Reading Help The Mysterious Affair at Styles Ch.VII-XIII
me. With the exception of Cynthia Murdoch's, every one's room `
` was in this left wing. Had that anything to do with it? Was I to `
` report who came or went? I stood faithfully at my post. The `
` minutes passed. Nobody came. Nothing happened. `
` `
` It must have been quite twenty minutes before Poirot rejoined me. `
` `
` "You have not stirred?" `
` `
` "No, I've stuck here like a rock. Nothing's happened." `
` `
` "Ah!" Was he pleased, or disappointed? "You've seen nothing at `
` all?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "But you have probably heard something? A big bump--eh, mon ami?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "Is it possible? Ah, but I am vexed with myself! I am not usually `
` clumsy. I made but a slight gesture"--I know Poirot's `
` gestures--"with the left hand, and over went the table by the `
` bed!" `
` `
` He looked so childishly vexed and crest-fallen that I hastened to `
` console him. `
` `
` "Never mind, old chap. What does it matter? Your triumph `
` downstairs excited you. I can tell you, that was a surprise to `
` us all. There must be more in this affair of Inglethorp's with `
` Mrs. Raikes than we thought, to make him hold his tongue so `
` persistently. What are you going to do now? Where are the `
` Scotland Yard fellows?" `
` `
` "Gone down to interview the servants. I showed them all our `
` exhibits. I am disappointed in Japp. He has no method!" `
` `
` "Hullo!" I said, looking out of the window. "Here's Dr. `
` Bauerstein. I believe you're right about that man, Poirot. I `
` don't like him." `
` `
` "He is clever," observed Poirot meditatively. `
` `
` "Oh, clever as the devil! I must say I was overjoyed to see him `
` in the plight he was in on Tuesday. You never saw such a `
` spectacle!" And I described the doctor's adventure. "He looked a `
` regular scarecrow! Plastered with mud from head to foot." `
` `
` "You saw him, then?" `
` `
` "Yes. Of course, he didn't want to come in--it was just after `
` dinner--but Mr. Inglethorp insisted." `
` `
` "What?" Poirot caught me violently by the shoulders. "Was Dr. `
` Bauerstein here on Tuesday evening? Here? And you never told me? `
` Why did you not tell me? Why? Why?" `
` `
` He appeared to be in an absolute frenzy. `
` `
` "My dear Poirot," I expostulated, "I never thought it would `
` interest you. I didn't know it was of any importance." `
` `
` "Importance? It is of the first importance! So Dr. Bauerstein was `
` here on Tuesday night--the night of the murder. Hastings, do you `
` not see? That alters everything--everything!" `
` `
` I had never seen him so upset. Loosening his hold of me, he `
` mechanically straightened a pair of candlesticks, still murmuring `
` to himself: "Yes, that alters everything--everything." `
` `
` Suddenly he seemed to come to a decision. `
` `
` "Allons!" he said. "We must act at once. Where is Mr. `
` Cavendish?" `
` `
` John was in the smoking-room. Poirot went straight to him. `
` `
` "Mr. Cavendish, I have some important business in Tadminster. A `
` new clue. May I take your motor?" `
` `
` "Why, of course. Do you mean at once?" `
` `
` "If you please." `
` `
` John rang the bell, and ordered round the car. In another ten `
` minutes, we were racing down the park and along the high road to `
` Tadminster. `
` `
` "Now, Poirot," I remarked resignedly, "perhaps you will tell me `
` what all this is about?" `
` `
` "Well, mon ami, a good deal you can guess for yourself. Of `
` course you realize that, now Mr. Inglethorp is out of it, the `
` whole position is greatly changed. We are face to face with an `
` entirely new problem. We know now that there is one person who `
` did not buy the poison. We have cleared away the manufactured `
` clues. Now for the real ones. I have ascertained that anyone in `
` the household, with the exception of Mrs. Cavendish, who was `
` playing tennis with you, could have personated Mr. Inglethorp on `
` Monday evening. In the same way, we have his statement that he `
` put the coffee down in the hall. No one took much notice of that `
` at the inquest--but now it has a very different significance. We `
` must find out who did take that coffee to Mrs. Inglethorp `
` eventually, or who passed through the hall whilst it was standing `
` there. From your account, there are only two people whom we can `
` positively say did not go near the coffee--Mrs. Cavendish, and `
` Mademoiselle Cynthia." `
` `
` "Yes, that is so." I felt an inexpressible lightening of the `
` heart. Mary Cavendish could certainly not rest under suspicion. `
` `
` "In clearing Alfred Inglethorp," continued Poirot, "I have been `
` obliged to show my hand sooner than I intended. As long as I `
` might be thought to be pursuing him, the criminal would be off `
` his guard. Now, he will be doubly careful. Yes--doubly `
` careful." He turned to me abruptly. "Tell me, Hastings, you `
` yourself--have you no suspicions of anybody?" `
` `
` I hesitated. To tell the truth, an idea, wild and extravagant in `
` itself, had once or twice that morning flashed through my brain. `
` I had rejected it as absurd, nevertheless it persisted. `
` `
` "You couldn't call it a suspicion," I murmured. "It's so utterly `
` foolish." `
` `
` "Come now," urged Poirot encouragingly. "Do not fear. Speak `
` your mind. You should always pay attention to your instincts." `
` `
` "Well then," I blurted out, "it's absurd--but I suspect Miss `
` Howard of not telling all she knows!" `
` `
` "Miss Howard?" `
` `
` "Yes--you'll laugh at me----" `
` `
` "Not at all. Why should I?" `
` `
` "I can't help feeling," I continued blunderingly; "that we've `
` rather left her out of the possible suspects, simply on the `
` strength of her having been away from the place. But, after all, `
` she was only fifteen miles away. A car would do it in half an `
` hour. Can we say positively that she was away from Styles on the `
` night of the murder?" `
` `
` "Yes, my friend," said Poirot unexpectedly, "we can. One of my `
` first actions was to ring up the hospital where she was working." `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Well, I learnt that Miss Howard had been on afternoon duty on `
` Tuesday, and that--a convoy coming in unexpectedly--she had `
` kindly offered to remain on night duty, which offer was `
` gratefully accepted. That disposes of that." `
` `
` "Oh!" I said, rather nonplussed. "Really," I continued, "it's `
` her extraordinary vehemence against Inglethorp that started me `
` off suspecting her. I can't help feeling she'd do anything `
` against him. And I had an idea she might know something about `
` the destroying of the will. She might have burnt the new one, `
` mistaking it for the earlier one in his favour. She is so `
` terribly bitter against him." `
` `
` "You consider her vehemence unnatural?" `
` `
` "Y--es. She is so very violent. I wondered really whether she `
` is quite sane on that point." `
` `
` Poirot shook his head energetically. `
` `
` "No, no, you are on a wrong tack there. There is nothing `
` weak-minded or degenerate about Miss Howard. She is an excellent `
` specimen of well-balanced English beef and brawn. She is sanity `
` itself." `
` `
` "Yet her hatred of Inglethorp seems almost a mania. My idea `
` was--a very ridiculous one, no doubt--that she had intended to `
` poison him--and that, in some way, Mrs. Inglethorp got hold of it `
` by mistake. But I don't at all see how it could have been done. `
` The whole thing is absurd and ridiculous to the last degree." `
` `
` "Still you are right in one thing. It is always wise to suspect `
` everybody until you can prove logically, and to your own `
` satisfaction, that they are innocent. Now, what reasons are `
` there against Miss Howard's having deliberately poisoned Mrs. `
` Inglethorp?" `
` `
` "Why, she was devoted to her!" I exclaimed. `
` `
` "Tcha! Tcha!" cried Poirot irritably. "You argue like a child. `
` If Miss Howard were capable of poisoning the old lady, she would `
` be quite equally capable of simulating devotion. No, we must `
` look elsewhere. You are perfectly correct in your assumption `
` that her vehemence against Alfred Inglethorp is too violent to be `
` natural; but you are quite wrong in the deduction you draw from `
` it. I have drawn my own deductions, which I believe to be `
` correct, but I will not speak of them at present." He paused a `
` minute, then went on. "Now, to my way of thinking, there is one `
` insuperable objection to Miss Howard's being the murderess." `
` `
` "And that is?" `
`
` was in this left wing. Had that anything to do with it? Was I to `
` report who came or went? I stood faithfully at my post. The `
` minutes passed. Nobody came. Nothing happened. `
` `
` It must have been quite twenty minutes before Poirot rejoined me. `
` `
` "You have not stirred?" `
` `
` "No, I've stuck here like a rock. Nothing's happened." `
` `
` "Ah!" Was he pleased, or disappointed? "You've seen nothing at `
` all?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "But you have probably heard something? A big bump--eh, mon ami?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "Is it possible? Ah, but I am vexed with myself! I am not usually `
` clumsy. I made but a slight gesture"--I know Poirot's `
` gestures--"with the left hand, and over went the table by the `
` bed!" `
` `
` He looked so childishly vexed and crest-fallen that I hastened to `
` console him. `
` `
` "Never mind, old chap. What does it matter? Your triumph `
` downstairs excited you. I can tell you, that was a surprise to `
` us all. There must be more in this affair of Inglethorp's with `
` Mrs. Raikes than we thought, to make him hold his tongue so `
` persistently. What are you going to do now? Where are the `
` Scotland Yard fellows?" `
` `
` "Gone down to interview the servants. I showed them all our `
` exhibits. I am disappointed in Japp. He has no method!" `
` `
` "Hullo!" I said, looking out of the window. "Here's Dr. `
` Bauerstein. I believe you're right about that man, Poirot. I `
` don't like him." `
` `
` "He is clever," observed Poirot meditatively. `
` `
` "Oh, clever as the devil! I must say I was overjoyed to see him `
` in the plight he was in on Tuesday. You never saw such a `
` spectacle!" And I described the doctor's adventure. "He looked a `
` regular scarecrow! Plastered with mud from head to foot." `
` `
` "You saw him, then?" `
` `
` "Yes. Of course, he didn't want to come in--it was just after `
` dinner--but Mr. Inglethorp insisted." `
` `
` "What?" Poirot caught me violently by the shoulders. "Was Dr. `
` Bauerstein here on Tuesday evening? Here? And you never told me? `
` Why did you not tell me? Why? Why?" `
` `
` He appeared to be in an absolute frenzy. `
` `
` "My dear Poirot," I expostulated, "I never thought it would `
` interest you. I didn't know it was of any importance." `
` `
` "Importance? It is of the first importance! So Dr. Bauerstein was `
` here on Tuesday night--the night of the murder. Hastings, do you `
` not see? That alters everything--everything!" `
` `
` I had never seen him so upset. Loosening his hold of me, he `
` mechanically straightened a pair of candlesticks, still murmuring `
` to himself: "Yes, that alters everything--everything." `
` `
` Suddenly he seemed to come to a decision. `
` `
` "Allons!" he said. "We must act at once. Where is Mr. `
` Cavendish?" `
` `
` John was in the smoking-room. Poirot went straight to him. `
` `
` "Mr. Cavendish, I have some important business in Tadminster. A `
` new clue. May I take your motor?" `
` `
` "Why, of course. Do you mean at once?" `
` `
` "If you please." `
` `
` John rang the bell, and ordered round the car. In another ten `
` minutes, we were racing down the park and along the high road to `
` Tadminster. `
` `
` "Now, Poirot," I remarked resignedly, "perhaps you will tell me `
` what all this is about?" `
` `
` "Well, mon ami, a good deal you can guess for yourself. Of `
` course you realize that, now Mr. Inglethorp is out of it, the `
` whole position is greatly changed. We are face to face with an `
` entirely new problem. We know now that there is one person who `
` did not buy the poison. We have cleared away the manufactured `
` clues. Now for the real ones. I have ascertained that anyone in `
` the household, with the exception of Mrs. Cavendish, who was `
` playing tennis with you, could have personated Mr. Inglethorp on `
` Monday evening. In the same way, we have his statement that he `
` put the coffee down in the hall. No one took much notice of that `
` at the inquest--but now it has a very different significance. We `
` must find out who did take that coffee to Mrs. Inglethorp `
` eventually, or who passed through the hall whilst it was standing `
` there. From your account, there are only two people whom we can `
` positively say did not go near the coffee--Mrs. Cavendish, and `
` Mademoiselle Cynthia." `
` `
` "Yes, that is so." I felt an inexpressible lightening of the `
` heart. Mary Cavendish could certainly not rest under suspicion. `
` `
` "In clearing Alfred Inglethorp," continued Poirot, "I have been `
` obliged to show my hand sooner than I intended. As long as I `
` might be thought to be pursuing him, the criminal would be off `
` his guard. Now, he will be doubly careful. Yes--doubly `
` careful." He turned to me abruptly. "Tell me, Hastings, you `
` yourself--have you no suspicions of anybody?" `
` `
` I hesitated. To tell the truth, an idea, wild and extravagant in `
` itself, had once or twice that morning flashed through my brain. `
` I had rejected it as absurd, nevertheless it persisted. `
` `
` "You couldn't call it a suspicion," I murmured. "It's so utterly `
` foolish." `
` `
` "Come now," urged Poirot encouragingly. "Do not fear. Speak `
` your mind. You should always pay attention to your instincts." `
` `
` "Well then," I blurted out, "it's absurd--but I suspect Miss `
` Howard of not telling all she knows!" `
` `
` "Miss Howard?" `
` `
` "Yes--you'll laugh at me----" `
` `
` "Not at all. Why should I?" `
` `
` "I can't help feeling," I continued blunderingly; "that we've `
` rather left her out of the possible suspects, simply on the `
` strength of her having been away from the place. But, after all, `
` she was only fifteen miles away. A car would do it in half an `
` hour. Can we say positively that she was away from Styles on the `
` night of the murder?" `
` `
` "Yes, my friend," said Poirot unexpectedly, "we can. One of my `
` first actions was to ring up the hospital where she was working." `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Well, I learnt that Miss Howard had been on afternoon duty on `
` Tuesday, and that--a convoy coming in unexpectedly--she had `
` kindly offered to remain on night duty, which offer was `
` gratefully accepted. That disposes of that." `
` `
` "Oh!" I said, rather nonplussed. "Really," I continued, "it's `
` her extraordinary vehemence against Inglethorp that started me `
` off suspecting her. I can't help feeling she'd do anything `
` against him. And I had an idea she might know something about `
` the destroying of the will. She might have burnt the new one, `
` mistaking it for the earlier one in his favour. She is so `
` terribly bitter against him." `
` `
` "You consider her vehemence unnatural?" `
` `
` "Y--es. She is so very violent. I wondered really whether she `
` is quite sane on that point." `
` `
` Poirot shook his head energetically. `
` `
` "No, no, you are on a wrong tack there. There is nothing `
` weak-minded or degenerate about Miss Howard. She is an excellent `
` specimen of well-balanced English beef and brawn. She is sanity `
` itself." `
` `
` "Yet her hatred of Inglethorp seems almost a mania. My idea `
` was--a very ridiculous one, no doubt--that she had intended to `
` poison him--and that, in some way, Mrs. Inglethorp got hold of it `
` by mistake. But I don't at all see how it could have been done. `
` The whole thing is absurd and ridiculous to the last degree." `
` `
` "Still you are right in one thing. It is always wise to suspect `
` everybody until you can prove logically, and to your own `
` satisfaction, that they are innocent. Now, what reasons are `
` there against Miss Howard's having deliberately poisoned Mrs. `
` Inglethorp?" `
` `
` "Why, she was devoted to her!" I exclaimed. `
` `
` "Tcha! Tcha!" cried Poirot irritably. "You argue like a child. `
` If Miss Howard were capable of poisoning the old lady, she would `
` be quite equally capable of simulating devotion. No, we must `
` look elsewhere. You are perfectly correct in your assumption `
` that her vehemence against Alfred Inglethorp is too violent to be `
` natural; but you are quite wrong in the deduction you draw from `
` it. I have drawn my own deductions, which I believe to be `
` correct, but I will not speak of them at present." He paused a `
` minute, then went on. "Now, to my way of thinking, there is one `
` insuperable objection to Miss Howard's being the murderess." `
` `
` "And that is?" `
`