Reading Help The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie. Ch.I-VI
police station by the scruff of his neck." `
` `
` "Well, you might do something. Find out how he did it. He's a `
` crafty beggar. Dare say he soaked fly papers. Ask Cook if she's `
` missed any." `
` `
` It occurred to me very forcibly at that moment that to harbour `
` Miss Howard and Alfred Inglethorp under the same roof, and keep `
` the peace between them, was likely to prove a Herculean task, and `
` I did not envy John. I could see by the expression of his face `
` that he fully appreciated the difficulty of the position. For `
` the moment, he sought refuge in retreat, and left the room `
` precipitately. `
` `
` Dorcas brought in fresh tea. As she left the room, Poirot came `
` over from the window where he had been standing, and sat down `
` facing Miss Howard. `
` `
` "Mademoiselle," he said gravely, "I want to ask you something." `
` `
` "Ask away," said the lady, eyeing him with some disfavour. `
` `
` "I want to be able to count upon your help." `
` `
` "I'll help you to hang Alfred with pleasure," she replied `
` gruffly. "Hanging's too good for him. Ought to be drawn and `
` quartered, like in good old times." `
` `
` "We are at one then," said Poirot, "for I, too, want to hang the `
` criminal." `
` `
` "Alfred Inglethorp?" `
` `
` "Him, or another." `
` `
` "No question of another. Poor Emily was never murdered until _he_ `
` came along. I don't say she wasn't surrounded by sharks--she `
` was. But it was only her purse they were after. Her life was `
` safe enough. But along comes Mr. Alfred Inglethorp--and within `
` two months--hey presto!" `
` `
` "Believe me, Miss Howard," said Poirot very earnestly, "if Mr. `
` Inglethorp is the man, he shall not escape me. On my honour, I `
` will hang him as high as Haman!" `
` `
` "That's better," said Miss Howard more enthusiastically. `
` `
` "But I must ask you to trust me. Now your help may be very `
` valuable to me. I will tell you why. Because, in all this house `
` of mourning, yours are the only eyes that have wept." `
` `
` Miss Howard blinked, and a new note crept into the gruffness of `
` her voice. `
` `
` "If you mean that I was fond of her--yes, I was. You know, Emily `
` was a selfish old woman in her way. She was very generous, but `
` she always wanted a return. She never let people forget what she `
` had done for them--and, that way she missed love. Don't think `
` she ever realized it, though, or felt the lack of it. Hope not, `
` anyway. I was on a different footing. I took my stand from the `
` first. 'So many pounds a year I'm worth to you. Well and good. `
` But not a penny piece besides--not a pair of gloves, nor a `
` theatre ticket.' She didn't understand--was very offended `
` sometimes. Said I was foolishly proud. It wasn't that--but I `
` couldn't explain. Anyway, I kept my self-respect. And so, out `
` of the whole bunch, I was the only one who could allow myself to `
` be fond of her. I watched over her. I guarded her from the lot `
` of them, and then a glib-tongued scoundrel comes along, and pooh! `
` all my years of devotion go for nothing." `
` `
` Poirot nodded sympathetically. `
` `
` "I understand, mademoiselle, I understand all you feel. It is `
` most natural. You think that we are lukewarm--that we lack fire `
` and energy--but trust me, it is not so." `
` `
` John stuck his head in at this juncture, and invited us both to `
` come up to Mrs. Inglethorp's room, as he and Mr. Wells had `
` finished looking through the desk in the boudoir. `
` `
` As we went up the stairs, John looked back to the dining-room `
` door, and lowered his voice confidentially: `
` `
` "Look here, what's going to happen when these two meet?" `
` `
` I shook my head helplessly. `
` `
` "I've told Mary to keep them apart if she can." `
` `
` "Will she be able to do so?" `
` `
` "The Lord only knows. There's one thing, Inglethorp himself `
` won't be too keen on meeting her." `
` `
` "You've got the keys still, haven't you, Poirot?" I asked, as we `
` reached the door of the locked room. `
` `
` Taking the keys from Poirot, John unlocked it, and we all passed `
` in. The lawyer went straight to the desk, and John followed him. `
` `
` "My mother kept most of her important papers in this `
` despatch-case, I believe," he said. `
` `
` Poirot drew out the small bunch of keys. `
` `
` "Permit me. I locked it, out of precaution, this morning." `
` `
` "But it's not locked now." `
` `
` "Impossible!" `
` `
` "See." And John lifted the lid as he spoke. `
` `
` "Milles tonnerres!" cried Poirot, dumfounded. "And I--who have `
` both the keys in my pocket!" He flung himself upon the case. `
` Suddenly he stiffened. "En voila une affaire! This lock has been `
` forced." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` Poirot laid down the case again. `
` `
` "But who forced it? Why should they? When? But the door was `
` locked?" These exclamations burst from us disjointedly. `
` `
` Poirot answered them categorically--almost mechanically. `
` `
` "Who? That is the question. Why? Ah, if I only knew. When? `
` Since I was here an hour ago. As to the door being locked, it is `
` a very ordinary lock. Probably any other of the doorkeys in this `
` passage would fit it." `
` `
` We stared at one another blankly. Poirot had walked over to the `
` mantel-piece. He was outwardly calm, but I noticed his hands, `
` which from long force of habit were mechanically straightening `
` the spill vases on the mantel-piece, were shaking violently. `
` `
` "See here, it was like this," he said at last. "There was `
` something in that case--some piece of evidence, slight in itself `
` perhaps, but still enough of a clue to connect the murderer with `
` the crime. It was vital to him that it should be destroyed `
` before it was discovered and its significance appreciated. `
` Therefore, he took the risk, the great risk, of coming in here. `
` Finding the case locked, he was obliged to force it, thus `
` betraying his presence. For him to take that risk, it must have `
` been something of great importance." `
` `
` "But what was it?" `
` `
` "Ah!" cried Poirot, with a gesture of anger. "That, I do not `
` know! A document of some kind, without doubt, possibly the scrap `
` of paper Dorcas saw in her hand yesterday afternoon. And I--" `
` his anger burst forth freely--"miserable animal that I am! I `
` guessed nothing! I have behaved like an imbecile! I should never `
` have left that case here. I should have carried it away with me. `
` Ah, triple pig! And now it is gone. It is destroyed--but is it `
` destroyed? Is there not yet a chance--we must leave no stone `
` unturned--" `
` `
` He rushed like a madman from the room, and I followed him as soon `
` as I had sufficiently recovered my wits. But, by the time I had `
` reached the top of the stairs, he was out of sight. `
` `
` Mary Cavendish was standing where the staircase branched, staring `
` down into the hall in the direction in which he had disappeared. `
` `
` "What has happened to your extraordinary little friend, Mr. `
` Hastings? He has just rushed past me like a mad bull." `
` `
` "He's rather upset about something," I remarked feebly. I really `
` did not know how much Poirot would wish me to disclose. As I saw `
` a faint smile gather on Mrs. Cavendish's expressive mouth, I `
` endeavoured to try and turn the conversation by saying: "They `
` haven't met yet, have they?" `
` `
` "Who?" `
` `
` "Mr. Inglethorp and Miss Howard." `
` `
` She looked at me in rather a disconcerting manner. `
` `
` "Do you think it would be such a disaster if they did meet?" `
` `
` "Well, don't you?" I said, rather taken aback. `
` `
` "No." She was smiling in her quiet way. "I should like to see a `
` good flare up. It would clear the air. At present we are all `
` thinking so much, and saying so little." `
` `
` "John doesn't think so," I remarked. "He's anxious to keep them `
` apart." `
` `
` "Oh, John!" `
` `
` Something in her tone fired me, and I blurted out: `
` `
` "Old John's an awfully good sort." `
` `
` She studied me curiously for a minute or two, and then said, to `
` my great surprise: `
` `
`
` `
` "Well, you might do something. Find out how he did it. He's a `
` crafty beggar. Dare say he soaked fly papers. Ask Cook if she's `
` missed any." `
` `
` It occurred to me very forcibly at that moment that to harbour `
` Miss Howard and Alfred Inglethorp under the same roof, and keep `
` the peace between them, was likely to prove a Herculean task, and `
` I did not envy John. I could see by the expression of his face `
` that he fully appreciated the difficulty of the position. For `
` the moment, he sought refuge in retreat, and left the room `
` precipitately. `
` `
` Dorcas brought in fresh tea. As she left the room, Poirot came `
` over from the window where he had been standing, and sat down `
` facing Miss Howard. `
` `
` "Mademoiselle," he said gravely, "I want to ask you something." `
` `
` "Ask away," said the lady, eyeing him with some disfavour. `
` `
` "I want to be able to count upon your help." `
` `
` "I'll help you to hang Alfred with pleasure," she replied `
` gruffly. "Hanging's too good for him. Ought to be drawn and `
` quartered, like in good old times." `
` `
` "We are at one then," said Poirot, "for I, too, want to hang the `
` criminal." `
` `
` "Alfred Inglethorp?" `
` `
` "Him, or another." `
` `
` "No question of another. Poor Emily was never murdered until _he_ `
` came along. I don't say she wasn't surrounded by sharks--she `
` was. But it was only her purse they were after. Her life was `
` safe enough. But along comes Mr. Alfred Inglethorp--and within `
` two months--hey presto!" `
` `
` "Believe me, Miss Howard," said Poirot very earnestly, "if Mr. `
` Inglethorp is the man, he shall not escape me. On my honour, I `
` will hang him as high as Haman!" `
` `
` "That's better," said Miss Howard more enthusiastically. `
` `
` "But I must ask you to trust me. Now your help may be very `
` valuable to me. I will tell you why. Because, in all this house `
` of mourning, yours are the only eyes that have wept." `
` `
` Miss Howard blinked, and a new note crept into the gruffness of `
` her voice. `
` `
` "If you mean that I was fond of her--yes, I was. You know, Emily `
` was a selfish old woman in her way. She was very generous, but `
` she always wanted a return. She never let people forget what she `
` had done for them--and, that way she missed love. Don't think `
` she ever realized it, though, or felt the lack of it. Hope not, `
` anyway. I was on a different footing. I took my stand from the `
` first. 'So many pounds a year I'm worth to you. Well and good. `
` But not a penny piece besides--not a pair of gloves, nor a `
` theatre ticket.' She didn't understand--was very offended `
` sometimes. Said I was foolishly proud. It wasn't that--but I `
` couldn't explain. Anyway, I kept my self-respect. And so, out `
` of the whole bunch, I was the only one who could allow myself to `
` be fond of her. I watched over her. I guarded her from the lot `
` of them, and then a glib-tongued scoundrel comes along, and pooh! `
` all my years of devotion go for nothing." `
` `
` Poirot nodded sympathetically. `
` `
` "I understand, mademoiselle, I understand all you feel. It is `
` most natural. You think that we are lukewarm--that we lack fire `
` and energy--but trust me, it is not so." `
` `
` John stuck his head in at this juncture, and invited us both to `
` come up to Mrs. Inglethorp's room, as he and Mr. Wells had `
` finished looking through the desk in the boudoir. `
` `
` As we went up the stairs, John looked back to the dining-room `
` door, and lowered his voice confidentially: `
` `
` "Look here, what's going to happen when these two meet?" `
` `
` I shook my head helplessly. `
` `
` "I've told Mary to keep them apart if she can." `
` `
` "Will she be able to do so?" `
` `
` "The Lord only knows. There's one thing, Inglethorp himself `
` won't be too keen on meeting her." `
` `
` "You've got the keys still, haven't you, Poirot?" I asked, as we `
` reached the door of the locked room. `
` `
` Taking the keys from Poirot, John unlocked it, and we all passed `
` in. The lawyer went straight to the desk, and John followed him. `
` `
` "My mother kept most of her important papers in this `
` despatch-case, I believe," he said. `
` `
` Poirot drew out the small bunch of keys. `
` `
` "Permit me. I locked it, out of precaution, this morning." `
` `
` "But it's not locked now." `
` `
` "Impossible!" `
` `
` "See." And John lifted the lid as he spoke. `
` `
` "Milles tonnerres!" cried Poirot, dumfounded. "And I--who have `
` both the keys in my pocket!" He flung himself upon the case. `
` Suddenly he stiffened. "En voila une affaire! This lock has been `
` forced." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` Poirot laid down the case again. `
` `
` "But who forced it? Why should they? When? But the door was `
` locked?" These exclamations burst from us disjointedly. `
` `
` Poirot answered them categorically--almost mechanically. `
` `
` "Who? That is the question. Why? Ah, if I only knew. When? `
` Since I was here an hour ago. As to the door being locked, it is `
` a very ordinary lock. Probably any other of the doorkeys in this `
` passage would fit it." `
` `
` We stared at one another blankly. Poirot had walked over to the `
` mantel-piece. He was outwardly calm, but I noticed his hands, `
` which from long force of habit were mechanically straightening `
` the spill vases on the mantel-piece, were shaking violently. `
` `
` "See here, it was like this," he said at last. "There was `
` something in that case--some piece of evidence, slight in itself `
` perhaps, but still enough of a clue to connect the murderer with `
` the crime. It was vital to him that it should be destroyed `
` before it was discovered and its significance appreciated. `
` Therefore, he took the risk, the great risk, of coming in here. `
` Finding the case locked, he was obliged to force it, thus `
` betraying his presence. For him to take that risk, it must have `
` been something of great importance." `
` `
` "But what was it?" `
` `
` "Ah!" cried Poirot, with a gesture of anger. "That, I do not `
` know! A document of some kind, without doubt, possibly the scrap `
` of paper Dorcas saw in her hand yesterday afternoon. And I--" `
` his anger burst forth freely--"miserable animal that I am! I `
` guessed nothing! I have behaved like an imbecile! I should never `
` have left that case here. I should have carried it away with me. `
` Ah, triple pig! And now it is gone. It is destroyed--but is it `
` destroyed? Is there not yet a chance--we must leave no stone `
` unturned--" `
` `
` He rushed like a madman from the room, and I followed him as soon `
` as I had sufficiently recovered my wits. But, by the time I had `
` reached the top of the stairs, he was out of sight. `
` `
` Mary Cavendish was standing where the staircase branched, staring `
` down into the hall in the direction in which he had disappeared. `
` `
` "What has happened to your extraordinary little friend, Mr. `
` Hastings? He has just rushed past me like a mad bull." `
` `
` "He's rather upset about something," I remarked feebly. I really `
` did not know how much Poirot would wish me to disclose. As I saw `
` a faint smile gather on Mrs. Cavendish's expressive mouth, I `
` endeavoured to try and turn the conversation by saying: "They `
` haven't met yet, have they?" `
` `
` "Who?" `
` `
` "Mr. Inglethorp and Miss Howard." `
` `
` She looked at me in rather a disconcerting manner. `
` `
` "Do you think it would be such a disaster if they did meet?" `
` `
` "Well, don't you?" I said, rather taken aback. `
` `
` "No." She was smiling in her quiet way. "I should like to see a `
` good flare up. It would clear the air. At present we are all `
` thinking so much, and saying so little." `
` `
` "John doesn't think so," I remarked. "He's anxious to keep them `
` apart." `
` `
` "Oh, John!" `
` `
` Something in her tone fired me, and I blurted out: `
` `
` "Old John's an awfully good sort." `
` `
` She studied me curiously for a minute or two, and then said, to `
` my great surprise: `
` `
`