Reading Help The Mysterious Affair at Styles Ch.VII-XIII
"And that is?" `
` `
` "That in no possible way could Mrs. Inglethorp's death benefit `
` Miss Howard. Now there is no murder without a motive." `
` `
` I reflected. `
` `
` "Could not Mrs. Inglethorp have made a will in her favour?" `
` Poirot shook his head. `
` `
` "But you yourself suggested that possibility to Mr. Wells?" `
` `
` Poirot smiled. `
` `
` "That was for a reason. I did not want to mention the name of `
` the person who was actually in my mind. Miss Howard occupied `
` very much the same position, so I used her name instead." `
` `
` "Still, Mrs. Inglethorp might have done so. Why, that will, made `
` on the afternoon of her death may----" `
` `
` But Poirot's shake of the head was so energetic that I stopped. `
` `
` "No, my friend. I have certain little ideas of my own about that `
` will. But I can tell you this much--it was not in Miss Howard's `
` favour." `
` `
` I accepted his assurance, though I did not really see how he `
` could be so positive about the matter. `
` `
` "Well," I said, with a sigh, "we will acquit Miss Howard, then. `
` It is partly your fault that I ever came to suspect her. It was `
` what you said about her evidence at the inquest that set me off." `
` `
` Poirot looked puzzled. `
` `
` "What did I say about her evidence at the inquest?" `
` `
` "Don't you remember? When I cited her and John Cavendish as being `
` above suspicion?" `
` `
` "Oh--ah--yes." He seemed a little confused, but recovered `
` himself. "By the way, Hastings, there is something I want you to `
` do for me." `
` `
` "Certainly. What is it?" `
` `
` "Next time you happen to be alone with Lawrence Cavendish, I want `
` you to say this to him. 'I have a message for you, from Poirot. `
` He says: "Find the extra coffee-cup, and you can rest in peace!" `
` ' Nothing more. Nothing less." `
` `
` " 'Find the extra coffee-cup, and you can rest in peace.' Is that `
` right?" I asked, much mystified. `
` `
` "Excellent." `
` `
` "But what does it mean?" `
` `
` "Ah, that I will leave you to find out. You have access to the `
` facts. Just say that to him, and see what he says." `
` `
` "Very well--but it's all extremely mysterious." `
` `
` We were running into Tadminster now, and Poirot directed the car `
` to the "Analytical Chemist." `
` `
` Poirot hopped down briskly, and went inside. In a few minutes he `
` was back again. `
` `
` "There," he said. "That is all my business." `
` `
` "What were you doing there?" I asked, in lively curiosity. `
` `
` "I left something to be analysed." `
` `
` "Yes, but what?" `
` `
` "The sample of coco I took from the saucepan in the bedroom." `
` `
` "But that has already been tested!" I cried, stupefied. "Dr. `
` Bauerstein had it tested, and you yourself laughed at the `
` possibility of there being strychnine in it." `
` `
` "I know Dr. Bauerstein had it tested," replied Poirot quietly. `
` `
` "Well, then?" `
` `
` "Well, I have a fancy for having it analysed again, that is all." `
` `
` And not another word on the subject could I drag out of him. `
` `
` This proceeding of Poirot's, in respect of the coco, puzzled me `
` intensely. I could see neither rhyme nor reason in it. However, `
` my confidence in him, which at one time had rather waned, was `
` fully restored since his belief in Alfred Inglethorp's innocence `
` had been so triumphantly vindicated. `
` `
` The funeral of Mrs. Inglethorp took place the following day, and `
` on Monday, as I came down to a late breakfast, John drew me `
` aside, and informed me that Mr. Inglethorp was leaving that `
` morning, to take up his quarters at the Stylites Arms until he `
` should have completed his plans. `
` `
` "And really it's a great relief to think he's going, Hastings," `
` continued my honest friend. "It was bad enough before, when we `
` thought he'd done it, but I'm hanged if it isn't worse now, when `
` we all feel guilty for having been so down on the fellow. The `
` fact is, we've treated him abominably. Of course, things did `
` look black against him. I don't see how anyone could blame us `
` for jumping to the conclusions we did. Still, there it is, we `
` were in the wrong, and now there's a beastly feeling that one `
` ought to make amends; which is difficult, when one doesn't like `
` the fellow a bit better than one did before. The whole thing's `
` damned awkward! And I'm thankful he's had the tact to take `
` himself off. It's a good thing Styles wasn't the mater's to `
` leave to him. Couldn't bear to think of the fellow fording it `
` here. He's welcome to her money." `
` `
` "You'll be able to keep up the place all right?" I asked. `
` `
` "Oh, yes. There are the death duties, of course, but half my `
` father's money goes with the place, and Lawrence will stay with `
` us for the present, so there is his share as well. We shall be `
` pinched at first, of course, because, as I once told you, I am in `
` a bit of a hole financially myself. Still, the Johnnies will `
` wait now." `
` `
` In the general relief at Inglethorp's approaching departure, we `
` had the most genial breakfast we had experienced since the `
` tragedy. Cynthia, whose young spirits were naturally buoyant, `
` was looking quite her pretty self again, and we all, with the `
` exception of Lawrence, who seemed unalterably gloomy and nervous, `
` were quietly cheerful, at the opening of a new and hopeful `
` future. `
` `
` The papers, of course, had been full of the tragedy. Glaring `
` headlines, sandwiched biographies of every member of the `
` household, subtle innuendoes, the usual familiar tag about the `
` police having a clue. Nothing was spared us. It was a slack `
` time. The war was momentarily inactive, and the newspapers `
` seized with avidity on this crime in fashionable life: "The `
` Mysterious Affair at Styles" was the topic of the moment. `
` `
` Naturally it was very annoying for the Cavendishes. The house `
` was constantly besieged by reporters, who were consistently `
` denied admission, but who continued to haunt the village and the `
` grounds, where they lay in wait with cameras, for any unwary `
` members of the household. We all lived in a blast of publicity. `
` The Scotland Yard men came and went, examining, questioning, `
` lynx-eyed and reserved of tongue. Towards what end they were `
` working, we did not know. Had they any clue, or would the whole `
` thing remain in the category of undiscovered crimes? `
` `
` After breakfast, Dorcas came up to me rather mysteriously, and `
` asked if she might have a few words with me. `
` `
` "Certainly. What is it, Dorcas?" `
` `
` "Well, it's just this, sir. You'll be seeing the Belgian `
` gentleman to-day perhaps?" I nodded. "Well, sir, you know how he `
` asked me so particular if the mistress, or anyone else, had a `
` green dress?" `
` `
` "Yes, yes. You have found one?" My interest was aroused. `
` `
` "No, not that, sir. But since then I've remembered what the `
` young gentlemen"--John and Lawrence were still the "young `
` gentlemen" to Dorcas--"call the 'dressing-up box.' It's up in the `
` front attic, sir. A great chest, full of old clothes and fancy `
` dresses, and what not. And it came to me sudden like that there `
` might be a green dress amongst them. So, if you'd tell the `
` Belgian gentleman----" `
` `
` "I will tell him, Dorcas," I promised. `
` `
` "Thank you very much, sir. A very nice gentleman he is, sir. `
` And quite a different class from them two detectives from London, `
` what goes prying about, and asking questions. I don't hold with `
` foreigners as a rule, but from what the newspapers say I make out `
` as how these brave Belges isn't the ordinary run of foreigners, `
` and certainly he's a most polite spoken gentleman." `
` `
` Dear old Dorcas! As she stood there, with her honest face `
` upturned to mine, I thought what a fine specimen she was of the `
` old-fashioned servant that is so fast dying out. `
` `
` I thought I might as well go down to the village at once, and `
` look up Poirot; but I met him half-way, coming up to the house, `
` and at once gave him Dorcas's message. `
` `
` "Ah, the brave Dorcas! We will look at the chest, although--but `
` no matter--we will examine it all the same." `
` `
` We entered the house by one of the windows. There was no one in `
` the hall, and we went straight up to the attic. `
` `
` Sure enough, there was the chest, a fine old piece, all studded `
` with brass nails, and full to overflowing with every imaginable `
` type of garment. `
` `
`
` `
` "That in no possible way could Mrs. Inglethorp's death benefit `
` Miss Howard. Now there is no murder without a motive." `
` `
` I reflected. `
` `
` "Could not Mrs. Inglethorp have made a will in her favour?" `
` Poirot shook his head. `
` `
` "But you yourself suggested that possibility to Mr. Wells?" `
` `
` Poirot smiled. `
` `
` "That was for a reason. I did not want to mention the name of `
` the person who was actually in my mind. Miss Howard occupied `
` very much the same position, so I used her name instead." `
` `
` "Still, Mrs. Inglethorp might have done so. Why, that will, made `
` on the afternoon of her death may----" `
` `
` But Poirot's shake of the head was so energetic that I stopped. `
` `
` "No, my friend. I have certain little ideas of my own about that `
` will. But I can tell you this much--it was not in Miss Howard's `
` favour." `
` `
` I accepted his assurance, though I did not really see how he `
` could be so positive about the matter. `
` `
` "Well," I said, with a sigh, "we will acquit Miss Howard, then. `
` It is partly your fault that I ever came to suspect her. It was `
` what you said about her evidence at the inquest that set me off." `
` `
` Poirot looked puzzled. `
` `
` "What did I say about her evidence at the inquest?" `
` `
` "Don't you remember? When I cited her and John Cavendish as being `
` above suspicion?" `
` `
` "Oh--ah--yes." He seemed a little confused, but recovered `
` himself. "By the way, Hastings, there is something I want you to `
` do for me." `
` `
` "Certainly. What is it?" `
` `
` "Next time you happen to be alone with Lawrence Cavendish, I want `
` you to say this to him. 'I have a message for you, from Poirot. `
` He says: "Find the extra coffee-cup, and you can rest in peace!" `
` ' Nothing more. Nothing less." `
` `
` " 'Find the extra coffee-cup, and you can rest in peace.' Is that `
` right?" I asked, much mystified. `
` `
` "Excellent." `
` `
` "But what does it mean?" `
` `
` "Ah, that I will leave you to find out. You have access to the `
` facts. Just say that to him, and see what he says." `
` `
` "Very well--but it's all extremely mysterious." `
` `
` We were running into Tadminster now, and Poirot directed the car `
` to the "Analytical Chemist." `
` `
` Poirot hopped down briskly, and went inside. In a few minutes he `
` was back again. `
` `
` "There," he said. "That is all my business." `
` `
` "What were you doing there?" I asked, in lively curiosity. `
` `
` "I left something to be analysed." `
` `
` "Yes, but what?" `
` `
` "The sample of coco I took from the saucepan in the bedroom." `
` `
` "But that has already been tested!" I cried, stupefied. "Dr. `
` Bauerstein had it tested, and you yourself laughed at the `
` possibility of there being strychnine in it." `
` `
` "I know Dr. Bauerstein had it tested," replied Poirot quietly. `
` `
` "Well, then?" `
` `
` "Well, I have a fancy for having it analysed again, that is all." `
` `
` And not another word on the subject could I drag out of him. `
` `
` This proceeding of Poirot's, in respect of the coco, puzzled me `
` intensely. I could see neither rhyme nor reason in it. However, `
` my confidence in him, which at one time had rather waned, was `
` fully restored since his belief in Alfred Inglethorp's innocence `
` had been so triumphantly vindicated. `
` `
` The funeral of Mrs. Inglethorp took place the following day, and `
` on Monday, as I came down to a late breakfast, John drew me `
` aside, and informed me that Mr. Inglethorp was leaving that `
` morning, to take up his quarters at the Stylites Arms until he `
` should have completed his plans. `
` `
` "And really it's a great relief to think he's going, Hastings," `
` continued my honest friend. "It was bad enough before, when we `
` thought he'd done it, but I'm hanged if it isn't worse now, when `
` we all feel guilty for having been so down on the fellow. The `
` fact is, we've treated him abominably. Of course, things did `
` look black against him. I don't see how anyone could blame us `
` for jumping to the conclusions we did. Still, there it is, we `
` were in the wrong, and now there's a beastly feeling that one `
` ought to make amends; which is difficult, when one doesn't like `
` the fellow a bit better than one did before. The whole thing's `
` damned awkward! And I'm thankful he's had the tact to take `
` himself off. It's a good thing Styles wasn't the mater's to `
` leave to him. Couldn't bear to think of the fellow fording it `
` here. He's welcome to her money." `
` `
` "You'll be able to keep up the place all right?" I asked. `
` `
` "Oh, yes. There are the death duties, of course, but half my `
` father's money goes with the place, and Lawrence will stay with `
` us for the present, so there is his share as well. We shall be `
` pinched at first, of course, because, as I once told you, I am in `
` a bit of a hole financially myself. Still, the Johnnies will `
` wait now." `
` `
` In the general relief at Inglethorp's approaching departure, we `
` had the most genial breakfast we had experienced since the `
` tragedy. Cynthia, whose young spirits were naturally buoyant, `
` was looking quite her pretty self again, and we all, with the `
` exception of Lawrence, who seemed unalterably gloomy and nervous, `
` were quietly cheerful, at the opening of a new and hopeful `
` future. `
` `
` The papers, of course, had been full of the tragedy. Glaring `
` headlines, sandwiched biographies of every member of the `
` household, subtle innuendoes, the usual familiar tag about the `
` police having a clue. Nothing was spared us. It was a slack `
` time. The war was momentarily inactive, and the newspapers `
` seized with avidity on this crime in fashionable life: "The `
` Mysterious Affair at Styles" was the topic of the moment. `
` `
` Naturally it was very annoying for the Cavendishes. The house `
` was constantly besieged by reporters, who were consistently `
` denied admission, but who continued to haunt the village and the `
` grounds, where they lay in wait with cameras, for any unwary `
` members of the household. We all lived in a blast of publicity. `
` The Scotland Yard men came and went, examining, questioning, `
` lynx-eyed and reserved of tongue. Towards what end they were `
` working, we did not know. Had they any clue, or would the whole `
` thing remain in the category of undiscovered crimes? `
` `
` After breakfast, Dorcas came up to me rather mysteriously, and `
` asked if she might have a few words with me. `
` `
` "Certainly. What is it, Dorcas?" `
` `
` "Well, it's just this, sir. You'll be seeing the Belgian `
` gentleman to-day perhaps?" I nodded. "Well, sir, you know how he `
` asked me so particular if the mistress, or anyone else, had a `
` green dress?" `
` `
` "Yes, yes. You have found one?" My interest was aroused. `
` `
` "No, not that, sir. But since then I've remembered what the `
` young gentlemen"--John and Lawrence were still the "young `
` gentlemen" to Dorcas--"call the 'dressing-up box.' It's up in the `
` front attic, sir. A great chest, full of old clothes and fancy `
` dresses, and what not. And it came to me sudden like that there `
` might be a green dress amongst them. So, if you'd tell the `
` Belgian gentleman----" `
` `
` "I will tell him, Dorcas," I promised. `
` `
` "Thank you very much, sir. A very nice gentleman he is, sir. `
` And quite a different class from them two detectives from London, `
` what goes prying about, and asking questions. I don't hold with `
` foreigners as a rule, but from what the newspapers say I make out `
` as how these brave Belges isn't the ordinary run of foreigners, `
` and certainly he's a most polite spoken gentleman." `
` `
` Dear old Dorcas! As she stood there, with her honest face `
` upturned to mine, I thought what a fine specimen she was of the `
` old-fashioned servant that is so fast dying out. `
` `
` I thought I might as well go down to the village at once, and `
` look up Poirot; but I met him half-way, coming up to the house, `
` and at once gave him Dorcas's message. `
` `
` "Ah, the brave Dorcas! We will look at the chest, although--but `
` no matter--we will examine it all the same." `
` `
` We entered the house by one of the windows. There was no one in `
` the hall, and we went straight up to the attic. `
` `
` Sure enough, there was the chest, a fine old piece, all studded `
` with brass nails, and full to overflowing with every imaginable `
` type of garment. `
` `
`