedooroftheroom,andfromthere
spoketothetwomembersofthePress.Hesaid:

"'Iamsorry,gentlemen,tohavetokeepyouwaiting,butIhavesomeurgentbusinesstoattendto.I
willbeasquickasIcan.'

"Thetwogentlemen,MrAdamsandMrStoddart,assuredMrFarleythattheywouldawaithis
convenience.Hewentbackintohisroom,shutthedoorandwasneverseenaliveagain!"

"Continue,"saidPoirot.

"Atalittleafterfouro'clock,"wentontheinspector,"MrCornworthyherecameoutofhisroom
whichisnextdoortoMrFarley's,andwassurprisedtoseethetworeportersstillwaiting.Hewanted
MrFarley'ssignaturetosomelettersandthoughthehadalsobetterremindhimthatthesetwo
gentlemenwerewaiting.HeaccordinglywentintoMrFarley'sroom.Tohissurprisehecouldnotat
firstseeMrFarleyandthoughttheroomwasempty.Thenhecaughtsightofabootstickingout
behindthedesk(whichisplacedinfrontofthewindow).HewentquicklyacrossanddiscoveredMr
Farleylyingtheredead,witharevolverbesidehim.

"MrCornworthyhurriedoutoftheroomanddirectedthebutlertoringupDrStillingfieet.Bythe
latter'sadvice,MrCornworthyalsoinformedthepolice."

"Wastheshotheard?"askedPoirot.

"No.Thetrafficisverynoisyhere,thelandingwindowwasopen.Whatwithlorriesandmotorhorns
itwouldbemostunlikelyifithadbeennoticed."

Poirotnoddedthoughtfully."Whattimeisitsupposedhedied?"heasked.

Stillingfieetsaid:

"IexaminedthebodyassoonasIgotherethatis,atthirtytwominutespastfour.MrFarleyhad
beendeadatleastanhour."

Poirot'sfacewasverygrave.

"Sothen,itseemspossiblethathisdeathcouldhaveoccurredatthetimehementionedtomethat
is,attwentyeightminutespastthree."
"Exactly,"saidStillingfleet.

"Anyfingermarksontherevolver?"

"Yes,hisown."

"Andtherevolveritself?"

Theinspectortookupthetale.

"Wasonewhichhekeptinthesecondrighthanddrawerofhisdesk,justashetoldyou.MrsFarley
hasidentifieditpositively.Moreover,youunderstand,thereisonlyoneentrancetotheroom,the
doorgivingontothelanding.Thetworeportersweresittingexactlyoppositethatdoorandthey
swearthatnooneenteredtheroomfromthetimeMrFarleyspoketothem,untilMrCornworthy
entereditatalittleafterfouro'clock."

"SothatthereiseveryreasontosupposethatMrFarleycommittedsuicide?"

InspectorBarnettsmiledalittle.

"Therewouldhavebeennodoubtatallbutforonepoint."

"Andthat?"

"Theletterwrittentoyou."

Poirotsmiledtoo.

"Isee!WhereHerculePoirotisconcernedimmediatelythesuspicionofmurderarises!"

"Precisely,"saidtheinspectordryly."However,afteryourclearingupofthesituation"

Poirotinterruptedhim."Onelittleminute."

HeturnedtoMrsFarley."Hadyourhusbandeverbeenhypnotized?"

"Never."

"Hadhestudiedthequestionofhypnotism?Washeinterestedinthesubject?"

Sheshookherhead."Idon'tthinkso."

Suddenlyherselfcontrolseemedtobreakdown."Thathorribledream!It'suncanny!Thatheshould
havedreamedthatnightafternightandthenandthenit'sasthoughhewerehoundedto
death!"

PoirotrememberedBenedictFarleysaying"IproceedtodothatwhichIreallywishtodo.Iputan
endtomyself."

Hesaid,"Haditeveroccurredtoyouthatyourhusbandmightbetemptedtodoawaywithhimself?"

"Noatleastsometimeshewasveryqueer..."
JoannaFarley'svoicebrokeinclearandscornful."Fatherwouldneverhavekilledhimself.Hewasfar
toocarefulofhimself."

DrStillingfleetsaid,"Itisn'tthepeoplewhothreatentocommitsuicidewhousuallydoit,youknow,
MissFarley.That'swhysuicidessometimesseemunaccountable."

Poirotrosetohisfeet."Isitpermitted,"heasked,"thatIseetheroomwherethetragedyoccurred?"

"Certainly.DrStillingfleet"

ThedoctoraccompaniedPoirotupstairs.BenedictFarley'sroomwasamuchlargeronethanthe
secretary'snextdoor.Itwasluxuriouslyfurnishedwithdeepleathercoveredarmchairs,athickpile
carpet,andasuperboutsizewritingdesk.

Poirotpassedbehindthelattertowhereadarkstainonthecarpetshowedjustbeforethewindow.
Herememberedthemillionairesaying,"AttwentyeightminutespastthreeIopenthesecond
drawerdownontherightofmydesk,takeouttherevolverthatIkeepthere,loadit,andwalkover
tothewindow.AndthenandthenIshootmyself."

Henoddedslowly.Thenhesaid:

"Thewindowwasopenlikethis?"

"Yes.Butnobodycouldhavegotinthatway."

Poirotputhisheadout.Therewasnosillorparapetandnopipesnear.Notevenacatcouldhave
gainedaccessthatway.Oppositerosetheblankwallofthefactory,adeadwallwithnowindowsin
it.

Stillingfleetsaid,"Funnyroomforarichmantochooseashisownsanctumwiththatoutlook.It'slike
lookingoutontoaprisonwall."

"Yes,"saidPoirot.Hedrewhisheadinandstaredattheexpanseofsolidbrick."Ithink,"hesaid,
"thatthatwallisimportant."

Stillingfleetlookedathimcuriously."Youmeanpsychologically?"

Poirothadmovedtothedesk.Idly,orsoitseemed,hepickedupapairofwhatareusuallycalled
lazytongs.Hepressedthehandles;thetongsshotouttotheirfulllength.Delicately,Poirotpickedup
aburntmatchstumpwiththemfrombesideachairsomefeetawayandconveyeditcarefullytothe
wastepaperbasket.

"Whenyou'vefinishedplayingwiththosethings..."saidStillingfleetirritably.

HerculePoirotmurmured,"Aningeniousinvention,"andreplacedthetongsneatlyonthewriting
table.Thenheasked:

"WherewereMrsFarleyandMissFarleyatthetimeofthedeath?"

"MrsFarleywasrestinginherroomonthefloorabovethis.MissFarleywaspaintinginherstudioat
thetopofthehouse."
HerculePoirotdrummedidlywithhisfingersonthetableforaminuteortwo.Thenhesaid:

"IshouldliketoseeMissFarley.Doyouthinkyoucouldaskhertocomehereforaminuteortwo?"

"Ifyoulike."

Stillingfleetglancedathimcuriously,thenlefttheroom.Inanotherminuteortwothedooropened
andJoannaFarleycamein.

"Youdonotmind,mademoiselle,ifIaskyouafewquestions?"

Shereturnedhisglancecoolly."Pleaseaskanythingyouchoose."

"Didyouknowthatyourfatherkeptarevolverinhisdesk?"

"No."

"Wherewereyouandyourmotherthatistosayyourstepmotherthatisright?"

"Yes,Louiseismyfather'ssecondwife.SheisonlyeightyearsolderthanIam.Youwereabouttosay
?"

"WherewereyouandsheonThursdayoflastweek?Thatistosay,onThursdaynight."

Shereflectedforaminuteortwo.

"Thursday?Letmesee.Oh,yes,wehadgonetothetheater.ToseeLittleDogLaughed."

"Yourfatherdidnotsuggestaccompanyingyou?"

"Heneverwentouttotheaters."

"Whatdidheusuallydointheevenings?"

"Hesatinhereandread."

"Hewasnotaverysociableman?"

Thegirllookedathimdirectly."Myfather,"shesaid,"hadasingularlyunpleasantpersonality.No
onewholivedincloseassociationwithhimcouldpossiblybefondofhim."

"That,mademoiselle,isaverycandidstatement."

"Iamsavingyoutime,M.Poirot.Irealizequitewellwhatyouaregettingat.Mystepmothermarried
myfatherforhismoney.IliveherebecauseIhavenomoneytoliveelsewhere.ThereisamanIwish
tomarryapoorman;myfathersawtoitthathelosthisjob.Hewantedme,yousee,tomarrywell
aneasymattersinceIwastobehisheiress!"

"Yourfather'sfortunepassestoyou?"

"Yes.Thatis,heleftLouise,mystepmother,aquarterofamillionfreeoftax,andthereareother
legacies,buttheresiduegoestome."Shesmiledsuddenly."Soyousee,M.Poirot,Ihadevery
reasontodesiremyfather'sdeath!"
"Isee,mademoiselle,thatyouhaveinheritedyourfather'sintelligence."

Shesaidthoughtfully,"Fatherwasclever...Onefeltthatwithhimthathehadforcedrivingpower
butithadallturnedsourbittertherewasnohumanityleft..."

HerculePoirotsaidsoftly,"GrandDieu,butwhatanimbecileIam..."

JoannaFarleyturnedtowardsthedoor."Isthereanythingmore?"

"Twolittlequestions.Thesetongshere,"hepickedupthelazytongs,"weretheyalwaysonthe
table?"

"Yes.Fatherusedthemforpickingupthings.Hedidn'tlikestooping."

"Oneotherquestion.Wasyourfather'seyesightgood?"

Shestaredathim.

"Oh,nohecouldn'tseeatallImeanhecouldn'tseewithouthisglasses.Hissighthadalwaysbeen
badfromaboy."

"Butwithhisglasses?"

"Oh,hecouldseeallrightthen,ofcourse."

"Hecouldreadnewspapersandfineprint?"

"Oh,yes."

"Thatisall,mademoiselle."

Shewentoutoftheroom.

Poirotmurmured,"Iwasstupid.Itwasthere,allthetime,undermynose.Andbecauseitwassonear
Icouldnotseeit."

Heleanedoutofthewindowoncemore.Downbelow,inthenarrowwaybetweenthehouseand
thefactory,hesawasmalldarkobject.

HerculePoirotnodded,satisfied,andwentdownstairsagain.

Theotherswerestillinthelibrary.Poirotaddressedhimselftothesecretary:

"Iwantyou,MrCornworthy,torecounttomeindetailtheexactcircumstancesofMrFarley's
summonstome.When,forinstance,didMrFarleydictatethatletter?"

"OnWednesdayafternoonatfivethirty,asfarasIcanremember."

"Werethereanyspecialdirectionsaboutpostingit?"

"Hetoldmetopostitmyself."

"Andyoudidso?"
"Yes."

"Didhegiveanyspecialinstructionstothebutleraboutadmittingme?"

"Yes.HetoldmetotellHolmes(Holmesisthebutler)thatagentlemanwouldbecallingat9:30.He
wastoaskthegentleman'sname.Hewasalsotoasktoseetheletter."

"Ratherpeculiarprecautionstotake,don'tyouthink?"

Cornworthyshruggedhisshoulders.

"MrFarley,"hesaidcarefully,"wasratherapeculiarman."

"Anyotherinstructions?"

"Yes.Hetoldmetotaketheeveningoff."

"Didyoudoso?"

"Yes,immediatelyafterdinnerIwenttothecinema."

"Whendidyoureturn?"

"Iletmyselfinaboutaquarterpasteleven."

"DidyouseeMrFarleyagainthatevening?"

"No."

"Andhedidnotmentionthematterthenextmorning?"

"No."

Poirotpausedamoment,thenresumed,"WhenIarrivedIwasnotshownintoMrFarley'sown
room."

"No.HetoldmethatIwastotellHolmestoshowyouintomyroom."

"Whywasthat?Doyouknow?"

Cornworthyshookhishead."IneverquestionedanyofMrFarley'sorders,"hesaiddryly."Hewould
haveresenteditifIhad."

"Didheusuallyreceivevisitorsinhisownroom?"

"Usually,butnotalways.Sometimeshesawtheminmyroom."

"Wasthereanyreasonforthat?"

HugoCornworthyconsidered.

"NoIhardlythinksoI'veneverreallythoughtaboutit."

TurningtoMrsFarley,Poirotasked:
"YoupermitthatIringforyourbutler?"

"Certainly,M.Poirot."

Verycorrect,veryurbane,Holmesansweredthebell.

"Yourang,madam?"

MrsFarleyindicatedPoirotwithagesture.

Holmesturnedpolitely."Yes,sir?"

"Whatwereyourinstructions,Holmes,ontheThursdaynightwhenIcamehere?"

Holmesclearedhisthroat,thensaid:

"AfterdinnerMrCornworthytoldmethatMrFarleyexpectedaMrHerculePoirotat9:30.Iwasto
ascertainthegentleman'sname,andIwastoverifytheinformationbyglancingataletter.ThenI
wastoshowhimuptoMrCornworthy'sroom."

"Wereyoualsotoldtoknockonthedoor?"

Anexpressionofdistastecrossedthebutler'scountenance.

"ThatwasoneofMrFarley'sorders.Iwasalwaystoknockwhenintroducingvisitorsbusiness
visitors,thatis,"headded.

"Ah,thatpuzzledme!Wereyougivenanyotherinstructionsconcerningme?"

"No,sir.WhenMrCornworthyhadtoldmewhatIhavejustrepeatedtoyouhewentout."

"Whattimewasthat?"

"Tenminutestonine,sir."

"DidyouseeMrFarleyafterthat?"

"Yes,sir,Itookhimupaglassofhotwaterasusualatnineo'clock."

"WashetheninhisownroomorinMrCornworthy's?"

"Hewasinhisownroom,sir."

"Younoticednothingunusualaboutthatroom?"

"Unusual?No,sir."

"WherewereMrsFarleyandMissFarley?"

"Theyhadgonetothetheater,sir."

"Thankyou,Holmes,thatwilldo."

Holmesbowedandlefttheroom.Poirotturnedtothemillionaire'swidow.
"Onemorequestion,MrsFarley.Hadyourhusbandgoodsight?"

"No.Notwithouthisglasses."

"Hewasveryshortsighted?"

"Oh,yes,hewasquitehelplesswithouthisspectacles."

"Hehadseveralpairsofglasses?"

"Yes."

"Ah,"saidPoirot.Heleanedback."Ithinkthatthatconcludesthecase..."

Therewassilenceintheroom.Theywerealllookingatthelittlemanwhosattherecomplacently
strokinghismustache.Ontheinspector'sfacewasperplexity,DrStillingfleetwasfrowning,
Cornworthymerelystareduncomprehendingly,MrsFarleygazedinblankastonishment,Joanna
Farleylookedeager.

MrsFarleybrokethesilence.

"Idon'tunderstand,M.Poirot."Hervoicewasfretful."Thedream"

"Yes,"saidPoirot."Thatdreamwasveryimportant."

MrsFarleyshivered.Shesaid:

"I'veneverbelievedinanythingsupernaturalbeforebutnowtodreamitnightafternight
beforehand"

"It'sextraordinary,"saidStillingfieet."Extraordinary!Ifwehadn'tgotyourwordforit,Poirot,andif
youhadn'thaditstraightfromthehorse'smouth"hecoughedinembarrassment,andreadopting
hisprofessionalmanner,"Ibegyourpardon,MrsFarley.IfMrFarleyhimselfhadnottoldthatstory
"

"Exactly,"saidPoirot.Hiseyes,whichhadbeenhalfclosed,openedsuddenly.Theywereverygreen.
"IfBenedictFarleyhadn'ttoldme"

Hepausedaminute,lookingroundatacircleofblankfaces.

"Therearecertainthings,youcomprehend,thathappenedthateveningwhichIwasquiteatalossto
explain.First,whymakesuchapointofmybringingthatletterwithme?"

"Identification,"suggestedCornworthy.

"No,no,mydearyoungman.Reallythatideaistooridiculous.Theremustbesomemuchmorevalid
reason.FornotonlydidMrFarleyrequiretoseethatletterproduced,buthedefinitelydemanded
thatIshouldleaveitbehindme.Andmoreovereventhenhedidnotdestroyit!Itwasfoundamong
hispapersthisafternoon.Whydidhekeepit?"

JoannaFarley'svoicebrokein."Hewanted,incaseanythinghappenedtohim,thatthefactsofhis
strangedreamshouldbemadeknown."
Poirotnoddedapprovingly.

"Youareastute,Mademoiselle.Thatmustbethatcanonlybethepointofthekeepingofthe
letter.WhenMrFarleywasdead,thestoryofthatstrangedreamwastobetold!Thatdreamwas
veryimportant.Thatdream,Mademoiselle,wasvital!

"Iwillcomenow,"hewenton,"tothesecondpoint.AfterhearinghisstoryIaskMrFarleytoshow
methedeskandtherevolver.Heseemsabouttogetuptodoso,thensuddenlyrefuses.Whydidhe
refuse?"

Thistimenooneadvancedananswer.

"Iwillputthatquestiondifferently.WhatwasthereinthatnextroomthatMrFarleydidnotwant
metosee?"

Therewasstillsilence.

"Yes,"saidPoirot,"itisdifficult,that.AndyettherewassomereasonsomeurgentreasonwhyMr
Farleyreceivedmeinhissecretary'sroomandrefusedpointblanktotakemeintohisownroom.
Therewassomethinginthatroomhecouldnotaffordtohavemesee.

"AndnowIcometothethirdinexplicablethingthathappenedonthatevening.MrFarley,justasI
wasleaving,requestedmetohandhimtheletterIhadreceived.ByinadvertenceIhandedhima
communicationfrommylaundress.Heglancedatitandlaiditdownbesidehim.JustbeforeIleftthe
roomIdiscoveredmyerrorandrectifiedit!AfterthatIleftthehouseandIadmititIwas
completelyatsea!Thewholeaffairandespeciallythatlastincidentseemedtomequite
inexplicable."

Helookedroundfromonetotheother.

"Youdonotsee?"

Stillingfleetsaid,"Idon'treallyseehowyourlaundresscomesintoit,Poirot."

"Mylaundress,"saidPoirot,"wasveryimportant.Thatmiserablewomanwhoruinsmycollars,was,
forthefirsttimeinherlife,usefultosomebody.Surelyyouseeitissoobvious.MrFarleyglancedat
thatcommunicationoneglancewouldhavetoldhimthatitwasthewrongletterandyetheknew
nothing.Why?Becausehecouldnotseeitproperly!"

InspectorBarnettsaidsharply,"Didn'thehavehisglasseson?"

HerculePoirotsmiled."Yes,"hesaid."Hehadhisglasseson.Thatiswhatmakesitsovery
interesting."

Heleanedforward.

"MrFarley'sdreamwasveryimportant.Hedreamed,yousee,thathecommittedsuicide.Andalittle
lateron,hedidcommitsuicide.Thatistosayhewasaloneinaroomandwasfoundtherewitha
revolverbyhim,andnooneenteredorlefttheroomatthetimethathewasshot.Whatdoesthat
mean?Itmeans,doesitnot,thatitmustbesuicide!"

"Yes,"saidStillingfleet.
HerculePoirotshookhishead.

"Onthecontrary,"hesaid."Itwasmurder.Anunusualandaverycleverlyplannedmurder."

Againheleanedforward,tappingthetable,hiseyesgreenandshining.

"WhydidMrFarleynotallowmetogointohisownroomthatevening?Whatwasthereintherethat
Imustnotbeallowedtosee?Ithink,myfriends,thattherewasBenedictFarleyhimself!"

Hesmiledattheblankfaces.

"Yes,yes,itisnotnonsensewhatIsay.WhycouldtheMrFarleytowhomIhadbeentalkingnot
realizethedifferencebetweentwototallydissimilarletters?Because,mesamis,hewasamanof
normalsightwearingapairofverypowerfulglasses.Thoseglasseswouldrenderamanofnormal
eyesightpracticallyblind.Isn'tthatso,doctor?"

Stillingfleetmurmured,"That'ssoofcourse."

"WhydidIfeelthatintalkingtoMrFarleyIwastalkingtoamountebank,toanactorplayingapart?
Becausehewasplayingapart!Considerthesetting.Thedimroom,thegreenshadedlightturned
blindinglyawayfromthefigureinthechair.WhatdidIseethefamouspatchworkdressinggown,
thebeakednose(fakedwiththatusefulsubstance,noseputty),thewhitecrestofhair,thepowerful
lensesconcealingtheeyes.WhatevidenceistherethatMrFarleyeverhadadream?OnlythestoryI
wastoldandtheevidenceofMrsFarley.WhatevidenceistherethatBenedictFarleykeptarevolver
inhisdesk?AgainonlythestorytoldmeandthewordofMrsFarley.Twopeoplecarriedthisfraud
throughMrsFarleyandHugoCornworthy.Cornworthywrotethelettertome,gaveinstructionsto
thebutler,wentoutostensiblytothecinema,butlethimselfinagainimmediatelywithakey,went
tohisroom,madehimselfup,andplayedthepartofBenedictFarley.

"Andsowecometothisafternoon.TheopportunityforwhichMrCornworthyhasbeenwaiting
arrives.TherearetwowitnessesonthelandingtoswearthatnoonegoesinoroutofBenedict
Farley'sroom.Cornworthywaitsuntilaparticularlyheavybatchoftrafficisabouttopass.Thenhe
leansoutofhiswindow,andwiththelazytongswhichhehaspurloinedfromthedesknextdoorhe
holdsanobjectagainstthewindowofthatroom.BenedictFarleycomestothewindow.Cornworthy
snatchesbackthetongsandasFarleyleansout,andthelorriesarepassingoutside,Cornworthy
shootshimwiththerevolverthathehasready.Thereisablankwallopposite,remember.Therecan
benowitnessofthecrime.Cornworthywaitsforoverhalfanhour,thengathersupsomepapers,
concealsthelazytongsandtherevolverbetweenthem,andgoesoutontothelandingandintothe
nextroom.Hereplacesthetongsonthedesk,laysdowntherevolverafterpressingthedeadman's
fingersonit,andhurriesoutwiththenewsofMrFarley's'suicide.'

"HearrangesthatthelettertomeshallbefoundandthatIshallarrivewithmystorythestoryI
heardfromMrFarley'sownlipsofhisextraordinary'dream'thestrangecompulsionhefelttokill
himself!Afewcredulouspeoplewilldiscussthehypnotismtheorybutthemainresultwillbeto
confirmwithoutadoubtthattheactualhandthatheldtherevolverwasBenedictFarley'sown."

HerculePoirot'seyeswenttothewidow'sfacethedismaytheashypallortheblindfear.

"Andinduecourse,"hefinishedgently,"thehappyendingwouldhavebeenachieved.Aquarterofa
millionandtwoheartsthatbeatasone..."


JohnStillingfleet,M.D.,andHerculePoirotwalkedalongthesideofNorthwayHouse.Ontheirright
wasthetoweringwallofthefactory.Abovethem,ontheirleft,werethewindowsofBenedict
Farley'sandHugoCornworthy'srooms.HerculePoirotstoppedandpickedupasmallobjectablack
stuffedcat.

"Voil,"hesaid."ThatiswhatCornworthyheldinthelazytongsagainstFarley'swindow.You
remember,hehatedcats?Naturallyherushedtothewindow."

"Whyonearthdidn'tCornworthycomeoutandpickitupafterhe'ddroppedit?"

"Howcouldhe?Todosowouldhavebeendefinitelysuspicious.Afterall,ifthisobjectwherefound
whatwouldanyonethinkthatsomechildhadwanderedroundhereanddroppedit."

"Yes,"saidStillingfleetwithasigh."That'sprobablywhattheordinarypersonwouldhavethought.
ButnotgoodoldHercule!D'youknow,oldhorse,uptotheverylastminuteIthoughtyouwere
leadinguptosomesubtletheoryofhighfalutin'psychological'suggested'murder?Ibetthosetwo
thoughtsotoo!Nastybitofgoods,theFarley.Goodness,howshecracked!Cornworthymighthave
gotawaywithitifshehadn'thadhystericsandtriedtospoilyourbeautybygoingforyouwithher
nails.Ionlygotheroffyoujustintime."

Hepausedaminuteandthensaid:

"Iratherlikethegirl.Grit,youknow,andbrains.IsupposeI'dbethoughttobeafortunehunterifI
hadashotather...?"

"Youaretoolate,myfriend.Thereisalreadysomeonesurletapis.Herfather'sdeathhasopenedthe
waytohappiness."

"Takeitallround,shehadaprettygoodmotiveforbumpingofftheunpleasantparent."

"Motiveandopportunityarenotenough,"saidPoirot."Theremustalsobethecriminal
temperament!"

"Iwonderifyou'llevercommitacrime,Poirot?"saidStillingfleet."Ibetyoucouldgetawaywithitall
right.Asamatteroffact,itwouldbetooeasyforyouImeanthethingwouldbeoffasdefinitely
toounsporting."

"That,"saidPoirot,"isatypicallyEnglishidea."

GREENSHAW'SFOLLY

Thetwomenroundedthecorneroftheshrubbery.

"Well,thereyouare,"saidRaymondWest."That'sit."

HoraceBindlertookadeep,appreciativebreath.
"Howwonderful,"hecried.Hisvoiceroseinahighscreechofaestheticdelight,thendeepenedin
reverentawe."It'sunbelievable.Outofthisworld!Aperiodpieceofthebest."

"Ithoughtyou'dlikeit,"saidRaymondWestcomplacently.

"Likeit?"WordsfailedHorace.Heunbuckledthestrapofhiscameraandgotbusy."Thiswillbeone
ofthegemsofmycollection,"hesaidhappily."Idothink,don'tyou,thatit'sratheramusingtohave
acollectionofmonstrosities?Theideacametomeonenightsevenyearsagoinmybath.Mylastreal
gemwasintheCampoSantoatGenoa,butIreallythinkthisbeatsit.What'sitcalled?"

"Ihaven'ttheleastidea,"saidRaymond.

"Isupposeit'sgotaname?"

"Itmusthave.Butthefactisthatit'sneverreferredtoroundhereasanythingbutGreenshaw's
Folly."

"Greenshawbeingthemanwhobuiltit?"

"Yes.Ineighteensixtyorseventyorthereabouts.Thelocalsuccessstoryofthetime.Barefootboy
whohadrisentoimmenseprosperity.Localopinionisdividedastowhyhebuiltthishouse,whether
itwassheerexuberanceofwealthorwhetheritwasdonetoimpresshiscreditors.Ifthelatter,it
didn'timpressthem.Heeitherwentbankruptorthenextthingtoit.Hencethename,Greenshaw's
Folly."Horace'scameraclicked.

"There,"hesaidinasatisfiedvoice."RemindmetoshowyouNumberThreeteninmycollection.A
reallyincrediblemarblemantelpieceintheItalianmanner."Headded,lookingatthehouse,"Ican't
conceiveofhowMrGreenshawthoughtofitall."

"Ratherobviousinsomeways,"saidRaymond."HehadvisitedthechteauxoftheLoire,don'tyou
think?Thoseturrets.Andthen,ratherunfortunately,heseemstohavetravelledintheOrient.The
influenceoftheTajMahalisunmistakable.IratherliketheMoorishwing,"headded,"andthetraces
ofaVenetianpalace."

"Onewondershowheevergotholdofanarchitecttocarryouttheseideas."

Raymondshruggedhisshoulders.

"Nodifficultyaboutthat,Iexpect,"hesaid."Probablythearchitectretiredwithagoodincomefor
lifewhilepooroldGreenshawwentbankrupt."

"Couldwelookatitfromtheotherside?"askedHorace,"orarewetrespassing?"

"We'retrespassingallright,"saidRaymond,"butIdon'tthinkitwillmatter."

HeturnedtowardthecornerofthehouseandHoraceskippedafterhim.

"Butwholiveshere?Orphansorholidayvisitors?Itcan'tbeaschool.Noplayingfieldsorbrisk
efficiency."

"Oh,aGreenshawlivesherestill,"saidRaymondoverhisshoulder."Thehouseitselfdidn'tgointhe
crash.OldGreenshaw'ssoninheritedit.Hewasabitofamiserandlivedhereinacornerofit.Never
spentapenny.Probablyneverhadapennytospend.Hisdaughterlivesherenow.Oldladyvery
eccentric."

AshespokeRaymondwascongratulatinghimselfonhavingthoughtofGreenshaw'sFollyasameans
ofentertaininghisguest.Theseliterarycriticsalwaysprofessedthemselvesaslongingforaweekend
inthecountryandwerewonttofindthecountryextremelyboringwhentheygotthere.Tomorrow
therewouldbetheSundaypapers,andfortodayRaymondWestcongratulatedhimselfon
suggestingavisittoGreenshaw'sFollytoenrichHoraceBindler'swellknowncollectionof
monstrosities.

Theyturnedthecornerofthehouseandcameoutonaneglectedlawn.Inonecornerofitwasa
largeartificialrockery,andbendingoveritwasafigureatthesightofwhichHoraceclutched
Raymonddelightedlybythearm.

"Doyouseewhatshe'sgoton?"heexclaimed."Aspriggedprintdress.Justlikeahousemaidwhen
therewerehousemaids.Oneofmymostcherishedmemoriesisstayingatahouseinthecountry
whenIwasquiteaboywherearealhousemaidcalledyouinthemorning,allcracklinginaprint
dressandacap.Yes,myboy,reallyacap.Muslinwithstreamers.No,perhapsitwasthe
parlourmaidwhohadthestreamers.Butanyway,shewasarealhousemaidandshebroughtinan
enormousbrasscanofhotwater.Whatanexcitingdaywe'rehaving."

Thefigureintheprintdresshadstraightenedupandturnedtowardthem,trowelinhand.Shewasa
sufficientlystartlingfigure.Unkemptlocksofirongreyfellwispilyonhershoulders,andastrawhat,
ratherlikethehatsthathorseswearinItaly,wascrammeddownonherhead.Thecolouredprint
dresssheworefellnearlytoherankles.Outofaweatherbeaten,nottoocleanface,shrewdeyes
surveyedthemappraisingly.

"Imustapologizefortrespassing,MissGreenshaw,"saidRaymondWest,asheadvancedtowardher,
"butMrHoraceBindlerwhoisstayingwithme"

Horacebowedandremovedhishat.

"ismostinterestedinerancienthistoryanderfinebuildings."

RaymondWestspokewiththeeaseofafamousauthorwhoknowsthatheisacelebrity,thathecan
venturewhereotherpeoplemaynot.

MissGreenshawlookedupatthesprawlingexuberancebehindher.

"Itisafinehouse,"shesaidappreciatively."Mygrandfatherbuiltitbeforemytime,ofcourse.Heis
reportedashavingsaidthathewishedtoastonishthenatives."

"I'llsayhedidthat,ma'am,"saidHoraceBindler.

"MrBindleristhewellknownliterarycritic,"saidRaymondWest.

MissGreenshawhadclearlynoreverenceforliterarycritics.Sheremainedunimpressed.

"Iconsiderit,"saidMissGreenshaw,referringtothehouse,"asamonumenttomygrandfather's
genius.SillyfoolscomehereandaskmewhyIdon'tsellitandgoandliveinaflat.WhatwouldIdo
inaflat?It'smyhomeandIliveint,"saidMissGreenshaw."Alwayshavelivedhere."She
considered,broodingoverthepast."Therewerethreeofus.Lauramarriedthecurate.Papa
wouldn'tgiveheranymoney,saidclergymenoughttobeunworldly.Shedied,havingababy.Baby
diedtoo.Nettieranawaywiththeridingmaster.Papacutheroutofhiswill,ofcourse.Handsome
fellow,HarryFletcher,butnogood.Don'tthinkNettiewashappywithhim.Anyway,shedidn'tlive
long.Theyhadason.Hewritestomesometimes,butofcourseheisn'taGreenshaw.I'mthelastof
theGreenshaws."Shedrewupherbentshoulderswithacertainprideandreadjustedtherakish
angleofthestrawhat.Then,turning,shesaidsharply:

"Yes,MrsCresswell,whatisit?"

Approachingthemfromthehousewasafigurethat,seensidebysidewithMissGreenshaw,seemed
ludicrouslydissimilar.MrsCresswellhadamarvelouslydressedheadofwellbluedhairtowering
upwardinmeticulouslyarrangedcurlsandrolls.Itwasasthoughshehaddressedherheadtogoasa
Frenchmarquisetoafancydressparty.Therestofhermiddleagedpersonwasdressedinwhat
oughttohavebeenrustlingblacksilkbutwasactuallyoneoftheshiniervarietiesofblackrayon.
Althoughshewasnotalargewoman,shehadawelldevelopedandsumptuousbosom.Hervoice
wasunexpectedlydeep.Shespokewithexquisitedictiononlyaslighthesitationoverwords
beginningwithh,andthefinalpronunciationofthemwithanexaggeratedaspirategaverisetoa
suspicionthatatsomeremoteperiodinheryouthshemighthavehadtroubleoverdroppingherh's.

"Thefish,madam,"saidMrsCresswell,"thesliceofcod.Ithasnotarrived.IhaveaskedAlfredtogo
downforitandherefuses."

Ratherunexpectedly,MissGreenshawgaveacackleoflaughter.

"Refuses,doeshe?"

"Alfred,madam,hasbeenmostdisobliging."

MissGreenshawraisedtwoearthstainedfingerstoherlips,suddenlyproducedanearsplitting
whistle,andatthesametimeyelled,"Alfred,Alfred,comehere."

Roundthecornerofthehouseayoungmanappearedinanswertothesummons,carryingaspadein
hishand.Hehadabold,handsomeface,andashedrewnearhecastanunmistakablymalevolent
glancetowardMrsCresswell.

"Youwantedme,miss?"hesaid.

"Yes,Alfred.Ihearyou'verefusedtogodownforthefish.Whataboutit,eh?"

Alfredspokeinasurlyvoice.

"I'llgodownforitifyouwantsit,miss.You'veonlygottosay."

"Idowantit.Iwantitformysupper."

"Rightyouare,miss.I'llgorightaway."

HethrewaninsolentglanceatMrsCresswell,whoflushedandmurmuredbelowherbreath.

"NowthatIthinkofit,"saidMissGreenshaw,"acoupleofstrangevisitorsarejustwhatweneed,
aren'tthey,MrsCresswell?"
MrsCresswelllookedpuzzled.

"I'msorry,madam"

"Foryouknowwhat,"saidMissGreenshaw,noddingherhead."Beneficiarytoawillmustn'twitness
it.That'sright,isn'tit?"SheappealedtoRaymondWest.

"Quitecorrect,"saidRaymond.

"Iknowenoughlawtoknowthat,"saidMissGreenshaw,"andyoutwoaremenofstanding."

Sheflungdownthetrowelonherweedingbasket.

"Wouldyoumindcominguptothelibrarywithme?"

"Delighted,"saidHoraceeagerly.

SheledthewaythroughFrenchwindowsandthroughavastyellowandgolddrawingroomwith
fadedbrocadeonthewallsanddustcoversarrangedoverthefurniture,thenthroughalargedim
hall,upastaircase,andintoaroomonthesecondfloor.

"Mygrandfather'slibrary,"sheannounced.

Horacelookedroundwithacutepleasure.Itwasaroomfromhispointofviewquitefullof
monstrosities.Theheadsofsphinxesappearedonthemostunlikelypiecesoffurniture;therewasa
colossalbronzerepresenting,hethought,PaulandVirginia,andavastbronzeclockwithclassical
motifsofwhichhelongedtotakeaphotograph.

"Afinelotofbooks,"saidMissGreenshaw.

Raymondwasalreadylookingatthebooks.Fromwhathecouldseefromacursoryglancetherewas
nobookhereofanyrealinterestor,indeed,anybookwhichappearedtohavebeenread.Theywere
allsuperblyboundsetsoftheclassicsassuppliedninetyyearsagoforfurnishingagentleman's
library.Somenovelsofabygoneperiodwereincluded.Buttheytooshowedlittlesignsofhaving
beenread.

MissGreenshawwasfumblinginthedrawersofavastdesk.Finallyshepulledoutaparchment
document.

"Mywill,"sheexplained."Gottoleaveyourmoneytosomeoneorsotheysay.IfIdiedwithouta
will,Isupposethatsonofahorsetraderwouldgetit.Handsomefellow,HarryFletcher,butarogueif
evertherewasone.Don'tseewhyhissonshouldinheritthisplace.No,"shewenton,asthough
answeringsomeunspokenobjection,"I'vemadeupmymind.I'mleavingittoCresswell."

"Yourhousekeeper?"

"Yes.I'veexplainedittoher.ImakeawillleavingherallI'vegotandthenIdon'tneedtopayherany
wages.Savesmealotincurrentexpenses,anditkeepsheruptothemark.Nogivingmenoticeand
walkingoffatanyminute.Veryladidahandallthat,isn'tshe?Butherfatherwasaworking
plumberinaverysmallway.She'snothingtogiveherselfairsabout."
BynowMissGreenshawhadunfoldedtheparchment.Pickingupapen,shedippeditintheinkstand
andwrotehersignature,KatherineDorothyGreenshaw.

"That'sright,"shesaid."You'veseenmesignit,andthenyoutwosignit,andthatmakesitlegal."

ShehandedthepentoRaymondWest.Hehesitatedamoment,feelinganunexpectedrepulsionto
whathewasaskedtodo.Thenhequicklyscrawledhiswellknownautograph,forwhichhis
morning'smailusuallybroughtatleastsixrequests.

Horacetookthepenfromhimandaddedhisownminutesignature.

"That'sdone,"saidMissGreenshaw.

Shemovedacrossthebookcasesandstoodlookingatthemuncertainly,thensheopenedaglass
door,tookoutabook,andslippedthefoldedparchmentinside.

"I'vemyownplacesforkeepingthings,"shesaid.

"LadyAudley'sSecret,"RaymondWestremarked,catchingsightofthetitleasshereplacedthebook.

MissGreenshawgaveanothercackleoflaughter.

"Bestsellerinitsday,"sheremarked."Butnotlikeyourbooks,eh?"

ShegaveRaymondasuddenfriendlynudgeintheribs.Raymondwasrathersurprisedthatsheeven
knewhewrotebooks.AlthoughRaymondWestwasa"bigname"inliterature,hecouldhardlybe
describedasabestseller.Thoughsofteningalittlewiththeadventofmiddleage,hisbooksdealt
bleaklywiththesordidsideoflife.

"Iwonder,"Horacedemandedbreathlessly,"ifImightjusttakeaphotographoftheclock."

"Byallmeans,"saidMissGreenshaw."Itcame,Ibelieve,fromtheParisExhibition."

"Veryprobably,"saidHorace.Hetookhispicture."Thisroom'snotbeenusedmuchsincemy
grandfather'stime,"saidMissGreenshaw."Thisdesk'sfullofolddiariesofhis.Interesting,Ishould
think.Ihaven'ttheeyesighttoreadthemmyself.I'dliketogetthempublished,butIsupposeone
wouldhavetoworkonthemagooddeal."

"Youcouldengagesomeonetodothat,"saidRaymondWest.

"CouldIreally?It'sanidea,youknow.I'llthinkaboutit."

RaymondWestglancedathiswatch.

"Wemustn'ttrespassonyourkindnessanylonger,"hesaid.

"Pleasedtohaveseenyou,"saidMissGreenshawgraciously."Thoughtyouwerethepolicemanwhen
Iheardyoucomingroundthecornerofthehouse."

"Whyapoliceman?"demandedHorace,whonevermindedaskingquestions.

MissGreenshawrespondedunexpectedly.
"Ifyouwanttoknowthetime,askapoliceman,"shecarolled,andwiththisexampleofVictorianwit
shenudgedHoraceintheribsandroaredwithlaughter.

"It'sbeenawonderfulafternoon."HoracesighedasheandRaymondwalkedhome."Really,that
placehaseverything.Theonlythingthelibraryneedsisabody.Thoseoldfashioneddetectivestories
aboutmurderinthelibrarythat'sjustthekindoflibraryI'msuretheauthorshadinmind."

"Ifyouwanttodiscussmurder,"saidRaymond,"youmusttalktomyAuntJane."

"YourAuntJane?DoyoumeanMissMarple?"Horacefeltalittleataloss.

Thecharmingoldworldladytowhomhehadbeenintroducedthenightbeforeseemedthelast
persontobementionedinconnectionwithmurder.

"Ohyes,"saidRaymond."Murderisaspecialtyofhers."

"Howintriguing!Whatdoyoureallymean?"

"Imeanjustthat,"saidRaymond.Heparaphrased:"Somecommitmurder,somegetmixedupin
murders,othershavemurderthrustuponthem.MyAuntJanecomesintothethirdcategory."

"Youarejoking."

"Notintheleast.IcanreferyoutotheformerCommissionerofScotlandYard,severalchief
constables,andoneortwohardworkinginspectorsoftheC.I.D."

Horacesaidhappilythatwonderswouldnevercease.OvertheteatabletheygaveJoanWest,
Raymond'swife,Louiseherniece,andoldMissMarplearsumoftheafternoon'shappenings,
recountingindetaileverythingthatMissGreenshawhadsaidtothem.

"ButIdothink,"saidHorace,"thatthereissomethingalittlesinisteraboutthewholesetup.That
duchesslikecreature,thehousekeeperarsenic,perhaps,intheteapot,nowthatsheknowsher
mistresshasmadethewillinherfavour?"

"Tellus,AuntJane,"saidRaymond,"willtherebemurderorwon'tthere?Whatdoyouthink?"

"Ithink,"saidMissMarple,windingupherwoolwitharathersevereair,"thatyoushouldn'tjoke
aboutthesethingsasmuchasyoudo,Raymond.Arsenicis,ofcourse,quiteapossibility.Soeasyto
obtain.Probablypresentinthetoolshedalreadyintheformofweedkiller."

"Oh,really,darling,"saidJoanWestaffectionately."Wouldn'tthatberathertooobvious?"

"It'sallverywelltomakeawill,"saidRaymond."Idon'tsupposethepooroldthinghasanythingto
leaveexceptthatawfulwhiteelephantofahouse,andwhowouldwantthat?"

"Afilmcompanypossibly,"saidHorace,"orahoteloraninstitution?"

"They'dexpecttobuyitforasong,"saidRaymond,butMissMarplewasshakingherhead.
"Youknow,dearRaymond,Icannotagreewithyouthere.Aboutthemoney,Imean.Thegrandfather
wasevidentlyoneofthoselavishspenderswhomakemoneyeasilybutcan'tkeepit.Hemayhave
gonebroke,asyousay,buthardlybankrupt,orelsehissonwouldnothavehadthehouse.Nowthe
son,asissooftenthecase,wasofanentirelydifferentcharacterfromhisfather.Amiser.Aman
whosavedeverypenny.Ishouldsaythatinthecourseofhislifetimeheprobablyputbyaverygood
sum.ThisMissGreenshawappearstohavetakenafterhimtodislikespendingmoney,thatis.Yes,I
shouldthinkitquitelikelythatshehasquiteasubstantialsumtuckedaway."

"Inthatcase,"saidJoanWest,"IwondernowwhataboutLouise?"

TheylookedatLouiseasshesat,silent,bythefire.

LouisewasJoanWest'sniece.Hermarriagehadrecently,assheherselfputit,comeunstuck,leaving
herwithtwoyoungchildrenandabaresufficiencyofmoneytokeepthemon.

"Imean,"saidJoan,"ifthisMissGreenshawreallywantssomeonetogothroughdiariesandgeta
bookreadyforpublication..."

"It'sanidea,"saidRaymond.

Louisesaidinalowvoice."It'sworkIcoulddoandIthinkI'denjoyit."

"I'llwritetoher,"saidRaymond.

"Iwonder,"saidMissMarplethoughtfully,"whattheoldladymeantbythatremarkabouta
policeman?"

"Oh,itwasjustajoke."

"Itremindedme,"saidMissMarple,noddingherheadvigorously,"yes,itremindedmeverymuchof
MrNaysmith."

"WhowasMrNaysmith?"askedRaymondcuriously.

"Hekeptbees,"saidMissMarple,"andwasverygoodatdoingtheacrosticsintheSundaypapers.
Andhelikedgivingpeoplefalseimpressionsjustforfun.Butsometimesitledtotrouble."

Everybodywassilentforamoment,consideringMrNaysmith,butastheredidnotseemtobeany
pointsofresemblancebetweenhimandMissGreenshaw,theydecidedthatdearAuntJanewas
perhapsgettingalittlebitdisconnectedinheroldage.

HoraceBindlerwentbacktoLondonwithouthavingcollectedanymoremonstrosities,andRaymond
WestwrotealettertoMissGreenshawtellingherthatheknewofaMrsLouiseOxleywhowouldbe
competenttoundertakeworkonthediaries.Afteralapseofsomedaysaletterarrived,writtenin
spideryoldfashionedhandwriting,inwhichMissGreenshawdeclaredherselfanxioustoavailherself
oftheservicesofMrsOxley,andmakinganappointmentforMrsOxleytocomeandseeher.

Louisedulykepttheappointment,generoustermswerearranged,andshestartedworkthe
followingday.
"I'mawfullygratefultoyou,"shesaidtoRaymond."Itwillfitinbeautifully.Icantakethechildrento
school,goontoGreenshaw'sFolly,andpickthemuponmywayback.Howfantasticthewholesetup
is!Thatoldwomanhastobeseentobebelieved."

Ontheeveningofherfirstdayatworkshereturnedanddescribedherday.

"I'vehardlyseenthehousekeeper,"shesaid."Shecameinwithcoffeeandbiscuitsathalfpast
eleven,withhermouthpursedupveryprunesandprisms,andwouldhardlyspeaktome.Ithinkshe
disapprovesdeeplyofmyhavingbeenengaged."Shewenton,"Itseemsthere'squiteafeud
betweenherandthegardener,Alfred.He'salocalboyandfairlylazy,Ishouldimagine,andheand
thehousekeeperwon'tspeaktoeachother.MissGreenshawsaidinherrathergrandway,'There
havealwaysbeenfeudsasfarasIcanrememberbetweenthegardenandthehousestaff.Itwasso
inmygrandfather'stime.Therewerethreemenandaboyinthegardenthen,andeightmaidsinthe
house,buttherewasalwaysfriction.'"

OnthenextdayLouisereturnedwithanotherpieceofnews.

"Justfancy,"shesaid,"Iwasaskedtoringupthenephewtoday."

"MissGreenshaw'snephew?"

"Yes.Itseemshe'sanactorplayinginthestockcompanythat'sdoingasummerseasonatBoreham
onSea.Irangupthetheaterandleftamessageaskinghimtolunchtomorrow.Ratherfun,really.
Theoldgirldidn'twantthehousekeepertoknow.IthinkMrsCresswellhasdonesomethingthat's
annoyedher."

"Tomorrowanotherinstallmentofthisthrillingserial,"murmuredRaymond.

"It'sexactlylikeaserial,isn'tit?Reconciliationwiththenephew,bloodisthickerthanwater
anotherwilltobemadeandtheoldwilldestroyed.

"AuntJane,you'relookingveryserious."

"WasI,mydear?Haveyouheardanymoreaboutthepoliceman?"

Louiselookedbewildered."Idon'tknowanythingaboutapoliceman."

"Thatremarkofhers,mydear,"saidMissMarple,"musthavemeantsomething."

Louisearrived,atherworkthefollowingdayinacheerfulmood.Shepassedthroughtheopenfront
doorthedoorsandwindowsofthehousewerealwaysopen.MissGreenshawappearedtohaveno
fearofburglars,andwasprobablyjustified,asmostthingsinthehouseweighedseveraltonsand
wereofnomarketablevalue.LouisehadpassedAlfredinthedrive.Whenshefirstnoticedhimhe
hadbeenleaningagainstatreesmokingacigarette,butassoonashehadcaughtsightofherhehad
seizedabroomandbegundiligentlytosweepleaves.Anidleyoungman,shethought,butgood
looking.Hisfeaturesremindedherofsomeone.Asshepassedthroughthehallonthewayupstairs
tothelibrary,sheglancedatthelargepictureofNathanielGreenshawwhichpresidedoverthe
mantelpiece,showinghimintheacmeofVictorianprosperity,leaningbackinalargearmchair,his
handsrestingonthegoldAlbertchainacrosshiscapaciousstomach.Asherglancesweptupfromthe
stomachtothefacewithitsheavyjowls,itsbushyeyebrowsanditsflourishingblackmoustache,the
thoughtoccurredtoherthatNathanielGreenshawmusthavebeenhandsomeasayoungman.He
hadlooked,perhaps,alittlelikeAlfred...

Shewentintothelibraryonthesecondfloor,shutthedoorbehindher,openedhertypewriter,and
gotoutthediariesfromthedraweratthesideofherdesk.Throughtheopenwindowshecaughta
glimpseofMissGreenshawbelow,inapurecolouredspriggedprint,bendingovertherockery,
weedingassiduously.Theyhadhadtwowetdays,ofwhichtheweedshadtakenfulladvantage.

Louise,atownbredgirl,decidedthatifsheeverhadagarden,itwouldnevercontainarockery
whichneededweedingbyhand.Thenshesettleddowntoherwork.

WhenMrsCresswellenteredthelibrarywiththecoffeetrayathalfpasteleven,shewasclearlyina
verybadtemper.Shebangedthetraydownonthetableandobservedtotheuniverse:

"Companyforlunchandnothinginthehouse!WhatamIsupposedtodo,Ishouldliketoknow?
AndnosignofAlfred."

"HewassweepingthedrivewhenIgothere,"Louiseoffered.

"Idaresay.Anicesoftjob."

MrsCresswellsweptoutoftheroom,slammingthedoorbehindher.Louisegrinnedtoherself.She
wonderedwhat"thenephew"wouldbelike.

Shefinishedhercoffeeandsettleddowntoherworkagain.Itwassoabsorbingthattimepassed
quickly.NathanielGreenshaw,whenhestartedtokeepadiary,hadsuccumbedtothepleasuresof
frankness.Typingoutapassagerelatingtothepersonalcharmsofabarmaidintheneighbouring
town,Louisereflectedthatagooddealofeditingwouldbenecessary.

Asshewasthinkingthis,shewasstartledbythescreamfromthegarden.Jumpingup,sherantothe
openwindow.BelowherMissGreenshawwasstaggeringawayfromtherockerytowardthehouse.
Herhandswereclaspedtoherbreast,andbetweenherhandsthereprotrudedafeatheredshaftthat
Louiserecognisedwithstupefactiontobetheshaftofanarrow.

MissGreenshaw'shead,initsbatteredstrawhat,fellforwardonherbreast.ShecalleduptoLouise
inafailingvoice:"...shot...heshotme...withanarrow...gethelp..."

Louiserushedtothedoor.Sheturnedthehandle,butthedoorwouldnotopen.Ittookhera
momentortwooffutileendeavourtorealizethatshewaslockedin.Sheranbacktothewindowand
calleddown.

"I'mlockedin!"

MissGreenshaw,herbacktowardLouiseandswayingalittleonherfeet,wascallinguptothe
housekeeperatawindowfartheralong.

"Ringpolice...telephone..."

Then,lurchingfromsidetosidelikeadrunkard,MissGreenshawdisappearedfromLouise'sview
throughthewindowandstaggeredintothedrawingroomonthegroundfloor.Amomentlater
Louiseheardacrashofbrokenchina,aheavyfall,andthensilence.Herimaginationreconstructed
thescene.MissGreenshawmusthavestumbledblindlyintoasmalltablewithaSvresteasetonit.

DesperatelyLouisepoundedonthelibrarydoor,callingandshouting.Therewasnocreeperor
drainpipeoutsidethewindowthatcouldhelphertogetoutthatway.

Tiredatlastofbeatingonthedoor,Louisereturnedtothewindow.Fromthewindowofhersitting
roomfartheralongthehousekeeper'sheadappeared.

"Comeandletmeout,MrsOxley.I'mlockedin."

"SoamI,"saidLouise.

"Oh,dear,isn'titawful?I'vetelephonedthepolice.There'sanextensioninthisroom,butwhatI
can'tunderstand,MrsOxley,isourbeinglockedin.Ineverheardakeyturn,didyou?"

"No,Ididn'thearanythingatall.Oh,dear,whatshallwedo?PerhapsAlfredmighthearus."Louise
shoutedatthetopofhervoice,"Alfred,Alfred."

"Gonetohisdinneraslikelyasnot.Whattimeisit?"

Louiseglancedatherwatch.

"Twentyfivepasttwelve."

"He'snotsupposedtogountilhalfpast,buthesneaksoffearlierwheneverhecan."

"Doyouthinkdoyouthink"

Louisemeanttoask,"Doyouthinkshe'sdead?"butthewordsstuckinherthroat.

Therewasnothingtodobutwait.Shesatdownonthewindowsill.Itseemedaneternitybeforethe
stolidhelmetedfigureofapoliceconstablecameroundthecornerofthehouse.Sheleanedoutof
thewindowandhelookedupather,shadinghiseyeswithhishand.

"What'sgoingonhere?"hedemanded.

FromtheirrespectivewindowsLouiseandMrsCresswellpouredafloodofexcitedinformationdown
onhim.

Theconstableproducedanotebookandpencil."Youladiesranupstairsandlockedyourselvesin?
CanIhaveyournames,please?"

"Somebodylockedusin.Comeandletusout."

Theconstablesaidreprovingly,"Allingoodtime,"anddisappearedthroughtheFrenchwindow
below.

Onceagaintimeseemedinfinite.Louiseheardthesoundofacararriving,andafterwhatseemedan
hour,butwasactuallyonlythreeminutes,firstMrsCresswellandthenLouisewerereleasedbya
policesergeantmorealertthantheoriginalconstable.

"MissGreenshaw?"Louise'svoicefaltered."Whatwhat'shappened?"
Thesergeantclearedhisthroat.

"I'msorrytohavetotellyou,madam,"hesaid,"whatI'vealreadytoldMrsCresswellhere.Miss
Greenshawisdead."

"Murdered,"saidMrsCresswell."That'swhatitismurder?

Thesergeantsaiddubiously,"Couldhavebeenanaccidentsomecountryladsshootingarrows."

Againtherewasthesoundofacararriving.

Thesergeantsaid,"That'llbetheM.O.,"andhestarteddownstairs.

ButitwasnottheM.O.AsLouiseandMrsCresswellcamedownthestairs,ayoungmanstepped
hesitatinglythroughthefrontdoorandpaused,lookingaroundhimwithasomewhatbewilderedair.

Then,speakinginapleasantvoicethatinsomewayseemedfamiliartoLouiseperhapsitreminded
herofMissGreenshaw'sheasked,"Excuseme,doeserdoesMissGreenshawlivehere?"

"MayIhaveyournameifyouplease?"saidthesergeant,advancinguponhim.

"Fletcher,"saidtheyoungman."NatFletcher.I'mMissGreenshaw'snephew,asamatteroffact."

"Indeed,sir,wellI'msorry"

"Hasanythinghappened?"askedNatFletcher.

"There'sbeenanaccident.Yourauntwasshotwithanarrowpenetratedthejugularvein"

MrsCresswellspokehystericallyandwithoutherusualrefinement:

"Yourh'aunt'sbeenmurdered,that'swhat'shappened.Yourh'aunt'sbeenmurdered."

InspectorWelchdrewhischairalittlenearertothetableandlethisgazewanderfromonetothe
otherofthefourpeopleintheroom.Itwaseveningofthesameday.HehadcalledattheWests'
housetotakeLouiseOxleyoncemoreoverherstatement.

"Youaresureoftheexactwords?Shotheshotmewithanarrowgethelp?"

Louisenodded.

"Andthetime?"

"Ilookedatmywatchaminuteortwolateritwasthentwelvetwentyfive"

"Yourwatchkeepsgoodtime?"

"Ilookedattheclockaswell."Louiseleftnodoubtofheraccuracy.

TheinspectorturnedtoRaymondWest.
"Itappears,sir,thataboutaweekagoyouandaMrHoraceBindlerwerewitnessestoMiss
Greenshaw'swill?"

BrieflyRaymondrecountedtheeventsoftheafternoonvisitheandHoraceBindlerhadpaidto
Greenshaw'sFolly.

"Thistestimonyofyoursmaybeimportant,"saidWelch."MissGreenshawdistinctlytoldyou,did
she,thatherwillwasbeingmadeinfavourofMrsCresswell,thehousekeeper,andthatshewasnot
payingMrsCresswellanywagesinviewoftheexpectationsMrsCresswellhadofprofitingbyher
death?"

"Thatiswhatshetoldmeyes."

"WouldyousaythatMrsCresswellwasdefinitelyawareofthesefacts?"

"Ishouldsayundoubtedly.MissGreenshawmadeareferenceinmypresencetobeneficiariesnot
beingabletowitnessawill,andMrsCreswellclearlyunderstoodwhatshemeantbyit.Moreover,
MissGreenshawherselftoldmethatshehadcometothisarrangementwithMrsCresswell."

"SoMrsCresswellhadreasontobelieveshewasaninterestedparty.Motiveclearenoughinher
case,andIdaresayshe'dbeourchiefsuspectnowifitwasn'tforthefactthatshewassecurely
lockedinherroomlikeMrsOxleyhere,andalsothatMissGreenshawdefinitelysaidamanshother
"

"Shedefinitelywaslockedinherroom?"

"Ohyes.SergeantCayleyletherout.It'sabigoldfashionedlockwithabigoldfashionedkey.The
keywasinthelockandthere'snotachancethatitcouldhavebeenturnedfrominsideoranyhanky
pankyofthatkind.No,youcantakeitdefinitelythatMrsCresswellwaslockedinsidethatroomand
couldn'tgetout.AndtherewerenobowsandarrowsintheroomandMissGreenshawcouldn'tin
anycasehavebeenshotfromherwindowtheangleforbidsit.No,MrsCresswell'sout."Hepaused,
thenwenton:"WouldyousaythatMissGreenshaw,inyouropinion,wasapracticaljoker?"

MissMarplelookedupsharplyfromhercorner.

"Sothewillwasn'tinMrsCresswell'sfavourafterall?"shesaid.

InspectorWelchlookedoveratherinarathersurprisedfashion.

"That'saverycleverguessofyours,madam,"hesaid."No,MrsCresswellisn'tnamedasbeneficiary."

"JustlikeMrNaysmith,"saidMissMarple,noddingherhead."MissGreenshawtoldMrsCresswell
shewasgoingtoleavehereverythingandsogotoutofpayingherwages,andthenshelefther
moneytosomebodyelse.Nodoubtshewasvastlypleasedwithherself.Nowondershechortled
whensheputthewillawayinLadyAudley'sSecret."

"ItwasluckyMrsOxleywasabletotellusaboutthewillandwhereitwasput,"saidtheinspector.
"Wemighthavehadalonghuntforitotherwise."

"AVictoriansenseofhumour,"murmuredRaymondWest.

"Soshelefthermoneytohernephewafterall,"saidLouise.
Theinspectorshookhishead.

"No,"hesaid,"shedidn'tleaveittoNatFletcher.Thestorygoesaroundhereofcourse,I'mnewto
theplaceandIonlygetthegossipthat'ssecondhandbutitseemsthatintheolddaysbothMiss
Greenshawandhersisterweresetonthehandsomeyoungridingmaster,andthesistergothim.No,
shedidn'tleavethemoneytohernephew"InspectorWelchpaused,rubbinghischin."Sheleftitto
Alfred,"hesaid.

"Alfredthegardener?"Joanspokeinasurprisedvoice.

"Yes,MrsWest.AlfredPollock."

"Butwhy?"criedLouise.

"Idaresay,"saidMissMarple,"thatshethoughtAlfredPollockmighthaveaprideinthehouse,might
evenwanttoliveinit,whereashernephewwouldalmostcertainlyhavenouseforitwhateverand
wouldsellitassoonashecouldpossiblydoso.He'sanactor,isn'the?Whatplayexactlyisheacting
inatpresent?"

Trustanoldladytowanderfromthepoint,thoughtInspectorWelch;butherepliedcivilly,"Ibelieve,
madam,theyaredoingaseasonofSirJamesM.Barrie'splays."

"Barrie,"saidMissMarplethoughtfully.

"WhatEveryWomanKnows,"saidInspectorWelch,andthenblushed.

"Nameofaplay,"hesaidquickly."I'mnotmuchofatheatergoermyself,"headded,"butthewife
wentalongandsawitlastweek.Quitewelldone,shesaiditwas."

"Barrie,wrotesomeverycharmingplays,"saidMissMarple,"thoughImustsaythatwhenIwent
withanoldfriendofmine,GeneralEasterly,toseeBarrie'sLittleMary"sheshookherheadsadly
"neitherofusknewwheretolook."

Theinspector,unacquaintedwiththeplay'LittleMary',seemedcompletelyfogged.

MissMarpleexplained:"WhenIwasagirl,Inspector,nobodyevermentionedthewordstomach."

Theinspectorlookedevenmoreatsea.MissMarplewasmurmuringtitlesunderherbreath.

"'TheAdmirableCrichton.'Veryclever.'MaryRose'acharmingplay.Icried,Iremember.'Quality
Street'Ididn'tcareforsomuch.Thentherewas'AKissforCinderella.'Oh,ofcourse!"

InspectorWelchhadnotimetowasteontheatricaldiscussion.Hereturnedtothematterathand.

"Thequestionis,"hesaid,"didAlfredPollockknowtheoldladyhadmadeawillinhisfavour?Did
shetellhim?"Headded,"Youseethere'sanarcherycluboveratBorehamandAlfredPollock'sa
member.He'saverygoodshotindeedwithabowandarrow."

"Thenisn'tyourcasequiteclear?"askedRaymondWest."Itwouldfitinwiththedoorsbeinglocked
onthetwowomenhe'dknowjustwheretheywereinthehouse."

Theinspectorlookedathim.Hespokewithdeepmelancholy.
"He'sgotanalibi,"saidtheinspector.

"Ialwaysthinkalibisaredefinitelysuspicious,"Raymondremarked.

"Maybe,sir,"saidInspectorWelch."You'retalkingasawriter."

"Idon'twritedetectivestories,"saidRaymondWest,horrifiedatthemereidea.

"Easyenoughtosaythatalibisaresuspicious,"wentonInspectorWelch,"butunfortunatelywe've
gottodealwithfacts."Hesighed."We'vegotthreegoodsuspects,"hewenton."Threepeoplewho,
asithappened,wereverycloseuponthesceneatthetime.Yettheoddthingisthatitlooksas
thoughnoneofthethreecouldhavedoneit.ThehousekeeperI'vealreadydealtwith;thenephew,
NatFletcher,atthemomentMissGreenshawwasshot,wasacoupleofmilesaway,fillinguphiscar
atagarageandaskinghisway;asforAlfredPollock,sixpeoplewillswearthatheenteredtheDog
andDuckattwentypasttwelveandwasthereforanhour,havinghisusualbreadandcheeseand
beer."

"Deliberatelyestablishinganalibi,"saidRaymondWesthopefully.

"Maybe,"saidInspectorWelch,"butifso,hedidestablishit."

Therewasalongsilence.ThenRaymondturnedhisheadtowhereMissMarplesatuprightand
thoughtful.

"It'suptoyou,AuntJane,"hesaid."Theinspector'sbaffled,thesergeant'sbaffled,Joan'sbaffled,
Louiseisbaffled.Buttoyou,AuntJane,itiscrystalclear.AmIright?"

"Iwouldn'tsaythat,"saidMissMarple,"notcrystalclear.Andmurder,dearRaymond,isn'tagame.I
don'tsupposepoorMissGreenshawwantedtodie,anditwasaparticularlybrutalmurder.Very
wellplannedandquitecoldblooded.It'snotathingtomakejokesabout."

"I'msorry,"saidRaymond."I'mnotreallyascallousasIsound.Onetreatsathinglightlytotakeaway
fromthewell,thehorrorofit."

"Thatis,Ibelieve,themoderntendency,"saidMissMarple."Allthesewars,andhavingtojokeabout
funerals.Yes,perhapsIwasthoughtlesswhenIimpliedthatyouwerecallous."

"Itisn't,"saidJoan,"asthoughwe'dknownheratallwell."

"Thatisverytrue,"saidMissMarple."You,dearJoan,didnotknowheratall.Ididnotknowherat
all.Raymondgatheredanimpressionofherfromoneafternoon'sconversation.Louiseknewherfor
onlytwodays."

"Comenow,AuntJane,"saidRaymond,"tellusyourviews.Youdon'tmind,Inspector?"

"Notatall,"saidtheinspectorpolitely.

"Well,mydear,itwouldseemthatwehavethreepeoplewhohadormighthavethoughttheyhad
amotivetokilltheoldlady.Andthreequitesimplereasonswhynoneofthethreecouldhavedone
so.ThehousekeepercouldnothavekilledMissGreenshawbecauseshewaslockedinherroomand
becausehermistressdefinitelystatedthatamanshother.ThegardenerwasinsidetheDogand
Duckatthetime,thenephewatthegarage."
"Veryclearlyput,madam,"saidtheinspector.

"Andsinceitseemsmostunlikelythatanyoutsidershouldhavedoneit,where,then,arewe?"

"That'swhattheinspectorwantstoknow,"saidRaymondWest.

"Onesooftenlooksatathingthewrongwayround,"saidMissMarpleapologetically."Ifwecan't
alterthemovementsorthepositionsofthosethreepeople,thencouldn'tweperhapsalterthetime
ofthemurder?"

"Youmeanthatbothmywatchandtheclockwerewrong?"askedLouise.

"No,dear,"saidMissMarple,"Ididn'tmeanthatatall.Imeanthatthemurderdidn'toccurwhen
youthoughtitoccurred."

"ButIsawit,"criedLouise.

"Well,whatIhavebeenwondering,mydear,waswhetheryouweren'tmeanttoseeit.I'vebeen
askingmyself,youknow,whetherthatwasn'ttherealreasonwhyyouwereengagedforthisjob."

"Whatdoyoumean,AuntJane?"

"Well,dear,itseemsodd.MissGreenshawdidnotlikespendingmoneyyetsheengagedyouand
agreedquitewillinglytothetermsyouasked.Itseemstomethatperhapsyouweremeanttobe
thereinthatlibraryonthesecondfloor,lookingoutofthewindowsothatyoucouldbethekey
witnesssomeonefromoutsideofirreproachablygoodcharactertofixadefinitetimeandplacefor
themurder."

"Butyoucan'tmean,"saidLouiseincredulously,"thatMissGreenshawintendedtobemurdered."

"WhatImean,dear,"saidMissMarple,"isthatyoudidn'treallyknowMissGreenshaw.There'sno
realreason,isthere,whytheMissGreenshawyousawwhenyouwentuptothehouseshouldbe
thesameMissGreenshawthatRaymondsawafewdaysearlier?Ohyes,Iknow,"shewenton,to
preventLouise'sreply,"shewaswearingthepeculiaroldfashionedprintdressandthestrangestraw
hatandhadunkempthair.ShecorrespondedexactlytothedescriptionRaymondgaveuslast
weekend.Butthosetwowomen,youknow,weremuchthesameage,height,andsize.The
housekeeper,Imean,andMissGreenshaw."

"Butthehousekeeperisfat!"Louiseexclaimed."She'sgotanenormousbosom."

MissMarplecoughed.

"But,mydear,surely,nowadaysIhaveseenerthemmyselfinshopsmostindelicatelydisplayed.It
isveryeasyforanyonetohaveaabosomofanysizeanddimension."

"Whatareyoutryingtosay?"demandedRaymond.

"IwasjustthinkingthatduringthetwodaysLouisewasworkingthere,onewomancouldhave
playedbothparts.Yousaidyourself,Louise,thatyouhardlysawthehousekeeper,exceptfortheone
minuteinthemorningwhenshebroughtyouthetraywithcoffee.Oneseesthosecleverartistson
thestagecominginasdifferentcharacterswithonlyamomentortwotospare,andIamsurethe
changecouldhavebeeneffectedquiteeasily.Thatmarquiseheaddresscouldbejustawigslippedon
andoff."

"AuntJane!DoyoumeanthatMissGreenshawwasdeadbeforeIstartedworkthere?"

"Notdead.Keptunderdrugs,Ishouldsay.Averyeasyjobforanunscrupulouswomanlikethe
housekeepertodo.Thenshemadethearrangementswithyouandgotyoutotelephonetothe
nephewtoaskhimtolunchatadefinitetime.TheonlypersonwhowouldhaveknownthatthisMiss
GreenshawwasnotMissGreenshawwouldhavebeenAlfred.Andifyouremember,thefirsttwo
daysyouwereworkingthereitwaswet,andMissGreenshawstayedinthehouse.Alfrednevercame
intothehousebecauseofhisfeudwiththehousekeeper.AndonthelastmorningAlfredwasinthe
drive,whileMissGreenshawwasworkingontherockeryI'dliketohavealookatthatrockery."

"DoyoumeanitwasMrsCresswellwhokilledMissGreenshaw?"

"Ithinkthatafterbringingyouyourcoffee,thehousekeeperlockedthedooronyouasshewentout,
thencarriedtheunconsciousMissGreenshawdowntothedrawingroom,thenassumedher'Miss
Greenshaw'disguiseandwentouttoworkontherockerywhereyoucouldseeherfromtheupstairs
window.Induecourseshescreamedandcamestaggeringtothehouseclutchinganarrowasthough
ithadpenetratedherthroat.Shecalledforhelpandwascarefultosay'heshotme'soastoremove
suspicionfromthehousekeeperfromherself.Shealsocalleduptothehousekeeper'swindowas
thoughshesawherthere.Then,onceinsidethedrawingroom,shethrewoveratablewithporcelain
onit,ranquicklyupstairs,putonhermarquisewig,andwasableafewmomentslatertoleanher
headoutofthewindowandtellyouthatshe,too,waslockedin."

"Butshewaslockedin,"saidLouise.

"Iknow.Thatiswherethepolicemancomesin."

"Whatpoliceman?"

"Exactlywhatpoliceman?Iwonder,Inspector,ifyouwouldmindtellingmehowandwhenyou
arrivedonthescene?"

Theinspectorlookedalittlepuzzled.

"AttwelvetwentyninewereceivedatelephonecallfromMrsCresswell,housekeepertoMiss
Greenshaw,statingthathermistresshadbeenshot.SergeantCayleyandmyselfwentoutthereat
onceinacarandarrivedatthehouseattwelvethirtyfive.WefoundMissGreenshawdeadandthe
twoladieslockedintheirrooms."

"So,yousee,mydear,"saidMissMarpletoLouise,"thepoliceconstableyousawwasn'tarealpolice
constableatall.Youneverthoughtofhimagainonedoesn'tonejustacceptonemoreuniformas
partofthelaw."

"Butwhowhy?"

"Astowhowell,iftheyareplayingAKissforCinderella,apolicemanistheprincipalcharacter.Nat
Fletcherwouldonlyhavetohelphimselftothecostumehewearsonthestage.He'daskhiswayata
garage,beingcarefultocallattentiontothetimetwelvetwentyfive;thenhewoulddriveon
quickly,leavehiscarroundacorner,sliponhispoliceuniform,anddohis'act.'"

"Butwhywhy?"

"Someonehadtolockthehousekeeper'sdoorontheoutside,andsomeonehadtodrivethearrow
throughMissGreenshaw'sthroat.Youcanstabanyonewithanarrowjustaswellasbyshootingit
butitneedsforce."

"Youmeantheywerebothinit?"

"Ohyes,Ithinkso.Motherandsonaslikelyasnot."

"ButMissGreenshaw'ssisterdiedlongago."

"Yes,butI'venodoubtMrFletchermarriedagainhesoundslikethesortofmanwhowould.Ithink
itpossiblethatthechilddied,too,andthatthissocallednephewwasthesecondwife'schildandnot
reallyarelationatall.Thewomangotthepostashousekeeperandspiedouttheland.Thenhe
wrotetoMissGreenshawashernephewandproposedtocallonherhemayhaveevenmadesome
jokingreferencetocominginhispoliceman'suniformremember,shesaidshewasexpectinga
policeman.ButIthinkMissGreenshawsuspectedthetruthandrefusedtoseehim.Hewouldhave
beenherheirifshehaddiedwithoutmakingawillbutofcourseonceshehadmadeawillinthe
housekeeper'sfavour,astheythought,thenitwasclearsailing."

"Butwhyuseanarrow?"objectedJoan."Soveryfarfetched."

"Notfarfetchedatall,dear.AlfredbelongedtoanarcheryclubAlfredwasmeanttotaketheblame.
Thefactthathewasinthepubasearlyastwelvetwentywasmostunfortunatefromtheirpointof
view.Healwaysleftalittlebeforehispropertimeandthatwouldhavebeenjustright."Sheshook
herhead."Itreallyseemsallwrongmorally,Imean,thatAlfred'slazinessshouldhavesavedhis
life."

Theinspectorclearedhisthroat.

"Well,madam,thesesuggestionsofyoursareveryinteresting.Ishall,ofcourse,havetoinvestigate
"

MissMarpleandRaymondWeststoodbytherockeryandlookeddownatagardeningbasketfullof
dyingvegetation.

MissMarplemurmured:"Alyssum,saxifrage,cystis,thimblecampanula...Yes,that'salltheproofI
need.Whoeverwasweedinghereyesterdaymorningwasnogardenershepulledupplantsaswell
asweeds.SonowIknowI'mright.Thankyou,dearRaymond,forbringingmehere.Iwantedtosee
theplaceformyself."

SheandRaymondbothlookedupattheoutrageouspileofGreenshaw'sFolly.

Acoughmadethemturn.Ahandsomeyoungmanwasalsolookingatthemonstroushouse.
"Plagueybigplace,"hesaid."Toobigfornowadaysorsotheysay.Idunnoaboutthat.IfIwona
footballpoolandmadealotofmoney,that'sthekindofhouseI'dliketobuild."

Hesmiledbashfullyatthem,thenrumpledhishair.

"ReckonIcansaysonow,"saidAlfredPollock."Andafinehouseitis,foralltheycallitGreenshaw's
Folly!"