Reading Help The Mysterious Affair at Styles Ch.VII-XIII
`
` "I know you did." `
` `
` "But John! My old friend John!" `
` `
` "Every murderer is probably somebody's old friend," observed `
` Poirot philosophically. "You cannot mix up sentiment and `
` reason." `
` `
` "I must say I think you might have given me a hint." `
` `
` "Perhaps, mon ami, I did not do so, just because he _was_ your `
` old friend." `
` `
` I was rather disconcerted by this, remembering how I had busily `
` passed on to John what I believed to be Poirot's views concerning `
` Bauerstein. He, by the way, had been acquitted of the charge `
` brought against him. Nevertheless, although he had been too `
` clever for them this time, and the charge of espionage could not `
` be brought home to him, his wings were pretty well clipped for `
` the future. `
` `
` I asked Poirot whether he thought John would be condemned. To my `
` intense surprise, he replied that, on the contrary, he was `
` extremely likely to be acquitted. `
` `
` "But, Poirot--" I protested. `
` `
` "Oh, my friend, have I not said to you all along that I have no `
` proofs. It is one thing to know that a man is guilty, it is `
` quite another matter to prove him so. And, in this case, there `
` is terribly little evidence. That is the whole trouble. I, `
` Hercule Poirot, know, but I lack the last link in my chain. And `
` unless I can find that missing link--" He shook his head gravely. `
` `
` "When did you first suspect John Cavendish?" I asked, after a `
` minute or two. `
` `
` "Did you not suspect him at all?" `
` `
` "No, indeed." `
` `
` "Not after that fragment of conversation you overheard between `
` Mrs. Cavendish and her mother-in-law, and her subsequent lack of `
` frankness at the inquest?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "Did you not put two and two together, and reflect that if it was `
` not Alfred Inglethorp who was quarrelling with his wife--and you `
` remember, he strenuously denied it at the inquest--it must be `
` either Lawrence or John. Now, if it was Lawrence, Mary `
` Cavendish's conduct was just as inexplicable. But if, on the `
` other hand, it was John, the whole thing was explained quite `
` naturally." `
` `
` "So," I cried, a light breaking in upon me, "it was John who `
` quarrelled with his mother that afternoon?" `
` `
` "Exactly." `
` `
` "And you have known this all along?" `
` `
` "Certainly. Mrs. Cavendish's behaviour could only be explained `
` that way." `
` `
` "And yet you say he may be acquitted?" `
` `
` Poirot shrugged his shoulders. `
` `
` "Certainly I do. At the police court proceedings, we shall hear `
` the case for the prosecution, but in all probability his `
` solicitors will advise him to reserve his defence. That will be `
` sprung upon us at the trial. And--ah, by the way, I have a word `
` of caution to give you, my friend. I must not appear in the `
` case." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "No. Officially, I have nothing to do with it. Until I have `
` found that last link in my chain, I must remain behind the `
` scenes. Mrs. Cavendish must think I am working for her husband, `
` not against him." `
` `
` "I say, that's playing it a bit low down," I protested. `
` `
` "Not at all. We have to deal with a most clever and unscrupulous `
` man, and we must use any means in our power--otherwise he will `
` slip through our fingers. That is why I have been careful to `
` remain in the background. All the discoveries have been made by `
` Japp, and Japp will take all the credit. If I am called upon to `
` give evidence at all"--he smiled broadly--"it will probably be `
` as a witness for the defence." `
` `
` I could hardly believe my ears. `
` `
` "It is quite en regle," continued Poirot. "Strangely enough, I `
` can give evidence that will demolish one contention of the `
` prosecution." `
` `
` "Which one?" `
` `
` "The one that relates to the destruction of the will. John `
` Cavendish did not destroy that will." `
` `
` Poirot was a true prophet. I will not go into the details of the `
` police court proceedings, as it involves many tiresome `
` repetitions. I will merely state baldly that John Cavendish `
` reserved his defence, and was duly committed for trial. `
` `
` September found us all in London. Mary took a house in `
` Kensington, Poirot being included in the family party. `
` `
` I myself had been given a job at the War Office, so was able to `
` see them continually. `
` `
` As the weeks went by, the state of Poirot's nerves grew worse and `
` worse. That "last link" he talked about was still lacking. `
` Privately, I hoped it might remain so, for what happiness could `
` there be for Mary, if John were not acquitted? `
` `
` On September 15th John Cavendish appeared in the dock at the Old `
` Bailey, charged with "The Wilful Murder of Emily Agnes `
` Inglethorp," and pleaded "Not Guilty." `
` `
` Sir Ernest Heavywether, the famous K. C., had been engaged to `
` defend him. `
` `
` Mr. Philips, K. C., opened the case for the Crown. `
` `
` The murder, he said, was a most premeditated and cold-blooded `
` one. It was neither more nor less than the deliberate poisoning `
` of a fond and trusting woman by the stepson to whom she had been `
` more than a mother. Ever since his boyhood, she had supported `
` him. He and his wife had lived at Styles Court in every luxury, `
` surrounded by her care and attention. She had been their kind `
` and generous benefactress. `
` `
` He proposed to call witnesses to show how the prisoner, a `
` profligate and spendthrift, had been at the end of his financial `
` tether, and had also been carrying on an intrigue with a certain `
` Mrs. Raikes, a neighbouring farmer's wife. This having come to `
` his stepmother's ears, she taxed him with it on the afternoon `
` before her death, and a quarrel ensued, part of which was `
` overheard. On the previous day, the prisoner had purchased `
` strychnine at the village chemist's shop, wearing a disguise by `
` means of which he hoped to throw the onus of the crime upon `
` another man--to wit, Mrs. Inglethorp's husband, of whom he had `
` been bitterly jealous. Luckily for Mr. Inglethorp, he had been `
` able to produce an unimpeachable alibi. `
` `
` On the afternoon of July 17th, continued Counsel, immediately `
` after the quarrel with her son, Mrs. Inglethorp made a new will. `
` This will was found destroyed in the grate of her bedroom the `
` following morning, but evidence had come to light which showed `
` that it had been drawn up in favour of her husband. Deceased had `
` already made a will in his favour before her marriage, but--and `
` Mr. Philips wagged an expressive forefinger--the prisoner was not `
` aware of that. What had induced the deceased to make a fresh `
` will, with the old one still extant, he could not say. She was `
` an old lady, and might possibly have forgotten the former one; `
` or--this seemed to him more likely--she may have had an idea that `
` it was revoked by her marriage, as there had been some `
` conversation on the subject. Ladies were not always very well `
` versed in legal knowledge. She had, about a year before, `
` executed a will in favour of the prisoner. He would call `
` evidence to show that it was the prisoner who ultimately handed `
` his stepmother her coffee on the fatal night. Later in the `
` evening, he had sought admission to her room, on which occasion, `
` no doubt, he found an opportunity of destroying the will which, `
` as far as he knew, would render the one in his favour valid. `
` `
` The prisoner had been arrested in consequence of the discovery, `
` in his room, by Detective Inspector Japp--a most brilliant `
` officer--of the identical phial of strychnine which had been sold `
` at the village chemist's to the supposed Mr. Inglethorp on the `
` day before the murder. It would be for the jury to decide `
` whether or not these damning facts constituted an overwhelming `
` proof of the prisoner's guilt. `
` `
` And, subtly implying that a jury which did not so decide, was `
` quite unthinkable, Mr. Philips sat down and wiped his forehead. `
` `
` The first witnesses for the prosecution were mostly those who had `
` been called at the inquest, the medical evidence being again `
` taken first. `
` `
` Sir Ernest Heavywether, who was famous all over England for the `
` unscrupulous manner in which he bullied witnesses, only asked two `
` questions. `
` `
` "I take it, Dr. Bauerstein, that strychnine, as a drug, acts `
` quickly?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "And that you are unable to account for the delay in this case?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Thank you." `
`
` "I know you did." `
` `
` "But John! My old friend John!" `
` `
` "Every murderer is probably somebody's old friend," observed `
` Poirot philosophically. "You cannot mix up sentiment and `
` reason." `
` `
` "I must say I think you might have given me a hint." `
` `
` "Perhaps, mon ami, I did not do so, just because he _was_ your `
` old friend." `
` `
` I was rather disconcerted by this, remembering how I had busily `
` passed on to John what I believed to be Poirot's views concerning `
` Bauerstein. He, by the way, had been acquitted of the charge `
` brought against him. Nevertheless, although he had been too `
` clever for them this time, and the charge of espionage could not `
` be brought home to him, his wings were pretty well clipped for `
` the future. `
` `
` I asked Poirot whether he thought John would be condemned. To my `
` intense surprise, he replied that, on the contrary, he was `
` extremely likely to be acquitted. `
` `
` "But, Poirot--" I protested. `
` `
` "Oh, my friend, have I not said to you all along that I have no `
` proofs. It is one thing to know that a man is guilty, it is `
` quite another matter to prove him so. And, in this case, there `
` is terribly little evidence. That is the whole trouble. I, `
` Hercule Poirot, know, but I lack the last link in my chain. And `
` unless I can find that missing link--" He shook his head gravely. `
` `
` "When did you first suspect John Cavendish?" I asked, after a `
` minute or two. `
` `
` "Did you not suspect him at all?" `
` `
` "No, indeed." `
` `
` "Not after that fragment of conversation you overheard between `
` Mrs. Cavendish and her mother-in-law, and her subsequent lack of `
` frankness at the inquest?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "Did you not put two and two together, and reflect that if it was `
` not Alfred Inglethorp who was quarrelling with his wife--and you `
` remember, he strenuously denied it at the inquest--it must be `
` either Lawrence or John. Now, if it was Lawrence, Mary `
` Cavendish's conduct was just as inexplicable. But if, on the `
` other hand, it was John, the whole thing was explained quite `
` naturally." `
` `
` "So," I cried, a light breaking in upon me, "it was John who `
` quarrelled with his mother that afternoon?" `
` `
` "Exactly." `
` `
` "And you have known this all along?" `
` `
` "Certainly. Mrs. Cavendish's behaviour could only be explained `
` that way." `
` `
` "And yet you say he may be acquitted?" `
` `
` Poirot shrugged his shoulders. `
` `
` "Certainly I do. At the police court proceedings, we shall hear `
` the case for the prosecution, but in all probability his `
` solicitors will advise him to reserve his defence. That will be `
` sprung upon us at the trial. And--ah, by the way, I have a word `
` of caution to give you, my friend. I must not appear in the `
` case." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "No. Officially, I have nothing to do with it. Until I have `
` found that last link in my chain, I must remain behind the `
` scenes. Mrs. Cavendish must think I am working for her husband, `
` not against him." `
` `
` "I say, that's playing it a bit low down," I protested. `
` `
` "Not at all. We have to deal with a most clever and unscrupulous `
` man, and we must use any means in our power--otherwise he will `
` slip through our fingers. That is why I have been careful to `
` remain in the background. All the discoveries have been made by `
` Japp, and Japp will take all the credit. If I am called upon to `
` give evidence at all"--he smiled broadly--"it will probably be `
` as a witness for the defence." `
` `
` I could hardly believe my ears. `
` `
` "It is quite en regle," continued Poirot. "Strangely enough, I `
` can give evidence that will demolish one contention of the `
` prosecution." `
` `
` "Which one?" `
` `
` "The one that relates to the destruction of the will. John `
` Cavendish did not destroy that will." `
` `
` Poirot was a true prophet. I will not go into the details of the `
` police court proceedings, as it involves many tiresome `
` repetitions. I will merely state baldly that John Cavendish `
` reserved his defence, and was duly committed for trial. `
` `
` September found us all in London. Mary took a house in `
` Kensington, Poirot being included in the family party. `
` `
` I myself had been given a job at the War Office, so was able to `
` see them continually. `
` `
` As the weeks went by, the state of Poirot's nerves grew worse and `
` worse. That "last link" he talked about was still lacking. `
` Privately, I hoped it might remain so, for what happiness could `
` there be for Mary, if John were not acquitted? `
` `
` On September 15th John Cavendish appeared in the dock at the Old `
` Bailey, charged with "The Wilful Murder of Emily Agnes `
` Inglethorp," and pleaded "Not Guilty." `
` `
` Sir Ernest Heavywether, the famous K. C., had been engaged to `
` defend him. `
` `
` Mr. Philips, K. C., opened the case for the Crown. `
` `
` The murder, he said, was a most premeditated and cold-blooded `
` one. It was neither more nor less than the deliberate poisoning `
` of a fond and trusting woman by the stepson to whom she had been `
` more than a mother. Ever since his boyhood, she had supported `
` him. He and his wife had lived at Styles Court in every luxury, `
` surrounded by her care and attention. She had been their kind `
` and generous benefactress. `
` `
` He proposed to call witnesses to show how the prisoner, a `
` profligate and spendthrift, had been at the end of his financial `
` tether, and had also been carrying on an intrigue with a certain `
` Mrs. Raikes, a neighbouring farmer's wife. This having come to `
` his stepmother's ears, she taxed him with it on the afternoon `
` before her death, and a quarrel ensued, part of which was `
` overheard. On the previous day, the prisoner had purchased `
` strychnine at the village chemist's shop, wearing a disguise by `
` means of which he hoped to throw the onus of the crime upon `
` another man--to wit, Mrs. Inglethorp's husband, of whom he had `
` been bitterly jealous. Luckily for Mr. Inglethorp, he had been `
` able to produce an unimpeachable alibi. `
` `
` On the afternoon of July 17th, continued Counsel, immediately `
` after the quarrel with her son, Mrs. Inglethorp made a new will. `
` This will was found destroyed in the grate of her bedroom the `
` following morning, but evidence had come to light which showed `
` that it had been drawn up in favour of her husband. Deceased had `
` already made a will in his favour before her marriage, but--and `
` Mr. Philips wagged an expressive forefinger--the prisoner was not `
` aware of that. What had induced the deceased to make a fresh `
` will, with the old one still extant, he could not say. She was `
` an old lady, and might possibly have forgotten the former one; `
` or--this seemed to him more likely--she may have had an idea that `
` it was revoked by her marriage, as there had been some `
` conversation on the subject. Ladies were not always very well `
` versed in legal knowledge. She had, about a year before, `
` executed a will in favour of the prisoner. He would call `
` evidence to show that it was the prisoner who ultimately handed `
` his stepmother her coffee on the fatal night. Later in the `
` evening, he had sought admission to her room, on which occasion, `
` no doubt, he found an opportunity of destroying the will which, `
` as far as he knew, would render the one in his favour valid. `
` `
` The prisoner had been arrested in consequence of the discovery, `
` in his room, by Detective Inspector Japp--a most brilliant `
` officer--of the identical phial of strychnine which had been sold `
` at the village chemist's to the supposed Mr. Inglethorp on the `
` day before the murder. It would be for the jury to decide `
` whether or not these damning facts constituted an overwhelming `
` proof of the prisoner's guilt. `
` `
` And, subtly implying that a jury which did not so decide, was `
` quite unthinkable, Mr. Philips sat down and wiped his forehead. `
` `
` The first witnesses for the prosecution were mostly those who had `
` been called at the inquest, the medical evidence being again `
` taken first. `
` `
` Sir Ernest Heavywether, who was famous all over England for the `
` unscrupulous manner in which he bullied witnesses, only asked two `
` questions. `
` `
` "I take it, Dr. Bauerstein, that strychnine, as a drug, acts `
` quickly?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "And that you are unable to account for the delay in this case?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Thank you." `
`