MurderintheMews

FourCasesofHerculePoirot

Dedication

ToMyOldFriendSybilHeeleyWithaffection

Contents

TitlePageDedication

MurderintheMewsOneTwoThreeFourFiveSixSevenEightNineTenTheIncredibleTheftOneTwoThreeFourFiveSixSevenEightDeadMan’sMirror

OneTwoThreeFourFiveSixSevenEightNineTenElevenTwelveTriangleatRhodesOneTwoThreeFourFiveSix

AbouttheAuthorsOtherWorksCopyright

MURDERINTHEMEWS

One

I

Pennyfortheguy,sir?”Asmallboywithagrimyfacegrinnedingratiatingly.“Certainlynot!”saidChiefInspectorJapp.“And,lookhere,mylad—”Ashorthomilyfollowed.Thedismayedurchinbeataprecipitateretreat,

remarkingbrieflyandsuccinctlytohisyouthfulfriends:“Blimey,ifitain’tacopalltoggedup!”Thebandtooktoitsheels,chantingtheincantation:

Remember,rememberThefifthofNovemberGunpowdertreasonandplot.WeseenoreasonWhygunpowdertreasonShouldeverbeforgot.

Thechiefinspector’scompanion,asmall,elderlymanwithanegg-shapedheadandlarge,military-lookingmoustaches,wassmilingtohimself.

“Trèsbien,Japp,”heobserved.“Youpreachthesermonverywell!Icongratulateyou!”

“Rankexcuseforbegging,that’swhatGuyFawkes’Dayis!”saidJapp.“Aninterestingsurvival,”musedHerculePoirot.“Thefireworksgoup—

“

crack—crack—longafterthemantheycommemorateandhisdeedareforgotten.”

TheScotlandYardmanagreed.“Don’tsupposemanyofthosekidsreallyknowwhoGuyFawkeswas.”“Andsoon,doubtless,therewillbeconfusionofthought.Isitinhonouror

inexecrationthatonthefifthofNovemberthefeud’artificearesentup?ToblowupanEnglishParliament,wasitasinoranobledeed?”

Jappchuckled.“Somepeoplewouldsayundoubtedlythelatter.”Turningoffthemainroad,thetwomenpassedintothecomparativequietof

amews.TheyhadbeendiningtogetherandwerenowtakingashortcuttoHerculePoirot’sflat.

Astheywalkedalongthesoundofsquibswasstillheardperiodically.Anoccasionalshowerofgoldenrainilluminatedthesky.

“Goodnightforamurder,”remarkedJappwithprofessionalinterest.“Nobodywouldhearashot,forinstance,onanightlikethis.”

“Ithasalwaysseemedoddtomethatmorecriminalsdonottakeadvantageofthefact,”saidHerculePoirot.

“Doyouknow,Poirot,Ialmostwishsometimesthatyouwouldcommitamurder.”

“Moncher!”“Yes,I’dliketoseejusthowyou’dsetaboutit.”“MydearJapp,ifIcommittedamurderyouwouldnothavetheleastchance

ofseeing—howIsetaboutit!Youwouldnotevenbeaware,probably,thatamurderhadbeencommitted.”

Japplaughedgood-humouredlyandaffectionately.“Cockylittledevil,aren’tyou?”hesaidindulgently.

II

Athalfpasteleventhefollowingmorning,HerculePoirot’stelephonerang.“’Allo?’Allo?”“Hallo,thatyou,Poirot?”“Oui,c’estmoi.”

“Jappspeakinghere.RememberwecamehomelastnightthroughBardsleyGardensMews?”

“Yes?”“Andthatwetalkedabouthoweasyitwouldbetoshootapersonwithall

thosesquibsandcrackersandtherestofitgoingoff?”“Certainly.”“Well,therewasasuicideinthatmews.No.14.Ayoungwidow—

Mrs.Allen.I’mgoingroundtherenow.Liketocome?”“Excuseme,butdoessomeoneofyoureminence,mydearfriend,usually

getsenttoacaseofsuicide?”“Sharpfellow.No—hedoesn’t.Asamatteroffactourdoctorseemstothink

there’ssomethingfunnyaboutthis.Willyoucome?Ikindoffeelyououghttobeinonit.”

“CertainlyIwillcome.No.14,yousay?”“That’sright.”

III

PoirotarrivedatNo.14BardsleyGardensMewsalmostatthesamemomentasacardrewupcontainingJappandthreeothermen.

No.14wasclearlymarkedoutasthecentreofinterest.Abigcircleofpeople,chauffeurs,theirwives,errandboys,loafers,well-dressedpassersbyandinnumerablechildrenweredrawnupallstaringatNo.14withopenmouthsandafascinatedstare.

Apoliceconstableinuniformstoodonthestepanddidhisbesttokeepbackthecurious.Alert-lookingyoungmenwithcameraswerebusyandsurgedforwardasJappalighted.

“Nothingforyounow,”saidJapp,brushingthemaside.HenoddedtoPoirot.“Sohereyouare.Let’sgetinside.”

Theypassedinquickly,thedoorshutbehindthemandtheyfoundthemselvessqueezedtogetheratthefootofaladderlikeflightofstairs.

Amancametothetopofthestaircase,recognizedJappandsaid:“Uphere,sir.”JappandPoirotmountedthestairs.

Themanatthestairheadopenedadoorontheleftandtheyfoundthemselvesinasmallbedroom.

“Thoughtyou’dlikemetorunoverthechiefpoints,sir.”“Quiteright,Jameson,”saidJapp.“Whataboutit?”DivisionalInspectorJamesontookupthetale.“Deceased’saMrs.Allen,sir.Livedherewithafriend—aMissPlenderleith.

MissPlenderleithwasawaystayinginthecountryandreturnedthismorning.Sheletherselfinwithherkey,wassurprisedtofindnooneabout.Awomanusuallycomesinatnineo’clocktodoforthem.Shewentupstairsfirstintoherownroom(that’sthisroom)thenacrossthelandingtoherfriend’sroom.Doorwaslockedontheinside.Sherattledthehandle,knockedandcalled,butcouldn’tgetanyanswer.Intheendgettingalarmedsherangupthepolicestation.Thatwasattenforty-five.Wecamealongatonceandforcedthedooropen.Mrs.Allenwaslyinginaheaponthegroundshotthroughthehead.Therewasanautomaticinherhand—aWebley.25—anditlookedaclearcaseofsuicide.”

“WhereisMissPlenderleithnow?”“She’sdownstairsinthesittingroom,sir.Averycool,efficientyounglady,I

shouldsay.Gotaheadonher.”“I’lltalktoherpresently.I’dbetterseeBrettnow.”AccompaniedbyPoirothecrossedthelandingandenteredtheopposite

room.Atall,elderlymanlookedupandnodded.“Hallo,Japp,gladyou’vegothere.Funnybusiness,this.”Jappadvancedtowardshim.HerculePoirotsentaquicksearchingglance

roundtheroom.Itwasmuchlargerthantheroomtheyhadjustquitted.Ithadabuilt-outbay

window,andwhereastheotherroomhadbeenabedroompureandsimple,thiswasemphaticallyabedroomdisguisedasasittingroom.

Thewallsweresilverandtheceilingemeraldgreen.Therewerecurtainsofamodernisticpatterninsilverandgreen.Therewasadivancoveredwithashimmeringemeraldgreensilkquiltandnumbersofgoldandsilvercushions.Therewasatallantiquewalnutbureau,awalnuttallboy,andseveralmodernchairsofgleamingchromium.Onalowglasstabletherewasabigashtrayfullofcigarettestubs.

DelicatelyHerculePoirotsniffedtheair.ThenhejoinedJappwherethelatterstoodlookingdownatthebody.

Inaheaponthefloor,lyingasshehadfallenfromoneofthechromiumchairs,wasthebodyofayoungwomanofperhapstwenty-seven.Shehadfairhairanddelicatefeatures.Therewasverylittlemakeupontheface.Itwasapretty,wistful,perhapsslightlystupidface.Ontheleftsideoftheheadwasamassofcongealedblood.Thefingersoftherighthandwereclaspedroundasmallpistol.Thewomanwasdressedinasimplefrockofdarkgreenhightotheneck.

“Well,Brett,what’sthetrouble?”Jappwaslookingdownalsoatthehuddledfigure.“Position’sallright,”saidthedoctor.“Ifsheshotherselfshe’dprobably

haveslippedfromthechairintojustthatposition.Thedoorwaslockedandthewindowwasfastenedontheinside.”

“That’sallright,yousay.Thenwhat’swrong?”“Takealookatthepistol.Ihaven’thandledit—waitingforthefingerprint

men.ButyoucanseequitewellwhatImean.”TogetherPoirotandJappkneltdownandexaminedthepistolclosely.“Iseewhatyoumean,”saidJapprising.“It’sinthecurveofherhand.It

looksasthoughshe’sholdingit—butasamatteroffactsheisn’tholdingit.Anythingelse?”

“Plenty.She’sgotthepistolinherrighthand.Nowtakealookatthewound.Thepistolwasheldclosetotheheadjustabovetheleftear—theleftear,markyou.”

“H’m,”saidJapp.“Thatdoesseemtosettleit.Shecouldn’tholdapistolandfireitinthatpositionwithherrighthand?”

“Plumbimpossible,Ishouldsay.YoumightgetyourarmroundbutIdoubtifyoucouldfiretheshot.”

“Thatseemsprettyobviousthen.Someoneelseshotherandtriedtomakeitlooklikesuicide.Whataboutthelockeddoorandwindow,though?”

InspectorJamesonansweredthis.“Windowwasclosedandbolted,sir,butalthoughthedoorwaslockedwe

haven’tbeenabletofindthekey.”Jappnodded.

“Yes,thatwasabadbreak.Whoeverdiditlockedthedoorwhenheleftandhopedtheabsenceofthekeywouldn’tbenoticed.”

Poirotmurmured:“C’estbête,ça!”“Oh,comenow,Poirot,oldman,youmustn’tjudgeeverybodyelsebythe

lightofyourshiningintellect!Asamatteroffactthat’sthesortoflittledetailthat’squiteapttobeoverlooked.Door’slocked.Peoplebreakin.Womanfounddead—pistolinherhand—clearcaseofsuicide—shelockedherselfintodoit.Theydon’tgohuntingaboutforkeys.Asamatteroffact,MissPlenderleith’ssendingforthepolicewaslucky.Shemighthavegotoneortwoofthechauffeurstocomeandburstinthedoor—andthenthekeyquestionwouldhavebeenoverlookedaltogether.”

“Yes,Isupposethatistrue,”saidHerculePoirot.“Itwouldhavebeenmanypeople’snaturalreaction.Thepolice,theyarethelastresource,aretheynot?”

Hewasstillstaringdownatthebody.“Anythingstrikeyou?”Jappasked.Thequestionwascarelessbuthiseyeswerekeenandattentive.HerculePoirotshookhisheadslowly.“Iwaslookingatherwristwatch.”Hebentoverandjusttoucheditwithafingertip.Itwasadaintyjewelled

affaironablackmoiréstraponthewristofthehandthatheldthepistol.“Ratheraswellpiecethat,”observedJapp.“Musthavecostmoney!”He

cockedhisheadinquiringlyatPoirot.“Somethinginthatmaybe?”“Itispossible—yes.”Poirotstrayedacrosstothewritingbureau.Itwasthekindthathasafront

flapthatletsdown.Thiswasdaintilysetouttomatchthegeneralcolourscheme.Therewasasomewhatmassivesilverinkstandinthecentre,infrontofita

handsomegreenlacquerblotter.Totheleftoftheblotterwasanemeraldglasspentraycontainingasilverpenholder—astickofgreensealingwax,apencilandtwostamps.Ontherightoftheblotterwasamovablecalendargivingthedayoftheweek,dateandmonth.Therewasalsoalittleglassjarofshotandstandinginitaflamboyantgreenquillpen.Poirotseemedinterestedinthepen.Hetookitoutandlookedatitbutthequillwasinnocentofink.Itwasclearlyadecoration—nothingmore.Thesilverpen-holderwiththeink-stainednibwas

theoneinuse.Hiseyesstrayedtothecalendar.“Tuesday,Novemberfifth,”saidJapp.“Yesterday.That’sallcorrect.”HeturnedtoBrett.“Howlonghasshebeendead?”“Shewaskilledateleventhirty-threeyesterdayevening,”saidBrett

promptly.ThenhegrinnedashesawJapp’ssurprisedface.“Sorry,oldboy,”hesaid.“Hadtodothesuperdoctoroffiction!Asamatter

offactelevenisaboutasnearasIcanputit—withamarginofaboutanhoureitherway.”

“Oh,Ithoughtthewristwatchmighthavestopped—orsomething.”“It’sstoppedallright,butit’sstoppedataquarterpastfour.”“AndIsupposeshecouldn’thavebeenkilledpossiblyataquarterpast

four.”“Youcanputthatrightoutofyourmind.”Poirothadturnedbackthecoveroftheblotter.“Goodidea,”saidJapp.“Butnoluck.”Theblottershowedaninnocentwhitesheetofblottingpaper.Poirotturned

overtheleavesbuttheywereallthesame.Heturnedhisattentiontothewastepaperbasket.Itcontainedtwoorthreetorn-uplettersandcirculars.Theywereonlytorn

onceandwereeasilyreconstructed.Anappealformoneyfromsomesocietyforassistingex-servicemen,aninvitationtoacocktailpartyonNovember3rd,anappointmentwithadressmaker.Thecircularswereanannouncementofafurrier’ssaleandacataloguefromadepartmentstore.

“Nothingthere,”saidJapp.“No,itisodd...”saidPoirot.“Youmeantheyusuallyleavealetterwhenit’ssuicide?”“Exactly.”“Infact,onemoreproofthatitisn’tsuicide.”Hemovedaway.“I’llhavemymengettoworknow.We’dbettergodownandinterviewthis

MissPlenderleith.Coming,Poirot?”Poirotstillseemedfascinatedbythewritingbureauanditsappointments.

Helefttheroom,butatthedoorhiseyeswentbackoncemoretotheflauntingemeraldquillpen.

Two

Atthefootofthenarrowflightofstairsadoorgaveadmissiontoalarge-sizedlivingroom—actuallytheconvertedstable.Inthisroom,thewallsofwhichwerefinishedinaroughenedplastereffectandonwhichhungetchingsandwoodcuts,twopeopleweresitting.

One,inachairnearthefireplace,herhandstretchedouttotheblaze,wasadarkefficient-lookingyoungwomanoftwenty-sevenoreight.Theother,anelderlywomanofampleproportionswhocarriedastringbag,waspantingandtalkingwhenthetwomenenteredtheroom.

“—andasIsaid,Miss,suchaturnitgavemeInearlydroppeddownwhereIstood.Andtothinkthatthismorningofallmornings—”

Theothercuthershort.“Thatwilldo,Mrs.Pierce.Thesegentlemenarepoliceofficers,Ithink.”“MissPlenderleith?”askedJapp,advancing.Thegirlnodded.“Thatismyname.ThisisMrs.Piercewhocomesintoworkforusevery

day.”TheirrepressibleMrs.Piercebrokeoutagain.“AndasIwassayingtoMissPlenderleith,tothinkthatthismorningofall

mornings,mysister’sLouisaMaudshouldhavebeentookwithafitandmetheonlyonehandyandasIsayfleshandbloodisfleshandblood,andIdidn’tthinkMrs.Allenwouldmind,thoughIneverlikestodisappointmyladies—”

Jappbrokeinwithsomedexterity.“Quiteso,Mrs.Pierce.NowperhapsyouwouldtakeInspectorJamesoninto

thekitchenandgivehimabriefstatement.”HavingthengotridofthevolubleMrs.Pierce,whodepartedwithJameson

talkingthirteentothedozen,Jappturnedhisattentiononcemoretothegirl.“IamChiefInspectorJapp.Now,MissPlenderleith,Ishouldliketoknow

allyoucantellmeaboutthisbusiness.”“Certainly.WhereshallIbegin?”Herself-possessionwasadmirable.Therewerenosignsofgrieforshock

saveforanalmostunnaturalrigidityofmanner.“Youarrivedthismorningatwhattime?”“Ithinkitwasjustbeforehalfpastten.Mrs.Pierce,theoldliar,wasn’there,

Ifound—”“Isthatafrequentoccurrence?”JanePlenderleithshruggedhershoulders.“Abouttwiceaweeksheturnsupattwelve—ornotatall.She’ssupposedto

comeatnine.Actually,asIsay,twiceaweeksheeither‘comesoverqueer,’orelsesomememberofherfamilyisovertakenbysickness.Allthesedailywomenarelikethat—failyounowandagain.She’snotbadastheygo.”

“You’vehadherlong?”“Justoveramonth.Ourlastonepinchedthings.”“Pleasegoon,MissPlenderleith.”“Ipaidoffthetaxi,carriedinmysuitcase,lookedroundforMrs.P.,couldn’t

seeherandwentupstairstomyroom.ItidiedupabitthenIwentacrosstoBarbara—Mrs.Allen—andfoundthedoorlocked.Irattledthehandleandknockedbutcouldgetnoreply.Icamedownstairsandrangupthepolicestation.”

“Pardon!”Poirotinterposedaquick,deftquestion.“Itdidnotoccurtoyoutotryandbreakdownthedoor—withthehelpofoneofthechauffeursinthemews,say?”

Hereyesturnedtohim—cool,grey-greeneyes.Herglanceseemedtosweepoverhimquicklyandappraisingly.

“No,Idon’tthinkIthoughtofthat.Ifanythingwaswrong,itseemedtomethatthepolicewerethepeopletosendfor.”

“Thenyouthought—pardon,mademoiselle—thattherewassomethingwrong?”

“Naturally.”“Becauseyoucouldnotgetareplytoyourknocks?Butpossiblyyourfriend

mighthavetakenasleepingdraughtorsomethingofthatkind—”“Shedidn’ttakesleepingdraughts.”Thereplycamesharply.“Orshemighthavegoneawayandlockedherdoorbeforegoing?”“Whyshouldshelockit?Inanycaseshewouldhaveleftanoteforme.”“Andshedidnot—leaveanoteforyou?Youarequitesureofthat?”“OfcourseIamsureofit.Ishouldhaveseenitatonce.”Thesharpnessofhertonewasaccentuated.Jappsaid:“Youdidn’ttryandlookthroughthekeyhole,MissPlenderleith?”“No,”saidJanePlenderleiththoughtfully.“Ineverthoughtofthat.ButI

couldn’thaveseenanything,couldI?Becausethekeywouldhavebeeninit?”Herinquiringgaze,innocent,wide-eyed,metJapp’s.Poirotsmiledsuddenly

tohimself.“Youdidquiteright,ofcourse,MissPlenderleith,”saidJapp.“Isuppose

you’dnoreasontobelievethatyourfriendwaslikelytocommitsuicide?”“Oh,no.”“Shehadn’tseemedworried—ordistressedinanyway?”Therewasapause—anappreciablepausebeforethegirlanswered.“No.”“Didyouknowshehadapistol?”JanePlenderleithnodded.“Yes,shehaditoutinIndia.Shealwayskeptitinadrawerinherroom.”“H’m.Gotalicenceforit?”“Iimagineso.Idon’tknowforcertain.”“Now,MissPlenderleith,willyoutellmeallyoucanaboutMrs.Allen,how

longyou’veknownher,whereherrelationsare—everythinginfact.”JanePlenderleithnodded.“I’veknownBarbaraaboutfiveyears.Imetherfirsttravellingabroad—in

Egypttobeexact.ShewasonherwayhomefromIndia.I’dbeenattheBritishSchoolinAthensforabitandwashavingafewweeksinEgyptbeforegoinghome.WewereonaNilecruisetogether.Wemadefriends,decidedwelikedeachother.Iwaslookingatthetimeforsomeonetoshareaflatoratinyhousewithme.Barbarawasaloneintheworld.Wethoughtwe’dgetonwelltogether.”

“Andyoudidgetonwelltogether?”askedPoirot.“Verywell.Weeachhadourownfriends—Barbarawasmoresocialinher

likings—myfriendsweremoreoftheartistickind.Itprobablyworkedbetterthatway.”

Poirotnodded.Jappwenton:“WhatdoyouknowaboutMrs.Allen’sfamilyandherlifebeforeshemet

you?”JanePlenderleithshruggedhershoulders.“Notverymuchreally.HermaidennamewasArmitage,Ibelieve.”“Herhusband?”“Idon’tfancythathewasanythingtowritehomeabout.Hedrank,Ithink.I

gatherhediedayearortwoafterthemarriage.Therewasonechild,alittlegirl,whichdiedwhenitwasthreeyearsold.Barbaradidn’ttalkmuchaboutherhusband.IbelieveshemarriedhiminIndiawhenshewasaboutseventeen.ThentheywentofftoBorneooroneofthegodforsakenspotsyousendne’er-do-wellsto—butasitwasobviouslyapainfulsubjectIdidn’trefertoit.”

“DoyouknowifMrs.Allenwasinanyfinancialdifficulties?”“No,I’msureshewasn’t.”“Notindebt—anythingofthatkind?”“Oh,no!I’msureshewasn’tinthatkindofajam.”“Nowthere’sanotherquestionImustask—andIhopeyouwon’tbeupset

aboutit,MissPlenderleith.HadMrs.Allenanyparticularmanfriendormenfriends?”

JanePlenderleithansweredcoolly:“Well,shewasengagedtobemarriedifthatanswersyourquestion.”“Whatisthenameofthemanshewasengagedto?”“CharlesLaverton-West.He’sM.P.forsomeplaceinHampshire.”“Hadsheknownhimlong?”“Alittleoverayear.”“Andshehasbeenengagedtohim—howlong?”“Two—no—nearerthreemonths.”“Asfarasyouknowtherehasnotbeenanyquarrel?”MissPlenderleithshookherhead.“No.Ishouldhavebeensurprisediftherehadbeenanythingofthatsort.

Barbarawasn’tthequarrellingkind.”“HowlongisitsinceyoulastsawMrs.Allen?”“Fridaylast,justbeforeIwentawayfortheweekend.”“Mrs.Allenwasremainingintown?”“Yes.ShewasgoingoutwithherfiancéontheSunday,Ibelieve.”“Andyouyourself,wheredidyouspendtheweekend?”“AtLaidellsHall,Laidells,Essex.”“Andthenameofthepeoplewithwhomyouwerestaying?”“Mr.andMrs.Bentinck.”“Youonlyleftthemthismorning?”“Yes.”“Youmusthaveleftveryearly?”“Mr.Bentinckmotoredmeup.Hestartsearlybecausehehastogettothe

citybyten.”“Isee.”Jappnoddedcomprehendingly.MissPlenderleith’sreplieshadallbeencrisp

andconvincing.Poirotinhisturnputaquestion.“WhatisyourownopinionofMr.Laverton-West?”Thegirlshruggedhershoulders.“Doesthatmatter?”“No,itdoesnotmatter,perhaps,butIshouldliketohaveyouropinion.”“Idon’tknowthatI’vethoughtabouthimonewayortheother.He’syoung

—notmorethanthirty-oneortwo—ambitious—agoodpublicspeaker—meanstogetonintheworld.”

“Thatisonthecreditside—andonthedebit?”“Well,”MissPlenderleithconsideredforamomentortwo.“Inmyopinion

he’scommonplace—hisideasarenotparticularlyoriginal—andhe’sslightlypompous.”

“Thosearenotveryseriousfaults,mademoiselle,”saidPoirot,smiling.“Don’tyouthinkso?”Hertonewasslightlyironic.“Theymightbetoyou.”Hewaswatchingher,sawherlookalittledisconcerted.Hepursuedhis

advantage.“ButtoMrs.Allen—no,shewouldnotnoticethem.”“You’reperfectlyright.Barbarathoughthewaswonderful—tookhim

entirelyathisownvaluation.”Poirotsaidgently:“Youwerefondofyourfriend?”Hesawthehandclenchonherknee,thetighteningofthelineofthejaw,yet

theanswercameinamatter-of-factvoicefreefromemotion.“Youarequiteright.Iwas.”Jappsaid:“Justoneotherthing,MissPlenderleith.Youandshedidn’thaveaquarrel?

Therewasnoupsetbetweenyou?”“Nonewhatever.”“Notoverthisengagementbusiness?”“Certainlynot.Iwasgladshewasabletobesohappyaboutit.”Therewasamomentarypause,thenJappsaid:“Asfarasyouknow,didMrs.Allenhaveanyenemies?”ThistimetherewasadefiniteintervalbeforeJanePlenderleithreplied.

Whenshedidso,hertonehadalteredveryslightly.“Idon’tknowquitewhatyoumeanbyenemies?”“Anyone,forinstance,whowouldprofitbyherdeath?”“Oh,no,thatwouldberidiculous.Shehadaverysmallincomeanyway.”“Andwhoinheritsthatincome?”JamePlenderleith’svoicesoundedmildlysurprisedasshesaid:“Doyouknow,Ireallydon’tknow.Ishouldn’tbesurprisedifIdid.Thatis,

ifsheevermadeawill.”“Andnoenemiesinanyothersense?”Jappslidofftoanotheraspect

quickly.“Peoplewithagrudgeagainsther?”“Idon’tthinkanyonehadagrudgeagainsther.Shewasaverygentle

creature,alwaysanxioustoplease.Shehadareallysweet,lovablenature.”Forthefirsttimethathard,matter-of-factvoicebrokealittle.Poirotnodded

gently.Jappsaid:“Soitamountstothis—Mrs.Allenhasbeeningoodspiritslately,she

wasn’tinanyfinancialdifficulty,shewasengagedtobemarriedandwashappyinherengagement.Therewasnothingintheworldtomakehercommitsuicide.That’sright,isn’tit?”

TherewasamomentarysilencebeforeJanesaid:“Yes.”Japprose.“Excuseme,ImusthaveawordwithInspectorJameson.”Helefttheroom.HerculePoirotremainedtêteàtêtewithJanePlenderleith.

Three

Forafewminutestherewassilence.JanePlenderleithshotaswiftappraisingglanceatthelittleman,butafter

thatshestaredinfrontofheranddidnotspeak.Yetaconsciousnessofhispresenceshoweditselfinacertainnervoustension.Herbodywasstillbutnotrelaxed.WhenatlastPoirotdidbreakthesilencethemeresoundofhisvoiceseemedtogiveheracertainrelief.Inanagreeableeverydayvoiceheaskedaquestion.

“Whendidyoulightthefire,mademoiselle?”“Thefire?”Hervoicesoundedvagueandratherabsentminded.“Oh,assoon

asIarrivedthismorning.”“Beforeyouwentupstairsorafterwards?”“Before.”“Isee.Yes,naturally...Anditwasalreadylaid—ordidyouhavetolayit?”“Itwaslaid.Ionlyhadtoputamatchtoit.”Therewasaslightimpatienceinhervoice.Clearlyshesuspectedhimof

makingconversation.Possiblythatwaswhathewasdoing.Atanyratehewentoninquietconversationaltones.

“Butyourfriend—inherroomInoticedtherewasagasfireonly?”JanePlenderleithansweredmechanically.“Thisistheonlycoalfirewehave—theothersareallgasfires.”“Andyoucookwithgas,too?”“Ithinkeveryonedoesnowadays.”“True.Itismuchlaboursaving.”Thelittleinterchangedieddown.JanePlenderleithtappedontheground

withhershoe.Thenshesaidabruptly:

“Thatman—ChiefInspectorJapp—isheconsideredclever?”“Heisverysound.Yes,heiswellthoughtof.Heworkshardand

painstakinglyandverylittleescapeshim.”“Iwonder—”mutteredthegirl.Poirotwatchedher.Hiseyeslookedverygreeninthefirelight.Heasked

quietly:“Itwasagreatshocktoyou,yourfriend’sdeath?”“Terrible.”Shespokewithabruptsincerity.“Youdidnotexpectit—no?”“Ofcoursenot.”“Sothatitseemedtoyouatfirst,perhaps,thatitwasimpossible—thatit

couldnotbe?”ThequietsympathyofhistoneseemedtobreakdownJanePlenderleith’s

defences.Sherepliedeagerly,naturally,withoutstiffness.“That’sjustit.EvenifBarbaradidkillherself,Ican’timagineherkilling

herselfthatway.”“Yetshehadapistol?”JanePlenderleithmadeanimpatientgesture.“Yes,butthatpistolwasa—oh!ahangover.She’dbeeninout-of-the-way

places.Shekeptitoutofhabit—notwithanyotheridea.I’msureofthat.”“Ah!andwhyareyousureofthat?”“Oh,becauseofthethingsshesaid.”“Suchas—?”Hisvoicewasverygentleandfriendly.Itledheronsubtly.“Well,forinstance,wewerediscussingsuicideonceandshesaidmuchthe

easiestwaywouldbetoturnthegasonandstuffupallthecracksandjustgotobed.IsaidIthoughtthatwouldbeimpossible—tolietherewaiting.IsaidI’dfarrathershootmyself.Andshesaidno,shecouldnevershootherself.She’dbetoofrightenedincaseitdidn’tcomeoffandanywayshesaidshe’dhatethebang.”

“Isee,”saidPoirot.“Asyousay,itisodd...Because,asyouhavejusttoldme,therewasagasfireinherroom.”

JanePlenderleithlookedathim,slightlystartled.“Yes,therewas...Ican’tunderstand—no,Ican’tunderstandwhyshe

didn’tdoitthatway.”Poirotshookhishead.“Yes,itseems—odd—notnaturalsomehow.”“Thewholethingdoesn’tseemnatural.Istillcan’tbelieveshekilledherself.

Isupposeitmustbesuicide?”“Well,thereisoneotherpossibility.”“Whatdoyoumean?”Poirotlookedstraightather.“Itmightbe—murder.”“Oh,no?”JanePlenderleithshrankback.“Ohno!Whatahorrible

suggestion.”“Horrible,perhaps,butdoesitstrikeyouasanimpossibleone?”“Butthedoorwaslockedontheinside.Sowasthewindow.”“Thedoorwaslocked—yes.Butthereisnothingtoshowifitwerelocked

fromtheinsideortheoutside.Yousee,thekeywasmissing.”“Butthen—ifitismissing...”Shetookaminuteortwo.“Thenitmust

havebeenlockedfromtheoutside.Otherwiseitwouldbesomewhereintheroom.”

“Ah,butitmaybe.Theroomhasnotbeenthoroughlysearchedyet,remember.Oritmayhavebeenthrownoutofthewindowandsomebodymayhavepickeditup.”

“Murder!”saidJanePlenderleith.Sheturnedoverthepossibility,herdarkcleverfaceeageronthescent.“Ibelieveyou’reright.”

“Butifitweremurdertherewouldhavebeenamotive.Doyouknowofamotive,mademoiselle?”

Slowlysheshookherhead.Andyet,inspiteofthedenial,PoirotagaingottheimpressionthatJanePlenderleithwasdeliberatelykeepingsomethingback.ThedooropenedandJappcamein.

Poirotrose.“IhavebeensuggestingtoMissPlenderleith,”hesaid,“thatherfriend’s

deathwasnotsuicide.”Japplookedmomentarilyputout.HecastaglanceofreproachatPoirot.“It’sabitearlytosayanythingdefinite,”heremarked.“We’vealwaysgotto

takeallpossibilitiesintoaccount,youunderstand.That’sallthereistoitatthe

moment.”JanePlenderleithrepliedquietly.“Isee.”Jappcametowardsher.“Nowthen,MissPlenderleith,haveyoueverseenthisbefore?”Onthepalmofhishandheheldoutasmallovalofdarkblueenamel.JanePlenderleithshookherhead.“No,never.”“It’snotyoursnorMrs.Allen’s?”“No.It’snotthekindofthingusuallywornbyoursex,isit?”“Oh!soyourecognizeit.”“Well,it’sprettyobvious,isn’tit?That’shalfofaman’scufflink.”

Four

Thatyoungwoman’stoocockybyhalf,”Jappcomplained.ThetwomenwereoncemoreinMrs.Allen’sbedroom.Thebodyhadbeen

photographedandremovedandthefingerprintmanhaddonehisworkanddeparted.

“Itwouldbeunadvisabletotreatherasafool,”agreedPoirot.“Shemostemphaticallyisnotafool.Sheis,infact,aparticularlycleverandcompetentyoungwoman.”

“Thinkshedidit?”askedJappwithamomentaryrayofhope.“Shemighthave,youknow.We’llhavetogetheralibilookedinto.Somequarreloverthisyoungman—thisbuddingM.P.She’srathertooscathingabouthim,Ithink!Soundsfishy.Ratherasthoughsheweresweetonhimherselfandhe’dturnedherdown.She’sthekindthatwouldbumpanyoneoffifshefeltlikeit,andkeepherheadwhileshewasdoingit,too.Yes,we’llhavetolookintothatalibi.ShehaditverypatandafterallEssexisn’tveryfaraway.Plentyoftrains.Orafastcar.It’sworthwhilefindingoutifshewenttobedwithaheadacheforinstancelastnight.”

“Youareright,”agreedPoirot.“Inanycase,”continuedJapp,“she’sholdingoutonus.Eh?Didn’tyoufeel

thattoo?Thatyoungwomanknowssomething.”Poirotnoddedthoughtfully.“Yes,thatcouldbeclearlyseen.”“That’salwaysadifficultyinthesecases,”Jappcomplained.“Peoplewill

holdtheirtongues—sometimesoutofthemosthonourablemotives.”“Forwhichonecanhardlyblamethem,myfriend.”“No,butitmakesitmuchharderforus,”Jappgrumbled.

“

“Itmerelydisplaystoitsfulladvantageyouringenuity,”Poirotconsoledhim.“Whataboutfingerprints,bytheway?”

“Well,it’smurderallright.Noprintswhateveronthepistol.Wipedcleanbeforebeingplacedinherhand.Evenifshemanagedtowindherarmroundherheadinsomemarvellousacrobaticfashionshecouldhardlyfireoffapistolwithouthangingontoitandshecouldn’twipeitaftershewasdead.”

“No,no,anoutsideagencyisclearlyindicated.”“Otherwisetheprintsaredisappointing.Noneonthedoor-handle.Noneon

thewindow.Suggestive,eh?PlentyofMrs.Allen’sallovertheplace.”“DidJamesongetanything?”“Outofthedailywoman?No.Shetalkedalotbutshedidn’treallyknow

much.ConfirmedthefactthatAllenandPlenderleithwereongoodterms.I’vesentJamesonouttomakeinquiriesinthemews.We’llhavetohaveawordwithMr.Laverton-Westtoo.Findoutwherehewasandwhathewasdoinglastnight.Inthemeantimewe’llhavealookthroughherpapers.”

Hesettowithoutmoreado.OccasionallyhegruntedandtossedsomethingovertoPoirot.Thesearchdidnottakelong.Therewerenotmanypapersinthedeskandwhattherewerewereneatlyarrangedanddocketed.

FinallyJappleantbackandutteredasigh.“Notverymuch,isthere?”“Asyousay.”“Mostofitquitestraightforward—receiptedbills,afewbillsasyetunpaid

—nothingparticularlyoutstanding.Socialstuff—invitations.Notesfromfriends.These—”helaidhishandonapileofsevenoreightletters—“andherchequebookandpassbook.Anythingstrikeyouthere?”

“Yes,shewasoverdrawn.”“Anythingelse?”Poirotsmiled.“Isitanexaminationthatyouputmethrough?Butyes,Inoticedwhatyou

arethinkingof.Twohundredpoundsdrawntoselfthreemonthsago—andtwohundredpoundsdrawnoutyesterday—”

“Andnothingonthecounterfoilofthechequebook.Nootherchequestoselfexceptsmallsums—fifteenpoundsthehighest.AndI’lltellyouthis—there’snosuchsumofmoneyinthehouse.Fourpoundsteninahandbagandan

oddshillingortwoinanotherbag.That’sprettyclear,Ithink.”“Meaningthatshepaidthatsumawayyesterday.”“Yes.Nowwhodidshepayitto?”ThedooropenedandInspectorJamesonentered.“Well,Jameson,getanything?”“Yes,sir,severalthings.Tobeginwith,nobodyactuallyheardtheshot.Two

orthreewomensaytheydidbecausetheywanttothinktheydid—butthat’sallthereistoit.Withallthosefireworksgoingoffthereisn’tadog’schance.”

Jappgrunted.“Don’tsupposethereis.Goon.”“Mrs.Allenwasathomemostofyesterdayafternoonandevening.Camein

aboutfiveo’clock.Thenshewentoutagainaboutsixbutonlytothepostboxattheendofthemews.Ataboutnine-thirtyacardroveup—StandardSwallowsaloon—andamangotout.Descriptionaboutforty-five,wellsetupmilitary-lookinggent,darkblueovercoat,bowlerhat,toothbrushmoustache.JamesHogg,chauffeurfromNo.18sayshe’sseenhimcallingonMrs.Allenbefore.”

“Forty-five,”saidJapp.“Can’tverywellbeLaverton-West.”“Thisman,whoeverhewas,stayedhereforjustunderanhour.Leftatabout

ten-twenty.StoppedinthedoorwaytospeaktoMrs.Allen.Smallboy,FrederickHogg,washangingaboutquitenearandheardwhathesaid.”

“Andwhatdidhesay?”“‘Well,thinkitoverandletmeknow.’Andthenshesaidsomethingandhe

answered:‘Allright.Solong.’Afterthathegotinhiscaranddroveaway.”“Thatwasatten-twenty,”saidPoirotthoughtfully.Japprubbedhisnose.“Thenatten-twentyMrs.Allenwasstillalive,”hesaid.“Whatnext?”“Nothingmore,sir,asfarasIcanlearn.ThechauffeuratNo.22gotinat

half-pasttenandhe’dpromisedhiskidstoletoffsomefireworksforthem.They’dbeenwaitingforhim—andalltheotherkidsinthemewstoo.Helet’emoffandeverybodyaroundaboutwasbusywatchingthem.Afterthateveryonewenttobed.”

“AndnobodyelsewasseentoenterNo.14?”“No—butthat’snottosaytheydidn’t.Nobodywouldhavenoticed.”“H’m,”saidJapp.“That’strue.Well,we’llhavetogetholdofthis‘military

gentlemanwiththetoothbrushmoustache.’It’sprettyclearthathewasthelastpersontoseeheralive.Iwonderwhohewas?”

“MissPlenderleithmighttellus,”suggestedPoirot.“Shemight,”saidJappgloomily.“Ontheotherhandshemightnot.I’veno

doubtshecouldtellusagooddealifsheliked.Whataboutyou,Poirot,oldboy?Youwerealonewithherforabit.Didn’tyoutrotoutthatFatherConfessormannerofyoursthatsometimesmakessuchahit?”

Poirotspreadouthishands.“Alas,wetalkedonlyofgasfires.”“Gasfires—gasfires.”Jappsoundeddisgusted.“What’sthematterwith

you,oldcock?Eversinceyou’vebeenheretheonlythingsyou’vetakenaninterestinarequillpensandwastepaperbaskets.Oh,yes,Isawyouhavingaquietlookintotheonedownstairs.Anythinginit?”

Poirotsighed.“Acatalogueofbulbsandanoldmagazine.”“What’stheidea,anyway?Ifanyonewantstothrowawayanincriminating

documentorwhateveritisyouhaveinmindthey’renotlikelyjusttopitchitintoawastepaperbasket.”

“Thatisverytruewhatyousaythere.Onlysomethingquiteunimportantwouldbethrownawaylikethat.”

Poirotspokemeekly.NeverthelessJapplookedathimsuspiciously.“Well,”hesaid.“IknowwhatI’mgoingtodonext.Whataboutyou?”“Ehbien,”saidPoirot.“Ishallcompletemysearchfortheunimportant.

Thereisstillthedustbin.”Heskippednimblyoutoftheroom.Japplookedafterhimwithanairof

disgust.“Potty,”hesaid.“Absolutelypotty.”InspectorJamesonpreservedarespectfulsilence.HisfacesaidwithBritish

superiority:“Foreigners!”Aloudhesaid:“Sothat’sMr.HerculePoirot!I’veheardofhim.”“Oldfriendofmine,”explainedJapp.“Nothalfasbalmyashelooks,mind

you.Allthesamehe’sgettingonnow.”“Goneabitgagaastheysay,sir,”suggestedInspectorJameson.“Ahwell,

agewilltell.”“Allthesame,”saidJapp,“IwishIknewwhathewasupto.”Hewalkedovertothewritingtableandstareduneasilyatanemeraldgreen

quillpen.

Five

Jappwasjustengaginghisthirdchauffeur’swifeinconversationwhenPoirot,walkingnoiselesslyasacat,suddenlyappearedathiselbow.

“Whew,youmademejump,”saidJapp.“Gotanything?”“NotwhatIwaslookingfor.”JappturnedbacktoMrs.JamesHogg.“Andyousayyou’veseenthisgentlemanbefore?”“Oh,yessir.Andmyhusbandtoo.Weknewhimatonce.”“Nowlookhere,Mrs.Hogg,you’reashrewdwoman,Icansee.I’veno

doubtthatyouknowallabouteveryoneinthemews.Andyou’reawomanofjudgment—unusuallygoodjudgment,Icantellthat—”Unblushinglyherepeatedthisremarkforthethirdtime.Mrs.Hoggbridledslightlyandassumedanexpressionofsuperhumanintelligence.“Givemealineonthosetwoyoungwomen—Mrs.AllenandMissPlenderleith.Whatweretheylike?Gay?Lotsofparties?Thatsortofthing?”

“Oh,nosir,nothingofthekind.Theywentoutagoodbit—Mrs.Allenespecially—butthey’reclass,ifyouknowwhatImean.NotlikesomeasIcouldnamedowntheotherend.I’msurethewaythatMrs.Stevensgoeson—ifsheisaMrs.atallwhichIdoubt—wellIshouldn’tliketotellyouwhatgoesonthere—I....”

“Quiteso,”saidJapp,dexterouslystoppingtheflow.“Nowthat’sveryimportantwhatyou’vetoldme.Mrs.AllenandMissPlenderleithwerewellliked,then?”

“Ohyes,sir,veryniceladies,bothofthem—especiallyMrs.Allen.Alwaysspokeanicewordtothechildren,shedid.Lostherownlittlegirl,Ibelieve,poordear.Ahwell,I’veburiedthreemyself.AndwhatIsayis...”

“Yes,yes,verysad.AndMissPlenderleith?”“Well,ofcourseshewasaniceladytoo,butmuchmoreabruptifyouknow

whatImean.Justgobywithanod,shewould,andnotstoptopassthetimeofday.ButI’venothingagainsther—nothingatall.”

“SheandMrs.Allengotonwelltogether?”“Oh,yessir.Noquarrelling—nothinglikethat.Veryhappyandcontented

theywere—I’msureMrs.Piercewillbearmeout.”“Yes,we’vetalkedtoher.DoyouknowMrs.Allen’sfiancébysight?”“Thegentlemanshe’sgoingtomarry?Oh,yes.He’sbeenherequiteabitoff

andon.MemberofParliament,theydosay.”“Itwasn’thewhocamelastnight?”“No,sir,itwasnot.”Mrs.Hoggdrewherselfup.Anoteofexcitement

disguisedbeneathintenseprimnesscameintohervoice.“Andifyouaskme,sir,whatyouarethinkingisallwrong.Mrs.Allenwasn’tthatkindoflady,I’msure.It’struetherewasnooneinthehouse,butIdonotbelieveanythingofthekind—IsaidsotoHoggonlythismorning.‘No,Hogg,’Isaid,‘Mrs.Allenwasalady—areallady—sodon’tgosuggestingthings’—knowingwhataman’smindis,ifyou’llexcusemymentioningit.Alwayscoarseintheirideas.”

Passingthisinsultby,Jappproceeded:“Yousawhimarriveandyousawhimleave—that’sso,isn’tit?”“That’sso,sir.”“Andyoudidn’thearanythingelse?Anysoundsofaquarrel?”“No,sir,norlikelyto.Not,thatistosay,thatsuchthingscouldn’tbeheard

—becausethecontrarytothatiswell-known—anddowntheotherendthewayMrs.Stevensgoesforthatpoorfrightenedmaidofhersiscommontalk—andoneandallwe’veadvisedhernottostandit,butthere,thewagesisgood—temperofthedevilshemayhavebutpaysforit—thirtyshillingsaweek....”

Jappsaidquickly:“Butyoudidn’thearanythingofthekindatNo.14?”“No,sir.Norlikelytowithfireworkspoppingoffhere,thereand

everywhereandmyEddiewithhiseyebrowssingedoffasnearasnothing.”“Thismanleftatten-twenty—that’sright,isit?”“Itmightbe,sir.Icouldn’tsaymyself.ButHoggsayssoandhe’savery

reliable,steadyman.”

“Youactuallysawhimleave.Didyouhearwhathesaid?”“No,sir.Iwasn’tnearenoughforthat.Justsawhimfrommywindows,

standinginthedoorwaytalkingtoMrs.Allen.”“Seehertoo?”“Yes,sir,shewasstandingjustinsidethedoorway.”“Noticewhatshewaswearing?”“Nowreally,sir,Icouldn’tsay.Notnoticingparticularlyasitwere.”Poirotsaid:“Youdidnotevennoticeifshewaswearingdaydressoreveningdress?”“No,sir,Ican’tsayIdid.”PoirotlookedthoughtfullyupatthewindowaboveandthenacrosstoNo.

14.HesmiledandforamomenthiseyecaughtJapp’s.“Andthegentleman?”“Hewasinadark-blueovercoatandabowlerhat.Verysmartandwellset

up.”Jappaskedafewmorequestionsandthenproceededtohisnextinterview.

ThiswaswithMasterFrederickHogg,animpish-faced,bright-eyedlad,considerablyswollenwithself-importance.

“Yes,sir.Iheardthemtalking.‘Thinkitoverandletmeknow,’thegentsaid.Pleasantlike,youknow.Andthenshesaidsomethingandheanswered,‘Allright.Solong.’Andhegotintothecar—Iwasholdingthedooropenbuthedidn’tgivemenothing,”saidMasterHoggwithaslighttingeofdepressioninhistone.“Andhedroveaway.”

“Youdidn’thearwhatMrs.Allensaid?”“No,sir,can’tsayIdid.”“Canyoutellmewhatshewaswearing?Whatcolour,forinstance?”“Couldn’tsay,sir.Yousee,Ididn’treallyseeher.Shemusthavebeenround

behindthedoor.”“Justso,”saidJapp.“Nowlookhere,myboy,Iwantyoutothinkand

answermynextquestionverycarefully.Ifyoudon’tknowandcan’tremember,sayso.Isthatclear?”

“Yes,sir.”MasterHogglookedathimeagerly.“Whichof’emclosedthedoor,Mrs.Allenorthegentleman?”

“Thefrontdoor?”“Thefrontdoor,naturally.”Thechildreflected.Hiseyesscrewedthemselvesupinaneffortof

remembrance.“Thinktheladyprobablydid—No,shedidn’t.Hedid.Pulledittowithabit

ofabangandjumpedintothecarquick.Lookedasthoughhehadadatesomewhere.”

“Right.Well,youngman,youseemabrightkindofshaver.Here’ssixpenceforyou.”

DismissingMasterHogg,Jappturnedtohisfriend.Slowlywithoneaccordtheynodded.

“Couldbe!”saidJapp.“Therearepossibilities,”agreedPoirot.Hiseyesshonewithagreenlight.Theylookedlikeacat’s.

Six

OnreenteringthesittingroomofNo.14,Jappwastednotimeinbeatingaboutthebush.Hecamestraighttothepoint.

“Nowlookhere,MissPlenderleith,don’tyouthinkit’sbettertospillthebeanshereandnow.It’sgoingtocometothatintheend.”

JanePlenderleithraisedhereyebrows.Shewasstandingbythemantelpiece,gentlywarmingonefootatthefire.

“Ireallydon’tknowwhatyoumean.”“Isthatquitetrue,MissPlenderleith?”Sheshruggedhershoulders.“I’veansweredallyourquestions.Idon’tseewhatmoreIcando.”“Well,it’smyopinionyoucoulddoalotmore—ifyouchose.”“That’sonlyanopinion,though,isn’tit,ChiefInspector?”Jappgrewratherredintheface.“Ithink,”saidPoirot,“thatmademoisellewouldappreciatebetterthereason

foryourquestionsifyoutoldherjusthowthecasestands.”“That’sverysimple.Nowthen,MissPlenderleith,thefactsareasfollows.

Yourfriendwasfoundshotthroughtheheadwithapistolinherhandandthedoorandthewindowfastened.Thatlookedlikeaplaincaseofsuicide.Butitwasn’tsuicide.Themedicalevidencealoneprovesthat.”

“How?”Allherironiccoolnesshaddisappeared.Sheleanedforward—intent—

watchinghisface.“Thepistolwasinherhand—butthefingersweren’tgraspingit.Moreover

therewerenofingerprintsatallonthepistol.Andtheangleofthewoundmakesitimpossiblethatthewoundshouldhavebeenself-inflicted.Thenagain,sheleft

noletter—ratheranunusualthingforasuicide.Andthoughthedoorwaslockedthekeyhasnotbeenfound.”

JanePlenderleithturnedslowlyandsatdowninachairfacingthem.“Sothat’sit!”shesaid.“AllalongI’vefeltitwasimpossiblethatsheshould

havekilledherself!Iwasright!Shedidn’tkillherself.Someoneelsekilledher.”Foramomentortwosheremainedlostinthought.Thensheraisedherhead

brusquely.“Askmeanyquestionsyoulike,”shesaid.“Iwillanswerthemtothebestof

myability.”Jappbegan:“LastnightMrs.Allenhadavisitor.Heisdescribedasamanofforty-five,

militarybearing,toothbrushmoustache,smartlydressedanddrivingaStandardSwallowsalooncar.Doyouknowwhothatis?”

“Ican’tbesure,ofcourse,butitsoundslikeMajorEustace.”“WhoisMajorEustace?Tellmeallyoucanabouthim?”“HewasamanBarbarahadknownabroad—inIndia.Heturnedupabouta

yearago,andwe’veseenhimonandoffsince.”“HewasafriendofMrs.Allen’s?”“Hebehavedlikeone,”saidJanedryly.“Whatwasherattitudetohim?”“Idon’tthinkshereallylikedhim—infact,I’msureshedidn’t.”“Butshetreatedhimwithoutwardfriendliness?”“Yes.”“Didsheeverseem—thinkcarefully,MissPlenderleith—afraidofhim?”JanePlenderleithconsideredthisthoughtfullyforaminuteortwo.Thenshe

said:“Yes—Ithinkshewas.Shewasalwaysnervouswhenhewasabout.”“DidheandMr.Laverton-Westmeetatall?”“Onlyonce,Ithink.Theydidn’ttaketoeachothermuch.Thatistosay,

MajorEustacemadehimselfasagreeableashecouldtoCharles,butCharleswasn’thavingany.Charleshasgotaverygoodnoseforanybodywhoisn’twell—quite—quite.”

“AndMajorEustacewasnot—whatyoucall—quite—quite?”askedPoirot.Thegirlsaiddryly:

“No,hewasn’t.Bithairyattheheel.Definitelynotoutofthetopdrawer.”“Alas—Idonotknowthosetwoexpressions.Youmeantosayhewasnot

thepukkasahib?”AfleetingsmilepassedacrossJanePlenderleith’sface,butshereplied

gravely,“No.”“Woulditcomeasagreatsurprisetoyou,MissPlenderleith,ifIsuggested

thatthismanwasblackmailingMrs.Allen?”Jappsatforwardtoobservetheresultofhissuggestion.Hewaswellsatisfied.Thegirlstartedforward,thecolourroseinhercheeks,

shebroughtdownherhandsharplyonthearmofherchair.“Sothatwasit!WhatafoolIwasnottohaveguessed.Ofcourse!”“Youthinkthesuggestionfeasible,mademoiselle?”askedPoirot.“Iwasafoolnottohavethoughtofit!Barbara’sborrowedsmallsumsoff

meseveraltimesduringthelastsixmonths.AndI’veseenhersittingporingoverherpassbook.Iknewshewaslivingwellwithinherincome,soIdidn’tbother,but,ofcourse,ifshewaspayingoutsumsofmoney—”

“Anditwouldaccordwithhergeneraldemeanour—yes?”askedPoirot.“Absolutely.Shewasnervous.Quitejumpysometimes.Altogetherdifferent

fromwhatsheusedtobe.”Poirotsaidgently:“Excuseme,butthatisnotjustwhatyoutoldusbefore.”“Thatwasdifferent,”JanePlenderleithwavedanimpatienthand.“She

wasn’tdepressed.Imeanshewasn’tfeelingsuicidaloranythinglikethat.Butblackmail—yes.Iwishshe’dtoldme.I’dhavesenthimtothedevil.”

“Buthemighthavegone—nottothedevil,buttoMr.CharlesLaverton-West?”observedPoirot.

“Yes,”saidJanePlenderleithslowly.“Yes...that’strue....”“You’venoideaofwhatthisman’sholdoverhermayhavebeen?”asked

Japp.Thegirlshookherhead.“Ihaven’tthefaintestidea.Ican’tbelieve,knowingBarbara,thatitcould

havebeenanythingreallyserious.Ontheotherhand—”shepaused,thenwenton.“WhatImeanis,Barbarawasabitofasimpletoninsomeways.She’dbeveryeasilyfrightened.Infact,shewasthekindofgirlwhowouldbeapositive

gifttoablackmailer!Thenastybrute!”Shesnappedoutthelastthreewordswithrealvenom.“Unfortunately,”saidPoirot,“thecrimeseemstohavetakenplacethe

wrongwayround.Itisthevictimwhoshouldkilltheblackmailer,nottheblackmailerhisvictim.”

JanePlenderleithfrownedalittle.“No—thatistrue—butIcanimaginecircumstances—”“Suchas?”“SupposingBarbaragotdesperate.Shemayhavethreatenedhimwiththat

sillylittlepistolofhers.Hetriestowrenchitawayfromherandinthestrugglehefiresitandkillsher.Thenhe’shorrifiedatwhathe’sdoneandtriestopretenditwassuicide.”

“Mightbe,”saidJapp.“Butthere’sadifficulty.”Shelookedathiminquiringly.“MajorEustace(ifitwashim)leftherelastnightatten-twentyandsaid

goodbyetoMrs.Allenonthedoorstep.”“Oh,”thegirl’sfacefell.“Isee.”Shepausedaminuteortwo.“Buthemight

havecomebacklater,”shesaidslowly.“Yes,thatispossible,”saidPoirot.Jappcontinued:“Tellme,MissPlenderleith,wherewasMrs.Alleninthehabitofreceiving

guests,hereorintheroomupstairs?”“Both.Butthisroomwasusedformorecommunalpartiesorformyown

specialfriends.Yousee,thearrangementwasthatBarbarahadthebigbedroomanduseditasasittingroomaswell,andIhadthelittlebedroomandusedthisroom.”

“IfMajorEustacecamebyappointmentlastnight,inwhichroomdoyouthinkMrs.Allenwouldhavereceivedhim?”

“Ithinkshewouldprobablybringhiminhere.”Thegirlsoundedalittledoubtful.“Itwouldbelessintimate.Ontheotherhand,ifshewantedtowriteachequeoranythingofthatkind,shewouldprobablytakehimupstairs.Therearenowritingmaterialsdownhere.”

Jappshookhishead.“Therewasnoquestionofacheque.Mrs.Allendrewouttwohundred

poundsincashyesterday.Andsofarwe’venotbeenabletofindanytraceofitinthehouse.”

“Andshegaveittothatbrute?Oh,poorBarbara!Poor,poorBarbara!”Poirotcoughed.“Unless,asyousuggest,itwasmoreorlessanaccident,itstillseemsa

remarkablefactthatheshouldkillanapparentlyregularsourceofincome.”“Accident?Itwasn’tanaccident.Helosthistemperandsawredandshot

her.”“Thatishowyouthinkithappened?”“Yes.”Sheaddedvehemently,“Itwasmurder—murder!”Poirotsaidgravely:“Iwillnotsaythatyouarewrong,mademoiselle.”Jappsaid:“WhatcigarettesdidMrs.Allensmoke?”“Gaspers.Therearesomeinthatbox.”Jappopenedthebox,tookoutacigaretteandnodded.Heslippedthe

cigaretteintohispocket.“Andyou,mademoiselle?”askedPoirot.“Thesame.”“YoudonotsmokeTurkish?”“Never.”“NorMrs.Allen?”“No.Shedidn’tlikethem.”Poirotasked:“AndMr.Laverton-West.Whatdidhesmoke?”Shestaredhardathim.“Charles?Whatdoesitmatterwhathesmoked?You’renotgoingtopretend

thathekilledher?”Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.“Amanhaskilledthewomanhelovedbeforenow,mademoiselle.”Janeshookherheadimpatiently.“Charleswouldn’tkillanybody.He’saverycarefulman.”“Allthesame,mademoiselle,itisthecarefulmenwhocommitthecleverest

murders.”

Shestaredathim.“Butnotforthemotiveyouhavejustadvanced,M.Poirot.”Hebowedhishead.“No,thatistrue.”Japprose.“Well,Idon’tthinkthatthere’smuchmoreIcandohere.I’dliketohave

onemorelookround.”“Incasethatmoneyshouldbetuckedawaysomewhere?Certainly.Look

anywhereyoulike.Andinmyroomtoo—althoughitisn’tlikelyBarbarawouldhideitthere.”

Japp’ssearchwasquickbutefficient.Thelivingroomhadgivenupallitssecretsinaveryfewminutes.Thenhewentupstairs.JanePlenderleithsatonthearmofachair,smokingacigaretteandfrowningatthefire.Poirotwatchedher.

Aftersomeminutes,hesaidquietly:“DoyouknowifMr.Laverton-WestisinLondonatpresent?”“Idon’tknowatall.Iratherfancyhe’sinHampshirewithhispeople.I

supposeIoughttohavewiredhim.Howdreadful.Iforgot.”“Itisnoteasytoremembereverything,mademoiselle,whenacatastrophe

occurs.Andafterall,thebadnews,itwillkeep.Onehearsitonlytoosoon.”“Yes,that’strue,”thegirlsaidabsently.Japp’sfootstepswerehearddescendingthestairs.Janewentouttomeet

him.“Well?”Jappshookhishead.“Nothinghelpful,I’mafraid,MissPlenderleith.I’vebeenoverthewhole

housenow.Oh,IsupposeI’dbetterjusthavealookinthiscupboardunderthestairs.”

Hecaughtholdofthehandleashespoke,andpulled.JanePlenderleithsaid:“It’slocked.”Somethinginhervoicemadebothmenlookathersharply.“Yes,”saidJapppleasantly.“Icanseeit’slocked.Perhapsyou’llgetthe

key.”Thegirlwasstandingasthoughcarvedinstone.

“I—I’mnotsurewhereitis.”Jappshotaquickglanceather.Hisvoicecontinuedresolutelypleasantand

offhand.“Dearme,that’stoobad.Don’twanttosplinterthewood,openingitby

force.I’llsendJamesonouttogetanassortmentofkeys.”Shemovedforwardstiffly.“Oh,”shesaid.“Oneminute.Itmightbe—”Shewentbackintothelivingroomandreappearedamomentlaterholdinga

fair-sizedkeyinherhand.“Wekeepitlocked,”sheexplained,“becauseone’sumbrellasandthings

haveahabitofgettingpinched.”“Verywiseprecaution,”saidJapp,cheerfullyacceptingthekey.Heturneditinthelockandthrewthedooropen.Itwasdarkinsidethe

cupboard.Japptookouthispocketflashlightandletitplayroundtheinside.Poirotfeltthegirlathissidestiffenandstopbreathingforasecond.His

eyesfollowedthesweepofJapp’storch.Therewasnotverymuchinthecupboard.Threeumbrellas—onebroken,

fourwalkingsticks,asetofgolfclubs,twotennisracquets,aneatly-foldedrugandseveralsofacushionsinvariousstagesofdilapidation.Onthetopoftheselastreposedasmall,smart-lookingattachécase.

AsJappstretchedoutahandtowardsit,JanePlenderleithsaidquickly:“That’smine.I—itcamebackwithmethismorning.Sotherecan’tbe

anythingthere.”“Justaswelltomakequitesure,”saidJapp,hischeeryfriendliness

increasingslightly.Thecasewasunlocked.Insideitwasfittedwithshagreenbrushesandtoilet

bottles.Thereweretwomagazinesinitbutnothingelse.Jappexaminedthewholeoutfitwithmeticulousattention.Whenatlasthe

shutthelidandbeganacursoryexaminationofthecushions,thegirlgaveanaudiblesighofrelief.

Therewasnothingelseinthecupboardbeyondwhatwasplainlytobeseen.Japp’sexaminationwassoonfinished.

HerelockedthedoorandhandedthekeytoJanePlenderleith.“Well,”hesaid,“thatconcludesmatters.CanyougivemeMr.Laverton-

West’saddress?”“FarlescombeHall,LittleLedbury,Hampshire.”“Thankyou,MissPlenderleith.That’sallforthepresent.Imayberound

againlater.Bytheway,mum’stheword.Leaveitatsuicideasfarasthegeneralpublic’sconcerned.”

“Ofcourse,Iquiteunderstand.”Sheshookhandswiththemboth.Astheywalkedawaydownthemews,Jappexploded:“Whatthe—thehellwasthereinthatcupboard?Therewassomething.”“Yes,therewassomething.”“AndI’llbettentooneitwassomethingtodowiththeattachécase!Butlike

thedouble-dyedmuttImustbe,Icouldn’tfindanything.Lookedinallthebottles—feltthelining—whatthedevilcoulditbe?”

Poirotshookhisheadthoughtfully.“Thatgirl’sinitsomehow,”Jappwenton.“Broughtthatcasebackthis

morning?Notonyourlife,shedidn’t!Noticethatthereweretwomagazinesinit?”

“Yes.”“Well,oneofthemwasforlastJuly!”

Seven

I

ItwasthefollowingdaywhenJappwalkedintoPoirot’sflat,flunghishatonthetableindeepdisgustanddroppedintoachair.

“Well,”hegrowled.“She’soutofit!”“Whoisoutofit?”“Plenderleith.Wasplayingbridgeuptomidnight.Host,hostess,naval

commanderguestandtwoservantscanallsweartothat.Nodoubtaboutit,we’vegottogiveupanyideaofherbeingconcernedinthebusiness.Allthesame,I’dliketoknowwhyshewentallhotandbotheredaboutthatlittleattachécaseunderthestairs.That’ssomethinginyourline,Poirot.Youlikesolvingthekindoftrivialitythatleadsnowhere.TheMysteryoftheSmallAttachéCase.Soundsquitepromising!”

“Iwillgiveyouyetanothersuggestionforatitle.TheMysteryoftheSmellofCigaretteSmoke.”

“Abitclumsyforatitle.Smell—eh?Wasthatwhyyouweresniffingsowhenwefirstexaminedthebody?Isawyou—andheardyou!Sniff—sniff—sniff.Thoughtyouhadacoldinyourhead.”

“Youwereentirelyinerror.”Jappsighed.“Ialwaysthoughtitwasthelittlegreycellsofthebrain.Don’ttellmethe

cellsofyournoseareequallysuperiortoanyoneelse’s.”“No,no,calmyourself.”“Ididn’tsmellanycigarettesmoke,”wentonJappsuspiciously.“NomoredidI,myfriend.”

Japplookedathimdoubtfully.Thenheextractedacigarettefromhispocket.“That’sthekindMrs.Allensmoked—gaspers.Sixofthosestubswerehers.

TheotherthreewereTurkish.”“Exactly.”“Yourwonderfulnoseknewthatwithoutlookingatthem,Isuppose!”“Iassureyoumynosedoesnotenterintothematter.Mynoseregistered

nothing.”“Butthebraincellsregisteredalot?”“Well—therewerecertainindications—doyounotthinkso?”Japplookedathimsideways.“Suchas?”“Ehbien,therewasverydefinitelysomethingmissingfromtheroom.Also

somethingadded,Ithink...Andthen,onthewritingbureau...”“Iknewit!We’recomingtothatdamnedquillpen!”“Dutout.Thequillpenplaysapurelynegativerôle.”Jappretreatedtosaferground.“I’vegotCharlesLaverton-WestcomingtoseemeatScotlandYardinhalf

anhour.Ithoughtyoumightliketobethere.”“Ishouldverymuch.”“Andyou’llbegladtohearwe’vetrackeddownMajorEustace.Gota

serviceflatintheCromwellRoad.”“Excellent.”“Andwe’vegotalittletogoonthere.Notatallaniceperson,Major

Eustace.AfterI’veseenLaverton-West,we’llgoandseehim.Thatsuityou?”“Perfectly.”“Well,comealongthen.”

II

Athalfpasteleven,CharlesLaverton-WestwasusheredintoChiefInspectorJapp’sroom.Japproseandshookhands.

TheM.P.wasamanofmediumheightwithaverydefinitepersonality.Hewasclean-shaven,withthemobilemouthofanactor,andtheslightlyprominenteyesthatsooftengowiththegiftoforatory.Hewasgood-lookinginaquiet,

well-bredway.Thoughlookingpaleandsomewhatdistressed,hismannerwasperfectly

formalandcomposed.Hetookaseat,laidhisglovesandhatonthetableandlookedtowardsJapp.“I’dliketosay,firstofall,Mr.Laverton-West,thatIfullyappreciatehow

distressingthismustbetoyou.”Laverton-Westwavedthisaside.“Donotletusdiscussmyfeelings.Tellme,ChiefInspector,haveyouany

ideawhatcausedmy—Mrs.Allentotakeherownlife?”“Youyourselfcannothelpusinanyway?”“No,indeed.”“Therewasnoquarrel?Noestrangementofanykindbetweenyou?”“Nothingofthekind.Ithasbeenthegreatestshocktome.”“Perhapsitwillbemoreunderstandable,sir,ifItellyouthatitwasnot

suicide—butmurder!”“Murder?”CharlesLaverton-West’seyespoppednearlyoutofhishead.

“Yousaymurder?”“Quitecorrect.Now,Mr.Laverton-West,haveyouanyideawhomightbe

likelytomakeawaywithMrs.Allen?”Laverton-Westfairlysplutteredouthisanswer.“No—no,indeed—nothingofthesort!Themereideais—isunimaginable!”“Shenevermentionedanyenemies?Anyonewhomighthaveagrudge

againsther?”“Never.”“Didyouknowthatshehadapistol?”“Iwasnotawareofthefact.”Helookedalittlestartled.“MissPlenderleithsaysthatMrs.Allenbroughtthispistolbackfromabroad

withhersomeyearsago.”“Really?”“Ofcourse,wehaveonlyMissPlenderleith’swordforthat.Itisquite

possiblethatMrs.Allenfeltherselftobeindangerfromsomesourceandkeptthepistolhandyforreasonsofherown.”

CharlesLaverton-Westshookhisheaddoubtfully.Heseemedquite

bewilderedanddazed.“WhatisyouropinionofMissPlenderleith,Mr.Laverton-West?Imean,

doesshestrikeyouasareliable,truthfulperson?”Theotherponderedaminute.“Ithinkso—yes,Ishouldsayso.”“Youdon’tlikeher?”suggestedJapp,whohadbeenwatchinghimclosely.“Iwouldn’tsaythat.SheisnotthetypeofyoungwomanIadmire.That

sarcastic,independenttypeisnotattractivetome,butIshouldsayshewasquitetruthful.”

“H’m,”saidJapp.“DoyouknowaMajorEustace?”“Eustace?Eustace?Ah,yes,Irememberthename.Imethimonceat

Barbara’s—Mrs.Allen’s.Ratheradoubtfulcustomerinmyopinion.Isaidasmuchtomy—toMrs.Allen.Hewasn’tthetypeofmanIshouldhaveencouragedtocometothehouseafterweweremarried.”

“AndwhatdidMrs.Allensay?”“Oh!shequiteagreed.Shetrustedmyjudgmentimplicitly.Amanknows

othermenbetterthanawomancando.Sheexplainedthatshecouldn’tverywellberudetoamanwhomshehadnotseenforsometime—Ithinkshefeltespeciallyahorrorofbeingsnobbish!Naturally,asmywife,shewouldfindagoodmanyofheroldassociateswell—unsuitable,shallwesay?”

“Meaningthatinmarryingyoushewasbetteringherposition?”Jappaskedbluntly.

Laverton-Westheldupawell-manicuredhand.“No,no,notquitethat.Asamatteroffact,Mrs.Allen’smotherwasa

distantrelationofmyownfamily.Shewasfullymyequalinbirth.Butofcourse,inmyposition,Ihavetobeespeciallycarefulinchoosingmyfriends—andmywifeinchoosinghers.Oneistoacertainextentinthelimelight.”

“Oh,quite,”saidJappdryly.Hewenton,“Soyoucan’thelpusinanyway?”

“Noindeed.Iamutterlyatsea.Barbara!Murdered!Itseemsincredible.”“Now,Mr.Laverton-West,canyoutellmewhatyourownmovementswere

onthenightofNovemberfifth?”“Mymovements?Mymovements?”Laverton-West’svoiceroseinshrillprotest.

“Purelyamatterofroutine,”explainedJapp.“We—er—havetoaskeverybody.”

CharlesLaverton-Westlookedathimwithdignity.“Ishouldhopethatamaninmypositionmightbeexempt.”Jappmerelywaited.“Iwas—nowletmesee...Ah,yes.IwasattheHouse.Leftathalfpastten.

WentforawalkalongtheEmbankment.Watchedsomeofthefireworks.”“Nicetothinktherearen’tanyplotsofthatkindnowadays,”saidJapp

cheerily.Laverton-Westgavehimafish-likestare.“ThenI—er—walkedhome.”“Reachinghome—yourLondonaddressisOnslowSquare,Ithink—atwhat

time?”“Ihardlyknowexactly.”“Eleven?Halfpast?”“Somewhereaboutthen.”“Perhapssomeoneletyouin.”“No,Ihavemykey.”“Meetanybodywhilstyouwerewalking?”“No—er—really,ChiefInspector,Iresentthesequestionsverymuch!”“Iassureyou,it’sjustamatterofroutine,Mr.Laverton-West.Theyaren’t

personal,youknow.”ThereplyseemedtosoothetheirateM.P.“Ifthatisall—”“Thatisallforthepresent,Mr.Laverton-West.”“Youwillkeepmeinformed—”“Naturally,sir.Bytheway,letmeintroduceM.HerculePoirot.Youmay

haveheardofhim.”Mr.Laverton-West’seyefasteneditselfinterestedlyonthelittleBelgian.“Yes—yes—Ihaveheardthename.”“Monsieur,”saidPoirot,hismannersuddenlyveryforeign.“Believeme,my

heartbleedsforyou.Suchaloss!Suchagonyasyoumustbeenduring!Ah,butIwillsaynomore.HowmagnificentlytheEnglishhidetheiremotions.”Hewhippedouthiscigarettecase.“Permitme—Ah,itisempty.Japp?”

Jappslappedhispocketsandshookhishead.Laverton-Westproducedhisowncigarettecase,murmured,“Er—haveone

ofmine,M.Poirot.”“Thankyou—thankyou.”Thelittlemanhelpedhimself.“Asyousay,M.Poirot,”resumedtheother,“weEnglishdonotparadeour

emotions.Astiffupperlip—thatisourmotto.”Hebowedtothetwomenandwentout.“Bitofastuffedfish,”saidJappdisgustedly.“Andaboiledowl!The

Plenderleithgirlwasquiterightabouthim.Yethe’sagood-lookingsortofchap—mightgodownwellwithsomewomanwhohadnosenseofhumour.Whataboutthatcigarette?”

Poirothandeditover,shakinghishead.“Egyptian.Anexpensivevariety.”“No,that’snogood.Apity,forI’veneverheardaweakeralibi!Infact,it

wasn’tanalibiatall...Youknow,Poirot,it’sapitythebootwasn’tontheotherleg.Ifshe’dbeenblackmailinghim...He’salovelytypeforblackmail—wouldpayoutlikealamb!Anythingtoavoidascandal.”

“Myfriend,itisveryprettytoreconstructthecaseasyouwouldlikeittobe,butthatisnotstrictlyouraffair.”

“No,Eustaceisouraffair.I’vegotafewlinesonhim.Definitelyanastyfellow.”

“Bytheway,didyoudoasIsuggestedaboutMissPlenderleith?”“Yes.Waitasec,I’llringthroughandgetthelatest.”Hepickedupthetelephonereceiverandspokethroughit.AfterabriefinterchangehereplaceditandlookedupatPoirot.“Prettyheartlesspieceofgoods.Goneofftoplaygolf.That’sanicethingto

dowhenyourfriend’sbeenmurderedonlythedaybefore.”Poirotutteredanexclamation.“What’sthematternow?”askedJapp.ButPoirotwasmurmuringtohimself.“Ofcourse...ofcourse...butnaturally...WhatanimbecileIam—why,

itleapttotheeye!”Jappsaidrudely:“Stopjabberingtoyourselfandlet’sgoandtackleEustace.”

HewasamazedtoseetheradiantsmilethatspreadoverPoirot’sface.“But—yes—mostcertainlyletustacklehim.Fornow,seeyou,Iknow

everything—buteverything!”

Eight

MajorEustacereceivedthetwomenwiththeeasyassuranceofamanoftheworld.

Hisflatwassmall,amerepiedàterre,asheexplained.Heofferedthetwomenadrinkandwhenthatwasrefusedhetookouthiscigarettecase.

BothJappandPoirotacceptedacigarette.Aquickglancepassedbetweenthem.

“YousmokeTurkish,Isee,”saidJappashetwirledthecigarettebetweenhisfingers.

“Yes.I’msorry,doyoupreferagasper?I’vegotonesomewhereabout.”“No,no,thiswilldomeverywell.”Thenheleanedforward—histone

changed.“Perhapsyoucanguess,MajorEustace,whatitwasIcametoseeyouabout?”

Theothershookhishead.Hismannerwasnonchalant.MajorEustacewasatallman,good-lookinginasomewhatcoarsefashion.Therewasapuffinessroundtheeyes—small,craftyeyesthatbeliedthegood-humouredgenialityofhismanner.

Hesaid:“No—I’venoideawhatbringssuchabiggunasachiefinspectortoseeme.

Anythingtodowithmycar?”“No,itisnotyourcar.IthinkyouknewaMrs.BarbaraAllen,Major

Eustace?”Themajorleantback,puffedoutacloudofsmoke,andsaidinan

enlightenedvoice:“Oh,sothat’sit!Ofcourse,Imighthaveguessed.Verysadbusiness.”“Youknowaboutit?”

“Sawitinthepaperlastnight.Toobad.”“YouknewMrs.AllenoutinIndia,Ithink.”“Yes,that’ssomeyearsagonow.”“Didyoualsoknowherhusband?”Therewasapause—amerefractionofasecond—butduringthatfraction

thelittlepigeyesflashedaquicklookatthefacesofthetwomen.Thenheanswered:

“No,asamatteroffact,InevercameacrossAllen.”“Butyouknowsomethingabouthim?”“Heardhewasbywayofbeingabadhat.Ofcourse,thatwasonlyrumour.”“Mrs.Allendidnotsayanything?”“Nevertalkedabouthim.”“Youwereonintimatetermswithher?”MajorEustaceshruggedhisshoulders.“Wewereoldfriends,youknow,oldfriends.Butwedidn’tseeeachother

veryoften.”“Butyoudidseeherthatlastevening?TheeveningofNovemberfifth?”“Yes,asamatteroffact,Idid.”“Youcalledatherhouse,Ithink.”MajorEustacenodded.Hisvoicetookonagentle,regretfulnote.“Yes,sheaskedmetoadviseheraboutsomeinvestments.Ofcourse,Ican

seewhatyou’redrivingat—herstateofmind—allthatsortofthing.Well,really,it’sverydifficulttosay.Hermannerseemednormalenoughandyetshewasabitjumpy,cometothinkofit.”

“Butshegaveyounohintastowhatshecontemplateddoing?”“Nottheleastintheworld.Asamatteroffact,whenIsaidgoodbyeIsaid

I’dringherupsoonandwe’ddoashowtogether.”“Yousaidyou’dringherup.Thosewereyourlastwords?”“Yes.”“Curious.Ihaveinformationthatyousaidsomethingquitedifferent.”Eustacechangedcolour.“Well,ofcourse,Ican’tremembertheexactwords.”“Myinformationisthatwhatyouactuallysaidwas,‘Well,thinkitoverand

letmeknow.’”

“Letmesee,yesIbelieveyou’reright.Notexactlythat.IthinkIwassuggestingsheshouldletmeknowwhenshewasfree.”

“Notquitethesamething,isit?”saidJapp.MajorEustaceshruggedhisshoulders.“Mydearfellow,youcan’texpectamantorememberwordforwordwhat

hesaidonanygivenoccasion.”“AndwhatdidMrs.Allenreply?”“Shesaidshe’dgivemearing.Thatis,asnearasIcanremember.”“Andthenyousaid,‘Allright.Solong.’”“Probably.Somethingofthekindanyway.”Jappsaidquietly:“YousaythatMrs.Allenaskedyoutoadviseheraboutherinvestments.Did

she,byanychance,entrustyouwiththesumoftwohundredpoundsincashtoinvestforher?”

Eustace’sfaceflushedadarkpurple.Heleanedforwardandgrowledout:“Whatthedevildoyoumeanbythat?”“Didsheordidshenot?”“That’smybusiness,Mr.ChiefInspector.”Jappsaidquietly:“Mrs.Allendrewoutthesumoftwohundredpoundsincashfromherbank.

Someofthemoneywasinfive-poundnotes.Thenumbersofthesecan,ofcourse,betraced.”

“Whatifshedid?”“Wasthemoneyforinvestment—orwasit—blackmail,MajorEustace?”“That’sapreposterousidea.Whatnextwillyousuggest?”Jappsaidinhismostofficialmanner:“Ithink,MajorEustace,thatatthispointImustaskyouifyouarewillingto

cometoScotlandYardandmakeastatement.Thereis,ofcourse,nocompulsionandyoucan,ifyoupreferit,haveyoursolicitorpresent.”

“Solicitor?WhatthedevilshouldIwantwithasolicitor?Andwhatareyoucautioningmefor?”

“IaminquiringintothecircumstancesofthedeathofMrs.Allen.”“GoodGod,man,youdon’tsuppose—Why,that’snonsense!Lookhere,

whathappenedwasthis.IcalledroundtoseeBarbarabyappointment....”

“Thatwasatwhattime?”“Atabouthalfpastnine,Ishouldsay.Wesatandtalked....”“Andsmoked?”“Yes,andsmoked.Anythingdamaginginthat?”demandedthemajor

belligerently.“Wheredidthisconversationtakeplace?”“Inthesittingroom.Leftofthedoorasyougoin.Wetalkedtogetherquite

amicably,asIsay.Ileftalittlebeforehalfpastten.Istayedforaminuteonthedoorstepforafewlastwords....”

“Lastwords—precisely,”murmuredPoirot.“Whoareyou,I’dliketoknow?”Eustaceturnedandspartthewordsathim.

“Somekindofdamneddago!Whatareyoubuttinginfor?”“IamHerculePoirot,”saidthelittlemanwithdignity.“Idon’tcareifyouaretheAchillesstatue.AsIsay,BarbaraandIparted

quiteamicably.IdrovestraighttotheFarEastClub.Gotthereatfiveandtwentytoelevenandwentstraightuptothecard-room.Stayedthereplayingbridgeuntilone-thirty.Nowthen,putthatinyourpipeandsmokeit.”

“Idonotsmokethepipe,”saidPoirot.“Itisaprettyalibiyouhavethere.”“Itshouldbeaprettycastirononeanyway!Nowthen,sir,”helookedat

Japp.“Areyousatisfied?”“Youremainedinthesittingroomthroughoutyourvisit?”“Yes.”“YoudidnotgoupstairstoMrs.Allen’sownboudoir?”“No,Itellyou.Westayedintheoneroomanddidn’tleaveit.”Japplookedathimthoughtfullyforaminuteortwo.Thenhesaid:“Howmanysetsofcufflinkshaveyou?”“Cufflinks?Cufflinks?What’sthatgottodowithit?”“Youarenotboundtoanswerthequestion,ofcourse.”“Answerit?Idon’tmindansweringit.I’vegotnothingtohide.AndIshall

demandanapology.Therearethese...”hestretchedouthisarms.Jappnotedthegoldandplatinumwithanod.“AndI’vegotthese.”Herose,openedadrawerandtakingoutacase,heopeneditandshovedit

rudelyalmostunderJapp’snose.

“Verynicedesign,”saidthechiefinspector.“Iseeoneisbroken—bitofenamelchippedoff.”

“Whatofit?”“Youdon’trememberwhenthathappened,Isuppose?”“Adayortwoago,notlonger.”“Wouldyoubesurprisedtohearthatithappenedwhenyouwerevisiting

Mrs.Allen?”“Whyshouldn’tit?I’venotdeniedthatIwasthere.”Themajorspoke

haughtily.Hecontinuedtobluster,toactthepartofthejustlyindignantman,buthishandsweretrembling.

Jappleanedforwardandsaidwithemphasis:“Yes,butthatbitofcufflinkwasn’tfoundinthesittingroom.Itwasfound

upstairsinMrs.Allen’sboudoir—thereintheroomwhereshewaskilled,andwhereamansatsmokingthesamekindofcigarettesasyousmoke.”

Theshottold.Eustacefellbackintohischair.Hiseyeswentfromsidetoside.Thecollapseofthebullyandtheappearanceofthecravenwasnotaprettysight.

“You’vegotnothingonme.”Hisvoicewasalmostawhine.“You’retryingtoframeme...Butyoucan’tdoit.I’vegotanalibi...Inevercamenearthehouseagainthatnight....”

Poirotinhisturn,spoke.“No,youdidnotcomenearthehouseagain...Youdidnotneedto...For

perhapsMrs.Allenwasalreadydeadwhenyouleftit.”“That’simpossible—impossible—Shewasjustinsidethedoor—shespoke

tome—Peoplemusthaveheardher—seenher....”Poirotsaidsoftly:“Theyheardyouspeakingtoher...andpretendingtowaitforheranswer

andthenspeakingagain...Itisanoldtrickthat...Peoplemayhaveassumedshewasthere,buttheydidnotseeher,becausetheycouldnotevensaywhethershewaswearingeveningdressornot—notevenmentionwhatcolourshewaswearing....”

“MyGod—itisn’ttrue—itisn’ttrue—”Hewasshakingnow—collapsed....Japplookedathimwithdisgust.Hespokecrisply.

“I’llhavetoaskyou,sir,tocomewithme.”“You’rearrestingme?”“Detainedforinquiry—we’llputitthatway.”Thesilencewasbrokenwithalong,shudderingsigh.Thedespairingvoice

oftheerstwhileblusteringMajorEustacesaid:“I’msunk....”HerculePoirotrubbedhishandstogetherandsmiledcheerfully.Heseemed

tobeenjoyinghimself.

Nine

Prettythewayhewentalltopieces,”saidJappwithprofessionalappreciation,laterthatday.

HeandPoirotweredrivinginacaralongtheBromptonRoad.“Heknewthegamewasup,”saidPoirotabsently.“We’vegotplentyonhim,”saidJapp.“Twoorthreedifferentaliases,a

trickybusinessoveracheque,andaveryniceaffairwhenhestayedattheRitzandcalledhimselfColoneldeBathe.SwindledhalfadozenPiccadillytradesmen.We’reholdinghimonthatchargeforthemoment—untilwegetthisaffairfinallysquaredup.What’stheideaofthisrushtothecountry,oldman?”

“Myfriend,anaffairmustberoundedoffproperly.Everythingmustbeexplained.Iamonthequestofthemysteryyousuggested.TheMysteryoftheMissingAttachéCase.”

“TheMysteryoftheSmallAttachéCase—that’swhatIcalledit—Itisn’tmissingthatIknowof.”

“Wait,monami.”Thecarturnedintothemews.AtthedoorofNo.14,JanePlenderleithwas

justalightingfromasmallAustinSeven.Shewasingolfingclothes.Shelookedfromonetotheotherofthetwomen,thenproducedakeyand

openedthedoor.“Comein,won’tyou?”Sheledtheway.Jappfollowedherintothesittingroom.Poirotremainedfor

aminuteortwointhehall,mutteringsomethingabout:“C’estembêtant—howdifficulttogetoutofthesesleeves.”Inamomentortwohealsoenteredthesittingroomminushisovercoatbut

Japp’slipstwitchedunderhismoustache.Hehadheardtheveryfaintsqueakof

“

anopeningcupboarddoor.JappthrewPoirotaninquiringglanceandtheothergaveahardly

perceptiblenod.“Wewon’tdetainyou,MissPlenderleith,”saidJappbriskly.“OnlycametoaskifyoucouldtellusthenameofMrs.Allen’ssolicitor.”“Hersolicitor?”Thegirlshookherhead.“Idon’tevenknowthatshehad

one.”“Well,whensherentedthishousewithyou,someonemusthavedrawnup

theagreement?”“No,Idon’tthinkso.Yousee,Itookthehouse,theleaseisinmyname.

Barbarapaidmehalftherent.Itwasquiteinformal.”“Isee.Oh!well,Isupposethere’snothingdoingthen.”“I’msorryIcan’thelpyou,”saidJanepolitely.“Itdoesn’treallymatterverymuch.”Jappturnedtowardsthedoor.“Been

playinggolf?”“Yes.”Sheflushed.“Isupposeitseemsratherheartlesstoyou.Butasa

matteroffactitgotmedownrather,beinghereinthishouse.IfeltImustgooutanddosomething—tiremyself—orI’dchoke!”

Shespokewithintensity.Poirotsaidquickly:“Icomprehend,mademoiselle.Itismostunderstandable—mostnatural.To

sitinthishouseandthink—no,itwouldnotbepleasant.”“Solongasyouunderstand,”saidJaneshortly.“Youbelongtoaclub?”“Yes,IplayatWentworth.”“Ithasbeenapleasantday,”saidPoirot.“Alas,therearefewleavesleftonthetreesnow!Aweekagothewoods

weremagnificent.”“Itwasquitelovelytoday.”“Goodafternoon,MissPlenderleith,”saidJappformally.“I’llletyouknow

whenthere’sanythingdefinite.Asamatteroffactwehavegotamandetainedonsuspicion.”

“Whatman?”Shelookedatthemeagerly.

“MajorEustace.”Shenoddedandturnedaway,stoopingdowntoputamatchtothefire.“Well?”saidJappasthecarturnedthecornerofthemews.Poirotgrinned.“Itwasquitesimple.Thekeywasinthedoorthistime.”“And—?”Poirotsmiled.“Eh,bien,thegolfclubshadgone—”“Naturally.Thegirlisn’tafool,whateverelsesheis.Anythingelsegone?”Poirotnoddedhishead.“Yes,myfriend—thelittleattachécase!”TheacceleratorleapedunderJapp’sfoot.“Damnation!”hesaid.“Iknewtherewassomething.Butwhatthedevilis

it?Isearchedthatcaseprettythoroughly.”“MypoorJapp—butitis—howdoyousay,‘obvious,mydearWatson?’”Jappthrewhimanexasperatedlook.“Wherearewegoing?”heasked.Poirotconsultedhiswatch.“Itisnotyetfouro’clock.WecouldgettoWentworth,Ithink,beforeitis

dark.”“Doyouthinkshereallywentthere?”“Ithinkso—yes.Shewouldknowthatwemightmakeinquiries.Oh,yes,I

thinkwewillfindthatshehasbeenthere.”Jappgrunted.“Ohwell,comeon.”Hethreadedhiswaydexterouslythroughthetraffic.

“ThoughwhatthisattachécasebusinesshastodowiththecrimeIcan’timagine.Ican’tseethatit’sgotanythingatalltodowithit.”

“Precisely,myfriend,Iagreewithyou—ithasnothingtodowithit.”“Thenwhy—No,don’ttellme!Orderandmethodandeverythingnicely

roundedoff!Oh,well,it’safineday.”Thecarwasafastone.TheyarrivedatWentworthGolfClubalittleafter

halfpastfour.Therewasnogreatcongestionthereonaweekday.Poirotwentstraighttothecaddie-masterandaskedforMissPlenderleith’s

clubs.Shewouldbeplayingonadifferentcoursetomorrow,heexplained.

Thecaddiemasterraisedhisvoiceandaboysortedthroughsomegolfclubsstandinginacorner.Hefinallyproducedabagbearingtheinitials,J.P.

“Thankyou,”saidPoirot.Hemovedaway,thenturnedcarelesslyandasked,“Shedidnotleavewithyouasmallattachécasealso,didshe?”

“Nottoday,sir.Mayhaveleftitintheclubhouse.”“Shewasdownheretoday?”“Oh,yes,Isawher.”“Whichcaddiedidshehave,doyouknow?She’smislaidanattachécase

andcan’trememberwhereshehaditlast.”“Shedidn’ttakeacaddie.Shecameinhereandboughtacoupleofballs.

Justtookoutacoupleofirons.Iratherfancyshehadalittlecaseinherhandthen.”

Poirotturnedawaywithawordofthanks.Thetwomenwalkedroundtheclubhouse.Poirotstoodamomentadmiringtheview.

“Itisbeautiful,isitnot,thedarkpinetrees—andthenthelake.Yes,thelake—”

Jappgavehimaquickglance.“That’stheidea,isit?”Poirotsmiled.“Ithinkitpossiblethatsomeonemayhaveseensomething.Ishouldsetthe

inquiriesinmotionifIwereyou.”

Ten

I

Poirotsteppedback,hisheadalittleononesideashesurveyedthearrangementoftheroom.Achairhere—anotherchairthere.Yes,thatwasverynice.Andnowaringatthebell—thatwouldbeJapp.

TheScotlandYardmancameinalertly.“Quiteright,oldcock!Straightfromthehorse’smouth.Ayoungwoman

wasseentothrowsomethingintothelakeatWentworthyesterday.DescriptionofheranswerstoJanePlenderleith.Wemanagedtofishitupwithoutmuchdifficulty.Alotofreedsjustthere.”

“Anditwas?”“Itwastheattachécaseallright!Butwhy,inheaven’sname?Well,itbeats

me!Nothinginsideit—noteventhemagazines.Whyapresumablysaneyoungwomanshouldwanttoflinganexpensively-fitteddressingcaseintoalake—d’youknow,IworriedallnightbecauseIcouldn’tgetthehangofit.”

“MonpauvreJapp!Butyouneedworrynolonger.Hereistheanswercoming.Thebellhasjustrung.”

George,Poirot’simmaculatemanservant,openedthedoorandannounced:“MissPlenderleith.”Thegirlcameintotheroomwithherusualairofcompleteself-assurance.

Shegreetedthetwomen.“Iaskedyoutocomehere—”explainedPoirot.“Sithere,willyounot,and

youhere,Japp—becauseIhavecertainnewstogiveyou.”Thegirlsatdown.Shelookedfromonetotheother,pushingasideherhat.

Shetookitoffandlaiditasideimpatiently.“Well,”shesaid.“MajorEustacehasbeenarrested.”“Yousawthat,Iexpect,inthemorningpaper?”“Yes.”“Heisatthemomentchargedwithaminoroffence,”wentonPoirot.“Inthe

meantimewearegatheringevidenceinconnectionwiththemurder.”“Itwasmurder,then?”Thegirlaskediteagerly.Poirotnoddedhishead.“Yes,”hesaid.“Itwasmurder.Thewilfuldestructionofonehumanbeing

byanotherhumanbeing.”Sheshiveredalittle.“Don’t,”shemurmured.“Itsoundshorriblewhenyousayitlikethat.”“Yes—butitishorrible!”Hepaused—thenhesaid:“Now,MissPlenderleith,IamgoingtotellyoujusthowIarrivedatthe

truthinthismatter.”ShelookedfromPoirottoJapp.Thelatterwassmiling.“Hehashismethods,MissPlenderleith,”hesaid.“Ihumourhim,youknow.

Ithinkwe’lllistentowhathehastosay.”Poirotbegan:“Asyouknow,mademoiselle,Iarrivedwithmyfriendatthesceneofthe

crimeonthemorningofNovemberthesixth.WewentintotheroomwherethebodyofMrs.AllenhadbeenfoundandIwasstruckatoncebyseveralsignificantdetails.Therewerethings,yousee,inthatroomthatweredecidedlyodd.”

“Goon,”saidthegirl.“Tobeginwith,”saidPoirot,“therewasthesmellofcigarettesmoke.”“Ithinkyou’reexaggeratingthere,Poirot,”saidJapp.“Ididn’tsmell

anything.”Poirotturnedonhiminaflash.“Precisely.Youdidnotsmellanystalesmoke.NomoredidI.Andthatwas

very,verystrange—forthedoorandthewindowwerebothclosedandonanashtraytherewerethestubsofnofewerthantencigarettes.Itwasodd,veryodd,

thattheroomshouldsmell—asitdid,perfectlyfresh.”“Sothat’swhatyouweregettingat!”Jappsighed.“Alwayshavetogetat

thingsinsuchatortuousway.”“YourSherlockHolmesdidthesame.Hedrewattention,remember,tothe

curiousincidentofthedoginthenight-time—andtheanswertothatwastherewasnocuriousincident.Thedogdidnothinginthenighttime.Toproceed:

“Thenextthingthatattractedmyattentionwasawristwatchwornbythedeadwoman.”

“Whataboutit?”“Nothingparticularaboutit,butitwaswornontherightwrist.Nowinmy

experienceitismoreusualforawatchtobewornontheleftwrist.”Jappshruggedhisshoulders.Beforehecouldspeak,Poirothurriedon:“Butasyousay,thereisnothingverydefiniteaboutthat.Somepeople

prefertowearoneontherighthand.AndnowIcometosomethingreallyinteresting—Icome,myfriends,tothewritingbureau.”

“Yes,Iguessedthat,”saidJapp.“Thatwasreallyveryodd—veryremarkable!Fortworeasons.Thefirst

reasonwasthatsomethingwasmissingfromthatwritingtable.”JanePlenderleithspoke.“Whatwasmissing?”Poirotturnedtoher.“Asheetofblottingpaper,mademoiselle.Theblottingbookhadontopa

clean,untouchedpieceofblottingpaper.”Janeshruggedhershoulders.“Really,M.Poirot.Peopledooccasionallytearoffaverymuchusedsheet!”“Yes,butwhatdotheydowithit?Throwitintothewaste-paperbasket,do

theynot?Butitwasnotinthewastepaperbasket.Ilooked.”JanePlenderleithseemedimpatient.“Becauseithadprobablybeenalreadythrownawaythedaybefore.The

sheetwascleanbecauseBarbarahadn’twrittenanylettersthatday.”“Thatcouldhardlybethecase,mademoiselle.ForMrs.Allenwasseen

goingtothepostboxthatevening.Thereforeshemusthavebeenwritingletters.Shecouldnotwritedownstairs—therewerenowritingmaterials.Shewouldbehardlylikelytogotoyourroomtowrite.So,then,whathadhappenedtothe

sheetofpaperonwhichshehadblottedherletters?Itistruethatpeoplesometimesthrowthingsinthefireinsteadofthewastepaperbasket,buttherewasonlyagasfireintheroom.Andthefiredownstairshadnotbeenalightthepreviousday,sinceyoutoldmeitwasalllaidreadywhenyouputamatchtoit.”

Hepaused.“Acuriouslittleproblem.Ilookedeverywhere,inthewastepaperbaskets,in

thedustbin,butIcouldnotfindasheetofusedblottingpaper—andthatseemedtomeveryimportant.Itlookedasthoughsomeonehaddeliberatelytakenthatsheetofblottingpaperaway.Why?Becausetherewaswritingonitthatcouldeasilyhavebeenreadbyholdingituptoamirror.

“Buttherewasasecondcuriouspointaboutthewritingtable.Perhaps,Japp,yourememberroughlythearrangementofit?Blotterandinkstandinthecentre,pentraytotheleft,calendarandquillpentotheright.Ehbien?Youdonotsee?Thequillpen,remember,Iexamined,itwasforshowonly—ithadnotbeenused.Ah!stillyoudonotsee?Iwillsayitagain.Blotterinthecentre,pentraytotheleft—totheleft,Japp.Butisitnotusualtofindapentrayontheright,convenienttotherighthand?

“Ah,nowitcomestoyou,doesitnot?Thepentrayontheleft—thewristwatchontherightwrist—theblottingpaperremoved—andsomethingelsebroughtintotheroom—theashtraywiththecigaretteends!

“Thatroomwasfreshandpuresmelling,Japp,aroominwhichthewindowhadbeenopen,notclosedallnight...AndImademyselfapicture.”

HespunroundandfacedJane.“Apictureofyou,mademoiselle,drivingupinyourtaxi,payingitoff,

runningupthestairs,callingperhaps,‘Barbara’—andyouopenthedoorandyoufindyourfriendtherelyingdeadwiththepistolclaspedinherhand—thelefthand,naturally,sincesheisleft-handedandtherefore,too,thebullethasenteredontheleftsideofthehead.Thereisanotethereaddressedtoyou.Ittellsyouwhatitisthathasdrivenhertotakeherownlife.Itwas,Ifancy,averymovingletter...Ayoung,gentle,unhappywomandrivenbyblackmailtotakeherlife....

“Ithinkthat,almostatonce,theideaflashedintoyourhead.Thiswasacertainman’sdoing.Lethimbepunished—fullyandadequatelypunished!Youtakethepistol,wipeitandplaceitintherighthand.Youtakethenoteandyou

tearoffthetopsheetoftheblottingpaperonwhichthenotehasbeenblotted.Yougodown,lightthefireandputthembothontheflames.Thenyoucarryuptheashtray—tofurthertheillusionthattwopeoplesattheretalking—andyoualsotakeupafragmentofenamelcufflinkthatisonthefloor.Thatisaluckyfindandyouexpectittoclinchmatters.Thenyouclosethewindowandlockthedoor.Theremustbenosuspicionthatyouhavetamperedwiththeroom.Thepolicemustseeitexactlyasitis—soyoudonotseekhelpinthemewsbutringupthepolicestraightaway.

“Andsoitgoeson.Youplayyourchosenrôlewithjudgmentandcoolness.Yourefuseatfirsttosayanythingbutcleverlyyousuggestdoubtsofsuicide.LateryouarequitereadytosetusonthetrailofMajorEustace....

“Yes,mademoiselle,itwasclever—averyclevermurder—forthatiswhatitis.TheattemptedmurderofMajorEustace.”

JanePlenderleithsprangtoherfeet.“Itwasn’tmurder—itwasjustice.ThatmanhoundedpoorBarbaratoher

death!Shewassosweetandhelpless.Yousee,poorkid,shegotinvolvedwithamaninIndiawhenshefirstwentout.Shewasonlyseventeenandhewasamarriedmanyearsolderthanher.Thenshehadababy.Shecouldhaveputitinahomebutshewouldn’thearofthat.ShewentofftosomeoutofthewayspotandcamebackcallingherselfMrs.Allen.Laterthechilddied.ShecamebackhereandshefellinlovewithCharles—thatpompous,stuffedowl;sheadoredhim—andhetookheradorationverycomplacently.IfhehadbeenadifferentkindofmanI’dhaveadvisedhertotellhimeverything.Butasitwas,Iurgedhertoholdhertongue.Afterall,nobodyknewanythingaboutthatbusinessexceptme.

“AndthenthatdevilEustaceturnedup!Youknowtherest.Hebegantobleedhersystematically,butitwasn’ttillthatlasteveningthatsherealisedthatshewasexposingCharlestoo,totheriskofscandal.OncemarriedtoCharles,Eustacehadgotherwherehewantedher—marriedtoarichmanwithahorrorofanyscandal!WhenEustacehadgonewiththemoneyshehadgotforhimshesatthinkingitover.Thenshecameupandwrotealettertome.ShesaidshelovedCharlesandcouldn’tlivewithouthim,butthatforhisownsakeshemustn’tmarryhim.Shewastakingthebestwayout,shesaid.”

Janeflungherheadback.

“DoyouwonderIdidwhatIdid?Andyoustandtherecallingitmurder!”“Becauseitismurder,”Poirot’svoicewasstern.“Murdercansometimes

seemjustified,butitismurderallthesame.Youaretruthfulandclear-minded—facethetruth,mademoiselle!Yourfrienddied,inthelastresort,becauseshehadnotthecouragetolive.Wemaysympathizewithher.Wemaypityher.Butthefactremains—theactwashers—notanother.”

Hepaused.“Andyou?Thatmanisnowinprison,hewillservealongsentencefor

othermatters.Doyoureallywish,ofyourownvolition,todestroythelife—thelife,mind—ofanyhumanbeing?”

Shestaredathim.Hereyesdarkened.Suddenlyshemuttered:“No.You’reright.Idon’t.”Then,turningonherheel,shewentswiftlyfromtheroom.Theouterdoor

banged....

II

Jappgavealong—averyprolonged—whistle.“Well,I’mdamned!”hesaid.Poirotsatdownandsmiledathimamiably.Itwasquitealongtimebefore

thesilencewasbroken.ThenJappsaid:“Notmurderdisguisedassuicide,butsuicidemadetolooklikemurder!”“Yes,andverycleverlydone,too.Nothingoveremphasized.”Jappsaidsuddenly:“Buttheattachécase?Wheredidthatcomein?”“But,mydear,myverydearfriend,Ihavealreadytoldyouthatitdidnot

comein.”“Thenwhy—”“Thegolfclubs.Thegolfclubs,Japp.Theywerethegolfclubsofaleft-

handedperson.JanePlenderleithkeptherclubsatWentworth.ThosewereBarbaraAllen’sclubs.Nowonderthegirlgot,asyousay,thewindupwhenweopenedthatcupboard.Herwholeplanmighthavebeenruined.Butsheisquick,sherealizedthatshehad,foroneshortmoment,givenherselfaway.Shesawthatwesaw.Soshedoesthebestthingshecanthinkofonthespurofthemoment.

Shetriestofocusourattentiononthewrongobject.Shesaysoftheattachécase‘That’smine.I—itcamebackwithmethismorning.Sotherecan’tbeanythingthere.’And,asshehoped,awayyougoonthefalsetrail.Forthesamereason,whenshesetsoutthefollowingdaytogetridofthegolfclubs,shecontinuestousetheattachécaseasa—whatisit—kipperedherring?”

“Redherring.Doyoumeanthatherrealobjectwas—?”“Consider,myfriend.Whereisthebestplacetogetridofabagofgolf

clubs?Onecannotburnthemorputtheminadustbin.Ifoneleavesthemsomewheretheymaybereturnedtoyou.MissPlenderleithtookthemtoagolfcourse.Sheleavesthemintheclubhousewhileshegetsacoupleofironsfromherownbag,andthenshegoesroundwithoutacaddy.Doubtlessatjudiciousintervalsshebreaksaclubinhalfandthrowsitintosomedeepundergrowth,andendsbythrowingtheemptybagaway.Ifanyoneshouldfindabrokengolfclubhereandthereitwillnotcreatesurprise.Peoplehavebeenknowntobreakandthrowawayalltheirclubsinamoodofintenseexasperationoverthegame!Itis,infact,thatkindofgame!

“Butsincesherealizesthatheractionsmaystillbeamatterofinterest,shethrowsthatusefulredherring—theattachécase—inasomewhatspectacularmannerintothelake—andthat,myfriend,isthetruthof‘TheMysteryoftheAttachéCase.’”

Japplookedathisfriendforsomemomentsinsilence.Thenherose,clappedhimontheshoulder,andburstoutlaughing.

“Notsobadforanolddog!Uponmyword,youtakethecake!Comeoutandhaveaspotoflunch?”

“Withpleasure,myfriend,butwewillnothavethecake.Indeed,anOmeletteauxChampignons,BlanquettedeVeau,PetitspoisàlaFrancaise,and—tofollow—aBabaauRhum.”

“Leadmetoit,”saidJapp.

THEINCREDIBLETHEFT

One

Asthebutlerhandedroundthesoufflé,LordMayfieldleanedconfidentiallytowardshisneighbourontheright,LadyJuliaCarrington.Knownasaperfecthost,LordMayfieldtooktroubletoliveuptohisreputation.Althoughunmarried,hewasalwayscharmingtowomen.

LadyJuliaCarringtonwasawomanofforty,tall,darkandvivacious.Shewasverythin,butstillbeautiful.Herhandsandfeetinparticularwereexquisite.Hermannerwasabruptandrestless,thatofawomanwholivedonhernerves.

Aboutoppositetoherattheroundtablesatherhusband,AirMarshalSirGeorgeCarrington.HiscareerhadbegunintheNavy,andhestillretainedthebluffbreezinessoftheex-Navalman.HewaslaughingandchaffingthebeautifulMrs.Vanderlyn,whowassittingontheothersideofherhost.

Mrs.Vanderlynwasanextremelygood-lookingblonde.HervoiceheldasoupçonofAmericanaccent,justenoughtobepleasantwithoutundueexaggeration.

OntheothersideofSirGeorgeCarringtonsatMrs.Macatta,M.P.Mrs.MacattawasagreatauthorityonHousingandInfantWelfare.Shebarkedoutshortsentencesratherthanspokethem,andwasgenerallyofsomewhatalarmingaspect.ItwasperhapsnaturalthattheAirMarshalwouldfindhisright-handneighbourthepleasantertotalkto.

Mrs.Macatta,whoalwaystalkedshopwherevershewas,barkedoutshortspatesofinformationonherspecialsubjectstoherleft-handneighbour,youngReggieCarrington.

ReggieCarringtonwastwenty-one,andcompletelyuninterestedinHousing,InfantWelfare,andindeedanypoliticalsubject.Hesaidatintervals,“Howfrightful!”and“Iabsolutelyagreewithyou,”andhismindwasclearly

elsewhere.Mr.Carlile,LordMayfield’sprivatesecretary,satbetweenyoungReggieandhismother.Apaleyoungmanwithpince-nezandanairofintelligentreserve,hetalkedlittle,butwasalwaysreadytoflinghimselfintoanyconversationalbreach.NoticingthatReggieCarringtonwasstrugglingwithayawn,heleanedforwardandadroitlyaskedMrs.Macattaaquestionabouther“FitnessforChildren”scheme.

Roundthetable,movingsilentlyinthesubduedamberlight,abutlerandtwofootmenoffereddishesandfilledupwineglasses.LordMayfieldpaidaveryhighsalarytohischef,andwasnotedasaconnoisseurofwines.

Thetablewasaroundone,buttherewasnomistakingwhowasthehost.WhereLordMayfieldsatwassoverydecidedlytheheadofthetable.Abigman,square-shouldered,withthicksilveryhair,abigstraightnoseandaslightlyprominentchin.Itwasafacethatlentitselfeasilytocaricature.AsSirCharlesMcLaughlin,LordMayfieldhadcombinedapoliticalcareerwithbeingtheheadofabigengineeringfirm.Hewashimselfafirst-classengineer.Hispeeragehadcomeayearago,andatthesametimehehadbeencreatedfirstMinisterofArmaments,anewministrywhichhadonlyjustcomeintobeing.

Thedesserthadbeenplacedonthetable.Theporthadcirculatedonce.CatchingMrs.Vanderlyn’seye,LadyJuliarose.Thethreewomenlefttheroom.

Theportpassedoncemore,andLordMayfieldreferredlightlytopheasants.Theconversationforfiveminutesorsowassporting.ThenSirGeorgesaid:

“Expectyou’dliketojointheothersinthedrawingroom,Reggie,myboy.LordMayfieldwon’tmind.”

Theboytookthehinteasilyenough.“Thanks,LordMayfield,IthinkIwill.”Mr.Carlilemumured:“Ifyou’llexcuseme,LordMayfield—certainmemorandaandotherworkto

getthrough....”LordMayfieldnodded.Thetwoyoungmenlefttheroom.Theservantshad

retiredsometimebefore.TheMinisterforArmamentsandtheheadoftheAirForcewerealone.

Afteraminuteortwo,Carringtonsaid:“Well—O.K.?”“Absolutely!There’snothingtotouchthisnewbomberinanycountryin

Europe.”“Makeringsround’em,eh?That’swhatIthought.”“Supremacyoftheair,”saidLordMayfielddecisively.SirGeorgeCarringtongaveadeepsigh.“Abouttime!Youknow,Charles,we’vebeenthroughaticklishspell.Lots

ofgunpowdereverywherealloverEurope.Andweweren’tready,damnit!We’vehadanarrowsqueak.Andwe’renotoutofthewoodyet,howevermuchwehurryonconstruction.”

LordMayfieldmurmured:“Nevertheless,George,therearesomeadvantagesinstartingl